Cost-effectiveness analysis of endoscopic eradication therapy for treatment of high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus

AIM: The aim was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) with combined endoscopic mucosal resection and radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) arising in patients with Barrett's esophagus compared with endoscopic surveillance alone in the UK. MATERIALS & METHODS: The cost-effectiveness model consisted of a decision tree and modified Markov model. A lifetime time horizon was adopted with the perspective of the UK healthcare system. RESULTS: The base case analysis estimates that EET for the treatment of HGD is cost-effective at a GB£20,000 cost-effectiveness threshold compared with providing surveillance alone for HGD patients (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio: GB£1272). CONCLUSION: EET is likely to be a cost-effective treatment strategy compared with surveillance alone in patients with HGD arising in Barrett's esophagus in the UK

Labor and Management Relations: Historical Perspectives and Current Trends

Capstone paper from 2015 spring MPA program. Instructed by Allen Zagoren.Over the last 125 years, labor unions and management in the United States have had working relationships that have ranged from positive to co-existence to adversarial. In recent decades, declines in union membership, politically charged legislation seeking to limit union influence, and pressures on management to maintain profits in a global economy have introduced further strain on labor and management relations. In this paper we will examine the factors that impact labor and management relationships on a local level and what can be done to improve them. To provide a bigger context, the history of legislation and economic factors that have influenced labor and management relationships throughout their existence in this country will be explored. Additionally, interviews of labor and management leaders revealed generational differences, complacency, and lack of communication can negatively impact labor and management relationships. Solutions to these problems will be offered and include utilizing a “Problem- Solving, Relationship-Building” (PS/RB) approach. Although hard metrics for this approach are difficult to define, it has been used successfully on both an organizational level as well as on a regional level. Finally, we will describe the resources available to not only begin this approach with labor and management, but to sustain the effort and the benefits it offers

Appropriate 'housekeeping' genes for use in expression profiling the effects of environmental estrogens in fish

BACKGROUND: Attempts to develop a mechanistic understanding of the effects of environmental estrogens on fish are increasingly conducted at the level of gene expression. Appropriate application of real-time PCR in such studies requires the use of a stably expressed 'housekeeping' gene as an internal control to normalize for differences in the amount of starting template between samples. RESULTS: We sought to identify appropriate genes for use as internal controls in experimental treatments with estrogen by analyzing the expression of eight functionally distinct 'housekeeping' genes (18S ribosomal RNA [18S rRNA], ribosomal protein l8 [rpl8], elongation factor 1 alpha [ef1a], glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [g6pd], beta actin [bactin], glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase [gapdh], hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase 1 [hprt1], and tata box binding protein [tbp]) following exposure to the environmental estrogen, 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE(2)), in the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). Exposure to 10 ng/L EE(2 )for 21 days down-regulated the expression of ef1a, g6pd, bactin and gapdh in the liver, and bactin and gapdh in the gonad. Some of these effects were gender-specific, with bactin in the liver and gapdh in the gonad down-regulated by EE(2 )in males only. Furthermore, when ef1a, g6pd, bactin or gapdh were used for normalization, the hepatic expression of two genes of interest, vitellogenin (vtg) and cytochrome P450 1A (cyp1a) following exposure to EE(2 )was overestimated. CONCLUSION: Based on the data presented, we recommend 18S rRNA, rpl8, hprt1 and/or tbp, but not ef1a, g6pd, bactin and/or gapdh, as likely appropriate internal controls in real-time PCR studies of estrogens effects in fish. Our studies show that pre-validation of control genes considering the scope and nature of the experiments to be performed, including both gender and tissue type, is critical for accurate assessments of the effects of environmental estrogens on gene expression in fish

Linking performance-related pay to a Business School's mission and objectives

This paper first analyses the Performance Related Pay (PRP) schemes developed from 1992/3 to 2002/3 in a large Business School in England and then the School’s mission and strategic objectives in that period. The PRP schemes changed to include more specific performance indicators and these were increasingly linked to the objectives. The School’s resources allocated to PRP increased from £44,000 in 1992/93 to £355,000 in 2002/3 and from 1.08% in 1995/96 to 2.37% of the School’s income in 2002/3. As well as examining the changing strategic objectives and PRP schemes, the paper charts the development of the School’s reputation and resources and the role which staff motivation via PRP played at different stages. The paper concludes that the PRP scheme was at its most effective when it was clearly linked with the School’s strategic objectives, but that the relationship between objectives and motivation may be more complex than apparent from this study. Although the PRP scheme under consideration also applies to academic related staff, this paper concentrates on the effect on academic staff

Bringing Truth, Joy, and Eternity into the Classroom: Using Perfume to Teach Introductory Marketing

This paper explains how to reinforce the teaching of basic marketing concepts through a simple group experiential exercise. After dividing the class into small groups, the exercise involves spraying perfume on students’ wrists and instructing each group to develop a marketing plan that targets the segment of the market that they consider to best fit the perfume product. The paper clearly outlines how to prepare and run the exercise, some perfumes that the instructor might consider using, and what students will learn about marketing through the exercise. The paper concludes with some ideas on how to integrate our Christian faith into the learning experience

Label-free cell cycle analysis for high-throughput imaging flow cytometry

Imaging flow cytometry combines the high-throughput capabilities of conventional flow cytometry with single-cell imaging. Here we demonstrate label-free prediction of DNA content and quantification of the mitotic cell cycle phases by applying supervised machine learning to morphological features extracted from brightfield and the typically ignored darkfield images of cells from an imaging flow cytometer. This method facilitates non-destructive monitoring of cells avoiding potentially confounding effects of fluorescent stains while maximizing available fluorescence channels. The method is effective in cell cycle analysis for mammalian cells, both fixed and live, and accurately assesses the impact of a cell cycle mitotic phase blocking agent. As the same method is effective in predicting the DNA content of fission yeast, it is likely to have a broad application to other cell types

Unravelling the neurophysiological basis of aggression in a fish model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Aggression is a near-universal behaviour with substantial influence on and implications for human and animal social systems. The neurophysiological basis of aggression is, however, poorly understood in all species and approaches adopted to study this complex behaviour have often been oversimplified. We applied targeted expression profiling on 40 genes, spanning eight neurological pathways and in four distinct regions of the brain, in combination with behavioural observations and pharmacological manipulations, to screen for regulatory pathways of aggression in the zebrafish (<it>Danio rerio</it>), an animal model in which social rank and aggressiveness tightly correlate.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Substantial differences occurred in gene expression profiles between dominant and subordinate males associated with phenotypic differences in aggressiveness and, for the chosen gene set, they occurred mainly in the hypothalamus and telencephalon. The patterns of differentially-expressed genes implied multifactorial control of aggression in zebrafish, including the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial-system, serotonin, somatostatin, dopamine, hypothalamo-pituitary-interrenal, hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal and histamine pathways, and the latter is a novel finding outside mammals. Pharmacological manipulations of various nodes within the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial-system and serotonin pathways supported their functional involvement. We also observed differences in expression profiles in the brains of dominant versus subordinate females that suggested sex-conserved control of aggression. For example, in the HNS pathway, the gene encoding arginine vasotocin (AVT), previously believed specific to male behaviours, was amongst those genes most associated with aggression, and AVT inhibited dominant female aggression, as in males. However, sex-specific differences in the expression profiles also occurred, including differences in aggression-associated tryptophan hydroxylases and estrogen receptors.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Thus, through an integrated approach, combining gene expression profiling, behavioural analyses, and pharmacological manipulations, we identified candidate genes and pathways that appear to play significant roles in regulating aggression in fish. Many of these are novel for non-mammalian systems. We further present a validated system for advancing our understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of complex behaviours using a fish model.</p

Single-cell RNA-seq reveals new types of human blood dendritic cells, monocytes, and progenitors

Dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes play a central role in pathogen sensing, phagocytosis, and antigen presentation and consist of multiple specialized subtypes. However, their identities and interrelationships are not fully understood. Using unbiased single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of ~2400 cells, we identified six human DCs and four monocyte subtypes in human blood. Our study reveals a new DC subset that shares properties with plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) but potently activates T cells, thus redefining pDCs; a new subdivision within the CD1C+ subset of DCs; the relationship between blastic plasmacytoid DC neoplasia cells and healthy DCs; and circulating progenitor of conventional DCs (cDCs). Our revised taxonomy will enable more accurate functional and developmental analyses as well as immune monitoring in health and disease

Grace and Discipline, Remediation and Punishment: Dealing with Graduate Business Students’ Plagiarism

We draw on theory, biblical Scripture, and practice in this discussion of professors’ and administrators’ response to graduate business students’ plagiarism. First, we discuss why graduate business students plagiarize, using Ajzen’s (1991) theory of planned behavior as a framework for relating antecedents to students’ intentions to plagiarize. Then we discuss professors’ and administrators’ typical assumptions and expectations regarding graduate business students’ plagiarism and explain why such assumptions and expectations may be incorrect. Thirdly, we conceptually explore the nature and appropriateness of professors’ responses to graduate business students’ plagiarism. We advocate a response that applies both grace and discipline and offer biblical support for such an approach. Finally, we describe several implications of the foregoing for graduate degree program features, policies, and practices

Teaching Young Dogs Old Tricks! Management and Spiritual Lessons From America’s Most Selective School — Clown College

Our success in integrating faith and learning for a postmodern generation lies not in learning new tricks but using old evangelistic practices we learned when we first came to Christ. By doing so, we are teaching young dogs (our students) old tricks. The focus of this paper is on how one of the authors uses top 10 lists to tell his personal story to communicate business and spiritual principles. It begins with a discussion of top 10 lists and how they can be used effectively in a classroom. The main portion of the paper presents “Top 10 Lessons from America’s Most Selective College,” which communicates 10 important business and spiritual truths learned at Clown College. The final portion of the paper discusses how others might use personal stories to integrate faith and learning in the business classroom