bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Tongue-in-Groove and Columellar Strut on Rotation and Projection in Droopy Nasal Tip: Contribution of a Cap Graft
Authors: Demir Uygar Levent
Published: January 2018

Underrotation of the nasal tip with narrow nasolabial angle is a common nasal deformity that leads to a long nose appearance, named drooping nose. In these patients, there are various techniques described to correct droopy tip and to achieve a desirable nasal tip rotation such as lateral crural steal, lateral crural overlay, tongue-ingroove, columellar strut graft, tip rotation sutures, cephalic trimming, and others. In this study, the effects of tongue-in-groove (TIG) and columellar strut graft (CS) and the contribution of cap graft on nasal tip rotation and projection were evaluated. Twenty-eight consecutive patients who underwent open approach rhinoplasty by the same senior author (ULD) between January 2015 and December 2016 with the diagnosis of septonasal deformity and droopy nasal tip were included. In 9 of these patients nasal tip was constructed with strut graft, in 6 patients with both strut and cap grafts, in 6 patients with TIG technique and in 7 patients with both TIG and cap graft. Standardized right lateral images were taken preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively to use for further assessments. The nasal tip rotation was evaluated by measuring nasolabial angle (NLA) and the nasal projection (NP) was evaluated by using the Goode method. Finally, the postoperative values of NLA and NP at the 6th month were compared with preoperative recorded values in between groups. Each group showed increase at nasal projection; however, significance was present only in CS graft and TIG groups (P=0.011 and P=0.027 relatively). Each 4 groups showed significant increase in nasal tip rotation. In addition, the comparison of percent changes between preoperative and postoperative NP and NLA revealed no difference (P=0.56 and P=0.431 relatively). In conclusion, the authors argued that TIG and CS graft techniques are both reliable methods to correct droopy nasal tip and using additional cap graft over dome area when required is safe and useful.
Does the Vaginal Flora Modify When a Synthetic Mesh is Used for Genital Prolapse Repair in Postmenopausal Women? A Pilot, Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: de Castro Edilson Benedito , Brito Luiz Gustavo Oliveria , Giraldo Paulo César , Teatin Juliato Cássia Raquel
Published: January 2018

Objective

The vaginal flora from postmenopausal women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is different from younger women. We hypothesized that the decision of a surgical route using a mesh would modify the vaginal flora. The purpose of this study was to analyze the vaginal flora from postmenopausal women that were submitted to abdominal sacrocervicopexy or vaginal sacrospinous fixation.

Methods

A pilot, randomized controlled study with 50 women aged 55 to 75 years (n = 25; abdominal sacrocervicopexy + subtotal hysterectomy; n = 25 vaginal sacrospinous fixation + vaginal hysterectomy) was performed. A polyvinylidene mesh was used in both arms. The vaginal content analysis was collected before and 60 days after the surgery. The type of flora, the presence of lactobacilli/leukocytes, and the Nugent criteria were analyzed.

Results

Most of the women were white (80%), with at least 1 comorbidity (69.9%), did not present sexual activity (60%), and presented advanced stage 4 POP. Two thirds of women presented a type 3 flora, and half of them did not present lactobacilli (48.3%). About the Nugent criteria, 51.7% presented normal flora, 46.6% found altered flora, and 1.7% had bacterial vaginosis. There were no differences about the type of flora (P = 1), number of lactobacilli (P = 0.9187), Nugent criteria (P = 0.4235), inflammation (P = 0.1018), and bacterial vaginosis (P = 0.64) before and after surgery in both groups.

Conclusions

In this pilot study, the use of synthetic mesh by vaginal or abdominal route did not affect the vaginal flora in postmenopausal women operated on by POP surgery.
Wolbachia control stem cell behavior and stimulate germline proliferation in filarial nematodes
Authors: Vincent Foray , M. Pérez-Jiménez Mercedes , Nour Fattouh , Frédéric Landmann
Published: January 2018

Although symbiotic interactions are ubiquitous in the living world, examples of developmental symbioses are still scarce. We show here the crucial role of Wolbachia in the oogenesis of filarial nematodes, a class of parasites of biomedical and veterinary relevance. While the Wolbachia-depleted nematodes produce faulty embryos, we identified thanks to newly generated techniques the earliest requirements of Wolbachia in the germline. They stimulate its proliferation in a cell-autonomous manner, in parallel of the known key controllers, and not through nucleotide supplementation as previously hypothesized. We also found Wolbachia to maintain the quiescence of a pool of germline stem cells ensuring for many years a constant delivery of about 1400 eggs per day. The loss of quiescence upon Wolbachia depletion, as well as the disorganization of the distal germline suggest that Wolbachia are required to execute the proper germline stem cell developmental program in order to produce viable eggs and embryos.
Prokaryotic nanocompartments form synthetic organelles in a eukaryote
Authors: Lau Yu Heng , Giessen Tobias W. , Altenburg Wiggert J. , Silver Pamela A.
Published: January 2018

Compartmentalization of proteins into organelles is a promising strategy for enhancing the productivity of engineered eukaryotic organisms. However, approaches that co-opt endogenous organelles may be limited by the potential for unwanted crosstalk and disruption of native metabolic functions. Here, we present the construction of synthetic non-endogenous organelles in the eukaryotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, based on the prokaryotic family of self-assembling proteins known as encapsulins. We establish that encapsulins self-assemble to form nanoscale compartments in yeast, and that heterologous proteins can be selectively targeted for compartmentalization. Housing destabilized proteins within encapsulin compartments affords protection against proteolytic degradation in vivo, while the interaction between split protein components is enhanced upon co-localization within the compartment interior. Furthermore, encapsulin compartments can support enzymatic catalysis, with substrate turnover observed for an encapsulated yeast enzyme. Encapsulin compartments therefore represent a modular platform, orthogonal to existing organelles, for programming synthetic compartmentalization in eukaryotes.
Evolutionary tradeoffs and the structure of allelic polymorphisms
Authors: Sheftel Hila , Szekely Pablo , Mayo Avi , Sella Guy , Alon Uri
Published: January 2018

Populations of organisms show prevalent genetic differences called polymorphisms. Understanding the effects of polymorphisms is of central importance in biology and medicine. Here, we ask which polymorphisms occur at high frequency when organisms evolve under tradeoffs between multiple tasks. Multiple tasks present a problem, because it is not possible to be optimal at all tasks simultaneously and hence compromises are necessary. Recent work indicates that tradeoffs lead to a simple geometry of phenotypes in the space of traits: phenotypes fall on the Pareto front, which is shaped as a polytope: a line, triangle, tetrahedron etc. The vertices of these polytopes are the optimal phenotypes for a single task. Up to now, work on this Pareto approach has not considered its genetic underpinnings. Here, we address this by asking how the polymorphism structure of a population is affected by evolution under tradeoffs. We simulate a multi-task selection scenario, in which the population evolves to the Pareto front: the line segment between two archetypes or the triangle between three archetypes. We find that polymorphisms that become prevalent in the population have pleiotropic phenotypic effects that align with the Pareto front. Similarly, epistatic effects between prevalent polymorphisms are parallel to the front. Alignment with the front occurs also for asexual mating. Alignment is reduced when drift or linkage is strong, and is replaced by a more complex structure in which many perpendicular allele effects cancel out. Aligned polymorphism structure allows mating to produce offspring that stand a good chance of being optimal multi-taskers in at least one of the locales available to the species.
Neuraminidase inhibitors — is it time to call it a day?
Authors: Parra-Rojas César , Nguyen Van Kinh , Hernández-Mejía Gustavo , Hernández-Vargas Esteban A.
Published: January 2018

Stockpiling neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) such as oseltamivir and zanamivir is part of a global effort to be prepared for an influenza pandemic. However, the contribution of NAIs for treatment and prevention of influenza and its complications is largely debatable. Here, we developed a transparent mathematical modelling setting to analyse the impact of NAIs on influenza disease at within-host and population level. Analytical and simulation results indicate that even assuming unrealistically high efficacies for NAIs, drug intake starting on the onset of symptoms has a negligible effect on an individual's viral load and symptoms score. Increasing NAIs doses does not provide a better outcome as is generally believed. Considering Tamiflu's pandemic regimen for prophylaxis, different multiscale simulation scenarios reveal modest reductions in epidemic size despite high investments in stockpiling. Our results question the use of NAIs in general to treat influenza as well as the respective stockpiling by regulatory authorities.
Causal contribution and dynamical encoding in the striatum during evidence accumulation
Authors: Yartsev Michael M. , Hanks Timothy D. , Yoon Alice M. , Brody Carlos D.
Published: January 2018

A broad range of decision-making processes involve gradual accumulation of evidence over time, but the neural circuits responsible for this computation are not yet established. Recent data indicates that cortical regions prominently associated with accumulating evidence, such as posterior parietal cortex and the frontal orienting fields, are not necessary for computing it. Which, then, are the regions responsible? Regions directly involved in evidence accumulation should satisfy the criteria of being necessary for accumulation-based decision-making behavior, having a graded neural encoding of accumulated evidence and causal contributing throughout the accumulation process. Here, we investigated the role of the anterior dorsal striatum (ADS) in a rodent auditory evidence accumulation task using a combination of behavioral, pharmacological, optogenetic, electrophysiological and computational approaches. We find that the ADS is the first brain region known to satisfy these criteria. Thus, the ADS may be the first identified node in the network responsible for evidence accumulation.
BRD4 Deficiency Selectively Affects a Unique Developmental Subpopulation in Thymocytes
Authors: Gegonne Anne , Chen Qing-Rong , Dey Anup , Etzensperger Ruth , Tai Xuguang , Singer Alfred , Meerzaman Daoud , Ozato Keiko , Singer Dinah S.
Published: January 2018

The bromodomain protein BRD4 is a driver in both inflammatory diseases and cancers. It has multiple functions, contributing to chromatin structure and transcription through its intrinsic HAT and kinase activities. Despite the wide-ranging characterization of BRD4, little is known about its in vivo function. In the present study, we have examined the role of BRD4 in T cell development by conditional deletion at various stages of thymocyte differentiation. We found that BRD4 is critical for normal T cell development. Surprisingly, BRD4 selectively regulates the progression of immature CD8 single positive (ISP) thymocytes into quiescent DP thymocytes. In striking contrast, BRD4 deletion does not affect the extensive proliferation associated with the differentiation of double negative (DN) into ISP cells. Nor does it affect the maturation of double positive (DP) into conventional CD4+ and CD8+ thymocytes. These studies lead to the unexpected conclusion that BRD4 selectively regulates preselection ISP thymocytes.

On-line Summary

Immature CD8 single-positive (ISP) thymocytes are identified as a molecularly-distinct thymocyte subpopulation, dependent on BRD4 for progression to the DP stage. DN and DP are BRD4-independent. These findings provide new insights into BRD4, a therapeutic target in inflammation and cancer.
Differential 3’ Processing of Specific Transcripts Expands Regulatory and Protein Diversity Across Neuronal Cell Types
Authors: Jereb Saša , Hwang Hun-Way , Van Otterloo Eric , Govek Eve-Ellen , Fak John J. , Yuan Yuan , Hatten Mary E. , Darnell Robert B.
Published: January 2018

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) regulates mRNA translation, stability, and protein localization. However, it is unclear to what extent APA regulates these processes uniquely in specific cell types. Using a new technique, cTag-PAPERCLIP, we discovered significant differences in APA between the principal types of mouse cerebellar neurons, the Purkinje and granule cells, as well as between proliferating and differentiated granule cells. Transcripts that differed in APA in these comparisons were enriched in key neuronal functions and many differed in coding sequence in addition to 3’UTR length. We characterize Memo1, a transcript that shifted from expressing a short 3’UTR isoform to a longer one during granule cell differentiation. We show that Memo1 regulates granule cell precursor proliferation and that its long 3’UTR isoform is targeted by miR-124, contributing to its downregulation during development. Our findings provide insight into roles for APA in specific cell types and establish a platform for further functional studies.
Arabidopsis HB52 mediates the crosstalk between ethylene and auxin signaling pathways by regulatingPIN2, WAG1, and WAG2during primary root elongation
Authors: Miao Zi-Qing , Zhao Ping-Xia , Mao Jie-Li , Yu Lin-Hui , Yuan Yang , Tang Hui , Xiang Cheng-Bin
Published: January 2018

The gaseous hormone ethylene participates in many physiological processes of plants. It is well known that ethylene-inhibited root elongation involves basipetal auxin delivery requiring PIN2. However, the molecular mechanism how ethylene regulatesPIN2is not well understood. Here, we report that the ethylene-responsive HD-Zip geneHB52is involved in ethylene-mediated inhibition of primary root elongation. Using biochemical and genetic analyses, we demonstrated thatHB52is ethylene-responsive and acts immediately downstream of EIN3.HB52knock-down mutants are insensitive to ethylene in primary root elongation while the overexpression lines have dramatically shortened roots like ethylene treated plants. Moreover, HB52 upregulatesPIN2, WAG1, andWAG2by directly binding to their promoter, leading to an enhanced basipetal auxin delivery to the elongation zone and thus inhibiting root growth. Our work uncovers HB52 as an important crosstalk node between ethylene signaling and auxin transport in root elongation.
Data-mining of Antibiotic Resistance Genes Provides Insight into the Community Structure of Ocean Microbiome
Authors: Hao Shiguang , Yang Pengshuo , Han Maozhen , Xu Junjie , Yu Shaojun , Chen Chaoyun , Chen Wei-Hua , Zhang Houjin , Ning Kang
Published: January 2018

Background

Antibiotics have been spread widely in environments, asserting profound effects on environmental microbes as well as antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) within these microbes. Therefore, investigating the associations between ARGs and bacterial communities become an important issue for environment protection. Ocean microbiomes are potentially large ARG reservoirs, but the marine ARG distribution and its associations with bacterial communities remain unclear.

Methods

we have utilized the big-data mining techniques on ocean microbiome data to analysis the marine ARGs and bacterial distribution on a global scale, and applied comprehensive statistical analysis to unveil the associations between ARG contents, ocean microbial community structures, and environmental factors by reanalyzing 132 metagenomic samples from the Tara Oceans project.

Results

We identified in total 1,926 unique ARGs and found that: firstly, ARGs are more abundant and diverse in the mesopelagic zone than other water layers. Additionally, ARG-enriched genera are closely connected in co-occurrence network. We also found that ARG-enriched genera are often more abundant than their ARG-less neighbors. Furthermore, we found that samples from the Mediterranean that is surrounded by human activities often contain more ARGs.

Conclusion

Our research for investigating the marine ARG distribution and revealing the association between ARG and bacterial communities provide a deeper insight into the marine bacterial communities. We found that ARG-enriched genera were often more abundant than their ARG-less neighbors in the same environment, indicating that genera enriched with ARGs might possess an advantage over others in the competition for survival in the oceanic microbial communities.
Noise propagation in an integrated model of bacterial gene expression and growth
Authors: Kleijn Istvan T. , Krah Laurens H. J. , Hermsen Rutger
Published: January 2018

In bacterial cells, gene expression, metabolism, and growth are highly interdependent and tightly coordinated. As a result, stochastic fluctuations in expression levels and instantaneous growth rate show intricate cross-correlations. These correlations are shaped by feedback loops, trade-offs and constraints acting at the cellular level; therefore a quantitative understanding requires an integrated approach. To that end, we here present a mathematical model describing a cell that contains multiple proteins that are each expressed stochastically and jointly limit the growth rate. Conversely, metabolism and growth affect protein synthesis and dilution. Thus, expression noise originating in one gene propagates to metabolism, growth, and the expression of all other genes. Nevertheless, under a small-noise approximation many statistical quantities can be calculated analytically. We identify several routes of noise propagation, illustrate their origins and scaling, and establish important connections between noise propagation and the field of metabolic control analysis. We then present a many-protein model containing > 1000 proteins parameterized by previously measured abundance data and demonstrate that the predicted cross-correlations between gene expression and growth rate are in broad agreement with published measurements.
Src-transformed cells hijack mitosis to extrude from the epithelium
Authors: Anton Katarzyna A. , Kajita Mihoko , Narumi Rika , Fujita Yasuyuki , Tada Masazumi
Published: January 2018

At the initial stage of carcinogenesis single mutated cells appear within an epithelium. Mammalianin vitroexperiments show that potentially cancerous cells undergo live apical extrusion from normal monolayers. However, the mechanism underlying this processin vivoremains poorly understood. Mosaic expression of the oncogene vSrc in a simple epithelium of the early zebrafish embryo results in apical extrusion of transformed cells. Here we find that during extrusion components of the cytokinetic ring are recruited to adherens junctions of transformed cells, stimulating formation of a misoriented pseudo cytokinetic ring. During extrusion, the ring constricts and separates the basal from the apical part of the cell releasing both from the epithelium. This process requires cell cycle progression and occurs immediately after vSrc-transformed cell enters mitosis. To achieve extrusion, vSrc coordinates cell cycle progression, junctional integrity, cell survival and apicobasal polarity. Without vSrc, modulating these cellular processes reconstitutes vSrc-like extrusion, confirming their sufficiency for this process.
Successive Bloodmeals Enhance Virus Dissemination Within Mosquitoes And Increase Transmission Potential
Authors: Armstrong Philip M. , Ehrlich Hanna , Bransfield Angela , Warren Joshua L. , Pitzer Virginia E. , Brackney Doug E.
Published: January 2018

SUMMARY PARAGRAPH

The recent Zika virus (ZIKV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) epidemics highlight the explosive nature of arthropod-borne (arbo) viruses transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes1,2. Vector competence and the extrinsic incubation period (EIP) are two key entomological parameters used to assess the public health risk posed by arboviruses3. These are typically measured empirically by offering mosquitoes an infectious bloodmeal and temporally sampling mosquitoes to determine infection and transmission status. This approach has been used for the better part of a century; however, it does not accurately capture the biology and behavior of many mosquito vectors which refeed frequently (every 2-3 days)4. Here we demonstrate that administration of a second non-infectious bloodmeal significantly shortens the EIP of ZIKV-infected Ae. aegypti by enhancing virus escape from the mosquito midgut. Similarly, a second bloodmeal increased the competence of this species for dengue virus and CHIKV. This effect was also observed for ZIKV in Aedes albopictus, suggesting that this species might be a more important vector than once thought and that this phenomenon may be common among other virus-vector pairings. Modeling of these findings reveals that a shortened EIP would result in a significant increase in the basic reproductive number, R0. This increase helps explain how Ae.aegypti can sustain an explosive epidemic like ZIKV despite its relatively poor vector competence in single-feed laboratory trials. Together, these data demonstrate a direct and unrecognized link between mosquito feeding behavior, EIP, and vector competence.
A Transcriptomic Analysis of Xylan Mutants Does Not Support the Existence of A Secondary Cell Wall Integrity System in Arabidopsis
Authors: Blanc Nuno Faria , Mortimer Jenny C. , Dupree Paul
Published: January 2018

Yeast have long been known to possess a cell wall integrity (CWI) system, and recently an analogous system has been described for the primary walls of plants (PCWI) that leads to changes in plant growth and cell wall composition. A similar system has been proposed to exist for secondary cell walls (SCWI). However, there is little data to support this. Here, we analysed the stem transcriptome of a set of cell wall biosynthetic mutants in order to investigate whether cell wall damage, in this case caused by aberrant xylan synthesis, activates a signalling cascade or changes in cell wall synthesis gene expression. Our data revealed remarkably few changes to the transcriptome. We hypothesise that this is because cells undergoing secondary cell wall thickening have entered a committed programme leading to cell death, and therefore a SCWI system would have limited impact. The absence of transcriptomic responses to secondary cell wall alterations may facilitate engineering of the secondary cell wall of plants.
Oncogenic role of sFRP2 in P53-mutant osteosarcoma development via autocrine and paracrine mechanism
Authors: Kim Huen Suk , Yoo Seungyeul , Bernitz Jeffrey M. , Yuan Ye , Gomes Andreia M. , Daniel Michael G. , Su Jie , Demicco Elizabeth G. , Zhu Jun , Moore Kateri A. , Lee Dung-Fang , Lemischka Ihor R. , Schaniel Christoph
Published: January 2018

Osteosarcoma (OS), the most common primary bone tumor, is highly metastatic with high chemotherapeutic resistance and poor survival rates. Using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated from Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) patients, we investigated an oncogenic role of secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (sFRP2) in P53 mutation-associated OS development. Interestingly, we found that high sFRP2 expression in OS patient samples correlates with poor survival. Systems-level analyses identified that expression of sFRP2 increases during LFS OS development and can induce angiogenesis. Ectopic sFRP2 overexpression in normal osteoblast precursors is sufficient to suppress normal osteoblast differentiation and to promote OS phenotypes through induction of oncogenic molecules such as FOXM1 and CYR61 in a β-catenin independent manner. Conversely, inhibition of sFRP2, FOXM1 or CYR61 represses the tumorigenic potential. In summary, these findings demonstrate the oncogenic role of sFRP2 in P53 mutation-associated OS development and that inhibition of sFRP2 is a potential therapeutic strategy.
A conceptual model of social entrepreneurial intention based on the social cognitive career theory
Authors: Tran Anh T.P. , Von Korflesch Harald
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Entrepreneurial intention plays a major role in entrepreneurship academia and practice. However, little is known about the intentions of entrepreneurs in the social area of venture creation. This paper aims to formulate a well-organized model of social entrepreneurial intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on intention models in entrepreneurship literature in general and social entrepreneurship in particular to identify gaps. Based on these findings, a new conceptual model is formulated.

Findings

There is no research to be found which uses the social cognitive career theory (SCCT) to explain about an individual’s intention to become a social entrepreneur, although this theory is recently suggested as an inclusive framework for entrepreneurial intention (Doan Winkelet al., 2011). It is also supportive by the empirical research of Segalet al.(2002). Therefore, a conceptual model of entrepreneurial intention in the field of social entrepreneurship is formulated based on adapting and extending the SCCT.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the social entrepreneurship literature by providing new insights about social entrepreneurial intention. The result has important implications for theory and practice. In theory, it is the first model offering the SCCT as the background of formation for social entrepreneurial intention, with a distinct perspective of social entrepreneurship as a career. It raises a future direction for researchers to test this model. In practice, this framework provides a broad view of factors that could contribute to the success of the would-be a social entrepreneur.
Context-based sales and operations planning (S&OP) research
Authors: Kristensen Jesper , Jonsson Patrik
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and categorise how current literature contributes to sales and operations planning (S&OP) research on how contextual variables affect S&OP design and to frame future areas for context-based S&OP research.

Design/methodology/approach

The method used was a systematic literature review. Studies for review were obtained through a keyword search of five relevant databases, manual searches of relevant journals and snowballing of citations in relevant papers. In total, 571 papers published between 2000 and 2017 were assessed, and 68 papers were included in the review.

Findings

The review found that S&OP design depends on industry, dynamic complexity, detail complexity and organisational characteristics. The findings of the literature review suggest that future research should study the roles of industry, complexity, system and process and organisational characteristics in S&OP design.

Research limitations/implications

The findings revealed several gaps in the literature on context-dependent S&OP design. To address these gaps, an agenda for future S&OP contingency research is developed.

Practical implications

The findings revealed which contextual areas and specific S&OP design issues must be considered when designing and implementing S&OP.

Originality/value

This study focussed on identifying relevant research on S&OP design by analysing the contribution of literature to a research framework inspired by contingency-based research of operations and supply chain management.
Serious gaming as a method for changing stakeholders’ perspectives on integrated care
Authors: Cheung Kei Long , Stevens Eveline , Evers Silvia M.A.A. , Hiligsmann Mickael
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Serious gaming provides opportunities to harmonize the views of stakeholders regarding integrated care. In order to provide first insights on the effects and stakeholders’ satisfaction of serious gaming, the purpose of this paper is to explore what effects serious gaming has on the perceptions of different stakeholders regarding integrated care, and to evaluate a trial case of serious gaming on integrated care.

Design/methodology/approach

A pre- and post-test design was used, with two questionnaires. The first questionnaire focused on integrated care, based on the integrated change model, and was given to participants twice, once before and once after the serious game “Long Life Lab” was completed, to assess changes in perception. The second questionnaire focused on the evaluation of serious gaming, and was given to the participants only after the serious game.

Findings

With nine participants, the results yielded no statistical effects with the exception of three salient beliefs. Despite the small sample, differences in specific beliefs were found for knowledge, attitude and self-efficacy. Furthermore, the game was positively evaluated, but participants indicated that there is room for improvement.

Originality/value

Participants have positive beliefs toward the use of serious gaming as a tool for changing stakeholders’ perspectives on integrated care. Further studies in greater sample size are needed to confirm the potential value of serious gaming to improve integrated care.
Optimization of discharge printing of indigo denim using potassium permanganate via response surface regression
Authors: Siddique Amna , Hussain Tanveer , Ibrahim Waseem , Raza Zulfiqar Ali , Abid Sharjeel
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the feasibility of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as an efficient discharging agent for indigo-dyed denim fabrics and identification of key variables for its cost-efficient implication.

Design/methodology/approach

Response surface methodology, which is a statistical technique for the optimization of process variables, was used to study the effect of three key variables, i.e. KMnO4 concentration, printing paste pH and reaction time on whiteness and strength of discharged printed fabric. Regression models were developed to predict response variables, i.e whiteness, tensile strength and tear strength of discharge printed denim.

Findings

It was found that some captivating discharge printing effects could be produced using appropriate KMnO4 concentration, printing paste pH and reaction time without any significant loss in the fabric strength.

Practical implications

This study highlights the practical implication of KMnO4 to be used as a safe and effective discharging agent under different conditions and to optimize the parameters using statistical analysis to ensure minimum loss in textile properties. The use of denim has evolved over the decades from a rough and tough workwear to highly fashionable apparel. Various dry and wet processing techniques have been introduced in recent years for the value-addition of denim – discharge printing is one of them. As lab to bulk reproducibility requires some sort of experience and adjustments in main parameters, the practical feasibility on the bulk scale should be adjusted in advance by means of the lab scale experimentation.

Originality/value

The KMnO4 oxidation process is considered eco-friendly because manganese dioxide, which is formed when permanganate is reduced, can be recycled. Thus, the use of KMnO4 can be considered as an eco-friendly safe process for the discharging of indigo dyes.
Motivations and barriers to purchasing online: understanding consumer responses
Authors: Rahman Saleem ur , Khan Muhammad Adnan , Iqbal Nadia
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The online purchasing behaviour of consumers has recently become a topic of increased interest and attention for marketers, policymakers, and researchers. However, due to its complex nature, this phenomenon is still in its infancy in many developing countries and needs to be paid more attention. Using the technology acceptance model (TAM), the purpose of this paper is to examine the role of utilitarian and hedonic shopping motivations, as well as the trust and privacy concerns of consumers in their online purchasing intentions, in a developing South Asian country: Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 859 respondents through a self-administrated questionnaire using the non-probability convenience sampling technique and were analysed using the structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results of this study demonstrate that, more than hedonic values, trust, and privacy concerns, utilitarian values positively influence consumers’ attitudes to online purchasing. Consequently, consumers’ attitudes positively influence their online purchasing intentions. The findings indicate that Pakistani consumers buy online for goal-oriented reasons. Not surprisingly, they feel unsafe buying online due to concerns over trust and data privacy.

Practical implications

The findings of this study have various practical and managerial implications for electronic businesses in developing countries. This study serves as a guide for the development of effective online marketing and selling strategies.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the existing literature on business to consumer e-commerce by identifying and empirically validating motivational factors and factors of concern using the TAM model. The extended TAM model, which integrates shopping motivations, trust, and privacy factors, can provide a solid theoretical foundation for consumers’ online purchasing behaviour in a developing country.
Genome‐enabled metabolic reconstruction of dominant chemosynthetic colonizers in deep‐sea massive sulfide deposits
Authors: Kato Shingo , Shibuya Takazo , Takaki Yoshihiro , Hirai Miho , Nunoura Takuro , Suzuki Katsuhiko
Published: January 2018

Deep‐sea massive sulfide deposits remaining after ceasing of hydrothermal activity potentially provide energy for a chemosynthetic ecosystem in the dark, cold marine environments. Although yet‐uncultivated bacteria in the phylum Nitrospirae and the class Deltaproteobacteria are known to dominate the microbial communities of sulfide deposits at and below the seafloor, their metabolic capabilities remain largely elusive. Here, we reveal the metabolic potential of these yet‐uncultivated bacteria in hydrothermally inactive sulfide deposits collected at the Southern Mariana Trough by seafloor drilling. Near‐complete genomes of the predominant bacterial members were recovered from shotgun metagenomic sequences. The genomic capabilities for CO2 and N2 fixation suggest that these bacteria are primary producers in the microbial ecosystem. Their genomes also encode versatile chemolithotrophic energy metabolisms, such as the oxidation of H2, sulfide and intermediate sulfur species including thiosulfate, all of which can be supplied by chemical reactions between seawater and metal sulfides. Notably, the presence of genes involved in thiosulfate oxidation in Nitrospirae and Deltaproteobacteria genomes is unusual. Our study strongly support the presence of a chemosynthetic ecosystem fuelled by the Earth's internal energy in the deep‐sea massive sulfide deposits, and illustrates the unexpected metabolic capability of known bacterial taxonomic groups.
Negotiating the Hard/Soft Law Divide in Business and Human Rights: The Implementation of the UNGPs in the European Union
Authors: Augenstein Daniel
Published: January 2018

The article discusses the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in the European Union against the backdrop of perennial debates between proponents of ‘hard’ versus ‘soft’ law approaches to preventing and redressing corporate‐related human rights violations. It argues that the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) – an EU governance instrument of transnational policy‐making – could contribute to negotiating the hard/soft law divide in business and human rights by ensuring a more effective implementation of the UNGPs in the European legal space. Moreover, the European experience with open coordination calls for a reappraisal of the relationship between international law and global governance in addressing today's business and human rights predicament. The first part of the article situates the debate between proponents of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ law approaches to business and human rights in the context of two UN‐driven initiatives: the development of national action plans (NAPs) to implement the UNGPs; and the negotiation of an international business and human rights treaty. The second part of the article relates experiences with the existing NAP process in the European Union to the policy background and rationale of the Open Method of Coordination and discusses the conditions for its successful employment in the business and human rights domain.
Non‐invasive evaluation of portal hypertension using shear‐wave elastography: analysis of two algorithms combining liver and spleen stiffness in 191 patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Elkrief L. , Ronot M. , Andrade F. , Dioguardi Burgio M. , Issoufaly T. , Zappa M. , Roux O. , Bissonnette J. , Payancé A. , Lebrec D. , Francoz C. , Soubrane O. , Valla D. , Durand F. , Vilgrain V. , Castera L. , Rautou P.‐E.
Published: January 2018

Background

Two algorithms based on sequential measurements of liver and spleen stiffness using two‐dimensional shearwave elastography (2D‐SWE) have been recently proposed to estimate clinically significant portal hypertension (hepatic venous pressure gradient [HVPG] ≥10 mm Hg) in patients with cirrhosis, with excellent diagnostic accuracy.

Aim

To validate externally these algorithms in a large cohort of patients with cirrhosis.

Methods

One hundred and ninety‐one patients with stable cirrhosis (Child‐Pugh class A 39%, B 29% and C 31%) who underwent liver and spleen stiffness measurements using 2D‐SWE at the time of HVPG measurement were included. Diagnostic accuracy of the 2 algorithms was assessed by calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values.

Results

The first algorithm, using liver stiffness <16.0 kilopascals (kPa) and then spleen stiffness <26.6 kPa, was used to rule‐out HVPG ≥10 mm Hg. In our population, its sensitivity and negative predictive value were 95% and 63% respectively. The second algorithm, using liver stiffness >38.0 kPa, or liver stiffness ≤38.0 kPa but spleen stiffness >27.9 kPa, was used to rule‐in HVPG ≥10 mm Hg. In our population, its specificity and positive predictive value were 52% and 83% respectively. Restricting the analyses to the 74 patients without any history of decompensation of cirrhosis or to the 65 patients with highly reliable liver stiffness measurement did not improve the results.

Conclusion

In our population, diagnostic accuracies of non‐invasive algorithms based on sequential measurements of liver and spleen stiffness using 2D‐SWE were acceptable, but not good enough to replace HVPG measurement or to base clinical decisions.
Review article: coeliac disease in later life must not be missed
Authors: Collin P. , Vilppula A. , Luostarinen L. , Holmes G. K. T. , Kaukinen K.
Published: January 2018

Background

The presenting symptoms of coeliac disease are often subtle and the diagnosis is frequently delayed or overlooked. Therefore, especially elderly patients may be denied the benefits conferred by gluten free diet which can be dramatically life‐changing.

Aim

To review the occurrence, clinical features, diagnosis and management in coeliac patients detected later in life.

Methods

To review manuscripts concerned with coeliac disease in the elderly and to derive subgroups of elderly people from publications on the disorder.

Results

Approximately a quarter of all diagnoses are now made at the age of 60 years or more and a fifth at 65 years or over. About 4% are diagnosed at 80 years or above. Around 60% remain undetected, since their symptoms are often subtle: tiredness, indigestion, reduced appetite. Good compliance with gluten free diet, resolution of symptoms and improvement in laboratory indices can be achieved in over 90% of patients.

Conclusions

Coeliac disease not uncommonly presents for the first time in older patients and is an important diagnosis to make.
Identity fusion predicts endorsement of pro‐group behaviours targeting nationality, religion, or football in Brazilian samples
Authors: Bortolini Tiago , Newson Martha , Natividade Jean Carlos , Vázquez Alexandra , Gómez Ángel
Published: January 2018

A visceral feeling of oneness with a group – identity fusion – has proven to be a stronger predictor of pro‐group behaviours than other measures of group bonding, such as group identification. However, the relationship between identity fusion, other group alignment measures and their different roles in predicting pro‐group behaviour is still controversial. Here, we test whether identity fusion is related to, but different from, unidimensional and multidimensional measures of group identification. We also show that identity fusion explains further variance of the endorsement of pro‐group behaviour than these alternative measures and examine the structural and discriminant properties of identity fusion and group identification measures in three different contexts: nationality, religion, and football fandom. Finally, we extend the fusion literature to a new culture: Brazil. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first research explicitly addressing a comparison between these two forms of group alignment, identity fusion and identification with a group, and their role in predicting pro‐group behaviours.
Outcomes of more than 1 000 percutaneous nephrolithotomies and validation of Guy's stone score
Authors: de Souza Melo Petronio Augusto , Vicentini Fabio Carvalho , Beraldi Artur Agostinho , Hisano Marcelo , Murta Claudio Bovolenta , de Almeida Claro Joaquim Francisco
Published: January 2018

Objective

To present the experience with percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) at a high‐volume Brazilian centre and to evaluate Guy's stone score (GSS) as a predictor of success and complications in PCNL.

Patients and Methods

We prospectively evaluated patients who underwent PCNL between June 2011 and October 2016. Indications for PCNL included renal stones >2 cm in size and stones <2 cm in size in which first‐line techniques had failed. All patients underwent a complete preoperative evaluation, including non‐contrast‐enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT). Stone complexity was assessed using GSS. Success was defined as the absence of fragments >2 mm on CT on postoperative day 1. Complications were classified according to the Clavien grade.

Results

A total of 1 066 PCNLs were performed on 891 patients. In all, 20.2% were classified as GSS1, 27.4% as GSS2, 35.0% as GSS3, and 17.4% as GSS4. The mean operating time was 108.44 min, and the mean fluoroscopy time was 13.57 min. The overall immediate success rate based on postoperative day 1 CT was 43.8%. Complications occurred in 14.9% of cases, and the mean length of hospital stay was 54.55 h. Stratifying patients according to GSS, success rate was inversely proportional to the calculus complexity: GSS1: 87.9%; GSS2: 62.1%; GSS3: 44.0%; and GSS4: 24.3% (P < 0.001). Higher GSS categories were significantly correlated with the number of puncture tracts (P < 0.001), operating time (P < 0.001), fluoroscopy time (P < 0.001), blood transfusion rate (P < 0.001), complications (P < 0.001) and length of stay (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In a high‐volume centre, PCNL was a reliable surgical technique, with low morbidity and short hospital stay. GSS was confirmed to be a very useful tool for predicting the outcomes of PCNL, and its use should be encouraged.
Making charity effectiveness transparent: Building a stakeholder‐focussed framework of reporting
Authors: Hyndman Noel , McConville Danielle
Published: January 2018

Effectiveness in achieving mission is fundamental to evaluating charity performance, and is of central concern to stakeholders who fund, regulate and otherwise engage with such organisations. Exploring the meaning of transparency in the context of stakeholder engagement, and utilising previous research and authoritative sector discussion, this paper develops a novel framework of transparent, stakeholder‐focussed effectiveness reporting. It is contended that such reporting can assist the charity sector in discharging accountability, gaining legitimacy and in sharpening mission‐centred managerial decision making. Then applying this to UK charities’ publicly available communications, it highlights significant challenges and weaknesses in current effectiveness reporting.
Scaffolding in Family Relationships: A Grounded Theory of Coming Out to Family
Authors: Jhang JhuCin
Published: January 2018

Objective

To challenge the conceptualization that disclosure means coming out by creating a model of coming out inclusive of various lived experiences.

Background

Coming out has traditionally been conceptualized in Western literature as disclosing one's sexual minority identity to self and others. However, this conceptualization may not generalize to a collectivistic culture such as Taiwan.

Method

Two waves of interview data with 28 Taiwanese lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals were used to establish a grounded theory of coming out to family.

Results

This grounded theory's core category is scaffolding for a stable family relationship, in which coming out is a scaffolding process. Three key propositions in this emergent theory are (a) LGB individuals and their parents have different sets of expectations for personal and family life that need to be reconciled, (b) scaffolding efforts create an iterative process in that they could either facilitate or inhibit reconciliation, and (c) the iterative process of scaffolding is influenced by a host of factors.

Conclusion

This study established a grounded theory of coming out for Taiwanese LGB individuals and their families in which disclosures are often absent and scaffolding to reach goals is key.

Implications

Cultural background and the prolonged iterative process of coming out should be considered when theorizing about and providing relevant professional services to this population.
Hyposalivation and 10‐year all‐cause mortality in an elderly Japanese population
Authors: Iwasaki Masanori , Borgnakke Wenche S. , Yoshihara Akihiro , Ito Kayoko , Ogawa Hiroshi , Nohno Kaname , Sato Misuzu , Minagawa Kumiko , Ansai Toshihiro , Miyazaki Hideo
Published: January 2018

Objective

To evaluate the association of salivary flow rate with all‐cause mortality among older Japanese adults. We hypothesised that hyposalivation would be a marker for mortality.

Background

Hyposalivation, which is an objectively measurable decrease in salivary flow, is highly prevalent among older adults. It is associated with malnutrition and poor general health.

Methods

The study population comprised 600 community‐dwelling Japanese adults (306 men and 294 women), who were 70 years old at baseline. They underwent stimulated salivary flow rate (SSFR) measurements and were followed up during a 10‐year study period. After stratification by sex, the hazard ratios of all‐cause mortality were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis comparing groups with and without hyposalivation (ie, SSFR < 0.7 mL/min).

Results

The baseline prevalence of hyposalivation was 27.8% (85/306) among men and 47.3% (139/294) among women. During a mean (standard deviation) follow‐up period of 104 (27) months, 80 deaths occurred: 60 (75.0%) deaths among men and 20 (25.0%) deaths among women. After adjusting for the number of remaining teeth, smoking status, exercise, hypoalbuminemia, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, hyposalivation at baseline was significantly associated with all‐cause mortality among men (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.01‐2.89). In contrast, no association between SSFR and all‐cause mortality existed among women.

Conclusion

Hyposalivation could be a marker for all‐cause mortality among older community‐dwelling Japanese men. Future studies investigating the association between SSFR and cause‐specific mortality are warranted.