bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validity and Reliability of Administrative Coded Data for the Identification of Hospital‐Acquired Infections: An Updated Systematic Review with Meta‐Analysis and Meta‐Regression Analysis
Authors: Redondo‐González Olga , Tenías José María , Arias Ángel , Lucendo Alfredo J.
Published: April 2017

Objective

To conduct an updated assessment of the validity and reliability of administrative coded data (ACD) in identifying hospital‐acquired infections (HAIs).

Methods

We systematically searched three libraries for studies on ACD detecting HAIs compared to manual chart review. Meta‐analyses were conducted for prosthetic and nonprosthetic surgical site infections (SSIs), Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs), ventilator‐associated pneumonias/events (VAPs/VAEs) and non‐VAPs/VAEs, catheter‐associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), and central venous catheter‐related bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). A random‐effects meta‐regression model was constructed.

Results

Of 1,906 references found, we retrieved 38 documents, of which 33 provided meta‐analyzable data (N = 567,826 patients). ACD identified HAI incidence with high specificity (≥93 percent), prosthetic SSIs with high sensitivity (95 percent), and both CDIs and nonprosthetic SSIs with moderate sensitivity (65 percent). ACD exhibited substantial agreement with traditional surveillance methods for CDI (κ = 0.70) and provided strong diagnostic odds ratios (DORs) for the identification of CDIs (DOR = 772.07) and SSIs (DOR = 78.20). ACD performance in identifying nosocomial pneumonia depended on the ICD coding system (DORICD‐10/ICD‐9‐CM = 0.05; p = .036). Algorithmic coding improved ACD's sensitivity for SSIs up to 22 percent. Overall, high heterogeneity was observed, without significant publication bias.

Conclusions

Administrative coded data may not be sufficiently accurate or reliable for the majority of HAIs. Still, subgrouping and algorithmic coding as tools for improving ACD validity deserve further investigation, specifically for prosthetic SSIs. Analyzing a potential lower discriminative ability of ICD‐10 coding system is also a pending issue.
Gender Equality in Mortgage Lending
Authors: Fang Lu , Munneke Henry J.
Published: April 2017

Using a sample of 30‐year fixed‐rate subprime mortgage loans, this article empirically examines whether gender inequality exists in the mortgage market, specifically whether a borrower's gender affects the loan contract rate charged, beyond the impact of the borrower's probability of default and prepayment. The results, based on a competing‐risks loan hazard model, reveal that borrowers of different genders have different loan termination patterns. After controlling for the probability of a borrower defaulting or prepaying, female borrowers pay higher contract rates in the subprime mortgage market over the study period.
Lone‐actor Terrorism and Impulsivity
Authors: Meloy J. Reid , Pollard Jeffrey W.
Published: April 2017

In some recent cases of lone‐actor terrorism, there is evidence the subject acted impulsively, often in response to a triggering event which contained a loss and humiliation. Evidence suggests the subjects acted precipitously, despite planning and preparation carried out in the preceding weeks or months, and their attacks failed to include the often considerable preparation that had been done. The pathway became a runway. The authors recommend the traditional assessment of impulsivity in persons of concern for lone acts of terrorism, as well as other proximal warning behaviors for targeted violence. Both indirect and direct assessment guidelines are proposed, with an emphasis upon self‐report, psychological testing, collateral data gathering, and historical records.
Nixtamalization Process Affects Resistant Starch Formation and Glycemic Index of Tamales
Authors: Mariscal‐Moreno Rosa María , de Dios Figueroa Cárdenas Juan , Santiago‐Ramos David , Rayas‐Duarte Patricia , Veles‐Medina José Juan , Martínez‐Flores Héctor Eduardo
Published: April 2017

Tamales were prepared with 3 nixtamalization processes (traditional, ecological, and classic) and evaluated for chemical composition, starch properties, and glycemic index. Resistant starch (RS) in tamales increased 1.6 to 3.7 times compared to raw maize. This increment was due to the starch retrogradation (RS3) and amylose–lipid complexes (RS5) formation. Tamales elaborated with classic and ecological nixtamalization processes exhibited the highest total, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber content, and the highest RS content and lower in vivo glycemic index compared to tamales elaborated with traditional nixtamalization process. Thermal properties of tamales showed 3 endotherms: amylopectin retrogradation (42.7 to 66.6 °C), melting of amylose lipid complex type I (78.8 to 105.4), and melting of amylose–lipid complex type II (110.7 to 129.7). Raw maize exhibited X‐ray diffraction pattern type A, after nixtamalization and cooking of tamales it changed to V‐type polymorph structure, due to amylose–lipid complexes formation. Tamales from ecological nixtamalization processes could represent potential health benefits associated with the reduction on blood glucose response after consumption.
Determination of Spoilage Microbiota of Pacific White Shrimp During Ambient and Cold Storage Using Next‐Generation Sequencing and Culture‐Dependent Method
Authors: Yang Sheng‐Ping , Xie Jing , Qian Yun‐Fang
Published: April 2017

This study was conducted to determine the initial and spoilage microbiota of Pacific white shrimp during ambient and cold storage using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) and a culture‐dependent method. The quality changes were also evaluated by sensory analysis and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N) values. After 1 d of storage, the psychrotrophic bacteria were only 5.97 log CFU/g, accounting for 1.1% of the mesophilic bacteria counts (7.94 log CFU/g). The psychrotrophic bacteria counts exceeded the counts of mesophilic bacteria for shrimp stored at 4 °C after 6 d of storage, indicating that psychrotrophic bacteria became predominant. The NGS was used to identify the bacterial species in samples stored at 25 and 4 °C. The results showed that the dominant microorganisms were Vibrio at 25 °C, and Acinetobacter, Psychrobacter, and Shewanella at 4 °C. By the culture‐dependent method based on 16S rRNA gene and VITEK®2 CompactA system, it showed that the dominant microorganisms were Proteus spp. at 25 °C, and Shewanella putrefaciens, Acinetobacter johnsonii, and Aeromonas sobria at 4 °C. In conclusion, differences in results of microbiota analyzed by culture dependent and independent approaches were observed. The combination of both methodologies may provide more comprehensive information about the dominant spoilage microbiota in Pacific white shrimp during ambient and cold storage.
Ecological consequences of an unusual simultaneous masting of Araucaria araucana and Chusquea culeou in North‐West Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Milesi Fernando A. , Guichón María Laura , Monteverde Martín J. , Piudo Luciana , Sanguinetti Javier
Published: April 2017

A simultaneous masting of two abundant species in the temperate forests of North‐West Argentinean Patagonia occurred in 2013 for the first time ever recorded: the semelparous bamboo grass Chusquea culeou (colihue), dominating the understory, flowered and set seed across 1100 km2 while pehuén (Araucaria araucana), an endemic conifer co‐dominating the tree layer had the highest regionally synchronized mast event in the last 30 years. Strong trophic effects were expected as a consequence of this extraordinary amount of seed, such as rodent outbreaks (ratadas) that followed previous Chusquea spp. mast events and included Oligoryzomys longicaudatus, the main reservoir of the Andes virus causing the Hantavirus Pulmonar Syndrome. From March 2013 to May 2014, we sampled relative abundance and activity of seed‐eaters and carnivores at four study sites with different proportions of both masting species. Surprisingly, total rodent capture rates never exceeded 14% in wild habitats and 8% in peridomestic areas showing low overall density in spite of some heavy O. longicaudatus males extending their reproductive activity into winter. Total abundance and relative proportion of granivorous birds peaked at the four sites in winter or spring, when they are usually scarce. Other surveyed organisms (native and exotic seed‐eaters, ungulates and carnivores) showed moderate responses at most, probably through aggregation from surrounding areas rather than reproduction. Seed removal from experimental seed stations varied in time and space though never peaked. The clearest pattern of community responses, though much subtler than expected, occurred at the site where colihue was abundant and pehuén scarce. This is the first systematic study that reports such a simultaneous double masting and our surveys revealed no widespread community consequences. We propose that either contingent events, such as an unprecedented drought, or permanent environmental features or contextual characteristics may explain the lack of a rodent outbreak in this area.
Comparison of self‐reported signs of facial ageing among Caucasian women in Australia versus those in the USA, the UK and Canada
Authors: Goodman Greg J , Armour Katherine S , Kolodziejczyk Julia K , Santangelo Samantha , Gallagher Conor J
Published: April 2017

Background/Objectives

Australians are more exposed to higher solar UV radiation levels that accelerate signs of facial ageing than individuals who live in temperate northern countries. The severity and course of self‐reported facial ageing among fair‐skinned Australian women were compared with those living in Canada, the UK and the USA.

Methods

Women voluntarily recruited into a proprietary opt‐in survey panel completed an internet‐based questionnaire about their facial ageing. Participants aged 18–75 years compared their features against photonumeric rating scales depicting degrees of severity for forehead, crow's feet and glabellar lines, tear troughs, midface volume loss, nasolabial folds, oral commissures and perioral lines. Data from Caucasian and Asian women with Fitzpatrick skin types I–III were analysed by linear regression for the impact of country (Australia versus Canada, the UK and the USA) on ageing severity for each feature, after controlling for age and race.

Results

Among 1472 women, Australians reported higher rates of change and significantly more severe facial lines (P ≤ 0.040) and volume‐related features like tear troughs and nasolabial folds (P ≤ 0.03) than women from the other countries. More Australians also reported moderate to severe ageing for all features one to two decades earlier than US women.

Conclusions

Australian women reported more severe signs of facial ageing sooner than other women and volume‐related changes up to 20 years earlier than those in the USA, which may suggest that environmental factors also impact volume‐related ageing. These findings have implications for managing their facial aesthetic concerns.
Are women's needs being met by specialist health services managing urinary incontinence in the remote Top End NT?
Authors: Bonner Alexandra , Boyle Jacqueline
Published: April 2017

Background

Urinary incontinence (UI) is likely to be high in Aboriginal women in rural Australia due to risk factors including high body mass index, parity and diabetes. However, UI appears to be under‐reported with limited information on whether women access appropriate care.

Aims

To assess whether women who access specialist gynaecological services in rural and remote Top End Northern Territory (NT) through the specialist outreach program (SONT) are receiving care for UI aligned with best practice.

Methods

Review of all 1426 SONT referrals in 2012, with audit of management for those women referred for UI or prolapse.

Results

Of 1426 SONT referrals, there were 43/1426 (3%) women referred for UI, with 34/43 (79%) attending. Of those referred, 31/43 (72%) were Aboriginal. Of twenty‐six women diagnosed with probable stress UI, less than a fifth, 5/26 (19%), were referred to physiotherapy, with 2/5 (40%) attending appointments. Referral occurred for 14/23 (61%) of those suitable for urodynamics but only 6/14 (43%) attended. Just under half of women 7/16 (14%) with stress UI were referred for surgery, with 6/7 (86%) attending.

Conclusion

In rural and remote Top End NT, specialist health service management of female UI could be improved by increased provision of current best‐practice and an integrated multi‐disciplinary team approach with allied health. Under‐reporting and under‐referral for female UI could be addressed by increasing awareness among community and primary healthcare providers of the problem of female UI and the conservative, medical and surgical treatments available.
Taking the Law to Court: Citizen Suits and the Legislative Process
Authors: Dumas Marion
Published: April 2017

The institution of citizen suits is a decentralized form of public participation that allows citizens to influence the implementation of public laws in courts. How does this institution influence policymaking? This article proposes a model of citizen suits. It then analyzes how this institution influences legislative decisions. The legislature bargains to choose the budget, distributive spending, and spending on an ideologically contested public good (e.g., health care or environmental protection). I find that citizen suits enable courts to forge a compromise between opponents and proponents of the public good by responding to the diverse claims of citizens. Anticipating the mobilization of citizens in courts, legislators in turn craft more socially efficient bills, with less distributive spending, which better represent the distribution of preferences for the public good compared to when citizens have no role in the implementation of legislation.
Serum periostin relates to type‐2 inflammation and lung function in asthma: Data from the large population‐based cohort Swedish GA(2)LEN
Authors: James A. , Janson C. , Malinovschi A. , Holweg C. , Alving K. , Ono J. , Ohta S. , Ek A. , Middelveld R. , Dahlén B. , Forsberg B. , Izuhara K. , Dahlén S.‐E.
Published: April 2017

Background

Periostin has been suggested as a novel, phenotype‐specific biomarker for asthma driven by type 2 inflammation. However, large studies examining relationships between circulating periostin and patient characteristics are lacking and the suitability of periostin as a biomarker in asthma remains unclear.

Aim

To examine circulating periostin in healthy controls and subjects with asthma from the general population with different severity and treatment profiles, both with and without chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), in relation to other biomarkers and clinical characteristics.

Methods

Serum periostin was examined by ELISA in 1100 subjects aged 17‐76 from the Swedish Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN) study, which included 463 asthmatics with/without chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), 98 individuals with CRS only, and 206 healthy controls. Clinical tests included measurement of lung function, Fraction of exhaled NO (FeNO), IgE, urinary eosinophil‐derived neurotoxin (U‐EDN), and serum eosinophil cationic protein (S‐ECP), as well as completion of questionnaires regarding respiratory symptoms, medication, and quality of life.

Results

Although median periostin values showed no differences when comparing disease groups with healthy controls, multiple regression analyses revealed that periostin was positively associated with higher FeNO, U‐EDN, and total IgE. In patients with asthma, an inverse relationship with lung function was also observed. Current smoking was associated with decreased periostin levels, whereas increased age and lower body mass index (BMI) related to higher periostin levels in subjects both with and without asthma.

Conclusion

We confirm associations between periostin and markers of type 2 inflammation, as well as lung function, and identify novel constitutional factors of importance to the use of periostin as a phenotype‐specific biomarker in asthma.
Self‐blame attributions in relatives of people with recent‐onset psychosis: Associations with relatives’ distress and behavioural control
Authors: Vasconcelos e Sa Debora , Barrowclough Christine , Hartley Samantha , Wearden Alison
Published: April 2017

Objectives

There is evidence that self‐blame is an important predictor of distress and depression in relatives of people with long‐term psychosis, but there is limited research investigating the nature and correlates of self‐blame in relatives of people with recent‐onset psychosis. Self‐blame motivates a tendency to engage with others and to repair wrongdoings; it might be that such cognitions also impact on relatives’ behaviours towards the patient. This study examined the association between self‐blame and psychological distress, and tested the prediction that greater self‐blame would be associated with more behavioural control attempts to patients in a sample of relatives of people with recent‐onset psychosis.

Methods

Statements pertaining to self‐blame and behavioural control were extracted and rated from 80 interviews with relatives, who also completed the General Health Questionnaire–28. Content analysis was used to examine the nature of self‐blame attributions. Regression analyses were used to explore the links between self‐blame attributions and distress, and between self‐blame and behavioural control in this recent‐onset population.

Results

Higher levels of self‐blame were associated with more behavioural control attempts, and self‐blame predicted relatives’ behavioural responses when adjusting for the contribution of control attributions. Self‐blame was also linked with distress, but did not emerge as an independent predictor in multivariate analysis. Most relatives who blamed themselves did so for not overseeing their family member's mental health problems properly or for perceiving themselves generally as poor carers.

Conclusions

This study extends findings related to self‐blame to a population of relatives of people with recent‐onset psychosis and highlights the possible role of blaming cognitions in promoting interpersonal engagement through behavioural control.

Practitioner Points

Self‐blaming beliefs were linked with increased distress in relatives of people with recent‐onset psychosis;

Increased self‐blame was associated with more behavioural control attempts;

Most relatives blamed themselves for not overseeing their family member's mental health problems properly, and for perceiving themselves generally as poor carers.

The cross‐sectional study design limits inferences about causality.
Anaemia, iron deficiency and susceptibility to infection in children in sub‐Saharan Africa, guideline dilemmas
Authors: Jonker Femkje A.M. , te Poel Elodie , Bates Imelda , Boele van Hensbroek Michael
Published: April 2017

Globally, anaemia, iron deficiency and infections are responsible for a majority of the morbidity and mortality that occurs among children. As iron is essential for erythropoiesis and the human immune system, as well as a crucial element for many pathogens, these three conditions often interact. This article considers the question – have the studies conducted so far unravelled the potential complex interaction between these factors sufficiently enough to be able to develop universally applicable guidelines about iron treatment in children? It is possible, however, that the area is too complex and diverse, with many sub‐populations, and that not universal, but tailor‐made guidelines are needed based on some agreed principles.
Use of anticoagulants and antiplatelet in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia treated with single‐agent ibrutinib
Authors: Jones Jeffrey A. , Hillmen Peter , Coutre Steven , Tam Constantine , Furman Richard R. , Barr Paul M. , Schuster Stephen J. , Kipps Thomas J. , Flinn Ian W. , Jaeger Ulrich , Burger Jan A. , Cheng Mei , Ninomoto Joi , James Danelle F. , Byrd John C. , O'Brien Susan M.
Published: April 2017

Bleeding events have been observed among a subgroup of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients treated with ibrutinib. We analysed data from two studies of single‐agent ibrutinib to better characterize bleeding events and pattern of anticoagulation and antiplatelet use. Among 327 ibrutinib‐treated patients, concomitant anticoagulation (11%) or antiplatelet use (34%) was common, but major bleeding was infrequent (2%). Bleeding events were primarily grade 1, and infrequently (1%) led to discontinuation. Among 175 patients receiving concomitant anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents, 5 had major bleeding events (3%). These events were typically observed in conjunction with other factors, such as coexisting medical conditions and/or concurrent medications.
Migration as an Unconscious Search for Identity: Some Reflections on Language, Difference and Belonging
Authors: Czubinska Grazyna
Published: April 2017

The author addresses some issues regarding patients who relocate and who struggle with adaptation to a new reality. She argues that emigration is a complex psychological phenomenon that requires a therapist to pay special attention to the issue of language, difference and identity, and suggests that the issues of different culture and language in analytic psychotherapy need to be considered as part of a wider cultural context to which we all belong, rather than a specialized area of interest. The paper illustrates, through the clinical example of an East European male patient, that the psychic work of emigration can be understood as a process of integrating splits between pre‐ and post‐migration selves. The author concludes that the analyst needs to let herself be involved as a ‘real person’ to reach the non‐interpretative aspects of the patient's psyche through a mutuality of shared experience to promote a change.
Navigating Language Games Around Psychosis
Authors: Watts Jay
Published: April 2017

Psychoanalytic work can help people meaningfully engage with aspects of psychotic experience which feel overwhelming. However, such contact is only possible if we offer a practice that is acceptable to both potential patients, and the family, team and social groups they exist within. As a psychoanalytic community we are failing to do this, partly because of the political terrain, but also due to our perceived unapproachability. I argue that the type of tentative, humble positions advocated by approaches such as ‘open dialogue’ allows psychoanalytic techniques to be more palatable to those experiencing psychosis. This is especially important given how language functions in psychosis, and the histories of intrusion and oppression that language interacts with. Clinical material from work with a female patient suffering from paralysing visual hallucinations is discussed, with a particular emphasis on how contact was only possible once certain discourse knots were deconstructed. Such work requires giving up some traditional ideas around technique in the interest of serving one of the most disenfranchised client groups.
Seasonal variations in TSH serum levels in athyreotic patients under L‐thyroxine replacement monotherapy
Authors: Gullo Damiano , Latina Adele , Frasca Francesco , Squatrito Sebastiano , Belfiore Antonino , Vigneri Riccardo
Published: April 2017

Background

Whether serum TSH undergoes seasonal fluctuations in euthyroid and hypothyroid residents of temperate climates is controversial.

Methods

Monthly TSH and thyroid hormone levels were cross‐sectionally analysed in a large cohort of euthyroid subjects (n=11 806) and L‐thyroxine (L‐T4)‐treated athyreotic patients (n=3 934). Moreover, in a small group (n=119) of athyreotic patients treated with an unchanged dosage of L‐T4 monotherapy, hormones were measured both in the coldest and in the hottest seasons of the same year (longitudinal study).

Results

No seasonal hormone change was observed in the euthyroid subjects except for a small FT3 increase in winter (+2.9%, P<.001). In contrast, the L‐T4‐treated athyreotic patients had significantly higher serum TSH values in the cold season when the FT4 values were significantly lower. The differences were more notable in the longitudinal series (TSH, 0.80 vs. 0.20 mU/L and FT4, 16.3 vs. 17.8 pmol/L in December‐March vs. June‐September, respectively). In these patients also serum FT3 values significantly decreased in winter (in the longitudinal series, 3.80 in winter vs 4.07 pmol/L in summer). Regression analysis showed that in athyreotic subjects, a greater FT4 change is required to obtain a TSH change similar to that of euthyroid controls and that this effect is more pronounced in the summer.

Conclusion

Athyreotic patients undergoing L‐T4 monotherapy have abnormal seasonal variations in TSH. These changes are secondary to the FT4 and FT3 serum decreases in winter, which occur in spite of the constant treatment. The underlying mechanisms are unclear, but in some cases, these changes may be clinically relevant.
Story Albums: Creating Fictional Stories From Personal Photograph Sets
Authors: Radiano O. , Graber Y. , Mahler M. , Sigal L. , Shamir A.
Published: April 2017

We present a method for the automatic creation of fictional storybooks based on personal photographs. Unlike previous attempts that summarize such collections by picking salient or diverse photos, or creating personal literal narratives, we focus on the creation of fictional stories. This provides new value to users, as well as an engaging way for people (especially children) to experience their own photographs. We use a graph model to represent an artist‐generated story, where each node is a ‘frame’, akin to frames in comics or storyboards. A node is described by story elements, comprising actors, location, supporting objects and time. The edges in the graph encode connections between these elements and provide the discourse of the story. Based on this construction, we develop a constraint satisfaction algorithm for one‐to‐one assignment of nodes to photographs. Once each node is assigned to a photograph, a visual depiction of the story can be generated in different styles using various templates. We show results of several fictional visual stories created from different personal photo sets and in different styles.
Hexahedral Meshing With Varying Element Sizes
Authors: Xu Kaoji , Gao Xifeng , Deng Zhigang , Chen Guoning
Published: April 2017

Hexahedral (or Hex‐) meshes are preferred in a number of scientific and engineering simulations and analyses due to their desired numerical properties. Recent state‐of‐the‐art techniques can generate high‐quality hex‐meshes. However, they typically produce hex‐meshes with uniform element sizes and thus may fail to preserve small‐scale features on the boundary surface. In this work, we present a new framework that enables users to generate hex‐meshes with varying element sizes so that small features will be filled with smaller and denser elements, while the transition from smaller elements to larger ones is smooth, compared to the octree‐based approach. This is achieved by first detecting regions of interest (ROIs) of small‐scale features. These ROIs are then magnified using the as‐rigid‐as‐possible deformation with either an automatically determined or a user‐specified scale factor. A hex‐mesh is then generated from the deformed mesh using existing approaches that produce hex‐meshes with uniform‐sized elements. This initial hex‐mesh is then mapped back to the original volume before magnification to adjust the element sizes in those ROIs. We have applied this framework to a variety of man‐made and natural models to demonstrate its effectiveness.
Micromorphological differences of the implant‐abutment junction and in vitro load testing for three different titanium abutments on Straumann tissue level implants
Authors: Mattheos N. , Larsson C. , Ma L. , Fokas G. , Chronopoulos V. , Janda M.
Published: April 2017

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the micromorphological differences among three commercially available titanium abutments on Straumann implants. Furthermore, the possible impact of functional loading on the micromorphology and potential complications was investigated with the use of in vitro testing.

Material and methods

Three groups of Titanium abutments (A: Straumann Variobase n = 5, B: EBI best Duo n = 5, and C: Implant Direct n = 5) were torqued on Straumann RN implants, as according to each of the manufacturer's instructions. The implant–abutment units were scanned with Micro‐CT. Three units of each group were directly sliced in the microtome and photographed under different magnifications (10×–500×) through a Scanning Electron Microscope. Six units (two from each group) were restored with cement‐retained crowns, subjected to 2000,000 load cycles with loads between 30 and 300 N at 2 Hz, examined through Micro‐CT and finally sliced and photographed as described above. The micromorphology of each unit was studied, and the total length of tight contact (<3 μm) was calculated between the implant, abutment and screw contact areas.

Results

Major morphological differences were identified between the three units, as well as differences in the extent of tight contact in all areas examined. Despite the morphological differences, the 2M cycles of loading via in vitro test did not result in any noticeable complications although some changes in the micromorphology were observed.

Conclusion

The examined implant–abutment units presented with major morphological differences. Two million cycles of in vitro loading did not appear to affect the stability of the units despite the micromorphological changes. These results need to be interpreted however under the limitations of the small sample size and the specific set‐up of the in vitro testing.
Rhesus CE expression on patient red blood cells is an independent prognostic factor for adenocarcinoma of the lung
Authors: Schulze A. B. , Schmidt L. H. , Baie L. , Heitkötter B. , Kuemmel A. , Mohr M. , Buhl R. , Hillmann H. , Geißler G. , Kelsch R. , Görlich D. , Berdel W. E. , Hartmann W. , Wiewrodt R.
Published: April 2017

Objectives

The influence of blood group antigens on cancerogenesis is shown for distinct tumor types, yet the impact of Rhesus blood group antigens in lung cancer is not clarified.

Materials and Methods

To investigate the impact of Rhesus blood groups a non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) collective (n = 1047) was analyzed retrospectively. Using a second cohort of n = 340 primarily operated stage I‐III NSCLC patients, we evaluated immunohistochemistry of CD47‐antibody stained tissue samples in correlation to histopathologic subtype and Rhesus blood group.

Results and Conclusion

In 516 of 1047 patients blood group data were available. Seven different RhCE phenotypes were grouped as “··ee,” “ccE·,” and “C·E·.” Adenocarcinoma patients with Rh “··ee” revealed improved overall survival (29 (21.2‐36.8) m; HR 1.00 [index]) compared with Rh “ccE·” (19 (1.9‐36.1) m; HR 1.76 [1.15‐2.70]) and Rh “C·E·” (10 (7.4‐12.6) m; HR 2.65 [1.70‐4.12]) univariately (P < .001) and multivariately (P < .001). Rh “··ee” showed reduced incidence of CNS‐metastasis (P = .014) and metastasis count (P = .032) in stage IV adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry associated CD47‐positivity with adenocarcinomas (n = 340, P = .048). In n = 51 cases blood group data were available. The prognostic effect of Rh “··ee” compared with Rh “ccE·” and Rh “C·E·” was stated (P = .001), foremost in CD47‐positive adenocarcinomas (Rh “··ee” vs. Rh “ccE·” and Rh “C·E·,” P = .008). Inversely Rh “ccE·” or Rh “C·E·” was found beneficial in CD47‐negative non‐adenocarcinomas (P = .046). Phenotypic RhCE expression may be an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in adeno‐NSCLC. We hypothesize an erythrocytic‐immunologic interaction with tumor tissue, possibly altered by RhCE and CD47, resulting in a metastatic prone condition.
Encouraging E‐Textbook Adoption: Merging Two Models
Authors: Gerhart Natalie , Peak Daniel , Prybutok Victor R.
Published: April 2017

This research builds a new model by drawing upon e‐textbook adoption models developed in two recent publications, which share similarities but have different findings. Although they both achieve positive results, these two prior e‐textbook studies employ different methods and background theories. This research bridges these earlier models and develops a third, parsimonious, blended model for e‐textbook adoption.

Using a survey of undergraduate students, the authors first assess each model independently. Broadening the diversity of the sample population yields results that are similar, yet slightly different from those found in the prior two studies. Next, this study develops a single blended, parsimonious model that explains a higher proportion of the variance than the prior studies with just three constructs: perceived usefulness, hedonic motivation, and habit. In addition to developing and testing a new parsimonious model, this research provides theoretical and practical guidance for e‐textbook usage.
Differential responses of Scots pine stilbene synthase and chalcone synthase genes to Heterobasidion annosum infection
Authors: Kovalchuk A. , Zhu L. , Keriö S. , Asiegbu F. O.
Published: April 2017

Phenolic compounds are essential components of the defensive chemical arsenal of conifer trees. This chemically diverse group encompasses stilbenoids, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, proanthocyanidins and lignans. All of them are produced from the common precursors, CoA esters of the phenylpropanoids: p‐coumaroyl‐CoA, cinnamoyl‐CoA, caffeoyl‐CoA and feruloyl‐CoA. Two classes of enzymes, stilbene synthases and chalcone synthases, play important roles in the biosynthesis of plant phenolics, such as the conversion of the phenylpropanoid‐CoA esters into stilbenoids and flavonoids, respectively. In this study, we investigated the transcriptional responses of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) genes encoding stilbene and chalcone synthases to the infection by the fungal pathogen Heterobasidion annosum. The experiments were performed on pine seedlings and mature trees. Our results show that the stilbene synthase gene is strongly induced in both age groups, but the level of induction in adult trees varied considerably among individual trees. Systemic induction in needles and hypocotyl regions was documented in young seedlings following fungal inoculation in root region. Concurrent changes in the expression of the chalcone synthase gene in response to fungal infection were much less pronounced. Our data confirm previous observations on the differential regulation of these enzymes in Scots pine and emphasize the role of stilbene synthase in the induced response to fungal infection.
Female mate choice and male–male competition in Tonkean macaques: Who decides?
Authors: Rebout Nancy , Thierry Bernard , Sanna Andrea , Cozzolino Roberto , Aujard Fabienne , De Marco Arianna
Published: April 2017

The theory of sexual selection predicts that females should be discriminatory in the choice of sexual partners. Females can express their choice in two ways. In direct mate choice, they show preferences for certain partners. In indirect mate choice, they select partners by displaying sexually attractive traits, thus eliciting contest competition between males. We focused on a primate species in which females advertise the timing of their ovulation and studied the balance between these two choice strategies. We tested predictions related to three hypotheses about direct and indirect female choice, namely the best‐male, graded‐signal and weak‐selectivity hypotheses. We investigated the sexual and agonistic interactions occurring during oestrous periods in five captive groups of Tonkean macaques (Macaca tonkeana). The results showed that dominant males used mate guarding to monopolise sexual access to parous females that were in the fertile stage of their reproductive cycle, while lower‐ranking males monitored only nulliparous females. The distribution of sexual presentations indicated that females accepted different types of partners, supporting the weak‐selectivity hypothesis regarding direct mate choice. The analysis of behavioural sequences revealed that mate‐guarding males used mild coercive behaviours to prevent females from mating with other males at conception time. The distribution of mounts showed that females mainly mated with dominant males, which leads us to argue that the best‐male hypothesis provides the most parsimonious explanation regarding indirect mate choice in Tonkean macaques. At the individual level, it may be concluded that male competitive strategies prevented females from exercising direct mate choice. At the evolutionary level, however, female sexual advertising and thus indirect choice promoted competition between males. The outcome is that indirect mate choice appears more important than direct mate choice in female Tonkean macaques.
Individuality of distress and discomfort calls in neonates with bass voices: Wild‐living goitred gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa) and saiga antelopes (Saiga tatarica)
Authors: Volodin Ilya A. , Sibiryakova Olga V. , Frey Roland , Efremova Kseniya O. , Soldatova Natalia V. , Zuther Steffen , Kisebaev Talgat B. , Salemgareev Albert R. , Volodina Elena V.
Published: April 2017

Neonate ruminants produce distress calls when captured by a predator and discomfort milk begging calls when hungry. In many neonate ruminants, the distress and discomfort calls are high‐frequency vocalizations, in which the fundamental frequency is the key variable for recognition of their emotional arousal by caregivers. In contrast, in this study, we examine the low‐frequency open‐mouth distress and discomfort calls in the neonates of two species of wild‐living ungulates, which clearly highlight vocal tract resonances (formants). In the goitred gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), the distress calls were higher in fundamental frequency (f0) and in the first and third formants than the discomfort calls. The accuracy of classifying individuals by variables of distress calls with discriminant function analysis (67%) was significantly lower than that of discomfort calls (85%). In the saiga (Saiga tatarica), only the third formant was higher in the distress calls than in the discomfort calls. The accuracy of classifying individuals by variables of distress calls (89%) did not differ significantly from that of discomfort calls (94%). Thus, the use of acoustic cues to vocal identity and to the degree of arousal differs between the two species. Calls were significantly more individualistic in the saiga, probably because this species lives in large herds and neonates use a ‘following’ antipredatory strategy, in which vocal individuality is crucial for mother–offspring communication. In contrast, goitred gazelles live in smaller groups and neonates use a ‘hiding’ antipredatory strategy. Accordingly, mothers can rely on additional environmental cues for spotting their young and this may decrease the necessity for individualization of the calls of neonates.
Frog breeding pond selection in response to predators and conspecific cues
Authors: Buxton Valerie L. , Ward Michael P. , Sperry Jinelle H.
Published: April 2017

Predators are a major influence on the breeding site selection decisions of anurans. Many species actively avoid breeding in habitat with predators when given the choice between predator and predator‐free sites. However, certain factors such as site fidelity or conflicting cues may preclude avoidance behavior. We conducted two experiments examining how western chorus frogs, Pseudacris triseriata, respond to predators, western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, using an array of artificial ponds located at two field sites. In one experiment, we added G. affinis to half of our experimental ponds and monitored subsequent colonization by frogs. We found that frogs laid significantly fewer eggs in ponds with fish compared to fishless ponds. In another experiment, we introduced an additional cue to complicate the decision‐making process and monitored colonization of ponds in response to treatments of conspecific breeding cues only (eggs), predators (G. affinis) only, and conspecific cues and predators. We found no significant differences in number of eggs deposited among these three treatments. Based on these results, P. triseriata does not always exhibit complete avoidance of fish predators, and avoidance may vary based on factors such as site fidelity or dispersal costs. This study represents a step toward understanding how multiple biotic factors at a breeding pond may influence anuran site selection behavior in the field.
Transformational change and the vacuum of performance measurement: How a story of success became a failure
Authors: Ramberg Ulf
Published: April 2017

Some local government organisations stand out in terms of their capability to adopt and use management accounting innovations and become a model for those struggling with issues such as performance measurement (PM). But what happens to the innovations if the organisation is forced into transformational change? This longitudinal case study is based on the theory that the use and impact of PM is influenced by (a) its contractibility and (b) how the performance management systems in place are configured and used. One conclusion is that transformational change can result in a vacuum of PM, even with a high degree of contractibility.
The association between organizational culture and the use of management initiatives in the public sector
Authors: Baird Kevin M. , Harrison Graeme L.
Published: April 2017

This paper examines the association between five factors in O'Reilly et al. (1991) Organizational Culture Profile and the use of Activity Management (AM), Total Quality Management (TQM) and Employee Empowerment within public sector organizations. The results show that the use of AM and TQM is lower in public sector organizations than in their private sector counterparts, and is facilitated by an organizational culture of Outcome Orientation and Attention to Detail. The extent of use of Employee Empowerment is similar across the two sectors, and is facilitated when public sector organizations exhibit higher Respect for People and Innovation.
Inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor signalling potentiates mesenchymal–epithelial transition of breast cancer stem cells and their responsiveness to anticancer drugs
Authors: Manupati Kanakaraju , Dhoke Neha R. , Debnath Tanusree , Yeeravalli Ragini , Guguloth Kalpana , Saeidpour Shahrzad , De Utpal Chandra , Debnath Sudhan , Das Amitava
Published: April 2017

The recurrence of breast cancer in patients is a persistent challenge to the medical fraternity. Breast tumor contains a small population of cells with high tumor initiating and metastatic potential, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are resistant to existing chemotherapeutics. CSCs contribute to the aggressiveness of triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs), thereby necessitating the identification of molecular targets on breast CSCs. TNBC cell line MDA‐MB‐231, in comparison with MCF‐7, demonstrated a higher expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Thus, the naturally occurring flavanone, chrysin, with limited potential as a chemotherapeutic agent, was structurally modified by designing an analog with EGFR binding affinity using a molecular docking approach and subsequently synthesised. Chrysin analog CHM‐09 and known EGFR inhibitors demonstrated a comparable anti‐proliferative, anti‐migratory activity along with the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in MDA‐MB‐231. Furthermore, sorted CD24−/CD44+‐breast CSCs and CD24+‐breast cancer cells from MDA‐MB‐231 demonstrated a markedly high expression of EGFR in the former than in the latter. CHM‐09 and EGFR inhibitors could perturb EGF‐induced EGFR signalling of breast CSC proliferation, migration, mammosphere formation and mesenchymal tri‐lineage differentiation. CHM‐09 or EGFR inhibitors not only led to inactivation of EGFR downstream signalling pathways such as Akt, extracellular signal regulated kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, but also induction of mesenchymal–epithelial transition as confirmed by decreased N‐cadherin and increased E‐cadherin expression. Finally, combinatorial treatment of EGFR inhibitors and doxorubicin led to significant increase in breast CSCs responsiveness to a chemotherapeutic drug. The results of the present study suggest that EGFR is a therapeutic target in breast CSCs and that abrogation of EGFR signalling along with chemotherapeutic drugs is an effective approach against breast cancer.
Midkine in the mouse ventral tegmental area limits ethanol intake and Ccl2 gene expression
Authors: Chen H. , He D. , Lasek A. W.
Published: April 2017

Midkine (MDK) is a cytokine and neurotrophic factor that is more highly expressed in the brains of alcoholics and in mice predisposed to drink large amounts of ethanol, suggesting that MDK may regulate ethanol consumption. Here we measured ethanol consumption in male and female Mdk knockout (−/−) mice using the two‐bottle choice and the drinking in the dark (DID) tests. We found that Mdk −/− mice consumed significantly more ethanol than wild‐type controls in both tests. To determine if MDK acts in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to regulate ethanol consumption, we delivered lentivirus expressing a Mdk shRNA into the VTA of male C57BL/6J mice to locally knockdown Mdk and performed the DID test. Mice expressing a Mdk shRNA in the VTA consumed more ethanol than mice expressing a control non‐targeting shRNA, demonstrating that the VTA is one site in the brain through which MDK acts to regulate ethanol consumption. Since MDK also controls the expression of inflammatory cytokines in other organs, we examined gene expression of interleukin‐1 beta (Il1b), tumor necrosis factor alpha (Tnfα) and the chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 (Ccl2) in the VTA of Mdk −/− mice and in mice expressing Mdk shRNA in the VTA. Expression of Ccl2 was elevated in the VTA of Mdk −/− mice and in mice expressing Mdk shRNA in the VTA. These results demonstrate that MDK functions in the VTA to limit ethanol consumption and levels of CCL2, a chemokine known to increase ethanol consumption.
Proterozoic microbial mats and their constraints on environments of silicification
Authors: Manning‐Berg A. R. , Kah L. C.
Published: April 2017

The occurrence of microfossiliferous, early diagenetic chert in Proterozoic successions is broadly restricted to peritidal marine environments. Such coastal environments are amongst the most environmentally variable of marine environments, experiencing both enhanced evaporation and potential influx of terrestrial freshwaters. To better understand potential conditions under which silicification occurs, we focus on microfossiliferous early diagenetic chert from the Mesoproterozoic Bylot Supergroup, northern Baffin Island. Spectacular preservation of silicified microbial mats, their associated mineral phases, and the petrographic fabrics of the chert itself require that silicification occurred at the sediment–water interface, penecontemporaneously with mat growth. In some cases, silica is the primary precipitated mineral phase and is not associated with replacement of precursor mineral phases. In other cases, silica deposition includes the mimetic replacement of carbonate, gypsum, and halite mineral phases. These petrographic constraints suggest that silicification potentially occurred under a range of fluid chemistries associated with environmental variability in nearshore peritidal environments. Here we provide the first direct thermodynamic modeling of hypothetical Proterozoic seawater solutions, seawater‐derived brines, and mixed seawater‐freshwater solutions, and demonstrate that peritidal environments are capable of providing a wide range of fluid chemistries under which early diagenetic silica can both precipitate and replace primary mineralogical phases. Despite the thermodynamic potential for silica deposition under a wide range of fluid compositions, chert is not ubiquitous in Proterozoic nearshore environments, suggesting that the kinetics of silica polymerization exert a primary control over deposition.