bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of service fairness in the service quality – relationship quality – customer loyalty chain
Authors: Giovanis Apostolos , Athanasopoulou Pinelopi , Tsoukatos Evangelos
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to extend the well-established nomological network of service quality-relationship quality-customer loyalty by introducing service fairness – a distinct service evaluation concept. Specifically, the study aims to investigate the impact of service fairness on relationship quality as a complementary to service quality driver, and the direct and indirect effect of service fairness on customer loyalty in the presence of service quality and relationship quality in a no failure/recovery effort service context.

Design/methodology/approach

– A telephone survey of a random sample of 408 customers of auto repair and maintenance services was implemented using a structured questionnaire with established scales. Data were analyzed with partial least squares path methodology, a structural equation modeling methodology.

Findings

– Interactional fairness is the most important formative determinant of customers’ overall fairness perception, followed by procedural and distributive fairness. Relationship quality measured as a higher order construct, made of satisfaction; trust; affective and calculative commitment, is the main determinant of customer loyalty. Also, it partially mediates, along with service quality, the relationship between service fairness and customer loyalty and fully mediates the effect of service quality on customer loyalty. Finally, service fairness has the highest overall effect on customer loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample is industry-specific and this may affect generalizability of findings. Also, the cross-sectional design adopted does not reflect temporal changes.

Practical implications

– Interactional fairness is of utmost importance to customers of the investigated industry. So, customers should be fairly treated at every point of contact. Also, service quality is heavily affected by service fairness. Thus, fair service leads to high-perceived service quality. Third, service quality affects customer loyalty only through relationship quality. Only when service quality is coupled by long-term quality relationships, signs of customer loyalty appear. Finally, service fairness influences customer loyalty mainly through service and relationship quality and has the highest overall effect on customer loyalty. So, fairly treating customers is crucial for developing long-term relationships that lead to customer loyalty.

Originality/value

– The role of service fairness in the service quality-relationship quality-customer loyalty chain is investigated and using a higher order construct for relationship quality.
The Indonesian Government’s coercive pressure on labour disclosures
Authors: Cahaya Fitra Roman , Porter Stacey , Tower Greg , Brown Alistair
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to focus on corporate social responsibility and workplace well-being by examining Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX)-listed companies’ labour disclosures.

Design/methodology/approach

– Year-ending 2007 and 2010 annual report disclosures of 31 IDX-listed companies are analysed. The widely acknowledged Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines are used as the disclosure index checklist.

Findings

– The results reveal that the overall labour disclosure level increases from 21.84 per cent in 2007 to 30.52 per cent in 2010. The levels of four of the five specific labour disclosures also increase with employment being the exception. The results further show that the Indonesian Government does not influence the increase in the levels of the overall labour disclosure or the four categories showing increased disclosure but, surprisingly, does significantly affect the decrease in the level of the employment category.

Research limitations/implications

– It is implied that the government is at best ambiguous given that, on one side, the government regulates all corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and reporting but appears to coercively pressure companies to hide employment-specific issues.

Practical implications

– It is implied that Indonesian companies need to have “strong and influential” independent commissioners on the boards to counter any possible pressures from the government resulting in lower disclosure levels.

Originality/value

– This paper provides insights into the “journey” of labour-related CSR disclosure practices in Indonesia and contributes to the literature by testing one specific variant of isomorphic institutional theory, namely, coercive isomorphism.
World Anti-Doping Agency: a meta-organizational perspective
Authors: Malcourant Emilie , Vas Alain , Zintz Thierry
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) through the theoretical framework of meta-organizations that focusses on organizations that are themselves made up of organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data are drawn from a unique case study based on interviews with WADA experts and documentary analysis.

Findings

– The authors analyzed WADA through the organizational and strategic dimensions of meta-organizations, which are themselves each defined by two criteria: the mission and scope of the organization vs the hierarchical stratification and decision-making process. The findings suggest that the WADA can be examined through the lens of meta-organizational theory. The criterion of consensus in the decision-making process has already been put forward by scholars, but it needs to be nuanced in the study since it is not the only process used by WADA in its decision-making.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper enhances the understanding of a specific international sports organization at the heart of current major sports issues and enriches the literature on meta-organizational theory, which is a relatively recent development. A next step is a longitudinal study, focussing on the decision-making process and the evolution of a meta-organization over time.

Originality/value

– While the meta-organization has been considered recently in the management literature, this paper seeks to advance the discussion by linking it to the international sports field to gain more insight into its complexity.
Effects of captopril, telmisartan and bardoxolone methyl (CDDO‐Me) in ischemia‐reperfusion‐induced acute kidney injury in rats: an experimental comparative study
Authors: Kocak Cengiz , Kocak Fatma Emel , Akcilar Raziye , Bayat Zeynep , Aras Bekir , Metineren Mehmet Huseyin , Yucel Mehmet , Simsek Hasan
Published: October 2015

Renal ischemia‐reperfusion (IR) injury is one of the most common causes of acute kidney injury. This study investigated the effects of captopril (CAP), telmisartan (TEL) and bardoxolone methyl (BM) in animals with renal IR injury. Adult male Wistar–Albino rats were divided into six groups: control, vehicle, IR, IR with CAP, IR with TEL and IR with BM. Before IR was induced, drugs were administered by oral gavage. After a 60‐min ischemia and a 120‐min reperfusion period, bilateral nephrectomies were performed. Serum urea, creatinine, neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels, tissue total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), total thiol (TT), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity were measured. Tissue mRNA expression levels of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐ɣ (PPAR‐ɣ), nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) were analyzed. In addition, renal tissues were evaluated histopathologically and immunohistochemically. All tested drugs reduced renal damage, apoptosis, urea, creatinine, NGAL, TOS, nitric oxide (NO) and ADMA levels, NF‐κB, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) expressions (P < 0.001). All tested drugs increased SOD activity, GSH‐Px activity, TAS levels, TT levels, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression, dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolases (DDAHs) expression, Nrf2 expression and PPAR‐ɣ expression (P < 0.001, P < 0.003). These results suggest that CAP, TEL and BM pretreatment could reduce renal IR injury via anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant and anti‐apoptotic effects.
Better common than rare? Effects of low reproductive success, scarce pollinator visits and interspecific gene flow in threatened and common species of Tibouchina (Melastomataceae)
Authors: Ruilova Xavier Rojas , Marques Isabel
Published: October 2015

The reasons for plant rarity have been the focus of many studies, especially because rare species are more prone to extinction than common species. Under the same habitat conditions, rare plants are expected to attract fewer flower visitors and to show some limitation in their reproductive success. Here, using one of the most emblematic Neotropical plant genus (Tibouchina) we tested whether narrow endemic and threatened species in Ecuador have a lower reproductive success or are visited by fewer pollinators than common species, in 13 populations monitored from 2011 to 2013. We also assessed whether interspecific gene flow could be considered a threat to the rare species. However, contrary to expectations, we found that few pollinators visited the flowers, independently of species rarity. Natural outcross pollinations were always very low in all small‐size populations, leading to high levels of pollen limitation. Interspecific crossing experiments also revealed weak reproductive barriers in some species. This study reveals that both narrow and common species of Tibouchina have similar reproductive and pollinator patterns in Ecuador and, therefore, other causes of the rarity of these species should be considered.
HydroShare: Sharing Diverse Environmental Data Types and Models as Social Objects with Application to the Hydrology Domain
Authors: Horsburgh Jeffery S. , Morsy Mohamed M. , Castronova Anthony M. , Goodall Jonathan L. , Gan Tian , Yi Hong , Stealey Michael J. , Tarboton David G.
Published: October 2015

The types of data and models used within the hydrologic science community are diverse. New repositories have succeeded in making data and models more accessible, but are, in most cases, limited to particular types or classes of data or models and also lack the type of collaborative and iterative functionality needed to enable shared data collection and modeling workflows. File sharing systems currently used within many scientific communities for private sharing of preliminary and intermediate data and modeling products do not support collaborative data capture, description, visualization, and annotation. In this article, we cast hydrologic datasets and models as “social objects” that can be published, collaborated around, annotated, discovered, and accessed. This article describes the generic data model and content packaging scheme for diverse hydrologic datasets and models used by a new hydrologic collaborative environment called HydroShare to enable storage, management, sharing, publication, and annotation of the diverse types of data and models used by hydrologic scientists. The flexibility of HydroShare's data model and packaging scheme is demonstrated using multiple hydrologic data and model use cases that highlight its features.
Pulling habits out of rats: adenosine 2A receptor antagonism in dorsomedial striatum rescues meth‐amphetamine‐induced deficits in goal‐directed action
Authors: Furlong Teri M. , Supit Alva S.A. , Corbit Laura H. , Killcross Simon , Balleine Bernard W.
Published: October 2015

Addiction is characterized by a persistent loss of behavioral control resulting in insensitivity to negative feedback and abnormal decision‐making. Here, we investigated the influence of methamphetamine (METH)‐paired contextual cues on decision‐making in rats. Choice between goal‐directed actions was sensitive to outcome devaluation in a saline‐paired context but was impaired in the METH‐paired context, a deficit that was also found when negative feedback was provided. Reductions in c‐Fos‐related immunoreactivity were found in dorsomedial striatum (DMS) but not dorsolateral striatum after exposure to the METH context suggesting this effect reflected a loss specifically in goal‐directed control in the METH context. This reduction in c‐Fos was localized to non‐enkephalin‐expressing neurons in the DMS, likely dopamine D1‐expressing direct pathway neurons, suggesting a relative change in control by the D1‐direct versus D2‐indirect pathways originating in the DMS may have been induced by METH‐context exposure. To test this suggestion, we infused the adenosine 2A receptor antagonist ZM241385 into the DMS prior to test to reduce activity in D2 neurons relative to D1 neurons in the hope of reducing the inhibitory output from this region of the striatum. We found that this treatment fully restored sensitivity to negative feedback in a test conducted in the METH‐paired context. These results suggest that drug exposure alters decision‐making by downregulation of the circuitry mediating goal‐directed action, an effect that can be ameliorated by acute A2A receptor inhibition in this circuit.
Detection of genetic variants affecting cattle behaviour and their impact on milk production: a genome‐wide association study
Authors: Friedrich Juliane , Brand Bodo , Ponsuksili Siriluck , Graunke Katharina L. , Langbein Jan , Knaust Jacqueline , Kühn Christa , Schwerin Manfred
Published: October 2015

Behaviour traits of cattle have been reported to affect important production traits, such as meat quality and milk performance as well as reproduction and health. Genetic predisposition is, together with environmental stimuli, undoubtedly involved in the development of behaviour phenotypes. Underlying molecular mechanisms affecting behaviour in general and behaviour and productions traits in particular still have to be studied in detail. Therefore, we performed a genome‐wide association study in an F2 Charolais × German Holstein cross‐breed population to identify genetic variants that affect behaviour‐related traits assessed in an open‐field and novel‐object test and analysed their putative impact on milk performance. Of 37 201 tested single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs), four showed a genome‐wide and 37 a chromosome‐wide significant association with behaviour traits assessed in both tests. Nine of the SNPs that were associated with behaviour traits likewise showed a nominal significant association with milk performance traits. On chromosomes 14 and 29, six SNPs were identified to be associated with exploratory behaviour and inactivity during the novel‐object test as well as with milk yield traits. Least squares means for behaviour and milk performance traits for these SNPs revealed that genotypes associated with higher inactivity and less exploratory behaviour promote higher milk yields. Whether these results are due to molecular mechanisms simultaneously affecting behaviour and milk performance or due to a behaviour predisposition, which causes indirect effects on milk performance by influencing individual reactivity, needs further investigation.
Association of uterine wall thickness with pregnancy outcome following uterine‐sparing surgery for diffuse uterine adenomyosis
Authors: Otsubo Yasuo , Nishida Masato , Arai Yuko , Ichikawa Ryota , Taneichi Akiyo , Sakanaka Miyako
Published: October 2015

Background

The risk of uterine rupture is a major concern for women who become pregnant after undergoing an adenomyomectomy.

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of uterine wall thickness with pregnancy outcome.

Materials and Methods

Uterine wall thickness was measured using sonography and/or magnetic resonance imaging in 23 pregnant women who underwent uterine‐sparing surgery for diffuse uterine adenomyosis prior to conception.

Results

Of the 23 women, 10 (43.5%) had an early miscarriage and 13 (56.5%) proceeded to delivery. Of the ten early miscarriage cases, two had a uterine rupture caused by excision of the uterine wall to within 7 mm.

Conclusions

Wall thickness of the excised uterus was highly associated with uterine rupture. We concluded that optimum wall thickness for conception and preventing uterine rupture during pregnancy may range from 9 to 15 mm.
R/S Ratio Variability in Lead V1Observed between Selected Four 1‐Minute ECG Fragments of 24‐Hour ECG as a Predictor of Incomplete Resynchronization during Full 24‐Hour ECG: Pilot Study
Authors: Pyszno‐Prokopowicz Dominika , Baranowski Rafał , Bodalski Robert , Madej Magdalena , Piotrowicz Ryszard
Published: October 2015

Background

About 30% of patients do not have an effective cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Routine assessment of CRT by devices interrogation (DI) is not entirely reliable. Additional information provide detailed QRS analysis in 24‐hour ECG, however it is time‐consuming. The aim of the study was the assessment of R/S ratio variability in lead V1between selected fragments of 24‐hour ECG as a predictor of incomplete biventricular pacing (BIVP) during full 24‐hour ECG.

Methods

The 12‐lead 24‐hour ECGs of 43 patients with sinus rhythm were studied. During 24‐hour ECG the 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) was performed. The CRT was assessed by analyzing DI and full 24‐hour ECG and four 1‐minute fragments of these ECG recordings: during the minimum and the maximum heart rate and at the 1st and last minute of 6MWT.

Results

During DI the effective (>95%) BIVP was present in 36 patients (83.7%). Analysis of full 24‐hour ECG confirmed appropriate BIVP in 31 patients (72%) and suspected incomplete BIVP (≤95%) in 12 patients (28%). In 9/12 patients the R/S ratio variability in lead V1was visible between selected ECG fragments of 24‐hour ECG. These results were not associated with the results of DI but were significantly associated with full 24‐hour analysis of QRS.

Conclusions

R/S variability in lead V1between selected fragments of 24‐hour ECG can be considered a predictor of potentially incomplete BIVP confirmed by further complete 24‐hour ECG analysis in patients with appropriate pacing reported during DI.
Beyond the VAD: Human Factors Engineering for Mechanically Assisted Circulation in the 21st Century
Authors: Throckmorton Amy L. , Patel‐Raman Sonna M. , Fox Carson S. , Bass Ellen J.
Published: October 2015

Thousands of ventricular assist devices (VADs) currently provide circulatory support to patients worldwide, and dozens of heart pump designs for adults and pediatric patients are under various stages of development in preparation for translation to clinical use. The successful bench‐to‐bedside development of a VAD involves a structured evaluation of possible system states, including human interaction with the device and auxiliary component usage in the hospital or home environment. In this study, we review the literature and present the current landscape of preclinical design and assessment, decision support tools and procedures, and patient‐centered therapy. Gaps of knowledge are identified. The study findings support the need for more attention to user‐centered design approaches for medical devices, such as mechanical circulatory assist systems, that specifically involve detailed qualitative and quantitative assessments of human–device interaction to mitigate risk and failure.
Bridging the gap: a genetic assessment framework for population‐level threatened plant conservation prioritization and decision‐making
Authors: Ottewell Kym M. , Bickerton Doug C. , Byrne Margaret , Lowe Andrew J.
Published: October 2015

Aim

Maintaining genetic diversity and evolutionary processes are important goals in plant conservation. Genetic studies are increasingly undertaken but results from such studies are still rarely implemented as management actions in the field. We address this ‘research‐implementation gap’ by developing a plain‐language genetic assessment approach for population‐level conservation prioritization based on measurement of key genetic parameters. Our aim was to improve understanding between conservation researchers and practitioners, enabling practitioners to incorporate genetic information into conservation actions and conservation genetic researchers to address research explicitly resulting in conservation action.

Location

Applicable globally.

Methods

We derived a decision‐making framework that identifies appropriate management strategies for threatened populations based on the level of genetic differentiation (FST), genetic diversity (expected heterozygosity, HE) and inbreeding (FIS), characterized as ‘high’ or ‘low’ in comparison with a reference benchmark. We demonstrate the application of the framework in two case studies of threatened plants and more broadly from the literature.

Results

Applying the decision framework, we found that for Prostanthera eurybioides, the population of conservation concern does not currently require specialized genetic management and mitigation of ecological threats should be prioritized instead. For Allocasuarina robusta, we found connectivity was high and strategies should be put in place to maintain gene flow. In both cases, genetic information was important for designing restocking strategies accounting for the genetic structure and genetic diversity of source and recipient populations. From the literature, key examples of species types that fit each of the genetic management scenarios are given.

Main conclusions

We find that the application of our simplified genetic assessment framework helps to clarify management actions based on conservation genetic information for threatened flora, and should assist in bridging the gap between researchers and conservation practitioners for integrated conservation outcomes. Our framework could equally apply to fauna conservation with appropriate consideration of animal‐specific management issues.
Identifying predictable foraging habitats for a wide‐ranging marine predator using ensemble ecological niche models
Authors: Scales Kylie L. , Miller Peter I. , Ingram Simon N. , Hazen Elliott L. , Bograd Steven J. , Phillips Richard A.
Published: October 2015

Aim

Ecological niche modelling can provide valuable insight into species' environmental preferences and aid the identification of key habitats for populations of conservation concern. Here, we integrate biologging, satellite remote‐sensing and ensemble ecological niche models (EENMs) to identify predictable foraging habitats for a globally important population of the grey‐headed albatross (GHA) Thalassarche chrysostoma.

Location

Bird Island, South Georgia; Southern Atlantic Ocean.

Methods

GPS and geolocation‐immersion loggers were used to track at‐sea movements and activity patterns of GHA over two breeding seasons (n = 55; brood‐guard). Immersion frequency (landings per 10‐min interval) was used to define foraging events. EENM combining Generalized Additive Models (GAM), MaxEnt, Random Forest (RF) and Boosted Regression Trees (BRT) identified the biophysical conditions characterizing the locations of foraging events, using time‐matched oceanographic predictors (Sea Surface Temperature, SST; chlorophyll a, chl‐a; thermal front frequency, TFreq; depth). Model performance was assessed through iterative cross‐validation and extrapolative performance through cross‐validation among years.

Results

Predictable foraging habitats identified by EENM spanned neritic (<500 m), shelf break and oceanic waters, coinciding with a set of persistent biophysical conditions characterized by particular thermal ranges (3–8 °C, 12–13 °C), elevated primary productivity (chl‐a > 0.5 mg m−3) and frequent manifestation of mesoscale thermal fronts. Our results confirm previous indications that GHA exploit enhanced foraging opportunities associated with frontal systems and objectively identify the APFZ as a region of high foraging habitat suitability. Moreover, at the spatial and temporal scales investigated here, the performance of multi‐model ensembles was superior to that of single‐algorithm models, and cross‐validation among years indicated reasonable extrapolative performance.

Main conclusions

EENM techniques are useful for integrating the predictions of several single‐algorithm models, reducing potential bias and increasing confidence in predictions. Our analysis highlights the value of EENM for use with movement data in identifying at‐sea habitats of wide‐ranging marine predators, with clear implications for conservation and management.
Positive indirect effect of aquatic insects on terrestrial prey is not offset by increased predator density
Authors: DREYER JAMIN , HOEKMAN DAVID , GRATTON CLAUDIO
Published: October 2015

1. Changes in one prey species' density can indirectly affect the abundance of another prey species if a shared predator eats both species. Sometimes, indirect effects occur when prey straddle habitats, including when riparian predator populations grow in response to emergent aquatic insects and increase predation on terrestrial prey. However, predators may largely switch to aquatic insects or become satiated, reducing predation on terrestrial prey.

2. To determine the net indirect effect of aquatic insects on terrestrial arthropods via generalist spider predators, a field experiment was conducted mimicking midge influx and a wolf spider numerical response inside enclosures near an Icelandic lake. Lab mesocosms were also used to assess per capita rates of spider predation u nder differing levels of midge abundance.

3. Midges always decreased sentinel prey predation, but this effect increased with predator density. When midges were absent, predation increased 30% at a high spider density, but predation was equal between spider treatments when midges were present. In situ arthropods showed no effect of midge or spider treatments, although non‐significant abundance patterns were observed congruent with sentinel prey results.

4. In lab mesocosms, prey survivorship increased ≥50% where midges were present and rapidly saturated; the addition of 5, 20, 50, and 100 midges equivalently reduced spider predation, supporting predator distraction rather than satiation as the root cause.

5. The present results demonstrate a strong positive indirect effect of midges and broadly support the concept that predator responses to alternative prey are a major influence on the magnitude and direction of predator‐mediated indirect effects.
Epileptic patients with de novo STXBP1 mutations: Key clinical features based on 24 cases
Authors: Di Meglio Chloé , Lesca Gaetan , Villeneuve Nathalie , Lacoste Caroline , Abidi Affef , Cacciagli Pierre , Altuzarra Cécilia , Roubertie Agathe , Afenjar Alexandra , Renaldo‐Robin Florence , Isidor Bertrand , Gautier Agnes , Husson Marie , Cances Claude , Metreau Julia , Laroche Cécile , Chouchane Mondher , Ville Dorothée , Marignier Stéphanie , Rougeot Christelle , Lebrun Marine , de Saint Martin Anne , Perez Alexandra , Riquet Audrey , Badens Catherine , Missirian Chantal , Philip Nicole , Chabrol Brigitte , Villard Laurent , Milh Mathieu
Published: October 2015

Objective

Mutations in the syntaxin binding protein 1 gene (STXBP1) have been associated mostly with early onset epileptic encephalopathies (EOEEs) and Ohtahara syndrome, with a mutation detection rate of approximately 10%, depending on the criteria of selection of patients. The aim of this study was to retrospectively describe clinical and electroencephalography (EEG) features associated with STXBP1‐related epilepsies to orient molecular screening.

Methods

We screened STXBP1 in a cohort of 284 patients with epilepsy associated with a developmental delay/intellectual disability and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without any obvious structural abnormality. We reported on patients with a mutation and a microdeletion involving STXBP1 found using array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH).

Results

We found a mutation of STXBP1 in 22 patients and included 2 additional patients with a deletion including STXBP1. In 22 of them, epilepsy onset was before 3 months of age. EEG at onset was abnormal in all patients, suppression‐burst and multifocal abnormalities being the most common patterns. The rate of patients carrying a mutation ranged from 25% in Ohtahara syndrome to <5% in patients with an epilepsy beginning after 3 months of age. Epilepsy improved over time for most patients, with an evolution to West syndrome in half. Patients had moderate to severe developmental delay with normal head growth. Cerebellar syndrome with ataxic gait and/or tremor was present in 60%.

Significance

Our data confirm that STXBP1 mutations are associated with neonatal‐infantile epileptic encephalopathies. The initial key features highlighted in the cohort of early epileptic patients are motor seizures either focal or generalized, abnormal initial interictal EEG, and normal head growth. In addition, we constantly found an ongoing moderate to severe developmental delay with normal head growth. Patients often had ongoing ataxic gait with trembling gestures. Altogether these features should help the clinician to consider STXBP1 molecular screening.
Developing clinical practice guidelines for epilepsy: A report from the ILAE Epilepsy Guidelines Working Group
Authors: Sauro Khara M. , Wiebe Samuel , Perucca Emilio , French Jacqueline , Dunkley Colin , de Marinis Alejandro , Kirkpatrick Martin , Jetté Nathalie
Published: October 2015

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) contain evidence‐based recommendations to guide clinical care, policy development, and quality of care improvement. A recent systematic review of epilepsy guidelines identified considerable variability in the quality of available guidelines. Although excellent frameworks for CPG development exist, processes are not followed uniformly internationally, and resources to develop CPGs may be limited in certain settings. An International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) working group was charged with proposing methodology to guide the development of future epilepsy‐specific CPGs. A comprehensive literature search (1985–2014) identified articles related to CPG development and handbooks. Guideline handbooks were included if they were publicly available, and if their methodology had been used to develop CPGs. The working group's expertise also informed the creation of methodologies and processes to develop future CPGs for the ILAE. Five handbooks from North America (American Academy of Neurology), Europe (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network & National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), Australia (National Health and Medical Research Council), World Health Organization (WHO), and additional references were identified to produce evidence‐based, consensus‐driven methodology for development of epilepsy‐specific CPGs. Key components of CPG development include the following: identifying the topic and defining the scope; establishing a working group; identifying and evaluating the evidence; formulating recommendations and determining strength of recommendations; obtaining peer reviews; dissemination, implementation, and auditing; and updating and retiring the CPG. A practical handbook and toolkit was developed. The resulting CPG development toolkit should facilitate the development of high‐quality ILAE CPGs to improve the care of persons with epilepsy.
Brivaracetam augments short‐term depression and slows vesicle recycling
Authors: Yang Xiaofeng , Bognar Joseph , He Tianyu , Mohammed Mouhari , Niespodziany Isabelle , Wolff Christian , Esguerra Manuel , Rothman Steven M. , Dubinsky Janet M.
Published: October 2015

Objective

Brivaracetam (BRV) decreases seizure activity in a number of epilepsy models and binds to the synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) with a higher affinity than the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam (LEV). Experiments were performed to determine if BRV acted similarly to LEV to induce or augment short‐term depression (STD) under high‐frequency neuronal stimulation and slow synaptic vesicle recycling.

Methods

Electrophysiologic field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) recordings were made from CA1 synapses in rat hippocampal slices loaded with BRV or LEV during intrinsic activity or with BRV actively loaded during hypertonic stimulation. STD was examined in response to 5 or 40 Hz stimulus trains. Presynaptic release of FM1‐43 was visualized using two‐photon microscopy to assess drug effects upon synaptic vesicle mobilization.

Results

When hippocampal slices were incubated in 0.1–30 μm BRV or 30 μm–1 mm LEV for 3 h, the relative CA1 field EPSPs decreased over the course of a high‐frequency train of stimuli more than for control slices. This STD was frequency‐ and concentration‐dependent, with BRV being 100‐fold more potent than LEV. The extent of STD depended on the length of the incubation time for both drugs. Pretreatment with LEV occluded the effects of BRV. Repeated hypertonic sucrose treatments and train stimulation successfully unloaded BRV from recycling vesicles and reversed BRVs effects on STD, as previously reported for LEV. At their maximal concentrations, BRV slowed FM1‐43 release to a greater extent than in slices loaded with LEV during prolonged stimulation.

Significance

BRV, similar to LEV, entered into recycling synaptic vesicles and produced a frequency‐dependent decrement of synaptic transmission at 100‐fold lower concentrations than LEV. In addition, BRV slowed synaptic vesicle mobilization more effectively than LEV, suggesting that these drugs may modify multiple functions of the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A to curb synaptic transmission and limit epileptic activity.
Lessons learned from a strangles outbreak on a large Standardbred farm
Authors: Christmann U. , Pink C.
Published: October 2015

Streptococcus equisubspecies (ssp.)equiinfection (strangles) remains one of the most frequently diagnosed and costly infectious diseases of horses. Large breeding herds, where a disease outbreak competes for personnel and financial resources needed for foaling management, present a special challenge for equine practitioners. A 15‐month outbreak involving 62 clinical cases of strangles occurred on a large Standardbred breeding farm (average population of 1400 horses). Sixteen asymptomatic horses were found to be PCR (polymerase chain reaction)‐positive forS. equissp.equi. During the outbreak, serological samples from 48 clinically normal horses were found to be seropositive forS. equissp.equi, confirming herd‐wide exposure. After several clinical cases of strangles had been diagnosed, an intranasalS. equissp.equivaccine was administered to clinically normal horses (n = 558) considered to be at risk of exposure. Strangles complications included 7 fatalities (none in vaccinated horses) and 6 cases of purpura haemorrhagica (4 in vaccinated horses). Midway through the outbreak, injectable, sustained release ceftiofur crystalline free acid (CCFA), given as an initial dose followed by a second dose 4 days later, was used exclusively for systemic antimicrobial treatment of clinically affected and PCR‐positive horses. This antimicrobial regimen coincided with a reduction in disease incidence and eventual resolution of the outbreak. Two horses with persistent guttural pouch infection were endoscopically confirmed as carrier horses. The herd history demonstrated that a strangles outbreak will often result in asymptomatic carrier horses and that identification and treatment of these horses are necessary to eliminate long‐term sources of infection. Ceftiofur crystalline free acid was found to be a suitable antimicrobial due to its activity againstS. equissp.equiand the efficiencies associated with twice parenteral dosing during a 10‐day treatment period. Occurrence of purpura in 4 vaccinated horses suggests that vaccination should be reserved for healthy seronegative horses and avoided during an active outbreak.
Thrombin generation and bleeding in haemophilia inhibitor patients during immune tolerance induction
Authors: Ragni M. V. , DiMichele D. M. , Hay C. M. , Malec L. M. , Seaman C. D. , Li J. , Yabes J. G. , Butenas S. , Brummel‐Ziedins K.
Published: October 2015

Background

Inhibitor formation complicates haemophilia treatment and requires immune tolerance induction to rid inhibitors over 5 BU. In the prospective, randomized International Immune Tolerance Study, immune tolerance induction was equally effective with high‐dose (HD) (200 IU kg−1day−1) and low‐dose (LD) (50 IU kg−13× per week) factorVIII, but haemorrhages were twofold higher in theLDarm. This finding was unexpected as inhibitors neutralizeFVIIIactivity. We hypothesized that the thrombin generation assay (TGA), a global measure of clot formation, might predict bleeding better thanFVIIIlevels.

Methods

We evaluatedTGAusing relipidated tissue factor (TF) on 83 thawed, recalcified corn trypsin inhibitor/citrate plasma samples from 31 subjects (17HD, 14LD) who participated on theITIstudy, and who had sufficient sample available and appropriate informed consent.

Results

There were no significant differences in peak thrombin, estimated thrombin potential, maximum rate or lag time betweenHDandLDarms; between pre‐, during and post‐ITItime points, or afterFVIIIspiking. In 19 subjects (12HD, 7LD) with anti‐FVIII<1.0 BU, the prevalence of non‐neutralizing antibody (NNA) and neutralizing antibody (NA) was 89.5% (17/19), and the latter strongly correlated with anti‐VIIItiter, r = 0.73 [95%CI: 0.55, 0.88].

Conclusion

In haemophilia inhibitor patients, thrombin generation is present, but does not predict bleeding risk. Following tolerance induction, NNA remains detectable in the majority.
High‐Temperature Phase Relations in the Lu2O3–Ta2O5 System
Authors: Xing Xue , Wang Xiaofei , Zhang Qingli , Sun Guihua , Shi Chaoshu , Liu Wenpeng , Sun Dunlu , Yin Shaotang
Published: October 2015

The compounds formed from the Lu2O3–Ta2O5 system in the composition range 25–60 mol% Ta2O5 were prepared by solid‐state reaction from 1350°C to 2058°C, and the phase transitions were investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Cubic Lu3TaO7, M′‐LuTaO4, M‐LuTaO4, O‐Ta2O5, and T‐Ta2O5 are observed. With the temperature increase, there is an irreversible phase transition from M′ to M‐LuTaO4 near 1770°C in the composition of 30–52 mol% Ta2O5, and another phase transition from T‐Ta2O5 to O‐Ta2O5 at about 1685°C when the ratio of Ta2O5 is >52 and ≤60 mol%. A phase diagram of the Lu2O3–Ta2O5 system in the range 0–100 mol% Ta2O5 was constructed. These results are helpful to explain the phase transition of Lu2O3–Ta2O5 system and design the preparation technique of LuTaO4 single crystal or ceramic scintillator, which may be applied in the fields of nuclear medicine and high‐energy physics.
A Pilot Study Assessing ECG versus ECHO Ventriculoventricular Optimization in Pediatric Resynchronization Patients
Authors: PUNN RAJESH , HANISCH DEBRA , MOTONAGA KARA S. , ROSENTHAL DAVID N. , CERESNAK SCOTT R. , DUBIN ANNE M.
Published: October 2015

Pediatric Resynchronization Patients

Introduction

Cardiac resynchronization therapy indications and management are well described in adults. Echocardiography (ECHO) has been used to optimize mechanical synchrony in these patients; however, there are issues with reproducibility and time intensity. Pediatric patients add challenges, with diverse substrates and limited capacity for cooperation. Electrocardiographic (ECG) methods to assess electrical synchrony are expeditious but have not been extensively studied in children. We sought to compare ECHO and ECG CRT optimization in children.

Methods

Prospective, pediatric, single‐center cross‐over trial comparing ECHO and ECG optimization with CRT. Patients were assigned to undergo either ECHO or ECG optimization, followed for 6 months, and crossed‐over to the other assignment for another 6 months. ECHO pulsed‐wave tissue Doppler and 12‐lead ECG were obtained for 5 VV delays. ECG optimization was defined as the shortest QRSD and ECHO optimization as the lowest dyssynchrony index. ECHOs/ECGs were interpreted by readers blinded to optimization technique. After each 6 month period, these data were collected: ejection fraction, velocimetry‐derived cardiac index, quality of life, ECHO‐derived stroke distance, M‐mode dyssynchrony, study cost, and time. Outcomes for each optimization method were compared.

Results

From June 2012 to December 2013, 19 patients enrolled. Mean age was 9.1 ± 4.3 years; 14 (74%) had structural heart disease. The mean time for optimization was shorter using ECG than ECHO (9 ± 1 min vs. 68 ± 13 min, P < 0.01). Mean cost for charges was $4,400 ± 700 less for ECG. No other outcome differed between groups.

Conclusion

ECHO optimization of synchrony was not superior to ECG optimization in this pilot study. ECG optimization required less time and cost than ECHO optimization.
Cocoa Flavanol Cardiovascular Effects Beyond Blood Pressure Reduction
Authors: Jumar Agnes , Schmieder Roland E.
Published: October 2015

The protective cardiovascular (CV) effect of cocoa flavanol has been a target of many recent clinical prospective and retrospective investigations. Epidemiological data in different patient cohorts revealed an association between higher intake of flavanol‐rich foods and decreased incidence of CV events, especially stroke and myocardial infarction. Cocoa flavanol has been shown to reduce systolic (2.8 mm Hg) and diastolic (2.2 mm Hg) office blood pressure (BP). Greater BP reduction has been found in hypertensive patients and people younger than 50 years. Cocoa flavanol intake exerts beneficial effects on pathophysiologic mechanisms of hypertension‐related organ damage, such as improved endothelial function, anti‐inflammatory potency, inhibition of platelet activation, and increased vasodilatory capacity. Recent clinical trials have focused on establishing a potential link between epidemiology and pathophysiology of flavanol and identified possible mechanisms for prevention of end‐organ damage in patients at CV risk. This review summarizes the available data on the antihypertensive effects of cocoa flavanol beyond BP‐BP lowering lowering effects, accentuates subgroup‐specific protective actions of cocoa according to patients' different CV risk profile, and outlines potential cocoa flavanol–associated clinical implications.
Human haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells express several functional sex hormone receptors
Authors: Abdelbaset‐Ismail Ahmed , Suszynska Malwina , Borkowska Sylwia , Adamiak Mateusz , Ratajczak Janina , Kucia Magda , Ratajczak Mariusz Z.
Published: October 2015

Evidence has accumulated that murine haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) share several markers with the germline, a connection supported by recent reports that pituitary and gonadal sex hormones (SexHs) regulate development of murine HSPCs. It has also been reported that human HSPCs, like their murine counterparts, respond to certain SexHs (e.g. androgens). However, to better address the effects of SexHs, particularly pituitary SexHs, on human haematopoiesis, we tested for expression of receptors for pituitary SexHs, including follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin (PRL), as well as the receptors for gonadal SexHs, including progesterone, oestrogens, and androgen, on HSPCs purified from human umbilical cord blood (UCB) and peripheral blood (PB). We then tested the functionality of these receptors in ex vivo signal transduction studies and in vitro clonogenic assays. In parallel, we tested the effect of SexHs on human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Finally, based on our observation that at least some of the UCB‐derived, CD45− very small embryonic‐like stem cells (VSELs) become specified into CD45+ HSPCs, we also evaluated the expression of pituitary and gonadal SexH receptors on these cells. We report for the first time that human HSPCs and VSELs, like their murine counterparts, express pituitary and gonadal SexH receptors at the mRNA and protein levels. Most importantly, SexH if added to suboptimal doses of haematopoietic cytokines and growth factors enhance clonogenic growth of human HSPCs as well as directly stimulate proliferation of MSCs.
Apigenin, a potent suppressor of dendritic cell maturation and migration, protects against collagen‐induced arthritis
Authors: Li Xing , Han Yanping , Zhou Qingyou , Jie Hongyu , He Yi , Han Jiaochan , He Juan , Jiang Yong , Sun Erwei
Published: October 2015

This study aimed to investigate whether apigenin (API) suppresses arthritis development through the modulation of dendritic cell functions. Bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) were stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and treated with API for 24 hrs; DC functions, including phenotype expressions, cytokine secretion, phagocytosis and chemotaxis, were then investigated. The effects of API on collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) were examined in vivo, and purified DCs from the lymph nodes (LNs) of API‐treated CIA mice were analysed for phenotypes and subsets. In in vitro, API efficiently restrained the phenotypic and functional maturation of LPS‐stimulated BMDCs while maintaining phagocytotic capabilities. Moreover, API inhibited the chemotactic responses of LPS‐stimulated BMDCs, which may be related to the depressive effect on chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). In in vivo, API treatment delayed the onset and reduced the severity of arthritis in CIA mice, and diminished secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the serum and supernatants from the LN cells of the CIA mice. Similar to the in vitro findings, the API‐treated mice exhibited reduced expression of co‐stimulatory molecules and major histocompatibility complex II on DCs. Furthermore, API treatment strongly down‐regulated the number of Langerhans cells, but not plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) in LNs, which may be related to the depressive effect of API on the expression of CXCR4 on DCs of peripheral blood. These data provide new insight into the mechanism of action of API on arthritis and indicate that the inhibition of maturation and migration of DCs by API may contribute to its immunosuppressive effects.
Does evidence‐based practice improve patient outcomes? An analysis of a natural experiment in a Spanish hospital
Authors: Emparanza Jose I. , Cabello Juan B. , Burls Amanda J. E.
Published: October 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

Evidence‐based practice (EBP) is widely promoted, but does EBP produce better patient outcomes? We report a natural experiment when part of the internal medicine service in a hospital was reorganized in 2003 to form an EBP unit, the rest of the service remaining unchanged. The units attended similar patients until 2012 permitting comparisons of outcomes and activity.

Methods

We used routinely collected statistics (2004–11) to compare the two different methods of practice and test whether patients being seen by the EBP unit differed from standard practice (SP) patients. Data were available by doctor and year. To check for differences between the EBP and SP doctors prior to reorganization, we used statistics from 2000 to 2003. We looked for changes in patient outcomes or activity following reorganization and whether the EBP unit was achieving significantly different results from SP. Data across the periods were combined and tested using Mann–Whitney test.

Results

No statistically significant differences in outcomes were detected between the EBP and the SP doctors prior to reorganization. Following the unit's establishment, the mortality of patients being treated by EBP doctors compared with their previous performance dropped from 7.4% to 6.3% (P < 0.02) and length of stay from 9.15 to 6.01 days (P = 0.002). No statistically significant improvements were seen in SP physicians' performance. No differences in the proportion of patients admitted or their complexity between the services were detected. Despite this, EBP patients had a clinically significantly lower risk of death 6.27% versus 7.75% (P < 0.001) and a shorter length of stay 6.01 versus 8.46 days (P < 0.001) than SP patients. Readmission rates were similar: 14.4% (EBP); 14.5% (SP). EBP doctors attended twice as many patients/doctor as SP doctors.

Conclusion

The EBP unit was associated with better patient outcomes and more efficient performance than achieved by the same physicians previously or by SP concurrently.