bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wall Street women: professional saviors of the global economy
Authors: Fisher Melissa
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to, by drawing on two decades of field work on Wall Street, explore the recent evolution in the gendering of Wall Street, as well as the potential effects – including the reproduction of financiers’ power – of that evolution. The 2008 financial crisis was depicted in strikingly gendered terms – with many commentators articulating a divide between masculine, greedy, risk-taking behavior and feminine, conservative, risk-averse approaches for healing the crisis. For a time, academics, journalists and women on Wall Street appeared to be in agreement in identifying women’s feminine styles as uniquely suited to lead – even repair – the economic debacle.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article is based on historical research, in-depth interviews and fieldwork with the first generation of Wall Street women from the 1970s up until 2013.

Findings

– In this article, it is argued that the preoccupation in feminine styles of leadership in finance primarily reproduces the power of white global financial elites rather than changes the culture of Wall Street or breaks down existent structures of power and inequality.

Research limitations/implications

– The research focuses primarily on the ways American global financial elites maintain power, and does not examine the ways in which the power of other international elites working in finance is reproduced in a similar or different manner.

Practical implications

– The findings of the article provide practical implications for understanding the gendering of financial policy making and how that gendering maintains or reproduces the economic system.

Social implications

– The paper provides an understanding of how the gendered rhertoric of the financial crisis maintains not only the economic power of global financial elites in finance but also their social and cultural power.

Originality/value

– The paper is based on original, unique, historical ethnographic research on the first generation of women on Wall Street.
Influence of the cavities on the PCB mechanical properties
Authors: Psota Boleslav , Otáhal Alexandr , Szendiuch Ivan
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The main aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of the cavity coverage on the printed circuit boards (PCB) to the resonant frequency, acceleration and displacement.

Design/methodology/approach

– Tests were realized on four PCBs with different cavity areas. Frequency range of tests was between 10 and 2,000 Hz with 0.3 g acceleration amplitude. In addition, more simulations were performed to check different setups of the boards.

Findings

– From the calculated and measured data, it is clear that with the larger cavity area the resonance frequency drops. In case a greater number of components placed in cavities are needed on board, it is appropriate to use multiple smaller cavities than the bigger ones.

Originality/value

– Results in this paper could be very useful for PCB manufacturers and designers during designing of the new PCBs with cavities for dipped components.
The end of democracy as we knew it
Authors: Hamm Bernd
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to summarize the major theoretical elements in the definition of a global ruling class. It then examines how neoconservatives in the USA took power and used regime change to install US-friendly governments in other regions. A strategy of tension is used to press the American population into conformity. But the real revolution is to what extent factual politics escape any attempt to democratic control.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research relies on case studies of material already published and provides a synthesis.

Findings

– Three case studies show how far the Deep State already goes. Democracy is on the brink of survival.

Originality/value

– This paper is an original hypothesis of the potential end of democracy as we know it, supported by empirical data.
Heuristic vs formal dynamics of the wage- and price-curve model of equilibrium unemployment
Authors: Kolsrud Dag Olav , Nymoen Ragnar
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– A standard model of equilibrium unemployment consists of static equations for real-wage ambitions (wage curve) and real-wage scope (price curve), which jointly determine the NAIRU. The heuristics of the model states that unless the rate of unemployment approaches the NAIRU from any given initial value, inflation will be increasing or decreasing over time. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors formalize this influential heuristic argument with the aid of a dynamic model of the wage-price spiral where the static theory’s equations are re-interpreted as attractor relationships.

Findings

– The authors show that NAIRU unemployment dynamics are sufficient but not necessary for inflation stabilization, and that the dynamic wage-price spiral model generally has a dynamically stable solution for any predetermined rate of unemployment. The authors also discuss a restricted version of the model that conforms to the accelerationist view that inflation increases/falls if unemployment is not at its “natural rate”.

Research limitations/implications

– To investigate the relevance of heuristical dynamics of influential macro models, explicit modelling of such dynamics is a necessary step.

Practical implications

– An important argument against social orders that represent an attempt to target unemployment at relatively low levels, is refuted by the analysis.

Social implications

– A high degree of employment is a main premise for a social order with equal income distribution and a drive for productivity growth.

Originality/value

– It is important that economics give a balanced view of the possibility of attaining inflation stability at low or moderate levels of unemployment. This offering is contributions to establish such a balance.
Shooting the goose that lays the golden egg: the case of UAE employment policy
Authors: Barnett Andy H , Malcolm Michael , Toledo Hugo
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This is a policy paper that analyzes the economic impact of mandated employment quotas for citizen workers among firms in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the nature of the efficiency losses associated with these quotas, and then explore a workable policy alternative that can achieve the same employment objectives with lower efficiency loss.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper begins with an extensive discussion of UAE labor policy, together with some data and salient features of the UAE labor market. The authors use this discussion to motivate and analyze a theoretical model of the way in which labor quotas impact firm production, input employment and efficiency. The authors then extend this model to the proposed policy alternative.

Findings

– The UAE’s labor quotas create inefficiencies on a number of fronts, including productive inefficiency, higher product prices and the possibility of reducing the number of jobs available to citizen workers. The proposed policy alternative has the potential to ameliorate these efficiency losses, while still creating jobs for citizens.

Originality/value

– Labor quotas for citizen workers are a unique brand of labor regulation that has largely escaped economic analysis. Understanding their implications is informative in the context of labor market regulation generally, and particularly for countries with large expatriate labor forces that struggle to provide job opportunities for citizens.
Does Living Alone Confer a Higher Risk of Hospitalisation?
Authors: Mu Chunzhou , Kecmanovic Milica , Hall Jane
Published: April 2015

The rise in one‐person households is a worldwide trend. This means that informal care is less available, particularly for elderly people, with important implications for health‐care utilisation and health expenditure. This paper uses a two‐part model to examine the relationship between living alone and hospitalisations in Australia in terms of both the likelihood and the length of hospitalisation. The results show living alone increases the probability of hospitalisation by 2.9 percentage points and length of stay by 3.8 days for people aged 45 and above. Further analysis indicates that these impacts depend on the length of living alone. Additionally, the probability and the length of hospitalisation vary depending on whether the cause of living alone is separation/divorce, widowhood or never having married.
Perceptions of Risk among Households in Two Australian Coastal Communities
Authors: ELRICK‐BARR CARMEN E. , SMITH TIMOTHY F. , THOMSEN DANA C. , PRESTON BENJAMIN L.
Published: April 2015

There is limited knowledge of risk perceptions in coastal communities despite their vulnerability to a range of risks including the impacts of climate change. A survey of 400 households in two Australian coastal communities, combined with semi‐structured interviews, provides insight into household perceptions of the relative importance of climatic and non‐climatic risks and the subsequent risk priorities that may inform household adaptive action. In contrast to previous research, the results demonstrated that geographic location and household characteristics might not affect perceptions of vulnerability to environmental hazards. However, past experience was a significant influence, raising the priority of environmental concerns. Overall, the results highlight the priority concerns of coastal households (from finance, to health and environment) and suggest to increase the profile of climate issues in coastal communities climate change strategies need to better demonstrate links between climate vulnerability and other household concerns. Furthermore, promoting generic capacities in isolation from understanding the context in which households construe climate risks is unlikely to yield the changes required to decrease the vulnerability of coastal communities.
Management of oral anticoagulation in the surgical patient
Authors: Latona Jilani , Rahman Atifur
Published: April 2015

New oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have recently emerged as an alternative for vitamin K antagonists and are now widely available. Although there is good evidence for their roles in the appropriate clinical settings, so far no reversal agent is currently available. Likewise, there is no readily available laboratory test to quantify drug levels but coagulation assays may provide qualitative information about the presence of some NOACs. We aim to review the current literature regarding the optimal management of oral anticoagulation in the perioperative setting.
Effects of medical co‐morbidities on severe maternal morbidities in China: a multicenter clinic register study
Authors: Tan Jing , Liu Xing‐Hui , Yu Chuan , Chen Meng , Chen Xiao‐Fan , Sun Xin , Li You‐Ping
Published: April 2015

Objective

To investigate the incidence of severe maternal morbidities (SMM) in China and explore effects of medical co‐morbidities on SMM.

Design

Proactive multicenter clinic register collaboration.

Setting

Data on all deliveries at eight hospitals in Sichuan province, China, collected from 1 January 2009 to 12 December 2010.

Population

33 993 delivering women and 34 547 live births.

Methods

We defined SMM as a combination indicator of severe maternal complications, critical interventions, admission to the intensive care unit and maternal near‐miss instances. We randomly selected 80% of the data from the entire database to build a logistic regression model. The remaining 20% were used to test the predictive power of the model.

Main outcome measures

SMM incidence, adjusted odds ratios (aORs), and area under a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

Severe maternal morbidities incidence was 43.4/1000 live births [confidence interval (CI) 41.24–45.56]. Fifteen variables were independent contributors to the model. Seven medical co‐morbidities significantly affected the occurrence of SMM, including iron‐deficiency anemia (aOR 3.07, CI 2.47–3.83) and other hematological diseases (aOR 5.82, CI 3.50–9.69), hepatitis‐B virus infection (aOR 1.48, CI 1.12–1.97) and other hepatic diseases (aOR 3.81, CI 1.61–9.04), cardiopathy (aOR 3.59, CI 2.62–4.93), hypertension (aOR 5.23, CI 4.06–6.75), and respiratory diseases (aOR 2.10, CI 1.25–3.52). The area under the ROC curve was 0.8127.

Conclusions

The incidence of SMM was typical of a low resource area. There is a need to identify medical co‐morbidities and to adopt prophylactic measures and interventions.
Tissue Engineering Strategies as Tools for Personalized Meningioma Treatment
Authors: Ferroni Letizia , Della Puppa Alessandro , D'Avella Domenico , Isola Maurizio , Scienza Renato , Gardin Chiara , Zavan Barbara
Published: April 2015

Pharmacogenomics, the science of how genetic makeup influences an individual's reaction to drugs, is an innovative tool for providing critical insights into how a patient will respond to a particular treatment. In the present work, we constructed cancer‐like tissues to be used as tools for determining the most effective drug for an individual patient. Using tissue engineering strategies, we generated two different solid tumor‐like tissues in vitro, a neuronal tumor (meningioma) and a nonmelanoma skin cancer. Samples were tested by both histological and genetic approaches (using a comparative genomic hybridization array, and the relativeWorldHealthOrganization classification of the samples was compared with the results obtained by the molecular analyses. Our data confirmed the ability of the cells to maintain their phenotype in three‐dimensional scaffolds as well as the strong relationship between chromosomal alterations and histological malignancy grades. We then validated the in vitro construction of tumor‐like tissues as a potential tool for developing personalized drug treatments.
Impact of Pulsatility and Flow Rates on Hemodynamic Energy Transmission in an Adult Extracorporeal Life Support System
Authors: Wolfe Rachel , Strother Ashton , Wang Shigang , Kunselman Allen R. , Ündar Akif
Published: April 2015

This study investigated the total hemodynamic energy (THE) and surplus hemodynamic energy transmission (SHE) of a novel adult extracorporeal life support (ECLS) system with nonpulsatile and pulsatile settings and varying pulsatility to define the most effective setting for this circuit. The circuit consisted of an i‐cor diagonal pump (Xenios AG, Heilbronn, Germany), an XLung membrane oxygenator (Xenios AG), an 18 Fr Medos femoral arterial cannula (Xenios AG), a 23/25 Fr Estech RAP femoral venous cannula (San Ramon, CA, USA), 3/8 in ID × 140 cm arterial tubing, and 3/8 in ID × 160 cm venous tubing. Priming was done with lactated Ringer's solution and packed red blood cells (HCT 36%). The trials were conducted at flow rates 1–4 L/min (1 L/min increments) under nonpulsatile and pulsatile mode, with differential speed values 1000–4000 rpm (1000 rpm increments) at 36°. The pseudo patient's mean arterial pressure was kept at 100 mm Hg using a Hoffman clamp during all trials. Real‐time flow and pressure data were collected using a custom‐based data acquisition system. Mean pressures across the circuit increased with increasing flow rates, but increased insignificantly with increasing differential speed values. Mean pressure did not change significantly between pulsatile and nonpulsatile modes. Pulsatile flow created more THE than nonpulsatile flow at the preoxygenator site (P < 0.01). Of the different components of the circuit, the arterial cannula created the greatest THE loss. THE loss across the circuit ranged from 24.8 to 71.3%. Still, under pulsatile mode, more THE was delivered to the pseudo patient at low flow rates. No SHE was created with nonpulsatile flow, but SHE was created with pulsatile flow, and increased with increasing differential speed values. At lower flow rates (1–2 L/min), the arterial cannula contributed the most to SHE loss, but at higher flow rates the arterial tubing created the most SHE loss. The circuit pressure drop values across all flow rates were 33.1–246.5 mm Hg, and were slightly higher under pulsatile mode than nonpulsatile mode. The i‐cor diagonal pump creates satisfactory pulsatile and nonpulsatile flows, and can easily change the pulsatile amplitude and energy transmission. The attributes of the XLung membrane oxygenator include low resistance, low energy loss, and low pressure drops at all flow rates and differential speed values. The arterial cannula created the highest pressure drop of all components of the circuit. Pulsatile flow improved the transmission of hemodynamic energy to the pseudo patient without significantly affecting the pressure drops across the circuit.
Accounting for uncertainty in confounder and effect modifier selection when estimating average causal effects in generalized linear models
Authors: Wang Chi , Dominici Francesca , Parmigiani Giovanni , Zigler Corwin Matthew
Published: April 2015

Confounder selection and adjustment are essential elements of assessing the causal effect of an exposure or treatment in observational studies. Building upon work by Wang et al. (2012, Biometrics 68, 661–671) and Lefebvre et al. (2014, Statistics in Medicine 33, 2797–2813), we propose and evaluate a Bayesian method to estimate average causal effects in studies with a large number of potential confounders, relatively few observations, likely interactions between confounders and the exposure of interest, and uncertainty on which confounders and interaction terms should be included. Our method is applicable across all exposures and outcomes that can be handled through generalized linear models. In this general setting, estimation of the average causal effect is different from estimation of the exposure coefficient in the outcome model due to noncollapsibility. We implement a Bayesian bootstrap procedure to integrate over the distribution of potential confounders and to estimate the causal effect. Our method permits estimation of both the overall population causal effect and effects in specified subpopulations, providing clear characterization of heterogeneous exposure effects that may vary considerably across different covariate profiles. Simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed method performs well in small sample size situations with 100–150 observations and 50 covariates. The method is applied to data on 15,060 US Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor between 2000 and 2009 to evaluate whether surgery reduces hospital readmissions within 30 days of diagnosis.
Targeting of the Hedgehog pathway in myeloid malignancies: still a worthy chase?
Authors: Khan Alesia A. , Harrison Claire N. , McLornan Donal P.
Published: April 2015

Deregulated Hedgehog (Hh) signalling activity may be associated with a broad range of cancer types and hence has become an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Although initial haematological interest focused on the therapeutic targeting of this pathway in chronic myeloid leukaemia), small molecule inhibitors targeting the Hh pathway are now being tested in a range of other myeloid disorders, including myelofibrosis, myelodysplasia and acute myeloid leukaemia. In this review we will evaluate the rationale for targeting of the Hh pathway in myeloid diseases and discuss the novel agents that have entered the clinical arena. We will discuss pre‐clinical models, emerging clinical trial data, and suggest how these targeted therapies may address current unmet medical needs. Finally, we will explore potential limitations of these therapies due to the emergence of secondary resistance mechanisms and speculate on future developments within this arena.
Differential gene expression analysis in early and late erythroid progenitor cells in β‐thalassaemia
Authors: Forster Luke , McCooke John , Bellgard Matthew , Joske David , Finlayson Jill , Ghassemifar Reza
Published: April 2015

β‐ thalassaemia is a disorder of globin gene synthesis resulting in reduced or absent production of the β‐globin chain in red blood cells. In this study, haematopoietic stem cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of six transfusion dependent β‐thalassaemia patients and six healthy controls. Following 7 and 14 d in culture, early‐ and late‐ erythroblasts were isolated and purified. No morphological difference in maturation was observed following 7 d in culture, while a delayed maturation was observed in the patient group after 14 d. Following RNA isolation and linear amplification, gene expression analyses were performed using microarray technology. The generated data were analysed by two methods: the BRB‐ArrayTools platform and the Bioconductor platform using bead level data. Following 7 d culture, there was no difference in gene expression between the control and patient groups. Following 14 d culture, 384 differentially expressed genes were identified by either analysis. A subset of 90 genes was selected and the results were confirmed by Quantitative‐Real‐Time‐polymerase chain reaction. Pathways shown to be significantly altered in the patient group include apoptosis, MAPKinase and the nuclear factor‐κB pathway.
Rapamycin impairs HPD‐induced beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis
Authors: Chang Geng‐Ruei , Chiu Yi‐Shin , Wu Ying‐Ying , Lin Yu‐Chi , Hou Po‐Hsun , Mao Frank Chiahung
Published: April 2015

Background and Purpose

Rapamycin, which is used clinically to treat graft rejection, has also been proposed to have an effect on metabolic syndrome; however, very little information is available on its effects in lean animals/humans. The purpose of this study was to characterize further the effects of the continuous use of rapamycin on glucose homeostasis in lean C57BL6/J mice.

Experimental Approach

Mice were fed a high‐protein diet (HPD) for 12 weeks to develop a lean model and then were treated daily with rapamycin for 5 weeks while remaining on a HPD. Metabolic parameters, endocrine profiles, glucose tolerance tests, insulin sensitivity index, the expression of the glucose transporter GLUT4 and chromium distribution were measured in vivo.

Key Results

Lower body weight gain as well as a decreased caloric intake, fat pads, fatty liver scores, adipocyte size and glucose tolerance test values were observed in HPD‐fed mice compared with mice fed a high‐fat or standard diet. Despite these beneficial effects, rapamycin‐treated lean mice showed greater glucose intolerance, reduced insulin sensitivity, lower muscle GLUT4 expression and changes in chromium levels in tissues even with high insulin levels.

Conclusion and Implications

Our findings demonstrate that continuous rapamycin administration may lead to the development of diabetes syndrome, as it was found to induce hyperglycaemia and glucose intolerance in a lean animal model.
What metrics? On the utility of measuring the performance of policy research: An illustrative case and alternative from Employment and Social Development Canada
Authors: Nason Edward , O'Neill Michael A.
Published: April 2015

This article examines the state of performance measurement of policy research in government. The article observes that, to date, government policy research activities have seldom been the object of performance measurement, a factor we ascribe to the relative unsuitability of existing models rooted in a focus on outputs and outcomes, often at the expense of relationships and networks. In reference to the literature and the case study, the article proposes that existing performance measurement models are ill‐suited to the task of assessing policy research performance. As a result, the article proposes that a purpose‐built model may be needed to achieve this objective. Such a model, the Sphere of Influence of Research Policy model, is provided as an illustration.
Re(I) and Tc(I) Complexes for Targeting Nitric Oxide Synthase: Influence of the Chelator in the Affinity for the Enzyme
Authors: Oliveira Bruno L. , Morais Maurício , Mendes Filipa , Moreira Irina S. , Cordeiro Carlos , Fernandes Pedro A. , Ramos Maria J. , Alberto Roger , Santos Isabel , Correia João D. G.
Published: April 2015

Aiming to design 99mTc complexes for probing nitric oxide synthase (NOS) by SPECT, we synthesized conjugates (L4–L6) comprising a NOS‐recognizing moiety connected to a diamino‐propionic acid (dap) chelating unit. The conjugates led to complexes of the type fac‐[M(CO)3(ĸ3‐L)] (M = Re/99mTc; Re4/Tc4: L = L4; Re5/Tc5: L = L5; Re6/Tc6: L = L6). Enzymatic studies showed that L4 and L5, but not L6, gave complexes (Re4 and Re5) that are less potent than the conjugates. To rationalize these results, we performed docking and molecular dynamics simulations. The high affinity of L4 and L5 is due to the strong interactions between the dap chelator and polar residues of the binding cavity. These interactions are hampered by metallation resulting in complexes with lower affinity. The higher potency of Re5 compared to Re4 was assigned to the increased bulkiness of Re5 and the presence of additional anchoring groups that better fit the active site and provide more extensive contacts. In turn, Re6 is too bulky and its organometallic tail is oriented toward the peripheral pocket of iNOS, leading to loss of contacts and a lower affinity. These results were compared with our previous results obtained with analogue complexes stabilized by a pyrazolyl‐diamine chelating unit.
Neural Correlates of Face Familiarity in Institutionally Reared Children With Distinctive, Atypical Social Behavior
Authors: Mesquita Ana R. , Belsky Jay , Crego Alberto , Fachada Inês , Oliveira Paula , Sampaio Adriana , Soares Isabel
Published: April 2015

Although the impact of early adverse experience on neural processing of face familiarity has been studied, research has not taken into account disordered child behavior. This work compared the neural processing of familiar versus strangers' faces in 47 institutionalized children with a mean age of 54 months to determine the effects of (a) the presence versus absence of atypical social behavior and (b) inhibited versus indiscriminant atypical behavior. Results revealed a pattern of cortical hypoactivation in institutionalized children manifesting atypical social behavior and that inhibited children displayed larger neural response to a caregiver's face than to the stranger's, while indiscriminant children did not discriminate between stimuli. These findings suggest that neural correlates of face familiarity are associated with social functioning in institutionalized children.
Breakdown of blood‐nerve barrier in immune‐mediated neuropathy
Authors: Shimizu Fumitaka , Kanda Takashi
Published: April 2015

The blood–nerve barrier (BNB) is a peripheral nerve‐specific capillary barrier system that blocks the entrance of pathogenic leukocytes and toxic soluble mediators, such as cytokines, chemokines and immunoglobulin, from the circulating blood to the parenchyma of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The pathological breakdown of the BNB might play pivotal pathophysiological roles in the onset of various immune‐mediated neuropathies, including Guillain–Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) and a subset of diabetic neuropathy. However, fewer studies have so far been carried out regarding the cell biology and clinical significance of the BNB compared with the total number of studies of the blood–brain barrier because of the lack of adequate human cell lines derived from the BNB. In recent studies, we successfully established human immortalized cell lines of BNB origin in our laboratory and describe their detailed cellular properties. Although CIDP is now recognized as involving several clinical phenotypes, including both typical CIDP and atypical CIDP, disruption of the BNB could determine the clinical phenotype, severity and course of disease in the case of CIDP. Although the underlying pathomechanisms of MMN have not yet been clarified, BNB breakdown can cause persistent demyelination at sites of conduction block in patients with MMN. In the present review article, we highlight the recently acquired insight regarding the pathology and pathophysiology of BNB breakdown in the setting of the immune‐mediated neuropathy. In addition, we discuss how this knowledge can be used to develop novel therapeutic strategies for treating immune‐mediated neuropathies by manipulating the BNB.
Study design, rationale and methods for a population‐based study of myopia in schoolchildren: the Myopia Investigation study in Taipei
Authors: Tsai Der‐Chong , Lin Li‐Ju , Huang Nicole , Hsu Chih‐Chien , Chen Shing‐Yi , Chiu Allen Wen‐Hsiang , Liu Catherine Jui‐Ling
Published: April 2015

Background

To describe the study design, rationale and methodology of the Myopia Investigation Study in Taipei (MIT).

Design

The MIT was a citywide, population‐based cohort study.

Participants

Participants were grade 2 students (Fall 2013) of all 153 elementary schools in Taipei City.

Methods

The baseline data on the risk factors for myopia development was collected by parent‐administered questionnaire surveys covering demographics, medical history, parental myopia, time spent on near work and outdoor activities, reading habits and eye care‐seeking behaviour. Ocular examinations focused on the measurement of visual acuity (unaided and best‐corrected) and refractive status (before and after cycloplegia), which will be carried out for the eligible schoolchildren biannually for 3 years consecutively. Once myopic children are identified, case manager‐led telecoaching for health‐care instructions and reminders will be delivered to parents or caregivers.

Main Outcome Measures

To build a comprehensive database for prevalence, incidence and risk factors of early childhood myopia over a 3‐year follow‐up period.

Results

Of all 19 374 eight‐year‐old schoolchildren (10 210 [52.7%] boys) eligible for the MIT, 16 486 (85.1%) responded to the questionnaire, 12 019 (62.0%) were examined during the third quarter of 2013 and 11 590 (59.8%) (6267 [52.9%] boys) completed cycloplegic autorefraction on both eyes and were enrolled for further data analysis. There was no significant difference in terms of demographics between the analysed participants and all grade 2 students in Taipei City.

Conclusions

Data from the MIT will provide population‐based information concerning the prevalence, incidence and risk factors for myopia development among young schoolchildren in a metropolitan area of Taiwan.
Establishment of a porcine pancreatic stem cell line using T‐REx™ system‐inducible Wnt3a expression
Authors: Han Wei , He Xin , Zhang Mingzhi , Hu Shuxian , Sun Fen , Ren Lipeng , Hua Jinlian , Peng Sha
Published: April 2015

Objectives

Porcine pancreatic stem cells (PSCs) are highly valuable in transplantation applications for type II diabetes. However, there are still many problems to be solved before they can be used in the clinic, such as insufficient cell number availability and low secretion level of insulin. It has been reported that Wnt3a plays pivotal roles during cell proliferation and differentiation. Here, we have aimed to establish an ideal research platform using the T‐REx™ system, to study mechanisms of Wnt3a during PSC proliferation and differentiation.

Materials and methods

Construction of the recombinant plasmid and cell transfection were used for establishment of a porcine PSC line. Related gene expressions were examined using quantitative real‐time PCR (QRT‐PCR), western blotting, immunostaining and flow cytometry. BrdU incorporation assay and cell cycle analysis were used to investigate Wnt3a roles in PSCs.

Results

Wnt3a‐expressing clones regulated by T‐REx™ were successfully obtained. Wnt3a and GFP expression were strictly regulated by Dox in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, we found that Wnt3a‐expressing porcine PSCs induced by Dox exhibited raised proliferative potential. After Dox stimulation, expression of PCNA, C‐MYC and active β‐catenin were higher, but were down‐regulated after Dkk1 addition.

Conclusion

We established a porcine PSC line that dynamically expressed Wnt3a, and we found that Wnt3a promoted PSC proliferative potential. This inducible expression system thus provides an important tool for further study on porcine PSC development and differentiation.
The State of Play in Poland's Unconventional Shale and Oil Development
Authors: Wesley Burnett J. , Jackson Randall W. , Blobaum Robert
Published: April 2015

Following initial geological assessments, Poland was identified as having one of the largest reserves of unconventional natural gas in the European Union. The Poles, seeking to diversify their energy sources, met the news with tremendous fanfare. However, shale gas development often requires voluminous speculative activity before the gas can be successfully extracted – an activity which has been rare in Poland, where a lack of critical infrastructure coupled with bureaucratic red tape in the permission process has led to slow growth in exploration activities. This article examines the current situation in Poland's unconventional gas and oil development.
Moonlighting Politicians: Motivation Matters!
Authors: Fedele Alessandro , Naticchioni Paolo
Published: April 2015

We study self-selection into politics and effort once in office of citizens with different abilities and motivations in a framework where moonlighting is allowed. We find that high-ability motivated (public-fit) politicians exert higher effort in politics than high-ability non-motivated (market-fit) politicians, and that high-ability citizens, both public-fit and market-fit, may decide to enter politics. We test our predictions using a database of Italian parliamentarians for the period 1996-2006. We find evidence of advantageous selection of both market-fit and public-fit parliamentarians. We also show that public-fit parliamentarians have higher voting attendance and that only voting attendance of market-fit parliamentarians is negatively affected by income opportunities.
Abnormal expression of RNA polymerase II‐associated proteins in muscle of patients with myofibrillar myopathies
Authors: Guglielmi Valeria , Marini Matteo , Masson Émilie Fiola , Malatesta Manuela , Forget Diane , Tomelleri Giuliano , Coulombe Benoit , Vattemi Gaetano
Published: April 2015

Aims

Myofibrillar myopathies (MFMs) are a group of inherited or sporadic neuromuscular disorders characterized morphologically by foci of myofibril dissolution, disintegration of the Z‐disk and insoluble protein aggregates within the muscle fibres. The sequential events leading to muscle fibre damage remains largely unknown.

Methods and results

We investigated the expression and the cellular localization of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII)‐associated proteins (RPAPs) in muscle biopsies from patients with genetically proven and sporadic MFMs. Our data demonstrated that RPAP2, and to a lesser extent GPN1/RPAP4, are accumulated focally in the cytoplasm of MFM muscle fibres in which they co‐localize with POLR2A/RPB1, the largest subunit of RNAPII, and correspond to αB‐cystallin deposits in distribution and staining intensity. No abnormal staining for RPAP2 has been observed in muscle of patients with central cores, minicores and neurogenic target fibres.

Conclusions

Together, these findings could provide new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of MFMs and suggest that RPAP2 immunostaining can be a useful diagnostic tool to depict protein aggregates in MFMs.
The protective properties of melatonin against aluminium‐induced neuronal injury
Authors: Al‐Olayan Ebtesam M. , El‐Khadragy Manal F. , Abdel Moneim Ahmed E.
Published: April 2015

Aluminium (Al) toxicity is closely linked to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This experimental study investigated the neuroprotective effect of melatonin (Mel; 10 mg/kg bwt) on aluminium chloride (AlCl3; 34 mg/kg bwt) induced neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats. Adult male albino Wistar rats were injected with AlCl3 for 7 days. The effect on brain structure, lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO) levels, glutathione (GSH) content, antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx and GR), apoptotic proteins (Bax and Bcl‐2) and an apoptotic enzyme (caspase‐3) was investigated. No apparent changes occurred following the injection of melatonin. Melatonin pretreatment of the AlCl3‐administered rats reduced brain damage, and the tissues appeared like those of the control rats. Compared to treatment with AlCl3, pretreatment with melatonin decreased LPO and NO levels and increased the GSH content and antioxidant enzyme activity. Moreover, melatonin increased the levels of the anti‐apoptotic protein, Bcl‐2, decreased the levels of the pro‐apoptotic protein, Bax, and inhibited caspase‐3 activity. Therefore, our results indicate that melatonin may provide therapeutic value against aluminium‐induced oxidative stress and histopathological alternations in the rat brain and that these effects may be related to anti‐apoptotic and antioxidant activities.
Comparison of ginsenosides in radix and rhizome of wild Panax species using LC‐ELSD and LC‐Q‐TOF‐MS
Authors: Yunusova Nozimakhonim , Kim Jae Young , Lee Gwang Jin , Hong Ji Yeon , Shin Byong‐kyu , Cai Shao‐Qing , Piao Xiang‐Lan , Park Jeong Hill , Kwon Sung Won
Published: April 2015

High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) and quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (Q‐TOF‐MS) were used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of wild Panax species, especially wild P. vietnamensis, which is an important medicinal plant. We determined the types and concentrations of ginsenosides in radix and rhizome of wild P. vietnamensis. Identification of ginsenosides was achieved using Q‐TOF‐MS; concentrations were determined by ELSD. The most abundant ginsenosides in wild Vietnamese ginseng were of the ocotillol type, accounting for more than 50% of the total. Compared to the rhizome, the radix had 31% higher ginsenoside content due to variation in protopanaxatriol‐type ginsenoside contents. We also found an unusual difference in the chromatograms of the two parts of wild P. vietnamensis. This difference did not appear in other wild species such as P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius. Our study provides an opportunity for further in‐depth study of the distinctive characteristics of P. vietnamensis.
Novel insights into relationships between egg corticosterone and timing of breeding revealed by LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Larsen Tom Rosendahl , Fairhurst Graham D. , De Baere Siegrid , Croubels Siska , Müller Wendt , De Neve Liesbeth , Lens Luc
Published: April 2015

Inter‐ and intra‐clutch variation in egg corticosterone (CORT), the major glucocorticoid in birds, may provide insights into how maternal stress levels vary with the timing of breeding and with laying order. Common analytical methods (e.g. immunoassays), however, suffer from cross‐reaction with other steroids, leading to potential overestimation of CORT concentrations which can obscure true hormone–environment relationships and complicate among‐study comparisons. We here apply a new LC‐MS/MS technique, which has recently been shown to avoid the problem of cross‐reactivity due to its high specificity, to quantify CORT concentrations in yolk and albumen in clutches of lesser black‐backed gulls Larus fuscus. We found that CORT concentration exhibited a previously unreported U‐shaped relationship with time of breeding, which we explain as a potential interplay of two forces exerting extra strain on the early and late breeders. Furthermore, results showed an increase in CORT with laying order indicating the energetic expense of egg production. The levels of CORT assessed in this study were significantly lower than those previously reported in studies using immunoassays for CORT analysis. This supports the fact that incorporating chromatography effectively reduces overestimation of CORT due to cross‐reactivity with other steroid hormones, particularly in egg yolk.
Difference in the Clinical Characteristics of Ventricular Fibrillation Occurrence in the Early Phase of an Acute Myocardial Infarction Between Patients With and Without J Waves
Authors: NARUSE YOSHIHISA , NOGAMI AKIHIKO , HARIMURA YOSHIE , ISHIBASHI MAYU , NOGUCHI YUICHI , SEKIGUCHI YUKIO , SATO AKIRA , AONUMA KAZUTAKA
Published: April 2015

Characteristics of VF in AMI Patients with J Waves

Introduction

We recently showed that the presence of J waves increases the risk of ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurrence in the early phase of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of VF occurrences in the early phase of an AMI between patients with and without J waves.

Methods and Results

This retrospective, observational study included 281 consecutive patients with an AMI (69 ± 12 years; 207 men) in whom 12‐lead ECGs before AMI onset could be evaluated. The patients were classified based on a VF occurrence <48 hours after AMI onset and the presence of J waves. J waves were electrocardiographically defined as an elevation of the terminal portion of the QRS complex of >0.1 mV from baseline in at least 2 contiguous inferior or lateral leads. VF occurred in 24 patients, and J waves were present in 37. VF occurrence was more prevalent in the patients with than without J waves (27% vs. 6%; P < 0.001). Among the 244 patients without J waves, peak creatine kinase level (P < 0.01), number of diseased coronary arteries (P < 0.01), and male sex (P < 0.05) were higher in the patients with than without VF occurrence. However, among the 37 patients with J waves, there was no significant difference in these variables. There was no association between the location of J waves and the infarct area.

Conclusions

In patients with AMI, those with J waves were more likely to develop VF and less likely to have high‐risk clinical characteristics than those without J waves.
Plasma Homocysteine is a Predictive Factor for Arterial Stiffness: A Community‐Based 4.8‐Year Prospective Study
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Na , Ye Ping , Cao Rui‐Hua , Yang Xu , Xiao Wen‐Kai , Zhang Yun , Bai Yong‐Yi , Wu Hong‐Mei
Published: April 2015

The authors investigated whether plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is a predictive factor for arterial stiffness (carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity [cf‐PWV] and carotid‐radial PWV) in 1447 patients from a 4.8‐year prospective study in Beijing, People's Republic of China. Baseline tHcy showed a significant relationship with follow‐up cf‐PWV (β=0.817, P=.015) in a multivariable linear regression analysis. A stepwise logistic regression model showed that baseline levels of tHcy were significantly associated with follow‐up cf‐PWV in the adjusted models. Furthermore, the baseline tHcy levels showed a significant association with increases in cf‐PWV. There was no association between the change in tHcy and increase in PWV. The present study clearly demonstrated an association between tHcy levels and arterial stiffness, indicating that tHcy is an independent predictive factor for arterial stiffness in a community‐based population.
Biopreservative Effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Garlic Powder (Allium sativum) on Tomato Paste
Authors: Olaniran Abiola F. , Abiose Sumbo H. , Adeniran Adekanmi H.
Published: April 2015

The study investigated fresh tomato fruits (Roma VF variety) prepared into paste, proportioned into different samples with each receiving different concentrations of ginger, ginger and garlic powder (2 and 4% w/w) and stored over a period of 8 weeks. The total viable (TVC), lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeast counts of the samples were enumerated on a weekly basis while the pure microbial isolates were identified. Results showed that TVC and LAB of control sample ranged from 3.42 to 13.45 and from 5.79 to 17.74, respectively, while samples with garlic and ginger had counts ranging from 3.34–4.87 to 3.39–4.86 (log cfu/g), respectively, over the period of storage. The microorganisms were identified as Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacilli acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus fermentum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces lactis, Hansenula anomala, Rhodotorula glutinis, Rhodotorula flava and Rhodotorula rubra. The study concluded that combined garlic and ginger (2 and 4%) suitably preserved tomato paste for 8 weeks without deterioration at refrigeration temperature (4 ± 1C).

Practical Applications

Health‐conscious consumers are wary of potential dangers of consuming chemical preservatives over a period of time. The use of natural products such as ginger and garlic as natural preservatives could significantly improve their utilization in industrial production of tomato paste and even in household production in Africa where refrigeration is greatly hampered by erratic power supply.
You are what you choose to eat: factors influencing young adults' food selection behaviour
Authors: Hebden L. , Chan H. N. , Louie J. C. , Rangan A. , Allman‐Farinelli M.
Published: April 2015

Background

Young or ‘emerging’ adulthood (ages 18–24 years) is a life‐stage characterised by rapid weight gain, particularly among those born in recent decades, when environments have become saturated with cheap, highly palatable, processed foods. Although intervening in the immediate food environments of emerging adults is indicated, little is known about the factors influencing their food selection. The present study aimed to: (i) measure the relative importance of different influences on foods selected by emerging adults for consumption from a tertiary education setting and (ii) examine whether these influences differ according to gender, adiposity status, perceived stress and dieting or physical activity behaviours.

Methods

An online survey was administered with 112 emerging adults aged 19–24 years assessing demographics, perceived stress, dieting, physical activity and influences on food selection. Adiposity indicators (body mass index and waist circumference) were measured. Analyses compared the importance of influences on food selection by gender, adiposity, perceived stress, dieting and physical activity.

Results

Taste was the most important influence on food selection, followed by convenience (availability), cost, nutrition/health value, smell and stimulatory properties (alertness). Participants with an elevated waist circumference selected foods to help them cope with stress and control their weight. Those reporting a higher level of physical activity placed greater importance on nutritional/health value of foods but less importance on taste. Female dieters also placed less importance on taste and value for money.

Conclusions

Health promotion strategies addressing tertiary education food environments of emerging adults should ensure the ready availability of tasty and nutritious foods at a low cost.