bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of condiment availability on cuisine selection
Authors: Pellegrino Robert , Frederick Brittany , Tijare Vishwesh , da Silveira Venzel Ana H. , Rios Alisson A. , Gomes Thais M.C. , Santos Jucilene Sena dos , Seo Han-Seok
Published: April 2017

Purpose

In most restaurants or dining facilities, even though a set of condiments such as salt, black pepper, ketchup, and mustard, is placed on the tables, and such condiments are a staple of many cuisines, they have been largely ignored with respect to understanding their effects on food choice. The purpose of this study is to determine whether condiments placed on tables at dining facilities can affect consumers’ cuisine selection.

Design/methodology/approach

Four individual booths were set up with four different condiment configurations: 1) branded ketchup and mustard, 2) unbranded ketchup and mustard, 3) unbranded soy sauce and chili-garlic sauce, and 4) no condiment. In all, 68 participants were assigned in random sequence to all booths, with each given a menu listing nine different cuisines (three North American, three Asian, and three Hispanic cuisines) in a random order, and asked to identify their top three preferred cuisines at each booth.

Findings

Participants chose Asian cuisines with higher priority than Mexican and North American selections when Asian condiments were placed on the table. Interestingly, this effect occurred only when the participants had noticed the condiment setting, but not when they had unnoticed it. Such Asian condiment availability-induced cuisine selection was also more pronounced for external eaters.

Research limitations/implications

Food service professionals and business owners, especially in food courts comprised of a variety of ethnic food vendors, should perhaps consider placing a set of condiments associated with their target cuisines at visible table spaces at dining facilities, thereby leading customers to select their cuisine items.

Originality/value

This study provides new empirical evidence that consumers are more likely to select cuisines congruent to the choice of condiment setting placed on their dining table.
Food expenditure patterns, preferences, policy, and access of Rwandan households
Authors: Weatherspoon Dave D. , Steele-Adjognon Marie , Niyitanga Fidèle , Dushimumuremyi Jean Paul , Naseem Anwar , Oehmke James
Published: April 2017

Purpose

An extended period of economic growth along with stubborn childhood stunting and wasting levels raises questions about how consumer food purchasing behaviors respond to income increases in Rwanda. The purpose of this paper is to assess the role income, prices, policy, agricultural production, and market access play on how rural households purchase different food groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Six separate log-normal double hurdle models are run on six different food groups to examine what affects the probability a household purchases in each food group and for those who do purchase, what determines the quantity purchased.

Findings

Rural Rwandans are price and expenditure responsive but prices have more impact on food group purchases. Crop production resulted in reduced household market procurement for its associated food group but had mixed effects on the purchases of all other food groups. Rural Rwandans purchase and consume low amounts of animal-based proteins which may be a leading factor related to the high stunting and wasting rates. Owning an animal increased the purchased quantity of meat but lowered the purchased quantity of most other food groups.

Practical implications

Results suggest that policies and programs have to address multiple constraints simultaneously to increase the purchases of the limited food groups in the rural household diets that may be contributing to the high rates of stunting and wasting.

Originality/value

This study is the first to evaluate the interplay among prices, household income, household production, policies and donor programs, and demographic variables on rural Rwandan household food purchases.
Self-concept, product involvement and consumption occasions
Authors: Roe David , Bruwer Johan
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which consumer self-concept (self-esteem) and product involvement influences the wine purchase decision at the retail level given the anticipated consumption occasion. The predictive effects of self-concept on this interaction were also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection was in the independent specialist fine wine store environment in Sydney, Australia. Central to the study was the development of a 33-item multi-dimensional fine wine involvement scale (Cronbach’s α =0.846 for 26 final items) for measuring consumers’ involvement.

Findings

Wine product involvement deepens with age but low involvement consumers perceiving risk in making the wrong product choice may well purchase fine wines for situations where self-concept is a moderating factor. In the case of low involvement wine consumers a positive association exists between situational wine choice and self-concept but no significant differences exist for self-concept across any of the consumption occasions. Age and self-concept were both confirmed as linked to levels of consumption. The findings support the notion that wine consumers aged 45 years and older are significantly more disposed to purchase fine wine products.

Practical implications

For self-concept to be relevant to purchase it follows that the wine consumption occasion must be conspicuous.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine the extent to which consumer self-concept and product involvement influences the wine purchase decision at the retail level given the anticipated consumption occasion.
Hold me responsible
Authors: Arslanagic-Kalajdzic Maja , Zabkar Vesna
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Corporate communication practices are becoming ever more important for business service clients, as they signal quality and hence are related to client-perceived value. The purpose of this paper is to examine the interplay between corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate reputation and client-perceived value, and to assess the moderating role of strategic orientation in business service relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual framework based on the corporate communication framework, signaling theory and relationship marketing theory has been tested on a survey sample of 228 client firms, using covariance-based SEM and additional procedures for assessment of mediation and moderated mediation.

Findings

This paper reveals that communication practices concerning CSR positively and significantly influence client-perceived value. The authors show that reputation fully mediates the effect of CSR on client-perceived value. Finally, the effect of CSR on value is stronger if the client firm has a short-term strategic orientation, while long-term strategic orientation boosts the effect of corporate reputation on customer-perceived value.

Research limitations/implications

Further research on the topic may involve developing links between other elements of the corporate communication framework and client-perceived value.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper lies in better understanding the effects of CSR and corporate reputation on client-perceived value. The authors provide empirical evidence of the mediating role of reputation between the CSR (seen as “actions”) and client-perceived value.
Cost-effectiveness, domestic favouritism and sustainability in public procurement
Authors: Keulemans Shelena , Van de Walle Steven
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore and explain public preferences for different public procurement practices. The paper looks into public support for cost-effectiveness, discriminatory procurement in favour of domestic suppliers and sustainable procurement.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses Eurobarometer public opinion data on 26.836 EU citizens from 27 EU countries.

Findings

This paper shows that EU citizens want public authorities to evaluate multiple aspects of any procurement offer in their public procurement decisions. It also found that, although cost-effectiveness and domestic favouritism are still important to EU citizens, citizens are most supportive of the objectives of sustainable procurement. Some associations between citizens’ procurement preferences and their social characteristics and political attitudes were found, but these only explain citizen procurement preferences to a limited extent. Country of residence has the strongest association with citizens’ acceptance of the objectives of sustainable procurement.

Research limitations/implications

Even though the data contain information on the procurement preferences of a large number of EU citizens, it is a topic of inquiry that is sensitive to social desirability bias.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the empirical understanding of public attitudes towards public procurement. It is one of few studies on citizen attitudes towards different public procurement practices.
Online consumer behaviour of mass-customised apparel products
Authors: Ribeiro Liliana Simões , Duarte Paulo Alexandre Oliveira , Miguel Rui
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply Mowen’s (2000) meta-theoretical model of motivation and personality (3M) and its hierarchy of traits to deeper understand consumer behaviour towards online purchase of mass-customised apparel products.

Design/methodology/approach

For the current study, the meta-theoretical model of motivation and personality (3M) and its hierarchy of traits proposed by Mowen (2000) were adapted to use in the context of online purchase of mass-customised apparel products. Appropriate and significant constructs and relationships were identified in the four levels of the hierarchy of needs, specifically: one trait in the first level (surface traits), five specific traits in the second level (situational traits), three broader traits in the third level (compound traits), and finally, eight traits in the fourth level (elemental traits).

Findings

This research allowed the identification of pertinent personality traits in the context of online purchase of mass-customised apparel products and the comprehension of the relationships among these constructs using a hierarchical framework.

Originality/value

The originality and value of the current approach is the use of a hierarchical structure of traits to understand the relationship among personality traits in the mass-customisation field, which, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has proposed. Theoretical and methodological contributions to the field derive from the current proposal.
Male apparel disposal: case study of consignment versus donation
Authors: Bubna Jenna M. , Norum Pamela
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the apparel disposal process and explore, specifically, male disposal through consignment vs donation disposal modes. This study hopes to uncover not only the process but the influences that motivate these behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

Observations at two sites included conversational interviews with employees as well as consumers disposing apparel through these sites. Collection took place over two months with 26 interviews taking place.

Findings

Themes of seasonal change and financial incentive suggest the use of consignment as a separate process for consumers from donation. Consignment suggested value, while donation was viewed as a habit.

Research limitations/implications

Previous research as well as the findings of this study suggest that apparel donation is similar across genders. They also suggest that consignment is viewed by male consumers as a separate action from donation.

Originality/value

Little to no research has been conducted to understand male apparel disposal, studies on disposal has focused primarily on college-aged females (i.e. Morgan and Birtwistle, 2009). This study adds to a limited body of work to understand the differences and very possible similarities across genders in this behavior.
Effect of commercial probiotic (Protexin®) on growth, survival and microbial quality of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)
Authors: Javadi Afshin , Khatibi Seyed Amin
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a dietary probiotic on the growth performance and survival rate of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp. Furthermore, the microbial quality of shrimp was evaluated.

Design/methodology/approach

Shrimp were divided into treatment and control groups (each group containing 45 shrimp). They were fed for four weeks with a control diet alone or supplemented with a commercial probiotic (Protexin®). At the end of the trial, they were assessed for survival rate, weight gain, average daily gain and specific growth rate. Samples of tail meat were also provided aseptically from peeled shrimp for bacteriological analysis including the count of Staphylococcus aureus, enterococci, Clostridium perfringens, fecal coliform, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and total bacterial count.

Findings

The growth performance of the probiotic-treated group significantly (p < 0.05) increased at the end of the experimental period. However, no significant differences were observed for the survival rate between the groups (p > 0.05). The count of C. perfringens and the total bacterial count in shrimp supplemented with the probiotic were significantly lower than those of controls (p < 0.05). The count of coliforms and S. aureus was not significantly different between the groups (p > 0.05).

Originality/value

It could be concluded that the probiotic bacteria have the potential to stimulate the growth performance of L. vannamei. They can also be used for biological control of food-borne pathogens and improve the microbial quality and safety of shrimp at the farm level.
A method for the objective selection of landscape‐scale study regions and sites at the national level
Authors: Gillespie Mark A. K. , Baude Mathilde , Biesmeijer Jacobus , Boatman Nigel , Budge Giles E. , Crowe Andrew , Memmott Jane , Morton R. Daniel , Pietravalle Stephane , Potts Simon G. , Senapathi Deepa , Smart Simon M. , Kunin William E.
Published: April 2017

Ecological processes operating on large spatio‐temporal scales are difficult to disentangle with traditional empirical approaches. Alternatively, researchers can take advantage of ‘natural’ experiments, where experimental control is exercised by careful site selection. Recent advances in developing protocols for designing these ‘pseudo‐experiments’ commonly do not consider the selection of the focal region and predictor variables are usually restricted to two. Here, we advance this type of site selection protocol to study the impact of multiple landscape scale factors on pollinator abundance and diversity across multiple regions.

Using datasets of geographic and ecological variables with national coverage, we applied a novel hierarchical computation approach to select study sites that contrast as much as possible in four key variables, while attempting to maintain regional comparability and national representativeness. There were three main steps to the protocol: (i) selection of six 100 × 100 km2 regions that collectively provided land cover representative of the national land average, (ii) mapping of potential sites into a multivariate space with axes representing four key factors potentially influencing insect pollinator abundance, and (iii) applying a selection algorithm which maximized differences between the four key variables, while controlling for a set of external constraints.

Validation data for the site selection metrics were recorded alongside the collection of data on pollinator populations during two field campaigns. While the accuracy of the metric estimates varied, the site selection succeeded in objectively identifying field sites that differed significantly in values for each of the four key variables. Between‐variable correlations were also reduced or eliminated, thus facilitating analysis of their separate effects.

This study has shown that national datasets can be used to select randomized and replicated field sites objectively within multiple regions and along multiple interacting gradients. Similar protocols could be used for studying a range of alternative research questions related to land use or other spatially explicit environmental variables, and to identify networks of field sites for other countries, regions, drivers and response taxa in a wide range of scenarios.
ADVENTURE CAPITAL
Authors: GODDARD JULES
Published: April 2017

Businesses need to create a commercial culture in which capital is more patient, work is more multiform and entrepreneurship is more mainstream, says Jules Goddard
Diagnostic features of malignancy‐associated pseudoachalasia
Authors: Ponds F. A. , van Raath M. I. , Mohamed S. M. M. , Smout A. J. P. M. , Bredenoord A. J.
Published: April 2017

Background

Pseudoachalasia is a condition in which clinical and manometric signs of achalasia are mimicked by another abnormality, most often a malignancy.

Aim

To identify risk factors that suggest presence of malignancy‐associated pseudoachalasia.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, achalasia patients newly diagnosed by manometry were included. Patients with a normal initial endoscopy, clinical and manometric signs of achalasia who were afterwards found to have an underlying malignant cause were classified as pseudoachalasia. Clinical and diagnostic findings were compared between malignant pseudoachalasia and achalasia.

Results

We included 333 achalasia patients [180 male, median age 50 (38–62)]. Malignant pseudoachalasia was diagnosed in 18 patients (5.4%). Patients with malignancy‐associated pseudoachalasia were older at time of diagnosis [67 (54–71) vs. 49 (37–60) years], had a shorter duration of symptoms [6 (5–10) vs. 25 (11–60) months] and lost more weight [12 (9–17) vs. 5 (0–12) kg). In 61% of the pseudoachalasia patients, the oesophagogastric junction (OGJ) was difficult or impossible to pass during endoscopy, compared to 23% in achalasia. Age ≥55 years (OR 5.93), duration of symptoms ≤12 months (OR 14.5), weight loss ≥10 kg (OR 6.73) and difficulty passing the OGJ during endoscopy (OR 6.06) were associated with a higher risk of malignant pseudoachalasia.

Conclusions

Advanced age, short duration of symptoms, considerable weight loss and difficulty in passing the OGJ during endoscopy, are risk factors that suggest potential malignancy‐associated pseudoachalasia. To exclude pseudoachalasia, additional investigations are warranted when two or more risk factors are present.
Treatment of HCV infection in liver transplant recipients with ledipasvir and sofosbuvir without ribavirin
Authors: Pillai A. A. , Maheshwari R. , Vora R. , Norvell J. P. , Ford R. , Parekh S. , Cheng N. , Patel A. , Young N. , Spivey J. R. , Mgbemena O. , Wedd J. P.
Published: April 2017

Background

Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir is a well‐tolerated regimen with high sustained virological response (SVR) rates in pre‐liver transplant patients infected with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), but data in liver transplant recipients outside of clinical trials is limited.

Aim

To address this knowledge gap and assess SVR rates without the use of ribavirin in liver transplant recipients

Methods

This is a retrospective study examining the treatment of 75 post‐liver transplant recipients with ledipasvir and sofosbuvir without ribavirin. Differences between SVR cohorts and predictors of SVR were analysed in an intention‐to‐treat (ITT) fashion.

Results

A total of 408 genotype 1, HCV patients were treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir from October 2014 to August 2015 at our centre. Seventy‐three patients were post‐liver transplant and were treated with a median of 2.9 years from transplant. Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir achieved an SVR12 of 95.9%. African Americans made up 28.8% of the cohort. Sixty‐three per cent of patients were treated previously, including 13.7% of patients previously treated with direct‐acting antivirals. Only 2.7% had recurrent allograft cirrhosis, and the majority (90.4%) was on calcineurin inhibitor based immunosuppressive therapy. Approximately 82% of patients had chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 2 or 3. In univariate logistic regression, only detectable week 8 viral load was predictive of failure to achieve SVR.

Conclusion

Our data confirm excellent SVR outcomes and favourable safety and tolerability profiles with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir without ribavirin in post‐liver transplant recipients infected with HCV, despite treatment guidelines to use ribavirin.
The dilemmas of normalising losses from climate change: Towards hope for Pacific atoll countries
Authors: Barnett Jonathon
Published: April 2017

The idea that climate change may cause the loss of atoll countries is now taken for granted in much of climate change science, policy and media coverage. This normalisation of loss means atoll countries now face a future that is apparently finite, which is a grievous situation no other country has to contend with. This paper explains the dilemmas this presents to atoll countries. If there is a risk of forced migration, then strategic planning can minimise its social impacts. Yet, doing so may bring future dangers into the present by undermining efforts to facilitate adaptation to climate change, creating new identities and deterring investments in sustainable resource management. To overcome this dilemma, the paper argues for a more hopeful approach to the future of atoll countries, because for as long as the science of loss remains uncertain, and the limits to adaptation are unknown, forced migration cannot be taken as a matter of fact and could possibly be averted through emission reductions and a vastly improved and significantly more creative approach to adaptation.
Early Maternal Employment and Children's Vocabulary and Inductive Reasoning Ability: A Dynamic Approach
Authors: Kühhirt Michael , Klein Markus
Published: April 2017

This study investigates the relationship between early maternal employment history and children's vocabulary and inductive reasoning ability at age 5, drawing on longitudinal information on 2,200 children from the Growing Up in Scotland data. Prior research rarely addresses dynamics in maternal employment and the methodological ramifications of time‐variant confounding. The present study proposes various measures to capture duration, timing, and stability of early maternal employment and uses inverse probability of treatment weighting to control for time‐variant confounders that may partially mediate the effect of maternal employment on cognitive scores. The findings suggest only modest differences in the above ability measures between children who have been exposed to very different patterns of eary maternal employment, but with similar observed covariate history.
Healing at the interface between recipient sites and autologous block bone grafts affixed by either position or lag screw methods: a histomorphometric study in rabbits
Authors: Caneva Marco , Botticelli Daniele , Carneiro Martins Evandro Neto , Caneva Martina , Lang Niklaus P. , Xavier Samuel P.
Published: April 2017

Objective

To compare the sequential healing at the interface gap occurring between autologous bone grafts and recipient sites using two types of fixation techniques.

Material and methods

Twenty‐four adult male New Zealand white rabbits were used. Two bone grafts were collected from the calvaria and secured to the lateral aspect of the angle of mandible in each animal. Cortical perforations at the recipient sites were performed. However, no modifications were applied to the graft for its adaptation to the recipient site. Two types of fixation techniques by position or lag screws were applied. This was done by preparing osteotomy holes smaller or larger than the screw diameter, respectively. The animals were sacrificed after 3, 7, 20, and 40 days.

Results

After 3 days, the distance between the graft and the recipient site was similar between the two different fixations. Due to the anatomical shapes of the recipient sites and grafts, the distance between the two parts was lower in the central region (<0.1 mm) compared to the external regions of the graft (0.5–0.6 mm). The first evidence of small amounts of new (woven) bone was seen after 7 days, forming from the parent bone. The percentage increased after 20 and 40 days. After 40 days, the grafts were well incorporated within the recipient sites in both groups without any statistically significant difference.

Conclusions

The present study did not show superiority of one method over another. A fixation to a recipient site with perforations may be sufficient for incorporating an autologous bone graft even if its adaptation is not perfect and irrespectively of the fixation method. Distances of approximately half millimeter were bridged with newly formed bone.
Evaluating the Design of Behavior Change Interventions: A Case Study of Rhino Horn in Vietnam
Authors: Olmedo Alegría , Sharif Vian , Milner‐Gulland E.J.
Published: April 2017

Behavioral change interventions are increasingly widely used in conservation. Several projects addressing rhino horn consumption were recently launched in Vietnam. We used key informant interviews, document analysis, and marketing theory to explore their strategies for intervention design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. We developed a framework to evaluate whether they followed best practice and identify implementation challenges. Interventions could make greater use of key project design steps, including basing interventions on robust research to understand the behavior in question, identifying the target audience whose behavior interventions aim to change, and developing measures that can provide reliable evidence of success or not. Challenges include the need for law enforcement to complement campaigns; improving cooperation between NGOs; and clearly defining aims of demand‐reduction initiatives. Using best practice from other fields and considering demand reduction within the wider context of wildlife, trade policy will help address these challenges.
Comparison of the three conventional methods for the postoperative atrial fibrillation prediction
Authors: Aksu Uğur , Gulcu Oktay , Aksakal Emrah , Topcu Selim , Sevimli Serdar , Tanboga Ibrahim Halil
Published: April 2017

Introduction

Although various risk factors have been defined for the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation (PAF), these parameters have not been adequately verified and validated. We investigated the atrial fibrillation detection capabilities of echocardiographic parameters in PAF developing and the determination of predictive values for clinical use.

Method

We enrolled 60 consecutive patients with 234 lesions who underwent CABG surgery. All patients underwent preoperative echocardiographic evaluation. Patients were divided into two groups according to PAF development status.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 67, and 73% were male and PAF occurred in 19 patients. In univariate analysis, left atrial volume index (LAVi), left ventricular global strain (LVGS) and ejection fraction were associated with PAF development. Parameters which were significant in univariate analysis were included in a logistic regression model to determine the independent predictors of PAF. LAVi was found to be an independent predictor of PAF.

Conclusion

Although several parameters have been defined for PAF development, LAVi is more advantageous than the other conventional methods in clinical decision making.
Smoking and obesity in systemic lupus erythematosus: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Versini Mathilde , Tiosano Shmuel , Comaneshter Doron , Shoenfeld Yehuda , Cohen Arnon D. , Amital Howard
Published: April 2017

Background

Both smoking and obesity have been demonstrated as risk factors in several autoimmune diseases. Little is known about the relationship between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and both smoking and obesity.

Objectives

To investigate the association between SLE, tobacco consumption and body mass index (BMI).

Materials and methods

Using data from the largest Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) in Israel, the Clalit Health Services, we searched for an association between SLE, smoking and obesity. Chi‐square and t‐test were used for univariate analysis, and a logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Data available from Clalit Health Services database included age, sex, BMI, smoking status, socioeconomic status (SES) and diagnoses of chronic diseases.

Results

The study included 5018 patients with SLE and 25 090 age‐ and sex‐matched controls. In multivariate analysis, we found a significant association between smoking and SLE (OR = 1·91). Conversely, there was no association between BMI and SLE.

Conclusion

In this study, we have shown that smoking is independently associated with SLE, whereas BMI scores were not.
Food digestion capability and digestive enzyme activity in female adults of the wing‐dimorphic cricket Velarifictorus ornatus
Authors: Zhao Lv‐Quan , Liao Hong‐Yu , Zeng Yang , Wu Hong‐Jun , Zhu Dao‐Hong
Published: April 2017

Velarifictorus ornatus (Shiraki) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) display distinct wing variation, and a physiological trade‐off between reproduction and flight muscles has been observed in long‐winged (LW) and short‐winged (SW) females. To understand the physiological basis of this trade‐off, we investigated the difference in the food digestion capability and digestive enzyme activity between LW and SW females. We found that the efficiency of conversion of digested food into body matter of SW females was significantly higher than that of the LW females, although there was no difference in the approximate digestibility between LW and SW females during the first 12 days after the adult emergence. Similarly, growth and relative growth were significantly higher in SW females. The food consumption of SW females was significantly higher than that of the LW females only in the first 6 days after the adult emergence, suggesting enhanced ovary development in SW females is probably because of the elevated efficiency of conversion of digested food into body matter coupled with greater consumption in the early stage after the adult emergence. Trypsin‐like activity was higher in SW females than in LW females, whereas no differences in the fresh weight of the midguts (including content) were observed between LW and SW females at 1, 3, or 5 h after refeeding after starvation for 18 h. In contrast, amylase activity varied significantly depending on time lapse after refeeding, being significantly higher in LW females than in SW females at 1 h after refeeding, but significantly lower in LW females than in SW females at 3 and 5 h after refeeding. The lipase activity displayed a similar trend in both LW and SW females after refeeding, with an initial decline followed by a slight increase; and no difference was observed between LW and SW females at any stage after refeeding.
Successful targeted treatment of mast cell activation syndrome with tofacitinib
Authors: Afrin Lawrence B. , Fox Roger W. , Zito Susan L. , Choe Leo , Glover Sarah C.
Published: April 2017

Mast cell (MC) activation syndrome (MCAS) is a collection of illnesses of inappropriate MC activation with little to no neoplastic MC proliferation, distinguishing it from mastocytosis. MCAS presents as chronic, generally inflammatory multisystem polymorbidity likely driven in most by heterogeneous patterns of constitutively activating mutations in MC regulatory elements, posing challenges for identifying optimal mutation‐targeted treatment in individual patients. Targeting commonly affected downstream effectors may yield clinical benefit independent of upstream mutational profile. For example, both activated KIT and numerous cytokine receptors activate the Janus kinases (JAKs). Thus, JAK‐inhibiting therapies may be useful against the downstream inflammatory effects of MCAS. The oral JAK1/JAK3 inhibitor, tofacitinib, is currently approved for rheumatoid arthritis and is in clinical trials for other chronic inflammatory disorders. Herein, we report two patients with MCAS who rapidly gained substantial symptomatic response to tofacitinib. Their improvement suggests need for further evaluation of this class of drugs in MCAS treatment.
CD70 and PD‐L1 in anaplastic thyroid cancer – promising targets for immunotherapy
Authors: Zwaenepoel Karen , Jacobs Julie , De Meulenaere Astrid , Silence Karen , Smits Evelien , Siozopoulou Vasiliki , Hauben Esther , Rolfo Christian , Rottey Sylvie , Pauwels Patrick
Published: April 2017

Aims

During recent years, immune checkpoint inhibition has proved to be effective in several solid malignancies. The aim of this study was to identify novel targets for immunotherapy in anaplastic thyroid cancer by analysis of the expression of tumour antigens for which therapeutic agents are available.

Method and results

By immunohistochemistry we observed tumoral expression of CD70 in 49% of cases. Expression of its receptor, CD27, was present mainly in lymphocytes surrounding and infiltrating the tumour and observed only rarely in tumour cells. CD70 expression was associated with the presence of a precursor papillary thyroid carcinoma and the presence of BRAF V600E mutations in the anaplastic thyroid cancer lesion. Furthermore, the expression of CD70 seems stable during progression of the disease. Tumoral expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) was found in 28.6% of the anaplastic thyroid cancer cases. Programmed cell death 1 (PD‐1), the receptor of PD‐L1, was not expressed on the tumour cells. No association between CD70 expression and PD‐L1 expression could be demonstrated.

Conclusion

These data suggest that targeted immunotherapy for CD70/CD27 and PD‐L1/PD‐1 might be promising in anaplastic thyroid cancer. However, as a low amount of tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes was observed in most lesions, combined therapy with agents enhancing the invasion of lymphocytes in the tumour region needs to be considered.
Electrospun mullite nanofibers derived from diphasic mullite sol
Authors: Dong Xue , Liu Jiaqi , Li Xiutao , Zhang Xiuju , Xue Yunjia , Liu Jiachen , Guo Anran
Published: April 2017

Fine‐grained mullite nanofibers derived from the diphasic mullite sol were successfully fabricated by electrospinning and subsequent pyrolysis at 1500°C. Polymethylsiloxane and aluminum tri‐sec‐butoxide were selected as the silicon and aluminum source to synthesize the diphasic sol. Results show that the weight loss of mullite precursor fibers in our work was about 60 wt.%, which is similar with that of fibers fabricated using the monophasic sol. This low weight loss was mainly attributed to the high ceramic yield of polymethylsiloxane and low introduced polyvinylpyrrolidone content, which ensures the integrity of fiber morphology during the sintering process. Mullite fibers with 216 nm average diameter were fabricated after sintered at 1500°C and the corresponding grain size was only ~100 nm, much smaller than that in mullite fibers derived from monophasic sols. Therefore, it can be predicated that mullite fibers in this work should possess a higher mechanical strength than those derived from monophasic sols when the sintering temperature was higher than 1400°C and therefore was an ideal starting materials for the fabrication of mullite nanofibrous ceramics used as the high‐temperature thermal insulation materials.
Separating Leadership from Pay
Authors: Hostettler Stephan , Lambin Raphaël
Published: April 2017

Performance management and incentive systems can play an important role in shaping a company's culture and promoting internal collaboration. Yet, in an uncertain and rapidly evolving world that rewards organizations for agility, performance management systems based on a single individual overall rating are being viewed with growing skepticism; and the once common practice of tying pay directly to such ratings is being reconsidered—and in many cases abandoned. But when carrying out this process of “separating leadership from pay,” companies must commit to providing employees with extensive ongoing feedback, as well as significant opportunities for development and growth that are not linked directly to financial rewards.

In place of traditional bonus schemes whose payoffs are tied to individual performance measures, the authors also recommend the use of company‐wide bonus plans—similar in spirit to the General Motors plan described earlier in this issue—that reflect a philosophy of “sharing success” that aims to encourage and reinforce a culture of collaboration and agility. But for compensation plans built around sharing success to be effective, careful attention should be given to the “quality” of the results achieved. This can be accomplished by supplementing the use of Key Performance Indicators—such as, for example, economic profit—with the use of so‐called “boundary” KPIs—such as the percentage of satisfied clients—for which a minimum threshold must be met.
Aeromonas jandaei and Aeromonas veronii caused disease and mortality in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)
Authors: Dong H T , Techatanakitarnan C , Jindakittikul P , Thaiprayoon A , Taengphu S , Charoensapsri W , Khunrae P , Rattanarojpong T , Senapin S
Published: April 2017

Diseases caused by motile aeromonads in freshwater fish have been generally assumed to be linked with mainly Aeromonas hydrophila while other species were probably overlooked. Here, we identified two isolates of non‐A. hydrophila recovered from Nile tilapia exhibiting disease and mortality after exposed to transport‐induced stress and subsequently confirmed their virulence in artificial infection. The bacterial isolates were identified as Aeromonas jandaei and Aeromonas veronii based on phenotypic features and homology of 16S rDNA. Experimental infection revealed that the high dose of A. jandaei (3.7 × 106 CFU fish−1) and A. veronii (8.9 × 106 CFU fish−1) killed 100% of experimental fish within 24 h, while a 10‐fold reduction dose killed 70% and 50% of fish, respectively. When the challenge dose was reduced 100‐fold, mortality of the fish exposed to A. jandaei and A. veronii decreased to 20% and 10%, respectively. The survivors from the latter dose administration were rechallenged with respective bacterial species. Lower mortality of rechallenged fish (0%–12.5%) compared to the control groups receiving a primary infection (37.5%) suggested that the survivors after primary infection were able to resist secondary infection. Fish exposed to either A. jandaei or A. veronii exhibited similar clinical signs and histological manifestation.
Consensus Bundle on Maternal Mental Health: Perinatal Depression and Anxiety
Authors: Kendig Susan , Keats John P. , Hoffman M. Camille , Kay Lisa B. , Miller Emily S. , Simas Tiffany A. Moore , Frieder Ariela , Hackley Barbara , Indman Pec , Raines Christena , Semenuk Kisha , Wisner Katherine L. , Lemieux Lauren A.
Published: April 2017

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions encountered by women of reproductive age. When left untreated, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders can have profound adverse effects on women and their children, ranging from increased risk of poor adherence to medical care, exacerbation of medical conditions, loss of interpersonal and financial resources, smoking and substance use, suicide, and infanticide. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are associated with increased risks of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity and are recognized as a significant patient safety issue. In 2015, the Council on Patient Safety in Women's Health Care convened an interdisciplinary work group to develop an evidence‐based patient safety bundle to address maternal mental health. The focus of this bundle is perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The bundle is modeled after other bundles released by the Council on Patient Safety in Women's Health Care and provides broad direction for incorporating perinatal mood and anxiety disorder screening, intervention, referral, and follow‐up into maternity care practice across health care settings. This commentary provides information to assist with bundle implementation.
Heteronormativity and prostate cancer: A discursive paper
Authors: Kelly Daniel , Sakellariou Dikaios , Fry Sarah , Vougioukalou Sofia
Published: April 2017

Aims and objectives

To discuss the risks that heteronormative assumptions play in prostate cancer care and how these may be addressed.

Background

There is international evidence to support the case that LGBT patients with cancer are less likely to report poor health or self‐disclose sexual orientation. Gender‐specific cancers, such as prostate cancer, require particular interventions in terms of supportive care. These may include advice about side‐effect management (such as incontinence or erectile dysfunction), treatment choices and social and emotional issues. In this paper, we discuss and analyse the heteronormative assumptions and culture that exist around this cancer. We argue that this situation may act as a barrier to effective supportive care for all Lesbian women, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual patients, in this case men who have sex with men.

[Correction added on 21 September 2017, after first online publication: The first sentence of the Background section has been revised for clarity in this current version.]

Design

Theoretical exploration of heteronormativity considered against the clinical context of prostate cancer.

Methods

Identification and inclusion of relevant international evidence combined with clinical discussion.

Results

This paper posits a number of questions around heteronormativity in relation to prostate cancer information provision, supportive care and male sexuality. While assumptions regarding sexual orientation should be avoided in clinical encounters, this may be difficult when heteronormative assumptions dominate. Existing research supports the assertion that patient experience, including the needs of LGBT patients, should be central to service developments.

Conclusion

Assumptions about sexual orientation should be avoided and recorded accurately and sensitively, and relational models of care should be promoted at the start of cancer treatment in an appropriate manner. These may assist in reducing the risks of embarrassment or offence to nonheterosexual patients, or to professionals who may adopt heteronormative assumptions.

Relevance to clinical practice

Having an awareness of the risks of making heteronormative assumptions in clinical practice will be useful for all health professionals engaged in prostate cancer care. This awareness can prevent embarrassment or upset for patients and ensure a more equitable provision of service, including men with prostate cancer who do not identify as heterosexual.
Clinical Characteristics of Abutment Teeth with Gingival Discoloration
Authors: Ristic Ljubisa , Dakovic Dragana , Postic Srdjan , Lazic Zoran , Bacevic Miljana , Vucevic Dragana
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The grey‐bluish discoloration of gingiva (known as “amalgam tattoo”) does not appear only in the presence of amalgam restorations. It may also be seen in cases of teeth restored with cast dowels and porcelain‐fused‐to‐metal (PFM) restorations. The aim of this article was to determine the clinical characteristics of abutment teeth with gingival discoloration.

Materials and Methods

This research was conducted on 25 patients referred for cast dowel and PFM restorations. These restorations were manufactured from Ni‐Cr alloys. Ninety days after cementing the fixed prosthodontic restorations, the abutment teeth (n = 61) were divided into a group with gingival discoloration (GD) (n = 25) and without gingival discoloration (NGD) (n = 36). The control group (CG) comprised the contralateral teeth (n = 61). Plaque index, gingival index, clinical attachment level, and probing depth were assessed before fabrication and also 90 days after cementation of the PFM restorations.

Results

The gingival index, clinical attachment level, and probing depths of the abutment teeth that had GD were statistically higher before restoration, in comparison with the abutment teeth in the NGD and control groups. Ninety days after cementation, the abutment teeth with GD had significantly lower gingival indexes and probing depths, compared to the abutment teeth in the NGD group. Both abutment teeth groups (GD and NGD) had significantly higher values of clinical attachment levels when compared to the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in plaque index values between the study groups.

Conclusions

The results of this study indicated that impairment of periodontal status of abutment teeth seemed to be related to the presence of gingival discolorations. Therefore, fabrication of fixed prosthodontic restorations requires careful planning and abutment teeth preparation to minimize the occurrence of gingival discolorations. Clinical relevance: With careful preparation of abutment teeth for cast dowels and crown restorations it may be possible to decrease the frequency of gingival discolorations adjacent to abutment teeth.
Marijuana and Alcohol Use as Predictors of Academic Achievement: A Longitudinal Analysis Among Youth in the COMPASS Study
Authors: Patte Karen A. , Qian Wei , Leatherdale Scott T.
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

We tested the effect of initiating marijuana and alcohol use at varying frequencies on academic indices.

METHODS

In a sample of 26,475 grade 9‐12 students with at least 2 years of linked longitudinal data from year 1 (Y1: 2012‐2013), year 2 (Y2: 2013‐2014), and year 3 (Y3: 2014‐2015) of the COMPASS study, separate multinomial generalized estimating equations models tested the likelihood of responses to measures of academic goals, engagement, preparedness, and performance when shifting from never using alcohol or marijuana at baseline to using them at varying frequencies at follow ‐up.

RESULTS

Students who began using alcohol or marijuana were less likely to attend class regularly, complete their homework, achieve high marks, and value good grades, relative to their abstaining peers. Changing from abstaining to rare/sporadic‐to‐weekly drinking or rare/sporadic marijuana use predicted aspirations to continue to all levels of higher education, and initiating weekly marijuana use increased the likelihood of college ambitions, while more regular marijuana use reduced the likelihood of wanting to pursue graduate/professional degrees, over high school.

CONCLUSIONS

The importance of delaying or preventing substance use is evident in associations with student performance and engagement. The influence on academic goals varied by substance and frequency of initiated use.