bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
African Children's Literature, Spirituality, and Climate Change
Authors: Chitando Anna
Published: October 2017

African children's literature is well placed to make an effective contribution to discussions on climate change. However, this literature is often marginalized within literary studies in particular and in society in general. This article examines the relevance of African children's literature in contributing to the response to climate change. Through an analysis of two selected texts, the article argues that African children's literature can equip children and adults to adopt practices that promote environmental sustainability and mitigate the impact of climate change. The first section gives the background, while the second concentrates on climate change and its impact on Africa. The third section is devoted to African traditional folklore and children's literature, considering how the two are deployed by society to teach children to respect the environment. The subsequent parts of the article examine the role played by spirituality in folktales, religion, and climate change, while the final section concludes the article.
Praying for Courage: African Religious Leaders and Climate Change
Authors: Chitando Ezra
Published: October 2017

Climate change has emerged as one of the major challenges facing Africa. This article argues that religious leaders in Africa must mobilize their communities to provide effective responses to climate change. Although prayer occupies a central place in the major religions found in Africa, this article maintains that religious leaders must invest in innovative strategies to address climate change. They must avoid escapist prayers. The article analyzes the strengths of religious leaders in Africa and identifies some of the areas where they can play an effective role. It calls upon African religious leaders to challenge triumphalist theologies, mobilize for local action, and convene multi‐religious meetings on climate change.
The Handelsblatt Rankings 2.0: Research Rankings for the Economics Profession in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland
Authors: Sturm Jan-Egbert , Ursprung Heinrich W.
Published: October 2017

The distinguishing feature of all Handelsblatt rankings published over the last ten years is that they could draw on premium quality bibliometric data. We present here the new method used by KOF and DICE to compile the 2017 Handelsblatt Rankings of university departments and individual economists. As in previous years, the rankings are based on quality weighted journal publications. We show that the benchmark results are robust to various changes in the employed method, in particular to changes in the convexity of the journal quality weighting scheme. In conclusion, we show how the collected data can be used to provide customized evaluations of entire academic careers of individual economists.
Can a renal nurse assess fluid status using ultrasound on the inferior vena cava? A cross‐sectional interrater study
Authors: Steinwandel Ulrich , Gibson Nicholas , Towell Amanda , Rippey James J. R. , Rosman Johan
Published: October 2017

Introduction: Ultrasound of the inferior vena cava (IVC‐US) has been used to estimate intravascular volume status and fluid removal during a hemodialysis session. Usually, renal nurses rely on other, imprecise methods to determine ultrafiltration. To date, no study has examined whether renal nurses can reliably perform ultrasound for volume assessment and for potential prevention of intradialytic hypotension. This pilot study aimed to determine if a renal nurse could master the skill of performing and correctly interpreting Point of Care Ultrasound on patients receiving hemodialysis.

Methods: After receiving theoretical training and performing 100 training scans, a renal nurse performed 60 ultrasound scans on 10 patients. These were categorized by the nurse into hypovolemic, euvolemic, or hypervolemic through measurement of the maximal diameter and degree of collapse of the IVC. Scans were subsequently assessed for adequacy and quality by two sonologists, who were blinded to each other's and the nurse's results.

Findings: The interrater reliability of 60 scans was good, with intraclass correlation 0.79 (95% confidence interval (CI) =0.63–0.87) and with a good interrater agreement for the following estimation of intravascular volume (Cohen's weighted Kappa κw = 0.62), when comparing the nurse to an expert sonographer.

Discussion: A renal nurse can reliably perform ultrasound of the IVC in hemodialysis patients, obtaining high quality scans for volume assessment of hemodialysis patients. This novel approach could be more routinely applied by other renal nurses to obtain objective measures of patient volume status in the dialysis setting.
How do people with long‐term mental health problems negotiate relationships with network members at times of crisis?
Authors: Walker Sandra , Kennedy Anne , Vassilev Ivaylo , Rogers Anne
Published: October 2017

Background

Social network processes impact on the genesis and management of mental health problems. There is currently less understanding of the way people negotiate networked relationships in times of crisis compared to how they manage at other times.

Objective

This paper explores the patterns and nature of personal network involvement at times of crises and how these may differ from day‐to‐day networks of recovery and maintenance.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews with 25 participants with a diagnosis of long‐term mental health (MH) problems drawn from recovery settings in the south of England. Interviews centred on personal network mapping of members and resources providing support. The mapping interviews explored the work of network members and changes in times of crisis. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using a framework analysis.

Results

Three key themes were identified: the fluidity of network relationality between crisis and recovery; isolation as a means of crises management; leaning towards peer support. Personal network input retreated at times of crisis often as result of “ejection” from the network by participants who used self‐isolation as a personal management strategy in an attempt to deal with crises. Peer support is considered useful during a crisis, whilst the role of services was viewed with some ambiguity.

Conclusions

Social networks membership, and type and depth of involvement, is subject to change between times of crisis and everyday support. This has implications for managing mental health in terms of engaging with network support differently in times of crises versus recovery and everyday living.
Keep on carryin' on: Recent research on the LGBTQ history of the American South
Authors: Watkins Jerry
Published: October 2017

Twenty years have elapsed since the publication ofCarryin' On in the Lesbian and Gay South,edited by historian John Howard. The essays in that collection challenged the bicoastal and metro‐normative bias of American gay and lesbian history. Since then, scholars, activists, and local community members have continued to refine our understanding of the regionally specific ways—the four R's of race, religion, rurality, and resilience—through which sex and sexuality are understood and embodied in the American South. Oral history, constantly improving technology, and greater connectivity through the Internet are facilitating conversations across disciplines and beyond the University. Whereas early Southern gay and lesbian scholarship suffered from a long tradition of queer exclusion from the archive and a devaluing of queer lives, the variety of hybrid community and university LGBTIQ+ documentation projects across the south evidence a sea change. Far from perfect, the field of Southern lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer history is becoming ever more diverse and inclusive.
Partial to complete abrogation of the subepithelial macrophage barrier against the gut microbiota in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's colitis
Authors: Rubio Carlos A , Langner Cord , Schmidt Peter T
Published: October 2017

Aims

The integrity of the band of indigenous macrophages in the subepithelial layer of the lamina propria (SLP) is crucial in preventing the commensal gut microbiota from attacking the host. The breakdown of the SLP macrophage barrier results in microbiota inflow and improper immune responses; this might lead to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). During inflammation, the SLP macrophage barrier is reinforced by inflammation‐elicited macrophages (IEMs), which are derived from blood‐circulating monocytes. The aim was to explore the characteristics of the SLP macrophage band in a cohort of biopsies without inflammation, in patients with ulcerative colitis in remission (UCre), and in patients with right‐sided Crohn's colitis (RCC).

Methods and results

Endoscopic biopsies were taken from endoscopically normal descending colon in 247 patients; 80 with IBD (27 UCre and 53 RCC), and 167 without IBD [90 had colonic diarrhoea, 63 were enrolled in a colorectal cancer (CRC) surveillance programme, seven had microscopic colitis in remission, and seven had miscellaneous colonic ailments]. Sections showed no inflammatory changes; they were immunostained with CD68. Among patients with UCre and RCC, the SLP band of CD68+ macrophages was fragmented or minute in 59% (47/80) and negative in 9% (7/80). In contrast, only 31% (51/167) of the biopsies from control patients had a fragmented/minute SLP band of CD68+ macrophages, and none had a negative SLP band of CD68+ macrophages (IBD versus controls, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The finding that the SLP macrophage barrier was fragmented to totally abrogated in UCre and RCC patients suggests a longlasting defect in the SLP CD68+ macrophage barrier in these patients. The lack of ongoing inflammation in colonic biopsies should rule out the participation of bone marrow‐derived IEMs in the abrogation of the SLP macrophage barrier reported here.
Insect elevational specialization in a tropical biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Macedo Margarete V. , Monteiro Ricardo F. , Flinte Vivian , Almeida‐Neto Mario , Khattar Gabriel , da Silveira Luiz F. L. , Araújo Cristina de O. , Araújo Rodrigo de O. , Colares Carolina , Gomes Carlos V. S. , Mendes Clarice B. , Santos Eduardo F. , Mayhew Peter J.
Published: October 2017

Tropical montane organisms are vulnerable to climate change because of elevational specialisation, but little is known of the variability in elevational specialisation across tropical insects.

We assessed elevational specialisation across several insect taxa comprising four trophic groups 80–2263 m up an elevational transect in Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest, using community‐based and species‐based approaches.

We sampled 697 species, of which 32% were found only in the top and 45% only in the bottom half of the transect. Considering only the 182 species with at least five individuals recorded, the percentage of species found exclusively in the top or bottom half drops to 16% and 24%.

Across four vegetation belts (lower montane forest, montane forest, upper montane forest and Campos de Altitude) the Eumolpinae (herbivores) were more specialised than Scarabaeinae (saprotrophs), or Lampyridae (predators). This result was robust to the treatment of rare species, and the difference was most marked at higher elevations. Lampyridae lacked upper montane forest specialists.

Using all species sampled, specialisation to the upper or lower half of the transect was greatest among Chrysomelidae, Curculionidae (both herbivores) and Lampyridae, and lowest among Tiphiidae (parasitoids) and Coccinellidae (predators). Considering only better sampled species, however, Lampyridae were the most specialised and Braconidae the least specialised. Trophic groups also varied consistent with these findings.

Our findings suggest high elevational specialisation and concomitant extinction risk in Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest insects. Differences in elevational specialisation between taxonomic groups may alter the functioning of insect communities under climate change.
Infections, resistance patterns and antibiotic use in patients at a regional cancer centre
Authors: De Silva Nivanka , Jackson Justin , Steer Christopher
Published: October 2017

Background

Infections and antibiotic resistance patterns in patients attending regional Australian cancer centres are poorly described.

Aims

To document patient characteristics, infection types, patterns of antibiotic resistance and outcomes in all patients with cancer requiring inpatient management for suspected infection at a regional Australian cancer centre.

Methods

We studied patients ≥18 years of age who were admitted under the oncology unit at Albury Wodonga Health during a 12‐month period and who had a microbiological test performed for suspected infection during their admission. Data were extracted retrospectively from electronic records and analysed through descriptive statistics.

Results

We identified 275 episodes of suspected infection occurring in 208 patients (M/F: 61%/39%). Median age was 68 years, solid tumour 76%, haematological malignancy 24%. A positive culture was obtained in 28% of cases: Gram‐positive 48.5% and Gram‐negative 51.5%. Drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa was seen in 38% (5/13) of pseudomonas isolates, three times the rate seen in general hospital admissions.

Extended spectrum beta lactamase was seen in 22% of Gram‐negative isolates. Empiric IV antibiotic choice was guideline concordant in 61% of neutropenic fever (NF) (NF) presentations. Only 17% of NF presentations received antibiotics within the recommended hour of emergency department triage. The inpatient mortality rate was 3%. Fifty‐seven percent of NF presentations satisfied Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer risk index criteria for outpatient management.

Conclusions

This is the first study of this type in patients with cancer at an Australian regional cancer centre. The study highlighted key areas for improvement in antibiotic prescription and control of antibiotic resistance at our institution.
United we stand, divided we conquer: pilot study of multidisciplinary General Medicine Heart Failure Care Program
Authors: Wahbi‐Izzettin Omar , Hopper Ingrid , Ritchie Edward , Nagalingam Vathy , Aung Ar Kar
Published: October 2017

Background

Heart failure care and education require a multifaceted approach to ensure appropriate transition from inpatient to outpatient care.

Aims

To explore the feasibility of a multidisciplinary heart failure care model, General Medicine Heart Failure Care Program (GM‐HFCP), within a General Medical Unit (GMU).

Methods

Prospective non‐randomised before‐and‐after observational quality improvement intervention over a 6‐month period was conducted. All consecutive patients admitted to GMU at Alfred Hospital, Melbourne with a diagnosis of acute decompensated heart failure were included. Main outcome measures included changes in rates of pharmacologic prescription, non‐pharmacologic ward‐based management, patient education and action plan provision after intervention.

Results

In total, 108 patients were included (median age 84 (inter‐quartile range 80–89) years, 47(44%) females). Significant improvements were noted in non‐pharmacologic management for patient education regarding fluid restriction (12–30%, P = 0.04), weight monitoring (10–28%, P = 0.03), heart failure action plan on discharge (4–28%, P = 0.002) and salt restriction (6–32%, P = 0.002). The rates of prescription of heart failure medications remained similar between the pre‐ and post‐implementation periods, particularly in patients with reduced ejection fraction by ‘appropriateness of prescription’ criteria. There were no differences in inpatient mortality or 30‐day readmission rates in both groups.

Conclusions

This prospective observational study demonstrated that it is possible to share the roles of a heart failure nurse amongst members of the multidisciplinary team, with similar rates of delivery of pharmacologic and non‐pharmacologic management aspects. However, further innovative improvements are needed to address certain aspects of heart failure care.
Are analyst stock recommendation revisions more informative in the post‐IFRS period?
Authors: Charitou Andreas , Karamanou Irene , Kopita Anastasia
Published: October 2017

This paper investigates whether the mandatory IFRS adoption has affected the informativeness of analyst recommendation revisions in Europe. Although prior studies document that IFRS adoption improved analyst forecast attributes, the impact of IFRS cannot be completely assessed without examining how the market reacts to information‐rich events in an environment with enhanced disclosure. To examine this question we utilize a difference‐in‐differences design using as main control sample firms that had voluntarily adopted IFRS before the EU's mandated switch. Overall, our evidence suggests that after the mandatory adoption of IFRS, both analyst upgrades and downgrades are more informative. These results hold after controlling for a number of variables that capture analyst, firm and information environment characteristics and are robust to a number of sensitivity analyses including the use of a US control sample. Finally, we examine whether our results are sensitive to the level of accounting enforcement. We find that analyst downgrades are more informative in the post‐IFRS period for firms in both high and low enforcement environments. Analyst upgrades, however, are more informative only if they are issued for firms in high enforcement countries.
Larval fish collected from sound‐scattering layers in an offshore tropical area
Authors: Castro M. S. , Bonecker A. C. T.
Published: October 2017

The composition of the larval fish assemblage in the sound‐scattering layer of the continental shelf waters off the coast of south‐eastern Brazil (12 and 22° S), a research project that is part of the Brazilian programme Avaliação do Potencial Sustentável de Recursos Vivos na Zona Econômica Exclusiva (REVIZEE), is described. Samples were collected during daylight hours and at dusk at five oceanographic stations in the winter of 1999 using an Isaacs‐Kidd Midwater Trawl (IKMT). The oceanographic stations were chosen based on the detection of plankton layers by acoustic observation. A total of 2192 larval fish were identified, comprising 52 families and 62 species. Maurolicus stehmanni (Sternoptychidae) was the most abundant species found within the study area, comprising 18·5% of all identified larvae, followed by Psilotris celsus (Gobiidae) at 10·9%.
Transmission of a common intestinal neoplasm in zebrafish by cohabitation
Authors: Burns A R , Watral V , Sichel S , Spagnoli S , Banse A V , Mittge E , Sharpton T J , Guillemin K , Kent M L
Published: October 2017

Intestinal neoplasms are common in zebrafish (Danio rerio) research facilities. These tumours are most often seen in older fish and are classified as small cell carcinomas or adenocarcinomas. Affected fish populations always contain subpopulations with preneoplastic lesions, characterized by epithelial hyperplasia or inflammation. Previous observations indicated that these tumours are unlikely caused by diet, water quality or genetic background, suggesting an infectious aetiology. We performed five transmission experiments by exposure of naïve fish to affected donor fish by cohabitation or exposure to tank effluent water. Intestinal lesions were observed in recipient fish in all exposure groups, including transmissions from previous recipient fish, and moribund fish exhibited a higher prevalence of neoplasms. We found a single 16S rRNA sequence, most similar to Mycoplasma penetrans, to be highly enriched in the donors and exposed recipients compared to unexposed control fish. We further tracked the presence of the Mycoplasma sp. using a targeted PCR test on individual dissected intestines or faeces or tank faeces. Original donor and exposed fish populations were positive for Mycoplasma, while corresponding unexposed control fish were negative. This study indicates an infectious aetiology for these transmissible tumours of zebrafish and suggests a possible candidate agent of a Mycoplasma species.
Interference of hepatitis B virus dual infection in platelet count recovery in chronic hepatitis C patients with curative antiviral therapy
Authors: Huang Chung‐Feng , Yeh Ming‐Lun , Huang Ching‐I , Lin Zu‐Yau , Chen Shinn‐Cherng , Dai Chia‐Yen , Huang Jee‐Fu , Chuang Wan‐Long , Yu Ming‐Lung
Published: October 2017

Background and Aim

Hepatitis C virus infection is associated with thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia recovers after viral eradication. The current study explored the rate and factors associated with platelet (PLT) recovery, which may represent the degree of liver fibrosis regression.

Methods

A total of 466 patients who achieved a sustained virological response were enrolled to compare the PLT change after a mean follow‐up period of 85.5 months (range 12–163 months).

Results

Platelet counts increased significantly after achieving sustained virological response (from 166 ± 55 × 103 to 201 ± 61 × 103 u/L, P < 0.001). The median PLT count increment was 5.03 × 103 u/L per year. Logistic regression analysis revealed that factors associated with slow PLT count recovery were high pretreatment PLT counts (odds ratio [OR]/ 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.992/0.989–0.996, P < 0.001) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) co‐infection (OR/CI: 0.416/0.220–0.785, P = 0.007). High PLT counts were the only factor associated with slow PLT recovery in patients with mild liver disease (F0–2) (OR/CI: 0.992/0.987–0.996, P < 0.001). On the other hand, HBV co‐infection was the only factor associated with slow PLT recovery in patients with advanced fibrosis (OR/CI: 0.207/0.054–0.789, P = 0.02). Linear regression analysis of factors correlated to the delta PLT count change per year in patients with F0–2 included pretreatment white blood cell (β: −0.001; CI: −0.002–0.000; P = 0.01) and pretreatment PLT counts (β: −0.037; CI: −0.061 to −0.013; P = 0.003). HBsAg seropositivity was the only factor correlated to the delta PLT count change per year (β: −10.193; CI: −16.752–3.635; P = 0.003) among patients with F3–4.

Conclusions

Platelet counts recovered after hepatitis C virus eradication. HBV dual infection disrupted PLT count recovery, especially in CHC patients with advanced liver disease.
CPS49‐induced neurotoxicity does not cause limb patterning anomalies in developing chicken embryos
Authors: Mahony Chris , McMenemy Scott , Rafipay Alexandra J. , Beedie Shaunna‐Leigh , Fraga Lucas Rosa , Gütschow Michael , Figg William D. , Erskine Lynda , Vargesson Neil
Published: October 2017

Thalidomide notoriously caused severe birth defects, particularly to the limbs, in those exposed in utero following maternal use of the drug to treat morning sickness. How the drug caused these birth defects remains unclear. Many theories have been proposed including actions on the forming blood vessels. However, thalidomide survivors also have altered nerve patterns and the drug is known for its neurotoxic actions in adults following prolonged use. We have previously shown that CPS49, an anti‐angiogenic analog of thalidomide, causes a range of limb malformations in a time‐sensitive manner in chicken embryos. Here we investigated whether CPS49 also is neurotoxic and whether effects on nerve development impact upon limb development. We found that CPS49 is neurotoxic, just like thalidomide, and can cause some neuronal loss late developing chicken limbs, but only when the limb is already innervated. However, CPS49 exposure does not cause defects in limb size when added to late developing chicken limbs. In contrast, in early limb buds which are not innervated, CPS49 exposure affects limb area significantly. To investigate in more detail the role of neurotoxicity and its impact on chicken limb development we inhibited nerve innervation at a range of developmental timepoints through using β‐bungarotoxin. We found that neuronal inhibition or ablation before, during or after limb outgrowth and innervation does not result in obvious limb cartilage patterning or number changes. We conclude that while CPS49 is neurotoxic, given the late innervation of the developing limb, and that neuronal inhibition/ablation throughout limb development does not cause similar limb patterning anomalies to those seen in thalidomide survivors, nerve defects are not the primary underlying cause of the severe limb patterning defects induced by CPS49/thalidomide.
The role of human papillomavirus in p16‐positive oral cancers
Authors: Belobrov Simone , Cornall Alyssa M. , Young Richard J. , Koo Kendrick , Angel Christopher , Wiesenfeld David , Rischin Danny , Garland Suzanne M. , McCullough Michael
Published: October 2017

Background

The aim of this study was to identify the presence and frequency of human papillomavirus (HPV) nucleic acid in p16‐positive oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs), to assess whether the virus was transcriptionally active and to assess the utility of p16 overexpression as a surrogate marker for HPV in OSCC.

Methods

Forty‐six OSCC patients treated between 2007 and 2011 with available formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) specimens were included. Twenty‐three patients were positive for p16 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and these were matched with 23 patients with p16‐negative tumours. Laser capture microdissection of the FFPE OSCC tissues was undertaken to isolate invasive tumour tissue. DNA was extracted and tested for high‐risk HPV types using a PCR‐ELISA method based on the L1 SPF10 consensus primers, and a real‐time PCR method targeting HPV‐16 and HPV‐18 E6 region. Genotyping of HPV‐positive cases was performed using a reverse line blot hybridization assay (Inno‐LiPA). RNAScope® (a chromogenic RNA in situ hybridization assay) was utilized to detect E6/E7 mRNA of known high‐risk HPV types for detection of transcriptionally active virus.

Results

HPV DNA was found in 3 OSCC cases, all of which were p16 IHC‐positive. Two cases were genotyped as HPV‐16 and one as HPV‐33. Only one of the HPV‐16 cases was confirmed to harbour transcriptionally active virus via HPV RNA ISH.

Conclusion

We have shown that the presence of transcriptionally active HPV rarely occurs in OSCC and that p16 is not an appropriate surrogate marker for HPV in OSCC cases. We propose that non‐viral mechanisms are responsible for the majority of IHC p16 overexpression in OSCC.
Social Functions of Anger: A Competitive Mediation Model of New Product Reviews
Authors: Xiao Yazhen , Zhang Haisu , Cervone Daniel
Published: October 2017

Negative online product reviews generated by current users can influence potential adopters' new product evaluation and set up diffusion barriers. Integrating the social functions of emotion theory with the innovation diffusion context, this research proposes that the emotional intensity expressed in angry online reviews influences potential adopters' new product evaluation through two competitive routes (i.e., in an opposite direction): perceived problem seriousness in the review and perceived rationality of the reviewer, thus establishing two simultaneous mediations in the conceptual framework. Furthermore, this research suggests that the two mediations are moderated by product innovativeness. This investigation was completed in three experiments with consumers recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Study 1 manipulated anger intensity in two levels expressed in a single negative review, using a smartphone as the reviewed new product. Study 2 employed a multi‐review setting, including negative, neutral, and positive reviews, using an E‐reader as the reviewed new product. The multi‐review setting was also adopted in Study 3, where three levels of anger were manipulated. Three studies adopted an incrementally versus really new product version to manipulate innovativeness. Combined findings of the three studies support the proposed dual mediation processes. In addition, results show that the mediation effect of problem seriousness in the review is stronger for a really new product than an incrementally new product. This research extends the underpinning of innovation diffusion literature and provides managerial implications for new product launch management. First, it identifies that anger intensity expressed in a new product review socially influences a potential adopter's concurrent appraisals of the reviewed product and the reviewer. The two appraisal routes mediate the impact of anger intensity on new product evaluation in opposite directions. Second, the research explores and identifies which mediation route is more influential on new product evaluation when product innovativeness varies.
Direct effect of pholyphenol‐rich plants, rooibos and ginkgo, on porcine ovarian cell functions
Authors: Štochmaľová A. , Kádasi A. , Alexa R. , Bauer M. , Harrath A. H. , Sirotkin A. V.
Published: October 2017

The polyphenol‐rich plants rooibos and ginkgo are widely used in folk medicine and in preparation of foods and drinks, but their effect on reproduction has not been properly studied yet. The aim of our in vitro experiments was to examine the possible direct effect of rooibos and ginkgo on the basic ovarian cell functions—proliferation, apoptosis and release of hormones progesterone (P4) and leptin (L). Porcine ovarian granulosa cells were cultured in the presence of rooibos or ginkgo extract (0, 1, 10 and 100 μg/ml of medium). The accumulation of markers of proliferation (PCNA and cyclin B1) and apoptosis (bax) and their mRNAs was analysed using immunocytochemistry and by reverse transcription—quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). Release of P4 and L was evaluated by radioimmunoassay. It was observed that rooibos or ginkgo addition was able to inhibit proliferation (down‐regulates PCNA, cyclin B1 and their mRNAs), to promote apoptosis (accumulation of bax) and to suppress both L and P4 release by ovarian cells. These data suggest a direct inhibitory (anti‐proliferative, pro‐apoptotic and hormone‐suppressing) effect of polyphenol‐containing plants rooibos and ginkgo on ovarian functions. The potential anti‐reproductive effect of these medical plants is to be taken into account by their consumption.
Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations in dogs with generalised seizures
Authors: Dutton E. , Carmichael N. , Michal U. , Cripps P. J. , Boswood A.
Published: October 2017

Objectives

To determine if serum cardiac troponin I concentrations – measured with both a first‐generation assay and a high‐sensitivity assay – were greater in dogs with generalised seizures than in controls and to identify clinical variables associated with cardiac troponin I concentration.

Materials and Methods

Prospective study of 30 dogs with recent generalised seizures and 30 healthy controls. Serum cardiac troponin I concentration was measured using two commercially available assays, and the correlation of clinical factors with concentration was examined.

Results

Serum concentrations of cardiac troponin I were higher in dogs that had recent seizures compared to controls when measured by both assays. The predictors most clearly associated with cardiac troponin I concentration were number of seizures and age. Both predictors were positively associated with increasing concentrations of troponin I.

Clinical Significance

Serum cardiac troponin I concentration was significantly elevated in dogs that had recent generalised seizures when compared to controls, and concentrations were higher in dogs that experienced more seizures. This association may indicate that generalised seizures are associated with damage to the myocardium.
Bluffs, Lies, and Consequences: A Reconceptualization of Bluffing in Buyer–Supplier Negotiations
Authors: Kaufmann Lutz , Rottenburger Joerg , Carter Craig R. , Schlereth Christian
Published: October 2017

Business negotiations constitute a key element of supply chain interactions that can create additional value for both the buyer and supplier. However, negotiations can also render the parties vulnerable to deception. While a large body of knowledge on buyer–supplier relationships exists, research on deception and bounded ethicality in supply chain relationships is still nascent. We advance this new research stream in behavioral supply chain management by first conceptualizing two types of deception—bluffs and lies. Departing from previous content‐dependent conceptualizations/definitions, we define both as convention‐dependent, norms‐based constructs: Bluffs (lies) are deceptions that are palatable (unpalatable) to both parties in a buyer–supplier negotiation. Second, studies 1 and 2 of our article employ Q methodology and best–worst scaling to operationalize bluffs while refining the construct of a lie. Third, a correlational study (study 3) examines the psychological properties/cognition of a negotiator who lies, bluffs, or does neither (i.e., communicates honestly). Fourth, a behavioral experiment (study 4) investigates the psychological consequences of bluffs, lies, and honesty for the targets. Bluffers (liars) show low (high) degrees of moral disengagement. Targets of bluffs experience high degrees of self‐directed anger but are willing to engage in further negotiations with the bluffer, while targets of lies experience high degrees of anger directed at the liar and show a low willingness to further negotiate with the liar. Taken together, these findings provide new insights into the dynamics of bluffing and lying in buyer–supplier negotiations.
Affinity spaces, literacies and classrooms: tensions and opportunities
Authors: Magnifico Alecia Marie , Lammers Jayne C. , Fields Deborah A.
Published: October 2017

Building communicative competence in textual and multimodal literacies has become a linchpin of learning, of engagement with the world, and of participation in online and blended spaces. Young creators now compose online and with digital tools, often in what we call “user‐generated content affinity spaces” – interest‐based spaces that focus on creating and sharing self‐made content. Such spaces focus onprocessesof developing users' creations and sharing theproductswith an audience. These spaces have been inspirations for teachers to reinvigorate classroom practices and expose students to learning opportunities for creation and critique. But questions remain about models of participation in such spaces, especially those that idealise youth who are the most highly engaged while ignoring those whose participation is less visible. Here, we share three experiences of bringing user‐generated content affinity spaces into more formal learning environments and reflect on the tensions emerging from these efforts. We end by outlining steps to develop theory and interventions to navigate tensions and propel the field forward.
Aquinas on Temperance
Authors: Chua Reginald Mary
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this essay is to explore, and clarify, some key features in Aquinas’ account of the virtue of temperance, with an eye to answering some common objections raised against a positive evaluation of temperance. In particular, I consider three features of Aquinas’ understanding of temperance: First, the role of the rational mean in temperance; second, the role of rightly ordered passions in temperance; and third, the ‘despotic’ control of reason over the passions in temperance. Along the way I consider three common objections to Aquinas’ account of temperance: the objection that temperance can be misused for evil, the objection that temperance devalues effort, and the objection that temperance devalues strong passions and thereby implicitly devalues the goodness of sexuality. In responding to these objections on behalf of Aquinas, I take the opportunity to clarify and slightly extend Aquinas’ account of temperance.
Graphic Novels: A Brief History, Their Use in Business Education, and the Potential for Negotiation Pedagogy
Authors: Wallace Mallory
Published: October 2017

Over an extensive history, graphic novels have developed into a legitimate form of fiction and nonfiction for readers and students. Use of graphic novels in classrooms has proven effective in facilitating learning for students, as a conduit for lifelong reading, a tool for increased comprehension and critical literacy, and a stimulus for interest and comprehension. In applying this to teaching negotiation and conflict management, graphic novels may be effective in engaging students and increasing understanding when terms and concepts are confusing or vague, especially in their differences, and can help students understand the process and outcome of negotiation, both objective and subjective. It is in this way that the use of graphic novels in teaching negotiation and conflict management links to the nexus of research, theory, practice, and pedagogy. The article closes by describing these connections, and offering some suggestions for how to source material and include it in classroom settings.
The newborn rat gastric emptying rate is volume and not developmentally dependent
Authors: Ferreira C. H. F. , Shifrin Y. , Pan J. , Ivanovska J. , McNamara P. J. , Belik J.
Published: October 2017

Background

Gastric residuals are a common finding in enterally fed preterm neonates and traditionally thought to reflect immaturity‐related delayed gastric emptying. Adult human data suggest that the meal volume regulate the gastric emptying rate, but early in life, this has not been adequately evaluated. The goal of this study was to study the rat postnatal changes in gastric emptying rate and the strain‐induced effect on muscle contraction. We hypothesized that the stomach content volume and not developmental factors determines the newborn gastric emptying rate, via the Rho‐kinase 2 (ROCK‐2) pathway.

Methods

Gastric volume and emptying rate measurements were obtained by ultrasound at different postprandial times and the wall strain‐dependent changes in muscle contraction were evaluated ex vivo.

Key Results

The newborn rat gastric emptying rate was unrelated to postnatal age, maximal 30 min postprandial, and directly proportional to content volume. In vitro measurements showed that the agonist‐induced gastric muscle contraction was directly proportional to the stomach wall strain. These changes were mediated via upregulation of ROCK‐2 activity.

Conclusions & Inferences

The newborn rat gastric emptying rate is not developmentally regulated, but dependent on the content volume via wall strain‐induced ROCK‐2 activation. Further clinical studies addressing the content volume effect on the rate of gastric emptying are warranted, to enhance feeding tolerance in preterm neonates.
Ethnic and population differences in the genetic predisposition to human obesity
Authors: Stryjecki C. , Alyass A. , Meyre D.
Published: October 2017

Obesity rates have escalated to the point of a global pandemic with varying prevalence across ethnic groups. These differences are partially explained by lifestyle factors in addition to genetic predisposition to obesity. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the ethnic differences in the genetic architecture of obesity. Using examples from evolution, heritability, admixture, monogenic and polygenic studies of obesity, we provide explanations for ethnic differences in the prevalence of obesity. The debate over definitions of race and ethnicity, the advantages and limitations of multi‐ethnic studies and future directions of research are also discussed. Multi‐ethnic studies have great potential to provide a better understanding of ethnic differences in the prevalence of obesity that may result in more targeted and personalized obesity treatments.
Emotional processing in obesity: a systematic review and exploratory meta‐analysis
Authors: Fernandes J. , Ferreira‐Santos F. , Miller K. , Torres S.
Published: October 2017

The role of emotional functioning in the development and maintenance of obesity has been investigated, but the literature is poorly integrated. A systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed to explore emotional processing impairments in obesity. PubMed, Web of Knowledge and PsycINFO databases were searched in March 2016, yielding 31 studies comparing emotional processing competencies in individuals with obesity, with or without binge eating disorder (BED), and control groups. Meta‐analyses demonstrated that individuals with obesity had higher scores of alexithymia (d = 0.53), difficulty in identifying feelings (d = 0.34) and externally oriented thinking style (d = 0.31), when compared with control groups. On other competencies, patients with obesity, especially those with comorbid BED, reported lower levels of emotional awareness and difficulty in using emotion regulation strategies, namely, reduced cognitive reappraisal and acceptance, and greater suppression of expression. No evidence of impaired ability to recognize emotions in others or verbally express emotions was found. A general emotion‐processing deficit in obesity was not supported. Instead, an emotional avoidance style may occur modulating later responses of emotion regulation. Additional research is needed to extend the comprehension of these conclusions and the role of BED in emotional functioning in obesity.
Optimization of coronary sinus lead placement targeted to the longest right‐to‐left delay in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy: The Optimal Pacing SITE 2 (OPSITE 2) acute study and protocol
Authors: Oddone Daniele , Solari Diana , Nangah René , Arena Giuseppe , Mureddu Roberto , Giorgi Davide , Sitta Nadir , Bottoni Nicola , Senatore Gaetano , Giaccardi Marzia , Giammaria Massimo , Themistoclakis Sakis , Laffi Mattia , Cipolla Eliana , Di Lorenzo Fabio , Carpi Romina , Brignole Michele
Published: October 2017

Aims

Left ventricular (LV) lead positioning at the site of delayed electrical activation is associated with better response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We hypothesized that a long electrical conduction delay between right ventricular (RV) and coronary sinus (CS) leads during RV pacing (RLD index) is correlated with a better clinical outcome

Methods and results

RLD is measured intraprocedurally, during RV pacing, as the time interval between the intracardiac electrograms of RV and CS leads. Initially, we did a prove‐of‐concept, feasibility, acute study in 97 patients who underwent CRT implantation. The CS lead position was assessed in the 40° right anterior oblique and 40° left anterior oblique views and assigned to one of 11 prespecified segments of a schematic eyeball depiction of the LV walls. Acute outcomes were QRS width during biventricular (BIV) pacing. The longest RLD were found in the basal and mid lateral segments; these accounted for 82% and 78%, respectively, of the total QRS width (%RLD). %RLD was inversely correlated with BIV‐paced QRS (P  =  0.0001). A similar slope was present either in the 78 patients with preserved atrioventricular (AV) conduction and in the 19 without AV conduction (− 0.34 vs − 0.27, P  =  0.7).

Conclusion

We showed that RLD can be used to guide lead placement at the time of CRT implantation and that it is correlated with BIV‐QRS width, an indirect predictor of clinical outcome. Based on these findings we started the prospective, multicenter Optimal Pacing SITE 2 (OPSITE 2) trial with the objective to demonstrate a relationship between RLD and clinical outcomes assessed as death, hospitalization for heart failure, New York Heart Association class, and clinical composite score. The protocol is provided.
Optimal endpoint for catheter ablation of longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Wang Yuan‐long , Liu Xu , Zhang Yu , Jiang Wei‐feng , Zhou Li , Qin Mu , Zhang Dao‐liang , Zhang Xiao‐dong , Wu Shao‐hui , Xu Kai
Published: October 2017

Background

In longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (LPeAF), the ideal endpoint of ablation remains to be determined. This study was to explore the value of pursuing AF termination or no with the same strategy during ablation on the long‐term outcomes in patients with LPeAF.

Methods

Utilized “CCL” strategy is a fixed ablation approach consisting of circumferential pulmonary vein antrum isolation, ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrogram, and linear ablation between two anatomical structures (the mitral isthmus, left atrial roof). Note that 400 patients were randomized to group A (technical endpoint) and group B (pursuing AF termination).

Results

A group with technical endpoint had lower rate of acute AF termination (AF→sinus rhythm, 3.5% vs 18.1%; AF→atrial tachycardia, 23.7% vs 44.7%; P < 0.01) and shorter duration of ablation (164.9 ± 20.8 vs 223.4 ± 24.9, P < 0.01), radiofrequency delivery time (69.8 ± 18.1 vs 102.2 ± 26.3, P < 0.01), and x‐ray exposure time (18.2 ± 8.8 vs 27.9 ± 12.4, P < 0.01) than those in B group (pursuing AF termination). During follow‐up, freedom from atrial arrhythmias did not differ between the two groups after a single ablation procedure (46.5% vs 54.3%, P=0.12) and the final ablation procedure (60.1% vs 65.8%, P  =  0.24).

Conclusion

In patients of LPeAF, pursuing AF termination during ablation was associated with similar long‐term clinical outcome compared to that with technical endpoint. Ablation to termination is not the best strategy during ablation.
The preadolescent acne microbiome: A prospective, randomized, pilot study investigating characterization and effects of acne therapy
Authors: Coughlin Carrie C. , Swink Shane M. , Horwinski Joseph , Sfyroera Georgia , Bugayev Julia , Grice Elizabeth A. , Yan Albert C.
Published: October 2017

Background/Objectives

Acne, a common pediatric disease, tends to be more comedonal in preadolescents, whereas older individuals are more likely to have inflammatory lesions in addition to comedones. Thus the microbiome of preadolescents may be different. In this pilot study we aimed to characterize the preadolescent acne microbiome, compare the microbiome in preadolescents with and without acne, and investigate changes in the microbiome after topical treatment with benzoyl peroxide or a retinoid in a small cohort of preadolescents.

Methods

Participants were 7‐10 years of age with (intervention group) or without (control group) acne and were recruited during routine outpatient dermatology visits. Baseline questionnaires, physical examination, and pore strip application were performed for all participants. Intervention group participants were randomized to receive topical therapy with benzoyl peroxide 5% gel or cream or tretinoin 0.025% cream. Participants with acne were followed up 8‐10 weeks later and pore strip application was repeated.

Results

Preadolescents with acne were colonized with a greater diversity of cutaneous bacteria than controls and the most commonly identified bacterium was Streptococcus. The number of bacterial species and phylogenetic diversity decreased after treatment with benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin.

Conclusion

The predominant bacteria in microbiome studies of adult acne is Propionibacterium, whereas in this pediatric population we saw a lot of Streptococcus bacteria. After treatment, the microbiomes of intervention group participants more closely resembled those of control group participants.
Agminated segmental plaque‐type blue nevus associated with hypertrichosis and soft tissue hypertrophy: Report of a case and review of the literature
Authors: Hunjan Manrup K. , Mohandas Desiree , Bridges Alina G. , Tollefson Megha
Published: October 2017

Blue nevi are common skin neoplasms that typically present as asymptomatic solitary papules, although they may rarely occur in an agminated configuration. We describe a case of agminated blue nevus in a segmental facial distribution associated with soft tissue hypertrophy and hypertrichosis in a 16‐year‐old boy and present a review of the literature. Although they are generally considered to be benign, concurrent soft tissue changes occurring within an agminated blue nevus should be investigated thoroughly to exclude alternate diagnoses.