bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two‐echelon manufacturer–retailer supply chain strategies with price, quality, and promotional effort sensitive demand
Authors: Pal Brojeswar , Sana Shib Sankar , Chaudhuri Kripasindhu 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis study deals with the two‐layer supply chain model of one manufacturer and one retailer for a single commodity where market demand is assumed to be dependent on selling price, quality of the products, and promotional effort of the retailer. We investigate the behavior of the supply chain under centralized, manufacturer Stackelberg, conditional manufacturer Stackelberg, retailer Stackelberg, conditional retailer Stackelberg, and vertical Nash model structure. The nature of the above models provides great insights to a firm's manager for achieving optimal strategy in a competitive marketing system. Quite often, not all items produced in a firm are of perfect quality; some are perfect (conforming) quality and others are imperfect (nonconforming) quality. The nonconforming products are sold in a secondary shop or by other retailers. The procurement cost of finished products depends on the quality of the products due to more investment in advanced technology, better raw materials, and skilled labor, etc. The warranty policy for the products is also imposed to attract the customers to buy more. Here, both members (manufacturer and retailer) jointly share the cost of the warranty policy. The objective of this paper is to determine the optimal selling price and promotional effort of the retailer, while the optimal wholesale price and quality of the products are determined by the manufacturer so that the above strategies are maximized. Finally, numerical examples with sensitivity analysis of the key parameters are illustrated to investigate the proposed model.
Association between sugar‐sweetened beverages and type 2 diabetes: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Meng , Yu Min , Fang Le , Hu Ru‐Ying 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAims/IntroductionMany studies have been carried out to examine the association between sugar‐sweetened beverages and the incident of type 2 diabetes, but results are mixed. The aim of the present study was to estimate the association between sugar‐sweetened beverage intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes.Materials and MethodsPubMed, Springer Link and Elsevier databases were searched up to July 2014. Prospective studies published on the association between sugar‐sweetened beverage intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes were included. The pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for highest versus lowest category of sugar‐sweetened beverages were estimated using a random‐effects model.ResultsThe pooled effect estimate of sugar‐sweetened beverage intake was 1.30 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21–1.39) for type 2 diabetes; stratified by geographic region of the studies, the pooled effect estimates were 1.34 (95% CI 0.74–2.43), 1.30 (95% CI 1.20–1.40), 1.29 (95% CI 1.09–1.53) in Asia, the USA and Europe,respectively; the pooled effect estimates were 1.26 (95% CI 1.16–1.36) with adjusting body mass index and 1.38 (95% CI 1.23–1.56) without adjusting body mass index.ConclusionsOur findings suggested that sugar‐sweetened beverage intake was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and the association was attenuated by adjustment for body mass index. Specifically, the associations were also found to be significantly positive in the USA and Europe.
Psoriasis in the elderly: epidemiological and clinical aspects, and evaluation of patients with very late onset psoriasis
Authors: Phan C. , Sigal M.‐L. , Estève E. , Reguiai Z. , Barthélémy H. , Beneton N. , Maccari F. , Lahfa M. , Thomas‐Beaulieu D. , Le Guyadec T. , Vermersch‐Langlin A. , Mery‐Bossard L. , Pallure V. , Kemula M. , Labeille B. , Beauchet A. , Mahé E. ,   GEM RESOPSO
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackgroundAge of the patients and age of onset of psoriasis may have an impact on the disease. There is little information about psoriasis in elderly patients.ObjectiveWe evaluated epidemiological, clinical aspects, comorbidities and treatments of psoriasis in the elderly (>70 years) patients, and in patients with very late onset psoriasis (onset ≥ 70 years).MethodsThis observational multicentre non‐interventional study of adults with psoriasis was conducted in 29 departments of dermatology in France. A total of 2210 adults with psoriasis were included.ResultsA total of 212 (9.5%) patients were elderly. This group had a higher frequency of females (P = 0.005), a later onset of the disease (P < 0.0001), a lower frequency of familial (P < 0.0001) and plaque psoriasis (P < 0.0001), but higher frequency of guttate and inverse psoriasis (P ≤ 0.005). Hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, and major cardiovascular events (MACE) were more frequent in this group (P < 0.0001), but not tobacco (P < 0.0001). Systemic and biological therapies were used less frequently in the elderly group (P < 0.0001).Fifty‐eight (2.7%) patients had late onset psoriasis. Patients with very late onset psoriasis were more frequently women (P = 0.02) and older (P < 0.0001), among elderly group. They had significantly less frequently familial (P < 0.0001) and plaque psoriasis (P < 0.0001), and were less often on systemic treatment including biological. Frequencies of comorbidities were not statically different but patients with ‘early’ onset psoriasis have a tendency (P < 0.5) to have higher frequencies of obesity, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and MACE.ConclusionThis study highlights phenotypic features of psoriasis in elderly and in very late onset psoriasis. The management of these fragile patients remains poorly codified and needs further investigation.
Melatonin blunts the mitochondrial/NLRP3 connection and protects against radiation‐induced oral mucositis
Authors: Ortiz Francisco , Acuña‐Castroviejo Darío , Doerrier Carolina , Dayoub José C. , López Luis C. , Venegas Carmen , García José A. , López Ana , Volt Huayqui , Luna‐Sánchez Marta , Escames Germaine 
Published: November 2014

AbstractMucositis is a common and distressing side effect of chemotherapy or radiotherapy that has potentially severe consequences, and no treatment is available. The purpose of this study was to analyze the molecular pathways involved in the development of oral mucositis and to evaluate whether melatonin can prevent this pathology. The tongue of male Wistar rats was subjected to irradiation (X‐ray YXLON Y.Tu 320‐D03 irradiator; the animals received a dose of 7.5 Gy/day for 5 days). Rats were treated with 45 mg/day melatonin or vehicle for 21 days postirradiation, either by local application into their mouths (melatonin gel) or by subcutaneous injection. A connection between reactive oxygen species, generating mitochondria and the NLRP3 (NLR‐related protein 3 nucleotide‐binding domain leucine‐rich repeat containing receptor‐related protein 3) inflammasome, has been reported in mucositis. Here, we show that mitochondrial oxidative stress, bioenergetic impairment and subsequent NLRP3 inflammasome activation are involved in the development of oral mucositis after irradiation and that melatonin synthesized in the rat tongue is depleted after irradiation. The application of melatonin gel restores physiological melatonin levels in the tongue and prevents mucosal disruption and ulcer formation. Melatonin gel protects the mitochondria from radiation damage and blunts the NF‐κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling activation in the tongue. Our results suggest new molecular pathways involved in radiotherapy‐induced mucositis that are inhibited by topical melatonin application, suggesting a potential preventive therapy for mucositis in patients with cancer.
A Study of Possible Associations Between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Estrogen Receptor 2 Gene and Female Sexual Desire
Authors: Gunst Annika , Jern Patrick , Westberg Lars , Johansson Ada , Salo Benny , Burri Andrea , Spector Tim , Eriksson Elias , Sandnabba N. Kenneth , Santtila Pekka 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Female sexual desire and arousal problems have been shown to have a heritable component of moderate size. Previous molecular genetic studies on sexual desire have mainly focused on genes associated with neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. Nevertheless, there is reason to believe that hormones with more specific functions concerning sexuality could have an impact on sexual desire and arousal.

Aim
The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible effects of 17 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in estrogen receptor genes on female sexual desire and subjective and genital arousal (lubrication). Based on previous research, we hypothesized that ESR1 and ESR2 are relevant genes that contribute to female sexual desire and arousal.

Main Outcome Measures
The desire, arousal, and lubrication subdomains of the Female Sexual Function Index self-report questionnaire were used.

Methods
The present study involved 2,448 female twins and their sisters aged 18–49 who had submitted saliva samples for genotyping. The participants were a subset from a large-scale, population-based sample.

Results
We found nominally significant main effects on sexual desire for three ESR2-linked SNPs when controlled for anxiety, suggesting that individuals homozygous for the G allele of the rs1271572 SNP, and the A allele of the rs4986938 and rs928554 SNPs had lower levels of sexual desire. The rs4986938 SNP also had a nominally significant effect on lubrication. No effects for any of the SNPs on subjective arousal could be detected.

Conclusions
The number of nominally significant results for SNPs in the ESR2 gene before correcting for multiple testing suggests that further studies on the possible influence of this gene on interindividual variation in female sexual functioning are warranted. In contrast, no support for an involvement of ESR1 was obtained. Our results should be interpreted with caution until replicated in independent, large samples.
High dermatophyte contamination levels in hairdressing salons of a West African suburban community
Authors: Coulibaly O. , Thera M. A. , Piarroux R. , Doumbo O. K. , Ranque S. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryTinea capitis is a dermatophyte infection of scalp is commonly spread by currently infected patients, asymptomatic carriers or by fomites, such as hairdressing tools. However, studies on the risk factors of Tinea capitis remain scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dermatophytes contamination level of the hairdressing tools to which hairdressing salon customers are exposed in Sirakoro‐Méguétana, a suburb of Bamako, the capital city of Mali. A total of 41 hairdressing tools were sampled in five hairdressing salons. Two anthropophilic dermatophytes species, Microsporum audouinii (53.3%) and Trichophyton soudanense (46.7%), were cultured from 30 (73.2%) samples. This first study, addressing hairdressing salons dermatophyte contamination, revealed a strikingly high contamination of hairdressing tools with dermatophyte propagules, which exposes hairdressing salons customers to an important dermatophytosis risk. The sterilisation of hairdressing tools is central to preventing dermatophytoses spreading. Appropriate community information and hairdressers training should be implemented in this view.
Plasticity to simulated shade is associated with altitude in structured populations of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: BOTTO JAVIER F. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractPlants compete for photosynthesis light and induce a shade avoidance syndrome (SAS) that confers an important advantage in asymmetric competition for light at high canopy densities. Shade plasticity was studied in a greenhouse experiment cultivating Arabidopsis thaliana plants from 15 populations spread across an altitudinal gradient in the northeast area of Spain that contain a high genetic variation into a reduced geographical range. Plants were exposed to sunlight or simulated shade to identify the range of shade plasticity. Fourteen vegetative, flowering and reproductive traits were measured throughout the life cycle. Shade plasticity in flowering time and dry mass was significantly associated with the altitude of population origin. Plants from coastal populations showed higher shade plasticity indexes than those from mountains. The altitudinal variation in flowering leaf plasticity adjusted negatively with average and minimum temperatures, whereas dry mass plasticity was better explained by negative regressions with the average, maximum and minimum temperatures, and by a positive regression with average precipitation of the population origin. The lack of an altitudinal gradient for the widest number of traits suggests that shade light could be a driver explaining the distribution pattern of individuals in smaller geographical scales than those explored here.
Identification of soluble and membrane antigenic markers of acquired toxoplasmosis by immunoblot
Authors: Khammari I. , Saghrouni F. , Lakhal S. , Bougmiza I. , Bouratbine A. , Ben Said M. , Boukadida J. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryThe overall performance of quantitative assays in the detection of anti‐Toxoplasma IgG is satisfactory, but discrepancies between assays are not uncommon especially when IgG concentrations are close to the limit of detection of the tests. The purpose of our study was to identify soluble and membrane antigens extracted from Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites by immunoblot to select the most relevant antigenic bands to be used for qualitative serodiagnosis of acquired toxoplasmosis. We selected five relevant bands (98, 36, 33, 32 and 21 kDa) with soluble antigens and four relevant bands (42, 35, 32 and 30 kDa) with membrane antigens which gave high sensitivity and/or specificity in immunodiagnosis. The association on the same blot of at least three of the five relevant bands in the soluble antigen immunoblot showed the highest sensitivity/specificity (97·4%/99·0%, respectively). Our results indicate that immunoblot using soluble tachyzoite extract with simultaneous detection of at least three of the five bands (98, 36, 33, 32 and 21 kDa) represents a valuable test for serodiagnosis of acquired toxoplasmosis and should be further evaluated as a confirmatory test for sera which give discrepant results in quantitative assays.
Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Salmonella enterica in Captive Wildlife and Exotic Animal Species in Ohio, USA
Authors: Farias L. F. P. , Oliveira C. J. B. , Medardus J. J. , Molla B. Z. , Wolfe B. A. , Gebreyes W. A. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence, antimicrobial resistance patterns, phenotypic and genotypic relatedness of Salmonella enterica recovered from captive wildlife host species and in the environment in Ohio, USA. A total of 319 samples including faecal (n = 225), feed (n = 38) and environmental (n = 56) were collected from 32 different wild and exotic animal species in captivity and their environment in Ohio. Salmonellae were isolated using conventional culture methods and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility with the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Salmonella isolates were serotyped, and genotyping was performed using the pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Salmonella was detected in 56 of 225 (24.9%) faecal samples; six of 56 (10.7%) environmental samples and six of 38 (15.8%) feed samples. Salmonella was more commonly isolated in faecal samples from giraffes (78.2%; 36/46), cranes (75%; 3/4) and raccoons (75%; 3/4). Salmonella enterica serotypes of known public health significance including S. Typhimurium (64.3%), S. Newport (32.1%) and S. Heidelberg (5.3%) were identified. While the majority of the Salmonella isolates were pan‐susceptible (88.2%; 60 of 68), multidrug‐resistant strains including penta‐resistant type, AmStTeKmGm (8.8%; six of 68) were detected. Genotypic diversity was found among S. Typhimurium isolates. The identification of clonally related Salmonella isolates from environment and faeces suggests that indirect transmission of Salmonella among hosts via environmental contamination is an important concern to workers, visitors and other wildlife. Results of this study show the diversity of Salmonella serovars and public health implications of human exposure from wildlife reservoirs.
Adiponectin fine‐tuning of liver regeneration dynamics revealed through cellular network modelling
Authors: Correnti Jason M. , Cook Daniel , Aksamitiene Edita , Swarup Aditi , Ogunnaike Babatunde , Vadigepalli Rajanikanth , Hoek Jan B. 
Published: November 2014

Key points
Loss of adiponectin delays the initiation of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy, but later accelerates regeneration.
Loss of adiponectin modulates these regeneration kinetics through decreased hepatocyte response to inflammation and increased growth factor bioavailability.
Increased adiponectin suppresses liver regeneration through decreased growth factor bioavailability.
Our predictive computational model was able to connect these molecular regulatory events to tissue physiology.
AbstractFollowing partial hepatectomy, the liver initiates a regenerative programme involving hepatocyte priming and replication driven by the coordinated actions of cytokine and growth factors. We investigated the mechanisms underlying adiponectin's (Adn) regulation of liver regeneration through modulation of these mediators. Adn–/– mice showed delayed onset of hepatocyte replication, but accelerated cell cycle progression relative to wild‐type mice, suggesting Adn has multiple effects fine‐tuning the kinetics of liver regeneration. We developed a computational model describing the molecular and physiological kinetics of liver regeneration in Adn–/– mice. We employed this computational model to evaluate the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Our analysis predicted that Adn is required for an efficient early cytokine response to partial hepatectomy, but is inhibitory to later growth factor actions. Consistent with this prediction, Adn knockout reduced hepatocyte responses to interleukin‐6 during the priming phase, but enhanced growth factor levels through peak hepatocyte replication. By contrast, supraphysiological concentrations of Adn resulting from rosiglitazone treatment suppressed regeneration by reducing growth factor levels during S phase, consistent with computational predictions. Together, these results revealed that Adn fine‐tunes the progression of liver regeneration through dynamically modulating molecular mediator networks and cellular interactions within the liver.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Gentamicin and Dosing Optimization for Infants
Authors: Medellín-Garibay Susanna E. , Rueda-Naharro Aída , Peña-Cabia Silvia , García Benito , Romano-Moreno Silvia , Barcia Emilia 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to characterize and validate the population pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in infants and to determine the influences of clinically relevant covariates to explain the inter- and intraindividual variabilities associated with this drug. Infants receiving intravenous gentamicin and with routine therapeutic drug monitoring were consecutively enrolled in the study. Plasma concentration and time data were retrospectively collected from 208 infants (1 to 24 months old) of the Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa (Spain), of whom 44% were males (mean age [± standard deviation], 5.8 ± 4.8 months; mean body weight, 6.4 ± 2.2 kg). Data analysis was performed with NONMEM 7.2. One- and two-compartment open models were analyzed to estimate the gentamicin population parameters and the influences of several covariates. External validation was carried out in another population of 55 infants. The behavior of gentamicin in infants exhibits two-compartment pharmacokinetics, with total body weight being the covariate that mainly influences central volume (
V
c
) and clearance (CL); this parameter was also related to creatinine clearance. Both parameters are age related and different from those reported for neonatal populations. On the basis of clinical presentation and diagnosis, a once-daily dosage regimen of 7 mg/kg of body weight every 24 h is proposed for intravenous gentamicin, followed by therapeutic drug monitoring in order to avoid toxicity and ensure efficacy with minimal blood sampling. Gentamicin pharmacokinetics and disposition were accurately characterized in this pediatric population (infants), with the parameters obtained being different from those reported for neonates and children. These differences should be considered in the dosing and therapeutic monitoring of this antibiotic.
Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of the Activities of Six Parenteral Vancomycin Products Available in the United States
Authors: Louie Arnold , Boyne Michael T. , Patel Vikram , Huntley Clayton , Liu Weiguo , Fikes Steven , Kurhanewicz Stephanie , Rodriquez Jaime , Robbins Nichole , Brown David , Baluya Dodge , Drusano G. L. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

A recent report found that generic parenteral vancomycin products may not have
in vivo
efficacies equivalent to those of the innovator in a neutropenic murine thigh infection model despite having similar
in vitro
microbiological activities and murine serum pharmacokinetics. We compared the
in vitro
and
in vivo
activities of six of the parenteral vancomycin products available in the United States. The
in vitro
assessments for the potencies of the vancomycin products included MIC/minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) determinations, quantifying the impact of human and murine serum on the MIC values, and time-kill studies. Also, the potencies of the vancomycin products were quantified with a biological assay, and the human and mouse serum protein binding rates for the vancomycin products were measured. The
in vivo
studies included dose-ranging experiments with the 6 vancomycin products for three isolates of
Staphylococcus aureus
in a neutropenic mouse thigh infection model. The pharmacokinetics of the vancomycin products were assessed in infected mice by population pharmacokinetic modeling. No differences were seen across the vancomycin products with regard to any
in vitro
evaluation. Inhibitory sigmoid maximal bacterial kill (
E
max
) modeling of the relationship between vancomycin dosage and the killing of the bacteria in mice
in vivo
yielded similar
E
max
and EC
50
(drug exposure driving one-half
E
max
) values for bacterial killing. Further, there were no differences in the pharmacokinetic clearances of the 6 vancomycin products from infected mice. There were no important pharmacodynamic differences in the
in vitro
or
in vivo
activities among the six vancomycin products evaluated.
Antiviral Activity of a Single-Domain Antibody Immunotoxin Binding to Glycoprotein D of Herpes Simplex Virus 2
Authors: Geoghegan Eileen M. , Zhang Hong , Desai Prashant J. , Biragyn Arya , Markham Richard B. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Despite years of research dedicated to preventing the sexual transmission of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), there is still no protective vaccine or microbicide against one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the world. Using a phage display library constructed from a llama immunized with recombinant HSV-2 glycoprotein D, we identified a single-domain antibody VHH, R33, which binds to the viral surface glycoprotein D. Although R33 does not demonstrate any HSV-2 neutralization activity
in vitro
, when expressed with the cytotoxic domain of exotoxin A, the resulting immunotoxin (R33ExoA) specifically and potently kills HSV-2-infected cells, with a 50% neutralizing dilution (IC
50
) of 6.7 nM. We propose that R33ExoA could be used clinically to prevent transmission of HSV-2 through killing of virus-producing epithelial cells during virus reactivation. R33 could also potentially be used to deliver other cytotoxic effectors to HSV-2-infected cells.