bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell explosions: single cell death triggers an avoidance response in local populations of the ecologically prominent phytoplankton genusMicromonas
Authors: Henshaw Richard , Roberts Jonathan , Polin Marco
Published: August 2019

The global phytoplankton community, comprised of aquatic photosynthetic organisms, is acknowledged for being responsible for half of the global oxygen production Prominent among these is the pico-eukaryoteMicromonas commoda(formallyMicromonas pusillaof the genusMicromonas), which can be found in marine and coastal environments across the globe. Cell death of phytoplankton has been identified as contributing to the largest carbon transfers on the planet moving 109tonnes of carbon in the oceans every day. During a cell death organic matter is released into the local environment which can act as both a food source and a warning signal for nearby organisms. Here we present a novel motility response to single cell death in populations ofMicromonas sp., where the death of a single cell releases a chemical patch triggers surrounding cells to escape the immediate affected area. These so-called “burst events” are then modelled and compared with a spherically symmetric diffusing patch which is found to faithfully reproduce the observed behaviour. Finally, laser ablation of single cells reproduces the observed avoidance response, confirming thatMicromonas sp. has evolved a specific motility response in order to escape harmful environments for example nearby predator-prey interactions or virus lysis induced cell death.
Understanding online review helpfulness in omnichannel retailing
Authors: Yang Shuiqing , Zhou Yusheng , Yao Jianrong , Chen Yuangao , Wei June
Published: August 2019

Purpose

As retailers have increasingly embraced an omnichannel retailing strategy, explaining and predicting the helpfulness of online review should consider both online-based and offline-based reviews. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the signaling theory, this study intends to examine the impacts of review-related and reviewer-related signals on review helpfulness in the context of omnichannel retailing. The proposed research model and corresponding hypotheses were tested by using negative binomial regression.

Findings

The results shown that both review-related (review rating and review sentiment strength) and reviewer-related (reviewer real name and reviewer expertise) signals positively affect review helpfulness. Contrary to the authors’ expectations, review length negatively affects review helpfulness. Specifically, when the review submitted from an omnichannel retailer’s offline channel, the positive impacts of reviewer real name on review helpfulness will be stronger, and the positive impacts of reviewer expertise on review helpfulness will be weaker.

Originality/value

Unlike many previous studies tend to explore the antecedents of review helpfulness in a single-channel setting, the study examined the factors that affect review helpfulness in an omnichannel retailing context.
Interfunctional coordination: the role of digitalization
Authors: Ruiz-Alba José L. , Guesalaga Rodrigo , Ayestarán Raquel , Morales Mediano Javier
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate interfunctional coordination (IC) in a B2B context. More specifically, it explores the role of digitalization as a strategic driver for an effective IC.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a qualitative methodology, three studies have been integrated: Study 1 (focus group with 5 participants), Study 2 (31 in-depth interviews with top executives) and Study 3 (online focus group with 9 experts).

Findings

One finding is that digitalization is the main driver for IC and can be considered strategic. Other findings show that digitalization can enhance IC, but it was also found that digitalization can have negative side effects on IC.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the understanding of the importance of digitalization on IC and also contributes to the conceptualization of IC as a dynamic capability.
Status and sustainability
Authors: Hammad Hadeer , Muster Viola , El-Bassiouny Noha M. , Schaefer Martina
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Conspicuous consumption and sustainable consumption are commonly understood as being in contradiction with each other. Yet, scholars have recently become increasingly interested in examining positive relationships between these forms of consumption. The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize the synergies and contradictions between sustainable and luxury consumption and proposing whether and how conspicuous motives can foster a shift towards sustainable consumption in newly industrialized countries in general and Egypt in particular.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a conceptual note, intended as a starting point and acting as an eye-opener regarding the values inherent in both conspicuous and sustainable consumption and the potential influence that conspicuous motivations could have on the latter.

Findings

The paper discusses the possibilities for and limitations of conspicuous motives to foster sustainable consumption in newly industrialized countries in the Middle East. The adoption of westernized lifestyles, spreading in Middle Eastern countries, can represent a venue for motivating sustainable consumption behaviours as a means of status distinction. On the other hand, the trickle-down effect and the preconditions of visibility and exclusiveness pose risks on promoting sustainable consumption by addressing conspicuous motives.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that the synergistic interplay between conspicuous and sustainable consumption, as well as barriers and motivations underpinning both constructs, needs to be empirically researched, while factoring in the cultural specifics of the countries under study, as cultural nuances can influence the dynamics of interaction between conspicuous and sustainable behaviours.

Originality/value

Given the salience of the relationship between luxury and sustainable consumption and the focus of most studies on early-industrialized countries, insights regarding the possible influences of conspicuous motives on sustainable consumption in newly industrialized countries are warranted. With the scarcity of research examining the ambiguous relationship between conspicuous and sustainable consumption in newly industrialized countries, this paper contributes by providing insights about the conditions that can help conspicuous motives promote sustainable consumption in newly industrialized countries.
A combination of cognitive training and physical exercise for elderly with the mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Untari Ida , Subijanto Achmad Arman , Mirawati Dyah Kurnia , Probandari Ari Natalia , Sanusi Rossi
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct systematic reviews on Indonesian papers, to examine the most recent evidence of the efficacy of the combination of cognitive training and physical exercise, and to make recommendations in order to improve prevention, care and treatment services in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Design/methodology/approach

The databases of Cochrane, Medline, NIH (US National Library Medicine), ProQuest, EbscoHost, Clinical Key, EMBASE, Medical Librarian (TWE) in Ovid, Science Direct, Scopus, The Lancet Global Health, PubMed, Emerald, Indonesian National Library, Google Scholar, Google Indonesia, and Garuda Portal were systematically searched using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to obtain empirical papers published between June 1976 and January 2018.

Findings

Out of the 3,293 articles collected, 10 were included in this analysis. The result of this combined meta-analysis compares the combination therapy group (cognitive therapy and physical exercise) with a control group. It shows that the control group was likely to experience MCI 1.65 times more often than the combination therapy group. According to the result acquired from the synthesized meta-analysis, the control group experienced MCI 1.65 times higher than the combination therapy. The finding is proven to be statistically significant (95% CI= 1.42–1.93).

Research limitations/implications

The research considers only English and Indonesian articles.

Practical implications

It is important to explore the most effective training characteristics in a special combined intervention differentiated by the duration, frequency, intervention, type and combination mode. There is a need for further investigation that focuses on the physiological mechanisms underlying the positive effects, by inserting a more comprehensive neuro-imaging measurement to assess specifically the domain that benefits in terms of cognitive functions and molecular markers. Finally, exploratory studies are definitely required, which will specifically examine maintenance and treatment effects as well as derive theoretical explanations related to the interventions and predictors.

Social implications

A combination of cognitive training and physical exercise intervention may improve the global health or cognitive functions.

Originality/value

A combination of cognitive training and physical exercise has been found to improve prevention, care and treatment services in elderly patients with MCI. There is an increase in value in comparison to the study of Karssemeijer, which considered five Indonesian articles.
Olive cake reduces glycaemia and lipemia and increases antioxidant enzymes in STZ-induced diabetes in rat erythrocytes and tissues
Authors: Cherrad Hayet , Bouderbala Sherazede , Zidan Yahiaoui , Krouf Djamil
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of olive cake (CO) on glycaemia and lipemia and lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes activities in erythrocytes and tissues, in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Design/methodology/approach

Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (55 mg/kg BW). In total, 12 diabetic D rats, weighing 260 ± 20 g, were divided into two groups fed a casein diet supplemented (D-OC) or not (D) with OC (7.5 per cent), for four weeks.

Findings

In D-OC compared with D, glycaemia, total cholesterol and triglycerides values (−40 per cent;p = 0.007, 27 per cent;p = 0.007 and −27 per cent;p = 0.0019). In erythrocyte, liver, kidney, heart, muscle and brain, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances contents were respectively, (−19 per cent;p = 0.03, −32 per cent;p = 0.002, −20 per cent;p = 0.04, −68 per cent;p = 0.003, −74 per cent;p = 0.0003 and −38 per cent;p = 0.04). In erythrocyte, SOD, GSH-Px and CAT activities were respectively, (+14 per cent;p = 0.01, +74 per cent;p = 0.012 and +34 per cent;p = 0.0009). In the liver, kidney, heart and muscle, SOD activity was respectively, (+31 per cent;p= 0.004, +12 per cent;p = 0.038, +43 per cent;p = 0.001 and +23 per cent;p = 0.18). GSH-Px activity was respectively, (+121 per cent;p = 0.0009, 89 per cent;p = 0.0006, + 95 per cent;p= 0.008, +71 per cent;p = 0.02 and +26 per cent;p = 0.01), in the liver, kidney, heart, muscle and brain. Catalase activity was (+21 per cent;p = 0.008) in the liver, (+88 per cent;p = 0.0002 in the kidney, +53 per cent;p = 0,002 in the heart and 83 per cent;p = 0.00004 in the muscle).

Originality/value

In diabetic rats, OC reduces hyperglycaemia induced by STZ and attenuates triglyceridemia and cholesterolemia. This residue is able to decrease the oxidative stress by increasing the antioxidant enzymes activity in erythrocytes and tissues. The high contents of phytoconstituents present in OC are considered to be responsible for this effect.
Creep and hardening behavior of 6101 aluminum alloy manufactured by wiredrawing process
Authors: Bettayeb Souad , Boumerzoug Zakaria , Saib Cherif
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the effect of the aging at 200°C on creep and hardening behavior of hardenable 6101 aluminum alloy manufactured by an industrial wiredrawing process used for construction of self-supporting overhead aerial power line conductors.

Design/methodology/approach

The creep tests were carried out under applied constant stress 100 MPa and constant temperature 150°C. Hardness measurements were also used to investigate the mechanical behavior of the aged alloy. Micrographs of the fractured wires by creep tests were performed by scanning electron microscope. Electrical resistivity of the aged alloy was measured at different time of the aging treatment.

Findings

The authors have found the relationship between the precipitation sequence, the mechanical properties and the electrical resistivity of aged 6101 aluminum alloy.

Originality/value

The optimum properties were also deduced.
Optimizing the use of biologgers for movement ecology research
Authors: Williams Hannah J. , Taylor Lucy A. , Benhamou Simon , Bijleveld Allert I. , Clay Thomas A. , de Grissac Sophie , Demšar Urška , English Holly M. , Franconi Novella , Gómez‐Laich Agustina , Griffiths Rachael C. , Kay William P. , Morales Juan Manuel , Potts Jonathan R. , Rogerson Katharine F. , Rutz Christian , Spelt Anouk , Trevail Alice M. , Wilson Rory P. , Börger Luca
Published: August 2019

The paradigm‐changing opportunities of biologging sensors for ecological research, especially movement ecology, are vast, but the crucial questions of how best to match the most appropriate sensors and sensor combinations to specific biological questions and how to analyse complex biologging data, are mostly ignored.

Here, we fill this gap by reviewing how to optimize the use of biologging techniques to answer questions in movement ecology and synthesize this into an Integrated Biologging Framework (IBF).

We highlight that multisensor approaches are a new frontier in biologging, while identifying current limitations and avenues for future development in sensor technology.

We focus on the importance of efficient data exploration, and more advanced multidimensional visualization methods, combined with appropriate archiving and sharing approaches, to tackle the big data issues presented by biologging. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities in matching the peculiarities of specific sensor data to the statistical models used, highlighting at the same time the large advances which will be required in the latter to properly analyse biologging data.

Taking advantage of the biologging revolution will require a large improvement in the theoretical and mathematical foundations of movement ecology, to include the rich set of high‐frequency multivariate data, which greatly expand the fundamentally limited and coarse data that could be collected using location‐only technology such as GPS. Equally important will be the establishment of multidisciplinary collaborations to catalyse the opportunities offered by current and future biologging technology. If this is achieved, clear potential exists for developing a vastly improved mechanistic understanding of animal movements and their roles in ecological processes and for building realistic predictive models.
Early‐life conditions determine the between‐individual heterogeneity in plasticity of calving date in reindeer
Authors: Paoli Amélie , Weladji Robert B. , Holand Øystein , Kumpula Jouko
Published: August 2019

Phenotypic plasticity has become a key concept to enhance our ability to understand the adaptive potential of species to track the pace of climate change by allowing a relatively rapid adjustment of life‐history traits.

Recently, population‐level trends of an earlier timing of reproduction to climate change have been highlighted in many taxa, but only few studies have explicitly taken into consideration between‐individual heterogeneity in phenotypic plasticity.

Using a long‐term data of a semi‐domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) population, we demonstrated that females differed greatly in their mean calving date but only slightly in the magnitude of their plastic response to the amount of precipitation in April. We also showed that despite the absence of a population trend, females individually responded to the amount of precipitation in April by delaying their calving dates.

Females' calving date under average climatic conditions was best predicted by their birthdate, by their physical condition in March–April–May before their first calving season and by their first calving date. The degree of their phenotypic plasticity was not dependent on any of the females' attributes early in life tested in this study. However, females who delayed their calving dates in response to a higher amount of precipitation in April slightly produced less calves over their reproductive life.

These findings confirmed that early‐life conditions of female reindeer can shape their phenotypic value during reproductive life, supporting the importance of maternal effects in shaping individuals' lifetime reproductive success. Whether females differed in the magnitude of their plastic response to climatic changes has received contrasted responses for various ungulate species. This calls for more research to enhance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms, leading to the complexity of plastic responses among populations to cope with current climate change.
Resource addition drives taxonomic divergence and phylogenetic convergence of plant communities
Authors: Yang Xian , Li Guoyong , Li Shaopeng , Xu Qianna , Wang Pandeng , Song Huanhuan , Sun Danyu , Zhong Mingxing , Zhou Zhenxing , Song Jian , Ru Jingyi , Wan Shiqiang , Jiang Lin
Published: August 2019

Anthropogenic environmental changes are known to affect the Earth's ecosystems. However, how these changes influence assembly trajectories of the impacted communities remains a largely open question.

In this study, we investigated the effect of elevated nitrogen (N) deposition and increased precipitation on plant taxonomic and phylogenetic β‐diversity in a 9‐year field experiment in the temperate semi‐arid steppe of Inner Mongolia, China.

We found that both N and water addition significantly increased taxonomic β‐diversity, whereas N, not water, addition significantly increased phylogenetic β‐diversity. After the differences in local species diversity were controlled using null models, the standard effect size of taxonomic β‐diversity still increased with both N and water addition, whereas water, not N, addition, significantly reduced the standard effect size of phylogenetic β‐diversity. The increased phylogenetic convergence observed in the water addition treatment was associated with colonizing species in each water addition plot being more closely related to species in other replicate plots of the same treatment. Species colonization in this treatment was found to be trait‐based, with leaf nitrogen concentration being the key functional trait.

Synthesis. Our analyses demonstrate that anthropogenic environmental changes may affect the assembly trajectories of plant communities at both taxonomic and phylogenetic scales. Our results also suggest that while stochastic processes may cause communities to diverge in species composition, deterministic process could still drive communities to converge in phylogenetic community structure.
Global Britain and the Narrative of Empire
Authors: Turner Oliver
Published: August 2019

Since 2016, the UK government has outlined plans for ‘Global Britain’ as a framework for post‐Brexit foreign policy. Some criticise the idea as a vision of ‘Empire 2.0’, but it is rarely made clear exactly what form it takes or what its wider political implications are. This article argues that Global Britain constitutes not just an idea or a slogan, but a foreign policy narrative and, more specifically, the narrative of empire. Indeed, to appear reasonable its grand ambitions require pre‐existing knowledges of past imperial ‘successes’ and accepting images of empire among the British public. Yet Global Britain lacks efficacy: as a domestic rather than an international narrative, by being inherently regressive in its worldview, and for contradicting the preferences of international partners on which the UK heavily relies. These narrative flaws, it is argued, make Global Britain an actively problematic, rather than merely ineffective, component of UK foreign policy.
Testing Application of Geographical Information Systems, Forensic Geomorphology and Electrical Resistivity Tomography to Investigate Clandestine Grave Sites in Colombia, South America
Authors: Molina Carlos Martin , Wisniewski Kristopher D. , Drake Jonathan , Baena Alejandra , Guatame Ana , Pringle Jamie K.
Published: August 2019

Colombian forensic investigators required assistance locating clandestine burials of missing persons related to human right atrocities from 14 years ago. Geoscientific search methods were trialled, including a predictive spatial statistical model, using various input and database information, to select the most likely grave locations in difficult mountainous terrain. Groundwork using forensic geomorphology, near‐surface geophysics (ERT) and subsequent probing identified suspect burial positions. One site was in mountainous terrain and the other in former school grounds, both difficult to access and in poor weather conditions. In the mountainous area, a negative resistivity anomaly area was identified and intrusively investigated, found to be a buried rock. In school grounds, after MESP and intelligence were used to identify a burial site, surface depressions were identified, and ERT datasets collected over the highest priority depression; intrusive investigations discovered a hand‐dug pit containing animal bones. This approach is suggested for Latin American searches.
Impact of electric scooters to a tertiary emergency department: 8‐week review after implementation of a scooter share scheme
Authors: Mitchell Gary , Tsao Henry , Randell Thomas , Marks Jacqueline , Mackay Prudence
Published: August 2019

Objective

A retrospective audit of presentations to a tertiary trauma centre reviewing the demographics of electric scooter injuries in the first 2 months of the scooter‐share scheme, which was commenced in Brisbane in November 2018.

Methods

Electric scooter‐associated presentations to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Emergency and Trauma Centre from November 2018 to January 2019 were identified. Data collected included patient demographics, type and location of injuries, helmet use, alcohol consumption, length of stay and disposition. Estimates of costs associated with electric scooter presentation were also obtained.

Results

Fifty‐four electric scooter encounters were included during the 2‐month period. Helmets were worn in 46% and was associated with reduced risk of head injury (odds ratio (OR) 0.18, P = 0.029). Alcohol was involved in 27% although this did not impact on admission rates (OR 1.25, P = 0.83) or operative management (OR 2.14, P = 0.42). Contusions/abrasions and fractures/dislocations were the most common types of injury, whereas upper limb and minor head injuries were the most common sites of injury. Most patients were discharged home (87%), with 74% completing their emergency visit in under 4 h. Six patients required operative management and 15 patients needed outpatient follow‐up. There were no deaths. Average patient cost per presentation was $542 and ranged from $285 to $1345.

Conclusions

The findings characterised injury patterns and costs associated with electric scooters in our ED. Given the increasing popularity of electric scooters as an alternate form of transportation, our study may help to inform public policy for future injury prevention.
Primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma with calcification: A case report
Authors: Ishida Hironori , Fujino Takashi , Taguchi Ryo , Nitanda Hiroyuki , Sakaguchi Hirozo , Yanagihara Akitoshi , Yoshimura Ryuichi
Published: August 2019

The lung is the organ most commonly affected by primary synovial sarcoma. Intratumoral calcification is less common in this organ versus soft tissue. Meanwhile, the presence of calcification in a lung nodule reduces the risk of lung cancer. Here, we report a case of pulmonary synovial sarcoma which manifested as a nodule with calcification, depicted on computed tomography (CT). A 52‐year‐old asymptomatic male was referred to Saitama Medical University International Medical Center and CT revealed a well‐defined nodule (1.8 cm), with punctate and eccentric calcification in the right lower lobe. Enhanced CT and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron‐emission tomography suggested a malignant tumor, and surgery was performed. Histology provided a preliminary diagnosis of monophasic spindle‐cell synovial sarcoma with hyalinized collagen bands and calcifications. Genetically, the presence of the SYT‐SSX2 fusion gene was consistent with the features of this disease. We conclude that primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma should be listed as a differential diagnosis for solitary pulmonary nodules with calcification.
Towards an ecological trait‐data standard
Authors: Schneider Florian D. , Fichtmueller David , Gossner Martin M. , Güntsch Anton , Jochum Malte , König‐Ries Birgitta , Le Provost Gaëtane , Manning Peter , Ostrowski Andreas , Penone Caterina , Simons Nadja K.
Published: August 2019

Trait‐based approaches are widespread throughout ecological research as they offer great potential to achieve a general understanding of a wide range of ecological and evolutionary mechanisms. Accordingly, a wealth of trait data is available for many organism groups, but this data is underexploited due to a lack of standardization and heterogeneity in data formats and definitions.

We review current initiatives and structures developed for standardizing trait data and discuss the importance of standardization for trait data hosted in distributed open‐access repositories.

In order to facilitate the standardization and harmonization of distributed trait datasets by data providers and data users, we propose a standardized vocabulary that can be used for storing and sharing ecological trait data. We discuss potential incentives and challenges for the wide adoption of such a standard by data providers.

The use of a standard vocabulary allows for trait datasets from heterogeneous sources to be aggregated more easily into compilations and facilitates the creation of interfaces between software tools for trait‐data handling and analysis. By aiding decentralized trait‐data standardization, our vocabulary may ease data integration and use of trait data for a broader ecological research community and enable global syntheses across a wide range of taxa and ecosystems.
Genetically engineered bananas—From laboratory to deployment
Authors: Pua Teen‐Lee , Tan Tian‐Tian , Jalaluddin Nurzatil S. M. , Othman Rofina Y. , Harikrishna Jennifer A.
Published: August 2019

Since the first two successful transformation events in banana were reported in 1995, considerable effort has been invested to develop new cultivars with improved tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses and with enhanced nutrient levels, primarily using Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation and particle bombardment. In addition to many promising laboratory‐based studies, several genetically engineered banana cultivars have been trialled in the field. However, the deployment of genetically engineered varieties of bananas lags behind that of other major crops and there has been no commercial plantation. This article provides a review of advances in the genetic engineering of banana with an overview of noteworthy developments in several programmes that are being conducted worldwide. We identify the main challenges to translating the full potential of genetically engineered bananas for human consumption as the intellectual property issues surrounding the technology, public perceptions towards the adoption of the transformed bananas as well as various regulatory hurdles that hold the technology development from moving forward.
A Multicenter Randomized Trial to Evaluate a Chemical‐first or Electrical‐first Cardioversion Strategy for Patients With Uncomplicated Acute Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Scheuermeyer Frank X. , Andolfatto Gary , Christenson Jim , Villa‐Roel Cristina , Rowe Brian
Published: August 2019

Background

Emergency department (ED) patients with uncomplicated atrial fibrillation (AF) of less than 48 hours may be safely managed with rhythm control. Although both chemical‐first and electrical‐first strategies have been advocated, there are no comparative effectiveness data to guide clinicians.

Methods

At six urban Canadian centers, ED patients ages 18 to 75 with uncomplicated symptomatic AF of less than 48 hours and CHADS2 score of 0 or 1 were randomized using concealed allocation in a 1:1 ratio to one of the following strategies: 1) chemical cardioversion with procainamide infusion, followed by electrical countershock if unsuccessful; or 2) electrical cardioversion, followed by procainamide infusion if unsuccessful. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients discharged within 4 hours of arrival. Secondary outcomes included ED length‐of‐stay (LOS); prespecified ED‐based adverse events; and 30‐day ED revisits, hospitalizations, strokes, deaths, and quality of life (QoL).

Results

Eighty‐four patients were analyzed: 41 in the chemical‐first group and 43 in the electrical‐first group. Groups were balanced in terms of age, sex, vital signs, and CHADS2 scores. All patients were discharged home, with 83 (99%) in sinus rhythm. In the chemical‐first group, 13 of 41 patients (32%) were discharged within 4 hours compared to 29 of 43 patients (67%) in the electrical‐first group (p = 0.001). In the chemical‐first group, the median ED LOS was 5.1 hours (interquartile range [IQR] = 3.5 to 5.9 hours) compared to 3.5 hours (IQR = 2.4 to 4.6 hours) in the electrical‐first group, for a median difference of 1.2 hours (95% confidence interval = 0.4 to 2.0 hours, p < 0.001). No patients experienced stroke or death. All other outcomes, including adverse events, ED revisits, and QoL, were similar.

Conclusion

In uncomplicated ED AF patients managed with rhythm control, chemical‐first and electrical‐first strategies both appear to be successful and well tolerated; however, an electrical‐first strategy results in a significantly shorter ED LOS.
What have we learned from 691 prenatal chromosomal microarrays for ventricular septal defects?
Authors: Maya Idit , Singer Amihood , Yonath Hagith , Reches Adi , Rienstein Shlomit , Zeligson Sharon , Ben Shachar Shay , Sagi‐Dain Lena
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) represents the most common type of congenital cardiac anomaly, affecting more than 1 in 300 live births. The objective of this study was to examine the incidence and nature of abnormal chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) results in a large cohort of pregnancies with VSD.

Material and methods

Data acquisition was performed through the Ministry of Health computerized database. All CMA results performed due to VSD during 2013‐2017 were included. The rates of clinically significant CMA results of cases with isolated and non‐isolated VSD were compared with two control populations—a systematic review of 9272 pregnancies and a local cohort of 5541 fetuses with normal ultrasound.

Results

Overall, 691 CMA analyses performed due to a sonographic indication of VSD were detected. Of 568 pregnancies with isolated VSD, eight (1.4%) clinically significant copy number variants were detected, a nonsignificant difference compared with low risk pregnancies. Of the 123 pregnancies with non‐isolated VSDs, 18 (14.6%) clinically significant CMA results were detected, a considerably increased risk compared with control pregnancies. Karyotype‐detectable anomalies constituted 12 of the 18 abnormal CMA results in non‐isolated VSD group (66.7%), a significantly higher proportion compared with 2 of 8 (25%) in isolated VSD cohort.

Conclusions

The outcomes of our study, representing the largest number of CMA results in pregnancies with VSD, suggest that the rate of abnormal CMA findings in isolated VSD does not differ from pregnancies with normal ultrasound. This observation is true for populations undergoing routine common trisomy screening tests and early sonographic evaluation, as well as widely available non‐invasive prenatal screening. Conversely, CMA analysis yields a high detection rate in pregnancies with non‐isolated VSD. Our results question the recommendation to perform invasive prenatal testing for CMA in pregnancies with isolated VSD.
Zero‐balance ultrafiltration of the priming blood modifies the priming components and improves the clinical outcome in infants undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gholampour Dehaki Maziar , Niknam Sana , Bakhshandeh Hooman , Azarfarin Rasoul
Published: August 2019

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) requirement in infants presents a unique challenge because of the large prime volume‐to‐blood volume ratio. Packed red blood cells (PRBCs) tend to deteriorate with long‐term storage owing to their unphysiological composition and osmolality. Given that blood priming is inevitable in neonates, it is suggested that the metabolic load and osmolality are diminished before CPB initiation. We conducted the present study to test the hypothesis that the zero‐balance ultrafiltration (Z‐BUF) of the priming blood with 0.45% saline might be sufficient for modifying the metabolic load and osmolality and, thus, achieving a physiological state. Sixty infants with a weight below 10 kg undergoing CPB were randomly assigned either to a control group or to a Z‐BUF group and the Z‐BUF of the priming blood was performed in the latter group. Electrolytes and osmolality were measured in the priming blood. The bleeding volume, the blood transfusion rate, the length of mechanical ventilation, the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), the body temperature, and renal biomarkers were compared between the 2 groups. The osmolality and the levels of potassium, sodium, glucose, chloride, and lactate in the priming blood were significantly decreased after Z‐BUF (P < .01). The Z‐BUF group showed significant reductions in postoperative blood loss; postoperative blood transfusion; time to extubation; the length of stay in the ICU; the levels of lactate, sodium, and blood urea nitrogen at 24 hours postoperatively and the body temperature at 18 hours postoperatively (P < .05). However, no statistically significant differences were found between the 2 groups regarding the body temperature and the levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen after admission to the ICU. The results of the present study demonstrated that the Z‐BUF of the priming blood could be a useful strategy in infants undergoing CPB insofar as it significantly modified the composition of the priming blood and improved the clinical outcome among our patients.
Quality of probiotic products for preterm infants: Contamination and missing strains
Authors: Vermeulen Marijn J. , Luijendijk Ad , van Toledo Letty , van Kaam Anton H. , Reiss Irwin K. M.
Published: August 2019

Probiotics are effective in reducing necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants, but routine use is not generally adopted. We describe a safety issue concerning contamination by pathogenic bacteria and missing of labelled strains in a probiotic product widely used in neonatal care. We recommend all centres using probiotics in the care of vulnerable patients to consider product safety checks in addition to the quality reports of manufacturers. Meanwhile, clinicians and manufacturers should collaborate to define quality standards for probiotic products in clinical settings as long as specific international regulations are lacking.
Single‐incision laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal repair for bilateral inguinal hernias after femoral‐femoral artery bypass in a patient on antiplatelet therapy: A case report
Authors: Wakasugi Masaki , Yoshikawa Yukihiro , Furukawa Haruna , Sueda Toshinori , Matsumura Tae , Koga Chikato , Miyagaki Hiromichi , Tei Mitsuyoshi , Kawabata Ryohei , Tsujie Masanori , Hasegawa Junichi
Published: August 2019

A 77‐year‐old man visited our hospital due to bilateral painful inguinal swellings. He had a history of femoral‐femoral artery bypass surgery for peripheral artery disease and took ethyl icosapentate. Additionally, he had a previous history of open left colectomy for descending colon cancer and had a median incision reaching the lower abdomen. With a diagnosis of bilateral direct inguinal hernias after femoral‐femoral artery bypass surgery, he underwent single‐incision laparoscopic surgery for totally extraperitoneal repair, continuing on ethyl icosapentate. During surgery, the preperitoneal space was safely and easily dissected, avoiding a subcutaneous vascular graft. No perioperative complications or hernia recurrence have been observed at 3 months follow‐up.
Regulatory Science and Innovation Programme for Europe (ReScIPE): A proposed model
Authors: Hines Philip A. , Guy Richard H. , Brand Angela , Humphreys Anthony J. , Papaluca‐Amati Marisa
Published: August 2019

Regulatory science underpins the objective evaluation of medicinal products. It is therefore imperative that regulatory science and expertise remain at the cutting edge so that innovations of ever‐increasing complexity are translated safely and swiftly into effective, high‐quality therapies. We undertook a comprehensive examination of the evolution of science and technology impacting on medicinal product evaluation over the next 5–10 years and this horizon‐scanning activity was complemented by extensive stakeholder interviews, resulting in a number of significant recommendations. Highlighted in particular was the need for expertise and regulatory science research to fill knowledge gaps in both more fundamental, longer‐term research, with respect to technological and product‐specific challenges. A model is proposed to realise these objectives in Europe, comprising a synergistic relationship between the European Medicines Agency, the European Medicines Regulatory Network and academic research centres to establish a novel regulatory science and innovation platform.
The moderating role of board monitoring power in the relationship between environmental conditions and corporate social responsibility
Authors: García‐Sánchez Isabel‐María
Published: August 2019

Is the relationship between environmental munificence, dynamism, and corporate social responsibility contingent on board monitoring power? This is the research question examined in this study of an international sample of 956 listed firms from 2006 to 2014. After applying several regression models for panel data based on Tobit and generalized method of moments' (GMM) estimation, this paper supports the assertion that in munificent and dynamic environments, managers show a lower commitment to social and environmental issues. Proactive promotion of social and environmental concerns only occurs in firms with efficient internal corporate governance mechanisms, resulting in a moderating effect of board monitoring power—board independence and non‐duality of CEO—on the association between environmental conditions and corporate social responsibility. Theoretically, this moderating effect triggers managers to increase their socially responsible performance in munificent and dynamic environments because: (a) these boards reinforce the orientation of a firm towards the meeting of stakeholders' expectations; and (b) managers aim to protect themselves from the greater supervision and control exerted by the board in order to maintain their decision‐making freedom in environments of superior growth, resources, market uncertainty, and instability.
Evaluating the risks of public health programs: Rational antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Rid Annette , Littmann Jasper , Buyx Alena
Published: August 2019

Existing ethical frameworks for public health provide insufficient guidance on how to evaluate the risks of public health programs that compromise the best clinical interests of present patients for the benefit of others. Given the relevant similarity of such programs to clinical research, we suggest that insights from the long‐standing debate about acceptable risk in clinical research can helpfully inform and guide the evaluation of risks posed by public health programs that compromise patients’ best clinical interests. We discuss how lessons learned regarding the ethics of risk in one context can be fruitfully transferred to the other, using the example of a so‐called ‘rational antibiotic use’ guideline that limits antimicrobial prescribing in order to curb antimicrobial resistance.
Non‐coding RNAs in bone remodelling and bone metastasis: Mechanisms of action and translational relevance
Authors: Puppo Margherita , Taipaleenmäki Hanna , Hesse Eric , Clézardin Philippe
Published: August 2019

Bone metastases are frequent complications in patients with advanced cancer, which can be fatal or may rapidly impede the quality of life of patients. Current treatments for patients with bone metastases are palliative. Therefore, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that precede the overt development of skeletal lesions could lead to better therapeutic interventions. In this review, we present evidence that non‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as long ncRNAs, microRNAs, and circular RNAs are emerging as master regulators of bone metastasis formation. We highlight potential opportunities for the therapeutic targeting of ncRNAs. Furthermore, we discuss the possibility that ncRNAs may be used as biomarkers in the context of bone metastases, which might provide insight for improving the response to current bone‐targeting therapies.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on The molecular pharmacology of bone and cancer‐related bone diseases. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.9/issuetoc
Co‐morbidities and co‐medications as confounders of cardioprotection—Does it matter in the clinical setting?
Authors: Kleinbongard Petra , Bøtker Hans Erik , Ovize Michel , Hausenloy Derek J. , Heusch Gerd
Published: August 2019

The translation of cardioprotection from robust experimental evidence to beneficial clinical outcome for patients suffering acute myocardial infarction or undergoing cardiovascular surgery has been largely disappointing. The present review attempts to critically analyse the evidence for confounders of cardioprotection in patients with acute myocardial infarction and in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. One reason that has been proposed to be responsible for such lack of translation is the confounding of cardioprotection by co‐morbidities and co‐medications. Whereas there is solid experimental evidence for such confounding of cardioprotection by single co‐morbidities and co‐medications, the clinical evidence from retrospective analyses of the limited number of clinical data is less robust. The best evidence for interference of co‐medications is that for platelet inhibitors to recruit cardioprotection per se and thus limit the potential for further protection from myocardial infarction and for propofol anaesthesia to negate the protection from remote ischaemic conditioning in cardiovascular surgery.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on Risk factors, comorbidities, and comedications in cardioprotection. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.23/issuetoc
Editorial: Screen time, social media and developing brains: a cause for good or corrupting young minds?
Authors: Dubicka Bernadka , Martin Jennifer , Firth Joseph
Published: August 2019

In 2018, the Royal College of Psychiatrists held a debate for young people about social media, a subject of their own choosing. The young people spoke eloquently but had differing views. One young person held up his smartphone and stated ‘this is my heroin – it's the heroin of our generation’. In contrast, another young person argued ‘I don't agree – this is my life line, I am a looked‐after child, living on my own, and it's the only way I have of keeping in touch with my family and friends’.
Bottom‐up effect of host plants on life‐history characteristics of Aphidoletes aphidimyza feeding on Aphis gossypii
Authors: Madahi Khadijeh , Sahragard Ahad , Hosseini Reza , Baniameri Valiollah
Published: August 2019

The predatory midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is widely used for the control of Aphis spp. in many agricultural systems. We aimed to determine the most suitable host plant for rearing the predatory midges on the prey Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Six host plants were selected: cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Beith Alpha), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Falat111), eggplant (Solanum melongena L. cv. Yummy), pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Bertene) (all Solanaceae), okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moensch cv. Clemson Spineless] (Malvaceae), and squash (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Hybrid rajai) (Cucurbitaceae). Some physical traits (length and density of trichomes) and chemical attributes (nitrogen content) of prey host plants were investigated. The results showed that prey host plants differed significantly in their effect on fitness of the predator. The shortest immature development time (18.07 ± 0.257 days), the longest female adult longevity (7.5 ± 0.18 days), and the highest fecundity (89 eggs/female) of A. aphidimyza were found with squash as prey food. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (0.171 ± 0.009 day−1) and also the shortest mean generation time (22.4 ± 0.32 days) were also obtained when A. aphidimyza fed on A. gossypii reared on squash. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) approved the correlation between life‐history traits of A. aphidimyza and characteristics of prey host plants. The suitability of squash for rearing A. aphidimyza can be attributed to the higher nitrogen content, longer trichomes, and relatively high density of trichomes, which provided a better environment for A. gossypii and indirectly favored A. aphidimyza. This study showed that squash is the most suitable host plant for rearing A. aphidimyza feeding on A. gossypii.
Interhemispheric visual competition after multisensory reversal of hemianopia
Authors: Dakos Alexander S. , Walker Ellen M. , Jiang Huai , Stein Barry E. , Rowland Benjamin A.
Published: August 2019

Unilateral lesions of visual cortex have the secondary consequence of suppressing visual circuits in the midbrain superior colliculus (SC), collectively producing blindness in contralesional space (“hemianopia”). Recent studies have demonstrated that SC visual responses and contralesional vision can be reinstated by a non‐invasive multisensory training procedure in which spatiotemporally concordant visual‐auditory pairs are repeatedly presented within the blind hemifield. Despite this recovery of visual responsiveness, the loss of visual cortex was expected to result in permanent deficits in that hemifield, especially when visual events in both hemifields compete for attention and access to the brain's visuomotor circuitry. This was evaluated in the present study in a visual choice paradigm in which the two visual hemifields of recovered cats were simultaneously stimulated with equally valent visual targets. Surprisingly, the expected disparity was not found, and some animals even preferred stimuli presented in the previously blind hemifield. This preference persisted across multiple stimulus intensity levels and there was no indication that animals were less aware of cues in the previously blind hemifield than in its spared counterpart. Furthermore, when auditory cues were combined with visual cues, the enhanced performance they produced on a visual task was no greater in the normal than in the previously blind hemifield. These observations suggest that the multisensory rehabilitation paradigm revealed greater inherent visual information processing potential in the previously blind hemifield than was believed possible given the loss of visual cortex.