bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Positions and positioning: strategy simply stated
Authors: McKechnie Donelda S. , Grant Jim , Katsioloudes Marios 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on the four strategy tools of positions and positioning: leader, challenger, follower and niche. It suggests that it is important for managers to understand where their business fits in the market, vis‐à‐vis the competition. Without this knowledge, it is difficult to identify a differential advantage that will give the necessary competitive edge to attract the target customer.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reviews positioning using a back to basics explanation. A simply constructed matrix – represented by variables: company‐focused or competition‐focused and pushes the boundaries or stays within boundaries – illustrates business philosophy in the marketplace.FindingsAirlines positioned in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aviation industry exemplify a market environment with companies holding distinctive positions. Emirates Airline is the leader, Etihad Airways is the challenger, Gulf Air is the follower and Air Arabia is successfully established in the niche position. A summary explanation of business operations for each airline supports the discussion.Practical implicationsMarketing practice aligned with textbook theory is identified in the growth‐oriented UAE aviation industry. In real‐world terms, four airlines distinctively hold each of the four positions while a fifth airline is making inroads into the regional market and appears to be challenging the current challenger.Originality/valueThe strategy simply stated in this paper suggests that the market environment is dynamic and constant assessment is necessary. Managers seeking to maximize differential advantage vis‐à‐vis the competition should consider using more than one strategy tool particularly if it contributes to a manager's ability to understand the market environment.
China branding: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Roll Martin 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to look at the challenges and opportunities in building Chinese brands.Design/methodology/approachThe author provides an introduction to branding, describes its strategic importance and analyses the brand challenges for Chinese companies.FindingsThis rise of China has implications for branding and some of the new brands will arise from China over the next 10‐15 years.Practical implicationsThe most important factor for building strong Asian brands is the mindset of the Asian CEO and boardroom. Branding is a boardroom discipline and successful brands can be built only when the boardroom, led by the chairman and the CEO, understands, appreciates and commits to treating branding as a strategic discipline and devotes the resources at the company's disposal to support the brands in a continuous manner.Originality/valueAsian brands and the implications of these new brands are generally undervalued by most global businesses. This paper examines what is next from Asia.
Entering the South Korean market: a marketing‐planning process model for marketers based in overseas companies
Authors: Lee Yang‐Im , Trim Peter R.J. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to outline how a three phase marketing planning process model can assist marketing managers based in overseas companies to formulate a strategy for entering the South Korean market.Design/methodology/approachA review of relevant literature and the development of a conceptual marketing planning process model.FindingsSouth Korea has undergone rapid transformation in the past twenty years and South Korean electronics companies have established themselves as global companies. Overseas companies can operate in the South Korean market provided that they form partnership arrangements with domestic companies. Prior to attempting to enter the South Korean market, managers in overseas companies should study how South Korean companies implement their global marketing strategy(ies). This should provide them with an understanding of the Korean organizational value system and prepare them to enter into partnership arrangements based on mutuality.Research limitations/implicationsManagers based in overseas companies need to understand how facilitating technology such as the internet is helping to transform the retailing sector in South Korea.Practical implicationsThere are a number of problems associated with the retail distribution system in South Korea and senior managers based in overseas companies need to have an appreciation of how South Korean companies compete and how they respond to government initiatives/pressure.Originality/valueThe model outlined in the paper should allow marketing managers in overseas companies to implement the strategic marketing approach and select the most appropriate partner organization to do business with.
Metaphors in strategy
Authors: Etzold Veit , Buswick Ted 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis article seeks to distinguish between rhetorical and cognitive metaphors and argues in favor of “pushing past the fault line.”.Design/methodology/approachToo much of strategy is locked in a toolbox approach that often makes solutions appear much easier than they are. One way of broadening the way one thinks about strategy is to bridge the gap between business and other disciplines. Ideas from the world outside business can be made useful for the strategist via metaphorical associations. This paper discusses William the Conqueror and Madonna as strong candidates for useful metaphors.FindingsMetaphors are a powerful tool in business to understand partners, customers, and market participants.Practical implicationsThe goal is to encourage metaphorical exploration, both in thought and practical use, by the readers.Originality/valueIt furthers the concept of interdisciplinary thinking by offering specific ways to use metaphors in business.
Efficiency of ellagic acid and arbutin in melasma: A randomized, prospective, open‐label study
Authors: ERTAM Ilgen , MUTLU Basak , UNAL Idil , ALPER Sibel , KIVÇAK Bijen , OZER Ozgen 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of gel formulations containing arbutin, synthetic ellagic acid and plant extracts that contain ellagic acid, on patients with melasma. Thirty patients who applied to Ege University Medical Faculty, Department of Dermatology, were included in the study. A signed consent was obtained from each patient prior to study. Patients whose type of melasma was determined via Wood's lamp were randomized to groups of arbutin, synthetic ellagic acid and plant extract containing natural ellagic acid. The pigment density of patients was evaluated via Mexameter before and after the treatment. The approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee of Ege University was obtained before the study. Wilcoxon and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used in the statistical analysis. Nine of 10 patients, for whom synthetic ellagic acid was started, completed the study. A decrease in the level of melanin was determined in eight of these nine patients (P = 0.038). A significant decrease in the level of melanin was also determined in all 10 patients who used plant extract containing ellagic acid (P = 0.05). A significant response was obtained from all of 10 patients who used arbutin. The difference between pre‐ and post‐treatment levels of melanin was statistically significant (P = 0.05). Formulations prepared with plant extracts containing ellagic acid was found effective on melasma, similar to the formulations containing synthetic ellagic acid and arbutin. This material that is not yet being used widespread commercially on melasma could be an effective alternative for treatment of melasma.
Clinical analyses of atopic dermatitis in the aged
Authors: TANEI Ryoji , KATSUOKA Kensei 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTThe aim of the present study was to analyze the characteristics of atopic dermatitis (AD) in the senile phase. Subjects were comprised of 16 patients investigated for clinical features, serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels and skin manifestations. Mean age was 76.9 ± 6.2 years (range, 68–87), with a man : woman ratio of 3:1. Mean age at onset was 67.7 ± 15.7 years. Eight patients (50%) had personal histories of chronic eczema until the young adult phase and three patients (18.8%) showed the classic course of child AD. Eczematous erythroderma in 10 patients (62.5%) and unclassified chronic eczema in five patients (31.3%) were the predominant clinical presentations. Mean total IgE level in sera of the 16 patients was 8810 ± 13 511 IU/mL (range, 5–53 605). Fourteen patients showed positive results for antigen‐specific IgE antibodies, and the mean total IgE level for these patients was 10 056 ± 14 044 IU/mL. Specific IgE to the main antigen, Dermatophagoides farinae, was observed in 12 patients (85.7%), representing the principal antibody in eight patients (57.1%). Eczematous dermatitis manifested predominantly in the face and neck, trunk and extensor and flexure sites of extremities, and less commonly in the antecubital and popliteal areas. Other stigmata of AD were observed as follows: red face in 10 patients (62.5%); Hertoghe's sign in six (37.5%); goose‐skin in four (25%); facial pallor in three (18.8%); and dirty neck in one (6.3%). These results indicate that senile‐type AD represents a characteristic subgroup of AD that appears in the last stage of life in AD patients.
Efficacy of infliximab for severe recalcitrant psoriasis after 6 weeks of treatment
Authors: DE OLIVEIRA Juliana Pedroso , LEVY Annabelle , MOREL Patrice , GUIBAL Fabien 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTInfliximab treatment has been shown to be effective for moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis in several large clinical trials. Nonetheless, experience with this new treatment is still needed to evaluate its efficacy and tolerance in everyday practice. In this follow‐up study, we report our experience with infliximab for recalcitrant psoriasis. Nineteen patients with recalcitrant psoriasis were treated between July 2004 and December 2006 with 5 mg/kg infliximab i.v. at weeks 0, 2 and 6 followed by maintenance every 8 weeks. In three patients resistant to treatment, methotrexate was added at a 15–25 mg dose weekly after the sixth week of infliximab therapy. Pretreatment evaluations included chest X‐ray, tuberculin test (5 units), full blood count, kidney and liver function tests, antinuclear antibodies and patient weight. Response to treatment, using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score, and adverse effects were prospectively assessed at weeks 0, 6 and 22. At week 6, after only two infusions, 78.9% (15/19) of patients showed at least 75% improvement in baseline PASI (PASI 75). At week 22, 73.6% (14/19) patients had reached PASI 75. Three patients had a relapse. Four developed adverse effects that required suspension of infliximab therapy. No tuberculosis or lymphoproliferative disease was observed. Four patients (21%) showed apparition of positive antinuclear antibody during the course of treatment and 57.8% (11/19) of patients showed an increase in weight at week 22. Our experience shows that infliximab is a very rapidly effective treatment of severe, treatment‐resistant psoriasis as soon as the sixth week of treatment.
Uncommon presentation of mycosis fungoides: Eyelid margin involvement
Authors: GÜL Ülker , SOYLU Seçil , ASLAN Erkan , YAZAR Zeliha , DEMİRİZ Murat 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTMycosis fungoides is a cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma that has been rarely reported to involve ocular structures. A 33‐year‐old woman who had received therapy for mycosis fungoides on the trunk for 11 years, presented to our clinic with new plaques and tumors on her eyebrows and eyelid margin, and alopecia of her eyelashes and eyebrow. The histopathological examinations supported the diagnosis of mycosis fungoides. There was no intraocular involvement with tumor. The mycosis fungoides was of stage II B, and the patient was referred to medical oncology and radiation oncology clinics for treatment. She was placed on a radiotherapy schedule. The involvement of mycosis fungoides in the ocular area is rare in the published work. The importance of eye involvement is being seen in advanced cases, and there is a possible association between mycosis fungoides and poor prognosis by being an indicator of systemic involvement.
Ecthyma gangrenosum without pseudomonas septicemia in a kidney transplant recipient
Authors: NAKAI Noriaki , TAKENAKA Hideya , KISHIMOTO Saburo 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTWe report a case of ecthyma gangrenosum (EG) without septicemia in a renal transplant recipient who presented with a 1‐month history of painful ulcers, vesicles and bullae on the face and extremities. Histopathological findings revealed subepidermal bullae covered by a necrotic epidermis containing an infiltrate of a moderate number of lymphocytes, neutrophils and necrotic collagen. Many dilated and congested capillaries were also present due to thrombi beneath the bullae, with alteration of collagen fibers through the superficial to middle dermis with some infiltrate. A culture from the ulcers revealed the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, whereas the results of repeated blood cultures were negative. The ulcers were completely cured by early appropriate i.v. antibiotic therapy with granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor, without progression to EG with septicemia. An immunocompromised state due to immunosuppressive drugs, in addition to diabetes mellitus, hypogammaglobulinemia and hypoproteinemia, may have caused the EG and herpes zoster may have exacerbated the condition.
Tinea corporis with acute inflammation caused by Trichophyton tonsurans
Authors: OHNO Sayoko , TANABE Hiroshi , KAWASAKI Masako , HORIGUCHI Yuji 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTA 13‐year‐old Japanese boy presented with acute skin inflammation on the extremities. He belonged to a judo club of a junior high school in which club tinea capitis and tinea corporis seemed to be prevalent. Vesicles and pustules appeared on his right forearm and right leg. They increased in numbers and formed annular lesions. Pruritic erythema appeared surrounding these lesions. Direct microscopic examination of the lesions detected hyphae, and culture for the fungi yielded yellowish colonies. The result of culture from pustules revealed Staphylococcus aureus. At first, a topical antifungal drug and systemic antibiotics seemed to cure annular lesions, but pustules arose again. A large surrounding erythema was cured by topical treatment with a steroid agent. A biopsy specimen from a pustule showed hyphae of fungi within a hair shaft and in the bulb. The restriction fragment length polymorphism in the internal transcribed spacer regions of the ribosomal gene (polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism) revealed a banding pattern compatible with Trichophyton tonsurans. Treatment with systemic itraconazole was begun and lesions disappeared immediately. Systemic antifungal therapy was needed in our case. Tinea corporis with inflammation necessitates systemic antifungal therapy.
Gangrenous staphylococcal infections localized on the lesions of acquired reactive perforating collagenosis
Authors: KASHINO Kaori , SENOO Akemi , YAMASAKI Osamu , IWATSUKI Keiji 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTWe report a 78‐year‐old man with diabetic nephropathy, who presented with acquired reactive perforating collagenosis, followed by gangrenous infections localized on the lesions. Histopathological findings revealed a feature of transepidermal elimination of degenerated collagen bundles associated with infiltrates of neutrophils. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the necrotic tissue. The infection was successfully treated with systemic antibiotics and debridement. We believe that the presence of necrotic plug in the lesions and microangiopathy due to diabetes mellitus may provide a susceptible milieu for bacterial inoculation.
Review article: the therapeutic and prognostic benefit of portal pressure reduction in cirrhosis
Authors: TRIANTOS C. K. , NIKOLOPOULOU V. , BURROUGHS A. K. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryBackground  Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement is not a routinely used technique, despite its therapeutic and prognostic value.Aim  To review the role of HVPG from published literature.Methods  Systematic literature review.Results  In acute variceal bleeding, HVPG is prognostic identifying ‘difficult to treat’ group, which now has defined clinical correlations. In secondary prevention of portal hypertensive bleeding, a reduction to ≤12 mmHg confers near complete protection against rebleeding. The target of ≥20% HVPG reduction from baseline needs prospective assessment to test a change of therapy, if no reduction occurs. The acute HVPG response to beta‐blockade needs further assessment. In primary prevention, the cost‐effectiveness of HVPG measurement is not favourable given the efficacy of medical therapy. In chronic liver disease, wedge hepatic venous pressure (WHVP) is prognostic for survival. Pharmacological reduction in portal pressure decreases complications and improves survival, possibly independent of a concomitant improvement in liver function. This latter requires urgent confirmation as it is clinically very relevant. HVPG monitoring can be used to assess anti‐viral therapy particularly in cirrhosis, ergonomically combined with transjugular biopsy.Conclusions  The prognostic and therapeutic value of HVPG is established beyond portal hypertensive bleeding for which there are some clinical surrogates. HVPG measurement should now be part of everyday clinical practice.
Long‐term outcome of adalimumab therapy for ulcerative colitis with intolerance or lost response to infliximab: a single‐centre experience
Authors: OUSSALAH A. , LACLOTTE C. , CHEVAUX J.‐B. , BENSENANE M. , BABOURI A. , SERRE A.‐A. , BOUCEKKINE T. , ROBLIN X. , BIGARD M.‐A. , PEYRIN‐BIROULET L. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryBackground  Adalimumab may be effective in inducing remission in patients with mild‐to‐moderate ulcerative colitis who had secondary failure to infliximab.Aim  To evaluate long‐term efficacy and safety of adalimumab in patients with ulcerative colitis who previously responded to infliximab, and then lost response or became intolerant.Methods  We report our single‐centre experience in 13 patients. The patients received a loading dose of 160 mg of adalimumab subcutaneously in week 0, followed by 80 mg at week 2 and then 40 mg every other week starting at week 4. The primary efficacy measure was the proportion of patients on adalimumab therapy during the study.Results  Median duration of follow‐up was 42 weeks (range, 10–100). The mean number of adalimumab infusions was 21 (range, 5–50). The probability of maintaining adalimumab was 92.3%, 84.6%, 60.6% and 32.5% at 1, 3, 6 and 23 months respectively. Six of 13 patients (46.2%) underwent colectomy during the study. No serious toxicities occurred in the study.Conclusion Adalimumab is well‐tolerated and may be effective in maintaining clinical remission in a subgroup of patients with ulcerative colitis and lost response or intolerance to infliximab, potentially avoiding colectomy in about half of the patients.
Interaction of ribavirin with azathioprine metabolism potentially induces myelosuppression
Authors: PEYRIN‐BIROULET L. , CADRANEL J.‐F. , NOUSBAUM J.‐B. , OUSSALAH A. , SEDDIK M. , CANVA V. , CORTOT A. , SOGNI P. , GUEANT J.‐L , BIGARD M.‐A. , ROBLIN X. , BRONOWICKI J.‐P. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryBackground  The interaction of ribavirin, an inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitor, with azathioprine metabolism, potentially leading to myelotoxicity, remains unexplored.Aim  To underline the interaction of ribavirin, an inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitor, with azathioprine metabolism, potentially leading to myelotoxicity.Methods  The medical records of eight patients who developed severe pancytopenia following concomitant use of azathioprine and ribavirin were retrospectively reviewed.Results  Bone marrow suppression reached nadir after a mean interval of 4.6 ± 1.6 weeks following HCV therapy initiation in seven patients. At the time of pancytopenia, the mean platelet count was 69.75 ± 82.8 × 10−3/mm3, mean haemoglobin level 7.75 ± 1.3 g/dL and mean neutrophil count 0.45 ± 0.26 × 10−3/mm3. All patients had normal thiopurine methyltransferase genotype. In two patients, a prospective monitoring of azathioprine metabolites was available. Myelotoxicity was accompanied by elevated total methylated metabolite levels (16 500 and 15 000 pmol/8 × 108 erythrocytes) with a concomitant decrease in 6‐tioguanine nucleotide levels; 1 month after azathioprine, pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin were discontinued and full blood count returned to normal in both patients. No haematological toxicity occurred after the reintroduction of peginterferon plus ribarivin or azathioprine alone in eight patients.Conclusion  Collectively, the benefit/risk ratio favours avoidance of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitors in purine analogue‐treated patients with normal thiopurine methyltransferase activity, a situation frequently encountered in clinical practice.
Fluctuation of gastrointestinal symptoms in the community: a 10‐year longitudinal follow‐up study
Authors: FORD A. C. , FORMAN D. , BAILEY A. G. , AXON A. T. R. , MOAYYEDI P. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryBackground  There are few studies examining the stability of gastrointestinal symptoms during prolonged periods of follow‐up.Aim  To examine this issue in individuals previously recruited into a community screening programme for Helicobacter pylori providing symptom data at study entry.Methods  All traceable participants were sent dyspepsia and IBS questionnaires by post at 10 years. Symptom subgroups were assigned at baseline and 10‐year follow‐up. Individuals symptomatic at both time points who changed subgroup were compared with those symptomatic and remaining in the same subgroup.Results  Three‐thousand eight hundred and nineteen individuals provided data. At baseline, 2417 (63%) were asymptomatic or did not meet diagnostic criteria for a subgroup. Of these, 1648 (68%) remained asymptomatic at 10 years, whilst 769 (32%) reported symptoms. Of the 1402 individuals symptomatic at baseline, 404 (29%) remained in the same subgroup at 10 years, 603 (43%) changed subgroup and symptoms resolved or did not meet criteria for a subgroup in 395 (28%). Symptom stability was more likely in males [odds ratio (OR): 1.50; 99% confidence interval (CI): 0.97–2.31] and older subjects (OR per year: 1.09; 99% CI: 1.01–1.17).Conclusion  Of those subjects symptomatic at baseline, almost three‐quarters remained symptomatic at 10 years, but over 40% changed symptom subgroup.