bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A large-scale population study of early life factors influencing left-handedness
Authors: de Kovel Carolien G.F. , Carrión-Castillo Amaia , Francks Clyde
Published: April 2018

Hand preference is a conspicuous variation in human behaviour, with a worldwide proportion of around 90% of people preferring to use the right hand for many tasks, and 10% the left hand. We used the large, general population cohort of the UK biobank (~500,000 participants) to study possible relations between early life factors and adult hand preference. The probability of being left-handed was affected by the year and location of birth, likely due to cultural effects. In addition, handedness was affected by birthweight, being part of a multiple birth, season of birth, breastfeeding, and sex, with each effect remaining significant after accounting for all others. Maternal smoking showed no association with handedness. Analysis of genome-wide genotype data showed that left-handedness was very weakly heritable, but shared no genetic basis with birthweight. Although on average left-handers and right-handers differed for a number of early life factors, all together these factors had only a minimal predictive value for individual hand preference. Therefore other, unknown effects must be involved, including possible environmental factors, and/or random developmental variation with respect to the left-right formation of the embryonic brain.

Significance statement

Left-right laterality is an important aspect of human brain organization which is set up early in development. Left-handedness is an overt and relatively prevalent form of atypical brain laterality. Various, often related, early life factors have been previously studied in relation to handedness, but often in small samples, or samples with biased selection schemes. Here we have performed the largest ever study of left-handedness in relation to early life factors. Left-handedness was very weakly heritable and there were significant effects of various factors such as birthweight, which remained significant after controlling for all others. However, considered all together, early life factors still had poor predictive power for the handedness of any given individual. Very early developmental perturbations, caused by environmental or chance effects in embryonic development, are therefore likely to cause left-handedness.
Prader-Willi locus Snord116 RNA processing requires an active endogenous allele and neuron-specific splicing by Rbfox3/NeuN
Authors: Coulson Rochelle L. , Powell Weston T. , Yasui Dag H. , Dileep Gayathri , Resnick James , LaSalle Janine M.
Published: April 2018

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), an imprinted neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by metabolic, sleep, and neuropsychiatric features, is caused by the loss of paternal SNORD116, containing only noncoding RNAs. The primary SNORD116 transcript is processed into small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), which localize to nucleoli, and their spliced host gene 116HG, which is retained at its site of transcription. While functional complementation of the SNORD116 noncoding RNAs is a desirable goal for treating PWS, the mechanistic requirements of SNORD116 RNA processing are poorly understood. Here we developed and tested a novel transgenic mouse which ubiquitously expresses Snord116 on both a wild-type and Snord116 paternal deletion (Snord116+/−) background. Interestingly, while the Snord116 transgene was ubiquitously expressed in multiple tissues, splicing of the transgene and production of snoRNAs was limited to brain tissues. Knockdown of Rbfox3, encoding neuron-specific splicing factor NeuN, in Snord116+/−-derived neurons reduced splicing of the transgene in neurons. RNA fluorescent in situ hybridization for 116HG revealed a single significantly larger signal in transgenic mice, demonstrating colocalization of transgenic and endogenous 116HG RNAs. Similarly, significantly increased snoRNA levels were detected in transgenic neuronal nucleoli, indicating that transgenic Snord116 snoRNAs were effectively processed and localized. In contrast, neither transgenic 116HG nor snoRNAs were detectable in either non-neuronal tissues or Snord116+/− neurons. Together, these results demonstrate that exogenous expression and neuron-specific splicing of the Snord116 locus are insufficient to rescue the genetic deficiency of Snord116 paternal deletion. Elucidating the mechanisms regulating Snord116 processing and localization are essential to develop effective gene replacement therapies for PWS.
Whole Exome Sequencing in 20,197 Persons for Rare Variants in Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Raghavan Neha S. , Brickman Adam M. , Andrews Howard , Manly Jennifer J. , Schupf Nicole , Lantigua Rafael ,   The Alzheimer’s Disease Sequencing Project, Wolock Charles J. , Kamalakaran Sitharthan , Petrovski Slave , Tosto Giuseppe , Vardarajan Badri N. , Goldstein David B. , Mayeux Richard
Published: April 2018

Objective

The genetic bases of Alzheimer’s disease remain uncertain. An international effort to fully articulate genetic risks and protective factors is underway with the hope of identifying potential therapeutic targets and preventive strategies. The goal here was to identify and characterize the frequency and impact of rare and ultra-rare variants in Alzheimer’s disease using whole exome sequencing in 20,197 individuals.

Methods

We used a gene-based collapsing analysis of loss-of-function ultra-rare variants in a case-control study design with data from the Washington Heights-Inwood Columbia Aging Project, the Alzheimer’s Disease Sequencing Project and unrelated individuals from the Institute of Genomic Medicine at Columbia University.

Results

We identified 19 cases carrying extremely rare SORL1 loss-of-function variants among a collection of 6,965 cases and a single loss-of-function variant among 13,252 controls (p = 2.17 × 10-8; OR 36.2 [95%CI 5.8 – 1493.0]). Age-at-onset was seven years earlier for patients with SORL1 qualifying variant compared with non-carriers. No other gene attained a study-wide level of statistical significance, but multiple top-ranked genes, including GRID2IP, WDR76 and GRN, were among candidates for follow-up studies.

Interpretation

This study implicates ultra-rare, loss-of-function variants in SORL1 as a significant genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and provides a comprehensive dataset comparing the burden of rare variation in nearly all human genes in Alzheimer’s disease cases and controls. This is the first investigation to establish a genome-wide statistically significant association between multiple extremely rare loss-of-function variants in SORL1 and Alzheimer’s disease in a large whole-exome study of unrelated cases and controls.
Niobium-bearing arsenides and germanides from elemental mixtures not involving niobium: a new twist to an old problem in solid-state synthesis
Authors: Baranets Sviatoslav , He Hua , Bobev Svilen
Published: April 2018

Three isostructural transition-metal arsenides and germanides, namely niobium nickel arsenide, Nb0.92(1)NiAs, niobium cobalt arsenide, NbCoAs, and niobium nickel germanide, NbNiGe, were obtained as inadvertent side products of high-temperature reactions in sealed niobium containers. In addition to reporting for the very first time the structures of the title compounds, refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, this article also serves as a reminder that niobium containers may not be suitable for the synthesis of ternary arsenides and germanides by traditional high-temperature reactions. Synthetic work involving alkali or alkaline-earth metals, transition or early post-transition metals, and elements from groups 14 or 15 under such conditions may yield Nb-containing products, which at times could be the major products of such reactions.
Information asymmetry and financial dollarization in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Asongu Simplice , Raheem Ibrahim , Tchamyou Venessa
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Financial dollarisation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is most persistent compared to other regions of the world. The purpose of this paper is to complement the existing scant literature on dollarisation in Africa by assessing the role of information sharing offices (public credit registries and private credit bureaus) on financial dollarisation in 25 SSA countries for the period 2001-2012.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical evidence is based on ordinary least squares and generalised method of moments (GMM).

Findings

The findings show that information sharing offices (which are designed to reduce information asymmetry) in the banking industry are a deterrent to dollarisation. The underpinning assumption that financial development reduces financial dollarisation is confirmed.

Originality/value

There is scant literature on the relevance of information sharing offices in development outcomes in Africa. While the establishment of these offices in most countries in the continent began in 2004, scholarship on the importance of these offices in financial development is sparse.
Exploitation versus exploration
Authors: Zhao Haiyuan , Peng Xiaobao
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to draw on the network perspective of organizational innovation to present an argument on how a subsidiary should select innovation behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

In this framework, the paper analyzes middle- and high-level managers of subsidiaries from various industries located in the Chinese Mainland.

Findings

The results suggest the following ideas: internal embeddedness is positively related to exploitation innovation, external embeddedness is inverted-U related to exploration innovation, the availability of alternatives positively moderates the main effects, whereas restraint in the use of power negatively moderates them.

Research limitations/implications

The current study has a few limitations that provide meaningful research directions for future investigations. First, it only considers the industry and ownership as control variables. Second, this study was conducted in the Chinese context.

Practical implications

The analysis of the relationship between embeddedness and innovation behavior also shows that focal subsidiary must dynamically adjust the way of embeddedness on the basis of its strategy, and it can reasonable leverage strategic assets for exploitation innovation or exploration innovation. From the perspective of headquarters, establishing deep embeddedness with a subsidiary and giving it indispensable support are important to promote that subsidiary’s exploitation innovation.

Social implications

The focal subsidiary should establish relationships with more alternative partners and develop relationships with power-advantaged partners through strategies such as a long-term contract, establishing an R&D alliance and entering a joint venture. Besides this, more powerful partners in the internal network should adopt various power usage strategies to promote focal subsidiary exploitation innovation and more powerful partners in the external network should show restraint in the use of power toward any subsidiary in an over-embedded situation. The result shows environment dynamism affects subsidiary exploration innovation more deeply than exploitation innovation. Consequently, managers should recognize the importance of dynamic adaptation to environmental changes and adjust their firms’ innovation behavior accordingly, especially when they are implementing an exploration innovation strategy.

Originality/value

The extent of embeddedness in an innovation network shapes the subsidiary innovation behavior, and this effect is moderated by power. The focal subsidiary should dynamically and strategically adjust its innovation behavior considering various its type and level of embeddedness.
Elaborations on the role of project owner: introducing project owners type 1 and 2
Authors: Olsson Nils O.E.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study how the project owner role is described in the literature, and how the role is carried out in practice. In particular, the author studies the project owner role in relation to project execution and benefit realization.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review, the author proposes a model for the relationships between the project owner, project manager and the operation of project delivery. The author then uses the model to describe the empirical results derived from a mapping of project owner responsibilities in a set of Norwegian information technology projects.

Findings

The author defines a project owner type 1 as a project owner that is focused on the business case and has responsibility for both project delivery and benefit realization. This project owner is the type described in most of the literature. The author further defines a project owner type 2 as a project owner that is mainly concerned with supporting the project manager and enabling project delivery. This is the type of project owner found in the empirical study.

Research limitations/implications

The author identified a mismatch between the project management literature and observed practice.

Practical implications

There is a need to clarify the type of project owner role referred to in different contexts. Different project owners will have a different set of incentives and priorities. It is important to make sure that both investment costs and benefits (i.e., the complete business case), are seen in close relation to each other and not as separate undertakings.

Originality/value

There is a need for a distinction between two types of project owners. This study proposes a framework for the description, analysis and implementation of project governance, with a special focus on the project owner role.
Waste management in a wire and cable company through system dynamics approach
Authors: Saryazdi Ali Haji Gholam , Ghavidel Mohammad
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the dynamics of waste production in the product structure of a wire and cable manufacturing company that deals with a high-volume waste and proposes strategies that reduce product costs.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology for this research is descriptive and expressive modeling in a way that theories of research have been extracted from literature and field studies have been done based on the company specialists’ views. The system dynamics has been used to analyze and model waste in a wire and cable firm.

Findings

Applying SD approach in the paper not only helps to identify the structure of producing the waste, which is complicated and dynamic, but also proposes ways to reduce them and illustrate the applied results. The second outcome shows that in the waste management there should be a digression in a managerial view to the systematic thought. In the other word as in the system dynamic approach, the expansion of the model boundary is one of the objectives to find appropriate solution. The behavior model showed that in the waste management the most effective way to reduce the waste is to buy qualified raw material which is out of the firm.

Originality/value

This paper not only shows that the system dynamic approach is appropriate for the waste management problems which are complicated and dynamic but also proved that in the waste management system the solutions are not always near or within the firm. They should be identified by a systematic approach.
Integrated approach for evaluation of service quality in multistage sequential utilitarian service process
Authors: Roy Sheila , Mukherjee Indrajit
Published: April 2018

Purpose

In the context of sequential multistage utilitarian service processes, the purpose of this study is to develop and validate propositions to study the impact of service quality (SQ) perceptions developed in intermediate stages, along with the impact of service gestalt characteristics, such as peak and end experiences, on quality perception at each stage and on overall service quality (OSQ) perception. The cascade phenomenon (interdependency between process stages) is considered in the evaluation of OSQ perception of customer, who experiences service through a series of planned, distinct and partitioned sequential stages.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a conceptual framework is used to evolve the propositions. Subsequently, propositions are tested in three different utilitarian service contexts wherein customer survey was conducted for feedback on attributes at each stage, summary perception evaluations of each stage and OSQ evaluation of multistage process. Peak experiences, considered for OSQ evaluation, were defined by a suitable statistical technique. Ordinal logistic regression with nested models is the technique used for analyzing the data.

Findings

This work reveals significant cascade effect of summary evaluation of intermediate stages on the subsequent stage. Peak customer experience (negative or positive) is observed to be marginally significant on intermediate stage and OSQ evaluation. In addition, OSQ is observed to be influenced by summary perception evaluations of intermediate stages, which leads to better model adequacy. Finally, among all the stages, end stage performance is observed to have a significant impact on the overall multistage SQ.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that in view of the cascade effect of intermediate stages, managers need to allocate resources to ensure that all stages are performing at an adequate level instead of only focusing on improving peaks and end effects of customer experiences. The proposed approach is easy to implement and suitable for evaluating SQ and OSQ in varied multistage sequential utilitarian service environment.

Originality/value

An integrated approach for evaluation of SQ in sequential multistage utilitarian service processes is proposed from the perspective of cascade effect of intermediate stages and peak and end effects on OSQ perception.
Exploring the experiences of trainee mental health workers: moving from theory to practice
Authors: Kirton Charlotte , Lambert Nicky , Matheson Helen , Connell Sandra
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The Trainee Mental Health Worker (TMHW) Programme is an initiative developed collaboratively between Middlesex University and local NHS Mental Health Trusts in response to national workforce requirements for flexible clinical personnel. The purpose of this paper is to explore the experience of this new category of mental health workers and to address the feedback given by previous cohorts of TMHWs.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study comprised of three focus groups who met over their year-long training. In total, 20 participants self-selected from a population of 60 TMHWs, and their expectations of the TMHW role prior to starting the programme and following each of two practice placements were explored.

Findings

The thematic analysis identified five domains: identity, career strategy, functioning in the system, status and responsibility; the TMHWs demonstrated notable changes in their attitude and behaviour as they progressed. The findings demonstrate the challenges of integrating a new type of workforce into the rigid systems of the health care service.

Research limitations/implications

Focus groups by their nature are not always representative, and this programme is limited in its number of students.

Practical implications

This study has led to a greater understanding of the experiences of trainees across a variety of clinical settings.

Social implications

The results from this study will assist employing trusts in recruitment and retention by helping them to understand this phenomenon and the role itself.

Originality/value

This study’s value lies in the insight it offers into the experience of a new kind of worker moving from novice status to practitioner outside the constraint of a professional registration.
Conceptualizing negatively valenced influencing behavior: forms and triggers
Authors: Azer Jaylan , Alexander Matthew J.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how customers engage in negatively valenced influencing behavior (NVIB) and what triggers customers to use different forms of NVIB in an online context.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study is conducted using an unobtrusive netnography. Data collected comprise of 954 negatively valenced online reviews posted on TripAdvisor to hotels, restaurants, and “things to do” in 12 different destinations worldwide.

Findings

Drawing on the recent literature relating to customer engagement behavior (CEB), this paper identifies and conceptualizes the relationship between five cognitive (service failure, overpricing, deception) and emotional (disappointment and insecurity) triggers of six forms of direct (dissuading, warning, and endorsing competitors) and indirect (discrediting, expressing regret, and deriding) NVIB.

Research limitations/implications

The unobtrusive netnography has inherent limitations that lend itself to inductive rich insights rather than generalization. The study only focuses on NVIB within a specific online context, namely, TripAdvisor.

Practical implications

This paper provides managers with knowledge of the specific triggers of NVIB. Additionally, the paper conceptualizes the various forms of NVIB, how customers use them, and what triggers them to use each form. Moreover, the paper offers relevant data-inferred recommendations to service managers on how to manage each form of NVIB.

Originality/value

This research is the first to identify the forms and triggers of NVIB, classify direct and indirect forms, and conceptualize the relationships between forms and triggers.
Servant leadership and job satisfaction within private healthcare practices
Authors: Farrington Shelley Maeva , Lillah Riyaadh
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of servant leadership on job satisfaction within private healthcare practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Criterion sampling has been used to draw a sample of private healthcare practitioners and their employees. The data collected from 241 useable questionnaires have been statistically analysed. Factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients have been used to assess the validity and reliability of the measuring instrument, and multiple regression analyses have been performed to test the influence of the dimensions of servant leadership on job satisfaction.

Findings

The findings show that private healthcare practitioners display the dimensions of servant leadership investigated in this study. Furthermore, a significant positive relationship between developing others and job satisfaction for both sample groups, but only between caring for others and job satisfaction for the employee sample group, was reported. Acts of humility and servanthood by practitioners were not found to influence job satisfaction.

Practical implications

Educators can use the findings of this study to identify gaps in the leadership training of healthcare practitioners, and healthcare regulators can use the recommendations provided to implement appropriate interventions to ensure that healthcare practitioners fulfil their mandate of practising in an appropriate manner.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the limited understanding of servant leadership among private healthcare practitioners and it provides recommendations on how private healthcare practitioners can improve their servant leadership behaviour.
Age‐related variation in non‐breeding foraging behaviour and carry‐over effects on fitness in an extremely long‐lived bird
Authors: Clay Thomas A. , Pearmain Elizabeth J. , McGill Rona A. R. , Manica Andrea , Phillips Richard A.
Published: April 2018

Senescence has been widely documented in wild vertebrate populations, yet the proximate drivers of age‐related declines in breeding success, including allocation trade‐offs and links with foraging performance, are poorly understood. For long‐lived, migratory species, the non‐breeding period represents a critical time for investment in self‐maintenance and restoration of body condition, which in many species is linked to fitness. However, the relationships between age, non‐breeding foraging behaviour and fitness remain largely unexplored.

We performed a cross‐sectional study, investigating age‐related variation in the foraging activity, distribution and diet of an extremely long‐lived seabird, the wandering albatross Diomedea exulans, during the non‐breeding period. Eighty‐two adults aged 8–33 years were tracked with geolocator‐immersion loggers, and body feathers were sampled for stable isotope analysis. We tested for variation in metrics of foraging behaviour and linked age‐related trends to subsequent reproductive performance.

There was an age‐related decline in the number of landings (a proxy of foraging effort) during daylight hours, and a decrease in body feather δ13C values in older males but not females, yet this did not accompany an age‐related shift in distributions. Males conducted fewer landings than females, and the sexes showed some spatial segregation, with males foraging further south, likely due to their differential utilization of winds.

Although younger (<20 years) birds had higher foraging effort, they all went on to breed successfully the following season. In contrast, among older (20+ years) birds, individuals that landed more often were more likely to defer breeding or fail during incubation, suggesting they have lower foraging success.

As far as we are aware, this is the first demonstration of an age‐specific carry‐over effect of foraging behaviour in the non‐breeding period on subsequent reproductive performance. This link between foraging behaviour and fitness in late but not early adulthood indicates that the ability of individuals to forage efficiently outside the breeding period may be an important driver of fitness differences in old age.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Reproductive success of a keystone herbivore is more variable and responsive to climate in habitats with lower resource diversity
Authors: Iles David T. , Rockwell Robert F. , Koons David N.
Published: April 2018

The effects of climate on wild populations are often channelled through species interactions. Population responses to climate variation can therefore differ across habitats, owing to variation in the biotic community. Theory predicts that consumer demography should be less variable and less responsive to climate in habitats with greater resource diversity.

We tested these predictions using a long‐term study of breeding lesser snow geese along the western coast of Hudson Bay, Manitoba, Canada. Reproductive success was measured in 22 years from 114 locations, in either coastal or inland habitat types. We used Bayesian analysis to estimate the response of reproductive success to climate in each habitat type, along with residual variation not explained by climate. We then quantified gosling diet composition in each habitat type to test the prediction that reproductive success would be less variable and more responsive to climate in habitats with lower resource diversity.

Reproductive success responded positively to seasonal warmness, but this response was much stronger in inland habitats than in coastal habitats. Site‐ and year‐level random effects were also three to five times more variable in inland habitats. Simultaneously, land cover diversity and gosling diet diversity were lower in inland habitats.

Our study illustrates that spatial variation in resource diversity (and thus, species interactions) can have important effects on consumer responses to climate. In this system, climate change is expected to disproportionately increase the reproductive success of snow geese in vast inland habitats, potentially counteracting management efforts to reduce the abundance of this keystone herbivore.
Differential cardiac sympatho‐inhibitory responses produced by the agonists B‐HT 933, quinpirole and immepip in normoglycaemic and diabetic pithed rats
Authors: Rivera‐Mancilla Eduardo , Altamirano‐Espinoza Alain H , Manrique‐Maldonado Guadalupe , Villanueva‐Castillo Belinda , Villalón Carlos M
Published: April 2018

This study compared the cardiac sympatho‐inhibitory responses produced by agonists at α2‐adrenergic (B‐HT 933), dopamine D2‐like (quinpirole) and histamine H3/H4 (immepip) receptors between normoglycaemic and streptozotocin‐pretreated (diabetic) pithed rats. Intravenous (i.v.) continuous infusions of B‐HT 933, quinpirole or immepip were used in normoglycaemic and diabetic pithed rats to analyse their sympatho‐inhibitory effects on the electrically‐stimulated cardioaccelerator sympathetic outflow. Both in normoglycaemic and diabetic animals, B‐HT 933 (until 100 μg/kg per minute) and quinpirole (until 10 μg/kg per minute) inhibited the tachycardic responses to electrical sympathetic stimulation, but not those to i.v. bolus of exogenous noradrenaline. These sympatho‐inhibitory responses were more pronounced in diabetic than in normoglycaemic animals. Accordingly, the areas under the curve for 100 μg/kg per minute B‐HT 933 and 10 μg/kg per minute quinpirole in diabetic rats (1065 ± 70 and 920 ± 35, respectively) were significantly smaller (P < .05) than those in normoglycaemic rats (1220 ± 45 and 1360 ± 42, respectively). In contrast, immepip infusions produced cardiac sympatho‐inhibition in normoglycaemic (until 10 μg/kg per minute), but not in diabetic (until 100 μg/kg per minute) animals. Our results suggest that in diabetic pithed rats: (i) the more pronounced cardiac sympatho‐inhibition to B‐HT 933 and quinpirole may be probably due to up‐regulation of α2‐adrenergic and dopamine D2‐like receptors, respectively; (ii) the histamine H3/H4 receptors do not seem to play a sympatho‐inhibitory role; and (iii) there is a differential participation of α2‐adrenergic and dopamine D2‐like receptors, which may certainly represent therapeutic targets for the treatment of diabetic complications such as cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy.
The (potential) demise of HRM?
Authors: Dundon Tony , Rafferty Anthony
Published: April 2018

This article seeks to provoke that human resource management (HRM), both as an academic field of study and as a form of professional practice, is at risk of impoverishment. The main reasoning for this is because of ideological individualism and marketisation with an attendant neglect on wider organisational, employee, and societal concerns. Following a review of the context of financialised capitalism, three contemporary developments in HRM are used to illustrate the argument: reward strategies, talent management, and high performance work systems. Implications for the practice of HRM and the way the subject area is taught in mainstream business schools are considered.
Current prescribing trends of dental non‐antibacterial medicines in Australia from 2013 to 2016. Part 2.
Authors: Teoh L , Stewart K , Marino RJ , McCullough MJ
Published: April 2018

Background

There is limited literature regarding dental prescribing preferences for medicines other than antibiotics. This study aimed to describe the prescribing trends of dispensed prescription medicines by dentists in Australia from 2013 and 2016 and assess adherence to current guidelines.

Methods

Data were accessed from the Department of Health of all dental prescriptions dispensed under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 2013 to 2016 and prescribing patterns were analysed. The prescribing rates were standardized to the dose and population.

Results

There was an overall increase in the standardized use of opioid analgesics by almost 30% over the time frame, with the combination paracetamol 500 mg plus codeine 30 mg tablet accounting for the majority of dispensed opioid prescriptions (96.2% in 2016). Dispensed benzodiazepine prescriptions increased by 14.6%.

Conclusions

The increase in the consumption of opioids is concerning, suggesting that continuing education is required for dentists to better understand their limited role in managing dental pain and potential for abuse. The substantial increase in the dispensed use of benzodiazepines also requires further investigation and there were some drugs prescribed inappropriately and not in accordance with guidelines. Consideration could also be given to reviewing the drugs listed on the PBS for dental prescribing.
Prevalence of HHV‐6 in endometrium from women with recurrent implantation failure
Authors: Coulam Carolyn B. , Bilal Mahmood , Salazar Garcia Maria D. , Katukurundage Dimantha , Elazzamy Haidy , Fernandez Emilio F. , Kwak‐Kim Joanne , Beaman Kenneth , Dambaeva Svetlana V.
Published: April 2018

Problem

To study the prevalence of HHV‐6 in endometrial biopsies among women experiencing recurrent implantation failure (RIF) after IVF/ET compared with controls.

Method of Study

Thirty women experiencing RIF after IVF/ET and 10 fertile women participated in the study. All women had endometrial biopsies taken in the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle for an endometrial immune profile (EIP) and HHV‐6 mRNA as well as lymphocyte and granulocyte populations. The prevalence of HHV‐6 in endometrial biopsies was determined, and biopsies for positive and negative expression of HHV‐6 were compared with the results of their EIP and lymphocyte and granulocyte populations.

Results

Thirty‐seven percentage of women with a history of RIF and 0% of controls demonstrated the presence of HHV‐6 in their endometrial biopsies. No associations were found when the results of the endometrial immune profile were compared with the presence or absence of HHV‐6. Significant increase in neutrophil‐specific CD16b mRNA was found in HHV‐6‐positive samples, and the levels of B cells‐related CD19 mRNA were lower in biopsies from women with RIF in comparison with normal controls.

Conclusion

HHV‐6 infection is an important factor in RIF.
Beating lady luck: Effects of competitive gambling on opponent likeability and targeted physical aggression
Authors: Wee Kenneth Z. , Pang Joyce S.
Published: April 2018

This study aimed to examine the effects of gambling motives and competitive gambling outcomes on opponent likeability and targeted physical aggression. We hypothesized that (a) losers would perceive their opponents to be less likeable and (b) would be physically more aggressive toward their opponents. Opponent likeability was proposed to mediate the lose–aggression relationship while social gambling motives were proposed to moderate the lose–aggression relationship. Specifically, we expected that losers of competitive gambling situations would engage in greater physical aggression only if they perceived their opponents to be less likeable. In addition, lower perceived opponent likeability would translate into greater targeted physical aggression only if the loser possessed low social motives for gambling. Ninety‐eight undergraduates who self‐identified mostly as recreational gamblers participated in a competitive gambling game. The Hot Sauce Paradigm was adapted as a measure of targeted physical aggression. Results obtained supported our hypotheses. Potential implications and limitations are discussed.
Transient left anterior and septal fascicular blocks after self‐expandable percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Pérez‐Riera Andrés R. , Barbosa‐Barros Raimundo , Cabral de Oliveira Mariana F. , Daminello‐Raimundo Rodrigo , de Abreu Luiz C. , Nikus Kjell
Published: April 2018

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is indicated in severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, when there is intermediate‐high surgical risk, or a condition considered inoperable, as in the case of “porcelain aorta” that could turn clamping or cannulation of the ascending aorta hazardous in open‐heart surgery. Among the complications of this less invasive procedure, intraventricular conduction disorders subsequent to the procedure stand out. TAVI causes worsening of intraventricular dromotropic disorders in more than 75% of the cases, with the presence of preexisting right bundle branch block and first‐degree atrioventricular block, deep prosthesis implant, male gender, size of the aortic annulus smaller than the prosthesis, and porcelain aorta being predictive of requirement for permanent pacemaker implant.
Therapy and Outcome of Staphylococcus aureus Infections of Intracorporeal Ventricular Assist Devices
Authors: Ekkelenkamp Miquel B. , Vervoorn Mats T. , Bayjanov Jumamurat R. , Fluit Ad C. , Benaissa‐Trouw Barry J. , Ramjankhan Faiz Z.
Published: April 2018

Infection of the driveline or pump pocket is a common complication in patients with ventricular assist devices (VADs) and Staphylococcus aureus is the main pathogen causing such infections. Limited evidence is currently available to guide the choice of antibiotic therapy and the duration of treatment in these patients. Patients at the University Medical Center Utrecht who developed a VAD‐related S. aureus infection between 2007 and 2016 were retrospectively assessed. Blood culture isolates were typed by whole genome sequencing to differentiate between relapses and reinfections, and to determine whether antibiotic therapy had led to acquisition of resistance mutations. Twenty‐eight patients had S. aureus VAD infections. Ten of these patients also suffered S. aureus bacteremia. Discontinuation of antibiotic therapy was followed by relapse in 50% of the patients without prior S. aureus bacteremia and in 80% of patients with bacteremia. Oral cephalexin could ultimately suppress the infection for the duration of follow‐up in 8/8 patients without S. aureus bacteremia and in 3/6 patients with S. aureus bacteremia. Clindamycin failed as suppressive therapy in 4/4 patients. Cephalexin appears an adequate choice for antibiotic suppression of VAD infections with methicillin‐susceptible S. aureus. In patients without systemic symptoms, it may be justified to attempt to stop therapy after treatment of the acute infection, but antibiotic suppression until heart transplant seems indicated in patients with S. aureus bacteremia.
Editorial: the impact of steatosis on liver stiffness quantification is minimal
Authors: Hassan A. , Tapper E. B.
Published: April 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Karlas et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14529 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14632.
Letter: phenotype and natural history of elderly onset inflammatory bowel disease—Authors’ reply
Authors: Mañosa M. , Domènech E.
Published: April 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Mañosa et al and Everhov et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14494 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14598.
Indignity and Old Age
Authors: Gordon John‐Stewart
Published: April 2018

This article examines the nature of human dignity against the background of old age and introduces the novel idea of treating human dignity as a formal principle related to the more foundational notion of indignity. The discussion starts with the objection that the notion of human dignity can be used to justify contrary positions and is therefore inconclusive. This pitfall can be averted by appealing to the notion of indignity rather than dignity in one's moral reasoning and decision‐making. Cases of indignity are more primary and indicate the violation of the very core of a human being. The verifiable property of vulnerability is central to this identification of indignity, as is illustrated by reference to the experiences of elderly people. The article argues for applying the concept of human dignity to reverse the conditions that existed before a particular indignity emerged, rather than trying to define positively the notion of human dignity in the first place.
A comprehensive approach to evaluating and classifying sun-protective clothing
Authors: Downs N.J. , Harrison S.L.
Published: April 2018

Excessive exposure to sunlight causes skin cancer, the most common cancer in humans. An estimated 80% of melanoma (the most deadly form of skin cancer) cases in Australia could be prevented by reducing sun exposure. Clothing provides a protective barrier that reduces the amount of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) reaching the skin. In 1996, Australia pioneered a relative ranking of the sun-protective capabilities of clothing based on the transmission of UVR through fabric, known as the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). UPF garment swing tags were introduced as part of this original standard (AS/NZS 4399:1996) which was widely adopted by industry. However, it did not consider the body surface area (BSA) covered by garments. Minimum body coverage requirements for the torso and limbs were added to some standards (e.g. European Union, 2003; Australian/New Zealand, 2017) but not others (e.g. USA). In light of recent evidence showing that clothing coverage is important in preventing some of the pigmented moles that develop in childhood (important risk-factor for melanoma), it is imperative that sun-protective clothing rating schemes consider BSA coverage of the garment, in addition to fabric UPF. We developed a new index for rating sun-protective clothing, “the Garment Protection Factor (GPF)” that incorporates both of these important factors. BSA coverage is determined based on the number of lines visible on a clothed versus an unclothed mannequin. GPF increases with BSA coverage of the garment and fabric UPF over 3 categories: GPF 0 to < 3 indicates the garments ‘meets’ minimum standards; 3 to < 6 indicates ‘good’ sun-protection; and GPF ≥ 6 indicates ‘excellent’ protection. Adoption of this rating scheme should provide an incentive for manufacturers to design sun-protective garments that exceed the minimum standard for BSA coverage and fabric UPF, and provide consumers with adequate information on which to base their choice, with positive implications for skin cancer prevention.
HLA-Cw6 and psoriasis
Authors: Chen L. , Tsai T.-F.
Published: April 2018

Psoriasis is a disease which causes, among other symptoms, red, scaly patches of skin. It is a complex disease because there are several different factors that work together to cause it, including those that are environmental and those that are genetic. Because of these variables, psoriasis can affect patients differently, with varying symptoms, areas of the body affected and how treatments work. Different versions of the same gene are called alleles, and some alleles make a person more prone to certain diseases or symptoms. Psoriasis susceptibility alleles have been thought to play an important role in the development of the disease, in particular one called HLA-Cw6 which has been linked to features such as early onset psoriasis and a certain type of skin patches (lesions) called guttate lesions. This article, from the National Taiwan University Hospital, is a review, summarizing the key findings from a range of studies into HLA-Cw6 and psoriasis. The worldwide frequency of HLA-Cw6 allele varies greatly, but is generally higher in Caucasians. The allele is associated with Type I early onset psoriasis. Stress, obesity, and an infection called streptococcal pharyngitis are commonly found in patients with HLA-Cw6 allele (HLA-Cw6 positive patients). HLA-Cw6 is found to be linked to a type of psoriasis called guttate psoriasis in some studies. In addition, patients carrying the allele are more likely to have lesions on their arms, legs and trunk. Studies also show that HLA-Cw6 positive patients have more success with certain treatments than people without the allele. All of these findings could eventually help predict and plan for how different patients’ psoriasis develops and is treated, although more research is needed first.
心理疾病在白癜风患者中的发病率:一项系统综述与元分析
Authors: Osinubi O. , Grainge M.J. , Hong L. , Ahmed A. , Batchelor J.M. , Grindlay D. , Thompson A.R. , Ratib S.
Published: April 2018

白癜风是一种长期症状,患者的皮肤上会出现淡白色斑块。这是由于皮肤缺少黑色素(一种色素,即颜色)造成的。任何年龄、皮肤类型和性别的人都可能患上白癜风,而白癜风也可能会影响任何皮肤部位。全球每100个人中就约有1位白癜风患者。本研究的研究人员来自尼日利亚和英国。我们的研究通过查找全球发表的所有相关研究,旨在找出白癜风患者患上心理疾病(例如抑郁症和焦虑症)的普遍性如何。在从本领域内发表的29项研究中抽取数据后,我们发现,白癜风患者会经历一系列心理疾病或障碍。大约每四名白癜风患者中就有一名患有抑郁症,而每七名患者中至少有一名患有焦虑症。但是,与银屑病患者相比,白癜风患者不太可能表现出抑郁症的症状。我们还发现,有许多工具可以衡量皮肤病的心理产物(情绪的影响),而我们还需要进行更多的工作,以开发能够用于白癜风患者的工具。我们总结道,正如英国皮肤科医学会的指南所建议,在白癜风患者的临床评价过程中对心理状态进行评估是很有必要的。在对存在其他皮肤状况的患者进行临床评价时,也应重视此问题。
HLA-Cw6和银屑病
Authors: Chen L. , Tsai T.-F.
Published: April 2018

银屑病是一种皮肤病,除了其他的症状之外,可能会导致皮肤出现红色鳞片状斑块。这是一种由若干种不同因素共同作用而导致的复杂疾病,包括环境因素和基因因素。由于这些变量,银屑病对患者的影响也不尽相同,包括症状、受影响的身体部位,以及治疗的作用。同一基因的不同版本称为等位基因,而一些等位基因则会使某个人更容易患上某些疾病或症状。银屑病敏感性等位基因被认为在这种疾病的发展中起着重要的作用,尤其是被称为HLA-Cw6的等位基因,它与早发性银屑病等特征和某种叫做斑点病变的皮肤斑块(病变)类型有关。这篇由国立台湾大学医学院附设医院发表的文章回顾并总结了来自一系列针对HLA-Cw6和银屑病的研究的关键发现。HLA-Cw6,但高加索人的频率普遍更高。这种等位基因与类型I早发性银屑病有关。具有HLA-Cw6等位基因的患者(HLA-Cw6阳性患者)中通常会出现压力、肥胖和称为链球菌咽炎的感染症状。一些研究发现,HLA-Cw6与一种称为滴状银屑病的银屑病有关。此外,携带这种等位基因的患者更有可能在手臂、双腿和躯体上出现病变。研究还表明,与未携带这种等位基因的患者相比,HLA-Cw6阳性患者接受某些治疗的成功率更高。所有这些发现最终都有助于预知和计划不同患者的银屑病将会如何发展和治疗,尽管还需要进行更多的研究。
瘢痕瘤病中的CD45RO+记忆T淋巴细胞的特征
Authors: Chen Z. , Zhou L. , Won T. , Gao Z. , Wu X. , Lu L.
Published: April 2018

瘢痕瘤是一种类似于蔓生伤疤的疤痕,甚至会比原始的伤口更大或更明显。这种疾病在深色皮肤中最为常见。尽管瘢痕瘤的确切原因尚属未知,但我们知道其中涉及免疫系统。记忆T淋巴细胞可以针对病原体(有害细菌或病毒)提供快速高效的免疫反应并且可以辨认多种抗原(身体里的毒素或外来物质)。在本研究中,作者旨在通过分析血液和组织样本来研究瘢痕瘤中的一种名为CD3+CD45RO+的特异性记忆T细胞的异常现象。来自中国上海的作者发现,瘢痕瘤疤痕中的大部分T淋巴细胞都是CD3+CD45RO+记忆T细胞,并且他们还说明了区分这种类型的细胞与另一种名为FOXP3-CD8-mT的记忆T细胞的方法。作者们还发现,在拥有多个瘢痕瘤疤痕的患者中,名为CD4+CD25highFOXP3+调节性T细胞的数量显著减少,而瘢痕瘤疤痕中的CD8+CD103+记忆T细胞的数量则明显增加。作者们总结道,瘢痕瘤疤痕中的CD45RO+记忆T细胞子集存在明显的异常现象,这可能意味着T细胞反应的调节异常可能在瘢痕瘤的疤痕形成中起着作用。还需要进一步研究。
2018年英国皮肤科医师协会硬化性苔癣治疗指南
Authors: Lewis F.M. , Tatnall F.M. , Velangi S.S. , Bunker C.B. , Kumar A. , Brackenbury F. , Mohd Mustapa M.F. , Exton L.S.
Published: April 2018

硬化性苔癣(LS)是一种慢性皮肤病,多发于肛门和生殖器区域。本文章是一则指南,意思是,作者在科技期刊中查找了所有与LS有关的可用证据,并由此结合成针对成人(18岁以上)、儿童(0~12岁)和青少年(13~17岁)的疾病治疗的以证据为基础的最新建议。本指南由英国皮肤科医师协会的委员会撰写,遵循了评估关于本主题的所有不同研究所使用的严格标准。本指南有助于指导从事初级护理(意思是,患者出现健康问题的第一站,例如GP诊所、社区紧急处理中心)和二级护理(意思是,GP将患者送去以接受更专业护理的地方,例如医院)的医生和护士。本指南涵盖一系列问题,从治疗方案到需要解决的研究缺口。通过该指南,英国皮肤科医师协会网站(www.bad.org.uk)上创建并提供了更新的患者使用说明书。基于上述研究和专家共识,指南针对全科医师和二级护理专家提供了31条诊断和治疗LS的建议。此外,还以流程图的方式提供了适用于男性和女性的建议患者治疗方法。所有的证据都表明,有效的局部类固醇药膏是治疗此症状的最有效疗法。最初应涂抹药膏3个月,然后应根据各个患者的情况制定治疗应用的频率,以较好地控制症状和体征。指南还针对未来的研究提供了九条提议,以回答一些未解决问题,并填补了当前知识的空缺。
Effectiveness Trial of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents with Severe Anxiety Symptoms in a Naturalistic Treatment Setting
Authors: Weitkamp Katharina , Daniels Judith K. , Baumeister‐Duru Anette , Wulf Andrea , Romer Georg , Wiegand‐Grefe Silke
Published: April 2018

Background The aim of the study was to look at symptom changes in naturalistic outpatient psychoanalytic child and adolescent psychotherapy for anxiety disorders in Germany.

Methods (1) The first treatment period of the psychodynamic intervention group (<25 sessions) was compared with a minimal supportive treatment (waiting list) control group, and (2) the effects of long‐term psychoanalytical treatment (>25 sessions) were analysed using a longitudinal observational design. A total of 86 children and adolescents (4–21 years) were in the treatment group and 35 in the minimal supportive treatment control group. Questionnaires were administered at the beginning and end of treatment, as well as at 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up (FU).

Results When comparing the first treatment period with the minimal supportive treatment control group, both groups improved significantly with small effect sizes and no significant group differences. Both parents and patients reported moderate symptom improvements at the end of therapy (parent: d=0.58; patient: d=0.57), which were stable at FU and increased from the patient perspective (parent: d=0.37; patient: d=0.80).

Conclusions The results suggest that anxiety symptoms significantly decreased during the treatment period and remained stable at FU. Due to the study design we could not rule out alternative explanations like regression to the mean.