bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of mortgage price affordability: a study of Ghana
Authors: Owusu-Manu DeGraft , Edwards David John , Pärn Erika Anneli , Asiedu Richard Ohene , Aboagye Alex
Published: June 2018

Purpose

While mortgage markets have gradually emerged in many African countries, substantial barriers still hinder their growth and expansion. Affordability has been widely cited as a prominent issue that doggedly remains at the core of urban housing problems. Hence, this paper aims to investigate the determinants of mortgage price affordability.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered using semi-structured questionnaires obtained from a sample drawn from three major West African mortgage financing institutions. Respondents rated the variables using a five-point Likert item rating. The survey results were analysed using exploratory factor analysis.

Findings

In total, 11 variables that influence mortgage affordability were categorised within five principal components, namely, economic factors, financial factors, property characteristics, developmental factors and geographical factors.

Practical implications

The results provide insightful guidance to policymakers and practitioners on how to mitigate affordability issues within Ghana’s fledgling mortgage market. Failure to address the mortgage price affordability conundrum will place enormous pressure upon social housing and rental accommodation.

Originality/value

The research findings expand existing frontiers of knowledge by investigating and reporting upon the determinants of mortgage price affordability. The work also engenders wider debate on the need to establish mortgage packages targeted at low-to-middle-income earners. The culmination of analysis and debate will provide a robust basis for developing a future housing policy framework.
Assessing the strategic needs of local territorial systems (LTSs)
Authors: Pino Giovanni , Guido Gianluigi , Peluso Alessandro M. , Pichierri Marco
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the literature on place marketing by focusing on the concept of strategic needs, i.e. the set of strategic priorities that a place could achieve in a medium- to long-term horizon to improve its development.

Design/methodology/approach

The research examines the strategic needs of four local territorial systems (LTSs), i.e. clusters of municipalities that share social, economic and spatial similarities, located in a southern Italian province, through an analysis of their competitive positioning over three temporal instants.

Findings

For each LTS, the analysis identified a number of development goals that local policymakers could pursue and the strategies most suitable to achieve the said goals.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a new methodological approach to set the development goals of local areas based on the simultaneous assessment of their attractiveness and competitive capacity.
University entrepreneurship: how to trigger entrepreneurial intent of undergraduate students
Authors: Rodríguez Gutiérrez Paola Isabel , Pastor Pérez María del Pilar , Alonso Galicia Patricia Esther
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the elements and relationships that explain the entrepreneurial intent in university students, evaluating possible gender and degree differences.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is of quantitative approach, survey research design and cross-sectional method. The instrument used was a self-administered questionnaire answered by undergraduate university students enrolled in a public university. The sampling was stratified random, with a representative sample size of 734 cases. For data analysis and hypothesis testing, a confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation model were made.

Findings

The results show that the entrepreneurial self-efficacy attribute largely explains the entrepreneurial intent, while all other variables, such as entrepreneurial identity aspirations and outcome expectations, play a less important role but maintain some influence.

Research limitations/implications

According to the findings of this research, institutions of higher education should direct efforts to improve the entrepreneurial skills of students, especially for women. And the creation of an institutional entrepreneurial culture should also be emphasized so that the university students are able to build an entrepreneurial identity.

Originality/value

The value of the research is the proposed integrative model that explains how to trigger entrepreneurial intent, shows the prominent role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy as a predictor variable of entrepreneurial intent and the role of entrepreneur identity aspirations and entrepreneurial self-efficacy as mediating variables. Additionally, this research identifies differences in the model of entrepreneurial intent derived from the variables of gender and degrees.
Impact of perceived risk of food nutrients and serving size on consumer involvement with food labels
Authors: Karakaya Fahri , Saracli Sinan
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This study aims to examine consumer involvement with nutrition labels in the USA. Although food label information including nutrition, size and color are standardized and mandated by Food and Drug Administration, consumers perceive some food labels more confusing than others and many ignore the information by seeing them as unimportant. This study measures the importance of different nutrients and examines the differences between consumers that read nutrition labels and consumers that do not read nutrition labels.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 300 consumers were surveyed using Qualtrics internet panel about the importance of nutrition information on food labels. Importance of food nutrients and food serving, size as they impact consumer involvement with food labels, was measured using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate perceived risk associated with nutrition labels, and food serving size information impacts consumer involvement with nutrition labels.

Practical implications

There are a variety of important public policy implications for government agencies and food manufacturers in educating the public about the use of nutrition information on food labels.

Originality/value

This study expands previous research by adding three more nutrients to the dietary scale from nutrition labels (sodium, cholesterol and carbohydrates) and focuses mainly on the nutrients that are considered to be negative for most people.
Reification and praxis of public private partnerships in history
Authors: Shankar Nayak Bhabani
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reject the essentialist and neoliberal approach to public–private partnerships (PPPs) by critically evaluating both normative and empirical arguments within existing literature on PPPs. It explores different dynamics of PPPs in theory and practice within global public policy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws its methodological lineages to nonlinear historical narrative around the concept and construction of the idea and language of “PPPs”. The paper follows discourse analysis (Fairclough, 2003) to locate the way in which the PPPs were incorporated within the language of global public policy.

Findings

The paper finds that most of the existing literature is looking at managerial, operational, functional and essentialist aspects of PPPs. Therefore, the paper argues that critical success of PPPs depends on its social value for common good with an emancipatory outlook. The study encourages future researchers to move beyond functional aspects of PPPs and locate emancipatory possibilities within the praxis of PPPs from a holistic perspective of global public policy.

Research limitations/implications

The existing literature on the concepts and history of PPPs locate its relevance for budgeting and development planning in developed countries and developing countries. Such literature often draws out the advantages and disadvantages of these concepts with a strong focus on the financial implications to the shareholders. However, there appears to be less emphasis on the effects of these concepts and gaps between theory and practice of PPPs.

Originality/value

The paper rejects the essentialist and neoliberal approach to PPPs and argues for an emancipatory approach to understand and implement PPPs.
Global risk factors in the returns of listed private equity
Authors: Döpke Jörg , Tegtmeier Lars
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is, to study macroeconomic risk factors driving the expected stock returns of listed private equity (LPE). The authors use LPE indices divided into different styles and regions from January 2004 to December 2016 and a set of country stock indices to estimate the macroeconomic risk profiles and corresponding risk premiums. Using a seemingly unrelated regressions (SUR) model to estimate factor sensitivities, the authors document that LPE indices exhibit stock marketβs that are greater than 1. A one-factor asset pricing model using world stock market returns as the only possible risk factor is rejected on the basis of generalized method of moments (GMM) orthogonality conditions. In contrast, using the change in a currency basket, the G-7 industrial production, the G-7 term spread, the G-7 inflation rate and a recently proposed indicator of economic policy uncertainty as additional risk factors, this multifactor model is able to price a cross-section of expected LPE returns. The risk-return profile of LPE differs from country equity indices. Consequently, LPE should be treated as a separate asset class.

Design/methodology/approach

Following Ferson and Harvey (1994), the authors use an unconditional asset pricing model to capture the structure of returns across LPE. The authors use 11 LPE indices divided into different styles and regions from January 2004 to December 2016, and a set of country stock indices as spanning assets to estimate the macroeconomic risk profiles and corresponding risk premiums.

Findings

Using a seemingly unrelated regressions (SUR) model to estimate factor sensitivities, the authors document that LPE indices exhibit stock marketßs that are greater than 1. The authors estimate a one-factor asset pricing model using world stock market returns as the only possible risk factor by GMM. This model is rejected on the basis of the GMM orthogonality conditions. By contrast, a multifactor model built on the change in a currency basket, the G-7 industrial production, the G-7 term spread, the G-7 inflation rate and a recently proposed indicator of global economic policy uncertainty as additional risk factors is able to price a cross-section of expected LPE returns.

Research limitations/implications

Given data availability, the authors’ sample is strongly influenced by the financial crisis and its aftermath.

Practical implications

Information about the risk profile of LPE is important for asset allocation decisions. In particular, it may help to optimally react to contemporaneous changes in economy-wide risk factors.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first LPE study which investigates whether a set of macroeconomic factors is actually priced and, therefore, associated with a non-zero risk premium in the cross-section of returns.
Are covered calls the right option for Australian investors?
Authors: Niblock Scott J. , Sinnewe Elisabeth
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether superior risk-adjusted returns can be generated using monthly covered call option strategies in large capitalized Australian equity portfolios and across varying market volatility conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors construct monthly in-the-money (ITM) and out-of-the-money (OTM) S&P/ASX 20 covered call portfolios from 2010 to 2015 and use standard and alternative performance measures. An assessment of variable levels of market volatility on risk-adjusted return performance is also carried out using the spread between implied and realized volatility indexes.

Findings

The results of this paper show that covered call writing produces similar nominal returns at lower risk when compared against the standalone buy-and-hold portfolio. Both standard and alternative performance measures (with the exception of the upside potential ratio) demonstrate that covered call portfolios produce superior risk-adjusted returns, particularly when written deeper OTM. The 36-month rolling regressions also reveal that deeper OTM portfolios deliver greater risk-adjusted returns in the majority of the sub-periods investigated. This paper also establishes that volatility spread variation may be a driver of performance for covered call writing in Australia.

Originality/value

The authors suggest that deeper OTM covered call strategies based on large capitalized portfolios create value for investors/fund managers in the Australian stock market and can be executed in volatile market conditions. Such strategies are particularly useful for those seeking market neutral asset allocation and less risk exposure in volatile market environments.
Effectiveness of a small‐group vocabulary intervention programme: evidence from a regression discontinuity design
Authors: Dyson Hannah , Solity Jonathan , Best Wendy , Hulme Charles
Published: June 2018

Background

Children's vocabulary knowledge is closely related to other measures of language development and to literacy skills and educational attainment.

Aim

To use a regression discontinuity design (RDD) to evaluate the effectiveness of a small‐group vocabulary intervention programme for children with poor vocabulary knowledge.

Methods & Procedures

The vocabulary knowledge of children (N = 199) aged 6–9 years was assessed in six classes. Based on scores at the initial assessment, children with low vocabulary scores for their age were assigned to an intervention group (43 children), with the remaining 156 children assigned to a control group. Children in the intervention group received two to three small‐group weekly teaching sessions over a 10‐week period. All children were retested post‐intervention on the same measures of vocabulary knowledge.

Outcomes & Results

The intervention group showed significant improvements in their knowledge of the meanings of the taught words at post‐test (an additional 3.95 words learned [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.70–5.20] compared with the control group; d = 1.20), but the effects did not generalize to untaught words.

Conclusions & Implications

A small‐group vocabulary intervention programme is effective for teaching word meanings to 6–9‐year‐old children with poor vocabulary skills. This study provides further evidence that the RDD is an effective method for evaluating educational interventions.
Factors associated with pregnancy desire among adolescent women in five Latin American countries: a multilevel analysis
Authors: Estrada F , Suárez‐López L , Hubert C , Allen‐Leigh B , Campero L , Cruz‐Jimenez L
Published: June 2018

Objective

To explore demographic, socio‐economic, and reproductive factors associated with pregnancy desire among adolescents in five Latin American countries.

Design

Secondary analysis using nationally representative, cross‐sectional data from UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS).

Setting

Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, and Panama.

Population

Adolescents 15–19 years old who were pregnant or mothers (n = 4207).

Methods

Chi‐square tests, simple linear regressions, and multilevel Poisson regression models were used to estimate associations between individual‐ and country‐level factors associated with pregnancy desire among adolescents.

Main outcome measures

Desire for pregnancy among adolescents who were pregnant or had given birth in the last 2 years.

Results

The proportion of adolescents who reported they desired their last pregnancy ranged from 79.3% in Cuba to 37.6% in Panama; approximately half the adolescents in Mexico, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic desired their last pregnancy. The multilevel analysis shows that pregnancy desire was more likely among adolescent women who were less educated [prevalence ratio (PR) = 0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96–0.98], older (PR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.04–1.09), married or cohabiting with a partner (PR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.53–0.93), and had low parity (PR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.58–0.76).

Conclusions

Adolescents with less education, who are older, married or cohabiting, and with low parity were more likely to desire their pregnancy. These data constitute evidence that, in conjunction with qualitative and implementation research, can be used to better design services for adolescents so they can exercise their sexual and reproductive rights, and plan healthier and more satisfying futures.

Funding

All the databases used on the performance of this study are open access. We did not receive any funding for the present analysis.

Tweetable abstract

Parity and marital status showed the strongest association with adolescent pregnancy desire in five Latin American countries.
Highly specific preoperative selection of solitary parathyroid adenoma cases in primary hyperparathyroidism by quantitative image analysis of the early‐phase Technetium‐99m sestamibi scan
Authors: Kim DaeHee , Rhodes Jeffrey A , Hashim Jeffrey A , Rickabaugh Lawrence , Brams David M , Pinkus Edward , Dou Yamin
Published: June 2018

Introduction

Highly specific preoperative localizing test is required to select patients for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) in lieu of traditional four‐gland exploration. We hypothesized that Tc‐99m sestamibi scan interpretation incorporating numerical measurements on the degree of asymmetrical activity from bilateral thyroid beds can be useful in localizing single adenoma for MIP.

Methods

We devised a quantitative interpretation method for Tc‐99m sestamibi scan based on the numerically graded asymmetrical activity on early phase. The numerical ratio value of each scan was obtained by dividing the number of counts from symmetrically drawn regions of interest (ROI) over bilateral thyroid beds. The final pathology and clinical outcome of 109 patients were used to perform receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis.

Results

Receiver operating curve analysis revealed the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to be 0.71 (P = 0.0032), validating this method as a diagnostic tool. The optimal cut‐off point for the ratio value with maximal combined sensitivity and specificity was found with corresponding sensitivity of 67.9% (56.5–77.2%, 95% CI) and specificity of 75.0% (52.8–91.8%, 95% CI). An additional higher cut‐off with higher specificity with minimal possible sacrifice on sensitivity was also selected, yielding sensitivity of 28.6% (18.8–38.6%, 95% CI) and specificity of 90.0% (69.6–98.8%, 95% CI).

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that the more asymmetrical activity on the initial phase, the more successful it is to localize a single parathyroid adenoma on sestamibi scans. Using early‐phase Tc‐99m sestamibi scan only, we were able to select patients for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy with 90% specificity.
Optimized DNA sampling of ancient bones using Computed Tomography scans
Authors: Alberti Federica , Gonzalez Javier , Paijmans Johanna L. A. , Basler Nikolas , Preick Michaela , Henneberger Kirstin , Trinks Alexandra , Rabeder Gernot , Conard Nicholas J. , Münzel Susanne C. , Joger Ulrich , Fritsch Guido , Hildebrandt Thomas , Hofreiter Michael , Barlow Axel
Published: June 2018

The prevalence of contaminant microbial DNA in ancient bone samples represents the principal limiting factor for palaeogenomic studies, as it may comprise more than 99% of DNA molecules obtained. Efforts to exclude or reduce this contaminant fraction have been numerous but also variable in their success. Here, we present a simple but highly effective method to increase the relative proportion of endogenous molecules obtained from ancient bones. Using computed tomography (CT) scanning, we identify the densest region of a bone as optimal for sampling. This approach accurately identifies the densest internal regions of petrous bones, which are known to be a source of high‐purity ancient DNA. For ancient long bones, CT scans reveal a high‐density outermost layer, which has been routinely removed and discarded prior to DNA extraction. For almost all long bones investigated, we find that targeted sampling of this outermost layer provides an increase in endogenous DNA content over that obtained from softer, trabecular bone. This targeted sampling can produce as much as 50‐fold increase in the proportion of endogenous DNA, providing a directly proportional reduction in sequencing costs for shotgun sequencing experiments. The observed increases in endogenous DNA proportion are not associated with any reduction in absolute endogenous molecule recovery. Although sampling the outermost layer can result in higher levels of human contamination, some bones were found to have more contamination associated with the internal bone structures. Our method is highly consistent, reproducible and applicable across a wide range of bone types, ages and species. We predict that this discovery will greatly extend the potential to study ancient populations and species in the genomics era.
ORMDL3 and its implication in inflammatory disorders
Authors: Ma Xiaochun , Long Feng , Yun Yan , Dang Jie , Wei Shijun , Zhang Qian , Li Jinzhang , Zhang Haizhou , Zhang Wenlong , Wang Zhengjun , Liu Qiji , Zou Chengwei
Published: June 2018

A growing body of evidence has suggested the genetic association of ORMDL3 gene (ORMDL Sphingolipid Biosynthesis Regulator 3) polymorphisms with a diverse set of inflammatory disorders that include bronchial asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, ankylosing spondylitis and atherosclerosis. Gene functional investigations have revealed the particular relevance of ORMDL3 in endoplasmic reticulum stress, lipid metabolism and inflammatory reactions. Additionally, several reports have recently added a new dimension to our understanding of the modulation of ORMDL3 gene expression in inflammation. This mini‐review summarizes the pertinent publications regarding the genetic association studies and mechanistic exploration of ORMDL3 in common inflammatory disorders.
Effect of active immunization with IL‐17A on B cell function and infection risk in pristane‐induced lupus model
Authors: Handono Kusworini , Pratama Mirza Zaka , Sari Dita Kartika , Hermawan Hanestya Oky , Agdana Hafishtyawan Maulidyananta , Kawuningan Keryasta Becik , Nur'aini Nafisah , Hasanah Dian , Kalim Handono
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of active immunization of interleukin (IL)‐17A to inhibit B cell functions and monitor the risk of infection in a pristane‐induced lupus mice model.

Methods

Female Balb/c mice were given a single intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 mL pristane. IL‐17A was coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and given to mice in three different doses: D0 (0 μg/mL), D1 (1 μg/mL), and D2 (10 μg/mL). The vaccine was given three times with 3‐week intervals. At day 42, mice were injected intraperitoneally with methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and monitored for 3 weeks. Plasma cells proliferation, Th17 and plasma cell percentages were measured by flow cytometry; anti‐IL‐17A antibody titers, IL‐17A, and anti‐double‐stranded DNA (anti‐dsDNA) levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay; and MRSA colonization was measured by bacterial counter.

Results

Anti‐IL‐17A antibody titers were significantly higher in D2 compared to D0 (P = 0.012). Serum IL‐17A levels were also significantly lower in D2 compared to D0 (P = 0.000) while Th17 percentages were not significantly different between groups. D2 was also had significantly lower anti‐dsDNA (P = 0.021), lower plasma cell percentages (P = 0.000) and lower B cell proliferation rate (P = 0.001) compared to D0. Analysis for the risk of infection also revealed that D2 did not increase the risk of infection compared to D0 (P = 0.504).

Conclusion

Active immunization with IL‐17A coupled to KLH was able to induce a high titer of neutralizing antibodies against IL‐17A and inhibit B cell functions without increasing the risk of infection in a pristane‐induced lupus mice model.
Oral health and dental morbidity in long‐term allogeneic blood and marrow transplant survivors in Australia
Authors: Dyer G , Brice L , Schifter M , Gilroy N , Kabir M , Hertzberg M , Greenwood M , Larsen SR , Moore J , Gottlieb D , Huang G , Hogg M , Brown L , Tan J , Ward C , Kerridge I
Published: June 2018

Background

Oral and dental disease is a major cause of long‐term morbidity following allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation (Allo‐BMT). This study aimed to describe the extent and range of oral and dental complications in BMT recipients and to identify gaps in service provision provided to this high‐risk group.

Methods

Participants were Allo‐BMT recipients, aged >18 years, and received transplants between 2000 and 2012 in NSW. They completed seven surveys, the purpose‐designed Sydney Post‐BMT Study survey and six other validated instruments.

Results

Of 441 respondents, many reported dry mouth (45.1%), dental caries (36.7%), mouth ulcers (35.3%), oral GVHD (35.1%), gingivitis (16.2%), tooth abscess (6.1%) and oral cancer (1.5%). Regular dental visits were reported by 66.2% of survivors. Middle–high income, older age and geographic location showed a positive association with regular dental visits. Of those who did not visit the dentist regularly, 37% stated they did not feel it necessary, 36% reported cost and 20% stated it was not advised by the treating team.

Conclusion

Despite oral complications commonly occurring after Allo‐BMT, many survivors receive inadequate dental care. These results emphasize the need for improved oral health education, the importance of regular dental checks and improvement in the delivery of dental health services for BMT survivors.
Must the underdog win? The moderation effect of product type in the underdog effect of brand stories
Authors: Li Yalin , Zhao Min
Published: June 2018

From politics to sports to business, people are quick to categorize those at a competitive disadvantage as “underdogs.” Moreover, there is ample anecdotal support that most people do not hesitate to align themselves with underdogs, a phenomenon called “the underdog effect.” This study examines the moderation effect of product type (hedonic product vs. functional product) between brand stories and consumer brand identification using a mobile phone as the manipulated product. The moderation effect is tested with data collected from 287 participants in Wuhan, China. Results show that product type plays a significant moderating role. Specifically, consumers have higher brand identification if a functional product uses “top‐dog” brand stories or if a hedonic product uses underdog brand stories. The implications, limitations, and future studies are discussed.
Review article: Asia‐Pacific consensus recommendations on endoscopic tissue acquisition for biliary strictures
Authors: Sun B. , Moon J. H. , Cai Q. , Rerknimitr R. , Ma S. , Lakhtakia S. , Ryozawa S. , Kutsumi H. , Yasuda I. , Shiomi H. , Li X. , Li W. , Zhang X. , Itoi T. , Wang H.‐P. , Qian D. , Wong Lau J. Y. , Yang Z. , Ji M. , Hu B. ,   Asia‐Pacific ERCP Club
Published: June 2018

Background

Pre‐operative tissue diagnosis for suspected malignant biliary strictures remains challenging.

Aim

To develop evidence‐based consensus statements on endoscopic tissue acquisition for biliary strictures.

Methods

The initial draft of statements was prepared following a systematic literature review. A committee of 20 experts from Asia‐Pacific region then reviewed, discussed, and modified the statements. Two rounds of independent voting were conducted to reach a final version. Consensus was considered to be achieved when 80% or more of voting members voted “agree completely” or “agree with some reservation.”

Results

Eleven statements achieved consensus. The choice of tissue sampling modalities for biliary strictures depends on the clinical setting, the location of lesion, and availability of expertise. Detailed radiological and endoscopic evaluation is useful to guide the selection of appropriate tissue acquisition technique. Standard intraductal biliary brushing and/or forceps biopsy is the first option when endoscopic biliary drainage is required with an overall (range) sensitivity and specificity of 45% (26%‐72%) and 99% (98%‐100%), and 48% (15%‐100%) and 99% (97%‐100%), respectively, in diagnosing malignant biliary strictures. Probe‐based confocal laser endomicroscopy and fluorescence in situ hybridisation using 4 fluorescent‐labelled probes targeting chromosomes 3, 7, 17 and 9p21 locus may be added to improve the diagnostic yield. Cholangioscopy‐guided biopsy and EUS‐guided tissue acquisition can be considered after prior negative conventional tissue sampling with an overall (range) sensitivity and specificity of 60% (38%‐88%) and 98% (83%‐100%), and 80% (46%‐100%) and 97% (92%‐100%), respectively, in diagnosing malignant biliary strictures.

Conclusion

These consensus statements provide evidence‐based recommendations for endoscopic tissue acquisition of biliary strictures.
Risk of post‐operative surgical site infections after vedolizumab vs anti‐tumour necrosis factor therapy: a propensity score matching analysis in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Park K. T. , Sceats L. , Dehghan M. , Trickey A. W. , Wren A. , Wong J. J. , Bensen R. , Limketkai B. N. , Keyashian K. , Kin C.
Published: June 2018

Background

Perioperative vedolizumab (VDZ) and anti‐tumour necrosis factor (TNFi) therapies are implicated in causing post‐operative complications in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Aim

To compare the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) between VDZ‐ and TNFi‐treated IBD patients in propensity‐matched cohorts.

Methods

The Optum Research Database was used to identify IBD patients who received VDZ or TNFi within 30 days prior to abdominal surgery between January 2015 and December 2016. The date of IBD‐related abdominal surgery was defined as the index date. SSIs were determined by ICD‐9/10 and CPT codes related to superficial wound infections or deep organ space infections after surgery. Propensity score 1:1 matching established comparable cohorts based on VDZ or TNFi exposure before surgery based on evidence‐based risk modifiers.

Results

The propensity‐matched sample included 186 patients who received pre‐operative biologic therapy (VDZ, n = 94; TNFi, n = 92). VDZ and TNFi cohorts were similar based on age, gender, IBD type, concomitant immunomodulator exposure, chronic opioid or corticosteroid therapy, Charlson Comorbidity Index and malnutrition. VDZ patients were more likely to undergo an open bowel resection with ostomy. After propensity score matching, there was no significant difference in post‐operative SSIs (TNFi 12.0% vs VDZ 14.9%, P = 0.56). Multivariable analysis indicated that malnutrition was the sole risk factor for developing SSI (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.11‐8.71) regardless of the type of biologic exposure.

Conclusion

In the largest, risk‐adjusted cohort analysis to date, perioperative exposure to VDZ therapy was not associated with a significantly higher risk of developing an SSI compared to TNFi therapy.
The gringos of Cuenca: How retirement migrants perceive their impact on lower income communities
Authors: Hayes Matthew
Published: June 2018

This paper looks at the concern North Americans express about the impact their relatively higher incomes are having on lower income workers in Cuenca, Ecuador. North Americans who retire to Cuenca often perceive their impact to be minimal or benign, yet a large amount of discussion within the community of “expat” migrants is about different ways North Americans are affecting the local economy, and how to minimise these impacts. Of particular concern is the racialised price system that migrants perceive to be in effect. North Americans racialise their economic impact, seeing “gringo pricing,” rather than their higher incomes, as a threat to the receiving community. Participants evoked moral codes to discuss price levels, and sought to diminish their impact – not merely out of concern for Ecuadorians who might be displaced by higher prices, but out of a sense of ruining the authenticity of Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The enduring field: Exploring researcher emotions in covert research with antagonistic organisations
Authors: Maguire Heather , McCartan Andrew , Nash Catherine Jean , Browne Kath
Published: June 2018

This paper explores the emotional dimensions of doing covert research with antagonistic organisations. Drawing on the experiences of three researchers who identify as lesbian, gay, and LGBT ally, who covertly attended public and semi‐public conferences and events organised by groups with heteroactivist positionings over two years, we consider the multiple, nuanced and complex emotional dimensions of being “behind enemy lines” (Jansson, ). We argue for greater consideration of the emotional spaces covert research creates, as in our case a “closet” space was produced which suppressed our sexualities or allyship. Furthermore, we argue that the process of doing covert research is one that both precedes and exceeds being in the field, and as such, we need to pay attention to researcher emotion as a process that begins long before we step into the field and continues long after we leave.
Effects of different forage combinations in total mixed rations on in vitro gas production kinetics, ruminal and milk fatty acid profiles of lactating cows
Authors: Bai Sarvvl , Cao Zhi‐Jun , Cao Bin‐Bin , Yang Hong‐Jian , Li Sheng‐Li , Liu Jian‐Xin
Published: June 2018

This study aimed to determine the effects of different forage combinations on in vitro gas production (GP) kinetics, ruminal and milk fatty acid profiles. Forty‐five lactating cows were randomly arranged into three groups and fed three total mixed rations (TMRs) with different forage combinations: TMR1, 23% alfalfa hay, 7% Chinese wild ryegrass hay and 15% whole corn silage; TMR2, 30% corn stover plus 15% whole corn silage; TMR3, 30% rice straw plus 15% whole corn silage. In vitro dry matter disappearance ranked: TMR1 > TMR2 > TMR3, and highest cumulative GP and asymptotic GP occurred in TMR1 while no difference occurred between TMR2 and TMR3. The average GP rate ranked: TMR1 > TMR2 > TMR3. TMR1 in comparison with TMR2 and TMR3 presented lower rumen contents of acetate and butyrate and greater rumen contents of propionate, valerate, C13:0, C14:0, C15:0, C18:1cis‐9, C18:2n‐6, C18:3n‐3, C20:0 and C22:0 as well as milk C18:2n‐6 and C18:3n‐3 proportions. Transfer efficiencies of C18:2n‐6 and C18:3n‐3 from diet to milk ranked: TMR1 > TMR2 > TMR3. The findings suggest TMRs containing alfalfa hay and Chinese wild ryegrass hay in comparison with corn stover or rice straw improve rumen fermentation and transfer efficiency of C18:2n‐6 and C18:3n‐3.
Evaluation of a pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic model for hypouricaemic effects of febuxostat using datasets obtained from real‐world patients
Authors: Hirai Toshinori , Itoh Toshimasa , Kimura Toshimi , Echizen Hirotoshi
Published: June 2018

Aim

Febuxostat is an active xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor which is widely used in the treatment of hyperuricaemia. We aimed to evaluate the predictive performance of a pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) model of the hypouricaemic effects of febuxostat.

Methods

Previously, we formulated a PK–PD model for predicting the hypouricaemic effects of febuxostat as a function of baseline serum urate levels, body weight, renal function and drug dose, using datasets reported in preapproval studies. Using an updated model with a sensitivity analysis, we examined the predictive performance of the PK–PD model, using datasets obtained from the medical records of patients who received febuxostat from March 2011 to December 2015 at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to explore clinical variables to improve the predictive performance of the model.

Results

A total of 1199 serum urate values were retrieved from 168 patients (age: 60.5 ± 17.7 years; 71.4% male) who were receiving febuxostat as a treatment for hyperuricaemia. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.68; P < 0.01) between the serum urate levels observed and those predicted by the modified PK–PD model. A multivariate regression analysis revealed that the predictive performance of the model could be improved further by considering comorbidities (such as diabetes mellitus), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the coadministration of loop diuretics (r = 0.77, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The PK–PD model may be useful for predicting individualized maintenance doses of febuxostat in real‐world patients.
Pterosaur dietary hypotheses: a review of ideas and approaches
Authors: Bestwick Jordan , Unwin David M. , Butler Richard J. , Henderson Donald M. , Purnell Mark A.
Published: June 2018

Pterosaurs are an extinct group of Mesozoic flying reptiles, whose fossil record extends from approximately 210 to 66 million years ago. They were integral components of continental and marginal marine ecosystems, yet their diets remain poorly constrained. Numerous dietary hypotheses have been proposed for different pterosaur groups, including insectivory, piscivory, carnivory, durophagy, herbivory/frugivory, filter‐feeding and generalism. These hypotheses, and subsequent interpretations of pterosaur diet, are supported by qualitative (content fossils, associations, ichnology, comparative anatomy) and/or quantitative (functional morphology, stable isotope analysis) evidence. Pterosaur dietary interpretations are scattered throughout the literature with little attention paid to the supporting evidence. Reaching a robustly supported consensus on pterosaur diets is important for understanding their dietary evolution, and their roles in Mesozoic ecosystems. A comprehensive examination of the pterosaur literature identified 314 dietary interpretations (dietary statement plus supporting evidence) from 126 published studies. Multiple alternative diets have been hypothesised for most principal taxonomic pterosaur groups. Some groups exhibit a high degree of consensus, supported by multiple lines of evidence, while others exhibit less consensus. Qualitative evidence supports 87.3% of dietary interpretations, with comparative anatomy most common (62.1% of total). More speciose groups of pterosaur tend to have a greater range of hypothesised diets. Consideration of dietary interpretations within alternative phylogenetic contexts reveals high levels of consensus between equivalent monofenestratan groups, and lower levels of consensus between equivalent non‐monofenestratan groups. Evaluating the possible non‐biological controls on apparent patterns of dietary diversity reveals that numbers of dietary interpretations through time exhibit no correlation with patterns of publication (number of peer‐reviewed publications through time). 73.8% of dietary interpretations were published in the 21st century. Overall, consensus interpretations of pterosaur diets are better accounted for by non‐biological signals, such as the impact of the respective quality of the fossil record of different pterosaur groups on research levels. That many interpretations are based on qualitative, often untestable lines of evidence adds significant noise to the data. More experiment‐led pterosaur dietary research, with greater consideration of pterosaurs as organisms with independent evolutionary histories, will lead to more robust conclusions drawn from repeatable results. This will allow greater understanding of pterosaur dietary diversity, disparity and evolution and facilitate reconstructions of Mesozoic ecosystems.
3D‐quantitative structure‐activity relationship study for the design of novel enterovirus A71 3C protease inhibitors
Authors: Nie Quandeng , Xu Xiaoyi , Zhang Qi , Ma Yuying , Yin Zheng , Shang Luqing
Published: June 2018

A three‐dimensional quantitative structure‐activity relationships model of enterovirus A71 3C protease inhibitors was constructed in this study. The protein‐ligand interaction fingerprint was analyzed to generate a pharmacophore model. A predictive and reliable three‐dimensional quantitative structure‐activity relationships model was built based on the Flexible Alignment of AutoGPA. Moreover, three novel compounds (I–III) were designed and evaluated for their biochemical activity against 3C protease and anti‐enterovirus A71 activity in vitro. III exhibited excellent inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.031 ± 0.005 μM, EC50 = 0.036 ± 0.007 μM). Thus, this study provides a useful quantitative structure‐activity relationships model to develop potent inhibitors for enterovirus A71 3C protease.
Cytotoxic and trypanocidal activities of cinchona alkaloid derivatives
Authors: Kacprzak Karol , Ruszkowski Piotr , Valentini Luisa , Huczyński Adam , Steverding Dietmar
Published: June 2018

A series of 27 cinchona alkaloid derivatives (1f–w, 2a–e and 3a–d) were investigated for their cytotoxic and trypanocidal activities using seven different cancer cell lines (KB, HeLa, MCF‐7, A‐549, Hep‐G2, U‐87 and HL‐60), two normal cell lines (HDF and CHO) and bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei brucei, respectively. Four compounds (1u, 1w, 2e and 3d) were identified with promising cytotoxic activity with 50% growth inhibition (GI50) values below 10 μM. Two (2e and 3d) of the four compounds also exhibited potent anti‐trypanosomal activity with GI50 values of 0.3–0.4 μM. All four active compounds represented derivatives modified at their C‐9 hydroxy group. With respect to anti‐proliferative activity and selectivity, 2e (epi‐N‐quinidyl‐N′‐bis(3,5‐trifluoromethyl)phenylthiourea) proved to be the most promising derivative for both cancer cells and bloodstream forms of T. b. brucei. The cytotoxic activity of compounds 1u, 1w, 2e and 3d was attributed to their ability to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. The results demonstrate the potential of cinchona alkaloid derivatives as novel anti‐cancer and anti‐trypanosome drug candidates.
Fracture risk in young and middle‐aged adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Thong Eleanor P. , Herath Madhuni , Weber David R. , Ranasinha Sanjeeva , Ebeling Peter R. , Milat Frances , Teede Helena
Published: June 2018

Background

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is associated with skeletal fragility. While previous meta‐analyses have demonstrated an increased risk of fracture in individuals with T1DM, little is known about fracture risk in T1DM, in the absence of age‐related confounders.

Aims

To determine the risk of fracture in young and middle‐aged adults with T1DM aged 18‐50 years old.

Design

Systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Data sources

Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, EBM reviews and relevant conference abstracts.

Study inclusion criteria

Studies of adults aged between 18‐50 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus, with reported fracture outcomes.

Primary outcomes

Incident or prevalent fracture.

Results

Six studies were included in the meta‐analysis. A total of 1724 fractures occurred in 35 925 patients with T1DM and 48 253 fractures occurred in 2 455 016 controls. RR for all fractures was 1.88 (95% CI 1.52‐2.32, P < .001). Fifty‐six hip fractures occurred among 34 707 patients with T1DM and 594 hip fractures occurred in 2 295 177 controls. The RR of hip fractures was 4.40 (95% CI 2.58‐7.50, P < .001). Females and males with T1DM had a RR of 5.79 (95% CI 3.55‐9.44, P < .001) and 3.67 (95% CI 2.10‐6.41, P < .001), respectively.

Conclusions

In the absence of age‐related comorbidities, fracture risk remains significantly elevated in young and middle‐aged adults with T1DM. Younger age does not mitigate against hip fracture risk in T1DM, and health professionals need to be aware of this risk. Further studies are needed to evaluate the mechanisms of fracture in T1DM.
Immediate effects of maternal separation on the development of interneurons derived from medial ganglionic eminence in the neonatal mouse hippocampus
Authors: Katahira Tatsuya , Miyazaki Naoko , Motoyama Jun
Published: June 2018

Aversive experiences, including maternal separation (MS), have been known as a risk for abnormal hippocampus development. Given that impairment ofGABAinhibitory system is known as one of the common features of the abnormal hippocampal development induced byMS, we examined whether theMSon 4‐day‐old (P4) mice for 24 hr abolishes the interneuron development. We observed that theMSreduced the volume of dorsal hippocampus on P14 as long‐term effects. In addition, theMSdecreased the number of parvalbumin (PV)‐positive interneuron on P14 and P28 in the dorsal hippocampus. We further examined the immediate effects ofMSby measuring the percentage of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) 67‐positive interneurons among the immature interneurons derived from medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) progenitors marked innkx2.1cre;β‐geoEGFPmice. During normal development from P4 to P5, the percentage ofGAD67‐positive interneurons among theMGE‐derived interneurons in the dorsal hippocampus was significantly increased from 42.29% to 70.73% in the stratum pyramidale of theCA1 and increased from 46.4% to 56.99% in the stratum pyramidale of theCA2/3 region. However, the increase was not observed on P5 among the mice treated with theMS. These results suggest that the maturation of interneurons was suppressed by theMS. The suppressed maturation of interneurons may be one of the causes of the reduced volume of the hippocampus andPV+ interneurons observed in the hippocampus on P14 and P28 as a consequence of theMSduring neonatal stage.
Fatigue crack growth in bending: Successful correlation of mean stress (stress ratio) effects using the change in net‐section strain energy
Authors: Chandran K.S. Ravi
Published: June 2018

A physically based correlation of mean stress (or stress ratio) effects, during fatigue crack growth in bending, is demonstrated using the concept of the change in net‐section cyclic strain energy. This study extends the net‐section approach, which was successfully demonstrated previously for middle‐cracked tension specimens, here to bending. A straightforward analytical derivation of the change in net‐section cyclic strain energy is shown using the mechanics of beam bending. Using experimental data, it is shown that the change in net‐section cyclic strain energy successfully correlates the effect of mean stress on fatigue crack growth rates for a steel, an aluminium alloy, a titanium alloy, and a WC‐Co cermet. It is also shown that the net‐section‐based stress intensity factor, morphed from the change in net‐section strain energy, agrees excellently with the fracture mechanics‐based stress intensity factor. This is to show that the proposed net‐section‐centric fracture mechanics approach for fatigue is physical and that the origin of fracture mechanics stress intensity factor appears to be actually rooted in the change in the net‐section strain energy. Hence, the net‐section‐centric approach appears to be superior to the crack‐centric conventional fracture mechanics approach, and a physical treatment of the fatigue crack growth behaviour appears to be possible.