bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Invariant effect of individual cultural orientations: an application of CVSCALE
Authors: Yoo Boonghee , Shin Geon-Cheol
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Culture is recognized as a pivotal variable in country of origin (COO) research. The purpose of this paper is to assess culture from an individual perspective and to examine the extent to which individual cultural orientations have similar associations with 33 manager- and consumer-related variables between two culturally opposite countries: the USA and South Korea.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey is used. The sample size is 540 for the US sample and 572 for the Korean sample. The correlational similarity between the cultural orientations and other variables is analyzed in three ways and confirmed invariant in the majority cases of each analysis.

Findings

Individual cultural orientations are measured by Cultural Value Scale (Yooet al., 2011), a 26-item five-dimensional scale measuring Hofstede’s typology of culture at the individual level. The three-faceted similarity test of each of the 165 pairs of correlations between the USA and Korea samples (i.e. 33 variables × 5 dimensions of individual cultural orientations) shows that the majority of the correlations are significantly similar between the two countries.

Originality/value

This is a first study in examining the invariance of the relationships of all five dimensions of Hofstede’s culture at the individual level to a variety of variables. As the invariance is found to be a norm, the role of culture in the COO phenomena can be studied at the individual level in a country and be expanded to other countries.
Determinants of the governance structure of the international franchise firm
Authors: Jell-Ojobor Maria , Windsperger Josef
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The governance structure of international franchise firms varies from higher control modes, such as wholly owned subsidiaries and joint venture franchising, to lower control modes, such as area development and master franchising. Based on organizational economics, strategic management, and international business perspectives, the purpose of this paper is to use the case study analysis to empirically evaluate an integrative model on the franchisor’s choice of international governance modes.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies qualitative methods, such as in-depth case analysis, to investigate a large set of variables that influence the governance structure decision of the international franchise firm. Specifically, it applies a theory-testing case study with two major competitors in the European automotive rental industry, i.e. Europcar and Sixt. Theory-testing case research is justified by the lack of explanatory research due to the complexity of the franchisor-franchisee relationship phenomena, such as the factors that influence the franchisor’s choice of international governance modes. The investigation of the complex governance structure phenomenon requires a holistic analysis.

Findings

The case study shows that environmental, behavioral, transaction-specific, resource-based (system-specific, market-specific, financial resources), and international strategy considerations are important determinants of the governance mode decision of the international franchise firm.

Research limitations/implications

The study responds to the recent call in organizational economics, marketing, strategic management, and international business literature to develop and test a multi-theoretical framework to explain the governance structure of inter-organizational networks, such as franchise networks.

Originality/value

Few previous studies in international franchising have used more than one theoretical perspective to explain the governance structure of the international franchise firm. This study contributes to the theory-testing case study literature by applying a rigorous method of conducting case research. This includes developing a theoretical framework and a systematic research design. A systematic research design requires a holistic analysis by investigating the international franchise governance modes from a variety of theoretical perspectives which are the organizational economics, strategic management, and the strategy-structure perspective.
E-complaint tracking and online problem-solving strategies in hospitality management
Authors: Sahin Ilker , Gulmez Mustafa , Kitapci Olgun
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This research aims to scrutinize the negative reviews regarding the 5-star chain hotels and the e-responses on TripAdvisor, to categorize the complaints declared in the review texts, to provide better understanding of the online problem-solving methods of hotels and their corporate approach to e-complaints and to reveal the post-vacation electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) behaviours of the complaining tourists.

Design/methodology/approach

Within the scope of this research, 404 negative reviews and 364 e-responses are subject to an extensive content analysis. A total of 1,655 tourist e-complaints which were mentioned in the negative online reviews are categorized according to their subject matters and grouped under main themes. The e-responses of hotels and statements of e-complaining tourists regarding post-vacation experience are analysed in detail based on a qualitative research approach.

Findings

As a result of the research, 82 sub-themes within 11 complaint categories are determined, and it is found out that the e-complaints mainly focus on “food and beverage services”, “room comfort” and “hotel staff”. The hotel management mainly implemented problem-solving strategies such as “request for future patronage, a recovery plan as a result of the detailed analysis of the problem and warning to the relevant department performing poor service” as well as giving unsatisfactory “cliché responses”. Dissatisfied tourists performed negative e-WOM behaviours by using abusing expressions in review text, recommending different hotel alternatives, failing to recommend the hotel and expressing that they would not return.

Originality/value

Combing through negative e-reviews which include wide range of complaints of disappointed tourists and the statements which reveal post-vacation tendencies and feelings, the e-responses of hotels that are providing insight regarding the corporate approach to negative feedbacks and formation of post-vacation relations between the hotel and customers, the paper adopts a qualitative and utilitarian approach. The originality of the paper stems from its elaborative context analysis and balanced comparison of three 5-star luxury chain resort hotels located on the shores of the Mediterranean with almost similar quality standards and guest relations/public relations (GR/PR) departments that represent corporate identity. To this respect, the research is thought to be original in quality and can fill out the gap in the tourism literature. Presenting conceptual framework and practical information, the paper is predicted to guide the future studies, tourism marketers, travel consultants, PR/GR staff and managers employed in hospitality businesses.
Examining millennials’ online gambling behavior: a comparison of generational differences
Authors: Suh Eunju , Alhaery Matt , Abarbanel Brett , McKenna Andrew
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine Millennials and generational differences in online gambling activity by comparing online gambling behavior across four different generations: Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and Millennials.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprised tracked gambling data at the individual player level provided by an online casino accepting real money wagers in a major US gambling market. Attributes of gambling behavior were examined and compared across different generations using Kruskal–Wallis test and pairwise comparisons.

Findings

Generational differences were observed in 13 of the 16 behavioral variables. Millennials spent the least amount of time on gambling and exhibited the lowest scores on the number of days for slot gambling, trip length and trip frequency among all generations. However, their average table gaming volume per play day was greater than those of other generations.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide a better understanding of the generational differences in online gambling behavior. They also help casino operators and gaming machine manufacturers develop casino games and products that can appeal to different generational groups in the online gambling market.

Originality/value

Despite the on-going industry discussion about Millennials and their potential influence on the online gambling market, there appears to be a paucity of empirical research on the online gambling behavior of the Millennial generation. This study fills that gap in empirical evidence, addressing generational differences in online gambling.
Measuring customer social participation in online travel communities
Authors: Kamboj Shampy , Rahman Zillur
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a scale to measure customer social participation in brand communities, specifically e-travel companies’ communities.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research has been undertaken to generate a pool of items. Based on Churchill’s (1979) scale development process, numerous reliability and validity tests have been conducted to confirm the scale structure. Data were collected through online and field surveys from the students and hotel guests who have either subscribed, liked or joined any e-travel service companies’ community brand page using any social networking site or have ever posted or considered reviews and ratings of any e-travel service companies via their official site or via a mobile app while planning their travel.

Findings

The findings depict nine items on a three-dimensional scale for measuring customer participation in travel brand communities created on social networking sites.

Research limitations/implications

The findings provide important implications for hotel and travel managers and are likely to encourage future studies in the field of social media and travel brand communities.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by providing refinement to the distinct operationalization and conceptualization of customer online participation, specifically in social media-based travel brand communities. This paper is the first to develop a multidimensional scale of customer social participation in e-travel companies’ communities. This is a new addition to existing literature, as the majority of empirical studies in this field are from participation other than customer social participation and contexts different from e-travel companies.
Parent brand quality, service intensity and consumers’ usage consideration of service-to-service brand extensions
Authors: O’Reilly Kelley A. , Mumuni Alhassan G. , Newell Stephen J. , Addicott Branden J.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relative impact of three drivers affecting consumers’ usage consideration for a brand extension into a service category using data from actual consumers of a national oil change retailer contemplating various service brand extensions.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the study were collected in two separate surveys using structured self-administered questionnaires. Three drivers were measured for their effect on consumers’ usage consideration for service brand extensions (dependent variable), namely, parent brand evaluation, extension fit and degree of service intensity of the extension.

Findings

The results indicate that parent brand evaluations are the strongest drivers of brand extension usage consideration, regardless of the extension fit or the degree of service intensity of the extension. In addition, the findings suggest that the closer the fit to the parent brand, the more likely the extension will be considered. In contrast, consumers are less likely to consider using an extension as the level of service intensity increases.

Originality/value

This study’s use of actual customers of the brand, for real service brand extensions provides a higher degree of external validity than previous work in this area, and it yields a deeper understanding of the criteria used by consumers when evaluating service brand extensions. The study also provides managerial implications that are of practical value to academics and practitioners alike.
Modeling the consumer journey for membership services
Authors: George Morris , Wakefield Kirk L.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to model the consumer journey of admission-based membership services from initial purchase to full-season memberships. Particularly, the study pays attention to customer-owned contacts (purchase behavior) and service-owned contacts (salesperson voice- and text-based communications), to examine longitudinal internal data to determine factors which hinder and propel customers toward full memberships.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of big data supplied by a National Hockey League team, the study uses three simultaneous equations in modeling to account for potential endogeneity related to the likelihood that sales and service personnel are more likely to contact frequent customers. The longitudinal data allow us to map the customer journey over the course of multiple years, compared to typical cross-section studies.

Findings

The findings show that as customers increasingly own committed points of contact, they are prepared to move to the next level – but rarely skip major steps in the relationship journey. The quantity, type and timing of customer contacts by the service firm may hinder or propel the customer down the path to purchase full memberships.

Research limitations/implications

The prevalence of big data among service firms should allow researchers to better understand how consumers respond to contact strategies over time, as well as fluctuations in firm performance. The research adds to the customer journey research stream, while meeting the call of researchers to bridge the gap between service marketing research priorities and current practice.

Practical implications

Sales practices and marketing automation tactics may come at the cost of burning leads and alienating future members. Frequent text-based contacts absent voice-based interactions hinder consumer journey and work against relationship building. Service marketers can learn how to better allocate resources, properly manage and motivate contact strategies and target campaigns to send the right message via the right media at the right time.

Originality/value

This is the first study to map customer journey for admission-based, membership services. The longitudinal approach across multiple years provides a deep understanding of how customers take steps toward loyal membership status, while also pinpointing potential drawbacks of current contact strategies.
Linking service convenience to satisfaction: dimensions and key moderators
Authors: Benoit Sabine , Klose Sonja , Ettinger Andreas
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Demand for service convenience, defined as a consumer’s perception of minimized time and effort spent to obtain a service, has increased in conjunction with certain sociocultural and demographic changes. Previous research notes the significance of service convenience, but the importance of different dimensions of service convenience and the role of key moderators affecting the link between convenience and satisfaction (like customer psychographic and sociodemographic characteristics) remain unaddressed. Thus, the purpose of this research is to identify those customer groups for which offering convenience will have the highest leverage to increase satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Two models are developed and tested: a multidimensional model of service convenience with a formative measure of five service convenience dimensions, namely, decision, access, search, transaction and after-sales convenience, and a moderator model hypothesizing different customer psychographic and sociodemographic characteristics (time pressure, shopping enjoyment, age, household size and income) that affect the link between service convenience and satisfaction.

Findings

This study reveals that search convenience, followed by transaction and decision convenience, exerts the greatest influence on the perception of overall service convenience. In addition, those who value service convenience most are high-income, time-pressed consumers in smaller households who experience low shopping enjoyment.

Originality/value

Providers have limited budgets for enhancing their services. Thus, it is important to identify which dimension has the greatest influence on the perception of service convenience and the customer segments for which service convenience is most critical.
Influence of magnetic field and heat and mass transfer on the peristaltic flow through a porous rotating medium with compliant walls
Authors: Abd-Alla A.M. , Abo-Dahab S.M. , Elsagheer M.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to predict the effects of magnetic field, heat and mass transfer and rotation on the peristaltic flow of an incompressible Newtonian fluid in a channel with compliant walls. The whole system is in a rotating frame of reference.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing equations of two-dimensional fluid have been simplified under long wavelength and low Reynolds number approximation. The solutions are carried out for the stream function, temperature, concentration field, velocity and heat transfer coefficient.

Findings

The results indicate that the effects of permeability, magnetic field and rotation are very pronounced in the phenomena. Impacts of various involved parameters appearing in the solutions are carefully analyzed.

Originality/value

The effect of the concentration distribution, heat and mass transfer and rotation on the wave frame is analyzed theoretically and computed numerically. Numerical results are given and illustrated graphically in each case considered. A comparison was made with the results obtained in the presence and absence of rotation, magnetic field and heat and mass transfer.
Adventure tourism in a land of wine: the case of Melgaço
Authors: Baptista Manuel
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present and analyse the development and marketing tourism strategy of Melgaço and determine how nature radical sports can be implemented as a core product, complemented with Alvarinho wine and its tradition.

Design/methodology/approach

The information used to develop the present paper is based on the recently developed tourism strategic and marketing plan for the municipality of Melgaço, which, by its turn, is supported on a variety of primary data and official regional, national and international sources.

Findings

Melgaço has a range of singular natural resources where it is possible to practice river and mountain sports throughout the year, a competitive factor compared to other destinations. With a positioning and communication strategy based on its distinctive features, the municipality wants to be perceived as “the most radical nature tourism destination in Portugal”, and hence, it has increased its touristic flows and improve economic and social indicators.

Originality/value

This paper presents the evolution and present situation of the tourism sector in Melgaço, as well as the main challenges, opportunities and lines for development.
Spatial patterns of local species richness reveal importance of frugivores for tropical forest diversity
Authors: Chanthorn Wirong , Wiegand Thorsten , Getzin Stephan , Brockelman Warren Y. , Nathalang Anuttara
Published: October 2017

Seed dispersal by frugivores, particularly primates, plays an important role in structuring and maintaining tree diversity in tropical forests. However, little is known about the effect of frugivores on the diversity of saplings and large trees.

We used detailed census data from the fully mapped 30‐ha Mo Singto forest dynamics plot in Thailand together with spatial point pattern analysis to find out if the local species richness of small (dbh <10 cm) and large (dbh ≥10 cm) trees in the neighbourhood of large trees of 52 focal species was larger or smaller than expected by an appropriate null model.

We then used binary data (+ or 0) on the seed dispersal network at the Mo Singto plot to test the hypothesis that the major primate frugivores, rather than other arboreal frugivores, generated patterns of locally increased species richness around their preferred diet species (i.e. accumulator effects).

More than half of the focal species showed accumulator effects with respect to species richness of small trees (<10 cm in diameter), but accumulator effects with respect to large trees were weak and not consistent with those of small trees. Primate‐dispersed focal species (but not hornbill‐ or other smaller bird‐dispersed species) showed significantly larger positive effect sizes than the remaining focal species.

Synthesis. Our analysis suggests that primates—as major drivers of contagious seed dispersal—generate species‐rich seed rain around their preferred food‐tree species, which results in significantly larger local species richness of saplings. This is likely a consequence of heterospecific seed rain that reduces negative density dependence, and the presence of the accumulator pattern which persists at least until the large‐size stage. Hence, extirpation of primates may result in significant changes in the diversity and spatial structure of tropical forests.
Will UN Article 24 lead to the demise of special education or to its re‐affirmation?
Authors: Hyatt Christina , Hornby Garry
Published: October 2017

Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) contains the first legal enshrinement of the right to inclusive education for people with disabilities. The UNCRPD maintains that children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have a basic human right to be educated in mainstream schools. However, this does not take into account their moral right to receive the education most appropriate to their needs. Therefore, it is asserted by this review that fully implementing Article 24 may not be in the best interest of all children with SEND. Article 24 calls for all countries to implement a fully inclusive education system, thereby rendering special education provision obsolete. This review article provides a critique of this possibility, addressing the issues and practical implications involved.
Characterisation of Macedonian white‐brined cheese: Effect of raw or heat‐treated caprine milk
Authors: Sulejmani Erhan I , Hayaloglu Ali A
Published: October 2017

This research analysed the use of raw and pasteurised milk in the production of Macedonian white caprine milk cheese. Pasteurisation resulted in a considerable decrease in the nitrogen fractions, urea‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of caseins, peptide profiles and volatiles during the maturation period. Forty‐five volatile components were detected, including twelve acids, fourteen esters, six ketones, three alcohols, four terpenes and six other compounds. It was deduced that pasteurisation of milk for the manufacture of artisanal white‐brined cheese delayed the evolution of volatiles, which are related to the unique flavour of the cheese.
Pleth variability index can predict spinal anaesthesia‐induced hypotension in patients undergoing caesarean delivery
Authors: Kuwata S. , Suehiro K. , Juri T. , Tsujimoto S. , Mukai A. , Tanaka K. , Yamada T. , Mori T. , Nishikawa K.
Published: October 2017

Background

Spinal anaesthesia carries a risk of hypotension. We hypothesized that pleth variability index and perfusion index would assess maternal volume status, and thus, allow identification of patients at higher risk of developing hypotension after spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery.

Methods

Fifty patients undergoing elective caesarean delivery were enrolled. All patients received spinal anaesthesia with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (10 mg) and fentanyl (10 mcg). Blood pressure was measured every minute. Pleth variability index and perfusion index were automatically measured throughout the procedure using pulse oximetry on the index finger. In case of hypotension (systolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg or 80% of the baseline value), ephedrine 5 mg was administered. Receiver‐operating characteristic and multivariate logistic regression analyses for spinal anaesthesia‐induced hypotension were performed.

Results

Hypotension occurred in 32 patients (64%). The areas under the receiver‐operating characteristic curve were 0.751 (95% confidence interval: 0.597–0.904) for pleth variability index before anaesthesia, 0.793 (95% confidence interval: 0.655–0.930) for pleth variability index after anaesthesia and 0.731 (95% confidence interval: 0.570–0.892) for perfusion index change (percent change in perfusion index induced by spinal anaesthesia). The optimal threshold value of pleth variability index (after anaesthesia) for predicting hypotension was 18% (sensitivity: 78.1%, specificity: 83.3%). Pleth variability index after spinal anaesthesia was an independent factor for hypotension (odds ratio: 1.21, P = 0.041).

Conclusions

Pleth variability index after spinal anaesthesia was a good predictor of spinal anaesthesia‐induced hypotension in patients undergoing caesarean delivery. In addition, perfusion index change after spinal anaesthesia has the potential to predict hypotension.
Efficacy of different carriers for the triple antibiotic powder during regenerative endodontic procedures
Authors: Hwang David , Fong Hanson , Johnson James D. , Paranjpe Avina
Published: October 2017

Chemical debridement during Regenerative Endodontic procedures is important. Previous research studies have evaluated various antibiotics and their concentrations but none have addressed the concern of delivering these materials. Hence, the purpose of this study was to determine what carrier could be used effectively in a clinical setting. Sixty caries‐free maxillary incisors were used and inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis and divided into positive and irrigation controls and experimental groups that had triple antibiotic powder (1:1:1 ciprofloxacin:metronidazole:minocycline) delivered using various carriers: saline, cotton, sponge and methylcellulose. Current AAE regenerative protocols were followed. S2 sampling was performed and tested for bacterial presence via culturing and SEM. The results demonstrated that saline was the most effective carrier for the triple antibiotic powder while cotton and sponge were most ineffective. Saline and methylcellulose both reduced bacterial counts to a significant level. Overall, this study demonstrated that saline as a carrier was most effective and should be routinely used.
Linking climate change and insect pest distribution: an example using Agriotes ustulatus Shall. (Coleoptera: Elateridae)
Authors: Čačija Maja , Kozina Antonela , Igrc Barčić Jasminka , Bažok Renata
Published: October 2017

Agriotes ustulatus (Schaller, 1873) (Coleoptera: Elateridae) is an economically important agricultural pest. Recently, changes in the distribution and abundance of this species in Croatia have been established.

The present study aimed: (i) to determine the abundance and dominance of A. ustulatus in four regions in Croatia; (ii) to test the effect of temperature and rainfall on dominance and distribution; and (iii) to determine the flight activity of the A. ustulatus adults (peak and swarming period).

From 2001 until 2010, five Agriotes species were captured by pheromone traps placed in 17 fields within four counties. Differences in air temperature and rainfall were determined between regions.

The highest dominance of A. ustulatus was recorded in the warmest eastern county and the species was classified as eudominant. High dominance was also observed in the western county, confirming that A. ustulatus occurs in higher population in this area. Species was subdominant where the mean air temperature was the lowest.

The increase in dominance in the west could be explained by the significant positive correlation found between air temperature and dominance.

The seasonal activity of the adults was from June to mid‐August, with peak flight at the end of June.
Exploiting whole genome sequence data to fine map and characterize candidate genes within a quantitative trait loci region affecting androstenone on porcine chromosome 5
Authors: van Son M. , Agarwal R. , Kent M. P. , Grove H. , Grindflek E. , Lien S.
Published: October 2017

Male piglets are routinely castrated to eliminate boar taint. However, this treatment is undesirable, and alternative approaches, including genetic strategies to reduce boar taint, are demanded. Androstenone is one of the causative agents of boar taint, and a QTL region affecting this pheromone has previously been reported on SSC5: 22.6–24.8 Mb in Duroc. The QTL region is one of the few reported for androstenone that does not simultaneously affect levels of other sex steroids. The main objective of this study was to fine map this QTL. Whole genome sequence data from 23 Norwegian Duroc boars were analyzed to detect new polymorphisms within the QTL region. A subset of 161 SNPs was genotyped in 834 Duroc sires and analyzed for association with androstenone in adipose tissue and testosterone, estrone sulphate and 17β‐estradiol in blood plasma. Our results revealed 100 SNPs significantly associated with androstenone levels in fat (P < 0.001) with 94 of the SNPs being in strong linkage disequilibrium in the region 23.03–24.27 Mb. This haplotype block contains at least four positional candidate genes (HSD17B6, SDR9C7, RDH16 and STAT6) involved in androstenone biosynthesis. No significant associations were found between any of the SNPs and levels of testosterone and estrogens, confirming previous findings. The amount of phenotypic variance explained by single SNPs within the haplotype block was as high as 5.4%. As the SNPs in this region significantly affect levels of androstenone without affecting levels of other sex steroids, they are especially interesting as genetic markers for selection against boar taint.
Brugada phenocopy caused by a compressive mediastinal tumor
Authors: Pérez‐Riera Andrés R. , Barbosa Barros Raimundo , Daminello‐Raimundo Rodrigo , Resende Barbosa Marianne P. C. , de Abreu Luiz C.
Published: October 2017

Recently, it has been shown that even experts in electrocardiography cannot differentiate the electrocardiographic pattern of genuine Brugada syndrome (BrS) from Brugada phenocopy (BrP). For this reason, this differentiation depends on the presence of established criteria both for BrS and BrP. In this manuscript, we present a patient with type 1 Brugada electrocardiographic pattern caused by expansive anterior mediastinal non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) with mechanical compression on the right ventricular outflow tract. The electrocardiographic pattern disappeared rapidly after antineoplastic measures.
Heart failure study of multipoint pacing effects on ventriculoarterial coupling: Rationale and design of the HUMVEE trial
Authors: Chrysohoou Christina , Dilaveris Polychronis , Antoniou Christos‐Konstantinos , Skiadas Ioannis , Konstantinou Konstantinos , Gatzoulis Konstantinos , Kallikazaros Ioannis , Tousoulis Dimitrios
Published: October 2017

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established therapy for symptomatic heart failure (HF). Unfortunately, many recipients remain nonresponders. Studies have revealed the potential role of multipoint pacing (MPP) in improving response and outcomes. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of MPP against those of standard biventricular pacing (BVP) on (i) ventriculoarterial coupling (VAC) and energy efficiency of the failing heart, (ii) diastolic function, (iii) quality of life, and (iv) NT‐proBNP levels and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) during a follow‐up of 13 months.

HUMVEE is a single‐center, prospective, observational, crossover cohort study. Seventy‐six patients with BVP indication will be implanted with a system able to deliver both pacing modes. BVP will be activated at implantation and optimized 1 month after. At 6 months postoptimization MPP will be activated and optimized. Optimization will be performed based on stroke volume maximization, as assessed by ultrasound. Laboratory measurements (GFR and NT‐proBNP) and echocardiographic studies (VAC calculation, strain rate, diastolic function) will be performed at implantation, 6 months post‐BVP optimization and at the end of 13 months of follow‐up (6 months post‐MPP optimization). Potential reduction in arrhythmogenesis by MPP will also be assessed. MPP is a pacing modality with the potential to improve HF patients’ outcomes. The HUMVEE trial will attempt to associate any potential added beneficial effects of MPP over standard BVP with alterations in VAC and energy efficiency of the heart, thus uncovering a novel mechanistic link between MPP and improved outcomes in HF.
Elevated serum adipsin may predict unsuccessful treatment for cows’ milk allergy but other biomarkers do not
Authors: Salmivesi Susanna , Paassilta Marita , Huhtala Heini , Nieminen Riina , Moilanen Eeva , Korppi Matti
Published: October 2017

Aim

This study evaluated whether 15 allergy, immunology or inflammatory markers predicted the long‐term use of cows’ milk or milk products seven years after the start of oral immunotherapy (OIT) for cows’ milk allergy in children.

Methods

The following laboratory parameters were measured before the OIT at Tampere University Hospital, Finland, and after the six‐month escalation phase: serum total immunoglobulin (Ig) E, milk‐specific IgG and IgG4, eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil‐derived neurotoxin, interleukins 4, 5, 6, 10 and 12p70 and serum adipokines adiponectin, adipsin, leptin and resistin. Follow‐up data from a seven‐year phone questionnaire in 2015 were available for 24 children: 14 successful and 10 unsuccessful milk users.

Results

There were no significant differences in any of the 15 markers measured at the start of the study between the subjects who later formed the successful and unsuccessful groups. At the end of the six‐month escalation phase of OIT, serum adipsin was higher in the group who were unsuccessful milk users at the seven‐year follow‐up study.

Conclusion

None of the 15 allergy, immunology or inflammatory markers were useful in predicting the outcome of OIT. Preliminary evidence was found that high serum adipsin after the six‐month escalation phase of OIT might predict unsuccessful outcome.
Functional variants in intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 and toll‐like receptor‐4 genes are more frequent in children with febrile urinary tract infection with renal parenchymal involvement
Authors: Hussein Almontaser , Saad Khaled , Askar Eman , Zahran Asmaa M. , Farghaly Hekma , Metwalley Kotb , Elderwy Ahmad A.
Published: October 2017

Aim

We studied the functional polymorphisms of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR‐4) genes and risk of acute pyelonephritis (APN) in children attending Assiut University Children's Hospitals, Egypt, from 2011 to 2015.

Methods

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) were diagnosed in 380 children: 98 had APN and 282 had lower UTIs. Four single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in ICAM‐1 and TLR‐4 genes were genotyped in all subjects: ICAM‐1 rs1799969 Gly241Arg, ICAM‐1 rs5498 Glu469Lys, TLR‐4 rs4896791 Thr399Ile and TLR‐4 rs4896790 Asp299Gly.

Results

Patients with APN were significantly more likely to have AA genotype of the ICAM‐1 rs5498 (1462 A/G) polymorphism (p = 0.04) than children with lower UTIs and the TLR‐4 Asp299Gly GG genotype (p = 0.002) and G allele (p = 0.006) than healthy controls. The association with the ICAM‐1 Glu469Lys (1462A/G) was less evident. The GG genotype was associated with a modest relative risk of 1.4 (p = 0.1) of developing APN, but was not an independent odds ratio, at 1.2 (p = 0.48).

Conclusion

Functional variants in ICAM‐1 and TLR‐4 genes were increasingly common in children with febrile UTIs with renal parenchymal involvement, but the ICAM‐1 Glu469Lys (1462A/G) association was less evident. TLR4 Asp299Gly might independently increase renal parenchymal infection rather than renal scarring.
Short‐term risk of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatitis C virus eradication following direct‐acting anti‐viral treatment
Authors: Ogawa E. , Furusyo N. , Nomura H. , Dohmen K. , Higashi N. , Takahashi K. , Kawano A. , Azuma K. , Satoh T. , Nakamuta M. , Koyanagi T. , Kato M. , Shimoda S. , Kajiwara E. , Hayashi J. ,   The Kyushu University Liver Disease Study (KULDS) Group
Published: October 2017

Background

With the development of direct‐acting anti‐virals (DAAs), almost all patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can achieve sustained viral response (SVR).

Aim

To evaluate the short‐term risk of HCC among patients with SVR by DAAs, including those with cirrhosis or previous HCC.

Methods

This large‐scale, multicentre cohort study included 1,675 consecutive patients who achieved SVR by treatment with interferon‐free sofosbuvir‐based regimens, divided into groups with (n = 152) or without previous HCC (n = 1,523). The Kaplan‐Meier method and Cox proportional hazard analysis were used to calculate the cumulative HCC incidence and related factors of HCC.

Results

During the follow‐up period (median: 17 months), 46 (2.7%) patients developed HCC. The 1‐year cumulative rates of de novo HCC were 0.4% and 4.9% for the noncirrhosis and cirrhosis groups respectively (log‐rank test: P < 0.001). For cirrhotic patients, serum α‐fetoprotein level at the end of treatment (EOT‐AFP) was the strongest predictor of de novo HCC. The 1‐year cumulative de novo HCC rates were 1.4% and 13.1% in the EOT‐AFP < 9.0 ng/mL and ≥ 9.0 ng/mL groups (cut‐off value) respectively (log‐rank test: P < 0.001). The 1‐year cumulative rates of HCC recurrence were 6.5% and 23.1% for the noncirrhosis and cirrhosis groups respectively (log‐rank test: P = 0.023). For cirrhotic patients, previous HCC characteristics were significantly associated with HCC recurrence. In contrast, sex, age and metabolic features did not influence de novo HCC or recurrence.

Conclusions

For cirrhotic patients after elimination of HCV, serum EOT‐AFP level and previous HCC characteristics would be useful markers for predicting de novo HCC or recurrence.
Making stories significant: Possibilities and challenges at the intersection of digital methods and historic preservation
Authors: Summer Rebecca , Nelson Garrett Dash
Published: October 2017

This paper reflects on a digital public history project conducted by the authors in Madison, Wisconsin. It uses these reflections to show how digital methods can create new possibilities in the field of historic preservation, and to emphasise that new technology alone does not cut through old challenges relating to public engagement. The bias towards newness and fluidity in digital methods offers an instructive contrast to the bias towards permanence and continuity in historic preservation. Bringing these two worlds into dialogue offers the possibility of strengthening each.
A prospective randomised placebo‐controlled study of the impact of dutasteride/tamsulosin combination therapy on sexual function domains in sexually active men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Authors: Roehrborn Claus G. , Manyak Michael J. , Palacios‐Moreno Juan Manuel , Wilson Timothy H. , Roos Erik P.M. , Santos Javier Cambronero , Karanastasis Dimitrios , Plastino Janet , Giuliano François , Rosen Raymond C.
Published: October 2017

Objective

To prospectively assess the impact of the fixed‐dose combination (FDC) of the 5α‐reductase inhibitor (5ARI), dutasteride 0.5 mg and the α1‐adrenoceptor antagonist, tamsulosin 0.4 mg (DUT‐TAM FDC) therapy on sexual function domain scores in sexually active men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), using the Men's Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ).

Patients and Methods

This European and Australian double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group study was conducted at 51 centres. Inclusion criteria: age ≥50 years, International Prostate Symptom Score ≥12, prostate volume ≥30 cc, prostate‐specific antigen 1.5–10 ng/mL. Patients were randomised 1:1 to DUT‐TAM FDC therapy or placebo for 12 months. The change from baseline to Month 12 on the total MSHQ (primary endpoint) and MSHQ erection, ejaculation and satisfaction domains (secondary outcome) was assessed, using a mixed model repeated measures analysis. Safety was evaluated.

Results

The intention‐to‐treat population included 489 patients (243 DUT‐TAM FDC therapy; 246 placebo). A significant decrease (worsening) was observed with DUT‐TAM FDC therapy versus placebo on the total MSHQ score (−8.7 vs −0.7; standard error [se]: 0.81, 0.78; P < 0.001), and the ejaculation (−7.5 vs −0.6; se: 0.56, 0.55; P < 0.001) and satisfaction (−0.6 vs +0.3; se: 0.3, 0.29, P = 0.047) domains, but not the erection domain (−1.0 vs −0.5; se: 0.19, 0.19, P = 0.091).

Conclusion

This is the first domain‐specific quantitative evaluation of DUT‐TAM FDC therapy on sexual function in men with LUTS secondary to BPH. The observed changes in the MSHQ with DUT‐TAM FDC therapy were mainly driven by changes in the ejaculation domain. These findings will help give context to erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction AEs reported spontaneously in earlier 5ARI studies.
Landscape‐level tree cover predicts species richness of large‐bodied frugivorous birds in forest fragments
Authors: Walter Scott T. , Browne Luke , Freile Juan , Olivo Jorge , González Mónica , Karubian Jordan
Published: October 2017

Large‐bodied frugivorous birds play an important role in dispersing large‐sized seeds in Neotropical rain forests, thereby maintaining tree species richness and diversity. Conversion of contiguous forest land to forest fragments is thought to be driving population declines in large‐bodied frugivores, but the mechanistic drivers of this decline remain poorly understood. To assess the importance of fragment‐level versus local landscape attributes in influencing the species richness of large‐bodied (>100 g) frugivorous birds, we surveyed 15 focal species in 22 forest fragments (2.7 to 33.6 ha, avg. = 16.0 ha) in northwest Ecuador in 2014. Fragment habitat variables included density of large trees, canopy openness and height, and fragment size; landscape variables included elevation and the proportion of tree cover within a 1 km radius of each fragment. At both the individual species level, and across the community of 12 species of avian frugivore we detected, there was higher richness and probability of presence in fragments with more tree cover on surrounding land. This tendency was particularly pronounced among some endangered species. These findings corroborate the idea that partially forested land surrounding fragments may effectively increase the suitable habitat for forest‐dwelling frugivorous birds in fragmented landscapes. These results can help guide conservation priorities within fragmented landscapes, with particular reference to retaining trees and reforesting to attain high levels of tree cover in areas between forest patches.
The importance of location and scale in rural and small town tourism product development: The case of the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Ramsey Doug , Malcolm Christopher D.
Published: October 2017

Key Messages

A typology of themes in rural tourism development is developed.

Large‐scale tourism attractions and destinations are possible in rural communities.

Scale and distance matter for tourism attractions and destinations.
PD‐L1 expression is mainly regulated by interferon gamma associated with JAK‐STAT pathway in gastric cancer
Authors: Mimura Kousaku , Teh Jun Liang , Okayama Hirokazu , Shiraishi Kensuke , Kua Ley‐Fang , Koh Vivien , Smoot Duane T. , Ashktorab Hassan , Oike Takahiro , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Fazreen Zul , Asuncion Bernadette R. , Shabbir Asim , Yong Wei‐Peng , So Jimmy , Soong Richie , Kono Koji
Published: October 2017

Despite multidisciplinary treatment for patients with advanced gastric cancer, their prognosis remains poor. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic strategies is urgently needed, and immunotherapy utilizing anti‐programmed death 1/‐programmed death ligand‐1 mAb is an attractive approach. However, as there is limited information on how programmed death ligand‐1 is upregulated on tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment, we examined the mechanism of programmed death ligand‐1 regulation with a particular focus on interferon gamma in an in vitro setting and in clinical samples. Our in vitro findings showed that interferon gamma upregulated programmed death ligand‐1 expression on solid tumor cells through the JAK‐signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway, and impaired the cytotoxicity of tumor antigen‐specific CTL against tumor cells. Following treatment of cells with anti‐programmed death ligand‐1 mAb after interferon gamma‐pre‐treatment, the reduced anti‐tumor CTL activity by interferon gamma reached a higher level than the non‐treatment control targets. In contrast, programmed death ligand‐1 expression on tumor cells also significantly correlated with epithelial‐mesenchymal transition phenotype in a panel of solid tumor cells. In clinical gastric cancer samples, tumor membrane programmed death ligand‐1 expression significantly positively correlated with the presence of CD8‐positive T cells in the stroma and interferon gamma expression in the tumor. The results suggest that gastric cancer patients with high CD8‐positive T‐cell infiltration may be more responsive to anti‐programmed death 1/‐programmed death ligand‐1 mAb therapy.
Ursolic acid enhances the therapeutic effects of oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer by inhibition of drug resistance
Authors: Zhang Ye , Huang Longchang , Shi Haoze , Chen Hang , Tao Jianxin , Shen Renhui , Wang Tong
Published: October 2017

It has been reported that ursolic acid has anti‐tumor activity and it enhances the therapeutic effect of oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, the mechanisms of the enhancement of therapeutic effects through use of ursolic acid were investigated. We treated CRC cell lines HCT8 and SW480 with ursolic acid and oxaliplatin and monitored the effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and drug resistance gene production. We discovered that treatment with a combination of ursolic acid and oxaliplatin resulted in significant inhibition of cell proliferation, significantly increased apoptosis and ROS production, and significant inhibition of drug resistance gene expression. Our study provided evidence that ursolic acid enhances the therapeutic effects of oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer by ROS‐mediated inhibition of drug resistance.
Selective inhibition of TRPM2 channel by two novel synthesized ADPR analogues
Authors: Luo Xiao , Li Meng , Zhan Kaiyu , Yang Wei , Zhang Lihe , Wang KeWei , Yu Peilin , Zhang Liangren
Published: October 2017

Transient receptor potential melastatin‐2 (TRPM2) channel critical for monitoring internal body temperature is implicated in the pathological processes such as neurodegeneration. However, lacking selective and potent TRPM2 inhibitors impedes investigation and validation of the channel as a drug target. To discover novel and selective TRPM2 inhibitors, a series of adenosine 5′‐diphosphoribose analogues were synthesized, and their activities and selectivity were evaluated. Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings were employed for screen and evaluation of synthesized compounds. Two compounds, 7i and 8a, were identified as TRPM2 inhibitors with IC50 of 5.7 and 5.4 μm, respectively. Both 7i and 8a inhibited TRPM2 current without affecting TRPM7, TRPM8, TRPV1 and TRPV3. These two TRPM2 inhibitors can serve as new pharmacological tools for further investigation and validation of TRPM2 channel as a drug target, and the summarized structure–activity relationship (SAR) may also provide insights into further improving existing inhibitors as potential lead compounds.