bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adductor canal blocks: changing practice patterns and associated quality profile
Authors: Masaracchia M. M. , Herrick M. D. , Barrington M. J. , Hartmann P. R. , Sites B. D.
Published: December 2016

Background

Femoral nerve blocks have been the gold standard approach for post‐operative analgesia following total knee arthroplasty; however, the adductor canal block has recently gained popularity due to less block‐induced motor weakness. The primary aim of this time‐series analysis was to identify whether regional anesthesia practice changes have occurred for total knee arthroplasty. Our secondary aim was to assess for possible associated changes in safety and quality.

Methods

Using a 20‐member clinical registry, we examined the practice patterns and safety around the performance of adductor canal blocks for all total knee arthroplasties between 18 July 2011 to 9 October 2015. To obtain more information about changes in quality associated with this practice transition, we analyzed clinical outcomes data surrounding all primary total knee arthroplasties from the largest contributing institution.

Results

A total of 6921 blocks were performed for 4822 primary and revision total knee arthroplasties (TKAs). Across the registry, adductor canal block utilization for TKA increased. This was not associated with any increase in immediate or recovery room‐related complications. When analyzing unilateral primary TKAs from the largest surgical volume center (n = 766), there were no statistically significant changes in numeric rating scale scores (5.4 to 4.6, P value = 0.004), length of stay (3.0 to 2.8 days, P value = 0.3), or 30‐day hospital re‐evaluations for pain (2.8–4.9%, P value = 0.1).

Conclusion

There was a large increase in the utilization of adductor canal blockade for TKAs among participating registry members. This change in practice was not associated with significant changes in safety or quality.
Landscape and Gentrification: The Picturesque and Pastoral in 1980s New York Cinema
Authors: Andersson Johan
Published: December 2016

In this article I discuss 1980s New York cinema through the conceptual lens of landscape, drawing in particular on the interconnected but separate traditions of the pastoral and the picturesque. While the former mode of representing landscape is idealizing (the shepherd/nymph‐motif), the latter with its origins in the period of the enclosures of the English countryside tends to aestheticize poverty and dispossession. This distinction can productively be deployed in relation to tensions between glamorization and exploitation in 1980s New York cinema, which often dealt with the themes of rent, eviction, and unemployment in postindustrial settings. Focusing in particular onDowntown 81(Edo Bertoglio, 1981/2000) andDesperately Seeking Susan(Susan Seidelman, 1985), I argue that the current nostalgia for a pre‐gentrified and less regulated New York in popular culture is dependent on these idealizing and aestheticizing tendencies insofar that they conceal or prettify some of the darker aspects of the period.
Diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus in the Danish National Birth Cohort
Authors: Olsen Sjurdur F. , Houshmand‐Oeregaard Azedeh , Granström Charlotta , Langhoff‐Roos Jens , Damm Peter , Bech Bodil H. , Vaag Allan A. , Zhang Cuilin
Published: December 2016

Introduction

The Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC) contains comprehensive information on diet, lifestyle, constitutional and other major characteristics of women during pregnancy. It provides a unique source for studies on health consequences of gestational diabetes mellitus. Our aim was to identify and validate the gestational diabetes mellitus cases in the cohort.

Material and methods

We extracted clinical information from hospital records for 1609 pregnancies included in the Danish National Birth Cohort with a diagnosis of diabetes during or before pregnancy registered in the Danish National Patient Register and/or from a Danish National Birth Cohort interview during pregnancy. We further validated the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus in 2126 randomly selected pregnancies from the entire Danish National Birth Cohort. From the individual hospital records, an expert panel evaluated gestational diabetes mellitus status based on results from oral glucose tolerance tests, fasting blood glucose and Hb1c values, as well as diagnoses made by local obstetricians.

Results

The audit categorized 783 pregnancies as gestational diabetes mellitus, corresponding to 0.89% of the 87 792 pregnancies for which a pregnancy interview for self‐reported diabetes in pregnancy was available. From the randomly selected group the combined information from register and interviews could correctly identify 96% (95% CI 80–99.9%) of all cases in the entire Danish National Birth Cohort population. Positive predictive value, however, was only 59% (56–61%).

Conclusions

The combined use of data from register and interview provided a high sensitivity for gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosis. The low positive predictive value, however, suggests that systematic validation by hospital record review is essential not to underestimate the health consequences of gestational diabetes mellitus in future studies.
Food localism and resistance: a revival of agriculture and cross‐border relations in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Yuk Wah
Published: December 2016

Hong Kong, a part of China, yet separated from it by a borderline and a different social system, relies mostly on China for its fresh food. With a high incidence of food contamination, many Hong Kong people have turned to a new food alternative – locally grown organic vegetables. The number of organic growers has risen significantly over the past decade. This paper examines the emergence of local organic food production in Hong Kong since the turn of the century. Not only is this revival of an interest in agricultural production (manifested in the increase in organic farms and organic food consumers that is related to the global movement of eco‐agriculture), it is also intertwined with a public discourse relating to land preservation, the balance between an agricultural economy and urban development and food localism. Continuous food news revealing the scale of substandard and poisonous food produced in China have escalated the scare surrounding unsafe food and has helped turn consumers to local produce and to build the discourses on food localism. The paper argues that such a local food consciousness has been fed by the local politics of resistance against negative influences from China in the evolving cross‐border relations between China and Hong Kong.
‘Right’ food, ‘Responsible’ citizens: State‐promoted food education and a food dilemma in Japan
Authors: Yotova Maria
Published: December 2016

With increasing food contamination incidences and rising concerns about food safety and the future of Japanese culinary traditions, shokuiku (food education) has become a central motif of the Japan government's food polices in recent years. Trying to navigate consumer choices amidst the increasingly globalised culinary scene and the food fear in the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, the Basic Law on Food Education has interwoven discourses on health, the ‘goodness’ of local food, and the political ideologies of being responsible and patriotic citizens in support of the local economies of Japan. Through an empirical study of the school lunch system, this paper examines how food education policies have become an effective apparatus to instil state ideologies and promote national economic interests. Supposedly, shokuiku aims at promoting food knowledge, quality local foods and the health of the Japanese people, yet, against the backdrop of widespread radiation contamination fears, the rigid policies in food education have posed challenges to the state and generated a ‘food dilemma’ to be faced by many Japanese parents.
In vitro fermentative capacity of swine large intestine: comparison between native Lantang and commercial Duroc breeds
Authors: Cheng Peng Hui , Liang Juan Boo , Wu Yin Bao , Wang Yan , Tufarelli Vincenzo , Laudadio Vito , Liao Xin Di
Published: December 2016

Native Lantang and commercial Duroc pigs were used as animal models to evaluate the differences existing in dietary fiber utilization ability between breeds. Animals were fed the same diet from weaning (4 weeks) to 4 months of age. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) from wheat bran (as substrate) and fecal samples from the two breeds (as inoculum) were used in an in vitro gas production trial. Results showed that cumulative and maximum gas productions were higher in inocula from Lantang than those from the Duroc breed (P < 0.05). The degradation capacity of NDF for microbiome from Lantang fecal samples were significantly higher compared to Duroc (P < 0.01). The total quantity of short‐chain fatty acids and its constituents from the fermentation liquors were different between breeds, suggesting that the dynamic characteristics of fermentation differed between the two breeds. The PCR denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprint and cluster analysis demonstrated that microbial communities of the two breeds were separated into two clusters and the bacterial community structure of large intestine among the two breed of pigs was different. Our results concluded that Lantang had higher dietary fiber degradation capacity than Duroc pigs, and the higher degradation capacity for the former breed was due to differences in the inherent microbial community in their respective large intestines.
Pharmacological Properties of Melanin and its Function in Health
Authors: ElObeid Adila Salih , Kamal‐Eldin Afaf , Abdelhalim Mohamed Anwar K. , Haseeb Adil M.
Published: December 2016

The biological pigment melanin is present in most of the biological systems. It manifests a host of biological and pharmacological properties. Its role as a molecule with special properties and functions affecting general health, including photoprotective and immunological action, are well recognized. Its antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, immunomodulatory, radioprotective, hepatic, gastrointestinal and hypoglycaemic benefits have only recently been recognized and studied. It is also associated with certain disorders of the nervous system. In this MiniReview, we consider the steadily increasing literature on the bioavailability and functional activity of melanin. Published literature shows that melanin may play a number of possible pharmacological effects such as protective, stimulatory, diagnostic and curative roles in human health. In this MiniReview, possible health roles and pharmacological effects are considered.
Chinese children's early knowledge about writing
Authors: Zhang Lan , Yin Li , Treiman Rebecca
Published: December 2016

Much research on literacy development has focused on learners of alphabetic writing systems. Researchers have hypothesized that children learn about the formal characteristics of writing before they learn about the relations between units of writing and units of speech. We tested this hypothesis by examining young Chinese children's understanding of writing. Mandarin‐speaking 2‐ to 5‐year‐olds completed a graphic task, which tapped their knowledge about the formal characteristics of writing, and a phonological task, which tapped their knowledge about the correspondence between Chinese characters and syllables. The 3‐ to 5‐year‐olds performed better on the graphic task than the phonological task, indicating that learning how writing appears visually begins earlier than learning that writing corresponds to linguistic units, even in a writing system in which written units correspond to syllables.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Learning about writing's visual form, how it looks, is an important part of emergent literacy.

Knowledge of how writing symbolizes linguistic units may emerge later.

What does this study add?

We test the hypothesis that Chinese children learn about writing's visual form earlier than its symbolic nature.

Chinese 3‐ to 5‐ year‐olds know more about visual features than character–syllable links.

Results show learning of the visual appearance of a notation system is developmentally precocious.
U.S. Public–Housing Transformations and the Housing Publics Lost in Transition
Authors: Oakley Deirdre A. , Fraser James C.
Published: December 2016

For several decades now an era of dismantling traditional, place–based public housing developments has emerged. Our essay draws upon sociological and geographical thought to argue for a more critical understanding of this process which welcomed in the expansion of government policies to build public–private mixed–income housing developments as a way to improve the lives of impoverished public housing households. Yet, only a modest portion of the original residents forced to relocate have actually benefited from these redevelopments. We document how public housing in the United States has always been approached by the State and private market interests with apprehension. The primary purpose is to provide a diagnostic perspective focusing on the promise of mixed–income policies to provide its stated opportunities and what got lost in transition. Urban scholars have critiqued the transformation of public housing developments as being constitutive of neoliberal urbanism and the privatization of the commons. However, equally important is a broader understanding of how the neoliberal project has been underwritten by mainstream social norms and assumptions about poverty and income mix, as well as the edict that the private market could adequately “fix” the social problems associated with traditional public housing.
A retrospective cohort study of the influence of lifestyle factors on the survival of patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer
Authors: Alexander D. , Allardice G. M. , Moug S. J. , Morrison D. S.
Published: December 2016

Aim

Several modifiable and nonmodifiable health‐related behaviours are associated with the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC), but there is little research on their association with survival. This work aimed to investigate possible relationships between modifiable behavioural factors and outcomes on a study cohort of CRC patients undergoing potentially curative surgery.

Method

A retrospective cohort study was carried out of patients diagnosed with nonmetastatic CRC residing in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, UK and undergoing elective curative surgery (January 2011 to December 2012). Data were obtained from the Scottish Cancer Registry, National Scottish Death Records. Preoperative assessment of smoking, alcohol consumption, nurse‐measured body mass index (BMI) and exercise levels were recorded, and patients were followed until death or censorship. Survival analysis was carried out and proportional hazards assumptions were assessed graphically using plots and were then formally tested using the PHTEST procedure in stata.

Result

Of the initial 527 patients, 181 (34%) satisfied the inclusion criteria. The total duration of follow‐up was 480 person‐years. At the preoperative assessment, 75% of patients were overweight or obese, 10.6% were current smokers, 13.1% recorded excess alcohol consumption and 8.5% had physical difficulty climbing stairs. Age, BMI, histopathological stage and physical capacity all independently affected survival (P < 0.05). Overweight patients [hazard ratio (HR) 2.81] and those who had difficulty climbing stairs (HR 3.31) had a significantly poorer survival.

Conclusion

This study found evidence that preoperative exercise capacity and BMI are important independent prognostic factors of survival in patients undergoing curative surgery for CRC.
Buying gold at the price of silver? Controlling shareholders and real estate transactions in korean listed firms
Authors: Yang Dong‐Ryung
Published: December 2016

Manuscript Type

Empirical

Research Question/Issue

This paper examines real estate transactions among Korean listed firms, their affiliated companies and controlling shareholders from 1999 to 2011. The goal of this study is to test whether the controlling individuals gain higher returns from the trades than the other parties in a persistent manner.

Research Findings/Insights

Investigating price changes across the transactions reveals that the controlling shareholders consistently earn higher returns than the listed firms, while this is not the case for the affiliated firms. The listed firms, in expectation of bleak potential in value growth, acquire real estate properties from their controlling shareholders while disposing of properties with promising prospect of growth in value. When the listed firms either buy or lease a property from controlling shareholders, the market value of the acquired property increases less than the leased.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

All of the findings confirm a tunneling nature of the listed firms’ real estate transactions with their controlling shareholders.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

The findings show a possibility that listed firms and the controlling shareholders can plot property transactions so as to offer biased profits for the individuals at the expense of minority shareholders. Such profitability becomes viable by manipulating transaction timing and does not necessitate predatory pricing of the assets transferred.
Intra‐ and interday reproducibility of high‐flow‐mediated constriction response in young adults
Authors: Ostrem Joseph D. , Evanoff Nicholas G. , Ryder Justin R. , Dengel Donald R.
Published: December 2016

Background

Previously, we have demonstrated that high‐flow‐mediated constriction (H‐FMC) of the brachial artery has been shown to negatively affect flow‐mediated dilation (FMD). However, the reproducibility of an H‐FMC response is unknown.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the intra‐ and interday reproducibility of H‐FMC in young adults.

Methods

Thirty young adults (15 male, 15 female; 24 ± 3 years) were assessed for H‐FMC reproducibility via high‐resolution ultrasound imaging of the brachial artery during and after forearm occlusion of a normal FMD procedure. Two vascular assessments were conducted for all participants during two separate visits with a minimum of 7 days in between. H‐FMC was characterized as the greatest 10‐s average constriction occurring after 3‐s postocclusion compared to baseline brachial artery diameter and considered present if the percent change was <−0·1%.

Results

Of the 120 total vascular assessments performed in this study, 98 of the assessments (80·3%) displayed an H‐FMC. H‐FMC diameter was not statistically different for intraday comparisons for visit 1 (P = 0·39) or visit 2 (P = 0·55) or interday comparisons between the first (P = 0·61) or second (P = 0·10) assessments. H‐FMC percentage was also not statistically different for intra‐day comparison for visit 1 (P = 0·94) or visit 2 (P = 0·15) or interday comparisons between the first (P = 0·63) or second (P = 0·16) assessments.

Conclusion

These data are supportive of H‐FMC being reproducible in young adults and included in future FMD studies. The impact of H‐FMC on future CVD risk and development warrants evaluation.
Well‐differentiated bronchial neuroendocrine tumors: Clinical management and outcomes in 105 patients
Authors: Pericleous Marinos , Karpathakis Anna , Toumpanakis Christos , Lumgair Heather , Reiner Jonathan , Marelli Laura , Thirlwell Christina , Caplin Martyn E.
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Bronchial neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors representing approximately 20%‐30% of all neuroendocrine tumors and 2%‐3% of all adult lung cancers. Here, they present a large case series of well‐differentiated bronchial NETs with the aim of investigating the behavior of these tumors and long‐term outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of 105 patients with bronchial NETs managed in a tertiary referral center in the period between January 1998 and January 2012.

Results

Bronchial NETs are commoner in females and the commonest presenting symptoms were cough (13.9%) and dyspnoea (11.6%). OctreoscanTM and Gallium‐68 DOTATATE PET were found to have similar diagnostic sensitivity and FDG PET was more sensitive for higher‐grade tumors. Over a median follow‐up period of 35.5 months mortality rate was 5.7%. The 5‐year survival was 76% and the 10‐year survival was 62%. Female patients survived longer but this difference was not statistically significant (P = .59). Older age greater than 50 years (P = .027), higher levels of Chromogranin A (CgA) (P = .034), first‐line treatment with surgery (P = .005), ki67 over 10% (P = .037), and tumor stage (P = .036) but not tumor grade (P = .22), were significantly associated with survival.

Discussion

Several factors have been identified which are independently associated with survival including CgA levels greater than 100 pmol/L, tumor stage, age greater than 50, ki67 over 10% and having surgery as first‐line treatment. There was no difference in survival between typical and atypical carcinoids.
Role of increased mean platelet volume (MPV) and decreased MPV/platelet count ratio as poor prognostic factors in lung cancer
Authors: Omar Muhyettin , Tanriverdi Ozgur , Cokmert Suna , Oktay Esin , Yersal Ozlem , Pilancı Kezban Nur , Menekse Serkan , Kocar Muharrem , Sen Cenk Ahmet , Ordu Cetin , Goksel Gamze , Meydan Nezih , Barutca Sabri ,   for the Turkish Descriptive Oncological Researches Group
Published: December 2016

Objectives

In this study, they investigated whether mean thrombocyte volume (MPV) and MPV/platelet count ratio have a prognostic significance in advanced NSCLC or not.

Methods

A total of 496 NSCLC patients at stage IIIB/IV and did not meet exclusion criteria were included in the study. The demographic features (age, gender, smoking habit), clinical characteristics (performance status, weight loss, disease stage, first‐line treatment regimen), laboratory tests (levels of hemoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase and calcium as well as MPV, MPV/platelet count ratio and counts of white blood cell, platelet), and histological features (histologic type, tumor grade) were recorded.

Results

The MPV levels of all patients were determined as 10.2 {plus minus} 3.4 (range, 6.4‐14.1 fL). With ROC curve analysis, the MPV/PC ratio was associated with a sensitivity of 67.8% and a specificity of 84.8% at a cutoff value of 0.47424 for presence of brain metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Univariate analysis showed that OS was significantly shorter in the group with an increased MPV level than in the other group (median OS time 6.8 months vs. 11.5 months, log‐rank, P = .032). Multivariate analysis confirmed that an increased MPV level was an independent poor prognostic factor for OS (HR: 1.704, 95% CI: 1.274‐3.415, P = .014).

Conclusions

Unlike results of previous studies, the study showed that increased MPV was an important prognostic factor in patients with NSCLC. Hence, an increased MPV level may be used as a prognostic biomarker to estimate for poor overall survival in patients with NSCLC.
Efficacy and safety of gemigliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with combination treatment of metformin and sulphonylurea: a 24‐week, multicentre, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study (TROICA study)
Authors: Ahn Chang Ho , Han Kyung Ah , Yu Jae Myung , Nam Joo Young , Ahn Kyu Jeung , Oh Tae Keun , Lee Hyoung Woo , Lee Dae Ho , Kim Jaetaek , Chung Choon Hee , Park Tae Sun , Kim Byung Joon , Park Seok Won , Park Hyeong Kyu , Lee Kwang Jae , Kim Sang‐Wook , Park Jeong Hyun , Ko Kwan Pyo , Kim Chong Hwa , Lee Hyunjin , Jang Hak Chul , Park Kyong Soo
Published: December 2016

Aims

To assess the efficacy and safety of gemigliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor, added to metformin and sulphonylurea in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Materials and methods

We conducted a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial in 219 Korean patients inadequately controlled with metformin and glimepiride. Participants were randomized to gemigliptin 50 mg once daily or placebo added to metformin and glimepiride. The primary endpoint was change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level from baseline to week 24.

Results

The baseline HbA1c was 8.2% in both groups. The addition of gemigliptin to metformin and glimepiride significantly reduced HbA1c levels at week 24 compared with placebo (between‐group difference in adjusted mean change −0.87%, 95% confidence interval [CI] −1.09% to −0.64%). Fasting plasma glucose level was also significantly reduced with gemigliptin (−0.93 mmol/L, 95% CI −1.50 to −0.35 mmol/L), and a higher proportion of participants achieved an HbA1c level of <7% (39.3% vs 5.5%;
P
<.001) in the gemigliptin group than in the placebo group. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were modestly but significantly reduced in the gemigliptin group compared with the placebo group (−0.21 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.38 to −0.03 mmol/L for total cholesterol, −0.18 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.34 to −0.01 mmol/L for LDL cholesterol). The incidence of hypoglycaemia was 9.4% in the gemigliptin group and 2.7% in the placebo group.

Conclusions

Gemigliptin significantly improved glycaemic control in patients with T2DM inadequately controlled with metformin and sulphonylurea. The incidence of hypoglycaemia was higher with gemigliptin than with placebo, which highlights the importance of optimal dose adjustment for sulphonylurea.
A comprehensive assessment of cognitive function in the common genetic generalized epilepsy syndromes
Authors: Loughman A. , Bowden S. C. , D'Souza W. J.
Published: December 2016

Background and purpose

Considered to be benign conditions, the common genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) syndromes are now known to be frequently accompanied by cognitive dysfunction. However, unresolved issues impede clinical management of this common comorbidity, including which cognitive abilities are most affected, whether there are differences between syndromes and how seizure type and mood symptoms affect cognitive dysfunction. We provide a detailed description of cognitive ability and evaluate factors contributing to cognitive dysfunction.

Methods

A total of 76 adults with GGE were assessed with the Woodcock Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities.

Results

Scores on tests of overall cognitive ability, acquired knowledge, long‐term retrieval and speed of information processing were significantly below the normative mean. Long‐term retrieval was a pronounced weakness with a large reduction in scores (d = 0.84). GGE syndrome, seizure type and the presence of recent psychopathology symptoms were not significantly associated with cognitive function.

Conclusions

This study confirms previous meta‐analytic findings with a prospective study, offers new insights into the cognitive comorbidity of these common epilepsy syndromes and reinforces the need for cognitive interventions in people with GGE.
Can the Informal Economy Be “Managed”?: Comparing Approaches and Effectiveness of Day‐Labor Management Policies in the San Diego Metropolitan Area
Authors: Crotty Sean M.
Published: December 2016

Day‐labor hiring sites are found in more than 120 municipalities across the U.S., there is limited research examining the specific drivers that generate direct interventions into the day‐labor market, nor is there any research examining the effectiveness of day‐labor management policies. In what follows, I draw on examples from the San Diego Metropolitan Area (SDMA) to address this gap in policy‐research. The findings demonstrate the pervasiveness of neoliberal ideology in day‐labor management, from policing strategies to social service provision. In each case examined, local governments only took direct action when they believed day‐labor activity threatened local commercial activity or when residents' fear of “illegal immigrant” day‐laborers made them question the state's ability to control space effectively. In each case, I also evaluate the effectiveness and cost of the management strategy. The results of this analysis clearly demonstrate that attempts to eliminate day‐labor activity are costly and expensive while efforts to formalize day‐labor cost less and have a higher success rate.
Use of the UKHCDO Database for a postmarketing surveillance study of different doses of recombinant factor VIIa in haemophilia
Authors: Hay C. R. M. , Sharpe T. , Dolan G. ,   UKHCDO
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) is recommended in Europe at standard (3 × 90 μg kg−1) or high (1 × 270 μg kg−1) doses. When granting the license for the high dose, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) requested postmarketing surveillance for thrombosis. This was conducted by the United Kingdom National Haemophilia Database (NHD) on behalf of Novo Nordisk and the EMA.

Aim

To assess the use and safety of rFVIIa utilizing prospective data collected by the NHD (1 January 2008 to 30 June 2011).

Results

Data were obtained from 67 haemophilia A/B patients with inhibitors treated for 1057 bleeds and 31 acquired haemophilia patients treated for 70 bleeds. Initial rFVIIa dose was categorized post hoc as low (<90 μg kg−1), intermediate (≥90–<180 μg kg−1) or high (≥180–<270 or ≥270 μg kg−1). For haemophilia A/B, high and lower initial rFVIIa dose was used for 38.4% and 51.4% of episodes, respectively, while for acquired haemophilia, the values were 11.4% and 77.1% respectively. Median initial doses were higher for haemophilia A/B (146.3 μg kg−1) than acquired haemophilia (90.5 μg kg−1). A single administration of rFVIIa was the most frequently used regimen for haemophilia A/B, in contrast with standard recommendations and previous reports. For acquired haemophilia, most episodes were treated with multiple doses. No adverse drug reactions or thromboembolic events were reported for any rFVIIa dose.

Conclusion

The novel use of a national database for postmarketing surveillance has demonstrated acceptable safety for all recommended doses of rFVIIa.
Measurement properties of the Haem‐A‐QoL in haemophilia clinical trials
Authors: von Mackensen S. , Eldar‐Lissai A. , Auguste P. , Krishnan S. , von Maltzahn R. , Yu R. , Wyrwich K. W.
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Patients with haemophilia on long‐acting prophylactic treatment may experience an improvement in health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) through reductions in breakthrough bleeds and associated complications, including long‐term joint damage, compared with episodic treatment.

Aim

This analysis examined clinical trial data to understand the psychometric characteristics (reliability, validity and sensitivity to change over time) of the Haem‐A‐QoL Questionnaire in adult males with haemophilia.

Methods

Two recent, multinational, Phase 3 clinical trials of new, long‐acting factor concentrates (A‐LONG:rFVIIIFc; B‐LONG:rFIXFc) assessedHRQoL in adolescent and adult males with severe haemophilia A or B respectively. The adults’ baseline assessments, via the 46‐item Haem‐A‐QoL Questionnaire, and change over time at the 6‐month assessment were used in the psychometric analyses.

Results

Internal consistency reliability was adequate (Cronbach's alpha > 0.70) for nine of the 10 Haem‐A‐QoL domains and for ‘Total Score’ in both trials at baseline (A‐LONG,n= 133; B‐LONG,n= 73). At baseline, several Haem‐A‐QoL domains and ‘Total Score’ demonstrated known‐groups and convergent validity when compared with other trial measures, including theEQ‐5D (items and total scores) and joint impairment. Change score correlations (baseline to 28 weeks) between theEQ‐5D and the Haem‐A‐QoL ‘Total Score’, and ‘Physical Health’ and ‘Feelings’ domains were moderate in magnitude (│r│ ≥ 0.33;P< 0.03), demonstrating sensitivity to change for these outcome measures in A‐LONG.

Conclusion

These psychometric analyses provide evidence of the reliability, validity and ability to detect change of the Haem‐A‐QoL to assess theHRQoL of adult males with severe haemophilia A and B in longitudinal clinical trials.
New Daily Persistent Headache Caused by a Multinodular Goiter and Headaches Associated With Thyroid Disease
Authors: Evans Randolph W. , Timm Josefine S.
Published: December 2016

A 33‐year‐old female is presented with the first case to our knowledge of new daily persistent headache (NDPH) with a large right benign non‐toxic multinodular goiter causing carotid and vertebral compression with complete resolution of the headache immediately after thyroidectomy. Although this may be quite rare, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism causing NDPH, migraine, or an exacerbation of pre‐existing migraine is not. Clinicians should consider routinely obtaining serum thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4 in patients with new onset frequent headaches or an exacerbation of prior primary headaches.
A storytelling sound file CALL task used in a tertiary CFL classroom
Authors: Jiang Wenying
Published: December 2016

This study investigates the use of a computer assisted language learning (CALL) task used in a Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) curriculum. A survey was conducted among the students after their sound files were submitted. Information collected at the course e‐discussion forum was used as another source of data. The findings presented a general picture of storytelling sound file task employment in tertiary CFL classroom. More than 90% of the participants preferred linking up the CFL learning with their personal experiences. Most of them perceived using the storytelling sound file CALL task useful in improving their CFL skills. The usefulness in listening to their own speaking was also confirmed. Possible improvements in handling the storytelling sound file task was suggested.
The role of perceived workplace development opportunities in enhancing individual employability
Authors: Martini Mattia , Cavenago Dario
Published: December 2016

This paper explores the effects on workers’ employability of workplace development opportunities during employment as perceived by the workers themselves. Data was collected through a survey conducted in 2012 in Italy using a sample of 558 workers. The aim was to test the effects of participation in training courses, workplace learning opportunities and career development support on career development in 2013. Results show that the main predictors of subjective career success are related to the career development support provided by supervisors, including mentoring and career counselling, and workplace learning opportunities provided through processes of job enrichment, job enlargement and job rotation. By contrast, participation in training courses does not bring any significant effects. The study also reveals that employees’ opportunities for increasing their employability in the workplace depend on a number of personal and occupational characteristics. The study reaches the conclusion that firms can play a significant role in enhancing the career success of an individual and that employability can been encouraged by a mix of on‐the‐job workplace development opportunities.
The relationship between learning conditions in the workplace and informal learning outcomes: a study among police inspectors
Authors: Janssens Liezelot , Smet Kelly , Onghena Patrick , Kyndt Eva
Published: December 2016

Informal workplace learning has become a prominent reality in the knowledge society of today. For this reason, developing appropriate learning conditions in order to enhance workplace learning is dominating organizational agendas. However, research that investigates the relationship between important learning conditions and learning outcomes resulting from informal learning is scarce. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to explore how learning conditions in the workplace are related to these informal learning outcomes of police inspectors in particular. A mixed method study, including a survey among 390 police inspectors and interviews with nine police inspectors, was set up to explore this relation. Overall, the results of the survey study suggest that the learning conditions ‘information’, ‘feedback’, ‘reflection’ and ‘coaching’ are good predictors for the acquisition of ‘generic learning outcomes’ and ‘organizational level learning outcomes’. The learning condition ‘coaching’ is also strongly associated with ‘job‐specific learning outcomes’. These results are in accordance with the perception of the interviewed police inspectors.
L'architecture de la gouvernance mondiale du travail
Authors: HENDRICKX Frank , MARX Axel , RAYP Glenn , WOUTERS Jan
Published: December 2016

Dans ce texte destiné à introduire notre numéro spécial, les auteurs replacent les différents éléments de la gouvernance mondiale du travail dans le contexte de la mondialisation. Ils soulignent les limites d'un encadrement des droits au travail par les seuls États‐nations, ainsi que le potentiel des formes de régulation «hybrides», mettant à contribution des partenaires privés, qui semblent propres à étayer ou remplacer le droit international du travail au sens traditionnel. Ils analysent pour conclure les causes des lacunes dans l'application de ces droits dans le monde, pointant du doigt le caractère «sélectif» des normes consacrées et la faible efficacité des mécanismes de contrôle.
Les dispositifs de gouvernance sociale privés et leur système de contrôle: quelles réformes pour quel effet
Authors: MARX Axel , WOUTERS Jan
Published: December 2016

Certains dispositifs privés constituent désormais une forme de gouvernance sociale mondiale qui contribue à la mise en œuvre des normes internationales du travail. Cependant, l'effet véritable de ces dispositifs sur les conditions faites aux travailleurs dans la chaîne d'approvisionnement est parfois contesté, et les systèmes d'audit utilisés dans ce cadre pour vérifier la bonne application des normes parfois jugés inadéquats. Les auteurs se demandent par conséquent comment réformer ces systèmes, en s'intéressant notamment aux mécanismes qui mettent à contribution les parties prenantes, à savoir en particulier les mécanismes de traitement des plaintes, dont ils détaillent les atouts et les limites.
Thinking families: A study of the characteristics of the workforce that delivers family‐focussed practice
Authors: Goodyear Melinda , Maybery Darryl , Reupert Andrea , Allchin Rebecca , Fraser Cait , Fernbacher Sabin , Cuff Rose
Published: December 2016

Parenting with mental illness is not uncommon and is often associated with a range of challenges for parents, children, and the family unit. Family‐focussed practice involves the provision of services to the wider family system, including children. While family‐focussed practice is important to consumers and their families, adult mental health practitioners do not routinely discuss parenting or children with their clients, nor work closely with the whole family. In the present study, we aimed to examine the characteristics of practitioners from Australian adult mental health services associated with family‐focussed practices. Characteristics included sex, years of experience, location, and previous training in child and family‐focussed practice. A total of 307 adult mental health practitioners from Victoria, Australia, responded to the Family Focused Mental Health Practice Questionnaire and a series of demographic items. The results indicated that particular practitioner characteristics predicted the delivery of family‐focussed practice. Practitioner experience, sex, working in a rural location, and previous family‐ or child‐related training were found to be important in the provision of family‐focussed practice. More experienced, female, rurally‐located, and well‐trained practitioners undertake most family‐focussed practice. These results suggest that training in family‐focussed practice needs to be promoted, with considerations made for differing needs according to the characteristics of the adult mental health practitioner.
A bibliographic exploration of nursing's scope of practice
Authors: Benton D.C. , Cusack L. , Jabbour R. , Penney C.
Published: December 2016

Aim

To conduct a bibliographic analysis of the indexed literature relating to scope of practice in nursing so as to identify underlying patterns in journal publication, volume of scholarly work over time, countries of origin, central contributors, academic affiliation and the major dimension of the studies conducted.

Methods

A systematic search of the Scopus database provided data that was then extracted and utilized to undertake a bibliometric analysis of published work relating to scope of practice. In addition to identification of aggregated metrics relating to the most frequently occurring journals and most cited authors, a co‐word analysis was conducted.

Results

A total of 2730 articles with the term Scope of Practice in the Title, Abstract or Keywords were identified. Co‐word analysis revealed five major themes – Changing Regulatory Environment; Health Care Drivers; Competence & Role Implementation; Policy Context; and Role Evolution & Role Differentiation.

Conclusions and policy implications

From a policy perspective, we conclude that bibliographic analysis of the indexed literature is a useful technique that can augment our understanding of key regulatory issues such as scope of practice. However, the overemphasis on advanced practice in the scope of practice literature coupled with the increased interest in task shifting to support‐personnel as governments pursue the goal of universal health coverage may leave nursing inadequately prepared to inform any evidence‐based policy change.
A CAMEL DRIVER IN THE ACHAEMENID PERSIAN EMPIRE: SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS OF A NON-ELITE PROFESSIONAL AND THE PERSEPOLIS FORTIFICATION ARCHIVE
Authors: SAMUELS J. TROY
Published: December 2016

This paper applies social network analysis in a study of the Persepolis Fortification archive to gain a more holistic picture of life in Achaemenid Persepolis. In particular, the paper focuses on translating the data from the archive into a series of network relations and visualizations and then identifying and examining a group of influential non-elites. These data allow for a particularly thorough examination of non-elite social, economic, and cultural choices. One particular non-elite individual, Dakizidda the camel driver, is used as a case study to elucidate the non-elite experience at Persepolis from a social network perspective.
MAKING SENSE OF THE WAYS WE MAKE SENSE OF THE PAST: THE PERIODO PROJECT
Authors: RABINOWITZ ADAM , SHAW RYAN , BUCHANAN SARAH , GOLDEN PATRICK , KANSA ERIC
Published: December 2016

The PeriodO project seeks to fill a gap in the landscape of digital antiquity through the creation of a Linked Data gazetteer of period definitions that transparently record the spatial and temporal boundaries assigned to a given period by an authoritative source. Our presentation of the PeriodO gazetteer is prefaced by a history of the role of periodization in the study of the past, and an analysis of the difficulties created by the use of periods for both digital data visualization and integration. This is followed by an overview of the PeriodO data model, a description of the platform's architecture, and a discussion of the future direction of the project.
A USER-CENTRED DESIGN TO ANNOTATE RITUAL FACTS IN ANCIENT GREEK TRAGEDIES
Authors: MUGELLI GLORIA , BOSCHETTI FEDERICO , DEL GRATTA RICCARDO , DEL GROSSO ANGELO MARIO , KHAN FAHAD , TADDEI ANDREA
Published: December 2016

Euporia is an annotation system developed with a user-centred approach for the study of ritual and religion in ancient Greek tragedy. Euporia adopts a domain specific language (DSL) and a lightweight web user interface in order to offer digital support to an anthropological study of ancient Greek tragedy that compares ritual as it is performed or described in Greek tragedy with ancient ritual as it can be reconstructed from literary, archaeological, and epigraphic sources. The case study discussed in this paper (Aesch. Ag. 67–71) shows one of the main features of Euporia: the ability to annotate different readings and different interpretations of the text and their consequences in the reconstruction of ancient Greek ritual.
THE AUTHORSHIP OF THE HISTORIA AUGUSTA: TWO NEW COMPUTATIONAL STUDIES
Authors: STOVER JUSTIN A. , KESTEMONT MIKE
Published: December 2016

The case of the Historia Augusta, a collection of imperial biographies from Hadrian to Carus supposedly written by six different authors, provided the impetus for the introduction of computational methods into the Echtheitskritik of ancient authors in 1979. After a flurry of studies in the 1990s, interest waned, particularly because most of those studies seemed to support conclusions incompatible with the scholarly consensus on the question. In the paper, we approach this question with the new tool of authorship verification – one of the most promising approaches in forensic stylometry today – as well as the established method of principal components analysis to demonstrate that there is no simple alternative between single and multiple authorship, and that the results of a computational analysis are in fact compatible with the results obtained from historical, literary, and philological analysis.
Matrine induces Akt/mTOR signalling inhibition‐mediated autophagy and apoptosis in acute myeloid leukaemia cells
Authors: Wu Junqing , Hu Gang , Dong Yuqing , Ma Ruye , Yu Zhijie , Jiang Songfu , Han Yixiang , Yu Kang , Zhang Shenghui
Published: December 2016

Pharmacological modulation of autophagy has been referred to as a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer. Matrine, a main alkaloid extracted from Sophora flavescens Ait, has antitumour activity against acute myelocytic leukaemia (AML). Whether autophagy is involved in antileukaemia activity of matrine remains unobvious. In this study, we demonstrated that matrine inhibited cell viability and colony formation via inducing apoptosis and autophagy in AML cell lines HL‐60, THP‐1 and C1498 as well as primary AML cells. Matrine promoted caspase‐3 and PARP cleavage dose‐dependently. Matrine up‐regulated the level of LC3‐II and down‐regulated the level of SQSTM1/p62 in a dose‐dependent way, indicating that autophagy should be implicated in anti‐AML effect of matrine. Furthermore, the autophagy inhibitor bafilomycin A1 relieved the cytotoxicity of matrine by blocking the autophagic flux, while the autophagy promoter rapamycin enhanced the cytotoxicity of matrine. Additionally, matrine inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, mTOR and their downstream substrates p70S6K and 4EBP1, which led to the occurrence of autophagy. In vivo study demonstrated that autophagy was involved in antileukaemia effect of matrine in C57BL/6 mice bearing murine AML cell line C1498, and the survival curves showed that mice did benefit from treatment with matrine. Collectively, our findings indicate that matrine exerts antitumour effect through apoptosis and autophagy, and the latter one might be a potential therapeutic strategy for AML.
Protective responses of intestinal mucous cells in a range of fish–helminth systems
Authors: Bosi G , Giari L , DePasquale J A , Carosi A , Lorenzoni M , Dezfuli B Sayyaf
Published: December 2016

Histopathological, immunofluorescence and ultrastructural studies were conducted on the intestines of four fish species infected with different taxa of enteric helminths. Brown trout (Salmo trutta trutta), eel (Anguilla anguilla) and tench (Tinca tinca) obtained from Lake Piediluco (central Italy) were examined. Brown trout and eel were infected with two species of acanthocephalans, and tench was parasitized with a tapeworm species. In addition to the above site, specimens of chub (Squalius cephalus) and brown trout infected with an acanthocephalan were examined from the River Brenta (north Italy). Moreover, eels were examined from a brackish water, Comacchio lagoons (north Italy), where one digenean species was the predominant enteric worm. All the helminths species induced a similar response, the hyperplasia of the intestinal mucous cells, particularly of those secreting acid mucins. Local endocrine signals seemed to affect the production and secretion of mucus in the parasitized fish, as worms often were surrounded by an adherent mucus layer or blanket. This is the first quantitative report of enteric worm effects on the density of various mucous cell types and on the mucus composition in intestine of infected/uninfected conspecifics. We provide a global comparison between the several fish–helminth systems examined.