bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of Vaccine Trials during Outbreaks with and without a Delayed Vaccination Comparator
Authors: Dean Natalie E. , Halloran M. Elizabeth , Longini Ira M.
Published: September 2016

Conducting vaccine efficacy trials during outbreaks of emerging pathogens poses particular challenges. The ‘Ebola ça suffit’ trial in Guinea used a novel ring vaccination cluster randomized design to target populations at highest risk of infection. Another key feature of the trial was the use of a delayed vaccination arm as a comparator, in which clusters were randomized to immediate vaccination or vaccination 21 days later. This approach, chosen to improve ethical acceptability of the trial, complicates the statistical analysis as participants in the comparison arm are eventually protected by vaccine. Furthermore, for infectious diseases, we observe time of illness onset and not time of infection, and we may not know the time required for the vaccinee to develop a protective immune response. As a result, including events observed shortly after vaccination may bias the per protocol estimate of vaccine efficacy. We provide a framework for approximating the bias and power of any given per protocol analysis period as functions of the background infection hazard rate, disease incubation period, and vaccine immune response. We use this framework to provide recommendations for designing standard vaccine efficacy trials and trials with a delayed vaccination comparator. Briefly, narrower analysis periods within the correct window can minimize or eliminate bias but may suffer from reduced power. Designs should be reasonably robust to misspecification of the incubation period and time to develop a vaccine immune response.
Assessing data quality in citizen science (preprint)
Authors: Kosmala Margaret , Wiggins Andrea , Swanson Alexandra , Simmons Brooke
Published: September 2016

Ecological and environmental citizen science projects have enormous potential to advance science, influence policy, and guide resource management by producing datasets that are otherwise infeasible to generate. This potential can only be realized, though, if the datasets are of high quality. While scientists are often skeptical of the ability of unpaid volunteers to produce accurate datasets, a growing body of publications clearly shows that diverse types of citizen science projects can produce data with accuracy equal to or surpassing that of professionals. Successful projects rely on a suite of methods to boost data accuracy and account for bias, including iterative project development, volunteer training and testing, expert validation, replication across volunteers, and statistical modeling of systematic error. Each citizen science dataset should therefore be judged individually, according to project design and application, rather than assumed to be substandard simply because volunteers generated it.
High-performance powder diffraction pattern simulation for large-scale atomistic modelsviafull-precision pair distribution function computation
Authors: Leonardi Alberto , Bish David L.
Published: September 2016

A new full-precision algorithm to solve the Debye scattering equation has been developed for high-performance computing of powder diffraction line profiles from large-scale atomistic models of nanomaterials. The Debye function was evaluated using a pair distribution function computed with high accuracy, exploiting the series expansion of the error between calculated and equispace-sampled pair distances of atoms. The intensity uncertainty (standard deviation) of the computed diffraction profile was estimated as a function of the algorithm-intrinsic approximations and coordinate precision of the atomic positions, confirming the high accuracy of the simulated pattern. Based on the propagation of uncertainty, the new algorithm provides a more accurate powder diffraction profile than a brute-force calculation. Indeed, the precision of floating-point numbers employed in brute-force computations is worse than the estimated accuracy provided by the new algorithm. A software application,ROSE-X, has been implemented for parallel computing on CPU/GPU multi-core processors and distributed clusters. The computing performance is directly proportional to the total processor speed of the devices. An average speed of ∼30 × 109computed pair distances per second was measured, allowing simulation of the powder diffraction pattern of an ∼23 million atom microstructure in a couple of hours. Moreover, the pair distribution function was recorded and reused to evaluate powder diffraction profiles of the same system with different properties (i.e.Qrather than 2θ range, step and wavelength), avoiding additional pair distance computations. This approach was used to investigate a large collection of monoatomic and polyatomic microstructures, isolating the contribution from atoms belonging to different moieties (e.g.different species or crystalline domains).
Exploring participatory scenario and storyline building for sustainable urban futures – the case of China in 2050
Authors: Bina Olivia , Ricci Andrea
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Drawing on a EU-funded research project on urbanisation in China and Europe (URBACHINA), the purpose of this inquiry is to explore the potential of foresight – through visionary scenarios and related participatory processes – in promoting learning and sustainable futures in China’s centrally planned context. Our research explores the use of backcasting, of Donella Meadows’ “levers” and Paul Raskin’s “proximate-ultimate drivers” and of archetypal worldviews to further our understanding of how we think about the future, and of the tension between transition scenarios and transformative, paradigmatic or deep change.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of recent foresight studies and literature provides an overview of the latest approaches: in particular the methods, scope, process, level of participation, themes discussed and wild cards considered. Building on this, the inquiry designs and implements a participatory, normative and qualitative scenario building to explore sustainable urban futures for China, adapting the elements of Joseph Voros’ basic foresight process to include a total of nine steps, with five workshops, two international surveys, an adapted backcasting step and internal consistency mechanisms.

Findings

The combination of a participatory iterative process with normative approaches to envisioning, helped question assumptions and deeply ingrained development models, as well as the narrow space for “alternatives” resulting from China’s centralised, top-down planning and decision-making. The experience confirms the power of scenario/storyline building in helping reflect and question strategic policy choices and enrich urban policy debates. The process successfully proposed a number of steps that ensured triangulation of the envisioning outcomes and additional learning also through backcasting. Finally, the research shows a clear link between the development of scenarios space, the debate on transition and transformative futures and archetypal worldviews, which were shown to be stable even after decades.

Originality/value

The URBACHINA approach to the specific challenge of sustainable urbanisation in China applies a strong normative component combined to more locally accepted exploratory methods and introduces a participatory approach to all key stages of scenario building. This represents an innovative contribution to the country’s foresight practice and the results help Chinese decision makers to reflect on the wider sustainability implications of their urban strategy. The inquiry deepens our understanding of the use of proximate and ultimate drivers of change and of the tension between transition and transformation pathways to our future.
Global food security: assessing trends in view of guiding future EU policies
Authors: Maggio Albino , Van Criekinge Tine , Malingreau Jean-Paul
Published: September 2016

Purpose

A foresight process was put in place to examine potential developments that can affect the world food situation in 2030 to identify the most useful areas for European Union (EU) policy intervention.

Design/methodology/approach

Four interactive workshops involving over 100 experts were organised. The structure of the foresight was designed based on the following five objectives: envision the future of food systems, agree on the most crucial drivers of change affecting food security, reach a consensus on a likely vision for 2030, challenge this vision and analyse current policies and policy needs in terms of responsiveness and resilience to food security future challenges.

Findings

The study contains four key messages accompanied by several related policy recommendations for the immediate and medium term to enable the EU to contribute to achieving food security by 2030. These refer to the transformation of agriculture production systems, the enabling environment, trends in production and consumption and demand-driven food systems as important determinants of sustainable food security. The study recommends a stronger coherence and coordination between different EU policies impacting food security. The development of urban areas is an overlooked challenge for food security as well as the contribution of trade and demand-side dynamics.

Originality/value

This is one of the very few attempts to look at food security with a system approach. A new paradigm shift is proposed: securing “regular” access to adequate food for the majority of the 8-9 billion people who will live on earth in the period 2030-2050, while addressing the food insecurity of a fraction of that total, is how a future European food security policy should be approached.
Leapfrogging potential for sustainable energy transition in Serbia
Authors: Hakala Emma Sofia , Bjelic Ilija Batas
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to look at the dilemma of promoting sustainable energy transition in post-socialist countries while containing social and economic implications, focusing on the case of Serbia. The aim is to analyse Serbian energy status taking into account historical factors, to analyse barriers that are hindering transition and to identify leapfrogging potential for the sustainable energy development of the country.

Design/methodology/approach

Energy transition and leapfrogging potential have been qualified and quantified by indicators, the own calculations and policy analysis to identify barriers to sustainable energy.

Findings

The country has vast potential for leapfrogging in energy transition, yet continues the gradualist approach based on several policy barriers to the process. The analysis shows six barriers related to low energy price, high energy intensity, prioritization of energy security, inadequacy of utilization of renewable sources, lack of policy coherence and dependency on external funding. However, these barriers could be overcome with an energy policy emphasizing leapfrogging potential. As is pointed out in the conclusion, this should be based on the difference between EU-28 average indicators, discrepancy between use and availability of renewable energy, potential for regional cooperation in the energy sector and under-used skills and participation.

Originality/value

The paper discusses energy transition in its historical context, arguing that it has to be considered as comprehensively with societal implications and effects, thus creating useful knowledge for other post-socialist countries in current and future transitions.
Nanook of the North (USA, 1922/1947/1976/1998) and film exhibition in the classical silent era
Authors: Skare Roswitha
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a discussion on whether more traditional documents like a film of the classical silent era can be discussed as an unbounded document.

Design/methodology/approach

By taking Gérard Genette’s concept of the paratext as point of departure and focussing on the exhibition of Nanook of the North during the silent era, the paper discusses elements neglected in most of the academic writings about the film, thereby illustrating the highly problematic notion of film as one original or authentic document that comes as a repeatable unit with clear borders.

Findings

More a “one-time performance” (Hansen, 1991, p. 93) than identical repetition of the film is one argument for talking about a document unbounded. Genette’s concept of the paratext provides a tool to handle the fluid character of these performances and makes us conscious about the complexity of elements both outside and inside the document and on the border between the inside and the outside. In documentation studies the concept of the paratext provides us with a terminology that allows us to place and name elements of a document belonging to its materiality.

Originality/value

In providing a case study based on archival material that has not been used before and is not available to a wider public, this paper shows the relevance of investigating films not as a repeatable unit with clear borders, but rather as an unbounded document.
Information in the knowledge acquisition process
Authors: Bosancic Boris
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an appropriate symbolic representation, as well as its metaphorical interpretation, to illustrate the special role of information in the knowledge acquisition process.

Design/methodology/approach

Besides the literature review, this is a speculative study based on a symbolic and metaphorical point of view.

Findings

The proposed symbolic representation was derived from the conceptual designation of information “as a flow” and, accordingly, by the corresponding redrawing of the data-information-knowledge-wisdom (DIKW) pyramid. The knowledge acquisition process is symbolically represented by the growth of a “tree of knowledge” which is planted on a “data earth,” filled with “information sap” and lit by the rays of the “sun of the mind,” a new symbol of the concept of wisdom in the DIKW model. As indicated, a key concept of this metaphorical interpretation is the role of “information sap” which rises from the roots of the “tree of knowledge” to the top of the tree and it is recognized as an invisible link between “world of data” and “world of knowledge.” This concept is also proposed as a new symbolic representation of the DIKW model.

Originality/value

On the basis of specific symbolic-metaphorical representation, this paper provides a relatively new concept of information which may help bridge observed gaps in the understanding of information in various scientific fields, as well as in its understanding as an objective or subjective phenomenon.
Using the domain analytical approach in the study of information practices in biomedicine
Authors: Roos Annikki , Hedlund Turid
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the information practices of the researchers in biomedicine using the domain analytical approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The domain analytical research approach used in the study of the scientific domain of biomedicine leads to studies into the organization of sciences. By using Whitley’s dimensions of “mutual dependence” and “task uncertainty” in scientific work as a starting point the authors were able to reanalyze previously collected data. By opening up these concepts in the biomedical research work context, the authors analyzed the distinguishing features of the biomedical domain and the way these features affected researchers’ information practices.

Findings

Several indicators representing “task uncertainty” and “mutual dependence” in the scientific domain of biomedicine were identified. This study supports the view that in biomedicine the task uncertainty is low and researchers are mutually highly dependent on each other. Hard competition seems to be one feature, which is behind the explosion of the data and publications in this domain. This fact, on its part is directly related to the ways information is searched, followed, used and produced. The need for new easy to use services or tools for searching and following information in so called “hot” topics came apparent.

Originality/value

The study highlights new information about information practices in the biomedical domain. Whitley’s theory enabled a thorough analysis of the cultural and social nature of the biomedical domain and it proved to be useful in the examination of researchers’ information practices.
Hybrid cloud entropy systems based on Wiener process
Authors: Ibrahim Rabha Waell , Ghani Abdullah
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The paper outlines a self-contained scheme for multiple networking agents at a location. It proposes a mathematical model for intelligent cloud entropy management systems. The purpose of this paper is to minimize the cost of system functionality by proposing the substantial use of a cloud-based system.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes a hybrid cloud system, based on a fractional calculus of hybrid integral systems. Its discrete dynamics are suggested by using the fractional entropy type known as Tsallis entropy. This approach is based on the Wiener process (i.e. diffusion processes). This involves the net movement of information or data from a state of high meditation to a state of low observation. This property is a basic characteristic of hybrid cloud computing systems.

Findings

The paper offers a number of solutions to minimize the costs of cloud systems. The method is a proficient technique for presenting various types of fractional differential solutions.

Research limitations/implications

Researchers are encouraged to test and modify the proposed method.

Practical implications

The paper includes suggestions for the expansion of a powerful method for managing and integrating cloud systems stably.

Originality/value

This paper addresses an acknowledged need to study how the cost function of cloud systems can be achieved.
Adaptive SLA mechanism for service sharing in virtual environments
Authors: Yin Yong , Zhou Jian , Zhang Chaoyong , Chen Dejun
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss an adaptive SLA mechanism for service sharing in virtual environment, which can organize and govern QoS items in terms of service execution time, reliability, and availability, and provides a common understanding about services, responsibilities, priorities, guarantees and warranties-related virtual cooperative issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The management framework for SLA is introduced, based on which the whole process including SLA contract, adaptive SLA negotiation strategy, SLA deployment and SLA assessment are discussed, and the prototype is implemented in the cloud manufacturing platform.

Findings

A proposed SLA framework for service sharing in virtual environments is given; electronic contracts are designed in the framework for encapsulating measurable aspects of service level agreements so as to provide common understanding about the service; and an improved SLA negotiation strategy with three phases is presented for the dynamicity of the virtual services.

Originality/value

The paper presents a very useful adaptive SLA mechanism for service sharing in virtual environments that can be utilized in concurrent or future advanced manufacturing modes.
The dynamic behaviors of a supply chain with stock-dependent demand considering competition and deteriorating items
Authors: Li Qiuxiang
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamics and stability of switched supply system considering the influence of the retailer competition and deteriorating items.

Design/methodology/approach

A discrete dynamic switched model is developed to analyze the evolution process of the switched supply chain. The existence and the local stability of the switched supply chain are analyzed using an analytical method and a parameter plot basin.

Findings

The author finds the switched supply chain will exhibit stable, periodic, and divergent behaviors with different parameters due to the system’s switching mechanism and the switched supply chain presents complex dynamics when the stable and unstable subsystem coexist.

Originality/value

The originality and value of the research rests on this paper considering the influence of the retailers’ competition and deteriorating items on the supply chain dynamics under stock-dependent demand. The obtained results provide the decision maker with some guidelines on how to make stable designs for the switched supply chain design according to the parameter values.
Limited public resources allocation model based on social fairness using an extended VIKOR method
Authors: Jiang Wenqi
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Different from manufacturing resources allocation problems, the prices and amounts of limited public service resources could not be changed with the consumers’ requirements and social fairness is the most important objective for improving allocation efficiency. To measure social fairness reasonably, the purpose of this paper is fourfold: first, divide social fairness into longitudinal comparative fairness and crosswise comparative fairness, therefore providing their calculation formula and describing the comprehensive fair degree by using the interval numbers. Second, the comparison regulations of interval numbers are given and the corresponding features are also described. Third, an extension of VIKOR method is put forward for evaluating social fairness of different allocation alternatives with interval numbers. Finally, a numerical example illustrates the proposed method and clarifies the main results developed in the paper.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the author depicts the social fair degree as an interval number, and thus proposes the comparison method between any two interval numbers. Based on the basis procedure of the VIKOR method, the paper proposes an extension of the fuzzy VIKOR method with the interval numbers to rank and select the compromise allocation alternatives. Finally, a numerical example illustrates the practicability of the proposed method.

Findings

The comparison of interval numbers is very important when the author evaluates the decision alternatives. Through analyzing the present comparison methods, the paper proposes the simple method of comparing the interval numbers, which can obtain the same results with the above two methods. The fuzzy VIKOR method, a popular multi-criteria decision-making method, focusses on ranking and selecting from a set of alternatives in a fuzzy environment. For the fuzzy value, the paper also proposes the extension of the VIKOR method to perform an evaluation and get the compromise alternatives.

Originality/value

According to the huge customers’ requirement, how to improve their social fair degree has become the focus in public service resources allocation, where the social fair degree may be a comprehensive concept which includes the fair degree compared with all the other allocation alternatives and the fair degree compared with the other small group under the same allocation alternative. In the paper, the author defines the above two types of fair degree and then depicts the comprehensive fair degree as their integration, which will be interval numbers.
Exploring service users’ experience of community meetings in a high secure service
Authors: Mayes Danielle , Ramsden Sarah Victoria , Braham Louise , Whitaker Zoe , Norburn Mark
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore service users’ experience of community meetings (CMs) within a high secure setting.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative design was employed in which focus groups were used to capture service users’ experience of CMs. In all, 12 focus groups comprising a total of 27 participants were carried out using a semi-structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using thematic and saliency analysis, identifying themes which were pertinent to the research aims.

Findings

Positive experiences reported by service users included a safe space to explore ward issues and develop skills, with some viewing the meeting as a therapeutic forum in which to facilitate personal growth.

Research limitations/implications

There were a wide range of patient presentations and views. Furthermore, only 20 per cent of the patient population were included within this study.

Practical implications

A number of recommendations have been identified that can have positive implications for patients (quality of life and recovery), staff (resolving conflicts and problem-solving) and the overall therapeutic milieu of the ward.

Originality/value

There are no reviews looking at CMs within the last decade. This paper brings the understanding up to date to allow the development of this potentially positive tool.
Social networks and mental health: an egocentric perspective
Authors: Levula Andrew , Harré Michael
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between egocentric social networks and mental health (MH) outcomes. The authors aim to develop a theoretical framework for understanding this association and to test whether social network factors add any further explanatory power to MH outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study were drawn from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey (n=14,756). The authors used hierarchical multiple regression technique to test this hypothesis and using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) the authors identified the best fit model.

Findings

The results of this study shows that social network measures do add considerable explanatory power to MH with social isolation (SI) having the highest influence (β=−0.198,p<0.001) followed by social connections (SCs) (β=0.141, p<0.001) and then social trust (ST) (β=0.071, p<0.001). The AIC best fit model included all the social network predictors however it excluded physical functioning which contributed very little.

Originality/value

This study shows that social network factors play a significant role in predicting MH outcomes. In particular, SI was a more significant predictor of MH than SC. However, ST played a relatively minor role in predicting MH scores. These findings have practical implications and applications for the design of policy initiatives aimed at improving MH outcomes.
Equivalent or not?
Authors: Lim Choon Boey , Bentley Duncan , Henderson Fiona , Pan Shin Yin , Balakrishnan Vimala Devi , M. Balasingam Dharshini , Teh Ya Yee
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine issues academics at importing institutions face while delivering Australian degrees in Malaysia. Transnational higher education (TNE) has been widely researched. However, less widely researched is the area of understanding what academics at the offshore locations need to uphold the required academic standards of their partnered exporting universities. This area warrants close attention if Australian and other transnational education universities are to sustain their growth through a partnership model with offshore academics delivering a portion (often a substantial portion) of the teaching.

Design/methodology/approach

Two focus groups were conducted with a mix of long standing and newly recruited Malaysian lecturers who taught into an Australian degree through a partnership arrangement. The semi-structured questions which were used were derived from a preliminary literature review and previous internal institutional reports.

Findings

The findings from the focus groups indicate that TNE is largely “Australian-centric” when addressing the standard of academic quality and integrity. The findings pointed not so much to any sustained internationalisation of curriculum or administration or personnel but more as internationalisation as deemed required by the local academic.

Originality/value

To a greater extent, the findings highlighted that equivalent student outcomes do not necessarily equate to equivalent learning experiences or teaching workload. In fact, the frustration of the interviewees on the tension to fulfil the home institution curriculum and helping students to “comprehend” an Australian-centric curriculum translates to “additional and unrecognised workload” for the interviewees.
Targeted harassment, subcultural identity and the embrace of difference: a case study
Authors: Hodkinson Paul , Garland Jon
Published: September 2016

This paper examines the significance of experiences and understandings of targeted harassment to the identities of youth subcultural participants, through case study research on goths. It does so against a context of considerable recent public discussion about the victimization of alternative subcultures and a surprising scarcity of academic research on the subject. The analysis presented indicates that, although individual direct experiences are diverse, the spectre of harassment can form an ever‐present accompaniment to subcultural life, even for those who have never been seriously targeted. As such, it forms part of what it is to be a subcultural participant and comprises significant common ground with other members. Drawing upon classic and more recent understandings of how subcultural groups respond to broader forms of outside hostility, we show how the shared experience of feeling targeted for harassment tied in with a broader subcultural discourse of being stigmatized by a perceived ‘normal’ society. The role of harassment as part of this, we argue, contributed to the strength with which subcultural identities were felt and to a positive embrace of otherness.
Recovery of fertility in quinestrol‐treated or diethylstilbestrol‐treated mice: Implications for rodent management
Authors: LIU Ming , LUO Rongcan , WANG Hao , CAO Guangming , WANG Yanling
Published: September 2016

Fertility control is an alternative strategy to traditional culling for the management of rodent pests. Previous studies have demonstrated that quinestrol is a potential contraceptive for male rodents, but the recovery of fertility in quinestrol‐treated rodents has not been evaluated. This study used C57BL/6J mice to evaluate the recovery rate of male fertility after the administration of quinestrol. Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a non‐steroid estrogenic compound, was used for comparison. Different groups of mice were treated with 1 mg/kg quinestrol, 1 mg/kg DES, or castor oil separately for 7 days. These mice were then killed on days 8, 22 and 50 respectively. Our results indicated that the weight of epididymides and seminal vesicles decreased significantly on days 8 and 22 in quinestrol/DES‐treated mice, with extensive histological changes in the seminiferous tubules. Sperm concentrations in the cauda epididymal fluid were significantly reduced on days 8 and 22 in both quinestrol and DES treatment groups and on day 50 for the DES, but not the quinestrol group. Further analysis revealed that DES‐treated mice exhibited a higher proportion of abnormal sperm accumulation in the epididymis, indicating that the normal sperm transportation to the cauda epididymis was blocked. Our results indicate that the anti‐fertility effects on male mice given quinestrol were of shorter duration than for those receiving DES at the dose of 1 mg/kg body weight.
Identification of the sex‐determining region in flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus)
Authors: Dor L. , Shirak A. , Rosenfeld H. , Ashkenazi I. M. , Band M. R. , Korol A. , Ronin Y. , Seroussi E. , Weller J. I. , Ron M.
Published: September 2016

Elucidation of the sex‐determination mechanism in flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) is required to exploit its economic potential by production of genetically determined monosex populations and application of hormonal treatment to parents rather than to the marketed progeny. Our objective was to construct a first‐generation linkage map of the M. cephalus in order to identify the sex‐determining region and sex‐determination system. Deep‐sequencing data of a single male was assembled and aligned to the genome of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). A total 245 M. cephalus microsatellite markers were designed, spanning the syntenic tilapia genome assembly at intervals of 10 Mb. In the mapping family of full‐sib progeny, 156 segregating markers were used to construct a first‐generation linkage map of 24 linkage groups (LGs), corresponding to the number of chromosomes. The linkage map spanned approximately 1200 cM with an average inter‐marker distance of 10.6 cM. Markers segregating on LG9 in two independent mapping families showed nearly complete concordance with gender (R2 = 0.95). The sex determining locus was fine mapped within an interval of 8.6 cM on LG9. The sex of offspring was determined only by the alleles transmitted from the father, thus indicating an XY sex‐determination system.
Neuroprotective Effects of Sulphated Agaran from Marine Alga Gracilaria cornea in Rat 6‐Hydroxydopamine Parkinson's Disease Model: Behavioural, Neurochemical and Transcriptional Alterations
Authors: Souza Ricardo Basto , Frota Annyta Fernandes , Sousa Rayane Siqueira , Cezario Nayara Araújo , Santos Tarcizio Brito , Souza Luziana Mara Frota , Coura Chistiane Oliveira , Monteiro Valdécio Silvano , Cristino Filho Gerardo , Vasconcelos Silvânia Maria Mendes , da Cunha Rodrigo Maranguape Silva , Aguiar Lissiana Magna Vasconcelos , Benevides Norma Maria Barros
Published: September 2016

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multifactorial disease associated with the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and behavioural alterations. Natural bioactive compounds may provide new therapeutic alternatives for neurodegenerative disorders, such as PD. The sulphated polysaccharides isolated from marine algae are heterogenic molecules that show different biological activities. The red marine alga Gracilaria cornea has a sulphated polysaccharide (SA‐Gc) with structure and anti‐inflammatory and antinociceptive activities reported in the literature. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of SA‐Gc in rat model PD induced by 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA). Firstly, we established the PD model in rats, induced by an intrastriatal injection (int.) of 6‐OHDA, followed by a single administration of SA‐Gc (15, 30 or 60 μg; int.). On the 14th day, behavioural tests were performed. After killing, brain areas were dissected and used for neurochemical and/or transcriptional analyses. The results showed that SA‐Gc (60 μg, int.) promoted neuroprotective effects in vivo through reducing the oxidative/nitroactive stress and through alterations in the monoamine contents induced by 6‐OHDA. Furthermore, SA‐Gc modulated the transcription of neuroprotective and inflammatory genes, as well as returning behavioural activities and weight gain to normal conditions. Thus, this study reports the neuroprotective effects of SA‐Gc against 6‐OHDA in rats.
Addiction, Heroin‐Assisted Treatment and the Idea of Abstinence: A reply to Henden
Authors: Uusitalo Susanne , Broers Barbara
Published: September 2016

In our previous article on the question whether heroin addicts are able to give informed consent voluntarily to research on heroin‐assisted treatment, we criticized the ongoing bioethical discussion of a flawed conceptualization of heroin addicts' options. As a participant in this discussion, Edmund Henden defends the conceptualization as sufficient for determining whether heroin addicts are able to give informed consent to the research on heroin‐assisted treatment voluntarily. This discussion on research on heroin‐assisted treatment seems to go astray in several respects. In his reply to our article Henden maintains some of the biases, such as the necessity of abstinence in recovery, that seem to prevail in addiction research on a more general level as well. These biases run the danger of having implausible ethical implications on stakeholders in addiction research and treatment. In our reply to him, we will further clarify and discuss the importance of describing the relevant issues in plausible terms that do justice to the realities of the cases of informed consent in research on heroin‐assisted treatment and also raise a wider issue of the ethics of wording as well as of the narrow scope, or ‘tunnel vision’, in addiction research as currently conducted.
“Post‐thrombotic panic syndrome”: A thematic analysis of the experience of venous thromboembolism
Authors: Hunter Rachael , Lewis Sarah , Noble Simon , Rance Jaynie , Bennett Paul D.
Published: September 2016

Objectives

Venous thromboembolism (VTE, including deep vein thrombosis [DVT] and pulmonary embolism [PE]) is a serious, potentially traumatic, life‐threatening condition and a major cause of mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to explore the patients’ experiences ofVTEand its psychosocial impact.

Methods

Audio‐recorded semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of 12 participants who had experienced a first‐timeDVTorPEwithin the previous 6 months. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed.

Results

Four key themes with 10 subthemes were identified. The major themes were as follows:VTEas life‐changing and traumatic, living with uncertainty and fear of reoccurrence, feeling let down by health services, and positive changes and outcomes. The content of themes varied according to age at the time ofVTEand participants’ experiences of diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusions

The data demonstrate the psychosocial impact ofVTEas life‐changing, encompassing a dynamic duality of trauma and growth. The findings highlight a potential role for health care professionals in identifying and supporting individuals at risk of post‐traumatic stress, and targeted interventions to enhance psychological well‐being and recovery and reduce distress.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is often characterized by sudden onset and may carry a significant threat to life, particularly in the form of pulmonary embolism.

Early studies suggest that health‐related quality of life is negatively affected byVTEand there is likely to be a high prevalence of trauma.

What does this study add?

This study explores for the first time the experience of, and reactions to,VTEin the 6 months following its occurrence.

It explores the role that psychological well‐being can play in recovery afterVTE.

This study highlights that improvements are needed to supportVTEpatients to cope with the emotional impact ofVTE.

A dual process of trauma and post‐traumatic growth afterVTEis reported for the first time.
Diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography urography and visual assessment during ureterorenoscopy in upper tract urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Grahn Alexandra , Melle‐Hannah Miden , Malm Camilla , Jäderling Fredrik , Radecka Eva , Beckman Mats , Brehmer Marianne
Published: September 2016

Objective

To investigate diagnostic accuracy of multiphase computed tomography urography (MCTU) and visual assessment at ureterorenoscopy (URS) for detection of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Patients and Methods

Consecutive patients referred to our tertiary care centre were included in a prospective study covering the period 2005 to 2012. The patients underwent initial imaging and URS with focal samples taken. Cytopathological results served as reference standard.

Results

We investigated 174 renal units (RUs; renal pelvis and adjacent ureter) in 148 patients. UTUC was found in 104 RUs. MCTU had an accuracy of 0.74, sensitivity of 0.89, specificity of 0.51, positive predictive value of 0.73, and negative predictive value of 0.75; corresponding values for URS were 0.84, 0.84, 0.85, 0.89, and 0.78, respectively. MCTU had significantly higher sensitivity and accuracy compared with other imaging techniques (P<0.05). Compared with MCTU, URS had similar sensitivity but significantly greater specificity and accuracy.

Conclusion

Both MCTU and URS are important tools in the diagnostic evaluation of UTUC although neither of those techniques achieves 100% accuracy. MCTU should be chosen as the radiographical method if there are no contraindications and URS should always be combined with focal cytology and biopsies of suspicious lesions. To enhance diagnostic precision both MCTU and URS with focal samples should be included in the diagnostic procedure. The present results add impact to current diagnostic guidelines.
Pathological analysis of the prostatic anterior fat pad at radical prostatectomy: insights from a prospective series
Authors: Ball Mark W. , Harris Kelly T. , Schwen Zeyad R. , Mullins Jeffrey K. , Han Misop , Walsh Patrick C. , Partin Alan W. , Epstein Jonathan I.
Published: September 2016

Objective

To assess factors associated with lymphatic drainage and lymph node (LN) metastasis to the prostatic anterior fat pad (PAFP) in men with prostate cancer and the utility of routine PAFP analysis at the time of radical prostatectomy (RP).

Patients and Methods

Our institution began to prospectively collect PAFP tissue in 2010. The PAFP was removed at the time of RP and sent as a pathological specimen separate from the pelvic LNs and prostate. Consecutive RPs performed at our institution in which the PAFP was removed were reviewed to determine the rate of LNs in the PAFP, the rate of metastatic LNs in the PAFP, and the association of metastatic PAFP LN with clinical and pathological features. The impact on biochemical recurrence (BCR) was assessed with a Cox's proportional hazard model.

Results

In all, 2 413 PAFP specimens were available for analysis. LNs were found in the PAFP in 255 (10.6%) cases and metastatic LNs in the PAFPs were found in 14 (0.6%) cases. Metastatic PAFP LNs were associated with anterior tumours in 11 of the 14 cases (P = 0.01), and were present only in preoperative D'Amico intermediate‐ (six of 14) and high‐ (eight of 14) risk patients (P < 0.001). Metastatic PAFP LNs were associated with extraprostatic disease in 13 of the 14 cases, although concomitant pelvic LN involvement was present in only four of the 14 cases. With a mean follow‐up of 1.5 years, three of the 14 patients with metastatic PAFP LN developed BCR. Positive LN involvement in either the pelvic LN or PAFP had worse BCR than LN‐negative patients (P < 0.001); however, there was no difference in BCR between patients with positive pelvic LN and positive PAFP LN (P = 0.5).

Conclusion

Metastatic PAFP LNs are rare and always occur in the presence of other adverse pathological features. The routine pathological analysis of PAFP as a separate specimen, especially in low‐risk disease, may not be warranted.
Incorporation and Remodeling of Bone Block Allografts in the Maxillary Reconstruction: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Deluiz Daniel , Santos Oliveira Luciano , Ramôa Pires Fábio , Reiner Teresita , Armada Luciana , Nunes Marcus A. , Muniz Barretto Tinoco Eduardo
Published: September 2016

Background

Severe alveolar atrophy often presents a challenge for the implant surgery. The significant lack of bone in the alveolar ridges may compromise the final restorations both from the aesthetic and functional standpoints.

Objectives

To evaluate the behavior of bone block allografts for the maxillary augmentation and to investigate its incorporation, remodeling, and implant survival rates in two different healing time points.

Material and Methods

Sixty‐six consecutive patients (52 female/14 male, mean age: 57.95 ± 9.06 years old), presenting 113 atrophic alveolar ridges underwent maxillary augmentation with fresh‐frozen allogeneic bone blocks from tibia. Patients were randomly assigned in two groups: Group 1—patients who would wait 4 months for implant placement after grafting, and Group 2—patients who would wait 6 months. Events of infection, suture dehiscence or mucosal perforation were recorded. Cone‐beam computed tomography scans were compared volumetrically between the time of the grafting surgery and reentry procedure after incorporation. Biopsies were collected and subjected to histological, histomorphometric and immunehistochemical analysis.

Results

A total of 305 implants were placed in the reconstructed sites. The mean resorption rate in Group 1 (13.98% ± 5.59) was significantly lower than Group 2 (31.52% ± 6.31). The amount of calcified tissue, newly formed bone and remaining graft particles demonstrated no difference between groups. The samples showed evident immunolabeling for the podoplanin protein in both groups. The implants cumulative survival rate was 94.76%.

Conclusions

The findings of the present study indicate that there is a significant difference regarding the resorption of the grafts when waiting 4 or 6 months before placing the implants, even though no difference was found in the histological, histomorphometric, and immunohistochemical features. Both 4‐month and 6‐months healing times are suitable for the implant placement.
An unrestricted diet for uncomplicated diverticulitis is safe: results of a prospective diverticulitis diet study
Authors: Stam M. A. W. , Draaisma W. A. , van de Wall B. J. M. , Bolkenstein H. E. , Consten E. C. J. , Broeders I. A. M. J.
Published: September 2016

Aim

The optimal diet for uncomplicated diverticulitis is unclear. Guidelines refrain from recommendation due to lack of objective information. The aim of the study was to determine whether an unrestricted diet during a first acute episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis is safe.

Method

A prospective cohort study was performed of patients diagnosed with diverticulitis for the first time between 2012 and 2014. Requirements for inclusion were radiologically proven modified Hinchey Ia/b diverticulitis, American Society of Anesthesiologists class I–III and the ability to tolerate an unrestricted diet. Exclusion criteria were the use of antibiotics and suspicion of inflammatory bowel disease or malignancy. All included patients were advised to take an unrestricted diet. The primary outcome parameter was morbidity. Secondary outcome measures were the development of recurrence and ongoing symptoms.

Results

There were 86 patients including 37 (43.0%) men. All patients were confirmed to have taken an unrestricted diet. There were nine adverse events in seven patients. These consisted of readmission for pain (five), recurrent diverticulitis (one) and surgery (three) for ongoing symptoms (two) and Hinchey Stage III (one). Seventeen (19.8%) patients experienced continuing symptoms 6 months after the initial episode and 4 (4.7%) experienced recurrent diverticulitis.

Conclusion

The incidence of complications among patients taking an unrestricted diet during an initial acute uncomplicated episode of diverticulitis was in line with that reported in the literature.