Showing papers by "Marche Polytechnic University published in 2010"
University of Milan1, University of Siena2, Marche Polytechnic University3, Sapienza University of Rome4, University of Nantes5, University of Pécs6, Umeå University7, Newcastle University8, University of Greifswald9, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich10, University of Paris11, Case Western Reserve University12, University of Zagreb13, University of Florida14, Indiana University15, Leeds General Infirmary16, University of Liège17, University of Groningen18, Tel Aviv University19, Medical University of Warsaw20, University of Colorado Denver21, Lille University of Science and Technology22, Erasmus University Rotterdam23, University of Iowa24
TL;DR: This guideline aims to provide proposed advisable ranges for nutrient intakes for stable-growing preterm infants up to a weight of approximately 1800 g, because most data are available for these infants.
Abstract: The number of surviving children born prematurely has increased substantially during the last 2 decades. The major goal of enteral nutrient supply to these infants is to achieve growth similar to foetal growth coupled with satisfactory functional development. The accumulation of knowledge since the previous guideline on nutrition of preterm infants from the Committee on Nutrition of the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition in 1987 has made a new guideline necessary. Thus, an ad hoc expert panel was convened by the Committee on Nutrition of the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition in 2007 to make appropriate recommendations. The present guideline, of which the major recommendations are summarised here (for the full report, see http://links.lww.com/A1480), is consistent with, but not identical to, recent guidelines from the Life Sciences Research Office of the American Society for Nutritional Sciences published in 2002 and recommendations from the handbook Nutrition of the Preterm Infant. Scientific Basis and Practical Guidelines, 2nd ed, edited by Tsang et al, and published in 2005. The preferred food for premature infants is fortified human milk from the infant's own mother, or, alternatively, formula designed for premature infants. This guideline aims to provide proposed advisable ranges for nutrient intakes for stable-growing preterm infants up to a weight of approximately 1800 g, because most data are available for these infants. These recommendations are based on a considered review of available scientific reports on the subject, and on expert consensus for which the available scientific data are considered inadequate.
1,267 citations
TL;DR: Investigating whether the prevalence of CD significantly varies between different areas of the European continent finds large unexplained differences in adult age across different European countries.
Abstract: Introduction. Although the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) has been extensively investigated in recent years, an accurate estimate of CD frequency in the European population is still lacking. The...
661 citations
TL;DR: To reach this goal, further investigations into the genetic and physiological background of such non-Saccharomyces wine yeasts are needed, so as to apply '-omics' approaches to mixed culture fermentations.
Abstract: Mixed fermentations using controlled inoculation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae starter cultures and non-Saccharomyces yeasts represent a feasible way towards improving the complexity and enhancing the particular and specific characteristics of wines. The profusion of selected starter cultures has allowed the more widespread use of inoculated fermentations, with consequent improvements to the control of the fermentation process, and the use of new biotechnological processes in winemaking. Over the last few years, as a consequence of the re-evaluation of the role of non-Saccharomyces yeasts in winemaking, there have been several studies that have evaluated the use of controlled mixed fermentations using Saccharomyces and different non-Saccharomyces yeast species from the wine environment. The combined use of different species often results in unpredictable compounds and/or different levels of fermentation products being produced, which can affect both the chemical and the aromatic composition of wines. Moreover, possible synergistic interactions between different yeasts might provide a tool for the implementation of new fermentation technologies. Thus, knowledge of the Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces wine yeast interactions during wine fermentation needs to be improved. To reach this goal, further investigations into the genetic and physiological background of such non-Saccharomyces wine yeasts are needed, so as to apply '-omics' approaches to mixed culture fermentations.
476 citations
Carlos III Health Institute1, University of Chieti-Pescara2, Spanish National Research Council3, Autonomous University of Barcelona4, Tufts University5, University of Seville6, Marche Polytechnic University7, University of Naples Federico II8, University of Jaén9, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research10, French Institute of Health and Medical Research11, University of Zaragoza12, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens13, University of Córdoba (Spain)14, University of Copenhagen15, University of Granada16, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria17, University of Bari18, University of Paris19
TL;DR: Results of case-control and cohort studies suggest that MUFA intake including OO is associated with a reduction in cancer risk, and the concept that the OO-rich MedDiet is compatible with healthier aging and increased longevity is consistent.
Abstract: Olive oil (OO) is the most representative food of the traditional Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet). Increasing evidence suggests that monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) as a nutrient, OO as a food, and the MedDiet as a food pattern are associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. A MedDiet rich in OO and OO per se has been shown to improve cardiovascular risk factors, such as lipid profiles, blood pressure, postprandial hyperlipidemia, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and antithrombotic profiles. Some of these beneficial effects can be attributed to the OO minor components. Therefore, the definition of the MedDiet should include OO. Phenolic compounds in OO have shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, prevent lipoperoxidation, induce favorable changes of lipid profile, improve endothelial function, and disclose antithrombotic properties. Observational studies from Mediterranean cohorts have suggested that dietary MUFA may be protective against age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Recent studies consistently support the concept that the OO-rich MedDiet is compatible with healthier aging and increased longevity. In countries where the population adheres to the MedDiet, such as Spain, Greece and Italy, and OO is the principal source of fat, rates of cancer incidence are lower than in northern European countries. Experimental and human cellular studies have provided new evidence on the potential protective effect of OO on cancer. Furthermore, results of case-control and cohort studies suggest that MUFA intake including OO is associated with a reduction in cancer risk (mainly breast, colorectal and prostate cancers).
474 citations
TL;DR: Murine white and brown adipocytes are found together in dissectible visceral and subcutaneous fat depots supplied by specific vessels and nerves, forming a multi-depot organ with plastic properties.
404 citations
University Health Network1, Lund University2, University of Kiel3, Autonomous University of Barcelona4, University of Navarra5, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart6, Umeå University7, UCL Institute of Neurology8, University of Poitiers9, University of Düsseldorf10, Marche Polytechnic University11
TL;DR: The 5 to 6 year follow‐up of a multicenter study of bilateral subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation in advanced Parkinson's disease patients confirms the long‐term efficacy of STN and GPi DBS in advanced PD.
Abstract: We report the 5 to 6 year follow-up of a multicenter study of bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus internus (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Thirty-live STN patients and 16 GPi patienis were assessed at 5 to 6 years after DBS surgery. Primary outcome measure was the stimulation effect on the motor Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) assessed with a prospective cross-over double-blind assessment without medications (stimulation was randomly switched on or off). Secondary outcomes were motor UPDRS changes with unblinded assessments in off- and on-medication states with and without stimulation, activities of daily living (ADL), anti-PD medications, and dyskinesias. In double-blind assessment, both STN and GPi DBS were significantly effective in improving the motor UPDRS scores (STN. P < 0.0001, 45.4%; GPi, P = 0.008, 20.0%) compared with of regardless of the sequence of stimulation. In open assessment. both STN- and GPi-DBS significantly improved the off-medication motor UPDRS when compared with before surgery (STN. P < 0.001, 50.5%; GPi, P = 0.002, 35.6%). Dyskinesias and ADL were significantly improved in both groups. Anti-PD medications were significantly reduced only in the STN group. Adverse events were more frequent in the STN group. These results confirm the long-term efficacy of STN and GPi DBS advanced PD. Although the surgical targets were not randomized, there was a trend to 1 better outcome of motor signs in the STN-DBS patients and fewer adverse events in the GPi-DBS group. (C) 2010 Movement Disorder Society
397 citations
University of Toronto1, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center2, University of California, Davis3, University of Milan4, University of California, Irvine5, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University6, North Shore-LIJ Health System7, University of Alberta8, University of Calgary9, Dalhousie University10, University of Western Ontario11, University of Padua12, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza13, University of Bologna14, University of Palermo15, University of Pisa16, Sapienza University of Rome17, University of Florence18, Marche Polytechnic University19, Yale University20, University of Bari21, University of Trieste22, University of Udine23, University of Genoa24, University of Parma25, University of Naples Federico II26
TL;DR: A genome-wide association screen for primary biliary cirrhosis risk alleles was performed in an Italian cohort, and a combined meta-analysis using a Canadian dataset identified newly associated loci at SPIB.
Abstract: A genome-wide association screen for primary biliary cirrhosis risk alleles was performed in an Italian cohort. The results from the Italian cohort replicated IL12A and IL12RB associations, and a combined meta-analysis using a Canadian dataset identified newly associated loci at SPIB (P = 7.9 x 10(-11), odds ratio (OR) = 1.46), IRF5-TNPO3 (P = 2.8 x 10(-10), OR = 1.63) and 17q12-21 (P = 1.7 x 10(-10), OR = 1.38).
372 citations
TL;DR: Several monofloral Cuban honeys were analyzed to determine their total phenolic, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, amino acid, protein and carotenoid contents as well as their radical-scavenging activity and antimicrobial capacities.
370 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a powder obtained as a byproduct of marble sawing and shaping was characterized from a chemical and physical point of view in order to use it as mineral addition for mortars and concretes, especially for self-compacting concrete.
364 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an investigation of mechanical behavior and elastic properties of recycled-aggregate concretes is presented, which shows that structural concrete up to C32/40 strength class can be manufactured by replacing 30% virgin aggregate with recycled-concrete aggregate.
362 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that in contrast to what was expected from the sharp decrease in organic carbon fluxes and reduced faunal abundance, the deep-sea biodiversity of both the eastern and the western basins of the Mediterranean Sea is similarly high.
Abstract: Deep-sea ecosystems represent the largest biome of the global biosphere, but knowledge of their biodiversity is still scant. The Mediterranean basin has been proposed as a hot spot of terrestrial and coastal marine biodiversity but has been supposed to be impoverished of deep-sea species richness. We summarized all available information on benthic biodiversity (Prokaryotes, Foraminifera, Meiofauna, Macrofauna, and Megafauna) in different deepsea ecosystems of the Mediterranean Sea (200 to more than 4,000 m depth), including open slopes, deep basins, canyons, cold seeps, seamounts, deep-water corals and deep-hypersaline anoxic basins and analyzed overall longitudinal and bathymetric patterns. We show that in contrast to what was expected from the sharp decrease in organic carbon fluxes and reduced faunal abundance, the deep-sea biodiversity of both the eastern and the western basins of the Mediterranean Sea is similarly high. All of the biodiversity components, except Bacteria and Archaea, displayed a decreasing pattern with increasing water depth, but to a different extent for each component. Unlike patterns observed for faunal abundance, highest negative values of the slopes of the biodiversity patterns were observed for Meiofauna, followed by Macrofauna and Megafauna. Comparison of the biodiversity associated with open slopes, deep basins, canyons, and deep-water corals showed that the deep basins were the least diverse. Rarefaction curves allowed us to estimate the expected number of species for each benthic component in different bathymetric ranges. A large fraction of exclusive species was associated with each specific habitat or ecosystem. Thus, each deep-sea ecosystem contributes significantly to overall biodiversity. From theoretical extrapolations we estimate that the overall deep-sea Mediterranean biodiversity (excluding prokaryotes) reaches approximately 2805 species of which about 66% is still undiscovered. Among the biotic components investigated (Prokaryotes excluded), most of the unknown species are within the phylum Nematoda, followed by Foraminifera, but an important fraction of macrofaunal and megafaunal species also remains unknown. Data reported here provide new insights into the patterns of biodiversity in the deep-sea Mediterranean and new clues for future investigations aimed at identifying the factors controlling and threatening deep-sea biodiversity.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the performance of green roofs in terms of their expected benefits for the building and the urban environment, due to their recognised energy and water management potential scores.
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart1, University of Udine2, Marche Polytechnic University3, University of Bari4, University of Bologna5, University of Florence6, University of Parma7, University of Milan8, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia9, University of Perugia10, University of Naples Federico II11, University of Cagliari12, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza13
TL;DR: The authors' series confirms the downward trend in mortality rates reported in previous series, with all new drugs providing similar survival and response rates.
Abstract: Background The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic factors, treatments and outcome of invasive aspergillosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia based on data collected in a registry.
Design and Methods The registry, which was activated in 2004 and closed in 2007, collected data on patients with acute myeloid leukemia, admitted to 21 hematologic divisions in tertiary care centers or university hospitals in Italy, who developed proven or probable invasive aspergillosis.
Results One hundred and forty cases of invasive aspergillosis were collected, with most cases occurring during the period of post-induction aplasia, the highest risk phase in acute myeloid leukemia. The mortality rate attributable to invasive aspergillosis was 27%, confirming previous reports of a downward trend in this rate. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the stage of acute myeloid leukemia and the duration of, and recovery from, neutropenia were independent prognostic factors. We analyzed outcomes after treatment with the three most frequently used drugs (liposomal amphotericin B, caspofungin, voriconazole). No differences emerged in survival at day 120 or in the overall response rate which was 71%, ranging from 61% with caspofungin to 84% with voriconazole.
Conclusions Our series confirms the downward trend in mortality rates reported in previous series, with all new drugs providing similar survival and response rates. Recovery from neutropenia and disease stage are crucial prognostic factors. Efficacious antifungal drugs bridge the period of maximum risk due to poor hematologic and immunological reconstitution.
TL;DR: This is the first evidence of a metazoan life cycle that is spent entirely in permanently anoxic sediments, and it is concluded that these metazoans live under anoxic conditions through an obligate anaerobic metabolism that is similar to that demonstrated so far only for unicellular eukaryotes.
Abstract: Several unicellular organisms (prokaryotes and protozoa) can live under permanently anoxic conditions Although a few metazoans can survive temporarily in the absence of oxygen, it is believed that multi-cellular organisms cannot spend their entire life cycle without free oxygen Deep seas include some of the most extreme ecosystems on Earth, such as the deep hypersaline anoxic basins of the Mediterranean Sea These are permanently anoxic systems inhabited by a huge and partly unexplored microbial biodiversity During the last ten years three oceanographic expeditions were conducted to search for the presence of living fauna in the sediments of the deep anoxic hypersaline L'Atalante basin (Mediterranean Sea) We report here that the sediments of the L'Atalante basin are inhabited by three species of the animal phylum Loricifera (Spinoloricus nov sp, Rugiloricus nov sp and Pliciloricus nov sp) new to science Using radioactive tracers, biochemical analyses, quantitative X-ray microanalysis and infrared spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy observations on ultra-sections, we provide evidence that these organisms are metabolically active and show specific adaptations to the extreme conditions of the deep basin, such as the lack of mitochondria, and a large number of hydrogenosome-like organelles, associated with endosymbiotic prokaryotes This is the first evidence of a metazoan life cycle that is spent entirely in permanently anoxic sediments Our findings allow us also to conclude that these metazoans live under anoxic conditions through an obligate anaerobic metabolism that is similar to that demonstrated so far only for unicellular eukaryotes The discovery of these life forms opens new perspectives for the study of metazoan life in habitats lacking molecular oxygen
TL;DR: An Improved Genetic Algorithm to solve the Distributed and Flexible Job-shop Scheduling problem is proposed and has been compared with other algorithms for distributed scheduling and evaluated with satisfactory results on a large set of distributed-and-flexible scheduling problems derived from classical job-shop scheduling benchmarks.
TL;DR: The fundamental role of coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) in mitochondrial bioenergetics and its well-acknowledged antioxidant properties constitute the basis for its clinical applications, although some of its effects may be related to a gene induction mechanism.
TL;DR: The effect of environment and other factors (such as production, handling and storage) on the nutritional properties of cherries are described, with particular attention to polyphenol compounds.
Abstract: The dietary consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower incidence of degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancers. Most recent interest has focused on the bioactive phenolic compounds found in vegetable products. Sweet and sour cherries contain several antioxidants and polyphenols that possess many biological activities, such as antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammation properties. The review describes the effect of environment and other factors (such as production, handling and storage) on the nutritional properties of cherries, with particular attention to polyphenol compounds. Moreover the health benefits of cherries and their polyphenols against human diseases such as heart disease, cancers, diabetes are reviewed.
TL;DR: In this article, the relevance of the gender of the contracting parties involved in lending has been studied and it was shown that female entrepreneurs face tighter credit availability than their male counterparts, even though they do not pay higher interest rates.
Abstract: In this paper we study the relevance of the gender of the contracting parties involved in lending. We show that female entrepreneurs face tighter credit availability, even though they do not pay higher interest rates. The effect is independent of the information available about the borrower and holds if we control for unobservable individual effects. The gender of the loan officer is also important: we find that female officers are more risk-averse or less self-confident than male officers as they tend to restrict credit availability to new, un-established borrowers more than their male counterparts.
TL;DR: It is confirmed that the protein concentration plays an important role on the pH-unfolded BSA state, due to a delicate compromise between interaction forces and crowding effects.
TL;DR: Underexpression of mir-155, let-7i, mir-146a was found to characterize progression to metastastatic tumours and whether differentially expressed miRNAs will help to better classify OSCCs, thus improving diagnoses and patient care.
Abstract: Oral squamous cell carcinoma, the most frequently occurring malignant head and neck tumour, generally exhibits poor prognosis and metastases are the main cause of death. The discovery of reliable prognostic indicators of tumour progression could greatly improve clinical practice. MicroRNAs are involved in the regulation of basic cellular processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Since miRNAs have been shown to be abnormally expressed in different tumours their importance as potential cancer prognostic indicators is increasing. To define the role of miRNA in OSCC tumours we investigated the expression profile of 15 OSCC (8 without metastasis and 7 with lymph node metastasis) using microarray analysis. Thirteen miRNA were significantly overexpressed (miR-489, miR-129, miR-23a, miR-214, miR-23b, miR-92, miR-25, miR-210, miR-212, miR-515, miR-146b, miR-21, miR-338) and 6 miRNA were underexpressed (miR-520h, miR-197, miR-378, miR-135b, miR-224, miR-34a) in oral tumours. Underexpression of mir-155, let-7i, mir-146a was found to characterize progression to metastastatic tumours. Further investigations will elucidate whether differentially expressed miRNAs will help to better classify OSCCs, thus improving diagnoses and patient care.
TL;DR: A promising area is the use of minor or pseudo-cereals such as amaranth, buckwheat, quinoa, sorghum and teff to prevent nutritional deficiencies of celiac subjects.
Abstract: The prevalence of Celiac Disease (CD), an autoimmune enteropathy, characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, atrophy of intestinal villi and several clinical manifestations has increased in recent years. Subjects affected by CD cannot tolerate gluten protein, a mixture of storage proteins contained in several cereals (wheat, rye, barley and derivatives). Gluten free-diet remains the cornerstone treatment for celiac patients. Therefore the absence of gluten in natural and processed foods represents a key aspect of food safety of the gluten-free diet. A promising area is the use of minor or pseudo-cereals such as amaranth, buckwheat, quinoa, sorghum and teff. The paper is focused on the new definition of gluten-free products in food label, the nutritional properties of the gluten-free cereals and their use to prevent nutritional deficiencies of celiac subjects.
TL;DR: Results show the appropriateness of the vision-based approach, which is robust to occlusions and light variations, and two algorithms for safe landing area detection, based on a feature optical flow analysis.
Abstract: In this paper a vision-based approach for guidance and safe landing of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is proposed. The UAV is required to navigate from an initial to a final position in a partially known environment. The guidance system allows a remote user to define target areas from a high resolution aerial or satellite image to determine either the waypoints of the navigation trajectory or the landing area. A feature-based image-matching algorithm finds the natural landmarks and gives feedbacks to an onboard, hierarchical, behaviour-based control system for autonomous navigation and landing. Two algorithms for safe landing area detection are also proposed, based on a feature optical flow analysis. The main novelty is in the vision-based architecture, extensively tested on a helicopter, which, in particular, does not require any artificial landmark (e.g., helipad). Results show the appropriateness of the vision-based approach, which is robust to occlusions and light variations.
Ghent University1, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research2, Marche Polytechnic University3, Federal University of Pernambuco4, Natural History Museum5, University of Oldenburg6, National Institute of Oceanography, India7, Shirshov Institute of Oceanology8, University of Nairobi9, University of Szczecin10, Moscow State University11, National Oceanography Centre12, IFREMER13
TL;DR: It is shown that macrohabitat heterogeneity contributes significantly to total deep-sea nematode diversity on a global scale, and that many areas and habitats remain highly under-sampled, affecting the ability to understand fully the contribution of habitat heterogeneity versus regional differences to global nematodes diversity.
Abstract: The great variety of geological and hydrological conditions in the deep sea generates many different habitats. Some are only recently explored, although their true extent and geographical coverage are still not fully established. Both continental margins and mid-oceanic seafloors are much more complex ecologically, geologically, chemically and hydrodynamically than originally thought. As a result, fundamental patterns of species distribution first observed and explained in the context of relatively monotonous slopes and abyssal plains must now be re-evaluated in the light of this newly recognized habitat heterogeneity. Based on a global database of nematode genus composition, collected as part of the Census of Marine Life, we show that macrohabitat heterogeneity contributes significantly to total deep-sea nematode diversity on a global scale. Different deep-sea settings harbour specific nematode assemblages. Some of them, like coral rubble zones or nodule areas, are very diverse habitats. Factors such as increased substrate complexity in the case of nodules and corals seem to facilitate the co-existence of a large number of genera with different modes of life, ranging from sediment dwelling to epifaunal. Furthermore, strong biochemical gradients in the case of vents or seeps are responsible for the success of particular genera, which are not prominent in more typical soft sediments. Many nematode deep-sea genera are cosmopolitan, inhabiting a variety of deep-sea habitats and oceans, whereas only 21% of all deep-sea genera recorded are restricted to a single habitat. In addition to habitat heterogeneity, regional differences are important in structuring nematode assemblages. For instance, seeps from different regions yield different genera that thrive on the sulphidic sediments. This study also shows that many areas and habitats remain highly under-sampled, affecting our ability to understand fully the contribution of habitat heterogeneity versus regional differences to global nematode diversity.
TL;DR: The hypothesis that nanoTiO(2) and single walled nanotubes (SWNT) cause sublethal impacts to the infaunal species Arenicola marina (lugworm) exposed through natural sediments is explored.
TL;DR: Clinically useful the shifting to a quantitative approach that can be defined as the "4 out of 5" rule: the diagnosis of celiac disease is confirmed if at least 4 of the following 5 criteria are satisfied: typical symptoms of Celiac disease; positivity of serum celiac Disease immunoglobulin, A class autoantibodies at high titer.
TL;DR: The abundances of O. ovata were significantly higher in sheltered than in exposed sites indicating a major role of hydrodynamism in regulating bloom dynamics, and bloom development did not show any relationship with temperature, as the peak occurred when temperature values were decreasing.
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of information about organic production on beef liking and consumer willingness to pay was assessed, showing that consumers completely assimilated their liking for organic beef in the direction of expectations.
TL;DR: In this article, the organizational structure of local credit markets has been investigated and it was shown that marginal increases in interbank competition are detrimental to relationship lending in markets where large and outof-market banks are predominant.
Abstract: Recent empirical findings by Elsas (2005) and Degryse and Ongena (2007) document a U-shaped effect of market concentration on relationship lending which cannot be easily accommodated by the investment and strategic theories of relationship lending. In this paper, we suggest that this non-monotonicity can be explained by looking at the organizational structure of local credit markets. We provide evidence that marginal increases in interbank competition are detrimental to relationship lending in markets where large and out-of-market banks are predominant. On the contrary, where relational-based lending technologies are al-ready widely in use in the market by a large group of small mutual banks, an increase in competition may drive banks to further cultivate their extensive ties with customers.
University College London1, Radboud University Nijmegen2, Aarhus University3, Innsbruck Medical University4, City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust5, Harvard University6, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven7, RWTH Aachen University8, University of Lübeck9, Cardiff University10, Marche Polytechnic University11, Duke University12, Université catholique de Louvain13, University Health Network14
TL;DR: Consensus was derived for most of the key aspects of case selection, conduct of treatment, and outcome measures for men who are undergoing focal therapy for localized prostate cancer.
Abstract: Purpose: To establish a consensus in relation to case selection, conduct of therapy, and outcomes that are associated with focal therapy for men with localized prostate cancer. Material and Methods: Urologic surgeons, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and histopathologists from North America and Europe participated in a consensus workshop on focal therapy for prostate cancer. The consensus process was face to face within a structured meeting, in which pertinent clinical issues were raised, discussed, and agreement sought. Where no agreement was possible, this was acknowledged, and the nature of the disagreement noted. Results: Candidates for focal treatment should have unilateral low- to intermediate-risk disease with clinical stage ≤cT2a. Prostate size and both tumor volume and tumor topography are important case selection criteria that depend on the ablative technology used. Currently, the best method to ascertain the key characteristics for men who are considering focal therapy is exposure ...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compare bank size and distance between bank's branches and headquarter as possible sources of organizational frictions and find that firms located in provinces where the local banking system is functionally distant are less inclined to introduce innovations and are more likely to be credit rationed.
Abstract: A growing body of research focuses on banking organizational issues, emphasizing the culties encountered by hierarchically organized banks in lending to borrowers/projects with high intensity of soft information. However, as the two extreme cases of hierarchical and non-hierarchical organizations are typically contrasted, what actually shapes the degree of hierarchy and how to measure it remain fairly vague. In this paper we compare bank size and distance between bank's branches and headquarter as possible sources of organizational frictions. In particular, we study the impact of distance and bank size on the firms' likelihood of introducing innovations and financing constraints on a sample of Italian SMEs. Our results show that firms located in provinces where the local banking system is functionally distant are less inclined to introduce innovations and are more likely to be credit rationed. Conversely, we find that the market share of large banks is only rarely statistically significant and when it is, the economic impact on the probability of introducing innovation and credit rationing is appreciably smaller than that of functional distance. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)