bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diffusion Tensor Changes According to Age at Onset and Apolipoprotein E Genotype in Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Kim Min-Jeong , Seo Sang Won , Kim Sung Tae , Lee Jong-Min , Na Duk L.
Published: May 2016

Age at onset is one of the most important factors that affects the clinical course in Alzheimer disease (AD), whereas other factors such as apolipoprotein E (apoE) genotype may also play a major role. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of age at onset and apoE genotype on white-matter changes in AD using diffusion tensor imaging. About 213 patients with AD and 66 normal individuals underwent diffusion tensor imaging, and apoE genotype was obtained in all AD patients and in 24 normal individuals. When multiple regression analysis was conducted, a younger age at onset was associated with lower fractional anisotropy in both deep-located long-range limbic and association fibers and superficial-located short-range association fibers in the frontal, the temporal, and the parietal lobes, and with a higher mean diffusivity in deep-located fibers and the bilateral medial thalamus. When analyzed separately in apoE e4 carriers and noncarriers, e4 carriers showed an association between a younger age at onset and lower fractional anisotropy, mainly in deep-located fibers, whereas noncarriers showed this association in both deep-located and superficial-located fibers. There was no difference in the spatial distribution between carriers and noncarriers in the association between the age at onset and mean diffusivity. Our results suggest that the topographical distribution of white-matter changes in AD is significantly affected by the interaction between age at onset and apoE genotype.
Channel relationships from the perspectives of manufacturers and their connecting distributors in Indonesia
Authors: Sukresna I Made , Hamilton John , Tee Singwhat
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Paired channel relationship constructs are used to conjointly compare the perspectives of Indonesian manufacturers and their connecting distributors when engaging and relating across each shared marketing channel. The purpose of this paper is to hypothesize long-term orientation (LTO) and role-performance as joint drivers that positively influence dependence, satisfaction, and trust constructs for each manufacturer and distributor domain.

Design/methodology/approach

– A structural equation modelling-comparative model is developed, tested, and validated for the Indonesian manufacturing sector. The sample size is 140 pairs of medium-to-large-sized manufacturers and their connecting distributors. The respondent is individual who is responsible and knowledgeable in dealing with his/her company’s manufacturer or distributor.

Findings

– Both the manufacturer-distributor LTO and their role-performance jointly drive the outcomes of the shared marketing channel relationship, and both parties’ behaving similarly (except for the influence of their role-performance onto their partner’s satisfaction).

Research limitations/implications

– This study have not investigated possible two-way interactions between constructs across the channel. Combined, paired, manufacturer and distributor dataset questions can expose the connectivities relationships between the partners. The insignificant influence of role-performance on economic satisfaction within the manufacturer domain requires further research on the possible presence of mediating construct(s) between those constructs, and on the broadening of the definition of satisfaction. Past channel research revealed that trust interacts with satisfaction, yet this study does not find significant interactions between the outcomes constructs.

Practical implications

– In Indonesia each marketing channel’s manufacturer and distributor management team should jointly enhance both their shared long-term relationship, and their respective role-performance. This long-term view is implementable through long-term marketing channel contracts.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to marketing channel theory with the LTO and the role-performance of a channel partner jointly driving the other partner’s economic satisfaction, trust, and their dependence specifically within the Indonesian context. The benchmarking of a marketing channel’s performance within a trusting and satisfying channel relationship sets the framework for the development of future optimization studies (of at least the five connectivities constructs used herein).
Intervention program impacting Indian sex-workers facing socio-economic disparities
Authors: Ray Mona
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Since the first case of AIDS was reported in 1986, several HIV/AIDS intervention program operates at the national and regional level in India, to control the spread of this epidemic. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate one intervention program in a major city of India – Kolkata that targets specifically the commercial sex-workers challenged with socio-economic-health disparities. This intervention program called the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC) is located in the Sonagachi area and nicknamed as the “Sonagachi Project.”

Design/methodology/approach

– The behavioral change of about 500 sex-workers participating in the survey was studied in 2005. The data were collected from the focus groups of the sex-workers; official records and DMSC officials were also interviewed to collect data. The “short-term” outcome and the “long-term” impact of the program were compared with a baseline survey conducted in 1992 by another study.

Findings

– Participants experienced increased awareness of the disease, increased literacy rate and increased social and economical empowerment. The incidence of HIV/AIDS has gone down significantly among this high-risk group due to safe-sex practice.

Social implications

– This community-based organization adopts a unique method of engaging the sex-workers as peer educators to train other sex-workers about safe-sex practices and has become the role model for sex-workers in other parts of the world to fight socio-economic-health disparities.

Originality/value

– This research was conducted by directly contacting the program directors and members of the Sonagachi project and in that sense is first hand information. It gives valuable insights into the struggles these sex-workers had to go through to gain social and economic empowerment.
Effects of telecom service providers’ strategic investments on business performance
Authors: Yang Chang-Gyu , Trimi Silvana , Lee Sang-Gun
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the structure of strategic investments and the effect of each investment category on business performance in two leading information and communication technology (ICT) countries, the USA and South Korea.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a longitudinal comparative study of the relationship between strategic investments and organizational performance of major telecommunication service providers (TSPs) in the two leading ICT countries, the USA and South Korea.

Findings

– The study found that a sufficient amount of strategic investments in technological innovations is the driving force for TSPs’ business performance. However, strategic investment structures differ among TSPs, depending on their market position, whether the first mover in the market or a follower, and on their country’s market characteristics. Moreover, even though both countries’ TSP markets are oligopolistic in nature, the market is more saturated in Korea and thus competition appears to be fiercer there than in the USA. The stronger oligopolistic market in Korea has lead TSPs to compete primarily on their marketing strategies, while TSPs in the USA do so based on technological innovation.

Originality/value

– The findings of the study shed new insights that can help both TSPs in developing their competitive strategies and government policy makers in assuring healthy competitive telecommunication markets in their countries.
Fostering creativity understanding
Authors: Boulocher-Passet Véronique , Daly Peter , Sequeira Isabelle
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to encourage initiatives to train large cohorts of undergraduate students for creativity understanding. The authors describe a case study of a creativity exercise developed within a corporate setting that accommodates a large cohort and discuss the results of empirical research on this teaching experience at a French Business School. The authors reflect on the transferability of this exercise by other educators to similar educational contexts and the usefulness of training future managers to a structured creativity methodology to be exploited in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study explains the features of the exercise. Hard data on students’ perceptions and motivation/satisfaction prior to and after the creativity exercise was collected through an internet self-completed survey instrument. In total, 245 pairs of survey responses from first-year students were analysed using prototypical analysis, paired samplest-test and content analysis.

Findings

– The exercise proved an effective tool to help large cohorts of undergraduates to better understand that creativity is a managerial competence that can be trained. The authors particularly underlined the need for fluidity in the organisation of the exercise; use of a clear creativity process and methodology; the necessity to involve an external creativity consultant; and the importance of the chosen topic being non art related. In the workplace, this understanding of creativity methodologies will enable future managers to support, promote and manage creativity endeavours.

Originality/value

– This paper encourages initiatives and provides insights into the difficulties of training large cohorts of undergraduate students for understanding the concept of creativity.
Recovery environment of a sub-acute mental health service
Authors: Thomas Kerry A , Rickwood Debra J
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the recovery environment of a sub-acute residential mental health service. Such services are increasingly filling a gap in the continuum of care for people with recurrent mental illness and have a major role supporting the processes of recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

– A cross-sectional design was used with clients and staff completing the recovery enhancing environment measure. Nine clients who had entered the service from the community (step-up), 18 who had transferred from an inpatient unit (step-down) and ten staff completed the measure.

Findings

– Clients and staff rated the organisational climate of the service positively, with the role of caring staff being identified as particularly valuable. Clients and staff had similar positive views on the importance of recovery-based elements and rated the service as performing well in these areas. Step-up clients identified performance gaps in the areas of self-management, general health, personal strengths, and personal relationships. Step-down clients identified a range of gaps, including meeting basic needs, empowerment, and fundamental recovery processes.

Practical implications

– An assessment of the perceptions of clients and staff can allow services to identify differences in the attitudes of each group and ascertain areas in which the service can be improved to better meet the needs of individual clients. This may include being responsive to the setting from which clients have entered the service.

Originality/value

– This is the first study that has examined the recovery environment of a residential mental health service and how it meets the recovery needs of both step-up and step-down admissions.
Review on event detection techniques in social multimedia
Authors: Garg Muskan , Kumar Mukesh
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Social Media is one of the largest platforms to voluntarily communicate thoughts. With increase in multimedia data on social networking websites, information about human behaviour is increasing. This user-generated data are present on the internet in different modalities including text, images, audio, video, gesture, etc. The purpose of this paper is to consider multiple variables for event detection and analysis including weather data, temporal data, geo-location data, traffic data, weekday’s data, etc.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, evolution of different approaches have been studied and explored for multivariate event analysis of uncertain social media data.

Findings

– Based on burst of outbreak information from social media including natural disasters, contagious disease spread, etc. can be controlled. This can be path breaking input for instant emergency management resources. This has received much attention from academic researchers and practitioners to study the latent patterns for event detection from social media signals.

Originality/value

– This paper provides useful insights into existing methodologies and recommendations for future attempts in this area of research. An overview of architecture of event analysis and statistical approaches are used to determine the events in social media which need attention.
The effect of customers’ perceived benefits on virtual brand community loyalty
Authors: Kang Minjung , Shin Dong-Hee
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how types of virtual brand community (VBC) benefits influence VBC loyalty through specific types of interaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study targeted 250 brand community users to conduct an empirical analysis using SPSS 19.0.

Findings

– Consumers’ perceived benefits (functional, experiential, and symbolic) were found to be the leading variables in inducing consumer loyalty. Brand community managers should not focus only on the benefits offered by the brand community, but also on how these benefits can be associated with human-to-computer and consumer-to-consumer (C2C) interaction.

Research limitations/implications

– The virtual community (VC) has an important role as a marketing tool. As the VC within the virtual space has gradually been increasing, its importance has grown as well, therefore making research studies on heightening members’ brand community site loyalty important.

Originality/value

– This study broadens and contextualizes our understanding of what type of VBC interaction can be further activated in the process of enhancing the members’ VBC loyalty, which is affected by consumers’ perceived benefits.
Educating a health service workforce about dementia: a qualitative study
Authors: Baillie Lesley , Sills Eileen , Thomas Nicola
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– People who are living with dementia are core health service users, but there are ongoing concerns about the quality of their care and the need for improved education of healthcare staff. The purpose of this paper is to report a qualitative study that investigated staff perspectives on an ethnodrama (“Barbara’s Story”) which was used to educate an entire health service workforce and promote a person-centred approach to care.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study used a qualitative, longitudinal design with focus groups held with clinical (nurses, allied health professionals, medical) and non-clinical staff. In Phase 1 there were ten focus groups (n=67 participants) and one individual interview. In Phase 2 there were 16 focus groups (n=77 participants) and three individual interviews.

Findings

– Barbara’s Story raised awareness of dementia, engaged staff emotionally and prompted empathetic responses and improved interactions. The project’s senior leadership, whole organisation and mandatory approach were well-supported, with a perceived impact on organisational culture. The project helped to embed practice developments and initiatives to support person-centred care. Barbara’s Story is now well-integrated into the organisation’s practices, supporting its sustainability in use.

Originality/value

– Whilst there are increasing resources for educating about dementia, there are fewer evaluations, particularly for large-scale educational initiatives, and a lack of focus on long-term effects. The study findings indicate that education about dementia can be delivered to a whole workforce in a sustainable manner, to prompt empathy, raise awareness, support person-centred care and impact on individual behaviour and organisational culture.
Breaking the silence (again): on language learning and levels of fluency in ethnographic research
Authors: Gibb Robert , Danero Iglesias Julien
Published: May 2016

Ethnographic research is often multilingual, requiring the researcher to work in two or more different languages, if necessary with the assistance of an interpreter. Given this, surprisingly few ethnographers have attempted to discuss in detail how their own knowledge of different languages and their decisions to use interpreters and/or translators during fieldwork have affected the research they have conducted. Drawing on material from our own research, as well as from published accounts by other ethnographers, we aim in this article to dispel some of the ‘silence’ or ‘mystique’ surrounding such matters. More specifically, we argue for the importance of documenting and analysing not only the process of language learning in ethnographic research but also the ways in which levels of fluency in a second or additional language can affect the research process, including the writing of ethnographic fieldnotes and forms of self and other identification. We suggest that a heightened awareness of these issues can help researchers make more informed choices when carrying out and writing up ethnographic research using different languages.
Scripture beyond Common Sense: Sentimental Bible Study and the Evangelical Practice of “the Bible Reading”
Authors: Schmidt Daved Anthony
Published: May 2016

This article examines the Bible study method known as the Bible Reading, which became popular among a segment of conservative evangelicals in the late nineteenth century. Scholars have closely identified it with the Common Sense approach to Scripture and have attributed its popularity to a conservative response to attacks on this approach. This article argues, however, that the Bible Reading is best understood as a devotional exercise that should be examined independently of these controversies. Exploring the devotional aspects of the Bible Reading nuances the standard portrayal of evangelicals in this period as being reactionary in their use of Scripture. In particular, it sheds light on the use of sentimental Bible study in the revivals of the late 1850s as well as the transatlantic holiness movement in the decades that followed. Ultimately, it argues that the exercise's popularity was due not simply to changes in the Bible's cultural status, but to changing conceptions of the Christian life.
Comparison of Stochastic and Spline Models for Temperature‐based Derivatives in China
Authors: Zong Lu , Ender Manuela
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we propose modelling the seasonal variation of temperature with a stochastic process to achieve normality of residuals. We conduct a heuristic comparison of the new stochastic seasonal variation model with three established empirical temperature and pricing models: the model of Alaton et al., the continuous autoregressive model and the spline model. The test criteria are residual normality, the Akaike information criterion, relative errors, and stability of price behaviour. The objective of the paper is to find the most suitable model for the application of temperature‐based derivatives in China. Therefore, 30 years of daily average temperature data from 12 cities in mainland China are applied. The results show that the stochastic seasonal variation model dominates the other three models by providing a more precise fitting of the temperature process. Furthermore, the spline model displays inconsistencies when it is applied to Chinese temperature data. This model has the smallest relative errors, but the worst results for normality of residuals.
Choleretic Activity of Turmeric and its Active Ingredients
Authors: Wang Yonglu , Wang Liyao , Zhu Xinyi , Wang Dong , Li Xueming
Published: May 2016

Turmeric, a rhizome of Curcumin longa L. is widely used as both a spice and an herbal medicine. The traditional use of turmeric in gastroenterology is mainly based on its choleretic activity. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of turmeric on bile flow (BF) and total bile acids (TBAs) excretion in a bile fistula rat model after acute duodenal administration. A significant dose‐dependent enhancement in both BF and TBAs was detected after treatment with the turmeric decoctions which suggested the choleretic activity was bile acid‐dependent secretion. In order to direct the active group of compounds, aqueous (AE), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and petroleum ether (PE) extracts were investigated. The EtOAc and PE extracts showing high effects were purified to locate the active ingredients. Three curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin) and 2 sesquiterpenes (bisacurone B and ar‐turmerone) were isolated. It was found Bisacurone B was the most potent choleretic ingredient followed by ar‐turmerone, bisdemethoxycurcumin demethoxycurcumin, and then curcumin. The amounts of the active ingredients were quantitatively analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The EtOAc and PE extracts had high sesquiterpenes and curcuminoids content, while the AE extract had poor content of sesquiterpenes and curcuminoids which affected neither BF nor TBAs. Based on the results of multiple linear regression analysis, the content of BIS and TUR were dominant factors (P < 0.01) of controlling BL and TBAs in EtOAC and PE extracts.
A double‐blind randomized clinical trial comparing different doses of magnesium in cardioplegic solution for prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: Gholipour Baradari Afshin , Emami Zeydi Amir , Ghafari Rahman , Aarabi Mohsen , Jafari Mahboubeh
Published: May 2016

Aims

This study aims to compare different doses of magnesium administered via cardioplegic solutions to prevent atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Methods

A total of 120 patients who were scheduled for elective CABG surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass were enrolled in this double‐blind, randomized clinical trial. After fulfilling the inclusion criteria, they were randomly allocated into three groups (A, B, and C). Patients in groups A, B, and C received 60, 80, and 100 mg/kg of magnesium sulfate via cardioplegic solutions during aortic cross‐clamp, respectively. Postoperative AF was assessed by continuous ECG monitoring during 3 days after surgery. Also serum magnesium, potassium, and calcium levels were assessed during the study period.

Results

The findings revealed significant differences in four point measurements of serum magnesium level after surgery (P<.001). In particular, it was observed that 10 (26.3%) patients in group A, 4 (10%) patients in group B, and 2 (5.4%) patients in group C had AF after surgery. This indicates patients receiving magnesium at doses of 80 and 100 mg/kg had lower rates of AF occurrence than those receiving 60 mg/kg dose of magnesium (P=.02). Additionally, no significant difference was found in serum calcium and potassium concentration between the three groups throughout the study period.

Conclusion

Magnesium administration via the cardioplegic solution during aortic cross‐clamping at doses of 80 and 100 mg/kg can reduce the risk of AF occurrence after CABG compared to the dose of 60 mg/kg. Considering the lower rate of AF incidence and shorter length of ICU stay in patients receiving 100 mg/kg of magnesium, it seems reasonable to administer 100 mg/kg magnesium during aortic cross‐clamp to prevent postoperative AF.
Improving oral health for older people in the home care setting: An exploratory implementation study
Authors: Lewis Adrienne , Kitson Alison , Harvey Gill
Published: May 2016

Aim

To explore how home care providers can support older people to maintain good oral health through implementing a model called Better Oral Health in Home Care (BOHHC).

Methods

A mixed method, pre‐ to post‐implementation design was used. The Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework informed the model's implementation process.

Results

High levels of dental need were identified at pre‐implementation. Older people self‐reported significant oral health improvements following the introduction of tailored home care strategies by care workers, who in turn reported a better understanding and knowledge of the importance of oral care for older people.

Conclusion

TheBOHHCModel provided an evidence‐based approach for community‐based prevention and early detection of oral health problems. Improving oral health for older people in the home care setting has significant practice and policy implications which require ongoing intersectoral facilitation involving aged care, vocational health education and dental sectors.
Is multivisceral resection in locally advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours an acceptable strategy?
Authors: Wong Jolene Si Min , Tan Grace Hwei Ching , Quek Richard , Goh Brian Kim Poh , Kwok Li Lian , Kumar Mrinal , Soo Khee Chee , Teo Melissa Ching Ching
Published: May 2016

Background

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) represent the most common mesenchymal tumour of the gastrointestinal tract. Although the efficacy of targeted therapy cannot be over‐emphasized, surgery remains the only curative primary treatment for patients with localized disease. The median size of GIST at diagnosis is approximately 5–7 cm; however, it is not uncommon for tumours to be as large as 30–40 cm and involving multiple viscera.

Methods

Data were retrospectively collected from patients with GISTs treated at the Singapore General Hospital and the National Cancer Centre Singapore over a 15‐year period. Standard resection of GIST without any additional organ removal was termed as a single organ resection (SOR). If the tumour was adjacent to another organ, necessitating the removal of more than one organ, the procedure was defined as a multivisceral resection (MVR). We aim to evaluate the role of MVR in the management of large GISTs.

Results

A total of 187 patients underwent curative surgery for GIST between January 2000 and January 2014. Of the 187 patients, 40 (21%) underwent MVR whereas 147 (79%) had SOR. Patients in the MVR group had significantly larger tumour sizes (P < 0.001) yet R0 and R1 resection was achieved in all patients, and no intra‐peritoneal rupture was reported. On comparison of MVR versus SOR groups, there was no significant difference in in‐hospital morbidity and mortality.

Conclusion

MVR may be required to achieve negative margins in patients with large GISTs, and can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality.
Physical activity of relatively high intensity in mid‐pregnancy predicts lower glucose tolerance levels
Authors: Medek Helga , Halldorsson Thorhallur , Gunnarsdottir Ingibjörg , Geirsson Reynir T.
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Physical activity (PA) is recommended as part of therapy for patients with impaired glucose tolerance. Whether such recommendations are also justified for pregnant women is less well established. We investigated the association between PA and glucose tolerance in pregnancy.

Material and methods

A non‐selective sample of 217 pregnant women was recruited at a routine 20 week ultrasound examination. Participants answered the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) about frequency, intensity and duration of daily physical activity in the past 7 days and underwent oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) between 24 and 28 weeks. A subset of 72 overweight/obese pregnant women wore a pedometer for 1 week with assessment of IPAQ score and pedometric correlations to this.

Results

Of the sample, 177 attended for OGTT; 51% were overweight or obese. The mean (SD) fasting glucose was 4.5 (0.4) mmol/L, and 12% had gestational diabetes mellitus. Only one‐third engaged in vigorous PA. After adjustment for pre‐pregnancy BMI, age and parity, those engaging in vigorous PA had significantly lower fasting glucose levels (by 0.15 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.03–0.27) compared with those not vigorously active. This decrease was similar in both normal and overweight/obese women. There were fewer cases of gestational diabetes (p = 0.03) among the vigorously active women (3/56; 5%) than among those who were not active (19/121; 16%). No association with glucose tolerance was observed for physical activity of moderate intensity.

Conclusions

Only vigorous physical activity appears beneficial with respect to maternal glucose tolerance, both among normal, overweight and obese women.
High incidence of dry eye in young children with allergic conjunctivitis in Southwest China
Authors: Chen Lin , Pi Lianhong , Fang Jing , Chen Xinke , Ke Ning , Liu Qing
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To identify the prevalence of dry eye in pediatric population with allergic conjunctivitis in Southwest China.

Methods

A single‐centre, prospective, case–control study conducted between May 2015 and December 2015 included 40 children, 3–6 years of age, with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) or perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC) and 40 age‐ and gender‐matched children undergoing medical healthy examination without history of allergy or dry eye as a control. A dry eye score system (DESS) was administered to both groups. Slit‐lamp examinations including tear film break‐up time (TFBUT) and fluorescent corneal staining (FCS) were performed. Correlation analyses were performed to evaluate associations between measures of dry eye and signs and symptoms of AC.

Results

The prevalence of dry eye was 97.5% (78/80 eyes) in cases and 27.50% (22/80 eyes) in controls. Mean DESS score was 4.75 ± 2.22 in the case group and 0.80 ± 1.22 in the control group (p < 0.001). Symptoms of dry eye in the case group were mild (<6). Mean tear film break‐up time was 6.54 ± 1.48 seconds in the case group and 10.04 ± 1.79 seconds in the control group (p < 0.001). Mean FCS scores were 0.79 ± 1.34 and 0.21 ± 0.57, respectively (p = 0.001). The DESS score and TFBUT were both associated with the duration of allergic conjunctivitis.

Conclusion

The incidence of dry eye assessed by TFBUT was higher in young children with SAC and PAC than in controls. However, subjective symptoms of dry eye (DESS) were inconsistent with objective signs, indicating that close attention should be paid to the evaluation and treatment of dry eye in pediatric population with AC.
Nutrition factors predict earlier acquisition of motor and language milestones among young children in Haiti
Authors: Iannotti Lora , Jean Louis Dulience Sherlie , Wolff Patricia , Cox Katherine , Lesorogol Carolyn , Kohl Patricia
Published: May 2016

Aim

To examine the nutrition‐related factors associated with motor and language development among young children living in a poor urban area of Haiti.

Methods

Children aged 6–11 months (n = 583) were enrolled and followed monthly for one year. World Health Organization motor developmental milestones and vowel and consonant counts were assessed. Longitudinal regression models were applied to assess the association of anthropometric, dietary intake, infectious disease morbidity and socio‐economic and demographic factors on developmental outcomes.

Results

At baseline, 9.4% were stunted or length‐for‐age Z score < −2, and 30.2% were mild‐to‐moderately stunted or length‐for‐age Z score < −1. Stunting status was significantly associated with motor and phonetic language acquisition at each time point during infancy. Several nutrition factors significantly predicted earlier achievement of motor and language development outcomes in longitudinal models: child anthropometry; breastfeeding and complementary feeding frequencies; dietary diversity; egg and oil intake; and reduced infectious disease morbidities. Increases in the length‐for‐age Z score significantly predicted all motor and language outcomes and yielded the best fit models compared to other anthropometric indicators (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Child development interventions may be enhanced by incorporating nutrition strategies such as improved diet quality, breastfeeding promotion and diarrhoeal disease mitigation.
Association of Oseltamivir Activation with Gender and Carboxylesterase 1 Genetic Polymorphisms
Authors: Shi Jian , Wang Xinwen , Eyler Rachel F. , Liang Yan , Liu Li , Mueller Bruce A. , Zhu Hao‐Jie
Published: May 2016

Oseltamivir, an inactive anti‐influenza virus prodrug, is activated (hydrolysed) in vivo by carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) to its active metabolite oseltamivir carboxylate. CES1 functions are significantly associated with certain CES1 genetic variants and some non‐genetic factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of gender and several CES1 genetic polymorphisms on oseltamivir activation using a large set of individual human liver samples. CES1‐mediated oseltamivir hydrolysis and CES1 genotypes, including the G143E (rs71647871), rs2244613, rs8192935, the ‐816A>C (rs3785161) and the CES1P1/CES1P1VAR, were determined in 104 individual human livers. The results showed that hepatic CES1 protein expression in females was 17.3% higher than that in males (p = 0.039), while oseltamivir activation rate in the livers from female donors was 27.8% higher than that from males (p = 0.076). As for CES1 genetic polymorphisms, neither CES1 protein expression nor CES1 activity on oseltamivir activation was significantly associated with the rs2244613, rs8192935, ‐816A>C or CES1P1/CES1P1VAR genotypes. However, oseltamivir hydrolysis in the livers with the genotype 143G/E was approximately 40% of that with the 143G/G genotype (0.7 ± 0.2 versus 1.8 ± 1.1 nmole/mg protein/min, p = 0.005). In summary, the results suggest that hepatic oseltamivir activation appears to be more efficient in females than that in males, and the activation can be impaired by functional CES1 variants, such as the G143E. However, clinical implication of CES1 gender differences and pharmacogenetics in oseltamivir pharmacotherapy warrants further investigations.
Diagnostic shift in patients diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of rediagnosis studies
Authors: Santelmann Hanno , Franklin Jeremy , Bußhoff Jana , Baethge Christopher
Published: May 2016

Objectives

The diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder (SAD) is well established in clinical practice but is heavily disputed on theoretical grounds. We analyzed the extent and direction of diagnostic shift in SAD patients.

Methods

We searched Medline, Embase, and PsycINFOsystematically for all studies documenting two diagnostic assessments at different points in time (rediagnosis studies) and used meta‐analytic methods to quantify diagnostic shift. Multiple prespecified and post‐hoc subgroup analyses (e.g., rater blinding) and meta‐regressions (e.g., year of publication) were carried out.

Results

We included 31 studies out of 4,415 articles screened: 27 studies on the shiftfromand 23 studies on the shifttoSAD (median time span was two years). A total of 36% of patients with a diagnosis of SAD at first assessment switch, many to schizophrenia (19%), 14% to affective disorders, and 6% to other disorders. Among patients diagnosed with SAD at second assessment, 55% had received a different diagnosis at first assessment, a large portion of whom had been initially diagnosed with affective disorder (24%), schizophrenia (18%), and other disorders (12%).

Conclusions

Diagnostic shift in SAD patients is substantial. Psychiatrists need to reassess the diagnosis during the course of the illness and to adjust treatment. Slightly more diagnoses of SAD are changed to schizophrenia than to affective disorders, and among patients rediagnosed with SAD, fewer have been diagnosed with schizophrenia than with affective disorders. Thus, at the diagnostic level, there seems to be a slight trend toward schizophrenia during the course of functional psychoses.
Characterising the safety of clomiphene citrate in male patients through prostate‐specific antigen, haematocrit, and testosterone levels
Authors: Chandrapal Jason C. , Nielson Spencer , Patel Darshan P. , Zhang Chong , Presson Angela P. , Brant William O. , Myers Jeremy B. , Hotaling James M.
Published: May 2016

Objective

To determine the safety profile of clomiphene citrate (CC) in men being treated for hypogonadism or infertility by measuring prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), haematocrit (Hct), and testosterone levels.

Patients and Methods

We identified patients presenting to our institution who were placed on CC, 50 mg every day or every other day, for male infertility and/or symptomatic hypoandrogenism between September 2013 and April 2016. Patients with documented exogenous testosterone, human chorionic gonadotrophin, or anastrozole use within 2 weeks of baseline evaluations were excluded. Our primary outcomes were the effects of CC on PSA, Hct, and total testosterone levels evaluated at the 3, 6, 9, or 12 months of follow‐up. Outcomes were averaged within patients across visits and summarised by mean, median, range, standard deviation (SD) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the mean.

Results

A total of 77 patients had recorded PSA, Hct, and/or testosterone values. The mean (SD, range) age and body mass index was 34 (6, 22–51) years and 31 (6, 22–52) kg/m2, respectively. The mean (SD) follow‐up was 358 (29) days. Within this group, CC concentration was changed in 24 patients (31%) and was discontinued in 24 patients (31%). The median (range) duration of CC therapy before discontinuation was 127 (44–161) days. The use of CC significantly raised both mean total and bioavailable testosterone levels by 200 ng/dL and 126 ng/dL, respectively (P < 0.001). This increase in testosterone had significant clinical effects with improvements in Androgen Deficiency in Aging Male questionnaire scores (P < 0.01) but not Sexual Health Inventory for Men scores. CC had no effect on mean PSA (1 ng/dL, 95% CI 0.8–1.1) or Hct (49%, 95% CI 41–53) levels, which were within normal ranges.

Conclusions

As more men are placed on CC for infertility or hypogonadism, characterising the safety effect profile becomes important. Our study found that CC significantly increased testosterone levels without changing PSA or Hct values. Because the biochemical response to CC can vary, we suggest scheduling laboratory evaluation at regular intervals; however, ordering routine assessment of PSA and Hct may not be necessary.
The impact of trade promotion services on Canadian exporter performance
Authors: Van Biesebroeck Johannes , Yu Emily , Chen Shenjie
Published: May 2016

From 1999 to 2006, Canadian firms successfully diversified their exports to destinations beyond the United States while smaller firms increased their share in total exports. Both are explicit aims of the Trade Commissioner Service export promotion program. Exploiting assumptions from the treatment effects literature, we identify a causal, export‐boosting effect. In contrast with existing evidence for Latin American countries, the intensive margin effect—higher exports to existing product‐destination markets—dominates. Effects at the extensive margin—exporting more products to more destinations—are smaller and sensitive to identification assumptions. We interpret this evidence in light of trade models with heterogeneous firms.
Third‐degree price discrimination in the presence of congestion externality
Authors: Czerny Achim I. , Zhang Anming
Published: May 2016

This paper analyzes third‐degree price discrimination of a monopoly airline in the presence of congestion externality when all markets are served. The model features the business‐passenger and leisure‐passenger markets where business passengers exhibit a higher time valuation, and a less price‐elastic demand, than leisure passengers. Our main result is the identification of the time‐valuation effect of price discrimination, which can work in the opposite direction as the well‐known output effect on welfare. This time‐valuation effect clearly explains why discriminating prices can improve welfare even when this is associated with a reduction in aggregate output.
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells and type 1 interferon promote peripheral expansion of forkhead box protein 3+ regulatory T cells specific for the ubiquitous RNA-binding nuclear antigen La/Sjögren's syndrome (SS)-B
Authors: Pan Z-J , Horton C G , Lawrence C , Farris A D
Published: May 2016

RNA-binding nuclear antigens are a major class of self-antigen to which immune tolerance is lost in rheumatic diseases. Serological tolerance to one such antigen, La/Sjögren's syndrome (SS)-B (La), is controlled by CD4+ T cells. This study investigated peripheral tolerance to human La (hLa) by tracking the fate of hLa-specific CD4+ T cells expressing the transgenic (Tg) 3B5.8 T cell receptor (TCR) after adoptive transfer into lymphocyte-replete recipient mice expressing hLa as a neo-self-antigen. After initial antigen-specific cell division, hLa-specific donor CD4+ T cells expressed forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3). Donor cells retrieved from hLa Tg recipients displayed impaired proliferation and secreted interleukin (IL)−10 in vitro in response to antigenic stimulation. Transfer of highly purified FoxP3-negative donor cells demonstrated that accumulation of hLa-specific regulatory T cells (Treg) was due primarily to expansion of small numbers of donor Treg. Depletion of recipient plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC), but not B cells, severely hampered the accumulation of FoxP3+ donor Treg in hLa Tg recipients. Recipient pDC expressed tolerogenic markers and higher levels of co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory molecules than B cells. Adoptive transfer of hLa peptide-loaded pDC into mice lacking expression of hLa recapitulated the accumulation of hLa-specific Treg. Blockade of the type 1 interferon (IFN) receptor in hLa Tg recipients of hLa-specific T cells impaired FoxP3+ donor T cell accumulation. Therefore, peripheral expansion of Treg specific for an RNA-binding nuclear antigen is mediated by antigen-presenting pDC in a type 1 IFN-dependent manner. These results reveal a regulatory function of pDC in controlling autoreactivity to RNA-binding nuclear antigens.
Timing of Protection of Critical Habitat Matters
Authors: Martin Tara G. , Camaclang Abbey E. , Possingham Hugh P. , Maguire Lynn A. , Chadès Iadine
Published: May 2016

With many conservation issues requiring urgent action, determining how much data are needed to inform good decisions is a common problem. We examine this problem in relation to the protection of critical habitat, the habitat required for species’ recovery and persistence. The protection of critical habitat is an essential step in the threatened species recovery process. It is also one of the most contentious and protracted decisions faced by environmental agencies. Uncertainty about what constitutes critical habitat, and the challenges of balancing competing societal objectives and of protecting critical habitat once identified are stalling the recovery process. We offer insight into this challenge by investigating how long we can afford to spend identifying critical habitat before opportunities to recover a species are lost. We illustrate our decision model using Canada's threatened northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana). Our method delivers the stopping time at which habitat protection must begin, despite uncertainty, in order to avoid an unacceptable risk of extinction.
Tumor budding is an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a single center retrospective study
Authors: Fujimoto Masakazu , Yamamoto Yuki , Matsuzaki Ibu , Warigaya Kenji , Iwahashi Yoshifumi , Kojima Fumiyoshi , Furukawa Fukumi , Murata Shin‐ichi
Published: May 2016

Background

Although tumor budding is acknowledged as a risk factor for lymph node metastasis in certain types of carcinoma, it is not well investigated in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). In this study, we analyzed the correlation between tumor budding and nodal metastasis in cutaneous SCC.

Methods

Histopathologic specimens of 15 metastasizing and 144 non‐metastasizing cutaneous SCC were retrospectively reviewed. Cut‐off point for tumor budding was determined at five or more foci of an isolated cancer cell or a cluster comprising <5 cells /1.23 mm2 in the invasive front of the tumor under hematoxylin and eosin sections.

Results

Tumor budding was positive in 93.3% of metastasizing cutaneous SCC and 25.7% of non‐metastasizing cutaneous SCC, respectively (p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, tumor budding was an independent risk factor for nodal metastasis among the other risk factors (tumor size, tumor thickness, Clark level and poor differentiation) (p = 0.0021). In combination with tumor thickness >4 mm, tumor budding became a better marker for predicting nodal metastasis (sensitivity 93.3%, specificity 84.7%).

Conclusions

In our cohort, tumor budding was an independent risk factor for nodal metastasis. Our data suggests the promising role of tumor budding in risk evaluation of cutaneous SCC.
Mindful Mates: A Pilot Study of the Relational Effects of Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction on Participants and Their Partners
Authors: Khaddouma Alexander , Coop Gordon Kristina , Strand Elizabeth B.
Published: May 2016

Very little is currently known about how increases in dispositional mindfulness through mindfulness training affect the quality of participants’ romantic relationships, and no previous studies have examined how increases in specific facets of mindfulness differentially contribute to relationship health. Additionally, even less is known about how an individual's development of mindfulness skills affects the relationship satisfaction of his or her romantic partner. Thus, the purpose of this pilot study was to examine associations between changes in facets of mindfulness and relationship satisfaction among participants enrolled in a Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course and their nonenrolled romantic partners. Twenty MBSR participants and their nonenrolled partners (n = 40) completed measures of mindfulness and relationship satisfaction pre‐ and post‐enrolled partners’ completion of an MBSR course. Results indicated that enrolled participants significantly improved on all facets of mindfulness and relationship satisfaction, while nonenrolled partners did not significantly increase on any facet of mindfulness or relationship satisfaction. Moreover, enrolled participants’ increases in Acting with Awareness were positively associated with increases in their own and their nonenrolled partners’ relationship satisfaction, whereas increases in enrolled participants’ Nonreactivity were positively associated with increases in their nonenrolled partners’ (but not their own) relationship satisfaction. These results suggest that increasing levels of mindfulness (particularly specific aspects of mindfulness) may have positive effects on couples’ relationship satisfaction and highlight mindfulness training as a promising tool for education and intervention efforts aimed at promoting relational health.