bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contextualizing co-production of health care: a systematic literature review
Authors: Palumbo Rocco
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contextualize the concepts of “service co-production” and “value co-creation” to health care services, challenging the traditional bio-medical model which focusses on illness treatment and neglects the role played by patients in the provision of care.

Design/methodology/approach

– For this purpose, the author conducted a systematic review, which paved the way for the identification of the concept of “health care co-production” and allowed to discuss its effects and implications. Starting from a database of 254 records, 65 papers have been included in systematic review and informed the development of this paper.

Findings

– Co-production of health care services implies the establishment of co-creating partnerships between health care professionals and patients, which are aimed at mobilizing the dormant resources of the latter. However, several barriers prevent the full implementation of health care co-production, nurturing the application of the traditional bio-medical model.

Practical implications

– Co-production of health care is difficult to realize, due to both health care professionals’ hostility and patients unwillingness to be involved in the provision of care. Nonetheless, the scientific literature is consistent in claiming that co-production of care paves the way for increased health outcomes, enhanced patient satisfaction, better service innovation, and cost savings. The establishment of multi-disciplinary health care teams, the improvement of patient-provider communication, and the enhancement of the use of ICTs for the purpose of value co-creation are crucial ingredients in the recipe for increased patient engagement.

Originality/value

– To the knowledge of the author, this is the first paper aimed at systematizing the scientific literature in the field of health care co-production. The originality of this paper stems from its twofold relevance: on the one hand, it emphasizes the pros and the cons of health care co-production and, on the other hand, it provides with insightful directions to deal with the engagement of patients in value co-creation.
Workplace aggression
Authors: Tummers Lars , Brunetto Yvonne , Teo Stephen T.T.
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– Public employees are often confronted with aggression from citizens, managers and colleagues. This is sometimes a function of having a monopoly position of many public organizations. As a result, citizens cannot opt for alternative providers when not served well. This could give rise to aggression. Furthermore, increased budget cuts might give rise to higher stress, workload and consequential aggression at times. This paper analyzes articles on workplace aggression, both the three articles of this special issue and more broadly. The purpose of this paper is to provide researchers with methodological and theoretical future research suggestions for new studies on workplace aggression.

Design/methodology/approach

– Literature review.

Findings

– By taking new methodological and theoretical routes, scholars can contribute to the analysis and potential solutions concerning workplace aggression in the public sector. First, the authors advise researchers to move beyond cross-sectional surveys. Instead, diary studies, longitudinal studies and experimental methods (such as randomized control trials) should be increasingly used. Furthermore, scholars can focus more on theory development and testing. Future studies are advised to connect workplace aggression to theoretical models (such as the Job Demands-Resources model), to theories (for instance social learning theory) and to public administration concepts (such as public service motivation and trust in citizens).

Originality/value

– This is one of the few articles within the public management literature which provides new methodological and theoretical directions for future research on workplace aggression.
Exploring the dynamic contribution behavior of editors in wikis based on time series analysis
Authors: Huang Linghe , Zhu Qinghua , Du Jia Tina , Lee Baozhen
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– Wiki is a new form of information production and organization, which has become one of the most important knowledge resources. In recent years, with the increase of users in wikis, “free rider problem” has been serious. In order to motivate editors to contribute more to a wiki system, it is important to fully understand their contribution behavior. The purpose of this paper is to explore the law of dynamic contribution behavior of editors in wikis.

Design/methodology/approach

– After developing a dynamic model of contribution behavior, the authors employed both the metrological and clustering methods to process the time series data. The experimental data were collected from Baidu Baike, a renowned Chinese wiki system similar to Wikipedia.

Findings

– There are four categories of editors: “testers,” “dropouts,” “delayers” and “stickers.” Testers, who contribute the least content and stop contributing rapidly after editing a few articles. After editing a large amount of content, dropouts stop contributing completely. Delayers are the editors who do not stop contributing during the observation time, but they may stop contributing in the near future. Stickers, who keep contributing and edit the most content, are the core editors. In addition, there are significant time-of-day and holiday effects on the number of editors’ contributions.

Originality/value

– By using the method of time series analysis, some new characteristics of editors and editor types were found. Compared with the former studies, this research also had a larger sample. Therefore, the results are more scientific and representative and can help managers to better optimize the wiki systems and formulate incentive strategies for editors.
The information resources utilization index: a case study in China
Authors: Borjigin Chaolemen , Feng Huiling , Zhang Bin , Zhao Guojun
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel method for measuring the utilization of information resources (IRs) in order to provide a complementary index for existing information development indices and to reveal the links between the use of IRs and the readiness of ICT.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research mainly employs three types of research methodologies: literature study was conducted for defining the term of IRs and for finding the common features of the relevant indices; methods to construct composite indicators are used for developing a theoretical framework, selecting variables, imputation of missing data, normalization of data, weighting and aggregation of the novel index; a case study is carried out to provide a typical application for the index and to reveal the underlying links between the use of IRs and the readiness of ICT.

Findings

– This paper for the first time proposes a method to measure the utilization of IRs from a Chinese perspective and provides its theoretical foundations, conceptual frameworks, main steps and curial techniques. Further, correlations between the use of IRs and the readiness of ICT in China between 2009 and 2011 are also descried.

Practical implications

– Measuring the utilization of IRs provides the authorities with an alternative tool to monitor the evolutions a country toward information society. In addition, the novel index presented in this paper can also serve as a method to indentify the gaps among regions in deploying their IRs.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper to introduce a new measure for utilization of IRs and is also the first paper to reveal links between the use of IRs and the readiness of ICT as well as Gross Domestic Product in China.
Analyzing the complementarity of web infrastructure and eInnovation for business value generation
Authors: Popa Simona , Soto-Acosta Pedro , Loukis Euripidis
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– In recent years, there has been much debate about the value generated by the firms’ investments in information technology (IT). Although literature suggests that technology itself will rarely create superiority, web infrastructure can be critical for knowledge sharing and the formation of virtual teams to execute innovation processes which, in turn, may enhance e-innovation and business value. Building on these antecedents, the purpose of this paper is to explore whether and how web infrastructure and e-innovation can create business value by complementing each other.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm this paper develops a conceptual model to assess the effects of web infrastructure and e-innovation on business value as well as the complementarity between these resources. To test the associated hypotheses, a regression model was estimated and tested on a large sample of Spanish firms from different industries.

Findings

– The results show that web infrastructure is not positively related to business value, but on the contrary e-innovation has a positive impact on business value. However, support for complementarity between web infrastructure and e-innovation was not found.

Originality/value

– The present study tests the RBV logic, arguing that not all IT resources are source of competitive advantage. In the same vein, this study shows that e-innovation, as it requires combination of IT infrastructure with other unique intangible resources, is much more difficult to imitate, leading to competitive advantages.
Unifying heterogeneous and distributed information about marine species through the top level ontology MarineTLO
Authors: Tzitzikas Yannis , Allocca Carlo , Bekiari Chryssoula , Marketakis Yannis , Fafalios Pavlos , Doerr Martin , Minadakis Nikos , Patkos Theodore , Candela Leonardo
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– Marine species data are scattered across a series of heterogeneous repositories and information systems. There is no repository that can claim to have all marine species data. Moreover, information on marine species are made available through different formats and protocols. The purpose of this paper is to provide models and methods that allow integrating such information either for publishing it, browsing it or querying it. Aiming at providing a valid and reliable knowledge ground for enabling semantic interoperability of marine species data, in this paper the authors motivate a top level ontology, called MarineTLO and discuss its use for creating MarineTLO-based warehouses.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper the authors introduce a set of motivating scenarios that highlight the need of having a top level ontology. Afterwards the authors describe the main data sources (Fisheries Linked Open Data, ECOSCOPE, WoRMS, FishBase and DBpedia) that will be used as a basis for constructing the MarineTLO.

Findings

– The paper discusses about the exploitation of MarineTLO for the construction of a warehouse. Furthermore a series of uses of the MarineTLO-based warehouse is being reported.

Originality/value

– In this paper the authors described the design of a top level ontology for the marine domain able to satisfy the need for maintaining integrated sets of facts about marine species and thus assisting ongoing research on biodiversity. Apart from the ontology the authors also elaborated with the mappings that are required for building integrated warehouses.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi affect plant tolerance and chemical defences to herbivory through different mechanisms
Authors: Tao Leiling , Ahmad Aamina , de Roode Jacobus C. , Hunter Mark D.
Published: December 2015

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are ubiquitous plant symbionts that affect plant nutrient status, patterns of resource allocation and rates of plant growth. In addition, AMF influence the expression of plant defence, which may affect subsequent interactions between plants and higher trophic levels. Tolerance to herbivory and chemical defence represent two distinct defence strategies of plants, and there is accumulating evidence that AMF can influence each strategy separately. However, investigations on the simultaneous effects of AMF on tolerance and chemical defence mechanisms are lacking.

Using six milkweed (Asclepias) species and three levels of AMF inoculum, we show that plant tolerance to herbivory increases with foliar P concentrations, while both foliar cardenolide concentration and latex exudation (major chemical defences in milkweeds) increase with foliar N concentrations, but decrease with plant growth rate. Additionally, foliar cardenolide concentration increases with foliar P concentration, and latex exudation increases with root biomass. Because AMF have significant effects on all of these traits (foliar N and P concentrations, root biomass and growth rate), AMF can change plant tolerance and chemical defence simultaneously, albeit through different mechanisms.

Synthesis. Overall, plant tolerance and chemical defence to herbivores are affected by AMF through changes in basic plant physiology such as nutrient status, allocation patterns and growth rate, and our study suggests that it may be possible to predict effects of AMF on plant defences through these simple traits.
Predictive factors for positive diagnosis of malignant biliary strictures by transpapillary brush cytology and forceps biopsy
Authors: Naitoh Itaru , Nakazawa Takahiro , Kato Akihisa , Hayashi Kazuki , Miyabe Katsuyuki , Shimizu Shuya , Kondo Hiromu , Nishi Yuji , Yoshida Michihiro , Umemura Shuichiro , Hori Yasuki , Kuno Toshiya , Takahashi Satoru , Ohara Hirotaka , Joh Takashi
Published: December 2015

Objective

The diagnostic yields of endoscopic transpapillary brush cytology and forceps biopsies for malignant biliary strictures (MBS) remain unclear and predictive factors for diagnosis have not been established. We aimed to clarify the diagnostic yields of both methods and the predictive factors

Methods

We reviewed 241 patients with biliary strictures who underwent transpapillary brush cytology (n = 202) or forceps biopsy (n = 208) between 2004 and 2014 at a single academic center.

Results

The sensitivity of forceps biopsy for MBS was significantly higher than that of brush cytology [60.6% (97/160) vs 36.1% (57/158), P < 0.01). The sensitivity of forceps biopsy was significantly higher in diagnosing bile duct cancer than pancreatic cancer [78.8% (52/66) vs 42.4% (28/66), P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that serum total bilirubin (TB) level (T‐Bil) ≥ 4 mg/dL [odds ratio (OR) 2.506, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.139–5.495, P = 0.022) was an independent predictor for positive diagnosis by brush cytology, while bile duct cancer (OR 4.926, 95% CI 2.183–11.111, P < 0.001), stricture length ≥ 30 mm (OR 2.941, 95% CI 1.119–7.752, P = 0.029) and TB ≥4 mg/dL (OR 2.252, 95% CI 1.052–4.831, P = 0.037) were significant indicators of a positive diagnosis by forceps biopsy.

Conclusions

Endoscopic transpapillary forceps biopsy shows higher sensitivity than that of brush cytology for MBS. Bile duct cancer, stricture length ≥ 30 mm and TB ≥4 mg/dL are good indicators of forceps biopsy.
Better Financial Innovation via Innovative Finance of Supervisors
Authors: Wieneke Axel
Published: December 2015

Financial innovation may cause negative externalities and thus requires government interventions to correct incentives. However, with imperfect information, a simple Pigouvian tax cannot be implemented. We suggest to link the compensation of supervisors to the compensation of decision makers via a tax on the latter. Apart from inducing lower compensation in the financial sector, this mechanism provides an incentive for financial institutions to design contracts discouraging rent‐seeking. As high compensation for rent‐seeking would indirectly increase wages and thus talent of supervisors, it would also increase the expected punishment. Therefore, private rewards for rent‐seeking will be reduced which improves economic efficiency.
Longitudinal Trends in U.S. Drug Shortages for Medications Used in Emergency Departments (2001–2014)
Authors: Hawley Kristy L. , Mazer‐Amirshahi Maryann , Zocchi Mark S. , Fox Erin R. , Pines Jesse M.
Published: December 2015

Objectives

This was a study of longitudinal trends in U.S. drug shortages within the scope of emergency medicine (EM) practice from 2001 to 2014.

Methods

Drug shortage data from the University of Utah Drug Information Service were analyzed from January 2001 to March 2014. Two board‐certified emergency physicians classified drug shortages based on whether they were within the scope of EM practice, whether they are used for lifesaving interventions or high‐acuity conditions, and whether a substitute for the drug exists for its routine use in emergency care. Trends in the length of shortages for drugs used in EM practice were described using standard descriptive statistics and regression analyses.

Results

Of the 1,798 drug shortages over the approximately 13‐year period (159 months), 610 shortages (33.9%) were classified as within the scope of EM practice. Of those, 321 (52.6%) were for drugs used as lifesaving interventions or for high‐acuity conditions, and of those, 32 (10.0%) were for drugs with no available substitute. The prevalence of EM drug shortages fell from 2002 to 2007; however, between January 2008 and March 2014, the number of EM drug shortages sharply increased by 435% from 23 to 123. From January 2008 to March 2014 shortages in drugs used as a direct lifesaving intervention or for high‐acuity conditions increased 393% from 14 to 69, and shortages for drugs with no available substitute grew 125% from four to nine. Almost half (46.6%) of all EM drug shortages were caused by unknown reasons (the manufacturer did not cite a specific reason when contacted). Infectious disease drugs were the most common EM drugs on shortage, with 148 drug shortages totaling 2,213 months during the study period.

Conclusions

Drug shortages impacting emergency care have grown dramatically since 2008. The majority of shortages are for drugs used for lifesaving interventions or high‐acuity conditions. For some, no substitute is available.
Disentangling depression and anxiety in relation to neuroticism, extraversion, suicide, and self‐harm among adult psychiatric inpatients with serious mental illness
Authors: Subica Andrew M. , Allen Jon G. , Frueh B. Christopher , Elhai Jon D. , Fowler J. Christopher
Published: December 2015

Objectives

Little is known about depression–anxiety comorbidity and its association with personality traits and suicide/self‐harm in adult psychiatric inpatients with serious mental illness (SMI), impacting clinical assessment and treatment. This study sought to determine the symptom structure of depression–anxiety comorbidity and its relation to neuroticism, extraversion, and suicide/self‐harm behaviour in this high‐risk population.

Design

Nine hundred and sixty‐two adults receiving inpatient care at a private psychiatric hospital completed questionnaires at admission.

Methods

Confirmatory factor analyses compared a bifactor solution specifying a general distress factor and two specific depression and anxiety factors against unidimensional and correlated factors solutions. The bifactor solutions' factors were subsequently correlated with neuroticism and extraversion subscales and pre‐hospitalization suicide/self‐harm behaviours.

Results

The bifactor model rendered superior fit to sample data and a robust general factor – accounting for 77.61% of common item variance – providing the first evidence for a tripartite structure of depression and anxiety among adult inpatients. The bifactor solution‐outputted independent general distress, depression, and anxiety factors positively correlated with neuroticism, the personality dimension corresponding to trait negative affectivity. The general distress and depression factors associated with recent self‐harm, but factors showed no associations with prior suicidal behaviour.

Conclusions

In adult psychiatric inpatients, general distress substantially underlies comorbid depression and anxiety symptom variation and may contribute to recent incidence of self‐harm. Transdiagnostic assessments and interventions targeting general distress may temper depression, anxiety, and self‐harm in adult inpatients.

Practitioner points

Clinical implications

Depression–anxiety comorbidity symptomology in adult psychiatric inpatients is primarily composed of general distress.

General distress and specific depression are associated with recent self‐harm but not suicidal behaviour.

Assessing and treating general distress rather than depression or anxiety specifically may best mitigate comorbid depression and anxiety, and reduce self‐harm behaviour in this clinical population.

Cautions and limitations

The large sample lacked ethnocultural diversity, and data were cross‐sectional.

The use of brief self‐report measures to assess depression and anxiety may have reduced measurement range.
On Making Emotional Contact with A Schizoid Patient
Authors: Hess Noel
Published: December 2015

This paper describes and discusses those aspects of the treatment of schizoid patients which present particular challenges and difficulties to the clinician, namely nonrelatedness, emotional unavailability and absence of curiosity, all of which mean that the psychotherapist has a considerable strain to bear. Bion and others have suggested how the aetiology of this particular state of mind might be understood in terms of infantile experience. Clinical material from the long‐term treatment of a schizoid man is discussed to illustrate how, in the course of a session, moments of meaningful emotional connection can become possible, and the transference/countertransference factors which might facilitate this. Implications for the length of treatment are discussed. The problem of overextending analytic therapies with this patient group is also discussed.
Quantitative salinity reconstructions of the Baltic Sea during the mid‐Holocene
Authors: Ning Wenxin , Andersson Per S. , Ghosh Anupam , Khan Mansoor , Filipsson Helena L.
Published: December 2015

We reconstructed the past coastal environment of the Baltic Sea from c. 7300 to 3500 cal. a BP, with a focus on sea surface salinity (SSS). To quantitatively determine the SSS, two methods were employed: measurements of 87Sr/86Sr ratios in mollusc shells (SSSSr) and process length variations of dinoflagellate cysts Operculodinium centrocarpum (SSSpl). The SSSSr was ~6–7 between 6800 and 6400 cal. a BP, similar to modern conditions. Between 6000 and 3900 cal. a BP, SSSSr was consistently higher, ranging between ~9 and 13. Microfossils sensitive to salinity variations, such as Radiosperma corbiforum and Spiniferites spp., support the SSSSr estimate. In comparison with the SSSSr, the SSSpl values were consistently higher, with an average of ~14. We suggest SSSpl tend to overestimate salinity and are not as reliable as SSSSr. A multi‐proxy approach, including analysis of microfossil, organic carbon content, C/N ratios and grain‐size, allowed for a division of the study period into three zones (Zones I–III). Zone I (7300–6400 cal. a BP) is characterized by relatively O. centrocarpum and R. corbiforum concentrations, silt contents and C/N ratios, corresponding to the regional Littorina transgression maximum. Zone II (6400–3900 cal. a BP) is characterized by increased Spiniferites spp. and decreased R. corbiforum abundances, and by lowered C/N ratios and silt contents relative to Zone I. Zone III (3900–3500 cal. a BP) represents the start of the Post‐Littorina Sea phase, indicating a shift to the modern Baltic Sea phase with decreased salinity.
A tree‐ring width based drought reconstruction for southeastern China: links to Pacific Ocean climate variability
Authors: Chen Feng , Yu Shulong , Yuan Yujiang , Wang Huiqin , Gagen Mary
Published: December 2015

We present a drought reconstruction for southeastern China based on a tree‐ring width chronology of Cryptomeria fortunei developed from two sampling sites in central Fujian. A reconstruction of July–February drought variability, spanning AD 1855–2011, was developed by calibrating total tree‐ring width data with the self‐calibrating Palmer drought severity index (scPDSI). The reconstruction was verified against an independent data set, and accounts for 36% of the actual scPDSI variance during the period 1955–2011. Relatively dry intervals were reconstructed between AD 1859–1880, 1899–1911, 1927–1933, 1946–1959, 1964–1970 and 1987–1997. Relatively wet conditions prevailed during 1855–1858, 1881–1898, 1912–1926, 1934–1945, 1960–1963, 1971–1986 and 1998–2011. Comparisons between our scPDSI reconstruction and a moisture‐sensitive tree‐ring width record from Vietnam revealed consistencies between the two data sets, suggesting similar drought regimes. Spectral peaks of 2.2–6.4 years may be indicative of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) activity, as also suggested by the significant correlations with sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the eastern equatorial and southeastern Pacific Ocean and an extreme event analysis. The analysis of links between our scPDSI reconstruction and the large‐scale regional climatic variation shows that there is a relationship between regional drought variation and East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) intensity.
Changes in bone mineral density and bone turnover in patients on ‘drug holiday’ following bisphosphonate therapy: real‐life clinic setting
Authors: Roberts J. , Castro C. , Moore A.E.B. , Fogelman I. , Hampson G.
Published: December 2015

Objectives

Treatment discontinuation after long‐term bisphosphonate (BP), termed a ‘drug holiday’, has been proposed to reduce the risk of BP‐associated complications. The duration of treatment cessation remains unclear. Changes in bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers (BTMs) and their relationship with FRAX were assessed to help determine the optimum length of a ‘drug holiday’.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 134 patients (13M, 121F) aged [mean (SD)] 68·4 (8·2) years who discontinued BPs after treatment for 5·9 (3·0) years for osteoporosis was undertaken. BMD at the lumbar spine (LS), total hip (TH), and femoral neck (FN) and biochemical parameters including serum 25 (OH) vitamin D, bone turnover markers (plasma CTX, P1NP) and FRAX scores were determined at discontinuation, 12–18 months and 24–30 months off treatment.

Results

BMD decreased significantly at the LS [% change mean (SD): −0·94 (3·6), P = 0·008], TH [−1·4 (2·4), P < 0·001] and FN [−1·8 (4·4), P < 0·001] after treatment discontinuation for 12–18 months. In the subgroup who remained off treatment for 24–30 months, a progressive decline in BMD was seen at the TH and FN with total % decrease of −2·52 (3·5) and −2·7 (4·76), P < 0·001, respectively. CTX and P1NP increased significantly at 12–18 months after discontinuation [% change CTX: 95 (88), P < 0·001, P1NP: 88 (73), P < 0·001]. FRAX scores were significant predictors of % change in BMD at the FN (P < 0·05), independently of bone turnover and vitamin D status. In summary, our data show that following a ‘drug holiday’, the use of DEXA scans, BTMs and FRAX may help guide when to resume treatment.
Comparative outcomes of femtosecond laser‐assisted cataract surgery and manual phacoemusification: a six‐month follow‐up
Authors: Yu Yinhui , Chen Xinyi , Hua Huixia , Wu Menghan , Lai Kairan , Yao Ke
Published: December 2015

Background

To explore efficacy and safety outcomes in patients undergoing femtosecond laser‐assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) versus manual phacoemulsification cataract surgery (PCS).

Design

Prospective consecutive nonrandomized comparative cohort study.

Participants

A total of 124 eyes from 106 patients (70 in FLACS and 54 in PCS).

Methods

Comparison of FLACS with PCS over 6 months.

Main Outcome Measures

Macular central subfield thickness (CST), cube volume (CV), cube average thickness (CAT), endothelial cell density (ECD), central corneal thickness (CCT) and photon count value (PCV).

Results

CST, CV and CAT increased postoperatively, which did not return to preoperative levels by 6 months. The values were similar between groups throughout the follow‐up, and comparison of changes from baseline also showed no significant difference. Preoperative ECD showed significant difference, which decreased postoperatively and remained stable during follow‐up, being lowest at 1 month. FLACS had greater endothelial cell loss than PCS, which was not significant. CCT in both groups increased, reaching maximum on day one and tended to decrease thereafter. No significant differences were found regarding postoperative values and the mean increase. In both groups, mean PCV increased from preoperatively to day one, week one and month one. Flare values in FLACS were lower than PCS, reaching statistical significance at 6 months (P = 0.001). However, the differences in changes of PCV were not significantly different at any visit.

Conclusions

Both FLACS and PCS achieved similar safety and efficacy outcomes for performing cataract surgery. Flare values in eyes with FLACS were lower than those with PCS at 6 months postoperatively.
Diabetic retinopathy: global prevalence, major risk factors, screening practices and public health challenges: a review
Authors: Ting Daniel Shu Wei , Cheung Gemmy Chui Ming , Wong Tien Yin
Published: December 2015

Diabetes retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss in middle‐aged and elderly people globally. Early detection and prompt treatment allow prevention of diabetes‐related visual impairment. Patients with diabetes require regular follow‐up with primary care physicians to optimize their glycaemic, blood pressure and lipid control to prevent development and progression of DR and other diabetes‐related complications. Other risk factors of DR include higher body mass index, puberty and pregnancy, and cataract surgery. There are weaker associations with some genetic and inflammatory markers. With the rising incidence and prevalence of diabetes and DR, public health systems in both developing and developed countries will be faced with increasing costs of implementation and maintenance of a DR screening program for people with diabetes. To reduce the impact of DR‐related visual loss, it is important that all stakeholders continue to look for innovative ways of managing and preventing diabetes, and optimize cost‐effective screening programs within the community.
A 5‐HT2A/2C receptor agonist, 1‐(2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐iodophenyl)‐2‐aminopropane, mitigates developmental neurotoxicity of ethanol to serotonergic neurons
Authors: Ishiguro Tsukasa , Sakata‐Haga Hiromi , Fukui Yoshihiro
Published: December 2015

Prenatal ethanol exposure causes the reduction of serotonergic (5‐HTergic) neurons in the midbrain raphe nuclei. In the present study, we examined whether an activation of signaling via 5‐HT2A and 5‐HT2C receptors during the fetal period is able to prevent the reduction of 5‐HTergic neurons induced by prenatal ethanol exposure. Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were given a liquid diet containing 2.5 to 5.0% (w/v) ethanol on gestational days (GDs) 10 to 20 (Et). As a pair‐fed control, other pregnant rats were fed the same liquid diet except that the ethanol was replaced by isocaloric sucrose (Pf). Each Et and Pf group was subdivided into two groups; one of the groups was treated with 1 mg/kg (i.p.) of 1‐(2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐iodophenyl)‐2‐aminopropane (DOI), an agonist for 5‐HT2A/2C receptors, during GDs 13 to 19 (Et‐DOI or Pf‐DOI), and another was injected with saline vehicle only (Et‐Sal or Pf‐Sal). Their fetuses were removed by cesarean section on GD 19 or 20, and fetal brains were collected. An immunohistological examination of 5‐HTergic neurons in the fetuses on embryonic day 20 using an antibody against tryptophan hydroxylase revealed that the number of 5‐HTergic neurons in the midbrain raphe nuclei was significantly reduced in the Et‐Sal fetuses compared to that of the Pf‐Sal and Pf‐DOI fetuses, whereas there were no significant differences between Et‐DOI and each Pf control. Thus, we concluded that the reduction of 5‐HTergic neurons that resulted in prenatal ethanol exposure could be alleviated by the enhancement of signaling via 5‐HT2A/2C receptors during the fetal period.
Digital implant impressions by cone‐beam computerized tomography: a pilot study
Authors: Corominas‐Delgado Cristina , Espona José , Lorente‐Gascón Marian , Real‐Voltas Francisco , Roig Miguel , Costa‐Palau Santiago
Published: December 2015

Objectives

To evaluate the adjustment of structures designed from a digital impression of implants obtained by cone‐beam computerized tomography (CBCT).

Materials and methods

Thirty implants were placed in five edentulous mandibles of fresh cadaver heads, six per mandible. Special scan bodies were screwed in the implants and a CBCT was taken. DICOM images were converted to STL and digitally processed to obtain a digital model of the implants. A Cr‐Co structure was designed and milled for each mandible, and the adjustment was assessed as in a real clinical situation: passivity while screwing, radiographic fitting, optical fitting, and probing.

Results

Good adjustment was found in three of the structures, and only slight discrepancies were found in the other two.

Conclusion

Cone‐beam computerized tomography might be a valid impression‐taking method in full‐mouth rehabilitations with implants. Further evaluations are needed with more implant and CBCT systems. The radiation dose might be considered when deciding to use this impression system. The types of patients appropriate for this treatment option should also be determined to fulfill the principles of the ALARA law.
Abdominal adiposity, body composition and survival after liver transplantation
Authors: Terjimanian Michael N. , Harbaugh Calista M. , Hussain Adnan , Olugbade Kola O. , Waits Seth A. , Wang Stewart C. , Sonnenday Christopher J. , Englesbe Michael J.
Published: December 2015

Background

Current measures of obesity do not accurately describe body composition. Using cross‐sectional imaging, objective measures of musculature and adiposity are possible and may inform efforts to optimize liver transplantation outcomes.

Methods

Abdominal visceral fat area and psoas muscle cross‐sectional area were measured on CT scans for 348 liver transplant recipients. After controlling for donor and recipient characteristics, survival analysis was performed using Cox regression.

Results

Visceral fat area was significantly associated with post‐transplant mortality (p < 0.001; HR = 1.06 per 10 cm2, 95% CI: 1.04–1.09), as were positive hepatitis C status (p = 0.004; HR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.21–2.61) and total psoas area (TPA) (p < 0.001; HR = 0.91 per cm2, 95% CI: 0.88–0.94). Among patients with smaller TPA, the patients with high visceral fat area had 71.8% one‐yr survival compared to 81.8% for those with low visceral fat area (p = 0.15). At five yr, the smaller muscle patients with high visceral fat area had 36.9% survival compared to 58.2% for those with low visceral fat area (p = 0.023).

Conclusions

Abdominal adiposity is associated with survival after liver transplantation, especially in patients with small trunk muscle size. When coupled with trunk musculature, abdominal adiposity offers direct characterization of body composition that can aid preoperative risk evaluation and inform transplant decision‐making.
Tissue‐specific DNA levels and hyphal growth patterns of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus in stems of naturally infected Fraxinus excelsior saplings
Authors: Matsiakh I. , Solheim H. , Nagy N. E. , Hietala A. M. , Kramarets V.
Published: December 2015

Ten saplings of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) naturally infected by the invasive ash dieback pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus were collected in Ukraine and Norway and examined for bark necrosis and extension of discoloration in sapwood and pith in a stem region. Tissue‐specific colonization profiles were determined by spatial analyses of symptomatic and visually healthy stem tissues using a H. fraxineus‐specific qPCR assay and light microscopy. Our data suggest that hyphal growth in the starch‐rich perimedullary pith is of particular importance for both axial and radial spread of H. fraxineus, but that most of its biomass accumulates in sapwood parenchyma. The study confirms the results from earlier work and presents new information that refines the current stem invasion model.
Considering University‐Business Cooperation Modes from the Perspective of Enterprises
Authors: Pavlin Samo
Published: December 2015

This article analyses enterprises’ engagement in university‐business cooperation (UBC) activities: research and development, mobility of academics and students, curriculum development and lifelong learning. It first provides an introductory overview of university‐business cooperation policy. It then presents a selection of UBC models, elements and processes that help to develop this area. In the second part, it introduces a UBC survey among enterprises in various European countries. With the survey, it first conceptualises an own research approach and, on this basis, studies the relations between UBC approaches and the processes, drivers, barriers, organisational characteristics and modes of cooperation. It explores which are the most practised UBC modes and the most important determinants. One of the key findings revealed that companies’ engagement in innovation departments supported all five modes of UBC under investigation. Other findings of the article suggest that national and European policies cannot uniformly address the development of various UBC modes. There are substantial differences between teaching‐ and research‐related activities. Integrating these two areas represents one of the biggest challenges with regard to orientating HE towards the world of work. It is related to the agreement on employers’ role in the overall development of graduates’ competencies and also on the future of academic teaching from the perspective of practical training.
Long‐term remission in a case of plasmablastic lymphoma treated with COMP (cyclophosphamide, liposomal doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) and bortezomib
Authors: Cencini Emanuele , Fabbri Alberto , Guerrini Susanna , Mazzei Maria Antonietta , Rossi Vania , Bocchia Monica
Published: December 2015

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare subtype of non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) strongly associated with HIV infection, even if cases in other immunosuppressed patients such as solid organ transplant recipients and in immunocompetent individuals have been increasingly reported. Current treatment strategy for HIV‐negative patients is similar to DLBCL as first‐line treatment, but durable remissions are seldom observed. Anthracycline‐containing regimens could be too toxic for elderly patients and/or with cardiac failure, because a non‐pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (NLD) could be used in this field. Bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor currently approved for patients with multiple myeloma and relapsed mantle‐cell lymphoma, has recently showed clinical activity in PBL patients. Herein, we report a rapid and long‐term remission of a PBL patient with cardiac failure and that had previously received a double kidney transplant, treated front‐line with COMP (with a NLD substituted for doxorubicin) followed by subcutaneous bortezomib consolidation. We suggest first‐line treatment outcome is determinant for PBL patients. Bortezomib has a promising role and should be incorporated in future clinical trials and NLD could represent a suitable option for patients with cardiac failure or high cardiovascular risk.
Fixed orthodontic appliances cause pain and disturbance in somatosensory function
Authors: Shen Huijie , Shao Sheng , Zhang Jinglu , Wang Zhendong , Lv Dong , Chen Wenjing , Svensson Peter , Wang Kelun
Published: December 2015

This study aimed to assess the short‐term effects of orthodontic pain on quantitative sensory testing (QST) in subjects receiving fixed orthodontic treatment. Twenty patients and 12 healthy volunteers (as controls) participated. All 20 patients had bonded AO self‐ligating brackets, with a 0.014 super elastic nickel‐titanium arch wire placed in the brackets. Pain [self‐reported on a visual analog scale (VAS)], and thermal and mechanical thresholds, were tested at six time points – before (baseline), and 2 h, 24 h, 7 d, 14 d, and 30 d after, force application – in the treatment group. The attached gingiva adjacent to the left upper central incisor (21 gingiva) was hypersensitive to cold stimuli (i.e. increased cold detection thresholds were detected) in the treatment group. The pressure pain thresholds of the left upper central incisor (21) and 21 gingiva were significantly reduced. Our results suggest clear signs of sensitization of the trigeminal nociceptive system up to 1 month after force application and orthodontic pain. Quantitative assessment of somatosensory function may help to provide a better understanding and profiling of the underlying neurobiological mechanisms related to orthodontic pain.
Promotion of adhesive penetration and resin bond strength to dentin using non‐thermal atmospheric pressure plasma
Authors: Kim Jae‐Hoon , Han Geum‐Jun , Kim Chang‐Keun , Oh Kyu‐Hwan , Chung Sung‐No , Chun Bae‐Hyeock , Cho Byeong‐Hoon
Published: December 2015

Non‐thermal atmospheric pressure plasmas (NT‐APPs) have been shown to improve the bond strength of resin composites to demineralized dentin surfaces. Based on a wet‐bonding philosophy, it is believed that a rewetting procedure is necessary after treatment with NT‐APP because of its air‐drying effect. This study investigated the effect of ‘plasma‐drying’ on the bond strength of an etch‐and‐rinse adhesive to dentin by comparison with the wet‐bonding technique. Dentin surfaces of human third molars were acid‐etched and divided into four groups according to the adhesion procedure: wet bonding, plasma‐drying, plasma‐drying/rewetting, and dry bonding. In plasma treatment groups, the demineralized dentin surfaces were treated with a plasma plume generated using a pencil‐type low‐power plasma torch. After the adhesion procedures, resin composite/dentin‐bonded specimens were subjected to a microtensile bond‐strength test. The hybrid layer formation was characterized by micro‐Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The plasma‐drying group presented significantly higher bond strength than the wet‐bonding and dry‐bonding groups. Micro‐Raman spectral analysis indicated that plasma‐drying improved the penetration and polymerization efficacy of the adhesive. Plasma‐drying could be a promising method to control the moisture of demineralized dentin surfaces and improve the penetration of adhesive and the mechanical property of the adhesive/dentin interface.
Change in presurgical diagnostic imaging evaluation affects subsequent pediatric epilepsy surgery outcome
Authors: Rubinger Luc , Chan Carol , D'Arco Felice , Moineddin Rahim , Muthaffar Osama , Rutka James T. , Snead O. Carter , Smith Mary Lou , Widjaja Elysa
Published: December 2015

Objective

Since 2008, we have changed our presurgical diagnostic imaging evaluation for medically refractory focal epilepsy to include high‐resolution epilepsy protocol on 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and combined magnetoencephalography and 18‐fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) in selected patients with normal or subtle changes on MRI or discordant diagnostic tests. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the change in imaging practice on epilepsy surgery outcome in a tertiary pediatric epilepsy surgery center.

Methods

The change in practice occurred in early 2008, and patients were classified based on old or new practice. The patient characteristics, surgical variables, and seizure‐free surgical outcome were compared, and the trend in seizure‐free outcome over time was assessed.

Results

There was a trend for increased abnormal MRI (92% vs. 86%, respectively, p = 0.062), and increased utilization of FDG‐PET (34% vs. 3% respectively, p < 0.001) with new relative to old practice. There were no statistically significant differences in invasive monitoring, location, and type of surgery and histology between the two periods (all p > 0.05). During the old practice, there was no statistically significant change in yearly trend of seizure‐free outcome (odds ratio [OR] 0.960, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.875–1.053, p = 0.386). The change in practice in 2008 was associated with a significant improvement in seizure‐free outcome (OR 1.535, 95% CI 1.100–2.142, p = 0.012). During the new practice, there was a significant positive trend in yearly seizure‐free outcome (OR 1.219, 95% CI 1.053–1.411, p = 0.008), after adjusting for age at seizure onset, invasive monitoring, location and type of surgery, histology, MRI, magnetoencephalography, and FDG‐PET.

Significance

We have found an improvement in seizure‐free surgical outcome following the change in imaging practice. This study highlights the importance of optimizing and improving presurgical diagnostic imaging evaluation to improve surgical outcome.
Fishes that rule the world: circumtropical distributions revisited
Authors: Gaither Michelle R , Bowen Brian W , Rocha Luiz A , Briggs John C
Published: December 2015

Briggs () published the first checklist of circumtropical fishes with 107 species. This work served for a half century as the most comprehensive checklist of globally distributed fishes, but the intervening years witnessed many discoveries, and molecular data have changed the way we evaluate species. Here, we update the list guided by taxonomic revisions, phylogenies, phylogeographic data and DNA barcodes. The resulting list now includes 284 species. The dramatic increase is primarily due to two trends: (i) continued oceanic exploration leading to range revisions and species discoveries and (ii) public databases such as FishBase and the Catalogue of Fishes make range data more accessible. Five species were removed from the list as closer scrutiny revealed multiple taxa, 14 were removed due to updated range information, and 35 more are suspected to be species complexes. The species listed here are mostly pelagic and bathypelagic fishes. Euryhaline, anadromous, catadromous, freshwater, and with few exceptions, reef fishes do not achieve global distributions. The most species‐rich family of marine fishes (Gobiidae) is absent. The fishes with the longest pelagic larval stage (Anguillidae) are absent. In contrast, requiem sharks (Carcharhinidae), tunas (Scombridae), jacks (Carangidae), remoras (Echeneidae) and especially lanternfishes (Myctophidae) have multiple representatives. The combined evidence indicates that high mobility as an adult is a key requirement to achieve a global distribution. Many others are members of monotypic genera or families, indicating old lineages that did not diversify. We conclude that global ranges may promote persistence over evolutionary timescales, but also reduce opportunities for speciation.