bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Progressive agrammatic aphasia without apraxia of speech as a distinct syndrome
Authors: Tetzloff Katerina A , Duffy Joseph R , Clark Heather M , Utianski Rene L , Strand Edythe A , Machulda Mary M , Botha Hugo , Martin Peter R , Schwarz Christopher G , Senjem Matthew L , Reid Robert I , Gunter Jeffrey L , Spychalla Anthony J , Knopman David S , Petersen Ronald C , Jack Clifford R , Lowe Val J , Josephs Keith A , Whitwell Jennifer L
Published: May 2019

Agrammatic aphasia affects grammatical language production and can result from a neurodegenerative disease. Although it typically presents with concomitant apraxia of speech, this is not always the case. Little is known about the clinical course and imaging features of patients that present with agrammatism in the absence of apraxia of speech, which we will refer to as progressive agrammatic aphasia. We aimed to make a detailed description of the longitudinal clinical, linguistic, and neuroimaging features of a cohort of 11 patients with progressive agrammatic aphasia to provide a complete picture of this syndrome. All patients underwent detailed speech and language, neurological and neuropsychological assessments, 3 T structural and diffusion tensor imaging MRI, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and Pittsburgh compound B PET. The 11 patients were matched by age and gender to 22 patients who had mixed apraxia of speech and agrammatism. The progressive agrammatic aphasia patients performed abnormally on tests of language, general cognition, executive function, and functional ability at baseline and declined in these measures over time. Only two patients eventually developed apraxia of speech, while parkinsonism was absent-to-mild throughout all visits for all patients. When compared to the patients with mixed apraxia of speech and agrammatism, the patients with progressive agrammatic aphasia performed better on tests of motor speech and parkinsonism but more poorly, and declined faster over time, on tests of general aphasia severity, agrammatism, and naming. The patients with progressive agrammatic aphasia also showed different neuroimaging abnormalities, with greater atrophy, hypometabolism and white matter tract degeneration in the prefrontal and anterior temporal lobes compared to patients with mixed apraxia of speech and agrammatism. These differences were more pronounced as the disease progressed. These results demonstrate that progressive agrammatic aphasia has a different clinical disease course and different underlying neuroanatomical abnormalities than patients with the more common syndrome of mixed agrammatism and apraxia of speech. This supports the distinction of progressive agrammatic aphasia and has implications for the classification of patients with agrammatic aphasia.
Markers of kidney tubule function and risk of cardiovascular disease events and mortality in the SPRINT trial
Authors: Garimella Pranav S , Lee Alexandra K , Ambrosius Walter T , Bhatt Udayan , Cheung Alfred K , Chonchol Michel , Craven Timothy , Hawfield Amret T , Jotwani Vasantha , Killeen Anthony , Punzi Henry , Sarnak Mark J , Wall Barry M , Ix Joachim H , Shlipak Michael G
Published: May 2019

Aims

Biomarkers of kidney tubule injury, inflammation and fibrosis have been studied extensively and established as risk markers of adverse kidney and cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. However, associations of markers of kidney tubular function with adverse clinical events have not been well studied, especially in persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods and results

Using a sample of 2377 persons with CKD at the baseline Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) visit, we evaluated the association of three urine tubular function markers, alpha-1 microglobulin (α1m), beta-2 microglobulin (β2m), and uromodulin, with a composite CVD endpoint (myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, acute decompensated heart failure, or death from cardiovascular causes) and mortality using Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusted for baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria, and CVD risk factors. In unadjusted analysis, over a median follow-up of 3.8 years, α1m and β2m had positive associations with composite CVD events and mortality, whereas uromodulin had an inverse association with risk for both outcomes. In multivariable analysis including eGFR and albuminuria, a two-fold higher baseline concentration of α1m was associated with higher risk of CVD [hazard ratio (HR) 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10–1.45] and mortality (HR 1.25; 95% CI: 1.10–1.46), whereas β2m had no association with either outcome. A two-fold higher uromodulin concentration was associated with lower CVD risk (HR 0.79; 95% CI: 0.68–0.90) but not mortality (HR 0.86; 95% CI: 0.73–1.01) after adjusting for similar confounders.

Conclusion

Among non-diabetic persons with CKD, biomarkers of tubular function are associated with CVD events and mortality independent of glomerular function and albuminuria.
Real-life outcome of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization defibrillator replacement/upgrade in a contemporary population: observations from the multicentre DECODE registry
Authors: Biffi Mauro , Ammendola Ernesto , Menardi Endrj , Parisi Quintino , Narducci Maria Lucia , De Filippo Paolo , Manzo Michele , Stabile Giuseppe , Potenza Domenico Rosario , Zanon Francesco , Quartieri Fabio , Rillo Mariano , Saporito Davide , Zacà Valerio , Berisso Massimo Zoni , Bertini Matteo , Tumietto Fabio , Malacrida Maurizio , Diemberger Igor
Published: May 2019

Aims

The benefit of prolonged implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)/cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) therapy following device replacement is hindered by clinical and procedure-related adverse events (AEs). Adverse events rate is highest in more complex devices and at upgrades, as per the REPLACE registry experience, but is changing owing to the improvement in device technology and medical care. We aimed at understanding the extent and type of AEs in a contemporary Italian population.

Methods and results

Detect long-term complications after ICD replacement (DECODE) was a prospective, single-arm, multicentre cohort study aimed at estimating medium- to long-term AEs in a large population of patients undergoing ICD/cardiac resynchronization defibrillator replacement/upgrade from 2013 to 2015. We prospectively analysed all clinical and device-related AEs at 12-month follow-up (FU) of 983 consecutive patients (median age 71 years, 76% male, 55% ischaemic, 47% CRT-D) followed for 353 ± 49 days. Seven percent of the patients died (60.6% for cardiovascular reasons), whereas 104 AEs occurred; 43 (4.4%) patients needed at least one surgical action to treat the AE. Adverse events rates were 3.3/100 years lead-related, 3.4/100 years bleedings, and 1.6/100 years infective. The primary endpoint was predicted by hospitalization in the month prior to the procedure [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.23, 1.16–4.29; 0.0169] and by upgrade (HR = 1.75, 1.02–2.99, 0.0441). One hundred and twelve (11.4%) patients met the combined endpoint of death from any cause, cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED)-related infection, and surgical action/hospitalization required to treat the AE. Hospitalization within 30 days prior to the procedure (HR = 2.07, 1.13–3.81; 0.0199), anticoagulation (HR = 1.97, 1.26–3.07; 0.003), and ischaemic cardiomyopathy (HR = 1.67, 95% confidence interval 1.06–2.63; P = 0.0276) were associated with the combined endpoint during FU.

Conclusions

Adverse events following CIED replacement/upgrade are lower than previously reported, possibly owing to improved patients care. Hospitalization in the month prior to the procedure, upgrade, and clinical profile (anticoagulation, ischaemic cardiomyopathy) hint to increased risk, suggesting an individualized planning of the procedure to minimize overall AEs.

Clinical trial registration

URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ Identifier: NCT02076789.
The impact of the scope of technological search on path-dependence in export specialization: evidence for European countries
Authors: Reinstaller Andreas , Reschenhofer Peter
Published: May 2019

This paper examines how product relatedness and the breadth of technological search affect the path-dependent development of export specializations across countries documented in prior research. The results of the econometric analysis in this paper show that broader technological search in an industry has a positive impact on the development of comparative advantages in the product lines it exports. The interplay between product relatedness and the scope of technological search has a two-edged character. On the one hand, broader technological search supports adjustments and consolidations of the export baskets on the extensive margin. This contributes to weaken path-dependency. On the other hand, it fosters the competitiveness of products that are related to current export specializations, and thereby promotes path-dependency on the intensive margin of trade. These results differ across countries with different levels of technological capabilities.
CRISPR’d babies: human germline genome editing in the ‘He Jiankui affair’*
Authors: Greely Henry T
Published: May 2019

The world was shocked in Nov. 25, 2018 by the revelation that He Jiankui had used clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (‘CRISPR’) to edit embryos—two of which had, sometime in October, become living babies. This article is an effort to provide some deep context for the He Jiankui affair and to begin analyzing it. It focuses on He's experiment, without delving into the broader ethical issues around ‘human germline genome editing’ in the abstract. It begins by carefully defining ‘human germline genome editing’. It then describes the little we know about the experiment before providing background on CRISPR, the pre-He ethical and legal status of human germline genome editing, and on He himself. The fourth, and longest, section provides a detailed narrative of the revelation of the He experiment and its fallout. The fifth section critiques the experiment, which I believe merits unequivocal condemnation on several grounds. The last section suggests some important immediate reactions, by ‘Science’ and by China.
Depth-correlated backscattered electron signal intensity for 3D-profile measurement of high aspect ratio holes
Authors: Sun Wei , Ohta Hiroya , Ninomiya Taku , Goto Yasunori , Sohta Yasunari
Published: May 2019

In-line metrology for measuring 3D features of the high aspect ratio (HAR) holes is becoming more challenging due to the progressing semiconductor technology, particularly in memory devices. Measurements of the bottom critical dimension (CD), taper angles and 3D profiles of the HAR holes require new imaging capabilities. In this work, we explored the characteristics of high-energy backscattered electron (BSE) signals and demonstrated their promising application to 3D metrology. From Monte Carlo simulation results, it is worth noting that BSE signal intensity emitted from an irradiated location in the depth of the hole decreases exponentially with the increase of the depth from the top surface (perpendicular depth) of the hole. Furthermore, the influences of various factors including the electron energy, the depth and the sidewall angle (SWA) of the hole on the attenuation of the BSE signal intensity were investigated. The simulation results show that the attenuation of the BSE signal intensity depends on the electron energy, the depth and the density of the hole but is independent of the SWA and the incident angle of the primary electron beam. Based on the characteristics of the BSE signal intensity, an algorithm was proposed for the 3D metrology of the HAR holes. Finally, the differences in CDs between the measured value and the target value of HAR holes with various geometries were examined. A maximum measurement bias within ±2.0 nm for various holes with different depths, densities and SWA values shows great potential of depth-correlated BSE signals in 3D metrology.
Regulostat Inferelator: a novel network biology platform to uncover molecular devices that predetermine cellular response phenotypes
Authors: Ung Choong Yong , Ghanat Bari Mehrab , Zhang Cheng , Liang Jingjing , Correia Cristina , Li Hu
Published: May 2019

With the emergence of genome editing technologies and synthetic biology, it is now possible to engineer genetic circuits driving a cell's phenotypic response to a stressor. However, capturing a continuous response, rather than simply a binary ‘on’ or ‘off’ response, remains a bioengineering challenge. No tools currently exist to identify gene candidates responsible for predetermining and fine-tuning cell response phenotypes. To address this gap, we devised a novel Regulostat Inferelator (RSI) algorithm to decipher intrinsic molecular devices or networks that predetermine cellular phenotypic responses. The RSI algorithm is designed to extract gene expression patterns from basal transcriptomic data in order to identify ‘regulostat’ constituent gene pairs, which exhibit rheostat-like mode-of-cooperation capable of fine-tuning cellular response. Our proof-of-concept study provides computational evidence for the existence of regulostats and that these networks predetermine cellular response prior to exposure to a stressor or drug. In addition, our work, for the first time, provides evidence of context-specific, drug–regulostat interactions in predetermining drug response phenotypes in cancer cells. Given RSI-inferred regulostat networks offer insights for prioritizing gene candidates capable of rendering a resistant phenotype sensitive to a given drug, we envision that this tool will be of great value in bioengineering and medicine.
Structures and mechanism of transcription initiation by bacterial ECF factors
Authors: Fang Chengli , Li Lingting , Shen Liqiang , Shi Jing , Wang Sheng , Feng Yu , Zhang Yu
Published: May 2019

Bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) forms distinct holoenzymes with extra-cytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factors to initiate specific gene expression programs. In this study, we report a cryo-EM structure at 4.0 Å of Escherichia coli transcription initiation complex comprising σE—the most-studied bacterial ECF σ factor (Ec σE-RPo), and a crystal structure at 3.1 Å of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcription initiation complex with a chimeric σH/E (Mtb σH/E-RPo). The structure of Ec σE-RPo reveals key interactions essential for assembly of E. coli σE-RNAP holoenzyme and for promoter recognition and unwinding by E. coli σE. Moreover, both structures show that the non-conserved linkers (σ2/σ4 linker) of the two ECF σ factors are inserted into the active-center cleft and exit through the RNA-exit channel. We performed secondary-structure prediction of 27,670 ECF σ factors and find that their non-conserved linkers probably reach into and exit from RNAP active-center cleft in a similar manner. Further biochemical results suggest that such σ2/σ4 linker plays an important role in RPo formation, abortive production and promoter escape during ECF σ factors-mediated transcription initiation.
Update on hypoparathyroidism
Authors: Cusano Natalie E. , Bilezikian John P.
Published: May 2019

Purpose of review

Hypoparathyroidism is a rare endocrine disorder characterized by low or insufficient parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations leading to hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and markedly reduced bone turnover. Despite being a rare disease, hypoparathyroidism has a profound impact on affected patients.

Recent findings

Recent epidemiologic surveys demonstrate a prevalence of between 5.3 and 40/100 000, confirming the orphan status of this disease. There is a female predominance, and anterior neck surgery is the most common etiology. Recent studies have better elucidated the chronic manifestations of the disease, impacting quality of life and multiple organ systems including the renal, cardiovascular, and skeletal systems. There are now data on longer term use of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH analogs.

This review focuses on recent contributions to the literature on the prevalence and epidemiology of the disease, risk of chronic manifestations, and treatment with PTH(1-34) and rhPTH(1-84). Further research is needed to determine the pathophysiology of complications in hypoparathyroidism and whether interventions can decrease future risk of these complications. In addition, further data are needed with regards to more physiologic dosing regimens and long-term treatment with PTH and PTH analogs.
Differences in Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Clinician and Group Survey Scores by Recency of the Last Visit
Authors: Setodji Claude M. , Burkhart Q. , Hays Ron D. , Quigley Denise D. , Skootsky Samuel A. , Elliott Marc N.
Published: May 2019

Background:

Patient experience data can be collected by sampling patients periodically (eg, patients with any visits over a 1-year period) or sampling visits continuously (eg, sampling any visit in a monthly interval). Continuous sampling likely yields a sample with more frequent and more recent visits, possibly affecting the comparability of data collected under the 2 approaches.

Objective:

To explore differences in Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Clinician and Group survey (CG-CAHPS) scores using periodic and continuous sampling.

Research Design:

We use observational data to estimate case-mix–adjusted differences in patient experience scores under 12-month periodic sampling and simulated continuous sampling.

Subjects:

A total of 29,254 adult patients responding to the CG-CAHPS survey regarding visits in the past 12 months to any of 480 physicians, 2007–2009.

Measures:

Overall doctor rating and 4 CG-CAHPS composite measures of patient experience: doctor communication, access to care, care coordination, and office staff.

Results:

Compared with 12-month periodic sampling, simulated continuous sampling yielded patients with more recent visits (by definition), more frequent visits (92% of patients with 2+ visits, compared with 76%), and more positive case-mix–adjusted CAHPS scores (2–3 percentage points higher).

Conclusions:

Patients with more frequent visits reported markedly higher CG-CAHPS scores, but this causes only small to moderate changes in adjusted physician-level scores between 12-month periodic and continuous sampling schemes. Caution should be exercised in trending or comparing scores collected through different schemes.
Characteristics of hardware failure in patients undergoing surgical stabilization of rib fractures: A Chest Wall Injury Society multicenter study
Authors: Sarani Babak , Allen Rebecca , Pieracci Fredric M. , Doben Andrew R. , Eriksson Evert , Bauman Zachary M. , Gupta Puneet , Semon Greg , Greiffenstein Patrick , Chapman Alistair J. , Kim Brian D. , Lottenberg Lawrence , Gardner Scott , Marasco Silvana , White Tom
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) is increasingly used for severe rib fractures/flail chest. There are no reports discussing mechanisms of failure of implanted hardware, its clinical presentation, or consequences. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, presenting signs, and clinical sequela of hardware failure after SSRF.

METHODS

A multicenter, retrospective study was performed by a group of surgeons with a large SSRF case volume. All cases with known hardware failure from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2017, were included. The surgeon's experience at the time of hardware implantation, specific implant used, number of failures the surgeon had experienced with the same system, and time from implantation to hardware failure were recorded. Additionally, patient demographics, including age, comorbid conditions, and number and location of rib fractures were recorded. Symptomatology associated with hardware failure and need for explant and/or reimplantation of hardware was also recorded. Nonparametric statistical tests were used to compare cohorts.

RESULTS

Of 1,224 patients who underwent SSRF, 38 patients with 233 rib fractures and 279 fracture segments experienced hardware failure and were enrolled in the study. Twelve patients presented more than 3 months following injury. Median age was 54 years old and 34% were active smokers. One hundred forty-four plates were implanted with a median of four plates per patient. Median number of SSRF cases by each surgeon was 100 (range, 1–280). Fractures and hardware failure were most frequent in the anterolateral/lateral region. Hardware failure was mostly due to screw migration and plate fracture. Hardware failure was asymptomatic in 40% and presented as pain in 42% of cases. Fifty-five percent of the cases required explantation of hardware, and only 10% required SSRF again. There was no difference between the acute and chronic fracture cohorts.

CONCLUSION

Hardware failure after SSRF is rare and often asymptomatic. When present, it rarely requires redo SSRF.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, level V.
The science underlying frugal innovations should not be frugal
Authors: Rao Balkrishna C.
Published: May 2019

In recent years,
frugal
products of the grassroots and advanced types are being widely used due to their
sustainable
nature and also affordability. However, despite the origins of
frugality
at grassroots level, grassroots innovations continue to be fabricated in an ad hoc manner that precludes application of science and are thus susceptible to premature failure. This work advocates the use of scientific principles for developing
frugal
products in general with emphasis on
classical
and new design methodologies that are rooted in science to save resources, and hence lower costs, while aiming for robust product functionality. This paper sheds light on the importance of the
safety factor
in
frugal
designs and the need, from here onwards, of a
factor of frugality
for the systematic realization of both grassroots and
advanced frugal
products. In particular, adoption of the
factor of frugality
, that was developed recently, has been supported in this effort with a numerical example to display the effectiveness of applying science for designing from scratch
frugal products
that are both streamlined and robust in their functionality.
Electrochemical mapping of oxygenation in the three-dimensional multicellular tumour hemi-spheroid
Authors: Sheth Disha B. , Gratzl Miklόs
Published: May 2019

Blood capillaries deliver oxygen and nutrients to surrounding micro-regions of tissue and carry away metabolic waste. In normal tissue, capillaries are close enough to keep all the cells viable. In solid tumours, the capillary system is chaotic and typical inter-capillary distances are larger than in normal tissue. Therefore, hypoxic regions develop. Drug molecules may not reach these areas at concentrations above the lethal level. The combined effect of low drug concentrations and local hypoxia, often exacerbated by acidity, leads to therapy failure. To better understand the interplay between hypoxia and poor drug penetration, oxygenation needs to be assessed in different areas of inter-capillary tissue. The multicellular tumour spheroid is a well-established three-dimensional (3D)
in vitro
model of the capillary microenvironment. It is used to mimic nascent tumours and micro-metastases as well. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time that dynamic intra-spheroidal oxygen maps can be obtained at the 3D multicellular tumour hemi-spheroid (MCH) using a non-invasive microelectrode array. The same oxygen distributions exist inside the equivalent but less accessible full spheroid. The MCH makes high throughput—high content analysis of spheroids feasible and thus can assist studies on basic cancer biology, drug development and personalized medicine.
Inhibition of ADORA1 attenuates hepatic steatosis by gut microbiotaderived acetic acid fromAstragaluspolysaccharides
Authors: Hong Ying , Zheng Ningning , He Xuyun , Zhong Jing , Ma Junli , Zhao Aihua , Zheng Xiaojiao , Gu Yu , Yao Jian , Li Yue , Yuan Lin , Lin Min , Lu Xiong , Ping Jinliang , Song Pengtao , Li Bingbing , Han Ruiting , Sheng Lili , Zhang Weidong , Ding Kan , Liu Jun , Jia Wei , Li Houkai
Published: May 2019

The authors have withdrawn this manuscript, because some data could not be replicated. During the process of subsequent revision of the manuscript, we separated the data into two parts. The majority data of the preprint draft, the anti-NAFLD effect ofAstragaluspolysaccharides (APS) in mice and the contribution of gut microbiota, were independently published in 2021 after substantial revision (doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2021.1930874). However, the data on figure 6 (about ARs inhibitors DPCPX orally ameliorating NAFLD in mice, andAdora1si-RNA datain vitro) could not be fully replicated in subsequent experiments. The most probable reason might be due to the batch differences of mice / cells, or other undetermined factors during experiment. Moreover, we have carried out in-depth studies on the exact role of hepatic A1R on NAFLD formation, which is opposite to our prior assumption. Therefore, we do not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. We apologize for any inconvenience caused to our readers. Any questions can be addressed to first/corresponding author.
Sir2 is essential for intergenerational effects of parental diet on offspring metabolism in Drosophila
Authors: Hayashi Ryoya , Takeo Satomi , Aigaki Toshiro
Published: May 2019

Recent studies have revealed that parental diet can affect offspring metabolism and longevity in Drosophila. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. Here we demonstrate that Sir2 encoding an NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase is required for the intergenerational effects of low nutrition diet (1:5 dilution of standard diet). We observed an increased amount of triacylglyceride (TAG) in the offspring when fathers were maintained on a low nutrition diet for 2 days. The offspring had increased levels of metabolites of glycolysis and TCA cycle, the primary energy producing pathways. We found that Sir2 mutant fathers showed no intergenerational effects. RNAi-mediated knockdown of Sir2 in the fat body was sufficient to mimic the Sir2 mutant phenotype, and the phenotype was rescued by transgenic expression of wild-type Sir2 in the fat body. Interestingly, even fathers had no experience of low nutrition diet, overexpression of Sir2 in their fat bodies induced a high level of TAG in the offspring. These findings indicated that Sir2 is essential in the fat body of fathers to induce intergenerational effects of low nutrition diet.
Latent-space embedding of expression data identifies gene signatures from sputum samples of asthmatic patients
Authors: Lou Shaoke , Li Tianxiao , Spakowicz Daniel , Chupp Geoffrey Lowell , Gerstein Mark
Published: May 2019

The pathogenesis of asthma is a complex process involving multiple genes and pathways. Identifying biomarkers from asthma datasets, especially those that include heterogeneous subpopulations, is challenging. In this work, we developed a framework that incorporates a denoising autoencoder and a supervised learning approach to identify gene signatures related to asthma severity. The autoencoder embeds high-dimensional gene expression data into a lower-dimensional latent space in an unsupervised fashion, enabling us to extract distinguishing features from gene expression data. We found that the weights on hidden units in this latent space correlate well with previously defined and clinically relevant clusters of patients. Moreover, pathway analysis based on each gene’s contribution to the hidden units showed significant enrichment in known asthma-related pathways. We then used genes that contribute most to the hidden units to develop a secondary supervised classifier (based on random forest) for directly predicting asthma severity. The random-forest importance metric from this classifier identified a signature based on 50 key genes, which can predict severity with an AUROC of 0.81 and thus have potential as diagnostic biomarkers. Furthermore, the key genes could also be used for successfully estimating, via support-vector-machine regression, the FEV1/FVC ratios across patients, achieving pre- and post-treatment correlations of 0.56 and 0.65, respectively (between predicted and observed values). The 50 biomarker candidate genes can be found in supplementary. The source codes are freely available upon request.
Investigating the impact of religious commitment on purchase of self-expressive brand products
Authors: Mirkhah Seyedeh Maryam , Karami Nasser
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Brand and religion, although seemingly irrelevant, are sometimes considered as competitors in satisfying certain consumer needs. The purpose of this paper is to explore the link between religious commitment and purchase of self-expressive (SE) brand products in the context of the Iranian consumer market. Furthermore, this paper investigates the effect of religious commitment on consumers’ brand recall for Western versus local brand products.

Design/methodology/approach

Distributing questionnaires was used to collect primary data. Use of statistical techniques, specifically inferential and descriptive statistics were used through SPSS software.

Findings

Study 1 findings support that there is a strong link between religious commitment and purchase of SE brand products; the more the consumers’ religiosity, the less their preference for SE brand products. The results of Study 2 illustrate that there is no meaningful link between the religious commitment of individuals and their brand recall for Western products. Furthermore, there are key correlations between religious commitment and gender and also between brand purchase and age and brand purchase and income.

Research limitations/implications

The results help domestic and international marketers form a better understanding of consumers’ behavior regarding SE brand products and brand recall depending on consumers’ religious commitment. The findings also assist marketers and brand managers in designing more effective advertisements and branding strategies based on their chosen target consumer market.

Originality/value

Little research has examined the relationship between religiosity and its effect on the purchase of brand products; this is the first academic study analyzing the effect of commitment to Islam on purchase behavior of SE brand products in the context of the Islamic consumer market.
Clients’ perspectives on therapists who build family and personal harmony
Authors: Yap‐Tan Patricia Michelle Eng Hui , Foo Magdalene Tze Suang
Published: May 2019

Our theory of harmony therapy explains how therapists have helped disharmonious families or couples build relational harmony without sacrificing intrapersonal harmony. In collectivist Singapore, where the family is the basic unit of society, and racial and religious harmony is the dominant discourse, therapists may worry that family harmony is valued so much that individuals’ intrapersonal harmony might be sidelined. We used grounded theory to guide our interviewee selection and qualitative analysis of thirty clients who sought therapy to find harmony in their conflictual relationships. Clients perceived that therapists who built both family and intrapersonal harmony (1) were helpful professionals, (2) encouraged collaborative conversations, (3) had expertise, (4) were more involved than usual, and (5) were collaborative experts. Therapy was perceived as less effective due to (a) insufficient or unhelpful expertise, (b) insufficient or unhelpful involvement, and (c) perceptions of unhelpful professionalism.

Practitioner points

We aim to build interpersonal harmony without sacrificing intrapersonal harmony with families from collectivistic cultures

This means owning our professionalism and expertise with clients lightly, as both can sometimes be experienced as unhelpful

We encourage collaborative conversations, which are rarely experienced as unhelpful

We want to ensure that clients feel we are sufficiently involved with them and sometimes go ‘beyond the ordinary’
Geriatric medicine services for older surgical patients in acute hospitals: Results from a binational survey
Authors: Thillainadesan Janani , Hilmer Sarah , Close Jacqui , Kearney Leanne , Naganathan Vasi
Published: May 2019

Objective

To describe perioperative geriatric medicine services in Australia and New Zealand, and to explore geriatricians’ views on the need for and challenges in providing perioperative care.

Method

An electronic questionnaire was sent to heads of geriatric medicine departments.

Results

Sixty‐seven (83%) of 81 identified geriatric medicine departments responded. Twelve (18%) departments provide a proactive surgical‐geriatric medicine service. Their most common features were regular geriatric medicine ward rounds (100%), medication review (92%) and attendance at multidisciplinary meetings (83%). All respondents thought there was a need for geriatric medicine to provide greater input into the care of older surgical patients. Lack of funding (88%) and not enough geriatricians (58%) were the major perceived barriers.

Conclusions

Although geriatricians believe they should provide proactive collaborative care for older surgical patients, only a few hospitals currently provide these services. Funding streams for these services and further research to determine the best models of care are needed.
Getting Their Way: Bias and Deference to Trial Courts
Authors: Hübert Ryan
Published: May 2019

How much do trial judges influence the law in the United States? I analyze a model of adjudication by a trial judge who engages in fact finding before deciding a case, but whose decision may be reversed. The model makes three broad points. First, it provides an informational rationale for ex post deference to biased trial judges that does not require an ex ante commitment by an appellate court to a standard of review. Second, it shows how procedural discretion can bring biased trial judges' rulings closer to appellate doctrine despite enabling trial judges to “get their way” more often. Third, de facto law as represented by trial judges' case‐by‐case adjudication will differ substantially from de jure law. As long as there are not too many extremist trial judges, de facto law will reflect the predispositions of trial judges, not legal doctrine.
“What Are We Doing to These Shoshone People?”: The Ontological Politics of a Shoshone Grinding Stone
Authors: Morini Ryan S.
Published: May 2019

This article shares the story of an octogenarian Western Shoshone (Newe) elder who removed a grinding stone from an archaeological dig in protest and was threatened with federal fines and jail time. She shared a video recording of the incident and her correspondence with federal agencies in the interest of making her story known more widely. In this article, I unpack the politics of heritage management in this settler colonial context, using extended quotations so that the Newe involved serve as the primary theorists and analysts of the situation and its significance to Newe heritage. Through this approach, we get a glimpse of how some Newe elders have experienced anthropology and heritage management in practice, exposing power relations entangling anthropology through its utility in dealing with issues of heritage. [survivance, decolonizing anthropology, critical heritage management, Indigenous archaeologies]
Transfascial suture fixation technique in laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia
Authors: Chan Shun‐Yan B
Published: May 2019

Introduction

This study presents the initial results of a transfascial suture mesh fixation technique. This method was devised to reduce operative costs and foreign body‐associated risks while embracing the benefits of fixation in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Materials and Surgical Technique

Patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair with transfascial suture fixation (TRANSFIX) in our center between March 2017 and March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The procedure is orchestrated by a reusable fascial closure device sequentially puncturing the fascia vertically through the inferior port site and guiding a polypropylene thread through the mesh. The thread is retrieved from the extraperitoneal plane with the device, creating an extracorporeal suture loop to embed a surgical knot at the subcutaneous layer of the port site.

Discussion

In its first year after introduction, 16 TRANSFIX were performed. All patients were men (mean age, 62.6 years). Thirteen hernias (81.3%) were first occurrence, and three (18.8%) were recurrent. Twelve (75.0%) were direct hernias, and three (18.8%) were indirect hernias; one patient presented with concurrent direct and indirect hernia. Median operating time was 41.5 minutes for unilateral repair and 73.0 minutes for bilateral. Median blood loss was 5 mL. One patient had a seroma after unilateral indirect hernia repair. After a median follow‐up of 15.5 months (range, 9‐21 months), no patient had chronic pain, wound infection, hematoma, or recurrence. Instrumental cost reduction per operation was between $150 and $300. TRANSFIX appears to be a safe and economical mesh fixation method.
The Production Effect Improves Memory in 7‐ to 10‐Year‐Old Children
Authors: Pritchard Verena E. , Heron‐Delaney Michelle , Malone Stephanie A. , MacLeod Colin M.
Published: May 2019

The production effect—whereby reading words aloud improves memory for those words relative to reading them silently—was investigated in two experiments with 7‐ to 10‐year‐old children residing in Brisbane, Australia. Experiment 1 (n = 41) involved familiar printed words, with words read aloud or silently appearing either in mixed‐ or blocked‐list formats in a within‐subject design. Recognition for words read aloud was better than for those read silently, an effect consistent across both list formats. These results were confirmed in Experiment 2 (n = 40) using longer lists of printed novel nonwords. Final analyses indicated that the production effect was comparable for words and nonwords. Findings are discussed in relation to the distinctiveness account and the use of production as a mnemonic in children.
Authoring tools for creating 360 multisensory videos—Evaluation of different interfaces
Authors: Coelho Hugo , Melo Miguel , Barbosa Luís , Martins José , Teixeira Mário Sérgio , Bessa Maximino
Published: May 2019

Authoring 360 multisensory videos is a true challenge as the authoring tools available are scarce and restrictive. In this paper, we propose an authoring tool with three different authoring interfaces (desktop, immersive, and tangible interface) for creating multisensory 360 videos with the advantage of having a live preview of the multisensory content that is being produced. An evaluation of the three authoring tools having into account gender, system usability, presence, satisfaction, and effectiveness (time to accomplish tasks, number of errors, and number of help requests) is presented. The sample consisted of 48 participants (24 males and 24 females) evenly distributed between the different interfaces (8 males and 8 females for each interface).

The results revealed that gender does not have any impact in the studied interfaces regarding all the dependent variables; immersive and tangible interfaces have higher levels of satisfaction than desktop interface as it allows more interaction freedom, and desktop interface have the lowest time to accomplish the tasks because people are more familiar with keyboard and mouse.
Predictors of developing a new need for long‐term care of older adults aged ≥70 years: Results from a population‐based cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Wei‐Chung , Wang Jiun‐Yi , Tsai Alan C
Published: May 2019

Aim

To determine the characteristics associated with developing a new need for long‐term care among older Taiwanese adults.

Methods

We analyzed the 1999 and 2003 datasets of the Taiwan Longitudinal Survey on Aging. A total of 1986 persons who were aged ≥70 years and had no disability in activities of daily living or need for long‐term care at the baseline served as the study participants. We first identified the potential variables associated with developing a need for long‐term care in demographic, socioeconomic, anthropometric, functional status, mental health, medical and global domains based on the literature and our earlier studies. We then carried out univariable logistic regression analyses to identify the variables most strongly associated with developing a new need for long‐term care within each domain. Variables showing the strongest association were further analyzed in a forward stepwise multivariable logistic regression model to determine the significant predictors.

Results

The multivariable model identified age, sex, doing heavy housework, walking 200 m, carrying out calculation, appetite status, frequency of hospitalizations during the past 12 months, living arrangement and weight loss as significant (P < 0.05) predictors.

Conclusions

The present study identified nine characteristics that predict the subsequent 4‐year new need for long‐term care of ≥70‐year‐old Taiwanese adults. Age, sex and functional status are the most powerful predictors. The results are useful for identifying older individuals at risk of developing a new need for long‐term care within the next 4 years, enabling implementation of preventive strategies or timely care planning. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 641–646.
Effect of watching professional baseball at a stadium on health‐related outcomes among Japanese older adults: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kawakami Ryoko , Sawada Susumu S , Ito Tomoko , Gando Yuko , Fukushi Tomohiro , Yoshino Atsushi , Kurita Satoshi , Oka Koichiro , Sakamoto Shizuo , Higuchi Mitsuru
Published: May 2019

Aim

Watching sports at stadiums can have a favorable impact on health‐related outcomes in older adults. We examined the effect of watching professional baseball at a ballpark on older adults’ health‐related outcomes.

Methods

A total fo 58 participants aged 65–85 years were randomized into a spectator group (n = 29) and waiting‐list group (n = 29). During the 2‐month intervention, there were 21 games. The spectator group watched games at the ballpark, and the waiting‐list group maintained their daily routines. The health‐related outcomes were executive and cognitive functions, health‐related quality of life, depression symptoms, subjective happiness and physical activity.

Results

The median days watching baseball games in the spectator group was 6 days (interquartile range 4–10 days). Executive function using the reverse Stroop interference rate showed a non‐significant trend of improvement in the spectator group compared with the waiting‐list group (P = 0.063). The spectator group showed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared with the waiting‐list group (P = 0.016).

Conclusions

Regularly watching professional baseball at a ballpark reduced older adults’ depression symptoms. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 717–722.
Essential oil nanoemulsions: antibacterial activity in contaminated fruit juices
Authors: Franklyne Jonathan Sampath , Iyer Swati , Ebenazer Andrew , Mukherjee Amitava , Chandrasekaran Natarajan
Published: May 2019

Many human acid tolerant bacterial and fungal pathogens can be transmitted through the consumption of the contaminated fruit juices. We aim to formulate essential oil nanoemulsions (basil, black seed, turmeric, clove & cinnamon), determine their ability to clear contamination by food borne bacterial pathogens from fruit juices. The antibacterial activity of the optimised formulations was tested in the fruit juices against bacterial pathogens causing gastrointestinal tract infections. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of clove emulsions ranged from 15.6 to 25 μL mL−1. Cinnamon oil emulsion had an MBC ranging between 15 and 31 μL mL−1. At MBC, cinnamon oil emulsions caused a 6log10 decrease in viable counts by 8 h and maintained the sterility of fruit juices for 7 days at ambient temperature. Thus, clove and cinnamon microemulsions can be used as juice additives to control food borne bacterial pathogens and maintain the bacterial sterility of fruit juices.
Effect of ethanol on properties of extrudates enriched with high‐fibre by‐products
Authors: Tomaszewska‐Ciosk Ewa , Zdybel Ewa , Lech Krzysztof , Nemś Agnieszka
Published: May 2019

In this study, we produced snacks based on mixtures of corn grits enriched with ethyl alcohol and high‐fibr by‐products like potato pulp, as well as flaxseed, rosehip and apple pomace. The prepared mixtures were subjected to the extrusion at the following process parameters: temperature of section I – 130 °C, temperature of section II – 150 °C, temperature of section III – 170 °C and screw speed – 200 r.p.m. The presence of ethanol in the extruded mixture significantly improved mechanical properties and increased colour lightness of snacks. The highest scores were given in sensory analysis to control snacks, whereas among the enriched snacks – to these with apple pomace. The most negative effect on snacks assessment was attributed to the addition of flaxseed and rosehip pomace. Ethanol addition had a very beneficial effect on scores given during sensory analysis to colour, texture and structure attributes of the snacks.
Comparison of phytochemical profiles, cellular antioxidant and anti‐proliferative activities in five varieties of wampee (Clausena lansium) fruits
Authors: Ye Yutong , Chang Xiaoxiao , Brennan Margaret Anne , Brennan Charles Stephen , Guo Xinbo
Published: May 2019

Wampee (Clausena lansium) fruit is a seasonal food containing high levels of bioactive phytochemicals which may be useful for health benefits. This study compared the phytochemical composition, total and cellular antioxidant activities (CAA) as well as anti‐proliferative activities of five different varieties of wampee fruits. The results showed that six phytochemical compounds (vanillic acid, ferulic acid, rutin, syringin, catechin and hesperetin) were found in wampee fruits. Total antioxidant activities varied dramatically in these five varieties when measured with oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay and peroxyl radical scavenging capacity assay. The results also showed that wampee fruit extracts varied enormously in their CAA and exhibited significant anti‐proliferative activities against HepG2 human liver cancer cells. These results suggest the potential of wampee fruits as functional foods and industrial application of wampee fruit in the future.