bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
KRAS mutation is predictive of outcome in patients with pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma
Authors: Mehrad Mitra , Roy Somak , LaFramboise William A , Petrosko Patti , Miller Caitlyn , Incharoen Pimpin , Dacic Sanja
Published: February 2018

Aims

Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a poorly differentiated non‐small‐cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) with aggressive behaviour. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic clinicopathological and genetic characteristics of PSCs.

Methods and results

Fifty‐three cases of surgically treated PSCs were selected, 23 of which were subjected to mutation and copy number variation analysis using the 50‐gene Ion AmpliSeq Cancer Panel. The majority of the patients were male (32 of 53, 60.3%) and smokers (51 of 53, 96.2%). Overall, 25 (47.1%) patients died within 2–105 months (mean = 22.7 months, median = 15 months) after diagnosis, and 28 were alive 3–141 months (mean = 38.7 months, median = 21.5 months) after diagnosis. Five‐year overall survival was 12.5%. KRAS codon 12/13 mutation in adenocarcinomas (P = 0.01), age more than 70 years (P = 0.008) and tumour size ≥4.0 cm (P = 0.02) were associated strongly with worse outcome. TP53 (17 of 23, 74.0%) and KRAS codon 12 of 13 mutations (10 of 23, 43.4%) were the most common genetic alterations. Potentially actionable variants were identified including ATM (four of 23, 17.3%), MET, FBXW7 and EGFR (two of 23, 8.7%), AKT1, KIT, PDGFRA, HRAS, JAK3 and SMAD4 (one of 23, 4.3%). MET exon 14 skipping and missense mutations were identified in two (11.1%) cases with adenocarcinoma histology. Copy number analysis showed loss of RB1 (three of 23, 13%) and ATM (two of 23, 8.7%). Copy number gains were seen in EGFR (two of 23, 13.0%) and in one (4.3%) of each PIK3CA, KRAS, MET and STK11.

Conclusions

Potentially targetable mutations can be identified in a subset of PSC, although most tumours harbour currently untargetable prognostically adverse TP53 and KRAS mutations.
Factors associated with delayed linkage to care following HIV diagnosis in the WHO European Region
Authors: Croxford S , Burns F , Copas A , Pharris A , Rinder Stengaard A , Delpech V ,   OptTEST by HIV in Europe
Published: February 2018

Objectives

To describe linkage to HIV care following diagnosis in Europe and to identify factors associated with delayed linkage.

Methods

We analysed data of adults (aged ≥ 15 years) diagnosed with HIV from 2010 to 2014 in 31 European countries. Linkage to care was calculated using the time between HIV diagnosis and first CD4 count. Linkage was considered delayed if the CD4 count was taken more than 3 months after diagnosis. Logistic regression was used to determine factors for delayed linkage.

Results

Of the 120 129 adults diagnosed from 2010 to 2014, 4560 were previously diagnosed elsewhere, 808 died within 3 months of diagnosis and 54 731 people were missing CD4 count and/or date information. Among the 60 030 people included, linkage to care within 3 months was 96%. A lower bound (LB) for this was 55%, when those missing CD4 data were assumed not to be linked. Prompt linkage varied significantly by region [Western: 97% (LB: 65%); Central: 90% (LB: 65%); Eastern: 91% (LB: 11%)] and risk group. In multivariable analysis, delayed linkage to care was associated with: acquiring HIV through injecting drug use/heterosexual contact, being diagnosed in Central/Eastern Europe and having a first CD4 count > 200 cells/μL. People of older age at diagnosis and those diagnosed after 2011 were more likely to be linked promptly. Associations differed by region.

Conclusions

Among those with CD4 data available, linkage to care is prompt. However, HIV surveillance must be strengthened and data quality improved, particularly in Eastern Europe. Our findings highlight disparities in care access and significant differences between regions.
Monitoring HIV‐indicator condition guided HIV testing in Estonia
Authors: Rüütel K , Lemsalu L , Lätt S ,   OptTEST by HiE
Published: February 2018

Objectives

The aim of the study was to assess indicator condition (IC) guided HIV testing in Estonia from 2012–2015.

Methods

We used Estonian Health Insurance Fund (EHIF) data. EHIF is the core purchaser of health care services in Estonia, covering health care costs for insured people (94% of the total population). After health care services’ provision, the provider sends an invoice to EHIF, which includes patient information (e.g. age, gender, diagnoses based on ICD‐10) and services provided (e.g. what tests were performed).

Results

Among the ICs analysed, the highest proportion of patients tested was among those presenting with infectious mononucleosis‐like illness (27–33% of patients) and viral hepatitis (28–32%), the lowest proportion of patients tested was among those presenting with herpes zoster (4–5%) and pneumonia (4–8%). Women were tested somewhat less than men, especially in cases of sexually transmitted infections (9–13% and 18–21%, respectively).

Conclusions

Our data shows that IC‐guided HIV testing rates are low in Estonia. Therefore, it is critical to follow Estonian HIV testing guidelines, which recommend IC‐guided testing. In general, health insurance data can be used to monitor IC‐guided HIV testing.
The HepHIV 2017 Conference in Malta: joining forces for the earlier diagnosis of HIV and viral hepatitis
Authors: Raben D , Hoekstra M , Sperle I , Amato Gauci AJ , Gauci C , West B , Sullivan A , Lazarus JV , Platteau T , Rockstroh JK ,   the HepHIV Conference Organising Committee and the HIV in Europe Steering Committee
Published: February 2018

Objectives

The objective of the article is to provide an overview of the results of the HepHIV 2017 Conference organized by the HIV in Europe initiative under the Maltese EU Presidency in January 2017.

Methods

A thourough review of all conference presentations (oral and poster presentations) was performed to retrieve the key outcomes of the conference.

Results

The key result from the conference was a call to action summarising key priorities in HIV and viral hepatitis testing and linkage to care. This included improving monitoring of viral hepatitis and HIV, mixing testing strategies and ensuring policy support. The important contribution and outcomes of EU funded projects OptTEST and EuroHIVEdat was highlighted.

Conclusion

An integrated approach to earlier testing and linkage to care across diseases is needed in Europe and the HepHIV conferences create an important forum to reach this aim.
Factors associated with HCV test uptake in heroin users entering substitution treatment in Greece
Authors: Anagnostou O , Fotiou A , Kanavou E , Antaraki A , Terzidou M , Richardson C , Kafetzopoulos E ,   The Drug Related Infectious Diseases (DRID) Medical Doctors Group of OKANA
Published: February 2018

Objectives

People who inject drugs (PWID) represent the main risk group for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in most middle and high‐income countries. Testing PWID is considered as an important prevention measure. Identification of PWID characteristics associated with HCV testing may contribute to strategies targeting the containment of the HCV and HIV epidemics in Greece.

Methods

Anonymous behavioural data from 2747 heroin users were collected upon entry in 38 opioid substitution treatment (OST) clinics in Greece during the period 2013–2015. HCV test uptake was the dependent variable while covariates included sociodemographic and addiction‐related variables, mostly derived from the EMCDDA treatment demand indicator protocol.

Results

Among 2299 cases with complete data on HCV testing, 83.5% reported any HCV testing uptake, with 61.2% reporting a recent test (< 12 months). In the multivariate analyses, any previous HCV testing uptake was associated with age ≥ 25 years, past drug treatment attempt, injecting or sniffing the primary substance, injection history ≥ 5 years, and syringe sharing earlier than the past 12 months. Past HCV test uptake was higher among those reporting full‐time employment and 2–4 years injecting histories, and lower among residents of Athens. Recent testing was positively associated with female gender and polysubstance use.

Conclusion

Any previous HCV testing uptake is high among PWID entering OST in Greece and is associated with older age, longer injecting histories and past drug‐related treatment attempts. Efforts to prevent and mitigate the ongoing HCV test epidemic among PWID in Greece should combine treatment with scaling up of screening, targeting especially those younger than 25 years and at the beginning of their hazardous use.
Key findings on legal and regulatory barriers toHIVtesting and access to care across Europe
Authors: Power L , Hows J , Jakobsen SF ,   OptTEST by HIV in Europe
Published: February 2018

Objective

The aim of this work within OptTESTby HiE has been to demonstrate the role of legal and regulatory barriers in hindering access toHIVtesting, treatment and care across Europe and to produce tools to help dismantle them.

Methods

An online survey to assess country‐specific data on legal and regulatory barriers distributed widely across theWHOEurope region. Literature reviews conducted in January‐October 2015 in English, in November 2015 in Russian, and updated in April 2017. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 25 key actors within theHIVfield to feed into case studies and tip sheets on how to dismantle legal and regulatory barriers.

Results

More than 160 individuals and organisations from 49 countries across theWHOEuropean region provided responses which were analysed and cross checked with other data sources and a searchable database produced (legalbarriers.peoplewithhiveurope.org). The conducted literature reviews yielded 88 papers and reports which identify legal and regulatory barriers to key populations’ access toHVtesting and care. Based on the interviews with key actors, ranging fromPLHIVactivists to government officials, on lessons‐learned, a series of tip sheets and ten case studies were written‐up intended to inform and inspire theHIVcommunity to address and overcome existing barriers (opttest.eu/Tools).

Conclusion

While some of the barriers identified may require major changes to wider health systems, or long term legal reform, many are open to a simple change in regulations or custom and practice. We have the tools. Why can't we finish the job?
Knowledge, actual and potential use of HIV self‐sampling testing kits among MSM recruited in eight European countries.
Authors: Hoyos J , Maté T , Indave BI , Agustí C , Chanos S , Pichon F , Kuske M , Cigan B , Fuertes R , Ooms L , Stefanescu R , Cabeza de Vaca C , Arranz B , de la Fuente L , Belza MJ
Published: February 2018

Aim

To describe the knowledge as well as current and potential use of self‐sampling kits among men who have sex with men (MSM) and to analyse their preferred biological sample and result communication method.

Methods

We analyse data of MSM of HIV negative or unknown serostatus from an online survey conducted in eight countries (Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain) between April and December 2016. It was advertised mainly in gay dating websites. We conduct a descriptive analysis of the main characteristics of the participants, and present data on indicators of knowledge, use and potential use of HIV self‐sampling as well as their preferences regarding blood or saliva sample and face or non‐face‐to‐face result communication by country of residence.

Results

A total of 8.226 participants of HIV negative or unknown serostatus were included in the analysis. Overall, 25.5% of participants knew about self‐sampling (range: 18.8–47.2%) and 1.1% had used it in the past (range: 0.3–8.9%). Potential use was high, with 66.6% of all participants reporting that they would have already used it if available in the past (range: 62.1–82.1%). Most (78.6%) reported that they would prefer using a blood‐based kit, and receiving the result of the test through a non‐face‐to‐face‐method (70.8%), even in the case of receiving a reactive result.

Conclusion

The high potential use reported by MSM recruited in eight different European countries suggests that self‐sampling kits are a highly acceptable testing methodology that could contribute to the promotion of HIV testing in this population.
COMPETITIVENESS AND STRESS
Authors: Zhong Songfa , Shalev Idan , Koh David , Ebstein Richard P. , Chew Soo Hong
Published: February 2018

This study explores the relationship between competitiveness and stress. In Experiment 1, we observe a higher response of cortisol—the primary stress hormone—to the computation task coupled with tournament than to the computation task with piece rate. Moreover, more competitive subjects exhibit higher stress responses than their less competitive counterparts in the computation tasks under both tournament and piece rate. In Experiment 2, we find that exogenously induced stress does not significantly affect competitiveness. Overall, our findings reveal an important trade‐off between tournament and piece rate in terms of stress response with implications on the design of incentive contracts.
ENDOGENOUS ROLE ASSIGNMENT AND TEAM PERFORMANCE
Authors: Cooper David J. , Sutter Matthias
Published: February 2018

We study how the mechanism used for assigning roles within teams affects team performance. Subjects play the takeover game in buyer–seller teams. Understanding optimal play is demanding for buyers and trivial for sellers, so teams should perform better if the buyer is the abler teammate. When teammates are allowed to jointly choose their roles, abler teammates tend to become buyers, but this is more than offset by disruptions to the learning process. We examine two potential sources for the latter effect and find that endogenous role assignment has a negative psychological and emotional effect on buyers.
Participatory action as a research method with public health nurses
Authors: Cusack Cheryl , Cohen Benita , Mignone Javier , Chartier Mariette J. , Lutfiyya Zana
Published: February 2018

Aim

This article explores and describes participatory action research (PAR) as a preferred method in addressing nursing practice issues. This is the first study that used PAR with public health nurses (PHNs) in Canada to develop a professional practice model.

Background

Participatory action research is a sub‐category of action research that incorporates feminist and critical theory with foundations in the field of social psychology. For nurses, critical analysis of long‐established beliefs and practices through PAR contributes to emancipatory knowledge regarding the impact of traditional hierarchies on their practice.

Design

This study used participatory action, a non‐traditional but systematic research method, which assisted participants to develop a solution to a long‐standing organizational issue.

Method

The stages of generating concerns, participatory action, acting on concerns, reflection and evaluation were implemented from 2012 ‐ 2013 in an urban Canadian city, to develop a professional practice model for PHNs.

Findings

Four sub‐themes specific to PAR are discussed. These are “participatory action research engaged PHNs in development of a professional practice model;” “the participatory action research cycles of “Look, Think, Act” expanded participants’ views;” “participatory action research increased awareness of organizational barriers;” and “participatory action research promoted individual empowerment and system transformation.”

Conclusions

This study resulted in individual and system change that may not have been possible without the use of PAR. The focus was engagement of participants and recognition of their lived experience, which facilitated PHNs’ empowerment, leadership and consciousness‐raising.
From equity to power: Critical Success Factors for Twinning between midwives, a Delphi study
Authors: Cadée Franka , Nieuwenhuijze Marianne J. , Lagro‐Janssen Antoine L. M. , de Vries Raymond
Published: February 2018

Aims

To gain consensus for Critical Success Factors associated with Twinning in Midwifery.

Background

International publications identify midwifery as important for improving maternity care worldwide. Midwifery is a team effort where midwives play a key role. Yet their power to take on this role is often lacking. Twinning has garnered potential to develop power in professionals, however, its success varies because implementation is not always optimal. Critical Success Factors have demonstrated positive results in the managerial context and can be helpful to build effective Twinning relationships.

Design

We approached 56 midwife Twinning experts from 19 countries to participate in three Delphi rounds between 2016 ‐ 2017.

Methods

In round 1, experts gave input through an open ended questionnaire and this was analysed to formulate Critical Success Factors statements that were scored on a 1–7 Likert scale aiming to gain consensus in rounds 2 and 3. These statements were operationalized for practical use such as a check list in planning, monitoring and evaluation in the field.

Findings

Thirty‐three experts from 14 countries took part in all three Delphi rounds, producing 58 initial statements. This resulted in 25 Critical Success Factors covering issues of management, communication, commitment and values, most focus on equity.

Conclusion

The Critical Success Factors formulated represent the necessary ingredients for successful Twinning by providing a practical implementation framework and promote further research into the effect of Twinning. Findings show that making equity explicit in Twinning may contribute towards the power of midwives to take on their identified key role.
Diffusion tensor imaging correlates of early markers of depression in youth at high‐familial risk for bipolar disorder
Authors: Ganzola Rossana , McIntosh Andrew M. , Nickson Thomas , Sprooten Emma , Bastin Mark E. , Giles Stephen , Macdonald Alix , Sussmann Jessika , Duchesne Simon , Whalley Heather C.
Published: February 2018

Background

Mood disorders are familial psychiatric diseases, in which patients show reduced white matter (WM) integrity. We sought to determine whether WM integrity was affected in young offspring at high‐familial risk of mood disorder before they go on to develop major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods

The Bipolar Family study is a prospective longitudinal study examining young individuals (age 16–25 years) at familial risk of mood disorder on three occasions 2 years apart. This study used baseline imaging data, categorizing groups according to clinical outcome at follow‐up. Diffusion tensor MRI data were acquired for 61 controls and 106 high‐risk individuals, the latter divided into 78 high‐risk subjects who remained well throughout the study (‘high‐risk well’) and 28 individuals who subsequently developed MDD (‘high‐risk MDD’). Voxel‐wise between‐group comparison of fractional anisotropy (FA) based on diagnostic status was performed using tract‐based spatial statistics (TBSS).

Results

Compared to controls, both high‐risk groups showed widespread decreases in FA (pcorr < .05) at baseline. Although FA in the high‐risk MDD group negatively correlated with subthreshold depressive symptoms at the time of scanning (pcorr < .05), there were no statistically significant differences at p‐corrected levels between the two high‐risk groups.

Conclusions

These results suggest that decreased FA is related to the presence of familial risk for mood disorder along with subdiagnostic symptoms at the time of scanning rather than predictive of subsequent diagnosis. Due to the difficulties performing such longitudinal prospective studies, we note, however, that this latter analysis may be underpowered due to sample size within the high‐risk MDD group. Further clinical follow‐up may clarify these findings.
Clinical significance of serum interleukin‐8 and soluble tumor necrosis factor‐like weak inducer of apoptosis levels in patients with diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Liu Shu‐yan , Chen Jie , Li Yong‐feng
Published: February 2018

Aims/Introduction

Recent studies suggest that chronic inflammatory responses are important in the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Various inflammatory and angiogenesis molecules affect the pathogenesis and progression of DN. Inflammation damages the microcirculation and causes kidney damage. In the present study, we studied changes in interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and soluble tumor necrosis factor‐like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) levels in patients with DN, and investigated the clinical significance of these two inflammatory factors.

Materials and Methods

Participants were categorized into healthy controls (n = 30) and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 124). The type 2 diabetes mellitus group was further subdivided into the normoalbuminuria (n = 34), microalbuminuria (MAU; n = 46,) and proteinuria (MaAU; n = 44,) groups. Patients with DN were included in the MAU and MaAU groups. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, 2‐h postprandial blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, 24‐h urine microalbumin, IL‐8 and sTWEAK levels were measured. Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors associated with proteinuria.

Results

In the healthy controls, normoalbuminuria, MAU and MaAU groups, we found that IL‐8 levels increased, whereas sTWEAK levels decreased (P < 0.05). IL‐8 might be an independent risk factor and serum sTWEAK a protective factor for MAU and MaAU. Serum levels of sTWEAK, IL‐8 and microalbumin were significantly correlated in the MAU and MaAU groups.

Conclusions

Serum IL‐8 and sTWEAK levels might be markers that can be used for an early diagnosis of DN.
Exploring the in situ expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and endoglin in pemphigus foliaceus variants and pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Miyamoto D. , Maruta C.W. , Santi C.G. , Zoroquiain P. , Dias A.B.T. , Mansure J.J. , Burnier M.N. , Aoki V.
Published: February 2018

Background

Erythroderma is a severe manifestation of pemphigus foliaceus (PF), a blistering disease mediated by IgG autoantibodies against desmoglein 1. Increasing evidence supports the contribution of angiogenic mediators in the pathogenesis of erythroderma.

Objective

To evaluate the in situ expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endoglin in patients with PF with erythroderma.

Methods

Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded skin samples obtained from patients with erythrodermic PF (n = 19; 12 patients with endemic PF), non‐erythrodermic PF (n = 17), pemphigus vulgaris (PV; n = 10), psoriasis (n = 10) and healthy individuals (HI; n = 10) were processed in an automated immunohistochemistry platform utilizing anti‐VEGF and anti‐endoglin as primary antibodies. Reactivity was evaluated both manually (0 = negative; 1+ = mild; 2+ = intense) and through an automated microvessel analysis algorithm.

Results

Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in erythrodermic PF was higher than in non‐erythrodermic PF (P = 0.034) and in HI (P = 0.004), and similar to psoriasis (P = 0.667) and PV (P = 0.667). In non‐erythrodermic PF, VEGF positivity was similar to HI (P = 0.247), and lower than psoriasis (P = 0.049) and PV (P = 0.049). Both erythrodermic and non‐erythrodermic PF presented similar endoglin expression (P = 0.700). In addition, endoglin positivity during erythrodermic PF was similar to psoriasis (P = 0.133) and lower than PV (P = 0.0009). Increased expression of in situVEGF suggests that healing processes are triggered in response to tissue damage led by autoantibodies in PF, especially during erythroderma. Reduced endoglin positivity suggests that an unbalanced angiogenesis may occur during erythrodermic PF. Further studies may help to confirm if the regulation of VEGF and endoglin expression in patients with PF can contribute to control the healing process and enable disease remission.

Conclusion

Overexpression of VEGF in erythrodermic PF as well as in PV and psoriasis points out a dysregulated repair process in severe forms of these diseases and suggests VEGF and endoglin could act as prognostic markers and future therapeutic targets to enable proper healing in PF.
Low concentrations of glyphosate‐based herbicide cause complete loss of sperm motility of yellowtail tetra fish Astyanax lacustris
Authors: Gonçalves B. B. , Nascimento N. F. , Santos M. P. , Bertolini R. M. , Yasui G. S. , Giaquinto P. C.
Published: February 2018

Environmental relevant concentrations of glyphosate‐based herbicide as 50 µg l−1, 300 µg l−1 and 1800 µg l−1 can affect sperm quality of yellowtail tetra fish Astyanax lacustris. Viability of sperm cells was impaired at 300 µg l−1, a concentration that is within legal limits in U.S.A. waterbodies, while motility was impaired at 50 µg l−1, which is the more stringent limit set in Brazilian law. Therefore, environment protection agencies must review regulations of glyphosate‐based herbicides on water bodies.
Mycobacteriophage Fruitloop gp52 inactivates Wag31 (DivIVA) to prevent heterotypic superinfection
Authors: Ko Ching‐Chung , Hatfull Graham F.
Published: February 2018

Bacteriophages engage in complex dynamic interactions with their bacterial hosts and with each other. Bacteria have numerous mechanisms to resist phage infection, and phages must co‐evolve by overcoming bacterial resistance or by choosing an alternative host. Phages also compete with each other, both during lysogeny by prophage‐mediated defense against viral attack and by superinfection exclusion during lytic replication. Phages are enormously diverse genetically and are replete with small genes of unknown function, many of which are not required for lytic growth, but which may modulate these bacteria–phage and phage–phage dynamics. Using cellular toxicity of phage gene overexpression as an assay, we identified the 93‐residue protein gp52 encoded by Cluster F mycobacteriophage Fruitloop. The toxicity of Fruitloop gp52 overexpression results from interaction with and inactivation of Wag31 (DivIVA), an essential Mycobacterium smegmatis protein organizing cell wall biosynthesis at the growing cellular poles. Fruitloop gene 52 is expressed early in lytic growth and is not required for normal Fruitloop lytic replication but interferes with Subcluster B2 phages such as Hedgerow and Rosebush. We conclude that Hedgerow and Rosebush are Wag31‐dependent phages and that Fruitloop gp52 confers heterotypic superinfection exclusion by inactivating Wag31.
Association of health literacy with health information‐seeking preference in older people: A correlational, descriptive study
Authors: Kim Su Hyun , Utz Sonja
Published: February 2018

Low health literacy has been recognized as a potential barrier to obtaining knowledge and maintaining self‐care in older people. However, little is known about information‐seeking preference in relation to health literacy among older people. The aim of the present study was to understand the influence of health literacy on the information‐seeking preference of older people. A total of 129 community‐residing Korean older people completed a survey in 2016. The findings revealed that health literacy was a significant predictor of information‐seeking preference in older people after controlling for demographic and illness variables. Our study highlights the important need to incorporate strategies to increase the desire for information seeking in older people, in addition to adopting communication strategies that address low health literacy.
A scalable multi‐process model of root nitrogen uptake
Authors: Walker Anthony P.
Published: February 2018

This article is a Commentary on McMurtrie & Näsholm et al., 218: 119–130.
Bringing down the wall one brick at a time
Authors: Gómez Leonardo D. , McQueen‐Mason Simon J.
Published: February 2018

This article is a Commentary on de Souza et al., 218: 81–93.
Missed Opportunities in Preventing Hospital Readmissions: Redesigning Post‐Discharge Checkup Policies
Authors: Liu Xiang , Hu Michael , Helm Jonathan E. , Lavieri Mariel S. , Skolarus Ted A.
Published: February 2018

Hospital readmissions affect hundreds of thousands of patients every year, negatively impacting patients and placing a tremendous burden on the national healthcare system. Post‐discharge checkup policies can reduce readmissions through early detection of health conditions, however, the methods behind designing effective checkup policies are poorly understood. Under current practice, up to 67% of readmitted patients return to the hospital before their first scheduled office visit. This work aims to develop effective checkup plans to monitor patients following hospital discharge, using a variety of checkup methods, including phone calls and office visits. We develop and analyze a new delay‐time analysis model to identify the optimal type and timing of checkups to implement post‐discharge monitoring plans. By analyzing the structure of optimal policies, we develop checkup schedules that can detect up to 43.7% more readmission‐causing conditions experienced by readmission‐bound patients. Further, we uncover simple rules of thumb that can help doctors design and improve monitoring plans even in the absence of advanced computer software or complex computations.
Retailer Information Sharing with Supplier Encroachment
Authors: Huang Song , Guan Xu , Chen Ying‐Ju
Published: February 2018

This study investigates a retailer's incentive for sharing private demand information with a supplier who may encroach the retail channel by imposing a fixed entry cost. Although conventional wisdom suggests that a retailer should withhold her private demand observations to maintain an information advantage over the supplier, we obtain a different conclusion by demonstrating that the retailer may prefer to voluntarily share the demand information in anticipation of supplier encroachment. The intuition is that in face of the threat of supplier encroachment, sharing low demand information may prevent the supplier from establishing a direct selling channel, which will reduce downstream channel competition. This strategic effect of information sharing is new and only becomes dominant when there is an intermediate entry cost for encroachment and a high channel substitution rate. In contrast, when there are deviations from these conditions, the supplier's equilibrium encroachment decision is consistent and irrespective of the retailer's decision to share information, which makes withholding the demand information more beneficial to the retailer. The change of information sharing structure in the channel also leads to some unintended payoff implications, as the supplier's and channel's payoffs exhibit non‐monotonic relations to the entry cost or channel substitution rate.
The Impact of Consumer Fairness Seeking on Distribution Channel Selection: Direct Selling vs. Agent Selling
Authors: Yi Zelong , Wang Yulan , Liu Yun , Chen Ying‐Ju
Published: February 2018

Consumers seek for not only base functionalities of products they buy but also fairness in transactions. In this work, we investigate how such fairness‐seeking behavior affects a manufacturer's distribution channel structure selection. Specifically, the manufacturer can sell the product directly to consumers (named direct selling) or via a middleman retailer (named agent selling). The manufacturer then decides which distribution channel to adopt with an aim to maximize his profit. Under a newsvendor framework, the distribution channel structure endogenizes the procurement cost and thus impacts consumers’ fairness perception and willingness to pay. Interestingly, we show that it may be in the manufacturer's best interest to downward decentralize his distribution channel by adopting agent selling when consumers are extremely fairness‐minded. However, when the consumer's fairness concern is weak, direct selling is preferred by the manufacturer. We further show that the above results qualitatively hold when we take into consideration the downstream competition, the dominance of the manufacturer in retail pricing and the heterogeneity of the consumers in their fairness seeking.
Two Is Better Than One: A Dynamic Analysis of Value Co‐Creation
Authors: Demirezen Emre M. , Kumar Subodha , Shetty Bala
Published: February 2018

We study a setting where the nature of the collaboration necessitates two partner firms working together, which is often the case in supply chain and information technology (IT) environments. We consider that both firms get ongoing value from the project and the effort levels of both parties are dynamic. In this setting, one of the partners (say, the first partner) decides the terms of the payment it extends to the second partner in order to maximize the value it gets from the collaboration. We analyze the performance of output dependent, effort dependent, and hybrid (both effort and output dependent) payment structures, and find the best one under various scenarios. In particular, we find that if the output is relatively more sensitive to second party's effort, the hybrid payment structure should be preferred by the first partner. Furthermore, if the output is highly sensitive to second party's effort, the output‐dependent payment structure yields more value to the first partner (compared to the effort dependent structure). We further find that the time that has passed in the collaboration and the length of the planning horizon affect the behavior of the effort levels and some other characteristics in the collaboration. We also study and derive interesting results in the following additional settings: the first partner or the second partner gets utility from the output even after the project finishes.
Selling Innovative Products in the Presence of Externalities
Authors: Huang Yufei , Gokpinar Bilal , Tang Christopher S. , Yoo Onesun Steve
Published: February 2018

When deciding whether to adopt an innovative product or service, consumers often experience different levels of anxiety (i.e., nervousness) that prompt them to resist purchase (e.g., fear of learning new technologies, disruption of established habits or beliefs). In such cases, consumers’ anxiety is mitigated by “validation” through externality (e.g., the number of early adopters). To reduce consumers’ anxiety, firms can also invest in “familiarization” through promotion (e.g., offering free trials). We conceptualize innovation as a product that engenders anxiety, and present a model that employs a consumer utility model focusing on the psychological dimension. We examine the firm's profit‐maximizing promotion and pricing decisions when selling to forward‐looking consumers in the presence of externality. Our equilibrium analysis reveals that, unlike the conventional wisdom for promoting new products, for anxiety‐inducing innovations with externality, accelerating the speed of adoption through promotion can actually be detrimental to the firm.
Like an ace up the sleeve: an interview study of nurses’ experiences of the contact with relatives in a somatic emergency ward
Authors: Hoffmann Eva , Olsen Pia Riis
Published: February 2018

Research indicates that active involvement of patients′ relatives generally has a positive impact on patients′ hospitalisation, including patient safety. Campaigns urge relatives to ask questions in relation to nursing care and treatment to enhance patient safety and to increase involvement of both patient and relatives. The question is how nurses experience relatives who ask questions. The aim of this study was to explore how nurses experienced contact with patients′ relatives during admissions to a somatic emergency ward including nurses′ experience of relatives asking questions related to nursing care and treatment. Six nurses were interviewed. The participants gave written consent to participate after receiving both oral and written information about the study. Data were analysed using combined theory and data‐driven qualitative content analysis. The findings formed three main themes: (i) relatives’ involvement as a means to efficiency during hospitalisation, (ii) relatives welcomed on the terms of the system and (iii) tension between high ideals and frustrating realities. The six interviews answered the research questions. However, more interviews could have broadened the study and contributed with further details. The nurses experienced relatives as an important resource – ‘an ace up the sleeve’, while reality seemed to challenge the relationship between nurses and relatives. The study contributes to discussions before development and implementation of specific initiatives aiming at increasing involvement of relatives of patients in a somatic emergency ward.
Price Effects on Compound Commodities
Authors: Minagawa Junichi , Upmann Thorsten
Published: February 2018

We examine the effect of simultaneous price changes on the total demand for a group of goods, which we call a compound commodity. Specifically, we consider unit and proportional cost components (e.g., taxes, transportation costs) imposed on compound commodities. If the unit cost is positive, then the proportional cost raises the relative price of the more expensive good, and thus induces substitution towards the less expensive good within this group. Then, the substitution effect of the proportional cost for a compound commodity is non‐negative if and only if the compound commodity and the other goods are, on average, not strongly substitutable.
Drivers of mangrove ecosystem service change in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Mohammad Mahmudul , Sunny Atiqur Rahman , Hossain Mohammad Mosarof , Friess Daniel A.
Published: February 2018

Mangroves are now well known to provide a range of ecosystem services that benefit local populations, though such ecosystem services are at risk from mangrove deforestation and degradation across much of the tropics. This study aimed to identify the natural and anthropogenic drivers of change that affect ecosystem services of the Sundarbans mangrove forest. Secondary data analysis and primary fieldwork were conducted in three districts in the Sundarbans region of Bangladesh to understand ecosystem service usage and the perceptions of local resource users. Time series data for a range of ecosystem services and biophysical, socio‐economic variables were analyzed to identify the range of trends and the significant drivers of change. Also, community perceptions were consulted to elicit how these changes are felt and how they affected the local ecosystem services users. Results show that most of the ecosystem services of the Sundarbans experienced negative changes over the last two decades. Time series analysis and community perceptions held a number of drivers responsible for these changes. Climatic change, rapid environmental change, demand for mangrove products on the global market, major infrastructure development and governance failure were identified as primary drivers leading to the degradation of ecosystem services of the Sundarbans. The study calls for a transformation in the stewardship of ecosystem services of the Sundarbans and other mangroves across the tropics, to escape the situation where negative environmental impacts might be difficult to reverse.
GO minions—Polarize and repair!
Authors: Nance Elizabeth A.
Published: February 2018

Graphene oxide may be able to play an important therapeutic role after cardiac injury by modulating immune cell phenotype and changing macrophage polarization.
Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia albertii Strain 1551-2, a Potential Extracellular and Intracellular Pathogen
Authors: Romão Fabiano Teodoro , Hernandes Rodrigo Tavanelli , Ooka Tadasuke , Hayashi Tetsuya , Sperandio Vanessa , Gomes Tânia Aparecida Tardelli
Published: February 2018

Escherichia albertii
has recently been recognized as an emerging human and bird enteric pathogen. Here, we report the complete chromosome sequence of a clinical isolate of
E. albertii
strain 1551-2, which may provide information about the pathogenic potential of this new species and the mechanisms of evolution of
Escherichia
species.
Finished Genome Sequence of a Polyurethane-Degrading Pseudomonas Isolate
Authors: Stamps Blake W. , Zingarelli Sandra , Hung Chia-Suei , Drake Carrie A. , Varaljay Vanessa A. , Stevenson Bradley S. , Crookes-Goodson Wendy J.
Published: February 2018

Pseudomonas
sp. strain WP001 is a laboratory isolate capable of polyurethane polymer degradation and harbors a predicted lipase precursor gene. The genome of strain WP001 is 6.15 Mb in size and is composed of seven scaffolds with a G+C content of 60.54%. Strain WP001 is closely related to
Pseudomonas fluorescens
based on ribosomal DNA comparisons.
Draft Genome Sequence of Enterobacter sp. Strain EA-1, an Electrochemically Active Microorganism Isolated from Tropical Sediment
Authors: Doyle Lucinda E. , Williams Rohan B. H. , Rice Scott A. , Marsili Enrico , Lauro Federico M.
Published: February 2018

Enterobacter
sp. strain EA-1 is an electrochemically active bacterium isolated from tropical sediment in Singapore. Here, the annotated draft genome assembly of the bacterium is reported. Whole-genome comparison indicates that
Enterobacter
sp. EA-1, along with a previously sequenced
Enterobacter
isolate from East Asia, forms a distinct clade within the
Enterobacter
genus.
Draft Genome Sequence of Multidrug-Resistant Strain
Citrobacter portucalensis
MBTC-1222, Isolated from Uziza (Piper guineense) Leaves in Nigeria
Authors: Igbinosa Etinosa O. , Rathje Jana , Habermann Diana , Brinks Erik , Cho Gyu-Sung , Franz Charles M.A.P.
Published: February 2018

In this work, we report the draft whole-genome sequence of the multiply antibiotic-resistant
Citrobacter portucalensis
strain MBTC-1222 isolated from the uziza leafy vegetable in Nigeria. Sequence analysis showed the assembled genome size to be 4,881,935 bp, containing 4,603 protein-coding genes, 131 pseudogenes, 7 rRNAs, 74 tRNAs, and 9 noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs).
Anti-Inflammatory and Autonomic Effects of Electroacupuncture in a Rat Model of Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Jie Xiaoyan , Li Xu , Song Jian-Qing , Wang Dan , Wang Jian-Hua
Published: February 2018

Objective

To study the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) by measurement of vagal activity in rats with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity.

Methods

Diet-induced obesity (DIO) was induced in 30 rats by feeding them a HFD for 12 weeks. A further 10 rats fed normal food comprised the lean diet (LD) control group. DIO rats were further subdivided into three groups that received a HFD only (HFD group, n=10), a HFD plus electroacupuncture (HFD+EA group, n=10) or a HFD plus minimal acupuncture (HFD+MA group, n=10). EA and MA treatments were continued for 8 weeks. Heart rate variability (HRV) was used to measure the function of the autonomic nervous system before and after treatment. ELISA was used to determine acetylcholine (ACh) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels in the serum. Real-time PCR was used to assess the mRNA expression of α7-subtype nicotinic acetylcholine cholinergic receptors (α7nAChRs) and TNF-α in the mesenteric white adipose tissues (MWAT).

Results

EA but not MA significantly reduced rats’ bodyweight. No difference was found in the low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and the balance between LF and HF (LF/HF) components of HRV before treatment. After the EA intervention, HF was elevated and LF/HF was reduced in the HFD+EA group comparedwith the HFD group. TNF-α in the serum and MWAT were increased in the HFD group, but were reduced in the HFD+EA group. Furthermore, EA promoted expression of α7nAChRs and ACh in the MWAT. There was no difference between the HFD and HFD+MA groups for any indices.

Conclusions

EA enhanced vagal activity, promoted ACh release and activated α7nAChRs in the MWAT, leading to inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production.
How effective and cost-effective are innovative combinatorial technologies and practices for supporting older people with long-term conditions to remain well in the community? An evaluation protocol for an NHS Test Bed in North West England
Authors: Varey Sandra , Hernández Alejandra , Palmer Tom M , Mateus Céu , Wilkinson Joann , Dixon Mandy , Milligan Christine
Published: February 2018

Introduction

The Lancashire and Cumbria Innovation Alliance (LCIA) Test Bed is a partnership between the National Health Service in England, industry (led by Philips) and Lancaster University. Through the implementation of a combination of innovative health technologies and practices, it aims to determine the most effective and cost-effective ways of supporting frail older people with long-term conditions to remain well in the community. Among the Test Bed’s objectives are to improve patient activation and the ability of older people to self-care at home, reduce healthcare system utilisation, and deliver increased workforce productivity.

Methods and analysis

Patients aged 55 years and over are recruited to four cohorts defined by their risk of hospital admission, with long-term conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia, diabetes and heart failure. The programme is determined on an individual basis, with a range of technologies available. The evaluation is adopting a two-phase approach: phase 1 includes a bespoke patient survey and a mass matched control analysis; and phase 2 is using observational interviews with patients, and weekly diaries, action learning meetings and focus groups with members of staff and other key stakeholders. Phase 1 data analysis consists of a statistical evaluation of the effectiveness of the programme. A health economic analysis of its costs and associated cost changes will be undertaken. Phase 2 data will be analysed thematically with the aid of Atlas.ti qualitative software. The evaluation is located within a logic model framework, to consider the processes, management and participation that may have implications for the Test Bed’s success.

Ethics and dissemination

The LCIA Test Bed evaluation has received ethical approval from the Health Research Authority and Lancaster University’s Faculty of Health and Medicine Research Ethics Committee. A range of dissemination methods are adopted, including deliberative panels to validate findings and develop outcomes for policy and practice.
Olfactory dysfunction is worse in primary ciliary dyskinesia compared with other causes of chronic sinusitis in children
Authors: Pifferi Massimo , Bush Andrew , Rizzo Michele , Tonacci Alessandro , Di Cicco Maria , Piras Martina , Maggi Fabrizio , Paiola Giulia , Michelucci Angela , Cangiotti Angela , Peroni Diego , Caramella Davide , Boner Attilio L
Published: February 2018

Cilia have multiple functions including olfaction. We hypothesised that olfactory function could be impaired in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). Olfaction, nasal nitric oxide (nNO) and sinus CT were assessed in patients with PCD and non-PCD sinus disease, and healthy controls (no CT scan). PCD and non-PCD patients had similar severity of sinus disease. Despite this, defective olfaction was more common in patients with PCD (P<0.0001) and more severe in patients with PCD with major Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) abnormalities. Only in classical PCD did olfaction inversely correlate with sinusitis and nNO. We speculate that defective olfaction in PCD is primary in nature.