bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organizational structure and corporate performance: insights from 6,065 listed corporations
Authors: Zhu Song , Jiao Hao
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– Due to the great distinctions for the legal environments, institutions and taxations, the restrictive external financing and costly financing cost, and great influence of macroeconomy or regulations on single industry, firms may change or adjust their organization structure to adapt to rapidly changing environment. Flat structure can decentralize the powers to subsidiary managers and can internalize the managerial market to promote competition among subsidiary managers and create an internal capital market within firms to alleviate external financing constrains, and it is matched with the diversification strategy to lower the operation risk and regulation risk for firms in changing environment. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data of 6,065 listed corporations in China securities market since 2001-2006 are used to empirically test the hypotheses.

Findings

– The paper examines the efficiency of flat structure within the firm, investigating its influence on capital allocation and corporate performance. It shows that flat structure is better in emerging market since it is efficient in capital allocation, reducing the inefficient investment by reducing the overinvestment and alleviating the underinvestment, thus beneficial for corporate performance, both short-term and long-term accounting returns.

Practical implications

– From the results of this study, the paper can derive the important managerial implications that top managers should strengthen flexibility through flat structure so that their firms can grasp opportunities and obtain advantages through efficient improvement of mobility, adaptability, and combination in an uncertain environment. Moreover, flat structure can decentralize the powers to subordinate managers and create an internal managerial market and internal capital market within firms.

Originality/value

– By using the previous and change of multi-unit structure, the change of corporate performance, diverse and concentrated firms, the paper shows that results are not due to the endogenous problem. The study finds that in less-developed capital market under the current situation, flat structure is better, which suggests that flat structure can properly implement the strategies in emerging market and beneficial for corporate performance.
Ultimate ownership, institutionality, and capital structure
Authors: Su Kun , Wan Rui , Li Bin
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to illustrate and examine the effects of ultimate ownership, institutionality and their interactions on capital structure in a unified framework, based on evidence from China.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using six years of panel data of Chinese non-financial listed firms between 2004 and 2009, this paper estimates with correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis.

Findings

– This paper finds that debt financing facilitates the ultimate owner's expropriation behavior. The separation of control rights and cash flow rights is positively related to capital structure, while cash flow rights negatively affect it. Compared with private ultimate owners, state ultimate owners have less incentive to reap the benefits of expropriation, implying that the separation of control rights and cash flow rights has a smaller effect on the capital structure of state-owned firms. The improvement of institutionality can restrain ultimate owners' expropriation behavior, and regional institutional development is negatively related to capital structure. The separation of control rights and cash flow rights has a smaller positive effect on capital structure in regions with better-developed institutionality.

Originality/value

– This paper incorporates ultimate ownership and institutionality into a unified analytical framework of capital structure. It not only enriches related studies on capital structure, but also helps us understand the institutional roots of irrational capital structure behaviors in China. This paper also provides further evidence on ultimate owners' expropriation of minority shareholders through debt financing.
Can HR practices retain flexworkers with their agency?
Authors: Kroon Brigitte , Freese Charissa
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– Workers have different motives to be employed at specialist contract work agencies, such as career development aspirations, or a desire for freedom and independence. The purpose of this paper is to study how these different motives relate to the appreciation of HR practices applied by agencies and consequently to employee retention at the agency.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected in a contract work agency for financial professionals. Management was interviewed about the HR practices used for employee retention. In addition, 291 agency employees filled out a questionnaire about their motives to be employed at the agency, their appreciation of the HR practices of the contract agency and their turnover intentions.

Findings

– Regression analysis showed that career development motivation was related to retention at the agency, but that this relation became weaker when tenure with the agency increased. HR practices (like training, supervisory support, career development support, information sharing and employee participation) proved to be related to lower turnover intentions of flex workers with a career development motivation. For flex workers with a freedom motivation the HR practices had no relationship with retention.

Research limitations/implications

– Data collection in one agency may limit generalization. Additional research needs to zoom in on alternative HR retention practices that align with freedom motivation.

Originality/value

– Specialist contract work agencies typically experience difficulties with employee retention. Agencies may retain their workers if they apply HR practices that are aligned with the motivation of people engaging in contract work.
Operational regulatory risks facing private equity firms
Authors: Legault Jeffrey , Quiňones Pablo , G. Pedretti Mark , Poe Alexandra , Zhou Lina
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explain various regulatory risks and problem areas facing private equity firms and to recommend compliance policies and procedures to minimize those risks.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper explains several problem areas that have been the subject of regulatory investigations, including fees and expenses, antitrust, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), fundraising, and insider trading.

Findings

– Regulators and prosecutors are increasingly focusing on private equity firms.

Practical implications

– Many private equity advisers met their registration deadlines but have not dedicated meaningful attention to customizing and implementing compliance policies and procedures, often purchased from non-law firm compliance consultants. Now is the time to take the next step.

Originality/value

– Practical guidance from experienced financial services lawyers.
Social networks: a strategy for enhancing project-stakeholder commitment
Authors: Nangoli Sudi , Ahimbisibwe Arthur , Namagembe Sheila , Bashir Hassan
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the human dimension of project management by establishing the extent to which social networks influence the commitment of project stakeholders. Up to date, project managers still identify inadequate stakeholder commitment to project undertakings as a key antecedent of project failure and so efforts aimed at addressing this challenge are highly valued. The paper therefore explores the use of social networks as one of the possible strategies to enhance project-stakeholder commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper adopts a quantitative, cross-sectional study design. Based on responses from 172 project stakeholders who took part in a sample of 92 citizenship projects conducted by major commercial banks in Uganda, hierarchical regression was used to indicate what happens to a model as different predictor variables are introduced The use of specific type of projects minimizes bias in results due to the unique nature of specific projects hence enhances reliability of results.

Findings

– The results from statistical analysis reveal that social network elements (network transitivity and network degree) are significant predictors of project stakeholder commitment. The results also suggest that network transitivity is a better significant predictor of project-stakeholder commitment than network degree

Practical implications

– Project-stakeholder commitment has been widely studied in relation to project performance and the study makes a number of contributions to the theory and study of projects. First and foremost, the paper studied project social networks and project-stakeholder commitment in citizenship projects in commercial banks in Uganda which is a developing country. The study therefore contributes to an understanding of project social networks and project-stakeholder commitment in citizenship projects of commercial banks in a developing country. The implication of the findings is that it provides a different view point of understanding the aspects that affect project commitment. A lot of focus has been placed on improving project performance in Uganda, but none has specifically focussed on building project-stakeholder commitment through the use of project social networks.

Originality/value

– Earlier attempts to investigate the impact of social networks on commitment in projects did not study commitment among individuals. Also, no previous empirical study in less developed countries has given special attention to the effect of social networks on project-stakeholder commitment especially in the domain of citizenship projects which have gained a lot of momentum around the globe. The study results indicate that getting concerned with the nature of social networks the project creates and the means it uses to maintain such networks has implications for project-stakeholder commitment.
Rethinking strategic leadership: stars, clans, teams and networks
Authors: Kriger Mark , Zhovtobryukh Yuriy
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– Most of the thousands of studies of leadership as well as strategic leadership in organizations choose as the unit of analysis the individual leader. This choice runs contrary to the often-observed fact that organizations have numerous leaders at all levels of the organization – in other words, a network of leaders, which permeates the formal organizational structure. The purpose of this paper is to re-conceptualize strategic leadership by advancing understanding of: the effects of variations in internal complexity and external turbulence and the effects of choices by the strategic leadership based on those variations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper advocates a network approach to strategic leadership where there is a set of highly dynamic role changes, based on both human and social capital. The typology and propositions in the paper emerged over a period of many years of observation of organizations (direct and indirect) as well as reflection of theories on how strategic leadership actually occurs in medium to large-size profit-oriented organizations.

Findings

– The paper proposes a model of strategic leadership based upon four modes of single actor and shared leadership (stars, clans, teams, and leadership networks). The paper sets forth propositions for the situational appropriateness of each of these four forms and identifies avenues for future research to advance the theory.

Originality/value

– The paper cross-fertilizes extant research streams in leadership and strategic management to create a contingency theory of strategic leadership that is closer to what executives actually experience in the workplace.
Agricultural information needs and sources of the rural farmers in Tanzania
Authors: Elly Tumsifu , Epafra Silayo Ephraem
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– This study aims to determine information needs and sources of the rural farmers in Tanzania specifically from Iringa rural district.

Design/methodology/approach

– Survey technique was used as the principal data collection technique where 120 rural farmers were interviewed. In-depth interviews of ten key informants from two villages of Ifunda and Kalenga complemented the survey.

Findings

– 70 per cent of farmers' information needs is about crop and livestock husbandry, marketing, funding options and value addition. However, there is a significant difference between the two wards in information needs for “information on crop and livestock husbandry” as well as information on “value addition”. To a great extent, farmers use the old means of communication, the traditional and interpersonal by default due to relevancy in the context and content. The modern means of communication are used to access non-agricultural (other) information.

Research limitations/implications

– Designing effective extension and dissemination programs should consider the needs and mechanisms desired and preferred by specific group of farmers.

Practical implications

– There is heterogeneity within farming communities in terms of information needs which requires a consideration by intervention programs.

Originality/value

– The study identifies information needs and sources of rural farmers. It points out that needs of the farmers are not static and they change over time. Though farmers largely use old means, the modern communications means have the potential of being better sources should the information producers upload relevant and context-specific information.
Intra-organizational careers in Estonian university libraries: a necessity and a possibility?
Authors: Kont Kate-Riin , Jantson Signe
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The aim of the current article is to clarify whether the staff of Estonian university libraries has enough possibilities for self-realization and variety in their everyday work; whether employees see any relationship between their personal performance improvement and their intra-organizational career and, whether they see any possibility and/or necessity for promotion within their library.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data used in this paper are based on reviewing of relevant literature to provide an overview of the concept of intra-organizational career as well as on the results of the original online survey, created by the paper's authors, held in 2011/2012 in Estonian university libraries governed by public law in Estonia. The analysis of the results is interpreted on the basis of the literature, authors' opinions, based on long-term working experience in Estonian academic libraries and on the legislation of Estonia.

Findings

– Estonian university librarians are relatively pessimistic about career opportunities within their libraries, and, unfortunately do not see any relation between performance improvement and their career. The biggest problem is that the younger librarians do not see any opportunities for promotion. In Estonian university libraries, there does not exist an adequate grading system for promotion.

Practical implications

– Based on the current study, it can be said that the biggest challenge for university libraries in Estonia is to keep young professionals in libraries and in this way prevent the continuing growth of the average age of employees in the organization. This challenge would require from managements of the university libraries: to take bolder action in analyzing personnel and staff developments and promotion plans; to build up an adequate and clear career system; and pay more attention to the organizations' internal reserves.

Originality/value

– The majority of the literature in library science in Estonia has focused – and rightfully so – on the user: what do users and patrons want and/or need, how do they use it, how can librarians best provide it to them, do the users feel themselves comfortable in library building, etc. No research has been previously carried out in the Estonian library context to determine employees' attitudes towards librarians intra-organizational career development opportunities. The issues that emerge from this survey could be helpful for library managers, but also for employees.
Diversity in municipal police agencies: a national examination of minority hiring and promotion
Authors: Gustafson Joseph
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to better understand the institutional and external factors associated with African-American and Latino representation in policing at the line and managerial ranks. Line representation analyses utilize new data sources and a full range of theoretically informed covariates. Managerial representation analyses provide the first comprehensive attempt to understand the dynamics behind minority promotion.

Design/methodology/approach

– Portions of the 2000 US Census of Population and Housing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Tabulation, Division of Governmental Studies, and Services (DGSS) survey and Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS) survey were combined to produce a sample of 180 cities/municipal departments for analysis.

Findings

– Results indicate that the representation of minorities in political office and their presence in police leadership positions are among the most influential predictors of line officer diversity. Proportions of minorities in administrative police roles are greater in larger departments paying higher salaries. There is also evidence that the career advancement of minorities can be limited when multiple minority groups compete for the same promotional opportunities.

Originality/value

– This study provides a thorough examination of minority officer line representation and the first multivariate examination of minority representation in managerial positions using a national sample.
Facilitating police-probation/parole partnerships
Authors: Kim Bitna , K. Matz Adam , Gerber Jurg , Richard Beto Dan , Lambert Eric
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The current study examines the prevalence, perceived effectiveness, and potential antecedents (e.g. departmental culture) of law enforcement agencies in collaborating with probation and parole agencies. Specifically, the study reveals how the leaders (i.e. police chief, sheriff) in law enforcement view police-community corrections partnerships.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from a state-wide survey of all sheriffs’ offices and a random sample of municipal police departments in Texas.

Findings

– Findings indicated information sharing and specialized enforcement partnerships were the most common partnership types, partnerships were more common with adult and juvenile probation than with adult parole, and partnerships remain predominantly informal. Finally, police chiefs/sheriffs in the departments with a culture supportive of offender reentry were more likely to support and engage in partnerships with adult/juvenile probation and adult parole agencies.

Originality/value

– Even without formal programs, it seems that police-probation/parole partnerships are, in one form or another, practically inevitable. The positive evaluation of law enforcement personnel leaves room for hope for expansions of such partnerships in the future.
Attitudes of police supervisors: do volunteers fit into policing?
Authors: W. Phillips Scott , Terrell-Orr Amanda
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– Early research assumed there was a ubiquitous police culture that resisted change and outsiders. Recent scholarship questions this assumption, but most of the studies focussed on the attitudes of street-level police officers. This study examined the attitudes of police supervisors toward the use of volunteers in policing. The purpose of this paper is to examine general police attitudes held by police supervisors within the context of the use of volunteers in policing.

Design/methodology/approach

– Surveys were distributed to over 400 police supervisors attending the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy (NA) program. Items used to measure general police attitudes were borrowed from the Project on Policing Neighborhood study. These items were submitted to a factor analysis and three general police attitudes were identified (expectations for citizen involvement, expectations for order maintenance, and expectations for aggressive law enforcement). Other items were constructed to measures several aspects of using volunteers in policing. While the respondents are a convenience sample of police supervisors, they represent police agencies of various size, location, and type.

Findings

– Expectations for citizen involvement and order maintenance were significantly related to each of the volunteerism variables in ways that suggest openness if not acceptance to the use of volunteers in policing. These results were seen in the bivariate correlations and were sustained in the regression analysis. Police supervisors with an expectation of aggressive law enforcement, however, were not related to any volunteer measures.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample of police supervisors is a convenience sample of supervisors attending the FBI's NA, and it is likely that the results are not what would be expected from a random sample of police supervisors. Also, the survey instrument offered limited space for items, thus restricting the attitude questions that could be included. Still, these data from a nationwide sample of police supervisors lends support to the body of scholarship questioning the existence of a universal police culture where all police officers see the world the same way.

Originality/value

– There is a distinct lack of empirical research focussing on police supervisors, and what is available is limited in sample size and generalizability. This study can shed additional light on the salience of a pervasive and singular police culture. Further, an understanding of the attitudes of the police supervisors toward the use of volunteers in policing can be applied to other agencies that want to improve or implement a volunteer program.
A critical review of psychological instruments used in police officer selection
Authors: Lough Jonathan , Von Treuer Kathryn
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the instruments used in the screening process, with particular attention given to supporting research validation. Psychological screening is a well-established process used in the selection of employees across public safety industries, particularly in police settings. Screening in and screening out are both possible, with screening out being the most commonly used method. Little attention, however, has been given to evaluating the comparative validities of the instruments used.

Design/methodology/approach

– This review investigates literature supporting the use of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the California Personality Inventory (CPI), the Inwald Personality Inventory (IPI), the Australian Institute of Forensic Psychology's test battery (AIFP), and some other less researched tests. Research supporting the validity of each test is discussed.

Findings

– It was found that no test possesses unequivocal research support, although the CPI and AIFP tests show promise. Most formal research into the validity of the instruments lacks appropriate experimental structure and is therefore less powerful as “evidence” of the utility of the instrument(s).

Practical implications

– This research raises the notion that many current screening practices are likely to be adding minimal value to the selection process by way of using instruments that are not “cut out” for the job. This has implications for policy and practice at the recruitment stage of police employment.

Originality/value

– This research provides a critical overview of the instruments and their validity studies rather than examining the general process of psychological screening. As such, it is useful to those working in selection who are facing the choice of psychological instrument. Possibilities for future research are presented, and development opportunities for a best practice instrument are discussed.
Seeking to prevent residential care for young people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour: examples and early outcomes from the Ealing ITSBS
Authors: Reid Caroline , Sholl Catherine , Gore Nick
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present early outcomes and case examples from the Ealing Intensive Therapeutic and Short Break Service.

Design/methodology/approach

– The service was piloted over a period of 3.5 years during which clinical data were collected for young people at risk of a move to residential care.

Findings

– There were positive outcomes for young people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour who were seen through the service with residential placements prevented in the vast majority of cases.

Originality/value

– These early outcomes highlight the importance of providing intensive therapeutic intervention with short breaks in order to prevent family placement breakdown.
Promoting independence through the use of assistive technology
Authors: Beyer Stephen , Perry Jonathan
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of assistive technology (AT) on social care services and on the quality of life (QOL), particularly the independence, of people with intellectual disabilities. In addition, to make recommendations about an ethical approach to implementing AT.

Design/methodology/approach

– The evaluation is based on consideration of relevant research, particularly, research undertaken at the Welsh Centre for Learning Disabilities at Cardiff University.

Findings

– AT can promote independence and prevent harm. There also appear to be benefits to social care services in terms of changes in staff input levels and reduced costs. However, the data are limited and existing studies have shown mixed results.

Research limitations/implications

– This is not a systematic review. Revised research methods may be needed to detect key outcomes from AT.

Practical implications

– A focus is needed on individual planning and robust and transparent processes to balance organisational and user benefits. There are implications for care management, person-centred planning and care commissioning to ensure good QOL outcomes are targeted by AT and that the delivery of these outcomes is monitored and ensured.

Originality/value

– Based on the existing literature on the impact of AT on people with intellectual disabilities, recommendations are made about an ethical approach to implementing AT.
Commentary – the perspective of people with learning difficulties/disabilities
Authors: Chapman Steve , Bland Peter , Bowerman Max , Adeshokan Babatunde , Kidd Jo
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The paper is a commentary (an outline or explanation) about the theme of this edition (supporting independence) from the point of view of people with learning difficulties. The paper has been co-written by people with and without learning difficulties.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on discussions using several open prompt questions around what people understand by independence and why it is important to them.

Findings

– The team found that being listened to and taken seriously, having real involvement in the community, good support that is personalised and co-produced services are all key to ensuring people can be as independent as possible.

Originality/value

– The paper is uniquely co-written by people with and without learning difficulties and provides an insight into why independence is so important for people with learning difficulties.
Local adaptation and range boundary formation in response to complex environmental gradients across the geographical range ofClarkia xantianassp. xantiana
Authors: Gould Billie , Moeller David A. , Eckhart Vincent M. , Tiffin Peter , Fabio Eric , Geber Monica A.
Published: November 2013

Theory predicts that lack of heritable trait variation and/or maladaptive gene flow can promote the formation of species geographical range boundaries even in the absence of barriers to dispersal. Little is known, however, about the patterns and drivers of differentiation across species' ranges and whether they influence boundary formation in the field.

Using field measurements, two common garden studies, andQST–FSTanalyses, we examined environmental and genetic influences on plant phenotype across the geographical range ofClarkia xantianassp. xantiana. This annual plant endemic to California has an eastern range border that lacks obvious physical barriers to dispersal.

We find that across opposing environmental gradients that span the species core range, populations are likely to be locally adapted. Populations are phenotypically differentiated from each other in the field as well as common gardens. Traits are correlated with field environmental variables in both settings, andQST–FSTcomparisons indicate variation in flowering time, degree of branching, and herkogamy may be adaptive. The strength and direction of environment‐trait correlations at the range edge are similar to the range centre, and quantitative genetic variation is not reduced. Genetic correlations between traits are generally weak, also suggesting little constraint on trait evolution at the range edge.

Synthesis. For traits measured here, it is unlikely that either low heritable variation at the range edge or maladaptive gene flow strongly inhibits eastward range expansion. Our results suggest that across environmentally complex landscapes, patterns of diversity generated by locally adaptive selection do not necessarily contribute broadly to the formation of range boundaries as predicted.
Eavesdropping in plants: delayed germination via biochemical recognition
Authors: Renne Ian J. , Sinn Brandon T. , Shook Gregory W. , Sedlacko David M. , Dull Jessica R. , Villarreal Diego , Hierro José L.
Published: November 2013

Allelopathy has traditionally been viewed as a phytotoxic disruption of recipient plant metabolism, and allelopathic effects are generally strongest on species lacking historic exposure to particular phytotoxins (Novel Weapons Hypothesis). However, mounting evidence suggests phytochemical‐induced germination inhibition can be an adaptive response to competitive conditions, not the consequence of toxin exposure. That is, selective advantages can exist for seeds to chemically recognize potential competitor presence and defer germination until better establishment conditions occur. This Biochemical Recognition Hypothesis (BRH) contrasts the allelopathy paradigm by predicting greater germination inhibition following phytochemical exposure of sympatric compared to allopatric species.

In a glasshouse, we grew 12 species native to Argentinean and North American grasslands and tested whether phytochemical leachates from co‐occurring species reduced seedling emergence more than those having no historic association.

Two species had 13% and 27% emergence reductions following leachate exposure of sympatric relative to allopatric species, supporting species‐specific BR. Intraspecific leachates reduced emergence more than those from heterospecifics, suggesting within‐species BR may be common. Only the four smallest seeded species exhibited heterospecific BR responses, suggesting that selection for assessing local competition potential may intensify as seed reserves decline. Importantly, leachate origin did not affect seedling biomass nor accelerate germination, indicating a non‐toxic biochemical effect on germination reduction but not growth.

Synthesis. Coupling ample theoretical support with empirical evidence here and elsewhere, an ‘eavesdrop‐and‐wait' competition avoidance strategy could be a common phenomenon. Our findings suggest sympatric association may contribute to evolution of species‐specific BR and that seed traits are important in its development. The underlying mechanism affecting these germination decisions may be simple phytochemical‐induced hormonal regulation. Factors preclude BR from being ubiquitous but nonetheless, BR provides a potentially powerful mechanism by which some plant populations and the spatiotemporal diversity of some communities are structured. Lastly, allelopathy may be erroneously invoked when phytochemical‐induced germination reduction occurs but a toxicity mechanism has not been elucidated. In many cases, this fits more with the BRH than classic allelopathy.
Bevacizumab‐induced transient sixth nerve palsy in ovarian cancer: A case report
Authors: Momeni Mazdak , Veras Laura , Zakashansky Konstantin
Published: November 2013

We report a case of transient sixth nerve palsy after systemic administration of bevacizumab. Two days after systemic administration of bevacizumab in conjunction with gemcitabine and carboplatin in a 67‐year‐old woman with recurrent primary ovarian cancer, the patient developed sixth nerve palsy. After bevacizumab was stopped, the complete left sixth nerve palsy resolved spontaneously over the course of 3 months. This is the first reported case of bevacizumab‐induced cranial sixth nerve palsy in the treatment of gynecologic malignancy.
High‐ and low‐protein gestation diets do not provoke common transcriptional responses representing universal target‐pathways in muscle and liver of porcine progeny
Authors: Oster M. , Murani E. , Metges C. C. , Ponsuksili S. , Wimmers K.
Published: November 2013

Aim

Maternal diets introduce transcriptional changes in the offspring, highlighting the concept of genetic and physiological plasticity. Our previous analyses investigated stage‐dependent transcriptional responses to either maternal high or low protein/carbohydrate ratios in either muscle or liver. Foetal programming is proposed to be mediated by a small number of gatekeeper processes, such as cytoskeleton remodelling and cell‐cycle regulation. Here, we conducted an overall analysis of a three‐dimensional data set aiming to elucidate, whether there are universally targeted pathways of adaptive transcriptional response to different protein/carbohydrate ratios.

Methods

Microarray analyses were performed on liver and skeletal muscle tissue sampled at 94 days post‐conception and 1, 28 and 188 days post‐natum from offspring (n = 253) of German Landrace gilts that were fed isoenergetic diets containing low, high or adequate protein.

Results

Cluster analyses revealed a hierarchical influence of tissue, ontogenetic stage and diet on transcript levels. Considering results cumulatively over stages, liver showed only marginal transcriptional differences between the dietary groups, whereas considerable differences appeared in muscle. Considering results cumulatively over tissues, nutrition‐responsive transcriptions were observed along ontogenesis. Pathway analyses revealed transcript differences in genes related to tissue remodelling, cell‐cycle regulation and mitochondrial function.

Conclusion

The factors tissue, stage and diet impact gene expression in a hierarchical order. Porcine liver appeared to be a tissue that was more resilient to nutritional modulation compared with skeletal muscle tissue. Differential modulation between tissues and dietary groups reveal that there are no universal target‐pathways of adaptive transcriptional response to different protein diets.
Statistical mediation analysis with a multicategorical independent variable
Authors: Hayes Andrew F. , Preacher Kristopher J.
Published: November 2013

Virtually all discussions and applications of statistical mediation analysis have been based on the condition that the independent variable is dichotomous or continuous, even though investigators frequently are interested in testing mediation hypotheses involving a multicategorical independent variable (such as two or more experimental conditions relative to a control group). We provide a tutorial illustrating an approach to estimation of and inference about direct, indirect, and total effects in statistical mediation analysis with a multicategorical independent variable. The approach is mathematically equivalent to analysis of (co)variance and reproduces the observed and adjusted group means while also generating effects having simple interpretations. Supplementary material available online includes extensions to this approach and Mplus, SPSS, and SAS code that implements it.
Quercetin Improves Behavioral Deficiencies, Restores Astrocytes and Microglia, and Reduces Serotonin Metabolism in 3‐Nitropropionic Acid‐Induced Rat Model of Huntington's Disease
Authors: Chakraborty Joy , Singh Raghavendra , Dutta Debashis , Naskar Amit , Rajamma Usha , Mohanakumar Kochupurackal P.
Published: November 2013

Aim

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant disorder, for which clinically available drugs offer only symptomatic relief. These prescription drugs are not free of side effects, and the patients usually suffer from anxiety and depression. We investigated quercetin, a dietary flavonoid with free radical scavenging properties, for its beneficial potential if any, in 3‐nitropropionic acid (3‐NP)‐induced HD in rats where both drugs were administered simultaneously.

Methods

Performance of rats on beam balancing, elevated plus maze and gait traits were investigated following 3‐NP and/or quercetin treatments for 4 days. Striatal biogenic amine levels and monoamine oxidase activity were assayed. Striatal sections were examined for Cd11B and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity, and for evidences of neuronal lesion.

Results

Quercetin significantly attenuated 3‐NP‐induced anxiety, motor coordination deficits, and gait despair. While the dopaminergic hyper‐metabolism was unaffected, quercetin provided a significant reduction of 3‐NP mediated increase in serotonin metabolism. Quercetin failed to affect 3‐NP‐induced striatal neuronal lesion, but decreased microglial proliferation, and increased astrocyte numbers in the lesion core.

Conclusion

These results taken together suggest that quercetin could be of potential use not only for correcting movement disturbances and anxiety in HD, but also for addressing inflammatory damages.
Mental disorders and psychosocial support during the first year after total laryngectomy: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Keszte J. , Danker H. , Dietz A. , Meister E. , Pabst F. , Vogel H.‐J. , Meyer A. , Singer S.
Published: November 2013

Objectives

To assess the frequency of mental disorders and the use of psychosocial services in laryngectomised patients during the first year after surgery.

Design

Multicentre prospective study including six interviews. Data regarding psychiatric comorbidity 3 months (3 m) and 1 year (12 m) after total laryngectomy (TLE) are reported in this study.

Setting

Structured interviews were conducted at nine hospitals and three rehabilitation centres in Germany.

Participants

One hundred and seventy‐one patients were interviewed at both time‐points.

Main outcome measures

Structured clinical interview for DSM‐IV (SCID).

Results

Mental disorders were diagnosed in 25% of the patients (3 m) and in 22% of the patients (12 m), respectively. Six per cent of the patients developed a mental disorder during the first year after total laryngectomy. In general, male and female patients suffered from mental disorders with equal frequency (3 m: 23% versus 37%; P = 0.26; 12 m: 22% versus 21%; P = 1.00). Women suffered more often than men from post‐traumatic stress disorder (3 m) (P = 0.01) and generalised anxiety disorder (12 m) (P = 0.01). Of the patients who had acquired no voice, 80% suffered from alcohol dependence (P = 0.01). There were no differences between men and women in receiving any kind of counselling (P = 0.79) or psychotherapy/psychiatric treatment (P = 0.47). Of those patients diagnosed with any mental disorder 3 months after total laryngectomy, 7% had received psychotherapy 1 year after total laryngectomy. None of the patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence received psychotherapy or psychiatric treatment.

Conclusions

Mental disorders occur in laryngectomees as frequently in men as they do in women. Total laryngectomised patients who were mentally ill did not receive enough psychotherapeutic or psychiatric support. As mental health seems to be related to successful voice restoration, future research should develop and evaluate special psychosocial supportive programmes for patients with laryngeal cancer, especially regarding alcohol dependence treatment.
Balloon dilatation of the Eustachian tube: an evidence‐based review of case series for those considering its use
Authors: Miller B. J. , Elhassan H. A.
Published: November 2013

Background

Eustachian tube dysfunction is common and implicated in persistent middle ear disease. Recent studies suggest the promise of balloon dilatation of the Eustachian tube to modify local anatomy and physiology, restoring normal function.

Objectives

A literature review of the outcomes of balloon dilatation of the Eustachian tube was conducted, assessing four criteria (tympanometry, otoscopy findings, Valsalva and subjective symptoms). Outcomes were divided into short term (≤6 months) and long term (>6 months). Rates and severity of complications were documented. We also assessed cost, learning curve and requisite training.

Search strategy

Medline via PubMed was consulted with the following search request: ‘eustachian tube’ OR ‘auditory tube’ AND ‘balloon’. No restrictions were placed on study date, type or language. Non‐clinical studies, published abstracts and very small studies (<10 procedures) were excluded.

Results

Our search yielded 24 results and six case series, five of which met the inclusion criteria. Balloon dilatation has been performed on 375 Eustachian tubes (235 patients) and demonstrates clear short‐term (<6 month) benefits across all recorded outcome measures in a majority of cases. 69 of 89 (78%) tympanogram profiles recorded preoperatively as abnormal (Type B/C/open) resolved to type A profiles postoperatively. 40 of 46 (87%) otoscopy findings preoperatively reported as abnormal (tympanic membrane retraction, perforation or otitis media with effusion) normalised postoperatively. The ability to perform a consistently positive Valsalva manoeuvre improved from 15 of 139 (11%) to 89 of 139 (64%) cases following dilatation. The two largest studies reported on 210 and 100 procedures and described symptom improvement in 67% of cases at 2 months and 71% at 26.3 weeks, respectively. An overall complication rate of ≈3% was observed, and no major adverse events are reported (0%). Cost and learning curve of the procedure were both deemed to be acceptable.

Conclusion

Balloon dilatation of the Eustachian tube appears to be safe, effective and affordable. Like many newly introduced techniques, the evidence remains limited to non‐controlled case series, with heterogeneous data collection methods and lacking long‐term outcomes. However, short‐term data provides promising, consistent results based on objective measures, and when used selectively in patients refractive to maximal existing therapy, balloon dilatation presents a potentially significant advance.
Lung biopsy‐proved hypersensitivity pneumonitis without known offending antigen: characteristics and follow‐up
Authors: Xu Jin‐Fu , Shen Li , Zhang Yuan , Zhang Peng , Qu Jie‐Ming , Li Hui‐Ping
Published: November 2013

Introduction

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) without known offending antigen is hard to diagnose.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze the clinical features of lung biopsy‐proved HP.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed using a database from a 900‐bed specialty hospital. Twenty‐eight patients with the diagnosis of HP through lung biopsy were enrolled. Demographic data and clinical characteristics, radiologic characteristics, serologic and pulmonary function results, histopathologic changes, treatment and follow‐up were analyzed.

Results

Of all the patients, serum interleukin‐1β, C‐reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), eosinophil cationic protein and immunoglobulin E (IgE) were increased in over 50% patients, but decreased significantly after corticosteroid therapy (P < 0.05). An initially reduced diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide was noted in 92.9% patients, while 39.3% patients had hypoxemia. Ground‐glass opacities on the basis of interlobular septa thickening were observed in 71.4% cases. Histopathological findings demonstrated peribronchiolar lymphocytic infiltrates, poorly formed non‐caseating granulomas fibrosis in all acute and subacute HP patients' lungs. Ninety‐two percent of patients got improvement after corticosteroid therapy when assessed by computer tomography scans and pulmonary function tests.

Conclusions

For suspected HP patients who without known offending antigens, earlier diagnosed by lung biopsy and followed by corticosteroid therapy showed promising. It might prevent the disease progression to lung fibrosis.
Management and clinical outcomes of type I gastric carcinoid patients: Retrospective, multicenter study in Japan
Authors: Sato Yuichi , Imamura Hiroshi , Kaizaki Yasuharu , Koizumi Wasaburo , Ishido Kenji , Kurahara Koichi , Suzuki Haruhisa , Fujisaki Junko , Hirakawa Katsuya , Hosokawa Osamu , Ito Masanori , Kaminishi Michio , Furuta Takahisa , Chiba Tsutomu , Haruma Ken
Published: November 2013

Background and Aim

Type I gastric carcinoids (TIGC) are associated with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) with hypergastrinemia and hyperplasia of enterochromaffin‐like cells. Several treatment options are currently available for these tumors including total gastrectomy, partial resection, antrectomy, endoscopic resection and endoscopic surveillance. The present study evaluated different treatment approaches and clinical outcomes of patients with TIGC in Japan.

Methods

Between 1991 and 2011, 82 patients with TIGC were identified at multicenter institutions in Japan. Patient demographics, tumor size, depth of invasion, vessel involvement, treatment approach, Helicobacter pylori infection, serum gastrin level, recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) were analyzed.

Results

Median age of all patients at the time of diagnosis was 56 years (range, 24−79 years). There were 44 males and 38females. Patients underwent endoscopic surveillance (n = 25), endoscopic resection (n = 41) or surgical resection (n = 16). Intramucosal invasion was found in 19 patients, submucosal invasion in 44 patients and muscularis propria invasion in one patient. Tumor diameter was ≤10 mm in 71 patients, 11–20 mm in five patients and ≥21 mm in five patients. None of the patients showed rapidly growing tumors, local recurrence or metastasis. The median (range) follow‐up period was 7 (0–20) years. RFS was 97.6% and DSS was 100% in all the patients.

Conclusion

The prognosis of TIGC patients treated by different modalities in Japan is favorable regardless of the generational change of management for TIGC.