bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards viral systems thinking: a cross-cultural study of sustainable tourism ads
Authors: Batat Wided , Prentovic Sonja
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– In the postmodern consumer society, factors such as sustainability, responsible behaviour and digital environment have direct consequences on rethinking sustainable tourism promotion through 2.0 communication policy embedded within a specific cultural context. The aim of this research is to analyse and discuss the application of 2.0 systems thinking (ST) in three countries (France, UK and Serbia) to promote sustainable tourism thinking.

Design/methodology/approach

– Online tourism ads available on YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion, related to the cultural contexts of the UK, France and Serbia, have been analysed through a qualitative approach based on the use of visual methods. Furthermore, sustainable tourism dimensions and discourses have been identified in each context by applying intra- and intertextual analysis.

Findings

– The results show that the use of 2.0 ST to promote sustainable tourism should take into account environmental and socio-cultural issues in each cultural context. These findings show that both the UK and France promote sustainable tourism logic through applying a 2.0 ST. This is not the case with Serbia where online sustainable tourism videos are underrepresented and the online content is different from the one in the UK and France.

Research limitations/implications

– This research might help tourism researchers and professionals to understand cultural differences when promoting sustainable tourism through a 2.0 communication and online videos. The results show that tourism system has to be considered as a complex and a dynamic framework where intense interlinking of social media with political, cultural, promotional, and organizational aspects of tourism systems in different countries is present.

Practical implications

– The proposed framework in this study represents a tool that will enable tourism professionals to improve their sustainable tourism communication, especially the environmental and socio-cultural dimensions when considering a 2.0 communication approach.

Originality/value

– The original aspect of this research is related to the analysis of interactive videos in tourism studies and to the introduction of a new framework based on 2.0 ST, used to promote sustainable tourism in a cross-cultural context.
Building a model of researching the sustainable entrepreneurship in the tourism sector
Authors: Crnogaj Katja , Rebernik Miroslav , Bradac Hojnik Barbara , Omerzel Gomezelj Doris
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The tourism sector is heavily dependent on entrepreneurship and cannot survive in the long run if it is not both sustainable and entrepreneurial at the same time; these three areas – entrepreneurship, sustainability, and tourism – are rarely linked in research and are not reflected in appropriate policy-making measures. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual multilevel model that will provide a requisitely holistic means for studying sustainable entrepreneurship in the tourism sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the process of developing a model, the authors took into account the principle of requisite variety and considered various dimensions related to sustainable entrepreneurship implicated at three levels of analysis – namely, individual (entrepreneur), organizational (SME), and national/regional (tourism destination).

Findings

– The proposed model provides systemic and systematic views on sustainable entrepreneurship in the tourism sector and contains various levels of analysis. The holistic framework for studying sustainable entrepreneurship in the tourism helps highlight influential elements from an economics point of view as well as their measurable and internationally comparable outcomes.

Originality/value

– The suggested model represents an initial step toward the measurement of sustainable entrepreneurship in tourism at various levels, thereby making a valuable contribution to future research designs seeking to evaluate the benefits of sustainable entrepreneurship. The paper provides an important foundation for evidence-based policy making with the aim of fostering requisitely holistic behavior and innovative, responsible, and sustainable entrepreneurship practices in the tourism sector.
Education for responsible persons, tourists and hosts through knowledge of neighbouring countries' languages in cross-border areas
Authors: Brumen Mihaela , Cagran Branka , Mulej Matjaž
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The presented study aims to address the subject of educating youngsters in cross-border regions to be responsible persons, tourists, hosts and neighbours, to accept cultural pluralism, and to raise awareness that knowledge of neighbouring countries' languages supports cross-border cooperation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach double-checked theory and legal regulation, and children's knowledge of neighbouring countries' (Slovenia, Hungary, Austria, and Croatia) languages was empirically researched. Indirectly, parental attitudes were examined. The study focused on Slovene and Hungarian languages and on their trans-border (or: cross-border) tourism as a cultural rather than economic topic.

Findings

– Cross-border tourism depends also on mutual understanding as a precondition of ethics of interdependence as a precondition of the requisite holism of one's approach via social responsibility enabling the well-being of both tourists and hosts. The socio-linguistic and socio-cultural aspects of neighbouring regions, e.g. Slovenia's Prekmurje and Hungary's Örseg, can support positive interaction between ethnic groups and enhance effective cross-border collaboration, including tourism. Poor knowledge of neighbouring countries' languages submits communities to third languages and hinders these trans-border experiences, making the regions a shared destiny maintaining their cultures, languages and identity. Language learning therefore must start at the earliest possible age.

Originality/value

– This case study advocates cross-border educational and cultural policy that (primary) schools should increase the awareness of the dependence of cross-border peace, positive stereotypes, economies and tourism on knowledge of neighbouring countries' languages and socially responsible (young/future) persons, tourists and hosts.
Development controls in the Offinso South municipality, Ghana
Authors: Addai Boamah Nicholas
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the system of development controls in the Offinso South municipality. It investigates the challenges to the development control regime.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reviews the land use regulation system in the municipality. The municipality was clustered into four for data collection. Eight neighbourhoods (two from each cluster) were selected from the municipality for the study. In all, 15 properties were sampled via purposive sampling techniques from each of the selected neighbourhoods for data gathering. Self-administered questionnaires were relied on to gather data from the 120 respondents. The property owners were the unit of enquiry.

Findings

– The paper finds that socio-cultural factors, delays in the planning approval process, negative public perceptions about the planning process and planning officials, lack of official support to developers in curing identified defects in their proposed developments, and unrealistic building regulations are partly responsible for the large-scale violations of development controls in the municipality.

Practical implications

– It is noted that the planning authority should focus more on strategies that will facilitate voluntary compliance and less on enforcement. It also notes the need for a review of the building regulations and the purging of the planning system from negative public perceptions and processing delays.

Originality/value

– The paper identifies the constraints on the Ghanaian development controls regime.
Shadowing and Consensus Building: a golden bridge
Authors: Sclavi Marianella
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Much of what the author want to say in this paper had to do with “control” “exactness,” “precision” and their declination in both: shadowing and Consensus Building Approach. The purpose of this paper is to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper upholds two things: first, that shadowing is a field technique particularly attuned to action research as defined by Chris Argyris: “I would summarize [action-research and action-science] by saying that Kurt Lewin did three things: he was committed to understanding reality as the participants understood it, he used a combination of so-called ‘normal’ science with a narrative-integrative approach, and he tested his ideas by trying to change the things that he was studying.”

Findings

– Second, that the results of such a research are best understood by the organization's management when the interpretation and decision process follow an approach based on active listening and an inclusive participatory methodology such as Consensus Building.

Originality/value

– When this does not happen, the shadowing methodology allows a very rich research experience with no real impact on the organization's life.
Shadowing research in organizations: the methodological debates
Authors: McDonald Seonaidh , Simpson Barbara
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide some context for the special issue and to introduce the collection of invited commentaries and research papers that follow. It also sets out to clarify the contribution that shadowing methods can make to the study of organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is done by briefly outlining the ways in which shadowing methods have developed in parallel within a number of disciplines. In order to tackle the question of why this has happened, a grounded approach is taken which centres on data excerpts generated by a shadowing method and three of its closest methodological neighbours: interviews, observation and participant observation. The paper further develops this analysis through the presentation of a set of illustrative analogies which use the idea of the researcher's gaze as a beam of light.

Findings

– Similarities and differences between shadowing, interviews, observation and participant observation are identified, which support the articulation of shadowing as a family of following methods.

Research limitations/implications

– Taken together, the contributions from the invited commentaries and research papers, suggest a number of ways in which the debate surrounding shadowing research in organizations needs to be developed going forward.

Originality/value

– The reflexive, comparative methodological approach taken here provides for the first time a systematic comparison of shadowing in relation to other common qualitative data elicitation methods. Further, the development of a critique of the extant literature on shadowing provides a basis on which to progress the field, both in terms of shadowing practices themselves and writing about them within disciplines and across the research methods literature.
Not for the faint of heart
Authors: Urban Ann-Marie , Quinlan Elizabeth
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to share two researcher's experience about the challenges associated with shadowing within the health care context.

Design/methodology/approach

– Institutional ethnography and shadowing.

Findings

– Shadowing is increasingly being used as a data collection method, however, before proceeding to use this approach in today's health care environment, the researcher must give thoughtful consideration to the context.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a reflexive elaboration of the differences between the insider and outsider perspective when using the shadowing data collection method within health care organizations.
Sustainable integrity: how reverse auctions can benefit suppliers in emerging markets
Authors: G. Hawkins Timothy , S. Randall Wesley , V. Coyne Adam , H. Baitalmal Mohammad
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The growth of international business persists, particularly in emerging economies. Business in these developing nations is heavily influenced by national culture. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, buyer-supplier relationships are often negatively influenced by “wasta” – a term associated with power, influence, connection and corruption. Technology-enhanced business processes diffuse as globalization increases. The purpose of this research was to explore whether and, if so, how electronic reverse auction (e-RA) use might be effective in a MENA national culture.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use a case study method based on data collected from 13 interviews with supply chain members extending beyond the dyad to explain: why Middle Eastern bidders participated in an e-RA; the nature of a unique phenomenon in Middle Eastern culture called wasta; and (3) how wasta, e-RA use, and procurement integrity interact in a sustainable way.

Findings

– This case study extends knowledge in the area of global supply chain management by identifying new opportunities and providing a mechanism to ameliorate risks. It demonstrated that e-RAs can ameliorate some of the deleterious effects of wasta by increasing transparency and procedural fairness associated with MENA-based buyer-supplier relationships.

Originality/value

– E-RAs have been criticized as being unfair to suppliers. This study unveils cultural idiosyncrasies where e-RAs overcome a moral hazard associated with MENA buyer-supplier relationships and become a supplier's favored sourcing medium. As economic growth in MENA is expected to outpace all other regions, this study has implications for understanding how regionally specific cultural variables impact B2B sourcing strategy adoption and outcomes.
Application of Micro‐Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to Ink Examination in Signatures Written with Ballpoint Pen on Questioned Documents
Authors: Nam Yun Sik , Park Jin Sook , Lee Yeonhee , Lee Kang‐Bong
Published: March 2014

Questioned documents examined in a forensic laboratory sometimes contain signatures written with ballpoint pen inks; these signatures were examined to assess the feasibility of micro‐attenuated total reflectance (ATR) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as a forensic tool. Micro‐ATR FTIR spectra for signatures written with 63 ballpoint pens available commercially in Korea were obtained and used to construct an FTIR spectral database. A library‐searching program was utilized to identify the manufacturer, blend, and model of each black ballpoint pen ink based upon their FTIR peak intensities, positions, and patterns in the spectral database. This FTIR technique was also successfully used in determining the sequence of homogeneous line intersections from the crossing lines of two ballpoint pen signatures. We have demonstrated with a set of sample documents that micro‐ATR FTIR is a viable nondestructive analytical method that can be used to identify the origin of the ballpoint pen ink used to mark signatures.
Optimization of Human mtDNA Control Region Sequencing for Forensic Applications
Authors: Bourdon Véronique , Ng Carolyn , Harris Jessica , Prinz Mechthild , Shapiro Eli
Published: March 2014

Sequencing mitochondrial DNA hypervariable regions I and II (HVI and HVII) is useful in forensic missing person and unidentified remains cases. Improvements in ease and sensitivity of testing will yield results from more samples in a timely fashion. Routinely, amplification of HVI and HVII is followed by Sanger sequencing using the BigDye® Terminator v3.1 Cycle Sequencing kit (Applied Biosystems) using 4 μL of ready reaction mix (RRM). Each sequencing reaction is then purified through column filtration before capillary electrophoresis. Using lower amounts of RRM (2 μL or 1 μL) and purification using BigDye® XTerminator™ (Applied Biosystems) instead of columns showed no loss of sequence length and increased the quality and the sensitivity of testing, allowing HVI and HVII typing from mitochondrial genome equivalent to 125 fg of nuclear DNA, or 100 pg of HVI/HVII amplicons. Using this methodology, testing can be completed in 1 day, and the cost of testing is reduced.
Detection of Denatonium Benzoate (Bitrex) Remnants in Noncommercial Alcoholic Beverages by Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Kwiatkowski Andrzej , Czerwicka Małgorzata , Smulko Janusz , Stepnowski Piotr
Published: March 2014

Illegal alcoholic beverages are often introduced into market using cheap technical alcohol, which is contaminated by denatonium benzoate (Bitrex) of very small concentration. Bitrex is the most bitter chemical compound and has to be removed before alcohol consumption. The home‐made methods utilize sodium hypochlorite to disintegrate particles of denatonium benzoate in alcohol and to remove bitter taste before trading. In this experimental studies, we propose a novel method that detects in a fast way the remnants of denatonium benzoate in dubious alcohol samples by Raman spectroscopy. This method applies a portable Raman spectrometer of excitation wavelength 785 nm and utilizes the effect of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to recognize the suspected alcoholic beverages. High effectiveness (over 98%) of YES/NO classification of the investigated samples was observed when the nonlinear algorithm support vector machine (SVM) was exploited at carefully adjusted detection parameters. The method can identify illicit alcohol within minutes.
The direct and indirect impact of employee benefits on firm performance in China
Authors: Lin Zhaohong , Yao Xing , Zhao Zhe
Published: March 2014

Based upon social exchange theory, this paper investigates the relationship between employee benefits and firm performance by studying 324 firms of different ownership forms in China. The research proposes three benefit dimensions which are confirmed by the results of factor analysis. In addition, this research finds that a combined employee benefit system produces significant associations with overall firm performance and that the strength of the relationship is mediated by attitudinal and behavioral outcomes, which are generated from a psychological consequence of employees. This paper contributes to the knowledge on the value of employee benefits and has important implications for organizational practices.
Modeling the Fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica in the Agricultural Environment: Current Perspective
Authors: Ongeng Duncan , Haberbeck Leticia U. , Mauriello Gianluigi , Ryckeboer Jaak , Springael Dirk , Geeraerd Annemie H.
Published: March 2014

The significance of fresh vegetable consumption on human nutrition and health is well recognized. Human infections with Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica linked to fresh vegetable consumption have become a serious public health problem inflicting a heavy economic burden. The use of contaminated livestock wastes such as manure and manure slurry in crop production is believed to be one of the principal routes of fresh vegetable contamination with E. coli O157:H7 and S. enterica at preharvest stage because both ruminant and nonruminant livestock are known carriers of E. coli O157:H7 and S. enterica in the environment. A number of challenge‐testing studies have examined the fate of E. coli O157:H7 and S. enterica in the agricultural environment with the view of designing strategies for controlling vegetable contamination preharvest. In this review, we examined the mathematical modeling approaches that have been used to study the behavior of E. coli O157:H7 and S. enterica in the manure, manure‐amended soil, and in manure‐amended soil–plant ecosystem during cultivation of fresh vegetable crops. We focused on how the models have been applied to fit survivor curves, predict survival, and assess the risk of vegetable contamination preharvest. The inadequacies of the current modeling approaches are discussed and suggestions for improvements to enhance the applicability of the models as decision tools to control E. coli O157:H7 and S. enterica contamination of fresh vegetables during primary production are presented.
Incidence and clinical implication of tumor cavitation in patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer induced by Endostar, an angiogenesis inhibitor
Authors: Huang Chun , Wang Xuan , Wang Jing , Lin Li , Liu Zhujun , Xu Wenjing , Wang Liuchun , Xiao Jianyu , Li Kai
Published: March 2014

Background

Antiangiogenesis plays a key role in the treatment of non‐small lung cancer (NSCLC). We observed the cavitation of lesions in patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC treated with Endostar and vinorelbine‐cisplatin (NP) chemotherapy, and evaluated the imaging characteristics and clinical outcome of patients who developed tumor cavitation.

Methods

Our study included 105 untreated NSCLC patients who received Endostar in combination with NP chemotherapy at the Tianjin Lung Cancer Center. Chest computed tomography (CT) was performed to evaluate the efficacy every two cycles. The number of activated circulating endothelial cells (aCECs) was measured by flow cytometry. Rates of tumor cavitation were documented and their clinical CT imaging data were analyzed.

Results

Tumor cavitation occurred in 11 of the 105 (10.5%) patients treated with Endostar and NP. The response rates were 37.2% (35/94) in patients without cavitation, 27.3% (3/11) evaluated by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, and 100.0% (11/11) if evaluated by an alternate method in patients who developed cavitation. Three of the 11 cases with cavitation had a centrally located tumor. No patients had hemoptysis or any other severe side effects. Compared with patients not developing cavitation, cavity formation resulted in a longer median survival time (13.6 vs. 11.8 months, P = 0.011) and an increase in the number of aCECs (244.4/105 vs. 23.3/105, P = 0.000).

Conclusions

Intratumoral cavitation induced by Endostar is common in NSCLC patients, and is not correlated with squamous histology, tumor location or pulmonary hemorrhage. Cavitation might have a significant effect on the number of aCECs and overall prognosis.
A polymorphism in XKR4 is significantly associated with serum prolactin concentrations in beef cows grazing tall fescue
Authors: Bastin B. C. , Houser A. , Bagley C. P. , Ely K. M. , Payton R. R. , Saxton A. M. , Schrick F. N. , Waller J. C. , Kojima C. J.
Published: March 2014

Fescue toxicosis is a common syndrome of poor growth and reproductive performance of beef cattle grazing endophyte‐infected tall fescue infected with Lolium arundinaceum Schreb. Together with decreased feed intake, decreased growth rates and tissue necrosis due to vasoconstriction, depressed circulating serum prolactin concentrations are typically observed in cattle afflicted with fescue toxicosis. Polymorphisms within the XK, Kell blood group complex subunit‐related family, member 4 (XKR4) gene located on BTA14 have been previously reported to be associated with rump fat thickness, residual feed intake, average daily feed intake and average daily gain in cattle. Associations also have been reported between XKR4 genotype and effectiveness of the dopamine antagonist iloperidone as a treatment of schizophrenia in humans. Domperidone, a related dopamine antagonist, mediates effects of fescue toxicosis on livestock, including restoring depressed concentrations of prolactin. A mixed‐breed population of 592 beef cattle grazing endophyte‐infected tall fescue was used to examine the association between XKR4 genotype and circulating prolactin concentrations. The SNP rs42646708 was significantly (P = 0.0002) associated with serum prolactin concentrations and explained 2.45% of the phenotypic variation. Effect of genotype at the SNP was tested across five breeds, with significant associations within both Angus (P = 0.0275) and Simmental (P = 0.0224) breeds. These results suggest XKR4 may play a role in mediating the negative effects of fescue toxicosis, and polymorphisms within this gene may be useful markers for selection for genetic resistance to the debilitating effects of endophyte‐infected tall fescue.
The Role of Sex Hormones and the Tissue Environment in Immune Protection Against HIV in the Female Reproductive Tract
Authors: Wira Charles R. , Rodriguez‐Garcia Marta , Shen Zheng , Patel Mickey , Fahey John V.
Published: March 2014

Despite extensive studies of the mucosal immune system in the female reproductive tract (FRT) and its regulation by sex hormones, relatively little attention has been paid to the tissue environment in the FRT that regulates immune cell function. Consisting of secretions from epithelial cells (EC), stromal fibroblasts, and immune cells in tissues from the upper (Fallopian tubes, uterus, and endocervix) and lower (ectocervix and vagina) tracts, each tissue compartment is unique and precisely regulates immune cells to optimize conditions for successful pregnancy and protection against sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. Our goal in this review is to focus on the mucosal (tissue) environment in the upper and lower FRT. Specifically, this review will identify the contributions of EC and fibroblasts to the tissue environment and examine the impact of this environment on HIV‐target cells. Much remains to be learned about the complex interactions with the tissue environment at different sites in the FRT and the ways in which they are regulated by sex hormones and chemical contraceptives. Awareness of the involvement of the tissue environment in determining immune cell function and HIV acquisition is crucial for understanding the mechanisms that lead to HIV prevention, acquisition, and the development of new therapeutic modalities of immune protection.
“I Disrespectfully Agree”: The Differential Effects of Partisan Sorting on Social and Issue Polarization
Authors: Mason Lilliana
Published: March 2014

Disagreements over whether polarization exists in the mass public have confounded two separate types of polarization. When social polarization is separated from issue position polarization, both sides of the polarization debate can be simultaneously correct. Social polarization, characterized by increased levels of partisan bias, activism, and anger, is increasing, driven by partisan identity and political identity alignment, and does not require the same magnitude of issue position polarization. The partisan‐ideological sorting that has occurred in recent decades has caused the nation as a whole to hold more aligned political identities, which has strengthened partisan identity and the activism, bias, and anger that result from strong identities, even though issue positions have not undergone the same degree of polarization. The result is a nation that agrees on many things but is bitterly divided nonetheless. An examination of ANES data finds strong support for these hypotheses.
A common atopy‐associated variant in the Th2 cytokine locus control region impacts transcriptional regulation and alters SMAD3 and SP1 binding
Authors: Kretschmer A. , Möller G. , Lee H. , Laumen H. , von Toerne C. , Schramm K. , Prokisch H. , Eyerich S. , Wahl S. , Baurecht H. , Franke A. , Claussnitzer M. , Eyerich K. , Teumer A. , Milani L. , Klopp N. , Hauck S. M. , Illig T. , Peters A. , Waldenberger M. , Adamski J. , Reischl E. , Weidinger S.
Published: March 2014

Background

Type 2 immune responses directed by Th2 cells and characterized by the signature cytokines IL4, IL5, and IL13 play major pathogenic roles in atopic diseases. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human Th2 cytokine locus in particular in a locus control region within the DNA repair gene RAD50, containing several RAD50 DNase1‐hypersensitive sites (RHS), have been robustly associated with atopic traits in genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). Functional variants in IL13 have been intensely studied, whereas no causative variants for the IL13‐independent RAD50 signal have been identified yet. This study aimed to characterize the functional impact of the atopy‐associated polymorphism rs2240032 located in the human RHS7 on cis‐regulatory activity and differential binding of transcription factors.

Methods

Differential transcription factor binding was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) with Jurkat T‐cell nuclear extracts. Identification of differentially binding factors was performed using mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). Reporter vector constructs carrying either the major or minor allele of rs2240032 were tested for regulating transcriptional activity in Jurkat and HeLa cells.

Results

The variant rs2240032 impacts transcriptional activity and allele‐specific binding of SMAD3, SP1, and additional putative protein complex partners. We further demonstrate that rs2240032 is located in an RHS7 subunit which itself encompasses repressor activity and might be important for the fine‐tuning of transcription regulation within this region.

Conclusion

The human RHS7 critically contributes to the regulation of gene transcription, and the common atopy‐associated polymorphism rs2240032 impacts transcriptional activity and transcription factor binding.
Analysis of 35 cases of Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis
Authors: Addison Ben , Zargar Homayoun , Lilic Nikola , Merrilees David , Rice Michael
Published: March 2014

Background

To retrospectively determine key demographic and clinical features of 35 patients with Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) in a New Zealand setting and to compare it with the existing literature.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients having a confirmed diagnosis of XGP on histopathology examination was performed. Key clinical and demographic features were analysed and compared with the published literature.

Results

XGP was diagnosed in 35 patients over a 12‐year (2001–2013) period in Auckland Public Hospital. Ninety‐one percent of the patients were female. The population had significantly higher numbers of Maori and Pacific Island patients compared with the general population (74%). Staghorn calculi were the most common cause (51.4%) with obstructing ureteric calculi as the next most common (22.9%) cause. Twenty percent of cases were not thought to be XGP prior to nephrectomy (suspicious renal mass). Thirteen (38%) patients suffered serious complications post‐operatively (Clavien 3–5).

Conclusion

XGP is a rare chronic inflammatory condition that appears to be overrepresented by Maori and Pacific islanders in our cohort when compared with the overall patient pool. Surgical treatment is associated with significant morbidity but remains the only definitive option. Obesity and other conditions associated with metabolic syndrome may coexist at the time of presentation and may be contributing factors to the development of XGP and poor outcomes associated with it.
Motor dysfunction and behavioural problems frequently coexist with congenital heart disease in school‐age children
Authors: Liamlahi R , von Rhein M , Bührer S , Valsangiacomo Buechel E R , Knirsch W , Landolt M A , Latal B
Published: March 2014

Aim

Patients with congenital heart disease are at risk of neurodevelopmental deficits. Impairments in motor and behavioural function occur frequently, but no information is available concerning the coexistence of deficits in these two developmental domains. This study explored the occurrence of motor and behavioural deficits and their coexistence in children with surgically corrected congenital heart disease.

Methods

Outcome was assessed in 95 children with congenital heart disease who had undergone cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Their mean age was 9.6 years (SD 2.5). Motor function was assessed with the Zurich Neuromotor Assessment and behaviour with the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire.

Results

Children with congenital heart disease performed poorer in all motor domains compared with the reference population (all p ≤ 0.001). Behaviour was affected in the domains ‘emotional symptoms’ and ‘hyperactivity/inattention’ (both p < 0.01), and 54% of the children with motor abnormalities showed behavioural deficits. Children with coexistent abnormalities in behaviour and motor function had higher rates of remedial school services and therapeutic support.

Conclusion

Children with congenital heart disease are at risk of long‐term motor and behavioural problems, and there is a high rate of coexistence of problems in both domains. Early and longitudinal assessment of all developmental domains is necessary to provide adequate early support.
Single‐access laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery using the glove technique
Authors: Sirikurnpiboon Siripong
Published: March 2014

Introduction

Single‐access laparoscopic surgery has been widely adopted in many kinds of surgery including laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic colectomy. Performing single‐access rectal surgery, however, has technical drawbacks such as instrument collision and endostaple application issues. The glove technique is likely to mitigate these problems.

Methods

Fourteen patients with anal canal to mid‐rectum cancers were recruited and underwent single‐access laparoscopic surgery via the glove technique. An incision was made at the paraumbilicus to insert a wound protector with surgical gloves. The operation was medial to lateral and inferior mesenteric artery and inferior mesenteric vein were identified and controlled. Total mesorectal excision was performed while keeping traction and countertraction down to the pelvic floor.

Results

Average operative time was 251.66 min (range, 180–300 min). Hospital stay ranged from 5 to 8 days (median, 7 days). No serious early postoperative surgical problems related to complications were observed. The pathologic results showed good mesorectal capsule grading. The mean lymph node harvest was 14 nodes (range, 7–26 nodes), and the mean wound length was 5 cm (range, 4–6 cm).

Conclusions

In rectal surgery, the glove technique for single‐access laparoscopic surgery is feasible and is comparable to commercial single‐port techniques in terms of oncologic results.
Twitter response to the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendations against screening with prostate‐specific antigen
Authors: Prabhu Vinay , Lee Ted , Loeb Stacy , Holmes John H. , Gold Heather T. , Lepor Herbert , Penson David F. , Makarov Danil V.
Published: March 2014

Objective

To examine public and media response to the draft (October 2011) and finalised (May 2012) recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) against prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) testing via Twitter, a popular social network with over 200 million active users.

Materials and Methods

We used a mixed‐methods design to analyse posts on Twitter, known as ‘tweets’. Using the search term ‘prostate cancer’, we archived tweets in the 24‐h periods following the release of both the draft and the finalised USPSTF recommendations. We recorded tweet rate per h and developed a coding system to assess the type of user and sentiment expressed in tweets and linked articles.

Results

After the draft and finalised USPSTF recommendations were released, 2042 and 5357 tweets focused on the USPSTF report, respectively. The tweet rate nearly doubled within 2 h of both announcements. Fewer than 10% of tweets expressed an opinion about screening, and the majority of these were pro‐screening during both periods. By contrast, anti‐screening articles were tweeted more frequently in both the draft and finalised study periods. Between the draft and the finalised recommendations, the proportion of anti‐screening tweets and anti‐screening article links increased (P = 0.03 and P < 0.01, respectively).

Conclusions

There was increased Twitter activity surrounding the USPSTF draft and finalised recommendations. The percentage of anti‐screening tweets and articles appeared to increase, perhaps due to the interval public comment period. Despite this, most tweets did not express an opinion, suggesting a missed opportunity in this important arena for advocacy.
Animal reactions to oncoming vehicles: a conceptual review
Authors: Lima Steven L. , Blackwell Bradley F. , DeVault Travis L. , Fernández‐Juricic Esteban
Published: March 2014

Animal–vehicle collisions (AVCs) are a substantial problem in a human‐dominated world, but little is known about what goes wrong, from the animal's perspective, when a collision occurs with an automobile, boat, or aircraft. Our goal is to provide insight into reactions of animals to oncoming vehicles when collisions might be imminent. Avoiding a collision requires successful vehicle detection, threat assessment, and evasive behaviour; failures can occur at any of these stages. Vehicle detection seems fairly straightforward in many cases, but depends critically on the sensory capabilities of a given species. Sensory mechanisms for detection of collisions (looming detectors) may be overwhelmed by vehicle speed. Distractions are a likely problem in vehicle detection, but have not been clearly demonstrated in any system beyond human pedestrians. Many animals likely perceive moving vehicles as non‐threatening, and may generally be habituated to their presence. Slow or minimal threat assessment is thus a likely failure point in manyAVCs, but this is not uniformly evident. Animals generally initiate evasive behaviour when a collision appears imminent, usually employing some aspect of native antipredator behaviour. Across taxa, animals exhibit a variety of behaviours when confronted with oncoming vehicles. Among marine mammals, right whalesEubalaenaspp., manateesTrichechusspp., and dugongsDugong dugonare fairly unresponsive to approaching vehicles, suggesting a problem in threat assessment. Others, such as dolphins Delphinidae, assess vehicle approach at distance. Little work has been conducted on the behavioural aspects ofAVCs involving large mammals and automobiles, despite their prevalence. Available observations suggest that birds do not usually treat flying aircraft as a major threat, often allowing close approach before taking evasive action, as they might in response to natural predators. Inappropriate antipredator behaviour (often involving immobility) is a major source ofAVCs in amphibians and terrestrial reptiles. Much behavioural work onAVCs remains to be done across a wide variety of taxa. Such work should provide broad phylogenetic generalizations regardingAVCs and insights into managingAVCs.
Assessing severity of illness and outcomes of treatment in children with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME): a systematic review of patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs)
Authors: Haywood K. L. , Collin S. M. , Crawley E.
Published: March 2014

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) in children is characterized by persistent or recurrent debilitating fatigue which results in a substantial reduction in activity. There is a growing interest in the use of questionnaires, or patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs), to assess how patients function and feel in relation to their health and associated healthcare. However, guidance for PROM selection for children with CFS/ME does not exist. We reviewed the quality and acceptability of PROMs used with children with CFS/ME to inform recommendations for practice. We conducted a systematic review of PROMs completed by children with CFS/ME. The quality of the evaluative studies and the reviewed measures were assessed against recommended criteria using an appraisal framework and the COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. We sought evidence of measurement (reliability, validity, responsiveness, interpretability, data quality) and practical properties (acceptability, relevance, feasibility). Sixteen articles were included in the review, providing evidence of reliability and/or validity for 13 PROMs. Of these, five were child‐specific (one health‐related quality‐of‐life; four emotional well‐being) and eight were not (four emotional well‐being, three fatigue‐specific; and one generic). All measures had limited evidence of measurement properties and no evidence of practical properties. Recommendations for patient‐reported assessment are difficult to make because of limited evidence of the quality and acceptability of PROMs for children with CFS/ME. The appraisal method highlighted significant methodological and quality issues which must be addressed in future research. There is a lack of qualitative evidence describing the outcomes of healthcare that are important to children with CFS/ME, and the relevance or appropriateness of available measures. Future PROM development and evaluation in this group must seek to involve children collaboratively to ensure that the outcomes that children care about are assessed in an acceptable way.
Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone ameliorates disease activity in an induced murine lupus-like model
Authors: Botte D A C , Noronha I L , Malheiros D M A C , Peixoto T V , de Mello S B V
Published: March 2014

Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a neuropeptide exhibiting anti-inflammatory activity in experimental models of autoimmune diseases. However, no studies thus far have examined the effects of α-MSH on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed to determine the effects of an α-MSH agonist in induced murine lupus. Here we employed female Balb/cAn mice in which lupus was induced by pristane. Groups of lupus animals were treated daily with the α-MSH analogue [Nle4, DPhe7]-α-MSH (NDP–MSH) (1·25 mg/kg) injected intraperitoneally or saline for 180 days. Normal animals comprised the control group. Arthritis incidence, plasma immunoglobulin (Ig)G isotypes, anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and plasma cytokines were evaluated. Renal function was assessed by proteinuria and histopathological lesion. Glomerular levels of IgG, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), C3, CD3, melanocortin receptors (MCR)1, corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) and α-MSH was estimated by immunohistochemistry. When compared with normal controls, lupus animals exhibited increased arthritis, IgG levels, ANA, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, proteinuria and mesangial cell proliferation together with glomerular expression of α-SMA and iNOS. Glomerular expression of MCR1 was reduced in lupus animals. NDP-MSH treatment reduced arthritis scores by 70% and also diminished IgG1 and IgG2a levels and ANA incidence. In the glomerulus, NDP–MSH treatment reduced cellularity by 50% together with reducing IgG deposits, and expression levels of α-SMA, iNOS and CRF were also all decreased. Taken together, our results suggest for the first time that α-MSH treatment improves several parameters of SLE disease activity in mice, and indicate that this hormone is an interesting potential future treatment option.
Unintended Cultivation, Shifting Baselines, and Conflict between Objectives for Fisheries and Conservation
Authors: BROWN CHRISTOPHER J. , TREBILCO ROWAN
Published: March 2014

The effects of fisheries on marine ecosystems, and their capacity to drive shifts in ecosystem states, have been widely documented. Less well appreciated is that some commercially valuable species respond positively to fishing‐induced ecosystem change and can become important fisheries resources in modified ecosystems. Thus, the ecological effects of one fishery can unintentionally increase the abundance and productivity of other fished species (i.e., cultivate). We reviewed examples of this effect in the peer‐reviewed literature. We found 2 underlying ecosystem drivers of the effect: trophic release of prey species when predators are overfished and habitat change. Key ecological, social, and economic conditions required for one fishery to unintentionally cultivate another include strong top–down control of prey by predators, the value of the new fishery, and the capacity of fishers to adapt to a new fishery. These unintended cultivation effects imply strong trade‐offs between short‐term fishery success and conservation efforts to restore ecosystems toward baseline conditions because goals for fisheries and conservation may be incompatible. Conflicts are likely to be exacerbated if fisheries baselines shift relative to conservation baselines and there is investment in the new fishery. However, in the long‐term, restoration toward ecosystem baselines may often benefit both fishery and conservation goals. Unintended cultivation can be identified and predicted using a combination of time‐series data, dietary studies, models of food webs, and socioeconomic data. Identifying unintended cultivation is necessary for management to set compatible goals for fisheries and conservation.

Cultivo Accidental, Líneas de Base Cambiantes y el Conflicto entre los Objetivos para las Pesquerías y la Conservación
Adapting Conservation Easements to Climate Change
Authors: Rissman Adena R. , Owley Jessica , Shaw M. Rebecca , Thompson Barton (Buzz)
Published: March 2014

Perpetual conservation easements (CEs) are popular for restricting development and land use, but their fixed terms create challenges for adaptation to climate change. The increasing pace of environmental and social change demands adaptive conservation instruments. To examine the adaptive potential of CEs, we surveyed 269 CEs and interviewed 73 conservation organization employees. Although only 2% of CEs mentioned climate change, the majority of employees were concerned about climate change impacts. CEs share the fixed‐boundary limits typical of protected areas with additional adaptation constraints due to permanent terms on private lands. CEs often have multiple, potentially conflicting purposes that protect against termination but complicate decisions about principled, conservation‐oriented adaptation. Monitoring is critical for shaping adaptive responses, but only 35% of CEs allowed organizations to conduct ecological monitoring. In addition, CEs provided few requirements or incentives for active stewardship of private lands. We found four primary options for changing land use restrictions, each with advantages and risks: CE amendment, management plan revisions, approval of changes through discretionary consent, and updating laws or policies codified in the CE. Conservation organizations, funders, and the Internal Revenue Service should promote processes for principled adaptation in CE terms, provide more active stewardship of CE lands, and consider alternatives to the CE tool.
Expression of lymphatic markers in angiokeratomas
Authors: Wang Lei , Yuan Wei , Geng Songmei , Xiong Ya , Zhang Dezhi , Zhao Xiaoqing , Li Shenqiu , Bi Xinling , Gao Tianwen , Wang Gang
Published: March 2014

Background

The term angiokeratoma refers to a group of unrelated diseases with similar histopathologic features. Four clinical variants of angiokeratoma have been described. However, it is not known whether some variants of angiokeratoma are of lymphatic origin, and an immunohistochemical study of lymphatic markers has not been previously performed.

Methods

We performed an immunohistochemical study of angiokeratomas using lymphatic markers. Fifteen cases of angiokeratoma corporis diffusum, 10 cases of Fordyce angiokeratoma, 10 cases of Mibelli angiokeratoma and 10 cases of solitary angiokeratoma were examined by immunohistochemical analysis using CD31, D2‐40, Prox1 and Wilms' tumor 1 (WT‐1).

Results

The vessels of angiokeratoma corporis diffusum, Fordyce angiokeratoma and solitary angiokeratoma were usually focally positive for D2‐40 and positive for Prox1, whereas the vessels of Mibelli angiokeratoma were negative for D2‐40 and positive for Prox1.

Conclusions

The results suggest lymphatic derivation of angiokeratoma corporis diffusum, Fordyce angiokeratoma and solitary angiokeratoma. However, the derivation of Mibelli angiokeratoma could not be determined based on the present immunohistochemical results.