Coopetitive business models in future mobile broadband with licensed shared access (LSA)

6siopenSpectrum scarcity forces mobile network operators (MNOs) providing mobile broadband services to develop new business models that address spectrum sharing. It engages MNOs into coopetitive relationship with incumbents. Licensed Shared Access (LSA) concept complements traditional licensing and helps MNOs to access new spectrum bands on a shared basis. This paper discusses spectrum sharing with LSA from business perspective. It describes how coopetition and business model are linked conceptually, and identifies the influence of coopetition on future business models in LSA. We develop business models for dominant and challenger MNOs in traditional licensing and future with LSA. The results indicate that coopetition and business model concepts are linked via value co-creation and value co-capture. LSA offers different business opportunities to dominant and challenger MNOs. Offering, value proposition, customer segments and differentiation in business models become critical in mobile broadband.openP. Ahokangas; M. Matinmikko; I. Atkova; L.F. Minervini; S. Yrjölä; M. MustonenP., Ahokangas; M., Matinmikko; I., Atkova; Minervini, LEO FULVIO; S., Yrjölä; M., Mustone

Prevention of leg cramps by using compression stockings or magnesium supplements in the 50-84 age group : study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background: Leg cramps are painful sensations of tightening in the muscles of the legs that commonly appear during the night and are often associated with secondary insomnia. They are common especially in older age. There is no evidence that any method of prevention of nocturnal leg cramps is both safe and effective. There are no previous trials concerning cramp prevention by using compression stockings. The objective of this study is to assess in a prospective randomised controlled trial whether leg cramps can be prevented by the daily use of knee-length compression stockings or magnesium supplements. Methods: The study will be set in Finland, and 50-84-year-old volunteers will be recruited through Google Ads, the Finnish health library website and Finnish primary health care centres. The participants must have a minimum of two episodes of leg cramps per week for the past 4 weeks to be included in the study. The participants (n = 225) will be allocated to three equal groups: the compression stocking arm, the magnesium supplement arm and the placebo arm. The participants will go through 4 weeks of follow-up without intervention and then another 4 weeks of follow-up with the assigned intervention. The material for the study will be collected through electronic questionnaires. Discussion: This protocol describes a study that compares compression stockings, magnesium supplements and placebo for the prevention of leg cramps. The results of this study can significantly improve knowledge on the methods of preventing leg cramps.Peer reviewe

Dental Epithelial Stem Cells Express the Developmental Regulator Meis1

MEIS1 is a key developmental regulator of several organs and participates in stem cell maintenance in different niches. However, despite the murine continuously growing incisor being a well described model for the study of adult stem cells, Meis1 has not been investigated in a dental context. Here, we uncover that Meis1 expression in the tooth is confined to the epithelial compartment. Its expression arises during morphogenesis and becomes restricted to the mouse incisor epithelial stem cell niche, the labial cervical loop. Meis1 is specifically expressed by Sox2(+) stem cells, which give rise to all dental epithelial cell lineages. Also, we have found that Meis1 in the incisor is coexpressed with potential binding partner Pbx1 during both embryonic and adult stages. Interestingly, Meis2 is present in different areas of the forming tooth and it is not expressed by dental epithelial stem cells, suggesting different roles for these two largely homologous genes. Additionally, we have established the expression patterns of Meis1 and Meis2 during tongue, hair, salivary gland and palate formation. Finally, analysis of Meis1-null allele mice indicated that, similarly, to SOX2, MEIS1 is not essential for tooth initiation, but might have a role during adult incisor renewal.Peer reviewe

The three mouse actin-depolymerizing factor/cofilins evolved to fulfill cell-type-specific requirements for actin dynamics

Actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilins are essential regulators of actin filament turnover. Several ADF/cofilin isoforms are found in multicellular organisms, but their biological differences have remained unclear. Herein, we show that three ADF/cofilins exist in mouse and most likely in all other mammalian species. Northern blot and in situ hybridization analyses demonstrate that cofilin-1 is expressed in most cell types of embryos and adult mice. Cofilin-2 is expressed in muscle cells and ADF is restricted to epithelia and endothelia. Although the three mouse ADF/cofilins do not show actin isoform specificity, they all depolymerize platelet actin filaments more efficiently than muscle actin. Furthermore, these ADF/cofilins are biochemically different. The epithelial-specific ADF is the most efficient in turning over actin filaments and promotes a stronger pH-dependent actin filament disassembly than the two other isoforms. The muscle-specific cofilin-2 has a weaker actin filament depolymerization activity and displays a 5-10-fold higher affinity for ATP-actin monomers than cofilin-1 and ADF. In steady-state assays, cofilin-2 also promotes filament assembly rather than disassembly. Taken together, these data suggest that the three biochemically distinct mammalian ADF/cofilin isoforms evolved to fulfill specific requirements for actin filament dynamics in different cell types

Efficacy of 5-day parenteral versus intramammary benzylpenicillin for treatment of clinical mastitis caused by gram-positive bacteria susceptible to penicillin in vitro

Peer reviewe

Disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs) expression in gastroesophageal reflux disease and in esophageal adenocarcinoma

Clinically useful marker molecules for the progression of gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus (BE) to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) are lacking. Many adenocarcinomas and inflammatory conditions exhibit increased expression of ADAMs, 'a disintegrin and metalloproteinases'. We assessed the expression of five ADAMs (9, 10, 12, 17, 19) in three esophageal cell lines (Het-1A, OE19, OE33) by RT-PCR and Western blotting, and in human samples of normal esophagus, esophagitis, BE, Barrett's dysplasia, and EAC by RT-PCR, and in selected samples by immunohistochemistry. EAC patients showed increased mRNA expression of ADAMs 9, 12, 17 and 19, as compared to controls. At immunohistochemistry, ADAM9 and ADAM10 proteins were increased in EAC. Patient samples also showed increased mRNA expression of ADAM12 in esophagitis, of ADAM9 in BE, and of ADAMs 9, 12 and 19 in Barrett's dysplasia, as compared to controls. Two EAC cell lines showed increased ADAM9 mRNA. ADAM9 expression is increased in EAC. Its predecessors show increased ADAM9 mRNA expression. The importance of the alterations in ADAM expression for the development of EAC, and their use as marker molecules, warrant further studies.Peer reviewe

Safety and Antitumour Activity of ODM-201 (BAY-1841788) in Chemotherapy-naïve and CYP17 Inhibitor-naïve Patients : Follow-up from the ARADES and ARAFOR Trials

Background: ODM-201, a new androgen receptor antagonist for treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), demonstrated antitumour activity and acceptable tolerability in phase 1/2 trials. Objective: To determine the antitumour activity and safety profile of extended treatment with ODM-201 in men with mCRPC. Design, setting, and participants: ARADES and ARAFOR trials with ODM-201 enrolled chemotherapy-naïve and CYP17 inhibitor (CYP17i)-naïve mCRPC patients. Both trials had extended follow-up. Here we report results for chemotherapy-naïve and CYP17i-naïve patients from both trials (data cutoff October 2014 for ARADES and April 2015 for ARAFOR) after extended follow-up. Intervention: A total of 41 chemotherapy-naïve and CYP17i-naïve patients received oral ODM-201 twice daily (total daily dose of 1200, 1400 or 1800 mg). Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Antitumour activity was assessed in terms of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) declines and PSA/radiographic progression. Safety was assessed until disease progression and/or drug discontinuation due to any intolerable adverse event (AE). Results and limitations: ODM-201 safety data after a median treatment time of 13.5 mo (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.7–15.6, interquartile range [IQR] 7.5–22.0) were similar to those reported in the main ARADES and ARAFOR trials. The overall AE incidence was 80.5% (n = 33/41), with 58.5% (n = 24/41) of patients experiencing only grade 1–2 AEs. The most common AEs were fatigue, back pain, diarrhoea, nausea, and pain in extremity. The median times to PSA and radiological progression were 12.4 mo (95% CI 6.3–18.2, IQR 5.5–22.0) and 15.3 mo (95% CI 9.5–not reached [NR], IQR 6.3–NR), respectively. Conclusions: Extended treatment with ODM-201 (1200–1800 mg/d) was well tolerated, with no new safety concerns, and provided evidence of sustained antitumour activity in chemotherapy-naïve and CYP17i-naïve patients with mCRPC. Patient summary: Prolonged treatment with high doses of ODM-201 was well tolerated and provided long-lasting disease control in patients with mCRPC. ODM-201 represents a therapeutic treatment option for mCRPC. The ARAFOR trial (including the follow-up stage) and the follow-up component of the ARADES trial are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov as trial numbers NCT01784757 and NCT01429064. Extended treatment with ODM-201 was well tolerated and provided long-lasting disease control in chemotherapy- naïve and CYP17 inhibitor-naïve patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). ODM-201 may represent an additional effective treatment option for mCRPC. © 2017 European Association of UrologyPeer reviewe

Activated matrix metalloproteinase 8 in serum predicts severity of acute pancreatitis

Objectives: Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) has high morbidity and mortality but there are no widely accepted predictive biomarkers in clinical use. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are active in tissue destruction and inflammatory responses. We studied whether serum levels of activated MMP-8 (aMMP8), MMP-9 and their regulators tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and human neutrophil elastase (HNE) could predict the development of SAP. Methods: The study comprised 214 AP patients (revised Atlanta classification: 142 mild, MAP; 54 moderately severe, MSAP; 18 SAP) referred to Helsinki University Hospital. A venous blood sample was taken within 72 h from the onset of symptoms. Serum levels of aMMP-8 were determined using immunofluorometric assay, and those of MMP-9, TIMP-1, MPO and HNE using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. AP groups were compared using Jonckheere-Terpstra test and predictive value for SAP was analyzed using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. Results: Serum aMMP-8 levels were higher in SAP (median 657 ng/ml, interquartile range 542-738 ng/ ml) compared to MSAP (358 ng/ml, 175-564 ng/ml; p < 0.001) and MAP (231 ng/ml, 128-507 ng/ml; p < 0.001). Similar trend was seen with TIMP-1 and MPO. In ROC analysis aMMP-8, MPO and TIMP-1 emerged as potential markers for the development of SAP (areas under ROC curves 0.83, 0.71 and 0.69, respectively). Conclusions: Serum aMMP-8 measured early in the course of AP (within 72 h of symptom onset) predicted the development of SAP. (c) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of IAP and EPC. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).Peer reviewe