bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practice-integrated care teams – learning for a better future
Authors: Beacon Angela
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of one element of the integrated work which has taken place in Central Manchester, the development of multi-disciplinary Practice-Integrated Care Teams (PICT). The paper will show how working together has become a practical reality for members of these teams, and is forming the building blocks for further integration across neighbourhoods.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper draws on the author’s experience of working in the PICT project from 2012 to 2014. The report will draw on the evaluation work which took place during the project, and will include reflections from others involved in the project and members of the teams.

Findings

– The integrated care teams which have been developed in Central Manchester have started to make significant changes to the ways that professionals work together, to the experience that patients have and to the costs of urgent care provision. Whilst there is still a long way to go, there has been significant learning from the PICT. This includes improved patient outcomes and experience. There has been an overall reduction in secondary care activity for patients the teams have been working with, with the largest reduction being in emergency admissions. Alongside this, patient feedback has reinforced the value of this personalised approach and increased overall satisfaction with the care and advice received from health and social care professionals and an improved professional experience. Evaluation has demonstrated that amongst professionals involved in the team there is a strong commitment to the principles of integrated care and that the confidence, skills and capacity of the teams have strengthened since this way of working has been introduced. As monitoring of financial impact continues to develop, cost savings from secondary care, particularly around emergency unplanned care, are encouraging.

Originality/value

– This paper draws on the recent experience of designing and delivering integrated care across a range of multi-agency, multi-professional partners. The model which has been developed centres around the role of general practice, and has enabled primary care to take a key role in the development of an out-of-hospital integrated care system. This has enabled community professionals such as nurses and social workers to build a much stronger relationship with general practice and enable system linkages which will be essential to the delivery of joined-up health and social care in the future. The project has been accompanied by thorough and ongoing evaluation to support the validity of the learnings which have been reported.
New conversations between old players? The relationship between general practice and social care
Authors: Glasby Jon , Miller Robin
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– With the advent of Clinical Commissioning Groups, the English health system has abolished more managerially led Primary Care Trusts and given greater responsibilities to groups of local general practitioners (GPs). As with all major changes, this brings both opportunities and risks, and the authors know relatively little about what impact this might have on relationships between the NHS and local government. Against this background, the purpose of this paper is to report key findings from a scoping review commissioned by the National Institute of Health Research School for Social Care Research in order to summarise learning from recent literature.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on a review of the literature on older people’s services and the relationship between general practice and adult social care, published in the UK from 2000 onwards.

Findings

– Despite the longstanding nature of the issues at stake, the review identified only nine relevant studies. These were of mixed quality, and tended to focus on lessons learned from the late 1990s/early 2000s rather than more recent reforms. Overall, these studies suggest similar barriers to those identified in previous policy contexts, and there is a strong sense of relationships starting from a low base (hence the title of our title of “new conversations between old players”).

Research limitations/implications

– This review is based on literature on older people’s services published since 2000 – so only provides a snapshot of the issues at stake. However, it confirms the relatively limited nature of the evidence base and the need for new research to help shape future policy and practice.

Originality/value

– Despite the central contribution of GPs, the authors still know relatively little about the relationship between general practice and adult social care. Reviewing previous literature (however, limited) is crucial to current attempts to develop more effective joint working at local level.
Nutrient limitation of woody debris decomposition in a tropical forest: contrasting effects of N and P addition
Authors: Chen Yao , Sayer Emma J. , Li Zhian , Mo Qifeng , Li Yingwen , Ding Yongzhen , Wang Jun , Lu Xiankai , Tang Jianwu , Wang Faming
Published: May 2015

Tropical forests represent a major terrestrial store of carbon (C), a large proportion of which is contained in the soil and decaying organic matter. Woody debris plays a key role in forest C dynamics because it contains a sizeable proportion of total forest C. Understanding the factors controlling the decomposition of organic matter in general, and woody debris in particular, is hence critical to assessing changes in tropical C storage.

We conducted a factorial fertilization experiment in a tropical forest in South China to investigate the influence of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability on woody debris decomposition using branch segments (5 cm diameter) of four species (Acacia auriculaeformis, Aphanamixis polystachya, Schefflera octophylla, and Carallia brachiata) in plots fertilized with +N, +P, or +NP, and controls.

Fertilization with +P and +NP increased decomposition rates by 5–53%, and the magnitude was species specific. Contrary to expectations, we observed no negative effect of +N addition on decay rates or mass loss of woody debris in any of the four study species. Decomposition rates of woody debris were higher in species with lower C : P ratios regardless of treatment.

We observed significant accumulation of P in the woody debris of all species in plots fertilized with +P and +NP during the early stages of decomposition. N release from woody debris of Acacia (N‐fixing) was greater in the +P plots towards the end of the study, whereas fertilization with +N had no impact on the patterns of nutrient release during decomposition.

Synthesis: Our results indicate that decomposition of woody debris is primarily constrained by P availability in this tropical forest. However, contrary to expectations, +N addition did not exacerbate P limitation. It is conceivable that decay rates of woody debris in tropical forests can be predicted by C : P or lignin : P ratios, but additional work with more tree species is needed to determine whether the patterns we observed are more generally applicable.
Nitrogen saturation in humid tropical forests after 6 years of nitrogen and phosphorus addition: hypothesis testing
Authors: Chen Hao , Gurmesa Geshere A. , Zhang Wei , Zhu Xiaomin , Zheng Mianhai , Mao Qinggong , Zhang Tao , Mo Jiangming
Published: May 2015

Nitrogen (N) saturation hypothesis suggests that when an ecosystem reaches N‐saturation, continued N input will cause increased N leaching, nitrous oxide (N2O) emission, and N mineralization and nitrification rates. It also suggests that a different element will become the main limiting factor when N saturation has been reached. Although this hypothesis has been tested in temperate forests, whether they can be directly applied to N‐saturated tropical forests remain poorly addressed.

To test this hypothesis, soil inorganic N, soil N mineralization and nitrification rate, soil N2O emission rate and nitrate () leaching rate were measured in an N‐saturated old‐growth tropical forest in southern China, after 6 years of N and P addition. We hypothesized that N addition would stimulate further N saturation, but P addition might alleviate N saturation.

As expected, our results showed that six continuous years of experimental N addition did cause further N saturation, which was indicated by significant increases in soil inorganic N concentration, N2O emission and nitrate () leaching. However, in contrast to our expectations, N addition significantly decreased in situ rates of net N mineralization and nitrification, which could be related to associated changes in enzyme activity and microbial community composition. On the other hand, P addition mitigated N saturation, as expected. Soil inorganic N concentration, N2O emission and leaching decreased significantly after P addition, but the net rates of N mineralization and nitrification were significantly increased.

Our results provide a new understanding of the N saturation hypothesis, suggesting that the effects of long‐term N deposition on net N mineralization and nitrification rates in N‐saturated tropical forests can be negative and that P addition can alleviate N saturation in such tropical systems.
Age‐related effects of chronic hantavirus infection on female host fecundity
Authors: Kallio Eva R. , Helle Heikki , Koskela Esa , Mappes Tapio , Vapalahti Olli
Published: May 2015

Pathogens often cause detrimental effects to their hosts and, consequently, may influence host population dynamics that may, in turn, feed back to pathogen transmission dynamics. Understanding fitness effects of pathogens upon animal host populations can help to predict the risks that zoonotic pathogens pose to humans.

Here we determine whether chronic infection by Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) affects important fitness‐related traits, namely the probability of breeding, reproductive effort and mother and offspring condition, in the bank vole (Myodes glareolus). Using 9 years empirical data in a PUUV endemic area in Central Finland, we found differences between reproductive characteristics of PUUV‐infected and uninfected female bank voles.

Young infected females had a significantly higher, and old individuals lower, likelihood of reproducing than uninfected animals during the middle of the breeding season. The implication is that PUUV infection may have long‐term deleterious effects that are observed at old age, while in young individuals, the infection may enhance breeding probability by directing resources towards current breeding.

Moreover, PUUV infection was related with the mother's body condition. Infected mothers were in poorer condition than uninfected mothers in the early breeding season, but were in better condition than uninfected mothers during the middle of the breeding season. Offspring body condition was positively associated with mother's body condition, which, in turn, was related to the PUUV infection status of the mother.

Our findings indicate that chronic infection may affect the reproduction of female hosts, but the effect is dependent on the host age. The effect of chronic hantavirus infection was small and density‐independent and hence unlikely to contribute to the cyclic population dynamics of the host. However, the effects on a female's reproductive output might affect the abundance of young susceptible individuals in the population and hence influence the transmission and persistence of the pathogen. Although experimental and long‐term capture–mark–recapture studies are required to further clarify the fitness effects of hantavirus infection and their consequences for pathogen dynamics, this study shows that the infection may have complex effects that are dependent on the age of the individual and the time of the breeding season.
Genotypic and phenotypic virulence characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of Yersinia spp. isolated from meat and milk products
Authors: Özdemir Fatma , Arslan Seza
Published: May 2015

A total of 300 food samples including 180 milk and 120 meat products have been examined for the presence of Yersinia spp. using the ISO 10273 and the cold enrichment method. The overall prevalence of Yersinia spp. was 84 (28%). Yersinia enterocolitica was isolated from 18 (6%) of the 300 samples. The other Yersinia species were detected in the samples Yersinia rohdei 15 (5%), Yersinia intermedia 14 (4.7%), Yersinia pseudotuberculosis 12 (4%), Yersinia ruckeri 12 (4%), Yersinia mollaretii 5 (1.7%), Yersinia bercovieri 4 (1.3%), and atypical Yersinia spp. 4 (1.3%). The conventionally identified Y. enterocolitica strains were also confirmed by the 16S rRNA gene sequencing. All Y. enterocolitica strains biotyped as 1A had negative results in the phenotypic virulence tests. The 84 Yersinia strains were also examined genotypically for the presence of virulence genes. None of the Y. enterocolitica and other Yersinia strains contained the ail, ystA, yadA, and virF except only 1 Y. intermedia and 2 Y. enterocolitica strains that were found to be positive for ystB. Antimicrobial resistance of 84 Yersinia to 16 antimicrobial agents was determined by the disk diffusion method. All strains were sensitive to tobramycine and imipenem while resistant to clindamycin. Although 84.5% of the strains were resistant to at least 3 or more antimicrobial agents, 64.3% of them were resistant to 4 or more antimicrobial agents.
Agreement and mortality prediction in high‐resolution CT of diffuse fibrotic lung disease
Authors: Siemienowicz Miranda L. , Kruger Samuel J. , Goh Nicole S. L. , Dobson Julie E. , Spelman Timothy D. , Fabiny Robert P. J.
Published: May 2015

Introduction

The prognosis of diffuse fibrotic lung disease (DFLD) is known to be variable, but there is a paucity of literature on prognostic markers independent of precise clinical diagnosis. This study aimed to assess the mortality prediction of three high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scores in a heterogeneous population of patients with DFLD. A large radiologist and physician reader group was used to determine agreement among readers of varying background in applying these scores.

Methods

Institutional review board approval was obtained. Informed consent was waived for this retrospective study. Eighty HRCTs in 68 patients with DFLD (35 men, mean age 72.9 years) were evaluated retrospectively by 18 readers. Readers included thoracic and general radiologists, respiratory physicians and radiology trainees. Features scored were honeycombing, extent of disease and traction bronchiectasis. Demographics, diagnosis and pulmonary function data were collected. Patients were categorised as having either idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, fibrosis relating to connective tissue disease, ‘miscellaneous’ DFLD or ‘undefined’, where no single entity was felt entirely or confidently to explain the pulmonary disease. Agreement was assessed using the kappa statistic. Associations with mortality were analysed using the Cox marginal model.

Results

Agreement was better for honeycombing (kappa = 0.44) and disease extent (kappa = 0.47) than traction bronchiectasis (kappa = 0.24). Honeycombing presence (P < 0.0005) and disease extent >30% (P = 0.002) predicted increased mortality independent of clinical diagnosis. Traction bronchiectasis was non‐predictive. Clinical diagnosis was not an independent predictor, but age was independently associated with mortality (P = 0.004). Pulmonary function data were only available for 43 patients, but in a limited subanalysis, the diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide was independently predictive of increased mortality (P = 0.005).

Conclusions

The presence of honeycombing and a greater extent of fibrotic lung disease predict increased mortality independent of clinical diagnosis. Our large, mixed‐expertise reader group shows moderate interobserver agreement, comparable with agreement values for these scores in the literature.
Assessing and managing risks to ecosystem biodiversity
Authors: Keith David A.
Published: May 2015

Ecosystem conservation is important for biodiversity and for human well‐being. Understanding the relative risks to ecosystems is fundamental to well‐informed ecosystem management. The IUCN Red List of Ecosystems protocol provides an adaptable framework for risk assessment across terrestrial, subterranean, freshwater and marine ecosystems. I review a series of detailed case studies, published in this special edition of Austral Ecology, that apply the Red List of Ecosystems criteria to a broad range of ecosystem types. These studies show that detailed risk assessments are especially valuable as forerunners to strategic ecosystem management. Key components of Red List assessments that contribute to development of management strategies include critical diagnosis of trends and their causes, identification of dependencies that influence ecosystem responses to environmental change and selection of ecosystem‐specific diagnostic variables that can be useful monitoring tools for evaluating the performance of management. Ecosystem Red List assessments are crucial to regulatory processes under environmental legislation in Australia and other countries. The IUCN Red List of Ecosystem criteria will help improve the scientific rigour of statutory listings and could also provide a unifying framework for the suite of listing processes that differ among jurisdictions for historical reasons. When integrated with a comprehensive ecosystem typology, ecosystem Red List assessments can also provide critical input into systematic conservation planning. The case studies demonstrate a range of analytical approaches to risk assessment framed to accommodate data of varying quality and abundance. I conclude by exploring opportunities and requirements for a systematic continental‐scale Red List assessment of Australian ecosystems.
An International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List ecosystems risk assessment for alpine snow patch herbfields, South‐Eastern Australia
Authors: Williams R. J. , Wahren C.‐H. , Stott K. A. J. , Camac J. S. , White M. , Burns E. , Harris S. , Nash M. , Morgan J. W. , Venn S. , Papst W. A. , Hoffmann A. A.
Published: May 2015

Alpine ecosystems are globally at risk from climate change. We use the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Criteria for ecosystems to assess the risk of ecosystem collapse in Australian alpine snow patch herbfields. These ecosystems occur on both mainland Australia and Tasmania. They are restricted to steep, south‐easterly slopes where snow pack persists well into the summer growing season. Consequently, they are rare, and have high conservation significance. We evaluated the risk of snow patch herbfield ‘ecosystem collapse’ against criteria that accounted for the ecosystem's restricted distribution, projected decline in the snowpack and increased rates of invasion by taller growing native species of shrub and grass. Our analyses revealed considerable uncertainty in estimates of risk based on some criteria, particularly those related to thresholds of ecosystem collapse caused by biotic change. On the basis of the IUCN Red List criteria, we conclude that the ecosystem is ‘endangered’. This is because of the restricted geographical distribution of the ecosystem, a substantial and highly likely decline in the abundance of snow (the principal abiotic driver of the ecosystem), and the prospect of invasion of much of the ecosystem by taller growing native shrubs and grasses. Our case study demonstrates the utility of the Red List methodology for assessing risks to biodiversity in rare ecosystems where changes to both abiotic factors and the relative dominance of native species constitute major threats. Our findings indicate the importance of snow patch herbfields as refugia for dwarf alpine plant species in the face of climate change, the need for continued monitoring, the removal of feral animals from the Australian Alps and scenario planning.
Primary dermal melanoma: a West Australian cohort
Authors: Teow James , Chin Olivia , Hanikeri Mark , Wood Benjamin A.
Published: May 2015

Background

The objectives of this study were to identify a subgroup of patients with putative primary dermal melanoma after thorough multidisciplinary clinical and histological evaluation, and to describe the clinical, histological and selected molecular features of these lesions.

Methods

The records of the Western Australian Melanoma Advisory Service were searched for potential cases of primary dermal melanoma. The clinical and histological features were reviewed, immunohistochemical assessment was performed and clinical outcomes recorded.

Results

Eighteen cases of putative primary dermal melanoma with available clinical data were identified. Two of 12 cases in which further histological sections could be obtained were excluded because of the presence of findings suggesting an epidermal origin on these further sections. In one additional case, such origin could not be histologically excluded. Median follow‐up period for the remaining cases was 68 months. Confirmed primary dermal melanoma accounts for 0.87% of cases of melanoma referred to a subspecialist melanoma advisory service. These cases show significant histological overlap with dermal/subcutaneous metastases of melanoma, but display a relatively good prognosis, with a 5‐year survival of 87.5%.

Conclusion

Our results support the recognition of a distinct group of melanoma that mimics metastatic melanoma, but is associated with a relatively favourable outcome. The group of putative primary dermal melanoma is likely to be heterogenous, including cases of primary nodular melanoma in which epidermal connection has not been identified, metastatic melanoma with an occult primary lesion and true primary dermal melanoma.
Elevations of serum CA‐125 predict severity of acute appendicitis in males
Authors: Berger Yaniv , Nevler Avinoam , Shwaartz Chaya , Lahat Eylon , Zmora Oded , Gutman Mordechai , Shabtai Moshe
Published: May 2015

Background

Acute appendicitis (AA) is a common indication for urgent abdominal surgery. CA‐125 glycoprotein antigen is a non‐specific marker for epithelial ovarian cancer; CA‐125 serum levels also increased in the conditions of peritoneal inflammation. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between serum CA‐125 levels and AA.

Methods

All emergency department (ED) patients with suspected AA were prospectively enrolled in the study. The serum level of CA‐125 was checked in every patient on arrival to the ED in addition to the routine clinical and laboratory evaluation. Data regarding demographic, clinical, radiological, operative and pathological features were analysed.

Results

One hundred consecutive patients (48 males) were enrolled in the study. We found a statistically significant correlation between CA‐125 levels in males and the severity of appendicitis as described in the operative and pathology reports (P = 0.008 and P = 0.02, respectively). In addition, we observed a trend towards higher levels of CA‐125 in males with AA compared with males without AA (9.9 ± 4.7 versus 7.8 ± 3.2 U/mL, respectively; P = 0.09).

Conclusions

CA‐125 levels correlate with the severity of appendicitis in males and may serve as a surrogate marker for the severity of other intra‐abdominal surgical diseases.
Adverse childhood experiences influence development of pain during pregnancy
Authors: Drevin Jennifer , Stern Jenny , Annerbäck Eva‐Maria , Peterson Magnus , Butler Stephen , Tydén Tanja , Berglund Anna , Larsson Margareta , Kristiansson Per
Published: May 2015

Objective

To investigate the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and pain with onset during pregnancy.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Eighteen antenatal clinics in southern Mid‐Sweden.

Sample

Of 293 women invited to participate, 232 (79%) women agreed to participate in early pregnancy and were assessed in late pregnancy.

Methods

Questionnaires were distributed in early and late pregnancy. The questionnaires sought information on socio‐demography, ACE, pain location by pain drawing and pain intensity by visual analogue scales. Distribution of pain was coded in 41 predetermined areas.

Main outcome measures

Pain in third trimester with onset during present pregnancy: intensity, location and number of pain locations.

Results

In late pregnancy, 62% of the women reported any ACE and 72% reported any pain location with onset during the present pregnancy. Among women reporting any ACE the median pain intensity was higher compared with women without such an experience (p = 0.01). The accumulated ACE displayed a positive association with the number of reported pain locations in late pregnancy (rs = 0.19, p = 0.02). This association remained significant after adjusting for background factors in multiple regression analysis (p = 0.01). When ACE was dichotomized the prevalence of pain did not differ between women with and without ACE. The subgroup of women reporting physical abuse as a child reported a higher prevalence of sacral and pelvic pain (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.02, respectively).

Conclusions

Adverse childhood experiences were associated with higher pain intensities and larger pain distributions in late pregnancy, which are risk factors for transition to chronic pain postpartum.
Effects of exercise during pregnancy on mode of delivery: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Poyatos‐León Raquel , García‐Hermoso Antonio , Sanabria‐Martínez Gema , Álvarez‐Bueno Celia , Sánchez‐López Mairena , Martínez‐Vizcaíno Vicente
Published: May 2015

Introduction

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to examine the influence of physical exercise interventions on the mode of delivery of healthy pregnant women with low to moderate levels of physical activity.

Material and Methods

Key words were used to conduct a computerized search for articles on the topic in six databases: Cochrane Library Plus, Science Direct, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov. Ten randomized controlled trials were identified and included in the meta‐analysis. Main outcome measures were mode of delivery (normal, instrumental vaginal, or cesarean delivery) and physical activity.

Results

Relative risk reductions and their 95% confidence interval were calculated for each study, and the heterogeneity of the studies was estimated using Cochran's Q statistic. The evidence suggests that physical exercise during pregnancy may increase the likelihood of normal delivery (relative risk = 1.12, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.24; p = 0.041), in particular when exercise takes place during the second and third trimesters (relative risk = 1.14, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.32; p = 0.048), even reducing the risk of cesarean delivery (relative risk = 0.66, 95% confidence interval 0.46–0.96; p = 0.028).

Conclusions

Regular exercise during pregnancy appears to modestly increase the chance for normal delivery among healthy pregnant women. This applies to women with low to moderate levels of physical activity, but studies are needed to understand better the effect of physical exercise of moderate to vigorous intensity in the different trimesters.
SUSTAINABILITY ASSURANCE ON THE BIGGEST COOPERATIVES OF THE WORLD: AN ANALYSIS OF THEIR ADOPTION AND QUALITY
Authors: SEGUÍ‐MAS Elies , BOLLAS‐ARAYA Helena‐María , POLO‐GARRIDO Fernando
Published: May 2015

Sustainability Assurance (SA) is increasing worldwide. Cooperatives are highly susceptible to CSR but there is an interesting research gap regarding SA in them. We use mixed research methods (statistical and content analysis) to study SA practices of the top 300 cooperatives worldwide. Paradoxically, our results show scarce or late SA adoption, and country‐level and sector sensibility do not affect SA adoption significantly. Conversely, country‐level and sector sensibility influence the choice of the assurance provider. Finally, findings reveal that country‐level and industry factors, and also the assurance provider, do affect assurance statements’ quality.
INTERNAL REPRESENTATION AND FACTIONAL FAULTLINES AS ANTECEDENTS FOR BOARD PERFORMANCE IN SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
Authors: CRUCKE Saskia , MORAY Nathalie , VALLET Nathalie
Published: May 2015

There is an increasing scholarly interest in how social enterprises manage their hybrid nature. As hybrid organizational forms, social enterprises combine mission‐driven social goals and revenue generating activities in a variety of organizational constellations and in diverse institutional contexts. Acknowledging the potentially conflicting demands that institutional environments impose on social enterprises there is an increasing research interest in the existence and proliferation of these conflicting demands at the organizational level. Some researchers have pointed to the importance of particular management practices and governance characteristics – such as authority relations and internal representation – as mechanisms to deal with the conflicting demands at the organizational level. This paper adds to this stream of literature by taking into account the organizational level dynamics of internal representation and the proliferation of factional groups in the boards of directors of hybrid organizational forms and their impact on board performance, ultimately influencing the organizational performance.
MIND THE GAP: EXPECTATIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF CLIENTS UTILIZING JOB‐TRAINING SERVICES IN A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Authors: WALK Marlene , GREENSPAN Itay , CROSSLEY Honey , HANDY Femida
Published: May 2015

This paper offers an underexplored perspective of social impact assessment by integrating clients’ evaluation of the impact of job‐training and skills‐building programs. Drawing on the literature of ‘met expectations’, we investigate the personal and social impact, beyond job placement, of job‐training and skills‐building programs provided by a Canadian social enterprise from the perspective of the clients. Utilizing data from a pre‐test/post‐test quasi‐experiment, we assess the differences, between program participants as compared to a control group of nonparticipants, on several measures. Findings illuminate the gap between expectations and actual experiences, and point to the importance of integrating the clients’ perspective. Such measures enable leaders of social enterprises to account for the often neglected intangibles of their social missions.
MORE THAN WORK INTEGRATION STRATEGY FOR THE DELIMITATION OF A POPULATION OF SOCIAL ECONOMY ACTORS FOR A MONITOR OF THE SOCIAL ECONOMY IN FLANDERS
Authors: DE CUYPER Peter , JACOBS Laura , GIJSELINCKX Caroline
Published: May 2015

In this paper, we aim to develop a conceptualization and delimitation of social enterprises in Flanders, which will be the starting point for a monitor of the social economy in Flanders. We aim for this monitor to represent reality, that is to be in line with the international academic research while also being informed by policy visions and validated by representatives in the field. To achieve this, we studied academic literature and definitions of social enterprises, as well as in policy documents. We then translated these definitions into ten criteria defining social enterprises in Flanders, via focus groups with the representatives of social enterprises in Flanders.
In vivo and in vitro evidence that intrinsic upper‐ and lower‐limb skeletal muscle function is unaffected by ageing and disuse in oldest‐old humans
Authors: Venturelli M. , Saggin P. , Muti E. , Naro F. , Cancellara L. , Toniolo L. , Tarperi C. , Calabria E. , Richardson R. S. , Reggiani C. , Schena F.
Published: May 2015

Aim

To parse out the impact of advanced ageing and disuse on skeletal muscle function, we utilized both in vivo and in vitro techniques to comprehensively assess upper‐ and lower‐limb muscle contractile properties in 8 young (YG; 25 ± 6 years) and 8 oldest‐old mobile (OM; 87 ± 5 years) and 8 immobile (OI; 88 ± 4 years) women.

Methods

In vivo, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), electrically evoked resting twitch force (RT), and physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA) of the quadriceps and elbow flexors were assessed. Muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis and biceps brachii facilitated the in vitro assessment of single fibre‐specific tension (Po).

Results

In vivo, compared to the young, both the OM and OI exhibited a more pronounced loss of MVC in the lower limb [OM (−60%) and OI (−75%)] than the upper limb (OM = −51%; OI = −47%). Taking into account the reduction in muscle PCSA (OM = −10%; OI = −18%), only evident in the lower limb, by calculating voluntary muscle‐specific force, the lower limb of the OI (−40%) was more compromised than the OM (−13%). However, in vivo, RT in both upper and lower limbs (approx. 9.8 N m cm−2) and Po (approx. 123 mN mm−2), assessed in vitro, implies preserved intrinsic contractile function in all muscles of the oldest‐old and were well correlated (r = 0.81).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that in the oldest‐old, neither advanced ageing nor disuse, per se, impacts intrinsic skeletal muscle function, as assessed in vitro. However, in vivo, muscle function is attenuated by age and exacerbated by disuse, implicating factors other than skeletal muscle, such as neuromuscular control, in this diminution of function.
Wall Paintings from the Roman Emona (Ljubljana, Slovenia): Characterization of Mortar Layers and Pigments
Authors: Gutman M. , Zupanek B. , Lesar Kikelj M. , Kramar S.
Published: May 2015

This study concerns the investigation of mortar layers and pigments of wall paintings from the Roman town of Emona (Ljubljana, Slovenia). Fragments of wall paintings consist of up to three preserved mortar layers. The mineralogical–petrographic compositions of the mortars were determined by means of optical microscopy and FT–IR spectroscopy. The investigated samples were divided into several groups based on similar thicknesses of the mortar layer, the binder colour and the composition of an aggregate. Furthermore, the results of mercury intrusion porosimetry showed that mortar layers consisting of carbonate grains exhibited lower porosity with respect to layers with mainly silicate grains, which is attributed to the angular shapes of carbonate aggregate. This is in accordance with the drilling resistance measurement system test (DRMS), confirming that layers with angular carbonate grains are harder than those with addition of rounded silicate ones, due to the good packing effect. The wall paintings were mainly executed using the fresco technique, while for some details secco was used. The identified pigments were red and yellow ochre, green earth, Egyptian blue, carbon black and lime white; all of them belonged to the so‐called austere pigment, which is quite common in Roman wall paintings.
Micro‐Raman And Micro‐Stratigraphic Analysis Of The Painting Materials In The Rock‐Hewn Church Of The Forty Martyrs In Şahinefendi, Cappadocia (Turkey)
Authors: Pelosi C. , Agresti G. , Andaloro M. , Baraldi P. , Pogliani P. , Santamaria U. , La Russa M. F. , Ruffolo S. A. , Rovella N.
Published: May 2015

This paper presents the results of analyses carried out on the paintings on the rock‐hewn walls of the Forty Martyrs church at Şahinefendi in Cappadocia (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a central region of Turkey, performed during conservation work from 2007 to 2012. The micro‐samples were investigated by spectroscopic, micro‐stratigraphic and scanning electron microscopy analysis in order to study the painting technique, the materials and the degradation products. The micro‐stratigraphic analysis showed a white, sometimes pinkish, plaster. Micro‐Raman analysis, performed on cross‐sections of the mortars, enabled the detection of calcite, gypsum, anhydrite and calcium oxalate. Scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy revealed a similar composition among all investigated phases, aside from minor differences such as the presence of diatoms in the second and third phases and of biotite, lime lumps and plants fragments in the fourth one. Apart from traditional pigments of medieval wall paintings, micro‐Raman analysis revealed the presence of lead‐based compounds and jarosite.
Chronic relapsing remitting Sweet syndrome – a harbinger of myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Kulasekararaj Austin G. , Kordasti Shahram , Basu Tanya , Salisbury Jonathan R. , Mufti Ghulam J. , du Vivier Anthony W. P.
Published: May 2015

Sweet syndrome (SS) is an acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis. It has been associated with malignant disease, especially acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), infections, autoimmune disorders and drugs, particularly granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (GCSF). No cause is found in the rest, which are labelled idiopathic. We describe 15 patients with SS, which we believe represent ‘immune dysregulation’ secondary to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We initially identified 31 patients with SS in a cohort of 744 patients with MDS and 215 with AML seen over a 6‐year period (2004–10). The cause in 16 patients could be attributed either to administration of GCSF or chemotherapy. The eruption was brief and resolved spontaneously or following withdrawal of GCSF. Fifteen patients however, had a chronic debilitating illness dominated by the skin eruptions. Diagnosis of chronic relapsing SS was delayed because the pathology was not always typical of classical neutrophil‐rich SS and included lymphocytic and histiocytoid infiltrates and bone marrow was not always performed because the relevance of the eruption to MDS was often not immediately appreciated. All these patients had ‘low risk’ MDS, diagnosed at a median of 17 months (range 0–157) following the diagnosis of SS. We describe a chronic debilitating episodic clinically distinctive skin eruption with features of SS but not always definitive histopathology often associated with immunological abnormalities affecting other systems related to underlying low risk MDS.
BJP is changing its requirements for scientific papers to increase transparency
Authors: McGrath J C , Curtis M J
Published: May 2015

BJP is changing its procedures for the submission of articles so that authors can optimize transparency and experimental design. This relates to current moves to strengthen the robustness of the basic research that underpins drug discovery and therapeutics. To this end we are publishing new Instructions to Authors (ITA). Some are already in place and take immediate effect while others will be introduced over the next few months. Emphasis is placed on gathering essential information that authors often forget to include; this will also facilitate peer‐review by hard‐pressed reviewers. We have been in discussion with the Editors of other Pharmacology journals and plan that similar changes will be taking place across the sector. This will ensure that the various generic guidelines are more clearly specified for pharmacology.

The major changes will be supported by three editorials:

In order to link published work to the growing network of databases we are introducing hyperlinks to drug targets and key drugs in the authoritative Guide to PHARMACOLOGY database of the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, which is now produced with the support of BPS. This is then further linked to other biological and chemical databases, placing the work first in a pharmacological then in a broader scientific context. (McGrath et al., 2015a).

We have assessed the implementation of the 2010 ARRIVE guidelines for reporting experiments involving animals and respond by significantly strengthening our requirements, especially relating to disclosure of information, rather than urging compliance with respect to every conceivable issue (McGrath & Lilley, 2015). As an international journal we believe that this must be done on a worldwide basis, taking account of differing practices but adhering to one ethical standard (McGrath et al., 2015b).

Inadequacy of experimental design and statistical validity of analysis of drug‐related research that underpins the discovery of new medicines has attracted recent criticism. We will publish new guidance for reporting statistical analysis and experimental design (Curtis et al., 2015).

Linked Editorials

This Editorial is part of a series. To view the other Editorials in this series, visit: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.12956/abstract and http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1476‐5381
Implementing guidelines on reporting research using animals (ARRIVE etc.): new requirements for publication in BJP
Authors: McGrath John C , Lilley Elliot
Published: May 2015

The ARRIVE guidelines have been implemented in BJP for 4 years with the aim of increasing transparency in reporting experiments involving animals. BJP has assessed our success in implementing them and concluded that we could do better. This editorial discusses the issues and explains how we are changing our requirements for authors to report their findings in experiments involving animals. This is one of a series of editorials discussing updates to the BJP Instructions to Authors

Linked Editorials

This Editorial is part of a series. To view the other Editorials in this series, visit: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.12956/abstract; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.12954/abstract; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.13112/abstract and http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.12856/abstract.

Video

To view the video on the ARRIVE guidelines, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYXoUAnhoPM
Epigenetics and pharmacology
Authors: Stefanska Barbara , MacEwan David J
Published: May 2015

Recent advances in the understanding of gene regulation have shown there to be much more regulation of the genome than first thought, through epigenetic mechanisms. These epigenetic mechanisms are systems that have evolved to either switch off gene activity altogether, or fine‐tune any existing genetic activation. Such systems are present in all genes and include chromatin modifications and remodelling, DNA methylation (such as CpG island methylation rates) and histone covalent modifications (e.g. acetylation, methylation), RNA interference by short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and long non‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs). These systems regulate genomic activity ‘beyond’ simple transcriptional factor inducer or repressor function of genes to generate mRNA. Epigenetic regulation of gene activity has been shown to be important in maintaining normal phenotypic activity of cells, as well as having a role in development and diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's. Newer classes of drugs regulate epigenetic mechanisms to counteract disease states in humans. The reports in this issue describe some advances in epigenetic understanding that relate to human disease, and our ability to control these mechanisms by pharmacological means. Increasingly the importance of epigenetics is being uncovered – it is pharmacology that will have to keep pace.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Epigenetics and Therapy. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue‐11
Targeting Of miR9/NOTCH1 Interaction Reduces Metastatic Behavior in Triple‐negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Mohammadi‐Yeganeh Samira , Mansouri Ardalan , Paryan Mahdi
Published: May 2015

Many reports have indicated deregulation of a variety of microRNAs (miRNAs) in human cancers. In this study, we appraised miR‐9 correlation with NOTCH1 involved in Notch signaling in metastatic breast cancer. The Notch signaling pathway has been approved to be associated with the development and progression of many human cancers, including breast cancer, but the precise mechanism has remained unknown. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that introduces miR‐9 and NOTCH1 correlation as an effective factor in breast cancer. We found that miR‐9 expression was decreased in MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells compared with MCF‐10A normal breast cell line. However, NOTCH1 was upregulated in the metastatic breast cancer cells. Furthermore, luciferase assay revealed a significant inverse correlation between miR‐9 and NOTCH1. Overexpression of Notch signaling via Notch1 intracellular domain in MDA‐MB‐231 cell line was suppressed by lentiviruses expressing miR‐9. Taken together, the results obtained by MTT, flow cytometry, migration, and wound healing assays showed that it is possible to inhibit metastasis and induce pro‐apoptotic state by induction of miR‐9 expression in MDA‐MB‐231 cells but with no effect on cell proliferation. These results shows that miR‐9, by direct targeting of NOTCH1, can reveal a suppressor‐like activity in metastatic breast cancer cells.
The immunoregulatory and fibrotic roles of activin A in allergic asthma
Authors: Hardy C. L. , Rolland J. M. , O'Hehir R. E.
Published: May 2015

Activin A, a member of the TGF‐β superfamily of cytokines, was originally identified as an inducer of follicle stimulating hormone release, but has since been ascribed roles in normal physiological processes, as an immunoregulatory cytokine and as a driver of fibrosis. In the last 10–15 years, it has also become abundantly clear that activin A plays an important role in the regulation of asthmatic inflammation and airway remodelling. This review provides a brief introduction to the activin A/TGF‐β superfamily, focussing on the regulation of receptors and signalling pathways. We examine the contradictory evidence for generalized pro‐ vs. anti‐inflammatory effects of activin A in inflammation, before appraising its role in asthmatic inflammation and airway remodelling specifically by evaluating data from both murine models and clinical studies. We identify key issues to be addressed, paving the way for safe exploitation of modulation of activin A function for treatment of allergic asthma and other inflammatory lung diseases.
Preparation and characterisation of silver‐ or copper‐doped TiO2 catalysts and their catalytic activity in dye degradation
Authors: Lozovskyi Oleksandr , Gündüz Gönül , Dükkancı Meral , Prihod'ko Roman
Published: May 2015

In this study, silver‐ or copper‐doped TiO2–Ce‐, TiO2–La‐, and commercial TiO2 (P25)‐supported catalysts were prepared. The catalysts and supports were characterised by powder X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption studies. UV‐light‐assisted heterogeneous Fenton‐like oxidation of two different‐structure dyes (anionic azo dye Orange II, CI Acid Orange 7 and cationic triphenylmethane dye Crystal Violet, CI Basic Violet 3) was investigated over the catalysts. Higher catalytic activity was observed in the oxidation of Orange II than in the oxidation of Crystal Violet. For both dyes, the TiO2–Ce and TiO2–La‐supported catalysts, which were in the form of anatase only, gave higher photocatalytic activity than the P25‐supported catalysts, which were in the form of anatase and rutile. Complete colour removal was observed during oxidation of Orange II over Cu/TiO2–Ce and Cu/TiO2–La catalysts, whereas the highest degree of decolorisation, 89.3%, was achieved by oxidation of Crystal Violet over Ag/TiO2–Ce. The pH of the solution affected the surface state of the TiO2, thus affecting the photocatalytic degradation of the dyes. The surface area of the catalysts is also a key parameter that influences their photocatalytic activity. It was observed that catalysts having higher surface areas brought about greater dye degradation.