bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pricing models of two-sided markets incorporating service quality
Authors: Xue Zhaojie , Cheng Shuqing , Yu Mingzhu , Zou Liang
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to study the pricing problems on the two-sided market for cases of monopoly and duopoly competition, specifically investigating the impact of platform service quality on the market. Theoretical analysis and computational studies are conducted to investigate the impact of different parameters on the system outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Mathematical formulations are proposed for cases of monopoly and duopoly competition. For monopolistic market, the optimal pricing and service quality strategies are obtained using mathematical programming method. For duopolistic market, the equilibrium outcomes are derived by game theory. Sensitivity analysis and numerical studies are also adopted to investigate the impact of different parameters.

Findings

For monopolistic market, the platform will provide a low service quality when the service cost parameter is large. However, when the cost parameter is small, the platform provides a higher service quality and higher registration prices. Furthermore, the sum of the optimal prices is proportional to the service quality and inversely proportional to the user price sensitivity. For duopolistic market, the competitive equilibrium prices exist under a certain condition. The determinants of equilibrium prices are the gap between the service qualities of two platforms and the cross-group externalities.

Originality/value

For monopolistic market, this paper specifies the role of platform service quality in determining the platform’s pricing strategy. For duopolistic market, this paper presents a market sharing mechanism between two platforms and explores the equilibrium pricing strategies for platforms with different service quality level.
The moderating effect of blogger social influence and the reader’s experience on loyalty toward the blogger
Authors: Urrutikoetxea Arrieta Beñat , Polo Peña Ana Isabel , Martínez Medina Cinta
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the moderating effects of the social influence of the blogger and the extent to which the reader has experience of that blogger, on loyalty toward the blogger, via two variables: blogger interactive practices (BIPs) and blogger credibility.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative empirical study was undertaken to estimate the research model. Structural equations were employed.

Findings

The results show that blogger social influence moderates the relationships between BIPs and intention to recommend the blogger and blogger credibility; and between credibility and intention (to recommend the blogger and to follow their suggestions). Meanwhile, the extent of the reader’s experience of the blogger moderates the relationships between BIPs and intention.

Practical implications

The present work offers criteria that may be of value to bloggers and firms in assessing the extent to which the blogger’s activities are effective in terms of achieving reader loyalty. The proposed variables are measured objectively online, using the Klout Index of social influence and the extent of the reader’s experience of the blogger (inferred from the number of bloggers followed by the reader).

Originality/value

Blogs are considered a mechanism to manage information overload in social media, and they are recognized for their influence on the reader’s decision-making process. The study contributes to the knowledge-base by proposing two moderating variables of loyalty-formation: blogger social influence and the extent of the reader’s experience of the blogger.
The impacts of evaluation duration and product types on review extremity
Authors: Zhu Huawei , Tu Rungting , Feng Wenting , Xu Jiaojiao
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Extreme online reviews can have great impacts on consumers’ purchase decisions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate when users are more likely to provide extreme ratings. The study draws inference from attitude certainty theory and proposes that review extremity is influenced by the interaction of evaluation duration and product/service types: for hedonic products/services, shorter evaluation duration can foster attitude certainty, leading to higher review extremity; in contrast, for utilitarian products/services, longer evaluation duration can increase attitude certainty, resulting in more extreme reviews.

Design/methodology/approach

Three studies were conducted to test the hypotheses: Study 1 is an empirical analysis of 3,000 reviews from an online retailing website; Studies 2 and 3 are two between-subject experiments.

Findings

Results from three studies confirm the hypotheses. Study 1 provides preliminary evidence on how review extremity varies in evaluations of different durations and product/service types. Results from Studies 2 and 3 show that for hedonic products/services, the shorter the evaluation duration, the more likely users are to give extreme ratings; however, for utilitarian products/service, the longer the evaluation duration, the more likely users are to give extreme reviews; and attitude certainty plays a mediating role between evaluation duration and review extremity.

Originality/value

Findings from this study provide understandings on when a fast rather than a slow evaluation can lead to more extreme reviews. The results also highlight the role of users’ attitude certainty in the underlying mechanism.
Case of pityriasis rubra pilaris progressed to generalized erythroderma following blockade of interleukin‐17A, but improved after blockade of interleukin‐12/23 p40
Authors: Matsuda Tomoko , Yamazaki Fumikazu , Ueda‐Hayakawa Ikuko , Kambe Naotomo , Okamoto Hiroyuki
Published: December 2018

We report herein a case of a 72‐year‐old man with pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) that was refractory to conventional therapies. His skin lesions progressed to generalized erythroderma despite anti‐interleukin (IL)‐17A antibody therapy. Topical corticosteroids, emollients, systemic retinoid, methotrexate, cyclosporin and phototherapy yielded no therapeutic response. However, blockade of IL‐12/23 p40 dramatically improved his cutaneous lesions. Complete remission was achieved 4 weeks after the first injection of ustekinumab and maintained for more than 48 weeks. Our data indicate that IL‐12 was associated with the onset of PRP in this patient, rather than IL‐23. IL‐12 is critical for the differentiation of T‐helper (Th)1 cells. Thus, the Th1 pathway may be associated with the onset of PRP.
A low proportion of rare bacterial taxa responds to abiotic changes compared with dominant taxa
Authors: Kurm Viola , Geisen Stefan , Gera Hol Wilhelmina H.
Published: December 2018

In many studies, rare bacterial taxa have been found to increase in response to environmental changes. These changes have been proposed to contribute to the insurance of ecosystem functions. However, it has not been systematically tested if rare taxa are more likely to increase in abundance than dominant taxa. Here, we study whether rare soil bacterial taxa are more likely to respond to environmental disturbances and if rare taxa are more opportunistic than dominant taxa. To test this, we applied nine different disturbance treatments to a grassland soil and observed changes in bacterial community composition over 7 days. While 12% of the dominant taxa changed in abundance, only 1% of the rare taxa showed any effect. Rare taxa increased in response to a single disturbance treatment only, while dominant taxa responded to up to five treatments. We conclude that rare taxa are not more likely to contribute to community dynamics after disturbances than dominant taxa. Nevertheless, as rare taxa outnumber abundant taxa with here 230 taxa that changed significantly, the chance is high that some of these rare taxa might act as ecologically important keystone taxa. Therefore, rare and abundant taxa might both contribute to ecosystem insurance.
Salvage and self‐loathing: Cultural primatology and the spiritual malaise of the Anthropocene
Authors: LANGLITZ NICOLAS
Published: December 2018

We understand our time as one in which human culture remakes nature. But Japanese and Euro‐American primatologists have come to question whether humans are the only primates capable of culture. Chimpanzee ethnographers observe different chimpanzee communities which share much of their lives with different human communities. The resulting diversity of cultures has become the eye through which all scientific claims about chimpanzee nature must pass. The practices constituting cultural primatology, however, turn out to be as much about knowledge as about care. Wild chimpanzees and their cultures teeter on the brink of extinction as human cultural activities destroy their habitats. Cultural primatology reanimates anthropology's original 18th‐century question of human nature in the 21st‐century context of the Anthropocene: if it is not simply culture, then what has enabled modern humans to radically transform their environments and to outcompete other primate cultures and species? How should we evaluate and narrate the story of our savage success?
Nature Abhors a Vacuum: Highly Diverse Mechanisms Enable Spoilage Fungi to Disperse, Survive, and Propagate in Commercially Processed and Preserved Foods
Authors: Snyder Abigail B. , Biango‐Daniels Megan N. , Hodge Kathie T. , Worobo Randy W.
Published: December 2018

Fungal spoilage in processed foods remains a challenge for food manufacturers despite the increasing availability of diverse processing and formulation strategies used to control foodborne microorganisms. Physiological features of yeasts and molds contribute to their tolerance to thermal processing, acidity, desiccation, and oxygen and nutrient limitations. These features variably include growth form, cell wall structure, cytoplasmic composition, cell membrane‐bound proteins, and secretion of secondary metabolites. Collectively, these mechanisms contribute to the ability of fungi to disperse, survive, and propagate in highly restrictive food environments. The diversity of fungal growth and survival mechanisms has resulted in organisms adapted to nearly all food environments; although, only a small subset of fungi are particularly suited for spoilage of a given product. The relationship between the individual physiology and metabolic capabilities of a yeast or mold and the product's specific physicochemical attributes and processing history determines spoilage potential. Explicit characterization of the fungal features responsible for this extremotolerance contributes to more targeted and effective control strategies.
Inferring introgression using RADseq and DFOIL: Power and pitfalls revealed in a case study of spiny lizards (Sceloporus)
Authors: Lambert Shea M. , Streicher Jeffrey W. , Fisher‐Reid M. Caitlin , Méndez de la Cruz Fausto R. , Martínez‐Méndez Norberto , García-Vázquez Uri Omar , Nieto Montes de Oca Adrián , Wiens John J.
Published: December 2018

Introgression is now commonly reported in studies across the Tree of Life, aided by recent advancements in data collection and analysis. Nevertheless, researchers working with nonmodel species lacking reference genomes may be stymied by a mismatch between available resources and methodological demands. In this study, we demonstrate a fast and simple approach for inferring introgression using RADseq data, and apply it to a case study involving spiny lizards (Sceloporus) from northeastern México. First, we find evidence for recurrent mtDNA introgression between the two focal species based on patterns of mito‐nuclear discordance. We then test for nuclear introgression by exhaustively applying the “five‐taxon” D‐statistic (DFOIL) to all relevant individuals sampled for RADseq data. In our case, this exhaustive approach (dubbed “ExDFOIL”) entails testing up to ~250,000 unique four‐taxon combinations of individuals across species. To facilitate use of this ExDFOIL approach, we provide scripts for many relevant tasks, including the selection of appropriate four‐taxon combinations, execution of DFOIL tests in parallel and visualization of introgression results in phylogenetic and geographic space. Using ExDFOIL, we find evidence for ancient introgression between the focal species. Furthermore, we reveal geographic variation in patterns of introgression that is consistent with patterns of mito‐nuclear discordance and with recurrent introgression. Overall, our study demonstrates that the combination of DFOIL and RADseq data can effectively detect introgression under a variety of sampling conditions (for individuals, populations and loci). Importantly, we also find evidence that batch‐specific error and linkage in RADseq data may mislead inferences of introgression under certain conditions.
Does Financial Integration Reduce Output Volatility? New Evidence from Cross‐Country Data
Authors: Sahoo Pradipta Kumar , Tripati Rao D. , Rath Badri Narayan
Published: December 2018

We examine the effect of financial integration, measured based on both volume and equity, on output volatility using five‐year non‐overlapping annual average data windows for sixty countries over the 1971–2015 period. We construct aggregate‐ as well as sub‐panels based on income and region. Financial integration reduces output volatility in aggregate and income panel, but not in all regions. Foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign portfolio investment (FPI) reduces output volatility in developed countries, but onlyFDIreduces output volatility in developing countries. Financial regulatory architecture should aim at attractingFDIand macroeconomic and structural reforms to reap the benefits ofFPIflows.
Does news travel slowly before a market crash? The role of margin traders
Authors: Qian Li , Li Mingsheng , Li Yan
Published: December 2018

We investigate how investor overconfidence and attention affect market efficiency around the 2015 Chinese stock market crash. We find that the price delay before the crash is about twice the price delay after the crash. Investors become more sensitive to market movements after the crash. Price delays are larger on market down‐days than on up‐days before the crash, but the differences are insignificant between up‐ and down‐days after the crash, indicating that negative information travels slowly only when investors are overconfident. Margin traders follow market trends and intensify the pyramiding and de‐pyramiding effects caused by market sentiment change.
Burrowing bugs of the genus Scaptocoris Perty in Colombia (Heteroptera: Cydnidae)
Authors: Forero Dimitri , Castro‐Huertas Valentina , Fernández Fernando
Published: December 2018

Scaptocoris Perty, 1833 (Cephalocteinae) is an economically important genus of burrowing bug because its species attack various crops like pastures, soybean and cotton in South America. The genus Scaptocoris has seven described species in the Neotropical region. Given a confusing history of identifications of its species in Colombia, there is uncertainty about which species occur in the country, hampering the implementation of effective control measures. Therefore, a synopsis of the burrowing bugs of the genus Scaptocoris occurring in Colombia is presented. Three species are recorded from Colombia: Scaptocoris castanea Perty, 1833, a new country record, Scaptocoris divergens Froeschner, 1960, and Scaptocoris minor Berg, 1894, whose identity is confirmed with voucher specimens for the first time. Diagnosis, distribution maps, photographs and plant associations for all three species are presented. The male aedeagus is documented for the first time for Scaptocoris species, although it has no obvious diagnostic characters for them. The importance of voucher specimens for studies in economic entomology is highlighted and discussed.
The effects of switching EGFR‐TKI treatments for non‐small cell lung cancer because of adverse events
Authors: Sakata Yoshihiko , Kawamura Kodai , Shingu Naoki , Hiroshige Shigeo , Yasuda Yuko , Eguchi Yoshitomo , Anan Keisuke , Hisanaga Junpei , Nitawaki Tatsuya , Nakano Aiko , Ichikado Kazuya
Published: December 2018

Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs) are used to treat patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and EGFR driver mutations. Although some patients discontinued these treatments because of adverse events, it is unclear whether switching EGFR‐TKI because of adverse events provides a benefit.

Methods

This retrospective study evaluated data from 22 patients with EGFR mutation‐positive NSCLC who received at least two EGFR‐TKIs that were switched because of adverse events (March 2011 to September 2017). Progression‐free survival 2 (PFS2) was defined as the time from starting of the first EGFR‐TKI treatment to disease progression during the second EGFR‐TKI treatment.

Results

Seventeen patients received gefitinib as the first EGFR‐TKI treatment, while four patients received afatinib and one patient received erlotinib. The median time to failure of the first EGFR‐TKI treatment was 1.6 months. The EGFR‐TKIs were switched because of hepatotoxicity (n = 16), interstitial lung disease (n = 3), and other reasons (n = 3). The median washout period was 1.1 months. Seventeen patients received erlotinib as the second EGFR‐TKI treatment, while three patients received gefitinib and two patients received afatinib. The median PFS for the second EGFR‐TKI treatment was 15.2 months. The median PFS2 was 17.7 months and the median overall survival was 32.8 months.

Conclusions

Switching EGFR‐TKIs because of adverse events provided a clinical benefit for patients with EGFR mutation‐positive NSCLC. Appropriate judgment regarding switching from one EGFR‐TKI to another may improve the performance status and prognosis of patients with EGFR mutation‐positive NSCLC.
Long non‐coding RNA AFAP1‐AS1 promoting epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of endometriosis is correlated with transcription factor ZEB1
Authors: Lin Dianchao , Huang Qiansheng , Wu Rongfeng , Dai Songjuan , Huang Zhixiong , Ren Lulu , Huang Sijing , Chen Qionghua
Published: December 2018

Problem

The role of the long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) actin filament associated protein 1 antisense RNA1 (AFAP1‐AS1) in the etiology of endometriosis is unknown.

Method of Study

Expression of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers was quantified using qRT‐PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. The proliferation, migration, and invasion of ectopic endometrial epithelial cells and Ishikawa cells were evaluated by MTT, EdU, wound healing, and transwell assays. Inflammatory cytokine levels were detected by ELISA. Luciferase assays were used to measure activity of the ZEB1 promoter site pGL3‐P886.

Results

AFAP1‐AS1 levels were much higher in ectopic endometrial tissues than that in eutopic tissues. Expression of ZEB1, E‐cadherin, and keratin was obviously higher in eutopic tissues than those in ectopic tissues. In contrast, expression of vimentin and N‐cadherin was significantly lower in eutopic tissue than those in ectopic tissues. After knockdown of AFAP1‐AS1, the morphology of endometrial epithelial cells varied from spindle fiber shaped to polygon epithelioid and proliferation, migration, and invasion were each inhibited. The knockdown of AFAP1‐AS1 significantly inhibited expression from promoter site pGL3‐P886 of the EMT‐related transcription factor ZEB1. The size of subcutaneous tumours in nude mice was significantly reduced after down‐regulation of AFAP1‐AS1 expression.

Conclusion

Higher expression of AFAP1‐AS1 positively correlated with greater EMT in ectopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis. Knockdown of AFAP1‐AS1 inhibited E2‐induced activity of promoter site pGL3‐P886 of transcription factor ZTB1, suggesting that AFAP1‐AS1 knockdown inhibited growth of endometrial epithelial cells and that pathogenesis may be correlated with EMT.
The metabolic basis of psychosis in bipolar disorder: A positron emission tomography study
Authors: Marotta Giorgio , Delvecchio Giuseppe , Pigoni Alessandro , Mandolini Gianmario , Ciappolino Valentina , Oldani Lucio , Madonna Domenico , Grottaroli Marika , Altamura Alfredo Carlo , Brambilla Paolo
Published: December 2018

Objectives

Psychotic symptoms are a common feature in bipolar disorder (BD), especially during manic phases, and are associated with a more severe course of illness. However, not all bipolar subjects experience psychosis during the course of their illness, and this difference often guides assessment and pharmacological treatment. The aim of the present study is to elucidate, for the first time, the FDG uptake dysfunctions associated with psychosis in BD patients with and without a history of past psychotic symptoms, through a positron emission tomography (PET) approach.

Methods

Fifty BD patients with lifetime psychotic symptoms, 40 BD patients without lifetime psychotic symptoms and 27 healthy controls (HC) were recruited and underwent an 18F‐FDG‐PET session.

Results

Compared to HC, BD subjects shared common FDG uptake deficits in several brain areas, including insula, inferior temporal gyrus and middle occipital gyrus. Moreover, we found that BD patients with a history of past psychotic symptoms had a unique FDG uptake alteration in the right fusiform gyrus compared to both BD patients without lifetime psychotic symptoms and HC (all P < 0.01, cFWE corrected).

Conclusions

Overall, our results suggest that FDG uptake alterations in brain regions involved in emotion regulation are a key feature of BD, regardless the presence of past psychosis. Finally, we demonstrated that the FDG uptake reduction in fusiform gyrus is associated with the presence of past psychotic symptoms in BD, ultimately leading towards the idea that the fusiform gyrus might be considered a putative biomarker of psychosis.
Work‐related learning in the transition from higher education to work: The role of the development of self‐efficacy and achievement goals
Authors: Grosemans Ilke , Coertjens Liesje , Kyndt Eva
Published: December 2018

Background

Work‐related learning is particularly important at the start of graduates' careers. Preparing students for work‐related learning is a chief aim of higher education, demonstrating its relevance when investigating the transition to work.

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the role of personal factors for work‐related learning during the transition from higher education to work. This study took a longitudinal and person‐centred approach by examining differences in work‐related learning between different motivational profiles based on the conjoint development of self‐efficacy and achievement goals.

Sample

Questionnaires were administered four times, starting in the beginning of students' final year of higher education until 4 months after graduation (N = 814).

Methods

In order to assess the development of the personal factors, different multi‐indicator latent growth curve models were estimated. Afterwards, a multidimensional latent class growth analysis was used to identify latent profiles of participants with similar growth trajectories. Differences in work‐related learning were investigated by a multivariate analysis of variance.

Results and Conclusions

The results revealed an average increase in self‐efficacy, learning‐goal, and performance‐approach orientation, indicating that the transition to work triggers change in these personal factors. Performance‐avoidance orientation decreased on average. Four distinct motivational profiles were discerned: strongly efficacious and approach‐oriented, moderate efficacious and approach‐oriented, moderate efficacious and learning‐oriented, and undecided profile. Furthermore, differences were found concerning work‐related learning, in which the strongly efficacious and approach‐oriented profile reported more participation in formal and informal learning activities using personal sources, while the undecided profile showed least participation in the latter.
High tumour plasma cell infiltration reflects an important microenvironmental component in classic Hodgkin lymphoma linked to presence of B‐symptoms
Authors: Gholiha Alex R. , Hollander Peter , Hedstrom Gustaf , Sundstrom Christer , Molin Daniel , Smedby Karin E. , Hjalgrim Henrik , Glimelius Ingrid , Amini Rose‐Marie , Enblad Gunilla
Published: December 2018

Plasma cells are important prognostic actors in different malignancies. The tumour microenvironmental composition in classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is a major prognostic key element; however, clinicopathological studies regarding plasma cells in cHL are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate CD138+ (also termed SDC1+) plasma cell and IgG4 producing (IgG4+) plasma cells infiltration in the microenvironment of cHL. Immunohistochemistry with anti‐CD138 and IgG4 antibodies was performed on diagnostic tumour biopsies from 124 patients with cHL, on tissue micro array (TMA). In 120 cases, CD138+ plasma cell‐infiltration was associated with the presence of B‐symptoms (P = 0·028) and advanced stage, IIB‐IVB (P = 0·009). In multivariate analysis, CD138+ plasma cells correlated with eosinophil infiltration (P = 0·013). The subgroup of IgG4+ plasma cells was analysed in 122 cases and only correlated to CD138+ plasma cells (P = 0·004). Patients with high proportion of tumour infiltrating CD138+ plasma cells (defined as ≥10%), had a more inferior event‐free survival (P = 0·007) and overall survival (P = 0·004) than patients with a low proportion of infiltrating CD138+ plasma cells (<10%), although significance was not maintained in multivariate analysis. In summary, a high proportion of tumour‐associated plasma cells in cHL reflect an important component in the microenvironment of cHL.
Soft tissue augmentation at immediate implants using a novel xenogeneic collagen matrix in conjunction with immediate provisional restorations: A prospective case series
Authors: Sanz‐Martín Ignacio , Encalada Carolina , Sanz‐Sánchez Ignacio , Aracil Javier , Sanz Mariano
Published: December 2018

Background

Collagen matrices used around immediate implants may reduce morbidity although there is limited evidence on their performance.

Purpose

To evaluate soft and hard tissue changes when combining immediate implants, hard and soft tissue grafting, and an immediate provisional restoration.

Material and Methods

In 12 patients, immediate implants were placed in the anterior maxillary and first premolar area together with a xenogeneic bone substitute. Then a xenogeneic collagen matrix was placed under the buccal mucosal margin with an immediate provisional restoration. Study casts and clinical measurements were taken before extraction (Baseline/BS) at 6 months (6M) and 12 months (1Y) after implant placement. Files from the scanned casts were matched to calculate the linear and volumetric changes at the buccal tissues. Cone Bean Computed Tomographies (CBCTs) were taken prior to extraction and at 6M. The superimposed DICOM files allowed for assessing hard tissue changes and the superimposition of DICOM and STL files allowed for evaluating of soft tissue thickness at BS and 6M.

Results

After 6 months, the horizontal tissue contours decreased 0.66 ± 0.57 mm, concomitant with a horizontal bone loss of 1.31 ± 1.32 mm, measured 1 mm below the most coronal aspect of the ridge. In contrast, the soft tissue thickness, 1 mm below the gingival margin, increased 0.75 ± 1.12 mm. At 1‐year, tissue contours had decreased 1.01 ± 0.67 mm compared to BS reaching statistical significance. The mean volume loss after 1Y was 20.43 ± 11.70 mm3 while the mean mucosal margin recession was 0.86 ± 0.67 mm. These changes had a limited clinical impact as the PES Scores remained stable.

Conclusions

The tested protocol resulted in a significant reduction of the tissue contours and osseous ridge dimensions that was partially compensated by a non‐significant increase in soft tissue thickness.
Consensus and controversies regarding follow‐up after treatment with curative intent of nonmetastatic colorectal cancer: a synopsis of guidelines used in countries represented in the European Society of Coloproctology
Authors: Bastiaenen V. P. , Hovdenak Jakobsen I. , Labianca R. , Martling A. , Morton D. G. , Primrose J. N. , Tanis P. J. , Laurberg S. ,   the Research Committee and the Guidelines Committee of the European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP)
Published: December 2018

Aim

It is common clinical practice to follow patients for a period of years after treatment with curative intent of nonmetastatic colorectal cancer, but follow‐up strategies vary widely. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of recommendations on this topic in guidelines from member countries of the European Society of Coloproctology, with supporting evidence.

Method

A systematic search of Medline, Embase and the guideline databases Trip database, BMJ Best Practice and Guidelines International Network was performed. Quality assessment included use of the AGREE‐II tool. All topics with recommendations from included guidelines were identified and categorized. For each subtopic, a conclusion was made followed by the degree of consensus and the highest level of evidence.

Results

Twenty‐one guidelines were included. The majority recommended that structured follow‐up should be offered, except for patients in whom treatment of recurrence would be inappropriate. It was generally agreed that clinical visits, measurement of carcinoembryoinc antigen and liver imaging should be part of follow‐up, based on a high level of evidence, although the frequency is controversial. There was also consensus on imaging of the chest and pelvis in rectal cancer, as well as endoscopy, based on lower levels of evidence and with a level of intensity that was contradictory.

Conclusion

In available guidelines, multimodal follow‐up after treatment with curative intent of colorectal cancer is widely recommended, but the exact content and intensity are highly controversial. International agreement on the optimal follow‐up schedule is unlikely to be achieved on current evidence, and further research should refocus on individualized ‘patient‐driven’ follow‐up and new biomarkers.
Anal fistula plug vs rectal advancement flap for the treatment of complex cryptoglandular anal fistulas: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies with long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Lin H. , Jin Z. , Zhu Y. , Diao M. , Hu W.
Published: December 2018

Aim

The aim was to compare the effectiveness of the anal fistula plug (AFP) with the rectal advancement flap (RAF) for complex cryptoglandular anal fistulas.

Methods

We conducted a literature search to identify relevant available articles published without language restriction from Embase and PubMed databases and the Cochrane Library. Studies comparing outcomes with the AFP vs RAF for complex cryptoglandular anal fistulas were eligible for inclusion.

Results

A total of 11 articles with 810 patients were included in this meta‐analysis. Four RCTs and one observational clinical study provided long‐term follow‐up. The pooled analysis of all 11 studies indicated that there was no significant difference between the AFP and RAF in terms of healing rate, recurrence rate and incidence of fistula complications. However, the pooled results of studies with long‐term follow‐up revealed that the RAF group had a significantly higher healing rate (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.13, 0.78, P = 0.01) and lower recurrence rate (OR 4.45, 95% CI 1.45, 13.65, P = 0.009) than the AFP group.

Conclusions

For the treatment of complex cryptoglandular anal fistulas, the RAF was superior to the AFP in terms of healing and recurrence rate after pooling of randomized controlled trials with long‐term follow‐up, even though a comparison based on the pooling of all studies showed no significant difference.
Role of miR‐223‐3p in pulmonary arterial hypertension via targeting ITGB3 in the ECM pathway
Authors: Liu Aijun , Liu Yifan , Li Bin , Yang Ming , Liu Yang , Su Junwu
Published: December 2018

Objectives

To investigate the functions of miR‐223‐3p and ITGB3 in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Materials and Methods

Microarray analysis was used to detect differentially expressed genes and microRNAs. In in vitro models, the expressions of miR‐223‐3p and ITGB3 were detected by qRT‐PCR and Western blot. α‐SMA expression and cell proliferation were analysed by immunofluorescence and MTT assay, respectively. In in vivo models, PAH progressions were determined by measuring the levels of mPAP and RVSP. Lung and myocardial tissues were subjected to HE staining and Masson and Sirius red‐saturated carbazotic acid staining to investigate the pathological features.

Results

The microarray analysis revealed that ITGB3 was upregulated, while hsa‐miR‐223‐3p was downregulated in PAH. After the induction of hypoxia, miR‐223‐3p was downregulated and ITGB3 was upregulated in PASMCs. Hypoxia induction promoted cell proliferation and inhibited α‐SMA expression in PASMCs. Both the upregulation of miR‐223‐3p and the downregulation of ITGB3 attenuated the aberrant proliferation induced by hypoxia conditions. After approximately 4 weeks, the mPAP and RVSP levels of rats injected with MCT were decreased by the overexpression of miR‐223‐3p or the silencing of ITGB3. The staining results revealed that both miR‐223‐3p overexpression and ITGB3 knockdown alleviated the pulmonary vascular remodelling and improved the PAH pathological features of rats.

Conclusions

MiR‐223‐3p alleviated the progression of PAH by suppressing the expression of ITGB3, a finding which provides novel targets for clinical treatment.
Qualitative and quantitative cytomorphological features of primary anaplastic lymphoma kinase‐positive lung cancer
Authors: Tsukamoto Ryuko , Ohsaki Hiroyuki , Hosokawa Sho , Tokuhara Yasunori , Kamoshida Shingo , Sakuma Toshiko , Itoh Tomoo , Ohbayashi Chiho
Published: December 2018

Objective

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) positive (+) lung cancers are predictive for response to crizotinib and alectinib. There are many cases of lung cancer in which surgery cannot be performed, and such cases require diagnosis by cytological specimen or biopsy. Estimating ALK (+) lung cancer from cytomorphology would allow molecular testing to proceed without the waste of a small amount of specimen. The purpose of this study was to assess whether qualitative and quantitative cytomorphological features are sufficient for distinguishing primary ALK (+) from ALK (−) lung cancer.

Methods

We examined eight qualitative cytomorphological parameters and three quantitative nuclear morphometric parameters in 17 cases of primary ALK (+) lung cancer, diagnosed by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) using histological specimens, and in 41 cases of ALK (−) lung cancer. Quantitative nuclear morphometric parameters were analysed by a computer‐assisted image analysis system.

Results

In ALK (+) lung cancer, three qualitative parameters (signet ring cells, nuclear grooves and single type nucleoli) and two quantitative parameters (large nuclear area and irregular nuclear shape) were observed in significantly higher proportions. However, in ALK (−) lung cancer, one qualitative parameter (unclear and multiple type nucleoli) was seen significantly more often.

Conclusions

These results show that the cytomorphological features of signet ring cells, nuclear grooves and nucleoli shape can help to triage a small amount of cytological and biopsy specimens for appropriate molecular testing of primary ALK (+) lung cancer.
Investor Reaction to Financial Disclosures across Topics: An Application of Latent Dirichlet Allocation*
Authors: Feuerriegel Stefan , Pröllochs Nicolas
Published: December 2018

This article provides a holistic study of how stock prices vary in their response to financial disclosures across different topics. Thereby, we specifically shed light into the extensive amount of filings for which no a priori categorization of their content exists. For this purpose, we utilize an approach from data mining—namely, latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA)—as a means of topic modeling. This technique facilitates our task of automatically categorizing, ex ante, the content of more than 70,000 regulatory 8‐K filings from U.S. companies. We then evaluate the subsequent stock market reaction. Our empirical evidence suggests a considerable discrepancy among various types of news stories in terms of their relevance and impact on financial markets. For instance, we find a statistically significant abnormal return in response to earnings results and credit rating, but also for disclosures regarding business strategy, the health sector, as well as mergers and acquisitions. Our results yield findings that benefit managers, investors, and policy‐makers by indicating how regulatory filings should be structured and the topics most likely to precede changes in stock valuations.
Reducing the risk of post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis using 4‐Fr pancreatic plastic stents placed with common‐type guidewires: Results from a prospective multinational registry
Authors: Sahar Nadav , Ross Andrew , Lakhtakia Sundeep , Coté Gregory A. , Neuhaus Horst , Bruno Marco J. , Haluszka Oleh , Kozarek Richard , Ramchandani Mohan , Beyna Torsten , Poley Jan W. , Maranki Jennifer , Freeman Martin , Kedia Prashant , Tarnasky Paul ,   the Pancreatic Stenting Registry Group
Published: December 2018

Background and Aim

Pancreatic plastic stents (PPS) can reduce the risk of post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP). Prospective multicenter documentation of PEP rate after PPS placement is scarce. A new 4‐Fr stent designed to be deployed over a 0.035‐inch guidewire was used to assess the effectiveness of PEP prophylaxis.

Methods

High‐PEP‐risk patients received a 4‐Fr PPS for primary or secondary prophylaxis at seven centers in four countries. Patients were followed until spontaneous PPS migration, endoscopic stent removal, or for 4 months, whichever came first. Main outcome was PEP rate.

Results

One hundred six (106) patients received PPS for PEP prophylaxis [61 (58%) primary, 45 (42%) secondary prophylaxis]. Median age was 54 years. Eighty‐one (76%) PPS were placed using a 0.035‐inch guidewire. By investigator choice 99 (93%) stents were single pigtail. Median stent length was 8 cm (range 3–12 cm). Technical success achieved in 100% of cases. Two patients in the primary prophylaxis group (3%, 95% CI 0.4–11%) experienced mild/moderate PEP. Seventy‐eight PPS available for analysis underwent spontaneous migration after a median of 29 days. There were no reports of stent‐induced ductal trauma. Post‐hoc analysis of migration rate by PPS length showed no statistically significant trend.

Conclusions

Among high‐risk patients in the primary prophylaxis group, observed rates of PEP are low (3%, 95% CI 0.4–11%) with the use of prophylactic 4‐Fr pancreatic duct stents compatible with a 0.035‐inch guidewire. This low rate is not unequivocally due to the prophylactic stent.
European development NGOs and the diversion of aid: Contestation, fence‐sitting, or adaptation?
Authors: Rozbicka Patrycja , Szent‐Iványi Balázs
Published: December 2018

Motivation

The article examines the advocacy strategies of European non‐government development organizations (NGDOs). The development aid literature has not put much emphasis on understanding NGDOs’ aid‐related advocacy strategies, and the literature on interest groups has so far neglected to explain why groups select different advocacy strategies within the same policy area.

Purpose

The article explains how NGDOs have selected advocacy strategies during the process of reformulating the European Consensus in 2016/17, in response to attempts by the European Union (EU) to divert aid from poverty reduction to three other goals: managing migration, funding climate change adaptation (CCA), and funding the private sector.

Approach and methods

The article develops a framework explaining NGDOs’ strategy selection, looking at the politicization of the policy change, its impact on NGDOs’ funding, and its relation to the groups’ normative positions. The article uses qualitative data from NGDO documents and interviews with senior staff of NGDO networks based in Brussels.

Findings

NGDOs used different strategies for the three cases of aid diversion: they contested aid diversion for managing migration; mainly choose fence‐sitting in case of CCA; and gradually became more adaptive towards diverting aid to fund the private sector. The three variables of politicization, impact on funding, and relation to normative positions explain the strategies selected by NGDOs in all three cases.

Policy implications

The findings can help NGDOs in selecting the most appropriate advocacy strategies for changes in aid policy, allowing them to become more effective in influencing the EU institutions and member state governments.
Ultrasound assessment of carotid arteries: Current concepts, methodologies, diagnostic criteria, and technological advancements
Authors: Murray Christopher S. G. , Nahar Tamanna , Kalashyan Hayrapet , Becher Harald , Nanda Navin C.
Published: December 2018

Following cardiac disease and cancer, stroke continues to be the third leading cause of death and disability due to chronic disease in the developed world. Appropriate screening tools are integral to early detection and prevention of major cardiovascular events. In a carotid artery, the presence of increased intima‐media thickness, plaque, or stenosis is associated with increased risk of a transient ischemic attack or a stroke. Carotid artery ultrasound remains a long‐standing and reliable tool in the current armamentarium of diagnostic modalities used to assess vascular morbidity at an early stage. The procedure has, over the last two decades, undergone considerable upgrades in technology, approach, and utility. This review examines in detail the current state and usage of this integrally important means of extracranial cerebrovascular assessment.
Variability of right ventricular global and segmental longitudinal strain measurements
Authors: Mirea Oana , Berceanu Mihaela , Donoiu Ionuț , Militaru Constantin , Săftoiu Adrian , Istrătoaie Octavian
Published: December 2018

Objectives

We evaluated intra‐observer, test–retest, and inter‐observer reproducibility of right ventricular (RV) longitudinal strain (LS) measurements derived from two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Background

The assessment of RV deformation has demonstrated to hold valuable prognostic and diagnostic data in clinical practice. Data about the reproducibility of the measurements, however, are missing.

Methods

In 200 subjects, apical modified four‐chamber view focused on the right ventricle (RV) was obtained. In 150 subjects (75%), a second set of images was acquired for test–retest analysis. Global RV LS (RVGLS‐4C), free wall strain (RVFW‐4C), and segmental maximum peak strain (base, mid, and apex) were calculated (EchoPac vBT13, GE Vingmed Ultrasound, Horten, Norway). Additionally, the reliability and feasibility of RV free wall strain derived from single wall tracking (RVFW‐SWT) were tested. The absolute difference between repeated measurements and inter‐class correlation coefficients (ICC) for consistency was calculated.

Results

RVGLS‐4C and RVFW‐4C measurement could be obtained in all subjects. RVGLS‐4C demonstrated lower intra‐observer, test–retest, and inter‐observer absolute difference compared to RVFW‐4C (1.4 ± 1.2%, 1.8 ± 1.5%, and 1.7 ± 1.9%, respectively, vs 2.4 ± 2.4, 2.2 ± 1.9, and 2.6 ± 3.0, respectively, P < 0.01). ICC ranged between 0.83 and 0.90 for RVGLS‐4C measurements and between 0.76 and 0.79 for RVFW‐4C measurements. RVFW‐SWT was feasible in 82.5% of the subjects and showed noninferior reproducibility compared to RVFW‐4C. Basal and apical segments demonstrating the highest variability.

Conclusions

The measurement of RVGLS‐4C appears to be reliable in clinical practice and demonstrates better reproducibility compared to RV free wall LS measurements. Segmental LS measurements presented high variability and such parameters should be interpreted with caution.
Invasive fungal disease in patients undergoing umbilical cord blood transplantation after myeloablative conditioning regimen
Authors: Montoro Juan , Sanz Jaime , Lorenzo José I. , Montesinos Pau , Rodríguez‐Veiga Rebeca , Salavert Miguel , González Eva , Guerreiro Manuel , Carretero Carlos , Balaguer Aitana , Gómez Inés , Solves Pilar , Sanz Guillermo F. , Sanz Miguel A. , Piñana José L.
Published: December 2018

Objective

Characteristics and risk factors (RFs) of invasive fungal disease (IFD) have been little studied in the setting of umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT).

Method

We retrospectively included 205 single‐unit myeloablative UCBT recipients with a median follow‐up of 64 months.

Results

Fifty‐six episodes of IFD were observed in 48 patients (23%) at a median time of 123 days after stem cell infusion. Invasive mold disease (IMD) occurred in 42 cases, 38 of them (90%) caused by invasive aspergillosis whereas invasive yeast disease (IYD) occurred in 14 cases, most of them due to candidemia (n = 12, 86%). The 5‐year cumulative incidence of IFD, IMDs, and IYDs was 24% 19%, and 7%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, three RFs for IMDs were identified: age >30 years (HR 3.5, P = 0.017), acute grade II‐IV graft‐versus‐host disease (HR 2.3, P = 0.011), and ≥1 previous transplant (HR 3.1, P = 0.012). The probability of IMDs was 2.5%, 14%, and 33% for recipients with none, 1, or 2‐3 RFs, respectively (P < 0.001). Among IFD, IMDs had a negative effect on non‐relapse mortality in multivariate analysis (HR 1.6, P = 0.039). IMDs showed a negative impact on overall survival (HR 1.59, P = 0.018).

Conclusion

Invasive mold disease were very common and serious complication after UCBT.
Biased emotional attention in patients with dental phobia
Authors: Alexopoulos Johanna , Steinberg Christian , Liebergesell‐Kilian Nora Ellen , Hoeffkes Berit , Doering Stephan , Junghöfer Markus
Published: December 2018

Biased motivated attention towards phobia‐relevant pictures is a typical finding in specific phobia. In the visual system, the allocation of motivated attention is indexed by two event‐related potential components – the Early Posterior Negativity and the Late Positive Potential. Enhanced Early Posterior Negativity and Late Positive Potential amplitudes are reliably observed in specific phobia such as, for instance, snake, spider, or blood‐injection‐injury phobia and to some extent also in dental phobia. However, regarding dental phobia results are sparse and its theoretical concept is not undisputed. To further elucidate the electrophysiological characteristics of dental phobia, we investigated visual emotional processing in dental phobia patients and controls. Subjects viewed neutral, phobia‐irrelevant and phobia‐relevant pictures while magnetoencephalographic and behavioural measures were recorded. All patients reported a history of traumatic experiences and depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as dissociative and posttraumatic symptoms. In the magnetoencephalography, patients showed generally less evoked neural activation at parietal and temporal regions and a reduced differentiation between picture categories compared to controls. At the behavioural level, patients rated phobia‐relevant pictures as clearly more negative as did controls. In contrast to previous reports, our results suggest that dental phobia cannot be associated with the typical effects of biased motivated attention seen in other specific phobias. Instead, results indicate that dental phobia shares typical characteristics with mild forms of posttraumatic stress disorder.