bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management equity incentives and corporate tax avoidance: Moderating role of the internal control
Authors: Wenwu Xie , Khurram Muhammad Usman , Qing Lian , Rafiq Asia
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Under the modern enterprise system, the principal-agent relationship can cause a conflict of interest between the two power counterparts, thus affecting the degree of corporate tax avoidance. As a tool to align the interests of management and owners, management equity incentives can alleviate the conflict of interests brought about by the separation of powers and, therefore, may influence corporate tax avoidance.

Objectives and methods

We examine the relationship between management equity incentives and corporate tax avoidance from both theoretical and empirical perspectives by using data from Chinese A-share listed companies from 2016 to 2020. Firstly, the effect of management equity incentives on tax avoidance is theoretically and normatively analyzed. Secondly, examine the effectiveness of moderating the effect of internal control and distinguishing the ownership of enterprises’ nature through regression analysis.

Results

(1) There is a positive relationship between management equity incentives and corporate tax avoidance which means, more the stock incentive offered to executives, the more likely corporations are to pursue tax avoidance strategies aggressively. (2) Internal control deficiencies enhance the positive relationship between equity incentives and enterprise tax avoidance behavior. Therefore, in Chinese enterprises, the lack of an internal control system and the failure of internal control measures are prevalent, and such loopholes can intensify the tax avoidance behavior that arises when executives are subject to equity incentives. (3) The influence of management equity incentives on enterprise tax avoidance behavior is greater in state-owned (SOE) than private enterprises. State-owned enterprises are more likely to increase enterprise tax avoidance behavior when management is subject to equity incentives for reasons such as strict performance requirements, lower regulatory oversight, and less interference from negative information. Finally, our findings have significant implications for policymakers/regulators, public companies, investors, standard setters, managerial labor markets, and the welfare of the overall economy.
Leaders’ ambition and followers’ cheating behavior: The role of performance pressure and leader identification
Authors: Adeel Ahmad , Kee Daisy Mui Hung , Mubashir Anila Sadaf , Samad Sarminah , Daghriri Yahya Qasim
Published: January 2023

Purpose

We seek to understand why and how leaders’ actions that are positive from organizational perspectives, drive to engage employees in cheating behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed mediated moderation model was tested in two separate studies, study 1 and study 2, with data collected from police officers and employees of Islamic banking respectively, and then analyzed with Mplus for random coefficient models for direct effects, indirect effects, and for mediated moderation.

Findings

It was found that leaders’ ambitions may enhance performance pressure on the subordinates, which in turn promotes their cheating behavior. Overall, we found that the traditional view of ambition theory only emphasizes good mechanisms such as motivation. However, to integrate with a social identity perspective, ambition would also cause pressure and pressure rather than motivation. Additionally, leaders’ ambitions are more strongly and positively related to the performance pressure and cheating behaviors of employees when subordinates also have high leader identification. The findings of this research suggested that leaders’ positive workplace behavior could also spawn subordinates’ unethical behaviors.

Practical implications

Through this research, we can help policymakers understand that leaders’ positive desire in general and ambition, in particular, may not be necessarily associated with subordinates’ positive behaviors. Our results revealed that internalized with performance pressure, the leaders’ ambition is associated with subordinates’ cheating behavior. The findings of this research will help policymakers understand what might be promoting unethical behavior of employees. The cheating behavior of employees is not a singular level phenomenon of subordinates, it could also be triggered by contextual factors. Therefore, in developing policies for reducing the chance of cheating at work, the policymakers should also focus on the contextual factors that might be promoting cheating.

Originality/value

Ambitious leaders tend to demonstrate high performance, also, performance pressure literature focuses efforts of the employees toward high performance. The dark side of these lines of researches is still underexplored. We shifted the conventional focus of understanding to the positive side of ambition and performance pressure by explaining the potential cost in the form of employees’ enhanced cheating behavior. The interplay between the relationship between leaders’ ambition and subordinates’ perception of leader identification also enhanced our understating about the boundary condition of the relationship between leaders’ ambition, performance pressure, and cheating behavior of subordinates.
Personality characteristics, defense styles, borderline symptoms, and non-suicidal self-injury in first-episode major depressive disorder
Authors: Peng Bo , Liao Jiwu , Li Yang , Jia Guangbo , Yang Jihui , Wu Zhiwei , Zhang Jian , Yang Yingjia , Luo Xinxin , Wang Yao , Zhang Yingli , Pan Jiyang
Published: January 2023

Background

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is commonly seen in adolescents with depression and is a high-risk factor leading to suicide. The psychological mechanisms underlying depression with NSSI are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in personality traits, defensive styles, and borderline symptoms among first-episode youth patients with depression and self-injury compared with patients with depression without self-injury and healthy populations.

Methods

The current study recruited 188 participants, including 64 patients with depression and NSSI, 60 patients with depression without NSSI, and 64 healthy control subjects. Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, the Defense Style Questionnaire, the short version of the Borderline Symptom List, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory were used to assess all participants.

Results

Patients with depression and NSSI showed more psychoticism than patients with depression without NSSI and healthy control subjects. Patients with depression and NSSI presented more intermediate defense styles than healthy control subjects. In the patients with depression and NSSI group, the frequency of self-injury in the last week was negatively correlated with mature defense styles and positively correlated with depressive symptoms and borderline symptoms. Further regression analysis showed that EPQ-psychoticism and depressive symptoms were independent risk factors for NSSI in patients with depression.

Conclusion

This study found that patients with depression and self-injury presented more neuroticism, introversion, EPQ-psychoticism, immature defenses, intermediate defenses, and borderline symptoms. Self-injury frequency was negatively correlated with mature defense styles and positively correlated with depressive symptoms and borderline symptoms. EPQ-Psychoticism and depressive symptoms are risk factors for predicting non-suicidal self-injury in patients with depression.
The effect of life events, resilience, self-esteem, and coping styles on aggressive behavior among left-behind adolescents: Structural equation modeling
Authors: Zhang Jie , Li Yifei , Li Juan , Lyu Mengmeng , Chen Yiping , Yang Silan , Tan Chuxia , Tao Yingxiang , Ye Biyun , Zhang Jingping , Cheng Fangqun , Mao Ting
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Without parental support, left-behind adolescents are more likely than their peers to experience negative emotions and demonstrate aggressive behavior in the same frustrating situation. However, research on this subject has been sparse. To fill this gap and identify potential targets for intervention, this study sought to examine the relationships among factors influencing left-behind adolescents’ aggressive behavior.

Methods

A total of 751 left-behind adolescents were enrolled in a cross-sectional survey, with data collected using the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist, Resilience Scale for Chinese Adolescents, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Coping Style Questionnaire, and Buss–Warren Aggression Questionnaire. The structural equation model was used for data analysis.

Results

The results showed that left-behind adolescents reported higher levels of aggression. Further, the factors found to have a direct or indirect effect on aggressive behavior included life events, resilience, self-esteem, positive coping, negative coping, and household income. The results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated goodness of fit. In the face of negative life events, left-behind adolescents with high resilience, self-esteem, and positive coping were less likely to exhibit aggressive behavior (P < 0.05).

Discussion

Left-behind adolescents can reduce their aggressive behavior by assuaging the adverse effects of life events via increased resilience and self-esteem as well as the adoption of positive coping strategies.
The double-edged sword of online access to work tools outside work: The relationship with flexible working, work interrupting nonwork behaviors and job satisfaction
Authors: Hartner-Tiefenthaler Martina , Mostafa Ahmed Mohammed Sayed , Koeszegi Sabine T.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) provide employees with online access to work tools outside work (OAWT), which can be seen as a double-edged sword fostering positive as well as negative aspects of flexibility. In our study, we investigated how OAWT relates to different forms of flexible working, work interrupting nonwork behaviors and job satisfaction.

Method

We used a randomized sample of 758 Austrian employees from a broad range of organizations and tested the hypotheses by means of structural equation modeling.

Results

Our findings revealed that OAWT is associated with available flexibility which relates positively to job satisfaction. However, at the same time, it is associated with required flexibility which relates negatively to job satisfaction and positively to work interrupting nonwork behaviors. OAWT has also been found to strengthen the positive relationship between required temporal flexibility and work interrupting nonwork behaviors, and attenuated the negative relationship between required temporal flexibility and job satisfaction.

Implications

We discuss the practical implications and develop recommendations on how organizations should deal with OAWT.
Can Internet penetration curb the spread of infectious diseases among regions?—Analysis based on spatial spillover perspective
Authors: Yu Dongsheng , Li Hui , Yu Juanjuan
Published: January 2023

Based on the outbreak of COVID-19, this paper empirically studied the impact of internet penetration on the incidence of class A and B infectious diseases among regions in spatial Dubin model, by using health panel data from 31 provinces in China from 2009 to 2018. The findings showed that: (1) The regional spillover effect of incidence of class A and B infectious diseases was significantly positive, and that is most obvious in the central regions. (2) Internet penetration not only has a positive effect on curbing the spread of infectious diseases within the local region but also help to inhibits the proximity spread of infectious diseases in neighborhood, showing the synergistic effect of “neighbor as a partner” in joint prevention and control mechanism. (3) The “digital gap” between regions, urban and rural areas, and user structures had led to significant group differences in the effect of the Internet on suppressing the spread of Class A and B infectious diseases. The findings of this paper provide a reference for understanding the potential role of the Internet in the COVID-19 and also provide policy support for the construction of Internet-based inter-regional “joint prevention and control mechanism” in public health events.
“Burnout felt inevitable”: Experiences of university staff in educating the nursing and allied health workforce during the first COVID-19 waves
Authors: O'Brien Lisa , Tighe Josephine , Doroud Nastaran , Barradell Sarah , Dowling Leah , Pranata Adrian , Ganderton Charlotte , Lovell Robin , Hughes Roger
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Maintaining progress in the face of looming burnout during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic was crucial for the health workforce, including those educating the next generation of health professionals. The experiences of students and healthcare practitioners have been explored to a greater degree than the experiences of university-based health professional educators.

Methods

This qualitative study examined the experiences of nursing and allied health academics at an Australian University during COVID-19 disruptions in 2020 and 2021 and describes the strategies that academics and/or teams implemented to ensure course continuity. Academic staff from nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and dietetics courses at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia provided narratives regarding the key challenges and opportunities they faced.

Results

The narratives highlighted the strategies generated and tested by participants amidst rapidly changing health orders and five common themes were identified: disruption; stress; stepping up, strategy and unexpected positives, lessons, and legacy impacts. Participants noted challenges related to student engagement in online learning and ensuring the acquisition of discipline-specific practical skills during periods of lock-down. Staff across all disciplines reported increased workload associated with converting teaching to on-line delivery, sourcing alternative fieldwork arrangements, and dealing with high levels of student distress. Many reflected on their own expertise in using digital tools in teaching and their beliefs about the effectiveness of distance teaching for health professional training. Ensuring students were able to complete required fieldwork hours was particularly challenging due to constantly changing public health orders and conditions and staffing shortages at health services. This was in addition to illness and isolation requirements further impacting the availability of teaching associates for specialist skills classes.

Discussion

Solutions such as remote and blended learning telehealth, and simulated placements were rapidly implemented in some courses especially where fieldwork could not be rescheduled or amended at the health settings. The implications and recommendations for educating and ensuring competence development in the health workforce during times when usual teaching methods are disrupted are discussed.
A SARS-CoV-2 full genome sequence of the B.1.1 lineage sheds light on viral evolution in Sicily in late 2020
Authors: Padilla-Blanco Miguel , Gucciardi Francesca , Rubio Vicente , Lastra Antonio , Lorenzo Teresa , Ballester Beatriz , González-Pastor Andrea , Veses Veronica , Macaluso Giusi , Sheth Chirag C. , Pascual-Ortiz Marina , Maiques Elisa , Rubio-Guerri Consuelo , Purpari Giuseppa , Guercio Annalisa
Published: January 2023

To investigate the influence of geographic constrains to mobility on SARS-CoV-2 circulation before the advent of vaccination, we recently characterized the occurrence in Sicily of viral lineages in the second pandemic wave (September to December 2020). Our data revealed wide prevalence of the then widespread through Europe B.1.177 variant, although some viral samples could not be classified with the limited Sanger sequencing tools used. A particularly interesting sample could not be fitted to a major variant then circulating in Europe and has been subjected here to full genome sequencing in an attempt to clarify its origin, lineage and relations with the seven full genome sequences deposited for that period in Sicily, hoping to provide clues on viral evolution. The obtained genome is unique (not present in databases). It hosts 20 single-base substitutions relative to the original Wuhan-Hu-1 sequence, 8 of them synonymous and the other 12 encoding 11 amino acid substitutions, all of them already reported one by one. They include four highly prevalent substitutions, NSP12:P323L, S:D614G, and N:R203K/G204R; the much less prevalent S:G181V, ORF3a:G49V and N:R209I changes; and the very rare mutations NSP3:L761I, NSP6:S106F, NSP8:S41F and NSP14:Y447H. GISAID labeled this genome as B.1.1 lineage, a lineage that appeared early on in the pandemic. Phylogenetic analysis also confirmed this lineage diagnosis. Comparison with the seven genome sequences deposited in late 2020 from Sicily revealed branching leading to B.1.177 in one branch and to Alpha in the other branch, and suggested a local origin for the S:G118V mutation.
How does the air pollution prevention and control action plan affect sulfur dioxide intensity in China?
Authors: Niu Shuhai , Chen Yidong , Zhang Ruiwen , Feng Yanchao
Published: January 2023

As a part of China's efforts to mitigate and control air pollution in key areas, the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan was implemented in 2013, and several regulatory measures were introduced. Based on the data from 271 prefecture-level cities between 2008 and 2018, the difference-in-differences model is used to explore the effect of it on sulfur dioxide intensity in our study, and several significant results are as follows: (1) The baseline results suggest a 23% reduction in sulfur dioxide intensity in pilot cities compared to non-pilot cities. (2) The total factor productivity fails to play a partial mediating role in reducing the sulfur dioxide intensity under the implementation of the policy. (3) The results of the triple differences model suggest that the policy still exerts significant adverse effects on sulfur dioxide intensity in the pilot areas of the carbon emission trading scheme.
Optical spectral diagnostics of the oxygenation level in periodontal tissues and photodynamic therapy using methylene blue in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Morozova Natalia S. , Kozlitina Iuliia A. , Makarov Vladimir I. , Loschenov Victor B. , Grinin Vasiliy M. , Ivanov Sergey Yu. , Kashtanova Maria S.
Published: January 2023

Dental diseases occur in children with cerebral palsy three times higher than in healthy children. Low values of the unstimulated salivation rate (<0.3 ml per minute), pH and buffer capacity, changes in enzyme activity and sialic acid concentration, as well as increased saliva osmolarity and total protein concentration, which indicates impaired hydration, are the factors in the development of a gingiva disease in case of cerebral palsy. This leads to increased bacterial agglutination and the formation of acquired pellicle and biofilm, leading to the formation of dental plaque. There is a tendency toward an increase in the concentration of hemoglobin and a decrease in the degree of hemoglobin oxygenation, as well as an increase in the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with the use of photosensitizer methylene blue improves blood circulation and the degree of oxygenation in periodontal tissues, as well as eliminates a bacterial biofilm. Analysis of back diffuse reflection spectra makes it possible to conduct non-invasive monitoring determine tissue areas with a low level of hemoglobin oxygenation for precision photodynamic exposure.

Aim

To improve the effectiveness of phototheranostics methods using, namely PDT with simultaneous optical-spectral control, for the treatment of gingivitis in children with complex dental and somatic status (cerebral palsy).

Methods

The study involved 15 children (6-18 y.o.) with various forms of cerebral palsy, in particular, spastic diplegia and atonic-astatic form and with gingivitis. The degree of hemoglobin oxygenation was measured in tissues before PDT and on the 12th day. PDT was performed using laser radiation (λ = 660 nm) with a power density of 150 mW/cm2 with a five-minute application of 0.01% MB. The total light dose was 45 ± 15 J/cm2. For statistical evaluation of the results, a paired Student's t-test was used.

Results

The paper presents the results of phototheranostics using methylene blue in children with cerebral palsy. An increase in the level of hemoglobin oxygenation from 50 to 67% (p < 0.001) and a decrease in blood volume in the microcirculatory bed of periodontal tissues were shown.

Conclusion

Photodynamic therapy methods with application of methylene blue make it possible to assess the state of the gingival mucosa tissue diseases objectively in real time, and to provide effective targeted therapy for gingivitis in children with cerebral palsy. There is a prospect that they can become widely used clinical methods.
Explanation of factors forming missed nursing care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study
Authors: Safdari Ali , Rassouli Maryam , Elahikhah Maryam , Ashrafizadeh Hadis , Barasteh Salman , Jafarizadeh Raana , Khademi Fatemeh
Published: January 2023

Background

Providing nursing care to patients with COVID-19 has put additional pressure on nurses, making it challenging to meet several care requirements. This situation has caused parts of nursing care to be missed, potentially reducing the quality of nursing care and threatening patient safety. Therefore, the present study aimed at explaining the factors forming missed nursing care during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of nurses.

Methods

This qualitative study was conducted using a conventional content analysis approach in Iran, 2020–2021. Data were collected from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 14 nurses based on purposive sampling. Data analysis was performed simultaneously with data collection. Graneheim and Lundman's approach was used for data analysis, and MAXQDA software was used for data management. After transcribing the recorded interviews, to achieve the accuracy and validity of the study, the criteria proposed by Lincoln and Guba were considered and used.

Results

A total of 14 nurses with a mean age and standard deviation of 31.85 ± 4.95 and working in the COVID-19 wards participated in the study. The acquired data were categorized into four main categories: care-related factors, disease-related factors, patient-related factors, and organization-related factors. The category “care-related factors” comprised uncertainty in care, PPE-related limitations, attrition from care, and futile care. The category “disease-related factors” consisted of the extension of symptoms, unpredictable peaks of the disease, and restriction on the presence of patients' companions. The category “patient-related factors” included comorbidities, elderly patients, and deterioration of infected patients. Ultimately, the category “organization-related factors” consisted of restrictions on equipment supply, lack of human resources, weaknesses in teamwork, and an unsupportive work environment.

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that several reasons including factors related to care, patient, disease, and organization cause missed nursing care. By modifying the related affecting factors and considering the effective mechanisms to minimize missed nursing care, it is possible to provide better services.
Socio-cultural perception of robot backchannels
Authors: Engwall Olov , Cumbal Ronald , Majlesi Ali Reza
Published: January 2023

Introduction:Backchannels, i.e., short interjections by an interlocutor to indicate attention, understanding or agreement regarding utterances by another conversation participant, are fundamental in human-human interaction. Lack of backchannels or if they have unexpected timing or formulation may influence the conversation negatively, as misinterpretations regarding attention, understanding or agreement may occur. However, several studies over the years have shown that there may be cultural differences in how backchannels are provided and perceived and that these differences may affect intercultural conversations. Culturally aware robots must hence be endowed with the capability to detect and adapt to the way these conversational markers are used across different cultures. Traditionally, culture has been defined in terms of nationality, but this is more and more considered to be a stereotypic simplification. We therefore investigate several socio-cultural factors, such as the participants’ gender, age, first language, extroversion and familiarity with robots, that may be relevant for the perception of backchannels.

Methods:We first cover existing research on cultural influence on backchannel formulation and perception in human-human interaction and on backchannel implementation in Human-Robot Interaction. We then present an experiment on second language spoken practice, in which we investigate how backchannels from the social robot Furhat influence interaction (investigated through speaking time ratios and ethnomethodology and multimodal conversation analysis) and impression of the robot (measured by post-session ratings). The experiment, made in a triad word game setting, is focused on if activity-adaptive robot backchannels may redistribute the participants’ speaking time ratio, and/or if the participants’ assessment of the robot is influenced by the backchannel strategy. The goal is to explore how robot backchannels should be adapted to different language learners to encourage their participation while being perceived as socio-culturally appropriate.

Results:We find that a strategy that displays more backchannels towards a less active speaker may substantially decrease the difference in speaking time between the two speakers, that different socio-cultural groups respond differently to the robot’s backchannel strategy and that they also perceive the robot differently after the session.

Discussion:We conclude that the robot may need different backchanneling strategies towards speakers from different socio-cultural groups in order to encourage them to speak and have a positive perception of the robot.
From seeing to saving: How rhinoceros-based tourism in north-west Namibia strengthens local stewardship to help combat illegal hunting
Authors: Muntifering Jeff R. , Malherbe Andrew , Dax Lorna , Beytell Piet
Published: January 2023

The opportunity to encounter wildlife, especially endangered species, has long been a major tourism draw for countries around the world with demand continuing to grow. Yet direct evidence testing the underlaying assumptions of tourism as a wildlife conservation strategy has been more limited particularly where tourism benefits are assumed to “trickle down” to rural communities that foster local stewardship. A long-term case study from north-west Namibia's communal lands presents and evaluates a theory of change for a community-level black rhinoceros conservation tourism model that explicitly incorporates local values and institutions in design expected to deliver results that enhance local-level stewardship and improving conservation outcomes for the population. Between 2012 and 2018, the numbers of tourists participating in and revenue generated from local ranger-based rhinoceros viewing encounters directly to local community institutions increased dramatically by over 200% with over USD $1,000,000 generated during the 6 year period. Subsequent community re-investments in rhinoceros protection was evidenced by a 340% increase in the employment of local “Rhino Rangers” during the same period. Further, a strong positive relationship between community institutions that directly provide support to and benefit financially from tourism with the level of their reinvestment in rhinoceros conservation suggest that communities that benefited more from rhinoceros-based tourism demonstrated higher levels of stewardship. A strong negative relationship observed between rates of illegal hunting of the rhinoceros population and the level of local rhinoceros protection efforts suggest that the increase in local stewardship likely contributed to the reduction in illegal hunting. The Namibia Conservancy-led rhino conservation tourism case offers evidence and lessons that illustrate how carefully curated wildlife tourism that is designed specifically with community engagement and empowerment in mind may serve as a strong basis for enhanced local stewardship that helps improve wildlife and local human communities.
Beyond physiology: Acute effects of side-alternating whole-body vibration on well-being, flexibility, balance, and cognition using a light and portable platform A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Faes Yannik , Rolli Salathé Cornelia , Herlig Marina Luna , Elfering Achim
Published: January 2023

A good body-balance helps to prevent slips, trips and falls. New body-balance interventions must be explored, because effective methods to implement daily training are sparse. The purpose of the current study was to investigate acute effects of side-alternating whole-body vibration (SS-WBV) training on musculoskeletal well-being, flexibility, body balance, and cognition. In this randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly allocated into a verum (8.5 Hz, SS-WBV,N = 28) or sham (6 Hz, SS-WBV,N = 27) condition. The training consisted of three SS-WBV series that lasted one-minute each with two one-minute breaks in between. During the SS-WBV series, participants stood in the middle of the platform with slightly bent knees. During the breaks in between, participants could loosen up. Flexibility (modified fingertip-to-floor method), balance (modified Star Excursion Balance Test), and cognitive interference (Stroop Color Word Test) were tested before and after the exercise. Also, musculoskeletal well-being, muscle relaxation, sense of flexibility, sense of balance, and surefootedness were assessed in a questionnaire before and after the exercise. Musculoskeletal well-being was significantly increased only after verum. Also, muscle relaxation was significantly higher only after verum. The Flexibility-Test showed significant improvement after both conditions. Accordingly, sense of flexibility was significantly increased after both conditions. The Balance-Test showed significant improvement after verum, and after sham. Accordingly, increased sense of balance was significant after both conditions. However, surefootedness was significantly higher only after verum. The Stroop-Test showed significant improvement only after verum. The current study shows that one SS-WBV training session increases musculoskeletal well-being, flexibility, body balance and cognition. The abundance of improvements on a light and portable platform has great influence on the practicability of training in daily life, aiming to prevent slip trips and falls at work.
Spindle cell oncocytoma of the pituitary tumor: A rare case report and literature reviews
Authors: Chang Chia Ning , Shen Chiung Chyi
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Spindle cell oncocytoma (SCO) of the pituitary gland is increasingly established with improvements in histological and immunohistochemical examination. However, the diagnosis was often mistaken based on imaging studies and nonspecific clinical manifestations.

Purpose

This case is presented to provide an overview of the characteristics of the rare tumor as well as to demonstrate the difficulties in diagnosis and current treatments.

Clinical discussion

The pathogenesis of SCO remains unclear, and a possible origin was described. Further research is needed to optimize pre-operative diagnosis and surgical strategy.

Conclusion

SCO should be considered when images indicate some features. Gross total resection (GTR) after surgery seems to have better long-term tumor control, and radiotherapy may help decrease tumor progression in patients with non-GTR. Regular follow-up is advised because of the higher recurrence rate.
Case report: Pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy for focal congenital hyperinsulinism in a 5-month-old baby
Authors: Spagnoletti Gionata , Larghi Laureiro Zoe , Maria Fratti Alberto , Maiorana Arianna , Garganese Maria Carmen , Pizzoferro Milena , Dionisi-Vici Carlo , Spada Marco
Published: January 2023

Background

In focal congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI), surgery is the gold standard of treatment, even for lesions localized in the head of the pancreas. We report the video of the pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy performed in a five-month-old child with focal CHI.

Operative technique

Baby was placed in the supine position with both arms outstretched to the up. After transverse supraumbilical incision and mobilization of ascending and transverse colon, exploration and multiple biopsies of the tail and the body of the pancreas ruled out multifocality. Pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was performed according to the following steps: extended Kocher maneuver, followed by retrograde cholecystectomy and common bile duct isolation; division of the gastroduodenal artery and of the gastrocolic ligament; division of the duodenum, Treitz ligament and jejunum; transection of the pancreatic body. The reconstructive time was with: pancreato-jejunostomy; hepaticojejunostomy; pilorus-preserving antecolic duodeno-jejunostomy. The anastomoses were accomplished with synthetic absorbable monofilament sutures; two drains were placed close to the biliary and pancreatic anastomoses and to the intestinal anastomosis, respectively. Total operative time was 6 h, with no blood loss and/or intra-operative complications, immediate normalization of blood glucose levels and discharge from surgical ward 19 days after surgery.

Conclusions

Surgical treatment of medical unresponsive focal forms of CHI is feasible in very small children: it is mandatory to refer the baby to a high-volume centre for a multidisciplinary management involving hepato-bilio-pancreatic surgeons and experts in metabolic disease.
Malacoplakia of the bladder combined with infected renal calculi: A case report
Authors: He Qunjun , Wang Yi , Chen Xian , Xia Baopiao , Zeng Xuqiang , Wang Binhui , Fang Yong , Liu Shulin , Xu Wujun
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The malacoplakia of the bladder is a rare chronic acquired infection- associated granulomatous disease and even less common in combination with urinary stones.

Case Presentation

We report the case of a 58-year-old female patient with malacoplakia of the bladder combined with renal calculi. The patient was admitted to the hospital with bilateral low back pain for one month and space-occupying lesions of the bladder for three days. Preoperative imaging suggested space-occupying lesions of the bladder: high probability of bladder cancer. Following the anti-infection treatment, the transurethral electrodesiccation was performed on the space-occupying lesions of the bladder. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of malacoplakia of the bladder. Left-sided percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed electively to remove the predisposing factors of infection. After the operation, the patient continued to receive anti-infection treatment for two months. The patient had a good prognosis in the six-month follow-up.

Conclusions

Malacoplakia of the bladder is easily misdiagnosed as bladder cancer before operation, and the diagnosis depends on pathological diagnosis. Complete removal of urinary calculi, infection and other inducing factors, is beneficial to the treatment of malacoplakia of the bladder.
Development of prognostic indicator based on NAD+ metabolism related genes in glioma
Authors: Chen Xiao , Wu Wei , Wang Yichang , Zhang Beichen , Zhou Haoyu , Xiang Jianyang , Li Xiaodong , Yu Hai , Bai Xiaobin , Xie Wanfu , Lian Minxue , Wang Maode , Wang Jia
Published: January 2023

Background

Studies have shown that Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) metabolism can promote the occurrence and development of glioma. However, the specific effects and mechanisms of NAD+ metabolism in glioma are unclear and there were no systematic researches about NAD+ metabolism related genes to predict the survival of patients with glioma.

Methods

The research was performed based on expression data of glioma cases in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) databases. Firstly, TCGA-glioma cases were classified into different subtypes based on 49 NAD+ metabolism-related genes (NMRGs) by consensus clustering. NAD+ metabolism-related differentially expressed genes (NMR-DEGs) were gotten by intersecting the 49 NMRGs and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normal and glioma samples. Then a risk model was built by Cox analysis and the least shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. The validity of the model was verified by survival curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. In addition, independent prognostic analysis of the risk model was performed by Cox analysis. Then, we also identified different immune cells, HLA family genes and immune checkpoints between high and low risk groups. Finally, the functions of model genes at single-cell level were also explored.

Results

Consensus clustering classified glioma patients into two subtypes, and the overall survival (OS) of the two subtypes differed. A total of 11 NAD+ metabolism-related differentially expressed genes (NMR-DEGs) were screened by overlapping 5,995 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 49 NAD+ metabolism-related genes (NMRGs). Next, four model genes, PARP9, BST1, NMNAT2, and CD38, were obtained by Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regression analyses and to construct a risk model. The OS of high-risk group was lower. And the area under curves (AUCs) of Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were >0.7 at 1, 3, and 5 years. Cox analysis showed that age, grade G3, grade G4, IDH status, ATRX status, BCR status, and risk Scores were reliable independent prognostic factors. In addition, three different immune cells, Mast cells activated, NK cells activated and B cells naive, 24 different HLA family genes, such as HLA-DPA1 and HLA-H, and 8 different immune checkpoints, such as ICOS, LAG3, and CD274, were found between the high and low risk groups. The model genes were significantly relevant with proliferation, cell differentiation, and apoptosis.

Conclusion

The four genes, PARP9, BST1, NMNAT2, and CD38, might be important molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets for glioma patients.
Evaluation of Bcl-2 as a marker for chronic kidney disease prediction in cats
Authors: Pila Pattiya , Chuammitri Phongsakorn , Patchanee Prapas , Pringproa Kidsadagon , Piyarungsri Kakanang
Published: January 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a frequent condition in elderly cats. Bcl-2 is linked to kidney disease through the processes of apoptosis and fibrosis. The purpose of this study is to examine Bcl-2 levels in CKD and clinically healthy age-matched cats in order to evaluate the relationship between Bcl-2 levels, signalment, and blood parameters in cats with CKD. The circulating levels of Bcl-2 were determined using an immunoassay in twenty-four CKD cats and eleven clinically healthy age-matched cats by the utilization of the general linear model (GLM), Pearson correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), ROC curves, the Cox hazard model, and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. These were all conducted in order to explore Bcl-2 levels and their connection with other variables. The Bcl-2 immunohistochemical intensity was graded in each glomerulus and tubulointerstitium. McNemar's test was performed in order to compare the expression of Bcl-2 in the two renal tissue sites. The circulating Bcl-2 of CKD cats was significantly lower than those of clinically healthy age-matched cats (P= 0.034). The presence of circulating Bcl-2 (P< 0.01) and the severity of CKD (P= 0.02) were both linked with the survival time of cats with CKD. The area under the curve (AUC) of Bcl-2 for detection of CKD was 0.723. In cats, decreased circulating Bcl-2 was associated with increased blood BUN, creatinine levels, and CKD severity. Bcl-2 protein expression was reduced in the renal tissues of CKD cats as the disease progressed, resulting in a decrease in their survival time. This study demonstrated that Bcl-2 may be effective in diagnosing feline CKD.
Effects of starters with different NDF/starch ratio on rumen fermentation parameters and rumen microorganisms in lambs
Authors: Zhao Haibi , Lv Feng , Liu Guohua , Pang Xin , Han Xiaoxia , Wang Xiaojuan
Published: January 2023

Starch and NDF are the main components in the diets of ruminants worldwide and are the main energy source for rumen microorganisms and hosts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different NDF/starch ratios on rumen fermentation parameters, rumen development and rumen microbes in lambs and to predict the function of rumen microbes by metagenomic techniques. In this study, 30 lambs with birth weights of (3.0 ± 0.5) kg were selected. The lambs of Hu sheep were randomly divided into two groups, fed starter with an NDF/starch ratio of 0.5 (group A) or 1.0 (group C). Samples of the rumen tissue and contents were collected after slaughter. The results showed that the ADG and ADFI of group A were significantly higher than those of group C (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the FCR (P > 0.05). Therefore, from the perspective of feed-related economic benefits, group C showed greater economic value; the A/P of group C was significantly lower than that of group A (0.05 < P < 0.1), and the TVFA showed no significant difference (P > 0.05); The lengths of the rumen papillae of group C was significantly higher than that of group A (0.05 < P < 0.1). There was no significant difference in the abundance of the top 10 species at the phylum level and genus level (P > 0.05). CAZymes gene enrichment was observed in the rumen microbial community of lambs in group C (P < 0.05). In conclusion, group C, fed with starter with a higher NDF/starch ratio, had a higher feeding value. This study provides comprehensive insights into the composition of NDF and starch in lamb starter.
An Exploration of Sedentary Behavior, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Huang Cheng-Yen , Huang Wen-Hsin , Yen Hsin-Yen
Published: January 2023

Objectives: Staying physically active is a cost-efficient strategy for disease prevention during a pandemic. The purposes of this study were to explore precautionary behaviors, psychological factors associated with physical activity and sedentary behavior, and impacts of active and sedentary lifestyles on the quality of life in the early stage of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

Methods: Participants were community-dwelling adults aged over 20 years who had not been infected with COVID-19 and who lived in the United States. A study with a cross-sectional design was conducted between July and October 2020. Quantitative data were collected by a self-reported questionnaire.

Results: In total, 467 valid responses were obtained. Participants who engaged in an active lifestyle had significantly higher scores on all domains of quality of life compared to those who engaged in an inactive lifestyle. Participants with a non-sedentary lifestyle had significantly higher scores of psychological and social domains of quality of life than those with a sedentary lifestyle.

Conclusion: Engaging in an active lifestyle and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle are recommended when facing future, unpredictable pandemics similar to COVID-19.
Model-Based Systems Engineering Cybersecurity for Space Systems
Authors: Kirshner Mitchell
Published: January 2023

As industries in various sectors increasingly adopt model-based systems engineering (MBSE) for system lifecycle design and development, engineers can manage and describe systems of higher complexity than ever before. This is especially true for the field of space systems; while past missions have developed using document-based planning, it is only in the last several years that NASA and other organizations in the space industry have begun using MBSE. One crucial factor of space systems development that is often overlooked is cybersecurity. As space systems become more complex and cyberphysical in nature, cybersecurity requirements become more difficult to capture, especially through document-based methods; a need for a means by which to continuously verify and validate systems cybersecurity for cyberphysical space missions arises. By expanding upon a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) framework for cyber resiliency, this work proposes a methodology that uses MBSE traceability functionality to demonstrate adequate cybersecurity for cyberphysical space systems using SysML requirements modeling capabilities. Key goals, objectives, and strategic principles leading to achieving cybersecurity at all levels of the system’s architectural hierarchy are presented. Recommendations for the future of space cybersecurity include the addition of the space sector to the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency’s list of critical infrastructure sectors to improve standardization and control of space cyberinfrastructure.
Potential of Fruits and Vegetable By-Products as an Alternative Feed Source for Sustainable Ruminant Nutrition and Production: A Review
Authors: Jalal Hassan , Giammarco Melania , Lanzoni Lydia , Akram Muhammad Zeeshan , Mammi Ludovica M. E. , Vignola Giorgio , Chincarini Matteo , Formigoni Andrea , Fusaro Isa
Published: January 2023

The agro-food industry produces tons of waste at different stages in the food production process, creating a massive ecological crisis. If implemented, the use of fruit and vegetable by-products (FVBPs) in animal nutrition has the potential to lessen the environmental footprint of the food production chain, lower animal feeding costs, and improve the quality and sustainability of animal products. Recent research on the inclusion of FVBPs, naturally enriched with polyphenols, in the diets of small and large ruminants has shown some promising outcomes, which we discuss in this review. The effects of FVBPs on digestion, rumen fermentation, methane emissions, rumen liquor fatty acid profile, and milk production are examined. Due to the chemical composition and the presence of certain bioactive compounds, FVBPs are capable of influencing the ruminal and intestinal ecosystem through improved kinetics of fermentation. Several in vivo studies have demonstrated that the dietary inclusion of FVBPs resulted in improved milk production and composition without any negative effect on animal performance. Using FVBPs as an alternative to conventional feedstuffs may promote sustainable animal production and nutrition. However, it must be stressed that the efficacy of these feed supplements is conditional on the source, kind, and quantity employed.