bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Standardizing Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Graft Preparation Method in the Eye Bank—Experience of 527 Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Tissues
Authors: Parekh Mohit , Baruzzo Mattia , Favaro Elisa , Borroni Davide , Ferrari Stefano , Ponzin Diego , Ruzza Alessandro
Published: October 2017

Purpose:

To share the experience and provide a standardized protocol for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) graft preparation.

Methods:

A retrospective study based on 527 prestripped DMEK tissues that were prepared between 2014 and 2017. The experience of using different instruments and techniques has been described, and a standardized technique for preparing DMEK grafts has been identified. The tissues in general were prepared by superficially tapping the endothelial side with a Moria trephine (9.5 mm diameter). The plane of cleavage was identified using a cleavage hook, and the DMEK graft was deadhered from the trephined site throughout the circumference for ease of excising the graft. The DMEK graft was peeled using either one or multiple quadrant methods depending on the challenges faced during excision. The graft was finally marked with the letter “F” to identify the orientation during surgery. Data on endothelial cell loss (ECL) and challenging cases were observed, monitored, and recorded during this period.

Results:

Less than 1 percent trypan blue-positive cells with tissue wastage of <6% was observed during the study period. Our standardized stripping technique has resulted in an overall ECL of 4.6%. Marking Descemet membrane showed 0.5% cell mortality.

Conclusions:

Standardizing DMEK technique using specific tools and simple techniques would help new surgeons to decide the instruments and improve their tissue preparation skills also in challenging cases such as previous cataract incisions or horseshoe-shaped tears, further reducing ECL or tissue wastage.
Influence of catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met on fear of pain and placebo analgesia
Authors: Forsberg June T. , Gjerstad Johannes , Flaten Magne Arve , Aslaksen Per M.
Published: October 2017

Higher levels of fear have been shown to partly explain individual differences in placebo analgesic responding. The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) rs4680 Val158Met polymorphism has been associated with both increased placebo analgesia and increased fear-related behavior, in what appears to be inconsistent findings in the literature. The aim of the study was therefore to investigate placebo analgesia and fear-related processes with regard to the COMT genotype, to sort out whether the Met-allele is associated with increased placebo analgesia or increased fear of pain (FOP). A 3 Group (Emla, placebo and natural history) by 5 Test (2 pretest, 3 posttests) mixed design was used (N = 223). A contact heat-evoked stimulator was used to induce pain, and FOP was quantified with the Fear of Pain Questionnaire-III. Saliva was obtained for genotyping. As expected, we observed a significant interaction of test by group (P < 0.01), with lower pain report in the placebo group compared with the natural history group (P < 0.01). There was a main effect of the COMT genotype on fear of medical pain (P = 0.032), and Met-allele carriers reported significantly higher fear of medical pain compared with the Val-allele (P = 0.044). We observed no effect of the COMT genotype on mean pain-level report or placebo analgesia. Thus, we conclude that the Met-allele seems to be associated with the negative emotional process of fear, but not with placebo analgesia.
Alignment: the foundation of effective strategy execution
Authors: Srivastava Amit Kumar , Sushil
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Understanding a lack of strategy execution research, especially a lack of execution frameworks, the purpose of this paper is to focus on building a model of one of the most classic aspects of effective strategy execution, i.e. alignment. The proposed framework of alignment demonstrates linkages among different factors of alignment and suggests a managerial action plan to successfully convert strategic goals into execution performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops an empirically tested framework of “alignment” that can be used to plan effective strategy execution. The research context of the study is the firms operating in the infrastructure sector of India. A multi-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques, has been adopted with emphasis on the interpretation of the framework to suggest managerial actions.

Findings

This study shows that structure-strategy linkage is the most fundamental task of strategy execution. However, there are other aspects of alignment also that are critical. Also, there exist hierarchical relationships among different alignments. The structural understanding of alignment is required to set strong foundation for execution process.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to firms in the infrastructure sector of India. A questionnaire survey approach may invite some bias in response. Also, a large sample size could have been more useful to generalize findings. The proposed framework in this study suggest that the alignment of structure with strategy is important but not sufficient for effective strategy execution. There exist hierarchical relationships, among the factors of alignment, showing a dependence-driving relationship.

Practical implications

Strategy execution is one of the biggest challenges that corporations have been facing. The existing literature has identified many issues leading to effective strategy execution. The “alignment” aspect of execution has been the most talked about. There are different levels of alignment required for successful strategy execution. Literature suggests some of the key areas of alignment. However, there has been a lack of frameworks demonstrating linkages among different alignments to facilitate effective strategy execution.

Originality/value

There is a lack of strategy execution frameworks, especially reflecting on the alignment aspect of strategy execution. This study focuses not only on “how” of the framework development but also on the “why” aspect of the same. The interpretation approach also helps in pondering on the contextual realities.
Revising the budgeting model: challenges of implementation at a university
Authors: Kenno Staci A. , Sainty Barbara
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the challenges of implementing a new activity-based budgeting model in a university setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have conducted heuristic inquiry and content analysis to provide an in-depth examination and overview of the process of budget change at a not-for-profit institution.

Findings

Despite attempts to design a process where resource allocation is guided by principles of revenue generation, cost attribution, measures of quality and fit with strategic plan, overarching issues such as complexities of implementation and a lack of continuity of key personnel made it difficult to implement a new budgeting system.

Research limitations/implications

As it is a single case study, there may be some concerns regarding reliability and replicability. Subsequent work on a larger scale may mitigate some of these concerns.

Practical implications

The study demonstrates the challenges of implementing a new budgeting system where strategic choices may differ from revenue generating opportunities and when there has been significant turnover in personnel. The authors provide a perspective on how budgeting can be used to support an organization’s mission in addition to supporting revenue generating prospects, the empirics reinforce the implementation challenges and the need for continuity of key employees to implement change effectively.

Originality/value

The study suggests a new approach to incentive-based budgeting where resource allocation is informed by a number of activities (revenue generation, cost attribution, fit with strategic goals and quality of programs). It is not formula-driven and it stresses the importance of judgment to determine final resource allocation. Furthermore, the authors provide some support for the change management literature for implementing change in a complex organization.
The relationships between reporting format, environmental disclosure and environmental performance
Authors: Hassan Abeer , Guo Xin
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess whether European companies issue standalone environmental reports in an attempt to gain and maintain legitimacy with relevant stakeholders. This is achieved by creating and empirically testing a model of the relationships between corporate reporting format, industry membership, environmental disclosure, and environmental performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected from 100 large European companies in carbon and non-carbon-intensive industries. Hypothesis testing is conducted via structure equation modeling.

Findings

Evidence exists that companies which disclose environmental information in standalone environmental reports tend to provide higher levels of environmental information than companies which combine financial and environmental disclosure in annual reports. The findings support greenwashing as a new perspective of legitimacy theory: companies in carbon-intensive industry use standalone environmental reports to pose as good corporate citizens even when they are not.

Research limitations/implications

The sample companies are large European companies and this could limit the generalizability of research findings. The authors call for longitudinal studies examining how the relationship between reporting format and environmental disclosure changes.

Practical implications

This paper suggests that reporting format be considered a proactive, strategic communication-driven activity rather than a decision that managers passively make in response to external scrutiny.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature by adding to the scarce evidence of the relationship between reporting format and environmental disclosure. Greenwashing as a new perspective of legitimacy theory is used to develop research hypotheses.
Exploring the relationship between business process improvement and employees’ behavior
Authors: Bakotic Danica , Krnic Ante
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate and clarify the relationship between business process improvement and employees’ behavior. More precisely, the purpose is to test whether a business process improvement initiative has a positive impact on performance and employees’ behavior, namely, motivation, communication and knowledge sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical research of this paper was conducted in the year 2013 in an ICT company on 52 employees who worked in the company’s R&D Centre. Business process improvement is analyzed in the change of work method for software development. Two projects of software development were observed. The data about the projects were collected by using the company’s documentation. The data about employees’ behavior were collected by a specially designed questionnaire.

Findings

Business process improvement led to better results and overall performance. Furthermore, it was found that business process improvement enhanced three important elements of employees’ behavior. These are motivation, communication and knowledge sharing.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitations of this study are small research sample, focusing on just the way of business process improvement and on only one company. Therefore, the results cannot be generalized and considered as being generally accepted.

Practical implications

The findings of this study could be useful for ICT companies because it shows the benefits of the Kanban method.

Originality/value

The major contribution of this study is to prove the positive impact of business process improvement initiatives on overall performance and on the special elements of employees’ behavior. This cognition enhances the existing knowledge on business process improvements.
On increasing of density of transistors in a hybrid cascaded multilevel inverter
Authors: Pankratov Evgeny L. , Bulaeva Elena A.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analytically model redistribution of dopant in a heterostructure during annealing of dopant and/or radiation defects (during the modeling, the authors consider two types of infusing of the dopant: dopant diffusion and ion implantation). The authors consider a heterostructure, which consists of a substrate and an epitaxial layer. After that the authors consider doping of several specific areas to manufacture heterodiodes and heterobipolar transistors framework hybrid cascaded multilevel inverter.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the modeling, the authors introduce an approach to increase density of diodes and bipolar transistors framework hybrid cascaded multilevel inverter, which has been manufactured based on the heterostructure. The approach is based on using inhomogeneity of the heterostructure and optimization of annealing of dopant and/or radiation defects.

Findings

The approach gives us possibility to take into account nonlinearity of considered processes.

Originality/value

The authors introduce an analytical approach to model diffusion and ion types of doping with account concurrent changing of parameters in space and time.
Mushrooms as a strategy to reduce food insecurity in Colombia
Authors: Cuesta María-Carolina , Castro-Ríos Katherin
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to address the issue of food security and its role in the inclusion of edible and medicinal mushrooms in the diets of nutritionally vulnerable populations in Colombia, allowing an overview of the nutritional situation and its main structural causes, the importance of food security programs, the advantages and disadvantages of the use of mushrooms and strategies and challenges in promoting the cultivation and consumption of macromycetes.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review was conducted to develop this viewpoint paper.

Findings

According to the results of this study, for edible fungi to become a viable alternative in the Colombian food culture, it is necessary to develop strategies and educational programs for food security, to conduct applied research to assess the incorporation of mushrooms into the food culture of the communities and to consider the acceptability of this food. This requires promoting the properties of mushrooms and considering their nutritional and/or medicinal contributions, self-consumption, commercialization to buy other food and the utilization of by-products or agricultural residues for cultivation, all while paying heed to the implications of food safety and regulations. The contributions of different professionals in social and technical areas in transferring knowledge to the community, and especially to “replicator leaders”, is also of great relevance to the acceptability of these ideas within communities.

Social implications

Edible fungi are a possible response to malnutrition problems in adult and infant populations in Colombia.

Originality/value

No previous study has investigated the potential of mushrooms as a strategy to decrease food insecurity in Colombia.
What does the evolution of curriculum in knowledge management programs tell us about the future of the field?
Authors: Cervone H. Frank
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The current study aims to analyze the curriculum of selected knowledge management (KM) programs at universities in the USA, Europe, Australia and Asia within current and historical contexts to understand the scope and nature of the requirements in KM programs. By comparing the results from programs, a baseline understanding of what the overall requirements within these programs has been developed. This may provide benefits for the profession, as this baseline can provide a clearer understanding of the skills and knowledge elements that are present or absent in the current academic programs. In addition to better informing the KM community of what graduates of these programs may know, this information can provide a basis for academic program improvement and, ultimately, better use of KM in professional practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The basic approach in this study is a comparative analysis of curriculum in master-level programs in English that are focused on KM. In the current study, historical references to programs in KM were identified through prior research in the topic area. Current programs were identified through standard reference sources. The course titles and program descriptions for current programs are further analyzed using text analytics tools to understand the relationship of topics within and between programs.

Findings

The concept of KM as a distinct program of study appears to be stable but the number of programs is declining. The number of new master degree programs in KM has not significantly increased in the past 15 years, whereas many programs have been discontinued or have been reduced to the certificate/diploma level. Of the programs that exist today, we see that a greater variety in home locations of these programs which tend to imply coverage of the field is becoming increasingly diverse in its approach. Overall, it appears that the KM programs are moving toward transformation or integration with allied fields.

Originality/value

There has been very limited study of the curriculum within KM programs. Most of the research performed dates from 2010 or earlier. The current study adds a unique contribution to the literature by looking at earlier iterations of KM programs and compares those to the current state of the curriculum in KM programs and their successor programs in an attempt to understand how the field may be developing and changing.
Characterization of the human DNA gut virome across populations with different subsistence strategies and geographical origin
Authors: Rampelli Simone , Turroni Silvia , Schnorr Stephanie L. , Soverini Matteo , Quercia Sara , Barone Monica , Castagnetti Andrea , Biagi Elena , Gallinella Giorgio , Brigidi Patrizia , Candela Marco
Published: October 2017

It is a matter of fact that the human gut microbiome also includes a non‐bacterial fraction represented by eukaryotic cells and viruses. To further explore the gut microbiome variation in human populations, here we characterized the human DNA viral community from publicly available gut metagenome data sets from human populations with different geographical origin and lifestyle. In particular, such data sets encompass microbiome information from two western urban societies (USA and Italy), as well as two traditional hunter‐gatherer communities (the Hadza from Tanzania and Matses from Peru) and one pre‐agricultural tribe (Tunapuco from Peru). Our results allowed for the first taxonomic reconstruction of the complex viral metacommunities within the human gut. The core virome structure included herpesviruses, papillomaviruses, polyomaviruses, adenoviruses and anelloviruses. Using Random Forests and a co‐occurrence analysis approach, we identified the viruses that distinguished populations according to their geographical origin and/or lifestyle. This paves the way for new research aimed at investigating the biological role of the gut virome in human physiology, and the importance of our viral counterpart in the microbiome‐host co‐evolutionary process.
The Spirit Is Willing, But the Flesh is Weak: Why Young People Drink More Than Intended on Weekend Nights—An Event‐Level Study
Authors: Labhart Florian , Anderson Kristen G. , Kuntsche Emmanuel
Published: October 2017

Background

Heavy alcohol use is common among young adults on weekend nights and is assumed to be intentional. However, little is known about the extent to which heavy consumption is planned prior to the onset of drinking and what factors contribute to drinking more than intended. This study investigates drinking intentions at the beginning of an evening and individual and situational factors associated with a subsequent consumption over the course of multiple nights.

Methods

Using a smartphone application, 176 young people aged 16 to 25 (mean age = 19.1; 49% women) completed questionnaires on drinking intentions, consumption, and drinking environments before, during, and after multiple Friday and Saturday nights (n = 757). Multilevel regressions were used to investigate individual‐level and night‐level factors associated with previous drinking intentions and subsequent deviations from intentions.

Results

Participants intended to consume 2.5 drinks (SD = 2.8) per night yet consumed 3.8 drinks (SD = 3.9) on average. Drinking intentions were higher among those who frequently went out at night and engaged in more frequent predrinking. Participants drank more than intended on 361 nights (47.7%). For both genders, the number of drinks consumed before 8 pm, attending multiple locations, and being with larger groups of friends contributed to higher consumption than intended at the individual and the night levels. Heavier consumption than intended also occurred when drinking away from home for men and when going to nightclubs for women.

Conclusions

Making young adults aware of the tendency to drink more than intended, particularly when drinking begins early in the evening, moves from location to location, and includes large groups of friends, may be a fruitful prevention target. Structural measures, including responsible beverage service, may also help in preventing excessive drinking at multiple locations.
The parasitoid wasp Eruga unilabiana Pádua & Sobczak, sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) induces behavioral modification in its spider host
Authors: Sobczak Jober F. , Pádua Diego G. , Costa Letícia F. A. , Carvalho João L. V. R. , Ferreira João P. S. , Sobczak Jullyana C. M. S. M. , Messas Yuri F.
Published: October 2017

Some polysphinctine parasitoid wasps can alter the web building behavior of their host spiders. In this paper, we describe and illustrate a new species Eruga unilabiana sp. nov. and report for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the interaction between this parasitic wasp and the linyphiid spider Dubiaranea sp. We investigated the wasp's host selection, development, and manipulation of host behavior. We found that most of the parasitized spiders were intermediate‐sized adult females that probably provide sufficient resources for parasitoid larvae and are less vulnerable for parasitoid females than larger host individuals at attack. The cocoon web of Dubiaranea sp. consists of a complex three‐dimensional tangle structure with several non‐stick radial lines that converge at the cocoon. In addition, E. unilabiana individuals construct their cocoons horizontally, which differ from cocoons of the majority of polysphinctine wasps. This study provides important information and discussion to further understand the evolution of parasitoid wasp–spider interactions.
The efficacy of azithromycin and doxycycline treatment for rectal chlamydial infection: a retrospective cohort study in South Australia
Authors: Li Bin , Hocking Jane S. , Bi Peng , Bell Charlotte , Fairley Christopher K.
Published: October 2017

Background

There are ongoing concerns about treatment failure with azithromycin for the treatment of rectal chlamydia.

Aim

To investigate treatment efficacy of two treatments for rectal chlamydial infection.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients diagnosed with rectal chlamydial infection between 2009 and 2015 in Adelaide, Australia. Patients were treated with either azithromycin (1 g single dose) or doxycycline (100 mg twice a day for 10 days) and returned for repeat testing 14–180 days after treatment commenced. Log‐binomial models were used to estimate the relative risk (RR) of recurrent rectal chlamydia associated with the treatment with azithromycin versus doxycycline.

Results

In men, rectal chlamydia prevalence was 6.7%, and in women, it was 8.1%. Of the 526 patients diagnosed with rectal chlamydial infections, 419 (79.7%), 93 (17.7%) and 14 (2.6%) patients were treated with doxycycline, azithromycin or other medication respectively. Of these patients, 173 (41.3%) of 419 doxycycline‐treated patients and 31 (33.3%) of 93 azithromycin‐treated patients were retested between 14 and 180 days after treatment commenced (P = 0.16). Among these patients, the repeat rectal chlamydia test was less commonly positive in those treated with doxycycline (5.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03–0.10) compared with those treated with azithromycin (19.4%; 95% CI 0.09–0.36) and (P = 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, azithromycin‐treated patients had a significantly higher risk of a positive test in the 14 and 180 days after treatment commenced (adjusted relative risk (aRR) 2.96, 95% CI 1.16–7.57).

Conclusion

The findings suggest that doxycycline may be more effective than azithromycin in treating rectal chlamydial infections.
Polyuria‐polydipsia syndrome: a diagnostic challenge
Authors: Nigro Nicole , Grossmann Mathis , Chiang Cherie , Inder Warrick J.
Published: October 2017

The main determinants for the maintenance of water homeostasis are the hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP) and thirst. Disturbances in these regulatory mechanisms can lead to polyuria‐polydipsia syndrome, which comprises of three different conditions: central diabetes insipidus (DI) due to insufficient secretion of AVP, nephrogenic DI caused by renal insensitivity to AVP action and primary polydipsia due to excessive fluid intake and consequent physiological suppression of AVP. It is crucial to determine the exact diagnosis because treatment strategies vary substantially. To differentiate between the causes of the polyuria‐polydipsia syndrome, a water deprivation test combined with desmopressin administration is the diagnostic ‘gold standard’. Thereby, AVP activity is indirectly evaluated through the measurement of urine osmolality after prolonged dehydration. However, this test has several limitations and may fail to distinguish precisely between patients with primary polydipsia and mild forms of central and nephrogenic DI. The direct measurement of AVP during the water deprivation test, which was reported in the 1980s, has not been widely adopted due to availability, assay issues and diagnostic performance. Recently, copeptin, the c‐terminal portion of the larger precursor peptide of AVP, has been evaluated in the setting of polyuria‐polydipsia syndrome and appears to be a useful candidate biomarker for the differential diagnosis. A standardised method for the water deprivation test is presented as part of a joint initiative of the Endocrine Society of Australia, the Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists and the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia to harmonise dynamic endocrine tests across Australia.
Negative predictive value of dobutamine stress echocardiography for perioperative risk stratification in patients with cardiac risk factors and reduced exercise capacity undergoing non‐cardiac surgery
Authors: Go Gus , Davies Kathy T. , O'Callaghan Cara , Senior Wendy , Kostner Karam , Fagermo Narelle , Prasad Sandhir B.
Published: October 2017

Background

Guidelines recommend functional testing for myocardial ischaemia in the perioperative setting in patients with greater than one recognised cardiac risk factor and self‐reported reduced exercise capacity.

Aim

To determine the clinical utility of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) for perioperative risk stratification in patients undergoing major non‐cardiac surgery.

Methods

Data on 79 consecutive patients undergoing DSE for perioperative risk stratification at a single centre were retrospectively reviewed to determine rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during the index hospitalisation and 30 days post‐discharge. Echocardiography and outcome data were obtained through a folder audit and echolab database.

Results

Out of the 79 DSE performed for perioperative risk stratification, 11 (14%) were positive (DSE +ve) and 68 (86%) were negative (DSE −ve). Management in the DSE +ve group included medical optimisation without invasive intervention (n = 7(64%)), diagnostic coronary angiography (n = 3(27%)) and coronary artery bypass graft (n = 1(9%)). None of the patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention preoperatively. Perioperative MACE in the DSE +ve group was 36% compared to 4% in the DSE‐ve group (P = 0.006). DSE +ve was a powerful predictor of perioperative inpatient MACE (OR 12.4, 95% CI 2.3–67, P = 0.003). The positive predictive value of DSE +ve status was 36%, whereas the negative predictive value of DSE‐ve status for perioperative MACE was 96%.

Conclusion

DSE for perioperative risk stratification had a high clinical utility in patients undergoing major non‐cardiac surgery. In particular, a normal DSE had a high negative predictive value for perioperative MACE.
Optical clearing of small intestine for three‐dimensional visualization of cellular proliferation within crypts
Authors: Kaufman Jason A. , Castro Monica J. , Sandoval‐Skeet Noemy , Al‐Nakkash Layla
Published: October 2017

New methods on optical clearing provide a valuable alternative to traditional physical section histology. Optical clearing allows investigation of relatively large tissue samples at histological resolution while maintaining the three‐dimensional architecture of the intact system. There is significant potential for applying optical clearing to gastrointestinal tissues. In particular, intestinal crypts contain high concentrations of stem cells, making these structures especially important for research on cellular proliferation in the intestinal epithelium. The objective of our study is to demonstrate an optical clearing method that is easy to implement and is compatible with mitotic fluorescent labeling. The optical clearing method we present utilizes a Triton/DMSO delipidization step followed by refractive index matching, rendering the tissue nearly transparent. We use EdU click chemistry to fluorescently label mitotic cell nuclei. Our results demonstrate successful clearing of jejunal samples with readily visible EdU staining by means of confocal microscopy. Three‐dimensional reconstruction of labeled samples reveals preservation of intestinal cytoarchitecture including muscular, submucosal, and mucosal layers. Additionally, the morphology of intestinal crypts and individual EdU‐positive mitotic nuclei are visible in sharp detail within their intact three‐dimensional organization. In summary, we present an optical clearing method that is easy to implement and has the potential to provide more accurate assessment of cellular proliferation within the gastrointestinal tract in both healthy and disease states.
Multimodality imaging characteristics of tension pyopneumothorax secondary to pulmonary carcinoma in a cat
Authors: Kim Jaehwan , Yoon Hakyoung , Kim Soyoung , Eom Kidong
Published: October 2017

A 3‐year‐old Himalayan cat was presented with respiratory distress. Radiography showed multiple gas opacity foci, with the locations dependent on patient positioning, and severe pleural effusion with a contralateral mediastinal shift. A large volume of fluid and air was aspirated, and the fluid components were consistent with a nonseptic exudate. A pulmonary mass, pleural nodules, and an air–fluid interface with air bubbles trapped in fibrous septations were identified using thoracic ultrasonography and CT. The cat died 2 days after imaging studies. Necropsy revealed tension pyopneumothorax caused by pulmonary carcinoma and multiple pleural metastases.
Micro-PIXE analysis on adsorbent of extraction chromatography for MA(III) recovery
Authors: Takahatake Y. , Watanabe S. , Kofuji H. , Takeuchi M. , Nomura K. , Satoh T.
Published: October 2017

Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has been conducting research and development of MA(III) recovery from high level liquid waste (HLLW) by extraction chromatography technology for reduction in amount and environmental impact of radioactive waste. The behavior of adsorbed cations inside the adsorbent packed in a column is necessary to be evaluated for improvement of the adsorbent or flow-sheet to achieve targeted MA(III) recovery performance. In this paper, micro-PIXE analysis was carried out on the particles sampled from various positions of the column to reveal the behavior of cations inside the packed column with CMPO/SiO2-P adsorbent using RE(III) as simulated elements of MA(III). Simple experiment and data analysis were shown to be effective to reveal inside of the column, and formation and transportation of the adsorption bands were observed for some cations which are extractable by the CMPO extractant. Some part of Zr(IV) and Mo(VI) were found to remain inside the column without distinct transportation even after the elution operation. Those results will contribute to design more practical MA(III) recovery flow-sheet.
Role of myeloperoxidase in abdominal aortic aneurysm formation: mitigation by taurine
Authors: Kim Ha Won , Blomkalns Andra L. , Ogbi Mourad , Thomas Manesh , Gavrila Daniel , Neltner Bonnie S. , Cassis Lisa A. , Thompson Robert W. , Weiss Robert M. , Lindower Paul D. , Blanco Victor M. , McCormick Michael L. , Daugherty Alan , Fu Xiaoming , Hazen Stanley L. , Stansfield Brian K. , Huo Yuqing , Fulton David J. , Chatterjee Tapan , Weintraub Neal L.
Published: October 2017

Oxidative stress plays a fundamental role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation. Activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (or neutrophils) are associated with AAA and express myeloperoxidase (MPO), which promotes inflammation, matrix degradation, and other pathological features of AAA, including enhanced oxidative stress through generation of reactive oxygen species. Both plasma and aortic MPO levels are elevated in patients with AAA, but the role of MPO in AAA pathogenesis has, heretofore, never been investigated. Here, we show that MPO gene deletion attenuates AAA formation in two animal models: ANG II infusion in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice and elastase perfusion in C57BL/6 mice. Oral administration of taurine [1% or 4% (wt/vol) in drinking water], an amino acid known to react rapidly with MPO-generated oxidants like hypochlorous acid, also prevented AAA formation in the ANG II and elastase models as well as the CaCl2 application model of AAA formation while reducing aortic peroxidase activity and aortic protein-bound dityrosine levels, an oxidative cross link formed by MPO. Both MPO gene deletion and taurine supplementation blunted aortic macrophage accumulation, elastin fragmentation, and matrix metalloproteinase activation, key features of AAA pathogenesis. Moreover, MPO gene deletion and taurine administration significantly attenuated the induction of serum amyloid A, which promotes ANG II-induced AAAs. These data implicate MPO in AAA pathogenesis and suggest that studies exploring whether taurine can serve as a potential therapeutic for the prevention or treatment of AAA in patients merit consideration.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Neutrophils are abundant in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and myeloperoxidase (MPO), prominently expressed in neutrophils, is associated with AAA in humans. This study demonstrates that MPO gene deletion or supplementation with the natural product taurine, which can scavenge MPO-generated oxidants, can prevent AAA formation, suggesting an attractive potential therapeutic strategy for AAA.
TRAF3IP2 mediates high glucose-induced endothelin-1 production as well as endothelin-1-induced inflammation in endothelial cells
Authors: Padilla Jaume , Carpenter Andrea J. , Das Nitin A. , Kandikattu Hemanth Kumar , López-Ongil Susana , Martinez-Lemus Luis A. , Siebenlist Ulrich , DeMarco Vincent G. , Chandrasekar Bysani
Published: October 2017

Hyperglycemia-induced production of endothelin (ET)-1 is a hallmark of endothelial dysfunction in diabetes. Although the detrimental vascular effects of increased ET-1 are well known, the molecular mechanisms regulating endothelial synthesis of ET-1 in the setting of diabetes remain largely unidentified. Here, we show that adapter molecule TRAF3 interacting protein 2 (TRAF3IP2) mediates high glucose-induced ET-1 production in endothelial cells and ET-1-mediated endothelial cell inflammation. Specifically, we found that high glucose upregulated TRAF3IP2 in human aortic endothelial cells, which subsequently led to activation of JNK and IKKβ. shRNA-mediated silencing of TRAF3IP2, JNK1, or IKKβ abrogated high-glucose-induced ET-converting enzyme 1 expression and ET-1 production. Likewise, overexpression of TRAF3IP2, in the absence of high glucose, led to activation of JNK and IKKβ as well as increased ET-1 production. Furthermore, ET-1 transcriptionally upregulated TRAF3IP2, and this upregulation was prevented by pharmacological inhibition of ET-1 receptor B using BQ-788, or inhibition of NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species using gp91ds-tat and GKT137831. Notably, we found that knockdown of TRAF3IP2 abolished ET-1-induced proinflammatory and adhesion molecule (IL-1β, TNF-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin) expression and monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. Finally, we report that TRAF3IP2 is upregulated and colocalized with CD31, an endothelial marker, in the aorta of diabetic mice. Collectively, findings from the present study identify endothelial TRAF3IP2 as a potential new therapeutic target to suppress ET-1 production and associated vascular complications in diabetes.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study provides the first evidence that the adapter molecule TRAF3 interacting protein 2 mediates high glucose-induced production of endothelin-1 by endothelial cells as well as endothelin-1-mediated endothelial cell inflammation. The findings presented herein suggest that TRAF3 interacting protein 2 may be an important therapeutic target in diabetic vasculopathy characterized by excess endothelin-1 production.
Evidence of a greater functional sympatholysis in habitually aerobic trained postmenopausal women
Authors: Kruse Nicholas T. , Hughes William E. , Hanada Satoshi , Ueda Kenichi , Bock Joshua M. , Iwamoto Erika , Casey Darren P.
Published: October 2017

Habitual aerobic exercise attenuates elevated vasoconstriction during acute exercise (functional sympatholysis) in older men; however, this effect remains unknown in postmenopausal women (PMW). This study tested the hypothesis that PMW who participate in habitual aerobic exercise demonstrate a greater functional sympatholysis compared with their untrained counterparts. Nineteen PMW (untrained n = 9 vs. trained n = 10) performed 5 min of steady-state (SS) forearm exercise at relative [10% and 20% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC)] and absolute (5 kg) contraction intensities. Lower-body negative pressure (LBNP) was used to increase sympathetic vasoconstriction during rest and forearm exercise. Brachial artery diameter and blood velocities (via Doppler ultrasound) determined forearm blood flow (FBF; ml/min). Forearm muscle oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text]; ml/min) and arteriovenous oxygen difference (a-vO2diff) were estimated during SS-exercise and SS-exercise with LBNP. Forearm vascular conductance (FVC; ml·min−1·100 mmHg−1) was calculated from FBF and mean arterial pressure (MAP; mmHg). Vasoconstrictor responsiveness was determined as the %change in FVC during LBNP. The reduction in FVC (% change FVC) during LBNP was lower in trained compared with untrained PMW at 10% MVC (−7.3 ± 1.2% vs. −13.0 ± 1.1%; P < 0.05), 20% MVC (−4.4 ± 0.8% vs. −8.6 ± 1.4%; P < 0.05), and 5 kg (−5.3 ± 0.8% vs. −8.9 ± 1.4%; P < 0.05) conditions, whereas there were no differences at rest (−32.7 ± 4.4% vs. −33.7 ± 4.0%). Peripheral (FVC, FBF, and [Formula: see text]) and the magnitude change in systemic hemodynamics (heart rate and MAP) did not differ between groups during exercise. Collectively, the findings present the first evidence suggesting that PMW who participate in aerobic exercise demonstrate a greater functional sympatholysis compared with untrained PMW during mild to moderate forearm exercise.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Habitual aerobic exercise attenuates the elevated sympathetic nervous system-induced vasoconstriction during an acute bout of exercise (improved functional sympatholysis) in aging men; however, this effect remains unknown in postmenopausal women (PMW). The novel findings of this study suggest that habitual aerobic exercise results in an enhanced functional sympatholysis in PMW. Conversely, habitual aerobic exercise does not alter blood flow and oxygen utilization during acute forearm exercise compared with PMW who do not habitually exercise.
Purification and Structural Characterization of a Novel Water-Soluble Neutral Polysaccharide from Cantharellus cibarius and Its Immunostimulating Activity in RAW264.7 Cells
Authors: Chen Long , Peng Xichun , Lv Jiaying , Liao Siyin , Ou Shiyi , Shen Yingbin
Published: October 2017

Polysaccharide is one of the important active ingredients of Cantharellus cibarius. The aims of this work were to analyze preliminary characterization and to investigate immunostimulating activity of a novel water-soluble neutral polysaccharide named JP1, which was purified from the fruiting body of Cantharellus cibarius using DEAE-FF chromatography and Sephadex G-100 chromatography. The characteristics of JP1 were determined by HPGPC, FT-IR spectra, gas chromatography, and Congo Red Method. Immunostimulating activity of JP1 was investigated in RAW264.7 cells. Results indicated that JP1 consisted of L-Arabinose, D-Mannose, D-Glucose, and D-Galactose in a molar ratio of 1 : 1.06 : 1.95 : 1.17 with a molecular weight of 336 kDa. JP1 is nontoxic to RAW264.7 cells at this concentration range (62.5–1000 μg/mL). Furthermore, JP1 can promote mouse peritoneal macrophages to secrete NO and enhance the secretion of macrophages’ cytokines IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells. These results suggested that JP1 could have potential immunostimulating activity applications as medicine or functional food.
Unemotional Design: An Alternative Approach to Sustainable Design
Authors: Thornquist Clemens
Published: October 2017

Conspicuous consumption of products is problematic for the development of a sustainable relationship to cultural and natural resources. Drawing on an emotional design approach, this study explores emotional conditions involved in the buying phase of socially visible products used in a typically expressive consumption activity. Through an extreme character approach, impulsive and compulsive buying is explored to expose principal and generic emotional conditions in the drive for new design products. The study demonstrates a range of primary negative emotional conditions or emotional fluctuations related to anxiety, mood, and self-esteem in the buying of appearance-related products. In conclusion, to achieve a more sustainable consumer relationship with fashion-conditioned material goods, the study reveals a need for unemotional design to acquire emotional detachment, rather than design to acquire emotional attachment.
The Logic of the Design Problem: A Dialectical Approach
Authors: Beckett Stephen J.
Published: October 2017

This article analyzes the logic of the design problem by using a Hegelian dialectical approach. It begins by identifying the logical paradox at the heart of the design problem and clarifying the method of dialectical logic, and then applies this logic to the design problem by demonstrating how problems and solutions emerge simultaneously as “moments” of a single concept. Finally, the designer's role as a “speculative reader” in the process is briefly considered.
Relation between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/apolipoprotein B ratio and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in patients with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Tani Shigemasa , Yagi Tsukasa , Atsumi Wataru , Kawauchi Kenji , Matsuo Rei , Hirayama Atsushi
Published: October 2017

Background

The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/apolipoprotein B (LDL-C/apoB) ratio has conventionally been used as an index of the LDL-particle size. Smaller LDL-particle size is associated with triglyceride (TG) metabolism disorders, often leading to atherogenesis. We investigated the association between the LDL-C/apoB ratio and TG metabolism in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods

In the cross-sectional study, the LDL-C/apoB ratio, which provides an estimate of the LDL-particle size, was calculated in 684 consecutive patients with one additional risk factor. The patients were classified into 4 groups based on the presence or absence of CAD and DM, as follows: CAD (−) DM (−) group, n = 416; CAD (−) DM (+) group, n = 118; CAD (+) DM (−) group, n = 90; CAD (+) DM (+) group, n = 60.

Results

A multi-logistic regression analysis after adjustments for coronary risk factors revealed that the CAD (+) DM (+) condition was an independent predictor of the smallest LDL-C/apoB ratio among the four groups. Furthermore, multivariate regression analyses identified elevated TG-rich lipoprotein (TRL)-related markers (TG, very-LDL fraction, remnant-like particle cholesterol, apolipoprotein C-II, and apolipoprotein C-III) as being independently predictive of a smaller LDL-particle size in both the overall subject population and a subset of patients with a serum LDL-C level < 100 mg/dL. In the 445 patients followed up for at least 6 months, multi-logistic regression analyses identified increased levels of TRL-related markers as being independently predictive of a decreased LDL-C/apoB ratio, which is indicative of smaller LDL-particle size.

Conclusions

The association between disorders of TG metabolism and LDL heterogeneity may account for the risk of CAD in patients with DM. Combined evaluation of TRL-related markers and the LDL-C/apoB ratio may be of increasing importance in the risk stratification of CAD patients with DM. Further studies are needed to investigate the useful clinical indices and outcomes of these patients.

Clinical Trial Registration UMIN (http://www.umin.ac.jp/) Study ID: UMIN000028029 retrospectively registered 1 July 2017
Kaleidoscope
Authors: Tracy Derek K. , Joyce Dan W. , Shergill Sukhwinder S.
Published: October 2017

Gloria Gaynor was an early proponent of resilience, winning many converts with her reflections on ‘how you did me wrong I grew strong, and I learned how to get along’. Tapping into this – resilience, not ‘70s disco – to improve mental health outcomes is a growing concept, but does evidence support this sensible, if sometimes loosely defined, idea? Dray et al provide a timely systematic review of 57 randomised controlled trials of universal resilience-focused interventions targeting children and adolescents in school settings. Meta-analysis showed that, compared with control conditions, interventions were effective in reducing depressive symptoms, internalising and externalising problems, and general distress, but not anxiety, hyperactivity or conduct problems. However, there was variation between age groups and duration of intervention. Not all data were amenable to meta-analysis – the inability to divide results by gender being noteworthy – but these findings support the principle of general resilience-focused preventive programmes in this cohort.
Prolonged, but not complicated, grief is a mental disorder
Authors: Maciejewski Paul K. , Prigerson Holly G.
Published: October 2017

The DSM and ICD have taken steps to introduce a grief disorder as a new diagnostic entity. Evidence justifies the inclusion of prolonged grief disorder, but not complicated grief, as a new mental disorder.