bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What is trending in libraries from the internet cybersphere
Authors: A. Oyelude Adetoun
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to review what is trending on the internet and presents vignettes of related library technology and hot topics from weblogs, webinars, tweets, wikis and other discussions on the internet.

Design/methodology/approach

– A surfing of web sites, tweets, webinars, wikis and internet-based information sites is done over a three-month period and the trends identified and highlighted.

Findings

– The trends in various information and library-related issues discussed online show a tending towards using new technology and the disadvantages of some, while advocating for review of some instructional methods by librarians to their clientele.

Originality/value

– The most current trends of discussion on the internet are presented up to the January 31, 2014.
On the horizon: customer engagement technology world conference in NYC: parallels with community engagement in libraries
Authors: Kesselman Martin
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– This conference report is the first in a series of reviews of non-library conferences with implications for technology in libraries. These reports will appear under the umbrella title, “On the Horizon”. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper takes the form of a conference report.

Findings

– These reports demonstrate the importance of learning about these technologies and trends and possible implications for libraries, not only for possible library applications but also to be aware of new technologies that are being used by library user communities.

Originality/value

– This is the first time a library journal has reviewed conferences aimed at other groups of users but demonstrates the value of learning what is going on in other disciplines and environments where technologies are emerging at a rapid pace.
Using Koha for cataloging and classification: a case study
Authors: Titilola Bayero Abdussalam Aminat , Ajisafe Saliu Usman
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the ways in which online cataloguing is used to provide twenty-first century library and information services to a university community in a developing country, together with the challenges and prospects of such an application. The paper aims to examine the use of the internet to catalogue and classify library materials in the University of Ilorin Library. It looks at the use of the Library of Congress Catalogue in copy cataloguing. This paper also discusses the use of Koha, a free library integrated software to classify and catalogue library resources in the University of Ilorin Library.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methods used are participant observation, interviews with the senior librarians in the library and visits to another library that uses Koha software. Periodical and online articles were also used to gather information to support this study.

Findings

– The major problem is incessant power failure and the library is planning to get a heavy and very powerful inverter and generator that can stop the disruption of work resulting from the intermittent power supply. Another setback in using Koha is that the cataloguing is being done online unlike Biblofile which is done offline.

Research limitations/implications

– The researchers visited only one university library in the course of the research. This is due to financial constraints.

Practical implications

– Information communication technology training must be taken seriously for librarians who want to remain relevant in this age of information technology.

Originality/value

– This study about Koha software usage is the first of its kind to be carried out in the University of Ilorin Library and will be useful to other university libraries.
Transformational leadership development
Authors: Mason Claire , Griffin Mark , Parker Sharon
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate whether leaders whose transformational leadership behavior improves after training exhibit different psychological reactions compared to leaders whose leadership behavior does not improve.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors followed 56 leaders taking part in a transformational leadership training program. Questionnaire measures of leaders’ self-efficacy, positive affect, perspective taking, and transformational leadership behavior were obtained pre- and post-training.

Findings

– Leaders whose self-efficacy, perspective taking and positive affect increased over the training period also reported improvements in their transformational leadership behavior. In addition, leaders whose positive affect increased were more likely to receive improved transformational leadership behavior ratings from their supervisors, team members and peers.

Research limitations/implications

– The study supports the proposition, derived from social cognitive theory that change in transformational leadership behavior is related to change in leaders’ psychological attributes. Further research is required to establish the direction of this relationship and whether leaders’ psychological reactions represent a means through which the effectiveness of leadership interventions can be improved.

Practical implications

– Leaders’ psychological reactions should be monitored and supported during developmental interventions. Effective leadership training interventions are important not only to achieve change in behavior, but to avoid negative psychological outcomes for leaders.

Originality/value

– The study is unusual because it explores the relationship between leader attributes and leadership behavior longitudinally, in a training context. The longitudinal analysis, focussing on change in leaders’ psychological attributes, allowed us to explain more variance in leaders’ reactions to training.
Sensory acceptability and quality of flavored yogurt enriched with Spinacia oleracea extract
Authors: Hayaty Nejad Jafar , Mohamadi Sani Ali , Hojjatoleslamy Mohammad
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to determine the effects of the spinach extract and kiwi flavor on the physicochemical and organoleptic properties of yogurt.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 48 yogurt samples including yogurts flavored with kiwi flavor (1, 2 and 4 percent) and colored with spinach extract (1.25, 2.5 and 4 percent) and a control yogurt (no kiwi flavor or spinach extract) were evaluated for chemical, physical and sensory properties during 21 days of storage. Data were analyzed by ANOVA using statistical analysis system.

Findings

– Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found between the control and kiwi-spinach yogurts in terms of viscosity and syneresis. The addition of the spinach extract to yogurt resulted in an increase in the syneresis, and a decrease in the viscosity. During the storage, the values of the titratable acidity, viscosity and syneresis of yogurt samples increased, while pH decreased significantly (p<0.05). Yogurt enriched with 4 percent spinach extract and 4 percent kiwi flavor was more acceptable than the other samples, and high scored with respect to overall acceptability by panelists.

Originality/value

– No research had been done to formulate and compare the sensory and physicochemical properties of kiwi-spinach yogurt in Iran.
Evaluation of cashew nut flour in the production of biscuit
Authors: Owiredu Ishmael , Laryea Damian , Barimah John
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to promote the utilization and diversification of cashew nuts through its use as a substitute for wheat flour in biscuit production.

Design/methodology/approach

– Wheat flour was substituted with cashew nut flour (CNF) at levels of 0, 20, 30 and 40 percent in the production of biscuit. The products obtained were subjected to proximate, mineral and sensory analysis.

Findings

– There was a significant increase in protein and fat contents from 7.75 and 22.11 percent to 12.89 and 32.11 percent, respectively, when CNF increased, whiles carbohydrate decreased from 66.67 to 48.04 percent. A significant increase in magnesium (27.93-97.03 mg/100 g), sodium (198.11-228.02 mg/100 g), phosphorus (55.90-149.00 mg/100 g), potassium (290.40-990.00 mg/100 g), zinc (0.72-2.00 mg/100 g) and iron (0.28-1.00 mg/100 g) was also observed as CNF increased. Sensory analysis revealed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the 20 and 30 percent substituted samples, in terms of overall acceptability. Therefore, wheat flour could be substituted with CNF up to 30 percent in the production of biscuit.

Originality/value

– This study was done to ascertain the potential use of CNF as a substitute for wheat flour and a nutrient enrichment in biscuit production, in order to diversify its use; since it still remains an underutilized raw material in Ghana.
Packing decision for low fat aliments: a review
Authors: Vila-López Natalia , Küster-Boluda Inés
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to give some recommendations about how to design a low fat food aliment packaging.

Design/methodology/approach

– A review of previous studies that have analysed food packaging decisions considering personal and product influences was done.

Findings

– For low fat foods, a good or a poor performance is not sufficient; you have to perform better than those competitors whose competitive capacity is strong enough to influence strategic decision taking. Low fat products must be focused to a particular target. A product of these characteristics cannot be launched for all the markets at the same time, and under the same conditions. Some personal factors do really affect food buying process: socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, income and education), involvement, time pressure or motivation. A possible recommended target for law fat aliments could be: an old/medium age women, with a medium/high economic position, educated, involved in food buying and worried about health. Some packaging factors also affect food buying process: colours, graphics, size, shape, typography. In this regard, a package for a low fat aliment could be designed including a picture on the label showing the benefits of the product (i.e. a healthy heart), with green colors, medium/small sizes and natural shapes, without sophistications. An umbrella brand for different firms acting in this market could be created, to facilitate their healthy products identification.

Originality/value

– Personal variables and product characteristics are mixed together to give some recommendations of how an ideal low fat food package should be designed.
The practice of complementary feeding and associated factors among mothers of children 6-23 months of age in Enemay district, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Gessese Dessalew , Bolka Habte , Alemu Abajobir Amanuel , Tegabu Desalegn
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this study was to assess complementary feeding practice and identify factors associated with it among mothers of children 6-23 months of age in Enemay district, Northwest Ethiopia.

Design/methodology/approach

– A community-based cross-sectional study design with a multi-stage sampling technique was undertaken from March to April 2013. Pre-tested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire were used to collect the data. Epi data were used for data entry and cleaning and SPSS for descriptive and logistic regression analysis.

Findings

– Timely complementary feeding, minimum acceptable meal frequency and minimum dietary diversity were 56.4, 60.6 and 8.5 percent among the respondents, respectively. The practice of optimal complementary feeding was 40.5 percent. Occupation, knowledge of complementary feeding and family income of the mother, and maternal healthcare services utilization were associated with optimal complementary feeding practice (OCFP).

Originality/value

– The proportion of mothers who practiced timely complementary feeding, acceptable meal frequency and dietary diversity, and the overall OCFP were found to be low. Therefore, maternal healthcare services utilization and health information dissemination should be strengthened to all expectant mothers. Type of paper: Original research.
Exhibiting library collections online: Omeka in context
Authors: L. Hardesty Juliet
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– This case study describes Indiana University Libraries' use of Omeka for online exhibits of digital collections.

Design/methodology/approach

– Omeka is placed in the context of other online exhibit tools being used by galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM).

Findings

– Omeka provides many benefits for different types of digital library collection exhibits and different levels of technical expertise but is currently limited in the ability to manage multiple exhibits of separate digital collections.

Originality/value

– Describing Omeka in the context of other online exhibit tools shows the need for this kind of evaluation to improve these tools for the GLAM community.
Researching masculinities, narrating sexual difference
Authors: Germon Jennifer
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to engage with a foundational gendered imaginary in Western medical and popular discourse regarding fetal sexual development. It is an imaginary that consists of dual narratives that bolster an oppositional complementary model of sex-gender. By these accounts male sexual development results from complex and multi-faceted processes generated by the Y chromosome while female sexual development is straightforward, articulated through a discourse of “default sex” (Jost, 1953). Such apparent truths fit seamlessly with the timeworn notion of maleness and masculinity as always already active, and femaleness and femininity always and inevitably passive. In other words, he does and she is.

Design/methodology/approach

– Despite embryogenetic findings thoroughly debunking these ideas, contemporary medical and biological textbooks remain haunted by outdated androcentric models of sex development. This paper attends to biomedical and everyday understandings of sex and gender to demonstrate how fresh lines of inquiry produce conditions that enable new ways of understanding bodies and embodied experiences.

Findings

– This paper demonstrates how new ways of thinking can lead to a new understanding with regards to sex, gender, bodies, and experiences.

Originality/value

– This paper attends to biomedical and everyday understandings of sex and gender to demonstrate how fresh lines of inquiry produce conditions that enable new ways of understanding bodies and embodied experiences.
Euler deconvolution in a radial coordinate system
Authors: Cooper G.R.J.
Published: April 2014

This paper introduces the conversion of Euler's equation from a Cartesian coordinate system to a radial coordinate system, and then demonstrates that for sources of the type 1/rN (where r is the distance to the source, and N is the structural index) it can be solved at each point in space without the need for inversion, for a known structural index. It is shown that although the distance to the source that is obtained from Euler's equation depends on the structural index used, the direction to the source does not. For some models, such as the gravity and magnetic response of a contact, calculation of the analytic signal amplitude of the data is necessary prior to the application of the method. Effective noise attenuation strategies, such as the use of moving windows of data points, are also discussed. The method is applied to gravity and magnetic data from South Africa, and yields plausible results.
Postoperative ileus: mechanisms and future directions for research
Authors: Vather Ryash , O'Grady Greg , Bissett Ian P , Dinning Phil G
Published: April 2014

Postoperative ileus (POI) is an abnormal pattern of gastrointestinal motility characterized by nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension and/or delayed passage of flatus or stool, which may occur following surgery. Postoperative ileus slows recovery, increases the risk of developing postoperative complications and confers a significant financial load on healthcare institutions. The aim of the present review is to provide a succinct overview of the clinical features and pathophysiological mechanisms of POI, with final comment on selected directions for future research.Terminology used when describing POI is inconsistent, with little differentiation made between the obligatory period of gut dysfunction seen after surgery (‘normal POI’) and the more clinically and pathologically significant entity of a ‘prolonged POI’. Both normal and prolonged POI represent a fundamentally similar pathophysiological phenomenon. The aetiology of POI is postulated to be multifactorial, with principal mediators being inflammatory cell activation, autonomic dysfunction (both primarily and as part of the surgical stress response), agonism at gut opioid receptors, modulation of gastrointestinal hormone activity and electrolyte derangements. A final common pathway for these effectors is impaired contractility and motility and gut wall oedema. There are many potential directions for future research. In particular, there remains scope to accurately characterize the gastrointestinal dysfunction that underscores an ileus, development of an accurate risk stratification tool will facilitate early implementation of preventive measures and clinical appraisal of novel therapeutic strategies that target individual pathways in the pathogenesis of ileus warrant further investigation.
Increasing use of antibiotics in pregnancy during the period 2000–2010: prevalence, timing, category, and demographics
Authors: Broe A , Pottegård A , Lamont RF , Jørgensen JS , Damkier P
Published: April 2014

Objective

The aim of this study was to describe the use of antibiotics in a national population‐based cohort of pregnant Danish women between 2000 and 2010.

Design

Register‐based, population‐wide, cohort study.

Setting

Denmark, from 2000 to 2010.

Population

All pregnancies among Danish residents during the period 2000–2010 were included for analysis.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Danish Medical Birth Registry, the Danish National Patient Registry, and the Registry of Medicinal Product Statistics. The filled prescriptions for systemic antibacterial, antimycotic, and antiviral drugs, as well as intravaginally applied antibiotics, were analysed. Associations with demographic variables were assessed using multivariate analysis.

Main outcome measures

Filled prescriptions for antibiotic drugs during pregnancy.

Results

We included 987 973 pregnancies in Denmark from 2000 to 2010; 38.9% of women with a delivery and 14.8% of women with a miscarriage or termination of pregnancy had one or more antibiotic treatments during pregnancy. Systemic antibacterial drugs were the most frequently used drug group, with filled prescriptions for 33.4% of all deliveries and 12.6% of all abortions. This proportion increased from 28.4% in 2000 to 37.0% in 2010 among deliveries. The biggest change was seen for pivmecillinam, which increased among deliveries from 6.3% in 2000 to 19.5% in 2010. Obese (odds ratio 1.51; 95% CI 1.47–1.56), young (odds ratio 1.35; 95% CI 1.30–1.39), and low‐educated women (odds ratio 1.37; 95% CI 1.35–1.1.39) tended to fill more prescriptions of antibiotics during pregnancy.

Conclusions

Overall, the number of women who filled prescriptions of antibiotics increased during the 11‐year study period. In 2010, at least 41.5% of all deliveries were exposed to antibiotic therapy during pregnancy.
The development of case studies as a method within a longitudinal study of special educational needs provision in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Rose Richard , Shevlin Michael
Published: April 2014

When developing case studies within a longitudinal study of special educational needs provision within the Republic of Ireland, the authors were conscious of the critiques of the use of this approach within educational research. The difficulties associated with generalisation, challenges of ensuring trustworthiness and the possibilities of researcher bias have been identified as limiting factors in the presentation of case study data. In order to confront these limitations, the researchers developed a framework for case study development that aimed to provide a secure database and trustworthy interpretation in order to make assertions in relation to special educational needs provision. This paper describes this process and suggests that the need to develop safeguards in order to present case studies that have high degree of credibility is essential when using this approach. Furthermore, the transparency of research methods, a significant omission in many reports of research, is necessary in order to demonstrate the trustworthiness of data.
Presidents and Patronage
Authors: Hollibaugh Gary E. , Horton Gabriel , Lewis David E.
Published: April 2014

To what extent do presidents select appointees based upon campaign experience and connections? The answer to this question has important implications for our understanding of presidential management and political leadership. This article presents a theory explaining where presidents place different types of appointees and why, focusing on differences in ideology, competence, and non‐policy patronage benefits among potential appointees. We develop a formal model and test its implications with new data on 1,307 persons appointed in the first six months of the Obama administration. The empirical results broadly support the theory, suggesting that President Obama was more likely to place appointees selected for non‐policy patronage reasons in agencies off his agenda, in agencies that shared his policy views, and where appointees are least able to affect agency performance. We conclude that patronage continues to play an important role in American politics, with important consequences for campaigns, presidential politics, and governance.
Models Among the Political Theorists
Authors: Johnson James
Published: April 2014

Political theorists rely on models in ways that typically are neglected. They do so for largely the same reasons other political scientists do. Those reasons have little to do with the standard rationale political scientists advance, namely, that they use models to deduce predictions that, treated as hypotheses, can be tested against the “real world.” Starting from Thomas Schelling's view of models, I show how John Rawls and Michel Foucault each rely on a model in ways that conform to his characterization. I then draw a comparison between Isaiah Berlin and Kenneth Arrow to illuminate the value of formalization. I conclude by sketching a view of models not as devices for making predictions but as tools for conceptual exploration. On that basis, I argue that the standard rationale turns out to be deeply problematic.
Politics by Number: Indicators as Social Pressure in International Relations
Authors: Kelley Judith G. , Simmons Beth A.
Published: April 2014

The ability to monitor state behavior has become a critical tool of international governance. Systematic monitoring allows for the creation of numerical indicators that can be used to rank, compare, and essentially censure states. This article argues that the ability to disseminate such numerical indicators widely and instantly constitutes an exercise of social power, with the potential to change important policy outputs. It explores this argument in the context of the United States’ efforts to combat trafficking in persons and find evidence that monitoring has important effects: Countries are more likely to criminalize human trafficking when they are included in the U.S. annual Trafficking in Persons Report, and countries that are placed on a “watch list” are also more likely to criminalize. These findings have broad implications for international governance and the exercise of soft power in the global information age.
Adjunct ultrasonography in children with suspected acute appendicitis: identifying the optimal target group
Authors: Bullapur Harsha M. , Deshpande Aniruddh V. , Phin Susan J. , Cohen Ralph C.
Published: April 2014

Background

Role of ultrasonography in diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children is being debated. This study was conducted ahead of a clinical trial and aimed to evaluate the adjunctive role of ultrasonography in this group.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of consecutive children undergoing appendicectomy in an Australian tertiary children's hospital over 24 months. Two study groups were: clinical assessment and clinical assessment plus ultrasonography. The accuracy of diagnosis was compared by generating estimates for sensitivity and positive predictive value using histopathology of the appendix as the reference standard. The incremental value of ultrasonography was evaluated in subgroups of gender, age and clinical severity.

Results

Two hundred ninety‐five children (170 boys, median age 10 years) were included in the study. Negative appendicectomy rate was 17.3%; 10.4% in the clinical assessment group (n = 134) and 23% in the ultrasonography group (n = 161). Overall sensitivity for diagnosis by clinical assessment (71.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 63.3–79.5) was not significantly different to that using adjunct ultrasonography (77.7%, 95% CI 69.7–85.7; P = 0.29). Adjunct ultrasonography was more sensitive between 7 and 11 years (81% versus 68%, P = 0.002) and possibly in girls (86% versus 73%, P = 0.1), but did not increase the sensitivity of the diagnosis in children who presented with milder symptoms and signs.

Conclusions

Adjunct ultrasonography may not increase the overall accuracy of diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children but holds promise in certain subgroups viz. between 7 and 11 years and in girls. There is an increase in negative appendicectomies following a ‘non‐targeted’ use of ultrasonography. Future prospective trials should take cognizance of these findings in designing the subgroup analysis.
Improvement in survival associated with embolisation of spontaneous portosystemic shunt in patients with recurrent hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: An J. , Kim K. W. , Han S. , Lee J. , Lim Y.‐S.
Published: April 2014

Background

Spontaneous portosystemic shunt (SPSS) is a frequent cause of recurrent hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with cirrhosis.

Aim

To assess the effectiveness and optimal candidate selection for embolisation of SPSS, for the treatment of recurrent HE in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study compared 17 patients with recurrent HE who achieved complete occlusion of SPSS by angiographic embolisation and 17 control patients.

Results

Most baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. The 2‐year HE recurrence rate was significantly lower in the embolisation than in the control group (39.9% vs. 79.9%, P = 0.02), whereas their 2‐year overall survival rates were similar (64.7% vs. 53.4%, P = 0.98). Model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) and Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh (CTP) score were significant predictors of 2‐year patient mortality in the embolisation group. Analysis of patients with MELD <15 in the absence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) showed that 2‐year overall survival rate was significantly higher in the embolisation group than in the control group (100% vs. 60%, P = 0.03). The median changes in MELD (−1.6 vs. 2.5, P < 0.01), CTP score (−3 vs. 0, P < 0.01), and liver volume (61 mL vs. −117 mL; P = 0.046) at 1 year significantly favoured the embolisation group. Serious clinical complications after embolisation occurred only in patients who had MELD ≥15 and/or HCC at baseline, with all six dying within 1 year.

Conclusions

Embolisation of a large spontaneous portosystemic shunt may be associated with improved survival and liver function, as well as prevention of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients with recurrent hepatic encephalopathy and modestly preserved liver function.
Retroperitoneoscopic drainage of bilateral psoas abscesses under intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasound guidance
Authors: Kodama Koichi , Takase Yasukazu , Motoi Isamu , Mizuno Hideki , Goshima Kenichi , Sawaguchi Takeshi
Published: April 2014

Despite improved diagnostic modalities for psoas abscesses, the optimum management strategy is not uniform. A 67‐year‐old man presented with bilateral psoas abscesses secondary to L1–L2 pyogenic discitis. On contrast‐enhanced CT, the largest of these abscesses measured 13 × 14 × 33 mm on the right. The patient developed sepsis caused by Klebsiella pneumonia. There were no signs of improvement after 3 weeks of systematic antibiotic administration. We performed surgical drainage of bilateral psoas abscesses by retroperitoneoscopy. Intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasound was useful to determine abscess location in the muscles prior to drainage and confirm no residual abscesses after drainage. The patient was afebrile 3 days later, and his clinical symptoms resolved. Retroperitoneoscopic drainage may represent a feasible minimally invasive therapeutic option for psoas abscess, and intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasound has the potential to increase the safety and efficacy of this surgical procedure.
Sequencing the threat and recommendation components of persuasive messages differentially improves the effectiveness of high‐ and low‐distressing imagery in an anti‐alcohol message in students
Authors: Brown Stephen L. , West Charlotte
Published: April 2014

Objectives

Distressing imagery is often used to improve the persuasiveness of mass‐reach health promotion messages, but its effectiveness may be limited because audiences avoid attending to content. Prior self‐affirmation or self‐efficacy inductions have been shown to reduce avoidance and improve audience responsiveness to distressing messages, but these are difficult to introduce into a mass‐reach context. Reasoning that a behavioural recommendation may have a similar effect, we reversed the traditional threat‐behavioural recommendation health promotion message sequence.

Design

2 × 2 experimental design: Factor 1, high‐ and low‐distress images; Factor 2, threat‐recommendation and recommendation‐threat sequences.

Methods

Ninety‐one students were exposed to an identical text message accompanied by high‐ or low‐distress imagery presented in threat‐recommendation and recommendation‐threat sequences.

Results

For the high‐distress message, greater persuasion was observed for the recommendation‐threat than the threat‐recommendation sequence. This was partially mediated by participants’ greater self‐exposure to the threat component of the message, which we attribute to the effect of sequence in reducing attentional avoidance. For the low‐distress message, greater persuasion was observed for the threat‐recommendation sequence, which was not mediated by reading time allocated to the threat.

Conclusions

Tailoring message sequence to suit the degree of distress that message developers wish to induce provides a tool that could improve persuasive messages. These findings provide a first step in this process and discuss further steps needed to consolidate and expand these findings.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Health promotion messages accompanied by distressing imagery might, under some circumstances, persuade individuals to engage in healthier behaviour.

Audiences can respond defensively to distressing imagery, but may be less inclined to do so when an easily followed behavioural recommendation is presented before imagery.

Current literature is divided on whether presenting a behavioural recommendation before a threat component accompanied by distressing images will improve the persuasiveness of messages.

What does this study add?

We show that, when a behavioural recommendation precedes a threat containing distressing images, persuasiveness of a threatening message is stronger than a threat‐recommendation sequence.

We show that a recommendation‐threat sequence improves persuasiveness of distressing imagery because it reduces attentional avoidance.
Newly synthesized anticancer drug HUHS1015 is effective on malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Kaku Yoshiko , Nagaya Hisao , Tsuchiya Ayako , Kanno Takeshi , Gotoh Akinobu , Tanaka Akito , Shimizu Tadashi , Nakao Syuhei , Tabata Chiharu , Nakano Takashi , Nishizaki Tomoyuki
Published: April 2014

The newly synthesized naftopidil analogue HUHS1015 reduced cell viability in malignant pleural mesothelioma cell lines MSTO‐211H, NCI‐H28, NCI‐H2052, and NCI‐H2452, with the potential greater than that for the anticancer drugs paclitaxel or cisplatin at concentrations higher than 30 μM. HUHS1015 induced both necrosis and apoptosis of MSTO‐211H and NCI‐H2052 cells. HUHS1015 upregulated expression of mRNAs for Puma, Hrk, and Noxa in MSTO‐211H and NCI‐H2052 cells, suggesting HUHS1015‐induced mitochondrial apoptosis. HUHS1015 clearly suppressed tumor growth in mice inoculated with NCI‐H2052 cells. Taken together, the results of the present study indicate that HUHS1015 could be developed as an effective anticancer drug for treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Functional communication as a predictor of depression and anxiety symptoms among adolescents seeking bariatric surgery
Authors: Curran J. L. , Datto G.
Published: April 2014

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether functional communication and parent–adolescent relations prospectively predict anxiety and depression symptoms among severely obese adolescents seeking bariatric surgery. Participants included 30 adolescents and their primary caregivers, who presented for enrolment in a study assessing the safety and efficacy of the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band. Adolescents and their caregivers completed questionnaires assessing anxiety and depression symptoms, functional communication, and parent–adolescent relations at baseline and immediately prior to having bariatric surgery. Regression analyses revealed that poorer parent reported functional communication at baseline predicted increases in adolescent reported anxiety and depression symptoms immediately prior to surgery (on average 8.8 months later), above and beyond baseline symptoms. Anxiety and depression symptoms did not predict functional communication over time. Parent–adolescent relations, as reported by the adolescent, were concurrently associated with adolescent reported depression symptoms at baseline, and were concurrently associated with adolescent reported anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as parent reported depression symptoms, immediately prior to surgery. Functional communication may be an important prospective risk factor for the development of anxiety and depression symptoms among severely obese adolescents seeking bariatric surgery, whereas adolescent report of the parent–adolescent relationship appears to be concurrently related to anxiety and depression symptoms. Future research should examine whether specifically targeting communication skills and family relationships within psychological treatment would improve psychosocial functioning among severely obese adolescents.
Tacrolimus exposure in the real world: an analysis from the Mycophenolic acid Observational REnal transplant study
Authors: Shihab Fuad S. , Olyaei Ali , Wiland Anne , McCague Kevin , Norman Douglas J.
Published: April 2014

Tacrolimus exposure and renal function data to 36 months post‐transplant were analyzed from the prospective, observational Mycophenolic acid Observational REnal transplant (MORE) registry in which de novo kidney transplant patients were managed according to local practice. Tacrolimus trough (C0) concentration at month 12 was stratified as low (<6 ng/mL), moderate (6–8 ng/mL), or high (>8 ng/mL) in 724 patients. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was stratified as low (<60 mL/min/1.73 m2) or high (≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2). High tacrolimus C0 (>8 ng/mL) was observed in 47.7%, 34.1%, 26.8%, and 26.7% of patients at baseline and months 12, 24, and 36, respectively. Biopsy‐proven acute rejection was similar to month 36 regardless of tacrolimus C0 category at month 12. Tacrolimus C0 >8 ng/mL vs. <6 ng/mL at month 12 was predictive of low eGFR at month 24 (p = 0.023) with a nonsignificant trend at month 36 (p = 0.085). Infections (p < 0.013) and BK virus infection (p < 0.001) were most frequent in the low tacrolimus C0 cohort. Neutropenia was most frequent in the high tacrolimus C0 category (p = 0.010). In conclusion, over a quarter of patients were exposed to high tacrolimus C0 to 36 months post‐transplant. Tacrolimus exposure did not affect rejection risk, but tacrolimus C0 >8 ng/mL at month 12 was predictive of subsequent low eGFR compared to C0 <6 ng/mL.
Endoscopic diagnosis of early Barrett's neoplasia: Perspectives for advanced endoscopic technology
Authors: Goda Kenichi , Kato Tomohiro , Tajiri Hisao
Published: April 2014

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a metaplastic condition that occurs secondary to gastroesophageal reflux disease. BE is also a precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma, which, although still rare in Japan, is one of the most rapidly increasing cancers in Western countries. However, the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease has increased significantly over the past few decades in Japan, possibly leading to an incremental rise in BE and the associated inherent risk of adenocarcinoma. Given the poor prognosis of advanced‐stage Barrett's adenocarcinoma, endoscopic surveillance is recommended for subjects with BE to detect early neoplasias including dysplasia. However, endoscopic identification of dysplastic lesions is still not sufficiently reliable or subjective, making targeted therapy extremely difficult. Over the past few years, improvements in image resolution, image processing software, and optical filter technology have enabled identification of dysplasia and early cancer in BE patients. We retrieved as many studies on advanced endoscopic technologies in BE as possible from MEDLINE and PubMed. The present review focuses on the emergent clinically available technologies to provide an overview of the technologies, their practical applicability, current status, and future challenges.
Gastroduodenal stenting with Niti‐S stent: Long‐term benefits and additional stent intervention
Authors: Sato Takamitsu , Hara Kazuo , Mizuno Nobumasa , Hijioka Susumu , Imaoka Hiroshi , Niwa Yasumasa , Tajika Masahiro , Tanaka Tsutomu , Ishihara Makoto , Shimizu Yasuhiro , Bhatia Vikram , Kobayashi Noritoshi , Endo Itaru , Maeda Shin , Nakajima Atsushi , Kubota Kensuke , Yamao Kenji
Published: April 2014

Background and Aim

Self‐expandable metallic stents have mainly been used for the palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). However, their use in long‐term survivors and the feasibility, safety and benefit of additional intervention for stent dysfunction remain controversial. The present study examined the long‐term benefits of endoscopic gastroduodenal stenting.

Methods

We reviewed 61 patients treated with Niti‐S stents at several hospitals and estimated the efficacy of stent intervention, stent patency, eating period and factors related to poor effectiveness.

Results

All 61 first stent interventions and 14 additional stent interventions (11 second interventions and 3 third interventions) were successfully carried out. Clinical success rates were 83.6% and 85.7%, and median stent patency was 214 days and 146 days (P = 0.47), respectively. Fifty patients could be treated with a first stent only, and 11 patients received additional stents. At the time of study termination or death, 70.0% of the former group and 63.6% of the latter group maintained oral intake (P = 0.71), and each 86% and 100% among the group could maintain oral intake for a period exceeding half of their remaining lives after first stent intervention. Karnofsky performance status ≤50 (P = 0.03), ascites (P = 0.009), and peritoneal dissemination (P = 0.001) appeared to be factors related to poor effectiveness.

Conclusions

Despite the presence of factors related to poor effectiveness, endoscopic gastroduodenal stenting would be the first treatment of choice for GOO and provide long‐term benefits. If stent dysfunction occurs, additional stent intervention enables continued oral intake safely.
Differential association of insulin resistance with cognitive and somatic symptoms of depression
Authors: Austin A. W. , Gordon J. L. , Lavoie K. L. , Arsenault A. , Dasgupta K. , Bacon S. L.
Published: April 2014

Aim

To examine the associations of depressive symptoms with insulin resistance, evaluating somatic and cognitive depressive symptoms separately.

Methods

A total of 328 individuals (mean age 60 years) referred for exercise stress testing, taking part in the Mechanisms and Outcomes of Silent Myocardial Ischemia study, completed the Beck Depression Inventory II. A fasting venous blood sample was collected for assessments of insulin and glucose level; the HOMA‐IR (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance) was calculated. In principal component analysis, Beck Depression Inventory II items were forced to load onto two components (somatic and cognitive depressive symptoms). Adjusting for age, sex, BMI, medication use, smoking, physical activity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, general linear model analyses were conducted to examine the associations between the components and log HOMA‐IR .

Results

Principal component analysis showed that nine items loaded onto a cognitive depressive symptoms component and 10 items loaded onto a somatic depressive symptoms component. When examined separately, both components were significantly associated with log HOMA‐IR however, when including both components simultaneously in the model, only somatic depressive symptoms remained significantly associated with log HOMA‐IR. Back‐transformed, a one‐unit change in somatic depressive symptoms was associated with a 1.07 (95% CI 1.002, 1.14) change in HOMA‐IR and a one‐unit change in cognitive depressive symptoms was associated with a 1.03 (95% CI 0.97, 1.14) change in HOMA‐IR.

Conclusion

Somatic depressive symptoms seem to be more strongly associated with insulin resistance than do cognitive depressive symptoms. Monitoring somatic depressive symptoms may be more appropriate than monitoring cognitive depressive symptoms among depressed individuals with high insulin resistance.
E2F3a gene expression has prognostic significance in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Wang Kai‐Ling , Mei Yan‐Yan , Cui Lei , Zhao Xiao‐Xi , Li Wei‐Jing , Gao Chao , Liu Shu‐Guang , Jiao Ying , Liu Fei‐Fei , Wu Min‐Yuan , Ding Wei , Li Zhi‐Gang
Published: April 2014

Objectives

To study E2F3a expression and its clinical significance in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Methods

We quantified E2F3a expression at diagnosis in 148 children with ALL by real‐time PCR. In the test cohort (n = 48), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to find the best cut‐off point to divide the patients into E2F3a low‐ and high‐expression groups. The prognostic significance of E2F3a expression was investigated in the test cohort and confirmed in the validation cohort (n = 100). The correlations of E2F3a expression with the clinical features and treatment outcome of these patients were analyzed.

Results

ROC curve analysis indicated that the best cut‐off point of E2F3a expression was 0.3780. In the test cohort, leukemia‐free survival (LFS) and event‐free survival (EFS) of the low‐expression group were lower than those of the high‐expression group (log rank: P = 0.026 for both). This finding was verified in the validation cohort. LFS, EFS, and overall survival were also lower in the low‐expression group than in the high‐expression group (log rank, P = 0.015, 0.008, and 0.002 respectively). E2F3a low expression was correlated with the existence of BCR‐ABL fusion. An algorithm composed of E2F3a expression and minimal residual disease (MRD) could predict relapse or induction failure more precisely than current risk stratification. These results were still significant in the ALL patients without BCR‐ABL fusion.

Conclusions

Low expression of E2F3a was associated with inferior prognosis in childhood ALL. An algorithm composed of E2F3a expression and MRD could predict relapse or induction failure more precisely than that of the current risk stratification.
Sustained N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor hypofunction remodels the dopamine system and impairs phasic signaling
Authors: Ferris Mark J. , Milenkovic Marija , Liu Shuai , Mielnik Catharine A. , Beerepoot Pieter , John Carrie E. , España Rodrigo A. , Sotnikova Tatyana D. , Gainetdinov Raul R. , Borgland Stephanie L. , Jones Sara R. , Ramsey Amy J.
Published: April 2014

Chronic N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction has been proposed as a contributing factor to symptoms of schizophrenia. However, it is unclear how sustained NMDAR hypofunction throughout development affects other neurotransmitter systems that have been implicated in the disease. Dopamine neuron biochemistry and activity were examined to determine whether sustained NMDAR hypofunction causes a state of hyperdopaminergia. We report that a global, genetic reduction in NMDARs led to a remodeling of dopamine neurons, substantially affecting two key regulators of dopamine homeostasis, i.e. tyrosine hydroxylase and the dopamine transporter. In NR1 knockdown mice, dopamine synthesis and release were attenuated, and dopamine clearance was increased. Although these changes would have the effect of reducing dopamine transmission, we demonstrated that a state of hyperdopaminergia existed in these mice because dopamine D2 autoreceptors were desensitized. In support of this conclusion, NR1 knockdown dopamine neurons have higher tonic firing rates. Although the tonic firing rates are higher, phasic signaling is impaired, and dopamine overflow cannot be achieved with exogenous high‐frequency stimulation that models phasic firing. Through the examination of several parameters of dopamine neurotransmission, we provide evidence that chronic NMDAR hypofunction leads to a state of elevated synaptic dopamine. Compensatory mechanisms to attenuate hyperdopaminergia also impact the ability to generate dopamine surges through phasic firing.
Ipsilateral corticomotor excitability is associated with increased gait variability in unilateral transtibial amputees
Authors: Hordacre Brenton , Bradnam Lynley V. , Barr Christopher , Patritti Benjamin L. , Crotty Maria
Published: April 2014

Ipsilateral primary motor cortex (M1) reorganisation after unilateral lower‐limb amputation may degrade function of the amputated limb. We hypothesised unilateral lower‐limb amputees would have a bilateral increase in corticomotor excitability, and increased excitability of ipsilateral M1 would be associated with increased step‐time variability during gait. Twenty transtibial amputees (16 male) aged 60.1 years (range 45–80 years), and 20 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy adult controls were recruited. Single‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation assessed corticomotor excitability. Two indices of corticomotor excitability were calculated. An index of corticospinal excitability (ICE) determined relative excitability of ipsilateral and contralateral corticomotor projections to alpha‐motoneurons innervating the quadriceps muscle (QM) of the amputated limb. A laterality index (LI) assessed relative excitability of contralateral projections from each hemisphere. Spatial‐temporal gait analysis was performed to calculate step‐time variability. Amputees had lower ICE values, indicating relatively greater excitability of ipsilateral corticomotor projections than controls (P = 0.04). A lower ICE value was associated with increased step‐time variability for amputated (P = 0.04) and non‐amputated limbs (P = 0.02). This association suggests corticomotor projections from ipsilateral M1 to alpha‐motoneurons innervating the amputated limb QM may interfere with gait. Cortical excitability in amputees was not increased bilaterally, contrary to our hypothesis. There was no difference in excitability of contralateral M1 between amputees and controls (P = 0.10), and no difference in LI (P = 0.71). It appears both hemispheres control one QM, with predominance of contralateral corticomotor excitability in healthy adults. Following lower‐limb amputation, putative ipsilateral corticomotor excitability is relatively increased in some amputees and may negatively impact on function.