bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the experiences of birth mothers whose children have been diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: a qualitative study
Authors: Thomas Robyn , Mukherjee Raja
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that may occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. There has been little research into the experience of birth mothers of children with FASD and no published work of this kind in the UK. This is in contrast to a number of studies that have been conducted on foster/adoptive parents. In light of the recent publication in the UK of a mixed methods study on adoptive carers, it is timely to conduct research on birth mothers in the UK. The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of birth mothers following a diagnosis of FASD in their children.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretive phenomenological analytical approach was used to generate themes from individual semi-structured interviews of five women who are birth mothers of children with FASD.

Findings

Four superordinate main themes and various subthemes were identified. To blame or not to blame captures the tension the mothers experience when considering the cause of their child’s condition. Life is a series of battles which describes the struggles the women experience on a crusade with a renewed sense of purpose that captures the process of transformation that occurs, which helps describe the internal and external factors that help the mothers cope.

Originality/value

FASD is often described in the literature as being completely preventable with the implication that it is the mother’s fault because they drank alcohol during pregnancy. However, a statement like this fails to portray the complexities of the phenomenon of women drinking during pregnancy. Life is difficult for the women for a number of different reasons, yet a sense of hope is present. The mothers have a renewed sense of purpose to do the best they can for their child and to raise awareness of FASD. Understanding their experiences can help service providers better meet the needs of parents and children affected by FASD.
Heuristic-based user interface evaluation of the mobile centralized doctor appointment system
Authors: Inal Yavuz
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the interface of the mobile Centralized Doctor Appointment System (CDAS), the largest mobile e-government health application developed in Turkey to allow citizens to make medical appointments at public hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 40 information systems engineers took part in the study. The evaluation process was mainly based on Nielsen’s heuristics. The data obtained in the evaluation process were enriched using system usability scale to conduct a more detailed analysis.

Findings

Based on the findings, problems related to the usability of the evaluated mobile health application were identified. The most violated heuristic items were found to be “error prevention” and “user control and freedom”, whereas the least violated heuristic item was “consistency and standards”. The participants generally categorized the usability problems they identified as “minor” or “major” according to their severity.

Originality/value

As a developing country, Turkey has made considerable investment in mobile e-government applications in recent years. It is equally important that mobile e-government services provided by public institutions have features that make these applications effective, efficient and satisfying for citizens. Therefore, the usability of mobile health applications in government services needs to be researched to improve their effectiveness and guide authorities, practitioners and designers.
Exploring the quality of government open data
Authors: Yi Myongho
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The use of “open data” can help the public find value in various areas of interests. Many governments have created and published a huge amount of open data; however, people have a hard time using open data because of data quality issues. The UK, the USA and Korea have created and published open data; however, the rate of open data implementation and level of open data impact is very low because of data quality issues like incompatible data formats and incomplete data. This study aims to compare the statuses of data quality from open government sites in the UK, the USA and Korea and also present guidelines for publishing data format and enhancing data completeness.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses statistical analysis of different data formats and examination of data completeness to explore key issues of data quality in open government data.

Findings

Findings show that the USA and the UK have published more than 50 per cent of open data in level one. Korea has published 52.8 per cent of data in level three. Level one data are not machine-readable; therefore, users have a hard time using them. The level one data are found in portable document format and hyper text markup language (HTML) and are locked up in documents; therefore, machines cannot extract out the data. Findings show that incomplete data are existing in all three governments’ open data.

Originality/value

Governments should investigate data incompleteness of all open data and correct incomplete data of the most used data. Governments can find the most used data easily by monitoring data sets that have been downloaded most frequently over a certain period.
Applying empathy-driven participatory research methods to higher education new degree development
Authors: Bosman Lisa , Hammoud Abrar , Arumugam Sandhya
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Innovation and entrepreneurship are economic drivers promoting competition and growth among organizations throughout the world, many of which would not exist without well-established new product development processes coupled with intentional and strategic focus on research and development. New product development processes, such as the lean start-up methodology and design thinking, are well-known and thriving as a result of empirically grounded research efforts. Unfortunately, educational institutions and educational researchers, alike, are lagging when it comes to new program/degree development processes. Although the quantity of new degree offerings has increased substantially over the past several decades (in particular for multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary programs), limited research has been conducted to document key procedures associated with the creation of new degree programs. The purpose of this study is to show one approach to how students can be involved within the new program development process.

Design/methodology/approach

This approach uses participatory research, wherein students act as researchers and actively participate in the data collection and analysis process. Under the umbrella of participatory research, the study uses photovoice, photoelicitation and focus groups for collecting qualitative data.

Findings

Results suggest that students in one transdisciplinary studies in technology program value the following key attributes: learning style (agency and choice, active hands-on learning and real-world applications) and learning context (technology and design-focused assignments, integration of humanities and self-selected disciplines of interest).

Originality/value

Recommendations are provided for various higher education benefactors of the user-generated data, including administration, faculty, marketing, recruitment, advisors and the students themselves.
When would creative R&D employees like to work?
Authors: Hazak Aaro , Ruubel Raul , Virkebau Marko
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to identify which types of creative R&D employees prefer which daily and weekly working schedules.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper builds on an original repeated survey of creative R&D employees from Estonia and presents multinomial logit regression estimates based on a sample of 153 individuals from 11 entities.

Findings

The probability of women preferring their weekly work to be concentrated in three to four days is 20 percentage points higher than in men, and the case is similar for less-educated creative R&D employees. The more educated prefer the standard five-day working week. Men have a stronger preference for their week of work to be dispersed over six to seven days. Sleep patterns appear to relate to working time preferences as morning-type individuals have a stronger preference for a working day with fixed start and end times. Those who sleep 7 h or more per day prefer the standard five-day working week more, while employees who sleep less than 7 h favour a working week of six to seven days. Employees who desire more creativity intensity at work have a stronger preference for irregular daily working hours, as do those with poorer general health.

Originality/value

The results indicate that individual characteristics have a significant impact on the preferences for working time arrangements. Similar working time regulations for all employees appear outdated, therefore, and may make work inefficient and harm individual well-being, at least for creative R&D employees.
Investigating identity fraud management practices in e-tail sector: a systematic review
Authors: Soomro Zahoor Ahmed , Ahmed Javed , Shah Mahmood Hussain , Khoumbati Khalil
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Identity fraud is a growing issue for online retail organisations. The literature on this issue is scattered, and none of the studies presents a holistic view of identity fraud management practices in the online retail context. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the identity fraud management practices and present a comprehensive set of practices for e-tail sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review approach was adopted, and the articles were selected through pre-set inclusion criteria. The authors synthesised existing literature to investigate identity fraud management in e-tail sector.

Findings

The research finds that literature on practices for identity fraud management is scattered. The findings also reveal that firms assume identity fraud issues as a technological challenge, which is one of the major reasons for a gap in effective management of identity frauds. This research suggests e-tailers to deal this issue as a management challenge and counter strategies should be developed in technological, human and organisational aspects.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to the published sources of data. Studies, based on empirical data, will be helpful to support the argument of this study; additionally, future studies are recommended to include a wide number of databases.

Practical implications

This research will help e-tail organisations to understand the whole of identity fraud management and help them develop and implement a comprehensive set of practices at each stage, for effective management identity frauds.

Originality/value

This research makes unique contributions by synthesising existing literature at each stage of fraud management and encompasses social, organisational and technological aspects. It will also help academicians understanding a holistic view of available research and opens new lines for future research.
Drivers of SMS advertising acceptance: a mixed-methods approach
Authors: Bakr Yousra , Tolba Ahmed , Meshreki Hakim
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The study aims to identify and explore the antecedents to short message service (SMS) advertising acceptance as an effect to the entire process of communicating the SMS ad.

Design/methodology/approach

The study follows a sequential mixed-methods approach, starting with qualitative interviews, to build the research model following the grounded theory approach and then a quantitative survey study to apply the model to two types of ads (discount and notification ads).

Findings

Perceived value, ad trust and channel acceptance are crucial to the attitude towards SMS ads. Relevance, content, brand equity and perceived usefulness are significant triggers to perceived value and trust, with an emphasis on importance of brand equity in trusting discount ads.

Practical/implications

Accurate targeting and personalisation are crucial to ensure that SMS ads are useful and relevant to recipients. SMS advertising is more effective when the recipients are already connected with the brand. Including the brand name as the sender increases both value and trust. Transparency and adequate information are important for gaining trust especially for discount ads.

Originality/value

The study proposes an integrative model for SMS advertising acceptance after a rigorous consideration of all elements in the process of communicating the SMS ad following the GTA. The study also highlights the differences between the acceptance models for discount and notification ads.
Sulfur in the Sky with Diamonds: An Inquiry into the Feasibility of Solar Geoengineering
Authors: Grasso Marco
Published: January 2019

Solar geoengineering (SG) is considered a promising, albeit controversial, climate engineering technology to help reduce predicted global warming. However, the complexity of SG raises serious doubts about its political practicability. The objective of this article is to investigate this technology's feasibility, a fundamental dimension of said practicability. Feasibility is here understood as a political property: the higher the feasibility of a state of affairs ranks, the greater its eventual political practicability. According to this perspective, the less SG clashes with economic, institutional, and moral soft constraints, the more feasible it becomes, and hence the greater its political practicability. An analysis of economic and institutional soft constraints points to a high degree of SG feasibility. This feasibility is, however, limited by the perceived non‐bearable moral costs which SG involves. Given the greater weight of moral soft constraints, SG's overall feasibility is therefore low. Based on these indications, the article offers suggestions for lessening SG's friction with soft constraints, especially with the highly sensitive moral ones, with the aim of increasing this technology's feasibility. On the basis of this heightened feasibility, the paper concludes with policy recommendations which improves the practicability of SG.
Influenza virus inoculum volume is critical to elucidate age‐dependent mortality in mice
Authors: Smith Candice A. , Kulkarni Upasana , Chen Judy , Goldstein Daniel R.
Published: January 2019

The elderly exhibit increased mortality to influenza viral infection for unclear reasons. Mice are frequently used to model how aging impacts disease. Several studies have shown that aged mice exhibit an increased mortality to influenza virus, but two recent studies demonstrated the opposite. These two studies administered the virus intranasally in 20 µL, whereas the other studies used a viral inoculum in at least 30 µL. To determine whether the volume of the inoculum could explain the conflicting reports, we infected young and aged mice via intranasal instillation of 40 µL or 20 µL containing 1 x 104 plaque‐forming units (PFU) of H1N1 influenza virus. We found that intranasal administration of 40 µL but not 20 µL of inoculum resulted in age‐dependent mortality in mice. Compared to aged mice infected with 40 µL inoculum, those infected with 20 µL inoculum showed reduced levels of live virus and IFN‐β in the lung 3 days postinfection. Furthermore, aged mice administered 40 µL of Evans blue intranasally displayed increased dye retention in their bronchoalveolar lavage fluid compared to those administered 20 µL of Evans blue. Our data demonstrate that the inoculating volume of virus is critical for adequate delivery of influenza virus to the lung and thus for efficient infection of aged mice. These findings shed light on discrepant results in the literature regarding aged mice and influenza infection, and establish that mice can be used to examine how aging impacts the response to this biomedically important infection.
Preoperative C‐reactive protein to albumin ratio is a predictor of survival after pancreatic resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ikuta Shinichi , Aihara Tsukasa , Yamanaka Naoki
Published: January 2019

Aim

Systemic inflammation and nutritional status are associated with clinical outcomes of cancer patients. We investigated the prognostic value of preoperative C‐reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) after pancreatic resection.

Methods

One‐hundred and thirty‐six PDA patients who underwent pancreatic resection between January 2005 and June 2017 were retrospectively enrolled. Preoperative inflammation‐based scores including CAR, modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) were evaluated as potential predictor of overall survival (OS) using Cox regression models. An optimal cutoff value for the continuous variable was estimated by receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

Patients were categorized by CAR using a cutoff value of 0.09. High CAR was associated with advanced stage, increased mGPS and decreased LMR and PNI, but not with other factors such as tumor location, preoperative biliary drainage or preoperative chemotherapy. In univariate analysis, patients with high CAR had poor OS compared with those with low CAR (P = 0.01). Multivariate analysis indicated that high CAR was an independent predictor of poor OS (P = 0.03) in addition to advanced stage and residual tumors. The predictive ability of CAR evaluated by area under the ROC curve was consistently higher than that of other inflammation‐based factors.

Conclusion

Preoperative CAR was an independent and superior predictor of survival after pancreatic resection in patients with PDA.

[Correction added on 17 January 2019, after first online publication: In Conclusion, “in” has been corrected to “independent” for clarity.]
Intimate ethnography and the anthropological imagination:
Authors: WATERSTON ALISSE
Published: January 2019

Intimate ethnography is work of the anthropological imagination that models dialectical thinking in its approach to people, topics, and analysis. Rooted in particular intellectual, cultural, political, and anthropological currents, intimate ethnography comes when the need to engage larger publics in rethinking and recounting lives lived and experienced is increasingly urgent. An example of such work,My Father's Wars, centers an intimate Other as the subject of my research, a transnational life story in the context of historically constituted violence. Intimate ethnography illustrates feminist ethnography and illuminates the dangers of ethnonationalism; requires the crafting of an evocative, compelling account through the writing itself; and offers the possibility of an afterlife for anthropological work in the public sphere and thus of anthropology as an intervention in public discourse. [dialectics,intimate ethnography,violence,feminism,transnational history,political economy,public anthropology]
The association of early postoperative desaturation in the operating theatre with hospital discharge to a skilled nursing or long‐term care facility
Authors: Rostin P. , Teja B. J. , Friedrich S. , Shaefi S. , Murugappan K. R. , Ramachandran S. K. , Houle T. T. , Eikermann M.
Published: January 2019

It is unclear which criteria should be used to define readiness for tracheal extubation in the operating theatre. We studied the effects of desaturation in the operating theatre immediately after tracheal extubation on long‐term outcomes. Performing a pre‐specified, retrospective analysis of 71,025 cases involving previously independent adults undergoing non‐cardiac surgery, we evaluated the association between desaturation events (oxygen saturation < 90%) within 10 min of tracheal extubation and adverse discharge (to a skilled nursing facility or long‐term care facility). A total of 404 (12.3%) cases with, and 5035 (7.4%) cases without, early postoperative desaturation had an adverse discharge. Early postoperative desaturation was associated with higher odds of being discharged to a nursing facility (adjusted odds ratio 1.36 (95%CI 1.20–1.54); p < 0.001). Increased duration of desaturation augmented the effect (p for trend < 0.001). Desaturation was associated with a higher risk of respiratory, renal and cardiovascular complications as well as increased duration of hospital stay, postoperative intensive care unit admission frequency and cost. Several modifiable factors were associated with desaturation including: high intra‐operative long‐acting opioid administration; high neostigmine dose; high intra‐operative inspired oxygen concentration; and low oxygen delivery immediately before tracheal extubation. There was substantial provider variability between anaesthetists in the incidence of postoperative desaturation unexplained by patient‐ and procedure‐related factors. Early postoperative desaturation is a potentially preventable complication associated with a higher risk of adverse discharge disposition. Anaesthetists may consider developing guidelines to define tracheal extubation readiness that contain postoperative desaturation as an adverse outcome after tracheal extubation.
‘Not All That Is White Is Lime’—White Substances from Archaeological Burial Contexts: Analyses and Interpretations
Authors: Schotsmans E. M. J. , Toksoy‐Köksal F. , Brettell R. C. , Bessou M. , Corbineau R. , Lingle A. M. , Bouquin D. , Blanchard P. , Becker K. , Castex D. , Knüsel C. J. , Wilson A. S. , Chapoulie R.
Published: January 2019

Archaeological burial contexts may include a variety of white substances, but few analyses have been published. This study reports on the physico‐chemical characterization of such residues from seven archaeological sites. It is often assumed that white materials from burial contexts are lime. Our findings demonstrate that they can be gypsum, calcite (chalk), aragonite, brushite, degraded metal, natural (gum) resins or synthetic polymer–based products. These may be present as the result of diagenetic processes, funerary practices or modern contamination. This paper provides an analytical approach for the holistic investigation of white materials encountered in burial contexts.
Transmittance Analysis for the Translucent White Porcelain of the Xing Kiln, China
Authors: Wang W. X. , Chen Y. , Zhang Z. Z. , Wang C. S.
Published: January 2019

The Xing kiln, which is located in Xingtai, Hebei Province, is famous for white porcelain production, especially translucent white porcelain. However, the translucency, as the most important characteristic of translucent white porcelain, is rarely mentioned. In this study, eight samples including translucent white porcelain and non‐translucent white porcelain excavated from the Xing kiln are quantitatively analysed by a transmittance tester. The study points out the defects of the previous concept of translucent white porcelain based on light transmittance and proposes a new definition based on translucency. Translucent white porcelain is not deliberately thinned fine white porcelain, but a special kind of fine white porcelain with a body of excellent translucency. Further analysis reveals that all transmittance values of translucent white porcelain are more than 0.01% with a body thickness less than 6 cm, which is higher than that of non‐translucent white porcelain by about one or two orders of magnitude. The absorption coefficient for translucent white porcelain is close to −0.82, while that for non‐translucent white porcelain is much closer to −1.87. This research will serve to further studies on subjects such as the classification, colouring mechanism and firing technology of the translucent white porcelain of the Xing kiln. Moreover, it is expected to set a new stage for discussing the translucency of ancient porcelain.
Imagination links with schizotypal beliefs, not with creativity or learning
Authors: von Stumm Sophie , Scott Hannah
Published: January 2019

Imagination refers to creating mental representations of concepts, ideas, and sensations that are not contemporaneously perceived by the senses. Although it is key to human individuality, research on imagination is scarce. To address this gap, we developed here a new psychometric test to assess individual differences in imagination and explored the role of imagination for learning, creativity, and schizotypal beliefs. In a laboratory‐based (N = 180) and an online study (N = 128), we found that imagination is only weakly associated with learning achievement and creativity, accounting for 2–8% of the variance. By contrast, imagination accounted for 22.5% of the variance in schizotypal beliefs, suggesting overall that imagination may be more indicative of cognitive eccentricities rather than benefit the accumulation of knowledge or production of novel and useful ideas.
Do helminth infections underpin urban‐rural differences in risk factors for allergy‐related outcomes?
Authors: Nkurunungi Gyaviira , Lubyayi Lawrence , Versteeg Serge A. , Sanya Richard E. , Nassuuna Jacent , Kabagenyi Joyce , Kabuubi Prossy N. , Tumusiime Josephine , Zziwa Christopher , Kizindo Robert , Niwagaba Emmanuel , Nanyunja Carol , Nampijja Margaret , Mpairwe Harriet , Yazdanbakhsh Maria , van Ree Ronald , Webb Emily L. , Elliott Alison M.
Published: January 2019

Background

It is proposed that helminth exposure protects against allergy‐related disease, by mechanisms that include disconnecting risk factors (such as atopy) from effector responses.

Objective

We aimed to assess how helminth exposure influences rural‐urban differences in risk factors for allergy‐related outcomes in tropical low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Methods

In cross‐sectional surveys in Ugandan rural Schistosoma mansoni (Sm)‐endemic islands, and in nearby mainland urban communities with lower helminth exposure, we assessed risk factors for atopy (allergen‐specific skin prick test [SPT] reactivity and IgE [asIgE] sensitization) and clinical allergy‐related outcomes (wheeze, urticaria, rhinitis and visible flexural dermatitis), and effect modification by Sm exposure.

Results

Dermatitis and SPT reactivity were more prevalent among urban participants, urticaria and asIgE sensitization among rural participants. Pairwise associations between clinical outcomes, and between atopy and clinical outcomes, were stronger in the urban survey. In the rural survey, SPT positivity was inversely associated with bathing in lakewater, Schistosoma‐specific IgG4 and Sm infection. In the urban survey, SPT positivity was positively associated with age, non‐Ugandan maternal tribe, being born in a city/town, BCG scar and light Sm infection. Setting (rural vs urban) was an effect modifier for risk factors including Sm‐ and Schistosoma‐specific IgG4. In both surveys, the dominant risk factors for asIgE sensitization were Schistosoma‐specific antibody levels and helminth infections. Handwashing and recent malaria treatment reduced odds of asIgE sensitization among rural but not urban participants. Risk factors for clinical outcomes also differed by setting. Despite suggestive trends, we did not find sufficient evidence to conclude that helminth (Sm) exposure explained rural‐urban differences in risk factors.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Risk factors for allergy‐related outcomes differ between rural and urban communities in Uganda but helminth exposure is unlikely to be the sole mechanism of the observed effect modification between the two settings. Other environmental exposures may contribute significantly.
Fetal phenotype of Rubinstein‐Taybi syndrome caused by CREBBP mutations
Authors: Van‐Gils Julien , Naudion Sophie , Toutain Jérôme , Lancelot Gwenaelle , Attié‐Bitach Tania , Blesson Sophie , Demeer Bénédicte , Doray Bérénice , Gonzales Marie , Martinovic Jelena , Whalen Sandra , Taine Laurence , Arveiler Benoit , Lacombe Didier , Fergelot Patricia
Published: January 2019

Rubinstein‐Taybi syndrome (RSTS; OMIM 180849) is an autosomal dominant developmental disorder characterized by facial dysmorphism, broad thumbs and halluces associated with intellectual disability. RSTS is caused by alterations in CREBBP (about 60%) and EP300 genes (8%). RSTS is often diagnosed at birth or during early childhood but generally not suspected during antenatal period. We report nine cases of well‐documented fetal RSTS. Two cases were examined after death in utero at 18 and 35 weeks of gestation and seven cases after identification of ultrasound abnormalities and termination of pregnancy. On prenatal sonography, a large gallbladder was detected in two cases, and brain malformations were noted in four cases, especially cerebellar hypoplasia. However, the diagnosis of RSTS has not been suggested during pregnancy. Fetal autopsy showed that all fetuses had large thumbs and/or suggestive facial dysmorphism. A CREBBP gene anomaly was identified in all cases. Alterations were similar to those found in typical RSTS children. This report will contribute to a better knowledge of the fetal phenotype to consider the hypothesis of RSTS during pregnancy. Genotyping allows reassuring genetic counseling.
Clinical and histopathologic study of 39 patients with imported tungiasis
Authors: Nazzaro Gianluca , Genovese Giovanni , Veraldi Stefano
Published: January 2019

Background

Tungiasis is an infestation caused by the penetration into the skin of the flea Tunga penetrans. Histopathologic studies on imported tungiasis are rare and based on a limited number of cases.

Methods

We carried out a review of 39 biopsy specimens collected from 39 patients with imported tungiasis. In all patients, ethnicity, gender, age, location, and clinical features of the lesions, Fortaleza classification and countries of infestation were recorded.

Results

Histopathologic study revealed hyper‐ parakeratosis and acanthosis. Fragments of the flea were located in the epidermis and upper dermis and were circumscribed by a pseudo‐cystic cavity. Inside this cavity, we observed: the exoskeleton, made up of a thickened and eosinophilic cuticle; the striated muscle; the tracheal rings and the digestive organs (observed only in some specimens); the ovaries, very rich in eggs, and an inflammatory infiltrate, made up of lymphocytes and neutrophils, with numerous eosinophils. The hypodermic layer was never observed.

Conclusion

Histopathologic examination is helpful for the correct diagnosis of tungiasis in travelers returning from tropical and subtropical countries in which the infestation may be characterized by an atypical clinical presentation.
Tufted‐angioma‐like lesion associated with vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin‐6 in TAFRO syndrome: Is it a common histological feature of multicentric Castleman disease/POEMS syndrome?
Authors: Fujita Kumi , Hatta Kazuhiro
Published: January 2019

The histology of skin lesions of TAFRO (thrombocytopenia, anasarca, reticulin fibrosis/renal failure, and organomegaly) syndrome has rarely been reported. We report herein two cases of TAFRO syndrome with characteristic vascular skin lesions. The lesions resembled a tufted angioma, although those of case 1 partially resembled a glomeruloid hemangioma, which was known as a specific lesion in POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M‐protein and skin changes), a variant of multicentric Castleman disease (MCD). The high titer of serum vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin‐6 could explain common characteristic vascular lesions in both TAFRO syndrome and POEMS syndrome/MCD.
Multiple facial plaque variant of trichoblastoma
Authors: Requena Celia , Requena Luis , Kazakov Dmitry V. , Traves Victor , Nagore Eduardo , Llombart Beatriz , Serra Carlos , Guillén Carlos , Sanmartín Onofre
Published: January 2019

Background

The plaque variant of trichoblastoma has been described as a solitary tumor with diffuse infiltration of the lower dermis and hypodermis, with poorly defined borders. Herein, we report a new variant of multiple centrofacial trichoblastoma.

Object

To describe clinical and pathological features of a new multiple kind of plaque variant of centrofacial trichoblastoma.

Methods

Case series of patients with a multiple‐plaque variant of centrofacial trichoblastoma treated in our department between 2005 and 2017. We identified eight patients with the centrofacial plaque variant of trichoblastoma treated in our department from 2005 to 2017.

Results

The final study sample comprised 13 trichoblastomas from four patients. All patients also developed at least one basal cell carcinoma. Mohs surgery was the method of treatment in the majority of the cases of trichoblastoma and in all the cases of basal cell carcinoma. We needed between 2 and 6 stages to obtain free margins in our cases of facial plaque trichoblastomas treated by Mohs surgery.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, a multiple‐plaque variant of trichoblastoma has not been described in the literature. We suggest a genetic origin of this variant of trichoblastoma and describe its remarkable infiltrative nature, with poorly defined surgical margins.
Integrating climate and land‐use change scenarios in modelling the future spread of invasive squirrels in Italy
Authors: Di Febbraro Mirko , Menchetti Mattia , Russo Danilo , Ancillotto Leonardo , Aloise Gaetano , Roscioni Federica , Preatoni Damiano G. , Loy Anna , Martinoli Adriano , Bertolino Sandro , Mori Emiliano
Published: January 2019

Aim

The establishment and spread of invasive alien species may be influenced by several mutually interacting factors, whose understanding is paramount to develop effective biosecurity policies. However, studies focused on modelling spatially explicit patterns of future invasion risk have so far focused on species response to climate change impacts, while land‐use change has been neglected. We investigated how the interplay between climate and land‐use change could affect the future potential distribution and dispersal corridors of four alien squirrels introduced to Europe (Sciurus carolinensis, Callosciurus finlaysonii, Callosciurus erythraeus and Eutamias sibiricus).

Location and Methods

Our study was conducted in Italy. We used Species Distribution Models and circuit theory methods to test whether future scenarios based only on climate change predict a different effect on range and connectivity of alien squirrel populations, compared to scenarios that include both climate and land‐use changes.

Results

Scenarios based only on climate change predicted a range increase and a high geographic stability (>50%) for most species, with different, yet limited, effects on connectivity corridors. Conversely, scenarios based on both climate and land‐use change showed a loss in range extent and a low geographic stability (<50%) of both range and dispersal corridors for most species.

Main conclusions

Scenarios considering both climate and land‐use change provide predictions on invasion risk that overturn those including only climate change. The effect of global warming alone would lead to a considerable range expansion of all species. Conversely, when land‐use change is added, a potential loss in suitable habitat and dispersal corridors is predicted for alien squirrels, hence limiting their range expansion. We recommend using multiple drivers in models to obtain reliable predictions for implementing biosecurity policies related to invasive alien species.
Training and evaluation of professors of dentistry in postgraduate programmes in Brazil
Authors: Baltazar Mariângela Monteiro de Melo , Bastos Carmen Célia Barradas Correia , Gabardo Marilisa Carneiro Leão , Flôres Luiz Carlos Py , Werneck Renata Iani , Moysés Simone Tetu , Moysés Samuel Jorge
Published: January 2019

Introduction

In Brazil, the undergraduate dental education still remains fragmented and dissociated from its social context, with emphasis on the individualistic and private aspects of dental health. This study aimed to analyze the training and development of university professors of dentistry in stricto sensu postgraduate programs in Brazil.

Materials and methods

Delphi electronic methodology was used within a qualitative‐quantitative design to gather data from a panel of 58 experts. Discussions representing the analytic axis focused on: (i) the evaluative processes of higher education, in particular stricto sensu postgraduate programs, and their influence on academic activities in undergraduate dentistry courses and (ii) policies for training and developing university professors.

Results

Of the experts, 30 participated in the first round, 24 in the second, and 19 in the third. They considered the training of university professors in dentistry to be highly specialized and technologically focused and indicated the review of political‐pedagogic aspects of the educational sphere, as well as the social, economic, cultural, epidemiologic, and professional aspects of training and preparation prescribed by the National Curricular Guides for graduate courses in dentistry. An adequate process of evaluating the official organs and regulators of postgraduate stricto sensu programs, as well the programs themselves, should be implemented.

Conclusion

The experts stated that changes to the university teaching system are necessary, even in the field of dentistry. Mechanisms for evaluating areas and professors were inadequate, and the training was overly specialized and not consistent with the social reality of the country.
Encoding of kinetic and kinematic movement parameters in the sensorimotor cortex: A Brain‐Computer Interface perspective
Authors: Branco Mariana P. , de Boer Lisanne M. , Ramsey Nick F. , Vansteensel Mariska J.
Published: January 2019

For severely paralyzed people, Brain‐Computer Interfaces (BCIs) can potentially replace lost motor output and provide a brain‐based control signal for augmentative and alternative communication devices or neuroprosthetics. Many BCIs focus on neuronal signals acquired from the hand area of the sensorimotor cortex, employing changes in the patterns of neuronal firing or spectral power associated with one or more types of hand movement. Hand and finger movement can be described by two groups of movement features, namely kinematics (spatial and motion aspects) and kinetics (muscles and forces). Despite extensive primate and human research, it is not fully understood how these features are represented in the SMC and how they lead to the appropriate movement. Yet, the available information may provide insight into which features are most suitable for BCI control. To that purpose, the current paper provides an in‐depth review on the movement features encoded in the SMC. Even though there is no consensus on how exactly the SMC generates movement, we conclude that some parameters are well represented in the SMC and can be accurately used for BCI control with discrete as well as continuous feedback. However, the vast evidence also suggests that movement should be interpreted as a combination of multiple parameters rather than isolated ones, pleading for further exploration of sensorimotor control models for accurate BCI control.
The ammonium transporter AmtB and the PII signal transduction protein GlnZ are required to inhibit DraG in Azospirillum brasilense
Authors: Moure Vivian R. , Siöberg Catrine L. B. , Valdameri Glaucio , Nji Emmanuel , Oliveira Marco Aurelio S. , Gerdhardt Edileusa C. M. , Pedrosa Fabio O. , Mitchell David A. , Seefeldt Lance C. , Huergo Luciano F. , Högbom Martin , Nordlund Stefan , Souza Emanuel M.
Published: January 2019

The ammonium‐dependent posttranslational regulation of nitrogenase activity in Azospirillum brasilense requires dinitrogenase reductase ADP‐ribosyl transferase (DraT) and dinitrogenase reductase ADP‐glycohydrolase (DraG). These enzymes are reciprocally regulated by interaction with the PII proteins, GlnB and GlnZ. In this study, purified ADP‐ribosylated Fe‐protein was used as substrate to study the mechanism involved in the regulation of A. brasilense DraG in vitro. The data show that DraG is partially inhibited by GlnZ and that DraG inhibition is further enhanced by the simultaneous presence of GlnZ and AmtB. These results are the first to demonstrate experimentally that DraG inactivation requires the formation of a ternary DraG‐GlnZ‐AmtB complex in vitro. Previous structural data have revealed that when the DraG‐GlnZ complex associates with AmtB, the flexible T‐loops of the trimeric GlnZ bind to AmtB and become rigid; these molecular events stabilize the DraG‐GlnZ complex, resulting in DraG inactivation. To determine whether restraining the flexibility of the GlnZ T‐loops is a limiting factor in DraG inhibition, we used a GlnZ variant that carries a partial deletion of the T‐loop (GlnZΔ42‐54). However, although the GlnZΔ42‐54 variant was more effective in inhibiting DraG in vitro, it bound to DraG with a slightly lower affinity than does wild‐type GlnZ and was not competent to completely inhibit DraG activity either in vitro or in vivo. We, therefore, conclude that the formation of a ternary complex between DraG‐GlnZ‐AmtB is necessary for the inactivation of DraG.
Widespread alterations in the peripheral blood innate immune cell profile in cystic fibrosis reflect lung pathology
Authors: Mulcahy Emily M , Cooley Margaret A , McGuire Helen , Asad Suzanne , Fazekas de St Groth Barbara , Beggs Sean A , Roddam Louise F
Published: January 2019

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations to the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. CFTR is known to be expressed on multiple immune cell subtypes, dendritic cells, monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes. We hypothesized that the lack of CFTR expression on peripheral blood innate immune cells would result in an altered cell profile in the periphery and that this profile would reflect lung pathology. We performed a flow cytometric phenotypic investigation of innate immune cell proportions in peripheral blood collected from 17 CF patients and 15 age‐matched healthy controls. We observed significant differences between CF patients and controls in the relative proportions of natural killer (NK) cells, monocytes and their subsets, with significant correlations observed between proportions of NK and monocyte cell subsets and lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 sec, % predicted; FEV1% predicted) in CF patients. This study demonstrates the widespread nature of immune dysregulation in CF and provides a basis for identification of potential therapeutic targets. Modulation of the distinct CF‐related immune cell phenotype identified could also be an important biomarker for evaluating CFTR‐targeted drug efficacy.
In vitro‐generated MART‐1‐specific CD8 T cells display a broader T‐cell receptor repertoire than ex vivo naïve and tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes
Authors: Benveniste Patricia M , Nakatsugawa Munehide , Nguyen Linh , Ohashi Pamela S , Hirano Naoto , Zúñiga‐Pflücker Juan Carlos
Published: January 2019

The differentiation of human hematopoietic stem cells into CD8 T cells can be achieved in vitro with the OP9‐DL4 system. We considered that in the absence of medullary thymic epithelial cells, which serve to restrict the breath of the T‐cell receptor (TCR) repertoire by expressing tissue‐restricted antigens, a distinct repertoire would be generated in vitro. To test this notion, we compared the TCR‐Vα/Vβ (TRAV/TRBV) gene usage of major histocompatibility complex‐restricted antigen (MART‐1)‐specific T cells generated in vitro to that from ex vivo naïve T cells and tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) using high‐throughput DNA sequencing. In contrast to naïve T cells and TILs, which showed the expected narrow TRAV repertoire, in vitro‐generated MART‐1‐specific T cells used almost all TRAV gene families and displayed unique CDR3 lengths. Our work demonstrates that the OP9‐DL4 system supports the creation of a broad antigen‐specific TCR repertoire, suggesting that T cells generated in vitro may undergo a different set of selection events that otherwise constrains the TCR repertoire of thymus‐derived T cells.
Natural killer cell transcriptional control, subsets, receptors and effector function
Authors: Altmann Daniel M.
Published: January 2019

There have been considerable advances in characterization of the complexities of natural killer (NK) cell ligand recognition, activation, subsets and effector functions. The nature of the transcription factors that act to define distinctive functional programmes of NK cell subsets are now starting to be clarified as a consequence of studies in knockouts. Importantly, this is being extended to improved understanding of the nature of NK cell memory. As NK cell biology offers increasing resonance with analogous pathways in CD8 biology, some have made the case that immunology may sometimes benefit from a little less conceptual ‘splitting’ and a little more conceptual ‘lumping.’
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for adults with intellectual disabilities: Process issues from an acceptability study
Authors: Unwin Gemma , Willott Sara , Hendrickson Stacey , Stenfert Kroese Biza
Published: January 2019

Background

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is recommended for post‐traumatic stress disorder and emerging evidence indicates that it is effective for people with intellectual disabilities. However, acceptability from the perspectives of clients with intellectual disabilities, their therapists and other key people has not been formally evaluated. This study investigates process issues in the implementation of EMDR from perspectives of multiple stakeholders.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with two adults with intellectual disabilities and three clinical psychologists who had participated in EMDR as well as a key supporter (N = 6) to provide information relating to three cases. The interviews were analysed thematically either directly from the audio recording or from transcripts.

Results

Five themes were identified: EMDR feels very different; EMDR is a technical process; the need to work with the present; talking is important; cautious optimism.

Conclusions

Whilst a range of client‐ and therapist‐related factors served as barriers to using EMDR in this small‐scale study, such as preferences in working with the present and inexperienced therapists, there was cautious optimism that EMDR may be useful for “the right person at the right time.”.