bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of foot eczema and associated occupational and non‐occupational factors in patients with hand eczema
Authors: Brans Richard , Hübner Anja , Gediga Günther , John Swen M. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryBackgroundFoot eczema often occurs in combination with hand eczema. However, in contrast to the situation with hand eczema, knowledge about foot eczema is scarce, especially in occupational settings.ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of foot eczema and associated factors in patients with hand eczema taking part in a tertiary individual prevention programme for occupational skin diseases.Patients/materials/methodsIn a retrospective cohort study, the medical records of 843 patients taking part in the tertiary individual prevention programme were evaluated.ResultsSeven hundred and twenty‐three patients (85.8%) suffered from hand eczema. Among these, 201 patients (27.8%) had concomitant foot eczema, mainly atopic foot eczema (60.4%). An occupational irritant component was possible in 38 patients with foot eczema (18.9%). In the majority of patients, the same morphological features were found on the hands and feet (71.1%). The presence of foot eczema was significantly associated with male sex [odds ratio (OR) 1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29–2.49], atopic hand eczema (OR 1.60, 95%CI: 1.15–2.22), hyperhidrosis (OR 1.73, 95%CI: 1.33–2.43), and the wearing of safety shoes/boots at work (OR 2.04, 95%CI: 1.46–2.87). Tobacco smoking was associated with foot eczema (OR 1.79, 95%CI: 1.25–2.57), in particular with the vesicular subtype.ConclusionsFoot eczema is common in patients with hand eczema, and is related to both occupational and non‐occupational factors.
Does a Supplier's Operational Competence Translate into Financial Performance? An Empirical Analysis of Supplier–Customer Relationships
Authors: Kim Yoon Hee , Wemmerlöv Urban 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTWe conduct an empirical investigation of how a supplier's operational competence, as reflected by outcomes in the areas of quality, cost, delivery, flexibility, and new product development, translates into financial gains from a key customer. In contrast to previous research directed at the firm level, this study focuses on the supplier–customer relationship level. Using survey data from 158 suppliers in the manufacturing industry, we perform structural equation modeling to map out the paths from operational competence to financial performance—via dependencies and cooperative behaviors between suppliers and their customers. This study is the first scholarly attempt to examine the link between suppliers’ operational competencies and financial performance in interorganizational relationships. It is also an early investigation into operational competence as a source of bi‐lateral dependence. Our findings show that the supplier's operational competences increase its customer's dependence by enhancing the value of its products/services. However, the resulting increase in the supplier's power is not leveraged to shape relationship behaviors or capture value from its customer. In contrast, the customer's existing power as a major buyer plays an important role in shaping cooperative behaviors and affecting the supplier's financial performance from the customer relationship.
Effect of Inventory Information Discrepancy in a Drop‐Shipping Supply Chain
Authors: Cheong Taesu , Goh Mark , Song Sang Hwa 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTThis article investigates the impact of information discrepancy between a drop‐shipper and an online retailer on the drop‐shipping supply chain performance. The inventory information misalignment between them contributes to the failure of order fulfillment and demand satisfaction, and hence the associated penalties are incurred. In this article, we first analyze the penalties of ignoring such information discrepancy on both the drop‐shipper and the online retailer. We then assess the impact of information discrepancy on both parties when the drop‐shipper understands the existence of the information discrepancy but is not able to eliminate the errors. The numerical experiments indicate that both parties can have significant amount of the percentage cost reductions if the information discrepancy can be eliminated, and the potential savings are substantial especially when the errors have large variability. Furthermore, we observe that the online retailer is more vulnerable to information discrepancy than the drop‐shipper, and the drop‐shipper is likely to suffer from the online retailer's underestimation of the physical inventory level more than the problem of its overestimation. Moreover, even if eliminating errors is not possible, both parties could still benefit from taking the possibility of errors into consideration in decision making.
Consequential life cycle assessment of biogas, biofuel and biomass energy options within an arable crop rotation
Authors: Styles David , Gibbons James , Williams Arwel P. , Dauber Jens , Stichnothe Heinz , Urban Barbara , Chadwick David R. , Jones Davey L. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractFeed in tariffs (FiTs) and renewable heat incentives (RHIs) are driving a rapid expansion in anaerobic digestion (AD) coupled with combined heat and power (CHP) plants in the UK. Farm models were combined with consequential life cycle assessment (CLCA) to assess the net environmental balance of representative biogas, biofuel and biomass scenarios on a large arable farm, capturing crop rotation and digestate nutrient cycling effects. All bioenergy options led to avoided fossil resource depletion. Global warming potential (GWP) balances ranged from −1732 kg CO2e Mg−1 dry matter (DM) for pig slurry AD feedstock after accounting for avoided slurry storage to +2251 kg CO2e Mg−1 DM for oilseed rape biodiesel feedstock after attributing indirect land use change (iLUC) to displaced food production. Maize monoculture for AD led to net GWP increases via iLUC, but optimized integration of maize into an arable rotation resulted in negligible food crop displacement and iLUC. However, even under best‐case assumptions such as full use of heat output from AD‐CHP, crop–biogas achieved low GWP reductions per hectare compared with Miscanthus heating pellets under default estimates of iLUC. Ecosystem services (ES) assessment highlighted soil and water quality risks for maize cultivation. All bioenergy crop options led to net increases in eutrophication after displaced food production was accounted for. The environmental balance of AD is sensitive to design and management factors such as digestate storage and application techniques, which are not well regulated in the UK. Currently, FiT payments are not dependent on compliance with sustainability criteria. We conclude that CLCA and ES effects should be integrated into sustainability criteria for FiTs and RHIs, to direct public money towards resource‐efficient renewable energy options that achieve genuine climate protection without degrading soil, air or water quality.
Update on ultraviolet A and B radiation generated by the sun and artificial lamps and their effects on skin
Authors: Romanhole R. C. , Ataide J. A. , Moriel P. , Mazzola P. G. 
Published: February 2015

SynopsisSolar radiation, especially ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB), can cause damage to the human body, and exposure to the radiation may vary according to the geographical location, time of year and other factors. The effects of UVA and UVB radiation on organisms range from erythema formation, through tanning and reduced synthesis of macromolecules such as collagen and elastin, to carcinogenic DNA mutations. Some studies suggest that, in addition to the radiation emitted by the sun, artificial sources of radiation, such as commercial lamps, can also generate small amounts of UVA and UVB radiation. Depending on the source intensity and on the distance from the source, this radiation can be harmful to photosensitive individuals. In healthy subjects, the evidence on the danger of this radiation is still far from conclusive.
Comparative effect of a new mouthrinse containing chlorhexidine, triclosan and zinc on volatile sulphur compounds: a randomized, crossover, double‐blind study
Authors: Mendes L , Coimbra J , Pereira AL , Resende M , Pinto MG 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAimThe aims of this study were to compare the volatile sulphur compounds (VSC)‐reducing effect of two commercial mouthrinses using a morning bad breath model and to assess the role of mechanical plaque control (MPC) when performed previously to mouthrinse use.Patients and methodsEleven volunteers with good oral health were enrolled in a double‐blind, randomized, six‐step crossover design study with a 7‐day washout period. Two commercial mouthrinses were tested using a saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) as a negative control: one mouthrinse contained 0.05% chlorhexidine, 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride and 0.14% zinc lactate (CHX‐CPC‐Zn), while the other contained 0.05% chlorhexidine, 0.15% triclosan and 0.18% zinc pidolate (CHX‐triclosan‐Zn). A portable sulphide monitor (Halimeter®) was used for VSC quantification. Measurements were made at baseline, and 1, 3 and 5 h after rinsing. Significant differences were detected by analysis of variance.ResultsNo significant differences between groups were detected at baseline. We were unable to demonstrate a significant influence of mechanical plaque control on the reduction of VSC levels when performed before mouthrinse use (P = 0.631). Both mouthrinses effectively lowered VSC levels in all test intervals (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between mouthrinses in any of the test intervals (P = 0.629, 0.069 and 0.598 at 1, 3 and 5 h).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that CHX‐CPC‐Zn and CHX‐triclosan‐Zn have significant and similar effects in reducing VSC levels, which persist for at least 5 h. Such effects were independent of previous MPC, which failed to improve on the results of mouthrinse use alone.
Preventive care delivered within Public Dental Service after caries risk assessment of young adults
Authors: Hänsel Petersson G , Ericson E , Twetman S 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectivesTo study preventive care provided to young adults in relation to their estimated risk category over a 3‐year period.MethodsThe amount and type of preventive treatment during 3 years was extracted from the digital dental records of 982 patients attending eight public dental clinics. The baseline caries risk assessment was carried out by the patient's regular team in four classes according to a predetermined model, and the team was responsible for all treatment decisions. Based on the variables ‘oral health information’, ‘additional fluoride’ and ‘professional tooth cleaning’, a cumulative score was constructed and dichotomized to ‘basic prevention’ and ‘additional prevention’.ResultsMore additional preventive care was provided to the patients in the ‘low‐risk’ and ‘some risk’ categories than to those classified as ‘high’ or ‘very high’ risk (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.4–3.0; P < 0.05). Professional tooth cleaning and additional fluorides were most frequently employed in the ‘low‐risk’ and ‘some risk’ categories, respectively. Around 15% of the patients in the high‐risk categories did not receive additional preventive measures over the 3‐year period. There was an insignificant tendency that patients with additional prevention developed less caries than those that received basic prevention in all risk categories except for the ‘very high‐risk’ group.ConclusionThe caries risk assessment process was not accompanied by a corresponding targeted individual preventive care in a cohort of young adults attending public dental service. Further research is needed how to reach those with the greatest need of primary and secondary prevention.
Oral administration of dextran sodium sulphate induces a caecum‐localized colitis in rabbits
Authors: Leonardi Irina , Nicholls Flora , Atrott Kirstin , Cee Alexandra , Tewes Bernhard , Greinwald Roland , Rogler Gerhard , Frey‐Wagner Isabelle 
Published: February 2015

SummaryTrichuris suis ova (TSO) have shown promising results in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but the mechanisms which underlies this therapeutic effect cannot be studied in mice and rats as T. suis fails to colonize the rodent intestine, whilst hatching in humans and rabbits. As a suitable rabbit IBD model is currently not available, we developed a rabbit colitis model by administration of dextran sodium sulphate (DSS). White Himalayan rabbits (n = 12) received 0.1% DSS in the daily water supply for five days. Clinical symptoms were monitored daily, and rabbits were sacrificed at different time points. A genomewide expression analysis was performed with RNA isolated from caecal lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMC) and intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). The disease activity index of DSS rabbits increased up to 2.1 ± 0.4 (n = 6) at day 10 (controls <0.5). DSS induced a caecum‐localized pathology with crypt architectural distortion, stunted villous surface and inflammatory infiltrate in the lamina propria. The histopathology score reached a peak of 14.2 ± 4.9 (n = 4) at day 10 (controls 7.7 ± 0.9, n = 5). Expression profiling revealed an enrichment of IBD‐related genes in both LPMC and IEC. Innate inflammatory response, Th17 signalling and chemotaxis were among the pathways affected significantly. We describe a reproducible and reliable rabbit model of DSS colitis. Localization of the inflammation in the caecum and its similarities to IBD make this model particularly suitable to study TSO therapy in vivo.
Extra‐thymically induced T regulatory cell subsets: the optimal target for antigen‐specific immunotherapy
Authors: Verhagen Johan , Wegner Anja , Wraith David C. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryAntigen‐specific immunotherapy aims to selectively restore tolerance to innocuous antigens in cases of autoimmune or allergic disease, without the need for general immune suppression. Although the principle of antigen‐specific immunotherapy was discovered more than a century ago, its clinical application to date is limited, particularly in the control of autoimmunity. This has resulted mainly from a lack of in‐depth understanding of the underlying mechanism. More recently, the differentiation of extra‐thymically induced T regulatory (Treg) cell subsets has been shown to be instrumental in peripheral tolerance induction. Two main types of inducible Treg cells, interleukin‐10‐secreting or Foxp3+, have now been described, each with distinct characteristics and methods of therapeutic induction. It is crucial, therefore, to identify the suitability of either subset in the control of specific immune disorders. This review explores their natural function, the known mechanisms of therapeutic differentiation of either subset as well as their in vivo functionality and discusses new developments that may aid their use in antigen‐specific immunotherapy, with a focus on autoimmune disease.
Assessment of vacuum‐assisted closure therapy on the wound healing process in cardiac surgery
Authors: Pericleous Agamemnon , Dimitrakakis Georgios , Photiades Renos , von Oppell Ulrich O 
Published: February 2015

AbstractPostoperative deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) is a serious complication in cardiac surgery (1–5% of patients) with high mortality and morbidity rates. Vacuum‐assisted closure (VAC) therapy has shown promising results in terms of wound healing process, postoperative hospital length of stay and lower in‐hospital costs. The aim of our retrospective study is to report the outcome of patients with DSWI treated with VAC therapy and to assess the effect of contributory risk factors. Data of 52 patients who have been treated with VAC therapy in a single institution (study period: September 2003–March 2012) were collected electronically through PAtient Tracking System PATS and statistically analysed using SPSS version 20. Of the 52 patients (35 M: 17 F), 88·5% (n = 46) were solely treated with VAC therapy and 11·5% (n = 6) had additional plastic surgical intervention. Follow‐up was complete (mean 33·8 months) with an overall mortality rate of 26·9% (n = 14) of whom 50% (n = 7) died in hospital. No death was related to VAC complications. Patient outcomes were affected by pre‐operative, intra‐operative and postoperative risk factors. Logistic EUROscore, postoperative hospital length of stay, advanced age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and long‐term corticosteroid treatment appear to be significant contributing factors in the long‐term survival of patients treated with VAC therapy.
Social cognition dysfunction in adolescents with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (velo‐cardio‐facial syndrome): relationship with executive functioning and social competence/functioning
Authors: Campbell L. E. , McCabe K. L. , Melville J. L. , Strutt P. A. , Schall U. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundSocial difficulties are often noted among people with intellectual disabilities. Children and adults with 22q.11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) often have poorer social competence as well as poorer performance on measures of executive and social‐cognitive skills compared with typically developing young people. However, the relationship between social functioning and more basic processes of social cognition and executive functioning are not well understood in 22q11DS. The present study examined the relationship between social‐cognitive measures of emotion attribution and theory of mind with executive functioning and their contribution to social competence in 22q11DS.MethodThe present cross‐sectional study measured social cognition and executive performance of 24 adolescents with 22q11DS compared with 27 age‐matched typically developing controls. Social cognition was tested using the emotion attribution task (EAT) and a picture sequencing task (PST), which tested mentalising (false‐belief), sequencing, cause and effect, and inhibition. Executive functioning was assessed using computerised versions of the Tower of London task and working memory measures of spatial and non‐spatial ability. Social competence was also assessed using the parent‐reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.ResultsAdolescents with 22q11DS showed impaired false‐belief, emotion attribution and executive functioning compared with typically developing control participants. Poorer performance was reported on all story types in the PST, although, patterns of errors and response times across story types were similar in both groups. General sequencing ability was the strongest predictor of false‐belief, and performance on the false‐belief task predicted emotion attribution accuracy. Intellectual functioning, rather than theory of mind or executive functioning, predicted social competence in 22q11DS.ConclusionsPerformance on social‐cognitive tasks of theory of mind indicate evidence of a general underlying dysfunction in 22q11DS that includes executive ability to understand cause and effect, to logically reason about social scenarios and also to inhibit responses to salient, but misleading cues. However, general intellectual ability is closely related to actual social competence suggesting that a generalised intellectual deficit coupled with more specific executive impairments may best explain poor social cognition in 22q11DS.
Exploring initial inappropriate use of urinary catheters among hospitalised older patients in Taiwan
Authors: Hu Fang‐Wen , Chang Chia‐Ming , Tsai Chuan‐Hsiu , Chen Ching‐Huey 
Published: February 2015

Aims and objectivesTo explore the incidence, associated factors and adverse outcomes for initial inappropriate use of urinary catheters in hospitalised older patients.BackgroundUrinary catheters can lead to substantial complications. The related factors and adverse outcomes associated with initial inappropriate urinary catheter use among hospitalised older patients have not been studied.DesignProspective cohort study.MethodsA total of 321 older patients admitted to the hospital in southern Taiwan having urinary catheters placed within 24 hours of admission were recruited. Demographic factors, voiding function history, health conditions and care conditions of catheter placement were collected through a review of medical records, interviewing participants or their primary caregivers. Catheter‐associated urinary tract infection during hospitalisation, transfer to a nursing home, length of hospital stay and change in activities of daily living determined as outcomes. Criteria for urinary catheter placement were developed to identify inappropriate use.ResultsThe incidence of initial inappropriate use of urinary catheters among hospitalised Taiwanese older patients was 38·3%. The rationale most often reported for initial inappropriate use was ‘convenience of care’ (49·6%). Factors associated with initial inappropriate use were, chronic constipation, urinary tract infection history, medical treatment diagnosis, cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms and independence in activities of daily living and, insertion of catheter during evening and night shifts and lack of nursing documentation of the rationale for catheterisation. Patients with initial inappropriate use showed greater decline in activities of daily living function between admission and discharge.ConclusionOlder patients with greater care needs may become the victims of initial inappropriate use of urinary catheters. Inappropriate use may devastate the activities of daily living in older patients. Nurses’ awareness of indications for urinary catheters may prevent inappropriate use.Relevance to clinical practiceA policy to strengthen nurses’ awareness of the use of urinary catheters is needed in Taiwan.
Improving self‐perception and self‐efficacy in patients with spinal cord injury: the efficacy of DVD‐based instructions
Authors: Chen Hsiao‐Yu , Wu Tzu‐Jung , Lin Chiu‐Chu 
Published: February 2015

Aims and objectivesWe assessed the effects of a spinal cord injury home rehabilitation DVD on patients with spinal cord injury.BackgroundMultimedia have been used widely in health care in the digital age. The provision of rehabilitation instructions is a major responsibility of the rehabilitation staff.DesignThis study adopted a quasi‐experimental pretest–posttest control group design.MethodsWe collected data from a rehabilitation nursing ward at a medical centre between October 2011–April 2012. The participants were recruited before being discharged from the hospital. The experimental group (n = 28) received multimedia DVD instructions for three months, in addition to teaching sessions conducted by the researcher, whereas the control group (n = 31) received instructions without a DVD. Both groups completed the self‐perception and self‐efficacy scales used in this study before and after the intervention.ResultsThe results indicated that, after the multimedia DVD intervention, the experimental group exhibited a considerably greater improvement in self‐perception than did the control group. Although we recorded increased scores for both self‐perception and self‐efficacy for both groups, no marked differences emerged between the control and the intervention groups by using a generalised estimating equation.ConclusionThese results suggest that the home rehabilitation DVD is an effective instrument for improving self‐perception and self‐efficacy in patients with spinal cord injury. However, monitoring these patients over the long term is necessary.Relevance to clinical practiceOur study results confirmed that the spinal cord injury home rehabilitation DVD is a practical health education tool. We plan to use the proposed DVD intervention with a larger number of hospitalised patients, and to continuously monitor their improvement.