bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An empirical investigation of the factors affecting customer lifetime value
Authors: Dandis Ala' Omar , Al Haj Eid Mohammad Badi’ , Robin Robin , Wierdak Nathalie
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the factors affecting customer lifetime value (CLV) for Internet service providers in Jordan, namely, technical quality, functional quality, brand credibility, confidence benefits, special treatment benefits, customer satisfaction and commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted involving a sample of 481 respondents. SPSS was used to analyse the data and test the proposed relationships, while SmartPLS was used to examine the robustness of our results.

Findings

Results showed that confidence benefits, special treatment benefits and brand credibility had a significant and positive impact on customer satisfaction and commitment, with brand credibility appearing as the most influential factor leading to customer satisfaction and commitment, and ultimately CLV. Furthermore, research reveals an insignificant relationship between functional quality, technical quality and customer satisfaction.

Practical implications

Services' providers seeking to increase CLV need to build strong and sustainable relationships with their customers.

Originality/value

This study incorporates a set of crucial customer relationship management strategies that could be universally applied to enhance customers benefits and business performance. This is also the first study of its kind conducted in the Middle East, particularly in Jordan.
Relationships between fluctuations of environmental regulation, technological innovation, and economic growth: a multinational perspective
Authors: Xie Zaiyang , Qu Liang , Lin Runhui , Guo Qiutong
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Environmental regulation is in a continuous state of intense change and modification amid the long-term tensions between environmental protection and economic growth. In this article, the authors creatively investigate how fluctuations of environmental regulation influence a nation's economic growth while also examining the mediating effect of technological innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using sample data of 36 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries from 2013 to 2018, environmental regulation is differentiated in two aspects of formal environmental regulation (FER) and informal environmental regulation (IER) and analyzed to assess the effects of regulatory fluctuations on investment and technological innovation.

Findings

The research results demonstrate that both FER fluctuation and IER fluctuation exert a significant negative impact on economic growth. These two fluctuations in environmental regulation increase uncertainty and unpredictable risks for corporations and investors, significantly stifling the willingness to contribute to innovation activities and leading to a diminished level of innovation. Technological innovation is revealed to have a mediating influence on the relationship of environmental regulation fluctuation to economic growth.

Originality/value

These findings enrich the research on the impact of environmental regulation from a dynamic, multinational perspective, contributing to the literature by exploring the relationships between environmental regulation fluctuation, technological innovation and economic growth at the OECD-country level.
Just a leader? Leadership work challenges and identity contradiction experienced by Finnish physician leaders
Authors: Huikko-Tarvainen Sari , Sajasalo Pasi , Auvinen Tommi
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study seeks to improve the understanding of physician leaders' leadership work challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The subjects of the empirical study were physician leaders (n = 23) in the largest central hospital in Finland.

Findings

A total of five largely identity-related, partially paradoxical dilemmas appeared regarding why working as “just a leader” is challenging for physician leaders. First, the dilemma of identity ambiguity between being a physician and a leader. Second, the dilemma of balancing the expected commitment to clinical patient work by various stakeholders and that of physician leadership work. Third, the dilemma of being able to compensate for leadership skill shortcomings by excelling in clinical skills, encouraging physician leaders to commit to patient work. Fourth, the dilemma of “medic discourse”, that is, downplaying leadership work as “non-patient work”, making it inferior to patient work. Fifth, the dilemma of a perceived ethical obligation to commit to patient work even if the physician leadership work would be a full-time job. The first two issues support the findings of earlier research, while the remaining three emerging from the authors’ analysis are novel.

Practical implications

The authors list some of the practical implications that follow from this study and which could help solve some of the challenges.

Originality/value

This study explores physician leaders' leadership work challenges using authentic physician leader data in a context where no prior empirical research has been carried out.
Investigating instructional influence in teachers' social networks
Authors: Kaul Maya , Supovitz Jonathan , Comstock Meghan
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study investigates the reasons teachers seek instructional assistance from their colleagues. By examining both the reasons why teachers seek assistance and considering which reasons for seeking assistance predict shifts in teaching practice, this analysis provides new insights into how schools can leverage teachers' social networks for organizational change.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on interview and survey data from a sample of 52 schools across seven districts in the United States, we first qualitatively explore the reasons teachers seek instructional assistance, based on patterns in teachers' self-reported descriptions of their instructional advice-seeking. Then, we apply hierarchical linear models to predict which individual characteristics and organizational features influence the reasons' teachers seek assistance and which reasons for seeking assistance influence their subsequent shifts in teaching practice.

Findings

Teachers' positions in their social networks, their experience levels and their organizational contexts predict the reasons for which they seek instructional assistance. In addition, teachers seeking advice based on perceptions of their peers' experience or resource access predicts positive shifts in teaching practice; however, fewer than half of teachers' instructional-advice seeking ties reported in our sample were motivated by either of these two reasons.

Practical implications

The findings highlight the potential for school leaders and policymakers to improve teaching practice by making educators' experience and resources more accessible within schools and creating structures that enable collaboration.

Originality/value

This paper addresses a gap in social network literature by moving beyond a structuralist analysis of teachers' collegial networks to investigate teachers' motivations for pursuing advice-seeking ties.
The mediating role of organizational innovation on the impact of strategic agility on firm performance
Authors: Yildiz Tayfun , Aykanat Zafer
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The field of strategic management mainly concerns with the achievement and sustainability of competitive advantage since the sustainability of strategic competitive advantage is more challenging. The concept of innovation can also be regarded as a to respond continuously changing environmental conditions and to sustain firm profits. The aim of this paper is to examine the mediating role of organizational innovation for the impact of strategic agility on firm performance and to determine the relationship among variables. Although there is a significant amount of work on organizational innovation, literature is still lacking in the debate on strategic agility and firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire was administered to 216 firms operating in the Sakarya Organized Industrial Zone (Marmara Region of Turkey) during September–December 2019 and the data were analyzed using structural equation analysis for hypothesis testing.

Findings

Results reveal that strategic agility has a positive impact on both firm performance (ß = 0.895) and organizational innovation (ß = 0.854), and organizational innovation (ß = 0.485) plays a partial mediating role on this relationship.

Originality/value

The results of this study improve our understanding of how these factors affect firm performance in the organized industrial zone.
Lifetime movement history is associated with variable growth of a potamodromous freshwater fish
Authors: Barrow Joshua S. , Yen Jian D. L. , Koehn John D. , Zampatti Brenton P. , Thiem Jason D. , Tonkin Zeb , Strawbridge Arron , Morrongiello John R.
Published: June 2021

Directional or stabilising selection should drive the expression of a dominant movement phenotype within a population. Widespread persistence of multiple movement phenotypes within wild populations, however, suggests that individuals that move (movers) and those that do not (residents) can have commensurate performance.

The costs and benefits of mover and resident phenotypes remain poorly understood. Here, we explored how the presence and timing of movements are correlated with annual somatic growth rates, a useful proxy for performance because it is easily measured and rapidly reflects environmental changes.

We used otolith growth measurements and stable isotope analyses to recreate growth and among‐reach movement histories of a partially migrating, long‐lived freshwater fish, golden perch Macquaria ambigua. We compared the association between movement and growth at two temporal scales: (a) short‐term (annual) differences in growth, in the years preceding, during or following movement; and (b) long‐term (lifetime) differences in growth.

Overall, 59% of individuals performed at least one among‐reach movement, with these individuals subsequently more likely to move repeatedly throughout their lives. Movers grew faster than residents, with this difference most pronounced in the juvenile and early adult stages, when most movements occurred. Annual growth did not, however, change immediately prior to or following a specific movement event. Among‐individual variation in growth was initially higher for residents than for movers but decreased with age, at a faster rate for residents than for movers, such that levels conformed after 5 years of age.

Our results indicate that lifetime movement is linked to faster growth in the early years of a fish's life. These faster growing movers are likely to be larger at a given age, leading to numerous potential benefits. However, the persistence of resident phenotypes suggests that there is likely a cost–benefit trade‐off to moving. The presence of multiple movement phenotypes may contribute to the resilience of populations by buffering against naturally and anthropogenically exacerbated environmental variability.
Oleogel‐based emulsions: Concepts, structuring agents, and applications in food
Authors: Silva Thais J. , Barrera‐Arellano Daniel , Ribeiro Ana Paula B.
Published: June 2021

This review discusses the application of oleogel technology in emulsified systems. In these systems of mimetic fats, water‐in‐oil or oil‐in‐water emulsions can be obtained, but, here, we cover emulsions with an oil continuous phase in detail. Depending on the percentage of water added to the oleogels, systems with different textures and rheological properties can be developed. These properties are affected by the characteristics and concentration of the added components and emulsion preparation methods. In addition, some gelators exhibit interfacial properties, resulting in more stable emulsions than those of conventional emulsions. Oleogel‐based emulsion are differentiated by continuous and dispersed phases and the structuring/emulsification components. Crucially, these emulsions could be applied by the food industry for preparing, for example, meat products and margarines, as well as by the cosmetics industry. We present the different processes of emulsion elaboration, the main gelators used, the influence of the water content on the structuring of water‐in‐oleogel emulsions, and the structuring mechanisms (Pickering, network, and combined Pickering and network stabilization). Finally, we highlight the applications of these systems as alternatives for reducing processed food lipid content and saturated fat levels.
Comparison of flow characteristics in a bench‐scale system with commercial‐scale pipelines: Use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
Authors: Fan Mengyuan , Kim Woo‐Ju , Heldman Dennis R.
Published: June 2021

The challenges for scale‐up are often encountered in cleaning operations during the interpretation of data from clean‐in‐place (CIP) research. The objective of this investigation was to design and characterize flow characteristics in a bench‐scale system in a manner that evaluates scale‐up to a commercial‐scale CIP operation. A bench‐scale temperature‐controlled vessel was designed for evaluation of in‐place cleaning, and for development of scale‐up parameters. The wall shear stress was selected as the parameter for the comparison, as it is the significant parameter associated with deposit removal. Using the traditional prediction models, the wall shear stress of bench‐scale ranged 0.015 to 4.99 Pa with impeller speeds from 50 to 900 rpm. For the commercial‐scale with 0.022 m of inside diameter, prediction ranged from 1.43 to 7.90 Pa with the mean fluid velocity from 0.72 to 1.67 m/s. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to predict wall shear stress on the surfaces within the bench‐scale and commercial‐scale systems. The predicted wall shear stress values ranged from 0.016 to 2.42 Pa for surfaces within the bench‐scale system, and from 1.33 to 7.20 Pa for the commercial‐scale system. The differences between two calculation methods are attributed to the averaging the magnitude over the whole area and the overestimation of friction coefficients employed in the traditional prediction. The results confirm that CFD provided more reliable wall shear stress estimates for surfaces of interest. The wall shear stress estimates for a bench‐scale compare favorably to estimates for a commercial‐scale pie section in a CIP system.

Practical Application

The current investigation demonstrates that the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation provides accurate estimates for the scale‐up parameters. Both academic and industrial researchers will benefit from the proposed methodologies to compare the flow properties of the bench‐scale and commercial‐scale CIP operation that facilitate the practical implementation of the systems.
The selective use of preoperative MRI in the staging of breast cancer: a single‐institution experience
Authors: Gillies Rohana , Kwok Henry
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Routine use of preoperative breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for loco‐regional staging of breast cancer remains controversial. At Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB), preoperative breast MRI is used selectively within a multidisciplinary setting. The purpose of this study is to determine the accuracy of selective use of preoperative MRI in staging loco‐regional disease and how it has impacted our clinical practice.

Methods

Patients who received preoperative MRI at CMDHB between October 2015 and October 2018 were identified on a prospective database. The decision to offer MRI was made by multidisciplinary consensus. Patient data were collected retrospectively from clinical, imaging and histology records. The accuracy of MRI was determined by comparing it against histology as gold standard, and its potential contribution to treatment decisions and treatment delay was determined by clinical record review.

Results

Ninety‐two patients received preoperative MRI. Additional foci of cancer were identified in ten patients (11%). Sixteen patients (17%) required additional biopsies. In fourteen patients (15%), MRI identified more extensive disease than conventional imaging prompting a change of surgical management. This ‘upstaging’ was confirmed histologically in twelve (13%). In one (1%) patient, MRI incorrectly ‘downstaged’ disease, but it did not alter the management. No patients experienced a delay in treatment due to MRI.

Conclusion

A selective, considered use of preoperative MRI within a multidisciplinary setting at our local institution results in more biopsies but with an acceptable risk–benefit ratio. It provides accurate staging to aid treatment decisions without resulting in a delay in treatment.
Predictors of recruitment and retention in randomized controlled trials of behavioural smoking cessation interventions: a systematic review and meta‐regression analysis
Authors: Bricca Alessio , Swithenbank Zoe , Scott Neil , Treweek Shaun , Johnston Marie , Black Nicola , Hartmann‐Boyce Jamie , West Robert , Michie Susan , de Bruin Marijn
Published: June 2021

Aim

To investigate predictors of participant eligibility, recruitment and retention in behavioural randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for smoking cessation.

Method

Systematic review and pre‐specified meta‐regression analysis of behavioural RCTs for smoking cessation including adult (≥ 18‐year‐old) smokers. The pre‐specified predictors were identified through a literature review and experts’ consultation and included participant, trial and intervention characteristics and recruitment and retention strategies. Outcome measures included eligibility rates (proportion of people eligible for the trials), recruitment rates, retention rates and differential retention rates.

Results

A total of 172 RCTs with 89 639 participants. Eligibility [median 57.6%; interquartile range (IQR) = 34.7–83.7], recruitment (median 66.4%; IQR = 42.7–85.2) and retention rates (median 80.5%; IQR = 68.5–89.5) varied considerably across studies. For eligibility rates, the recruitment strategy appeared not to be associated with eligibility rates. For recruitment rates, use of indirect recruitment strategies (e.g. public announcements) [odds ratio (OR) = 0.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.11–0.82] and self‐help interventions (OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.03–0.67) were associated with lower recruitment rates. For retention rates, higher retention was seen if the sample had ongoing physical health condition/s (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.04–2.63), whereas lower retention was seen amongst primarily female samples (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.71–0.98) and those motivated to quit smoking (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.55–0.99) when indirect recruitment methods were used (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.38–0.97) and at longer follow‐up assessments (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.79–0.87). For differential retention, higher retention in the intervention group occurred when the intervention but not comparator group received financial incentives for smoking cessation (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.02–1.77).

Conclusions

In randomized controlled trials of behavioural smoking cessation interventions, recruitment and retention rates appear to be higher for smoking cessation interventions that include a person‐to‐person rather than at‐a‐distance contact; male participants, smokers with chronic conditions, smokers not initially motivated to quit and shorter follow‐up assessments seems to be associated with improved retention; financial incentive interventions improve retention in groups receiving them relative to comparison groups.
Rising vape pod popularity disrupted declining use of electronic nicotine delivery systems among young adults in Texas, USA from 2014 to 2019
Authors: Loukas Alexandra , Marti C. Nathan , Pasch Keryn E. , Harrell Melissa B. , Wilkinson Anna V. , Perry Cheryl L.
Published: June 2021

Aims

To examine the longitudinal trajectory of young Texan (US) adults’ electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use from 2014 to 2019, and to determine if there are changes in the trajectory among younger and older young adults post‐2017, when vape pods surged in popularity in the United States.

Design

Nine‐wave longitudinal study, with 6 months between each of the first eight waves and 1 year between the last two waves. Discontinuous, or piecewise, growth curve models were used to test the hypotheses that (a) the overall current/past 30‐day ENDS use trajectory would decline from 2014 to spring 2017 but then increase from fall 2017 to 2019, and (b) the increasing trajectory from 2017 to 2019 would occur only for younger participants, but not older participants. All models included socio‐demographic covariates of sex, race/ethnicity, type of college attended at baseline (2‐ or 4‐year) and time‐varying age.

Setting and Participants

A total of 5218 students (aged 18–25 years at baseline; 63.7% female) from 24 colleges in the five counties surrounding Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio, Texas, USA.

Measurements

Participants completed on‐line surveys regarding past 30‐day ENDS use at all nine waves.

Findings

Current ENDS use significantly declined from 2014 to spring 2017 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.59–0.68], and then significantly increased from autumn 2017 to 2019 (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.01–1.29). Further examination indicated the increase in current ENDS use from autumn 2017 to 2019 occurred only for younger [−1 standard deviation (SD) below the mean age, 22.6 years old], but not older (+1 SD above the mean age, 26.2 years old), participants.

Conclusion

The surge in the popularity of vape pods in the United States in late 2017 may have contributed to increasing use of electronic nicotine delivery systems among younger young adults (below 22.6 years) from late 2017 to 2019.
Epigenetic silencing of ZBTB28 promotes renal cell carcinogenesis
Authors: Tong Xin , Xu Lu , Rong Rong , Su Xianwei , Xiang Tingxiu , Peng Weiyan , Shi Taoping
Published: June 2021

Aim

Zinc finger and BTB domain‐containing protein 28 (ZBTB28) is a potential tumor suppressor for some cancers. However, its epigenetic regulation and functions in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain to be elucidated.

Methods

The expression of ZBTB28 mRNA was analyzed by semi‐quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in nine RCC cell lines and normal kidney tissues. Methylation status of ZBTB28 promoter was assessed by methylation‐specific PCR in RCC cell lines, primary RCC, tumors and adjacent tissues. The involvement of ZBTB28 in cell proliferation and migration was investigated.

Results

ZBTB28 promoter was hypermethylated in 88.9% (8/9) of RCC cell lines with reduced ZBTB28 mRNA expression, and could be reversed by DNA methyltransferase inhibitors. The methylation of ZBTB28 promoter was detected in 73.5% (36/49) of primary RCC tissues, compared with 7.1% (1/14) in normal tissues. Overexpression of ZBTB28 significantly inhibited RCC cell proliferation and migration, and induced apoptosis. Further analyses revealed that ZBTB28 upregulation could inhibit multiple oncogenic signaling transduction pathways.

Conclusion

ZBTB28 is frequently silenced by promoter methylation in RCC pathogenesis and functions as a novel tumor suppressive gene. ZBTB28 may be a potential target for the development of RCC therapeutic strategies.
Physalin B inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in undifferentiated human gastric cancer HGC‐27 cells
Authors: Fang Chunsheng , Chen Cunte , Yang Yanjun , Li Kehan , Gao Rili , Xu Dandan , Huang Youxue , Chen Zheng , Liu Zhuandi , Chen Shaohua , Yu Xibao , Li Yangqiu , Zeng Chengwu
Published: June 2021

Background

Physalin B (PB) from Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae) is a naturally occurring secosteroid with multiple biological activities, including anti‐inflammatory and anticancer activity. However, PB's effects and mechanisms in human gastric cancer (GC) cells are not well characterized.

Methods

The undifferentiated GC cell line HGC‐27 and semi‐differentiated GC cell line SGC‐7901 were treated with PB. Cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8) and colony formation assays were performed to evaluate cell viability. Apoptosis and the cell cycle were assessed by Annexin V/PI and PI/RNase DNA staining assays, respectively, and Western blotting was used to evaluate the expression of a protein.

Results

PB significantly inhibited the proliferation of HGC‐27 cells in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Moreover, PB induced G0/G1 cycle arrest and caspase‐dependent apoptosis of HGC‐27 cells. Cleaved caspases 8, 3, and 7, poly(ADP)‐ribose polymerase (PARP), and the cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p‐Chk2 was induced by PB in HGC‐27 cells, while the cell cycle‐related proteins cyclin D1, cyclin D3, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin E, and phosphorylated retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (p‐Rb) were downregulated in a dose‐dependent manner.

Conclusions

PB inhibits proliferation via cyclin‐dependent kinase and induces caspase‐dependent apoptosis in HGC‐27 cells, suggesting that PB might be a novel and effective agent for undifferentiated GC therapy.
Performance status as prognostic factor in phase III trials of first‐line chemotherapy of unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer: A trial‐level meta‐analysis
Authors: Colloca Giuseppe
Published: June 2021

For patients with unresectable or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mPDAC), there are no standardized prognostic and predictive factors beyond performance status (PS). A poor PS, as defined by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score of 2 or more, has been related with a detrimental effect of chemotherapy. Therefore, even more trials enrolled patients with good PS. The current analysis aims to evaluate the results of PS as a prognostic factor in phase III trials of patients with mPDAC receiving first‐line chemotherapy. A literature search on two databases, from 2000 to 2019, and a further selection of clinical trials were performed by predefined criteria. Twelve phase III studies have been included in the analysis: the trials, enrolling 5619 patients, confirmed the worse prognosis of patients with higher ECOG PS scores (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21–1.74; p‐value < 0.001), and a similar trend was evident for patients with an ECOG PS 1 versus 0 (HR = 1.61; 95% CI, 1.43–1.80; p‐value < 0.001) in six studies, enrolling 2799 patients. Heterogeneity of trials was high, with I2 = 91%. Some possible moderators have been suggested, such as the number of drugs in the chemotherapy regimen and the male gender. In conclusion, a low ECOG PS score appears to be related with a longer survival even in trials that excluded patients with an ECOG PS 2 score, but the meta‐analyses reported high heterogeneity and publication bias.
British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of people with vitiligo 2021
Authors: Eleftheriadou V. , Atkar R. , Batchelor J. , McDonald B. , Novakovic L. , Patel J.V. , Ravenscroft J. , Rush E. , Shah D. , Shah R. , Shaw L. , Thompson A.R. , Hashme M. , Exton L.S. , Mohd Mustapa M.F. , Manounah L. ,   the British Association of Dermatologists’ Clinical Standards Unit
Published: June 2021

Linked Comment:  K. Ezzedine and A.G. Pandya. Br J Dermatol 2022; 186:3–4.

Plain language summary available online
The BAFF/NFκB axis is crucial to interactions between sorafenib‐resistant HCC cells and cancer‐associated fibroblasts
Authors: Gao Luping , Morine Yuji , Yamada Shinichiro , Saito Yu , Ikemoto Tetsuya , Tokuda Kazunori , Miyazaki Katsuki , Okikawa Shouhei , Takasu Chie , Shimada Mitsuo
Published: June 2021

The tumor microenvironment affects malignancy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an important role in the microenvironment. As recent studies indicated a difference between CAFs isolated from chemoresistant and non‐resistant cancer tissues, therefore we investigated the intracellular mechanism in resistant HCC co‐cultured CAFs and interactions between these CAFs with cancer cells. We established a sorafenib‐resistant (SR) Huh7 (human HCC) cell line, and characterized it with cytokine assays, then developed CAFs by co‐culturing human hepatic stellate cells with resistant or parental Huh7 cells. The 2 types of CAFs were co‐cultured with parental Huh7 cells, thereafter the cell viability of these Huh7 cells was checked under sorafenib treatment. The SR Huh7 (Huh7SR) cells expressed increased B‐cell activating factor (BAFF), which promoted high expression of CAF‐specific markers in Huh7SR‐co‐cultured CAFs, showed activated BAFF, BAFF‐R, and downstream of the NFκB‐Nrf2 pathway, and aggravated invasion, migration, and drug resistance in co‐cultured Huh7 cells. When we knocked down BAFF expression in Huh7SR cells, the previously increased malignancy and BAFF/NFκB axis in Huh7SR‐co‐cultured CAFs reversed, and enhanced chemoresistance in co‐cultured Huh7 cells returned as well. In conclusion, the BAFF/NFκB pathway was activated in CAFs co‐cultured with cell‐culture medium from resistant Huh7, which promoted chemoresistance, and increased the malignancy in co‐cultured non‐resistant Huh7 cells. This suggests that the BAFF/NFκB axis in CAFs might be a potential therapeutic target in chemoresistance of HCC.
TIM‐3 in normal and malignant hematopoiesis: Structure, function, and signaling pathways
Authors: Kikushige Yoshikane
Published: June 2021

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is hierarchically organized by self‐renewing leukemic stem cells (LSCs). LSCs originate from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by acquiring multistep leukemogenic events. To specifically eradicate LSCs, while keeping normal HSCs intact, the discrimination of LSCs from HSCs is important. We have identified T‐cell immunoglobulin and mucin‐domain containing‐3 (TIM‐3) as an LSC‐specific surface molecule in human myeloid malignancies and demonstrated its essential function in maintaining the self‐renewal ability of LSCs. TIM‐3 has been intensively investigated as a “coinhibitory” or “immune checkpoint” molecule of T cells. However, little is known about its distinct function in T cells and myeloid malignancies. In this review, we discuss the structure of TIM‐3 and its function in normal blood cells and LSCs, emphasizing the specific signaling pathways involved, as well as the therapeutic applications of TIM‐3 molecules in human myeloid malignancies.
Apparent failed and discordant adrenal vein sampling: A potential confounding role of cortisol cosecretion?
Authors: Kline Gregory A. , So Benny , Campbell David J. T. , Chin Alex , Harvey Adrian , Venos Erik , Pasieka Janice , Leung Alexander A.
Published: June 2021

Objective

Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) and computed tomography (CT) often show confusingly discordant lateralisation results in primary aldosteronism (PA). We tested a biochemical algorithm using AVS data to detect cortisol cosecretion as a potential explanation for discordant cases.

Design

Retrospective analysis from a large PA + AVS database.

Patients

All patients with PA and AVS, 2005–2020.

Measurements

An algorithm using biochemical data from paired AVS + CT images was devised from physiological first principles and informed by data from unilateral, AVS–CT concordant patients. The algorithm involved calculations based upon the expectation that low cortisol levels exist in adrenal vein effluent opposite an aldosterone‐and‐cortisol‐producing adrenal mass and may reverse lateralisation due to inflated aldosterone/cortisol ratios.

Main Outcomes

The algorithm was applied to cases with discordant CT–AVS lateralisation to determine whether this might be a common or explanatory finding. Clinical and biochemical characteristics of identified cases were collected via chart review and compared to CT–AVS concordant cases to detect evidence of biological plausibility for cortisol cosecretion.

Results

From a total of 588 AVS cases, 141 AVS + CT pairs were clear unilateral PA cases, used to develop the three‐step algorithm for AVS interpretation. Applied to 88 AVS + CT discordant pairs, the algorithm suggested possible cortisol cosecretion in 40%. Case review showed that the proposed cortisol cosecretors, as identified by the algorithm, had low/suppressed adrenocorticotropic hormone levels, larger average nodule size and lower plasma aldosterone.

Conclusions

Pending external validation and outcome verification by surgery and tissue immunohistochemistry, cortisol cosecretion from aldosteronomas may be a common explanation for discordant CT–AVS results in PA.
Prevalence and characterization of frailty, depression, and cognitive impairment in patients listed for heart transplantation: Results of the FELICITAR prospective registry
Authors: Ayesta Ana , Valero Masa María Jesús , Vidán María Teresa , Luna‐López Raquel , Segovia‐Cubero Javier , García‐Cosío María Dolores , Pérez Gómez Laura , Pérez Pedro Caravaca , Vázquez López‐ Ibor Jorge , Nuche Jorge , Martínez‐Sellés Manuel
Published: June 2021

Introduction

It is recommended to assess frailty prior to heart transplantation (HT). Our objective was to assess the prevalence of frailty in patients listed for HT.

Methods

The FELICITAR registry (Frailty Evaluation after List Inclusion, Characteristics and Influence on TrAnsplantation And Results) is a prospective registry that includes patients listed for HT in three centers, from January 2017 to April 2019. We assessed the presence of frailty, depression, cognitive impairment, and quality of life when included.

Results

Ninety‐nine patients were included. Of this group, 30.6% were frail, 55 (56.1%) had depression (treated only in nine patients), and 51 (54.8%) had cognitive impairment. Compared with non‐frail patients, frail patients were more frequently hospitalized when included in HT waiting list (P = .048), had a lower upper‐arm circumference (P = .026), had a lower Barthel index (P = .001), more anemia (P = .010), higher rates of depression (P = .001), poorer quality of life (P = .001), and lower hand‐grip strength (P < .001). In multivariate analysis hand‐grip strength (odds ratio .91; 95% confidence interval .87–.96, P < .001) and Barthel index (odds ratio .90; 95% confidence interval .82–.99, P = .024) were associated with frailty.

Conclusions

Frailty, depression, and cognitive impairment are common in patients included in HT waiting list. Frailty is strongly associated with hand‐grip strength.
Symmetric drug‐related intertriginous and flexural exanthema: Clinicopathologic study of 19 cases and review of literature
Authors: Schuler Andrew M. , Smith Emily H. , Chaudet Kristine M. , Bresler Scott C. , Gudjonsson Johann E. , Kroshinsky Daniela , Nazarian Rosalynn M. , Chan May P.
Published: June 2021

Background

Symmetric drug‐related intertriginous and flexural exanthema (SDRIFE) is a cutaneous drug reaction characterized by gluteal/anogenital erythema and symmetric involvement of other intertriginous location(s) without systemic signs. Clinicopathologic characterization has been limited to case reports and small series. We describe 19 new cases and review the literature to better define the clinical and histopathologic spectrum of SDRIFE.

Methods

Pathology archives were searched for “SDRIFE” and “baboon syndrome.” Cases meeting clinical criteria were included. Clinical and histopathologic features were recorded. Previous reports of SDRIFE with histopathologic descriptions were reviewed.

Results

Nineteen new cases were included, over half triggered by antibiotics. Six new causative medications were identified. Median onset was 7 days. Typical lesions were erythematous plaques or papules with or without scale. The most common histopathologic finding was superficial perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate followed by dermal eosinophils, spongiosis, and orthokeratosis. Basal vacuolization and apoptotic keratinocytes were less common. Interstitial histiocytes were present in almost half of our cases. Other findings included atypical lymphocytes and “flame figure.”

Conclusions

Appreciation of the range of inciting medications and clinicopathologic features in SDRIFE will improve recognition of this condition. Although many histopathologic features overlap with other common dermatitides, biopsy may assist in excluding key clinical mimics.
An analysis of the ASEM Education Process and its role in higher education
Authors: Munusamy M. Miandy , Hashim Azirah
Published: June 2021

Worldwide, there is a pressing need for nations to seriously enhance the international dimension in higher education through international cooperation to stay competitive in a globalised higher education system. The Asia‐Europe Meeting (ASEM) is an inter‐governmental organisation formed in 1996. Since then, it has been actively involved in higher education programmes around the globe. The sixth ASEM Summit (2006) underlined the importance of multidimensional dialogue and cooperation in education. This led to the official formation of the ASEM Education Process (AEP) in 2008 and the inauguration of a recurring meeting of ministers with a focus on higher education. Also, more than 120 ASEM education meetings at political and stakeholder levels have been conducted. This article analyses the processes involved in embedding higher education in the AEP and assesses the prospects of intensifying the role of the AEP in ASEM higher education. The data were collected from participant observations, semi‐structured interviews and an analysis of ASEM education policy documents and reports. Our findings highlight the AEP's role in setting the agenda for making higher education a fundamental priority of Asia‐Europe cooperation. AEP offers numerous opportunities for ASEM partners to enhance the visibility of their higher education system. The creation of the right platform for all relevant parties to be involved in the development of ASEM education cooperation is vital. Thus, commitment from ASEM education partners and stakeholders is imperative in enriching the AEP and enabling continuous progress in higher education between Asia and Europe.
Quality in validation from a Nordic perspective
Authors: Andersson Per
Published: June 2021

Quality is a main issue when practices of validation are developed. In the Nordic countries, a model of quality assurance in validation has been introduced, to be applied in the development of validation practices. The model puts the individual at the centre and introduces eight factors for quality: information, preconditions, documentation, coordination, guidance, mapping, assessment, and follow‐up. This article presents and discusses the Nordic model as a tool for quality work in validation. In the discussion on the model, some more general concepts and perspectives on quality in validation are introduced, such as the call for a balance between flexibility and standardisation, and the need to understand quality in relation to the possible aims of the validation process. The article also applies the model to the analysis of a project for the development of validation work in cooperation between the municipalities in the region of East Sweden, in which the model appears to be useful for understanding and developing validation work.
The effects of climate, oceanography, and habitat on the distribution and abundance of northern California Current continental shelf groundfishes
Authors: Howard Rebecca A. , Ciannelli Lorenzo , Waldo Wakefield W. , Fewings Melanie R.
Published: June 2021

The California Current Ecosystem has experienced variable climate regimes, hypoxia, and marine heatwave events that have the potential to impact groundfishes and their associated fisheries. Using bottom trawl survey data collected by NOAA Fisheries, we assessed changes over the last four decades in northern California Current continental shelf (≤200 m) groundfish assemblage composition, species' presence, and relationships to environmental and habitat variables. We focus on the currently understudied continental shelf area, due to its ecological and economic importance, especially after the recent opening of historically important areas to trawling. We found a temporally consistent separation in groundfish assemblages between depth zones based on NMS analysis using species found in over 1% of samples, with shallow, mid‐, and deep shelf groupings. Grain size, species richness, and diversity were associated with assemblage composition. Then, focusing on petrale sole, rex sole, lingcod, arrowtooth flounder, sablefish, English sole, Pacific sanddab, and Dover sole, we examined what factors impact groundfish presence and abundance on the shelf. Bottom temperature, sediment characteristics, and depth were correlated with abundance for all species. These results corroborate previous work indicating recent reductions in presence of hypoxia‐intolerant species. Shallow‐water groundfishes known to tolerate warmer water and low dissolved oxygen concentrations exhibit reductions offshore, possibly a result of low recruitment. There have been significant spatiotemporal changes in the shelf groundfish populations over the past several decades, and while assemblage composition over most of the shelf remains consistent, single species distributional shifts may impact access to target species in newly reopened areas.
Certification of a Natural Silicon Reference Material with SI‐Traceable Isotopic Composition
Authors: Ren Tongxiang , Gao Yuya , Wang Song , Song Panshu , Wang Jun
Published: June 2021

Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the continental crust. Studies have illustrated that silicon isotopes have a potential to be tracers in the biogeochemical silica cycle. This paper details a developed method for the production and certification of a new Si reference material with natural‐like isotopic composition using a fully calibrated multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometer (MC‐ICP‐MS). To correct for the mass bias effect, three blend solutions were gravimetrically prepared with isotopically enriched 28Si, 29Si and 30Si materials. Homogeneity and stability tests were performed, and no significant influences were found. Uncertainties of property values were evaluated, and the traceability to the International System of Units (SI) was established. The developed certified reference material (GBW04503) is a silicon powder (≈ 300 mesh) with high purity (≈ 0.999 99 kg kg−1), which can be used in silicon isotopic measurement to support validation of analytical procedures and/or quality control of gas source mass spectrometry (GS‐MS) or MC‐ICP‐MS. The certified isotope amount ratios of n(29Si)/n(28Si) and n(30Si)/n(28Si) are 0.050291(12) mol mol−1 and 0.033397(16) mol mol−1, respectively, (k = 2), and the certified isotope amount fractions of silicon are 92.2776(20)% (28Si), 4.6407(10) % (29Si) and 3.0818(14)% (30Si) (k = 2). Meanwhile, the delta value of δ30/28SiNBS 28 = 1.679(17)‰ was obtained (k = 2).
The impact of industrial structure upgrades on the urban–rural income gap: An empirical study based on China's provincial panel data
Authors: Zhou Qiuyang , Li Zhenqiang
Published: June 2021

Using panel data for 29 provinces in China from 2000 to 2018, this paper mainly presents an empirical study on the impact of industrial structure upgrades on the urban–rural income gap. An overall analysis at the national level is conducted before the separate analysis of the relevant content of China's eastern, central, and western regions. The results reveal that at the national level, the upgrading of industrial structure is conducive to narrowing the urban–rural income gap; however, the impact of industrial structure upgrades on the urban–rural income gap differs from different regions: in eastern China, the impact of industrial structure upgrades on the urban–rural income gap varies over time, and the relationship between the two variables shows an N‐shaped curve; in central China, the upgrading of industrial structure can help to narrow the income gap between urban and rural areas; in western China, upgrading the industrial structure will widen the urban–rural income gap. Finally, certain policy recommendations are proposed.
Breaking the mold: Working through our differences to vocalize the sound of change
Authors: Abdellatif Amal , Aldossari Maryam , Boncori Ilaria , Callahan Jamie , Na Ayudhya Uracha Chatrakul , Chaudhry Sara , Kivinen Nina , Sarah Liu Shan‐Jan , Utoft Ea Høg , Vershinina Natalia , Yarrow Emily , Pullen Alison
Published: June 2021

This paper orchestrates alterethnographical reflections in which we, women, polyphonically document, celebrate and vocalize the sound of change. This change is represented in Kamala Harris's appointment as the first woman, woman of color, and South Asian American as the US Vice President, breaking new boundaries of political leadership, and harvesting new gains for women in leadership and power more broadly. With feminist awareness and curiosity, we organize and mobilize individual texts into a multivocal paper as a way to write solidarity between women. Recognizing our intersectional differences, and power differentials inherent in our different positions in academic hierarchies, we unite to write about our collective concerns regarding gendered, racialised, classed social relations. Coming together across intersectional differences in a writing community has been a vehicle to speak, relate, share, and voice our feelings and thoughts to document this historic moment and build a momentum to fulfill our hopes for social change. As feminists, we accept our responsibility to make this history written, rather than manipulated or erased, by breaking the mold in the form of multi‐layered embodied texts to expand writing and doing research differently through re/writing otherness.
An Italian multicenter analysis of emergency admissions and treatment of upper tract urolithiasis during the lockdown and reopening phases of the COVID‐19 pandemic: Are we ready for a second wave of the outbreak?
Authors: Castellani Daniele , Ragonese Mauro , Di Rosa Mirko , Marzio Vittorio , Di Gianfrancesco Luca , Bassi Pierfrancesco , De Dominicis Mauro , Dellabella Marco , Antonucci Michele
Published: June 2021

Objectives

To assess if the lockdown period (March–April 2020) during the coronavirus disease‐19 outbreak in Italy influenced the number, presentation, and treatment of urgent admissions to the emergency department for ureteral lithiasis, and to evaluate the same variables during the reopening phase (May–June 2020).

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to the emergency department of three different hospitals (two coronavirus disease‐19 hubs). Demographics and data on acute pyelonephritis, acute kidney injury, urinoma, hematuria, inpatient admission/discharge home, and type of treatment were gathered and compared with the same periods in 2019.

Results

A total of 516 patients were admitted during the study period, of whom 62.4% were male. Their mean age was 58.86 ± 16.24 years. The number of admissions decreased significantly, by 51.25% (P = 0.003), during lockdown compared to 2019 (78 vs 160 admissions). The number of admissions in the reopening phase (May–June 2020) was in line with that in 2019 (n = 138). The number of hospitalizations (P = 0.005), acute obstructive pyelonephritis (P = 0.019), and complications (P = 0.02) was statistically significantly higher during lockdown compared to 2019. The increase in the rate of surgical procedures nearly reached significance (P = 0.059). The odds of having complications and being hospitalized were almost fivefold (odds ratio 4.68, 95% confidence interval 1.98–11.07) and twofold greater (odds ratio 2.39, 95% confidence interval 1.29–4.43) compared to the same period in 2019. No difference was noted between May–June 2020 and 2019.

Conclusion

The coronavirus disease‐19 lockdown period provoked a meaningful reduction in symptomatic ureteral lithiasis admission. Most patients presented with complicated disease, which required an increased rate of interventional procedures compared to the equivalent period in 2019. Admissions reverted to normal levels during the reopening phase.