bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Third-Trimester Maternal Vaccination Against Pertussis and Pertussis Antibody Concentrations
Authors: Abraham Cynthia , Pichichero Michael , Eisenberg Jesse , Singh Sonali
Published: January 2018

OBJECTIVE:

To compare pertussis antibody concentrations in maternal venous serum (at the time of delivery) and umbilical cord arterial serum among women vaccinated with the tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine from either 27–30 6/7 weeks of gestation or from 31–35 6/7 weeks of gestation.

METHODS:

We conducted a prospective cohort study of pregnant women divided into two groups based on when Tdap was administered: 27–30 6/7 weeks of gestation and 31–35 6/7 weeks of gestation. Paired maternal and umbilical cord samples were obtained at the time of delivery to determine immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations to pertussis toxin and pertactin.

RESULTS:

Eighty-eight pregnant women were enrolled. Cord serum pertussis toxin IgG concentrations were approximately twice maternal serum pertussis toxin IgG concentrations (91.6 vs 48.6 enzyme-linked immunoassay [ELISA] units/mL, P<.01) and were significantly correlated (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.85, P<.01). There was no significant difference in maternal serum pertussis toxin IgG concentrations (48.6 vs 48.6 ELISA units/mL, P=.99), cord serum pertussis toxin IgG concentrations (92.1 vs 90.7 ELISA units/mL, P=.95), and cord serum pertactin IgG concentrations (798 vs 730 international units/mL, P=.73) between the two groups. Furthermore, there was no correlation between time from vaccination to delivery and these three parameters. Cord serum pertussis toxin IgG concentrations were greater than 10 ELISA units/mL (ie, in the protective range) in 87% and 97% of those vaccinated from 27–30 6/7 weeks of gestation and from 31–35 6/7 weeks of gestation, respectively (P=.13).

CONCLUSION:

Maternal vaccination against pertussis between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation was associated with a high percentage of newborns with antibody concentrations conferring protection and did not vary by gestational age at vaccination.
Immediate Delivery Compared With Expectant Management in Late Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes
Authors: Quist-Nelson Johanna , de Ruigh Annemijn A. , Seidler Anna Lene , van der Ham David P. , Willekes Christine , Berghella Vincenzo , Pajkrt Eva , Patterson Jillian , Espinoza David , Morris Jonathan , Mol Ben , Askie Lisa ,   for the Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes Meta-analysis (PPROMM) Collaboration
Published: January 2018

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the effects of immediate delivery an expectant management among women whose pregnancies were complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) in the late preterm period (from 34 0/7 weeks until 36 6/7 weeks of gestation).

DATA SOURCES:

PubMed, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception until December 2016.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION:

We included all randomized controlled trials with individual participant data reporting on late preterm PROM with randomization to immediate delivery or expectant management. The primary outcome was a composite of adverse neonatal outcomes: probable or definitive neonatal sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, respiratory distress syndrome, stillbirth, or neonatal death.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION AND RESULTS:

Of eight eligible trials (total n=3,203 mothers), three (2,563 mothers, 2,572 neonates) had individual participant data available. The composite adverse neonatal outcome occurred in 9.6% of neonates in the immediate delivery group and 8.3% in the expectant management group (relative risk [RR] 1.20, 95% CI 0.94–1.55). Neonatal sepsis rates were 2.6% and 3.5%, respectively (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.47–1.15). Neonates in the immediate delivery group were more likely to be diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome (RR 1.47, 95% CI 1.10–1.97), and to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit or special care nursery (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.11–1.23) and had longer admissions. Mothers randomized to immediate delivery were less likely to have an antepartum hemorrhage (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.34–0.95) or chorioamnionitis (RR 0.21, 95% CI 0.13–0.35), but more likely to undergo cesarean delivery (RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.08–1.47).

CONCLUSION:

In women with late preterm PROM, immediate delivery and expectant management resulted in comparable rates of the composite of adverse neonatal outcomes. Effects on individual secondary maternal and neonatal outcomes were mixed.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION:

PROSPERO, 42016032972.
FREQUENT SUBCLINICAL MACULAR CHANGES IN COMBINED BRAF/MEK INHIBITION WITH HIGH-DOSE HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE AS TREATMENT FOR ADVANCED METASTATIC BRAF MUTANT MELANOMA
Authors: Nti Akosua A. , Serrano Leona W. , Sandhu Harpal S. , Uyhazi Katherine E. , Edelstein Ilaina D. , Zhou Elaine J. , Bowman Scott , Song Delu , Gangadhar Tara C. , Schuchter Lynn M. , Mitnick Sheryl , Huang Alexander , Nichols Charles W. , Amaravadi Ravi K. , Kim Benjamin J. , Aleman Tomas S.
Published: January 2018

Purpose:

To assess the potential ocular toxicity of a combined BRAF inhibition (BRAFi) + MEK inhibition (MEKi) + hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) regime used to treat metastatic BRAF mutant melanoma.

Methods:

Patients with stage IV metastatic melanoma andBRAF V600Emutations (n = 11, 31–68 years of age) were included. Treatment was with oral dabrafenib, 150 mg bid, trametinib, 2 mg/day, and HCQ, 400 mg to 600 mg bid. An ophthalmic examination, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, near-infrared and short-wavelength fundus autofluorescence, and static perimetry were performed at baseline, 1 month, and q/6 months after treatment.

Results:

There were no clinically significant ocular events; there was no ocular inflammation. The only medication-related change was a separation of the photoreceptor outer segment tip from the apical retinal pigment epithelium that could be traced from the fovea to the perifoveal retina noted in 9/11 (82%) of the patients. There were no changes in retinal pigment epithelium melanization or lipofuscin content by near-infrared fundus autofluorescence and short-wavelength fundus autofluorescence, respectively. There were no inner retinal or outer nuclear layer changes. Visual acuities and sensitivities were unchanged.

Conclusion:

BRAFi (trametinib) + MEKi (dabrafenib) + HCQ causes very frequent, subclinical separation of the photoreceptor outer segment from the apical retinal pigment epithelium without inner retinal changes or signs of inflammation. The changes suggest interference with the maintenance of the outer retinal barrier and/or phagocytic/pump functions of the retinal pigment epithelium by effective MEK inhibition.
Revisiting autologous transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Ganzel Chezi , Rowe Jacob M.
Published: January 2018

Purpose of review

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT) has been evaluated as a consolidation treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the 1980s and 1990s. These prospective studies from large trials compared auto-HCT with chemotherapy. A comparison was made also with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). These studies reported a lower relapse rate with auto-HCT compared with chemotherapy, but without impact on the overall survival. A high transplant-related mortality in that era confounded the relevance of these data.

Recent findings

Several prospective studies and a plethora of retrospective registry data have confirmed the potent antileukemic therapy of auto-HCT compared with chemotherapy and, in some instances, have even challenged the presumed superiority of allo-HCT as the definitive therapy for certain patients with AML.

The aggregate of recent data, prospective and retrospective, strongly suggests an important role for auto-HCT, at least as the most potent nonimmunologic antileukemia therapy. The transplant-related mortality in 2017 is close to that expected from standard consolidation therapy leading to the conclusion that the role of auto-HCT needs to be rigorously revisited, preferably in prospective studies, to establish its precise role in the current era.
Perforated Meckel Diverticulum
Authors: Talathi Saurabh , Kelly David , Anderson Scott , Vaid Yoginder , Mestre Jose
Published: January 2018

Meckel diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract and the most common cause of gastrointestinal bleeding in children. Although it usually follows the rule of 2's, exceptions to this rule are reported in the literature. Often asymptomatic, MD is commonly an incidental finding during surgical interventions. When symptomatic, the most common presentation of this condition is painless rectal bleeding. A myriad of other nonspecific symptoms are however possible, especially in adults, thus making this diagnosis difficult. Meckel diverticulum has been reported to mimic other abdominal pathologies like appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and pancreatitis to name a few.

We report a patient with acute abdomen in whom the more common causes of acute abdomen were ruled out and a diagnosis of MD was established on exploratory laparoscopy, only after he developed perforation. This report emphasizes the need for maintaining a high index of suspicion towards a possibility of a complicated MD in patients presenting with an acute abdomen, once other causes of acute abdomen are ruled out.
Point-of-Care Ultrasound Evaluation of Severe Renal Trauma in an Adolescent
Authors: Root Jeremy M. , Abo Alyssa , Cohen Joanna
Published: January 2018

Traumatic renal injuries are more common in pediatrics because of the relatively larger size of the kidneys in the pediatric patient. Although computerized tomography remains the criterion standard for the initial evaluation of blunt renal trauma, there is evidence that renal ultrasound may serve a role in postinjury surveillance. Here, we present a case in which point-of-care ultrasound was used to image severe blunt renal trauma in a 17-year-old adolescent boy. In this case, point-of-care ultrasound identified severely distorted renal parenchyma after a grade 5 renal laceration was identified on computerized tomography scan.
Assessment of Child Lead Exposure in a Philadelphia Community, 2014
Authors: Dignam Timothy , Pomales Ana , Werner Lora , Newbern E. Claire , Hodge James , Nielsen Jay , Grober Aaron , Scruton Karen , Young Rand , Kelly Jack , Brown Mary Jean
Published: January 2018

Introduction:

Several urban neighborhoods in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have a history of soil, household lead paint, and potential lead-emitting industry contamination.

Objectives:

To (1) describe blood lead levels (BLLs) in target neighborhoods, (2) identify risk factors and sources of lead exposure, (3) describe household environmental lead levels, and (4) compare results with existing data.

Methods:

A simple, random, cross-sectional sampling strategy was used to enroll children 8 years or younger living in selected Philadelphia neighborhoods with a history of lead-emitting industry during July 2014. Geometric mean of child BLLs and prevalence of BLLs of 5 μg/dL or more were calculated. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to ascertain risk factors for elevated BLLs.

Results:

Among 104 children tested for blood lead, 13 (12.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.5-20.2) had BLLs of 5 μg/dL or more. The geometric mean BLL was 2.0 μg/dL (95% CI, 1.7-2.3 μg/dL). Higher geometric mean BLLs were significantly associated with front door entryway dust lead content, residence built prior to 1900, and a child currently or ever receiving Medicaid. Seventy-one percent of households exceeded the screening level for soil, 25% had an elevated front door floor dust lead level, 28% had an elevated child play area floor dust lead level, and 14% had an elevated interior window dust lead level. Children in households with 2 to 3 elevated environmental lead samples were more likely to have BLLs of 5 μg/dL or more. A spatial relationship between household proximity to historic lead-emitting facilities and child BLL was not identified.

Conclusion:

Entryway floor dust lead levels were strongly associated with blood lead levels in participants. Results underscore the importance to make housing lead safe by addressing all lead hazards in and around the home. Reduction of child lead exposure is crucial, and continued blood lead surveillance, testing, and inspection of homes of children with BLLs of 5 μg/dL or more to identify and control lead sources are recommended. Pediatric health care providers can be especially vigilant screening Medicaid-eligible/enrolled children and children living in very old housing.
5C-ID: Increased resolution Chromosome-Conformation-Capture-Carbon-Copy with in situ 3C and double alternating primer design
Authors: Kim Ji Hun , Titus Katelyn R. , Gong Wanfeng , Beagan Jonathan A. , Cao Zhendong , Phillips-Cremins Jennifer E.
Published: January 2018

Mammalian genomes are folded in a hierarchy of compartments, topologically associating domains (TADs), subTADs and looping interactions. Currently, there is a great need to evaluate the link between chromatin topology and genome function across many biological conditions and genetic perturbations. Hi-C generates high quality, high resolution maps of looping interactions genome-wide, but is intractable for high-throughput screening of loops across conditions due to the requirement of an enormous number of reads (>6 Billion) per library. Here, we describe 5C-ID, an updated version of Chromosome-Conformation-Capture-Carbon-Copy (5C) with restriction digest and ligation performed in the nucleus (in situ Chromosome-Conformation-Capture (3C)) and ligation-mediated amplification performed with a new double alternating design. 5C-ID reduces spatial noise and enables higher resolution 3D genome folding maps than canonical 5C, allowing for a marked improvement in sensitivity and specificity of loop detection. 5C-ID enables the creation of high-resolution, high-coverage maps of chromatin loops in up to a 30 Megabase subset of the genome at a fraction of the cost of Hi-C.
Identification of differentially expressed small RNAs and prediction of target genes in Italian Large White pigs with divergent backfat deposition
Authors: Davoli Roberta , Gaffo Enrico , Zappaterra Martina , Bortoluzzi Stefania , Zambonelli Paolo
Published: January 2018

The identification of the molecular mechanisms regulating pathways associated to the potential of fat deposition in pigs can lead to the detection of key genes and markers for the genetic improvement of fat traits. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) interactions with target RNAs regulate gene expression and modulate pathway activation in cells and tissues. In pigs, miRNA discovery is well far from saturation and the knowledge of miRNA expression in backfat tissue and particularly of the impact of miRNA variations are still fragmentary. We characterized by RNAseq the small RNAs (sRNAs) expression profiles in Italian Large White pig backfat tissue. Comparing two groups of pigs divergent for backfat deposition, we detected 31 significant differentially expressed (DE) sRNAs, 14 up-regulated (including ssc-miR-132, ssc-miR-146b, sscmiR-221–5p, ssc-miR-365–5p, and the moRNA ssc-moR-21–5p) and 17 down-regulated (including ssc-miR-136, ssc-miR-195, ssc-miR-199a-5p, and ssc-miR-335). To understand the biological impact of the observed miRNA expression variations, we used the expression correlation of DE miRNA target transcripts expressed in the same samples to define a regulatory network of 193 interactions between DE miRNAs and 40 DE target transcripts showing opposite expression profiles and being involved in specific pathways. Several miRNAs and mRNAs in the network resulted to be expressed from backfat related pig QTLs. These results are informative on the complex mechanisms influencing fat traits, shed light on a new aspect of the genetic regulation of fat deposition in pigs, and facilitate the perspective implementation of innovative strategies of pig genetic improvement based on genomic markers.
Analysis of P granules in vivo and ex vivo
Authors: Putnam Andrea , Cassani Madeline , Smith Jarrett , Seydoux Geraldine
Published: January 2018

Corrected version -This version can be cited. RNA granules are dynamic sub-cellular compartments that lack enveloping membranes. RNA granules have been proposed to form by liquid-liquid phase separation, a thermodynamic process that partitions molecules between dilute and condensed liquid phases 1. P granules are archetypal RNA granules in C. elegans that display liquid-like behaviors 2. Here we describe in vivo and ex vivo approaches to analyze the material properties of P granules. We find that the liquid phase of P granules is stabilized by a molecularly-distinct, enveloping shell that is intrinsically non-dynamic. Consistent with a gel phase, the shell is resistant to dilution, high salt, and aliphatic alcohols, and dissolves in SDS. Solidification of RNA granules has been linked to neuronal degeneration 3. Our findings suggest that gel-like polymers are essential components of RNA granules that help stabilize liquid phases in the cellular environment.
A cluster-aware, weighted ensemble clustering method for cell-type detection
Authors: Tsoucas Daphne , Yuan Guo-Cheng
Published: January 2018

Single-cell analysis is a powerful tool for dissecting the cellular composition within a tissue or organ. However, it remains difficult to detect rare and common cell types at the same time. Here we present a new computational method, called GiniClust2, to overcome this challenge. GiniClust2 combines the strengths of two complementary approaches, using the Gini index and Fano factor, respectively, through a cluster-aware, weighted ensemble clustering technique. GiniClust2 successfully identifies both common and rare cell types in diverse datasets, outperforming existing methods. GiniClust2 is scalable to very large datasets.
Relationship between histone modifications and transcription factor binding is protein family specific
Authors: Xin Beibei , Rohs Remo
Published: January 2018

The very small fraction of putative binding sites (BSs) that are occupied by transcription factors (TFs) in vivo can be highly variable across different cell types. This observation has been partly attributed to changes in chromatin accessibility and histone modification (HM) patterns surrounding BSs. Previous studies focusing on BSs within DNA regulatory regions found correlations between HM patterns and TF binding specificities. However, a mechanistic understanding of TF–DNA binding specificity determinants is still not available. The ability to predict in vivo TF binding on a genome-wide scale requires the identification of features that determine TF binding based on evolutionary relationships of DNA binding proteins. To reveal protein family–dependent mechanisms of TF binding, we conducted comprehensive comparisons of HM patterns surrounding BSs and non-BSs with exactly matched core motifs for TFs in three cell lines: 33 TFs in GM12878, 37 TFs in K562, and 18 TFs in H1-hESC. These TFs displayed protein family–specific preferences for HM patterns surrounding BSs, with high agreement among cell lines. Moreover, compared to models based on DNA sequence and shape at flanking regions of BSs, HM-augmented quantitative machine-learning methods resulted in increased performance in a TF family–specific manner. Analysis of the relative importance of features in these models indicated that TFs, displaying larger HM pattern differences between BSs and non-BSs, bound DNA in an HM-specific manner on a protein family–specific basis. We propose that TF family–specific HM preferences reveal distinct mechanisms that assist in guiding TFs to their cognate BSs by altering chromatin structure and accessibility.
Targeting mutant KRAS with CRISPR-Cas9 controls tumor growth
Authors: Kim Wonjoo , Lee Sangeun , Kim Han Sang , Song Minjung , Cha Yong Hoon , Kim Young-Hoon , Shin Jeonghong , Lee Eun-Seo , Joo Yeonsoo , Song Jae J. , Choi Eun Ju , Choi Jae W. , Lee Jinu , Kang Moonkyung , Yook Jong In , Lee Min Goo , Kim Yeon-Soo , Paik Soonmyung , Kim Hyongbum (Henry)
Published: January 2018

KRAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene in human tumors, and its activating mutations represent important therapeutic targets. The combination of Cas9 and guide RNA from the CRISPR-Cas system recognizes a specific DNA sequence and makes a double-strand break, which enables editing of the relevant genes. Here, we harnessed CRISPR to specifically target mutant KRAS alleles in cancer cells. We screened guide RNAs using a reporter system and validated them in cancer cells after lentiviral delivery of Cas9 and guide RNA. The survival, proliferation, and tumorigenicity of cancer cells in vitro and the growth of tumors in vivo were determined after delivery of Cas9 and guide RNA. We identified guide RNAs that efficiently target mutant KRAS without significant alterations of the wild-type allele. Doxycycline-inducible expression of this guide RNA in KRAS-mutant cancer cells transduced with a lentiviral vector encoding Cas9 disrupted the mutant KRAS gene, leading to inhibition of cancer cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Intra-tumoral injection of lentivirus and adeno-associated virus expressing Cas9 and sgRNA suppressed tumor growth in vivo, albeit incompletely, in immunodeficient mice. Expression of Cas9 and the guide RNA in cells containing wild-type KRAS did not alter cell survival or proliferation either in vitro and in vivo. Our study provides a proof-of-concept that CRISPR can be utilized to target driver mutations of cancers in vitro and in vivo.
A meta-analysis of determinants of RFID adoption around the world
Authors: Lee Sabinne , Jung Kwangho
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore various factors associated with radio frequency identification (RFID) adoption with quantitative meta-analysis. More specifically, this paper attempts to measure key variables of RFID adoption derived from Rogers’ innovation theory and further examines how state intervention influences the process of RFID adoption. First, this paper compares, relying on a meta-analysis, various mean effect sizes among technological, organizational and environmental factors (i.e. government-driven policies) that Rogers suggested in his innovation model.

Design/methodology/approach

In mean effect size analysis, this paper finds that the technological factor is the most powerful factor that affects the RFID adoption. The technological factor is statistically significant across all regions, including North America, Europe and Asia. The organizational factor is significant only in developing countries like Southeast Asian countries and East Asian countries. Environmental factors like government intervention for facilitating RFID adoption are strong enough only in Southeast Asia and Europe.

Findings

This paper finds that government’s supportive policy is more effective in Europe but not in America, while external pressure is still more effective in Southeast Asia. These results implicate that developmentalism or government-driven policy can be effective not only in developing countries but also in the case of developed countries. In addition, this paper conducts a seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) analysis based on Fisher’s standardized score.

Originality/value

In SUR analysis, this paper finds that the correlations between RFID adoption intention and three innovation factors vary across industrial areas. More specifically, the manufacturing area shows negative moderating effect on all three equations where correlations between Rogers’ innovation factors and RFID adoption intention are meta-dependent variables. Also, RFID adoption is accelerated when the size of the firm is large or the location of the firm is in Southeast Asia. This result implicates that the aspect of technology adoption can be changed by region and type of industry.
Objectivistic knowledge artifacts
Authors: Weber Rosina O.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

By establishing a conceptual path through the field of artificial intelligence for objectivistic knowledge artifacts (KAs), the purpose of this paper is to propose an extension to their design principles. The author uses these principles to deploy KAs for knowledge acquired in scientific processes, to determine whether these principles steer the design of KAs that are amenable for both human and computational manipulation.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting the design principles mentioned above, the author describes the deployment of KAs in collaboration with a group of scientists to represent knowledge gained in scientific processes. The author then analyzes the resulting usage data.

Findings

Usage data reveal that human scientists could enter scientific KAs within the proposed structure. The scientists were able to create associations among them, search and retrieve KAs, and reuse them in drafts of reports to funding agencies. These results were observed when scientists were motivated by imminent incentives.

Research limitations/implications

Previous work has shown that objectivistic KAs are suitable for representing knowledge in computational processes. The data analyzed in this work show that they are suitable for representing knowledge in processes conducted by humans. The need for imminent incentives to motivate humans to contribute KAs suggests a limitation, which may be attributed to the exclusively objectivistic perspective in their design. The author hence discusses the adoption of situativity principles for a more beneficial implementation of KAs.

Originality/value

The suitability for interaction with both human and computational processes makes objectivistic KAs candidates for use as metadata to intersect humans and computers, particularly for scientific processes. The author found no previous work implementing objectivistic KAs for scientific knowledge.
Xennials: a microgeneration in the workplace
Authors: Taylor Melissa Kempf
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the microgeneration between Generation X and the Millennial generation. The research question addressed was “What makes the Xennial generation unique and how might the knowledge of these differences be beneficial to organizations?”

Design/methodology/approach

The research question was analyzed by a review of literature through the lens of generational theory. This study reviewed current literature on generational theory, years encompassing specific generations, and differences between recent generations in the workplace.

Findings

It was discovered the exact years distinguishing generations were unclear because generations fade into one another without a distinct starting and stopping point. This overlap creates a cusp generation or microgeneration. The presented findings suggest microgeneration employees could aid in reducing workplace generational tensions.

Practical implications

Organizations can benefit from creating flexible workplaces accommodating the desires of multi-generational employees while still meeting the goals of the organization as a whole. It is important managers approach generational differences with a clear perspective of what information is valid and what may simply be popular. It is crucial to remember employees are individuals who never completely fit a stereotype, generational, or otherwise.

Originality/value

Very few academic articles on generational differences mention cusp generations and none address their unique opportunities for organizations in the workplace. Members of microgenerations between major generational cohorts may be a key to reducing workplace friction between employees of different generations.
Rethinking and revaluating UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Authors: Stiefel Barry Louis
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Having more than 1,000 sites on the World Heritage List raises questions regarding what world heritage means. The re-evaluation of heritage sites within the USA will be conducted as a case study, where similar issues of historical designation has taken place. Within recent decades there has emerged a policy of revisiting designations that occurred prior to 1990, when the nomination process was less rigorous. These re-evaluations do not necessarily remove the property from heritage designation, but the process has been valuable from a qualitative standpoint because a better understanding of significance has been achieved. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Within recent decades there has emerged a policy of revisiting designations that occurred prior to 1990 in the USA, when the nomination process was less rigorous. Should a similar approach or policy be made to the properties placed on the World Heritage List during the first decades, since the expectations for demonstrating outstanding universal value have since increased? The result could be that we end up with a more robust World Heritage List that provides a better definition of what the common heritage of humanity is.

Findings

The way we approach and conceptualize World Heritage needs to evolve accordingly, considering how much it has evolved since the Convention in 1972. The experiences of re-evaluating historic places in the USA since the 1990s has much to offer.

Research limitations/implications

Only the perspective of the USA is given, as a case study. Contributions from practitioners in other countries experienced in heritage site re-evaluation best practices would be meaningful.

Practical implications

Re-evaluating World Heritage Sites is something to consider as a management prospect for places on or under consideration for the World Heritage List since it could bring a more comprehensive understanding of outstanding universal value. This type of re-evaluation may help in addressing the meaning of place(s), contextualization of multiple locations of common heritage, and the political elitism of the World Heritage List, where some countries are over represented due to sites listed through a less-experienced process from earlier decades.

Social implications

Revisiting the World Heritage List in respect to policy and the meaning of world heritage may be in order. For example, should every nation be entitled to list at least one property to the list regardless of its heritage value?

Originality/value

Since the 1970s, coinciding with the establishment of the World Heritage List through the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the USA has dealt with dynamic and complex logistical problems regarding the recognition and interpretation of its cultural heritage.
Dealing with legal loopholes and uncertainties within eu public procurement law regarding framework agreements
Authors: Andrecka Marta
Published: January 2018

Provision on framework agreements has been introduced into European Union (EU) Law in 2004. Since then framework agreements have gained popularity and importance on the European Union (EU) public tender market. Nevertheless, the use of frameworks poses significant legal challenges necessitating the clarification of the governing rules and the introduction of further guidelines. Unfortunately, clarifications were not fully provided in the new Directive 2014/24/EU. This article is a study of legal loopholes and uncertainties that occur during public procurement of framework agreements as a result of current EU rules and national practices in Denmark and the United Kingdom. The article highlights the need for clarification of the existing rules and introduction of transparency to the subsequent call-off stage of framework agreements. To achieve study aims, three methods were applied: a doctrinal analysis, a small scale comparative law research and field research based on qualitative research by the means of semi-structured interviews.
Production of coloured callus inOrthosiphon stamineusBenth and antioxidant properties of the extracted pigments
Authors: Ali Hanisah , Karsani Saiful Anuar , Othman Rashidi , Yaacob Jamilah Syafawati
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of the present study is to understand the role of auxin and cytokinin in stimulating the production of pigmented callus inOrthosiphon stamineusand to gain correlation between the callus colours with their antioxidant capacity and bioactive constituents.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, plant tissue culture was used to induce production of callus of various colours from leaf explants ofO. stamineus, via manipulation of plant hormones (0-2.0 mg L−1indole-3-acetic acid [IAA] and Kinetin [Kin]). The coloured callus was subjected to solvent extraction and used for quantification of its carotenoid, chlorophyll, anthocyanin and phenolic contents. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity of the extracts was also evaluated, before and after four weeks of storage at −20°C.

Findings

The highest mean (per cent) explants that produced roots (93.33 ± 0.05 per cent) were observed when the cultures were supplemented with 2.0 mg L−1IAA. The colour of the callus changed with time, from green to cream to brown after two and four months of culture, respectively. Optimum production of green callus was achieved with addition of 2.0 mg L−1Kin plus 1.0-2.0 mg L−1IAA to the media, while cream callus in 0.5 mg L−1Kin plus 2.0 mg L−1IAA and brown callus in 0.5 mg L−1Kin plus 1.5 mg L−1IAA. Green callus was found to contain the highest amount of chlorophylls, carotenoid and anthocyanin, while cream callus contained the highest amount of phenolic compounds. The amount of pigments and secondary metabolites in the callus extracts decreased after four weeks of storage, except anthocyanin. The antioxidant potential of the extracts also increased after storage.

Research limitations/implications

The major compounds identified in the methanolic extracts ofO. stamineus-coloured callus are chlorophylls, carotenoids, flavonoids and phenolic acids. Future research work should include improvements in the extraction and identification methods which may lead to detection of other compounds that could attribute to the antioxidant capacity, to complement the findings of the current study.

Practical implications

This analysis provides valuable information on the application of IAA and Kinetin (Kin) to manipulate the content of major pigments with medicinal benefits inO. stamineusby using the plant tissue culture system.

Originality/value

A comparative study on antioxidant capacity and bioactive constituents of pigmented callus fromO. stamineusleaves is original. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt of comparative evaluation on antioxidant potential ofO. stamineus-coloured callus produced using IAA and Kin.
Regulation by taxes or strict limits
Authors: Maxcy Joel , Milwood Pauline
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus an empirical investigation on the financial ramifications of regulatory policies on American professional team sport leagues, while at once including the inseparable effects on the outcomes of contests. The authors conduct a comparative analysis of the impact of alternative regulatory mechanisms adopted by American professional team sport leagues, and their implications for the league performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper conducts a comparative analysis of ten years of financial and contest data from Major League Baseball (MLB) and National Hockey League (NHL). Using relative measures of payroll and profits for the two leagues, the authors test hypotheses on the impact of the market-based payroll taxes of the MLB with the strict payroll limits imposed by the NHL and their relationship to both financial and contest outcomes of the two leagues.

Findings

The comparison of MLB and NHL shows that market-based tax incentives are more consistent with the league financial objectives than strict, enforced mandates, suggesting that comparatively higher profits are associated with the MLB’s approach when compared to the strict bounds imposed by the NHL. Conversely, the comparison of player costs in the NHL and MLB reveal no distinguishable features based on the alternative regulatory methods.

Originality/value

This paper provides an initial, valuable assessment of different regulatory mechanisms on the on- and off-field (-ice) performance of MLB and NHL. Given that MLB has adopted market-based tax incentives to regulate payroll (the competitive balance tax), and the NHL has imposed strict payroll limits (hard salary cap), the authors at once consider MLB’s innovative revenue-sharing system alongside the NHL’s more conventional and restrained method of revenue redistribution, and their implications for performance.
The struggle for Via Bologna street market: crisis, racial denial and speaking back to power in Naples Italy
Authors: Dawes Antonia
Published: January 2018

This paper is based on ethnographic research conducted with migrant and Italian street vendors in Naples, southern Italy, in 2012. It tells the story of Via Bologna market which was nearly closed down by the City Hall at the time. Naples is a city where issues of poverty and unemployment pre‐date and have been exacerbated by manifold narratives of crisis now unfolding across Europe regarding the economy, political legitimacy, security and migration. Street markets have always been an important and visible economic survival strategy for both Neapolitans and migrants there. This article shows how the Via Bologna street vendors appropriated and adapted discourses about crisis to form their own cosmopolitan social movement that halted the closure of the market. It argues that, in the age of globalized migration, the multilingual nature of such collective action is central to understanding social struggles that must be organized between marginalized groups of people divided by race, religion, politics and legal status. This, frequently ambiguous, transcultural solidarity speaks back against a mainstream post‐racial discourse – often articulated by the Neapolitan street vendors at the market – that would reduce the complexity of such collective action to questions of poverty and class struggle.
Absent or Invisible? Women Mediators and the United Nations
Authors: Turner Catherine
Published: January 2018

Since the adoption in 2000 of the landmark Security Council Resolution 1325 a significant body of research has emerged analysing the importance of women's participation in peace negotiations. ‘Participation’ represents one of the core pillars of the Women Peace and Security Agenda (WPS) adopted by the Security Council to redress the exclusion of women from the realm of peace and security. This work has highlighted the benefits of including women and has highlighted the different roles that women play within peacebuilding. However it has largely overlooked the specific category of women in the role of mediator. This is despite clear policy commitments throughout WPS resolutions adopted by the Security Council that call for greater representation of women within high‐level UN mediation teams. This article seeks to address this gap by focusing specifically on the role of mediator, and the relative invisibility of women in that particular role within UN mediation efforts. The article takes as its starting point existing legal and policy frameworks that call for the inclusion of greater number of women in mediation roles, and seeks to understand why these goals are not being achieved.
Comparison of hook wire versus coil localization for video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery
Authors: Hwang Sangwon , Kim Tae Gyu , Song Yun Gyu
Published: January 2018

Background

A hook wire has been most widely used for computed tomography (CT)‐guided localization before video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). However, microcoils have been suggested to replace wires. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy, VATS procedure time, and excised volume of specimens of CT‐guided localization using a hook wire and microcoil.

Methods

The medical records of 106 patients with 110 pulmonary nodules who underwent CT‐guided localization using a hook wire (group A) or microcoil (group B) before VATS performed between March 2013 and January 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

The procedure success rate was 100% in both groups. Dislodgement occurred in four patients in group A and not in group B. Patient pain score was significantly lower for group B than group A (4.0 vs. 6.3; P < 0.001). The VATS success rate was higher in group B than in group A (98.1% vs. 91.1%; P = 0.174). The VATS procedure time was significantly shorter for group B than group A (18.8 vs. 23.6 minutes; P = 0.004). The excised volume of surgical specimens was significantly smaller for group B than group A (8.5 vs. 11.7 cm3; P = 0.043). No major complications related to the localization procedure were noted in either group.

Conclusions

This study showed similar effectiveness of VATS localization between groups. However, microcoil is superior to hook wire for localization of pulmonary nodules in terms of VATS procedure time and excised volume of surgical specimens, with the advantages of no dislodgement and less patient pain.
Soluble CD14 levels in plasma and breastmilk of Malawian HIV+ women: Lack of association with morbidity and mortality in their exposed infants
Authors: Baroncelli Silvia , Galluzzo Clementina M. , Liotta Giuseppe , Andreotti Mauro , Ciccacci Fausto , Mancinelli Sandro , Tolno Victor T. , Gondwe Jane , Amici Roberta , Marazzi Maria C. , Vella Stefano , Giuliano Marina , Palombi Leonardo , Palmisano Lucia
Published: January 2018

Problem

Data on soluble CD14 (sCD14) during pregnancy and lactation are scarce. We assessed the levels of sCD14 in plasma and breastmilk of Malawian HIV‐positive women and evaluated the possible association with morbidity and mortality in the HIV‐exposed children.

Method of study

One hundred and forty‐nine mother/child pairs were studied. Women received antiretroviral therapy from 26 weeks of gestation to at least 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding. sCD14 concentrations were determined using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

sCD14 levels measured at 26 weeks of pregnancy (median: 1418 ng/mL, IQR: 1086‐1757) were inversely correlated to maternal CD4+ cell count (r = −.283, P = .001) and to neonatal birthweight (r = −.233, P = .008). At 6 months, sCD14 plasma levels were significantly higher compared to baseline (1993 ng/mL, IQR: 1482‐2604, P < .001), and breastmilk sCD14 levels (7668 ng/mL, IQR: 5495‐10207) were 4‐fold higher than in plasma (although the concentrations in the two compartments were not correlated). No association was found between sCD14 levels in plasma or breastmilk and morbidity or mortality in children.

Conclusion

Higher sCD14 levels in HIV‐positive women were associated with a more compromised maternal immunological status and to a lower neonatal birthweight, but not to poorer clinical outcomes in the HIV‐exposed children.
Case of laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for ascending colon cancer after aortic graft replacement and revascularization of the superior mesenteric artery
Authors: Hagihara Kiyotaka , Takahashi Hidekazu , Miyoshi Norikatsu , Haraguchi Naotsugu , Hata Taishi , Matsuda Chu , Mizushima Tsunekazu , Yamamoto Hirofumi , Doki Yuichiro , Mori Masaki
Published: January 2018

A 67‐year‐old man who presented with a bloody stool was diagnosed with ascending colon cancer. He had previously experienced thoracic and abdominal aortic dissections, which were treated with thoracic and abdominal aortic grafts and superior mesenteric artery revascularization. We performed a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with a D3 lymph node dissection. During the laparotomy, we identified the superior mesenteric artery and an enlarged anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery. Injury to the latter artery could lead to severe ischemia in multiple organs; therefore, it was crucial to identify the primary feeding artery and vascular anatomy before and during surgery. We chose the laparoscopic right hemicolectomy to avoid injuring the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery and the intra‐abdominal abscess. This case study was the first to describe a laparoscopic hemicolectomy after thoracic and abdominal aortic grafts and superior mesenteric artery revascularization.
Morphometrics reveal correlation between morphology and bioclimatic factors and population mixture in Tetrix japonica (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae)
Authors: Pan Zhi‐Xiang , Hong Fang , Jiang Guo‐Fang
Published: January 2018

The morphology of an organism is limited by genetic and environmental factors, and the precise mechanism is inconsistent between species. Tetrix japonica Bolivar, 1987, is a widely distributed pygmy grasshopper in East Asia. However, the population clustering and relationships between the morphology and bioclimatic factors have not been previously investigated. Here, 32 geographic populations were sampled from China, and morphometrics and multiple statistical analyses were applied to detect the population clustering and relationship between the morphology and bioclimatic factors. The results suggested that T. japonica with females are significantly bigger than males in the eight morphological traits. The 32 populations do not obviously cluster according to the natural geographic area. The body sizes of females are mainly related to the lowest temperature and precipitation; by contrast, males only have a significant relationship with the lowest temperature. The forewing size is significantly related to the maximum precipitation. Furthermore, the Mantel test showed that the morphological size variation of females has a weak positive correlation to geographic distance, but is insignificant in males. It was concluded that Chinese geographic populations of T. japonica mixed and that the size of the morphological structure is limited by bioclimatic factors.
Selecting polychoric instrumental variables in confirmatory factor analysis: An alternative specification test and effects of instrumental variables
Authors: Jin Shaobo , Cao Chunzheng
Published: January 2018

The polychoric instrumental variable (PIV) approach is a recently proposed method to fit a confirmatory factor analysis model with ordinal data. In this paper, we first examine the small‐sample properties of the specification tests for testing the validity of instrumental variables (IVs). Second, we investigate the effects of using different numbers of IVs. Our results show that specification tests derived for continuous data are extremely oversized at all sample sizes when applied to ordinal variables. Possible modifications for ordinal data are proposed in the present study. Simulation results show that the modified specification tests with all available IVs are able to detect model misspecification. In terms of estimation accuracy, the PIV approach where the IVs outnumber the endogenous variables by one produces a lower bias but a higher variation than the PIV approach with more IVs for correctly specified factor loadings at small samples.