bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using an integrative, Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) approach to treat intimate partner violence risk
Authors: Tully Ruth J. , Barrow Alex
Published: March 2017

Purpose

There is limited research on Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) in forensic contexts; this case study therefore significantly contributes to the knowledge base. The purpose of this paper is to present the assessment and treatment of an adult male offender with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The client’s offence involved intimate partner violence and was committed at a time of acute psychiatric relapse.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 12 sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy and CAT informed treatment were individually designed to meet the needs of the client, delivered in an in-patient setting in the UK. The client’s progress was assessed using psychometric, observational, and narrative/descriptive methods.

Findings

Psychometric evidence was limited by distorted responding. However, narrative/descriptive assessment indicated that progress had been made in some areas. Recommendations for further treatment were made.

Practical implications

In total, 12 sessions did not meet all of the client’s needs. The use of CAT as a model that his team could use in understanding his violence was conducive to risk management. Overall, insight gained through CAT-based psychological intervention contributed to risk reduction.

Originality/value

This case study demonstrates the applicability of CAT to forensic settings.
Making the invisible visible: (un)meeting male rape victims’ needs in the third sector
Authors: Javaid Aliraza
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether the voluntary sector meets male rape victims’ needs in England, UK. The author’s contribution represents an attempt to piece together some of the voluntary sector’s responses to male rape victims in England, UK and examine whether they meet male rape victims’ needs.

Design/methodology/approach

The author draws on data collected from semi-structured interviews and qualitative questionnaires with male rape counsellors, therapists and voluntary agency caseworkers (n=70).

Findings

The findings reveal nuanced themes that have been overlooked in the existing literature of male rape: first, male rape victims are not given a choice of their voluntary agency practitioner (regarding gender) to serve them; second, there is no specific training on male rape in voluntary agencies; third, the impact of limited resources and funding in the voluntary sector means that many male rape victims’ needs are unmet; and finally, there is ageism and discrimination in some voluntary agencies, whereby male rape victims are prioritised in terms of their age.

Research limitations/implications

Methodologically, the author’s sample size was not considerably large (n=70), making it difficult to generalise the findings to all voluntary agency practitioners in a British context.

Practical implications

At a time of scarce funding and scant resources for the third sector, the impact of limited resources and funding in the voluntary sector could mean that male rape victims may not receive proper care and treatment. Budget cuts in the third sector are problematic, in that voluntary agencies may be unable to get access to robust training programs for male rape or to resources that can help shape and develop the ways in which they serve male rape victims. The needs of male rape victims, therefore, are unlikely to be met at the local, regional and national levels.

Social implications

Some practitioners are misinformed about male rape and do not have the tools to be able to adequately and efficiently handle male rape victims. Not only can their lack of understanding of male rape worsen male rape victims’ trauma through inappropriate ways of handling them, but also the practitioners may implicitly reinforce male rape myths, such as “male rape is solely a homosexual issue” or “men cannot be raped”.

Originality/value

Whilst previous contributions have recognised the third sector’s responses to female rape victims, little work has been done to identify their treatment of male rape victims. The author attempts to fill some of this lacuna. In particular, The author draws attention to some of the issues and dilemmas that arise when voluntary agencies provide services for male victims of rape. The author’s concern is that many male rape victims’ needs may be neglected or ignored because of the rise in neoliberalism, as there appears to be a financial meltdown in the voluntary sector.
How is managerial remuneration determined in India?
Authors: Kang Lakhwinder Singh , Nanda Payal
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of company performance, governance structure and ownership structure in determining the managerial remuneration for 134 listed companies in India over the years 2003-2012.

Design/methodology/approach

Remuneration paid to the board of directors of companies is taken to represent the managerial remuneration. Exogeneity among the company performance measures is verified with the endogtest suggested in Baumet al.(2007). A fixed effects panel regression with clustered standard errors is employed after checking for the presence of heteroskedasticity, autocorrelation and cross-sectional dependence in the data.

Findings

The study reveals that managerial remuneration increases as the accounting performance of companies improves, whereas the market performance of companies has no significant association with managerial remuneration. The study also shows that foreign institutional shareholding is significantly and positively related with managerial remuneration in India.

Research limitations/implications

This study highlights the various factors which affect the determination of managerial remuneration in India. These findings can be used as inputs by regulatory authorities in framing and improving governance norms regarding managerial remuneration. This study also suggests that factors other than the number, the independence and objectivity of independent directors are more important in determining managerial remuneration.

Originality/value

The present study proposes more reliable results, obtained through a fixed effects panel regression model with clustered standard error estimates and also checks endogeneity of performance measures with the endogtest, which is the appropriate test to use for verifying endogeneity in panel data.
Corporate governance, Islamic governance and earnings management in Oman
Authors: Elghuweel Mohamed I. , Ntim Collins G. , Opong Kwaku K. , Avison Lynn
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of corporate (CG) and Islamic (IG) governance mechanisms on corporate earnings management (EM) behaviour in Oman.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ one of the largest and extensive data sets to-date on CG, IG and EM in any developing country, consisting of a sample of 116 unique Omani listed corporations from 2001 to 2011 (i.e. 1,152 firm-year observations) and a broad CG index containing 72 CG provisions. The authors also employ a number of robust econometric models that sufficiently account for alternative CG/EM proxies and potential endogeneities.

Findings

First, the authors find that, on average, better-governed corporations tend to engage significantly less in EM than their poorly governed counterparts. Second, the evidence suggests that corporations that depict greater commitment towards incorporating Islamic religious beliefs and values into their operations through the establishment of an IG committee tend to engage significantly less in EM than their counterparts without such a committee. Finally and by contrast, the authors do not find any evidence that board size, audit firm size, the presence of a CG committee and board gender diversity have any significant relationship with the extent of EM.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is a first empirical attempt at examining the extent to which CG and IG structures may drive EM practices that explicitly seek to draw new insights from a behavioural theoretical framework (i.e. behavioural theory of corporate boards and governance).
Modelling non-linear behaviour of block price deviations when trades are executed outside the bid-ask quotes
Authors: Gregoriou Andros
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test and model non-linearities in block price deviations when they are executed outside the bid-ask quotes. The author conducts an empirical analysis on 662,312 transactions that were traded outside the bid-ask quotes in 2014 on the London Stock Exchange.

Design/methodology/approach

The tests reject the linearity hypothesis and the paper shows that the exponential smooth transition autoregressive model is capable of capturing the non-linear behaviour of block price misalignments.

Findings

The findings imply that when the deviation of block prices from their quoted value is small (large), trading will occur slowly (rapidly) to restore equilibrium, suggesting that trading costs eliminate continuous trading and that the block trade market is efficient.

Originality/value

The purpose of this paper is to re-model block price deviations from the bid-ask quotes. The major contribution is that the paper presents new empirical evidence, which explicitly allows for the possibility that block price misalignments from the bid-ask quotes can be characterized by a non-linear mean reverting process. The author demonstrates that the presence of transaction costs induces non-linear adjustments of block trade prices.
Opportunities and challenges for Minnesota sewn product manufacturers
Authors: Bye Elizabeth , Erickson Kira
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This study aims to explore domestic sewn product manufacturing in Minnesota. There is a renewed interest from consumers in products Made in America, thus some manufactures are taking advantage of the opportunities to produce locally.

Design/methodology/approach

Fourteen companies from across the state that ranged in size and product type were interviewed about the motivations, opportunities and challenges they experience with domestic manufacturing. A content analysis was conducted on the qualitative data.

Findings

The themes of personal values and economics emerged under motivations; the local economy, control and uniqueness were revealed as opportunities; and challenges included the themes of manufacturing resources and costs.

Originality/value

This group of Minnesota manufacturers holds strong values that drive them to balance the opportunities and challenges of domestic manufacturing. There is no evidence to determine if sustainability is a concern or a motivating factor.
Fiscal Space, Poverty and Inequality in Africa
Authors: Odusola Ayodele
Published: March 2017

The benefit of growth experienced since 2000 in Africa has not been broadly shared. Poverty fell by only 8.0 percentage points between 1990 and 2010 compared to the targeted 28.3 percentage points by 2015. Although income inequality fell by 4.3 percent between 1990 and 2009, Africa remains the second most unequal region globally after Latin America and the Caribbean region. Fiscal policies play important roles in reducing poverty and inequality through such instruments as taxes, transfers and government spending. Countries with high fiscal space tend to have lower poverty rates than those with lower tax revenue to GDP ratios. Indeed, fiscal space alone tends to account for 16.5 percent of changes in poverty reduction. Institutions play an important role in increasing fiscal space in Africa. Countries with increasing participatory, transparent and accountable budgetary process tend to have stronger impact of fiscal space on poverty and inequality reduction. Although 29 countries recorded declines in the distributional effectiveness of their fiscal policies over time, the distributional impact rose by 35 percent or more in countries such as Angola, Mozambique, South Africa and Togo. This paper calls for enhancing the non‐extractive revenues by diversifying revenues sources from the extractive sectors and improving progressive taxation in countries with high fiscal space and high income inequality. Heavy investment in quality and accessible education and health services, and social programs are also vital to reduce poverty and inequality in Africa.
Growth and Development Finance Required for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa
Authors: Kedir Abbi , Elhiraika Adam , Chinzara Zivanemoyo , Sandjong Diderot
Published: March 2017

We estimate the additional investment required to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on SDG 1 on ending extreme poverty by 2030 as well as alternative scenarios of reducing poverty. Ending poverty will be an insurmountable task. Africa requires a double‐digit growth rate of 16.6 per cent per year between 2015 and 2030 to end extreme poverty by 2030, which corresponds to an investment‐to‐GDP ratio and a financing gap to GDP ratio of 87.5 and 65.6 per cent per annum, respectively. However, the estimates on the required growth rates vary widely across sub‐regions and levels of development of individual countries. Countries and sub‐regions with low initial poverty levels and higher responsiveness of poverty to income will be able to end poverty with lower growth rates and lower development finance. The paper outlines the potential policy implications of our findings.
Addressing Poverty and Gender Inequality through Access to Formal Credit and Enhanced Enterprise Performance in Nigeria: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Nwosu Emmanuel O. , Orji Anthony
Published: March 2017

Addressing poverty and gender inequality is one of the fundamental targets of the sustainable development goals. Access to finance, however, has been identified as one of the ways to reduce poverty and gender inequality. The main focus of this study, therefore, is to ascertain the impact of access to formal credit on enterprise performance. The study uses Nigerian Enterprise Surveys data for 2010 to construct a direct measure of credit constraint. From propensity score estimations, the results show that access to formal credit matters and has significant impact on enterprise performance indicators. Firms that are credit constrained have significantly lower output per worker, capital per worker, employment of labour and investment in fixed assets for expansion compared to firms that are not credit constrained. This is more pronounced for women‐owned enterprises after adjusting for bias in the estimations and controlling for sampling weights. This suggests that one way to support the growth of enterprises in Nigeria is to make access to formal credit less stringent. Also, government and monetary authorities should support credit expansion policies for medium and small enterprises in Nigeria.
Tax Buoyancy in Sub‐Saharan Africa: An Empirical Exploration
Authors: Jalles Joao Tovar
Published: March 2017

In this paper we provide short‐ and long‐run tax buoyancy estimates for 37 sub‐Saharan African countries for the period 1990–2015. By means of Mean Group and Pooled Mean Group estimators, we find that in 19 out of 37 countries growth has improved fiscal sustainability over time. Moreover, in only 11 out of 37 countries the tax system has acted as a good automatic stabilizer; Furthermore, tax buoyancy seems to be larger during contractions than during times of economic expansions. Finally, countries with a relatively larger agricultural sector (human capital index and stronger institutions) show a lower (higher) long‐run buoyancy coefficient estimate, while high inflation and economic volatility reduce that ability to maximize tax collection.
Unemployment and Food Insecurity in Urban Ethiopia
Authors: Etana Dula , Tolossa Degefa
Published: March 2017

Although unemployment is often associated with food insecurity, the paths through which it leads to food insecurity is less explored. This study investigates the effects of unemployment on food insecurity based on data collected from 410 randomly selected households in Addis Ababa and the Munessa district of Arsi Zone. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the data. The results show that 55.9 percent of the respondents were unemployed and only 12.4 percent of the households were food secure. The prevalence of food insecurity was higher among households headed by unemployed persons. Education and economic factors are the mechanisms through which unemployment leads to food insecurity. Lack of education reduces the chance of employment and the quality of jobs engaged in whilst the economic path to food insecurity is partly related to the inability of poor households to cope with soaring food prices and seasonal unemployment. Thus, increasing employment opportunities through pro‐poor measures is a means to enhance human capital development that helps the people take advantage of the labour market and improve the economic status of households, ultimately leading to ensuring food security.
Determinants of Life Insurance Demand in Tunisia
Authors: Zerriaa Mouna , Amiri Mohamed Marouen , Noubbigh Hedi , Naoui Kamel
Published: March 2017

This paper investigates the variables driving the demand for life insurance in Tunisia based on annual macroeconomic data spanning the period from 1990 to 2014 and collected from the Swiss Reinsurance company and the World Bank's databases. We provide a characterization of the Tunisian life insurance sector and a comparison to some emerging markets. Empirical results show that life insurance demand increases with income and financial development. However, other economic variables such as inflation and interest rate do not seem to influence life insurance consumption in Tunisia. Socio‐demographic variables such as dependency, life expectancy at birth and the country's level of urbanization stimulate life insurance demand, while the level of education dampens it. Finally, pension expenditures have a negative effect on life insurance consumption confirming the substitution by social security system for private insurance.
Asymmetric Loss and the Rationality of Inflation Forecasts: Evidence from South Korea
Authors: Ahn Young Bin , Tsuchiya Yoichi
Published: March 2017

We examine asymmetry in the loss functions of South Korean consumers' and the Bank of Korea's (BOK) inflation forecasts, and test the rationality of these forecasts under the assumption of a possible asymmetric loss function. Under an asymmetric loss function, we find evidence of asymmetry and support for rationality. We also examine whether the BOK's forecasts incorporate respective forecasts and consensus forecasts efficiently. They broadly use available information efficiently, and their results are robust to inflation‐targeting measures and the recent global financial crisis. However, our results suggest that the information efficiency of the BOK's forecasts for consumers was affected during the period 2007–2008.
Validation of an emergency triage scale for obstetrics and gynaecology: a prospective study
Authors: Veit‐Rubin N , Brossard P , Gayet‐Ageron A , Montandon C‐Y , Simon J , Irion O , Rutschmann OT , Martinez de Tejada B
Published: March 2017

Objective

To evaluate the reliability of a four‐level triage scale for obstetrics and gynaecology emergencies and to explore the factors associated with an optimal triage.

Design

Thirty clinical vignettes presenting the most frequent indications for obstetrics and gynaecology emergency consultations were evaluated twice using a computerised simulator.

Setting

The study was performed at the emergency unit of obstetrics and gynaecology at the Geneva University Hospitals.

Sample

The vignettes were submitted to nurses and midwives.

Methods

We assessed inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability and agreement using a two‐way mixed‐effects intra‐class correlation (ICC). We also performed a generalised linear mixed model to evaluate factors associated triage correctness.

Main outcome measures

Triage acuity.

Results

We obtained a total of 1191 evaluations. Inter‐rater reliability was good (ICC 0.748; 95% CI 0.633–0.858) and intra‐rater reliability was almost perfect (ICC 0.812; 95% CI 0.726–0.889). We observed a wide variability: the mean number of questions varied from 6.9 to 18.9 across individuals and from 8.4 to 16.9 across vignettes. Triage acuity was underestimated in 12.4% of cases and overestimated in 9.3%. Undertriage occurred less frequently for gynaecology compared with obstetric vignettes [odds ratio (OR) 0.45; 95% CI 0.23–0.91; P = 0.035] and decreased with the number of questions asked (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.88–0.99; P = 0.047). Certification in obstetrics and gynaecology emergencies was an independent factor for the avoidance of undertriage (OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.17–0.70; P = 0.003).

Conclusion

The four‐level triage scale is a valid and reliable tool for the integrated emergency management of obstetrics and gynaecology patients.

Tweetable abstract

The Swiss Emergency Triage Scale is a valid and reliable tool for obstetrics and gynaecology emergency triage.
The Longitudinal Association between Psychological Factors and Health Care Use
Authors: Bock Jens‐Oliver , Hajek André , König Hans‐Helmut
Published: March 2017

Objective

Little attention has been given to psychological factors as correlates of health care use, which could be an important key to manage it. We analyzed the association of psychological factors with health care use.

Data Sources

Primary data were obtained from three follow‐ups (2002, 2008, and 2011) of a large population‐based study with participants aged 40+.

Study Design

Using a longitudinal observational study, we analyzed the psychological factors of negative and positive affect (affective well‐being), life satisfaction (cognitive well‐being), self‐efficacy, loneliness, self‐esteem, optimism, and flexible goal adjustment using fixed‐effects regressions.

Data Collection

The participants provided data on health care use (visits to general practitioners [GPs] and specialists as well as hospitalization) and psychological factors via self‐administered questionnaires and personal interviews (7,116 observations). The sample was drawn using national probability sampling.

Principal Findings

Controlling for self‐rated health, chronic diseases and sociodemographics, increases in affective well‐being, and optimism decreased health care use of GPs, specialists, and hospital treatment. Increases in cognitive well‐being decreased health care use of GPs and specialists. Increases in self‐efficacy decreased hospitalization.

Conclusions

The study underlines the influence of psychological factors on health care use. Thus, whenever possible, future studies of health care use should include psychological factors, and efforts to reduce health care use might focus on such factors.
Variation in adult stress resistance does not explain vulnerability to climate change in copper butterflies
Authors: Klockmann Michael , Wallmeyer Leonard , Fischer Klaus
Published: March 2017

Ongoing climate change is a major threat to biodiversity. However, although many species clearly suffer from ongoing climate change, others benefit from it, for example, by showing range expansions. However, which specific features determine a species’ vulnerability to climate change? Phenotypic plasticity, which has been described as the first line of defence against environmental change, may be of utmost importance here. Against this background, we here compare plasticity in stress tolerance in 3 copper butterfly species, which differ arguably in their vulnerability to climate change. Specifically, we investigated heat, cold and desiccation resistance after acclimatization to different temperatures in the adult stage. We demonstrate that acclimation at a higher temperature increased heat but decreased cold tolerance and desiccation resistance. Contrary to our predictions, species did not show pronounced variation in stress resistance, though plastic capacities in temperature stress resistance did vary across species. Overall, our results seemed to reflect population—rather than species‐specific patterns. We conclude that the geographical origin of the populations used should be considered even in comparative studies. However, our results suggest that, in the 3 species studied here, vulnerability to climate change is not in the first place determined by stress resistance in the adult stage. As entomological studies focus all too often on adults only, we argue that more research effort should be dedicated to other developmental stages when trying to understand insect responses to environmental change.
Phenotypical analysis of ectoenzymes CD39/CD73 and adenosine receptor 2A in CD4+CD25highFoxp3+ regulatory T‐cells in psoriasis
Authors: Han Ling , Sugiyama Hideaki , Zhang Qi , Yan Kexiang , Fang Xu , McCormick Thomas S , Cooper Kevin D , Huang Qiong
Published: March 2017

Background

CD39 and CD73 are two novel cell surface markers of CD25highFoxp3+ regulatory T‐cells (Tregs). Concordant expression of these two ectoenzymes not only discriminate Tregs from other cell populations, but also generates pericellular adenosine, which has been reported to suppress proliferation of activated T effector (Teff) cells. Because it is currently unclear whether human ectoenzymes (CD39/CD73) are involved in the impaired suppressive activity of Tregs in psoriasis, we examined the frequencies and phenotypes of CD39/CD73‐expressing Tregs and related receptor adenosine receptor 2A (A2AR) in peripheral blood of patients with different types of psoriasis.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBC) were prepared from patients with three different types of psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris, pustular psoriasis and erythrodermic psoriasis). CD4+ cells were separated from PBMC by negative selection on midiMACS columns, and the frequencies and phenotypes of CD39 and CD73 expressing Tregs, and A2AR expressing Teff were all determined by flow cytometry analysis. Blood from healthy volunteers served as controls.

Results

The expression of single CD73+ Tregs was markedly reduced (approximately 50%) in psoriasis vulgaris, compared to normal controls. In pustular psoriasis, the mean numbers of CD39+ Tregs and A2AR+ Teff was significantly lower than in normal controls. Among three different types of psoriasis, CD39 expression was strikingly reduced in the blood Treg population of pustular psoriasis patients. Decreased CD73+ Tregs levels were observed in psoriasis vulgaris compared to pustular psoriasis and erythrodermic psoriasis.

Conclusions

The differences in the expression of CD39− and CD73− Tregs may be a factor in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
Characteristic features of cutaneous melanoma in a dermatology referral centre in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Kamyab Kambiz , Kazemi Sheyda , Azimi Pourya , Azizpour Arghavan , Ghandi Narges , Pirooz Elham , Noormohammadpour Pedram , Mirshams‐Shahshahani Mostafa , Daneshpazhooh Maryam
Published: March 2017

Background/Objectives

The characteristics of cutaneous melanoma in the Middle‐Eastern countries is poorly described. Therefore we conducted this study to determine the characteristics of melanoma in Iran.

Methods

A retrospective, cross sectional study of melanoma patients seen at a tertiary referral centre, Iran, from May 2004 to October 2014. Clinical data included age and gender of the patients at the time of diagnosis, tumour location and tumour size. Histological characteristics included Breslow thickness, Clark level and subtype of tumour.

Results

A total of 450 cases of melanoma with a male/female ratio of 1.1:1 were reviewed. The mean age of patients was 57.5 years. The most frequent histological subtypes were acral lentiginous melanoma (30%) and lentigo maligna melanoma (29%). In 215 cases (49%) the tumour was located on the extremities. The second most common site was the face. Tumour invasion was mainly at Clark level III and IV. The mean Breslow thickness was 2.8 mm; 143 (38%) melanomas had a Breslow thickness less than 1 mm (T1) and 86 (23%) were more than 4 mm (T4).

Conclusion

This study indicates that clinical and histological features of melanoma in Iranians (who are mainly of skin phototypes 3–4) are different from those observed in Western countries. Further cohort studies are required to evaluate the role of ethnic and environmental risk factors for melanoma in different populations.
Short‐term FSH treatment and sperm maturation: a prospective study in idiopathic infertile men
Authors: Casamonti E. , Vinci S. , Serra E. , Fino M. G. , Brilli S. , Lotti F. , Maggi M. , Coccia M. E. , Forti G. , Krausz C.
Published: March 2017

The standard FSH treatment is based on a 3 months period, after which both quantitative/qualitative improvement of sperm parameters and increased pregnancy rate were reported. In this prospective clinical trial, for the first time, we studied (i) Sperm hyaluronic acid binding capacity after highly purified FSH (hpFSH) treatment; (ii) the effect after short‐term and standard treatment on this functional parameter. As secondary objective, we analyzed three SNPs on FSHβ and FSHR genes to define their potential predictive value for responsiveness. From a total of 210 consecutive patients, 40 oligo‐ and/or astheno‐ and/or teratozoospermic patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Treatment consisted in hpFSH 75 IU/L every other day for 3 months. To avoid potential biases derived from the lack of placebo, we analyzed each patient after 4–6 months of ‘wash‐out’ period. After FSH treatment, we observed a statistically significant (p < 0.001) improvement of the percentage of hyaluronic acid bound spermatozoa from basal to T1 (after 1 month) and to T3 (after 3 months). Importantly, these values returned to near‐baseline value after the wash‐out. The same results were detected for total motile sperm count after 3 months with return to baseline after wash‐out. Forty‐two percent of patients responded to the therapy with increasing hyaluronic acid binding capacity above the double of the Intraindividual Variation (IV) while 24% of patients reached above the normal Sperm‐Hyaluronan Binding Assay (HBA) value. Further increase in ‘responders’ was observed at T3. The responsiveness to treatment resulted independent from FSHR/FSHβ polymorphisms. The significant positive effect on sperm maturity after 1 month opens novel therapeutic perspectives. In view of both the high cost and the relative invasiveness of treatment, the short protocol (1 month) could represent a viable FSH treatment option prior Assisted Reproductive Techniques since FSH, by acting on sperm maturation, increases the proportion of functionally competent cells.
Lactadherin is a candidate oviduct Lewis X trisaccharide receptor on porcine spermatozoa
Authors: Silva E. , Frost D. , Li L. , Bovin N. , Miller D. J.
Published: March 2017

A recent study has demonstrated that porcine spermatozoa recognize with high affinity carbohydrate structures containing Lewis X motifs. Sperm adhesion to Lewis X is proposed to mediate sperm binding to the oviduct epithelium to form a reservoir. The objective of this study was to identify Lewis X‐binding proteins from porcine spermatozoa as candidate receptors for oviduct glycans. To identify low‐abundance proteins typically masked by proteins originating from seminal fluid, Lewis X candidate receptors were enriched from cauda epididymal boar spermatozoa. Plasma membrane preparations from cauda epididymal spermatozoa were subjected to RP‐HPLC and glycan blotting assays to isolate and detect proteins that bind Lewis X. Following bottom‐up LC‐MS/MS analysis, among the two bands that bound sulfated Lewis X, ADAM5, which spermatozoa, was confidently identified. ADAM family members have been established as contributors to sperm entry into the oviduct. A second sulfated Lewis X‐binding protein identified was the peripheral membrane protein lactadherin (also known as P47, SED1 and MFG‐E8 in different species). The interaction between Lewis X and lactadherin was functionally important because competitive inhibition by soluble recombinant lactadherin reduced sperm binding to the oviduct epithelium. Furthermore, far‐western blotting demonstrated that purified lactadherin could bind oviduct cells. In summary, these findings reveal that, in addition to the previously reported glycan affinity of accessory gland proteins that adhere to spermatozoa, multiple proteins intrinsic to spermatozoa have affinity for a specific oviduct glycan. Further, in addition to binding to the zona pellucida, lactadherin is now implicated in binding to oviduct glycans to promote formation of the sperm reservoir.
The prevalence of HPV infections in HPV‐vaccinated women from the general population
Authors: Hamsikova Eva , Smahelova Jana , Ludvikova Viera , Salakova Martina , Rychla Jana , Skrenkova Jana , Rob Lukas , Tachezy Ruth
Published: March 2017

Currently, three prophylactic HPV vaccines are commercially available to prevent HPV 16/18 infection and associated lesions. The aim of the study was to assess markers of HPV infection in women/girls before vaccination and to ascertain the prevalence and spectrum of post‐vaccination HPV types. Three hundred and thirty subjects of which 75 were virgins were enrolled. Before the first dose of the HPV vaccine and 1, 3 and 5 years after the completion of HPV vaccination, the samples for cytology, HPV detection and anti‐HPV antibody response were taken. At enrolment, HPV DNA was detected in 38% of sexually active girls/women. At the first, second and third follow‐up, HPV DNA was found in 40, 45, and 39% of them. The seroprevalence rates to HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 in these subjects were 31, 21, 18 and 10%. On the follow‐up significantly higher levels of antibodies to HPV 16/18 were found after application of divalent vaccine. Results of the study demonstrate high prevalence of HPV infection in young women. In a substantial number of women, HPV‐specific antibodies as well as high‐risk HPV types were detected. HPV‐specific antibodies were also frequently found in non‐sexually active girls. The acquisition of HPV after the onset of sexual life was very fast.
Deleterious effects of non‐synonymous single nucleotide variants of human IL‐1β gene
Authors: Zhang Yue‐Hui , Song Jia , Zhang Jing , Shao Jiang
Published: March 2017

The IL‐1β gene is currently topic of interest for its important role in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disk degeneration. The new sequencing technology makes it crucial to study the effects of variants in IL‐1β. Thus, 714 IL‐1β variants with evidence supporting were collected from the EMBL database. Among them, 62 were non‐synonymous single nucleotide variants (nsSNVs). Furthermore, six common nsSNVs were predicted to have damaging effects by SIFT, PolyPhen, PROVEAN and SNPs&GO. Based on the constructed three‐dimensional structure of pro‐IL‐1β, rs375479974 with a mutation of Phe to Ser was proposed to reduce the stability of the pro‐IL‐1β protein. The rs375479974 variant was found to cause least common stabilizing amino acid residues, decrease hydrophilic and increase hydrophobic surface areas in the greatest degree, and have the lowest free energy alterations in I‐Mutant 2.0 sequence analysis. When analyzing the interaction between the experimental 3D structure of mature IL‐1β and its neutralizing McAb canakinumab complex, the rs775174784 substitution of Leu with Phe was found to attenuate this interaction by reducing binding energy, while rs375479974 not. Molecular dynamics simulation results in intervertebral disk environment supported rs775174784's effects. These results suggest that both rs375479974 and rs775174784 may have potential clinical and drug target implications.
PRAS40 alleviates neurotoxic prion peptide‐induced apoptosis via mTOR‐AKT signaling
Authors: Yang Wei , Yang Li‐Feng , Song Zhi‐Qi , Shah Syed Zahid Ali , Cui Yong‐Yong , Li Chao‐Si , Zhao Hua‐Fen , Gao Hong‐Li , Zhou Xiang‐Mei , Zhao De‐Ming
Published: March 2017

Aims

The proline‐rich Akt substrate of 40‐kDa (PRAS40) protein is a direct inhibitor of mTORC1 and an interactive linker between the Akt and mTOR pathways. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is considered to be a central regulator of cell growth and metabolism. Several investigations have demonstrated that abnormal mTOR activity may contribute to the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders and lead to cognitive deficits.

Methods

Here, we used the PrP peptide 106‐126 (PrP106‐126) in a cell model of prion diseases (also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, TSEs) to investigate the mechanisms of mTOR‐mediated cell death in prion diseases.

Results

We have shown that, upon stress caused by PrP106‐126, the mTOR pathway activates and contributes to cellular apoptosis. Moreover, we demonstrated that PRAS40 down‐regulates mTOR hyperactivity under stress conditions and alleviates neurotoxic prion peptide‐induced apoptosis. The effect of PRAS40 on apoptosis is likely due to an mTOR/Akt signaling.

Conclusion

PRAS40 inhibits mTORC1 hyperactivation and plays a key role in protecting cells against neurotoxic prion peptide‐induced apoptosis. Thus, PRAS40 is a potential therapeutic target for prion disease.
Association between fractional exhaled nitric oxide and clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with subacute cough
Authors: Jiang Mingming , Liu Min , Wang Ying , Xu Lili , Bu Xiaoning , An Li , Zhang Hong , Huang Kewu
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To investigate the relationships between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with subacute cough.

Methods

Patients with subacute cough (n = 189) after upper respiratory tract infection were enrolled in this single‐center prospective study, and were divided into low‐FENO (<25 ppb) and high‐FENO groups (≥25 ppb). Empirical therapies (without inhaled or systemic corticosteroids) were prescribed based on clinical experience and follow‐up until the disease course reached 8 weeks. FENO values, cough symptom scores (CSS), and Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) scores were obtained, analyzed, and compared between two groups of patients.

Results

The low‐FENO and high‐FENO groups comprised 136 and 53 patients, respectively. The multiple regression analysis showed that blood eosinophil count and gender were independent factors for elevated FENO (β = 1.38, 0.25, respectively). LCQ scores, total CSS, and daytime CSS were comparable between the low‐FENO and high‐FENO groups. The nighttime CSS of the high‐FENO group were significantly higher than that of the low‐FENO group (P = .03). The CSS and LCQ score were improved in both groups but were comparable between groups after 10 days treatment.

Conclusions

Patients with subacute cough and high‐FENO levels have more severe nocturnal cough than those of patients with low‐FENO levels. However, FENO levels do not appear to correlate with the clinical outcomes or treatment response. The significance of FENO in the management of subacute cough needs to be further evaluated, at least in the current empirical treatment without corticosteroids.
Longitudinal alcohol consumption patterns and health‐related quality of life: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions
Authors: Imtiaz Sameer , Loheswaran Genane , Le Foll Bernard , Rehm Jürgen
Published: March 2017

Introduction and Aims

Given the limited nature of the evidence concerning longitudinal alcohol consumption patterns and health‐related quality of life (HrQoL), this study examined these associations.

Design and Methods

Data were from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (waves 1 and 2). Multiple linear regression was used to assess the associations between longitudinal alcohol consumption patterns (abstainers, no consumption change, decreased consumption, increased consumption, ceased consumption and initiated consumption) and HrQoL (Short‐Form 12‐Item Health Survey).

Results

Increased consumption over follow up was related to non‐significant reductions in mental HrQoL for moderate and heavy drinkers at wave 1, whereas decreased consumption coincided with improvements in mental HrQoL for heavy drinkers at wave 1 (β for Mental Health Summary Scale and Mental Health Subscale: 0.84 and 0.91; P‐values significant for both scales). Similarly, initiation of consumption among lifetime abstainers at wave 1 was associated with reductions in mental HrQoL (β for Mental Health Summary Scale, Vitality Subscale, Social Functioning Subscale and Mental Health Subscale: −1.50, −1.89, −0.86 and −1.74; P‐values significant for all scales). On the other hand, cessation of consumption was accompanied by reductions in physical HrQoL (β for Physical Health Summary Scale, Physical Functioning Subscale, Role Physical Subscale, Bodily Pain Subscale and General Health Subscale: −1.29, −1.11, −1.35, −0.87 and −0.88; P‐values significant for all scales).

Discussion and Conclusions

Increased or decreased consumption were inversely associated with mental HrQoL, but decreased consumption was also associated with reductions in physical HrQoL. These findings were confirmed by the ceased consumption and initiated consumption patterns. [Imtiaz S, Loheswaran G, Le Foll B, Rehm J. Longitudinal alcohol consumption patterns and health‐related quality of life: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Drug Alcohol Rev 2018;37:48–55]
Sexual risk behavior, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV transmission risks in HIV‐positive men who have sex with men (MSM) – approaches for medical prevention
Authors: Esser Stefan , Krotzek Judith , Dirks Henrike , Scherbaum Norbert , Schadendorf Dirk
Published: March 2017

Background

Rising incidence rates of HIV and STIs (sexually transmitted infections) among MSM (men who have sex with men) in Germany since 2001 call for new approaches in medical prevention. The present study addresses appropriate parameters to identify those HIV‐positive MSM who are at high risk for transmitting HIV and STIs.

Patients and methods

Over a two‐year period, 223 HIV‐positive MSM attending the HIV outpatient clinic at the University Medical Center Essen (Germany) were systematically surveyed with respect to their sexual behavior, substance abuse, and psychological well‐being in the preceding year. Data analyzed included laboratory and clinical data from the time of the initial HIV diagnosis until January 2014.

Results

In HIV‐positive MSM, a history of substance abuse, promiscuity, younger age, and known STIs was associated with a greater incidence of unprotected sexual intercourse and STIs. Apart from a detectable viral load, additional HIV‐specific parameters associated with an increased HIV transmission risk included untreated HIV infection, adherence problems, changes in antiretroviral treatment over the preceding twelve months, known multiresistant HIV infection, and a higher CD 4 nadir. Despite routine quarterly monitoring of viral loads – the result thereof was communicated to patients – only 60 % of individuals assessed their HIV transmission risk correctly.

Conclusions

In HIV‐positive MSM, patient history and routine laboratory tests allow for the establishment of patient profiles that suggest sexual behavior associated with a high risk of HIV and STI transmission, thus offering new approaches for medical prevention.
An expert system model for mapping tropical wetlands and peatlands reveals South America as the largest contributor
Authors: Gumbricht Thomas , Roman‐Cuesta Rosa Maria , Verchot Louis , Herold Martin , Wittmann Florian , Householder Ethan , Herold Nadine , Murdiyarso Daniel
Published: March 2017

Wetlands are important providers of ecosystem services and key regulators of climate change. They positively contribute to global warming through their greenhouse gas emissions, and negatively through the accumulation of organic material in histosols, particularly in peatlands. Our understanding of wetlands’ services is currently constrained by limited knowledge on their distribution, extent, volume, interannual flood variability and disturbance levels. We present an expert system approach to estimate wetland and peatland areas, depths and volumes, which relies on three biophysical indices related to wetland and peat formation: (1) long‐term water supply exceeding atmospheric water demand; (2) annually or seasonally water‐logged soils; and (3) a geomorphological position where water is supplied and retained. Tropical and subtropical wetlands estimates reach 4.7 million km2 (Mkm2). In line with current understanding, the American continent is the major contributor (45%), and Brazil, with its Amazonian interfluvial region, contains the largest tropical wetland area (800,720 km2). Our model suggests, however, unprecedented extents and volumes of peatland in the tropics (1.7 Mkm2 and 7,268 (6,076–7,368) km3), which more than threefold current estimates. Unlike current understanding, our estimates suggest that South America and not Asia contributes the most to tropical peatland area and volume (ca. 44% for both) partly related to some yet unaccounted extended deep deposits but mainly to extended but shallow peat in the Amazon Basin. Brazil leads the peatland area and volume contribution. Asia hosts 38% of both tropical peat area and volume with Indonesia as the main regional contributor and still the holder of the deepest and most extended peat areas in the tropics. Africa hosts more peat than previously reported but climatic and topographic contexts leave it as the least peat‐forming continent. Our results suggest large biases in our current understanding of the distribution, area and volumes of tropical peat and their continental contributions.
Probation, Privatisation and Legitimacy
Authors: ROBINSON GWEN , BURKE LOL , MILLINGS MATTHEW
Published: March 2017

This article considers the recent partial privatisation of probation services in England and Wales from the theoretical perspective of legitimacy. Drawing in particular on Beetham's (1991) work, we argue that the question of legitimacy in respect of privatised probation services is a complex one which requires attention to the multiple – and different – perspectives of key stakeholders or constituencies in the probation field. We argue that in the probation context there are five key stakeholder groups: the general public; offenders and victims; ministers and civil servants; sentencers; and probation employees and their representatives. We consider what is known about the perspectives of each of these groups in turn, before concluding that privatised probation services need to be aware of both the legitimacy deficits they face and the complex dynamics likely to be involved in its cultivation with these different constituencies.