bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The future of the Australian valuation profession
Authors: Wilkinson Sara , Antoniades Hera , Halvitigala Dulani
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Valuers face significant challenges as processes become automated and the role evolves to data handling and processing. To survive and thrive, valuers must respond to a changing market. The purpose of this paper is to examine the issues, threats and challenges facing the Australian profession, though the issues are global.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative research sought a deeper understanding of the threats, challenges and new areas of practice that Australian valuers were experiencing. A focus group approach was designed to collect data from practitioners in Sydney and Melbourne. The research aimed to identify new knowledge and skills for the future and emerging trends and practices.

Findings

The key issues, threats and challenges faced included increasing use of automated valuation models for low-risk residential valuations, valuers being unable to protect themselves against the banks, loss of control of the data and valuations. In total, 12 knowledge domains and skills required in the future were established and ten emerging trends and practices were identified.

Research limitations/implications

The key limitations were that participants were from Melbourne and Sydney in Australia only and the focus is NSW and Victoria centric, although many participants have international work experience. There was an under representation of rural valuers, of small valuation firms, of young, recently joined or qualified valuers and females.

Practical implications

The findings inform a manifesto for the future which sets out the practical implications for valuers and the professional body. This action plan sets the new knowledge domains, practices and trends that can be adopted by the profession and its members.

Originality/value

This is the original research and highlights some real threats, issues and challenges facing the Australian valuers. It complements work undertaken by legal and accounting professional bodies, which sense change affecting their membership and services. A manifesto for action has been outlined to address the changes that are coming and those already here.
Thorsby-Wando Marine Refit, Inc.: refurbishing a supplier selection tool
Authors: Timmerman John E. , Ponomarov Serhiy Y. , Morris, Jr R. Franklin
Published: April 2018

Synopsis

Rick Jamison, as Project Manager for the highly profitable Mega-Yacht division of Thorsby-Wando Marine Refit, Inc., has been assigned the task of revamping the supplier evaluation and selection tool used by the company in view of the evolution of the business from a small boat storage and repair facility into a full-service large boat and mega-yacht repair and refit facility. Rick gleans ideas from a colleague at another facility in preparation for re-crafting the current supplier evaluation tool. Rick becomes acquainted with how the Delphi method could be used to achieve consensus among members of the buying center to arrive at key factors and their proportionate weights for use in the supplier evaluation tool.

Research methodology

The case is based upon interviews with the company that is represented by Thorsby-Wando Marine Refit, Inc.

Relevant courses and levels

This case is targeted primarily at undergraduate students in purchasing, materials management and supply chain management courses. The case works best when it is employed in connection with a discussion of the major methods for evaluating vendors.
Crafting a teaching case study: ideation to publication
Authors: Berte Erica , Narapareddy Vijaya , Reed Marlene M. , Keels J. Kay
Published: April 2018

Synopsis

“I think I would like to write a case. What do I do now?” The purpose of this paper is to answer this often-asked question by presenting a useful guide for case writers which examines the entire process of case writing beginning with the initial idea and proceeding through required stages leading to the publication of case studies. Further, this guide seeks to emphasize that case writing is a form of research, not just story telling. Ultimately, the increasing interest of scholars in researching, writing, and publishing pedagogical cases provided the impetus for this paper. The four major case writing processes identified in this paper include ideation (idea generation), creation (crafting the case study), application (creating the Instructor’s Manual), and publication (publishing the case). Each of these four processes is presented in detail including examples, pitfalls, and resources. This work is intended to assist novice, as well as experienced, case authors who seek advice on crafting and publishing pedagogical cases in refereed journals. Resources presented in this paper should be helpful especially for aspiring and as yet unpublished case writers.

Research methodology

The paper is based partially on archival research, but most of the content is based on the substantial experience of the authors.

Relevant courses and levels

The paper is relevant for upper-level undergraduates as well as graduate students interested in pedagogically based research.
Individual‐level trait variation and negative density dependence affect growth in tropical tree seedlings
Authors: Umaña Maria Natalia , Zipkin Elise F. , Zhang Caicai , Cao Min , Lin Luxiang , Swenson Nathan G.
Published: April 2018

Individual‐level interactions with neighbours and their surrounding environments are key factors influencing performance that ultimately shape and maintain diversity in tropical plant communities. Theory predicts that the strength of these interactions depends on the similarity among neighbours, the turnover in composition caused by individuals that enter as new recruits and individuals that die, and fitting to local conditions. Despite considerable phenotypic variation among individuals and high community dynamics, these three factors have rarely been considered together for understanding growth variation, especially for seedling communities in the tropics.

We address this outstanding challenge by quantifying the influence of trait dissimilarity among neighbours, temporal turnover in neighbours, and individual trait variation on seedling growth, based on an unprecedented dataset containing individual‐level demographic and functional trait data for tropical tree seedlings.

The results showed that trait dissimilarity associated with resource acquisition does not influence growth. However, conspecific negative density‐dependent effects on growth were evident through the initial density of conspecifics and the increase in conspecifics during the study period. Also, individuals with relatively larger investments in leaf biomass allocation attained higher growth rates, suggesting that seedlings adjust their resource allocation to tissues related with light capture.

Synthesis. Together, these findings indicate that tropical seedling communities are structured by local abiotic factors that ultimately result in individual variation in resource acquisition traits and by biotic interactions driven by negative density dependence. These biotic interactions are highly dynamic and depend on conspecifics turnover, even at short temporal scales. Thus, to gain further insights into the forces structuring seedling communities, future studies should account for temporal variability in immediate neighbours and individual‐level phenotypic variation that influence individual interactions.
Women and Penal Reform: Two Steps Forwards, Three Steps Backwards?
Authors: Gelsthorpe Loraine , Russell Jackie
Published: April 2018

Since publication of the Corston Report in 2007, initiatives with regard to women and criminal justice in England and Wales have been marked by positive steps on the one hand, but reversal and failure on the other. A central element to this narrative has been the enthusiastic development of community‐based services for women, only to be followed by the subsequent dissipation of government energy, a diminution of interest, and a decline in funding. In this article, some of the complexities of the reforms are considered, a detailed reading is provided of the various initiatives as an historical record, and the context(s) in which the steps forward and backward can be understood is reflected on. In light of the evidence, it is argued that if women's centres are to be successful in facilitating and supporting movements away from crime, then there is an urgent need for a consistent strategy derived from evidence‐based research and experience.
A comparison of food habits and prey preferences of Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) at the southwest Primorskii Krai in Russia and Hunchun in China
Authors: GU Jiayin , YU Lan , HUA Yan , NING Yao , HENG Bao , QI Jinzhe , LONG Zexv , YAO Mingyuan , HUANG Chong , LI Zhilin , LANG Jianming , JIANG Guangshun , MA Jianzhang
Published: May 2018

A small, isolated Amur tiger population ranges across the southwest Primorskii Krai region in Russia and Hunchun region in China. Many individuals, with “dual nationality,” cross the border frequently. Formulating effective conservation strategies requires a clear understanding of tiger food requirements in both countries. While the diets of tigers ranging in Russia is clearly understood, little is known of the tigers' feeding habits in China.. We used scat analysis combined with data on the abundance of 4 prey species to examine Amur tiger diet and prey preferences in Hunchun. We examined 53 tiger scat samples from 2011 to 2016 and found that tigers preyed on 12 species (11 species in winter), 4 of which were domestic animals with 33.58% biomass contribution; this was the first record of Amur tigers eating lynx in this area. Tigers showed a strong preference for wild boar (Jacobs index: +0.849), which were also the most frequently consumed prey, and a strong avoidance of roe deer (Jacobs index: −0.693). On the Russian side, domestic animals (just dog) were rarely found in tiger scat, and tigers did not show strong avoidance of roe deer, but of sika deer. We also found red deer footprints during winter surveys and that tigers ate red deer on the Chinese side, while there was no record of red deer feeding on the Russian side. Reducing or eliminating human disturbance, such as grazing, is essential to recovering tiger prey and habitat in this area and the Sino‐Russian joint ungulate annual survey is indispensable for prey estimates of this small, isolated Amur tiger population.
Effects of dietary lysine levels and lighting conditions on intramuscular fat accumulation in growing pigs
Authors: Katsumata Masaya , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Ashihara Akane , Ishida Aiko
Published: April 2018

This study was conducted to test our hypothesis that intramuscular fat (IMF) accumulation increases in pigs fed on a low lysine diet during the dark period than those fed on the same diet during the light period. Using barrows aged 6 weeks, we monitored whether serum glucose and insulin levels were affected by light conditions. Two diets with different levels of lysine, 0.78% (LL diet) and 1.37% (control diet) were prepared. Eight pigs were fed on the diet during the light period, while the remaining pigs were fed during the dark period. The pigs were fed either the LL diet or the control diet. Although IMF contents of Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle were higher in the pigs fed on a LL diet (p < .05), the light conditions had no effect. Low dietary lysine caused reduction in serum glucose levels (p < .05) and serum insulin levels (p = .0613). However, they were also unaffected by the lighting conditions. To gain further insights, we determined the messenger RNA levels of insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate 1, acetyl CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase in LD and Rhomboideus muscles and in the liver.
Prognostic scoring systems for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in a population‐based setting: a report from the Swedish MDS register
Authors: Moreno Berggren Daniel , Folkvaljon Yasin , Engvall Marie , Sundberg Johan , Lambe Mats , Antunovic Petar , Garelius Hege , Lorenz Fryderyk , Nilsson Lars , Rasmussen Bengt , Lehmann Sören , Hellström‐Lindberg Eva , Jädersten Martin , Ejerblad Elisabeth
Published: April 2018

The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) have highly variable outcomes and prognostic scoring systems are important tools for risk assessment and to guide therapeutic decisions. However, few population‐based studies have compared the value of the different scoring systems. With data from the nationwide Swedish population‐based MDS register we validated the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS), revised IPSS (IPSS‐R) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification‐based Prognostic Scoring System (WPSS). We also present population‐based data on incidence, clinical characteristics including detailed cytogenetics and outcome from the register. The study encompassed 1329 patients reported to the register between 2009 and 2013, 14% of these had therapy‐related MDS (t‐MDS). Based on the MDS register, the yearly crude incidence of MDS in Sweden was 2·9 per 100 000 inhabitants. IPSS‐R had a significantly better prognostic power than IPSS (P < 0·001). There was a trend for better prognostic power of IPSS‐R compared to WPSS (P = 0·05) and for WPSS compared to IPSS (P = 0·07). IPSS‐R was superior to both IPSS and WPSS for patients aged ≤70 years. Patients with t‐MDS had a worse outcome compared to de novo MDS (d‐MDS), however, the validity of the prognostic scoring systems was comparable for d‐MDS and t‐MDS. In conclusion, population‐based studies are important to validate prognostic scores in a ‘real‐world’ setting. In our nationwide cohort, the IPSS‐R showed the best predictive power.
Are factor biases and substitution identifiable? The Canadian evidence
Authors: Stewart Kenneth G. , Li Jiang
Published: May 2018

Revised productivity accounts recently released by Statistics Canada are used to estimate a Klump–McAdam–Willman (KMW) normalized CES supply‐side system for the half‐century 1961–2012. The model permits distinct rates of factor‐augmenting technical change for capital and labour that distinguish between short‐term versus long‐term effects, as well as a non‐unitary elasticity of substitution and time‐varying factor shares. The advantage of the Canadian data for this purpose is that they provide a unified treatment of measurement issues that have had to be improvised in the US and European data used by previous researchers. In contrast to previous results, we find that an elasticity of substitution and distinct factor biases of technological progress are not well determined by the model. For the Canadian data, the KMW model does not appear to provide a framework that overcomes the classic Diamond–McFadden–Rodriguez non‐identification result. That impossibility theorem is manifested in our findings, not overcome by them.

Est‐ce que les biais de facteurs et la substitution entre facteurs de production sont identifiables? Résultats pour le Canada. On utilise les données révisées sur la productivité récemment publiées pat Statistiques Canada pour calibrer un système d’offre normalisé à la Klump–McAdam–Willman (KMW) avec élasticité constante de substitution pour la période 1961‐2012. Le modèle permet un changement technique qui implique des taux distincts d’augmentation de productivité pour le travail et le capital qui distingue entre les effets à court et à long terme, ainsi qu’une élasticité de substitution non‐unitaire et des parts variables des facteurs dans le temps. L’avantage des données canadiennes pour ce genre d’analyse est que les problèmes de mesure ont été traités de manière uniforme alors que dans les données américaines et européennes, utilisées antérieurement par les chercheurs, le traitement des problèmes de mesure a été improvisé. Contrairement aux résultats antérieurs, on découvre qu’une élasticité de substitution et les biais du progrès technique en faveur de divers facteurs de production ne sont pas bien déterminés par le modèle. Pour les données canadiennes, le modèle KMW ne semble pas fournir un cadre de référence qui permette de surmonter le problème classique de non‐identification soulevé par les résultats de Diamond–McFadden–Rodriguez. Le théorème d’impossibilité reste entier dans les résultats obtenus et ne sont pas surmontés par es nouveaux résultats.
A practical approach and algorithm for intensifying beyond basal insulin in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Goldenberg Ronald M. , Assimakopoulos Peter , Gilbert Jeremy D. , Gottesman Irving S. , Yale Jean‐François
Published: April 2018

Despite the availability of long‐term data demonstrating the benefits of timely and aggressive intensification of antihyperglycaemic regimens among individuals with type 2 diabetes, intensification beyond basal insulin continues to be suboptimal and a global challenge. This review summarizes the evidence surrounding the various options of advancing glucose‐lowering management beyond basal insulin and provides a practical algorithm to assist in optimizing patient care and enhancing glycaemic target achievements.
Efficacy and safety of dulaglutide monotherapy compared with glimepiride in East‐Asian patients with type 2 diabetes in a multicentre, double‐blind, randomized, parallel‐arm, active comparator, phase III trial
Authors: Chen Yu Hong , Huang Chien‐Ning , Cho Young Min , Li Pengfei , Gu Liqun , Wang Feng , Yang Jun , Wang Wei Qing
Published: April 2018

Aims

To compare the efficacy and safety of once‐weekly glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist dulaglutide 1.5 and 0.75 mg with glimepiride in East‐Asian patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Materials and methods

In this phase III, multinational, multicentre, double‐blind, randomized, parallel‐arm, 26‐week study, patients with inadequate glycaemic control were randomized 1:1:1 to once‐weekly dulaglutide 1.5 or 0.75 mg or daily glimepiride (1‐3 mg/d). The primary endpoint was assessment of the non‐inferiority of dulaglutide (1.5 mg), as measured by change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), compared with glimepiride using a 0.4% non‐inferiority margin.

Results

A total of 737 patients were randomized (dulaglutide 1.5 mg, n = 244; dulaglutide 0.75 mg, n = 248; glimepiride, n = 245). At week 26, both doses of dulaglutide were non‐inferior and also superior to glimepiride for HbA1c reduction from baseline with a least squares mean difference of −6.34 mmol/mol (95% confidence interval [CI] −8.31, −4.26) or ‐0.58% (95% CI −0.76, −0.39) for dulaglutide 1.5 mg and −3.50 mmol/mol (95% CI −5.47, −1.42) or −0.32% (95% CI −0.50, −0.13) for dulaglutide 0.75 mg (P < .001). A greater proportion of patients in the dulaglutide 1.5 mg group achieved the HbA1c target of <53 mmol/mol (<7.0%) compared with the glimepiride group (74.1% vs 57.4%; P < .001). The mean body weight decreased (P < .005) and total hypoglycaemia rates were lower (P < .001) in the dulaglutide groups compared with the glimepiride group. The most common drug‐related adverse events in both dulaglutide groups (≥5% of patients) included diarrhoea, nausea, increased lipase, decreased appetite, abdominal distension and vomiting.

Conclusions

Dulaglutide (both doses) demonstrated superior glycaemic control vs glimepiride, with a favourable tolerability and safety profile in East‐Asian patients with T2D.
Fidelity Failures in Brief Strategic Family Therapy for Adolescent Drug Abuse: A Clinical Analysis
Authors: Lebensohn‐Chialvo Florencia , Rohrbaugh Michael J. , Hasler Brant P.
Published: April 2018

As evidence‐based family treatments for adolescent substance use and conduct problems gain traction, cutting edge research moves beyond randomized efficacy trials to address questions such as how these treatments work and how best to disseminate them to community settings. A key factor in effective dissemination is treatment fidelity, which refers to implementing an intervention in a manner consistent with an established manual. While most fidelity research is quantitative, this study offers a qualitative clinical analysis of fidelity failures in a large, multisite effectiveness trial of Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) for adolescent drug abuse, whereBSFTdevelopers trained community therapists to administer this intervention in their own agencies. Using case notes and video recordings of therapy sessions, an independent expert panel first rated 103 cases on quantitative fidelity scales grounded in theBSFTmanual and the broader structural‐strategic framework that informsBSFTintervention. Because fidelity was generally low, the panel reviewed all cases qualitatively to identify emergent types or categories of fidelity failure. Ten categories of failures emerged, characterized by therapist omissions (e.g., failure to engage key family members, failure to think in threes) and commissions (e.g., off‐model, nonsystemic formulations/interventions). Of these, “failure to think in threes” appeared basic and particularly problematic, reflecting the central place of this idea in structural theory and therapy. Although subject to possible bias, our observations highlight likely stumbling blocks in exporting a complex family treatment likeBSFTto community settings. These findings also underscore the importance of treatment fidelity in family therapy research.
Psychometric evaluation of the Orofacial Pain Scale for Non‐Verbal Individuals as a screening tool for orofacial pain in people with dementia
Authors: Delwel Suzanne , Perez Roberto S. G. M. , Maier Andrea B. , Hertogh Cees M. P. M. , de Vet Henrica C. W. , Lobbezoo Frank , Scherder Erik J. A.
Published: April 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to describe the psychometric evaluation of the Orofacial Pain Scale for Non‐Verbal Individuals (OPS‐NVI) as a screening tool for orofacial pain in people with dementia.

Background

The OPS‐NVI has recently been developed and needs psychometric evaluation for clinical use in people with dementia. The pain self‐report is imperative as a reference standard and can be provided by people with mild‐to‐moderate cognitive impairment.

Methods

The presence of orofacial pain during rest, drinking, chewing and oral hygiene care was observed in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia using the OPS‐NVI. Participants who were considered to present a reliable self‐report were asked about pain presence, and in all participants, the oral health was examined by a dentist for the presence of potential painful conditions. After item‐reduction, inter‐rater reliability and criterion validity were determined.

Results

The presence of orofacial pain in this population was low (0%‐10%), resulting in an average Positive Agreement of 0%‐100%, an average Negative Agreement of 77%‐100%, a sensitivity of 0%‐100% and a specificity of 66%‐100% for the individual items of the OPS‐NVI. At the same time, the presence of oral problems, such as ulcers, tooth root remnants and caries was high (64.5%).

Conclusion

The orofacial pain presence in this MCI and dementia population was low, resulting in low scores for average Positive Agreement and sensitivity and high scores for average Negative Agreement and specificity. Therefore, the OPS‐NVI in its current form cannot be recommended as a screening tool for orofacial pain in people with MCI and dementia. However, the inter‐rater reliability and criterion validity of the individual items in this study provide more insight for the further adjustment of the OPS‐NVI for diagnostic use. Notably, oral health problems were frequently present, although no pain was reported or observed, indicating that oral health problems cannot be used as a new reference standard for orofacial pain, and a regular oral examination by care providers and oral hygiene care professionals remains indispensable.
Prophylactic treatment of bleeding episodes in children <12 years with moderate to severe hereditary factor X deficiency (FXD): Efficacy and safety of a high‐purity plasma‐derived factor X (pdFX) concentrate
Authors: Liesner R. , Akanezi C. , Norton M. , Payne J.
Published: April 2018

Background

Hereditary factor X (FX) deficiency (FXD) affects 1:500 000‐1:1 000 000 people worldwide. A novel, high‐purity plasma‐derived FX concentrate (pdFX) is available in the United States and European Union as replacement therapy for FXD, but data are scarce on pdFX use in children <12 years.

Aim

This prospective, open‐label phase 3 study assessed the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of pdFX in children <12 years with moderate/severe FXD.

Methods

Subjects aged <12 years with basal plasma FX activity (FX:C) <5 IU/dL received pdFX as prophylactic and on‐demand treatment, with doses adjusted to maintain FX:C > 5 IU/dL. After ≥26 weeks and ≥50 exposure days, investigators rated pdFX efficacy for preventing/decreasing bleeds. Secondary endpoints included number and severity of bleeds, trough FX:C and incremental recovery. Safety parameters were adverse events (AEs), inhibitor development and changes in laboratory parameters.

Results

The study enrolled 9 subjects (0‐5 years, n = 4; 6‐11 years, n = 5) with severe (n = 8) or moderate (n = 1) FXD. At end of study, investigators rated pdFX efficacy excellent for all subjects. Ten bleeds occurred (n = 3 subjects; 6 major, 3 minor, 1 unassessed for severity). Trough FX:C levels remained >5 IU/dL for all subjects after the last dose adjustment study visit. Mean incremental recovery was significantly lower for younger vs older subjects (1.53 vs 1.91 IU/dL per IU/kg; P = .001). All AEs were unrelated to treatment; no inhibitor development or clinically significant changes in laboratory parameters were observed.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate the efficacy and safety of pdFX for treating children <12 years with moderate/severe hereditary FXD.
Co‐designing for quality: Creating a user‐driven tool to improve quality in youth mental health services
Authors: Hackett Christina L. , Mulvale Gillian , Miatello Ashleigh
Published: April 2018

Background

Although high quality mental health care for children and youth is a goal of many health systems, little is known about the dimensions of quality mental health care from users’ perspectives. We engaged young people, caregivers and service providers to share experiences, which shed light on quality dimensions for youth mental health care.

Methods

Using experience‐based co‐design, we collected qualitative data from young people aged 16‐24 with a mental disorder (n = 19), identified caregivers (n = 12) and service providers (n = 14) about their experiences with respect to youth mental health services. Experience data were collected using multiple approaches including interviews, a suite of online and smartphone applications (n = 22), and a co‐design event (n = 16) and analysed to extract touch points. These touch points were used to prioritize and co‐design a user‐driven prototype of a questionnaire to provide feedback to service providers.

Findings

Young people, caregiver and service provider reports of service experiences were used to identify aspects of care quality at eight mental health service contact points: Access to mental health care; Transfer to/from hospital; Intake into hospital; Services provided; Assessment and treatment; Treatment environment; and Caregiver involvement in care. In some cases, low quality care was harmful to users and their caregivers. Young people co‐designed a prototype of a user‐driven feedback questionnaire to improve quality of service experiences that was supported by service providers and caregivers at the co‐design event.

Conclusion

By using EBCD to capture in‐depth data regarding experiences of young people, their caregivers and service providers, study participants have begun to establish a baseline for acceptable quality of mental health care for young people.
Alpha‐1 antitrypsin deficiency panniculitis: clinical and pathologic characteristics of 10 cases
Authors: Johnson Emma F. , Tolkachjov Stanislav N. , Gibson Lawrence E.
Published: April 2018

Background

Alpha‐1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) may be associated with liver and lung disease and rarely causes panniculitis.

Objective

We evaluated the clinicopathologic and laboratory findings of AATD panniculitis in 10 patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of all cases of AATD panniculitis at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, from 1989 to 2016.

Results

Ten patients with AATD panniculitis were included. Seven of ten were women. Clinical lesions were most commonly nodular (100%), erythematous (90%), ulcerated (90%), and painful (90%) subcutaneous nodules and plaques. Extracutaneous associations were rare. PiZZ phenotype was most commonly identified (50%). Histopathologically, lobular panniculitis (80%) with associated septal involvement (60%) and a predominant neutrophilic infiltrate (100%) were most common. Treatments varied; dapsone and alpha‐1 proteinase inhibitor infusions were each used in five (50%) patients, respectively. In patients with greater than 6‐month follow‐up (n = 4), one patient continued to have disease activity despite treatment.

Conclusion

AATD panniculitis should be considered in the differential for a painful, ulcerative panniculitis with a predominantly neutrophilic histopathologic infiltrate. Diagnosis can be made with clinicopathologic correlation and genetic and laboratory evaluations. Serum AAT level and phenotype assists in diagnosing patients with suspected AATD panniculitis.
Enzymatic extraction of fucoxanthin from brown seaweeds
Authors: Shannon Emer , Abu‐Ghannam Nissreen
Published: April 2018

Brown seaweeds contain a number of bioactive compounds. The xanthophyll, fucoxanthin, has in vivo efficacy against disorders such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and cancer. Organic solvents are traditionally employed to extract fucoxanthin, but carry a toxic chemical and environmental burden. The aim of this study was to optimise a fucoxanthin extraction method using enzymes, water, low‐temperature dehydration and mechanical blending, to produce yields comparable to those achieved with an organic solvent (acetone). Response surface methodology was applied, using Fucus vesiculosus as a model species. A fucoxanthin yield of 0.657 mg g−1 (dry mass) was obtained from F. vesiculosus blade using the enzymatic method, equivalent to 94% of the acetone‐extracted yield. Optimum extraction parameters were determined to be enzyme‐to‐water ratio 0.52%, seaweed‐to‐water ratio 5.37% and enzyme incubation time 3.05 h. These findings may be applied to the development of value‐added nutraceutical products from seaweed.
Congenital dysfibrinogenaemia assessed by whole blood thromboelastography
Authors: Wei A. , Liao L. , Xiang L. , Yan J. , Yang W. , Nai G. , Luo M. , Deng D. , Lin F.
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Congenital dysfibrinogenaemia (CD) is a rare hereditary blood disorder, and thromboelastography (TEG) can comprehensively assess the clotting function of patients. However, only few studies have focussed on the application of TEG in CD. We aim to investigate the clinical value of TEG in congenital CD.

Methods

We performed TEG and routine coagulation tests, including plasma prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), functional fibrinogen (Fg) concentration (Clauss method) and Fg concentration (PT‐derived method) tests, in 17 patients with CD (experimental group) and 28 healthy individuals (control group).

Results

In the TEG test, the coagulation time was significantly longer and the angle value was significantly smaller in the experimental group than that in the control group (3.73 ± 1.73 minutes vs 1.99 ± 0.49 minutes; 52.39°±11.6° vs 65.69°±4.43°; P < .05 for both); the coagulation index was significantly decreased in the experimental group when compared to the control group (−0.86 ± 2.85 vs 1.29 ± 1.53) (P < .05), but the maximum amplitude was not significantly different (P > .05). In the coagulation test, compared with the control group, TT was significantly longer (11.59 ± 0.93 minutes vs 32.34 ± 7.1 minutes; P < .05) and the functional Fg concentration was significantly lower (3.17 ± 0.59 g/L vs 0.56 ± 0.18 g/L; P < .05) in the experimental group, whereas there were no differences in APTT, PT and Fg concentrations (P > .05).

Conclusion

TEG is highly accurate for detecting coagulation function in patients with CD, with the thromboelastographic coagulation time and angle reflecting a reduced Fg activity, thereby facilitating diagnosis and differential diagnosis of CD and coagulation status evaluation of patients with CD.
Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Rabbits in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Zhang Xiangqian , Qi Meng , Jing Bo , Yu Fuchang , Wu Yayun , Chang Yankai , Zhao Aiyun , Wei Zilin , Dong Haiju , Zhang Longxian
Published: April 2018

A total of 321 rabbit fecal samples were collected from 10 farms in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in the samples was 3.4% (11/321), 1.9% (6/321), and 2.8% (9/321), respectively. Small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene sequence analysis identified all 11 Cryptosporidium‐positive samples as C. cuniculus. Further subtyping based on the 60‐kDaglycoprotein locus (gp60) identified five of the C. cuniculus isolates as subtype VbA24. G. duodenalis genotypes were determined by multilocus sequence typing of the SSU rRNA, triosephosphate isomerase, β‐giardin and glutamate dehydrogenase loci, which confirmed that six G. duodenalis isolates belonged to subtype BIV of assemblage B. Analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region, showed that five, three, and one E. bieneusi isolates belonged to genotypes J, BEB8, and Type IV, respectively. These results suggest that Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis, and E. bieneusi isolates from rabbits in China have zoonotic potential.
Classification of impact injury of apples using electronic nose coupled with multivariate statistical analyses
Authors: Ren Yamei , Ramaswamy Hosahalli S. , Li Ying , Yuan Chunlong , Ren Xiaolin
Published: April 2018

An electronic nose equipped with a headspace sampling unit was evaluated as a non‐destructive method for determining damage degree. Fuji apples were dropped from different heights (0.2–0.8 m) onto a cement floor inflict damages. E‐nose data was evaluated by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) to distinguish apples based on damage severity. LDA performed better than PCA for classifying the apples. Stepwise Discriminant Analysis (SDA), Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFN), Multilayer Perceptron Neural Networks (MLPN), and Back‐Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) models were employed for pattern recognition. With SDA dataset, the correct classification rate (CCR) was 97.5% for training and 93.8% testing; MLPN resulted in 100%, and RFBN performed better only with more severe damages. The BPNN model had excellent correlation with classification values for damaged apples (R2 > 0.98). Therefore, E‐nose technology with ANN and multivariate statistics is an effective way for classifying damaged apples.
Monetary Policy, Trend Inflation, and Unemployment Volatility
Authors: ALVES SERGIO A. LAGO
Published: May 2018

The literature has long agreed that the DMP model (after Diamond 1982, Mortensen 1982, Pissarides 1985) with search and matching frictions in the labor market can deliver large volatilities in labor market quantities, consistent with empirical data, only if there is at least some wage stickiness. I show, however, that the model can deliver nontrivial volatilities without wage stickiness, as long as it has price dispersion and nonzero long‐run inflation rates. I find that by keeping inflation at a positive rate, monetary policy may be accountable for the large standard deviations observed on labor market variables. In addition, the Shimer (2005) puzzle disappears under monetary policy shocks.
Nerves and blood vessels in degenerated intervertebral discs are confined to physically disrupted tissue
Authors: Lama Polly , Le Maitre Christine L. , Harding Ian J. , Dolan Patricia , Adams Michael A.
Published: April 2018

Nerves and blood vessels are found in the peripheral annulus and endplates of healthy adult intervertebral discs. Degenerative changes can allow these vessels to grow inwards and become associated with discogenic pain, but it is not yet clear how far, and why, they grow in. Previously we have shown that physical disruption of the disc matrix, which is a defining feature of disc degeneration, creates free surfaces which lose proteoglycans and water, and so become physically and chemically conducive to cell migration. We now hypothesise that blood vessels and nerves in degenerated discs are confined to such disrupted tissue. Whole lumbar discs were obtained from 40 patients (aged 37–75 years) undergoing surgery for disc herniation, disc degeneration with spondylolisthesis or adolescent scoliosis (‘non‐degenerated’ controls). Thin (5‐μm) sections were stained with H&E and toluidine blue for semi‐quantitative assessment of blood vessels, fissures and proteoglycan loss. Ten thick (30‐μm) frozen sections from each disc were immunostained for CD31 (an endothelial cell marker), PGP 9.5 and Substance P (general and nociceptive nerve markers, respectively) and examined by confocal microscopy. Volocity image analysis software was used to calculate the cross‐sectional area of each labelled structure, and its distance from the nearest free surface (disc periphery or internal fissure). Results showed that nerves and blood vessels were confined to proteoglycan‐depleted regions of disrupted annulus. The maximum distance of any blood vessel or nerve from the nearest free surface was 888 and 247 μm, respectively. Blood vessels were greater in number, grew deeper, and occupied more area than nerves. The density of labelled blood vessels and nerves increased significantly with Pfirrmann grade of disc degeneration and with local proteoglycan loss. Analysing multiple thick sections with fluorescent markers on a confocal microscope allows reliable detection of thin filamentous structures, even within a dense matrix. We conclude that, in degenerated and herniated discs, blood vessels and nerves are confined to proteoglycan‐depleted regions of disrupted tissue, especially within annulus fissures.
Platelet‐rich plasma on female androgenetic alopecia: Tested on 10 patients
Authors: Starace Michela , Alessandrini Aurora , D'Acunto Carmine , Melandri Davide , Bruni Francesca , Patrizi Annalisa , Piraccini Bianca Maria
Published: April 2018

Background

Recently, platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) injection has been proposed as a potential adjuvant therapy to treat androgenetic alopecia.

Aims

Investigate the efficacy, tolerability, and clinical improvement of PRP for the treatment of female AGA.

Patients/Methods

A total of 10 female patients affected by AGA and not responding to treatment with minoxidil and/or oral antiandrogens were enrolled. The clinical improvement was evaluated by pull test, global photographs, and Trichoscan at weeks 9, 12, and 24, and hair measurements were performed at baseline and 12 and 24 weeks after the first session.

Results

After 24 weeks, the median relative percentage change (%RC) for all the parameters of hair density was mostly positive. After 12 weeks, the medium hair diameter in frontal area showed a significant increase (%RD = 12.5, with P‐value < .05), and after 24 weeks (%RD = 14.6, P‐value < .05), the vellus relative change instead showed a decrease, especially in the front and the central area, while for the vertex, the decrease was mainly visible at the end (−6.6%). No adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

Platelet‐rich plasma injections have a positive therapeutic effect on hair density and hair diameter improvement.
Evidence‐based treatment for gynoid lipodystrophy: A review of the recent literature
Authors: Pérez Atamoros Francisco M. , Alcalá Pérez Daniel , Asz Sigall Daniel , Ávila Romay Alfonsina A. , Barba Gastelum José A. , de la Peña Salcedo José A. , Escalante Salgado Pablo E. , Gallardo Palacios Guillermo J. , Guerrero‐Gonzalez Guillermo A. , Morales De la Cerda Rodrigo , Ponce Olivera Rosa María , Rossano Soriano Fabiola , Solís Tinoco Eduardo , Welsh Hernández Esperanza C.
Published: April 2018

Gynoid lipodystrophy (GLD) is a structural, inflammatory, and biochemical disorder of the subcutaneous tissue causing alterations in the topography of the skin. Commonly known as “cellulite,”GLDaffects up to 90% of women, practically in all stages of the life cycle, beginning in puberty. It is a clinical condition that considerably affects the patients’ quality of life. It is a frequent reason for consultation, although the patients resort to empirical, improvised, nonevidence‐based treatments which discourage and can be a source of frustration not only because of the lack of results but also due to the complications derived from those treatments. In this article, a panel of experts from different specialties involved in the management of this clinical skin disorder presents the results of a systematic literature search and of the consensus discussion of the evidence obtained from different treatments currently available. The analysis was divided into topical, systemic, noninvasive, and minimally invasive treatments.
Clinical outcomes of atherectomy prior to percutaneous coronary intervention: A comparison of outcomes following rotational versus orbital atherectomy (COAP‐PCI study)
Authors: Meraj Perwaiz M. , Shlofmitz Evan , Kaplan Barry , Jauhar Rajiv , Doshi Rajkumar
Published: April 2018

Background

Because of the challenges in treating calcified coronary artery disease (CAD), lesion preparation has become increasingly important prior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Despite growing data for both rotational atherectomy (RA) and orbital atherectomy (OA), there have been no multicenter studies comparing the safety and efficacy of both. We sought to examine the clinical outcomes of patients with calcified CAD who underwent atherectomy.

Methods

A total of 39 870 patients from five tertiary care hospitals who had PCI from January 2011 to January 2017 were identified. 907 patients who had RA or OA were included. This multicenter, prospectively collected observational analysis compared OA and RA. The primary end‐point was myocardial infarction and safety outcomes including significant dissection, perforation, cardiac tamponade, and vascular complications. Propensity score matching (1:1) was performed to reduce selection bias.

Results

After matching, 546 patients were included in the final analysis. The primary endpoint, myocardial infarction occurred less frequently with OA compared to RA (6.7% vs 13.8%, P ≤ 0.01) in propensity score matched cohorts. Procedural safety outcomes were comparable between the groups. The secondary outcome of death on discharge occurred less in the OA group as compared with RA (0% vs 2.2%, P = 0.01). Fluoroscopy time was less in patients who were treated with OA (21.9 vs 25.6 min, P ≤ 0.01). Additional secondary outcomes were comparable between groups.

Conclusion

In this non‐randomized, multicenter comparison of contemporary atherectomy devices, OA was associated with significantly decreased in‐hospital myocardial infarction and mortality after propensity score matching with decreased fluoroscopy time.
Anti-arthritic properties of crude extract from Chenopodium ambrosioides L. leaves
Authors: Pereira Wanderson S , da Silva Girlaine P , Vigliano Mariana V , Leal Nathalia R F , Pinto Fabiana A , Fernandes Daniele C , Santos Shirley V M , Martino Thiago , Nascimento Johnny R , de Azevedo Ana Paula S , Fonseca Eduardo N , Velozo Leosvaldo S M , Souza Neto Lauro R , Bastos Frederico F , Portari Elyzabeth A , Sabino Kátia C Carvalho , Nascimento Flávia , Coelho Marsen G P
Published: April 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic crude extract (HCE) from Chenopodium ambrosioides leaves on the development of type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and on pro-inflammatory cytokine balance.

Methods

Collagen-induced arthritis was induced in DBA1/J mice. On the 21st day, the mice were treated orally with HCE or methotrexate, daily. Six weeks after beginning the treatment, the following measures were determined: lymphoid organs cell numbers, percentage of blood cells, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-17 serum concentrations, activity of hepatic and kidney glutathione S-transferase, hepatic 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity, bone density and histopathology.

Key findings

Treatment of CIA mice with HCE 5 mg/kg (HCE5) reduced the percentage of neutrophils and macrophages and the number of bone marrow cells and increased the lymphocyte numbers and the inguinal lymph node cellularity. This treatment inhibited the serum concentration of IL-6 and TNF-α, which may be related to the preservation of bone density and to the slight thickening of periarticular tissues, with minimal fibrosis and fibroblast proliferation in the joints. The CIA group presented advanced articular erosion and synovial hyperplasia. Phytochemical analysis showed mainly flavonols.

Conclusions

HCE5 presented anti-arthritic potential and reduced IL-6 and TNF-α, which participate directly in the development and maintenance of the inflammatory process in rheumatoid arthritis.
Dietary concentrate level affects the feed sorting behaviour of lambs
Authors: Sari M. , Monjezi Y. , Anoosheh S. F.
Published: April 2018

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of forage concentration on sorting, nutrient intake and feeding behaviour of growing lambs. Twelve weaned lambs were exposed, in a crossover design with 7‐day periods, to each of two treatment diets: (i) lower‐concentrate diet (LC; 40.0% concentrate) and (ii) a higher‐concentrate diet (HC; 60.0% concentrate). Alfalfa hay was used as forage source. Sorting was determined by subjecting fresh feed and ort samples to particle separation and expressing the actual intake of each particle fraction as a percentage of the predicted intake of that fraction. Lambs sorted against long particles (>19 mm) on both treatments. On the LC diet, lambs sorted for medium particles, whereas animals fed the HC diet did not sort for or against medium particles. Lambs sorted for fine particles (<1.18 mm) on both treatments (p < .05). The extent of sorting for the fine particles was greater on the LC diet compared with the HC diet (p < .05). Dry matter intake was increased by increasing the concentrate content of the diet. Intake per visit and eating rate increased, and total chewing time was decreased in lambs fed HC diet. In conclusion, lambs sorted most against the longest particles and for the fine particles. Furthermore, feed sorting behaviour is affected by the forage level, and lambs sorted more for the fine particles in the LC diet.