bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do micro and small business enterprises economically empower women in developing countries? Evidences from Mekelle city, Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Mezgebo Gidey Kidu , Ymesel Tesga , Tegegne Girma 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
Today the number of women entrepreneurs is increasing. However, their power in use and control over the household and business-related resource are still limited. The purpose of this paper is to assess women’s economic empowerment in terms of their use and control over resources after participating in micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Mekelle city.

Design/methodology/approach
A survey on 162 women-owned enterprises from two sectors, namely, manufacturing and service sectors belonging to three sub-cities of the study area was taken for this study. Questionnaire and interview data collection tools were employed, and the systematic random sampling technique was used to select respondents of questionnaires.

Findings
The results of the study revealed that MSEs in Mekelle city are found to have a profound effect on empowering women economically in terms of access to use and control of resources in business and at household, participation in social network and community undertakings. However, limited access to credit, high interest rate, complicated loan application procedures of bank, lack of work place, poor information and technology and basic infrastructure were still found the bottlenecks for women working in MSEs.

Research limitations/implications
MSEs are vital to empower women economically, but they should be accompanied by the improved and fast delivery of services such as credit, enabling work place and technology, which plays a decisive role in economic empowerment of women working in MSEs.

Originality/value
This paper fills the gap in the literature, as there is limited evidence on the role of MSEs in women’s economic empowerment and the challenges faced especially in developing countries in general and Mekelle city in particular.
Branding efforts and SME performance – an empirical investigation of variations across firm sizes and business sectors
Authors: Odoom Raphael , Mensah Priscilla , Asamoah George 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to draw on the organizational ecology theory to examine variations in branding efforts and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across enterprises sizes and business operating sectors.

Design/methodology/approach
A four-stage analysis involving principal component analysis, Pearson correlation, ANOVA and logistic regressions was used on a sample of 430 SMEs within an emerging market.

Findings
Principal component analysis identified four brand marketing efforts relevant to the SMEs. These efforts were used in fluctuating extents among small-sized versus medium-sized enterprises, as well as manufacturing versus services SMEs. Additionally, proportionate levels of performance corollaries were found to be accruable across the enterprise sizes and operating sectors.

Originality/value
The paper first identifies four brand-building efforts germane to SMEs within an emerging market and examines their precise contributions to firm performance within enterprise sizes and business operating sectors. It further reinforces the relevance of brand marketing programs to the growth of SMEs by establishing the likelihood and extent to which brand-building efforts impact on SME performance across enterprise sizes, as well as operating sectors. The study also presents issues of potential research and managerial interest from an emerging market, offering insightful implications to researchers and SME managers.
Do Rural Migrants Divide Ethnically in the City? Evidence from an Ethnographic Experiment in India
Authors: Thachil Tariq 
Published: June 2017

AbstractDespite rapid urbanization across the Global South, identity politics within rural‐urban migrant communities remains understudied. Past scholarship is divided over whether village‐based ethnic divisions will erode or deepen within diverse poor migrant populations. I assess these divergent predictions through an ‘ethnographic survey experiment’ (N=4,218) among unique samples of poor migrants in India. Contra conventional expectations, I find intra‐class ethnic divisions are neither uniformly transcended nor entrenched across key arenas of migrant life. Instead, I observe variation consistent with situational theories predicting ethnic divisions will be muted only in contexts triggering a common identity among migrants. I pinpoint urban employers and politicians as these triggers. Poor migrants ignore ethnic divisions when facing these elites, who perceive and treat them in class terms. However, migrants remain divided in direct interactions with each other. These bifurcated findings imply poor migrants may be available for both class‐based and ethnic mobilization in the city.
Case of giant paraesophageal hiatal hernia associated with Morgagni hernia
Authors: Ozawa Hiroki , Shinozaki Hiroharu , Kimata Masaru , Ozawa Soji 
Published: June 2017

AbstractSimultaneous paraesophageal and Morgagni hernias are very rare. Here, we report a case involving a 91‐year‐old woman with simultaneous paraesophageal and Morgagni hernias. Both hernias were repaired laparoscopically. The postoperative course was uneventful. Laparoscopic repair for hernias seems to be feasible and minimally invasive, but only a few reports have described such repairs of hernial orifices.
Population pharmacokinetics of human antithrombin concentrate in paediatric patients
Authors: Moffett Brady S. , Diaz Rosa , Galati Marianne , Mahoney Donald , Teruya Jun , Yee Donald L. 
Published: June 2017

AimsAntithrombin is increasingly used in paediatric patients, yet there are few age‐specific pharmacokinetic data to guide dosing. We aimed to describe the pharmacokinetic profile of human (plasma‐derived) antithrombin concentrate in paediatric patients.MethodsA 5‐year retrospective review was performed of patients <19 years of age admitted to our institution who received antithrombin concentrate, were not on mechanical circulatory support and had baseline (predose) and postdose plasma antithrombin activity levels available for analysis. Demographic and laboratory variables, antithrombin dosing information and data on the use of continuous infusion unfractionated heparin were collected. Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed with bootstrap analysis. The model developed was tested against a validation dataset from a cohort of similar patients, and a predictive value was calculated.ResultsA total 184 patients met the study criteria {46.7% male, median age [years] 0.35 [interquartile range (IQR) 0.07–3.9]}. A median of two antithrombin doses (IQR 1–4) were given to patients (at a dose of 46.3 ± 13.6 units kg–1), with median of three (IQR 2–7) postdose levels per patient. Continuous infusion unfractionated heparin was administered in 87.5% of patients, at a mean dose of 34.1 ± 22.7 units kg–1 h–1. A one‐compartment exponential error model best fit the data, and significant covariates included allometrically scaled weight on clearance and volume of distribution, unfractionated heparin dose on clearance, and baseline antithrombin activity level on volume of distribution. The model resulted in a median −1.75% prediction error (IQR –11.75% to 6.5%) when applied to the validation dataset (n = 30).ConclusionsAntithrombin pharmacokinetics are significantly influenced by the concurrent use of unfractionated heparin and baseline antithrombin activity.
Mood symptoms in pregnant and postpartum women with bipolar disorder: a naturalistic study
Authors: Driscoll Kara E , Sit Dorothy K Y , Moses‐Kolko Eydie L , Pinheiro Emily , Yang Amy , Ciolino Jody D , Eng Heather F , Luther James F , Clark Crystal T , Wisniewski Stephen R , Wisner Katherine L 
Published: June 2017

ObjectiveWe conducted a prospective naturalistic study of pregnant women with bipolar disorder (BD) to evaluate symptoms of BD across childbearing and assess whether pharmacotherapy reduced their severity.MethodsAssessments were scheduled at 20, 30, and 36 weeks' gestation and 2, 12, 26, and 52 weeks postpartum. Symptoms were assessed using the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale–Atypical Depression Supplement (SIGH‐ADS) and Mania Rating Scale (MRS).ResultsPregnant women (N=152) with BD were evaluated; 88 women (58%) were treated and 64 untreated (42%) with psychotropic drugs during pregnancy. Among the 88 women treated, 23 (26%) discontinued their medication in the first trimester and the remaining 65 (74%) were exposed throughout pregnancy or in the second and third trimesters. More than two‐thirds (73%) of the women who remained in the study took psychotropic agents postpartum. The mean scores on the SIGH‐ADS were in the mild range of depressive symptoms in both the psychotropic‐treated and untreated groups in both pregnancy and postpartum. The majority of women had no or few symptoms of mania. Of the pregnant women treated with psychotropic agents, 66% received a guideline‐concordant drug, and 34% received either antidepressant monotherapy (for BD I) or mono‐ or polypharmacy with a variety of other agents.ConclusionsThis sample of perinatal women with BD was characterized by mild residual symptoms of depression independent of pharmacotherapy, which poses a risk for recurrence and impaired parenting. The treatment of childbearing women with BD deserves urgent clinical and research attention to improve psychiatric outcomes.
Limitations of the interpretation and extrapolation of clinical trial data in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: de Oliveira Nagilla I. , Paula Mayara I. , Felipe Claudia R. , Tedesco‐Silva Helio , Medina‐Pestana Jose O. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe risks and benefits of the participation of kidney transplant recipients in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating new immunosuppressive therapies are unknown.Design and SettingWe included patients from 12 prospective phaseII/III RCTs randomized to the experimental (G1, n=319) or standard‐of‐care internal control group (G2, n=118). We constructed two additional external control groups with (G3, n=319) or without (G4, n=319) matching inclusion/exclusion criteria based on transplant date. The primary outcome analysis was the composite clinical efficacy failure, defined as biopsy‐proven acute rejection (BPAR), graft loss, death, or loss to follow‐up 12 months after kidney transplantation.ResultsSurvival free of composite clinical efficacy failure was higher among participants inRCT, without difference between experimental or standard‐of‐care therapy (80∙3 vs 78∙0 vs 69∙9 vs 66∙1%,P<.001), respectively. Patient (98.1 vs 99.2 vs 96.9 vs 91.8P<.001) and graft (94.0 vs 98.3 vs 90.9 vs 82.4) survivals were also higher in G1 compared to G4, but no differences in survival free ofBPARwere observed (85.3 vs 78.8 vs 82.8 vs 81.2P>.05), respectively.ConclusionThese findings suggested that new treatments investigated in kidney transplant recipients are not associated with detectable harm compared to standard of care.
What do employers think their role is in ensuring language proficiency of internationally trained pharmacists
Authors: Ziaei Zainab , Hassell Karen , Schafheutle Ellen I 
Published: June 2017

AbstractObjectivesUntil 2016, internationally trained pharmacists (ITPs) from the European Economic Area (EEA) did not need to prove sufficient language proficiency to the pharmacy regulator upon registration. Pharmacists themselves have a professional responsibility to ensure they can communicate and work effectively, but some responsibility also rests with employers, yet very little research has explored this. The aim of this study was to explore employer views of the communicative proficiency of ITPs whose first language was not English, their role as employers and potential implications for patient safety.MethodsSemi-structured, telephone interviews were conducted with seven community and two hospital employers with experience of employing EEA pharmacists, between May and July 2010. Verbatim interview transcripts were coded and analysed in NVivo using the framework approach.Key findingsAll participants mentioned the importance of having processes in place to assure EEA pharmacists’ linguistic competency in the workplace. During recruitment, different strategies were used to assure language competency. Some employers only conducted interviews while others required candidates to pass English language assessments. Participants were most familiar with the International English Language Testing System, which was described as too general and not unique to pharmacy. Other pharmacy-specific tests such as the University of Bath English Language Test and Linguarama English Assessment Test for Pharmacists were alternatives.ConclusionsCurrently, there is no one standard procedure in place to check the communicative competency of EEA pharmacists. The findings from this study suggest that there is need to establish a uniform assessment system so all the EEA pharmacists could be tested justly and consistently.
Hepatic expression of cytochrome P450 enzymes in non‐human primate species
Authors: Uehara Shotaro , Uno Yasuhiro , Yamazaki Hiroshi 
Published: June 2017

AbstractCytochromes P450 (P450) largely remain to be characterized in great apes. Comparative immunochemical detection of drug metabolizing forms of P450s 1A, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2J, 3A, 4A, and 4F in liver microsomes from chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, gibbons, cynomolgus and rhesus macaques, and common marmosets were carried out.
Uptake and metabolism of sulphated steroids by the blood–brain barrier in the adult male rat
Authors: Qaiser M. Zeeshan , Dolman Diana E. M. , Begley David J. , Abbott N. Joan , Cazacu‐Davidescu Mihaela , Corol Delia I. , Fry Jonathan P. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractLittle is known about the origin of the neuroactive steroids dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and pregnenolone sulphate (PregS) in the brain or of their subsequent metabolism. Using rat brain perfusion in situ, we have found 3H‐PregS to enter more rapidly than 3H‐DHEAS and both to undergo extensive (> 50%) desulphation within 0.5 min of uptake. Enzyme activity for the steroid sulphatase catalysing this deconjugation was enriched in the capillary fraction of the blood–brain barrier and its mRNA expressed in cultures of rat brain endothelial cells and astrocytes. Although permeability measurements suggested a net efflux, addition of the efflux inhibitors GF120918 and/or MK571 to the perfusate reduced rather than enhanced the uptake of 3H‐DHEAS and 3H‐PregS; a further reduction was seen upon the addition of unlabelled steroid sulphate, suggesting a saturable uptake transporter. Analysis of brain fractions after 0.5 min perfusion with the 3H‐steroid sulphates showed no further metabolism of PregS beyond the liberation of free steroid pregnenolone. By contrast, DHEAS underwent 17‐hydroxylation to form androstenediol in both the steroid sulphate and the free steroid fractions, with some additional formation of androstenedione in the latter. Our results indicate a gain of free steroid from circulating steroid sulphates as hormone precursors at the blood–brain barrier, with implications for ageing, neurogenesis, neuronal survival, learning and memory.
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Participation of hypothalamic CB1 receptors in reproductive axis disruption during immune challenge
Authors: Surkin P. N. , Di Rosso M. E. , Correa F. , Elverdin J. C. , Genaro A. M. , De Laurentiis A. , Fernández‐Solari J. 
Published: June 2017

Immune challenge inhibits reproductive function and endocannabinoids (eCB) modulate sexual hormones. However, no studies have been performed to assess whether the eCB system mediates the inhibition of hormones that control reproduction as a result of immune system activation during systemic infections. For that reason, we evaluated the participation of the hypothalamic cannabinoid receptor CB1 on the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis activity in rats submitted to immune challenge. Male adult rats were treated i.c.v. administration with a CB1 antagonist/inverse agonist (AM251) (500 ng/5 μL), followed by an i.p. injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 mg/kg) 15 minutes later. Plasmatic, hypothalamic and adenohypophyseal pro‐inflammatory cytokines, hormones and neuropeptides were assessed 90 or 180 minutes post‐LPS. The plasma concentration of tumour necrosis factor α and adenohypophyseal mRNA expression of Tnfα and Il1β increased 90 and 180 minutes post i.p. administration of LPS. However, cytokine mRNA expression in the hypothalamus increased only 180 minutes post‐LPS, suggesting an inflammatory delay in this organ. CB1 receptor blockade with AM251 increased LPS inflammatory effects, particularly in the hypothalamus. LPS also inhibited the HPG axis by decreasing gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone hypothalamic content and plasma levels of luteinising hormone and testosterone. These disruptor effects were accompanied by decreased hypothalamic Kiss1 mRNA expression and prostaglandin E2 content, as well as by increased gonadotrophin‐inhibitory hormone (Rfrp3) mRNA expression. All these disruptive effects were prevented by the presence of AM251. In summary, our results suggest that, in male rats, eCB mediate immune challenge‐inhibitory effects on reproductive axis at least partially via hypothalamic CB1 activation. In addition, this receptor also participates in homeostasis recovery by modulating the inflammatory process taking place after LPS administration.
Host‐specific associations affect the microbiome of Philornis downsi, an introduced parasite to the Galápagos Islands
Authors: Ben‐Yosef Michael , Zaada Doron S. Y. , Dudaniec Rachael Y. , Pasternak Zohar , Jurkevitch Edouard , Smith Renee J. , Causton Charlotte E. , Lincango Maria Piedad , Tobe Shanan S. , Mitchell James G. , Kleindorfer Sonia , Yuval Boaz 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe composition and diversity of bacteria forming the microbiome of parasitic organisms have implications for differential host pathogenicity and host–parasite co‐evolutionary interactions. The microbiome of pathogens can therefore have consequences that are relevant for managing disease prevalence and impact on affected hosts. Here, we investigate the microbiome of an invasive parasitic fly Philornis downsi, recently introduced to the Galápagos Islands, where it poses extinction threat to Darwin's finches and other land birds. Larvae infest nests of Darwin's finches and consume blood and tissue of developing nestlings, and have severe mortality impacts. Using 16s rRNA sequencing data, we characterize the bacterial microbiota associated with P. downsi adults and larvae sourced from four finch host species, inhabiting two islands and representing two ecologically distinct groups. We show that larval and adult microbiomes are dominated by the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, which significantly differ between life stages in their distributions. Additionally, bacterial community structure significantly differed between larvae retrieved from strictly insectivorous warbler finches (Certhidea olivacea) and those parasitizing hosts with broader dietary preferences (ground and tree finches, Geospiza and Camarhynchus spp., respectively). Finally, we found no spatial effects on the larval microbiome, as larvae feeding on the same host (ground finches) harboured similar microbiomes across islands. Our results suggest that the microbiome of P. downsi changes during its development, according to dietary composition or nutritional needs, and is significantly affected by host‐related factors during the larval stage. Unravelling the ecological significance of bacteria for this parasite will contribute to the development of novel, effective control strategies.
Abrupt changes in the composition and function of fungal communities along an environmental gradient in the high Arctic
Authors: Grau Oriol , Geml József , Pérez‐Haase Aaron , Ninot Josep M. , Semenova‐Nelsen Tatiana A. , Peñuelas Josep 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFungi play a key role in soil–plant interactions, nutrient cycling and carbon flow and are essential for the functioning of arctic terrestrial ecosystems. Some studies have shown that the composition of fungal communities is highly sensitive to variations in environmental conditions, but little is known about how the conditions control the role of fungal communities (i.e., their ecosystem function). We usedDNAmetabarcoding to compare taxonomic and functional composition of fungal communities along a gradient of environmental severity in Northeast Greenland. We analysed soil samples from fell fields, heaths and snowbeds, three habitats with very contrasting abiotic conditions. We also assessed within‐habitat differences by comparing three widespread microhabitats (patches with high cover ofDryas,Salix, or bare soil). The data suggest that, along the sampled mesotopographic gradient, the greatest differences in both fungal richness and community composition are observed amongst habitats, while the effect of microhabitat is weaker, although still significant. Furthermore, we found that richness and community composition of fungi are shaped primarily by abiotic factors and to a lesser, though still significant extent, by floristic composition. Along this mesotopographic gradient, environmental severity is strongly correlated with richness in all fungal functional groups: positively in saprotrophic, pathogenic and lichenised fungi, and negatively in ectomycorrhizal and root endophytic fungi. Our results suggest complex interactions amongst functional groups, possibly due to nutrient limitation or competitive exclusion, with potential implications on soil carbon stocks. These findings are important in the light of the environmental changes predicted for the Arctic.
A toxic imbalance of Hsp70s in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is caused by competition for cofactors
Authors: Keefer Kathryn M. , True Heather L. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryMolecular chaperones are responsible for managing protein folding from translation through degradation. These crucial machines ensure that protein homeostasis is optimally maintained for cell health. However, ‘too much of a good thing’ can be deadly, and the excess of chaperones can be toxic under certain cellular conditions. For example, overexpression of Ssa1, a yeast Hsp70, is toxic to cells in folding‐challenged states such as [PSI+]. We discovered that overexpression of the nucleotide exchange factor Sse1 can partially alleviate this toxicity. We further argue that the basis of the toxicity is related to the availability of Hsp70 cofactors, such as Hsp40 J‐proteins and nucleotide exchange factors. Ultimately, our work informs future studies about functional chaperone balance and cautions against therapeutic chaperone modifications without a thorough examination of cofactor relationships.