bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Employee social-mediated crisis communication as opportunity or threat?
Authors: Opitz Marcus , Chaudhri Vidhi , Wang Yijing
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Defending their employer on LinkedIn or attacking their organization on Twitter: a ubiquitous social-mediated environment allows employees of crisis-stricken organizations to reach out to a mass audience with only a few keystrokes. But is such employee social-mediated crisis communication an opportunity or a threat to their organizations? By developing the perspective of employees in contrast to consumers, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of employee social-mediated crisis communication on organizational reputation.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey experiment was conducted among 386 participants constituting the publics of an organization.

Findings

The findings demonstrate the importance of moderating effects of message framing (advocacy vs adversary) and medium (blog vs microblog). They show that in comparison to consumers, employees attacking their organization on social media, particularly via media such as blog, cause disproportionally more damage to organizational reputation.

Research limitations/implications

While the significant effects of employees’ adversary message might make them a threat for organizations, it is argued that the fact that employees are equally as effective as advocates for their organizations as consumers also constitutes an opportunity.

Practical implications

Organizations need to be cognizant of the threats posed by employees’ crisis communication as well as aim to reap opportunities offered by these credible communicators by considering strategies such as authentically integrating employees in the official crisis communication response.

Originality/value

By comparing the role of the two groups of stakeholders (employees vs consumers) in crisis communication, the study contributes to an important audience-centered perspective.
Activism, prosocial public relations and negotiation: the case of St Vincent de Paul
Authors: Brooks Kathryn J. , Wakefield Robert I. , Plowman Kenneth D.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the propositions of activism and prosocial public relations that an organization will engage in non-confrontational (prosocial) public relations and negotiation by building up internal resources, reaching out to target publics, and making connections to a cause to gain visibility and support.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was a single embedded case study that explored the public relations and communication tactics of a non-profit organization (NGO).

Findings

Observations from the case study support the proposition. This study begins to establish some of the public relations methods of how a successful prosocial NGO can successfully engage its publics through activism and negotiation.

Research limitations/implications

A single embedded case study is not generalizable to a population but is generalizable to theory so it is trustworthy and replicable when using a similar organization studying the same concepts in this paper.

Practical implications

An organization can reach out to publics through publicity, promotion, and information to raise the visibility of the organization and encourage active participation. The organization increased support for its cause and helped to establish the reputation of the organization as a legitimate, trustworthy and effective establishment. The study further uncovered nurturing relationships as an additional fourth element to the process of prosocial public relations.

Social implications

Activism, prosocial public relations and negotiation in corporate communications and in this case a non-profit can apply to increase well-being and society conditions.

Originality/value

This study is the only one of its kind to apply activism, prosocial public relations and negotiation theory to a practical case using a non-profit entity.
Kairotic and chronological knowing: diabetes logbooks in-and-out of the hospital
Authors: Piras Enrico Maria
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The paper reflects on the role of knowledge artefacts in the patient-provider relationship across the organisational boundaries of the clinical setting. Drawing on the analysis of the diabetes logbook, the purpose of this paper is to illustrate the role of knowledge artefacts in a fragmented system of knowledge through the study of two distinct practices: “logbook compiling” and “consultation in the surgery”.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical framework of analysis is rooted in the tradition of practice-based studies which envisions knowledge as the emerging, precarious and socially constructed product of being involved in a practice. The paper follows a designed qualitative research, conducting semi-structured interviews, participant observation and artefact analysis.

Findings

The knowledge artefacts support different and partially irreducible forms of knowledge. Knowing-in-practice is accomplished by means of different activities which contribute to the reshaping of the knowledge artefact itself. The analysis of the “knowledge artefact-in-use” reveals that different actors (doctors and patients) adopt two different perspectives when investigating the chronic condition. Clinicians are interested in a chronological representation of patient data while patients and families are interested in making sense of specific situations, adopting a kairotic perspective (Kairos: the right moment) that emphasises the instant in which something significant for someone happens.

Originality/value

The analysis of the knowledge artefacts-in-use has a twofold outcome. On one hand, it illustrates the mutual shaping of knowing, artefacts and practices. On the other hand, it shows how knowledge artefact can become pivotal resources in a fragmented system of knowledge.
The role of intangible assets and liabilities in firm performance: empirical evidence
Authors: Haji Abdifatah Ahmed , Mohd Ghazali Nazli Anum
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is primarily to explore the extent of intangible assets and liabilities of large Malaysian companies. The authors also examine whether intangible assets and liabilities of a firm have similar or contrasting roles in firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a direct and straightforward measure of intangible assets and liabilities, the authors examine a large pool of data from large Malaysian companies over a six-year period spanning from 2008 to 2013.

Findings

The longitudinal analyses show a significant number of the sample companies, between 34 and 59.33 percent, have a consistent pattern of intangible liabilities. The authors also find firms with intangible liabilities have significantly underperformed financially than a control group of firms. In addition, the authors find that intangible liabilities have significant negative impact on firm performance whereas intangible assets have a contrasting positive impact on firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation of this study is that the authors have only used a single measure of intangible assets and liabilities. Albeit the measures used are straightforward and more objective, there could be other measures to capture intangibles.

Practical implications

The research findings have several theoretical as well as policy implications. Theoretically, the authors extend the resource-based view to the intangible asset-liability mix, affirming the crucial role of intangible resources in financial performance whilst introducing the unfavorable role of intangible liabilities in corporate financial performance. In terms of policy implications, the research findings provide initial empirical input to emerging calls for broader perspectives of intangibles, beyond intangible assets to include intangible liabilities, and therefore belong to an emerging paradigm toward the nature of intangibles.

Originality/value

This study documents a rare empirical account of the contrasting roles of intangible assets and liabilities in corporate financial performance.
Networks as systems
Authors: Best Allan , Berland Alex , Greenhalgh Trisha , Bourgeault Ivy L. , Saul Jessie E. , Barker Brittany
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of the World Health Organization’s Global Healthcare Workforce Alliance (GHWA). Based on a commissioned evaluation of GHWA, it applies network theory and key concepts from systems thinking to explore network emergence, effectiveness, and evolution to over a ten-year period. The research was designed to provide high-level strategic guidance for further evolution of global governance in human resources for health (HRH).

Design/methodology/approach

Methods included a review of published literature on HRH governance and current practice in the field and an in-depth case study whose main data sources were relevant GHWA background documents and key informant interviews with GHWA leaders, staff, and stakeholders. Sampling was purposive and at a senior level, focusing on board members, executive directors, funders, and academics. Data were analyzed thematically with reference to systems theory and Shiffman’s theory of network development.

Findings

Five key lessons emerged: effective management and leadership are critical; networks need to balance “tight” and “loose” approaches to their structure and processes; an active communication strategy is key to create and maintain support; the goals, priorities, and membership must be carefully focused; and the network needs to support shared measurement of progress on agreed-upon goals. Shiffman’s middle-range network theory is a useful tool when guided by the principles of complex systems that illuminate dynamic situations and shifting interests as global alliances evolve.

Research limitations/implications

This study was implemented at the end of the ten-year funding cycle. A more continuous evaluation throughout the term would have provided richer understanding of issues. Experience and perspectives at the country level were not assessed.

Practical implications

Design and management of large, complex networks requires ongoing attention to key issues like leadership, and flexible structures and processes to accommodate the dynamic reality of these networks.

Originality/value

This case study builds on growing interest in the role of networks to foster large-scale change. The particular value rests on the longitudinal perspective on the evolution of a large, complex global network, and the use of theory to guide understanding.
Market timing and pseudo market timing: an empirical examination of IPOs in India
Authors: Wadhwa Kavita , Syamala Sudhakara Reddy
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of market timing and pseudo market timing on equity issuance decisions of IPOs in an emerging economy – India. Indian new issues market provides a perfect setting to test market timing against pseudo market timing due to two reasons. First, the US literature shows that most underpriced IPOs are highly overvalued and in India, the authors have the evidence of underpricing of IPOs. But whether Indian IPOs are overvalued or not it is yet to be tested. Second, majority of IPOs were issued in India only after the 1991 economic reforms which may signal the evidence for pseudo market timing hypothesis.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use direct test to examine the impact of market timing and pseudo market timing variables on the IPO activity. The direct tests of market timing and pseudo market timing hypotheses are based on the positive relation of market timing variables and market conditions variables with IPO activity. The authors examine the long-run performance of IPOs by using the calendar-time regression approach to test market timing against pseudo market timing. This serves as indirect test of market timing and pseudo market timing. Evidence of market timing using indirect test shows that there is a decline in the long-run stock performance of IPOs.

Findings

The results show that in India, firms issue equity not just due to market conditions but they also issue equity in order to time the market. The results of market timing are also supported by the calendar-time approach results. However, the authors find that the evidence of market timing is stronger for hot issue markets as compared to cold issue markets.

Originality/value

This is the first study to comprehensively examine market timing and pseudo market timing using direct and indirect tests for an emerging market context.
Product market competition, cash flow and corporate investments
Authors: Abdoh Hussein Ali Ahmad , Varela Oscar
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of product market competition on capital spending (investments) financed by cash flow (CF), and the role of financial constraints (FC) on these effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The Herfindahl-Hirschman index of concentration measures competition. Earnings retention, working capital, the Kaplan and Zingales (1997) index and CF shortfalls measure FC. Regressions relating capital spending to competition are performed for the full sample, as well as financially constrained and unconstrained, and growth and value firms’ sub-samples. For robustness, large reductions in import tariffs are examined to exogenously measure competition, with the impact of these on capital spending tested via the difference-in-difference method.

Findings

The results show that competition fosters valuable investments when firms are financially unconstrained, especially for growth firms, and reduces these investments when they are financially constrained, especially for value firms.

Practical implications

The role of policy makers in alleviating FC should be focused toward growth firms that operate in competitive industries. As well, increasing financial pressure on value firms in competitive industries can have desirable effects, as it forces these firms to reduce investment inefficiency.

Originality/value

Many firm-specific and environmental factors drive the relation between competition and investment. Khanna and Tice (2000) find profitable firms increasing and highly levered firms decreasing investments in response to Wal-Mart’s entry into their markets. Jiang et al. (2015) suggest that environments with predictable growth drive a positive relation between competition and investments. This study claims that another factor that affects this relation is the firm’s level of FC.
The information content of an increase in federal funds rate from a zero lower bound environment
Authors: Diaz Violeta , Sankaran Harikumar , Iyer Subramanian Rama
Published: January 2018

Purpose

After a seven-year period of being stuck in the zero lower bound (ZLB) range, the target rate was raised by 25 basis points on December 16, 2015. Prior to the rate hike, the important issues that the Federal Reserve dealt with were the magnitude, timing, and the information conveyed by a first-time rate hike from the ZLB period. The purpose of this paper is to use the data from the ZLB period and simulate the impact of an increase in the proxies for the federal funds rate: effective federal funds rate and shadow rate, and measure the impact on the resulting changes in credit default swap (CDS) spreads across 11 industries. Increases in both proxies predict a significant decrease in CDS spreads which is indicative of an economic recovery. This prediction is confirmed by the announcement effect of the actual rate increase on December 16, 2015 and the three subsequent rate increases.

Design/methodology/approach

In the absence of target rate changes in the ZLB environment, the authors use a recursive vector autoregressive (VAR) model to simulate the rate increases in proxies for target federal rate and predict the impact on the economy by observing the reaction in CDS spreads and stock returns across 11 industries.

Findings

The impulse response indicates that an increase of one standard deviation in the effective rate (approximately 25 basis points) results in a statistically significant decrease in the spreads of CDS contracts in 8 of the 11 sectors studied in this research. Similar results obtain for an increase in shadow rate thus providing a robustness check. These results suggest a rate increase from the ZLB period and the resulting dynamics captured in the VAR system is indicative of an economic recovery.

Originality/value

Prior studies have used the event study methodology to evaluate the impact of rate changes on credit spreads. The ZLB environment does not contain data on target rate changes and renders the event study methodology as ineffective. This paper is the first to simulate the implications of a first-time rate increase from the ZLB environment in the context of a recursive VAR model. The results are very helpful to the Federal Reserve of countries experiencing a ZLB environment such as Japan and Europe.
Quality investing in the Indian stock market
Authors: Lalwani Vaibhav , Chakraborty Madhumita
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether stock selection strategies based on four fundamental quality indicators can generate superior returns compared to overall market.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of stocks comprises the constituents of BSE-500 index, which is a broad based index consisting of highly liquid stocks from all 20 major industries of the Indian economy. Portfolios are constructed on the basis of quality indicator rankings of companies and the returns of these portfolios are compared with the overall market. Excess returns on quality based portfolios are also determined using OLS regressions of quality portfolio returns on market, size, value and momentum factor returns.

Findings

The results suggest that two of the four quality strategies, namely Grantham Quality indicator and Gross Profitability have generated superior returns after controlling for market returns as well as common anomalies such as size, value and momentum. Combining value strategies with quality strategies do not yield any significant gains relative to quality only strategies.

Practical implications

For investors looking to invest in the Indian stock market for a long term, this study provides evidence on the performance of some fundamental indicators that can help predict long run stock performance. The findings suggest that investors can distinguish between high-performing and low-performing stocks based on stock quality indicators.

Originality/value

This is the first such study to look into the performance of quality investing in the Indian stock market. As most quality investing studies have been focussed on developed economies, this paper provides out-of-sample evidence for quality investing in the context of an emerging market.
Did the Sarbanes-Oxley Act result in a strategic shift in M&A motives?
Authors: Bhabra Harjeet S. , Hossain Ashrafee T.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether or not the seminal legislation called the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) influenced a strategic shift in the merger and acquisition (M&A) market.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 4,839 completed deals undertaken by US acquirers from the Securities Data Corporation’s US M&As database from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2009. The authors used the standard event study methodology for short-term performance analysis and the Berkovitch and Narayanan (1993) method to identify merger motives.

Findings

By following the same acquirers who participated during both pre- and post-SOX periods, the authors find that these acquirers generate 1-1.5 percent more returns for their stockholders around M&A announcement dates and that the motivation has shifted to value maximization (synergy), a notable strategic shift.

Research limitations/implications

All acquirers and targets are public.

Originality/value

This paper adds to SOX-related literature as well as to M&A literature. By analyzing M&A deals, often the largest capital investments for acquirers, this paper shows that, despite criticism of SOX, this legislation fundamentally contributed to a strategic shift in the M&A market.
A general form of the heat conduction equation of thermoelasticity with voids and gravity field
Authors: I.M. Hilal Mohamed , Othman Mohamed I.A.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the problem of thermoelasticity with voids under the gravity field in the context of a general form of heat conduction equation with some particular cases. The normal mode method used is to obtain the physical quantities.

Design/methodology/approach

The analytical method used was the normal mode.

Findings

Numerical results for the physical quantities are presented graphically and the results are analyzed thereafter. The comparisons are established between the theories for the physical quantities during the constant time and gravity and were shown graphically.

Originality/value

In the present work, the authors shall establish the general form for the heat conduction equation which contains the seven theories as well as the special cases in thermoelasticity with voids. The problem is very important in many dynamical systems.
Study of plastic oil blended with ethanol-gasoline on three cylinder petrol engine
Authors: K. Vijaya Kumar , Puli Ravi Kumar
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the influence of plastic pyrolysis oil blended with gasoline at 10 per cent with and without ethanol additive at 5 per cent in a three-cylinder petrol engine.

Design/methodology/approach

The engine is running at standard working processes. The result of 10PPO is compared with pure petrol and additive-added blend. The outcomes clears that, the engine performance is reduced by using plastic oil blended with petrol and NOx emission rates are increasing substantially.

Findings

To control the emission rate, ethanol is added, and corresponding performance reveals that brake thermal efficiency is 4.52 per cent increase compared to pure petrol and 7.03 per cent increase compared to without additive blend.

Originality/value

Emissions such as CO and NOx are considerably controlled with additive blend.
Cross-diffusion induced reaction-convection in a Brinkman porous layer
Authors: Swamy Mahantesh S.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the onset of convection, heat and mass transports in a sparse porous layer saturated with chemically reactive binary fluid mixture heated and salted from below under the influence of Soret and Dufour effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The Brinkman model is used for momentum equation. Linear stability analysis based on normal mode technique is used to evaluate the onset threshold for stationary and oscillatory convection. In weak-nonlinear theory, the truncated Fourier series method is used. The resulting system of differential equations is solved numerically by using the Runge–Kutta fourth-order method.

Findings

Because of the competition between the processes of thermal, solute diffusions, chemical reaction and cross-diffusions, the onset of instability is via oscillatory mode instead of stationary. The effect of dissolution/precipitation of reactive component and the cross-diffusions on the stability, heat and mass transports is investigated.

Originality/value

By the proper adjustment of underlying parameters, the onset of convection can either be advanced or delayed as per the requirement. Therefore, the present investigation forms a useful tool for regulating the onset of convection.
Field methods for sampling tree height for tropical forest biomass estimation
Authors: Sullivan Martin J. P. , Lewis Simon L. , Hubau Wannes , Qie Lan , Baker Timothy R. , Banin Lindsay F. , Chave Jerôme , Cuni‐Sanchez Aida , Feldpausch Ted R. , Lopez‐Gonzalez Gabriela , Arets Eric , Ashton Peter , Bastin Jean‐François , Berry Nicholas J. , Bogaert Jan , Boot Rene , Brearley Francis Q. , Brienen Roel , Burslem David F. R. P. , de Canniere Charles , Chudomelová Markéta , Dančák Martin , Ewango Corneille , Hédl Radim , Lloyd Jon , Makana Jean‐Remy , Malhi Yadvinder , Marimon Beatriz S. , Junior Ben Hur Marimon , Metali Faizah , Moore Sam , Nagy Laszlo , Vargas Percy Nuñez , Pendry Colin A. , Ramírez‐Angulo Hirma , Reitsma Jan , Rutishauser Ervan , Salim Kamariah Abu , Sonké Bonaventure , Sukri Rahayu S. , Sunderland Terry , Svátek Martin , Umunay Peter M. , Martinez Rodolfo Vasquez , Vernimmen Ronald R. E. , Torre Emilio Vilanova , Vleminckx Jason , Vos Vincent , Phillips Oliver L.
Published: January 2018

Quantifying the relationship between tree diameter and height is a key component of efforts to estimate biomass and carbon stocks in tropical forests. Although substantial site‐to‐site variation in height–diameter allometries has been documented, the time consuming nature of measuring all tree heights in an inventory plot means that most studies do not include height, or else use generic pan‐tropical or regional allometric equations to estimate height.

Using a pan‐tropical dataset of 73 plots where at least 150 trees had in‐field ground‐based height measurements, we examined how the number of trees sampled affects the performance of locally derived height–diameter allometries, and evaluated the performance of different methods for sampling trees for height measurement.

Using cross‐validation, we found that allometries constructed with just 20 locally measured values could often predict tree height with lower error than regional or climate‐based allometries (mean reduction in prediction error = 0.46 m). The predictive performance of locally derived allometries improved with sample size, but with diminishing returns in performance gains when more than 40 trees were sampled. Estimates of stand‐level biomass produced using local allometries to estimate tree height show no over‐ or under‐estimation bias when compared with biomass estimates using field measured heights. We evaluated five strategies to sample trees for height measurement, and found that sampling strategies that included measuring the heights of the ten largest diameter trees in a plot outperformed (in terms of resulting in local height–diameter models with low height prediction error) entirely random or diameter size‐class stratified approaches.

Our results indicate that even limited sampling of heights can be used to refine height–diameter allometries. We recommend aiming for a conservative threshold of sampling 50 trees per location for height measurement, and including the ten trees with the largest diameter in this sample.
Isotopic methods for non‐destructive assessment of carbon dynamics in shrublands under long‐term climate change manipulation
Authors: Andresen Louise C. , Domínguez Maria T. , Reinsch Sabine , Smith Andrew R. , Schmidt Inger K. , Ambus Per , Beier Claus , Boeckx Pascal , Bol Roland , de Dato Giovanbattista , Emmett Bridget A. , Estiarte Marc , Garnett Mark H. , Kröel‐Dulay György , Mason Sharon L. , Nielsen Cecilie S. , Peñuelas Josep , Tietema Albert
Published: January 2018

Long‐term climate change experiments are extremely valuable for studying ecosystem responses to environmental change. Examination of the vegetation and the soil should be non‐destructive to guarantee long‐term research. In this paper, we review field methods using isotope techniques for assessing carbon dynamics in the plant–soil–air continuum, based on recent field experience and examples from a European climate change manipulation network.

Eight European semi‐natural shrubland ecosystems were exposed to warming and drought manipulations. One field site was additionally exposed to elevated atmospheric CO2. We discuss the isotope methods that were used across the network to evaluate carbon fluxes and ecosystem responses, including: (1) analysis of the naturally rare isotopes of carbon (13C and 14C) and nitrogen (15N); (2) use of in situ pulse labelling with 13CO2, soil injections of 13C‐ and 15N‐enriched substrates, or continuous labelling by free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) and (3) manipulation of isotopic composition of soil substrates (14C) in laboratory‐based studies.

The natural 14C signature of soil respiration gave insight into a possible long‐term shift in the partitioning between the decomposition of young and old soil carbon sources. Contrastingly, the stable isotopes 13C and 15N were used for shorter‐term processes, as the residence time in a certain compartment of the stable isotope label signal is limited. The use of labelled carbon‐compounds to study carbon mineralisation by soil micro‐organisms enabled to determine the long‐term effect of climate change on microbial carbon uptake kinetics and turnover.

Based on the experience with the experimental work, we provide recommendations for the application of the reviewed methods to study carbon fluxes in the plant–soil–air continuum in climate change experiments. 13C‐labelling techniques exert minimal physical disturbances, however, the dilution of the applied isotopic signal can be challenging. In addition, the contamination of the field site with excess 13C or 14C can be a problem for subsequent natural abundance (14C and 13C) or label studies. The use of slight changes in carbon and nitrogen natural abundance does not present problems related to potential dilution or contamination risks, but the usefulness depends on the fractionation rate of the studied processes.
Trends in Alcohol‐Related Emergency Department Visits in the United States: Results from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, 2006 to 2014
Authors: White Aaron M. , Slater Megan E. , Ng Grace , Hingson Ralph , Breslow Rosalind
Published: January 2018

Background

Acute alcohol consumption and chronic alcohol consumption increase the burden placed on emergency departments (EDs) by contributing to injury and disease. Whether the prevalence of alcohol‐related ED visits in the United States has changed in recent years is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine trends in ED visits involving acute and chronic alcohol consumption in the United States by age and sex between 2006 and 2014.

Methods

Data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), the largest all‐payer ED database in the United States involving 945 hospitals in 33 states and Washington, DC, were analyzed to assess changes in prevalence and rates of ED visits involving acute and chronic alcohol consumption by age and sex over time among persons aged ≥12 between 2006 and 2014.

Results

Between 2006 and 2014, the number of ED visits involving alcohol consumption increased 61.6%, from 3,080,214 to 4,976,136. The rate increased 47% from 1,223 to 1,802 per 100,000 population and the total cost of such visits increased 272% from $4.1 billion to $15.3 billion. The number of acute alcohol‐related ED visits increased 51.5% from 1,801,006 to 2,728,313 and the rate increased 40% from 720.9 to 1,009.6 per 100,000 population. The number chronic alcohol‐related visits increased 75.7% from 1,279,208 to 2,247,823 and the rate increased 57.9% from 502.2 to 792.9 per 100,000. The annual percentage change in rates of all alcohol‐related ED visits was larger for females than for males (5.3% vs. 4.0%). Other drug involvement increased the likelihood of admission for inpatient treatment.

Conclusions

Alcohol consumption contributed to an increasing number of ED visits in the United States between 2006 and 2014, especially among females. Increased utilization of evidence‐based interventions is needed.
Acute and chronic modulation of striatal endocannabinoid‐mediated plasticity by nicotine
Authors: Adermark Louise , Morud Julia , Lotfi Amir , Ericson Mia , Söderpalm Bo
Published: January 2018

The endocannabinoid (eCB) system modulates several phenomena related to addictive behaviors, and drug‐induced changes in eCB signaling have been postulated to be important mediators of physiological and pathological reward‐related synaptic plasticity. Here, we studied eCB‐mediated long‐term depression (eCB‐LTD) in the dorsolateral striatum, a brain region critical for acquisition of habitual and automatic behavior. We report that nicotine differentially affects ex vivo eCB signaling depending on previous exposure in vivo. In the nicotine‐naïve brain, nicotine facilitates eCB‐signaling and LTD, whereas tolerance develops to this facilitating effect after subchronic exposure in vivo. In the end, a progressive impairment of eCB‐induced LTD is established after protracted withdrawal from nicotine. Endocannabinoid‐LTD is reinstated 6 months after the last drug injection, but a brief period of nicotine re‐exposure is sufficient to yet again impair eCB‐signaling. LTD induced by the cannabinoid 1 receptor agonist WIN55,212‐2 is not affected, suggesting that nicotine modulates eCB production or release. Nicotine‐induced facilitation of eCB‐LTD is occluded by the dopamine D2 receptor agonist quinpirole, and by the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist scopolamine. In addition, the same compounds restore eCB‐LTD during protracted withdrawal. Nicotine may thus modulate eCB‐signaling by affecting dopaminergic and cholinergic neurotransmission in a long‐lasting manner. Overall, the data presented here suggest that nicotine facilitates eCB‐LTD in the initial phase, which putatively could promote neurophysiological and behavioral adaptations to the drug. Protracted withdrawal, however, impairs eCB‐LTD, which may influence or affect the ability to maintain cessation.
Fetal aneuploidy diagnosed at celocentesis for early prenatal diagnosis of congenital hemoglobinopathies
Authors: Giambona Antonino , Leto Filippo , Passarello Cristina , Vinciguerra Margherita , Cigna Valentina , Schillaci Giovanna , Picciotto Francesco , Lauricella Salvatrice , Nicolaides Kypros H. , Makrydimas George , Damiani Gianfranca , Maggio Aurelio
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Currently, prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders requires chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis carried out after 11 and 16 weeks of gestation, respectively. Celocentesis is a procedure for prenatal diagnosis that could be used from as early as 7 weeks. The present investigation evaluated the feasibility of performing diagnosis for monogenic diseases using celomic fluid containing cells of fetal origin.

Material and methods

Analysis consisted of 489 singleton pregnancies undergoing celocentesis for the prenatal diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies (n = 367) or before surgical termination of pregnancy for social indications (n = 122). Embryo‐fetal cells were isolated from celomic fluid using CD71 antibodies or by micromanipulation. Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction of short tandem repeat sequences of chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y were used to determine the presence of maternal DNA.

Results

357/489 (73%) of celomic fluid samples were contaminated with maternal cells. In two cases, diagnosis was not possible due to the high contamination of celomic fluid. Eighty‐seven (23.8%) fetuses were affected by hemoglobinopathies and, in five cases, chromosomal aneuploidies were found, including three cases of trisomy 21, one of trisomy 13 and one of triploidy. In all cases, the diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies and chromosomal abnormalities was confirmed by molecular and traditional cytogenetic analysis after amniocentesis, chorionic villus or placental tissue collection following pregnancy termination.

Conclusions

The findings of this study demonstrate that embryo‐fetal cell selection from celomic fluid allows reliable and early prenatal diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies and can give more information on any fetal aneuploidy following the control of maternal contamination by quantitative fluorescent‐PCR.
Gender differences in clinical registration trials: is there a real problem?
Authors: Labots Geert , Jones Aubrey , de Visser Saco J. , Rissmann Robert , Burggraaf Jacobus
Published: January 2018

Aims

Several studies have reported the under‐representation of women in clinical trials, thereby challenging the external validity of the benefit/risk assessments of launched drugs. Our aim was to determine the extent to which women have been included in clinical trials used for drug registration and to analyse the fraction of women participating in phases I, II and III.

Methods

We conducted cross‐sectional, structured research into publicly available registration dossiers of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐approved drugs that are prescribed frequently. Furthermore, we analysed compounds with high hepatic clearance and a known gender‐related difference in drug response. In a sensitivity analysis, we compared figures with US disease prevalence data.

Results

For 38 of the initial 137 drugs (28%), sufficient data were reported and publicly available. For these drugs, 185 479 trial participants were included, of whom 47% were female and 44% were male; gender was not reported for 9% of participants. However, the number of female participants varied with the phase of the trial, with 22% females in phase I trials vs. 48% and 49%, respectively, in phase II and III trials. When compared with US disease prevalence data, 10 drugs (26%) had a greater than 20% difference between the proportion of females affected with the disease compared with representation in clinical trials.

Conclusions

From these publicly available data, there was no evidence of any systematic under‐representation of women in clinical trials.
Association between antidepressant medication use and epithelial ovarian cancer risk: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Huo Yun‐Long , Qiao Jia‐Ming , Gao Song
Published: January 2018

Aim

The aim of this paper is to clarify the inconsistent findings in the association between antidepressant use and the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Methods

This study is a meta‐analysis of observational studies retrieved from the PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases prior to August 15, 2017. Two researchers independently screened studies and extracted study characteristics and risk estimates. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of EOC risk were summarized using an inverse variance weighted random‐effects model. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed with the I2 statistic.

Results

Eight case–control studies involving 7878 EOC cases and 73 913 controls were identified. Compared with non‐use, use of antidepressants was not significantly associated with EOC risk (summarized OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.91–1.32, I2 = 74.4%). Similar null results were also observed in the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.80–1.35), tricyclic antidepressants (OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.79–1.30), and other antidepressant drugs (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.74–1.12). Subgroup analyses of study characteristics, stratified by the type of control subjects, geographic location, exposure assessment, number of cases, and adjustment for potential confounders, showed that the ORs were broadly consistent across strata. The OR per 1 year‐increment of duration was 0.99 (95% CI = 0.94–1.05, I2 = 40.0%, P = 0.154). Additionally, the OR for the greatest intensity of antidepressant use compared with never use was 0.82 (95% CI = 0.70–0.98, I2 = 0%, P = 0.489). Furthermore, no evidence of publication bias was detected through Funnel plots as well as Egger's and Begg's tests.

Conclusions

There is no association between antidepressant use and EOC risk. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
Patient actions and reactions after receiving negative results from expanded carrier screening
Authors: Kraft S.A. , Schneider J.L. , Leo M.C. , Kauffman T.L. , Davis J.V. , Porter K.M. , McMullen C.K. , Wilfond B.S. , Goddard K.A.B.
Published: January 2018

With the expansion of carrier screening to general preconception and prenatal patient populations, most patients will receive negative results, which we define as indicating <25% risk of having a child with a genetic condition. Because there is limited experience with expanded carrier screening, it is important to understand how receiving negative results affects patients, especially as providers, payers, and policymakers consider whether to offer it. In this mixed‐methods study, we asked preconception patients enrolled in the NextGen study about their expectations and experiences receiving negative expanded carrier screening results. Participants completed surveys at study enrollment (n = 110 women, 51 male partners), after receiving carrier results (n = 100 women, 38 male partners), after receiving secondary findings (n = 98 women, 36 male partners), and 6 months after receiving results (n = 95 women, 28 male partners). We also interviewed a subset of participants 12 to 24 months after receiving results (n = 24 women, 12 male partners). We found minimal negative emotional impact and privacy concerns, increased confidence in reproductive plans, and few changes to health behaviors, although some patients made health decisions based on misunderstandings of their results. These findings suggest that expanded carrier screening causes minimal psychosocial harms, but systems are needed to reduce the risk of misinterpreting results.
A novel succinate dehydrogenase subunit B germline variant associated with head and neck paraganglioma in a Dutch kindred: A family‐based study
Authors: de Vos B. , Rijken J.A. , Adank M.A. , Hoksbergen A.W.J. , Bayley J.P. , Leemans C.R. , Hensen E.F.
Published: January 2018

Objective

In the Netherlands, the majority of hereditary head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGL) are caused by germline variants in the succinate dehydrogenase genes (SDHD, SDHB, SDHAF2). Here, we evaluate a four‐generation family linked to a novel SDHB gene variant with the manifestation of a HNPGL.

Design

A family‐based study.

Setting

The VU University Medical Center (VUmc) Amsterdam, a tertiary clinic for Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery.

Participants and main outcome measures

The index patients presented with an embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma and a non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. Array‐based comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) analysis and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) revealed a novel deletion of exon 1‐3 in the SDHB gene, suspected to predispose to paraganglioma (PGL)/pheochromocytoma (PHEO) syndrome type 4. Subsequently, genetic counselling and DNA testing were offered to all family members at risk. Individuals that tested positive for this novel SDHB gene variant were counselled and additional clinical evaluation was offered for the identification of HNPGL and/or PHEO.

Results

The DNA of 18 family members was tested, resulting in the identification of 10 carriers of the exon 1‐3 deletion in the SDHB gene. One carrier was diagnosed with a carotid body PGL and serum catecholamine excess, which was surgically excised. Negative SDHB immunostaining of the carotid body tumour confirmed that it was caused by the SDHB variant. The remaining 9 carriers showed no evidence of PGL/PHEO.

Conclusion

Deletion of exon 1‐3 in the SDHB gene is a novel germline variant associated with the formation of hereditary HNPGL.
Galantamine inhibits β‐amyloid‐induced cytostatic autophagy in PC12 cells through decreasing ROS production
Authors: Jiang Sheng , Zhao Ye , Zhang Tao , Lan Jingbin , Yang Jing , Yuan Longhui , Zhang Qiyu , Pan Kejian , Zhang Kun
Published: January 2018

Objectives

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent brain diseases among the elderly, majority of which is caused by abnormal deposition of amyloid beta‐peptide (Aβ). Galantamine, currently the first‐line drug in treatment of AD, has been shown to diminish Aβ‐induced neurotoxicity and exert favourable neuroprotective effects, but the detail mechanisms remain unclear.

Materials and methods

Effects of galantamine on Aβ‐induced cytotoxicity were checked by MTT, clone formation and apoptosis assays. The protein variations and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were measured by western blotting analysis and dichloro‐dihydro‐fluorescein diacetate assay, respectively.

Results

Galantamine reversed Aβ‐induced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in neuron cells PC12. Aβ activated the entire autophagy flux and accumulation of autophagosomes, and the inhibition of autophagy decreased the protein level of cleaved‐caspase‐3 and Aβ‐induced cytotoxicity. Meanwhile, galantamine suppressed Aβ‐mediated autophagy flux and accumulation of autophagosomes. Moreover, Aβ upregulated ROS accumulation, while ROS scavengers N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine impaired Aβ‐mediated autophagy. Further investigation showed that galantamine downregulated NOX4 expression to inhibit Aβ‐mediated ROS accumulation and autophagy.

Conclusions

Galantamine inhibits Aβ‐induced cytostatic autophagy through decreasing ROS accumulation, providing new insights into deep understanding of AD progression and molecular basis of galantamine in neuroprotection.
Clinical characteristics of cystic fibrosis patients prior to lung transplantation: An international comparison between Canada and the United States
Authors: Quon Bradley S. , Sykes Jenna , Stanojevic Sanja , Marshall Bruce C. , Petren Kristofer , Ostrenga Josh , Fink Aliza , Elbert Alexander , Faro Albert , Goss Christopher H. , Stephenson Anne L.
Published: January 2018

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients from Canada have better‐reported post–lung transplant survival compared to patients from the United States. We hypothesized the clinical characteristics of CF patients prior to lung transplant differ between the two countries.

Methods

Population‐based cohort study utilizing combined Canadian CF Registry and US CF Foundation Patient Registry data from 1986 to 2013. Demographic and clinical variables were analyzed prior to lung transplant.

Results

Between 1986 and 2013, 607 (10.2%) CF patients underwent lung transplantation in Canada and 3428 (7.5%) in the United States. A lower proportion of recipients had growth of B. cepacia complex prior to transplant in the United States compared to Canada (0.8% vs 4.3%). Lung function was similar between recipients from the two countries. The proportion of patients classified as underweight was significantly higher in the United States compared to Canada (39.8% vs 28.0%; SD 26.1) despite higher rates of feeding tube use (42.5% vs 28.6%; SD 29.0).

Conclusions

CF lung transplant recipients from the United States have similar lung function, lower rates of B. cepacia complex, and worse nutritional parameters prior to transplant compared to counterparts in Canada. Future studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of these differences on post‐transplant survival.
Risk of peritoneal dialysis catheter‐associated peritonitis following kidney transplant
Authors: Rizzi Andrew M. , Riutta Stephen D. , Peterson Joshua M. , Gagin Galina , Fritze Danielle M. , Barrett Meredith , Sung Randall S. , Woodside Kenneth J. , Lu Yee
Published: January 2018

Objective

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients have equivalent or slightly better kidney transplant outcomes when compared to hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, given the risk for postoperative infection, we sought to determine the risk factors for PD catheter‐associated infections for patients who do not have the PD catheter removed at the time of engraftment.

Methods

Demographic and outcomes data were collected from 313 sequential PD patients who underwent kidney transplant from 2000 to 2015. Risk factors for postoperative peritonitis were analyzed using logistical regression.

Results

Of 329 patients with PD catheters at transplant, 16 PD catheters were removed at engraftment. Of the remaining 313 patients, 8.9% suffered post‐transplant peritonitis. On univariate analysis, patients with peritonitis were significantly more likely to have used the PD catheter or HD within 6 weeks after transplant. Multivariate analysis had similar findings, with increased risk for those using the PD catheter after transplant, with a trend for those who underwent HD only within 6 weeks of transplant.

Conclusion

These results suggest that delayed graft function requiring any type of dialysis is associated with increased post‐transplant peritonitis risk.