bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrosonium complexation by the tetraphosphonate cavitand 5,11,17,23-tetramethyl-6,10:12,16:18,22:24,4-tetrakis(phenylphosphonato-κ2O,O)resorcin(4)arene
Authors: Pinalli Roberta , Massera Chiara
Published: November 2017

The crystal structure of a new supramolecular complex between the tetraphosphonate cavitand 5,11,17,23-tetramethyl-6,10:12,16:18,22:24,4-tetrakis(phenylphosphonato-κ2O,O′)resorcin(4)arene and the nitrosyl cation NO+, as the BF4−salt, is reported. The complex, of general formula [(C56H44P4O12)(NO)]BF4·CH2Cl2or NO@Tiiii[H, CH3, C6H5] BF4·CH2Cl2, crystallizes in the space groupP-1. The nitrosyl cation is disordered over two equivalent positions, with occupancies of 0.503 (2) and 0.497 (2), and interacts with two adjacent P=O groups at the upper rim of the cavitand through dipole–charge interactions. In the lattice, the cavitands are connected through a series of C—H...π interactions involving the methyl and methylenic H atoms and the aromatic rings of the macrocycle. The structure is further stabilized by the presence of C—H...F interactions between the hydrogen atoms of the cavitands and the F atoms of the tetrafluoridoborate anion. As a result of the disorder, the lattice dichloromethane molecules could not be modelled in terms of atomic sites, and were treated using thePLATONSQUEEZE procedure [Spek (2015).Acta Cryst.C71, 9–18]. The complexation process has also been studied in solution through NMR titrations.
Effective leadership development in information technology: building transformational and emergent leaders
Authors: Hickman Louis , Akdere Mesut
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Effective leadership has been the focus of much research in recent years, but leadership development is still understudied. Information technology (IT) continues to grow in importance due to the industries IT creates, the industries IT disrupts, and the potential IT holds for all companies. Because leadership is highly context bound, the purpose of this paper is to examine leadership development in the IT context to take first steps toward establishing best practices for IT leadership development.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper reviews leadership in general before performing an integrated literature review of leadership as it has been studied in the IT context. Then the paper presents three propositions regarding effective IT leadership development.

Findings

IT leadership development should involve formal mentoring, robust feedback that is integrated into the development plan, and should be treated as a core process for long-term success. Emergent and transformational leadership are important for IT.

Practical implications

It behooves IT departments to implement the leadership development programs proposed here because leadership has been identified as one of the most difficult skills to find in IT employees. The findings can inform training professionals exploring ways to improve the leadership capacity and leadership development in the IT units of their organizations.

Originality/value

The paper’s literature review uncovered no quantitative peer-reviewed research on leadership development in the IT context, suggesting an area of need for further empirical studies. Researchers and practitioners alike will benefit from a greater understanding of leadership development in IT.
Investigating pro-environmental behaviors of well-educated people in Thailand
Authors: Janmaimool Piyapong
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the environmental behaviors of well-educated people in Thailand. Determinants of individuals’ involvement in pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) are evaluated.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory model was created to investigate the relationship between PEBs and potential predictors that were selected based on the purposes of environmental risk communication and environmental education improvements. Those factors included dispositional, attitudinal, motivational, environmental knowledge, and psychosocial characteristics. Questionnaire surveys with well-educated people (n=810), that is those holding an educational qualification that ranged from a senior high school degree to a doctoral degree, were conducted. Multiple regression analysis was performed to justify the proposed relationship.

Findings

The result revealed that PEBs of well-educated people could be greatly predicted by an individual’s sense of obligation, perceived probability of receiving impacts from environmental problems, outcome expectancy from environmental behaviors, and environmental knowledge related to environmental phenomena and appropriate environmental actions; whereas, an individual’s environmental worldview and life satisfaction were less significant. Moreover, most of psychosocial variables were not significant predictors.

Originality/value

Factors determining well-educated people’s engagement in PEBs were evaluated. The results of the investigation provided the implications for environmental risk communication and environmental education improvements.
Informal economies and scholastic epistemocentrism: a reflexive rethinking
Authors: Danielsson Anna
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine three explanatory perspectives in the academic literature on informal economies that seek to account for agents’ engagement in informal economic practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on Pierre Bourdieu’s reflexive sociology to interrogate the existing perspectives and to provide a conceptual rethinking of informal economies and informal economic practices.

Findings

The paper reveals an inherent scholastic epistemocentrism in the established perspectives. By privileging either an objectivist or a subjectivist viewpoint, these accounts do not examine the practical knowledge and logic that constitute agents’ knowledgeable engagement in informal economic practices. By making use of Bourdieu’s thinking tools of “field”, “capital” and “the habitus”, the paper offers a conceptual rethinking of informal economic practices as the product of a dialectic relationship between socially objectivated structures and subjective representations and experiences.

Originality/value

The paper introduces a reflexive rethinking of informality that draws on but also develops an emergent literature on informal economic practices as relational and context bound.
Safeguarding practice in England where access to an adult at risk is obstructed by a third party: findings from a survey
Authors: Manthorpe Jill , Stevens Martin , Martineau Stephen , Norrie Caroline
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Being able to speak in private to an adult about whom there is a safeguarding concern is central to English local authorities’ duty under the Care Act 2014 to make enquiries in such cases. While there has been an on-going debate about whether social workers or others should have new powers to effect these enquiries, it has been unclear how common obstructive behaviour by third parties is and how often this causes serious problems or is unresolved. The purpose of this paper is to address this knowledge gap.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of local authority adult safeguarding managers was conducted in 2016 and interviews were undertaken with managers and social workers in three local authorities. Data were analysed descriptively.

Findings

Estimates of numbers and frequency of cases of obstruction varied widely. Most survey respondents and interview participants described situations where there had been some problems in accessing an adult at risk. Those that were serious and long-standing problems of access were few in number, but were time consuming and often distressing for the professionals involved.

Research limitations/implications

Further survey research on the prevalence of obstructive behaviour of third parties may not command greater response rates unless there is a specific policy proposal or a case that has “hit the headlines”. Other forms of data collection and reporting may be worth considering. Interview data likewise potentially suffer from problems of recall and definition.

Practical implications

At times professionals will hear of, or encounter, difficulties in accessing an adult at risk about whom there is concern. Support from supervisors and managers is needed by practitioners as such cases can be distressing. Localities may wish to collect and reflect upon such cases so that there is learning from practice about possible resolution and outcomes.

Social implications

There is no evidence of large numbers of cases where access is denied or very difficult. Those cases where there are problems are memorable to practitioners. Small numbers of cases, however, do not necessarily mean that the problem of gaining access is insignificant.

Originality/value

This study addressed a question which is topical in England and provides evidence about the frequency of the problem of gaining access to adults at risk. There has been no comparable study in England.
Elder abuse screening tools: a systematic review
Authors: McCarthy Louise , Campbell Susan , Penhale Bridget
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Elder abuse results in high rates of morbidity and mortality. It has longstanding physical and psychological effects and is difficult to detect. Due to fear or embarrassment, victims may make attempts to hide it rather than to disclose and professionals are often reluctant to report it as they may worry about worsening a situation. If detected early enough, serious harm can be prevented and lives saved. Screening and screening tools can assist health and social care practitioners to detect abuse. This review of screening tools was undertaken as part of an MSc in clinical research, funded by the National Institute for Health Research; the purpose of this paper is to report on the review and its findings.

Design/methodology/approach

This was a systematic review with eligibility inclusion and exclusion criteria decided in advance. Keywords and their synonyms were combined and then used to search health and social care databases. Data items were collected from the included studies. The preferred reporting item for systematic reviews and meta-analysis was followed for the reporting of the results. A narrative synthesis approach was applied to the analysis.

Findings

A total of 34 full text studies were downloaded, read and analysed. In all, 11 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Of these, three studies reported sensitivity and specificity, with the remainder reporting validity and reliability testing. In total, 12 tools of varying length and quality were found. The length and characteristics of tools affects the efficacy of their use. The clinical environment will determine choice of screening tool to be used. Screening tools should be used within an overall system of detection and management of abuse.

Research limitations/implications

The synthesis of results was challenging due to the lack of homogeneity between the included studies. The variations in tool characteristics and qualities added to this challenge. A further limitation was the lack of a gold standard tool in elder abuse.

Originality/value

This systematic review highlights a lack of robust evidence in the development and validation of screening tools to detect elder abuse. Though there is an increasing awareness and knowledge about elder abuse, its detection remains problematic and the lack of research in this area is worth emphasising. Specific tools, centred on the clinical setting in which they are used, are recommended.
Small business performance in Thailand: key success factors
Authors: Mandhachitara Rujirutana , Allapach Siriporn (NaPombhejara)
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper investigates how affirmative leadership management styles, market orientation and marketing intelligence drive the performance of small business enterprises in Bangkok, Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

Small business performance is a formative measurement consisting of financial and marketing metrics. Other constructs are reflective. Some 200 manager-owners of small businesses were interviewed. The authors use structural modeling, partial least squares (PLS).

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected from two of 50 districts in Bangkok. The study is cross-sectional. Performance measures were self-reported.

Practical implications

Building and exercising affirmative leadership skills and behaviors in small business operations is crucial. Small businesses should focus their recruitment on this quality. Affirmative leaders must create and promote a systematic approach to gathering and analyzing market intelligence on customers and competitors and utilize this strategically.

Originality/value

This empirical paper establishes two important mediating roles of market orientation. First, affirmative leadership is necessary to motivate a market-oriented enterprise in its successful performance. Second, marketing intelligence contributes to business performance when it is driven by market orientation.
Experiencing microfinance
Authors: Ukanwa Irene , Xiong Lin , Anderson Alistair
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the problem of why the poorest, most disadvantaged groups such as rural African women, benefit less from microfinance. The authors focus on the perception and experiences of ordinary rural entrepreneurial women on microfinance in a context of extreme poverty and where family responsibility and economic activities are closely intertwined.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors purposefully sampled 15 poor females with small businesses in two Nigerian villages. The key characteristic guiding the sampling was that the respondents had to be poor. The authors held two focus groups and ten interviews to capture their experience and understanding of microfinance. The authors used thematic analysis to establish patterns in the data.

Findings

For poor entrepreneurial women, a livelihood for survival, putting food on the table and paying school fees are priorities, not business growth. They see microcredit as debt and a great risk that could lead to irreversible losses. Family responsibilities for basic consumption needs of the household can affect their ability to repay loans; perceived dangers of microcredit may outweigh potential benefits.

Research limitations/implications

The theories, especially functionalist economic theory, do not take account of microfinance users’ experiences.

Practical implications

Microfinance should be aware that the poorest perceive microcredit differently and should eliminate the intimidating barriers raised to them. Instead of providing a means for the poor to alleviate poverty or coping strategies for them to manage cash flows and risks, microfinance causes fear and anxiety by demanding high rate of return in a very short period of time.

Social implications

The very poorest, who should be the beneficiaries of microfinance, are less likely to be able to benefit. The condition of poverty creates different realities for those at the base of the pyramid.

Originality/value

This research questions the neoliberal rationality assumptions that microfinance rest on; the paper fills a gap in the literature, i.e. how the potential borrowers themselves living in deep-rooted poverty perceive and experience microfinance.
Increasing e-government adoption in Malaysia: MyEG case study
Authors: Husin Mohd Heikal , Loghmani Niloufar , Zainal Abidin Siti Salbiah
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to study user acceptance of one of the Malaysian e-government services known as MyEG via a theoretical framework. The results are compared to a similar research conducted in Singapore. The motivation and benefits derived from this research can be used to improve the overall quality of services provided by MyEG and to enhance the efficiency as well as accountability of this e-government service.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was conducted by applying a theoretical framework known as technology acceptance model involving several factors such as intention to use, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, image, compatibility and trust. The research data were then validated by examining similar factors that had significance results, followed by the development of a simple prototype.

Findings

The results obtained from this research would be beneficial to enhance the level of adoption among the citizens in Malaysia. The identification of the different factors influencing the acceptance levels of users can also provide a better vision on the end-user perspective for MyEG developers and lead them to achieve better results in future platform developments. In addition, this study also fills the current existing gap in e-government research of Malaysia and contributes to the literature on the public users’ perspective of e-government services.

Practical implications

The results from this research would provide effective guidance to developers of e-government platforms to include specific criteria that would attract the general public in using the platforms.

Social implications

Besides that, it provides a new perspective from the general public on their interest to use any e-government platform specifically MyEG.

Originality/value

The findings of this research would assist in the improvement of the implementation and adoption of the current MyEG system. Besides that, this research will allow researchers to gain new insights about e-government services and apply the knowledge to further improve the current and other platform development.
Ammonia‐oxidising archaea living at low pH: Insights from comparative genomics
Authors: Herbold Craig W. , Lehtovirta‐Morley Laura E. , Jung Man‐Young , Jehmlich Nico , Hausmann Bela , Han Ping , Loy Alexander , Pester Michael , Sayavedra‐Soto Luis A. , Rhee Sung‐Keun , Prosser James I. , Nicol Graeme W. , Wagner Michael , Gubry‐Rangin Cécile
Published: November 2017

Obligate acidophilic members of the thaumarchaeotal genus Candidatus Nitrosotalea play an important role in nitrification in acidic soils, but their evolutionary and physiological adaptations to acidic environments are still poorly understood, with only a single member of this genus (Ca. N. devanaterra) having its genome sequenced. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of two additional cultured Ca. Nitrosotalea strains, extracted an almost complete Ca. Nitrosotalea metagenome‐assembled genome from an acidic fen, and performed comparative genomics of the four Ca. Nitrosotalea genomes with 19 other archaeal ammonia oxidiser genomes. Average nucleotide and amino acid identities revealed that the four Ca. Nitrosotalea strains represent separate species within the genus. The four Ca. Nitrosotalea genomes contained a core set of 103 orthologous gene families absent from all other ammonia‐oxidizing archaea and, for most of these gene families, expression could be demonstrated in laboratory culture or the environment via proteomic or metatranscriptomic analyses respectively. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that four of these core gene families were acquired by the Ca. Nitrosotalea common ancestor via horizontal gene transfer from acidophilic representatives of Euryarchaeota. We hypothesize that gene exchange with these acidophiles contributed to the competitive success of the Ca. Nitrosotalea lineage in acidic environments.
Mimicking microbial interactions under nitrate‐reducing conditions in an anoxic bioreactor: enrichment of novel Nitrospirae bacteria distantly related to Thermodesulfovibrio
Authors: Arshad Arslan , Dalcin Martins Paula , Frank Jeroen , Jetten Mike S. M. , Op den Camp Huub J. M. , Welte Cornelia U.
Published: November 2017

Microorganisms are main drivers of the sulfur, nitrogen and carbon biogeochemical cycles. These elemental cycles are interconnected by the activity of different guilds in sediments or wastewater treatment systems. Here, we investigated a nitrate‐reducing microbial community in a laboratory‐scale bioreactor model that closely mimicked estuary or brackish sediment conditions. The bioreactor simultaneously consumed sulfide, methane and ammonium at the expense of nitrate. Ammonium oxidation occurred solely by the activity of anammox bacteria identified as Candidatus Scalindua brodae and Ca. Kuenenia stuttgartiensis. Fifty‐three percent of methane oxidation was catalyzed by archaea affiliated to Ca. Methanoperedens and 47% by Ca. Methylomirabilis bacteria. Sulfide oxidation was mainly shared between two proteobacterial groups. Interestingly, competition for nitrate did not lead to exclusion of one particular group. Metagenomic analysis showed that the most abundant taxonomic group was distantly related to Thermodesulfovibrio sp. (87–89% 16S rRNA gene identity, 52–54% average amino acid identity), representing a new family within the Nitrospirae phylum. A high quality draft genome of the new species was recovered, and analysis showed high metabolic versatility. Related microbial groups are found in diverse environments with sulfur, nitrogen and methane cycling, indicating that these novel Nitrospirae bacteria might contribute to biogeochemical cycling in natural habitats.
Many Hands Lighter Work? Deciphering the Relationship between Adverse Working Conditions and Organization Citizenship Behaviours in Small and Medium‐sized Enterprises during a Severe Economic Crisis
Authors: Psychogios Alexandros , Nyfoudi Margarita , Theodorakopoulos Nicholas , Szamosi Leslie T. , Prouska Rea
Published: November 2017

What is the relationship between adverse working conditions and employees’ organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) operating under a severe economic crisis? To address this question, a survey of 312 front‐line workers was undertaken in 62 Greek SMEs − an instrumental setting where the current deterioration of working conditions is acute. Our contribution is twofold. First, we develop and test a scale for measuring adverse working conditions. Second, we decipher the extent to which such conditions relate to organizational and individual aspects of OCB, considering job satisfaction's mediating role. Through this research we extend the OCB literature within the context of SMEs operating under severe economic crisis and highlight the implications for managing human resources in SMEs, a sector conspicuous for its socio‐economic significance and its vulnerability during economic downturns.
The German Federal Election of 2017: How the Wedge Issue of Refugees and Migration Took the Shine off Chancellor Merkel and Transformed the Party System
Authors: Dostal Jörg Michael
Published: November 2017

The 2017 German federal election delivered dramatic electoral decline of the two traditional main parties, the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), who had governed Germany in a ‘grand coalition’ government since 2013. The main reason for this outcome was the decision by Chancellor Angela Merkel to open Germany's borders for refugees and migrants, an unprecedented policy that abandoned border controls and remained in place between September 2015 and March 2016. This article focuses on how the refugee and migration problem subsequently turned into a wedge issue, splitting most German political parties and handing a major election victory to the main critics of Merkel's decision, namely the rightist Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the right‐wing liberals of the Free Democratic Party (FDP). Rather than explaining these developments in isolation, the article highlights how past welfare state retrenchment and fear over future economic prosperity make significant groups of the electorate, including former supporters of left‐of‐centre parties, lose confidence in the ability of the political system to deliver stability and social integration.
Clarity of responsibility and foreign policy performance voting
Authors: OKTAY SIBEL
Published: November 2017

Do voters’ assessments of the government's foreign policy performance influence their vote intentions? Does the ‘clarity of responsibility’ in government moderate this relationship? Existing research on the United States demonstrates that the electorate's foreign policy evaluations influence voting behaviour. Whether a similar relationship exists across the advanced democracies in Europe remains understudied, as does the role of domestic political institutions that might generate responsibility diffusion and dampen the effect of foreign policy evaluations on vote choice. Using the attitudinal measures of performance from the 2011 Transatlantic Trends survey collected across 13 European countries, these questions are answered in this study through testing on incumbent vote the diffusion‐inducing effects of five key domestic factors frequently used in the foreign policy analysis literature. Multilevel regression analyses conclude that the electorate's ability to assign punishment decreases at higher levels of responsibility diffusion, allowing policy makers to circumvent the electoral costs of unpopular foreign policy. Specifically, coalition governments, semi‐presidential systems, ideological dispersion among the governing parties and the diverse allocation of the prime ministerial and foreign policy portfolios generate diffusion, dampening the negative effects of foreign policy disapproval on vote choice. This article contributes not only to the debate on the role of foreign policy in electoral politics, but also illustrates the consequential effects of domestic institutions on this relationship.
When politics prevails: Parties, elections and loyalty in the European Parliament
Authors: KOOP CHRISTEL , REH CHRISTINE , BRESSANELLI EDOARDO
Published: November 2017

In many political systems, legislators serve multiple principals who compete for their loyalty in legislative votes. This article explores the political conditions under which legislators choose between their competing principals in multilevel systems, with a focus on how election proximity shapes legislative behaviour across democratic arenas. Empirically, the effect of electoral cycles on national party delegations’ ‘collective disloyalty’ with their political groups in the European Parliament (EP) is analysed. It is argued that election proximity changes the time horizons, political incentives and risk perceptions of both delegations and their principals, ‘punctuating’ cost‐benefit calculations around defection as well as around controlling, sanctioning and accommodating. Under the shadow of elections, national delegations’ collective disloyalty with their transnational groups should, therefore, increase. Using a new dataset with roll‐call votes cast under legislative codecision by delegations between July 1999 and July 2014, the article shows that the proximity of planned national and European elections drives up disloyalty in the EP, particularly by delegations from member states with party‐centred electoral rules. The results also support a ‘politicisation’ effect: overall, delegations become more loyal over time, but the impact of election proximity as a driver of disloyalty is strongest in the latest parliament analysed (i.e., 2009–2014). Furthermore, disloyalty is more likely in votes on contested and salient legislation, and under conditions of Euroscepticism; by contrast, disloyalty is less likely in votes on codification files, when a delegation holds the rapporteurship and when the national party participates in government. The analysis sheds new light on electoral politics as a determinant of legislative choice under competing principals, and on the conditions under which politics ‘travels’ across democratic arenas in the European Union's multilevel polity.
Gene expression differs in codominant prairie grasses under drought
Authors: Hoffman Ava M. , Smith Melinda D.
Published: November 2017

Grasslands of the central United States are expected to experience severe droughts and other climate extremes in the future, yet we know little about how these grasses will respond in terms of gene expression. We compared gene expression in Andropogon gerardii and Sorghastrum nutans, two closely related codominant C4 grasses responsible for the majority of ecosystem function, using RNA‐seq. We compared Trinity assemblies within each species to determine annotated functions of transcripts responding to drought. Subsequently, we compared homologous annotated gene‐groups across the two species using cross‐species meta‐level analysis and functional clustering based on key terms. The majority of variation was found between species, as opposed to between drought and watered treatments. However, there is evidence for differential responses; Andropogon allocated gene expression differently compared to Sorghastrum, suggesting Andropogon focuses on stress alleviation (such as oxygen radical scavenging) rather than prevention. In contrast, Sorghastrum may employ a drought avoidance strategy by modulating osmotic response, especially with hormonal regulation. We found Sorghastrum tended to be more sensitive within 10 key gene‐groups related to stress, abscisic acid and trichomes, suggesting gene expression may mechanistically parallel sensitivity at the physiological level. Our findings corroborate phenotypic and physiological differences in the field and may help explain the phenotypic mechanisms of these two species in the tallgrass prairie community under future drought scenarios.
Role of microRNA‐155 in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Su Lin‐Chong , Huang An‐Fang , Jia Hong , Liu Yi , Xu Wang‐Dong
Published: November 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a recently discovered class of post‐transcriptional regulators that induce target messenger RNA degradation or translation inhibition. miRNA‐155 (miR‐155) is an important regulator of immune cells both in humans and mice, by which these cells play critical roles in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent findings showed that expression of miR‐155 was elevated in RA patients and arthritis models. Moreover, miR‐155 overexpression or knockdown performed significantly in the development of arthritis. This review summarizes the recent findings with respect to miR‐155 in immune responses and the underlying mechanisms responsible for miR‐155‐related autoimmune arthritis. Hopefully the information obtained will benefit the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Acute effect of a resistance exercise session on markers of cartilage breakdown and inflammation in women with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Pereira Nunes Pinto Ana Carolina , Natour Jamil , de Moura Castro Charlles Heldan , Eloi Marina , Lombardi Junior Império
Published: November 2017

Aim

To assess the acute effect of resistance exercise (RE) on circulating biomarkers of cartilage breakdown and inflammation in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Thirty‐four volunteers (17 with and 17 without RA), participated in a 25 min RE session (knee extension, knee flexion, hip abduction and hip adduction) with one set of 12 repetitions at 50% of one repetition maximum (1RM) and one set of eight repetitions at 75% of 1RM. Blood samples were collected 30 and 5 min before, immediately after and 1, 2 and 24 h after the session. We used analysis of variance for repeated‐measures with Bonferroni adjustments to assess differences between groups over time.

Results

In both groups we found significant changes in interleukin (IL)‐1 beta (P = 0.045), IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra) (P < 0.001), IL‐10 (P = 0.004), IL‐6 (P < 0.001) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) P < 0.001) in response to exercise, but no changes in tumor necrosis factor–alpha and C‐reactive protein levels. We found no differences in the responses of the two groups to the session, except for COMP levels, which are more sensitive to exercise and rest effects in RA patients.

Conclusion

Women with and without RA have similar changes in response to a RE session in levels of inflammation biomarkers, but not of cartilage breakdown. IL‐10 and IL‐1ra increased after the RE session, indicating that RE may have an acute anti‐inflammatory effect. Additional studies are necessary to clarify if repeated RE sessions can have long‐term anti‐inflammatory effects and the possible clinical repercussions of this cartilage breakdown characteristic in response to exercise in RA patients.
Risk of coronary artery lesions in young infants with Kawasaki disease: need for a new diagnostic method
Authors: Satoh Kaoru , Wakejima Yoko , Gau Maki , Kiguchi Tomoyuki , Matsuda Nozomi , Takasawa Reiko , Takasawa Kei , Nishioka Masato , Shimohira Masayuki
Published: November 2017

Aim

To examine clinical characteristics of Kawasaki disease (KD) in infants younger than 3 months of age and to develop a method for detecting KD in febrile infants.

Method

In a case‐control study, we retrospectively collected clinical and laboratory data from 24 KD infants younger than 3 months of age out of 410 KD patients. We then compared younger infants with both older patients and febrile infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and urinary tract infections (UTI).

Results

The frequency of incomplete KD was higher in the younger group than in the control group (79% vs. 36%, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, before treatment, the incidence of coronary artery lesions (CAL) was significantly higher in the younger group (29% vs. 3.9%, P = 0.0001), resulting in a higher incidence of coronary artery sequelae (21% vs. 3.4%, P = 0.0023). Our results revealed that the serum N‐terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) level of KD patients was higher than that of RSV and UTI patients (3110 ± 2076 vs. 698 ± 436, P = 0.0001; and 971 ± 589 pg/mL, P = 0.0002, respectively). Thus, NT‐proBNP might be suitable as a diagnostic marker of KD in young infants (P = 0.0005, criterion values: 1555 pg/mL [sensitivity: 80%, specificity: 85%]).

Conclusion

Kawasaki disease infants younger than 3 months of age appear to be at higher risk for incomplete KD and early‐onset CAL prior to the appearance of coronary artery sequelae. We suggest performing an echocardiogram and evaluating NT‐proBNP in young infants with fever that has lasted longer than 2 days, regardless of the presence or absence of manifestations associated with KD.
Platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio predicts the prognosis of patients with non‐small cell lung cancer treated with surgery and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Toda Michihito , Tsukioka Takuma , Izumi Nobuhiro , Komatsu Hiroaki , Okada Satoshi , Hara Kantaro , Miyamoto Hikaru , Ito Ryuichi , Shibata Toshihiko , Nishiyama Noritoshi
Published: November 2017

Background

Markers of preoperative tumor immunity, such as platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), have been reported to be prognostic factors for patients with various cancers. However, the relationship between PLR and the prognosis of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy as a multidisciplinary treatment is unknown.

Methods

We enrolled 327 NSCLC patients treated surgically with or without adjuvant chemotherapy (78 and 249 patients, respectively) at our hospital from 2008 to 2012. Patients had no preoperative hematological disease or infection. Preoperative PLR and clinicopathologic characteristics were recorded and their potential associations and prognostic values were assessed by Kaplan–Meier and multivariate Cox regression. The optimal cut‐off value for high and low PLR was calculated from receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

The five‐year overall survival rates for patients with low and high PLR were 78% and 57% (P < 0.01) for all patients, and 69% and 37% (P < 0.01) for patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, respectively. Similarly, the five‐year disease‐free survival rates for patients with low and high PLR were 66% and 62% (P = 0.03) for all patients, and 47% and 14% (P < 0.01) for patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, respectively. Cox proportional hazard regression indicated that high PLR was an independent prognostic factor for both overall and disease‐free survival in the adjuvant chemotherapy group.

Conclusion

Elevated PLR predicts poor prognosis in surgically treated NSCLC patients, especially those who receive adjuvant chemotherapy.
A Concept Analysis of Traditional Korean (Hanbang) Nursing
Authors: Kang Youngmi , Hwang Won Ju , Choi JiSun
Published: November 2017

PURPOSE

The purpose of this concept analysis was to clarify the meaning and the attributes of traditional Korean (Hanbang) nursing.

DATA SOURCE

Data sources include Academic Search Complete, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, EBSCOhost, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Research Information Sharing Service.

DATA SYNTHESIS

We used Walker and Avant's method to analyze the concept of Hanbang nursing.

CONCLUSIONS

By exploring its common use in the literature, a comprehensive definition of the concept of Hanbang nursing was developed.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

The results of analyzing the current concept of Hanbang nursing will help provide a better understanding of it and contribute to expanding nursing knowledge and developing of a valid and reliable measurement.
Threshold cointegration and spatial price transmission when expectations matter
Authors: Lence Sergio H. , Moschini GianCarlo , Santeramo Fabio Gaetano
Published: November 2017

We examine the performance of the threshold cointegration approach, specifically Band‐TVECM, to price transmission analysis in an explicit context where trade decisions are made based on expectation of final prices, because trade takes time. We find that, following a standard inference strategy, a large portion of three‐regime cases are not identified as such. Results show that transfer costs are systematically underestimated, particularly in three‐regime models. The speed of price transmission is also biased in three‐regime models. Furthermore, inferences about occurrence of trade are poor, with estimated models suggesting far lower market integration than is true in the data‐generating process.
Predictors of care for patients with cancer of unknown primary site in three Australian hospitals
Authors: Tan Simon Y. S. , O’Neill Siobhan , Goldstein David , Ward Robyn L. , Daniels Benjamin , Vajdic Claire M.
Published: November 2017

Aim

Cancer of unknown primary site (CUP) is a medically challenging malignancy with a poor prognosis. We describe an incident tertiary CUP patient cohort and identify factors predictive of specific types of health care.

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of 217 patients diagnosed with CUP (2006–2011) in three public hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. We systematically abstracted data and performed multivariable logistic regression to identify factors predictive of tumor biopsy, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and palliative care.

Results

The median age at CUP diagnosis was 75 years (range 23–98) and 52% were male. The most common mode of presentation was emergency department admission (57%). Serum tumor markers were performed in 42%, fine needle aspiration alone in 15% and core biopsy in 52%. Younger age, health service referral, oncologist review and a family history of cancer predicted receipt of a biopsy (77%). Cancer‐related surgery (17%) was more likely in younger patients, those presenting with pain, and those with single lymph node metastases. Younger age and good performance score predicted receipt of chemotherapy (22%). The location of metastases predicted receipt of radiotherapy (28%). Older age, emergency presentation, poor performance score and no oncology review predicted receipt of palliative care only (52%); 77% were referred for palliative care during hospitalization.

Conclusion

The determinants of care were generally consistent with international CUP clinical guidelines. Areas of future research include potential underinvestigation and undertreatment of older patients, overuse of certain low‐value diagnostic tests, suboptimal use of immunohistochemistry and mammography and underreferral to palliative care.
Ganglion cell‐inner plexiform layer and retinal nerve fibre layer changes within the macula in retinitis pigmentosa: a spectral domain optical coherence tomography study
Authors: Yoon Chang Ki , Yu Hyeong Gon
Published: November 2017

Purpose

To investigate how macular ganglion cell‐inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thicknesses within the macula change with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) severity.

Methods

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) was used to examine 177 patients with RP and 177 normal controls. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) line scan was used to grade RP severity. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) was categorized as more advanced if there was no identifiable inner segment ellipsoid (ISe) band (NISE) and as less advanced if an ISe band could be identified and peripheral loss of ISe was apparent (IISE). Ganglion cell‐inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and RNFL thicknesses were manually measured on OCT images and analysed. Pearson's correlation analyses were used to examine correlations between GCIPL thickness, RNFL thickness, visual acuity (VA) and visual field extent in patients and controls.

Results

Ganglion cell‐inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) was significantly thicker in IISE than in control eyes (p < 0.001), but significantly thinner in NISE than in IISE eyes (p < 0.001) in both horizontal and vertical OCT scans. Retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) was significantly thicker in eyes with IISE and NISE than in control eyes in both horizontal and vertical meridians (all p < 0.001). Ganglion cell‐inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness showed a weak positive correlation with vision, and RNFL thickness showed a weak negative correlation with vision and visual field extent.

Conclusion

Based on these results, the inner retina, including the GCIPL and RNFL, maintains its gross integrity longer than the photoreceptor layer in RP. Additionally, thickening of the inner retina may have some functional implications in patients with RP.
Fundus autofluorescence imaging in hereditary retinal diseases
Authors: Pichi Francesco , Abboud Emad B. , Ghazi Nicola G. , Khan Arif O.
Published: November 2017

Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) is a non‐invasive retinal imaging modality used in clinical practice to non‐invasively map changes at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/photoreceptor complex and alterations of macular pigment distribution. This imaging method is based on the visualization of intrinsic fluorophores and may be easily and rapidly used in routine patient care. Excessive accumulation of lipofuscin granules in the lysosomal compartment of RPE cells represents a common downstream pathogenic pathway in various hereditary and complex retinal diseases. The clinical applications of FAF continue to expand. It is now an essential tool for evaluating macular dystrophies and various hereditary retinal disorders. Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) may detect abnormalities beyond those detected on funduscopic examination, fluorescein angiography (FA) or optical coherence tomography (OCT). Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging is particularly helpful for differential diagnosis, detection and extent delineation of involved retinal areas, genotype‐phenotype correlations and monitoring of changes overtime. Given its ease of use, non‐invasive nature and value in characterizing retinal disease, FAF enjoys increasing clinical relevance. This review summarizes basic principles and FAF findings in various hereditary retinal diseases.
Letter: rifaximin is more than helping hepatic encephalopathy—it also saves lives
Authors: Wang Y.‐L. , He H.‐J. , Xiao X.‐X. , Lin Y. , Wang B.‐Q. , Zhu S.‐L. , Yang G.‐S. , Huang S.‐S. , Yang Q.‐G.
Published: November 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Kang et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14275.
Letter: statins and cirrhosis
Authors: Athyros V. G. , Katsiki N. , Mikhailidis D. P.
Published: November 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Bang et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14243.
Letter: safety and efficacy of using statins in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Zhao J. , Tian H. , Liang C.
Published: November 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Bang et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14243 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14364.
Randomised clinical study: the effects of oral taurine 6g/day vs placebo on portal hypertension
Authors: Schwarzer R. , Kivaranovic D. , Mandorfer M. , Paternostro R. , Wolrab D. , Heinisch B. , Reiberger T. , Ferlitsch M. , Gerner C. , Trauner M. , Peck‐Radosavljevic M. , Ferlitsch A.
Published: November 2017

Background

The amino sulphonic acid taurine reduces oxidative endoplasmatic reticulum stress and inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation, which might lead to reduction of portal pressure in cirrhosis.

Aim

To assess the haemodynamic effects of taurine supplementation in patients with cirrhosis and varices.

Methods

Patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) ≥12 mm Hg were included in this prospective proof of concept study. Concomitant nonselective beta‐blockers therapy was not allowed. Patients received either 4 weeks of oral taurine (6 g/day), or placebo, prior to evaluation of HVPG response.

Results

Thirty patients were screened and 22 included in the efficacy analysis (12 taurine/10 placebo; 64% male, mean age: 52 ± 11 years, Child A: 9%, B:64%, C:27%, ascites:68%).

In the taurine group, mean HVPG dropped from 20 mm Hg (±4) at baseline to 18 mm Hg (±4) on day 28 (mean relative change: −12%, P = .0093). In the placebo group, mean HVPG increased from 20 mm Hg (±5) at baseline to 21 mm Hg (±5) on day 28 (mean relative change:+2%, P = .4945). Taurine had no significant effects on systemic haemodynamics. Seven of 12 patients (58%) on taurine achieved a HVPG response >10%, compared to none in the placebo group (P = .0053). In a multivariate linear model, HVPG reduction was significantly larger in the taurine group compared to placebo group (P = .0091 and P = .0109 for absolute and relative change respectively). Treatment‐related adverse events included gastrointestinal discomfort and fatigue, and were usually mild and comparable between treatment groups.

Conclusion

Taurine is safe and may reduce portal pressure in cirrhotic patients. More studies on the underlying mechanisms of action and long‐term effects of taurine supplementation are warranted.