bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multidisciplinary attitudes to people with dementia; training and environmental factors play a role in caring for people with dementia in a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory
Authors: Ainsworth Karen , Richardson Cliff
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore multidisciplinary attitudes and environmental factors affecting dementia care in the Cardiac Catheter Laboratory (CCL).

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires (n=87) were distributed in a hospital CCL in the North of England. The authors utilised the Dementia Attitudes Scale which incorporates two subscales: Social Comfort and Dementia Knowledge. In addition, a newly devised questionnaire asking about perceptions of how the CCL environment affected care of patients with dementia was added.

Findings

The response rate was 71 per cent (n=62). Years’ experience in the CCL was associated with lower Social Comfort scores (p=0.026). Dementia training was associated with higher mean Dementia Attitudes Scale and Social Comfort scores (p=0.021, p=0.007). Participants who had undertaken “Professional studies” had higher Dementia Attitudes Scale and Dementia Knowledge mean scores (p=0.038, p=0.046) but “On-the-job” training was perceived as most beneficial (32 per cent, n=20). Unit co-ordinators and nurses felt the CCL was an unfavourable environment for patients with dementia. Care was perceived to be impaired by environmental functionality, equipment and the presence of ionising radiation.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample limits generalisability. Although the Dementia Attitudes Scale is a validated questionnaire it has not been widely used so reliability of these results is unclear.

Practical implications

Caring for patients with dementia has unique challenges especially in areas like the CCL. These results suggest that practical experience and training can affect the perception of staff to patients with dementia hence there may be a need to assess what would be the most appropriate training to give health professionals in the future.

Originality/value

The authors believe this to be the first multi-professional research study into care of patients with dementia in a specialised acute unit. This was the most diverse sample known to have attitudes to dementia measured quantitatively in an acute hospital department and the results need to be replicated before practice should be changed.
External validation of the traumatic aortic injury score
Authors: Bade‐Boon Jordan , Mathew Joseph K. , Fitzgerald Mark C. , Mitra Biswadev
Published: November 2017

Aim

Traumatic aortic injury (TAI) is a serious complication of blunt chest trauma. The traumatic aortic injury score (TRAINS) is a clinical tool for risk determination, with patients scoring <4 considered low risk. The aim of the present study was to determine the sensitivity of TRAINS on a population of blunt trauma patients with TAI at an Australian major trauma centre.

Patients and Methods

Patients diagnosed with thoracic TAI between 2006 and 2014 were identified from an institutional registry. Radiological studies (chest X‐ray) were reviewed, while blood pressure on arrival to hospital was extracted from the registry. Using abbreviated injury scale codes, the presence of the five associated injuries included in the TRAINS model was determined.

Results

A TRAINS ≥4 was observed in 28 out of 63 cases, with complete data available (sensitivity = 44.4 per cent; 95 per cent confidence interval: 32.8–56.7), with minimum and maximum possible sensitivities of 42.4 per cent and 47 per cent, respectively, as determined by two‐way sensitivity analysis.

Conclusions

This independent external validation of the TRAINS concluded a poor sensitivity for excluding TAI in the blunt chest trauma population. In the absence of reliable predictive tools, a low threshold for thoracic computed tomography imaging and clinical gestalt remain essential tools for the early diagnosis of TAI.
Pharmacotherapy of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: Reflections on the existing evidence
Authors: Tang Jie Ting , Mao Yi Min
Published: November 2017

Pharmacotherapy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not yet been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Over the past decade, a large number of clinical studies have explored the safety and efficacy of different drugs in treating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), including diet pills, antioxidants, insulin sensitizers, lipid‐lowering agents, anti‐inflammatory cytokines, cytoprotective agents and intestinal probiotics. Based on the evidence from randomized controlled trials a number of academic groups have developed guidelines for the diagnosis and management of NAFLD and NASH. In this article, we discussed the current situation of NASH pharmacotherapy.
Increased levels of neutrophil extracellular trap remnants in the serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Wang Wei , Peng Wanchan , Ning Xingwang
Published: November 2017

Aims

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) comprise a unique form of non‐apoptotic cell death exhibited by neutrophils, which occurs in a stepwise process termed NETosis. It has been postulated that NETosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of NET remnants in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as potential associations between NET remnants and indicators of RA.

Methods

Serum levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO)‐DNA complexes (NET remnants) were examined in 74 RA patients and 50 healthy controls using a modified enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Associations between the levels of these complexes and indicators of RA were then statistically evaluated.

Results

RA patients exhibited significantly higher levels of MPO‐DNA complexes than the healthy controls, and these levels were associated with increased neutrophil counts and positivity for rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti‐citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPA). Among the 63 ACPA‐positive RA patients examined, those with ACPA titers > 1600 U/mL showed significantly increased MPO‐DNA levels. Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined that the area under the curve for all 74 RA patients was 0.798, with a sensitivity of 91.9% and a specificity of 56.0%, while that for the ACPA‐negative patients was 0.891, with a sensitivity and specificity of 81.8% and 84.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that the disease status of RA is associated with increased NETosis. In particular, evaluation of serum MPO‐DNA levels may comprise a useful complementary tool for discriminating RA patients from healthy individuals.
CRTC2 promotes non‐small cell lung cancer A549 migration and invasion in vitro
Authors: Shi Shaoqing , Luo Wei , Zhang Rui , Wang Chu , Zheng Yuanyuan , Song Yunhua , Wang Rongchun , Zhang Liyan , Zhang Lihua , Li Weimin , Luo Zhuang
Published: November 2017

Background

CRTC2 is highly expressed in lung cancer and contributes to lung cancer pathogenesis; however, whether CRTC2 promotes lung cancer metastasis remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the role of CRTC2 in lung cancer metastasis in vitro.

Methods

CRTC2 stable knockdown of lung cancer cell A549 was generated with small hairpin RNA and confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription‐PCR and Western blot. Wound healing and invasion transwell assays were performed to explore migration and invasion activity, and Western blot was conducted to detect the expression of related proteins.

Results

Suppression of CRTC2 significantly inhibited A549 cell migration and invasion in vitro. Mechanistic studies showed that knockdown of CRTC2 greatly downregulated MMP2 and MMP9 expression. CRTC2 silencing remarkably suppressed epithelial‐mesenchymal transition by modulating the expression of E‐cadherin and vimentin. Furthermore, suppression of CRTC2 expression significantly reduced MAPK/c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase activity.

Conclusion

CRTC2 may promote A549 migration and invasion by modulation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase‐mediated epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and matrix metalloproteinase expression.
Radiological‐pathological correlation of malignant teratoma with liposarcomatous transformation: Proven by repeated transthoracic needle biopsy
Authors: Lee Hyo‐Jae , Seon Hyun Ju , Choi Yoo‐Duk
Published: November 2017

A mediastinal germ cell tumor with a sarcomatous component is extremely rare and is accompanied by a poor prognosis. Clinical and radiologic diagnosis is very difficult. Herein, we report a rare case of anterior mediastinal malignant teratoma containing a growing liposarcomatous component and detail the diagnostic process. The case was diagnosed by repeated transthoracic needle biopsy and correlated with changes in follow‐up chest computed tomography and serum tumor markers. We also provide a review of the literature.
Adaptive parental effects and how to estimate them: A comment to Bonduriansky and Crean
Authors: Engqvist Leif , Reinhold Klaus
Published: November 2017

To fully understand the evolution of adaptive parental effects we need to reliably estimate their magnitude.

Recently, we (Engqvist & Reinhold, 2016, Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 7, 1482) highlighted some important problems when estimating the magnitude of anticipatory parental effects in the so‐called match/mismatch experiments. As the signature of such parental effects is a statistical interaction between parental environment and offspring environment, it will be difficult to disentangle these effects from other effects depending on a combination of parental and offspring environment, such as context‐dependent silver‐spoon (= condition‐transfer) effects.

In a recent article, Bonduriansky and Crean (2017, Methods in Ecology and Evolution) suggested to manipulate environmental quality on a continuous scale and using a geometric framework as a way out of this dilemma.

Here, we highlight and discuss the benefits and potential drawbacks of the suggested method. We conclude that using this approach, one may extract more detailed information but unfortunately, it will not resolve the interpretive ambiguity inherent in this experimental design.
V1b Receptor Antagonist SSR149415 and Naltrexone Synergistically Decrease Excessive Alcohol Drinking in Male and Female Mice
Authors: Zhou Yan , Rubinstein Marcelo , Low Malcolm J. , Kreek Mary Jeanne
Published: November 2017

Background

A recent clinical trial found that pharmacological blockade of V1b receptors reduces alcohol relapse in alcohol‐dependent patients. SSR149415 is a selective V1b receptor antagonist that has potential for development as an alcohol dependency treatment. In this study, we investigated whether SSR149415 alone or in combination with the mu‐opioid receptor (MOP‐r) antagonist naltrexone (NTN) would alter excessive alcohol drinking in mice.

Methods

Both sexes of C57BL/6J (B6) mice were subjected to a chronic intermittent access (IA) drinking paradigm (2‐bottle choice, 24‐hour access every other day) for 3 weeks. Sucrose and saccharin drinking were used as controls for alcohol‐specific drug effects. Neuronal proopiomelanocortin (POMC) enhancer (nPE) knockout mice with hypothalamic‐specific loss of POMC (including beta‐endorphin, the main endogenous ligand of MOP‐r) were used as a genetic control for the effects of NTN.

Results

Acute administration of SSR149415 (1 to 30 mg/kg) reduced alcohol intake and preference in a dose‐dependent manner in both male and female B6 mice after IA. To investigate potential synergistic effects between NTN and SSR149415, we tested 6 different combination doses of SSR149415 and NTN, and found that a combination of SSR149415 (3 mg/kg) and NTN (1 mg/kg) reduced alcohol intake profoundly at doses lower than the individual effective doses in both sexes of B6 mice. We confirmed the effect of SSR149415 on reducing alcohol intake in nPE−/− male mice, consistent with independent mechanisms by which SSR149415 and NTN decrease alcohol drinking.

Conclusions

The combination of V1b antagonist SSR149415 with NTN at individual subthreshold doses shows potential in alcoholism treatment, possibly with less adverse effects.
Precision medicine in addiction research: where has the time gone?
Authors: Oliver Jason A. , McClernon F. Joseph
Published: November 2017

Commentary to: Precision medicine and pharmacogenetics: what does oncology have that addiction medicine does not?
Inhibition of IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis) proteins represses inflammatory status via nuclear factor‐kappa B pathway in murine endometriosis lesions
Authors: Taniguchi Fuminori , Uegaki Takashi , Nakamura Kazuomi , Mon Khine Yin , Harada Takashi , Ohbayashi Tetsuya , Harada Tasuku
Published: November 2017

Problem

How is the role of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) in the development of murine endometriosis lesions?

Method of study

BALB/c female mice (n = 36) were used for the murine endometriosis model. Endometriotic lesions were surgically induced in mice by transplanting mouse uterine tissue. After 4 weeks of IAP antagonist (BV6) treatment, the expression of inflammatory factors in the implants was evaluated using real‐time RT‐PCR. Inflammatory state, angiogenic activity, and nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) activation were assessed by immunohistochemical staining.

Results

The number, size, and level of inflammatory cytokines (Vegf, Il‐6, Ccl‐2, Lif) gene expression in the murine endometriosis‐like lesions were reduced by BV6 treatment. BV6 repressed the intensity and rate of positive cells of CD3, F4/80, and PECAM immunostaining; in addition, the expression of NF‐κB p65 and phospho‐NF‐κB p65 was also attenuated.

Conclusion

Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins antagonist represses the inflammation status of murine endometriosis‐like lesions viaNF‐κB pathway. IAPs may be a novel therapeutic target for endometriosis.
Medroxyprogesterone acetate‐treated human, primary endometrial epithelial cells reveal unique gene expression signature linked to innate immunity and HIV‐1 susceptibility
Authors: Woods Matthew W. , Zahoor Muhammad Atif , Dizzell Sara , Verschoor Chris P. , Kaushic Charu
Published: November 2017

Problem

Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), a progestin‐based hormonal contraceptive designed to mimic progesterone, has been linked to increased human immunodeficiency virus (HIV‐1) susceptibility. Genital epithelial cells (GECs) form the mucosal lining of the female genital tract (FGT) and provide the first line of protection against HIV‐1. The impact of endogenous sex hormones or MPA on the gene expression profile of GECs has not been comprehensively documented.

Method of study

Using microarray analysis, we characterized the transcriptional profile of primary endometrial epithelial cells grown in physiological levels of E2, P4, and MPA.

Results

Each hormone treatment altered the gene expression profile of GECs in a unique manner. Interestingly, although MPA is a progestogen, the gene expression profile induced by it was distinct from P4. MPA increased gene expression of genes related to inflammation and cholesterol synthesis linked to innate immunity and HIV‐1 susceptibility.

Conclusion

The analysis of gene expression profiles provides insights into the effects of sex hormones and MPA on GECs and allows us to posit possible mechanisms of the MPA‐mediated increase in HIV‐1 acquisition.
National study shows that abusive head trauma mortality in Sweden was at least 10 times lower than in other Western countries
Authors: Andersson Jacob , Thiblin Ingemar
Published: November 2017

Aim

The validity of the diagnostic criteria for abusive head trauma (AHT) and its attributes has been widely debated. This national study investigated the possibility of false‐positive and false‐negative cases of fatal AHT in Sweden.

Method

This was a retrospective evaluation of the records of 733 deceased infants up to the age of 365 days who were examined during 1994–2013 at the six forensic medicine departments. All the records were scrutinised for possible cases of AHT.

Results

We included 12 cases, of which eight had been diagnosed as AHT. Of these 12 infants, eight had a concomitant disease or perinatal illness, five were born prematurely and three were twins. Figures from other Western countries would suggest 6–7 deaths per 100,000 per year in Sweden, but in reality, there was a maximum possible incidence of 0.6 per 100,000 infants per year.

Conclusion

The risk of unreported fatal AHT in Sweden was low, and there may have been cases misdiagnosed as AHT. The at least 10 times lower incidence than has been reported from other Western countries, raises the question if previously reported higher incidences of fatal AHT have been exaggerated.
Dynamics between Member Replacement and Team Performance: The Role of Members’ Relative Attributes
Authors: Li Jia , Gevers Josette M.P.
Published: November 2017

Analysing the 367 member replacement acts in the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament, we uncover important dynamics between member replacement and team performance. We find that poor team performance leads to substitutions with more competence gains (or with less competence loss), that substituting and substituted members’ functional background dissimilarity improves subsequent content‐related team performance (i.e. scoring more goals), and that their competence superiority is associated with the speed of team performance turnaround (i.e. scoring goals faster). Going beyond contrasts between teams with and without membership change, the paper highlights the importance of substituting and substituted members’ relative task‐related attributes and provides a more nuanced understanding of the complex phenomenon of team membership change. Furthermore, the paper extends the methodological spectrum of dynamic team composition research from predominantly laboratory experiments with short‐lived student groups performing cognitive tasks to field studies with real‐life work teams performing action tasks.
Letter: questions regarding the diagnostic performance of serum assays for atrophic gastritis
Authors: Graham D. Y.
Published: November 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Zagari et al and Zagari and Greenwood papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14248 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14369.
Letter: questions regarding the diagnostic performance of serum assays for atrophic gastritis—Authors' reply
Authors: Zagari R. M. , Greenwood D. C.
Published: November 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Zagari et al and Graham papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14248 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14339.
Angiotensin receptor blocker use and gastro‐oesophageal cancer survival: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Busby J. , McMenamin Ú. , Spence A. , Johnston B. T. , Hughes C. , Cardwell C. R.
Published: November 2017

Background

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs; including candesartan, losartan, olmesartan and valsartan) are widely used to treat hypertension, heart failure and diabetic neuropathy. There is considerable pre‐clinical evidence that ARBs can reduce cancer progression, particularly for gastric cancer. Despite this, epidemiological studies have yet to assess the impact of ARB use on gastro‐oesophageal cancer survival.

Aim

To investigate the association between post‐diagnosis ARB use and gastro‐oesophageal cancer survival.

Methods

We selected a cohort of patients with newly‐diagnosed gastro‐oesophageal cancer between 1998 and 2012 from English cancer registries. We linked to prescription and clinical records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, and to death records from the Office for National Statistics. We used time‐dependant Cox‐regression models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) comparing gastro‐oesophageal cancer‐specific mortality between post‐diagnosis ARB users and non‐users, after adjusting for demographics, comorbidities and post‐diagnosis aspirin or statin use.

Results

Our cohort included 5124 gastro‐oesophageal cancer patients, of which 360 used ARBs, and 3345 died due to their gastro‐oesophageal cancer during follow‐up. After adjustment, ARB users had moderately lower risk of gastro‐oesophageal cancer mortality than the non‐users (HR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.71‐0.98). There was evidence of a dose–response relationship with the lowest HRs observed among patients receiving at least 2 years of prescriptions (HR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.25‐0.72).

Conclusions

In this large population‐based gastro‐oesophageal cancer cohort, we found moderately reduced cancer‐specific mortality among ARB users. However, confirmation in further independent epidemiological studies with sufficient staging information is required.
Characterization of Materials and Artistic Techniques on Two 17th‐Century Neapolitan Wood Sculptures
Authors: Fico D. , Faraco M. , Pennetta A. , Rizzo D. , De Benedetto G. E.
Published: November 2017

Two sculptures of Gaetano Patalano, one of the most important Italian sculptors of the late 17th century, were analysed to study the stratigraphy, the organic and inorganic materials, and to distinguish the original layers from the repaintings. Samples taken from the Immacolata Concezione and from San Gaetano da Thiene (Santa Chiara church, Lecce, Italy) were studied by optical microscopy, μ‐Raman spectroscopy and Py‐GC–MS. Different binders and pigments were used for the preparatory layers on the different parts of the statues: the results demonstrate that Patalano mastered the various materials and techniques, and that his choices have allowed his carving ability to be emphasized.
Mothering as Laboring: Navigating Cultural Discourses of Mothering as Marriage‐Labor Immigrants in Korea
Authors: Kim‐Bossard MinSoo
Published: November 2017

This paper examines the ways in which marriage‐labor immigrants manage, facilitate, and fulfill discourses about mothering in Korea by giving birth to and raising children. Through a series of semi‐structured ethnographic interviews, “go‐along” interviews, and fieldwork with marriage‐labor immigrants in Korea in 2013, 2014, and 2015, I investigated the emergent tension and anxiety around the recent demographic changes in Korea and the subsequent impact on discourses about mothering. This paper concludes by exploring the implications of how the reproductive and affective labor of marriage‐labor immigrants functions in contemporary Korea to facilitate cultural discourses about gender, lineage, and national identity.
Using learning analytics to scale the provision of personalised feedback
Authors: Pardo Abelardo , Jovanovic Jelena , Dawson Shane , Gašević Dragan , Mirriahi Negin
Published: November 2017

There is little debate regarding the importance of student feedback for improving the learning process. However, there remain significant workload barriers for instructors that impede their capacity to provide timely and meaningful feedback. The increasing role technology is playing in the education space may provide novel solutions to this impediment. As students interact with the various learning technologies in their course of study, they create digital traces that can be captured and analysed. These digital traces form the new kind of data that are frequently used in learning analytics to develop actionable recommendations that can support student learning. This paper explores the use of such analytics to address the challenges impeding the capacity of instructors to provide personalised feedback at scale. The case study reported in the paper showed how the approach was associated with a positive impact on student perception of feedback quality and on academic achievement. The study was conducted with first year undergraduate engineering students enrolled in a computer systems course with a blended learning design across three consecutive years (N2013 = 290, N2014 = 316 and N2015 = 415).
Beurteilung der Lebensqualität bei Patienten mit nicht‐melanozytärem Hautkrebs – psychometrische Validierung des EORTC QLQ‐C30‐Fragebogens
Authors: Müller Karolina , Karrer Sigrid , Szeimies Rolf‐Markus , Steinbauer Julia , Kohl Elisabeth , Steinbauer Dominik , Zeman Florian , Berneburg Mark , Koller Michael
Published: November 2017

Hintergrund

Nicht‐melanozytärer Hautkrebs (NMSC, nonmelanoma skin cancer) ist eine chronische und mitunter schwierig zu behandelnde Erkrankung, die die Lebensqualität (LQ) beeinträchtigt. Die vorliegende Studie wurde durchgeführt um zu prüfen, ob der Kernfragebogen Quality of Life Questionnaire ‐ Cancer (QLQ‐C30) der European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) ein geeignetes Instrument für die Beurteilung der LQ bei NMSC‐Patienten ist.

Patienten und Methoden

Zur Bestimmung der psychometrischen Eigenschaften des Fragebogens wurden der QLQ‐C30 und der Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) an 172 Patienten der Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie des Universitätsklinikums Regensburg, Deutschland, ausgegeben.

Ergebnisse

Die interne Konsistenz aller Multi‐Item‐Skalen (außer einer) war akzeptabel, wobei Cronbachs Alpha‐Koeffizient zwischen 0,71 bis 0,93 lag. Die angenommene Skalenstruktur wurde durch Korrelationen zwischen Items und Skalen sowie Korrelationen zwischen Skalen innerhalb des QLQ‐C30 bestätigt. Verwandte Skalen des QLQ‐C30 und des DLQI korrelierten signifikant und belegten damit die Konstruktvalidität. Gleichzeitig wies der Anteil substanzieller Korrelationen (6 % ≥ 0,40) darauf hin, dass mit den beiden Fragebogen unterschiedliche Aspekte der LQ beurteilt werden. Der QLQ‐C30 differenzierte signifikant zwischen Patienten mit verschiedenen Erkrankungsgraden. Eine schwere Erkrankung ging mit stärkeren Beeinträchtigungen der Körperlichen, Rollen‐ und Kognitiven Funktion einher (p ≤ 0,030).

Schlussfolgerungen

Diese Ergebnisse bestätigen, dass der QLQ‐C30 ein geeignetes Instrument für die Beurteilung der LQ bei NMSC‐Patienten darstellt.
Business recovery: an assessment framework
Authors: Stevenson Joanne R. , Brown Charlotte , Seville Erica , Vargo John
Published: November 2017

This paper presents a Business Recovery Assessment Framework (BRAF) to help researchers and practitioners design robust, repeatable, and comparable studies of business recovery in various post‐disruption contexts. Studies assessing business recovery without adequately considering the research aims, recovery definitions, and indicators can produce misleading findings. The BRAF is composed of a series of steps that guide the decisions that researchers need to make to ensure: (i) that recovery is indeed being measured; (ii) that the indicators of recovery that are selected align with the objectives of the study and the definition of recovery; and, where necessary, (iii) that appropriate comparative control variables are in place. The paper draws on a large dataset of business surveys collected following the earthquakes in Canterbury, New Zealand, on 4 September 2010 and 22 February 2011 to demonstrate the varied conclusions that different recovery indicators can produce and to justify the need for a systematic approach to business recovery assessments.
What is the role of the General Movements Assessment in clinical practice?
Authors: Rosenbloom Lewis
Published: November 2017

This commentary is on the original article by Olsen et al. on pages 47–53.
Association between diabetes mellitus and olfactory dysfunction: current perspectives and future directions
Authors: Zaghloul H. , Pallayova M. , Al‐Nuaimi O. , Hovis K. R. , Taheri S.
Published: November 2017

The increasing global prevalence of diabetes mellitus presents a significant challenge to healthcare systems today. Although diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy are well‐established complications of diabetes, there is a paucity of research examining the impact of dysglycaemia on the olfactory system. Olfaction is an important sense, playing a role in the safety, nutrition and quality of life of an individual, but its importance is often overlooked when compared with the other senses. As a result, olfactory dysfunction is often underdiagnosed. The present review article aims to present and discuss the available evidence on the relationship between diabetes and olfaction. It also explores the associations between olfactory dysfunction and diabetes complications that could explain the underlying pathogenesis. Finally, it summarizes the putative pathological mechanisms underlying olfactory dysfunction in diabetes that require further investigation.
Firm Heterogeneity and Performance in a Turbulent Economic Environment: Evidence from Greece
Authors: Georgopoulos Antonios , Glaister Keith W.
Published: November 2017

We examine the explanatory power of foreign ownership and domestic multinationality on firm performance among three different groups of sample firms over a turbulent economic period drawing on a unique dataset from Greece. Although the performance of each group of firms declines during the economic recession, we find that compared to Greek non‐multinational enterprises (MNEs), foreign‐owned firms show a profitability advantage, albeit at a lower profit performance level, and a much higher sales growth performance, considerably smoothing out fluctuations in sales. In turn, over the recession Greek MNEs do not achieve better performance compared to Greek non‐MNEs, either in terms of profitability or of sales growth. This finding runs counter to the predominant view that the domestic multinationality factor per se matters, and prompts the need for future research to address particularly the performance impact of new multinationals from small and emerging economies. Hence, we suggest that neither domestic ownership nor domestic multinationality can boost firm performance in turbulent years.
Standards for data acquisition and software‐based analysis of in vivo electroencephalography recordings from animals. A TASK1‐WG5 report of the AES/ILAE Translational Task Force of the ILAE
Authors: Moyer Jason T. , Gnatkovsky Vadym , Ono Tomonori , Otáhal Jakub , Wagenaar Joost , Stacey William C. , Noebels Jeffrey , Ikeda Akio , Staley Kevin , de Curtis Marco , Litt Brian , Galanopoulou Aristea S.
Published: November 2017

Electroencephalography (EEG)—the direct recording of the electrical activity of populations of neurons—is a tremendously important tool for diagnosing, treating, and researching epilepsy. Although standard procedures for recording and analyzing human EEG exist and are broadly accepted, there are no such standards for research in animal models of seizures and epilepsy—recording montages, acquisition systems, and processing algorithms may differ substantially among investigators and laboratories. The lack of standard procedures for acquiring and analyzing EEG from animal models of epilepsy hinders the interpretation of experimental results and reduces the ability of the scientific community to efficiently translate new experimental findings into clinical practice. Accordingly, the intention of this report is twofold: (1) to review current techniques for the collection and software‐based analysis of neural field recordings in animal models of epilepsy, and (2) to offer pertinent standards and reporting guidelines for this research. Specifically, we review current techniques for signal acquisition, signal conditioning, signal processing, data storage, and data sharing, and include applicable recommendations to standardize collection and reporting. We close with a discussion of challenges and future opportunities, and include a supplemental report of currently available acquisition systems and analysis tools. This work represents a collaboration on behalf of the American Epilepsy Society/International League Against Epilepsy (AES/ILAE) Translational Task Force (TASK1‐Workgroup 5), and is part of a larger effort to harmonize video‐EEG interpretation and analysis methods across studies using in vivo and in vitro seizure and epilepsy models.
Effect of talc and titania on the microstructure and mechanical properties of alumina ceramics
Authors: Yu Hui , Xu Zhihao , Wei Ziye , Chen Yongjun , Li Jianbao , Luo Lijie
Published: November 2017

Alumina (Al2O3) ceramics were prepared with nucleating agent of titania (TiO2) and fluxing agent of talc by the normal pressure sintering method. The effects of TiO2 and talc on phase composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties of Al2O3 ceramics, as well the strengthening and toughening mechanism were investigated. It was found that the introduction of TiO2 could be favorable for mullite formation and the improved densification of ceramics, resulting in improved mechanical properties of ceramics as well. Ceramics possess the best comprehensive mechanical performance with fracture toughness of 3.69 MPa·m1/2 and flexural strength of 255.9 MPa when 4 wt.% TiO2 and 15 wt.% talc were added. Mineral bridges and nanocrystallites were found in the glass‐ceramics, which caused the deflection of cracks so that it strengthened the grain boundary and improved the mechanical properties of ceramics.
Effect of annealing on the functionality of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) starch–palmitic acid complex
Authors: Oyeyinka Samson A. , Adegoke Rukayat , Oyeyinka Adewumi T. , Salami Khadijat O. , Olagunju Omotola F. , Kolawole Fausat L. , Joseph John K. , Bolarinwa Islamiyat F.
Published: November 2017

Bambara groundnut is an underutilised African leguminous crop. This study investigated the effect of annealing on the complexing ability and functionality of Bambara groundnut starch with palmitic acid. Corn starch was included as the reference. Annealing created cracks and pores on the surface of Bambara groundnut and corn starches, respectively. Bambara groundnut starch had significantly higher amylose content, higher peak and final viscosities than corn starch. The peak viscosities of native Bambara groundnut and corn starches significantly reduced with palmitic acid addition. Greater reduction in peak viscosities was observed when the annealed starches were complexed with palmitic acid, suggesting that more palmitic acid was complexed after annealing. This was confirmed by XRD peaks and melting enthalpies. Pasting of native Bambara groundnut and corn starches with palmitic acid resulted in the formation of type I V‐amylose complexes, while type II complexes were formed from annealed starches pasted with palmitic acid.
Voluntary Work‐related Technology Use during Non‐work Time: A Narrative Synthesis of Empirical Research and Research Agenda
Authors: Schlachter Svenja , McDowall Almuth , Cropley Mark , Inceoglu Ilke
Published: November 2017

The Internet and mobilization of information and communication technologies (ICTs) have made non‐manual work increasingly portable and remotely accessible. As a result, a considerable number of employees use their ICTs to engage in work‐related tasks during designated non‐work time, even without contractual obligation. However, existing research on such voluntary work‐related ICT use remains fragmented and spread across disciplines. The authors conducted a narrative review of 56 studies to identify themes in existing research, synthesize the evidence base and identify gaps in understanding. They identify five themes: (1) Social‐normative organizational context, (2) Job‐related characteristics and work processes, (3) Person characteristics, (4) Designated non‐work time and well‐being, and (5) Empowerment/Enslavement Paradox. A conceptual model of voluntary ICT use is developed by integrating the identified themes with existing organizational research, outlining the relationships between the identified themes and voluntary ICT use. The discussion emphasizes the need for more conceptual clarity on voluntary ICT use and related constructs, and for the integration of different disciplines and methodological approaches to advance knowledge in the field. The authors further identify person‐centred research as a critical future avenue to explore different ICT user types. Additionally, more research into the mechanisms and moderating influences regarding voluntary ICT use and its outcomes is considered advisable to advance knowledge on the Empowerment/Enslavement Paradox and its potential resolution. The paper concludes with preliminary implications to inform practice, addressing the need for employers to provide control over voluntary ICT use and employees enacting this control.
Annual Research Review: Not just a small adult brain: understanding later neurodevelopment through imaging the neonatal brain
Authors: Batalle Dafnis , Edwards A. David , O'Muircheartaigh Jonathan
Published: November 2017

Background

There has been a recent proliferation in neuroimaging research focusing on brain development in the prenatal, neonatal and very early childhood brain. Early brain injury and preterm birth are associated with increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, indicating the importance of this early period for later outcome.

Scope and methodology

Although using a wide range of different methodologies and investigating diverse samples, the common aim of many of these studies has been to both track normative development and investigate deviations in this development to predict behavioural, cognitive and neurological function in childhood. Here we review structural and functional neuroimaging studies investigating the developing brain. We focus on practical and technical complexities of studying this early age range and discuss how neuroimaging techniques have been successfully applied to investigate later neurodevelopmental outcome.

Conclusions

Neuroimaging markers of later outcome still have surprisingly low predictive power and their specificity to individual neurodevelopmental disorders is still under question. However, the field is still young, and substantial challenges to both acquiring and modeling neonatal data are being met.
Effects of ultrasound on the physicochemical properties and microstructure of salted‐dried grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
Authors: Wang Teng , Ning Zhengxiang , Wang Xuping , Zhang Yehui , Zhang Yousheng
Published: November 2017

Ultrasound treatment was used for accelerating drying process and shortening drying time of salted‐dried grass carp, in parallel with evaluation of physicochemical properties and microstructure. The grass carp blocks were salted with ultrasound‐assisted treatment at 0–480 W, 40 kHz for 120 min, then put into heat pump dryer for drying at 50% humidity, 30 °C for 50 hr. The moisture content results showed that ultrasound treatment could significantly promote water loss rate. As the ultrasound power increased, the hardness, the relative content of monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid and total content of free amino acid decreased while the saturated fatty acid and sensory scores increased, respectively. Furthermore, microstructure of the dried‐salted grass carp was studied using paraffin sections and the scanning electron microscope to understand the change of microstructure. In general, ultrasound‐assisted salting significantly increased drying rate, and improved the quality of salted‐dried grass carp. This study shows the potential application of ultrasound in food drying process.

Practical applications

The ultrasound was applied in order to facilitate the traditional process to produce salted‐dried grass carp. And physicochemical properties and microstructure of salted‐dried fish were measured. The results showed that the application of ultrasound could significantly promote the mass transfer of water and improved the product's appeal for customers. The outcome of this study demonstrated a method for producing better quality dried‐salted fish products with a fast speed in the future and showed a great potential of ultrasound in food drying process.
Therapeutic effect of lyophilized, Kefir‐fermented milk on constipation among persons with mental and physical disabilities
Authors: Maki Rumiko , Matsukawa Mayumi , Matsuduka Atsuko , Hashinaga Masahiko , Anai Hirofumi , Yamaoka Yoshio , Hanada Katsuhiro , Fujii Chieko
Published: November 2017

Aim

Constipation is a serious problem for persons with mental and physical disabilities in Japan. However, prophylaxis is extremely difficult because the major causes of constipation in these individuals are related to their mental and physical disabilities. Constipation can be successfully treated with glycerol enemas (GEs) and other aperients. As constipation is a lifetime issue for these persons, dietary regimens to prevent constipation can be important.

Methods

This study evaluated the probiotic effects of kefir‐fermented milk for preventing constipation in 42 persons with mental and physical disabilities. The participants were administered 2 g of lyophilized kefir with each meal for 12 weeks and their bowel movements, the administration of GE and other aperients, and stool shape were recorded.

Results

The intake of kefir significantly reduced constipation, compared with the baseline status. Some individuals showed complete relief of constipation, whereas others showed no effect.

Conclusion

Despite individual variations, consuming kefir daily could prevent constipation.
Theory and Values in Socio‐legal Studies
Authors: Cotterrell Roger
Published: November 2017

This article argues that socio‐legal studies (SLS) should engage with ultimate values, in Max Weber's sense, insofar as these influence law and social action linked to law. The article sketches orientations in socio‐legal research that have deterred concern with such values. It suggests a way to conceptualize values as a component of culture, and illustrates this by reference to aspects of the regulation of religious and ethnic minorities, on the one hand, and business and financial networks, on the other. Finally, it considers how SLS's commitment to science impacts on the study of values. It argues that empirically‐grounded socio‐legal theory can suggest why and how certain ultimate values come to seem meaningful and relevant in particular social conditions. As components of cultural experience, values relate to law in complex ways, and SLS can and should give more attention to this relation.
Promoting Dialogue Between History and Socio‐legal Studies: The Contribution of Christopher W. Brooks and the ‘Legal Turn’ in Early Modern English History
Authors: Sugarman David
Published: November 2017

Although history, legal history, and socio‐legal studies significantly overlap in concerns, methods, values and history, and a common tradition, these commonalities are frequently overlooked. In seeking to promote greater dialogue between these disciplines, this article examines their complex interaction, arguing that the work of socio‐legal scholars, historians, and legal historians would benefit from greater cross‐fertilization. It focuses on the ‘legal turn’ in recent history writing on early modern England, particularly Christopher W. Brooks's ground‐breaking analysis of the nature and extent of legal consciousness throughout society, and the central role of law and legal institutions in the constitution of society. It then outlines some areas of common interest and, having highlighted the increasing convergence between history, legal history, and socio‐legal studies, concludes that greater dialogue would enhance our understanding of the role of law in society, and of society, and would be of more than mere historical interest.
Nocturnal nasal obstruction is frequent and reduces sleep quality in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Värendh Maria , Andersson Morgan , Bjørnsdottir Erla , Hrubos‐Strøm Harald , Johannisson Arne , Arnardottir Erna S. , Gislason Thorarinn , Juliusson Sigurdur
Published: November 2017

The prevalence and consequences of nasal obstruction in untreated obstructive sleep apnea patients are not known. The study objectives were to investigate the frequency of subjective and objective nasal obstruction in untreated sleep apnea patients and the associations with sleep and quality of life. Patients in the Icelandic Sleep Apnea Cohort were subjected to a type 3 sleep study, answered questionnaires and had their nasal dimensions measured by acoustic rhinometry. In total, 810 patients participated (including 153 females), aged 54.5 ± 10.6 years [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] with an apnea/hypopnea index 44.7 ± 20.7 h−1. Nocturnal nasal obstruction (greater than or equal to three times per week) was reported by 35% of the patients. These patients had smaller nasal dimensions measured by the minimum cross‐sectional area within the smaller nasal valve (0.42 ± 0.17 versus 0.45 ± 0.16 cm2, P = 0.013), reported more daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score 12.5 ± 4.9 versus 10.8 ± 5.0; P < 0.001) and slightly lower mental quality of life than patients without nocturnal nasal obstruction. Nocturnal nasal obstruction is reported in one‐third of the sleep apnea patients and they are more likely to suffer from daytime sleepiness and slightly reduced quality of life than other sleep apnea patients.
Legal Mobilization and Analogical Legal Framing: Feminist Litigators’ Use of Race–Gender Analogies
Authors: McCammon Holly J. , Hearne Brittany N. , McGrath Allison R. , Moon Minyoung
Published: November 2017

We investigate how cause lawyers articulate their demands in court. We do so by examining feminist legal briefs submitted in US Supreme Court cases from 1970 to the present, specifically focusing on the use of race–gender analogical legal framing. We explore the frequency and trends in the use of such arguments as well as the forms these arguments take, including how race–gender analogies parallel frame bridging and transformation. Additionally, we also investigate why activists choose to deploy race–gender analogies in their legal framing and discern that different political, legal, and social contexts can produce different uses of the race–gender analogy.
Emergency ventricular drainage plus systemic antibiotics saved an elderly patient with intraventricular rupture as a result of a pituitary abscess
Authors: Takahashi Yoshiaki , Yamashita Toru , Morihara Ryuta , Nakano Yumiko , Shang Jingwei , Sato Kota , Takemoto Mami , Hishikawa Nozomi , Ohta Yasuyuki , Abe Koji
Published: November 2017

A pituitary abscess is a rare intracranial infection, and direct transsphenoidal surgery is common for the therapy. Intracranial rupture of the pituitary abscess is usually fatal. Here, we report a 76‐year‐old woman with a pituitary abscess who showed headaches, left eyelid ptosis, periorbital swelling and external eye movement disturbances in the left eye. Although her symptoms initially improved after therapy with systemic antibiotics, the pituitary abscess suddenly developed an intraventricular rupture on admission day 27. However, emergency ventricular drainage in combination with different antibiotics gradually improved her condition. The present case suggests that the combination of emergency ventricular drainage and systemic antibiotic administration could serve as an alternative choice to manage pituitary abscesses of ventricular ruptures, especially in elderly patients.
Treatment of Chronic Refractory Neuropathic Pelvic Pain with High‐Frequency 10‐kilohertz Spinal Cord Stimulation
Authors: Simopoulos Thomas , Yong Robert J. , Gill Jatinder S.
Published: November 2017

Chronic neuropathic pelvic pain remains a recalcitrant problem in the field of pain management. Case series on application of 10 kHz spinal cord stimulation is presented. High frequency stimulation can improve chronic neuropathic pain states that are known to be mediated at the conus medullaris and offers another avenue for the treatment of these patients.