bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The cultivation of scientific data specialists
Authors: Si Li , Zhuang Xiaozhe , Xing Wenming , Guo Weining
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This article aims to summarize the employers' requirements of scientific data specialists and the status quo of LIS education organizations' training system for scientific data specialists. It also focuses on the matching analysis between the course content and the responsibilities as well as requirements of scientific data specialists. Moreover, in order to provide some indications for LIS education of scientific data specialists in China, it presents the training objectives and modes.

Design/methodology/approach

– Some job portals for librarians and the comprehensive job portals are investigated as information sources and the keywords such as “scientific data management”, “data service”, “data curation”, “e-Science”, “e-Research”, “data specialist” are selected to retrieval library-released job advertisements for scientific data specialists to understand the library's requirements towards scientific data specialists' core capabilities. Meanwhile the course catalogues of all iSchools' web sites are searched directly in order to find if scientific data courses are provided.

Findings

– Libraries value teamwork ability, communication ability, interpersonal ability and a good use of data curation tools as the core competences for scientific data specialists. Candidates who possess a second advanced degree, who understand libraries, who hold demonstrated knowledge of metadata standards, and who emphasize details, under the same condition, are more likely to be considered first. Libraries do not have a unified title for scientific data specialists yet. The current curriculums of iSchools mainly cover research method, data science, data management and data service, data statistic and analysis, data warehouse, information studies and technologies, and so on.

Originality/value

– This unique study explores some required qualifications of science data specialist surveyed by job openings, including the core skills, position requirements, responsibilities of the job, and some qualifications. It also investigates the related curriculum setting of iSchool universities through course descriptions. This study is very useful for curriculum development in Chinese LIS education of scientific data specialists including required core courses and selected electives, and to promote the practice of data service in Chinese academic libraries.
Universities and export market orientation: an exploratory study of UK post-92 universities
Authors: Asaad Yousra , Melewar T.C. , Cohen Geraldine , M.T. Balmer John
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore how post-92 UK universities perceive and manage market orientation (MO) in their export operations of educational services to international students (i.e. export market orientation (EMO)) in the context of international student recruitment.

Design/methodology/approach

– Through a case study design, this qualitative research was undertaken amongst eight post-92 UK universities. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with managers in the international offices of universities.

Findings

– The results indicate that EMO in universities consists of information-based activities geared towards foreign markets. Superior knowledge and awareness of the market components is central to the implementation of these information-based activities. This involves market information generation and dissemination, as well as the need for rapid responsiveness due to the changing nature of the higher education market.

Research limitations/implications

– The selected methodology makes these results alone unfit for generalising to a larger population. Improved theoretical models are needed for generating more knowledge about the antecedents and consequences of EMO in universities.

Practical implications

– The authors believe the findings are particularly relevant for international marketing managers of exporting universities. The current paper suggests some implications for international marketing managers when actively managing their marketing activities towards foreign markets.

Originality/value

– The paper identifies a gap in current higher education marketing research. The original contribution of the paper is to address this gap so that researchers and practitioners have some understanding of the export marketing behaviour of UK universities in the context of the recruitment of international students.
Simulated test marketing in emerging markets: the need to re-think
Authors: Korotkov Nikolay , Occhiocupo Nicoletta , Simkin Lyndon
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The world's leading manufacturers of fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) generate up to 50 per cent of their revenues in emerging markets. Simulated test marketing (STM) is a common practice deployed by these companies to forecast new product sales. Emerging markets represent only a small portion of the global STM business. The purpose of this paper is to incorporate and further explore some key trends anticipated in the development of the future generation of STM models by drawing specific attention to the issues currently experienced in one of the emerging markets, Russia.

Design/methodology/approach

– A quantitative survey of Russian client-side marketing experts provides strong evidence for the need to further improve and modify STM methods, addressing new challenges in rapidly developing markets of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Findings

– Marketers in Russia believe many STM approaches poorly reflect the nuances and characteristics of their markets. This has implications for global players targeting emerging markets based on assumptions formed for STM in their home markets.

Research limitations/implications

– This is a preliminary study which warrants following up. Its basis in Russia arguably has implications for other emerging markets, but whether these findings are evident in other markets needs to be tested.

Practical implications

– FMCG companies in Russia would appreciate a flexible, proactive, “client-oriented” approach as opposed to conservative, “model-centered” services based on “global” execution standards. This would lead to the co-creation of STM models that could achieve more accurate forecasts in emerging markets and achieve a greater level of confidence in the use of STM among multinational FMCG companies.

Originality/value

– The research undertaken leads to a general conclusion that although traditional STM models have attained relatively high awareness among FMCGs in Russia, their use is still limited as there is a perception of this being a research instrument that would need adaptation to the Russian market. Instead, simpler, cheaper and less time consuming alternatives are often employed, such as expert assessments, basic quantitative or qualitative tests. Although the most commonly acknowledged advantages of STM are well understood in Russia, there are some key barriers to its widespread adoption: poor quality or insufficient market data, lack of local market experience and validations, lower forecast accuracy as compared to “western” markets, low flexibility in terms of design and cost.
Heterogeneous sources of customer-based brand equity within a product category
Authors: Wang Luming , Finn Adam
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– Unlike prior consumer-based brand equity (CBBE) research that examines well-known brands in different product categories, the purpose of this paper is to focus on the within-product category differences in terms of the sources of CBBE.

Design/methodology/approach

– To facilitate the comparison, the paper proposes a hybrid measurement model of CBBE that systematically integrates various existing CBBE dimensions and examines the substantive difference among master brands and their sub-brands within a product category. The model distinguishes the latent CBBE construct from its dimensions, and separates its formative (causes of CBBE) from its reflective (effects of CBBE) dimensions, based on their causal relationship with the construct.

Findings

– The paper collects CBBE data for multiple soft drink master brands and sub-brands. The paper finds significant differences among them and provides a detailed view that has not been revealed to the marketers before.

Originality/value

– The paper not only examines a more realistic context for consumers’ marketplace choice but also is more relevant to brand managers who closely monitor their direct competitors’ performance.
Effects of relational proclivity and marketing intelligence on new product development
Authors: J. Trainor Kevin , T. Krush Michael , Agnihotri Raj
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– A number of studies in the marketing and strategy literature show that a firm's resource endowment is a major driver in the formation of advantage-generating capabilities. Some researchers have suggested, however, that capabilities are path dependent and that a firm's behavioral predispositions and proclivities should be viewed as antecedents to capability formation. The purpose of this paper is to examine how a firm's behavioral tendencies, along with its existing business resources, contribute to the formation of new product development (NPD) capability.

Design/methodology/approach

– Hypotheses are tested by using survey data from more than 150 US-based firms. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the proposed model and analyze hypothesized relationships.

Findings

– Results of the paper suggest that a firm's competency in marketing intelligence and its tendency to engage in partner-style relationships have both direct and interactive effects on NPD capability. This capability is further shown to positively relate to organizational performance, and this relationship is moderated by technological uncertainty.

Practical implications

– The paper underscores that certain proclivities provide access to resources that reside outside a firm's boundaries and highlight the importance of considering firm proclivities in capabilities-based research.

Originality/value

– To date, little research has examined how NPD capability is influenced by a firm's internal marketing intelligence capability along with its tendency to seek external market knowledge. The examination of the direct and interactive effects of these constructs on NPD capability is novel and the findings highlight implications for scholars and practitioners alike.
Challenging the use of generational segmentation through understanding self-identity
Authors: Gardiner Sarah , Grace Debra , King Ceridwyn
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore congruency between the self-identity of Baby Boomer, Generation X and Generation Y consumers with the generational label and popularised identity of each generational cohort.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected using a mixed methods approach of focus groups (n=49) followed by an online survey (n=627) of Baby Boomer, Generation X and Generation Y consumers. Focus group data were thematically analysed. Descriptive, ANOVA and factor analysis was conducted on the survey data.

Findings

– The results show that most consumers only have a vague association with their generational label and profile and find it easier to characterise generations that are different to their own. Generation self-identity congruency is greater among members of the Baby Boomer cohort compared to the younger generations. Yet, even in the Baby Boomer cohort, generational identity is not homogenous among its members.

Practical implications

– The results challenge the explicit use of generational labels and stereotypes in marketing strategy.

Originality/value

– Given the immense interest and application of generational cohort segmentation, understanding whether and why consumers identify with cohort labels and profiles is critical. The paper questions the longevity of generational cohort analysis given the limited understanding and relevance of this concept to consumers.
“Wow! It's cool”: the meaning of coolness in marketing
Authors: Rahman Kaleel
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the common meaning of vernacular usage of “cool” in terms of the related concepts consumers use to describe the term, using the symbolic interactionist perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using literature review, we first analyse how cool has evolved from its original meaning to its contemporary form in global consumer culture (GCC). Next, from a content analysis approach, using associative group analysis (Szalay and Deese, 1978) we determine the cultural meaning of cool from a sample of young respondents (n=127) drawn from United Arab Emirates. Then, using another set of respondents (n=98), we assess the statistical reliability of our themes.

Findings

– Results of our analysis indicate that there is a common set of themes describing the term cool: fashionable, amazing, sophisticated, unique, entertaining, eye-catching and composed. Fashionable theme significantly dominates the meaning of cool.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings are only limited to GCC and cannot be generalised to others.

Practical implications

– Even though the meaning of cool is attributed to emotional control and detachment in the literature (Pountain and Robins, 2000), manifestation of coolness in its meaning of fashionable, amazing and eye-catching dominate the concept in GCC.

Originality/value

– Cool is a heavily used term by marketing practitioners. However, empirical literature uncovering the meaning of cool is still in its infancy in marketing. This research provides a view of what cool means to consumers in a GCC.
Quality management and employees' attitudes: an example from certified enterprises
Authors: Batista Maria , Feijo Antonio , Silva Francisco
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This study aims to investigate the implications of quality management system (QMS) practices in employees' attitudes relating to job involvement, job satisfaction, career satisfaction, and organizational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study was accomplished through the use of a questionnaire. Twenty hypotheses related to QMS practices and the employees' attitudes were formulated and tested.

Findings

– The results indicate that responsibility and teamwork have a significant and positive correlation with job involvement, job satisfaction, career satisfaction, as well as organizational commitment. Ongoing improvement and problem solving have significant implications in organizational commitment. In addition, training and education, as well as customer focus, did not demonstrate any favorable contribution to the employees' attitudes.

Originality/value

– The study recommends that management should be more committed to the development of quality practices to sustain and enhance employees' positive attitudes toward their job. Such practices are a competitive strategy to attract and retain competent employees.
Trading telecommuting flexibility for fewer training opportunities?
Authors: Martinez Patricia , B. Gómez Carolina
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This study aims to examine how the amount and type of flexibility in work schedule (flextime) and work location (telecommuting) may be related to receiving fewer training and development opportunities. Given that under flextime, employees remain at the work location, while under telecommuting employees are removed from the regular work site and social system, the paper expects that as employees have more telecommuting flexibility, they will receive fewer training opportunities, which in turn will be associated with more negative job attitudes and behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

– Participants (n=298) were recruited from a healthcare and a software development firm. Employees provided self-report ratings of their intentions to quit and supervisor supportiveness. Supervisors rated employees' citizenship behaviors and the flextime, telecommuting and training and development practices for the job positions.

Findings

– As employees possess greater flexibility to telecommute, they received fewer training and development opportunities, while employees with greater work schedule flexibility (flextime) actually received more training opportunities. Additionally, the paper finds that training and development mediates the negative relationship between telecommuting flexibility and organizational citizenship behaviors. Thus, as employees had greater telecommuting flexibility, they exhibited lower levels of organization citizenship behaviors.

Research limitations/implications

– This study provides evidence of how greater telecommuting flexibility that leads to decreased training and development opportunities may negatively influence employees' citizenship behaviors. The study also supports that flexibility to work away from the regular work location and not schedule flexibility, is the key antecedent. The findings suggest that supervisors should monitor the amount of training opportunities provided to employees with telecommuting flexibility.

Originality/value

– This is one of the few studies to examine telecommuting flexibility: the extent to which employees can work at home and modify their schedule in order to do so. It is also one of the few studies to compare how work schedule and work location flexibility may be differentially related to training and development. The paper examines the potential trade-offs between this flexibility and receiving fewer training and development opportunities.
A distributed model of the structuration of information technology in organizations
Authors: Cunha Joao
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a distributed model of structuration of information technology (IT) in organizations to complement the collective that dominates the application of structuration theory to organizational phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper draws on secondary qualitative data to specify how differences among people's practices with and around IT determine the effect of IT in organizations.

Findings

– The paper provides an analytical framework to extend the structuration theory of IT in organizations that can also explain differences among people's use of IT and track their consequences for the effect of IT in organizations.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper extends the theory of the structuration of IT so that it can take into account the effect of the different ways in which people use IT at work.

Practical implications

– This paper underscores the increase adaptability that managers can build during IT implementation by taking advantage of the differences among people's appropriation of IT, instead of attempting to make people use IT in similar ways.

Originality/value

– The paper introduces the role of variation among people's practices into research on the structuration of IT on organizations. This research, which is one of the dominant approaches to the effect of IT in organizations, assumes that people share the same practices with and around IT and is ill suited to explain the consequences of variation among people's use of IT at work.
Identification and ranking of critical success factors for BOT projects in India
Authors: Gupta Aayushi , Chandra Gupta Mahesh , Agrawal Ranjan
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The study aims to identify and rank the critical success factors (CSFs) for BOT projects in India.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study was conducted based on an extensive literature review and focus group discussions. Through structured questionnaire, a survey was conducted with executives from leading construction, consultancy and government organizations. A total of 150 questionnaires were sent out of which 60 responses were received. Analytical hierarchy process method was used to analyze the data.

Findings

– Concession agreement, short-construction period, selection procedure of concessionaire, sufficient long-term demand and sufficient net cash inflow emerged as the top five factors critical for the success of the BOT projects in India.

Practical implications

– The identified CSFs should influence the policy development towards BOT projects and are expected to enhance the success rate of these projects.

Originality/value

– The study has made much-needed contribution to the extant literature on BOT projects. The findings would be valuable in assisting government (owner) and private participants to have a better understanding of the critical factors leading to success of these projects. The results from the current study are crucial as not many studies have been conducted in India as compared to China and West.
Soil hypha‐mediated movement of allelochemicals: arbuscular mycorrhizae extend the bioactive zone of juglone
Authors: Achatz Michaela , Morris E. Kathryn , Müller Frank , Hilker Monika , Rillig Matthias C.
Published: October 2013

Allelopathy is a phenomenon where plants have deleterious effects on growth of surrounding plants through the production of chemical substances. Soil hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi may enhance transport processes of allelochemicals by providing ‘highways’ connecting plants below‐ground.

In three studies ranging from high ecological realism to experimental control, we showed that the presence of mycorrhizal hyphae may strongly contribute to the transport of allelochemicals. We analysed the accumulation of naturally released juglone in the field in intact or disrupted hyphal connections and determined its growth reducing effects on sensitive target plants in a bioassay. Secondly, we tested the effects of Juglans regia leaf litter addition in the presence or absence of the mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis on target plants, and finally, we added pure juglone to Lycopersicon lycopersicum plants in the presence or absence of Rhizophagus.

Throughout, we found increased juglone transfer if mycorrhizal hyphae were present, resulting in reduced growth of target plants.

Our results point to mycorrhizal hyphae playing an important role in extending the bioactive zone of allelochemicals. We suggest that hyphal networks increase the effectiveness of allelochemicals in natural systems and play a crucial role in chemical interaction processes and hence influence plant community structure.
Nondiscretionary residential water use: the impact of habits and water‐efficient technologies
Authors: Garcia‐Valiñas Maria A. , Athukorala Wasantha , Wilson Clevo , Torgler Benno , Gifford Robert
Published: October 2013

Several studies published in the last few decades have demonstrated a low price‐elasticity for residential water use. In particular, it has been shown that there is a quantity of water demanded that remains constant regardless of prices and other economic factors. In this research, we characterise residential water demand based on a Stone‐Geary utility function. This specification is not only theory‐compatible but can also explicitly model a minimum level of consumption not dependent on prices or income. This is described as minimum threshold or nondiscretionary water use. Additionally, the Stone‐Geary framework is used to model the subsistence level of water consumption that is dependent on the temporal evolution of consumer habits and stock of physical capital. The main aim of this study is to analyse the impact of water‐saving habits and water‐efficient technologies on residential water demand, while additionally focusing attention on nondiscretionary uses. This is informed by an empirical application using data from a survey conducted among residents of Brisbane City Council, Australia. The results will be especially useful in the design of water tariffs and other water‐saving policies.
Functional trait metrics are sensitive to the completeness of the species' trait data?
Authors: Pakeman Robin J.
Published: October 2013

Functional diversity (FD) is an important concept for studies of both ecosystem processes and community assembly, so it is important to understand the behaviour of common metrics used to express it.

Data from an existing study of the relationship between FD and environmental drivers were used to simulate the impact of a progressive failure to measure the traits of all the species present under three scenarios: intraspecific variation between sites ignored (i), assessed (ii) or (iii) ignored but with metrics calculated at the sampling unit rather than the site level.

All the FD metrics were highly sensitive to failing to measure the traits of all the species present. Functional dispersion, functional richness and Rao's entropy all generally declined with a reduced proportion of species or cover assessed for traits, whilst functional divergence and evenness increased for some sites and decreased for others. Functional richness was the most sensitive (mean absolute deviation at 70% of species assessed had a range of 11·2–28·2% across scenarios), followed by functional evenness (range 6·4–38·5%), functional divergence (5·2–8·3%), Rao's entropy (1·4–7·0%) and functional dispersion (0·7–3·5%).

It is clear that failing to measure the traits of all species at a site can have a serious impact on the value of any functional trait metric computed and on any conclusions drawn from such data. Future studies of FD need to concentrate on the potential impact of the sampling regime of both traits and species and the scale at which the computations are made on the behaviour of metrics and subsequent robustness of the results.
Acarbose, 17‐α‐estradiol, and nordihydroguaiaretic acid extend mouse lifespan preferentially in males
Authors: Harrison David E. , Strong Randy , Allison David B. , Ames Bruce N. , Astle Clinton M. , Atamna Hani , Fernandez Elizabeth , Flurkey Kevin , Javors Martin A. , Nadon Nancy L. , Nelson James F. , Pletcher Scott , Simpkins James W. , Smith Daniel , Wilkinson J. Erby , Miller Richard A.
Published: October 2013

Four agents — acarbose (ACA), 17‐α‐estradiol (EST), nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), and methylene blue (MB) — were evaluated for lifespan effects in genetically heterogeneous mice tested at three sites. Acarbose increased male median lifespan by 22% (P < 0.0001), but increased female median lifespan by only 5% (P = 0.01). This sexual dimorphism in ACA lifespan effect could not be explained by differences in effects on weight. Maximum lifespan (90th percentile) increased 11% (P < 0.001) in males and 9% (P = 0.001) in females. EST increased male median lifespan by 12% (P = 0.002), but did not lead to a significant effect on maximum lifespan. The benefits of EST were much stronger at one test site than at the other two and were not explained by effects on body weight. EST did not alter female lifespan. NDGA increased male median lifespan by 8–10% at three different doses, with P‐values ranging from 0.04 to 0.005. Females did not show a lifespan benefit from NDGA, even at a dose that produced blood levels similar to those in males, which did show a strong lifespan benefit. MB did not alter median lifespan of males or females, but did produce a small, statistically significant (6%, P = 0.004) increase in female maximum lifespan. These results provide new pharmacological models for exploring processes that regulate the timing of aging and late‐life diseases, and in particular for testing hypotheses about sexual dimorphism in aging and health.
A frameshift mutation in the cubilin gene (CUBN) in Beagles with Imerslund–Gräsbeck syndrome (selective cobalamin malabsorption)
Authors: Drögemüller Michaela , Jagannathan Vidhya , Howard Judith , Bruggmann Rémy , Drögemüller Cord , Ruetten Maja , Leeb Tosso , Kook Peter H.
Published: October 2013

Mammals are unable to synthesize cobalamin or vitamin B12 and rely on the uptake of dietary cobalamin. The cubam receptor expressed on the intestinal endothelium is required for the uptake of cobalamin from the gut. Cubam is composed of two protein subunits, amnionless and cubilin, which are encoded by the AMN and CUBN genes respectively. Loss‐of‐function mutations in either the AMN or the CUBN gene lead to hereditary selective cobalamin malabsorption or Imerslund–Gräsbeck syndrome (IGS). We investigated Beagles with IGS and resequenced the whole genome of one affected Beagle at 15× coverage. The analysis of the AMN and CUBN candidate genes revealed a homozygous deletion of a single cytosine in exon 8 of the CUBN gene (c.786delC). This deletion leads to a frameshift and early premature stop codon (p.Asp262Glufs*47) and is, thus, predicted to represent a complete loss‐of‐function allele. We tested three IGS‐affected and 89 control Beagles and found perfect association between the IGS phenotype and the CUBN:c.786delC variant. Given the known role of cubilin in cobalamin transport, which has been firmly established in humans and dogs, our data strongly suggest that the CUBN:c.786delC variant is causing IGS in the investigated Beagles.
Identifying seminal papers in the Australasian Journal on Ageing 1982–2011: A Delphi consensus approach
Authors: Parkinson Lynne , Richardson Kristy , Sims Jane , Wells Yvonne , Naganathan Vasi , Brooke Elizabeth , Lindley Richard
Published: October 2013

Aims

The aim of this study was to identify seminal Australasian Journal on Ageing papers published over 30 years through a Delphi consensus process.

Method

The main data collection was a three‐round Delphi consensus study with 38 past and current members of the Australasian Journal on Ageing Editorial Board, Editorial Team and Management Committee.

Results

Three papers were agreed as top‐ranking. One of the top‐ranking articles was also highly cited. One article was published in the 1990s, two in 2001.

Conclusions

While it is difficult to judge how well the top‐ranking papers represent seminal papers arising over 30 years, these papers do represent three different research strengths in Australasia, they do span three different disciplines, and they do reflect some of the diversity that characterises ageing research in Australasia over 30 years.
Meta‐analysis of the success of block following combined spinal‐epidural vs epidural analgesia during labour
Authors: Heesen M. , Van de Velde M. , Klöhr S. , Lehberger J. , Rossaint R. , Straube S.
Published: October 2013

Observational studies suggest that combined spinal‐epidural analgesia (CSE) is associated with more reliable positioning, lower epidural catheter replacement rates, and a lower incidence of unilateral block compared with epidural analgesia. However, evidence from high‐quality trials still needs to be assessed systematically. We performed a systematic review that included 10 randomised controlled trials comparing CSE and epidural analgesia in 1722 labouring women in labour. The relative risk of unilateral block was significantly reduced after CSE vs epidural analgesia (0.48, 95% CI 0.24–0.97), but significant between‐study heterogeneity was present (I2 = 69%, p = 0.01). No differences were found for rates of epidural catheter replacement, epidural top‐up, and epidural vein cannulation. On the basis of current best evidence, a consistent benefit of CSE over epidural analgesia cannot be demonstrated for the outcomes assessed in our review. A large randomised controlled trial with adequate power is required.
Therapeutic effect of inhaled budesonide (Pulmicort® Turbuhaler) on the inflammatory response to one‐lung ventilation
Authors: Ju N. Y. , Gao H. , Huang W. , Niu F. F. , Lan W. X. , Li F. , Gao W.
Published: October 2013

This prospective, double‐blind trial was designed to evaluate the effect of inhaled budesonide on lung function and the inflammatory response to one‐lung ventilation. One hundred patients scheduled for lobectomy were allocated randomly to pre‐operative nebulised budesonide or saline. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples were collected from either the collapsed or the ventilated lung both before one‐lung ventilation and 30 min after re‐expansion of the lung. The concentrations of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytokines were determined. Budesonide treatment, compared with saline, reduced both peak (mean (SD) 3.7 (0.4) vs 2.5 (0.2) kPa) and plateau (mean (SD) 3.1 (0.2) vs 2.2 (0.1) kPa, respectively, p < 0.001 for both) ventilatory pressures. Thirty minutes after re‐expansion, lung compliance increased in the budesonide group compared with saline (57.5 (4.1) vs 40.1 (3.5) ml.cmH2O‐1, respectively p < 0.001). Budesonide also reduced the concentrations of tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐8 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, but increased interleukin‐10 30 min after re‐expansion (p < 0.05 for all measures). Pre‐operative nebulisation of budesonide may be effective in improving ventilatory mechanics and reducing the inflammatory response to one‐lung ventilation during thoracic surgery.
Five‐year actual survival after pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer
Authors: Perysinakis Iraklis , Avlonitis Spyridon , Georgiadou Despoina , Tsipras Hercules , Margaris Ilias
Published: October 2013

Background

The aim of this study was to analyse retrospectively the long‐term results of patients who were operated for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head and identify significant prognostic factors.

Methods

Eighty patients who were surgically treated for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head between 1995 and 2006 met the inclusion criteria and were subject to retrospective analysis. Possible prognostic factors were evaluated and independent predictors of survival were determined.

Results

A classic Whipple procedure was performed in 47 patients and a pylorus‐preserving pancreatoduodenectomy in 32 patients; one patient underwent total pancreatectomy. Five‐year survival rate in this group of patients was 13.6%. Median survival time was 24 months. Univariable analysis demonstrated stage of disease, tumour size and grade and nodal status as significant predictive factors of survival. Multivariable analysis indicated tumour size, nodal status and disease stage as significant prognostic indicators in terms of survival.

Conclusions

Long‐term survival in pancreatic cancer is still very low. Prognostic factors include differentiation of the tumour, disease stage and nodal status. So far, there has been no reliable method that can accurately predict which patient will mostly benefit from surgical resection. This means that pancreatic cancer resection should nearly always be attempted.
Cautery versus scalpel for abdominal skin incisions: a double blind, randomized crossover trial of scar cosmesis
Authors: Stupart Douglas A. , Sim Felix W. , Chan Zheng H. , Guest Glenn D. , Watters David A.
Published: October 2013

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is any difference in cosmetic outcome between using cutting diathermy and using a scalpel to make abdominal skin incisions.

Method

This was a prospective, randomized, double‐blind crossover study. The primary end point was wound cosmesis as judged by the patient. In each case, one‐half of the skin incision was made using diathermy, and one‐half using a scalpel blade. Patients were contacted at 6 months post‐operatively, and were asked which half of the wound looked better to them. A panel of 18 surgeons was also shown photographs of the wounds taken after 6 months, and were asked the same question.

Results

Of the 31 patients with complete follow‐up, 11 (35%) reported no difference between the two halves of the wound. Nine (29%) preferred the half incised with diathermy, and 11 (35%) preferred the half incised with the scalpel (P = 0.82, chi‐squared test). Twenty‐four patients consented to having their wound photographed. There was no difference in the surgeons' preference between the diathermy and scalpel halves of the incision (P = 0.35, signed‐rank test).

Conclusion

We found the use of cutting diathermy to make abdominal skin incisions to be cosmetically equivalent to cutting with the scalpel. As previous studies have not shown adverse wound outcomes using this technique, and considering the safety concerns for theatre staff when the scalpel is used, the routine use of cutting diathermy for skin incisions in abdominal surgery is justified.
Therapeutic efficacy of topical unoprostone isopropyl in retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Akiyama Masato , Ikeda Yasuhiro , Yoshida Noriko , Notomi Shoji , Murakami Yusuke , Hisatomi Toshio , Enaida Hiroshi , Ishibashi Tatsuro
Published: October 2013

Purpose

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of topical unoprostone isopropyl (unoprostone) on patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Methods

Forty patients with typical forms of RP were included in the study. Seventeen of 40 patients were treated with 0.12% topical unoprostone twice daily in a randomly selected eye. Patients underwent follow‐up examinations every 3 months after treatment. The efficacy of the treatment was monitored by visual acuity and visual field measurement testing using the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA: the central 10‐2 programme). Moreover, 12 RP patients who were included this study and 12 normal subjects were evaluated in terms of their macular blood flow of both eyes after instillation of unoprostone using the laser speckle method.

Results

One year after treatment, the ‘macular sensitivity’, calculated by HFA as the average sensitivity of the central 12 points, was preserved in the fellow eyes as well as the unoprostone‐treated eyes. On the other hand, that in the eyes of the control RP patient was significantly decreased. Moreover, there were significantly greater improvements of the ‘macular sensitivity’ in the unoprostone‐treated eyes than the fellow eyes. The change ratios of macular blood flow obtained from both RP patients and normal subjects were significantly increased in both the treated and the fellow eyes. No severe side‐effects were observed.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that topical unoprostone might have a therapeutic efficacy in patients with RP as a consequence of the macular blood flow improvement as well as its direct neuroprotective effect.
Prevalence of myopia in school children in greater Beijing: the Beijing Childhood Eye Study
Authors: You Qi Sheng , Wu Li Juan , Duan Jia Li , Luo Yan Xia , Liu Li Juan , Li Xia , Gao Qi , Wang Wei , Xu Liang , Jonas Jost B. , Guo Xiu Hua
Published: October 2013

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of myopia in school children in Greater Beijing.

Methods

The Beijing Childhood Eye Study was a school‐based cross‐sectional study. One school of each level (primary, junior high, senior high) was randomly selected from nine randomly selected districts of Greater Beijing. The children underwent non‐cycloplegic refractometry and their parents an interview.

Results

Of 16 771 eligible students, 15 066 (89.8%) children with a mean age of 13.2 ± 3.4 years (range: 7–18 years) participated. Prevalence of myopia defined as refractive error of ≤−0.50 diopters (D), ≤−1.00 D, ≤−6.00 D and ≤−8.00 D in the right eye was 64.9 ± 0.4%, 53.0 ± 0.4%, 4.3 ± 0.2% and 1.0 ± 0.1% respectively. In multivariate analysis, prevalence of myopia was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with higher age, female gender, urban region and school type. Prevalence of myopia of ≤−1.00 D and of ≤−8.0 D increased from 9.7% and 0% in 7 year olds, respectively, to 74.2% and 1.8% in 17‐ or 18 year olds respectively. The latter figure was already similar (p = 0.39) to the prevalence of high myopia in the elderly Beijing Eye Study population (1.6%). In a subset of 1082 children undergoing cycloplegia, difference in refractive error between prior to and after cycloplegia was 0.31 ± 0.47 diopters.

Conclusions

On the basis of previous investigations from China, our study indicated an ongoing myopic shift in the young generation. Since the prevalence of high myopia in children aged 17 or 18 years was already similar to the one in the elderly Beijing population, the data prognosticate an increase in vision threatening high myopia in the future adult population.
Retrograde colon intussusception in an adult due to adenoma: Treatment by combined laparoscopic and endoscopic approach
Authors: Shibahara Kotaro , Ueda Masanobu , Takai Maki , Sonoda Kozo , Yoshida Michio , Maekawa Soichiro
Published: October 2013

This report describes the case of a young patient who underwent laparoscopic surgery to reduce for a retrograde intussusception of the sigmoid‐descending colon caused by adenoma of the sigmoid colon. A 36‐year‐old woman visited our hospital, complaining primarily of vomiting and abdominal pain. Abdominal CT scan showed the typical finding of intussusception. An emergency colonoscopy revealed that the invaginated colon with a polypoid mass was protruding into the descending colon. A gastrografin enema showed the invaginated bowel segment at the descending colon. We performed endoscopic polypectomy and then hand‐assisted laparoscopic reduction. The pathological finding showed tubular adenoma. Laparoscopy is a diagnostic or therapeutic tool for selected cases of adult intussusception. Benign tumor is one of the causes of intussusception in adults and a good indication for laparoscopic surgery.
Percutaneous nephroscopic management of an isolated giant renal hydatid cyst guided by single‐incision laparoscopy using conventional instruments: The Santosh‐PGI technique
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Choudhary Gautam R , Pushkarna Arawat , Najjapa Bhuvnesh , Ht Vatasla
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Isolated renal hydatid rarely presents, but when it does occur, it requires surgical treatment. We report our experience with a novel technique involving percutaneous management of a giant renal hydatid cyst with single‐incision laparoscopic assistance.

Material and Surgical Technique

First we performed retrograde ureteropyelogram, which did not show any communication between the cyst and the calyceal. A Veress needle was used for pneumoperitoneum. Three conventional laparoscopic trocars used. Under laparoscopic guidance, we punctured the cyst. The scolicidal solution used was 10% povidone‐iodine. The endocyst was removed under vision with grasping forceps through the nephroscope. A Portex drain was placed into the cyst cavity.

Discussion

Percutaneous aspiration and instillation of scolicidal agents followed by re‐aspiration have been previously reported. This is an attractive procedure because of its acceptable success rates and reduced morbidity. In our case, simple aspiration of the cyst would not have been successful because the cyst was full of daughter cysts. Also, a blind percutaneous puncture of the cyst and dilatation could have perforated the colon or the mesocolon, which is often wrapped over the surface of such giant cysts thereby making laparoscopic guidance and mobilization of the colon imperative. We devised this unique treatment method for this patient involving three conventional ports at a single umbilical site. We believe this is the first reported case of its kind in the world. Not only this technique is minimally invasive, it is also cost‐effective, as only conventional laparoscopic ports and instruments are used during the procedure.
Retrocolic Roux‐en‐Y anastomosis for total laparoscopic distal gastrectomy: Fix‐the‐remnant‐first technique
Authors: Iida Atsushi , Hirono Yasuo , Fujimoto Daisuke , Koneri Kenji , Goi Takanori , Katayama Kanji , Yamaguchi Akio
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Herein we report our retrocolic Roux‐en‐Y anastomosis for laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and its feasibility.

Materials and Surgical Technique

After laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy, the gastric remnant was fixed through the mesentery of the transverse colon. The gastrojejunostomy was performed with linear stapling devices at an angle that allowed for easy application. The jejunojejunostomy was also performed with linear stapling devices. All spaces between the mesentery were hand‐sewn closed. This procedure was performed laparoscopically without additional incisions in all 34 patients. The median operative time was 365 min and the median blood loss was 50 mL. All patients started liquid intake the day after gastrectomy. There were three cases of Grade 1 complications and one Grade 2 complication per the Clavien‐Dindo Classification. Patients’ weights after surgery were stable at the 36‐month follow‐up.

Discussion

The advantages of Roux‐en‐Y reconstruction have been reported to include less frequent anastomotic leakage, less gastritis and less bile reflux over the long term. The retrocolic reconstructions were performed in a manner similar to open surgery but under a laparoscopic view. The mesentery closure stitches to prevent internal herniation did not require as many stitches as the antecolic route and were easier to place. Our anastomosis for laparoscopic distal gastrectomy showed acceptable short‐term results, with patients maintaining up to 91.0% of their preoperative weight and nutritional input. By fixing the remnant stomach to the mesentery of the transverse colon before the anastomosis, we easily completed the retrocolic Roux‐en‐Y anastomosis under laparoscopic view.
Cutaneous adverse food reactions in cats: retrospective evaluation of 17 cases in a dermatology referral population (2001–2011)
Authors: Vogelnest LJ , Cheng KY
Published: October 2013

Objective

To better characterise cutaneous adverse food reactions (AFR) in cats, including the diagnostic challenges.

Design

Retrospective evaluation of cases presenting to a dermatology referral service.

Methods

Cats were identified by a computerised medical record search. AFR was confirmed by clear deterioration on normal food re‐challenge after completing an elimination diet, followed by improvement returning to the test diet. Prevalence, and breed, sex or age predispositions were compared with the base referral population. Patient records were reviewed for historical features, clinical presentations, concurrent dermatoses and dietary details.

Results

A total of 17 cats were identified with cutaneous AFR, with no breed or sex predisposition determined. Age of onset ranged from 3 months to 9 years, with a mean of 3.5 years. Prevalence was 6% of dermatoses and 10% of cutaneous hypersensitivities in the referral cat population. Cats typically presented with severe, perennial, non‐seasonally flaring pruritus affecting the face/head, neck and/or ventral abdomen. Concurrent hypersensitivities were confirmed in 6 cats and/or suspected in another 5 cats. Home‐prepared elimination diets were completed by 16 cats; 8 cats had initial poor response to minimum 6‐week commercial hydrolysed protein diets. Identified adverse foods included fish in 2 cats, and chicken, beef, commercial dry, and some canned foods, each in 1 cat.

Conclusions

The prevalence of cutaneous AFR in the general cat population is likely to be greater than 6%. A range of clinical presentations occur and practical challenges to diagnosis include reliance on strict adherence to dietary exclusion/provocation trials and misleading responses related to concurrent dermatoses and owner perceptions.
Ureaplasma diversum in bull semen in Australia: its detection and potential effects
Authors: Hobson N , Chousalkar KK , Chenoweth PJ
Published: October 2013

Background

The primary objective of this study was to confirm the infection status of Ureaplasma diversum in Australian bulls and to identify morphological changes of sperm from U. diversum‐positive bulls.

Methods

Fresh semen samples were taken from 29 sexually active beef bulls from suspect herds in the Riverina/Upper Murray region. U. diversum was identified using PCR analyses and culture of the organism.

Results

Nine of the bulls were PCR‐positive for U. diversum but none of these had genital lesions. Sperm from infected bulls showed increased incidence of abnormal tails (bent and coiled), as well as surface abnormalities (i.e. small protuberances or lumps).

Conclusions

The results suggest impairment of sperm function and possibly fertility. Further investigations into the potential role of U. diversum as a pathogen for Australian cattle are warranted.