bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case of cutaneous penicilliosis in a child with acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Krishnan Sandhya G. , Sim Tee Nancy Wen , Tan Ai Ling , Tan Ah Moy , Aan Koh Mark Jean , Chong Chia Yin , Thoon Koh Cheng , Hui Tan Natalie Woon
Published: September 2015

Introduction:

We present a case of cutaneous penicilliosis in a paediatric patient with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

Case report:

A 2-year-old boy with AML first developed probable pulmonary aspergillosis during induction chemotherapy in an overseas centre in May 2013, and was treated with AmBisome and voriconazole. When he was admitted to our centre with relapsed AML in October 2013, he was given a fifth course of chemotherapy, and treated with AmBisome for probable pulmonary aspergillosis in view of pulmonary nodular opacities on computed tomography. He thereafter developed an erythematous skin lesion with central eschar on his right hand and left calf. Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage galactomannan antigen (GM Ag) indices increased to a value of >10. AmBisome was changed to voriconazole, and caspofungin was added for 10 days. The left calf skin biopsy showed abundant fungal hyphae with septations. A skin culture grew Penicillium citrinum with MICs (μg ml− 1) of: caspofungin 0.016, itraconazole 0.5, amphotericin 1.5 and voriconazole >256.Caspofungin and itraconazole were commenced, and voriconazole was discontinued. The skin lesions and serial GM Ag indices improved. The patient later developed increasing GM Ag indices to a value of >10, which was attributed to Aspergillus flavus left pulmonary mycetoma, which was surgically resected. He eventually succumbed to relapsed AML after a bone-marrow transplant.

Conclusion:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paediatric case of P. citrinum infection. Rising GM Ag indices were attributed to cross-reactivity of Penicillium spp. with GM Ag enzyme immunoassays.
A negative loop within the nuclear pore complex controls global chromatin organization
Authors: Breuer Manuel , Ohkura Hiroyuki
Published: September 2015

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) tethers chromatin to create an environment for gene regulation, but little is known about how this activity is regulated to avoid excessive tethering of the genome. Here we propose a negative regulatory loop within the NPC controlling the chromatin attachment state, in which Nup155 and Nup93 recruit Nup62 to suppress chromatin tethering by Nup155. Depletion of Nup62 severely disrupts chromatin distribution in the nuclei of female germlines and somatic cells, which can be reversed by codepleting Nup155. Thus, this universal regulatory system within the NPC is crucial to control large-scale chromatin organization in the nucleus.
Functions and regulation of the multitasking FANCM family of DNA motor proteins
Authors: Xue Xiaoyu , Sung Patrick , Zhao Xiaolan
Published: September 2015

Members of the conserved FANCM family of DNA motor proteins play key roles in genome maintenance processes. FANCM supports genome duplication and repair under different circumstances and also functions in the ATR-mediated DNA damage checkpoint. Some of these roles are shared among lower eukaryotic family members. Human FANCM has been linked to Fanconi anemia, a syndrome characterized by cancer predisposition, developmental disorder, and bone marrow failure. Recent studies on human FANCM and its orthologs from other organisms have provided insights into their biological functions, regulation, and collaboration with other genome maintenance factors. This review summarizes the progress made, with the goal of providing an integrated view of the functions and regulation of these enzymes in humans and model organisms and how they advance our understanding of genome maintenance processes.
The politics of corporate social responsibility or: why Milton Friedman has been right all along
Authors: Orlitzky Marc
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to revisit the debate and reorient research on corporate social responsibility (CSR), empirically documents the political-ideological biases inherent in CSR. It concludes with possible remedies to this problem.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach taken in this literature review is informed by the author’s viewpoint on the growing industry of social activists, who are pushing business toward the adoption of an ever-growing panoply of quasi-regulations commonly identified as CSR. The approach is complemented by a critique of stakeholder theory.

Findings

– The literature review provides empirical support for Milton Friedman’s (1970) claim that the values underpinning CSR are driven by a socialist-collectivist agenda, which is inherently opposed to capitalist/libertarian values of free enterprise and individualism.

Practical implications

– Without critical reflection on the leftwing ideology instantiated by CSR, the business community may unwittingly adopt and sustain values that undermine free markets.

Originality/value

– Without critical reflection on the leftwing ideology instantiated by CSR, business and research communities may unwittingly promote values that, stealth-like, undermine individual liberty and the capitalist foundations of free markets.
The human factors/ergonomics studies for respirators: a review and future work
Authors: Chen Yumiao , Wang Jianping , Yang Zhongliang
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the human factors/ergonomics (HFE) studies for respirator.

Design/methodology/approach

– This review paper describes and discusses the various factors and methodologies of HFE, for the purpose of better considering human factors, used in respirator studies and further human-centered product development.

Findings

– Many attempts have been made to study human factors for respirators mainly including fit, human performance, comfort, and mood. Physical, psychological, and physiological indices of people are extremely valuable to HFE studies for respirator. Objective and subjective measures were methodologies widely used. Quantitative and qualitative approaches were adopted to illustrate the human performance and well-being influenced by respirators. A summary table presented with major methods used for indices of respirators in the field of HFE. According to the current researches, this review indicated three particular challenges facing HFE studies of respirators now.

Practical implications

– With the ever increasing role of protection from air pollution in society, respirator has become an increasingly important part of our daily lives. HFE intervene in optimizing the relationships between respirators and the human using them. Plenty of efforts have been dedicated for the development of protection capability, but HFE studies for respirators are lacking. In recent years, there has been a tremendous interest in introducing HFE research methods that can evaluate respirators from the perspective of human and translate them into constraints for designing human-centered respirators.

Originality/value

– This is a first paper in the field of HFE studies for respirator, which will remain helpful to the scientific community to start further human-centered research work and product development.
Content strategies and audience response on Facebook brand pages
Authors: Tafesse Wondwesen
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse Facebook brand posts along dimensions of vividness, interactivity, novelty, brand consistency and content type and tests how these characteristics influence audience response in terms of liking and sharing brand posts.

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample comprised 191 brand posts sourced from the Facebook brand pages of five top selling automotive brands in the UK. Audience response was operationalised using brand post likes and brand post shares, while brand post characteristics were operationalised according to relevant theory. Poisson regression models were tested to measure the effect of brand post characteristics on audience response.

Findings

– The findings indicate that brand post vividness has a significant positive effect on brand post shares, but not on brand post likes. Brand post interactivity has a significant negative effect on both brand post likes and brand post shares. Brand post novelty and brand post consistency have a significant positive effect on both brand post likes and brand post shares. Finally, brand post content type has a significant positive effect on brand post likes, but not brand post shares.

Practical implications

– The findings underscore the need for marketers to develop a systematic content strategy for Facebook brand pages. With this in mind, the study proposes several evidence based suggestions.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the literature first by synthesising and testing brand post characteristics that were overlooked in prior research and second by developing theoretically consistent operationalisation for already familiar brand post characteristics. These enhancements resulted in a final model with a superior explanatory power.
Quality characteristics and acceptability of cookies from sweet potato – maize flour blends
Authors: Adeyeye Samuel Ayofemi , Akingbala John O.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to assess the quality characteristics and acceptability of cookies from sweet potato–maize flour blends and to determine nutritional quality, color and palatability traits and to compare the effects with that of wheat cookies, so as to suggest a cost-effective production method to bakers and retailers. This would ensure food security, enhanced health, combat malnutrition problems and improve the production of the crops.

Design/methodology/approach

– Cookies were prepared by the method reported by Okaka and Isieh (1990), Abayomiet al.(2013), Onabanjo and Ighere (2014) with modification. Flour (200 g) from each sample of different flour blends was used for the experiment. Sugar (80 g) was creamed with margarine (100 g) until light and fluffy constituency was obtained using Kenwood chef with initial minimum speed, and the speed increased stepwise until the mark of 6 on the chef indicator was attained. Whole egg (60 g) was added, then followed by flour (200 g), powdered milk (20 g), baking powder (0.1 g) and salt (1 g) were added and mixed until a stiff paste (batter) was obtained. The batter was rolled on a floured board using a rolling pin to a thickness of 0.2-0.3 cm. The rolled batter was cut into circular shapes with a cutter and arranged on a greased tray and baked at 1500°C for 20 minutes. The cookies were brought out, cooked and packaged in cellophane bag until used for laboratory analysis.

Findings

– The results revealed that substitution of sweet potato flour with maize flour significantly (p< 0.05) reduced the protein from 6.8-4.4 per cent, moisture from 5.3-5.0 per cent, crude fibre from 3.4-2.5 per cent and fat from 9.8-8.5 per cent of the composite flours and the cookies. The ash and sugar contents were increased from 4.3-5.8 per cent for ash and 2.1-3.9 per cent for sugar with increase in sweet potato flour substitution. The calorific value of the cookies decreased from 457-397 cal/100 g as the percentage of sweet potato flour increased in the maize flour cookies. Sensory evaluation results showed that the colour, texture, taste and overall acceptability changed significantly (p< 0.05) with increase in sweet potato flour substitution. The optimum substitution level was 40 per cent; above this, the product becomes less acceptable to the consumer.

Research limitations/implications

– Fabrication and production processing machines that use sweet potato will be a great challenge.

Originality/value

– This research is of value to the bakery industry or retailers. The optimum substitution level of sweet potato flour was 40 per cent, and it appears to be a promising measure from the view of practicability. The relative ease of getting sweet potato flour makes it superior to other imported flour like wheat and in reducing cost of importation of wheat to Nigeria.
Quality characteristics and storage stability of emu meat nuggets formulated with finger millet (Eleusine coracana) flour
Authors: Chatli Manish Kumar , Kumar Pavan , Mehta Nitin , Verma Akhilesh K , Kumar Devendra , Malav Om Prakash
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to develop functional emu meat nuggets incorporated with finger millet flour (FMF) with high fibre content and improved oxidative stability.

Design/methodology/approach

– FMF was incorporated at 4, 6 and 8 per cent levels with replacement of emu meat in nuggets formulation and on the basis of various physico-chemical, instrumental colour and sensory parameters, 6 per cent FMF was selected as optimum. The functional emu meat nuggets incorporated with optimum level of FMF as well as control were aerobically packaged in low density polyethylene (LDPE) bags and stored for 21 days at refrigeration (4 ± 1°C) and evaluated for oxidative stability, microbiological quality and sensory attributes at regular interval of 7 days.

Findings

– The fat content showed significant (p
<
0.05) decrease, whereas the crude fibre content increased significantly (p
<
0.05) with the increasing levels of incorporation. The sensory scores for all the attributes in 6 per cent FMF-incorporated product were higher than control. During entire storage studies, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), free fatty acid and peroxide value followed an increasing trend for control as well as treatment product; however, treatment showed a significantly (p
<
0.05) lower value than control throughout the storage period. Standard plate count increased significantly (p
<
0.05) for control and treatment product, but the counts were lower than the prescribed limits even on 21st day of storage.

Practical implications

– The developed products will have functional value by increasing the calcium and dietary fibre content by utilizing the minor cereals. This will be highly beneficial to both the agriculture and meat industry.

Originality/value

– The research findings demonstrated the use of FMF in the development of calcium- and fibre-enriched emu meat nuggets with improved oxidative stability.
Evaluation of quality characteristics of restructured spent hen meat blocks incorporated with oat meal
Authors: Gupta Swati , Sharma B. D. , Mendiratta S. K.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to evaluate the effect of oat meal on the quality characteristics of restructured spent hen meat blocks. Spent hen meat is considered as poor because of comparatively higher toughness and less juiciness.

Design/methodology/approach

– Oat meal (1:1 hydration, w/w) was incorporated at the levels of 4, 6 and 8 per cent by replacing the lean meat in prestandardized restructured spent hen meat blocks formulation and assessed for physico-chemical and sensory quality.

Findings

– The product yield and pH of restructured spent hen meat blocks (RSHMB) were significantly higher at 8 per cent oat meal as compared to control. Shear force values of RSHMB with various levels of oat meal incorporation were significantly lower than control. There were no significant differences in the general appearance, texture, binding, juiciness and overall acceptability scores of RSHMB with different levels of oat meal and control. However, there was a marginal increase in binding and juiciness of RSHMB with increase in the level of oat meal. The optimum incorporation level of oat meal in RSHMB was adjudged as 8 per cent, which also resulted in reduction of production cost by Rs. 14.4/kg as compared to control.

Research limitations/implications

– The trials can be further carried to evaluate the storage stability of developed RSHMB.

Originality/value

– The paper has demonstrated potential of oat meal as an extender in the development of RSHMB, which also reduced the cost of production.
Fluctuations of phenols and flavonoids in infusion of lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) dried leaves during growth stages
Authors: Naser Aldeen Mohammad Ghiath , Mansoor Rita , AlJoubbeh Malak
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine the total phenol content (TP) and total flavonoid content (TF) fluctuations in different infusions of lemon verbena. Dried leaves were harvested in May, July and October and prepared at various soaking times (5-20 min).

Design/methodology/approach

– The Folin-Ciocalteu method was used to determine TP, while TF was determined by the aluminum chloride method.

Findings

– According to the results, the July harvest had the highest content of TP and TF, followed by May and October. Temperature and soaking time play a role in the proportion of released phenols and flavonoids (p
<
0.05), whereas the content in continuous infusion is higher than infusion (without boiling) .TP and TF in infusion increase until 20 min, while concentration is convergent in continuous infusion after10 minutes, where no significant difference is seen. In the flowering stage, TP is close in comparison with the vegetative stage.

Originality/value

– Harvest time plays a role in the content, so it is best to prepare infusion from lemon verbena before the flowering period, when people drink it, as the results show. According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first work that studied the variation in phenol and flavonoid content during different stages of growth with soaking time in drenched lemon verbena leaves.
An analysis of Pseudomonas genomic diversity in take‐all infected wheat fields reveals the lasting impact of wheat cultivars on the soil microbiota
Authors: Mauchline T. H. , Chedom‐Fotso D. , Chandra G. , Samuels T. , Greenaway N. , Backhaus A. , McMillan V. , Canning G. , Powers S. J. , Hammond‐Kosack K. E. , Hirsch P. R. , Clark I. M. , Mehrabi Z. , Roworth J. , Burnell J. , Malone J. G.
Published: September 2015

Manipulation of the soil microbiota associated with crop plants has huge promise for the control of crop pathogens. However, to fully realize this potential we need a better understanding of the relationship between the soil environment and the genes and phenotypes that enable microbes to colonize plants and contribute to biocontrol. A recent 2 years of investigation into the effect of wheat variety on second year crop yield in the context of take‐all fungal infection presented the opportunity to examine soil microbiomes under closely defined field conditions. Amplicon sequencing of second year soil samples showed that Pseudomonas spp. were particularly affected by the wheat cultivar grown in year one. Consequently, 318 rhizosphere‐associated Pseudomonas fluorescens strains were isolated and characterized across a variety of genetic and phenotypic traits. Again, the wheat variety grown in the first year of the study was shown to exert considerable selective pressure on both the extent and nature of Pseudomonas genomic diversity. Furthermore, multiple significant correlations were identified within the phenotypic/genetic structure of the Pseudomonas population, and between individual genotypes and the external wheat field environment. The approach outlined here has considerable future potential for our understanding of plant–microbe interactions, and for the broader analysis of complex microbial communities.
Crop rotation of flooded rice with upland maize impacts the resident and active methanogenic microbial community
Authors: Breidenbach Björn , Blaser Martin B. , Klose Melanie , Conrad Ralf
Published: September 2015

Crop rotation of flooded rice with upland crops is a common management scheme allowing the reduction of water consumption along with the reduction of methane emission. The introduction of an upland crop into the paddy rice ecosystem leads to dramatic changes in field conditions (oxygen availability, redox conditions). However, the impact of this practice on the archaeal and bacterial communities has scarcely been studied. Here, we provide a comprehensive study focusing on the crop rotation between flooded rice in the wet season and upland maize (RM) in the dry season in comparison with flooded rice (RR) in both seasons. The composition of the resident and active microbial communities was assessed by 454 pyrosequencing targeting the archaeal and bacterial 16S rRNA gene and 16S rRNA. The archaeal community composition changed dramatically in the rotational fields indicated by a decrease of anaerobic methanogenic lineages and an increase of aerobic Thaumarchaeota. Members of Methanomicrobiales, Methanosarcinaceae, Methanosaetaceae and Methanocellaceae were equally suppressed in the rotational fields indicating influence on both acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic methanogens. On the contrary, members of soil crenarchaeotic group, mainly Candidatus Nitrososphaera, were higher in the rotational fields, possibly indicating increasing importance of ammonia oxidation during drainage. In contrast, minor effects on the bacterial community were observed. Acidobacteria and Anaeromyxobacter spp. were enriched in the rotational fields, whereas members of anaerobic Chloroflexi and sulfate‐reducing members of Deltaproteobacteria were found in higher abundance in the rice fields. Combining quantitative polymerase chain reaction and pyrosequencing data revealed increased ribosomal numbers per cell for methanogenic species during crop rotation. This stress response, however, did not allow the methanogenic community to recover in the rotational fields during re‐flooding and rice cultivation. In summary, the analyses showed that crop rotation with upland maize led to dramatic changes in the archaeal community composition whereas the bacterial community was only little affected.
Off‐farm work, land tenancy contracts and investment in soil conservation measures in rural Pakistan
Authors: Kousar Rakhshanda , Abdulai Awudu
Published: September 2015

This study examines the impacts of participation in off‐farm work and land tenancy contracts on the intensity of investment in soil‐improving measures and farm productivity. A multivariate Tobit model that accounts for potential endogeneity between the intensity of investment and the off‐farm work and tenancy contract variables is estimated for 341 rural households in Punjab province of Pakistan. An instrumental variable approach is also used to analyse the impact of tenancy contract and off‐farm work on farm productivity. The empirical results show that participation in off‐farm work and tenure security tends to increase the intensity of investment in long‐term soil‐improving measures. We also find that increases in off‐farm work and tenure security exert significant and positive effects on farm productivity.
Why such differing stances? A review of position statements on home birth from professional colleges
Authors: Roome S , Hartz D , Tracy S , Welsh AW
Published: September 2015

Despite low rates of home birth throughout most Western countries, the topic generates considerable debate. This is reflected by the differing positions on home birth adopted by professional colleges representing obstetricians and midwives. We reviewed position statements of midwifery and obstetric colleges in the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada to explore how the same body of research evidence leads to different positions. Aside from a joint statement from the UK we found widely differing stances, reflecting traditional midwifery perspectives of birth as a physiological process versus obstetric perspectives of potential pathology. We feel the differences in position statements are largely the end product of significant confirmatory bias.

Tweetable abstract

Review of organisational position on home birth suggests bias in literature interpretation.
Oxytocin use during Caesarean sections in Denmark – are we getting the dose right?
Authors: Kjær B. N. , Krøigaard M. , Garvey L. H.
Published: September 2015

Background

In Denmark, an iv bolus of 10 IU oxytocin was traditionally given after delivery to prevent atony during caesarean sections. Randomized controlled trials have shown that lower iv bolus doses have same efficacy with fewer side effects and many countries now recommend a 5 IU maximum dose. The aims of this study were to investigate whether patients referred for allergy testing after oxytocin exposure had dose‐related side effects to oxytocin rather than true allergic reactions and to investigate whether updated international recommendations on lower bolus doses had been implemented in practice.

Methods

Medical notes of patients tested with oxytocin as part of investigations in the Danish Anaesthesia Allergy Centre from May 2004 to January 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. A telephone survey of on‐duty obstetricians at all Danish obstetric departments was performed and most recent online recommendations from the Danish societies of obstetrics and anaesthesia about the use of oxytocin were identified.

Results

In total 30 women were tested with oxytocin as part of investigations. None were allergic to oxytocin but 19 had symptoms consistent with dose‐related side effects on iv provocation. The telephone survey revealed that iv doses of 10 IU oxytocin were still used and recommendations on the websites were not updated.

Conclusion

Too high oxytocin doses are still used in Denmark leading to dose‐related side effects mimicking allergic reactions. Coordination between obstetricians and anaesthesiologists on producing common updated guidelines on the administration of oxytocin and dissemination of this information to obstetric and anaesthetic departments in Denmark is needed.
Health of grey nomads: On the move and under the health sector radar
Authors: Raven Melissa
Published: September 2015

Objective

Grey nomads – older people driving long distances recreationally and staying in caravans, tents or motor homes – are common on Australian highways. Although grey nomads report many benefits from their travels, there is anecdotal evidence that they impose a significant burden on rural/remote health services, including general practitioners, pharmacists and hospitals. There have been calls for better resourcing and service provision, but little reference to solid evidence on which to base this. This literature review is the first to integrate existing evidence for a health audience.

Setting

Australia.

Design

Narrative literature search and synthesis.

Results

There is very little published information about the health and health service utilisation of grey nomads, and almost none in the medical literature. One key exception, a survey at a caravan park in the Kimberley region, found that, like other older Australians, many grey nomads have chronic diseases, and they have high rates of medication use. However, other studies have found that they generally view themselves as relatively healthy. There is some evidence of inadequate preparation for travelling. Issues include lack of health summaries, inadequate medication supplies and suboptimal vaccination. Some experience emergencies, sometimes resulting in hospital admissions. Overall, they place a poorly documented burden on rural/remote services.

Conclusion

There is a need for further research on the health of grey nomads, their use of self‐care strategies, and their uptake of health services both on the road and at home, to inform the provision of health services and optimise their well‐being and health care utilisation.
Neurotoxicity of perineural vs intraneural–extrafascicular injection of liposomal bupivacaine in the porcine model of sciatic nerve block
Authors: Damjanovska M. , Cvetko E. , Hadzic A. , Seliskar A. , Plavec T. , Mis K. , Vuckovic Hasanbegovic I. , Stopar Pintaric T.
Published: September 2015

Liposomal bupivacaine is a prolonged‐release local anaesthetic, the neurotoxicity of which has not yet been determined. We used quantitative histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analyses to evaluate the neurotoxic effect of liposomal bupivacaine after perineural and intraneural (extrafascicular) injection of the sciatic nerve in pigs. In this double‐blind prospective randomised trial, 4 ml liposomal bupivacaine 1.3% was injected either perineurally (n = 5) or intraneurally extrafascicularly (n = 5). Intraneural–extrafascicular injection of saline (n = 5) was used as a control. After emergence from anaesthesia, neurological examinations were conducted over two weeks. After harvesting the sciatic nerves, no changes in nerve fibre density or myelin width indicative of nerve injury were observed in any of the groups. Intraneural injections resulted in longer sensory blockade than perineural (p < 0.003) without persistent motor or sensory deficit. Sciatic nerve block with liposomal bupivacaine in pigs did not result in histological evidence of nerve injury.
One‐year clinical evaluation of 0.4% ripasudil (K‐115) in patients with open‐angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension
Authors: Tanihara Hidenobu , Inoue Toshihiro , Yamamoto Tetsuya , Kuwayama Yasuaki , Abe Haruki , Fukushima Atsuki , Suganami Hideki , Araie Makoto ,   the K‐115 Clinical Study Group
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To investigate the intra‐ocular pressure (IOP)‐lowering effects and safety of 0.4% ripasudil (K‐115), a Rho kinase inhibitor, twice daily for 52 weeks, in patients with open‐angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT).

Methods

In this multicentre, prospective, open‐label study, 388 patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma, OHT or exfoliation glaucoma were enrolled and 354 of them were subdivided into four cohorts (monotherapy, 173; additive therapy to prostaglandin analogs, 62; β‐blockers, 60; or fixed combination drugs, 59). The IOP reduction at trough and peak from baseline and adverse events was investigated.

Results

Ripasudil showed IOP‐lowering effects over 52 weeks in all the analyses of monotherapy, additive therapy and both subgroups (baseline IOP ≥21 mmHg and <21 mmHg) of monotherapy. The mean IOP reductions at trough and peak at week 52 were −2.6 and −3.7 mmHg for monotherapy, and −1.4 and −2.4, −2.2 and −3.0, and −1.7 and −1.7 mmHg, respectively, for additive therapy described above. The most frequently observed adverse events were conjunctival hyperaemia (n = 264, 74.6%), blepharitis (n = 73, 20.6%) and allergic conjunctivitis (n = 61, 17.2%). Most of the conjunctival hyperaemia findings were mild (97.0%), transient and resolved spontaneously (78.0%). Although 51 patients discontinued from the study due to blepharitis and/or allergic conjunctivitis (blepharitis, 28; allergic conjunctivitis, 17; both, 6), all the events resolved with or without treatment after the discontinuation of ripasudil administration.

Conclusion

Fifty‐two week administration of 0.4% ripasudil revealed IOP‐lowering effects and an acceptable safety profile when administered as monotherapy or as additive therapy, in patients with open‐angle glaucoma or OHT.
Association of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism with early‐onset bipolar disorder
Authors: Nassan Malik , Croarkin Paul E , Luby Joan L , Veldic Marin , Joshi Paramjit T , McElroy Susan L , Post Robert M , Walkup John T , Cercy Kelly , Geske Jennifer R , Wagner Karen D , Cuellar‐Barboza Alfredo B , Casuto Leah , Lavebratt Catharina , Schalling Martin , Jensen Peter S , Biernacka Joanna M , Frye Mark A
Published: September 2015

Objectives

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met (rs6265) functional polymorphism has been implicated in early‐onset bipolar disorder. However, results of studies are inconsistent. We aimed to further explore this association.

Methods

DNA samples from the Treatment of Early Age Mania (TEAM) and Mayo Clinic Bipolar Disorder Biobank were investigated for association of rs6265 with early‐onset bipolar disorder. Bipolar cases were classified as early onset if the first manic or depressive episode occurred at age ≤19 years (versus adult‐onset cases at age >19 years). After quality control, 69 TEAM early‐onset bipolar disorder cases, 725 Mayo Clinic bipolar disorder cases (including 189 early‐onset cases), and 764 controls were included in the analysis of association, assessed with logistic regression assuming log‐additive allele effects.

Results

Comparison of TEAM cases with controls suggested association of early‐onset bipolar disorder with the rs6265 minor allele [odds ratio (OR) = 1.55, p = 0.04]. Although comparison of early‐onset adult bipolar disorder cases from the Mayo Clinic versus controls was not statistically significant, the OR estimate indicated the same direction of effect (OR = 1.21, p = 0.19). When the early‐onset TEAM and Mayo Clinic early‐onset adult groups were combined and compared with the control group, the association of the minor allele rs6265 was statistically significant (OR = 1.30, p = 0.04).

Conclusions

These preliminary analyses of a relatively small sample with early‐onset bipolar disorder are suggestive that functional variation in BDNF is implicated in bipolar disorder risk and may have a more significant role in early‐onset expression of the disorder.
Single point mutations in the helicase domain of the NS3 protein enhance dengue virus replicative capacity in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and circumvent the type I interferon response
Authors: Silveira G F , Strottmann D M , de Borba L , Mansur D S , Zanchin N I T , Bordignon J , Duarte dos Santos C N
Published: September 2015

Dengue is the most prevalent arboviral disease worldwide. The outcome of the infection is determined by the interplay of viral and host factors. In the present study, we evaluated the cellular response of human monocyte-derived DCs (mdDCs) infected with recombinant dengue virus type 1 (DV1) strains carrying a single point mutation in the NS3hel protein (L435S or L480S). Both mutated viruses infect and replicate more efficiently and produce more viral progeny in infected mdDCs compared with the parental, non-mutated virus (vBACDV1). Additionally, global gene expression analysis using cDNA microarrays revealed that the mutated DVs induce the up-regulation of the interferon (IFN) signalling and pattern recognition receptor (PRR) canonical pathways in mdDCs. Pronounced production of type I IFN were detected specifically in mdDCs infected with DV1-NS3hel-mutated virus compared with mdDCs infected with the parental virus. In addition, we showed that the type I IFN produced by mdDCs is able to reduce DV1 infection rates, suggesting that cytokine function is effective but not sufficient to mediate viral clearance of DV1-NS3hel-mutated strains. Our results demonstrate that single point mutations in subdomain 2 have important implications for adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity of DV1-NS3hel. Although a direct functional connection between the increased ATPase activity and viral replication still requires further studies, these mutations speed up viral RNA replication and are sufficient to enhance viral replicative capacity in human primary cell infection and circumvent type I IFN activity. This information may have particular relevance for attenuated vaccine protocols designed for DV.
The Economic Logic of Persistent Informality: Artisanal and Small‐Scale Mining in the Southern Philippines
Authors: Verbrugge Boris
Published: September 2015

This article critically evaluates existing causal explanations for the persistence of informality in artisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM). These explanations share a legalistic focus on entry barriers and political impediments that prevent or discourage the formalization of poverty‐driven ASM operators: however, they fail to fully explain cases such as that of the Philippines, where ASM is characterized by differentiation between a poverty‐driven workforce and a dominant stratum of ASM entrepreneurs. Even where limited formalization frameworks provide ASM with a degree of legal recognition, this recognition is usually restricted to these more powerful ASM interests, while excluding the workforce at large. This article therefore proposes an integrative approach to analysing informality in ASM, which complements the existing legalistic focus on entry barriers with a structuralist concern over the exploitation of informal labour. Seen from this perspective, the massive expansion of ASM in the Philippines can be seen as the product of a transition away from capital‐intensive large‐scale mining to a flexible regime of accumulation built around the exploitation of informal ASM labour. This observation highlights the need to pay more critical attention to the economic logic and the vested interests underlying the (selective) persistence of informality in the workforce.
‘I Do Not Work: I Do Commercial Sex Work’. Ambiguities in the Discourse and Practice of Selling Sex in Mombasa, Kenya
Authors: Česnulytė Eglė
Published: September 2015

Building on the narratives of women selling sex in Mombasa, this article shows how the livelihoods and strategies of women who self‐identify as sex workers are influenced by the discourses and activities of the NGO sector, the sex workers’ movement, and international tourism on the one hand, and by their struggle for survival and personal advancement on the other hand. More specifically, while the term ‘sex industries’ or ‘sex workers’ — as used by a number of local and international actors — is partly internalized by women selling sex, these terms obscure the more complicated realities of women who seek to secure income for their households.
Improving haemophilia patient care through sharing best practice
Authors: de Moerloose Philippe , Arnberg Daniel , O'Mahony Brian , Colvin Brian
Published: September 2015

At the 2014 Annual Congress of the European Haemophilia Consortium (EHC) held in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Pfizer initiated and funded a satellite symposium entitled: ‘Improving Patient Care Through Sharing Best Practice’. Co‐chaired by Brian Colvin (Pfizer Global Innovative Pharma Business, Rome, Italy) and Brian O'Mahony [President of the EHC, Brussels, Belgium], the symposium provided an opportunity to consider patient care across borders, to review how patient advocacy groups can successfully engage with policymakers in healthcare decision‐making and to discuss the importance of patient involvement in data collection to help shape the future environment for people with haemophilia. Professor Philippe de Moerloose (University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine of Geneva, Switzerland) opened the session by discussing the gap between the haemophilia management guidelines and the reality of care for many patients living in Europe, highlighting the importance of sharing of best practice and building a network of treaters and patient organisations to support the improvement of care across Europe. Daniel Arnberg (SCISS AB, Hägersten, Sweden) reviewed the health technology assessment process conducted in Sweden, the first for haemophilia products, as a case study, focusing on the role of the patient organisation. Finally, Brian O'Mahony reflected on the central role of patients as individuals and also within patient organisations in shaping the future of haemophilia care.
Effect of physical consistency of food on the biomechanical behaviour of the mandible in the growing rat
Authors: Bozzini Clarisa , Picasso Emilio , Champin Graciela , Bozzini Carlos E. , Alippi Rosa M.
Published: September 2015

This study investigated the effect of a soft diet, given to growing rats, on the biomechanical behaviour of the mandible. Female rats, 30 d of age, received an ordinary diet in the form of pellets (i.e. hard‐diet group), and another group of female rats received the same diet, but ground and mixed with water, forming a paste (i.e. soft‐diet group). The experiment lasted 8 wk. Body‐weight and body‐length gains were not affected by the consistency of the diet. No significant differences were found between groups concerning the length, height, and area of the right hemimandible. Mechanical properties of the right hemimandibles were determined using a three‐point bending test, in which bones were stressed on a perpendicular line immediately posterior to the posterior face of the third molar. Structural properties (load at yielding, load at fracture, structural stiffness, and elastic energy absorption) and geometric properties of the fracture section (cross‐sectional area, cortical area, and moment of inertia) were significantly lower in hemimandibles of rats of the soft‐diet group than in those of rats of the hard‐diet group. Material properties of the mandibular bone tissue (elastic modulus and maximal elastic stress), which were estimated through appropriate equations, did not differ between groups. It was concluded that the reduced physical consistency of the diet, possibly associated with a reduced masticatory load, diminished the skeletal load‐bearing capacity of the mandible in growing rats. This observed reduction in the bone structural behaviour was attributed to changes occurring at the level of bone mass and its geometrical properties because intrinsic properties of the bone material tissue were unaffected.
Outcome following multiple subpial transection in Landau‐Kleffner syndrome and related regression
Authors: Downes Michelle , Greenaway Rebecca , Clark Maria , Helen Cross J. , Jolleff Nicola , Harkness William , Kaliakatsos Marios , Boyd Stewart , White Steve , Neville Brian G. R.
Published: September 2015

Objective

To determine whether multiple subpial transection in the posterior temporal lobe has an impact on long‐term outcome in children who have drug‐resistant Landau‐Kleffner syndrome (LKS) or other “electrical status epilepticus during sleep” (ESES)‐related regression. Given the wide variability in outcomes reported in the literature, a secondary aim was to explore predictors of outcome.

Methods

The current study includes a surgery group (n = 14) comprising patients who underwent multiple subpial transection of the posterior temporal lobe and a nonsurgery comparison group (n = 21) comprising patients who underwent presurgical investigations for the procedure, but who did not undergo surgery. Outcomes were assessed utilizing clinical note review as well as direct assessment and questionnaires.

Results

The distribution of nonclassical cases was comparable between groups. There were some differences between the surgery and nonsurgery groups at presurgical investigation including laterality of discharges, level of language impairment, and age; therefore, follow‐up analyses focused on change over time and predictors of outcome. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in language, nonverbal ability, adaptive behavior, or quality of life at follow‐up. There was no difference in the proportion of patients showing improvement or deterioration in language category over time for either group. Continuing seizures and an earlier age of onset were most predictive of poorer quality of life at long‐term follow‐up (F2,23 = 26.2, p = <0.001, R2 = 0.714).

Significance

Both surgery and nonsurgery groups had similar proportions of classic LKS and ESES‐related regression. Because no significant differences were found in the changes observed from baseline to follow‐up between the two groups, it is argued that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that multiple subpial transection provides additional benefits over and above the mixed recovery often seen in LKS and related regressive epilepsies.
Spatial and temporal gait characteristics in pre‐frail community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Freire Junior Renato Campos , Porto Jaqueline Mello , Rodrigues Natália Camargo , Brunelli Roberta de Matos , Braga Luis Felipe Pinto , de Abreu Daniela Cristina Carvalho
Published: September 2015

Aim

A number of studies have explored possible relationships, behavior, and meanings of spatial and temporal gait variables in frail and pre‐frail older adults, particularly the gait speed variable. However, it is necessary to know the relationship of other spatial and temporal gait variables of pre‐frail older adults. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare gait standards between pre‐frail and non‐frail older people.

Methods

A total of 69 older adults aged 60 year and older, divided into two groups, non‐frail (n = 42) and pre‐frail (n = 27), were evaluated. Gait parameters were analyzed using the GAITRite® Platinum 26′ Portable Walkway System.

Results

Pre‐frail older people had smaller step lengths (P = 0.041), larger base of support (P = 0.040), lower speed (P = 0.019), lower single support percentage (P = 0.033) and higher double support percentage (P = 0.036), compared with non‐frail older people. A history of falls was correlated to lower gait speed and step length in pre‐frail older adults.

Conclusions

Identifying pre‐frail older people could have significant clinical consequences, as frailty is a dynamic process, and such individuals can therefore progress into a state of frailty or revert to a non‐frail state. Therefore, the identification of gait variables in pre‐frail older people can be an important tool to recognize gait deficits and to initiate the appropriate treatment. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 1102–1108.
Prognostic value of preoperative N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide in non‐cardiac surgery of elderly patients with normal left ventricular systolic function
Authors: Kim In Jai , Moon Jae Youn , Ko Eun‐Jung , Lim Yeong‐Min , Kim Sang Hoon , Yang Woo‐In , Sung Jung‐Hoon , Lim Sang‐Wook , Cha Dong‐Hun
Published: September 2015

Aim

We investigated the prognostic value of preoperative N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) in non‐cardiac surgery in elderly patients who showed normal left ventricular function on preoperative echocardiography.

Methods

We analyzed 1459 patients aged older than 70 years who had consulted a cardiologist for the evaluation of cardiovascular risk for non‐cardiac surgery. Of the 721 patients who simultaneously underwent echocardiography and NT‐proBNP assessments, 506 who showed normal left ventricular systolic function were included. The predictive power of NT‐proBNP for the risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was evaluated.

Results

MACCE occurred in 40 (7.9%) of the 506 patients, and the median value of NT‐proBNP was higher in patients with complications than in those without (MACCE group: 1700.5 pg/mL vs non MACCE group: 206.35 pg/mL; P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.804 (P < 0.001), with an optimal cut‐off of 425.3 pg/mL. Multivariate analysis showed that increased NT‐proBNP (>425.3 pg/mL; odds ratio 6.381; P < 0.001) was the only independent risk factor for the prediction of MACCE.

Conclusions

In elderly patients who showed normal left ventricular systolic function on echocardiography, measurement of preoperative NT‐proBNP concentration might be a useful test for predicting the occurrence of MACCE after non‐cardiac surgery. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 1109–1116.