bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance pay and enterprise productivity: the details matter
Authors: Kato Takao , Kauhanen Antti
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide novel and rigorous evidence on the productivity effect of varying attributes of performance-related pay (PRP) and shows that the details of PRP indeed matter.

Design/methodology/approach

In doing so, the authors exploit the panel nature of the Finnish Linked Employer–Employee Data on the details of PRP.

Findings

The authors first establish that the omitted variable bias is serious, which makes the cross-sectional estimates on the productivity effect of the details of PRP biased upward substantially. Relying on the fixed effect estimates that account for such bias, the authors find: (first, group incentive PRP is more potent in boosting enterprise productivity than individual incentive PRP; second, group incentive PRP with profitability as a performance measure is especially powerful in raising firm productivity; third, when a narrow measure (such as cost reduction) is already used, adding another narrow measure (such as quality improvement) yields no additional productivity gain; and fourth, PRP with greater power of incentives (the share of PRP in total compensation) results in greater productivity gains, and returns to power of incentives diminishes very slowly.

Originality/value

Much of the empirical literature on PRP focuses on a question of whether the firm can increase firm performance in general and enterprise productivity in particular by introducing PRP and if so, how much. However, not all PRP programs are created equal and PRP programs vary significantly in a variety of attributes. This paper provides novel and rigorous evidence on the productivity effect of varying attributes of PRP and shows that the details of PRP indeed matter.
Survey of disease awareness, treatment behavior and treatment satisfaction in patients with atopic dermatitis in Korea: A multicenter study
Authors: Jung Hye Jung , Bae Joo Youn , Kim Jung Eun , Na Chan Ho , Park Gyeong Hun , Bae You In , Shin Min Kyung , Lee Young Bok , Lee Un Ha , Jang Yong Hyun , Han Tae Young , Ahn Ji Young
Published: July 2018

In Korea, there is a high dependency on oriental medicine and folk remedies (Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol, 25, 2005, 110). In addition, inaccurate information available through the Internet is increasing (Korean J Dermatol, 44, 2006, 137). So, there is always a possibility that patients may have difficulty obtaining accurate information about atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim was to determine the awareness, treatment behavior and treatment satisfaction of patients with AD and their caregivers. In October 2017, patients diagnosed with AD at nine hospitals were enrolled in this study. A questionnaire was completed by each patient. A total of 371 subjects were surveyed. In response to the question asking about knowledge of AD, the correct answer rate was 55.4%. Bathing using soap, body scrub and moisturizer showed favorable outcomes. A total of 54.9% patients responded that they were reluctant to use steroid ointment. When asked about their previous treatment, 39.6% reported using oriental medicine and 26.5% had tried folk remedies. The hospital treatment satisfaction score was 6.6. Patients usually applied their knowledge in their daily lives. However, there was a lot of inaccurate knowledge. Therefore, it is important for patients to understand the characteristics of this disease and obtain correct information.
Rare frost events reinforce tropical savanna–forest boundaries
Authors: Hoffmann William A. , Flake Samuel W. , Abreu Rodolfo C. R. , Pilon Natashi A. L. , Rossatto Davi R. , Durigan Giselda
Published: July 2018

The ability of vegetation to ameliorate or exacerbate environmental extremes can generate feedbacks that mediate the distribution of biomes. It has been suggested that feedbacks between vegetation and frost damage may be important for maintaining savanna, particularly at the edge of the tropics.

We quantified frost damage and air temperature across a network of 30 permanent plots distributed across tropical savanna–forest boundaries in Brazil during an uncommonly hard frost.

Tree cover strongly buffered temperatures during frost events, such that forest sites were up to 5°C warmer than nearby sites occupied by open shrub savanna. Consequently, in forest, woody plants were not damaged, but in savanna, there was extensive dieback of trees and shrubs. Within savanna, frost had disproportionately large effects on small individuals, likely due to colder temperatures near the ground and the lower thermal mass of thin stems. Across species, frost tolerance was strongly correlated with latitudinal range limit, revealing the importance of minimum temperature as a species filter at the regional scale. Counterintuitively, savanna species, which are adapted to open habitats where frost is more likely, were more vulnerable to cold than were forest species and experienced more than twice the amount of leaf damage as co‐occurring forest species.

Synthesis. Frost reinforces the effects of fire on vegetation structure by preferentially damaging trees in open environments and generating high loads of dead, flammable fuels. However, frost does not currently occur with sufficient frequency in the region to maintain open savanna by itself. Nevertheless, it occurs with sufficient frequency and severity that it likely acts as an environmental filter and evolutionary selective factor for some of the most frost‐sensitive species.
Biotic and abiotic plant–soil feedback depends on nitrogen‐acquisition strategy and shifts during long‐term ecosystem development
Authors: Png Guochen Kenny , Lambers Hans , Kardol Paul , Turner Benjamin L. , Wardle David A. , Laliberté Etienne
Published: July 2018

Feedback between plants and soil is an important driver of plant community structure, but it remains unclear whether plant–soil feedback (PSF): (i) reflects changes in biotic or abiotic properties, (ii) depends on environmental context in terms of soil nutrient availability, and (iii) varies among plant functional groups. As soil nutrient availability strongly affects plant distribution and performance, soil chemical properties and plant nutrient‐acquisition strategies might serve as important drivers of PSF.

We used soils from young and old stages of a long‐term soil chronosequence to represent sites where productivity is limited by nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability, respectively. We grew three N‐fixing and three non‐N‐fixing plant species in soils conditioned by co‐occurring conspecific or heterospecific species from each of these two stages. In addition, three soil treatments were used to distinguish biotic and abiotic effects on plant performance, allowing measurements of overall, biotic, and abiotic PSF.

In young, N‐poor soils, non‐N‐fixing plants grew better in soils from N‐fixing plants than in their own soils (i.e., negative PSF). However, this difference was not only associated with improved abiotic conditions in soils from N‐fixing plants but also with changes in soil biota.

By contrast, no significant PSF was observed for N‐fixing plants grown in young soils. Moreover, we did not observe any significant PSF for either N‐fixing or non‐N‐fixing plants growing in old, P‐impoverished soils.

Synthesis. The direction and strength of plant‐soil feedback (PSF) varied among N‐acquisition strategies and soils differing in nutrient availability, with stronger plant‐soil feedback in younger, N‐poor soils compared to older, P‐impoverished soils. Our results highlight the importance of considering soil nutrient availability, plant‐mediated abiotic and biotic soil properties, and plant nutrient‐acquisition strategies when studying plant‐soil feedback, thereby advancing our mechanistic understanding of plant‐soil feedback during long‐term ecosystem development.
Compensation Convexity without Utility Restriction
Authors: Gong Jiong , Jiang Ping , Xing Xiaochuan
Published: July 2018

We develop an optimal contract model on the use of stock options for chief executive officer compensation under the Mirrlees–Rogerson moral hazard framework. We find that convexity, as know as, the use of stock options, can arise with a broader range of agent utility functions than allowed by Hemmer et al. (). We characterise the necessary conditions regarding the behaviour of the agent's marginal risk tolerance for both the concavity and convexity cases of the likelihood‐ratio function. We find stock options need to be used more intensively, when the agent displays a higher marginal risk tolerance and when the realised task output is higher.
Partisan dealignment and committee power in five Westminster parliaments
Authors: FLEMING THOMAS G.
Published: July 2018

What explains the power of parliamentary committees? A large literature on the United States Congress sees strong legislative committees as a consequence of legislators’ incentives to cultivate a personal vote. These incentives are typically understood to be determined by formal electoral rules. How legislatures are elected thus shapes how they are organised. This article argues that explanations of legislative organisation should also consider a non‐institutional source of personal vote‐seeking incentives: voters’ partisanship. Where partisan dealignment is more extensive, legislators have stronger incentives to develop a personal vote. Where committee systems are more powerful, legislators have better opportunities to do so. Partisan dealignment should thus lead to stronger committee systems. This argument is supported by analysis of original data on the postwar evolution of committee systems in five ‘Westminster’ parliaments. Partisan dealignment is associated with larger committee systems, and with larger expansions of committee systems.
Impact of Medicare's Nonpayment Program on Venous Thromboembolism Following Hip and Knee Replacements
Authors: Thirukumaran Caroline P. , Glance Laurent G. , Rosenthal Meredith B. , Temkin‐Greener Helena , Balkissoon Rishi , Mesfin Addisu , Li Yue
Published: July 2018

Objective

To determine whether Medicare's Nonpayment Program was associated with decline in venous thromboembolism (VTE) following hip and knee replacements; and whether the decline was greater among hospitals at risk of larger financial losses from the Program.

Data Sources

State Inpatient Database for New York (NY) from 2005 to 2013.

Study Design

The primary outcome was an occurrence of VTE. Medicare Utilization Ratio (MUR), which is the proportion of inpatient days in a hospital that is financed by Medicare, represented a hospital's financial sensitivity. We used hierarchical logistic regressions with difference‐in‐differences estimation to study the Program effects.

Principal Findings

A total of 98,729 hip replacement and 111,361 knee replacement stays were identified. For hip replacement, the Program was associated with significant reduction (Range: 44% to 53%) in VTE incidence among hospitals in MUR quartiles 2 to 4. For knee replacement, the Program was associated with significant reduction (47%) in VTE incidence only among quartile 2 hospitals.

Conclusion

Implementation of the Program was associated with a reduction in VTE, especially for hip replacements, in higher MUR hospitals. Payment reforms such as Medicare's Nonpayment Program that withhold payments for complications are effective and should be continued.
Contribution to the Development of Guidelines in the Analysis of Biological Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations
Authors: Ferreira‐Silva Benedita , Porto Maria João , Magalhães Teresa , Cainé Laura
Published: July 2018

This investigation intends to study materials and techniques used for biological evidence collection in sexual assault cases and is divided into two stages: in stage one, methods for biological evidence collection (the single swab (including three variants) and the “double swab technique”) were compared; in stage two, swabs’ component material was compared. The sampling was composed of 42 heterosexual couples who provided mock samples. The collection methods in which the whole swab is covered by evidence presented significantly better outcomes (p < 0.001), such as the “double swab technique.” Additionally, nylon swabs proved to present significantly better features regarding the capacity of sample elution, providing significantly higher amounts of DNA (p ≤ 0.034). This study provides guidelines for better collection of biological evidence regarding the collection method using a swab and the proper swab material to utilize.
Burden of Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in Japan: A Literature Review
Authors: Akizawa Tadao , Okumura Hiroyuki , Alexandre Ana Filipa , Fukushima Ayako , Kiyabu Grace , Dorey Julie
Published: July 2018

Anemia is a common complication for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with cardiovascular comorbidities and reduced quality of life. The incidence of anemia increases as kidney function declines and affects approximately 32% of Japanese patients with stage 3–5 CKD. This review examined the current literature on anemia in CKD patients in Japan to provide an overview of the burden of anemia in CKD. Medline, Embase, and Igaku Chuo Zasshi databases were searched to identify relevant manuscripts and abstracts published from 2004 onward. The population included CKD patients with anemia, and the outcomes of interest were epidemiology, economic, humanistic, and treatment patterns. Observational studies, database analysis, and economic evaluation studies were included in the analysis. A total of 1151 references were identified, and 50 were eligible for final review. Economic burden was reported in most studies (n = 37) followed by treatment patterns (n = 26), and epidemiological (n = 25) and humanistic (n = 1) burdens. Prevalence of anemia varied largely (0–95%) based on the different definitions of anemia, and increased with CKD severity. Higher mortality was associated with erythropoiesis‐stimulating agent (ESA) resistance and lower hemoglobin levels among patients treated with ESA. Drug dosage was the most reported economic burden (n = 33), followed by medical, and non‐medical outcomes. Costs associated with anemia were considerable and depended on dialysis status and ESA treatment. Only one study reported data on quality of life, suggesting that further investigation on the humanistic burden of anemia in CKD is needed.
Synteny search identifies carnivore Y chromosome for evolution of male specific genes
Authors: FAN Huizhong , HU Yibo , SHAN Lei , YU Lijun , WANG Bing , LI Min , WU Qi , WEI Fuwen
Published: July 2018

The explosive accumulation of mammalian genomes has provided a valuable resource to characterize the evolution of the Y chromosome. Unexpectedly, the Y‐chromosome sequence has been characterized in only a small handful of species, with the majority being model organisms. Thus, identification of Y‐linked scaffolds from unordered genome sequences is becoming more important. Here, we used a syntenic‐based approach to generate the scaffolds of the male‐specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) from the genome sequence of 6 male carnivore species. Our results identified 14, 15, 9, 28, 14 and 11 Y‐linked scaffolds in polar bears, pacific walruses, red pandas, cheetahs, ferrets and tigers, covering 1.55 Mbp, 2.62 Mbp, 964 Kb, 1.75 Mb, 2.17 Mbp and 1.84 Mb MSY, respectively. All the candidate Y‐linked scaffolds in 3 selected species (red pandas, polar bears and tigers) were successfully verified using polymerase chain reaction. We re‐annotated 8 carnivore MSYs including these 6 Y‐linked scaffolds and domestic dog and cat MSY; a total of 11 orthologous genes conserved in at least 7 of the 8 carnivores were identified. These 11 Y‐linked genes have significantly higher evolutionary rates compared with their X‐linked counterparts, indicating less purifying selection for MSY genes. Taken together, our study shows that the approach of synteny search is a reliable and easily affordable strategy to identify Y‐linked scaffolds from unordered carnivore genomes and provides a preliminary evolutionary study for carnivore MSY genes.
Effects of reproductive experience on paternal behavior, levels of testosterone, prolactin in serum and dendritic spines in medial prefrontal cortex of mandarin voles
Authors: WANG Bo , LI Laifu , HE Zhixiong , WANG Limin , ZHANG Siyi , QIAO Hui , JIA Rui , TAI Fadao
Published: July 2018

Maternal behaviors and brains change dramatically with pregnancy, parturition and other mothering experiences. However, whether paternal behavior, brain plasticity and levels of relevant hormones also change along with fathering experience and pups' age remains unclear. Using socially monogamous mandarin voles (Microtus mandarinus), we found that experienced fathers exhibited more active paternal behaviors, such as licking, retrievals and nest building, but less paternal care, such as huddling, than new fathers. The high levels of licking and nest building appeared in the earlier days of their mate's lactation. Experienced fathers retrieved 9–13‐day‐old pups more frequently. However, these paternal behaviors did not show significant changes with age of pups in new fathers. In addition, experienced fathers had dramatically higher prolactin levels than new fathers but had similar concentrations of testosterone to new fathers. New fathers had lower levels of testosterone but higher levels of prolactin than new paired males. The fathers had higher prolactin levels in the earlier days of their mate's lactation. The new and experienced fathers had similar dendritic length and spine density on pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex but displayed higher levels than new paired males. Taken together, these results indicate that reduction of testosterone levels and increase of prolactin levels may be associated with initiation of paternal care. Fathering experience significantly affects levels of parental care and paternal behaviors toward different aged pups, and brain plasticity can also be enhanced by transition to fatherhood.
Interaction Between Phenolic Compounds and Lipase: The Influence of Solubility and Presence of Particles in the IC50 Value
Authors: Bustos Atma‐Sol , Håkansson Andreas , Linares‐Pastén Javier A. , Penarrieta Jose M. , Nilsson Lars
Published: July 2018

Obesity is one of the principal human health problems and one of the main treatments against it is the inhibition of pancreatic lipase, the main responsible enzyme of lipid digestion. For that purpose, previous studies have tested several phenolic compounds against lipase, without considering their aggregation behavior in aqueous solutions. Because of this, the present study focuses on understanding how the solubility and the presence of particles affect the IC50 value of the interaction between lipase and phenolic compounds present in beverages like fruit juices and teas. Therefore, the inhibitory capacity against pancreatic lipase and the aggregate formation of 9 phenolic compounds (quercetin, rutin, myricetin, catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, cyanidin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and vanillic acid) were analyzed. The results obtained together with the solubility data from literature were treated by principal component analysis and indicate that the IC50 value does not correlate with the solubility or aggregate formation of the phenolic compounds. However, the IC50 values of phenolic compounds which aggregate during the assay conditions have low reproducibility. This study shows that the aggregate formation of phenolic compounds plays an important role during in vitro assays for pancreatic lipase inhibition and should be considered in future experiments as it can lead to false positive results. In terms of particle formation, the flavonoids investigated in this study are more prone to aggregation compared to the phenolic acids.
Oral Administration of Probiotic Lactobacillus Casei Shirota Decreases Pneumonia and Increases Pulmonary Functions after Single Rib Fracture: A Randomized Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Guo Chunhua , Lei Min , Wang Yong , Hua Limei , Xue Sujuan , Yu Dan , Zhang Chunhua , Wang Dawei
Published: July 2018

Considerate proportion of elderly patients with a rib fracture is susceptible to pulmonary complications, especially pneumonia. We aimed to assess the effect of oral administration of the probiotic Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) on pneumonia and pulmonary functions among elderly patients with single rib fracture. The current study including 204 eligible elderly patients with a single rib fracture was conducted. Patients were randomly assigned to receive oral administration of skimmed milk containing either a commercial probiotic LcS or placebo daily for 1 mo after the fracture, followed by pneumonia assessments, pulmonary function testing including forced expiratory volume (FEV), negative inspiratory pressure (NIP), and forced vital capacity (FVC), as well as evaluation of potential adverse effects including myocardial infarction, acute kidney injury, nonunion of fractured bone, or stroke. After 1 mo consumption, patients in the LcS group exhibited decreased pneumonia and increased recovery of pulmonary functions, in terms of FEV, FVC, and NIP, compared to the placebo group. No difference was observed in incidence of adverse events between the 2 groups. In patients with a single rib fracture, oral administration of the probiotic LcS was associated with a lower incidence of pneumonia and increased pulmonary functions without causing severe adverse effects.

Practical Application

To conclude, after 1‐mo LcS consumption, in patients with a single rib fracture, oral administration of the probiotic LcS was associated with a lower incidence of pneumonia and increased pulmonary functions without causing severe adverse effects.
A novel microbial technique for producing high‐quality sophorolipids from horse oil suitable for cosmetic applications
Authors: Maeng Yoojae , Kim Kyoung Tae , Zhou Xuan , Jin Litai , Kim Ki Soo , Kim Young Heui , Lee Suyeon , Park Ji Ho , Chen Xiuyu , Kong Mingxia , Cai Lu , Li Xiaokun
Published: July 2018

Horse oil contains linoleic, palmitoleic and unsaturated fatty acids that are similar to those in human skin, and may therefore be an ideal substance from which to isolate biosurfactants for cosmetic products to improve human skin quality. Herein, an innovative approach was developed to synthesise sophorolipids from horse oil by hydrolysis, followed by fermentation using the yeast Candida bombicola. The yield of sophorolipids from direct fermentation of horse oil and hydrolysed horse oil was 40.6 ± 1.3 g l−1 and 58.4 ± 1.8 g l−1 respectively. To further increase the yield, 30–40 g l−1 glucose was added in a fed‐batch fermentation process to maintain the pH between 4.0 and 4.5, resulting in a conversion yield of 71.7 ± 0.8 g l−1. The purity and structure of the synthesised sophorolipids were analysed by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. An in vitro human dermal fibroblast model was used as a surrogate for human skin to measure elastase inhibition activity. Antiwrinkle properties of isolated sophorolipids were better than those of horse oil or hydrolysed horse oil in several in vitro assays. Furthermore, no cytotoxicity was observed at a concentration of 50 μg ml−1, and wound‐healing capacity was evident in a cell culture model. Additionally, the synthesised sophorolipids attenuated lipopolysaccharide‐induced expression of inflammatory cytokines in macrophages, and efficiently inhibited several strains of bacteria and yeast. In conclusion, fed‐batch fermentation of hydrolysed horse oil is a novel and efficient approach for producing high‐quality and high‐yield sophorolipids that exhibit great potential as cosmetic ingredients.
A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Ketamine as an Alternative to Opioids for Acute Pain in the Emergency Department
Authors: Karlow Nicholas , Schlaepfer Charles H. , Stoll Carolyn R. T. , Doering Michelle , Carpenter Christopher R. , Colditz Graham A. , Motov Sergey , Miller Joshua , Schwarz Evan S.
Published: July 2018

Background

Opioids are commonly prescribed in the emergency department (ED) for the treatment of acute pain. Analgesic alternatives are being explored in response to an epidemic of opioid misuse. Low‐dose ketamine (LDK) is one opioid alternative for the treatment of acute pain in the ED.

Objectives

This systematic review and meta‐analysis sought to quantify whether LDK is an effective and safe opioid alternative for acute pain reduction in adults in the ED setting. (PROSPERO Registration Number CRD42017065303).

Methods

This was a systematic review of randomized controlled trials comparing intravenous opioids to LDK for relief of acute pain in the ED. Studies where the control group initially received opioids prior to ketamine were excluded. A research librarian designed the electronic search strategy. Changes in visual analog scale or numeric rating scale pain scales were analyzed to determine the relative effects of LDK and opioids in the treatment of acute pain.

Results

Three studies met the criteria for inclusion in this meta‐analysis. Compared to pain scale reduction with morphine, ketamine was not inferior (relative reduction = 0.42, 95% confidence interval = –0.70 to 1.54). No severe adverse events were reported in any study, but higher rates of nonsevere adverse events were observed with ketamine.

Conclusions

Ketamine is noninferior to morphine for the control of acute pain, indicating that ketamine can be considered as an alternative to opioids for ED short‐term pain control.
Efficacy and safety of sodium oxybate in alcohol‐dependent patients with a very high drinking risk level
Authors: van den Brink Wim , Addolorato Giovanni , Aubin Henri‐Jean , Benyamina Amine , Caputo Fabio , Dematteis Maurice , Gual Antoni , Lesch Otto‐Michael , Mann Karl , Maremmani Icro , Nutt David , Paille François , Perney Pascal , Rehm Jürgen , Reynaud Michel , Simon Nicolas , Söderpalm Bo , Sommer Wolfgang H. , Walter Henriette , Spanagel Rainer
Published: July 2018

Medication development for alcohol relapse prevention or reduction of consumption is highly challenging due to methodological issues of pharmacotherapy trials. Existing approved medications are only modestly effective with many patients failing to benefit from these therapies. Therefore, there is a pressing need for other effective treatments with a different mechanism of action, especially for patients with very high (VH) drinking risk levels (DRL) because this is the most severely affected population of alcohol use disorder patients. Life expectancy of alcohol‐dependent patients with a VH DRL is reduced by 22 years compared with the general population and approximately 90 000 alcohol‐dependent subjects with a VH DRL die prematurely each year in the EU (Rehm et al. ). A promising new medication for this population is sodium oxybate, a compound that acts on GABAB receptors and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors resulting in alcohol‐mimetic effects. In this article, a European expert group of alcohol researchers and clinicians summarizes data (a) from published trials, (b) from two new—as yet unpublished—large clinical trials (GATE 2 (n = 314) and SMO032 (n = 496), (c) from post hoc subgroup analyses of patients with different WHO‐defined DRLs and (d) from multiple meta‐analyses. These data provide convergent evidence that sodium oxybate is effective especially in a subgroup of alcohol‐dependent patients with VH DRLs. Depending on the study, abstinence rates are increased up to 34 percent compared with placebo with risk ratios up to 6.8 in favor of sodium oxybate treatment. These convergent data are supported by the clinical use of sodium oxybate in Austria and Italy for more than 25 years. Sodium oxybate is the sodium salt of γ‐hydroxybutyric acid that is also used as a recreational (street) drug suggestive of abuse potential. However, a pharmacovigilance database of more than 260 000 alcohol‐dependent patients treated with sodium oxybate reported very few adverse side effects and only few cases of abuse. We therefore conclude that sodium oxybate is an effective, well‐tolerated and safe treatment for withdrawal and relapse prevention treatment, especially in alcohol‐dependent patients with VH DRL.
Combatting social isolation and increasing social participation of older adults through the use of technology: A systematic review of existing evidence
Authors: Baker Steven , Warburton Jeni , Waycott Jenny , Batchelor Frances , Hoang Thuong , Dow Briony , Ozanne Elizabeth , Vetere Frank
Published: July 2018

Objectives

There are growing concerns that social isolation presents risks to older people's health and well‐being. Thus, the objective of the review was to explore how technology is currently being utilised to combat social isolation and increase social participation, hence improving social outcomes for older people.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was conducted across the social science and human‐computer interaction databases.

Results

A total of 36 papers met the inclusion criteria and were analysed using a four‐step process. Findings were threefold, suggesting that: (i) technologies principally utilised social network services and touch‐screen technologies; (ii) social outcomes are often ill‐defined or not defined at all; and (iii) methodologies used to evaluate interventions were often limited and small‐scale.

Conclusion

Results suggest a need for studies that examine new and innovative forms of technology, evaluated with rigorous methodologies, and drawing on clear definitions about how these technologies address social isolation/participation.
Ultrasound is better tolerated than vaginal examination in and before labour
Authors: Usman Sana , Barton Helen , Wilhelm‐Benartzi Charlotte , Lees Christoph C.
Published: July 2018

Background

Intrapartum ultrasound has been proposed as a method of assessing labour progress but its acceptability has not been comprehensively assessed.

Aims

We evaluated the acceptability of intrapartum ultrasound in women having vaginal examination (VE) and ultrasound (US) assessment (transabdominal (TA) and transperineal (TP)) prior to delivery, with and without regional analgesia (RA).

Materials and Methods

Women at 24–42 weeks gestation were included in a prospective observational cohort study. The acceptability of digital VE and TP US were assessed pre‐ and post‐examination using the modified validated Wijma Delivery Experience Questionnaire. Acceptability scores ranged 6–36 (6 being most and 36 being least positive) in six domains: positive‐trust and relax, negative‐harmful to baby, worrying, painful, intrusive.

Results

Of 119 women recruited, 104 completed both pre‐ and post‐assessment questionnaires. Eighty‐nine per cent of women were nulliparous with median gestation 40 + 2 weeks (25–42+1). Thirty‐two per cent had RA before assessment, 91% in total. The combined acceptability scores of both negative and positive experiences (6 = most acceptable, 36 = least acceptable) for VE and US pre‐assessment were 15 and 7 respectively (P < 0.0001: Mann‐Whitney U‐test). VE was associated with less positive / more negative domain scoring post‐assessment 12 and 6, respectively (P < 0.0001). Although RA made no difference to the perceived experience pre‐VE (P = 0.9), post‐VE, women with RAs considered VEs more acceptable than those without RA (P = 0.0022).

Conclusion(s)

This is the first study to comprehensively assess the acceptability of VE and intrapartum US. US assessment prior to delivery is more acceptable than VE. RA ameliorated the negative experience of the VE post‐assessment.
Contribution of maternal overweight and obesity to the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Yang Zongjian , Phung Hai , Freebairn Louise , Sexton Rosalind , Raulli Alexandra , Kelly Paul
Published: July 2018

Aims

Maternal overweight and obesity in pregnancy are known to increase the risk of a range of complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study estimates the population‐level contribution of maternal overweight and obesity to adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

Data derived from the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Maternal and Perinatal Data Collection were analysed. A total of 24 161 women who had a singleton birth in 2009–2015, with maternal weight and height information available, were included. In this study, the association between risk factors and outcomes was investigated using multilevel regression modelling. Based on model predictions under various hypothetical maternal weight scenarios, the number and proportion of adverse perinatal outcomes that could be potentially prevented were estimated.

Results

Maternal overweight and obesity were associated with increased risks of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pre‐eclampsia, caesarean delivery, preterm birth (PTB), large for gestational age (LGA) and admission to the special care nursery or neonatal intensive care unit (SCN/NICU). The estimated proportions of adverse pregnancy outcomes attributable to overweight and obesity in pregnancy are 29.3% for GDM, 36.2% for pre‐eclampsia, 15.5% for caesarean delivery, 21.6% for longer antenatal stay in hospital (≥2 days), 16.3% for extreme PTB, 25.2% for LGA and 6.5% for SCN/NICU admission.

Conclusions

Maternal overweight and obesity contribute to a large proportion of obstetric complications and adverse outcomes in the ACT. Effective intervention strategies to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity in pregnant women could have significant beneficial effects on pregnancy outcomes.
Identification of prognostic parameters in CLL with no abnormalities detected by chromosome banding and FISH analyses
Authors: Vetro Calogero , Haferlach Torsten , Jeromin Sabine , Stengel Anna , Zenger Melanie , Nadarajah Niroshan , Baer Constance , Weissmann Sandra , Kern Wolfgang , Meggendorfer Manja , Haferlach Claudia
Published: July 2018

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous disease with a clinical course dependent on cytogenetic features. However, in 15–20% of cases both chromosome banding and fluorescence in situ hybridisation analyses do not show any kind of abnormality. With the aim to identify dependable molecular prognostic factors in this subgroup, we performed a comprehensive analysis on 171 patients including genomic arrays (comparative genomic hybridisation and single nucleotide polymorphism), immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region genes (IGHV) status, flow cytometry and targeted sequencing. Genomic arrays detected 73 aberrations in 39 patients (23%). Most frequently, patients had 1 aberration (25/171; 15%), while 14 patients (8%) had at least 2 aberrations. IGHV status was unmutated in 53/171 (31%) patients. SF3B1 was the most frequently mutated gene (26/171 patients; 15%), followed by NOTCH1 (15/171; 9%). At univariate analysis, an adverse impact on time to treatment (TTT) was evident for SF3B1 mutations, higher white blood cell count, higher CLL cells percentage by flow cytometry, CD38 positivity, IGHV unmutated status and at least 2 genomic array abnormalities. Of these, SF3B1 mutations, CLL cells percentage, IGHV unmutated status and number of genomic array aberrations maintained their impact in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, by integrating genomic and molecular data, we identified patients at higher risk for treatment need.
Iron related changes in MS lesions and their validity to characterize MS lesion types and dynamics with Ultra‐high field magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Hametner Simon , Dal Bianco Assunta , Trattnig Siegfried , Lassmann Hans
Published: July 2018

Iron accumulates with age in the normal human brain. This process is altered at several levels in the brain of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Since iron is mainly stored in oligodendrocytes and myelin in the normal brain, its liberation in demyelinating lesions may amplify tissue damage in demyelinating lesions and its uptake in macrophages and microglia may help to more precisely define activity stages of the lesions. In addition, glia cells change their iron import, export and storage properties in MS lesions, which is reflected by alterations in the expression of iron transport molecules. Changes of iron distribution in the brain can be reliably detected by MRI, particularly upon application of Ultra‐high magnetic field (7 Tesla). Iron‐sensitive MRI allows to more accurately distinguish the lesions in MS from those in other inflammatory brain diseases, to visualize a subset of slowly expanding lesions in the progressive stage of MS and to increase the sensitivity for lesion detection in the gray matter, such as the cerebral cortex or deep gray matter nuclei.
Glycycoumarin protects mice against acetaminophen‐induced liver injury predominantly via activating sustained autophagy
Authors: Yan Mingzhu , Ye Linhu , Yin Shutao , Lu Xiaotong , Liu Xiaoyi , Lu Shangyun , Cui Jinling , Fan Lihong , Kaplowitz Neil , Hu Hongbo
Published: July 2018

Background and Purpose

Acetaminophen‐induced acute liver injury (AILI) is the most frequent cause of acute liver failure in developed countries. Given the significant limitations associated with N‐acetyl cysteine, the only antidote used to treat AILI, the development of novel therapeutic approaches that can offer a wide range of therapeutic time‐windows is clearly needed. Glycycoumarin (GCM), a natural coumarin purified from liquorice, has been previously demonstrated to possess potent hepatoprotective effects. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of GCM against AILI.

Experimental Approach

Acetaminophen (300 mg·kg−1) was administered to male C57BL/6 mice, with and without GCM. Serum transaminases, haematoxylin and eosin staining and Western blot were used to assess hepatic damage.

Key Results

GCM (50 mg·kg−1) was highly effective against acetaminophen‐induced hepatotoxicity. Moreover, GCM was superior to N‐acetyl cysteine, in terms of the dosage and the therapeutic time‐windows. Further mechanistic investigations revealed that the therapeutic action of GCM was not a result of inhibition of acetaminophen metabolic activation or associated with Nrf2. Instead, the protective effect of GCM appeared to be predominantly dependent on sustained activation of autophagy, which attenuated acetaminophen‐induced mitochondrial oxidative stress and JNK activation.

Conclusions and Implications

Collectively, our results indicate that GCM alleviated acetaminophen‐induced oxidative stress through activating autophagy, thereby protecting against AILI. Our findings suggest that GCM has potential as a novel therapeutic agent for treating AILI.
Life‐history evolution under fluctuating density‐dependent selection and the adaptive alignment of pace‐of‐life syndromes
Authors: Wright Jonathan , Bolstad Geir H. , Araya‐Ajoy Yimen G. , Dingemanse Niels J.
Published: July 2018

We present a novel perspective on life‐history evolution that combines recent theoretical advances in fluctuating density‐dependent selection with the notion of pace‐of‐life syndromes (POLSs) in behavioural ecology. These ideas posit phenotypic co‐variation in life‐history, physiological, morphological and behavioural traits as a continuum from the highly fecund, short‐lived, bold, aggressive and highly dispersive ‘fast’ types at one end of the POLS to the less fecund, long‐lived, cautious, shy, plastic and socially responsive ‘slow’ types at the other. We propose that such variation in life histories and the associated individual differences in behaviour can be explained through their eco‐evolutionary dynamics with population density – a single and ubiquitous selective factor that is present in all biological systems. Contrasting regimes of environmental stochasticity are expected to affect population density in time and space and create differing patterns of fluctuating density‐dependent selection, which generates variation in fastversusslow life histories within and among populations. We therefore predict that a major axis of phenotypic co‐variation in life‐history, physiological, morphological and behavioural traits (i.e. the POLS) should align with these stochastic fluctuations in the multivariate fitness landscape created by variation in density‐dependent selection. Phenotypic plasticity and/or genetic (co‐)variation oriented along this major POLS axis are thus expected to facilitate rapid and adaptively integrated changes in various aspects of life histories within and among populations and/or species. The fluctuating density‐dependent selection POLS framework presented here therefore provides a series of clear testable predictions, the investigation of which should further our fundamental understanding of life‐history evolution and thus our ability to predict natural population dynamics.
Preparation and biological evaluation of metronidazole derivatives with monoterpenes and eugenol
Authors: Bkhaitan Majdi M. , Alarjah Mohammed , Mirza Agha Zeeshan , Abdalla Ashraf N. , El‐Said Hamdi M. , Faidah Hani S.
Published: July 2018

Two series of metronidazole derivatives (ester derivatives and ether derivatives) were prepared reacting metronidazole and its acetic acid oxidized form with menthol, thymol, carvacrol, and eugenol. Both series of compounds were tested in vitro against two strains of Helicobacter pylori (the ATCC 26695 and P12), and one strain of Clostridium (Clostridium perfringens). Most of the prepared compounds showed biological activity against the targeted bacteria. Compound 11 was highly active against all tested bacterial strains, especially against P12 with IC50 0.0011 μM/ml. Compound 6 was highly active against C. perfringens with MIC 0.0094 nM/ml. Viability test was conducted for compound 11 to test its selectivity for normal human fetal lung fibroblasts (MRC5), and it was found to be non‐toxic with IC50 more than 50 μM/ml.
The 12‐year prevalence and trends of childhood disabilities in Australia: Findings from the Survey of Disability, Aging and Carers
Authors: Arabiat Diana H. , Whitehead Lisa , AL Jabery Mohammad
Published: July 2018

Aim

This paper contributes to knowledge on the prevalence and nature of disabilities in Australian children over a 12‐year period (2003–2015). Understanding the current state of childhood disability is imperative for predicting future needs for long‐term care and early intervention services for this population.

Methods

We used data on children 0–14 years from the 2003, 2009, 2012, and 2015 survey of Disability, Aging and Carers, which is an ongoing national survey covering both rural and urban areas of all States and Territories of Australia.

Results

Using the test for trends in population, no significant increases were noted in the prevalence of childhood disabilities over the last 12 years, although the prevalence of any developmental disability increased from 6.9% to 7.42% between 2009 and 2015. The rate and severity of disability was higher among boys compared with girls of the same age for a number of selected disabilities and higher for children aged 5–14 years.

Conclusions

With the anticipated rise in psychological related disability among Australian children, there is a need to ensure availability of a flexible and responsive model of service delivery for this population. This also implies that respite service coverage may need to be substantially increased to meet children and caregivers' needs.
Functional status of immune cells in patients with long-lasting type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Nam H W , Cho Y J , Lim J A , Kim S J , Kim H , Sim S Y , Lim D G
Published: July 2018

Although patients with diabetes contract infectious diseases at higher frequencies, and in more severe forms, compared to non-diabetics, the underlying defects of the immune function have not been defined clearly. To address this, we designed an immune monitoring protocol and analysed the functional status of various immune cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with the proper ligands and the functional reactivity of each lineage of cells was subsequently measured. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) had PBMC composition ratios comparable to healthy controls, except for a higher frequency of B cell and effector T cell fractions. The capacity of myeloid cells to secrete proinflammatory cytokines was not diminished in terms of the sensitivity and magnitude of the response. Furthermore, cytolytic activity and interferon (IFN)-γ production of natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells were not decreased in T2DM patients. Phenotypical maturation of dendritic cells, indicated by the up-regulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins and co-stimulatory molecules in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), was slightly enhanced in T2DM patients. Finally, the functional differentiation profiles of CD4+ T cells did not differ between T2DM patients and the control group. These data indicate that patients with long-lasting T2DM do not have any gross functional defects in immune cells, at least in circulating monocytes, dendritic cells, NK cells and T lymphocytes.
Support for the U.S. Endangered Species Act over time and space: Controversial species do not weaken public support for protective legislation
Authors: Bruskotter Jeremy T. , Vucetich John A. , Slagle Kristina M. , Berardo Ramiro , Singh Ajay S. , Wilson Robyn S.
Published: July 2018

We used data from a 2014 survey (n = 1,287) of U.S. residents and recent polls to assess how public support for the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) changed over time, and whether protecting controversial species affects support for the law. We assessed support for the ESA, trust in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and attitudes toward wolves across three regions with different experiences in conserving gray wolves through the ESA. We found: (a) ∼4 in 5 Americans support the ESA, whereas ∼1 in 10 oppose; (b) support for the ESA remained stable over the past two decades; (c) strong majorities (>68%) of individuals identifying with 8 special interest types support the ESA; and (d) no differences in support for the ESA, attitudes toward wolves, or trust in the FWS across regions. Results suggest that protecting species—even controversial predators—does not weaken support for protective legislation.
Lung transplant patients with coronary artery disease rarely die of cardiac causes
Authors: Makey Ian A. , Sui Jin W. , Huynh Charles , Das Nitin A. , Thomas Mathew , Johnson Scott
Published: July 2018

Background

A relative contraindication for lung transplant (LT) is coronary disease burden sufficient to cause risk of myocardial infarction after LT. We analyzed cause of death and outcomes of our LT patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

Inpatient records from March 1, 2004, to January 31, 2015, were retrospectively examined and data of 306 LTs extracted. Twenty‐five patients without coronary angiography (CA) and 7 with redo LTs were excluded. The other 274 patients were divided into 2 groups: CAD (n = 116) and no CAD (n = 158). Patients with prior revascularization or coronary stenosis >10% were placed into the CAD group.

Results

The CAD group was older and had more male patients, greater history of smoking and hypertension, and greater proportion of patients with interstitial lung disease than the no‐CAD group. CAD patients were more likely to receive a single‐lung transplant. Death of cardiac causes occurred for 2 patients (1.7%) in the CAD group and for 1 patient (0.6%) in the no‐CAD group (P = 0.39).

Conclusions

This analysis shows that compared with patients who have no CAD, patients with CAD have different demographic characteristics and receive more single‐lung transplants. Incidence of death of cardiac causes is rare.