bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using undergraduate research to develop transferable skills for the modern workforce
Authors: Wang Jack TH
Published: April 2016

In the increasingly competitive global knowledge marketplace, Australian tertiary educators are looking to enrich their program offerings by providing authentic learning experiences for their students. In the biological sciences, this authenticity is best represented by hands-on inquiry and laboratory experimentation, often within the context of research internships. Authentic Large-Scale Undergraduate Research Experiences (ALUREs) aim to broaden the scope of these learning experiences by embedding research into coursework activities accessible by all students within the program. These experiences can promote learning gains in laboratory, analytical, and critical thinking skills, providing students with a transferable skillset applicable to many career paths across the science sector.
Providing an authentic experience of laboratory accreditation processes in a final year microbiology unit
Authors: Phillips Michael , Markham Julie
Published: April 2016

The value of gaining industry experience during undergraduate degrees is well recognised1,2 and there is much interest currently in the concept of work-integrated learning (WIL)3,4. Industry experience equips graduates with job-ready skills, but university staff have reported that time, resources, and availability of industry places are obstacles in setting up placements for students3,5. An alternative approach is to provide a ‘real-world’ learning experience within the university. In this paper we will describe an example of an ‘authentic’ learning experience that familiarises students with the procedures involved in laboratory accreditation, and enables students to develop skills that address issues identified by employers during recruitment. These issues include lack of team work, communication, understanding how industry ‘does business’, and lack of practical experience and laboratory skills2,6. Laboratory Quality Management (LQM) is a final year unit at Western Sydney University that addresses some of these issues.
The short-term homestay as a context for language learning
Authors: Kinginger Celeste , Wu Qian , Lee Sheng-Hsun , Tan Dali
Published: April 2016

The study abroad home stay is often credited with particular value for language and culture learning. While living with host families, students are believed to observe and to participate in a wide range of everyday practices while upgrading their language proficiency and intercultural awareness. However, in quantitative studies of college-aged students abroad, the putative home stay advantage has been notoriously difficult to prove, perhaps in part because these students are interpreted by all parties (including themselves) as relatively independent young adults whose goals need not align with those of their hosts. Research examining the experiences of high school students has to date relied largely on self-report data suggesting that younger students are likely to be received as temporary family members, although this reception does not guarantee a productive language-learning environment. Based on field notes, audio recordings of conversational interactions, and interviews with both students and host family members, in this article we present three case studies, grounded in sociocultural theory and illustrating a range of experiences in a short-term summer homestay immersion program for American high school students in China. Our findings suggest that relatively advanced initial proficiency offers many advantages for interaction with hosts, but that students with modest initial proficiency can also develop warm and cordial relationships in the homestay if all parties are so predisposed. The inclusion of host family perspectives, heretofore relatively rare in the literature, also permits consideration of the homestay as a context for learning for all parties.
The influence of a short stay abroad experience on perceived foreign accent
Authors: Llanes Àngels
Published: April 2016

This study examines the impact of learning context on the L2 pronunciation of 14 Catalan/Spanish-speaking children. Eight children engaged in a two-month study abroad (SA) experience, whereas six students learned English (L2) in their home school. The participants were asked to describe a picture at three data collection times, namely prior to the SA group’s departure to Ireland, immediately after they returned from their stay abroad, and a further year later again. The excerpts were presented to a group of 11 native speakers of English who rated the degree of foreign accent. Results indicate that for the SA group, the difference between the pre- and post-tests was significant, and approaching significance between the pre- and delayed post-tests. For the at-home group of learners, no significant difference was found.
Slit holds a strange attraction for filopodia
Authors: Short Ben
Published: April 2016

The guidance cue Slit induces axonal repulsion by directing the extension of growth cone filopodia.
Guessing and Forgetting: A Latent Class Model for Measuring Learning
Authors: Ken Cor M. , Sood Gaurav
Published: April 2016

Guessing on closed-ended knowledge items is common. Under likely-to-hold assumptions, in the presence of guessing, the most common estimator of learning, difference between pre- and postprocess scores, is negatively biased. To account for guessing-related error, we develop a latent class model of how people respond to knowledge questions and identify the model with the mild assumption that people do not lose knowledge over short periods of time. A Monte Carlo simulation over a broad range of informative processes and knowledge items shows that the simple difference score is negatively biased and the method we develop here is unbiased. To demonstrate its use, we apply our model to data from Deliberative Polls. We find that estimates of learning, once adjusted for guessing, are about 13% higher. Adjusting for guessing also eliminates the gender gap in learning, and halves the pre-deliberation gender gap on political knowledge.
Biocontrol of Potato Common Scab is Associated with High Pseudomonas fluorescens LBUM223 Populations and Phenazine-1-Carboxylic Acid Biosynthetic Transcript Accumulation in the Potato Geocaulosphere
Authors: Arseneault Tanya , Goyer Claudia , Filion Martin
Published: April 2016

Pseudomonads are often used as biocontrol agents because they display a broad range of mechanisms to control diseases. Common scab of potato, caused by Streptomyces scabies, was previously reported to be controlled by Pseudomonas fluorescens LBUM223 through phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) production. In this study, we aimed at characterizing the population dynamics of LBUM223 and the expression of phzC, a key gene involved in the biosynthesis of PCA, in the rhizosphere and geocaulosphere of potato plants grown under controlled and field conditions. Results obtained from controlled experiments showed that soil populations of LBUM223 significantly declined over a 15-week period. However, at week 15, the presence of S. scabies in the geocaulosphere was associated with significantly higher populations of LBUM223 than when the pathogen was absent. It also led to the detection of significantly higher phzC gene transcript numbers. Under field conditions, soil populations of LBUM223 followed a similar decline in time when a single inoculation was applied in spring but remained stable when reinoculated biweekly, which also led to greater phzC gene transcripts accumulation. Taken together, our findings suggest that LBUM223 must colonize the potato geocaulosphere at high levels (107 bacteria/g of soil) in order to achieve biocontrol of common scab through increased PCA production.
Plasmid Vectors for Xylella fastidiosa Utilizing a Toxin-Antitoxin System for Stability in the Absence of Antibiotic Selection
Authors: Burbank Lindsey P. , Stenger Drake C.
Published: April 2016

The phytopathogen Xylella fastidiosa causes disease in a variety of important crop and landscape plants. Functional genetic studies have led to a broader understanding of virulence mechanisms used by this pathogen in the grapevine host. Plasmid shuttle vectors are important tools in studies of bacterial genetics but there are only a limited number of plasmid vectors available that replicate in X. fastidiosa, and even fewer that are retained without antibiotic selection. Two plasmids are described here that show stable replication in X. fastidiosa and are effective for gene complementation both in vitro and in planta. Plasmid maintenance is facilitated by incorporation of the PemI/PemK plasmid addiction system, consisting of PemK, an endoribonuclease toxin, and its cognate antitoxin, PemI. Vector pXf20pemIK utilizes a native X. fastidiosa replication origin as well as a high-copy-number pUC origin for propagation in Escherichia coli cloning strains. Broad-host-range vector pBBR5pemIK is a medium- to low-copy-number plasmid based on the pBBR1 backbone. Both plasmids are maintained for extended periods of time in the absence of antibiotic selection, as well as up to 14 weeks in grapevine, without affecting bacterial fitness. These plasmids present an alternative to traditional complementation and expression vectors which rely on antibiotic selection for plasmid retention.
Managers’ opinions of factors influencing HACCP applications in Italian hotel/restaurant/café (HoReCa) sector
Authors: Casolani Nicola , Del Signore Antonella
Published: April 2016

Purpose

Managers’ opinions regarding factors influencing the application of HACCP in the Italian HoReCa sector were investigated. Three main topics were analyzed: the general features of HACCP management, the difficulties linked to its application and Managers relations with Food Public Control system.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys were taken of Managers of Restaurants/Hotel (Re/Ho) and Bars. The questionnaires were completed through personal face-to-face interviews, phone interviews and by email. Respondents evaluated their agreement/disagreement with the statements proposed on a Likert scale.

Findings

The results show HoReCa Managers perceive that the benefits derived from application of HACCP are greater than the costs. In addition they believe that it is impossible to achieve Food Safety without HACCP application. Managers also think that the high turnover of staff constitutes a great barrier to HACCP efficiency. Moreover, they believe that Food Public Control system provides elements that make it possible to continuously improve HACCP.

Originality/value

A contribution on the broad debate on HACCP applications in HoReCa.
Consumer attitudes towards nanotechnology in food products: an attribute-based analysis
Authors: Steenis Nigel Desmond , Fischer Arnout RH
Published: April 2016

Purpose

Nanotechnology is a technology that holds much promise for food production. It is however not clear to what extent consumers will accept different types of nanotechnologies in food products. The paper researches consumer attitudes towards differing applications of food nanotechnologies.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an attribute-based approach, we compare a product with three different nanotechnology application types (during production, implemented in packaging, and as additive to the food) with the same product without any nanotechnology attributes.

Findings

Adding a nanotechnology attribute is shown to contribute to the overall product attitude, without substantially affecting the contribution of the other product attributes to overall product attitude. There are no indications that nanotechnology provides a non-compensatory barrier against acceptance. Risk perception increased for applications proximate to consumers while benefits remained similar across conditions.

Practical implications

Low distance applications (e.g., nano-additives that enter the body) are perceived as riskier, but not necessarily more beneficial, implying they will be rejected more readily by consumers. Food producers should primarily focus on reducing consumers’ risk perceptions of nanotechnologies and providing (and communicating clearly) the end-user benefits obtained from the technology.

Originality/value

This study shows that introducing nanotechnology into a product has an almost uniquely additive contribution to attitude. The study aimed at relevant nanotechnology applications for food products, as opposed to general attitudes towards technologies.

The study also confirms in an experimental setting earlier exploratory findings that food applications closer to the end user are less acceptable and provides a case for nanotechnology food innovations.
Survival of outward FDI in China’s food industry
Authors: Jian Ciao-Ru , Takahashi Daisuke , Chang Tsaiyu , Wei Chung-Hsuan
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the stability of Taiwanese and Japanese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) in China’s food industry and explore the Cox proportional hazard model to examine the factors that may affect the duration and stability of FDI.

Design/methodology/approach

The data used in this study come from firm-level survey conducted in different Chinese provinces. Based on the data, survival analysis on the determinants of FDI in China’s food industry was constructed and used for analysis.

Findings

Estimated results from the study show that the survival rates are higher for Taiwanese FDI than for Japanese FDI from 2003 to 2012. In addition, empirical results show a positive relationship between R&D expenditure/domestic investment and the hazard rate, implying that Japanese investments with greater R&D expenditure and domestic investment would decrease the survival of FDI in China. On the contrary, Taiwanese investments with greater R&D expenditure and domestic investment would enhance the survival of FDI in China.

Originality/value

It could be the first that survival comparisons across countries are conducted together in the relevant FDI studies of the food industry. For robustness, survival rates for 10 major provinces and cities where affiliates conducted FDI in the food industry are examined.
Improving the confectionery industry supply chain through second party audits
Authors: Djekic Ilija , Dragojlovic Sladjana , Miloradovic Zoran , Miljkovic-Zivanovic Snezana , Savic Marija , Kekic Vesna
Published: April 2016

Purpose

This study evaluated benefits and constraints of improving suppliers' quality and food safety systems through second party audits

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative quality and food safety audit tool was developed to perform second party audits within the confectionery industry supply chain. Nine flour mills and four food packaging producers were included in the audit program. Initial audits were performed at the beginning of the program, with follow-up audits performed after one year.

Findings

Level of implementation of food safety and quality requirements were presented as scores. Flour mills improved their scores from 38.6% to 64.4% during the period of two years. In contrast, at the end of the second year, food packaging producers showed a lower level of improvement from 34.0% to 45.6%. This research confirmed that certification status does not imply high performance of a quality / food safety system. Companies experienced problems in identifying processes, setting performance indicators and objectives and implementing problem solving tools. Quality control has been identified as a dimension where most companies do not document their control methods and have no method in place to verify consistency in their results. Control of risks in terms of HACCP implementation was identified as the main food safety constraint

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of the research stem from the use of results from one part of the confectionery supply chain, from auditing a limited number of companies and from excluding the technological level of the audited companies

Practical implications

This study provides a valuable insight for quality and/or food safety assurance managers on benefits of using second party audits as a supply chain developing tool.

Originality/value

The findings of this study are worthy, as second party audits are identified as slow but effective tools in directing suppliers towards improvements
The effect of leadership styles, rank, and seniority on affective organizational commitment: A comparative study of U.S. and Korean employees
Authors: Hong Gahye , Cho Youngsam , Froese Fabian Jintae , Shin Mannsoo
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop and empirically test a conceptual model based on the culturally endorsed implicit leadership theory to comprehend differences in the relationships between consideration, and initiating structure leadership styles and affective organizational commitment for U.S. and Korean employees. Further, we investigate how rank and seniority moderate the relationships between the two leadership styles and affective organizational commitment in both countries.

Design/methodology/approach

We developed and conducted a cross-sectional survey in the U.S. and Korea. To test our hypotheses we performed a series of hierarchical regression analyses.

Findings

Survey results from 452 U.S. and Korean employees show that the positive relationship between consideration leadership (i.e. people-oriented leadership) and affective organizational commitment was stronger among U.S. employees than Korean employees. Initiating structure leadership (i.e. task-oriented leadership) was negatively related to affective organizational commitment in the U.S., whereas this relationship was positive in South Korea (henceforth Korea). Further, these relationships were moderated by rank and seniority in Korea, but not in the U.S. Specifically, the positive relationship between consideration leadership and affective organizational commitment was stronger when Korean employee’s rank was higher and seniority was shorter.

Originality/value

The comparative nature of our study enables us to identify differences in the effects of leadership styles on affective organizational commitment across countries and thus helps us to better understand employees from different cultures. Furthermore, we demonstrate the differential effects of demographic variables such as rank and seniority in the relationships of leadership styles and affective organizational commitment. The findings provide important managerial recommendations for how managers can better lead U.S. and Korean employees.
Assistive Technology in Australia: Integrating theory and evidence into action
Authors: Steel Emily J. , Layton Natasha A.
Published: April 2016

Background

Occupational therapists use a range of strategies to influence the relationship between person, environment and occupation and facilitate people's participation and inclusion in society. Technology is a fundamental environmental factor capable of enabling inclusion, and occupational therapy models articulate a role for assistive technology (AT) devices and services, but there is a gap between theory, research and practice. The context of AT provision in Australia presents systemic barriers that prevent optimal application of AT devices and services for societal health promotion and in individualised solutions.

Methods

The Integrating Theory, Evidence and Action method (ITEA) was used to answer the question ‘How can occupational therapy support AT provision to enable older people and people with disability?’ A wide range of sources were systematically analysed to explore the complexities of AT provision in Australia.

Results

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and IMPACT2 model are used as frameworks to reconstruct evidence into statements that summarise the theory, process and outcomes of AT provision. Analysis of the influence of the global disability rights and local policies and AT provision systems is used to highlight important aspects for occupational therapists to consider in research and practice. Pragmatic recommendations are provided to enable practitioners to translate theory and evidence into action.

Conclusion

AT provision can be improved by focusing on evidence for and congruence between theory, process and outcomes, rather than isolated interventions. Occupational therapists should consider the influence of contextual factors on practice, and work with consumers to improve access and equity in AT provision systems.
Sensory profile, consumer acceptance and driving sensory attributes for commercial vanilla ice creams marketed in the United States
Authors: Kwak Han Sub , Meullenet Jean‐François , Lee Youngseung
Published: April 2016

Descriptive analysis and consumer acceptance tests were conducted with 10 commercial vanilla ice creams. Aroma (vanilla/vanillin, cooked milk), taste (sweet, bitter), flavour (caramelised, oxidised, metallic) and mouthfeel/texture (astringent, scoopability/manual hardness, degree of ice, smoothness, mouthcoating) showed significant differences among the products. Of the ten ice creams examined in this study, BC (7.10) and EG (6.91) showed the highest overall quality ratings, and the majority of consumers were located around BC and EG by the principal component analysis. Drivers of liking (mouthcoating) and disliking (vanilla/vanillin, bitter, metallic, astringent and scoopability/manual hardness) were identified by partial least‐square regression analysis for vanilla ice creams.
High‐Cost Users of Prescription Drugs: A Population‐Based Analysis from British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Weymann Deirdre , Smolina Kate , Gladstone Emilie J. , Morgan Steven G.
Published: April 2016

Objective

To examine variation in pharmaceutical spending and patient characteristics across prescription drug user groups.

Data Sources

British Columbia's population‐based linked administrative health and sociodemographic databases (N = 3,460,763).

Study Design

We classified individuals into empirically derived prescription drug user groups based on pharmaceutical spending patterns outside hospitals from 2007 to 2011. We examined variation in patient characteristics, mortality, and health services usage and applied hierarchical clustering to determine patterns of concurrent drug use identifying high‐cost patients.

Principal Findings

Approximately 1 in 20 British Columbians had persistently high prescription costs for 5 consecutive years, accounting for 42 percent of 2011 province‐wide pharmaceutical spending. Less than 1 percent of the population experienced discrete episodes of high prescription costs; an additional 2.8 percent transitioned to or from high‐cost episodes of unknown duration. Persistent high‐cost users were more likely to concurrently use multiple chronic medications; episodic and transitory users spent more on specialized medicines, including outpatient cancer drugs. Cluster analyses revealed heterogeneity in concurrent medicine use within high‐cost groups.

Conclusions

Whether low, moderate, or high, costs of prescription drugs for most individuals are persistent over time. Policies controlling high‐cost use should focus on reducing polypharmacy and encouraging price competition in drug classes used by ordinary and high‐cost users alike.
Evaluation of the Forensic Utility of Scanning Electron Microscopy‐Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Laser Ablation‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry for Printing Ink Examinations
Authors: Corzo Ruthmara , Subedi Kiran , Trejos Tatiana , Almirall José R.
Published: April 2016

Improvements in printing technology have exacerbated the problem of document counterfeiting, prompting the need for analytical techniques that better characterize inks for forensic analysis and comparisons. In this study, 319 printing inks (toner, inkjet, offset, and Intaglio) were analyzed directly on the paper substrate using scanning electron microscopy‐energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS) and Laser Ablation‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS). As anticipated, the high sensitivity ofLA‐ICP‐MSpairwise comparisons resulted in excellent discrimination (average of ~ 99.6%) between different ink samples from each of the four ink types and almost 100% correct associations between ink samples known to originate from the same source.SEM‐EDSanalysis also resulted in very good discrimination for different toner and intaglio inks (>97%) and 100% correct association for samples from the same source.SEM‐EDSprovided complementary information toLA‐ICP‐MSfor certain ink types but showed limited utility for the discrimination of inkjet and offset inks.
Farm‐level GM Coexistence Policies in the EU: Context, Concepts and Developments
Authors: Schenkelaars Piet , Wesseler Justus
Published: April 2016

Many EU MS have implemented coexistence policies to govern the cultivation of GM crops on their territory but only one GM crop, the Bt maize event MON810, is currently cultivated in the EU. From a practical point of view, a combination of paper traceability and implementation of isolation distances between GM and non‐GM maize are considered as being the most effective way of segregating both types of materials. In general, infringements will however only become apparent after harvesting the crops. Liability issues will then be invoked late in the process restricting or at least limiting flexibility in the marketing of the materials in an appropriate way. Nevertheless, following the general guidelines for coexistence developed by the European Commission, EU Member States are progressively regulating coexistence at the national level. The policies in the EU governing coexistence can be differentiated into ex‐ante regulations and ex‐post liability rules. This differentiation is useful as the economic implications between the two differ. With regard to maize, studies show that the costs of complying with the given threshold values for GM content at farm level range from zero to 2 per cent of the total growing costs for both conventional and organic production.
Replication Improves Sorting‐Task Results Analyzed by DISTATIS in a Consumer Study of American Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys
Authors: Lahne Jacob , Collins Thomas S. , Heymann Hildegarde
Published: April 2016

In consumer food‐sensory studies, sorting and closely related methods (for example, projective mapping) have often been applied to large product sets which are complex and fatiguing for panelists. Analysis of sorting by Multi‐Dimensional Scaling (MDS) is common, but this method discards relevant individual decisions; analysis by DISTATIS, which accounts for individual differences, is gaining acceptance. This research posits that replication can improve DISTATIS analysis by stabilizing consumer sensory maps, which are often extremely unstable. As a case study a fatiguing product set was sorted: 10 American whiskeys—5 bourbons and 5 ryes—were sorted into groups by 21 consumers over 2 replications. These products were chosen because American whiskeys are some of the most important distilled beverages in today's market; in particular, “bourbon” (mashbill more than 50% corn) and “rye” (more than 50% rye) whiskeys are important and assumed to be products with distinct sensory attributes. However, there is almost no scientific information about their sensory properties. Data were analyzed using standard and aggregated DISTATIS and MDS. No significant relationship between mashbill and consumer categorization in whiskeys was found; instead, there was evidence of producer and aging effects. aggregated DISTATIS was found to provide more stable results than without replication, and DISTATIS results provided a number of benefits over MDS, including bootstrapped confidence intervals for product separation. In addition, this is the first published evidence that mashbill does not determine sensory properties of American whiskey: bourbons and ryes, while legally distinct, were not separated by consumers.
Possible advantage of imiquimod and diphenylcyclopropenone combined treatment versus diphenylcyclopropenone alone: An observational study of nonresponder patients with alopecia areata
Authors: Wasyłyszyn Tomasz , Borowska Katarzyna
Published: April 2016

The topical contact sensitiser diphenylcyclopropenone (DCP) remains one of the most effective treatment modalities for alopecia areata (AA). However, some patients (nonresponders) do not respond to this treatment because they do not have an allergic reaction to DCP. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of imiquimod in inducing an allergic reaction to DCP in nonresponders. In all, 20 nonresponders were recruited from a group of DCP‐treated AA patients. Of these patients, 10 were treated with DCP and topical imiquimod and 10 were treated with DCP alone. A significantly better therapeutic outcome was measured in the DCP plus imiquimod group than in the group treated with DCP alone. The potential mechanism of imiquimod may involve the role of interleukin‐12, as previously suggested in an animal model. These findings suggest that imiquimod may have the potential to improve prognosis in nonresponder AA patients treated with DCP.
Developing the future Indigenous health workforce: The feasibility and impact of a student‐led placement programme in remote Indigenous communities
Authors: Warren Johanna M. , Irish Georgina L. , Purbrick Brydie , Li Joule J. , Li Xi , Fitzpatrick Danielle J. , Faull Randall J.
Published: April 2016

Objective

To describe and evaluate a programme where medical students designed and implemented Indigenous health placements for students with an interest in rural/Indigenous health.

Design, setting and participants

In 2011, a student‐led programme at the University of Adelaide was set up to give medical students the opportunity to undertake outreach trips and clinical placements in remote Indigenous communities. Twenty‐four medical students attended trips to remote communities between 2012 and 2014. Here we evaluate our programme using a single‐arm experimental design.

Main outcome measures

Responses to questionnaire items before and after attending an outreach placement, scored on 6‐point Likert scales.

Results

Following their remote Indigenous health placement, participants expressed a significantly higher mean likelihood of working in an Indigenous community in the future (3.17 (2.69–3.64) versus 4.00 (3.65–4.35); P < 0.007). Furthermore, after their placement participants felt better prepared to work in Indigenous communities (mean 1.79 (1.44–2.14) versus 3.21 (2.88–3.54); P < 0.001).

Conclusions

A placement programme initiated and run by medical students can provide meaningful exposure to Indigenous health. Implementation of this student‐led model in other medical schools may encourage nationwide development of the Indigenous health workforce.
Low‐dose effect of developmental bisphenol A exposure on sperm count and behaviour in rats
Authors: Hass U. , Christiansen S. , Boberg J. , Rasmussen M. G. , Mandrup K. , Axelstad M.
Published: April 2016

Bisphenol A is widely used in food contact materials and other products and is detected in human urine and blood. Bisphenol A may affect reproductive and neurological development; however, opinion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on bisphenol A (EFSA J, 13, 2015 and 3978) concluded that none of the available studies were robust enough to provide a point of departure for setting a tolerable daily intake for bisphenol A. In the present study, pregnant Wistar rats (n = 17–21) were gavaged from gestation day 7 to pup day 22 with bisphenol A doses of 0, 25 μg, 250 μg, 5 mg or 50 mg/kg bw/day. In the offspring, growth, sexual maturation, weights and histopathology of reproductive organs, oestrus cyclicity and sperm counts were assessed. Neurobehavioural development was investigated using a behavioural testing battery including tests for motor activity, sweet preference, anxiety and spatial learning. Decreased sperm count was found at the lowest bisphenol A dose, that is 25 μg/kg/day, but not at the higher doses. Reproductive organ weight and histology were not affected and no behavioural effects were seen in male offspring. In the female offspring, exposure to 25 μg/kg bw/day bisphenol A dose resulted in increased body weight late in life and altered spatial learning in a Morris water maze, indicating masculinization of the brain. Decreased intake of sweetened water was seen in females from the highest bisphenol A dose group, also a possible sign of masculinization. The other investigated endpoints were not significantly affected. In conclusion, the present study using a robust experimental study design, has shown that developmental exposure to 25 μg/kg bw/day bisphenol A can cause adverse effects on fertility (decreased sperm count), neurodevelopment (masculinization of spatial learning in females) and lead to increased female body weight late in life. These results suggest that the new EFSA temporary tolerable daily intake of 4 μg/kg bw/day is not sufficiently protective with regard to endocrine disrupting effects of bisphenol A in humans.
Analysis of mortality in colorectal surgery in the Bi‐National Colorectal Cancer Audit
Authors: Teloken Patrick Ely , Spilsbury Katrina , Platell Cameron ,   BCCA Operations Committee
Published: April 2016

Background

In the last decade, there has been a significant increase in interest for public reporting of outcome data and performance comparison across institutions and surgeons. This study aims at comparing postoperative mortality after colorectal cancer surgery across units and individual consultants in Australia and New Zealand using funnel plots.

Methods

The Bi‐National Colorectal Cancer Audit database was used. Unadjusted and adjusted funnel plots of inpatient mortality were constructed. Risk adjustment was based upon multivariable logistic regression models using purposeful covariate selection.

Results

A total of 10 008 patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer from 56 surgical units and 90 consultants were identified. Overall inpatient mortality was 1.51%, corresponding to 1.1% for elective and 3.9% for urgent cases. Logistic regression identified age, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, urgent surgery and open surgery to be independently associated with inpatient mortality. Unadjusted and adjusted funnel plot analysis identified three (5.3%) units exceeding the inner limit and none exceeding the outer limit. Six (6.6%) consultants had inpatient mortality between the upper inner and outer limits and one (1.1%) between the inferior inner and outer limits. Upon adjustment, seven (7.7%) consultants had inpatient mortality between the inner and outer limit. Potential limitations of this study include: residual confounding being responsible for the association of open surgery and mortality; incomplete case‐mix adjustment resulting in outlier identification; and bias towards inclusion of larger institutions.

Conclusion

Mortality figures in Australia and New Zealand are comparable to recently reported international data. The vast majority of units and consultants are performing within the expected boundaries.
Evaluation of Four Veterinary Hematology Analyzers for Bovine and Ovine Blood Counts for In Vitro Testing of Medical Devices
Authors: Pieper Ina Laura , Friedmann Yasmin , Jones Alyssa , Thornton Catherine
Published: April 2016

Small affordable automated hematology analyzers that produce rapid and accurate complete blood cell counts are a valuable tool to researchers developing blood‐handling medical devices, such as ventricular assist devices, for in vitro safety assessments. In such studies, it is common to use the blood of large animals such as cattle and sheep. However, the commercially available instruments have not been evaluated for their ability to measure the blood counts of these animals. In this study, we compare, for the first time, four veterinary analyzers for blood counts on bovine and ovine blood samples. We look at ease of use, repeatability and agreement with a view to inform researchers of the benefits of these instruments in routine measurement of ovine and bovine bloods during in vitro testing. Complete blood cell counts and a three‐part differential (granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes) were measured by each of the instruments, and the results compared to those obtained from two additional analyzers used in a reference laboratory. Repeatability and agreement were evaluated using the Bland–Altman method; bias and 95% limits of agreement between the instruments, and between the instruments and two reference instruments, were used to evaluate instrument performance. In summary, there are advantages and disadvantages with all instruments. Of the four instruments tested, the repeatability and agreement was fairly similar for all instruments except one instrument which cannot be recommended for bovine or ovine blood counts.
The role of the seed bank in recovery of temperate heath and blanket bog following wildfires
Authors: Kelly Ruth , Boston Emma , Montgomery William Ian , Reid Neil
Published: April 2016

Questions

Are the germinable seed banks of upland heath and blanket bog reduced following wildfires? Are some species at particular risk? Do the impacts of wildfires on seed banks differ between heathlands and blanket bog?

Location

Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

Methods

Vegetation surveys and seed bank sampling were conducted in 2012 at burned and unburned areas within six upland sites where large wildfires had occurred during spring 2011. Differences in seedling abundance, species richness and Jaccard similarity indices between burned and unburned areas were compared using GLMMs. Differences in the community composition were examined using pRDA.

Results

In total, 24 of the 51 species in the vegetation were detected in the germinable seed bank. Species richness and the abundance of seedlings other than Calluna vulgaris were lower in areas where wildfires had occurred. Species composition of both germinable seed banks and vegetation differed between burned and unburned areas within sites; with negative associations between burned areas and some key indicator species including Drosera rotundifolia, Eriophorum vaginatum, Empetrum nigrum, Narthecium ossifragum and Trichophorum germanicum. We did not find any evidence of significant interactions between burning and habitat, suggesting that wildfires had similar impacts on each species regardless of the habitat in which they occurred.

Conclusions

This study differs from other UK studies in that it examines impacts of wildfires at sites that have not been previously intensively managed by burning. In particular, we highlight potential impacts on N. ossifragum and D. rotundifolia, which are key components of the upland flora and, to our knowledge, were not present in previous UK studies.
Results of a randomized, double‐blind, active‐controlled clinical trial with propiverine extended release 30 mg in patients with overactive bladder
Authors: Leng Jing , Liao Limin , Wan Ben , Du Chuanjun , Li Wei , Xie Keji , Shen Zhoujun , Xu Zhuoqun , Wu Shiliang , Fang Zujun , Ma Lulin , Han Shaomei , Feustel Cornelia , Yang Yong , Madersbacher Helmut
Published: April 2016

Objective

To compare the efficacy and safety of the 30 mg extended release (ER) formulation of propiverine hydrochloride with the 4 mg ER formulation of tolterodine tartrate in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) in a non‐inferiority trial.

Patients and Methods

Eligible patients, aged 18–75 years and with symptoms of OAB, were enrolled in this multicentre, randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group, active‐controlled study. After a 2‐week screening period, patients were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive either propiverine ER 30 mg or tolterodine ER 4 mg daily during the 8‐week treatment period. Efficacy was assessed using a 3‐day voiding diary and patient's self‐reported assessment of treatment effect. Safety assessment included recording of adverse events, laboratory test results, measurement of post‐void residual urine and electrocardiograms.

Results

A total of 324 patients (244 female and 80 male) were included in the study. Both active treatments improved the variables included in the voiding diary and in the patient's self‐reported assessment. The change from baseline in the number of voidings per 24 h was significantly greater in the propiverine ER 30 mg group compared with the tolterodine ER 4 mg group after 8 weeks of treatment (full analysis set [FAS] −4.6 ± 4.1 vs −3.8 ± 5.1; P = 0.005). Significant improvements were also observed for the change of urgency incontinence episodes after 2 weeks (P = 0.026) and 8 weeks (P = 0.028) of treatment when comparing propiverine ER 30 mg with tolterodine ER 4 mg. Both treatments were well tolerated, with a similar frequency of adverse drug reactions in both the propiverine ER 30 mg and tolterodine ER 4 mg groups (FAS 40.7 vs 39.5%; P = 0.8). More patients treated with tolterodine ER 4 mg discontinued the treatment because of adverse drug reactions compared with propiverine ER 30 mg (7.4 vs 3.1%).

Conclusions

Propiverine ER 30 mg was confirmed to be an effective and well‐tolerated treatment option for patients with OAB symptoms. This first head‐to‐head study showed non‐inferiority of propiverine ER 30 mg compared with tolterodine ER 4 mg.
Being open in academia: A personal narrative of mental illness and disclosure
Authors: England Marcia R.
Published: April 2016

Key Messages

Personal narratives offer insight into daily battles of those with mental health issues.

Those with mental health issues often struggle with productivity.

Some recommended strategies could help with life in academia.
MicroRNA‐124‐3p regulates cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and bioenergetics by targeting PIM1 in astrocytoma
Authors: Deng Danni , Wang Lei , Chen Yao , Li Bowen , Xue Lian , Shao Naiyuan , Wang Qiang , Xia Xiwei , Yang Yilin , Zhi Feng
Published: April 2016

The PIM1 protein is an important regulator of cell proliferation, the cell cycle, apoptosis, and metabolism in various human cancers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are powerful post‐transcriptional gene regulators that function through translational repression or transcript destabilization. Therefore, we aimed to identify whether a close relationship exists between PIM1 and miRNAs. PIM1 protein levels and mRNA levels were significantly upregulated in astrocytoma tissues, indicating the oncogenic role of PIM1 in astrocytoma. Further bioinformatics analysis indicated that miR‐124‐3p targeted the 3′‐UTR of PIM1. We also observed an inverse correlation between the miR‐124‐3p levels and PIM1 protein or mRNA levels in astrocytoma samples. Next, we experimentally confirmed that miR‐124‐3p directly recognizes the 3′‐UTR of the PIM1 transcript and regulates PIM1 expression at both the protein and mRNA levels. Furthermore, we examined the biological consequences of miR‐124‐3p targeting PIM1 in vitro. We showed that the repression of PIM1 in astrocytoma cancer cells by miR‐124‐3p suppressed proliferation, invasion, and aerobic glycolysis and promoted apoptosis. We observed that the restoration or inhibition of PIM1 activity resulted in effects that were similar to those induced by miR‐124‐3p inhibitors or mimics in cancer cells. Finally, overexpression of PIM1 rescued the inhibitory effects of miR‐124‐3p. In summary, these findings aid in understanding the tumor‐suppressive role of miR‐124‐3p in astrocytoma pathogenesis through the inhibition of PIM1 translation.
Prognostic and predictive value of extended RAS mutation and mismatch repair status in stage III colorectal cancer
Authors: Sasaki Yusuke , Akasu Takayuki , Saito Norio , Kojima Hiroshi , Matsuda Keiji , Nakamori Shoji , Komori Koji , Amagai Kenji , Yamaguchi Tatsuro , Ohue Masayuki , Nagashima Kengo , Yamada Yasuhide
Published: April 2016

The prognostic and predictive value of KRAS gene mutations in stage III colorectal cancer is controversial because many recent clinical trials have not involved a surgery‐alone arm. Additionally, data on the significance of extended RAS (KRAS/NRAS) mutations in stage III cancer are not available. Hence, we undertook a combined analysis of two phase III randomized trials, in which the usefulness of adjuvant chemotherapy with tegafur–uracil (UFT) was evaluated, as compared with surgery alone. We determined the association of extended RAS and mismatch repair (MMR) status with the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy. Mutations in KRAS exons 2, 3, and 4 and NRAS exons 2 and 3 were detected by direct DNA sequencing. Tumor MMR status was determined by immunohistochemistry. Total RAS mutations were detected in 134/304 (44%) patients. In patients with RAS mutations, a significant benefit was associated with adjuvant UFT in relapse‐free survival (RFS) (hazard ratio = 0.49; P = 0.02) and overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.51; P = 0.03). In contrast, among patients without RAS mutations, there was no difference in RFS or overall survival between the adjuvant UFT group and surgery‐alone group. We detected deficient DNA MMR in 23/304 (8%) patients. The MMR status was neither prognostic nor predictive for adjuvant chemotherapy. An interaction analysis showed that there was better RFS among patients treated with UFT with RAS mutations, but not for those without RAS mutations. Extended RAS (KRAS/NRAS) mutations are proposed as predictive indicators with respect to the efficacy of adjuvant UFT chemotherapy in patients with resected stage III colorectal cancer.
Identifying at diagnosis the vestibular schwannomas at low risk of growth in a long‐term retrospective cohort
Authors: Wolbers J.G. , Dallenga A.H.G. , van Linge A. , te West M. , Kummer E.E. , Méndez Romero A. , Pauw B.K.H. , Wieringa M.H.
Published: April 2016

Objectives

Identification at time of diagnosis of those vestibular schwannomas that will not grow.

Design

Retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients diagnosed with a sporadic vestibular schwannoma that were entered in the wait‐and‐scan protocol.

Setting

Academic referral centre.

Participants

The study group contained 155 patients with a sporadic vestibular schwannoma first seen in the full 8‐year period 2000–2007: continual wait‐and‐scan (n = 89) and initial wait‐and‐scan until intervention (n = 66).

Main outcome measures

Tumour growth, defined as more than 2 mm linear difference in any plane between the diagnostic MRI‐scan and the last available scan, was related to clinical parameters at diagnosis: localisation of the tumour (solely intracanalicular versus cisternal extension), sudden sensorineural hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss longer than 2 years and vertigo/instability.

Results

Hearing loss longer than 2 years and an entirely intracanalicular localisation were associated with no tumour growth by univariate and multivariate Cox analysis. Combining both factors at time of diagnosis resulted in a group with low risk of growth (n = 36, median follow‐up of 6.2 years) with a Hazard Ratio for growth of 0.37 (95% CI, 0.19–0.69). This subgroup is about 25% of the wait‐and‐scan population. Thirty‐one percent showed growth, while in the remaining higher risk group of 119 patients 62% showed growth. For the growing schwannomas, the median time for growth becoming manifest is 1.9 years after diagnostic MRI.

Conclusions

In this study on vestibular schwannoma patients that start in a wait‐and‐scan protocol, about a quarter may be set apart having a low risk for growth. These patients at diagnosis combine a history of hearing loss longer than 2 years and a fully intracanalicular schwannoma. They seem to be not needed yearly MRI checks.