bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The young luxury consumers in China
Authors: Ngai Joann , Cho Erin
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The luxury market in China has grown significantly in recent years. One unique characteristic of luxury consumers in China is their youth. While exploratory in nature, this study aims to identify and offer a meaningful understanding of different segments of young luxury consumers in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were obtained from personal interviews with 28 respondents between 20 and 25 years of age who were recruited via a mall‐interception method in three different high‐end department stores in Shanghai, China.

Findings

Based on key values, motivations, and behavior patterns toward luxury consumption, the authors identify four distinct segments of young luxury consumers: the overseas pack; the self‐established cool; the luxury followers; and the spirituals.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on a small sample consisting of 28 individuals.

Practical implications

While Chinese youth may share some traits as a collective group, they also have diverse reasons and patterns for luxury consumption. The authors identify at least four distinct segments whose values, motivations and behavior toward luxury are different from one another. Companies must consider the differences that exist within this generation to effectively approach this market.

Originality/value

While exploratory, the current study is the first to identify segments in luxury consumers among young generations in China.
Towards a strategic CSR: a Brazilian case study
Authors: Dias Angelo Fernanda , Bartocci Liboni Amui Lara , Ferreira Caldana Adriana Cristina , Jose Chiappetta Jabbour Charbel
Published: August 2012

Purpose

Organisations may be considered, at the same time, either part of the problem or part of the solution for the social‐environmental crisis that is occurring. To be part of the solution, they must head for a strategic management of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The objective of the present study is to identify and analyse the interfaces between theoretical models of strategic implementation of CSR and the variables and major players involved in this process.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative research using a case study strategy. The company chosen for this case study has been highlighted as one of the best national companies to work for, with significant social responsibility indices.

Findings

The case study found some results, such as the importance of aligning with human resource management for strategic implementation of CSR and the integrative characteristic between different workers, that are essential for this process.

Originality/value

Only a few international articles discuss CSR in Brazil. The results could be useful for classes focusing on “Doing business in Brazil”.
Should tourism scientists accept climate change at face value?
Authors: Tarlow Peter
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This study aims to examine the philosophical issues dealing with climate change and tourism science. The paper neither endorses nor contradicts the theories of climate change, but rather questions to what extent tourism science and tourism professionals should accept any particular scientific theory as absolute fact. The paper's purpose is to instigate creative debate within the academic and industry world of tourism and to question some of the less precise notions of science when mixed with a particular point of view.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a viewpoint article.

Findings

The study finds that there is often a confusion of terms that may occur due to the mixing of a political viewpoint with objective social science.

Originality/value

This study challenges some of the paradigm assumptions often given as fact within the academic community and seeks a reexamination of the paradigmatic principles and notions often held within the academic community.
Rural people's perception of income adequacy in China
Authors: Gustafsson Bjorn , Yue Ximing
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate rural people's perception of income adequacy in order to understand how it is affected by income in the county where the respondent lives, age of household members, as well as number of household members. The paper also aims to find out how poverty lines and poverty counts derived from people's perception relate to what has been previously reported.

Design/methodology/approach

The Subjective Poverty Line (SPL) methodology is modified by asking one question on the amount of grains necessary for the respondent's household and another on the amount of cash necessary. Information was obtained from a large survey covering 22 provinces in 2003 and analysed using regressions analysis.

Findings

People in high‐income counties perceive that more cash, but not grains are needed than those living in low‐income counties. Respondents perceive that economies of scale exist in amounts of cash needed for a household. They also perceive that young children need less grain than adults and that a schoolchild incurs higher money expenditures than an adult. A poverty line for rural China derived by the SPL methodology is higher than the low income line used by the National Bureau of Statistics for 2002. However, a poverty count based on the SPL methodology is similar to what has been reported.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that poverty lines for rural China preferably should consider not only spatial differences in cost of living but also the number of household members in a non‐linear way.

Originality/value

The paper describes the first application of the SPL approach to rural China.
Measuring service quality in urban bus transport: a modified SERVQUAL approach
Authors: Barabino Benedetto , Deiana Eusebio , Tilocca Proto
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The paper adapts and applies a modified SERVQUAL approach compliant with the EN 13816, a European standard on service quality in public transport. The purpose of the study is to provide a quality evaluation tool readily usable by transport operators willing to certify the service offered.

Design/methodology/approach

Correspondence between the SERVQUAL and the standard is ensured by guaranteeing that the 15 attributes investigated encompass the eight macro‐areas of the norm. Primary data were collected by means of an on‐board survey conducted in Cagliari over a two week period.

Findings

The study shows the possibility to implement a SERVQUAL approach abiding by the requirements set by the EN 13816. The results illustrate a high degree of importance placed on attributes such as on‐board security, bus reliability, cleanliness and frequency, with these latter three characterized by the widest negative gaps between perceptions and expectations. The sole quantitative supply of transport does not seem to influence quality perceptions more than attributes such as staff courtesy and bus comfort.

Research limitations/implications

The results are too specific to enable their generalization. Moreover, the SERVQUAL framework might be improved with the inclusion of additional attributes.

Originality/value

The study provides public transport operators with a tool characterized by a good degree of openness and flexibility, so to fit individual needs. It might also be of interest for practitioners wishing to explore the main drivers of satisfaction among transport users.
Effects of shot peening on the torsional fatigue limit of high‐strength steel containing an artificial surface defect
Authors: Takahashi Koji , Okada Hideki , Ando Kotoji
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the effects of shot peening (SP) on the torsional fatigue limit of high‐strength steel specimens containing an artificial small defect.

Design/methodology/approach

Specimens containing a drilled hole 0.1‐0.4 mm deep or a semi‐circular slit 0.15 or 0.3 mm deep were subjected to SP. Torsional fatigue tests were then carried out.

Findings

The torsional fatigue limits of specimens containing a drilled hole and those with a semi‐circular slit were increased 25‐64 per cent and 156‐186 per cent by SP, respectively. The torsional fatigue limits of the specimens subjected to SP and containing a drilled hole less than 0.1 mm in depth or a semi‐circular slit less than 0.15 mm in depth were almost equal to those of SP specimens without a defect. Based on these results, it can be concluded that a drilled hole less than 0.1 mm in depth and a semi‐circular slit less than 0.15 mm in depth could be rendered harmless by SP.

Practical implications

The proposed method can be applied to mechanical parts subjected to cyclic torsion, such as coil springs, crank shafts and drive shafts.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to investigate the torsional fatigue limits after SP in materials containing a surface defect. In this paper, the effect of SP on the torsional fatigue limit having a surface defect is investigated.
HRM‐market performance relationship: evidence from Bangladeshi organizations
Authors: Absar Nurul , Nimalathasan Balasundaram , Mahmood Monowar
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of human resource management (HRM) practices on the market performance of manufacturing industries in Bangladesh. As one of the pioneer studies, it is hoped that this research will convince organizations that by adopting systematic and efficient HRM practices, they will achieve competitive advantages.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey was used to gather data from publicly listed, large manufacturing companies in Bangladesh. Modified questionnaires were used to measure the adoption of HRM practices and the perceived market performance of the organizations. The statistical programme, SPSS, was used to analyse and interpret the results.

Findings

The study revealed that HRM practices have a positive impact on organizations’ market performance. However, among different HRM practices, the performance appraisal seems to have the highest impact. Among the others, employee training and development, and the compensation practices were shown to have higher positive impacts than recruitment and selection practices.

Practical implications

The paper concludes that in order to improve their competitiveness and gain competitive advantages, business organizations in Bangladesh need to adopt systematic HRM practices. The paper's findings will encourage the next generation of business entrepreneurs to develop systematic HRM practices and corporate management culture in Bangladesh.

Originality/value

The paper validates the effectiveness of the US and European developed HRM practices in an Eastern developing country context. This is one of the pioneer studies which followed methodological rigor to validate the much discussed HRM‐performance relationship in Bangladesh.
Teachers’ professional discourse in a Japanese lesson study
Authors: Suzuki Yuta
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a case study that was conducted in a Japanese elementary school in order to examine what kinds of teachers’ discourse support the professional development of teachers in lesson study.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employed an intensive case study design that primarily focused on teachers’ discourse in post‐lesson conferences held at the school. In addition, it relied on a variety of ethnographic data obtained over a two‐year period. To scrutinise teachers’ professional development, the authors selected two cases where the research lessons were conducted by the same teacher.

Findings

The teachers’ discourse in the lesson study can be classified into the following six discursive modes: (A) Simple question and answer (B) Is the alternative teaching approach better? (C) What is the best way of teaching X? (D) Did the children learn what the teacher intended them to? (E) Did the teacher teach what the children actually learned? and (F) What did the teacher learn from watching the children learn? The research teacher’s tasks for developing as a teaching professional were elicited from her colleagues’ discourse, which was characterised by the discursive modes (E) and (F).

Originality/value

This study illuminated the nature of teachers’ professional discourse from the viewpoint of discursive modes in a Japanese lesson study. The discursive modes (B), (C) and (D) were classified as problem‐solving discourse in the context of given problems; the discursive modes (E) and (F) were classified as problem‐setting discourse.
Can findings from learning studies be shared by others?
Authors: Kullberg Angelika
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore whether the insights gained by teachers in a learning study can be shared by others and used to enhance other students’ learning.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory study analysed how four Mathematics teachers implemented the knowledge gained about student learning from a learning study about decimal numbers in their teaching. The teachers enacted two lessons with different conditions in terms of the knowledge identified about student learning in a total of eight classes in the fifth and sixth grades.

Findings

The findings indicate that, when the teachers enacted the knowledge in their lessons, students’ learning improved significantly as compared to when only some parts of this knowledge were enacted.

Practical implications

This suggests that teachers can produce knowledge that is also usable for other teachers and that enables better possibilities for student learning.

Originality/value

The study provides insights as to what extent findings from learning studies can be valuable for others.
Potential effects of prescribed savannah burning on the diet selection of forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) in Lopé National Park, Gabon
Authors: van der Hoek Yntze , Lustenhouwer Ivo , Jeffery Kathryn J. , van Hooft Pim
Published: August 2012

Seasonality and management are factors that may affect the diet selection of the forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus). Fire is considered a major driving force in savannah systems and prescribed burning is a commonly applied conservation tool in protected areas such as Lopé National Park, Gabon. Prescribed annual fires contribute to the maintenance of open areas and provide high‐quality forage for forest buffalo, a major herbivore in the park. We used microhistological faecal analysis to determine the diet selection of forest buffalo and measured the extent of variation between a dry season, preburn and a wet season, postburn sampling period. The buffalo diet comprised mainly of monocotyledons, primarily grasses (Poaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Intake of open‐area‐associated plant species was higher in the wet season, postburn treatment sampling period (97%) than the dry season, preburn sampling period (87%), which corresponded conversely to a reduction in forest‐associated Marantaceae plants (10% versus 1%). High proportions of grasses and sedges in the diet signify the importance of open areas for forest buffalo. Controlled burning as tool for maintenance of open areas may play a key role in the meta‐population management of the forest buffalo.
Asparaginase‐associated pancreatitis in children
Authors: Raja Raheel Altaf , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Frandsen Thomas Leth
Published: August 2012

l‐asparaginase has been an element in the treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma since the late 1960s and remains an essential component of their combination chemotherapy. Among the major toxicities associated with l‐asparaginase therapy are pancreatitis, allergic reactions, thrombotic events, hepatotoxicity and hyperlipidaemia. Acute pancreatitis is one of the most common reasons for stopping treatment with l‐asparaginase. Short‐term complications of asparaginase‐associated pancreatitis include development of pseudocysts and pancreatic necrosis. Long‐term complications include chronic pancreatitis and diabetes. The pathophysiology of asparaginase‐associated pancreatitis remains to be uncovered. Individual clinical and genetic risk factors have been identified, but they are only weak predictors of pancreatitis. This review explores the definition, possible risk factors, treatment and complications of asparaginase‐associated pancreatitis.
Discovery of Novel Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 Inhibitors: A Virtual Screening Approach
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wang Xuejian , Feng Jinhong , Jia Yuping , Xu Fuming , Xu Wenfang
Published: August 2012

A virtual screening approach was performed to develop novel and potent vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 inhibitors. The Specs database was filtered by ‘rule of five’, a pharmacophore model, and docking filter. Sixteen molecules were selected for tube formation assay, a naphthalenol group containing molecule, 12, showed good performance in the study. In the following aortic ring assay and 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, 12 was discovered to efficiently inhibit angiogenesis and tumor cell growth. It is the first time to discover naphthalenol scaffold as potent vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 inhibitors. Thus, a molecular dynamic simulation process was applied to discover key features of 12 in binding to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2. Hydrophobic interactions were discovered to play significant role in the ligand–receptor binding.
An evolutionary game of leaf dynamics and its consequences for canopy structure
Authors: Hikosaka Kouki , Anten Niels P. R.
Published: August 2012

Canopy photosynthesis models combined with optimization theory have been an important tool to understand environmental responses and interspecific variations in vegetation structure and functioning, but their predictions are often quantitatively incorrect. Although evolutionary game theory and the dynamic modelling of leaf turnover have been suggested useful to solve this problem, there is no model that combines these features.

Here, we present such a model of leaf area dynamics that incorporates game theory.

Leaf area index (LAI; leaf area per unit ground area) was predicted to increase with an increasing degree of interaction between genetically distinct neighbour plants in light interception. This implies that stands of clonal plants that consist of genetically identical daughter ramets have different LAI from other plants. LAI was also sensitive to the assumed vertical pattern of leaf shedding: LAI was predicted to increase with the degree to which leaves were assumed to be shed from higher positions in the canopy. Our model provides more realistic predictions of LAI than previous static optimization, dynamic optimization or static game theoretical models.

We suggest that both leaf dynamics and game theoretical considerations of plant competition are indispensable to scale from individual leaf traits to the structure and functioning of vegetation stands, especially in herbaceous species.
The development and psychometric testing of the Supportive Needs of Adolescents Breastfeeding Scale
Authors: Grassley Jane S. , Spencer Becky S. , Bryson Deborah
Published: August 2012

Aim

To report the development and psychometric testing of the Supportive Needs of Adolescents Breastfeeding Scale.

Background

Nurses worldwide can influence adolescent mothers' decisions to initiate and continue breastfeeding through understanding their social support needs in the early postpartum. Review of the literature reveals a lack of instruments that measure adolescents' perceptions of supportive nursing behaviours when initiating breastfeeding.

Method

An instrument development and psychometric evaluation study was conducted. In phase 1, scale items were developed from the literature using social support theory. Eight lactation consultants evaluated the scale's content validity in phase 2. During phase 3, the psychometric properties of the scale were tested using item analysis, scale reliability, and exploratory factor analysis. A convenience sample of 101 adolescents, aged 15–20 years old, was recruited during their postpartum stay at three hospitals in the USA between July 2009–July 2010.

Results

Content validity index was 0·82. Alpha estimate of internal consistency was 0·83. Principal components analysis resulted in a 3 factor scale that explained 48% of the total variance: Practical support, Informational support and Miscellaneous.

Conclusion

The findings suggest evidence of the scale's adequate internal consistency. The factor analysis suggests two clear underlying dimensions of support: instrumental/emotional/appraisal and informational/emotional/appraisal, and a third miscellaneous dimension related to immediate skin‐to‐skin care and mothers' support persons. Further exploration of the possible global implications of the scale's dimensions is needed.
Predictors of successful transition to Registered Nurse
Authors: Phillips Craig , Esterman Adrian , Smith Colleen , Kenny Amanda
Published: August 2012

Aim

To identify predictors of successful transition from undergraduate student to registered nurse and to identify whether any particular pre‐registration paid employment choice impacted on transition.

Background

Nursing students in Australia and internationally, engage in a variety of paid employment whilst completing their university studies. However, there is little empirical evidence about the different types of employment chosen by students and any relationship to graduate nurse transition.

Design

A descriptive questionnaire survey.

Method

This cross‐sectional study was conducted with newly graduated nurses throughout Australia. The survey data were collected over 4 months in 2011, with 392 registered nurses completing a questionnaire.

Results

Respondents were categorized into four groups, according to their chosen work type (hospitality/retail, enrolled nurse, other healthcare worker, and non‐worker) and transition scores were identified. Transition scores were significantly higher for undergraduates who were employed compared with non‐workers. Postregistration institutional work factors appeared to be stronger predictors of successful transition than pre‐registration employment factors. Assistance in dealing with complex patients, orientation to a new environment, and respect from colleagues were the best predictors for successful transition.

Conclusions

Engaging in some form of paid employment in the final year of undergraduate university study is beneficial. However, it is not pre‐registration employment choice per se that is the best predictor of successful transition, but the influence of work factors which new graduates experience in their first year of practice.
Clinical validation of the nursing diagnoses of Impaired Tissue Integrity and Impaired Skin Integrity in patients subjected to cardiac catheterization
Authors: Paganin Angelita , Rabelo Eneida Rejane
Published: August 2012

Aim

To validate, clinically, the defining characteristics for the nursing diagnoses of Impaired Tissue Integrity and Impaired Skin Integrity in patients subjected to heart catheterization and to validate acute pain, haematoma, bleeding, redness, and heat as additional characteristics.

Background

In clinical practice, an applicable nursing diagnosis for patients subjected to diagnostic heart catheterization has not been well‐defined.

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Methods

This clinical validation study using Fehring's model was performed at a Brazilian general hospital between November 2009–November 2010. This study included 250 patients who received elective femoral artery catheterization. Each patient was identified as having two characteristics of Impaired Tissue Integrity and three characteristics of Impaired Skin Integrity, according to NANDA‐I nursing diagnoses. Due to certain postprocedure events, five additional characteristics were added to be validated in this setting. In addition to Fehring's reliability rating, the kappa coefficient was used to evaluate inter‐rater agreement during the clinical evaluation.

Results

The defining characteristic of damaged tissue was validated for Impaired Tissue Integrity and the defining characteristics of the invasion of body structures and the disruption of the skin surface were validated for Impaired Skin Integrity. Although the five characteristics that were added to the investigated diagnoses were not validated because of their low rate of occurrence in this setting, the measurements of acute pain, haematoma, bleeding, redness, and heat each had excellent inter‐rater agreement.

Conclusion

The validation of characteristics from both of these diagnoses suggested that these criteria could be utilized for clinical practice in a diagnostic setting. Moreover, additional characteristics should also be observed to better guide nursing intervention.
Experiences of young adults growing up with innate or early acquired HIV infection – a qualitative study
Authors: Rydström Lise‐Lott , Ygge Britt‐Marie , Tingberg Björn , Navèr Lars , Eriksson Lars E.
Published: August 2012

Aim

To explore the experience of young adults growing up and living with HIV in urban Sweden.

Background

HIV has become a widespread pandemic. Effective antiretroviral treatment has dramatically increased the survival rate of infected individuals, such that HIV infection is currently considered a chronic disease where treatment is available. Data concerning the experience of living with HIV since early childhood is scarce and more empirical knowledge is needed to direct the development of adequate care and interventions for this growing demographic.

Design

Exploratory qualitative study.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with ten HIV‐infected young adults over the period from January–August 2008. Transcripts of the interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Findings

The analysis revealed five categories illustrating the experiences of growing up and living with HIV in Sweden: (1) to protect oneself from the risk of being stigmatized; (2) to be in control; (3) losses in life, but HIV is not a big deal; (4) health care/healthcare providers; and (5) belief in the future.

Conclusion

It is essential to offer a safe, trustworthy, and professional healthcare environment during the upbringing of HIV‐infected children. Evidence‐based interventions are needed to improve care and support, particularly about the handling of stigma and discrimination.
Protecting, providing, and participating: fathers' roles during their child's unplanned hospital stay, an ethnographic study
Authors: Higham Sue , Davies Ruth
Published: August 2012

Aim

To gain an increased understanding of fathers' experiences during their child's stay in hospital as an unplanned admission for acute illness or injury.

Background

Family‐centred care is promoted in children's nursing as providing high quality care but internationally, research has in the main focused on mothers whilst fathers' contribution to care remains relatively under explored.

Design

A qualitative field study.

Methods

The study was conducted from August 2009–December 2010 involving 150 hours of ethnographic observation on two children's wards and interviews with 12 fathers and seven qualified children's nurses.

Findings

Fathers wanted to be with their sick child in hospital and made essential contributions to the whole family's experience. Three aspects of the fathers role in caring for their sick child in hospital were identified which included: protecting, providing for the family, and participating in care.

Conclusion

Fathers, no less than mothers, want to be with and care for their sick child in hospital, yet they face challenges in doing so. The working practices of children's nurses and other healthcare professionals must take into account that fathers play a significant role in caring for their sick child in hospital but may do this alongside paid work and caring for well siblings.
Quaternary palaeoenvironmental oscillations drove the evolution of the Eurasian Carassius auratus complex (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae)
Authors: Gao Yun , Wang Shu‐Yan , Luo Jing , Murphy Robert W. , Du Rui , Wu Shi‐Fang , Zhu Chun‐Ling , Li Yan , Poyarkov Andrei D. , Nguyen Sang Ngoc , Luan Peng‐Tao , Zhang Ya‐Ping
Published: August 2012

Aim  We sought to reconstruct the spatio‐temporal genetic diversification in goldfish of the Carassius auratus complex, which is widely distributed in Eurasia, to test whether vicariance events or human‐mediated translocations best explained lineage divergence and genogeographical history.

Location  East Asia and the Oriental islands including Japan, the Ryukyus and Taiwan, and Europe, including Russia and the Czech Republic.

Methods  We reconstructed the matrilineal history of Eurasian goldfish using 1876 sequences from the partial mitochondrial DNA control region (426 bp) and 191 complete sequences of cytochrome b (1140 bp) from 67 localities representing most of the range of the species. Divergence times were estimated using a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo approach based either on molecular clock data or on the fossil record. Genetic structure and the historical demography of populations were analysed using partial correlation tests and analyses of molecular variance.

Results  Three lineages had high levels of regional specificity. Lineages A and B from the main islands of Japan differed greatly from lineage C, which occurred on the mainland, Taiwan and the Ryukyus. Lineages A and B had late Pliocene origins. Six geographically constrained sublineages within lineage C had near‐simultaneous mid‐Pleistocene divergences.

Main conclusions  Genetic structure in the C. auratus complex appears to have been driven by palaeoenvironmental perturbations rather than human translocations. The disappearance of a land bridge in the Tsushima Strait around 3.0 Ma is responsible for the separation of Japanese and continental lineages; the estimated divergence time is 2.75–2.32 Ma. Fujian, China and Vietnam appear to have provided important refugia for the C. auratus complex during glaciation. After warm, moist summer monsoons intensified during the mid‐Pleistocene, goldfish are likely to have dispersed north‐eastwards to recolonize the Ryukyus via Taiwan and northwards to recolonize mainland China.
Three mechanisms in Escherichia coli rescue ribosomes stalled on non‐stop mRNAs: one of them requires release factor 2
Authors: Pech Markus , Nierhaus Knud H.
Published: August 2012

The tmRNA/SmpB system, which is almost universal in bacteria, rescues bacterial ribosomes stalled at the end of non‐stop mRNAs (mRNAs lacking a stop codon). In addition, a few bacteria, including Escherichia coli, have developed a second two‐component system as reported by Chadani et al. (). A small protein, ArfA of 55 amino acids (formerly called YdhL), mediates binding of release factor 2 to the ribosomal A site lacking a complete mRNA codon and thereby triggers translational termination and rescue of the stalled ribosome.
Equity in health: tuberculosis in the Bolivian immigrant community of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Martinez Vanessa N. , Komatsu Naomi K. , De Figueredo Sumie M. , Waldman Eliseu A.
Published: August 2012

Objectives  To analyse the profile of tuberculosis (TB) among Bolivian immigrants, investigate the impact that this population has on the trends of TB and assess equity in access to TB treatment, in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

Methods  Descriptive study of the epidemiological profile of TB in four city districts with large Bolivian populations, comparing cases among Brazilians and Bolivians, during the 1998–2008 period was carried out. We used logistic regression to adjust the treatment outcome for potential confounders.

Results  We identified 2056 new TB cases: 65.7% in Brazilians, 32.1% in Bolivians and 2.2% among other nationalities. Although TB incidence remained stable (high) over the study period, the annual proportion of cases among Bolivians increased from 15.0% to 53.0%. In comparison with the Brazilians, the Bolivians were younger (median age, 24 vs. 40 years; P < 0.0001) and presented a lower unemployment rate (3.1%vs. 11.6%; P < 0.0001), a lower rate of HIV co‐infection (1.5%vs. 28.5%; P < 0.001), a higher proportion of individuals receiving supervised treatment (81.5%vs. 62.0%; P < 0.0001) and a higher proportion of cures (71.6%vs. 63.2%; P < 0.0001). After having been adjusted for potential confounder, cure after treatment was not associated with nationality.

Conclusions  Bolivian immigrants influenced the incidence but not the trends of TB among Brazilians in the study area. We found no significant differences between Bolivians and Brazilians regarding healthcare access or treatment outcome. Guaranteed universal health care access for all, including undocumented individuals, contributes to health equity. Specific intervention strategies are warranted for immigrants with tuberculosis.
Poor‐quality medical products: time to address substandards, not only counterfeits
Authors: Ravinetto Raffaella M. , Boelaert Marleen , Jacobs Jan , Pouget Corinne , Luyckx Christophe
Published: August 2012

La mondialisation rapide du marché pharmaceutique a menéà une situation avec de multiples normes; la qualité des médicaments n’est pas uniforme, mais dépend du niveau des revenus et de la réglementation dans le pays de destination. Bien que diverses initiatives aient été lancées pour lutter contre les contrefaçons, des médicaments de qualité inférieure (autorisés par contre par les autorités réglementaires nationales (ARN)), restent peu ou pas pris en compte. Cependant, ils sont un problème très répandu, très courants dans les milieux défavorisés et au moins aussi dangereux que les contrefaçons (de façon intéressante, des préoccupations similaires existent aussi pour les produit de diagnostic in vitro et les dispositifs médicaux). Les définitions existantes ne facilitent pas la lutte contre les sous‐normes, elles pourraient même conduire à un cadre normatif qui accepte de fait la possibilité de normes inadéquates dans les pays à avec des ARN insuffisamment fondées, permettant à de nombreux fabricants de vendre des médicaments de mauvaise qualité, sans risque d’être sanctionné. La 65e Assemblée Mondiale sur la Santé a récemment approuvé une résolution sur un nouveau mécanisme intergouvernemental de collaboration internationale sur les normes, les faux, faux étiquetages, falsifications ou contrefaçons des produits médicaux “. Il est à espérer qu’elle abordera le problème de la mauvaise qualité des produits médicaux par une approche plus détaillée et centrée sur le patient, visant à prévenir à la fois les sous‐normes et les contrefaçons.
Immortalized porcine liver sinusoidal endothelial cells: an in vitro model of xenotransplantation‐induced thrombocytopenia
Authors: Wang Zheng‐Yu , Paris Leela L. , Chihara Ray K. , Tector A. Joseph , Burlak Christopher
Published: August 2012

Wang Z‐Y, Paris LL., Chihara RK., Tector AJ., Burlak C. Immortalized porcine liver sinusoidal endothelial cells: an in vitro model of xenotransplantation‐induced thrombocytopenia. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 249–255.. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract: Background:  Xenotransplantation has the potential to solve the critical shortage of human organs available for allotransplantation. The major barrier to porcine liver xenotransplantation is sequestration of human platelets causing thrombocytopenia. Porcine liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) bind and phagocytose human platelets at least in part through binding of the asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 (ASGR1). Our purpose was to generate an immortalized porcine LSEC (iLSEC) line that mimics primary LSEC in ASGR1 expression and phagocytosis of human platelets. Porcine iLSEC would enable continued study of xenotransplantation‐induced thrombocytopenia in vitro with fewer animals sacrificed.

Methods:  Primary domestic porcine LSEC were transduced with lentiviral vector expressing the large and small T antigen of SV40 (SV40 TAg). The phenotype and genotype of the immortalized LSEC were compared with primary LSEC.

Results:  A total of eight clones expressing SV40 TAg were isolated, and one clone was subcultured and analyzed for growth, phenotype, and function during passages 15–40. Expression of the SV40 TAg was confirmed by confocal microscopy and western blot. MTS cell proliferation assay demonstrated that the clone rapidly grew in culture medium with 2–10% fetal bovine serum. iLSEC expressed the endothelial cell marker, CD31, as determined by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Activation of iLSEC by treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) resulted in upregulation of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL 6) by qPCR and ELISA. iLSEC phagocytosed human serum albumin and latex beads as measured by flow cytometry. Human platelets were phagocytosed by immortalized porcine LSEC.

Conclusions:  Immortalized porcine LSEC retain a phagocytic phenotype, making them a good model for the study of xenotransplantation‐induced thrombocytopenia and may provide further insight into the phagocytic role of LSEC.
Xenotransplantation literature update, May to June 2012
Authors: Schneider Mårten K. J. , Seebach Jörg D.
Published: August 2012

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update, May to June 2012. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 265–268.. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Abundance and composition of decapod larvae at Saint Paul's Rocks (equatorial Atlantic)
Authors: Brandão Manoela Costa , Koettker Andréa Green , Freire Andrea Santarosa
Published: August 2012

We investigated the effect of interannual variation on the biodiversity and distribution of decapod larvae at Saint Paul's Rocks, an isolated small group of equatorial islands linked to the Atlantic Mid‐Ocean ridge. Zooplankton samples were collected between 2003 and 2005 from a range of different environments off the archipelago. Horizontal surface hauls were conducted in the inlet and at three increasing distances from the archipelago, both in the morning and at night, using a 200‐μm mesh net. Decapod larvae collected included 11 species and 37 individual taxa. Seven of them have not previously been recorded in the area. Samples taken at the shortest distance from the archipelago exhibited a significantly greater abundance than samples taken further away. No significant differences were detected between months in terms of decapod larvae abundance in the inlet. However, in the open ocean at night, the mean abundance was much higher in May and July. Decapod larvae abundance was much higher at night for both the open ocean and the inlet. Brachyuran and caridean larvae exhibited the greatest abundance and frequency in the inlet, mainly represented by the first‐stage larvae of: Grapsus grapsus, Plagusia depressa, Platypodiella spectabilis and Alpheidae. In contrast, Sergestidae holopelagic shrimps were the most abundant and the most frequent larvae in the surface waters of the open ocean. The composition, abundance and distribution of decapod larvae were very similar during the 2 years sampled. Species accumulation curves indicate that even greater diversity exists, demonstrating that long‐term research is important for acquiring accurate knowledge about the biodiversity of dynamic ecosystems such as those at Saint Paul's Rocks.
Effect of the Bovine Oviductal Fluid on In Vitro Fertilization, Development and Gene Expression of In Vitro‐Produced Bovine Blastocysts
Authors: Cebrian‐Serrano A , Salvador I , García‐Roselló E , Pericuesta E , Pérez‐Cerezales S , Gutierrez‐Adán A , Coy P , Silvestre MA
Published: August 2012

Contents

Oviductal microenvironment generally provides better conditions for early embryo development than the conventional in vitro system. In an attempt to simulate the oviduct conditions or the main potentially influencing factors, the effect was studied of a bovine oviductal fluid (bOF) treatment applied prior to IVF on (i) IVF parameters, (ii) cleavage rate, (iii) blastocyst yield and (iv) blastocyst quality. Embryo quality was assessed by morphological embryo quality and relative transcript abundance of several developmental genes in bovine blastocysts. Furthermore, to study the effect of bOF without the male effect and zona–sperm interaction, artificially activated metaphase II oocytes were also treated with bOF. In vitro‐matured bovine oocytes from abattoir ovaries were treated or untreated with bOF for 30 min and then washed prior to IVF or activation. Subsequently, in vitro‐fertilized and parthenogenetic embryos were in vitro cultured for 7 to 8 days. The bOF treatment had no effect on fertilization parameters, cleavage, blastocyst rates both on parthenogenetic and IVF bovine embryos and neither on morphological quality of IVF blastocysts. G6PD and SOD2 genes from IVF blastocysts showed significant changes in their expression after a bOF treatment. Significant differences were found for the expression of SCL2A1, GPX1, BAX, AKR1B1 and PLAC8 genes between excellent or good blastocysts (Grade 1) and fair blastocysts (Grade 2). To our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates the effect of bOF oocyte treatment on fertilization parameters, development and quality of bovine embryos.
Impact of the new national health standard for rail safety workers on ischaemic heart disease risk factors in train drivers
Authors: Ng K. L. , Quinn S. , Gill T. K. , Hill C. , Shanahan E. M.
Published: August 2012

Background

In 2004, a compulsory National Standard for the Australian rail industry was introduced outlining health standards that drivers must meet to be deemed fit to drive.

Aim

To examine the trend in ischaemic heart disease (IHD) risk factors in train drivers between 2004 and 2009, following the introduction of a National Standard.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of IHD risk factors of drivers (n = 386) of an Australian train company, who underwent health assessments between February 2004 and November 2009, was performed. The Framingham Score for 10‐year risk of coronary artery disease, body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking, diabetes, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), low‐density lipoprotein and total cholesterol were compared with that of controls at these two time periods.

Results

There were significant reductions in the rates of 10‐year coronary heart disease risk/year (OR = 0.47; 95% CI 0.19, 0.75) in the train drivers compared with the control population. This was driven by a reduction in the rate of cigarette smoking (OR = 0.87; 95% CI 0.79, 0.96) and total cholesterol (OR = −0.05; 95% CI −0.09, 0.003) and an increase in HDL cholesterol levels (OR = 0.02; 95% CI 0.006, 0.03) between groups over time. This was despite an increase in BMI (OR = 0.10; 95% CI 0.01, 0.19).

Conclusion

Following the introduction of a National Standard for drivers in Australia, there has been a significant improvement in the health of drivers. Such a programme may have a significant impact in this group of safety critical workers.
Patterns of care for malignant pleural mesothelioma patients compensated by the Dust Diseases Board in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Kao S. C.‐H. , Clarke S. , Vardy J. , Corte P. , Clarke C. , van Zandwijk N.
Published: August 2012

Background

The silent epidemic of mesothelioma in Australia is steadily increasing, and 30% of cases occur in New South Wales (NSW).

Aim

To describe the patterns of care and outcomes of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) in NSW.

Methods

MPM patients in NSW applying for compensation at the NSW Dust Diseases Board from 2007 to 2009 were included. Survival from time of diagnosis was determined by the Kaplan–Meier method. The Chi‐squared test was used to determine if there was an association between utilisation of treatment and geographical location.

Results

A total of 138 patients was included: median age was 72.5; 91.3% male; 60.1% epithelial subtype; and 65.2% lived in major cities. All patients had at least one chest X‐ray and computed tomography scan, and 21% had a positron emission tomography scan; 93.5% and 4.3% had histological or cytological confirmation respectively. Thoracoscopy (59.4%) was the most commonly used diagnostic procedure. Treatment utilisation: 53.6% chemotherapy; 35.5% radiotherapy; 9.4% extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP); and 72.5% had palliative care involvement. There were no major differences in treatment utilisation between patients living in major cities and those in regional NSW (chemotherapy P = 0.42; radiotherapy P = 0.13 and palliative care P = 0.60), except for a higher rate of EPP in regional patients (16.7% vs 5.6%; P = 0.03). Median survival was 9.7 versus 12.3 months for city and regional patients respectively (P = 0.22).

Conclusion

Survival and treatment utilisation was not significantly different between MPM patients living in major cities and regional NSW, except for a higher rate of EPP in patients in regional NSW.
An asymmetry in niche conservatism contributes to the latitudinal species diversity gradient in New World vertebrates
Authors: Smith Brian Tilston , Bryson Robert W. , Houston Derek D. , Klicka John
Published: August 2012

The Tropical Niche Conservatism hypothesis is a leading explanation for why biodiversity increases towards the equator. The model suggests that most lineages have tropical origins, with few dispersing into temperate regions. However, biotas are comprised of lineages with differing geographical origins, thus it is unclear whether lineages that originated on different continents will exhibit similar patterns of niche conservatism. Here, we summarised biogeographical patterns of New World vertebrates and compared species diversity patterns between families that originated in North and South America. Overall, families with southern origins exhibit niche conservatism with many lineages restricted to the Neotropics, whereas many northern‐origin families are distributed across the Neotropics and the Nearctic. Consequently, northern lineages have contributed to high tropical biodiversity, but southern lineages have contributed relatively little to temperate biodiversity in North America. The asymmetry in niche conservatism between northern and southern lineages is an important contributor to the biodiversity gradient.
Bacteria and diatom co‐occurrence patterns in microbial mats from polar desert streams
Authors: Stanish Lee F. , O'Neill Sean P. , Gonzalez Antonio , Legg Teresa M. , Knelman Joseph , McKnight Diane M. , Spaulding Sarah , Nemergut Diana R.
Published: August 2012

The ephemeral stream habitats of the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica support desiccation and freeze‐tolerant microbial mats that are hot spots of primary productivity in an otherwise inhospitable environment. The ecological processes that structure bacterial communities in this harsh environment are not known; however, insights from diatom community ecology may prove to be informative. We examined the relationships between diatoms and bacteria at the community and taxon levels. The diversity and community structure of stream microbial mats were characterized using high‐throughput pyrosequencing for bacteria and morphological identification for diatoms. We found significant relationships between diatom communities and the communities of cyanobacteria and heterotrophic bacteria, and co‐occurrence analysis identified numerous correlations between the relative abundances of individual diatom and bacterial taxa, which may result from species interactions. Additionally, the strength of correlations between heterotrophic bacteria and diatoms varied along a hydrologic gradient, indicating that flow regime may influence the overall community structure. Phylogenetic consistency in the co‐occurrence patterns suggests that the associations are ecologically relevant. Despite these community‐ and taxon‐level relationships, diatom and bacterial alpha diversity were inversely correlated, which may highlight a fundamental difference between the processes that influence bacterial and diatom community assembly in these streams. Our results therefore demonstrate that the relationships between diatoms and bacteria are complex and may result from species interactions as well as niche‐specific processes.