bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local and Systemic Inflammation in Localized, Provoked Vestibulodynia
Authors: Chalmers K. Jane , Madden Victoria J. , Hutchinson Mark R. , Moseley G. Lorimer
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVE:

To synthesize and critically evaluate all available evidence investigating whether localized, provoked vestibulodynia is associated with a specific inflammatory profile at both a local and a systemic level.

DATA SOURCES:

Comprehensive electronic searches were performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Collaboration databases, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The search strategy was developed using MeSH terms related to localized, provoked vestibulodynia, and inflammatory markers.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION:

Two independent investigators screened titles and abstracts and performed data extraction and risk of bias assessments. Studies were included if they reported at least one baseline inflammatory marker in women with localized, provoked vestibulodynia and compared them with healthy women. Reference lists from published reviews on localized, provoked vestibulodynia were screened for additional studies.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS:

There were 1,619 studies identified. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria, including 400 women with localized, provoked vestibulodynia and 212 healthy women in a control group. Risk of bias assessment revealed that the methodologic quality was generally low. Fifteen studies investigated local inflammation and three studies investigated systemic inflammation. On a local level, the number of mast cells expressed in vestibular tissues was greater in women with localized, provoked vestibulodynia expressed than in women in the control group. Several studies reported undefined inflammatory infiltrate in vestibular tissues to a greater level in women with localized, provoked vestibulodynia than in women in the control group. Systemically, levels of natural killer cells were lower in women with localized, provoked vestibulodynia than in women in the control group. There were no systemic differences in systemic interferon-α and interferon-ϒ levels between groups.

CONCLUSION:

There is limited and contradictory evidence regarding the characteristics of local and systemic inflammation in women with localized, provoked vestibulodynia.
Whose Choice? Developing a Unifying Ethical Framework for Conscience Laws in Health Care
Authors: Brown Benjamin P. , Hasselbacher Lee , Chor Julie
Published: July 2016

Since abortion became legal nationwide, federal and state “conscience clauses” have been established to define the context in which health professionals may decline to participate in contested services. Patients and health care providers may act according to conscience in making health care decisions and in deciding whether to abstain from or to participate in contested services. Historically, however, conscience clauses largely have equated conscience in health care with provider abstinence from such services. We propose a framework to analyze the ethical implications of conscience laws. There is a rich literature on the exercise of conscience in the clinical encounter. This essay addresses the need to ensure that policy, too, is grounded in an ethical framework. We argue that the ideal law meets three standards: it protects patients' exercise of conscience, it safeguards health care providers' rights of conscience, and it does not contradict standards of ethical conduct established by professional societies. We have chosen Illinois as a test of our framework because it has one of the nation's broadest conscience clauses and because an amendment to ensure that women receive consistent access to contested services has just passed in the state legislature. Without such an amendment, Illinois law fails all three standards of our framework. If signed by the governor, the amended law will provide protections for patients' positive claims of conscience. We recommend further protections for providers' positive claims as well. Enacting such changes would offer a model for how ethics-based analysis could be applied to similar policies nationwide.
Duration of Oxytocin and Rupture of the Membranes Before Diagnosing a Failed Induction of Labor
Authors: Kawakita Tetsuya , Reddy Uma M. , Iqbal Sara N. , Landy Helain J. , Huang Chun-Chih , Hoffman Matthew , Sciscione Anthony C. , Grantz Katherine L.
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVE:

To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes based on length of the latent phase during induction with rupture of membranes before 6 cm dilation.

METHODS:

This is a retrospective cohort study using data from the Consortium of Safe Labor study, including 9,763 nulliparous and 8,379 multiparous women with singleton, term pregnancies undergoing induction at 2 cm dilation or less with rupture of membranes before 6 cm dilation after which the latent phase ended. Outcomes were evaluated according to duration of oxytocin and rupture of membranes.

RESULTS:

At time points from 6 to 18 hours of oxytocin and rupture of membranes, the rates of nulliparous women remaining in the latent phase declined (35.9–1.4%) and the rates of vaginal delivery for those remaining in the latent phase at these time periods decreased (54.1–29.9%) Nulliparous women remaining in the latent phase for 12 hours compared with women who had exited the latent phase had significantly increased rates of chorioamnionitis (12.1% compared with 4.1%) and endometritis (3.6% compared with 1.3%) and increased rates of neonatal intensive care unit admission (8.7% compared with 6.3%). Similar patterns were present for multiparous women at 15 hours.

CONCLUSION:

Based on when neonatal morbidity increased, in an otherwise uncomplicated induction of labor with rupture of membranes, a latent phase after initiation of oxytocin of at least 12 hours for nulliparous women and 15 hours in multiparous women is a reasonable criterion for diagnosing a failed induction.
Experience With Opportunistic Salpingectomy in a Large, Community-Based Health System in the United States
Authors: Garcia Christine , Martin Maria , Tucker Lue-Yen , Lyon Liisa , Armstrong Mary Anne , McBride-Allen Sally , Littell Ramey D. , Alabaster Amy , Raine-Bennett Tina , Powell C. Bethan
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the trend in uptake of salpingectomy at the time of hysterectomy and assess physicians' attitudes toward the practice.

METHODS:

This was a retrospective cohort study using the electronic medical record to identify women 18 years of age or older undergoing hysterectomy from June 2011 to May 2014 in a large integrated health care delivery system. The primary outcome was the change in rate of opportunistic salpingectomy over time and after a systemwide practice recommendation was issued in May 2013. Secondary outcomes included data on blood loss, operating time, and length of stay.

RESULTS:

Of the 12,143 hysterectomies performed over the 3-year study period, 7,498 were performed without oophorectomy. There was a statistically significant rise in rate of salpingectomy over time from 14.7% for June 2011 to May 2012 to 44.6% from June 2012 to May 2013 and to 72.7% from June 2013 to May 2014 (P<.001). Sixty-one percent of laparoscopic hysterectomies were performed with salpingectomy, whereas only 25% of abdominal and 17% of vaginal hysterectomies had salpingectomies. Median estimated blood loss was lower in the salpingectomy group, 100 compared with 150 mL (P<.01). There was a significantly shorter median operating time (147 compared with 154 minutes, P=.002) for laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy compared with laparoscopic hysterectomy alone.

CONCLUSION:

Rates of salpingectomy increased significantly over time, consistent with the high reported acceptance rate reported by health care providers and highlighting the importance of physician education to improve compliance with risk-reducing clinical strategies.
What Is New in Estrogen Agonists and Antagonists?
Authors: Stovall Dale W.
Published: July 2016

This month we focus on current research in estrogen agonists and antagonists. Dr. Stovall discusses four recent publications, which are concluded with a “bottom line” that is the take-home message. The complete reference for each can be found in Box 1 on this page, along with direct links to the abstracts.
Overall Survival in Spine Myeloma Metastases: Difficulties in Predicting With Prognostic Scores
Authors: Amelot Aymeric , Cristini Joseph , Salaud Céline , Moles Alexis , Hamel Olivier , Moreau Philippe , Bord Eric , Buffenoir Kevin
Published: July 2016

Study Design.

Fifty-one patients with spinal multiple myeloma (MM) metastases were operated and followed between January 2004 and July 2014.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to consider the efficiency of surgical prognosis scores in the management of spinal metastases myelomas.

Summary of Background Data.

The spine is the most common site of bone metastases in MM. Surgery in spine metastases MM is a matter of debate and its impact on the increase of a patient's survival time is not clear. Several surgical survival scores have been developed to determine the best treatment in these patients.

Methods.

We studied 51 patients operated for spinal MM metastases between January 2004 and July 2014. We determined the Tokuhashi and Tomita survival scores and compared them with documented patient survivals. The two scores were also compared with the International Staging System (ISS).

Results.

Median survival (MS) was 108 months [standard deviation (SD) 62] for ISS I, 132.2 (SD 40) for ISS II, and 45.5 months (SD 16.3) for ISS III (P = 0.09). According to Tokuhashi survival score, 21 patients (41.2%) will survive <6 months, 6 (11.8%) 6 to 12 months, and 24 (47%) >12 months. According to Tomita et al., 50 patients (98%) will survive >49.9 months and 1 patient (2%) <15 months. Regardless of the ISS grade prognosis, Tokuhashi survival score, and to a lesser extent Tomita score, underestimated the actual survival very significantly [P < 0.0001, Log Rank (Mantel-Cox)].

Conclusion.

We suggest that spine surgical prognosis scores are not accurate and are not able to predict the survival of patients with spine myeloma metastases. Spine surgeons have to be guided not by the initial ISS stage but rather by spinal instability and neurological status.

Level of Evidence: N/A
Neurotropic Gamma-Delta T-Cell Lymphoma With CD30-Positive Lymphoid Infiltrates
Authors: Gammon Bryan , Gammon Benjamin R. , Kim Youn H. , Kim Jinah
Published: July 2016

Primary cutaneous gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma (PCGD-TCL) is a clonal proliferation of gamma-delta T cells with a cytotoxic phenotype that is typically characterized by an aggressive clinical course with ulcerative plaques or subcutaneous nodules. In this report, the authors describe a patient who developed an ulcerated tumor on the left upper extremity and painful papules and nodules on the right lower extremity. Interestingly, several of the papulonodules on the right lower extremity underwent spontaneous involution. A skin biopsy of the papulonodular lesion demonstrated a superficial and deep perivascular interstitial infiltrate with a population of pleomorphic enlarged CD30-positive T cells. These enlarged lymphocytes lacked expression of TCR beta, CD4, CD8, and the pan T-cell antigen CD7, but were positive for TCR gamma, supporting the diagnosis of PCGD-TCL. The patient rapidly developed pain and severe weakness in the left upper limb and MRI revealed extensive neurolymphomatosis of the left brachial plexus. The patient was treated with chemotherapy with complete remission achieved. Unfortunately, her response was transient and the patient relapsed and ultimately died due to her disease. In this article, the authors describe an extraordinary case of a CD30-positive PCGD-TCL to expand the histopathological spectrum of CD30-positive and gamma-delta–positive lymphoproliferative disorders.
Annular Lichenoid Dermatitis (of Youth) Immunohistochemical and Serological Evidence for Another Clinical Presentation of Borrelia Infection in Patients of Western Austria
Authors: Wilk Michael , Zelger Bettina G. , Emberger Michael , Zelger Bernhard
Published: July 2016

Annular lichenoid dermatitis of youth (ALDY) is a more recently described inflammatory disease of the skin of unknown etiology with clinical similarities to morphea. The authors clinically, histopathologically, and immunohistochemically investigated 14 biopsies from 12 patients in western Austria with this disease. There were 6 female and 6 male patients with solitary (n = 7) and multiple lesions (n = 5) affecting the trunk (n = 11), upper arm (n = 2), thigh (n = 1), and calf (n = 1). Clinically, early lesions were erythematous in nature leading to central paleness, scaling, wrinkling, dermal atrophy, slight pigmentation, and telangiectasia later on. Histopathologically, all specimens showed the typical features of ALDY with a superficial lichenoid process with sprinkling of lymphocytes along the basal cell layer and within the epidermis accompanied by mild fibrosis. Pigment incontinence, superficial fibrosis, and dilatation of superficial capillary vessels are prominent features in more advanced stages of disease. Immunohistologically, using a polyclonal antibody against Borrelia, 11/14 specimens revealed spirochetes, either vital (n = 4) or degenerated (n = 7), in close proximity to collagen bundles. Thirteen of 14 specimens in addition showed focal (n = 4) or clustered (n = 9) positivity for CD20 in the papillary dermis. Nine of 12 sera tested for Borrelia with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were positive. Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and morphea have previously been reported to be possibly related to Borrelia infection. We postulate that a similar relationship to Borrelia infection may be true for ALDY implying that ALDY may be an early superficial stage of morphea.
Chlorhexidine Keratitis: Safety of Chlorhexidine as a Facial Antiseptic
Authors: Steinsapir Kenneth D. , Woodward Julie A.
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUND

Effective antiseptic to reduce surgical site infections is a cornerstone of modern surgery. Chlorhexidine gluconate–based antiseptics are among the most effective of these products. Unfortunately, chlorhexidine solutions are toxic to the cornea and middle ear, and they pose a splash risk to both the patient and health care personnel.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the clinical evidence that led to the disavowal of chlorhexidine antiseptic solution for use on the face and head.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Reference searches were performed using PubMed, Embase, and LexisNexis databases without restriction to the date of publication, language, or study setting.

RESULTS

The literature revealed 11 sentinel cases of severe chlorhexidine-related keratitis in the late 1980s. These cases are reviewed together with data on ototoxicity and alternative products to understand why chlorhexidine solution should not be used on the face and scalp.

CONCLUSION

Chlorhexidine antiseptic solutions are highly effective. However, they pose a risk to the middle ear and have the potential to irreversibly damage the cornea with a minimal splash exposure. Povidone–iodine is a safe and effective alternative.
Effect of Ondansetron on QT Interval in Patients Cared for in the PICU
Authors: Trivedi Sangita , Schiltz Brenda , Kanipakam Rakesh , Bos Johan Martijn , Ackerman Michael J. , Ouellette Yves
Published: July 2016

Objectives:

There is no evidence regarding the effect of ondansetron on the QT interval in pediatric patients in the ICU. This study aimed to describe the effect of ondansetron on the corrected QT interval in patients cared for in the PICU.

Design:

Retrospective cohort, consecutive enrollment study.

Setting:

Single-center, tertiary-level, medical/surgical PICU.

Patients:

All patients less than 8 years old who received ondansetron over an 11-month period were included. Exclusion criteria were atrial arrhythmia, bundle-branch block, known congenital long QT syndrome, and concomitant administration of proarrhythmic antiarrhythmic agents.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Overall, 210 doses of ondansetron were administered to 107 patients, with a mean age 10.5 ± 4.8 years; 49% were men. Corrected QT interval increased to 460–500 ms in 29% and to more than 500 ms in 11% of events of ondansetron administration. The mean baseline corrected QT interval even before ondansetron administration was higher for these groups (460–500 and > 500 ms; 457 ± 33 and 469 ± 45, respectively; p ≤ 0.05). In multivariate analysis, both groups were associated significantly with underlying electrolyte abnormalities (odds ratio, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1–4.4 and odds ratio, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.8–15.7, respectively); the group with corrected QT interval more than 500 ms was also significantly associated with organ dysfunction (odds ratio, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.1–9.4). As the numbers of risk factors increased from only ondansetron to three additional QT aggravating factors (electrolyte abnormalities, administration of other QT-prolonging drugs, and organ dysfunction), the likelihood of being associated with corrected QT interval more than 500 ms increased.

Conclusions:

Prolonged QT interval is observed commonly in PICUs following the administration of ondansetron. Underlying risk factors, such as electrolyte abnormalities and organ dysfunction, seem to pose the highest risk of prolongation of QT interval in these patients. The awareness of prevalent risk factors for increased corrected QT interval may help identify patients at high risk for arrhythmias.
Changes in Condomless Sex and Serosorting Among Men Who Have Sex With Men After HIV Diagnosis
Authors: Khosropour Christine M. , Dombrowski Julia C. , Kerani Roxanne P. , Katz David A. , Barbee Lindley A. , Golden Matthew R.
Published: July 2016

Background:

Among men who have sex with men (MSM) diagnosed with HIV, high-risk sexual behaviors may decline in the year after diagnosis. The sustainability of these changes is unknown.

Methods:

We created a retrospective cohort (Seroconversion Cohort) of MSM attending an STD clinic in Seattle, Washington who tested HIV positive between 2001 and 2013 and had a negative HIV test <2 years before diagnosis. We randomly selected 1000 HIV-negative controls (men who always tested HIV negative) who were frequency-matched to the Seroconversion Cohort based on HIV diagnosis year. 12-month sexual behavior data were collected at each clinic visit. We examined condomless anal intercourse (CAI) with HIV-negative, HIV-positive, and HIV unknown-status partners before diagnosis and up to 4 years thereafter.

Results:

Of the 26,144 clinic visits where MSM tested for HIV, there were 655 (2.5%) new HIV diagnoses. Of these, 186 (28%) men had previously tested HIV negative and were included in the Seroconversion Cohort. The proportion (of the 186) reporting CAI with HIV-negative partners declined from 73% at diagnosis to 12% after diagnosis (P < 0.001), whereas CAI with HIV-positive partners increased (11%–67%; P < 0.001). The proportion who serosorted (ie, CAI only with HIV-concordant partners) did not change before or after diagnosis (34%–40%; P = 0.65). These 3 behaviors remained stable for up to 4 years after diagnosis. Among HIV-negative controls, serosorting and CAI with HIV-positive and HIV-negative partners was constant.

Conclusions:

MSM substantially modify their sexual behavior after HIV diagnosis. These changes are sustained for several years and may reduce HIV transmission to HIV-uninfected men.
Preexposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention in a Large Integrated Health Care System: Adherence, Renal Safety, and Discontinuation
Authors: Marcus Julia L. , Hurley Leo B. , Hare Charles Bradley , Nguyen Dong Phuong , Phengrasamy Tony , Silverberg Michael J. , Stoltey Juliet E. , Volk Jonathan E.
Published: July 2016

Background:

Placebo-controlled and open-label studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of daily oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in preventing HIV infection, but data are limited on real-world PrEP use.

Methods:

We conducted a cohort study from July 2012 through June 2015 of Kaiser Permanente Northern California members initiating PrEP. We assessed pharmacy refill adherence and discontinuation, decreases in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV incidence.

Results:

Overall, 972 individuals initiated PrEP, accumulating 850 person-years of PrEP use. Mean adherence was 92% overall. Black race/ethnicity [adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 3.0; 95% confidence interval: 1.7 to 5.1, P < 0.001], higher copayments (aRR 2.0; 1.2 to 3.3, P = 0.005), and smoking (aRR 1.6; 1.1 to 2.3, P = 0.025) were associated with <80% adherence. PrEP was discontinued by 219 (22.5%); female sex (aRR 2.6; 1.5 to 4.6, P < 0.001) and drug/alcohol abuse (aRR 1.8; 1.3 to 2.6, P = 0.002) were associated with discontinuation. Among 909 with follow-up creatinine testing, 141 (15.5%) had an eGFR <70 mL·min−1·1.73 m−2 and 5 (0.6%) stopped PrEP because of low eGFR. Quarterly STI positivity was high and increased over time for rectal chlamydia (P < 0.001) and urethral gonorrhea (P = 0.012). No HIV seroconversions occurred during PrEP use; however, 2 occurred in individuals who discontinued PrEP after losing insurance coverage.

Conclusions:

PrEP adherence was high in clinical practice, consistent with the lack of HIV seroconversions during PrEP use. Discontinuation because of renal toxicity was rare. STI screening every 6 months, as recommended by current guidelines, may be inadequate. Strategies are needed to increase PrEP access during gaps in insurance coverage.
Characterization of the Effects ofn-butanol on the cell envelope ofE. coli
Authors: Fletcher Eugene , Pilizota Teuta , Davies Philip R. , McVey Alexander , French Chris E.
Published: July 2016

Biofuel alcohols have severe consequences on the microbial hosts used in their biosynthesis, which limits the productivity of the bioconversion. The cell envelope is one of the most strongly affected structures, in particular, as the external concentration of biofuels rises during biosynthesis. Damage to the cell envelope can have severe consequences, such as impairment of transport into and out of the cell; however the nature of butanol-induced envelope damage has not been well characterized. In the present study, the effects ofn-butanol on the cell envelope ofEscherichia coliwere investigated. Using enzyme and fluorescence-based assays, we observed that 1% v/v n-butanol resulted in release of lipopolysaccharides from the outer membrane ofE. coliand caused ‘leakiness’ in both outer and inner membranes. Higher concentrations ofn-butanol, within the range of 2% – 10% (v/v), resulted in inner membrane protrusion through the peptidoglycan observed by characteristic blebs. The findings suggest that strategies for rational engineering of butanol-tolerant bacterial strains should take into account all components of the cell envelope.
Modifications to aLATE MERISTEM IDENTITY-1gene are responsible for the major leaf shapes of cotton
Authors: Andres Ryan , Coneva Viktoriya , Frank Margaret H. , Tuttle John R. , Han Sang-Won , Samayoa Luis Fernando , Kaur Baljinder , Zhu Linglong , Fang Hui , Bowman Daryl , Rojas-Pierce Marcela , Haigler Candace H. , Jones Don C. , Holland James B. , Chitwood Daniel H. , Kuraparthy Vasu
Published: July 2016

Leaf shape is spectacularly diverse. As the primary source of photo-assimilate in major crops, understanding the evolutionary and environmentally induced changes in leaf morphology are critical to improving agricultural productivity. The role of leaf shape in cotton domestication is unique, as breeders have purposefully selected for entire and lobed leaf morphs resulting from a single locus,okra(L-D1). Theokralocus is not only of agricultural importance in cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.), but through pioneering chimeric and morphometric studies it has contributed to fundamental knowledge about leaf development. Here we show that the major leaf shapes of cotton at theL-D1locus are controlled by a HD-Zip transcription factor most similar toLate Meristem Identity1 (LMI1)gene. The classicalokraleaf shape gene has133-bp tandem duplication in the promoter, correlated with elevated expression, while an 8-bp deletion in the third exon of the presumed wild-typenormalleaf causes a frame-shifted and truncated coding sequence. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of thisLMI1-likegene in anokravariety was sufficient to induce normal leaf formation. An intermediate leaf shape allele,sub-okra, lacks both the promoter duplication and the exonic deletion. Our results indicate thatsub-okrais the ancestral leaf shape of tetraploid cotton andnormalis a derived mutant allele that came to predominate and define the leaf shape of cultivated cotton.
AFF-1 fusogen can rejuvenate the regenerative potential of adult dendritic trees via self-fusion
Authors: Kravtsov Veronika , Oren-Suissa Meital , Podbilewicz Benjamin
Published: July 2016

The aging brain undergoes structural changes, affecting brain homeostasis, neuronal function and consequently cognition. The complex architecture of dendritic arbors poses a challenge to understanding age-dependent morphological alterations, behavioral plasticity and remodeling following brain injury. Here, we use the PVD polymodal neurons ofC. elegansas a model to study how aging affects neuronal plasticity. Using confocal live imaging ofC. elegansPVD neurons, we demonstrate age-related progressive morphological alterations of intricate dendritic arbors. We show that insulin/IGF-1 receptor mutations (daf-2) fail to inhibit the progressive morphological aging of dendrites and do not prevent the minor decline in response to harsh touch during aging. We uncovered that PVD aging is characterized by a major decline in regenerative potential of dendrites following experimental laser dendrotomy. Furthermore, the remodeling of transected dendritic trees via AFF-1-mediated self-fusion can be restored in old animals by DAF-2 insulin/IGF-1 receptor mutations, and can be differentially reestablished by ectopic expression of AFF-1 fusion protein (fusogen). Thus, AFF-1 fusogen ectopically expressed in the PVD and mutations in DAF-2/IGF-1R, differentially rejuvenate some aspects of dendritic regeneration following injury.

Summary statement

Ectopic expression of AFF-1 fusogen or low activity of IGF-1R/DAF-2 rejuvenate the regeneration potential of dendrites following injury in aging C.elegans
A novel de novo mutation inATP1A3and childhood-onset schizophrenia
Authors: Smedemark-Margulies Niklas , Brownstein Catherine A. , Vargas Sigella , Tembulkar Sahil K. , Towne Meghan C. , Shi Jiahai , Gonzalez-Cuevas Elisa , Liu Kevin X. , Bilguvar Kaya , Kleiman Robin J. , Han Min-Joon , Torres Alcy , Berry Gerard T. , Yu Timothy W. , Beggs Alan H. , Agrawal Pankaj B. , Gonzalez-Heydrich Joseph
Published: July 2016

We describe a child with onset of command auditory hallucinations and behavioral regression at 6 yr of age in the context of longer standing selective mutism, aggression, and mild motor delays. His genetic evaluation included chromosomal microarray analysis and whole-exome sequencing. Sequencing revealed a previously unreported heterozygous de novo mutation c.385G>A inATP1A3, predicted to result in a p.V129M amino acid change. This gene codes for a neuron-specific isoform of the catalytic α-subunit of the ATP-dependent transmembrane sodium–potassium pump. Heterozygous mutations in this gene have been reported as causing both sporadic and inherited forms of alternating hemiplegia of childhood and rapid-onset dystonia parkinsonism. We discuss the literature on phenotypes associated with known variants inATP1A3, examine past functional studies of the role of ATP1A3 in neuronal function, and describe a novel clinical presentation associated with mutation of this gene.
Authentic way to retain hospitality staff
Authors: Beal Brian
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether authentic leadership in hospitality is composed of four distinctive but related substantive components (i.e. self-awareness, relational transparency, balanced processing, and internalized moral), the impact of authentic leadership on employees’ organizational commitment (OC), the impact of employees’ OC on their turnover intention (TI), and the indirect effect of authentic leadership on employees’ TI via OC.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors tested a sample of 236 students working as employees in hospitality in the USA, with the idea that authentic leadership increases OC which in turn decreases TI. The participants were asked to rate the manager’s leadership style and the frequency of their leadership behavior.

Findings

Results provide support for the positive effect of authentic leadership on OC in the hospitality industry, and suggest that OC mediates reduced TI.

Originality/value

The results of the study suggest a variety of significant theoretical contributions and critical leadership and organizational implications. The effects of authentic leadership were empirically tested on employees’ OC and the effects of that OC on TI.
All at sea with leadership styles
Authors: Beal Brian
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the role of interaction in the process of leadership. Interaction has been claimed to be a leadership competence in the Royal Navy. The aim of this research is to define how interaction works within naval teams.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses grounded theory. Following a series of leadership discussions in separate focus groups, discussion topics were coded and subjected to recursive qualitative analysis. The grounded approach is used to synthesize and develop existing leadership theory strands, as well as to extend the trait-process approach to leadership.

Findings

The research discovers the key interaction behaviors of engagement, disengagement and levelling. The findings support recent developments in follower-centric perceptions and in interaction specifically. The authors develop engagement theory by combining it with the less well-researched area of leadership resistance. The authors then re-frame resistance as social levelling, a more comprehensive interaction mechanism.

Originality/value

This research uniquely uses grounded theory to extend current theories (competence-based leadership and trait-process theories of leadership), explaining the complexity of leadership interaction. The research also synthesizes and develops engagement and levelling (resistance to leadership) theories for the first time. As such, the project suggests a full range model of follower response to leadership, including subtle forms of resistance to power. The value of group-level analysis using focus groups is recommended, especially for other collective leader–follower approaches to leadership. The research is of interest to those studying leadership process theories, competencies, leader-follower traditions, engagement and power/resistance research.
Risks and rewards in the world of social media
Authors: Wheatcroft John
Published: July 2016

Purpose

Examines the issues that both employers and employees face in using social media. In particular, focuses on the legal and ethical dilemmas that both sides must address.

Design/methodology/approach

Prior research, statistical trends, and case laws are reviewed.

Findings

Employers using social media for employment decisions may risk crossing several lines, including intrusion into personal privacy. However, social media also offers plenty of opportunities for firms. At the same time, ignoring social media and the way it is used by employees could lead to charges of negligent hiring as well as damages if improper employee messages are posted. Employees have a responsibility to remember that messages considered “private” may still be used as evidence in support of disciplinary actions and could affect the firm’s reputation and their co-workers.

Originality/value

Breaks some new ground in considering this specific employment-related aspect of social media.
Returning to work after injury: factors that influence the timing
Authors: Cole Graham
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Occupational hazards are an unfortunate way of life for workers in many industries. For some, the risk of serious injury or illness is considerable. More positive is the decline over recent decades in the number of such incidents reported. However, in Western nations the cost of injury or illness at work remains substantial. Statistics show that in European Union (EU) countries, it can range between 2.6 per cent and 3.8 per cent of GDP. Regulations and conditions within specific labor markets help determine where these costs are absorbed. There are wide variations across countries in terms of how injured employees are compensated during their time off work.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Leadership and mobilization of workers: exploiting the collective mindset
Authors: Cole Graham
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

In numerous contexts, leadership ultimately determines whether success or failure will be the end result. Politics, business, and sport are just some of the domains that spring to mind. Effective leaders are able to galvanize their charges and raise performance levels to previously unattained heights. Or as Bill Bradley put it, leadership succeeds by “unlocking people’s potential to become better”. Few would argue with this description by the former basketball player-turned-USA senator. A recent high-profile industrial dispute aptly showcases the galvanizing effect of leadership.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Mission impossible
Authors: Linacre Simon
Published: July 2016

Purpose

Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

It is often the highlight of someone’s entire career. After years of moving around the same offices or the same town, they finally get tapped on the shoulder and asked if they could share their expertise with the London office, or get embedded in Delhi for the while the new plant gets up and running. Suddenly, the humdrum daily grind is thrown out of the window, and an entirely new experience is ready to be digested and enjoyed.

Practical implications

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Angry young men and women
Authors: Linacre Simon
Published: July 2016

Purpose

Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Portrayals of superiors in film or on television are rarely positive. Think about it for a second. The cliche of the boss or supervisor is of an aggressive male, barking orders at employees, showing barely any humanity and never satisfied by anything his charges do for him. Alternatively, there is the stereotypically “hard-assed” woman boss who is similarly unyielding or sometimes the other end of the spectrum is used, and a boss is shown to be slightly deranged or so ineffectual as to be rendered irrelevant by their subordinates.

Practical Implications

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Tweeting to a job: HCL’s recruitment campaign on Twitter
Authors: Kumar Vivek , Srivastava Arpita
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to describe an innovative recruitment campaign at HCL Technologies, India’s fourth largest information technology company. This campaign received media coverage in 60 national and international news outlets.

Design/methodology/approach

Using case study methodology, this paper explains how the unique process was carried out. Risks associated with the process are also identified.

Findings

It reveals that creative thinking and innovate practices can generate high social media engagement at a very low cost, while also fulfilling the task of recruitment. Managing risks inherent in the process is essential for reaping the rewards of this creative recruitment process.

Practical implications

The process described here can be emulated by other companies too. If executed well, rich dividends can be obtained at a modest cost. Companies can increase their engagement and brad equity at a low cost using this process.

Originality/value

The case study described here is unique in its approach toward recruitment and brand building.
Global financial crisis and cyclical co-movements of Asian financial markets
Authors: Liow KimHiang
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the cross-spectra of stock, real estate and bond of ten selected Asian economies in the pre- and post-global financial crisis periods to detect whether there is greater cyclical co-movement post-financial crisis, and whether any observed increased co-movement measures the outcomes of contagion or integration.

Design/methodology/approach

– Co-spectral approach is the proper econometric tool to deliver economic insight for this research.

Findings

– Results indicate that Asian stock markets, and to a lesser degree, bond and real estate markets are more correlated post-financial crisis. Similarly, Asian financial markets have experienced increased co-movements with the US financial markets post-financial crisis. Moreover, these observed increased co-movements measure the outcomes of contagion in some cases of within-asset and cross-asset classes, as well as for some cross-US-Asian asset factor relationships along the high-frequency components of between two and four weeks. The stock markets are the most contagious, followed by the real estate markets and bond markets.

Research limitations/implications

– The results provide short-term investors with additional co-movement information at higher frequencies in order to identify short-term fluctuations of different asset classes. The empirical study also underscores the role of Asian real estate in investment portfolios in a mixed real estate, stock and bond context from a frequency domain perspective.

Practical implications

– The practical implication of this research is that benefits to investors from international diversification may not be as great during the present time compared to previous periods because financial/asset market movements have become more correlated. However, it does not imply the complete absence of diversification benefits. This is because although cyclical correlations increase in the short run, many of the values are still between low and moderate range, indicating that some diversification benefits may still be realized.

Originality/value

– In advancing the body of knowledge in international financial markets, this research is probably the first study to consider a multi-asset class portfolio context that includes stock, real estate and bond across the ten Asian economies and the USA in a single study. The frequency domain analysis conducted in this paper adds to the understanding of real estate, stock and bond market co-movement, integration and contagion dynamics, as well as the Asian cross-asset factor and US-Asian asset factor relationships in global mixed-investing environment.
Optimal database design for the storage of financial information relating to real estate investments
Authors: Trofimov Sergey , Szumilo Nikodem , Wiegelmann Thomas
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine state of the art data storage methods of real estate investment data.

Design/methodology/approach

– It analyses the process of real estate investment in order to classify and characterize the data it generates. Appropriate literature review is provided.

Findings

– The results show that a relational database is the most appropriate database management system type for real estate related data.

Practical implications

– Appropriately structured and modelled data flow can improve the design of the real estate investment process. It is also concluded that adopting an optimal design of IT-solutions could improve informational and operational efficiency of the industry.

Originality/value

– The subject of this paper lacks sufficient coverage. Popular database management systems are presented and analysed in the context of their suitability for the real estate industry.
Leadership: is bad stronger than good?
Authors: Fors Brandebo Maria , Nilsson Sofia , Larsson Gerry
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate if the thesis “bad is stronger than good” also holds true for a number of leadership issues, more specifically: trust in the immediate leader, emotional exhaustion, work atmosphere and propensity to leave.

Design/methodology/approach

– Questionnaire responses were obtained from military personnel in Estonia, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands (n=625).

Findings

– Multiple regression analyses revealed a certain pattern. Constructive leadership behaviours showed stronger positive associations with trust in the immediate supervisor and work atmosphere, than destructive leadership behaviours showed negative associations. On the other hand, destructive leadership behaviours showed stronger positive associations with emotional exhaustion and propensity to leave, than constructive leadership behaviours showed negative associations. This suggests that constructive leadership behaviours possibly have a greater impact on positive phenomenon and/or phenomenon associated with work-related relationships. On the other hand, destructive leadership behaviours appear to have a greater impact on negative phenomena with a stronger personal meaning. The results also show that the passive forms of destructive leadership are the behaviours that had the strongest impact on the investigated dependent variables.

Research limitations/implications

– Limitations related to item construction, common method variance, response set tendencies, translation of the instruments, and lack of response rate are discussed.

Practical implications

– The results emphasize the importance of focusing on both constructive and destructive leadership at the selection stage, as well as during training of military leaders. Focusing on them separately obstructs optimal leader development and prevents leaders from gaining authentic self-knowledge. The results also point at the importance of including both aspects of leadership in leader evaluation processes.

Originality/value

– The use of both constructive and destructive leadership behaviours with respondents from multiple nations in the same analysis.
Linking supervisor feedback environment to contextual performances
Authors: Peng Jui-Chen , Lin Julian
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships among supervisor feedback environment (SFE), leader-member exchange (LMX), organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), and workplace deviant behavior (WDB). Specifically, it analyzed the mediating role of LMX.

Design/methodology/approach

– With the data collected from 258 subordinate-supervisor pairs at various organizations in Taiwan, the authors examined the hypotheses by conducting structural equation modeling analyses.

Findings

– The results revealed that: SFE is positively related to LMX; LMX is positively related to OCB, and negatively related to WDB; furthermore LMX fully mediates the relationships among SFE and both OCB and WDB.

Research limitations/implications

– This data are collected in Taiwan, hence it may affect the generalizability of the results.

Practical implications

– Previous studies investigating the relationship between the feedback environment and organizational outcome variables focus on positive outcome variables. Thus, studies examining whether there is a negative effect on negative outcome variables such as WDB are insufficient. The study addresses this deficiency by including WDB as an outcome variable. The results empirically indicate that SFEs are negatively related to WDBs, but the effect diminishes when LMX is controlled.

Social implications

– This study presents the following practical implications for managers. To reduce employee deviant behavior, to improve employee supplementary performance, and further improve overall organizational operating performance, organizations can adopt methods for implementing SFE that promote good interpersonal relationships between supervisors and employees, and thus increase employees’ positive expression of OCB, and reduce deviant behavior.

Originality/value

– It can be argued that when supervisors and subordinates form good relationships, the supervisors would provide favorable feedback that may result in more OCBs and less WDBs. It is also possible to argue that the traditional LMX theory suggests that supervisors are dominant in determining the quality of LMX, and therefore good LMX relationships cannot be developed based on supervisory feedback. This study shows otherwise, and addresses the rival hypothesis by drawing from previous studies and theories as well as in comparing the proposed alternative model by conductingχ2 differences.