Category Congruence of Display-Only Products Influences Attention and Purchase Decisions

In e-commerce settings, shoppers can navigate to product-specific pages on which they are asked to make yes-or-no decisions about buying a particular item. Beyond that target, there are often other products displayed on the page, such as those suggested by the retailers' recommendation systems, that can influence consumers' buying behavior. We propose that display items that come from the same category as the target product (matched) may enhance target purchase by increasing the attractiveness of the presented opportunity. Contrasting this, mismatched display items may reduce purchase by raising awareness of opportunity costs. Eye-tracking was used to explore this framework by examining how different types of displays influenced visual attention. Although target purchase rates were higher for products with matched vs. mismatched displays, there was no difference in fixation time for the target images. However, participants attended to mismatched display items for more time than they did for matched ones consistent with the hypothesized processes. In addition, increases in display attractiveness increased target purchase, but only for matched items, in line with supporting the target category. Given the importance of relative attention and information in determining the impact of display items, we replicated the overall purchase effect across varying amounts of available display information in a second behavioral study. This demonstration of robustness supports the translational relevance of these findings for application in industry.

5965Perimatrial inflammation measured by fluoine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography to predict new-onset atrial fibrillation

Background

Fluoine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is a useful modality of inflammatory disease. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) contains abundant ganglionated plexi, therefore EAT inflammation may cause atrial arrhythmia, such as atrial premature contraction (APC) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Previous studies have shown that inflammatory activity of EAT has relation to the presence of AF. However, it is unknown whether EAT inflammation contributes to the occurrence of AF.

Methods

Out of 20720 examinees who underwent FDG-PET/CT for screening of cancer in the years 2012–2018, 151 (aged 65.6±12.0 years old, 62 females) had ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring (Holter ECG) within a year and non-detection of AF. Standardized uptake value (SUV) was measured in fat adjacent to roof of left atrium (ROOF), atrioventricular groove (AV), left main coronary artery (LMT), and right ventricular blood pool (RV). In order to correct for blood pool activity, SUV of ROOF, AV, and LMT were divided by SUV of RV respectively, yielding target-to-background ratio (TBR). As regards to arterial inflammation, measurements were performed with SUV in ascending aorta (A-Ao) and in superior vena cava (SVC) as blood pool. In the same way, SUV of A-Ao was divided by SUV of SVC, yielding TBR.

Results

According to Holter ECG, APC≥100 beats per day was seen in 60 patients (Group A), but not in the other 91 (Group B). In Group A, TBR of ROOF, AV, and LMT were all significantly higher than Group B (p<0.001, p=0.004, and p=0.008, respectively). During a median follow-up of 179 days, new-onset AF was diagnosed in 7 patients (4 in Group A (6.7%), 3 in Group B (3.3%), p=0.046). There was significant difference in TBR of ROOF between patients with and without new-onset AF (p<0.001), but not in TBR of AV and LMT. In addition, no significant difference was observed in TBR of A-Ao between these two groups. In the Cox proportional hazard analysis, TBR of ROOF was found to be an independent predictor of new-onset AF (odds ratio 40.1, 95% confidence interval 6.05 to 265.9, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Although EAT inflammation evaluated by SUV is related to frequent APCs, only in fat adjacent to roof of left atrium is associated with and predicts future occurrence of AF. Arterial inflammation measured by SUV has no relation to atrial arrhythmia.

Neovascularization effect of biodegradable gelatin microspheres incorporating basic fibroblast growth factor

Biodegradable microspheres were prepared through glutaraldehyde cross-linking of gelatin without using any surfactants as a carrier matrix of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). In the in vitro system, bFGF was sorbed to microspheres of acidic gelatin with an isoelectric point (IEP) of 5.0, but not to those of basic gelatin with an IEP of 9.0. The rate of bFGF sorption to the acidic gelatin microsphere in phosphate-buffered saline solution (pH 7.4) was smaller than that in water. Following incorporation of bFGF into the microspheres at 4 degrees C for 12 h, bFGF release from the bFGF-incorporating microspheres was studied. Approximately 30% of incorporated bFGF was released from the acidic gelatin microsphere within the initial 3 h, followed by no substantial release, whereas the basic gelatin microsphere released almost completely the incorporated bFGF within 1 day. It is likely that when basic bFGF molecules were immobilized to the acidic gelatin constituting microspheres through polyion complexation, they were not readily released under the in vitro nondegradation condition of gelatin. Incorporation of anionic carboxylmethyl cellulose (CMC) into the acidic gelatin microspheres reduced the amount of bFGF desorbed initially. This indicates that the initial burst is ascribed to free bFGF which is not ionically interacted with the acidic gelatin. CMC will function as a bFGF sorbent to suppress the initial leakage from the microspheres. When injected subcutaneously into the mouse back, bFGF-incorporating acidic gelatin microspheres were degraded over time and induced neovascularization around the injection site, in marked contrast to bFGF in the solution form. CMC incorporation slowed down the biodegradation and vascularization effect of bFGF-incorporating gelatin microspheres. It was concluded that the gelatin microsphere was a promising carrier matrix of bFGF to enhance the vascularization effect.

[An investigation of factors in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in congenic mice]

S-antigen or interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), when injected with Freund's complete adjuvant into mice, does not easily cause experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). In this report, we describe the results of injecting IRBP with Freund's complete adjuvant, together with the intraperitoneal administration of Bordetella pertussis, into several types of congenic mice (B10, B10A, B10BR, B10D2). These congenic mice, of C57BL/10 (B10) origin, differ at the H-2 locus on chromosome 17. We were able to produce EAU in 38.5% of B10A mice, and 12.5% of B10BR mice, confirming that EAU can develop in these mice that carry the k genotype at the K, I-A, and I-E regions of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) H-2 locus. We believe that the k genotype of the K, I-A, and I-E regions is important as a factor in the pathogenesis of EAU in congenic B10 mice.

Aluminium beta-cyclodextrin sulphate as a stabilizer and sustained-release carrier for basic fibroblast growth factor

The water-insoluble aluminium salt of beta-cyclodextrin sulphate (Al.beta-CyD-Sul) was used as a stabilizer and sustained-release carrier for recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). An adsorbate of bFGF with Al.beta-CyD-Sul was prepared by incubating the protein with a suspension of Al.beta-CyD-Sul in water. The mitogenic activity of bFGF released from the adsorbate, as indicated by the proliferation of kidney cells of baby hamster (BHK-21), was almost comparable with that of the intact bFGF. Al.beta-CyD-Sul significantly protected bFGF from proteolytic degradation by pepsin and alpha-chymotrypsin, compared with the water-soluble sodium salt. The in-vitro release of bFGF from the adsorbate was sustained in proportion to a rise in the ratio of Al.beta-CyD-Sul to the protein in the adsorbate. Of the bFGF preparations evaluated, the adsorbate of bFGF with Al.beta-CyD-Sul, when given subcutaneously to the rat, showed the most prominent increase in the formation of granulation tissues, due to the stabilization and slow-release of the mitogen. The limited data presented here suggest that the adsorbate of bFGF with Al.beta-CyD-Sul has a potent therapeutic efficacy for wound healing, and may be applicable to oral protein formulations for the treatment of intestinal mucosal erosions.

Percutaneous nucleotomy. A new concept technique and 12 years' experience

Lumbar disc herniations and degenerations are very prevalent lesions, and many surgical approaches have been adopted for these conditions. However, the results of conventional or extensive operations have not always been satisfying. In 1975, the author developed the technique of percutaneous nucleotomy in an effort to avoid the major surgeries then employed. Fenestration of the annulus and partial resection of the nuclear substance are achieved percutaneously by a posterolateral approach. Intradiscal pressure is reduced considerably, and relief of irritation of the nerve root or the pain receptors around the disc is obtained. The extraction of the herniated portion of the disc is not achieved by the procedure. However, the amount of herniated disc substance may be reduced by disc decompression with suction. The procedure can be done in a radiology department under local anesthesia and requires 30 to 60 minutes. Of 136 cases followed, 72% of the patients are satisfied. The concept and theoretical considerations, surgical instruments, details of improved technique, results, and complications of percutaneous nucleotomy are introduced and compared with the original technique.

The torque test as a measure of lateral dominance

The present study was designed to assess the validity of the Torque Test as a measure of functional lateral dominance in children. One hundred forty-nine children were administered the Torque Test and The Harris Test of Lateral Dominance. A low but statistically significant correlation was found between torque and total lateral dominance.