bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anxiety as a risk factor for menopausal hot flashes: evidence from the Penn Ovarian Aging cohort
Authors: Freeman Ellen W. , Sammel Mary D.
Published: July 2016

Objective:

The aim of this study was to identify temporal associations of anxiety dimensions with menopausal hot flashes in women progressing through the menopausal transition. We hypothesized that associations of both somatic and affective dimensions of anxiety with hot flashes increased in the menopausal transition, and that somatic anxiety was an independent risk factor for menopausal hot flashes.

Methods:

Hot flashes, anxiety symptoms, hormone levels, and other psychosocial variables were assessed annually for 14 years of follow-up. The 233 women were premenopausal at baseline and continued through 1 year or more after the final menstrual period. Anxiety dimensions were assessed with the Zung Anxiety Scale, a validated measure of affective anxiety and somatic anxiety. Summed item scores were divided by the number of items rated, so that ranges of the two dimensions were comparable.

Results:

Seventy-two percent of the sample reported moderate/severe hot flashes during the 14-year interval. There was no significant interaction between anxiety dimensions and menopausal stages. When adjusted for menopausal stage, the magnitude of association between somatic anxiety and hot flashes, however, dramatically increased (odds ratio [OR], 3.03; 95% CI, 2.12-4.32; P < 0.001), whereas the association between affective anxiety and hot flashes increased to a lesser extent (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.03-1.57; P = 0.024). Women with high levels of somatic anxiety (top third of the sample) had the greatest risk of hot flashes (P < 0.001). When the anxiety dimensions were considered in combination, the additive effect of high affective anxiety symptoms was minimal, with no significant difference between the group with high affective/low somatic symptoms and the low symptom group in incident hot flashes at each menopausal stage (P = 0.54). In multivariable analysis, somatic anxiety increased the risk of hot flashes more than three times (OR, 3.13; 95% CI, 2.16-4.53; P < 0.001), but affective anxiety was not significantly associated with hot flashes after adjustment for other study variables (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.96-1.48; P = 0.117). Time-lagged somatic anxiety scores significantly predicted hot flashes, with a 71% increase in risk (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.21-2.41; P = 0.002). Time-lagged affective anxiety scores did not predict hot flashes (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.87-1.31; P = 0.58).

Conclusions:

This study showed a strong predictive association of somatic anxiety with the risk of menopausal hot flashes. The temporal associations suggest that somatic anxiety is not simply a redundant measure of hot flashes but predicts the risk of menopausal hot flashes and may be a potential target in clinical management of perimenopausal women.
Most bothersome symptom in women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause as a moderator of treatment effects
Authors: Pinkerton JoAnn V. , Bushmakin Andrew G. , Abraham Lucy , Cappelleri Joseph C. , Komm Barry S.
Published: July 2016

Objective:

Conjugated estrogens/bazedoxifene (CE/BZA) is indicated to treat moderate/severe menopausal vasomotor symptoms and prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. This analysis examines the impact of the most bothersome vaginal symptom at baseline on effects of CE/BZA.

Methods:

This post hoc analysis used data from a 12-week clinical trial of nonhysterectomized postmenopausal women (n = 664) randomly assigned to double-blind treatment with CE/BZA (0.45/20 mg and 0.625/20 mg), BZA 20 mg, or placebo. At baseline, women indicated which moderate/severe vaginal symptom (dryness, itching/irritation, or pain with intercourse) bothered them most. Repeated measures models were used to explore treatment effects in relationship to the most bothersome symptom. We calculated effect sizes for treatment differences versus placebo (effect sizes: trivial, 0.1; small, 0.2; medium, 0.5; large, 0.8).

Results:

At baseline, 52% of women selected pain with intercourse, 35% selected vaginal dryness, and 13% selected vaginal itching/irritation as most bothersome. For these three symptom groups respectively, CE/BZA was associated with statistically significant improvements in Menopause-Specific Quality of Life sexual functioning (effect size: 0.45/20 mg, −0.36, −0.30, −0.67; 0.625/20 mg, −0.37, −0.40, −0.26) and/or overall score (effect size: 0.45/20 mg, −0.29, −0.41, −0.78; 0.625/20 mg, −0.41, −0.48, −0.68). Both those doses significantly improved the ease of lubrication item on the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale in those with pain with intercourse (effect size: 0.45/20 mg, −0.43; 0.625/20 mg, −0.50) and produced some statistically significant improvements in vaginal cell counts in women with dryness or pain with intercourse as the most bothersome symptom. The higher dose was associated with greater treatment satisfaction on the Menopause Symptoms Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire versus placebo in women who selected pain with intercourse (effect size: 0.40) or dryness (effect size: 0.43) as most bothersome.

Conclusions:

The approved dose of CE/BZA had clear benefits, particularly in women with pain with intercourse (the most common bothersome symptom), in whom it improved lubrication, superficial cell counts, and sexual functioning.
Short-term effects of low-dose estradiol on endothelial function and blood viscosity in nondiabetic postmenopausal overweight women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Panazzolo Diogo G. , da Silva Lucia H.A. , Maranhão Priscila A. , Souza Maria G.C. , Nogueira Neto José F. , Leão Lenora M.C.S.M. , Bouskela Eliete , Kraemer-Aguiar Luiz G.
Published: July 2016

Objective:

The beneficial effects of estrogen on endothelial function depend on its integrity. This study evaluates the short-term effects of low-dose transdermal estradiol on endothelial function, insulin sensitivity, and blood viscosity in nondiabetic overweight/obese women.

Methods:

Forty-four nondiabetic overweight/obese women with a history of recent menopause were randomly allocated, in a double-blind fashion, to receive transdermal estradiol (1 mg/d, n = 22) or placebo (n = 22). The following parameters were assessed: endothelial reactivity (venous occlusion plethysmography and nailfold videocapillaroscopy), plasma levels of soluble adhesion molecules, insulin sensitivity (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and areas under the curve of insulin and glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test), and blood and plasma viscosity. Data were expressed as means ± SD or medians [first to third quartiles].

Results:

Participants were aged 51.8 ± 2.3 years with a body mass index of 31.5 ± 2.5 kg/m2 and time since menopause was 3 [2-5] years. At baseline, no differences between the groups were observed; however, after 3 months of treatment, the following changes were observed in the estradiol group compared with the placebo group: a decrease in the forearm vascular resistance at baseline (36.37 [24.9-51.27] vs 51.3 [40.88-70.03] mm Hg/mL per min 100 mL tissue−1, P < 0.01) and during the postocclusive reactive hyperemia response (15.93 [11.32-22.29] vs 22.13 [16.46-29.7] mm Hg/mL per min 100 mL tissue−1, P < 0.01), and an increase in red blood cell velocity at rest (0.316 [0.309-0.326] vs 0.303 [0.293-0.308] mm/s, P < 0.001) and during postocclusive reactive hyperemia response (0.374 [0.353-0.376] vs 0.341 [0.333-0.355] mm/s, P < 0.001). Furthermore, blood viscosity was lower in the estradiol group than in the placebo group (3.57 ± 0.12 vs 3.76 ± 0.22 mPa.s; P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

Short-term use of low-dose transdermal estradiol in nondiabetic overweight/obese women with a history of recent menopause improved endothelial function and decreased blood viscosity compared with placebo.
An assessment of the safety and efficacy of a fractional CO2 laser system for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy
Authors: Sokol Eric R. , Karram Mickey M.
Published: July 2016

Objectives:

The aim of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel fractional CO2 laser for the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).

Methods:

Women presenting with GSM and meeting study criteria were enrolled. Examinations at baseline and follow-up (3 mo after final treatment) evaluated dilator tolerance and vaginal pH. Visual analog scales were used to assess pain, vaginal burning, vaginal itching, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and dysuria; Vaginal Health Index scores were completed before each treatment and at follow-up; Female Sexual Function Index and Short Form 12 questionnaires were also completed. Participant satisfaction was measured on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = very dissatisfied, 5 = very satisfied). Women received three laser treatments, 6 weeks apart.

Results:

Thirty women participated (mean age 58.6 ± 8.8 y). None withdrew or were discontinued due to an adverse event; three were lost to follow-up. Average improvement in visual analog scale scoring was 1.7 ± 3.2 for pain, 1.4 ± 2.9 for burning, 1.4 ± 1.9 for itching, 6.1 ± 2.7 for dryness, 5.1 ± 3.0 for dyspareunia, and 1.0 ± 2.4 for dysuria; improvement in average Vaginal Health Index and Female Sexual Function Index scores were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Twenty-five of 30 participants (83%) showed increase in comfortable dilator size at 3-month follow up. Before the second and third treatments, 86.6% (26 of 30) of women reported they were better or much better than at the previous treatment; 26 of 27 women (96%) were reportedly satisfied or extremely satisfied at follow-up.

Conclusions:

In this sample, the data suggest that the fractional CO2 laser is effective and safe for treatment of the symptoms associated with GSM.
Modulation of musculoskeletal hyperalgesia by brown adipose tissue activity in mice
Authors: Goudie-DeAngelis Elizabeth M. , Abdelhamid Ramy E. , Nunez Myra G. , Kissel Casey L. , Kovács Katalin J. , Portoghese Philip S. , Larson Alice A.
Published: July 2016

Cold exposure and a variety of types of mild stress increase pain in patients with painful disorders such as fibromyalgia syndrome. Acutely, stress induces thermogenesis by increasing sympathetic activation of beta-3 (β3) adrenergic receptors in brown adipose tissue. Chronic stress leads to the hypertrophy of brown adipose, a phenomenon termed adaptive thermogenesis. Based on the innervation of skeletal muscle by collaterals of nerves projecting to brown adipose, we theorized an association between brown adipose tissue activity and musculoskeletal hyperalgesia and tested this hypothesis in mice. Exposure to a cold swim or injection of BRL37344 (β3 adrenergic agonist) each enhanced musculoskeletal hyperalgesia, as indicated by morphine-sensitive decreases in grip force responses, whereas SR59230A (β3 adrenergic antagonist) attenuated swim-induced hyperalgesia. Chemical ablation of interscapular brown adipose, using Rose Bengal, attenuated the development of hyperalgesia in response to either swim stress or BRL37344. In addition, elimination of the gene expressing uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1), the enzyme responsible for thermogenesis, prevented musculoskeletal hyperalgesia in response to either a swim or BRL37344, as documented in UCP1-knockout (UCP1-KO) mice compared with wild-type controls. Together, these data provide a convergence of evidence suggesting that activation of brown adipose contributes to stress-induced musculoskeletal hyperalgesia.
Safety and Efficacy of Teduglutide (Gattex) in Patients With Crohn’s Disease and Need for Parenteral Support Due to Short Bowel Syndrome–associated Intestinal Failure
Authors: Kochar Bharati , Long Millie D. , Shelton Edward , Young Lorraine , Farraye Francis A. , Yajnik Vijay , Herfarth Hans
Published: July 2016

Background:

Teduglutide is a GLP-2 analogue indicated for treatment of adults with short bowel syndrome (SBS). Because of the rarity of SBS, real-world safety or efficacy data are not available in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and SBS treated with teduglutide.

Aim:

To evaluate teduglutide’s safety and efficacy in CD patients with SBS.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study at 3 tertiary centers in the United States between 2012 and 2014. Demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data were retrieved from medical record systems.

Results:

Thirteen CD patients were included, 8 (62%) of whom were on concomitant immunosuppression. Median duration of teduglutide therapy was 365 days [interquartile range (IQR), 122 to 482 d] and 9/13 patients (69%) remain on therapy. At teduglutide initiation, 69% were on parenteral nutrition. At conclusion of follow-up, 1 patient was on parenteral nutrition. All patients were on intravenous fluids (IVF) before teduglutide; median IVF were 9000 mL/wk (IQR, 7000 to 14,000 mL/wk). IVF requirements decreased by a median of 3100 mL/wk (IQR, 2400 to 8400 mL/wk). Six patients (46%) ceased IVF. Adverse events attributed to teduglutide were obstructive symptoms (n=1), pancreatitis (n=1), asymptomatic lipase and amylase elevation (n=1), nausea (n=1), and abdominal pain (n=1). Catheter-related sepsis occurred in 4 patients.

Conclusions:

This is the first report evaluating the safety and efficacy of teduglutide in a cohort of CD patients with SBS requiring parenteral support. More of half the cohort was on concomitant immunosuppression. Teduglutide seemed to be safe and the majority of patients were weaned off parenteral support.
Intestinal phospholipid and lysophospholipid metabolism in cardiometabolic disease
Authors: Hui David Y.
Published: July 2016

Purpose of review

Phospholipids are major constituents in the intestinal lumen after meal consumption. This article highlights current literature suggesting the contributory role of intestinal phospholipid metabolism toward cardiometabolic disease manifestation.

Recent findings

Group 1b phospholipase A2 (PLA2g1b) catalyzes phospholipid hydrolysis in the intestinal lumen. The digestive product lysophospholipid, particularly lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), has a direct role in mediating chylomicron assembly and secretion. The LPC in the digestive tract is further catabolized into lysophosphatidic acid and choline via autotaxin-mediated and autotaxin-independent mechanisms. The LPC and lysophosphatidic acid absorbed through the digestive tract and transported to the plasma directly promote systemic inflammation and cell dysfunction, leading to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity/diabetes. The choline moiety generated in the digestive tract can also be used by gut bacteria to generate trimethylamine, which is subsequently transported to the liver and oxidized into trimethylamine-N-oxide that also enhances atherosclerosis and cardiovascular abnormalities.

Products of phospholipid metabolism in the intestine through PLA2g1b and autotaxin-mediated pathways directly contribute to cardiometabolic diseases through multiple mechanisms. The implication of these studies is that therapeutic inhibition of PLA2g1b and autotaxin in the digestive tract may be a viable approach for cardiovascular and metabolic disease intervention.
Professional Development of Preceptors Improves Nurse Outcomes
Authors: Cotter Elizabeth , Dienemann Jacqueline
Published: July 2016

This hospital preceptor program includes processes to recruit, select, and provide ongoing evaluation of preceptor function. After volunteering, candidates are chosen by peer vote. A blended training program includes online, commercially available modules and nursing professional development practitioner-led sessions that engage preceptors in reflection and problem-solving. Preceptor education allows nurses to further develop their skills over 2 years. Formal evaluation found that preceptors gained efficiency in their role with low turnover rate and positive patient outcomes.
Preparing Dedicated Education Unit Staff Nurses for the Role of Clinical Teacher
Authors: Seibert Susan A. , Bonham Elizabeth
Published: July 2016

Dedicated Education Units optimize the expertise of staff nurses to provide clinical instruction to nursing students, thereby creating a need to prepare staff nurses for the teaching role and educate them about clinical teaching strategies. A curriculum to educate Dedicated Education Unit staff nurses in the art of clinical instruction was created to fill this gap in staff development. This article describes the development of an innovative, interactive, evidence-based curriculum to prepare Dedication Education Unit staff nurses and strengthen an academic–practice partnership.
Selected Case From the Arkadi M. Rywlin International Pathology Slide Seminar: Benign Warthin Tumor of the Thyroid
Authors: Peckova Kvetoslava , Daum Ondrej , Michal Michael , Curcikova Radmila , Michal Michal
Published: July 2016

We report on an exceedingly rare lesion of the thyroid probably of a branchial cleft origin, which was not published in the world literature before. A 58-year-old woman underwent a total thyroidectomy for bilateral goiter. Grossly, there was one yellowish nodule sized 15 mm in the largest dimension found in the right lobe. Microscopically, the thyroid parenchyma showed signs of Hashimoto thyroiditis. The nodule in the right lobe was composed of a part of solid cell nests appearance, another part resembling a branchial cleft cyst, and a part resembling Warthin tumor. This lesion may belong to the histogenetically similar group of entities in the head and neck region which are derived from branchial cleft derivatives and which, under the inflammatory influence, have the ability to a cystic dilatation and proliferation of the epithelial component. The epithelium can afterwards become papillary and may undergo oncocytic transformation, thus gaining features that impart the resemblance of a Warthin tumor. Club members generally agreed with a submitted diagnosis of benign Warthin tumor of the thyroid.
Salmonellosis acquired from poultry
Authors: Chousalkar Kapil , Gole Vaibhav Chandrakant
Published: July 2016

Purpose of review

Among the various poultry product-related foodborne pathogens, gastrointestinal infections caused by egg-borne nontyphoidal Salmonella is a major concern in developed and developing countries. This review is focused on the latest findings and implications for food safety.

Recent findings

Salmonella enteritidis is a predominant serovar for egg-associated human salmonellosis except for Oceania. In Australia, Salmonella typhimurium is the predominant serovar. The cross-section and longitudinal epidemiological investigations yielded mixed results but mainly reported that faecal sampling is the best indicator of egg contamination. Salmonella serovars are able to survive on eggshell for several weeks and form biofilm. The invasion potential of some Salmonella serovars is influenced by the enrichment factors in the environment. Whole-genome sequencing is being adopted for investigation of Salmonella outbreaks, although the culture method remains a prerequisite.

Industry stakeholders and public health authorities have different perceptions regarding ecology and control of Salmonella from farm to fork. Given the challenges such as variation in Salmonella serovars, emergence of virulent types, ability of bacteria to sustain harsh environment and host defence mechanisms, expensive diagnostics and lack of a single robust intervention, joint efforts from regulators and public health officials are required.
Three-Dimensional Against 2-Dimensional Laparoscopic Colectomy for Right-sided Colon Cancer
Authors: Tao Kaixiong , Liu Xinghua , Deng Meizhou , Shi Wenjia , Gao Jinbo
Published: July 2016

Background:

Major limitations of conventional 2-dimensional (2D) laparoscopy are a lack of depth perception and spatial orientation. Three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopy was developed to overcome the limitations of the 2D technique. However, it has not been widely accepted due to a lack of conclusive evidence of benefit. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 3D laparoscopy on the operative performance during elective laparoscopic right colectomy.

Methods:

A total of 58 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic colectomy for right-sided colon cancer by a single experienced surgeon between January 2014 and July 2015. Patients were classified into 2 groups according to the vision system of laparoscopy: 27 patients were operated by 3D laparoscopy (3D group, n=27) and 31 patients were performed by 2D laparoscopy (2D group, n=31). Data of these patients were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

Results:

The operative time was significantly shorter in the 3D group than in the 2D group (130.5±27.6 vs. 152.2±28.9 min, P=0.005). There was no significant difference in blood loss in the 3D group when compared with the 2D group. There was no operative mortality in the 2 groups. The number of lymph nodes resected was similar in both groups. Time to pass the first flatus and postoperative hospital stay showed no significant differences between the 2 groups. The postoperative complication rate for the 3D and the 2D groups were similar: 14.8% (4/27) and 9.7% (3/31), respectively.

Conclusions:

3D laparoscopy appears to reduce the performance time of laparoscopic colectomy when compared with 2D laparoscopy. Further studies are required to address the role of the 3D vision system in laparoscopic colectomy.
Comparison of Short-term and Long-term Clinical Outcomes Between Laparoscopic and Open Total Gastrectomy for Patients With Gastric Cancer
Authors: Shida Atsuo , Mitsumori Norio , Fujioka Shuichi , Takano Yuta , Iwasaki Taizou , Takahashi Naoto , Ishibashi Yoshio , Omura Nobuo , Yanaga Katsuhiko
Published: July 2016

Background and Purpose:

Validation of laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) for patients with gastric cancer has not been fully investigated. In particular, the technique for esophagojejunostomy remains controversial. We performed 103 cases of LTG for patients with gastric cancer between 2007 and 2013, in which all esophagojejunostomy reconstruction was performed with intracorporeal circular stapling esophagojejunostomy using the OrVil system except for the first 3 cases. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively analyze the clinical usefulness of LTG with intracorporeal circular stapling esophagojejunostomy using the OrVil system and oncological feasibility of LTG as compared with open total gastrectomy (OTG).

Patients and Method:

We retrospectively analyzed clinical course of consecutive 100 operations with LTG in comparison with consecutive 53 operations with OTG for patients with gastric cancer. As an estimation of short-term outcome, operative time, blood loss, postoperative hospital days and postoperative data of blood and drain examination were included. Moreover, relapse-free survival time and overall survival time stratified by each stage were calculated by log-rank test as an estimation of prognostic relevance.

Results:

Blood loss and postoperative hospital stay of LTG were significantly less than that of OTG. Postoperative complications were equivalent between the 2 groups and no patient died within 1 month post-LTG. Only 1 patient had recurrence and died for carcinomatosa peritonitis 50 months after LTG (median follow-up period: 44 mo).

Conclusions:

Our experience revealed that LTG with intracorporeal circular stapling esophagojejunostomy using the OrVil system could be performed safely and with acceptable oncological outcome for patients with gastric cancer.
Synthetic transitions: towards a new synthesis
Authors: Solé Ricard
Published: July 2016

The evolution of life in our biosphere has been marked by several major innovations. Such major complexity shifts include the origin of cells, genetic codes or multicellularity to the emergence of non-genetic information, language or even consciousness. Understanding the nature and conditions for their rise and success is a major challenge for evolutionary biology. Along with data analysis, phylogenetic studies and dedicated experimental work, theoretical and computational studies are an essential part of this exploration. With the rise of synthetic biology, evolutionary robotics, artificial life and advanced simulations, novel perspectives to these problems have led to a rather interesting scenario, where not only the major transitions can be studied or even reproduced, but even new ones might be potentially identified. In both cases, transitions can be understood in terms of phase transitions, as defined in physics. Such mapping (if correct) would help in defining a general framework to establish a theory of major transitions, both natural and artificial. Here, we review some advances made at the crossroads between statistical physics, artificial life, synthetic biology and evolutionary robotics.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘The major synthetic evolutionary transitions’.
‘Biogeneric’ developmental processes: drivers of major transitions in animal evolution
Authors: Newman Stuart A.
Published: July 2016

Using three examples drawn from animal systems, I advance the hypothesis that major transitions in multicellular evolution often involved the constitution of new cell-based materials with unprecedented morphogenetic capabilities. I term the materials and formative processes that arise when highly evolved cells are incorporated into mesoscale matter ‘biogeneric’, to reflect their commonality with, and distinctiveness from, the organizational properties of non-living materials. The first transition arose by the innovation of classical cell-adhesive cadherins with transmembrane linkage to the cytoskeleton and the appearance of the morphogen Wnt, transforming some ancestral unicellular holozoans into ‘liquid tissues’, and thereby originating the metazoans. The second transition involved the new capabilities, within a basal metazoan population, of producing a mechanically stable basal lamina, and of planar cell polarization. This gave rise to the eumetazoans, initially diploblastic (two-layered) forms, and then with the addition of extracellular matrices promoting epithelial–mesenchymal transformation, three-layered triploblasts. The last example is the fin-to-limb transition. Here, the components of a molecular network that promoted the development of species-idiosyncratic endoskeletal elements in gnathostome ancestors are proposed to have evolved to a dynamical regime in which they constituted a Turing-type reaction–diffusion system capable of organizing the stereotypical arrays of elements of lobe-finned fish and tetrapods. The contrasting implications of the biogeneric materials-based and neo-Darwinian perspectives for understanding major evolutionary transitions are discussed.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘The major synthetic evolutionary transitions’.
Effects of tDCS on motor learning and memory formation: a consensus and critical position paper
Authors: Buch Ethan R , Santarnecchi Emiliano , Antal Andrea , Born Jan , Celnik Pablo A , Classen Joseph , Gerloff Christian , Hallett Mark , Hummel Friedhelm C , Nitsche Michael A , Pascual-Leone Alvaro , Paulus Walter J , Reis Janine , Robertson Edwin M , Rothwell John C , Sandrini Marco , Schambra Heidi M , Wassermann Eric M , Ziemann Ulf , Cohen Leonardo G
Published: July 2016

Motor skills are required for activities of daily living. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied in association with motor skill learning has been investigated as a tool for enhancing training effects in health and disease. Here, we review the published literature investigating whether tDCS can facilitate the acquisition and retention of motor skills and adaptation. A majority of reports focused on the application of tDCS with the anode placed over the primary motor cortex (M1) during motor skill acquisition, while some evaluated tDCS applied over the cerebellum during adaptation of existing motor skills. Work in multiple laboratories is under way to develop a mechanistic understanding of tDCS effects on different forms of learning and to optimize stimulation protocols. Efforts are required to improve reproducibility and standardization. Overall, reproducibility remains to be fully tested, effect sizes with present techniques are moderate (up to d= 0.5) (Hashemirad, Zoghi, Fitzgerald, & Jaberzadeh, 2016) and the basis of inter-individual variability in tDCS effects is incompletely understood. It is recommended that future studies explicitly state in the Methods the exploratory (hypothesis-generating) or hypothesis-driven (confirmatory) nature of the experimental designs. General research practices could be improved with prospective pre-registration of hypothesis-based investigations, more emphasis on the detailed description of methods (including all pertinent details to enable future modeling of induced current and experimental replication) and use of post-publication open data repositories. A checklist is proposed for reporting tDCS investigations in a way that can improve efforts to assess reproducibility.
Single-molecule sequencing and conformational capture enablede novomammalian reference genomes
Authors: Bickhart Derek M. , Rosen Benjamin D. , Koren Sergey , Sayre Brian L. , Hastie Alex R. , Chan Saki , Lee Joyce , Lam Ernest T. , Liachko Ivan , Sullivan Shawn T. , Burton Joshua N. , Huson Heather J. , Kelley Christy M. , Hutchison Jana L. , Zhou Yang , Sun Jiajie , Crisà Alessandra , De León F. Abel Ponce , Schwartz John C. , Hammond John A. , Waldbieser Geoffrey C. , Schroeder Steven G. , Liu George E. , Dunham Maitreya J. , Shendure Jay , Sonstegard Tad S. , Phillippy Adam M. , Van Tassell Curtis P. , Smith Timothy P.L.
Published: July 2016

The decrease in sequencing cost and increased sophistication of assembly algorithms for short-read platforms has resulted in a sharp increase in the number of species with genome assemblies. However, these assemblies are highly fragmented, with many gaps, ambiguities, and errors, impeding downstream applications. We demonstrate current state of the art forde novoassembly using the domestic goat (Capra hircus), based on long reads for contig formation, short reads for consensus validation, and scaffolding by optical and chromatin interaction mapping. These combined technologies produced the most contiguousde novomammalian assembly to date, with chromosome-length scaffolds and only 663 gaps. Our assembly represents a >250-fold improvement in contiguity compared to the previously publishedC. hircusassembly, and better resolves repetitive structures longer than 1 kb, supporting the most complete repeat family and immune gene complex representation ever produced for a ruminant species.
Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA haplogroups across behavioural traits in children from the general population
Authors: Howe Laurence J. , Erzurumluoglu A. Mesut , Smith George Davey , Rodriguez Santiago , Stergiakouli Evie
Published: July 2016

Objective

To evaluate the association between Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA haplogroups and a number of sexually-dimorphic behavioural and psychiatric traits.

Methods

The study sample included 4,211 males and 4,009 females with mitochondrial DNA haplogroups and 4,788 males with Y chromosome haplogroups who are part of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Different subsets of these populations were assessed using the Developmental and Well-being Assessment (DAWBA), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), SCDC (Social and Communication Disorder Checklist) and Psychotic Like Symptom Interview (PLIKSi) as measures of behavioural and psychiatric traits. Logistic regression was used to measure the association between haplogroups and the traits above.

Results

We found that the majority of behavioural traits in our cohort differed between males and females. However, Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA major haplogroups were not associated with any of the variables. In addition, secondary analyses of Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA subgroups also showed no association.

Conclusion

Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA haplogroups are not associated with behavioural and psychiatric traits in a sample representative of the UK population.
Impact of ethical screening on risk and returns
Authors: Bousalam Issam , Hamzaoui Moustapha
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to expand the literature on performance and volatility of Islamic funds and indices in comparison to their conventional unscreened counterparts, by studying the Moroccan case considering the recent introduction of Islamic finance in the country toward the end of 2015.

Design/methodology/approach

As there are still no Shariah-compliant indices in Morocco, the authors first applied four Shariah screening methodologies of some of the world leading equity index providers (i.e. Dow Jones, FTSE, S&P and MSCI) to screen the public listed companies in Casablanca Stock Exchange for Shariah compliance. Next, the authors constructed four Islamic float-weighted indexes for which they modeled the dynamic volatility using an extension of the AutoRegressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity models, namely, EGARCH(1,1).

Findings

The findings show that the screening process resulted in a well-diversified universe of Shariah-compliant stocks (25.6 per cent) to invest in. Furthermore, it is found that constructed Islamic indices outperformed the broad-based Moroccan All Shares Index (MASI) during the considered period of analysis (January 2013 to December 2014), and their long-run volatility is higher. This indicates that investors in Shariah-compliant stocks do not sacrifice financial performance for their risky investment. The estimates of the model show that volatility for the MASI is more persistent and takes longer time to die, and the leverage effect is positive for all indices, meaning that volatility of indexes’ returns is influenced more by good news than bad news, a result that is in contrast to other studies for developed countries.

Practical implications

On the arrival of the new banking law that introduced Islamic finance for the first time in Morocco, the authors suppose that these results could be very helpful for the Moroccan financial authorities in consideration with the construction of Islamic equity indices for Muslim investors seeking to invest ethically in accordance to their religious convictions but also for index funds managers and other equity market players.

Originality/value

The present study is the first of its kind in Morocco to construct Islamic indices using Shariah screening methodologies for which the volatility is modeled using an EGARCH(1,1) dynamic volatility model.
How the unremunerated reserve requirement by the Bank of Thailand affects IPO underpricing and the long-run performance of IPOs
Authors: Komenkul Kulabutr , Siriwattanakul Dhanawat
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the characteristics of the Initial Public Offering (IPO) market, IPO underpricing and the long-run performance of IPOs and to find out the ex ante difference in the market structure between the pre-, during and post-periods of the Unremunerated Reserve Requirement (URR) at the 30 per cent rate.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample is a total of 245 IPOs listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and the Market for Alternative Investment (mai), during the period 2001-2012. The explanatory variables consist of the age of the firm, the offer size, the time-lag between the IPO date and the first trading date, the proportion of shares owned by the government and the IPO subscription rates by foreign and institutional investors. In further analysis, the authors adopt a two-stage least squares approach to derive unbiased estimates of the relationship between government ownership, IPO underpricing and firm quality.

Findings

We find the ex ante uncertainty and earning management partially explain the IPO underpricing phenomenon in the Thai IPO market. Our findings support the impresario hypothesis shown by the negative relation between underpricing and the three-year after-market. In addition, the 30 per cent URR imposition by the Thai Central Bank promptly reduced the number of IPO issues and the proportion of foreigners and institutions subscribing to IPOs. However, it was able to enhance the degrees of IPO underpricing and the long-run performance of IPOs in Thailand.

Practical implications

The results presented in this paper may be, therefore, useful for investors, security analysts, companies and regulators in many other emerging markets beyond Thailand. Given the results from the over-performance of IPOs in the post-URR period, investors may do better holding Thai IPOs for a long period with a likelihood of gaining a higher return.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature concerning IPOs – in that we have considered two stock markets, namely, SET and mai. Furthermore, unique data such as the government ownership and proportion of IPOs subscribed by foreign and institutional investors are taken into consideration in our research model. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time in the Thai IPO market, the effect of the 30 per cent URR on IPO underpricing and the performance of IPOs in the long-run has been closely examined.
Corporate governance mechanisms and audit delay in a joint audit regulation
Authors: Alfraih Mishari M.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the influence of corporate governance mechanisms on audit delay in companies listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) in 2013. Kuwait has the unusual audit regulation that listed companies must be jointly audited by two independent auditors who both sign the report.

Design/methodology/approach

Audit delay is measured as the number of days that elapse between the end of the company’s financial year and the date of the audit report. A multivariate regression model analyzes the association between audit delay and six corporate governance mechanisms, namely, joint auditor combination, board size, board independence, role duality, institutional ownership and government ownership.

Findings

There is a wide range in audit delay among KSE companies, ranging from 7 to 159 days. After controlling for various company characteristics, there is a significant difference in the timeliness of audit reports depending on the combination of auditors: audit delay is significantly reduced when the audit is performed by Big-4 companies. Moreover, companies with larger boards, a greater number of independent directors and separate CEO–chairman roles are more likely to produce timely financial statements. Higher government ownership levels were associated with greater audit delay, while no significant association was found for institutional ownership. These results are robust to a variety of sensitivity checks.

Practical implications

The findings highlight the effectiveness of corporate governance mechanisms in shaping the timeliness of audit reports; thus, these mechanisms should be taken into account in any regulatory action to reduce audit delay. In addition, the findings of this study provide empirical evidence that can be used by regulators and enforcement bodies in their continued campaigns promoting the role and importance of corporate governance mechanisms in improving the quality and timeliness of financial reporting.

Originality/value

The study extends the audit delay literature by investigating the issue in a joint audit setting. The empirical evidence shows a wide range of audit delay in KSE-listed companies, which raises questions about the costs and benefits of the joint audit regulation for the length of this period.
Labor supply and productivity responses to non-salary benefits
Authors: Spencer Marilyn , Gevrek Deniz , Chambers Valrie , Bowden Randall
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of a particular low marginal-cost employee benefit on employees’ intended retention and performance. By utilizing a unique data set constructed by surveying full-time faculty and staff members at a public university in the USA, the authors study the impact of this employee benefit on faculty and staff performance and retention.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors focus on the impact of reduction in dependent college tuition at various levels on employees’ intentions to work harder and stay at their current job by using both OLS and ordered probit models. The authors also simulate the direct opportunity cost (reduction in revenue) in dollars and as a percent of total budgeted revenue to facilitate administrative decision making.

Findings

– The results provide evidence that for institutions where employee retention and productivity are a priority, maximizing or offering dependent college tuition waiver may be a relatively low-cost benefit to increase retention and productivity. In addition, the amount of the tuition waiver, number of dependents and annual salary are statistically significant predictors of intended increased productivity and intent to stay employed at the current institution.

Originality/value

– Employee retention and productivity is a challenge for all organizations. Although pay, benefits and organizational culture tend to be key indicators of job satisfaction, little attention is given to specific types of benefits. This study is the first comprehensive attempt to explore the relationship between the impact of this low-cost employee benefit and employee performance and retention in a higher education institution in the USA.
Staying and performing
Authors: Tian Amy Wei , Cordery John , Gamble Jos
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the effect of human resource management (HRM) practices on employees’ organisational job embeddedness and job performance. Following the ability-motivation-opportunity (AMO) model of HRM, the authors predicted that ability-, motivation- and opportunity-enhancing HRM practices would relate to fit, links and sacrifice components of job embeddedness, with these components mediating the relationship between HRM and employee job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from a matched sample of 197 Chinese state-own firm employees and their supervisors. Multiple mediation test was used to test direct and mediating effects.

Findings

– Results indicated that HRM practices contribute to the creation and development of embeddedness, and the improvement of job performance. The job embeddedness components of fit, links and sacrifice were found to mediate the HRM-job performance relationship. The results suggest that organisations can proactively enhance both embeddedness and employee performance through implementing appropriate HRM practices.

Research limitations/implications

– While this study makes a contribution to the understanding of the relationship between HRM practices, employees’ organisational job embeddedness, the authors collected most of the data during one time period.

Originality/value

– Directly addressing these theoretical and methodological issues, the study makes two key contributions to the HRM and job embeddedness literatures. First, the authors found that the HR practices will directly influence employees’ job embeddedness. Second, the authors extend the scope of the AMO framework of HR by proposing that job embeddedness dimensions as important mediators in the HRM-job performance relationship.
An investigation of the uses of corporate reputation
Authors: Chen Chen-Chu Matilda , Nguyen Bang , Melewar T.C.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual model that examines the underlying mechanisms of the link between the uses of corporate reputation and brand image strategy, from the corporate communication perspective. The paper incorporates three kinds of uses of corporate reputation: value creation, strategic resources and corporate communication.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with top executives in the pharmaceutical industry in Taiwan to investigate the effects of the uses of corporate reputation on brand image strategy from the managerial perspective.

Findings

Findings provide richness into forming the basis for developing a framework of the uses of reputation, with implications for managers and academics alike. The qualitative findings generally showed that three dimensions of the uses of corporate reputation (i.e. value creation, strategic resources and corporate communication) are applicable to managers’ brand image strategy implementation. For the Taiwanese pharmaceutical industry, the research highlights that value creation herein pertains to the value created for the firm, as cost/sacrifice value, symbolic/expressive value and experience/hedonic value.

Originality/value

Reputation is one of the most important concerns for pharmaceutical firms, as it develops and builds trust with key stakeholders. However, in the pharmaceutical industry context, the application and uses of corporate reputation is little researched. A need exists for research that examines the effects of the uses of corporate reputation at the firm level. This paper fills this important gap in developing a conceptual framework for the uses of corporate reputation in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, most studies on the uses of corporate reputation in pharmaceuticals are in the contexts of Western countries, thus limiting the generalisablility. Taiwan is the context for the present study.
Dietary Casein and Soy Protein Isolate Modulate the Effects of Raffinose and Fructooligosaccharides on the Composition and Fermentation of Gut Microbiota in Rats
Authors: Bai Gaowa , Ni Kuikui , Tsuruta Takeshi , Nishino Naoki
Published: July 2016

Although diet has an important influence on the composition of gut microbiota, the impact of dietary protein sources has only been studied to a minor extent. In this study, we examined the influence of different dietary protein sources regarding the effects of prebiotic oligosaccharides on the composition and metabolic activity of gut microbiota. Thirty female rats were fed casein and soy protein isolate with cellulose, raffinose (RAF), and fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Microbiota composition was examined by real‐time qPCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Dietary protein source affected cecum microbiota; acetic acid concentration and Lactobacillus spp. populations were greater with soy protein than with casein. Prebiotic oligosaccharides had distinctive effects on gut microbiota; RAF increased the acetic acid concentration and Bifidobacterium spp. populations, and FOS increased the butyric acid concentration regardless of the dietary protein. Likewise, Bifidobacterium sp., Collinsella sp., and Lactobacillus sp. were detected in microbiota of the rats fed RAF, and Bacteroides sp., Roseburia sp., and Blautia sp. were seen in microbiota of the rats fed FOS. Interactions between dietary proteins and prebiotic oligosaccharides were observed with Clostridium perfringens group populations and cecum IgA concentration. RAF and FOS decreased C. perfringens group populations in casein‐fed rats, and the combination of soy protein and RAF substantially increased cecum IgA concentration. These results indicate that dietary proteins can differentially modulate the effects of prebiotic oligosaccharides on gut fermentation and microbiota, depending on the type of carbohydrate polymers involved.