bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Liposomal Bupivacaine to a Local Analgesic Cocktail for Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks in Abdominally Based Microvascular Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Lombana Nicholas F. , Falola Reuben A. , Zolfaghari Kiumars , Roth Clark , Abraham Jasson T. , Saint-Cyr Michel H.
Published: June 2022

Background:

Transversus abdominis plane blocks can improve pain control and decrease opioid use within an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in patients undergoing abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction. The authors have transitioned to using a local analgesic cocktail for transversus abdominis plane blocks. The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative opioid use in patients who received the blocks.

Methods:

Patients who underwent abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction between November of 2015 and December of 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The study group received bupivacaine, ketorolac, dexmedetomidine, and dexamethasone; the control group received liposomal bupivacaine with or without bupivacaine, ketorolac, or dexmedetomidine, as a transversus abdominis plane block. The primary outcome of interest was postoperative opioid use and pain scores.

Results:

One hundred four women met inclusion criteria: 36 in group A (before ERAS, before transversus abdominis plane block), 38 in group B (ERAS, transversus abdominis plane block with liposomal bupivacaine), and 30 in group C (ERAS, transversus abdominis plane block with local anesthetic cocktail). Total daily oral morphine equivalent consumption (group A, 633; group B, 240; group C, 135; p < 0.0001) and average daily oral morphine equivalent consumption (group A, 137; group B, 56; group C, 29; p < 0.0001) were significantly less for group C in the inpatient phase. Patients in group C were prescribed significantly fewer outpatient oral morphine equivalents (group A, 79; group B, 74; group C, 52; p = 0.01).

Conclusions:

Transversus abdominis plane blocks are a significant component of an ERAS protocol for abdominally based breast reconstruction. Liposomal bupivacaine is a popular option for transversus abdominis plane blocks. The authors’ results demonstrate that a local anesthetic cocktail, composed of economical and readily available medications, can provide excellent patient pain control and decrease postoperative opioid use.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
Current Practices in the Pathologic Assessment of Breast Tissue in Transmasculine Chest Surgery
Authors: Goodwin Isak A. , Luo Jessica , Magno-Pardon David A. , Veith Jacob , Willcockson James , Carter Gentry , Matsen Cindy , Kwok Alvin C. , Agarwal Cori A.
Published: June 2022

Background:

No guidelines exist regarding management of breast tissue for transmasculine and gender-nonconforming individuals. This study aims to investigate the experiences and practices regarding perioperative breast cancer risk management among the American Society of Plastic Surgeons members performing chest masculinization surgery.

Methods:

An anonymous, online, 19-question survey was sent to 2517 U.S.-based American Society of Plastic Surgeons members in October of 2019.

Results:

A total of 69 responses were analyzed. High-volume surgeons were more likely from academic centers (OR, 4.88; 95 percent CI, 1.67 to 15.22; p = 0.005). Age older than 40 years [n = 59 (85.5 percent)] and family history of breast cancer in first-degree relatives [n = 47 (68.1 percent)] or family with a diagnosis before age 40 [n = 49 (71.0 percent)] were the most common indications for preoperative imaging. Nineteen of the respondents (27.5 percent) routinely excise all macroscopic breast tissue, with 21 (30.4 percent) routinely leaving breast tissue. Fifty-one respondents (73.9 percent) routinely send specimens for pathologic analysis. There was no significant correlation between surgical volume or type of practice and odds of sending specimens for pathologic analysis. High patient costs and patient reluctance [n = 27 (39.1 percent) and n = 24 (35.3 percent), respectively] were the most often cited barriers for sending specimens for pathologic analysis. Six respondents (8.7 percent) have found malignant or premalignant lesions in masculinizing breast specimens.

Conclusions:

Large variation was found among surgeons’ perioperative management of chest masculinizing surgery patients regarding preoperative cancer screening, pathologic assessment of resected tissue, and postoperative cancer surveillance. Standardization of care and further studies are needed to document risk, incidence, and prevalence of breast cancer in the transmasculine population before and after surgery.
Best Practices for BREAST-Q Research: A Systematic Review of Study Methodology
Authors: Gallo Lucas , Chu Jacqueline J. , Shamsunder Meghana G. , Hatchell Alexandra , Patel Aadit R. , Godwin Kendra , Hernandez Marisol , Pusic Andrea L. , Nelson Jonas A. , Voineskos Sophocles H.
Published: June 2022

Background:

Data heterogeneity and methodologic errors hinder the ability to draw clinically meaningful conclusions from studies using the BREAST-Q Reconstruction Module patient-reported outcome measure. In this systematic review, the authors evaluate the quality of BREAST-Q Reconstruction Module administration in relation to the BREAST-Q version 2.0 user’s guide and the reporting of key methodology characteristics. The authors also describe a framework for improving the quality of BREAST-Q data analysis and reporting.

Methods:

The authors conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Ovid HAPI databases to identify articles on the BREAST-Q Reconstruction Module to assess postmastectomy breast reconstruction outcomes. The authors registered the protocol before study implementation on Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/c5236) and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Data on mode of BREAST-Q administration, time horizon justification, and sample size calculation were collected.

Results:

The authors included 185 studies in the analysis. Errors in BREAST-Q administration were identified in 36 studies (19.5 percent). Appropriate administration of the BREAST-Q could not be determined in 63 studies (34.1 percent) because of insufficient reporting. Time horizon for the primary outcome was reported in 71 studies (38.4 percent), with only 17 (9.2 percent) reporting a sample size calculation.

Conclusions:

The authors identified important yet actionable shortcomings in the BREAST-Q literature. Researchers are encouraged to review the BREAST-Q user’s guide in the study design phase to mitigate errors in patient-reported outcome measure administration and reporting for future trials using the BREAST-Q Reconstruction Module. Adhering to these guidelines will allow for greater clinical utility and generalizability of BREAST-Q research.
Asymptomatic Fellow Eye Involvement in Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Brossard Barbosa Natalie , Donaldson Laura , Margolin Edward
Published: June 2022

Background:

Sequential nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) has been reported to occur in approximately 15% of patients within 5 years of the first episode. However, the incidence of presumed previous asymptomatic episode of NAION in fellow eye of patients presenting with acute NAION has not been previously reported. We reviewed charts of patients with acute NAION seen over a 5-year period to determine the frequency of visual field (VF) defect in the fellow eye secondary to presumed previous asymptomatic episode of NAION.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review of all patients presenting to single, tertiary university-affiliated neuro-ophthalmology practice from January 2016 to September 2021 with diagnosis of acute NAION. Patients were determined to have had a presumed previous episode of asymptomatic NAION in the fellow eye if VF defect and corresponding optic nerve head pallor as well as thinning on peripapillary ocular coherence tomography (OCT) and ganglion cell analysis of macular complex were present and alternate causes of VF were excluded.

Results:

One hundred ninety-two patients with the diagnosis of acute NAION were identified. One hundred thirty-nine had reliable VFs and were included in this study. VF defects in the fellow eye were present in 63 patients (45.4%). Of these, 54 (39%) were determined to represent previous NAION. In 14 of 139 patients (10%), a presumed episode of previous NAION in the fellow eye was asymptomatic. The most prevalent defect in asymptomatic eye was inferior altitudinal defect sparing fixation (7 of 14, 50%). The presence of obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes, age, or sex was not predictive of previous episode of asymptomatic NAION.

Conclusion:

Unrecognized presumed previous episode of NAION occurred in a significant proportion of patients with acute NAION (14 of 139, 10.1%). In 100% of cases, the VF defect in the asymptomatic fellow eye was in a hemifield where there was a new loss in the symptomatic eye.
The Role of Tocilizumab in Glucocorticoid Resistant Giant Cell Arteritis: A Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Stretton Brandon , Tan Yiran , Hassall Mark , Simon Sumu
Published: June 2022

Background:

Glucocorticoid-resistant giant cell arteritis (GCA) describes a subgroup of patients whose visual acuity further declines despite immediate administration of high-dose intravenous glucocorticoids. Tocilizumab, a recombinant humanized anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody may be used as “rescue” therapy in these cases but requires more research.

Methods:

We present a literature review on tocilizumab as rescue therapy and a retrospective case series of 5 consecutive glucocorticoid (GC) resistant, temporal artery biopsy (TAB) negative patients.

Results:

The use of tocilizumab as rescue therapy for GC-resistant GCA is limited to 3 case reports. Two cases saw visual acuity improvement in the newly affected contralateral eye after 8 mg/kg of intravenous tocilizumab (from 6/60 to 6/15 in one case and hand motion to 6/6 in another). The third described stabilization and prevention of further best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) decline. All 5 of our patients presented with acute monocular vision loss. BCVA ranged from 6/12 to light perception (LP). All patients were promptly commenced on 1 g intravenous methylprednisolone daily. Weekly 162 mg of subcutaneous tocilizumab was commenced once contralateral eye involvement was noted. Tocilizumab resulted in bilateral BCVA gains in 2 cases, recovery of the contralateral eye in one, and no effect in the remaining 2 cases. BCVA recovery was no light perception to 6/6 after 6 weeks of tocilizumab. Tocilizumab had no effect in cases with severe vision loss and high C-reactive protein on presentation.

Conclusions:

We agree with existing hypothesis that tocilizumab likely prevents a “pending” central retinal artery occlusion by maintaining retinal vasculature perfusion. Our case series suggests that there is a role for tocilizumab as “rescue” therapy for GC-resistant GCA, where vision loss would otherwise be imminent.
Impact of COVID-19 on tuberculosis services: an experience from a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Jamwal Ashima , Mohanty Ankita , Swami Anjali , Turbadkar Dilip
Published: June 2022

Introduction. India is home to the most significant number of tuberculosis (TB) cases around the globe. The COVID-19 crisis has massively affected TB healthcare services in the country.

Hypothesis/Gap Statement. Are we sufficiently equipped to fight against TB during emergencies?

Aim. Our study aims to provide a true insight into the disruption of TB care during the pandemic period at a tertiary care hospital in India.

Methods. A retrospective observational cohort analysis was conducted on 6491 patients who accessed the TB diagnostics at the tertiary care hospital during the study period, i.e. the COVID-19 pandemic period (March 2020 to March 2021) compared with 14 665 in the control period (March 2019 to Feb 2020).

Results. Out of the total tested, 3136 patients were notified as new TB cases in the study period than 4370 in the control period (P-value=0.0000001), i.e. 28.23 % decline in notifications. A drastic decline of 69 % in notifications was observed during the lock down months in the pandemic period, i.e. March to June 2020 (P-value=0.00001). A reduction of 44 % in treatment accession by 3690 TB patients in the control period compared with 2062 in the study period (P-value=0.0000001) was noted. Lost to follow-up patients increased by 65 % from 460 in the control period to 760 in the study period (P-value=0.0000001). Also, an increased death rate by 43 % from control to study period (P-value=0.0000001) was reported.

Conclusion. There is an urgent need to maintain the continuity of essential TB services to reduce the rising burden in vulnerable populations. The need of the hour is to undertake novel strategies for tuberculosis control to combat such emergencies in the coming future.
Microbe Profile: Gigaspora margarita, a multifaceted arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus
Authors: Bonfante Paola
Published: June 2022

Gigaspora margarita is a cosmopolitan arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, which - as an obligate symbiont- requires being associated to a host plant to accomplish its life cycle. It is characterized by huge white spores, the development of extraradical auxiliary cells, and the lack of intraradical vesicles. Its genome is dominated by transposable elements and is one of the largest fungal genomes so far sequenced. G. margarita has the peculiar feature to host taxonomically different endobacteria in its cytoplasm. The development of a cured line has allowed us to demonstrate how the endobacteria have a positive impact on the fungal physiology and -with a cascade effect- on the mycorrhizal plant.
Ultrarapid Targeted Nanopore Sequencing for Fusion Detection of Leukemias
Authors: Yeung Cecilia CS , Sala-Torra Olga , Reddy Shishir , Hung Ling-Hong , Radich Jerry , Yeung Ka Yee
Published: June 2022

Acute leukemia (AL), a cancer of the blood, has continued high mortality rates despite a plethora of available treatments. Variable prognosis, treatment response and survival are largely based on distinct cytogenetic and molecular aberrations that characterize AL subtypes. Fast and cost-effective methods of detecting AL fusions and mutations are needed to improve clinical outcomes for patients. We report preliminary data on an ultrarapid and portable nanopore long-read sequencing assay with a same-day turnaround time of ~6-7 hours for identifying key leukemic fusions. Leukemias frequently present with recurrent fusions that impact risk stratification and therapy choice, our assay can help oncologists overcome time related challenges to get patients on treatments faster.
Lateralization of orthographic processing in fixed-gaze and natural reading conditions
Authors: Nárai Ádám , Nemecz Zsuzsanna , Vidnyánszky Zoltán , Weiss Béla
Published: June 2022

Lateralized processing of orthographic information is a hallmark of proficient reading. However, how this finding obtained for fixed-gaze processing of orthographic stimuli translates to ecologically valid reading conditions remained to be clarified. To address this shortcoming, here we assessed the lateralization of early orthographic processing in fixed-gaze and natural reading conditions using concomitant eye-tracking and EEG data recorded from young adults without reading difficulties. Sensor-space analyses confirmed the well-known left-lateralized negative-going deflection of fixed-gaze EEG activity throughout the period of early orthographic processing. At the same time, fixation-related EEG activity exhibited left-lateralized followed by right-lateralized processing of text stimuli during natural reading. A strong positive relationship was found between the early leftward lateralization in fixed-gaze and natural reading conditions. Using source-space analyses, early left-lateralized brain activity was obtained in lateraloccipital and posterior ventral occipito-temporal cortices reflecting letter-level processing in both conditions. In addition, in the same time interval, left-lateralized source activity was found also in premotor and parietal brain regions during natural reading. While brain activity remained left-lateralized in later stages representing word-level processing in posterior and middle ventral temporal regions in the fixed-gaze condition, fixation-related source activity became stronger in the right hemisphere in medial and more anterior ventral temporal brain regions indicating higher-level processing of orthographic information. Although our results show a strong positive relationship between the lateralization of letter-level processing in the two conditions and suggest lateralized brain activity as a general marker for processing of orthographic information, they also clearly indicate the need for reading research in ecologically valid conditions to identify the neural basis of visuospatial attentional, oculomotor and higher-level processes specific for natural reading.
Copresent microbiome and short-chain fatty acids profiles of plant biomass utilization in rumen simulation technique system
Authors: Shi Tao , Zhang Tingting , Wang Xihong , Wang Xiangnan , Shen Weijun , Guo Xi , Liu Yuqin , Li Zongjun , Jiang Yu
Published: June 2022

Rumen contents have considerable utility in converting plant biomass to short- chain fatty acids (SCFAs) when used as inoculum for in vitro fermentation. To better understand the microbial communities and their functions when in vitro ruminal fermentation, the microbiome and SCFAs production were investigated using rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) system which was inoculated/co- inoculated with rumen contents from goat and cow. This study reconstructed 1677 microbial metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from metagenomic sequencing. The copresent microbiome containing 298 MAGs were found in metagenomic data of these contents and previous ruminal representative samples. These copresent MAGs were overrepresented in decomposing various substrates, especially pectin and xylan. Additionally, the SCFAs productions in RUSITEC were linked with copresent MAGs. Copresent MAGs obtained from this study shows promise to point out the direction for further research on in vitro ruminal fermentation, and enables a better understanding of rumen microbiotal structures and functions under in vitro condition.

Graphical Abstract
Sporulation efficiency and spore quality in a human intestinal isolate of Bacillus cereus
Authors: Vittoria Maria , Saggese Anella , Barletta Giovanni Di Gregorio , Castaldi Stefany , Isticato Rachele , Baccigalupi Loredana , Ricca Ezio
Published: June 2022

The Bacillus cereus group is a species complex of the Bacillus genus that includes several closely related species. Within this group, bacteria indicated as B. cereus sensu stricto (B. cereus) are the causative agent of two different types of gastrointestinal diseases associated with food poisoning. Outbreaks of this opportunistic pathogen are generally due to the resistance of its spores to heat, pH and desiccation that makes hard their complete inactivation from food products. B. cereus is commonly isolated from a variety of environments, including intestinal samples of infected and healthy people. We report the genomic and physiological characterization of MV19, a human intestinal strain closely related (ANI value of 98.81%) to the reference strain B. cereus ATCC 14579. MV19 cells were able to grow in a range of temperatures between 20 and 44°C. At the optimal temperature the sporulation process was induced very rapidly and mature spores efficiently released, however these appeared structurally and morphologically defective. At the sub-optimal growth temperature of 25°C sporulation was slow and less efficient but a high total number of fully functional spores was produced. Altogether, results reported here indicate that the reduced rapidity and efficiency of sporulation at 25°C are compensated by a high quality and quantity of released spores, suggesting the relevance of different performances at different growth conditions for the adaptation of this bacterium to diverse environmental niches.
Ultra-high-diversity factorizable libraries for efficient therapeutic discovery
Authors: Dai Zheng , Saksena Sachit D. , Horny Geraldine , Banholzer Christine , Ewert Stefan , Gifford David K.
Published: June 2022

The successful discovery of novel biological therapeutics by selection requires highly diverse libraries of candidate sequences that contain a high proportion of desirable candidates. Here we propose the use of computationally designed factorizable libraries made of concatenated segment libraries as a method of creating large libraries that meet an objective function at low cost. We show that factorizable libraries can be designed efficiently by representing objective functions that describe sequence optimality as an inner product of feature vectors, which we use to design an optimization method we call stochastically annealed product spaces (SAPS). We then use this approach to design diverse and efficient libraries of antibody CDR-H3 sequences with various optimized characteristics.
Constructions of youth and responses to problematic authors: examining ELA teachers’ choices to select or avoid Sherman Alexie
Authors: Cook Mike P. , Boyd Ashley , Sams Brandon
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine how teachers’ constructions of youth inform their text selections, particularly as they relate to a problematic author.

Design/methodology/approach

As part of a larger, national study, the authors use interview data from 18 participants – 9 who still teach and 9 who no longer teach Alexie – to consider how teachers’ constructions of youth play roles in their decisions to teach or avoid complex and controversial authors and topics, specifically the work and life of Sherman Alexie in the #MeToo era.

Findings

Findings suggest teachers who constructed youth through asset-based frameworks – as complex and capable – were likely to keep teaching Alexie or have conversations about the #MeToo movement. Teachers who constructed students in deficit ways, as “not ready,” harkened back to Lesko’s (2012) critique, and were more likely to either remove Alexie from the curriculum entirely or engage students in conversations about the text only, leaving Alexie’s life out of the classroom.

Originality/value

Building on Lesko’s work on constructions of adolescence and its intersection with Petroneet al.’s youth lens and Critical Youth Studies (e.g., Petrone and Lewis, 2021), this study describes the ways in which teachers’ views of students served as rationales for their teaching decisions around whether, if or how to include the works and life of Sherman Alexie.
Financial capability and financial wellbeing of women in community-based organizations: mediating role of decision-making ability
Authors: Parvathy V.K. , Kumar Jyothi
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Financial capability is considered to be an important concept that has drawn the attention of many world nations. While the literature suggests various studies on financial capability and financial wellbeing, focus on their combined significance has been limited. The purpose of this paper is to examine how financial capability affects the financial wellbeing of women in community-based organizations and how decision-making ability mediated this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 1,000 women who are associated with the community-based organization – Kudumbashree in the state of Kerala, India participated in the survey-based study.

Findings

The structural equation modelling results show that there exists a significant relationship between financial capability and the financial wellbeing of women in CBOs. Further, decision-making ability was identified as a significant mediator in this relationship thus establishing a partial mediation effect.

Practical implications

The financial social workers can focus their activities on promoting financial capability and decision making aspects of women from middle/low income families to facilitate their financial wellbeing. The scope for financial socialisation and proper orientation is more for the women associated with the community based organisations. This opportunity can be made use by the government authorities and other practitioners to change their financial outlook and contribute towards the empowerment of these women from the grass root level.

Originality/value

The studies related to financial literacy and financial inclusion are available in the Indian context, but the conceptualization of financial capability is still an under-researched area in India. Hence, this study is an attempt to explain the capability-wellbeing relationship from a financial point of view in the Indian context, and further establishes its connection with the individual's decision-making ability. To strengthen the research base, the study was conducted among the women in the community-based organization who belong to middle and low-income families.
How do e-stores grow their market share?
Authors: Klepek Martin , Kvíčala Daniel
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify how fashion and cosmetics e-stores compete and grow to help e-commerce managers set the corresponding marketing strategy. It describes the relevance of customer acquisition and retention to market share as the essential performance metrics.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical generalization approach where patterns in data appearing across studies are described by a mathematical or graphical method is used. To do that, the authors observed real transactional data and the effect of how e-stores benefit from new and returning customers and gain a larger market share. The authors have analysed behavioural data from nearly 124,000 e-commerce customers in two highly popular product categories (fashion and cosmetics) in the size of 10,000,000 euros in sales or more.

Findings

Fashion and cosmetics e-stores with more market penetration tend to have a higher market share measured both by the number of total purchases and the number of sales in euro. In other words, market penetration is a solid predictor of market share in all circumstances. Interestingly, no significant difference in loyalty has been observed in relation to market share growth except in the situation where the market partition was excluded from the product category.

Research limitations/implications

The businesses under study derived only from one country and only two product categories were observed. Thus, there is a potential limitation in generalizing the findings to the whole e-commerce market from a geographical and category perspective. The length of the observation period may also play a role as a longer period increases the chance of repeat buying.

Practical implications

E-commerce managers can gain long-term market share growth mainly via higher market penetration (acquisition of new customers) and should avoid misleading overfocus on loyalty tactics (retention of current customers). The study also provides important benchmarks for e-commerce businesses in the fashion and cosmetic categories.

Originality/value

In the market share growth literature, only a handful of studies focus on stores and not on products. Moreover, there is a dominance of fast-moving consumer goods categories. Surprisingly, studies analysing ever-growing e-commerce markets are scarce. Thus, this research is original because it describes, using empirical data, how brands online, at the store level and within the fashion and cosmetics category, grow their market share. It is also one of the few studies that work with real business transactional data.
Metabolites from the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (bd) reduce Bd load in Cuban treefrog tadpoles
Authors: Nordheim Caitlin L. , Detmering Sarah E. , Civitello David J. , Johnson Pieter T. J. , Rohr Jason R. , McMahon Taegan A.
Published: June 2022

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has been associated with massive amphibian population declines worldwide. Wildlife vaccination campaigns have proven effective for mitigating damage from other pathogens, and there is evidence that adult frogs can acquire resistance to Bd when exposed to killed Bd zoospores and the metabolites they produced.

Here, we investigated whether Cuban treefrogs tadpoles Osteopilus septentrionalis can gain protection from Bd through exposure to a prophylaxis treatment composed of killed zoospores or soluble Bd metabolites. We used a 2 × 2 factorial design, crossing the presence or absence of killed zoospores with the presence or absence of Bd metabolites. All hosts were subsequently exposed to live Bd to evaluate susceptibility.

Exposure to killed zoospores did not induce a protective response. However, tadpoles exposed to Bd metabolites had significantly lower Bd intensity and prevalence than tadpoles that were not exposed to metabolites.

The metabolites Bd produce pose no risk of Bd infection and therefore make an epidemiologically safe prophylaxis treatment, protecting tadpoles against Bd. This work provides a promising potential for protecting amphibians in the wild as a disease management strategy for controlling Bd‐associated declines.
Socio‐emotional Wealth Preservation and Alliance Success in Family Firms: The Role of Political Instability and Alliance Management Capability
Authors: Al‐Tabbaa Omar , Nasr Abdalhamed , Zahoor Nadia , De Silva Muthu
Published: June 2022

Socio‐emotional wealth preservation (SEW‐P) can create a dilemma for family firms when seeking to establish strategic alliance: how to manage the need to establish strategic alliances aimed at obtaining complementary network‐based resources (the economic dimension) with the fear that such a move may jeopardize family control and domination (the SEW dimension). To address this dilemma (also labelled as a ‘mixed gamble’), we theorized that the concern to preserve SEW (i.e. SEW‐P) can contribute to family firms’ alliance success being dependent on the leverage of alliance management capability (AMC). We also propose that SEW‐P can act as an organizational cognitive enabler for AMC. Yet the positive association between SEW‐P and AMC will become stronger when family firms operate in a politically unstable environment. We tested these hypotheses using a unique dataset collected from 302 family firms operating in a politically unstable environment (the Libyan context), and the analysis lends support to our model and predictions. Overall, the study advances the alliance theories and family business literature by adding new insights that explain the effect of non‐financial priorities of family firms, and related contingencies, in predicting alliance success.
Patient‐ and physician‐reported satisfaction with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment in Chinese clinical practice
Authors: Xiao Ying Lian , Zhang Meng Yu , Tan Nian Di , Chen Song Feng , Zhuang Qian Jun , Chen Min Hu
Published: June 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the level of satisfaction with currently prescribed medications for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients and physicians in China.

Methods

Physicians across China were invited to complete physician surveys concerning factors affecting the prescription of medication for GERD and their satisfaction through an online questionnaire. The enrolled physicians invited the first five GERD patients who visited them on the same day to complete online patient surveys concerning the satisfaction with medications for GERD and its influencing factors.

Results

In total, 334 physician surveys (response rate 36.82%) and 1409 patient surveys (86.07%) were analyzed. Over half (62.57%) the physicians recommended taking a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) twice daily and the majority (88.02%) recommended taking a PPI for 1 week to 3 months. Factors affecting the prescription were how much it could improve quality of life (84.73%), followed by safety, medication compliance, and efficacy. Approximately 30% of patients reported taking a PPI twice daily and 47.20% reported taking a PPI for 1 week to 3 months. Factor affecting patients’ adherence to medications was safety (64.30%), followed by medical insurance, efficacy and convenience. Approximately one‐third of physicians and patients did not report “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with medications for GERD, including 10.51% of patients and 12.87% of physicians reporting “dissatisfied” or “very dissatisfied.”

Conclusion

One‐third of GERD patients and physicians were not satisfied or very satisfied with medications for GERD. Novel medications may help optimize the management of GERD.
The Psychology of Coercion Failure: How Reactance Explains Resistance to Threats
Authors: Powers Kathleen E. , Altman Dan
Published: June 2022

When confronted with coercive threats, targets often stand firm rather than back down. We identify one important yet unrecognized factor that causes actors to resist threats: psychological reactance. Reactance theory explains that when someone perceives a threat to their freedom to make choices, they attempt to restore their autonomy by refusing to capitulate. The result is unwillingness to concede to coercion that extends beyond rational incentives. We test for reactance as a cause of coercion failure with two novel experiments. Each experiment pairs a coercive threat treatment with a matched “natural costs” counterpart that imposes the same choice on the target without intentional action by a coercer. Controlling for prominent alternative explanations, including costs, benefits, power, credibility, and reputation, we find that the targets of threats capitulate less frequently and more often support aggression against their opponents.
Normothermic regional perfusion in liver transplantation from donation after cardiocirculatory death: Technical, biochemical, and regulatory aspects and review of literature
Authors: Melandro Fabio , Basta Giuseppina , Torri Francesco , Biancofiore Giandomenico , Del Turco Serena , Orlando Francesco , Guarracino Fabio , Maremmani Paolo , Lazzeri Chiara , Peris Adriano , De Simone Paolo , Ghinolfi Davide
Published: June 2022

Background

Organs from donation after circulatory death (DCD) are increasingly used for liver transplantation, due to the persisting organ shortage and waiting list mortality. However, the use of DCD grafts is still limited by the inferior graft survival rate and the increased risk of primary non‐function and biliary complications when compared to brain death donors’ grafts.

Methods

Abdominal normothermic regional perfusion with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an in situ preservation strategy. which may mitigate ischemia–reperfusion injuries. and has been proposed to restore blood perfusion after the determination of death thus optimizing liver function before implantation.

Results

In this systematic review, we highlighted the clinical evidence supporting the use of normothermic regional perfusion in DCD liver underlying the pathophysiological mechanisms, and technical, logistic, and regulatory aspects.

Conclusions

Despite the lack of properly designed, prospective, randomized trials, the current available data suggest beneficial effects of normothermic regional perfusion on clinical outcomes after liver transplantation.
Concentrated sodium citrate catheter lock: “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men…”
Authors: Ash Stephen R.
Published: June 2022

Our laboratory's in vitro studies showed that sodium citrate at concentrations from 23% to 47% is antibacterial, and a non‐randomized clinical trial showed that its use as a lock solution in dialysis catheters greatly decreased the incidence of CRBSI. The licensee placed 30 ml bottles of 47% sodium citrate in kits containing the Ash Split Cath, with clear instructions to dilute the solution and inject only the catheter volume as a catheter lock. Gross misuse of the solution by one physician led to a serious adverse outcome. FDA instructed the company to remove the product from the market and issued a warning not to use concentrated citrate off‐label. Sodium citrate at 23%–30% is widely used in Europe, without major complications or side effects. However, our EPO patent was contested by a Dutch company and they eventually prevailed.
The hemodynamics and blood trauma in axial blood pump under different operating models
Authors: Zhang Yunpeng , Wu Xiangyu , Wang Yiming , Liu Hongtao , Liu Guang‐Mao
Published: June 2022

Background

Speed modulation of blood pumps has been proved to help restore vascular pulsatility and implemented clinically during treatment for cardiac failure. However, its effect on blood trauma has not been studied thoroughly.

Methods

In this paper, we study the flow field of an axial pump FW‐X under the modes of co‐pulse, counter pulse, and constant speed to evaluate the blood trauma. Based on the coupling model of cardiovascular systems and axial blood pump, aortic pressure and the pump flow were obtained and applied as the boundary conditions at the pump outlet and inlet. The level of shear stress and hemolysis index were derived from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation.

Results

Results showed that the constant speed mode had the lowest shear stress level and hemolytic index at the expense of diminished pulsatility. Compared with the constant speed mode, the hemolysis index of co‐pulse and counter pulse mode was higher, but it was helpful to restore vascular pulsatility.

Conclusions

This method can be easily incorporated in the in vitro testing phase to analyze and decrease a pump's trauma before animal experimentation, thereby reducing the cost of blood pump development.
HERACLIS‐TAF: a multi‐centre prospective cohort study on 2‐year safety and efficacy of tenofovir alafenamide in patients with chronic hepatitis B with renal and/or bone disorders or risks
Authors: Papatheodoridis George V. , Mimidis Kostas , Manolakopoulos Spilios , Gatselis Nikolaos , Goulis John , Kapatais Andreas , Manesis Emanuel , Vasiliadis Themistoklis , Triantos Christos , Samonakis Dimitrios , Sevastianos Vasilios , Karatapanis Stelios , Elefsiniotis Ioannis , Deutsch Melanie , Mylopoulou Theodora , Papatheodoridi Margarita , Kranidioti Hariklia , Agorastou Polyxeni , Karaoulani Theofani , Kyriazidou Anastasia , Zisimopoulos Konstantinos , Dalekos George N.
Published: June 2022

Background

Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) has exhibited a favourable safety profile on estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) and bone mineral density (BMD), but has not been extensively studied in patients with renal impairment and/or BMD disorders.

Aims

To assess predictors of eGFR changes and other safety and efficacy outcomes during 24‐month TAF therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B with renal and/or BMD disorders/risks.

Methods

Adult patients who started TAF at 13 clinics throughout Greece were prospectively included. Main exclusion criteria were hepatitis D, active malignancy and bisphosphonates recent use. MDRD formula was used for eGFR estimation.

Results

TAF was initiated in 176 patients (91% switched from another agent). At 12 and 24 months, HBV DNA was undetectable in 97% and 100%, and ALT was normal in 96% and 95% of patients. Median ALT decreased from baseline to month 12/24 (p < 0.001). Mean eGFR decreased from previous treatment initiation to baseline (p < 0.001), increased at 12 months and remained stable at 24 months (p ≤ 0.001). An increase in eGFR of >3 ml/min at 12 month was observed in 50% of patients and was associated mainly with baseline eGFR 30–60 ml/min. In patients with baseline phosphate <2.5 mg/dl, mean serum phosphate increased at month‐12/24 (p < 0.001). Median BMD did not change significantly from baseline to 12 months but improved at 24 months (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

In mostly switched patients with renal and/or BMD disorders/risks, eGFR improved after 12‐24 months of TAF treatment, especially in patients with baseline eGFR 30–60 ml/min. TAF may also improve low serum phosphate, BMD and ALT, whereas it maintains or induces virological suppression.
Switching to tenofovir alafenamide for nucleos(t)ide analogue‐experienced patients with chronic hepatitis B: week 144 results from a real‐world, multi‐centre cohort study
Authors: Ogawa Eiichi , Nakamuta Makoto , Koyanagi Toshimasa , Ooho Aritsune , Furusyo Norihiro , Kajiwara Eiji , Dohmen Kazufumi , Kawano Akira , Satoh Takeaki , Takahashi Kazuhiro , Azuma Koichi , Yamashita Nobuyuki , Yamashita Naoki , Sugimoto Rie , Amagase Hiromasa , Kuniyoshi Masami , Ichiki Yasunori , Morita Chie , Kato Masaki , Shimoda Shinji , Nomura Hideyuki , Hayashi Jun ,   The Kyushu University Liver Disease Study (KULDS) Group
Published: June 2022

Background

Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) may be preferable to other nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) regarding outcomes against chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Aims

To evaluate the longer term virological/biochemical effectiveness of TAF and the renal safety of sequential therapy to TAF in real‐world settings

Methods

This multi‐centre, retrospective cohort study included consecutive adult patients who were switched from other NAs to TAF. We assessed the virological and biochemical responses up to 144 weeks. We performed sensitivity analyses for a subgroup with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at baseline.

Results

We analysed the data of 391 patients with chronic hepatitis B previously treated with entecavir (ETV) (n = 174), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) (n = 116) or an NA combination (n = 101) for ≥ 24 months. HBV DNA <10 IU/ml at week 144 was found for 99% of patients, regardless of prior NA regimen or HBV DNA level at baseline. For patients who switched from TDF to TAF, total, low‐density lipoprotein, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly increased after the switch. Patients who switched from a nucleotide analogue to TAF had an improved estimated glomerular filtration rate, although the rate of hypophosphataemia (<2.5 mg/dl) remained 9.7% at week 144. The virological and biochemical responses of patients with CKD were similar to the overall results.

Conclusions

Switching to TAF remained effective and safe for up to 3 years. Given the increasing comorbidities related to ageing, it will be important to carefully follow the change in the lipid levels of patients with a prior TDF‐based regimen.
On the (im)possibilities of being a good enough researcher at a neoliberal university
Authors: Zielke Julia , Thompson Matthew , Hepburn Paul
Published: June 2022

Three years after finishing a participatory research project with a low‐income community, we look back at the ways we struggled and continue to struggle under the neoliberal climate we find ourselves in. Specifically, we ask whether the managerialised research infrastructures of the neoliberal university provide a ‘good enough’ environment, and whether we, as researchers, were able to conduct ‘good enough’ research with austerity‐stricken respective communities. Engaging with literature on failure and self‐care, we offer insights on the (im)possibilities of doing ‘good enough’ research in climates that are harsh to participants as well as researchers. Taking a Winnicottian, psychoanalytic lens of working under ‘average expectable conditions’, we conclude that, over time, we may perhaps create moments of micro‐resistance that may make our failures productive; however, these should not give research institutions a free pass to continue their not‐good‐enough, exploitative practices.
A prostate biopsy risk calculator based on MRI: development and comparison of the Prospective Loyola University multiparametric MRI (PLUM) and Prostate Biopsy Collaborative Group (PBCG) risk calculators
Authors: Patel Hiten D. , Koehne Elizabeth L. , Shea Steven M. , Fang Andrew M. , Gerena Marielia , Gorbonos Alex , Quek Marcus L. , Flanigan Robert C. , Goldberg Ari , Rais‐Bahrami Soroush , Gupta Gopal N.
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To develop and validate a prostate cancer (PCa) risk calculator (RC) incorporating multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and to compare its performance with that of the Prostate Biopsy Collaborative Group (PBCG) RC.

Patients and Methods

Men without a PCa diagnosis receiving mpMRI before biopsy in the Prospective Loyola University mpMRI (PLUM) Prostate Biopsy Cohort (2015–2020) were included. Data from a separate institution were used for external validation. The primary outcome was diagnosis of no cancer, grade group (GG)1 PCa, and clinically significant (cs)PCa (≥GG2). Binary logistic regression was used to explore standard clinical and mpMRI variables (prostate volume, Prostate Imaging‐Reporting Data System [PI‐RADS] version 2.0 lesions) with the final PLUM RC, based on a multinomial logistic regression model. Receiver‐operating characteristic curve, calibration curves, and decision‐curve analysis were evaluated in the training and validation cohorts.

Results

A total of 1010 patients were included for development (N = 674 training [47.8% PCa, 30.9% csPCa], N = 336 internal validation) and 371 for external validation. The PLUM RC outperformed the PBCG RC in the training (area under the curve [AUC] 85.9% vs 66.0%; P < 0.001), internal validation (AUC 88.2% vs 67.8%; P < 0.001) and external validation (AUC 83.9% vs 69.4%; P < 0.001) cohorts for csPCa detection. The PBCG RC was prone to overprediction while the PLUM RC was well calibrated. At a threshold probability of 15%, the PLUM RC vs the PBCG RC could avoid 13.8 vs 2.7 biopsies per 100 patients without missing any csPCa. At a cost level of missing 7.5% of csPCa, the PLUM RC could have avoided 41.0% (566/1381) of biopsies compared to 19.1% (264/1381) for the PBCG RC. The PLUM RC compared favourably with the Stanford Prostate Cancer Calculator (SPCC; AUC 84.1% vs 81.1%; P = 0.002) and the MRI‐European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) RC (AUC 84.5% vs 82.6%; P = 0.05).

Conclusions

The mpMRI‐based PLUM RC significantly outperformed the PBCG RC and compared favourably with other mpMRI‐based RCs. A large proportion of biopsies could be avoided using the PLUM RC in shared decision making while maintaining optimal detection of csPCa.
Novel luciferase‐based glucagon‐like peptide 1 reporter assay reveals naturally occurring secretagogues
Authors: Anghel Sorina Andreea , Badea Rodica Aura , Chiritoiu Gabriela , Patriche David Sebastian , Alexandru Petruta Ramona , Pena Florentina
Published: June 2022

Background and Purpose

Glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) is a hormone derived from preproglucagon. It is secreted by enteroendocrine cells in response to feeding and, in turn, acts as a critical regulator of insulin release. Modulating GLP‐1 secretion holds promise as a strategy for controlling blood glucose levels.

Experimental Approach

To dissect GLP‐1 regulation and discover specific secretagogues, we engineered a reporter cell line introducing a luciferase within the proglucagon sequence in GLUTag cells. The assay was validated using western blotting and ELISA. A focused natural compounds library was screened. We measured luminescence, glucose uptake and ATP to investigate the mechanism by which newly found secretagogues potentiate GLP‐1 secretion.

Key Results

The newly created reporter cell line is ideal for the rapid, sensitive and quantitative assessment of GLP‐1 secretion. The small molecule screen identified non‐toxic GLP‐1 modulators. Quercetin is the most potent newly found GLP‐1 secretagogue, while other flavonoids also potentiate GLP‐1 secretion. Quercetin requires glucose and extracellular calcium to act as GLP‐1 secretagogue. Our results support a mechanism whereby flavonoids cause GLUTag cells to utilize glucose more efficiently, leading to elevated ATP levels, followed by KATP channel blockade and GLP‐1 exocytosis.

Conclusion and Implications

Our methodology enabled finding of new GLP‐1 secretagogues. Quercetin is a potent, naturally occurring GLP‐1 secretagogue. Mechanistic studies of newly found secretagogues are possible in newly created reporter cell line. Further validation in more physiological systems, such as primary L‐cells or whole organisms, is needed. GLP‐1 secretagogues might serve as leads for developing alternative glucose‐lowering therapies.