bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serving sizes and energy values on the nutrition labels of regular and diet/light processed and ultra-processed dairy products sold in Brazil
Authors: Machado Priscila Pereira , Kraemer Mariana Vieira dos Santos , Kliemann Nathalie , Colussi Cláudia Flemming , Veiros Marcela Boro , Proença Rossana Pacheco da Costa
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse and compare the serving sizes and energy values reported on the nutrition information of all processed and ultra-processed dairy products in their regular and diet/light versions available for sale in a large supermarket in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

– A check was done for associations between the compliance of reported serving sizes, energy values per serving and energy density for regular foods and foods advertised at “diet/light” (with reduced fat and calories).

Findings

– The data included information from 451 dairy product labels. Most of the products had serving sizes smaller than the reference set by Brazilian law. A high variability of serving sizes was found for similar products. “Diet/light” foods tend to report serving sizes that are even smaller and more inadequate. Moreover, the energy density of these products was similar to that of the regular foods. Smaller serving sizes may be being presented on “diet/light” foods in order to report lower energy values and on similar foods to show non-existent differences in energy values. These results point to the importance of standardizing serving size information on food labels so that consumers have access to clear and accurate information about food products.

Originality/value

– This was the first census-type study to analyse the serving size information of dairy products at a supermarket of one of the ten largest supermarket chains in Brazil. This work extends the scope of current food labelling and contributes to the discussion about how nutrition labelling has been presented to Brazilian consumers and its possible consequences for food choices and the guarantee of consumer rights.
Responsible food marketing and standardisation: an exploratory study
Authors: Cairns Georgina , De Andrade Marisa , Landon Jane
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the feasibility and utility of developing an independently defined and accredited benchmark standard for responsible food marketing. To identify provisional evidence and insights on factors likely to be critical to its successful development and its capacity to strengthen the effectiveness of responsible food marketing policy.

Design/methodology/approach

– Desk-based cross-policy domain case study.

Findings

– There is promising evidence that the development and deployment of an evidence-based, independently defined and verified responsible food marketing standard is feasible. Provisional findings on factors critical to the development of an effective standard and strategically significant evidence gaps are presented as insights in support of future food marketing policy and research planning.

Research limitations/implications

– Further investigation of these preliminary findings is required.

Practical implications

– The study has provisionally identified an innovative intervention with the potential to strengthen statutory, voluntary and internationally coordinated food marketing control policy approaches.

Originality/value

– This is the first report of research into the potential for an independent benchmark standard to advance and strengthen responsible food marketing policy goals.
Consumer trust in organic milk of different brands: the role of Chinese organic label
Authors: Yin Shijiu , Chen Mo , Chen Yusheng , Xu Yingjun , Zou Zongsen , Wang Yiqin
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– Organic certification system became important means to restore consumer confidence in China. The purpose of this paper is to focus on consumer trust in organic milk of different brands and its influencing factors.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data were collected from 876 randomly selected consumers in Shandong Province, China. And an ordered logistic model was established to analyze influencing factors of consumer trust.

Findings

– Chinese consumers generally lack trust in organic milk. Consumer trust for different brands of organic milk was different, and was not high in general. Various factors, namely, age, education years, food safety awareness, evaluation of government regulation policy, evaluation of organic milk price, and purchase convenience, have a significant impact on consumer trust. Factors, such as income, environmental protection consciousness, and risk consciousness, are not significant.

Originality/value

– This research is of academic value and of value to policy makers and suppliers. Government should promote institutional arrangement and strengthening supervision in production, certification, and circulation of organic products. Organic suppliers should implement reliable marketing strategy, such as correct pricing, and build a more extensive and convenient distribution network.
Multiple reference effects on restaurant evaluations: a cross-cultural study
Authors: Kim Soyeon , Chung Jae-Eun , Suh YongGu
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore multiple reference effects with regard to customers’ post-consumption evaluations in a cross-cultural context. The authors propose to test an integrative model of three types of reference effects (disconfirmation, attractiveness of alternatives and self-image congruity) and their relationship to customers’ evaluations associated with satisfaction and loyalty. Additional insight into the link between reference points and customer satisfaction is provided by examining the moderating influence of the cultural orientation of customers: South Korean (an Eastern, collectivist and high uncertainty avoidance culture) versus American (a Western, individualistic and low uncertainty avoidance culture).

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this study were collected through a Web-based survey. Based on a sample of 723 Korean and American consumers, multi-group analysis of structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed model and the moderating effect of culture.

Findings

Overall, the results indicated that American customers’ use of reference points in their post-consumption evaluations is significantly different from that of Korean customers. Specifically, disconfirmation had a stronger effect on Korean customers than on their American counterparts, whereas the attractiveness of alternatives had a stronger effect on American customers than on those from Korea. Moreover, self-image congruity was found to be equally important in both cultures.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the comparison of American and Korean participants in this study, these results may not be applied to customers from other countries. Moreover, the study is limited to post-consumption evaluations in restaurants and generalization of the results to other industries may be ill advised. Thus, further research is required to replicate the results and include customers from different countries in more diverse consumption settings.

Practical implications

The findings provide useful guidance for efficient marketing strategies to generate positive consumer outcomes across borders. Marketers must consider the interaction of cultures and customers to better understand customer perceptions and evaluations about their experiences. This understanding will enable the marketers to more effectively communicate with their target markets and allow them to tailor advertising to different segments of their customer base contingent upon their cultural orientations.

Originality/value

Although the role of reference effects has begun to attract considerable interest among consumer behavior researchers, much of this research has been conducted in a single cultural context. Because the global economy is becoming increasingly cross-cultural, it is valuable to conduct international consumer research to further the understanding of consumers’ post-consumption evaluation processes using multiple reference points from a global perspective.
Systematic review of the elements and service standards of delightful service
Authors: Chun Wang Jen , Wang Yi-Chieh , Tai Yang-Fei
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the components and service standards of delightful service by conducting a comprehensive literature review and applying the Delphi survey method.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a three-round Delphi survey to consolidate the experience of 11 experts in implementing delightful service. To ensure the recruitment of experts who were knowledgeable in delightful service delivery, the panellists were chosen from service- and hospitality-related industries; the respondents were hotel managers, senior frontline service personnel and academic educators who were knowledgeable in both the service industry and service innovation.

Findings

By integrating professional experiences from both academics and hotel practitioners, we conclude that hotel facilities and amenities, environment and ambiance design and service personnel’s service delivery practices are essential elements for creating a unique and unforgettable consumer experience. Distinctive hotel facilities and ambiance provide a unique experience, which can leave memorable impressions on customers. Being able to detect customers’ emotional conditions and hidden needs through attentive and proactive service practice and providing attentive and customized service are pivotal for service personnel. Advanced service performance enables attending to customers’ personal well-being and caring for their unique needs effectively. The proposed standard for service provision exceeds customer expectations.

Research limitations/implications

First, the number of panellists was low, limiting the generalizability of the results. Future studies should increase the number of panellists. Second, this study focused only on the hotel industry in Taiwan. The results may not be generalizable to other hospitality industries or other countries. Future studies can duplicate this study in other hospitality industries and in other countries to broaden the understating of the elements and service standards of delightful service.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide a practical guideline for implementing delightful service. Hotel practitioners are advised to increase the degree of refinement, variety and attentiveness of their facilities and amenities; use sensory elements in their hotel environment and ambiance design; and advance staff members’ service skills to be more proactive, attentive, empathetic and customer-oriented. Carefully designing the core product and advancing the service delivery style can provide hotel guests with an exceptional and unique lodging experience, thus achieving delight.

Originality/value

This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the implementation of delightful service.
The mediating effect of ambidextrous knowledge strategy between social capital and innovation of cultural tourism clusters firms
Authors: Martínez-Pérez Ángela , García-Villaverde Pedro M. , Elche Dioni
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the extent to which social capital (SC) spurs innovation in firms located within tourism clusters. Specifically, the study focuses on the mediating role of ambidextrous knowledge strategy (AKS) on the relationship between SC and innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

A structural model is used on a sample of 215 firms of the hospitality and tourism industry located in World Heritage Cities of Spain. Data analysis is carried out using partial least squares.

Findings

The combination of bonding and bridging capital yields higher innovation performance through AKS.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis does not take into account the full set of confounding factors that influence innovation. The factors captured by this study significantly explain heterogeneity in the intensity of innovation among the studied firms.

Practical Implications

The main recommendation is that firms located in cultural tourism clusters (CTCs) do not restrict the focus on either local or outside relations only but pursue a strategy based on the combination of internal and external relations. This will enable ambidextrous knowledge strategies and better innovation performance.

Originality/value

There are numerous studies on the relation between some dimensions of SC, some knowledge strategies and some types of innovation. The value added of the present study is the articulation of complementarities among these dimensions. In particular, this study integrates bonding and bridging dimensions of SC, exploration and exploitation of knowledge and incremental and radical innovation. In addition, the paper provides an empirical identification of World Heritage Cities of Spain as CTCs.
Workplace fun for better team performance: focus on frontline hotel employees
Authors: Han Heesup , Kim Wansoo , Jeong Chul
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The aim of this study is to reveal how workplace fun promotes team performance in the hotel business context.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual model of this study was tested based on responses from 271 frontline hotel employees (including managers) in the USA, who had full-time work tenure of more than three months in a three-star or above-rated hotel.

Findings

This study revealed that workplace fun activities enhance team performance by promoting employees’ workplace fun experience and by facilitating interpersonal trust and group cohesion, which, in turn, reduce intra-group conflict and stimulates interpersonal citizenship behaviors, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

First, this study adopted subjective team performance measures. Although it can be exaggerated unconsciously, the literature suggests that how team members perceive their team’ performance is also an important indicator of team effectiveness. Second, the conceptual model of this study was tested in the US context. So, in a more collectivistic culture, the model might generate somewhat different results from those of this study.

Practical implications

The findings of this study indicate that workplace fun initiatives by the management are an effective means to promote the performance of frontline work teams at a hotel. Discussions are extended to incorporating fun elements into existing organizational cultures.

Originality/value

By adopting the input–process–outcome framework, this study shows how workplace fun, as a critical input, creates positive group processes and, thereby, promotes positive group outcomes in the hotel business context.
Classifying restaurants to improve usability of restaurant research
Authors: Canziani Bonnie Farber , Almanza Barbara , Frash Robert E. , McKeig Merrick J. , Sullivan-Reid Caitlin
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to review existing restaurant classifications within the literature in the restaurant management field. The authors discuss intra-industry ramifications of the limited use of recognized typologies and the need to prescriptively guide the description of restaurant context in the literature to communicate the internal and external validity of findings.

Design/methodology/approach

Restaurant categories from accepted typologies are used as keywords to collect 345 empirical studies from ten relevant journals serving the global restaurant management discipline. Content analysis of titles, abstracts and methodology sections is used to examine three propositions regarding the standardization, rationalization and efficiency of restaurant classification in imparting restaurant context in published works.

Findings

Findings show inconsistent use of existing typologies and limited use of effective restaurant descriptors to inform users about the situational context in which data were gathered or hypotheses were tested. There is a general preference for categories commonly associated with those of the National Restaurant Association.

Research limitations/implications

Researchers should standardize descriptions of restaurants in manuscript titles, abstracts and methods sections, thereby enhancing integration of international research, the ability to conduct macro-level industry studies, and communication of findings to practitioners for operational use.

Originality/value

Recommendations are offered to optimize the use of restaurant classification so that the content of empirical studies may be more effectively accessed, digested and compared, thereby enhancing the communication of advances in the restaurant management body of knowledge to practitioners and other researchers.
An analysis of the emerging role of social media in human trafficking
Authors: Fraser Campbell
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the relationship between human trafficking brokers and trafficking victims by using examples from both the international labour and human organ trafficking industries. It proposes an evolution in the brokerage process from geographic to online networks and how this alters the nature of the relationships between parties. The study aims to expand the understanding of contemporary trafficking brokerage networks in developing areas.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for an ethnographic study which involved living among trafficking victims in 21 developing countries during the period of 2008-2015; 17 cases are presented as exemplars of the trafficking industry environment, told from the perspective of both trafficking victims and the brokers who have profited from them. The data were complemented by commentary, which developed common themes across both labour and human organ trafficking.

Findings

The paper provides insights about how change in the brokerage process is brought about by the shift from geographic to online networks. It suggests that trafficking operations have learned how to use online social media and the dark Web. Moreover, it illustrates the impact of these networks on the power imbalance in human trafficking and the experience of its victims.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to labour and human organ trafficking in developing nations, but the concepts may have wider implications in other forms of human trafficking.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development of a framework to understand the impact of online trafficking networks.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study how human trafficking networks are evolving in the digital age.
Productivity and efficiency of labour intensive manufacturing industries in India
Authors: Parida Purna Chandra , Pradhan Kailash Chandra
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to make an attempt to identify labour intensity of organized manufacturing industries in India using the Annual Survey of Industry (ASI) data at three-digit level. It estimates total factor productivity growth (TFPG) and technical efficiency for both labour intensive and all manufacturing industries during the pre- and post-reforms periods.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses three approaches to estimate TFPG. They are growth accounting (GA) (non-parametric), production function with correction for endogeneity – Levinsohn-Petrin (LP) (semi-parametric) and stochastic production frontier (SPF) analysis (parametric). The study uses ASI data published by Central Statistical Organization, Government of India for the period 1980-1981 to 2007-2008 for the analysis.

Findings

The study finds that the rate of decline of the labour intensity is more pronounced in the case of labour-intensive industries than all the manufacturing industries. The results of GA method suggest that the TFPG of labour-intensive industries has declined continuously from the pre-reforms period to the post-reforms period. Similarly, LP method indicates a continuous decline in TFPG of labour-intensive manufacturing industries during the post-reforms period. Interestingly, the results of SPF method also corroborate the findings of earlier two methods at the aggregate level but vary at a certain degree at the disaggregated level.

Originality/value

This paper is useful in the context of India considering the importance given to labour-intensive industries by the present government in terms of reviving the sector and improving the productivity and output.
Cultural differences in a public hospital in Mexico
Authors: Suarez Tirso , Lopez Canto Leonor E.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper presents the initial results of a project on organizational and professional cultures prevalent in hospital organizations. The purpose of this paper is to identify the cultural differences that make it possible to anticipate, with the aid of subsequent studies, consequences in the communication and coordination of the future integration of the Mexican public health system, which is currently fragmented.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative tool was used to identify the cultures in a secondary-level public hospital.

Findings

The diversity inherent to hospital organizations was confirmed.

Originality/value

The real value of the findings lies in the classification of the subcultures and their possible effects on human interaction and cooperation.
The Impact of Social Health Insurance on Diabetes and Hypertension Process Indicators among Older Adults in Mexico
Authors: Rivera‐Hernandez Maricruz , Rahman Momotazur , Mor Vincent , Galarraga Omar
Published: July 2016

Objective

To examine the impact of Seguro Popular (Mexican social health insurance for the poor; SP) on diabetes and hypertension care, intermediate process indicators for older adults (>50 years): pharmacological treatment, blood glucose tests, the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and adherence to their nutrition and exercise program. (CAM was defined as products or practices that were not part of the medical standard of care.)

Data Sources/Study Setting

Repeated cross‐sectional surveys from Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (Mexican Health and Nutrition Survey, ENSANUT), a nationally representative health and nutrition survey sampling N = 45,294 older adults in 2000, N = 45,241 older adults in 2005–2006, and N = 46,277 older adults in 2011‐2012.

Study Design

Fixed‐effects instrumental variable (FE‐IV) repeated cross‐sectional at the individual level with municipality fixed‐effects estimation was performed.

Principal Findings

We found a marginally significant effect of SP on the use of insulin and oral agents (40 percentage points). Contrary to that expected, no other significant differences were found for diabetes or hypertension treatment and care indicators.

Conclusions

Social health insurance for the poor improved some but not all health care process indicators among diabetic and hypertensive older people in Mexico.
Just where will you spend your ‘inevitable citizenship in the country of the old’?
Authors: Crabb Peter
Published: July 2016

On retirement, most people ‘stay put’ in the family home. However, many move, by choice or out of necessity, especially in old old age, when, for one reason or other, the dwelling is no longer suitable. Some stay within the known community, whereas others move further afield, notably the sea and tree changers. Whatever the choice of location, the dwelling needs to be appropriate. So, too, must be the location; a place that is ‘nice’ for a holiday is not necessarily nice for retirement. Proximity and access to needed services and facilities are critical, including when one can no longer drive. Unfortunately, a lack of research or letting emotions take over can result in wrong choices being made, for individual dwellings and retirement villages. The personal and societal costs, financial and intangible, of choosing the wrong location for retirement are large. Australia may not be facing a ‘crisis’ because of its increasing numbers of older people, but these same people can make a positive contribution to their well‐being, personally and nationally, by being much more careful when deciding where to spend their ‘inevitable citizenship in the country of the old’. It is a decision to which geographers have important contributions to make.
De novo assembled transcriptome of horned gall aphid, Schlechtendalia chinensis Bell, suggest changes in functional gene expression during host alternation
Authors: Wang Si‐Liang , Yang Zi‐Xiang , Yang Pu , Zhang Chuan‐Xi
Published: July 2016

The horned gall aphid, Schlechtendalia chinensis Bell, is the most economically valuable galling aphid. It accounts for approximately 75% of Chinese gallnut production, which is important for medical and chemical purposes. The horned gall aphid feeds on the Chinese sumac tree, Rhus chinensis, during the summer, induces galls, and overwinters on the moss Plagiomnium spp. However, the sequence information of S. chinensis is limited, and the functional gene expression changes during host alternation remain obscure. In this study, the transcriptome of the horned gall aphid was sequenced using high‐throughput sequencing technology. Approximately 49 million reads were obtained and were assembled into 99 366 transcripts and 47 400 unigenes. Annotation was performed using a BLAST search against primary databases such as NCBI nr and Swiss‐Prot, as well as enrichment analysis by GO, KOG and KEGG. Differentially expressed genes between spring and autumn migrant aphids were compared, and the expression levels of many genes related to detoxification, digestion and other functional genes were found to have changed, reflecting the adaptation ability of horned gall aphids in different seasons and hosts. Functional genes in wax biosynthesis were upregulated in spring migrant aphids. This study analyzed the expression profile difference between spring and autumn migrant aphids to approach the real functional genes change during host alternation. The transcriptome provides a basis to understanding the functional genes during gall aphid host alternation and the related physiological and molecular characteristics.
Effect of intravitreal dexamethasone implant on intra‐ocular cytokines and chemokines in eyes with retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Rezar‐Dreindl Sandra , Eibenberger Katharina , Pollreisz Andreas , Bühl Wolf , Georgopoulos Michael , Krall Christoph , Dunavölgyi Roman , Weigert Günther , Kroh Maria‐Elisabeth , Schmidt‐Erfurth Ursula , Sacu Stefan
Published: July 2016

Purpose

To investigate the influence of intravitreal dexamethasone implant on inflammatory and angiogenic cytokine levels in the aqueous of patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Methods

Forty eyes of 40 consecutive patients with macular oedema (ME) due to branch and central retinal vein occlusion (BRVO/CRVO) were treated with an intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex®) at baseline and evaluated until month 6. Retreatment was performed in case of recurrent ME earliest 4 months after the baseline treatment. Aqueous humour samples were taken at baseline, months 1, 3, 6 and at the time of each retreatment. Concentrations of 29 different cytokines were measured by Luminex® bead assays. The control group comprised healthy patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Results

At baseline concentrations of interleukin (IL)‐8, angiopoietin (ANG)‐2 and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1 were highly elevated in patients with CRVO compared with controls (p = 0.006; p = 0.02; p = 0.03). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations were upregulated in patients with BRVO and CRVO (p = 0.003; p = 0.001). Retreatment with a dexamethasone implant was necessary after 4 months in 14/8 (BRVO/CRVO) patients, 5 months in 5/3 patients and 6 months in one patient (BRVO). After the initial treatment, macrophage chemo‐attractant protein (MCP)‐1 and IL17‐E concentrations decreased in BRVO (p < 0.001; p = 0.01) and MCP‐1 and IL1‐α in CRVO (p = 0.01; p = 0.003). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations did not change during treatment in either group (p = 0.3). A mixed‐effect model showed that cytokine concentrations positively correlated with central retinal thickness changes.

Conclusions

Intravitreal dexamethasone treatment resulted in alterations in the concentrations of pro‐inflammatory cytokines MCP‐1 and IL17‐E in patients with BRVO and MCP‐1 and IL1‐α in patients with CRVO. These data highlight the important role of inflammatory mediators involved in ME due to RVO.
Serum heparanase concentration and heparanase activity in patients with retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Hu Yijun , Atik Alp , Yu Honghua , Li Tao , Zhang Boyong , Li Dongli , Cai Ning , Yu Yang , Chen Jing , Li Guodong , Yuan Ling
Published: July 2016

Purpose

To investigate the serum heparanase concentration and heparanase activity of the patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) or branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Methods

This prospective study included 23 CRVO patients, 13 BRVO patients and 28 control subjects. Serum heparanase concentration was measured by ELISA. Serum heparanase activity was determined using a heparan degrading enzyme assay kit (Mountain View, CA, USA). Multivariate logistic regression was used to adjust for the possible confounding factors when comparing the difference in serum heparanase concentration and activity between patients with RVO and control subjects.

Results

Patients with CRVO (3.963 ± 0.816 U/l) or BRVO (3.371 ± 1.522 U/l) had significantly higher levels of heparanase protein compared to controls (1.055 ± 0.902 U/l). This significance remained after adjusting for aforementioned confounding factors (CRVO versus control, p = 0.000, 95%CI: 2.450–4.488; BRVO versus control, p = 0.006, 95%CI: 0.776–4.050). Patients with CRVO (0.3587 ± 0.1498 U/ml) or BRVO (0.3616 ± 0.0570 U/ml) had significantly higher levels of heparanase activity compared to controls (0.1449 ± 0.0952 U/ml). The significance was maintained after adjusting for the aforementioned confounding factors (CRVO versus control, p = 0.012, 95%CI: 0.036–0.275; BRVO versus control, p = 0.000, 95%CI: 0.150–0.395). There was no significant difference in serum heparanase protein levels and activities between CRVO and BRVO groups before and after confounding factor adjustment.

Conclusion

Our study provides the first direct clinical link between systemic heparanase protein levels and heparanase activity with RVO, suggesting a critical role for heparanase in the pathophysiology of RVO.
Systematic review: genetic biomarkers associated with anti‐TNF treatment response in inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Bek S. , Nielsen J. V. , Bojesen A. B. , Franke A. , Bank S. , Vogel U. , Andersen V.
Published: July 2016

Background

Personalised medicine, including biomarkers for treatment selection, may provide new algorithms for more effective treatment of patients. Genetic variation may impact drug response and genetic markers could help selecting the best treatment strategy for the individual patient.

Aim

To identify polymorphisms and candidate genes from the literature that are associated with anti‐tumour necrosis factor (TNF) treatment response in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis.

Methods

We performed a PubMed literature search and retrieved studies reporting original data on association between polymorphisms and anti‐TNF treatment response and conducted a meta‐analysis.

Results

A functional polymorphism in FCGR3A was significantly associated with anti‐TNF treatment response among CD patients using biological response criterion (decrease in C‐reactive protein, levels). Meta‐analyses showed that polymorphisms in TLR2 (rs3804099, OR (95% CI) = 2.17 (1.35–3.47)], rs11938228 [OR = 0.64 (0.43–0.96)], TLR4 (rs5030728) [OR = 3.18 (1.63–6.21)], TLR9 (rs352139) [OR = 0.43 (0.21–0.88)], TNFRSF1A (rs4149570) [OR = 2.06 (1.02–4.17)], IFNG (rs2430561) [OR = 1.66 (1.05–2.63)], IL6 (rs10499563) [OR = 1.65 (1.04–2.63)] and IL1B (rs4848306) [OR = 1.88 (1.05–3.35)] were significantly associated with response among IBD patients using clinical response criteria. A positive predictive value of 0.96 was achieved by combining five genetic markers in an explorative analysis.

Conclusions

There are no genetic markers currently available which are adequately predictive of anti‐TNF response for use in the clinic. Genetic markers bear the advantage that they do not change over time. Therefore, hypothesis‐free approaches, testing a large number of polymorphisms in large, well‐characterised cohorts, are required in order to identify genetic profiles with larger effect sizes, which could be employed as biomarkers for treatment selection in clinical settings.
Fast‐to‐slow shift of muscle fiber‐type composition by dietary apple polyphenols in rats: Impact of the low‐dose supplementation
Authors: Mizunoya Wataru , Okamoto Shinpei , Miyahara Hideo , Akahoshi Mariko , Suzuki Takahiro , Do Mai‐Khoi Q. , Ohtsubo Hideaki , Komiya Yusuke , Qahar Mulan , Waga Toshiaki , Nakazato Koichi , Ikeuchi Yoshihide , Anderson Judy E. , Tatsumi Ryuichi
Published: July 2016

Our previous studies demonstrated that an 8‐week intake of 5% (w/w) apple polyphenol (APP) in the diet improves muscle endurance of young‐adult rats. In order to identify a lower limit of the dietary contribution of APP to the effect, the experiments were designed for lower‐dose supplementation (8‐week feeding of 0.5% APP in AIN‐93G diet) to 12‐week‐old male Sprague‐Dawley rats. Results clearly showed that the 0.5% APP diet significantly up‐regulates slower myosin‐heavy‐chain (MyHC) isoform ratios (IIx and IIa relative to total MyHC) and myoglobin expression in lower hind‐limb muscles examined (P < 0.05). There was a trend to increased fatigue resistance detected from measurements of relative isometric plantar‐flexion force torque generated by a stimulus train delivered to the tibial nerve (F(98, 1372) = 1.246, P = 0.0574). Importantly, there was no significant difference in the animal body‐phenotypes or locomotor activity shown as total moving distance in light and dark periods. Therefore, the present study encourages the notion that even low APP‐intake may increase the proportions of fatigue‐resistant myofibers, and has promise as a strategy for modifying performance in human sports and improving function in age‐related muscle atrophy.
Coat and hair color: hair cortisol and serotonin levels in lactating Holstein cows under heat stress conditions
Authors: Ghassemi Nejad Jalil , Kim Byong‐Wan , Lee Bae‐Hun , Sung Kyung‐Il
Published: July 2016

The deleterious effects of heat stress on animal health are being increasingly recognized. This study aimed to determine hair cortisol (HC) and serotonin levels in lactating Holstein cows under heat stress conditions with different coat and hair‐cut color. Forty‐five multiparous lactating Holstein cows (days in milk = 130 ± 47, body weight = 753 ± 85 kg) were divided to two main groups of over 80% black coat color (BC) and over 85% white coat color (WC) visually observed based on registry certificates and subdividing to black hair sample (BH) and white hair samples (WH) in 2 × 2 factorial arrangements. Hair samples were taken from the forehead of the individuals. Higher HC levels were observed in BC than WC cows (P < 0.05). No differences were found in HC levels between BH and WH groups (P > 0.05). Serotonin levels showed no difference between BC and WC (P > 0.05). Interaction between coat color and hair color was not significant (P > 0.05). The cortisol levels in hair are not affected by pigmentation. However, pigmentation within the coat alters cortisol levels. In conclusion, white coat color retains less cortisol than the black coat. Therefore, white coats are preferable for dairy cows under heat stress conditions.
Reading Winnicott Slowly… Winnicott, Language and the Science of Psychoanalysis
Authors: Scarfone Dominique
Published: July 2016

The author makes a plea for a reading of Winnicott's writings that searches for Winnicott's way of thinking besides searching for specific ideas and concepts. He addresses the question of Winnicott's language, which, the author suggests, may reveal itself at odds not so much with classical Freudian psychoanalysis, as is often purported, as with an entrenched and dogmatic attitude that reigned in many quarters of the psychoanalytic community around him. A parallel reading of his papers and of his correspondence shows that Winnicott avoided writing in a desiccated, formulaic fashion or in reverence to some leading figure in the psychoanalytic society. He rather opted for thinking his own thoughts and thinking the psychoanalytic experience anew.
Analysis on Demand
Authors: Bürgin Dieter
Published: July 2016

In his book The Piggle, Winnicott describes a psychoanalytic process that began when his young patient was 2½ years old. He saw her for 15 sessions over a period of about 2½ years and he called this type of setting ‘psychoanalysis on demand’. He concluded that a child should either have analysis as daily sessions or be seen on demand. For an analysis ‘on demand’, the young patient needs a high capacity for continuity and linking to bridge the long intervals between sessions. The author examines in relation to the material of Winnicott's creative case presentation how this capacity was communicated to Winnicott by the small child (a kind of primary symbolization) and how these mostly preverbal communications were ‘heard’ (or not) by Winnicott.
Symbolic and Anticipated: Winnicott's Attention to the Use of Black in the Consulting Room
Authors: Caldwell Lesley
Published: July 2016

This article addresses Donald Winnicott's consistent attention to the idea of black and blackness as manifested in his work in the consulting room from the late 1940s to the 1960s. It describes several very different pieces, published and unpublished, where the use of black is recorded in patients’ material and the different directions they open up: skin colour, psychoanalytic research, representations of trauma and serious disturbance. Both Winnicott and this article argue for caution in ascribing any fixed connotation to black and blackness while recognizing its importance across cultures and historical epochs. In one of the articles under discussion, ‘Hallucination and dehallucination’ (1957), Winnicott refers to two male patients drawing with black pencil and I have linked his discussion both to the more general area of modern art and artists who have been interested in black and to contemporary psychoanalytic interest in unrepresented states. I emphasize the complexity of the arenas opened up by Winnicott and argue for their historical importance.
Inhibition of spleen tyrosine kinase attenuates IgE‐mediated airway contraction and mediator release in human precision cut lung slices
Authors: Koziol‐White Cynthia J , Jia Yanlin , Baltus Gretchen A , Cooper Philip R , Zaller Dennis M , Crackower Michael A , Sirkowski Erich E , Smock Steven , Northrup Alan B , Himes Blanca E , Alves Stephen E , Panettieri Reynold A
Published: July 2016

Background and Purpose

Asthma presents as a heterogeneous syndrome characterized by airway obstruction, inflammation and hyper‐reactivity (AHR). Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) mediates allergen‐induced mast cell degranulation, a central component of allergen‐induced inflammation and AHR. However, the role of Syk in IgE‐mediated constriction of human small airways remains unknown. In this study, we addressed whether selective inhibition of Syk attenuates IgE‐mediated constriction and mast cell mediator release in human small airways.

Experimental Approach

Human precision cut lung slices (hPCLS) ex vivo derived from non‐asthmatic donors were incubated overnight with human IgE, dexamethasone, montelukast, antihistamines or a selective Syk inhibitor (SYKi). High‐affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) activation by anti‐IgE cross‐linking was performed, and constriction and mediator release measured. Airway constriction was normalized to that induced by maximal carbachol stimulation. Syk expression (determined by qPCR and immunoblot) was also evaluated in human primary airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells to determine whether Syk directly modulates HASM function.

Key Results

While dexamethasone had little effect on FcεR‐mediated contraction, montelukast or antihistamines partially attenuated the response. SYKi abolished anti‐IgE‐mediated contraction and suppressed the release of mast cell or basophil mediators from the IgE‐treated hPCLS. In contrast, SYKi had little effect on the non‐allergic contraction induced by carbachol. Syk mRNA and protein were undetectable in HASM cells.

Conclusions and Implications

A selective Syk inhibitor, but not corticosteroids, abolished FcεR‐mediated contraction in human small airways ex vivo. The mechanism involved FcεRI receptor activation on mast cells or basophils that degranulate causing airway constriction, rather than direct actions on HASM.
Myasthenic crisis and polymyositis induced by one dose of nivolumab
Authors: Kimura Toshihiro , Fukushima Satoshi , Miyashita Azusa , Aoi Jun , Jinnin Masatoshi , Kosaka Takayuki , Ando Yukio , Matsukawa Masakazu , Inoue Hiroyuki , Kiyotani Kazuma , Park Jae‐Hyun , Nakamura Yusuke , Ihn Hironobu
Published: July 2016

An 80‐year‐old man, who developed multiple lymph node and skin metastasis of malignant melanoma, received nivolumab monotherapy. Two weeks after the first dose, he experienced anorexia and fatigue, and suffered from progressive, severe dyspnea and muscle weakness. We diagnosed him with myocarditis, myositis, and myasthenic crisis induced by nivolumab. We commenced steroid therapy, immune absorption therapy, plasma exchange therapy, and i.v. immunoglobulin therapy, and succeeded in saving his life. Because his serum level of anti‐acetylcholine receptor antibodies in a sample collected before nivolumab treatment were positive and were elevated significantly after nivolumab, we suspected that nivolumab triggered a severe autoimmune response, which progressed subclinical myasthenia gravis to myasthenic crisis. We carried out T cell receptor repertoire analysis using next‐generation sequencing technologies and identified infiltration of clonally expanded T cell populations in the skeletal muscle after nivolumab treatment, implying a very strong T cell immune response against muscular cells. To avoid severe immune‐related adverse events, the exclusion of patients with subclinical autoimmune disease is very important for treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Parenting children with intellectual disabilities in Malawi: the impact that reaches beyond coping?
Authors: Masulani‐Mwale C. , Mathanga D. , Silungwe D. , Kauye F. , Gladstone M.
Published: July 2016

Background

Rates of disability are high in resource poor settings with 85% of children with disabilities living in these settings. Long‐term caregiving for disabled children is associated with fatigue, financial difficulties, parenting distress and other psychological issues. While such parents of children have repeatedly highlighted their feelings of discrimination, stigma and exclusion, leading to mental health issues, there is little research from the developing world addressing these issues.

Research objectives

This study aims to explore psychological experiences of parents caring for children with intellectual disabilities; understand their mechanisms of coping and their psychosocial needs in Malawi.

Methodology

This study used a qualitative phenomenological design. We purposively sampled parents who had children diagnosed with intellectual disability from two clinics in two cities in Malawi. Between January 2015 and March 2015, we conducted 10 focus group discussions and four in‐depth interviews. All ethical study procedures were carefully followed. All interviews were tape‐recorded, transcribed and translated from vernacular to English. Thematic approach of data analysis was adopted to understand the data.

Findings

Caring for intellectually disabled children comes with a number of challenges. Parents have limited access to services for their children let alone for their own psychological issues; they experience stigma and discrimination, have mental health issues resulting from the caring role, have suicidal ideas and in some cases have even been coerced by neighbours to kill their disabled child. To manage these issues, most parents cope through their spirituality.

Discussion and recommendation

Apart from suicide and filicide, the findings of this study are similar to those performed in other countries. It is recommended that parents' psychological issues be managed concurrently when providing services for their children. There is also a need to develop psychosocial training interventions to address the needs of the parents of these children.
The degree of extramural spread of T3 rectal cancer: a plea to the UICC and AJCC
Authors: Zinicola R. , Pedrazzi G. , Haboubi N. , Nicholls R. J.
Published: July 2016

The above article, published online on 15 July 2016 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor‐in‐Chief, Neil Mortensen, and John Wiley & Sons Limited. After acceptance the authors were made aware of a contribution to a prior publication of the UICC, TNM Supplement: A commentary on uniform use, 4th Edition, ed. C. Wittekind (Wiley, 2012), p. 195, which renders the central argument of their article invalid. They have therefore asked for it to be withdrawn. A modified version of the paper was published in the January 2017 issue (volume 19; issue 1) with the title “The degree of extramural spread of T3 rectal cancer: an appeal to the American Joint Committee on
Cancer”.
Laparoscopic‐assisted colonoscopy: results and follow‐up endoscopic success
Authors: Quyn A. J. , Vujovic Z. , Ziyaie D. , Steele R. J. C. , Campbell K. L.
Published: July 2016

Aim

Incomplete colonoscopy occurs in 8–10% of attempted examinations. An incomplete colonoscopy is usually followed by radiological evaluation of the large bowel to complete the colonic assessment. Patients then found to have polyps of > 1 cm represent a significant management dilemma. This study describes our experience using laparoscopy to facilitate complete colonoscopy and polypectomy in patients with fixed angulation and the success of subsequent colonoscopies.

Method

All patients from 2008 to 2012 with an incomplete colonoscopy because of fixed angulation and with polyps detected by subsequent imaging underwent standard laparoscopy with colonic mobilization by division of adhesions to facilitate direct vision. Completion of colonoscopy and polypectomy, intra‐operative complications, postoperative morbidity and successful standard follow‐up colonoscopy were studied.

Results

Twelve patients underwent the procedure. Complete colonoscopy to caecum was successful in all, with a median of 2 (range 1–5) polyps per patient and a mean polyp size of 22 mm. One iatrogenic enterotomy was repaired immediately, with no sequelae. Ten patients have since undergone colonoscopy under sedation, with complete colonic evaluation possible in nine of the patients.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic‐assisted colonoscopy allows safe polypectomy in patients with incomplete colonoscopy, without the need for segmental resection. This less‐invasive procedure yields recovery times similar to those of colonoscopy alone, avoiding the morbidity of a segmental resection with the added benefit of successful routine colonoscopy in the future.
CHAINED CREDIT CONTRACTS AND FINANCIAL ACCELERATORS
Authors: Hirakata Naohisa , Sudo Nao , Ueda Kozo
Published: July 2016

Sufficiently high net worth of financial intermediaries (FIs) is considered a necessary condition for financial and macroeconomic stability. In this paper, we explore why the net worth of FIs is important as compared to that of nonfinancial firms using a dynamic general equilibrium model, in which both FIs and nonfinancial firms rely on costly external debt. We find that an exogenous disruption of the FIs' net worth has a greater aggregate impact than does the same‐sized disruption of the nonfinancial firms' net worth. The key reason is that the net worth of the FIs in the United States is small. (JEL E22, E44, G21)