bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cognitive biases and decision-making strategies in times of change: a systematic literature review
Authors: Acciarini Chiara , Brunetta Federica , Boccardelli Paolo
Published: May 2020

Purpose

In a work environment marked by unprecedented complexity, volatility and ambiguity, managers must accomplish their objectives while navigating many challenges. This paper aims to investigate potential interrelations among environmental transformations, cognitive biases and strategic decisions. In particular, the purpose of the study is to crystallize the state of art on the impact of cognitive biases on strategic decisions, in the context of environmental transformations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have conducted a systematic literature review to identify existing relevant work on this topic and to detect potential avenues for future research.

Findings

The findings highlight how decision-making is influenced and enabled by internal (e.g. perception) and external factors (e.g. digitalization). Specifically, the strategic role of cognitive biases appears to be crucial when investigating the related impact on strategic decisions in times of environmental transformation.

Practical implications

Implications are drawn for scholars and practitioners interested in evaluating the role of specific decision-making determinants for the formation and implementation of strategic decisions. In this sense, we stress that decision-makers need to manage their cognitive biases and select the right information out of a wide data set in order to adapt to environmental transformations.

Originality/value

By systematizing the literature review, potential interrelations among environmental transformations, cognitive biases and strategic decisions are identified. Furthermore, the primary phases that drive the decision-making process are proposed (analysis, decision, onboarding and control).
Social media and consumer buying behavior decision: what entrepreneurs should know?
Authors: Palalic Ramo , Ramadani Veland , Mariam Gilani Syedda , Gërguri-Rashiti Shqipe , Dana Leo–Paul
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impacts of social media on the Pakistani consumers' buying behavior, which could be reflected in either complex buying, variety seeking, dissonance reducing or habitual buying. Entrepreneurs need to know how their loyal and prospective customers feel, think and how do they decide on purchasing certain products and services.

Design/methodology/approach

The self-administered online questionnaire is used to collect feedback from consumers in order to analyze the data and come up with the findings. A sample size of 396 respondents was used to analyze and find a relationship between social media and consumer buying behavior.

Findings

Social media is found to have a partially significant impact on Pakistani consumers' buying behavior; word of mouth and content credibility are the two factors that influence Pakistani consumers' buying behavior. Pakistani consumers, below the age of 40, possess more complex buying behavior, which alerts entrepreneurs to consider it for their future marketing strategies.

Practical implications

Entrepreneurs should make an effort to be differentiated from others while keeping customers aware of the products they provide. In addition, customers should not spend too much time when comparing brands; rather, businesses should make it more captive.

Originality/value

This paper provides different results in comparison to the previous studies, in terms of the factors influencing consumers' buying behavior.
Computational study on MHD power-law fluid in tilted enclosure having sinusoidal heated sidewall
Authors: Poonia Minakshi
Published: May 2020

Purpose

In the present computational study, the heat transfer and two-dimensional natural convection flow of non-Newtonian power-law fluid in a tilted rectangular enclosure is examined. The left wall of enclosure is subjected to spatially varying sinusoidal temperature distribution and right wall is cooled isothermally while the upper and lower walls are retained to be adiabatic. The flow is considered to be laminar, steady and incompressible under the influence of magnetic field. The governing mass, momentum and energy equations are transformed into dimensionless form in terms of stream function, vorticity and temperature.

Design/methodology/approach

Then resulted highly non-linear partial differential equations are solved computationally using Galerkin finite element method.

Findings

The exhaustive flow pattern and temperature fields are displayed through streamlines and isotherm contours for various parameters, namely, Prandtl number, Rayleigh number, Hartmann number by considering different power-law index and inclination angle. The effect of inclination angle on average Nusselt number is also shown graphically. This problem observes the potential vortex flow with elliptical core. The results show that the circular strength of the vortex formed reduces as the magnetic field strength grows. As the inclination angle increases the intensity of flow field decreases while the value of average Nusselt number increases.

Originality/value

This study has important applications in thermal management such as cooling techniques used in buildings, nuclear reactors, heat exchangers and power generators.
American security strategy towards terrorism after September 11 attacks
Authors: Farag Wael Zakaria
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine evolution of the American strategy toward terrorism in the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001. In other words, this study revolves around a key question: How and why the American security strategy toward terrorism evolved in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in 2001? Based on the neorealist approach in international relations, this paper attempted to answer that question: first, through defining the concept of terrorism and how the Americans perceive it; second, via pinpointing the characteristic of the American counter-terrorism strategy before September 11 attacks; and third, through examining the effects of those terrorist attacks on that strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The nature of the subject of this study calls for reliance on the analytical descriptive approach to highlight the role and strategy of the USA in the fight against terrorism following the events of September 11, in addition to the use of the system analysis methodology, which can identify the inputs and outputs of the system that had an impact in formulating the US counter-terrorism strategy.

Findings

This study has come up with seven findings. The first finding was that the 9/11 attacks served as a turning point of the US counter-terrorism strategy and restructured its agenda. Confronting the communist threat had been its primary objective, until terrorism came to the fore and became its first and foremost priority. The USA vowed that terrorism is its enemy and waged the war on terror to thwart its risk as a global threat. The second finding revolves around the idea of double standards in the American foreign policy. True to its long-standing tradition of favoring its own interests, in complete disregard of the interests of any other party, the USA continued to uphold the double-standards policy.

Originality/value

This study adds a new study to the Arab Library in the field of counter-terrorism studies, national security strategies and American foreign policy. In addition, the researcher seeks to complete the scientific effort to study the US strategy against terrorism, with a clear impact on the development of the situation in the region. This study contributes to the study of how one of the great powers in the international system, the USA, deals with the terrorist organizations that have become widespread in the Arab region.
Social media advertising efficiency on higher education programs
Authors: Cordero-Gutiérrez Rebeca , Lahuerta-Otero Eva
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the different results and the level of success obtained with advertising campaigns developed on Facebook to promote postgraduate programs to create awareness and engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

This study combined the data envelopment analysis technique to measure advertising efficiency with multidimensional scaling (MDS) representation, thus offering alternatives for practitioners and organizations on how to evaluate social advertising performance.

Findings

Investments on social paid advertising are an affordable and effective way both to promote postgraduate programs and create engagement with prospective students. Facebook advertisements maximize visibility, which improves social and online positioning and encourages student recruitment.

Practical implications

Higher education institutions can efficiently promote their programs with a minimal social investment contributing to dissemination and engagement. Compared to other forms of traditional or digital advertising, social media ads can be efficient and affordable with wider segmentation and targeting options. Moreover, results are immediate and measurable and campaigns can be instantly modified to better suit the audience’s requirements.

Originality/value

This study is unique as it offers a new, alternative way of measuring efficiency, in addition to the classic ratios of payment models in digital advertising that combine clicks and impressions, on a sector where there are few empirical studies. Moreover, it can be easily applied to many other sectors in public and private organizations.
Donepezil down‐regulates propionylation, 2‐hydroxyisobutyrylation, butyrylation, succinylation, and crotonylation in the brain of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion‐induced vascular dementia rats
Authors: Wang Hongyan , Lu Jun , Gao Wen‐Cong , Ma Xin , Li Na , Ding Zhituan , Wu Chunmei , Zhu Maoceng , Qiao Guanrong , Xiao Chuang , Zhang Changhong , Chen Chen , Weng Zhiying , Yang Weimin , Zheng Chang‐Bo
Published: May 2020

Vascular dementia (VaD), caused by stroke or small vessel disease, is the second‐most common type of dementia after Alzheimer's disease (AD). Donepezil is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that is currently used in patients with mild to moderate AD, and has recently been shown to improve cognitive performance in patients with VaD. In this study, we evaluated the effects of donepezil on VaD, and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms of action. VaD was established by ligation of the bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO). Executive function was tested by the Morris water maze (MWM) test and the attentional set shifting task (ASST). Our results showed that donepezil improved executive dysfunction and cognitive flexibility in BCCAO rats. In addition, we showed that donepezil treatment decreased the level of Aβ1‐42 in BCCAO rats by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Post‐translational modifications (PTMs) are known to be critical mechanisms in the regulation of various cellular processes. Furthermore, PTMs have been linked to the central nervous system, which highlights the importance of PTMs in neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we used western blot analysis to identify several novel PTMs in the hippocampus of BCCAO rats that were treated with or without donepezil. The data revealed that lysine propionylation, 2‐hydroxyisobutyrylation, butyrylation, succinylation, and crotonylation were elevated in the hippocampus of BCCAO rats when compared to sham rats. This increase was abolished by donepezil treatment. Taken together, we speculate that donepezil treatment improves cognitive function in our animal model of VaD, possibly by reducing aberrant acyl‐PTMs.
High Reliability Organization (HRO) systematic literature review: Discovery of culture as a foundational hallmark
Authors: Cantu Jaime , Tolk Janice , Fritts Steve , Gharehyakheh Amin
Published: May 2020

The term “high reliability organization” (HRO) evolved from research countering the claim by Perrow after the 1979 Three Mile Island nuclear plant incident that “accidents happen,” implying that failures were inevitable. Soon after the publication of Perrow's book researchers began questioning his assertion, by observing that some organizations exhibited significantly higher rates of reliability. In 2001, Weick and Sutcliffe converged on five principles, or hallmarks, which became the de facto characteristics most often cited since. Since 2001, HRO theory spread to non‐high‐risk industries and the amount of published literature has more than doubled, including several literature reviews. This led to the questions, “how has HRO theory evolved since the seminal research, how far has it spread from high risk industries, and what is the focus of HRO research?” Seeking to capture the breadth of spread of HRO as well as the dominant areas of research and practice, a comprehensive literature review was performed to capture the most current state of theory and practice. The results show HRO theory within the published literature has not significantly evolved past the original characteristics and hallmarks. Though the theoretical implications have not changed much the practical implications have grown and spread throughout the critical infrastructure sectors. In conclusion, the research team believes that a culture of reliability is the sixth hallmark that works synergistically with certain foundational organizational characteristics and allows mindfulness, which is the distinctive hallmark of HROs, to thrive and grow. This is the fundamental difference between “reliable” and “highly reliable” operations and differentiates HROs from well‐run organizations that are not HROs.
Sacrocolpopexy compared with transvaginal mesh surgery: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang C‐Y , Sun Z‐J , Yang J , Xu T , Zhu L , Lang J‐H
Published: May 2020

Background

The use of mesh is controversial in the treatment of female pelvic organ prolapse.

Objectives

To systematically review the outcomes of sacrocolpopexy compared with transvaginal mesh surgery and to provide evidence‐based suggestions.

Search strategy

The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and clinicaltrials.gov databases were searched on 21 November 2018.

Selection criteria

Randomised controlled trials and prospective and retrospective cohort studies were included.

Data collection and analysis

Data were extracted by one reviewer and examined by a second reviewer for accuracy. Odds ratios and 95% CI were calculated using random‐effects models.

Main results

Twenty comparative studies were included. The meta‐analysis was performed with subgroups. The summary odds ratios of the randomised controlled group were 1.84 (95% CI 0.79–4.29, I2 = 75%) for anatomical success, 1.41 (95% CI 0.47–4.24, I2 = 38%) for subjective success, 0.42 (95% CI 0.18–0.98, I2 = 0%) for mesh complications, 0.61 (95% CI 0.20–1.91, I2 = 0%) for prolapse reoperation and 0.44 (95% CI 0.23–0.88, I2 = 0%) for de novo dyspareunia. The mean differences were 0.77 (95% CI 0.31–1.23, I2 = 66%) for total vaginal length and −1.28 (95% CI −2.00 to −0.55, I2 = 66%) for point C after surgery.

Conclusions

Very‐low‐quality evidence indicated that the anatomical and subjective success rates of sacrocolpopexy were similar to those of transvaginal mesh surgery; sacrocolpopexy might be more beneficial than transvaginal mesh surgery in terms of mesh‐related complication rates, prolapse recurrence and de novo dyspareunia. However, additional high‐quality randomised trials with long‐term follow‐up durations are needed.

Tweetable abstract

Sacrocolpopexy is beneficial after surgical anatomical changes and has decreased rates of mesh‐related complications and dyspareunia.
Competition and interaction: Party ties to interest groups in a multidimensional policy space
Authors: ALLERN ELIN HAUGSGJERD , HANSEN VIBEKE WØIEN , MARSHALL DAVID , RASMUSSEN ANNE , WEBB PAUL D.
Published: May 2020

Political parties and interest groups play a vital role in incorporating societal interests into democratic decision‐making. Therefore, explaining the nature and variation in the relationship between them will advance our understanding of democratic governance. Existing research has primarily drawn attention to how exchange of resources shapes these relationships largely neglecting the role of contextual conditions. Our contribution is to examine whether parties’ structured interactions with different categories of interest groups vary systematically with the pattern of party competition at the level of policy dimensions. First, we argue that higher party fragmentation in a policy space makes organisational ties to interest groups more likely, due to fears of voter loss and splinter groups. Second, we expect higher polarisation between parties on a policy dimension to make ties to relevant groups less likely due to increased electoral costs. We find support for both expectations when analysing new data on 116 party units in 13 mature democracies along nine different policy dimensions. Our findings underline the value of considering the strategic context in which parties and interest groups interact to understand their relationship. The study sheds new light on parties and interest groups as intermediaries in democracy and contributes to a new research agenda connecting interest group research with studies of parties’ policy positions and responsiveness.
Neighborhood climates of legal cynicism and complaints about abuse of police power†
Authors: McCarthy Bill , Hagan John , Herda Daniel
Published: May 2020

Research findings show that legal cynicism—a cultural frame in which skepticism about laws, the legal system, and police is expressed—is important in understanding neighborhood variation in engagement with the police, particularly in racially isolated African American communities. We argue that legal cynicism is also useful for understanding neighborhood variation in complaints about police misconduct. Using data on complaints filed in Chicago between 2012 and 2014, we show that grievances disproportionately came from racially segregated neighborhoods and that a measure of legal cynicism from the mid‐1990s predicts complaints about abuse of police power two decades later. The association between legal cynicism and complaints is net of prior complaints, reported crime, imprisonment, and other structural factors that contribute to the frequency and nature of interactions involving police and residents. Legal cynicism also mediates the influence of racially isolated neighborhoods on complaints. The mid‐1990s is the approximate midpoint of a half‐century of police scandals in Chicago. Our research findings suggest that contemporary complaints about police misconduct in highly segregated Chicago neighborhoods are grounded in collectively shared historical memories of police malfeasance. They also suggest that persistent complaints about police misconduct may represent officially memorialized expressions of enduring racial protest against police abuse of power.
Patient and clinician views on an app for rheumatoid arthritis disease monitoring: Function, implementation and implications
Authors: Grainger Rebecca , Townsley Hermaleigh Roberta , Ferguson Catherine Anna , Riley Faye Ellen , Langlotz Tobias , Taylor William John
Published: May 2020

Aim

Best practice management for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves regular clinical assessment of RA disease activity. This is not achievable with current rheumatology systems of care. We aimed to use opinions from people with RA and their specialist rheumatology healthcare professionals to inform development of a mobile app for people with RA for recording their disease activity data for potential integration into clinical service, and assess usability of the app.

Method

In phase 1 we interviewed nine people with RA and seven healthcare professionals. In phase 2 we developed an app with professional software developers. In phase 3 we evaluated app usability for people with RA using the System Usability Scale (SUS).

Results

Interview data showed four themes regarding functionality and implementation of a patient‐held app in RA care: (a) variable app acceptance and readiness; (b) app use to reduce barriers; (c) pros and cons of patient‐reported outcomes; and (d) allocation of clinics by need. The app developed has high usability in people with RA using the app on their own device for a month (SUS 79.5, n = 16) or using the app on a study device for 10 minutes (SUS 83, n = 100).

Conclusion

People with RA and healthcare professionals have clearly identified features, benefits and risks of an app for self‐assessment of RA and incorporation into clinical care. An app developed informed by these opinions has high usability. Next steps are development and validation of a method of patient‐performed joint counts, and implementation, with evaluation, in the clinical setting.
The real‐world impact of dosing of methadone and buprenorphine in retention on opioid agonist therapies in Ukraine
Authors: Farnum Scott O. , Makarenko Iuliia , Madden Lynn , Mazhnaya Alyona , Marcus Ruthanne , Prokhorova Tanya , Bojko Martha J. , Rozanova Julia , Dvoriak Sergii , Islam Zahedsul , Altice Frederick L.
Published: May 2020

Background and Aims

Ukraine's HIV epidemic remains concentrated among opioid‐dependent people who inject drugs (PWID) where opioid agonist therapies (OAT) like methadone (MMT) and buprenorphine (BMT) maintenance treatments are the most cost‐effective HIV prevention strategies, but remain under‐scaled. This study aimed to measure the association between dose and type of OAT prescribed and treatment retention.

Design

Observational longitudinal cohort study.

Participants and Setting

Patients (n = 15 290) prescribed OAT throughout Ukraine from 2004 through 2016.

Measurements

Data were analyzed using time–event strategies to estimate cumulative treatment retention, defined as time to OAT discontinuation. Cumulative retention proportions at 1, 12 and 36 months were assessed for outcomes. Cox regression with log‐rank likelihood assessed independent predictors of treatment discontinuation.

Findings

The proportion prescribed high (MMT: > 85 mg; BMT: ≥ 16 mg), medium (MMT: > 40–85 mg; BMT: > 6–15 mg) and low (MMT: ≤ 40 mg; BMT: ≤ 6 mg) dosages was 25, 43 and 32%, respectively. Retention was significantly higher for BMT than MMT both at 12 (89 versus 75%) and 36 months (80 versus 56%). Although dosing levels for BMT did not influence retention, increasing dosages for MMT were significantly associated with higher retention rates at 1 (90, 96, 99%), 12 (59, 78, 91%) and 36 (34, 59, 79%) months, respectively. Independent predictors associated with 12‐month OAT discontinuation were medium [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 2.23; 95% confidence limit (CL) = 1.95–2.54] and low (aHR = 4.96; 95% CL = 4.37–5.63) OAT dosage relative to high dosage, male sex (aHR = 1.27; 95% CL = 1.14–1.41), MMT relative to BMT prescription (aHR = 1.57; 95% CL = 1.32–1.87) and receiving OAT in general (aHR = 1.22; 95% CL = 1.02–1.46) or tuberculosis (aHR = 1.43; 95% CL = 1.10–1.85) hospitals, relative to specialty addiction treatment and AIDS center settings. Lower dosages contributed more to dropout especially at 1 month (aHR 3.12; 95% CL = 2.21–4.41 and aHR 7.71; 95% CL = 5.51–10.79 for medium and low dosages, respectively). Younger age was significantly associated with OAT discontinuation only at 36 months (aHR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.02–1.15).

Conclusions

Higher dosages of opioid agonist therapies, especially for methadone maintenance treatment patients, appear to be associated with higher levels of treatment retention in Ukraine.
Polysubstance use and association with opioid use disorder treatment in the US Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Lin Lewei A. , Bohnert Amy S. B. , Blow Frederic C. , Gordon Adam J. , Ignacio Rosalinda V. , Kim H. Myra , Ilgen Mark A.
Published: May 2020

Aims

To understand the role of comorbid substance use disorders (SUDs), or polysubstance use, in the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), this study compared patients with OUD only to those with additional SUDs and examined association with OUD treatment receipt.

Design, setting and participants

Retrospective national cohort study of Veterans diagnosed with OUD (n = 65 741) receiving care from the US Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in fiscal year (FY) 2017.

Measurements

Patient characteristics were compared among those diagnosed with OUD only versus those with one other SUD (OUD + 1 SUD) and with multiple SUDs (OUD + ≥ 2 SUDs). The study examined the relationship between comorbid SUDs and receipt of buprenorphine, methadone and SUD outpatient treatment during 1‐year follow‐up, adjusting for patient demographic characteristics and clinical conditions.

Findings

Among the 65 741 Veterans with OUD in FY 2017, 41.2% had OUD only, 22.9% had OUD + 1 SUD and 35.9% had OUD + ≥ 2 SUDs. Common comorbid SUDs included alcohol use disorder (41.3%), cocaine/stimulant use disorder (30.0%) and cannabis use disorder (22.4%). Adjusting for patient characteristics, patients with OUD + 1 SUD [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.82–0.93] and patients with OUD +≥ 2 SUDs (aOR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.61–0.69) had lower odds of receiving buprenorphine compared with OUD only patients. There were also lower odds of receiving methadone for patients with OUD + 1 SUD (aOR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.86–0.97)and for those with OUD + ≥2 SUDs (aOR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.74–0.84). Patients with OUD + 1 SUD (aOR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.77–1.93) and patients with OUD + ≥2 SUDs (aOR = 3.25, 95% CI = 3.103.41) were much more likely to have a SUD clinic visit.

Conclusions

The majority of Veterans in the US Veterans Health Administration diagnosed with opioid use disorder appeared to have at least one comorbid substance use disorder and many have multiple substance use disorders. Despite the higher likelihood of a substance use disorder clinic visit, having a non‐opioid substance use disorder is associated with lower likelihood of buprenorphine treatment, suggesting the importance of addressing polysubstance use within efforts to expand treatment for opioid use disorder.
Expanding the phenotype spectrum associated with pathogenic variants in the COL2A1 and COL11A1 genes
Authors: Čopíková Jana , Paděrová Jana , Románková Věra , Havlovicová Markéta , Balaščáková Miroslava , Zelinová Michaela , Vejvalková Šárka , Simandlová Martina , Štěpánková Jana , Hořínová Věra , Kantorová Eva , Křečková Gabriela , Pospíšilová Jana , Boday Arpád , Meszarosová Anna Uhrová , Turnovec Marek , Votýpka Pavel , Lišková Petra , Kremlíková Pourová Radka
Published: May 2020

We report the clinical findings of 26 individuals from 16 unrelated families carrying variants in the COL2A1 or COL11A1 genes. Using Sanger and next‐generation sequencing, 11 different COL2A1 variants (seven novel), were identified in 13 families (19 affected individuals), all diagnosed with Stickler syndrome (STL) type 1. In nine families, the COL2A1 disease‐causing variant arose de novo. Phenotypically, we observed myopia (95%) and retinal detachment (47%), joint hyperflexibility (92%), midface retrusion (84%), cleft palate (53%), and various degrees of hearing impairment (50%). One patient had a splenic artery aneurysm. One affected individual carrying pathogenic variant in COL2A1 showed no ocular signs including no evidence of membranous vitreous anomaly. In three families (seven affected individuals), three novel COL11A1 variants were found. The propositus with a de novo variant showed an ultrarare Marshall/STL overlap. In the second family, the only common clinical sign was postlingual progressive sensorineural hearing impairment (DFNA37). Affected individuals from the third family had typical STL2 signs. The spectrum of disease phenotypes associated with COL2A1 or COL11A1 variants continues to expand and includes typical STL and various bone dysplasias, but also nonsyndromic hearing impairment, isolated myopia with or without retinal detachment, and STL phenotype without clinically detectable ocular pathology.
Assessment of 5‐Aminolaevulinic Acid Photodynamic Therapy (ALA‐PDT) in Chinese patients with actinic keratosis: Correlation of dermoscopic features with histopathology
Authors: Jin Qiuzi , Li Weiwei , Wu Wenting , Zhang Hua , Zhao Fang , Zhang Qian , Zhang Chunlei
Published: May 2020

Objectives

The study examines the changes in dermoscopic features of actinic keratosis (AK) after photodynamic therapy, and delineates the association between AK dermoscopic and histopathological findings.

Methods

A total of 21 patients (23 lesions) with pathologically confirmed actinic keratosis who received 5‐aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) photodynamic therapy (ALA‐PDT) were enrolled. The numbers of PDT treatments were: 1, n = 1; 2, n = 2; 3, n = 10; 4, n = 6; 5, n = 2; 6, n = 2). The dermoscopic features before and after the PDT were compared.

Results

There were statistically significant decreases in the positive rates of dermoscopic features including scales (P < 0.001), follicular plugs with whitish halo (P = 0.013), and red pseudonetwork (P = 0.022) among patients treated with ALA‐PDT. Dermoscopic feature was significantly associated with pathological grade (P < 0.001). Histopathological hyperkeratosis was significantly associated with dermoscopic red pseudonetwork (P = 0.034) and wavy vessel (P = 0.005). Parakeratosis was associated with wavy vessels (P = 0.001). For vascular hyperplasia in dermal papillae, the significant correlates included scales (P = 0.011), follicular plugs with whitish halo (P = 0.011), red pseudonetwork (P < 0.001); coiled vessels (P = 0.003) and rosette sign (P = 0.004). Wavy vessels was the only feature correlating keratosis pilaris (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

The findings of the present study support dermoscopy as having potential to be useful for diagnosing and monitoring of actinic keratosis.
Having a baby in your 40s with assisted reproductive technology: The reproductive dilemma of autologous versus donor oocytes
Authors: Hogan Rosemarie G. , Wang Alex Y. , Li Zhuoyang , Hammarberg Karin , Johnson Louise , Mol Ben W. , Sullivan Elizabeth A.
Published: May 2020

Background

Increasing numbers of women ≥40 years old are accessing assisted reproductive technology (ART) due to age‐related infertility. There is limited population‐based evidence about the impact on the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) of women aged ≥40 years using their own oocytes, compared to women of a similar age, using donor oocytes.

Aims

To compare the CLBR for women ≥40 years undergoing ART using autologous oocytes and women of similar age using donor oocytes.

Materials and Methods

This population‐based retrospective cohort study used data from all women aged ≥40 years undergoing ART with donated (n = 987) or autologous oocytes (n = 19 170) in Victoria, Australia between 2009 and 2016. A discrete‐time survival model was used to evaluate the CLBR following ART with donor or autologous oocytes. The odds ratio, adjusted for woman’s age; male age; parity; cause of infertility; and the associated 95% confidence intervals (CI), were calculated. The numbers needed to be exposed (NNEs) were calculated from the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and the CLBR in the autologous group.

Results

The CLBR ranged from 28.6 to 42.5% in the donor group and from 12.5% to 1.4% in the autologous group. The discrete‐time survival analysis with 95% CI demonstrated significant aOR on CLBR across all ages (range aOR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.62–4.01 to aOR: 15.40, 95% CI: 9.10–26.04).

Conclusions

Women aged ≥40 years, using donor oocytes had a significantly higher CLBR than women using autologous oocytes. The findings can be used when counselling women ≥40 years about their ART treatment options and to inform public policy.
Letter: thromboembolic and cardiovascular events with tofacitinib in ulcerative colitis—two cases in real world clinical practice. Authors’ reply
Authors: Sandborn William J. , Panés Julian , Sands Bruce E. , Reinisch Walter , Su Chinyu , Lawendy Nervin , Koram Nana , Fan Haiyun , Jones Thomas V. , Modesto Irene , Quirk Daniel , Danese Silvio
Published: May 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Sandborn et al and Kotze papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15514 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15652.
Navigating conflicts of justice in the use of race and ethnicity in precision medicine
Authors: Schaefer G. Owen , Tai E. Shyong , Sun Shirley Hsiao‐Li
Published: May 2020

Given the sordid history of injustices linking genetics to race and ethnicity, considerations of justice are central to ensuring the responsible development of precision medicine programmes around the world. While considerations of justice may be in tension with other areas of concern, such as scientific value or privacy, there are also tensions between different aspects of justice. This paper focuses on three particular aspects of justice relevant to this precision medicine: social justice, distributive justice and human rights. We describe the implications of each for the use of race and ethnicity in precision medicine, and also how they intersect and potentially conflict with each another. By attending to these intersections, we aim to enrich and add nuance to debates over how best to proceed with precision medicine initiatives.
Longitudinal follow‐up of patients with thalassaemia intermedia who started transfusion therapy in adulthood: a cohort study
Authors: Ricchi Paolo , Meloni Antonella , Pistoia Laura , Spasiano Anna , Rita Gamberini Maria , Maggio Aurelio , Gerardi Calogera , Messina Giuseppe , Campisi Saveria , Allò Massimo , Renne Stefania , Righi Riccardo , Midiri Massimo , Positano Vincenzo , Filosa Aldo , Pepe Alessia
Published: May 2020

We longitudinally evaluated the effects of regular blood transfusions (BTs), in the real‐life context of the Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassaemia network, in patients with thalassaemia intermedia (TI). We considered 88 patients with TI (52 females) who started regular BTs after the age of 18 years. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to quantify iron overload and biventricular function. For 56·8% of the patients there were more than two indications for the transition to regular BTs, with anaemia present in 94·0% of the cases. A significant decrease in nucleated red blood cells, platelets, lactate dehydrogenase, bilirubin, and uric acid levels was detected 6 months after starting regular BTs. After the transition to the regular BT regimen there was a significant increase only in the frequency of hypothyroidism and osteopenia, and a significant decrease in liver iron and cardiac index. The percentage of chelated patients increased significantly after starting regular BTs. The decision to regularly transfuse patients with TI may represent a way to prevent or slow down the natural progression of the disease, despite the more complex initial management.
Adenosine A2A receptor antagonists: from caffeine to selective non‐xanthines
Authors: Jacobson Kenneth A. , Gao Zhan‐Guo , Matricon Pierre , Eddy Matthew T. , Carlsson Jens
Published: May 2020

A long evolution of knowledge of the psychostimulant caffeine led in the 1960s to another purine natural product, adenosine and its A2A receptor. Adenosine is a short‐lived autocrine/paracrine mediator that acts pharmacologically at four different adenosine receptors in a manner opposite to the pan‐antagonist caffeine and serves as an endogenous allostatic regulator. Although detrimental in the developing brain, caffeine appears to be cerebroprotective in aging. Moderate caffeine consumption in adults, except in pregnancy, may also provide benefit in pain, diabetes, and kidney and liver disorders. Inhibition of A2A receptors is one of caffeine's principal effects and we now understand this interaction at the atomic level. The A2A receptor has become a prototypical example of utilizing high‐resolution structures of GPCRs for the rational design of chemically diverse drug molecules. The previous focus on discovery of selective A2A receptor antagonists for neurodegenerative diseases has expanded to include immunotherapy for cancer, and clinical trials have ensued.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on Structure Guided Pharmacology of Membrane Proteins (BJP 75th Anniversary). To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.14/issuetoc
Atraumatic restorative treatments improve child oral health‐related quality of life: A noninferiority randomized controlled trial
Authors: Arrow Peter , Forrest Helen
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Management of dental caries under dental general anaesthesia (DGA) in young children improves their quality of life. A randomized controlled trial was undertaken to test the changes in oral health‐related quality of life among children treated under a DGA or managed using the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment and Hall crown approaches (ARTs).

Methods

Children scheduled for a DGA for the management of dental caries after assessment at the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia were invited to participate. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Child oral health‐related quality of life (COHRQoL) was evaluated through the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) and the child‐specific Caries Impacts and Experiences Questionnaire for Children (CARIES‐QC) at baseline and 12 months after consent. The changes in child oral health‐related quality of life were analysed on an intention‐to‐treat basis. Paired t‐test and Wilcoxon's matched‐pairs rank test were used for within‐group comparison and t‐test, Mann‐Whitney test, and test of proportions for between‐group comparisons. Linear regression was used for multivariable analyses of the follow‐up scores.

Results

Sixty‐five parents/carers agreed to participate and were randomized (Test = 32; Control = 33). Mean age = 4.7 years, SD 1.1; 51% male. At baseline, there were no statistically significant differences in age and sex between the groups; however, the ARTs group reported higher ECOHIS scores. At follow‐up, both the ARTs and DGA groups had lower ECOHIS scores (20.7 vs 12.9 and 14.4 vs 13.3, respectively) and CARIES‐QC scores (12.6 vs 7.1 and 9.9 vs 8.4, respectively). The within‐group differences in the ARTs group were statistically significant while the differences in the DGA group were not, P < .01 and P > .05, respectively. In a linear regression of the follow‐up scores, being in the DGA group increased the follow‐up scores, but it was no longer statistically significant while baseline impact scores were significantly associated with greater follow‐up scores for both the ECOHIS and the CARIES‐QC, P < .01.

Conclusion

The child oral health‐related quality life among children scheduled for dental general anaesthesia improved after receiving minimally invasive, atraumatic restorative treatments of dental caries.
Realistic Buoyancy Model for Real‐Time Applications
Authors: Bajo J. M. , Patow G. , Delrieux C. A.
Published: May 2020

Following Archimedes' Principle, any object immersed in a fluid is subject to an upward buoyancy force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. This simple description is the origin of a set of effects that are ubiquitous in nature, and are becoming commonplace in games, simulators and interactive animations. Although there are solutions to the fluid‐to‐solid coupling problem in some particular cases, to the best of our knowledge, comprehensive and accurate computational buoyancy models adequate in general contexts are still lacking. We propose a real‐time Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) based algorithm for realistic computation of the fluid‐to‐solid coupling problem, which is adequate for a wide generality of cases (solid or hollow objects, with permeable or leak‐proof surfaces, and with variable masses). The method incorporates the behaviour of the fluid into which the object is immersed, and decouples the computation of the physical parameters involved in the buoyancy force of the empty object from the mass of contained liquid. The dynamics of this mass of liquid are also computed, in a way such that the relation between the centre of mass of the object and the buoyancy force may vary, leading to complex, realistic beha viours such as the ones arising for instance with a sinking boat.
Effects of sublethal application of Deepwater Horizon oil to bird eggs on embryonic heart and metabolic rate
Authors: Goodchild Christopher G. , Grisham Kevin , Belden Jason B. , DuRant Sarah E.
Published: May 2020

Following large crude oil spills, oil from feathers of brooding birds and oiled nesting material can transfer to eggs, resulting in reduced embryonic viability for heavily oiled eggs. Eggs may also be subjected to trace or light oiling, but functional teratogenic effects from sublethal crude oil exposure have not been examined. We assessed whether sublethal application of weathered Deepwater Horizon crude oil to the eggshell surface alters heart rate and metabolic rate in Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) embryos. We first determined sublethal applications with a dosing experiment. Embryo viability for eggs exposed to 5 μL or more of crude oil decreased significantly. We conducted a second experiment to measure heart rate and metabolic rate (CO2 production) 5 and 9 d after 1 sublethal application of crude oil to eggshells on day 3 of incubation. One application of 1.0 or 2.5 µL of crude oil reduced embryonic heart rate and metabolic rate on day 12 of incubation. Using unfertilized eggs, we measured the transfer of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the eggshell surface to egg contents 9 d after a single application of sublethal crude oil. Our results suggest avian eggs externally exposed to small amounts of crude oil may exhibit protracted embryonic development and impaired postnatal cardiac performance.
Meta‐analyses of randomized controlled trials reporting the effect of home foot temperature monitoring, patient education or offloading footwear on the incidence of diabetes‐related foot ulcers
Authors: Alahakoon C. , Fernando M. , Galappaththy C. , Matthews E. O. , Lazzarini P. , Moxon J. V. , Golledge J.
Published: May 2020

Aim

The aim of this study was to perform an up‐to‐date systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the efficacy of home foot temperature monitoring, patient education and offloading footwear in reducing the incidence of diabetes‐related foot ulcers.

Methods

A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Cochrane databases to identify relevant original studies. Meta‐analyses were performed using intention‐to‐treat principals for worst (main analysis) and best (sub‐analysis) case scenarios. Leave‐one‐out sensitivity analyses were used to assess the consistency of findings.

Results

Of 7575 unique records, 17 RCTs involving 2729 participants were included. Four tested home foot temperature monitoring (n = 468), six examined patient education (n = 823) and seven assessed offloading footwear (n = 1438). Participants’ who performed home foot temperature monitoring [odds ratio (OR) 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31 to 0.84;n = 468] and those provided offloading footwear (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.80;n = 1438) were less likely to develop a diabetes‐related foot ulcer. Patient education programmes did not significantly reduce diabetes‐related foot ulcer incidence (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.29 to 1.20;n = 823). Sensitivity analyses suggested that offloading footwear findings were consistent, but home foot temperature findings were dependent on the individual inclusion of one trial. All RCTs had either high or unclear risk of bias.

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis suggests that offloading footwear is effective in reducing the incidence of diabetes‐related foot ulcers. Home foot temperature monitoring also appears beneficial but larger trials are needed (PROSPERO registration no.: CRD42019135226).
Inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 as therapeutic agents for individuals with type 2 diabetes: a 25‐year journey
Authors: Carr R. D. , Solomon A.
Published: May 2020

In the 25 years since the hypothesis was first described, therapeutic use of inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4i) as a novel approach to the treatment of type 2 diabetes has become established widely, with several compounds now available to exemplify the class. Although the clinical profiles of members of the DPP‐4i class have been reviewed extensively, the underlying pragmatic small molecular design and pharmaceutical properties of these agents have seldom been addressed in the context of establishment of the class as treatments for type 2 diabetes. Among the reasons contributing to the wide acceptance of DPP‐4i as oral anti‐hyperglycaemic therapy are: (i) the endocrine basis of their pharmacology; (ii) their chemical ‘simplicity’ and low molecular mass; (iii) their pharmacological selectivity for their target mechanism of action; (iv) the nature of physiologically relevant substrates for the enzyme; (v) their relative ease of formulation into tablets; (vi) their efficacy as glucose‐lowering agents; (vii) their absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination profiles; and (viii) their limited tolerability issues.
Race in relation to bank depositors and mortgage applications
Authors: Kashian Russell , Drago Robert
Published: May 2020

Data associated with the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) are often studied for evidence of discrimination in terms of minority applicants or for home location in minority neighborhoods, with mixed results. The present analysis utilizes a data set covering 2014–2016, combining characteristics of home location and applicants from the HMDA data with information on depositor characteristics from the Federal Insurance Deposit Corporation's Summary of Deposits data and the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Consistent with predictions from the red‐lining literature, loan acceptance rates are adversely influenced by high minority locations, although the effect is larger for minority applicants. The relationship banking literature predicts that community banks will yield higher rates of loan acceptance, and the results support that hypothesis. That same literature suggests that familiarity in terms of similar race/ethnicity characteristics for depositors and home location or loan applicants will yield a loan acceptance advantage; and that hypothesis is not supported. Subsidiary analyses suggest that market competition improves loan acceptance rates for minority applicants, consistent with models of discrimination. Additionally, minority depositors are associated positively with loan acceptance rates, which may reflect higher levels of bank risk, and a risk premium, in those markets.
Fostering collaborative teacher learning: A typology of school leadership
Authors: van Schaik Patrick , Volman Monique , Admiraal Wilfried , Schenke Wouter
Published: May 2020

Previous research indicates that supportive school leadership is a key condition of collaborative teacher learning. The purpose of this study was to develop a typology of how school leaders foster collaborative teacher learning. We adopted an integrative perspective on leadership by examining both learning‐centred leadership and distributed leadership practices that are supportive of collaborative teacher learning. Data were gathered by means of interviews with ten school leaders and a questionnaire that was completed by 39 teachers from six secondary schools in the Netherlands. The aim of the interviews was to identify to what extent school leaders applied learning‐centred leadership and distributed leadership practices. The questionnaire measured teachers' perceptions of the role of school leaders in teacher learning. As an outcome of this study, we constructed a typology that provides insights into how school leaders foster collaborative teacher learning. Four types of school leaders were distinguished: (a) integrators of teacher learning, (b) facilitators of teacher learning, (c) managers of teacher learning, and (d) managers of daily school practice. Our findings suggest that integration of learning‐centred leadership and distributed leadership practices can help school leaders to support collaborative teacher learning.