bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of White Noise on Agitated Behaviors, Mental Status, and Activities of Daily Living in Older Adults With Dementia
Authors: Lin Li-Wei , Weng Shu-Chuan , Wu Hua-Shan , Tsai Lu-Jen , Lin Ya-Ling , Yeh Shu-Hui
Published: July 2017

Background:

The aging of society is a global trend, and care of older adults with dementia is an urgent challenge. As dementia progresses, patients exhibit negative emotions, memory disorders, sleep disorders, and agitated behavior. Agitated behavior is one of the most difficult problems for family caregivers and healthcare providers to handle when caring for older adults with dementia.

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of white noise in improving agitated behavior, mental status, and activities of daily living in older adults with dementia.

Methods:

An experimental research design was used to study elderly participants two times (pretest and posttest). Six dementia care centers in central and southern Taiwan were targeted to recruit participants. There were 63 participants: 28 were in the experimental group, and 35 were in the comparison group. Experimental group participants received 20 minutes of white noise consisting of ocean, rain, wind, and running water sounds between 4 and 5 p.m. daily over a period of 4 weeks. The comparison group received routine care. Questionnaires were completed, and observations of agitated behaviors were collected before and after the intervention.

Results:

Agitated behavior in the experimental group improved significantly between pretest and posttest. Furthermore, posttest scores on the Mini-Mental Status Examination and Barthel Index were slightly better for this group than at pretest. However, the experimental group registered no significant difference in mental status or activities of daily living at posttest. For the comparison group, agitated behavior was unchanged between pretest and posttest.

Conclusions:

The results of this study support white noise as a simple, convenient, and noninvasive intervention that improves agitated behavior in older adults with dementia. These results may provide a reference for related healthcare providers, educators, and administrators who care for older adults with dementia.
Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version of the Job Performance Scale Instrument
Authors: Harmanci Seren Arzu Kader , Tuna Rujnan , Eskin Bacaksiz Feride
Published: July 2017

Background:

Objective measurement of the job performance of nursing staff using valid and reliable instruments is important in the evaluation of healthcare quality. A current, valid, and reliable instrument that specifically measures the performance of nurses is required for this purpose.

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Job Performance Instrument.

Methods:

This study used a methodological design and a sample of 240 nurses working at different units in four hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey. A descriptive data form, the Job Performance Scale, and the Employee Performance Scale were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 21.0 and LISREL Version 8.51.

Results:

On the basis of the data analysis, the instrument was revised. Some items were deleted, and subscales were combined.

Conclusions/Implications for Practice:

The Turkish version of the Job Performance Instrument was determined to be valid and reliable to measure the performance of nurses. The instrument is suitable for evaluating current nursing roles.
The Nursing Performance Instrument: Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses in Registered Nurses
Authors: Sagherian Knar , Steege Linsey M. , Geiger-Brown Jeanne , Harrington Donna
Published: July 2017

Background:

The optimal performance of nurses in healthcare settings plays a critical role in care quality and patient safety. Despite this importance, few measures are provided in the literature that evaluate nursing performance as an independent construct from competencies. The nine-item Nursing Performance Instrument (NPI) was developed to fill this gap.

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to examine and confirm the underlying factor structure of the NPI in registered nurses.

Method:

The design was cross-sectional, using secondary data collected between February 2008 and April 2009 for the “Fatigue in Nursing Survey” (N = 797). The sample was predominantly dayshift female nurses working in acute care settings. Using Mplus software, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were applied to the NPI data, which were divided into two equal subsamples. Multiple fit indices were used to evaluate the fit of the alternative models.

Results:

The three-factor model was determined to fit the data adequately. The factors that were labeled as “physical/mental decrements,” “consistent practice,” and “behavioral change” were moderately to strongly intercorrelated, indicating good convergent validity. The reliability coefficients for the subscales were acceptable.

Conclusions/Implications for Practice:

The NPI consists of three latent constructs. This instrument has the potentialto be used as a self-monitoring instrument that addressesnurses’ perceptions of performance while providing patient care.
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound as a New Investigative Tool in Diagnostic Imaging of Muscle Injuries—A Pilot Study Evaluating Conventional Ultrasound, CEUS, and Findings in MRI
Authors: Hotfiel Thilo , Heiss Rafael , Swoboda Bernd , Kellermann Marion , Gelse Kolja , Grim Casper , Strobel Deike , Wildner Dane
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To emphasize the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the imaging of muscle injuries with different degrees of severity by comparing findings to established imaging modalities such as conventional ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Design:

Case series.

Setting:

Institutional study. Conventional ultrasound and CEUS were performed in the Department of Internal Medicine. Magnetic resonance imaging was carried out in the Department of Radiology within the Magnetom Avanto 1.5T and Magnetom Skyra fit 3T (Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany) and in the Institution of Imaging Diagnostics and Therapy (Magnetom Avanto 1.5T; Siemens, Erlangen, Germany).

Patients:

Fifteen patients who underwent an acute muscle injury were recruited.

Main Outcome Measures:

The appearance and detectable size of muscle injuries were compared between each imaging modality. The injuries were assessed by 3 independent observers and blinded between imaging modalities.

Results:

All 15 injuries were identified on MRI and CEUS, whereas 10 injuries showed abnormalities in conventional ultrasound. The determination and measurement revealed significant differences between conventional ultrasound and CEUS depending on injury severity. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound revealed an impairment of microcirculation in grade I lesions (corresponding to intramuscular edema observed in MRI), which was not detectable using conventional ultrasound.

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that performing CEUS seems to be a sensitive additional diagnostic modality in the early assessment of muscle injuries. Our results highlight the advantages of CEUS in the imaging of low-grade lesions when compared with conventional ultrasound, as this was the more accurate modality for identifying intramuscular edema.
Role of Multislice CT Imaging in Predicting the Visibility of the Round Window in Pediatric Cochlear Implantation
Authors: Fouad Yasser A. , Elaassar Ahmad Shaker , El-anwar Mohammad Waheed , Sabir Ebrahim , Abdelhamid Ahmad , Ghonimy Mai
Published: July 2017

Background:

High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) magnifies the role of preoperative imaging for detailed inner and middle ear anatomical information and enhances more efforts for better dependent correlation and measurements of round window (RW).

Objective:

To find an applicable way by HRCT imaging for the prediction of the visibility of the RW during cochlear implantation (CI) surgery.

Methods:

Five radiologic measurements were performed on the axial HRCT and these measurements were correlated with the degree of RW visibility after performing posterior tympanotomy during CI surgery.

Results:

Sixty ears of 60 children were included in the current study. A significant correlation was found between the degree of RW visibility and the following: 1) the angle between RW, facial nerve (FN), and the coronal axis (p < 0.00001); 2) the vertical distance between RW and FN (p = 0.006552); and 3) FN location to the axis of cochlea (p = 0.000419). On the other hand, nonsignificant correlation was found between the degree of RW visibility and both of the facial recess width and the angle between axis of cochlea and external auditory canal (p = 0.941363 and p = 0.59036 respectively).

Conclusion:

The angle between RW, FN, and the coronal axis and the vertical distance between RW and FN are proportionate with the degree of surgical RW visibility in children during CI. In children, surgeons can depend on those two parameters in addition to the distance between FN location to the axis of cochlea in predicting the RW visibility rather than depending on the measurements related to the external auditory canal.
Position of the Internal Aperture of Vestibular Aqueduct in Patients With Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct
Authors: Lyu Huiying , Hong Juan , Yin Dongming , Chen Keguang , Li Jieying , Yang Lin , Zhang Tianyu , Dai Peidong
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To investigate the position of the internal aperture of vestibular aqueduct and its relationship to hearing level in patients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA).

Methods:

The size of the common crus and the position of the internal aperture of vestibular aqueduct were compared among control subjects, EVA patients with and without other inner ear malformations. Auditory steady-state response thresholds were compared between EVA patients with different positions of internal apertures.

Results:

The common crus in EVA patients was shorter than in control subjects (p < 0.05). The internal aperture of the vestibular aqueduct opened solely into the common crus in control subjects, simultaneously into the common crus and vestibule in almost 45% of EVA patients, solely into the common crus, and the vestibule in almost 30 and 25% of EVA patients, respectively. Auditory steady-state response thresholds at 2000 and 4000 Hz were higher in EVA patients whose internal apertures of vestibular aqueducts opened simultaneously into the common crus and vestibule than in those whose internal apertures opened solely into the common crus.

Conclusion:

The common crus is shorter in EVA patients than in control subjects. The internal aperture of the vestibular aqueduct opens solely into the common crus in control subjects. It opens simultaneously into the common crus and vestibule in almost half of the EVA patients. The EVA patients whose internal apertures of vestibular aqueducts open solely into the common crus may have better hearing than those whose internal apertures open simultaneously into the common crus and vestibule.
Proposal of a Video-recording System for the Assessment of Bell's Palsy: Methodology and Preliminary Results
Authors: Monini Simonetta , Marinozzi Franco , Atturo Francesca , Bini Fabiano , Marchelletta Silvia , Barbara Maurizio
Published: July 2017

Hypothesis:

To propose a new objective video-recording procedure to assess and monitor over time the severity of facial nerve palsy.

Background:

No objective methods for facial palsy (FP) assessment are universally accepted.

Methods:

The face of subjects presenting with different degrees of facial nerve deficit, as measured by the House–Brackmann (HB) grading system, was videotaped after positioning, at specific points, 10 gray circular markers made of a retroreflective material. Video-recording included the resting position and six ordered facial movements. Editing and data elaboration was performed using a software instructed to assess marker distances. From the differences of the marker distances between the two sides was then extracted a score.

Results:

The higher the FP degree, the higher the score registered during each movement. The statistical significance differed during the various movements between the different FP degrees, being uniform when closing the eyes gently; whereas when wrinkling the nose, there was no difference between the HB grade III and IV groups and, when smiling, no difference was evidenced between the HB grade IV and V groups.

The global range index, which represents the overall degree of FP, was between 6.2 and 7.9 in the normal subjects (HB grade I); between 10.6 and 18.91 in HB grade II; between 22.19 and 33.06 in HB grade III; between 38.61 and 49.75 in HB grade IV; and between 50.97 and 66.88 in HB grade V.

Conclusion:

The proposed objective methodology could provide numerical data that correspond to the different degrees of FP, as assessed by the subjective HB grading system. These data can in addition be used singularly to score selected areas of the paralyzed face when recovery occurs with a different timing in the different face regions.
A Systematic Review of Primary Care Safety Climate Survey Instruments: Their Origins, Psychometric Properties, Quality, and Usage
Authors: Curran Ciara , Lydon Sinéad , Kelly Maureen , Murphy Andrew , Walsh Chloe , O'Connor Paul
Published: July 2017

Importance

Safety climate (SC) measurement is a common and feasible method of proactive safety assessment in primary care. However, there is no consensus on which instrument is “best” to use.

Objective

The aim of the study was to identify the origins, psychometric properties, quality, and SC domains measured by survey instruments used to assess SC in primary care settings.

Data Sources

Systematic searches were conducted using Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycInfo in February 2016.

Study Selection

English-language, peer-reviewed studies that reported the development and/or use of a SC survey in a primary care setting were included.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Two reviewers independently extracted data (survey characteristics, origins, and psychometric properties) from studies and applied the Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with Diverse Designs to assess methodological rigour. Safety climate domains within surveys were deductively analyzed and categorized into common healthcare SC themes.

Results

Seventeen SC surveys were identified, of which 16 had been adapted from 2 main U.S. hospital-based surveys. Only 1 survey was developed de novo for a primary care setting. The quantity and quality of psychometric testing varied considerably across the surveys. Management commitment to safety was the most frequently measured SC theme (87.5%). Workload was infrequently measured (25%).

Conclusions and Relevance

Valid and reliable instruments, which are context specific to the healthcare environment for intentional use, are essential to accurately assess SC. Key recommendations include further establishing the construct and criterion-related validity of existing instruments as opposed to developing additional surveys.
Role of Normalized T-Cell Subsets in Predicting Comorbidities in a Large Cohort of Geriatric HIV-Infected Patients
Authors: Calcagno Andrea , Piconi Stefania , Focà Emanuele , Nozza Silvia , Carli Federica , Montrucchio Chiara , Cattelan Annamaria M. , Orofino Giancarlo , Celesia Benedetto M. , Morena Valentina , De Socio Giuseppe V. , Guaraldi Giovanni ,   for the GEPPO (GEriatric Patients living with HIV/AIDS: a Prospective Multidimensional cOhort) Study Group
Published: July 2017

Background:

Adults aging with HIV are at greater risk for several comorbidities. The CD4+ cell count and CD4+/CD8+ ratio often fail to normalize in elderly patients despite prolonged antiretroviral therapy; this has been associated with concomitant diseases and poor prognosis.

Methods:

A cross-sectional analysis in antiretroviral-treated HIV-positive patients aged 65 years and older. The aim of the study was to describe the predictors of normalized T-cell subsets (“nT”, CD4+/CD8+ ratio ≥1 and CD4+ ≥500 cells/μL) in a cohort of geriatric HIV-positive patients and its association with HIV-associated non-AIDS conditions (HANA).

Results:

One thousand ninety-two patients were included: nT was observed in 340 patients (31.1%). Multivariate binary logistic analysis showed that plasma HIV RNA <50 copies/mL (P = 0.004), female sex (P = 0.002), and nadir CD4+ cell count (P < 0.001) were independent predictors of nT. Age and sex-adjusted prevalence of hypertension (P = 0.037), lipid abnormalities (P = 0.040), and multimorbidity (P = 0.034) were higher in subjects with nT, whereas chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer were lower (respectively, P = 0.028 and P = 0.005). Multivariate analysis showed that HIV duration was an independent predictor of several comorbidities, whereas nT was protective for cancer and COPD. HIV duration and nT were simultaneously predictors of multimorbidity.

Conclusions:

Normalized T-cell subsets were observed in approximately one-third of geriatric HIV-positive subjects, and they were predicted by female sex and immunovirological features. HIV-associated non-AIDS conditions were more prevalent in patients with longer HIV duration, whereas nT represented a protective factor for cancer and COPD.
HIV Viral Load Suppression in Adults and Children Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy—Results From the IeDEA Collaboration
Authors: Jiamsakul Awachana , Kariminia Azar , Althoff Keri N. , Cesar Carina , Cortes Claudia P. , Davies Mary-Ann , Do Viet Chau , Eley Brian , Gill John , Kumarasamy Nagalingeswaran , Machado Daisy Maria , Moore Richard , Prozesky Hans , Zaniewski Elizabeth , Law Matthew
Published: July 2017

Background:

Having 90% of patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and achieving an undetectable viral load (VL) is 1 of the 90:90:90 by 2020 targets. In this global analysis, we investigated the proportions of adult and paediatric patients with VL suppression in the first 3 years after ART initiation.

Methods:

Patients from the IeDEA cohorts who initiated ART between 2010 and 2014 were included. Proportions with VL suppression (<1000 copies/mL) were estimated using (1) strict intention to treat (ITT)–loss to follow-up (LTFU) and dead patients counted as having detectable VL; and (2) modified ITT—LTFU and dead patients were excluded. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of viral suppression at 1 year after ART initiation using modified ITT.

Results:

A total of 35,561 adults from 38 sites/16 countries and 2601 children from 18 sites/6 countries were included. When comparing strict with modified ITT methods, the proportion achieving VL suppression at 3 years from ART initiation changed from 45.1% to 90.2% in adults, and 60.6% to 80.4% in children. In adults, older age, higher CD4 count pre-ART, and homosexual/bisexual HIV exposure were associated with VL suppression. In children, older age and higher CD4 percentage pre-ART showed significant associations with VL suppression.

Conclusions:

Large increases in the proportion of VL suppression in adults were observed when we excluded those who were LTFU or had died. The increases were less pronounced in children. Greater emphasis should be made to minimize LTFU and maximize patient retention in HIV-infected patients of all age groups.
Long-term Patient-reported Outcomes After Laparoscopic Fenestration of Symptomatic Liver Cysts
Authors: Kisiel Aaron , Vass David G. , Navarro Alex , John Annie K. , Isaac Johh , Marudanayagam Ravi , Mirza Darius F. , Muiesan Paolo , Roberts Keith , Sutcliffe Robert P.
Published: July 2017

Background:

Laparoscopic fenestration is the treatment of choice for symptomatic liver cysts. Despite the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, there is limited data on long-term outcomes after laparoscopic fenestration, in terms of symptom recurrence and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term patient-reported outcomes and satisfaction following this procedure.

Methods:

All patients who underwent laparoscopic liver cyst fenestration in a single center between 2001 and 2012 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Long-term patient-reported outcomes including symptom relief and quality of life were prospectively evaluated by a structured telephone interview.

Results:

A total of 98 patients underwent laparoscopic liver cyst fenestration. The median follow-up was 62 months (range, 22 to 173 mo). Follow-up data was available in 48 patients. Four patients developed radiologically confirmed evidence of recurrence with 3 undergoing further surgery. No mortality was reported in the series. Four complications occurred and the median postoperative length of hospital stay was 2 days (range, 1 to 7 d). Thirty-nine patients received immediate symptomatic relief with 98% reporting long-term satisfaction.

Results:

Laparoscopic liver cyst fenestration is associated with low morbidity and long-term alleviation of symptoms. This should be considered the treatment modality of choice in managing patients with nonparasitic cysts.
Prion disease pathogenesis in the absence of the commensal microbiota
Authors: Bradford Barry M. , Tetlow Laura , Mabbott Neil A.
Published: July 2017

Prion diseases are a unique group of transmissible, typically sub-acute, neurodegenerative disorders. During central nervous system (CNS) prion disease, the microglia become activated and are thought to provide a protective response by scavenging and clearing prions. The mammalian intestine is host to a large burden of commensal micro-organisms, especially bacteria, termed the microbiota. The commensal microbiota has beneficial effects on host health, including through the metabolism of essential nutrients, regulation of host development and protection against pathogens. The commensal gut microbiota also constitutively regulates the functional maturation of microglia in the CNS, and microglial function is impaired when it is absent in germ-free mice. In the current study, we determined whether the absence of the commensal gut microbiota might also affect prion disease pathogenesis. Our data clearly show that the absence of the commensal microbiota in germ-free mice did not affect prion disease duration or susceptibility after exposure to prions by intraperitoneal or intracerebral injection. Furthermore, the magnitude and distribution of the characteristic neuropathological hallmarks of terminal prion disease in the CNS, including the development of spongiform pathology, accumulation of prion disease-specific protein (PrP), astrogliosis and microglial activation, were similar in conventionally housed and germ-free mice. Thus, although the commensal gut microbiota constitutively promotes the maintenance of the microglia in the CNS under steady-state conditions in naïve mice, our data suggest that dramatic changes to the abundance or complexity of the commensal gut microbiota are unlikely to influence CNS prion disease pathogenesis.
Functionally Convergent B Cell Receptor Sequences in Transgenic Rats Expressing a Human B Cell Repertoire in Response to Tetanus Toxoid and Measles Antigens
Authors: Büerckert Jean-Philippe , Dubois Axel R.S.X. , Faison William J. , Farinelle Sophie , Charpentier Emilie , Sinner Regina , Wienecke-Baldacchino Anke , Muller Claude P.
Published: July 2017

The identification and tracking of antigen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) sequences within total Ig repertoires is central to high-throughput sequencing (HTS) studies of infections or vaccinations. In this context, public Ig sequences shared by different individuals exposed to the same antigen could be valuable markers for tracing back infections, measuring vaccine immunogenicity, and perhaps ultimately allow the reconstruction of the immunological history of an individual. Here, we immunized groups of transgenic rats expressing human Ig against tetanus toxoid (TT), Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA), measles virus hemagglutinin and fusion proteins expressed on MVA and the environmental carcinogen Benzo[a]Pyrene, coupled to TT. We showed that these antigens impose a selective pressure causing the Ig Heavy chain (IgH) repertoires of the rats to converge towards the expression of antibodies with highly similar IgH CDR3 amino acid sequences. We present a computational approach, similar to differential gene expression analysis, that selects for clusters of CDR3s with 80% similarity, significantly overrepresented within the different groups of immunized rats. These IgH clusters represent antigen-induced IgH signatures exhibiting stereotypic amino acid patterns including previously described TT and measles specific IgH sequences. Our data suggest, that with the presented methodology, transgenic Ig rats can be utilized as a model to identify antigen-induced, human IgH signatures to a variety of different antigens.
Network Curvature as a Hallmark of Brain Structural Connectivity
Authors: Farooq Hamza , Chen Yongxin , Georgiou Tryphon T. , Tannenbaum Allen , Lenglet Christophe
Published: July 2017

Studies show that while brain networks are remarkably robust to a variety of adverse events, such as injuries and lesions due to accidents or disease, they may be fragile when the disturbance takes place in specific locations. This seems to be the case for diseases in which accumulated changes in network topology dramatically affect certain sensitive areas. To this end, previous attempts have been made to quantify robustness and fragility of brain functionality in two broadly defined ways: (i) utilizing model-based techniques to predict lesion effects, and (ii) studying empirical effects from brain lesions due to injury or disease. Both directions aim at assessing functional connectivity changes resulting from structural network variations. In the present work, we follow a more geometric viewpoint that is based on a notion of curvature of networks, the so-called Ollivier-Ricci curvature. A similar approach has been used in recent studies to quantify financial market robustness as well as to differentiate biological networks corresponding to cancer cells from normal cells. The same notion of curvature, defined at the node level for brain networks obtained from MRI data, may help identify and characterize the effects of diseases on specific brain regions. In the present paper, we apply the Ollivier-Ricci curvature to brain structural networks to: i) Demonstrate its unique ability to identify robust (or fragile) brain regions in healthy subjects. We compare our results to previously published work which identified a unique set of regions (calledstructural core) of the human cerebral cortex. This novel characterization of brain networks, complementary to measures such as degree, strength, clustering or efficiency, may be particularly useful to detect and monitor candidate areas for targeting by surgery (e.g. deep brain stimulation) or pharmaco-therapeutic agents; ii) Illustrate the power our curvature-derived measures to track changes in brain connectivity with healthy development/aging and; iii) Detect changes in brain structural connectivity in people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) which are in agreement with previous morphometric MRI studies.
Dynamic gain adjustments in descending corticofugal outputs from auditory cortex compensate for cochlear nerve synaptic damage
Authors: Asokan Meenakshi M , Williamson Ross S , Hancock Kenneth E , Polley Daniel B
Published: July 2017

Layer 5 (L5) cortical projection neurons innervate far-ranging brain areas to coordinate integrative sensory processing and adaptive behaviors. Here, we characterize a compensatory plasticity in L5 auditory cortex (ACtx) projection neurons with axons that innervate the inferior colliculus (IC), thalamus, lateral amygdala and striatum. We used widefield calcium imaging to monitor daily changes in sound processing from the dense plexus of corticocollicular (CCol) axon terminals in awake adult mice. CCol sound level growth functions were stable in control conditions but showed bi-phasic gain changes following damage to cochlear afferent synapses. Auditory nerve and CCol growth functions were sharply reduced hours after cochlear synaptopathy, but CCol response gain rebounded above baseline levels by the following day and remained elevated for 2 weeks despite a persistent reduction in auditory nerve input. Sustained potentiation of excitatory ACtx projection neurons that innervate multiple limbic and subcortical auditory centers may underlie hyperexcitability and aberrant functional coupling of distributed brain networks in tinnitus.
An Algorithm for Cellular Reprogramming
Authors: Ronquist Scott , Patterson Geoff , Brown Markus , Lindsly Stephen , Chen Haiming , Muir Lindsey A. , Wicha Max , Bloch Anthony , Brockett Roger , Rajapakse Indika
Published: July 2017

The day we understand the time evolution of subcellular elements at a level of detail comparable to physical systems governed by Newton’s laws of motion seems far away. Even so, quantitative approaches to cellular dynamics add to our understanding of cell biology, providing data-guided frameworks that allow us to develop better predictions about, and methods for, control over specific biological processes and system-wide cell behavior. In this paper, we describe an approach to optimizing the use of transcription factors (TFs) in the context of cellular reprogramming. We construct an approximate model for the natural evolution of a cell cycle synchronized population of human fibroblasts, based on data obtained by sampling the expression of 22,083 genes at several time points along the cell cycle. In order to arrive at a model of moderate complexity, we cluster gene expression based on the division of the genome into topologically associating domains (TADs) and then model the dynamics of the TAD expression levels. Based on this dynamical model and known bioinformatics, such as transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) and functions, we develop a methodology for identifying the top transcription factor candidates for a specific cellular reprogramming task. The approach used is based on a device commonly used in optimal control. Our data-guided methodology identifies a number of transcription factors previously validated for reprogramming and/or natural differentiation. Our findings highlight the immense potential of dynamical models, mathematics, and data-guided methodologies for improving strategies for control over biological processes.

Significance Statement

Reprogramming the human genome toward any desirable state is within reach; application of select transcription factors drives cell types toward different lineages in many settings. We introduce the concept of data-guided control in building a universal algorithm for directly reprogramming any human cell type into any other type. Our algorithm is based on time series genome transcription and architecture data and known regulatory activities of transcription factors, with natural dimension reduction using genome architectural features. Our algorithm predicts known reprogramming factors, top candidates for new settings, and ideal timing for application of transcription factors. This framework can be used to develop strategies for tissue regeneration, cancer cell reprogramming, and control of dynamical systems beyond cell biology.
DNA 5-Hydroxymethylcytosines from Cell-free Circulating DNA as Diagnostic Biomarkers for Human Cancers
Authors: Li Wenshuai , Zhang Xu , Lu Xingyu , You Lei , Song Yanqun , Luo Zhongguang , Zhang Jun , Nie Ji , Zheng Wanwei , Xu Diannan , Wang Yaping , Dong Yuanqiang , Yu Shulin , Hong Jun , Shi Jianping , Hao Hankun , Luo Fen , Hua Luchun , Wang Peng , Qian Xiaoping , Yuan Fang , Wei Lianhuan , Cui Ming , Zhang Taiping , Liao Quan , Dai Menghua , Liu Ziwen , Chen Ge , Meckel Katherine , Adhikari Sarbani , Jia Guifang , Bissonnette Marc B. , Zhang Xinxiang , Zhao Yupei , Zhang Wei , He Chuan , Liu Jie
Published: July 2017

DNA modifications such as 5-methylcytosines (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosines (5hmC) are epigenetic marks known to affect global gene expression in mammals(1, 2). Given their prevalence in the human genome, close correlation with gene expression, and high chemical stability, these DNA epigenetic marks could serve as ideal biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. Taking advantage of a highly sensitive and selective chemical labeling technology(3), we report here genome-wide 5hmC profiling in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and in genomic DNA of paired tumor/adjacent tissues collected from a cohort of 90 healthy individuals and 260 patients recently diagnosed with colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, liver, or thyroid cancer. 5hmC was mainly distributed in transcriptionally active regions coincident with open chromatin and permissive histone modifications. Robust cancer-associated 5hmC signatures in cfDNA were identified with specificity for different cancers. 5hmC-based biomarkers of circulating cfDNA demonstrated highly accurate predictive value for patients with colorectal and gastric cancers versus healthy controls, superior to conventional biomarkers, and comparable to 5hmC biomarkers from tissue biopsies. This new strategy could lead to the development of effective blood-based, minimally-invasive cancer diagnosis and prognosis approaches.
Being “adopted” into a teaching community
Authors: Bentley Erinn , Workman Madison , Overby Alex
Published: July 2017

Purpose

In order to prepare new members of the education profession, it is imperative that teachers enter their classrooms with the confidence, knowledge, and skills to serve their students from day one. One method for preparing such teacher candidates or student teachers is through school-based field placements during their preparation program. The purpose of this paper is to describe one example of a yearlong field placement and the mentoring relationships that emerged among participants.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study used the following data sources: focus group interviews among the teacher candidates, focus group interviews among the mentor teachers, field placement reflections and teaching analyses composed by the teacher candidates, and interviews conducted among teacher candidates and mentor teachers.

Findings

Analysis of the data revealed that the yearlong field placement promoted positive mentoring relationships between teacher candidates and their classroom teachers. Specifically the following themes emerged: the “adoption” of teacher candidates into the high school classrooms, risk-taking within the classrooms, the mentor teachers’ use of constructive feedback, and collaborative “mentoring-down-the-hall.”

Originality/value

In recent years, various scholars have investigated the impact of field placement experiences on teacher candidates; however, these studies have lacked a detailed analysis of how such experiences impacted mentoring relationships among candidates and their mentor teachers in a collaborative setting. This paper provides an in-depth study of the perceived experiences of mentor teachers and their candidates.
The impact of service bundles on the mechanism through which functional value and price value affect WOM intent
Authors: Ranaweera Chatura , Karjaluoto Heikki
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute toward the current limited understanding of service bundles by investigating how purchasers of combined product-service bundles (bundle customers) differ from those purchasing a product and associated service separately (non-bundle customers).

Design/methodology/approach

The hypothesized effects were tested on a representative sample of mobile phone subscribers in Finland, through a multi-group moderated analysis using variance-based structural equation modeling.

Findings

While functional value had a stronger effect on attitude for bundle customers, price value is a stronger determinant of attitude for non-bundle customers. There was no difference between the groups in terms of how attitude determines the word-of-mouth (WOM) intent. The total influence of functional value on positive WOM intent was stronger for bundle customers vs non-bundle customers; in contrast, the total influence of price value on positive WOM was weaker for the bundle customers.

Research limitations/implications

Two interrelated frameworks, prospect theory and mental accounting theory, are used to analyze customer response to service bundles. The results demonstrate that bundles play a powerful role in determining engagement behaviors critical to firms. Purchasing a service bundle vs a non-bundle influences how price value and functional value determine attitude and WOM intent in fundamentally different ways.

Practical implications

In devising communication strategies to maximize positive WOM, managers need to emphasize functional benefits for bundle purchasers and price benefits for non-bundle customers. The results also demonstrate that it is more important for firms to track perceived value, as value and not attitude differentiates WOM generation in the two groups.

Originality/value

This is the first study to demonstrate how bundle and non-bundle customers determine value, and how functional value and price value determine WOM generation and attitude toward service provider in fundamentally different ways. The comparison of the bundle group where the firm acts as the main resource integrator to a non-bundle group where the customer is the main resource integrator in creating value helps demonstrate the need for firms to treat the two groups in distinct ways.
The enhanced loyalty drivers of customers acquired through referral reward programs
Authors: Ramaseshan B. , Wirtz Jochen , Georgi Dominik
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend prior research on referral reward programs (RRPs) by examining if and how the mode of customer acquisition (RRP-acquired customers vs non-RRP-acquired new customers) moderates the relationships between customer satisfaction and attitudinal loyalty, perceived switching costs and attitudinal loyalty, and attitudinal loyalty and behavioral loyalty (i.e. recommendations, cross-buying, and total spend).

Design/methodology/approach

Set in a banking context, this study is the first in an RRP context to link survey data with actual purchase data from a bank’s CRM records. Specifically, the survey captured customers’ satisfaction, perceived switching costs and attitudinal loyalty, whereas the CRM data provided actual loyalty behaviors (cross-buying and total spend).

Findings

The findings show that the effect of satisfaction on attitudinal loyalty, and the effects of attitudinal loyalty on recommendations, cross-buying, and total spend were stronger for RRP-acquired customers than for non-RRP-acquired new customers. Furthermore, perceived switching costs had a lower effect on attitudinal loyalty for RRP-acquired customers than for non-RRP-acquired new customers.

Practical implications

The findings offer managers a better understanding of how RRP-acquired customers differ from non-RRP-acquired new customers with regard to their satisfaction, perceived switching costs, and attitudinal and behavioral loyalty, thus enabling effective management of RRPs.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study that explores the differences between RRP-acquired customers and non-RRP-acquired new customers with regard to the effects of satisfaction and perceived switching costs on attitudinal loyalty, and the effect of attitudinal loyalty on behavioral loyalty.
Children perceptions of emotional and rational appeals in social advertisements
Authors: Nicolini Valentina , Cassia Fabio , Bellotto Massimo
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This study aims to understand the impact of rational and emotional appeals on children’s attitude towards two public service announcements (PSAs) that promoted eating fruits and vegetables.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods study was conducted with children aged 8 to 11. A convergent parallel design was selected that comprised a questionnaire for the quantitative approach and a semi-structured focus group for the qualitative approach.

Findings

The results from the quantitative and qualitative phases converged, showing that both components (i.e. emotional and rational) play a significant role in children’s preference towards an advertisement, but the emotional component appeared to be the preeminent.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should use other social subjects and children of different age brackets from various countries to test whether they continue to prefer emotional appeals in advertising.

Practical implications

An understanding of which elements children prefer in PSAs will enable advertising campaigns and social marketing strategies with targeted approaches that respect children’s tastes to be planned.

Social implications

A properly designed social advertisement could have important effects on disseminating useful information, changing or preventing unhealthy habits and adopting good practices in children.

Originality/value

Few studies have examined the effectiveness of PSAs, especially those targeted at children. This paper contributes to extend concepts from the commercial field of advertising directed to children to the field of social advertising. To date, this field has received little attention.
Undergraduates’ responses to factors affecting their money management behaviour: some new insights from a qualitative study
Authors: Bamforth Jill , Jebarajakirthy Charles , Geursen Gus
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The money management behaviour of undergraduates is a noteworthy study for many stakeholders, as these students are more likely to carry forward this behaviour into later life. The literature on student money management behaviour heavily focuses on financial literacy. However, economic, social and psychological factors also affect undergraduates’ money management behaviour. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to empirically investigate how undergraduates respond to and account for these factors in their money management behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was carried out in Australia. This study adopted a qualitative exploratory approach. The data were collected using six focus group discussions (FGDs) held in one Australian university, in which 40 undergraduates participated.

Findings

The key themes identified from the thematic analysis include undergraduates’ understanding of money management and managing economic, social and psychological aspects relating to undergraduates’ money management behaviour. Several subthemes were identified under each theme, which specifically showed how undergraduates manage and respond to each of these factors relating to their money management behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted with the data collected from a relatively small sample of respondents and was limited only to undergraduates. Moreover, this study was conducted in Australia, indicating that some of the results might be specific to the Australian context.

Practical implications

The authors have suggested promoting multiple payment methods and internet usage to undergraduates, and providing them with stress management programmes will help them maintain prudent money management behaviour.

Originality/value

The extant literature on undergraduates’ money management behaviour tends to focus on financial literacy. This study extends the scope of the literature beyond financial literacy and has shown how undergraduates respond to economic, social and psychological aspects relating to money management behaviour. This study has applied a qualitative exploratory approach, in contrast to quantitative methods which have generally been applied for studies relating to undergraduates’ money management behaviour.
In Vitro Toxicity Testing of Food Contact Materials: State‐of‐the‐Art and Future Challenges
Authors: Groh Ksenia J. , Muncke Jane
Published: July 2017

Currently, toxicological testing of food contact materials (FCMs) is focused on single substances and their genotoxicity. However, people are exposed to mixtures of chemicals migrating from food contact articles (FCAs) into food, and toxic effects other than genotoxic damage may also be relevant. Since FCMs can be made of more than 8 thousand substances, assessing them one‐by‐one is very resource‐consuming. Moreover, finished FCAs usually contain non‐intentionally added substances (NIAS). NIAS toxicity can only be tested if a substance's chemical identity is known and if it is available as a pure chemical. Often, this is not the case. Nonetheless, regulations require safety assessments for all substances migrating from FCAs, including NIAS, hence new approaches to meet this legal obligation are needed. Testing the overall migrate or extract from an FCM/FCA is an option. Ideally, such an assessment would be performed by means of in vitro bioassays, as they are rapid and cost‐effective. Here, we review the studies using in vitro bioassays to test toxicity of FCMs/FCAs. Three main categories of in vitro assays that have been applied include assays for cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and endocrine disruption potential. In addition, we reviewed studies with small multicellular animal‐based bioassays. Our overview shows that in vitro testing of FCMs is in principle feasible. We discuss future research needs and FCM‐specific challenges. Sample preparation procedures need to be optimized and standardized. Further, the array of in vitro tests should be expanded to include those of highest relevance for the most prevalent human diseases of concern.
Long‐range PCR allows sequencing of mitochondrial genomes from environmental DNA
Authors: Deiner Kristy , Renshaw Mark A. , Li Yiyuan , Olds Brett P. , Lodge David M. , Pfrender Michael E.
Published: July 2017

As environmental DNA (eDNA) from macro‐organisms is often assumed to be highly degraded, current eDNA assays target small DNA fragments to estimate species richness by metabarcoding. A limitation of this approach is the inherent lack of unique species‐specific single‐nucleotide polymorphisms available for unequivocal species identification.

We designed a novel primer pair capable of amplifying whole mitochondrial genomes and evaluated it in silico for a wide range of ray‐finned fishes (Class: Actinopterygii). We tested the primer pair using long‐range PCR and Illumina sequencing in vitro on a mock community of fish species assembled from pooling genomic DNA extracted from tissues. In situ we utilized long‐range PCR and Illumina sequencing to generate fragments between 16 and 17 kb from eDNA extracted from filtered water samples. Water samples were sourced from a mesocosm experiment and from a natural stream.

We validated our method in silico for 61 orders of Actinopterygii; we successfully sequenced mitogenomes in vitro from all six species in our mock community. In situ we recovered mitogenomes for all species present in our mesocosms. We additionally recovered mitogenomes from 10 of 12 species caught at the time of water sampling and two species previously only detected from eDNA metabarcoding of short DNA fragments from a natural stream.

Successful amplification of large fragments (>16 kb) from eDNA demonstrates that not all eDNA is highly degraded. Sequencing whole mitogenomes from filtered water samples will alleviate many problems associated with identification of species from short‐fragment PCR amplicon‐based methods.