bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building trust and commitment through transparency and HR competence
Authors: Klimchak Malayka , Ward Bartlett A.K. , MacKenzie William
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore factors that help to determine employee trust in and affective commitment toward the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study were collected using surveys administered to employees of a company located in the southeastern United States. The final sample included 391 matched supervisor–subordinate dyads.

Findings

We found organizational signals of trustworthiness led to affective commitment through increased levels of employee trust. Employees and supervisors who perceived HR professionals to be competent, who felt organizational information distributions were of high quality and who felt the organization disclosed relevant information exhibited higher levels of trust in the organization. Employees showed higher affective commitment when they trusted the organization. We found that supervisor trust directly impacted subordinate affective commitment as well.

Originality/value

These findings help extend signaling theory from the attraction of employees to their retention and help researchers and practitioners alike to understand the organizational trust- and commitment-building process.
The listening guide: voice-centred-relational analysis of private subjectivities
Authors: Hutton Martina , Lystor Charlotte
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper focuses on the analytical importance of voice and the value of listening and representing voices in private contexts. It highlights the under-theorised position of relationality in family research. The paper introduces the listening guide as a unique analytical approach to sharpen researchers’ understanding of private experiences and articulations.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual and technical paper. It problematises voice, authority and analytical representation in the private location of family and examines how relational dynamics interact with the subtleties of voice in research. It also provides a practical illustration of the listening guide detailing how researchers can use this analytical approach.

Findings

The paper illustrates how the listening guide works as an analytical method, structured around four stages and applied to interview transcript excerpts.

Practical implications

The listening guide bridges private and public knowledge-making, by identifying competing voices and recognises relations of power in family research. It provides qualitative market researchers with an analytical tool to hear changes and continuities in participants’ sense of self over time.

Social implications

The paper highlights how peripheral voices and silence can be analytically surfaced in private domains. A variety of studies and data can be explored with this approach, however, research questions involving vulnerable or marginal experiences are particularly suitable.

Originality/value

The paper presents the listening guide as a novel analytic method for researching family life – one, which recovers the importance of voice and serves as a means to address the lack of debate on voice and authority in qualitative market research. It also highlights the under-theorised position of relationality in tracing the multiple subjectivities of research participants. It interrupts conventional qualitative analysis methods, directing attention away from conventional coding and towards listening as an alternative route to knowledge.
A novel simulation-annealing enabled ranking and scaling statistical simulation constrained optimization algorithm for Internet-of-things (IoTs)
Authors: Kumar Adarsh , Jain Saurabh , Yadav Divakar
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Simulation-based optimization is a decision-making tool for identifying an optimal design of a system. Here, optimal design means a smart system with sensing, computing and control capabilities with improved efficiency. As compared to testing the physical prototype, computer-based simulation provides much cheaper, faster and lesser time-and resource-consuming solutions. In this work, a comparative analysis of heuristic simulation optimization methods (genetic algorithms, evolutionary strategies, simulated annealing, tabu search and simplex search) is performed.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, a comparative analysis of heuristic simulation optimization methods (genertic algorithms, evolutionary strategies, simulated annealing, tabu search and simplex search) is performed. Further, a novel simulation annealing-based heuristic approach is proposed for critical infrastructure.

Findings

A small scale network of 50–100 nodes shows that genetic simulation optimization with multi-criteria and multi-dimensional features performs better as compared to other simulation optimization approaches. Further, a minimum of 3.4 percent and maximum of 16.2 percent improvement is observed in faster route identification for small scale Internet-of-things (IoT) networks with simulation optimization constraints integrated model as compared to the traditional method.

Originality/value

In this work, simulation optimization techniques are applied for identifying optimized Quality of service (QoS) parameters for critical infrastructure which in turn helps in improving the network performance. In order to identify optimized parameters, Tabu search and ant-inspired heuristic optimization techniques are applied over QoS parameters. These optimized values are compared with every monitoring sensor point in the network. This comparative analysis helps in identifying underperforming and outperforming monitoring points. Further, QoS of these points can be improved by identifying their local optimum values which in turn increases the performance of overall network. In continuation, a simulation model of bus transport is taken for analysis. Bus transport system is a critical infrastructure for Dehradun. In this work, feasibility of electric recharging units alongside roads under different traffic conditions is checked using simulation. The simulation study is performed over five bus routes in a small scale IoT network.
Family caregiver participation in caregiving for hospitalized elderly patients with a tracheostomy: a literature review
Authors: Tabootwong Watchara , Kiwannuka Frank
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Elderly patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation are treated with a tracheostomy. Oftentimes, the family caregivers need to participate in the care for elderly patients with a tracheostomy during hospitalization. Therefore, this paper was conducted to acknowledge what family caregivers experience while caregiving for hospitalized elderly patients with a tracheostomy.

Design/methodology/approach

This literature review identifies family caregiver participation in caregiving for the elderly patient, the impact of caregiving, and the needs of family caregivers.

Findings

Family caregivers participate in the planning and provision of care to elderly patients. Furthermore, they also collaborate in the therapeutic process for elderly patients as well. Albeit the former sentiments, they experience physical, psychological, social and financial consequences of caregiving. It has been revealed that during the process of caring for their loved ones, family caregivers often experience poor sleep quality, strain, reduction in social interaction and insufficient income. Thus, health-care professionals should support and provide care for the needs of family caregivers. This can be achieved through providing information on prognosis, the care plan, emotional support and collaboration during the therapeutic process to provide better care for elderly patients with a tracheostomy. In addition, family caregivers’ relatives can also provide financial support and rotation of caregiving schedules to avoid burnout.

Originality/value

The paper indicates that family caregivers experience the impacts of caregiving. They should be supported by health-care professionals and their relatives.
Primary cutaneous localized/clearly‐outlined true histiocytic sarcoma: Two long‐term follow‐up cases
Authors: Sato Naoko , Arai Eiichi , Nakamura Yasuhiro , Yazawa Yasuo , Yasuda Masanori
Published: March 2020

Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is a rare hematopoietic tumor that mainly involves extranodal sites, including the intestinal tract, skin, soft tissues and other organs. It is well known as an aggressive neoplasm that shows a poor response to therapy. However, a subset of patients with resectable disease has shown a favorable outcome with surgical treatment. Primary cutaneous HS is exceedingly rare and, to date, its long‐term prognosis has thus not been well described. Here, we highlight two cases of primary cutaneous HS that showed long‐term survival. Case 1 was a healthy 47‐year‐old woman who found a 12‐mm tumor on her forehead. Case 2 was a 66‐year‐old woman, under follow up of a myxoid liposarcoma in her leg, who presented with a 25‐mm tumor in her hypothenar eminence. Histologically, the tumors in both cases had a smooth outline with proliferating atypical tumor cells that showed histiocytic differentiation as revealed by immunohistochemistry with antibodies to CD68 (KP‐1) and lysozyme in case 1; and CD68, lysozyme and CD163 in case 2. Tumor cells in case 1 had a monotonous appearance. After complete resection, cases 1 and 2 have survived for 10 and 4 years, respectively, without recurrence. To date, such patients are relatively long follow‐up cases of survival from HS and highlight how a clear outline of the primary cutaneous HS tumor may be associated with its resectability and be an important factor in the assessment of its curability.
The 2019 General Election in Northern Ireland: the Rise of the Centre Ground?
Authors: Hayward Katy
Published: March 2020

The experience of the 2019 general election in Northern Ireland took a very different course to that of the rest of the UK and, indeed, to the pattern of electoral politics typical of the region. Coming after almost three years with no functioning devolved government, combined with intense disagreement and uncertainty about Brexit, voters were ready to give a message to the two largest parties. Both Sinn Féin and the DUP suffered losses in the election, with the headline outcome being that unionism no longer holds the majority of seats for Northern Ireland in Westminster. More generally, there was a swing from both sides towards centre ground voting, which brought significant gains for the Alliance Party and the SDLP. This article summarises the reasons for this broad trend, focussing on the conditions and electoral pacts which brought it about. It also considers what it might mean for the prospects for Irish unification, noting that a referendum on unification will only be passed by attracting votes from those who tend to see themselves as neither unionist or nationalist.
Activating constructive employee behavioural responses in a crisis: Examining the effects of pre‐crisis reputation and crisis communication strategies on employee voice behaviours
Authors: Kim Young , Lim Hyunji (Dana)
Published: March 2020

This study explores how organizational management can promote employee voice behaviours, as positive behavioural reactions with constructive ideas, in responding to organizational crisis. Using an experimental study (N = 640) among full‐time employees in the United States, the study found that pre‐crisis internal reputation and crisis communication strategies—accommodative response and stealing thunder—positively and directly affected constructive employee voice behaviours in a crisis situation. Furthermore, the study revealed how post‐crisis internal reputation mediates the influences of pre‐crisis internal reputation and stealing thunder on positive/constructive and negative/destructive employee voice behaviours. The findings of this study contribute to the theoretical development of crisis communication in the internal context of an organization, especially with respect to employee voice behaviours. The study also highlights an important practical implication for crisis managers who can activate and promote positive employee behaviour voices, thereby influencing leadership's strategic decision‐making in an organizational crisis.
Dynamic changes of the bacterial communities in roast chicken stored under normal and modified atmosphere packaging
Authors: Huang Jichao , Guo Yuchen , Hou Qin , Huang Ming , Zhou Xinghu
Published: March 2020

This study systematically investigated the dynamic changes in bacterial communities in roast chicken in normal and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The samples were stored under normal atmosphere and 40%/60% CO2/N2 MAP conditions for 28 days at 4 °C. Changes in the number and type of microorganisms in roast chicken during storage were defined via cultural and 16S rDNA sequencing techniques. More Bacteroides, Chryseobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Acinetobacter than other bacteria were initially found in roast chicken. With normal packaging, Pseudomonas rapidly multiplied and became the main spoilage organism in roast chicken after 7 days, with a relative abundance of >90% of the entire bacterial flora. With MAP, due to the high salt content, Halomonas became the main spoilage organism in roast chicken by the middle of the storage period (14 days). Between days 21 and 28 of storage, Pseudomonas gradually became the main spoilage organism in roast chicken, but its relative abundance was much lower in MAP than in normal packaging, followed by Lachnospiraceae (NK4A136 group) and Altererythrobacter. Our research shows that the microbes in roast chicken mainly originated from the processing environment and operators. The combination of MAP with a low storage temperature could effectively improve the quality and safety of roast chicken meat.

Practical Applications

This research showed the dynamic changes in the bacterial community of roast chicken stored under normal and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Microorganisms in roast chicken are mainly obtained from the processing environment and operators. Combining MAP with storage at low temperatures can effectively improve the quality and safety of roast chicken.
Impact of use of byproducts (chicken skin and abdominal fat) on the oxidation of chicken sausage stored under freezing
Authors: Lima Juliana L. , Assis Bianca B. T. , Arcanjo Narciza M. O. , Galvão Mercia de S. , Olegário Lary S. , Bezerra Taliana K. A. , Madruga Marta S.
Published: March 2020

Fresh chicken sausage is a meat product with high consumption in the world. The addition of a lipid source (other than abdominal fat), such as chicken skin, is considered an alternative to harnessing slaughter byproducts in the preparation of processed meat products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of use of skin and/or abdominal fat on chicken sausages and their effect on oxidative stability of chicken sausages during freezing storage. Three formulations with chicken meat added of abdominal fat (SF), or chicken skin (SS), or chicken fat and skin (SFS) were elaborated. Chemical composition, fatty acid profile, instrumental color and texture, oxidative stability of lipids and proteins, and sensory acceptability of chicken sausages were determined. SS formulation showed lower lipid and protein oxidation and softness during storage. Consumers showed greater preference and high purchase intent for SFS formulation, which showed average values of chemical composition and oxidation of chicken sausages stored under freezing. Therefore, the combined addition of lipid sources, skin, and abdominal fat is recommended for use in chicken sausages, considering that the addition of fat improves the sensory characteristics of chicken sausages and skin minimizes the oxidative effects of storage.

Practical Application

The combined addition of skin fat and abdominal fat is recommended for use in chicken sausages as it does not interfere with consumer acceptability and further ensures nutritional quality during freezing storage. In addition, it is an alternative to using a byproduct of chicken slaughter, bringing economic advantages to the industry and less environmental damage to the world.
Storage, fertilization and cost properties highlight the potential of dried microbial biomass as organic fertilizer
Authors: Spanoghe Janne , Grunert Oliver , Wambacq Eva , Sakarika Myrsini , Papini Gustavo , Alloul Abbas , Spiller Marc , Derycke Veerle , Stragier Lutgart , Verstraete Harmien , Fauconnier Koen , Verstraete Willy , Haesaert Geert , Vlaeminck Siegfried E.
Published: March 2020

The transition to sustainable agriculture and horticulture is a societal challenge of global importance. Fertilization with a minimum impact on the environment can facilitate this. Organic fertilizers can play an important role, given their typical release pattern and production through resource recovery. Microbial fertilizers (MFs) constitute an emerging class of organic fertilizers and consist of dried microbial biomass, for instance produced on effluents from the food and beverage industry. In this study, three groups of organisms were tested as MFs: a high‐rate consortium aerobic bacteria (CAB), the microalga Arthrospira platensis (‘Spirulina’) and a purple non‐sulfur bacterium (PNSB) Rhodobacter sp. During storage as dry products, the MFs showed light hygroscopic activity, but the mineral and organic fractions remained stable over a storage period of 91 days. For biological tests, a reference organic fertilizer (ROF) was used as positive control, and a commercial organic growing medium (GM) as substrate. The mineralization patterns without and with plants were similar for all MFs and ROF, with more than 70% of the organic nitrogen mineralized in 77 days. In a first fertilization trial with parsley, all MFs showed equal performance compared to ROF, and the plant fresh weight was even higher with CAB fertilization. CAB was subsequently used in a follow‐up trial with petunia and resulted in elevated plant height, comparable chlorophyll content and a higher amount of flowers compared to ROF. Finally, a cost estimation for packed GM with supplemented fertilizer indicated that CAB and a blend of CAB/PNSB (85%/15%) were most cost competitive, with an increase of 6% and 7% in cost compared to ROF. In conclusion, as bio‐based fertilizers, MFs have the potential to contribute to sustainable plant nutrition, performing as good as a commercially available organic fertilizer, and to a circular economy.
Increased CD200 levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Liu Ting‐Ting , Zeng Xiang‐Peng , Gu Ming‐Li , Deng An‐Mei
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease with an unknown etiology. CD200 is associated with many autoimmune diseases, but little is known about its role in pSS. This study aims to correlate the expression of CD200 with pSS and evaluate its significance.

Methods

Plasma CD200, CD200R, and interleukin (IL)‐17 levels were measured and analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Messenger RNA levels of CD200 and CD200R in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were quantified by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). Following pretreatment of CD200‐Fc, the protein levels of IL‐17A were measured in PBMCs from patients and healthy controls.

Results

Results showed that, compared to CD200 in healthy controls, the relative levels in PBMCs from pSS were greater than 2‐fold. In addition, CD200 levels in plasma positively correlated with IL‐17 levels, as well as between plasma CD200 and pSS activity indexes (including immunoglobulin G and European League Against Rheumatism SS Disease Activity Index). While CD200R levels were significantly decreased in pSS patients, no correlation could be found. Furthermore, the protein level of IL‐17 decreased after pretreatment of CD200‐Fc in PBMCs from pSS patients.

Conclusion

Our results suggested that the CD200/CD200R pathway is involved in pSS pathogenesis. It is hypothesized that regulation of IL‐17 expression affects Th17 differentiation. This newly discovered pathway could give rise to a novel targeted therapy for pSS.
NANDA‐I, NOC, and NIC Linkages for Nutritional Problems
Authors: Monteiro Mantovani Vanessa , Moorhead Sue , Abe Noriko
Published: March 2020

PURPOSE

To determine nursing outcomes and interventions for problem‐focused nursing diagnoses related to nutritional problems.

METHODS

Judgment of linkages among nursing diagnoses, outcomes, and interventions using a multiple review process. Five nursing diagnoses were selected, and then outcomes and interventions were determined, based on clinical expertise and scientific literature.

FINDINGS

Nursing outcomes and interventions were determined for the resolution or improvement of the nursing diagnoses, with selection of interventions that could influence the progression of the outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides knowledge for developing care plans for patients with nutritional problems and evaluating the response to the interventions.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

NANDA‐I, Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC), and Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) linkages facilitate nurses’ ability to select nursing outcomes and interventions for patients with nutritional problems.
Effects of rhizosphere oxygen concentration on root physiological characteristics and anatomical structure at the tillering stage of rice
Authors: Xu Chunmei , Chen Liping , Chen Song , Chu Guang , Wang Danying , Zhang Xiufu
Published: March 2020

Oxygen is essential for all aerobic organisms. Higher plants need oxygen to sustain metabolism and growth. After experiencing anaerobic stress for a period of time, most plant tissues will be damaged. This study examined the physiological characteristics and anatomical structures in the root tips of rice seedlings (cultivars Xiushui09 and Chunyou84) in response to different rhizosphere oxygen environments. The results showed that moderate oxygen (MO: 2.5–3.5 mg L−1) increased the dry weight accumulation and formation of rice roots (including length, surface area, number of tips) in both genotypes. Compared to under normal conditions (NC), the magnitudes of increase in these four variables were 4.67, 66.40, 35.44 and 49.50% in Xiushui09 and 12.25, 15.59, 13.57 and 13.48% in Chunyou84, respectively. Low oxygen (LO: 0–1.0 mg L−1) stress decreased the root surface area but increased root volume and average diameter. LO and high oxygen (HO: >6.8 ± 0.21 mg L−1) stress each damaged the apical cells' ultrastructure, reduced the number of organelles, and increased electrical conductivity. Meanwhile, the root activity and respiration of rice seedlings decreased; the abscisic acid content increased compared to levels under NC. Under MO treatment, the cell membrane was not damaged, the root tip organelles were rich, the soluble protein content, root activity, respiration rate and gibberellic acid content increased compared to levels under NC; the magnitudes of these increases were 24.76, 36.00, 8.00 and 283.00% in Xiushui09 and 4.78, 40.00, 15.45 and 49.35% in Chunyou84, respectively. In conclusion, MO optimised rice root morphology and enhanced root physiological activity.
Vitamin D deficiency in proximal femur fracture patients of South‐East Queensland
Authors: Awal Wasim , Bindra Randy , Price Nathan , Sadler Amanda , Robinson Ann , Hymer Isobel , Chen Joe
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To determine the incidence of hypovitaminosis D in proximal femur fracture (PFF) patients and investigate whether sociodemographic factors or radiographic parameters are associated with vitamin D levels.

Methods

This is a consecutive case series of South‐East Queensland patients presenting with low‐energy PFFs. Vitamin D levels and sociodemographic factors (age, sex, postcode, medications and type of residence) were collected from medical records. Radiographic parameters included PFF type and cortical thickness of the femur.

Results

A total of 313 patients were included (mean age = 79.5 years), and 105 (34%) were deficient in vitamin D (<50 nmol/L). There was no association between vitamin D levels and sociodemographic factors or radiographic parameters. Eighty‐four (84%) of vitamin D‐deficient patients were not taking vitamin D supplements.

Conclusions

Social and demographic factors are not correlated with vitamin D levels in this cohort. Routine vitamin D supplementation may be indicated in ageing patients although it is not always protective of low‐energy fractures.
Visual outcomes after surgery for childhood cataracts
Authors: Hansen Mathias Møller , Bach‐Holm Daniella , Kessel Line
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To describe long‐term objective and subjective visual outcomes in a group of Danish children after cataract surgery.

Methods

Follow‐up examination of 56 children aged 7–18 years who had undergone uni‐ or bilateral cataract surgery. Subjective visual function was assessed using the Cardiff Visual Ability Questionnaire for Children (CVAQC) and compared to objective visual acuity for distance and near, contrast vision and stereopsis.

Results

Better visual acuity on the better seeing and contrast vision on worst seeing eye were significant predictors of increased subjective visual function in a multivariate analysis, p = 0.024. Children in the unilateral group had a significantly better CVAQC ratio compared to children in the bilateral group, median of 0.88 (range 0.50–1.00) versus 0.80 (range 0.55–0.98), p = 0.027. Reading small print, playing ball games and seeing friends in the playground were the most difficult CVAQC items in the unilateral group and reading small print, seeing the board in the classroom and seeing friends in the playground were the most difficult in the bilateral group.

Conclusion

Children with unilateral disease often have a healthy eye to support the operated eye, why they overall have better subjective visual function. Many of the most difficult visual tasks were related to academic activities which might hamper future academical capabilities.
Pertussis epidemiology and effect of vaccination among diagnosed children at Vietnam, 2015‐2018
Authors: Pham Nhung T. H. , Le Nhan D. T. , Le Ngai K. , Nguyen Khoa D. , Larsson Mattias , Olson Linus , Tran Dien M.
Published: March 2020

Aim

To evaluate effect and costs of pertussis vaccination at Vietnam National Children's Hospital.

Methods

Pertussis cases were defined by positive laboratory tests of children under 5 years January 2015‐June 2018, and data on patient characteristics, clinical data and hospitalisation costs were collected through patient records.

Results

Of 909 inpatients, 400 (44%) were <2 months, the age for first DPT vaccination, and mechanical ventilation was more common than in children >2 months (9% vs 4%, OR = 2.3, CI 1.3‐3.9), as well as persistent cough (99%), violent cough (87%) and pneumonia (91%). Comparing non‐vaccinated (172 cases, 19%) and DPT vaccinated patients >2 months of age hospitalisation was 106‐fold higher (149.6 vs 1.39 per 100 000 population), and proportion of severe patients, length of hospital stay and hospitalisation costs were significantly greater (23.9% vs 12.8%; 13 vs 10 days; 826 USD vs 582 USD, CI 23‐423, P = .03).

Conclusion

Incidence and proportion of complications among under 2‐month infants were higher than in older patients. DPT vaccination protects children from pertussis infection, and in case of pertussis infection decreases severity. Results indicate that the Ministry of Health should consider adding a booster vaccine for pregnant women in an extended vaccination programme.
Tacrolimus induces short‐term but not long‐term clinical response in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Rodríguez‐Lago Iago , Castro‐Poceiro Jesús , Fernández‐Clotet Agnès , Mesonero Francisco , López‐Sanromán Antonio , López‐García Alicia , Márquez Lucía , Clos‐Parals Ariadna , Cañete Fiorella , Vicuña Miren , Nantes Óscar , Merino Olga , Matallana Virginia , Gordillo Jordi , Elorza Ainara , Vicente Raquel , Casanova María José , Ferreiro‐Iglesias Rocío , Pérez‐Galindo Pablo , Benítez José Manuel , Taxonera Carlos , García María José , Martín Eduardo , Aguirre Urko , Gisbert Javier P. ,   the Young GETECCU Group
Published: March 2020

Background

Tacrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor commonly used for prophylaxis of rejection in renal and liver transplantation. There are limited but favourable data regarding its possible use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Aims

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus in patients with IBD in clinical practice.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, multicentre study in 22 centres in Spain. All adult patients who received oral tacrolimus for luminal or perianal IBD were included. Clinical response was assessed by Harvey‐Bradshaw index and partial Mayo score after 3 months. Perianal disease was evaluated by fistula drainage assessment.

Results

One hundred and forty‐three patients were included (mean age 38 years; 51% male; median disease duration 110 months). In ulcerative colitis (UC) (n = 58), the partial Mayo score decreased after 3 months from median 6 to 3 (P = 0.0001), whereas in Crohn's disease (CD) (n = 85), the Harvey‐Bradshaw index decreased after 3 months from median 9 to 7 (P = 0.011). In CD patients, blood tacrolimus concentrations during induction (>10 ng/mL vs <10 ng/mL; odds ratio 0.23, 95% CI 0.05‐0.87) and the concomitant use of thiopurines (odds ratio 0.18, 95% CI 0.04‐0.81) were associated with lower clinical disease activity at 3 months. Of 62 patients with perianal disease, complete closure was observed in 8% (n = 5) of patients with perianal fistulas, with 34% (n = 21) showing partial response. Treatment was maintained for a median of 6 months (IQR, 2‐16). After a median clinical follow‐up of 24 months (IQR, 15‐57), the rate of treatment‐related adverse events was 34%, correlating with blood drug concentrations (P = 0.021). Finally, 120 patients (84%) discontinued tacrolimus, usually due to absence or loss of response. Three patients (2%) were subsequently diagnosed with cancer. The overall rate of surgery was 39%, with a 33% colectomy rate in UC.

Conclusions

Tacrolimus shows a clinical benefit in both CD and UC after 3 months of treatment, but its long‐term effectiveness and frequent adverse events remain relevant issues in clinical practice.
Internal hernia beneath the obturator nerve after robot‐assisted lateral lymph node dissection for rectal cancer: A case report and literature review
Authors: Uehara Hiroaki , Yamazaki Toshiyuki , Kameyama Hitoshi , Iwaya Akira , Gohda Yousuke , Chinen Itaru , Kubota Akira , Aoki Makoto , Kobayashi Kazuaki , Sato Daisuke , Yokoyama Naoyuki , Kuwabara Shirou , Otani Tetsuya
Published: March 2020

A 63‐year‐old man who underwent robot‐assisted laparoscopic low anterior resection and right lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) for rectal cancer presented with right thigh pain, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain on postoperative day 17. CT revealed dilated small bowel in the pelvis, and a small bowel loop was detected outside the internal iliac artery branch. Emergent laparoscopic surgery revealed the migration of the small bowel into the space beneath the right obturator nerve. The herniated bowel was reduced, and the obturator nerve was sharply dissected from the herniated bowel and preserved. The hernial orifice was left unrepaired. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the right thigh pain disappeared. It is important to consider the possibility of internal herniation beneath the obturator nerve after minimally invasive lateral lymph node dissection for rectal cancer.
Regulation of the intestinal barrier by nutrients: The role of tight junctions
Authors: Suzuki Takuya
Published: March 2020

Tight junctions (TJs) play an important role in intestinal barrier function. TJs in intestinal epithelial cells are composed of different junctional molecules, such as claudin and occludin, and regulate the paracellular permeability of water, ions, and macromolecules in adjacent cells. One of the most important roles of the TJ structure is to provide a physical barrier to luminal inflammatory molecules. Impaired integrity and structure of the TJ barrier result in a forcible activation of immune cells and chronic inflammation in different tissues. According to recent studies, the intestinal TJ barrier could be regulated, as a potential target, by dietary factors to prevent and reduce different inflammatory disorders, although the precise mechanisms underlying the dietary regulation remain unclear. This review summarizes currently available information on the regulation of the intestinal TJ barrier by food components.
Combined 5‐hydroxymethylcytosine content of human leucocyte antigen‐B and human leucocyte antigen‐DQB1 as novel biomarker for anti‐tuberculosis drug‐induced liver injury
Authors: Li Yuhong , Ren Qi , Wu Dongxue , Zhang Mi , Wang Xue , Zhu Hanyu , Sun Shufeng , Feng Fumin
Published: March 2020

This study investigated the diagnostic value of 5‐methylcytosine (5‐mC) and 5‐hydroxymethylcytosine (5‐hmC) contents of human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐B and HLA‐DQB1 in anti‐tuberculosis drug‐induced liver injury (ADLI). In total, 110 ADLI patients and 120 patients without ADLI controls were enrolled. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the 5‐mC and 5‐hmC content in DNA from peripheral blood leucocytes. The univariate analysis showed that smoking, drinking, and 5‐mC and 5‐hmC content of HLA‐B and HLA‐DQB1 were significantly associated with ADLI. After adjusting for drinking and smoking, we found that 5‐mC content of HLA‐B and HLA‐DQB1 were associated with ADLI (odds ratio [OR] = 0.251 and 0.347, respectively) and 5‐hmC contents of HLA‐B and HLA‐DQB1 were also associated with ADLI (OR = 1.848 and 4.705, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that the 5‐hmC contents of both HLA‐B and HLA‐DQB1 were more clinically significant than the 5‐mC contents were. The combined 5‐hmC level of HLA‐B and HLA‐DQB1 was the best diagnostic biomarker for ADLI, with the highest areas under the curve (AUC) for 0.953, sensitivity for 0.900 and specificity for 0.875. Therefore, combined 5‐hmC levels of HLA‐B and HLA‐DQB1 could be significant evidence for diagnosis of ADLI.
The combination of ibrutinib and rituximab demonstrates activity in first‐line follicular lymphoma
Authors: Fowler Nathan H. , Nastoupil Loretta , De Vos Sven , Knapp Mark , Flinn Ian W. , Chen Robert , Advani Ranjana H. , Bhatia Sumeet , Martin Peter , Mena Raul , Davis Richard Eric , Neelapu Sattva S. , Eckert Karl , Ping Jerry , Co Melannie , Beaupre Darrin M. , Neuenburg Jutta K. , Palomba M. Lia
Published: March 2020

This phase 2 study evaluated the activity and safety of ibrutinib, a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor, plus rituximab in adults with previously untreated follicular lymphoma. Patients received once‐daily ibrutinib 560 mg continuously plus once‐weekly rituximab 375 mg/m2 for 4 weeks beginning Week 1 (Arm 1, n = 60) or Week 9 (following an 8‐week ibrutinib lead‐in) to explore biomarkers (Arm 2, n = 20). The primary endpoint was the best overall response rate (ORR). The median age was 58 years; most had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status of 0 (74%) and Stage III/IV disease (84%). At a median study follow‐up of 34 months in Arm 1 and 29 months in Arm 2, ORRs were 85% [95% confidence interval (CI) 73–93] and 75% (95% CI 51–91), respectively, with complete responses in 40% and 50%. The median duration of response was not reached in either arm; 30‐month progression‐free and overall survival rates were 67% and 97% (Arm 1) and 65% and 100% (Arm 2). The most common adverse events were fatigue, diarrhoea and nausea. Higher grade (Grade 3/4) haematological, haemorrhagic and cardiac events occurred infrequently. Ibrutinib plus rituximab was active and tolerable in first‐line follicular lymphoma.
Distribution of prostate cancer recurrences on gallium‐68 prostate‐specific membrane antigen (68Ga‐PSMA) positron‐emission/computed tomography after radical prostatectomy with pathological node‐positive extended lymph node dissection
Authors: Huits Thijs H. , Luiting Henk B. , van der Poel Henk G. , Nandurkar Rohan , Donswijk Maarten , Schaake Eva , Vogel Wouter , Roobol Monique J. , Wit Esther , Stricker Phillip , Emmett Louise , van Leeuwen Pim J.
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To examine the anatomical distribution of prostate cancer (PCa) recurrence on gallium‐68 prostate‐specific membrane antigen (68Ga‐PSMA) positron‐emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in patients with biochemical recurrence (BCR) after undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) with pathological lymph node metastasis (pN1) in their extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND), and to compare the location of PCa recurrence with the location of the initial lymph node metastasis at ePLND.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 100 patients with BCR (PSA 0.05–5.00 ng/mL) after RP with pN1 ePLND who underwent 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT to guide salvage therapy. Clinical and pathological features and anatomical locations of PCa recurrence on 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT were obtained, and management impact was recorded.

Results

In all, 68 patients (68%) had a positive and 32 patients (32%) had a negative 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT result. Of the 68 patients with a positive 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT, 44 (65%) showed abnormal uptake only in the pelvic area, seven (10%) only outside the pelvic area, and 17 (25%) both within and outside the pelvic area. 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT‐positive pelvic lymph nodes were often (84%) detected on the same side as the lymph node metastasis diagnosed at ePLND. Based on the outcomes of the 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT, change of management was noted in 68% of the patients.

Conclusion

Recurrence of PCa on 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT was limited to the pelvis in the majority of patients with BCR after RP with pN1 ePLND. Moreover, recurrence was often detected on the same side as the lymph node metastasis at ePLND. The results confirm the diagnostic value of 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT in patients with BCR after RP with pN1 ePLND. Prospective studies are needed to support the long‐term benefit of 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT‐dictated management changes.
Improved scanning accuracy with newly designed scan bodies: An in vitro study comparing digital versus conventional impression techniques for complete‐arch implant rehabilitation
Authors: Huang Ruoxuan , Liu Yuanxiang , Huang Baoxin , Zhang Chaobiao , Chen Zhuofan , Li Zhipeng
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To compare the accuracy of an original and two newly designed CAD/CAM scan bodies used in digital impressions with one another as well as conventional implant impressions.

Material and methods

A reference model containing four implants was fabricated. Digital impressions were taken using an intraoral scanner with different scan bodies: original scan bodies for Group I (DO), CAD/CAM scan bodies without extensional structure for Group II (DC), and CAD/CAM scan bodies with extensional structure for Group III (DCE). For Group IV, conventional splinted open‐tray impressions (CI) were taken. The reference model and conventional stone casts were digitalized with a laboratory reference scanner. The Standard Tessellation Language datasets were imported into an inspection software for trueness and precision assessment. Statistical analysis was performed with a Kruskal–Wallis test and Dunn–Bonferroni test. The level of significance was set at α = .05.

Results

The median of trueness was 35.85, 38.50, 28.45, and 25.55 μm for Group I, II, III, and IV, respectively. CI was more accurate than DO (p = .015) and DC (p = .002). The median of precision was 48.40, 48.90, 27.30, and 19.00 for Group I, II, III, and IV, respectively. CI was more accurate than DO (p < .001), DC (p < .001), and DCE (p = .007). DCE was more accurate than DC (p < .001) and DO (p < .001).

Conclusions

The design of the extensional structure could significantly improve scanning accuracy. Conventional splinted open‐tray impressions were more accurate than digital impressions for full‐arch implant rehabilitation.
Extinction rate of discovered and undiscovered plants in Singapore
Authors: Kristensen Nadiah P. , Seah Wei Wei , Chong Kwek Yan , Yeoh Yi Shuen , Fung Tak , Berman Laura M. , Tan Hui Zhen , Chisholm Ryan A.
Published: March 2020

Extinction is a key issue in the assessment of global biodiversity. However, many extinction rate measures do not account for species that went extinct before they could be discovered. The highly developed island city–state of Singapore has one of the best‐documented tropical floras in the world. This allowed us to estimate the total rate of floristic extinctions in Singapore since 1822 after accounting for sampling effort and crypto extinctions by collating herbaria records. Our database comprised 34,224 specimens from 2076 native species, of which 464 species (22%) were considered nationally extinct. We assumed that undiscovered species had the same annual per‐species extinction rates as discovered species and that no undiscovered species remained extant. With classical and Bayesian algorithms, we estimated that 304 (95% confidence interval, 213–414) and 412 (95% credible interval, 313–534) additional species went extinct before they could be discovered, respectively; corresponding total extinction rate estimates were 32% and 35% (range 30–38%). We detected violations of our 2 assumptions that could cause our extinction estimates, particularly the absolute numbers, to be biased downward. Thus, our estimates should be treated as lower bounds. Our results illustrate the possible magnitudes of plant extirpations that can be expected in the tropics as development continues.
The affect of personality traits and decision‐making style on postoperative quality of life and distress in patients undergoing pelvic exenteration
Authors: Coker D. J. , Koh C. E. , Steffens D. , Young J. M. , Vuong K. , Alchin L. , Solomon M. J.
Published: March 2020

Aim

Our aim was to identify whether personality traits and decision‐making styles affect quality of life (QoL) outcomes and levels of psychological distress following pelvic exenteration (PE).

Method

Patients undergoing PE between 2008 and 2015 were identified from a prospectively maintained database at a single quaternary referral centre. Patients were invited to complete two validated questionnaires, with the Big Five inventory being used to assess personality traits and the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire to determine decision‐making style. Data on QoL outcomes and distress from the prospectively established database were utilized. QoL with respect to both physical and mental health components was measured using Short Form 36 version 2 (SF‐36v2) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Colorectal (FACT‐C). Distress was measured using the Distress Thermometer. Postoperative pain scores were also measured using SF‐36v2.

Results

Of the 93 patients eligible for participation, 42 returned the study questionnaire. On multivariate analysis, neuroticism was the most significant predictor of poorer QoL and increased levels of distress, consistent across all of the measures utilized and at the different time points used. Other personality traits showed an isolated statistically significant impact upon QoL. There were no significant findings with respect to decision‐making style. Apart from neuroticism, the most significant predictor of QoL was the number of major complications for the patient.

Conclusion

Patients demonstrating neurotic personality traits show poorer QoL outcomes and higher levels of distress following PE. Identification of these patients would allow targeted pre‐ and postoperative intervention to improve outcomes following PE.
The Bright and Dark Sides of Performance‐Dependent Monetary Rewards: Evidence From Visual Perception Tasks
Authors: Qin Nan , Xue Jingming , Chen Chuansheng , Zhang Mingxia
Published: March 2020

Studies have shown that performance‐dependent monetary rewards facilitate visual perception. However, no study has examined whether such a positive effect is limited to the rewarded task or may be generalized to other tasks. In the current study, two groups of people were asked to perform two visual perception tasks, one being a reward‐relevant task and the other being a reward‐irrelevant task. For the reward‐relevant task, the experimental group received performance‐dependent monetary rewards, whereas the control group did not. For the reward‐irrelevant task, both groups were not rewarded. The two tasks were randomly intermixed trial by trial (Experiment 1) or presented block by block (Experiment 2) or session by session (Experiments 3a, 3b, and 3c). Results showed that performance‐dependent monetary rewards improved participants' performance on the relevant task in all experiments and impaired their performance on the irrelevant task in Experiments 2, 3a, 3b, and 3c. These results suggested that monetary rewards might incur a cost on reward‐irrelevant tasks. Finally, the benefit of monetary rewards disappeared when they were no longer provided during the final session. This is the first study that reveals both the bright and dark sides of the performance‐dependent monetary rewards in visual perception.
EX ANTE EFFICIENT MECHANISM WITH PRIVATE ENTRY COSTS
Authors: Feng Xin , Lu Jingfeng , Sun Yeneng
Published: March 2020

This paper studies ex ante efficient resource allocation mechanism in an environment where agents endowed with their private values must incur private entry costs to participate. Due to the nature of this bidimensional screening problem and the difficulty in fully characterizing all implementable endogenous entries, the domain of the related social planner's problem that is essential for establishing the existence of efficient mechanism needs to be carefully designed. We find that a second‐price auction among the entrants with a reserve price equal to the seller's valuation is ex ante efficient, and any ex ante efficient mechanism must be ex post efficient. (JEL D44, D61, D82)
Species richness, range size, and wing development in South American melanopline grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Acrididae)
Authors: Scattolini María Celeste , Lira‐Noriega Andrés , Cigliano María Marta
Published: March 2020

1. Wing development can influence biogeographic patterns, and much debate has been focused on the ecological conditions that favour secondary wing reductions in insects. Although grasshoppers are mostly flight‐capable, brachypterism appears to be common in many species and has been typically associated with limited dispersal abilities.

2. This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of biodiversity patterns in South American melanopline grassshoppers. Two different macroecological methodologies were applied: a range–diversity plots approach and generalised lineal models (GLMs). The study simultaneously considered three features (species richness, range size, and wing development) and four potentially explanatory hypotheses that can influence geographic biodiversity patterns: energy, environmental heterogeneity, seasonality, and habitat suitability hypotheses.

3. These analyses of dispersal abilities and distributional data indicate a clear and consistent association between wing development and biogeographical patterns in South American melanopline grasshoppers. Brachyptery was related to small distribution sizes, whereas the opposite was true for macroptery. Melanopline species richness is best explained by all the environmental hypotheses considered in the analysis (energy, environmental heterogeneity, seasonality, and habitat suitability hypotheses), whereas geographic range size is explained by the environmental heterogeneity and seasonality hypotheses.

4. Models indicate a stronger association with range size than with species richness, and it is therefore considered that range size is a key feature to elucidate the spatial patterns of biodiversity. Despite the relevance of species richness and range sizes as descriptors of macroecological and biodiversity patterns, these features are seldom investigated simultaneously.