bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peptides derived from plant virus VPg protein inhibit eIF4E oncogene
Authors: Wojtal Izabela , Podsiadla-Bialoskorska Malgorzata , Grzela Renata , Bujak Malgorzata , Szolajska Ewa , Chroboczek Jadwiga
Published: April 2018

Viruses of the Potyviridae family have VPg protein covalently attached to the 5’ end of their linear RNA genome. The protein interacts with the host translation initiation factor eIF4E that occurs in plant cells in two isoforms, one being the preferable target of a given VPg, the remaining one still acting in host protein synthesis. In animal cells only one form of eIF4E is directly involved in protein synthesis. The human eIF4E is known to be an oncogene; elevated expression of eIF4E leads to oncogenic transformation, cancers in animal models and poor prognosis in human cancers, while reduction of the eIF4E level can reverse the transformed phenotype. We show that VPg protein delivery to cells containing only one eIF4E isoform involved in protein synthesis resulted in immobilization of eIF4E in the cytoplasm. The region of VPg involved in the interaction with eIF4E has been partially identified. Peptides derived from this region interacted better with eIF4E than complete VPg protein. Here we characterized one of VPg peptides, VPg5 and we show that VPg5 delivered to colon carcinoma HCT116 cells is able to inhibit cell growth, which is accompanied by reduction in eIF4E level.

List of abbreviations

AcMNPV

Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus

CBB

Coomassie Brilliant Blue

ClYVV

Clover yellow vein virus

eIF4E

eukaryotic initiation translation factor 4E

4E

BP, eIF4E binding protein

FCS

fetal calf serum

LMV

Lettuce Mosaic Virus

MOI

multiplicity of infection

MW

molecular weight

ON

overnight

TMB

3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine

T. ni

Trichoplusia ni cells

PBST

PBS buffer containing 0.05% Tween-20

pi

post infection

PI

propidium iodide

TEV

tobacco etch virus

TVMV

tobacco vein mottling virus

PVY

potato virus Y

VPg

genome-linked viral protein
Identifying policy entrepreneurs of public sector accounting agenda setting in Australia
Authors: Schührer Sabine
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve Kingdon’s (1984, 2011) concept of policy entrepreneurs (PE) with regard to the theoretical development of the definition and identification and level of agency by supplementing it with elements of Schmidt’s (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012) sentient agents. The improved concept of discursive policy entrepreneurs (DPEs) is then applied in an in-depth case study about the agenda setting process of micro and macro whole-of-government accounting in Australia in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the concept of DPEs, a series of operationalised characteristics and proxies are developed to identify them and describe their behaviour. These are then applied in the case study. The two main data sources are semi-structured in-depth interviews and archival documents.

Findings

The findings show that the focus on DPEs’ discursive and coordination activities is critical for identifying and investigating the key actors of the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)/Government Finance Statistics (GFS) harmonisation agenda setting process. The study also finds that the two relevant decision-making bodies, the Financial Reporting Council and the Australian Accounting Standards Board, lost control over their agendas due to the actions of DPEs.

Research limitations/implications

The improved concepts of DPEs will allow researchers to better identify the main agents of policy change and differentiate them from other supporters of policy ideas. Due to the qualitative nature of the study, the findings are not necessarily generalisable.

Practical implications

The findings from this study can help participants of agenda setting processes to gain a better understanding of the actions and behaviours of DPEs. This might allow standard setting bodies to mitigate against undue influences by DPEs.

Originality/value

This study is the first study that uses Schmidt’s concept of the sentient agent to address the limitations of Kingdon’s concept of PE and develops and applies characteristics to identify PEs and their actions. It is also the only study to date that investigates the GAAP/GFS harmonisation agenda setting process.
Governmental accounting practitioners: cardigan removed, research agenda revealed
Authors: Christensen Mark , Greiling Dorothea , Christiaens Johan
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to encourage research implicating public sector accounting practitioners. It overviews articles in the AAAJ Forum arising from the Comparative International Governmental Accounting Research (CIGAR) Network conference in 2015 in which practitioners’ doings were themes across numerous papers. The paper’s central objective is to scope out an agenda for future research in the area.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the CIGAR presentations and papers reviewed for this AAAJ Forum, a desk-based study informed by these sources and others has been conducted.

Findings

Aspects of public sector accounting practitioners’ doings hold promise in themselves whilst also being likely to complement and enrich other themes of public sector accounting research. Those aspects give rise to analytical frames, which may overlap and/or reinforce other aspects. Those analytical frames are: first, examining networking between practitioners; second, identifying implications of the professionalisation project for public sector accounting practitioners; third, analysing public sector accounting practitioners’ responses to the rise of external experts; and, fourth, exploring how public sector accounting practitioners interact with forces that shape the accounting craft. The four articles published here variously address several parts of these themes.

Originality/value

In scoping out a future research agenda, this paper justifies greater attention being paid to the four themes noted in its findings. In each of these research fields, an interdisciplinary approach is important.
Organisational talent management and perceived employer branding
Authors: Maurya Kamlesh Kumar , Agarwal Manisha
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential impact of organisational talent management practices on perceived employer branding. Talented employees are the lifeline of any organisation who contribute effectively to the organisation’s success. Talented workforce and their organisational attraction to remain productive act as a primary competitive enabler for the organizational performance. Employer branding now becomes a key factor to achieve success in business which engenders cognitive and emotional association along with positive involvement at workplace among organizational members. In the context of economic competitiveness and globalisation, employers are experiencing challenge in attracting and retaining talented workers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses quantitative design; questionnaire survey method was used for assessing the organisational talent management and employer branding. Data have been collected through a sample of 232 executives’ class employees from various coal and iron mining industries located in Indian subcontinents. Finally, 197 responses were found to be acceptable for analysis. Hypotheses were tested using a comparison of means, correlations and multiple regression analysis.

Findings

Findings of the paper show that organisational talent management is strongly and positively with the perceived employer branding. Regression analysis showed that among the eight dimensions of organisational talent management, the predictors that are most effective in predicting the employer branding are, namely, rewards and remunerates fairly, manages work–life balance and attracts and recruits talent.

Research limitations/implications

This paper was limited by a small sample size and the use of a cross-sectional design is not done. On the ground of analysis, more specific approach is required to apply the findings to the general population.

Originality/value

Much of the work on employer branding is conceptual based on marketing principle and limited to deal with potential employees. This paper provides empirical evidence from the internal/current employees’ perspective, by investigating the relationship between organisational talent management practices and organisational attraction internally, that is, perceived employer branding. Present paper contributes significantly to the implication and understanding of social exchange theory, internal branding theory and social identity theory in organisational setting (Eisenberger et al., 1986; Lidenet al., 1997; Masterson et al., 2000; Settoon et al., 1996; Wayneet al., 1997).
Dynamics between social media engagement, firm-generated content, and live and time-shifted TV viewing
Authors: Viswanathan Vijay , Malthouse Edward C. , Maslowska Ewa , Hoornaert Steven , Van den Poel Dirk
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study consumer engagement as a dynamic, iterative process in the context of TV shows. A theoretical framework involving the central constructs of brand actions, customer engagement behaviors (CEBs), and consumption is proposed. Brand actions of TV shows include advertising and firm-generated content (FGC) on social media. CEBs include volume, sentiment, and richness of user-generated content (UGC) on social media. Consumption comprises live and time-shifted TV viewing.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors study 31 new TV shows introduced in 2015. Consistent with the ecosystem framework, a simultaneous system of equations approach is adopted to analyze data from a US Cable TV provider, Kantar Media, and Twitter.

Findings

The findings show that advertising efforts initiated by the TV show have a positive effect on time-shifted viewing, but a negative effect on live viewing; tweets posted by the TV show (FGC) have a negative effect on time-shifted viewing, but no effect on live viewing; and negative sentiment from tweets posted by viewers (UGC) reduces time-shifted viewing, but increases live viewing.

Originality/value

Content creators and TV networks are faced with the daunting challenge of retaining their audiences in a media-fragmented world. Whereas most studies on engagement have focused on static firm-customer relationships, this study examines engagement from a dynamic, multi-agent perspective by studying interrelationships among brand actions, CEBs, and consumption over time. Accordingly, this study can help brands to quantify the effectiveness of their engagement efforts in terms of encouraging CEBs and eliciting specific TV consumption behaviors.
Service ecotones: the complex boundary zones of service (eco) systems
Authors: Simmonds Hamish , Gazley Aaron
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce ecotones to the service literature as a conceptual extension of the service ecosystem (SE) framework.

Design/methodology/approach

To synthesise the contribution, an illustrative empirical case study with research of nine organisations and their service systems is developed.

Findings

Boundaries connect systems with their environment. Ecotone, a concept from natural ecosystems, provides a useful concept representing the boundary zones between adjacent systems, supporting emergent phenomena. The authors find that a service ecotone emerges through the interactions occurring at the intersections of relational, technological and institutional boundaries of two unique SEs. The case demonstrates ecotone edge effects – the unique landscape and diversity of actors and their roles – which play a role in the co-evolution of the separate SEs.

Practical implications

The ecotone concept provides an understanding of SE boundaries, helping practitioners understand the complex environments they operate. Developing strategy in complex ecosystems requires a clear understanding of where the boundaries of dependence and interdependence lie. The ecotone concept helps practitioners to develop responsiveness and resilience to their environment and take advantage of resources that may be currently unrecognised.

Originality/value

The authors introduce the ecotone concept and integrate it with service theory. This paper develops service ecotones for understanding the relationship between different systems that influence their functioning and development. Thus, ecotones suggest new avenues for understanding the diversity and roles of actors, and how new structural properties, resources and practices come to be through the tensions and interactions created in these complex boundaries of SEs.
Incorporating sustainability in small health-care facilities: an integrated model
Authors: Chu Kevin Wing Ki , Cheung Lenis Lai Wan
Published: April 2018

Purpose

It is challenging for small health-care facilities to implement changes when human and financial resources are limited for day-to-day operations. This paper aims to propose an integrated model for small- and medium-sized health-care facilities to integrate sustainability in their day-to-day operations, which have been derived from the leadership and change theories.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on previous research on leadership and change theories, the paper first critically reviewed the approaches to implementing changes and how applicable they are in the context of small- and medium-sized health-care facilities. Next, it proposes an integrated model with an execution plan.

Findings

The first part of the paper discusses how either the planned approach or emergent approach for change may fail in facilitating the implementation of sustainable initiatives, as incorporating sustainability into operations require both leadership of change and open learning systems. The second part outlines the four-phase combined approach, which includes phases of “exploration”, “planning”, “action” and “integration”, and discusses how change readiness is ensured through such approach.

Practical implications

The authors propose an integrated model as a framework for integrating sustainability into the operations of small health-care facilities. The clearest possible steps at various phases are proposed. Potential barriers and risks are highlighted and the coping strategies proposed to maximise the chance of successfully transforming organisations.

Originality/value

Applying the “how to” ideas based on the integrated model for change management will help leaders of health-care facilities gradually integrate sustainability into their day-to-day operations.
Structural holes, exploratory innovation and exploitative innovation
Authors: Zang Jinjuan
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Existing research has demonstrated that the innovation implications of structural holes are inconsistent. The diverse and broad resources associated with structural holes facilitate innovation. On the contrary, brokerage will also hinder trust and increase the opportunism behaviors among partners, which will damage innovation. Inspired by the conflicting conclusions, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the roles of structural holes on exploratory innovation and exploitative innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the model, the paper used a panel of 305 US computer focal firms and 6,894 alliances from the period spanning 1993 to 2004, and adopted the Heckman two-stage selection procedure in predicting the results.

Findings

The results show that structural holes help firms to develop exploratory innovation while negatively impacting exploitative innovation.

Originality/value

This study offers precise insights on inconsistent understandings between structural holes and innovation by differentiating exploratory innovation from exploitative innovation. Furthermore, it contributes to the burgeoning literature on exploration and exploitation from the network perspective.
Mechanical properties evaluation of T800 carbon fiber reinforced hybrid composite embedded with silicon carbide microparticles
Authors: Potluri Rakesh
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of the addition of silicon carbide (SiC) microparticles and their contributions regarding the tensile and shear properties of the T800 fiber reinforced polymer composite at various fiber volume fractions. The tensile and shear properties of the hybrid composites where continuous T800 fibers are used as reinforcements in an epoxy matrix embedded with SiC microparticles have been studied.

Design/methodology/approach

The results were obtained by implementing a micromechanics approach assuming a uniform distribution of reinforcements and considering one unit cell from the whole array. Using the two-step homogenization process, the properties of the materials were determined by using the finite element analysis (FEA). The predicted elastic properties from FEA were compared with the analytical results. The analytical models were implemented in the MATLAB Software. The FEA was performed in ANSYS APDL.

Findings

The mechanical properties of the hybrid composite had increased when compared with the properties of the conventional FRP. The results suggest that SiC particles are a good reinforcement for enhancing the transverse and shear properties of the considered fiber reinforced epoxy composite. The microparticle embedment has significant effect on the transverse tensile properties as well as in-plane and out-of-plane shear properties.

Research limitations/implications

This is significant because improving the properties of the composite materials using different methods is of high interest in the materials community. Using this study people can work on the process of including different type of microparticles in to their composite designs and improve their performance characteristics. The major influence of the particles can be seen only at lower volume fractions of the fiber in the composite. Only FEA and analytical methods were used for the study.

Practical implications

Material property improvements lead to more advanced designs for aerospace and defense structures, which allow for high performance under unpredictable conditions.

Originality/value

This type of study proves that the embedment of different microparticles is a method that can be used for improving the properties of the composite materials. The improvement of the transverse and shear properties will be useful especially in the design of shell structures in the different engineering applications.
Millennials and organizational citizenship behavior
Authors: Gong Baiyun , Greenwood Regina A. , Hoyte David , Ramkissoon Arlene , He Xin
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Growing up in the technology era and heavily invested in longer full-time education, the millennial workforce holds unique characteristics that may influence important job outcomes. Building on the recent research on workforce generations, this paper aims to investigate not only the overall effect of the millennial generation on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) but also the nuanced effect of how workforce generations may interact with two factors in career development (i.e. job crafting and career anchor) in predicting OCB.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted among full-time workers in the USA, 321 (64 per cent) of whom were millennials. Hierarchical regression was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results indicated that millennials appeared to be less interested in OCB compared to earlier generations in the workforce. Nevertheless, some dimensions of OCB increased when millennials conducted resource-related job crafting or when they held a career anchor on service. In addition, both of these career development factors were positively correlated with OCB.

Research limitations/implications

This study offers important implications to researchers as well as practitioners and highlights the significance of career development factors in motivating millennials toward desired job outcomes.

Originality/value

This research is among the initial attempts to assess the impact of job design and career factors on OCB among millennial workers. The findings highlight millennials’ unique perspectives toward OCB and how job crafting and career anchor may play influencing roles on OCB. With millennials becoming the largest generation in the workforce, such knowledge is critical.
Kaizen philosophy
Authors: Marin-Garcia Juan A. , Juarez-Tarraga Amable , Santandreu-Mascarell Cristina
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to perform a context analysis about a specific Kaizen program, suggestion systems in permanent teams, and identified the barriers and facilitators that companies encounter while implementing them from the workers’ perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied an inductive method, the Grounded Theory, to develop a specific context theory using the information that emerged from a convenience sample of 182 workers in several countries.

Findings

The facilitators and barriers identified for the workers in the field study are aligned with those identified in previous studies, generally obtained using information provided by managers. The methodology enabled us to identify the relationships between them and their level of relevance.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitations were linked with the source of the data as the authors worked with a convenience sample and only analyzed the information provided by the workers.

Practical implications

The identified facilitators, their relationships and their relevance, contribute to understand the functioning phenomena of suggestion systems in permanent teams to facilitate organizations using this continuous improvement program more effectively.

Originality/value

The originality of this study, apart from identifying facilitators from the workers’ perspective, is that the used method enabled us to identify the relationships between them and know how the operators perceived their relevance.
Theory as Fantasy: Emotional Dimensions to Grounded Theory
Authors: Clancy Annette , Vince Russ
Published: April 2018

In this paper we discuss emotions and fantasies that inform and influence the project of theory building. Our argument is that theory building can be improved by engaging directly with emotions and with fantasies that are defensively and creatively generated by the researcher. Once acknowledged, these can be transformed into ideas and insights. We provide an example of the emotional dynamics surrounding a novice researcher's use of grounded theory within her doctoral research. We highlight three distinctive researcher fantasies of containment, coherence and purity associated with her experience of the method. We discuss how engagement with these fantasies deepened the researcher's analysis and thereby enhanced the process of building theory from the data. Therefore, our paper contributes to an understanding of how fantasies mobilized by such an open‐ended research method can help to refine our thinking about emerging theory.
Association of mitochondrial displacement loop polymorphisms with diarrhea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome: A preliminary study
Authors: Liu Zi Yu , Gua Xia Xu , Zhang Rong Gui , Wang Xiao Xiao , Ai Jie , Wang Wei Feng , Yang Yun Sheng
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the mitochondrial displacement loop (D‐loop) were associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

METHODS

Altogether 40 participants were recruited and classified into three groups, including 20 that fulfilled the Rome III criteria for diarrhea‐predominant IBS (IBS‐D), 10 with constipation‐predominant IBS (IBS‐C), and 10 healthy volunteers (controls). DNA was extracted from biopsy specimens of the colon obtained during routine colonoscopies. The mitochondrial D‐loop was sequenced and variants were identified in comparison with the reference sequence from GenBank. We searched GenBank and MITOMAP to determine whether a variant could be considered an SNP.

RESULTS

No significant differences in sex, age and body mass index were found among the three groups. The average numbers of SNPs in the IBS‐D, IBS‐C and control groups were 12.2 ± 2.7, 9.8 ± 1.8 and 9.9 ± 2.1, respectively. The frequency of SNPs was significantly higher in the IBS‐D group than in the IBS‐C group and controls (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the latter two groups. Each SNP was compared among the three groups and the frequency of 199C was found to be significantly higher in the control group than in the IBS‐D group (P = 0.03), but no significant difference in its frequency was found between the IBS‐C group and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with IBS‐D have a higher incidence of SNPs in the mitochondrial D‐loop than controls. The genotype 199C may be associated with a lower risk of IBS‐D.
Inter‐Governmental Regimes and Recruitment to Private Regimes:GATT/WTOand theISO, 1951–2005
Authors: Lim Sijeong , Prakash Aseem
Published: April 2018

Scholars of international relations and public policy recognize that quasi‐private actors supply governance services alongside governmental actors. We explore how membership in the dominant trade regime, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade/the World Trade Organization (GATT/WTO) influences countries’ incentives to join the quasi‐private regime, International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Both global regimes seek to remove trade barriers; the former focuses on tariff and non‐tariff obstacles, and the latter on technical barriers. While any firm can subscribe to over 18,000ISOstandards, only national standards bodies, one per country, can becomeISOmembers. We posit that given the substantial political costs of joiningGATT/WTOand the relatively low entry barriers to joining theISO, high trading countries might view theISOas a (partial) functional equivalent of theGATT/WTO. Our empirical analysis ofISOmembership dynamics over the period 1951–2005 lends support to our argument.
Binge Drinking Above and Below Twice the Adolescent Thresholds and Health‐Risk Behaviors
Authors: Hingson Ralph Waldo , Zha Wenxing
Published: April 2018

Background

Underage drinking has been associated with health‐risk behaviors: unintentional and unprotected sex; physical and sexual assault; suicide; homicide; traffic and other unintentional injuries; and overdoses. Five drinks consumed over 2 hours by adult males and 4 drinks by adult females typically produce blood alcohol levels (BALs) of ≥0.08%, which the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism considers binge drinking. Being smaller, young adolescents can reach adult binge‐drinking BALs of ≥0.08% with fewer drinks. Previous research indicates boys ages 9 to 13 would reach ≥0.08% with 3 drinks, 4 drinks at ages 14 to 15, and 5 drinks at ages ≥16. For girls, ≥0.08% is reached with ≥3 drinks at ages 9 to 17 and ≥4 drinks at ages ≥18. This study explores whether, among a national sample of high school students, adolescent binge drinking at ≥twice versus <twice the age‐/gender‐specific thresholds versus nonbinge drinking heightens associations of drinking with health‐risk behaviors.

Methods

In 2015, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey asked a national probability sample of 15,624 high school students grades 9 to 12 (response rate 60%) about their past‐month drinking and past‐month or past‐year health‐risk behaviors. Logistic regressions with pairwise comparisons examined the association between different drinking levels and selected risk behaviors, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and drinking frequency.

Results

Seven percent binged ≥twice and 9% <twice the age‐/gender‐specific thresholds, and 14% drank less than the binge thresholds. Significantly higher percentages of binge drinkers at ≥twice versus <twice the thresholds versus other drinkers reported illegal drug and tobacco use, risky sexual and traffic behaviors, physical fights, suicide, less school‐night sleep, and poorer school grades.

Conclusions

Adolescent alcohol misuse screening should query the maximum number of drinks consumed per occasion and frequency of such consumption. State and national surveillance surveys should include those questions to investigate which individual, family, school, community, and policy interventions reduce consumption beyond binge thresholds and related health‐risk behaviors.
Novel modification of the Reported Edmonton Frail Scale
Authors: Rose Michael , Yang Allan , Welz Martina , Masik Anna , Staples Margaret
Published: April 2018

Objectives

The Reported Edmonton Frail Scale (REFS) uses clock drawing as a measure of cognition. However, many patients in the acute hospital setting present with an inability to clock‐draw. We considered an alternative method for assessing cognition based on a history of cognitive impairment.

Methods

We created a modified version of the REFS (mod‐REFS), utilising the same domains as the REFS, in which a screening question of cognition substitutes the clock‐drawing task. Data were collected from a prospective cohort study.

Results

Of 181 participants, frailty measured with either the REFS or the mod‐REFS found equivalence. A comparison between clock drawing and cognitive question scores demonstrated a complete agreement for 152 patients (84%), a reduction in cognition score for 25 (14%) and an increase for 4 (2%).

Conclusion

We suggest the mod‐REFS will improve the frailty assessment in the acute hospital setting, overcoming the limitations associated with clock drawing.
A retrospective clinico‐pathological study comparing lichen planus pigmentosus with ashy dermatosis
Authors: Cheng Hui Mei , Chuah Sai Yee , Gan Emily Yiping , Jhingan Anjali , Thng Steven Tien Guan
Published: April 2018

Background/Objectives

Controversy persists as to whether lichen planus pigmentosus and ashy dermatosis are separate clinical entities. This study was conducted to examine the clinicopathological features and treatment outcome of the two conditions.

Methods

A retrospective medical chart review of all patients who were diagnosed with lichen planus pigmentosus or ashy dermatosis was conducted. The information collected included the participants’ age at onset, site of onset, duration of disease, presence of precipitating factors, distribution of disease, pigmentation and presence of symptoms. In patients from whom a biopsy was taken the histopathological reports were included.

Results

Altogether 26 patients with ashy dermatosis and 29 with lichen planus pigmentosus were included in the study. Compared with ashy dermatosis, lichen planus pigmentosus had a more localised distribution with a preponderance for facial involvement, compared with the truncal preponderance in ashy dermatosis. Ashy dermatosis tended to have a more stable clinical course than lichen planus pigmentosus, which was more likely to wax and wane. The utility of histopathology in differentiating between the two conditions is low.

Conclusion

Ashy dermatosis and lichen planus pigmentosus, as defined in this study, appear to be two separate clinical entities with distinguishable clinical features and natural histories.
Visual Evoked Potential Recovery by Subretinal Implantation of Photoelectric Dye‐Coupled Thin Film Retinal Prosthesis in Monkey Eyes With Macular Degeneration
Authors: Matsuo Toshihiko , Uchida Tetsuya , Sakurai Jun , Yamashita Koichiro , Matsuo Chie , Araki Tomoaki , Yamashita Yusuke , Kamikawa Kunihisa
Published: April 2018

Retinal prosthesis or artificial retina is a promising modality of treatment for outer retinal degeneration, caused by primary and secondary loss of photoreceptor cells, in hereditary retinal dystrophy and age‐related macular degeneration, respectively. Okayama University‐type retinal prosthesis (OUReP) is a photoelectric dye‐coupled polyethylene film which generates electric potential in response to light and stimulates nearby neurons. The dye‐coupled films were implanted by vitreous surgery in the subretinal space of monkey eyes with macular degeneration which had been induced by cobalt chloride injection from the scleral side. A pilot 1‐month observation study involved 6 monkeys and a pivotal 6‐month observation study involved 8 monkeys. Of 8 monkeys in 6‐month group, 3 monkeys underwent dye‐coupled film removal at 5 months and were observed further for 1 month. The amplitude of visual evoked potential which had been reduced by macular degeneration did recover at 1 month after film implantation and maintained the level at 6 months. Optical coherence tomography showed no retinal detachment, and full‐field electroretinograms maintained a‐wave and b‐wave amplitudes, indicative of no retinal toxicity. Pathological examinations after 6‐month implantation showed structural integrity of the inner retinal layer in close apposition to dye‐coupled films. The implanted films which were removed by vitrectomy 5 months later showed light‐evoked surface electric potentials by scanning Kelvin probe measurement. The photoelectric dye‐coupled film (OUReP), which serves as a light‐receiver and a displacement current generator in the subretinal space of the eye, has a potential for recovering vision in diseases with photoreceptor cell loss, such as retinitis pigmentosa and age‐related macular degeneration.
Sino‐Philippine Joint Development in the South China Sea: Is Political Will Enough?
Authors: Santamaria Carlos
Published: April 2018

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte aims to resume joint development with China in disputed areas of the natural resource‐rich South China Sea. But will he be able to overcome the domestic factors that thwarted a previous attempt at such cooperation? This article will analyze why the short‐lived 2005–2008 Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking failed as a case study to appreciate the role of domestic politics in the Philippines' erratic policy on China and the South China Sea issue. The research will draw lessons learned from that experience to inform the administration's strategy to pursue joint development in the face of nationalism, legal restrictions, and popular mistrust of China.
Evaluation of sex‐by‐formulation interaction in bioequivalence studies of efavirenz tablets
Authors: González‐Rojano Esperanza , Abad‐Santos Francisco , Ochoa Dolores , Román Manuel , Marcotegui Julio , Álvarez Covadonga , Gordon John , García‐Arieta Alfredo
Published: April 2018

Aims

The existence of a sex‐by‐formulation interaction in bioequivalence studies implies that the bioequivalence results (i.e., the test/reference ratio of the pharmacokinetic parameters) obtained in one sex are not similar to those obtained in the other sex. Therefore, results obtained in studies including only males would not be representative of the results that would have been obtained in females and vice versa. Recently, a sex‐by‐formulation interaction has been reported in a study for efavirenz tablets. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether a sex‐by‐formulation interaction is actually observed in the bioequivalence studies conducted with efavirenz tablets.

Methods

The existence of sex‐by‐formulation interaction was investigated in the two studies conducted in our centre, where the same test and reference products were investigated in a pilot study with 12 subjects and a pivotal study with 36 subjects.

Results

In the pilot study, the point estimates for the test/reference ratio of geometrics means of Cmax in females and males were more than 20% different (95.42% vs.79.38%, i.e., 120.21%), but in a subsequent pivotal study the difference was less than 2% (111.14% vs. 109.98%, i.e., 101.66%).

Conclusions

A sex‐by‐formulation interaction is suggested in the study with a small sample size, but it disappears when the study is repeated with a larger sample size. In conclusion, the analysis of subgroups should be conducted with caution when the size of the subgroups is not powered to show bioequivalence. There seems to be no reason to require bioequivalence studies for efavirenz in both sexes.
Trust and Society: Suggestions for Further Development of Niklas Luhmann's Theory of Trust
Authors: Morgner Christian
Published: April 2018

This paper addresses an apparent gap in the work of Niklas Luhmann. While the issue of trust continues to receive widespread attention in the social sciences, Luhmann's interest in this topic declined following the development of his systems theory. It is argued that this decline does not reflect any diminished relevance of trust for systems theory, but rather that the architectural remodeling of theory cannot easily be applied to the issue of trust. Here, the issue of trust is reconceptualized as a connection medium. This entails a reconstruction of Luhmann's early theory of trust, especially with regard to function and social positioning. In this context, trust can in turn be linked to the concept of medium in Luhmann's late work. As a connection medium, trust mediates between the different levels of sociality—interaction, organization, and society. These theoretical considerations are employed to develop a more applied framework for empirical research, with a brief case study from southern Italy. From this perspective, the idea of trust as society's glue is seen to be overly simplistic. The common ethical understanding that more trust leads to a better society is also questioned on the grounds that social cooperation can also lead to social sclerosis. Finally, risk and trust are shown to accommodate the formation of different cultures of trust. The paper shows how Luhmann's updated version of trust can inspire current research and enhance our understanding of how trust operates in contemporary society.
Endoscopy screening effect on stage distributions of esophageal cancer: A cluster randomized cohort study in China
Authors: Guan Chen‐Tao , Song Guo‐Hui , Li Bian‐Yun , Gong Yan‐Wei , Hao Chang‐Qing , Xue Li‐Yan , Chen Wan‐Qing , Wei Wen‐Qiang
Published: April 2018

Efficacy of endoscopic screening for esophageal cancer is not sufficiently definitive and lacks randomized controlled trial evidence. The present study proved short‐term screening efficacy through describing and comparing disease stage distributions of intervention and control populations. Villages from Linzhou and Cixian were cluster randomly allocated to the intervention or to the control group and the target population of 52 729 and 43 068 individuals was 40‐69 years old, respectively, and the actual enrolled numbers were 18 316 and 21 178, respectively. TNM stage information and study‐defined stage information of esophageal cases from 2012 to 2016 were collected. Stage distributions were compared between the intervention and control groups in the total target population, as well as in the subgroup populations in terms of enrolment and before or after intervention. There were a total of 199 and 141 esophageal cancer cases in the intervention and control groups, respectively. For the target population, distributions of TNM stage were borderline significant between the two groups after intervention (P = .093). However, subgroup analysis of the enrolled population during the after‐intervention period had statistical significance for both TNM and study‐defined stage. Natural TNM stage distributions were approximately 32%, 41%, 24% and 3% for stages I to IV vs 71%, 19%, 7% and 3% in the intervention population. The natural study‐defined stage distributions from early, middle to advanced stages were approximately 18%, 49% and 33% vs 59%, 33% and 8%. Early‐stage esophageal cancer cases accounted for a higher proportion after endoscopy screening, and the efficacy in the target population depends on the intervention compliance.
Treatment choice, satisfaction and quality of life in patients with Graves’ disease
Authors: Conaglen Helen M. , Tamatea Jade A. U. , Conaglen John V. , Elston Marianne S.
Published: April 2018

Background

Thyrotoxicosis, most often caused by Graves’ disease (GD), when treated inadequately may result in premature mortality. There is little consensus as to which of the 3 treatment options available ‐ antithyroid drugs (ATD), radioactive iodine (RAI) and surgery, is better.

Aims

(i) To assess factors involved in treatment choice and treatment satisfaction in patients treated for Graves’ disease; (ii) To assess quality of life (QoL) following treatment of Graves’ disease.

Method

Participants were selected from a prospective study cohort assessing thyrotoxicosis incidence and severity. Of the 172 eligible patients with Graves’ disease, 123 treated patients participated (64% had received ATD only, 11% RAI and 25% total thyroidectomy, the latter 2 usually after a period of ATD), along with 18 untreated patients with newly diagnosed Graves’ disease (overall participation rate, 73%). Consented patients completed a questionnaire detailing factors involved in treatment choice, QoL and satisfaction with treatment.

Results

Participants reported that the most important factors in choosing a treatment were the following: the effects on activities of daily living, concern about use of radioiodine, possibility of depression or anxiety, and doctor's recommendations. Satisfaction levels were high across all 3 treatment types. QoL 1‐year following treatment was higher than in untreated patients, and comparable with other international studies.

Conclusions

Patient satisfaction with therapy and QoL does not differ by treatment type. Therefore, clinical and social factors, in combination with patient choice and resource availability, should determine which treatment modality patients with Graves’ disease should receive.
Professional foster families in the reunification process—Polish experience
Authors: Basiaga Jan P. , Róg Anna , Zięba‐Kołodziej Beata
Published: April 2018

We researched the extent to which professional foster families fulfil their tasks to reintegrate families, what attitudes professional foster families assume towards the idea of reintegration, and to what extent and how professional foster families support a child separated from his or her family and parents in the process of reintegration.

The research examined case studies of a sample of 58 professional foster families functioning as emergency shelter families in the Province of Silesia.

The most Polish professional foster families assume a negative attitude towards reintegration. Moreover, some of the parents who participated in the research thought that most biological parents with difficulties should be deprived of their parental rights. The result of such attitudes is that foster parents make it difficult, in a variety of ways, for the biological parents to contact their child placed in foster care. Foster parents' full commitment to work related to restoring and maintaining emotional bonds between the children in foster care and their families is rarely noticeable. The foster families participating in the research were committed to an even lesser extent to the process of support for biological parents in developing their parental skills and attempts to have their child care rights restored.
TASP1 is deleted in an infant with developmental delay, microcephaly, distinctive facial features, and multiple congenital anomalies
Authors: Suleiman J. , Mundt M. , Sampath S. , El‐Hattab A.W.
Published: April 2018

We report a 20p12.1 homozygous deletion including exons 5‐10 of the TASP1 gene in an infant with developmental delay, acquired microcephaly, distinctive facial features, and multiple congenital anomalies involving skeletal, cardiac, and renal systems. TASP1 encodes taspase 1 which is responsible for cleaving, thus activating, a number of transcription factors including the mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1). Taspase 1‐deficient mice showed early lethality, skeletal abnormalities, and growth failure, which support a potentially causal role of TASP1 deletion in this infant. Furthermore, the infant reported here had many of the features seen in Wiedemann‐Steiner syndrome which is caused by MLL1 defects. Such observation further supports that TASP1 is a novel disease‐related gene that is associated with a disease phenotype overlapping with Wiedemann‐Steiner syndrome as both are caused by defects in the same pathway.
Oesophageal causes of dysphagia localised only to the pharynx: Implications for the suspected head and neck cancer pathway
Authors: Nouraei S.A.R. , Murray I.A. , Heathcote K.J. , Dalton H.R.
Published: April 2018

Objectives

Dysphagia is a presenting symptom of both pharyngeal and oesophageal cancers. The referral pathway choice is determined by whether it is thought to be oropharyngeal or oesophageal, and this is in turn influenced by whether dysphagia is perceived to be above or below the suprasternal notch. We studied the concordance between the presence of pharynx‐localised dysphagia (PLD) and the location of the underlying disease processes.

Design

A subset analysis of the Dysphagia Hotline Cohort, collected between 2004 and 2015, of patients with PLD and a structural diagnosis.

Main outcome measures

Information about patient demography and presenting symptoms were recorded. The incisor‐to‐pathology distance, and the nature of the pathology, were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of malignancy.

Results

The study included 177 patients. There were 92 males, and mean age at presentation was 74 years. The commonest benign pathologies were cricopharyngeal dysfunction with or without pharyngeal pouch (n = 67), peptic stricture (n = 44) and Schatzki's ring (n = 11). There were 49 cases of cancer, including one hypopharyngeal cancer, one cervical oesophageal cancer, 28 cancers of the upper/mid‐thoracic oesophagus, 15 cancers of the lower thoracic oesophagus and 4 cardio‐oesophageal cancers. In 105 (59%) patients, PLD was caused by oesophageal disease. Independent predictors of malignancy were weight‐change (loss >2.7 kg), a short history (<12 weeks) and presence of odynophagia. Nineteen (39%) of oesophageal cancers that presented with dysphagia that was localised only to the pharynx would have been beyond the reach of rigid oesophagoscopy.

Conclusions

Pharynx‐localised dysphagia is more likely to be a referred symptom of structural oesophageal disease, including cancer, than a primary symptom of structural pharyngeal disease. Absence of additional alarm symptoms such as a short history, weight‐loss, and odynophagia, do not adequately exclude the possibility of oesophageal cancer. When the differential diagnosis of PLD includes malignancy, cancer should be presumed to be arising from the oesophagus or the cardio‐oesophageal region until proven otherwise. This requires direct visualisation of the mucosal surfaces of the oesophagus and the cardio‐oesophageal region, using either transoral or transnasal flexible endoscopy, irrespective of whether the initial assessment occurs within head and neck or upper gastrointestinal suspected cancer pathways.