bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing customer retention strategies in mobile telecommunications
Authors: Jyh‐Fu Jeng Don , Bailey Thomas
Published: October 2012

Purpose

As wireless penetration continues to increase worldwide, competitors in the mobile telecommunication industry are changing their strategies from a growth model to a value‐added one. The companies that can attract and retain customers in this highly competitive and increasingly saturated market stand poised to make considerable gains, and thus customer retention is an important field of study in this maturing market. Using the Canadian mobile phone market as an example, this work aims to study the major motivators of customer retention and their interrelationships, and assess the value that customers perceive with regard to the related advertising.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review and expert validation, the motivators of customer retention are divided into three dimensions and eight criteria. A systematic hybrid multiple criteria decision‐making (MCDM) method that combines the decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique and the analytic network process (ANP) is used to examine the customer retention framework and to evaluate the promotional strategies used by various market players.

Findings

The interdependence relation shows that phone service quality, customer service quality, and phone plan quality are three major motivators in terms of causality with regard to brand image, customer service quality, and complaint management, while phone service quality has become a hygiene factor with regard to customer satisfaction and retention. The findings from an assessment of the promotional strategies used by the major players in the Canadian mobile telecoms industry suggest that well‐financed foreign entrants pose a risk to the major domestic carriers, and that successful promotional strategies will require strong leverage of their existing price and quality advantages.

Originality/value

This work adopted a hybrid MCDM approach to examine a major strategic issue in mobile telecoms, – i.e. customer retention – and demonstrated the strengths of using this method to investigate rapidly changing markets. The relative importance of the motivators of satisfaction and retention is investigated, and a strategy for customer retention in the mobile telecoms industry is provided to managers.
Library services for the future: engaging with our customers to determine wants and needs
Authors: Esson Rachel , Stevenson Alison , Gildea Maureen , Roberts Sue
Published: October 2012

Purpose

Like any other customer‐centred organisation, the library has a variety of methods at its disposal to gather information from and about its customers, such as usage data, survey results, focus groups, and face‐to‐face opportunistic encounters. Given that using survey instruments is currently the main way that libraries engage with their customers this paper seeks to look at how librarians can ensure that their surveys are of the best possible quality. It then aims to present two case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses successful methods for engaging customers, both online and in person, in conversation with particular reference to new generation learners, and the need to demonstrate to participants that their opinions are heard and have an impact. The paper then discusses two case studies of work undertaken at Victoria University of Wellington Library. In the first case the Library sought student participation and input to Te RōpŪ Whakamanawa, a working group convened to address the needs of Māori and Pasifika academic staff and students. In the second case the Library undertook a larger process of gathering client and stakeholder feedback as part of a wider ranging “Library services for the future” review. The customer engagement was extensive and robust, including 32 focus group sessions with a diverse range of people, and additional online feedback channels for wider university engagement.

Findings

The future‐focussed academic library must be distinguished by the scope and quality of its service programs. To be successful the design and development of those services have to be shaped and informed by the customers.

Originality/value

The paper examines the ways in which academic libraries can seek to understand the expectations of their customers, particularly those in minority groups, in order to be able to plan for the future.
Strategies for integrating information literacy and academic literacy
Authors: MacMillan Margy , MacKenzie Allison
Published: October 2012

Purpose

The article aims to describe challenges undergraduate students face in using scholarly articles and a workshop on reading designed to address those challenges. It seeks to present a study of senior public relations students' use, attitudes and confidence levels in using scholarly material.

Design/methodology/approach

Fourth‐year students who had participated in a reading workshop in their third year were surveyed before and after a workshop. The survey included qualitative questions on how students used scholarly articles, challenges they faced and strategies for using scholarly articles. A knowledge survey section assessed students' confidence levels in answering questions about a specific article. This section was re‐administered after the workshop.

Findings

Students use articles when they are required by assignments and/or to add authority to arguments. Students find jargon, length and mathematical aspects of articles challenging. They use a variety of strategies including summarizing, highlighting, and discussing articles with others. Some of these strategies correlated with higher knowledge survey scores.

Research limitations/implications

This was a relatively small study done on senior students in one course, but may be generalizable to students in other disciplines.

Practical implications

The study provides information on students' use of scholarly articles, and seems to indicate that instruction in techniques for reading has a beneficial effect on student attitudes and confidence levels.

Originality/value

The article provides direction for practice and research in information literacy instruction, expanding it beyond locating scholarly materials to interpreting and using them.
E‐textbooks usage by students at Andrews University
Authors: Marques de Oliveira Silas
Published: October 2012

Purpose

This study aims at identifying Andrews University's students' perceptions, behavior, use, and attitudes towards e‐textbook and e‐books in general.

Design/methodology/approach

In the Fall semester of 2001‐2012, Andrews University's bookstore offered 74 e‐textbooks for purchase. The teachers who had the opportunity of using these e‐textbooks for their classes were asked to distribute two questionnaires to their students: one to those who chose to buy and use the e‐textbook and a slightly different one to those who chose the traditional print textbook. The results were tabulated and compared to the results of similar studies since 2001.

Findings

A 65 percent return rate was obtained. Several findings closely replicate results of many studies on this area. For more than a decade, studies show that students prefer the hardcover book over the e‐book for their studies. Lack of awareness, not knowing how to get it, eyestrain, and difficulty of reading are the main culprits for students not using e‐books more often. However, those who use e‐books report they are generally satisfied. Students would like to enjoy fewer restrictions on printing and copying, PDA accessibility, more titles in their area of studies and better e‐book readers. They do not usually read e‐books cover to cover. The library is not their main point of entry or search for e‐books. Students value portability, instant access, light weight and ability to store large amounts of materials.

Research limitations/implications

The sample population was limited to the classes which had access to an e‐textbook. A broader and more complete understanding could have been obtained if the study included all of the student population. It is not possible to generalize the findings due to the fact that the study was done in a specific academic setting.

Practical implications

Universities and libraries are highly engaged in this topic at the present moment. Results of studies like this one will provide data useful for collection development policies and the pedagogy adopted by faculty in the classroom.

Social implications

This is a topic that is of increasing importance in all parts of the world, and is affecting how people and, more specifically, students read and learn. It has the potential of changing reading habits and how students absorb information and knowledge, as well as how they use libraries.

Originality/value

E‐books will have a definitive impact in new models of acquiring, accessing, and distributing information materials for and to the academic community. The paper will help the library better understand students' preferences and study habits which will have an impact on decisions regarding types of services it should provide and collection building decisions.
Changing work environments and employee wellbeing: an introduction
Authors: Kalliath Thomas , Kalliath Parveen
Published: October 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this overview is to provide a brief introduction to the theme of the special issue, the expert commentary, and six papers included in the special issue. The authors conclude by articulating four avenues of future research that are likely to contribute significantly towards building work‐environments in which employees and organizations can flourish.

Design/methodology/approach

The International Journal of Manpower's usual double blind review process was used to select the six papers from various parts of the world including Estonia, USA, Australia, Brazil, and Israel that focus on important aspects of the changing work environment and its influence on employee wellbeing. The papers represent a wide variety of research designs, methodologies, and analytic strategies used to investigate the influence of changing work environment on employee wellbeing. An expert commentary provides an overview of current scholarship on changes occurring in the work environment and its impact on employee wellbeing.

Findings

The findings of the studies included in this special issue provide insights into six specific work‐environmental issues influencing employee wellbeing, including workplace bullying; inter‐organizational networks; professional contractor well‐being; inter‐generational differences; commitment and intention to leave; and work‐engagement.

Practical implications

Each article includes practical implications with regard to promotion of employee wellbeing.

Originality/value

Taken as a collective, the six papers in this special issue highlight frontier issues in the relationship between changing work environment and employee wellbeing. The expert commentary provides an easy to access summary of the current scholarship in the area and specifies fruitful areas for future research.
Workplace bullying and organizational culture in a post‐transitional country
Authors: Tambur Merle , Vadi Maaja
Published: October 2012

Purpose

The aim of the study is to explore how organizational culture influences occurrences of workplace bullying in Estonia as a post‐transitional country. Another objective is to produce comprehensive empirical evidence of bullying in the specific cultural context.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey is based on the internationally well‐known research instrument, the Negative Acts Questionnaire Revised (NAQ‐R) (Mikkelsen and Einarsen) and the Questionnaire of Organizational Culture (QOC) (Vadi et al.).

Findings

Victims of bullying: 22 percent – at least one negative act per week; 9.3 percent – at least two negative acts per week; 0.6 percent – by definition (several times per week or daily); 8 percent – by definition (occasionally). The results reveal a clear negative relationship between bullying and task and relationship orientation of organizational culture.

Practical implications

The present study indicates clear factors at the organizational level where the preventive actions are needed to diminish the negative impact of bullying on employee's well‐being and encourages a discussion and further studies of workplace bullying in post‐transitional countries.

Originality/value

In Estonia and in other post‐transitional countries workplace bullying has not yet been studied closely. This study provides a comprehensive approach of workplace bullying related to organizational culture in a post‐transitional country.
Professional contractor wellbeing: mutual benefits of organisational support
Authors: McKeown Tui , Cochrane Robyn
Published: October 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between professional contractor (PC) wellbeing and organisational support as one of mutual benefit for both parties.

Design/methodology/approach

Four hypotheses were tested via hierarchical regression techniques using survey data gathered from a sample of 375 PCs working in a range of Australian organisations. Content analysis techniques were used to examine PC responses to a related open‐ended question.

Findings

The results demonstrate a positive relationship between self‐efficacy, organisational support, work engagement and knowledge sharing with wellbeing. Adding the PCs’ individualised perspectives provides further insight into the value that PCs bring to an organisation.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to PCs within Australia and examines PCs rather than professionals generally. The authors limit the analysis approach to regression techniques rather than structural equation modelling.

Practical implications

First, demonstration of the importance of organisational support to PCs is an important finding for organisations in itself. Second, this finding allows us to suggest specific interventions and guidelines for organisations seeking to efficiently engender contractor engagement and knowledge sharing.

Originality/value

The role of contractor management has become important as organisations increasingly rely on outsourced and contracted work arrangements. The authors consider how organisations and PCs can benefit from organisational practices perceived as being supportive. It is important for both organisations and PCs to be able to identify and develop the key factors which shape the contractual exchange prior to, and throughout, contracted work assignments.
Affective commitment of generational cohorts of Brazilian nurses
Authors: Nelson Silvia A.
Published: October 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use generational cohort and professionalism theories as the framework to examine the interaction between supervisor‐subordinate relationships, work‐family conflict, discretionary power and affective commitment at the work‐life interface for Northeast Brazilian public sector professional nurses.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative data were collected from 550 public hospital nurses in North‐Eastern Brazil. Path and multivariate analysis were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that the impact of the independent variables on affective commitment was statistically significant but low. The impact of NPM factors such as contracting out and multiple job‐holding was a major influence on affective commitment and work‐life interface across generational cohorts. The analysis revealed significant differences between generational cohorts and suggested that affective commitment may well be enhanced by improving the quality of the work‐life interface and consequently, the wellbeing of nurses.

Research limitations/implications

This study is confined to the Northeast of Brazil and confined to public sector hospitals. The self‐reporting techniques used in this study to gather information may be open to common method bias.

Originality/value

The contribution of this research includes the provision of new information about the working context of professional nurses in Brazil, which is a fast growing BRICS economy where the issues surrounding the practice of nursing and nurse management are not well studied to date (i.e. NPM impact on nurse environment). North‐eastern Brazilian managers need to be more aware of generational differences and their impact on levels of affective commitment and the quality of the work‐life interface and wellbeing.
The influence of job, team and organizational level resources on employee well‐being, engagement, commitment and extra‐role performance
Authors: Albrecht Simon L.
Published: October 2012

Purpose

Worker well‐being continues to be fundamental to the study of work and a primary consideration for how organizations can achieve competitive advantage and sustainable and ethical work practices (Cartwright and Holmes; Harter, Schmidt and Keyes; Wright and Cropanzano). The science and practice of employee engagement, a key indicator of employee well‐being, continues to evolve with ongoing incremental refinements to existing models and measures. This study aims to elaborate the Job Demands‐Resources model of work engagement (Bakker and Demerouti) by examining how organizational, team and job level factors interrelate to influence engagement and well‐being and downstream outcome variables such as affective commitment and extra‐role behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equations modelling of survey data obtained from 3,437 employees of a large multi‐national mining company was used to test the important direct and indirect influence of organizational focused resources (a culture of fairness and support), team focused resources (team climate) and job level resources (career development, autonomy, supervisor support, and role clarity) on employee well‐being, engagement, extra‐role behaviour and organizational commitment.

Findings

The fit of the proposed measurement and structural models met criterion levels and the structural model accounted for sizable proportions of the variance in engagement/wellbeing (66 percent), extra‐role‐behaviour (52 percent) and commitment (69 percent).

Research limitations/implications

Study limitations (e.g. cross‐sectional research design) and future opportunities are outlined.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates important extensions to the Job Demands‐Resources model and provides researchers and practitioners with a simple but powerful motivational framework, a suite of measures, and a map of their inter‐relationships which can be used to help understand, develop and manage employee well‐being and engagement and their outcomes.
Influences of culture and market convergence on the international advertising strategies of multinational corporations in North America, Europe and Asia
Authors: Jiang Jing , Wei Ran
Published: October 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to study creative strategy and execution as opposed to all elements of marketing and advertising standardization. It explores the standardization model (e.g. global, glocal, local, and single case strategy) by examining the international advertising strategies that multinational corporations (MNCs) from North America, Europe, and Asia used in their advertising campaigns targeting two culturally different markets: the United States and China.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis of 210 print advertisements compares the extent of standardization in creative strategy and execution across product country of origin (Japan, Korea, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States). Western versus non‐Western cultural cues are also coded and examined.

Findings

Overall, MNCs are more likely to adopt the glocal strategy than any other strategies in their international campaigns. Specifically, EU‐based MNCs tend to pursue the global strategy, whereas the North America‐based MNCs seem to favor the glocal strategy and Asia‐based MNCs tend to use local strategy. Western and non‐Western cultural values are found to manifest in the American and Chinese ads similarly, indicating a trend of increasing similarity in international advertising in face of global consumer culture.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this content analysis provide a fuller picture in understanding the long‐standing issues of standardization in international advertising because of an approach to analyze creative strategy separately from execution. However, content analysis is inherently limited in inferring causality between observed patterns and mechanisms/variables that account for the patterns. Also, the time frame for sample selection, which is set as a year prior to the 2008 global financial crisis, is another limitation of the study.

Practical implications

There is an ongoing trend of using “one‐creative, multiple‐execution” strategy in international advertising. MNCs may distinguish advertising creative strategy from execution when developing their international advertising campaigns.

Originality/value

First, this study addresses the issue with a clear conceptual definition of standardization and differentiates the strategic and tactic standardization. Second, this is the first attempt to explore the standardization model using a sample of 51 multinational brands from North America, Europe, and Asia. The authors find that MNCs are practicing some standardization advertising strategy, but to varying degrees. Third, this study identifies and empirically tests two external factors – culture and convergence of external markets – that influence standardization.
On the misuse of national culture dimensions
Authors: Brewer Paul , Venaik Sunil
Published: October 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the ongoing misapplication of the Hofstede and GLOBE national culture dimensions at the individual level of analysis in both research and teaching. It provides suggestions as to how these national level constructs might be used in analysis and the challenges such use presents to researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used by Hofstede and GLOBE in their calculation of national culture dimensions is discussed together with the implications.

Findings

The consequences of the national nature of the Hofstede and GLOBE national culture dimensions are that the dimensions do not exist at the individual level. The paper explains why, in spite of this, the dimensions continue to be misapplied to individuals.

Practical implications

There are important implications for practitioners. The cultural assumptions often made about individuals in different countries based on the Hofstede and GLOBE dimension scores are invalid. Practitioners should not use national culture dimension scores in individual‐level culture related decision making.

Originality/value

The paper is the first that is focused on the invalid projection of national culture dimensions onto individuals and which highlights the origins and the ongoing nature of this problem.
Resistance to industry technological change in communities of practice
Authors: Schiavone Francesco
Published: October 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to contribute to the literature about the resistance to industry technological change in old technology‐based communities of practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports an explanatory case study in order to achieve this purpose: the resistance to technological change of “hams”, the worldwide community of radio amateurs. The case study integrates primary and secondary data and information.

Findings

Change agents are critical actors in order to support the adoption of new technology into the community (but not the substitution of the old technology). These actors, in fact, work on the social and learning conditions affecting the process of diffusion of innovation within the “resisting” community.

Originality/value

The paper sheds light on the ambivalent responses to industry technological change in social systems by applying a specific multi‐level theoretical model of analysis about the limits to the diffusion of innovation within social systems.
Resisting change: organizational decoupling through an identity construction perspective
Authors: Pitsakis Konstantinos , Biniari Marina G. , Kuin Thijs
Published: October 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework that explains how individual organizational members' self‐construction processes motivate them to support or reject decoupling as a form of resistance to institutionally mandated change.

Design/methodology/approach

Most studies have looked at powerful organizational actors and top management teams that decide to decouple. This paper broadens the understanding through a micro‐level approach that focuses on the role of individual members within organizations. Specifically, it looks at what happens inside organizations after the decision to decouple has been taken.

Findings

This paper identifies three alternative self‐identity construction pathways that members may choose following the decision of an organization to decouple: strong identification with the organization; strong identification with the institutional pressure; and adoption of both organizational and institutional identities. The framework specifies how and under which conditions the way individuals identify and manage identity multiplicity impacts organizational resistance to change.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could test the proposed framework particularly through case studies or qualitative designs that look deep into organizational processes and individual attitudes towards decoupling.

Practical implications

Practitioners, particularly top management teams, can adopt a moderating role in influencing the identification process of their employees. They can also communicate better why efficiency is more important than the mandated changes, and why decoupling must be supported to safeguard the organization's “efficient” identity.

Originality/value

The paper integrates institutional theory's macro‐perspectives with micro‐perspectives of individual members' identity and self‐construction processes within organizations. It contributes to existing institutional accounts of agentic change and resistance to change through a dynamic framework that prescribes individual interests and preferences based on identification processes.
Non‐human resistance in changes towards lean
Authors: Langstrand Jostein , Elg Mattias
Published: October 2012

Purpose

The importance of social issues is well established in the literature on resistance to change. However, much can be gained by including physical objects in the analysis. Using actor‐network theory, this paper aims to explore the resistance of non‐human actors in organizational change and contribute to an expanded understanding of resistance to change.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is based on a longitudinal case study of the introduction of lean in a large Swedish manufacturing company. The empirical basis consists of interviews, observations and document studies. Actor‐network theory is used as a theoretical lens to identify non‐human resistance to change.

Findings

The paper proposes that non‐human actors can inhibit change through a lack of alignment with the overall change initiative. This may cause large variation in the interpretation of the proposed change and a lengthy process of construction and negotiation. The paper provides examples of four different types of non‐human resistance that result from this lack of alignment.

Practical implications

It is proposed that change initiatives need to be aligned with existing practice and anchored in objects that are integrated in organizational routines. The four types of non‐human resistance presented in the paper may be used as a checklist to reduce the risk of failure.

Originality/value

The predominant focus on social issues tends to disregard the impact of the physical environment in change processes. Actor‐network theory and the inclusion of the physical environment will help to expand and improve the understanding of resistance to change.
Resistance in HROs, setback or resource?
Authors: Binci Daniele , Cerruti Corrado , Donnarumma Stefano Antonio
Published: October 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to analyse the role of resistance at team level in a change project focused on the maintenance activities of a high reliability organisation (HRO) that operates in the electricity distribution field.

Design/methodology/approach

A grounded theory is built, analysing a large dataset of material (project reports, processes descriptions, internal memos and presentations), direct observation and semi‐structured interviews.

Findings

The paper documents a model where resistance has evolved over time. Differentiated responses to change of employees during the project and also different forms of resistance are observed. The outcome of the analysis shows the positive role of mindful inertia in the change project.

Research limitations/implications

Outcomes are, by the nature of the research, deeply rooted in the context and the study is focused on a specific service of an organisation that is high reliability‐oriented. Future studies should look at whether these insights are also relevant for other organisations.

Practical implications

Mindful inertia can prove useful in achieving better performances in implementing change.

Originality/value

With respect to the existing literature, the paper shows that in HROs acceptance of change and mindful resistance to that change interacts to improve the outcome process. Resistance, under certain conditions, can provide the very insights needed to implement change.
Social‐media misuse a ticking time‐bomb for employers
Authors: Field James , Chelliah John
Published: October 2012

Purpose

This article aims to highlight the risks employers face when employees use social media.

Design/methodology/approach

The article considers each risk in turn, and suggests how it could be reduced.

Findings

The major challenge for most employers is the development of a co‐ordinated human‐resource strategy that incorporates documented policies and procedures, an internal training program and robust record‐keeping.

Practical implications

The article guides managers and HR specialists in assessing the exposure of their organizations/clients to the risks identified.

Social implications

Attention is drawn to the growing problem of the misuse of social media across society as a whole.

Originality/value

The article raises the issue of organizational awareness and preparedness to undertake challenges posed by social media.
Lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) distribution, activity patterns and relative abundance in the Greater Madidi‐Tambopata Landscape
Authors: WALLACE Robert , AYALA Guido , VISCARRA Maria
Published: October 2012

Lowland tapir distribution is described in northwestern Bolivia and southeastern Peru within the Greater Madidi‐Tambopata Landscape, a priority Tapir Conservation Unit, using 1255 distribution points derived from camera trapping efforts, field research and interviews with park guards from 5 national protected areas and hunters from 19 local communities. A total of 392 independent camera trapping events from 14 camera trap surveys at 11 sites demonstrated the nocturnal and crepuscular activity patterns (86%) of the lowland tapir and provide 3 indices of relative abundance for spatial and temporal comparison. Capture rates for lowland tapirs were not significantly different between camera trapping stations placed on river beachesversusthose placed in the forest. Lowland tapir capture rates were significantly higher in the national protected areas of the regionversusindigenous territories and unprotected portions of the landscape. Capture rates through time suggested that lowland tapir populations are recovering within the Tuichi Valley, an area currently dedicated towards ecotourism activities, following the creation (1995) and subsequent implementation (1997) of the Madidi National Park in Bolivia. Based on our distributional data and published conservative estimates of population density, we calculated that this transboundary landscape holds an overall lowland tapir population of between 14 540 and 36 351 individuals, of which at least 24.3% are under protection from national and municipal parks. As such, the Greater Madidi‐Tambopata Landscape should be considered a lowland tapir population stronghold and priority conservation efforts are discussed in order to maintain this population.
Differentiating the Contribution of Pharmacological from Alcohol Expectancy Effects to Changes in Subjective Response and Priming Over Successive Drinks
Authors: Rose Abigail K. , Hobbs Malcolm , Drummond Colin
Published: October 2012

Background

Alcohol consumption can prime motivation to continue drinking and may contribute to excessive drinking. Most alcohol administration research assesses the effect of a single alcohol dose on outcome measures; however, this differs from typical drinking occasions in which several drinks are consumed over time. This research tracks priming measures (alcohol urge, latency to first sip, and consumption time) and subjective effects (intoxication, stimulation, and sedation) across consumption of 5 drinks, over a period of 2.5 hours. Alcohol, placebo, and no‐alcohol (i.e., soft drink) conditions are compared with isolate the effects of alcohol expectancies and differentiate these from alcohol's pharmacological effects.

Methods

Alcohol urge and subjective state were measured before and after an initial drink was consumed (preload: alcohol, placebo, or no‐alcohol). Four additional drinking phases followed whereby participants had access to 2 drinks (alcohol/no‐alcohol, or placebo/no‐alcohol). Experimental priming (urge, latency to first sip, consumption time) and subjective effect (intoxication, stimulation, and sedation) outcomes were recorded after each drink.

Results

The pattern of alcohol urge following placebo drinks differed compared with alcohol and no‐alcohol consumption, Fs(1, 90) > 4.10, ps < 0.003. There was a linear decrease in urge in the no‐alcohol condition, while in the alcohol condition urge increased after the first few drinks before decreasing. Urge ratings showed the opposite pattern in the placebo condition (a decrease followed by an increase). Alcohol produced the highest ratings of lightheadedness, F(5, 440) = 2.8, p < 0.02, but both alcohol and placebo produced increased sedated feelings, Fs ≥ 19.05, ps ≤ 0.001. After placebo, urge was positively related to liking and enjoying the “alcoholic” drinks and feeling more stimulated (rs ≥ 0.31, ps ≤ 0.01).

Conclusions

In social drinkers, different factors may affect priming during different stages of a drinking episode. For example, the pharmacological effects of alcohol appear involved in priming during the initial stages of drinking. When alcohol expectancies are activated, blocking access to alcohol can increase urge, supporting Tiffany's cognitive processing model of craving.
Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for p16INK4a– a new triage test for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia?
Authors: JENTSCHKE MATTHIAS , LANGE VICTORIA , SOERGEL PHILIPP , HILLEMANNS PETER
Published: October 2012

Objective. To evaluate enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2A protein (p16INK4a) on self‐collected cervicovaginal lavage samples as an additional triage test to identify women with high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Design. Retrospective feasibility, sensitivity and specificity study. Setting. University Medical School, Germany. Sample. One hundred and fifty‐two patients from the colposcopy clinic were included. Methods. All women used a cervico‐vaginal lavage device (Delphi Screener) for self‐sampling and had gynecological examinations with Pap smears, cervical smears in ThinPrep PreservCyt solution and Cervatec medium for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing (Qiagen Hybrid Capture 2) and colposcopic examinations with biopsies if abnormalities were detected (72 women; 51%). All cytological samples were examined by p16INK4a ELISA. Main outcome measures. Sensitivity and specificity of p16INK4a ELISA for high‐grade CIN. Results. Complete data were available for 140 women. Among these, 62 women (46%) presented with an atypical Pap smear and 65 (46.4%) were high‐risk HPV positive in the reference smear sample. Seventeen women (12%) had CIN 3+. Twenty‐seven (19%) physician‐collected samples were p16INK4a ELISA positive. In contrast, p16INK4a ELISA turned out to be positive in only one (1%) vaginal lavage sample. Conclusions. Our study shows that self‐sampling with cervicovaginal lavage followed by p16INK4a ELISA is not suitable for the detection of high‐grade CIN.
The functional role of natural killer cells early in clinical sepsis
Authors: Giannikopoulos George , Antonopoulou Anastasia , Kalpakou Georgia , Makaritsis Konstantinos , Panou Charalambos , Papadomichelakis Evangelos , Sinapidis Dimitrios , Theodotou Anna , Tzagkaraki Aikaterini , Giamarellos‐Bourboulis Evangelos J.
Published: October 2012

Although much information is available for the function of circulating monocytes when signs of sepsis are apparent, little is known for natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells were isolated from 10 healthy controls and from 103 patients with sepsis within the first 24 h from diagnosis. NK cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide for cytokine production. Release of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha and of interleukin (IL)‐6 was below the limit of detection. Release of IL‐23 and of interferon‐gamma (IFNγ) was significantly greater among patients than among healthy volunteers. Release of IFNγ was pronounced in septic shock. Patients were divided into two subgroups based on the ratio of IFNγ to IL‐23 released by the NK cells after stimulation: those with ratio ≤5 and 28‐day survival 13.5%, and those with ratio >5 and 28‐day survival 29.4% (p: 0.048). It is concluded that early after clinical development of sepsis, NK cells remain active for the production of IFNγ. Their activity is associated with the final outcome.
Review article: ulcerative colitis, smoking and nicotine therapy
Authors: Lunney P. C. , Leong R. W. L.
Published: October 2012

Background

Smoking is the best‐characterised environmental association of ulcerative colitis (UC). Smoking has been observed to exert protective effects on both the development and progression of UC.

Aims

To examine the association between UC and smoking, possible pathogenic mechanisms and the potential of nicotine as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of UC.

Methods

A literature search was conducted through MEDLINE, using the MeSH search terms ‘ulcerative colitis’ and ‘smoking’ or ‘nicotine’. Relevant articles were identified through manual review. The reference lists of these articles were reviewed to include further appropriate articles.

Results

Ulcerative colitis is less prevalent in smokers. Current smokers with a prior diagnosis of UC are more likely to exhibit milder disease than ex‐smokers and nonsmokers. There is conflicting evidence for smokers having reduced rates of hospitalisation, colectomy and need for oral corticosteroids and immunosuppressants to manage their disease. Multiple potential active mediators in smoke may be responsible for these clinical effects, including nicotine and carbon monoxide, but the precise mechanism remains unknown. Nicotine has demonstrated variable efficacy in the induction of remission in UC when compared to placebo and conventional medicines. Despite this, the high frequency of adverse events limits its clinical significance.

Conclusions

Nicotine's application as a therapeutic treatment in ulcerative colitis is limited. Presently, it may be an option considered only in selected cases of acute ulcerative colitis refractory to conventional treatment options. This review also questions whether nicotine is the active component of smoking that modifies risk and inflammation in ulcerative colitis.
Comparative immunolocalization of keratin‐associated beta‐proteins (beta‐keratins) supports a new explanation for the cyclical process of keratinocyte differentiation in lizard epidermis
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo
Published: October 2012

Lizard epidermis is made of beta‐ and alpha‐layers. Using Western blot tested antibodies, the ultrastructural immunolocalization of specific keratin‐associated beta‐proteins in the epidermis of different lizard species reveals that glycine‐rich beta‐proteins (HgG5) localize in the beta‐layer, while glycine–cysteine‐medium‐rich beta‐proteins (HgGC10) are present in oberhautchen and alpha‐layers. This suggests a new explanation for the formation of different epidermal layers during the shedding cycle in lepidosaurian epidermis instead of an alternance between beta‐keratins and alpha‐keratins. It is proposed that different sets of genes coding for specific beta‐proteins are activated in keratinocytes during the renewal phase of the shedding cycle. Initially, glycine–cysteine‐medium‐rich beta‐proteins with hydrophilic and elastic properties accumulate over alpha‐keratins in the oberhautchen but are replaced in the next cell layer with glycine‐rich hydrophobic beta‐proteins forming a resistant, stiff, and hydrophobic beta‐layer. The synthesis of glycine‐rich proteins terminates in mesos and alpha‐cells where these proteins are replaced with glycine–cysteine‐rich beta‐proteins. The pattern of beta‐protein deposition onto a scaffold of intermediate filament keratins is typical for keratin‐associated proteins and the association between alpha‐keratins and specific keratin‐associated beta‐proteins during the renewal phase of the shedding cycle gives rise to epidermal layers possessing different structural, mechanical, and texture properties.
Dronedarone‐associated acute renal failure: evidence coming from the Italian spontaneous ADR reporting database
Authors: Biagi Chiara , Venegoni Mauro , Melis Mauro , Buccellato Elena , Montanaro Nicola , Motola Domenico
Published: October 2012

Aim

To describe cases of acute renal failure (ARF) and of renal failure (RF) from dronedarone retrieved in the general population during post‐marketing surveillance through the Italian spontaneous ADR reporting database.

Methods

A case by case analysis was performed. Reports codified with the System Organ Class (SOC) term ‘urinary system disorders’ of the ADR terminology of the World Health Organization associated with dronedarone treatment were selected.

Results

Out of 124 069 ADR reports, in 55 of them dronedarone was listed as the suspected drug. Among these reports, we identified four cases of ARF, two of RF and three cases of increase of blood creatinine submitted by physicians between October 2010 and December 2011. The patient age was from 61 to 84 years and most cases occurred within the first 13 days of initiation of dronedarone therapy (range 6 days – 2 months). Only one patient received a co‐suspected drug labelled for causing ARF. In all reports but one, positive dechallenge was reported.

Conclusions

Clinicians should be made aware of the risk of ARF/RF associated with dronedarone and of the need to screen patients appropriately for ARF/RF risk factors before starting dronedarone therapy.
Vitamin D3 supplementation scheme in HIV‐infected patients based upon pharmacokinetic modelling of 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol
Authors: Foissac Frantz , Tréluyer Jean‐Marc , Souberbielle Jean‐Claude , Rostane Hafeda , Urien Saïk , Viard Jean‐Paul
Published: October 2012

Aims

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in HIV‐infected patients and has been associated with osteopenia and HIV disease progression. Our aims were to investigate the pharmacokinetics of 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D], the effect of antiretroviral treatment (ARV) and others factors that may influence the pharmacokinetics, and to determine a vitamin D3 dosing scheme to reach the 30 ng ml−1 threshold (defined as 25(OH)D sufficiency).

Methods

This monocentric retrospective study included 422 HIV‐infected patients aged 16 to 85 years. A total of 723 25(OH)D concentrations were available for pharmacokinetic evaluation and a population pharmacokinetic model was developed with MONOLIX 3.2.

Results

Median 25(OH)D at baseline was 16 ng ml−1 (interquartile range 11–23 ng ml−1) for the total population, 17% of patient had concentrations below 10 ng ml−1, 68% between 10 and 30 ng ml−1 and 15% above 30 ng ml−1. 25(OH)D pharmacokinetics were best described by a one compartment model with an additional endogenous production. The effects of season and skin phototype were significant on production rate. The endogenous production was 20% lower in non‐white skin phototype patients and was decreased by 16% during autumn, winter and spring. No significant differences in 25(OH)D concentrations were related to antiretroviral drugs (ARV). To obtain concentrations between 30 and 80 ng ml−1, the dosing recommendation was 100 000 IU every month.

Conclusions

Season and skin phototype had an influence on the endogenous production of 25(OH)D. However no effect of ARV was found. A dosing scheme to reach sufficient 25(OH)D concentrations is proposed.
Statistical tools for dose individualization of mycophenolic acid and tacrolimus co‐administered during the first month after renal transplantation
Authors: Musuamba Flora T. , Mourad Michel , Haufroid Vincent , De Meyer Martine , Capron Arnaud , Delattre Isabelle K. , Verbeeck Roger K. , Wallemacq Pierre
Published: October 2012

Aim

To predict simultaneously the area under the concentration−time curve during one dosing interval [AUC(0,12 h)] for mycophenolic acid (MPA) and tacrolimus (TAC), when concomitantly used during the first month after transplantation, based on common blood samples.

Methods

Data were from two different sources, real patient pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles from 65 renal transplant recipients and 9000 PK profiles simulated from previously published models on MPA or TAC in the first month after transplantation. Multiple linear regression (MLR) and Bayesian estimation using optimal samples were performed to predict MPA and TAC AUC(0,12 h) based on two concentrations.

Results

The following models were retained: AUC(0,12 h) = 16.5 + 4.9 × C1.5 + 6.7 × C3.5 (r2 = 0.82, rRMSE = 9%, with simulations and r2 = 0.66, rRMSE = 24%, with observed data) and AUC(0,12 h) = 24.3 + 5.9 × C1.5 + 12.2 × C3.5 (r2 = 0.94, rRMSE = 12.3%, with simulations r2 = 0.74, rRMSE = 15%, with observed data) for MPA and TAC, respectively. In addition, Bayesian estimators were developed including parameter values from final models and values of concentrations at 1.5 and 3.5 h after dose. Good agreement was found between predicted and reference AUC(0,12 h) values: r2 = 0.90, rRMSE = 13% and r2 = 0.97, rRMSE = 5% with simulations for MPA and TAC, respectively and r2 = 0.75, rRMSE = 11% and r2 = 0.83, rRMSE = 7% with observed data for MPA and TAC, respectively.

Conclusion

Statistical tools were developed for simultaneous MPA and TAC therapeutic drug monitoring. They can be incorporated in computer programs for patient dose individualization.