bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Altis® Adjustable Single Incision Sling System for Treatment of Intrinsic Sphincteric Deficiency: A 3-Year Follow-up Observational Study
Authors: Morciano Andrea , Marzo Giuseppe , Caliandro Dario , Fachechi Giorgio , Giaquinto Alessia , Campagna Giuseppe , Panico Giovanni , Ercoli Alfredo , Muzzupapa Giuseppe , Cicinelli Ettore , Scambia Giovanni , Cervigni Mauro
Published: June 2022

Importance

This article is a long-term follow-up study on the Altis adjustable single incision sling (Coloplast Corp.) in patients with isolated intrinsic sphincteric deficiency (ISD).

Objectives

The primary end-points were to evaluate the subjective and objective outcomes of the Altis for the treatment of ISD, with a 3-year follow-up. The secondary end-point was to evaluate the safety of this surgical procedure.

Study Design

This is a retrospective single-arm study. A total of 123 consecutive patients with ISD were selected from our database among women who underwent an Altis implantation for ISD from March 2015 to June 2017, after unsuccessful previous conservative treatment. Of the 123 included patients, 16 were excluded, not meeting inclusion criteria. Cure rate was evaluated objectively, using a standardized cough stress test and urodynamics, and subjectively using the Patient Global Impression of Improvement. Complications were assessed intraoperatively, perioperatively, and postoperatively. Six, 12, and 36 months of follow-ups were analyzed for the study.

Results

The 3-year objective cure rate was 86.9%, and the subjective cure rate was 81.5%. We observed no intraoperative complications. No women were obstructed. Ten patients reported postoperative complications, although most of them were Clavien-Dindo grade I and self-limited.

Conclusions

Altis system could be considered an effective and safe alternative to traditional midurethral slings as treatment for women with ISD.
Can glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors help in mitigating the risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with diabetes?
Authors: Thotamgari Sahith Reddy , Grewal Udhayvir Singh , Sheth Aakash R. , Babbili Akhilesh , Dominic Paari
Published: June 2022

The role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) in mitigating the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unknown. We interrogated the Food and Drug Administration’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database to study the association between AF-related adverse events and the use of GLP-1 RA and DPP-4i. A signal of disproportionate reporting of AF was detected with the DPP-4i group compared with all the other drugs in the FAERS database [ROR, 2.56; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.10–3.12], whereas there was no disproportionality signal detected with the GLP-1 RA group (ROR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.78–1.03) although liraglutide showed a significant disproportionality signal (ROR, 2.51; 95% CI, 2.00–3.15). Our analysis supports the existing body of literature demonstrating the cardiac safety of GLP-1 RA but raises concerns about the apparent increase in the risk of AF associated with DPP-4i. Further clinical and translational studies are needed to validate these findings.
Paracidobacterium acidisoli gen. nov., sp. nov. and Alloacidobacterium dinghuense gen. nov., sp. nov., two acidobacteria isolated from forest soil, and reclassification of Acidobacterium ailaaui and Acidipila dinghuensis as Pseudacidobacterium ailaaui gen. nov., comb. nov. and Silvibacterium dinghuense comb. nov.
Authors: Zhang Qiu-mei , Fu Jia-cheng , Chen Zhi-qin , Qiu Li-hong
Published: June 2022

Two aerobic and obligately acidophilic bacteria, designated 4G-K13T and 4Y35T, were isolated from the forest soil sampled at Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve, Guangdong Province, PR China. These two strains were Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and short rods that multiplied by binary division. Strains 4G-K13T and 4Y35T had the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 97.0 and 97.2 % to

Silvibacterium bohemicum

DSM 103733T and

Acidisarcina polymorpha

SBC82T, respectively. Phylogenetic trees based on the 16S rRNA gene and whole genome sequences showed consistently that these two strains formed a major clade with members of the genera

Acidipila

,

Acidisarcina

,

Silvibacterium

and

Acidobacterium

in the family

Acidobacteriaceae

, but each occupied an unique position. In both the UBCG and the PhyloPhlAn phylogenomic trees, strains 4G-K13T and 4Y35T congruently formed a highly supported subclade with

Acidobacterium capsulatum

DSM 11244T and

Acidobacterium ailaaui

DSM 27394T, respectively. The major fatty acids (>5 %) of strain 4G-K13T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 
ω7c and/or C16 : 1 
ω6c) and summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1
 ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl), while that of strain 4Y35T were C16 : 0, C18 : 1
 ω9c, iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 
ω7c and/or C16 : 1 
ω6c) and summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1
 ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl). Strain 4G-K13T contained phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified phospholipids, four glycolipids, two unidentified aminolipids and two unknown lipids, while strain 4Y35T had phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified phospholipids, two glycolipids, five unidentified aminolipids and one unknown polar lipid. The DNA G+C contents of 4G-K13T and 4Y35T were 60.5 and 55.8 mol%, respectively. Based on all these phylogenetic, physiological and chemotaxonomic data, we suggest that strains 4G-K13T and 4Y35T represent two novel species of two novel genera in the family

Acidobacteriaceae

, for which the names Paracidobacterium acidisoli gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain: 4G-K13T=GDMCC 1.1195T=NBRC 113249T) and Alloacidobacterium dinghuense gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain: 4Y35T=KACC 21728T=NBRC 114261T) are proposed. We also propose to reclassify

Acidobacterium ailaaui

and

Acidipila dinghuensis

as Pseudacidobacterium ailaaui gen. nov., comb. nov. and Silvibacterium dinghuense comb. nov., respectively, based mainly on the results of phylogenomic analysis.
Role of lipid packing defects in determining membrane interactions of antimicrobial polymers
Authors: Sikdar Samapan , Rani Garima , Vemparala Satyavani
Published: June 2022

Understanding the emergence and role of lipid packing defects in the detection and subsequent partitioning of antimicrobial agents into bacterial membranes is essential for gaining insights into general antimicrobial mechanisms. Herein, using methacrylate polymers as a model platform, we investigate the effects of inclusion of various functional groups in the biomimetic antimicrobial polymer design on the aspects of lipid packing defects in model bacterial membranes. Two antimicrobial polymers are considered: ternary polymers composed of cationic, hydrophobic and polar moieties and binary polymers with only cationic and hydrophobic moieties. We find that differing modes of insertion of these two polymers lead to different packing defects in the bacterial membrane. While insertion of both binary and ternary polymers leads to an enhanced number of deep defects in the upper leaflet, shallow defects are moderately enhanced upon interaction with ternary polymers only. We provide conclusive evidence that insertion of antimicrobial polymers in bacterial membrane is preceded by sensing of interfacial lipid packing defects. Our simulation results show that the hydrophobic groups are inserted at a single co-localized deep defect site for both binary and ternary polymers. However, the presence of polar groups in the ternary polymers use the shallow defects close to the lipid-water interface, in addition, to insert into the membrane, which leads to a more folded conformation of the ternary polymer in the membrane environment, and hence a different membrane partitioning mechanism compared to the binary polymer, which acquires an amphiphilic conformation.
Tax enforcement: incentive or inhibition? Evidence from debt aggressiveness and capital structure in China
Authors: Xiaomei Liu , Yao Yao , AlHares Aws , Shahab Yasir , Yue Sun
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To investigate the impact of tax enforcement on (a) debt aggressiveness (DEA) and (b) dynamic adjustment of capital structure in Chinese listed firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors estimate the target capital structure by employing the different models. This study uses data of Chinese A-share listed firms from year 1998 to 2015.

Findings

The study suggests that the greater the intensity of tax enforcement, the more radical the listed companies' debt policy. The macroeconomic status and nature of property rights have significant moderating effect on the positive relationship between tax enforcement and DEA of listed companies. Further, tax enforcement has a significant impact on the dynamic adjustment of capital structure.

Practical implications

Research conclusions are conducive to tax administration departments to understand the economic consequences of tax enforcement and further promote tax administration efficiency. Additionally, listed companies can rationally adjust their capital structure to strengthen tax enforcement.

Originality/value

This research helps extend the influencing factors of corporate debt decision-making and capital structure dynamic adjustment to the level of tax enforcement and provide new evidence on the effects of tax enforcement on corporate capital structure.
An application of quality function deployment and SERVQUAL approaches to enhance the service quality in radiology centres
Authors: Gavahi Shakiba Sadat , Hosseini Seyed Mohammad Hassan , Moheimani Arash
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Meeting the patients' requirements as customers of the health care sector is crucially important as a social responsibility. According to the resource constraints, only an efficient utilisation of health services can provide that purpose. This study aims to develop a quantitative assessment framework for radiology centres as a vital section in healthcare to translate the patients' requirements into service quality specifications. This would help to achieve quality improvement by emphasising the voice of customers.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review is conducted to specify the service quality criteria and the patients' requirements related to healthcare and hospitals. Based on the experts' opinions, these criteria and requirements are later customised for the radiology centres. Moreover, the requirements are categorised into five dimensions of SERVQUAL. The interrelations between service elements are also determined through expert group consensus using Pearson correlation. Afterwards, by applying the QFD method, the relations between the requirements and criteria are explored. Additionally, a customer satisfaction survey is executed in Tehran public hospitals to prioritise these requirements and provide an importance-satisfaction analysis.

Findings

Based on the result of the case study, service elements are prioritised for improvement, and practical suggestions are provided using the Delphi technique for quality improvement. In addition, a cause-and-effect diagram is presented to highlight the improvement area and provide enhancement suggestions.

Originality/value

This study is the first empirical attempt to benefit from the VOC in evaluating and enhancing the quality of service delivered to radiology patients. In doing so, the study applies a hybrid approach of QFD and SERVQUAL as well as other tools to highlight the improvement area and provide enhancement suggestions. The findings can be readily used by the practitioners.
Cultural intelligence, entrepreneurial intentions and the moderating role of the institutional environment
Authors: Kromidha Endrit , Altinay Levent , Kinali Madanoglu Gulsevim , Nurmagambetova Armiyash , Madanoglu Melih
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Entrepreneurial intentions have traditionally been linked to an entrepreneur's personal ability to take advantage of opportunities. Yet, entrepreneurs' perceptions of contextual factors, which extend beyond one's control, deserve equal attention. This paper looks at the role played by cultural intelligence and the institutional environment in shaping entrepreneurial intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The role played by cultural intelligence in entrepreneurial intentions and the mediating role played by the institutional environment were studied quantitatively by analyzing 224 young potential entrepreneurs who had participated in a business plan competition. This study used cross-sectional data, developing an original full collinearity assessment approach to check for any common method bias.

Findings

This study reveals a positive relationship between cultural intelligence and entrepreneurial intentions. Likewise, any favorable perceptions of the institutional environment tend to increase the probability of engaging in entrepreneurship and further strengthen the positive effect of cultural intelligence on entrepreneurial intentions.

Originality/value

This study provides a holistic view of the relationship between the entrepreneur and the context in which ventures are created, explaining the role played by cultural intelligence in entrepreneurship based on evidence drawn from a developing country. This contributes to a critical reflection on personal and environmental factors and the antecedents of entrepreneurial intentions.
Investigating similarities between Islamic and conventional banks in GCC countries: a dynamic time warping approach
Authors: Gassouma Mohamed Sadok , Benhamed Adel , El Montasser Ghassen
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Several studies have studied the points that distinguish Islamic banks from conventional ones. The corresponding conclusions are a bit contradictory. This paper aims to study the similarities between Islamic and conventional banks in the Gulf countries using a new approach, namely, the clustering method based on dynamic time warping (DTW) distance.

Design/methodology/approach

To study the similarities between Islamic and conventional banks, in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, this study used the DTW distance. Then, a clustering based on this distance was carried out to find out which banks are the most similar. Finally, the authors have studied the factors that explain these similarities.

Findings

This empirical study covered 44 Islamic banks and 46 conventional banks in GCC countries during 2006–2015. The results show that Islamic and conventional banks are included in the same cluster for Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. In contrast, Islamic and conventional banks do not share the same cluster for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. This is because of the establishment of interest rates below discount rates. In this case, banks are incentivized to take more risks to compensate for interest losses, which increases efficiency and allocates Islamic and conventional banks to different clusters. Accordingly, there is no absolute discrimination because of the initial status between Islamic and conventional banks. However, the overall banks, either Islamic or conventional, are discriminated through the distance of the banking applied interest rate and the social discount rate.

Originality/value

DTW distance-based clustering is a very suitable method for emphasizing the similarities that may exist between conventional and Islamic banks. This technique has not previously been used in the literature in question.
Impact of COVID-19 on family business performance: evidence from listed companies in Germany
Authors: Eckey Markus , Memmel Sebastian
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit different industries and firms with widely differing degrees of severity. The authors investigate whether ownership structure (family vs non-family) might represent a differentiating factor. The article's purpose is to conduct an initial, descriptive analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on different stock and operating performance measures of listed German companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a sample of 299 listed companies in Germany and gathered operating as well as stock market performance data following the outbreak of COVID-19. For the purpose of this paper, the authors solely focus on static and descriptive observations thus far. The intention of this paper is to describe potential implications for more differentiated, especially multivariate causal research, on family businesses in a post-COVID world.

Findings

The results indicate that, over the last five years, stock returns of family businesses have been higher than those of non-family firms. This effect seems to have been more pronounced during the first month following the COVID-19 outbreak. When applying operating measures, the outperformance becomes even more evident. The findings therefore seem to support the hypothesis proffered in the literature that family involvement enhances the potential for resilience in such firms.

Originality/value

Scholars on COVID-19 crisis performance have begun to explore firm-level factors related to financial and organizational factors, industry characteristics and country-level factors. The research extends this line of inquiry by probing the importance of family involvement in ownership.
Factors influencing students' adoption intention of brain–computer interfaces in a game-learning context
Authors: Wang Yu-Min , Wei Chung-Lun , Wang Meng-Wei
Published: June 2022

Purpose

A research framework that explains adoption intention in students with regard to brain–computer interface (BCI) games in the learning context was proposed and empirically examined.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, an approach integrating the decomposed theory of planned behavior, perceived playfulness, risk and the task–technology fit (TTF) concept was used to assess data collected using a post-experiment questionnaire from a student sample in Taiwan. The research model was tested using the partial least-squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique.

Findings

Attitude, subjective norms and TTF were shown to impact intention to play the BCI game significantly, while perceived behavioral control did not show a significant impact. The influence of superiors and peers was found to positively predict subjective norms. With the exception of perceived ease of use, all of the proposed antecedents were found to impact attitude toward BCI games. Technology facilitating conditions and BCI technology characteristics were shown to positively determine perceived behavior control and TTF, respectively. However, the other proposed factors did not significantly influence the latter two dependents.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the nascent literature on BCI games in the context of learning by highlighting the influence of belief-related psychological factors on user acceptance of BCI games. Moreover, this study highlights the important, respective influences of perceived playfulness, risk and TTF on users' perceptions of a game, body monitoring and technology implementation, each of which is known to influence willingness to play.
Gates, guards and patrols: impacts of community security features on home values
Authors: Allen Marcus T. , Fraser Steven P.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the price effects, if any, of various types of residential developments' security mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

Previous literature suggests home buyers pay a premium for homes located within gated communities, but no prior study investigates the various levels of community security features often associated with gated communities. This study extends this literature by examining the presence of gates, guards and patrols (individually and in combination) within residential communities. The findings indicate that home prices are significantly higher in communities that have gates, guards, or guards and patrols. In the presence of guards and patrols, however, the premium associated with gates disappears. These results suggest that the previously identified premium for homes in gated communities may be more appropriately interpreted as a premium for enhanced security provided by guards and patrols within the communities.

Findings

Prices of homes in communities exhibit premiums for security gates, security guards and security patrols, but the premium associated with security gates is less impactful than security guards and security patrols.

Research limitations/implications

Developers, home buyers, appraisers and other parties should carefully consider neighborhood security features when evaluating home prices in communities.

Practical implications

The presence of security guards and security patrols implies higher home prices in residential communities and are more impactful than security gates alone.

Originality/value

Prior research reports a price premium for homes in gated communities. This study contributes to that literature and finds that the premium associated with security guards and security patrols dominates the mere presence of security gates.
Cultural identity construction of Iranian EFL teachers: a narrative study in the context of private language institutes
Authors: Moradian Mahmood Reza , Ramezanzadeh Akram , Ershadi Fatemeh
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This narrative study seeks to explore cultural identity (CI) construction of Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers in light of Tong and Cheung's (2011) definition of CI.

Design/methodology/approach

Ten language teachers were selected using purposeful sampling. Data were collected through reflective teacher journals and focus group interviews. Murray's (2009) data analysis procedures were utilized to analyze the data, which included coding the transcripts of data, looking for connections between codes and grouping codes into categories, configuring the participants' story from the data, sending the story to the participants for their comments, carrying out a cross-story analysis and noting themes as they emerge from the stories.

Findings

The inductive analysis of data led to the emergence of three core themes: cultural engagement, openness to differences in L2 cultural values and social practices and navigation of a hybrid CI. That is, the EFL teachers defined their CIs in terms of their commitment to both native and target-language cultures as well as their preservation of cultural diversity.

Originality/value

Findings revealed that L2 acquisition leads to changes of soft cultural forms such as food, clothes and houses as well as modifications of hard cultural forms such as institutional systems and spiritual values. In fact, the participants of this study spoke of the crucial effects of the English language and its culture with regard to both soft and hard cultural forms such as values and standards that brought so many positive changes into their previous lifestyles, attitudes and behaviors.
A comprehensive overview of emerging processing techniques and detection methods for seafood allergens
Authors: Dong Xin , Raghavan Vijaya
Published: June 2022

Seafood is rich in nutrients and plays a significant role in human health. However, seafood allergy is a worldwide health issue by inducing adverse reactions ranging from mild to life‐threatening in seafood‐allergic individuals. Seafood consists of fish and shellfish, with the major allergens such as parvalbumin and tropomyosin, respectively. In the food industry, effective processing techniques are applied to seafood allergens to lower the allergenicity of seafood products. Also, sensitive and rapid allergen‐detection methods are developed to identify and assess allergenic ingredients at varying times. This review paper provides an overview of recent advances in processing techniques (thermal, nonthermal, combined [hybrid] treatments) and main allergen‐detection methods for seafood products. The article starts with the seafood consumption and classification, proceeding with the prevalence and symptoms of seafood allergy, followed by a description of biochemical characteristics of the major seafood allergens. As the topic is multidisciplinary in scope, it is intended to provide information for further research essential for food security and safety.
Recommender systems for fossil community distribution modelling
Authors: Žliobaitė Indrė
Published: June 2022

We propose to leverage recommender systems from machine learning to build large‐scale community distribution models for the mammalian fossil record. Recommender systems are behind most online life today, from shopping to news personalisation, online dating, or the selection of study programmes or fastest routes. Many recommender systems work by predicting user preferences from items that occur together in user profiles. Technically, this setting closely resembles co‐occurrence of species in natural environments.

Here we frame community distribution modelling as a recommender systems task, tailor existing recommender techniques for this purpose and propose optimisation criteria for fitting the models in the ecological context. The predictive power comes from species co‐occurrences.

We demonstrate the potential of this approach for analysing past ecosystems on a case study of Miocene fossil sites in Europe, where we use the proposed community distribution modelling for reconstructing companionships and relative abundances of large mammals.

The proposed approach to community distribution modelling, although not climatically explicit, can help to reconstruct past ecosystems and analyse their structure and dynamics over time and space. It also allows, even coarsely, to predict relative abundances of fossil species from presence–absence data. More generally, the proposed perspective is a means for analysis of fossil communities and the relationships between their ecological contexts.
Shear bond strength of resin‐modified glass ionomer cement bound to mineral trioxide aggregate after various disinfection protocols
Authors: Yanık Deniz , Er Kürşat , Kuştarci Alper
Published: June 2022

This study compared the effects of 3 different cavity disinfection protocols (CDP) on the shear bond strength (SBS) of resin‐modified glass ionomer cement (RM‐GIC) to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). One hundred eighty standard holes were prepared and filled with MTA. They then divided into 3 main groups based on the chosen time intervals (15 min, 24 h, and 72 h). Main groups were divided into 3 subgroups based on the CDP [chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), ozone, laser, and control]. RM‐GIC was applied on MTA after CDP for all groups. A universal testing device was then used for test and the data was statistically analysed. CHX showed significantly lower SBS values except ozone and laser than the control (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences among the time intervals. As a result, CHX decreased the bond strength between the MTA and RM‐GIC while ozone and laser had no negative effect.
Awake craniotomy for brain tumor resection: Patient experience and acceptance in an Asian population
Authors: Tan Chin Lik , Jain Swati , Chan Hui‐Minn , Loh Ne‐Hooi Will , Teo Kejia
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Awake craniotomy is well‐established for resection of brain tumor in the eloquent areas. Previous studies from Western countries have reported good level of patient tolerance and acceptance. However, its acceptability in non‐Western populations, with different ethnic, social, cultural, religious, and linguistic backgrounds, has not been studied systematically. This study aims to evaluate the experience of patients from an Asian population who underwent awake craniotomy for tumor resection.

Methods

Data on patient experience were collected by interviewing patients using a structured questionnaire at follow‐up appointment. Data on patient demographics and diagnosis were collected from medical records.

Results

Eighteen patients (age 16–68 years) who underwent 20 awake craniotomies were recruited. Preoperatively, all (100%) patients understood the indication for awake craniotomy. Almost all felt fully counseled by the neurosurgeon (90%), anesthetist (100%), and neuropsychologist (95%). Ninety‐five percent reported their family to be supportive of awake craniotomy. Seventy‐five percent felt adequately prepared on operation day. Intraoperatively, most patients did not experience pain/discomfort (55%) or anxiety (65%). Nearly all found intraoperative motor and language testing to be easy (100% and 90%, respectively). Postoperatively, 100% were satisfied with their care. One hundred percent rated their overall experience as good or excellent. Eighty percent were willing to undergo awake craniotomy again if indicated.

Conclusion

Awake craniotomy is well‐accepted in an Asian population. All patients had good‐to‐excellent overall experience, with most willing to undergo awake craniotomy again. Our findings underscore the generalizability of awake craniotomy across different socio‐cultural backgrounds and support its utilization in countries with a significant Asian population.
10‐year experience with lamellar keratoplasty for the surgical Management of Paediatric Corneal Diseases
Authors: Pellegrini Marco , Salgari Niccolò , D'Angelo Sergio , Caruso Lorenzo , Franco Elena , Bovone Cristina , Spena Rossella , Zauli Giorgio , Busin Massimo , Yu Angeli Christy
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the outcomes of various lamellar keratoplasty techniques performed at our Institution in children aged 14 years or younger over the last decade.

Methods

This single‐centre study reviewed 72 eyes that underwent lamellar keratoplasty for various indications. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) was performed in 19 eyes, mushroom penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in 27 eyes and Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) in 25 eyes. The main outcome measures included best spectacle‐corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), complications and rate of graft failure which was defined as any graft requiring repeat transplantation.

Results

Best spectacle‐corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) significantly improved after DALK, mushroom PK and DSAEK (all p < 0.05), with 50%, 60% and 56% of eyes reaching ≥20/40, respectively. Stromal rejection was observed in 1 eye (5.3%) after DALK, whilst endothelial rejection occurred in 1 eye after mushroom PK (3.7%) and 1 eye after DSAEK (4.0%). Overall survival was 100% after DALK (mean follow‐up: 23.0 months), 92.8% after mushroom PK (mean follow‐up: 42.3 months) and 96.0% after DSAEK (mean follow‐up: 33.6 months).

Conclusion

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), mushroom PK and DSAEK offer good visual outcomes for children with corneal pathology, with low rates of immunological rejection and graft failure.
The dynamic experience of taking an examination: Ever changing cortisol and expectancy for success
Authors: Graham Matthew C. , Husman Jenefer , Pekrun Reinhard , Villanueva Idalis , Christensen Darcie
Published: June 2022

Background

This study examined the relations between students' expectancies for success and a physiological component of test anxiety, salivary cortisol, during an authentic testing setting.

Aims

The aim of the study was to better understand the connection between shifts in students' control appraisals and changes in the physiological component of test anxiety.

Sample

The study comprised 45 undergraduate engineering majors in the United States.

Methods

Survey data concerning students' expectancy for success and saliva samples were taken before, during and after the practice midterm examination prior to their actual in‐class examination.

Results

Students' expectancy for success declined during the examination while cortisol levels declined from the beginning to middle of the examination and began to increase again as a function of time. Although students' initial levels of expectancy for success and cortisol were not correlated, there was a negative relation between change in cortisol and change in expectancy for success.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates a relation between salivary cortisol, a physiological component of test anxiety and students' expectancy for success in an authentic testing context. Most students saw a decrease in cortisol during the examination, suggesting anticipatory anxiety prior to the test and a return to homeostasis as the examination progressed. Some students, however, did not see a declination in cortisol, suggesting they may not have recovered from pre‐examination anxiety. The negative relation between change in cortisol and expectancy for success suggests that students who had the greatest decrease in expectancy for success saw the smallest recovery in cortisol.
Phase I study of alvocidib plus cytarabine/mitoxantrone or cytarabine/daunorubicin for acute myeloid leukemia in Japan
Authors: Ikezoe Takayuki , Ando Kiyoshi , Onozawa Masahiro , Yamane Takahisa , Hosono Naoko , Morita Yasuyoshi , Kiguchi Toru , Iwasaki Hiromi , Miyamoto Toshihiro , Matsubara Keisuke , Sugimoto Saori , Miyazaki Yasushi , Kizaki Masahiro , Akashi Koichi
Published: June 2022

Therapeutic improvements are needed for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), particularly those who have relapsed or who have treatment‐refractory (R/R) AML or newly diagnosed patients with poor prognostic factors. Alvocidib (DSP‐2033), a potent cyclin‐dependent kinase 9 inhibitor, has previously demonstrated promising clinical activity for the treatment of AML. In this multicenter, open‐label, uncontrolled, 3 + 3 phase I study, we investigated the safety and tolerability of alvocidib administered in combination with either cytarabine and mitoxantrone (ACM) for R/R AML or cytarabine/daunorubicin (A + 7 + 3) for newly diagnosed AML. Alvocidib was administered to all patients as a 30‐min intravenous (i.v.) bolus (30 mg/m2/d), followed by a continuous i.v. infusion over 4 h on days 1–3 (60 mg/m2/d). A total of 10 patients were enrolled: six received ACM (at two dose levels of cytarabine and mitoxantrone) and four received A + 7 + 3. Alvocidib was tolerated and no dose‐limiting toxicities were observed. All patients experienced adverse events, of which diarrhea was the most frequent (100%); hematologic events were also common. Alvocidib concentration peaked at the end of dosing (4.5 h after start of administration), plasma accumulation after repeated dosing was minimal and urinary excretion was negligible. The rate of complete remission/complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery was 66.7% with the ACM regimen in R/R AML, including four complete remission (median duration 13.6 months), and 75% (three complete remission) with the A + 7 + 3 regimen. Further development of alvocidib in hematologic malignancies is warranted. The trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03563560.
Within‐patient evaluation of chewing efficiency and maximum bite force of conventional dentures, fixed prostheses, and milled bar overdentures used for All‐on‐4 implant rehabilitation of atrophied mandibular ridges: A short‐term randomized trial
Authors: ELsyad Moustafa Abdou , Tella Eman Abd El Sattar , Mohamed Shahinaz Sayed , Mahrous Ahmed Ibrahim
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This crossover study aimed to evaluate chewing efficiency and maximum bite force (BF) of conventional dentures, fixed prostheses, and milled bar overdentures (MO) used for All‐on‐4 implant rehabilitation of atrophied mandibular ridges.

Methods

Sixteen edentulous participants with resorbed mandibular ridges received new conventional dentures (CD, control). Four implants were inserted after 3 months in the mandible using the All‐on‐4 protocol and loaded immediately with acrylic prosthesis. In a crossover manner, each patient had either fixed restoration (FR, 12 occlusal units) or MO (14 occlusal units) randomly in a crossover study design. Chewing efficiency was evaluated using the mixing ability test. The hue deviation (HD) of two‐colored gum was calculated after being chewed for 5, 10, 20, 30, and 50 masticatory cycles. Maximum BF was evaluated using a BF device. HD and BF were measured after using CD, FR, and MO prostheses.

Results

For all groups, the highest HD (i.e., the lowest chewing efficiency) was noted with 5 strokes, followed by 10, 20, 30 strokes, and the lowest HD (i.e., the highest chewing efficiency) was noted with 50 strokes. For all number of chewing strokes, CD showed the highest HD, then FR, and MO recorded the lowest HD. The highest BF was observed with MO, then FR, and the lowest BF was noted with CD.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this short‐term investigation, both FR and MO used for All‐on‐4 implant rehabilitation of patients with resorbed mandibular ridges improve masticatory efficiency and maximum BFs compared to CD. However, MO was associated with significantly higher chewing efficiency and maximum BFs than fixed prosthesis.
The impact of mTOR inhibitors in the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in elderly kidney transplant recipients
Authors: David‐Neto Elias , Filho Marcelo Paes Menezes , de Sá Ítalo José Araújo Silveira , Agena Fabiana , de Andrade José Lázaro , de Paula Flávio Jota
Published: June 2022

End‐stage kidney disease is frequently associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a condition more prevalent in the elderly, that may increase mortality after renal transplantation (RTx). Previous studies suggested that mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) can improve LVH, but this has never been tested in elderly kidney transplant recipients. In this prospective randomized clinical trial, we analyzed the impact of Everolimus (EVL) on the reversal of LVH after RTx in elderly recipients (≥60 years) submitted to different immunosuppressive regimens: EVL/lowTacrolimus (EVL group, n = 53) or mycophenolate sodium/regularTacrolimus (MPS group, n = 47). Patients performed echocardiograms (Echo) up to 3 months after RTx and then annually. At baseline, mean age was 65±3 years in both groups and LVH was observed in 63.6% of patients in EVL group and in 61.8% of MPS group. Last Echo was performed at mean time of 47 and 49 months after RTx in EVL and MPS groups, respectively (P = .34). LVH regression was observed in 23.8% (EVL group) and 19% (MPS group) of patients (P = 1.00). Mean eGFR, blood pressure, and use of RAS blockers were similar between groups throughout follow‐up. EVL did not improve LVH in this cohort, and this lack of benefit may be attributed to concomitant use of TAC, senescence, or both.
Rosette‐like formations in melanocytic neoplasms: A case report and literature review
Authors: Jaeger Zachary J. , Dehner Carina , Dehner Louis P.
Published: June 2022

Homer‐Wright‐like rosettes are a common finding in neural tumors but seldom seen in melanocytic nevi and melanoma. We report a case of a 23‐year‐old male with a compound melanocytic nevus with such rosette‐like structures and summarize the current literature on this histopathological feature in melanocytic neoplasms. A symmetric, well‐circumscribed, compound nevus consisting of aggregations of epithelioid melanocytes with eccentric nuclei and central eosinophilic cytoplasm, resembling Homer‐Wright rosettes, was present on biopsy. Immunohistochemical stains strongly supported a melanocytic entity and were negative for NTRK1/2/3, a fusion protein potentially associated with rosette‐like structures. We found 17 other cases of benign melanocytic nevi, including 9 atypical Spitz tumors and 6 Spitz nevi, and 11 malignant melanomas, including 3 Spitz melanomas and 4 metastases. We observed remarkable diversity among lesion morphologies containing rosettes, as well as level of prominence and cytology of the rosettes themselves. This case illustrates the morphologic malleability of neural‐crest‐derived lesions to share microscopic and phenotypic attributes.
Social network analysis for cross‐evaluation in data envelopment analysis
Authors: Ang Sheng , Wu Hui , Chen Menghan , Yang Feng
Published: June 2022

As one of the important extensions of data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology, cross‐evaluation combines self‐evaluation and peer‐evaluation processes for each decision making unit (DMU) to effectively eliminate unrealistic weight schemes and differentiate all the units for ranking. Differing from previous research, which mainly pays attention to either secondary goals for generating weights for peer evaluation or aggregation of self and peer‐evaluation efficiencies, our study focuses on evaluating the relationships among all DMUs. If we view each unit as a node to be evaluated, then peer‐evaluation among pairs of DMUs forms a bidirectional network among all the DMUs. Based on this idea, we introduce a data‐driven tool combining social network analysis and cross‐evaluation to examine self‐evaluated and peer‐evaluated scores in the network. Using the hyperlink‐induced topic search algorithm, we develop the concepts of self‐evaluation and peer‐evaluation objectivity coefficients based on how well DMUs accept the analysis results. The rankings based on our self‐evaluation and peer‐evaluation scores adjusted with objectivity coefficients are shown to be consistent. Our study provides a novel perspective for cross‐evaluation and DEA research. An application case study illustrates our new method.
Ca2+ as a coordinator of skeletal muscle differentiation, fusion and contraction
Authors: Sinha Sansrity , Elbaz‐Alon Yael , Avinoam Ori
Published: June 2022

Muscle regeneration is essential for vertebrate muscle homeostasis and recovery after injury. During regeneration, muscle stem cells differentiate into myocytes, which then fuse with pre‐existing muscle fibres. Hence, differentiation, fusion and contraction must be tightly regulated during regeneration to avoid the disastrous consequences of premature fusion of myocytes to actively contracting fibres. Cytosolic calcium (Ca2+), which is coupled to both induction of myogenic differentiation and contraction, has more recently been implicated in the regulation of myocyte‐to‐myotube fusion. In this viewpoint, we propose that Ca2+‐mediated coordination of differentiation, fusion and contraction is a feature selected in the amniotes to facilitate muscle regeneration.
On the effect of confining pressure on fatigue failure of block‐in‐matrix soils exposed to multistage cyclic triaxial loads
Authors: Wang Yu , Su Yujie , Xia Yingjie , Wang Hongjian , Yi Xuefeng
Published: June 2022

This paper discusses the multi‐level cyclic triaxial testing of bimsoils (block‐in‐matrix soils), which are chaotic, mechanically and/or spatially heterogeneous geological masses in geotechnical construction. The cyclic triaxial tests simulate the behavior of bimsoil material under varying number of passing vehicle wheels. It is found that the applied confining pressure alters the stress state of the tested bimsoil and a transmission from strain softening to strain hardening occurs. The bimsoil deformation, strength, fatigue life, and stiffness are improved as the ambient pressure increases. The strain rate analysis reveals that the strong volumetric dilatancy occurs earlier for a bimsoil under relatively low confining pressure. Post‐test CT scanning shows the mesoscopic structural changes inside the bimsoil, including the multiple interface cracking behaviors and crack propagation surrounding the rock blocks. It is suggested that the contact, interlocking, occlusion, and separation among the existing blocks greatly contribute to the volume dilatancy characteristics of bimsoil under high ambient pressure.
Deterministic assembly and anthropogenic extinctions drive convergence of island bird communities
Authors: Triantis Kostas A. , Rigal Francois , Whittaker Robert J. , Hume Julian P. , Sheard Catherine , Poursanidis Dimitrios , Rolland Jonathan , Sfenthourakis Spyros , Matthews Thomas J. , Thébaud Christophe , Tobias Joseph A.
Published: June 2022

Aim

Whether entire communities of organisms converge towards predictable structural properties in similar environmental conditions remains controversial. We tested for community convergence in birds by comparing the structure of oceanic archipelago assemblages with their respective regional species pools.

Location

Eighteen major oceanic archipelagos of volcanic origin with global distribution.

Major taxa studied

Terrestrial birds.

Methods

We compiled a comprehensive database of morphological trait and phylogenetic data for 6,579 bird species, including species known to have become extinct owing to human activities. We quantified morphological and phylogenetic dissimilarity among species between pairs of archipelagos, using a modified version of the mean nearest taxon distance. We tested for convergence by estimating whether overall mean turnover among archipelagos and pairwise turnover between archipelagos were lower than expected by chance.

Results

For all land birds, we found that turnover in body plan, body mass and phylogeny among archipelagos was significantly lower than expected. Seventeen (of 18) archipelagos showed significant body plan and phylogenetic similarity with at least one other archipelago. Similar convergent patterns of community assembly were detected in different subsamples of the data (extant species, endemics, native non‐endemics, and Passeriformes only). Convergence was more pronounced for extant species than for extant and extinct species combined.

Main conclusions

Consistent convergence in phylogenetic and morphological structure among archipelagic communities arises through a combination of non‐random colonization andin situadaptation. In addition, by including data from extinct taxa, we show that community convergence both precedes and is accentuated by the anthropogenic extinction of endemic lineages. Our results highlight the potential role of non‐random extinction in generating patterns of community convergence and show that convergence existed even before anthropogenic extinctions, owing to deterministic community assembly in similar environmental settings at the global scale.
Migraine and peripheral pain models show differential alterations in neuronal complexity
Authors: Bertels Zachariah , Mangutov Elizaveta , Conway Catherine , Siegersma Kendra , Asif Sarah , Shah Pal , Huck Nolan , Tawfik Vivianne L. , Pradhan Amynah A.
Published: June 2022

Objective

Our laboratory has recently shown that there is a decrease in neuronal complexity in head pain processing regions in mouse models of chronic migraine‐associated pain and aura. Importantly, restoration of this neuronal complexity corresponds with anti‐migraine effects of known and experimental pharmacotherapies. The objective of the current study was to expand this work and examine other brain regions involved with pain or emotional processing. We also investigated the generalizability of our findings by analyzing neuronal cytoarchitectural changes in a model of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a peripheral pain disorder.

Methods

We used the nitroglycerin (NTG) model of chronic migraine‐associated pain in which mice receive 10 mg/kg NTG every other day for 9 days. Cortical spreading depression (CSD), a physiological corelate of migraine aura, was evoked in anesthetized mice using KCl. CRPS was induced by tibial fracture followed by casting. Neuronal cytoarchitecture was visualized with Golgi stain and analyzed with Simple Neurite Tracer.

Results

In the NTG model, we previously showed decreased neuronal complexity in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) and periaqueductal gray (PAG). In contrast, we found increased neuronal complexity in the thalamus and no change in the amygdala or caudate putamen in this study. Following CSD, we observed decreased neuronal complexity in the PAG, in line with decreases in the somatosensory cortex and TNC reported with this model previously. In the CRPS model there was decreased neuronal complexity in the hippocampus, as reported by others; increased complexity in the PAG; and no change within the somatosensory cortex.

Conclusions

Collectively these results demonstrate that alterations in neuronal complexity are a feature of both chronic migraine and chronic CRPS. However, each type of pain presents a unique cytoarchitectural signature, which may provide insight on how these pain states differentially transition from acute to chronic conditions.