bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benchmarking knowledge management practices in small and medium enterprises
Authors: Wibowo Santoso , Grandhi Srimannarayana
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to formulate the process of measuring and benchmarking the performance of knowledge management (KM) practices as a multicriteria group decision-making problem and present a new multicriteria group decision-making approach for effectively evaluating the performance of KM practices to meet the interests of various stakeholders in small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

A new multicriteria group decision-making approach is developed for evaluating the performance of KM practices of individual SMEs. Intuitionistic fuzzy numbers are used for representing the subjective assessments of decision makers in evaluating the relative importance of the evaluation criteria and the performance of individual KM practices with respect to specific evaluation criteria. A fuzzy multicriteria group decision-making algorithm is developed for measuring and benchmarking the performance of alternative KM practices.

Findings

The proposed multicriteria group decision-making approach is capable of effectively evaluating the performance of KM practices through adequately considering the presence of multiple decision makers, the multi-dimensional nature of the evaluation problem, and appropriately modeling the subjectiveness and imprecision of the evaluation process. The presentation of an example shows that the proposed fuzzy multicriteria group decision-making algorithm is simple to use and efficient in computation.

Research limitations/implications

The outcome of the multicriteria group decision-making approach is highly dependent on the inputs provided by the decision maker.

Practical implications

The novelty from this research lies in the utilization of a multicriteria group decision-making approach for evaluating the performance of KM practices in an organization. The outcome from the performance evaluation process allows the enterprise to adopt appropriate KM practices for achieving competitive advantages.

Social implications

The proposed multicriteria group decision-making approach has a significant social implication as it can be used as a decision-making tool for providing various decision makers in SMEs with useful and strategic information concerning the performance of KM practices in a given situation.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in the development of the multicriteria group decision-making approach for effectively measuring and benchmarking the performance of KM practices of individual SMEs.
Evaluation and prioritisation of manufacturing flexibility alternatives using integrated AHP and TOPSIS method
Authors: Mishra Ruchi , Pundir Ashok K. , Ganapathy L.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel integrated approach using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) methods for evaluation and prioritization of appropriate manufacturing flexibility type required in the face of multiple environmental uncertainties.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a case study of an Indian fashion apparel firm, the study demonstrates the application of the proposed integrated framework for evaluation and prioritization of manufacturing flexibility. The study uses AHP method to determine importance weight of environmental uncertainty criteria and subcriteria and then employs TOPSIS method to determine the final ranking of manufacturing flexibility types required to cope up with these uncertainties.

Findings

The findings of the case suggest that the proposed integrated approach is feasible and practically implementable for manufacturing flexibility assessment.

Research limitations/implications

AHP has been extensively studied and used, but the major limitation of this proposed approach is the involvement of large number of pairwise comparisons leading to difficulty in maintaining consistency in pairwise comparisons.

Practical implications

The proposed approach can work as a benchmarking tool to practitioners in evaluating and prioritizing manufacturing flexibility alternatives and to suggest strategic allocation of resource by prioritizing different manufacturing flexibilities types.

Originality/value

Unlike conventional approaches, the study provides meaningful knowledge to decision makers by demonstrating a simple, flexible, and efficient method to evaluate and rank the appropriate manufacturing flexibility types.
Development of trust in the CEO-chair relationship
Authors: Koskinen Satu , Lämsä Anna-Maija
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the trust development in the dyadic relationship of CEO and chair of the board.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative approach is adopted to examine the meanings that CEOs and chairpersons give to trust in their relationship, and to explore trust as an evolving phenomenon that can increase or decline over the course of the relationship. The data include 16 CEO-chair dyads from Finnish limited companies.

Findings

The results suggest that trust may exist on different levels and evolve in various ways during the course of the relationship. Integrity and agreement on company strategy are proposed to form the foundation for trust in the CEO-chair relationship, whereas ability and benevolence are necessary for trust to develop to a higher level.

Research limitations/implications

Studying trust development based on the data generated at one point of time and in only one country are the major limitations of the study.

Practical implications

It is proposed that the level of trust influences value creation in the relationship.

Originality/value

The study adds to the limited number of previous studies on the CEO-chair relationship and contributes to the literature on trust development by making visible the viewpoint of both partners, and the meaning of the different components of trust.
The tortuous ascent of global value chains – the case of pharmaceutical R&D in China
Authors: Hollinshead Graham
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the micro-political complexities of operating over institutional distance in a modern international enterprise. The focal sector of the study is the pharmaceutical industry, which, in its latest phase of global development, has engaged in “internal sourcing” of research and development (R&D) talent from China. This paper contributes to emergent “socio-political” theorization in international business through revealing complex forms of workplace segmentation and conflictual forms of practice at micro-organizational level.

Design/methodology/approach

The author of this paper and a UK-based research associate visited the Shanghai-based R&D facility of a major Western owned pharmaceutical concern to carry out interviews with key managers, expatriates and scientists to “hear their stories”. Access was gained to the research site through insider contacts.

Findings

It was discovered that, in the context of an enterprise intent on innovation, motivational logics themselves emanate from the embedded positions of diverse organizational actors, in turn bringing to the fore issues of power, resistance, ethnicity and language.

Research limitations/implications

Generalizations from a single case study may have limited significance. However, the unique case setting provides the scope for a novel contribution to the field of international business by examining contradictory and asymmetrical factors in the social construction of a Global Value Chain extending from West to East to source emergent local talent.

Practical implications

The case offers the possibility for managerial learning in the areas of working across cultures, managing expatriation, dealing with linguistic and etymological differences and formulating international business strategy (integration or differentiation in the MNC). The study highlights the significance of critical realist perspectives in fostering reflexive behaviours of actors in multilayered and complex micro-environments.

Social implications

The work has significance concerning the devolution of both managerial and medical responsibilities to local agents in China. This is a vital social factor in the emerging economy context. The work also casts light on social and personal issues confronting international managerial and scientific migrants.

Originality/value

To date, the phenomena of Global Value Chains have been approached in a relatively transactional and economistic fashion. The paper shed light on GVCs as humanistic and political phenomena. A relatively new departure of the study is to demonstrate that workplace actors in modern and modularized industrial enterprises located in the emerging economy setting respond to environmental volatility through engaging in variant and conflictual forms of institutional entrepreneurship.
Science and technology diplomacy: a framework at the national level
Authors: Zolfagharzadeh Mohammad Mahdi , Aslani Alireza , Sadabadi Ali Asghar , Sanaei Mahdi , Lesan Toosi Fahimeh , Hajari Mahdi
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Science and technology diplomacy (STD) is an emerging area in the field of public policy and technology management. The purpose of this study is to overview the concept of STD based on the two approaches “Science and Technology” and “Diplomacy” to explain its necessity for Non-Aligned Movement member countries.

Design/methodology/approach

To design the work, principal domains and sub-domains of STD are identified based on the thematic analysis. By using MAXQDA software, the initial codes are analyzed and validated for the case study. Then, six areas and 29 sub-areas are identified based on the fuzzy Delphi and the framework is designed.

Findings

STD is defined from six scopes, including political, economics, law and legal issues, social sciences, philosophy and science and technology. Each scope has its own mechanism that is discussed in the article.

Originality/value

This work is one of the first in the literature of science and technology policy making.
BOLD (Big and Open Linked Data): what’s next?
Authors: Saxena Stuti
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to appreciate the futuristic trends of Big and Open Linked Data (BOLD). While designating the ongoing progress of BOLD as BOLD 0.0, the paper also identifies the trajectory of BOLD 0.0 as BOLD 1.0, BOLD 2.0 and BOLD 3.0 in terms of the complexity and management of data sets from different sources.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a viewpoint and the ideas presented here are personal.

Findings

The trajectory of BOLD shall witness ever-growing challenges as the nature and scope of data sets grow complicated. The paper posits that by the time BOLD would attain its maturity, there would be a need for newer technologies and data architecture platforms which are relatively affordable and available as “Open Source”, if possible.

Research limitations/implications

Being exploratory in approach, this viewpoint presents a futuristic trend, which may or may not be valid. Nevertheless, there are significant practical implications for the academicians and practitioners to appreciate the likely challenges in the coming times for ensuring the sustainability of BOLD.

Originality/value

While there are a number of studies on BOLD, there are no studies which seek to propose the possible trends in BOLD’s progress. This paper seeks to plug this gap.
The impact of external integration on halal food integrity
Authors: Tan Kim Hua , Ali Mohd Helmi , Makhbul Zafir Mohd , Ismail Azman
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Much has been written about the importance of external integration for the integrity of food products. To achieve food integrity, all actors along the supply chain have to be fully integrated and comply with an assurance system or process. The more complex the supply chain operations are, the greater will be the need for integration. This research paper investigates the impact of external integration on compliance with halal standards, as an example of product integrity within the food industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 1,000 food manufacturers was conducted. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to test the effect of external integration on compliance with halal standards.

Findings

The results showed that there were links between halal assurance system and external integration. Nevertheless, it was discovered that only customer integration mediated the relationship between the halal assurance system and product quality and production cost.

Practical implications

The practical implications of the findings extend to managers in the food industry who might pursue supply chain integration as a structure to achieve excellence. The findings suggested that the deployment of a halal assurance system has a positive effect on operational performance. Furthermore, the results show that managers who wish to implement the halal assurance system should carefully invest in an external integration strategy, depending upon the operational performance improvement intended.

Originality/value

This research is one of the first studies to investigate the effects of external integration on halal food in general and is the first empirical investigation of the effect of safeguarding halal integrity on operational performance.
Traceability and risks: an extended transaction cost perspective
Authors: Stranieri Stefanella , Orsi Luigi , Banterle Alessandro
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to investigate the determinants leading firms to choose among different voluntary standards within food supply chains. In specific, the authors explored the role of transaction risks, i.e. internal and exogenous risks, in the adoption of different traceability standards.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted within the Italian population of 216 food-processing firms that adopt voluntary traceability schemes. The identification of different transaction risks was based on the literature on supply chain management and transaction cost economics. An ordinal regression model was used in the analysis.

Findings

Empirical results highlight that the transaction risks perceived by food firms play a significant role on the kind of traceability schemes to adopt. There is a positive link between internal risks and the decision to implement complex schemes. Moreover, a negative relationship between the perceived exogenous risks and the complexity of the standard adopted is also observed. Exogenous transaction risk lead to the implementation of standards which do not imply strong co-ordination. On the contrary, internal risks imply complex schemes that lead to closer supply chain relationships.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis is limited to cross-sectional data for a single country, and further investigation would help assess the generalisation of the findings.

Practical implications

The analysis can be considered a useful framework to orient firms strategic decisions towards the most appropriate voluntary standard to adopt for an efficient management of vertical relationships within food supply chains.

Originality/value

The present analysis is the first attempt to explain the determinants leading firms to choose among different kinds of voluntary standards within food supply chains. The approach used reveals that transaction risks can be considered a useful framework to explain firms’ strategic decisions related to the kind of schemes to adopt.
Distance decay relationships in foliar fungal endophytes are driven by rare taxa
Authors: Oono Ryoko , Rasmussen Anna , Lefèvre Emilie
Published: May 2017

Foliar fungal endophytes represent a diverse and species‐rich plant microbiome. Their biogeography provides essential clues to their cryptic relationship with hosts and the environment in which they disperse. We present species composition, diversity, and dispersal patterns of endophytic fungi associated with needles of Pinus taeda trees across regional scales in the absence of strong environmental gradients as well as within individual trees. An empirical designation of rare and abundant taxa enlightens us on the structure of endophyte communities. We report multiple distance‐decay patterns consistent with effects of dispersal limitation, largely driven by community changes in rare taxa, those taxonomic units that made up less than 0.31% of reads per sample on average. Distance‐decay rates and community structure also depended on specific classes of fungi and were predominantly influenced by rare members of Dothideomycetes. Communities separated by urban areas also revealed stronger effects of distance on community similarity, confirming that host density and diversity plays an important role in symbiont biogeography, which may ultimately lead to a mosaic of functional diversity as well as rare species diversity across landscapes.
Heterogeneity in Production Structures and Efficiency: An Analysis of the Czech Food Processing Industry
Authors: Čechura Lukáš , Hockmann Heinrich
Published: May 2017

The present study analyses firm heterogeneity and sector‐specific technology. The theoretical model stands on the assumption of maximizing the return on capital and overcomes problems involved in simple profit maximization. The results show that a random parameter model with sector dummies and heteroscedasticity is the most appropriate model specification for distinguishing firm‐level and sector‐level efficiency and heterogeneity. The heterogeneity among firms as well as among sectors was found to be an important characteristic in Czech food processing. This holds for production technology as well as for technical efficiency. Moreover, the decomposition of total variance shows that intrasectoral differences in technologies are much more pronounced than the intersectoral differences. The differences in intrasector heterogeneity also suggest that the food processing industry will be subject to accelerated structural change in the coming years. Moreover, we found that on average the companies highly exploit their production possibilities. However, some companies cannot keep pace with competitors. Because leapfrogging does not appear to be present in selected industries (except for Milling), structural change is expected to occur in such a way that the most successful companies will strengthen their position.
Healthcare utilisation, induced labour and caesarean section in the pregnancy after stillbirth: a prospective study
Authors: Gravensteen IK , Jacobsen E‐M , Sandset PM , Helgadottir LB , Rådestad I , Sandvik L , Ekeberg Ø
Published: May 2017

Objective

To investigate healthcare utilisation, induced labour and caesarean section (CS) in the pregnancy after stillbirth and assess anxiety and dread of childbirth as mediators for these outcomes.

Design

Population‐based pregnancy cohort study.

Setting

The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study.

Sample

A total of 901 pregnant women; 174 pregnant after stillbirth, 362 pregnant after live birth and 365 previously nulliparous.

Methods

Data from questionnaires answered in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and information from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway.

Main outcome measures

Self‐reported assessment of antenatal care, register‐based assessment of onset and mode of delivery.

Results

Women with a previous stillbirth had more frequent antenatal visits (mean 10.0; 95% CI 9.4–10.7) compared with women with a previous live birth (mean 6.0; 95% CI 5.8–6.2) and previously nulliparous women (mean 6.3; 95% CI 6.1–6.6). Induced labour and CS, elective and emergency, were also more prevalent in the stillbirth group. The adjusted odds ratio for elective CS was 2.5 (95% CI 1.3–5.0) compared with women with previous live birth and 3.7 (1.8–7.6) compared with previously nulliparous women. Anxiety was a minor mediator for the association between stillbirth and frequency of antenatal visits, whereas dread of childbirth was not a significant mediator for elective CS.

Conclusions

Women pregnant after stillbirth were more ample users of healthcare services and more often had induced labour and CS. The higher frequency of antenatal visits and elective CS could not be accounted for by anxiety or dread of childbirth.

Tweetable abstract

Women pregnant after stillbirth are ample users of healthcare services and interventions during childbirth.
The Impact of Childhood Obesity on Health and Health Service Use
Authors: Kinge Jonas Minet , Morris Stephen
Published: May 2017

Objective

To test the impact of obesity on health and health care use in children, by the use of various methods to account for reverse causality and omitted variables.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Fifteen rounds of the Health Survey for England (1998–2013), which is representative of children and adolescents in England.

Study Design

We use three methods to account for reverse causality and omitted variables in the relationship between BMI and health/health service use: regression with individual, parent, and household control variables; sibling fixed effects; and instrumental variables based on genetic variation in weight.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We include all children and adolescents aged 4–18 years old.

Principal Findings

We find that obesity has a statistically significant and negative impact on self‐rated health and a positive impact on health service use in girls, boys, younger children (aged 4–12), and adolescents (aged 13–18). The findings are comparable in each model in both boys and girls.

Conclusions

Using econometric methods, we have mitigated several confounding factors affecting the impact of obesity in childhood on health and health service use. Our findings suggest that obesity has severe consequences for health and health service use even among children.
The Impact of the ACA Medicaid Expansions on Health Insurance Coverage through 2015 and Coverage Disparities by Age, Race/Ethnicity, and Gender
Authors: Wehby George L. , Lyu Wei
Published: May 2017

Objective

Examine the ACA Medicaid expansion effects on Medicaid take‐up and private coverage through 2015 and coverage disparities by age, race/ethnicity, and gender.

Data Sources

2011–2015 American Community Survey for 3,137,989 low‐educated adults aged 19–64 years.

Study Design

Difference‐in‐differences regressions accounting for national coverage trends and state fixed effects.

Principal Findings

Expansion effects doubled in 2015 among low‐educated adults, with a nearly 8 percentage‐point increase in Medicaid take‐up and 6 percentage‐point decline in uninsured rate. Significant coverage gains were observed across virtually all examined groups by age, gender, and race/ethnicity. Take‐up and insurance declines were strongest among younger adults and were generally close by gender and race/ethnicity. Despite the increased take‐up however, coverage disparities remained sizeable, especially for young adults and Hispanics who had declining but still high uninsured rates in 2015. There was some evidence of private coverage crowd‐out in certain subgroups, particularly among young adults aged 19–26 years and women, including in both individually purchased and employer‐sponsored coverage.

Conclusions

The ACA Medicaid expansions have continued to increase coverage in 2015 across the entire population of low‐educated adults and have reduced age disparities in coverage. However, there is still a need for interventions that target eligible young and Hispanic adults.
FleN and FleQ play a synergistic role in regulating lapA and bcs operons in Pseudomonas putida KT2440
Authors: Nie Hailing , Xiao Yujie , Liu Huizhong , He Jinzhi , Chen Wenli , Huang Qiaoyun
Published: May 2017

FleN generally functions as an antagonist of FleQ in regulating flagellar genes and biofilm matrix related genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here, we found that in Pseudomonas putida KT2440, FleN and FleQ play a synergistic role in regulating two biofilm matrix coding operons, lapA and bcs. FleN deletion decreased the transcription of lapA and increased the transcription of bcs operon, and the same trend was observed in fleQ deletion mutant before. In vitro experiments showed that FleN promoted the binding of FleQ to the lapA/bcs promoter DNA especially in the presence of ATP. Both phenotype observation and transcription analysis showed that, similar to fleQ deletion, fleN deletion significantly weaken the effect of high c‐di‐GMP level on biofilm formation, surface winkle phenotype and expression of lapA and bcs operons. Mutagenesis of the putative ATP binding motif in FleNK21Q revealed that FleN ATPase activity played an essential role in the regulation of flagellar number and swimming motility but was not critical for biofilm formation. Our results revealed that FleN was not an antagonist of FleQ but a synergistic factor of FleQ in regulating the two biofilm matrix coding operons in P. putida KT2440.
New species of Acizzia (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) from an Australian endemic Solanum (Solanaceae)
Authors: Taylor Gary S
Published: May 2017

Acizzia yeni sp. nov. is described from a single population on the Australian native plant, money‐leaf nightshade, Solanum nummularium S. Moore following its discovery during the 2009 ‘Bush Blitz’ survey of Lochada Reserve in semi‐arid Western Australia. The Australian Solanum‐feeding Acizzia now comprise four described species in a morphologically defined monophyletic group: Acizzia alternata Kent & Taylor, Acizzia credoensis Taylor & Kent, Acizzia solanicola Kent & Taylor and A. yeni sp. nov. The host range of these species is expanded from commercial and garden crops, e.g. eggplant, Solanum melongena L. and a weed, wild tobacco bush, Solanum mauritianum Scop., to include the Australian endemics flannel bush, Solanum lasiophyllum Dunal, Solanum nummularium and rock nightshade, Solanum petrophilum F. Muell. Notably, two of these species, A. credoensis and A. yeni sp. nov., were discovered, and the native host of another, A. solanicola, was identified as a direct result of Bush Blitz surveys in arid inland Australia, thereby establishing the Australian origin of the solanaceous‐feeding Acizzia. Further to updating our knowledge of the Australian biota, Bush Blitz surveys are here identified as a novel serendipitous means of providing targeted surveillance towards an increasingly economically important group of psyllids for pre‐emptive plant biosecurity.
Lung function parameters in omalizumab responder patients: An interesting tool?
Authors: Paganin F. , Mangiapan G. , Proust A. , Prudhomme A. , Attia J. , Marchand‐Adam S. , Pellet F. , Milhe F. , Melloni B. , Bernady A. , Raspaud C. , Nocent C. , Berger P. , Guilleminault L.
Published: May 2017

Background

Omalizumab, an anti‐IgE antibody, is used to treat patients with severe allergic asthma. The evolution of lung function parameters over time and the difference between omalizumab responder and nonresponder patients remain inconclusive. The objective of this real‐life study was to compare the changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) of omalizumab responders and nonresponders at 6 months.

Methods

A multicenter analysis was performed in 10 secondary and tertiary institutions. Lung function parameters (forced vital capacity (FVC), pre‐ and postbronchodilator FEV1, residual volume (RV), and total lung capacity (TLC) were determined at baseline and at 6 months. Omalizumab response was assessed at the 6‐month visit. In the omalizumab responder patients, lung function parameters were also obtained at 12, 18, and 24 months.

Results

Mean prebronchodilator FEV1 showed improvement in responders at 6 months, while a decrease was observed in nonresponders (+0.2±0.4 L and −0.1±0.4 L, respectively, P<.01). After an improvement at 6 months, pre‐ and postbronchodilator FEV1 remained stable at 12, 18, and 24 months. The FEV1/FVC remained unchanged over time, but the proportion of patients with an FEV1/FVC ratio <0.7 decreased at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months (55.2%, 54.0%, 54.0%, and 44.8%, respectively, P<.05). Mean RV values decreased at 6 months but increased at 12 months and 24 months (P<.05). Residual volume/total lung capacity (RV/TLC) ratio decreased at 6 months and remained unchanged at 24 months.

Conclusion

After omalizumab initiation, FEV1 improved at 6 months in responder patients and then remained stable for 2 years. RV and RV/TLC improved at 6 months.
Use of time and adolescent health‐related quality of life/well‐being: a scoping review
Authors: Wong Monica , Lycett Kate , Olds Tim , Gold Lisa , Wake Melissa
Published: May 2017

Time use could profoundly affect adolescents' health‐related quality of life (HRQL). Ideally, overall time use patterns would be considered, because activities within a 24‐hour day are inherently correlated (more in one activity means less in another). This review focused on the associations of (i) overall time use patterns and (ii) components of time use patterns with HRQL in adolescents.

Conclusion

More physical activity, less screen time and more/adequate sleep, in isolation, are associated with better profile‐based HRQL subscales. Greater understanding of adolescents' overall time use patterns and HRQL is, therefore, a priority for policy development.
IFI16 reduced expression is correlated with unfavorable outcome in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Piccaluga Pier Paolo , Agostinelli Claudio , Righi Simona , Ciccone Maria , Re Maria Carla , Musumeci Giuseppina , Diani Erica , Signoretto Caterina , Bon Isabella , Piccin Ottavio , Cuneo Antonio , Tripodo Claudio , Ponti Cristina , Zipeto Donato , Landolfo Santo , Gibellini Davide
Published: May 2017

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in adults. Its clinical course is typically indolent; however, based on a series of pathobiological, clinical, genetic, and phenotypic parameters, patient survival varies from less than 5 to more than 20 years. In this paper, we show for the first time that the expression of the interferon‐inducible DNA sensor IFI16, a member of the PYHIN protein family involved in proliferation inhibition and apoptosis regulation, is associated with the clinical outcome in CLL. We studied 99 CLLs cases by immunohistochemistry and 10 CLLs cases by gene expression profiling. We found quite variable degrees of IFI16 expression among CLLs cases. Noteworthy, we observed that a reduced IFI16 expression was associated with a very poor survival, but only in cases with ZAP70/CD38 expression. Furthermore, we found that IFI16 expression was associated with a specific gene expression signature. As IFI16 can be easily detected by immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry, it may become a part of phenotypic screening in CLL patients if its prognostic role is confirmed in independent series.
Evaluating an educational intervention to alleviate distress amongst men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer and their partners
Authors: Hedden Lindsay , Wassersug Richard , Mahovlich Sarah , Pollock Phil , Sundar Monita , Bell Robert H. , Goldenberg Larry , Higano Celestia S.
Published: May 2017

Objective

To determine whether an education session alleviates distress for both patients with prostate cancer and their partners; and whether their partner's attendance at the session; and disease, treatment, and sociodemographic characteristics affect changes in distress levels.

Patients, Subjects and Methods

We identified men with untreated prostate cancer at the Vancouver Prostate Centre between February 2015 and March 2016 who agreed to attend our education session. The session consisted of a didactic presentation covering the biology of prostate cancer, treatment options, and side‐effects, followed by a private joint session with a urologist and radiation oncologist. We assessed distress using the Distress Thermometer (DT) and compared pre‐ and post‐session distress, and change in distress between patients and partners using matched and unmatchedt‐tests, respectively. We also assessed pre‐session anxiety using the seven‐item Generalised Anxiety Disorder measure, and decisional certainty using the Decisional Conflict Scale.

Results

In all, 71 patients and 48 partners participated in the study. Attending the session led to a significant reduction in the medianDTscore for patients (4.0–3.0,P< 0.01) and partners (5.0–4.0,P= 0.02). Partners reported higher distress both before and after the session (4.9 vs 3.8,P= 0.03 pre‐session and 4.2 vs 3.2,P= 0.03 post‐session). The presence of a partner at the session did not affect patients’ pre‐ or post‐session distress or the success of the session at alleviating distress. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics had little effect on distress levels.

Conclusions

An interdisciplinary education session is equally effective at alleviating distress for both patients with prostate cancer and their female partners.
Deglacial dynamics of the Vestfjorden – Trænadjupet palaeo‐ice stream, northern Norway
Authors: Laberg Jan Sverre , Eilertsen Raymond S. , Salomonsen Gaute R.
Published: May 2017

Few well‐dated records of the deglacial dynamics of the large palaeo‐ice streams of the major Northern Hemisphere ice sheets are presently available, a prerequisite for an improved understanding of the ice‐sheet response to the climate warming of this period. Here we present a transect of gravity‐core samples through Trænadjupet and Vestfjorden, northern Norway, the location of the Trænadjupet – Vestfjorden palaeo‐ice stream of the NW sector of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet. Initial ice recession from the shelf break to the coastal area (~400 km) occurred at an average rate of about 195 m a−1, followed by two ice re‐advances, at 16.6–16.4 ka BP (the Røst re‐advance) and at 15.8–15.6 ka BP (the Værøy re‐advance), the former at an estimated ice‐advance rate of 216 m a−1. The Røst re‐advance has been interpreted to be part of a climatically induced regional cold spell while the Værøy re‐advance was restricted to the Vestfjorden area and possibly formed as a consequence of internal ice‐sheet dynamics. Younger increases in IRD content have been correlated to the Skarpnes (Bølling – Older Dryas) and Tromsø – Lyngen (Younger Dryas) Events. Overall, the decaying Vestfjorden palaeo‐ice stream responded to the climatic fluctuations of this period but ice response due to internal reorganization is also suggested. Separating the two is important when evaluating the climatic response of the ice stream. As demonstrated here, the latter may be identified using a regional approach involving the study of several palaeo‐ice streams. The retreat rates reported here are of the same order of magnitude as rates reported for ice streams of the southern part of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet, implying no latitudinal differences in ice response and retreat rate for this ~1000 km2 sector of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet (~60–68°N) during the climate warming of this period.
Cosmopolitism and Localism in the Brazilian Social Sciences
Authors: Botelho André , Ricupero Bernardo , Brasil Antonio
Published: May 2017

This article analyzes the main trends of sociology and political science in Brazil. It uses as empirical data the workgroups and the bibliographical reviews sponsored by the Associação Nacional de Pós‐Graduação e Pesquisa em Ciências Sociais (ANPOCS), a scientific association that organizes much of the debate in the Brazilian social sciences in the last 40 years. From these data, it is verified that sociology and political science in Brazil combine a universalist vocation, in relation to its themes and problems, with an almost exclusive focus on Brazilian society. It is also considered that the current coup d'État imposes new interpretative challenges to Brazilian social sciences, which can no longer consider stable or irreversible the process of democratization of society and its political institutions.

Cet article analyse les grandes tendances de la sociologie et de la science politique au Brésil. Il se fonde sur des données empiriques venant de groupes de travail et de recensions bibliothécaires sponsorisés par l'Associação Nacional de Pós‐Graduação e Pesquisa em Ciências Sociais (ANPOCS), une association scientifique qui a organisé la plupart des débats dans les sciences sociales brésiliennes au cours des 40 dernières années. Il en découle que la sociologie et la science politique au Brésil combinent une vocation universelle, en relation avec ses thèmes et ses problèmes, et un focus presqu'exclusivement centré sur la société brésilienne. Il est aussi démontré que le coup d'État en court impose de nouveaux défis interprétatifs dans les sciences sociales brésiliennes, qui ne peuvent plus considérer le processus de démocratisation de la société et de ses institutions politiques comme étant stables ou irréversibles.
Immune monitoring as prerequisite for transplantation tolerance trials
Authors: Behnam Sani K , Sawitzki B
Published: May 2017

Ever since its first application in clinical medicine, scientists have been urged to induce tolerance towards foreign allogeneic transplants and thus avoid rejection by the recipient's immune system. This would circumvent chronic use of immunosuppressive drugs (IS) and thus avoid development of IS-induced side effects, which are contributing to the still unsatisfactory long-term graft and patient survival after solid organ transplantation. Although manifold strategies of tolerance induction have been described in preclinical models, only three therapeutic approaches have been utilized successfully in a still small number of patients. These approaches are based on (i) IS withdrawal in spontaneous operational tolerant (SOT) patients, (ii) induction of a mixed chimerism and (iii) adoptive transfer of regulatory cells. Results of clinical trials utilizing these approaches show that tolerance induction does not work in all patients. Thus, there is a need for reliable biomarkers, which can be used for patient selection and post-therapeutic immune monitoring of safety, success and failure. In this review, we summarize recent achievements in the identification and validation of such immunological assays and biomarkers, focusing mainly on kidney and liver transplantation. From the published findings so far, it has become clear that indicative biomarkers may vary between different therapeutic approaches applied and organs transplanted. Also, patient numbers studied so far are very small. This is the main reason why nearly all described parameters lack validation and reproducibility testing in large clinical trials, and are therefore not yet suitable for clinical practice.
T helper type 1-related molecules as well as interleukin-15 are hyperexpressed in the skin lesions of patients with pyoderma gangrenosum
Authors: Antiga E , Maglie R , Volpi W , Bianchi B , Berti E , Marzano A V , Caproni M
Published: May 2017

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare, immune-mediated skin disease classified into the group of neutrophilic dermatoses. Although a number of studies confirmed the central role of innate immunity, only few studies have investigated the possible contributing role of acquired immunity. In particular, no reports concerning T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells are available as yet. Therefore, 15 patients with PG, five with Sweet's syndrome (SS) and nine skin specimens from healthy controls (HC) were investigated, evaluating the expression of Th1-related markers interleukin (IL)-12, interferon (IFN)-γ, C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) and C-C motif chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), of the Th2-related molecules IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and CCR3, of the co-stimulatory axis CD40/CD40 ligand, of IL-15 and the natural killer (NK) cell marker CD56 in skin lesions by immunohistochemistry. Patients with PG and SS showed a higher expression of Th1 markers than HC. Conversely, IL-5- and CCR3-expressing cells were less numerous in PG skin lesions compared to SS (P = 0·0157 and < 0·0001, respectively). Both CD40 and CD40L were expressed more in PG than in SS and HC (P < 0·0001 for both). Finally, the number of IL-15+ and CD56+ cells was higher in the skin of patients with PG than in those of SS and HC (P < 0·0001 for both). Our results suggest that Th2 cells are down-regulated in PG. At the same time, over-expression of the co-stimulatory axis CD40/CD40L amplifies the impairment of the Th1/Th2 balance. Both these findings might explain the most aggressive behaviour of PG in comparison to SS. Moreover, over-expression of IL-15+ and CD56+ cells may suggest a possible role of NK cells in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Management and outcome of clinically evident neck recurrence in patients with papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Wang Laura Y. , Migliacci Jocelyn C. , Tuttle R. Michael , Shaha Ashok R. , Shah Jatin P. , Patel Snehal G. , Ganly Ian
Published: May 2017

Background

The aim of this study was to report our incidence of clinically evident neck recurrence, salvage neck management and subsequent outcomes in patients with papillary thyroid cancer. This is important to know so that patients with thyroid cancer can be properly counselled about the implications of recurrent disease and subsequent outcome.

Methods

An institutional database of 3664 patients with thyroid cancer operated between 1986 and 2010 was reviewed. Patients with nonpapillary histology and gross residual disease and those with distant metastases at presentation or distant metastases prior to nodal recurrence were excluded from the study. Of these, 99 (3.0%) patients developed clinically evident nodal recurrence. Details of recurrence and subsequent therapy were recorded for each patient. Subsequent disease‐specific survival (sDSS), distant recurrence‐free survival (sDRFS) and nodal recurrence‐free survival (sNRFS) were determined from the date of first nodal recurrence using the Kaplan‐Meier method.

Results

Of the 99 patients, 59% were female and 41% male. The median age was 41 years (range 5‐91). The majority of patients had pT3/4 primary tumours (63%) and were pN+ (78%) at initial presentation. The median time to clinically evident nodal recurrence was 28 months (range: 3‐264). Nodal recurrence occurred in the central neck in 15 (15%) patients, lateral neck in 74 (75%) patients and both in 10 (10%) patients. After salvage treatment, the 5‐year sDSS was 97.4% from time of nodal recurrence. The 5‐year sDRFS and sNRFS were 89.2% and 93.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

In our series, isolated clinically evident nodal recurrence occurred in 3.0% of patients. Such patients are successfully salvaged with surgery and adjuvant therapy with sDSS of 97.4% at 5 years.
DBA/2J mouse model for experimental glaucoma: pitfalls and problems
Authors: Turner Anita J , Vander Wall Roshana , Gupta Vivek , Klistorner Alex , Graham Stuart L
Published: May 2017

Background

The DBA/2J mouse has been described as a model for congenital experimental glaucoma. It develops anterior segment anomalies with synechiae and pigment dispersion leading to raised intraocular pressure and glaucomatous damage. However, there are serious practical considerations when using this model in longitudinal studies.

Methods

We followed 118 mice from 12–48 weeks of age in a pharmaceutical trial. Here we report on the findings in control animals (n = 37). Intraocular pressure was measured weekly, electrophysiology and optical coherence tomography every 6 weeks. A subset also had invasive intraocular pressure measurements performed prior to euthanasia.

Results

Although intraocular pressure eventually rose by 9 months in most animals, tonometry was complicated by corneal calcification in the majority of animals rendering intraocular pressure measurement unreliable. Invasive intraocular pressure did not correlate with non‐invasive measures. Loss of scotopic threshold response and thinning of inner retinal layers on optical coherence tomography was observed over time, suggesting glaucomatous damage, but this occurred in some animals without raised intraocular pressure. Poor pupil dilation significantly affected electrophysiology, optical coherence tomography and fundus imaging; 22% of animals developed major systemic complications leading to high dropout rate.

Conclusions

The DBA/2J experimental glaucoma model shows variability in expression, and its pathological changes cause major difficulties in assessing disease progression. From our experience, the model presents significant challenges for drug studies in glaucoma, as there are many confounding factors: difficulty with accurate intraocular pressure measurement, in vivo imaging, and electrophysiology recording and a high dropout rate. In addition, there may be an underlying neurodegenerative process independent of intraocular pressure.
Impact and management of left ventricular function on the prognosis of Takotsubo syndrome
Authors: El‐Battrawy Ibrahim , Ansari Uzair , Lang Siegfried , Behnes Michael , Schramm Katja , Fastner Christian , Zhou Xiaobo , Kuschyk Jürgen , Tülümen Erol , Röger Susanne , Borggrefe Martin , Akin Ibrahim
Published: May 2017

Background

Early research has proposed that patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) could have a higher mortality rate than the general population. Our study was conducted to determine the short‐ and long‐term outcome of TTS patients associated with a significantly compromised left ventricular function on hospital admission.

Materials and methods

Our institutional database constituted a collective of 112 patients diagnosed with TTS between 2003 and 2015. The patients were classified into two groups based on the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), with those presenting with a LVEF > 35% on admission categorized into one group (n = 65, 58%) and those presenting with LVEF ≤ 35% (n=47, 42%) categorized into another group. The endpoint was the all‐cause of mortality over a mean follow‐up of 1529 ± 1121 days.

Results

Preliminary results indicated that patients with an EF ≤ 35% had a significantly greater risk of developing life‐threatening arrhythmias, and were much more likely to suffer from cardiogenic shock. Patients often required varying forms of mechanical respiratory support. The in‐hospital mortality, 30‐day mortality, 1‐year mortality and ongoing long‐term mortality was significantly higher in TTS patients with an EF ≤ 35%. In a multivariate Cox regression analysis, an EF ≤ 35% (HR 3·3, 95% CI: 1·2–9·2, P < 0·05) was identified as a strong independent predictor of the primary endpoint.

Conclusions

In‐hospital events as well as short‐ and long‐term mortality rates among TTS patients diagnosed with a significantly reduced LVEF on admission were significantly higher. There is an urgent need for randomized trials, which could help define uniform clinical management strategies for high risk TTS patients.