bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Superior outcomes (but at higher costs) of non‐operative management with interval appendectomy over immediate surgery in appendicitis with abscess: Results from a large adult population cohort
Authors: Watanabe Ryohei , Otsuji Ayako , Nakamura Yoichi , Higuchi Tadashi , Takahashi Asako , Saito Tomoaki , Enomoto Toshiyuki , Quero Giuseppe , Diana Michele , Dallemagne Bernard , Marescaux Jacques , Saida Yoshihisa , Kusachi Shinya
Published: July 2019

Introduction

The aim of this study was to compare surgical outcomes and hospitalization costs between immediate surgery and non‐operative management followed by interval appendectomy in adults presenting with appendicitis with abscess.

Methods

From 2003 to 2015, 3316 patients presented with appendicitis, including 101 who presented with appendicular abscess. Between 2003 and 2006, 33 patients with appendicular abscess were managed with emergency operations (emergency group). Non‐operative management followed by interval appendectomy was implemented in 2007 and offered to 68 patients during the study period. Of these patients, 64 patients underwent the procedure (interval group), and 4 patients refused.

Results

Non‐operative management was successful in 76.6% of cases (49/64 patients) in the interval group. Operative time and length of hospital stay were similar between the emergency and interval groups. In the interval group, blood loss, the need for extended resection, and overall postoperative morbidity were significantly lower than in the emergency group (P < 0.01, respectively). Medical costs for surgery in the interval group were lower than in the emergency group ($4512 vs $6888, P = 0.002), but this group's total medical costs were higher ($9591 vs $6888, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The interval strategy is associated with a reduced need for extended resection, lower postoperative morbidity, and a shorter length of hospital stay. However, total medical costs for the interval strategy are higher than those for emergency operations in cases of appendicular abscess in adults.
Management of peripheral vertigo with antihistamines: New options on the horizon
Authors: Dyhrfjeld‐Johnsen Jonas , Attali Pierre
Published: July 2019

Vertigo is associated with a wide range of vestibular pathologies. It increasingly affects the elderly, with a high cost to society. Solutions include vestibular suppressants and vestibular rehabilitation, which form the mainstay of therapy. Antihistamines represent the largest class of agents used to combat vestibular vertigo symptoms. Agents targeting the H1 and H3 receptors have been in clinical use for several decades as single agents. Nonetheless, effective management of vertigo proves elusive as many treatments largely address only associated symptoms, and with questionable efficacy. Additionally, the primary and limiting side effect of sedation is counterproductive to normal functioning and the natural recovery process occurring via central compensation. To address these issues, the timing of administration of betahistine, the mainstay H3 antihistamine, can be fine‐tuned, while bioavailability is also being improved. Other approaches include antihistamine combination studies, devices, physical therapy and behavioural interventions. Recently demonstrated expression of H4 receptors in the peripheral vestibular system represents a new potential drug target for treating vestibular disorders. A number of novel selective H4 antagonists are active in vestibular models in vivo. The preclinical potential of SENS‐111 (Seliforant), an oral first‐in‐class selective H4 antagonist is the only such molecule to date to be translated into the clinical setting. With an excellent safety profile and notable absence of sedation, encouraging outcomes in an induced vertigo model in healthy volunteers have led to ongoing clinical studies in acute unilateral vestibulopathy, with the hope that H4 antagonists will offer new effective therapeutic options to patients suffering from vertigo.
Dose‐linearity of the pharmacokinetics of an intravenous [14C]midazolam microdose in children
Authors: van Groen Bianca D. , Vaes Wouter H. , Park B. Kevin , Krekels Elke H.J. , van Duijn Esther , Kõrgvee Lenne‐Triin , Maruszak Wioleta , Grynkiewicz Grzegorz , Garner R. Colin , Knibbe Catherijne A.J. , Tibboel Dick , de Wildt Saskia N. , Turner Mark A.
Published: July 2019

Aims

Drug disposition in children may vary from adults due to age‐related variation in drug metabolism. Microdose studies present an innovation to study pharmacokinetics (PK) in paediatrics; however, they should be used only when the PK is dose linear. We aimed to assess dose linearity of a [14C]midazolam microdose, by comparing the PK of an intravenous (IV) microtracer (a microdose given simultaneously with a therapeutic midazolam dose), with the PK of a single isolated microdose.

Methods

Preterm to 2‐year‐old infants admitted to the intensive care unit received [14C]midazolam IV as a microtracer or microdose, followed by dense blood sampling up to 36 hours. Plasma concentrations of [14C]midazolam and [14C]1‐hydroxy‐midazolam were determined by accelerator mass spectrometry. Noncompartmental PK analysis was performed and a population PK model was developed.

Results

Of 15 infants (median gestational age 39.4 [range 23.9–41.4] weeks, postnatal age 11.4 [0.6–49.1] weeks), 6 received a microtracer and 9 a microdose of [14C]midazolam (111 Bq kg−1; 37.6 ng kg−1). In a 2‐compartment PK model, bodyweight was the most significant covariate for volume of distribution. There was no statistically significant difference in any PK parameter between the microdose and microtracer, nor in the area under curve ratio [14C]1‐OH‐midazolam/[14C]midazolam, showing the PK of midazolam to be linear within the range of the therapeutic and microdoses.

Conclusion

Our data support the dose linearity of the PK of an IV [14C]midazolam microdose in children. Hence, a [14C]midazolam microdosing approach may be used as an alternative to a therapeutic dose of midazolam to study developmental changes in hepatic CYP3A activity in young children.
Nonlinear protein binding of phenytoin in clinical practice: Development and validation of a mechanistic prediction model
Authors: ter Heine Rob , Kane Sean P. , Huitema Alwin D.R. , Krasowski Matthew D. , van Maarseveen Erik M.
Published: July 2019

Aims

To individualize treatment, phenytoin doses are adjusted based on free concentrations, either measured or calculated from total concentrations. As a mechanistic protein binding model may more accurately reflect the protein binding of phenytoin than the empirical Winter–Tozer equation that is routinely used for calculation of free concentrations, we aimed to develop and validate a mechanistic phenytoin protein binding model.

Methods

Data were extracted from routine clinical practice. A mechanistic drug protein binding model was developed using nonlinear mixed effects modelling in a development dataset. The predictive performance of the mechanistic model was then compared with the performance of the Winter–Tozer equation in 5 external datasets.

Results

We found that in the clinically relevant concentration range, phenytoin protein binding is not only affected by serum albumin concentrations and presence of severe renal dysfunction, but is also concentration dependent. Furthermore, the developed mechanistic model outperformed the Winter–Tozer equation in 4 out of 5 datasets in predicting free concentrations in various populations.

Conclusions

Clinicians should be aware that the free fraction changes when phenytoin exposure changes. A mechanistic binding model may facilitate prediction of free phenytoin concentrations from total concentrations, for example for dose individualization in the clinic.
Differentiated need support by teachers: Student‐specific provision of autonomy and structure and relations with student motivation
Authors: Domen Janneke , Hornstra Lisette , Weijers Desirée , van der Veen Ineke , Peetsma Thea
Published: July 2019

Background

According to self‐determination theory, teachers can support their students’ engagement in learning by providing autonomy support and structure. Within classes, however, there appears to be great diversity in the extent to which students experience autonomy and structure.

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the degree to which teachers’ perceptions of student‐specific autonomy support and structure differ between students in their class and whether differentiated need support predicts students’ motivation.

Sample

Twenty‐four elementary school teachers and their students (n = 506) participated in this study.

Method

Teachers completed a short questionnaire assessing their perceptions of autonomy support and structure for each student. Students completed two questionnaires assessing perceptions of need support and their motivation. Multilevel analyses were conducted.

Results

The results showed that the within‐classroom variation in both teacher perceptions and student perceptions of need support was considerably larger than the between‐classroom variation. Teacher perceptions of student‐specific autonomy support were positively associated with students’ autonomous motivation and negatively with students’ controlled motivation. However, teacher perceptions of student‐specific structure were positively associated with students’ controlled motivation.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that teachers differentiate in need support. The positive association between teacher perceptions of structure and students’ controlled motivation might suggest that teachers may offer structure in controlling rather than autonomy‐supportive ways. Furthermore, the relations between need support and students’ motivation differed between the class‐level and the within‐class (student) level highlighting the need for disentangling the effects of need‐supportive teaching at different levels and adopting a multilevel approach.
CXCR4 mutation subtypes impact response and survival outcomes in patients with Waldenström macroglobulinaemia treated with ibrutinib
Authors: Castillo Jorge J. , Xu Lian , Gustine Joshua N. , Keezer Andrew , Meid Kirsten , Dubeau Toni E. , Liu Xia , Demos Maria G. , Kofides Amanda , Tsakmaklis Nicholas , Chen Jiaji G. , Munshi Manit , Guerrera Maria L. , Chan Gloria G. , Patterson Christopher J. , Yang Guang , Hunter Zachary R. , Treon Steven P.
Published: July 2019

Ibrutinib is associated with response rate of 90% and median progression‐free survival (PFS) in excess of 5 years in Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM) patients. CXCR4 mutations are detected in 30–40% of patients with WM and associate with lower rates of response and shorter PFS to ibrutinib therapy. Both frameshift (CXCR4FS) and nonsense (CXCR4NS) CXCR4 mutations have been described. The impact of these mutations on outcomes to ibrutinib have not been evaluated in WM patients. We studied consecutive patients with a diagnosis of WM, on ibrutinib therapy, for the presence of CXCR4FS and CXCR4NS mutations and evaluated the differences in response and PFS between groups. Of 180 patients, 68 patients (38%) had CXCR4 mutations; 49 (27%) had CXCR4NS and 19 (11%) had CXCR4FS mutations. In multivariate models, patients with CXCR4NS had lower odds of major response (Odds ratio 0·25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0·12–0·53; P < 0·001) and worse PFS (Hazard ratio 4·02, 95% CI 1·95–8·26; P < 0·001) than patients without CXCR4 mutations. CXCR4FS was not associated with worse major response or PFS rates than patients without CXCR4 mutations. Our results suggest different response and PFS rates to ibrutinib for WM patients with CXCR4NS and CXCR4FS, and advocate in favour of CXCR4 mutational testing as well as CXCR4‐directed therapy.
The global prevalence of erectile dysfunction: a review
Authors: Kessler Anna , Sollie Sam , Challacombe Ben , Briggs Karen , Van Hemelrijck Mieke
Published: July 2019

Objective

To evaluate the global prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED); as well as its association with physiological and pathological ageing by examining the relationship between ED and cardiovascular disease (CVD), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and dementia. We also aimed to characterise discrepancies caused by the use of different ED screening tools.

Methods

The Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE) and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) were searched to find population‐based studies investigating the prevalence of ED and the association between ED and CVD, BPH, and dementia in the general population.

Results

The global prevalence of ED was 3–76.5%. ED was associated with increasing age. Use of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS)‐derived questionnaire identified a high prevalence of ED in young men. ED was positively associated with CVD. Men with ED have an increased risk of all‐cause mortality odds ratio (OR) 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.57), as well as CVD mortality OR 1.43 (95% CI 1.00–2.05). Men with ED are 1.33–6.24‐times more likely to have BPH then men without ED, and 1.68‐times more likely to develop dementia than men without ED.

Conclusion

ED screening tools in population‐based studies are a major source of discrepancy. Non‐validated questionnaires may be less sensitive than the IIEF and MMAS‐derived questionnaire. ED constitutes a large burden on society given its high prevalence and impact on quality of life, and is also a risk factor for CVD, dementia, and all‐cause mortality.
Model‐Informed Dosing of Venetoclax in Healthy Subjects: An Exposure−Response Analysis
Authors: Dave Nimita , Gopalakrishnan Sathej , Mensing Sven , Salem Ahmed Hamed
Published: July 2019

Venetoclax is an approved drug for the treatment of some hematological malignancies. Venetoclax can cause reduction in B‐lymphocyte counts as an on‐target effect. The purpose of this analysis is to quantify the relationship between venetoclax exposure and B‐lymphocyte levels to inform dosing of venetoclax in healthy subjects. Data were pooled from 10 studies in healthy subjects with venetoclax doses ranging from 10 mg to 400 mg and food ranging from fasting to high‐fat meals. Venetoclax pharmacokinetics (PK) was characterized in 203 subjects using a population approach, as implemented in NONMEM version 7.3 (Icon Development Solutions, Ellicott City, MD, USA). A semimechanistic pharmacodynamic (PD) model with a linear drug effect was fit to the B‐lymphocyte data to determine the exposure‐response relationship. The population PK and PD model described the observed data adequately. The 200 and 400 mg doses were shown to reduce the B‐lymphocyte levels by 24% (15–35%) and 38% (25–54%), respectively. B‐lymphocytes recovered to normal levels within an average of 48 (21–64) days and 59 (30–66) days, respectively, with 200 and 400 mg doses. Venetoclax can be safely administered in healthy subjects. The PK‐PD model characterized the relationship between venetoclax exposure and reduction in B‐lymphocytes and will help design future venetoclax studies in healthy subjects.
Mining Boom, Labour Market Segmentation and Social Inequality in the Congolese Copperbelt
Authors: Rubbers Benjamin
Published: July 2019

The study of the impacts of new mining projects in Africa is generally set in a normative debate about their possible contribution to development, which leads to a representation of African societies as divided between beneficiaries and victims of foreign investments. Based on research in the Congolese copperbelt, this article aims to examine in more detail the inequalities generated by the recent mining boom by taking the processes of labour market segmentation as a starting point. It shows that the labour market in the mining sector has progressively been organized along three intersecting lines that divide it: the first is between employment in industrial and artisanal mining companies, the second is between jobs for mining or subcontracting companies and the third is between jobs for expatriates, Congolese skilled workers and local unskilled workers. Far from simply reflecting existing social inequalities, the labour market has been actively involved in their creation, and its control has caused growing tensions in the Congolese copperbelt region. Although largely neglected in the literature on extractive industries, processes of labour market segmentation are key to making sense of the impacts of mining investments on the shape of societies in the global South.
Assessment tool for visual perception deficits in cerebral visual impairment: development and normative data of typically developing children
Authors: Vancleef Kathleen , Janssens Eva , Petré Yasmine , Wagemans Johan , Ortibus Els
Published: July 2019

Aim

To develop an assessment tool that measures a wide range of visual perceptual deficits common in cerebral visual impairment (CVI) and to provide normative data from typically developing children between 3 and 6 years of age.

Method

Test development reflected cross‐talk between vision research and clinical relevance for CVI. The Children's Visual Impairment Test for 3‐ to 6‐year‐olds (CVIT 3–6) includes 14 subtests covering four domains of visual perception: Object Recognition, Degraded Object Recognition, Motion Perception, and Global–Local Processing. Normative data were collected from 301 typically developing children (mean age 4y 8mo [SD 9.7mo]; 148 females, 153 males). A questionnaire was administered to parents about pregnancy duration, birth, and developmental problems.

Results

Average total CVIT 3–6 performance was 60.1 (SD 5.5) out of 70. The cut‐off score for normal visual perception (53) was set at the 10th centile of scores in typically developing children. Multiple regression indicated CVIT 3–6 visual perception scores increase with age for children born at 36 weeks’ gestational age or later (β=−18.03, 95% confidence interval −31.31 to −4.75).

Interpretation

CVIT 3–6 is a tool to assess a wide range of visual perceptual deficits common in CVI. Age‐dependent normative data are available because we found performance increased with age.

What the paper adds

A test for visual perceptual deficits common in cerebral visual impairment.

Visual perceptual functions improve with age in full‐term typically developing children.
Associations between HbA1c and continuous glucose monitoring‐derived glycaemic variables
Authors: Hirsch I. B. , Welsh J. B. , Calhoun P. , Puhr S. , Walker T. C. , Price D. A.
Published: July 2019

Aims

To identify clinically useful associations between HbA1c levels and various continuous glucose monitoring‐derived metrics.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed end‐of‐study HbA1c levels and >2 weeks of continuous glucose monitoring data collected from 530 adults with Type 1 diabetes or insulin‐requiring Type 2 diabetes during four randomized trials. Each trial lasted ≥24 weeks and provided central laboratory end‐of‐study HbA1c levels and continuous glucose monitoring data from the preceding 3 months. Participants were assigned to groups based on either HbA1c levels or continuous glucose monitoring‐derived glucose values.

Results

HbA1c was strongly correlated with mean glucose value (r=0.80), time spent with glucose values in the 3.9–10.0 mmol/l range (time in range; r=–0.75) and percentage of glucose values >13.9 mmol/l (r=0.72), but was weakly correlated with the percentage of glucose values <3.9 mmol/l (r=–0.39) or <3.0 mmol/l (r=–0.21). The median percentage of glucose values <3.0 mmol/l was <1.2% (<20 min/day) for all HbA1c‐based groups, but the median percentage of values >13.9 mmol/l varied from 2.5% (0.6 h/day) to 27.8% (6.7 h/day) in the lowest and highest HbA1c groups, respectively. More than 90% of participants with either <2% of glucose values >13.9 mmol/l, mean glucose <7.8 mmol/l, or time in range >80% had HbA1c levels ≤53 mmol/mol (≤7.0%). For participants with HbA1c ≥64 mmol/mol (≥8.0%), the median time in range was 44%, with 90% of participants having a time in range of <59%.

Conclusions

The associations shown in the present study suggest that continuous glucose monitoring‐derived metrics may help guide diabetes therapy intensification efforts in an HbA1c‐independent manner.
Behaviour change during dietary Type 2 diabetes remission: a longitudinal qualitative evaluation of an intervention using a very low energy diet
Authors: Rehackova L. , Araújo‐Soares V. , Steven S. , Adamson A. J. , Taylor R. , Sniehotta F. F.
Published: July 2019

Aim

To understand the process of behaviour change through the experiences of people with Type 2 diabetes engaged in an 8‐month diabetes remission intervention including a 2‐month weight loss phase with the use of a very low energy diet (VLED), and a 6‐month, structured weight maintenance phase.

Methods

Data were collected in three semi‐structured interviews at baseline, week 8 (end of the weight loss phase), and month 8 (end of the weight maintenance phase). Longitudinal inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse participants’ narratives and identify change over time.

Results

Eleven of 18 participants completed all three interviews. The following themes of change were identified in their narratives: (1) ‘Building behavioural autonomy’ as a process of growing confidence to engage in health behaviours that are independent of those of other people; (2) ‘Behavioural contagion’ describing how one's new health behaviours tend to affect those of other people; (3) ‘From rigid to flexible restraint’, reflecting the changes in attitudes and behaviours required for a successful adaptation from weight loss to weight maintenance; and (4) ‘Shift in identity’, representing changes in the participants’ perceptions of themselves.

Conclusions

This longitudinal qualitative study provided new insights into how behaviour change is experienced by people with Type 2 diabetes engaged on a weight management intervention using VLED, contributing to theoretical and practical understanding of weight management behaviours. The themes identify potential areas in which individuals can be supported in achieving dietary diabetes remission and long‐term maintenance of weight loss.
Investigating the evolution and development of biological complexity under the framework of epigenetics
Authors: Duclos Kevin K. , Hendrikse Jesse L. , Jamniczky Heather A.
Published: July 2019

Biological complexity is a key component of evolvability, yet its study has been hampered by a focus on evolutionary trends of complexification and inconsistent definitions. Here, we demonstrate the utility of bringing complexity into the framework of epigenetics to better investigate its utility as a concept in evolutionary biology. We first analyze the existing metrics of complexity and explore the link between complexity and adaptation. Although recently developed metrics allow for a unified framework, they omit developmental mechanisms. We argue that a better approach to the empirical study of complexity and its evolution includes developmental mechanisms. We then consider epigenetic mechanisms and their role in shaping developmental and evolutionary trajectories, as well as the development and organization of complexity. We argue that epigenetics itself could have emerged from complexity because of a need to self‐regulate. Finally, we explore hybridization complexes and hybrid organisms as potential models for studying the association between epigenetics and complexity. Our goal is not to explain trends in biological complexity but to help develop and elucidate novel questions in the investigation of biological complexity and its evolution.
Inhaled alprazolam rapidly suppresses epileptic activity in photosensitive participants
Authors: French Jacqueline A. , Wechsler Robert , Gelfand Michael A. , Pollard John R. , Vazquez Blanca , Friedman Daniel , Gong Lily H. , Kamemoto Edwin , Isojarvi Jouko , Cassella James V.
Published: July 2019

Objective

Treatment options for seizure clusters are limited; the need for easy‐to‐administer treatments remains. The Staccato system delivers drug deep into the lung via inhalation. In this phase 2a study, we investigated the ability of three different doses of Staccato alprazolam to suppress the electroencephalographic (EEG) photoparoxysmal response (PPR) compared with placebo in participants with photosensitive seizures.

Methods

Adults (18‐60 years) with a diagnosis and history of PPR on EEG with or without an epilepsy diagnosis were eligible to participate. Participants received Staccato alprazolam 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg, and Staccato placebo (twice) in random order. Intermittent photic stimulation and clinical assessments were performed at one predose and seven postdose time points. The primary endpoint of the study was the change in standardized photosensitivity range (SPR) in participants receiving each dose of Staccato alprazolam.

Results

Fifteen participants with a prior epilepsy diagnosis were screened; five were enrolled, randomized, and completed the study. All participants were white females with a mean (SD) age of 27.2 (6.8) years. All doses of Staccato alprazolam reduced the SPR at 2 minutes; the effect was sustained through 4 hours for the 0.5‐mg dose and 6 hours for the 1.0‐ and 2.0‐mg doses. The magnitude and duration of sedation and sleepiness were dose‐related. Four participants (80%) experienced ≥1 adverse event (AE); none was severe or serious. Cough, diarrhea, dysgeusia, oral dysesthesia, sedation, and somnolence were experienced by two participants (40%) each.

Significance

This proof‐of‐concept study demonstrated that Staccato alprazolam 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg rapidly suppressed epileptiform activity in photosensitive participants with epilepsy. The AE profile of Staccato alprazolam was similar to what has been reported for alprazolam for other indications. The results support further development of Staccato alprazolam as a rescue medication for the acute treatment of seizures.
A clinical audit of the prevalence of colic in the 48 hours after gastroscopy in 436 horses
Authors: Spanton J. A. , Smith L. , Mair T. S.
Published: July 2019

Gastroscopy is a routine technique performed in equine practice to evaluate the stomach and is the gold standard diagnostic test for equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). There are few publications on the safety of the technique and any associated complications, in particular colic. The objective of the study was to review all gastroscopic examinations performed at two equine clinics over a 5‐year period, and to describe any colic episodes in the 48 h post gastroscopy. In this clinical audit, hospital databases were searched for animals that had a gastroscopic examination in the 5‐year study period. Signalment, sedative drugs, stomach insufflation/deflation, gastroscopic findings, occurrence of colic in the 48 h post examination and any medication administered during that time were recorded. A total of 436 horses underwent 573 gastroscopic examinations during the study period. Post‐gastroscopy colic was recorded in 17/573 examinations (2.9%); 16 were mild, but one (0.2%) required exploratory laparotomy. Cases of gastric impaction were more commonly associated with colic post gastroscopy. When examinations of horses with gastric impaction were excluded, the prevalence of colic post gastroscopy was 5/561 (0.9%). A limitation of the study was that variability in technique was likely, due to multiple different clinicians performing gastroscopic examinations. A study with a larger sample size is required to confirm the findings of this audit. Gastroscopy is a relatively safe procedure but there is a small risk of colic afterwards.
China's high‐tech industry efficiency measurement with virtual frontier data envelopment analysis and Malmquist productivity index
Authors: Liu Xin , Huang Jingkai
Published: July 2019

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a widely used non‐parametric method in efficiency measurement with multiinputs and multioutputs. Malmquist productivity measures the efficiency change in different periods and decomposes the general efficiency change into technical efficiency change and frontier shift. In this paper, we choose a driving industry in social development, the high‐tech industry, as an example to illustrate a new method, virtual frontier DEA model, in the aspect of improvement of the traditional DEA model. Additionally, we decompose the Malmquist productivity index with virtual frontier DEA model to find out the driving force of high‐tech efficiency change.
Productivity does not correlate with species and functional diversity in Australian reforestation plantings across a wide climate gradient
Authors: Staples Timothy L. , Dwyer John M. , England Jacqueline R. , Mayfield Margaret M.
Published: July 2019

Aim

Understanding biodiversity–ecosystem function (BEF) relationships in forest systems is crucial for effective forest management and restoration, yet testing these relationships is often limited by biased diversity patterns in forestry plantings (biased towards commercially valuable species) and uncontrollable diversity in mature natural forests. Multispecies reforestation plantings present a valuable opportunity to investigate BEF relationships in woody systems, especially across large environmental gradients.

Location

Reforestation plantings across the arable region of Australia.

Time period

1951–2012.

Major taxa studied

Three hundred and sixty‐four woody plant species.

Methods

We examined relationships between productivity and diversity using inventory data from 977 plots in 386 multispecies reforestation plantings. Diversity was estimated using observed species richness and three functional diversity indices calculated from four functional traits: specific leaf area, wood density, seed mass and maximum attainable height. We modelled how plot‐level biomass accumulation (a productivity proxy) correlated with these diversity indices, as well as age since planting, plant density and three environmental variables: solar radiation, moisture availability and soil sand content. These models were fitted across Australia and, separately, within eight groups of plantings with similar environmental conditions.

Results

We found no correlation between diversity and productivity, regardless of the diversity metric or spatial scale used (continent‐wide or within environment groups). Instead, productivity was best explained by local environmental conditions and plant density.

Main conclusions

A positive relationship between diversity and productivity was not evident in planted forests across a wide range of Australian woodland and forest systems, at least in the first few decades of growth. Our findings suggest that the positive relationship between diversity and productivity commonly reported in experimental settings should not be assumed for all systems and conditions.
Displaying grandparenting within Romanian transnational families
Authors: DUCU VIORELA
Published: July 2019

In this article, I use the analytical framework of ‘displaying family relationships’ to explore the transnational grandparenting practices of Romanian families. I discuss the theoretical aspects of the concept of displaying with regard to its scope, specificity and manifestation. I emphasize the uniqueness of each instance of displaying, while also revealing the various patterns through which family‐related motivations trigger individual behaviour. Highlighting the intersections between such internal motivations and displaying behaviour, the research underlines the various challenges that transnational grandparents encounter, and the ways in which they react to them.
Augmenter of liver regeneration enhances cell proliferation through the microRNA‐26a/Akt/cyclin D1 pathway in hepatic cells
Authors: Gupta Parul , Sata Teja Naveen , Ahamad Naushad , Islam Rakibul , Yadav Ajay K. , Mishra Amit , Nithyananthan Subramaniyam , Thirunavukkarasu Chinnasamy , Sanal M.G. , Venugopal Senthil K.
Published: July 2019

Aim

Hepatocytes can proliferate and regenerate when injured by toxins, viral infections, and so on. Augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) is a key regulator of liver regeneration, but the mechanism is unknown. The role of ALR in other cell types is not known. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between microRNA (miRNA)‐26a and ALR in the Huh7 cell line and adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal cells from chronic liver disease patients and healthy individuals.

Methods

Huh7 cells were transfected independently with ALR and miRNA‐26a expression vectors, and their effects on cell proliferation, the expression of miRNA‐26a, and activation of the phosphatase and tensin homolog and Akt signaling pathways were determined. The experiments were repeated on mesenchymal stem cells derived from healthy individuals and chronic liver disease patients to see whether the observations can be replicated in primary cells.

Results

Overexpression of ALR or miRNA‐26a resulted in an increase of the phosphorylation of Akt and cyclin D1 expression, whereas it resulted in decreased levels of p‐GSK‐3β and phosphatase and tensin homolog in Huh7 cells. The inhibition of ALR expression by ALR siRNA or anti‐miR‐26a decreased the Akt/cyclin D1 signaling pathway, leading to decreased proliferation. Mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the chronic liver disease patients had a higher ALR expression, while the mesenchymal stem cells isolated from healthy volunteers responded to the growth factor treatments for increased ALR expression. It was found that there was a significant increase in miRNA‐26a expression and proliferation.

Conclusions

These data clearly showed that ALR induced the expression of miRNA‐26a, which downregulated phosphatase and tensin homolog, resulting in an increased p‐Akt/cyclin D1 pathway and enhanced proliferation in hepatic cells.
Predicting a global insect apocalypse
Authors: Cardoso Pedro , Leather Simon R.
Published: July 2019

The last 3 years have seen a global outbreak of media headlines predicting a global insect apocalypse and a subsequent collapse of natural ecosystems, a so‐called ‘ecological armageddon’ resulting in the demise of human civilisation as we know it. Despite the worrying implications of these papers, all studies on global insect extinction to date clearly reflect the Prestonian shortfall, the general lack of knowledge on the abundance of species and their trends in space and time.

Data currently available concerning global insect abundance trends invariably suffer from phylogenetic, functional, habitat, spatial and temporal bias. Here, we suggest that to follow the real global changes in insect (and all other taxa) communities, biases or shortcomings in data collection must be avoided.

An optimised scheme would maximise phylogenetic, functional, habitat, spatial and temporal coverage with minimum investment. Standardised sampling would provide primary data, on a first step in the form of abundance and biomass. Individuals would then be identified to species level whenever possible, with a morphospecies approach or genetics serving as intermediate steps, complementing or even final steps for non‐described species.

If standardised abundance and ecological data can be readily made available, biodiversity trends can be tracked in real time and allow us to predict and prevent an impending global insect apocalypse.
Vascular endothelial growth factor A/Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 axis promotes human dental pulp stem cell migration via the FAK/PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK signalling pathways
Authors: Sun X. , Meng L. , Qiao W. , Yang R. , Gao Q. , Peng Y. , Bian Z.
Published: July 2019

Aim

To investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and the underlying molecular mechanisms on the migration of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs).

Methodology

The expression of VEGFA in inflammatory pulp tissue and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated dental pulp cells was examined by immunofluorescence staining and qRT‐PCR. The migration of hDPSCs was detected using transwell migration and wound healing assays. The activation of FAK, PI3K, Akt and p38 signalling was evaluated by Western blot analysis. Silence RNA (siRNA) technology was utilized to knockdown the expression of VEGFR1 (Flt‐1) and VEGFR2 (Flk‐1/KDR). PF573228 (inhibitor of FAK), LY294002 (inhibitor of PI3K), SB203580 (inhibitor of p38) and SU5416 (inhibitor of VEGFR2) were employed to investigate the effect of VEGFA on the migratory mechanism of hDPSCs. Data were analysed statistically using the Student’s t‐test or one‐way ANOVA.

Results

The expression levels of VEGFA in inflammatory pulp tissue in vivo and LPS‐stimulated dental pulp cells in vitro were significantly greater than those in the control groups (P < 0.05). Vascular endothelial growth factor A promoted the migration of hDPSCs in a concentration‐dependent manner. Several signalling pathways, including FAK, PI3K, Akt and p38, were activated by VEGFA in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner in hDPSCs. The VEGFA‐induced migration of hDPSCs was significantly inhibited with drug inhibitors such as PF573228, LY294002, SB203580 or SU5416 (P < 0.05). These signalling pathways activated by VEGFA stimulation were significantly suppressed by pre‐treatment with inhibitor of VEGFR2 (SU5416) or transfection with siRNA of VRGFR2 (P < 0.05) but not VEGFR1 siRNA.

Conclusions

Vascular endothelial growth factor A/VEGFR2 axis promoted the migration of hDPSCs via the FAK/PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK signalling pathways. These findings reveal a novel molecular mechanism for cell migration of hDPSCs, which may contribute to the remodelling of pulp tissue and dentine.
Temperature‐sensitive polyurethane (TSPU) film incorporated with carvacrol and cinnamyl aldehyde: antimicrobial activity, sustained release kinetics and potential use as food packaging for Cantonese‐style moon cake
Authors: Dong Hao , He Jiapeng , Xiao Kaijun , Li Chao
Published: July 2019

Temperature‐sensitive polyurethane (TSPU) films incorporated with carvacrol and cinnamyl aldehyde were prepared for the potential use of food packaging. The antimicrobial properties and sustained release kinetics of carvacrol and cinnamyl aldehyde in TSPU film were investigated. Results indicated that cinnamyl aldehyde and carvacrol had favourable antimicrobial properties at relatively low addition ratio. The diffusion and release of carvacrol were linearly related to temperature and its addition ratio. The release rates of carvacrol from TSPU film increased from 0.6% to 2.2% with the increase of addition ratio and temperature. The first‐order kinetic equation could be used to describe its diffusion and sustained release process. TSPU films could significantly prolong the shelf life of Cantonese‐style moon cakes by effectively inhibiting microbial growth and decreasing lipid oxidation comparing with commonly used polyethylene food packaging. Results obtained in the present work can provide technical guide of sustained release food packaging films with antimicrobial properties.
Quantitative prediction of the structure and luminescence properties of Nd3+ doped borate laser glasses
Authors: Qian Guoquan , Tang Guowu , Qian Qi , Sun Min , Chen Dongdan , Jiang Zhonghong , Yang Zhongmin
Published: July 2019

Although great advance has been made in glass science, predicting luminescence properties of laser glass poses a significant challenge for scientists due to the complex relationship between the composition, structure, and properties of the rare earth ions doped laser glasses. The development of high‐performance laser glass usually relies on intuition and trial‐and‐error. Recently, with the proposal of the materials genome engineering, the “glass genome” has also attracted much attention. Here, the structure of the Nd3+ doped B2O3‐Li2O laser glasses was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectra and nuclear magnetic resonance, revealing that the glass contains similar glass‐forming ion‐centered coordination polyhedron structure groups to the neighbor congruent glassy compounds. The structure and properties of glass largely depend on the neighbor congruent glassy compounds. Therefore, the structure and luminescence properties of Nd3+ doped B2O3‐Li2O and B2O3‐MgO‐Li2O laser glasses can be quantitatively predicted via the neighbor congruent glassy compounds. The predictive values are in good agreement with the experimental data, which indicates that our approach is an effective way to predict the structure and luminescence properties of Nd3+ doped borate laser glasses.
A Fireside Chat with Raj Gupta: What It Takes to Create Long‐Term Value
Authors: Gupta Raj
Published: July 2019

The chairman of two public companies (and former chair and CEO of Rohm and Haas) draws on his experience as a director of five private and 15 public companies in discussing the challenges and opportunities facing today's corporate boards.

Perhaps the most formidable challenge is the pace of technological change, which is making business models ‘in all industries and countries’ obsolete and forcing companies to adapt much more quickly than in the past. Along with the risk of obsolescence is the increase in ‘reputational risk’ associated with an ‘information age’ in which companies are forced to monitor the nearly continuous flow of fact, hearsay, and outright fabrication.

The author recommends that public company boards adopt a new ‘partnership’ model. Besides ensuring an ‘ethical tone at the top,’ corporate directors should aim to become partners with the senior management team by playing more active roles in strategic planning, risk management, and the design of performance evaluation and incentive pay systems. In the most striking departure from current practice, the author urges directors to seize the opportunity created by the ‘reconcentration’ of ownership of U.S. public companies by actively engaging large institutional investors in a strategic dialogue about the companies' strengths and vulnerabilities. In so doing, proactive directors can help their management teams preempt shareholder activists and create long‐run value by creating a more effective two‐way channel of communication, one with the potential to give management more confidence when undertaking large strategic investments with longer‐run payoffs.
Private Equity 4.0: Using ESG to Create More Value with Less Risk
Authors: Indahl Reynir , Jacobsen Hannah Gunvor
Published: July 2019

A growing number of private equity firms have responded to the increased focus on climate change, social issues, and technology disruption by broadening their corporate mission to encompass all important stakeholders, as well as their limited partners. And in the process, the management of ESG risks and pursuit of ESG opportunities have become increasingly fundamental to the staying power and value creation potential of PE firms by reducing the risk of their investments, discovering new sources of growth, and increasing their resilience to changes in the political and regulatory environment.

This article tells the story of how the Nordic PE firm, Summa Equity, has turned its ESG approach into a core competence and a source of competitive advantage that has enabled the firm to distinguish itself from its competitors and bring about significant improvements in the financial performance of its portfolio companies while providing benefits for their stakeholders. Using the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals to guide them, the firm invests in companies they perceive to be addressing major environmental or social challenges in an innovative and commercially successful way. This has led to investments in significant growth opportunities in areas such as health care, education, waste management, and acqua‐culture. And the firm's returns to its investors have been high enough—and the perceived social benefits large enough—that the firm recently closed its second fund (which was significantly oversubscribed) for 650 million euros, and received the ESG award at the 2019 Private Equity Awards in London.
ESG as a Value‐Creation Tool for Active Investors: A Profile of Inherent Group
Authors: Davis Tony , Lescott Beau
Published: July 2019

A growing number of investment managers claim to integrate environmental, social, and governance considerations into their investment strategy and processes, but few have described how they do so in depth. Even fewer reinforce the importance of sustainability within their own firms by becoming a certified ‘B Corporation.’ This article offers a rare, inside look at how one such value‐oriented manager uses ESG as a tool for differentiated investment sourcing, underwriting, and corporate engagement with the aim of achieving superior risk‐adjusted returns.

One of the main arguments of the article—and a key principle of the firm's investment approach—is that ESG, as applied to both corporate strategy and operations, is an important factor in determining a company's cost of capital. The authors present specific examples of their investment process at work, highlighting how active engagement with management on ESG issues can catalyze progress that becomes valued by the capital markets.
Innovation in Stock Exchanges: Driving ESG Disclosure and Performance
Authors: Bizoumi Tania , Lazaridis Socrates , Stamou Natassa
Published: July 2019

Stock exchanges are in a unique position to promote ESG transparency and leverage their institutional capacity to build more sustainable capital markets. To facilitate the quick uptake of material ESG disclosure and raise the quality and comparability of the data, the Athens Stock Exchange has created ESG guidelines for listed companies that will be published in the summer of 2019.

One important feature of the guidelines is their degree of sectoral specificity and emphasis on materiality. The guidelines and supporting metrics they propose are based on reporting practices endorsed by international sustainability standards like the SASB's industry standards. This materiality‐oriented approach will help issuers focus on the sustainability value drivers inherent in their business, and so ensure that corporate ESG disclosures satisfy the demand of investors for comparable quantitative and accounting metrics that help companies communicate their commitment to long‐term value creation.
Hypertension knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nurses and physicians in primary care in Ulaanbaatar Mongolia
Authors: Myanganbayar Maral , Baatarsuren Uurtsaikh , Chen Guanmin , Campbell Norm R. C. , Bosurgi Roberta , So Geoffrey , Unurjargal Tsolmon , Dashtseren Myagmartseren , Tserengombo Namkhaidorj , Batsukh Batbold , Bungert Andreas , Dashdorj Naranbaatar , Dashdorj Naranjargal
Published: July 2019

Increased blood pressure is a leading risk for death globally, and interventions to enhance hypertension control have become a high priority. An important aspect of clinical interventions is understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of differing primary healthcare practitioners. We examined KAP surveys from 803 primary care practitioners in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (response rate 80%), using a comprehensive KAP survey developed by the World Hypertension League (WHL). The WHL KAP survey uniquely includes an assessment of key World Health Organization recommended interventions to enhance hypertension control. There were few substantive differences between healthcare professional disciplines. Primary care practitioners mostly had a positive attitude toward hypertension management. However, confidence and practice in performing specific tasks to control hypertension were suboptimal. A low proportion indicated they systematically screened adults for hypertension and many were not aware of the need to or were confident in prescribing more than two antihypertensive medications. It was the practice of a high proportion of doctors to not pharmacologically treat most people with hypertension who were at high cardiovascular risk. There was a reluctance by physicians to task share hypertension diagnosis, drug prescribing and assessing cardiovascular risk to nurses. The minority of health care professions use a hypertension management algorithm, and few have patient registries with performance reporting functions. There were few substantive differences based on the age, gender, and years of clinical practice of the practitioners. The study findings support the need for standardized education and training of primary care practitioners in Ulaanbaatar to enhance hypertension control.