bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct puncture the superior ophthalmic vein guiding by Dyna-CT to obliterating a traumatic carotid-cavernous sinus fistula: A case report and literature review
Authors: Min Xue-Feng , Yuan Gang , Si Guang-Yan , Xu Yan-Neng
Published: October 2022

Rationale:

Traumatic carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (TCCF) is a pathological shunt between the carotid arteries and cavernous sinus due to trauma. Imaging-guided (e.g., ultrasonic image and fluoroscopic roadmap image) direct puncture of the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) for embolization of TCCF has been previously described in other studies.

Patient concerns and diagnosis:

We report a case of TCCF in a 58-years-old male patient who was admitted to our hospital with a sustained head injury after falling from a high platform, resulting in rapidly progressive swelling, pain, diminishing vision for more than 6 months, and blindness in his left eye for 1 month.

Interventions and outcomes:

The patient underwent digital subtraction angiography and endovascular embolization. After the failure of super-selection of the left cavernous sinus, an alternative approach to obliterating the TCCF by puncturing the SOV is directly guided by Dyna-CT. After embolization, the patient’s clinical symptoms gradually disappeared and discharged from the hospital 5 days later. No recurrence or complications occurred during follow-up for 1 year.

Conclusion:

This case illustrates that direct puncture of the SOV guided by Dyna-CT as an alternative approach to embolization of TCCF is safe, effective, and feasible.
BMP-2 and Noggin Immunoexpression in Ameloblastomas, Odontogenic Keratocysts, and Dentigerous Cysts
Authors: Andrade Santos Pedro Paulo de , Nascimento Marcelo Anderson Barbosa , Queiroz Salomão Israel Monteiro Lourenço , Silveira Éricka Janine Dantas da , Souza Lélia Batista de
Published: October 2022

BMP-2 and Noggin are expressed in several tissues and participate in cell differentiation and proliferation during odontogenesis and tumor development. We evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of these proteins in ameloblastomas (AMs), odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs), and dentigerous cysts (DCs). The expression in AM (n.20), OKC (n.20), and DC (n.20) was evaluated by the percentage of positive cells and expression intensity, resulting in a total immunostaining score. Analysis of BMP-2 and Noggin revealed positivity in all cases. The Mann-Whitney test showed a statistically significant difference for Noggin between AM and DC and between OKC/DC. The mean DC scores were always higher than those of the other groups, regardless of the assessment method. Individual analysis of each lesion showed a positive and significant correlation between the percentage of cells positive for BMP-2 and Noggin in DC. We demonstrated the presence of BMP-2 and Noggin in AMs/OKCs/DCs. Marked expression of BMP-2 was observed in OKCs and AMs. There was also a positive correlation between BMP-2 and Noggin in DCs, suggesting a greater role of these markers in the bone formation and remodeling process since DCs are characterized by phases of bone quiescence and healing.
Advances and Updates in Parathyroid Pathology
Authors: Gokozan Hamza N. , Scognamiglio Theresa
Published: October 2022

Hyperparathyroidism is a common endocrine disorder characterized by elevated levels of parathyroid hormone and hypercalcemia and is divided into 3 types: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Distinction between these types is accomplished by correlation of clinical, radiologic, and laboratory findings with pathologic features. Primary hyperparathyroidism occurs sporadically in 85% of cases with the remaining cases associated with multiple familial syndromes. The pathologic manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism include parathyroid adenoma, parathyroid hyperplasia, and parathyroid carcinoma. Recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of parathyroid disease has helped to refine the diagnosis and classification of parathyroid lesions. The identification of multiple clonal proliferations in traditional multiglandular parathyroid hyperplasia has led to the adoption by the World Health Organization (WHO) of the alternate term of primary hyperparathyroidism–related multiglandular parathyroid disease. Additional nomenclature changes include the adoption of the term atypical parathyroid tumor in lieu of atypical parathyroid adenoma to reflect the uncertain malignant potential of these neoplasms. Clinical and morphologic features characteristic of familial disease have been described that can help the practicing pathologist identify underlying familial disease and provide appropriate management. Use of ancillary immunohistochemistry and molecular studies can be helpful in classifying parathyroid neoplasms. Parafibromin has proven useful as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in atypical parathyroid tumors and parathyroid carcinomas. This review provides an update on the diagnosis and classification of parathyroid lesions considering the recent advances in the understanding of the molecular and clinical features of parathyroid disease and highlights the use of ancillary studies (immunohistochemical, and molecular) to refine the diagnosis of parathyroid lesions.
A Very Simple Suture Technique for Correction of Primary Multiple Folds in Asian Eyelids
Authors: Kim Jeenam , Na Youngsu , Jeong Minkyoung , Jun Dongkeun , Lee Myungchul , Shin Donghyeok , Kim Soonheum , Jo Dongin , Kim Sooyoung , Choi Hyungon
Published: October 2022

Background:

Upper blepharoplasty is 1 of the most popular cosmetic procedures in Asia. As people become older, they develop soft tissue atrophy and multiple folds due to a sunken upper eyelid. Furthermore, people with thin upper eyelid skin are more likely to develop multiple folds, even at a young age. The authors investigated the effectiveness of a transverse mattress suture technique to prevent recurrence during upper blepharoplasty in patients with primary multiple folds.

Patients/Methods:

Data on 656 patients with primary multiple folds who underwent upper blepharoplasty from March 2017 to January 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The authors compared the operative time, patients’ satisfaction, panel assessment, and complications according to whether the suture technique was used.

Results:

Among 656 patients, 228 were lost to follow-up or had incomplete data; therefore, the files of 428 patients were analyzed. In total, 199 patients did not undergo the suture technique, whereas 229 patients did. Statistically significant differences were found between the 2 groups in patients’ satisfaction, aesthetic results, and recurrence. However, between-group difference was not significant in terms of symmetry or complications such as hematoma and swelling.

Conclusions:

People with thin upper eyelid skin or slightly protruding eyes are more likely to develop multiple folds at a young age, even in their teens or 20s. The authors performed a skin suture during upper blepharoplasty, and then performed a transverse mattress suture on the spots where multiple folds are expected. Patients who underwent the suture technique showed better aesthetic results and a significantly lower recurrence rate.
Double Primary Malignancies Involving Cutaneous Carcinoma
Authors: Sung Kun-Yong , Lee SeungKoo , Lee Sang-Yeul
Published: October 2022

Multiple primary malignancies (MPMs) refer to the presence of 2 or more histologically distinct malignant tumors in the same individual. The prevalence of MPMs has increased owing to earlier detection of tumors by screening tests and improved treatment modalities for primary tumors. Although any combination of malignant tumors is possible, reports of MPMs involving cutaneous carcinoma are uncommon in the literature. Herein, we present 2 uncommon cases of synchronous double primary malignancies involving basal cell carcinoma and primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma as the index tumors, accompanied by a thyroid carcinoma and a thymoma as the second malignancy, respectively. The authors also describe the usefulness of positron emission tomography/computed tomography for detecting occult primary tumors in patients with cutaneous malignancies.
OK-432 Sclerotherapy of Giant Cervicomediastinal Cystic Hygroma
Authors: Wang Shuqin , Li Xiaoxing , Li Jun , Huang Lidan , Peng Yixin , Chen Qiyue , Zhang Zhaoqiang , Zhu Lijun
Published: October 2022

Cystic hygroma is one type of the benign malformations and typically located in the neck, clavicle, and others, in children under the age of 5 years. However, the incidence of giant cervicomediastinal giant cystic hygroma is very rare, especially in adulthood. Such a location and age make its diagnosis difficult because they are usually asymptomatic. Complete surgical resection seems impossible while multiple sites are involved. Herein, we present a case of giant cervicomediastinal cystic hygroma, describing the clinical presentation, radiographic features, and OK-432 sclerotherapy. In conclusion, repeated OK-432 sclerotherapy may be an effective treatment option in giant cervicomediastinal cystic hygroma. Pay close attention to patient’s symptoms and vital signs, adjusting the OK-432 dose throughout the process.
A 2-Stage Surgical Method to Treat Cup-Shaped Ears: The Outer Helix Reconstruction Method
Authors: Sun Pengfei , Lu Meng , Luan Fang , Wang Yanjin
Published: October 2022

Background:

Cup-shaped ear is a common congenital auricle deformity. There are many specific surgical methods, such as V-Y method, Barsky method, Musgrave method, etc., but there is no unified treatment method. The authors used the outer helix reconstruction method for cup-shaped ear and achieved remarkable therapeutic effects.

Materials and Methods:

The authors performed the outer helix reconstruction on 30 patients with cup-shaped ear. The authors followed up the patients after the stage II operation. The authors used the SPSAU data science analysis platform (https://spssau.com/) for statistical analysis of the data.

Result:

The mean follow-up time was 14.43±4.5 months. The mean preoperative perimeter of auricle was 8.19±0.56 cm. The mean postoperative perimeter of auricle was 10.82±0.49 cm. The mean perimeter of the healthy auricle was 10.89±0.44 cm. Through data analysis, the authors found that the comparison between preoperative and postoperative auricle perimeters was statistically significant (P<0.05). The comparison between postoperative auricle perimeter and the perimeter of the healthy auricle was not statistically significant (P>0.05). In terms of postoperative satisfaction of patients and their families, the satisfaction rate was 100%. In terms of postoperative complications, there were 1 case of incision dehiscence, 0 cases of incision infection, 2 cases of incision hematoma, and 0 cases of postoperative skin flap ischemia and necrosis.

Conclusion:

The outer helix reconstruction method is suitable for most cup-shaped ears, and the operation is simple and the effect is remarkable. It is worthy of promotion and application in plastic surgery clinical.
Incision-based Blepharoplasty with Preservation of Superficial and Deep Blood Vessels
Authors: Jiafu Yang , Hong Ji , Chen Zhang , Zhijun Wang , Zhigang Liu
Published: October 2022

Background:

Single eyelids of many individuals seek incision-based blepharoplasty to construct double eyelids. However, excessive tissue damage is still a common problem after this surgery. Much of the tissue injury incurred during blepharoplasty results from damage to vertical blood vessels in the superficial and deep layers, so we designed a new modified incisional-based blepharoplasty method that preserves superficial and deep blood vessels.

Purpose:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of this preservation of superficial and deep blood vessels approach to incisional-based blepharoplasty.

Methods:

We retrospectively examined the outcomes of 462 consecutive patients receiving this new method from January 2015 to December 2019. The surgical methods were designed to preserve superficial and deep blood vessels to the greatest extent possible. All patients were followed up for 6 to 40 months. Postoperative evaluations were performed and patients graded results at final follow-up as excellent, good, fair, or poor. The combined proportion of excellent, good, and fair was deemed the satisfaction rate.

Results:

The overall satisfaction rate was 94.16% (435/462). Postoperative swelling regressed significantly during the first week and disappeared by 4 weeks postsurgery for patients without ptosis or with mild ptosis, whereas swelling regressed in 2 to 5 weeks for patients with moderate ptosis. Fourteen patients (3.03%, 14/462) displayed obvious bruising after surgery.

Conclusions:

This new blepharoplasty method yielded a high satisfaction rate, rapid dissipation of swelling, low bruising, and low complication rate. This effective and safe surgical method warrants wider use for single eyelid and mild/moderate ptosis.
Perioperative Risk Factors Associated With Unplanned Reoperation Following Vascularized Free Flaps Reconstruction of the Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Fu Ganglan , Wang Chengli , Zeng Chengbo , Liu Zhongqi , Han Zhixiao , Huang Haoquan , Cao Minghui
Published: October 2022

Objectives:

To find out the occurrence rate and risk factors of unplanned reoperation (any unscheduled surgery within 30 d after the initial surgery) in patients who have received oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) surgery and vascularized free flap reconstruction.

Patients and Methods:

We organized a retrospective study of 1058 patients who underwent OSCC resection and reconstruction with vascularized free flaps from 2011 to 2019. Clinical characteristics, reasons for unplanned reoperation, flap types, and previous treatment were compared between the unplanned reoperation group and the control group. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify perioperative risk factors for unplanned reoperation. The related perioperative factors that may influence perioperative infusion were included in propensity score matching to investigate the independent contribution of intraoperative colloid infusion on unplanned reoperation.

Results:

The overall rate of unplanned reoperation in OSCC patients was 11% (n=115). Flap necrosis and bleeding were the most common causes. Higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade [odds ratio (OR)=1.709, P=0.009], postoperative anemia (OR=0.983, P=0.011) and excessive intraoperative colloid input (OR=1.55, P=0.037) were identified as risk factors for unplanned reoperation. Propensity score matching was applied, and the difference of unplanned reoperation incidence between the matched groups was statistically significant (14.59% versus 8.54%; P=0.025). The multivariate analyses after propensity score matching confirmed that the intraoperative rate of colloid infusion of more than 2.3 mL/kg/h (OR=1.756, P=0.042) and prior radiotherapy (OR=2.78, P=0.001) are independent risk factors for unplanned reoperation.

Conclusion:

High intraoperative colloid infusion rate and prior radiotherapy may increase the risk of unplanned reoperation in patients who underwent OSCC surgery and vascularized free flap reconstruction.
Analysis of Inferior Nasal Morphology and Nostrils following Le Fort I Osteotomy
Authors: Suzen Muazzez , Dilaver Emrah , Ak Kivanc Berke , Uckan Sina
Published: October 2022

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the soft tissue parameters related to inferior nasal morphology and nostril shape and investigate the change at nostril types according to the Modified Topinard System following maxillary surgery.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty-five patients who underwent Le Fort I osteotomy with or without mandibular osteotomy were included in this retrospective study. Presurgery (T1) and postsurgery (T2) measurements which were the angle between the longitudinal axis of left and right nostril, nostril length, nostril width, alar width, alar base width, columella length, and columella width, were measured on computed tomography images. Nostril types according to Modified Topinard System and nostril shapes were also examined.

Results:

Following Le Fort I surgery, there was a significant increase in alar base width, alar width, and angle between the longitudinal axis of the left and right nostril (P<0.05). Nasal tip protrusion was decreased with significance (P=0.022). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that every 1 mm maxillary impaction amount leads to a 3.34° increase in the angle between the longitudinal axis of the left and right nostrils (P=0.03, adjusted R
2=0.21). Nostril type classification according to Modified Topinard System was changed significantly (P=0.000).

Conclusion:

Surgeons should be aware of the risk of postoperative nonaesthetic results in Modified Topinard System’s borderline cases. Modified Topinard classification may be included in preoperative orthognathic planning from the bottom view.
Implementation of the Maryland Global Budget Revenue Model and Variation in the Expenditures and Outcomes of Surgical Care
Authors: Shammas Ronnie L. , Coroneos Christopher J. , Ortiz-Babilonia Carlos , Graton Margaret , Jain Amit , Offodile Anaeze C.
Published: October 2022

Objective:

To assess the effect of the Global Budget Revenue (GBR) program on outcomes after surgery.

Background:

There is limited data summarizing the effect of the GBR program on surgical outcomes as compared with traditional fee-for-service systems.

Methods:

The Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were used to conduct a systematic literature search on April 5, 2022. We identified full-length reports of comparative studies involving patients who underwent surgery in Maryland after implementation of the GBR program. A random effects model calculated the overall pooled estimate for each outcome which included complications, rates of readmission and mortality, length of stay, and costs.

Results:

Fourteen studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, with 8 unique studies included in the meta-analysis. Our analytical sample was comprised of 170,011 Maryland patients, 78,171 patients in the pre-GBR group, and 91,840 patients in the post-GBR group. The pooled analysis identified modest reductions in costs [standardized mean difference (SMD) −0.34; 95% CI, −0.42, −0.25; P<0.001], complications [odds ratio (OR): 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36–0.92, P=0.02], readmission (OR: 0.78; 95% CI, 0.72–0.85, P<0.001), mortality (OR: 0.58; 95% CI, 0.47–0.72, P<0.001), and length of stay (standardized mean difference: −0.26; 95% CI, −0.32, −0.2, P<0.001) after surgery.

Conclusions:

Implementation of the GBR program is associated with improved outcomes and reductions in costs among Maryland patients who underwent surgical procedures. This is particularly salient given the increasing need to disseminate and scale population-based payment models that improve patient care while controlling health care costs.
Effects of Umbilical Preparation Before Trans-umbilical Laparo-endoscopic Single-site Surgery on Umbilical Wounds Healing: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Dai Xuelin , Zhang Yulin , Wang Fulan , Luo Yueying , Gong Yao
Published: October 2022

Objective:

The umbilicus is the only anatomic entrance and incision site for trans-umbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (TU-LESS). Data on incisional surgical site infections (ISSI) and incision healing in TU-LESS are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to observe umbilical incision healing and possible hernia after TU-LESS and explore the efficacy of preoperative umbilicus preparation on ISSI.

Subjects and Methods:

Consecutive patients aged 18 to 65 years, who were scheduled to undergo TU-LESS at a teaching hospital between March 2020 and November 2021, were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients were randomized to the study group with preoperative umbilicus preparation 30 minutes before patients were sent to the operating room and to the control group without preparation. The umbilical dimple was disinfected twice using povidone-iodine in both groups before the skin incision. The primary outcome was ISSI within 30 days of surgery. Umbilical hernia at 3 months after surgery and perioperative data such as operation time, complications, and incision healing were recorded and compared.

Results:

A total of 400 patients were recruited for this study. TU-LESS was performed in all patients without major complications. ISSI occurred in 5 patients in the study group (2.5%) and 3 patients in the control group (1.5%), with no significant differences between both groups (P=0.479). No umbilical hernia occurred in any patient during the 3 months follow-up. Six patients in the study group (3.1%) and 1 in the control group (0.5%) experienced excessive scarring, a relatively high incidence in the study group, though the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.067).

Conclusions:

TU-LESS-related umbilical hernias are rare with existing suturing methods. Umbilicus preparation before TU-LESS could not decrease ISSI; however, it increased the nursing workload, which should be avoided.
Polarized imagination: partisanship influences the direction and consequences of counterfactual thinking
Authors: Epstude Kai , Effron Daniel A. , Roese Neal J.
Published: October 2022

Four studies examine how political partisanship qualifies previously documented regularities in people's counterfactual thinking (
n
= 1186 Democrats and Republicans). First, whereas prior work finds that people generally prefer to think about how things could have been better instead of worse (i.e. entertain counterfactuals in an upward versus downward direction), studies 1a–2 find that partisans are more likely to generate and endorse counterfactuals in whichever direction best aligns with their political views. Second, previous research finds that the closer someone comes to causing a negative event, the more blame that person receives; study 3 finds that this effect is more pronounced among partisans who oppose (versus support) a leader who ‘almost' caused a negative event. Thus, partisan reasoning may influence which alternatives to reality people will find most plausible, will be most likely to imagine spontaneously, and will view as sufficient grounds for blame.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Thinking about possibilities: mechanisms, ontogeny, functions and phylogeny’.
Counterfactual thinking elicits emotional change in young children
Authors: Gautam Shalini , Suddendorf Thomas , Redshaw Jonathan
Published: October 2022

Adults often reason about what might have happened had they chosen an alternative course of action in the past, which can elicit the counterfactual emotion of regret. It is unclear whether young children's emotions are similarly impacted by counterfactual thinking about past possibilities. In this study, 4- to 9-year-old children (N= 160) opened one of two boxes, which concealed small and large prizes, respectively. Some children had the means to open either box, whereas other children only had the means to open one box. After seeing that the prize they did not obtain was larger than the one they did obtain, children were significantly more likely to report a negative change in emotion when the non-obtained prize had been a straightforward counterfactual possibility than when it had not. This shows that even young children experience counterfactual emotions following choices, which may ultimately drive them to make better choices in the future.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Thinking about possibilities: mechanisms, ontogeny, functions and phylogeny’.
Archaeological evidence for thinking about possibilities in hominin evolution
Authors: Langley Michelle C. , Suddendorf Thomas
Published: October 2022

The emergence of the ability to think about future possibilities must have played an influential role in human evolution, driving a range of foresightful behaviours, including preparation, communication and technological innovation. Here we review the archeological evidence for such behavioural indicators of foresight. We find the earliest signs of hominins retaining tools and transporting materials for repeated future use emerging from around 1.8 Ma. From about 0.5 Ma onwards, there are indications of technical and social changes reflecting advances in foresight. And in a third period, starting from around 140 000 years ago, hominins appear to have increasingly relied on material culture to shape the future and to exchange their ideas about possibilities. Visible signs of storytelling, even about entirely fictional scenarios, appear over the last 50 000 years. Although the current evidence suggests that there were distinct transitions in the evolution of our capacity to think about the future, we warn that issues of taphonomy and archaeological sampling are likely to skew our picture of human cognitive evolution.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Thinking about possibilities: mechanisms, ontogeny, functions and phylogeny’.
Low back pain care pathways – is the last provider seen more important than the first: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Elton David , Zhang Meng
Published: October 2022

Background

The associations between the type of health care provider (HCP) initially contacted by an individual with low back pain (LBP), guideline concordance, and cost of care are well understood. Less is known about types of HCP that become involved after the initial HCP, particularly the last HCP seen. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to examine sequence patterns in the types of HCP involved in an episode of LBP, exposure to 13 types of services, and total cost.

Methods

A US national sample of commercially insured individuals with a single episode of non-surgical LBP occurring in 2017-2019 was analyzed using episode of care unit of analysis. The primary independent variable was the type of initial contact HCP. Dependent measures included types of subsequent HCPs involved in an episode of LBP, rate of use of 13 types of health care services, and total cost.

Results

503,958 individuals aged 18 years and older initially contacted 196,522 different HCPs for an episode of non-surgical LBP. 30.2% of individuals saw a second HCP, 11.8% a third, 5.2% a fourth and 2.5% a fifth. Compared to primary care providers (PCP) (71.0% of episodes), when chiropractors (DC) were the initial contact HCP they were the most likely to be the only and last HCP seen (84.0% of episodes) (risk ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.19). DCs were also the most likely to be the last HCP seen when the second HCP in an episode (72.7%) (1.10, 1.09-1.12), the third HCP (67.7%) (1.10, 1.08-1.13), or the fourth HCP (61.6%) (1.13, 1.08-1.17). Physical therapists (PT), while less likely than PCPs to be the only and last HCP seen (60.0%) (0.84, 0.83-0.86), were more likely than PCPs to be the last HCP when the second (70.9%) (1.08, 1.06-1.09), third (63.2%) (1.03, 1.00-1.06), or fourth HCP (60.7%) (1.11, 1.06-1.16) seen during an episode. PTs were the only type of HCP involved in more episodes as the second HCP (7,344) than as the initial HCP (5,114).

Conclusions

DCs are the most likely to be the last HCP seen for an episode of non-surgical LBP. PTs are as likely as DCs to be the last HCP seen except when initially contacted by an individual with LBP. There are numerous potential confounders and limitations to consider when interpreting this novel finding.
How do Vampires Suck Blood?
Authors: Gou Meng , Duan Xuyuan , Li Jun , Wang Yaocen , Li Qingwei , Pang Yue , Dong Yonghui
Published: October 2022

Lampreys are blood-sucking vampires in the marine. From a survival perspective, it is expected that lamprey buccal gland exhibits a repository of pharmacologically active components to modulate the host’s homeostasis, inflammatory and immune responses. Several proteins have been found to function as anticoagulants, ion channel blockers, and immune suppressors in lampreys, while small metabolites have never been explored in detail. In this study, by analyzing the metabolic profiles of 14 different lamprey tissues, we have identified two groups of blood-sucking-associated metabolites, i.e., kynurenine pathway metabolites and prostaglandins, in the buccal gland and they can be injected into the host fish to ensure a steady and sustained blood flow to the feeding site. These findings demonstrate the complex nature of lamprey buccal gland and highlight the diversity in the mechanisms utilized for blood-sucking in lampreys. In addition, a lamprey spatial metabolomics database (https://www.lampreydb.com) was constructed to assist studies using lampreys as model animal. The database contains detailed qualitative, quantitative, and spatial distribution information of each detected metabolite, and users can easily query and check their metabolites of interest, and/or identify unknown peaks using the database.

Significance Statement

Lampreys are one of the two surviving jawless vertebrate groups that hold the key to our understanding of the early vertebrate evolution, adaptive immune origin, and developmental neurobiology. Here, we applied a spatial metabolomics approach to study the lamprey-host interaction. Two groups of metabolites, i.e., kynurenine pathway metabolites and prostaglandins, were found in the lamprey buccal gland, which modulate the host’s homeostasis, inflammatory and immune responses. The establishment of the first tissue-wide spatial lamprey metabolomics database in this study facilitate future studies in biochemistry, clinical chemistry, natural product discovery, medicine, and metabolomics using lampreys as a model animal.
Assessing park qualities of public parks in Cairo, Egypt
Authors: Aly Dalia , Dimitrijevic Branka
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This article presents an evaluation tool that is designed to assess 12 spatial and managerial qualities of public parks. The tool is applied in evaluating public parks in Cairo to reveal common management practice issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Features and factors of the qualities were defined and evaluated. The tool was then tested by conducting an evaluation of 48 public parks in Cairo and consulting local experts regarding the assessment criteria. These contributed to enhancing the tool, making it more comprehensive and contextualised to Cairo.

Findings

Application of the tool confirms that the tool has the capacity to provide a comprehensive evaluation of a variety of features and can detect key differences between evaluated parks. Analysis highlights that parks in Cairo are not maintained at optimum level and many exhibit serious deterioration that can have negative influences beyond the boundaries of the parks themselves. The majority of these parks also share problems of heavy commercialisation, wasted potentials, fragmentation and separation of uses.

Originality/value

The evaluation tool provides a new and alternative perspective for the evaluation of the built environment. The tool considers the relationships between the different factors of evaluation, rather than reducing the factors to simple checklists. Managers and other practitioners can use the tool to evaluate existing parks or when designing proposals to achieve better standards in the qualities.
Impact of Covid19 on the development of digital service capability for value co-creation: a mediating role of service ecosystem self-adjustment
Authors: Sakaya Ansgar
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of Covid19 on service ecosystem self-adjustment (SES_SA) and additionally to explore the mediating role of SES_SA on the relationship between the Covid19 pandemic and the development of digital service capability (DD_SC).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were drawn from 384 business people with the help of a survey questionnaire. The interrelation of the model was examined with the help of structural equation modeling (SEM) using bootstrapping measures in Smart-partial least square (PLS). Three constructs (Covid19, DD_SC and SES_SA) were found with the help of exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Convergent and discriminant validity were obtained through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using statistical package for the social sciences-analysis of a moment structures (SPSS-AMOS)-V.23.

Findings

There is a substantial impact of Covid19 on SES_SA and DD_SC. The investigation also discovered that SES_SA significantly impact DD_SC, whereas, Covid19 impact DD_SC indirectly through SES_SA. Age has a significant favorable influence on fear of Covid19.

Research limitations/implications

There is scant literature linking SES_SA and the DD_SC.

Practical implications

The study promotes understanding of the contribution of Covid19 and SES_SA in the DD_SC among business people to enhance value co-creation. Capitalizing on DD_SC will enhance customer experience, assist customers in decision-making, and foster digital economic growth.

Originality/value

It enlightens on the digital capabilities needed for creating and co-creating value. Most studies in this area are qualitative/conceptually based and have not studied this kind of interrelation. Hence, it’s the only quantitative study that has examined the inter-relations among Covid19, SES_SA and DD_SC using SEM. This study also offers comprehension of all theories used in this context by relating Covid19 effects to DD_SC.
Inclusive sustainable business practices in supporting dairy supply chains
Authors: Ciubotaru Marcela
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Food supply chains are facing significant changes and challenges coming from the need to adopt inclusive business practices and foster sustainable development. The current research aims to provide insights related to the inclusiveness of sustainable business practices of a dairy production co-operative where the smallholders are engaging with a traditional business mind-set. The purpose of the research is to deliver insights about the linkages between accounting and business practices in the adoption of an inclusive business model.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on the qualitative case study of a medium-sized production cooperative company operating in the dairy industry supply chain.

Findings

This study answers the call for research on accounting and control systems in the food sector, by exploring how management and control system is practised within contemporary supply chains. The research aims to analyse the contextual insights of managerial and organizational practices that facilitate inter-organizational relationships and coordination among actors that engage along the supply chain.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation relates to the conditions of the time available and the limited number of interviews. Even if key actors were interviewed, a larger sample would have been more beneficial to the research. However, the lack of proper results for accounting tools and software access caused some loss to the research.

Originality/value

This paper emphasizes the effects of the “inclusiveness” of the sustainable business models between suppliers and leading companies by enhancing the sustainable business development within the supply chain, as part of a wider business model in the food sector from an inter-organizational perspective.
Photothermal excitation of an initially stressed nonlocal semiconducting double porous thermoelastic material under fractional order triple-phase-lag theory
Authors: Gupta Shishir , Dutta Rachaita , Das Soumik
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to study photothermal excitation process in an initially stressed semi-infinite double porous thermoelastic semiconductor with voids subjected to Eringen’s nonlocal elasticity theory under the fractional order triple-phase-lag thermoelasticity theory. The considered substrate is governed by the mechanical and thermal loads at the free surface.

Design/methodology/approach

The normal mode technique is used to carry out the investigation of photothermal transportation. By virtue of the MATHEMATICA software, each distribution is exhibited graphically.

Findings

The expressions of the displacements, temperature, volume fractions of both kinds of voids, carrier density and stresses are determined analytically. With the help of the numerical data for silicon (Si) material, graphical implementations are presented on the basis of initial stress, fractional order, nonlocality and thermoelectric coupling parameters.

Originality/value

The present study fabricates the association of Eringen’s nonlocal theory and the stress analysis in a semiconducting double porous thermoelastic material with voids, which significantly implies the originality of the conducted work.
Investor attention and the COVID-19 concept stocks in China's stock market
Authors: Liu Zhe , Huang Chong , Yang Benshuo
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper investigates the impact of investor attention on the COVID-19 concept stocks in China's stock market from the perspectives of the macroeconomy, the stock market and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of controlling the time effects and individual fixed effects, this paper studies the impact of investor attention on the COVID-19 concept stocks in China's stock market through a set of fixed effect panel data models. Among them, investor attention focuses on macroeconomy, stock market and the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively, while stock indicators cover return, volatility and turnover. In addition, this paper also examines the heterogeneity influence of investor attention on the COVID-19 concept stocks from the perspective of time and stock classification.

Findings

Findings indicate that the attention to macroeconomy does not have a statistically significant effect on the return, unlike the attention to stock market and COVID-19 incident. Three types of investor attention have significant positive effects on the volatility and turnover rate. During the outbreak of the domestic epidemic, the impact of investor attention was significantly higher than that during the outbreak of the epidemic overseas. A finer-grained analysis shows that the attention to stock market has significantly increased the return of preventive type and treatment type stocks, while diagnostic-related stocks have been most affected by the attention to COVID-19 incident.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation of this work is the construction of investor attention. Although Baidu index is widely used, investor attention can be assessed more accurately based on more unstructured data. In addition, the effect of the COVID-19 can also be investigated in a longer time domain. Further research can be combined with the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic to more comprehensively evaluate its impact on the stock market.

Originality/value

The research proves that investor attention plays an important role in stock pricing and provides empirical evidence on the behavioral foundations of the conceptual sector of the stock market under uncertainty. It also has practical implications for regulators and investors interested in conducting accurate asset allocation and risk assessment.
Private open space as a reflection of culture: the example of traditional courtyard houses in Nigeria
Authors: Adebara Temitope Muyiwa
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The courtyard form of the traditional African house responds to people's culture and traditions. Nevertheless, in the era of globalization, the private open space (POS) is fast disappearing in African homes due to neglect and lack of awareness of its value. This study, thus, aims to explore how culture relates to open space design in traditional houses of three major ethnic groups (Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo) in Nigeria. This is with a view to encouraging planners and designers to create open spaces in housing developments according to people's cultural values and needs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on qualitative and quantitative research approaches involving a literature review, focus group discussions and a questionnaire survey. The quantitative survey was designed based on the literature review of the concept of culture and the use of space in traditional courtyard houses. Focus group discussions were conducted to identify the specific cultural components that dictated the use of the courtyard as a POS in the Nigerian context. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey was carried out to determine the importance of each cultural component in the outdoor sociospatial design. Through systematic sampling, one of every five traditional houses in the study area was selected to determine where respondents were surveyed.

Findings

The results reveal that the cultural components that influenced the design and use of the open space were gender and privacy, family and social relations, religious practice and belief, and status and lifestyle. However, the importance attached to each of the cultural components varied from one culture to another in Nigeria. The findings also showed that the open space is used for a variety of purposes, such as ancestral worship, family gatherings and reunions, small-scale ceremonies, and leisure activities.

Research limitations/implications

This study offers professional planners and designers helpful insights to protect culture in housing development and improve daily living in residential environments.

Originality/value

Based on Amos Rapoport's theoretical framework, this study dismantles the concept of “culture” into different components and examines how they affect outdoor sociospatial design in a developing country. The study also provides researchers with ideas and inspiration to study the culture of POSs in traditional housing.
Combinative distance-based assessment (CODAS) approach of multi-criteria decision-making for grading of Tossa jute fibres
Authors: Mitra Ashis
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The present study aims to demonstrate the application of newly developed combinative distance-based assessment (CODAS) approach for grading and selection of Tossa jute fibres, which possesses some unique features uncommon to other variants of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method.

Design/methodology/approach

The CODAS method was used in this study to rank/grade ten candidate lots of Tossa fibres on the basis of six apposite jute fibre properties, namely, fibre defect, root content, fineness, strength, colour and density. These six fibre properties were considered as the six decision criteria, here, and they were assigned weights as determined previously by an earlier researcher using analytic hierarchy process. The grading of jute fibres was done based on a comprehensive single index known as the assessment scores (Hi), in descending order of magnitude.

Findings

Among the 10 Tossa jute lots, T2 was ranked 1 (top grade) because of the highest assessment score of 6.887, followed by T1 with Rank 2 (assessment score 1.830). Because of the least assessment score of −2.795, the candidate lot T4 was considered as the worst, and hence ranked 10. The overall ranking pattern given by the CODAS method was similar to the TOPSIS approach done by Ghosh and Das (2013). This study was supported by various sensitivity analyses to judge the efficacy of the present approach. No occurrence of rank reversal during the sensitivity analyses obviously corroborates the robustness and stability of the CODAS method.

Practical implications

Jute pricing is fixed solely by the quality for which grading of fibre is prerequisite. The traditional “Hand and Eye” method or Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) system for jute grading is basically subjective assessment and need domain expertise. MCDM is reported as the most viable solution which gives due importance to the fibre parameters while grading the fibres based on a single index. The present study demonstrates the maiden application of CODAS to address the fibre grading problems for jute industries. This approach can also be extended to solve other decision problems of textile industry, in general.

Originality/value

CODAS is a recently developed exponent of MCDM. Uniqueness of the present study lies in the fact that this is the first ever application of CODAS in the domain of textile industry, in general, and jute industry, in particular. CODAS approach is very simple involving a few simple mathematical equations yet a potent tool of decision-making. This method possesses some features uncommon in other variants of MCDM. Moreover, the efficacy of CODAS method is investigated through various sensitivity analyses, which has been ignored in the earlier approaches.
Should I buy a Caribbean condo during a pandemic? Valuing a real estate investment using cash flows
Authors: Gattis Louis
Published: October 2022

Research methodology

This case was a real-life situation faced by the author. Names were changed, so students would not know that the author was the protagonist. The case had been developed over several years as a capstone to the capital budgeting section of an MBA finance course and an advanced undergraduate course.

Case overview/synopsis

Trey and Lauren Gallo were considering the purchase of a vacation condo that also generated rental income. The current owners were willing to sell at a lowball offer of $605,000 as the pandemic entered its 13th month. The Gallos felt they needed to act fast to get this deal. However, the risks were extraordinary, as the pandemic had reduced rental income by 50% and borders had just recently closed. The case provides all data needed to compute rental revenues, capital expenditure, operational expenditures and financing costs. Students are expected to compute the NPV and IRR of free cashflows. Students will compute and evaluate the cost of capital using the condo’s projected debt structure, a choice of several proxy betas and a project risk premium. The case also uses extensive sensitivity analysis. This case differs from corporate capital budgeting problems because it evaluates both levered and unlevered cashflows, and the cashflows include savings from personal use. The case has been successfully used in MBA finance courses and advanced undergraduate finance courses. The case can be used as a capstone case for capital budgeting or a comprehensive exam in undergraduate, MBA and executive programs. The case questions can also be spread throughout a course to cover the topics of financial statement forecasting, free cash flows, capital budgeting, cost of capital and sensitivity analysis.

Complexity academic level

Earlier versions of this case have been used in an advanced undergraduate corporate finance course and MBA finance courses. The case is generally used as a capstone to the material on capital budgeting. Students should have already covered material on financial statements, loan cashflows, levered and unlevered cashflows, CAPM, proxy betas, weighted average cost of capital, NPV and IRR. This case is also appropriate for courses in real estate finance and personal finance.
Reactive arthritis and subacute infective endocarditis caused by Streptococcus gordonii infection: A case report
Authors: Yan Li‐Fang , Zhang Jie , Zhang Zhen
Published: October 2022

Streptococcus gordonii (S. gordonii) belongs to the alpha‐hemolytic Streptococcus group. It is a symbiotic bacterium found in the human oral mucosa which is present in large quantities on the surface of the teeth. It is generally considered nonpathogenic or weakly pathogenic and is known to cause subacute endocarditis; however, there are few reports of reactive arthritis (ReA) caused by S. gordonii. Herein, we report a case of ReA complicated by subacute infective endocarditis caused by S. gordonii and explore the possible pathogenic mechanism of ReA caused by S. gordonii.