bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Job insecurity and performance in public and private sectors: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Chirumbolo Antonio , Callea Antonino , Urbini Flavio
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to extend our knowledge of the relationship between quantitative and qualitative job insecurity and performance. On the basis of stress theories, we hypothesised that qualitative job insecurity (QLJI) would mediate the negative effect of quantitative job insecurity (QTJI) on two different indicators of performance: task performance (TP) and counterproductive work behaviours (CPWBs). In addition, the authors hypothesised that the effect of QTJI on QLJI would be moderated by the economic sector (public vs private) in which employees worked. Therefore, the authors empirically tested a moderated mediation model via PROCESS.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants were 431 employees from various Italian organisations. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire measuring QTJI, QLJI, TP and CPWBs.

Findings

The results indicated that economic sector moderated the relationship between quantitative and QLJI. Both quantitative and QLJI were related to performance outcomes. Furthermore, QLJI mediated the effect of QTJI on TP and CPWB. However, this mediation was particularly apparent among employees in the private sector, supporting our hypothesised moderated mediation model.

Practical implications

The results suggest that managers of private and public organisations need to apply different policies to reduce the impact of job insecurity on CPWBs and increase the TP of their employees.

Originality/value

This study attempted to examine the job insecurity–performance relationship in more depth. For the first time, the effects of both job insecurity dimensions on performance were simultaneously investigated, with economic sector as a moderator and QLJI as a mediator.
The affiliations and characteristics of female directors and earnings management: evidence from Turkey
Authors: Arioglu Emrah
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether the presence of female directors with specific attributes has an effect on earnings quality in a patriarchal emerging country with a collectivistic culture and a substantial gender equality gap and where the majority of companies are controlled by large business groups.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study uses a unique hand-collected data set that covers all non-financial companies listed on the Borsa Istanbul between the years 2009 and 2017, using the GMM method to overcome potential omitted variables and reverse causality problems.

Findings

The current study demonstrates that the presence of female directors on company boards is not associated with earnings management. Similar results are obtained for the percentage of female directors with specific attributes such as busyness, professional expertise and audit committee membership. Surprisingly, the results suggest that there is a negative (positive) relationship between the percentage of female directors that are affiliated (unaffiliated) with controlling business groups and earnings management.

Originality/value

The current study tests the relationship between the presence of female directors and earnings management in a cultural and institutional setting that is substantially different from countries where the majority of previous research on female directors has been conducted. In addition, this study puts a special emphasis on female director affiliation and provides evidence that contradicts the expectation regarding the direction of the relationship between the percentage of affiliated female directors and earnings management.
Role of public sector banks towards financial inclusion during pre and post introduction of PMJDY: a study on efficiency review
Authors: Maity Sudarshan , Sahu Tarak Nath
Published: July 2020

Purpose

An inclusive financial system is essential to develop the country’s economy. A massive shift in financial inclusion was observed by the initiative of government to include financially excluded into the formal financial system by launching Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) in 2014. This paper aims to attempt to examine the efficiency of public sector banks in financial inclusion during pre and post introduction of PMJDY.

Design/methodology/approach

The data envelopment analysis is used to measure the efficiency of the banks towards financial inclusion for the periods, 2010–2011 to 2013–2014 as pre-introduction and 2014–2015 to 2017–2018 as post-introduction phase. For this study, supply-side parameters of financial inclusion considered as input variables and demand-side parameters as output variables.

Findings

The study finds that overall average efficiency towards financial inclusion increases significantly during post-phase, though all the public sector banks are not performing equally. There is a significant variation in efficiency level between them and even between the two periods. Further, there is a huge opportunity to enhance technical efficiency with the same quantity of input which will help to achieve the target of financial inclusion.

Originality/value

A comparative study between the two phases has taken place to analyse the impact of the scheme on the technical efficiency of banks. One of the notable innovativeness of this study is that, unlike most of the previous studies which are mostly theoretical and conceptual, the present study may place itself as a unique inquiry in the domain of efficiency review of public sector banks during pre and post introduction of PMJDY.
Maruti’s Nexa – enhancing customer experience beyond buying
Authors: Kaushik Arun Kumar , Mohan Geetha
Published: July 2020

Research methodology

The case collates secondary data pertaining to Maruti’s current position, Nexa, the premium retail sales channel of Maruti, and recent developments in the Indian automobile industry. It presents the facts and data published on websites, newspapers and magazines in the form of a case study.

Case overview/synopsis

Nexa was launched by Maruti in 2015 to enhance the buying experience of its premium customers and to re-position itself as a premium brand. It started offering customized services to car purchasers through its well-trained employees, attractive store environment and omni channel experience. Through all these facilities, though Nexa had a bumpy ride for selling its first product, it managed to pace up and perform better in the next few years. It remained to be seen how Maruti would handle competitor and cost challenges and how it would strategize its efforts to strengthen its footprint in the Indian automotive industry.

Complexity academic level

This case can be used in retail management, sales and distribution management, marketing management and related courses/modules at the master’s level.
Will I be back? Evoking nostalgia through college students’ memorable exchange programme experiences
Authors: Cho Heetae , Tan Kah Min , Chiu Weisheng
Published: July 2020

Purpose

International exchange students have been known for an often-neglected population in tourism research and their intention to revisit the host country has not been explored. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships among international exchange students’ memorable experiences, nostalgia, satisfaction and revisit intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from students (N = 169) with recent international exchange experience using snowball sampling approach through various online platforms. The hypothesised relationships were tested using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

Results showed that memorable experiences had a positive effect on nostalgia and satisfaction, and nostalgia significantly affected satisfaction. Satisfaction was also found to have a positive effect on revisit intention. In addition, memorable experiences and nostalgia had indirect effects on satisfaction and intention to revisit a host country in the near future.

Originality/value

The findings of this study contribute to the extant literature on international exchange students’ experience and provide tourism marketers with strategies to encourage them to revisit a host country.
Introducing multi‐modal enteral medication reduced morbidity and mortality associated with necrotising enterocolitis
Authors: Harutyunyan Arman , Urlesberger Berndt , Muradyan Armen , Hovhannisyan Marine , Badalyan Arman , Kalenteryan Hrant , Haxhija Emir , Sargsyan Karine , Yenkoyan Konstantin , Babloyan Ara
Published: July 2020

Aim

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is still a disease with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to analyse retrospectively whether the introduction of a multi‐modal three‐component enteral medication regimen resulted in a change in morbidity and mortality in neonates with NEC.

Methods

When diagnosis of NEC was established, the following multi‐modal three‐component enteral medication regimen was administered enterally (via nasogastric tube): an antibiotic, an antifungal agent and a probiotic. The primary outcome parameters were intestinal perforation, surgical interventions and mortality during the observational periods.

Results

In the study period, 2212 patients were admitted to the NICU, out of which 200 (9%) developed NEC. Significantly fewer infants died in the Intervention Group (13 of 104 infants, 13%) compared to the Control Group (38 of 96 infants, 40%) (P = .0001). No infant in the Intervention Group (0%) presented with an intestinal perforation, as compared to 15 infants (16%) within the Control Group (P = .0001). In the Control Group, 21 infants (22%) needed surgical intervention, whereas 0 (0%) infants needed this in the Intervention Group.

Conclusion

The introduction of an enteral multi‐modal three‐component medication regimen resulted in a significant reduction of mortality and of need for surgical intervention in infants suffering from NEC.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: liver manifestations and outcomes in COVID‐19
Authors: Kulkarni Anand V. , Kumar Pramod , Tevethia Harsh Vardhan , Premkumar Madhumita , Arab Juan Pablo , Candia Roberto , Talukdar Rupjyoti , Sharma Mithun , Qi Xiaolong , Rao Padaki Nagaraja , Reddy Duvvuru Nageshwar
Published: July 2020

Background

The incidence of elevated liver chemistries and the presence of pre‐existing chronic liver disease (CLD) have been variably reported in COVID‐19.

Aims

To assess the prevalence of CLD, the incidence of elevated liver chemistries and the outcomes of patients with and without underlying CLD/elevated liver chemistries in COVID‐19.

Methods

A comprehensive search of electronic databases from 1 December 2019 to 24 April 2020 was done. We included studies reporting underlying CLD or elevated liver chemistries and patient outcomes in COVID‐19.

Results

107 articles (n = 20 874 patients) were included for the systematic review. The pooled prevalence of underlying CLD was 3.6% (95% CI, 2.5‐5.1) among the 15 407 COVID‐19 patients. The pooled incidence of elevated liver chemistries in COVID‐19 was 23.1% (19.3‐27.3) at initial presentation. Additionally, 24.4% (13.5‐40) developed elevated liver chemistries during the illness. The pooled incidence of drug‐induced liver injury was 25.4% (14.2‐41.4). The pooled prevalence of CLD among 1587 severely infected patients was 3.9% (3%‐5.2%). The odds of developing severe COVID‐19 in CLD patients was 0.81 (0.31‐2.09; P = 0.67) compared to non‐CLD patients. COVID‐19 patients with elevated liver chemistries had increased risk of mortality (OR‐3.46 [2.42‐4.95, P < 0.001]) and severe disease (OR‐2.87 [95% CI, 2.29‐3.6, P < 0.001]) compared to patients without elevated liver chemistries.

Conclusions

Elevated liver chemistries are common at presentation and during COVID‐19. The severity of elevated liver chemistries correlates with the outcome of COVID‐19. The presence of CLD does not alter the outcome of COVID‐19. Further studies are needed to analyse the outcomes of compensated and decompensated liver disease.
Employment and Wages over the Business Cycle in Worker‐Owned Firms: Evidence from Spain*
Authors: Garcia‐Louzao Jose
Published: July 2020

This article compares worker‐owned firms and mainstream capital‐owned enterprises over the business cycle. Specifically, I study whether conventional employees in worker‐owned firms enjoy greater employment stability than similar workers in traditional enterprises over the business cycle, and investigate whether this stability is associated with greater volatility of working‐time or wages. Unlike the literature that has compared partners of worker‐owned firms to wage‐earners of mainstream firms, I compare wage‐earners across both type of organizations along the three margins of adjustment. The econometric analysis is based on rich Spanish administrative data and panel data methods to account for composition differences between the two types of organizations. The results show that worker‐owned firms offer higher job security because they do not adjust employment levels over the business cycle as much as mainstream enterprises. Wages and working‐time, instead, are equally responsive across the two types of firms. The findings can be rationalized by the presence of similar labour regulations and differences in the nature of the two type of organizations. Namely, both types of firms are constrained by regulations, such as the national Labor Code and collective bargaining, on the adjustments they can impose on wages and working‐time. However, the social structure of worker‐owned firms mitigates employment volatility in these organizations.
Palaeoseismic records in lacustrine sediments—A case study of the Daqingshan piedmont fault and Hasuhai Lake in Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Wang Junyi , He Zhongtai , Li Linlin
Published: July 2020

As a traditional method for palaeoseismic studies, trenching can be combined with dating techniques to identify palaeoseismic events and the earthquake recurrence interval. However, when using trenches to study palaeoearthquakes, factors such as the active tectonic background of the earthquake‐caused structure, the lithology on both sides of the fault, the geomorphology location and type and the samples and methods for dating will affect the location of the trench. Thus, trenches should be carefully selected and used to identify the impact of ancient earthquakes. The results have substantial uncertainties and limitations. In recent years, scholars have made considerable progress in using other methods to reveal the palaeoseismic information of faults. Moreover, the history of fault activity may have been recorded in the lacustrine sediment adjacent to the fault. Hasuhai Lake is adjacent to the middle segment of the Daqingshan piedmont fault in Inner Mongolia. Since the Holocene, the region has experienced a temperate continental semi‐arid climate with little interference, and Hasuhai Lake and peripheral waters present weak hydrodynamic conditions that provide an ideal location for the study of palaeoseismic records in lacustrine sediments. Sediment samples and samples for dating were collected from three trenches excavated on the periphery of the Hasuhai Lake. Their variations in grain size and magnetic susceptibility revealed that wind and flowing water jointly produced the sedimentary conditions of Hasuhai sediments. The14Cdating results and variations in the grain size distribution, grain size components and magnetic susceptibility of sediments caused by seismic events obtained in this study were compared with those caused by a series of palaeoseismic events at the middle segment of the Daqingshan piedmont fault reported by previous studies using trenches, knickpoints and palaeosol records. The results identified seven palaeoseismic events recorded near Hasuhai Lake since 12,000 years. The combined use of lacustrine sediment variation characteristics and dating techniques is an effective method for studying palaeoseismic events.
Leader‐Member Exchange (LMX) and innovation: A test of competing hypotheses
Authors: Mascareño Jesús , Rietzschel Eric , Wisse Barbara
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we address the relation between Leader‐Member Exchange (LMX; the quality of the relationship between leader and subordinate), employee creativity (the generation of novel and useful ideas), and employee innovation (the promotion and implementation of these ideas). In the current set of studies, we test the competing hypotheses that LMX will either have a direct effect on employee innovation, or an indirect effect through employee creativity. In a field study of leader–subordinate dyads (N = 118), we found that LMX had no direct effect on employee innovation, and that employee creativity fully mediated the relationship between LMX and innovation. In a follow‐up two‐wave field study of employees (N = 398), we found that the LMX dimension professional respect predicted innovation through creativity, while the other dimensions did not. The results of this work indicate that research on LMX and innovation requires a multidimensional perspective, and that it may be valuable to differentiate between creativity and innovation.
Ezrin promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by modulating glycolytic reprogramming
Authors: Wang Xinyue , Li Nan , Han Anna , Wang Yixuan , Lin Zhenhua , Yang Yang
Published: July 2020

Ezrin, one of the ezrin‐radixin‐moesin (ERM) proteins, is involved in the formation of cell membrane processes and has been implicated in the promotion of cancer proliferation and metastasis. However, the possible role of ezrin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis and glycolysis reprogramming has remained unclear. In this study, we found that ezrin was upregulated in HCC tissues, and its overexpression was linked with HCC patients’ aggressive tumor characteristics and poor prognosis. Functional experiments further revealed that ezrin overexpression promoted HCC cell proliferation, epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression and angiogenesis. In addition, by measuring glucose consumption, lactate production, ATP levels and the expression of glucose metabolism‐related markers in HCC cells, we investigated whether ezrin regulated glucose metabolism. Moreover, 2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (2‐DG) affected ezrin‐mediated proliferation, migration and EMT of HCC cells, which suggested that ezrin may, at least in part, promote HCC progression by regulating glycolysis reprogramming. Based on our results, we proposed that ezrin was involved in HCC progression and may be a valid prognostic marker.
Emerging patterns of regulatory T cell function in tuberculosis
Authors: Ahmed A , Vyakarnam A
Published: July 2020

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top 10 causes of mortality worldwide from a single infectious agent and has significant implications for global health. A major hurdle in the development of effective TB vaccines and therapies is the absence of defined immune-correlates of protection. In this context, the role of regulatory T cells (Treg), which are essential for maintaining immune homeostasis, is even less understood. This review aims to address this knowledge gap by providing an overview of the emerging patterns of Treg function in TB. Increasing evidence from studies, both in animal models of infection and TB patients, points to the fact the role of Tregs in TB is dependent on disease stage. While Tregs might expand and delay the appearance of protective responses in the early stages of infection, their role in the chronic phase perhaps is to counter-regulate excessive inflammation. New data highlight that this important homeostatic role of Tregs in the chronic phase of TB may be compromised by the expansion of activated human leucocyte antigen D-related (HLA-DR)+CD4+ suppression-resistant effector T cells. This review provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of the key features of Treg cells in TB; highlights the importance of a balanced immune response as being important in TB and discusses the importance of probing not just Treg frequency but also qualitative aspects of Treg function as part of a comprehensive search for novel TB treatments.
Associations between clinical features and therapy with macrophage subpopulations and T cells in inflammatory lesions in the aorta from patients with Takayasu arteritis
Authors: Santos J P , Artigiani Neto R , Mangueira C L P , Filippi R Z , Gutierrez P S , Westra J , Brouwer E , de Souza A W S
Published: July 2020

Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a large-vessel granulomatous vasculitis; the inflammatory infiltration in arteries comprises macrophages, multi-nucleated giant cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, γδ T cells, natural killer (NK) cells and neutrophils. However, it is unknown which subtype of macrophages predominates. This study aims to evaluate macrophages subpopulations in the aorta in TAK. Immunohistochemistry was performed in the aorta from TAK patients (n = 22), patients with atherosclerotic disease (n = 9) and heart transplant donors (n = 8) using the markers CD68, CD86, CD206, CD3, CD20 and CD56. Active disease was observed in 54·5% of patients and active histological lesions were found in 40·9%. TAK patients presented atherosclerotic lesions in 27·3% of cases. The frequency of macrophages, M1 macrophages, T, B and NK cells was higher in the aorta from TAK and atherosclerotic patients compared to heart transplant donors. In TAK, macrophages and T cells were the most abundant cells in the aorta, and the expression of CD206 was higher than CD86 (P = 0·0007). No associations were found between the expression of cell markers and active disease or with atherosclerotic lesions. In TAK patients, histological disease activity led to higher T cell counts than chronic fibrotic lesions (P = 0.030), whereas prednisone use was associated with lower T cell counts (P = 0·035). In conclusion, M1 macrophages were more frequent in TAK and atherosclerotic patients compared to heart transplant donors, while M2 macrophages dominated M1 macrophages in TAK. T cells were associated with histological disease activity and with prednisone use in TAK.
Metabolic pathways in context: mTOR signalling in the retina and optic nerve ‐ A review
Authors: Yao Anthony , van Wijngaarden Peter
Published: July 2020

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling network plays a key role in growth and development, autophagy, metabolism, inflammation as well as ageing, and it is therefore important in ocular health and disease. mTOR dysregulation has been identified in a range of conditions, including age‐related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, traumatic optic neuropathy and glaucoma. Experimental modulation of the pathway has contributed to the understanding of these diseases and offers the potential for new avenues of therapy. This review discusses the mTOR pathway and its role in health and in diseases of the retina and optic nerve.
Description of a family with X‐linked oculo‐auriculo‐vertebral spectrum associated with polyalanine tract expansion in ZIC3
Authors: Trimouille Aurélien , Tingaud‐Sequeira Angèle , Lacombe Didier , Duelund Hjortshøj Tina , Kreiborg Sven , Buciek Hove Hanne , Rooryck Caroline
Published: July 2020

Oculo‐auriculo‐vertebral spectrum (OAVS) [MIM:164210], or Goldenhar syndrome, is a developmental disorder associating defects of structures derived from the first and second branchial arches. The genetic origin of OAVS is supported by the description of rare deleterious variants in a few causative genes, and several chromosomal copy number variations. We describe here a large family with eight male members affected by a mild form of the spectrum, mostly auricular defects, harboring a hemizygous ZIC3 variant detected by familial exome sequencing: c.159_161dup p.(Ala55dup), resulting in an expansion of the normal 10 consecutive alanine residues to 11 alanines. Segregation analysis shows its presence in all the affected individuals, with a recessive X‐linked transmission. Whole‐genome sequencing performed in another affected male allowed to exclude linkage disequilibrium between this ZIC3 variant and another potential pathogenic variant in this family. Furthermore, by screening of a cohort of 274 OAVS patients, we found 1 male patient carrying an expansion of 10 to 12 alanines, a variant previously reported in patient presenting with VACTERL. Loss‐of‐function variants of ZIC3 are causing heterotaxy or cardiac malformations. These alanine expansion variants could have a different impact on the protein and thereby resulting in a different phenotype within the OAVS/VACTERL.
European Society of Coloproctology: guidelines for the management of diverticular disease of the colon
Authors: Schultz J. K. , Azhar N. , Binda G. A. , Barbara G. , Biondo S. , Boermeester M. A. , Chabok A. , Consten E. C. J. , van Dijk S. T. , Johanssen A. , Kruis W. , Lambrichts D. , Post S. , Ris F. , Rockall T. A. , Samuelsson A. , Di Saverio S. , Tartaglia D. , Thorisson A. , Winter D. C. , Bemelman W. , Angenete E.
Published: July 2020

Aim

The goal of this European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) guideline project is to give an overview of the existing evidence on the management of diverticular disease, primarily as a guidance to surgeons.

Methods

The guideline was developed during several working phases including three voting rounds and one consensus meeting. The two project leads (JKS and EA) appointed by the ESCP guideline committee together with one member of the guideline committee (WB) agreed on the methodology, decided on six themes for working groups (WGs) and drafted a list of research questions. Senior WG members, mostly colorectal surgeons within the ESCP, were invited based on publication records and geographical aspects. Other specialties were included in the WGs where relevant. In addition, one trainee or PhD fellow was invited in each WG. All six WGs revised the research questions if necessary, did a literature search, created evidence tables where feasible, and drafted supporting text to each research question and statement. The text and statement proposals from each WG were arranged as one document by the first and last authors before online voting by all authors in two rounds. For the second voting ESCP national representatives were also invited. More than 90% agreement was considered a consensus. The final phrasing of the statements with < 90% agreement was discussed in a consensus meeting at the ESCP annual meeting in Vienna in September 2019. Thereafter, the first and the last author drafted the final text of the guideline and circulated it for final approval and for a third and final online voting of rephrased statements.

Results

This guideline contains 38 evidence based consensus statements on the management of diverticular disease.

Conclusion

This international, multidisciplinary guideline provides an up to date summary of the current knowledge of the management of diverticular disease as a guidance for clinicians and patients.
Training the anxious brain: using fMRI‐based neurofeedback to change brain activity in adolescence
Authors: Lipp Annalisa , Cohen Kadosh Kathrin
Published: July 2020

Anxiety disorders are a leading cause of morbidity and entail a lot of costs. Adolescence is characterized by social fears and poor emotion regulation abilities which together increase the likelihood of the emergence of anxiety disorders. This emotion dysregulation is potentially caused by the emotion regulating brain areas, such as the prefrontal cortex and temporal cortex, that are still undergoing developmental changes throughout late adolescence. Recently, new approaches have used functional magnetic resonance imaging‐based neurofeedback to help participants gain control over emotion regulation brain networks by receiving real‐time feedback on their brain activity and to use effective emotion regulation abilities. In this review, we provide an overview of the developmental changes in the brain and the corresponding behavioural changes, and explore how these can be influenced during adolescence using neurofeedback. We conclude that recent studies show promising results that children and adolescents can self‐regulate emotion regulation brain networks thereby supporting the development of effective emotion regulation abilities.

What this paper adds

Functional magnetic resonance imaging‐based neurofeedback can be used for brain self‐regulation in development.

The emotion regulation networks play a key role in treating social anxiety with neurofeedback.
Contraindications to intravenous thrombolysis in prehospital triage of thrombectomy candidates
Authors: Rodríguez‐Pardo J. , Secades‐García S. , Riera‐López N. , Alonso de Leciñana M. , Real‐Martínez V. , Carneado‐Ruiz J. , Díaz‐Guzmán J. , Díez‐Tejedor E. , Egido‐Herrero J. , Gil‐Núñez A. , Matute‐Lozano M. C. , Trillo S. , Vera‐Lechuga R. , Vivancos‐Mora J. , Ximénez‐Carrillo Á. , Fuentes B.
Published: July 2020

Background and purpose

The existence of contraindications to intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is considered a criterion for direct transfer of patients with suspected acute stroke to thrombectomy‐capable centers in the prehospital setting. Our aim was to assess the utility of this criterion in a setting where routing protocols are defined by the Madrid – Direct Referral to Endovascular Center (M‐DIRECT) prehospital scale.

Methods

This was a post hoc analysis of the M‐DIRECT study. Reported contraindications to IVT were retrospectively collected from emergency medical services reports and categorized into late window, anticoagulant treatment and other contraindications. Final diagnosis and treatment rates were compared between patients with and without reported IVT contraindications and according to anticoagulant treatment or late window categories.

Results

The M‐DIRECT study included 541 patients. Reported IVT contraindications were present in 227 (42.0%) patients. Regarding final diagnosis no significant differences were found between patients with or without reported IVT contraindications: ischaemic stroke (any) 65.6% vs. 62.1%, ischaemic stroke with large vessel occlusion (LVO) 32.2% vs. 28.3%, hemorrhagic stroke 15.4% vs. 15.6%, stroke mimic 18.9% vs. 22.3% respectively. Amongst patients with LVO, endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) was performed less often in the presence of IVT contraindications (56.2% vs. 74.2%). M‐DIRECT‐positive patients had higher rates of LVO and EVT compared with M‐DIRECT‐negative patients independent of reported IVT contraindications.

Conclusions

Reported IVT contraindications alone do not increase EVT likelihood and should not be considered to determine routing in urban stroke networks.
NADPH oxidase inhibition rescues keratinocytes from elevated oxidative stress in a 2D atopic dermatitis and psoriasis model
Authors: Emmert Hila , Fonfara Melina , Rodriguez Elke , Weidinger Stephan
Published: July 2020

Emerging evidence suggests oxidative stress plays a role in the pathophysiology of both atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis (PSO). We established in vitro models of AD and PSO skin, and characterized these models in regard to their oxidative stress state. Both AD and PSO model keratinocytes exhibited elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and accumulated more DNA damage than control cells after oxidative stress induced by 250 µmol/L H2O2. Elevated ROS levels and DNA damage accumulation could be inhibited by the NADPH oxidase (NOX) inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (DPI). Further, immunofluorescence analysis revealed the presence of both NOX1 and NOX4 in keratinocytes. By inhibiting NOX1, stress‐related signalling cascades and elevated ROS levels could be abrogated, and survival of AD and PSO cells improved. Taken together, this study reveals that inhibition of NOX inhibition could abrogate elevated oxidative stress in a 2D model of AD and PSO.
Conforming to the status flow: The influence of altered habitat on fish body‐shape characteristics
Authors: Akin Daniel R. , Geheber Aaron D.
Published: July 2020

Anthropogenic stream impoundments often result in altered flow regimes and reservoir formations. Functional fish characteristics may change in response to altered flow conditions, and understanding the underlying mechanisms at work (e.g. natural selection and phenotypic plasticity) is of great importance in both evolutionary and conservation contexts. Cyprinella lutrensis is a widely distributed minnow native to stream systems in Missouri, U.S.A. Following impoundment of the Osage River, C. lutrensis currently occurs in the resultant Truman Reservoir and surrounding tributaries. To examine the impacts of this habitat alteration on functional fish characteristics, we hypothesised that C. lutrensis populations in altered systems with no‐flow would show an overall less streamlined body shape as compared to those in flowing systems, assuming body streamlining is beneficial for locomotion in flowing environments.

We conducted field and laboratory studies to test effects of flow and no‐flow on C. lutrensis body shape. Geometric morphometric techniques were used to quantify body shape in field and laboratory individuals, and non‐structural lipid extractions were conducted to assess whether fat storage contributes to body shape under flow and no‐flow treatments.

Morphological comparisons between C. lutrensis from Truman Reservoir and surrounding streams yielded significant differences in body shape, with greater body streamlining in stream populations. A laboratory experiment using artificial stream units revealed similar significant differences in body streamlining between flow and no‐flow treatments within a single generation. In addition, individuals under no‐flow treatment had significantly higher levels of non‐structural lipids compared to flow treatment individuals.

Our results indicate that changes in flow regime can alter the evolutionary trajectories (i.e. related to morphology) of fish populations. We suggest that body shape alterations are likely to occur within and across generations in a cumulative manner, therefore, it is plausible that both natural selection and plastic response mechanisms play roles in defining minnow body shape following flow alteration.
The strengths and weaknesses of species distribution models in biome delimitation
Authors: Moonlight Peter W. , Silva de Miranda Pedro Luiz , Cardoso Domingos , Dexter Kyle G. , Oliveira‐Filho Ary T. , Pennington R. Toby , Ramos Gustavo , Särkinen Tiina E.
Published: July 2020

Aim

The aim was to test whether species distribution models (SDMs) can reproduce major macroecological patterns in a species‐rich, tropical region and provide recommendations for using SDMs in areas with sparse biotic inventory data.

Location

North‐east Brazil, including Minas Gerais.

Time period

Present.

Major taxa studied

Flowering plants.

Methods

Species composition estimates derived from stacked SDMs (s‐SDMs) were compared with data from 1,506 inventories of 933 woody plant species from north‐east Brazil. Both datasets were used in hierarchical clustering analyses to delimit floristic units that correspond to biomes. The ability of s‐SDMs to predict the identity, functional composition and floristic composition of biomes was compared across geographical and environmental space.

Results

The s‐SDMs and inventory data both resolved four major biomes that largely corresponded in terms of their distribution, floristics and function. The s‐SDMs proved excellent at identifying broad‐scale biomes and their function, but misassigned many individual sites in complex savanna–forest mosaics.

Main conclusions

Our results show that s‐SDMs have a unique role to play in describing macroecological patterns in areas lacking inventory data and for poorly known taxa. s‐SDMs accurately predict floristic and functional macroecological patterns but struggle in areas where non‐climatic factors, such as fire or soil, play key roles in governing distributions.
Grazing management strategies for Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R. Webster in a silvopastoral system under rotational stocking
Authors: Machado Vitor D. , da Fonseca Dilermando M. , Lima Marina A. , Martuscello Janaina A. , Paciullo Domingos S. C. , Chizzotti Fernanda H. M.
Published: July 2020

Our objective was to compare herbage accumulation and nutritive value of Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R. Webster managed under pre‐grazing canopy light interception (LI) targets of 90%, 95% and 100% in silvopastoral system (SPS) and 95% in open pasture (OP; U. decumbens under full sunlight) to establish a pre‐grazing target for SPS of ~43% shade. The evaluations were made during two rainy seasons and one dry season. The total herbage accumulation in SPS was lower than in OP at all LI targets and seasons. However, the difference in total herbage accumulation between SPS and OP was reduced when SPS was harvested at 95% LI, with reductions of 20% and 28% in both rainy seasons (12,191 × 15,324 kg DM/ha and 11,158 × 15,424 kg DM/ha respectively). Moreover, under 95% LI in SPS, crude protein concentration was 18% and 19% greater than that in OP in both rainy seasons (155 × 131 g/kg DM and 144 × 121 g/kg DM respectively), thus representing the optimal pre‐grazing LI target for U. decumbens in SPS. In addition, a canopy height of 20 cm was necessary for 95% LI in OP and a height of 40 cm in SPS. Therefore, U. decumbens should be grazed at 40 cm canopy height, in SPS with ~43% shade to keep 95% LI as the target. However, this target will only be effective if the shade level is maintained, which will reduce height variation over time.
The Arabic Urticaria Activity Score and Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire: validation and correlations
Authors: Tawil Samah , Irani Carla , Kfoury Riwa , Salameh Pascale , Baiardini Ilaria , Weller Karsten , Maurer Marcus , Ezzedine Khaled
Published: July 2020

Background

The international guideline for urticaria recommends the use of the Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7) and the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU‐Q2oL) to assess patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) for their disease activity and impact on quality of life, respectively. Over the last decade, both tools have been validated in many different languages but not in Arabic.

Objective

To validate the Arabic UAS7 and CU‐Q2oL in patients with CSU in Lebanon.

Methods

After a structured translation process of both instruments into Arabic, their construct and known‐groups validity as well as internal consistency reliability were tested in a longitudinal prospective study using a cluster sample of 152 Lebanese CSU patients. The study also included a repetitive administration of both instruments in 2‐week intervals in 44 patients in order to assess their test‐retest reliability.

Results

Both the Arabic UAS7 and CU‐Q2oL demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach alpha of 0.95 and 0.82, respectively) and moderate‐to‐high test‐retest reliability (intraclass coefficient of 0.61 and 0.91, respectively). Exploratory factor analysis of the Arabic CU‐Q2oL revealed five components that explained 81.8% of the total variance. Significant correlations were found between the Arabic CU‐Q2oL and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) (r = 0.86) and mild‐to‐moderate correlations between the Arabic UAS7 and CU‐Q2oL (r = 0.52) as well as the DLQI (r = 0.51).

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that the Arabic versions of the UAS7 and the CU‐Q2oL are valid and reliable patient‐reported outcome measures in patients with CSU in Lebanon.
Association of plasma exosomes with severity of organ failure and mortality in patients with sepsis
Authors: Im Yunjoo , Yoo Hongseok , Lee Jin Young , Park Junseon , Suh Gee Young , Jeon Kyeongman
Published: July 2020

Current sepsis biomarkers may be helpful in determining organ failure and evaluating patient clinical course; however, direct molecular biomarkers to predict subsequent organ failure have not yet been discovered. Exosomes, a small population of extracellular vesicles, play an important role in the inflammatory response, coagulation process and cardiac dysfunction in sepsis. Nonetheless, the association of plasma exosome with severity and mortality of sepsis is not well known. Therefore, the overall levels of plasma exosome in sepsis patients were assessed and whether exosome levels were associated with organ failure and mortality was evaluated in the present study. Plasma level of exosomes was measured by ELISA. Among 220 patients with sepsis, 145 (66%) patients were diagnosed with septic shock. A trend of increased exosome levels in control, sepsis and septic shock groups was observed (204 µg/mL vs 525 µg/mL vs 802 µg/mL, P < 0.001). A positive linear relationship was observed between overall exosome levels and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score in the study cohorts (r value = 0.47). When patients were divided into two groups according to best cut‐off level, a statistical difference in 28‐ and 90‐day mortality between patients with high and low plasma exosomes was observed. Elevated levels of plasma exosomes were associated with severity of organ failure and predictive of mortality in critically ill patients with sepsis.
A novel HSPB1 mutation associated with a late onset CMT2 phenotype: Case presentation and systematic review of the literature
Authors: Taga Arens , Cornblath David R.
Published: July 2020

Mutations in the HSPB1 gene are associated with Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth (CMT) disease type 2F (CMT2F) and distal hereditary motor neuropathy type 2 (dHMN2). More than 18 pathogenic mutations spanning across the whole HSPB1 gene have been reported. Three family members with a novel p.P57S (c.169C>T) HSPB1 mutation resulting in a late onset axonal neuropathy with heterogeneous clinical and electrophysiological features are detailed. We systematically reviewed published case reports and case series on HSPB1 mutations. While a genotype‐phenotype correlation was not obvious, we identified a common phenotype, which included adult onset, male predominance, motor more frequently than sensory involvement, distal and symmetric distribution with preferential involvement of plantar flexors, and a motor and axonal electrophysiological picture.
Incidence of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Melbourne, Australia from 1937 to 2013
Authors: Oliver Jane , Osowicki Joshua , Cordell Billie , Hardy Myra , Engelman Daniel , Steer Andrew C
Published: July 2020

Aim

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) most commonly presents in children aged 5–14 years old. Lifelong rheumatic heart disease (RHD) can result. This study investigated time trends in ARF and RHD using inpatient data from the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne (RCH).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study covering the period 1937–2013 was conducted using records from RCH, a quaternary paediatric hospital in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Patient data were identified using RCH classification of diseases coding for ARF or RHD for years <1952. For the period 1952–1987, this system was used in addition to identifying International Classification of Disease (ICD) discharge codes that corresponded to ARF or RHD. From 1988–2013, only ICD codes were used to identify patient data. Descriptive epidemiological analyses were performed, including incidence rate calculations using historical census population denominator data. Analyses focussed on children in the peak age group.

Results

Among children aged five to 14 years, a total of 4337 RCH admissions with ARF/RHD occurred for 3015 patients. A sharp decline in first ARF/RHD hospitalisations at RCH occurred from 1959, following a peak mean annual incidence rate during 1944–1947 of 40.1/100 000 children (95% confidence interval (CI): 36.6–43.9; P < 0.05). Over 1996–2013, the mean annual incidence rate was 1.6/100 000 (95% CI: 1.3–1.8) and reached 2.3/100 000 (95% CI: 1.3–3.7) in 2005.

Conclusion

The burden of ARF and RHD treated at RCH declined following the 1940s, mirroring changes seen in North America and Europe. Despite this, inpatient treatment for these conditions continued to be provided right up until the end of the study period.
The contribution of dispositional optimism to understanding insomnia symptomatology: Findings from a cross‐sectional population study in Austria
Authors: Weitzer Jakob , Papantoniou Kyriaki , Lázaro‐Sebastià Clara , Seidel Stefan , Klösch Gerhard , Schernhammer Eva
Published: July 2020

Attitudes and expectations of people towards their lives are essential to future health outcomes. Growing evidence has linked dispositional optimism to beneficial health outcomes, such as exceptional longevity, healthy aging and better sleep quality. We describe the association between dispositional optimism and chronic insomnia, considering potential mediators, in the Austrian Sleep Survey (N = 1,004), a population‐based cross‐sectional study conducted in 2017. Optimism was measured using the validated Life Orientation Test‐Revised, and four different definitions were used to assess chronic insomnia. Three definitions were based on the criteria of chronic insomnia according to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (3rd edn). Age‐ and multivariable‐adjusted logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Among Austrians who were more optimistic, chronic insomnia risk was lower compared with those less optimistic (middle versus bottom tertile of optimism score: OR = 0.39, 95% CI, 0.22–0.70; and top versus bottom tertile: OR = 0.28, 95% CI, 0.14–0.54; p‐trend < .001). Results were similar for all four definitions of insomnia, and differed slightly between men and women. Happiness, depression and health status confounded the association, whereas lifestyle did not. Promoting dispositional optimism could represent a simple and accessible strategy to improve sleep quality and lower insomnia risk, with downstream beneficial health effects. Further research is needed to clarify the prevention potential of interventions targeting this mental trait.
Single‐molecule tracking reveals that the nucleoid‐associated protein HU plays a dual role in maintaining proper nucleoid volume through differential interactions with chromosomal DNA
Authors: Bettridge Kelsey , Verma Subhash , Weng Xiaoli , Adhya Sankar , Xiao Jie
Published: July 2020

HU (Histone‐like protein from Escherichia coli strain U93) is the most conserved nucleoid‐associated protein in eubacteria, but how it impacts global chromosome organization is poorly understood. Using single‐molecule tracking, we demonstrate that HU exhibits nonspecific, weak, and transitory interactions with the chromosomal DNA. These interactions are largely mediated by three conserved, surface‐exposed lysine residues (triK), which were previously shown to be responsible for nonspecific binding to DNA. The loss of these weak, transitory interactions in a HUα(triKA) mutant results in an over‐condensed and mis‐segregated nucleoid. Mutating a conserved proline residue (P63A) in the HUα subunit, deleting the HUβ subunit, or deleting nucleoid‐associated naRNAs, each previously implicated in HU’s high‐affinity binding to kinked or cruciform DNA, leads to less dramatically altered interacting dynamics of HU compared to the HUα(triKA) mutant, but highly expanded nucleoids. Our results suggest HU plays a dual role in maintaining proper nucleoid volume through its differential interactions with chromosomal DNA. On the one hand, HU compacts the nucleoid through specific DNA structure‐binding interactions. On the other hand, it decondenses the nucleoid through many nonspecific, weak, and transitory interactions with the bulk chromosome. Such dynamic interactions may contribute to the viscoelastic properties and fluidity of the bacterial nucleoid to facilitate proper chromosome functions.