bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The possible role of biochanin A in ameliorating endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced leptin resistance
Authors: Horiuchi Keigo , Tsuchio Kyoji , Matsushima Goshi , Thon Mina , Hosoi Toru , Ozawa Koichiro
Published: June 2021

Leptin plays an important role in energy intake and body weight homeostasis. Leptin is secreted mainly from white adipose tissue and circulates in the bloodstream, inhibiting food intake by activating the leptin receptor expressed on hypothalamic neurons. Recent studies have demonstrated leptin resistance as the main factor involved in the development of obesity. We and others have reported that leptin resistance is caused by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress due to the accumulation of unfolded protein in the ER. In the present study, we investigated whether isoflavones could affect ER stress and the subsequent development of leptin resistance. We showed that biochanin A, a family of isoflavones, strongly attenuated cell death induced by ER stress in neuronal cells, improved ER stress-induced impairments in leptin signaling, and suppressed ER stress-induced expression of glucose-regulated protein 78. These results suggest that biochanin A may have pharmacological properties that can ameliorate leptin resistance by reducing ER stress.
A Cross-sectional Study of Clinical COVID-19 Myocarditis: Differences in Biomarkers in Fulminant and Non-fulminant Cases
Authors: Wong Christopher , Mansoor Amtul , McGinn Thomas
Published: June 2021

Background

COVID-19 myocarditis is becoming increasingly appreciated as a complication of COVID-19. There are significant hurdles to formal diagnosis with endomyocardial biopsy or cardiac MRI whether by resource limitations, patient instability, or isolation precautions. Therefore, further exploratory analysis is needed to clinically define the characteristics and spectrum of severity of COVID-19 myocarditis.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical course, echocardiographic, and laboratory testing across suspected fulminant and non-fulminant clinically defined COVID-19 myocarditis.

Methods

In a cross-sectional observational study of 19 patients with clinically defined COVID-19 myocarditis, we report presenting symptoms, clinical course, laboratory findings, and echocardiographic results stratified by non-fulminant and fulminant myocarditis. Student t-test and univariate logistic regression are used to compare laboratory findings across fulminant and non-fulminant cases.

Findings

Among 19 patients, there was no prior history of coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, or heart failure; 21.1% of patients died; and 78.9% of cases required supplemental oxygen. A significantly higher geometric mean D-dimer and ferritin were observed in patients with fulminant compared to non-fulminant suspected myocarditis. 26.3% of cases had pericardial effusions. 10 out of the 16 with available echocardiographic data had normal left ventricular systolic function.

Conclusions

In this cross-sectional analysis, we provide a practical clinical depiction of patients with clinical COVID-19 myocarditis across fulminant and non-fulminant cases. Statistically significant elevations in inflammatory markers in fulminant versus non-fulminant cases generate hypothesis regarding the role of systemic inflammation in driving severity of COVID-19 myocarditis.
Comprehensive analysis of RNA-seq and whole genome sequencing data reveals no evidence for SARS-CoV-2 integrating into host genome
Authors: Chen Yu-Sheng , Lu Shuaiyao , Zhang Bing , Du Tingfu , Li Wen-Jie , Lei Meng , Zhou Yanan , Zhang Yong , Liu Penghui , Sun Yong-Qiao , Zhao Yong-Liang , Yang Ying , Peng Xiaozhong , Yang Yun-Gui
Published: June 2021

SARS-CoV-2, as the causation of severe epidemic of COVID-19, is one kind of positive single-stranded RNA virus with high transmissibility. However, whether or not SARS-CoV-2 can integrate into host genome needs thorough investigation. Here, we performed both RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and whole genome sequencing on SARS-CoV-2 infected human and monkey cells, and investigated the presence of host-virus chimeric events. Through RNA-seq, we did detect the chimeric host-virus reads in the infected cells. But further analysis using mixed libraries of infected cells and uninfected zebrafish embryos demonstrated that these reads are falsely generated during library construction. In support, whole genome sequencing also didn’t identify the existence of chimeric reads in their corresponding regions. Therefore, the evidence for SARS-CoV-2’s integration into host genome is lacking.

One-Sentence Summary

SARS-CoV-2 does not integrate into host genome through whole genome sequencing.
Recognition and inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by humoral innate immunity pattern recognition molecules
Authors: Stravalaci Matteo , Pagani Isabel , Paraboschi Elvezia Maria , Pedotti Mattia , Doni Andrea , Scavello Francesco , Mapelli Sarah N. , Sironi Marina , Varani Luca , Matkovic Milos , Cavalli Andrea , Cesana Daniela , Gallina Pierangela , Pedemonte Nicoletta , Capurro Valeria , Clementi Nicola , Mancini Nicasio , Invernizzi Pietro , Rappuoli Rino , Duga Stefano , Bottazzi Barbara , Uguccioni Mariagrazia , Asselta Rosanna , Vicenzi Elisa , Mantovani Alberto , Garlanda Cecilia
Published: June 2021

The humoral arm of innate immunity includes diverse molecules with antibody-like functions, some of which serve as disease severity biomarkers in COVID-19. The present study was designed to conduct a systematic investigation of the interaction of humoral fluid phase pattern recognition molecules (PRM) with SARS-CoV-2. Out of 10 PRM tested, the long pentraxin PTX3 and Mannose Binding Lectin (MBL) bound the viral Nucleoprotein and Spike, respectively. MBL bound trimeric Spike, including that of variants of concern, in a glycan- dependent way and inhibited SARS-CoV-2 in threein vitromodels. Moreover, upon binding to Spike, MBL activated the lectin pathway of complement activation. Genetic polymorphisms at the MBL locus were associated with disease severity. These results suggest that selected humoral fluid phase PRM can play an important role in resistance to, and pathogenesis of, COVID-19, a finding with translational implications.
Habitat percolation transition undermines sustainability in social-ecological agricultural systems
Authors: Paz Diego Bengochea , Henderson Kirsten , Loreau Michel
Published: June 2021

Steady increases in human population size and resource consumption are driving rampant agricultural expansion and intensification. Habitat loss caused by agriculture puts the integrity of ecosystems at risk, and threatens the persistence of human societies that rely on ecosystem services. We develop a spatially explicit model describing the coupled dynamics of an agricultural landscape and human population size to study the effect of different land-use management strategies, defined by agricultural clustering and intensification, on the sustainability of the social-ecological system. We show how agricultural expansion can cause natural habitat to undergo a percolation transition leading to abrupt habitat fragmentation that feedbacks on human’s decision making, aggravating landscape degradation. We found that agricultural intensification to spare land from conversion is a successful strategy only in highly natural landscapes, and that clustering agricultural land is the most effective measure to preserve large connected natural fragments, avoid severe fragmentation, and thus, enhance sustainability.
Analysis of microvascular thrombus mechanobiology with a novel particle-based model
Authors: Masalceva Anastasia A. , Kaneva Valeriia N. , Panteleev Mikhail A. , Ataullahanov Fazoil , Volpert Vitaly , Afanasyev Ilya , Nechipurenko Dmitry Yu.
Published: June 2021

Platelet accumulation at the site of vascular injury is regulated by soluble platelet agonists, which induce various types of platelet responses, including integrin activation and granule secretion. The interplay between local biochemical cues, mechanical interactions between platelets and macroscopic thrombus dynamics is poorly understood.

Here we describe a novel computational model of microvascular thrombus formation for detailed analysis of thrombus mechanics. Adopting a previously developed two-dimensional particle-based model focused on the thrombus shell formation, we revise it to introduce platelet agonists. Blood flow is simulated via computational fluid dynamics approach. In order to model soluble platelet activators, we apply Langevin dynamics to a large number of non-dimensional virtual particles. Taking advantage of the available data on platelet dense granule secretion kinetics, we model platelet degranulation as a stochastic agonist-dependent process.

The new model qualitatively reproduces enhanced thrombus formation due to granule secretion in line with in vivo findings and provides a mechanism for thrombin confinement at the early stages of aggregate formation. Our calculations also predict that release of dense granules results in additional mechanical stabilization of the inner layers of the thrombus. Distribution of the inter-platelet forces throughout the aggregate reveals multiple weak spots in the outer regions of thrombus, which are expected to result in mechanical disruptions at the later stages of thrombus formation.
Inhibition of aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling promotes the terminal differentiation of human erythrocytes
Authors: Chen Yijin , Dong Yong , Lu Xulin , Li Wanjing , Zhang Yimeng , Mao Bin , Pan Xu , Li Xiaohong , Zhou Ya , An Quanming , Xie Fangxin , Wang Shihui , Xue Yuan , Cai Xinping , Lai Mowen , Zhou Qiongxiu , Yan Yan , Fu Ruohan , Wang Hong , Nakahata Tatsutoshi , An Xiuli , Shi Lihong , Zhang Yonggang , Ma Feng
Published: June 2021

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays an important role during mammalian embryo development. Inhibition of AHR signaling promotes the development of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. AHR also regulates the functional maturation of blood cells, such as T cells and megakaryocytes. However, little is known about the role of AHR modulation during the development of erythroid cells. In this study, we used the AHR antagonist StemRegenin 1 (SR1) and the AHR agonist 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) during different stages of human erythropoiesis to elucidate the function of AHR. We found that antagonizing AHR signaling improved the production of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived erythrocytes and enhanced erythroid terminal differentiation. RNA-sequencing showed that SR1 treatment of proerythroblasts upregulated the expression of erythrocyte differentiation-related genes and downregulated actin organization-associated genes. We found that SR1 promoted F-actin remodeling in terminally differentiated erythrocytes, favoring the maturation of the cytoskeleton and enucleation. We demonstrated that the effects of AHR inhibition on erythroid maturation resulted from an increase in F-actin remodeling. Our findings help uncover the mechanism for AHR-mediated human erythroid cell differentiation. We also provide a new approach toward the large-scale production of functionally mature hPSC-derived erythrocytes for use in translational applications.
Supreme emergencies and public accountability: the case of procurement in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Sian S. , Smyth Stewart
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine the changed nature of public accountability during a supreme emergency and explore how legal and auditing mechanisms have come to the fore, concluding that misappropriation of public monies is not an inevitable outcome.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores an illustrative example, the UK government's procurement of personal protective equipment during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Findings

In circumstances of a supreme emergency where parliamentary scrutiny and competitive contract tendering are suspended, other forms of public accountability come to the fore, with civil society actors becoming more evident.

Research limitations/implications

The paper relies on illustrative examples based on the Westminster model of government. The study advanced the notion of deferred accountability and identifies areas for further study, potentially in different jurisdictions.

Social implications

The paper highlights the need for a variety of active and engaged civil society actors.

Originality/value

The paper contributes an empirical case to how an account of government behaviour is established. The paper also contributes to a deeper understanding of the nature and role of legal and government audit accountability mechanisms.
Evaluation of open health data portals for COVID-19 from the perspective of the user experience
Authors: Wu Dan , Ma Le , Zhang Hui
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to construct an indicator framework for evaluating open health data portals from the perspective of user experience (UX) to reduce users’ learning costs, save their time and energy and strengthen the emotional connection with users, thereby encouraging them to actively use open health data.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses card sorting, Delphi and analytic hierarchy process to determine the weights of indicators for evaluating open health data portals. Then, this study uses a coding method to score, evaluate and compare the selection of more than 120 open health data portals supported by organizations in more than 100 countries or regions that are in the World's top confirmed cases of COVID-19 as released by the World Health Organization.

Findings

At present, open health data portals have shortcomings with regard to UX. Different types of open health data portals vary significantly in the dimensions of technical experience and functional experience, but the differences in the dimensions of aesthetic experience, emotional experience and content experience are not significant.

Originality/value

The constructed open health data portal evaluation indicator framework introduces users' actual application needs and proposes optimization suggestions for the portal to meet the needs of users to quickly obtain, reliable and accurate health data.
The impact of information security initiatives on supply chain robustness and performance: an empirical study
Authors: P.N. Sindhuja
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Information security is an essential element in all business activities. The damage to businesses from information security breaches has become pervasive. The scope of information security has widened as information has become a critical supply chain asset, making it more important to protect the organization’s data. Today’s global supply chains rely upon the speedy and robust dissemination of information among supply chain partners. Hence, processing of accurate supply chain information is quintessential to ensure the robustness and performance of supply chains. An effective information security management (ISM) is deemed to ensure the robustness of supply chains. The purpose of the paper is to examine the impact of information security initiatives on supply chain robustness and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on extant literature, a research model was developed and validated using a questionnaire survey instrument administered among information systems/information technology managers. Data collected were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Further, to test the hypotheses and to fit the theoretical model, Structural equation modeling techniques were used.

Findings

Results of this study indicated that information security initiatives are positively associated with supply chain robustness and performance. These initiatives are likely to enhance the robustness and performance of the supply chains.

Originality/value

With the advancements in internet technologies and capabilities as well as considering the dynamic environment of supply chains, this study is relevant in terms of the capability that an organization needs to acquire with regards to ISM. Benefiting from the resource dependency theory, information security initiatives could be considered as a critical resource having an influence on the internal and external environment of supply chains.
Vulnerability to COVID-19 unemployment in the Portuguese tourism and hospitality industry
Authors: Lopes Ana Sofia , Sargento Ana , Carreira Pedro
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to address the immediate effects of the COVID-19 crisis in the Portuguese tourism and hospitality industry by examining whether some specific characteristics make people more vulnerable or more immune to unemployment.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an extensive micro-level data set of personal and job-related attributes containing all unemployed individuals in the Portuguese tourism and hospitality industry, a logit model with 56,142 observations is estimated to assess how each characteristic contributed to the unemployment odds during the COVID-19 crisis (until the end-July 2020), relatively to the pre-COVID period.

Findings

The most vulnerable workers to COVID-19 unemployment seem to be older, less educated, less qualified, women and residents in regions with a higher concentration of people and tourism activity. Moreover, the COVID-19 crisis is generating a new type of unemployment by also affecting those who were never unemployed before, with more stable jobs and more motivated at work, while reducing voluntary disruptions.

Practical implications

Public effort should be made not only to increase workforce education but especially to reinforce job-specific skills. The COVID-19 crisis has broken traditional protective measures against unemployment and separated workers from their desired occupations, which justifies new and exceptional job preservation measures. Policy recommendations are given aiming at strengthening worker resilience and industry competitiveness in the most affected sub-sectors and regions.

Originality/value

This study extends the current understanding of worker vulnerability to economic downturns. Herein, this paper used a three-level approach (combining socio-demographic, work-related and regional factors), capturing the immediate effects of the COVID-19 crisis and focussing on the tourism and hospitality industry (the hardest-hit sector worldwide).
Analysis of barriers to circularity for agricultural cooperatives in the digitalization era
Authors: Ada Erhan , Sagnak Muhittin , Uzel Ruhan Askin , Balcıoğlu İrem
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to propose a novel framework for barriers to circularity within cooperative supply chains. The barriers in the adoption and implementation of circular economy principles are examined within a framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Fuzzy best-worst method is used to calculate the weights of barriers and identify the prioritization of barriers to circularity within cooperative supply chain.

Findings

“Insufficient implementation of circular economy laws” was found as the most important barrier, followed by “Lack of information”, “Ineffective recycling policies”, “Lack of awareness for circular economy”, “Remanufacturing is a labor-intensive procedure”, “Inconsistent price policies in sources and products”, “Lack of environmental management system”, “Cost of implementation for green activities” and “Lack of R&D capability” barriers, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The number of participant professionals limits the conclusions of the study and reaching more general conclusions. A comprehensive research can be conducted by the participation of a greater number of professionals.

Originality/value

Several studies analyzed the barriers to circularity; however, to the best of the authors' knowledge, no study has been taken an approach for barriers to circularity for cooperatives or cooperative supply chains.
Antecedents and outcomes of supply chain security practices: the role of organizational security culture and supply chain disruption occurrence
Authors: Asamoah David , Nuertey Dorcas , Agyei-Owusu Benjamin , Acquah Ishmael Nanaba
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The study examines organizational security culture as the driver of supply chain security (SCS) practices (information management security, facility management security and human resource security). Additionally, the study examines the minimization of occurrence of supply chain disruption as the outcome of SCS practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model grounded on the contingency theory and the dynamic capabilities theory was developed and tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Data was obtained from 110 manufacturing and service firms in Ghana.

Findings

It was revealed that organizational security culture has a positive and a significant impact on information management security, facility management security and human resource security as hypothesized. In addition, facility management security significantly minimized supply chain disruption occurrence as hypothesized but information management security and human resource security did not.

Originality/value

To the best of the researchers' knowledge, this is the first study that examines organizational security culture as the driver of SCS practices. Additionally, the study is novel in examining the interplay between organizational security culture, SCS practices and supply chain disruption.
Flow field characteristics of micro-scale textured surfaces of water-lubricated bearings using lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Jiao Chunxiao , Xu Jianghai , Zou Donglin , Ta Na , Rao Zhushi
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the flow field characteristics of the micro-scale textured bearing surfaces using the lattice Boltzmann method based on the microscopic dynamics of the fluid.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the inertia effects and the micro-scale effects, the models of a single micro-scale texture unit cell with different shapes and different film thickness ratios are established. The influence of pressure difference between inlet and outlet of the unit cell on flow characteristics is studied.

Findings

The surface pressure distribution, flow patterns and pressure contours in the flow field are obtained. The results reveal that the pressure difference has a significant influence on the characteristics of the micro-textured flow field.

Originality/value

The results have certain guiding significance for further step investigation on microscopic lubrication mechanism of the water-lubricated polymer bearings.
Enablers of supply chain integration: a technology-organization-environment view
Authors: Tian Min , Huo Baofeng , Park Youngwon , Kang Mingu
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically explore the effects and interaction effect of human resources and digital manufacturing technologies (DMTs) on supply chain integration (SCI) and how their roles are influenced by competition.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, this study builds and tests a holistic model based on the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS) project database.

Findings

The results show that human resources and DMTs have significant positive effects on three dimensions of SCI. Competition positively moderates the effects of human resources on customer integrations, negatively moderates the effects of human resource on internal integration, but does not moderate the effects of human resources on supplier integration. Besides, the moderating effect of competition has not been found in the relationships between DMTs and three SCI dimensions.

Originality/value

By investigating the effects of human resources and DMTs on SCI practices in the context of competition, this study contributes to the literature on SCI, DMTs and the TOE framework as well as offers practical insights that help manufacturing firms to promote SCI more effectively and efficiently.
Research on product-service systems: topic landscape and future trends
Authors: Barravecchia Federico , Franceschini Fiorenzo , Mastrogiacomo Luca , Zaki Mohamed
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The paper attempts to address the following research questions (RQs): RQ1: What are the main research topics within PSS research? RQ2: What are future trends for PSS research?

Design/methodology/approach

Twenty years of research (1999–2018) on product-service systems (PSS) produced a significant amount of scientific literature on the topic. As the PSS field is relatively new and fragmented across different disciplines, a review of the prior and relevant literature is important in order to provide the necessary framework for understanding current developments and future perspectives. This paper aims to review and organize research contributions regarding PSS. A machine-learning algorithm, namely Latent Dirichlet Allocation, has been applied to the whole literature corpus on PSS in order to understand its structure.

Findings

The adopted approach resulted in the definition of eight distinct and representative topics able to deal adequately with the multidisciplinarity of the PSS. Furthermore, a systematic review of the literature is proposed to summarize the state-of-the-art and limitations in the identified PSS research topics. Based on this critical analysis, major gaps and future research challenges are presented and discussed.

Originality/value

On the basis of the results of the topic landscape, the paper presents some potential research opportunities on PSSs. In particular, challenges, transversal to the eight research topics and related to recent technology trends and digital transformation, have been discussed.
The use of digital technologies in social marketing: a systematic review
Authors: Flaherty Tina , Domegan Christine , Anand Mihir
Published: June 2021

Purpose

With the explosion of digital technologies in contemporary daily life, fuelled by a pandemic and remote working, online learning and shopping and the proliferation of social platforms, much remains nebulous about the opportunities these technologies hold for social marketers beyond their previously documented use as communication and promotion tools. This paper aims to provide a rich examination of the variety of digital technologies used within social marketing and establish the scale of integration between digital technologies and social marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

Following systematic literature review procedures, a systematic literature review through eight databases was conducted. The systematic review focussed on the assessment of social marketing studies that incorporated a wide range of mature and emerging digital technologies such as the internet, mobile platforms and social media channels. A total of 50 social marketing studies (2014–2020) were analysed.

Findings

The review found that there have been major advancements in the technologies available to social marketers in recent years. Furthermore, the adoption of digital technologies by social marketers has evolved from a communication or promotion function where generic information is pushed to the citizen, towards the use of these technologies for a more personalised design, content and behaviour change intervention. In some studies, the digital technologies were the primary means for interactions and collaborations to take place. The review also found that digital technologies target more than the individual citizen. Digital technologies are used to target multi-level stakeholders, policy makers and partners as part of behavioural change interventions.

Originality/value

Only two previous reviews have synthesised digital technologies and their use in social marketing. This review provides a recent depiction of the range and scale of integration within social marketing. Specifically, it demonstrates the expansion beyond a persuasive application to their use for research, segmentation and targeting, collaboration and co-creation, the product and facilitator of service delivery. Finally, this review provides a heat map to illustrate the integration between digital technologies and key concepts and criteria within social marketing.
An investigation on behavioral biases in ship investments of small-sized shipping companies
Authors: Akgul Ersin Firat , Cetin Ismail Bilge
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explain the facts about behavioral biases that cannot be explained by rational patterns in ship investments of small-size shipping companies.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was adopted in this study. The systematic approach of Wolcott (1994) and the action flows proposed by Miles and Huberman (1994) were taken into consideration.

Findings

Factors affecting ship investments are classified as ship finance, market timing, ship specifications and profile and business models of ship investors. In addition, behavioral biases that stand out under each theme are explained in the light of behavioral finance literature.

Originality/value

The originality of this study rests on the lack of studies on behavioral aspects of ship investments.
Do personal values explain variation in satisficing measures of risk?
Authors: Ranganathan Kavitha
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The role of personal value systems as antecedents to risk has been largely ignored. Following Gigerenzer's view of ecological rationality, the authors argue an individual's personal value system serves as concrete motivations that guide risky choices and facilitate adaptation to one's environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors elicit risk attitudes using a satisficing-based risk elicitation method that exploits the idea of worst-case aspiration or minimum portfolio returns given a portfolio comprising a safe and risky prospect. The elicited worst-case aspiration allows for more descriptive and natural ways of characterizing attitudes to risk (i.e. satisficing measures of risk). Using the Schwartz Value Survey, the authors assess the relative importance individuals place on value systems, such as personal focus versus social focus. The authors argue that preference to value systems has linkages with the worst-case aspiration setting emphasized in the satisficing task.

Findings

This study’s findings suggest that individuals who are willing to give up higher potential returns to protect their downside risk (by setting higher worst-case aspiration) are positively associated with personal focus—concern about own outcomes than social focus—concern about the outcomes for others or established institutions.

Research limitations/implications

Currently, the study’s setting is in the domain of financial decision-making. Going forward, milestones could be set for studying risky real-world choices by simply changing the risk measure in different contexts, such as job choices, education, health and social interactions.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the discussion on the psychometric structure of risk. Prescriptive benefits of satisficing as a positive heuristic, which is interpreted as setting achievable goals or aspiration levels, are extensive and recognized in various industries ranging from agriculture, airlines, insurance to financial advising. More recently, cognitive processes, such as emotions and personal value systems, are recognized as a type of social cognition that subserve heuristic functions that can guide behavior quickly and accurately.
No evidence that implicit identification with mental illness predicts recovery
Authors: von Hippel Courtney , Brener Loren , Rose Grenville , Kjelsaas Kathleen , von Hippel William
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Recovery from mental illness is multiply‐determined, but one factor that has been proposed to influence recovery is the degree to which the person identifies as someone with a mental illness. This study examines the relationship between implicit identification with being mentally unwell and recovery among clients of a community mental health service. A multi‐faceted view of recovery was adopted.

Methods

A longitudinal design was used to assess implicit identification with mental illness and its relationship to recovery, including symptom severity, well‐being, life satisfaction, and optimism, which were supplemented with ratings by both support workers and the research assistants who conducted the study. Participants were 216 community mental health care clients, with 150 retested at Time 2, and 100 retested at Time 3.

Results

Implicit identification with mental illness was correlated with recovery at Time 1 and Time 3, though this relationship did not emerge at Time 2. Cross‐lag regression analyses failed to reveal evidence that implicit identification with mental illness predicts subsequent recovery.

Conclusions

The current research suggests that implicit identification with mental illness can be considered a marker of ongoing recovery, but is not predictive of subsequent recovery. Hence, these data suggest that implicit identification with mental illness is unlikely to play an independent role in the recovery process.

Practitioner points

Research regarding the mental health consequences of implicit identification focuses on symptomatology.

Recovery is more than a reduction in symptoms, however, and thus, a broader conceptualization of recovery was examined.

Implicit identification with being mentally unwell was associated with poorer recovery broadly operationalized, but did not predict subsequent recovery.
Lichen planus – a clinical guide
Authors: Solimani Farzan , Forchhammer Stephan , Schloegl Alexandra , Ghoreschi Kamran , Meier Katharina
Published: June 2021

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic lichenoid inflammatory disorder of the skin, mucosa and of the appendages. LP is classically characterized by the presence of a rich infiltration of inflammatory T cells, which migrate in the upper part of the dermis, arranged in a band‐like pattern. Different sub types of the disease have been so far described. Albeit LP is clinically well defined, the disease still represents a therapeutic enigma. Especially with regard to mucosal or scalp affecting LP types, which often present a recalcitrant and treatment unresponsive course, efficacious therapeutic options are still lacking. Thus, LP represents a disease with a high psychosocial burden. Yet, development in the deciphering of LP pathogenesis reveals possible new druggable targets, thus paving the way for future therapeutic options. In this clinical guide, we summarize the current clinical knowledge and therapeutic standards and discuss the future perspective for the management of LP.
Global, regional, and national burden of severe periodontitis, 1990–2019: An analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Chen Meng Xuan , Zhong Yu Jie , Dong Qian Qian , Wong Hai Ming , Wen Yi Feng
Published: June 2021

Aim

Up‐to‐date epidemiological studies on the global burden of severe periodontitis is scarce. This study aimed to present the latest estimates for prevalence of severe periodontitis from 1990 to 2019, by region, age, and level of socio‐demographic development.

Materials and Methods

Estimates from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019 were used to investigate burden and trends of prevalence of severe periodontitis and its association with socio‐demographic development at global, regional, and national level. Decomposition analysis was performed to explore the contribution of demographic and epidemiological factors to the evolving burden of severe periodontitis.

Results

In 2019, there were 1.1 billion (95% uncertainty interval: 0.8–1.4 billion) prevalent cases of severe periodontitis globally. From 1990 to 2019, age‐standardized prevalence rate of severe periodontitis increased by 8.44% (6.62%–10.59%) worldwide. Prevalence of severe periodontitis is higher among less developed countries/regions. Global population growth accounted for 67.9% of the increase in the number of prevalent cases of severe periodontitis from 1990 to 2019.

Conclusions

The global burden of severe periodontitis has been substantial and increasing over the past three decades. Upstream policy changes are urgently needed to address the global public health challenge of severe periodontitis.
Cognitive profile of young children with Williams syndrome
Authors: Miezah D. , Porter M. , Rossi A. , Kazzi C. , Batchelor J. , Reeve J.
Published: June 2021

Background

There is very little research on the cognitive profile of young children with Williams syndrome (WS).

Method

The present study utilised the Differential Ability Scales – Second Edition to examine the early cognitive abilities of 22 young children with WS (aged 3.98 to 7.70 years, 10 male and 12 female participants).

Results

Overall, IQ ranged from 38 (severely impaired) to 81.00 (low average). Consistent with Mervis et al. who looked at an older sample, over half (59.08%) of our young WS sample showed a significant and abnormal weakness in spatial ability relative to verbal ability. Moreover, 81.82% showed a significant and clinically unusual weakness in spatial ability relative to nonverbal reasoning ability. At the subtest level, only 4.55% of our sample showed a significant strength in naming vocabulary compared with verbal comprehension, while 13.64% showed a significant weakness in naming vocabulary relative to verbal comprehension.

Conclusions

The results of the present study show cognitive heterogeneity, consistent with the literature on older children and adults with WS. There were variable levels of intellect and variable patterns of cognitive strength and weakness across both index and subtest scores. Findings highlight the need for individual assessment and management of young children with WS but also indicate that for the majority of WS individuals spatial skills are indeed an area of significant and abnormal weakness and should be a focus for early intervention.
Risk factors for postoperative delirium in patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Kim Hyunhwa , Park Heeok , Kim Eun Kyung
Published: June 2021

Aim

The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of postoperative delirium in PCC (patients with colorectal cancer) and the related factors of postoperative delirium by analysing the differences in the general, disease‐related and operation‐related characteristics.

Background

Previous studies had some limitations in generalising the risk factors for postoperative delirium in PCC due to the lack of relevant factors, such as disease‐ and operation‐related characteristics. There is a need to investigate the factors of postoperative delirium by including cancer and surgical characteristics.

Design

The current study is a cross‐sectional study to investigate the correlated factors of postoperative delirium in PCC.

Methods

A total of 196 patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery at the Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital in Korea participated in the study. Data collection was performed from 15 August 2018 to 10 July 2019. Patients’ general, disease‐related and operation‐related characteristics were collected from questionnaires and electronic medical records. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, t test, Chi‐square test and logistic regression using SPSS/WIN 22.0. The STROBE checklist has been used to report this study.

Results

The results of this study showed that 26 (13.2%) PCC exhibited postoperative delirium and the risk factors for postoperative delirium were physical activity (OR = 2.94, p = .001), infection (OR = 2.17, p = .001) and nutritional status (OR = 1.10, p = .028).

Conclusion

To reduce and prevent the occurrence of postoperative delirium in PCC, encouraging participation in physical activity before and after surgery are required, and regular monitoring of the infection symptoms and nutritional status.

Relevance to clinical practice

Based on the results of this study, postoperative delirium in PCC could be decreased by encouraging physical activity immediately following operation, monitoring the signs and symptoms of infection using diverse objective laboratory findings and maintaining the nutritional status within the normal range.
Mantle cell lymphoma, malt lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma, and follicular lymphoma of the oral cavity: An update
Authors: Wagner Vivian Petersen , Rodrigues‐Fernandes Carla Isabelly , Carvalho Marcus Vinícius Ribeiro , dos Santos Jean Nunes , Barra Marinez Bizarro , Hunter Keith D. , Aguirre‐Urizar Jose Manuel , van Heerden Willie F. P. , Vargas Pablo Agustin , Fonseca Felipe Paiva , Martins Manoela Domingues
Published: June 2021

Background

Although uncommon, mature small B‐cell lymphomas may arise in the oral/maxillofacial area and oral pathologists must be aware of the key characteristics of these neoplasms to perform an accurate diagnosis. In this manuscript, we attempted to integrate the currently available data on the clinicopathological features of follicular lymphoma (FL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT‐L), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/ small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) affecting these anatomical regions.

Methods

An updated descriptive literature review was carried out and a detailed electronic search was done in multiple databases to gather all cases affecting the oral/maxillofacial region and palatine tonsils.

Results

We observed that MALT‐L was the most frequently reported subtype, followed by FL, MCL, and CLL/SLL. The palate was affected in a high proportion of cases and the most usual clinical presentation was an asymptomatic swelling. MALT‐L and CLL/SLL neoplastic cells were strongly associated with small salivary glands. FL showed no gender preference, while MCL and CLL/SLL were more prevalent in males and MALT‐L in females. Overall, cases were more common in elderly individuals. Patients’ treatment and outcome varied, with MCL being the most aggressive neoplasm with a dismal prognosis in comparison to FL and MALT‐L.

Conclusion

Despite the poor documentation in many of the cases available, especially regarding the microscopic and molecular features of tumors, this review demonstrated that the oral mature small B‐cell lymphomas investigated share similar clinical presentation, but carry different prognostic significance, demanding an accurate diagnosis.
Contextual competence and collective responsibility
Authors: Ott Mary C. , Pack Rachael
Published: June 2021

Contextual competence is presented as a collective responsibility because work and learning conditions drive performance and wellbeing and equitable opportunities must be provided to develop competency.
Magnetic law: Designing environmental enforcement laws to encourage us to go further
Authors: Kingston Suzanne , Alblas Edwin , Callaghan Mícheál , Foulon Julie
Published: June 2021

The European Union has some of the world's most ambitious and highly developed environmental laws on its books, but their effectiveness is severely compromised by non‐compliance. With the UNECE Aarhus Convention (1998), Europe launched an innovative legal experiment, democratizing environmental enforcement by conferring third party citizens and environmental non‐governmental organizations (ENGOs) with legal rights of access to environmental information, public participation, and access to justice in environmental matters. Based on some 2000 surveys and over 150 interviews with stakeholders from three Member States – France, Ireland, and the Netherlands – we adopt a holistic, 360° perspective, capturing the views of regulated parties, NGOs, and the general public on this private governance experiment. Our data provide important new insights into the practical effectiveness of Europe's laws enabling private environmental enforcement, its (intended and unintended) effects on farmers' compliance decisions in the vital area of nature conservation, and how law might be used to stimulate pro‐environmental predispositions.
Dynamic, variable oligomerization and the trafficking of variant surface glycoproteins of Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Umaer Khan , Aresta‐Branco Francisco , Chandra Monica , van Straaten Monique , Zeelen Johan , Lapouge Karine , Waxman Brandon , Stebbins C. Erec , Bangs James D.
Published: June 2021

African trypanosomes cause disease in humans and livestock, avoiding host immunity by changing the expression of variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs); the major glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored antigens coating the surface of the bloodstream stage. Proper trafficking of VSGs is therefore critical to pathogen survival. The valence model argues that GPI anchors regulate progression and fate in the secretory pathway and that, specifically, a valence of two (VSGs are dimers) is critical for stable cell surface association. However, recent reports that the MITat1.3 (M1.3) VSG N‐terminal domain (NTD) behaves as a monomer in solution and in a crystal structure challenge this model. We now show that the behavior of intact M1.3 VSG in standard in vivo trafficking assays is consistent with an oligomer. Nevertheless, Blue Native Gel electrophoresis and size exclusion chromatography‐multiangle light scattering chromatography of purified full length M1.3 VSG indicates a monomer in vitro. However, studies with additional VSGs show that multiple oligomeric states are possible, and that for some VSGs oligomerization is concentration dependent. These data argue that individual VSG monomers possess different propensities to self‐oligomerize, but that when constrained at high density to the cell surface, oligomeric species predominate. These results resolve the apparent conflict between the valence hypothesis and the M1.3 NTD VSG crystal structure.
Barriers and enablers to physical activity participation in patients with venous leg ulcers: a systematic review protocol of qualitative evidence
Authors: Qiu Yunjing , Team Victoria , Osadnik Christian R. , Weller Carolina D.
Published: June 2021

Objective:

The objective of this review is to synthesize available qualitative evidence to provide an overview of the barriers and enablers that influence physical activity participation in patients with venous leg ulcers.

Introduction:

Management of venous leg ulcers is a costly and time-consuming process in clinical settings due to the protracted healing process. Physical activity may be a useful adjuvant treatment to improve healing outcomes. However, a low level of physical activity is still observed in patients with venous leg ulcers and the reasons are multifactorial. A comprehensive understanding of the barriers and enablers to physical activity participation from different perspectives is crucial to develop workable interventions and achieve desired healing outcomes.

Inclusion criteria:

The review will consider qualitative studies that focus on evidence concerning the barriers and enablers influencing physical activity level in adults diagnosed with venous leg ulcers in all settings.

Methods:

Relevant studies will be searched in MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, and Emcare databases. Only studies published in English will be considered, with no date limits. Two independent reviewers will perform title and abstract screening and the full text of potential eligible studies will be retrieved and assessed against the inclusion criteria. All eligible studies will be appraised for methodological quality. Qualitative data will be extracted manually by two independent reviewers. A meta-aggregation approach will be used to pool and categorize findings from the included studies. The ConQual approach will be used to grade the final synthesized findings to determine confidence in the analysis findings.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42021238579