bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An exploratory study of the post-audit practices of large UK organisations: the way forward
Authors: Lefley Frank
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the current practices of large UK organisations with respect to post-audits of capital projects with the aim of improving management decision making in the future. The investment process has been clearly mapped out in the literature, with the initial project proposal, appraisal, selection (investment decision), implementation, completion, and finally the post-audit. It is this latter stage which is ignored by so many organisations and has received less attention in the academic literature, a gap the author hopes to fill.

Design/methodology/approach

– The empirical data are collated from a postal questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, followed by a short e-mail questionnaire. A methodological triangulation of empirical data obtained from the questionnaires and interviews, were undertaken to overcome some of the deficiencies from just using one method of data collection. The research is empirical and uses exploratory descriptive analysis to interpret the findings. The author focuses on the aspect of organisational learning theory as a process of continuous improvement, learning from past experience, especially in the management decision-making paradigm.

Findings

– The author discovered nine important reasons for undertaking post-audits and ten for not. An important observation is that while those organisations which do not undertake post-audits attach a greater level of importance to “the reasons for not carrying out post-audits” and “the problems faced in the implementation of post-audits”, these difficulties have been overcome by those organisations that undertake post-audits. Evidence suggests that the current change in business culture, as a result of the recent financial crisis, may be refocusing the aims of post-audits from a learning exercise to one of managerial responsibility.

Research limitations/implications

– The research may be limited (in forming general conclusions) as it is based on a relatively small sample size. The author does not, however, believe that this distracts from its importance.

Practical implications

– The author argues that training the non-users to overcome the perceived difficulties would enhance the investment decision-making process by encouraging them to learn from the experience of those that undertake post-audits.

Originality/value

– The research is original as it reports on a current survey and will fill, what the author perceives to be, a gap in the literature. The respondents to the research consists of some of the most senior executives from the largest UK organisations and their views on academic issues are, in many cases, difficult to obtain; this research therefore has value in this respect. The findings point the way to new lines of enquiry in this field.
Research in a culturally diverse world: reducing redundancies, increasing relevance
Authors: Beritelli Pietro , Dolnicar Sara , Ermen David , Laesser Christian
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to identify means and ways to reduce redundancies and increase relevance in tourism research in a culturally diverse and globalised world.

Design/methodology/approach

The content of this paper is based on minutes of an extensive discussion (panel as well as townhall-type of discussion) at the 2015 AIEST conference in Lijiang, PR China.

Findings

Challenges in today’s tourism research world are identified and ways of how to deal with them are shown. Some of those solutions might provoke change in certain domains. This is why ideas are provided for the AIEST to support and facilitate this change.

Researchlimitations/implications

Limitations come from the research settings of this contribution, which is essentially based on records of a panel and a townhall-type discussion.

Originality/value

We try to provide food for thought, in order to provoke one or the other discussion. This is why we are happy to receive feeback.
Imagination Laboratory: Making Sense of Bio-Objects in Contemporary Genetic Art
Authors: Holmberg Tora , Ideland Malin
Published: June 2016

Public engagement in biotechnology has declined as cloning, genetic engineering and regenerative medicine have become socially and culturally normalized. Zooming in on existing bio-technological debates, this article turns to contemporary genetic art as sites for ethical reflections. Art can be viewed as an ‘imagination laboratory’, a space through which un-framing and rupturing of contemporary rationalities are facilitated, and, in addition, enabling sense-making and offering fantastic connections otherwise not articulated. In this article, the framework of ‘bio-objectification’ is enriched with Bennett's (2001) notion of enchantment and the importance of wonder and openness to the unusual, in order to highlight alternative matters of concern than articulated through conventional politico-moral discourse. Drawing on a cultural sociological analysis of Eduardo Kac's Edunia, Lucy Glendinning's Feather Child, Patricia Piccinini's Still Life with Stem Cells and Heather Dewey-Hagborg's Stranger Visions, we discuss how the intermingling of art, science, critics, art historians, science fiction, internet, and physical space, produce a variety of attachments that this article will unpack. The article demonstrates that while some modern boundaries and rationalities are highlighted and challenged through the ‘imagination laboratory’ of the art process, others are left untouched.
How differences matter: tracing diversity practices in obesity treatment and health promotion
Authors: Felt Ulrike , Felder Kay , Penkler Michael
Published: June 2016

Diversity has become a buzzword in medical care, denoting a re‐evaluation of what it means to attend to differences among human bodies and lives. Questions about what types of differences matter and how they should be defined have become important normative and analytical challenges. Drawing on two case studies, we show how differences between patients and patient‐collectives are not simply waiting to be recognised and addressed but also enacted within situated healthcare practices. Although concerns with diversity are present in both cases, they take different forms. In a Viennese health–promotion project for obese clients, care practices are both based on and reproduce large‐scale categories that divide the population into distinct subgroups with specific needs. Conversely, in an outpatient clinic for bariatric surgery patients, a technical fix‐oriented procedure leads to concerns over diversity becoming an add‐on realised by tending to each patient's idiosyncrasies and personal stories. By tracing the practices of diversity and the tensions they produce, we show how classifications and understandings of human difference are based on infrastructures that enable and constrain them. Furthermore, we discuss how they become consequential in healthcare, thereby indicating the importance of remaining reflexive about the political implications of diversity discourse and practice.
Association between Temporal Changes in Primary Care Workforce and Patient Outcomes
Authors: Chang Chiang‐Hua , O'Malley A. James , Goodman David C.
Published: June 2016

Objective

To examine the association between 10‐year temporal changes in the primary care workforce and Medicare beneficiaries' outcomes.

Data Sources

2001 and 2011 American Medical Association Masterfiles and fee‐for‐service Medicare claims.

Study Design/Methods

We calculated two primary care workforce measures within Primary Care Service Areas: the number of primary care physicians per 10,000 population (per capita) and the number of Medicare primary care full‐time equivalents (FTEs) per 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries. The three outcomes were mortality, ambulatory care–sensitive condition (ACSC) hospitalizations, and emergency department (ED) visits. We measured the marginal association between changes in primary care workforce and patient outcomes using Poisson regression models.

Principal Findings

An increase of one primary care physician per 10,000 population was associated with 15.1 fewer deaths per 100,000 and 39.7 fewer ACSC hospitalizations per 100,000 (both p < .05). An increase of one Medicare primary care FTE per 10,000 beneficiaries was associated with 82.8 fewer deaths per 100,000, 160.8 fewer ACSC hospitalizations per 100,000, and 712.3 fewer ED visits per 100,000 (all p < .05).

Conclusions

Medicare beneficiaries' outcomes improved as the number of primary care physicians and their clinical effort increased.
Medicaid Disenrollment and Disparities in Access to Care: Evidence from Tennessee
Authors: Tarazi Wafa W. , Green Tiffany L. , Sabik Lindsay M.
Published: June 2016

Objective

To assess the effects of Tennessee's 2005 Medicaid disenrollment on access to health care among low‐income nonelderly adults.

Data Source/Study Setting

We use data from the 2003–2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Study Design

We examined the effects of Medicaid disenrollment on access to care among adults living in Tennessee compared with neighboring states, using difference‐in‐difference models.

Principal Findings

Evidence suggests that Medicaid disenrollment resulted in significant decreases in health insurance and increases in cost‐related barriers to care for low‐income adults living in Tennessee. Statistically significant changes were not observed for having a personal doctor.

Conclusions

Medicaid disenrollment is associated with reduced access to care. This finding is relevant for states considering expansions or contractions of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
Diagnostic accuracy of flexion‐extension radiography for the detection of ligamentous cervical spine injury following a normal cervical spine computed tomography
Authors: Oh Jason Jaeseong , Asha Stephen Edward , Curtis Kate
Published: June 2016

Background

Flexion–extension radiography (FER) has been utilised for the detection of ligamentous injury in patients who have been cleared of bony injury. Some studies call into question the diagnostic accuracy of FER, the high proportion of inadequate FER images and the adverse effects of prolonged cervical collar immobilisation although awaiting FER.

Methods

We conducted a two‐part retrospective study of trauma patients presenting to a trauma centre between January 2007 and December 2014. A cross‐sectional analytic study was used to determine diagnostic accuracy and a case–control design was used to compare characteristics and complications of those having FER with similar patients not having FER. Inclusion criteria were age ≥16, blunt trauma mechanism, a normal computed tomography (CT) of the cervical spine and FER to assess for ligamentous injury. The reference standard was magnetic resonance imaging evidence of ligamentous disruption or a therapeutic intervention to treat ligamentous instability.

Results

There were 176 participants meeting inclusion criteria. Studies were considered inadequate in 168 participants (95.5%). There were zero true positives, four false positives, 168 true negatives and four false negatives: sensitivity 0% (0.0–60.2%), specificity 97.7 (94.2–99.4%), positive predictive value 0% (0.0–60.2%) and negative predictive value 97.7 (94.2–99.4%). Participants having FER remained in cervical collars and in hospital longer than control patients. Complications of cervical collar use were uncommon.

Conclusion

FER does not contribute additional diagnostic accuracy for the detection of ligamentous injury to the cervical spine following a normal CT of the cervical spine. We recommend FER be removed from cervical spine clearance protocols.
Survival and Metabolic Activity of Listeria monocytogenes on Ready‐to‐Eat Roast Beef Stored at 4 °C
Authors: Broady Johnathan W. , Han Dong , Yuan Jing , Liao Chao , Bratcher Christy L. , Lilies Mark R. , Schwartz Elizabeth H. , Wang Luxin
Published: June 2016

Three brands of commercial roast beef were purchased and artificially inoculated with a 5‐strain Listeria monocytogenes cocktail at 2 inoculation levels (approximately 3 and 6 Log CFU/g). Although all 3 brands contained sodium diacetate and sodium lactate, inoculated Listeria cocktail survived for 16 d in all 3 brands; significant increases in L. monocytogenes numbers were seen on inoculated Brand B roast beef on days 12 and 16. Numbers of L. monocytogenes increased to 4.14 Log CFU/g for the 3 Log CFU/g inoculation level and increased to 7.99 Log CFU/g for the 6 Log CFU/g inoculation level by day 16, with the pH values being 5.4 and 5.8 respectively. To measure the cell viability in potential biofilms formed, an Alamar blue assay was conducted. Brand B meat homogenate had the highest metabolic activities (P < 0.05). By comparing its metabolic activities to Brands A and C and the inoculated autoclaved meat homogenates, results indicated that the microflora present in Brand B may be the reason for high metabolic activities. Based on the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and the Shannon–Wiener diversity index analysis, the “Brand” factor significantly impacted the diversity index (P = 0.012) and Brand B had the highest microflora diversity (Shannon index 1.636 ± 0.011). Based on this study, results showed that antimicrobials cannot completely inhibit the growth of L. monocytogenes in ready‐to‐eat roast beef. Native microflora (both diversity and abundance), together with product formula, pH, antimicrobial concentrations, and storage conditions may all impact the survival and growth of L. monocytogenes.
Claudin‐1 correlates with poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Sun Bing‐sheng , Yao Yi‐qun , Pei Bao‐xiang , Zhang Zhen‐fa , Wang Chang‐li
Published: June 2016

Background

This study was conducted to investigate the clinical significance ofclaudin‐1 (CLDN1) expression in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods

We examinedCLDN1protein expression by immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray from 258 patients with lung adenocarcinoma. We investigated messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in H358 (formerly bronchioloalveolar carcinoma) and lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (A549) by real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Multivariate analysis showed that prognostic factors for lung adenocarcinoma were histologic type,CLDN1, T stage and N stage. Patients with positiveCLDN1expression had a poorer prognosis than patients with negativeCLDN1expression.CLDN1expression was correlated with Ras and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)expression. Patients with positive expressions of bothCLDN1and Ras/EGFRhad a poorer prognosis than patients withCLDN1(+) Ras/EGFR(−) orCLDN1 (−) Ras/EGFR(+) and patients with negative expressions of bothCLDN1 and Ras/EGFR.CLDN1 mRNAexpression was lower in the H358 compared with the lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549).

Conclusion

The combination ofCLDN1 and Ras/EGFRis a valuable independent prognostic predictor for lung adenocarcinoma.
Impact of anastomotic leak on recurrence and survival after colorectal cancer surgery: a BioGrid Australia analysis
Authors: Sammour Tarik , Hayes Ian P. , Jones Ian T. , Steel Malcolm C. , Faragher Ian , Gibbs Peter
Published: June 2016

Background

There is conflicting evidence regarding the oncological impact of anastomotic leak following colorectal cancer surgery. This study aims to test the hypothesis that anastomotic leak is independently associated with local recurrence and overall and cancer‐specific survival.

Methods

Analysis of prospectively collected data from multiple centres in Victoria between 1988 and 2015 including all patients who underwent colon or rectal resection for cancer with anastomosis was presented. Overall and cancer‐specific survival rates and rates of local recurrence were compared using Cox regression analysis.

Results

A total of 4892 patients were included, of which 2856 had completed 5‐year follow‐up. The overall anastomotic leak rate was 4.0%. Cox regression analysis accounting for differences in age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score and tumour stage demonstrated that anastomotic leak was associated with significantly worse 5‐year overall survival (χ
2 = 6.459, P = 0.011) for colon cancer, but only if early deaths were included. There was no difference in 5‐year colon cancer‐specific survival (χ
2 = 0.582, P = 0.446) or local recurrence (χ
2 = 0.735, P = 0.391). For rectal cancer, there was no difference in 5‐year overall survival (χ
2 = 0.266, P = 0.606), cancer‐specific survival (χ
2 = 0.008, P = 0.928) or local recurrence (χ
2 = 2.192, P = 0.139).

Conclusion

Anastomotic leak may reduce 5‐year overall survival in colon cancer patients but does not appear to influence the 5‐year overall survival in rectal cancer patients. There was no effect on local recurrence or cancer‐specific survival.
Endovascular retrograde recanalization in Asian critical limb ischaemia patients
Authors: Tay Jia Sheng , Ching Siok Siong , Tan Yih Kai , Kum Steven Wei Cheong
Published: June 2016

Background

To evaluate endovascular retrograde recanalization of critical limb ischaemia (CLI) patients with chronic total occlusions (CTOs) in an Asian population.

Methods

We conducted a single centre‐based retrospective review of CLI patients with CTOs who had undergone endovascular retrograde recanalization using the subintimal arterial flossing with antegrade–retrograde intervention technique.

Results

A total of 40 CLI patients with CTOs underwent endovascular intervention. The median age was 71 years; 67.5% were males and Chinese accounted for 65% of the patients, of which 55% were in Rutherford category 6, 37.5% in category 5 and 7.5% in category 4. Antegrade–retrograde access was performed via the femoral artery in 39 cases and the brachial artery in one case for the proximal puncture, and the following arteries for the distal puncture: superficial femoral, n = 4 (10%); popliteal, n = 4 (10%); anterior tibial, n = 12 (30%); dorsalis pedis, n = 9 (22.5%); peroneal, n = 4 (10%) and posterior tibial, n = 7 (17.5%). Technical success was high at 92.5% (n = 37). After intervention, 25% (n = 10) had below‐knee triple vessel runoff, 52.5% (n = 21) had double vessel runoff and 15.0% (n = 6) had single vessel runoff. Stenting for target vessel dissections was required in 12 patients. There were two cases of significant bleeding; one common femoral artery pseudoaneurysm was treated with ultrasound‐guided thrombin injection and another case of distal puncture site bleeding only required compression. Limb salvage at 1 year was 92.5% (n = 37).

Conclusion

The subintimal arterial flossing with antegrade–retrograde intervention technique is safe with high technical success rates and acceptable outcomes in Asian CLI patients with CTOs.
Thoracoscopic removal of an intrapulmonary foreign body in a child
Authors: Ranjan Abhishek , Dhua Anjan Kumar , Maddur Srinivas , Kandasamy Devasenathipathy , Kashyap Lokesh
Published: June 2016

A 9‐year‐old boy presented to our institution 6 months after falling on a needle that pierced his left chest wall. He presented to us after multiple unsuccessful attempts to have this foreign body removed at other hospitals. A thoracoscopic removal was successfully undertaken aided by fluoroscopy. This report shows how the needle's position and location were precisely defined by fluoroscopy, despite the needle being invisible on thoracoscopy.
Effect of supplemented sericin on the development, cell number, cryosurvival and number of lipid droplets in cultured bovine embryos
Authors: Hosoe Misa , Inaba Yasushi , Hashiyada Yutaka , Imai Kei , Kajitani Kenji , Hasegawa Yuichi , Irie Mamoru , Teramoto Hidetoshi , Takahashi Toru , Niimura Sueo
Published: June 2016

Sericin was investigated as an alternative to fetal bovine serum (FBS) for bovine embryo culture. In vitro matured oocytes were developed using 0.05%, 0.1% or 0.15% sericin. The developmental rate, cryosurvival rate and blastulation time of these embryos were compared with those of embryos developed using 5% FBS. The number of lipid droplets was compared among the blastocysts developed using 5% FBS, using 0.05% sericin and in vivo. The rate of cleavage and blastocyst formation was similar among all groups. Blastulation occurred significantly earlier in the embryos developed using 5% FBS than in those developed using sericin at any concentration (P < 0.05). At 72 h after thawing, the cryosurvival rate of the blastocysts developed using 5% FBS and 0.05% sericin were significantly higher compared with those developed using 0.1% and 0.15% sericin (P < 0.05). The blastocysts developed using 0.05% sericin and in vivo produced a significantly fewer number of medium and large lipid droplets than those developed using 5% FBS. These results suggest that the blastocysts developed using 0.05% sericin show characteristics similar to those of the blastocysts developed in vivo and that the use of sericin as an alternative to FBS is feasible.
Media‐assisted language learning for young children: Effects of a word‐learning app on the vocabulary acquisition of two‐year‐olds
Authors: Walter‐Laager Catherine , Brandenberg Kathrin , Tinguely Luzia , Schwarz Jürg , Pfiffner Manfred R. , Moschner Barbara
Published: June 2016

The intervention study investigated the effects of an interactive word‐learning app and picture cards on the vocabulary acquisition of 2‐year‐olds. Of particular interest was whether or not adult accompaniment during the use of the app or while looking at the picture cards had a positive effect on the child's vocabulary acquisition. The findings show that those children who used the word‐learning app when accompanied by an adult had the largest growth in vocabulary, and those who used the word‐learning app without adult accompaniment showing the second largest growth. Less successful were those children who played with the picture cards (with or without adult accompaniment). The group of children who focused on the subject matter for the longest period of time on average learned the most new words, while the group who focused on the subject matter for the shortest period of time had the smallest growth in vocabulary.
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for sickle cell disease – current practice and new approaches
Authors: Arnold Staci D. , Bhatia Monica , Horan John , Krishnamurti Lakshmanan
Published: June 2016

Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder that affects over 5 million people worldwide. Current maintenance therapy has been successful in reducing complications and enhancing life expectancy; yet subclinical complications persist. To date, allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) remains the only available curative therapy for sickle cell disease. With declining incidences of rejection and transplant‐ related mortality, disease‐free survival after human leucocyte antigen‐identical sibling transplant exceeds 90%. However, the majority of individuals with sickle cell disease do not have an human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐identical sibling; therefore, research is expanding to focus on new approaches to alternative donor transplant. Advances in supportive care and conditioning regimens have led to expansion of the pool of donors to unrelated donors and haploidentical donors. Challenges remain in improving the safety and efficacy of HSCT from alternate donors. Early results from gene therapy may provide another curative option in patients with sickle cell disease. These approaches show early promise, but larger, longitudinal studies are needed to better determine the optimal clinical circumstances for transplant in sickle cell disease.
Direct and extended intergenerational contact and young people's attitudes towards older adults
Authors: Drury Lisbeth , Hutchison Paul , Abrams Dominic
Published: June 2016

Research suggests that positive intergenerational contact can improve young people's attitudes towards older adults. However, today's age‐segregated society may not provide ample opportunities for positive contact between younger and older adults to occur on a regular basis. In three studies, we investigated whether the positive attitudinal outcomes associated with direct contact might also stem from a more indirect form of intergenerational relationship: extended contact. In Study 1 (N = 70), extended contact was associated with more positive attitudes towards older adults even when controlling for direct intergenerational contact (contact frequency and contact quality). In Study 2 (N = 110), the positive effects of direct and extended contact on young people's age‐related attitudes were mediated by reductions in intergroup anxiety and ageing anxiety. The mediational effects of intergroup anxiety were replicated in Study 3 (N = 95) and ingroup norms additionally emerged as a mediator of the positive effects of extended contact on young people's attitudes towards older adults. Discussion focuses on the implications for strategies aimed at tackling ageism.
Utility of chromogranin A, pancreatic polypeptide, glucagon and gastrin in the diagnosis and follow‐up of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 patients
Authors: Qiu Wei , Christakis Ioannis , Silva Angelica , Bassett Roland L. , Cao Liyun , Meng Qing H. , Gardner Grubbs Elizabeth , Zhao Hua , Yao James C. , Lee Jeffrey E. , Perrier Nancy D.
Published: June 2016

Objective

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs) are the major source of disease‐specific mortality in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) patients. Chromogranin A (CgA), pancreatic polypeptide (PP), glucagon and gastrin have some diagnostic value in sporadic PNETs, but there is very little evidence for their efficacy in diagnosing PNETs in MEN1 patients.

Design

We performed a retrospective chart review of the existing MEN1 database in our institution.

Patients

One hundred and thirteen patients were eligible for diagnostic value analysis of tumour markers. Patients were excluded if measurement of tumour markers was missing, either 3 months prior to PNET diagnosis (PNET patients) or prior to abdominal imaging (non‐PNET patients).

Measurements

Clinicopathologic characteristics and of tumour marker measurements were analysed.

Results

Of 293 confirmed MEN1 cases, 55 PNETs and 58 non‐PNETs met inclusion criteria. The area under the curve (AUC) for CgA, PP, glucagon and gastrin in MEN1 cases was 59·5%, 64·1%, 77·0% and 75·9%, respectively. The AUC for the combination of CgA, PP and gastrin was 59·6%. PP, but not CgA, glucagon or gastrin was significantly associated with both age and PNET functional status (P = 0·0485 and 0·0188, respectively). No markers were significantly associated with sex, PNET size, tumour number, tumour location, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage, presence of lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion or overall survival. CgA values were not significantly lower following PNET resection than pre‐operatively (P = 0·554).

Conclusions

The value of blood markers for diagnosing PNETs in MEN1 patients is relatively low, even when used in combination.
Patients with high‐risk differentiated thyroid cancer have a lower I‐131 ablation success rate than low‐risk ones in spite of a high ablation activity
Authors: Winter J. , Winter M. , Krohn T. , Heinzel A. , Behrendt F.F. , Tuttle R.M. , Mottaghy F.M. , Verburg F.A.
Published: June 2016

Objective

To examine success rates in strictly defined high‐risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients who received a high‐activity (≥5550 MBq) adjuvant postoperative I‐131 therapy and compare these to the rates found in highest risk and low‐risk patients.

Design

Retrospective database study.

Patients

We examined 377 patients with DTC who received I‐131 ablation. Patients with distant metastases were classified as very high risk. Patients with primary tumours >4 cm, extensive extrathyroidal invasion (pT4a or pT4b in accordance with the 7th edition of the TNM system), and patients with ≥5 lymph node metastases or any lateral compartment lymph node metastases were considered high risk. All other patients were considered low risk.

Measurements

Ablation success rate at first TSH‐stimulated follow‐up.

Results

The ablation success rate was 72·6% in low‐risk patients, 51·7% in high‐risk patients and 13·8% in highest risk patients (all differences P < 0·001). In none of the groups, a significant difference in the initial I‐131 activity was found between patients with successful and unsuccessful ablation (low risk: P = 0·16, high risk: P = 0·91 and highest risk: P = 0·48). Furthermore, there was no difference in ablation success between patients who received <5550 MBq and those who received ≥5550 Mbq (low risk: P = 0·31, high risk: P = 0·69 and highest risk: P = 0·22).

Conclusions

Patients with high‐risk DTC have a significantly reduced I‐131 ablation success rate compared to low‐risk ones in spite of high initial I‐131 activities. As successful ablation is prognostically important, efforts should be made to improve outcome in these patients.
Sleep‐Related Disorders in Children with Attention‐Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Preliminary Results of a Full Sleep Assessment Study
Authors: Miano Silvia , Esposito Maria , Foderaro Giuseppe , Ramelli Gian Paolo , Pezzoli Valdo , Manconi Mauro
Published: June 2016

Background and methods

We present the preliminary results of a prospective case–control sleep study in children with a diagnosis of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A deep sleep assessment including sleep questionnaires, sleep habits, a video‐polysomnographic recording with full high‐density electroencephalography (EEG) and cardiorespiratory polygraphy, multiple sleep latency test, and 1‐week actigraphic recording were performed to verify whether children with ADHD may be classified into one of the following five phenotypes: (1) hypoarousal state, resembling narcolepsy, which may be considered a “primary” form of ADHD; (2) delayed sleep onset insomnia; (3) sleep‐disordered breathing; (4) restless legs syndrome and/or periodic limb movements; and (5) sleep epilepsy and/or EEG interictal epileptiform discharges.

Results

Fifteen consecutive outpatients with ADHD were recruited (two female, mean age 10.6 ± 2.2, age range 8–13.7 years) over 6 months. The narcolepsy‐like sleep phenotype was observed in three children, the sleep onset insomnia phenotype was observed in one child, mild obstructive sleep apnea was observed in three children, sleep hyperkinesia and/or PLMs were observed in five children, while IEDs and or nocturnal epilepsy were observed in three children. Depending on the sleep phenotype, children received melatonin, iron supplementation, antiepileptic drugs, or stimulants.

Conclusions

Our study further highlights the need to design an efficient sleep diagnostic algorithm for children with ADHD, thereby more accurately identifying cases in which a full sleep assessment is indicated.
Role of UCP2 polymorphisms on dietary intake of obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery
Authors: Nicoletti C. F. , Kimura B. M. , de Oliveira B. A. P. , de Pinhel M. A. S. , Salgado W. , Marchini J. S. , Nonino C. B.
Published: June 2016

Uncoupling protein 2 (
UCP2
) plays an important role in body weight and energy metabolism and may be related to the control of food consumption. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of
UCP2
gene variants on the dietary intake on a population after bariatric surgery. This study enrolled 150 obese patients (body mass index ≥ 35kg m−2) who submitted to Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass. Weight (kg), BMI (kg m−2), energy (kcal d−1) and macronutrients intake (g d−1) of preoperative and 1‐year postoperative period were collected from medical records. Ala55Val and −866G>A polymorphisms in the
UCP2
gene were genotyped through allelic discrimination method in real‐time polymerase chain reaction using the TaqMan pre‐designed SNP Genotyping Assays kits. Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, t‐test and regression models were performed in statistical analysis (P<0.05).We found an allelic frequency of 0.44 for allele Val and 0.41 for allele A. In the postoperative period, patients with at least one rare allele for polymorphisms and with at least one rare allele for both polymorphisms together (haplotype) present a greater energy and carbohydrate intake, even after adjusting for gender, age and weight. Genetic variants in
UCP2
gene were associated with the dietary consumption after Roux–En‐Y gastric bypass.
8‐isoprostanes and resistin as markers of vascular damage in non‐hypersomnolent obstructive sleep apnoea patients
Authors: Cherneva Radostina Vlaeva , Cherneva Zheina Vlaeva , Georgiev Ognian Borisov , Petrova Daniela Stoichkova , Petrova Julia Ivanova
Published: June 2016

Background

Oxidative stress and inflammation are assumed as the main pathological triggers for vascular damage in hypersomnolent obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients, whereas their exact role in less symptomatic population is currently unknown.

Aim

To determine whether oxidative stress (urinary 8‐isoprostane concentration) and inflammation (plasma resistin levels) are associated with vascular damage in non‐hypersomnolent (Epworth Sleep Score <11) OSA patients.

Methods

A total of 325 consecutive patients have undergone standard polysomnography, and 256 of them were diagnosed with OSA. Excessive daytime sleepiness was assessed by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Only 86 patients with ESS <11 participated in the study. The control group was presented by 45 subjects without OSA. Endothelial function was assessed by ultrasonographic measurement of flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD). Intima‐media thickness (IMT) and ankle‐brachial index (ABI) were determined by ultrasonography. Urinary 8‐isoprostanes (Cayman Chemical, USA) were measured, applying mass spectrometry. Resistin (RayBio_ Human ResistinCat#:ELH‐Resistin‐001) plasma levels were detected by ELISA.

Results

In patients with OSA, flow‐mediated dilatation was significantly lower than in control subjects (4·62% ±1·9) and (7·1% ±2·8), respectively (P: 0·013). The prevalence of plaques in a.carotis communis was higher in OSA (16% versus 4%). The same is observed regarding a.tibialis posterior (81% vs. 29%). The average IMT and ABI in OSA and in the control group were, respectively, (IMT − 800 µm versus. 666 µm); (ABI −1·06 versus 1·20). Urinary isoprostanes were higher in OSA patients (0·091 versus 0·078) and correlated negatively to FMD (r: −0·825, P: 0·00), IMT (r: −0·324, P: 0·003) and ABI (r: −0·226, P: 0·043). No association between resistin and the degree of vascular injury was found.

Conclusions

In comparison with the control group, increased prevalence of endothelial dysfunction and vascular damage was established in OSA patients without excessive daytime sleepiness. Urinary 8‐isoprostanes (oxidative stress markers) are closely associated with FMD (endothelial dysfunction), IMT and ABI (vascular damage). Resistin plasma levels correlated neither to FMD, nor to IMT or ABI.
Terrace Agriculture in the Mixteca Alta Region, Oaxaca, Mexico: Ethnographic and Archeological Insights on Terrace Construction and Labor Organization
Authors: Pérez Rodríguez Verónica
Published: June 2016

This article presents ethnographic information on terrace farming that was collected to ground archeological interpretations of cross‐channel terraces known as lama‐bordos in the Mixteca Alta region of southern Mexico. Ethnographic interviews asked about labor organization and the labor requirements of terrace construction, and also documented agroecological knowledge associated with terrace farming. The integration of ethnographic and archeological data indicate that lama‐bordo terracing started 3,400 years ago and today lama‐bordos continue to be built, maintained, and farmed at the household level, in ways that correspond with the recorded stratigraphies of Prehispanic lama‐bordo terraces. Even in contemporary contexts of government agricultural programs and global markets, farmers continue to grow food and build their lives around lama‐bordos using a complex body of knowledge about the weather, plants, soils, and the behavior of pests. The continuation of this land‐use and food‐producing strategy for over three millennia attests to the longevity, effectiveness, and resilience of this ancestral practice that has been a cornerstone for Mixtec society and survival.
Preschoolers’ generosity increases with understanding of the affective benefits of sharing
Authors: Paulus Markus , Moore Chris
Published: June 2016

Research has demonstrated that sharing with others is rewarding, suggesting a proximal mechanism of humans’ extraordinary tendency to engage in prosocial behavior. The current study explored the cognitive basis of the relation between generosity and happiness early in ontogeny. We demonstrate that preschool children understand the relation between generosity and happiness. Moreover, our results show that children's emotion ratings are predictive for their subsequent sharing behavior. This finding provides evidence for the theoretical claim that prosocial behavior may be related to the anticipation of positive feelings, and that this mechanism may explain early instances of generosity in preschool children.
N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antibodies encephalitis mimicking an autistic regression
Authors: Hacohen Yael , Wright Sukhvir , Gadian Jonathan , Vincent Angela , Lim Ming , Wassmer Evangeline , Lin Jean‐Pierre
Published: June 2016

Expressive dysphasia and mutism are common clinical features in children and adults with N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor antibodies (NMDAR‐Ab) encephalitis, and are likely to result from NMDAR hypofunction. A prodromal loss of social and communication skills can typify that of an autistic regression, particularly when presenting under the age of 3 years. Here we describe two toddlers who presented with developmental regression, particularly of their social communication skills, mimicking an autistic regression, who were found to have NMDAR‐Ab in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Although both patients had some other neurological features, they were subtle, which resulted in delayed diagnosis of NMDAR‐Ab encephalitis. Importantly, immunotherapy was beneficial in both patients, with significant improvement of their language skills and behaviour.
Building an alternative economic network? Consumer cooperation in Scotland from the 1870s to the 1960s†
Authors: Watts D. C. H.
Published: June 2016

There is growing interest in the ways in which, and the values according to which, economic activity is undertaken. For instance, mutual ownership has been identified as one means of helping to ‘redeem’ capitalism. This article engages with such issues by examining aspects of the behaviour of consumer cooperative societies in Scotland from the 1870s to the 1960s. It starts by discussing whether cooperatives represent a means of conceptualizing and undertaking economic activity that provides an alternative to the paradigm of investor‐led (neo)liberal capitalism. From this, and an outline history of consumer cooperatives in Scotland, it identifies two variables—dividend on purchases and funds for education—as proxies for the values underpinning cooperatives’ economic behaviour. Analysis of these variables indicates the existence of distinct cultures of cooperation, notably in the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas. The article concludes by offering two ‘lessons from history’ for those interested in alternative economic networks. The first is that cooperation can, and has, conceptualized and sustained an alternative to the dominant (neo)liberal economic paradigm. The second is that the scaling‐up of such voluntaristic economic thought and behaviour is unlikely to present a macro‐level challenge to it.
Vocal Cues to Identity: Pied Babblers Produce Individually Distinct But Not Stable Loud Calls
Authors: Humphries David J. , Finch Fiona M. , Bell Matthew B. V. , Ridley Amanda R.
Published: June 2016

The ability to identify social partners can play a key role in the coordination of social behaviours in group‐living animals. Coordinating social behaviours over long distances becomes problematic, as cues to identity are often limited to one or two sensory modalities. This limitation can often select for strong individuality in those cues used for long‐distance communication. Pied babblers, Turdoides bicolor, produce a number of different types of ‘loud calls’ which are frequently used to signal to individuals beyond the range of visual or olfactory pathways of communication. Here, we show that three of these ‘loud call’ types, the v‐shaped chatter, the double note ascending chatter and the atonal chatter, are each individually distinct. We hypothesise that individuality in the three loud call types tested here may represent a possible pathway to social recognition in this species that may have important consequences for social interactions. However, we also found that the atonal chatter was unstable between years suggesting that this particular call type may not be a reliable long‐term indicator to identity which may affect long‐term recognition in this species.
Species and functional diversity accumulate differently in mammals
Authors: Oliveira Brunno F. , Machac Antonin , Costa Gabriel C. , Brooks Thomas M. , Davidson Ana D. , Rondinini Carlo , Graham Catherine H.
Published: June 2016

Aim

Whether the gradients of global diversity conform to equilibrium or non‐equilibrium dynamics remains an unresolved question in ecology and evolution. Here, we evaluate four prominent hypotheses which invoke either equilibrium (more individuals, niche diversity) or non‐equilibrium dynamics (diversification rate, evolutionary time) to explain species richness and functional diversity of mammals worldwide.

Location

Global.

Methods

We combine structural equation modelling with simulations to examine whether species richness and functional diversity are in equilibrium with environmental conditions (climate, productivity) or whether they vary with non‐equilibrium factors (diversification rates, evolutionary time). We use the newest and most inclusive phylogenetic, distributional and trait data for mammals.

Results

We find that species richness and functional diversity are decoupled across multiple regions of the world. While species richness correlates closely with environmental conditions, functional diversity depends mostly on non‐equilibrium factors (evolutionary time to overcome niche conservatism). Moreover, functional diversity plateaus with species richness, such that species‐rich regions (especially the Neotropics) host many species that are apparently functionally redundant.

Main conclusions

We conclude that species richness depends on environmental factors while functional diversity depends on the evolutionary history of the region. Our work further challenges the classic notion that highly productive regions host more species because they offer a great diversity of ecological niches. Instead, they suggest that productive regions offer more resources, which allow more individuals, populations and species to coexist within a region, even when the species are apparently functionally redundant (the more individuals hypothesis). Together these findings demonstrate how ecological (the total amount of resources) and evolutionary factors (time to overcome niche conservatism) might have interacted to generate the striking diversity of mammals and their life histories.
Headache Induced by Fibrous Dysplasia of the Sphenoid Sinus: A Case Report
Authors: Min Hyun Jin , Kim Kyung Soo
Published: June 2016

Although is a rare disease entity and it is not enough to know about the causal relationship between fibrous dysplasia (FD) of the sphenoid sinus and headache, we should keep in mind the headache is the most common symptom among wide spectrum of potential symptoms in craniofacial FD.
Elucidation of the Metabolic Network of Helicobacter pylori J99 and Malaysian Clinical Strains by Phenotype Microarray
Authors: Lee Woon Ching , Goh Khean Lee , Loke Mun Fai , Vadivelu Jamuna
Published: June 2016

Background

Helicobacter pylori colonizes almost half of the human population worldwide. H. pylori strains are genetically diverse, and the specific genotypes are associated with various clinical manifestations including gastric adenocarcinoma, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD). However, our current knowledge of the H. pylori metabolism is limited. To understand the metabolic differences among H. pylori strains, we investigated four Malaysian H. pylori clinical strains, which had been previously sequenced, and a standard strain, H. pylori J99, at the phenotypic level.

Materials and Methods

The phenotypes of the H. pylori strains were profiled using the Biolog Phenotype Microarray system to corroborate genomic data. We initiated the analyses by predicting carbon and nitrogen metabolic pathways from the H. pylori genomic data from the KEGG database. Biolog PM aided the validation of the prediction and provided a more intensive analysis of the H. pylori phenomes.

Results

We have identified a core set of metabolic nutrient sources that was utilized by all strains tested and another set that was differentially utilized by only the local strains. Pentose sugars are the preferred carbon nutrients utilized by H. pylori. The amino acids l‐aspartic acid, d‐alanine, and l‐asparagine serve as both carbon and nitrogen sources in the metabolism of the bacterium.

Conclusion

The phenotypic profile based on this study provides a better understanding on the survival of H. pylori in its natural host. Our data serve as a foundation for future challenges in correlating interstrain metabolic differences in H. pylori.
Isolated Archosaur teeth from the green sandstone capping the Coralline Limestone (Bagh Group) of the Narmada valley: Evidence for the presence of pre‐Late to Late Maastrichtian abelisaurids in India
Authors: Prasad Guntupalli V.R. , Verma Vishal , Grover Pooja , Priyadarshini Rajkumari , Sahni Ashok , Lourembam Ranjit S.
Published: June 2016

Recent field prospecting in the Cretaceous sequences of the lower Narmada valley has led to the discovery of three isolated archosaur teeth from the upper part of marine Cretaceous rocks of the Bagh Group. The specimens were recovered by surface prospecting from an oyster‐bearing green sandstone bed occurring at the top of the Coralline Limestone (Coniacian) from a site near Phutibawri village, Dhar District, Madhya Pradesh, India. Of the three teeth recovered from this horizon, two are identified with abelisaurid dinosaurs and the third one with an indeterminate crocodile. The abelisaurid teeth conform to the premaxillary and maxillary tooth morphology of Majungasaurus and Indosuchus. Earlier reports of abelisaurid dinosaurs from India are from the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Lameta Group of Jabalpur, Pisdura (Central India) and Balasinor (Western India) and Upper Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian) Kallamedu Formation (South India). As no associated age diagnostic fossils are found, the specimens described here are considered to represent pre‐Late to Late Maastrichtian age based on the known ages of the underlying and overlying formations. The new finds, therefore, document stratigraphically the oldest occurrence of abelisaurid dinosaurs known from the Indian subcontinent.