bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reflexivity and the clinician-researcher: managing participant misconceptions
Authors: Hiller Amy J , Vears Danya F
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– It is increasingly common for health care clinicians to undertake qualitative research investigating an aspect of their own profession. Although the additional knowledge and perspective of a clinician might benefit the research, the professional background of the clinician-researcher can be a precipitator for confusion, similar to the therapeutic misconception occurring in quantitative clinical trials research. A significant challenge for the clinician-researcher is managing the misconceptions of participants and others about their role in the research process. The purpose of this paper is to outline these misconceptions and provide insight into how they might be avoided and managed through awareness and reflexivity.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper the authors draw on their experiences as clinician-researchers and memo writing data from their respective qualitative research projects to discuss participant misconceptions. Theories of reflexivity and ethics support the discussion.

Findings

– Potential misconceptions from participants include feeling obliged to participate, expecting to receive clinical care or feedback and believing they are being judged. This paper promotes reflexivity as a tool to pre-empt, prevent and manage participant misconceptions resulting from misunderstandings about the role of the clinician-researcher.

Originality/value

– Alerting clinician-researchers to potential misconceptions and providing examples of reflexive thinking in practice can assist researchers to increase the rigor of their qualitative research.
Hybrid feature matrix construction and feature selection optimization-based multi-objective QPSO for electronic nose in wound infection detection
Authors: Yan Jia , Duan Shukai , Huang Tingwen , Wang Lidan
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to improve the performance of E-nose in the detection of wound infection. Feature extraction and selection methods have a strong impact on the performance of pattern classification of electronic nose (E-nose). A new hybrid feature matrix construction method and multi-objective binary quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization (BQPSO) have been proposed for feature extraction and selection of sensor array.

Design/methodology/approach

– A hybrid feature matrix constructed by maximum value and wavelet coefficients is proposed to realize feature extraction. Multi-objective BQPSO whose fitness function contains classification accuracy and a number of selected sensors is used for feature selection. Quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization (QPSO) is used for synchronization optimization of selected features and parameter of classifier. Radical basis function (RBF) network is used for classification.

Findings

– E-nose obtains the highest classification accuracy when the maximum value and db 5 wavelet coefficients are extracted as the hybrid features and only six sensors are selected for classification. All results make it clear that the proposed method is an ideal feature extraction and selection method of E-nose in the detection of wound infection.

Originality/value

– The innovative concept improves the performance of E-nose in wound monitoring, and is beneficial for realizing the clinical application of E-nose.
Modeling, simulation and coupling experiment for integrated passive wireless multi-parameters ceramic sensor
Authors: Wei Tanyong , Tan Qiulin , Luo Tao , Wu Guozhu , Tang Shun , Shen Dan-Dan , Li Chen , Xiong Jijun
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a pressure-, temperature- and acceleration-sensitive structure-integrated inductor-capacitor (LC) resonant ceramic sensor to fulfill the measurement of multi-parameters, such as the measurement of pressure, temperature and acceleration, simultaneously in automotive, aerospace and aeronautics industries.

Design/methodology/approach

– The ceramic-based multi-parameter sensor was composed of three LC tanks, which have their resonant frequencies sensitive to pressure, temperature and acceleration separately. Two aspects from the specific sensitive structure design to the multiple signals reading technology are considered in designing the multi-parameter ceramic sensor. Theoretical analysis and ANSYS simulation are used in designing the sensitive structure, and MATLAB simulation and experiment are conducted to verify the feasibility of non-coverage of multi-readout signals.

Findings

– It is found that if the parameters of sensitive structure and layout of the LC tanks integrated into the sensor are proper, the implementation of a multi-parameter sensor could be feasible.

Practical implications

– The ceramic sensor proposed in the paper can measure pressure, temperature and acceleration simultaneously in harsh environments.

Originality/value

– The paper creatively proposes a pressure-, temperature- and acceleration-sensitive structure-integrated LC resonant ceramic sensor for harsh environments and verifies the feasibility of the sensor from sensitive structure design to multiple-signal reading.
Innovative soft fault diagnosis method for dual-redundancy sensors
Authors: Zhou Yaoming , Wang Yongchao , Dou Shunan , Meng Zhijun
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to conduct soft fault diagnosis of dual-redundancy sensors. An innovative fault diagnosis method, which combines a tracking differentiator and a sequential probability ratio test, is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, two tracking differentiators are used to track and predict the two original signals, and determine their residuals. These residuals are used to calculate one quadratic residual. Then, a sequential probability ratio test is carried out on this quadratic residual to obtain log-likelihood ratio. A fault can be detected through comparing the log-likelihood ratio value with the threshold value. Finally, analyses of the difference in the residuals, which locates the fault, and of the difference in the original signals, which reveals the fault level and type, are completed successively.

Findings

– Results from experimentation show that this method can realise soft fault diagnosis for dual-redundancy sensors.

Originality/value

– The method proposed in the paper gives a new idea to study hybrid redundancy. The method provides a new application mode for tracking differentiators and sequential probability ratio test. The method can be used in robots, such as unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles, to improve their fault tolerance. It can also be applied to the key parts of industrial production lines to decrease financial losses caused by sensor faults.
A tapered fibre optics biosensor for histamine detection
Authors: Usman Hamza , Abu Bakar Muhammad Hafiz , Hamzah Amir Syahir , Salleh Abu bakar
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to estimate the level of histamine in fish and fish products, as it is very important because of their implication in fish poisoning in humans; hence, ascertaining histamine levels in the aforementioned serves as a chemical index for spoilage.

Design/methodology/approach

– A technique was developed to immobilize an ordered multilayer of diamine oxidase (DAO) by means of chemical cross-linking on the biconical taper surface stepwisely alternating between chitosan, glutaraldehyde and the enzyme. A spectrophotometric signal results from horseradish peroxidase catalyzed reduction of H2O2, a secondary product of the oxidative deamination of histamine monitored at 450 nm.

Findings

– The biosensor showed a linear response range up to 1.5 mM, a good sensitivity of 0.64 mM-1 with detection and quantification limits towards histamine of 0.086 mM (15.8 ppm) and 0.204 mM (37.7 ppm) and a linear response range of 0-1.5 mM. It showed a response and recovery time of 14 sec and operational stability up to 40 repeated analyses without significant loss of sensitivity.

Practical implications

– The developed biosensor has a good potential for use in the quantitative determination of histamine in seafood.

Originality/value

– The paper described an outcome of an experimental work on tapered fibre optics (taper)-based biosensor coated with DAO embedded into a chitosan membrane to measure histamine.
Fitness consequences of early life conditions and maternal size effects in a freshwater top predator
Authors: Vindenes Yngvild , Langangen Øystein , Winfield Ian J. , Vøllestad Leif Asbjørn
Published: January 2016

Conditions experienced in early life stages can be an important determinant of individual life histories. In fish, environmental conditions are known to affect early survival and growth, but recent studies have also emphasized maternal effects mediated by size or age. However, the relative sensitivity of the mean fitness (population growth rate λ) to different early life impacts remains largely unexplored.

Using a female‐based integral projection model (IPM) parameterized from unique long‐term demographic data for pike (Esox lucius), we evaluated the relative fitness consequences of different early life impacts, including (i) maternal effects of length on egg weight, potentially affecting offspring (first year) survival, and (ii) effects of temperature on offspring growth and survival. Of the seven vital rates defining the model, offspring survival could not be directly estimated and four scenarios were defined for this rate.

Elasticity analyses of the IPM were performed to calculate (i) the total contribution from different lengths to the elasticity of λ to the projection kernel, and (ii) the elasticity of λ to underlying variables of female current length, female offspring length at age 1, and temperature. These elasticities were decomposed into contributions from different vital rates across length.

Egg weight increased with female length, as expected, but the effect leveled off for the largest females. However, λ was largely insensitive to this effect, even when egg weight was assumed to have a strong effect on offspring survival. In contrast, λ was sensitive to early temperature conditions through growth and survival. Among mature females, the total elasticity of λ to the projection kernel generally increased with length. The results were robust to a wide range of assumptions.

These results suggest that environmental conditions experienced in early life represent a more important driver of mean population growth and fitness of pike than maternal effects of size on offspring survival. We discuss two general mechanisms underlying the weak influence of this maternal effect, suggesting that these may be general for long‐lived and highly fecund fishes. This model and results are relevant for the management of long‐lived top predators, including many commercially important fish species.
Intraguild predation leads to cascading effects on habitat choice, behaviour and reproductive performance
Authors: Mueller Anna‐Katharina , Chakarov Nayden , Heseker Hanna , Krüger Oliver
Published: January 2016

Intraguild predation (IGP) is a commonly recognized mechanism influencing the community structure of predators, but the complex interactions are notoriously difficult to disentangle. The mesopredator suppression hypothesis predicts that a superpredator may either simultaneously repress two mesopredators, restrain the dominant one and thereby release the subdominant mesopredator, or elicit different responses by both mesopredators.

We show the outcome arising from such conditions in a three‐level predator assemblage (Eurasian eagle owl Bubo bubo L., northern goshawk Accipiter gentilis L. and common buzzard Buteo buteo L.) studied over 25 years. In the second half of the study period, the eagle owl re‐colonized the study area, thereby providing a natural experiment of superpredator introduction. We combined this set‐up with detailed GIS analysis of habitat use and a field experiment simulating intrusion by the superpredator into territories of the subdominant mesopredator, the buzzard.

Although population trends were positive for all three species in the assemblage, the proportion of failed breeding attempts increased significantly in both mesopredators after the superpredator re‐colonized the area.

We predicted that superpredator‐induced niche shifts in the dominant mesopredator may facilitate mesopredator coexistence in superpredator‐free refugia. We found significant changes in nesting habitat choice in goshawk, but not in buzzard. Since competition for enemy‐free refugia and the rapid increase in population density may have constrained niche shifts of the subdominant mesopredator, we further predicted behavioural changes in response to the superpredator. The field experiment indeed showed a significant increase in aggressive response of buzzards towards eagle owl territory intrusion over the course of 10 years, probably due to phenotypic plasticity in the response towards superpredation risk.

Overall, our results show that intraguild predation can be a powerful force of behavioural change, simultaneously influencing habitat use and aggressiveness in predator communities. These changes might help to buffer mesopredator populations against the negative effects of intraguild predation.
The response of migratory populations to phenological change: a Migratory Flow Network modelling approach
Authors: Taylor Caz M. , Laughlin Andrew J. , Hall Richard J.
Published: January 2016

Declines in migratory species have been linked to anthropogenic climate change through phenological mismatch, which arises due to asynchronies between the timing of life‐history events (such as migration) and the phenology of available resources. Long‐distance migratory species may be particularly vulnerable to phenological change in their breeding ranges, since the timing of migration departure is based on environmental cues at distant non‐breeding sites.

Migrants may, however, be able to adjust migration speed en route to the breeding grounds, and thus, ability of migrants to update their timing of migration may depend critically on stopover frequency during migration; however, understanding how migratory strategy influences population dynamics is hindered by a lack of predictive models explicitly linking habitat quality to demography and movement patterns throughout the migratory cycle.

Here, we present a novel modelling framework, the Migratory Flow Network (MFN), in which the seasonally varying attractiveness of breeding, winter and stopover regions drives the direction and timing of migration based on a simple general flux law.

We use theMFNto investigate how populations respond to shifts in breeding site phenology based on their frequency of stopover and ability to detect and adapt to these changes.

With perfect knowledge of advancing phenology, ‘jump’ migrants (low‐frequency stopover) require more adaptation for populations to recover than ‘hop’ and ‘skip’ (high or medium frequency stopover) migrants. If adaptation depends on proximity, hop and skip migrants’ populations can recover but jump migrants cannot adjust and decline severely.

These results highlight the importance of understanding migratory strategies and maintaining high‐quality stopover habitat to buffer migratory populations from climate‐induced mismatch.

We discuss howMFNs could be applied to diverse migratory taxa and highlight the potential ofMFNs as a tool for exploring how migrants respond to other environmental changes such as habitat loss.
Habitat monitoring and projections for Canada lynx: linking the Landsat archive with carnivore occurrence and prey density
Authors: Simons‐Legaard Erin M. , Harrison Daniel J. , Legaard Kasey R.
Published: January 2016

Habitat degradation is the leading threat to US federally listed species, but monitoring changes in habitat extent, fragmentation or quality is not generally included in species recovery plans.

Consecutive satellite images of the same area through time are commonly used to assess landscape changes, and image data are increasingly used to generate predictor variables for species–habitat models. A time series of satellite images has, however, rarely been used in conjunction with a species–habitat model to map changes in habitat extent or to predict wildlife–habitat dynamics through time.

We used a time series of forest disturbance encompassing 16 530 km2 of forestland in Maine to map and quantify change in forest types that influence probability of occurrence (POC) of the threatened Canada lynx Lynx canadensis. Integration with a predictive occurrence model developed from landscape conditions c. 2004 allowed us to retrospectively (1973–2004) assess changes at 2‐ to 4‐year intervals, update predictions (2004–2010) and project the spatial distribution and extent of lynx foraging habitat over the next decade.

Between 1975 and 1991, 40% of mature conifer forest in our study area was removed by stand‐replacing harvests, coincident with the last regional outbreak of eastern spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.). As those areas regenerated between 1991 and 2010, POC increased dramatically as broad‐scale habitat conditions for lynx's primary prey, snowshoe hare Lepus americanus, improved. Projections suggest that continued forest regrowth will provide new habitat over the next decade, but fragmentation will increase, and by 2022 the habitat distribution will shift southwards into areas where climate change or interspecific competition may limit lynx population expansion.

Synthesis and applications. Conservation planning for vagile species that depend on ephemeral forest types, such as the Canada lynx in the north‐eastern USA, requires habitat monitoring strategies that can adapt to changing landscape conditions. Although Maine's lynx population has increased since the 1990s, we recommend that continued monitoring of lynx habitat and population status is critical given habitat and climate uncertainty. We also recommend that habitat management efforts be targeted not only at areas currently occupied by lynx but also where habitat loss is expected to occur near‐term from succession or in anticipation of the next budworm outbreak.
Seedling survival of three endemic and threatenedMexican cacti under induced climate change
Authors: Aragón‐Gastélum José Luis , Badano Ernesto , Yáñez‐Espinosa Laura , Ramírez‐Tobías Hugo M. , Rodas‐Ortiz Juan Pablo , González‐Salvatierra Claudia , Flores Joel
Published: January 2016

Human‐induced warming may increase the risk of local extinction for plant species with low tolerance of elevated temperatures. TheChihuahuan desert harbors the highest diversity of globose cacti in the world and most of them are at risk of extinction. Predictive models of climate change indicate an increase in summer temperature of 1–2°C by 2030 for this desert. Nevertheless, studies on the vulnerability of cacti species in early development phases to future climate change are scarce. We assessed the survival of three threatened cacti species from theChihuahuan desert under induced warming. Open‐top chambers (OTCs) were used to simulate the effect of global warming on 2‐year seedlings ofEchinocactus platyacanthusf.visnaga,Ferocactus histrixandStenocactus coptonogonus.OTCshad higher temperature and lower humidity than control plots, and these elevated temperatures reduced seedling survival. Within theOTCs, no living individuals of any species were found after 105 days. Conversely, in the control plots, the three cacti species showed variable numbers of survivors after this period. Therefore the predicted global warming scenarios will greatly limit plant recruitment and the long‐term persistence of natural populations of Mexican endemic cacti species.
Fluctuating asymmetry in leaves and flowers of sympatric species in a tropical montane environment
Authors: Telhado Cristina , Silveira Fernando A.O. , Fernandes G. Wilson , Cornelissen Tatiana
Published: January 2016

Fluctuatingasymmetry (FA) represents small, random variations in traits, presumably with bilateral symmetry, and is widely used as a tool to measure developmental instability in plants and animals. BecauseFAis a quick, simple and reliable measure, it has been frequently used for monitoring levels of environmental stress. This study investigated whetherFAcan be used as a predictor of individual developmental instability for four sympatricMelastomataceae species. To achieve that aim, 20 individuals ofTrembleya laniflora,T.parviflora,Lavoisiera campos‐portoanaandTibouchina heteromallawere marked in southeasternBrazil and monitored before and during the flowering season. TheFAindex was calculated as the mean of the difference in the width or length between the left and right sides measured for each leaf or flower. All studied species exhibited asymmetry in the leaves and flowers, but the leaves ofL.campos‐portoanaand the petal width ofT.heteromallaexhibited directional asymmetry, also an indicator of developmental instability. The highest level of leaf asymmetry was found inT.heteromallaand on flowers ofL.campos‐portoana. None of the studied species exhibited a significant relationship between theFAlevel of the leaves and flowers on an individual basis, indicating that environmental and/or genetic sources of stress might act differently on different plant traits. For the studied species, measurements ofFAcan be suggested as useful tools to biomonitor levels of stress experienced by both leaves and flowers within theMelastomataceae family.
Embedded Networks and Suboptimal Resource Matching in Alliance Formations
Authors: Mitsuhashi Hitoshi , Min Jungwon
Published: January 2016

Interest has been growing in alliance networks, and research has demonstrated several advantages of embedded networks, including joint problem solving. How embedded networks function as social capital and promote alliance formation has also been explored. However, less is known about constraints that they impose on firms’ extensive search for partners. In this study, we advance our understanding of the downsides of embedded networks by proposing that embedded networks facilitate alliance formations, but they may also cause suboptimal resource matching in alliance formations. Specifically, we predict that, in alliances where initial resource matching is more important than ex post collaborative activities, suboptimal resource matching is more likely when firms ally with partners with which they have pre‐existing direct or indirect ties and that such alliances decrease firm‐level resource utilization performance in operations. Using codeshare alliance data from the global airline industry, we find support for our predictions.
Knowledge of conditional spelling patterns supports word spelling among Danish fifth graders
Authors: Nielsen Anne‐Mette Veber
Published: January 2016

Graphotactic knowledge and word‐specific orthographic knowledge have been shown to account for unique variance in concurrent spelling skills beyond phonological skills in the early school years.The present study examined whether knowledge of spelling patterns conditioned by phonological context would add to the concurrent prediction of spelling among 133 Danish fifth graders.Findings from other orthographies (e.g., English and German) were replicated, in that measures of graphotactic knowledge and word‐specific orthographic knowledge accounted for unique variance in spelling beyond phonological decoding. However, the results went further by demonstrating that a measure of knowledge of conditional spelling patterns was an independent predictor of spelling.The findings indicate that children learning to spell in the opaque Danish orthography use multiple sources of knowledge to guide their choice of spellings and call for increased attention to conditional spelling patterns in literacy instruction.
Practicing Openness: Investigating the Role of Everyday Decision Making in the Production of Squatted Space
Authors: de Moor Joost
Published: January 2016

By means of illegal occupation, squatters produce (urban) space. Previous studies have predominantly focused on the external dimensions of this process (e.g. squatters' negotiations with authorities), while the few studies that have analyzed the internal processes of producing squatted space have mainly focused on formal and explicit decision‐making processes. The effect of everyday practices and improvised decision making on the production of squatted space, however, has been overlooked. This article aims to fill this gap in the literature. It draws on five months of ethnographic fieldwork in two ‘entrepreneurial squats' (in the Netherlands and France) to analyze how, on an everyday practical level, squatters seek to reconcile a frame that advocates ‘open space' with contradictory practical or emotional needs. It finds that squatters regulate the openness of the spaces they occupy by putting into place spatial, temporal and social boundaries that define who and what is more or less in place. Based on a level of personal or ideological identification, then, the squatters establish a sense of community, distinguish between desirable and undesirable activities and create spatial meaning.
The riddle of Siegfried: exploring methods and psychological perspectives in analytical psychology
Authors: Barreto Marco Heleno
Published: January 2016

Jung's dream of the killing of Siegfried poses a riddle: why did the unconscious choose precisely Siegfried as the hero to be murdered? Jung himself declares that he does not know. This paper attempts to decipher this riddle using three distinct methodological approaches accepted by Jung, two of them in fact grounded in his theories of dream interpretation. Besides presenting some possible answers to the riddle of Siegfried, this interpretative reflection brings to light the discrepancy of the psychological perspectives created by the heterogeneity of methods within analytical psychology.
Project to Develop an Interoperable Seafood Traceability Technology Architecture: Issues Brief
Authors: Bhatt Tejas , Cusack Chris , Dent Benjamin , Gooch Martin , Jones Dick , Newsome Rosetta , Stitzinger Jennie , Sylvia Gil , Zhang Jianrong
Published: January 2016

The Interoperable Seafood Traceability Technology Architecture Issues Brief reflects the growing need to establish a global, secure, interoperable support system for seafood traceability. Establishing effective traceability systems relies on the development of a cohesive and consistent approach to the delivery of information technology capabilities and functions. The ability of business to utilize traceability for commercial gain is heavily influenced by the supply chain in which they operate. The Issues Brief describes factors associated with enterprise‐level traceability systems that will impact the design of technology architecture suited to enabling whole chain interoperable traceability. The Brief details why a technology architecture is required, what it means for industry in terms of benefits and opportunities, and how the architecture will translate into practical results. The current situation of many heterogeneous proprietary systems prevents global interoperable traceability from occurring. Utilizing primary research and lessons learned from other industries, the Brief details how the present situation can be addressed. This will enable computerized information systems to communicate syntactically by sharing standardized packages of data. The subsequent stage, semantic interoperability, is achieved by establishing a common language (ontology). The report concludes with a series of recommendations that industry can act upon to design a technology architecture suited to enabling effective global interoperable traceability.
Adipokinetic hormones control amylase activity in the cockroach (Periplaneta americana) gut
Authors: Bodláková Karolina , Jedlička Pavel , Kodrík Dalibor
Published: January 2016

This study examined the biochemical characteristics of α‐amylase and hormonal (adipokinetic hormone: AKH) stimulation of α‐amylase activity in the cockroach (Periplaneta americana) midgut. We applied two AKHs in vivo and in vitro, then measured resultant amylase activity and gene expression, as well as the expression of AKH receptor (AKHR). The results revealed that optimal amylase activity is characterized by the following: pH: 5.7, temperature: 38.4 °C, Km (Michaelis–Menten constant): 2.54 mg starch/mL, and Vmax (maximum reaction velocity): 0.185 μmol maltose/mL/min. In vivo application of AKHs resulted in significant increase of amylase activity: by two‐fold in the gastric caeca and 4–7 fold in the rest of the midgut. In vitro experiments supported results seen in vivo: a 24‐h incubation with the hormones resulted in the increase of amylase activity by 1.4 times in the caeca and 4–9 times in the midgut. Further, gene expression analyses reveal that AKHR is expressed in both the caeca and the rest of the midgut, although expression levels in the former were 23 times higher than levels in the latter. A similar pattern was found for the amylase (AMY) gene. Hormonal treatment did not affect the expression of either gene. This study is the first to provide evidence indicating direct AKH stimulation of digestive enzyme activity in the insect midgut, supported by specific AKHR gene expression in this organ.
Enrichment of Antioxidant Capacity and Vitamin E in Pita Made from Barley
Authors: Do Thi Thu Dung , Muhlhausler Beverly , Box Amanda , Able Amanda J.
Published: January 2016

This study aimed to enhance total antioxidant and vitamin E content of pita bread, by replacing 50% of the standard baker's flour with flours milled from covered (WI2585 and Harrington) or hulless (Finniss) barley genotypes, previously shown to have high antioxidant and vitamin E levels at harvest. Pita breads were made from either 100% baker's flour (control) or 50% malt flour, whole‐grain flour, or flour from barley grains pearled at 10%, 15%, and 20% grain weight. Antioxidant capacity and vitamin E content of flours and pitas were determined by their ability to scavenge 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radicals and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. The physical and sensory properties of the pitas were also assessed. All pitas made from either whole grain or pearled barley flour had a higher antioxidant capacity and most also had higher vitamin E content than standard pita. The antioxidant and vitamin E levels were reduced in pearled compared to whole grains, however the extent of that reduction varied among genotypes. The greatest antioxidant and vitamin E levels were found in pita made from malt flour or Finniss whole grain flour. Furthermore, sensory analysis suggested these pitas were acceptable to consumers and retained similar physical and sensory properties to those in the control pita.
Obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome and breastfeeding: an observational study
Authors: Joham Anju E. , Nanayakkara Natalie , Ranasinha Sanjeeva , Zoungas Sophia , Boyle Jacqueline , Harrison Cheryce L. , Forder Peta , Loxton Deborah , Vanky Eszter , Teede Helena J.
Published: January 2016

Introduction

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 9–21% of reproductive‐age women. The relations between PCOS, body mass index (BMI) and breastfeeding are unclear. Our aim was to examine breastfeeding in women with and without PCOS and the relation with BMI.

Material and methods

This is a cross‐sectional study set in the general community. Participants are women, aged 31–36 years, from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH), a large community‐based study. Data was analyzed from the first child of respondents to Survey five (2009) reporting at least one live born child. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors associated with breastfeeding. The main outcome measures studied were breastfeeding initiation and duration and the main explanatory variables included self‐reported PCOS and BMI.

Results

Of the 4898 women, 6.5% reported PCOS (95% confidence interval 5.8–7.2%). Median duration of breastfeeding was lower in women reporting PCOS (6 months, range 2–10 months) than in women not reporting PCOS (7 months, range 3–12 months) (p = 0.001). On multivariable regression analysis, there was no association between PCOS and breastfeeding outcomes. However, being overweight or obese was associated with not initiating breastfeeding and with breastfeeding for less than 6 months, after adjusting for confounders.

Conclusions

High BMI is negatively associated with breastfeeding, whereas PCOS status per se does not appear to be related to breastfeeding initiation and duration, after adjusting for BMI.
Laparoscopic reduction and repair of a strangulated interparietal inguinal hernia
Authors: Sakamoto Takashi , Shimaguchi Mayu , Lefor Alan K , Kishida Akihiro
Published: January 2016

An interparietal hernia is defined as a hernia in which the hernial sac lies between the tissue layers comprising the abdominal wall. A strangulated interparietal inguinal hernia without an external bulge is a rare cause of an acute abdomen and difficult to diagnose preoperatively. We report a patient with a history of a right inguinal hernia who presented with abdominal pain without inguinal bulging. An interparietal (preperitoneal) inguinal hernia was diagnosed and treated by laparoscopic reduction and a transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair. This is the first case report of an interparietal inguinal hernia managed entirely laparoscopically. Although the laparoscopic approach is not considered standard treatment for strangulated intestinal obstruction, it may be worth considering, especially for patients with uncertain etiology, because of its decreased invasiveness compared to open exploration.
Successful treatment of large adenoma extending close to the papilla in the duodenum by laparoscopy‐assisted pancreas‐sparing duodenectomy
Authors: Abe Nobutsugu , Hashimoto Yoshikazu , Kawaguchi Shouhei , Shimoyama Hayato , Kojima Youhei , Yoshimoto Eri , Kondo Eri , Ohki Atsuko , Takeuchi Hirohisa , Nagao Gen , Suzuki Yutaka , Masaki Tadahiko , Mori Toshiyuki , Sugiyama Masanori
Published: January 2016

A 54‐year‐old man had a 65‐mm infrapapillary, circular, and laterally spreading tubular adenoma in the distal second and proximal third parts of the duodenum. The papilla was 15 mm from the proximal margin of the tumor. Because the patient requested organ‐preserving laparoscopic surgery, we conducted laparoscopy‐assisted pancreas‐sparing duodenectomy (LAPSD). LAPSD consists of five major procedures: (i) laparoscopic wide Kocher maneuver and transection of the proximal jejunum; (ii) laparoscopic separation of the duodenum from the pancreas; (iii) creation of a small upper median laparotomy; (iv) extracorporeal completion of the segmental duodenectomy; and (v) extracorporeal intestinal reconstruction. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 8. Histopathological examination revealed that the circumferential margin of the specimen was negative for tumor cells. LAPSD provided a clear margin without damaging the papilla and eliminated the possibility of peritoneal or port‐site seeding of tumor cells because part of the procedure was performed extracorporeally. LAPSD is a useful alternative to pancreatoduodenectomy in patients with a large adenoma extending close to the papilla in the duodenum.
Aberrant right hepatic artery arising from the celiac trunk: A potential pitfall during laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Katagiri Hideki , Sakamoto Takashi , Okumura Kenji , Lefor Alan Kawarai , Kubota Tadao
Published: January 2016

Aberrant extrahepatic arteries and variants of biliary anatomy are well known. During surgery in this area, surgeons have to concentrate on avoiding inadvertent injuries to these structures. We present a patient with an aberrant right hepatic artery arising directly from the celiac trunk, resulting in an abnormal path of the cystic artery. A 62‐year‐old man was diagnosed with acute cholecystitis and underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A preoperative abdominal computed tomography scan showed an aberrant right hepatic artery arising directly from the celiac trunk. The cystic artery did not pass through Calot's triangle. During operation, the cystic artery was anterior and adherent to the cystic duct. Surgeons must be familiar with anatomical variations of the extrahepatic biliary tree and arterial supply to prevent inadvertent injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Modified laparoscopic biliary enteric anastomosis procedure using handmade double‐armed needles
Authors: Mizuguchi Yoshiaki , Nakamura Yoshiharu , Uchida Eiji
Published: January 2016

Introduction

Laparoscopic biliary enteric anastomosis (BEA) offers several advantages, including good visualization, which helps to overcome the compromised visual field resulting from the biliary tract being located on the right anterior side of the body at some distance from the surgical opening. Laparoscopic BEA, however, requires skillful manipulation of the forceps over a limited range to achieve optimal outcomes. Here we describe a modified and reorganized BEA technique that increases the simplicity and feasibility of the procedure.

Materials and Surgical Techniques

After biliary tract surgery for benign diseases such as laparoscopic choledocholithotomy, handmade double‐sided needles were used for BEA in 20 patients. First, one of the needles was placed at the right edge of the bile duct wall from the outside to the inside, while the other arm of the needle entered the right edge of the intestine from the outside to the inside. Next, continuous sutures were placed on the posterior wall with the needle that was placed on the intestine. Then, continuous sutures were placed on the anterior wall with a second needle. Finally, both threads were laparoscopically tied.

Discussion

This relatively simple and feasible method has demonstrated excellent results and will be beneficial in the clinical setting.
Impact of Olmesartan Medoxomil on Amiodarone‐Induced Pulmonary Toxicity in Rats: Focus on Transforming Growth Factor‐ß1
Authors: Sharaf El‐Din Abeer A. I. , Abd Allah Omaima M.
Published: January 2016

Amiodarone (AD) is one of the most frequently prescribed anti‐arrhythmic agents worldwide, but its effectiveness is limited due to the development of pulmonary toxicity. Several lines of evidence have suggested that AT1 receptor antagonists can attenuate pulmonary fibrosis in different animal models. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of olmesartan medoxomil (OM) on lung injury induced in rats by AD which was assessed biochemically (hydroxyproline content, MDA level and SOD activity), histologically (Ashcroft criteria and Masson's trichrome stain) and immunohistochemically (TGF‐β1 expression in lung tissue). The expression levels of TGF‐β1 and type I collagen mRNA were also determined by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Forty‐eight adult male rats were randomized into six equal groups: control group, OM control groups, AD group received 40 mg/kg/day, p.o. for 4 weeks to induce pulmonary injury in rats and OM‐treated groups received 0.6 and 6 mg/kg/day, p.o. concomitantly with AD for the same period. The results indicated that OM significantly decreased collagen deposition and hydroxyproline content, ameliorated pathological score and decreased the elevation in type I collagen and TGF‐ß1 mRNA expression in lung tissue. Furthermore, it attenuated the AD‐induced increase in the MDA level and increased SOD activity in lung tissue. It can be concluded that OM exerts a protective effect against AD‐induced lung damage in rats which is attributed to modulation of pro‐fibrogenic cytokine (TGF‐β1) and antioxidant effect.
Clinical utility of C‐terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen in multiple myeloma
Authors: Ting Kay R. , Brady Jennifer J. , Hameed Abdul , Le Giao , Meiller Justine , Verburgh Estelle , Bayers Christopher , Benjamin Dalia , Anderson Kenneth C. , Richardson Paul G. , Dowling Paul , Clynes Martin , Fitzgibbon Maria C. , O'Gorman Peter
Published: January 2016

Myeloma bone disease (MBD) is a major cause of morbidity in multiple myeloma (MM). We investigated bone turnover markers (BTM) as relapse predictors and biomarkers for monitoring MBD. We measured C‐terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX‐1), and Procollagen type 1 N Propeptide (P1NP) in 86 MM patients and 26 controls. CTX‐1 was higher in newly diagnosed patients compared to control, remission and relapse (P < 0·05), and decreased following treatment. In the setting of relapse, a CTX‐1 rise greater than the calculated least significant change (LSC) was observed in 26% of patients 3–6 months prior to relapse (P = 0·007), and in 60·8% up to 3 months before relapse (P = 0·015). Statistically significant changes in CTX‐1 levels were also observed in patients who were with and without bisphosphonate therapy at the time of relapse. In patients with normal renal function, mean CTX‐1 level was highest in the newly diagnosed group (0·771 ± 0·400 μg/l), and lowest in the remission group (0·099 ± 0·070 μg/l) (P < 0·0001). P1NP levels were not statistically different across the patient groups. We conclude that CTX‐1, measured on an automated hospital laboratory platform, has a role in routine treatment monitoring and predicting relapse of MBD, even in patients on bisphosphonates.
Levels of Employee Share Ownership and the Performance of Listed Companies in Europe
Authors: Richter Ansgar , Schrader Susanne
Published: January 2016

We investigate the effects of employee share ownership (ESO) on three alternative measures of firm performance in a panel of 1,115 companies from the five largest European economies. The results show that firms with ESO enjoy significantly higher levels of capital market performance and of accounting performance than firms without ESO; however, the marginal effects of ESO are declining with increasing ESO levels. ESO does not have a clear effect on productivity. These findings hold for all countries except Spain. Variations in ESO levels within firms over time exert few performance effects.
Detecting moxifloxacin‐induced QTc prolongation in thorough QT and early clinical phase studies using a highly automated ECG analysis approach
Authors: Panicker Gopi Krishna , Karnad Dilip R , Kadam Pramod , Badilini Fabio , Damle Anil , Kothari Snehal
Published: January 2016

Background and Purpose

Exposure–response (ER) modelling (concentration–QTc analysis) is gaining as much acceptance as the traditional by‐time analysis of the placebo‐adjusted change from baseline in the QTc interval (ΔΔQTcF). It has been postulated that intensive ECG analysis and ER modelling during early‐phase drug development could be a cost‐effective approach of estimating QT liability of a new drug, in a small number of subjects.

Experimental Approach

We used a highly automated analysis of ECGs from 46 subjects from a crossover thorough QT/QTc study to detect ΔΔQTcF with moxifloxacin. Using these data, we also simulated (bootstrapped) 1000 datasets of a parallel study with eight subjects receiving moxifloxacin and eight others receiving placebo.

Key Results

The slope from the concentration–QTc analysis for moxifloxacin in 46 subjects was 4.12 ms of ΔΔQTcF per μg‐1 mL‐1; at mean Cmax of 2.95 μg·mL−1, estimated ΔΔQTcF was 13.4 ms (90% confidence interval 11.3, 15.4 ms). In the 1000 simulated datasets, in 996 datasets, ER modelling showed that the upper bound of the 90% confidence interval for ΔΔQTcF at geometric mean Cmax exceeded 10 ms. In 895 of these 996 datasets, the slope of the ER relationship was statistically significantly positive. Thus, with a small sample size (eight subjects on active drug and eight on placebo), moxifloxacin‐induced QTc prolongation was demonstrated using ER analysis with statistical power of >80%.

Conclusions and Implications

Our study adds to the growing body of data supporting intensive ECG collection and analysis in early‐phase studies to estimate QT liability.
The metabotropic glutamate 5 receptor is necessary for extinction of cocaine‐associated cues
Authors: Perry Christina J , Reed Felicia , Zbukvic Isabel C , Kim Jee Hyun , Lawrence Andrew J
Published: January 2016

Background and Purpose

There is currently no medication approved specifically to treat cocaine addiction. Behavioural interventions such as cue exposure therapy (CET) rely heavily on new learning. Antagonism of the metabotropic glutamate 5 (mGlu5) receptor has emerged as a potential treatment, by reducing the reinforcing properties of cocaine. However, mGlu5 receptor activity is necessary for learning; therefore, such agents could interfere with behavioural treatments. We used a novel rodent model of CET to test the effects of mGlu5 negative and positive allosteric modulators (NAM and PAM) on behavioural therapy.

Experimental Approach

Rats were trained to press a lever for cocaine in the presence of a discrete cue [conditioned stimulus (CS)] and then extinguished in the absence of the CS. Following lever extinction, half the rats received CS extinction in the same chambers but with the levers withdrawn; the remaining rats received no CS extinction. Before this session, rats received a systemic administration of either vehicle or a mGlu5 NAM (MTEP, experiment 1) or PAM (CDPPB, experiment 2). Cue‐induced reinstatement was tested in a drug‐free session the following day.

Key Results

At reinstatement, rats that had received CS extinction showed reduced responding. This effect was attenuated by MTEP treatment before CS extinction. In contrast, administration of CDPPB (PAM) led to decreased reinstatement the following day, regardless of extinction condition.

Conclusion and Implications

These results suggest that mGlu5 receptor activity is both necessary and sufficient for efficient extinction of a cocaine‐associated CS. Therefore, mGlu5 PAMs could enhance the efficacy of CET.
Physiological Responsivity and Executive Functioning: Implications for Adaptation and Resilience in Early Childhood
Authors: Obradović Jelena
Published: January 2016

Knowledge of how physiological responsivity and executive functioning relate to adaptation and resilience in early childhood has improved dramatically over the last decade, yet most studies focus on only one of these processes. By highlighting new findings and ongoing research, in this article, I advocate for investigating the dynamic interplay among physiological arousal, executive functions, and contextual experiences. New analytic approaches advance the conceptualization and measurement of physiological response as a process that comprises both reactivity and recovery. I also offer strategies for capturing complexities in contextual influences through examination of stimulating experiences, unique proximal and distal pathways, nonlinear effects, and longitudinal cascade models. This work can improve our understanding of how young children cope with stressors, engage with challenges, and achieve the optimal arousal and well‐regulated behavior that supports development and learning.
WES in a family trio suggests involvement of TECPR2 in a complex form of progressive motor neuron disease
Authors: Covone A.E. , Fiorillo C. , Acquaviva M. , Trucco F. , Morana G. , Ravazzolo R. , Minetti C.
Published: January 2016

We have performed whole‐exome sequencing in a family trio with a 16‐year‐old girl suffering of progressive motor neuron disease. There was no family history of the disease and no parental consanguinity. Our exome analysis indicated the proband as a compound heterozygote for two missense variants in the TECPR2 gene according to a recessive mode of inheritance. The TECPR2 gene has been reported as a positive regulator of autophagy which is an essential mechanism for maintaining neuron homeostasis and survival and plays a key role in major adult and pediatric neurodegenerative diseases. Variants in this gene have been found responsible for a recently described form of hereditary spastic paraplegia called SPG49 in two previous reports. We propose that both variants causing amino acid substitution, p.Leu684Val and p.Thr903Met, inherited in trans‐phase compound heterozygote form, can be responsible for the phenotype observed in our patient. We also consider the possible contribution of a heterozygous variant in the SPG7 gene. Sanger sequencing confirmed the segregation of variants within the family tree including the patient's unaffected brother.