bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lost in translation
Authors: Briseño Arturo , Leal Ana R. , Aguiñaga Eduardo , López-Lira Alfonso
Published: June 2019

Purpose

In this paper, empirical evidence is presented regarding the translation of the learning tactics inventory (LTI) instrument that measures learning versatility in entrepreneurs with four main learning strategies: acting, thinking, feeling or access to others. The purpose of this paper is to show how translating instruments from other languages and for cross-cultural studies is not sufficient to achieve instrument validity, and the use of structural equation modeling can help to strengthen the process.

Design/methodology/approach

After using iterative and multi-technique strategies that involved close translation and adaptation, structural equation modeling was also performed to validate whether relationships exist among the constructs and their variables using a confirmatory analysis.

Findings

After careful translation, the Spanish version of the LTI instrument does not measure the intended constructs. Such evidence was uncovered by contrasting the different dimensions of the English and Spanish translated versions.

Research limitations/implications

Instruments in cross-cultural studies require more than translation strategies to adapt the instrument to the new context. This paper shows that, with the use of structural equation modeling, constructs may change in different international contexts and how misinterpretations of the instrument can occur if additional validity tests are ignored.

Originality/value

Consistent with the extant literature, the findings suggest that, when studying a complex phenomenon such as learning through a survey developed in a different country and language, cultural factors should be explained to maintain construct validity. Hence, in entrepreneurship and management research, instruments such as the LTI need to be validated with confirmatory analysis to accurately reflect the different learning strategies of entrepreneurs across cultures.
Institutions and IPO activity: a multi-country study
Authors: Rivas Jose Luis , Adamuz Mercedes
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the differential effects that institutions have on country IPO activity.

Design/methodology/approach

With a sample of 64 countries over a 15-year period (2000-2014), the authors test the variables rule of law, uncertainty avoidance and masculinity on subsamples of developed (27) and emerging (37) countries to explore their influence on domestic IPO activity level.

Findings

For developed countries, only uncertainty avoidance and masculinity are significant. Within emerging countries, it is uncertainty avoidance and rule of law that are significant.

Research limitations/implications

Using different country classification frameworks could yield more detailed and focused results on the influence that country-level variables have on IPO activity.

Practical implications

Multinational firms could use these findings for decisions related to their potential subsidiary IPOs.

Originality/value

This is a novel empirical work relating institutions to IPO activity, using emerging and developed country subsamples. It also focuses on IPO activity instead of IPO underpricing/performance and contributes to extend the scope of the IPO literature to global non-Anglo contexts.
Employability and performance
Authors: Philippaers Kristien , De Cuyper Nele , Forrier Anneleen
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to advance two seemingly conflicting paths from perceived employability to employee performance. Both paths start from the idea that feeling employable makes employees more independent from their employer. Framed positively, independence implies the perception of being in control, and perceived control may promote employee performance. Framed negatively, independence implies reduced attachment to the organization, while such ties drive employee performance. Innovative features in this study are threefold. First, the authors introduce perceived justice as a moderator. Second, the authors distinguish between perceived quantitative and qualitative employability: this relates to seeing “other” vs “better” job opportunities. Third, the authors include a range of performance indicators: task performance, organizational citizenship behavior and counterproductive work behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected within one Belgian public-sector organization (n=1,500 employees) and analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Perceived control mediated the relationship between perceived employability and employee performance, yet only upon high perceived justice. Affective organizational commitment mediated the relationship between perceived employability and employee performance, regardless of perceived justice. Those relationships were positive for quantitative perceived employability and negative for qualitative perceived employability.

Originality/value

Perceived employability relates positively to employee performance, especially upon high perceived justice. Yet this relationship is bounded to which job alternatives are perceived, just “other” or instead “better.”
NMR imaging of 3D printed biocompatible polymer scaffolds interacting with water
Authors: Morozov Evgeny , Novikov Mikhail , Bouznik Vyacheslav , Yurkov Gleb
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Active employment of additive manufacturing for scaffolds preparation requires the development of advanced methods which can accurately characterize the morphologic structure and its changes during an interaction of the scaffolds with substrate and aqueous medium. This paper aims to use the method of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging for preclinical characterization of 3D-printed scaffolds based on novel allyl chitosan biocompatible polymer matrices.

Design/methodology/approach

Biocompatible polymer scaffolds were fabricated via stereolithography method. Using NMR imaging the output quality control of the scaffolds was performed. Scaffolds stability, polymer matrix homogeneity, kinetic of swelling processes, water migration pathways within the 3D-printed parts, effect of post-print UV curing on overall scaffolds performance were studied in details.

Findings

NMR imaging visualization of water uptake and polymer swelling processes during the interaction of scaffolds with aqueous medium revealed the formation of the fronts within the polymer matrices those dynamics is governed by case I transport (Fickian diffusion) of the water into polymer network. No significant difference was observed in front propagation rates along the polymer layers and across the layers stack. After completing the swelling process, the polymer scaffolds retain their integrity and no internal defects were detected.

Research limitations/implications

NMR imaging revealed that post-print UV curing aimed to improve the overall performance of 3D-printed scaffolds might not provide a better quality of the finish product, as this procedure apparently yield strongly inhomogeneous distribution of polymer crosslink density which results in subsequent inhomogeneity of water ingress and swelling processes, accompanied by stress-related cracks formation inside the scaffolds.

Practical implications

This study introduces a method which can successfully complement the standard tests which now are widely used in either additive manufacturing or scaffolds engineering.

Social implications

This work can help to improve the overall performance of the polymer scaffolds used in tissue engineering.

Originality/value

The results of this study demonstrate feasibility of NMR imaging for preclinical characterization of 3D printed biocompatible polymer scaffolds. The results are believed to contribute to better understanding of the processes vital for improving the design of 3D-printed polymer scaffolds.
When carbon accounting systems make us forget nature: from commodification to reification
Authors: Martineau Régis , Lafontaine Jean-Philippe
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to show that the implementation of carbon accounting systems is problematic because it contributes to the commodification of nature, leading individuals to “forget about nature.”

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the concept of reification to explore the subjective dimension of the commodification process. They construct an analytical framework that helps to explain how and why nature may ultimately be “forgotten” by individuals during the commodification process. The example of France is used to illustrate this argument.

Findings

The paper presents and discusses three mechanisms (the objectivation of nature, economic reasoning and individuals’ environmental consciousness) that form the basis for the rationale and modus operandi of carbon accounting systems. By comparing these mechanisms with the concept of reification, it highlights three criticisms that could be put to advocates of these systems.

Practical implications

This analysis shows that discussions of carbon accounting systems should focus more on their philosophical principles rather than merely examining the technical problems posed by their implementation.

Social implications

This research provides some answers to explain the inefficiency of policies implemented within the framework of global climate governance.

Originality/value

This study helps to put carbon accounting research into perspective. It goes further than existing work on the commodification of nature by describing the subjective dimension of individuals who are led to disconnect their arguments and practices from their primary and emotional relationship with nature.
Does plant biomass partitioning reflect energetic investments in carbon and nutrient foraging?
Authors: Kong Deliang , Fridley Jason D.
Published: June 2019

Studies of plant resource‐use strategies along environmental gradients often assume that dry matter partitioning represents an individual's energy investment in foraging for above‐ versus below‐ground resources. However, ecosystem‐level studies of total below‐ground carbon allocation (TBCA) in forests do not support the equivalency of energy (carbon) and dry matter partitioning, in part because allocation of carbon to below‐ground pools and fluxes that are not accounted for by root biomass (e.g., mycorrhizal hyphae, rhizodeposition; root and soil respiration) can be substantial. Here, we apply this reasoning to individual plants in controlled environments and ask whether dry matter partitioning below‐ground (root mass fraction, RMF) accurately reflects TBCA in studies of optimal partitioning theory.

We quantified the relationship between RMF and TBCA in individual plants, using 311 observations from 51 studies that simultaneously measured both allocation variables. Our analysis included tests of whether the RMF‐TBCA relationship depended on mutualist soil microbes, plant growth form, age and study methodology including isotopic pulse–chase duration.

We found that RMF was a poor proxy for below‐ground energy investment. This disconnect of RMF and TBCA was driven in part by plants of low RMF (<0.4) exhibiting significantly higher rates of root and soil respiration per unit root mass than plants of high RMF. Root colonization by mutualist microbes, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen‐fixing bacteria, increased TBCA by 5%–7%, and TBCA was lower in grasses than other species by 9%–16%. These patterns were evident for relationships assessed both within and between species.

We conclude that optimal partitioning studies of plants along environmental gradients are likely to underestimate plant energy allocation below‐ground if the C costs of root and soil respiration are ignored, especially under conditions favouring low RMF. Because energy rather than biomass better reflects how assimilated C supports fitness, this omission of respired C suggests existing studies misrepresent the significance of below‐ground processes to plant function.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Unravelling the sulphur cycle of marine sediments
Authors: Jørgensen Bo Barker
Published: June 2019

In this invited paper, I give a personal description of my start as a young scientist studying the sulphur cycle of marine sediments. The initial objective was to quantify the processes experimentally using 35S as a tracer. The results showed an unexpected large contribution of sulphate reduction to the oxidation of sediment organic matter. This implied that sulphate reducing bacteria can perform complete oxidation of their substrates to CO2. A quantification of sulphate reducing bacteria compared to measured rates of sulphate reduction revealed that the viable counting techniques available at the time vastly underestimated the true cell numbers. Through our introduction of microsensors for oxygen, sulphide and pH, the microbial oxidation of H2S could be analysed at high spatial resolution. Studies of the large, filamentous sulphur bacteria revealed surprising adaptations to sulphide oxidation based on anaerobic respiration with nitrate stored in vacuoles.
Pectin Hydrolysates from Different Cultivars of Pink/Red and White Grapefruits (Citrus Paradisi [macf.]) as Culture and Encapsulating Media for Lactobacillus Plantarum
Authors: La Cava Enzo L. , Gerbino Esteban , Sgroppo Sonia C. , Gómez‐Zavaglia Andrea
Published: June 2019

Citrus pectin hydrolysates (Citrus paradisi [Mafc.]) from “Foster,” “Red Shambar,” “Tangelo Orlando,” and “Citrumelo Swingle” cultivars were obtained by partial chemical hydrolysis and their properties as culture media (sole carbon/nutrient source) and encapsulating agents of Lactobacillus plantarum CIDCA 83114 were evaluated.

The concentration of neutral sugars was maximal after 2‐hour hydrolysis. All hydrolysates were rich in glucose >xylose >galactose >galacturonic acid >mannose >arabinose. “Citrumelo Swingle” cultivar was the one with the highest concentration of xylose. After 24 hr of fermentation with L. plantarum CIDCA 83114, bacterial viability increased from 6.76 ± 0.14 to almost 9 log CFU/mL, and lactic acid concentration, from 2.63 ± 0.41 to 7.82 ± 0.15 mmol/L in all hydrolysates. Afterwards, bacteria were entrapped in pectate‐calcium beads by ionotropic gelation. Bacterial viability did not significantly decrease after freeze‐drying and storage the beads at 4 °C for 45 days.

Practical Application

Pectin hydrolysates were adequate culture media for microorganisms, as determined by the viabililty and lactic acid production. Considering that citrus peels are agro‐wastes obtained in large quantities, their use as encapsulating materials provides a solution to overcome the environmental problem they entail.
Effect of Chronic Krill Oil Supplement on Seizures Induced by Pentylenetetrazole in the Hippocampus of Adult Rats with Previous Febrile Seizures
Authors: Medina‐Ceja Laura , Villalpando‐Vargas Fridha , Girón de la Cruz Gloria I. , Lara‐ Vazquez Adriana M. , Flores‐Mancilla Leopoldo , Salazar‐Sánchez Juan C. , Morales‐Villagrán Alberto
Published: June 2019

We evaluated the effect of krill oil (KO) supplement on seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in animals with previous febrile seizures (FSs) induced by hyperthermia to determine its effectiveness in seizure susceptibility and as an anticonvulsant. Male Wistar rats with FS separated into water (W, 1 mL), palm oil (PO, 300 mg/kg, total volume 1 mL), or KO (300 mg/kg, total volume 1 mL) groups. All drugs were administered chronically via the intragastric route. Electrical activity was recorded by intracranial EEG simultaneously with convulsive behavior. All animals’ brains were processed by immunofluorescence against GFAP, NeuN, and connexins (Cx); cellular quantification was performed in hippocampus and pyramidal or granular layer thickness was evaluated with cresyl violet (CV) staining. The results showed a significant delay in convulsive behavior and a slight increased survival time after PTZ administration in the group treated with KO compared with PO and W groups. The epileptiform activity showed high amplitude and frequency, with no significant differences between groups, nor were there differences in the number and duration of discharge trains. KO and PO increased the number of astrocytes and the number of neurons compared with the W group. KO and PO decreased the expression of Cx36 without affecting Cx43 expression or the thickness of layers. Based on these data, we consider it important to perform more experiments to determine the anticonvulsant role of KO, taking into account the partial effect found in this study. KO could be used as a coadjuvant of traditional anticonvulsive treatments.

Practical Application

In this study was evaluated the anticonvulsive effect of a chronic krill oil (KO) supplement in animals with seizures. Results showed that KO had partial anticonvulsive effects measured by EEG activity and convulsive behavior analysis. These data justify further research that looks at KO supplementation as a prospective coadjuvant of pharmacologic management of seizure disorder.
Short‐term outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy in the state of Victoria: hospital resources are more important than volume
Authors: Stevens Claire L. , Watters David A. K.
Published: June 2019

Background

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a high‐risk procedure. Australian hospitals perform a relatively low volume of PD. This study sought to gain an understanding of hospital volume and short‐term outcomes of the procedure in the Australian state of Victoria.

Methods

The Dr Foster Quality Investigator tool was used to interrogate the Victorian Admitted Episodes Database for the Australian Classification of Health Intervention code for PD (30584) from July 2010 to June 2016. The data set included patients from a peer group of 14 hospitals that included all the public hospitals performing PD during this period. Patient characteristics, inpatient mortality, 30‐day readmission rates and median length of stay were reported for each de‐identified hospital.

Results

There were 547 PD conducted over 6 years in 10 public hospitals. The median patient age was 65 years. Inpatient mortality was 2.7%. There was a significant risk adjusted difference in mortality between principal referral and other public hospitals. Annual hospital volume ranged from 3 to 20 PD, and there was no significant relationship between mortality, readmission rates or length of stay and hospital volume.

Conclusion

The inpatient mortality associated with PD in Victorian public hospitals is comparable to that seen in overseas studies. While hospital volume is relatively low, there does not seem to be a relationship between volume and short‐term outcomes. Variability between hospital peer groups suggests that resource availability is more important than volume. The development of a procedure specific registry would be useful to test the outcomes of this study and determine long‐term PD outcomes.
Efficacy and toxicity of antihypertensive pharmacotherapy relative to effective dose 50
Authors: Dimmitt Simon B. , Stampfer Hans G. , Martin Jennifer H. , Ferner Robin E.
Published: June 2019

Antihypertensive drugs have usually been approved at doses near the top of their respective dose–response curves. Efficacy plateaus but adverse drug reactions (ADRs), such as falls, cerebral or renal ischaemia, increase as dose is increased, especially in older patients with comorbidities. ADRs reduce adherence and may be difficult to ascertain reliably. Higher doses have generally not been shown to reduce total mortality, which provides a summary of efficacy and safety. Weight loss and other lifestyle measures are essential and may be sufficient treatment in many young and low risk patients. Most antihypertensive drug lower systolic blood pressure by around 10 mmHg, which reduces stroke and heart failure by about a quarter. Clinical trials have not been designed to demonstrate specific blood pressure treatment thresholds and targets, which are mostly extrapolated from epidemiology. Mean population oral effective dose 50 may be the most appropriate dose at which to commence antihypertensive drugs. The dose can then be titrated up if greater efficacy is demonstrated, or lowered if ADRs develop. Lower dose combination therapy may best balance benefit and harms with fewer ADRs and additive, potentially synergistic, efficacy.
Cigarette smoking differentially affects immunoglobulin class levels in serum and saliva: An investigation and review
Authors: Tarbiah Nesrin , Todd Ian , Tighe Patrick J. , Fairclough Lucy C.
Published: June 2019

The aim of the present study was to compare concentrations of IgG, IgA, IgM and IgD in both serum and saliva samples from smoking and non‐smoking individuals using a protein microarray assay. The findings were also compared to previous studies. Serum and saliva were collected from 48 smoking male individuals and 48 age‐matched never‐smoker male individuals. The protein microarray assays for detection of human IgG, IgM, IgA and IgD were established and optimized using Ig class‐specific affinity‐purified goat anti‐human Ig‐Fc capture antibodies and horseradish peroxidase (HRP)‐conjugated goat anti‐human Ig‐Fc detection antibodies. The Ig class specificity of the microarray assays was verified, and the optimal dilutions of serum and saliva samples were determined for quantification of Ig levels against standard curves. We found that smoking is associated with reduced IgG concentrations and enhanced IgA concentrations in both serum and saliva. By contrast, smoking differentially affected IgM concentrations—causing increased concentrations in serum, but decreased concentrations in saliva. Smoking was associated with decreased IgD concentrations in serum and did not have a significant effect on the very low IgD concentrations in saliva. Thus, cigarette smoking differentially affects the levels of Ig classes systemically and in the oral mucosa. Although there is variation between the results of different published studies, there is a consensus that smokers have significantly reduced levels of IgG in both serum and saliva. A functional antibody deficiency associated with smoking may compromise the body's response to infection and result in a predisposition to the development of autoimmunity.
Home‐range size of an Andean bird: Assessing the role of physical condition
Authors: Castaño María Isabel , Cadena Carlos Daniel , Avendaño Jorge Enrique
Published: June 2019

Because space‐use patterns are a key aspect of the ecology and distribution of species, identifying factors associated with variation in size of territories and home ranges has been central to studies on population ecology. Space use might vary in response to extrinsic factors like habitat quality and to intrinsic factors like physical condition and individual aggressiveness. However, the role of these factors has been poorly documented in the tropics, particularly in high‐elevation bird species. We report the home‐range size of a Neotropical Andean bird, the gray‐browed brush finch (Arremon assimilis), and evaluate the role of physical condition in explaining variation in home‐range size among individuals. We performed spot mapping to estimate the home ranges of 14 territorial males in Bogotá, Colombia, using minimum convex polygons (MCP) and 95% kernel density estimators (KDE). The mean home‐range size estimated for the 100% MCP was 0.522 ± 0.305 ha (range = 0.15–1.18 ha), whereas the 95% KDE estimation was 0.504 ± 0.471 ha (range = 0.13–1.88). We calculated the real mass index of each bird as a proxy of physical condition to assess whether individuals in better physical condition had larger home ranges. Because we found no relation between our estimations of physical condition and home‐range size, we conclude that space use in this species might depend more on ecological factors such as habitat quality or neighbor density than on individual traits.

Abstract in French is available with online material.
Flipping the City: Space and Subjectivity in the São Paulo Periphery
Authors: Klein Charles H.
Published: June 2019

Like many urban spaces in the Global South, Brazilian cities are renowned for their extreme inequalities, with socio‐spatial distinctions generally following a center/periphery divide in which wealth and infrastructure are concentrated in center districts, and social vulnerability increases the farther out one goes. Yet, in the past fifteen years, poverty reduction, planning initiatives, higher education opportunities, and social media networks have transformed many urban periphery communities and residents’ aspirations for the future. In this article, I explore some of the visions of what city life in São Paulo is and might be. I begin with an overview of São Paulo’s spatial landscape and the polysemic category “the periphery.” I then turn to two differently scaled examinations of intentional spatial and cultural transformation in São Paulo’s Zona Sul (southern zone). The first is a study through reflection of local sustainable development policy in two environmentally protected areas, the second an autoethnographic‐inflected exploration of the growth in recent years of what I call insurgent cosmopolitan periphery subjectivities. My analysis considers how center‐led public policies and periphery‐based cultural movements, may, in different ways, simultaneously re‐enforce existing social segregation and support the creation of new spatial possibilities, space‐based subjectivities, and life ways in urban landscapes.
Early efficacy and late gain in chronic and high‐frequency episodic migraine with onabotulinumtoxinA
Authors: Alpuente A. , Gallardo V. J. , Torres‐Ferrus M. , Alvarez‐Sabin J. , Pozo‐Rosich P.
Published: June 2019

Background and purpose

The aim was to analyse the clinical characteristics of a long‐term follow‐up of patients with chronic and high‐frequency episodic migraine in treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with high‐frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) or chronic migraine (CM) according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3 beta were included. A comparative analysis was carried out at each study time point identifying outcome measures according to initial diagnosis and treatment duration.

Results

In all, 578 patients were recruited and after 24 months outcome data were collected from 100 patients: 84.0% CM and 16.0% HFEM. After 24 months, headache frequency was significantly reduced by 10.5 days from baseline, 64.0% reported a ≥50% reduction in pain intensity and 70.0% of patients had ≥50% reduction in analgesic use. Comparing baseline diagnoses, at month 6 CM patients presented higher mean reduction in frequency (CM 44.3% ± 32.6% vs. HFEM 34.6% ± 24.8%) and analgesic use (CM 53.6% ± 35.4% vs. HFEM 39.3% ± 33.2%). At month 12, the mean reduction in frequency was similar in CM and HFEM patients (CM 44.7% ± 33.4% vs. HFEM 41.2% ± 28.2%). Improvement in pain intensity, analgesic use and Migraine Disability Assessment were proportional in both diagnoses.

Conclusions

OnabotulinumtoxinA efficacy is significant at 6 months in frequency and analgesic intake and remains stable during follow‐up, whilst the intensity of pain decreases in a stepwise manner at each time point of the analysis. The improvement in CM and HFEM patients is proportional and significant after 1 year of treatment.
Influence of previous agonistic interactions with conspecifics on contest decisions
Authors: Kuo Jing‐Huan , Chang Yu‐Ting , Chen Yu‐Ju , Hsu Yuying
Published: June 2019

Recent wins and losses can inform individuals about their relative fighting abilities and modify their subsequent contest decisions. Using a mangrove rivulus, Kryptolebias marmoratus, we tested the hypothesis that visual and limited physical interactions can also convey information and modify subsequent contest decisions. Individuals were exposed to a stronger or weaker conspecific through a glass or a mesh partition before a contest with a size‐matched naïve opponent. Individuals were expected to (a) assess themselves to have worse/better fighting ability and behave less/more aggressively after having interacted with a stronger/weaker conspecific and (b) display different degrees of behavioural modifications for the two partition treatments (mesh‐partition > glass‐partition). The results showed that interactions with a stronger/weaker conspecific through a glass partition did not have a strong effect on the fish's subsequent contest behaviour. Restricted physical interaction with a stronger/weaker conspecific through a mesh partition, however, had an unexpected effect, causing individuals to behave more/less aggressively (matching the behaviour of the conspecifics) and/or win more/fewer subsequent contests. These results indicate that contest resolution is important for the fish to exhibit the loser–winner effects (i.e. behaving less/more aggressively after having lost/won against a stronger/weaker conspecific) detected in previous studies of the fish. We propose and discuss the possibility that the “behavioural matching” of the mesh‐partition treatment results from unresolved physical interactions with a stronger/weaker conspecific causing the individuals to either anticipate stronger/weaker opponents in subsequent competitions or assess themselves to be an equally good/bad fighter as the conspecific. The results of previous studies and the present study of the fish show that pre‐exposing an individual to the same type of conspecifics could elicit diverse, sometimes opposite, behavioural responses depending on how the individual is permitted to interact with the conspecific.
Toward a More Socially Impactful Geographical Analysis
Authors: Delmelle Elizabeth C.
Published: June 2019

The fiftieth anniversary of Geographical Analysis occurs for many quantitative human geographers at an exciting era of new and exciting sources of data and computational advancements. However, it also represents a crossroads where excitement to quickly capitalize upon these new data sources and methods risks reverting the discipline back to its abstraction‐rich and overly generalized roots, erasing much progress made in the pages of this journal that advocated for the recognition of individual differences and need for alternative and even qualitative data sources. In this commentary, I reflect on what we can do over the next 50 years to ensure that the journal is producing research that is socially impactful and better able to explain the messiness of social reality.
A randomized controlled trial testing a decision support intervention for older patients with advanced kidney disease
Authors: Brown Leanne , Gardner Glenn , Bonner Ann
Published: June 2019

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of a decision support intervention (OPTIONS) in facilitating the older person with advanced kidney disease to make a treatment choice.

Design

Pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

Methods

People aged ≥70 years with advanced kidney disease (eGFR ≤20 ml/min/1.73m2) who had not made a decision about treatment options and who were not eligible for a kidney transplant were recruited between March 2015 and March 2016. Participants were randomly allocated to receive the OPTIONS (N = 16) or standard care (N = 21). OPTIONS is a 4‐week nurse‐delivered intervention. Primary outcomes were decision conflict and decision regret, the secondary outcomes were knowledge of risk and benefits of dialysis and health‐related quality of life. The usefulness of OPTIONS was also evaluated.

Results

There were no differences between the intervention and standard care groups at baseline. At T1, there were no significant differences in decision conflict and decision regret although the intervention group had lower decisional conflict at T2. The decision support intervention was able to significantly improve the participants’ knowledge score in the intervention group. There were no observable differences between groups for health‐related quality of life physical and mental health component summary scores. OPTIONS was helpful in preparing participants in making a treatment decision.

Conclusion

OPTIONS, a decision support intervention, increased a person's knowledge of the benefits and risks of dialysis and can be used to facilitate shared decision‐making with older adults with advanced stages of kidney disease.

Impact

Strategies to improve shared decision‐making between older people with advanced stages of kidney disease and their clinicians are crucial for patient autonomy in a population where this may not be common practice. The decision support intervention– OPTIONS demonstrated significant improvement in patient knowledge about different treatment pathways. OPTIONS provides a structured and evidence‐based approach to support shared decision‐making for this population.

Trial Registration

ACTRN 12614001090606 Registered 14/10/2014.
Influence of various energy settings and overlap ratios on size and continuity of lesions in a laser balloon ablation in vitro model
Authors: Nagase Takahiko , Asano So , Yukino Midori , Mori Hitoshi , Goto Koji , Ikeda Yoshifumi , Iwanaga Shiro , Muramatsu Toshihiro , Mukaida Hisamitsu , Kato Ritsushi , Matsumoto Kazuo
Published: June 2019

Introduction

The influence of power (Watt [W]) and total energy (Joule [J]) on lesion size and the optimal overlap ratio remain unclear in laser balloon (LB) ablation for atrial fibrillation. We aimed to evaluate lesion size and visible gaps after LB ablation with various energy settings and different overlap ratios in vitro model.

Methods and Results

Chicken muscles were cauterized using the first‐generation LB with single applications of full and a half duration of six energy settings (5.5 W/30 seconds [165 J] to 12 W/20 seconds [240 J]) and varying power (5.5‐12 W) at the constant total energy (160 J). Three overlapped ablations with different ratios (25% and 50%) for each energy setting were also performed to evaluate the visible gap degree categorized from 1 (perfect) to 3 (poor). Twenty lesions were evaluated for each energy setting. In single applications of full duration, lesion depth, lesion volume, and maximum lesion diameter increased according to the total energy (all, P < .001) and were greater than in those of half duration in each energy setting (all, P < .05). However, applications with larger power created larger lesion volume and maximum lesion diameter at constant total energy (P < .05). The visible gap degree was better in all energy settings with 50% overlapped ablation than in those with 25% (all, P < .001).

Conclusion

Lesion size depends not only on power but also on total energy in the LB ablation. Sufficiently overlapped ablations allow continuous lesion formation.
Adiposity measures and pre‐diabetes or diabetes in adults with hypertension in Singapore polyclinics
Authors: Wang Yeli , Shirore Rupesh M. , Ramakrishnan Chandrika , Tan Ngiap Chuan , Jafar Tazeen H.
Published: June 2019

Identification of hypertensive patients with pre‐diabetes or diabetes is important for timely prevention of complications including vascular disease. We aimed to compare the association and discrimination of central obesity measures (waist circumference [WC] and waist‐to‐height ratio [WHtR]) with generalized obesity measure (body mass index [BMI]) in relation to pre‐diabetes and diabetes among a group of Asian hypertensive patients for the first time. We used the baseline data of 925 subjects aged 40 years or older with uncontrolled hypertension recruited at eight primary care clinics in Singapore. Information on height, weight, WC, fasting blood glucose, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was collected. Pre‐diabetes or diabetes was defined as having reported physician‐diagnosed diabetes or taking anti‐diabetes medication, fasting blood glucose ≥ 5.6 mmol/dL or HbA1c ≥ 5.7%. Among 925 subjects, 495 (53.5%) had pre‐diabetes or diabetes. In logistic regression models, BMI was not associated with pre‐diabetes or diabetes after adjusting for WC or WHtR, while a positive association remained with both WC and WHtR after adjustment of BMI. Both WC and WHtR had significantly better discrimination than BMI (respective area under ROC curve: 0.63 for WC, 0.63 for WHtR, and 0.60 for BMI; P = 0.019), and adding WC or WHtR on top of BMI further correctly reclassified 42.7% and 38.7% hypertensive patients to the right risk group of pre‐diabetes or diabetes indicated by net reclassification improvement. However, WHtR was not superior to WC. In conclusion, our results suggested that central obesity has stronger association with and better discrimination for pre‐diabetes or diabetes than generalized obesity.
RDM1 promotes critical processes in breast cancer tumorigenesis
Authors: Chen Yajun , Sun Zhengwang , Zhong Tianying
Published: June 2019

Breast cancer is currently among the most common cancers in women, with almost 200,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Dysregulation of DNA repair pathways allows cells to accumulate damage and eventually mutations, with a subsequent reduction in DNA repair capacity in breast tissue, leading to tumorigenesis. One component of the DNA damage repair pathway is RAD52 motif‐containing 1 (RDM1), but the specific role of RDM1 in breast cancer and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Here, we examined the role played by RDM1 in breast cancer cell culture using the HBL100 and MCF‐7 breast cancer cell lines. Disruption of RDM1 reduced in vitro cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. Knockdown of RDM1 also induced up‐regulation of p53 levels, whereas RAD51 and RAD52, both involved in DNA repair, were down‐regulated. In addition, the in vivo growth of RDM1‐deficient cells was significantly repressed, suggesting that RDM1 is a novel oncogenic protein in human breast cancer cells. This study reveals a link between the DNA damage response pathway and oncogenic functionality in breast cancer. Accordingly, therapeutic targeting of RDM1 is a potential treatment strategy for breast cancer and overcoming drug resistance.
Fibroblast growth factor homologous factor 1 stimulates Leydig cell regeneration from stem cells in male rats
Authors: Mo Jiaying , Chen Xiuxiu , Ni Chaobo , Wu Keyang , Li Xiaoheng , Zhu Qiqi , Ma Leika , Chen Yong , Zhang Song , Wang Yiyan , Lian Qingquan , Ge Ren‐Shan
Published: June 2019

Fibroblast growth factor homologous factor 1 (FHF1) is an intracellular protein that does not bind to cell surface fibroblast growth factor receptor. Here, we report that FHF1 is abundantly present in Leydig cells with up‐regulation during its development. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with 75 mg/kg ethane dimethane sulphonate (EDS) to ablate Leydig cells to initiate their regeneration. Then, rats daily received intratesticular injection of FHF1 (0, 10 and 100 ng/testis) from post‐EDS day 14 for 14 days. FHF1 increased serum testosterone levels without affecting the levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle‐stimulating hormone. FHF1 increased the cell number staining with HSD11B1, a biomarker for Leydig cells at the advanced stage, without affecting the cell number staining with CYP11A1, a biomarker for all Leydig cells. FHF1 did not affect PCNA‐labelling index in Leydig cells. FHF1 increased Leydig cell mRNA (Lhcgr, Scarb1, Star, Cyp11a1, Hsd3b1, Cyp17a1, Hsd17b3, Insl3, Nr5a1 and Hsd11b1) and their protein levels in vivo. FHF1 increased preadipocyte biomarker Dlk1 mRNA level and decreased fully differentiated adipocyte biomarker (Fabp4 and Lpl) mRNA and their protein levels. In conclusion, FHF1 promotes Leydig cell regeneration from stem cells while inhibiting the differentiation of preadipocyte/stem cells into adipocytes in EDS‐treated testis.
Sodium (±)‐5‐bromo‐2‐(α‐hydroxypentyl) benzoate ameliorates pressure overload‐induced cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction through inhibiting autophagy
Authors: Wang Bo , Shen Deliang , Tang Junnan , Li Jing , Xiao Yue , Chen Xiuying , Cao Chang , Han Dongjian , Gao Erhe , Zhao Wen , Zhang Jinying , Chang Junbiao
Published: June 2019

Sodium (±)‐5‐bromo‐2‐(a‐hydroxypentyl) benzoate (generic name: brozopine, BZP) has been reported to protect against stroke‐induced brain injury and was approved for Phase II clinical trials for treatment of stroke‐related brain damage by the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA). However, the role of BZP in cardiac diseases, especially in pressure overload‐induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, remains to be investigated. In the present study, angiotensin II stimulation and transverse aortic constriction were employed to induce cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo, respectively, prior to the assessment of myocardial cell autophagy. We observed that BZP administration ameliorated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and excessive autophagic activity. Further results indicated that AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK)‐mediated activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway likely played a role in regulation of autophagy by BZP after Ang II stimulation. The activation of AMPK with metformin reversed the BZP‐induced suppression of autophagy. Finally, for the first time, we demonstrated that BZP could protect the heart from pressure overload‐induced hypertrophy and dysfunction, and this effect is associated with its inhibition of maladaptive cardiomyocyte autophagy through the AMPK‐mTOR signalling pathway. These findings indicated that BZP may serve as a promising compound for treatment of pressure overload‐induced cardiac remodelling and heart failure.
Ginkgolide B promotes osteoblast differentiation via activation of canonical Wnt signalling and alleviates osteoporosis through a bone anabolic way
Authors: Zhu Bin , Xue Feng , Zhang Changqing , Li Guangyi
Published: June 2019

Osteoporosis has become a worldwide problem as the population ages. Although many advances have been made in the treatment of osteoporosis in the past few years, the outcome are sometimes disturbing because of the adverse effects of these treatments. Further studies are still needed to identify novel alternate agents to improve the therapeutic effect. Ginkgolide B (GB), a derivative of Ginkgo biloba leaves, has numerous pharmacological effects, including anticancer and anti‐inflammation activities. However, the effect of GB on the regulation of osteoblast activity and bone formation effect has not yet been investigated. In this study, we showed the in vitro and in vivo effects of GB on osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. We found that GB promotes osteoblast differentiation of Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs) and MC3T3‐E1 cells in vitro in a Wnt/β‐catenin‐dependent manner. In an in vivo study, we constructed a cranial defect model in rats and treated with GB. Histomorphometric and histological analyses confirmed that the usage of GB significantly promotes bone formation. Further study on ovariectomy (OVX) rats demonstrated that GB is capable of alleviating ovariectomy‐induced bone loss by enhancing osteoblast activity. Our findings indicate that GB is a potential therapeutic agent of osteoporosis through an anabolic way in bone.
Interaction of sauger Sander canadensis and walleye Sander vitreus in a large, shallow northern river
Authors: Haxton Tim , Friday Mike
Published: June 2019

The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the relative abundance of sauger Sander canadensis and walleye S. vitreus within the Rainy River using a standardized index netting technique; (2) assess the life‐history characteristics of the two species in a northern river; (3) examine the spatial distribution of the two species; (4) assess year‐class synchrony. At a larger scale, relative abundance of S. canadensis and S. vitreus were similar among sections of the river. However, at a finer scale, S. canadensis were the dominant species over more area (24%) of the river than S. vitreus (12%). Life‐history traits for both species were within the range reported for North American. Mortality rates were similar, suggesting that anglers were not affecting one species more than the other. Year‐class strengths were not synchronous between S. canadensis and S. vitreus (r = 0.07). There was evidence of S. canadensis potentially outcompeting S. vitreus with a strong year class of S. canadensis followed by a very weak class of S. vitreus. Additionally, S. canadensis were larger than S. vitreus in most sections of the river when adjusted for mean size. However, the potential interspecific competition was not to the exclusion of S. vitreus. Turbidity was probably the factor that enable S. canadensis to survive sympatrically with S. vitreus given their inability to segregate by depth within the river.
Management of Sleep Disorders in Community‐Dwelling Older Women and Men at the Time of Diagnosis
Authors: Pop Paula , Bronskill Susan E. , Piggott Katrina L. , Stall Nathan M. , Savage Rachel D. , Visentin Jessica D. , McCarthy Lisa M. , Giannakes Vasily , Wu Wei , Gruneir Andrea , Gatley Jodi M. , Rochon Paula A.
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Sedative and hypnotic medications are associated with harm, and guidelines suggest limiting their use. Only limited evidence has described how older adults are managed following an initial sleep disorder diagnosis. We aimed to describe clinical management patterns of sleep disorders in older women and men at the time of initial diagnosis.

Design

Population‐based retrospective cohort study using linked administrative databases.

Setting

Ontario, Canada.

Participants

Community‐dwelling adults aged 66 and older, diagnosed with a new sleep disorder by a primary care provider (n = 30 729; 56% women and 44% men). We compared women and men for each outcome.

Measurements

The primary outcome was prescription of a medication used for sleep within 30 days of a new sleep disorder diagnosis. Additional analysis included medical investigations such as sleep studies and visits to specialists who manage obstructive sleep disorders within 90 days of diagnosis.

Results

Among the 30 729 older adults with a new sleep disorder diagnosis, 5512 (17.9% total; 18.8% of women and 16.9% of men) were prescribed a medication used for sleep. Compared with men, women were somewhat more likely to be prescribed at least one sedative medication (adjusted odds ratio = 1.09; 95% confidence interval = 1.03‐1.16). A total of 2573 (8.4%) older adults underwent a sleep study, and 3743 (12.2%) were evaluated by a specialist; both occurred more commonly in men.

Conclusion

In our cohort, almost 1 in 5 older adults with a new sleep disorder diagnosis were prescribed a medication used for sleep; of these, a higher proportion were women. Comparatively few older adults were further evaluated; of these, a higher proportion were men. Our study highlights the high rates at which medications are prescribed to older adults with a new sleep disorder diagnosis and identifies potential sex differences in the management of such diagnoses. J Am Geriatr Soc 1–8, 2019. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2094–2101, 2019
“I Don't Know How People on Minimum Wage Make it”: The Semiotic Scaling of Political Crisis and Emotions in Venezuela
Authors: Rodríguez Juan Luis
Published: June 2019

A finales del año 2016 la moneda venezolana comenzó a depreciarse aceleradamente. Los venezolanos de clase media y trabajadora vieron esto como una señal de altos índices de inflación para el mes de diciembre y para el año 2017. Durante este periodo, ejercicios comunicativos de comparación y escala tomaron lugar central en muchas conversaciones de la vida diaria. En este articulo argumento que tales ejercicios constituyen un registro contextual usado para codificar sentimientos de ansiedad, rabia y desesperación de cara a un desastre económico inevitable. Este registro ayuda a los Venezolanos a articular una disposición cambiante acerca de la política y la economía. Este también ayuda a la gente a comunicar estos afectos los unos a los otros. Las comparaciones y la escala se han vuelto un instrumento no para discutir meros hechos y datos sobre la crisis sino para comunicar el desespero y rabia que esta produce. [Economía, política, Venezuela]