bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outsourcing of human resources in science and technology libraries of northern India
Authors: Sharma Veerbala , Gupta Dinesh K.
Published: November 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the extent to which outsourcing of human resources (HR) is used and the attitude of the library staff towards outsourcing in science and technology libraries in Delhi and Chandigarh, India.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is the result of a survey conducted in 25 science and technology libraries of Delhi and Chandigarh, India. Questionnaire and interview tools of survey were used to collect the primary data.

Findings

Most of the Indian libraries have been using selective outsourcing for many years, which has had favourable impact on the activities and services of these libraries. Outsourcing seems a viable solution, as a majority of the libraries lack the required permanent HR. Normally, outsourcing is considered to be an anti‐staff and an anti‐professional activity. However, the study found the library professional staff supportive of outsourcing because it reduced their workload and improved their skills and professional competencies.

Originality/value

This paper explores the hidden practices of Indian libraries to fill the gaps present in required and available HR. However, they hesitate to accept openly that outsourcing is a tool for managing resources and services that are not available in‐house.
Is the encyclopedia dead? Evaluating the usefulness of a traditional reference resource
Authors: Wexelbaum Rachel
Published: November 2013

Purpose

‐‐ The purpose of this paper is to examine past, current, and future usage of encyclopedias.Design/methodology/approach ‐‐ The paper reviews the history of encyclopedias, their composition, and usage by focusing on select publications covering different subject areas.Findings ‐‐ Due to their static nature, traditionally published encyclopedias are not always accurate, objective information resources. Intentions of editors and authors also come into question. A researcher may find more value in using encyclopedias as historical documents rather than resources for quick facts.Practical implications ‐‐ Academic librarians may begin to invest more selectively in encyclopedias, whether in print or electronic format, and market them differently to students and faculty.Originality/value ‐‐ This article explores the academic value of encyclopedias in the twenty‐first century.
The impact of natural hedging on a life insurer's risk situation
Authors: Gatzert Nadine , Wesker Hannah
Published: November 2013

Purpose

Systematic mortality risk, i.e. the risk of unexpected changes in mortality and survival rates, can substantially impact a life insurers' risk and solvency situation. By using the “natural hedge” between life insurance and annuities, insurance companies have an effective tool for reducing their net‐exposure. The purpose of this paper is to analyze this risk management tool and to quantify its effectiveness in hedging against changes in mortality with respect to default risk measures.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this goal, the paper models the insurance company as a whole and takes into account the interaction between assets and liabilities. Systematic mortality risk is considered in two ways. First, systematic mortality risk is modeled using scenario analyses and, second, empirically observed changes in mortality rates for the last 10‐15 years are used.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that the consideration of both the asset and liability side is vital to obtain deeper insight into the impact of natural hedging on an insurer's risk situation and shows how to reach a desired safety level while simultaneously immunizing the portfolio against changes in mortality rates.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature by considering the insurance company as a whole in a multi‐period setting and taking into account both, assets and liabilities, as well as their interaction. Furthermore, the paper shows how to obtain a desired safety level while simultaneously immunizing a portfolio against changes in default risk.
A multi‐year risk capital concept for internal models and enterprise risk management
Authors: Diers Dorothea
Published: November 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how risk capital can be calculated and allocated in a multi‐year context. This is an important issue, since strategic management and decision making within insurance companies require a multi‐year time horizon (instead of a one‐year time horizon, as set out in solvency models).

Design/methodology/approach

After defining risk capital in a multi‐year context, the paper discusses the different properties of the multi‐year risk capital concept. The paper also presents an allocation rule of how to allocate the multi‐year risk capital to individual years as well as to individual segments. The paper applies the author's model framework in an application study to illustrate the different effects.

Findings

The paper shows how multi‐year risk capital can be used as a basis for analyzing different management strategies within risk and return indicators in the context of value‐based management. Furthermore, the paper demonstrates the effect of allocating risk capital in a multi‐year context.

Originality/value

The analysis provides new and relevant information to insurance companies' management. Whereas usually solvency rules set out a time horizon of one year, in the context of internal risk models a multi‐year planning horizon is taken into account. Management needs to get an idea of how much risk capital is necessary in order to survive the next five years without external capital supply. The paper presents an answer to these questions.
Small businesses and risk contingent credit
Authors: Turvey Calum G. , Bogan Vicki L. , Yu Cao
Published: November 2013

Purpose

Firms facing significant income volatility can often suffer from downside risk such that return on assets is insufficient to meet fixed financial obligations. The purpose of this paper is to provide a prescriptive credit solution for small businesses facing exogenous income risk.

Design/methodology/approach

Formulas for risk‐contingent operating and collateralized loans are developed and simulated in the context of a specific business sector.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that a structured credit product with an imbedded option can reduce or eliminate financial risks by providing payouts that decrease the amount of principal and/or interest that firms must repay under low income states.

Originality/value

The overall objective of this paper is to provide a means to mitigate exogenous income risk faced by firms through the design and application of a risk‐contingent credit product that is tied to primary markets and simple to implement. In this context, risk contingency credit refers to a suite of financial products with payoff schedules (loan principal) that are linked to specific commodities or indices. The authors are in fact unaware of any commercial financial products of the type considered in this paper and thus their approach is a prescriptive solution to the identified problem.
Ageism: a study of demographic diversity in Brazil
Authors: Ferreira Vasconcelos Anselmo
Published: November 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the demographic diversity of the so‐called 100 best companies to work for in Brazil and probe whether they exhibit any age bias and discrimination and, if so, in what degree it occurs.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing predominantly on Great Place to Work® Institute Brazil lists, the author develops, through a historical research method, the analysis of the published data of those organizations over the decade between 1998 and 2008.

Findings

The results show that older workers were being sidelined by top‐tier organizations in Brazil. Further, the findings suggest that just some worker groups were being benefited by the 100 best organizations to work for; at the same time, it seemed that they are not interested in other ones.

Research limitations/implications

Although some triangulations were done with the Minister of Labor statistics, this investigation it is not completely exempt of bias. In light of this possibility, future research should focus on those organizations that show an undeniable age bias in their workforce demographic diversity composition.

Practical implications

The paper argues that behind the ageism concept lies an inadequate appreciation for some human beings. As a result, organizations that are concerned with better corporate reputation and images should hunker down to eliminate the signals of ageism and the lack of demographic diversity within their workforces.

Originality/value

This paper shows the results of a qualitative research design focused on Brazilian corporate settings reality. It examines the demographic diversity of the 100 best companies to work for in that country and identifies, in which degree, age bias and discrimination were found inside them, specifically over the period between 1998 and 2008.
Bad for practice?
Authors: Lazzarini Sergio , Islam Gazi , Mesquita Luiz
Published: November 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reconcile alternative managerial views regarding self‐serving behavior in organizations: while some propose that such behavior is commonplace and detrimental to performance, and suggest policies to counteract such conduct, critics contend that such policies generate distrust and diminish performance. The authors integrate elements from agency and interactional justice theories, and hypotheses that managerial attitudes not related to self‐interest can influence behaviors often attributed to the desire to curb self‐interest, and vice‐versa.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ structural equation modeling based on survey data from 387 team‐leaders from both Brazil and the USA.

Findings

An asymmetric relation is found in the aforementioned theoretical “cross‐talk:” managers concerned with self‐interest tend to devise policies solely focused on curbing self‐interest, while managers concerned with justice not only adopt justice‐enhancing practices but also certain incentivizing agency‐related practices which jointly increase performance.

Research limitations/implications

By proposing and testing theoretical interactions between agency and justice theories, support is found for both enthusiasts and critics of self‐interestedness, but pointedly they occur in different domains.

Practical implications

The results suggest that managers should foster interactional justice, promoting incentivizing agency‐related behaviors that may be interpreted as justice‐seeking, while avoiding those that send a message of distrust.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is one of the first empirical papers directly addressing the ongoing debate raised by Ghoshal and others on the merits of managerial theories based on the assumption of self‐interest.
The challenge of engineering
Authors: Hutchings Donald
Published: November 2013

The shortage of suitable recruits to technology has come in for much discussion in the last year or two. It would be gratifying if some of this talk was beginning to have effect in the right quarters. But, in spite of the fillip given to higher technological education by Robbins, the over‐all pattern remains unchanged — the best boys still think only in terms of pure science.
Dispersal, niche breadth and population extinction: colonization ratios predict range size inNorthAmerican dragonflies
Authors: McCauley Shannon J. , Davis Christopher J. , Werner Earl E. , Robeson Michael S.
Published: November 2013

Species' range sizes are shaped by fundamental differences in species' ecological and evolutionary characteristics, and understanding the mechanisms determining range size can shed light on the factors responsible for generating and structuring biological diversity. Moreover, because geographic range size is associated with a species' risk of extinction and their ability to respond to global changes in climate and land use, understanding these mechanisms has important conservation implications.

Despite the hypotheses that dispersal behaviour is a strong determinant of species range areas, few data are available to directly compare the relationship between dispersal behaviour and range size. Here, we overcome this limitation by combining data from a multispecies dispersal experiment with additional species‐level trait data that are commonly hypothesized to affect range size (e.g. niche breadth, local abundance and body size.). This enables us to examine the relationship between these species‐level traits and range size across North America for fifteen dragonfly species.

Ten models based ona prioripredictions about the relationship between species traits and range size were evaluated and two models were identified as good predictors of species range size. These models indicated that only two species' level traits, dispersal behaviour and niche breadth were strongly related to range size. The evidence from these two models indicated that dragonfly species that disperse more often and further had larger North American ranges.

Extinction and colonization dynamics are expected to be a key linkage between dispersal behaviour and range size in dragonflies. To evaluate how extinction and colonization dynamics among dragonflies were related to range size we used an independent data set of extinction and colonization rates for eleven dragonfly species and assessed the relationship between these populations rates and North American range areas for these species.

We found a negative relationship between North American range size and species' extinction‐to‐colonization ratios. Our results indicate that metapopulation dynamics act to shape the extent of species' continental distributions. These population dynamics are likely to interact with dispersal behaviour, particularly at species range margins, to determine range limits and ultimately species range sizes.
SNPMeta: SNP annotation and SNP metadata collection without a reference genome
Authors: Kono Thomas J. Y. , Seth Kiran , Poland Jesse A. , Morrell Peter L.
Published: November 2013

The increase in availability of resequencing data is greatly accelerating SNP discovery and has facilitated the development of SNP genotyping assays. This, in turn, is increasing interest in annotation of individual SNPs. Currently, these data are only available through curation, or comparison to a reference genome. Many species lack a reference genome, but are still important genetic models or are significant species in agricultural production or natural ecosystems. For these species, it is possible to annotate SNPs through comparison with cDNA, or data from well‐annotated genes in public repositories. We present SNPMeta, a tool which gathers information about SNPs by comparison with sequences present in GenBank databases. SNPMeta is able to annotate SNPs from contextual sequence in SNP assay designs, and SNPs discovered through genotyping by sequencing (GBS) approaches. However, SNPs discovered through GBS occur throughout the genome, rather than only in gene space, and therefore do not annotate at high rates. SNPMeta can therefore be used to annotate SNPs in nonmodel species or species that lack a reference genome. Annotations generated by SNPMeta are highly concordant with annotations that would be obtained from a reference genome.
Features of urate deposition in patients with gouty arthritis of the foot using dual‐energy computed tomography
Authors: Sun Ying , Ma Lili , Zhou Yi , Chen Huiyong , Ding Yuqin , Zhou Jianjun , Wei Lei , Zou Hejian , Jiang Lindi
Published: November 2013

Objectives

To investigate features of urate deposition in gout and the association between these features and attacks of gouty arthritis using dual‐energy computed tomography (CT).

Methods

Dual‐energy CT scans of both feet were performed in 80 consecutive patients with gout and 22 with asymptomatic hyperuricemia.

Results

Overall, 333 areas of urate deposition were found in patients with gout. The most commonly affected sites were the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ; 57/333), the distal area of the first toe (59/333) and the calcaneal bone (61/333). For episodes of the first MPJ arthritis, urate deposits in the flexor pollicis longus muscle tendon (P = 0.02), as well as solitary and punctate depositions (P = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively) were positively related to the acute attacks. For episodes of arthritis around the ankle, deposits in the area, including the talus and inferior tibia, were associated with attacks of arthritis at the ankle (P = 0.02); additionally, deposits in the flexor tendon adjacent to the inferior tibia (P < 0.01) and a punctiform conformation were significantly associated with attacks of arthritis (P = 0.02). Logistic regression analysis showed that deposits around the first MPJ (OR = 3.38, 95% CI: 1.32, 8.17) or around the talus and inferior tibia (OR = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.11, 7.15) would increase the risk of an attack of arthritis.

Conclusions

Dual‐energy CT imaging can be used to detect and analyze the features of urate deposition in patients with gout. Specific features of the deposits appeared to be associated with acute attacks of gouty arthritis.
The Novelty of Sovereign Wealth Funds: The Emperor's New Clothes?
Authors: Braunstein Jürgen
Published: November 2013

This article broadens the empirical and conceptual perspective on sovereign wealth funds (SWFs). This is first done through providing a definition of contemporary SWFs. Using recent literature it suggests that SWFs can be differentiated into discrete categories in terms of their funding, governance and investment structures. Using this definition, the subsequent history section identifies earlier instances of SWFs in the context of 17th century financial mercantilism and 1930s monetary mercantilism. This leads directly to a number of investment deals in the 2000s where some countries with SWFs were subject to intense media and government scrutiny. In the aftermath, commentators warned of protectionism and a resurgence in financial and monetary mercantilism by pointing to emerging economies, most notably China. Though contemporary SWFs are not the same as earlier state‐related pools of capital, there are important similarities concerning policy‐relevant variables, highlighted by the SWF literature. A historical interpretative approach provides a bridge between historical instances and a reconceptualised notion of SWFs, linking historical evidence directly to functional claims about the purposes of contemporary SWFs.
Newspaper Coverage and Climate Change Legislative Activity across US States
Authors: Dolšak Nives , Houston Kristen
Published: November 2013

There has been no federal legislation in the US regarding global climate change. Yet, state‐level and city governments have exhibited policy leadership on this subject. How has this varied across states, specifically how has newspaper coverage about global climate change influenced legislative activity across US states during the period 1998–2006? Drawing insights from the literature on the impact of media on agenda setting, we employ regression analysis to understand the impact of newspaper coverage on the introduction of global climate change bills across 17 US states. Newspaper coverage is operationalized in two ways. First, we focus on the overall tone of the coverage: (1) negative, anti‐policy tone; (2) balanced tone; or (3) positive, pro‐policy tone. We find that pro‐ policy narratives are associated with increased legislative activity and balanced narratives are associated with fewer bills aiming at global climate change mitigation. Second, we examine issues addressing: (1) the occurrence of global climate change; (2) its consequences; and (3) global climate change policy solutions. We find that newspaper coverage focused on consequences and policy solutions is associated with increases in the number of introduced bills whereas coverage focused on occurrence is associated with decreases in the number of introduced bills. This article highlights the need to understand the role of subnational units in global public policy especially the implementation of global regimes. Second, we highlight the important role of media in agenda setting and in influencing subnational policy processes.
Probiotics for childhood functional gastrointestinal disorders: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Korterink Judith J , Ockeloen Lize , Benninga Marc A , Tabbers Merit M , Hilbink Mirrian , Deckers‐Kocken Judith M
Published: November 2013

A systematic review and meta‐analysis were performed to investigate the quantity and quality of the current evidence regarding the effect of different probiotic strains in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) in children and adolescents.

Conclusion

Probiotics are more effective than placebo in the treatment of patients with abdominal pain‐related FGID, especially with respect to patients with irritable bowel syndrome. To date, however, probiotics have not proved effective for children with functional constipation.
Wilms’ Tumour 1 (WT1) peptide vaccination in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia induces short‐lived WT1‐specific immune responses
Authors: Uttenthal Benjamin , Martinez‐Davila Irma , Ivey Adam , Craddock Charles , Chen Frederick , Virchis Andras , Kottaridis Panagiotis , Grimwade David , Khwaja Asim , Stauss Hans , Morris Emma C.
Published: November 2013

Wilms’ Tumour 1 (WT1) is a zinc finger transcription factor that is over‐expressed in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Its restricted expression in normal tissues makes it a promising target for novel immunotherapies aiming to accentuate the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against AML. Here we report a phase I/II clinical trial of subcutaneous peptide vaccination with two separate HLA‐A2‐binding peptide epitopes derived from WT1, together with a pan‐DR binding peptide epitope (PADRE), in Montanide adjuvant. Eight HLA‐A2‐positive patients with poor risk AML received five vaccination cycles at 3‐weekly intervals. The three cohorts received 0·3, 0·6 and 1 mg of each peptide, respectively. In six patients, WT1‐specific CTL responses were detected using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent spot assays and pWT126/HLA‐A*0201 tetramer staining, after ex vivo stimulation with the relevant WT1 peptides. However, re‐stimulation of these WT1‐specific T cells failed to elicit secondary expansion in all four patients tested, suggesting that the WT1‐specific CD8+ T cells generated following vaccination may be functionally impaired. No correlation was observed between peptide dose, cellular immune response, reduction in WT1 mRNA expression and clinical response. Larger studies are indicated to confirm these findings.
Subdivision Surfaces with Creases and Truncated Multiple Knot Lines
Authors: Kosinka J. , Sabin M. A. , Dodgson N. A.
Published: November 2013

We deal with subdivision schemes based on arbitrary degree B‐splines. We focus on extraordinary knots which exhibit various levels of complexity in terms of both valency and multiplicity of knot lines emanating from such knots. The purpose of truncated multiple knot lines is to model creases which fair out. Our construction supports any degree and any knot line multiplicity and provides a modelling framework familiar to users used to B‐splines and NURBS systems.
The effects of antipsychotic switching on diabetes in chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Arnoldy R. , Curtis J. , Samaras K.
Published: November 2013

Background

People with severe mental illness have a 20‐year life‐expectancy shortfall. The majority of antipsychotic medications are associated with obesity and heightened diabetes risk. People with severe mental illness less frequently achieve benchmarked diabetes care, often attributed to poor adherence, lower clinical attendance and documented medical biases in treatment. This case is presented to highlight the profound effect medication change can have on diabetes control.

Case report

A 56‐year‐old man with a 42‐year history of schizophrenia had required clozapine treatment for the preceding 14 years. Type 2 diabetes and obesity occurred within 4 years of clozapine instigation. Glycaemic control had been continuously poor, despite frequent contact with diabetes services and multiple medications, including insulin at a dose exceeding 200 IU daily. Request for consideration of antipsychotic review and close interaction with the psychiatry team was initiated at the diabetes outpatient clinic. A gradual medication switch from clozapine to aripiprazole was associated with a reduction in HbA1c from 80 to 50 mmol/mol (9.5 to 6.7%) over 4 months, associated with a weight loss of 10 kg. Over the ensuing 2 years, the improvement in HbA1c has endured, with total weight loss of 13 kg and halving of insulin requirements.

Conclusion

This case illustrates the benefits of engagement between endocrinologists and psychiatrists to achieve the shared goal of improved physical health in severe mental illness. Greater interdisciplinary collaboration will help bridge the life‐expectancy gap in severe mental illness and may assist in preventing disabling diabetes complications in this vulnerable patient group.
Increased intestinal permeability to oral chromium (51Cr) ‐EDTA in human Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Horton F. , Wright J. , Smith L. , Hinton P. J. , Robertson M. D.
Published: November 2013

Objective

In animal models of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, permeability of the intestine is increased because of impairment of tight junction proteins, allowing translocation of bacterial endotoxin and resulting in low‐grade systemic inflammation. This has yet to be demonstrated in humans. The objective of this study was the demonstration of increased intestinal permeability in human Type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We examined intestinal permeability using chromium (51Cr)‐EDTA urinary recovery in twenty well‐controlled men with Type 2 diabetes compared with control subjects matched for age, gender and BMI.

Results

Intestinal permeability was significantly increased (P = 0.002) in the diabetic group and was correlated to increased levels of systemic inflammatory markers high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (r = 0.694, P = 0.001), interleukin 6 (r = 0.548, P = 0.012) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (r = 0.564, P = 0.010).

Conclusion

This is the first demonstration that increased intestinal permeability may be a feature of human Type 2 diabetes.
The relationship between metformin therapy and sleep quantity and quality in patients with Type 2 diabetes referred for potential sleep disorders
Authors: Kajbaf F. , Fendri S. , Basille‐Fantinato A. , Diouf M. , Rose D. , Jounieaux V. , Lalau J.‐D.
Published: November 2013

Aims

Given that sleep disorders are known to be related to insulin resistance, and metformin has favourable effects on insulin resistance and on ventilatory drive, we sought to determine whether metformin therapy was related to sleep variables in a group of patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, observational study of our centre's database for patients referred for potential sleep disorders and then compared metformin‐treated patients with those not treated with the drug. All study patients had undergone the same standard polysomnographic procedure. A multivariate analysis was performed to establish whether or not there was an independent relationship between metformin use and sleep variables (after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, neck circumference, cumulated risk factors and insulin use).

Results

We studied 387 patients (mean ± sd age: 58.4 ± 10.8 years), of whom 314 had been treated with metformin. Total sleep time and sleep efficiency were higher in metformin‐treated patients than in patients not treated with metformin [total sleep time: 6 h 39 min vs. 6 h 3 min, respectively (P = 0.002); sleep efficiency: 77.9 ± 12.3 vs. 71.5 ± 17.2%, respectively (P = 0.003)]. These differences persisted after adjustment for covariates and were observed even although metformin users had a higher BMI than did non‐users (median 37.5 vs. 34.8 kg/m2; P = 0.045).

Conclusion

We showed that metformin therapy is associated with a longer sleep duration and better sleep efficiency. Randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm metformin's favourable effect on sleep quality and quantity.
A cross‐sectional study of glycaemic control, complications and psychosocial functioning among 18‐ to 35‐year‐old adults with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Zoffmann V. , Vistisen D. , Due‐Christensen M.
Published: November 2013

Aims

To describe the level of glycaemic control, complications and psychosocial functioning and the relationships between these variables in the under‐researched group of younger adults with Type 1 diabetes.

Methods

Local electronic health records provided data on age, gender, disease duration, HbA1c and complications for 710 younger adults (18–35 years) with Type 1 diabetes. A questionnaire with wide‐ranging psychometric scales was used to measure various aspects of psychosocial functioning: the burden of diabetes‐related problems, well‐being, self‐esteem, perceived competence in managing diabetes, perceived autonomy support from health professionals and self‐management motivations. Furthermore, patients reported weekly self‐monitored blood glucose measurements and insulin administration. Associations between HbA1c, complication and psychosocial indicators were tested using linear and logistic regression models, adjusted stepwise for confounders, including age, gender, diabetes duration, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, smoking and BMI.

Results

In total, 406 (57%) participants responded. The responders had a mean age of 27.1 (5.1) years, a mean diabetes duration of 13.5 (7.9) years and an HbA1c of 66 mmol/mol (8.2%), with similar values for both genders (P = 0.87). Complications were observed among women more commonly than among men (31.6 vs. 18.8%, P < 0.01), and high distress levels were more prevalent among women compared with men (51.2 vs. 31.9%, P < 0.0001). Except for perceived autonomy support, the psychosocial variables were all associated with HbA1c (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The high prevalence of poor glycaemic control, early complications and psychosocial distress require health‐promoting interventions tailored to the interrelated clinical and psychosocial needs of younger adults with Type 1 diabetes.
Hair cycle control by leptin as a new anagen inducer
Authors: Sumikawa Yasuyuki , Inui Shigeki , Nakajima Takeshi , Itami Satoshi
Published: November 2013

Our purpose is to clarify the physiological role of leptin in hair cycle as leptin reportedly causes activation of Stat3, which is indispensable for hair cycling. While hair follicles in dorsal skin of 5‐week‐old C57/BL6 mice had progressed to late anagen phase, those in dorsal skin of 5‐week‐old leptin receptor deficient db/db mice remained in the first telogen and later entered the anagen at postnatal day 40, indicating that deficiency in leptin receptor signalling delayed the second hair cycle progression. Next, we shaved dorsal hairs on wild‐type mice at postnatal 7 weeks and injected skin with mouse leptin or a mock. After 20 days, although mock injection showed no effect, hair growth occurred around leptin injection area. Human leptin fragment (aa22–56) had similar effects. Although the hair cycle of ob/ob mice was similar to that of wild‐type mice, injection of mouse leptin on ob/ob mice at postnatal 7 weeks induced anagen transition. Immunohistochemically, leptin is expressed in hair follicles from catagen to early anagen in wild‐type mice, suggesting that leptin is an anagen inducer in vivo. Phosphorylation of Erk, Jak2 and Stat3 in human keratinocytes was stimulated by leptin and leptin fragment. In addition, RT‐PCR and ELISA showed that the production of leptin by human dermal papilla cells increased under hypoxic condition, suggesting that hypoxia in catagen/telogen phase promotes leptin production, preparing for entry into the next anagen. In conclusion, leptin, a well‐known adipokine, acts as an anagen inducer and represents a new player in hair biology.
Longitudinal Associations among Fathers' Perception of Coparenting, Partner Relationship Quality, and Paternal Stress during Early Childhood
Authors: Fagan Jay , Lee Yookyong
Published: November 2013

This study examined the longitudinal and concurrent associations among fathers' perceptions of partner relationship quality (happiness, conflict), coparenting (shared decision making, conflict), and paternal stress. The sample consisted of 6,100 children who lived with both biological parents at 24 and 48 months in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study‐Birth Cohort data set. The results showed that there are significant and concurrent associations between fathers' perceptions of the coparenting relationship and paternal stress, and between partner relationship quality and paternal stress. There was also a positive direct longitudinal association between partner relationship conflict and paternal stress. However, we found only one longitudinal cross‐system mediation effect: fathers' perception of coparenting conflict at 48 months mediated the association between partner relationship conflict at 24 months and paternal stress at 48 months. The family practice implications of these findings are discussed.
Deep subsurface sulfate reduction and methanogenesis in the Iberian Pyrite Belt revealed through geochemistry and molecular biomarkers
Authors: Puente‐Sánchez F. , Moreno‐Paz M. , Rivas L. A. , Cruz‐Gil P. , García‐Villadangos M. , Gómez M. J. , Postigo M. , Garrido P. , González‐Toril E. , Briones C. , Fernández‐Remolar D. , Stoker C. , Amils R. , Parro V.
Published: November 2013

The Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB, southwest of Spain), the largest known massive sulfide deposit, fuels a rich chemolithotrophic microbial community in the Río Tinto area. However, the geomicrobiology of its deep subsurface is still unexplored. Herein, we report on the geochemistry and prokaryotic diversity in the subsurface (down to a depth of 166 m) of the Iberian Pyritic belt using an array of geochemical and complementary molecular ecology techniques. Using an antibody microarray, we detected polymeric biomarkers (lipoteichoic acids and peptidoglycan) from Gram‐positive bacteria throughout the borehole. DNA microarray hybridization confirmed the presence of members of methane oxidizers, sulfate‐reducers, metal and sulfur oxidizers, and methanogenic Euryarchaeota. DNA sequences from denitrifying and hydrogenotrophic bacteria were also identified. FISH hybridization revealed live bacterial clusters associated with microniches on mineral surfaces. These results, together with measures of the geochemical parameters in the borehole, allowed us to create a preliminary scheme of the biogeochemical processes that could be operating in the deep subsurface of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, including microbial metabolisms such as sulfate reduction, methanogenesis and anaerobic methane oxidation.
Are We Spending Too Many Years in School? Causal Evidence of the Impact of Shortening Secondary School Duration
Authors: Büttner Bettina , Thomsen Stephan L.
Published: November 2013

During the last decade, most of the German states have abolished the final year of higher secondary schooling while keeping academic content almost unaltered. We evaluate the effects of the reform in Saxony-Anhalt for the double cohort of graduates in 2007. In 2003, the 13th year of schooling was eliminated for students in grade 9, while tenth grade students were unaffected. This provides a natural experiment for analyzing the impact on schooling achievements and educational choice. We find negative effects on grades in mathematics, but no effects in German literature. Moreover, a significant share of females were found to delay university enrollment.
The Effect of RFC G80A Polymorphism in Cretan children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and its interaction with MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms
Authors: Karathanasis N. V. , Stiakaki E. , Goulielmos G. Ν. , Kalmanti M.
Published: November 2013

Introduction

The association between the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children and enzymes involved in the folate metabolism has been under investigation lately. The reduced folate carrier gene (RFC) encodes reduced folate carrier, a protein that transports into the cell both folate and methotrexate, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug, has been proved polymorphic at position 80 (G→A). The role of this polymorphism in childhood ALL and its interaction with other enzymes of the folate metabolic pathway, including MTHFR, has been examined in different populations with diverse results.

Methods

In the present case–control study, 35 children with ALL and 48 healthy adult blood donors, all originating from the island of Crete (Greece), were screened for the presence of the RFC G80A polymorphism, using PCR/RFLP techniques. The effect on ALL risk and methotrexate‐induced toxicities, along with the role of gene–gene interactions in our population, were examined.

Results

No significant association was observed between the RFC G80A genotypes and either the development of ALL or the presence of adverse events. However, a significant association was detected between the MTHFR A1298C/ RFC G80A genotype and a nonpredisposition for ALL (P = 0.035).

Conclusion

This study suggests that gene–gene interactions in childhood ALL may be of prognostic value in our population.
Regulation of pancreatic inflammation by connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2)
Authors: Charrier Alyssa , Chen Ruju , Kemper Sherri , Brigstock David R.
Published: November 2013

Pancreatitis is caused by long‐term heavy alcohol consumption, which results in injury and death of pancreatic acinar cells (PAC). The PAC play a pivotal role in mediating early inflammatory responses but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Treatment of C57BL/6 mice with ethanol and cerulein resulted in increased staining for acinar interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 3 (CCL3), or connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) by Day 16 and this was associated with increased infiltration of F4/80‐positive macrophages and increased expression of pancreatic CTGF/CCN2 mRNA. Compared with wild‐type Swiss Webster mice, ethanol treatment of pan‐green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐CTGF/CCN2 transgenic mice caused enhanced acinar staining for GFP or CTGF/CCN2 and a significant increase in pancreatic infiltration of F4/80‐positive macrophages or NIMP‐R14‐positive neutrophils. Treatment of primary mouse PAC or the rat AR42J PAC line with ethanol or CTGF/CCN2 resulted in enhanced expression of IL‐1β or CCL3. Conditioned medium from CTGF/CCN2‐treated AR42J cells induced chemotaxis in NR8383 macrophages and this response was abrogated in a dose‐dependent manner by addition of BX471, an inhibitor of chemokine (C‐C motif) receptor 1. These results reveal that acinar CTGF/CCN2 plays a novel role in alcohol‐induced inflammatory processes in the pancreas by increasing infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils and increasing acinar production of inflammatory mediators such as IL‐1β or CCL3. The early production of CTGF/CCN2 by PAC to drive inflammation is distinct from its previously reported production by pancreatic stellate cells to drive fibrosis at later stages of pancreatic injury.
Editorial: Counting the cost: estimating the burden of child mental health
Authors: Maughan Barbara
Published: November 2013

The publication of the first report from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study (Murray & Lopez, 1996) radically changed evaluations of the public health significance of mental disorders. Before that time, diseases were typically ranked in terms of their impact on premature mortality. The GBD Study added estimates of impact on disability, and in so doing highlighted the huge public health burden attendant on poor mental health.
Detection of factor XIII‐A is a valuable tool for distinguishing dendritic cells and tissue macrophages in granuloma annulare and necrobiosis lipoidica
Authors: Töröcsik D. , Bárdos H. , Hatalyák Zs. , Dezső B. , Losonczy G. , Paragh L. , Péter Z. , Balázs M. , Remenyik E. , Ádány R.
Published: November 2013

Background

Factor XIII subunit A (FXIII‐A) is used as a diagnostic marker in a wide range of dermatological diseases ranging from inflammatory lesions to malignancies, although neither the cell types responsible for its expression nor the mechanism(s) resulting in its local accumulation in pathological conditions have been characterized.

Objective

In this study, we aimed to gain information on the cells showing an immunohistochemical reaction for FXIII‐A and answer the question whether macrophages and/or dendritic cells are labelled for FXIII‐A.

Methods

We carried out our studies on samples of granuloma annulare (GA) and necrobiosis lipoidica (NL), the prime examples for granulomatous skin lesions with a non‐infectious background in which extracellular matrix remodelling is a key feature without any sign of malignant transformation. We used markers for macrophages and dendritic cells in combination with the detection of FXIII‐A in double labelling immunohistochemical reactions.

Results

We demonstrated that FXIII‐A positivity clearly distinguishes macrophages (CD163+/FXIII‐A+) from dendritic cells (CD11c+/FXIII‐A−) not only in the normal dermis as previously described by Zaba et al. (J Clin Invest 2007; 117: 2517–2525) but also in the pathological conditions of GA and NL. Detecting the expression of DC‐SIGN/CD209 and mannose receptor molecules on FXIII‐A+ macrophages we confirmed that FXIII‐A is expressed in the alternatively activated macrophages. However, while DC‐SIGN/CD209 was invariably expressed on FXIII‐A+ cells both in normal and pathological conditions of GA/NL (98.7% vs. 93.5/96%), mannose receptor was only partially coexpressed with FXIII‐A (94.8% vs. 74.7/52.2%), suggesting that FXIII‐A+ macrophages do not represent a homogenous population.

Conclusions

FXIII‐A selectively marks macrophages and distinguishes them from dendritic cells. The presence of FXIII‐A is not a disease‐specific marker but indicates a possible common mechanism of macrophage activation in various dermatological diseases.
Psychiatric symptomatology and health‐related quality of life in children and adolescents with alopecia areata
Authors: Bilgiç Ö. , Bilgiç A. , Bahalı K. , Bahali A.G. , Gürkan A. , Yılmaz S.
Published: November 2013

Abstracts

Background

There is a very limited amount of data available regarding the relationship between alopecia areata (AA) and psychiatric morbidity and quality of life (QoL) in children and adolescents.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine the psychiatric state and health‐related quality of life (HRQL) of children and adolescents with AA, as well as their relationships with clinical parameters.

Methods

The sample consisted of 74 children with AA aged 8–18 years. Questionnaires were used to evaluate the psychiatric status and HRQL of the patients. The study and control groups were divided into child and adolescent groups to exclude the effect of puberty on psychological condition.

Results

In the child group, patients had higher state anxiety and trait anxiety scores; they also had lower parent‐rated psychosocial and total area HRQL scores than the controls did. In addition, the depression score was prone to show a positive relationship with having AA in the children. In the adolescent group, however, only the state anxiety score had a significant association with AA. All of the parent‐rated HRQL scores were also prone to being lower compared with controls in this age group. Regarding determinants of HRQL, prolonged disease duration and later disease onset had positive effects, whereas severity of scalp involvement, trait anxiety and depression had negative effects, for the sample as a whole.

Conclusions

Alopecia areata is associated with poor psychiatric status and QoL, especially in childhood. The impact of the disease on QoL occurs through both clinical and psychiatric parameters.
The association between biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid and structural changes in the brain in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Li X. , Li T.‐Q. , Andreasen N. , Wiberg M. K. , Westman E. , Wahlund L.‐O.
Published: November 2013

Background

Biochemical changes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) could reflect pathophysiological processes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it is still not clear how these processes correlate with grey matter (GM) volume and microstructural changes in the brain.

Objective

To assess the relationship between CSF biomarkers and structural brain changes in AD.

Design and setting

Cross‐sectional study in a memory clinic‐based sample.

Subjects

A total of 78 subjects were included in the study: 22 with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), 35 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 21 with AD.

Main outcome measures

Voxel‐wise correlations between CSF biomarkers, including β‐amyloid42 (Aβ42), tau phosphorylated at position threonine 181 and total tau protein, and GM volume, self‐diffusion fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) maps using voxel‐based morphometry and tract‐based spatial statistical analyses. FA and MD maps were obtained using diffusion tensor imaging.

Results

In the whole sample (patients with SCI, MCI and AD), there was positive correlation between GM volume and Aβ42 concentration, and negative correlation with total tau protein. Higher FA was only related to higher concentration of Aβ42. MD showed significant negative correlation with Aβ42 and positive correlation with T‐tau levels. The majority of brain regions with significant correlation with CSF biomarkers overlapped with the default mode network and extended to the adjacent white matter.

Conclusions

Early AD pathological changes can be detected with voxel‐based morphometric analysis and diffusion tensor imaging measurements. Furthermore, there was an association between CSF AD biomarkers and structural brain changes in areas related to the default mode network.
Placement of Deep Brain Electrodes in the Dog Using the Brainsight Frameless Stereotactic System: A Pilot Feasibility Study
Authors: Long S. , Frey S. , Freestone D.R. , LeChevoir M. , Stypulkowski P. , Giftakis J. , Cook M.
Published: November 2013

Background

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) together with concurrent EEG recording has shown promise in the treatment of epilepsy. A novel device is capable of combining these 2 functions and may prove valuable in the treatment of epilepsy in dogs. However, stereotactic implantation of electrodes in dogs has not yet been evaluated.

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of implanting stimulating and recording electrodes in the brain of normal dogs using the Brainsight system and to evaluate the function of a novel DBS and recording device.

Animals

Four male intact Greyhounds, confirmed to be normal by clinical and neurologic examinations and hematology and biochemistry testing.

Methods

MRI imaging of the brain was performed after attachment of fiducial markers. MRI scans were used to calculate trajectories for electrode placement in the thalamus and hippocampus, which was performed via burr hole craniotomy. Postoperative CT scanning was performed to evaluate electrode location and accuracy of placement was calculated. Serial neurologic examinations were performed to evaluate neurologic deficits and EEG recordings obtained to evaluate the effects of stimulation.

Results

Electrodes were successfully placed in 3 of 4 dogs with a mean accuracy of 4.6 ± 1.5 mm. EEG recordings showed evoked potentials in response to stimulation with a circadian variation in time‐to‐maximal amplitude. No neurologic deficits were seen in any dog.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Stereotactic placement of electrodes is safe and feasible in the dog. The development of a novel device capable of providing simultaneous neurostimulation and EEG recording potentially represents a major advance in the treatment of epilepsy.