bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Phase Ib Randomized Controlled Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of a Single-Dose of the NR2B Selective N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Antagonist MK-0657 on Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesias and Motor Symptoms in Patients With Parkinson Disease
Authors: Herring W. Joseph , Assaid Christopher , Budd Kerry , Vargo Ryan , Mazenko Ralph S. , Lines Christopher , Ellenbogen Aaron , Verhagen Metman Leo
Published: October 2017

Objectives

Blockade of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors containing the NR2B subunit has been shown to be therapeutic in animal models of Parkinson disease (PD). However, findings with investigational NR2B receptor antagonists in PD patients have been mixed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the NR2B selective N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist MK-0657 on levodopa-induced dyskinesias and motor symptoms in PD patients.

Methods

A randomized, double-blind, single-dose, 2-period crossover study was conducted in 22 patients with PD and levodopa-induced peak-dose dyskinesias. Patients received oral MK-0657 (7 mg) or placebo, in randomized order, on each of 2 test days. On both days, levodopa was administered as a 2-hour intravenous infusion at greater than or equal to 1 mg/kg per hour with frequent assessments of dyskinesia, motor function, and pharmacokinetics.

Results

MK-0657 7 mg had no significant effect on dyskinesias (difference versus placebo in modified Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale mean change from baseline area under the curve over 5 hours, −2.3; 95% confidence interval, −5.1 to 0.4) or motor function (difference versus placebo in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III mean change from baseline area under the curve over 5 hours, 13.9; 95% confidence interval, −1.7 to 29.5). MK-0657 7 mg achieved the target mean maximum plasma concentration of 400 nM.

Conclusions

These data suggest that a single dose of MK-0657 7 mg is not effective in improving levodopa-induced dyskinesias and motor symptoms in PD patients.

Clinical trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov NCT00505843
Medical Cannabis in Parkinson Disease: Real-Life Patients' Experience
Authors: Balash Yacov , Bar-Lev Schleider Lihi , Korczyn Amos D. , Shabtai Herzel , Knaani Judith , Rosenberg Alina , Baruch Yehuda , Djaldetti Ruth , Giladi Nir , Gurevich Tanya
Published: October 2017

Background

The use of medical cannabis (MC) is controversial. Support for its benefits is based on small clinical series.

Objective

The aim of this study was to report the results of a standardized interview study that retrospectively assessed the effects of MC on symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD) and its adverse effects in patients treated for at least 3 months.

Methods

The survey used telephone interviews using a structured questionnaire based on subjective global impressions of change for various parkinsonian symptoms and yes/no questions on adverse effects.

Results

Forty-seven nondemented patients with PD (40 men) participated. Their mean age was 64.2 ± 10.8 years, mean disease duration was 10.8 ± 8.3 years, median Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) was stage III. The duration of MC use was 19.1 ± 17.0 months, and the mean daily dose was 0.9 ± 0.5 g. The delivery of MC was mainly by smoking cigarettes (38 cases, 80.9%). Effect size (r2) improvement for falls was 0.89, 0.73 for pain relief, 0.64 for depression, 0.64 for tremor, 0.62 for muscle stiffness, and 0.60 for sleep. The most frequently reported adverse effects from MC were cough (34.9%) in those who used MC by smoking and confusion and hallucinations (reported by 17% each) causing 5 patients (10.6%) to stop treatment.

Conclusions

Medical cannabis was found to improve symptoms of PD in the initial stages of treatment and did not cause major adverse effects in this pilot, 2-center, retrospective survey. The extent of use and the reported effects lend support to further development of safer and more effective drugs derived from Cannabis sativa.
Aripiprazole for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review
Authors: Britnell Sara R. , Jackson Anna D. , Brown Jamie N. , Capehart Bruce P.
Published: October 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to review the safety and efficacy of aripiprazole as monotherapy and adjunct therapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Methods

A search of both MEDLINE (1956 to May 2017) and EMBASE (1957 to May 2017) was conducted using the terms “aripiprazole” and “post-traumatic stress disorder,” “posttraumatic stress disorder,” or “PTSD.” Studies evaluating the primary endpoint of PTSD in patients taking aripiprazole as monotherapy or adjunct therapy were analyzed for relevance. Those that met the objective of this study were included for evaluation: 1 placebo-controlled trial; 4 open-label trials; and 1 retrospective chart review.

Results

In patients with a history of PTSD, aripiprazole resulted in significant improvements in the primary outcome, including Clinician-Administered PTSD Symptom Scale or PTSD Checklist—Military scores, in all but 1 study analyzed. Study durations ranged from 10 to 16 weeks. Initial doses of aripiprazole ranged from 2 to 15 mg daily that could be titrated up or down in the range of 2 to 30 mg daily based on efficacy and tolerability. Overall, aripiprazole was well tolerated with the most common treatment-related study discontinuations attributed to the adverse events of anxiety, insomnia, akathisia, asthenia, restlessness, and somnolence.

Conclusions

Based on the reviewed literature, aripiprazole is a reasonable therapy option as monotherapy or adjunct therapy in patients with PTSD. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to better understand the role of this atypical antipsychotic in patients with PTSD.
Pramipexole and Electroconvulsive Therapy in Treatment-Resistant Depression
Authors: Gauthier Claire , Souaiby Lama , Advenier-Iakovlev Emmanuelle , Gaillard Raphaël
Published: October 2017

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common disease. Despite appropriate antidepressant treatment, approximately one third of patients do not achieve adequate response. In these patients, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a possible option. Nevertheless, some symptoms may persist even after ECT.

Method

This is a comparative retrospective study assessing the efficacy and safety of pramipexole in the treatment of resistant depression, in combination to ECT or after a partial ECT efficacy.

Results

We recruited 14 patients with severe MDD. Nine patients received ECT and pramipexole conjointly, the latter being introduced after a mean number of 18 ECT sessions. Five patients received pramipexole after failure of ECT. Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and Clinical Global Impression scores all improved significantly after the initiation of pramipexole (jointly with ECT or alone). Moreover, the combination of ECT plus pramipexole was well tolerated. Only 1 patient presented a hypomanic episode, which resolved spontaneously.

Conclusions

Pramipexole is a therapeutic option for MDD resistant to ECT. It could be used jointly to ECT or after a partial remission with ECT. More studies are needed to precisely describe the optimal combination of sequential use of ECT and pramipexole in treatment-resistant MDD.
Transcription factor activity rhythms and tissue-specific chromatin interactions explain circadian gene expression across organs
Authors: Yeung Jake , Mermet Jérôme , Jouffe Céline , Marquis Julien , Charpagne Aline , Gachon Frédéric , Naef Félix
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Temporal control of physiology requires the interplay between gene networks involved in daily timekeeping and tissue function across different organs. How the circadian clock interweaves with tissue-specific transcriptional programs is poorly understood. Here we dissected temporal and tissue-specific regulation at multiple gene regulatory layers by examining mouse tissues with an intact or disrupted clock over time. Integrated analysis uncovered two distinct regulatory modes underlying tissue-specific rhythms: tissue-specific oscillations in transcription factor (TF) activity, which were linked to feeding-fasting cycles in liver and sodium homeostasis in kidney; and co-localized binding of clock and tissue-specific transcription factors at distal enhancers. Chromosome conformation capture (4C-Seq) in liver and kidney identified liver-specific chromatin loops that recruited clock-bound enhancers to promoters to regulate liver-specific transcriptional rhythms. Furthermore, this looping was remarkably promoter-specific on the scale of less than ten kilobases. Enhancers can contact a rhythmic promoter while looping out nearby nonrhythmic alternative promoters, confining rhythmic enhancer activity to specific promoters. These findings suggest that chromatin folding enables the clock to regulate rhythmic transcription of specific promoters to output temporal transcriptional programs tailored to different tissues.
Crystal structure of poly[tetra-μ-cyanido-ethanolbis(2-iodopyrazine)digold(I)iron(II)]
Authors: Fei Bin , Kucheriv Olesia I. , Tokmenko Inna I. , Terebilenko Kateryna V. , Gural'skiy Il'ya A.
Published: October 2017

In the title polymeric complex, [Au2Fe(CN)4(C4H3IN2)2(C2H6O)]n, the FeIIcation is coordinated by two iodopyrazine molecules, one ethanol molecule and three dicyanoaurate anions in a distorted N5O octahedral geometry. In the crystal, the dicyanoaurate anions bridge the FeIIcations to form polymeric chains propagating along theb-axis direction. Stabilization of the crystal structure is provided by O—H...N hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking between parallel iodopyrazine rings of neighbouring chains, the centroid–centroid distances being 3.654 (10) and 3.658 (9) Å.
(3E)-4-(3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-2-one
Authors: El Faydy Mohamed , Ramli Youssef , Mague Joel T. , Lakhrissi Brahim
Published: October 2017

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C13H16O4, consists of two independent molecules, which are linked into dimers by four C—H...O hydrogen bonds. In both molecules, the C atoms of themeta-methoxy groups lie close to their respective ring planes, whereas the C atoms ofpara-methoxy groups are significantly displaced. Pairwise C—H...π(ring) interactions form stacks of dimers, which are further associated through additional C—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Retaining competitive advantage in commodities
Authors: Mohapatra Sanjay , Patra Debananda
Published: October 2017

Subject area

Premium customer service in the commodities market can be made a competitive advantage. The case deals with BPCL, a public limited Government organization that is successful through its strategic orientation while serving its customers.

Study level/applicability

This case is suitable for students who are enrolled in a Masters or an Executive Programme in Management. For a Masters programme in Management, the case can be introduced in the marketing course in sessions related to Customer Relationship Management, Marketing Strategy and Marketing in a Government organization. The case will also fit well with the audience of the Executive Programme in sessions on Marketing Management. The assignment questions provided below are designed from the perspective of teaching this case to a business student audience.

Case overview

The case study shows how a public sector company has taken steps to retain customers as well as increase its customer base through premium servicing. In all the fuel filling stations in India, the price is the same and is totally controlled by the Government. However, to survive in this market, different players adopted strategies to lure more customers and be profitable and productive in their operations. BPCL adopted a company owned company operated model, where they created a niche for themselves through premium service provided to retail customers. The case study deals with details of planning, recruitment and training and job rotation of staff by BPCL and shows how the same has led to increased commitment and motivation among employees. While operating in 24 × 7, 365 days mode, BPCL has been able to address customer complaints and feedback which has led to less waiting time for retail customers. There has been an increase in the number of customers and a high retention rate of existing customers.

Expected learning outcomes

To understand how the customer is central to an organization’s growth strategy. To appreciate the management concerns in the light of deregulation in an earlier monopoly market. To comprehend the challenges associated with maintaining competitive advantage over a long run. To appreciate the importance of employees in organizations. To understand the role of technology in achieving business goals of an organization.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 9: Operations and Logistics.
Publications by faculty members indexed in Science Citation Index and Scopus: an Iranian case study
Authors: Galyani-Moghaddam Golnessa , Jafari Hassan , Sattarzadeh Asghar
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to report an investigation that was conducted to identify the scholarly publications by faculty members of the Allameh Tabataba’i University that were indexed in two international databases, Science Citation Index (SCI) and Scopus, from the year the databases first included Iranian-authored papers (1987 and 1989, respectively) through the end of 2015.

Design methodology/approach

Scientometric methods and social network analysis techniques were used to conduct the study and to analyze the co-authorship network. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were carried out on the data. Quantitative analysis was accomplished using Microsoft Excel, while the qualitative analysis was carried out using HistCite, VOSviewer and Pajek software.

Findings

Faculty members had the most international cooperation with colleagues from the USA and Switzerland, and they jointly authored papers with faculty and staff from other universities within Iran. The three institutions with the highest rate of co-authorship included the Islamic Azad University, Tehran University and Amir Kabir University of Technology.

Practical implications

The overall overlap among the two databases was about 21 per cent. The number of papers indexed by Scopus (583 records) was more than that by SCI (410 records). The total number of papers at an international level was much lower than that at the national level (6,426 records) in both the databases.

Originality/value

This paper provides insight into the scholarly works by the faculty of Allameh Tabataba’i University indexed in two international databases, SCI and Scopus. It also examines the co-authorship network structure.
Semantic text-based image retrieval with multi-modality ontology and DBpedia
Authors: M.K. Yanti Idaya Aspura , Mohd Noah Shahrul Azman
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to reduce the semantic distance by proposing a model for integrating indexes of textual and visual features via a multi-modality ontology and the use of DBpedia to improve the comprehensiveness of the ontology to enhance semantic retrieval.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-modality ontology-based approach was developed to integrate high-level concepts and low-level features, as well as integrate the ontology base with DBpedia to enrich the knowledge resource. A complete ontology model was also developed to represent the domain of sport news, with image caption keywords and image features. Precision and recall were used as metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the multi-modality approach, and the outputs were compared with those obtained using a single-modality approach (i.e. textual ontology and visual ontology).

Findings

The results based on ten queries show a superior performance of the multi-modality ontology-based IMR system integrated with DBpedia in retrieving correct images in accordance with user queries. The system achieved 100 per cent precision for six of the queries and greater than 80 per cent precision for the other four queries. The text-based system only achieved 100 per cent precision for one query; all other queries yielded precision rates less than 0.500.

Research limitations/implications

This study only focused on BBC Sport News collection in the year 2009.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development of ontology-based retrieval on image collection.

Originality value

This study demonstrates the strength of using a multi-modality ontology integrated with DBpedia for image retrieval to overcome the deficiencies of text-based and ontology-based systems. The result validates semantic text-based with multi-modality ontology and DBpedia as a useful model to reduce the semantic distance.
Using author tri-citation analysis to map knowledge domains in knowledge representations
Authors: Yu Weidong
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Previous commonly used author co-citation analysis (ACA) methods have limited the ability to deal with accidental co-citation in constructing a raw co-citation matrix. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to propose a new method, called author tri-citation analysis (ATA), to better map knowledge domains and depict scientific intellectual structures.

Design/methodology/approach

Different from the previous method of using ACA that captures author co-citation relationships, the ATA method seeks tri-citation relationships among authors. Compared with ACA, ATA can ignore some accidental co-citation relationships between authors and can improve the accuracy of mapping knowledge domains.

Findings

Although ATA does not mine more sub-fields than ACA does, the results of the empirical studies show that ATA, the newly proposed method, performs better in knowledge domain maps based on publications in the field of computer science.

Research limitations/implications

The definition of ATA in this article is simple and still insufficiently informative. Many other pieces of information can be involved; for example, all authors’ information, authors’ sequence in the author list, reference published time and similar. These can be enhanced in future studies.

Practical implications

This research will enrich the methods of mapping knowledge domains due to its new perspective.

Social implications

Knowledge domain mapping is important to understand a discipline, and this research provides more potential methods for this, which benefits the performance of the maps.

Originality/value

ATA can provide a methodological awareness for mapping knowledge domains. This value lies in not only a tri-citation perspective, but also author bibliographic tripling and author tri-operation perspectives (“tri-” perspectives).
What drives housing prices, rent and new construction in China
Authors: Staikos Dimitrios , Xue Wenjun
Published: October 2017

Purpose

With this paper, the authors aim to investigate the drivers behind three of the most important aspects of the Chinese real estate market, housing prices, housing rent and new construction. At the same time, the authors perform a comprehensive empirical test of the popular 4-quadrant model by Wheaton and DiPasquale.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors utilize panel cointegration estimation methods and data from 35 Chinese metropolitan areas.

Findings

The results indicate that the 4-quadrant model is well suited to explain the determinants of housing prices. However, the same is not true regarding housing rent and new construction suggesting a more complex theoretical framework may be required for a well-rounded explanation of real estate markets.

Originality/value

It is the first time that panel data are used to estimate rent and new construction for China. Also, it is the first time a comprehensive test of the Wheaton and DiPasquale 4-quadrant model is performed using data from China.
Sustainable financing and anti-squandering measures in Rastin banking
Authors: Bidabad Bijan , Sherafati Mahshid
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to define a set of anti-squandering guideposts to improve the sustainability and efficiency of allocating financial resources to investment projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A set of sustainable financing and anti-squandering measures are proposed for a better allocation of the bank’s financial resources. These measures were derived from the doctrine of “ethic economics”, humanitarian principles and Islamic teachings. Rastin banking provides a base to apply these measures.

Findings

A draft of the regulations for sustainable financing and anti-squandering measures was compiled for Rastin banking operations, which is briefly presented in this paper and can be used as a basis for the codification of the respective laws.

Research limitations/implications

Such kinds of regulations are novel and need to be deeply discussed in the first place. After adaptation, adjustment and performing the necessary modifications, the text of the law can be codified.

Practical implications

Banks through granting loans, credits and other financial facilities can affect the investment projects in such a way to prevent the extravagant consumption of financial resources in investment projects and consider the sustainable development guidelines.

Social implications

The proposed guideposts can be detailed and adopted in other countries, especially those that are inefficient in their banking and financial operations.

Originality/value

Wasteful allocation of financial resources leads to the wastage of resources and reduction of productivity and provides benefit neither for the people nor for the society. Hence, the present paper tries to practically solve the problem for financial operations.
Mortgage Securitization System (MSS) (a complementary system of Rastin Banking)
Authors: Bidabad Bijan
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to define a new system to facilitate obtaining reliable collaterals and guarantees for financial activities from tangible assets through a new financial instrument of “guarantee certificates”.

Design/methodology/approach

This system makes it possible to securitize movable/immovable assets into negotiable paper lots, namely, “guarantee certificates”. Each lot of these certificates can be used as a guarantee or collateral for any guarantee-backed activity in banks or other activities.

Findings

The mortgage securitization system (MSS) securitizes tangible assets and provides necessary collaterals and guarantees to be used for different purposes. The operations are carried out through notary offices. This system, as a complementary system of the Rastin Banking system, can also be executed separately.

Research limitations/implications

The system is novel and needs to be more elaborated for further practical development and adjustment. Although this paper deals with only securitization of tangible assets, research can also be extended to securitization of intangible assets, through new institutions and rules.

Practical implications

Many properties and assets can be used as guarantees for observing obligations. The available ways for changing (especially large) properties into small guarantees are not easy and efficient. The MSS was designed to break large assets into many guarantee (certificate) lots and reduce the formalities of mortgaging and its transfer.

Social implications

This system provides reliance and security upon collaterals and conditions for fast claim-clearing and low formalities without time-consuming adjudication processes.

Originality/value

Complementary systems in Rastin Banking have been designed to solve prevailing problems of banking and financial activities. The MSS was designed to provide necessary arrangements for transforming assets into negotiable papers.
Employee revenge against uncivil customers
Authors: Bedi Akanksha , Schat Aaron C.H.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relations between service employee blame attributions in response to customer incivility and revenge desires and revenge behavior toward customers, and whether employee empathy moderated these relations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used survey data based on the critical incident method provided by a sample of 431 customer service employees.

Findings

The results suggested that blaming a customer was positively associated with desire for revenge and revenge behaviors against the uncivil customer. In addition, the authors found that blame was less strongly associated with desire for revenge when employees empathized with customers. Finally, the results show that an employee who desired revenge against the uncivil customer and who empathized with the customer was more – not less – likely to engage in revenge.

Practical implications

The authors found that when employees experience mistreatment from customers, it increases the likelihood that they will blame the offending customer and behave in ways that are contrary to their organization’s interests. The results suggest several points of intervention for organizations to more effectively respond to customer mistreatment.

Originality/value

In this study, the authors make one of the first attempts to investigate the relationships between service employee attributions of blame when they experience customer incivility, desire for revenge and customer-directed revenge behaviors. The authors also examined whether empathy moderates the relations between blame attribution, desires for revenge and revenge behavior.
Explaining customers’ financial service choice with loyalty and cross-buying behaviour
Authors: Estrella-Ramón Antonia
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of the customer’s previous transaction behaviour (represented by loyalty and general cross-buying) on his/her choice of specific services offered by the same financial services provider.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a set of logistic regression models by incorporating panel data from a large bank. The database consists of 2,187 randomly selected customers, and it includes features related to individual loyalty and cross-buying behaviours, as well as demographic indicators, i.e. individual measures related to each customer and each service.

Findings

From the results obtained, a large variation in customer choice behaviour with regard to the studied banking services was observed. These results reveal which customer transactional behaviours drive cross-category financial services purchases.

Originality/value

In academic literature, little progress has been made in the study of individual and behavioural factors that affect customer choices by service category, especially within the banking sector. By understanding customer choices, the company will be able to meet customer needs in a more appropriate way, thereby increasing its competitiveness. Hence, the results from this study have both managerial and research implications, improving the strategy formulation of financial services companies.
Luck, come here! Automatic approach tendencies toward gambling cues in moderate‐ to high‐risk gamblers
Authors: Boffo Marilisa , Smits Ruby , Salmon Joshua P. , Cowie Megan E. , de Jong David T. H. A. , Salemink Elske , Collins Pam , Stewart Sherry H. , Wiers Reinout W.
Published: October 2017

Background and aims

Similar to substance addictions, reward‐related cognitive motivational processes, such as selective attention and positive memory biases, have been found in disordered gambling. Despite findings that individuals with substance use problems are biased to approach substance‐related cues automatically, no study has yet focused on automatic approach tendencies for motivationally salient gambling cues in problem gamblers. We tested if moderate‐ to high‐risk gamblers show a gambling approach bias and whether this bias was related prospectively to gambling behaviour and problems.

Design

Cross‐sectional assessment study evaluating the concurrent and longitudinal correlates of gambling approach bias in moderate‐ to high‐risk gamblers compared with non‐problem gamblers.

Setting

Online study throughout the Netherlands.

Participants

Twenty‐six non‐treatment‐seeking moderate‐ to high‐risk gamblers and 26 non‐problem gamblers community‐recruited via the internet.

Measurements

Two online assessment sessions 6 months apart, including self‐report measures of gambling problems and behaviour (frequency, duration and expenditure) and the gambling approach avoidance task, with stimuli tailored to individual gambling habits.

Findings

Relative to non‐problem gamblers, moderate‐ to high‐risk gamblers revealed a stronger approach bias towards gambling‐related stimuli than neutral stimuli (P = 0.03). Gambling approach bias was correlated positively with past‐month gambling expenditure at baseline (P = 0.03) and with monthly frequency of gambling at follow‐up (P = 0.02). In multiple hierarchical regressions, baseline gambling approach bias predicted monthly frequency positively (P = 0.03) and total duration of gambling episodes (P = 0.01) 6 months later, but not gambling problems or expenditure.

Conclusions

In the Netherlands, relative to non‐problem gamblers, moderate‐ to high‐risk gamblers appear to have a stronger tendency to approach rather than to avoid gambling‐related pictures compared with neutral ones. This gambling approach bias is associated concurrently with past‐month gambling expenditure and duration of gambling and has been found to predict persistence in gambling behaviour over time.
A practical guide to the preparation and use of metal ion‐buffered systems for physiological research
Authors: Neumaier F. , Alpdogan S. , Hescheler J. , Schneider T.
Published: October 2017

Recent recognition that mobile pools of Zn2+ and Cu2+ are involved in the regulation of neuronal, endocrine and other cells has stimulated the development of tools to visualize and quantify the level of free trace metal ions. Most of the methods used to measure or control loosely bound metals require reference media that contain exactly defined free concentrations of the target ions. Despite the central importance of proper metal ion buffering, there is still a lack of international standards and beginners in the field may have difficulties finding a coherent description of how to prepare trace metal ion buffers, especially when experiments are to be performed in multimetal systems. To close this gap, we provide a guide for the design, preparation and use of metal ion‐buffered systems that facilitate immediate application under physiologically relevant ionic conditions. Thermodynamic and kinetic concepts of chemical speciation as well as general protocols and specific examples are outlined for the accurate preparation of single‐ and dual‐metal ion buffers. In addition, experiments have been performed with FluoZin‐3 to illustrate that metal ion‐buffered systems are required for reliable preparation of nanomolar Zn2+ solutions and that dual‐metal ion buffers can be used to calibrate suitable fluorescent Zn2+ sensors in the presence of millimolar Ca2+ concentrations. Together, the information provided should sensitize readers to the many potential pitfalls and uncertainties that exist when working with physiologically relevant concentrations of trace metal ions and enable them to formulate their own metal ion buffers for most in vitro applications.
TRADER TYPE EFFECTS ON THE VOLATILITY‐VOLUME RELATIONSHIP EVIDENCE FROM THE KOSPI 200 INDEX FUTURES MARKET
Authors: Kartsaklas Aris
Published: October 2017

We investigate whether the trading activity generated by investors with different access to information and trading motives has positive or negative impact on index futures volatility. Surprises in non‐member institutional, individual and foreign investors' trading volume are positively associated with volatility in most of the cases. For member institutional investors, unexpected trading volume is positively related to volatility. Long‐run changes in the trading activity also affect volatility differently across trader types. Finally, allowing for time‐to‐maturity effects, surprises in open interest are associated with more volatility towards contract expiration, contrary to the negative effect we find during normal times.
A service review to assess if innovative intensive phosphate dietary education can help reduce phosphate levels to the recommended range in a hemodialysis population
Authors: Duff Eileen A , Chawke Fiona M
Published: October 2017

Introduction: Studies suggest that hemodialysis (HD) patients are less likely to adhere to phosphate dietary restriction than to potassium, sodium, or fluid restriction. It is particularly important that dietary education is provided appropriately, consistently, and reinforced regularly to encourage compliance with diet and phosphate‐binder regimens. Patient awareness of the consequences of a chronically raised phosphate and its treatment is associated with lower serum phosphate levels.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a structured educational program on patient knowledge and control of serum phosphate in a maintenance HD population.

Methods: Thirty‐six patients with a phosphate level >1.7 mmol/L for the previous 3 months were assessed. A phosphate knowledge questionnaire was devised by the authors and completed by the patient group. This focused on patient knowledge of dietary sources of phosphate and complications of high phosphate levels. The education program was divided into three modules and was based around diet, phosphate additives, and complications of hyperphosphatemia. Visual aids, oral, and written information were provided to each patient throughout the sessions. Seventeen patients completed the education sessions. The knowledge and food frequency questionnaire were repeated at the end of the modules to assess change.

Results: Phosphate levels dropped from an average of 2.12–1.73 mmol/L over the education period with a significance level of P = 0.000481 (significant if P < 0.001). This average falls in line with recommended guidelines. Knowledge questionnaire results improved overall.

Conclusion: This education program displayed excellent outcomes with an overall reduction in phosphate levels and an improved phosphate knowledge among our sampled HD population. This education program shows that discovering novel ways of education is crucial to enhancing dietetic practice with renal dietitians best placed to deliver patient specific phosphate education.
MicroRNA 499 gene expression in patients on hemodialysis with cardiovascular complications
Authors: El Sharkawy Magdy , Aly Ola , Elsayed Hesham , Ezzat Haitham , Mohab Amro , Usama Dina
Published: October 2017

Background: MicroRNA (miRNA) 499 is an evolutionarily conserved muscle‐specific miRNA that is encoded by an intron of the myh7 gene and is likely to play a role in myosin gene regulation. It has been shown to be involved in inhibiting apoptosis and myocardial infarction induced by ischemia and anoxia. It is unknown whether levels of miRNAs are affected in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess circulating levels of miRNA 499 in hemodialysis patients and whether the levels are affected by dialyzer membranes (high flux vs. low flux).

Methods: The studied population consisted of 32 end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients (22 males and 10 females) with age ranged from 38% to 75% years on regular hemodialysis (4 hours, 3 times weekly) for at least 1 year duration with cardiovascular events in the last 6 months and 32 healthy controls (20 males and 12 females) with an age range from 54 to 60 years. Patients were involved into a two‐stage sequential study; high‐flux hemodialysis stage (stage I), then low‐flux hemodialysis stage (stage II). Expressed levels of plasma miRNA 499 have been measured by Real Time‐PCR. Lipid profile, serum phosphorus, serum calcium, serum creatinine, and blood urea were measured in all patients.

Results: In this study, 2 patients with an open‐heart surgery showed highly elevation in the miRNA 499, while the other patients, showing different degrees of ischemia, had different levels of elevated miRNA 499. Statistically significant higher levels of miRNA 499 in plasma were observed in all the studied patients with cardiovascular diseases compared to the levels of miRNA 499 found in healthy controls (P < 0.0001). MicroRNA 499 was found to be a dialyzable marker. A significant decrease in plasma levels of miRNA 499 was obtained after either high‐flux or low‐flux dialysis compared to plasma levels of miRNA 499 found before dialysis (P < 0.0001). On comparing both types of hemodialysis membranes with respect to miRNA 499 clearance, we found that low‐flux membrane showed better clearance for miRNA 499 than high‐flux membrane with a statistically significant difference between them (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: In conclusion, miRNA 499 levels are elevated in patients with ESRD with cardiovascular complications. High‐flux membrane seems to be less efficient in miRNA 499 clearance in cardiac patients on hemodialysis.
Verification of physicochemical structures of dialysis membrane using reversal dialysis technique
Authors: Yamashita Akihiro C. , Ono Takahisa , Tomisawa Narumi
Published: October 2017

Objective: Solute removal performance of the dialyzer is closely related to physicochemical structures of the membrane. The objective of this study is to devise a new in vitro evaluation technique to directly correlate the physicochemical structures of the membrane to the dialysis performance.

Materials and Methods: Commercial 11 dialyzers with cellulose triacetate (CTA), ethylene vinylalcohol co‐polymer (EVAL), asymmetry CTA (termed ATA), 4 polysulfone (PSf), polyether sulfone (PES), and 3 polyester polymer alloy (PEPA) membranes were employed for investigation. Normal dialysis experiments were performed with aqueous creatinine (MW 113), bromophenol blue (MW 670), vitamin B12 (MW 1355), chymotrypsin (MW 25,000) test solutions. Reversal dialysis experiments were devised introducing the test solution outside the hollow fiber (HF) and the dialysate inside the HF, respectively. Clearances were measured under QB = 200 mL/min and QD = 500 mL/min at 310 K. The ratio of clearance in the reversal dialysis to that in the normal dialysis termed the yielding factor of asymmetry, fYA, was defined for evaluation.

Results and Discussion: According to the classic mass transfer theory, clearance in the normal dialysis and that in the reversal dialysis are expected to be identical; however, the average fYA was 0.96 for creatinine and was always slightly lower than unity in 10 dialyzers out of 11. This may be caused by un‐uniform distribution of the test solution outside the HF, which was more likely to occur than when it flowed inside the HF. Unlike creatinine, the average fYA for vitamin B12 was 1.0 and that for chymotrypsin was 1.06 to 1.45 in membranes with heterogeneous structures (ATA, PSf, PEPA, and PES), but was almost unity (1.02) in homogeneous membrane (CTA). This must be based on the fact that the membrane permeability in the reversal dialysis is much larger than that in the normal dialysis due to the physicochemical structures of the heterogeneous membrane that has a wedge‐like pore size distribution in the radial direction.

Conclusions: A wedge‐like pore size distribution in the radial direction in heterogeneous membrane was semiquantitatively evaluated by introducing a reversal dialysis technique with a new index.
Calciphylaxis after parathyroidectomy
Authors: Karmegam Sathish , Shetty Anupkumar
Published: October 2017

A 60‐year‐old African American man with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis (HD) for the past 2.5 years developed severe hyperparathyroidism. Other past medical history included atrial fibrillation, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, gout, pericardial effusion needing pericardial window, deep vein thrombosis, mitral insufficiency, and cardiomyopathy with implantable cardioversion device placement. His parathyroid hormone (PTH) level peaked at 4,191 pg/mL despite being on cinacalcet, sevelamer, and paricalcitol. He underwent a subtotal parathyroidectomy in January 2015, after which his PTH levels dropped to 184 pg/mL. Approximately 4 weeks later he developed extensive, painful necrotic skin lesions in both his lower extremities and buttocks, suggestive of calciphylaxis which was confirmed by tissue biopsy. The patient was treated with elaborate wound care, wound debridements, increased dialysis dose, and IV sodium thiosulfate (STS) during hemodialysis. Besides STS, he was treated with narcotics, gabapentin, topical lidocaine on intact skin, and oral steroids for pain control. Even though his lesions improved initially, he deteriorated due to recurrent sepsis, respiratory failure, and prolonged hospitalization which culminated in stopping dialysis before he passed away. Calciphylaxis, or calcific uremic arteriolopathy, is a life‐threatening complication of end stage renal disease. Treatment of this condition is multidisciplinary which includes elaborate wound care, increasing dialysis dose, and discontinuing vitamin D supplements and calcium containing phosphate binders. Even though STS has been recommended off‐label, several studies have shown promising results with resolution of lesions. Thus, sodium thiosulfate has become the mainstay of treatment. Parathyroidectomy is a recommended modality of treatment in those with high PTH levels. Our case was unique in that calciphylaxis developed after subtotal parathyroidectomy. We believe that this is due to a decreased PTH level and decreasing bone turnover which resulted in more circulating calcium facilitating vascular and soft tissue calcification. The exact mechanism of developing calciphylaxis after parathyroidectomy is unknown. Even though parathyroidectomy is an effective treatment for calciphylaxis, clinicians should be aware that it can rarely present after parathyroidectomy.
Anti‐thrombotic therapy for atrial fibrillation in patients with chronic kidney disease: Current views
Authors: Ghadban Rugheed , Flaker Greg , Katta Natraj , Alpert Martin A.
Published: October 2017

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs in approximately one‐third of patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). The presence of CKD, particularly advanced CKD, confers increased risk of both thromboembolism and major bleeding in this group of patients who are already at risk for ischemic stroke and systemic embolism and at risk of bleeding due to anticoagulation. Studies assessing the effect of warfarin on risk of ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, and major bleeding have produced disparate results, particularly in patients with advanced CKD including those treated with hemodialysis. The direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC's) have been studied in patients with stage III (moderate) CKD and appear to be as effective or more effective (dabigatran 150 mg twice daily) than warfarin in preventing ischemic stroke or embolism in this group. Two of the DOAC's, apixaban and edoxaban, confer lower risk of major bleeding than warfarin with appropriate dose adjustments. Substantial gaps exist in our knowledge of anti‐thrombotic therapy in patients with AF and CKD, primarily due to exclusion of patients with advanced CKD from randomized controlled trials comparing DOAC's with warfarin.
Employees’ perspectives on strategic human resource development before and after the global financial crisis: evidence from the Greek banking sector
Authors: Mitsakis Fotios V.
Published: October 2017

Constantly changing business and economic environments have challenged organizations to re‐think the crucial role of their human resource development (HRD) policies and practices in relation to individual and organizational competitiveness, change and growth. Being proactive/strategic, in HRD terms, corresponds to the concept of strategic HRD maturity, a state evidenced by a specific set of strategic characteristics, but research into this concept within the challenging context of the economic crisis is limited, as is research into employees’ perceptions of it. Previous research has been applied mostly within ‘static’ business and economic environments, with much of the existing strategic HRD models neglecting employees’ perspectives. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 42 bank employees in Greece, with the aim of examining their perceptions of strategic HRD before and after the global financial crisis. The study raises important questions for both HRD academics and practitioners because its findings indicate a setback in the development of HRD. Whilst there were a few contradicting perceptions, the dominant employee view was that strategic HRD was a theoretical notion rather than an organizational reality.
Neonatal maternal separation opposes the facilitatory effect of castration on the respiratory response to hypercapnia of the adult male rat: Evidence for the involvement of the medial amygdala
Authors: Tenorio‐Lopes L. , Henry M. S. , Marques D. , Tremblay M.‐È. , Drolet G. , Bretzner F. , Kinkead R.
Published: October 2017

Respiratory manifestations of panic disorder (PD) include a greater respiratory instability and enhanced responsiveness to CO2 compared to normal individuals. Although the prevalence of PD is approximately three times greater in women compared to men, the origins of this sexual dimorphism remain poorly understood. Similar to PD patients, adult female rats previously subjected to neonatal maternal separation (NMS) show an increase in their ventilatory response to CO2. Because this effect of NMS is not observed in males, we hypothesised that testosterone prevents NMS‐induced hyper‐responsiveness to CO2. Pups subjected to NMS were placed in an incubator for 3 h d‐1 from postnatal days 3‐12. Control pups remained undisturbed. At adulthood (8‐10 weeks of age), rats were then subjected either to sham surgery or castration. Fourteen days later, breathing was measured at rest (room air) and during acute exposure to hypercapnia (5 and 10% CO2 for 10 minutes each) using plethysmography. To gain insight into the mechanisms involved, c‐fos expression was used as an indicator of neuronal activation. Brains were collected following air or CO2 exposure for quantification of c‐fos positive cells by immunohistochemistry in selected regions, including the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, the dorsomedial hypothalamus and the amygdalar complex. Castration produced a 100% increase of hyperventilatory response to 10% CO2 in control rats. Unexpectedly, castration had no effect on the hyperventilatory response of NMS rats. The intensity of the hypercapnic response was inversely correlated with c‐fos expression in the medial amygdala. We conclude that testosterone prevents the hyper‐responsiveness to CO2, whereas NMS attenuates sensitivity to hormone withdrawal. We propose that an inhibitory influence from the medial amygdala contributes to this effect.
Effects of Minimum Bid Increments in Internet Auctions: Evidence from a Field Experiment
Authors: Tukiainen Janne
Published: October 2017

I study the role of minimum bid increments (MBI) in internet auctions using natural field experiment data from a Finnish online auction site Huuto.net. Internet auctions are typically viewed as second‐price, implying truthful bidding. However, due to the presence of the MBI, equilibrium bidding behavior involves bid shading. I sell otherwise identical gift cards while varying the MBI and test between truthful bidding and bid shading. Truthful bidding is rejected. Consistently with equilibrium behavior, bid shading increases as the MBI increases. This implies that real‐world bidders are capable of reacting rationally even to seemingly small variations in their strategic environment.
Hepatic stellate cell autophagy in acute liver injury: A novel role for nitric oxide?
Authors: Sydor Svenja , Bechmann Lars P.
Published: October 2017

See Article on Page 1651