bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drivers of organizational reorientations in planned economies
Authors: Bai Shuaijiao , Duarte Henrique , Guo Dong
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to convey how the transition to market-based orientations by state-owned enterprises (SOEs), particularly the military sector, represents a coevolutionary process between business and regulatory institutions that has an impact on both the military and civilian markets.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted a longitudinal case study of a military SOE, the Aosheng Group, between 1951 and 2012 to understand the dynamics between institutions and organizations. A comparative analysis between the main stages of evolution was completed, and conclusions about the main patterns of organizational and institutional change were reached.

Findings

– The study reports evidence on the coevolutionary nature of change in big SOEs in China, demonstrating how institutional changes are bigger drivers in promoting reorientations than are market pressures. Within the framework of punctuated equilibrium theory, the determining role that managers may play in leading and implementing organizational reorientations is emphasized.

Research limitations/implications

– A triangulated methodology was employed to analyse a long period; however, its application to just a single case might be questioned in terms of generalizing any of the findings.

Originality/value

– The longitudinal perspective applied in this case study contributes to critical questioning as to how Chinese agencies define forms of control and the goals for SOEs under their jurisdiction and the importance of allowing managerial discretion to the assigned managers.
The role of libraries in cultural centres Abroad: an insight
Authors: Prieto Gutierrez Juan Jose , Segado Boj Francisco
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This research paper sets up a typology of libraries managed by cultural centers abroad. Nearly 2,200 libraries linked to a tens of different cultural organizations not only provide traditional services such as loan and access to printed and audiovisual materials but also approach local citizens, offering help and services in matters of education, literacy, cooperation, social issues or development. These actions may fit under the label of cultural diplomacy actions. This paper aims to analyze the relevance of those cultural centers and offer a classification through a table including networks of institutions of the 30 most significant cultural centers worldwide.

Design/methodology/approach

This study includes the analysis of all foreign cultural centers in the world, as well as the situation, description and analysis of libraries belonging to the centers. Enumeration of the 30 largest libraries in the world is also included.

Findings

The findings help to view and share with the community the importance and necessity of libraries belonging to cultural centers abroad. Library networks are analyzed, and more than 2,000 institutions that help local communities are discovered.

Research limitations/implications

There is some difficulty to list and describe the dozens of library centers. There is no association that brings together this type of institutions.

Practical implications

The most important implication, written in the Conclusion section, is need for the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions to help such libraries with a specific section.

Social implications

Libraries abroad are institutions able to help the local citizens and enable basic and essential services for the growth of society, as you can read in the article, some essential services are limited in some countries. Libraries abroad could work many times as public centers.

Originality/value

It is the first time that all library networks abroad are analyzed, and, thus, the value and originality of the article is maximum. The author has focused on the 30 most important libraries that more value give to the society and help citizens.
To stream or not to stream?
Authors: Morris Sara E. , Currie Lea H.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The University of Kansas (KU) libraries has faced increased requests for streaming video in the past five years. While we have provided access to many databases of films, feature films remained a problem. To write a collection development policy, the library undertook three investigations to ensure the outcome reflected the needs of the university.

Design/methodology/approach

Film titles included in Swank 300 and Criterion-on-Demand were checked against the CanIStream. it? website to check for availability through streaming, rental or purchase services. Student library users were surveyed to determine if they had streaming subscriptions and, if so, which ones. KU librarians also examined academic library collection development polices to understand how others have addressed this issue.

Findings

More than half of the feature films provided by the two vendors are available through subscriptions, renting or purchasing methods. A majority of students subscribe to one or more of these services. Many academic libraries are deciding not to provide streaming feature films.

Originality/value

There are no previous studies on students’ subscriptions to streaming services linked to availability of feature films offered from commercial vendors to libraries.
Assessing vulnerability of functional diversity to species loss: a case study in Mediterranean agricultural systems
Authors: Carmona Carlos P. , Guerrero Irene , Morales Manuel B. , Oñate Juan J. , Peco Begoña
Published: June 2016

Increasing land‐use intensification is leading to biodiversity losses world‐wide, which can reduce the functioning of ecosystems. However, it is increasingly clear that not all species are equally important for ecosystem processes: whereas the loss of a functionally unique species may reduce the capacity of the community to perform some functions, losing a functionally redundant species should have a much smaller impact.

Assessing the vulnerability of functional diversity (FD) to species extinctions can help to predict the impacts of land‐use intensification. This approach consists in ranking species according to their risk of extinction and then estimating the trajectory followed by FD as species are lost from local communities.

However, the most widely used FD indices are not independent of species richness, being much more sensitive to the loss of species in species‐poor than in species‐rich sites. This may result in misleading interpretations, affecting our ability to rank communities according to the vulnerability of their FD to species loss, by confounding it with the initial level of species richness. Here, we propose comparing the trajectory of FD under the most plausible order of species loss with that followed under random species losses as an effective way to remove the trivial effect of species richness in the assessments of vulnerability to species loss.

After decoupling vulnerability from species richness, we used it to analyse the effect of agricultural intensification on the vulnerability of arable plant communities in Mediterranean agricultural fields. Our results show that management strategies aiming to increase the functionality of these systems should focus on intermediately intensified fields, where small reductions in the level of intensification are likely to benefit arable plant diversity, increasing the number of species and FD and decreasing the vulnerability of FD to species losses.

Removing the effect of species richness is essential to attain unbiased estimations of the vulnerability of communities to species loss, especially when species‐poor communities are considered. Combining vulnerability with information on taxonomic and functional diversity appears as a promising tool to inform decision‐making processes, anticipating the effects of local extinctions.
Overreactions in the Foreign Currency Options Market
Authors: Han JoongHo , Kang Byung Jin , Chang Ki Cheon , Byun Suk Joon
Published: July 2016

The seminal research by Stein (Journal of Finance 1989, 44, 1011) shows that long‐term options overreact to short‐term volatility shocks. In contrast, recent studies show that such irrational responses disappear when model‐free implied volatilities are used. We extend this literature by examining overreactions in the over‐the‐counter currency options market. Using model‐free implied volatility and by considering the estimated structural breaks around recent financial crises, we find consistent evidence for volatility overreactions during non‐crisis periods but no conclusive evidence of such behavior during recent crises periods. Overall, our findings suggest that it is crucial to consider structural changes when testing for overreactions in options markets.
Overnight Trading and Price Discovery over the Course of a Trading Day: Evidence from Stock Index Futures in Korea
Authors: Joo Sang Lyong , Seon Junghoon , Lee Ji Soo
Published: July 2016

This paper investigates the effect of overnight trading on the price discovery process over the course of a trading day in the Korean stock index futures market. The paper uses Trade and Quote data on nearest‐to‐maturity KOSPI 200 futures contracts from 2 January 2009 to 31 March 2011 and finds the following results. We find evidence that overnight trading contributes significantly to price discovery and, as a result, accelerates the process, and improves the efficiency, of price discovery. We also find evidence that 26.27% of the entire day's price discovery occurs during overnight trading by impounding private information as well as public information. Altogether, our results provide insights that the futures market serves as a price discovery vehicle for the cash index where the cash market closes, and that futures trades during overnight trading play an important role in price discovery, as they aggregate investors' private information about the fundamental values of the cash index.
In Vitro Evaluation of the Dual‐Diffuser Design for a Reversible Rotary Intra‐Aortic Ventricular Assist Device
Authors: Wang Yaxin , Smith P. Alex , Timms Daniel L. , Hsu Po‐Lin , McMahon Richard A.
Published: June 2016

The intra‐aortic ventricular assist device (IntraVAD) is a miniature intra‐aortic axial‐flow ventricular assist device (VAD) that works in series with the left ventricle (LV) to assist the compromised heart. Previous in vitro results have shown that the IntraVAD can successfully increase coronary perfusion and offload ventricular volume by operating in reverse‐rotation control (RRc) mode. The RRc mode includes forward rotation in systole and reverse rotation (RR) in diastole. It is necessary to derive a new diffuser design that can be used for the bi‐directional rotation of the IntraVAD. In this work, a dual‐diffuser set (DDS) was proposed to replace the conventional inducer and diffuser upstream and downstream of the pump. The DDS comprised two diffusers, located on both sides of the impeller, omitting the conventional inducer and diffuser. Different configurations of the DDS were designed and manufactured with various combinations of curved and straight blades. All configurations were initially tested in continuous flow, then in a pulsatile mock circulatory loop. A weighted normalized scalar (WNS) was proposed to comprehensively evaluate the hemodynamic effect of the DDS with different configurations. The results show that the maximum of WNS occurred when the upstream diffuser had equal numbers of curved and straight blades and the downstream diffuser had only curved blades. This indicates such a dual‐diffuser design for the IntraVAD can give an optimal cardiac assistance potentially improving ventricular contractility, thereby restoring heart function.
The damage‐associated molecular pattern HMGB1 is elevated in human alcoholic hepatitis, but does not seem to be a primary driver of inflammation
Authors: Laursen Tea Lund , Støy Sidsel , Deleuran Bent , Vilstrup Hendrik , Grønbæk Henning , Sandahl Thomas Damgaard
Published: June 2016

The role of sterile inflammation caused by release of damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMP) remains unclear in human alcoholic hepatitis (AH). The DAMP, high mobility group box‐1 protein (HMGB1) is released by tissue damage and inflammation. We aimed to investigate whether HMGB1 is a primary inflammatory driver in AH by determining HMGB1 serum levels and effects on inflammatory cells from AH patients. We measured serum HMGB1 in 34 AH patients and 10 healthy controls using ELISA. Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and CD14 expressions were assessed by flow cytometry on HMGB1‐stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and ELISA was used to measure TNF‐α and IL‐1β in the supernatants. We observed 5‐fold higher serum levels of HMGB1 in AH patients at the day of diagnosis and day 30, but no associations to clinical outcome. HMGB1 stimulation increased the expression of TLR4 on CD14+‐monocytes compared with unstimulated cells in the AH patients. The TNF‐α and IL‐1β production in response to HMGB1 was diminished in AH patients. In conclusion, AH patients have increased levels of HMGB1 in their blood. This combined with an increased TLR4 expression, but an unaffected cytokine response to HMGB1 suggest that HMGB1 is not the primary driver of inflammation in AH.
When Winning is Everything: The Relationship between Competitive Worldviews and Job Applicant Faking
Authors: Roulin Nicolas , Krings Franciska
Published: June 2016

Job applicant faking, that is, consciously misrepresenting information during the selection process, is ubiquitous and is a threat to the usefulness of various selection tools. Understanding antecedents of faking is thus of utmost importance. Recent theories of faking highlight the central role of various forms of competition for understanding why faking occurs. Drawing on these theories, we suggest that the more applicants adhere to competitive worldviews (CWs), that is, the more they believe that the social world is a competitive, Darwinian‐type of struggle over scarce resources, the more likely they are to fake in employment interviews. We tested our hypothesis in three independent studies that were conducted in five different countries. Results show that CWs are strongly associated with faking, independently of job applicants’ cultural and economic context. More specifically, applicants’ CWs explain faking intentions and self‐reported past faking above and beyond the Dark Triad of personality (Study 1), competitiveness and the six facets of conscientiousness (Study 2). Also, when faking is measured using a response randomisation technique to control for social desirability, faking is more prevalent among applicants with strong vs. less strong CWs (Study 3). Taken together, this research demonstrates that competition is indeed strongly associated with undesirable applicant behaviors.
Altered regulatory T cell phenotype in latent autoimmune diabetes of the adults (LADA)
Authors: Radenkovic M , Silver C , Arvastsson J , Lynch K , Lernmark Å , Harris R A , Agardh C-D , Cilio C M
Published: June 2016

Latent autoimmune diabetes of the adults (LADA) accounts for up to 12% of all patients with diabetes. Initially the disease resembles type 2 diabetes (T2D); however, the typical presence of β cell autoantibodies indicates an autoimmune basis of LADA. While dysfunctional regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been implicated in autoimmune diabetes, these cells have been scarcely studied in LADA. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and phenotype of circulating Tregs in LADA patients early during disease progression. Flow cytometric analysis was performed on whole blood and peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients diagnosed with LADA prior to insulin deficiency (n = 39) and from healthy volunteers (n = 20). Overall, we found the frequency and activation status of peripheral putative Tregs to be altered in LADA patients compared to healthy controls. While total T cells and CD4+ T cells expressing high levels of CD25 (CD4+CD25hi) were unchanged, the frequency and total numbers of CD4+ T cells expressing an intermediate level of CD25 (CD4+CD25int) were decreased in LADA patients. Interestingly, the expression of the Treg-specific marker forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3), as well as the activation and memory makers CD69, cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), CCR4 and CD45RO were increased in CD4+CD25+ T cells of the patients. Our data depict phenotypical changes in T cells of LADA patients that may reflect a derangement in peripheral immune regulation contributing to the slow process leading to insulin-dependent diabetes in these patients.
Social processes among mothers in centres for children and parents in three countries
Authors: Musatti Tullia , Hoshi‐Watanabe Miwako , Rayna Sylvie , Di Giandomenico Isabella , Kamigaichi Nobuko , Mukai Miho , Shiozaki Miho
Published: June 2016

Professionally run centres have been created in a number of countries over the past few decades to provide a place for parents and their young children to meet. They provide children with play opportunities and social contacts with peers, but they are also intended to tackle the potential negative consequences of mother–child isolation in modern societies by providing mothers with some social support. Many mothers find their participation in the centres to be supportive. This study uses ethnographic observations of mothers′ social experience in centres in France, Italy and Japan with the aim of better understanding the potential beneficial effects of attending the centres. Beyond organizational and cultural differences in the centres across countries, this joint analysis of observations highlighted important similarities in the social processes occurring among mothers in the centres and supported the hypothesis that positive social experiences are the basic potential source of psychological benefits that the centres provide to mothers.
Haplotype analysis reveals that the recurrent BRCA1 deletion of exons 23 and 24 is a Greek founder mutation
Authors: Apostolou P. , Pertesi M. , Aleporou‐Marinou V. , Dimitrakakis C. , Papadimitriou C. , Razis E. , Christodoulou C. , Fountzilas G. , Yannoukakos D. , Konstantopoulou I. , Fostira F.
Published: June 2016

A recurrent large genomic rearrangement (LGR) encompassing exons 23 and 24 of the BRCA1 gene has been identified in breast‐ovarian cancer families of Greek origin. Its breakpoints have been determined as c.5406 + 664_*8273del11052 (RefSeq: NM_007294.3) and a diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been set up for rapid screening. In a series of 2,092 high‐risk families completely screened for BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations, we have found the deletion in 35 families (1.68%), representing 7.83% of the mutations identified in both genes and 10.3% of the total BRCA1 mutations. In order to characterize this deletion as a founder mutation, haplotype analysis was conducted in 60 carriers from 35 families, using three BRCA1 intragenic microsatellite markers and four markers surrounding the BRCA1 locus. Our results demonstrate a common shared core disease‐associated haplotype of 2.89Mb. Our calculations estimate that the deletion has originated from a common ancestor 1450 years ago, which most probably inhabited the Asia Minor area. The particular (LGR) is the third mutation of such type that is proven to have a Greek founder effect in the Greek population, illustrating the necessity for LGRs testing in individuals of Greek descent.
Effectiveness of vegetation‐based biodiversity offset metrics as surrogates for ants
Authors: Hanford Jayne K. , Crowther Mathew S. , Hochuli Dieter F.
Published: June 2016

Biodiversity offset schemes are globally popular policy tools for balancing the competing demands of conservation and development. Trading currencies for losses and gains in biodiversity value at development and credit sites are usually based on several vegetation attributes combined to yield a simple score (multimetric), but the score is rarely validated prior to implementation. Inaccurate biodiversity trading currencies are likely to accelerate global biodiversity loss through unrepresentative trades of losses and gains. We tested a model vegetation multimetric (i.e., vegetation structural and compositional attributes) typical of offset trading currencies to determine whether it represented measurable components of compositional and functional biodiversity. Study sites were located in remnant patches of a critically endangered ecological community in western Sydney, Australia, an area representative of global conflicts between conservation and expanding urban development. We sampled ant fauna composition with pitfall traps and enumerated removal by ants of native plant seeds from artificial seed containers (seed depots). Ants are an excellent model taxon because they are strongly associated with habitat complexity, respond rapidly to environmental change, and are functionally important at many trophic levels. The vegetation multimetric did not predict differences in ant community composition or seed removal, despite underlying assumptions that biodiversity trading currencies used in offset schemes represent all components of a site's biodiversity value. This suggests that vegetation multimetrics are inadequate surrogates for total biodiversity value. These findings highlight the urgent need to refine existing offsetting multimetrics to ensure they meet underlying assumptions of surrogacy. Despite the best intentions, offset schemes will never achieve their goal of no net loss of biodiversity values if trades are based on metrics unrepresentative of total biodiversity.
Dispersant‐free dyeing of poly(lactic acid) fabric with temporarily solubilised disperse dyes from azopyridone derivatives
Authors: Park Young Ki , Jo A Ra , Jang Seung Soon , Lee Jung Jin
Published: June 2016

Poly(lactic acid) fibre is derived from annually renewable crops and known to be 100% compostable. In order to extend its environmental friendliness into the dyeing process, dispersant‐free dyeing of poly(lactic acid) fabric with three temporarily solubilised azo disperse dyes based on hydroxypyridone moiety containing a β‐sulphatoethylsulphonyl group was investigated. The dyes were successfully applied to poly(lactic acid) fabric without the use of dispersants. The colour yields of the dyes on poly(lactic acid) fabric were observed to be dependent on dyebath pH and dyeing temperature. The optimum results were obtained at pH 4–5 and 110 °C. One of the dyes showed a colour yield as good as that of a commercial disperse dye and good build‐up on poly(lactic acid) fabric. All of the dyes could be alkali cleared owing to ionisation of the dye under mild alkaline conditions. Wash fastness was good to very good, and light fastness was good. The chemical oxygen demand levels of the poly(lactic acid) dyeing effluent from the dyes were considerably lower than those from a commercial disperse dye.
Midpoint attractors and species richness: Modelling the interaction between environmental drivers and geometric constraints
Authors: Colwell Robert K. , Gotelli Nicholas J. , Ashton Louise A. , Beck Jan , Brehm Gunnar , Fayle Tom M. , Fiedler Konrad , Forister Matthew L. , Kessler Michael , Kitching Roger L. , Klimes Petr , Kluge Jürgen , Longino John T. , Maunsell Sarah C. , McCain Christy M. , Moses Jimmy , Noben Sarah , Sam Katerina , Sam Legi , Shapiro Arthur M. , Wang Xiangping , Novotny Vojtech
Published: June 2016

We introduce a novel framework for conceptualising, quantifying and unifying discordant patterns of species richness along geographical gradients. While not itself explicitly mechanistic, this approach offers a path towards understanding mechanisms. In this study, we focused on the diverse patterns of species richness on mountainsides. We conjectured that elevational range midpoints of species may be drawn towards a single midpoint attractor – a unimodal gradient of environmental favourability. The midpoint attractor interacts with geometric constraints imposed by sea level and the mountaintop to produce taxon‐specific patterns of species richness. We developed a Bayesian simulation model to estimate the location and strength of the midpoint attractor from species occurrence data sampled along mountainsides. We also constructed midpoint predictor models to test whether environmental variables could directly account for the observed patterns of species range midpoints. We challenged these models with 16 elevational data sets, comprising 4500 species of insects, vertebrates and plants. The midpoint predictor models generally failed to predict the pattern of species midpoints. In contrast, the midpoint attractor model closely reproduced empirical spatial patterns of species richness and range midpoints. Gradients of environmental favourability, subject to geometric constraints, may parsimoniously account for elevational and other patterns of species richness.
Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) seed and petal extracts decreased HEp‐2 carcinoma cell viability
Authors: Shen Yixiao , Du Liqing , Zeng Haiying , Zhang Xiumei , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon , Alonso‐Marenco Jose R. , Xu Zhimin
Published: June 2016

The hydrophilic phenolics, lipophilic tocopherols, phytosterols and fatty acids in butterfly pea seeds and petals were determined. The seeds had fifteen phenolics; of them, sinapic acid, epicatechin and hydroxycinnamic acid derivative concentrations were above 0.5 mg g−1. The petals contained a group of ternatins, flavone glycosides and delphinidin derivatives. Both the seeds and petals had four phytosterols and α‐ and γ‐tocopherols. However, the level of β‐sitosterol or γ‐tocopherol in the seeds was much higher than in the petals. Linoleic acid was the most abundant fatty acid in the seeds and petals, while phytanic acid was found in the petals. The effect of lipophilic and hydrophilic extracts of the seeds [lipophilic extract of the butterfly pea seeds (LBS) and hydrophilic extract of butterfly pea seeds (HBS)] and petals [lipophilic extract of the butterfly pea petals (LBP) and hydrophilic extract of butterfly pea petals (HBP)] on decreased HEp‐2 human carcinoma cell viability was evaluated. The effect of HBS or HBP on decreased cancer cell viability was much higher than that of either LBS or LBP, while HBS showed significantly higher effect than HBP. The results indicated that butterfly pea seed and petal extracts could have the potential in functional food development.
Sleep problems, anxıety, depressıon and fatıgue on famıly members of adult intensıve care unıt patıents
Authors: Çelik Sevim , Genç Gizem , Kinetli Yasemin , Aşılıoğlı Meral , Sarı Merve , Madenoğlu Kıvanç Meral
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of sleep problems, anxiety, depression and fatigue in family members of intensive care patients in Turkey and factors affecting these complaints.

This cross‐sectional study was carried out with 350 first‐degree relatives of intensive care patients at a university and state hospital. Data were collected between 5 January and 30 May 2014 using a personal information form, the Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the modified Post Sleep Inventory.

Of the 350 family members, 76% reported moderate or more serious problems. Anxiety was reported by 81.4% of the family members, and depression by 94.2%. Family members in the study had fatigue, with average scores of 79.42. There were significant correlations between the Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue and anxiety, depression and scores on the Modified Post‐Sleep Inventory (P < 0.05).

Family members of intensive care patients experienced symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, depression and sleep problems. The prevalence of symptoms of sleep problems, anxiety and depression and complaints of fatigue was significantly higher in the family members of intensive care patients in Turkey than reported in the literature.
Infants' First Words are not Phonetically Specified: Own Name Recognition in British English‐Learning 5‐Month‐Olds
Authors: Delle Luche Claire , Floccia Caroline , Granjon Lionel , Nazzi Thierry
Published: July 2016

By the end of their first year of life, infants’ representations of familiar words contain phonetic detail; yet little is known about the nature of these representations at the very beginning of word learning. Bouchon et al. () showed that French‐learning 5‐month‐olds could detect a vowel change in their own name and not a consonant change, but also that infants reacted to the acoustic distance between vowels. Here, we tested British English‐learning 5‐month‐olds in a similar study to examine whether the acoustic/phonological characteristics of the native language shape the nature of the acoustic/phonetic cues that infants pay attention to. In the first experiment, British English‐learning infants failed to recognize their own name compared to a mispronunciation of initial consonant (e.g., Molly versus Nolly) or vowel (e.g., April versus Ipril). Yet in the second experiment, they did so when the contrasted name was phonetically dissimilar (e.g., Sophie versus Amber). Differences in phoneme category (stops versus continuants) between the correct consonant versus the incorrect one significantly predicted infants’ own name recognition in the first experiment. Altogether, these data suggest that infants might enter into a phonetic mode of processing through different paths depending on the acoustic characteristics of their native language.
Relationship Between the Orthorhombic and Hexagonal Phases in Dy2TiO5
Authors: Seymour Kevin C. , Ribero Daniel , McCormack Scott J. , Kriven Waltraud M.
Published: June 2016

The thermal expansion of Dy2TiO5 in the hexagonal phase was evaluated and compared with the orthorhombic phase using in situ high‐temperature X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structure, volume changes before and after the transformation process, as well as the mechanism behind the thermal expansion behavior was determined and proposed. It was found that in the hexagonal phase, the thermal expansion was caused by the oxygen anions in the axial positions of the trigonal bipyramidal structure moving toward the central Ti atom. While expanding, the movement of these oxygen anions slows the expansion along the c‐axis resulting in a decrease in α33 with temperature. Furthermore, a structural relationship between the orthorhombic and the hexagonal phases was proposed.
Effects of yoga in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Cui Jie , Yan Jun‐Hong , Yan Li‐Ming , Pan Lei , Le Jia‐Jin , Guo Yong‐Zhong
Published: July 2016

Aims/Introduction

A meta‐analysis was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of yoga in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Materials and Methods

The PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched to obtain eligible randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome was fasting blood glucose, and the secondary outcomes included glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride and postprandial blood glucose. Weighted mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The I2 statistic represented heterogeneity.

Results

A total of 12 randomized controlled trials with a total of 864 patients met the inclusion criteria. The pooled weighted mean differences were −23.72 mg/dL (95% CI −37.78 to −9.65; P = 0.001; I2 = 82%) for fasting blood glucose and −0.47% (95% CI −0.87 to −0.07; P = 0.02; I2 = 82%) for hemoglobin A1c. The weighted mean differences were −17.38 mg/dL (95% CI −27.88 to −6.89; P = 0.001; I2 = 0%) for postprandial blood glucose, −18.50 mg/dL (95% CI −29.88 to −7.11; P = 0.001; I2 = 75%) for total cholesterol, 4.30 mg/dL (95% CI 3.25 to 5.36; P < 0.00001; I2 = 10%) for high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, −12.95 mg/dL (95% CI −18.84 to −7.06; P < 0.0001; I2 = 37%) for low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and −12.57 mg/dL (95% CI −29.91 to 4.76; P = 0.16; I2 = 48%) for triglycerides.

Conclusions

The available evidence suggests that yoga benefits adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, considering the limited methodology and the potential heterogeneity, further studies are necessary to support our findings and investigate the long‐term effects of yoga in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
Ceramide synthase 4 is highly expressed in involved skin of patients with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Ito S. , Ishikawa J. , Naoe A. , Yoshida H. , Hachiya A. , Fujimura T. , Kitahara T. , Takema Y.
Published: June 2016

Background

Ceramide is a crucial lipid in the stratum corneum (SC) which maintains the barrier function and hydration of the skin. In atopic dermatitis (AD) patients who have defective skin barrier function, ceramide levels are altered. We previously reported that although the amount of total ceramide was lower in involved skin compared with uninvolved skin of AD patients and with healthy control skin, the amounts of smaller ceramide species of Cer[NS] (<40 total carbons, which are total carbons of both sphingoid base and amide‐linked fatty acid), especially Cer[NS] with 34 total carbons (C34‐Cer[NS]), were higher. However, the enzyme(s) that produces the higher levels of smaller ceramide species in involved skin of AD patients was unclear.

Objective

To identify the enzyme(s) that produces higher levels of smaller ceramide species of Cer[NS] in the involved skin of AD patients.

Methods

Eight female Caucasian subjects who were diagnosed with AD on their arms (age range: 21–45 years) were enroled in this study. We compared ceramide levels in the SC and the expression levels of enzymes involved in ceramide metabolism using real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry between involved and uninvolved skin of AD patients.

Results

Level of mRNA encoding ceramide synthase 4 (CERS4), which is one of the enzymes that synthesize ceramide from a sphingoid base and an amide‐linked fatty acid, was significantly higher in involved skin than in uninvolved skin (P < 0.01). Additionally, the protein expression level of CERS4 in the epidermis was also higher in involved skin compared with uninvolved skin. The expression level of CERS4 correlated with the amount of C34‐Cer[NS] (P < 0.01) and the skin hydration value (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The elevated expression level of CERS4 contributes to the increase of C34‐Cer[NS] and the impaired SC barrier function in involved skin of AD patients.
BH3‐only protein Bim predicts advanced stage of cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Gambichler T. , Rooms I. , Scholl L. , Stockfleth E. , Stücker M. , Sand M.
Published: June 2016

Background

Bim having strong pro‐apoptotic effects belongs to the BH3‐only proteins of the Bcl‐2 protein family and contributes to survival pathways in cancer cells.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate Bim protein expression in cutaneous melanoma (CM).

Methods

Bim protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in primary and metastatic melanomas and correlated with clinical and histopathological features.

Results

The Bim immunoreactivity score of the primary melanomas investigated (4.6 ± 1.5) was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher than that observed in metastases (2.8 ± 1.1). Low Bim expression was significantly associated with primary nodular melanoma type (P = 0.005). Moreover, Bim expression was significantly inversely correlated with tumour thickness (r = −0.36; P = 0.0035), advanced stage of disease (stage III and IV; r = −0.60; P < 0.0001), disease relapse (r = −0.18; P = 0.034) and disease‐related death (r = −0.19; P = 0.026). Advanced stage of disease was independently predicted by low Bim expression (P = 0.0010, odds ratio: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.10–0.56) on multivariate analysis; however, Bim was not shown to be an independent predictor for disease relapse (P = 0.40) and disease‐related death (P = 0.77).

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that Bim protein expression is significantly inversely correlated with melanoma features that are associated with worse prognosis. We have shown that Bim protein expression in CM is an independent predictor for advanced disease confirming that this pro‐apoptotic BH3‐only protein might be a potent biomarker and promising therapeutic target.
Pyoderma gangrenosum during pregnancy – treatment options revisited
Authors: Vigl K. , Posch C. , Richter L. , Monshi B. , Rappersberger K.
Published: June 2016

Background

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare, ulcerating neutrophilic dermatosis of unknown aetiology; PG during pregnancy is particularly rare. The disease is frequently associated with immune‐mediated, inflammatory diseases.

Objective

Diagnosis of PG can be challenging and relies upon exclusion of other causes such as traumas, infections, vascular diseases or neoplasms. Treatment options during pregnancy are limited.

Methods

To evaluate current treatment options for PG during pregnancy, we present a case of multilocular PG during the patient's first trimester. In conjunction with a comprehensive review of previously published cases of PG during gravidity, we discuss available treatment modalities including immunosuppressants and TNFα inhibitors.

Results

Our patient highlights the importance of including PG as a potential differential diagnosis of cutaneous ulcers during gravidity. Treatment with systemic glucocorticoids is effective and safe for the health of the mother and the unborn.

Conclusion

In pregnant females, it is particularly important to diagnose PG and control disease activity due to the risk of pathergy and wound healing deficiencies during delivery and post‐partum. A limited number of treatment options are available to date, which require a precise risk–benefit evaluation.
The clinical and histopathological characteristics of early‐onset basal cell carcinoma in Asians
Authors: Yang M.Y. , Kim J.M. , Kim G.W. , Mun J.H. , Song M. , Ko H.C. , Kim B.S. , Kim H.S. , Kim M.B.
Published: June 2016

Background

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is by far the most common cancer in white populations. In addition, recent reports have demonstrated an increasing incidence of BCC in Korea. We have observed a significant number of early‐onset BCC cases in which the disease occurred in patients younger than 50 years.

Objective

To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of early‐onset BCC in an Asian population, specifically in Koreans.

Methods

One hundred and five patients with early‐onset BCC were enrolled from a total of 1047 BCC patients who underwent surgery between January 1997 and December 2014 (942 patients over the age of 50 years were designated as the control group).

Results

Early‐onset BCC accounted for 10.03% of all 1047 cases and the incidence over time displayed an incremental trend. The early‐onset group displayed similar results as the control group, with a predominance of female BCC patients and the majority of tumours displaying the following characteristics: small in size, occurring in sun‐exposed areas and belonging to the noduloulcerative clinical subtype and nodular histopathological subtype. In comparison with a previous study in a Western population, the incidence of the disease in non‐exposed areas of the body, as well as the proportion of tumours of the superficial histological subtype, were lower in Asian patients.

Conclusion

Although the clinicopathological characteristics of BCC are well‐known, these characteristics have not been determined for early‐onset BCC in an Asian population. Therefore, this study is the first report on early‐onset BCC in Asians, specifically in a Korean patient group.
Colonization and demographic expansion of freshwater fauna across the Hawaiian archipelago
Authors: Alda F. , Gagne R. B. , Walter R. P. , Hogan J. D. , Moody K. N. , Zink F. , McIntyre P. B. , Gilliam J. F. , Blum M. J.
Published: July 2016

It is widely accepted that insular terrestrial biodiversity progresses with island age because colonization and diversification proceed over time. Here, we assessed whether this principle extends to oceanic island streams. We examined rangewide mtDNA sequence variation in four stream‐dwelling species across the Hawaiian archipelago to characterize the relationship between colonization and demographic expansion, and to determine whether either factor reflects island age. We found that colonization and demographic expansion are not related and that neither corresponds to island age. The snail Neritina granosa exhibited the oldest colonization time (~2.713 mya) and time since demographic expansion (~282 kya), likely reflecting a preference for lotic habitats most prevalent on young islands. Conversely, gobioid fishes (Awaous stamineus, Eleotris sandwicensis and Sicyopterus stimpsoni) colonized the archipelago only ~0.411–0.935 mya, suggesting ecological opportunities for colonization in this group were temporally constrained. These findings indicate that stream communities form across colonization windows, underscoring the importance of ecological opportunities in shaping island freshwater diversity.
Risk stratification of patients with shoulder pain seen in physical therapy practice
Authors: Rodeghero Jason R , Cleland Joshua A , Mintken Paul E , Cook Chad E
Published: June 2016

Rationale, aims and objectives

Musculoskeletal shoulder pain is commonly treated in physical therapy. There is inconsistency in the literature regarding patient characteristics related to prognosis. Having prognostic information could be useful for improving clinical efficiency and decreasing the cost of associated care. The objective of this study was to identify predictive characteristics related to patients with shoulder pain who have a high‐risk of a bad prognosis (lowest functional recovery compared with visit utilization) as well as those who are at low‐risk of a bad prognosis (highest functional recovery compared with visit utilization).

Methods

We completed a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort using data obtained from an existing commercial outcomes database. Data from 5214 patients with shoulder pain were analysed to determine predictive characteristics that identify patients who either have a low‐risk or a high‐risk of a bad prognosis to physical therapy care. Multinomial regression was used to identify significant patient characteristics predictive of treatment response.

Results

Statistically significant predictors of high‐risk categorization included older age, no surgical history, insurance designated as worker's compensation, litigation or automotive and three or more co‐morbidities. Predictors of low risk categorization were younger age, shorter duration of symptoms, no surgical history and payer type.

Conclusion

Selected variables were associated with both poor and good recovery. Further research on prognosis, efficacy of physical therapy care and cost appear warranted for patients with shoulder pain.
Mycobacteriosis caused by Mycobacterium marinum in reared mullets: first evidence from Sardinia (Italy)
Authors: Antuofermo E , Pais A , Polinas M , Cubeddu T , Righetti M , Sanna M A , Prearo M
Published: July 2016

Mycobacterium marinum is a slow‐growing non‐tuberculous mycobacterium, and it is considered the most common aetiologic agent of mycobacteriosis in wild and cultured fish. The diagnosis is principally made by histology when positive Ziehl–Neelsen stain granulomas are detected. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of mycobacteriosis in extensively cultured Mugilidae of two lagoons (Cabras and San Teodoro) from Sardinia by the use of histology, microbiology, PCR and DNA sequencing. Nine of 106 mullets examined were affected by mycobacteriosis, and the spleen was the most affected organ. The histology detected higher rate (100%) of infection in spleen than the culture and PCR (75% and 62.5%, respectively). The sequencing of hsp65 gene identified M. marinum as the primary cause of mycobacteriosis in the mullets examined. Mullets affected by mycobacteriosis were mainly fished in the San Teodoro lagoon characterized by critical environmental conditions. Histology remains the most common method in detecting fish affected by mycobacteriosis, and PCR‐based methods are essential for species identification. Our finding are worthy of attention because mycobacteriosis caused by M. marinum in reared mullets was evidenced for the first time in Sardinia, suggesting that this disease may be underestimated also in other cultured fish species.
Effects of Processing and Storage Preservation Technologies on Nutritional Quality and Biological Activities of Edible Fungi: A Review
Authors: Xue Zhaohui , Hao Jingfeng , Yu Wancong , Kou Xiaohong
Published: June 2016

Consumption of edible fungi, which are rich in nutritional and bioactive components, plays an important role in human health. A gradual decline in moisture, sensory properties, quality of edible fungi is observed after harvest. The recent studies on the changes of nutritional quality and biological activities of edible fungi during processing and postharvest storage have been summarized in this review. In addition, the study discusses the recycling of waster that is produced in processing. The action of bioactive components and their proposed mechanisms of action have also been discussed to accelerate the further exploration and utilization of edible fungi.

Practical Applications

Nutritional contents and bioactive components of edible fungi have a direct dependence on the type of processing and storage preservation technique used, which influences the chemical composition and commercial value of edible fungi. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the information described to date about the effects of processing and storage on edible fungi, to give further detailed guidance for obtaining a technological and economic alternative for use with edible fungi, with special emphasis on the various mechanisms potentially involved. It is clear that further scientific studies need incorporate these technologies into the value‐added edible fungi and edible fungi‐related products.
Outcomes of a community‐based weight management programme for morbidly obese populations
Authors: Nield L. , Kelly S.
Published: June 2016

Background

Morbid obesity is an ongoing concern worldwide. There is a paucity of research reporting primary care outcomes focussed on complex and morbidly obese populations. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends a specialist, multidisciplinary weight management team for the successful management of such populations. This is the first service evaluation reporting both primary (weight change) and secondary [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, physical activity levels, fruit and vegetable intake, Rosenberg self‐esteem score] outcomes in these patients.

Methods

The present study comprised a prospective observational study of a cohort data set for patients (n = 288) attending their 3‐month and 6‐month (n = 115) assessment appointments at a specialist community weight management programme.

Results

Patients had a mean (SD) initial BMI of 45.5 (6.6) kg m–²; 66% were females. Over 80% of patients attending the service lost some weight by 3 months. Average absolute weight loss was 4.11 (4.95) kg at 3 months and 6.30 (8.41) kg at 6 months, equating to 3.28% (3.82%) and 4.90% (6.26%), respectively, demonstrating a statistically significant weight change at both time points (P < 0.001). This meets NICE best practice guidelines for the commissioning of services leading to a minimum of 3% average weight loss, with at least 30% of patients losing at ≥5% of their initial weight. Waist measurement and BMI were reduced significantly at 3 months. Improvements were also seen in physical activity levels, fruit and vegetable consumption, and self‐esteem levels (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This service was successful in aiding weight loss in morbidly obese populations. The findings of the present study support the view that weight‐loss targets of 3% are realistic.