bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Matching resources to opportunities for emerging technology ventures
Authors: Theyel Gregory , Theyel Nelli , Garnsey Elizabeth
Published: September 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for helping inventors and start‐ups identify and acquire the technical, market, financial, and human resources they need if they are to create and grow new ventures that can realise market opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

The method for this paper is a case study of a non‐profit company and four of its business clients.

Findings

The paper finds that a resource assessment framework has proven effective for assisting early stage ventures when it is combined with helping them to identify business opportunities and to improve their resource position in order to exploit these opportunities.

Originality/value

This research contributes to theory and practice by highlighting the value of creative coupling of resources and opportunities for entrepreneurs and by demonstrating a novel and effective framework customized for the needs of new emerging technology ventures.
Can audit play an effective role in the charity governance?
Authors: Cao Limei , Zhang Limin
Published: September 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the relationship between external auditor selection and charity donation, that is, whether the governance role of external audit is effective and how it plays in China's charitable market.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from 2005 to 2009 of China's national charity, the paper applies empirical regression method to test the hypothesis.

Findings

Empirical evidence suggests that, when charities select national Big 100 as the auditors, the governance role of audit plays effectively, thus attracts more donators. When charities select successful bidders of Civil Affairs Bureau as the auditors, the governance role of audit cannot play effectively, thus will not increase donation significantly.

Research limitations/implications

Charities' annual report disclosure is not ample, so research samples could not include the regional charities, and in self‐selection model, independent variables do not include audit fee which could affect the results of self‐selection.

Practical implications

To some extent, the above conclusion suggests governance effect of external audit exist in the charitable market, and the effects depend on high quality audit. In view of the governance effect of high quality audit, the paper's conclusion could provide reference for the current non‐profits governance mechanism construction, at the same time, Civil Affairs Bureau should further improve the tender evaluation content and make them more objective and quantification when they bid the financial auditor, also, they should not be restricted charity choose auditor such as high quality outside the bidding scope.

Originality/value

First, previous literature of external audit research mainly gathered in capital market, but charity market different from the capital market, it is significance for whole non‐profit organization. Second, the paper's conclusion could provide some empirical evidence available for the perfection of charity governance mechanisms.
Effects of team leader emotional intelligence and team emotional climate on team member job satisfaction
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Yu , Liu Jun
Published: September 2013

Purpose

Western research on teams has paid an increasing attention to team's emotional process and corresponding outcomes. However, there were seldom studies examining the influence mechanism of team leader emotional intelligence on subordinate outcomes in teams, and the previous studies often neglected the team context. The aim of the study is to explore the cross‐level effect of team leader emotional intelligence and team emotional climate on team member job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire survey on 148 team leaders and 840 team members was conducted. The paper applied hierarchical linear modeling analyses with the software HLM 6.06 to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The analyses on the matched sample showed that team negative emotional climate has negative effect on team member job satisfaction, and team emotional climate moderates the relationship between leader emotional intelligence and team member job satisfaction such that leader emotional intelligence has stronger effect on member job satisfaction as team emotional climate becomes more negative.

Research limitations/implications

First, it is a single time period study and cross‐sectional research design, which limits our ability to make causal inferences about the relationships proposed. Second, team leader emotional intelligence was reported by team leader themselves, and it will be better to combine self‐report and other‐report measures of emotional intelligence in the future study.

Originality/value

This study extends the existing theory through a cross‐level framework that examines how team emotional climate interacts with team leader emotional intelligence to affect member job satisfaction, thus enriches the studies on emotional intelligence and leadership, team emotional climate and team effectiveness. The study also provides evidence of group‐level emotion in China, a non‐Western cultural country, which enriches the existing body of studies sampling exclusively from Western cultural groups and the research of emotions in organizations at group level.
Modeling product attitude formation process in online word‐of‐mouth
Authors: Wang Ping , Sun Luping , Peng Luluo
Published: September 2013

Purpose

Word‐of‐mouth (WOM) has been found to significantly influence consumers' decision making. Much attention has been paid to the effect of WOM characteristics such as the number of postings, the dispersion of online conversations, the reputation of the reviewers, and the review quality on product sales. Little research, however, has examined the interaction process of online reviews. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the consumers' product attitude formation process in online WOM. Three research questions will be addressed in this paper, i.e. the effect of prior responses on the following repliers' product attitude, the negativity effect and the role of main messages in shaping consumers' product attitude formation process.

Design/methodology/approach

The product attitude formation process of online WOM is investigated using the data of product reviews (main messages) and their corresponding responses. The paper collected 26 product reviews from various web sites and kept the first 40‐50 responses for each review, which resulted in 26 main messages and 1,173 observations (i.e. responses) in total. A hierarchical Bayesian ordinal choice model is then specified and estimated with the Markov Chain Monte Carlo method to address the research questions and to capture the main message heterogeneity.

Findings

The paper finds that the impact of prior responses (e.g. the proportion of positive and negative responses) on the product attitudes of the following responses differs significantly across products. This heterogeneity can be well explained by the characteristics of the main messages at the second‐level specification. Thereby, factors that influence consumers' product attitudes in the interaction process of online WOM include prior responses and main message characteristics. Another interesting finding is that positive responses have larger impacts on product attitudes than negative ones.

Originality/value

This research contributes to both academic research and the firms' online WOM management. Theoretically, this research is the first attempt to examine the formation process of attitudes toward new products in online communications. This research contributes by modeling how the dynamic process of online WOM influences new product attitudes. Furthermore, inconsistent with the “negativity effect” proposed by researchers (e.g. Skowronski and Carlston), the paper finds that positive responses matter more than negative ones in online communications. In addition, the way the paper configures the data for online communications is innovative and provides a perspective to quantitatively model the communication process. Managerially, this research provides implications for firms to intervene in the online communication process and influence consumer attitude of new products.
Using the past to predict the future: what futures are documented for higher education?
Authors: Stephens Simon
Published: September 2013

Purpose

As people again consider what the future holds for higher education, this paper aims to provide a review of the futures documented for higher education. Authors including McNay; Schuller; Bourner et al.; Abeles; Avila and Ledger; Tynan and Lee; and Melville‐Ross, have scoped the future for higher education. This paper aims to consider the structure of these predictions and to explore the changes that have been proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis of literature in this paper refers to documents produced by: governments and their agencies; books; and academic articles. This categorisation is based on the framework used by Tight. Two additional constraints are placed on the literature to keep it focused and manageable. First, the literature is restricted to publications in the English language. Second, the literature is limited to material published in the last 20 years. The rationale for this restriction is that the majority of futures research is produced with a 20 year horizon.

Findings

Numerous ideas on the future of higher education have been proposed over the last 20 years. Authors have proposed ideas under a range of themes. Although no significant pattern emerges, repeatedly authors have proposed change in relation to: access, teaching, institutional design, funding, ICT/virtual delivery, the student experience and the needs of the economy/labour market.

Originality/value

The value of this article is to help create some order, providing an overview of previous writing on the future of higher education.
Marine waste management indicators in a tourism environment
Authors: Prabhakaran Sudesh , Nair Vikneswaran , Ramachandran Sridar
Published: September 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine the various indicators of marine waste management and its adaptability to the tourism industry in Semporna District, Sabah. Marine waste management was identified as a serious concern in Semporna, specifically the increase in general and hazardous waste and the lack of waste reduction activities. Selected waste management indicators can help to support information‐based decision making in many levels of tourism planning and management.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a critical review of previous studies. It provides a theoretical understanding for readers to recognize the indicators used in marine waste management in the context of managing the environment in tourism destinations.

Findings

This paper provides an overview of the environmental indicators widely used in waste management of marine and island destinations and identifies indicators with potential for application in Semporna and islands off the coast of Semporna.

Practical implications

The paper provides vital information to assist the local government select suitable indicators to alleviate marine waste management in Semporna, Sabah.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a better understanding of marine waste available management indicators in the tourism environment. The use of these dependable measurements should serve as a “report card” for each marine tourism site in the country.
Tourism cooperative for scaling up community‐based tourism
Authors: Haniza Mohamad Nor , Hamzah Amran
Published: September 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share how a tourism cooperative creates economic sustainability as well as bringing socio‐cultural and environmental benefits to its members.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors' case study was the Miso Walai Homestay in Batu Puteh on the Kinabatangan River of Sabah, Malaysia. In‐depth interviews were conducted with cooperative managers and cooperative members who were identified through the purposive sampling method. Direct observation was used to gain an understanding of ground reality.

Findings

A community cooperative effectively manages economic, socio‐cultural, and environmental concerns of the local people. Society's perception of entrepreneurship and main‐streaming has changed. Shareholdership enables higher community involvement in the decision‐making processes, increases tourism income distribution, solidifies the sense of ownership, strengthens social cohesion and, inevitably, increases community support.

Practical implications

The lessons learned from the experience of the Model of Economically Sustainable Community Tourism (MESCOT) in using a community cooperative to run its community‐based tourism (CBT), which eventually expanded its economic benefits, are relevant to researchers and practitioners, and can guide other local CBT organizations in Malaysia.

Originality/value

Although the case study referred to a specific community in Malaysia, the findings do prove that an effective model for community‐based tourism is possible and has potential for replication in other places with similar enabling environments.
Gendered identity negotiations through food consumption
Authors: Turner Katie , Ferguson Shelagh , Craig Julia , Jeffries Alice , Beaton Sarah
Published: September 2013

Purpose

Are peaches, Caesar salad and chocolate masculine or feminine food? Literature suggests that there is a clear association between certain types of food, portion sizes and gendered identities. This research paper and short film aims to explore the theory in practice of food consumption for young consumers, particularly impression management required to create/maintain an attractive identity to the opposite sex.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt an interpretive approach to an in‐depth analysis of the food practices of an all male and an all female household. They use a theory in practice methodology to explore their food consumption.

Findings

It is found that despite enlightenment in many areas, gendered identities are still strongly associated with food consumption. The experiment in which each household consumed a meal associated with the opposite gender offers insight into the association between food consumption and gendered identity. The social implications of the research demonstrate that masculine identity is supported and negotiated through what he is eating, whereas feminine identity is being constructed by what she is not eating. It is concerning that an attractive feminine identity is premised on omission rather than consumption and traps many females into a negative and potentially harmful relationship with food consumption.

Originality/value

The use of videography allows insight into the negotiation of an underpinning cultural attitude where women eat less to be what consumer culture has defined as an attractive feminine identity which means being slimmer and smaller than males.
Parents' views of supermarket fun foods and the question of responsible marketing
Authors: Den Hoed Rebecca C. , Elliott Charlene
Published: September 2013

Purpose

Despite their responsibility for mitigating the influence of commercial culture on children, parents' views of fun food marketing aimed at children remain largely unexplored. This article aims to probe parents' views of supermarket fun foods and the packaging used to promote them to children.

Design/methodology/approach

In total 60 in‐depth interviews were conducted with parents from different educational backgrounds, living in three different Canadian cities. Interview responses were analyzed and coded thematically using an iterative process in keeping with grounded theory.

Findings

Parents generally discussed the promotion of supermarket fun foods to children as either an issue of the nutritional quality of foods promoted to children and/or in light of the communication quality of marketing aimed at children. Parents were also divided along education lines: parents with higher educational backgrounds were more likely to oppose fun foods and praise more pastoral ideals food production and consumption, while those with less education more often praised fun foods.

Research limitations/implications

These findings cannot be generalized to other parents or parents in other countries. The findings, however, suggest that a more nuanced consideration of differences within and across parents' views is warranted in debates about responsible marketing to children.

Originality/value

This article provides a qualitatively rich snapshot of the views of 60 Canadian parents regarding child‐targeted food marketing, and raises important questions about how to incorporate parents' views into discussions about responsible marketing, rather than presuming they are all of one mindset.
The influence of personality trait and demographics on financial decision making among Generation Y
Authors: Nga Joyce K.H. , Ken Yien Leong
Published: September 2013

Purpose

Financial planning is important in promoting the social well‐being of a nation. Without proper financial planning, individuals may be ill‐prepared in coping with the escalating cost of living, medical costs as well as enjoying their desired quality of life. However, financial decision making is not always made in a rational manner. This study aims to investigate the influence of personality traits, genders and course majors on decision making dimensions of risk aversion, cognitive biases and socially responsible investing (SRI) criteria among Generation Y undergraduates.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes a sample of undergraduates from a business school in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The study adapts the Big 5 personality scales from McCrae and Costa. The scales for the financial decision making dimensions, namely risk aversion, cognitive biases and SRI constructs, were developed for this study based on concepts developed from the extant literature. The validity and reliability of the scales were tested using exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha respectively. Hypotheses were tested using multiple linear regressions, t‐tests and ANOVA methods.

Findings

Conscientiousness, openness and agreeableness were found to have a significant influence on risk aversion, cognitive biases and SRI respectively. Gender and course majors taken were not significant in financial decision making.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should extend this to different cohorts of individuals including working adults and retirees. The mediating influences of personality and moderating influences of demographic factors such as education level, age and religiousity should also be explored to better target potential investors and fulfill their financial goals.

Practical implications

Awareness of the influence of specific personality traits in financial decision making would help financial planners tailor products more effectively to cater for the understanding and lifestyle of the younger generation. There may also be a need in the future for business schools to introduce courses on behavioural finance in their curriculum.

Originality/value

Studies on financial planning have more often focused on rational aspects of financial decision making rather than on personality dimensions. This study bridges the gap by investigating the influence of the Big 5 personality traits in financial decision making. The study also posits that the influence of personality traits is more significant than demographic factors in financial decision making.
Spatial and Temporal Proximity: Examining the Effects of Protests on Political Attitudes
Authors: Wallace Sophia J. , Zepeda‐Millán Chris , Jones‐Correa Michael
Published: September 2013

This article utilizes data from the Latino National Survey (2006) to analyze temporal and spatial variation in the effects of the immigrant rights marches in 2006 on Latino attitudes towards trust in government and self‐efficacy. Using a unique protest dataset, we examine the effects of proximity and scale by mapping respondents’ specific geographic location against the location of the marches as well as size of the protests using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). We find that local proximity to small marches had a positive impact on feelings of efficacy, whereas large‐scale protests led to lower feelings of efficacy. The results shed light on the role localized political events can play in shaping feelings towards government, the importance of conceptions of space and time to the study of social movements, and the positive outcomes that can result from contentious politics.
Intergroup retaliation and intra‐group praise gain: The effect of expected cooperation from the in‐group on intergroup vicarious retribution
Authors: Nawata Kengo , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki
Published: September 2013

Intergroup vicarious retribution is the phenomenon whereby, after an out‐group member attacks an in‐group member, a member of the victim's group retaliates against a member of the perpetrator's group. This study examined the effect of expected cooperation from the in‐group on intergroup vicarious retribution through intra‐group reputation based on praise gain and exclusion avoidance. In the experiment, we conducted a one‐on‐one match in which, after participants learned that an out‐group member (as the winner) had imposed a fine on an in‐group member (as the loser) in a previous round, winning participants were allowed to impose an arbitrary fine on the other losing out‐group member. As a result, participants imposed a larger fine on their out‐group member opponent in retaliation when they were expected by in‐group members to cooperate than when such cooperation was not expected. Furthermore, participants regarded a fine as intra‐group cooperation. Since a path analysis revealed a mediating effect of praise gain, but no mediating effect of exclusion avoidance, expected cooperation from in‐group members facilitated vicarious retribution because those involved in retribution sought praise from other in‐group members. These findings suggest that the intra‐group reputation dynamics of expected cooperation and praise gain escalate intergroup conflict.
Relative contribution of foetal and post‐natal nutritional periods on feeding regulation in adult rats
Authors: Martin Agnoux A. , Alexandre‐Gouabau M. ‐C. , Le Dréan G. , Antignac J. ‐P. , Parnet P.
Published: September 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of both foetal and/or post‐natal nutritional periods on feeding regulation in adult rats.

Methods

Body weight gain, adipose tissue development, food preferences and feeding pattern under regular chow or Western diets were characterized on four experimental groups of rats: pups born from protein‐restricted dams (R) and weaned by control (RC) or R dams (RR) and pups born from control dams weaned by C (CC) or R dams (CR).

Results

Rats born with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and fed a Western diet at adulthood appeared predisposed to body weight gain and more fat accretion, whereas CR rats, despite their preference for high‐fat diet and their hyperphagia for Western diet, did not show significant increase in fat tissue. Daytime food intakes, as well as their speed of ingestion, were found modified in RC and RR. Alterations in the hypothalamic appetite regulatory mechanisms were investigated through neuropeptide expression analysis. IUGR rats showed altered expression of key elements of leptin and NPY signalling, while CR rats exhibited lesser expression of enterostatin, MC4r and HT‐1Br mRNA.

Conclusion

Altogether, these results indicate that peri‐natal nutrition has different lasting effects on feeding pattern and hypothalamic appetite regulation, depending on the time window insult.
KISS1 expression in colorectal cancer
Authors: Kostakis Ioannis D. , Agrogiannis George , Vaiopoulos Aristeidis G. , Mylona Eleni , Patsouris Efstratios , Kouraklis Gregory , Koutsilieris Michael
Published: September 2013

Kisspeptins, the products of the KISS1 gene, are involved in cancer invasion, migration, metastasis and angiogenesis, while they induce apoptosis in various cancers. Herein, we studied KISS1 expression in colorectal cancer. We analyzed KISS1 expression using immunohistochemistry and image analysis in normal and malignant tissue samples from 60 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma. The results correlated with various clinicopathological parameters. The expression of KISS1 was much higher in normal than in malignant colonic mucosa. However, among malignant tissues, KISS1 expression was higher in larger tumors (>4 cm) than in smaller ones (≤4 cm) and in stages III and IV than in stages I and II. In addition, it was higher in patients with lymph node metastases. Moreover, KISS1 levels in the normal mucosa and their difference from those in the malignant mucosa were higher in the right part of the large intestine than in the left one. KISS1 expression is reduced during the malignant transformation of the colonic mucosa and there is a difference in the expression pattern between the right and the left part of the large intestine. However, larger and advanced colorectal tumors express higher KISS1 levels than smaller and localized ones.
Expression of miR‐155 and miR‐126 in situ in cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Kopp Katharina L. , Ralfkiaer Ulrik , Nielsen Boye S. , Gniadecki Robert , Woetmann Anders , Ødum Niels , Ralfkiaer Elisabeth
Published: September 2013

Recently, miR‐155 has been implicated in cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL). Thus, elevated levels of miR‐155 were observed in skin lesions from CTCL patients as judged from qPCR and micro‐array analysis and aberrant, high miR‐155 expression was associated with severe disease. Moreover, miR‐155 promoted proliferation of malignant T cells in vitro. Little is, however, known about which cell types express miR‐155 in vivo in CTCL skin lesions. Here, we study miR‐155 expression using in situ hybridization (ISH) with a miR‐155 probe, a negative control (scrambled), and a miR‐126 probe as a positive control in nine patients with mycosis fungoides, the most frequent subtype of CTCL. We provide evidence that both malignant and non‐malignant T cells stain weakly to moderately positive with the miR‐155 probe, but generally negative with the miR‐126 and negative control probes. Reversely, endothelial cells stain positive for miR‐126 and negative for miR‐155 and the control probe. Solitary T cells with a malignant morphology display brighter staining with the miR‐155 probe. Taken together, our findings suggest that both malignant and non‐malignant T cells express miR‐155 in situ in CTCL. Moreover, they indicate heterogeneity in miR‐155 expression among malignant T cells.
Integrated therapy safety management system
Authors: Podtschaske Beatrice , Fuchs Daniela , Friesdorf Wolfgang
Published: September 2013

Aims

The aim is to demonstrate the benefit of the medico‐ergonomic approach for the redesign of clinical work systems. Based on the six layer model, a concept for an ‘integrated therapy safety management’ is drafted. This concept could serve as a basis to improve resilience.

Methods

The concept is developed through a concept‐based approach. The state of the art of safety and complexity research in human factors and ergonomics forms the basis. The findings are synthesized to a concept for ‘integrated therapy safety management’. The concept is applied by way of example for the ‘medication process’ to demonstrate its practical implementation.

Results

The ‘integrated therapy safety management’ is drafted in accordance with the six layer model. This model supports a detailed description of specific work tasks, the corresponding responsibilities and related workflows at different layers by using the concept of ‘bridge managers’. ‘Bridge managers’ anticipate potential errors and monitor the controlled system continuously. If disruptions or disturbances occur, they respond with corrective actions which ensure that no harm results and they initiate preventive measures for future procedures. The concept demonstrates that in a complex work system, the human factor is the key element and final authority to cope with the residual complexity. The expertise of the ‘bridge managers’ and the recursive hierarchical structure results in highly adaptive clinical work systems and increases their resilience.

Conclusions

The medico‐ergonomic approach is a highly promising way of coping with two complexities. It offers a systematic framework for comprehensive analyses of clinical work systems and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration.
Deformations of amygdala morphology in familial pediatric bipolar disorder
Authors: Kelley Ryan , Chang Kiki D , Garrett Amy , Alegría Dylan , Thompson Paul , Howe Meghan , L Reiss Allan
Published: September 2013

Objective

Smaller amygdalar volumes have been consistently observed in pediatric bipolar disorder subjects compared to healthy control subjects. Whether smaller amygdalar volume is a consequence or antecedent of the first episode of mania is not known. Additionally, smaller volume has not been localized to specific amygdala subregions.

Methods

We compared surface contour maps of the amygdala between 22 youths at high risk for bipolar disorder, 26 youths meeting full diagnostic criteria for pediatric familial bipolar disorder, and 24 healthy control subjects matched for age, gender, and intelligence quotient. Amygdalae were manually delineated on three‐dimensional spoiled gradient echo images by a blinded rater using established tracing protocols. Statistical surface mesh modeling algorithms supported by permutation statistics were used to identify regional surface differences between the groups.

Results

When compared to high‐risk subjects and controls, youth with bipolar disorder showed surface deformations in specific amygdalar subregions, suggesting smaller volume of the basolateral nuclei. The high‐risk subjects did not differ from controls in any subregion.

Conclusions

These findings support previous reports of smaller amygdala volume in pediatric bipolar disorder and map the location of abnormality to specific amygdala subregions. These subregions have been associated with fear conditioning and emotion‐enhanced memory. The absence of amygdala size abnormalities in youth at high risk for bipolar disorder suggests that reductions might occur after the onset of mania.
Therapeutic approaches to haematological malignancies in adolescents and young adults
Authors: Place Andrew E. , Frederick Natasha N. , Sallan Stephen E.
Published: September 2013

Tremendous strides have been made in improving the outcomes of haematological malignancies (HM) over the last three decades, but adolescents and young adult (AYA) patients have not benefitted equally compared to younger and older patients. Excellent outcomes in Hodgkin lymphoma have allowed tailoring of highly effective regimens that limit the incidence of late effects. Early successes in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia set the stage for a series of studies in young adults utilizing a paediatric‐type treatment strategy. These studies have determined that AYAs benefit from paediatric‐type chemotherapy regimens. Despite the increased incidence of acute myeloid leukaemia and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma in the AYA age group, optimal strategies for these patients have not been systematically pursued. There is renewed interest in improving HM outcomes in AYA patients and this will rely on the development of clinical trials that specifically target these patients. Understanding and addressing the unique psychosocial challenges of this population will be critical in supporting this endeavor.
Tumor‐suppressive microRNA‐143/145 cluster targets hexokinase‐2 in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Yoshino Hirofumi , Enokida Hideki , Itesako Toshihiko , Kojima Satoko , Kinoshita Takashi , Tatarano Shuichi , Chiyomaru Takeshi , Nakagawa Masayuki , Seki Naohiko
Published: September 2013

Our recent studies of microRNA (miRNA) expression signatures have indicated that the miR‐143/145 cluster is significantly downregulated in several types of cancer and represents a putative tumor‐suppressive miRNA in human cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional significance of the miR‐143/145 cluster in cancer cells and to identify novel molecular targets of the miR‐143/145 cluster in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The expression levels of miR‐143 and miR‐145 were significantly downregulated in RCC tissues compared with adjacent non‐cancerous tissues. A significant positive correlation was recognized between miR‐143 and miR‐145 expression. Restoration of mature miR‐143 or miR‐145 in 786‐O and A498 RCC cells revealed that both mature miRNAs significantly inhibited cancer cell proliferation and invasion, suggesting that the miR‐143/145 cluster functioned as a tumor suppressor in RCC. Gene expression data and in silico database analysis showed that the hexokinase‐2 (HK2) gene, which encodes a glycolytic enzyme crucial for the Warburg effect in cancer cells, was a candidate target of the miR‐143/145 cluster. Luciferase reporter assays showed that both miR‐143 and miR‐145 directly regulated HK2. In RCC clinical specimens, the expression of HK2 was significantly higher in cancer tissues than in non‐cancerous tissues. Silencing HK2 suppressed RCC cell proliferation and invasion, suggesting that HK2 has oncogenic functions in RCC. Thus, our data showed that loss of the tumor‐suppressive miR‐143/145 cluster enhanced RCC cell proliferation and invasion through targeting HK2.
Exploring the Ligand Recognition Properties of the Human Vasopressin V1a Receptor Using QSAR and Molecular Modeling Studies
Authors: Contreras‐Romo Martha C. , Martínez‐Archundia Marlet , Deeb Omar , Ślusarz Magdalena J. , Ramírez‐Salinas Gema , Garduño‐Juárez Ramón , Quintanar‐Stephano Andrés , Ramírez‐Galicia Guillermo , Correa‐Basurto José
Published: September 2013

Vaptans are compounds that act as non‐peptide vasopressin receptor antagonists. These compounds have diverse chemical structures. In this study, we used a combined approach of protein folding, molecular dynamics simulations, docking, and quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) to elucidate the detailed interaction of the vasopressin receptor V1a (V1aR) with some of its blockers (134). QSAR studies were performed using MLR analysis and were gathered into one group to perform an artificial neural network (ANN) analysis. For each molecule, 1481 molecular descriptors were calculated. Additionally, 15 quantum chemical descriptors were calculated. The final equation was developed by choosing the optimal combination of descriptors after removing the outliers. Molecular modeling enabled us to obtain a reliable tridimensional model of V1aR. The docking results indicated that the great majority of ligands reach the binding site under π–π, π–cation, and hydrophobic interactions. The QSAR studies demonstrated that the heteroatoms N and O are important for ligand recognition, which could explain the structural diversity of ligands that reach V1aR.
Renal allograft outcomes following early corticosteroid withdrawal in Hispanic transplant recipients
Authors: Afaneh Cheguevara , Cheng Elaine , Aull Meredith J. , Watkins Anthony C. , Kim Jim , Leeser David B. , Kapur Sandip
Published: September 2013

Background

Renal transplant outcomes in Hispanics have been conflicting regarding acute rejection (AR) and allograft survival. Additionally, the feasibility of early corticosteroid withdrawal (ECW) regimens among Hispanics has not been adequately addressed. The purpose of this study is to report outcomes following ECW among Hispanic renal transplant recipients.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 498 consecutive renal transplants performed at our institution between July 2005 and October 2007, including 73 Hispanic and 146 white recipients who had ECW (median follow‐up 49 months). Demographics, transplant data, and outcomes of Hispanic and white recipients (WR) were analyzed.

Results

Hispanics had a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension (p = 0.007), a higher proportion of blood type O (p = 0.006), and a higher serum panel reactive antibody at the time of transplantation (p = 0.02) compared with WR. Additionally, Hispanics were on dialysis longer than WR prior to transplantation (p = 0.03). Nevertheless, the incidence of AR, patient, and graft survival rates was similar (p > 0.05) between Hispanics and WR. Ethnicity was not an independent predictor of inferior patient and graft outcomes in multivariate analyses.

Conclusion

Our single‐center experience indicates that ECW can be performed in Hispanic renal transplant recipients, with patient and allograft outcomes comparable with those observed in WR.
Wound events in kidney transplant patients receiving de novo everolimus: a pooled analysis of three randomized controlled trials
Authors: Cooper M. , Wiseman A. C. , Zibari G. , McCague K. , Kim Y. , Geissler F. , Nashan B.
Published: September 2013

Data were pooled from three prospective, multicenter trials in which 1996 de novo kidney transplant recipients were randomized to everolimus 1.5 or 3.0 mg or mycophenolic acid (MPA), with cyclosporine and steroids. Wound healing complications reported as adverse events were retrospectively reviewed in a blinded manner. The incidence of wound healing adverse events was 17.6% (351 of 1996) by day 90 and was similar for everolimus 1.5 mg (16.6% [110 of 661]) vs. MPA (14.3% [95 of 665]) (p = 0.255), but higher with everolimus 3.0 mg (21.8% [146 of 670]) (p < 0.001 vs. MPA). Similar results were observed for wound healing complications reported as serious adverse events. The 12‐month incidence of lymphocele was 11.2% with everolimus 1.5 mg and 8.9% with MPA (p = 0.171), but lymphocele reported as a serious adverse event were more frequent with everolimus 1.5 mg (6.5% vs. 3.5%; p = 0.012). The hazard ratio (HR) for any wound healing complication vs. MPA was not significantly higher for everolimus <3 ng/mL (HR 1.33; 95% CI 0.94–1.88; p = 0.104), but increased to 1.46 (95% CI 1.12–1.90; p = 0.005) for 3–8 ng/mL and 1.69 (95% CI 1.20–2.38; p = 0.002) for >8 ng/mL. These results suggest that de novo kidney transplant patients receiving an initial everolimus dose of 1.5 mg do not appear to have a pronounced increased risk of wound healing complications vs. patients receiving MPA.
Echocardiographic Sizing of the Left Atrium of the Transplanted Heart
Authors: Batal Omar , Brumberg Howard , Teuteberg Jeffrey J. , Katz William E.
Published: September 2013

Background

The left atrium (LA) in the transplanted heart (TH) is a surgically created chamber from variable portions of donor and recipient LA. The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) recommends measuring LA size in native hearts using biplane LA volume index (LAVI) as a more accurate measurement than LA anterior‐posterior diameter (LA‐APD). We hypothesized that LA‐APD underestimates LA size when compared with LAVI in the TH.

Methods

Patients with a TH from 1/05 to 1/10 who had a transthoracic echocardiogram within 24 months of transplant were studied. Patients were excluded if they had an ejection fraction <50%, left ventricular hypertrophy, >mild aortic or mitral regurgitation, or poor image quality. Echocardiograms were analyzed for LA‐APD and LAVI. LA size was classified as normal, mild, moderate, or severely enlarged based on age and sex specific cutoffs per the ASE.

Results

Of 297 patients evaluated, 160 met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 57 ± 13 years and 79% were males. Mean LA‐APD and LAVI were 4.3 ± 0.6 cm and 36 ± 14 mL/m2, respectively. LAVI correlated with LA‐APD (r = 0.43, R2 = 0.18, P < 0.0001). By LA‐APD measurement, 20 (13%) LA were classified as having moderate or severe LA enlargement versus 80 (50%) by LAVI, P = 0.001. LA size was underclassified by ≥2 classes in 44 (28%) by LA‐APD versus LAVI.

Conclusions

In the setting of cardiac transplant, the LA size classified by LA‐APD is commonly less than that classified by LAVI.
Doppler‐Derived Left Ventricular Negative dP/dt as a Predictor of Atrial Fibrillation or Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation and Normal Ejection Fraction
Authors: Yi Jeong‐Eun , Lee Dong‐Hyeon , Cho Eun Joo , Jeon Hui‐Kyung , Jung Hae‐Ok , Youn Ho‐Joong
Published: September 2013

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Doppler‐derived left ventricular (LV) −dP/dt in predicting atrial fibrillation (AF) or ischemic stroke in patients with moderate to severe degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR).

Methods

Doppler‐derived LV −dP/dt was determined from the continuous‐wave Doppler spectrum of the MR jet (−dP/dt = 32/time between 3 and 1 m/sec) in 80 patients (mean age 59 ± 16 years, 41% men) with moderate to severe degenerative MR, normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 60%), and sinus rhythm at diagnosis. Events were defined as new AF or ischemic stroke.

Results

During a mean follow‐up of 18 ± 13 months, there were 9 events (6 new AF, 3 ischemic strokes). Univariate analysis showed that older age, decreased LV −dP/dt, increased LV mass index, and left atrial volume index (LAVI), shortened deceleration time (DT), reduced A′ velocity, and elevated E/E′ ratio, prolongation of pulmonary venous (PV) atrial reversal (AR) flow duration relative to mitral inflow A‐wave duration (AR‐Adur) were associated with events. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, Doppler‐derived LV −dP/dt (for each 100 mmHg/sec increase, hazard ratio: 0.165, 95% confidence interval: 0.036–0.761, P = 0.021) and E/E′ (hazard ratio: 0.820, 95% confidence interval: 0.682–0.987, P = 0.036) were significant independent predictors of AF or ischemic stroke.

Conclusions

Doppler‐derived LV −dP/dt is independently associated with the occurrence of AF or ischemic stroke in patients with moderate to severe degenerative MR and provides additional prognostic information.
Rethinking length‐based fisheries regulations: the value of protecting old and large fish with harvest slots
Authors: Gwinn Daniel C , Allen Micheal S , Johnston Fiona D , Brown Paul , Todd Charles R , Arlinghaus Robert
Published: September 2013

Managing fisheries using length‐based harvest regulations is common, but such policies often create trade‐offs among conservation (e.g. maintaining natural age‐structure or spawning stock biomass) and fishery objectives (e.g. maximizing yield or harvest numbers). By focusing harvest on the larger (older) fish, minimum‐length limits are thought to maximize biomass yield, but at the potential cost of severe age and size truncation at high fishing mortality. Harvest‐slot‐length limits (harvest slots) restrict harvest to intermediate lengths (ages), which may contribute to maintaining high harvest numbers and a more natural age‐structure. However, an evaluation of minimum‐length limits vs. harvest slots for jointly meeting fisheries and conservation objectives across a range of fish life‐history strategies is currently lacking. We present a general age‐ and size‐structured population model calibrated to several recreationally important fish species. Harvest slots and minimum‐length limits were both effective at compromising between yield, numbers harvested and catch of trophy fish while conserving reproductive biomass. However, harvest slots consistently produced greater numbers of fish harvested and greater catches of trophy fish while conserving reproductive biomass and a more natural population age‐structure. Additionally, harvest slots resulted in less waste in the presence of hooking mortality. Our results held across a range of exploitation rates, life‐history strategies and fisheries objectives. Overall, we found harvest slots to represent a valuable option to meet both conservation and recreational fisheries objectives. Given the ubiquitous benefits of harvest slots across all life histories modelled, rethinking the widespread use of minimum‐length limits is warranted.
Ten‐Day Quadruple Therapy Comprising Proton‐Pump Inhibitor, Bismuth, Tetracycline, and Levofloxacin Achieves a High Eradication Rate for Helicobacter pylori Infection after Failure of Sequential Therapy
Authors: Hsu Ping‐I , Chen Wen‐Chi , Tsay Feng‐Woei , Shih Chih‐An , Kao Sung‐Shuo , Wang Huay‐Min , Yu Hsien‐Chung , Lai Kwok‐Hung , Tseng Hui‐Hwa , Peng Nan‐Jing , Chen Angela , Kuo Chao‐Hung , Wu Deng‐Chyang ,   Taiwan Acid‐Related Disease (TARD) Study Group
Published: September 2013

Background

Sequential therapy has been recommended in the Maastricht IV/Florence Consensus Report as the first‐line treatment for Helicobacter pylori eradication in regions with high clarithromycin resistance. However, it fails in 5–24% of infected subjects, and the recommended levofloxacin‐containing triple rescue therapy only achieves a 77% eradication rate after failure of sequential therapy.

Aim

To investigate the efficacy of a novel quadruple therapy comprising proton‐pump inhibitor, bismuth, tetracycline, and levofloxacin for rescue treatment of sequential therapy.

Methods

This was a multicenter study in which H. pylori‐infected patients who had failed sequential therapy received a 10‐day quadruple therapy (esomeprazole (40 mg b.d), tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate (120 mg q.d.s.), tetracycline (500 mg q.d.s.), and levofloxacin (500 mg o.d.) for 10 days). H. pylori status was examined 6 weeks after the end of treatment.

Results

From July 2007 to June 2012, twenty‐four subjects received 10‐day quadruple therapy. The eradication rates according to intention‐to‐treat and per‐protocol analyses were both 95.8% (23 of 24; 95% confidence interval, 87.8–103.8%). Adverse events were seen in 25.0% (6 of 24) of the patients. Drug compliance was 100.0% (24/24).

Conclusions

The 10‐day quadruple therapy comprising proton‐pump inhibitor, bismuth, tetracycline, and levofloxacin achieves a very high eradication rate for H. pylori infection after failure of sequential therapy. It is well tolerated and has great potential to become a good choice of rescue treatment following non‐bismuth‐containing quadruple therapy in regions with high clarithromycin resistance.
Sequential occurrence of acute hepatitis B among members of a high school Sumo wrestling club
Authors: Bae Sung Kwan , Yatsuhashi Hiroshi , Takahara Ikuko , Tamada Yoko , Hashimoto Satoru , Motoyoshi Yasuhide , Ozawa Eisuke , Nagaoka Shinya , Yanagi Kenji , Abiru Seigo , Komori Atsumasa , Ishibashi Hiromi
Published: September 2013

A 17‐year‐old male was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed with acute hepatitis B. Six weeks later, a 15‐year‐old male was admitted with acute hepatitis B as well. They were Sumo wrestling players in the same club. A detailed survey in the club revealed that a 28‐year‐old male coach was a hepatitis B surface antigen carrier with high‐level viremia. The consistency of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the infected players was revealed by analyzing the complete HBV genome sequences. Sumo players are more likely to get injured, including cuts and bleeding, compared with players of other sports because of the characteristic wrestling style. Several past reports have suggested that highly viremic HBV carriers have high HBV DNA titers in both their blood and other body fluids such as sweat. In our cases, percutaneous HBV transmission through the bleeding wounds was the most probable infection route. We conclude that a universal HBV immunization program should be introduced urgently in Japan, similar to those implemented in other countries worldwide.