bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coordinating cross-sector partnerships for water provision in Malawi
Authors: Soublière Jean-François , Cloutier Charlotte
Published: February 2015

Subject area

Public sector management, stakeholder management, collaboration and strategy.

Study level/applicability

Undergraduate (final-year) or master's-level students (Master in Public Administration, Master in Management). Designed for courses in nonprofit management, public administration and/or international development. Can also be used in any course, such as strategic management, sustainable development or corporate social responsibility, that covers stakeholder theory, or stakeholder management as a topic.

Case overview

Decentralization has changed the way core services are delivered to local populations in sub-Saharan Africa. This in turn has forced nongovernmental organizations, international aid agencies, corporations and other development partners to change the way they engage with government in their shared efforts to help improve the living conditions of people living under the threshold of poverty in this and other parts of the world. This modular ethnographic teaching case uses the specific example of the water sector in Malawi to help highlight the complexity of multiple stakeholder relations in an international development context.

Expected learning outcomes

Upon completion of this case, students should be able to: identify and understand the different goals and issues that individual stakeholders in cross-sector partnerships are dealing with; identify and understand the power/control dynamics at play in these relationships; analyse the advantages and disadvantages associated with different ways of coordinating multi-stakeholder partnerships; and develop recommendations for structuring multi-stakeholder relationships in developing and emerging markets that balance efficient service provision with concern for individual stakeholder priorities.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or emailsupport@emeraldinsight.comto request teaching notes.
It’s not the job that you do but the way that you do it
Authors: Srikanth P.B.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– Advances the view that employee potential needs to be assessed based on capability to handle the breadth and complexity of a given role, for which past performance may not serve as a good indicator.

Design/methodology/approach

– Proposes a role-based perspective for evaluating performance and identifying employee potential.

Findings

– Details practical ways of implementing a role-based approach and identifies how to overcome obstacles.

Practical implications

– Explains why promotion needs to be based on a person’s adaptability and potential to deal with complexity rather than his or her ability to do more of the same.

Social implications

– Reveals how organizations can be made more effective by promoting the right people.

Originality/value

– Concentrates on the importance of employee potential in selecting the right people for promotion.
Stars of the future give Bhushan Power and Steel the edge
Authors: Rana Geeta , Goel Alok Kumar
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– Consider the various employee-development initiatives at Bhushan Power and Steel Ltd (BPSL), India.

Design/methodology/approach

– Underlines the key role of employee development at the firm, and explains in particular how it develops its future managers.

Findings

– Reveals how employee competencies are mapped and how training is designed around these and the skill needs of the company.

Practical implications

– Details the benefits of this approach for both individual employees and the company.

Social implications

– Advances the view that BPSL’s managers are more rounded and knowledgeable than those in comparable Indian companies.

Originality/value

– Highlights the importance of taking into account the skill needs of the individual as well as the organization as a whole.
Jaypee takes the express-way to strategic HR
Authors: Bagga Teena
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– Details some of the advantages and pitfalls of human resource (HR) outsourcing.

Design/methodology/approach

– Refers in particular to Jaypee Infratech’s outsourcing the employment of toll staff on its Yamuna express-way to HR-services company TeamLease.

Findings

– Explains that the main advantage of the arrangement is that it gives employees of the Jaypee HR department more time to concentrate on such strategic work such as organizational performance.

Practical implications

– Reveals that Jaypee keeps a strict check on the working hours, payroll, benefits and performance appraisal of the toll employees and endeavors to ensure that they are not treated unfairly.

Social implications

– Considers, briefly, some of the social and legal implications of HR outsourcing.

Originality/value

– Illustrates how some of the potential pitfalls of HR outsourcing can be overcome – or at least some of the risks alleviated.
Enhancing teaching relationships through therapeutic use of self
Authors: Williams Bronwen
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how the skills involved in building therapeutic relationships, especially the therapeutic use of self, in clinical work can transfer in to teaching, making reference to the supporting education theory.

Design/methodology/approach

– A review of relevant education and health literature was undertaken.

Findings

– Mental health practitioners’ skills transfer with good effect to the classroom, therefore clinicians who deliver teaching to mental health colleagues can be seen to be highly effective in promoting excellent learning environments. The teacher, and their teaching, needs to be student focused in the same way that the clinician needs to be patient centred to build the best possible relationships to support development and change.

Originality/value

– The therapeutic relationship is a fundamental element of mental health work and similarly, the relationships that the teachers develop with students are essential to the promotion of learning environments. However, what creates the teacher-student relationship has been little examined in the literature and this paper suggests that the core elements of the therapeutic relationship, especially therapeutic use of self, transfer to the teaching relationship to impact on learning for mental health staff.
The value of guarantee in service e-commerce
Authors: Zheng Haichao , Hung Jui-Long , Lin Zhangxi , Wu Jing
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is investigating the value of service guarantee (SG) program in Service e-Commerce (SeC) which is one resolution to promote service transactions. SeC is emerging as a booming form of e-commerce where various services are contracted, managed, sold and even delivered via the Internet. However, the uncertainty of service quality and the heterogeneity of buyer preferences have been major challenges to sustainable development of SeC.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study uncovered the value of SG in SeC by empirically analyzing the data collected fromzhubajie.com, a well-known service e-marketplace in China, to classify the service providers, to indentify the predictors for SG subscription and to study the effects of SG on service providers’ business performance and service quality.

Findings

– The authors found that the distribution of service provisions is diversified in terms of low-success, mid-success and high-success providers, while proactive or high ability-ranking providers consistently tend to subscribe to SG program. The study revealed that SG has diverse effects on business performance for low-success and mid-success providers. For high-success providers, it seems to not be an effective choice for transaction promotion. Finally, the results showed that SG marginally improved service quality.

Practical implications

– This research provides some practical implications for SeC markets to improve SG program. In addition, the results also help service providers to understand the value of SG in depth.

Originality/value

– This article extended the research of SG from the traditional offline market to the online market, as with SeC, in which transactions are conducted without face to face contact.
Microwave synthesis, photophysical properties of novel fluorescent iminocoumarins and their application in textile printing
Authors: Elgemeie G.H. , Ahmed K.A. , ahmed E.A. , helal M.H. , Masoud D.M.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to synthesise coumarine flourescent dyes from a cheap material in a very short time with a very high yield, and by using a clean green chemistry.

Design/methodology/approach

– Efficient microwave synthesis for some novel iminocoumarins starts from the reaction of p-phenyl-enediamine and ethyl cyanoacetate followed by cyclocondensation with salicylaldehyde derivatives.

Findings

– The synthesized iminocoumarine compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods. Absorption and fluorescence spectra of the compounds were also recorded. All compounds were fluorescent in 1,4-dioxane solution, they all emitted blue light (440-460 nm). The printing properties were studied, and their applications on printing polyester and polyamide fabrics were studied by silk screen printing.

Originality/value

– The authors designed efficient microwavel synthesis for some novel iminocoumarine derivatives; The novel procedure features short-reaction time, moderate yields and simple workup; All compounds were fluorescent in 1,4-dioxane solution, and they all emitted blue light; The authors studied their application in printing polyester and polyamide fabrics.
Synthesis and characterisation of the flame retardant properties and corrosion resistance of Schiff’s base compounds incorporated into organic coating
Authors: Abd El-Wahab H.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to report on the synthesis and characterisation of new flame retardants and anticorrosive additives based on Schiff’s base compounds, which were added physically to organic coating.

Design/methodology/approach

– Flame retardants are incorporated into polymeric materials either as additives or as reactive materials. Additive-type flame retardants are widely used by incorporating into polymeric materials by physical means. In this research, Schiff’s base (azomethine) compounds are added physically to alkyd paint as flame-retardant additives. Elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were used to characterise the structure of the prepared Schiff’s base compounds. Thermal gravimetric analysis was used to evaluate their thermal stability. Experimental coatings were manufactured on a laboratory scale, and then applied by brush on wood and steel panels.

Findings

– Results of an oxygen index value indicated that alkyd paints containing Schiff’s base compounds as additives exhibit very good flame-retardant effects. Also the physical, mechanical and corrosion resistance properties were studied to evaluate the drawbacks of the additives. The additives did not affect the flexibility of the paint formula. The gloss and the impact strength were decreased by the additives, but the hardness, adhesion and corrosion resistance were significantly improved by these additives.

Research limitations/implications

– Alkyd resins are the most extensively used synthetic polymers in the coating industry. Nitrogen compounds are a small but rapidly growing group of flame retardants which are in the focus of public interest concerning environment-friendly flame retardants. So, the focus of this study is on Schiff’s base compounds as flame retardants and anticorrosive additives for alkyd resins to assess their applicability.

Practical implications

– Schiff’s base compounds can be used as new additives in paint formulations to improve the flame-retardant and corrosion properties.

Originality/value

– In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the nitrogen-based family of materials because they not only have a wide range of thermal and chemical stabilities, but can also provide improved thermal and flame-retardant properties to polymers. The present paper reports on the synthesis and characterisation of Schiff’s base compounds and their performance in alkyd resin coatings.
Preparation and characterization of in situ electrospun ZnS nanoparticles/PPV nanofibers
Authors: Xin Yi , Jiang Zijiang , Li Wenwen , Huang Zonghao , Wang Cheng
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aimed to prepare a kind of ZnS nanoparticles/poly(phenylene vinylene) (PPV) nanofibre and investigate its properties. Because the ZnS nanoparticles are important optoelectronic materials, their incorporation into one-dimensional (1D) nanoscale polymer matrices should be a meaningful subject for electrospinning.

Design/methodology/approach

– ZnS/PPV composite nanofibres with an average diameter of 600 nm were successfully prepared by a combination of the in situ method and electrospinning technique. The nanofibres were electrospun from Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O and PPV precursor composite solution, and the ZnS/PPV fibres were obtained by exposure of the electrospun fibres to H2S gas to prepare ZnS nanoparticles in situ. Such fibres were characterised using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared, transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope and photoluminescence (PL). The photoelectric properties of the fibres obtained were also investigated.

Findings

– XRD patterns proved that ZnS nanocrystals generated in the composite nanofibres. The TEM image showed that the nanocrystals were homogeneously dispersed in the nanofibres. The PL spectrum of ZnS/PPV composite nanofibres exhibited a blue shift relative to the PPV nanofibres. I-V curve of the single nanofibre device under 5.76 mW/cm2 light illumination showed that the composite nanofibres have good photoelectric properties.

Research limitations/implications

– The comparisons of advantages between ZnS/PPV nanofibres with similar nanofibres will be further expanded in a later research.

Practical implications

– Results demonstrate the promise of these novel nanostructures as ultraminiature photodetectors with the potential for integration into future hybrid nanophotonic devices and systems.

Originality/value

– The integration of inorganic semiconductor nanoparticles into organic conjugated polymers leads to composite materials with unique physical properties and important application potential. In this work, ZnS nanoparticles were introduced into PPV by an in situ method, so as to obtain a kind of novel 1D nanomaterials with good photoelectric properties.
Multiple primary syphilis on the lip, nipple–areola and penis: An immunohistochemical examination of Treponema pallidum localization using an anti‐T. pallidum antibody
Authors: Fukuda Hidetsugu , Takahashi Misaki , Kato Keiichi , Oharaseki Toshiaki , Mukai Hideki
Published: February 2015

Primary syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum usually develops after sexual contact as an initial solitary sclerosis or hard chancre in the genital region. We describe a case of primary syphilis at three sites in genital and extragenital regions of a man who had sex with men. A 29‐year‐old man visited our hospital for skin lesions on his lower lip, nipple–areola and penis. A positive syphilis serological test for rapid plasma reagin had a titer of 1:16; the patient also tested positive for specific antibodies against T. pallidum, with a cut‐off index of 39.0. Histopathological examination of a nipple–areola biopsy specimen revealed a thickened epidermis and dense infiltration of inflammatory cells extending from the upper dermal layers to the deep dermis. The inflammatory cells were composed of abundant lymphocytes, plasma cells, histiocytes and neutrophils. Immunohistochemical staining for T. pallidum using an anti‐T. pallidum antibody showed numerous spirochetes in the lower portion of the epidermis, scattered inside inflammatory cell infiltrate and perivascular sites throughout the dermis. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with primary syphilis. Treatment with oral amoxicillin hydrate was started. Five days after starting treatment, a diffuse maculopapular rash (syphilitic roseola) occurred on his trunk and extremities. Perivascular cuffing due to T. pallidum was present throughout the dermis in the biopsy specimen of a localized lesion of primary syphilis. Moreover, syphilitic roseola, which indicates generalized dissemination of T. pallidum, developed during the course of treatment for primary syphilis. Therefore, we considered perivascular cuffing to be indicative of the dissemination phase.
Artemisinin inhibits tumour necrosis factor‐α‐induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in vitro and attenuates balloon injury‐induced neointima formation in rats
Authors: Cao Qian , Jiang Yan , Shi Jin , Liu Xue , Chen Jie , Niu Tiesheng , Li Xiaodong
Published: February 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of artemisinin (ART) on rat vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation induced by tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis, and its effect on neointima formation after balloon injury of rat carotid artery. Primary rat VSMC were identified by immunofluorescence assay. The proliferation of VSMC induced by TNF‐α was significantly inhibited by ART treatment in a dose‐dependent manner. Treatment with 100‐μM ART significantly reduced the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen. In contrast, the same treatment arrested the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase. Western blot analysis showed that the cell cycle‐related proteins cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin‐dependent kinase 2, and cyclin‐dependent kinase 4 were downregulated by ART in TNF‐α‐stimulated VSMC. For apoptosis induced by ART, cleaved caspase‐3/‐9 was detected, and the pro‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2‐associated X protein was upregulated while the anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2 was downregulated. The results suggest that ART can effectively inhibit the proliferation of VSMC induced by TNF‐α through the apoptotic induction pathway and cell cycle arrest. Also, balloon injury indicated that ART significantly inhibited neointima formation in the rat carotid arteries.
Can experts judge elections? Testing the validity of expert judgments for measuring election integrity
Authors: Martínez i Coma Ferran , van Ham Carolien
Published: February 2015

Expert surveys have been used to measure a wide variety of phenomena in political science, ranging from party positions, to corruption, to the quality of democracy and elections. However, expert judgments raise important validity concerns, both about the object being measured as well as the experts. It is argued in this article that the context of evaluation is also important to consider when assessing the validity of expert surveys. This is even more important for expert surveys with a comprehensive, worldwide scope, such as democracy or corruption indices. This article tests the validity of expert judgments about election integrity – a topic of increasing concern to both the international community and academics. Evaluating expert judgments of election integrity provides an important contribution to the literature evaluating the validity of expert surveys as instruments of measurement as: (1) the object under study is particularly complex to define and multifaceted; and (2) election integrity is measured in widely varying institutional contexts, ranging from electoral autocracies to liberal democracies. Three potential sources of bias are analysed (the object, the experts and the context), using a unique new dataset on election integrity entitled the ‘Perceptions of Electoral Integrity’ dataset. The data include over 800 experts in 66 parliamentary and presidential elections worldwide. It is found that validity of expert judgments about election integrity is increased if experts are asked to provide factual information (rather than evaluative judgments), and if they are asked to evaluate election day (rather than pre‐election) integrity. It is also found that ideologically polarised elections and elections of lower integrity increase expert disagreement about election integrity. The article concludes with suggestions for researchers using the expert survey data on election integrity on how to check the validity of their data and adjust their analyses accordingly, and outlines some remaining challenges for future data collection using expert surveys.
Application of AJCC/UICC and WHO‐2010 classifications for GEP‐NEN in Chinese patients
Authors: Ye Bi Xing , Heng Ding , Jiang Liu Qin , Wang Yun , Zhang Hong Jie , Lin Lin
Published: February 2015

Objective

To assess the prognostic value in Chinese patients of two new systems, the World Health Organization (WHO)‐2010 and the American Joint Committee on Cancer and the Union for International Cancer Control (AJCC/UICC) systems, for the classification of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP‐NEN).

Methods

One hundred and three patients with GEP‐NEN treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2003 to December 2011 were included in the study. All patients were diagnosed pathologically and had complete follow‐up data. Univariate and multivariate analyses of their clinicopathological characteristics were performed.

Results

The 5‐year survival rates were 95%, 74%, 24% and 15% based on the AJCC/UICC stages I to IV, and 92%, 62% and 29% according to WHO‐2010 grades 1 to 3, respectively, in patients with GEP‐NEN. A higher mortality was observed in patients with AJCC/UICC stage III and IV tumors compared with those at stage I–II, and patients with stage II compared with those with stage I, whereas there was no difference in survival between stage IV and III patients. Based on the WHO‐2010 grading classification, patients with grade 3 tumors had the lowest survival rate than those with grade 1 and 2 tumors, followed by patients with grade 2 tumors.

Conclusion

The WHO‐2010 and AJCC/UICC staging systems can effectively evaluate the prognosis of patients with GEP‐NEN, although the latter might not accurately discriminate the prognosis of patients with local metastasis from those having distant metastasis.
Clinical efficacy of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum in the treatment of Peyronie's disease by subgroup: results from two large, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, phase III studies
Authors: Lipshultz Larry I. , Goldstein Irwin , Seftel Allen D. , Kaufman Gregory J. , Smith Ted M. , Tursi James P. , Burnett Arthur L.
Published: February 2015

Objectives

To examine the efficacy of intralesional collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) in defined subgroups of patients with Peyronie's disease (PD).

Patients and Methods

The efficacy of CCH compared with placebo, assessed from baseline to week 52, was examined in subgroups of participants from the Investigation for Maximal Peyronie's Reduction Efficacy and Safety Studies (IMPRESS) I and II. The subgroups were defined according to: severity of penile curvature deformity at baseline (30–60° [n = 492] and 61–90° [n = 120]); PD duration (1 to ≤2 [n = 201], >2 to ≤4 [n = 212] and >4 years [n = 199]); degree of plaque calcification (no calcification [n = 447], non‐contiguous stippling [n = 103] and contiguous calcification that did not interfere with injection of CCH [n = 62]); and baseline erectile function (International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF] scores 1–5 [n = 22], 6–16 [n = 106] and ≥17 [n = 480]).

Results

Reductions in penile curvature deformity and PD symptom bother were observed in all subgroups. Penile curvature deformity reductions were significantly greater with CCH than with placebo for the following subgroups: baseline penile curvature 30–60° and 61–90°; disease duration >2 to ≤4 years and >4 years; no calcification; and IIEF score ≥17 (high IIEF‐erectile function score; P < 0.05 for all). PD symptom bother reductions were significantly greater in the CCH group for: penile curvature 30–60°; disease duration >4 years; no calcification; and IIEF score 1–5 (no sexual activity) and ≥17 (P < 0.05 for all).

Conclusions

In this analysis, clinical efficacy of CCH treatment for reducing penile curvature deformity and PD symptom bother was found across subgroups. In the IMPRESS I and II overall, adverse events (AEs) were typically mild or moderate, although treatment‐related serious AEs, including corporal rupture or penile haematoma, occurred. Future studies could be considered to directly assess the efficacy and safety of CCH treatment in defined subgroups of PD patients, with the goal of identifying predictors of optimum treatment success.
Collapse‐induced fluidization structures in the Lower Cretaceous Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit, Western Canada
Authors: Broughton Paul L.
Published: February 2015

Unique vertical fluidization structures from the Lower Cretaceous Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit in Western Canada are described. The multi‐metre long structures resulted from ascending Devonian karst aquifer waters injected into the overlying unconsolidated sands of the McMurray Formation (Aptian). The dissolution removal of 100–200 m of Middle Devonian salt beds caused the collapse and fragmentation of the 200 m of Upper Devonian limestones underlying the Cretaceous sands. Hypogene karst aquifer waters fingered upwards along the faults and fractures. Disintegrated muddy wall rock sourced hydroplastic mud flows along fractures in the limestone beds below the floor of the central Bitumount Trough. These dykes widened and lengthened collapse‐induced Upper Devonian fault blocks that differentially subsided due to salt dissolution. Conduits plugged by these mud flows diverted over‐pressured aquifer waters upwards along remaining open pipes, some of which vented on the trough floor. Aquifer waters injected into the McMurray sand and mud beds accumulated on the trough floor generated several types of collapse‐induced fluidization structures: (1) stronger aquifer flows mobilized sands into tens‐of‐metres high sand dykes consisting of multiple vertical pipes of fluidized sand contorted around and intertwined with fragmented muddy wall rock; (2) smaller aquifer jets resulted in 1–2 m high sand‐rich pillars on the trough floor; and (3) narrower high‐pressure jets flowed muddy waters along multi‐metre long, 3–5 cm wide, vertical pipes that cross‐cut and wrapped around fragmented in situ beds. The velocity gradient between these narrow but multi‐metre long water pipe flows and the ambient velocity in the surrounding sediments caused water infiltration to radiate outwards. This plugged porosity along the outer wall of the pipe, diminished drainage into the wall rock, and stabilized concentric growth ring depositions along the length of the pipe. These pipe fills appear as unique striped ribbon fabrics when viewed in longitudinal section.
Synthesis and Evaluation of 3‐(furo[2,3‐b]pyridin‐3‐yl)‐4‐(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐maleimides as Novel GSK‐3β Inhibitors and Anti‐Ischemic Agents
Authors: Ye Qing , Li Qiu , Zhou Yubo , Xu Lei , Mao Weili , Gao Yuanxue , Li Chenhui , Xu Yuan , Xu Yazhou , Liao Hong , Zhang Luyong , Gao Jianrong , Li Jia , Pang Tao
Published: February 2015

A series of novel 3‐(furo[2,3‐b]pyridin‐3‐yl)‐4‐(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐maleimides were designed, synthesized, and biologically evaluated for their GSK‐3β inhibitory activities. Most compounds showed favorable inhibitory activities against GSK‐3β protein. Among them, compounds 5n, 5o, and 5p significantly reduced GSK‐3β substrate tau phosphorylation at Ser396 in primary neurons, indicating inhibition of cellular GSK‐3β activity. In the in vitro neuronal injury models, compounds 5n, 5o, and 5p prevented neuronal death against glutamate, oxygen–glucose deprivation, and nutrient serum deprivation which are closely associated with cerebral ischemic stroke. In the in vivo cerebral ischemia animal model, compound 5o reduced infarct size by 10% and improved the neurological deficit. The results may provide new insights into the development of novel GSK‐3β inhibitors with potential neuroprotective activity against brain ischemic stroke.
Mapping area variability in social and behavioural difficulties among Glasgow pre‐schoolers: linkage of a survey of pre‐school staff with routine monitoring data
Authors: Barry S. J. E. , Marryat L. , Thompson L. , Ellaway A. , White J. , McClung M. , Wilson P.
Published: February 2015

Background

Social, emotional and behavioural development in early to middle childhood impact upon many outcomes in future life and are influenced by home, neighbourhood and school environments. We used linked data to investigate differences between areas in Glasgow City in level of difficulties in pre‐school age children, after consideration of demographics, including area‐level deprivation.

Methods

Pre‐school education staff completed Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ) on all children progressing to school from a local authority or partnership (local authority‐funded private) pre‐school in Glasgow City between 2010 and 2012. These data were linked to individual (age, gender) and area‐level (deprivation) demographics from the City Council Education Services Department. Statistical models were fitted to the SDQ scores, adjusting for age, gender, area deprivation, year of school entry, pre‐school establishment attended and electoral ward of residence. Correlation between neighbouring wards was incorporated to allow for clustering of scores.

Results

Boys and those living in more deprived areas had higher levels of difficulties. Children aged 5.0–5.5 years had fewest difficulties, while the oldest and youngest children had similar levels of difficulties. There were no significant secular trends by year of school entry. There remained differences among areas after adjusting for these variables, with children living in some areas having fewer difficulties than would be expected based on their socio‐demographic characteristics.

Conclusions

There remained differences in children's levels of difficulties between areas after adjusting for age, gender, area deprivation and year of school entry. Children in some very deprived areas had fewer difficulties than might be expected, while those in relatively affluent areas had more difficulties than expected based on their deprivation level. There may be other, unmeasured, individual‐ and area‐level reasons for children's level of difficulties, and these require further exploration.
Flow cytometry detection of vitamin D receptor changes during vitamin D treatment in Crohn's disease
Authors: Bendix M , Dige A , Deleuran B , Dahlerup J F , Jørgensen S P , Bartels L E , Husted L B , Harsløf T , Langdahl B , Agnholt J
Published: February 2015

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with a dysregulated T cell response towards intestinal microflora. Vitamin D has immune modulatory effects on T cells through the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) in vitro. It is unclear how oral vitamin D treatment affects VDR expression. The aim of this study was to establish a flow cytometry protocol, including nuclear and cytoplasmic VDR expression, and to investigate the effects of vitamin D treatment on T cell VDR expression in CD patients. The flow cytometry protocol for VDR staining was developed using the human acute monocytic leukaemia cell line (THP-1). The protocol was evaluated in anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from vitamin D3- (n = 9) and placebo-treated (n = 9) CD patients. Anti-VDR-stained PBMCs were examined by flow cytometry, and their cytokine production was determined by cytokine bead array. VDR, CYP27B1 and RXRα mRNA expression levels in CD4+ T cells were measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The flow cytometry protocol enabled detection of cytoplasmic and nuclear VDR expression. The results were confirmed by confocal microscopy and supported by correlation with VDR mRNA expression. VDR expression in CD4+ T cells increased following stimulation. This VDR up-regulation was inhibited with 30% by vitamin D treatment compared to placebo in CD patients (P = 0·027). VDR expression was correlated with in-vitro interferon-γ production in stimulated PBMCs (P = 0·01). Flow cytometry is a useful method with which to measure intracellular VDR expression. Vitamin D treatment in CD patients reduces T cell receptor-mediated VDR up-regulation.
Gene therapy for primary immunodeficiencies
Authors: Fischer A. , Hacein‐Bey Abina S. , Touzot F. , Cavazzana M.
Published: February 2015

Gene therapy has effectively entered Medicine via the field of primary immunodeficiencies (PID). Because hematopoietic stem cells are accessible and because it was understood that genetic correction of lymphocyte progenitor cells carrying a genetic defect impairing differentiation, could result in the production of long‐lived T lymphocytes, it was reasoned that ex vivo gene transfer in hematopoietic cells could lead to disease phenotype correction. Retroviral vectors were designed to ex vivo transduce such cells. This has indeed been shown to lead to sustained correction of the T cell immunodeficiency associated with two forms of severe combined immunodeficiencies (SCID) for now more than ten years. Occurrence in some patients of genotoxicity related to retroviral vectors integration close to and transactivation of oncogenes has led to the development of retroviral vectors devoid of its enhancer element. Results of recent trials performed for several forms of PID indeed suggest that their use is both safe and efficacious. It is thus anticipated that their application to the treatment of many more life threatening PID will be developed over the coming years.
Distinct invasion strategies operating within a natural annual plant system
Authors: Lai Hao Ran , Mayfield Margaret M. , Gay‐des‐combes Justine M. , Spiegelberger Thomas , Dwyer John M.
Published: February 2015

Alien plant species are known to have a wide range of impacts on recipient communities, from resident species’ exclusions to coexistence with resident species. It remains unclear; however, if this variety of impacts is due to different invader strategies, features of recipient communities or both. To test this, we examined multiple plant invasions of a single ecosystem in southwestern Australia. We used extensive community data to calculate pairwise segregation between target alien species and many co‐occurring species. We related segregation to species’ positions along community trait hierarchies and identified at least two distinct invasion strategies: ‘exploiters’ which occupy high positions along key trait hierarchies and reduce local native species diversity (particularly in nutrient‐enriched situations), and ‘coexisters’ who occupy intermediate trait positions and have no discernable impact on native diversity. We conclude that trait hierarchies, linked to measures of competition, can provide valuable insights about the processes driving different invasion outcomes.
Climate‐dependent costs of reproduction: Survival and fecundity costs decline with length of the growing season and summer temperature
Authors: Sletvold Nina , Ågren Jon
Published: February 2015

Costs of reproduction are expected to vary with environmental conditions thus influencing selection on life‐history traits. Yet, the effects of habitat conditions and climate on trade‐offs among fitness components remain poorly understood. For 2–5 years, we quantified costs of experimentally increased reproduction in two populations (coastal long‐season vs. inland short‐season) of two long‐lived orchids that differ in natural reproductive effort (RE; 30 vs. 75% fruit set). In both species, survival costs were found only at the short‐season site, whereas growth and fecundity costs were evident at both sites, and both survival and fecundity costs declined with increasing growing season length and/or summer temperature. The results suggest that the expression of costs of reproduction depend on the local climate, and that climate warming could result in selection favouring increased RE in both study species.
Solar‐simulated ultraviolet radiation induces histone 3 methylation changes in the gene promoters of matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 3 in primary human dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Gesumaria Lisa , Matsui Mary S. , Kluz Thomas , Costa Max
Published: February 2015

Molecular signalling pathways delineating the induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by ultraviolet radiation (UVR) are currently well‐defined; however, the effects of UVR on epigenetic mechanisms of MMP induction are not as well understood. In this study, we examined solar‐simulated UVR (ssUVR)‐induced gene expression changes and alterations to histone methylation in the promoters of MMP1 and MMP3 in primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). Gene expression changes, including the increased expression of MMP1 and MMP3, were observed using Affymetrix GeneChip arrays and confirmed by qRT‐PCR. Using ChIP‐PCR, we showed for the first time that in HDF irradiated with 12 J/cm2 ssUVR, the H3K4me3 transcriptional activating mark increased and the H3K9me2 transcriptional silencing mark decreased in abundance in promoters, correlating with the observed elevation of MMP1 and MMP3 mRNA levels following ssUVR exposure. Changes in mRNA levels due to a single exposure were transient and decreased 5 days after exposure.
A longitudinal evaluation of anti‐FVIII antibodies demonstrated IgG4 subclass is mainly correlated with high‐titre inhibitor in haemophilia A patients
Authors: Montalvão S. A. L. , Tucunduva A. C. , Siqueira L. H. , Sambo A. L. A. , Medina S. S. , Ozelo M. C.
Published: February 2015

The development of inhibitory antibodies against factor VIII (FVIII) (inhibitor) is the major complication in haemophilia A patients. The FVIII‐binding antibodies development comprises a polyclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) G response. Recent studies showed strong correlation between the presence of neutralizing anti‐FVIII antibodies (inhibitors) and IgG4 subclass. The aim of this study was to evaluate anti‐FVIII IgG subclasses in haemophilia A patients with inhibitor both in a cross‐sectional and in a longitudinal analysis. Inhibitors were determined by Nijmegen–Bethesda assay. Anti‐FVIII IgG subclasses were performed by ELISA, and samples from 20 healthy individuals were used to validate the test. We studied 25 haemophilia A patients with inhibitor, previously treated exclusively with plasma‐derived FVIII concentrates or bypassing agents. The IgG subclasses distributions were evaluated in two groups of patients classified according to inhibitor response. IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies were most prominent in haemophilia A patients with inhibitors when compared with IgG2 and IgG3. This study reports for the first time the behaviour of FVIII‐binding IgG1 and IgG4 subclasses in a longitudinal analysis, in a clinical setting, of high‐response inhibitor haemophilia A patients, showing the correlation of IgG4 and the inhibitor titres. In spite of being considered a non‐pathologic antibody subclass with anti‐inflammatory properties in other situations, IgG4 is correlated with the presence of high‐titre inhibitor in the haemophilia setting. The comprehension of the IgG4 role in immune response may be crucial to establish the process for designing specific tolerance to FVIII.
HIPK2 expression in progression of cutaneous epithelial neoplasm
Authors: Kwon Mi Jung , Min Soo Kee , Seo Jinwon , Kim Dong Hoon , Sung Chang Ohk , Lim Man Sup , Cho Jiwoong , Park Hye‐Rim
Published: February 2015

Background

Homeodomain‐interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) is responsible for a DNA damage response, centrally regulating p53. The aberrant HIPK2 expression is known to be involved in carcinogenesis in several malignancies. However, the correlation of HIPK2 expression along with progression of cutaneous epithelial neoplasm has not been investigated.

Methods

Using immunohistochemistry and real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, we examined the correlation between HIPK2 and HIPK2‐related protein expressions and the progression of some cutaneous epithelial neoplasms (i.e., actinic keratosis, Bowen's disease, keratoacanthoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma).

Results

HIPK2 expression was distinct between preinvasive and invasive lesions: the expression decreased in keratoacanthoma (none of eight) and squamous cell carcinoma (five of 35) compared to actinic keratosis (12 of 19) and Bowen's disease (10 of 23) (P < 0.001). HIPK2 expression was also negatively correlated with aggressiveness of basal cell carcinoma; high‐risk subtypes showed lower HIPK2 expression than did low‐risk subtypes (P < 0.001). HIPK2 mRNA expression of each tumor group was significantly higher than that of normal skin. HIPK2 mRNA expression of each tumor group was not correlated with the relevant HIPK2 protein expression, which was consistent with previous studies.

Conclusions

HIPK2 expression tends to be decreased along tumor progression and may be involved with the invasive potential, suggesting a possible tumor suppressor role for HIPK2.
MicroRNA expression profiling of human blood monocyte subsets highlights functional differences
Authors: Dang Truong‐Minh , Wong Wing‐Cheong , Ong Siew‐Min , Li Peng , Lum Josephine , Chen Jinmiao , Poidinger Michael , Zolezzi Francesca , Wong Siew‐Cheng
Published: February 2015

Within human blood there are two subsets of monocytes that can be identified by differential expression of CD16. Although numerous phenotypic and functional differences between the subsets have been described, little is known of the mechanisms underlying the distinctive properties of the two subsets. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non‐coding RNAs that can regulate gene expression through promoting mRNA degradation or repressing translation, leading to alterations in cellular processes. Their potential influence on the functions of monocyte subsets has not been investigated. In this study, we employed microarray analysis to define the miRNA expression profile of human monocyte subsets. We identified 66 miRNAs that were differentially expressed (DE) between CD16+ and CD16− monocytes. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the predicted targets of the DE miRNAs were predominantly associated with cell death and cellular movement. We validated the functional impacts of selected DE miRNAs in CD16− monocytes, over‐expression of miR‐432 significantly increases apoptosis, and inhibiting miR‐19a significantly reduces cell motility. Furthermore, we found that miR‐345, another DE miRNA directly targets the transcription factor RelA in monocytes, which resulted in the differential expression of RelA in monocyte subsets. This implicates miR‐345 indirect regulation of many genes downstream of RelA, including important inflammatory mediators. Together, our data show that DE miRNAs could contribute substantially to regulating the functions of human blood monocytes.
An Update on Current Prenatal Testing Options: First Trimester and Noninvasive Prenatal Testing
Authors: Latendresse Gwen , Deneris Angela
Published: February 2015

Prenatal genetic testing is rapidly evolving and requires that prenatal care providers stay up‐to‐date with accurate, evidence‐based knowledge. Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT), first trimester maternal serum markers, and fetal nuchal translucency are the most recently developed screening tests added to the testing repertoire for detection of chromosomal disorders such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). NIPT is a new, highly accurate technique that uses maternal serum and is rapidly being introduced as a first trimester screening tool and increasingly being requested by pregnant women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all pregnant women be offered first and second trimester screening options, regardless of risk status, but does not yet recommend NIPT. It is important for prenatal care providers to be aware of and understand these testing options in order to assist women and their families in making well‐informed decisions during pregnancy. The purpose of this article is to update midwives and other prenatal care providers on the current prenatal genetic testing options available and how to appropriately offer and discuss them with their clients. We discuss how these tests work; what to do with the results; and most importantly, how to support and communicate accurate information to women and families as they navigate through an increasingly complicated array of testing choices.
Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury and Anal Incontinence Following Vaginal Birth: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: LaCross Allison , Groff Meredith , Smaldone Arlene
Published: February 2015

Introduction

The aim of this study was to systematically review current evidence for the relationship between obstetric anal sphincter injury (ie, episiotomy and third‐ or fourth‐degree perineal lacerations) and anal incontinence in parous women.

Methods

PubMed, Ovid (MEDLINE), Cochrane Trials, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched. Studies eligible for review assessed the relationship between episiotomy and/or third‐ or fourth‐degree perineal laceration and anal incontinence. Two reviewers independently searched for studies for review and used the Meta‐Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. Quality of individual studies was appraised using the Downs and Black criteria. Pooled effect sizes were estimated for the relationships between episiotomy and third‐ or fourth‐degree perineal laceration with anal incontinence using random effects meta‐analysis models. Heterogeneity of each model was assessed using Cochran Q and I2statistics.

Results

Of 578 articles, 19 studies (7 prospective cohort studies, 6 retrospective studies, one case‐control study, and 5 population‐based cross‐sectional studies) met inclusion/exclusion criteria for the systematic review. Of the 19 studies, 3 examined episiotomy, 7 examined third‐ or fourth‐degree perineal laceration, and 9 studies examined both risk factors for anal incontinence. Eight studies (N = 2929 women) examining the relationship between episiotomy and anal incontinence and 12 studies (N = 2288 women) examining the relationship between third‐ or fourth‐degree perineal laceration and anal incontinence met criteria for inclusion in the meta‐analyses. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) demonstrated a significant association between perineal trauma (episiotomy [OR, 1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28‐2.38; Q = 8.9;P< .26; I2= 21.4] and third‐ or fourth‐degree perineal laceration (OR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.77‐3.98; Q = 27.9; P = .002; I2= 64.1) and anal incontinence.

Discussion

Both episiotomy and third‐ or fourth‐degree perineal laceration are significantly associated with anal incontinence after vaginal birth. The evidence provided in this systematic review and meta‐analysis highlights the importance of reducing perineal trauma during vaginal births in order to ameliorate anal incontinence in parous women.
The Midwifery Legacies Project: History, Progress, and Future Directions
Authors: Moore‐Davis Tonia L. , McGee Karen B. , Moore Elaine M. , Paine Lisa L.
Published: February 2015

The Midwifery Legacies Project, formerly known as the OnGoing Group, was founded as an annual greeting card outreach aimed at maintaining contact with midwives as they approached retirement and beyond. In 2009, the importance of documenting personal and professional stories of midwives arose out of a bequest by a midwife who was relatively unknown outside of the community she served. The result has been the evolution of a robust collection of stories, which are known as the 20th Century Midwife Story Collection. Between 2009 and 2014, more than 120 US midwives aged 65 years or older were interviewed by a midwife, a student midwife, or a professional filmmaker. Collectively, these midwives’ stories offer an intimate snapshot of the social, political, and cultural influences that have shaped US midwifery during the past half century. Individually, the stories honor and recognize midwives’ contributions to the profession and the women they have served. This article details the development, progress, and future directions of the Midwifery Legacies Project.