bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of journalists’ personal characteristics on non-temporal news coverage
Authors: Tanikawa Miki
Published: March 2016

This study compared two reporters at the New York Times, who had the same news assignment, to examine whether personal backgrounds and interests of the journalists had an impact on the news content they created, especially in the non-time sensitive feature coverage. Employing a mixed-methods approach, findings in this study indicate that personal characteristics do play a role in shaping news content, contrary to what most previous gatekeeping studies have found. Individuality becomes more pronounced when one controls for the type of news, between time-urgent straight news and non-straight news such as features. There is strong indication that among individuals’ largest contributions to content is making topical suggestions.
The Survival Advantage: Underlying Mechanisms and Extant Limitations
Authors: Kazanas Stephanie A. , Altarriba Jeanette
Published: March 2016

Recently, researchers have begun to investigate the function of memory in our evolutionary history. According to Nairne and colleagues (e.g., Nairne, Pandeirada, and Thompson, 2008 ; Nairne, Thompson, and Pandeirada, 2007 ), the best mnemonic strategy for learning lists of unrelated words may be one that addresses the same problems that our Pleistocene ancestors faced: fitness-relevant problems including securing food and water, as well as protecting themselves from predators. Survival processing has been shown to promote better recall and recognition memory than many well-known mnemonic strategies (e.g., pleasantness ratings, imagery, generation, etc.). However, the survival advantage does not extend to all types of stimuli and tasks. The current review presents research that has replicated Nairne et al.'s (2007) original findings, in addition to the research designs that fail to replicate the survival advantage. In other words, there are specific manipulations in which survival processing does not appear to benefit memory any more than other strategies. Potential mechanisms for the survival advantage are described, with an emphasis on those that are the most plausible. These proximate mechanisms outline the memory processes that may contribute to the advantage, although the ultimate mechanism may be the congruity between the survival scenario and Pleistocene problem-solving.
Active ageing in the nursing home: Could participatory action research provide the answer?
Authors: Van Malderen Lien , De Vriendt Patricia , Mets Tony , Gorus Ellen
Published: March 2016

Within the Active Ageing context (WHO), enhancing older peoples’ quality of life by focusing on their participation is essential. Although Active Ageing is relevant in nursing homes, the nursing home residents’ autonomy and participation on organizational level are often restricted. New ways to structurally enhance their participation must be found. This article discusses possible contributions of participatory action research as structural method in a new Active Ageing-envisioned nursing home, enabling residents’ participation and focuses on the practicalities of its implementation process. During an implementation project in the nursing home, participatory action research was introduced in the nursing home as weekly activity where residents assembled to observe the nursing home operation, identify problems and make suggestions for improvement. Based on the researchers’ experiences, implementing participatory action research needs a preparation and adaptation period for the nursing home staff, the participatory action research moderators and the residents to cope with the experienced challenges. Nevertheless, participatory action research appeared feasible and can bring added value to residents’ living conditions. This article contributes to the development of the participatory action research theory and the Active Ageing implementation in nursing home, since it shows the possibilities, challenges and assets of participatory action research towards a more frail population in the nursing home environment. Participatory action research might in turn lead to the realization of Active Ageing nursing home who endeavours to optimize residents’ quality of life.
Traditional and emerging indicators of cardiovascular risk in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: John Michelle , McKeever Tricia M , Haddad Maath Al , Hall Ian P , Sayers Ian , Cockcroft John R , Bolton Charlotte E
Published: March 2016

With the increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there is a priority to identify those patients at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Stable patients with COPD ( n = 185) and controls with a smoking history ( n = 106) underwent aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), blood pressure (BP) and skin autofluorescence (AF) at clinical stability. Blood was sent for fasting lipids, soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) and CV risk prediction scores were calculated. More patients (18%) had a self-reported history of CV disease than controls (8%), p = 0.02, whilst diabetes was similar (14% and 10%), p = 0.44. Mean (SD) skin AF was greater in patients: 3.1 (0.5) AU than controls 2.8 (0.6) AU, p < 0.001. Aortic PWV was greater in patients: 10.2 (2.3) m/s than controls: 9.6 (2.0) m/s, p = 0.02 despite similar BP. The CV risk prediction scores did not differentiate between patients and controls nor were the individual components of the scores different. The sRAGE levels were not statistically different. We present different indicators of CV risk alongside each other in well-defined subjects with and without COPD. Two non-invasive biomarkers associated with future CV burden: skin AF and aortic PWV are both significantly greater in patients with COPD compared to the controls. The traditional CV prediction scores used in the general population were not statistically different. We provide new data to suggest that alternative approaches for optimal CV risk detection should be employed in COPD management.
Institutional Erosion and Its Effects on Russia’s Corporate Leadership
Authors: May Ruth C. , Rayter Gregory R. , Ledgerwood Donna E.
Published: March 2016

From 2000 to 2015, Vladimir Putin presided over Russia’s retreat from a nascent, market-based economy to a more familiar, yet problematic state-centered system. Grounded in statist ideology, Putin successfully leveraged the Russian people’s culturally embedded proclivity for personal networking in assembling his administrative coalition of former KGB, military, and government ministry connections known as the siloviki. This circle of trusted advisors would become instrumental in achieving Putin’s comprehensive agenda for the wholesale deinstitutionalization of Russia’s formal institutional context. In this article, we provide a dual-level perspective of the longitudinal erosion in Russia’s independent media, electoral process, judicial independence, and civil society, along with the corresponding effects on the attitudes and behaviors of Russia’s corporate leadership. Our insider view of organizational leadership comes from more than 20 years of interacting with Russian executives through research, training, and consulting, as well as the personal accounts provided by our Russian associate who worked closely with a single corporate leader in banking from 2000 to 2015. Russia’s institutional erosion presents significant challenges for conducting business as well as opportunities for research in the midst of a nearly unimaginable institutional reversal in one of the world’s most important transition economies.
The Role of Relational Social Capital and Communication in the Relationship Between CSR and Employee Attitudes
Authors: Suh Yon Jin
Published: March 2016

This study examines the effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on employee attitudes (affective commitment and job satisfaction). Based on a sample of 1,249 employees in 40 firms, collected across multiple time points from multisource data, hierarchical linear modeling was employed to examine the mediating role of relational social capital between CSR and employee attitudes and the moderating role of communication in this relationship. The results indicate that CSR has a positive influence on affective commitment and job satisfaction and that this is fully mediated by relational social capital. However, the moderated mediation effects of communication were insignificant. The results suggest that firms may “do well” by eliciting positive employee attitudes through relational social capital stemming from “doing good.” Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Contrasting emergence: In systems of systems and in social networks
Authors: Zeigler Bernard P
Published: March 2016

This article considers emergence in the context of systems of systems, examining the earlier proposed tri-layered architecture in some depth. In contrast with healthcare reform, a social media phenomenon, the emergence of topics in the Twitter user community, is shown not to satisfy a critical condition of the architecture. Nevertheless, detection of topic emergence is shown to offer insights into the design of Emergence Behavior Observers.
Diesel particulate filter design simulation: A review
Authors: Yang Shichun , Deng Cheng , Gao Yanfei , He Yongling
Published: March 2016

Simulation is a powerful tool in the design and analysis of diesel particulate filters. Various models have been developed in the last three decades and great improvements have been made in terms of model comprehensiveness and accuracy. However, simulation of diesel particulate filter is still not a reliable resort to fine-tuning of diesel particulate filter and much effort is still needed. To promote the development of effective simulation models, first, the various models are viewed. Their characteristics and application occasions are discussed. Second, regarding the limitations of these models, some key submodels are introduced, which are pressure drop model in the wall, filtration model, and soot oxidation model. Finally, some conclusions are made and further researches are recommended.
Inquiring the niche determinants of social media websites in dynamically mobile hypercompetitive communication era
Authors: Huang Chih-Cheng
Published: March 2016

This research cross-employs the information communication distribution transaction and analytic network process models to effectively institute the hierarchical evaluated model and utilizes, in specific, fuzzy theory and the grey relation analysis approaches of multiple criteria decision-making methodology into the weight measurements of expert’s questionnaires from three analytical perspectives (user’s satisfaction, corporate commitment, and social trust) of relationship quality in order to explore the niche determinants of the social media websites in the contemporarily hypercompetitive and dynamic online era. Consequently, as for the measured consequences after a series of complicated and systematical calculations, the most valuable findings in this research are (1) the technological interfaces of social media websites is a positive niche in the dynamically mobile hypercompetitive communication era and (2) the “social media websites” is in a position of becoming one of the social media mainstreams in the online technology field based on the measured weights from the detailed survey data collected from experts in this research.
17β-estradiol modulates the viability, phenotype, endocytosis, and inflammatory cytokine expression of RAW264.7 macrophages
Authors: Yang Linsong , Ting Yue , Shen Yuhuan , Wang Liqun , Zhuang Ziheng
Published: March 2016

17β-estradiol (E2) is a female sex steroid hormone and exerts a pivotal role not only in female pregnancy but also in organ immune responses. Macrophages, as a kind of antigen-presenting cells, play an important influence on the cellular and humoral immune responses and also express the E2 receptor. In the present study, we explored the effects of E2 on the viability, endocytosis, surface molecule, and inflammatory cytokine expression of RAW264.7 macrophages. Results showed that E2 slightly increased the cell proliferation and endocytosis of RAW264.7 cells, while notably decreasing the mRNA and protein levels of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). As for the expression of surface molecules closely associated with the functions of macrophages, E2 significantly reduced the levels of CD40, CD80, and MHC-II. Interestingly, E2 reduced the levels of CD86 at low dose (10 nM and 1 nM), while enhancing its expression at high doses (1 μM and 0.1 μM). These results suggest that E2 may play an immuno-suppressive role in the inflammatory reactions and some autoimmune diseases partly by influencing the expressions of some important surface molecules and inflammatory cytokines of macrophages.
School governor regulation in England’s changing education landscape
Authors: Baxter Jacqueline
Published: March 2016

The changing education landscape in England, combined with a more rigorous form of governor regulation in the form of the Ofsted 2012 Inspection Framework, are together placing more demands than ever before on the 300,000 volunteer school governors in England. These school governors are, in many cases, directly accountable to the Secretary of State for Education. Using a form of Goffman’s frame analysis and drawing on theory which indicates that head teachers and inspection reports are highly influential regarding the ways in which governors make sense of their environment and accountability, this paper traces the development of a system which is highly specific to England, in order to evaluate to what extent present governor regulatory accountabilities can be seen as either conflicting or in harmony with head teacher and inspector understandings of the role. The paper concludes that there is considerable evidence that the current regulatory framework combined with conflicting and often contradictory head teacher and inspector understandings of governance is giving rise to what Koppell terms ‘Multiple Accountabilities Disorder’ and that this is creating tensions in the system of education governance and regulation in England.
Involvement of NIPSNAP1, a neuropeptide nocistatin-interacting protein, in inflammatory pain
Authors: Okamoto Kazuya , Ohashi Masaki , Ohno Kana , Takeuchi Arisa , Matsuoka Etsuko , Fujisato Kyohei , Minami Toshiaki , Ito Seiji , Okuda-Ashitaka Emiko
Published: March 2016

Background

Chronic pain associated with inflammation is an important clinical problem, and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. 4-Nitrophenylphosphatase domain and nonneuronal SNAP25-like protein homolog (NIPSNAP) 1, an interacting protein with neuropeptide nocistatin, is implicated in the inhibition of tactile pain allodynia. Although nocistatin inhibits some inflammatory pain responses, whether NIPSNAP1 affects inflammatory pain appears to be unclear. Here, we examined the nociceptive behavioral response of NIPSNAP1-deficient mice and the expression of NIPSNAP1 following peripheral inflammation to determine the contribution of NIPSNAP1 to inflammatory pain.

Results

Nociceptive behavioral response increased in phase II of the formalin test, particularly during the later stage (26–50 min) in NIPSNAP1-deficient mice, although the response during phase I (0–15 min) was not significantly different between the deficient and wild-type mice. Moreover, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase was enhanced in the spinal dorsal horn of the deficient mice. The prolonged inflammatory pain induced by carrageenan and complete Freund’s adjuvant was exacerbated in NIPSNAP1-deficient mice. NIPSNAP1 mRNA was expressed in small- and medium-sized neurons of the dorsal root ganglion and motor neurons of the spinal cord. In the formalin test, NIPSNAP1 mRNA was slightly increased in dorsal root ganglion but not in the spinal cord. In contrast, NIPSNAP1 mRNA levels in dorsal root ganglion were significantly decreased during 24–48 h after carrageenan injection. Prostaglandin E2, a major mediator of inflammation, stimulated NIPSNAP1 mRNA expression via the cAMP-protein kinase A signaling pathway in isolated dorsal root ganglion cells.

Conclusions

These results suggest that changes in NIPSNAP1 expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory pain.
An insight into track and field coaches’ knowledge and use of sprinting drills to improve performance
Authors: Whelan Niamh , Kenny Ian C , Harrison Andrew J
Published: March 2016

Coaches’ knowledge of drills and their specificity to sprint movement patterns and muscle activations have become increasingly important. Drills are used to encourage the development of optimal movement and coordination. They are prescribed to help the athlete develop sprint technique, and it is generally assumed that the drills are the parts within a whole-part-whole learning strategy. Previous literature has suggested some drills may be questionable as they may not replicate the muscle activations or movement pattern of sprinting. A total of 209 coaches completed an online questionnaire, which examined coaches’ choice of drills; reasons for using each drill and reasons for changing drills used. The results were analysed using qualitative and quantitative methods. Results showed that coaches believed that drills are a vital part of training to improve performance but that they should be specific to sprinting technique.
A Comparison of the Performance of Brand-Affiliated and Unaffiliated Hotel Properties
Authors: Carvell Steven A. , Canina Linda , Sturman Michael C.
Published: March 2016

Research has shown that performance differences exist between brand-affiliated hotels and unaffiliated properties. However, the extant empirical results are mixed. Some research has shown that brands outperform unaffiliated hotels on various metrics, whereas other research has shown the opposite. This article analyzes this issue using a matched-pair approach where we compare the performance differences of brand-affiliated and unaffiliated properties between 1998 and 2010. The matched-pair approach ensures that local competitive conditions as well as hotel characteristics are the same across the comparison pair. In addition, all potential omitted-variable bias and model misspecifications are avoided. Thus, to address our research question, we compare branded hotels with unaffiliated properties that are identical in age, market segment, location, and duration of operation, as well as having a similar number of rooms. Our analysis shows that performance differentials are present, albeit not systematic. We found no consistent advantages in all segments for either the affiliated hotels or the comparable unaffiliated properties, taking into account our comparison factors. That said, the methodology of our approach yields results that are more informative to the affiliation choice of owners and to the growth strategies of hotel brand–owner companies than those of previous empirical studies.
Dissection of a non-bifurcating cervical carotid artery
Authors: Nas Omer Fatih , Karakullukcuoglu Zeynel , Hakyemez Bahattin , Erdogan Cuneyt
Published: March 2016

A non-bifurcating cervical carotid artery is a rare anomaly in the population. Radiologic diagnosis of pathologies seen together with this anomaly can be challenging. Despite not being diagnostic all the time, digital subtraction angiography is accepted as the gold standard method for the diagnosis of dissection. We present a case of a non-bifurcating cervical carotid artery and concomitant dissection, which presented to the hospital with trauma and ischemic findings.
Cleaning rotten politics, selling exclusive liaisons: Public relations consultants as storytelling professionals between markets and politics
Authors: Kantola Anu
Published: March 2016

The article examines communication and public relations (PR) consultants as storytelling professionals, who legitimate their professionalism by telling stories in everyday encounters as they occupy new fields. I draw upon 26 interviews with communication and PR professionals working in communication and PR consultancies and show how they legitimate their expertise in political advocacy and lobbying. The analysis finds that they use four clusters of antenarratives to challenge the existing political order and traditional practices of political advocacy and to populate the political field with new actors and identities. In toto, the stories create a ‘living story’ of professionalism which is nevertheless hampered by contradictions between the logics of market and politics. While the consultants claim to be reformers of a closed political system, at the same time, they promote hidden practices and resist the effective regulation of openness.
Functional level assessment of individuals with transtibial limb loss: Evaluation in the clinical setting versus objective community ambulatory activity
Authors: Orendurff Michael S , Raschke Silvia U , Winder Lorne , Moe David , Boone David A , Kobayashi Toshiki
Published: March 2016

The functional level (K level) of prosthetic users is used to choose appropriate prosthetic components, but ratings may highly subjective. A more objective and robust method to determine K level may be appealing. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between K level determined in the clinic to K level based on real world ambulatory activity data collected by StepWatch. Twelve individuals with transtibial limb loss gave informed consent to participate. K level assessments performed in the clinic by a single treating prosthetist were compared with a calculated estimate based on seven days of real world ambulatory activity patterns using linear regression. There was good agreement between the two methods of determining K level with R2 = 0.775 ( p < 0.001). The calculated estimate of K level based on actual ambulatory activity in real world settings appears to be similar to the treating prosthetist’s assessment of K level based on gait observation and patient responses in the clinic. Clinic-based ambulatory capacity in transtibial prosthetic users appears to correlate with real world ambulatory behavior in this small cohort. Determining functional level based on real world ambulatory activity may supplement clinic-based tests of functional capacity.
Integration of the Pedagogical Models “Simulation” and “Flipped Classroom” in Teacher Instruction
Authors: Angelini M. Laura
Published: March 2016

In a postgraduate course for teachers of English as a foreign language in secondary school, teacher trainees were introduced to simulations through the use of flipped learning and simulation design. The objective of the present fieldwork was to determine whether designing simulation scenarios based on literature which delves into human rights was effective in introducing teacher trainees to the use of simulations in secondary education. To achieve this, the flipped model was followed, and theoretical considerations of simulations were analyzed on the part of the teacher trainees outside of class whereas practice was done in class. This article presents the findings of the qualitative analysis of postgraduate students’ perceptions with results that show that designing simulation scenarios based on reading texts on human rights can be a powerful tool for their future students. By designing simulation scenarios, the teacher trainees could see simulations potential to use the foreign language purposefully at the time affective learning and empathy were sought through the literary pieces on human rights.
Undergraduate and Graduate Students’ Descriptions of the Complete Acceptance of Homosexuality
Authors: Tollini Craig , Herbstrith Julie C.
Published: March 2016

Based on the idea that researchers may better understand attitudes regarding homosexuality by focusing on acceptance rather than heterosexism, we utilized an online survey to ask 437 undergraduate and graduate students at a medium-sized, Midwestern, public university to what extent they would agree that a list of 24 statements matched their views of what the complete acceptance of homosexuality in the United States would look like. The findings indicated that participants generally endorsed a range of statements, though the level of support and the number of endorsed items varied. The relationships between the items participants endorsed, and either their sexual orientation, experiences with gay men and lesbians, or levels of heterosexism, are also discussed, as are implications and suggestions for future research.
Applying Kasper and Petrello’s Nonjudgmental Approach to Navajo Students
Authors: Huang Yi-Wen
Published: March 2016

This article aims to examine the factors which must be taken into consideration before attempting to utilize Kasper and Petrello’s nonjudgmental approach to English composition classes at a small 2-year college in the American Southwest. The majority of the students there are Navajo. Navajo oral tradition and syntax are two important factors to consider before utilizing this approach. Instructors are suggested to understand Navajo culture including oral tradition and syntax and direct students to the differences and similarities between Western and Navajo rhetorical patterns.
Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavior Support Plans for Work-Based Learning
Authors: Kittelman Angus , Bromley Katherine Wagner , Mazzotti Valerie L.
Published: March 2016

Work experiences are linked to positive post-school outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities. Unfortunately, students who struggle to manage conflict and challenges in work settings have a difficult time maintaining employment. Though ecological assessments are used to create supported work plans surrounding socially inappropriate behavior, some students may benefit from a more targeted function-based approach to addressing these behaviors in work settings. This article provides information about how functional behavioral assessments and behavior support plans, tools routinely used in schools, can be adapted for use in employment settings.
Drinking Motives and Willingness to Drink Alcohol in Peer Drinking Contexts
Authors: Anderson Kristen G. , Garcia Tracey A. , Dash Genevieve F.
Published: March 2016

Drinking motives are important proximal predictors of alcohol consumption in adolescents and emerging adults (EAs). Despite the importance of peer context on alcohol use decision-making, research on drinking motives is commonly divorced from the contexts where such decisions are made. Behavioral willingness (BW), or openness to engaging in a given behavior, is a contextually dependent aspect of nondeliberative decision-making for youth. As BW and drinking motives are proximal predictors of alcohol use, it was hypothesized that they would interact in the prediction of later drinking. Eighty-seven EAs reported their BW in simulated drinking contexts, drinking motives, and alcohol consumption upon entering college as well as drinking patterns 8 months later. Context-specific BW potentiated coping motives’ impact on increased alcohol consumption and potentially hazardous drinking at the end of participants’ first year. These findings support the importance of BW and context in understanding motivation’s role in drinking behavior for EAs.
Implications of an Incidental Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation
Authors: Holden Van K. , Shah Nirav G. , Verceles Avelino C.
Published: March 2016

Introduction. Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) have been associated with life-threatening complications, such as stroke and massive hemoptysis, thus posing significant morbidity if left untreated. We report a case of an incidental finding of a PAVM in a trauma patient newly recognized to have suspected hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Case Description. A 34-year-old man with a history of recurrent epistaxis presented with a sudden fall associated with seizure-like activity. Trauma imaging showed a large subdural hematoma and, incidentally, a serpiginous focus within the right upper lobe with a prominent feeding artery consistent with a PAVM. The patient was diagnosed with a simple PAVM related to possible or suspected HHT, an autosomal dominant trait with age-related penetrance. He underwent a pulmonary arteriography of the right upper and lower lobe with the use of a microcatheter system; however, the PAVM could not be visualized. Thus, he was managed medically. The patient was educated on the need for prophylactic antibiotics prior to dental procedures and surveillance imaging. Discussion. Our case highlights the importance of obtaining a complete past medical and family history in young patients with a history of recurrent epistaxis to elicit features of HHT. The diagnosis can be made clinically and directly affects family members, who would otherwise not receive appropriate screening.
In-hospital mortality following lung cancer resection: nationwide administrative database
Authors: Pagès Pierre-Benoit , Cottenet Jonathan , Mariet Anne-Sophie , Bernard Alain , Quantin Catherine
Published: March 2016

Our aim was to determine the effect of a national strategy for quality improvement in cancer management (the “Plan Cancer”) according to time period and to assess the influence of type and volume of hospital activity on in-hospital mortality (IHM) within a large national cohort of patients operated on for lung cancer.

From January 2005 to December 2013, 76 235 patients were included in the French Administrative Database. Patient characteristics, hospital volume of activity and hospital type were analysed over three periods: 2005–2007, 2008–2010 and 2011–2013.

Global crude IHM was 3.9%: 4.3% during 2005–2007, 4% during 2008–2010 and 3.5% during 2011–2013 (p<0.01). 296, 259 and 209 centres performed pulmonary resections in 2005–2007, 2008–2010 and 2011–2013, respectively (p<0.01). The risk of death was higher in centres performing <13 resections per year than in centres performing >43 resections per year (adjusted (a)OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.197–1.834). The risk of death was lower in the period 2011–2013 than in the period 2008–2010 (aOR 0.841, 95% CI 0.764–0.926). Adjustment variables (age, sex, Charlson score and type of resection) were significantly linked to IHM, whereas the type of hospital was not.

The French national strategy for quality improvement seems to have induced a significant decrease in IHM.
The independent role of prenatal and postnatal exposure to active and passive smoking on the development of early wheeze in children
Authors: Vardavas C.I. , Hohmann C. , Patelarou E. , Martinez D. , Henderson A.J. , Granell R. , Sunyer J. , Torrent M. , Fantini M.P. , Gori D. , Annesi-Maesano I. , Slama R. , Duijts L. , de Jongste J.C. , Aurrekoetxea J.J. , Basterrechea M. , Morales E. , Ballester F. , Murcia M. , Thijs C. , Mommers M. , Kuehni C.E. , Gaillard E.A. , Tischer C. , Heinrich J. , Pizzi C. , Zugna D. , Gehring U. , Wijga A. , Chatzi L. , Vassilaki M. , Bergström A. , Eller E. , Lau S. , Keil T. , Nieuwenhuijsen M. , Kogevinas M.
Published: March 2016

Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases childhood asthma risk, but health effects in children of nonsmoking mothers passively exposed to tobacco smoke during pregnancy are unclear. We examined the association of maternal passive smoking during pregnancy and wheeze in children aged ≤2 years.

Individual data of 27 993 mother–child pairs from 15 European birth cohorts were combined in pooled analyses taking into consideration potential confounders.

Children with maternal exposure to passive smoking during pregnancy and no other smoking exposure were more likely to develop wheeze up to the age of 2 years (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03–1.20) compared with unexposed children. Risk of wheeze was further increased by children's postnatal passive smoke exposure in addition to their mothers' passive exposure during pregnancy (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.19–1.40) and highest in children with both sources of passive exposure and mothers who smoked actively during pregnancy (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.59–1.88). Risk of wheeze associated with tobacco smoke exposure was higher in children with an allergicversusnonallergic family history.

Maternal passive smoking exposure during pregnancy is an independent risk factor for wheeze in children up to the age of 2 years. Pregnant females should avoid active and passive exposure to tobacco smoke for the benefit of their children's health.
FG-3019 anti-connective tissue growth factor monoclonal antibody: results of an open-label clinical trial in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Raghu Ganesh , Scholand Mary Beth , de Andrade João , Lancaster Lisa , Mageto Yolanda , Goldin Jonathan , Brown Kevin K. , Flaherty Kevin R. , Wencel Mark , Wanger Jack , Neff Thomas , Valone Frank , Stauffer John , Porter Seth
Published: March 2016

FG-3019 is a fully human monoclonal antibody that interferes with the action of connective tissue growth factor, a central mediator in the pathogenesis of fibrosis.

This open-label phase 2 trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of two doses of FG-3019 administered by intravenous infusion every 3 weeks for 45 weeks in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Subjects had a diagnosis of IPF within the prior 5 years defined by either usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern on a recent high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan, or a possible UIP pattern on HRCT scan and a recent surgical lung biopsy showing UIP pattern. Pulmonary function tests were performed every 12 weeks, and changes in the extent of pulmonary fibrosis were measured by quantitative HRCT scans performed at baseline and every 24 weeks.

FG-3019 was safe and well-tolerated in IPF patients participating in the study. Changes in fibrosis were correlated with changes in pulmonary function.

Further investigation of FG-3019 in IPF with a placebo-controlled clinical trial is warranted and is underway.
Effectiveness and safety of meropenem/clavulanate-containing regimens in the treatment of MDR- and XDR-TB
Authors: Tiberi Simon , Payen Marie-Christine , Sotgiu Giovanni , D'Ambrosio Lia , Alarcon Guizado Valentina , Alffenaar Jan Willem , Abdo Arbex Marcos , Caminero Jose A. , Centis Rosella , De Lorenzo Saverio , Gaga Mina , Gualano Gina , Roby Arias Aurora Jazmín , Scardigli Anna , Skrahina Alena , Solovic Ivan , Sulis Giorgia , Tadolini Marina , Akkerman Onno W. , Alarcon Arrascue Edith , Aleska Alena , Avchinko Vera , Bonini Eduardo Henrique , Chong Marín Félix Antonio , Collahuazo López Lorena , de Vries Gerard , Dore Simone , Kunst Heinke , Matteelli Alberto , Moschos Charalampos , Palmieri Fabrizio , Papavasileiou Apostolos , Spanevello Antonio , Vargas Vasquez Dante , Viggiani Pietro , White Veronica , Zumla Alimuddin , Migliori Giovanni Battista
Published: March 2016

No large study has ever evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of meropenem/clavulanate to treat multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR- and XDR-TB). The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the therapeutic contribution, effectiveness, safety and tolerability profile of meropenem/clavulanate added to a background regimen when treating MDR- and XDR-TB cases.

Patients treated with a meropenem/clavulanate-containing regimen (n=96) showed a greater drug resistance profile than those exposed to a meropenem/clavulanate-sparing regimen (n=168): in the former group XDR-TB was more frequent (49%versus6.0%, p<0.0001) and the median (interquartile range (IQR)) number of antibiotic resistances was higher (8 (6–9)versus5 (4–6)). Patients were treated with a meropenem/clavulanate-containing regimen for a median (IQR) of 85 (49–156) days.

No statistically significant differences were observed in the overall MDR-TB cohort and in the subgroups with and without the XDR-TB patients; in particular, sputum smear and culture conversion rates were similar in XDR-TB patients exposed to meropenem/clavulanate-containing regimens (88.0%versus100.0%, p=1.00 and 88.0%versus100.0%, p=1.00, respectively). Only six cases reported adverse events attributable to meropenem/clavulanate (four of them then restarting treatment).

The nondifferent outcomes and bacteriological conversion rate observed in cases who were more severe than controls might imply that meropenem/clavulanate could be active in treating MDR- and XDR-TB cases.
GOexpress: an R/Bioconductor package for the identification and visualisation of robust gene ontology signatures through supervised learning of gene expression data
Authors: Rue-Albrecht Kévin , McGettigan Paul A. , Hernández Belinda , Nalpas Nicolas C. , Magee David A. , Parnell Andrew C. , Gordon Stephen V. , MacHugh David E.
Published: March 2016

Background

Identification of gene expression profiles that differentiate experimental groups is critical for discovery and analysis of key molecular pathways and also for selection of robust diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers. While integration of differential expression statistics has been used to refine gene set enrichment analyses, such approaches are typically limited to single gene lists resulting from simple two-group comparisons or time-series analyses. In contrast, functional class scoring and machine learning approaches provide powerful alternative methods to leverage molecular measurements for pathway analyses, and to compare continuous and multi-level categorical factors.

Results

We introduce GOexpress, a software package for scoring and summarising the capacity of gene ontology features to simultaneously classify samples from multiple experimental groups. GOexpress integrates normalised gene expression data (e.g., from microarray and RNA-seq experiments) and phenotypic information of individual samples with gene ontology annotations to derive a ranking of genes and gene ontology terms using a supervised learning approach. The default random forest algorithm allows interactions between all experimental factors, and competitive scoring of expressed genes to evaluate their relative importance in classifying predefined groups of samples.

Conclusions

GOexpress enables rapid identification and visualisation of ontology-related gene panels that robustly classify groups of samples and supports both categorical (e.g., infection status, treatment) and continuous (e.g., time-series, drug concentrations) experimental factors. The use of standard Bioconductor extension packages and publicly available gene ontology annotations facilitates straightforward integration of GOexpress within existing computational biology pipelines.
Bacurd1/Kctd13 and Bacurd2/Tnfaip1 are interacting partners to Rnd proteins which influence the long-term positioning and dendritic maturation of cerebral cortical neurons
Authors: Gladwyn-Ng Ivan , Huang Lieven , Ngo Linh , Li Shan Shan , Qu Zhengdong , Vanyai Hannah Kate , Cullen Hayley Daniella , Davis John Michael , Heng Julian Ik-Tsen
Published: March 2016

Background

The development of neural circuits within the embryonic cerebral cortex relies on the timely production of neurons, their positioning within the embryonic cerebral cortex as well as their terminal differentiation and dendritic spine connectivity. The RhoA GTPases Rnd2 and Rnd3 are important for neurogenesis and cell migration within the embryonic cortex (Nat Commun 4:1635, 2013), and we recently identified the BTB/POZ domain-containing Adaptor for Cul3-mediated RhoA Degradation family member Bacurd2 (also known as Tnfaip1) as an interacting partner to Rnd2 for the migration of embryonic mouse cortical neurons (Neural Dev 10:9, 2015).

Findings

We have extended this work and report that Bacurd1/Kctd13 and Bacurd2/Tnfaip1 are interacting partners to Rnd2 and Rnd3 in vitro. Given that these genes are expressed during cortical development, we performed a series of in utero electroporation studies in mice and found that disruptions to Bacurd1/Kctd13 or Bacurd2/Tnfaip1 expression impair the long-term positioning of E14.5-born cortical neurons within the postnatal (P17) mouse cerebral cortex. We also find that forced expression of Bacurd1/Kctd13 and Bacurd2/Tnfaip1 alters the branching and dendritic spine properties of layer II/III projection neurons.

Conclusions

We identify Bacurd1/Kctd13 and Bacurd2/Tnfaip1 as interacting partners to Rnd proteins which influence the development of cortical neurons. Their neurodevelopmental functions are likely to be relevant to human brain development and disease.
Variational inequality formulation of circular cone eigenvalue complementarity problems
Authors: Chi Xiaoni , Wei Hongjin , Feng Yuqiang , Chen Jiawei
Published: March 2016

In this paper, we study the circular cone eigenvalue complementarity problem (CCEiCP) by variational inequality technique, prove the existence of a solution to CCEiCP, and investigate different nonlinear programming formulations of the symmetric and asymmetric CCEiCP, respectively. We reduce CCEiCP to a variational inequality problem on a compact convex set, which guarantees that CCEiCP has at least one solution. Based on the variational inequality formulation of CCEiCP, the symmetric CCEiCP can be reformulated as a nonlinear programming problem NLP1, and solved by computing a stationary point of the Rayleigh quotient function on a compact set. We formulate the asymmetric CCEiCP as another nonlinear programming problem NLP2, and show that any global minimum of NLP2with an objective function value equal to zero is a solution of the asymmetric CCEiCP. Moreover, a stationary point of NLP2is a solution of the asymmetric CCEiCP, if and only if the Lagrange multipliers associated with the equalities in NLP2are equal to zero. The different formulations of CCEiCP provide alternative approaches for solving CCEiCP, which will play an important role in designing efficient algorithms to solve CCEiCP.
Best proximity point theorems via fixed point theorems for multivalued mappings
Authors: Ardsalee Pinya , Saejung Satit
Published: March 2016

It is well known that the concept of a best proximity point includes that of a fixed point as a special case. In this paper, we show that the best proximity point theorems of Basha and Shahzad (Fixed Point Theory Appl. 2012:42, 2012) and of Fernández-León (J. Nonlinear Convex Anal. 15(2):313-324, 2014) can be regarded as a fixed point theorem for multivalued mappings which is modified as regards the results of Mizoguchi and Takahashi (J. Math. Anal. Appl. 141(1):177-188, 1989) and of Kada et al. (Math. Jpn. 44(2):381-391, 1996).
Interleukin-7 promotes human regulatory T cell development at the CD4+CD8+ double-positive thymocyte stage
Authors: Tuulasvaara Anni , Vanhanen Reetta , Baldauf Hanna-Mari , Puntila Juha , Arstila T Petteri
Published: March 2016

Although mature human FOXP3+ regulatory T cells are CD127 (IL-7Rα) negative, CD4+CD8+ FOXP3+ thymocytes express relatively high levels of CD127 and are responsive to IL-7. However, the role of IL-7 in human regulatory T cell development is poorly known. We show that at the CD4+CD8+ stage, FOXP3+ thymocytes are highly susceptible to apoptosis, and IL-7 selectively rescues them from death, leading to an increased frequency of FOXP3+ cells. IL-7 also promotes the development of regulatory T cell phenotype by inducing up-regulation of FOXP3+ and CTLA-4 expression. In contrast, IL-7 does not enhance proliferation of FOXP3+thymocytes or induce demethylation of FOXP3+ regulatory T cell-specific demethylated region. After the CD4+CD8+ stage, the FOXP3+ thymocytes down-regulate CD127 expression but despite very low levels of CD127, remain responsive to IL-7. These results suggest that IL-7 affects human regulatory T cell development in the thymus by at least 2 distinct mechanisms: suppression of apoptosis and up-regulation of FOXP3+ expression.
Reduced TNF-α response in preterm neonates is associated with impaired nonclassic monocyte function
Authors: Wisgrill Lukas , Groschopf Alina , Herndl Elisabeth , Sadeghi Kambis , Spittler Andreas , Berger Angelika , Förster-Waldl Elisabeth
Published: March 2016

Premature infants are highly susceptible to severe bacterial infections. The impaired infection control related to the functional immaturity of the neonatal innate immune system is an important cause of infection. Different monocyte subpopulations have been described and functionally characterized. However, data from preterm infants are scarce. We analyzed constitutive monocyte TLR2, TLR4, CD163, and HLA-DR expression in preterm cord blood. We further investigated activation of the signaling proteins ERK1/2 and NF-κB in monocyte subpopulations after ex vivo stimulation with the bacterial TLR agonists LPS and lipoteichoic acid. The functional outcome of the stimulation was determined by the intracellular production of TNF. Furthermore, the phagocytic activity was measured via flow cytometry. TLR4 and HLA-DR showed a gestational age-dependent increase. However, activation of ERK1/2 and NF-κB was impaired in neonatal monocyte subpopulations after stimulation with TLR agonists. Accordingly, intracellular TNF was diminished in preterm monocytes, especially in nonclassic monocytes. Premature monocytes showed high phagocytic activity, with significantly lower acidification of the phagosome. The reduced functional response of nonclassic monocytes of preterm neonates appears to be part of the diminished early immune response to bacterial cell wall components and is likely to contribute to their susceptibility to bacterial infection.
Case finding and screening clinical utility of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9 and PHQ-2) for depression in primary care: a diagnostic meta-analysis of 40 studies
Authors: Mitchell Alex J. , Yadegarfar Motahare , Gill John , Stubbs Brendon
Published: March 2016

Background

The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) is the most commonly used measure to screen for depression in primary care but there is still lack of clarity about its accuracy and optimal scoring method.

Aims

To determine via meta-analysis the diagnostic accuracy of the PHQ-9-linear, PHQ-9-algorithm and PHQ-2 questions to detect major depressive disorder (MDD) among adults.

Method

We systematically searched major electronic databases from inception until June 2015. Articles were included that reported the accuracy of PHQ-9 or PHQ-2 questions for diagnosing MDD in primary care defined according to standard classification systems. We carried out a meta-analysis, meta-regression, moderator and sensitivity analysis.

Results

Overall, 26 publications reporting on 40 individual studies were included representing 26 902 people (median 502, s.d.=693.7) including 14 760 unique adults of whom 14.3% had MDD. The methodological quality of the included articles was acceptable. The meta-analytic area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the PHQ-9-linear and the PHQ-2 was significantly higher than the PHQ-9-algorithm, a difference that was maintained in head-to-head meta-analysis of studies. Our best estimates of sensitivity and specificity were 81.3% (95% CI 71.6–89.3) and 85.3% (95% CI 81.0–89.1), 56.8% (95% CI 41.2–71.8) and 93.3% (95% CI 87.5–97.3) and 89.3% (95% CI 81.5–95.1) and 75.9% (95% CI 70.1–81.3) for the PHQ-9-linear, PHQ-9-algorithm and PHQ-2 respectively. For case finding (ruling in a diagnosis), none of the methods were suitable but for screening (ruling out non-cases), all methods were encouraging with good clinical utility, although the cut-off threshold must be carefully chosen.

Conclusions

The PHQ can be used as an initial first step assessment in primary care and the PHQ-2 is adequate for this purpose with good acceptability. However, neither the PHQ-2 nor the PHQ-9 can be used to confirm a clinical diagnosis (case finding).