bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanical Dilation With a Nylon Monofilament for 0.1-mm Anastomoses
Authors: Yoshida Shuhei , Koshima Isao , Sasaki Ayano , Fujioka Yumio , Nagamatsu Shogo , Yokota Kazunori , Yamashita Shuji , Harima Mitsunobu
Published: October 2018

Despite advances in supermicrosurgical techniques, the ability to anastomose vessels with a diameter of less than 0.2 mm remains limited. One of the reasons for this limitation is that the dilation methods currently available, such as inserting the tip of a microforceps into the lumen or topical application of a vasodilator such as papaverine hydrochloride or xylocaine spray, are not effective in very small vessels. To overcome this problem, we have developed a method whereby nylon monofilaments are placed inside the vessel lumen to act as a dilator. Using this method, a smaller nylon monofilament is inserted into the vessel as a guide before inserting a larger nylon monofilament as a dilator. After the smaller guide monofilament has been inserted, it is then much easier to insert another monofilament for dilation, even if it is a larger one. Using this method, even a vessel with a diameter of less than 0.1 mm could be dilated to greater than 0.2 mm. The dilator monofilament can also be used as an intravascular stent in the anastomosis. We have found that anastomosis of vessels with a diameter of less than 0.1 mm is possible using this method. In our experience, the immediate patency rate has been 100%. We believe mechanical dilation with a nylon monofilament is helpful for supermicrosurgery and even ultramicrosurgery.
Exploring the Protective Role and the Mechanism of Sphingosine 1 Phosphate in Endotoxic Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Kuai Feng , Wang Lei , Su Jianhua , Wang Yu , Han Yi , Zhou Suming
Published: October 2018

FTY720 is a sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) receptor agonist approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, which is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder. Sepsis is a complex syndrome associated with progressive endotoxemic developments, which finally leads to damage of multiple organs, including the heart. In critical patients, cardiovascular dysfunction due to sepsis is a major cause of death. Previous studies have shown an association between S1P and cardioprotection in the situation of ischemia reperfusion and myocardial infarction. Therefore, we will study the role of S1P towards endotoxic cardiomyocytes. Different doses of FTY720 were applied or not to endotoxic cardiomyocytes. The concentration of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 was measured by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay. Western blotting was used to analyze the downstream signaling pathways. We discovered that FTY720 reduced the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 through the NF-ΚB pathway, inhibited the expression of caspase-3, and activated both protein kinase B and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. Additionally, the activation of protein kinase B and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 could be inhibited by the S1P1 and S1P3 receptor antagonist vulcanized polyethylene23019. Therefore, we infer that S1P exerts a protective effect towards endotoxic cardiomyocytes by decreasing the levels of TNF-α and IL-6, regulating apoptotic and survival signaling pathway. The S1P1 and S1P3 receptors are involved in the prosurvival signal activation.
A Pediatric Nasogastroscope Facilitates Colorectal Endoscopic Stenting
Authors: Lamazza Antonietta , Fiori Enrico , Schillaci Alberto , Sterpetti Antonio V.
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

Endoscopic placement of self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) to relieve malignant colorectal obstruction has been widely accepted in clinical practice. Despite increasing experience, early and late complications occur with an incidence ranging from 4% to 20%.

Materials and Methods:

We have adopted a modification in the technique. A pediatric nasogastroscope (4.8 mm in diameter) has been used to pass the obstruction. It is possible to have a direct vision of the anatomy and pathology, and to pass the guidewire above the obstruction, through the nasogastroscope, under direct vision. Fluoroscopy was also used to follow the course of the guidewire and deployment of the stent.

Results:

Early and late complications have been reduced with the new technique.

Conclusions:

In the most recent experience of 64 patients, early and late complications have been reduced significantly. This new technique reduces radiation exposure by 70% for the patients and for the operators.
Compassion in palliative care: a review
Authors: Brito-Pons Gonzalo , Librada-Flores Silvia
Published: October 2018

Purpose of review

Compassion has been recognized as a key aspect of high-quality healthcare, particularly in palliative care. This article provides a general review of the current understanding of compassion in palliative care and summarizes emergent compassionate initiatives in palliative care at three interdependent levels: compassion for patients, compassion in healthcare professionals, and compassionate communities at the end of life.

Recent findings

Compassion is a constructive response to suffering that enhances treatment outcomes, fosters the dignity of the recipient, and provides self-care for the giver. Patients and healthcare professionals value compassion and perceive a general lack of compassion in healthcare systems. Compassion for patients and for professionals’ self-care can be trained and implemented top-down (institutional policies) and bottom-up (compassion training). ‘Compassionate communities’ is an important emerging movement that complements regular healthcare and social services with a community-level approach to offer compassionate care for people at the end of life.

Compassion can be enhanced through diverse methodologies at the organizational, professional, and community levels. This enhancement of compassion has the potential to improve quality of palliative care treatments, enhance healthcare providers’ satisfaction, and reduce healthcare costs.
Targeting IL-1α in cancer cachexia: a narrative review
Authors: McDonald James J. , McMillan Donald C. , Laird Barry J.A.
Published: October 2018

Purpose of review

Cachexia is defined as ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass, with or without depletion of adipose tissue and is a common syndrome in cancer patients, affecting 50% of those diagnosed. Cachexia, which cannot be fully reversed and causes significant functional impairment is caused by various mechanisms such as an altered energy balance and disruption of homeostatic control by the central nervous system. This central nervous system deregulation involves hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis stimulation, which can be triggered by IL-1R1 engagement on neuronal processes and endothelium in the microvasculature of the hypothalamus. This review will explore current evidence regarding both the importance of IL-1α in the various components of cancer cachexia and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Recent findings

IL-1α, which signals through IL-1R1, has been identified as a key agonist in the IL-1 pathway. As such, IL-1α has been explored as a therapeutic target in cancer cachexia, leading to the development of bermekimab, a mAb which neutralizes IL-1α. With a limited array of medication currently available to treat cancer cachexia, bermekimab represents a possible therapy.

IL-1α is a key mediator in cachexia development and targeting this may be a viable therapeutic target.
Palliative care teaching shapes medical undergraduate students’ professional development: a scoping review
Authors: Noguera Antonio , Robledano Ramón , Garralda Eduardo
Published: October 2018

Purpose of review

The aim of this review is to understand how palliative care teaching (PCT) as a patient-centered learning model, influences medical undergraduate students’ professional development.

Recent findings

To study PCT medical undergraduate students’ learning experiences, we have employed the medical teaching concept, ‘hidden curriculum,’ as a way of describing attitudes and behavior conveyed implicitly by palliative care educators. Fifteen studies were selected: ten of those studies used a qualitative approach; two are theoretical explanations of the topic explored, one guideline, one review and just one quantitative study, made up the review. Medical undergraduate students reported that after PCT, they felt they had acquired better attitudes for effective integration with the patient, such as empathy or holistic care; ethical principles, such as respect or humanization of their clinical practice; and commitment to an improvement in competences, such as self-awareness or self-esteem. They also reported improved behavior in effective integration with patients, such as communication, caring for patients’ families, and when addressing psychosocial, cultural and spiritual aspects; their commitment to improvement in competences, such as dealing with emotions and uncertainty; they learned team work as an effective way to interact within the health system; and to become more reliable, making themselves more available and dedicating enough time to each patient.

PCT seems to be an effective way of fostering medical undergraduate students’ patient-centered professional development.
Establishing a Core Outcome Measure for Life Participation: A Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-kidney Transplantation Consensus Workshop Report
Authors: Ju Angela , Josephson Michelle A. , Butt Zeeshan , Jowsey-Gregoire Sheila , Tan Jane , Taylor Quinetta , Fowler Kevin , Dobbels Fabienne , Caskey Fergus , Jha Vivekanand , Locke Jayme , Knoll Greg , Ahn Curie , Hanson Camilla S. , Sautenet Benedicte , Manera Karine , Craig Jonathan C. , Howell Martin , Rutherford Claudia , Tong Allison
Published: October 2018

Background.

Kidney transplantation confers substantial survival and quality of life benefits for many patients with end-stage kidney disease compared with dialysis, but complications and side effects of immunosuppression can impair participation in daily life activities. Life participation is a critically important patient-reported outcome for kidney transplant recipients but is infrequently and inconsistently measured in trials. We convened a consensus workshop on establishing an outcome measure for life participation for use in all trials in kidney transplantation.

Methods.

Twenty-five (43%) kidney transplant recipients/caregivers and 33 (57%) health professionals from 8 countries participated in 6 facilitated breakout group discussions. Transcripts were analyzed thematically.

Results.

Four themes were identified. Returning to normality conveyed the patients’ goals to fulfill their roles (ie, in their family, work, and community) and reestablish a normal lifestyle after transplant. Recognizing the diverse meaning and activities of “life” explicitly acknowledged life participation as a subjective concept that could refer to different activities (eg, employment, recreation, family duties) for each individual patient. Capturing vulnerability and fluctuations posttransplant (eg, due to complications and side-effects) distinguished between experiences in the first year posttransplant and the long-term impact of transplantation. Having a scientifically rigorous, feasible, and meaningful measure was expected to enable consistent and frequent assessment of life participation in trials in kidney transplantation.

Conclusions.

A feasible and validated core outcome measure for life participation is needed so that this critically important patient-reported outcome can be consistently and meaningfully assessed in trials in kidney transplantation to inform decision making and care of recipients.
Are molecular subgroups of medulloblastomas really prognostic?
Authors: Frappaz Didier , Faure-Conter Cécile , Meyronet David , Levard-Bonneville Alice , Beuriat Pierre-Aurélien , Sunyach Marie P. , Barritault Marc
Published: October 2018

Purpose of review

Medulloblastoma is no more a unique disease. Clinical and biologic classification used so far are challenged by molecular classification(s). Following the consensus article that described four molecular groups of medulloblastoma in 2012, several articles in 2017 provided more relevant classifications that may impact on further clinical trial design.

Recent findings

Though wingless (WNT) and sonic hedgehog (SHH) are defined by the activation of their respective pathways, the age and type of activation define various subgroups with specific features and outcome. Groups 3 and 4 remain ill defined. The whole population of medulloblastoma may be divided in 12 subgroups: WNTαβ, SHHαβγδ, group 3αβγ and group 4αβγ. The paediatric population may be divided in seven subgroups: WNT, SHH of infants and children, and low-risk and high-risk groups 3 and 4. SHH of infants may be divided as iSHH-I vs. iSHH-II that have different prognosis. Moreover, specific drivers of groups 3 and 4 were reported.

These findings have and will have direct implications on the conception of clinical trials. Low-risk groups will benefit from less toxic therapies, and high-risk groups will benefit from targeted therapies.
Initiation of droxidopa during hospital admission for management of refractory neurogenic orthostatic hypotension in severely ill patients
Authors: McDonell Katherine E. , Preheim Brock A. , Diedrich Andre’ , Muldowney James A.S. , Peltier Amanda C. , Robertson David , Biaggioni Italo , Shibao Cyndya A.
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common cause of hospitalization, particularly in the elderly. Hospitalized patients with OH are often severely ill, with complex medical comorbidities and high rates of disability. Droxidopa is a norepinephrine precursor approved for the treatment of neurogenic OH (nOH) associated with autonomic failure that is commonly used in the outpatient setting, but there is currently no data regarding the safety and efficacy of droxidopa initiation in medically complex patients.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of patients started on droxidopa for refractory nOH while hospitalized at Vanderbilt University Medical Center between October 2014 and May 2017. Primary outcome measures were safety, change in physician global impression of illness severity from admission to discharge, and persistence on medication after 180-day follow-up.

Results

A total of 20 patients were identified through chart review. Patients were medically complex with high rates of cardiovascular comorbidities and a diverse array of underlying autonomic diagnoses. Rapid titration of droxidopa was safe and well-tolerated in this cohort, with no cardiovascular events or new onset arrhythmias. Supine hypertension requiring treatment occurred in four patients. One death occurred during hospital admission due to organ failure associated with end-stage amyloidosis. Treating physicians noted improvements in presyncopal symptoms in 80% of patients. After 6 months, 13 patients (65%) continued on droxidopa therapy.

Conclusion

In a retrospective cohort of hospitalized, severely ill patients with refractory nOH, supervised rapid titration of droxidopa was safe and effective. Treatment persistence was high, suggesting that symptomatic benefit extended beyond acute intervention.
Revealing the nanoscale morphology of the primary cilium using super-resolution fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Yoon Joshua , Comerci Colin J. , Weiss Lucien E. , Milenkovic Ljiljana , Stearns Tim , Moerner W. E.
Published: October 2018

Super-resolution (SR) microscopy has been used to observe structural details beyond the diffraction limit of ~250 nm in a variety of biological and materials systems. By combining this imaging technique with both computer-vision algorithms and topological methods, we reveal and quantify the nanoscale morphology of the primary cilium, a tiny tubular cellular structure (~2-6 μm long and 200-300 nm diameter). The cilium in mammalian cells protrudes out of the plasma membrane and is important in many signaling processes related to cellular differentiation and disease. After tagging individual ciliary transmembrane proteins, specifically Smoothened (SMO), with single fluorescent labels in fixed cells, we use three-dimensional (3D) single-molecule SR microscopy to determine their positions with a precision of 10-25 nm. We gain a dense, pointillistic reconstruction of the surfaces of many cilia, revealing large heterogeneity in membrane shape. A Poisson surface reconstruction (PSR) algorithm generates a fine surface mesh, allowing us to characterize the presence of deformations by quantifying the surface curvature. Upon impairment of intracellular cargo transport machinery by genetic knockout or small-molecule treatment of cells, our quantitative curvature analysis shows significant morphological differences not visible by conventional fluorescence microscopy techniques. Furthermore, using a complementary SR technique, 2-color, 2D STimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy, we find that the cytoskeleton in the cilium, the axoneme, also exhibits abnormal morphology in the mutant cells, similar to our 3D results on the SMO-measured ciliary surface. Our work combines 3D SR microscopy and computational tools to quantitatively characterize morphological changes of the primary cilium under different treatments and uses STED to discover correlated changes in the underlying structure. This approach can be useful for studying other biological or nanoscale structures of interest.
Flavor compounds in fermented Chinese alcoholic beverage alter gut microbiota and attenuate ethanol-induced liver damages
Authors: Fang Cheng , Du Hai , Xiaojiao Zheng , Zhao Aihua , Jia Wei , Xu Yan
Published: October 2018

Alcoholic beverages which are consumed widely in most parts of the world have long been identified as a major risk factor for all liver diseases, particularly alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD). Recent compositional analyses suggest that Chinese Baijiu (CB), a clear alcoholic liquid distilled from fermented grains, contains large amounts of small molecule bioactive compounds in addition to a significant amount of ethanol. Here, in an experimental mouse model, we show that CB caused lower degrees of liver injury than pure ethanol by protecting against the decrease of the relative abundance of Akkermansia and increased relative abundance of Prevotella in the gut thereby preventing the destruction of the intestinal barrier. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ethanol-induced alteration of the gut microbiota profoundly affected the host metabolome. Compared with ethanol feeding, CB feeding resulted in higher concentrations of functional saturated LCFAs and SCFAs. Our results provide supporting evidence that ALD was profoundly influenced by host-gut microbiota metabolic interactions and that small molecule organic compounds in CB could attenuate ALD.
The Hox Transcription Factor Ubx stabilizes Lineage Commitment by Suppressing Cellular Plasticity
Authors: Domsch Katrin , Carnesecchi Julie , Disela Vanessa , Friedrich Jana , Trost Nils , Ermakova Olga , Polychronidou Maria , Lohmann Ingrid
Published: October 2018

During development cells become gradually restricted in their differentiation potential by the repression of alternative cell fates. While we know that the Polycomb complex plays a crucial role in this process, it still remains unclear how alternative fate genes are specifically targeted for silencing in different cell lineages. We address this question by studying Ultrabithorax (Ubx), a multi-lineage transcription factor (TF) of the Hox class, in the mesodermal and neuronal lineages using sorted nuclei ofDrosophilaembryos and by interfering with Ubx in mesodermal cells that have already initiated differentiation. We find that Ubx is a key regulator of lineage development, as its mesoderm-specific depletion leads to the de-repression of many genes normally expressed in other lineages. Ubx silences expression of alternative fate genes by interacting with and retaining the Polycomb Group (PcG) protein Pleiohomeotic (Pho) at Ubx targeted genomic regions, thereby setting repressive chromatin marks in a lineage-dependent manner. In sum, our study demonstrates that Ubx stabilizes lineage choice by suppressing the multi-potency encoded in the genome in a lineage-specific manner via its interaction with Pho. This mechanism may explain why the Hox code is maintained throughout the lifecycle, since it seems to set a block to transdifferentiation in many adult cells.
The dynamic proteome of influenza A virus infection identifies M segment splicing as a host range determinant
Authors: Bogdanow Boris , Eichelbaum Katrin , Sadewasser Anne , Wang Xi , Husic Immanuel , Paki Katharina , Hergeselle Martha , Vetter Barbara , Hou Jingyi , Chen Wei , Wiebusch Lüder , Meyer Irmtraud M. , Wolff Thorsten , Selbach Matthias
Published: October 2018

A century ago, influenza A virus (IAV) infection caused the 1918 flu pandemic and killed an estimated 20-40 million people. Pandemic IAV outbreaks occur when strains from animal reservoirs acquire the ability to infect and spread among humans. The molecular details of this species barrier are incompletely understood. We combined metabolic pulse labeling and quantitative shotgun proteomics to globally monitor protein synthesis upon infection of human cells with a human-and a bird-adapted IAV strain. While production of host proteins was remarkably similar, we observed striking differences in the kinetics of viral protein synthesis over the course of infection. Most importantly, the matrix protein M1 was inefficiently produced by the bird-adapted strain at later stages. We show that impaired production of M1 from bird-adapted strains is caused by increased splicing of the M segment RNA to alternative isoforms. Experiments with reporter constructs and recombinant influenza viruses revealed that strain-specific M segment splicing is controlled by the 3’ splice site and functionally important for permissive infection. Independentin silicoevidence shows that avian-adapted M segments have evolved different conserved RNA structure features than human-adapted sequences. Thus, our data identifies M segment RNA splicing as a viral determinant of host range.
The unique nested geneALZASas a potential source of Aβ-peptides in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Gano Christin , Reichmann Heinz , Janetzky Bernd
Published: October 2018

Amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides are considered to be the cause of neuronal and synaptic cell death in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) since approximately 100 years. To date, it is assumed that Aβ-peptides arise from the proteolytic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). However, within theAPPgene, a nested gene called ALZheimer ASsociated (ALZAS) exists, which includes the entire Aβ42-sequence and thus may also be the origin of various Aβ-species. Here, we firstly confirmed expression and the postulated amino acid sequence of ALZAS and revealed the binding of selected monoclonal Aβ-antibodies to Aβ- and ALZAS protein. We confirmed the specificity of the anti-ALZAS antibody to ALZAS by protein sequence analysis. This anti-ALZAS antibody detects the same amino acid sequence as the autoantibody found in human blood of AD patients. Since no detailed data are currently available concerningALZASexpression and the amount, localization and function of ALZAS protein in human cells and tissue, we performed gene (over)expression experiments on transcriptional and translational level. We verified a considerably lower mRNA amount ofALZAScompared to the host geneAPP. Nevertheless,ALZAStranscription and translation seems to be heavily regulated in different human tissues and cells. Artificially increased mRNA levels ofALZASdid not led to an enhanced protein amount or considerable increase in cell death. Notably, cell localization of the ALZAS protein showed accordance to endosomes indicating that ALZAS, which contains the whole transmembrane domain of APP, might be a peripheral membrane protein. Since endosome dysfunctions are a characteristic event in early stages of AD and the highest ALZAS-autoantibody levels were already detected in early AD stages,ALZASmight play a crucial role in AD pathology and could possibly be a further diagnostic marker.
Detection of endometrial precancer by a targeted gynecologic cancer liquid biopsy
Authors: Martignetti John A. , Pandya Deep , Nagarsheth Nimesh , Chen Ying , Camacho Olga , Tomita Shannon , Brodman Michael , Ascher-Walsh Charles , Kolev Valentin , Cohen Samantha , Harkins Timothy T. , Schadt Eric E. , Reva Boris , Sebra Robert , Dottino Peter
Published: October 2018

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in industrialized countries, and both its incidence and its associated mortality are increasing. The “liquid biopsy” is becoming an important transformative precision oncology tool, but barriers intrinsic to blood sampling have limited its use in early cancer detection. We hypothesized that using a more targeted sample for analysis—namely, a uterine lavage—should provide a more sensitive and specific diagnostic test for endometrial cancer. Using a custom 12-gene endometrial cancer panel, molecular analysis of uterine lavage fluid from an asymptomatic 67-yr-old female without histopathologic evidence of premalignant lesions or cancer in her uterine tissue revealed two oncogenic PTEN mutations. Ten months later, the patient returned with postmenopausal bleeding and a single microscopic focus of endometrial cancer. DNA isolated and sequenced from laser-capture microdissected tumor tissue revealed the same two PTEN mutations. These mutations were unlikely to occur by chance alone (P < 3 × 10−7). This illustrative case provides the first demonstration that future, tumor-specific mutations can be identified in an asymptomatic individual without clinical or pathologic evidence of cancer by using already established sequencing technologies but targeted sampling methods. This finding provides the basis for new opportunities in early cancer screening, detection, and prevention.
Effect of soybean roasting on soymilk sensory properties
Authors: Navicha Willard , Hua Yufei , Masamba Kingsley George , Kong Xiangzhen , Zhang Caimeng
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the changes in descriptive sensory properties and overall consumer acceptability of soymilk prepared from roasted soybeans.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 12 purposively selected post graduate students majoring in Food Science conducted descriptive sensory analysis after being trained for 18 h in sensory analysis, while 75 untrained students conducted consumer acceptability test of soymilk prepared by roasting soybeans at a temperature of 110°C for 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 min and at 120°C for 20 min.

Findings

Results have revealed that roasting soybeans improved sensory properties by significantly (p<0.05) decreasing the objectionable green, beany flavours and increasing sweet taste, viscosity and roasted flavour. Furthermore, results from the principal component analysis revealed that aroma and sweet taste were the most critical sensory attributes. In addition, it was found out that soymilk samples prepared by roasting soybeans at 110°C for 40 and 60 min and at 120°C for 20 min were significantly more acceptable than the control soymilk.

Research limitations/implications

The participants in this study were from one locality and predominantly soybean consuming community and therefore there is need to conduct the study in a different locality in order to validate the study findings.

Practical implications

The study can assist small scale processors that might not have access to lipoxygenase-free soybeans and other technologies for improving the quality of soymilk.

Social implications

The study can be used as a guide for connecting the food processers with the external world of consumption.

Originality/value

For the first time, the study findings have demonstrated that controlled soybean roasting can be a useful strategy for improving soymilk sensory properties and consumer acceptability. The findings in this study can be usefully used in the quality control of soy bean-based products.
Research output of librarians in the field of library and information science in Nigeria: a bibliometric analysis from 2000-March, 2018
Authors: Okeji Chukwuma Clement
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the growth of academic librarians’ research output in Nigeria; it examined their research productivity and determined the authorship pattern and degree of collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 1,106 articles were retrieved from Current index to Journals in Education and Library, Information Science and Technology Abstract databases for the period 2000-March 2018.

Findings

The study revealed that only few authors are productive in the field of Library and Information Science in Nigeria during the period under study. The author productivity pattern is, therefore, in agreement with Lotka’s Law of inverse square. Top journals in which the academic librarians in Nigeria publish their works were identified. Of the 153 recognized universities in Nigeria, the study revealed that only few universities are productive. The years 2011 and 2012 recorded the highest contributions by the academic librarians. The findings also showed a high level of teamwork with most publications being produced jointly.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this study is that it only retrieved articles that were indexed by Current index to Journals in Education and Library, Information Science and Technology Abstract. Secondly, articles published by the academic librarians in local journals in Nigeria that are not indexed and not visible are not included in the study.

Originality/value

The findings call for researchers in developing countries to recognize that it is important to publish a substantial number of papers in journals that are indexed and are widely visible.
Collection building in academic libraries in India: status, challenges and way forward
Authors: Ansari Mehtab Alam
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the status and application of automated acquisition in central university libraries in north India. North India is a loosely defined region consisting of northern parts of India. Significantly, all the libraries are having very rich collections of different types of documents.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the present study have been collected using questionnaire. Interview and observation techniques have also been used to bring more objectivity in the present study. MS-Excel has been used for analysis of the data. Results show that varying levels of progress has been made with respect to implementation of acquisition system in the surveyed libraries.

Findings

Expectations of user community have been increased manifold in the wired world. Furthermore, suggest that the staff morale is boost up in the automated environment.

Research limitations/implications

The study covers select academic libraries of north India. Application of various features of acquisition module is examined in this paper along with the staff perspective about automation. Automation process in these university libraries has been started with the selection of different library management software package in different universities. Notably, all the prominent central universities are located in north India.

Practical implications

The evaluation shed light on the current automation scenario in prominent academic libraries of India.

Social implications

All the surveyed libraries must explore the fullest potentials of all the features available in the software to provide better services. This will help in heading toward and information rich society.

Originality/value

There have been a couple of studies in the past on library automation in academic libraries, but none have intended to cover collection building or acquisition activities in central university libraries of north India.
Distributed digital preservation: preserving open journal systems content in the PKP PN
Authors: Sprout Bronwen , Jordan Mark
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the public knowledge project (PKP) preservation network (PN), which provides free preservation services for eligible journals by collecting article content and preserving it in a network of (at the time of writing) eight “preservation nodes” using the LOCKSS system. The PKP PN was launched in June 2016.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper addresses the development and implementation of a free, distributed digital PN for open journal systems (OJS) content. It discusses challenges in developing the network, in particular relating to preserving content from a set of partners who have no formal business relationship with PKP. The paper examines data regarding journals that have opted in to the network to date and considers interface usability and other barriers facing those that have not joined.

Findings

Within 18 months of launch, more than 600 journals had opted to be preserved in the PKP PN. Many more journals are eligible to join the network; the paper explores potential strategies to increase participation and identifies and proposes methods to overcome technical and communication barriers.

Originality/value

This paper describes a highly collaborative, open-source preservation initiative which forms a unique part of the e-journal preservation landscape and preserves a particularly vulnerable portion of the scholarly record.
Food literacy, healthy eating barriers and household diet
Authors: Wijayaratne Sanjeewa Pradeep , Reid Mike , Westberg Kate , Worsley Anthony , Mavondo Felix
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Food literacy is an emerging concept associated with the skills, capabilities and knowledge to prepare a healthy diet and make healthy food choices. This study aims to examine how a dietary gatekeeper’s intentions to prepare a healthy diet for their family, and the subsequent satisfaction that a healthy diet is achieved, is influenced by their food literacy and by barriers to healthy eating.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-stage cross-sectional study was undertaken with 756 dietary gatekeepers who completed a baseline (time 1) and a three-month follow-up (time 2) questionnaire. Partial least square-structural equation modeling was used to estimate relationships between gatekeeper food literacy, their demographic characteristics, socio-cognitive factors, time 1 satisfaction with the healthiness of the household diet and intention to provide a healthy family diet. The follow-up survey assessed subsequent satisfaction with the healthiness of the household diet and barriers to achieving it.

Findings

The results highlight the significance of the dietary gatekeeper’s food literacy in overcoming barriers to healthy eating and fostering increased satisfaction with the healthiness of the family diet. The research further highlights the influence of past satisfaction, attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. Several demographics factors are also highlighted as influential.

Research limitations/implications

The research offers new insights into the role of food literacy in the home environment including its influence on the dietary gatekeeper’s satisfaction with the family diet. The current model also provides strong evidence that food literacy can reduce the impact of barriers to healthy eating experienced by gatekeepers. The research has limitations associated with the socio-economic status of respondents and thus offers scope for research into different populations and their food literacy, younger and early formed cohabiting and the negotiation of food and dietary responsibility and on intergenerational food literacy.

Practical implications

The current findings regarding the impact of food literacy have significant implications for government agencies, non-profit agencies, educational institutions and other related stakeholders in their effort to curb obesity. Implications exist for micro-level programmes and actions designed to influence gatekeepers, family members and households and at the macro level for policies and programmes designed to influence the obesogenicity of the food environments.

Originality/value

The current study is one of the first to offer evidence on the role of food literacy in the home environment and its ability to overcome barriers to healthy eating. The research provides social marketers and public policymakers with novel insights regarding the need for increased food literacy and for developing interventions to improve food literacy in dietary gatekeepers.
Finding desirable post-consumption behaviors
Authors: Kang Juhee
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the antecedents and consequences of romantic brand love in the luxury hotel context.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from guests who had stayed at a luxury hotel within the past year and analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings indicate that uniqueness and hedonic values are a prerequisite of evoking closeness and passionate feelings toward hotel brands, resulting in guests’ advocacy and willingness to pay a premium price.

Practical implications

This study provides practical implications for luxury hotel marketers by introducing a new angle to understand brand love and suggesting desirable post-consumption behaviors through creating romantic love relationships between guests and hotel brands.

Originality/value

Research on the multidimensional aspects of luxury value is limited. This study proposes a conceptual model to investigate which luxury values enable guests to fall in love with brands and influence future behavior decisions and identifies opportunities for managerial benefits relating to consumers who are not traditional or frequent visitors to hotels.
Health care complaint journeys for system comparison
Authors: Nagy Marie , Chiarella Mary , Bennett Belinda , Walton Merrilyn , Carney Terry
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The “patient journey” technique is one that has been used by health care providers to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of their service delivery. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the experience of adapting this approach for use in an atypical context – the comparison of two systems for managing health care complaints and notifications. It highlights a number of relevant considerations and provides suggestions for similar studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The design and methods of the study are described, with commentary on the success of key aspects and challenges encountered. To enable comparison between the two systems, this study had a “paired” design, in which examples were selected from each system so that they matched on basic, prescribed, criteria. Data about each matter’s journey were then collected from administrative records.

Findings

While, overall, the technique provided rich data on the processes of the systems under investigation, the type of data collected (related to administrative/communicative events) and the study’s comparative purpose required consideration and management of a number of issues. These included the implications of using administrative records and the impact of differences between the systems on the paired design.

Originality/value

This paper describes an attempt to apply the “journey” approach in a context that is uncommon in two ways: first, in its focus on regulatory processes (complaint/notification handling), rather than care provision to an individual patient; and second, in its objective of comparing two different systems. It is hoped this account will assist in further development of this technique.
Registered nurses’ knowledge and care practices regarding patients with dysphagia in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Khoja Manal Abdullah
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the knowledge and practices of nursing staff caring for patients with dysphagia to determine any needs for further education programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered questionnaire with close-ended questions was completed by nurses at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia to measure the depth of their dysphagia knowledge.

Findings

From 316 potential participants, a sample of 174 nurses completed the questionnaire. The results revealed that the participants had partial theoretical and practical knowledge about nursing care for patients with dysphagia. Of interest, 78 per cent of the nurses reported that they had received less than 1 h of training in dysphagia, and only 4 per cent were aware of speech and language pathologists’ role in dysphagia management.

Practical implications

As the medical professionals who have the most contact with the patients, nurses have a central role in the care of patients with dysphagia. This study provides information that will guide strategies for in-service nurse education dysphagia programmes.

Originality/value

The estimated Saudi prevalence of dysphagia is high due to increased incidence of medical conditions commonly associated with dysphagia, such as stroke, cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injuries from traffic accidents. Nurses play a pivotal role in caring for these patients. However, little is known about the level of care patients with dysphagia require in Saudi hospital settings.
Intravenous fluid delivery time improvement: application of cross-docking system
Authors: Khorasani Sasan T. , Keshtzari Maryam , Islam Md Saiful , Feizi Ramyar
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The cost of pharmaceutical supply chain due to drug waste is one of the current major issues in health care. Drug waste associated with intravenous (IV) fluid form of medication is one of the crucial issues for many pharmacies. The purpose of this paper is to apply a cross-docking model to minimize the IV delivery lead time to reduce drug waste by scheduling staff in a local hospital’s inpatient pharmacy.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed integer linear programming model is applied to the IV delivery system of a hospital. The parameters are selected based on the observations made in the inpatient pharmacy.

Findings

The result implies that cross-docking approach can be effectively applied to IV delivery system. In fact, the cross-docking optimization model employed in this case study reduces the IV delivery completion time of the inpatient pharmacy by 41 percent.

Research limitations/implications

The scope of this research is limited to the activities performed after IV preparation.

Practical implications

The application of cross-docking system in staff scheduling will be beneficial for health care organizations that aim to minimize medication waste.

Originality/value

The prime value of this study lies in the introduction of a cross-docking concept in an internal hospital ordering process. Cross-docking models are widely used in general supply chain systems; however, their application for specific activities inside hospitals is the novelty of this study, which can fill the research gap in terms of drug waste management within the inpatient pharmacy.
Environmental impact reduction as a new dimension for quality measurement of healthcare services
Authors: Esmaeili Amin , McGuire Charles , Overcash Michael , Ali Kamran , Soltani Seyed , Twomey Janet
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed accounting of energy and materials consumed during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Design/methodology/approach

The first and second stages of ISO standard (ISO 14040:2006 and ISO 14044:2006) were followed to develop life cycle inventory (LCI). The LCI data collection took the form of observations, time studies, real-time metered power consumption, review of imaging department scheduling records and review of technical manuals and literature.

Findings

The carbon footprint of the entire MRI service on a per-patient basis was measured at 22.4 kg CO2eq. The in-hospital energy use (process energy) for performing MRI is 29 kWh per patient for the MRI machine, ancillary devices and light fixtures, while the out-of-hospital energy consumption is approximately 260 percent greater than the process energy, measured at 75 kWh per patient related to fuel for generation and transmission of electricity for the hospital, plus energy to manufacture disposable, consumable and reusable products. The actual MRI and standby energy that produces the MRI images is only about 38 percent of the total life cycle energy.

Research limitations/implications

The focus on methods and proof-of-concept meant that only one facility and one type of imaging device technology were used to reach the conclusions. Based on the similar studies related to other imaging devices, the provided transparent data can be generalized to other healthcare facilities with few adjustments to utilization ratios, the share of the exam types, and the standby power of the facilities’ imaging devices.

Practical implications

The transparent detailed life cycle approach allows the data from this study to be used by healthcare administrators to explore the hidden public health impact of the radiology department and to set goals for carbon footprint reductions of healthcare organizations by focusing on alternative imaging modalities. Moreover, the presented approach in quantifying healthcare services’ environmental impact can be replicated to provide measurable data on departmental quality improvement initiatives and to be used in hospitals’ quality management systems.

Originality/value

No other research has been published on the life cycle assessment of MRI. The share of outside hospital indirect environmental impact of MRI services is a previously undocumented impact of the physician’s order for an internal image.