bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polyphenol intakes and risk of impaired lipid profile, elevated hepatic enzymes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Nikkhah-Bodaghi Mehrnaz , Ghanavati Matin , Hekmatdoost Azita 
Published: March 2019

PurposePolyphenols are plant-derived bioactive compounds with some known hepato-protective effects. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between polyphenol consumption and risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its related conditions such as impaired lipid profile and elevated hepatic enzymes.Design/methodology/approachA total of 196 NAFLD patients and 803 controls were enrolled in this case-control study. Biochemical and anthropometric measurements as well as polyphenol consumption during the previous year were assessed.FindingsIn unadjusted model, participants who consumed the third and fourth quartiles of polyphenols intake were less likely to have NAFLD in comparison to those who consumed the first quartile [odds ratio, OR: 0.48; 95 per cent confidence interval, CI: (0.30-0.77) and OR: 0.62; 95 per cent CI: (0.40-0.96), respectively]. In separate analysis of genders, this effect was seen only in male participants [OR: 0.29; 95 per cent CI: (0.14-0.58) and OR: 0.21; 95 per cent CI (0.10-0.42), respectively], and the association remained significant after adjustment for energy, body mass index, age and smoking.Originality/valueHigher total polyphenol intake is associated with a decreased risk of NAFLD. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.
Factors influencing sustainability reporting by Sri Lankan companies
Authors: Dissanayake Dinithi , Tilt Carol , Qian Wei 
Published: March 2019

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the key company characteristics which influence sustainability reporting by publicly listed companies in Sri Lanka.Design/methodology/approachPanel data analysis is conducted to analyse sustainability reporting of 84 publicly listed companies from 2012 to 2015.FindingsCompany size and usage of the GRI guidelines are found to be the most relevant company characteristics associated with sustainability reporting by listed companies in Sri Lanka. Unexpectedly, ownership and industry sector do not show strong influences on the extent of sustainability reporting over the study period compared with prior studies.Research limitations/implicationsLarge companies which follow the GRI guidelines are more likely to report in an elaborate manner, indicating the influence of standards setting bodies in Sri Lanka. This means Sri Lankan companies pay attention to global business practices, given the current re-development phase Sri Lanka is experiencing after the end of the civil war.OriginalityThis study is one of the few studies that examine sustainability reporting in a country set against a backdrop of war in the South Asian region. Besides this, it extends the previous research on sustainability reporting and variables such as company ownership, GRI usage, company size and industry sector in a developing country context.
Key issues and challenges in stakeholder engagement in sustainability reporting
Authors: Kaur Amanpreet , Lodhia Sumit K. 
Published: March 2019

Purpose
This paper aims to explore the key issues and challenges that can affect the quality of stakeholder engagement processes and outcomes in relation to sustainability reporting.

Design/methodology/approach
Case study research was used to gain in-depth insights into the stakeholder engagement practices of three Australian local councils.

Findings
The findings of this study suggest that the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement can be undermined by certain difficulties and challenges faced by an organisation. These include limited resources, lack of commitment from internal stakeholders, political factors, heterogeneous concerns, inadequate representation and an unwillingness to engage.

Research limitations/implications
The study adds to the limited literature on stakeholder engagement in sustainability reporting specifically and on sustainability accounting and reporting in public sector organisations (PSOs) more generally.

Practical implications
This research provides practical guidance to government authorities on the challenges that need to be addressed to enable an effective stakeholder engagement process for sustainability reporting.

Social implications
Stakeholders have a critical role in holding organisations accountable and research into their engagement with these organisations has societal benefits.

Originality/value
This research while focused on the Australian context has international relevance as it provides unique insights into the stakeholder engagement process. The implications of this research apply to not just PSOs but also corporations that are grappling with the (difficult) process of effective engagement with stakeholders.
Molecular aspects of bacterial nanocellulose biosynthesis
Authors: Jacek Paulina , Dourado Fernando , Gama Miguel , Bielecki Stanisław 
Published: March 2019

SummaryBacterial nanocellulose (BNC) produced by aerobic bacteria is a biopolymer with sophisticated technical properties. Although the potential for economically relevant applications is huge, the cost of BNC still limits its application to a few biomedical devices and the edible product Nata de Coco, made available by traditional fermentation methods in Asian countries. Thus, a wider economic relevance of BNC is still dependent on breakthrough developments on the production technology. On the other hand, the development of modified strains able to overproduce BNC with new properties – e.g. porosity, density of fibres crosslinking, mechanical properties, etc. – will certainly allow to overcome investment and cost production issues and enlarge the scope of BNC applications. This review discusses current knowledge about the molecular basis of BNC biosynthesis, its regulations and, finally, presents a perspective on the genetic modification of BNC producers made possible by the new tools available for genetic engineering.
Association between tooth loss and upper gastrointestinal cancer: A 30‐year follow‐up of the Linxian Dysplasia Nutrition Intervention Trial Cohort
Authors: Zhang Su , Yu Pei , Wang Jian‐Bing , Fan Jin‐Hu , Qiao You‐Lin , Taylor Philip R. 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundThis prospective study investigated the association between tooth loss and upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer mortality in the Linxian Dysplasia Nutrition Intervention Trial Cohort.MethodsSubjects were categorized into three groups according to age at baseline. No missing teeth and less or greater than median tooth loss in each group was defined as none, moderate, and severe, respectively. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated using the Cox proportional hazard model.ResultsThrough 30 September 2015, 541 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), 284 gastric cardia carcinoma (GCC), and 77 gastric non‐cardia carcinoma (GNCC) deaths occurred. In the six‐year follow‐up, severe tooth loss was associated with an increased risk of GCC mortality (HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.06–2.18). In the 15‐year follow‐up, moderate tooth loss increased the ESCC mortality risk by 58% (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.06–2.35), while severe loss increased the GCC mortality risk by 30% (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.03–1.64). In the 30‐year follow‐up, moderate tooth loss increased the risk of ESCC mortality (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.01–1.76). In subjects aged < 55 at baseline and men, moderate tooth loss had 53% and 52% higher risks of ESCC mortality (HR<55 years 1.53, 95% CI 1.06–2.05; HRmen 1.52, 95% CI 1.01–2.28). No significant association was observed for GNCC in any subjects or subgroups.ConclusionModerate tooth loss increased the risk of ESCC mortality, particularly in younger subjects and men. Severe tooth loss increased the risk of GCC mortality. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Association of a novel SNP in the ASIP gene with skin color in black‐bone chicken
Authors: Yu S. , Wang G. , Liao J. 
Published: March 2019

SummaryThe agouti signaling protein gene (ASIP) is a widely studied pigmentation gene that plays an important role in melanin synthesis. To determine the variety of ASIP expression in the Muchuan Black‐Bone chicken, we examined genetic variation in the ASIP promoter region. A single nucleotide polymorphism (c.–1826A>T) was found to be associated with the skin color (dorsal and subalar) of black‐bone chicken. Individuals with TT and AT genotypes had higher ASIP mRNA levels in the skin than did those with the AA genotype (P < 0.01). In addition, individuals with the TT genotype had higher ASIP mRNA levels than did those with the AT genotype (P < 0.05). Expression of melanogenesis‐related genes (melanocortin 1 receptor and tyrosinase genes) was higher in the skin of chickens with the TT and AT genotypes than in those with the AA genotype (P < 0.01). A luciferase assay showed that promoter activity was higher in chickens with the TT genotype than in those with the AA genotype. Putative transcription factor prediction suggested that the c.–1826A>T mutation might shift the promoter binding affinity with differential transcription factors. In summary, we identified a novel mutation in the ASIP gene promoter that may affect chicken skin color by altering ASIP transcriptional activity.
Is Norton Score a useful tool for identifying high‐risk patients prior to emergency surgery?
Authors: Trostchansky Ivan , Nimrod Adi , Tiberiu Ezri , Vigorita Vincenzo , Valiñas Roberto , Karp Galia 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundEmergency surgery in elderly patients is associated with high mortality rates. Various scoring systems may be valuable in predicting mortality and morbidity rates. It has been suggested that the Norton Score (NS) could be used to quantify frailty. We hypothesized that NS could be a useful tool for identifying high‐risk patients before emergency/urgent surgeries.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Surgery at Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel. Inclusion criteria: age ≥50 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status score ≥3 and urgent/emergency laparotomy. A total of 400 patients were identified, and 150 (37.5%) matched the inclusion criteria.ResultsA total of 150 patients with ASA scores of 3–5 and who underwent emergent/urgent laparotomy from 1 January 2011 through 31 January 2013 were included. Mean age was 77 ± 9.7 years. The mortality rate at 1 month was 44% (66 patients) and at 1 year was 54.7% (82 patients). A higher ASA score was significantly associated with mortality (P < 0.001). Survivors had lower frailty scores and presented significantly higher preoperative NS (Modified Frailty Index 2.45 versus 3.06, P < 0.05; NS 16.09 versus 12.94, P < 0.01). Preoperative NS was the most significant variable that predicted poor patient prognosis (odds ratio 0.84; 95% confidence interval 0.73–0.96). For ASA 3 and ASA 4, the grade of daily personal independence in activities showed a positive correlation with survival (P < 0.001).ConclusionNS can be a very useful and quick tool to evaluate surgical risk in emergency surgery. Our study supports the use of NS in the perioperative evaluation prior to emergency surgery.
Abdominal pain is a common and recurring problem in paediatric emergency departments
Authors: Magnúsdóttir María Björg , Róbertsson Viðar , Þorgrímsson Sigurður , Rósmundsson Þráinn , Agnarsson Úlfur , Haraldsson Ásgeir 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAimAbdominal pain is a frequent reason for paediatric emergency department visits, but specific research is lacking. Our aim was to obtain information on the diagnosis of abdominal pain and what healthcare services children with this condition need.MethodsThis retrospective study focused on patients visiting the emergency department of the Children's Hospital Iceland in 2010 with abdominal pain and any subsequent visits up to 1 January 2015.ResultsThere were 11 340 visits to the emergency department in 2010 and 1118 children made 1414 (12%) visits due to abdominal pain. The majority (58%) with abdominal pain were girls (p < 0.001) and they were older than the boys, with an average age of 12 versus 10 years (p < 0.001). The most common diagnoses were non‐specific abdominal pain (40%), constipation (22%) and viral infections (13%). During the follow‐up period, 423/1118 children (38%) visited the emergency department 883 times, 58% were girls and the most common diagnosis was non‐specific abdominal pain (37%). Of the 436 children initially diagnosed with non‐specific abdominal pain, 154 (35%) revisited the emergency department during the follow‐up period.ConclusionAbdominal pain was a common reason for visits to the paediatric emergency room and a third paid more than one visit.
Collagen proportionate area is an independent predictor of long‐term outcome in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Buzzetti Elena , Hall Andrew , Ekstedt Mattias , Manuguerra Roberta , Guerrero Misas Marta , Covelli Claudia , Leandro Gioacchino , Luong TuVinh , Kechagias Stergios , Manesis Emanuel K. , Pinzani Massimo , Dhillon Amar P. , Tsochatzis Emmanuel A. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundCollagen proportionate area (CPA) measurement is a technique that quantifies fibrous tissue in liver biopsies by measuring the amount of collagen deposition as a proportion of the total biopsy area. CPA predicts clinical outcomes in patients with HCV and can sub‐classify cirrhosis.AimTo test the ability of CPA to quantify fibrosis and predict clinical outcomes in patients with NAFLD.MethodsWe assessed consecutive patients with biopsy‐proven NAFLD from three European centres. Clinical and laboratory data were collected at baseline and at the time of the last clinical follow‐up or death. CPA was performed at two different objective magnifications, whole biopsy macro and ×4 objective magnification, named standard (SM) and high (HM) magnification respectively. The correlation between CPA and liver stiffness was assessed in a sub‐group of patients.ResultsOf 437 patients, 32 (7.3%) decompensated and/or died from liver‐related causes during a median follow‐up of 103 months. CPA correlated with liver stiffness and liver fibrosis stage across the whole spectrum of fibrosis. HM CPA was significantly higher than SM CPA in stages F0‐F3 but similar in cirrhosis, reflecting a higher ability to capture pericellular/perisinusoidal fibrosis at early stages. Age at baseline (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01‐1.08), HM CPA (HR: 1.04 per 1% increase, 95% CI: 1.01‐1.08) and presence of advanced fibrosis (HR: 15.4, 95% CI: 5.02‐47.84) were independent predictors of liver‐related clinical outcomes at standard and competing risk multivariate Cox‐regression analysis.ConclusionsCPA accurately measures fibrosis and is an independent predictor of clinical outcomes in NAFLD; hence it merits further evaluation as a surrogate endpoint in clinical trials.
How does principal e‐leadership affect ICT transformation across different school stages in K‐12 education: Perspectives from teachers in Shanghai
Authors: Wu Bian , Yu Xiaoxue , Hu Yiling 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWith the continuous deployment of ICT in K‐12 education, strong access but weak uptake has become the greatest challenge for ICT implementation in schools. As the pioneer of China’s K‐12 educational reform, Shanghai draws our attention in terms of the critical factors and the underlying mechanism of ICT transformation in K‐12 schools. The study used questionnaire survey data collected from 2894 Shanghai teachers (971 primary, 990 middle and 933 high school teachers) to investigate the relationships between government ICT policy, school principal e‐leadership, ICT implementation in schools, teacher attitudes towards ICT and pedagogical change and changes in student learning. The structural equation modelling results revealed a significant influence of e‐leadership by school principals on ICT transformation in schools, confirming the critical role of e‐leadership in ICT transformation model. In addition, the higher the school stage, the more personal rather than organisational factors affected the changes in teaching and learning. The findings imply a profound sociocultural and technological dilemma due to the pressure of getting into college and risk‐taking in ICT‐related educational transformation. The study contributes to our knowledge in terms of a more nuanced ICT transformation mechanism between school stages.
Serelaxin enhances the therapeutic effects of human amnion epithelial cell‐derived exosomes in experimental models of lung disease
Authors: Royce Simon G. , Patel Krupesh P. , Mao WeiYi , Zhu Dandan , Lim Rebecca , Samuel Chrishan S. 
Published: March 2019

Background and PurposeThere is growing interest in stem cell‐derived exosomes for their therapeutic and regenerative benefits given their manufacturing and regulatory advantages over cell‐based therapies. As existing fibrosis impedes the viability and efficacy of stem cell/exosome‐based strategies for treating chronic diseases, here we tested the effects of the anti‐fibrotic drug, serelaxin, on the therapeutic efficacy of human amnion epithelial cell (AEC)‐derived exosomes in experimental lung disease.Experimental ApproachFemale Balb/c mice were subjected to either the 9.5‐week model of ovalbumin and naphthalene (OVA/NA)‐induced chronic allergic airway disease (AAD) or 3‐week model of bleomycin (BLM)‐induced pulmonary fibrosis; then administered increasing concentrations of AEC‐exosomes (5 μg or 25μg), with or without serelaxin (0.5mg/kg/day) for 7‐days. 1x106 AECs co‐administered with serelaxin over the corresponding time‐period were included for comparison in both models, as was pirfenidone‐treatment of the BLM model. Control groups received saline/corn oil or saline, respectively.Key ResultsBoth experimental models presented with significant tissue inflammation, remodelling, fibrosis and airway/lung dysfunction at the time‐points studied. While AEC‐exosome (5 μg or 25μg)‐administration alone demonstrated some benefits in each model, serelaxin was required for AEC‐exosomes (25μg) to rapidly normalise chronic AAD‐induced airway fibrosis and airway reactivity, and BLM‐induced lung inflammation, epithelial damage and subepithelial/basement membrane fibrosis. Combining serelaxin with AEC‐exosomes (25μg) also demonstrated broader protection compared to co‐administration of serelaxin with 1x106 AECs or pirfenidone.Conclusions and ImplicationsSerelaxin enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of AEC‐exosomes in treating basement membrane‐induced fibrosis and related airway dysfunction.
Review: The views and experiences of suicidal children and young people of mental health support services: a meta‐ethnography
Authors: Gilmour Lynne , Ring Nicola , Maxwell Margaret 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundSuicide is amongst the leading causes of death in young people globally and a health priority worldwide. For children and young people (CYP) attempting or considering suicide there is no agreed treatment model. Development of treatment models should be informed by the views and experiences of CYP using services.MethodsMeta‐ethnography was used to systematically identify and synthesise studies reporting the views of CYP who used mental health services following suicidal behaviour. Relevant studies were quality appraised. First order (participants) and second order (original author) data were translated to identify common and disconfirming themes and concepts. Translated findings were synthesised and led to a new hypothesis supported by additional ‘linguistic analysis’ of texts to construct a novel third order line‐of‐argument.ResultsFour studies conducted since 2006 in three countries involving 44 young people aged 11–24 years were synthesised. Translation revealed that suicidal CYP do not know where or how to access help, they cannot access help directly and when seen by mental health practitioners they do not feel listened to. Line‐of‐argument synthesis identified a silence around suicidality within the conversations CYP have with mental health practitioners and within academic research reporting. Use of the term ‘self‐harm’ to encompass suicidal behaviours potentially contributes to this silence by avoiding the word ‘suicide’.ConclusionsChildren and young people who are suicidal need to have easy access to mental health services. When using services, they want to feel listened to and have suicidal feelings acknowledged. This involves professionals referring explicitly to suicide not just self‐harm.
Transcultural adaptation process of the Griffiths‐III Mental Development Scale
Authors: Ferreira‐Vasques Amanda Tragueta , Santos Carlos Ferreira , Lamônica Dionísia Aparecida Cusin 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe Griffiths‐III Mental Development Scale (GMDS‐III) is used in the diagnosis of child development in several countries, presenting cross‐cultural adaptation of the original British version. In Brazil, there is a shortage of standardized and normalized diagnostic tools for the child population. The study describes the cross‐cultural adaptation of the GMDS‐III for the Brazilian reality.MethodEthical aspects were fulfilled (CAAE: 34802014.0.0000.5417). Six steps of the cross‐cultural adaptation process suggested by the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons Outcomes Committee were followed: two independent translations; synthesis translations and version T1‐2 preparation; T1‐2 version retrotranslation, blinded, by two natives of the origin language and fluent in the target language; expert committee review maintaining conceptual, idiomatic, semantic, and cultural equivalence, elaborating the pre‐final version; application of the pre‐final version, in Portuguese, for 96 Brazilian children; documentation submission to the original scale authors.ResultsFive hundred seventy‐one words/expressions translated and adapted from English to Brazilian Portuguese. No gross inconsistencies or conceptual error were found in the translation. The pre‐final version was applied to 72 children, distributed along the scale age range, with no absence of response for any item, making a satisfactory distribution of the skills assessed in the instrument. Original scale authors issued a certificate agreeing with the process.ConclusionsThe GMDS‐III was adapted transculturally to the Brazilian reality following a rigorous methodology. This work is an anchor for scale normalization with application in a representative sample of Brazilian children, as well as verification of psychometric properties in the Brazilian version. This was the first step towards the beginning of the transformation of the Brazilian children's scenario regarding the use of a standardized and normalized assessment instrument, providing an early and assertive diagnosis.