bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient satisfaction in out-of-hospital emergency care: a multicentre survey
Authors: Neumayr Agnes , Gnirke André , Schaeuble Joerg C. , Ganter Michael T. , Sparr Harald , Zoll Adolf , Schinnerl Adolf , Nuebling Matthias , Heidegger Thomas , Baubin Michael
Published: March 2015

Background

There is only limited information on patient satisfaction with emergency medical services (EMS). The aim of this multicentre survey was to evaluate patient satisfaction in five out-of-hospital physician-based EMS in Austria and Switzerland.

Methods

The psychometrically tested and standardized questionnaire ‘patient satisfaction in out-of-hospital emergency care’ was used for this survey. The recruitment of the patients was carried out on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. All questionnaires were sent together with an invitation letter and a prepaid return envelope, followed by a reminder 2 weeks later. The descriptive statistical analysis was carried out by an external organization to maintain anonymity.

Results

The response rate of all EMS was 46.7%. High satisfaction rates were achieved for the four quality scales ‘emergency call, emergency treatment, transport and hospital admission’. A significant difference was found between the Swiss and the Austrian dispatch centres in the judgement of the call takers’ social skills. Patient satisfaction with the emergency treatment, for example, reduction of pain, was high in all EMS, independent of whether the EMS is physician (Austria) or physician and emergency medical assistant based (Switzerland). Lowest satisfaction rates were found for items of social skills.

Conclusion

Patient satisfaction in out-of-hospital physician-based EMS is generally high. There is room for improvement in areas such as the social skills of dispatchers and EMS-team members and the comfort of the patients during transport. A checklist should be developed for basic articles that patients should take along to hospital and for questions on responsibilities for children, dependent people or pets.
Paracoccus sanguinis sp. nov., isolated from clinical specimens of New York State patients
Authors: McGinnis Jana M. , Cole Jocelyn A. , Dickinson Michelle C. , Mingle Lisa A. , Lapierre Pascal , Musser Kimberlee A. , Wolfgang William J.
Published: March 2015

Eight independent isolates of a Gram-reaction-negative, non-motile rod, were recovered from clinical specimens of New York State patients between the years 2005 and 2013. Four of these isolates were characterized in a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach that involved phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic methodologies. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and phylogenetic analysis, the closest relative type strain of the isolates is Paracoccus sphaerophysae HAMBI 3106T (97.7  % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Among the four isolates, the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity is 100  %. In silico genomic comparisons, including average nucleotide identity (ANI) and the genome-to-genome distance calculator (GGDC), were used as an alternative to DNA–DNA hybridization in this study to support designation of the four isolates as a novel species of the genus Paracoccus. Mass spectrometry profiles were also obtained for the novel isolates using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The predominant cellular fatty acids of the novel isolates were C18 : 1ω7c and C18 : 0. Biochemical analysis and morphological characteristics further contribute to designation of the four isolates as a novel species of the genus Paracoccus, for which the name Paracoccus sanguinis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 05503T( = DSM 29303T = LMG 28451T).
Crystal structure ofcatena-poly[[diaquacadmium(II)]-μ-3,3′-(1,3-phenylene)diacrylato]
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Ping , Chen Xin , Huang Kun-Lin
Published: March 2015

In the crystal of the title polymeric complex, [Cd(C12H8O4)(H2O)2]n, the CdIIcation, located on a twofold rotation axis, is coordinated by two water molecules and chelated by two phenylenediacrylate anions (mpda) in a distorted octahedral geometry. The mpda anions bridge the CdIIcations, forming helical chains propagating along thec-axis direction. The mpba anion has twofold symmetry with two benzene C atoms located on the twofold rotation axis. In the crystal, O—H...O hydrogen bonds link the polymeric helical chains into a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture.
Innovation in China’s information and communications technology industry
Authors: Li Mingzhi , Reimers Kai
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to identify the sources of innovation in the current business environment of China. With the set target of transforming China into an innovative society by 2020, the Chinese government has taken dramatic measures to foster the nation’s innovation capability. Whether this Chinese model of promoting innovation has been successful and can be sustainable are controversial issues which need to be analyzed from an academic perspective. In recent years, there have been successful cases of innovation driven by grassroots entrepreneurs, especially in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. Therefore, it is time to analyze their success factors from the perspectives of both corporate strategy and government policy.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology used in this research is a comparative case analysis, and several high-profile cases in China’s ICT industry have been selected for this comparative study. Information used in the analysis comes from publicly available sources such as business school case studies and industry and news media reports. The authors have been following the evolution of China’s ICT industry for more than a decade; insights from their prior research and knowledge gained through industry contacts are also used in the analysis.

Findings

– Generally speaking, the types of innovation in China’s ICT industry can be categorized into a top-down or a bottom-up approach. For the top-down approach of innovation driven by the government, the authors analyzed the case of the Chinese government’s effort to build an industry value chain through fostering the Chinese indigenous third-generation mobile communications standard time division–synchronous code division multiple access. In comparison, the authors use several success cases, including the ecosystem built around the highly successful XiaoMi mobile phone and Tencent’s mobile portal WeChat, as it showcases of the bottom-up approach of innovation driven by grassroots entrepreneurship. The comparison of these two approaches suggests that massive government-sponsored projects are unlikely to generate genuine innovation in the highly competitive and dynamic ICT sector. The government’s role should be to foster entrepreneurship and to create a fair business environment.

Originality/value

– This research uses the method of comparative case studies to identify the source of innovation in a highly dynamic and uncertain business environment. Findings of this study shed light on the government policy toward innovation in the ICT industry and on the business firms’ strategy on innovation.
Impacts of informal networks on innovation performance: evidence in Shanghai
Authors: Ng Daniel C W , Law Kris
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to present an empirical study on how informal networks affect innovation performance of firms in Shanghai. This study is a preliminary attempt to understand the effect of informal networks on innovation performance. Shanghai is selected as the region for data acquisition due to a prominent economic role in China. It is specifically to answer the research question regarding the impact of Chinese informal social network on innovation performance (in Shanghai).

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper attempts to explore the quantitative effect of informal networks on innovation performance in regard to group behavioural characteristics among executives in China.

Findings

– A total of 1,000 executives were invited, and there were 315 valid samples returned. Significant correlations are noted in key network variables against innovation performance. The results and findings generally support the hypotheses that “Education”, “Business Referral” and “Experience” are three core constructs exerting substantial influence in innovation performance. However, it is interesting to note that the connectivity and size of informal networks do not matter. Informal networks show no significant influence on innovation performance.

Practical implications

– This indicates stereotypes in Shanghai social business networks prioritizing on highly educated acquaintances, referral activities and working experiences.

Originality/value

– This study explores uncovered territory in organization innovation regarding the infiltration of informal networks, particularly in Chinese communities. Though the research context is Shanghai, the effect of informal networks on innovation performance can be extrapolated to other Chinese societies, such as Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Organizational efficacy, job satisfaction and well-being
Authors: Capone Vincenza , Petrillo Giovanna
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the structure, reliability, construct validity, and group invariance of the Italian version of the Bohn Organizational Efficacy Scale (OES), a self-report questionnaire for organizational efficacy assessment in the business context.

Design/methodology/approach

– The first study included Italian employees of a pasta factory (n=120) to test divergent, convergent, and discriminant validity of the OES with existing instruments. The second study combined three hospital (n=180 Italian health workers) to confirm the structure of the scale.

Findings

– Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the three-factor solution (collaboration, sense of mission and future, and sense of resilience), and that the structure of the scale was the same across employees of hospital and pasta factory. Results revealed a high internal reliability. The OES correlated positively with corresponding aspects of organizational functioning, well-being, and job satisfaction. The scale did not correlate with measures of general self-efficacy and personal empowerment. Levels of job satisfaction and well-being resulted higher among people with moderate/high organizational efficacy than among adults with low organizational efficacy.

Research limitations/implications

– Because of the chosen research approach could lead to common method variance issues: it will be important to determine the associations of OES with non-self-report assessments of the same construct.

Practical implications

– The OES can be applied optimally in the empirical study of factors influencing organizational setting and used in training aiming at strengthening employees’ collective skills.

Originality/value

– The OES is a valid instrument to measure organizational efficacy. Findings highlighted a strong relationship between collective efficacy, job satisfaction and well-being.
Older workers: some critical societal and organizational challenges
Authors: Vasconcelos Anselmo Ferreira
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine some societal contemporary challenges that encompass both older workers and organizations likewise. Rather, it focusses especially on those ones related to ageist mindset, myths and misinformation about that cohort of workers.

Design/methodology/approach

– It draws on a literature review by first approaching the problem of ageism, given that it is a social phenomenon that, to a large extent, impairs mature workers by putting them aside, as well as disdains the value of their experience and knowledge. Second, it offers some counterarguments against such mindset by discussing positive aspects related to older workers in order to clarify the widespread myths and misinformation about them. Third, it depicts a conceptual framework composed of some challenging issues toward improving the workplaces for older workers.

Findings

– It reassures that the broader challenges of dignifying older workers may be better addressed through initiatives such as acknowledgment and sensitivity; diversity; learning and development; legislation; wise leadership and HR policies; change; motivation; accommodation of different generations; and ethical and moral principles.

Practical implications

– The majority of organizations have nowadays to handle with an aging workforce and, at the same time, keep their competitiveness. This scenario requires pertinent interventions and approaches in order to meet mature workers’ needs.

Social implications

– It argues that age discrimination can be regarded as a bizarre human creation that requires the involvement of all sectors of society so as to get rid of it. As a result, the first decades of twenty-first century likely will place the additional challenge (perhaps it may be regarded as an opportunity) for building more humanized and spiritual workplaces. Further, it is very clear that an ageist behavior does not fit in such a view.

Originality/value

– This paper examined some of the greatest problems related to aging workforce worldwide. In this sense, by reviewing the pertinent literature was possible to identify some challenges, integrate them into a conceptual frame and address their implications for organizations.
Positive social identity expectations as a moderator of interpersonal justice perceptions
Authors: Conner Deondra
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine positive social identity expectations as a potential moderator of interpersonal justice perceptions with work-related stress, leader evaluation, and worker satisfaction as outcomes of interest.

Design/methodology/approach

– A set of propositions and several diagrams are proposed and discussed relative to the interaction of social identity expectations and interpersonal justice perceptions.

Findings

– It is argued that individuals with higher levels of positive social identity expectations will respond more strongly to perceived interpersonal justice, resulting in lower perceived stress, more positive leader evaluation, and higher worker satisfaction.

Originality/value

– Examining the interaction of positive social identity expectations and interpersonal justice is of value to both academicians and practitioners for future study and for creating a work community that allows for better management of workers.
Learner-instructor similarity: a social attribution approach to learning
Authors: Varela Otmar E , Cater III John J , Michel Norbert
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to test a model in which instructor’s attributes (i.e. personality, age) are specified as social stimuli. Drawing on a constructivist view of learning (Palincsar, 1998) and similarity-attraction paradigm (Byrne, 1971), the authors hypothesize that instructor’s attributes influence learners’ reactions and dictate key attributions for learning: instructor’s competence and goodwill. The authors place these attributions as antecedents of learning results.

Design/methodology/approach

– In a quasi-experimental design, undergraduate business students (n=133) participated in a training program of managerial skills over a three-week period. Regression and path analyses were utilized in testing the hypothesized model.

Findings

– Results provide partial support to the hypothesized model and suggest that learning is a social event wherein learners’ attributions play a key role. Results also indicate that learner-instructor similarity in personality is an important antecedent of learners’ social reactions. The authors discuss how instructor’s attributes become social stimuli.

Practical implications

– The authors address why the instructor’s personality might be more consequential for learning than his/her demographic attributes. Also, the authors discuss why the manipulation of learners’ attributions might be considered an appropriate pedagogical strategy.

Originality/value

– Scholars primarily considered learners’ traits (e.g. IQ) and educational practices (e.g. teaching style) in explaining learning results. This emphasis has neglected analysis of the social role of instructors. This study contributes by examining how instructors induce social reactions on learners with significant repercussions for learning.
Coaching relationship in executive coaching: a Malaysian study
Authors: Gan Geok Chew , Chong Chin Wei
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– In order to bridge the gap and provide organizations with practical assistance in dealing with the effectiveness of executive coaching. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between coaching relationship which constitutes of rapport, trust, commitment and match with coaching effectiveness in Malaysia using a quantitative research method.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on the extensive review of the current literature, rapport, trust, commitment and coach-coachee match with coaching effectiveness are investigated through questionnaire. Objective-driven model which focuses on the extent to which coaching objectives have been met, is used to measure the effectiveness of executive coaching.

Findings

– The main results of the multiple regressions demonstrate that both rapport and commitment significantly influence coaching effectiveness. These findings provide a basis for developing a quality relationship to advance the executive coaching and HRM research literature.

Practical implications

– The practical implication of this study could be useful for HCM managers, who want to enhance leadership capabilities through executive coaching engagement that support their organizations performance.

Originality/value

– This Malaysian study will build upon the existing knowledge by investigating the factors contributing to quality coaching relationship from the coachee’s viewpoint.
Influences on assertiveness: gender, national culture, and ethnicity
Authors: Parham James B. , Lewis Carmen C. , Fretwell Cherie E. , Irwin John G. , Schrimsher Martie R.
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to assertiveness research and assess the differences in assertiveness as it relates to gender, national culture, and ethnicity.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data for the study are from 231 undergraduate students majoring in business at one of four academic institutions: three in the USA and one in the Republic of Vietnam. Students completed the 30-item Rathus Assertiveness Schedule.

Findings

– This research suggests that individuals who are alike in level of education and status demonstrate similar levels of assertiveness, regardless of gender, national culture, or ethnicity. However, differences were seen as the data show white American males to be the most assertive, with African American females next. White females ranked third, followed by Vietnamese females, concluding with Vietnamese males.

Research limitations/implications

– Although the sample size is small, the intent of this research was never to have the subjects represent the general population in terms of the variables used. Instead, the authors attempted to control for gender, culture, and ethnicity variables by using a sample of college students who were similar in relation to education and social status. Future research could more fully research the findings from this study which suggest that African American women are more assertive than all other groups with the exception of white males.

Originality/value

– This study also gives credence to the suggestion that the global manager, in order to become more effective, needs to fully understand employee differences as represented by gender, national culture, and ethnicity.
Eliminating 3D pre‐stack migration artefacts by 6D filtering
Authors: Masjukov Andrey , Shlyonkin Vladimir
Published: March 2015

State‐of‐the‐art 3D seismic acquisition geometries have poor sampling along at least one dimension. This results in coherent migration noise that always contaminates pre‐stack migrated data, including high‐fold surveys, if prior‐to‐migration interpolation was not applied. We present a method for effective noise suppression in migrated gathers, competing with data interpolation before pre‐stack migration. The proposed technique is based on a dip decomposition of common‐offset volumes and a semblance‐type measure computation via offset for all constant‐dip gathers. Thus the processing engages six dimensions: offset, inline, crossline, depth, inline dip, and crossline dip. To reduce computational costs, we apply a two‐pass (4D in each pass) noise suppression: inline processing and then crossline processing (or vice versa). Synthetic and real‐data examples verify that the technique preserves signal amplitudes, including amplitude‐versus‐offset dependence, and that faults are not smeared.
Therapeutic potential of umbilical cord blood cells for type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: He Binbin , Li Xia , Yu Haibo , Zhou Zhiguang
Published: March 2015

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic disorder that results from autoimmune‐mediated destruction of pancreatic islet β‐cells. However, to date, no conventional intervention has successfully treated the disease. The optimal therapeutic method for T1DM should effectively control the autoimmunity, restore immune homeostasis, preserve residual β‐cells, reverse β‐cell destruction, and protect the regenerated insulin‐producing cells against re‐attack. Umbilical cord blood is rich in regulatory T (Treg) cells and multiple types of stem cells that exhibit immunomodulating potential and hold promise in their ability to restore peripheral tolerance towards pancreatic islet β‐cells through remodeling of immune responses and suppression of autoreactive T cells. Recently, reinfusion of autologous umbilical cord blood or immune cells from cord blood has been proposed as a novel therapy for T1DM, with the advantages of no risk to the donors, minimal ethical concerns, a low incidence of graft‐versus‐host disease and easy accessibility. In this review, we revisit the role of autologous umbilical cord blood or immune cells from cord blood‐based applications for the treatment of T1DM.
Differential promoter activity by nucleotide substitution at a type 2 diabetes genome‐wide association study signal upstream of the wolframin gene
Authors: Ryu Jihye , Lee Chaeyoung
Published: March 2015

Background

Functional knowledge of most genetic variants identified from genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) for type 2 diabetes (T2D) is limited. A recent T2D GWAS revealed an association signal (rs4689388) upstream of the gene encoding Wolfram syndrome 1 (WFS1) whose intrinsic nucleotide variants had been previously associated with T2D in several candidate gene analyses. The aim of the present study was to identify functional variants of the GWAS signal.

Methods

Promoter activity of luciferase reporter constructs was compared with haplotypes including variants composing a linkage disequilibrium block in the vicinity of rs4689388 in HEK293 and HepG2 cells.

Results

Promoter activity was highest with the most frequent haplotype (H1; ATCGT) and lowest with second most frequent haplotype (H2; GATCG), whose nucleotide alleles were all complementary to those of H1. Further analysis with artificial haplotypes revealed differential transcriptional activity by nucleotide substitution of rs4320200, rs13107806, or rs13127445 (P < 0.05). This concurred with changes in predicted transcription factor binding site by their allele substitutions.

Conclusions

The previously reported GWAS signal for T2D may be identified by the differential promoter activity of rs4320200, rs13107806, and rs13127445 in the promoter of WFS1 by nucleotide substitution.
Role of acetylcholinesterase in lung cancer
Authors: Xi Hui‐Jun , Wu Ren‐Pei , Liu Jing‐Jing , Zhang Ling‐Juan , Li Zhao‐Shen
Published: March 2015

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) plays a key role in catalytic hydrolysis of cholinergic neurotransmitters. Intensive research has proven the involvement of this protein in novel functions, such as cell adhesion, differentiation, and proliferation. In addition, several recent studies have indicated that acetylcholinesterase is potentially a marker and regulator of apoptosis. Importantly,AChEis also a promising tumor suppressor. In this review, we briefly summarize the involvement ofAChEin apoptosis and cancer, focusing on the role ofAChEin lung cancer, as well as the therapeutic consideration ofAChEfor cancer therapy.
Metabolic syndrome and the risk of Barrett's oesophagus in white males
Authors: Thrift A. P. , Hilal J. , El‐Serag H. B.
Published: March 2015

Background

Few studies have examined the association between metabolic syndrome and Barrett's oesophagus (BO). Whether metabolic syndrome confers a risk greater than the sum of its components is unknown.

Aim

To investigate associations between metabolic syndrome, its components and BO in white males.

Methods

We conducted a case–control study among eligible symptomatic patients scheduled for elective oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and a sample of patients eligible for screening colonoscopy recruited at primary care clinics. Metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of at least three of: high waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR), hypertriglyceridaemia, low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertension or diabetes. We used multivariate logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results

There were 244 BO cases, 209 colonoscopy and 615 endoscopy controls. Comparing BO cases with all controls, metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with BO (OR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.05–2.40) and there was a dose effect with increasing number of metabolic syndrome components (Ptrend <0.001); when all five components were present, the OR was 2.61 (95% CI 1.14–5.99). We found that among the components, high WHR, hypertension and hypertriglyceridaemia were associated with increased risk of BO. When we compared cases with the control groups separately, metabolic syndrome was associated with BO for comparisons with endoscopy controls (OR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.10–2.55) but not colonoscopy controls (OR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.49–1.54). Associations with individual components also depended on the comparison group.

Conclusions

Metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased risk of Barrett's oesophagus in men undergoing endoscopy. Metabolic syndrome may confer additional risk of Barrett's oesophagus separate from obesity.
The role of technology‐based scaffolding in problem‐based online asynchronous discussion
Authors: Ak Şerife
Published: March 2015

This study examined the effects of technology‐based scaffolds that were composed through the use of the seven‐stage, problem‐based learning strategy on knowledge construction in a problem‐based online asynchronous discussion. In a quasi‐experimental setting, 60 students in an undergraduate Instructional Technology and Material Design course were assigned to one of three groups. In one group, students posted messages using a prescribed set of message categories. Using the same message categories, another group completed their messages using suggested sentence openers. A control group received none of the above mentioned scaffolds. Using a multi‐method approach (content analysis, measurement of learning performance), the research results showed that technology‐based scaffolding in a problem‐based online asynchronous discussion improves students' task orientation and leads to more task‐related learning activity. Furthermore, using both message labels and sentence openers, which were composed through the use of the seven‐stage problem‐based learning process theoretical framework, offers an effective strategy for encouraging more elaboration and higher cognitive discourse.
Effective suppression of pro‐inflammatory molecules by DHCA via IKK‐NF‐κB pathway, in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Lee Junghun , Choi Jinyong , Kim Sunyoung
Published: March 2015

Background and Purpose

Dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (DHCA), a lignan compound isolated from Cucurbita moschata, has previously been shown to contain anti‐adipogenic and antilipogenic effects on 3T3‐L1 cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts. As some of phytochemicals derived from natural plants show anti‐inflammatory or antioxidative activities, we determined whether DHCA affects the production of pro‐inflammatory mediators and also investigated its underlying mechanisms.

Experimental Approach

Raw264.7, a murine macrophage cell line, and primary murine macrophages derived from bone marrow cells were treated with LPS in the presence of DHCA. Furthermore, cells were treated with LPS and palmitate in the presence of DHCA to examine its effect on inflammasomes. The production of various pro‐inflammatory mediators was examined and the underlying mechanisms investigated using a variety of molecular biological techniques. To test whether DHCA exhibits anti‐inflammatory effects in vivo, mouse dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)‐induced colitis model was used.

Key Results

DHCA reduced the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐1β and CCL2) and mediators (iNOS, COX‐2 and ROS) by down‐regulating the activity of I‐κB kinase and, subsequently, the DNA binding activity of NF‐κB. Moreover, DHCA effectively suppressed the palmitate‐mediated activation of inflammasomes, which resulted in decreased production of IL‐1β. DHCA also showed therapeutic effects in the mouse DSS‐induced colitis model by suppressing the production of TNF‐α and IL‐1β and thus preventing weight loss and colon shrinkage.

Conclusions and Implications

Our data suggest that DHCA is a novel phytochemical that by regulating key molecules involved in inflammation and oxidative stress might exert a broad range of anti‐inflammatory activities.
Activation of NALP1 inflammasomes in rats with adjuvant arthritis; a novel therapeutic target of carboxyamidotriazole in a model of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Zhu Lei , Li Juan , Guo Lei , Yu Xiaoli , Wu Danwei , Luo Lifeng , Zhu Lingzhi , Chen Wei , Chen Chen , Ye Caiying , Zhang Dechang
Published: March 2015

Background and Purpose

Pro‐inflammatory cytokines are important in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their production is mainly regulated by NF‐κB and inflammasomes. Carboxyamidotriazole (CAI) exhibits potent anti‐inflammatory activities by decreasing cytokines. Here, we have investigated NACHT, LRR and PYD domains‐containing protein (NALP) inflammasomes in a rat model of RA and explored the therapeutic effects of CAI in this model and the involvement of NF‐κB and inflammasomes in the actions of CAI.

Experimental Approach

The anti‐arthritic effects of CAI were assessed in the adjuvant arthritis (AA) model in rats, using radiological and histological techniques. NALP1 and NALP3 inflammasomes, NF‐κB pathway and pro‐inflammatory cytokines levels were measured with Western blots, immunohistochemistry and ELISA.

Key Results

CAI decreased the arthritis index, improved radiological and histological changes, and reduced synovial IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐18 and TNF‐α levels in rats with AA. Compared with normal rats, the 70 kDa NALP1 isoform was up‐regulated, NALP3 was down‐regulated, and levels of the 165 kDa NALP1 isoform and the adaptor protein ASC were unchanged in synovial tissue from AA rats. CAI reduced the 70 kDa NALP1 isoform and restored NALP3 levels in AA rats; CAI inhibited caspase‐1 activation in AA synovial tissue, but not its enzymic activity in vitro. In addition, CAI reduced expression of p65 NF‐κB subunit and IκBα phosphorylation and degradation in AA rats.

Conclusion and Implications

NALP1 inflammasomes were activated in synovial tissues from AA rats and appeared to be a novel therapeutic target for RA. CAI could have therapeutic value in RA by inhibiting activation of NF‐κB and NALP1 inflammasomes and by decreasing pro‐inflammatory cytokines.
Protective effect of molecular hydrogen against oxidative stress caused by peroxynitrite derived from nitric oxide in rat retina
Authors: Yokota Takashi , Kamimura Naomi , Igarashi Tsutomu , Takahashi Hiroshi , Ohta Shigeo , Oharazawa Hideaki
Published: March 2015

Background

Oxidative and nitrative processes have an important role in the pathogenesis of glaucomatous neurodegeneration. Oxidative stress occurs when cellular production of reactive oxygen species outweighs the protective capacity of antioxidant defences. Reactive oxygen species are generated as by‐products of cellular metabolism, primarily in the mitochondria. Herein, we present a novel investigation of the effects of molecular hydrogen (H2) on retinal cells exposed to oxidative stress.

Methods

We cultured adult rat retinal tissues in an organotypic culture system with a nitric oxide donor, S‐nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine, in the presence or absence of H2. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis of retinal cells were analysed using a MitoTMRE detection kit and TdT‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, respectively. Tyrosine nitration levels and oxidative stress damage in the retina were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining. Retinal damage was quantified by measuring the numbers of cells in the ganglion cell and inner nuclear layers and the thickness of the retina.

Results

H2 suppressed loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis in retinal cells. Moreover, H2 decreased the tyrosine nitration level and suppressed oxidative stress damage in retinal cells. S‐nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine treatment decreased the cell numbers in the ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer, but the presence of H2 inhibited this reduction. These findings suggest that H2 has a neuroprotective effect against retinal cell oxidative damage, presumably by scavenging peroxynitrite.

Conclusions

H2 reduces cellular peroxynitrite, a highly toxic reactive nitrogen species. Thus, H2 may be an effective and novel clinical tool for treating glaucoma and other oxidative stress‐related diseases.
Promoting quality parent–child visits: the power of the parent–foster parent relationship
Authors: Nesmith Ande , Patton Ruth , Christophersen Kaitlin , Smart Claire
Published: March 2015

Parent–child visits for children in foster care are often fraught with tension, particularly between foster parents and parents. Qualitative interviews with 42 social workers, foster parents and parents revealed more positive relations when foster parents recognized parent fears and shared power over parenting decisions with them. Social workers can support the process by clarifying visiting expectations and encouraging foster parents to reach out to parents.
A Retrospective Clinical Study with Regard to Survival and Success Rates of Zirconia Implants up to and after 7 Years of Loading
Authors: Roehling Stefan , Woelfler Henriette , Hicklin Stefan , Kniha Heinz , Gahlert Michael
Published: March 2015

Purpose

The study aims to retrospectively investigate the clinical performance of first‐generation zirconia implants with a sandblasted surface up to and after 7 years of loading.

Materials and Methods

Clinical records of patients treated with zirconia implants between 2004 and 2009 were screened. Consequently, adequate patients were invited to a clinical and radiographic investigation to classify each implant according to strict success criteria.

Results

Seventy‐one patients receiving 161 implants were available for the evaluation. Overall, 36 implants (22.4%) were lost due to early (n = 14) and late failures (n = 4) or fractures (n = 18). All surviving 125 implants fulfilled the success criteria. None of the investigated implants had a history of peri‐implant infections. Mean values with regard to gingival index, plaque index, modified sulcus bleeding index, and probing depth were 0.03, 0.23, 0.59, and 2.80 mm, respectively. The radiographically evaluated mean crestal bone loss was 0.97 ± 0.07 mm. Diameter‐reduced implants (3.25 mm) showed lower survival (58.5%) compared with implants with a diameter of 4.0 mm (88.9%) and 5.0 mm (78.6%). The overall longitudinal survival rate was 77.3%.

Conclusions

First‐generation zirconia implants showed low overall survival and success rates. The evaluated clinical and radiographic parameters were consistent with healthy peri‐implant tissues. Additionally, nonfractured failures were not associated with peri‐implant infections.
Analyzing the Influence of a New Dental Implant Design on Primary Stability
Authors: da Costa Valente Mariana Lima , de Castro Denise Tornavoi , Shimano Antonio Carlos , Lepri César Penazzo , dos Reis Andréa Cândido
Published: March 2015

Background

The macrogeometry of dental implants strongly influences the primary stability and hence the osseointegration process.

Purpose

Compare the performance of conventional and modified implant models in terms of primary stability.

Materials and Methods

A total of 36 implants (Neodent®) with two different formats (n = 18): Alvim CM (Conical CM, Ø 4.3 mm × 10 mm in length) and Titamax Ti (Cylindrical HE, Ø 4.0 mm × 11 mm in length) were inserted into artificial bone blocks. Nine implants from each set were selected to undergo external geometry changes. The primary stability was quantified by insertion torque and resonance frequency using an Osstell device and the pullout test. One‐way analysis of variance and Tukey's test were used for statistical evaluation.

Results

The comparative analysis of the implants showed a significant increase of the insertion torque for the modified Conical CM implants (p = 0.000) and Cylindrical HE (p = 0.043); for the resonance frequency the modified Cylindrical HE showed a lower statistical mean (p = 0.002) when compared to the conventional model, and in the pullout test both modified implants showed significant reduction (p = 0.000).

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this study, the proposed modification showed good stability levels and advantages when compared to the conventional implants.
Talking Deeper about Cultural Difference: A Digital Interactive from Melbourne
Authors: Henry David
Published: March 2015

The Talking Difference Portable Studio from the Immigration Museum in Melbourne, Australia provides a unique example of an installation that facilitates intercultural dialogue beyond the walls of the museum. The Studio is a custom‐designed digital interactive that tours public libraries, schools, and community centers, encouraging participants to engage with one another's ideas about racism and cultural diversity by creating and responding to video questions. This essay applies a theoretical framework informed by dialogic theory and contemporary intercultural and museum studies to examine digital content produced in the Studio. The analysis indicates that there is a high degree of thematic consistency in content produced across a diverse range of touring locations. While responses vary in the extent to which they demonstrate critical engagement, the project affords participants a sense of ownership over their representations, and their responses generally support a broadly conceived openness to cultural difference. On this basis, the project furthers a promising form of intercultural dialogue.
Neonatal seizures in hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy – risks and benefits of anticonvulsant therapy
Authors: Shetty Jayakara
Published: March 2015

The risk of seizures is at its highest during the neonatal period, and the most common cause of neonatal seizures is hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). This enhanced vulnerability is caused by an imbalance in the expression of receptors for excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, which is age dependent. There has been progress in detecting the electrophysiological abnormalities associated with seizures using amplitude‐integrated electroencephalography (aEEG). Data from animal studies indicate a variety of risk factors for seizures, but there are limited clinical data looking at the long‐term neurodevelopmental consequences of seizures alone. Neonatal seizures are also associated with increased risk of further epileptic seizures; however, it is less clear whether or not this results from an underlying pathology, and whether or not seizures confer additional risk. Phenobarbital and phenytoin are still the first‐line antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used to treat neonatal seizures, although they are effective in only one‐third of affected infants. Furthermore, based on findings from animal studies, there are concerns regarding the risks associated with using theseAEDs. Clinicians face a difficult challenge because, although seizures can be easily identified using aEEG, treatment options are limited, and there are uncertainties regarding treatment outcomes. There is a need to obtain long‐term follow‐up data, comparing groups of infants treated with or without current therapies. If these analyses indicate a definite benefit of treating neonatal seizures, then novel therapeutic approaches should be developed.
Using functional trait diversity to evaluate the contribution of multiple ecological processes to community assembly during succession
Authors: Zhang Hui , Qi Wei , John Robert , Wang Wenbin , Song Feifan , Zhou Shurong
Published: March 2015

Successional chronosequences provide a unique opportunity to study the effects of multiple ecological processes on plant community assembly. Using a series of 0.5 × 0.5 m2 plots (n = 30) from five successional sub‐alpine meadow plant communities (ages 3, 5, 9, 12, and undisturbed) in the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, we investigated whether community assembly is stochastic or deterministic for species and functional traits. We tested directional change in species composition, functional trait composition, and then functional trait diversity measured by Rao's quadratic entropy for four traits – plant height, leaf dry matter content, specific leaf area, and seed mass – along two comparable successional chronosequences. We then evaluated the importance of species interactions, habitat filtering and stochasticity by comparing with random communities and partitioning the environmental and spatial components of Rao's quadratic entropy. We found no directional change in species composition, but clear directionality in functional trait composition. None of the abiotic environmental variables (except P) showed linear change with successional age, but soil moisture and nitrogen were positively related to functional diversity within meadows. Functional trait diversity increased significantly with the increase in successional age. Comparison with random communities showed a significant shift from trait divergence in early stages of succession (3‐ and 5‐yr) to convergence in the later stages of succession 9‐, 12‐yr and undisturbed). The relative importance of abiotic variables and spatial structure for functional trait diversity changed in a predictable manner with successional age. Stochasticity at the species level may indicate dispersal limitation, but deterministic effects on functional trait distributions show the role of both habitat effects and biotic interactions.
Construction of Nest Defensive Structure According to Offspring Value and Its Effect on Predator's Attack Decision in Paper Wasps
Authors: Furuichi Sho , Kasuya Eiiti
Published: March 2015

Various organisms are known to build nests with defensive structures to protect their offspring from predation, but our understanding of plasticity in the nest structure remains poor. In this study, we investigated whether a paper wasp, Polistes chinensis antennalis, adjusted the construction of nest defensive structure according to the value of their offspring, and we also analysed the effect of adjusting the construction of the structure on predator's decision to attack. P. chinensis antennalis foundresses start a colony and maintain her nest alone until the emergence of workers. During this stage, foundresses often construct a defensive structure on cocoon caps of pupae using nest materials (pulp), which prevents predation of pupae by conspecifics from other nests. The value of pupae to the foundress varies among those in a nest, where the value is higher in pupae that spun the cocoon (and initiated pupation) earlier than other pupae in the nest. From field observations, we found that foundresses constructed a larger pulp structure on the cocoons of pupae that cocooned earlier in the order of cocoon spinning, even after considering confounding factors. We also found that the probability of a pupa being attacked by conspecific intruders decreased with the size of pulp structure on the cocoon. This indicates that intruders avoid attacking cocoons with larger pulp structures. Our study indicates that foundresses adjust the construction of nest defensive structures according to their offspring value, and this allows them to protect the high‐value offspring efficiently and effectively.
Patterns of Sperm Transfer in the Golden Orb‐WeaverNephila edulis
Authors: Ceballos Leonor , Jones Therésa M. , Elgar Mark A.
Published: March 2015

Sperm competition studies typically identify copulation duration as an important predictor of paternity as it may determine the quantity of sperm transferred and thus paternity success. This study explores the relationship between copulation duration, male body size, male age and sperm transfer in the golden orb‐weaving spider,Nephila edulis. Paternity in this species is strongly associated with the relative frequency and duration of copulation, which is also influenced by male size. We determined the number of sperm transferred during copulation, by performing sperm counts in both the male copulatory organs (palps) and female sperm receptacle (spermatheca) of recently mated pairs. The total number of sperm recorded (the sum in the male palps and female spermathecae) was greater for younger males than older males, but did not vary with male body size. In general, younger males transferred more sperm and a greater proportion of their sperm supplies than older males and, among these younger males, larger individuals transferred more sperm. However, there were no significant size effects for older males. More sperm was transferred with longer copulations, but in contrast with previous studies, we found that larger males copulated for longer. The rate of sperm transferred was negatively correlated with the duration of copulation, suggesting that the variation in copulation duration inN. edulismay represent strategic investment by males to alter patterns of paternity, in addition to transferring additional sperm.
First Evidence of Inclusive Sexual Selection in the Ant Cataglyphis cursor: Worker Aggressions Differentially Affect Male Access to Virgin Queens
Authors: Helft Florence , Monnin Thibaud , Doums Claudie
Published: March 2015

Sexual selection typically shapes the traits of individuals capable of reproduction. However, in social species, it may also affect the behaviour of non‐reproductive individuals if this increases their inclusive fitness. We examined the potential role of workers during mating in the polyandrous ant Cataglyphis cursor. In this species, mating takes place on the ground near the nest entrance, and workers chase away foreign males trying to mate with young queens (gynes). We investigated the effects of worker aggression on male mating attempts by placing three or four males in the presence of one foreign gyne and 20 of her nestmate workers and contrasted this with a second group of 3–4 males in the presence of another gyne without nestmate workers (n = 8 paired replicates). Workers strongly attacked males (more than 20 aggressions per minute), although this did not affect the total number of mating attempts by the 3–4 males or the skew in the number of mating attempts among these males. However, there was an interaction between worker aggression and relative male weight, as relatively heavy males attempted to mate more often than lighter males in the absence of worker whereas the reverse occurred in the presence of workers. Our study is the first to experimentally test the potential role of non‐reproductive individuals in sexual selection. It shows that workers could potentially change male mating success by disfavouring heavier males.