bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breaking the glass ceiling: opportunity for the organization
Authors: Sahoo Debashish Kumar , Lenka Usha
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to decipher the benefits of breaking the glass ceiling in the organization, providing strategies to overcome it, and discussing the benefits availed by the organization in bringing more participation from women in middle and senior level management.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper critically analyses the literature on women’s contribution to the organization’s success, their barriers to their advancement to corporate hierarchy, and breaking the glass ceiling, supported by appropriate theories.

Findings

– Gender diversity initiatives are perquisite for an organization ' s success and performance because presence of more women in the organization increases firm’s productivity. It is because more participation of female employees offers organizations a wide range of resources, ideas, skills, and energy to the business, providing a competitive edge against the competitors.

Research limitations/implications

– With understanding the benefits of gender diversity initiatives, an organization will emphasize more on the development of female employees personally and professionally. This, in turn, will help organizations in terms of productivity.

Originality/value

– Originality and value with understanding the benefits of gender diversity initiatives in an organization can focus more on growth and development aspects of female employees by breaking the glass ceiling and recognizing their competencies, qualifications, and achievement. This will lead to more participation of women in every echelon of management, resulting in firm performance.
Examining the impact of leadership style and coaching on employees’ commitment and trust
Authors: Behery Mohamed , Al-Nasser Amjad
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analytically extend the understanding of leadership styles and organisational coaching and their influence on organisational outcomes and workplace counterproductive behaviours within a non-Western context, i.e. the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a sample size of 656 participants from 14 different business sectors in the Emirates was used. The meta-analysis concept of latent variables and non-linear principal components analysis, along with the corresponding methodology of structural equation modelling, were implemented.

Findings

The study finds that organisational coaching has a significant positive effect on transactional leadership and has a significant influence on job alienation. Interestingly, coaching has a significant effect on commitment and counterproductive workplace behaviours. The detailed data analysis usingFtests and independentt-tests, when applicable, indicated that there was a tendency for older employees to have more favourable attitudes towards transformational leadership or commitment but not towards coaching.

Originality/value

Despite the popularity of the presented topic in today's organisations, research in a Middle East context has not kept pace with its counterpart in Western areas of the world. The present study attempts to bridge the gap between Western theories in developed countries and under-researched Eastern countries, namely, the UAE, and to test the impact of leadership styles and organisational coaching and their influence on employee commitment and trust mediated by job bullying and job alienation.
Survey of formal and informal labour relations in contemporary Russian businesses
Authors: Chilipenok Yulia , Gaponova Olga
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to address issues related to informal relationships in modern Russian organisations, namely, the extent of these relationships, the conditions of their existence and their connection with formal relations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper contains a discussion of the relevant theoretical issues and a presentation of empirical research conducted by the authors through a survey of the staff of a number of businesses based in major cities of the Russian Federation. The study also includes an analysis of an expert survey of top managers and an assessment of the role of the informal component in the social and labour cooperation of workers and employers in modern Russian organisations.

Findings

It is concluded that with the further advancement of Russia towards establishing an effective market economy, there is a general trend towards a reduction in the role of personal relationships in social and labour relations, although a complete rejection of protectionism in this area is not possible because of certain peculiarities of the Russian mentality.

Practical implications

Knowledge and understanding of the Russian national identity and its influence on the informal component of workplace labour issues will enable managers to be more effective in building and developing modern international business relations.

Originality/value

The paper studies a unique set of empirical data obtained by using authoring tools carefully tailored to the specific conditions of Russia. The results of the study will enable more effective management of informal relations in modern organisations.
Change-oriented organizational citizenship behavior
Authors: Simo Pep , Sallan Jose M. , Fernandez Vicenc , Enache Mihaela
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between a challenging dimension of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and self-regulatory focus in an academic work setting. Job performance indicators were included to assess the nomological validity of regulatory focus measures.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a questionnaire conducted with 251 Spanish academic workers. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results reveal the existence of positive relationships between promotion focus and two of the outcomes: change-oriented OCB and research-oriented performance-enhancement intention. On the other hand, prevention focus had only a significant relationship with teacher-oriented performance-enhancement intention.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this research are twofold: on the one hand, further research should overcome the methodological limitations related with data gathering, looking for third-party measures of performance and favoring longitudinal data collection designs. On the other hand, more research is needed on the malleability of regulatory focus, defining models when prevention and promotion focus act as mediating variables.

Practical implications

Individuals with high levels of promotion focus will put their efforts on the tasks which are more valued in the processes of tenure, promotion and compensation. On the other hand, individuals with high levels of prevention focus will tend to meet the minimum of requirements and accomplish salient job duties. That can be taken into account when defining human resource policies, giving a high weight in the assessment of tenure and promotion programs to the tasks where the organization wants their promotion focus individuals to center their attention.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first efforts of validating the Regulatory Focus at Work Scale in organizational and academic contexts different from the initial validation study. The study also contributes to research on the antecedents of change-oriented OCBs, and defines new measures of intentions to perform in specific working activities.
The role of Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) in cardiac ischaemic‐reperfusion injury, cardioprotection and preconditioning
Authors: Lee Sam Man , Hutchinson Mark , Saint David A
Published: June 2016

Cardiac ischaemic‐reperfusion injury (IRI) remains the primary cause of mortality throughout the developed world. Molecular mechanisms underlying IRI are complex and are often interlinked with each other driving a synergistic response. Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), an immunosurveillance receptor, is known to enhance tissue injury during IRI by enhancing the inflammatory response. The release of endogenous components during IRI bind onto TLR4 leading to the activation of multiple signalling kinases. Once this event occurs these proteins are defined as danger associated molecular patterns molecules (DAMPs) or alarmins. Examples include heat shock proteins, high mobility group box one (HMGB1) and extracellular matrix proteins, all of which are involved in IRI. However, literature in the last two decades suggests that transient stimulation of TLR4 may suppress IRI and thus improve cardiac recovery. Furthermore, it remains to be seen what role TLR4 plays during ischaemic‐preconditioning where acute bouts of ischaemia, preceding a harmful bout of ischaemic‐reperfusion, is cardioprotective. The other question which also needs to be considered is that if transient TLR4 signalling drives a preconditioning response then what are the ligands which drive this? Hence the second part of this review explores the possible TLR4 ligands which may promote cardioprotection against IRI.
The accuracy of cell‐free fetal DNA‐based non‐invasive prenatal testing in singleton pregnancies: a systematic review and bivariate meta‐analysis
Authors: Mackie FL , Hemming K , Allen S , Morris RK , Kilby MD
Published: June 2016

Background

Cell‐free fetal DNA (cffDNA) non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is rapidly expanding, and is being introduced at varying rates depending on country and condition.

Objectives

Determine accuracy of cffDNA‐based NIPT for all conditions. Evaluate influence of other factors on test performance.

Search strategy

Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, from 1997 to April 2015.

Selection criteria

Cohort studies reporting cffDNA‐based NIPT performance in singleton pregnancies.

Data collection and analysis

Bivariate or univariate meta‐analysis and subgroup analysis performed to explore influence of test type and population risk.

Main results

A total of 117 studies were included that analysed 18 conditions. Bivariate meta‐analysis demonstrated sensitivities and specificities, respectively, for: fetal sex, 0.989 (95% CI 0.980–0.994) and 0.996 (95% CI 0.989–0.998), 11 179 tests; rhesus D, 0.993 (95% CI 0.982–0.997) and 0.984 (95% CI 0.964–0.993), 10 290 tests; trisomy 21, 0.994 (95% CI 0.983–0.998) and 0.999 (95% CI 0.999–1.000), 148 344 tests; trisomy 18, 0.977 (95% CI 0.952–0.989) and 0.999 (95% CI 0.998–1.000), 146 940 tests; monosomy X, 0.929 (95% CI 0.741–0.984) and 0.999 (95% CI 0.995–0.999), 6712 tests. Trisomy 13 was analysed by univariate meta‐analysis, with a summary sensitivity of 0.906 (95% CI 0.823–0.958) and specificity of 1.00 (95% CI 0.999–0.100), from 134 691 tests. False and inconclusive results were poorly reported across all conditions. Although the test type affected both sensitivity and specificity, there was no evidence that population risk had any effect.

Conclusion

Performance of cffDNA‐based NIPT is affected by condition under investigation. For fetal sex and rhesus D status, NIPT can be considered diagnostic. For trisomy 21, 18, and 13, the lower sensitivity, specificity, and disease prevalence, combined with the biological influence of confined placental mosaicism, designates it a screening test. These factors must be considered when counselling patients and assessing the cost of introduction into routine care.

Tweetable abstract

cffDNA NIPT accuracy high, can be diagnostic for fetal sex and rhesus D, but only screening test in aneuploidy.
Management of the Spring Snowmelt Recession in Regulated Systems
Authors: Yarnell Sarah , Peek Ryan , Epke Gerhard , Lind Amy
Published: June 2016

In an effort to restore predictable ecologically relevant spring snowmelt recession flow patterns in rivers regulated by dams, this study defined a methodology by which spring flow regimes can be modeled in regulated systems from the quantifiable characteristics of spring snowmelt recessions in unregulated rivers. An analysis of eight unregulated rivers across the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California found that unregulated systems behaved similarly with respect to seasonal spring patterns and recession limb curvature, and thus prescribed flows could be designed in a manner that mimics those predictable characteristics. Using the methodology to quantify spring recession flows in terms of a daily percent decrease in flow, a series of flow recession scenarios were created for application in an existing hydrodynamic model for the regulated Rubicon River. The modeling results showed that flow recessions with slow ramping rates similar to those observed in unregulated rivers (less than 10% per day) were likely to be protective of native aquatic species, such as the Foothill yellow‐legged frog, while flows that receded at greater rates would likely result in desiccation of egg masses and potential stranding of tadpoles and fry. Furthermore, recession rates of less than 10% per day provided the most spatially diverse hydraulic habitat in the modeled domain for an appropriate duration in spring to support all native species guilds and maximize aquatic biodiversity.
Augmenting Watershed Model Calibration with Incorporation of Ancillary Data Sources and Qualitative Soft Data Sources
Authors: Yen Haw , White Michael J. , Ascough James C. , Smith Douglas R. , Arnold Jeffrey G.
Published: June 2016

Watershed simulation models such as the Soil & Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) can be calibrated using “hard data” such as temporal streamflow observations; however, users may find upon examination of model outputs, that the calibrated models may not reflect actual watershed behavior. Thus, it is often advantageous to use “soft data” (i.e., qualitative knowledge such as expected denitrification rates that observed time series do not typically exist) to ensure that the calibrated model is representative of the real world. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of coupling SWAT‐Check (a post‐evaluation framework for SWAT outputs) and IPEAT‐SD (Integrated Parameter Estimation and Uncertainty Analysis Tool‐Soft & hard Data evaluation) to constrain the bounds of soft data during SWAT auto‐calibration. IPEAT‐SD integrates 59 soft data variables to ensure SWAT does not violate physical processes known to occur in watersheds. IPEAT‐SD was evaluated for two case studies where soft data such as denitrification rate, nitrate attributed from subsurface flow to total discharge ratio, and total sediment loading were used to conduct model calibration. Results indicated that SWAT model outputs may not satisfy reasonable soft data responses without providing pre‐defined bounds. IPEAT‐SD provides an efficient and rigorous framework for users to conduct future studies while considering both soft data and traditional hard information measures in watershed modeling.
Effects of shear stress on endothelial cells: go with the flow
Authors: Chistiakov D. A. , Orekhov A. N. , Bobryshev Y. V.
Published: June 2016

Haemodynamic forces influence the functional properties of vascular endothelium. Endothelial cells (ECs) have a variety of receptors, which sense flow and transmit mechanical signals through mechanosensitive signalling pathways to recipient molecules that lead to phenotypic and functional changes. Arterial architecture varies greatly exhibiting bifurcations, branch points and curved regions, which are exposed to various flow patterns. Clinical studies showed that atherosclerotic plaques develop preferentially at arterial branches and curvatures, that is in the regions exposed to disturbed flow and shear stress. In the atheroprone regions, the endothelium has a proinflammatory phenotype associated with low nitric oxide production, reduced barrier function and increased proadhesive, procoagulant and proproliferative properties. Atheroresistant regions are exposed to laminar flow and high shear stress that induce prosurvival antioxidant signals and maintain the quiescent phenotype in ECs. Indeed, various flow patterns contribute to phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of arterial endothelium whose response to proatherogenic stimuli is differentiated. This may explain the preferential development of endothelial dysfunction in arterial sites with disturbed flow.
Allergy tests do not predict food triggers in adult patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis. A comprehensive prospective study using five modalities
Authors: Philpott H. , Nandurkar S. , Royce S. G. , Thien F. , Gibson P. R.
Published: June 2016

Background

The use of allergy tests to guide dietary treatment for eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is controversial and data are limited. Aeroallergen sensitisation patterns and food triggers have been defined in Northern Hemisphere cohorts only.

Aims

To determine if allergy tests that are routinely available can predict food triggers in adult patients with EoE. To define the food triggers and aeroallergen sensitisation patterns in a novel Southern Hemisphere (Australian) cohort of patients.

Methods

Consecutive patients with EoE who elected to undergo dietary therapy were prospectively assessed, demographic details and atopic characteristics recorded, and allergy tests, comprising skin‐prick and skin‐patch tests, serum allergen‐specific IgE, basophil activation test and serum food‐specific IgG, were performed. Patients underwent a six‐food elimination diet with a structured algorithm that included endoscopic and histological examination of the oesophagus a minimum of 2 weeks after each challenge. Response was defined as <15 eosinophils per HPF. Foods defined as triggers were considered as gold standard and were compared with those identified by allergy testing.

Results

No allergy test could accurately predict actual food triggers. Concordance among skin‐prick and serum allergen‐specific IgE was high for aeroallergens only. Among seasonal aeroallergens, rye‐grass sensitisation was predominant. Food triggers were commonly wheat, milk and egg, alone or in combination.

Conclusions

None of the currently‐available allergy tests predicts food triggers for EoE. Exclusion‐rechallenge methodology with oesophageal histological assessment remains the only effective investigation. The same food triggers were identified in this southern hemisphere cohort as previously described.
How aligned are the perspectives of EU regulators and HTA bodies? A comparative analysis of regulatory‐HTA parallel scientific advice
Authors: Tafuri Giovanni , Pagnini Margherita , Moseley Jane , Massari Marco , Petavy Frank , Behring Antje , Catalan Arantxa , Gajraj Elangovan , Hedberg Niklas , Obach Mercè , Osipenko Leeza , Russo Pierluigi , Van De Casteele Marc , Zebedin Eva‐Maria , Rasi Guido , Vamvakas Spiros
Published: June 2016

Background

In 2010, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) initiated a pilot project on parallel scientific advice with Health Technology Assessment bodies (HTABs) that allows manufacturers to receive simultaneous feedback from both the European Union (EU) regulators and HTABs on their development plans for medicines.

Aims

The present retrospective qualitative analysis aimed to explore how the parallel scientific advice system is working and levels of commonality between the EU regulators and HTABs, and among HTABs, when applicants obtain parallel scientific advice from both a regulatory and an HTA perspective.

Methods

We analysed the minutes of discussion meetings held at the EMA between 2010, when parallel advice was launched, and 1 May 2015, when the cutoff date for data extraction was set. The analysis was based on predefined criteria and conducted at two different levels of comparison: the answers of the HTABs vs. those of the regulators, and between the answers of the participating HTA agencies.

Results

The analysis was based on 31 procedures of parallel scientific advice. The level of full agreements was highest for questions on patient population (77%), while disagreements reached a peak for questions on the study comparator (30%). With regard to comparisons among HTABs, there was a high level of agreement for all domains.

Conclusions

There is evident commonality, in terms of evidence requirements between the EU regulators and participating HTABs, as well as among HTABs, on most aspects of clinical development. Indeed, regardless of the question content, the analysis showed that a high level of overall agreement was reached through the process of parallel scientific advice.
Evidence of multiple thermokarst lake generations from an 11 800‐year‐old permafrost core on the northern Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Authors: Lenz Josefine , Wetterich Sebastian , Jones Benjamin M. , Meyer Hanno , Bobrov Anatoly , Grosse Guido
Published: June 2016

Permafrost degradation influences the morphology, biogeochemical cycling and hydrology of Arctic landscapes over a range of time scales. To reconstruct temporal patterns of early to late Holocene permafrost and thermokarst dynamics, site‐specific palaeo‐records are needed. Here we present a multi‐proxy study of a 350‐cm‐long permafrost core from a drained lake basin on the northern Seward Peninsula, Alaska, revealing Lateglacial to Holocene thermokarst lake dynamics in a central location of Beringia. Use of radiocarbon dating, micropalaeontology (ostracods and testaceans), sedimentology (grain‐size analyses, magnetic susceptibility, tephra analyses), geochemistry (total nitrogen and carbon, total organic carbon, δ13Corg) and stable water isotopes (δ18O, δD, d excess) of ground ice allowed the reconstruction of several distinct thermokarst lake phases. These include a pre‐lacustrine environment at the base of the core characterized by the Devil Mountain Maar tephra (22 800±280 cal. a BP, Unit A), which has vertically subsided in places due to subsequent development of a deep thermokarst lake that initiated around 11 800 cal. a BP (Unit B). At about 9000 cal. a BP this lake transitioned from a stable depositional environment to a very dynamic lake system (Unit C) characterized by fluctuating lake levels, potentially intermediate wetland development, and expansion and erosion of shore deposits. Complete drainage of this lake occurred at 1060 cal. a BP, including post‐drainage sediment freezing from the top down to 154 cm and gradual accumulation of terrestrial peat (Unit D), as well as uniform upward talik refreezing. This core‐based reconstruction of multiple thermokarst lake generations since 11 800 cal. a BP improves our understanding of the temporal scales of thermokarst lake development from initiation to drainage, demonstrates complex landscape evolution in the ice‐rich permafrost regions of Central Beringia during the Lateglacial and Holocene, and enhances our understanding of biogeochemical cycles in thermokarst‐affected regions of the Arctic.
In search of morphological modules: a systematic review
Authors: Esteve‐Altava Borja
Published: June 2016

Morphological modularity arises in complex living beings due to a semi‐independent inheritance, development, and function of body parts. Modularity helps us to understand the evolvability and plasticity of organismal form, and how morphological variation is structured during evolution and development. For this reason, delimiting morphological modules and establishing the factors involved in their origins is a lively field of inquiry in biology today. Although it is thought that modularity is pervasive in all living beings, actually we do not know how often modularity is present in different morphological systems. We also do not know whether some methodological approaches tend to reveal modular patterns more easily than others, or whether some factors are more related to the formation of modules or the integration of the whole phenotype. This systematic review seeks to answer these type of questions through an examination of research investigating morphological modularity from 1958 to present. More than 200 original research articles were gathered in order to reach a quantitative appraisal on what is studied, how it is studied, and how the results are explained. The results reveal an heterogeneous picture, where some taxa, systems, and approaches are over‐studied, while others receive minor attention. Thus, this review points out various trends and gaps in the study of morphological modularity, offering a broad picture of current knowledge and where we can direct future research efforts.
The Cortical Development of Specialized Face Processing in Infancy
Authors: Guy Maggie W. , Zieber Nicole , Richards John E.
Published: June 2016

The aim of this study was to examine specialized face processing in forty‐eight 4.5‐ to 7.5‐month‐old infants by recording event‐related potentials (ERPs) in response to faces and toys, and to determine the cortical sources of these signals using realistic, age‐appropriate head models. All ERP components (i.e., N290, P400, Nc) showed greater amplitude during periods of attention than inattention. Amplitude was greater to faces than toys during attention at the N290, and greater to toys at the P400. Cortical source analysis revealed activity in occipital–temporal brain areas as the source of the N290, particularly the middle fusiform gyrus. The Nc and P400 were the result of activation in midline frontal and parietal, anterior temporal, and posterior temporal and occipital brain areas.
A Dual Identity Approach for Conceptualizing and Measuring Children's Gender Identity
Authors: Martin Carol Lynn , Andrews Naomi C. Z. , England Dawn E. , Zosuls Kristina , Ruble Diane N.
Published: June 2016

The goal was to test a new dual identity perspective on gender identity by asking children (n = 467) in three grades (Mage = 5.7, 7.6, 9.5) to consider the relation of the self to both boys and girls. This change shifted the conceptualization of gender identity from one to two dimensions, provided insights into the meaning and measurement of gender identity, and allowed for revisiting ideas about the roles of gender identity in adjustment. Using a graphical measure to allow assessment of identity in young children and cluster analyses to determine types of identity, it was found that individual and developmental differences in how similar children feel to both genders, and these variations matter for many important personal and social outcomes.
Procedural and clinical outcomes of percutaneous adrenal biopsy in a high‐risk population for adrenal malignancy
Authors: Delivanis Danae A. , Erickson Dana , Atwell Thomas D. , Natt Neena , Maraka Spyridoula , Schmit Grant D. , Eiken Patrick W. , Nathan Mark A. , Young William F. , Bancos Irina
Published: June 2016

Objective

The role of percutaneous adrenal biopsy in a high‐risk population for adrenal malignancy has not been fully investigated. Our aim was to describe the clinical presentation leading to the adrenal biopsy and evaluate the diagnostic performance, complications and non diagnostic rate of adrenal biopsy.

Design

Single‐centre, retrospective cohort study.

Patients and Measurements

Medical records of patients who underwent adrenal biopsy between 1994 and 2014 were reviewed. Adrenal biopsy outcome was compared to a predefined reference standard.

Results

Biopsy was performed in 418 patients [62% men, median age 69 years (range, 15–91)] on 419 adrenal lesions, median size 3·1 cm (range, 0·6–24). The main indication for adrenal mass biopsy was (349/419, 83%) suspected adrenal metastasis from a known or suspected extra‐adrenal primary source. Only 116 of 419, 28% of cases had prebiopsy biochemical testing for pheochromocytoma. Biopsy‐related complications occurred in 4% of the patients. Histology revealed a metastasis in 231 of 419 (55%), benign adrenal tissue in 137 of 419 (33%), adrenocortical carcinoma in eight of 419 (2%), other lesions in 23 of 419 (5%) including seven cases of pheochromocytoma and six cases of infectious process. Biopsy was nondiagnostic in 20 of 419 (5%). All adrenal masses with unenhanced radiodensity ≤10 HU (42/137, 31%) proved to be benign adrenal adenomas. Adrenal biopsy diagnosed malignancy with a sensitivity of 88·5%, specificity of 91·5%, positive predictive value of 93·4% and negative predictive value of 85·5%.

Conclusion

When used in the appropriate clinical setting, adrenal biopsy is a powerful tool in the diagnostic algorithm of the evaluation of adrenal masses with features suspicious for malignancy. Efforts to increase awareness to perform biochemical testing for pheochromocytoma prior to adrenal biopsy are needed.
Expanding the clinical picture of the MECP2 Duplication syndrome
Authors: Lim Z. , Downs J. , Wong K. , Ellaway C. , Leonard H.
Published: June 2016

Individuals with two or more copies of the MECP2 gene, located at Xq28, share clinical features and a distinct facial phenotype known as MECP2 Duplication syndrome. We have examined perinatal characteristics, early childhood development and medical co‐morbidities in this disorder. The International Rett Syndrome Phenotype Database (InterRett), which collects information from caregivers and clinicians on individuals with Rett syndrome and MECP2 associated disorders, was used as the data source. Data were available on 56 cases (49 males and 7 females) with MECP2 Duplication syndrome. Median age at ascertainment was 7.9 years (range: 1.2–37.6 years) and at diagnosis 3.0 years (range: 3 weeks–37 years). Less than a third (29%) learned to walk. Speech deterioration was reported in 34% and only 20% used word approximations or better at ascertainment. Over half (55%) had been hospitalised for respiratory infections in the first 2 years of life. Just under half (44%) had seizures, occurring daily in nearly half of this group. The majority (89%) had gastrointestinal problems and a third had a gastrostomy. Following the recent demonstration of phenotype reversal in a mouse model of MECP2 Duplication, a clear understanding of the natural history is crucial to the design and implementation of future therapeutic strategies.
Cyclosporine A Treatment Abrogates Ischemia‐Induced Neuronal Cell Death by Preserving Mitochondrial Integrity through Upregulation of the Parkinson's Disease‐Associated Protein DJ‐1
Authors: Tajiri Naoki , Borlongan Cesar V. , Kaneko Yuji
Published: June 2016

Aims

Hypoxic‐ischemia alters mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), respiratory‐related enzymes, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Drugs acting on mitochondria, such as cyclosporine A (CsA), may reveal novel mitochondria‐based cell death signaling targets for stroke. Our previous studies showed that Parkinson's disease‐associated protein DJ‐1 participates in the acute endogenous neuroprotection after stroke via mitochondrial pathway. DJ‐1 was detected immediately after stroke and efficiently translocated into the mitochondria offering a new venue for developing treatment strategies against stroke. Here, we examined a molecular interaction between CsA and mitochondrial integrity in the in vitro acute stroke model of oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) injury with emphasis on DJ‐1.

Methods

Primary rat neuronal cells (PRNCs) were exposed to OGD/R injury and processed for immunocytochemistry, ELISA, and mitochondria‐based molecular assays to reveal the role of DJ‐1 in CsA modulation of mitochondrial integrity.

Results

Administration of CsA before stroke onset (24 h pre‐OGD/R) afforded significantly much more robust neuroprotective effects than when CsA was initiated after stroke (2 h post‐OGD/R), revealing that CsA exerted neuroprotection in the early phase of ischemic stroke. CsA prevented the mitochondria‐dependent cell death signaling pathway involved in cytochrome c (Cyt c)‐induced intrinsic apoptotic process. CsA preserved cellular ATP content, but not hexokinase activity under hypoxic conditions. CsA prevented both mtDNA decrement and Δψm degradation after reperfusion, and enhanced secretion of DJ‐1 in the mitochondria, coupled with reduced oxidative stress.

Conclusion

These observations provided evidence that CsA maintained mitochondrial integrity likely via DJ‐1 upregulation, supporting the concept that mitochondria‐based treatments targeting the early phase of disease progression may prove beneficial in stroke.
Evaluating the Role of Genetic Variants on first‐line antiepileptic drug response in North India: Significance of SCN1A and GABRA1 Gene Variants in Phenytoin Monotherapy and its Serum Drug Levels
Authors: Baghel Ruchi , Grover Sandeep , Kaur Harpreet , Jajodia Ajay , Rawat Chitra , Srivastava Ankit , Kushwaha Suman , Agarwal Rachna , Sharma Sangeeta , Kukreti Ritushree
Published: June 2016

Aim

The present study aimed to evaluate association of genetic variants on drug response and therapy optimization parameters in patients treated with first‐line antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Genetic variants from ion channels, their functionally related genes, and synaptic vesicle cycle (SVC) genes with a potential role in epilepsy pathophysiology were thus prioritized.

Methods

A total of 12 genes from ion channels and related gene set and seven genes from SVC comprising 155 SNPs were genotyped and evaluated with drug response, dose levels, and drug levels in 408 patients with epilepsy.

Results

Both GABRA1 and SCN1A variants showed haplotypic and diplotypic associations in response to phenytoin (PHT). Diplotype analysis of GABRA1 variants revealed association of rs12658835|rs7735530 (AG/AG) (P‐valuecorrected = 0.034, OR = 3.75, 95% CI = 1.36–11.05) and rs12658835|rs7735530|rs7732641|rs2279020 (AGCA/AGCA) (P‐valuecorrected = 0.035, OR = 2.48, 95% CI = 0.96–6.41) with recurrent seizures. SCN1A haplotype rs6432860|rs3812718 (AC: P‐valuecorrected = 0.022, OR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.39–5.35) and diplotype (AC/AC: P‐valuecorrected = 0.034, OR = 6.42, 95% CI = 1.10–65.76) were further observed to be associated with recurrent seizures. With respect to therapy optimization parameters, we observed significantly lower dose‐adjusted drug levels at maximum dose of PHT in patients carrying AC/AC diplotype (P‐value = 0.021).

Conclusion

The results further substantiate the role of GABRA1 in PHT mode of action and contribution of SCN1A in response and therapy optimization with PHT monotherapy.
Symptom load and individual symptoms before and after repair of parastomal hernia: a prospective single centre study
Authors: Krogsgaard M. , Pilsgaard B. , Borglit T. B. , Bentzen J. , Balleby L. , Krarup P.M.
Published: June 2016

Aim

The symptom load and individual symptoms before and after repair of parastomal hernia were investigated.

Method

Stoma‐related symptoms were prospectively recorded before repair of a parastomal hernia and at 10 days and 6 months postoperatively: leakage, skin problems, difficulty with the appliance, limitation of activity, difficulty with clothing, cosmetic complaints, social restriction, erratic action of the stoma, a bearing‐down sensation at the site of the stoma and pain. Episodes of intermittent bowel obstruction and difficulty with irrigation were also recorded. Patients were seen at 1, 2 and 3 years and were examined for recurrent parastomal herniation.

Results

Of 131 consecutive patients referred to a specialized centre for treatment of parastomal bulging, 61 underwent parastomal hernia repair. Forty‐eight patients were treated with the Sugarbaker technique. Six different symptoms were present in more than half the patients before surgery. The overall symptom load decreased significantly from a median of 4 [interquartile range (IQR) 2.5–6] preoperatively to 2 (IQR 1–3) on postoperative day 10 and 1 (IQR 0–2) at 6 months, P < 0.001. The number of symptoms decreased in 93% of patients; in 5% there was no change and in 2% symptoms increased. Skin problems and leakage were the only symptoms that were not significantly reduced. The overall recurrence rate of herniation was 5/48 (10%) at a median of 12 (IQR 6–24) months.

Conclusion

The preoperative symptom load was high and this fell after repair in over 90% of patients. Recurrence occurred in 10% of patients within 2 years of repair. The study emphasizes the importance of detailed knowledge of the symptoms of parastomal hernia when addressing and managing patients’ problems and complaints.
Does Making Something Move Matter? Representations of Goals and Sources in Motion Events With Causal Sources
Authors: Lakusta Laura , Muentener Paul , Petrillo Lauren , Mullanaphy Noelle , Muniz Lauren
Published: June 2016

Previous studies have shown a robust bias to express the goal path over the source path when describing events (“the bird flew into the pitcher,” rather than “… out of the bucket into the pitcher”). Motivated by linguistic theory, this study manipulated the causal structure of events (specifically, making the source cause the motion of the figure) and measured the extent to which adults and 3.5‐ to 4‐year‐old English‐speaking children included the goal and source in their descriptions. We found that both children's and adults’ encoding of the source increased for events in which the source caused the motion of the figure compared to nearly identical events in which the source played no such causal role. However, a goal bias persisted overall for both causal and noncausal motion events. These findings suggest that although the goal bias in language is highly robust, properties of the source (such as causal agency) influence its likelihood of being encoded in language, thus shedding light on how properties of an event can influence the mapping of event components into language.
Risk of malignancy according to sub‐classification of the atypia of undetermined significance or follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) category in the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology
Authors: Kim S. J. , Roh J. , Baek J. H. , Hong S. J. , Shong Y. K. , Kim W. B. , Song D. E.
Published: June 2016

Objective

According to the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology, atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) is a heterogeneous category that includes cases with architectural and/or nuclear atypia insufficient to warrant classification as malignant neoplasms. The ambiguous and descriptive characteristics of the AUS/FLUS category mean that the impact of the present guidelines on repeat fine needle aspiration (FNA) is unclear. The present study reclassified AUS/FLUS cases into four sub‐categories and then correlated them with histological or cytological follow‐up data to clarify the risk of malignancy.

Methods

Ninety‐four cases of AUS/FLUS with available follow‐up data were reviewed and assigned to one of four sub‐categories: (i) AUS‐N (nuclear atypia); (ii) AUS‐A (architectural atypia); (iii) AUS‐O (predominant oncocytic changes); and (iv) AUS‐N/A (both nuclear and architectural atypia). The four sub‐categories were correlated with subsequent histological or cytological follow‐up data, including core needle biopsy, resection, or repeat FNA.

Results

Malignancy was identified in 34 of 94 cases (36.2%). The upper limit estimate for malignancy was 43.6%, and the lower limit estimate was speculated as 9.8%. The malignancy rate was highest in cases within the AUS‐N sub‐category (65.8%, range 16.6%–78.1%).

Conclusions

The present study suggests that cases in the AUS/FLUS category have a higher risk of malignancy than previously thought. Because of the heterogeneous nature of the AUS/FLUS category, further sub‐classification might be more effective in achieving appropriate risk stratification and better clinical management.
Australia, a consumptive society
Authors: Rankin James G.
Published: June 2016

Until the mid‐20th century, consumption, as tuberculosis was then known, was a major cause of illness and death in Australia. Unfortunately, since then, other so‐called consumptive diseases have emerged to supplant tuberculosis, namely, those related to the use of alcohol and tobacco, and overweight and obesity.

Over the last 30 years, much progress has been made in reducing and eliminating the use of and exposure to tobacco. Per capita consumption of alcohol is at a 50‐year low, having reached peak levels in the 1970s. Since the 1960s, Australians have become increasingly overweight and obese.

The major objective of the liquor, food and associated industries is to optimise profits, that is, to sell as much food and alcohol as possible. The problem for Australians is that any growth in per capita consumption of alcohol and a continuation of current levels of food consumption carries ever‐increasing health risks and burdens.

The protection and promotion of the health of Australian citizens are major responsibilities of Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments. They have a responsibility to intervene to maintain a balance between actions that support commercial growth and development and the health and welfare of its citizens. In this context, they have largely failed. Solutions to this impasse are only possible if APSAD and other relevant organisations and individuals are active professionally and politically as leaders and advocates for evidence‐based actions by both governments and commercial groups. [James G. Rankin. Australia, a consumptive society. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:270–277]
Saints Marching In, 1590–2012
Authors: Barro Robert J. , McCleary Rachel M.
Published: June 2016

The Catholic Church has been making saints for centuries in the two‐stage process of beatification and canonization. We analyse determinants of numbers beatified and canonized (non‐martyrs) since 1590 across seven world regions. The number beatified is roughly proportional to a pope's tenure and a region's Catholic population, responds positively since the early 20th century to Catholic–Protestant competition and to secularization, and falls after the virtual ending of warfare between European Catholics and Protestants with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. There is bias in favour of Italy, then Other Western Europe and Eastern Europe countries, and against Africa, Asia, Latin America and North America. The number canonized rises with the stock of beatifieds not yet canonized, rises with Catholic–Protestant competition, and drops after the Peace of Westphalia. Regional bias is minor for canonization, given stocks of beatifieds. The last two popes before Francis, John Paul II and Benedict XVI are large positive outliers in numbers beatified, and John Paul II is also an outlier for numbers canonized.
Dynamic Equality of Opportunity
Authors: Roemer John E. , Ünveren Burak
Published: June 2016

What are the long‐term effects of policies intended to equalize opportunities among different social classes of children? To find out, we study the stationary states of an intergenerational model where adults are either White or Blue collar employees. Both adults and the state invest in their children's education. Our analysis indicates that the major obstacle to equalizing opportunities in the long run is private educational investment. Next we examine economies where only the state invests in education, motivated by the Nordic experience. In a majority of these economies, no child lags behind regarding future prospects, a theoretical result confirmed by simulations.
Information Manipulation in Election Campaigns
Authors: Aköz Kemal Kivanç , Arbatli Cemal Eren
Published: June 2016

We provide a game‐theoretical model of manipulative election campaigns with two political candidates and a Bayesian voter. The latter is uncertain about how good the candidates are. Candidates take unobservable, costly actions to manipulate voter's opinion about their positions. We show that if the candidates differ in campaigning efficiency, and the voter receives the biased campaign messages with some noise, then the cost‐efficient candidate can win the election with higher probability than her opponent even when she is ex‐post an inferior choice for the voter. Our paper offers a novel informational justification for imposing limits on campaign spending and encouraging diversity in the supply of political information.
Study of the causes of facial fractures in a reference center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 2003–2012
Authors: Farneze Renan de Barros , Prosdocimo Maria Luiza , Nogueira Ana Paula , Cavalcante Maria Aparecida , Hespanhol Wagner , Teixeira Tais Fernandes , Valdetaro Estela Maria Cesarino , Gonçalves Lucio Souza , Ferreira Dennis de Carvalho
Published: June 2016

Objective

This study describes the facial fractures of patients at a reference center in oral and maxillofacial surgery of a Public University Hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro, from January 2003 to December 2012.

Methods

The data were collected from medical records and included the fractured bones, etiology, gender, and age of the patients. A total of 202 cases were identified, and 159 were included in the study (129 men and 30 women).

Results

The mandible was the most commonly injured bone (90 cases, 73 men and 17 women) with a mean age of 33.7 years old (±15.2), and traffic accidents (75 cases) were shown to be the major cause.

Conclusion

In the city of Rio de Janeiro, young men in their fourth decade of life are prone to trauma to their facial bones, especially the mandible, and they are most commonly caused by traffic accidents.
The trans‐Atlantic slave trade and local political fragmentation in Africa
Authors: Obikili Nonso
Published: June 2016

This article examines the possibility that the trans‐Atlantic slave trade influenced the political institutions of villages and towns in precolonial Africa. Using anthropological data, it shows that villages and towns of ethnic groups with higher slave exports were more politically fragmented during the precolonial era. Instrumental variables are used to show that the relationship is causal. It is argued that this fragmentation is important for relative economic development because it still influences political institutions today. This argument is supported by the use of more contemporary data to show that in contemporary Nigeria and Tanzania, areas with higher levels of precolonial political fragmentation have a higher incidence of bribery.
Migrants’ self‐selection in the early stages of modern economic growth, Spain (1880–1930)
Authors: Beltrán Tapia Francisco J. , de Miguel Salanova Santiago
Published: June 2016

Drawing on a large database from the register of inhabitants of Madrid, this article confirms that the literacy levels of internal migrants moving to the Spanish capital city in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century were higher than that of those who remained in their provinces of origin. This article also explores the different factors influencing the nature and intensity of the selection process. The empirical exercise stresses that the stock of previous migration was a fundamental factor in allowing less literate individuals to join the migration process as well. Interestingly, distance to Madrid hardly affected the profile of male migrants, but it was a strong influence on female migration, although its importance diminished over time. Lastly, the results presented here show that other internal destinations were attracting different types of migrants, often resulting in negative self‐selection.