bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Tracking of Distal Inflammatory Changes following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) in rats
Authors: Gillham SB , Figueroa JD , Bartnik B
Published: June 2016

Sensorimotor disturbances continue to represent one of the most debilitating and widely reported complications in patients suffering mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI). Loss of peripheral neuronal function at sites distal and disconnected to the central nervous control central centers is well documented. Distal muscular atrophy, complex regional pain symptoms, and poor wound healing are just a few of the many complications with often more severe secondary complications such decubitus ulcers and osteomyelitis seen at sites in the body distal to the center of injury. MRI has been widely established as a diagnostic and therapeutic planning tool in patients and animal models with neuronal disease. However, studies investigating the neural correlates of spinal cord changes after TBI are lacking. Here, we used T2 MR imaging to determine the effects of mTBI on the morphology and inflammatory changes of the spinal cord. We hypothesize that rats receiving mTBI utilizing a controlled cortical impact (CCI) contusion will demonstrate T2 signal changes at distal locomotor centers in the spine. Experimental mTBI and sham groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were used (n = 2 sham and 4 experimental). A mild CCI was applied to the right brain cortex. Rats were sacrificed at 60 days post injury and spinal cords harvested for ex vivo MRI T2 analysis. Focal areas/lesions of increased T2 hyperintensity were noted in mTBI injured rats (n = 4).

Experimental group of rats also demonstrated secondary spinal cord locomotor and sensation adverse effects clinically. MR imaging showed volumetric reductions and T2 signal changes in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar segments of the spinal cord at 8 weeks’ post-injury. T2 intensity values were elevated in all experimental groups in comparison to the sham group within the distal cord, suggesting that remote CCI causes secondary spinal cord inflammation and neurodegeneration at distant sites. These findings also further support the idea that the most peripheral nerves and spinal cord will be most negatively affected by a TBI. While our research is in its preliminary stages, our results further confirm that mTBI has more far reaching effects than previously understood. T2 MRI is an effective tool to assess the extent of spinal cord injury related to antecedent TBI.
Examining the effects of patient characteristics and prior value needs on the patient-doctor encounter process in healthcare service delivery
Authors: Osei-Frimpong Kofi
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Considering the increasing conceptualization of value creation, this paper aims to empirically examine the influence of pre-encounter value needs of patients on the clinical encounter process and how this impacts on their perceived experiential value, and contributes to the patient’s role in value creation in healthcare service delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

A model is proposed to suggest the antecedent and consequences of key elements of the patient–doctor encounter process. Following survey design approach, data collected from 332 outpatients from two clinics in Accra, Ghana, are examined through structural equation modeling using AMOS 23.0.

Findings

The findings reveal that patient pre-encounter value needs significantly influence key elements of the patient–doctor encounter process (care delivery approach, level of trust and shared-decision making approach). This in turn affects patient’s perceived experiential value and satisfaction evaluation. The results also suggest that patient characteristics (e.g. educational background and frequency of visit) had no significant effect on the encounter process leading to perceived experiential value; however, patient’s age had significant influence on the encounter process.

Research limitations/implications

This study empirically establishes a need to understand patient’s pre-encounter value needs, which fundamentally influence the patient-doctor encounter process and their perceived experiential value. However, the research only focused on the patient, which could limit the findings considering the multi-actors involved in the service delivery.

Practical implications

Creating value with patients suggests a need for providers to understand patient value needs or goals and adopt an approach to engage in a holistic manner that would result in positive experiences. This would empower and increase confidence of patients in consultations.

Originality/value

Using a quantitative research approach, this research engages in a highly focused investigation of the influence of patient’s pre-encounter value needs on key elements of the patient–doctor encounter process, which has received limited attention in the extant literature. The study also furthers our understanding of the effects of fundamental patient characteristics on encounter process and how this influence actor perceived experiential value.
A workplace intervention designed to interrupt prolonged occupational sitting
Authors: Mainsbridge Casey P. , Cooley Dean , Fraser Sharon P , Pedersen Scott J
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of a workplace intervention designed to interrupt prolonged occupational sitting time (POST) and its impact on the self-reported health of a cohort of desk-based employees.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 43 participants received an interactive computer-based software intervention for 26 weeks. For the first 13 weeks the intervention passively prompted the participants to interrupt POST and perform brief bouts of non-purposeful movement. The second 13 weeks involved the passivity of the intervention being removed, with the intervention only accessible voluntarily by the participant. This approach was adopted to determine the sustainability of the intervention to change workplace health behaviour.

Findings

– ANOVA results revealed a significant interaction between group and test occasion, F(2, 42)=2.79, p
<
0.05, such that the experimental group increased their total health from pre-test to post-test (13 weeks), and to second post-test (26 weeks) with a medium effect size of Cohen’s d=0.37.

Research limitations/implications

– An action research approach was implemented for this study, and hence the participants were organised into one group. Based on a communitarian model, the intervention aimed to monitor how desk-based employees adapted to specific health behaviours, and therefore a control group was not included.

Practical implications

– Passively prompting desk-based employees to interrupt POST and perform non-purposeful movement at work improved self-reported health. Participant perceptions of health were maintained following the removal of the passive feature of the intervention.

Social implications

– Interventions predicated on a social ecological model that modify how employees interact with the workplace environment might provide a framework for health behaviour change in populations where sitting is customary.

Originality/value

– The passive approach used in this study removed the individual decision-making process to engage in health behaviour change, and established a sustainable effect on participant health.
The role of senior managers’ use of performance measures in the relationship between decentralization and organizational performance
Authors: Bangchokdee Sirilak , Mia Lokman
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the role of senior managers’ use of financial and non-financial performance measures in the relationship between decentralization and organizational performance in the hotel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a mailed questionnaire. General Managers in charge of medium-to-large hotels in Thailand completed the questionnaire. In total, 131 general managers, one from each hotel, participated in the study. Path analysis technique was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that the general managers’ use of financial and non-financial performance measures fully mediates the relationship between the extent of decentralization of decision-making and hotel performance. The results reveal that the decentralization of decision-making alone is not enough to help a hotel improve its performance. Indeed, the relationship between decentralization of decision-making and hotel performance exists only via the general manager’s use of the performance measures. It is contended that a general manager’s use of the performance measures in a hotel encourages department managers to make appropriate decisions to successfully improve their department’s performance which, in turn, leads to increased performance of the hotel.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence indicating how senior managers in hotels with decentralized decision-making could use performance measures to better manage their hotels, thereby improving the hotel’s performance. An in-depth analysis of the data reveals that the senior manager’s use of the non-financial, and not the financial, performance measures is a mediator of the relationship between decentralization of decision-making and hotel performance.
Collective identity, institutional logic and environmental management accounting change
Authors: Järvenpää Marko , Länsiluoto Aapo
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how collective identity and institutional logic affect the design and use of an environmental performance measurement system.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a qualitative case study with abductive theorizing and empirical data obtained through semi-structured interviews, observation and document analysis.

Findings

The new environmental measures were reshaped by aligning them with the existing and dominant collective identity in the case organization – in other words, cost savings and profitability. Moreover, the institutional logic forced the environmental measures to remain as non-strategic and non-bonus criteria in favour of traditional financial measures.

Originality/value

Thornton and Ocasio’s (2008) institutional logic is applied and its potential for analyzing change in environmental accounting is shown. The paper illustrates how collective identity and institutional logic are important mechanisms reshaping environmental performance measurement design and use, when the existing collective identity is reproduced.
Mall brand meaning: an experiential branding perspective
Authors: Merrilees Bill , Miller Dale , Shao Wei
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine mall consumer brand meaning through understanding consumer brand associations of shopping malls.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on the literature, a quantitative methodology is applied. A large sample (n = 755) of an Australian shopping mall is surveyed, and the data are analysed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The first set of findings is that mall atmosphere and mall merchandise are the main determinants of consumer mall satisfaction. In turn, consumer mall satisfaction and mall merchandise are the main determinants of consumer mall brand attitudes.

Research limitations/implications

The study is the first known study to measure consumer-based mall brand meaning quantitatively. This discovery gives a more holistic understanding of the mall brand. Additionally, the study highlights that mall branding is essentially experiential branding.

Practical implications

The study provides sound guidance for mall managers by suggesting priorities in shaping the mall brand, the emphasis on mall atmosphere and the criticality of tenant mix. Some malls spend hundreds of millions of dollars on refurbishments, enhancing mall atmosphere, consistent with the emphasis of this paper.

Social implications

More effective experiential branding could influence community well-being.

Originality/value

This original research pioneers the discovery of customer-based mall brand meaning. Additionally, the study adds to the experiential branding literature. Sensory experiences are not sufficient to examine brand experiences; additionally, the core product (mall merchandise in our context) enhances the total (mall) brand experience.
Surprise! We changed the logo
Authors: Grobert Julien , Cuny Caroline , Fornerino Marianela
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of brand attachment and familiarity on perceived congruence between the logo and the brand. It explores the role of an under-researched factor, surprise, on perceived congruence in the case of a radical logo change.

Design/methodology/approach

A study was conducted with 220 students following a university logo change. Perceived congruence between the logos (old and new) and the school brand values was measured for two kinds of students, current and future (i.e. applicants).

Findings

Results show the importance of surprise in the acceptance of a logo change. Brand familiarity and brand attachment affect surprise in opposite ways, such that higher familiarity increases negative surprise, whereas higher attachment enhances positive surprise.

Research limitations/implications

This research used a school logo. Because schools represent a particular type of company, brand attachment to another type of brand could be different. The current model needs to be tested in different contexts.

Practical implications

Companies must pay special attention when communicating with their most attached consumers. In particular, companies that aim to change their logos must prepare for the change by relying on communications that can lead to positive surprise.

Originality/value

This study was conducted in a real context of logo change. It is the first study to focus on the link among familiarity, attachment and surprise when a radical logo change takes place within a company.
Internal branding and sustainability: investigating perceptions of employees
Authors: Biedenbach Galina , Manzhynski Siarhei
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate perceptual differences between employees characterized by various levels of internal brand commitment and sustainability importance. The identified clusters of employees are compared considering the main determinants of internal brand commitment and their evaluations of a company’s sustainability performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted among employees of industrial companies operating in Belarus. Two hundred thirty-eight responses were analyzed by using the K-means cluster analysis. The analysis of variance was applied for evaluating differences between the three identified clusters.

Findings

Based on internal brand commitment and sustainability importance, the paper identifies three alternative clusters of employees: uncommitted sustainability laggards, committed sustainability followers and committed sustainability leaders. The results show that the three clusters differ in regard to the main determinants of internal brand commitment, which are brand orientation, internal brand knowledge and internal brand involvement. The findings demonstrate significant perceptual differences between the three clusters regarding their evaluations of a company’s sustainability performance. The assessment of sustainability performance focuses on sustainability objectives, sustainability policies and sustainability decision-making and disclosure.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted in the context of a transition economy. Future studies are recommended to develop a cross-cultural comparison of relationships between employees’ perceptions about sustainability performance, different determinants and the outcomes of internal brand commitment.

Originality/value

The paper makes a theoretical contribution to research on internal branding and sustainability by examining the potential interrelationships between internal branding strategies and sustainability performance.
Learning in the service environment: the influence of diversity climate
Authors: Guchait Priyanko , Madera Juan , Dawson Mary
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how diversity climate in service organizations influence employee learning behavior. Additionally, the study examined the mediating effects of psychological safety and communication satisfaction between diversity climate and learning behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from 128 hotel and lodging managers by administering survey questionnaires. The dual mediational model was tested using the mediation test suggested by Preacher and Hayes (2008).

Findings

– Results indicated that when managers perceived a positive diversity climate they also reported high engagement in learning behavior. Additionally, the study found the mediating effects of psychological safety and communication satisfaction.

Originality/value

– The importance of learning behavior has been noted by researchers and practitioners because of its influence on service performance. Learning behavior is especially important in complex, error prone, and fast changing businesses like the services industry. This research contributes to the existing body of research by examining the influence of diversity climate on learning behavior, which has not been investigated empirically in the literature. The current research not only makes a significant contribution to the learning and diversity literature, but also informs practitioners how learning behavior can be increased and how diversity climate can be created in within service organizations, in particularly hospitality.
Managing knowledge to create customer service value
Authors: Martelo-Landroguez Silvia , Martin-Ruiz David
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the services management literature by identifying a sequence of the different processes of knowledge management (KM) to create customer service value.

Design/methodology/approach

– The context for the research hypotheses is the Spanish banking industry. The authors conducted a study including 76 banks and 1,832 customers of these banks. This paper uses the partial least squares method to conduct the data analysis.

Findings

– The authors find support for all the hypotheses proposed in the model. The results show that service firms that are able to apply more knowledge or apply knowledge more effectively are likely to generate more benefits for their customers, and/or reduce their sacrifices, contributing significantly to a higher perception of service value.

Research limitations/implications

– The study focusses on one particular industry in a single point in time. A longitudinal analysis of a variety of service industries would enrich the study.

Practical implications

– It is argued that KM constitutes a key capability for service firms for the delivery of service value. According to the research, if service firms want to improve the application of knowledge, it is important to focus on knowledge retention while they create new knowledge.

Originality/value

– Although a considerable amount of research has been carried out in the fields of KM and customer value, there has been less research that has taken both into consideration simultaneously. This paper addresses this gap in the literature.
What drives the intention to complain?
Authors: Lervik-Olsen Line , Andreassen Tor Wallin , Streukens Sandra
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the decision process behind whether customers complain, and to identify the effects of the situational factor credence quality in this decision process.

Design/methodology/approach

– A quasi-experimental design is used in which scenarios are applied in combination with a survey to test and to compare the model and its boundary conditions with existing consumer behavior models.

Findings

– The mental-accounting process (theory of trying to complain (TTC)) seems to be a stronger predictor than mere attitude models (theory of planned behavior) when trying to explain intention to complain. Second, anticipated justice from complaint handling is a strong driver of intention to complain. Third, in both models, subjective norms are a strong predictor of intention to complain.

Practical implications

– This study contributes to both theory and practice by extending existing theory and offering the TTC, and by providing practical insight for service managers.

Originality/value

– To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the current study is the first to compare systematically two complaint approaches explaining complaint intention: the attitude model and the mental-accounting model.
Under-over benefitting perceptions and evaluation of services
Authors: Martínez-Tur Vicente , Estreder Yolanda , Moliner Carolina , Sánchez-Hernández Rosa María , Peiró José Mª
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– In the context of service exchanges, the purpose of this paper is to examine the form of the link from under-benefitting (customers receive less than they invest) vs over-benefitting (customers receive more than they invest) perceptions to customer service evaluations. The authors assess three competing hypotheses: maximization, fairness, and the asymmetric hypotheses.

Design/methodology/approach

– Linear and nonlinear relationships between under-over benefitting perceptions and service evaluations are examined following a test-retest approach. These relationships are investigated in four samples from two survey studies: hotels (Time 1,n=591; Time 2,n=512) and restaurants (Time 1,n=536; Time 2,n=473).

Findings

– Results confirmed the existence of asymmetrical curvilinear relationships. Service evaluations improve sharply when perceptions move from under-benefitting perceptions to balanced situations. However, service evaluations do not improve in high over-benefitting situations.

Practical implications

– The design of employee tasks and services should avoid both under-benefitting perceptions and a disproportionate maximization of customer benefits.

Originality/value

– Previous research studies have investigated these types of relationships by computing linear relationships or comparing different groups of customers. The current research tests the link from under-over benefitting perceptions to customer service evaluations by also considering nonlinear relationships. This approach supports an asymmetrical curvilinear relationship that captures the complexity of service exchanges.
An investigation of characteristics affecting employment outcomes and patterns of real estate graduates
Authors: Poon Joanna
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive picture of characteristics affecting the employment outcomes and patterns for real estate graduates in Australia. Furthermore, this paper benchmarks the characteristics affecting employment prospects of real estate graduates against those of built environment graduates.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data used in this paper were collected by the Australian Graduate Survey (AGS). Dimensionality reduction was used to prepare the dataset for the courses listed in the AGS data, in order to develop the simplified classifications of courses used to conduct the analysis in this paper. Dimensionality reduction was also used to prepare the dataset for the analysis of the employment outcomes and patterns for real estate and built environment graduates. Descriptive and statistical analysis methods were used to identify the difference in characteristics, such as gender, age, attendance type, mode of study, degree levels and English proficiency, for real estate and built environment graduates, the level of the influence of these characteristics on their employment outcomes and patterns and the statistical relationship between individual characteristics and employment outcomes as well as employment patterns of the graduates.

Findings

– English proficiency was found to be an important factor for real estate and built environment graduates for securing employment and it has a statistically significant impact on the employment outcomes and patterns for the graduates. Despite the fact that age and attendance type have no statistical impact on employment outcomes for real estate and built environment graduates, they were found to have statistical significant impact on their employment patterns.

Originality/value

– This is pioneering research which used official government data, such as AGS data, to provide a reliable and thorough picture of the employment outcomes and patterns for real estate and built environment graduates.
Small scale housing unit developments
Authors: Altmann Erika
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– Some multi-owned housing developments do not appoint an external strata manager. The purpose of this paper is to highlight how governance is negotiated when there is no strata manager in place.

Design/methodology/approach

– A semi structured interview was conducted as a case study to contrast and highlight issues that occur where no strata manager is in place.

Findings

– The lack of a manager presented particular difficulties when negotiating outcomes. A market gap is identified highlighting implications for how strata managers may increase future market penetration.

Research limitations/implications

– The number and spatial occurrence of strata titled complexes operating without a formal governance structure in situ is not known. Further research needs to be undertaken in this area.

Practical implications

– The resilience of Australia’s densification policies is dependent on how owners perceive and adjust to additional layers of governance. Difficulties arise for the individual and the scheme as a whole where no formal mechanism is operational.

Social implications

– As cities become more dense, multi-owned property is increasing. Where governance mechanisms fail, or fail to be implemented, sound governance outcomes may be problematic.

Originality/value

– The issue of multi-owned property operating without or outside a governance structure has not previously been considered.
Building better HR departments
Authors: Ingham Jon , Ulrich Dave
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide answers to four questions on building a better human resources (HR) department: why?, who?, what? and how?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the accumulated experience of the co-authors.

Findings

The paper finds that better HR departments create better organizations and will often do this by enabling better relationships between the people working in them. Developing the right relationships is also an increasingly important part of creating an effective HR organization.

Research limitations/implications

Much attention has been spent on developing HR professionals. The authors also want to make HR departments better. This paper steers future research on HR effectiveness in this direction.

Practical implications

Senior HR leaders charged with improving their HR department may do so with the roadmap offered by the authors.

Originality/value

For businesses to receive full value from HR, it is very important to upgrade the quality of HR professionals. It is even more important to upgrade HR departments. This paper suggests how this can be done.
New Estimates of Intergenerational Mobility in Australia
Authors: Mendolia Silvia , Siminski Peter
Published: June 2016

We present new estimates of intergenerational earnings elasticity for Australia. We closely follow the methodology used by Leigh [BE Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, 7 (2007) 1], but use considerably more data (12 waves of HILDA and four waves of PSID). Our adjusted estimates are intended to be comparable to those for other countries in Corak [Journal of Economic Perspectives, 27 (2013) 79]. Our preferred estimate (0.35) is considerably higher than implied by Leigh's study, and is less subject to sampling variation. In an international context, intergenerational mobility in Australia is not particularly high, and is consistent with its relatively high level of cross‐sectional inequality.
‘PrEP is not ready for our community, and our community is not ready for PrEP’: pre‐exposure prophylaxis for HIV for people who inject drugs and limits to the HIV prevention response
Authors: Guise Andy , Albers Eliot Ross , Strathdee Steffanie A.
Published: June 2016

Background and aims

Pre‐exposure prophylaxis for HIV, or ‘PrEP’, is the use of antiretroviral medicines by people who are HIV‐negative to protect themselves against acquiring HIV. PrEP has shown efficacy for preventing HIV acquisition. Despite the potential, many concerns have been voiced by people who inject drugs (PWID) and their organizations. There is a need to engage with these views and ensure their integration in to policy and strategy. This paper presents PWID views on PrEP to foster the uptake of these opinions into scientific and policy debate around PrEP

Methods

Critical analysis of a report of a community consultation led by the International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD).

Results

The INPUD report highlights enthusiasm from PWID for PrEP, but also three main concerns: the feasibility and ethics of PrEP, its potential use as a substitute for other harm reduction strategies and how a focus on PrEP heralds a re‐medicalization of HIV. Each concern relates to evidenced gaps in essential services or opposition to harm reduction and PWID human rights.

Conclusions

People who use drugs have fundamental concerns about the potential impacts of pre‐exposure prophylaxis for HIV which reflect a ‘fault line’ in HIV prevention: a predominance of biomedical approaches over community perspectives. Greater community engagement in HIV prevention strategy is needed, or we risk continuing to ignore the need for action on the underlying structural drivers and social context of the HIV epidemic.
Use of new imaging in detecting and monitoring ocular manifestations of the mucopolysaccharidoses
Authors: Javed Ahmed , Aslam Tariq , Ashworth Jane
Published: June 2016

The aim of this review is to summate the eye involvement in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) using current ocular imaging techniques, their advantages and disadvantages and how they may aid diagnosis, management and monitoring. We critically reviewed the current literature surrounding MPS and recent imaging technology as well as histology. Primary searches of PubMed and Web of Science were performed. We reviewed all papers on the topic published and summarized the findings of each medical device as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using these for the MPS patient. We discussed the potential of each of these devices to monitor potential ocular pathology in the MPS cohorts in the order of MPS subtype. We reviewed imaging techniques involving use of the Iris Camera, Pentacam, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) as well as ultrasound and Heidelberg OCT. The need for reliable objective quantification of eye findings in MPS has led to utilization of new imaging technologies described here, and future use will enhance our understanding of the unique eye features in MPS. In particular, we note that the Pentacam and iris camera are able to provide objective measurements of corneal haze and monitor ocular response to treatment.
Long noncoding RNA PVT1 promotes cervical cancer progression through epigenetically silencing miR‐200b
Authors: Zhang Shaorong , Zhang Guanli , Liu Jingying
Published: June 2016

Long noncoding RNA PVT1 has been reported to be dysregulated and play vital roles in a variety of cancers. However, the functions and molecular mechanisms of PVT1 in cervical cancer remain unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression, clinical significance, biological roles, and underlying functional mechanisms of PVT1 in cervical cancer. Our results revealed that PVT1 is upregulated in cervical cancer tissues. Enhanced expression of PVT1 is associated with larger tumor size, advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, and poor prognosis of cervical cancer patients. Using gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function approaches, we demonstrated that overexpression of PVT1 promotes cervical cancer cells proliferation, cell cycle progression and migration, and depletion of PVT1 inhibits cervical cancer cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and migration. Mechanistically, we verified that PVT1 binds to EZH2, recruits EZH2 to the miR‐200b promoter, increases histone H3K27 trimethylation level on the miR‐200b promoter, and inhibits miR‐200b expression. Furthermore, the effects of PVT1 on cervical cell proliferation and migration depend upon silencing of miR‐200b. Taken together, our findings confirmed that PVT1 functions as an oncogene in cervical cancer and indicated that PVT1 is not only an important prognostic marker, but also a potential therapy target for cervical cancer.
Design, synthesis, and structure–activity relationship studies of novel pleuromutilin derivatives having a piperazine ring
Authors: Luo Jian , Yang Qiu‐E , Yang Yuan‐Yuan , Tang You‐Zhi , Liu Ya‐Hong
Published: June 2016

A series of novel pleuromutilin derivatives possessing piperazine moieties were synthesized under mild conditions. The in vitro antibacterial activities of these derivatives against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were tested by the agar dilution method. Structure–activity relationship studies resulted in compounds 11b, 13b, and 14a with the most potent in vitro antibacterial activity among the series (minimal inhibitory concentration = 0.0625–0.125 μg/mL). The binding of compounds 11b, 13b, and 14a to the E. coli ribosome was investigated by molecular modeling, and it was found that there is a reasonable correlation between the binding free energy and the antibacterial activity.
Maintaining weight loss after bariatric surgery: when the spectator role is no longer enough
Authors: Jones L. , Cleator J. , Yorke J.
Published: June 2016

Bariatric (weight loss) surgery is the gold standard treatment for severe obesity. Concern exists that patients are regaining weight in the longer term. Success and cost‐effectiveness of surgery are threatened due to the re‐emergence of related conditions such as diabetes. This exploratory qualitative study investigates patients’ expectations and experiences of weight regain (WR) 2 years or more after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Ten participants (two men and eight women) who experienced WR were interviewed between 2 and 6 years following surgery. Findings highlight that participants reacted to initial weight loss as passive spectators and were unprepared for subsequent WR. Their tolerability of WR reduced as the amount of regain increased, suggesting a ‘line of tolerance’ for WR. WR was influenced by a new vulnerability arising from weight loss over time, and participants struggled to manage their own weight actively as surgical effects waned. They considered self‐management skills, and carer and professional support to be limited at the time when WR was most likely to occur. Degrees of tolerability are noted in individuals regaining weight after RYGB. More studies are needed to further understand these problems. Pre‐ and post‐operative support and teaching patients self‐management skills may be helpful to minimize WR.
Tissue culture on a chip: Developmental biology applications of self‐organized capillary networks in microfluidic devices
Authors: Miura Takashi , Yokokawa Ryuji
Published: June 2016

Organ culture systems are used to elucidate the mechanisms of pattern formation in developmental biology. Various organ culture techniques have been used, but the lack of microcirculation in such cultures impedes the long‐term maintenance of larger tissues. Recent advances in microfluidic devices now enable us to utilize self‐organized perfusable capillary networks in organ cultures. In this review, we will overview past approaches to organ culture and current technical advances in microfluidic devices, and discuss possible applications of microfluidics towards the study of developmental biology.
Educating medical students in oral health care: current curriculum and future needs of institutions in Malaysia and Australia
Authors: Ahmad M. S. , Abuzar M. A. , Razak I. A. , Rahman S. A. , Borromeo G. L.
Published: June 2016

Poor oral health has been associated with compromised general health and quality of life. To promote comprehensive patient management, the role of medical professionals in oral health maintenance is compelling, thus indicating the need for educational preparation in this area of practice. This study aimed to determine the extent of training in oral health in Malaysian and Australian medical schools. An audio‐recorded semi‐structured phone interview involving Academic Programme Directors in Malaysian (n = 9, response rate=81.8%) and Australian (n = 7, response rate = 35.0%) medical schools was conducted during the 2014/2015 and 2014 academic years, respectively. Qualitative data was analysed via thematic analysis, involving coding and grouping into emerging themes. Quantitative data were measured for frequencies. It was found that medical schools in Malaysia and Australia offered limited teaching of various oral health‐related components that were mostly integrated throughout the curriculum, in the absence of structured learning objectives, teaching methodologies and assessment approaches. Barriers to providing oral health education included having insufficient expertise and overloaded curriculum. As medical educators demonstrated support for oral health education, collaboration amongst various stakeholders is integral to developing a well‐structured curriculum and practice guidelines on oral health management involving medical professionals.
The pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), a new threat to Israel's agriculture and horticulture
Authors: Spodek M. , Watson G. W. , Mendel Z.
Published: June 2016

The invasive mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) is reported in Israel for the first time. This damaging mealybug was detected in two locations in Northern Israel on various ornamental plants. Its principal parasitoids, Anagyrus kamali Moursi and Gyranusoidea indica Shafee (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), were both recovered from the collected samples. Maconellicoccus hirsutus is highly polyphagous but particularly thrives on members of the plant families Fabaceae, Malvaceae and Moraceae.
Daytime warming lowers community temporal stability by reducing the abundance of dominant, stable species
Authors: Yang Zhongling , Zhang Qian , Su Fanglong , Zhang Chunhui , Pu Zhichao , Xia Jianyang , Wan Shiqiang , Jiang Lin
Published: June 2016

Daytime warming and nighttime warming have the potential to influence plant community structure and ecosystem functions. However, their impacts on ecological stability remain largely unexplored. We conducted an eight‐year field experiment to compare the effects of daytime and nighttime warming on the temporal stability of a temperate steppe in northern China. Our results showed that the cover and stability of dominant species, stability of subordinate species, and compensatory dynamics among species strongly influenced community‐level stability. However, daytime, but not nighttime, warming significantly reduced community temporal stability mainly through the reduction in the abundance of dominant, stable species. These findings demonstrate the differential effects of daytime and nighttime warming on community stability and emphasize the importance of understanding the changes of dominant species for accurately predicting community dynamics under climate warming.
Characterization of a novel HLA‐B*40 allele, HLA‐B*40:186:02, by cloning and sequencing
Authors: Wang W. Y. , Zhang W. , Cai J. H. , Zhu F. M. , Tian W.
Published: June 2016

A novel HLA‐B*40 variant, HLA‐B*40:186:02, has been identified by cloning and sequencing in a southern Chinese Han population. Aligned with HLA‐B*40:01:01, HLA‐B*40:186:02 has a nonsynonymous cytosine mutation at nucleotide position 165 in exon 2, leading to amino acid change from glycine to arginine at codon 56. It differs from HLA‐B*40:186:01 by a synonymous change (adenine to cytosine) at position 165 in exon 2.
A novel HLA‐B allele, HLA‐B*35:279, identified by sequencing‐based typing in a Czech patient
Authors: Mrazek F. , Onderkova J. , Königova N. , Siffnerova V. , Vrana M. , Ambruzova Z. , Skoumalova I. , Petrek M. , Raida L.
Published: June 2016

The identification of a novel HLA‐B*35:279 allele in a Czech patient is described. This allele is identical to the B*35:03:01 variant except the G/A nucleotide exchange at position 652 of the HLA‐B gene that corresponds to the amino acid substitution from valine to isoleucine in alpha 3 domain of the HLA‐B antigen.
ICT and Intellectual Disability: A Survey of Organizational Support at the Municipal Level in Sweden
Authors: Ramsten Camilla , Marmstål Hammar Lena , Martin Lene , Göransson Kerstin
Published: June 2016

Background

Young adults today have grown up in a society where information and communication technology (ICT) support empowerment and social participation. Young adults with mild‐to‐moderate intellectual disability are at risk for marginalization by the digital divide. The aim was to map and describe how municipal organizations in Sweden organize support in terms of policy and strategies to enable the use of ICT in social care for adults with a mild‐to‐moderate intellectual disability.

Methods

A quantitative, cross‐sectional survey including all municipalities in Sweden (n = 290) was conducted (response rate: 51%, n = 147). Descriptive statistics were used.

Results

Findings indicate a lack of organizational support for staff as well as for young adults with mild‐to‐moderate intellectual disability.

Conclusion

Municipalities request more knowledge about strategies for making ICT available. Despite the lack of comprehensive strategies for ICT, some Swedish municipalities have taken the initiative in this area.
Gonad morphology of Susan's dwarfgoby Eviota susanae
Authors: Schemmel E. , Cole K.
Published: June 2016

The gonad morphology of a dwarfgoby Eviota susanae was described and compared with other species within the genus. Eviota susanae was found to have a persistent integrated ovotestis form of gonad in which both spermatogenic and oogenic tissue were found interspersed throughout the gonad. This is consistent with previously described species of Eviota, suggesting that gonad morphology is conserved across the genus.
p120‐catenin is necessary for neuroprotection induced by CDK5 silencing in models of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Uribe‐Arias Alejandro , Posada‐Duque Rafael Andrés , González‐Billault Christian , Villegas Andrés , Lopera Francisco , Cardona‐Gómez Gloria Patricia
Published: June 2016

Cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) plays important roles in synaptic function. Its unregulated over‐activation has been, however, associated with neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. Our previous studies revealed that CDK5 silencing ameliorates tauopathy and spatial memory impairment in the 3xTgAD mouse model. However, how CDK5 targeting affects synaptic adhesion proteins, such as those involved in the cadherin/catenin system, during learning and memory processes is not completely understood. In this study, we detected reduced expression of p120 catenin (p120 ctn), N‐cadherin, and β‐catenin in the brain of human Alzheimer's disease patients, in addition to a reduced PSD95 and GluN2B protein levels in a 3xTgAD mouse model. Such decrease in synaptic proteins was recovered by CDK5 silencing in mice leading to a better learning and memory performance. Additionally, CDK5 inhibition or knockout increased p120 ctn levels. Moreover, in a glutamate‐induced excitotoxicity model, CDK5 silencing‐induced neuroprotection depended on p120 ctn. Together, those findings suggest that p120 ctn plays an important role in the neuronal dysfunction of Alzheimer's disease models and contributes to CDK5 silencing‐induced neuroprotection and improvement of memory function.

image

p120ctn is part of the synaptic adhesion molecular complex N‐cadh/p120ctn/B‐ctn/PSD95, and it has a pivotal role in cell adhesion stabilization and dendritic spine modulation. Our data show that synaptic adhesion complex is affected in AD human brains and in AD models. This complex is recovered by the silencing of CDK5, preventing memory dysfunction in an AD mice model and contributing to the neuroprotection in a depend‐mode of p120ctn.
Differences in Pediatric Pain Management by Unit Types
Authors: O'Neal Kelsea , Olds Danielle
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine differences in pediatric pain management by unit type in hospitals across the United States. The aims were to (a) compare unit‐type rates of assessment, intervention, and reassessment (AIR), and (b) describe differences in assessment tools and intervention use by unit type.

Design

The study used a cross‐sectional design. A secondary analysis of 2013 data from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI®) pain AIR cycle indicator was conducted. The sample included 984 pediatric units in 390 hospitals.

Methods

Data were gathered via retrospective chart review on the pain assessment tool used, presence of pain, interventions, and reassessment. Descriptive statistics and the Kruskal‐Wallis one‐way analysis of variance test were conducted. Post‐hoc analyses included the Wilcoxon‐rank sum test with Bonferroni correction.

Findings

Across all units the mean unit‐level percentage of patients assessed for pain was 99.6%. Of those patients assessed, surgical units had the highest average unit‐level percentage of patients with pain, while Level 4 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) had the lowest. The most commonly used assessment tool among all units was the Faces, Legs, Activity, Crying, and Consolability (FLACC) Scale. The Neonatal Pain, Agitation, and Sedation Scale (N‐PASS) and Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) specifically developed for infants were more commonly used across NICU unit types. The mean unit‐level percentage of patients with pain receiving an intervention was 89.4%, and reassessment was 83.6%. Overall, pharmacologic methods were the most common pain intervention, while music was the least common.

Conclusions

Assessments were performed routinely, yet interventions and reassessments were not. Pain AIR cycle completion varied by unit type. Pain was also widely present across many unit types, and pharmacologic methods were most frequently used.

Clinical Relevance

Frontline nurses are instrumental to pain management and have the ability to improve patient care and outcomes by effectively managing pain. A comprehensive understanding of it provides valuable insight into improving our practice to produce the best outcomes for pediatric patients.
Comparing Parents of Children With Down Syndrome at Different Life Span Stages
Authors: Nelson Goff Briana S. , Monk J. Kale , Malone Juliana , Staats Natira , Tanner Allison , Springer Nicole P.
Published: June 2016

The present study explored the experiences of parents of children with Down syndrome at different phases of the life span. Using a mixed‐method design, the current study included 445 participants who were divided into 4 groups based on the age of the child: (a) parents of children under 5 years of age (early childhood), (b) parents of children between 5 and 11 years of age (middle childhood), (c) parents of children between 12 and 18 years of age (adolescence), and (d) parents of children over the age of 18 (chronological adults). Parents reported higher coping strategy scores during the middle childhood and adolescent years than early childhood or later years (adult children). Qualitative data identified key areas that parents across the 4 groups reported, including acceptance of the diagnosis, having a positive attitude, their child's developmental level, and other internal and external factors that contribute to their attitudes and coping.