bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of vitamin D in the academic performance of health sciences students in Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlZahrani Wala Ibrahim , Oommen Anitha
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Many researchers have reported that vitamin D can affect brain development as well as brain function. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the Saudi population is 81% and it is more among women than among men. Though many studies have been done to find out the factors influencing the academic performance of Health sciences students, there is not adequate evidence regarding the influence of vitamin D level on academic performance. Therefore, this study aims to find out the association if any, between the vitamin D level and academic performance of health sciences students.

Design/methodology/approach

After obtaining the ethical committee approval, the data was collected from 86 female medical students, 70 female applied medical sciences students and 57 nursing students of Northern Border University. The detailed questionnaire contained the aim of the study, demographic characteristics and academic performance predictors such as self-efficacy, academic motivation, academic engagement and social engagement. The vitamin D levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) machine (BioTek) which is available in the local hospital. The multiple linear regression analysis was used to find out the association between vitamin D levels and academic performance.

Findings

This study showed that vitamin D level had a significant association with the overall performance of the students as well as their self-efficacy.

Research limitations/implications

Since there is a lot of stress among health sciences students due to subject overload and inadequacy of time, the health aspects are often overlooked. This study emphasizes the importance of early screening of vitamin D levels and early intervention in those with low vitamin D levels for better academic performance.

Social implications

There is very little awareness of the impact of vitamin D deficiency on academic motivation, academic engagement, social engagement and self-efficacy among medical and health sciences students. This study can increase awareness.

Originality/value

There are very few studies done to find out the association between Vitamin D level and academic performance. This study is unique as it has highlighted the association between vitamin D level and grade point average (GPA) and also the association between vitamin D level and academic predictors such as self-efficacy, academic motivation, academic engagement and social engagement.
Resource integration capabilities to enable platform complementarity in healthcare service ecosystem co-creation
Authors: Pikkarainen Minna , Kemppainen Laura , Xu Yueqiang , Jansson Miia , Ahokangas Petri , Koivumäki Timo , Hong Gu He , Francis Gomes Julius
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Covid has increased the usage of multisided digital platforms. For companies, this has become a business opportunity. Data usage on platforms requires that platform companies co-create services for common customers. In this case, the target is not to make the same value proposition but rather to use the resources such as data, knowledge, technology, or institutions in a complementary manner. Platforms are characterized as a combination of hardware and software including standards, interfaces, and rules making it possible for different ecosystem players to complement and interact in the ecosystem. Current ecosystems include several platforms that do not work without resource integration. The purpose of this study is to increase understanding what do we mean by resource complementarity in service ecosystems.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was done via an in-depth qualitative case study in which a health service ecosystem co-creating technological surgery innovation was used as a unit of analysis.

Findings

The authors’ findings suggest that key resource capabilities, to enable complementarity in service ecosystems, are motivation, knowledge, skills, data and complementary designed technology components.

Research limitations/implications

The authors’ study increases theoretical understanding of what does one mean by construct of resource complementarity.

Practical implications

From a managerial perspective, it is shown that organizations need to develop adaptive capabilities to utilize internal and external competencies and resources and enable co-creative processes within the service ecosystem.

Originality/value

Very few empirical studies in the marketing literature have focused on multi-sided digital platforms and their resource complementarity in the data-driven healthcare ecosystem settings.
Integration of artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) in the public sector: drivers, barriers and future research agenda
Authors: Ishengoma Fredrick R. , Shao Deo , Alexopoulos Charalampos , Saxena Stuti , Nikiforova Anastasija
Published: September 2022

Purpose

With the development of information technology (IT), governments around the globe are using state-of-the-art IT interfaces to implement the so-called 3E’s in public service delivery, that is, economy, efficiency and effectiveness. Two of these IT interfaces relate to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT). While AI focuses on providing a “human” garb for computing devices, thereby making them “intelligent” devices, IoT relies on interfaces between sensors and the environment to make “intelligent” decisions. Recently, the convergence of AI and IoT – also referred to as Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) – is seen as a real opportunity to refurbish the public service delivery formats. However, there is limited understanding as to how AIoT could contribute to the improvisation of public service delivery. This study aims to create a modular framework for AIoT in addition to highlighting the drivers and barriers for its integration in the public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This descriptive-explanatory study takes a qualitative approach. It entails a thorough examination of the drivers and barriers of integrating AI and IoT in the public sector. A review of literature has led to the development of a conceptual framework outlining the various factors that contribute to creating public value.

Findings

Value creation occurs when AI and IoT coalesce in the public service delivery mechanisms.

Originality/value

AIoT is a cutting-edge technology revolutionizing health care, agriculture, infrastructure and all other industrial domains. This study adds to the growing body of knowledge on the public sector's use of AI and IoT. Understanding these disruptive technologies is critical to formulating policies and regulations that can maximize the potential benefits for the public-sector organizations.
A new thermal protective clothing design with silica aerogel filled acrylic nanofibers
Authors: Altay Pelin , Eryürük Selin Hanife , Özcan Gülay , Öztürk Didem , Saral Melda Naz , Altınordu Çağla
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Firefighters are exposed to high outdoor temperature and heat stress caused by metabolic activities during firefighting and should wear protective clothing to ensure their safety and health. Traditional firefighter protective suits are bulky and heavy garments with reduced thermal comfort properties since the fabric thickness and moisture barrier layers prevent heat transfer of the garment and cause additional heat stress. The aim of this study is to reduce heat stress by creating a new fabric design with silica aerogel membrane as a moisture barrier for three-layer fabric system.

Design/methodology/approach

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers were produced with three different silica aerogel contents and used for three-layered clothing system as a moisture barrier for giving desired protectiveness and thermal comfort to firefighters. Different fabric combinations were designed using two types of outer shell fabrics, two types of moisture barrier fabrics, two types of thermal barrier fabrics and PAN/silica aerogel membranes.

Findings

The results show that a lighter fabric system with improved wearer’s mobility and thermal comfort properties (thermal resistance and moisture permeability) is achieved with the use of PAN/silica aerogel membrane as an intermediate layer compared to commercial thermal protective fabric systems.

Originality/value

Differently from traditional thermal protective clothing, which may not provide adequate protection in long-term heat conditions or when exposed to flash fire, a new thermal protective clothing has been developed to be used in extremely hot environments, providing desired technical and performance properties, ease to wear comfort.
CSR disclosure and debt financing in India: does CEO tenure matter?
Authors: Oware Kofi Mintah , Appiah Kingsley , Adomah Worae Thomas
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The study aims to examine whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure does improve debt financing of listed firms with sustainable development agendas coupled with high chief executive officer (CEO) tenure in India.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing panel regression based on fixed effect and instrumental variable regression with fixed effect assumptions, the study examined data from the Bombay stock exchange from the period 2010 to 2019.

Findings

The study demonstrates that the disclosure of current exchange capital and moral capital cannot cause a firm to access short-term and long-term debt financing. However, lag investment in moral capital causes a positive effect on short-term debt financing. The second findings show that CEO tenure has a positive and statistically significant association with short-term debt financing and an insignificant association with long-term debt financing. The third findings show that the interaction of current CSR disclosure (moral and exchange capital) and CEO tenure is insignificant in affecting short-term and long-term debt finance. However, the interaction of lag CSR disclosure (moral and exchange capital) and CEO tenure positively affect short-term debt financing. The study addresses any endogeneity concerns arising from the CSR disclosure-debt financing association.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses a single country to examine the inter-relationship between CEO tenure and debt financing and CSR measured by moral capital and exchange capital, thereby limiting the study's results for generalisation.

Practical implications

The observation is that moral capital investment and disclosure do not guarantee new entrants the chance to access debt financing, but subsequent and lag CSR disclosure ensures access.

Originality/value

No studies examine morality from CSR disclosure on debt financing. This study shows that decoupling CSR into exchange capital and moral capital in accessing debt financing presents new inputs for scholarly debate on CSR.
Theories applied in corporate voluntary disclosure: a literature review
Authors: Rouf Md. Abdur , Siddique Md. Nur-E-Alam
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper attempts to review the corporate voluntary disclosure (CVD) from the theoretical perspective as well as propose a conceptual framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers use structural literature review technique. The sample literature consisting of 55 articles was extracted from the Scopus database over the period of 2017–2021.

Findings

The literature observes that the legitimacy, agency and stakeholder theories are most applied in CVD related studies than the other theories. It is also revealed that researchers need to concentrate more studies on those theories of CVD that have been applied in a limited study such as neo-institutional, signaling, resource dependence, political economy and impression management theories.

Practical implications

The findings can help the understanding of parties such as practitioners', regulators and potential investors of the theories in CVD from a combined and comprehensive view.

Social implications

The results of the study offer new insights into the potential impact of organizational level and country level theories in CVD from different perspectives of developed and developing countries.

Originality/value

This study delivers an inclusive literature review of the current study approach on the theories of CVD and highlights some stimulating guidelines for future study.
Meta-analysis of augmented reality marketing
Authors: Kumar Harish , Gupta Parul , Chauhan Sumedha
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Amidst the ambiguity about the impact of augmented reality (AR) attributes on hedonic or utilitarian values, the present study aims to understand what AR attributes create hedonic and utilitarian values and how their interaction determines consumers' behavioral intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The study synthesizes the results of 19 quantitative studies on AR marketing by using the meta-analysis technique.

Findings

The findings reveal that interactivity and augmentation are salient AR attributes that offer users both hedonic and utilitarian values. They are instrumental in fostering users' behavioral intention. However, interactivity does not have any direct influence on the behavioral intentions.

Originality/value

Being one of the first meta-analyses on AR marketing; theoretically, it synthesizes the statistical data of the state of art literature on AR marketing. The results of the study would allow AR practitioners to decide on their AR marketing related activities in a better way.
From diversification resistance to sustainable diversification: lessons from the UAE's public policy shift
Authors: El Anshasy Amany A. , Khalid Usman
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper critically analyses major shifts in the UAE's public and economic policy, particularly examining the transition from oil dependency to diversification and then to sustainability and resilience. It aims to provide insight into the facilitators, inhibitors and future of sustainable development in the UAE.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews evidence on diversification resistance, the resource trap and sustainable development, and draws attention to the dynamics of policy reform in the UAE, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate that not all patterns of diversification result in sustainable development and resilient economies. The evidence also suggests that achieving sustainable and resilient growth does not necessarily come at the cost of economic prosperity. After decades of extraordinary diversification, the UAE's economic policy has undergone a paradigm shift. Years of fluctuating oil revenues, increasingly globalised markets, environmental obligations and significant recent structural changes in energy markets have paved the way for a new emphasis on sustainable diversification and economic resilience.

Originality/value

The paper provides novel insight on the UAE's transition to a sustainable and resilient economy and contributes to the current public policy debate about the future of economic policies in the UAE on sustainable diversification initiatives and the trade-offs that emerge from embracing sustainable diversification and economic resilience goals.
A framework for sustainability reporting
Authors: Abeysekera Indra
Published: September 2022

Purpose

A sustainability reporting framework must demonstrate that resources are fairly bought and used to support diverse life on earth within habitable ranges. The purpose of this paper is to propose a principle-based sustainability reporting framework that measures, audits and reports based on sustainability outcomes and impacts as part of the corporate reporting framework.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and targets for preparing a reporting framework. It uses Gaia Theory and the Theory of Distributive Justice constructs that align with sustainable development principles to delineate a reporting approach.

Findings

Frameworks that promote sustainability reporting have increasingly embraced UN SDGs but overly focus on performance promoting inter-firm comparisons. This framework introduces principle-based sustainability reporting where firms demonstrate their chosen contribution to sustainable development using 17 UN SDGs as goal posts.

Research limitations/implications

This conceptual paper presents theoretical constructs that future research can empirically validate to enhance sustainability reporting.

Practical implications

This principle-based sustainability reporting framework is implementable for corporate reporting, where sustainability reporting integrates with the financial and economic intellectual capital reporting frameworks.

Social implications

This framework highlights the importance of acquiring and using resources to distribute justice and fairness. It is a joint project between firms and stakeholders.

Originality/value

This framework promotes integrated thinking for firms to engage in principle-based sustainability reporting and provides a roadmap for sustainability reporting using the SDG Compass logic model.
Effects of multiple targeted repelling measures on the behaviour of individually tracked birds in an area of increasing human–wildlife conflict
Authors: Heim Wieland , Piironen Antti , Heim Ramona Julia , Piha Markus , Seimola Tuomas , Forsman Jukka T. , Laaksonen Toni
Published: September 2022

Some animal populations are rapidly increasing in numbers and expanding their ranges, leading to intensified human–wildlife conflicts. A wide range of tools has been developed to repel animals from areas where they are suspected to cause damage. For waterfowl, direct comparisons of multiple repelling methods have so far focused only on species´ presence, total numbers, cost effectiveness or subsequent damage assessments, but not on individual behaviour.

Here, we investigated the individual responses of free‐flying geese to three repelling methods using high‐resolution tracking data. In an experimental setup, tracked individuals were repelled by human approach, gunshot sound or handheld lasers.

We found that repelling success and return time to the field where the repelling took place increased when individuals were repelled multiple times. Travel distances after the repelling events were longer after human approach and gunshot sound compared to the handheld laser treatments. In spring, the probability to return to the same field was higher after repelling with handheld lasers, but no difference between treatments was evident in autumn. We observed no increase in the probability to visit accommodation fields, where geese were allowed to forage and were not repelled, after the repelling events.

Synthesis and applications. We found no strong differences between the three methods regarding the repelling effectiveness and the resulting behaviour of the tracked geese. However, the higher return rates of individuals after repelling with handheld lasers in spring suggest that this method might be less effective in situations with bright sunlight or very large aggregations of geese. Apart from these limitations, we can recommend handheld lasers for repelling as they might reduce energetic losses for the geese and disturbance of non‐target wildlife. Since repelling by gunshot sound and handheld lasers was twice as fast as repelling by human approach, those methods will reduce working hours by 50% and therefore be more cost‐effective in practice.
Common facultative endosymbionts do not influence sensitivity of cereal aphids to pyrethroids
Authors: Leybourne Daniel J. , Melloh Petra , Martin Emily A.
Published: September 2022

Cereal aphids, including the bird cherry‐oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi, and the grain aphid, Sitobion avenae, can transmit viruses that significantly reduce crop yields. To mitigate against yield losses, insecticides are routinely used to manage aphid populations.

Aphids can form relationships with endosymbionts that confer fitness benefits or consequences to the aphid. Recent artificial inoculation experiments indicate that endosymbionts could increase aphid susceptibility to insecticides, but this has not been explored using aphid populations naturally infected with endosymbionts.

Here, we sampled aphids from an important cereal production region in Lower Saxony, Germany. We characterized the endosymbiont profile of these aphid populations and conducted pyrethroid dose–response assays to test the hypothesis that facultative endosymbionts increase aphid susceptibility to insecticides.

We find that the level of insecticide susceptibility is highly variable in S. avenae and we identify populations that are sensitive and tolerant to pyrethroids, including populations collected from the same field. For R. padi, we find evidence for decreased sensitivity to pyrethroids, representing the first report of reduced sensitivity to pyrethroids in R. padi sampled from Central Europe.

We detected high endosymbiont infection frequencies in the aphid populations. 84% of aphids carry one facultative endosymbiont and 9% of aphids carry two facultative endosymbionts. We detected associations with Regiella insecticola, Fukatsia symbiotica, and Hamiltonella defensa. However, we do not identify a link between endosymbiont infection and insecticide susceptibility, indicating that other factors may govern the development of insecticide resistance and the need for alternative management strategies.
The place of probability distributions in statistical learning. A commented book review of ‘Distributions for modeling location, scale, and shape using GAMLSS in R’ by Rigby et al. (2021)
Authors: Marmolejo‐Ramos Fernando , Ospina Raydonal , Hernández‐Barajas Freddy
Published: September 2022

Generalised additive models for location, scale and shape (GAMLSS) is a type of distributional regression framework that enables modelling numeric dependent variables via probability distributions other than those of the exponential family. While the cogs behind GAMLSS are provided in Stasinopoulos et al. 2017's book ‘Flexible regression and smoothing using GAMLSS in R, the new book by Rigby et al. considers the distributions implemented in the R software that are usable for GAMLSS modelling. A commented summary of that second book is provided in a supplementary file. Unlike traditional book reviews, two topics in this new book are briefly elaborated on: robustness (Chapter 12) and shape (Chapters 14–16). It is concluded that despite GAMLSS being a powerful and flexible framework for supervised statistical learning, striving for interpretable GAMLSS models is essential.
Uremic toxins in chronic kidney disease highlight a fundamental gap in understanding their detrimental effects on cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmogenesis
Authors: van Ham Willem B. , Cornelissen Carlijn M. , van Veen Toon A. B.
Published: September 2022

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have an estimated 700–800 and 523 million cases worldwide, respectively, with CVD being the leading cause of death in CKD patients. The pathophysiological interplay between the heart and kidneys is defined as the cardiorenal syndrome (CRS), in which worsening of kidney function is represented by increased plasma concentrations of uremic toxins (UTs), culminating in dialysis patients. As there is a high incidence of CVD in CKD patients, accompanied by arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, knowledge on electrophysiological remodeling would be instrumental for understanding the CRS. While the interplay between both organs is clearly of importance in CRS, the involvement of UTs in pro‐arrhythmic remodeling is only poorly investigated, especially regarding the mechanistic background. Currently, the clinical approach against potential arrhythmic events is mainly restricted to symptom treatment, stressing the need for fundamental research on UT in relation to electrophysiology. This review addresses the existing knowledge of UTs and cardiac electrophysiology, and the experimental research gap between fundamental research and clinical research of the CRS. Clinically, mainly absorbents like ibuprofen and AST‐120 are studied, which show limited safe and efficient usability. Experimental research shows disturbances in cardiac electrical activation and conduction after inducing CKD or exposure to UTs, but are scarcely present or focus solely on already well‐investigated UTs. Based on UTs data derived from CKD patient cohort studies, a clinically relevant overview of physiological and pathological UTs concentrations is created. Using this, future experimental research is stimulated to involve electrophysiologically translatable animals, such as rabbits, or in vitro engineered heart tissues.
Disfluency and self‐repair in presentational and interpersonal speech modalities
Authors: Liao Jianling
Published: September 2022

The current study investigated disfluency and self‐repair in L2 presentational and interpersonal speech to determine whether speech modes may affect L2 self‐repair. Knowledge of self‐initiated repair behavior in L2 speech is particularly relevant for understanding psycholinguistic processes of L2 speech production. Different speech modes, such as presentational and interpersonal speech, may provide distinct psychological and discourse conditions for eliciting speech. Although presentational and interpersonal communicative skills are deemed crucial subskills of L2 ability, little research has examined whether patterns of L2 disfluency and self‐repair may vary between the two speech modes. The current study examined the distributions and rates of different types of disfluency signals, reparanda, and repair strategies manifested in presentational and interpersonal speech by advanced L2 Chinese speakers. The results revealed that in both speech modes, advanced Chinese speakers allocated significant repairing effort to correct lexical items and reformulate messages. The distributions and rates of different types of self‐repair exhibited significant between‐mode differences. The findings indicate that speaking practice through different modes may facilitate the development of L2 speaking skills in different areas. Further research is still needed to examine disfluency and self‐repair in various speech modes and with different L2 proficiency levels and task conditions.
Spleen stiffness in patients with chronic liver disease evaluated by 2‐D shear wave elastography with ultrasound multiparametric imaging
Authors: Hirooka Masashi , Koizumi Yohei , Nakamura Yoshiko , Yano Ryo , Okazaki Yuki , Sunago Koutarou , Imai Yusuke , Watanabe Takao , Yoshida Osamu , Tokumoto Yoshio , Abe Masanori , Hiasa Yoichi
Published: September 2022

Background

The novel 2‐D shear wave elastography (2D‐SWE) can measure two ultrasound parameters: shear wave dispersion (SWD) and shear wave speed (SWS). We investigated the ability of 2D‐SWE in measuring spleen stiffness using ultrasound multiparametric imaging.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included patients with chronic liver disease who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and ultrasonographic examinations of the spleen between September 2018 and December 2021. In total, 157 patients were enrolled in this study: 81 and 67 patients were included in the pilot set for hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurements and validation cohort without HVPG measurements, respectively. To confirm reproducibility between the two examiners, an additional 30 patients were enrolled.

Results

The Bland–Altman plots revealed no significant bias in the SWD as measured by two examiners. The splenic SWS (r = 0.752) and SWD (r = 0.444) were correlated with the HVPG. Regarding high‐risk varices, as per the Youden index, the cut‐off value for splenic SWS was 3.30 m/s, with a sensitivity of 85.7%, specificity of 92.5%, positive predictive value of 85.7%, and negative predictive value of 92.4% in the pilot set. In the validation set, good diagnostic performance by the splenic SWS was observed. However, SWD did not perform as well as SWS.

Conclusions

The splenic SWS, measured using ultrasound multiparametric imaging, was closely correlated with the HVPG. Thus, SWS is a useful predictive marker for high‐risk varices.
Public engagement in decision‐making regarding the management of the COVID‐19 epidemic: Views and expectations of the ‘publics’
Authors: Kemper Sophie , Kupper Frank , Kengne Kamga Sandra , Brabers Anne , De Jong Judith , Bongers Marloes , Timen Aura
Published: September 2022

Background

In the management of epidemics, like COVID‐19, trade‐offs have to be made between reducing mortality and morbidity and minimizing socioeconomic and political consequences. Traditionally, epidemic management (EM) has been guided and executed attentively by experts and policymakers. It can, however, still be controversial in the public sphere. In the last decades, public engagement (PE) has been successfully applied in various aspects of healthcare. This leads to the question if PE could be implemented in EM decision‐making.

Methods

From June to October 2020, seven deliberative discussion focus groups were executed with 35 Dutch citizens between 19 and 84 years old. Their views on PE in COVID‐19 management were explored. The deliberative approach allows for the education of participants on the topic before the discussion. The benefits, barriers, timing and possible forms of PE in EM were discussed.

Results

Almost all participants supported PE in EM, as they thought that integrating their experiences and ideas would benefit the quality of EM, and increase awareness and acceptance of measures. A fitting mode for PE was consultation, as it was deemed important to provide the public with possibilities to share ideas and feedback; however, final authority remained with experts. The publics could particularly provide input about communication campaigns and control measures. PE could be executed after the first acute phase of the epidemic and during evaluations.

Conclusions

This paper describes the construction of an empirically informed framework about the values and conditions for PE in EM from the perspective of the public. Participants expressed support to engage certain population groups and considered it valuable for the quality and effectiveness of EM; however, they expressed doubts about the feasibility of PE and the capabilities of citizens. In future studies, these results should be confirmed by a broader audience.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patients or members of the public were involved in the construction and execution of this study. This study was very exploratory, to gain a first insight into the views of the public in the Netherlands, and will be used to develop engagement practices accordingly. At this stage, the involvement of the public was not yet appropriate.
Tooth survival after endodontic treatment
Authors: Fransson Helena , Dawson Victoria
Published: September 2022

Background

There are several measures that are, or could be, in use in relation to estimating the outcome of endodontic treatments. It is important to reflect on when and why a certain outcome measure is used; when caring for an individual patient it is obvious that the goal always should be a tooth in a healthy state, that is striving to remove any infection and aim for the tooth to have healthy periapical tissues. For patients in general and for society, it is also interesting to know if endodontic treatments will lead to retention of teeth in a functioning state. From epidemiological studies, with high prevalence of root filled teeth with periapical radiolucencies, it is implied that dentists and/or patients accept the retention of a root filled tooth with persistent apical periodontitis. In conjunction with an endodontic treatment the prognosis is considered and since the prognostic factors seem to be somewhat different depending on whether one is considering for example the outcome ‘healthy periapical tissues’ or ‘tooth survival’ they are equally important to know. Factors affecting the outcome ‘healthy periapical tissues’ probably has to do with removal of infection and reconstituting the barrier to prevent leakage whilst ‘tooth survival’ is more likely associated with factors outside of the classical endodontic field such as restorability and avoidance of further destruction of tooth substance.

Objective

This narrative review will focus on tooth survival after endodontic treatment and root canal treatment will be the focus.

Method

The search was performed in PubMed.

Results

As a crude estimation, there is to be an annual loss of 2% of teeth which have received a root canal treatment.

Conclusion

Of the pre‐, peri‐ and postoperative factors that have been studied in conjunction with root canal treatments the restoration of the tooth is the factor that has been most extensively studied. Many studies imply that root filled teeth restored with indirect restorations have a better survival than teeth restored with direct restorations, it is not possible to determine whether this indeed is a prognostic factor.

Registration

None.
The structural, functional and digestive characteristics of acorn starch after combined debranching and heat–moisture treatment and their relationships
Authors: Wang Ru‐Meng , Xie Qiu‐Tao , Wang Shu‐Ya , Chen Pin , He Ting‐Shi , Zhang Bao
Published: September 2022

In this work, acorn (Quercus suber) starch was first modified by debranching, and then subjected to heat–moisture treatment (HMT) at different temperatures (90 °C, 100 °C and 110 °C). Debranching and HMT could facilitate the aggregation of starch samples. The short‐range order and crystallinity were improved after debranching and HMT. The onset temperature (53.24 °C), peak temperature (63.41 °C), conclusion temperature (75.47 °C) and enthalpy change (11.38 J g−1) of native acorn starch increased after debranching and HMT. The solubility of native acorn starch increased after debranching, whereas the swelling power and freeze–thaw stability decreased. Compared with debranched starch, the freeze–thaw stability increased after HMT, while the swelling power and solubility decreased. Compared with native acorn starch, the water absorption capacity (WAC) was reduced after debranching, while the oil absorption capacity (OAC) was enhanced, and WAC and OAC of the debranched samples decreased after subsequent HMT. The total amount (72.98%, dry basis) of slowly digestible starch and resistant starch of native acorn starch after debranching and HMT increased significantly up to a maximum (80.36%, dry basis). These results indicated that the combination of debranching and HMT could be used as an effective strategy to improve the physicochemical properties of acorn starch.
Effect of the fortification with astaxanthin on the quality parameters and heterocyclic amines content of meatballs
Authors: Bingol Muserref , Brennan Charles , Zeng Maomao , Oz Fatih
Published: September 2022

Herein, effects of astaxanthin usage on some quality parameters of meatballs and heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) formation were investigated. The water content of meatballs with 1% of astaxanthin exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) lower water content than other groups. The pH values of the samples were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced due to astaxanthin addition; the higher the concentration used, the lower the pH value. Astaxanthin addition improved the oxidative stability and the colour properties of meatballs since the fortified samples exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and L* values and higher a* and b* values than the control samples in a non‐dose dependent manner. Only MeIQx was detected in meatballs cooked at 150 °C, the major compound in the other groups. The total HAAs content of meatballs ranged from 0.18 to 7.28 ng g−1, and it increased with increasing the cooking temperature. Astaxanthin addition inhibited or promoted HAAs formation depending on the cooking temperature. An increase (94–244%) in the total HAAs content was observed in the meatballs cooked at 150 °C, whereas a reduction of 47–54% in the total HAAs of those cooked at 200 °C was observed. Thus, astaxanthin could be recommended in producing of meatballs that will be cooked at 200 °C.
Clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine powder in the treatment of acute and chronic wounds
Authors: Li Fu‐Lei , Wang Gao‐Chao , Wu Bu‐Qiang
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to explore the clinical application and efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) powder in the treatment of acute and chronic wounds. Eighty patients with a wound infection were randomly and equally divided into a control group and an observation group. Gauze padding containing furacilin was used to dress the infected wounds of the control group. TCM powder was used to treat the wounds of the observation group. The total response rate of the observation group was significantly higher than the control group (P = .017). The colour and exudate volume scores in the observation group were lower than the control group, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P < .05). The time to the appearance of new epithelium and time to the wound healing of the burns in the observation group were shorter than the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < .05). The TCM powder absorbed a large amount of necrotic tissue and exudate from the wound surface, cleared heat and toxins, and activated blood circulation. It also resolved blood stasis, eliminated pus, and allowed for new skin growth, as well as regenerating muscle.
A soy‐based jerky made from transglutaminase‐treated yuba film
Authors: Jin Ye , Song Ka‐Young , Kim Yookyung
Published: September 2022

Yuba film was used as plant‐based jerky. To increase the cross‐linking of soy proteins, yuba films (Y) were treated with transglutaminase (TG) at different temperatures: 45°C (YT45), 50°C (YT50), and 55°C (YT55). FTIR confirmed the strongest cross‐linking effect of TG at 1632 and 1529 cm−1 in YT55 compared to YT45 and YT50. The free‐SH decreased with increasing temperature, whereas the ‐S‐S‐ cross‐linking increased in TG‐treated yuba jerky (YTs). The YT showed improved texture, cutting stress, and cohesiveness. The hardness of YTs was higher than that of Y (14.64 N). SEM showed that with increasing temperature, yuba jerky developed a smoother surface with a compact and denser network. Yuba jerky had high isoflavone and flavonoid. The aw of yuba jerky was between 0.861 and 0.886 during 6 days of storage at 25°C. Thus, YT has the potential to be used as a meat analog with good nutrients and shelf life.

Novelty impact statement

This study used yuba film to develop a beef jerky analog. To improve the adhesiveness of the Yuba layer via the cross‐linking of soy protein, TG treatment was applied at different temperatures prior to vacuum packaging. Our results demonstrated that yuba jerky could be a potential choice as a meat analog with a softer texture and lower cutting stress and with similar chewiness to beef jerky by using TGase to improve cross‐linking of plant‐based proteins.
Effect of superfine grinding on the physicochemical properties of straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) powders rich in vitamin D2
Authors: Xu Jiaqi , Liu Yong , Zhang Ning , Xiong Shanqiang , Zhang Lei , Wang Junhui
Published: September 2022

In this study, straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) powders (SMPs) rich in vitamin D2 were prepared by ultraviolet‐B irradiation and superfine grinding. And effect of superfine grinding on the physicochemical properties of SMPs was investigated. Results indicated that the specific surface area, cell wall breakage ratio, hydration characteristics, and thermal stability of SMPs increased significantly with decreasing particle size, while the oil holding capacity, fluidity, and bulk density decreased. Superfine grinding did not destroy the main chemical structure of SMPs and improved the solubility of proteins, polysaccharides, vitamin D2, and ergosterol of SMPs. The results have positive implications for the resource development of straw mushroom and the promotion of food products containing vitamin D2.

Novelty impact statement

The conversion of ergosterol into vitamin D2 in straw mushroom was promoted by ultraviolet (UV)‐B irradiation. Straw mushroom powders (SMPs) rich in vitamin D2 were prepared by superfine grinding. The effect of superfine grinding on the physicochemical properties of SMPs rich in vitamin D2 for the first time.
Development and characterization of chitosan‐purple yam starch‐based biodegradable films: Physicochemical, mechanical, thermal, and functional properties
Authors: Jha Pooja , Gokhale Jyoti S.
Published: September 2022

Purple yam is a root vegetable that is a rich source of starch, cost‐effective, readily available, and has promising film‐forming ability but is still an underutilized vegetable. The aim of this study was to utilize the purple yam starch in the chitosan‐based films along with hydrocolloids such as agar and almond gum. These hydrocolloids when incorporated could improve the physicochemical, mechanical, and functional properties of the films. The effect of concentration of starch (0.25% to 0.75%), agar (1.25% to 1.75%), and almond gum (0.25% to 0.75%) on physicochemical (thickness, water activity, moisture content, color, solubility, biodegradability), mechanical (tensile strength and folding endurance), functional (Water vapor transfer rate, FTIR) and thermal (Differential Scanning Calorimeter) properties of the film were studied. The experiments were carried out according to the three factor‐three level Box–Behnken response surface design. The results showed that moisture content, water vapor transfer rate, biodegradability, and folding endurability were significantly affected by all three independent parameters viz. starch, agar, and almond gum concentration. Films made were more hydrophilic as compared to only chitosan films; which increased their solubility. An increase in hydrocolloid content reduced lightness, producing yellow‐colored films. It can be concluded that the chitosan‐purple yam starch‐based films with hydrocolloids can positively affect the film properties and has the potential to be used in food packaging and/or coating applications.

Novelty impact statement

The application of purple yam starch (PYS), an underutilized and non‐conventional starch source along with almond gum to increase the strength of chitosan‐based films has been studied. PYS ‐hydrocolloid‐chitosan film with good tensile strength, folding endurance and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) were obtained and can be used for storing food products. Starch, agar and almond gum concentration significantly affected the moisture content, total color difference, WVTR, folding endurability, biodegradability, and water solubility.
Influence of conditioned medium from squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue on lymphoblasts and peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: de Castro Sofia Bevilaqua , Miguita Lucyene , Rodrigues Maria Fernanda Setúbal Destro , Aguiar Emília Maria Gomes , Siqueira Juliana Mota , de Morais Takano Nataly Harumi , da Silva Marcos Custódio Neto , Fernandes Kristianne Porta Santos , de Oliveira Ana Paula Ligeiro , Nunes Fabio Daumas
Published: September 2022

Background

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Attention has been given to the role of inflammatory cells in carcinogenesis because of the ability of cancer cells to subvert the immune response. However, little is known about how molecules from neoplastic cells interact with lymphoblasts and circulating immune cells. This study aimed to understand the mechanisms by which SCC cells modulate the immune response by analyzing the influence of conditioned medium derived from SCC cell lines on immune cells.

Methods

Lymphoblastic cells (CEM) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were cultured in a conditioned medium derived from squamous cell carcinoma cells (SCC9 or SCC4) and analyzed for cell viability, CD4/CD8/FOXP3 profile by flow cytometry, and chemokine levels.

Results

Conditioned medium derived from SCC4 and SCC9 presented higher concentrations of IL‐6 and IL‐8 than IL‐1β, IL‐10, and IFN‐γ. CEM and PBMCs when cultured with conditioned medium derived from SCC4 and SCC9 reduced IL‐1β, IL‐8, and IFN‐γ concentrations. Conditioned medium from SCC4 increased CD4+ population in both CEM and PBMCs, while in conditioned medium from SCC9 it occurred only in PBMCs. PBMCs when cultured with both conditioned mediums increased CD8+/FOXP3+cells. CEM cells when cultured with conditioned medium derived from SCC4 and SCC9 reduced.

Conclusion

Collectively, our results suggest that the products derived from squamous cell carcinoma on inflammatory cells can promote an immunosuppressed environment by reducing cell viability, changing cytokine expression, and altering the cell immunoprofile.
Stigmatising attitudes of probation, parole and custodial officers towards people with mental health issues: A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Oostermeijer Sanne , Morgan Amy J. , Ross Anna M. , Grimmond Tessa , Reavley Nicola J.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This review aimed to examine (1) stigmatising attitudes of probation, parole and custodial officers (hereafter referred to as correctional staff) towards people with mental health issues, (2) the potential impacts of these attitudes on client treatment and (3) what is currently known about anti‐stigma interventions in correctional settings.

Method

Academic databases were searched for peer‐reviewed and dissertation literature published between 1 January 2000 and 10 February 2022. Eligible studies included observational and intervention studies investigating stigmatising attitudes of correctional staff towards people with mental health issues. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess the quality of studies. A meta‐analysis of anti‐stigma intervention studies was performed.

Results

A total of 35 studies were included for data extraction, including eight interventions, one longitudinal, 18 cross‐sectional and eight qualitative studies. Some studies indicated neutral or positive attitudes, but the majority showed a range of stigmatising attitudes towards people with mental health issues. The findings indicate these stigmatising attitudes can lead to negative treatment of justice‐involved clients, such as more coercive, restrictive and punitive approaches. The meta‐analysis of six intervention studies focussed on education found a small positive effect on stigmatising attitudes (d = .31, 95% CI: 0.16–0.45).

Conclusion

The various stigmatising attitudes of correctional staff towards people with mental health issues can have detrimental impacts on the well‐being and treatment outcomes of clients presenting with mental health issues. Anti‐stigma interventions may be effective in mitigating these impacts; however, more rigorous evidence is needed.
Rise of the Med‐Ed‐ists: Achieving a critical mass of non‐practicing clinicians within medical education
Authors: Church Helen , Brown Megan Elizabeth Lincoln
Published: September 2022

In the latest "Connections" article, Church and Brown use the concept of 'critical mass' to explain how stigma, lack of career pathways and prioritization of clinical seniority may discourage non‐practicing clinicians from becoming educationalists.