bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decelerating corruption and money laundering: distilling the positive impact of UKBA 2010 from a holistic perspective
Authors: Ekwueme Ejike
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to highlight the unquantifiable importance that the UK Bribery Act (UKBA) has invigorated into commercial interactions of both natural and legal persons. This repealed all previous anti-corruption and bribery legislation in the UK. It has brought enhanced circumspection into how businesses are to be conducted with the emphasis being placed on adhering to level playing dimensions amongst the participants. The “Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Pressure” can be rightly attributed to be a galvanizing ingredient that helped to propel the enactment. The UK is, perhaps, now seen as a global leader as far as anti-bribery matters are concerned with the incorporation of robust restraints glaringly introduced into the Act that has demonstrated positive emissions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study relies on both the primary and secondary legal documents in the analysis. These documents include but not limited to the Holy Bible, UKBA 2010, OECD Bribery Convention 1997, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 1977 and case law. It is doctrinal in outlook.

Findings

There is a conspicuous indication that the Act has jolted commercial organisations to be very careful in the way they conduct their businesses in order not to fall foul of the Act. Compliance has improved tremendously. It should not be ruled out that the Act can still be tinkered with given the reactions that it has generated since coming into force.

Research limitations/implications

This study gives the policymakers an enhanced hope to be able to plan for economic growth in the knowledge that the Act is there to act as a buffer against bribery that will eventually, depending on the quantum, could lead to money laundering. This is a negative to the economy.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is embedded on the fact that the emissions that the Act has introduced should be acknowledged and adhered to irrespective of the negatives that may be attributed to the Act.
How to motivate employees to engage in online knowledge sharing? Differences between posters and lurkers
Authors: Nguyen Mai , Malik Ashish , Sharma Piyush
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to combine the theory of planned behave or (TPB) and the motivational framework to extend the research on online knowledge sharing (OKS) in an organization by exploring the factors that drive the knowledge sharing intentions (KSI) of posters and lurkers.

Design/methodology/approach

A field survey with 501 employees in Vietnamese telecommunication companies is used to collect the data and a structural equation modeling approach with AMOS 25.0 is used to test all the hypotheses.

Findings

Attitudes toward OKS and subjective norms influence online KSI for both posters and lurkers. Self-enjoyment has a stronger effect on the attitudes toward OKS for posters than lurkers. Self-efficacy, reciprocity and rewards only affect posters and not lurkers.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses self-efficacy and self-enjoyment to represent intrinsic motivation and reciprocity and rewards for extrinsic motivation. Future research may use additional motivational factors to provide additional insights.

Practical implications

Managers should pay greater attention to subjective norms and attitudes toward knowledge sharing to motivate all the employees to share knowledge with each other to improve organizational performance.

Originality/value

This is the first study to combine TPB with the motivational framework to explore the factors that drive online knowledge sharing in an organization.
The (socio) politics of misfit: a moderated-mediation model
Authors: Zubielevitch Elena , Cooper–Thomas Helena D. , Cheung Gordon W.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The growing instability of the labor market will almost certainly result in more employees whose values misfit with their organization’s. This paper draws from the exit-neglect-voice-loyalty model to examine a broader range of responses to misfit; explores sociopolitical resources as the mechanisms through which misfit transmits its effects and investigates job mobility as a boundary condition enhancing or constraining responses to misfit.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel model (N = 152 New Zealand employees) examined links from misfit to two sociopolitical resources (perceived influence and organizational responsiveness) and from these to exit-neglect-voice-loyalty moderated by job mobility. Supplemental analyses examine moderated-mediation.

Findings

Misfit negatively predicted both sociopolitical resources, perceived influence and organizational responsiveness. Moderated-mediation analyses showed that the constructive reactions to misfit (voice and loyalty) were predicted conditionally at low levels of job mobility and indirectly via the respective sociopolitical resources. In contrast, destructive reactions to misfit (exit and neglect) were predicted directly, with neglect predicted at high levels of job mobility.

Research limitations/implications

Implications for human resource practitioners highlight the deleterious repercussions of misfit but also include the conditions under which misfit employees may attempt to constructively salvage their employment relationship.

Originality/value

This study integrates a broader set of concurrent responses to misfit using the exit-neglect-voice-loyalty typology, as well as introducing sociopolitical perspectives to the literature on misfit.
Double matching service preference for promoting short sea shipping: evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Lin Chi-Chang , Chen Yenming J. , Wang Jau-Wen
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The attributes of services can be categorised as service quality and service preference. While studies have addressed the importance of service quality, shippers’ service preference and its relationship to perceived value and purchase intentions remain unexplored. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to propose a causal model in the context of short sea shipping services to investigate the influence of purchase intention through the shipper’s service preference and perceived value.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modelling is applied to assess the empirical strength of the relationships in the proposed model. The model is validated through empirical testing by taking samples from shippers in Taiwan.

Findings

The results show that service attributes, namely, timing related, pricing related, warehousing, sales, door-to-door, information and advertising, positively affect shippers’ service preference. Service preference significantly affects customer perceived value as well as purchase intentions. Moreover, perceived value strongly affects purchase intentions.

Originality/value

Matching between the product offered and the diversified customer need is key to the business operation’s success. This study suggests that carriers should position themselves to both self-competence and market values.
Do audit efforts increase the future equity value of client firm?
Authors: Lee Sang Ho , Choi Seung Uk , Ryu Ji Yeon
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between additional audit efforts and clients’ future equity value. The study hypothesizes that auditors’ additional audit efforts directly increase clients’ stock return performance. Additionally, this study expects that the additional audit effort lowers the likelihood of audit failure and improves accounting information quality, thereby indirectly increasing clients’ future equity return performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The regression and portfolio return tests are conducted using observations from 2003 to 2016. This study uses the abnormal audit hours as a proxy for additional audit effort using mandatorily disclosed audit hour data from Korean listed firms. The study also conducts mediation analyses to examine the causal intermediate steps that link audit effort to client equity return performance.

Findings

The paper documents a significant and positive association between abnormal audit hours and clients’ subsequent years’ stock return performance and Tobin’s Q. This finding is accentuated for clients audited by Big N auditors or with greater demand for superior audit service. This finding is robust after controlling for various proxies of accounting quality. The portfolio return tests also find evidence that investors cannot fully perceive the value of audit efforts. A battery of additional tests does not alter the main findings.

Practical implications

The results provide implications for investors and policymakers by emphasizing the importance of audit efforts in value-creation. Moreover, this study’s findings suggest that auditors’ assurance, insurance and information roles are all the important drivers of this value-creation.

Originality/value

This study highlights a prominent feature of audit effort that enhances the value of auditees.
Trendsetters of HRM: a systematic review of how professional service firms manage people
Authors: Sokolov Dmitri , Zavyalova Elena
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Human resource management in professional service firms (PSF) is one of the most important instruments for promoting sustainable competitive advantage. Despite the major growth of scholars' interest in human resource management (HRM) issues in PSF, the body of knowledge in this field remains highly fragmented and diversified. The purpose of this paper is to systematize key evidence on the use of HRM practices in PSF.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a systematic literature review of 90 peer-reviewed journal papers.

Findings

The review revealed typical ability-, motivation- and opportunity-enhancing practices used by PSF and outlined how these HRM practices may differ among various PSF.

Originality/value

The paper provides scholars with an updated and comprehensive research landscape and development process in this important field, thereby contributing to greater research interest and enthusiasm for future research.
Critical analysis of beneficial ownership in mushārakah based home financing in Malaysia
Authors: Nik Abdul Ghani Nik Abdul Rahim , Salleh Ahmad Dahlan , Jusoh @ Yusoff Amir Fazlim , Mat Zain Mat Noor , Yaacob Salmy Edawati , Ahmad Azlin Alisa , Saleem Muhammad Yusuf
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper critically aims to examine the concept of beneficial ownership and its application in musharakah-based home financing.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies the method of juristic interpretation in analyzing the meaning of beneficial ownership in legal documentation of musharakah-based home financing. This qualitative study uses content analysis approach that investigates the works of Islamic scholars on the concept of ownership and evaluates the concept of beneficial ownership in musharakah-based home financing from the Islamic perspective.

Findings

The result finds that beneficial ownership is considered a true ownership, as Shari’ah allows the transfer of ownership based on the offer and acceptance in a contract. Furthermore, the absence of legal registration does not mean the absence of true ownership, whereas all documentations and agreements have clearly stated rights and liabilities of each contracting parties.

Originality/value

This paper provides a fiqhi discussion of analyzing beneficial ownership in musharakah-based home financing. It shows that Shari’ah parameters are essential for the use of beneficial ownership to ensure its compliance with the Shari’ah requirements of milkiyyah (ownership).
The impact of heuristic biases on investors’ investment decision in Pakistan stock market: moderating role of long term orientation
Authors: Khan Imran , Afeef Mustafa , Jan Shahid , Ihsan Anjum
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of heuristic biases, namely, availability bias and representativeness bias on investors’ investment decisions in the Pakistan stock exchange, as well as the moderating role of long-term orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a structured questionnaire, a total of 374 responses have been collected from individual investors trading in PSX. The relationship was tested by applying the partial least square structural equation model using SmartPLS 3.2.2. Further, Henseler and Chin’s (2010) product indicator approach for moderation analysis was applied to the data set.

Findings

The results revealed that availability bias and representativeness bias have a significant and positive influence on the investment decisions of investors. Furthermore, a significant moderating effect of long term orientation on the effect of representativeness bias on investment decision is observed. This suggests that investors’ long term orientation weaken the effect of representativeness bias on investment decision. However, no significant moderating effect was observed for availability bias.

Originality/value

The paper provides novel insights on the role of heuristic-driven biases on the investment decisions of individual investors in the stock market. Particularly, it enhanced the understanding of behavioral aspects of investment decision-making in an emerging market.
Examining the synergistic effect of supply chain agility, adaptability and alignment: a complementarity perspective
Authors: Feizabadi Javad , Gligor David M. , Alibakhshi Somayeh
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Drawing on complementarity theory, this paper aims to examine the type and effect of interdependencies/interaction (i.e. complementarity or substitutability) between the supply chain capabilities of agility, adaptability and alignment.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey research design is adopted to collect primary and secondary data from 182 international firms. The complementarity (or substitutability) of three As (agile, adaptable and aligned) were analyzed in three-way and pairwise interactions; both, correlation and performance differences methods of testing the type of interactions among the system’s elements were used. Supply chain-centric and firm-centric performance metrics were used to examine the interaction types.

Findings

The study did not find empirical evidence of three-way complementarity between the three As. However, this paper did find evidence of complementarity in bivariate interactions for alignment and adaptability. Moreover, in the performance difference method, the study found a substitute relationship between all pairs of As.

Practical implications

The findings related to the substitutability between the three As offer managers guidance on how to allocate their limited resources to avoid unnecessary over-or under-investing in either one of the three As.

Originality/value

This study helps refine prior findings related to the three As by offering evidence that firms can still achieve their performance-related goals with reduced investment commitments by taking advantage of the substitutability relationship existent between these capabilities. That is, instead of concomitantly developing all three As as past studies have suggested, managers can use the findings to determine how to prioritize their resource allocation better. Furthermore, understanding the actual interaction among the supply chain variables generally provide insights for designing the supply chain, change management in the supply chain, developing supply chain strategy and adopting best practices in the supply chain.
Entrepreneurial orientation and international performance of born global firms: the mediating role of entrepreneurial competencies
Authors: Gull Nida , Asghar Muhammad , Aleem Ahmed Qader , Muhammad Asim Rafique , Syed Jameel Ahmed , Ali Shan-e
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to extend the understanding of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) by investigating the international EO (IEO) from the perspective of the international performance of born global firms. The born global firm's EOs toward global firms led to innovation and dynamic organizational capabilities and to improve the firms' international performance and development.

Design/methodology/approach

It is a hypothesis that IEO predicted that utilization of export promotion programs (EPPs) would be positively associated with international performance. The samples of 405 respondents were collected from born global firms to acquire higher international performance of firms in China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and mediation analysis are processed to test the proposed hypotheses empirically.

Findings

The results from the SEM test revealed that the network relationships and utilization of EPPs fully mediate the effect of IEO on international performance. These results indicate that not only IEO is an important factor of network relationships but also the utilization of EPPs and international performance for born global firms. IEO can motivate managers to find the right network relationships and ultimately improve company performance. The IEO of the initiative has strong impact on the performance of international firms.

Originality/value

There is a comprehensive view among the relationships of IEO, entrepreneurial competencies and the network utilization of government EPPs, international performance in the context of born global firms. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in detail.
Juvenile survival of a burned forest specialist in response to variation in fire characteristics
Authors: Stillman Andrew N. , Lorenz Teresa J. , Fischer Philip C. , Siegel Rodney B. , Wilkerson Robert L. , Johnson Matthew , Tingley Morgan W.
Published: February 2021

Pyrodiversity, defined as variation in fire history and characteristics, has been shown to catalyse post‐fire biodiversity in a variety of systems. However, the demographic and behavioural mechanisms driving the responses of individual species to pyrodiversity remain largely unexplored.

We used a model post‐fire specialist, the black‐backed woodpecker (Picoides arcticus), to examine the relationship between fire characteristics and juvenile survival while controlling for confounding factors.

We radio‐tracked fledgling black‐backed woodpeckers in burned forests of California and Washington, USA, and derived information on habitat characteristics using ground surveys and satellite data. We used hierarchical Bayesian mixed‐effects models to determine the factors that influence both fledgling and annual juvenile survival, and we tested for effects of fledgling age on movement rates.

Burn severity strongly affected fledgling survival, with lower survival in patches created by high‐severity fire compared to patches burned at medium to low severity or left unburned. Time since leaving the nest was also a strong predictor of fledgling survival, annual juvenile survival and fledgling movement rates.

Our results support the role of habitat complementation in generating species‐specific benefits from variation in spatial fire characteristics—one axis of pyrodiversity—and highlight the importance of this variation under shifting fire regimes. High‐severity fire provides foraging and nesting sites that support the needs of adult black‐backed woodpeckers, but fledgling survival is greater in areas burned at lower severity. By linking breeding and foraging habitat with neighbouring areas of reduced predation risk, pyrodiversity may enhance the survival and persistence of animals that thrive in post‐fire habitat.
Pre‐eclampsia and long‐term health outcomes for mother and infant: an umbrella review
Authors: Pittara T , Vyrides A , Lamnisos D , Giannakou K
Published: February 2021

Background

Pre‐eclampsia is a pregnancy‐associated condition with complex disease mechanisms and a risk factor for various long‐term health outcomes for the mother and infant.

Objective

To summarise evidence on the association of pre‐eclampsia with long‐term health outcomes arising in women and/or infants.

Search strategy

PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and ISI Web of Science were searched from inception to July 2020.

Selection criteria

Systematic reviews and meta‐analyses examining associations between pre‐eclampsia and long‐term health outcomes in women and their infants.

Data collection and analysis

Data were extracted by two independent reviewers. We re‐estimated the summary effect size by random‐effects and fixed‐effects models, the 95% confidence interval, the 95% prediction interval, the between‐study heterogeneity, any evidence of small‐study effects and excess significance bias.

Results

Twenty‐one articles were included (90 associations). Seventy‐nine associations had nominally statistically significant findings (P < 0.05). Sixty‐five associations had large or very large heterogeneity. Evidence for small‐study effects and excess significance bias was found in seven and two associations, respectively. Nine associations: cerebrovascular disease (cohort studies), cerebrovascular disease (overall), cardiac disease (cohort studies), dyslipidaemia (all studies), risk of death (late‐onset pre‐eclampsia), fatal and non‐fatal ischaemic heart disease, cardiovascular mortality (cohort studies), any diabetes or use of diabetic medication (unadjusted), and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (adjusted) were supported with robust evidence.

Conclusion

Many of the meta‐analyses in this research field have caveats casting doubts on their validity. Current evidence suggests an increased risk for women to develop cardiovascular‐related diseases, diabetes and dyslipidaemia after pre‐eclampsia, while offspring exposed to pre‐eclampsia are at higher risk for ADHD.

Tweetable abstract

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases were supported with convincing evidence for long‐term health outcomes after pre‐eclampsia.
Short‐Term Institutions, Analyst Recommendations, and Mispricing: The Role of Higher Order Beliefs
Authors: CREMERS MARTIJN , PAREEK ANKUR , SAUTNER ZACHARIAS
Published: February 2021

We document that stocks that have optimistic (pessimistic) consensus recommendations and are currently held by many short‐term institutions exhibit large stock‐return reversals: Their large past outperformance (underperformance) is followed by large negative (positive) future alphas. The predictable return reversals originate from overreaction to past recommendation releases and the correction of these overreactions around future releases. Results are stronger when earnings news is released and at firms with higher fundamental uncertainty. Further, firms with more short‐term institutions show stronger announcement returns and price drift after recommendation changes. Our results are consistent with models of higher order beliefs where short‐term institutions coordinate trading around public signals.
Accessing previously uncultured marine microbial resources by a combination of alternative cultivation methods
Authors: Jung Dawoon , Liu Biyin , He Xiaoping , Owen Jeffrey S. , Liu Liwei , Yuan Ye , Zhang Weiyan , He Shan
Published: February 2021

Few microbes can grow under laboratory conditions, highlighting the fact that the majority of microbes in environment are still uncultured and untapped resources. This study used alternative cultivation methods, diffusion chambers (DC), dilution‐to‐extinction culture (DTE) and modified agar preparation step (PS media) to cultivate previously uncultured marine bacterial species. These methods were applied to samples from a coastal intertidal zone, and the results were compared with those from standard direct plating (SDP) cultivation. Among the strains isolated with DC, DTE and PS media methods, 28%, 48% and 33% were novel species, respectively, while the SDP method resulted in the isolation of only 9% of novel species. Most isolates were unique to the method used for their cultivation. This implies that each method is selective in its own way, which is different from SDP, thus able to access species that are difficult to obtain using conventional approaches. Comparing the diversity showed that 75 genera were recovered by the alternative methods, 2.7 times higher than that of the SDP cultivation, which constituted 45% of total diversity from culture‐independent sequencing. We conclude that combining alternative cultivation methods represents a highly promising key for accessing ‘microbial dark matter’.
LEA 3: Factor models in population genetics and ecological genomics with R
Authors: Gain Clément , François Olivier
Published: February 2021

A major objective of evolutionary biology is to understand the processes by which organisms have adapted to various environments, and to predict the response of organisms to new or future conditions. The availability of large genomic and environmental data sets provides an opportunity to address those questions, and the R package LEA has been introduced to facilitate population and ecological genomic analyses in this context. By using latent factor models, the program computes ancestry coefficients from population genetic data and performs genotype–environment association analyses with correction for unobserved confounding variables. In this study, we present new functionalities of LEA, which include imputation of missing genotypes, fast algorithms for latent factor mixed models using multivariate predictors for genotype–environment association studies, population differentiation tests for admixed or continuous populations, and estimation of genetic offset based on climate models. The new functionalities are implemented in version 3.1 and higher releases of the package. Using simulated and real data sets, our study provides evaluations and examples of applications, outlining important practical considerations when analysing ecological genomic data in R.
Comparison of relapse rates in Behçet’s disease with venous involvement on different doses of azathioprine therapy, a retrospective observational study
Authors: Girgin Sinem , Yurumez Seda , Omma Ahmet , Celik Selda , Cemal Icacan Ozan , Bes Cemal , Alpay‐Kanitez Nilufer
Published: February 2021

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate relapse rates in azathioprine (AZA) maintenance therapy at different doses in Behçet's disease (BD) with venous involvement.

Method

Clinical records of patients who met the diagnostic criteria of International Study Group (ISG) for BD, were diagnosed with venous involvement of BD for at least 6 months and sustained clinical remission with AZA for at least 3 months were analyzed retrospectively. The analysis cohort was divided into 2 groups based on AZA dose (Group A: ≥ 2 mg/kg/d and Group B: <2 mg/kg/d). Relapse was defined as requiring another antirheumatic/immunosuppressive drug or more than dose of 10 mg/d of prednisolone.

Results

Of 78 patients who were included into the study, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of age, gender and clinical characteristics. Mean relapse‐free survival time was found to be higher in group A compared to group B (111.6 ± 11.2, 95% CI 89.5 ± 133.8 versus 51.5 ± 6.1, 95% CI 39.5 ± 63.4 months).

Conclusion

Relapse‐free survival rate was less in the group receiving low‐dose AZA and shows the importance of effective dose of AZA in maintenance therapy.
Association of circulating monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 levels with polycystic ovary syndrome: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wu Ze , Fang Lanlan , Li Yuxi , Yan Yang , Thakur Avinash , Cheng Jung‐Chien , Sun Ying‐Pu
Published: February 2021

Problem

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that has a huge impact on the human infertility. Increased levels of various circulating inflammatory cytokines have been observed in PCOS patients, which can contribute to the pathogenesis of PCOS. Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), a secretory chemokine, is a potent chemotactic factor that recruits monocytes/macrophages to inflammatory foci. Several previous studies comparing the circulating MCP‐1 levels between non‐PCOS and PCOS patients have yielded contradictory results. Therefore, the aim of this meta‐analysis was to investigate whether circulating MCP‐1 levels vary between non‐PCOS and PCOS patients.

Methods

Research articles published before November 11, 2020, were screened to identify eligible studies. Heterogeneity, sensitivity, and publication bias were analyzed using STATA software. Standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated by the STATA software using a random‐effects model.

Results

11 studies were included in this meta‐analysis involving 897 individuals: 368 non‐PCOS patient and 529 PCOS patients. Our pooled meta‐analysis results show that circulating MCP‐1 levels were significantly higher in PCOS patients than in non‐PCOS patients (SMD = 0.84, 95% CI = [0.37, 1.31], Z = 3.50, p < 0.01). However, due to the limited number of studies included in this meta‐analysis, subgroup analysis determined that circulating MCP‐1 levels were not significantly varied between obese non‐PCOS and obese PCOS patients (SMD = 0.42, 95% CI = [−0.65, 1.49], Z = 0.77, p = 0.442) as well as between non‐PCOS and PCOS patients without obesity (SMD = 2.04, 95% CI = [−0.84, 4.93], Z = 1.39, p = 0.166). In addition, circulating MCP‐1 levels were also not significantly different between obese and non‐obese PCOS patients (SMD = −0.04, 95% CI = [−0.68, 0.60], Z = 0.11, p = 0.909).

Conclusion

Our findings reveal that circulating MCP‐1 levels are upregulated in women with PCOS and are associated with an increased risk of PCOS.
Lymphocyte immunotherapy in recurrent miscarriage and recurrent implantation failure
Authors: Cavalcante Marcelo Borges , Sarno Manoel , Barini Ricardo
Published: February 2021

Problem

Lymphocyte immunotherapy (LIT) emerged in the early 1980s as a new therapeutic proposal for couples with a history of recurrent miscarriages (RM). However, in the early 2000s, the effectiveness of LIT was questioned. Recently, meta‐analyses have observed the effectiveness and safety of LIT in treating couples with RM. Some studies evaluated the use of LIT in recurrent implantation failure (RIF) in in vitro fertilization cycles.

Methods

This systematic and narrative review evaluated the data available in the literature regarding the efficacy and safety of the use of LIT. Searches in PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were conducted, using the following keywords: "recurrent miscarriage," "lymphocyte immunotherapy," and "recurrent implantation failure".

Results

This review describes the historical aspects of LIT and discusses its protocols, mechanisms of action, side effects, complications, and current evidence of the effectiveness in cases of reproductive failure. It also discusses the use of LIT during the COVID‐19 pandemic and new immunological therapies.

Conclusion

In the vast majority of studies, the use of LIT for RM couples has shown an improvement in pregnancy outcomes. The most of the current studies that support the evidence are quasi‐experimental, with few randomized, double‐blind studies (Level of evidence III). However, the current evidence are not convincing for the use of LIT in RIF patients.
Predictive factors of radio‐induced complications in 194 eyes undergoing gamma knife radiosurgery for uveal melanoma
Authors: Cicinelli Maria Vittoria , Di Nicola Maura , Gigliotti Carmen Rosaria , Battista Marco , Miserocchi Elisabetta , del Vecchio Antonella , Mortini Pietro , Bandello Francesco , Modorati Giulio Maria
Published: February 2021

Background and purpose

To report the factors predictive of radio‐induced complications (i.e. radiation retinopathy [RR], radiation papillopathy [RP] and neovascular glaucoma [NVG]) in uveal melanoma (UM) patients undergoing gamma knife radiosurgery (GKR).

Materials and methods

Longitudinal cohort study on patients with UM treated at the Ocular Oncology Service, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, between June 1994 and November 2018. Data were retrospectively reviewed. Rates of GKR‐related complications were reported. Variables associated with each complication were investigated using multivariable Cox models and confirmed by logistic regression analysis. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported for significant associations.

Results

One hundred ninety‐four patients (99 males, 51%) were included, and 184 tumours were primarily located in the choroid (95%). Median follow‐up was 57 months (range 6–286). Local control was achieved in 182 eyes (94%), and 152 eyes (78%) experienced at least one radiation‐induced complication. Radiation retinopathy was documented in 67 eyes (35%) after a median of 23 months. Older age (HR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.95–0.99, p = 0.02) had a protective effect for RR. Radiation papillopathy was diagnosed in 35 eyes (18%) after a median of 14 months after GKR. Macular or peripapillary location (HR = 3.06, 95% CI = 1.52–6.16, p = 0.002) was associated with increased risk of RP, while older age was protective (HR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.93–0.98, p = 0.001). New‐onset NVG was found in 53 eyes (27%), and median onset was 28 months. Tumour thickness (HR = 4.41, 95% CI = 2.23–8.72, p < 0.001) and peripapillary location (HR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.46–5.27, p = 0.002) were the main risk factors associated with NVG.

Conclusion

Understanding factors predictive for radiation‐related complications in patients undergoing GKR might help for better counselling and treatment planning.
Switching to aflibercept versus continuing bevacizumab for treatment‐resistant neovascular age‐related macular degeneration: a one‐year comparative observational study
Authors: Husum Yngvil Solheim , Moe Morten Carstens , Bragadóttir Ragnheiður , Jørstad Øystein Kalsnes
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To compare outcomes of a treatment algorithm that allows for switching treatment‐resistant neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD) eyes to aflibercept with continuing bevacizumab.

Methods

Retrospective study of nAMD patients who initiated treatment in 2012 (aflibercept unavailable) and 2018 (aflibercept available). Eyes were included in the case of residual macular fluid after a minimum of 4 monthly bevacizumab injections. Only eyes in the 2018 group could then switch to aflibercept.

Results

The study included 40 eyes from 2012 and 88 eyes from 2018. Patient characteristics were similar across the groups at baseline and 4 months. In 2018, 59 eyes (67%) were switched to aflibercept after 4 months. Mean change in BCVA from 4 months to one year was +2.8 letters in 2018 versus −1.7 letters in 2012 (p = 0.043). Mean change in BCVA from baseline to one year was +9.4 letters in 2018 (p < 0.001) and +4.4 letters in 2012 (p = 0.073). Mean change in CRT from 4 months to one year was −36 µm in 2018 versus −23 µm in 2012 (p = 0.373). Mean change in CRT from baseline to one year was −100 µm in 2018 (p < 0.001) and −75 µm in 2012 (p < 0.001). Mean number of injections given in one year was 11.8 in 2018 versus 10.4 in 2012 (p < 0.001). After one year, a majority of eyes in both groups still received treatment at 4‐week intervals.

Conclusion

The study suggests that the possibility of switching eyes with treatment‐resistant nAMD to aflibercept leads to a modest visual benefit compared with continuing first‐line bevacizumab therapy.
External evaluation of the predictive performance of seven population pharmacokinetic models for phenobarbital in neonates
Authors: Ryu Sunae , Jung Woo Jin , Jiao Zheng , Chae Jung‐Woo , Yun Hwi‐yeol
Published: February 2021

Aim

Several studies have reported population pharmacokinetic models for phenobarbital (PB), but the predictive performance of these models has not been well documented. This study aims to do external evaluation of the predictive performance in published pharmacokinetic models.

Methods

Therapeutic drug monitoring data collected in neonates and young infants treated with PB for seizure control was used for external evaluation. A literature review was conducted through PubMed to identify population pharmacokinetic models. Prediction‐ and simulation‐based diagnostics, and Bayesian forecasting were performed for external evaluation. The incorporation of allometric scaling for body size and maturation factors into the published models was also tested for prediction improvement.

Results

A total of 79 serum concentrations from 28 subjects were included in the external dataset. Seven population pharmacokinetic studies of PB were identified as relevant in the literature search and included for our evaluation. The model by Voller et al showed the best performance concerning prediction‐based evaluation. In simulation‐based analyses, the normalized prediction distribution error of two models (those of Shellhaas et al and Marsot et al) obeyed a normal distribution. Bayesian forecasting with more than one observation improved predictive capability. Incorporation of both allometric size scaling and maturation function generally enhanced the predictive performance, with improvement as observed in the model of Vucicevic et al.

Conclusions

The predictive performance of published pharmacokinetic models of PB was diverse. Bayesian forecasting and incorporation of both size and maturation factors could improve the predictability of the models for neonates.
Characteristics of arsenic species in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) patients treated with arsenic trioxide plus mannitol
Authors: Guo Meihua , Zhao Qilei , Fan Shengjin , Wu Zhiqiang , Lin Liwang , Chen Hongzhu , Gao Yanhui , Hai Xin
Published: February 2021

Arsenic speciation in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is critical for treatment/prevention of central nervous system (CNS) relapse in acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) patients treated with arsenic trioxide (ATO). Previous study showed low total arsenic level in CSF of APL patients. Mannitol infusion was applied to improve blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability for arsenic. Arsenite (AsIII), monomethylarsonic acid (MMAV), dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV), and arsenate (AsV) in CSF and plasma were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography‐hydride generation‐atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC‐HG‐AFS). The profile and concentration of arsenic species in CSF from APL patients administered ATO alone and in combination with mannitol were compared. The overall distribution trend of arsenic species in CSF was AsIII, DMAV > MMAV > AsV. Arsenicals accumulated in CSF with administration frequency. The permeability of BBB for AsIII was higher than that for MMAV and DMAV. Arsenic concentration in CSF was much lower than that in plasma. There were significantly higher arsenic species concentrations in CSF of APL patients treated with mannitol than that without mannitol. Mannitol infusion significantly increased AsIII penetration into CSF, which was beneficial to optimize efficacy in APL patients with CNS relapse.
Studying the helical conformations of aspereline peptides
Authors: Blanár Eszter , Leitgeb Balázs
Published: February 2021

Asperelines are short‐sequence peptaibol molecules, and these peptides composed of 10 residues were isolated from the Trichoderma asperellum. In our study, a detailed structural characterization was performed on the asperelines by means of molecular dynamics methods. For the aspereline peptides, the occurrence of various secondary structural elements (i.e. β‐turns and helical structures) was investigated along their entire sequences. The results derived from the simulated annealing calculations led to the observations that in the case of asperelines, the types I, III and III’ β‐turn structures, as well as their stabilizing i ← i+3 H‐bonds appeared. However, beside the different β‐turns, shorter or longer helical structures were also detected. Based on the results obtained by the molecular dynamics simulations, it was concluded that the three‐dimensional structure of aspereline peptides could be characterized by helical conformations (i.e. 310‐ and α‐helix). Nevertheless, on the basis of individual molecular dynamics trajectories, it was observed that the asperelines could adopt not only the right‐handed, but also the left‐handed helical structures.
Ursolic and betulinic semisynthetic derivatives show activity against CQ‐resistant Plasmodium falciparum isolated from Amazonia
Authors: Sol Sol de Medeiros Daniel , Tasca Cargnin Simone , Azevedo dos Santos Ana Paula , de Souza Rodrigues Moreno , Berton Zanchi Fernando , Soares de Maria de Medeiros Patrícia , de Almeida e Silva Alexandre , Bioni Garcia Teles Carolina , Baggio Gnoatto Simone Cristina
Published: February 2021

ACT’s low levels of Plasmodium parasitemia clearance are worrisome since it is the last treatment option against P. falciparum. This scenario has led to investigations of compounds with different mechanisms of action for malaria treatment. Natural compounds like ursolic acid (UA) and betulinic acid (BA), distinguished by their activity against numerous microorganisms, including P. falciparum, have become relevant. This study evaluated the antiplasmodial activity of imidazole derivatives of UA and BA against P. falciparum in vitro. Eight molecules were obtained by semisynthesis and tested against P. falciparum strains (NF54 and CQ‐resistant 106/cand isolated in Porto Velho, Brazil); 2a and 2b showed activity against NF54 and 106/cand strains with IC50 < 10 µM. They presented high selectivity indexes (SI > 25) and showed synergism when combined with artemisinin. 2b inhibited the parasite's ring and schizont forms regardless of when the treatment began. In silico analysis presented a tight bind of 2b in the topoisomerase II‐DNA complex. This study demonstrates the importance of natural derivate compounds as new candidates for malarial treatment with new mechanisms of action. Semisynthesis led to new triterpenes that are active against P. falciparum and may represent new alternatives for malaria drug development.
Facile synthesis and antimycobacterial activity of isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ciprofloxacin derivatives
Authors: Alsayed Shahinda S. R. , Lun Shichun , Payne Alan , Bishai William R. , Gunosewoyo Hendra
Published: February 2021

Several rationally designed isoniazid (INH), pyrazinamide (PZA) and ciprofloxacin (CPF) derivatives were conveniently synthesized and evaluated in vitro against H37Rv Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) strain. CPF derivative 16 displayed a modest activity (MIC = 16 µg/ml) and was docked into the M. tb DNA gyrase. Isoniazid‐pyrazinoic acid (INH‐POA) hybrid 21a showed the highest potency in our study (MIC = 2 µg/ml). It also retained its high activity against the other tested M. tb drug‐sensitive strain (DS) V4207 (MIC = 4 µg/ml) and demonstrated negligible cytotoxicity against Vero cells (IC50 ≥ 64 µg/ml). Four tested drug‐resistant (DR) M. tb strains were refractory to 21a, similar to INH, whilst being sensitive to CPF. Compound 21a was also inactive against two non‐tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) strains, suggesting its selective activity against M. tb. The noteworthy activity of 21a against DS strains and its low cytotoxicity highlight its potential to treat DS M. tb.
Nicotine dependence and its association with health utility ratings among a sample of Indian dental patients
Authors: Acharya Shashidhar , Acharya Shruthi , Pentapati Kalyana Chakravarthy , Thomson William Murray
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To measure utility ratings and quality‐adjusted life‐years(QALYs) for nicotine dependence‐related health states using the standard gamble approach among a sample of dental patients; investigate the possible associations of nicotine dependence, and study the influences on tobacco‐related health state utilities estimates among patients.

Methods

A sample of 200 adult outpatients who were current or former consumers of tobacco were included in the cross‐sectional study. Demographic, oral health self‐rating and tobacco‐related data (Fagerstrom scale for nicotine dependence, type of tobacco consumed, frequency and duration of the habit) were collected. A standard gamble method of utility valuation was also carried out.

Results

Older age, lower educational attainment, higher frequency of consumption, increased duration of the habit, consumption of chewing tobacco, as opposed to smoking tobacco, and poor oral health were associated with higher nicotine dependence. Lower nicotine dependence, better oral health and quitting the habit were associated with better health utility estimates. QALYs lost due to the habit among the ‘low to moderate’ and ‘significant’ nicotine dependence groups were 2.7 (sd, 3.7) and 6.7 (sd, 8.0) years, respectively.

Conclusions

Higher health utility ratings were seen among patients with ‘low to moderate’ nicotine dependence, better oral health status and quitters of the tobacco habit. Quality of life weights generated through this method could be used for cost‐utility analyses of tobacco cessation/prevention interventions in different settings and cultures.
Predictors of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome: The Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health
Authors: Bahri Khomami Mahnaz , Earnest Arul , Loxton Deborah , Teede Helena J. , Joham Anju E.
Published: February 2021

Objectives

A higher risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) is frequently reported in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). These women, however, have a higher risk profile for HDP compared with women without PCOS. The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of PCOS per se on the incidence of HDP through post hoc subgroup analyses of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health by level of risk.

Design

Longitudinal study.

Patients

Of a total of 14,247 participants, 5838 women met the inclusion criteria. Eligible women were required to report PCOS and HDP status in at least one pregnancy within the study.

Measurements

Included risk factors were age, body mass index, country of birth, parity, multiple pregnancy, subfertility, infertility treatment (hormonal vs. in vitro fertilization), gestational diabetes (GDM), family history of GDM and socioeconomic status. Longitudinal association between PCOS and HDP was assessed the using Cox proportional hazard regression with Efron's method.

Results

While PCOS was associated with a higher incidence of HDP in a univariate model [hazard ratio (HR): 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05, 1.72], the significance was not retained after adjustment for risk factors [HR: 1.19, 95% CI: 0.79, 1.79]. However in multivariate analysis of subgroups, PCOS remained significantly associated with higher risk of HDP in non‐obese women only [HR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.82].

Conclusions

Higher risk of HDP in PCOS is likely related to risk factors other than PCOS.
Revealing stakeholders' motivation and influence in crane conservation in the Republic of Korea: Net‐Map as a tool
Authors: Jin Hyeyeon Sarah , Hemminger Karoline , Fong Jonathan J. , Sattler Claudia , Lee SueKyoung , Bieling Claudia , König Hannes J.
Published: February 2021

Biodiversity conservation in protected areas requires strict legal limitations to land use. In the Civilian Control Zone (CCZ) of the Republic of Korea (ROK), military control has created an accidental sanctuary for the world's rarest crane species: the white‐naped crane (Antigone vipio) and the red‐crowned crane (Grus japonensis). Yet varying land use demands on the CCZ by stakeholders have caused disagreements in achieving cooperative crane conservation. This paper aims to clarify relevant stakeholders' interconnection and their motives that have led them to either promote or inhibit crane conservation in the Cheorwon Basin of the CCZ. To answer these questions, we conducted participatory Net‐Map interviews and identified stakeholders with a powerful role in crane conservation. Our results identify 44 stakeholders whose trust relations occurred twice as often as conflicts. More than 80% of stakeholders included in this study supported crane conservation initiatives. We attribute local farmers' increased level of environmental stewardship to two key schemes: a community‐led farming project generating financial incentives and a communication channel for stakeholders. Our case study demonstrates that Net‐Map is a valid tool to analyze human‐crane interactions, which is critical to ensure acceptance of legal restrictions to land use as well as crane conservation.