bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A machine learning approach to predicting autism risk genes: Validation of known genes and discovery of new candidates
Authors: Lin Ying , Rajadhyaksha Anjali M. , Potash James B. , Han Shizhong
Published: November 2018

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with a strong genetic basis. The role ofde novomutations in ASD has been well established, but the set of genes implicated to date is still far from complete. The current study employs a machine learning-based approach to predict ASD risk genes using features from spatiotemporal gene expression patterns in human brain, gene-level constraint metrics, and other gene variation features. The genes identified through our prediction model were enriched for independent sets of ASD risk genes, and tended to be differentially expressed in ASD brains, especially in the frontal and parietal cortex. The highest-ranked genes not only included those with strong prior evidence for involvement in ASD (for example,TCF20andFBOX11), but also indicated potentially novel candidates, such asDOCK3,MYCBP2andCAND1, which are all involved in neuronal development. Through extensive validations, we also showed that our method outperformed state-of-the-art scoring systems for ranking ASD candidate genes. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of our predicted risk genes revealed biological processes clearly relevant to ASD, including neuronal signaling, neurogenesis, and chromatin remodeling, but also highlighted other potential mechanisms that might underlie ASD, such as regulation of RNA alternative splicing and ubiquitination pathway related to protein degradation. Our study demonstrates that human brain spatiotemporal gene expression patterns and gene-level constraint metrics can help predict ASD risk genes. Our gene ranking system provides a useful resource for prioritizing ASD candidate genes.
Noninvasive prenatal detection of fetal trisomy and single gene disease by shotgun sequencing of placenta originated exosome DNA: a proof-of-concept validation
Authors: Zhang Weiting , Lu Sen , Zhao Jia , Pu Dandan , Zhang Haiping , Yang Lin , Zeng Peng , Su Fengxia , Chen Zhichao , Guo Mei , Gu Ying , Luo Yanmei , Hu Huamei , Lu Yanping , Zhang Hongyun , Chen Fang , Gao Ya
Published: November 2018

Background

During human pregnancy, Placental trophectoderm cells can release exosomes into maternal circulation. Trophoblast cells also give rise to cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and has been used for noninvasive prenatal screening for chromosomal aneuploidy. We intended to prove the existence of exosomal DNA (exoDNA) in the exosomes of maternal blood and compared exoDNA with plasma cfDNA in terms of genome distribution, fragment length, and the possibility of detecting genetic diseases.

Methods

Maternal blood from 20 euploid pregnancies, 9 T21 pregnancies, 3 T18 pregnancies, 1 T13 pregnancy and 2 pregnancies with FGFR3 mutations were obtained. Exosomes enriched from maternal plasma were confirmed by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), western blotting and flow cytometry. ExoDNA was extracted and its fetal origin was confirmed by realtime fluorescence quantitative PCR(Q-PCR). Besides, exoDNA content was uncovered by Q-PCR. To characterize exoDNA and compare with cfDNA, pair-end whole genome sequencing was performed. Lastly, the fetal risk of genetic diseases was analyzed using the exoDNA sequencing data.

Results

ExoDNA span on all 23 pairs of chromosomes and mitochondria, sharing a similar distribution pattern and higher GC content comparing with cfDNA. ExoDNA showed shorter fragments yet lower fetal fraction than cfDNA. ExoDNA could be used to determine fetal gender correctly, and all trisomies as well as de novo FGFR3 mutations.

Conclusions

We proved that fetal exoDNA could be identified in the exosomes extracted from maternal plasma. ExoDNA shared some similar features to cfDNA and could potentially be used to detect genetic diseases in fetus.
Rational Discovery of Dual-Action Multi-Target Kinase Inhibitor for Precision Anti-Cancer Therapy Using Structural Systems Pharmacology
Authors: Lim Hansaim , He Di , Qiu Yue , Krawczuk Patrycja , Sun Xiaoru , Xie Lei
Published: November 2018

Although remarkable progresses have been made in the cancer treatment, existing anti-cancer drugs are associated with increasing risk of heart failure, variable drug response, and acquired drug resistance. To address these challenges, for the first time, we develop a novel genome-scale multi-target screening platform 3D-REMAP that integrates data from structural genomics and chemical genomics as well as synthesize methods from structural bioinformatics, biophysics, and machine learning. 3D-REMAP enables us to discover marked drugs for dual-action agents that can both reduce the risk of heart failure and present anti-cancer activity. 3D-REMAP predicts that levosimendan, a drug for heart failure, inhibits serine/threonine-protein kinase RIOK1 and other kinases. Subsequent experiments confirm this prediction, and suggest that levosimendan is active against multiple cancers, notably lymphoma, through the direct inhibition of RIOK1 and RNA processing pathway. We further develop machine learning models to identify cancer cell-lines and patients that may respond to levosimendan. Our findings suggest that levosimendan can be a promising novel lead compound for the development of safe and effective multi-targeted cancer therapy, and demonstrate the potential of genome-wide multi-target screening in designing polypharmacology and drug repurposing for precision medicine.

Author Summary

Multi-target drug design (a.k.a targeted polypharmacology) has emerged as a new strategy for discovering novel therapeutics that can enhance therapeutic efficacy and overcome drug resistance in tackling multi-genic diseases such as cancer. However, it is extremely challenging for conventional computational tools that are either receptor-based or ligand-based to screen compounds for selectively targeting multiple receptors. Existing multi-target drug design mainly focuses on compound screening against receptors within the same gene family but not across different gene families. Here, we develop a new computational tool 3D-REMAP that enables us to identify chemical-protein interactions across fold space on a genome scale. The genome-scale chemical-protein interaction network allows us to discover dual-action drugs that can bind to two types of targets simultaneously, one for mitigating side effect and another for enhancing the therapeutic effect. Using 3D-REMAP, we predict and subsequently experiments validate that levosimendan, a drug for heart failure, is active against multiple cancers, notably, lymphoma. This study demonstrates the potential of genome-wide multi-target screening in designing polypharmacology and drug repurposing for precision medicine.
OrthoFinder: phylogenetic orthology inference for comparative genomics
Authors: Emms David M. , Kelly Steven
Published: November 2018

Here, we present a major advance of the OrthoFinder method. This extends OrthoFinder’s high accuracy orthogroup inference to provide phylogenetic inference of orthologs, rooted genes trees, gene duplication events, the rooted species tree, and comparative genomic statistics. Each output is benchmarked on appropriate real or simulated datasets and, where comparable methods exist, OrthoFinder is equivalent to or outperforms these methods. Furthermore, OrthoFinder is the most accurate ortholog inference method on the Quest for Orthologs benchmark test. Finally, OrthoFinder’s comprehensive phylogenetic analysis is achieved with equivalent speed and scalability to the fastest, score-based heuristic methods. OrthoFinder is available athttps://github.com/davidemms/OrthoFinder.
Novel Factor XIII variant identified through whole-genome sequencing in a child with intracranial hemorrhage
Authors: Briggs Benjamin , James Kiely N. , Chowdhury Shimul , Thornburg Courtney , Farnaes Lauge , Dimmock David , Kingsmore Stephen F. ,   on behalf of the RCIGM Investigators
Published: November 2018

Pediatric stroke can be either hemorrhagic or ischemic, with ∼5% of hemorrhagic strokes being caused by genetic coagulopathies. We report an 8 mo old presenting with a hemorrhagic stroke caused by severe Factor XIII deficiency (OMIM # 613225) in whom rapid whole-genome sequencing identified a novel variant in the F13A1 gene c.1352_1353delAT (p.His451ArgfsTer29).
Thresholding of cryo-EM density maps by false discovery rate control
Authors: Beckers Maximilian , Jakobi Arjen J. , Sachse Carsten
Published: November 2018

Cryo-EM now commonly generates close-to-atomic resolution as well as intermediate resolution maps from macromolecules observed in isolation andin situ. Interpreting these maps remains a challenging task owing to poor signal in the highest resolution shells and the necessity to select a threshold for density analysis. In order to facilitate this process, a statistical framework for the generation of confidence maps by multiple hypothesis testing and false discovery rate (FDR) control has been developed. In this way, three-dimensional confidence maps contain signal separated from background noise in the form of local detection rates of EM density values. It is demonstrated that confidence maps and FDR-based thresholding can be used for the interpretation of near-atomic resolution single-particle structures as well as lower resolution maps determined by subtomogram averaging. Confidence maps represent a conservative way of interpreting molecular structures owing to minimized noise. At the same time they provide a detection error with respect to background noise, which is associated with the density and is particularly beneficial for the interpretation of weaker cryo-EM densities in cases of conformational flexibility and lower occupancy of bound molecules and ions in the structure.
Buzzfeed Inc: native advertising the way forward?
Authors: Rishi Bikramjit , Mehta Aditya , Banerjee Poulomi , Deepak Akshay
Published: November 2018

Learning outcomes

This paper aims to understand the changing landscape of media and entertainment industry, to understand the difference between display advertising and native advertising, to know the standing of BuzzFeed in the industry and to know the strategic actions of BuzzFeed under the current competitive business environment.

Case overview/synopsis

Founded in 2006 as a viral lab, by Jonah Peretti and John S. Johnson, with the aim of tracking viral content, it caused disruption in the market with its entry and grew very rapidly. It was valued at $1.5bn in 2015, having raised money from numerous investors. The revenue of BuzzFeed was driven by the concept of native advertising. Catchy headlined articles conveyed the sense that BuzzFeed might be charging advertisers on basis of clicks, but this was not entirely true. Instead, BuzzFeed charged a fee from its clients for creating custom content targeting the customer base of the client. However, the year 2015 went tough for BuzzFeed when, as per the reports by Financial Times, it fell short of achieving its targeted revenue of US$250m by US$80m. It forced the company to revise and lower its target revenues for the year 2016 as well. The combined worldwide traffic to BuzzFeed saw a decline of up to 14 per cent. As Claire marketing head looked out of the window and pondered over the slashed revenue projections and the content related issues, the question on her mind was would native advertising sustain BuzzFeed in the longer run? BuzzFeed was known for its viral content and native advertising would involve finding a balance between what is good for the advertisers' brand and what will become viral. Buzzfeed ran a risk of losing brands to other modes of advertisement if they felt that native advertisement, which disguises the product within the content, was not meeting their expectations.

Complexity academic level

The case is targeted at students of post-graduation and under-graduation programs in Business Administration.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

Marketing
A prototype-targeting intervention for the promotion of healthy eating in adolescents
Authors: Dohnke Birte , Dewitt Tanja , Steinhilber Amina
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Unhealthy eating among adolescents from families with lower social status is a major concern. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and evaluation of a prototype-targeting intervention for the promotion of healthy eating in this target group.

Design/methodology/approach

The planning model intervention mapping (IM) was chosen to proceed systematically, to use theory and evidence herein and to make decisions transparent. A controlled study with three times of data assessment was conducted to evaluate process characteristics and effects (N=108).

Findings

“Provide opportunities for social comparison” (behavioural change technique 6.2) was chosen as change method and “perceived similarity” was identified as the condition for its effectiveness. An intervention unit was designed for application. The evaluation results show the feasibility of the unit; materials and activities successfully applied the change method and its condition for effectiveness; and intervention objectives were generally achieved.

Practical implications

A prototype-targeting intervention is provided that is based on theory and evidence, and is suitable for implementation. More generally, the paper can serve as a blueprint for the systematic planning of theory- and evidence-based interventions targeting specific personal determinants for behaviour change.

Originality/value

The paper makes an important contribution to the application of the prototype-related theory and a useful addition of IM to the growing field of intervention development and design.
What happens to the physical and psychosocial work environment when activity-based offices are introduced into academia?
Authors: Berthelsen Hanne , Muhonen Tuija , Toivanen Susanna
Published: November 2018

Purpose

There is an increased interest for introducing activity-based offices at universities. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the knowledge about the importance of the built environment for the psychosocial work environment within academia by analyzing how staff at a large Swedish university experienced the physical and psychosocial work environment before and after moving to activity-based offices.

Design/methodology/approach

A Web-based survey was distributed to all employees at two faculties at a university three months before (2015,n= 217, response rate 51 per cent) and nine months after (2016,n= 200, response rate 47 per cent) relocation to a new activity-based university building.

Findings

In the new premises, a vast majority (86 per cent) always occupied the same place when possible, and worked also more often from home. The social community at work had declined and social support from colleagues and supervisors was perceived to have decreased. The participants reported a lower job satisfaction after the relocation and were more likely to seek new jobs. No aspects in the physical or psychosocial work environment were found to have improved after the relocation.

Research/limitations implications

The study had a two-wave cross-sectional design, which does not allow establishing causal relations.

Practical implications

There is reason to be cautious about relocation to activity-based offices at universities. The potential savings in costs for premises may lead to may be followed by an increase in other costs. The risk that staff cannot concentrate on their work in activity-based university workplaces and lose their sense of community with colleagues are factors, which in the long run may lead to decreased efficiency, more conflicts and poorer well-being.

Originality/value

This paper contributes with new knowledge concerning changes in the physical and psychosocial work environment when relocating from cell offices to activity-based offices in a university setting.
Psychological antecedents to customized apparel purchases
Authors: Seo Sukyung , Lang Chunmin
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the influences of consumers’ internal-oriented psychological factors (i.e. self- promotion, need for uniqueness, self-expression and self-monitoring) and external-oriented psychological properties (i.e. social identity and other-directedness) on the perception of customization and the sense of extended-self; further to identify whether the perception of customization and the sense of extended-self lead to purchase intention toward customized apparel products.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through an online survey among college students in the USA, generating a valid sample size of 338 participants. Factor analysis and Structural Equation Modeling were utilized to test proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicated that need for uniqueness and self-monitoring were significantly related to consumers’ perception of customization and the sense of extended-self, whereas impacts of self-expression and other-directedness were not significant. Furthermore, the results also confirmed that consumers’ perception of customization and the sense of extended-self were positively associated with purchase intention of customized apparel products.

Originality/value

This study investigates consumers’ psychological features that influence consumers’ buying intention of customized apparel products, which is the first attempt. The study results are insightful and beneficial for marketers to construct target consumer segmentation under different cultural and social settings.
Brand equity, risk and return in Latin America
Authors: de Oliveira Marta Olivia Rovedder , Stefanan Aline Armanini , Lobler Mauri Leodir
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This study aims to compare the performance of stocks of companies with high brand equity with the stocks of other companies listed on the stock market of emerging countries of Latin America: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

Design/methodology/approach

The valuable brands (brands with high brand equity) considered were the most valuable Latin America brands according to the Millward Brown reports. Carhart four-factor model was used to analyze performance and the total sample included 732 stocks in the Latin American market collected at Economatica, monthly, for a period of 10 years.

Findings

The Valuable Brands Portfolio presents the lowest investment risk, suggesting that stocks of companies with valuable brands ensure lower risk investment to shareholders in these emerging markets.

Originality/value

This study is the first to associate brand equity with the creation of shareholder value in the context of emerging Latin American countries. In addition, the proposed method has also not been used previously to study emerging countries. The association found between a marketing asset (brand equity) and stock market performance contributes to improve the relationship between marketing and finance areas. The results of this study in emerging markets corroborate previous studies in developed markets, strongly suggesting the confirmation of the effect of brand equity on the reduction of risk stock.
Brand line extensions: creating new loyalties or internal variety-seeking?
Authors: Koschmann Anthony , Sheth Jagdish
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether line extensions (modified brands) create their own loyalties or induce variety-seeking within the brand. Prior research has explored how the branded house strategy (i.e. multiple products bearing the same brand name) retains customers from competing brands. However, this research investigates loyalty within the brand by comparing loyalty and variety-seeking rates of modified brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Markov chains examine behavioral loyalty and switching rates of panel households in the USA over several quarters for two family brands of carbonated beverages. Emphasis is placed on the consumers who purchase the upper median of volume (heavy half) and constitute a disproportionate amount of brand’s sales (86 per cent of the volume).

Findings

Three propositions find that loyalty rates are high among modified brands with little switching to other lines within the brand. Further, loyalty and switch to rates are highest for the flagship branded product (the master modified brand).

Practical implications

Managers segment the market using the branded house strategy, yet loyalty rates vary for each product line. The switching rates can guide managers as to which products have established a loyal consumer base.

Originality/value

While brand switching is a considerable research stream, this research is believed to be the first to explore loyalty versus variety-seeking in the branded house strategy.
Reference point based evolutionary multi-objective optimization with dynamic resampling for production systems improvement
Authors: Ng Amos H.C. , Siegmund Florian , Deb Kalyanmoy
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Stochastic simulation is a popular tool among practitioners and researchers alike for quantitative analysis of systems. Recent advancement in research on formulating production systems improvement problems into multi-objective optimizations has provided the possibility to predict the optimal trade-offs between improvement costs and system performance, before making the final decision for implementation. However, the fact that stochastic simulations rely on running a large number of replications to cope with the randomness and obtain some accurate statistical estimates of the system outputs, has posed a serious issue for using this kind of multi-objective optimization in practice, especially with complex models. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the performance enhancements of a reference point based evolutionary multi-objective optimization algorithm in practical production systems improvement problems, when combined with various dynamic re-sampling mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

Many algorithms consider the preferences of decision makers to converge to optimal trade-off solutions faster. There also exist advanced dynamic resampling procedures to avoid wasting a multitude of simulation replications to non-optimal solutions. However, very few attempts have been made to study the advantages of combining these two approaches to further enhance the performance of computationally expensive optimizations for complex production systems. Therefore, this paper proposes some combinations of preference-based guided search with dynamic resampling mechanisms into an evolutionary multi-objective optimization algorithm to lower both the computational cost in re-sampling and the total number of simulation evaluations.

Findings

This paper shows the performance enhancements of the reference-point based algorithm, R-NSGA-II, when augmented with three different dynamic resampling mechanisms with increasing degrees of statistical sophistication, namely, time-based, distance-rank and optimal computing buffer allocation, when applied to two real-world production system improvement studies. The results have shown that the more stochasticity that the simulation models exert, the more the statistically advanced dynamic resampling mechanisms could significantly enhance the performance of the optimization process.

Originality/value

Contributions of this paper include combining decision makers’ preferences and dynamic resampling procedures; performance evaluations on two real-world production system improvement studies and illustrating statistically advanced dynamic resampling mechanism is needed for noisy models.
Family control and ownership monitoring in Stakeholder-oriented corporate governance
Authors: Sakawa Hideaki , Watanabel Naoki
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Principal–principal conflicts between family shareholders and other shareholders have been investigated in emerging economies, but fewer studies have examined the effect of concentrated ownership on firm profitability and dividend payout in stakeholder-oriented systems. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether family control leads to principal–principal conflicts resulting in wealth expropriation of minority shareholders by family owners in stakeholder-oriented systems.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses large listed firms of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) in Japan during 2007–2016. Using 14,991 firm year observations, the authors analyze the effect of family control on dividend payout and firm performance to test the possibility of exploitation by family owners.

Findings

The authors find that family board members do not exploit minority shareholders and rather behave as stewards of the firm. The authors also find that foreign shareholders interact with family control to increase firm profitability, suggesting that foreign shareholders enhance the role of family board members as stewards.

Originality/value

Existing research on principal–principal conflicts tends to examine expropriation by family board members in emerging markets. This research reveals that family board members behave like stewards in the presence of stakeholder-oriented corporate governance mechanisms. In addition, foreign shareholders strengthen the stewardship role of family controlled firms.
Methodological proposals for the study of consumer experience
Authors: Becker Larissa
Published: November 2018

Purpose

As the consumer experience literature broadens in scope – specifically, from dyads to ecosystems and from provider-centric to consumer-centric perspective – traditional data collection methods are no longer adequate. In that context, the paper aims to discuss three little-used data collection methods that can contribute to this broader view of consumer experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper identifies methodological requirements for exploring the broadened view of consumer experience and reviews data collection methods currently in use.

Findings

The paper elaborates tailored guidelines for the study of consumer experience through first-hand, systemic and processual perspectives for three promising and currently underused data collection methods: phenomenological interviews, event-based approaches and diary methods.

Research limitations/implications

Although the list of identified methods is not exhaustive, the methods and guidelines discussed here can be used to advance empirical investigation of consumer experience as more broadly understood.

Practical implications

Practitioners can apply these methods to gain a more complete view of consumers’ experiences and so offer value propositions compatible with those consumers’ lifeworlds.

Originality/value

The paper principally contributes to the literature in two ways: by defining the methodological requirements for investigating consumer experience from consumer-centric, systemic and processual perspectives, and by specifying a set of data collection methods that meet these requirements, along with tailored guidelines for their use.
Bordetella bronchiseptica Bcr4 antagonizes the negative regulatory function of BspR via its role in type III secretion
Authors: Nishimura Ryutaro , Abe Akio , Sakuma Yusuke , Kuwae Asaomi
Published: November 2018

Bordetella species, including B. pertussis, have a type III secretion system that is highly conserved among gram‐negative pathogenic bacteria. Genes encoding the component proteins of the type III secretion system are localized at the bsc locus in the Bordetella genome. Here, the function of a hypothetical protein Bcr4 encoded at the bsc locus in the B. bronchiseptica genome was investigated. A Bcr4‐deficient mutant was created and the amounts of type III secreted proteins (e.g., BopB, BopN and Bsp22) in both the supernatant fraction and whole‐cell lysates of the Bcr4‐deficient mutant were determined. It was found that the amounts of these proteins were significantly lower than in the wild‐type strain. The amounts of type III secreted proteins in the supernatant fraction and whole‐cell lysates were much greater in a Bcr4‐overproducing strain than in the wild‐type strain. The type III secreted protein BspR reportedly negatively regulates the type III secretion system. Here, it was observed that a Bcr4 + BspR double‐knockout mutant did not secrete type III secreted proteins, whereas the amounts of these proteins in whole‐cell lysates of this mutant were nearly equal to those in whole‐cell lysates of the BspR‐deficient mutant. Bcr4 thus appears to play an essential role in the extracellular secretion of type III secreted proteins. Our data also suggest that Bcr4 antagonizes the negative regulatory function of BspR.
Mycelia‐derived C contributes more to nitrogen cycling than root‐derived C in ectomycorrhizal alpine forests
Authors: Zhang Ziliang , Phillips Richard P. , Zhao Wenqiang , Yuan Yuanshuang , Liu Qing , Yin Huajun
Published: November 2018

Plant roots and their associated microbial symbionts impact carbon (C) and nutrient cycling in ecosystems, but estimates of the relative contributions of root‐ versus microbe‐derived dynamic inputs are highly uncertain. Roots release C into soil via exudation and turnover (i.e., root‐derived C), but also by allocating C to mycorrhizal fungal mycelia, which exude C and undergo turnover (i.e., mycelia‐derived C). Given that the relative contributions of root‐ and mycelia‐derived C inputs are unknown, a key knowledge gap lies in understanding not only the relative contributions of root‐ versus mycelia‐derived C inputs, but also the consequences of these fluxes on nutrient cycling.

Using ingrowth cores and stable isotope analyses, we quantified root‐ and mycelia‐derived C inputs into the soil and their relative contributions to nitrogen (N) cycling in two ectomycorrhizal alpine forests, a 70‐year‐old spruce plantation and a 200‐year‐old spruce‐fir dominated forest, in western Sichuan, China.

Across the two forests, extramatrical mycelia of ectomycorrhizal fungi accounted for up to two‐thirds of the new root C inputs into soil and ~80% of the stimulated N mineralization. Moreover, flux‐specific (per gram) mycelia‐derived C inputs stimulated multiple indices of soil N cycling to a greater degree than the flux‐specific root‐derived C inputs, accounting for ~70% of the stimulated N mineralization in both forests.

Collectively, our findings indicate that the effects of mycorrhizal fungi on soil C and N cycling may exceed those of roots in alpine coniferous forests dominated by ectomycorrhizal fungi, highlighting the need to incorporate mycorrhizal fungal inputs into biogeochemical models for ecosystems.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
A qualitative investigation of former Taiwanese unaccompanied minors’ culture‐based conflicts with parents
Authors: Lee Hsin‐Hua , Kasson David M. , Chong Shiqin
Published: November 2018

The purposes of the study were to investigate (a) the role Taiwanese culture played during former unaccompanied minors’ transition to the US, (b) the type of acculturation conflicts with parents they experienced, and (c) how they managed them. Five former Taiwanese unaccompanied minors who remained in the US, and four who have returned to Taiwan after completing their education, were interviewed. Results demonstrated that there were no distinct differences between the two subsamples. The majority of the participants reported that Taiwanese culture was meaningful for them during the transition. Many of them reported feeling closer to their parents after immigration, experienced various types of acculturation conflicts, and became more flexible in how they managed these conflicts over time. Adherence to native culture appears to be psychologically protective, and acculturation conflict with parents may be adequately managed despite the long‐term physical separation.

Practitioner points

Accessing one’s native community and culture may be particularly helpful for unaccompanied minors during adolescence

Physical separation from parents among this population may or may not be predictive of family functioning

Some unaccompanied minors may use avoidance in order to manage acculturation conflict with parents, which may be out of convenience

Marriage and relationships are the primary source of acculturation conflict for this population in adulthood
Group formation, styles, and grammars of commonality in local activism
Authors: Luhtakallio Eeva
Published: November 2018

This article argues that in order to analyse democracy as a pattern constantly processed in a given society, it is useful to look at activist groups’ agenda setting and recruitment principles, group bonds and boundaries, and how these actions direct and influence ways of creating the common. Based on an ethnographic study on bicycle activism in Helsinki, Finland, it describes a local critical mass movement that was successful in promoting a bicycle friendly and sustainable city, yet dissolved due to lack of people involved, and the bicycle demonstrations stopped at a moment of high public interest. This empirical puzzle is addressed by combining three theoretical perspectives: Kathleen Blee’s work on path dependencies in nascent activist groups; Nina Eliasoph and Paul Lichterman’s work on group styles, and Laurent Thévenot’s work on the grammars of commonality. These theoretical tools help understand the sense of what is deemed possible, desirable and feasible in activist groups, and the consequences thereof to social movement ‘success’ and ‘failure’. The article claims that everyday practices and interaction are crucial in understanding the ‘democratic effects’ of social movements. It concludes that following specific processes of politicization and their conditionings in activist groups provides keys to understanding contextual differences in democracies without resorting to methodological nationalism or to exaggerated global isomorphism, and thus may contribute to figuring out how to succeed global action plans over wicked, pressing problems like global warming.
Characteristics of accidental injuries from power tools treated at two emergency departments in Queensland
Authors: Judge Chantelle , Eley Rob , Miyakawa‐Liu Monica , Brown Nathan J , McCosker Laura , Livesay Georgia , Hughes James A , Vallmuur Kirsten
Published: November 2018

Objective

Injuries are a major burden on the Australian healthcare system. Power tool usage is a common cause of accidental injury. A better understanding of the trends of power tool injuries will inform prevention strategies and potentially mitigate costs.

Methods

The ED databases from two level 1 hospitals were reviewed for presentations between 2005 and 2015 resulting from accidental injury with power tools. A subgroup of patients presenting to one hospital between 2016 and 2017 were interviewed about the activities and circumstances that led to their injuries, and followed up 3 months later to assess outcomes.

Results

A total of 4057 cases of accidental injury from power tool use were identified. Power saws and grinders contributed to 54% of injuries. Most injuries were located on an upper limb (48%) or the head and neck (30%). Over half (54%) of all head injuries were associated with metal and wood fragments to the eye from grinders, drills and saws. Hospital admission rates were highest for patients aged >60 years. Injuries to females were <5% of all presentations, but 40% of those caused by lawnmowers. Among the 200 patients interviewed, lapses in concentration during use, and modification and inappropriate use of a power tool were the main contributors to injury. Recovery periods >3 months were common.

Conclusions

Accidental injuries from power tool use have a considerable impact on ED resources and can affect the long‐term quality of life of those injured. Effective education about safe usage and protection may prevent many injuries.
Low additive effect of hydroxychloroquine on Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus taking calcineurin inhibitor
Authors: Hanaoka Hironari , Iida Harunobu , Kiyokawa Tomofumi , Takakuwa Yukiko , Kawahata Kimito
Published: November 2018

Aim

To assess for any additive value of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) depending on calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs).

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated patients with SLE who visited our hospital from 2015 to 2016 and were taking prednisolone (PSL) at <20 mg/d and one immunosuppressant (IS). Patients were divided into two groups depending on HCQ use and the groups were compared for changes in SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), prednisolone (PSL) dose, and cumulative flare rate between patients who were treated and not treated with CNI.

Results

Among the 103 patients evaluated, 19 (18.4%) were treated with HCQ. On analysis of all patients, SLEDAI, PSL doses, and cumulative flare rate were significantly reduced in patients who received HCQ compared to those who did not (P = 0.04, P = 0.01, and P = 0.03, respectively). Regarding IS use, we found less additive therapeutic effect in CNI users than in users of other ISs in terms of reduction in SLEDAI and PSL dose (P = 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively).

Conclusions

The addition of HCQ reduced disease activity, PSL dose, and flares in Japanese SLE patients but conferred less additive clinical efficacy when added to CNIs.
Needle‐free jet versus conventional needle injection for local anesthesia in men undergoing surgical sperm retrieval
Authors: Khoa L. D. , Quang T. N. , Toan P. D. , Loc N. M. T. , Diem N. T. N. , Dang V. Q. , Vu H. N. A. , Mol B. W. , Handelsman D. J.
Published: November 2018

Background

Surgical sperm retrieval, requiring local anesthetic injection, is the most frequent surgical procedure in male infertility. However, needle phobia is common and may contribute to negative experiences or refusal of procedures employing needle injection.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the acceptability, safety, and efficacy of needle‐free jet anesthetic technique (MadaJet) with conventional needle injection for surgical sperm retrievals in patients with azoospermia.

Materials and methods

This single‐blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) was included of 59 participants who underwent surgical sperm retrievals. Patients were randomly assigned to the needle‐free jet (n = 29) or needle injection (n = 30) groups prior to undergoing the surgery. The primary endpoint was the pain score.

Results

Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The safety and adverse outcomes were also not statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). The pain score in patients using needle‐free jet was significantly lower than that in patients using needle injection (p < 0.05). Patients in MadaJet group had a significantly lower discomfort score during (p < 0.001) and after (p = 0.01) injection than those in the needle injection group. However, there was no significant difference in the fear score (before, during, and after) of MadaJet and needle injection (p = 0.98, p = 0.74, and p = 0.94, respectively). The mean time to onset of anesthesia was much shorter in the MadaJet group as compared with needle injection (10 ± 4 vs. 157.5 ± 71 s, p < 0.001). However, the duration of anesthesia in patients using MadaJet was shorter compared with those using needle injection (44 ± 13 vs. 63 ± 26 min, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In conclusion, for local anesthesia in patients undergoing surgical sperm retrieval, MadaJet produces less pain and discomfort with quicker time to onset and offset of anesthesia compared with conventional needle injection.
Penile doppler ultrasound predicts cardiovascular events in men with erectile dysfunction
Authors: Caretta N. , De Rocco Ponce M. , Minicuci N. , Palego P. , Valente U. , Garolla A. , Ferlin A. , Foresta C.
Published: November 2018

Background

Traditional risk factors used to assess cardiovascular risk miss a significant population who are indeed at risk for future cardiac events. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an emerging marker for future cardiovascular disease (CVD) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), especially in young and middle‐aged men with vasculogenic ED. Cavernous arteries morphological alterations at penile colour doppler ultrasound (P‐CDU) are used to find a vasculogenic ED.

Objectives

We investigated the possible relationship between cavernous arteries morphological alterations at P‐CDU assessment and future MACE.

Materials and methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 300 ED patients, aged 35–65 years (mean age 54.1 ± 7.1), with a follow‐up period of 10 years. Patients underwent vascular evaluation including P‐CDU, colour doppler ultrasound of the carotid and lower limbs arteries. At baseline data for glucose metabolism, lipid profile, hypertension and hormonal status were collected. During the follow‐up period, the occurrence of MACE was evaluated.

Results

We found a strong association between cavernous arteries morphological alterations and CVD with a threefold increased risk of future MACE in comparison to patients with healthy cavernous arteries (RR 3.2, 95% CI 1.17–8.78). This association remained statistically significant after adjustment for CV risk factors (age, glycaemia, total cholesterol, hypertension and smoke).

Conclusions

Morphological alterations of cavernous arteries are independently associated with an increased risk of future MACE. These data contribute to the formulation of the hypothesis that cavernous artery pathology at P‐CDU is related to MACE.
Automatic computer‐aided analysis of optic disc pallor in fundus photographs
Authors: Yang Hee Kyung , Oh Ji Eun , Han Sang Beom , Kim Kwang Gi , Hwang Jeong‐Min
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Assessment of optic disc pallor in fundus photographs may be frequently misinterpreted due to the subjective nature of interpretation. We developed a fully automatic computer‐aided detection (CAD) system for optic disc pallor using colour fundus photographs and evaluated the accuracy of the system.

Methods

A newly proposed CAD system was developed for automated segmentation and image analysis of optic disc pallor, and a logistic regression model was developed for risk analysis. A total of 230 photographs with variable degree of optic disc pallor, and 123 normal optic discs confirmed by optical coherence tomography were tested for validation of the software. Sensitivity and specificity of the CAD system in automatic detection of optic disc pallor using colour fundus photographs were evaluated. The results of manual detection of optic disc pallor on fundus photographs by two independent ophthalmologists were compared with the efficacy of the CAD system.

Results

The fully automated CAD system achieved a sensitivity of 95.3% and a specificity of 96.7% for detecting optic disc pallor in colour fundus images. The overall accuracy of the CAD system was 96.1%, which was superior to the results of manual detection by individual examiners.

Conclusions

We developed an automated CAD system that successfully detected optic disc pallor in fundus photographs. The proposed algorithm can assist the clinical judgement of ophthalmologists for detecting optic disc pallor in fundus photographs.
Current treatment paradigms for advanced stage Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Longley Jemma , Johnson Peter W. M.
Published: November 2018

The treatment of advanced classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL) has evolved over the last 50 years with a progressive improvement in long term cure rates in patients up to the age of 60 years. However, a minority of these survivors experience severe morbidity and mortality resulting from intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, leading to a drive to de‐escalate treatment without compromising survival. The early identification of patients with chemoresistant disease by functional imaging allows the modulation of therapy and an efficient means to test new agents in those most in need of more effective therapy. The outcomes of treatment for older patients have not improved at the same rate, and this group requires a different approach, incorporating specialist geriatric support to personalise therapy. Clinical trials that focus on quality of life, comorbidity and survival are needed to improve survival rates for this expanding population with complex needs.
Dialoguing the difference: A reply to Batel and Castro's ‘Re‐opening the dialogue between the Theory of Social Representations and Discursive Psychology’
Authors: Augoustinos Martha
Published: November 2018

Batel and Castro's call for reopening the dialogue between the theory of social representations and discursive psychology is to be welcomed and indeed, somewhat long overdue. Despite the case that many scholars are engaging in the kind of rapprochement being advocated for by Batel and Castro, I argue here that the intellectual trajectory discursive psychology has taken during the last thirty years makes it less amenable to the kind of reconciliation called for by Batel and Castro. Two enduring tensions between the two theories that require resolution remain: (1) how we define discursive psychology as it is practised today and (2) the epistemological and ontological status of cognition.
Tumor‐derived exosomal proteins as diagnostic biomarkers in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Niu Limin , Song Xingguo , Wang Ning , Xue Linlin , Song Xianrang , Xie Li
Published: November 2018

Accumulating evidence supports a role for exosomal protein in diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to identify the tumor‐derived exosomal biomarkers in the serum that improve the diagnostic value in Chinese non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Serum exosomes were isolated from healthy donors (n = 46) and NSCLC patients (n = 125) by ultracentrifugation and were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, qNano, and immunoblotting. Proteomic profiles (by mass spectrometry) revealed multiple differentially expressed proteins in the healthy and NSCLC groups. The exosomal expression levels of alpha‐2‐HS‐glycoprotein (AHSG) and extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) increased significantly in the NSCLC patients compared to the healthy group. Alpha‐2‐HS‐glycoprotein showed diagnostic values with a maximum area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) as 0.736 for NSCLC vs healthy individuals (P < .0001) and 0.682 for early stage NSCLC vs healthy individuals (P < .01). Extracellular matrix protein 1 showed the diagnostic capacity with AUC values of 0.683 (P < .001) and 0.656 (P < .05) in cancer and early stage NSCLC compared to healthy individuals. When AHSG was combined with ECM1, the AUCs were 0.795 and 0.739 in NSCLC and early stage patients, respectively. Taken together, the combination of AHSG, ECM1, and carcinoembryonic antigen improved the diagnostic potential of NSCLC. The diagnosis values were AUC of 0.938 for NSCLC and 0.911 for early stage NSCLC vs healthy individuals. Our results suggest that novel proteomic signatures found in serum exosomes of NSCLC patients show potential usefulness as diagnostic tools.