bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selecting decision-relevant ethical product attributes for grocery shopping
Authors: Hasanzade Vüsal , Osburg Victoria-Sophie , Toporowski Waldemar
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Despite the existence of various approaches for promoting ethical consumption, it remains a challenge to determine which ethical product features are actually decision relevant for consumers. Based on the assumption that values influence behavior across a range of situations, the purpose of this paper is to explore consumers preferences for product information items that address underlying motivators (i.e. concerns about the environment, animal welfare, other humans, price). Information preferences are also determined for different consumer segments separately, enabling one to target consumer groups with specific decision-relevant information.

Design/methodology/approach

A German online survey was conducted with mainly young consumers. The survey used a choice-based conjoint analysis (CBCA) with the relevant product information items chosen based on an analysis of the attributes of dairy products and the guidelines for eco- and fair trade labels. The identified items were assigned to the ethical criteria of animal welfare, environmental protection, and labor and human rights. These criteria, along with price and country of origin, represent the attributes of the CBCA.

Findings

The results indicate that information about animal welfare increases consumer choice the most, followed by information about labor and human rights, and environmental protection. Three identified segments differ with respect to their decision-relevant product information: ethically motivated consumers (53.8 percent), price oriented consumers (12 percent), and price-quality oriented consumers (34.2 percent).

Originality/value

This study contributes to a better understanding of how ethical product information can most effectively be communicated to consumers, particularly for dairy products. The results highlight the need to carefully select ethical product information based on the target consumer segment in order to promote ethical consumption.
Position adjusted turnover ratio and mutual fund performance
Authors: Fan Yuhong
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of position adjusted turnover ratio on mutual fund performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The author calculates position adjusted turnover ratio in the same three steps as Edelen et al. (2013). Position adjusted turnover ratio is intended to be a trading cost proxy that captures both fund trading volume and per-trade costs. A metric of eight Morningstar performance measures is utilized.

Findings

Results show that funds with a higher position adjusted turnover ratio tend to have a lower risk-adjusted performance, such as indicated by both Sharpe and Sortino ratios, and even though these funds may have a higher annualized return.

Research limitations/implications

The sample selection process is subject to a survival bias. Also, this study utilizes Morningstar performance measures rather than the widely used factors models.

Practical implications

This study examines the impact of invisible costs from fund trading. These findings encourage fund managers to take strategic steps to reduce the overall invisible cost impact to improve fund performance.

Originality/value

Few studies have investigated fund trading cost measured by position adjusted turnover ratio and its impact on fund performance. Further, this study contributes to current literature by using eight Morningstar fund performance variables, which are practitioner-oriented and are accessible by investors.
Do mutual fund ratings provide valuable information for retail investors?
Authors: Oehler Andreas , Höfer Andreas , Horn Matthias , Wendt Stefan
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Retail investors use information provided by mutual fund rating agencies to make investment decisions. This paper aims to examine whether the ratings provide useful information to retail investors by analyzing the rating migration and closure risk of mutual funds that received Morningstar’s mutual fund ratings from 2005 to 2012.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design differentiates between buy-and-hold investment strategies and dynamic investment strategies. To assess the information content of mutual fund ratings for buy-and-hold investment strategies, the rating migration based on the first and the last mutual fund rating during two-, four-, six- and eight-year horizons is determined. With respect to dynamic investment strategies, the number of rating changes per fund on a monthly basis during these time horizons is calculated.

Findings

Mutual fund rating persistence is low or even inexistent, in particular, during longer time periods. Only for lower-rated funds, the rating appears to indicate higher risk of fund closure. In addition, mutual funds face a large number of up to 38 monthly rating changes in the eight-year window.

Originality/value

Mutual fund rating persistence has hardly been analyzed for funds offered to retail investors so far. This paper clearly points out that because of the extensive rating migration and the high number of monthly rating changes, retail investors barely benefit from using mutual fund ratings.
Wearable sensors for ECG measurement: a review
Authors: Ramasamy Sudha , Balan Archana
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Recent developments in wearable technologies have paved the way for continuous monitoring of the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, without the need for any laboratory settings. A number of wearable sensors ranging from wet electrode sensors to dry sensors, textile-based sensors, knitted integrated sensors (KIS) and planar fashionable circuit boards are used in ECG measurement. The purpose of this study is to carry out a comparative study of the different sensors used for ECG measurements. The current challenges faced in developing wearable ECG sensors are also reviewed.

Design/methodology/approach

This study carries out a comparative analysis of different wearable ECG sensors on the basis of four important aspects: materials and methods used to develop the sensors, working principle, implementation and performance. Each of the aspects has been reviewed with regard to the main types of wearable ECG sensors available.

Findings

A comparative study of the sensors helps understand the differences in their operating principles. While some sensors may have a higher efficiency, the others might ensure more user comfort. It is important to strike the right balance between the various aspects influencing the sensor performance.

Originality/value

Wearable ECG sensors have revolutionized the world of ambulatory ECG monitoring and helped in the treatment of many cardiovascular diseases. A comparative study of the available technologies will help both doctors and researchers gain an understanding of the shortcomings in the existing systems.
Tracking of moving magnetic target based on magnetic gradient system with total field magnetometers
Authors: Fan Liming , Kang Xiyuan , Zheng Quan , Zhang Xiaojun , Liu Xuejun , Geng Zhoushan , Kang Chong
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the tracking of a moving magnetic target by using total field magnetometers and to present a tracking method based on the gradient of a magnetic anomaly. In the tracking, it is assumed that the motion of the target is equivalent to a first-order Markov process. And the unit direction vector of the magnetic moment from the gradient of the magnetic anomaly can be obtained. According to the unit direction vector, the inverse problem is turned into an optimization problem to estimate the parameters of the target. The particle swarm optimization algorithm is used to solve this optimization problem. The proposed method is validated by the numerical simulation and real data. The parameters of the target can be calculated rapidly using the proposed method. And the results show that the estimated parameters of the mobile target using the proposed method are very close to the true values.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors focus on the tracking of a moving magnetic target by using total field magnetometers and present a tracking method based on the gradient of a magnetic anomaly.

Findings

The paper provides an effective method for tracking the magnetic target based on an array with total field sensors.

Originality/value

Comparing with a vector magnetic sensor, the measurement of the scalar magnetic sensor is almost not influenced by its orientation. In this paper, a moving magnetic target was tracked by using total field magnetometers and a tracking method presented based on the gradient of a magnetic anomaly.
Micro-cracks detection of multicrystalline solar cell surface based on self-learning features and low-rank matrix recovery
Authors: Qian Xiaoliang , Zhang Heqing , Yang Cunxiang , Wu Yuanyuan , He Zhendong , Wu Qing-E , Zhang Huanlong
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to improve the generalization capability of feature extraction scheme by introducing a micro-cracks detection method based on self-learning features. Micro-cracks detection of multicrystalline solar cell surface based on machine vision is fast, economical, intelligent and easier for on-line detection. However, the generalization capability of feature extraction scheme adopted by existed methods is limited, which has become an obstacle for further improving the detection accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel micro-cracks detection method based on self-learning features and low-rank matrix recovery is proposed in this paper. First, the input image is preprocessed to suppress the noises and remove the busbars and fingers. Second, a self-learning feature extraction scheme in which the feature extraction templates are changed along with the input image is introduced. Third, the low-rank matrix recovery is applied to the decomposition of self-learning feature matrix for obtaining the preliminary detection result. Fourth, the preliminary detection result is optimized by incorporating the superpixel segmentation. Finally, the optimized result is further fine-tuned by morphological postprocessing.

Findings

Comprehensive evaluations are implemented on a data set which includes 120 testing images and corresponding human-annotated ground truth. Specifically, subjective evaluations show that the shape of detected micro-cracks is similar to the ground truth, and objective evaluations demonstrate that the proposed method has a high detection accuracy.

Originality/value

First, a self-learning feature extraction method which has good generalization capability is proposed. Second, the low-rank matrix recovery is combined with superpixel segmentation for locating the defective regions.
Deconstruction of a plant‐arthropod community reveals influential plant traits with nonlinear effects on arthropod assemblages
Authors: Harrison Joshua G. , Philbin Casey S. , Gompert Zachariah , Forister Glen W. , Hernandez‐Espinoza Leonardo , Sullivan Benjamin W. , Wallace Ian S. , Beltran Lyra , Dodson Craig D. , Francis Jacob S. , Schlageter Amie , Shelef Oren , Yoon Su'ad A. , Forister Matthew L.
Published: February 2018

Studies of herbivores and secondary consumer communities rarely incorporate a comprehensive characterization of primary producer trait variation, thus limiting our understanding of how plants mediate community assembly of consumers.

We took advantage of recent technological developments for efficient generation of phytochemical, microbial and genomic data to characterize individual alfalfa plants (Medicago sativa; Fabaceae) growing in an old‐field, semi‐naturalized state for 770 traits (including 753 chemical features). Using random forest modelling, we investigated the effect of variation in these traits on arthropod and fungal assemblages while accounting for plant genetic structure.

We found that traits indicative of plant vigour, including size, percentage of flowering stems and leaf area, were positively associated with arthropod richness and abundance. Most phytochemicals were, by comparison, poor predictors, although phytochemical diversity and several individual phenolic compounds were important. Plants with a higher proportion of flowering stems were hotspots of intertrophic interactions with higher species richness of secondary consumers. The effects of many traits on plant‐associated assemblages were best modelled as nonlinear functions, often incorporating threshold effects. Foliar fungal richness was not well predicted by our models, suggesting we have much to learn regarding the role of plant traits on phyllosphere fungi at small spatial scales.

Our results support the need for characterization of multiple axes of plant phenotypes in studies of plant‐arthropod‐microbe communities and demonstrate the value of modern analytical techniques for understanding the nonlinear ways in which plant traits mediate the structure of associated biotic communities.

Aplain language summaryis available for this article.
Drug‐induced enterocolitis: Prevention and management in primary care
Authors: Grattagliano Ignazio , Ubaldi Enzo , Portincasa Piero
Published: February 2018

Drug‐induced enterocolitis is a condition diagnosed with increasing frequency. It includes a variety of morphological and functional alterations of the small and large intestine as a consequence of exposure to pharmacological active compounds. A number of factors play a key role in this condition or participate in the onset of enterocolitis, which is the result of an interplay between the effect of the drug molecule and the tolerance of the bowel to damaging insults. The patient’s age, gender, dose of drug, time of exposure, pharmaceutical preparation, drug–drug and drug–food interactions, gut barrier integrity, underlying intestinal conditions, and gut microbiota composition are all involved in the occurrence and extent of the injury. This review approaches the topic from the viewpoint of primary care, and focuses on epidemiology, mechanisms of damage, protective systems and diagnostic tools. Although the first‐line therapeutic measure is the discontinuation of the drug, some options for prevention and treatment are discussed.
Psychosocial stress differentially affects emotional empathy in women with borderline personality disorder and healthy controls
Authors: Wingenfeld K. , Duesenberg M. , Fleischer J. , Roepke S. , Dziobek I. , Otte C. , Wolf O. T.
Published: February 2018

Objective

Deficits in empathy, an important part of social cognition, have been described in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Importantly, psychosocial stress enhances emotional empathy in healthy participants. However, it remains unknown whether stress affects empathy in BPD.

Method

We randomized 47 women with BPD and 47 healthy women to either the Trier Social Stress Test or a control condition. Subsequently, all participants underwent the Multifaceted Empathy Test (MET), a measure of cognitive and emotional facets of empathy.

Results

Across groups, stress resulted in a significant increase in cortisol and stress ratings. There was a significant stress × group interaction for emotional empathy (Fdf1,92 = 5.12, P = 0.04, = 0.05). While there was no difference between patients with BPD and healthy participants after the control condition, patients with BPD had significantly lower emotional empathy scores after stress compared to healthy individuals. There were no effects for cognitive empathy.

Conclusion

The current finding provides first evidence that stress differentially affects emotional empathy in patients with BPD and healthy individuals such that patients with BPD showed reduced emotional empathy compared to healthy women after stress. Given the strong impact of stress on acute psychopathology in patients with BPD, such a response may exacerbate interpersonal conflicts in stress contexts and may be an important target for therapeutic interventions.
‘Addressed to you not as a smoker… but as a doctor’: doctor‐targeted cigarette advertisements inJAMA
Authors: Jackler Robert K. , Ayoub Noel F.
Published: February 2018

Background and aim

During the mid‐20th century tobacco companies placed advertisements in medical journals to entice physicians to smoke their brand and, more importantly, to recommend it to their patients. They have been little studied, in part because advertising sections in medical journals are almost universally discarded before binding. This study aimed to define the themes and techniques used in doctor‐targeted tobacco advertisements that appeared in American medical journals in the mid‐20th century and determine the motivations and tactics of the tobacco industry in engaging the medical profession in this way.

Methods

Doctor‐targeted tobacco advertisements fromJAMAand theNew York State Medical Journalappearing between 1936 and 1953 were studied. These were obtained from the New York Academy of Medicine and the UCSF Truth database of tobacco industry documents. Content analysis of advertising slogans and imagery was conducted. Using internal tobacco industry documents, we examined the relationship between tobacco advertisers and medical journals.

Results

Among the 519 doctor‐targeted advertisements, 13 brands were represented, with two (Philip Morris and Camel) accounting for 84%. Correspondence between tobacco advertisers and medical journal editors reveals the potent influence of revenue to the sponsoring society and personal compensation derived from consulting arrangements. Content analysis of the advertisements revealed much flattery of doctors and arguments professing the harmlessness of the company's brand.

Conclusions

Analysis of doctor‐targeted tobacco advertisements in American medical journals from 1936 to 1953 suggest that tobacco companies targeted physicians as a potential sales force to assuage the public's fear of health risks and to recruit them as allies against negative publicity. Tobacco companies also appeared to try, through the substantial advertising revenue passed by journals to their parent medical societies, to temper any possible opposition by organized medicine.
Chitotriosidase inhibits allergic asthmatic airways via regulation of TGF‐β expression and Foxp3+ Treg cells
Authors: Hong J. Y. , Kim M. , Sol I. S. , Kim K. W. , Lee C.‐M. , Elias J. A. , Sohn M. H. , Lee C. G.
Published: February 2018

Background

Chitotriosidase (chitinase 1, Chit1), a major true chitinase in humans, is induced in childhood asthma and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory and tissue remodeling responses. However, the role and the mechanisms that underlie these contributions to the diseases have not been defined. We hypothesized that Chit1 plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma.

Methods

Wild‐type and Chit1‐deficient mice and cells in culture were used to define the roles of Chit1 in models of allergic adaptive Th2 inflammation. In addition, the levels of sputum Chit1 were evaluated in pediatric asthma patients and compared to control.

Results

The levels of sputum Chit1 were significantly increased in the patients with childhood asthma. Mice with Chit1 null mutation demonstrated enhanced allergic Th2 inflammatory and cytokine and IgE responses to OVA or house dust mite allergen sensitization and challenge. However, the expression levels of TGF‐β1 were significantly decreased with a diminished number of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) in the lungs of Chit1−/− mice compared to WT controls. In vitro, the absence of Chit1 significantly reduced TGF‐β‐stimulated conversion of CD4+CD25− naïve T cells to CD4+Foxp3+ Treg cells, suggesting Chit1 is required for optimal effect of TGF‐β1 in Treg cell differentiation.

Conclusion

Chit1 plays a protective role in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation and asthmatic airway responses via regulation of TGF‐β expression and Foxp3+ Treg cells.
A mixed‐methods evaluation of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland Uganda Fellowship Scheme
Authors: Hewitt‐Smith A. , Bulamba F. , Ttendo S. , Pappenheim K. , Walker I. A. , Smith A. F.
Published: February 2018

The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland and the then Uganda Society of Anaesthesia established the Uganda Fellowship Scheme in 2006, to provide scholarships to encourage doctors to train in anaesthesia in Uganda. We conducted an evaluation of this programme using online questionnaires and face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews with trainees who received scholarships, as well as with senior surgeons and anaesthetists. Focus group discussions were held to assess changes in attitudes towards anaesthesia over the last 10 years. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using the constant comparative method. A total of 54 Ugandan doctors have received anaesthesia scholarships since 2006 (median funding per trainee (IQR [range]) £5520 (£5520–£6750 [£765–£9000]). There has been a four‐fold increase in the number of physician anaesthetists in Uganda during this time. All those who received funding remain in the region. The speciality of anaesthesia is undergoing a dramatic transformation led by this group of motivated young anaesthetists. There is increased access to intensive care, and this has allowed surgical specialities to develop. There is greater understanding and visibility of anaesthesia, and the quality of education in anaesthesia throughout the country has improved. The Uganda Fellowship Scheme provided a relatively small financial incentive to encourage doctors to train as anaesthetists. Evaluation of the project shows a wide‐ranging impact that extends beyond the initial goal of simply improving human resource capacity. Financial incentives combined with strong ‘north‐south’ links between professional organisations can play an important role in tackling the shortage of anaesthesia providers in a low‐income country and in improving access to safe surgery and anaesthesia.
Why do children with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia not attend neonatal follow‐up care? Parental views of barriers
Authors: Brady Jennifer M. , Pouppirt Nicole , Bernbaum Judy , D'Agostino Jo Ann , Gerdes Marsha , Hoffman Casey , Cook Noah , Hurt Hallam , Kirpalani Haresh , DeMauro Sara B.
Published: February 2018

Aim

To assess in children with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia at a corrected age of 18–36 months: (i) Neonatal follow‐up clinic attendance rates; (ii) Parent‐identified reasons for difficulty attending neonatal follow‐up.

Methods

Mixed methods study utilising semi‐structured phone interviews with parents of infants eligible for follow‐up with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (defined as gestational age <32 weeks and requiring ≥30% FiO2 and/or >2 L nasal cannula at 36 weeks post‐menstrual age) at 18–36 months corrected age. Questions addressed barriers to neonatal follow‐up attendance. Enrolment continued to saturation (no new themes emerging).

Results

A total of 58 infants (69% male) were enrolled. Infants were 26 ± 2.1 weeks gestational age and birth weight 794 ± 262 g. At 28 ± 5.8 months corrected age, 26% had never attended neonatal follow‐up clinic, 16% stopped attending before discharge, 5% were discharged, and 53% were still followed. Longer travel distance from home to follow‐up clinic was associated with poorer attendance. Parent‐generated items related to neonatal follow‐up barriers were coded into four themes: Logistics, Time, Perceptions and Emotional Stress.

Conclusion

Despite high risk of developmental delay in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, neonatal follow‐up rates are suboptimal. Careful review of parent‐identified barriers could be utilised to develop targeted strategies to improve neonatal follow‐up attendance in this high‐risk population.
REFLECTIONS ON THE FUTURE EVOLUTION OF SOCIAL, NONPROFIT AND COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISE
Authors: BEN‐NER Avner
Published: February 2018

The paper explores the circumstances and conditions that give rise to demand for and supply of social, nonprofit and cooperative enterprises. It examines likely future changes in the economic, social and technological environments and reflects on how these changes may affect demand for and supply of these enterprises. The paper concludes that changes in the environment are like to generate conflicting trends, although a dominant trend may emerge: an increase in the number of social, nonprofit and cooperative enterprises that are oriented towards the satisfaction of needs of specific ethno‐cultural groups. This trend may be amplified by the widespread adoption of additive manufacturing (3D printing), which will facilitate local production where consumers are located.
Entrepreneurship and family businesses in Thailand
Authors: Kilenthong Weerachart T. , Rueanthip Kittipong
Published: February 2018

This paper investigates the impact of exposure to a family business and participating in a family business on an individual's decision to start a business and the likelihood of its survival. We find that having a family member doing business increases the probability of starting a business but not its survival. In contrast, working in a family‐owned business for a high number of hours increases both the likelihood of entrepreneurship and survival. The impact of working hours in a family‐owned business remains significant even if the sample includes only individuals who are the spouses of business owners. Given the evidence, an apprenticeship scheme should be considered as a policy instrument for promoting entrepreneurial success.
Another Test of Gender Differences in Assignments to Precarious Leadership Positions: Examining the Moderating Role of Ambivalent Sexism
Authors: Acar F. Pinar , Sümer H. Canan
Published: February 2018

Women face significant hurdles in the attainment of leadership positions. When they do attain them such positions tend to be riskier than those attained by men, a form of bias called glass cliff. This study investigates ambivalent sexism as an individual difference that influences the occurrence of glass cliff. Little research examines individual differences contributing to glass cliff. It is proposed that individuals with high hostile and benevolent sexism are more likely to perceive women to be suitable for leadership of a poorly‐performing organization and men to be suitable for leadership of a well‐performing organization. The sample of our experimental study consisted of 378 students who rated either a female or a male candidate under a poor or good performance condition. We tested our hypotheses using a moderated regression analysis. Both components of sexism impacted how individuals evaluated male and female leaders under different organizational performance conditions. Hostile sexism was the dimension that led to glass cliff. Benevolent sexism had an unexpected effect on leadership choice. The differences between the two types of sexism and the different role each type plays in preference for masculine and feminine leadership are discussed. Leader gender and perceiver's sexist attitudes influence evaluations for leadership positions.
Letter: innovative use of the alfapump system to treat a small hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Weil D. , Christmann P.‐Y. , Sailley N. , Thévenot T.
Published: February 2018

Linked content

This article is linked to Stirnimann et al and Stirnimann and De Gottardi papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org.10.1111/apt.14331 and https://doi.org.10.1111/apt.14500.
Editorial: a novel technology for the assessment of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Ferraioli G.
Published: February 2018

Linked content

This article is linked to Eddowes et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14469.
Incidence and immediate management of genitourinary injuries in pelvic and acetabular trauma: a 10‐year retrospective study
Authors: Bhatt Nikita R. , Merchant Rajiv , Davis Niall F. , Leonard Michael , O'Daly Brendan J. , Manecksha Rustom P. , Quinlan John F.
Published: February 2018

Objective

To report the incidence of genitourinary (GU) injuries in pelvic and acetabular (P + A) fractures, to investigate associations between P + A fractures and GU injury patterns, and, as a secondary objective, to evaluate prospectively P + A fracture referrals with regard to adherence to the British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma (BOAST) guidelines over a 12‐month period.

Methods

A retrospective review of GU injuries associated with P + A fractures was performed for the period January 2006 to December 2016 in a national pelvic trauma centre in Ireland. Patient demographics, mechanism of injury and details of injuries were recorded. In addition, P + A fracture referrals were prospectively monitored in 2016 and reviewed for adherence to guidelines.

Results

The incidence of urological trauma in P + A fractures was 2.4% (n = 28/1 141). The median (range) patient age was 45 (19–85) years and the male to female ratio was 2.1:1. Urethral injuries occurred most frequently (n = 12, 43%), followed by bladder (n = 9, 32%), combined bladder and urethral (n = 3, 11%) and kidney (n = 4, 14%). Bladder and urethral injuries were associated with high‐energy pelvic trauma. Renal injuries were associated with acetabular fractures in isolation and in combination with pelvic trauma (P = 0.01). In 2016, there were 175 P + A fracture referrals and 19 patients had suspected urotrauma (visible haematuria, n = 5; non‐visible haematuria, n = 2; trauma imaging, n = 11); 9 of these 19 patients had no urological investigations performed.

Conclusion

In P + A trauma cases GU injuries may be underreported because of inadequate evaluation and diagnostic investigations in these patients. We advocate robust, uniform and guideline‐based evaluation of GU injuries in P + A trauma to avoid the significant long‐term morbidities that are associated with misdiagnosis.
Human leucocyte antigens coeliac haplotypes and primary autoimmune hypophysitis in caucasian patients
Authors: Chiloiro Sabrina , Capoluongo Ettore D. , Tartaglione Tommaso , Bianchi Antonio , Giampietro Antonella , Angelini Flavia , Arena Vincenzo , Pontecorvi Alfredo , De Marinis Laura
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Primary hypophysitis is a rare disease, with an autoimmune aetiology. As few papers have investigated genetic of hypophysitis, our aim was to evaluate HLA status in a single‐centre series of patients.

Patients and method

A retrospective, longitudinal and cross‐sectional study was conducted. In consecutive Caucasian patients, clinically or histologically diagnosed for primary autoimmune hypophysitis (PAH), the HLA genotype having been determined. This cohort was compared with a control group. Anti‐pituitary and anti‐hypothalamus auto‐antibodies evaluation was included.

Results

16 patients were enrolled. Fourteen patients were female (87.5%). According to HLA‐DR status, we found the following: 9 of 16 patients (56.3%) haplotypes that were associated with coeliac disease (CD). Among these, 5 carried the DR7‐DQ2 heterozygote haplotype (55.5%) while the remaining ones only the following haplotypes: DR3‐DQ2 homozygote (25%), DR4‐DQ2 heterozygote (25%), DR4‐DQ8 heterozygote (50%) and DR4‐DQ8 homozygote (25%), respectively. A total of 12 CD‐associated haplotypes were identified. In PAH, we found a significantly higher frequency of patients carrying CD‐associated HLA haplotypes as compared to the control group (respectively, 75% vs 48% P = .03; OR: 3.25 95%IC:1.1‐10.3), particularly, for DQ2 and DQ8 haplotypes. DQ2 haplotype was detected in 50% of PAH and 38.4% of the control group (P = .3), while DQ8 haplotype in 25% of PAH and 7.2% of the control group (P = .01 OR:4.3 95%IC:1.3‐14.7).

Conclusion

Our data suggest that PAH and CD share some HLA haplotypes, reinforcing the knowledge of their association. HLA haplotypes, particularly DQ8, may play a role in PAH management and diagnosis, also suggesting the predisposition to other autoimmune diseases.
Foetal bovine serum can reduce toxicity of indocyanine green, brilliant blue G and trypan blue in ARPE‐19 cellular model that suggests new surgical staining protocols for internal limiting membrane peeling procedure
Authors: Lin Yu‐Yi , Liu Jorn‐Hon , Chang Yin
Published: February 2018

Background

To investigate and compare the cytotoxicity of indocyanine green (ICG), brilliant blue G (BBG) and trypan blue (TB) using ARPE‐19 cells that have been pre‐treated/post‐treated with balanced salt solution (BSS) or foetal bovine serum (FBS).

Methods

The cultured human retina pigment epithelium ARPE‐19 cells were pre‐treated/post‐treated with BSS or FBS (represent the autologous serum in clinic) in parallel with cells being soaked with various concentrations of ICG, BBG and TB. The cells were then assessed for viability, growth rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ) and mitochondrial mass as cytotoxic indices. For the FBS pre‐treated cells, only ROS was examined.

Results

Using the MTT assay, cytotoxicity seemed to appear when the dye concentration was above 2.5 mg/mL for ICG but no cytotoxicity for BBG and TB at the concentrations used. Cell growth was arrested at a concentration 1 mg/mL when ICG or BBG were present but no arrest at any of the tested concentrations was found for TB with the cell‐growth curve was slowest for ICG. Cellular ROS levels increased at all concentrations of all dyes, but the increasing slopes were decreased after FBS post‐treatment washout.

Conclusions

As a rinse buffer FBS performs much better than BSS in terms of cell rescue, which agrees with a clinical report when autologous whole blood was applied to macular hole surgery. However, FBS pre‐treatment seems to be much better than FBS use as washout buffer in post‐treatment.
Conserving and managing the subnivium
Authors: Zuckerberg Benjamin , Pauli Jonathan N.
Published: February 2018

In regions where snowfall historically has been a defining seasonal characteristic of the landscape, warming winters have reduced the depth, duration, and extent of snowpack. However, most management and conservation has focused on how aboveground wildlife will be affected by altered snow conditions, even though the majority of species that persist through the winter do so under the snowpack in a thermally stable refugium: the subnivium. Shortened winters, forest management practices, and winter recreation can alter subnivium conditions by increasing snow compaction and compromising thermal stability at the soil–snow interface. To help slow the loss of the subnivium in the face of rapidly changing winter conditions, we suggest managers adopt regional conservation plans for identifying threatened snow‐covered environments; measure and predict the effects land cover and habitat management has on local subnivium conditions; and control the timing and distribution of activities that disturb and compact snow cover (e.g., silvicultural practices, snow recreation, and road and trail maintenance). As a case study, we developed a spatially explicit model of subnivium presence in a working landscape of the Chequamegon National Forest, Wisconsin. We identified landscapes where winter recreation and management practices could threaten potentially important areas for subnivium persistence. Similar modeling approaches could inform management decisions related to subnivium conservation. Current climate projections predict that snow seasons will change rapidly in many regions, and as result, we advocate for the immediate recognition, conservation, and management of the subnivium and its dependent species.
Stellenwert der Dermatoskopie in Deutschland – Ergebnisse aus der Pan‐Euro‐Dermoscopy‐Querschnittsstudie
Authors: Blum Andreas , Kreusch Jürgen , Stolz Wilhelm , Argenziano Giuseppe , Forsea Ana‐Maria , Marmol V. Del , Zalaudek Iris , Soyer H. Peter , Haenssle Holger A.
Published: February 2018

Hintergrund

Erhebung des aktuellen Stellenwertes der Dermatoskopie in Deutschland.

Methodik

Im Rahmen einer Pan‐Europäischen, internetbasierten Studie (n = 7480) der International Dermoscopy Society beantworteten 880 Dermatologinnen und Dermatologen aus Deutschland Fragen zu Ausbildungsstand, Anwendung und empfundenem Nutzen der Dermatoskopie.

Ergebnisse

Von den Studienteilnehmern arbeiteten 762 (86,6 %) in der vertragsärztlichen Versorgung und 98,4 % benutzten ein Dermatoskop im klinischen Alltag. Rund 93 % (n = 814) gaben mehr als fünf Jahre Erfahrung in der Anwendung der Dermatoskopie an. Die dermatoskopische Untersuchung sahen 93,6 % (n = 824) als hilfreich bei der Melanomdiagnose, 92,4 % (n = 813) bei pigmentierten Hauttumoren, 88,6 % (n = 780) bei der Verlaufskontrolle melanozytärer Läsionen, 71,4 % (n = 628) bei nicht‐pigmentierten Hauttumoren, 52,7 % (n = 464) bei der Verlaufskontrolle nicht‐melanozytärer Läsionen und 28,5 % (n = 251) bei entzündlichen Hautläsionen. Durch die Dermatoskopie empfanden 86,5 % (n = 761) der Teilnehmer die Anzahl der diagnostizierten Melanome im Vergleich zum bloßen Auge erhöht und 77,7 % (n = 684) die Anzahl unnötiger Exzisionen benigner Läsionen verringert. Studienteilnehmer mit persönlich empfundener verbesserter Melanomdiagnose durch die Dermatoskopie waren signifikant i) jünger, ii) kürzer in der Dermatologie beschäftigt, iii) seltener an einer Universitätsklinik beschäftigt, iv) häufiger in einer gesetzlichen Versorgungspraxis beschäftigt und v) häufiger während der Facharztweiterbildung in der Dermatoskopie ausgebildet worden.

Schlussfolgerungen

Diese Erkenntnisse sollten in der zukünftigen Aus‐ und Weiterbildung zur Verbesserung der dermatoonkologischen Versorgung sowie zur Erweiterung des dermatoskopischen Diagnosespektrums im Bereich entzündlichen Dermatosen gezielt genutzt werden.
Molekulare Diagnostik von Hautinfektionen am Paraffinmaterial – Übersicht und interdisziplinärer Konsensus
Authors: Sunderkötter Cord , Becker Karsten , Kutzner Heinz , Meyer Thomas , Blödorn‐Schlicht Norbert , Reischl Udo , Nenoff Pietro , Geißdörfer Walter , Gräser Yvonne , Herrmann Mathias , Kühn Joachim , Bogdan Christian
Published: February 2018

Nukleinsäure‐Amplifikations‐Techniken (NAT), wie die PCR, sind hochsensitiv sowie selektiv und stellen in der mikrobiologischen Diagnostik wertvolle Ergänzungen zur kulturellen Anzucht und Serologie dar. Sie bergen aber gerade bei formalinfixiertem und in Paraffin eingebettetem Gewebe ein Risiko für sowohl falsch negative als auch falsch positive Resultate, welches nicht immer richtig eingeschätzt wird. Daher haben Vertreter der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie (DGHM) und der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (DDG) einen Konsensus in Form einer Übersichtsarbeit erarbeitet, wann eine NAT am Paraffinschnitt angezeigt und sinnvoll ist und welche Punkte dabei in der Präanalytik und Befundinterpretation beachtet werden müssen.

Da bei Verdacht auf eine Infektion grundsätzlich Nativgewebe genutzt werden soll, ist die PCR am Paraffinschnitt ein Sonderfall, wenn beispielsweise bei erst nachträglichaufgekommenem Verdacht auf eine Infektion kein Nativmaterial zur Verfügung steht und nicht mehr gewonnen werden kann. Mögliche Indikationen sind der histologisch erhobene Verdacht auf eine Leishmaniose, eine Infektion durch Bartonellen oder Rickettsien, oder ein Ecthyma contagiosum. Nicht sinnvoll ist oder kritisch gesehen wird eine NAT am Paraffinschnitt zum Beispiel bei Infektionen mit Mykobakterien oder RNA‐Viren.

Die Konstellation für eine NAT aus Paraffingewebe sollte jeweils benannt werden, die erforderliche Prä‐Analytik, die jeweiligen Grenzen des Verfahrens und die diagnostischen Alternativen bekannt sein. Der PCR‐Befund sollte entsprechend kommentiert werden, um Fehleinschätzungen zu vermeiden.
Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection of a duodenal adenoma with biopsy scars
Authors: Kato Minoru , Tsujii Yoshiki , Takehara Tetsuo
Published: February 2018

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Long‐term efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin monotherapy in patients with inadequately controlled T2DM despite diet and exercise: VERTIS MONO extension study
Authors: Aronson Ronnie , Frias Juan , Goldman Allison , Darekar Amanda , Lauring Brett , Terra Steven G.
Published: February 2018

Aim

This phase III, multicentre, randomized study (ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT01958671) evaluated the efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin monotherapy in adults with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes (glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c], 7.0% to 10.5% [53‐91 mmol/mol]) despite diet and exercise.

Materials and methods

The 52‐week study comprised a 26‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled period (Phase A) during which 461 participants received placebo, ertugliflozin 5 mg/d or ertugliflozin 15 mg/d. This was followed by a 26‐week active‐controlled period (Phase B) during which participants in the placebo group who had not received glycaemic rescue therapy had blinded metformin added. Results to Week 52 are reported. Because of the use of metformin in Phase B, no statistical comparisons of efficacy were made between the ertugliflozin and placebo/metformin groups at Week 52.

Results

The mean (standard error) change from baseline to Week 52 in HbA1c was −0.9% (0.1) and −1.0% (0.1) in the ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg groups, respectively. The proportions of participants with HbA1c <7.0% at Week 52 were 25.6% and 28.5%, respectively. Ertugliflozin reduced fasting plasma glucose, body weight and systolic blood pressure (SBP). The incidence of genital mycotic infections (GMIs) in females was significantly higher in both ertugliflozin groups (5 mg, 26.9%; 15 mg, 29.0%) vs the placebo/metformin group (9.9%), and in males was significantly higher in the 15 mg group (7.8%) vs the placebo/metformin group (1.2%). Ertugliflozin was not associated with increased incidence of urinary tract infections, symptomatic hypoglycaemia or hypovolaemia adverse events compared with placebo/metformin.

Conclusions

Ertugliflozin treatment over 52 weeks improved glycaemic control and reduced body weight and SBP, but increased GMIs.
The mycoparasitic fungus Clonostachys rosea responds with both common and specific gene expression during interspecific interactions with fungal prey
Authors: Nygren Kristiina , Dubey Mukesh , Zapparata Antonio , Iqbal Mudassir , Tzelepis Georgios D. , Durling Mikael Brandström , Jensen Dan Funck , Karlsson Magnus
Published: February 2018

Clonostachys rosea is a necrotrophic mycoparasitic fungus, used for biological control of plant pathogenic fungi. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms resulting in successful biocontrol is important for knowledge‐based improvements of the application and use of biocontrol in agricultural production systems. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that C. rosea responded with both common and specific gene expression during interactions with the fungal prey species Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium graminearum. Genes predicted to encode proteins involved in membrane transport, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and carbohydrate‐active enzymes were induced during the mycoparasitic attack. Predicted major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporters constituted 54% of the induced genes, and detailed phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses showed that a majority of these genes belonged to MFS gene families evolving under selection for increased paralog numbers, with predicted functions in drug resistance and transport of carbohydrates and small organic compounds. Sequence analysis of MFS transporters from family 2.A.1.3.65 identified rapidly evolving loop regions forming the entry to the transport tunnel, indicating changes in substrate specificity as a target for selection. Deletion of the MFS transporter gene mfs464 resulted in mutants with increased growth inhibitory activity against F. graminearum, providing evidence for a function in interspecific fungal interactions. In summary, we show that the mycoparasite C. rosea can distinguish between fungal prey species and modulate its transcriptomic responses accordingly. Gene expression data emphasize the importance of secondary metabolites in mycoparasitic interactions.
Magnetic resonance imaging following regional limb perfusion of gadolinium contrast medium in 26 horses
Authors: Aarsvold S. , Solano M. , Garcia‐Lopez J.
Published: February 2018

Background

Systemic administration of gadolinium contrast medium is common in small animals to increase lesion conspicuity and determine vascularisation of lesions identified with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); however, the large volume required for systemic administration limits its use in horses.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of administering a low dose of contrast medium via venous regional limb perfusion.

Study design

Prospective clinical study.

Methods

Distal limbs of 26 horses (one limb per horse) were imaged with MRI before and after administration of 5 mL of gadopentetate dimeglumine (Magnevist®) diluted with 5 mL of physiological saline via a palmar/plantar digital vein with a tourniquet in place at the level of the mid aspect of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone. Commonly assessed structures of the equine distal limb were examined for normal and abnormal contrast enhancement.

Results

Twenty‐five of 26 horses had adequate contrast enhancement of their distal limb. The lack of adequate contrast enhancement in one limb was likely associated with failure of the tourniquet. No adverse reactions were identified in any horse. One hundred thirty‐two lesions were detected, of which, 69 contrast enhanced. Twelve lesions were detected exclusively following contrast enhancement.

Main limitations

Case numbers and lesion variability yielded insufficient data to perform statistical analyses. Histopathology was not performed on sound horses to determine if the imaged structures were normal.

Conclusions

Regional limb perfusion is a feasible method to administer gadolinium contrast material to the equine distal limb for MRI. The enhancement pattern of the equine distal limb in sound horses is described. Contrast enhanced MRI of the distal equine limb helps to further characterise lesions identified with precontrast images, including adhesions and deep digital flexor tendinopathy. Contrast enhanced MRI also aids in identification of additional lesions, such as neovascularisation.
Functionally graded ceramics for biomedical application: Concept, manufacturing, and properties
Authors: Petit Clémence , Montanaro Laura , Palmero Paola
Published: February 2018

Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs) represent a novel approach for the realization of innovative properties and/or functions that conventional homogeneous materials cannot accomplish. In conventional materials, in fact, the composition or the structure is uniform over the volume; on the opposite, inFGMs such features gradually change from layer to layer, with the aim of realizing a gradation of properties over the volume and performing a set of specified functions. AmongFGMs, special attention is given today to Functionally Graded Ceramics (FGCs), designed and developed to withstand a variety of severe operative conditions, including high temperatures, corrosive environments, abrasion, mechanical, and thermal induced stresses. An important application field ofFGCs is for medical prosthetic devices and artificial tissues, taking inspiration from the several examples of living tissues with graded structures. After an introduction on the rationale for usingFGCs in the biomedical field, the 3 main types of graded materials developed today (eg, composition, porosity and microstructural graded ceramics) are here reviewed, highlighting the most innovative technologies used to develop them, their potentials and challenging features in comparison with the monolithic counterparts.
A stability property in social choice theory
Authors: Campbell Donald E. , Kelly Jerry S. , Qi Shaofang
Published: February 2018

A social choice function g is stable if whenever an alternative x is selected at profile u and then profile is constructed from u by only switching x with yfor one individual i who has y just below x at u, then rule g selects either x or y at and not some third alternative. Stability is strictly weaker than strategy‐proofness but strong enough to establish two kinds of impossibility theorems.