bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resistance to change in the case of mergers and acquisitions: part 1
Authors: Appelbaum Steven H. , Karelis Catherine , Le Henaff Anne , McLaughlin Beverly
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are inherent to firms evolving in today’s business world, whether they be corporate giants, SMEs or start-ups. While the ultimate objective of an M&A is to improve the newly constructed firm’s performance, financial and technical impacts are but some of the considerations the organization will need to face. Indeed, employee resistance appears to be a major factor in the overall success of this strategic move. The purpose of this paper, three part, is to provide a thorough overview of the forces at play in employee resistance to change, its influence on the M&A’s success, and the ways to address such resistance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on existing empirical studies, industry expert findings and academic reviews, this paper sought to link together the concepts of communication at a time of change, leadership, employee involvement, feeling of adherence to the firm (the four key pillars) and their respective influences in how they may handicap or aid the firm in achieving its M&A objectives.

Findings

Although it may seem like a straightforward concept, resistance to change in the turbulent time that is a merger and acquisition situation is anything but simple. Classic assumptions of resistance being a negative force or participation being a requisite part of overcoming resistance are challenged. At the same time, leadership and employee feeling of adherence to their previous organization play a supporting role when compared to the significant influence of communication pre, during and after the merger. The ensuing portrait is thus multifaceted and underscores the complexity of handling an M&A at the human resources level.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst the paper allowed to identify and link the different factors at play, a thorough empirical study in order to compare and contrast those factors at an M&A’s different stages (pre-during-post), and thus evaluate their respective importance, would be commendable.

Practical implications

In providing an overview of several aspects at play in employee resistance to change, this paper allows a management practitioner to consolidate their knowledge on the process’ four key pillars.

Social implications

By illustrating not only its – expected – negative outcomes, but by also providing a glimpse at some potential benefits in terms of increased merger performance, this paper gives managers incentives to not always challenge but also embrace their employee’s resistance to change as a healthy part of the firm’s transformation process.

Originality/value

This literature review provides an overview of resistance to change and draws parallels between the concepts explored herein and the M&A situation, which would be useful to the general practitioner undergoing an M&A.
Consumer choice of multichannel shopping
Authors: Chiou Jyh-Shen , Chou Szu-Yu , Shen George Chung-Chi
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Consumers display complex shopping behaviors in the multichannel environment, which includes traditional retail stores and the internet. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of the customer-sales associate relationship, customers’ receptiveness to online store shopping, and their interaction effects on the customer’s attitude toward multichannel shopping behavior when the firm decides to establish an online store as the online channel. The authors also examine how customers’ multichannel shopping behavior affects their future spending intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected by soliciting 231 customers who purchased cosmetics in department stores within the past three months. Subjects were asked to give their overall evaluation of their offline and online shopping experiences in the last three months.

Findings

Results show that the customer-sales associate relationship significantly reduces customers’ attitude toward searching offline but purchasing online. Receptiveness to online store shopping has significant effects on customers’ attitude toward multichannel shopping behaviors regardless of whether they search or purchase via the online channel. The customer-sales associate relationship also moderates the relationship between customers’ receptiveness to online store shopping and multichannel shopping behaviors. Finally, unlike other types of online and offline multichannel shoppers who display higher future spending intentions when the physical store decides to open an online store, those who prefer physical stores for both information searching and product purchasing display lower spending intentions.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to use customer-sales associate relationships to investigate consumers’ attitude toward multichannel shopping behavior. The findings provide meaningful implications for service providers that use sales associates to increase consumers’ value via face-to-face service, but find it challenging to go online.
Why so serious? Gamification impact in the acceptance of mobile banking services
Authors: Baptista Goncalo , Oliveira Tiago
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the potential impact of the utilization of game mechanics and game design techniques in the acceptance of mobile banking services.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical model was tested in a quantitative study using structural equation modelling, conducted in Brazil, with actual local banking customers.

Findings

The findings show that there is a direct and strong relationship between gamification and intention to use mobile banking services, supporting that, when used and designed properly, gamification can help make banking activities more exciting, more interesting and more enjoyable, and in turn increase customer acceptance, engagement and satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The research extends the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2), and prior research to include gamification impact. The result is a more descriptive model that better explains consumers’ decision to use mobile banking services.

Practical implications

For practitioners, understanding the key constructs is crucial to design, refine and implement mobile banking services that achieve high consumer acceptance and value, and with the right amount of game techniques in them.

Originality/value

The globalization of business and systems is fuelling the need to acquire a deeper understanding of the impact of gamification in acceptance within the financial industry. This is the first time to the knowledge that UTAUT2 theory and a gamification construct are combined in a mobile banking acceptance work, supported by data from a South American country, enriching the existing literature on this subject and providing new insights into how game techniques influences individual behaviour.
The determinants of corporate internet reporting in Egypt: an exploratory analysis
Authors: Ahmed Ahmed H. , Burton Bruce M. , Dunne Theresa M.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide exploratory evidence about the use of the internet for disclosure purposes by non-financial companies listed on the Egyptian Exchange – and influences thereon – at two points in time: 2010 and 2011. Selection of these periods permits direct investigation of the extent to which the disruption caused by the popular uprising in early 2011 impacted on practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises all of the 172 non-financial listed companies at the end of 2010. A disclosure index was developed to evaluate the content of the investigated websites in 2010 and 2011. Univariate and multivariate analysis is used to examine the cross-sectional determinants of disclosure both in total and in terms of three specific content categories.

Findings

The study reveals that 40.7 and 42.7 per cent of the sample companies provided some form of financial information via their websites in 2010 and 2011, respectively (i.e. pre and post the Spring 2011 political revolution). The results of the multivariate analysis indicate consistency across the two years in terms of total score determinants, but some variation in the disaggregated evidence.

Originality/value

This study indicates that Egyptian firms have started embracing the power of the internet as a disclosure channel, but the extent of these practices is still limited, with great variations evident amongst the sampled companies in this regard. Encouragingly, the disruption caused by the political upheaval in 2011 appears not to have caused reduction in the propensity to provide online disclosures.
A tool for measuring SMEs’ reputation, engagement and goodwill
Authors: Whiting Rosalind Heather , Hansen Paul , Sen Anindya
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a rating and scoring tool for measuring small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) reputation, engagement and goodwill (REG), including internet presence and following on social media, by an exploratory study undertaken in New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach

A discrete choice experiment (DCE) applying the PAPRIKA method via an online survey was conducted to determine weights representing the relative importance of six indicators related to SMEs’ REG. Usable responses were received from 159 people involved with SMEs. Cluster analysis to identify participants with similar patterns of weights was performed.

Findings

The six indicators, in decreasing order of importance (mean weights in parentheses), are: “captured” customer opinions about the business (0.28); contact with customer database (0.19); website traffic (0.16); Google Search ranking (0.15); size of customer database, (0.11); and following on social media (0.11). These indicators and weights can be used to rate and score individual SMEs. The cluster analysis indicates that participants’ age has some influence on their weights.

Research limitations/implications

Only 159 usable responses for the DCE.

Practical implications

The indicators and their weights provide a practical and inexpensive tool for measuring SMEs’ REG.

Originality/value

This is the first study to use a DCE to determine weights representing the relative importance of indicators included in a tool for measuring SMEs’ REG. The tool is innovative because it includes readily available indicators of firms’ internet presence and following on social media.
Moving from irrelevant intellectual capital (IC) reporting to value-relevant IC disclosures
Authors: Schaper Stefan , Nielsen Christian , Roslender Robin
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Informed by the findings of a follow-up research study of companies originally involved in the Danish Guideline Project (DGP) for intellectual capital statements (ICS), the purpose of this paper is to provide valuable insights for a potential shift from intellectual capital (IC) reporting, largely informed by an accounting perspective, towards IC-related disclosures.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on data obtained from 21 semi-structured interviews with respondents in 16 companies. The respondents were contacted following a genealogical exercise carried out on the 102 companies involved in the DGP between 1999 and 2003.

Findings

The interviews suggested a rather critical perspective towards IC reporting using the ICS framework. Despite the attempt of the DGP to establish a reporting standard, a range of experiments resulted in changes to the framework’s original structure. Overall, a trend towards more integrated forms of reporting was discernible, in some part being motivated by the need to reduce the levels of reporting overload. Examples of integration designed to legitimise IC or corporate social responsibility reports, involving issuing them in tandem with a recognised reporting vehicle such as the annual report, were also encountered.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of this study are that timely, value-relevant IC disclosures and compliant reporting, primarily for accountability purposes, have the potential to coexist. In addition to the usual limitations of a semi-structured interview research design, respondents’ difficulties in clearly recalling events during the project after some 10-12 years is a further potential limitation. Additionally, the use of internet-based communication channels for disclosure purposes was in its infancy at the time of the DGP.

Originality/value

The paper provides important insights into the mechanisms of IC disclosure and IC reporting as seen from a practitioner perspective. Implications relevant to the continued development of integrated reporting are also identified.
The relationship of leaders’ humor and employees’ work engagement mediated by positive emotions
Authors: Goswami Ashita , Nair Prakash , Beehr Terry , Grossenbacher Michael
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine affective events theory (AET) by testing the mediating effect of employees’ positive affect at work in the relationships of leaders’ use of positive humor with employees’ work engagement, job performance, and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs); and the moderating effect of transformational leadership style on the relationship between leaders’ use of positive humor and subordinate’s positive affect at work.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from 235 full-time employees working for a large information technology and business consulting corporation. Moderated mediation (Hayes, 2013) was performed to test the proposed model.

Findings

Leaders’ positive humor was related to creation of subordinates’ positive emotions at work and work engagement. Positive emotions at work did not mediate between leaders’ humor and performance or OCBs. In addition, leaders’ use of transformational leadership style made the relationship between leaders’ positive humor and employees’ positive emotions at work stronger.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides evidence of the positive relationship of leaders’ positive humor with employees’ positive emotions at work and work engagement. Such knowledge may help to inform the training workshops in humor employed by practitioners and potentially create a more enjoyable and fun workplace, which can lead to greater employee engagement.

Originality/value

AET helps explain effects of leader humor, but the effects of are complex. Leader’s use of even positive humor is most likely to have favorable effects mainly depending on their leadership style (transformational) and if their humor successfully leads to positive emotions among employees.
The ideal and the counter-ideal follower – advancing implicit followership theories
Authors: Junker Nina M. , Stegmann Sebastian , Braun Stephan , Van Dick Rolf
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Research on implicit followership theories – that is, individually held assumptions about how followers are and how they should be – is still in its infancy. The few existing approaches differ in what they define as the object of these theories. The authors consider the lack of two aspects in the existing literature: first, the authors consider it important to not only focus on effective but also on ideal followers – which allows investigating follower characteristics that go beyond just performance; and second, the authors demonstrate the importance of the study of characteristics which leaders explicitly see as undesirable for followers (i.e. counter-ideal follower prototypes). The purpose of this paper is to fill these gaps and to extend the literature by introducing the concept of implicit followership theories as assumptions of ideal followers.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first present three studies conducted to develop a scale to measure ideal and counter-ideal follower prototypes, respectively. In a fourth study, the authors apply this scale and compare it to existing measures of implicit followership theories regarding their value for predicting leaders’ follower ratings.

Findings

Results show that the newly developed measure is reliable and valid, and comprises a useful tool for future research.

Practical implications

The scale can be used for leadership development programs.

Originality/value

The study is among the few that provide theory and evidence for the relevance of implicit followership theories and is the first to consider the ideal follower in this regard.
The CEO-Chair relationship from a relational leadership perspective
Authors: Koskinen Satu , Anna-Maija Lämsä
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise how the chief executive officer (CEO) and chairperson of the board (Chair) construct their relationship through their leadership practices, and to analyse the meaning of these practices to the relationship. An empirical investigation from both partners’ viewpoint is conducted.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were gathered through in-depth interviews with 16 CEOs and 16 chairpersons from the same companies. Content analysis was used to analyse the data.

Findings

Four types of leadership practices in the CEO-Chair relationship were conceptualised: emergent practices on company- and person-related issues, and scheduled practices on company- and person-related issues. For the effectiveness of the relationship, emergent practices on company-related issues seem to be most important.

Research limitations/implications

The basing of the analysis on interviewees’ descriptions rather than on the observation of leadership practices in action can be considered a limitation.

Practical implications

Knowledge of leadership practices in the CEO-Chair relationship and their meaning to the relationship can be utilised in leadership training.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the relational leadership literature by highlighting a specific leadership relationship, the CEO-Chair relationship, from both partners’ viewpoint. Additionally, the value of the study is that it shows that the CEO-Chair relationship is more multifaceted than traditionally assumed in prior literature.
GDF8 inhibits bone formation and promotes bone resorption in mice
Authors: Chen Yu‐Si , Guo Qi , Guo Li‐Juan , Liu Ting , Wu Xian‐Ping , Lin Zhang‐Yuan , He Hong‐Bo , Jiang Tie‐Jian
Published: January 2017

Growth Differentiation Factor 8 (GDF8), also called myostatin, is a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β super‐family. As a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth, GDF8 is also associated with bone metabolism. However, the function of GDF8 in bone metabolism is not fully understood. Our study aimed to investigate the role of GDF8 in bone metabolism, both in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that GDF8 had a negative regulatory effect on primary mouse osteoblasts, and promoted receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)‐induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Intraperitoneal injection of recombinant GDF8 repressed bone formation and accelerated bone resorption in mice. Furthermore, treatment of aged mice with a GDF8 neutralizing antibody stimulated new bone formation and prevented bone resorption. Thus, our study showed that GDF8 plays a significant regulatory role in bone formation and bone resorption, thus providing a potential therapeutic pathway for osteoporosis.
Netrin G1: its downregulation in the nucleus accumbens of cocaine‐conditioned mice and genetic association in human cocaine dependence
Authors: Kelaï Sabah , Ramoz Nicolas , Moalic Jean‐Marie , Noble Florence , Mechawar Naguib , Imbeaud Sandrine , Turecki Gustavo , Simonneau Michel , Gorwood Philip , Maussion Gilles
Published: January 2017

Netrin G1 is a presynaptic ligand involved in axonal projection. Although molecular mechanisms underlying cocaine addiction are still poorly understood, Netrin G1 might have a role as a regulator of anxiety, fear and spatial memory, behavioural traits impaired in the context of cocaine exposure. In this study, the Netrin G1 (Ntng1) expression was investigated in the nucleus accumbens of mice primarily conditioned to cocaine using a place preference paradigm. A genetic association study was then conducted on 146 multiplex families of the Collaborative study on Genetics of Alcoholism, in which seven single nucleotide polymorphisms located in the NTNG1 gene were genotyped. NTNG1 expression levels were also quantified in BA10, BA46 and the cerebellum of healthy controls (with no Axis 1 psychopathology). Decreased Ntng1 expression was initially observed in the nucleus accumbens of mice conditioned to cocaine. Significant genetic family‐based associations were detected between NTNG1 polymorphisms and cocaine dependence. NTNG1 expression in BA10, BA46 and the cerebellum, however, were not significantly associated with any allele or haplotype of this gene. These results confirm that Ntng1 expression is disturbed in the nucleus accumbens of mice, after cocaine conditioning. A haplotype of NTNG1 was found to constitute a vulnerability factor for cocaine use disorder in patients, although none of its single nucleotide polymorphisms were associated with a differential expression pattern in healthy controls. The data suggest that change in the Ntng1 expression is a consequence of cocaine exposure, and that some of its genetic markers are associated with a greater risk for cocaine use disorder.
Low distress tolerance predicts heightened drug seeking and taking after extended abstinence from cocaine self‐administration
Authors: Moschak Travis M. , Terry Douglas R. , Daughters Stacey B. , Carelli Regina M.
Published: January 2017

Distress tolerance (DT), defined as the ability to persist in goal‐directed behavior while experiencing psychological distress, is associated with greater frequency of substance use and poor treatment outcomes. To examine a potential causal role substance use may play in DT, we developed a rodent model of DT in which rats had to press a lever within a continuously decreasing time window for reward while receiving negative feedback on failure trials. DT was defined as the time rats continued to seek reward before quitting the task. We assessed the relationship of DT with cocaine seeking/taking by measuring DT before cocaine self‐administration (SA), and after 1 week and 1 month of drug abstinence. We found that DT prior to cocaine SA did not predict cocaine seeking/taking, yet DT measured after 1 month abstinence significantly predicted subsequent high levels of early session cocaine taking. Additionally, high DT measured after abstinence protected against high cocaine seeking, but this protective effect was blocked in rats with high impulsivity. Finally, while a decrease in 1 month‐abstinent DT was observed following SA across treatment conditions, among cocaine‐exposed rats, greater cocaine SA correlated with a steeper decrease in DT. These results show that low DT after drug abstinence is associated with heightened levels of cocaine seeking and taking behavior and that impulsivity influences this effect. Collectively, these results support the validity of our rodent DT model while extending the human literature and set the foundation for future animal studies designed to determine neural mechanisms underlying DT.
Motivations to grow energy crops: the role of crop and contract attributes
Authors: Khanna Madhu , Louviere Jordan , Yang Xi
Published: January 2017

Perennial energy crops are a promising source of bioenergy whose production involves production risks, long‐term commitment of land and need for crop‐specific investments without the coverage of crop insurance potentially available for conventional crops. We conduct a choice experiment in five states in the Midwestern and South‐central regions of the U.S. to examine the effect of crop‐contract attributes on the joint discrete‐continuous choice decisions to adopt an energy crop and convert acres to it from a status quo use, while controlling for the effect of various farmers’ risk and time preferences, sociodemographic characteristics, and availability of crop insurance for conventional crops. We find robust evidence that high discount rates, high upfront establishment costs and need for crop‐specific investments create disincentives for adoption and allocation of land to energy crop production. The effects of riskiness of returns and risk aversion are less robust across specifications. The effect of conventional crop insurance on the energy crop adoption decision differs across types of insurance; in particular, farmers with revenue insurance are statistically significantly less likely to adopt an energy crop. Our results have implications for the design of effective contracts and policy incentives to induce the production of energy crops.
Estimating product‐specific and multiproduct economies of scale with data envelopment analysis
Authors: Parman Bryon J. , Featherstone Allen M. , Coffey Brian K.
Published: January 2017

Nonparametric cost frontier estimation and subsequent analysis of the relative efficiency of firms has historically been conducted without critically examining the shape of the cost frontier. The shape of the cost frontier has been examined using additional parametric estimation methods to recover potential cost savings from multiproduct and product‐specific economies of scale. This paper presents and tests an approach to estimate multiproduct and product‐specific economies of scale using data envelopment analysis. Data for the study are simulated assuming an underlying production technology. Nonparametric estimates of efficiency, multiproduct scale, product specific scale, and scope economies are compared to those of the assumed production technology. Results show that the nonparametric approach accurately estimates multiproduct economies of scale and product‐specific economies of scale under alternative inefficiency distributional assumptions.
Site locked headaches in paediatric patients do not require routine brain imaging and rarely have a serious aetiology
Authors: Ahmed MAS , Grossman S , Rafique B , Momoh Ojewuyi A
Published: January 2017

Aim

The main aim of this study was to examine the aetiology and the yield of brain imaging of children with site locked headaches (SLH).

Methods

This study was carried out at Queen's University Hospital, Essex,UK, from August 2011 to August 2015 and focused on patients who were at least five years of age, had experienced at least fiveSLHattacks and had a normal neurological examination. Bilateral or alternating unilateral headaches were excluded. Data were collected prospectively, and the headache diagnosis was based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders.

Results

We identified 292 eligible patients (60% female) aged 5.1–17 years: 177 with unilateralSLH, 104 with occipitalSLHand 11 with vertexSLH. Anterior headaches were the most frequent (n = 133), and the diagnoses included migraine (n = 192), tension type headaches (n = 30) and medication‐overuse headaches (n = 22). The headache was unspecified in 43 cases. Magnetic resonance imaging was normal in 96% of the 283/292 scanned or showed a nonspecific, nonsignificant abnormality in 4%.

Conclusion

Site locked headaches were most likely to be caused by primary headaches, particularly migraine. AnSLHwithout abnormal neurological findings is unlikely to have an underlying sinister aetiology, and routine brain imaging is not required in such cases.
Remote ischaemic preconditioning suppresses endogenous plasma nitrite during ischaemia–reperfusion: a randomized controlled crossover pilot study
Authors: Nair Ashok , Khan Sitara , Omar Sami , Pei Xiao‐Qing , McNeill Karen , Chowienczyk Phil , Webb Andrew James
Published: January 2017

Aim

The aim of this article is to test the hypothesis that remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) increases circulating endogenous local and systemic plasma (nitrite) during RIPC and ischaemia–reperfusion (IR) as a potential protective mechanism against ischaemia–reperfusion injury (IRI).

Methods

Six healthy male volunteers (mean age 29.5 ± 7.6 years) were randomized in a crossover study to initially receive either RIPC (4 × 5 min cycles) to the left arm, or no RIPC (control), both followed by an ischaemia–reperfusion (IR) sequence (20 min cuff inflation to 200 mmHg, 20 min reperfusion) to the right arm. The volunteers returned at least 7 days later for the alternate intervention. The primary outcome was the effect of RIPC vs. control on local and systemic plasma (nitrite).

Results

RIPC did not significantly change plasma (nitrite) in either the left or the right arm during the RIPC sequence. However, compared to control, RIPC decreased plasma (nitrite) during the subsequent IR sequence by ~26% (from 118 ± 9 to 87 ± 5 nmol l−1) locally in the left arm (P = 0.008) overall, with an independent effect of −58.70 nmol l−1 (95% confidence intervals −116.1 to −1.33) at 15 min reperfusion, and by ~24% (from 109 ± 9 to 83 ± 7 nmol l−1) systemically in the right arm (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

RIPC had no effect on plasma (nitrite) during the RIPC sequence, but instead decreased plasma (nitrite) by ~25% during IR. This would likely counteract the protective mechanisms of RIPC, and contribute to RIPC's lack of efficacy, as observed in recent clinical trials. A combined approach of RIPC with nitrite administration may be required.
The current and future role of biomarkers in type 2 cytokine‐mediated asthma management
Authors: Pavord I. D. , Afzalnia S. , Menzies‐Gow A. , Heaney L. G.
Published: January 2017

Assessment and management of asthma is complicated by the heterogeneous pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie its clinical presentation, which are not necessarily reflected in standardized management paradigms and which necessitate an individualized approach to treatment. This is particularly important with the emerging availability of a variety of targeted forms of therapy that may only be appropriate for use in particular patient subgroups. The identification of biomarkers can potentially aid diagnosis and inform prognosis, help guide treatment decisions and allow clinicians to predict and monitor response to treatment. Biomarkers for asthma have been identified from a variety of sources, including airway, exhaled breath and blood. Biomarkers from exhaled breath include fractional exhaled nitric oxide, measurement of which can help identify patients most likely to benefit from inhaled corticosteroids and targeted anti‐immunoglobulin E therapy. Biomarkers measured in blood are relatively non‐invasive and technically more straightforward than those measured from exhaled breath or directly from the airway. The most well established of these are the blood eosinophil count and serum periostin, both of which have demonstrated utility in identifying patients most likely to benefit from targeted anti‐interleukin and anti‐immunoglobulin E therapies, and in monitoring subsequent treatment response. For example, serum periostin appears to be a biomarker for responsiveness to inhaled corticosteroid therapy and may help identify patients as suitable candidates for anti‐IL‐13 treatment. The use of biomarkers can therefore potentially help avoid unnecessary morbidity from high‐dose corticosteroid therapy and allow the most appropriate and cost‐effective use of targeted therapies. Ongoing clinical trials are helping to further elucidate the role of established biomarkers in routine clinical practice, and a range of other circulating novel potential biomarkers are currently being investigated in the research setting.
Level of environmental threat posed by horticultural trade in Cactaceae
Authors: Novoa Ana , Le Roux Johannes J. , Richardson David M. , Wilson John R.U.
Published: January 2017

Ornamental horticulture has been identified as an important threat to plant biodiversity and is a major pathway for plant invasions worldwide. In this context, the family Cactaceae is particularly challenging because it is considered the fifth most threatened large taxonomic group in the world; several species are among the most widespread and damaging invasive species; and Cactaceae is one of the most popular horticultural plant groups. Based on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna and the 11 largest online auction sites selling cacti, we documented the international cactus trade. To provide an in‐depth look at the dynamics of the industry, we surveyed the businesses involved in the cactus trade in South Africa (a hotspot of cactus trade and invasions). We purchased seeds of every available species and used DNA barcoding to identify species to the genus level. Although <20% of this trade involved threatened species and <3% involved known invasive species, many species were identified by a common name. However, only 0.02% of the globally traded cacti were collected from wild populations. Despite a large commercial network, all South African imports (of which 15% and 1.5% were of species listed as threatened and invasive, respectively) came from the same source. With DNA barcoding, we identified 24% of the species to genus level. Based on our results, we believe that if trade restrictions are placed on the small proportion of cacti that are invasive and there is no major increase in harvesting of native populations, then the commercial trade in cactus poses a negligible environmental threat. However, there are currently no effective methods for easily identifying which cacti are traded, and both the illicit harvesting of cacti from the wild and the informal trade in invasive taxa pose on‐going conservation challenges.
Effects of traffic noise on tree frog stress levels, immunity, and color signaling
Authors: Troïanowski Mathieu , Mondy Nathalie , Dumet Adeline , Arcanjo Caroline , Lengagne Thierry
Published: January 2017

During the last decade, many studies have focused on the detrimental effects of noise pollution on acoustic communication. Surprisingly, although it is known that noise exposure strongly influences health in humans, studies on wildlife remain scarce. In order to gain insight into the consequences of traffic noise exposure, we experimentally manipulated traffic noise exposure as well as the endocrine status of animals to investigate physiological and phenotypic consequences of noise pollution in an anuran species. We showed that noise exposure increased stress hormone level and induced an immunosuppressive effect. In addition, both traffic noise exposure and stress hormone application negatively impacted H. arborea vocal sac coloration. Moreover, our results suggest profound changes in sexual selection processes because the best quality males with initial attractive vocal sac coloration were the most impacted by noise. Hence, our study suggests that the recent increases in anthropogenic noise worldwide might affect a broader range of animal species than previously thought, because of alteration of visual signals and immunity. Generalizing these results to other taxa is crucial for the conservation of biodiversity in an increasingly noisy world.
Angiotropic syringomatous carcinoma
Authors: Katayama Eri , Saruta Hiroshi , Nanri Aya , Nakama Takekuni , Ohata Chika
Published: January 2017

Syringomatous carcinoma (SC) is a slow‐growing malignant skin tumor that usually affects the face or scalp. An 83‐year‐old female developed SC on the sole, a rare location. Histopathologically, numerous ducts with few keratinizing cysts were seen in the upper dermis, and cords, strands and nests with sclerotic stroma were seen in the deep dermis and subcutis. In addition to the perineural and intraneural invasion of the tumor, the tumor cells had also invaded the vessel walls. There was no intravasation of tumor cells or interruption of the endothelium. Because melanoma with vascular wall invasion without intravasation of melanoma cells or interruption of the endothelium has been called angiotropic melanoma, we termed the present tumor angiotropic SC. Tumor cells showed wide local invasion.
Microbiological findings and antibacterial therapy in Stevens–Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis patients from a Swedish Burn Center
Authors: Tocco‐Tussardi Ilaria , Huss Fredrik , Presman Benjamin
Published: January 2017

Background

Superimposed infections/sepsis are the major cause of morbidity/mortality in Stevens–Johnson syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (SJS/TEN). It is a delicate balance between avoiding new pharmaceuticals and prophylactically treat an incipient infection. The objective of this study was to investigate the rates and types of infection‐microbials and antibiotics involved in SJS/TEN patients.

Materials and Methods

Microbiology and clinical data were collected for SJS/TEN patients admitted to our Burn Center from January 2010 through January 2016.

Results

A total of 24 patients were admitted over the study period. There were 303 bacterial cultures taken whereof 113 (37.3%) were positive (median of 4.4 per patient). Twenty‐two (91.7%) patients had at least 1 positive sample recorded. Fifteen (62.5%) patients had a confirmed episode of sepsis with skin being the most common source of colonization (77.8%). Eleven (45.8%) patients received empiric antibiotic therapy at referral facility/prior to admission to our Center. Patients who grew a higher number of different species were significantly less likely to have received early empiric antimicrobial therapy (P < .001).

Conclusion

Secondary bacterial infection and sepsis were a highly common finding in our patient population. Despite the risk of resistance and further immunological provocation, empirical antibiotic treatment might have a place in clinical management.
Gauging the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy: The important interplay between predictor variables and definition of a favorable outcome
Authors: Petrovic Milan , Petrovic Marija , Milasinovic Goran , Vujisic Tesic Bosiljka , Trifunovic Danijela , Petrovic Olga , Nedeljkovic Ivana , Petrovic Ivana , Banovic Marko , Boricic‐Kostic Marija , Petrovic Jelena , Arena Ross , Popovic Dejana
Published: January 2017

Aims

Selection of patients who are viable candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), prediction of the response to CRT as well as an optimal definition of a favorable response, all require further exploration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the interplay between the prediction of the response to CRT and the definition of a favorable outcome.

Methods

Seventy patients who received CRT were included. All patients met current guideline criteria for CRT. Forty‐three echocardiographic parameters were evaluated before CRT and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. M‐mode, 2D echocardiography, and Doppler imaging were used to quantify left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function, mitral regurgitation, right ventricular systolic function, pulmonary artery pressure, and myocardial mechanical dyssynchrony. The following definitions of a favorable CRT response were used: left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improvement more >5% acutely following CRT, LVEF improvement >20% at 12‐month follow‐up, and a LV end‐systolic volume (LVESV) decrease >15% at 12‐month follow‐up.

Results

For the LVEF improvement >5%, the best predictor was isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT; P=.035). For improvement of LVEF >20%, the best predictors were left ventricular stroke index (LVSI; P=.044) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS; P=.031). For the drop in left ventricular systolic volume (LVESV >15%), the best predictor was septal‐to‐lateral wall delay (ΔT) (P=.043, RR=1.023, 95% CI for RR=1.001‐1.045).

Conclusion

The definition of a favorable CRT response influenced the optimal predictor variable(s). Standardization of defining a favorable response to CRT is needed to guide clinical decision making processes.
Convergence of bark investment according to fire and climate structures ecosystem vulnerability to future change
Authors: Pellegrini Adam F. A. , Anderegg William R. L. , Paine C. E. Timothy , Hoffmann William A. , Kartzinel Tyler , Rabin Sam S. , Sheil Douglas , Franco Augusto C. , Pacala Stephen W.
Published: January 2017

Fire regimes in savannas and forests are changing over much of the world. Anticipating the impact of these changes requires understanding how plants are adapted to fire. In this study, we test whether fire imposes a broad selective force on a key fire‐tolerance trait, bark thickness, across 572 tree species distributed worldwide. We show that investment in thick bark is a pervasive adaptation in frequently burned areas across savannas and forests in both temperate and tropical regions where surface fires occur. Geographic variability in bark thickness is largely explained by annual burned area and precipitation seasonality. Combining environmental and species distribution data allowed us to assess vulnerability to future climate and fire conditions: tropical rainforests are especially vulnerable, whereas seasonal forests and savannas are more robust. The strong link between fire and bark thickness provides an avenue for assessing the vulnerability of tree communities to fire and demands inclusion in global models.
Behavioural responses to human‐induced change: Why fishing should not be ignored
Authors: Diaz Pauli Beatriz , Sih Andrew
Published: January 2017

Change in behaviour is usually the first response to human‐induced environmental change and key for determining whether a species adapts to environmental change or becomes maladapted. Thus, understanding the behavioural response to human‐induced changes is crucial in the interplay between ecology, evolution, conservation and management. Yet the behavioural response to fishing activities has been largely ignored. We review studies contrasting how fish behaviour affects catch by passive (e.g., long lines, angling) versus active gears (e.g., trawls, seines). We show that fishing not only targets certain behaviours, but it leads to a multitrait response including behavioural, physiological and life‐history traits with population, community and ecosystem consequences. Fisheries‐driven change (plastic or evolutionary) of fish behaviour and its correlated traits could impact fish populations well beyond their survival per se, affecting predation risk, foraging behaviour, dispersal, parental care, etc., and hence numerous ecological issues including population dynamics and trophic cascades. In particular, we discuss implications of behavioural responses to fishing for fisheries management and population resilience. More research on these topics, however, is needed to draw general conclusions, and we suggest fruitful directions for future studies.
M1 aminopeptidases as drug targets: broad applications or therapeutic niche?
Authors: Drinkwater Nyssa , Lee Jisook , Yang Wei , Malcolm Tess R. , McGowan Sheena
Published: January 2017

M1 aminopeptidase enzymes are a diverse family of metalloenzymes characterized by conserved structure and reaction specificity. Excluding viruses, M1 aminopeptidases are distributed throughout all phyla, and have been implicated in a wide range of functions including cell maintenance, growth and development, and defense. The structure and catalytic mechanism of M1 aminopeptidases are well understood, and make them ideal candidates for the design of small‐molecule inhibitors. As a result, many research groups have assessed their utility as therapeutic targets for both infectious and chronic diseases of humans, and many inhibitors with a range of target specificities and potential therapeutic applications have been developed. Herein, we have aimed to address these studies, to determine whether the family of M1 aminopeptidases does in fact present a universal target for the treatment of a diverse range of human diseases. Our analysis indicates that early validation of M1 aminopeptidases as therapeutic targets is often overlooked, which prevents the enzymes from being confirmed as drug targets. This validation cannot be neglected, and needs to include a thorough characterization of enzymes’ specific roles within complex physiological pathways. Furthermore, any chemical probes used in target validation must be carefully designed to ensure that specificity over the closely related enzymes has been achieved. While many drug discovery programs that target M1 aminopeptidases remain in their infancy, certain inhibitors have shown promise for the treatment of a range of conditions including malaria, hypertension, and cancer.
Argonaute 2 immunoprecipitation revealed large tumor suppressor kinase 1 as a novel proapoptotic target of miR‐21 in T cells
Authors: Teteloshvili Nato , Smigielska‐Czepiel Katarzyna , Yuan Ye , Seitz Annika , de Jong Debora , Rutgers Bea , Jellema Pytrick , van der Lei Roelof Jan , Slezak‐Prochazka Izabella , Brouwer Elisabeth , Boots Annemieke M.H. , Kroesen Bart‐Jan , van den Berg Anke , Kluiver Joost
Published: January 2017

MicroRNA (miR)‐21 is an important suppressor of T‐cell apoptosis that is also overexpressed in many types of cancers. The exact mechanisms underlying the antiapoptotic effects of miR‐21 are not well understood. In this study, we used the Jurkat T‐cell line as a model to identify apoptosis‐associated miR‐21 target genes. We showed that expression of miR‐21 rapidly increases upon αCD3/αCD28 activation of Jurkat cells. Inhibition of miR‐21 reduced cell growth which could be explained by an increase in apoptosis. MicroRNA target gene identification by AGO2 RNA‐immunoprecipitation followed by gene expression microarray (RIP‐Chip) resulted in the identification of 72 predicted miR‐21 target genes that were at least twofold enriched in the AGO2‐IP fraction of miR‐21 overexpressing cells. Of these, 71 were at least twofold more enriched in the AGO2‐IP fraction of miR‐21 overexpressing cells as compared to AGO2‐IP fraction of control cells. The target gene for which the AGO2‐IP enrichment was most prominently increased upon miR‐21 overexpression was the proapoptotic protein LATS1. Luciferase reporter assays and western blot analysis confirmed targeting of LATS1 by miR‐21. qRT‐PCR analysis in primary T cells showed an inverse expression pattern between LATS1 transcript levels and miR‐21 upon T‐cell stimulation. Finally, LATS1 knockdown partially rescued the miR‐21 inhibition‐induced impaired cell growth. Collectively, these data identify LATS1 as a miR‐21 target important for the antiapoptotic function of miR‐21 in T cells and likely also in many types of cancer.