bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consumers’ perception of amaranth in Mexico
Authors: Rojas-Rivas Edgar , Espinoza-Ortega Angélica , Thomé-Ortiz Humberto , Moctezuma-Pérez Sergio
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Demographic and socioeconomic changes, and health issues, promote interest in emerging countries for healthy foods, taking traditional foods under the perspective of functional foods. Amaranth has moved from local to a wider consumption as a functional food. The purpose of this paper is to identify consumers’ perception about amaranth and its relation to consumption motives.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was applied to 610 respondents, and free word association determined their perception about amaranth through categories. Cluster analysis identified groups of consumers according to their motives for consumption. Globalχ2and correspondence analysis related consumers’ perceptions in the groups were identified.

Findings

A total of 16 word categories reflected consumers’ perception about amaranth. Most mentioned were: Traditional product, Hedonism and Health and well-being. Three groups showed significant differences regarding motives of consumption. It is concluded that perceptions about amaranth are closely linked to the motives of consumption. Perceptions of health benefits are related to motives for health issues and taste. There is a group that still consumes amaranth perceived as a traditional food.

Practical implications

As a functional food, these results could be useful to promote amaranth from its perception as healthy. Producers might develop products based on amaranth that meet perceptions considering gender and age in Mexico and other emergent countries.

Originality/value

This work contributes knowledge to international research that analyses traditional foods as functional foods and consumer perceptions on these. It is a first approach to identify perceptions of Mexican consumers towards amaranth as a traditional and a functional food.
Is the Mediterranean Diet for all? An analysis of socioeconomic inequalities and food consumption in Italy
Authors: Cavaliere Alessia , De Marchi Elisa , Donzelli Franco , Banterle Alessandro
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to investigate the role of the main socioeconomic and demographic factors in affecting the consumption frequency of specific food categories with a view to highlighting differences across population segments. Second, to analyze whether socioeconomic status (SES) is ultimately related to the overall level of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) of the Italian population.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from the Italian Household Survey covering about 36.000 individuals (18 years old and older). The Household Survey includes questions aimed at eliciting the consumption frequency of the main food items of the MD pyramid. Moreover, to assess the degree of adherence to the MD, the authors constructed an index (MDI) aimed at reflecting how much individuals follow the MD pyramid recommendations.

Findings

The results show that both socioeconomic and demographic factors play a relevant role in affecting the consumption frequency of the main food categories of the MD pyramid. More affluent people consume fish, fruit and vegeFis, wine and beer more frequently than their poorer counterparts. Moreover, higher income is associated with the lower consumption of meat and eggs, dairy products, cereals and starchy vegetables as well as legumes.

Originality/value

The results foster the debate on how to guarantee healthy food accessibility to all population segments, thus having relevant implications in terms of food and health policies. The issue of MD adherence in Italy and its relationship with SES has been previously investigated on the basis of regional data, which make it difficult to extend the results to larger contexts, particularly in a country like Italy with remarkable socioeconomic differences between northern and southern regions.
Children’s organic fruit nectar satisfaction: an experimental economics approach
Authors: Ardizzone Antonella , Faralla Valeria , Novarese Marco
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Over the past several decades, studies regarding consumer satisfaction for organic food (OF) have increased along with the rise in OF consumption. However, empirical research into satisfaction for organic products with respect to conventional goods is still needed. Along this line, the purpose of this paper is to understand the role of information in children’s satisfaction for organic and conventional fruit nectar.

Design/methodology/approach

A satisfaction questionnaire on 92 primary school pupils was collected during the tasting stages. A questionnaire surveying the participants’ habits with respect to OF and fruit nectar consumption was also administered. Descriptive analysis and ordinal logistic regressions were used to investigate any correlation between the participants’ evaluations of fruit nectar samples and the other variables investigated.

Findings

According to the results of this paper, children’s satisfaction scores are influenced by the information they learn regarding fruit nectar: satisfaction scores are higher when children know the fruit nectar is organic. Satisfaction is also influenced by age: older children are more likely to assign lower scores to fruit nectars. Also, the effect of information regarding the nature of fruit nectar (organic or conventional) on satisfaction scores is stronger in children whose families consume OF.

Research limitations/implications

Due to financial constraints, this research was conducted on a non-probability convenience sample and on a single food product (i.e. fruit nectar).

Practical implications

Regulatory policies should consider these influences when legislating on product labelling and the disclosure of product information. Consumer evaluations can be indeed influenced toward responsible, safe behaviour.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the investigation of the connection between product labelling and children’s food satisfaction. Particularly, this study has generated some important findings in the field of children’s perceptions of OF.
Challenges of disaster training: implication for federal and state university libraries in Nigeria
Authors: Ilo Promise Ifeoma , Ngwuchukwu Margaret , Michael-Onuoha Happiness Chijioke , Segun-Adeniran Chidi
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the challenges affecting disaster training in federal and state university libraries in Southwest Nigeria with a view to finding ways of overcoming them.

Design/methodology/approach

Having adopted the descriptive research design, 14 university libraries (seven each of federal and state) were selected from the Southwest geo-political zone of Nigeria. The total enumeration sampling technique was employed. Questionnaire and interview methods were used for data collection. The three research questions that guided the study were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation and ranking. Judgments were drawn using real limit of numbers and 2.50 as criterion mean.

Findings

Results emanated from the study showed that university libraries in the studied region are more equipped to fight fire disaster than any other emergency which is why fire drills and exercises are the prevailing disaster training received by library staff. It was also found that inadequate disaster facilities and equipment as well as poor funding were the greatest challenges confronting disaster training. The provision of adequate disaster facilities and equipment with the constitution of disaster prevention and response team was found as the most potent strategy for addressing the identified challenges.

Originality/value

The study lends strong empirical evidence for the underlining factors affecting disaster training in federal and state university libraries as well as academic libraries in general. The strategies for addressing the identified challenges are of more significance.
Disaster relief trials: perceptions of a disaster-themed bicycling event
Authors: Kirkpatrick Sarah Bundy
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Bicycling enthusiasts have been organizing community events in US cities to demonstrate how bicycles may be of use in the aftermath of a disaster event. The purpose of this paper is to examine the perceived value of these events and levels of engagement in the same amongst emergency managers, community organizers and bicycling advocates.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through 21 in-depth, telephone interviews with emergency management officials and bicycling advocates in bicycle-friendly jurisdictions in the USA and analyzed using initial and focused coding, analytic memos and theoretical sorting.

Findings

The study found that event organizers and other bicycle advocates widely embraced the concept as a means to change societal perceptions of bicycles as viable modes of transportation, indicating at least some level of interest in taking an active role in its pursuit. Emergency managers were generally receptive to the idea, but they largely saw the value as restricted to raising public awareness about hazards and individual preparedness measures; and they mostly envisioned for themselves a minimal role in event planning and execution.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that when operating in a resource-poor environment with limited public and political support, there are innovative partnerships and ideas that can be successfully leveraged to advance multiple purposes.

Originality/value

Almost no empirical research has looked at the disaster relief trial concept, given the relative newness and novelty of the idea. An examination of perceived value of disaster-oriented community bicycling events seems warranted as such events continue to grow in existing locations and emerge in new locales each year.
Relationship versus customer experience quality as determinants of relationship quality and relational outcomes for Kuwaiti retail banks
Authors: Al-Wugayan Adel A.A.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which customer experience and relationship marketing (RM), as two widely used service management approaches, can effectively determine satisfaction and commitment as two relational quality constructs, and their impact on loyalty and word-of-mouth (WoM) as relational outcomes for retail bank services in Kuwait. This country is chosen as an exemplar of an Arabian Peninsula culture with a predominantly Islamic heritage and a capital-surplus economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The relational benefits scale and customer experience quality were used as independent measures to collect data using multiple methods (interview, paper and pencil, online) from 1,013 customers of local and international banks. Standard translation procedures, CFA procedures and parallel analysis were employed to examine the dimensionality of all scales. SEM procedures were applied for each approach to assess its impact on the four indigenous dependent constructs using a multitude of fit indices, examination of validity and reliability measures for all constructs as well as structural paths.

Findings

Results show the factor structure of both scales differed from their original conceptualization, with fewer items forming each latent factor when applied in Kuwait. The explanatory and predictive power of the EXQ model performed slightly better than RBS, although both explained substantial variance on dependent measures, confirming their relevance despite the lack of noticeable correlation between most factors contained in both scales.

Research limitations/implications

This study underscores the importance of establishing the validity of measures prior to their cross-cultural application, with particular focus on the content validity of scale items to measure the intended construct properly. It also shows how two approaches can complement each other rather than compete to effectively manage bank services. As is the case with all cross-sectional research paradigms, longitudinal analysis linking expressed loyalty/WoM with actual behavior can better assess tested relationships than the current research.

Practical implications

Retail banks’ marketing strategy should simultaneously address customer relationships and customer experience to reduce attrition and enhance customer life-time value.

Originality/value

Effects of service experience and RM are examined in a Middle-Eastern market, where internationalization of banks has created strong competition, leading customers to view bank services as less differentiated. Caution and examination of service quality measures are needed before using them as metrics in annual reports and performance reviews.
Assessing the emotional impact of virtual reality-based teacher training
Authors: Stavroulia Kalliopi Evangelia , Christofi Maria , Baka Evangelia , Michael-Grigoriou Despina , Magnenat-Thalmann Nadia , Lanitis Andreas
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose the use of a virtual reality (VR)-based approach to improve teacher education and life-long professional development. Through constant training in real-life based situations but within a safe three-dimensional virtual school environment, teachers are given the opportunity to experience and learn how to react to different types of incidents that may take place in a school environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The current paper presents the design cycle that was followed for the implementation of the VR teacher training system. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated with a case study that aimed to promote teachers’ understanding of student’s problematic situations related to substance use. As part of the experimental investigation, the impact of the VR system on participants’ emotions and mood states is evaluated through Electroencephalogram (EEG) measurements, heart rate (HR) recordings and self-reported data.

Findings

Results indicate significant changes to participant’s negative emotional and mood states, suggesting that the scenario and the VR experience had a strong impact on them. Moreover, participants’ HR was increased during the experiment, while the analysis of the EEG signal indicated that the participants experienced a stressful situation that could justify the change in their negative emotions and mood states.

Originality/value

The proposed VR-based approach aims to provide an innovative framework to teacher education and the related training methodology. In the long-term, the proposed VR system aims to form a new paradigm of teacher training, an alternative safe method that will allow user-teachers to learn through trial and error techniques that reflect real-life situations within a three-dimensional school space and without the risk of harming real students. To the best of our knowledge this is one of the first systematic attempts to use a VR-based methodology to address real teachers’ needs. The development of the VR application is linked to both strong theoretical foundations in education derived from the literature but also from real teachers’ problems and requirements derived from an extensive literature analysis, survey and interviews with experts including teachers, school counselors and psychologists. The VR tool addresses specific teachers’ competences as outcome, after an extensive documentation of existing Teachers’ Competence Models and significant guidance by experts who pointed specific competencies of primary importance to teachers.
What do we know about the dividend puzzle? – A literature survey
Authors: Al-Najjar Basil , Kilincarslan Erhan
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the ongoing debate of dividend policy, which is considered one of the most controversial topics in corporate finance literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a survey of literature; it, first, outlines the main theoretical arguments of dividend policy and then critically discusses the most important and influential previous empirical studies in the dividend literature.

Findings

The analysis of literature review detects that no general consensus has yet been reached after many decades of investigation, despite extensive debate and countless research. Consequently, the main motivation for paying dividends is still unsolved and thus remains as a puzzle. In addition, there is no doubt that carrying the dividend debate into the context of emerging markets attaches more pieces to this puzzle.

Originality/value

This paper offers an updated and more comprehensive survey of literature by examining the relationship between theory and practice from both developed and emerging markets.
Effect of behavioral variables on organizational
citizenship behavior (OCB), with job satisfaction as moderating among Jordanian
five-star hotels
Authors: Alsheikh Ghaith , Sobihah Mutia Abd Alhlim
Published: March 2019

Purpose

In the current competitive world of business, it is important that every
individual strives to be competitive to elevate his/her life status and
creates a bright-looking future. The purpose of this study is to lay
emphasis on the Jordanian hospitality industry in light of the investigation
as to how organizational commitment, leadership style and organizational
culture influence organizational citizen behavior (OCB) with the moderating
role of job satisfaction in the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study explores the determinants based on the responses obtained from the
employees working in five-star hotels in Jordan. A small sample was exposed
to SPSS software analysis for instrument validity, reliability and data
normality.

Findings

The study validated the reliability of the instrument in conducting a
preliminary study, obtaining reasonable normality and highly reliable
coefficients of measures (0.753-0.938).

Originality/value

The study validated the effectiveness of the instrument that examined
different specific antecedents of OCB.
Quality management as a determinant factor of productivity
Authors: Ruales Guzmán Bertha Viviana , Brun Alessandro , Castellanos Domínguez Oscar Fernando
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to analyse the current state of the literature on the relationship between quality management (QM) and productivity as a performance indicator; second, to identify the key constructs of QM practices related to productivity; and, finally, to reveal whether QM can actually be regarded as a determinant of productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was carried out through a systematic literature review, considering 150 papers that studied this relationship between 1997 and 2017 and another 37 papers on the internal determinants of productivity.

Findings

The findings revealed that human resource management, top management and process management were the more relevant constructs of QM practices related to productivity. In addition, 89 per cent of the internal determinants of productivity were related to the proposed constructs of QM practices, which suggest that QM is a determinant factor of productivity.

Originality/value

This review analysed the literature on the relationship between QM and productivity, as few studies have done before, generating original, interesting and useful findings that can guide future research and that also represent a useful tool for researchers, practitioners, managers and policy makers.
Experimental design and analysis of matching design
Authors: Jeang Angus , Ko Chang Pu , Chung Chien-Ping , Liang Francois , Chen Guan-Ying
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This study considers the five factors of a car rotation system: angle (F1), arm length (F2), toe in and out (F3), width (F4) and length (F5). The purpose of this paper is to fine tune the design so it produces the smoothest response to various rotation angles.

Design/methodology/approach

In the case of Ackerman’s principle, the response surface methodology (RSM) was used to analyze data when encountering different quality characteristics at various rotation angles.

Findings

In this study, RSM was used to obtain the best factor and the best reaction value for the five factors of a car rotation system.

Practical implications

In this study, the four-wheel steering of a car is taken as an example. When the current wheel is turned, the intersection of the left and right wheels of the front axle falls on the extension line of the rear wheel. In this case, the steering will be the smoothest. In this example, we selected angle (F1), arm length (F2), toe in and out (F3), width (F4) and length (F5) as experimental factors, hoping to satisfy the Ackerman principle.

Social implications

Traditionally, when dealing with four-wheel steering problems, solutions may be based on past experience or on new information used to formulate R&D plans. In this study, the combination of statistical factors and optimization is used to find the optimal combination of factors and the relationship between factors.

Originality/value

In the past, most literature relied on kinematics to study the car rotation system due to a lack of experimental design and analysis concepts. However, this study aims to achieve the above goals in finding the solution, which can be used to predict reaction values.
Cross-institutional collaboration for transfer student success
Authors: Casey Kaela , Kennedy Linda , Pinkley Janet , Worden Laura
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Each of Ventura County’s four public institutions of higher education list information literacy (IL) as either an institutional outcome or general education outcome for their students. Despite this, communication between the four campuses on this topic was limited. Librarians from these institutions applied to be part of the grant-funded Project ALAS Faculty Fellows Program to find ways to collaborate with each other and with teaching faculty to support the development of IL skills in transfer students.

Design/methodology/approach

Librarians from Ventura County’s four public institutions of higher education, with funding from the Project ALAS Faculty Fellows Program, held a one-day IL summit to bring librarians and teaching faculty together to unify objectives and create a seamless IL transition for transfer students.

Findings

Creating an opportunity for librarians and teaching faculty to discuss the definition and potential applications of IL in courses and assignments led to positive outcomes. Teaching faculty learned about library resources and took steps to begin collaborating with their campus librarian(s). Librarians also learned about different academic expectations in various disciplines, made new connections and made plans for future IL-focused collaborations.

Originality/value

Studies have demonstrated that IL is a key component to student transfer success. However, this is not an element in education that can be achieved by one department alone. The collaborative effort described in this paper can serve as a model for other librarians hoping to foster dialogue and cooperation amongst their regional institutions.
One hundred and counting: Centenarian use of emergency departments in New South Wales
Authors: Mane Gabrielle , Alkhouri Hatem , Dinh Michael , McCarthy Sally
Published: March 2019

Objective

To study ED utilisation by people aged 100 years and over with a focus on patient demographics, reasons for presentation and patient flow factors.

Methods

This is a retrospective descriptive analysis of linked ED Data Collection Registry for presentations to New South Wales (NSW) EDs over a 5 year period. Patients were included if they presented to an ED and were aged 100 years and over at the time of presentation. Demographics, triage category, presenting problem, ED length of stay, disposition and ED re‐presentation were determined for this age group.

Results

A total of 4033 presentations to 115 NSW EDs during 2010–2014 were analysed. We found that 78% of the patients were females and 76% still living at home. This group were the second most common age group to present to ED, after the 90–99 year age group, with 87% arriving via ambulance. Most presentations were triaged as a category 3 or 4, with the most common presenting problem being because of injury (28.5%) followed by respiratory disease (11.4%) and cardiovascular disease (10.0%). Overall, 64% required hospital admission and the average length of stay for all patients was 5.7 h.

Conclusions

Centenarians ED presentations are increasing over time with injuries as the most common reason for presentation. Most patients have prolonged ED length of stay and many require hospital admission. Early streaming of these patients through specialised geriatric assessment units may be more appropriate to reduce the demand on EDs and improve patient care. Models that facilitate rapid access to supported living arrangements and improved advanced care planning may be more realistic for many centenarians and different models of care need to be considered for this age group.
Different incidence of interstitial lung disease according to different kinds of EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors administered immediately before and/or after anti‐PD‐1 antibodies in lung cancer
Authors: Uchida Takahiro , Kaira Kyoichi , Yamaguchi Ou , Mouri Atsuto , Shiono Ayako , Miura Yu , Hashimoto Kosuke , Nishihara Fuyumi , Murayama Yoshitake , Kobayashi Kunihiko , Kagamu Hiroshi
Published: March 2019

Background

The aim of our study was to retrospectively assess the incidence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) related to EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment immediately before and/or after the administration of a PD‐1 antibody.

Methods

We analyzed the data of 26 patients who underwent treatment with EGFR‐TKIs immediately before and/or after the administration of an anti‐PD‐1 antibody.

Results

Four out of the 26 patients developed ILD during EGFR‐TKI treatment: three patients during the administration of osimertinib immediately after, and one during afatinib immediately before treatment with an anti‐PD‐1 antibody. Three of 12 patients who underwent EGFR‐TKI therapy immediately after anti‐PD‐1 antibody treatment experienced osimertinib‐induced ILD. ILD was not observed in the five patients administered an anti‐PD‐1 antibody followed by first or second‐generation EGFR‐TKIs.

Conclusion

ILD was observed in the treatment sequence of an anti‐PD‐1 antibody followed by osimertinib, but not with first or second‐generation EGFR‐TKIs.
The prevalence of mental disorders in incarcerated contact sexual offenders
Authors: Eher R. , Rettenberger M. , Turner D.
Published: March 2019

Objective

Mental disorders in sexual offenders are relevant in terms of risk assessment and psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatment.

Methods

The present cross‐sectional study was conducted between 2001 and 2017 and included 1511 sexual offenders who were assessed at the Federal Evaluation Center for Sexual and Violent Offenders in the Austrian Prison System. All sexual offenders were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for Axis I (SCID I) and Axis II disorders (SCID II).

Results

N = 1250 (92.9%) sexual offenders were diagnosed with a mental disorder, whereby the great majority received multiple diagnoses. The most frequently found disorders were alcohol misuse (40.0%), paraphilic (43.3%), and personality disorders (53.6%) with a special emphasis on Cluster B personality disorders (47.8%). While sexual offenders against children were more likely to be diagnosed with paraphilic disorders, sexual offenders against adults were more likely to be diagnosed with a personality disorder.

Conclusion

Prevalence rates of mental disorders in sexual offenders are considerable. Besides specific risk reducing treatment, the psychological and social sequelae of the mental disorder have to be addressed in interventions in order to reach an effective and sustainable risk reduction.
Whatever it takes: Attitude alignment in close relationships following third‐party rejection
Authors: Reid Chelsea A. , Davis Jody L. , Green Jeffrey D.
Published: March 2019

Individuals seek to affirm their belonging in many ways, but will they change even strongly held attitudes to do so? Attitude alignment is one mechanism by which individuals maintain ongoing relationships. We tested whether individuals would engage in greater attitude alignment (shifting their attitudes to match a romantic partner's attitudes) following rejection. Participants (N = 190) and their dating partners reported their attitudes about 51 social issues and received feedback that a third party (confederate) did or did not reject them. Dating partners then discussed two disagreed‐upon social issues: One issue was peripheral to self and central to partner (PC) and one issue central to self and peripheral to partner (CP). Participants completed a post‐discussion attitude measure. In the absence of rejection, individuals engaged in greater attitude alignment for PC than CP issues; following rejection, they engaged in similarly high levels of attitude alignment for both issue types. Rejected (vs. not rejected) individuals also engaged in greater attitude alignment for CP issues. Rejection led individuals to change centrally held attitudes typically more resistant to change, arguably to enhance their sense of belonging in a valued relationship.
Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1) regulates developmental morphogenesis and chemotaxis in Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Jubin Tina , Kadam Ashlesha , Begum Rasheedunnisa
Published: March 2019

Background information

Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1) has been attributed to varied roles in DNA repair, cell cycle, cell death, etc. Our previous reports demonstrate the role of PARP‐1 during Dictyostelium discoideum development by its constitutive downregulation as well as by PARP‐1 ortholog, ADP ribosyl transferase 1 A (ADPRT1A) overexpression. The current study analyses and strengthens the function of ADPRT1A in multicellular morphogenesis of D. discoideum. ADPRT1A was knocked out, and its effect was studied on cAMP signalling, chemotaxis and development of D. discoideum.

Results

We report that ADPRT1A is essential in multicellular development of D. discoideum, particularly at the aggregation stage. Genetic alterations of ADPRT1A and chemical inhibition of its activity affects the intracellular and extracellular cAMP levels during aggregation along with chemotaxis. Exogenous cAMP pulses could rescue this defect in the ADPRT1A knockout (ADPRT1A KO). Expression analysis of genes involved in cAMP signalling reveals altered transcript levels of four essential genes (PDSA, REGA, ACAA and CARA). Moreover, ADPRT1A KO affects prespore‐ and prestalk‐specific gene expression and prestalk tendency is favoured in the ADPRT1A KO.

Conclusion

ADPRT1A plays a definite role in regulating developmental morphogenesis via cAMP signalling.

Significance

This study helps in understanding the role of PARP‐1 in multicellular development and differentiation in higher complex organisms.
MicroRNAs as markers to monitor endothelin‐1 signalling and potential treatment in renal disease: Carcinoma − proteinuric damage − toxicity
Authors: Fries Jochen W. U.
Published: March 2019

This review highlights new developments in miRNA as diagnostic and surveillance tools in diseases damaging the renal proximal tubule mediated by endothelin in the field of renal carcinoma, proteinuric kidney disease and tubulotoxicity. A new mechanism in the miRNA regulation of proteins leads to the binding of the miRNA directly to the DNA with premature transcriptional termination and hence the formation of truncated protein isoforms (Mxi2, Vim3). These isoforms are mediated through miRNA15a or miRNA 498, respectively. ET‐1 can activate a cytoplasmic complex consisting of NF‐κB p65, MAPK p38α, and PKCα. Consequently, PKCα does not transmigrate into the nucleus, which leads to the loss of suppression of a primiRNA15a, maturation of this miRNA in the cytoplasm, tubular secretion and detectability in the urine. This mechanism has been shown in renal cell carcinoma and in proteinuric disease as a biomarker for the activation of the signalling pathway. Similarly, ET‐1 induced miRNA 498 transmigrates into the nucleus to form the truncated protein Vim3, which is a biomarker for the benign renal cell tumour, oncocytoma. In tubulotoxicity, ET‐1 induced miRNa133a down‐regulating multiple‐drug‐resistant related protein‐2, relevant for proteinuric and cisplatin/cyclosporine A toxicity. Current advantages and limitations of miRNAs as urinary biomarkers are discussed.
Early low‐dose rituximab for active thyroid eye disease: An effective and well‐tolerated treatment
Authors: Insull Elizabeth A. , Sipkova Zuzana , David Joel , Turner Helen E. , Norris Jonathan H.
Published: March 2019

Background

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that can be disfiguring and potentially sight threatening. Suppression of inflammation in active disease can reduce the risk of visual loss and limit long‐term sequelae. Current management involves inflammation suppression using glucocorticoids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of early disease intervention with targeted immunomodulatory therapy to alter disease course. This paper reports the efficacy of low‐dose rituximab in reducing clinical activity in TED in a small population.

Methods

A retrospective audit of consecutive patients with active TED managed primarily with a 100 mg rituximab infusion. Further glucocorticoid or steroid‐sparing agents were prescribed if clinically indicated. Clinical activity score, VISA overall severity score and Oxford Quality of Life score were recorded at each visit as well as TSH receptor antibody levels (TRAb), B cell subsets and adverse reactions.

Results

Twelve patients had mean follow‐up of 6.3 months. Clinical activity scores significantly decreased (mean score 5.08 to 1.58; P < 0.001), VISA overall severity scores reduced by 50% from 12 to 6, P < 0.001 and the mean cumulative dose of IV methylprednisolone was 2.3 g. 100 mg rituximab induced significant CD19+ B cell depletion (n = 8, P < 0.001). There was no significant reduction in serum TRAb (n = 8, P = 0.06). A transient infusion‐related rash was the only adverse effect, n = 4. QoL scores did not differ markedly before and after treatment.

Conclusion

Low‐dose rituximab is an efficacious, well‐tolerated and safe treatment for active TED; reducing disease activity and allowing reduced administration of systemic steroid.
Interobserver agreement on interpretation of conventional dacryocystography and dacryoscintigraphy findings: A retrospective single‐centre study
Authors: Sia Paul I. , Curragh David , Howell Stuart , Selva Dinesh
Published: March 2019

Importance

This study assesses the interobserver agreement on dacryocystography (DCG) and dacryoscintigraphy (DSG) findings.

Background

There are no standard grading criteria to guide the interpretation of conventional DCG and DSG findings and therefore there may be a degree of subjectivity. This study evaluates the level of interobserver agreement in the interpretation of DCG and DSG findings.

Design

A retrospective observational study at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Participants

A total of 165 patients who presented with epiphora with 276 DCGs and 290 DSGs performed were included in this study.

Methods

DCG and DSG images were obtained, anonymized, randomized and interpreted by three independent oculoplastic surgeons. Standard grading criteria were set for both DCG and DSG images. Data from all observers were analysed for interobserver agreement using Kappa (κ) statistics, generated using a variation of Cohen's kappa for multiple observers.

Main Outcome Measures

Level of interobserver agreement (κ values) in the grading of DCG and DSG findings.

Results

There was an overall moderate interobserver agreement for DCG findings (κ = 0.55), with the highest agreement on interpreting canalicular obstruction (κ = 0.80), followed by proximal nasolacrimal duct obstruction (κ = 0.67) and normal patency (κ = 0.63). There was an overall fair interobserver agreement for DSG findings (κ = 0.36), with the best being moderate agreement (κ = 0.42‐0.50) for interpreting pre‐sac delay and post‐sac proximal delay.

Conclusions and Relevance

DCG offers good reliability in interpreting patent and obstructed systems. On the other hand, DSG has poor agreement and highlights some of the limitations in the ability to guide epiphora management.
Exercise activates lysosomal function in the brain through AMPK‐SIRT1‐TFEB pathway
Authors: Huang Jun , Wang Xue , Zhu Yi , Li Zhe , Zhu Yu‐Ting , Wu Jun‐Chao , Qin Zheng‐Hong , Xiang Min , Lin Fang
Published: March 2019

Aim

To study the effects of exercise on lysosomal functions.

Methods

Mouse exercise model was established and wheel running was scheduled as 18 rpm (14:00‐17:00), 5 d/wk, for 8 weeks. Mice were injected EX527 to inhibit SIRT1 activity. The protein level was assayed with Western blot and immunofluorescence histochemistry. The transmission electron microscopic examination was used to show the structure of lysosome and mitochondria.

Results

Exercise promoted the nuclear translocation of TFEB in the cortex which upregulated the transcription of genes associated with autophagy and lysosome. Exercise directly activated autophagy/lysosome system via up‐regulating of AMPK‐SIRT1 signaling. The SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 decreased TFEB regulated gene transcription but had little effect on the nuclear translocation of TFEB. In addition, long‐term exercise showed more significant effects on activation of lysosomes biogenesis compared with the short‐term exercise and trehalose, a classical autophagy activator in the mTOR‐independent pathway.

Conclusion

Running exercise activates lysosomal function in the brain through AMPK‐SIRT1‐TFEB pathway.
Clinical features and management of superficial fibromatoses
Authors: Kelenjian Shinorik , Mattjie Rebeca Assuncao , Franz Regina , Biedermann Tilo , Brockow Knut
Published: March 2019

Fibromatoses are a group of benign connective tissue tumors characterized by the infiltrative, aggressive proliferation of well‐differentiated fibroblasts, leading to frequent local recurrence. Within this heterogeneous disease group, superficial fibromatoses show slower growth and more benign infiltration of surrounding tissues than deep fibromatoses.

Superficial fibromatoses relevant to dermatology include palmar, plantar, and penile fibromatosis, knuckle pads, pachydermodactyly and infantile digital fibromatosis. They present clinically with subcutaneous nodules or cords that lead to local infiltration and limited mobility of the affected areas.

Treatment options vary from watchful waiting, non‐invasive methods such as radiotherapy and intralesional corticosteroid/collagenase injections to radical surgical procedures. Early intervention may disrupt disease progression and may even restore functional ability. These disorders should therefore be recognized and treated early in the course of the disease.
Validated outcome of treatment changes according to International League Against Epilepsy criteria in adults with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy
Authors: Mula Marco , Zaccara Gaetano , Galimberti Carlo Andrea , Ferrò Bruno , Canevini Maria Paola , Mascia Addolorata , Mecarelli Oriano , Michelucci Roberto , Pisani Laura Rosa , Specchio Luigi Maria , Striano Salvatore , Perucca Emilio
Published: March 2019

Objective

Although many studies have attempted to describe treatment outcomes in patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy, results are often limited by the adoption of nonhomogeneous criteria and different definitions of seizure freedom. We sought to evaluate treatment outcomes with a newly administered antiepileptic drug (AED) in a large population of adults with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy according to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) outcome criteria.

Methods

This is a multicenter, observational, prospective study of 1053 patients with focal epilepsy diagnosed as drug‐resistant by the investigators. Patients were assessed at baseline and 6, 12, and 18 months, for up to a maximum of 34 months after introducing another AED into their treatment regimen. Drug resistance status and treatment outcomes were rated according to ILAE criteria by the investigators and by at least two independent members of an external expert panel (EP).

Results

A seizure‐free outcome after a newly administered AED according to ILAE criteria ranged from 11.8% after two failed drugs to 2.6% for more than six failures. Significantly fewer patients were rated by the EP as having a “treatment failure” as compared to the judgment of the investigator (46.7% vs 62.9%, P < 0.001), because many more patients were rated as “undetermined outcome” (45.6% vs 27.7%, P < 0.001); 19.3% of the recruited patients were not considered drug‐resistant by the EP.

Significance

This study validates the use of ILAE treatment outcome criteria in a real‐life setting, providing validated estimates of seizure freedom in patients with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy in relation to the number of previously failed AEDs. Fewer than one in 10 patients achieved seizure freedom on a newly introduced AED over the study period. Pseudo drug resistance could be identified in one of five cases.
A universal automated tool for reliable detection of seizures in rodent models of acquired and genetic epilepsy
Authors: Casillas‐Espinosa Pablo M. , Sargsyan Armen , Melkonian Dmitri , O'Brien Terence J.
Published: March 2019

Objective

Prolonged electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring in chronic epilepsy rodent models has become an important tool in preclinical drug development of new therapies, in particular those for antiepileptogenesis, disease modification, and treating drug‐resistant epilepsy. We have developed an easy‐to‐use, reliable, computational tool for automated detection of electrographic seizures from prolonged EEG recordings in rodent models of epilepsy.

Methods

We applied a novel method based on advanced time‐frequency analysis that detects EEG episodes with excessive activity in certain frequency bands. The method uses an innovative technique of short‐term spectral analysis, the Similar Basis Function algorithm. The method was applied for offline seizure detection from long‐term EEG recordings from four spontaneously seizing, chronic epilepsy rat models: the fluid percussion injury (n = 5 rats, n = 49 seizures) and post–status epilepticus models (n = 119 rats, n = 993 seizures) of acquired epilepsy, and two genetic models of absence epilepsy, Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg and Wistar Albino Glaxo from Rijswijk (n = 41 and 14 rats, n = 8733 and 825 seizures, respectively).

Results

Our comparative analysis revealed that the EEG amplitude spectra of these four rat models are remarkably similar during epileptiform activity and have a single expressed peak within the 17‐ to 25‐Hz frequency range. Focusing on this band, our computer program detected all seizures in the 179 rats. A quick semiautomated user inspection of the EEGs for the period of each identified event allowed quick rejection of artifact events. The overall processing time for 12‐day‐long recordings varied from a few minutes (5‐10) to 30 minutes, depending on the number of artifact events, which was strongly correlated with the signal quality of the raw EEG data.

Significance

Our automated seizure detection tool provides high sensitivity, with acceptable specificity, for long‐ and short‐term EEG recordings from both acquired and genetic chronic epilepsy rat models. This tool has the potential to improve the efficiency and rigor of preclinical research and therapy development using these models.
Antioxidant treatment after epileptogenesis onset prevents comorbidities in rats sensitized by a past stressful event
Authors: Becker Christel , Mancic Angelina , Ghestem Antoine , Poillerat Victoria , Claverie Damien , Bartolomei Fabrice , Brouillard Franck , Benoliel Jean‐Jacques , Bernard Christophe
Published: March 2019

Objective

Unresolved past stressful events can induce a state of vulnerability to epilepsy and comorbidities. Using an experimental model of stress‐induced vulnerability to depression, we tested whether an antioxidant treatment applied after the onset of epileptogenesis was disease modifying and could prevent the occurrence of comorbidities.

Methods

We used social defeat (SD) to trigger a state of vulnerability in half of the SD‐exposed population of rats. One month after SD, we used repeated injections of kainic acid to trigger status epilepticus (SE). One subset of animals was treated after SE during 2 weeks with Tempol, a strong antioxidant. Supradural 24/7 recordings were used to assess the development of epilepsy. We assessed spatial and nonspatial memory as well as a depressionlike profile 6 weeks after SE.

Results

Serum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels decreased after SD in all animals and recovered to pre‐SD levels 1 month later in half of them (SDN group). The other half kept low serum BDNF levels (SDL group). At that stage, SDN and SDL animals do not present a depressionlike profile. The SDL group was more sensitive than the SDN group to epileptogenic conditions. Following SE, the SDL group displayed accelerated epileptogenesis, a depressionlike profile, and severe cognitive deficits as compared to SDN rats. Transient Tempol treatment was disease‐modifying, reducing the number of seizures, and prevented the development of comorbidities in the SDL group. Tempol treatment normalized oxidative stress in the SDL group to SDN levels.

Significance

This study illustrates the disease‐modifying effect of antioxidant treatment after the onset of epileptogenesis in a population rendered vulnerable by past stressful events. The transient treatment decreased seizure burden and had long‐term effects, preventing the occurrence of a depressionlike profile and cognitive deficits. We propose that vulnerability to comorbidities can be reversed after the onset of epilepsy.
Adipose tissue dysfunction in obese horses with equine metabolic syndrome
Authors: Reynolds A. , Keen J. A. , Fordham T. , Morgan R. A.
Published: March 2019

Background

Obesity is a common feature of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). In other species, obese adipose tissue shows pathological features such as adipocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, inflammation and impaired insulin signalling all of which contribute to whole body insulin dysregulation. Such adipose tissue dysfunction has not been investigated in horses.

Objectives

To determine if obese horses with EMS have adipose tissue dysfunction characterised by adipocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, inflammation and altered insulin signalling.

Study design

Cross‐sectional post‐mortem study.

Methods

Samples of peri‐renal (visceral) and retroperitoneal adipose tissue were obtained at post‐mortem from healthy horses (n = 9) and horses with EMS (n = 6). Samples were analysed to determine average adipocyte size, fibrotic content and expression of inflammatory and insulin signalling genes.

Results

Horses with metabolic syndrome showed marked adipocyte hypertrophy and increased expression of adipokines (leptin) and inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL1β and CCL2) in both adipose tissue depots compared to healthy horses. There were no differences in fibrosis or expression of genes relating to insulin signalling between the groups.

Main limitations

Cases used in this study had advanced EMS and may represent the end stage of the condition; the design of the study is such that we were unable to relate the identified adipose tissue dysfunction to whole body insulin dysregulation.

Conclusions

Horses with obesity and EMS have significant dysfunction of the peri‐renal and retroperitoneal adipose tissue that may contribute to whole body insulin dysregulation.