13 research outputs found
Systematic review of antimicrobials, mucosal coating agents, anesthetics, and analgesics for the management of oral mucositis in cancer patients
No full textFor the Mucositis Study Group of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO)
Corrected by: Erratum: 10.1007/s00520-014-2542-3 The original version of this paper unfortunately contains errors. Morphine 2 % rinse, should have read as Morphine 0.2 % rinse.PURPOSE The aim of this project was to develop clinical practice guidelines on the use of antimicrobials, mucosal coating agents, anesthetics, and analgesics for the prevention and management of oral mucositis (OM) in cancer patients. METHODS A systematic review of the available literature was conducted. The body of evidence for the use of each agent, in each setting, was assigned a level of evidence. Based on the evidence level, one of the following three guideline determinations was possible: recommendation, suggestion, or no guideline possible. RESULTS A recommendation was developed in favor of patient-controlled analgesia with morphine in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients. Suggestions were developed in favor of transdermal fentanyl in standard dose chemotherapy and HSCT patients and morphine mouth rinse and doxepin rinse in head and neck radiation therapy (H&N RT) patients. Recommendations were developed against the use of topical antimicrobial agents for the prevention of mucositis. These included recommendations against the use of iseganan for mucositis prevention in HSCT and H&N RT and against the use of antimicrobial lozenges (polymyxin–tobramycin–amphotericin B lozenges/paste and bacitracin–clotrimazole–gentamicin lozenges) for mucositis prevention in H&N RT. Recommendations were developed against the use of the mucosal coating agent sucralfate for the prevention or treatment of chemotherapy-induced or radiation-induced OM. No guidelines were possible for any other agent due to insufficient and/or conflicting evidence. CONCLUSION Additional well-designed research is needed on prevention and management approaches for OM.Deborah P. Saunders, Joel B. Epstein, Sharon Elad, Justin Allemano, Paolo Bossi, Marianne D. van de Wetering, Nikhil G. Rao, Carin Potting, Karis K. Cheng, Annette Freidank, Michael T. Brennan, Joanne Bowen, Kristopher Dennis, Rajesh V. Lall
Investigating Consumer Responses to Brand Activism and Artificial Intelligence-driven Tools
No full textCurrent political and technological trends have enormous impact on marketing strategy and consumer behavior. To guide marketing managers and advance theoretical and practical knowledge in these turbulent times, this dissertation focuses on two highly relevant and cutting edge issues, by investigating consumer responses to brand activism (paper 1 and 2) and artificial-intelligence driven tools (papers 3-5).Many societies around the globe experience an increasing political polarization and many consumers expect brands to engage in brand activism, i.e., publicly taking a stand on divisive socio-political issues (Mukherjee & Althuizen, 2020). As a response, brands increasingly advocate for controversial issues such as Black Lives Matters, gun laws or LGBTQIA-rights. Although it seems tempting for brands to actively influence public opinion and to differentiate themselves from competitors at the same time, managers need to be aware about possible backlashes from those consumers who disagree with their stance. Extremely negative consumer reactions might follow, such as people burning their Nike shoes as response to the brands engagement for Black Lives Matter. Empirical evidence has already established that brand activism is a risky strategy (Bhagwat et al., 2020) and scholars call for research to help managers understand the psychological mechanisms influencing the effects of brand activism on consumer responses. Consequently, paper 1 of this dissertation investigates the role of moral emotions (such as anger or gratitude) as mediating factor shaping their reactions when they (dis-)agree with the company’s stance. Thereby, we focus on both company- and issue related responses. Moreover, paper 2 examines the role of consumer-brand identification (CBI) and political ideology related to consumers’ responsiveness to brand activism. In addition, we assess perceived marginalization as further relevant mediating factor, which explains consumer reactions in case of their disagreement with the brand’s position.
As further mega-trend in marketing, the proliferation of Artificial intelligence (AI) driven tools is strongly transforming marketing activities and customer experiences (Longoni & Cian, 2022). Both scholars and practitioners acknowledge the immense and often even disruptive potential of AI-infused applications such as self-driving cars, precise customer-screening and demand-forecasting tools, or service robots (Davenport et al., 2020; Osburg et al., 2022). As one of the most pervasive and prevalent examples, the release of the AI-driven content-generation tool ChatGPT has triggered a real hype. In just five days, it has attracted more than 1 million users, making it the fastest diffusion of a new technology ever recorded (Anderson & Rainie, 2023). Several research studies (including our study in paper 3 which relies on the predecessor model of ChatGPT) revealed that AI-generated content is hardly discernible from human-authored content. Given this high performance and expected efficiency gains for marketing automation, managers are increasingly tempted to use AI as an autonomous content creator. However, the understanding of consumer expectations and responses to AI as a content author remain limited in the marketing domain. Therefore, using the example of a highly relevant marketing text related to talent attraction, paper 3 of this dissertation compares a human-authored text with an AI-generated text. Our research
3
investigates potentials of AI-authored texts for branding activities and explores readers’ reactions to AI disclosure. Moreover, the impact of matched or violated expectations on the company’s image as an employer and the role of feelings of betrayal as a mediating variable are examined.
Studies in various contexts and the results of paper 3 revealed that people tend to have an algorithm aversion, leading to negative effects when AI is disclosed. However, as transparency is going to be a mandatory legislative requirement (e.g., as regulated in the European AI Act (European Parliament, 2023)), managers are increasingly faced with the question how to use AI without risking negative consumer reactions. As a possible solution, paper 4 investigates whether human-AI collaboration could serve as an escape from consumers’ algorithm aversion. Furthermore, this research examines the effectiveness of two distinct collaboration forms (i.e., “AI supporting a human author” vs. “AI author controlled by a human”), and the moderating impact of people’s (general) morality perceptions of a company’s AI use.
ChatGPT and similar tools could also be integrated as digital conversational agents to fully automate various consumer-firm interactions and service processes. Despite an increasing prevalence and high potential for efficiency gains, these chatbots still often fail and recovery strategies are urgently needed. Consequently, paper 5 evaluates the effectiveness of two prominent failure recovery messages to maintain consumer satisfaction and loyalty. In addition, effects of situational factors such as different failure attributions or a double failure are taken into account
Advances in clinical pharmacy education in Germany: a quasi-experimental single-blinded study to evaluate a patient-centred clinical pharmacy course in psychiatry
No full textAbstract Background The pharmacy profession has shifted towards patient-centred care. To meet the new challenges it is necessary to provide students with clinical competencies. A quasi-experimental single-blinded teaching and learning study was carried out using a parallel-group design to evaluate systematically the benefits of clinical teaching in pharmacy education in Germany. Methods A clinical pharmacy course on a psychiatric ward was developed and implemented for small student groups. The learning aims included: the improvement of patient and interdisciplinary communication skills and the identification and management of pharmaceutical care issues. The control group participated only in the preparation lecture, while the intervention group took part in the complete course. The effects were assessed by an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and a student satisfaction survey. Results The intervention group achieved significantly better overall results on the OSCE assessment (46.20 ± 10.01 vs. 26.58 ± 12.91 of a maximum of 90 points; p < 0.0001).The practical tasks had the greatest effect, as reflected in the outcomes of tasks 1–5 (34.94 ± 9.60 vs. 18.63 ± 10.24 of a maximum of 60 points; p < 0.0001). Students’ performance on the theoretical tasks (tasks 6–10) was improved but unsatisfying in both groups considering the maximum score (11.50 ± 4.75 vs. 7.50 ± 4.00 of a maximum of 30 points; p < 0.0001). Of the students, 93% rated the course as practice-orientated, and 90% felt better prepared for patient contact. Many students suggested a permanent implementation and an extension of the course. Conclusions The results suggest that the developed ward-based course provided learning benefits for clinical skills. Students’ perception of the course was positive. Implementation into the regular clinical pharmacy curriculum is therefore advisable
Marvelling at the creation. Studies on cosmogonical ideas in medieval German literature
No full textStaunen über die Schöpfung. Studien zur Vermittlung von kosmogonischem Gedankengut am Beispiel ausgewählter deutschsprachiger Dichtungen des Mittelalters.Vor gut 800 Jahren war kosmogonisches Gedankengut ein komplexer Bestandteil von Glauben, Philosophie, Wissenschaft und Weltbild. Diese Masterarbeit behandelt das Motiv des Staunens über die Schöpfung, welches hochfrequent in mittelhochdeutscher Dichtung begegnet. Daneben wurde die Frage nach seiner Vermittlung gestellt.Nach der Definition des kosmogonischen Gedankenguts sind im ersten großen Abschnitt die Quellen dieses Motivs dargelegt. Daran schließt sich ein Abriss über die mittelalterliche Naturauffassung, das wissenschaftliche Weltbild und die mittelalterliche Mentalität an. Der zweite Abschnitt ist der Analyse ausgewählter deutschsprachiger Dichtungen des Mittelalters gewidmet. Die Textauswahl umfasst ein Gros der Gattungen; der Fokus liegt auf literarischen Produkten von sieben Dichtern ? Freidank, der Marner, Hugo von Trimberg, Albrecht, Rudolf von Ems, Oswald von Wolkenstein, Heinrich von Mügeln ? vom 13. bis zum 15. Jahrhundert. Die Untersuchungen zeigen, dass die Dichter als Schöpfungsboten in die unterschiedlichsten Rollen schlüpfen. Darunter finden sich ein Prediger, ein Lehrdichter, ein poeta doctus, ein Meister der Sprachkunst, ein Didaktiker, ein büßender Sünder und ein Gelehrter, denen die Vermittlung von kosmogonischem Gedankengut und das Staunen über die Schöpfung ein großes Anliegen waren.Sinn und Zweck des literarischen Staunens über die Schöpfung liegt darin, die Menschen zu redimensionieren, sie an ihre Vergänglichkeit zu erinnern und auf den Heilsweg zu bringen. Durch die Redimensionierung der Menschen und die Rückführung zum Heil erlangte der Dichter auch Heil für sich selbst.Marveling at the Creation. Studies on cosmogonical ideas in medieval German literature.About 800 years ago cosmogonical ideas were an integral part of medieval faith, and a central theme of science, philosophy, and world view. This thesis focuses on the motive of the marveling at the wonders of gods creation and how it was presented in fictional literature and poetry by medieval authors.This thesis consists of three parts:The definition of cosmogonical ideas is followed by a short abstract on the sources of this motive (e.g. commentaries on the creation written by the fathers of church, latin legends of saints, psalms) and of the medieval perception of nature, the scientific world view, and the medieval mentality. This motive was formed and has arisen from all of these fields.The main part of this thesis is devoted to the analysis and discussion of the work of seven authors who lived from the 13th to the 15th century. All of them ? Freidank, der Marner, Rudolf von Ems, Hugo von Trimberg, Oswald von Wolkenstein, Albrecht and Heinrich von Mügeln ? wrote several stanzas and verses on the miracles of creation and praised the creator. They are filled with admiring surprise and seek to cause the same in their audience. The motive?s purpose lies in the admonition and warning not to live the immanent live in sin but in fear of god. By achieving this the author gained salvation for himself.vorgelegt von Martina MaierAbweichender Titel laut Übersetzung der Verfasserin/des VerfassersGraz, Univ., Masterarb., 200
Quality and Safety Aspects of Infant Nutrition
No full textQuality and safety aspects of infant nutrition are of key importance for child health, but oftentimes they do not get much attention by health care professionals whose interest tends to focus on functional benefits of early nutrition. Unbalanced diets and harmful food components induce particularly high risks for untoward effects in infants because of their rapid growth, high nutrient needs, and their typical dependence on only one or few foods during the first months of life. The concepts, standards and practices that relate to infant food quality and safety were discussed at a scientific workshop organized by the Child Health Foundation and the Early Nutrition Academy jointly with the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and a summary is provided here. The participants reviewed past and current issues on quality and safety, the role of different stakeholders, and recommendations to avert future issues. It was concluded that a high level of quality and safety is currently achieved, but this is no reason for complacency. The food industry carries the primary responsibility for the safety and suitability of their products, including the quality of composition, raw materials and production processes. Introduction of new or modified products should be preceded by a thorough science based review of suitability and safety by an independent authority. Food safety events should be managed on an international basis. Global collaboration of food producers, food-safety authorities, paediatricians and scientists is needed to efficiently exchange information and to best protect public health. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base
Erratum to: Systematic review of antimicrobials, mucosal coating agents, anesthetics, and analgesics for the management of oral mucositis in cancer patients
No full textClinimetric properties and suitability of selected quality indicators for assessing antibiotic use in hospitalized adults: a multicentre point prevalence study in 24 hospitals in Germany
No full textValidation of adapted daily dose definitions for hospital antibacterial drug use evaluation: a multicentre study
No full textAbstract
Background
The WHO/ATC (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical) index DDD (WHO-DDD) is commonly used for drug consumption measurement. Discrepancies between WHO-DDD and actual prescribed daily doses (PDD) in hospitals have prompted alternative dose definitions adapted to doses recommended in hospital practice guidelines [recommended daily doses (RDD)].
Methods
In order to validate RDD we performed modified point prevalence surveys in 24 acute care hospitals and recorded 20620 PDD of antibiotics given to 4226 adult patients on the day of the survey and the 6 preceding days. We calculated RDD and WHO-DDD and compared them with PDD.
Results
The rate of RDD corresponding to PDD was higher than the corresponding rate for WHO-DDD (pooled data, 55% versus 30%) and the differences were similar across the hospital sample, but varied according to drug/drug class, route of administration, indication and renal function. RDD underestimated actual consumption by 14% overall, while WHO-DDD overestimated total antibacterial consumption by 28% (pooled data; median values RDD −10% versus WHO-DDD +32%). The deviations of estimated from actual drug use volumes were largest for β-lactams (RDD −11% versus WHO-DDD +49%), in particular for penicillins (−11% versus +64%), if WHO-DDD were used.
Conclusions
Hospital antibiotic consumption surveillance systems using current WHO-DDD should address the uneven discrepancies between actual prescribing and consumption estimates according to drug class that may lead to misclassification in benchmark analyses. We recommend using validated RDD as a supplementary measure to the WHO-DDD for detailed analyses.
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The Detection and Role of Human Endogenous Retrovirus K (HML-2) In Rheumatoid Arthritis
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of
Wolverhampton for the degree of Doctor of PhilosophyHuman endogenous retroviruses are the remnants of ancient retroviral infections present within our genome. These molecular fossils show similarities with present day exogenous retroviruses but act as typical Mendelian elements that are passed vertically between generations. Despite being repeatedly linked to a number of autoimmune diseases and disorders, no conclusive proof has been identified. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one such disease which has been associated with an increase in HERV expression, compared to controls. In order to elucidate a clear role for HERVs in RA pathogenesis, autoantigens implicated in disease pathogenesis were scanned for sequence homology to retroviral genes. Such epitopes would induce antibodies cross reactive with host proteins, resulting in disease. Short peptides mimicking these regions were synthesised and the prevalence of anti-HERV antibodies was determined in RA patients and disease controls. Additionally, a novel real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay was developed to accurately quantify levels of HERV-K (HML-2) gag expression, relative to normalised levels of housekeeping gene expression. Both serological and molecular assays showed significant increases in HERV-K (HML-2) activity in RA patients compared to disease controls with CD4+ lymphocytes harbouring the highest activity. The real-time assay was also used to determine whether factors within the synovium could modulate HERVs, resulting in their upregulation. Exogenous viral protein expression and pro-inflammatory cytokines were shown to exert a significant modulatory effect over HERV-K (HML-2) transcription. From this data, it is clear that RA patients have increased levels of HERV-K (HML-2) gag activity compared to controls. Despite this it is likely that factors within the synovium such as exogenous viral expression and pro-inflammatory cytokines also influence HERV-K (HML-2) transcription possibly contributing to a role of bystander activation, i.e. being influenced by external factors, rather than actively contributing to disease processes. The exact role of HERVs in RA pathology remains elusive; however this research proposes several mechanisms by which HERV-K (HML-2) may contribute to disease
