bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consumer perceptions of cobrands: the role of brand positioning strategies
Authors: Singh Jaywant , P. Kalafatis Stavros , Ledden Lesley
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– Cobranding is increasingly popular as a strategy for commercial success. Brand positioning strategies are central to marketing, yet the impact of perceptions of parent brands’ positioning on consumers’ perceptions of cobrand positioning has not been investigated. The aim of the present study is to fill this gap.

Design/methodology/approach

– Employing a quasi-experimental design, the authors create cobranding scenarios in three product categories (tablet computers, cosmetics, and smart phones). The data are collected via structured questionnaires resulting in 160 valid responses. The data are analyzed employing Partial Least Squares-based Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), and consumer evaluation of cobrands is tested in relationship to the prior positioning of the parent brands, product fit and brand fit, along with post-alliance positioning perceptions of the partner brands.

Findings

– The results confirm brand positioning as a robust indicator of consumer evaluation of cobrands. Positioning perceptions of partner brands are positively related to cobrand positioning perceptions. In addition, pre-alliance positioning significantly relate to post-alliance positioning, confirming cobranding as a viable strategy for partner brands.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper recommends research that could reveal the impact of differential brand equities of partner brands, such as, between a high-equity brand and a low/moderate-equity brand, mixed brand alliances – product/service; service/service, and at different levels of partner brand familiarity.

Practical implications

– Managers should design cobrand positioning based on existing positioning perceptions of the partner brands, rather than focussing on product fit and brand fit.

Originality/value

– The study demonstrates the focal role of positioning strategies of partner brands in consumer evaluation of cobrands.
Evaluating the performance of destination marketing systems (DMS): stakeholder perspective
Authors: Sigala Marianna
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– Destination marketing systems (DMS) represent a vital inter-organisational information system (IOIS) for supporting the collaborative e-marketing strategies of tourism firms and the competitiveness of tourism destinations. However, many DMS have failed to deliver the expected outcomes, while the performance measurement of DMS has not been thoroughly investigated in the literature so far. The study synthesises research from the fields of DMS, IOIS and collaborative practices for investigating the perceptions of various tourism DMS stakeholders about the evaluation of DMS performance. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study conducted a nation-wide survey for measuring the perceptions of various tourism DMS stakeholders in Greece about the importance of the roles that DMS should serve as well as the items that should be used for measuring the performance of these DMS’ roles.

Findings

– The findings showed that the public and private stakeholders held different perceptions about the roles of DMS as well as about the metrics that need to be used for evaluating DMS performance. The findings also showed that the perceptions that stakeholders hold about the roles of the DMS influence their perceptions about the performance evaluation of DMS.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings are based on evaluating a specific type of IOIS and sector/context. Thus, caution is required in generalising the results to other types of IOIS and social/environmental contexts.

Practical implications

– The study highlighted that the performance and success of DMS, and of IOIS projects in general, require the nurturing of a collaborative culture and the co-ordination of the various stakeholders’ perceptions and interests.

Originality/value

– The study addresses the gap in DMS performance evaluation and it contributes to the literature about IOIS evaluation by adopting a stakeholders approach.
Product innovation and cause-related marketing success
Authors: Christofi Michael , Vrontis Demetris , Leonidou Erasmia
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, the authors aim to identify all the product- and brand-related factors that promote cause-related marketing (CRM) success. The second part of this research aim is, to undertake a product innovation theory application into the context of CRM, examine the degree and nature of its theoretical and practical consonance, and develop an integrated conceptual framework for CRM success.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is conceptual and incorporates and interrelates the findings of existing CRM research as applied within the context of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Specifically this paper accumulates the state of prior wisdom on CRM success through the identification of several product- and brand-related success factors, based on a systematic review of the literature. In doing so, it introduces the concept of product innovation as a CRM success factor and integrates those distinct fields into a conceptual framework.

Findings

– The authors develop an integrative framework and a propositional inventory that represents a consolidated foundation for the systematic development of a theory for successful CRM strategies, along with the integration of product innovation within the field of CRM.

Research limitations/implications

– Towards this direction, the objective of this study is theory construction rather than theory testing. Thus, much work remains to be done in terms of empirically testing our research propositions. In conclusion, this paper posits a set of research directions designed to enable scholars to further advance the integration of product innovation and CRM from both problem-driven theory development as well as theory-driven practice management perspectives.

Originality/value

– The value of this paper accumulates the state of prior wisdom on CRM success, a notion with increasing use by corporations in recent years. Furthermore, this paper appears to be the first of its kind to examine, from the theorist perspective, the dynamics implied by synthesizing these, so far, distinct concepts. Additionally, the research adds appreciable value to academic knowledge on the fundamental discussion of the bidirectional relationship between CSR and innovation, also contributing an analogous CRM success framework to the existing wisdom.
Environmental sustainability and competitive advantage in a wine tourism micro-cluster
Authors: Grimstad Sidsel , Burgess John
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to examine the competitive advantage of the environmental behaviour at a firm level and micro-cluster level, building the analysis on Harts model of natural resource-based view of the firm and by using Brownet al.'s framework for analysing contextual resources that would provide locational advantage based on environmental behaviour. The case study examines the drivers and the obstacles to environmental action and demonstrates how clustering has been important in progressing a sustainability agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study of a single wine tourism cluster in Australia is undertaken using mixed methods.

Findings

– The main drivers for environmental action are genuine concerns for the environment by the cluster participants, especially water conservation in the Australian context. Supporting this is the co-ordination of the Lovedale Chamber of Commerce which has promoted its “greening Lovedale” project as a source of regional identity and potential competitive advantage. The obstacles to action are those that are present when small firms dominate, a lack of resources and a lack of know how. Through clustering small businesses can share resources, access specialists and share knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

– A single cluster case study within the Australian and the wine tourism context confined to one point in time.

Practical implications

– The clustering of firms in agricultural regions offers the opportunity to achieve individual and collective benefits. Clustering participation can reduce costs, achieve scale economies and share knowledge. These advantages are relevant for environmental actions. In the context of weak or absent government actions and regulations over the environment, regional clusters can utilise the advantages of clustering to meet environmental goals. These in turn can contribute to regional identity and regional comparative advantage. These issues are addressed through the study of the Lovedale wine cluster in Australia.

Originality/value

– There are few studies of how clustered agricultural industries are addressing environmental challenges independently of central government directives or subsidies. Clustering enables small firms to participate in environmental programs despite being faced by resource and knowledge shortages.
Oral infection with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli triggers immune response and intestinal histological alterations in mice selected for their minimal acute inflammatory responses
Authors: Vulcano Amanda Bardella , Tino‐De‐Franco Milene , Amaral José Araujo , Ribeiro Orlando Garcia , Cabrera Wafa Hanna Koury , Bordenalli Marcela Aparecida , Carbonare Cristiane Barros , Álvares Eliana Parisi , Carbonare Solange Barros
Published: April 2014

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), a leading cause of infant diarrhea, is an important public health problem in Brazil and other developing countries. In vitro assays of bacterial adhesion to cultured cells are important tools for studying bacterial pathogenicity but do not reproduce all the events that occur in natural infections. In this study, the effects of oral infection with EPEC on mice selected for their minimal acute inflammatory response (AIRmin) were evaluated. Mice were orally infected with EPEC and variations in body weight, bacterial shedding and antibody production observed. The infected animals developed seric and secretory anti‐EPEC antibodies; however, neither mortality nor diarrhea was observed. Light microscopy of their intestines demonstrated histological modifications that were not present in controls. However, electron microscopy did not show bacteria attached to the intestinal epithelia to form attaching and effacing lesions, characteristic of EPEC in humans. The bacteria were detected in Peyer's patches and intestinal contents up to 5 hr post‐infection. When human anti‐EPEC secretory immunoglobulin A or avian immunoglobulin Y antibodies were administered to infected animals, they developed minor histological alterations compared with non‐treated animals. In summary, it was found that EPEC triggers immune responses and intestinal histological alterations but does not produce evidence of diarrheal disease in mice infected by the oral route. This study of EPEC experimental infection provides a better understanding of the effects of antibodies on bacterial infections and may provide a suitable model for the design and testing of immunobiological products for active or passive immunization.
Understanding the biology of reactive oxygen species and their link to cancer: NADPH oxidases as novel pharmacological targets
Authors: Harrison Ian P , Selemidis Stavros
Published: April 2014

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), the cellular products of myriad physiological processes, have long been understood to lead to cellular damage if produced in excess and to be a causative factor in cancer through the oxidation and nitration of various macromolecules. Reactive oxygen species influence various hallmarks of cancer, such as cellular proliferation and angiogenesis, through the promotion of cell signalling pathways intrinsic to these processes and can also regulate the function of key immune cells, such as macrophages and regulatory T cells, which promote angiogenesis in the tumour environment. Herein we emphasize the family of NADPH oxidase enzymes as the most likely source of ROS, which promote angiogenesis and tumourigenesis through signalling pathways within endothelial, immune and tumour cells. In this review we focus on the pharmacological inhibitors of NADPH oxidases and suggest that, compared with traditional anti‐oxidants, they are likely to offer better alternatives for suppression of tumour angiogenesis. Despite the emerging enthusiasm towards the use of NADPH oxidase inhibitors for cancer therapy, this field is still in its infancy; in particular, there is a glaring lack of knowledge of the roles of NADPH oxidases in in vivo animal models and in human cancers. Certainly a clearer understanding of the relevant signalling pathways influenced by NADPH oxidases during angiogenesis in cancer is likely to yield novel therapeutic approaches.
Tumour necrosis factor‐α inhibition with lenalidomide alleviates tissue oxidative injury and apoptosis in ob/ob obese mice
Authors: Zhu Xiaoling , Jiang Shasha , Hu Nan , Luo Fuling , Dong Hailong , Kang Yu‐Ming , Jones Kyla R , Zou Yunzeng , Xiong Lize , Ren Jun
Published: April 2014

Lenalidomide (Revlimid; Selleck Chemicals, Houston, TX, USA), an analogue of thalidomide, possesses potent cytokine modulatory capacity through inhibition of cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, a cytokine pivotal for the onset and development of complications in obesity and diabetes mellitus. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of lenalidomide on oxidative stress, protein and DNA damage in multiple organs in an ob/ob murine model of obesity. To this end, C57BL/6 lean and ob/ob obese mice were administered lenalidomide (50 mg/kg per day, p.o.) for 5 days. Oxidative stress, protein and DNA damage were assessed using the conversion of reduced glutathione (GSH) to oxidized glutathione (GSSG), carbonyl formation and Comet assay, respectively. Apoptosis was evaluated using caspase 3 activity, and levels of Bax, Bcl‐2, Bip, caspase 8, caspase 9 and TNF‐α were assessed using western blot analysis. Lenalidomide treatment did not affect glucose clearance in lean or ob/ob mice. Obese mice exhibited a reduced GSH/GSSG ratio in the liver, gastrocnemius skeletal muscle and small intestine, as well as enhanced protein carbonyl formation, DNA damage and caspase 3 activity in the liver, kidney, skeletal muscle and intestine; these effects were alleviated by lenalidomide, with the exception of obesity‐associated DNA damage in the liver and kidney. Western blot analysis revealed elevated TNF‐α, Bax, Bcl‐2, Bip, caspase 8 and caspase 9 in ob/ob mice with various degrees of reversal by lenalidomide treatment. Together, these data indicate that lenalidomide protects against obesity‐induced tissue injury and protein damage, possibly in association with antagonism of cytokine production and cytokine‐induced apoptosis and oxidative stress.
Toll‐like receptor‐4 signalling in the progression of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by high‐fat and high‐fructose diet in mice
Authors: Liu Jing , Zhuang Zhen‐jie , Bian Dong‐xue , Ma Xiao‐jie , Xun Yun‐hao , Yang Wen‐jun , Luo Yan , Liu Yin‐lan , Jia Ling , Wang Yan , Zhu Ming‐li , Ye De‐wei , Zhou Gang , Lou Guo‐qiang , Shi Jun‐ping
Published: April 2014

The aim of the present study was to investigate Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR4) signalling at different stages of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by a high‐fat, high‐fructose (HFHFr) diet in mice. Both TLR4 wild‐type (WT) and mutant (TLR4mut) mice were fed either standard chow (SC) or the HFHFr diet for different periods of time from 4 to 16 weeks. Pathological characteristics and function of the liver were assessed. Simple steatosis, steatohepatitis and hepatic fibrosis occurred sequentially in Week 4, 8 and 16 in WT mice fed with the HFHFr. Expression of TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), interferon regulatory factor (IRF) 3 and IRF7 started to increase at Week 4, peaked at Week 8 and then declined to basal levels at Week 16. This pattern was consistent with changes in inflammation in the liver revealed by haematoxylin and eosin staining. However, lipid accumulation, inflammation and fibrosis in livers of TLR4mut mice fed the HFHFr diet were significantly alleviated. In addition, the expression of activin A in WT mice fed the HFHFr diet increased at Week 16. The data suggest that TLR4 signalling mediates non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis before fibrosis and that activin A is subsequently involved in NAFLD.
α‐Lipoic acid prolongs survival and attenuates acute kidney injury in a rat model of sepsis
Authors: Li Guofu , Gao Linlin , Jia Jia , Gong Xiaoying , Zang Bin , Chen Weimin
Published: April 2014

Acute kidney injury is a frequent and serious complication in patients with severe sepsis. α‐Lipoic acid (ALA), a naturally occurring dithiol compound, has been shown to possess anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidative properties. In the present study we investigated whether ALA could attenuate acute kidney injury and improve survival in a rat model of sepsis. Rats were subjected to caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce sepsis. α‐Lipoic acid (200 mg/kg) was administered by oral gavage either immediately (early treatment) or 12 h after the surgical procedure (delayed treatment). Both early and delayed ALA treatment effectively prolonged survival, improved pathological damage in kidney tissues and reduced serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in CLP‐induced septic rats. Furthermore, early treatment with ALA markedly inhibited the release of tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐1β into the serum and reduced mRNA and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and high mobility group box 1 in kidney tissues from CLP‐induced rats. Finally, CLP‐induced nuclear factor‐κB activation in kidney tissues was significantly suppressed by early ALA treatment. Together, the results indicate that ALA is able to reduce mortality and attenuate acute kidney injury associated with sepsis, possibly by anti‐inflammatory actions. α‐Lipoic acid may be a promising novel agent for the treatment of conditions associated with septic shock.
Is There a Distinctively Associative Account of Political Obligation?
Authors: Horton John , Windeknecht Ryan Gabriel
Published: April 2014

Associative theorists of political obligation argue that individuals are bound to the political society of which they are members and that membership itself is the primary ground of political obligation. Some critics claim that this argument fails in large part because any plausible associative account collapses into some non-associative theory of political obligation. This article rejects such claims, arguing that associativism is in fact a distinctive approach to political obligation. Specifically, it holds that the normative force of associativism is irreducible to either the voluntarism of consent or the universalism of natural duty theories of political obligation. Although there may be some similarities between associative accounts and these alternative theories, there are also important differences that mean the associative account cannot be assimilated without significant remainder to non-associative theories. Hence, associative accounts offer a genuinely distinctive approach to political obligation. However, whether they offer a better approach is not a question that this article addresses.
Why Do Tories Defect to UKIP? Conservative Party Members and the Temptations of the Populist Radical Right
Authors: Webb Paul , Bale Tim
Published: April 2014

This research note draws on a new survey to reveal a widespread willingness among current Conservative Party members in Britain to countenance voting for the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) at future general elections. Those most likely to do so are cultural conservatives, but they are not overly right-wing on the distributional dimension of politics. They are particularly concerned about immigration and the European Union, do not feel valued or respected by their own leadership and even regard David Cameron — their own party leader and the country's prime mnister — as ideologically more remote from them than UKIP. This serves to illustrate some of the strategic dilemmas facing centre-right parties confronted by populist right challengers.
Playing Kant at the Court of King Arthur
Authors: Jubb Robert
Published: April 2014

This article contrasts the sense in which those whom Bernard Williams called ‘political realists’ and John Rawls are committed to the idea that political philosophy has to be distinctively political. Distinguishing the realist critique of political moralism from debates over ideal and non-ideal theory, it is argued that Rawls is more realist than many realists realise, and that realists can learn more about how to make a distinctively political vision of how our life together should be organised from his theorising, although it also points to a worrying tendency among Rawlsians to reach for inappropriately moralised arguments. G. A. Cohen's advocacy of socialism and the second season of HBO's The Wire are used as examples to illustrate these points.
Human Rights and the Regulation of Transnational Clinical Trials
Authors: Pierik Roland
Published: April 2014

One of the more worrying trends in globalization today is the growing practice of Western companies relocating clinical trials to impoverished countries. This article begins by providing a comprehensive description of the practice and its current regulatory oversight. It is argued that this regulatory scheme is insufficient for protecting the interests of test subjects in such relocated trials. The article then suggests an alternative scheme, embedded in the general framework of human rights protections, and develops the contours of such a human-rights-based regulatory scheme. It concludes by arguing why this alternative regulatory framework does a better job of protecting the interests of test subjects than those regulatory schemes currently available: the Declaration of Helsinki and the statement of Good Clinical Practice.
Jane Jacobs' ‘Cities First’ Model and Archaeological Reality
Authors: Smith Michael E. , Ur Jason , Feinman Gary M.
Published: April 2014

InThe Economy of Cities, Jane Jacobs conjectured that the world's first cities preceded the origins of agriculture, a proposition that was most recently revived by Peter Taylor in the pages of this journal. Jacobs' idea was out of line with extant archaeological findings when first advanced decades ago, and it remains firmly contradicted by a much fuller corpus of data today. After a review of how and why Jacobs formulated her ‘cities first’ model, we review current archaeological knowledge from the Near East, China and Mesoamerica to document the temporal precedence of agriculture before urbanism in each of these regions. Contrary to the opinions of Jacobs and Taylor, archaeological data are in fact sufficiently robust to reconstruct patterns of diet, settlement and social organization in the past, and to assign dates to the relevant sites. Our response illustrates how generations of archaeological discoveries have yielded solid empirical foundations for the evaluation of wider social scientific debates.
Cold Plasma Rapid Decontamination of Food Contact Surfaces Contaminated with Salmonella Biofilms
Authors: Niemira Brendan A. , Boyd Glenn , Sites Joseph
Published: April 2014

Cross‐contamination of foods from persistent pathogen reservoirs is a known risk factor in processing environments. Industry requires a rapid, waterless, zero‐contact, chemical‐free method for removing pathogens from food contact surfaces. Cold plasma was tested for its ability to inactivate Salmonella biofilms. A 3‐strain Salmonella culture was grown to form adherent biofilms for 24, 48, or 72 h on a test surface (glass slides). These were placed on a conveyor belt and passed at various line speeds to provide exposure times of 5, 10, or 15 s. The test plate was either 5 or 7.5 cm under a plasma jet emitter operating at 1 atm using filtered air as the feed gas. The frequency of high‐voltage electricity was varied from 23 to 48 kHz. At the closer spacing (5 cm), cold plasma reduced Salmonella biofilms by up to 1.57 log CFU/mL (5 s), 1.82 log CFU/mL (10 s), and 2.13 log CFU/mL (15 s). Increasing the distance to 7.5 cm generally reduced the efficacy of the 15 s treatment, but had variable effects on the 5 and 10 s treatments. Variation of the high‐voltage electricity had a greater effect on 10 and 15 s treatments, particularly at the 7.5 cm spacing. For each combination of time, distance, and frequency, Salmonella biofilms of 24, 48, and 72 h growth responded consistently with each other. The results show that short treatments with cold plasma yielded up to a 2.13 log reduction of a durable form of Salmonella contamination on a model food contact surface. This technology shows promise as a possible tool for rapid disinfection of materials associated with food processing.

Practical Application

Pathogens such as Salmonella can form chemical‐resistant biofilms, making them difficult to remove from food contact surfaces. A 15 s treatment with cold plasma reduced mature Salmonella biofilms by up to 2.13 log CFU/mL (99.3%). This contact‐free, waterless method uses no chemical sanitizers. Cold plasma may therefore have a practical application for conveyor belts, equipment, and other food contact surfaces where a rapid, dry antimicrobial process is required.
Physical and Antibacterial Properties of Açaí Edible Films Formulated with Thyme Essential Oil and Apple Skin Polyphenols
Authors: Espitia Paula J. P. , Avena‐Bustillos Roberto J. , Du Wen‐Xian , Chiou Bor‐Sen , Williams Tina G. , Wood Delilah , McHugh Tara H. , Soares Nilda F. F.
Published: April 2014

Thyme essential oil (TEO) and apple skin polyphenols (ASP) are natural compounds considered as generally recognized as safe by FDA, with biological effects against bacteria and fungi. This work aimed to evaluate physical and antimicrobial properties of açaí edible films formulated with TEO and ASP at 3% and 6% (w/w) individually or combined at 3% (w/w) each. Physical properties studied include mechanical resistance, water vapor permeability (WVP), color, and thermal resistance. Antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes was determined using the overlay diffusion test. Addition of ASP resulted in improved mechanical properties. TEO at 6% (w/w) resulted in increased elongation. ASP films had significant higher WVP than control film. ASP films were lighter and had more red color than other films. Incorporation of ASP resulted in improved film thermal stability, whereas TEO caused rapid thermal decomposition. Presence of clusters was observed on the surface of films. Addition of ASP resulted in a smother surface, whereas addition of TEO led to the formation of crater‐like pits on the film surface. Açaí edible film incorporated with 6% (w/w) TEO presented the highest antimicrobial activity. However, both antimicrobials are necessary in the açaí films in order to obtain edible films with suitable physical‐mechanical properties. The results of the present study showed that TEO and ASP can be used to prepare açaí edible films with adequate physical‐mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity for food applications by direct contact.

Practical Application

Developed açaí edible films presented antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes and good physical‐mechanical properties, showing the potential use of açaí edible films in food preservation.
Antiviral Effects of Persimmon Extract on Human Norovirus and Its Surrogate, Bacteriophage MS2
Authors: Kamimoto Maki , Nakai Yoshiaki , Tsuji Toru , Shimamoto Toshi , Shimamoto Tadashi
Published: April 2014

Human noroviruses (NoVs) are the leading cause of gastroenteritis and foodborne illnesses worldwide. In this study, we investigated the effects of persimmon extract (PE) on NoV GII.4 and bacteriophage MS2. We also examined the relationship between the tannin content of PE and its antiviral effects to identify the active ingredient in PE. Different persimmon tannin (PT) solutions were prepared by mixing PE with different concentrations of bovine serum albumin. The antiviral efficacy of these solutions against NoV was evaluated by quantifying the amount of residual noroviral genome using a quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT‐PCR) assay. The antiviral efficacy of PE against MS2 was examined with an infectivity assay (plaque assay). Solutions containing ≥0.11 mg/mL PT reduced the noroviral genome by more than 70.0% and the infectivity of MS2 by more than 2.5 log PFU/mL. However, the effects of PT on both viruses decreased markedly at a concentration of 0.08 mg/mL and solutions containing negligible PT had no antiviral activity. These results suggest that the PT component of PE inactivates NoV and MS2. Our results indicate that PE is a nontoxic antiviral agent effective against enteric viruses.

Practical Application

Persimmon extract showed antiviral effects against NoV and bacteriophage MS2. Persimmon extract is suitable for use as an antiviral agent.
Genomic Resources Notes accepted 1 February 2014 – 31 March 2014
Authors:   Genomic Resources Development Consortium, Chen Hongjian , Lin Gonghua , Ma Junying , Su Jianping , Wang Zuyun , Whiting Michael F. , Zhang Tongzuo , Zhao Fang
Published: April 2014

This article documents the public availability of transcriptome sequence data and assembled, annotated unigenes for the marmot flea, Oropsylla silantiewi.1
Environmental metabarcodes for insects: in silicoPCR reveals potential for taxonomic bias
Authors: Clarke Laurence J. , Soubrier Julien , Weyrich Laura S. , Cooper Alan
Published: April 2014

Studies of insect assemblages are suited to the simultaneous DNA‐based identification of multiple taxa known as metabarcoding. To obtain accurate estimates of diversity, metabarcoding markers ideally possess appropriate taxonomic coverage to avoid PCR‐amplification bias, as well as sufficient sequence divergence to resolve species. We used in silico PCR to compare the taxonomic coverage and resolution of newly designed insect metabarcodes (targeting 16S) with that of existing markers [16S and cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI)] and then compared their efficiency in vitro. Existing metabarcoding primers amplified in silico <75% of insect species with complete mitochondrial genomes available, whereas new primers targeting 16S provided >90% coverage. Furthermore, metabarcodes targeting COI appeared to introduce taxonomic PCR‐amplification bias, typically amplifying a greater percentage of Lepidoptera and Diptera species, while failing to amplify certain orders in silico. To test whether bias predicted in silico was observed in vitro, we created an artificial DNA blend containing equal amounts of DNA from 14 species, representing 11 insect orders and one arachnid. We PCR‐amplified the blend using five primer sets, targeting either COI or 16S, with high‐throughput amplicon sequencing yielding more than 6 million reads. In vitro results typically corresponded to in silico PCR predictions, with newly designed 16S primers detecting 11 insect taxa present, thus providing equivalent or better taxonomic coverage than COI metabarcodes. Our results demonstrate that in silico PCR is a useful tool for predicting taxonomic bias in mixed template PCR and that researchers should be wary of potential bias when selecting metabarcoding markers.
Proximate and ultimate drivers of small‐mammal recolonization after fire: microhabitat conditions, rainfall and species traits
Authors: Plavsic M. J.
Published: April 2014

Fire is a vital agent of disturbance in African savanna systems, but the relative roles of microhabitat conditions, rainfall and species traits in faunal recolonization need clarification. In order to understand the proximate and ultimate drivers of recolonization after fire, small mammals and microhabitat vegetation were sampled in replicated burned and control sampling areas before and after randomly applied fire in a semi‐arid tropical savanna in southern Africa. Vegetation was reduced by fire but had recovered well by the end of the first rainy season. A total of 6851 small‐mammal captures were made during 18 816 trap nights. Four of the five study species were positively associated with increasing vegetation cover and exhibited strong microhabitat associations. Fire caused a complete turnover of individuals (due to a combination of dispersal and mortality). As predicted using life‐history traits, in the first year post‐fire, Gerbilliscus leucogaster, Mastomys spp. and Mus indutus were fire positive/fire neutral at a population level, while Steatomys pratensis and Dendromus mesomelas were fire negative/fire neutral. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that each species responds to specific structural elements at the microhabitat level, has a suite of life‐history traits that influence their microhabitat associations/response to fire and recolonizes after fire as relevant microhabitat elements recover. The hypothesis that rainfall stimulates microhabitat recovery and thus is a major determinant of the recovery of small‐mammal populations after fire was also supported. Given the importance of rainfall, climate change could pose significant conservation challenges in the long term. Continued research on life‐history attributes and fire response could result in a useful management tool in the short term.
How effective is self‐weighing in the setting of a lifestyle intervention to reduce gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention?
Authors: Harrison Cheryce L. , Teede Helena J. , Lombard Catherine B.
Published: April 2014

Self‐weighing is important for weight management in general populations; however its role in optimising gestational weight gain is less clear. Our randomised trial in early pregnancy found regular self‐weighing when combined with a self‐management intervention, optimised weight gain at 28 weeks gestation (5.66 ± 2.6 kg vs 7.03 ± 3.56 kg, P = 0.02) and reduced postpartum weight retention (−0.57 ± 3.94 kg vs 1.48 ± 5.49 kg, P < 0.05) compared with control participants. Results highlight the importance of self‐monitoring strategies during pregnancy.
Concluding results from the first phase of the Zurich Unexpected Difficult Airway course based on exercise of technical skills
Authors: Biro P. , Grande B. , Kind S. L. , Spahn D. R. , Theusinger O. M.
Published: April 2014

We analysed the results of the first phase of the Zurich Unexpected Difficult Airway course. Two hundred and twenty‐eight staff members performed a total of 2712 standardised airway rescue procedures with four airway devices: SensaScope™, LMA Fastrach™, Laryngeal Tube and needle cricothyrodotomy. Four consecutive attempts were performed using each device. We analysed the success rate and the time needed for successful completion for each attempt and device. The success rates and mean (SD) completion times for all participants were 96.2% and 30.2 (15.3) s for the SensaScope, 88.1% and 40.4 (17.2) s for the LMA Fastrach, 99.0% and 12.1 (10.6) s for the Laryngeal Tube and 99.0% and 12.3 (6.1) s for needle cricothyroidotomy. The learning curves resulting from the four consecutive attempts with each device showed a clear pattern of improvement. This institutional airway training course represents a promising method to improve the capability of practitioners to cope with unexpected difficult airway situations.
Cardiac biomarkers in the prediction of risk in the non‐cardiac surgery setting
Authors: Biccard B. M. , Devereaux P. J. , Rodseth R. N.
Published: April 2014

B‐Type natriuretic peptides and troponin measurements have potential in predicting risk in patients undergoing non‐cardiac surgery. Using the American Heart Association framework for the evaluation of novel biomarkers, we review the current evidence supporting the peri‐operative use of these two biomarkers. In patients having major non‐cardiac surgery who are risk stratified using clinical risk scores, the measurement of natriuretic peptides and troponin, both before and after surgery, significantly improves risk stratification. However, only pre‐ and postoperative natriuretic peptide measurement and postoperative troponin measurement have shown clinical utility. It is now important for trials to be conducted to determine whether integrating pre‐ and postoperative natriuretic peptide and postoperative troponin measurement into clinical practice is able to improve clinical outcomes in patients undergoing non‐cardiac surgery.
The Natural History of Multifocal Atrial Rhythms in Elderly Outpatients: Insights from the “Ikaria Study”
Authors: Lazaros George , Chrysohoou Christina , Oikonomou Evaggelos , Tsiachris Dimitrios , Mazaris Savvas , Venieri Erifili , Zisimos Kostas , Zaromytidou Marina , Kariori Maria , Kioufis Stamatis , Pitsavos Christos , Stefanadis Christodoulos
Published: April 2014

Background

Multifocal atrial tachycardias confer an adverse prognosis in hospitalized patients. We assessed the prognostic impact of multifocal atrial rhythms (MARs—either chaotic atrial rhythm or multifocal atrial tachycardia/bradycardia) in very elderly outpatients.

Methods

One hundred ten subjects aged 60–74 years, 112 aged 75–89 years, and 61 over 90 years old, were enrolled and prospectively evaluated. Several demographic and clinical characteristic were recorded in all individuals.

Results

A high prevalence of MARs was detected in the study population (namely, 6%), which in subjects >90 years was even higher (15%). Individuals with MARs were older, more often female and less active. In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of MARs were age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02–1.13, P = 0.01) and female sex (OR = 4.77, 95% CI: 1.23–18.48, P = 0.02). The mortality rate during the follow‐up period was 8.4% without differences between age groups (P = 0.209). In particular, mortality rate was 6% in individuals with MARs and 9% in those without (P = 0.72). Mortality was associated with age (OR 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02–1.12, P = 0.005) and history of cardiovascular disease at baseline (OR 4.57, 95% CI: 1.87–11.2 P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Contrary to hospitalized individuals with multifocal atrial tachycardias, MARs were not associated with increased mortality in elderly outpatients in this study.
Systematic review: the use of thiopurines or anti‐TNF in post‐operative Crohn's disease maintenance – progress and prospects
Authors: Jones G. R. , Kennedy N. A. , Lees C. W. , Arnott I. D. , Satsangi J.
Published: April 2014

Background

Post‐operative recurrence of Crohn's disease is an important management challenge, with 2‐year recurrence rates defined by clinical, endoscopic and radiological parameters of up to 77%, 64% and 49%. Clinical and severe endoscopic recurrence vary widely in controlled trials from 13% to 36% and 22% to 56% with thiopurine treatment or 0% and 9% with infliximab treatment respectively at 1 year.

Aims

To provide a review of the evidence for thiopurine or anti‐TNF use in post‐operative Crohn's disease, and to assess the ability to identify those patients at highest risk of recurrent disease.

Methods

A literature search was undertaken using Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases to identify studies using search terms ‘thiopurine’, ‘azathioprine’, ‘mercaptopurine’, ‘Infliximab’, ‘adalimumab’, ‘Anti‐TNF‘, ‘Crohn's disease’, ‘post‐operative’ and ‘recurrence’.

Results

Trials to examine this important area have proved difficult to execute, with recruitment and retention of patients posing major challenges to randomised clinical trials. There have been four RCTs of 433 patients of thiopurine therapy (with three meta‐analyses of these data), and one of anti‐TNF therapy involving 24 patients. Overall the efficacy data for thiopurine use in this setting are inconclusive, and other than smoking, there are no consistent predictors of post‐operative relapse.

Conclusions

At present, evidence for routine use of thiopurine treatment in post‐operative Crohn's disease is heterogeneous and unconvincing. Stratification by risk of relapse emerges as a key challenge in post‐operative management that needs to be addressed, using clinical parameters and emerging biomarkers. The evidence for prophylactic anti‐TNF use is limited though promising, with its routine use guided by early assessment of relapse.
Comparison of scoring systems and outcome of patients admitted to a liver intensive care unit of a tertiary referral centre with severe variceal bleeding
Authors: Al‐Freah M. A. B. , Gera A. , Martini S. , McPhail M. J. W. , Devlin J. , Harrison P. M. , Shawcross D. , Abeles R. D. , Taylor N. J. , Auzinger G. , Bernal W. , Heneghan M. A. , Wendon J. A.
Published: April 2014

Background

Acute variceal haemorrhage (AVH) is associated with significant mortality.

Aims

To determine outcome and factors associated with hospital mortality (HM) in patients with AVH admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) and to compare outcomes of patients requiring transfer to a tertiary ICU (transfer group, TG) to a local in‐patient group (LG).

Methods

A retrospective study of all adult patients (N = 177) admitted to ICU with AVH from 2000–2008 was performed.

Results

Median age was 48 years (16–80). Male represented 58%. Median MELD score was 16 (6–39), SOFA score was 8 (6–11). HM was higher in patients who had severe liver disease or critical illness measured by MELD, SOFA, APACHE II scores and number of failed organs (NFO), P < 0.05. Patients with day‐1 lactate ≥ 2 mmol/L had increased HM (P < 0.001). MELD score performed as well as APACHE II, SOFA and NFO (P < 0.001) in predicting HM (AUROC = 0.84, 0.81, 0.79 and 0.82, respectively P > 0.05 for pair wise comparisons). Re‐bleeding was associated with increased HM (56.9% vs. 31.6%, P = 0.002). The TG (n = 124) had less severe liver disease and critical illness and consequently had lower HM than local patients (32% vs. 57%, P = 0.002). TG patients with ≥2 endoscopies prior to transfer had increased 6‐week mortality (P = 0.03). Time from bleeding to transfer ≥3 days was associated with re‐bleeding (OR = 2.290, P = 0.043).

Conclusions

MELD score was comparable to ICU prognostic models in predicting mortality. Blood lactate was also predictive of hospital mortality. Delays in referrals and repeated endoscopy were associated with increased re‐bleeding and mortality in this group.
The incidence of Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands is levelling off
Authors: Masclee G. M. C. , Coloma P. M. , de Wilde M. , Kuipers E. J. , Sturkenboom M. C. J. M.
Published: April 2014

Background

Barrett's oesophagus (BO) is a risk factor for oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC). Several studies report increasing incidences of BO with substantial variation.

Aim

To determine age‐ and sex‐stratified incidence rates (IR) of BO and OAC.

Methods

Cohort study using two primary care databases in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Netherlands (NL) (2000–2012). BO and OAC cases were identified using disease‐specific READ codes (UK) and free‐text search with manual validation (NL). Age‐ and sex‐specific incidence rates (IRs) were calculated for both BO and OAC.

Results

From the study population of 6 885 420 subjects in the UK, we identified 12 312 incident BO and 40 (0.3%) subsequent incident OAC cases. There were 1383 incident BO, and subsequent 5 (0.4%) incident OAC cases among the 1 487 191 subjects in the NL. The IR of BO increased linearly with age: 15.6/100 000 PYs (UK) and 23.7/100 000 PYs (NL) for patients aged 40–44 years, increasing to 85.6/100 000 PYs (UK) and 87.0/100 000 PYs (NL) for 70–74 years. In both the UK and the NL, IR of BO was 2–4 times higher in males than females across all age groups. With respect to calendar time, the IR of BO increased by 35% (UK) and 41% (NL) from 2000 to 2003, after which IRs remained stable until 2012.

Conclusions

The incidence rates of BO in the UK and the NL increased until 2003, but levelled off thereafter. Around 0.3% of patients with BO developed OAC at least 1 year after BO diagnosis. These findings may help tailor endoscopic surveillance strategies among patients with BO.
Plant species richness and composition under different disturbance regimes in marginal grasslands of a Japanese terraced paddy field landscape
Authors: Koyanagi Tomoyo F. , Yamada Susumu , Yonezawa Ken‐ichi , Kitagawa Yoshiko , Ichikawa Kaoru
Published: April 2014

Question

How are the patterns of species richness and composition in marginal semi‐natural grassland habitats maintained by different disturbance regimes characterized by location and agricultural management practice?

Location

A terraced paddy field landscape in southeastern Niigata Prefecture, Japan (37°06′N, 138°49′E).

Methods

We recorded species occurrence within five 1 m × 1 m quadrats at each survey site from four different habitat types: paddy levees (Levee); slopes between paddies and farm roads (i.e. entrance slopes of paddy fields; Slope_Road); slopes between paddies (Slope_Paddy); and slopes between paddies and adjacent woodlands (Slope_Woodland). We compared species composition among the habitat types using non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). We then classified plant functional groups (PFG) based on four response traits: growth form, life span, plant height and flowering season, and compared richness patterns of PFG among the habitat types using analysis of covariance.

Results

The estimated total richness was over 220 species in Slope_Paddy, Slope_Woodland, and Slope_Road, including more than 35 grassland species in each habitat type. Species composition at Levee habitat was significantly different from that at the other three habitat types as revealed by the NMDS axis 1 scores. The NMDS axis 2 scores for Levee and Slope_Road habitats were significantly different from those for Slope_Paddy and Slope_Woodland habitats. Species richness patterns along with the ten PFGs investigated in this study were also significantly different among the habitat types. Levee and Slope_Road habitats were characterized by a number of annual species, whereas tall perennial forbs, especially pteridophytes, characterized Slope_Paddy and Slope_Woodland habitats.

Conclusions

While some species occurred in all four habitats, habitat specialists characterized by specific PFG responded to different disturbance regimes in each habitat type. The four types of marginal semi‐natural grassland play different roles as habitats for a variety of herbaceous species, including typical semi‐natural grassland species. These habitats make up the complex landscape mosaics of terraced paddy fields and contribute to the overall biodiversity of these landscapes at the regional scale.