bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study Protocol to Evaluate Influences of Stress and Inflammation on Mucositis in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer
Authors: Thornton Clifton P. , Kozachik Sharon , Ruble Kathy
Published: April 2022

Background

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer diagnoses are rising, and gains in survivorship are falling behind for this age group. Dose-limiting toxicities of therapy, including mucositis, are more frequent in this age group and may be contributing to poorer survivorship. Animal models and observational studies suggest that stress and inflammation may be contributing to the high prevalence of dose-limiting mucositis in this age demographic. The AYA oncology population has been an overlooked and underresearched oncology demographic, leading to poor understanding of why this age group has high side-effect burdens and poorer cancer survival.

Objectives

This article describes a novel, prospective clinical study in AYAs receiving chemotherapy designed to evaluate if stress at the time of chemotherapy administration predicts the development of dose-limiting mucositis and determines if stress-induced inflammatory profiles mediate this relationship. This is the first study to translate these stress and inflammation findings from animal models to a nurse-centered research design in humans.

Methods

Persons aged 15–39 years who are receiving chemotherapy with a significant (>20%) risk of developing mucositis will be recruited for a prospective study. Baseline stress is measured through participant questionnaires, and blood is collected to analyze for inflammatory markers. Participants receive chemotherapy as clinically planned and complete a daily survey of mucositis symptoms for 14 days after chemotherapy. Regression and mediation analysis will determine if stress and inflammatory profiles predict the development of dose-limiting mucositis.

Results

This model of inquiry through a nursing framework uses a biobehavioral model that considers physiological and psychological risk factors for chemotherapy toxicities. This study is also an important translational science study essential in bringing data from laboratory studies to the clinical arena. The study may also be important to implementation science because assessing the ability of critically ill individuals to participate in low-burden clinical studies may yield essential findings to improve care delivery.

Discussion

Findings from this work will identify potentially modifiable factors that may be manipulated to minimize chemotherapy toxicities and lead to improved survival. Data from this study will inform larger research endeavors to better understand symptom development in this high-risk oncological population.
Spatial Access to Sexual Health Clinics Measured Through a Novel Accessibility Score in Toronto, Canada
Authors: Wang Susan , Widener Michael , Burchell Ann N. , Grace Daniel , Gesink Dionne
Published: April 2022

Background

Understanding spatial access to sexual health services will provide the foundation for future resource planning and allocation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential geographic access to sexual health services in Toronto, Canada, by developing a novel accessibility index to sexual health clinics.

Methods

We created an accessibility index using the 2-step floating catchment area method to quantify neighborhood-level access to sexual health clinics. The index assumed mixed modes of urban travel through walking and public transit, as well as through driving, and was estimated at the census tract level.

Results

Census tracts were grouped into quantiles by the estimated accessibility score. Census tracts with higher accessibility scores were characterized as those with greater residential instability and lower dependency and ethnic concentration. The downtown core area has all census tracts categorized as medium, high, or very high (average [SD] score, 1.320 [0.312]), whereas the noncore area has 56.98%, 302 of 530 census tracts categorized as medium, high, or very high (average [SD] score, −0.105 [0.960]).

Conclusions

We demonstrated the benefit of using statistical methods to quantify the geographical access to sexual health services and identified neighborhoods with high and low levels of access. Findings from this study present an overview of the level of spatial access to sexual health clinics in Toronto based on clinic locations in 2018 and can be further used to characterize neighborhoods with a lower level of access and inform policy and planning decisions in the city.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Tests Performed by a Large National Laboratory—United States, 2019 to 2020
Authors: Tao Guoyu , Dietz Stephanie , Hartnett Kathleen P. , Jayanthi Praveena , Gift Thomas L.
Published: April 2022

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, disruptions were anticipated in the US health care system for routine preventive and other nonemergency care, including sexually transmitted infection care.

Methods

Using a large national laboratory data set, we assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the weekly numbers and percent positivity of chlamydia and gonorrhea tests ordered from the 5th week of 2019 to the 52nd week of 2020 in the United States. We compared weekly 2020 values for test volume, percent positive, and number of positives with the same week in 2019. We also examined the potential impact of stay-at-home orders for the month of April 2020.

Results

Immediately after the declaration of a national emergency for COVID-19 (week 11, 2020), the weekly number of gonorrhea and chlamydia tests steeply decreased. Tests then rebounded toward the 2019 pre–COVID-19 level beginning the 15th week of 2020. The weekly percent positive of chlamydia and gonorrhea remained consistently higher in 2020. In April 2020, the overall number of chlamydia tests was reduced by 53.0% (54.1% in states with stay-at-home orders vs. 45.5% in states without stay-at-home orders), whereas the percent positive of chlamydia and gonorrhea tests increased by 23.5% and 79.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

To limit the impact of the pandemic on control of chlamydia and gonorrhea, public health officials and health care providers can assess measures put in place during the pandemic and develop new interventions to enable care for sexually transmitted infections to be delivered under pandemic and other emergency conditions. The assessment like this study is continuously needed.
Examination of Care Milestones for Preventing Congenital Syphilis Transmission Among Syphilis-Infected Pregnant Women in Alberta, Canada: 2017–2019
Authors: Round Jessica M. , Plitt Sabrina S. , Eisenbeis Lisa , Smyczek Petra , Gratrix Jennifer , Charlton Carmen , Fathima Sumana , O'Brien Allen
Published: April 2022

Background

An infectious syphilis outbreak in Alberta has resulted in increased congenital syphilis (CS) cases. To shed light on potential risk factors, we used administrative data sets to examine care milestones for the prevention of CS among pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis, as well as correlates of women giving birth to infants with CS.

Methods

Provincial administrative databases were used to identify and describe pregnant women diagnosed with any stage of infectious or noninfectious syphilis who gave birth in Alberta between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019. Data on prenatal care, syphilis screening, and syphilis medication dispensation were used to evaluate the care milestones. Clinical care and maternal demographics were assessed using logistic and linear regression analyses to determine correlates for missed care milestones or a newborn outcome of CS.

Results

Of 182 syphilis-infected pregnant women, 63 (34.6%) delivered a newborn with CS. Overall, in the first trimester, 136 (75.1%) women had a health care visit, 72 (39.6%) had a prenatal care visit, 71 (39.0%) were screened for syphilis, and 44 (24.2%) were treated. Gestational time to treatment initiation (adjusted odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.06) and older maternal age at diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio: 1.28, 95% confidence interval, 1.08–1.50) were independently associated with CS outcomes. No variables were found to be independently associated with a health care visit, prenatal screening, or initiation of treatment.

Conclusions

Although nearly two-thirds of CS cases were prevented, there remained missed opportunities in the prevention of CS. Early treatment, which relies on timely access to prenatal care and screening, was the most important for the prevention of CS.
The Histologic Diversity of Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma With Emphasis on Challenges Encountered in Daily Practice
Authors: Alaghehbandan Reza , Williamson Sean R. , McKenney Jesse K. , Hes Ondrej
Published: April 2022

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) is the third most common renal cell carcinoma in adults. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview highlighting the broad morphologic spectrum of ChRCC, and offer a practical approach for handling cases in daily practice. For the purpose of this review, we classify ChRCC subtypes as (1) classic, (2) eosinophilic, (3) sarcomatoid, and (4) other rare patterns. The concept of eosinophilic ChRCC has significantly evolved, yet it still is one of the major diagnostic challenges pathologists face in routine practice due to its morphologic overlap with renal oncocytoma. Rare patterns of ChRCC have been described over the last few decades, showing a wide histologic spectrum including those with adenomatoid microcystic pigmented, multicystic, neuroendocrine, small cell, and papillary features. ChRCC represents a heterogenous group of neoplasms, demonstrating varied but unique morphologic and genetic profiles. Although the field of ChRCC knowledge is still evolving, rare patterns can present diagnostic challenges if they are not known to pathologists and/or clinicians. Proper and generous tumor sampling along with careful histologic examination allow for recognition of these rare morphologies. The role of routine molecular testing appears to be limited. From a clinical management standpoint, the rare patterns of ChRCC seem to have no definite clinical implications at present and likely can be managed similarly to usual ChRCC. Finally, we will discuss distinctive novel/emerging renal neoplasms previously considered under the spectrum of ChRCC, low-grade oncocytic renal tumor and eosinophilic vacuolated tumor, with regard to their current significance and implications for future classification strategies.
Effectiveness and Safety of Memantine for Headache: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies
Authors: Zhou Ting , Tang Yongguo , Zhu Hui
Published: April 2022

Objective

The effectiveness and safety of memantine for headache are elusive, and this meta-analysis aimed to explore the influence of memantine versus placebo for headache.

Methods

We have searched PubMed, Embase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through May 2021 and included randomized controlled trials reporting memantine versus placebo for headache patients. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effects model.

Results

Our meta-analysis included 4 randomized controlled trials and 229 patients. Compared with control group for headache, memantine treatment could substantially reduce headache days (mean difference [MD] = −3.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −5.46 to −0.75; P = 0.01), pain intensity (MD, −0.43; 95% CI, −0.85 to −0.01; P = 0.04), monthly attack frequency (MD, −2.14; 95% CI, −2.83 to −1.46; P < 0.00001), and Migraine Disability Assessment Test (MD, −5.63; 95% CI, −6.46 to −4.79; P < 0.00001) but revealed no significant influence on days for acute pain medications, adverse events, or nausea/vomiting.

Conclusions

Memantine treatment is effective and safe to treat headache.
Inhibition of Streptococcus pneumoniae growth by masarimycin
Authors: Haubrich Brad A. , Nayyab Saman , Gallati Mika , Hernandez Jazmeen , Williams Caroline , Whitman Andrew , Zimmerman Tahl , Li Qiong , Chen Yuxing , Zhou Cong-Zhao , Basu Amit , Reid Christopher W.
Published: April 2022

Despite renewed interest, development of chemical biology methods to study peptidoglycan metabolism has lagged in comparison to the glycobiology field in general. To address this, a panel of diamides were screened against the Gram-positive bacterium

Streptococcus pneumoniae

to identify inhibitors of bacterial growth. The screen identified the diamide masarimycin as a bacteriostatic inhibitor of

S. pneumoniae

growth with an MIC of 8 µM. The diamide inhibited detergent-induced autolysis in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating perturbation of peptidoglycan degradation as the mode-of-action. Cell based screening of masarimycin against a panel of autolysin mutants, identified a higher MIC against a ΔlytB strain lacking an endo-N-acetylglucosaminidase involved in cell division. Subsequent biochemical and phenotypic analyses suggested that the higher MIC was due to an indirect interaction with LytB. Further analysis of changes to the cell surface in masarimycin treated cells identified the overexpression of several moonlighting proteins, including elongation factor Tu which is implicated in regulating cell shape. Checkerboard assays using masarimycin in concert with additional antibiotics identified an antagonistic relationship with the cell wall targeting antibiotic fosfomycin, which further supports a cell wall mode-of-action.
From affine A
4 to affine H
2: group-theoretical analysis of fivefold symmetric tilings
Authors: Ozdes Koca Nazife , Koc Ramazan , Koca Mehmet , Al-Reasi Rehab
Published: April 2022

The projections of lattices may be used as models of quasicrystals, and the particular affine extension of the H
2 symmetry as a subgroup of A
4, discussed in this work, presents a different perspective on fivefold symmetric quasicrystallography. Affine H
2 is obtained as the subgroup of affine A
4. The infinite discrete group with local dihedral symmetry of order 10 operates on the Coxeter plane of the root and weight lattices of A
4 whose Voronoi cells tessellate the 4D Euclidean space possessing the affine A
4 symmetry. Facets of the Voronoi cells of the root and weight lattices are identified. Four adjacent rhombohedral facets of the Voronoi cell V(0) of A
4 project into the decagonal orbit of H
2 as thick and thin rhombuses where long diagonals of the rhombohedra serve as reflection line segments of the reflection operators of H
2. It is shown that the thick and thin rhombuses constitute the finite fragments of the tiles of the Coxeter plane with the action of the affine H
2 symmetry. Projection of the Voronoi cell of the weight lattice onto the Coxeter plane tessellates the plane with four different tiles: thick and thin rhombuses with different edge lengths obtained from the projection of the square faces and two types of hexagons obtained from the projection of the hexagonal faces of the Voronoi cell. The structure of the local dihedral symmetry H
2 fixing a particular point on the Coxeter plane is determined.
Traceability for sustainability: seeking legitimacy in the coffee supply chain
Authors: León-Bravo Verónica , Ciccullo Federica , Caniato Federico
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The adoption of traceability systems (TS) and sustainability programs responds to different objectives among which the companies need to be considered legitimate; hence, this study aims, first, to identify what is the relationship between traceability and sustainability in the food supply chain (SC) and, second, to characterize the legitimacy-seeking purposes, i.e. moral, cogniti60ve or pragmatic-driving companies to implement TS along with sustainability initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyses the coffee SC, a globally dispersed commodity chain, where traceability initiatives usually respond to mandatory and voluntary quality standards and certifications of origin. The study involves nine cases at different stages of the coffee SC.

Findings

This study provides a taxonomy of the TS applied in the coffee SC. In addition, three main approaches to traceability for sustainability are found in the coffee SC: synergistic, complementary or disconnected. Findings also reveal how traceability responds to different legitimacy-seeking objectives while triggering or complementing sustainability practices. Five research propositions and related directions for further investigations are elaborated from the results of our study.

Originality/value

This study explores a rather limited studied area, investigating how companies in a food commodity chain address traceability and sustainability together while seeking legitimacy in the market. Moreover, the study is grounded on legitimacy theory, thus adding robustness to the analysis.
Work–family decisions: exploring the role of racial variation
Authors: Guo Xuguang , Wadhwa Preeti
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Drawing on gender role ideology and structuralism perspectives, this study examines the impact of racial variation on the relationship between family characteristics and work–family decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample was drawn from the data collected by the U.S. Current Population Survey. This study used robust regression analysis to test their specific hypotheses that explore the role of racial variations on work–family decisions (measured in terms of weekly work hours).

Findings

The findings indicate that while overall men work longer hours when raising young children, both African American and Hispanic men tend to cut down on their work hours. Additionally, while marital status is associated with decreased work hours for White women, the reduction is smaller for Hispanic women. African American women actually end up increasing their work hours post marriage. Finally, while motherhood is associated with reduced work hours across racial groups, the decrease is more drastic for White women compared to their minority counterparts.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides empirical evidence that work–family decision in the US African American and Hispanic households are not as strongly guided by the traditional gender role stereotypes, as is the case with White households. It also has important implications for the US employers who strive to leverage diversity and create inclusive organizations.

Originality/value

Given the increased population diversity in the USA, this study highlights the need to better understand the role of racial variations on the work–family decisions.
“The problem hasn't changed, but you're no longer left to deal with it on your own” – the role of informal peer support in helping firefighters cope with critical incidents
Authors: Dangermond Karin , Weewer Ricardo , Duyndam Joachim , Machielse Anja
Published: April 2022

Purpose

How firefighters cope with critical incidents is partly influenced by the culture of the fire brigade. The purpose of this study is to better understand how informal peer support helps firefighters cope with critical incidents.

Design/methodology/approach

An ethnographic field study of explorative nature was conducted. Data were collected by means of 20 participating observations and 72 interviews with Dutch firefighters from 37 different fire brigades. The analysis was an iterative process alternating data collection, analysis and theory formation processes.

Findings

Firefighters will turn to informal peer support to cope with critical incidents provided that facilitating circumstances are present and there is adherence to certain implicit rules. The collective sharing of memories, whether immediately post-incident or after the passage of time, helps firefighters process critical incidents and serves to promote unit cohesion. Most firefighters reported these informal debriefings to be preferable to the formal sessions. By comparison, a minority of firefighters reported that they did not benefit at all from the informal interactions.

Research limitations/implications

This study only focused on the informal peer support given by colleagues. Future research should focus on: (1) The possible differences between men and women as to what extent informal peer support is experienced after critical incidents, (2) Commanding officers: how do they, given their hierarchical position, experience coming to terms with critical incidents, (3) Premeditated critical incidents and the role of informal peer support, (4) Similarities and differences between career and non-career firefighters in experiencing and coping critical incidents.

Practical implications

Firefighters are an under-researched group in academic literature, that would benefit from mental health counsellors having a better understanding of their unique work culture and the complexity of the firefighting profession. More knowledge about the role of informal peer support is necessary to tailor help and aftercare more effectively to their needs.

Originality/value

Most studies confirm the importance of informal peer support when coping with critical incidents. This study provides initial, in-depth evidence of the role of informal peer support in helping firefighters cope with critical incidents.
Evaluation of key factors for industry 4.0 technologies adoption in small and medium enterprises (SMEs): an emerging economy context
Authors: Karuppiah Koppiahraj , Sankaranarayanan Bathrinath , D’Adamo Idiano , Ali Syed Mithun
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Industry 4.0 (I4.0) not only turns traditional industrial activities upside down but also demonstrates its potential to enhance industrial competitiveness and productivity. In this context, technological advancement and I4.0 is a strategy to be pursued. This study aims to consider different I4.0 technologies by analysing Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

Key factors and promising I4.0 technologies were selected using literature analysis and experts’ panel. The appropriate I4.0 technology for Indian SMEs is recommended using the fuzzy complex proportional assessment (COPRAS) method.

Findings

Results reveal that ability to expand IT infrastructure, change in the organization’s structure and the capacity to analyse key performance indicators as three crucial key factors in I4.0 implementation. In particular, the smart factory is identified as a better I4.0 for Indian SMEs.

Originality/value

This work has analysed Indian SMEs, but it is appropriate for other developing economies with limited technical resources, financial resources and inadequate skill sets. This work identifies a gap in the current literature, and the findings proposed by this work are oriented to assist decision makers, industrial managers and practitioners in selecting I4.0 technology and enhancing the industrial infrastructure. At the same time, cooperation between the government and industrial community is required to develop programmes for imparting the knowledge of I4.0 among SMEs. The framework used in this study will arm the industrial management in adopting I4.0.
Using graph database platforms to fight money laundering: advocating large scale adoption
Authors: Tiwari Milind , Ferrill Jamie , Mehrotra Vishal
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper advocates the use of graph database platforms to investigate networks of illicit companies identified in money laundering schemes. It explains the setup of the data structure to investigate a network of illicit companies identified in cases of money laundering schemes and presents its key application in practice. Grounded in the technology acceptance model (TAM), this paper aims to present key operationalisations and theoretical considerations for effectively driving and facilitating its wider adoption among a range of stakeholders focused on anti-money laundering solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores the benefits of adopting graph databases and critiques their limitations by drawing on primary data collection processes that have been undertaken to derive a network topology. Such representation on a graph database platform provides the opportunity to uncover hidden relationships critical for combatting illicit activities such as money laundering.

Findings

The move to adopt a graph database for storing information related to corporate entities will aid investigators, journalists and other stakeholders in the identification of hidden links among entities to deter activities of corruption and money laundering.

Research limitations/implications

This paper does not display the nodal data as it is framed as a background to how graph databases can be used in practice.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no studies in the past have considered companies from multiple cases in the same graph network and attempted to investigate the links between them. The advocation for such an approach has significant implications for future studies.
Employees' perception of corporate social responsibility and performance: the mediating roles of job satisfaction, organizational commitment and organizational trust
Authors: Silva Pedro , Moreira Antonio Carrizo , Mota Jorge
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an evolving concept which is increasingly being adopted by companies with the purpose of creating sustained organizational growth. However, while the impact of CSR practices on employees' behaviors and attitudes has been recognized over the years, the relationship between CSR practices and employee performance remains underexplored.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on social identity theory and using the partial least squares structural equation method, this research examines the impact of CSR practices on employees' performance in a sample of 171 employees belonging to the construction industry.

Findings

The findings do not support the existence of a direct relationship between employees' perception of CSR and their performance; instead, they indicate that this relationship is mediated by job satisfaction and organizational trust.

Research limitations/implications

The data concerns employees' self-reported measures on their perceived CSR and the study was conducted in a single industry.

Practical implications

Adopting CSR initiatives in company strategies is worthy as the perceptions of employees and their performance is positively influenced by their organization's CSR activities. Managers should properly communicate and involve internal stakeholders in socially responsible practices to increase their awareness.

Originality/value

This article analyzes the impact of employees' perception of CSR on employees' performance through the roles of employee organizational trust and job satisfaction as mediating variables in a highly socially pressured industry such as construction.
A snapshot of digital literacy
Authors: Tinmaz Hasan , Fanea-Ivanovici Mina , Baber Hasnan
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on the impact of digital literacy with its dynamic and evolutionary nature on the daily lives of individuals. This paper discusses about the digital literacy frameworks, digital literacy education, its relation to critical thinking and, ultimately, prospective issues in digital literacy.

Design/methodology/approach

To serve this purpose, the authors applied the qualitative literature review technique and reflected their opinions on the recent literature findings.

Findings

The preliminary findings demonstrated that there is a growing tendency on digital literacy over the years. Different organizations and cases have developed their own frameworks to describe and implement digital literacy endeavors in their bodies. Additionally, it was seen that digital literacy acquisition process have started with family in early ages and extended to lifelong learning approach. While learners use the internet sources (especially social media), they also develop their digital literacy skills and abilities that also need critical thinking for filtering what is essential. Considering “information suppression” as a case, we learn that digital literacy will be much more serious for the future generations. Lastly, digital literacy will expand its scope in the future in parallel to recent advancements, such as artificial intelligence skills.

Originality/value

This paper provides an insight into digital literacy from the points of view of global citizenship, critical thinking and rapidly advancing technologies. This unique combination makes this paper valuable for the readers from any field of study.
Corporate social responsibility and financial performance – the role of corporate reputation, advertising and competition
Authors: Bashir Makhmoor
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firm performance (FP) has seen a surge over the years. However, the role of corporate reputation (CR), advertising strategy and market competition is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to consider this gap and test an integrative model of CSR-FP, in the context of India.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for CSR expenditure were collected from the annual reports of the selected companies. CR was captured using the ranks of Fortune India 500, Business Standard 1,000 and Economic Times 500. The financial data were collected from CMIE (Prowess) database.

Findings

Results of structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed a significant relationship between CSR expenditure of the firm and its reputation; but no relationship between CR and performance. When CR increases, the performance of a firm may not improve. Competitive intensity (CI) had no statistically significant role in the CR-FP relationship for performance. Results suggest that reputed firms perform well despite high competition within an industry. High reputation is effective in improving performance irrespective of competition. CI has a positive impact in the reputation–performance linkage. Advertising intensity (AI) played a significant moderating role in the CSR intensity and CR relationship.

Originality/value

This research represents an added value for the literature on CSR by highlighting the importance of CR, advertising strategy and market competition in the relationship between CSR and FP. The findings have several implications for theory and practice, which have been discussed in the study.
Demystifying the person brand – Roger Federer: the greatest of all times (G.O.A.T.)
Authors: Shukre Anagha , Ummathiriyan Sreejith
Published: April 2022

Research methodology

This case study is a compilation of data gathered from secondary data sources.

Case overview/synopsis

Roger Federer has won a record setting 20 grand slam titles in his career and has an impressive 103 ATP singles titles to his name. He has stood the test of time and is widely acknowledged as one of the most distinguished players of all times. His personal charisma, classic shot making abilities and consistent stylish on-court performance over a long period of time has created a brand – Roger Federer. Inevitably, as he will have to wind down his career, it would be challenging to brace the brand and identify ways for its endurance. Various models of brand management, namely, Brand Identity Prism and Customer-Based Brand Equity model, have been applied for the brand – Roger Federer. An analysis of brand-building practices can help to understand how sportspersons build brand equity and factors which characterize personal brands that develop in a professional arena. This case study also helps to dwell on how human brands will sustain themselves after the players retire.

Complexity academic level

This case is designed to teach the concepts of brand in courses such as brand management, marketing management and sports marketing to both undergraduate and postgraduate classes of business management. This case can also be used in various executive programs and in customized short-term courses.
Low toxicity crop fungicide (fenbuconazole) impacts reproductive male quality signals leading to a reduction of mating success in a wild solitary bee
Authors: Boff Samuel , Conrad Taina , Raizer Josué , Wehrhahn Marten , Bayer Melis , Friedel Anna , Theodorou Panagiotis , Schmitt Thomas , Lupi Daniela
Published: April 2022

Recent reports on bee health suggest that sublethal doses of pesticides have negative effects on wild bee reproduction and ultimately on their population growth.

Females of the solitary horned mason bee Osmia cornuta, evaluate thoracic vibrations and odours of males to assess male quality. When certain criteria are met, the female accepts the male and copulates. However, these signals were found to be modified by sublethal doses of pesticides in other hymenopterans. Here, we tested whether sublethal doses of a commonly used fungicide (Fenbuconazole) impact male quality signals and mating success in O. cornuta.

Males exposed to fenbuconazole exhibited reduced thoracic vibrations and an altered cuticular hydrocarbon profile compared to the control bees. Moreover, males exposed to the fungicide were less successful in mating than control males.

Synthesis and applications. Our results indicate that a low toxicity fungicide can negatively affect male reproductive success by altering behavioural and chemical cues. This could explain the decreasing pollinator populations in a pesticide‐polluted environment. This study highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach, including behaviour and chemical cues, when testing new pesticides and a more cautionary approach to the pesticides already used on crops.
Healthy ageing through participation in community situated activities: A scoping review of assessment instruments to support occupational therapy practice
Authors: Knightbridge Lisa , Bourke‐Taylor Helen M. , Hill Keith D.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

The occupational therapy profession has an essential role to play in healthy ageing that includes enabling participation, a construct that according to The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), incorporates an environmental context. Environmental barriers and enablers of participation in community‐situated activities for people over the age of 65 have been identified. To support practice, occupational therapists require assessments with demonstrated content validity including comprehensive coverage of the construct. The purpose of this scoping review study was to investigate what instruments are available to assess community participation for people over the age of 65 that included environmental factors.

Methods

A scoping review of the literature was conducted, utilising the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology. The evidence source was review articles and inclusion criteria were that they reviewed instruments to assess participation that could be used for people over the age of 65. Items extracted from included instruments were evaluated against a preset list of community‐participation and environment categories that had been developed from the ICF.

Results

Twenty‐three review studies met inclusion criteria and from these 240 instruments were extracted. Twenty instruments were retained after exclusions and from these, 540 instrument items were extracted. Of these, 280 (47%) were coded as community‐participation, and only 20 (3.4%) as environment items. Fourteen of the instruments included no environment items.

Conclusions

No instrument was identified that comprehensively assessed community participation including the related environmental factors. Such an instrument is required to enable occupational therapy practitioners to support healthy ageing. The development of such an instrument will strengthen the profession's capacity to develop new ways of delivering services to older adults in line with emerging ways that aged care will be delivered and to advance its essential role in healthy ageing.
Clinical efficacy and safety of pemetrexed with or without either Bevacizumab or Pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic nonsquamous non–small cell carcinoma
Authors: Kwok Wang Chun , Cheong Tan Fong , Chiang Ka Yan , Ho James Chung Man , Lam David Chi Leung , Ip Mary Sau Man , Tam Terence Chi Chun
Published: April 2022

Background

Pemetrexed was approved by United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) in combination with platinum for the treatment of advanced nonsquamous non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and malignant mesothelioma. Bevacizumab and pembrolizumab can be added to chemotherapy for patients with nonsquamous NSCLC with benefits but there has not been any dedicated head‐to‐head comparison between pembrolizumab‐pemetrexed‐platinum (PAC) and bevacizumab‐pemetrexed‐platinum (BAC) on their efficacy and safety.

Methods

This was a retrospective single‐center cohort study conducted in Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong. The study included 451 patients with advanced stage nonsquamous NSCLC that received first‐line pemetrexed and platinum with or without bevacizumab or pembrolizumab. Patients who received pemetrexed‐platinum (AC) were compared with those who received PAC and BAC. The primary endpoint was the progression‐free survival (PFS).

Results

The median PFS for patients that received PAC was significantly longer than those who received BAC and AC (9 months vs. 6.8 months vs. 4.8 months, p < 0.05 among all three groups), with OR of 0.578 (95% CI, 0.343–0.976; p = 0.040) and 0.430 (95% CI, 0.273–0.675; p < 0.001) when compared to BAC and AC, respectively. Patients who received PAC also had a higher disease control rate and higher likelihood to receive continuation maintenance therapy than those on AC. There is no statistically significant difference in the grade 3 to 4 toxicity among the three treatment groups.

Conclusions

Although both regimens are superior to pemetrexed‐platinum alone, data from this retrospective single center study suggested a better PFS in  advanced stage nonsquamous NSCLC patient treated with first‐line pembrolizumab‐pemetrexed‐platinum than bevacizumab‐pemetrexed‐platinum without an obvious increase in significant toxicity.
Bioavailability of acalabrutinib suspension delivered via nasogastric tube in the presence or absence of a proton pump inhibitor in healthy subjects
Authors: Sharma Shringi , Pepin Xavier , Cheung Jean , Zheng Lianqing , Wei Hua , Townsley Danielle , Han David , Majewski Michal , Ware Joseph A. , Mann James , Munugalavadla Veerendra , Sheridan Louise , Patel Priti , Gupta Ashok , Tomkinson Helen
Published: April 2022

Aims

Acalabrutinib, a selective Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is approved for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Many critically ill patients are unable to swallow and need oral medications to be delivered via a nasogastric (NG) tube. Furthermore, critically ill patients are typically administered proton‐pump inhibitors (PPIs) to prevent stress ulcers. Concomitant administration with PPIs reduces acalabrutinib exposure and is not currently recommended. To evaluate acalabrutinib in subjects co‐administered with PPIs who require NG delivery, a phase 1, open‐label, randomized, crossover, single‐dose study was conducted in healthy subjects.

Methods

The study assessed the relative bioavailability of an acalabrutinib suspension—in regular, degassed Coca‐Cola—administered via NG tube (Acala‐NG) versus the pharmacokinetics (PK) of an acalabrutinib capsule administered orally with water. In addition, the PPI effect was evaluated by comparing the PK following Acala‐NG in the presence or absence of rabeprazole.

Results

Exposure of acalabrutinib and its active metabolite (ACP‐5862) were comparable following administration of Acala‐NG versus the oral capsule (Geo mean ratio, % ref [90% confidence interval, CI]: acalabrutinib AUCinf: 103 [93‐113]; Cmax: 144 [120‐173]). In addition, exposure was similar following administration of Acala‐NG with and without a PPI (Geo mean ratio, % ref [90% CI]: acalabrutinib AUCinf: 105 [79‐138]; Cmax: 95 [66‐137]). No safety or tolerability concerns were observed, and all adverse events were mild and resolved without treatment.

Conclusions

Acala‐NG with or without a PPI is safe and well‐tolerated without impeding bioavailability.
Global sharing of COVID‐19 therapies during a “New Normal”
Authors: Jecker Nancy S. , Atuire Caesar A.
Published: April 2022

This paper argues for global sharing of COVID‐19 treatments during the COVID‐19 pandemic and beyond based on principles of global solidarity. It starts by distinguishing two types of COVID‐19 treatments and models sharing strategies for each in small‐group scenarios, contrasting groups that are solidaristic with those composed of self‐interest maximizers to show the appeal of solidaristic reasoning. It then extends the analysis, arguing that a similar logic should apply within and between nations. To further elaborate global solidarity, the paper distinguishes morally voluntary, sliding‐scale, and mandatory versions. It argues for an all‐hands‐on‐deck approach and gives examples to illustrate. The paper concludes that during the COVID‐19 crisis, global solidarity is a core value, and global sharing of COVID‐19 treatments should be considered a duty of justice, not of charity.
A modern pollen data set for the forest–meadow–steppe ecotone from the Tibetan Plateau and its potential use in past vegetation reconstruction
Authors: Wang Nannan , Liu Lina , Zhang Yanrong , Cao Xianyong
Published: April 2022

The relationship between modern pollen and vegetation provides the basis for the interpretation of stratigraphic pollen assemblages and the quantitative reconstruction of past vegetation. We selected 168 topsoil samples from four different vegetation types on the south‐eastern Tibetan Plateau to explore the relationships between pollen assemblages, vegetation and climate. The results reveal that pollen assemblages discriminate the vegetation types well; the subalpine coniferous and evergreen broad‐leaved forest is characterized by a high proportion of arboreal taxa (e.g. Pinus, Picea, Betula); the alpine shrub and meadow and alpine steppe vegetation types are dominated by Cyperaceae, followed by Artemisia and Brassicaceae; and the alpine steppe‐shrub is characterized by a high percentage of Artemisia, with Cyperaceae, Asteraceae and Brassicaceae as common taxa. Redundancy analysis shows that mean temperature of the coldest month (Mtco) is the main climatic factor that influences pollen distribution. Pollen diversity indices (including richness and evenness) gradually decrease from SE to NW. The random forest classification has good performance in distinguishing vegetation types. Our study supplies a comparatively detailed description of the relationship between the pollen assemblage and vegetation in the forest–meadow–steppe ecotone on the south‐eastern Tibetan Plateau. In addition, the random forest model has potential application for reconstructing the past vegetation type of the fossil pollen spectra on the south‐eastern Tibetan Plateau.
Ferroptosis is induced by lenvatinib through fibroblast growth factor receptor‐4 inhibition in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Iseda Norifumi , Itoh Shinji , Toshida Katsuya , Tomiyama Takahiro , Morinaga Akinari , Shimokawa Masahiro , Shimagaki Tomonari , Wang Huanlin , Kurihara Takeshi , Toshima Takeo , Nagao Yoshihiro , Harada Noboru , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Mori Masaki
Published: April 2022

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor lenvatinib is used to treat advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Ferroptosis is a type of cell death characterized by the iron‐dependent accumulation of lethal lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nuclear factor erythroid‐derived 2‐like 2 (Nrf2) protects HCC cells against ferroptosis. However, the mechanism of lenvatinib‐induced cytotoxicity and the relationships between lenvatinib resistance and Nrf2 are unclear. Thus, we investigated the relationship between lenvatinib and ferroptosis and clarified the involvement of Nrf2 in lenvatinib‐induced cytotoxicity. Cell viability, lipid ROS levels, and protein expression were measured using Hep3B and HuH7 cells treated with lenvatinib or erastin. We examined these variables after silencing fibroblast growth factor receptor‐4 (FGFR4) or Nrf2 and overexpressing‐Nrf2. We immunohistochemically evaluated FGFR4 expression in recurrent lesions after resection and clarified the relationship between FGFR4 expression and lenvatinib efficacy. Lenvatinib suppressed system Xc− (xCT) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression. Inhibition of the cystine import activity of xCT and GPX4 resulted in the accumulation of lipid ROS. Silencing‐FGFR4 suppressed xCT and GPX4 expression and increased lipid ROS levels. Nrf2‐silenced HCC cells displayed sensitivity to lenvatinib and high lipid ROS levels. In contrast, Nrf2‐overexpressing HCC cells displayed resistance to lenvatinib and low lipid ROS levels. The efficacy of lenvatinib was significantly lower in recurrent HCC lesions with low‐FGFR4 expression than in those with high‐FGFR4 expression. Patients with FGFR4‐positive HCC displayed significantly longer progression‐free survival than those with FGFR4‐negative HCC. Lenvatinib induced ferroptosis by inhibiting FGFR4. Nrf2 is involved in the sensitivity of HCC to lenvatinib.
Association of Nrf2 expression and mutation with Weiss and Helsinki scores in adrenocortical carcinoma
Authors: Kamai Takao , Murakami Satoshi , Arai Kyoko , Ishida Kazuyuki , Kijima Toshiki
Published: April 2022

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant tumor. Genetic abnormalities that may represent therapeutic targets and prognostic factors in ACC remain unclear. Besides being one of the main cellular defense mechanisms that regulates antioxidant pathways for detoxifying reactive oxygen species (ROS), the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) promotes tumor proliferation by increasing metabolic activity. In surgical specimens from 12 cases of nonmetastatic ACCs and nine cases of benign adrenocortical adenoma (ACA), we investigated gene mutation and protein expressions for Nrf2 and the preoperative maximum standard glucose uptake (SUVmax) on [18F]fluorodeoxy‐glucose positron emission tomography. Three of five ACCs with a Weiss score of 7 to 9 were Nrf2 mutants; these ACCs had higher expression of Nrf2 and higher preoperative SUVmax. The other seven ACCs had a Weiss score of 3 to 6; these seven ACCs and all the ACAs were non‐Nrf2 gene mutants. Patients with a Weiss score of 7 to 9 and Nrf2 mutant ACC had shorter overall survival. Based on Helsinki scoring, three ACCs with a Helsinki score greater than 17 had Nrf2 mutants, higher expression of Nrf2, higher preoperative SUVmax, and shorter overall survival. Our findings indicate that Nrf2 activation and the associated increase in metabolism play roles in ACC, in particular in ACC with a Weiss score of 7 to 9 and a Helsinki score of greater than 17.