bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SUMOylation of MFF is required for stress-induced mitochondrial fission
Authors: Seager Richard , Ramesh Nitheyaa Shree , Cross Stephen , Guo Chun , Wilkinson Kevin A. , Henley Jeremy M.
Published: May 2023

Mitochondrial fission regulates mitochondrial morphology, function, mitophagy and apoptosis. Fission is mediated by the GTPase dynamin related protein-1 (DRP1) and its recruitment to the outer mitochondrial membrane by DRP1 receptors. Mitochondrial fission factor (MFF) is considered the major pro-fission receptor, whereas the mitochondrial dynamics proteins (MiD49/51) sequester inactive DRP1 and facilitate the MFF-DRP1 interaction by forming a trimeric DRP1-MiD-MFF complex. Here, we identify MFF as a target of poly-SUMOylation at a single residue (Lys151). Following bioenergetic stress, AMPK phosphorylates MFF to promote its SUMOylation, a critical step in stress-induced fragmentation. MFF SUMOylation is not required for DRP1 recruitment from the cytosol but causes a rearrangement of the trimeric fission complex to displace MiD proteins. This alleviates MiD inhibition of DRP1 to facilitate formation of a fission-competent complex. Thus, our data demonstrate that MFF SUMOylation fine-tunes the ratio of MiD to DRP1 for the dynamic control of stress-induced mitochondrial fragmentation.
Open ledger sustainability accounting for community forests: the case of Qingshui river society of southwest China in the 18th-19th centuries
Authors: Wang Xiaorui , Hu Shen
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This article intends to explore the sustainability accounting practices that emerge from the business of artificial forestry in the Qingshui River society of southwest China in the 18th-19th centuries.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a historical approach, we set out to discuss the systematic use of “folk contract” as a tool of tracing accountability in timber trading and in the collective management of community forests in this region, based on the archives of Qingshui River Manuscripts.

Findings

The findings indicate that active transactions of small forest plots facilitated by the prevalent use of folk contracts allow both the landlords and the tenants to easily acquire cashflow needed any time before the harvest, and in turn prevent premature logging and deforestation for crop farming. An “open ledger” bookkeeping system emerged from the extensive contracting practices guarantees the functioning of a dualistic accountability system, where both market value of timbers and “face” value of community members' reputation are preserved for long-term sustainability of local economy, society and ecological environment.

Originality/value

From the perspective of economic anthropology, this study forms the link between the folk contract practice in sustainable forestry of the Qingshui River society and the emancipatory accounting literature.
Natural gas rents and institutions as co-growth drivers: evidence from Gas Exporting Countries Forum with a panel 2SLS approach
Authors: Ajayi Temitope Abraham
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the implications of natural gas rents and institutions as co-drivers of economic growth, focusing on the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) with panel data between 2001 and 2021.

Design/methodology/approach

This research paper uses a specialised two stage estimator, the panel instrumental variable technique (panel IV), which takes care of the potential endogeneity issues in the model.

Findings

The findings show that natural gas rent significantly impacts the economic growth of the GECF. On average, natural gas rent increases the sample’s growth rate by about 2.634% percentage points in the short run. The result indicates that the qualities of institutions (political and economic) have a significant positive long-term effect on the economies of the GECF. In addition, the study’s energy price volatility positively correlates with the countries’ growth.

Research limitations/implications

There might be a need to investigate the effects of natural gas rents and institutions as co-growth drivers in each country within the GECF. The likelihood exists that the impact of natural gas rents and institutions on economic growth at the country’s level may differ from the outcome of such an experiment on the group level. Because of space and time limitations, this study could not carry out the specific country’s investigation of natural gas rents and institutions as a co-growth driver. That limitation may constitute further study to advance this study to a new height.

Practical implications

With good institutions, natural gas rent is likely to be an alternative growth driver for some economies that rely on fossil fuels like oil as a growth driver. By extension, the GECF has the potential to rival Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in the global energy market, particularly in achieving Sustainable Development Goal number seven. In essence, evidence in this study suggests that natural gas rent has long-term positive effects on the growth of the GECF, conditioned on good institutions. Moreover, the drive of global energy consumption towards sustainable energy usage is an economic blessing for the GECF. By extension, the demand for natural gas would continue to rise, creating opportunities to improve natural gas rents. By implication, the GECF would continue to benefit from the pursuit of sustainability as the world shifts towards energy consumption with less CO2.

Originality/value

Firstly, this study models the qualities of institutions for the GECF. Secondly, to the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first attempt to examine natural gas rents and the qualities of institutions as co-determinants of economic growth among the GECF (a potential cartel).
A dynamic analysis of the influence of foreign real estate investments on residential land prices in Mauritius
Authors: Gopy-Ramdhany Narvada , Seetanah Boopen
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Mauritius’s residential real estate sector has undergone an increase in foreign investment over the past decades. This study aims to establish if the increasing level of foreign real estate investments (FREI) has increased land demand and land prices. The study also aims to depict whether the relation between FREI and land prices prevails at an aggregate and/ or a regional level.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 26 regions, classified as urban, rural and coastal is collected on an annual basis over the period 2000 to 2019, and a dynamic panel regression framework, namely, an autoregressive distributed lag model, is used to take into account the dynamic nature of land price modeling.

Findings

The findings show that, at the aggregate level, in the long-term, FREI does not have a significant influence on land prices, while in the short term, a positive significant relationship is noted between the two variables. A regional breakdown of the data into urban, rural and coastal was done. In the long term, only in coastal regions, a positive significant link was observed, whereas in urban and rural regions FREI did not influence land prices. In the short term, the positive link subsists in the coastal regions, and in rural regions also land prices are positively affected by FREI.

Originality/value

Unlike other studies which have used quite general measures of FREI, the present research has focused on FREI mainly undertaken in the residential real estate market and how these have affected residential land prices. This study also contributes to research on the determinants of land prices which is relatively scarce compared to research on housing prices.
Sustainability dichotomies of used clothes supply chains: a critical review of key concerns and strategic resources
Authors: Dissanayake Kanchana , Pal Rudrajeet
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Used clothes supply chains are becoming increasingly complex, fragmented and less transparent due to rising volumes of discarded clothes and its dispersed reverse logistics operations across the Global North (GN) and Global South (GS). While it has a promising impact on circular economy and international trade growth, increasing exports of used clothes and overflowing landfills raise some negative concerns on its overall sustainability. This paper addresses the dichotomy that exists in terms of interpreting the sustainability credentials of used clothes supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was carried out and 55 articles were examined to identify the triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability impacts of used clothes supply chains. TBL sustainability issues were identified, reflected through the lens of natural resource-based view and interpreted in the form of propositions.

Findings

The paper pinpoints seven TBL sustainability concerns and prescribes three sets of strategic resources required in glocal used clothes supply chains for mitigating these. These are (1) slowing the supply chain by tackling poor quality, overproduction and oversupply issues, (2) improving logistics/supply chain infrastructure and ecosystem collaboration and (2) embedding transparent environmental, social and governance (ESG) measures taken by both value chain actors and regulatory bodies, for embracing system-level sustainable development.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to analyse TBL sustainability of glocal north–south used clothes supply chains. The study is unique in terms of its scope and contribution to the sustainable supply chain literature.
Alignment of green supply chain strategies and operations from a product perspective
Authors: Ye Ying , Lau Kwok Hung , Teo Leon
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore how green supply chain management (GSCM) strategies can be effectively implemented for business supply chain operations, relationship management and product design to gain green competitive advantages.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory in-depth case study was conducted with one of the largest Chinese electronics manufacturers that is considered a leading GSCM adopter in the industry, to understand how the company adopts green supply chain practices across its multiple product lines.

Findings

The findings show that businesses can build different green focuses across GSCM elements of green operation, green relationship management and green product design to form diverse hybrid strategic solutions. They include green control, lean, leagile, agile and clean innovation while taking consideration of supply chain type and product lifespan. A taxonomy of four key GSCM strategic combinations is proposed based on the findings. The strategies align with green demand and supply chain characteristics balancing a series of business competitive objectives in terms of reducing pollution and waste, improving green cost efficiency, enhancing green demand innovation and building green service effectiveness.

Research limitations/implications

This study lends insight into the strategic alignment relationships between product supply chain types and approaches to GSCM.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can support industry practitioners in formulating aligned GSCM strategies based on product types to achieve optimal results.

Social implications

Optimised green supply chain design, operations and relationship management incorporating product attributes can help further minimise negative impacts of business activities on the environment.

Originality/value

This research provides a systematic understanding of how product supply chain types can influence GSCM strategy formulation. It gives a holistic picture of how hybrid choices of strategies with green supply chain operations, relationship management and product design can be formulated based on product and supply chain characteristics.
Mapping the intellectual structure of corporate governance and ownership structure: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Batra Shallu , Saini Mohit , Yadav Mahender
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to provide an overview of the development of corporate governance and ownership structure literature and offers a synopsis of the top contributors, influential articles, journals and potential research prospects on this subject.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used bibliometric analysis to review the literature. In all, 1,368 articles published between 1992 and 2022 in Scopus-indexed journals were considered.

Findings

This review reveals the top leading authors, institutions, countries and sources in the ownership structure research. Using bibliographic coupling, this study fetches four significant clusters. The theme of the first cluster revolved around cash holding. The second and third groups revealed how distinct characteristics of ownership impact the performance of the firm and disclosure decisions, respectively. The last and fourth cluster deals with risk-taking activities in financial institutions. Furthermore, this study suggests a road map in each cluster for future research.

Originality/value

Ownership structure plays a significant role in corporate governance by affecting manager incentives and determining the extent of monitoring. Previous studies have contributed to this field while focusing on the board of directors. However, no study synthesises the literature on ownership structure within corporate governance, which is the core element of the corporate governance system. Hence, this study gives a comprehensive overview and determines the latest and prominent research in ownership structure within corporate governance through bibliometric analysis.
Analyzing the static and dynamic dependence among green investments, carbon markets, financial markets and commodity markets
Authors: Abakah Emmanuel Joel Aikins , Tiwari Aviral Kumar , Oliyide Johnson Ayobami , Appiah Kingsley Opoku
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper investigates the static and dynamic directional return spillovers and dependence among green investments, carbon markets, financial markets and commodity markets from January 2013 to September 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed both the quantile vector autoregression (QVAR) and time-varying parameter VAR (TVP-VAR) technique to examine the magnitude of static and dynamic directional spillovers and dependence of markets.

Findings

Results show that the magnitude of connectedness is extremely higher at quantile levels (q = 0.05 and q = 0.95) compared to those in the mean of the conditional distribution. This connotes that connectedness between green bonds and other assets increases with shock size for both negative and positive shocks. This further indicates that return shocks spread at a higher magnitude during extreme market conditions relative to normal periods. Additional analyses show the behavior of return transmission between green bond and other assets is asymmetric.

Practical implications

The findings of this study offer significant implications for portfolio investors, policymakers, regulatory authorities and investment community in terms of carefully assessing the unique characteristics offered by each markets in terms of return spillovers and dependence and diversifying the portfolios.

Originality/value

The study, first, uses a relatively new statistical technique, the QVAR advanced by Ando et al. (2018), to capture upper and lower tails’ quantile price connectedness and directional spillover. Therefore, the results possess adequate power against departure from mean-based conditional connectedness. Second, using a portfolio of green investments, carbon markets, financial markets and commodity markets, the uniqueness of this study lies in the examination of the static and dynamic dependence of the markets examined.
Divergent trait responses to nitrogen addition in tall and short species
Authors: Cheng Yikang , Liu Xiang , Song Zhiping , Ma Miaojun , Zhou Shurong , Allan Eric
Published: May 2023

Asymmetrical light competition and direct detrimental effect of nitrogen have been proposed as two main mechanisms driving species richness declines following nitrogen (N) addition. N addition is also known to alter functional trait composition towards increased dominance of tall and fast‐growing species. However, whether trait changes vary between species and, in particular, how the traits of tall and short species respond to N addition has rarely been studied. Understanding whether different trait changes occur for tall and short species would provide insight into mechanisms underlying N addition effects.

Based on a long‐term N addition experiment, we measured the natural height of 44 plant species and the photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) at seven heights in the vegetation and identified a clear stratification of the plant community into tall species (>30 cm tall), which experienced high light conditions, and short species that grew under the canopy. We also measured four functional traits, including maximum plant height, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content and leaf thickness, on 35 species that occurred in fertilized and unfertilized plots.

Structural equation modelling revealed that nitrogen (N) addition significantly reduced species richness by enhancing light asymmetry and had no direct effects, suggesting that N detrimental effects are negligible in our system. Consistent with this, we found different responses of traits and diversity for the tall and short species. Specifically, N addition reduced the number of short species but increased the number of tall species. In addition, specific leaf area increased, and leaf dry matter content decreased, for short species only, suggesting that they shifted to a fast growth strategy to cope with lower light levels. In contrast, tall species increased their height further to capture more light at the top of the canopy.

Synthesis. The divergent trait responses observed for tall and short species show that although certain traits, like height and leaf traits, show correlated responses at the whole community level, these correlations may not be consistent across all species. Together, our results highlight that light competition is the main mechanism driving species loss following N addition.
Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus induces BmFABP1 downregulation to promote viral proliferation
Authors: Wang Xiong , Ma Guangyu , Ren Feifei , Awais Mian Muhammad , Sun Jingchen
Published: May 2023

Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) play an important role as endogenous cytoprotectants. However, studies on FABPs in invertebrates are scarce. Previously, we discovered Bombyx mori fatty acid binding protein 1 (BmFABP1) through co‐immunoprecipitation. Here, we cloned and identified BmFABP1 from BmN cells. The results of immunofluorescence indicated that BmFABP1 was localized in the cytoplasm. The tissue expression profile of silkworms showed that BmFABP1 was expressed in all tissues except hemocytes. The expression level of BmFABP1 gradually decreases in BmN cells and B. mori larvae after infection with B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV). Upregulation of BmFABP1 expression through overexpression or WY14643 treatment significantly inhibited the replication of BmNPV, while downregulation of BmFABP1 expression by RNA interference promoted the replication of BmNPV. The same results were obtained in experiments on silkworm larvae. These results suggest that BmNPV induces BmFABP1 downregulation to promote its proliferation and that BmFABP1 has a potential anti‐BmNPV role. This is the first report on the antiviral effect of BmFABP1 in silkworms and provides new insights into the study of the FABP protein family. Also, it is important to study BmNPV resistance in silkworms to breed transgenic silkworms with BmNPV resistance.
Effect of different final irrigation agitation techniques on root canal dentin tubule penetration of nanoparticle calcium hydroxide dressing
Authors: Solakoğlu Elif , Topçuoğlu Hüseyin Sinan , Düzgün Salih
Published: May 2023

This study is aimed to assess the efficacy of different final irrigation agitation techniques on dentin tubule penetration of nanoparticle calcium hydroxide (NCH) dressing. Ninety‐six extracted upper incisors were shaped up to #40file. Then, Four experimental groups were formed according to the final irrigation procedure: conventional needle irrigation (CNI), manual dynamic agitation (MDA), sonic agitation (SA) and ultrasonic irrigant agitation (UIA). According to the intracanal drug used, these groups were divided into two subgroups: calcium hydroxide (CH) and NCH. Prepared CH preparations were labelled with Rhodamine B, and CH or NCH were placed in root canals. In the UIA group, both CH and NCH had the highest penetration depth and percentage compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). The penetration depth and percentage of NCH in the UIA and SA groups were significantly higher than in the CH groups (p < 0.05). UIA is more effective than other groups in increasing dentinal tubule penetration of CH and NCH.
Diagnostic outcomes after colposcopy at a tertiary clinic for women aged 50–74 referred after detection of oncogenic human papillomavirus at primary screening
Authors: Tan Jeffery H. J. , Jones Antonia , Steele Angela , Vicario Estefania , Wrede C. David H.
Published: May 2023

Aims

To examine outcomes in women aged 50–74 years after detection of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) at cervical screening.

Materials and methods

A retrospective observational study of 464 women seen in the Royal Women's Hospital Colposcopy Clinic from 1 January 2018 to 31 July 2020, 292 (62.9%) were positive for HPV16/18 and 172 (37.1%) for HPV (not 16/18).

Results

Fifty‐four women (11.6%) had histologically proven CIN2+ including seven cancers, up to two years after first colposcopy visit (FCV): 48 (88.9%) detected at FCV or at excisional treatment (Excision) arranged after no CIN2+ detected at FCV. There was no significant difference (P = 0.14) in proportion of CIN2+ detected between the two groups, ‘HPV16/18’ (9.9%) or ‘HPV (not 16/18)’ (14.5%), nor with reflex cytology types. The positive predictive value (PPV) of high‐grade impression at colposcopy was 63.6%. There were 243 (52.4%) who had Type 3 transformation zone (TZ3) with 20 CIN2+ detected, 13 at FCV including all three cancers and five at Excision. There were 214 (73.3%) with positive HPV16/18 who had reflex negative cytology, of which seven had CIN2+ including one cancer but only two (1.4%) CIN2+ when their repeat cytology at colposcopy was negative.

Conclusions

Most CIN2+ were detected at first colposcopy or at subsequent excision. We would encourage high biopsy rates at colposcopy and vigilance in selection for excisional treatment in TZ3 cases if there is no significant suspicion of high‐grade abnormality. There is a need to refine the algorithm for management of persistent HPV16/18 infections with reflex negative cytology to reduce colposcopy referrals in women aged 50 and above.
CYP2C19 loss‐of‐function alleles are not associated with higher prevalence of gastrointestinal bleeds in those who have been prescribed antidepressants: Analysis in a British‐South Asian cohort
Authors: Magavern Emma F. , van Heel David A. ,   Genes & Health Research Team, Smedley Damian , Caulfield Mark J.
Published: May 2023

Aims

CYP2C19 is a hepatic enzyme involved in the metabolism of antidepressants associated with increased gastrointestinal bleed (GIB) risk. The aim of our study was to explore a possible association between loss‐of‐function CYP2C19 genotypes and GIB in South Asian ancestry participants prescribed antidepressants.

Methods

Genes & Health participants with a record in Barts Health NHS Trust (N 22 753) were studied using a cross‐sectional approach. CYP2C19 diplotypes were assessed and metabolizer type inferred from consortia guidance. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the prevalence of GIB in different metabolizer categories. Multivariable regression was used to test for association between antidepressant prescriptions and GIB, and between CYP2C19 metabolizer state and GIB in the subcohort prescribed antidepressants.

Results

Antidepressants were frequently prescribed (47%, N = 10 612). A total of 864 participants (4%) had a GIB; 534 (62%) had been prescribed a CYP2C19 metabolized antidepressant. There was an independent association between antidepressant prescriptions and GIB events (odds ratio 1.8, confidence interval 1.5‐2.0, P < 0.0001). There was no relationship between CYP2C19 inferred poor (P 0.56) or intermediate (P 0.53) metabolizer status and GIB in those prescribed an antidepressant in unadjusted analysis. A multivariable logistic regression model did not show an independent association between poor (P 0.54) or intermediate (P 0.62) CYP2C19 metabolizers and GIB in the subcohort prescribed antidepressants.

Conclusions

CYP2C19 dependent antidepressants are associated with increased GIB prevalence. GIB appeared independent from CYP2C19 metabolizer genotype in individuals who had been prescribed antidepressants. Precision dosing based on CYP2C19 genetic information alone is unlikely to reduce GIB prevalence.
Approaches to learn about employer learning
Authors: Ablay Mahmut , Lange Fabian
Published: May 2023

The empirical literature on employer learning assumes that employers learn about unobserved ability differences across workers as they spend time in the labour market. This article describes testable implications that arise from this basic hypothesis and how they have been used to quantify the contribution of job market signalling and human capital in measured returns to education. While the empirical basis is still thin, the results suggest that signalling contributes at most about 25% to the observed returns to education.
Diversification of refugia types needed to secure the future of coral reefs subject to climate change
Authors: McClanahan Tim R. , Darling Emily S. , Beger Maria , Fox Helen E. , Grantham Hedley S. , Jupiter Stacy D. , Logan Cheryl A. , Mcleod Elizabeth , McManus Lisa C. , Oddenyo Remy M. , Surya Gautam S. , Wenger Amelia. S. , Zinke Jens , Maina Joseph M.
Published: May 2023

Identifying locations of refugia from the thermal stresses of climate change for coral reefs and better managing them is one of the key recommendations for climate change adaptation. We review and summarize approximately 30 years of applied research focused on identifying climate refugia to prioritize the conservation actions for coral reefs under rapid climate change. We found that currently proposed climate refugia and the locations predicted to avoid future coral losses are highly reliant on  excess heat metrics, such as degree heating weeks. However, many existing alternative environmental, ecological, and life‐history variables could be used to identify other types of refugia that lead to the desired diversified portfolio for coral reef conservation. To improve conservation priorities for coral reefs, there is a need to evaluate and validate the predictions of climate refugia with long‐term field data on coral abundance, diversity, and functioning. There is also the need to identify and safeguard locations displaying resistance toprolonged exposure to heat waves and the ability to recover quickly after thermal exposure. We recommend using more metrics to identify a portfolio of potential refugia sites for coral reefs that can avoid, resist, and recover from exposure to high ocean temperatures and the consequences of climate change, thereby shifting past efforts focused on avoidance to a diversified risk‐spreading portfolio that can be used to improve strategic coral reef conservation in a rapidly warming climate.
HipScreen mobile app for the measurement of hip migration percentage in children with cerebral palsy: Accuracy, reliability, and discriminatory ability
Authors: Kulkarni Vedant A. , Cung‐Shahlaie Nina Q. , Bagley Anita M. , Yang Nuen‐Tsang , Taylor Sandra L. , Davids Jon R.
Published: May 2023

Aim

To assess the accuracy, reliability, and discriminatory ability of a mobile app for measurement of migration percentage in hip surveillance radiographs of children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

The free mobile app HipScreen (www.hipscreen.org) was utilized by a diverse group of users to measure the migration percentage of 40 hips at two time points after completing an online tutorial and competency test. The mean absolute error (MAE) was calculated against the reference standard obtained on a radiology workstation. Statistical analyses included linear regression, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and area under receiver‐operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

Thirty‐seven users completed the study, with 30 having a healthcare professional background, but only 15 with x‐ray interpretation expertise. The overall MAE of migration percentage measurement using the HipScreen app was 5.72% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.38–6.06), with good reliability between time points (ICC = 0.83). With a migration percentage less than 30% considered as a positive case, the HipScreen app had a sensitivity of 94% (95% CI: 87–97), specificity of 66% (95% CI: 61–77), and an AUC of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.88–0.96).

Interpretation

Users from a broad range of backgrounds can utilize the HipScreen app to measure hip surveillance radiographs with clinically acceptable accuracy, reliability, and discriminatory ability.

What this paper adds

The HipScreen app can accurately and reliably measure migration percentage.

As a screening tool, HipScreen has excellent sensitivity and discriminatory ability.

A broad range of HipScreen users achieve clinically acceptable performance.
Can self‐assessment ability predict student performance in a dental anatomy course?
Authors: Cevallos Michael , Pardo Armando , Kakadia Rahen , Jiang Tien , Chutinan Supattriya
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The development of early self‐assessment skills and determining its correlation with academic performance could provide evidence to alter dental curricula. The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the relationships between students' early self‐assessment ability in waxing and three different evaluation methods (waxing assessment, written examinations, and tooth identification examination) in a dental anatomy course.

Materials and Methods

The dental anatomy scores during the academic years of 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 from two cohorts of second‐year pre‐doctoral dental students at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine were analyzed. Regression analyses were completed to assess the relationship between all evaluation methods.

Results

There was a statistically significant correlation between self‐assessment ability and the waxing assessment but no significant correlation between self‐assessment ability and the other evaluation methods.

Conclusion

Our results showed that the introduction of self‐assessments in dental anatomy waxing was correlated with successful waxing skills. Furthermore, a relevant finding is that students who received higher classifications were also capable of doing better self‐assessments. These findings provide evidence that impacts dental curricula.
Exploring the notion of inclusivity as facilitating students' ontological engagement for personally relevant learning
Authors: Ratnam Tara
Published: May 2023

In India, inclusivity in education can be seen as an expression of commitment to social justice. It reflects a deep commitment to the goals of universalisation of education promoted by world agencies such as UNESCO. However, pitched between the aspirational goals of achieving equity and social justice on one hand, and the economic imperative of a competitive market on the other, inclusivity in education seems an ever‐elusive goal. Students' voices and all the cultural and experiential resources they hold, are marginalised in school, contributing to alienating students from school learning. The study on which this article reports sought to support teachers glean insights from participation in a purposive modelling activity, set in a Vygotskian dialectic frame of reference. The activity focused on how learning from students and their communities can be harnessed to engage students ontologically in class, to enhance students' agentive role in an inclusive learning environment. It is rooted in a funds of knowledge approach. The qualitative data for this ethnographically oriented study have been gathered from multiple sources over 2 years and analysed thematically. The findings show that modelling not only helped teacher learning and development of practice, but also familiarised teachers with issues of equity and inclusivity. Notably, by making teachers aware of the differentiated needs of all the students in the process of invoking their unique contribution to learning from their cultural locations. The insights are used to discuss the challenges posed for teachers in making their new learning part of their teaching practice.
French teachers' intentions to use accommodated materials in learning and assessment
Authors: Khamzina Kamilla , Desombre Caroline , Jury Mickaël
Published: May 2023

The implementation of inclusive practices in mainstream education remains particularly difficult in the French context and is influenced by various factors including the types of disability labels, and the type of assessment practices that are used. Indeed, how student disability is labelled could impact teacher attitudes by notably disfavouring students labelled with autism. Moreover, normative assessment is strongly linked with selection at schools—a function that works against teacher attitudes towards inclusive education. This article reports on a study in which we examined teacher intentions to use materials accommodated to special educational needs students, as a function of special needs labelling. Specifically, this refers to the use of labels for either a disability or special educational need, in connection to tasks associated with learning or assessment. The results of our study revealed that, for both types of labels, the intentions to use accommodated materials are lower when teachers are asked to assess student competence than when prompted to teach this competence. These findings are discussed with consideration to the incompatibility between selection in schools—which is aligned with the principle of meritocracy—and efforts to promote inclusive education practices.
Inclusive education in the Czech Republic: A scoping review of a paradigm shift
Authors: Vaďurová Helena , Pančocha Karel
Published: May 2023

This scoping review presents the historical, social, and international influences that shaped the gradual move from segregated to inclusive education for all children in the Czech Republic. The introduction of the 2016 amendment to the Education Act marked a decisive paradigm shift in education policy, which formed the legal basis for services and support measures to be made available for all children with special needs in local mainstream schools. We analysed Czech language and English language peer‐reviewed specialist literature to see how these changes have been reflected in current education research. The eighteen studies reviewed provide a complex picture of facilitators and barriers at the level of inclusive culture, policy and practice. Even though progress towards inclusive education in the Czech Republic has been notable, there are still systemic and attitudinal barriers to the education of all children.
Lethality of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection—a comparative autopsy study focusing on COVID‐19 development and virus variants
Authors: Schwab Constantin , Merle Uta , Schirmacher Peter , Longerich Thomas
Published: May 2023

Aims

Different SARS‐CoV‐2 variants are driving various waves of infection of the corona pandemic. Official statistics provide no information on who died due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) or an alternative disease during which SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was detected. The current study aims at addressing the effect of the different variants evolving during the pandemic on fatal outcomes.

Methods and results

Standardised autopsies were performed on 117 people who died of a SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and the findings were interpreted in clinical and pathophysiological contexts. The typical histological sequence of COVID‐19‐related lung injury was detected independently of the disease‐causing virus variant, but was significantly less common (50 versus 80–100%) and less severe in cases infected by omicron variants compared to precedent variants (P < 0.05). COVID‐19 was less often the leading cause of death following omicron infection. Extrapulmonary manifestations of COVID‐19 did not contribute to death in this cohort. Lethal COVID‐19 may occur after complete SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination. Reinfection was not the cause of death in any of the autopsies of this cohort.

Conclusion

Autopsies represent the gold standard in determining the cause of death after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and autopsy registers are currently the only available data source allowing for evaluation of which patients died of COVID‐19 or with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Compared to previous variants, infection with an omicron variant affected the lungs less frequently and resulted in less severe lung disease.
Evaluation of the efficacy of a modified method of treating the incisions of the single‐port video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery using V‐Loc™ barbed sutures
Authors: Xu Li , Wang Yue , Wang Zhen‐xing , Mai Shi‐xiong , Xu Lei , Xu Zhe‐nan , Yang Wei
Published: May 2023

This paper describes a modified method of applying unidirectional barbed sutures to treat the incisions of the single‐port video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and discusses its safety and feasibility. This was a retrospective analysis of 108 patients who underwent single‐port VATS admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the China–Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, from April 2019 to April 2020. The experimental group (65 patients) was given unidirectional barbed sutures (V‐Loc™ sutures) to treat the incision, and the control group (43 patients) had a skin stapler to treat the incision. The complications related to the incisions of the two groups were compared. There was no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups regarding incisional infection, incisional splitting, fat liquefaction, and incisional resewing. The pleural fluid outflow from the drainage orifice after removal of the chest tube (0 cases in the experimental group and 7 cases in the control group, P = 0.001) was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. The scores of the scars showed that the experimental group was significantly better than the control group. The modified method of treating the incisions of the single‐port VATS with V‐Loc™ sutures has good efficacy and safety. It reduces the incidence of pleural fluid outflow from the drainage orifice after removal of the chest tube compared with the traditional stapler suture method, and it has superior cosmetic outcomes.
Risk of ventricular arrhythmias following implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator generator change in patients with recovered ejection fraction: Implications for shared decision‐making
Authors: Chang Donald D. , Pantlin Peter G. , Benn Francis A. , Ryan Gullatt T. , Bernard Michael L. , Elise Hiltbold A. , Khatib Sammy , Polin Glenn M. , Rogers Paul A. , Velasco‐Gonzalez Cruz , Morin Daniel P.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Guidelines indicate primary‐prevention implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICDs) for most patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35%. Some patients' LVEFs improve during the life of their first ICD. In patients with recovered LVEF who never received appropriate ICD therapy, the utility of generator replacement upon battery depletion remains unclear. Here, we evaluate ICD therapy based on LVEF at the time of generator change, to educate shared decision‐making regarding whether to replace the depleted ICD.

Methods

We followed patients with a primary‐prevention ICD who underwent generator change. Patients who received appropriate ICD therapy for ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) before generator change were excluded. The primary endpoint was appropriate ICD therapy, adjusted for the competing risk of death.

Results

Among 951 generator changes, 423 met inclusion criteria. During 3.4 ± 2.2 years follow‐up, 78 (18%) received appropriate therapy for VT/VF. Compared to patients with recovered LVEF > 35% (n = 161 [38%]), those with LVEF ≤ 35% (n = 262 [62%]) were more likely to require ICD therapy (p = .002; Fine‐Gray adjusted 5‐year event rates: 12.7% vs. 25.0%). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed the optimal LVEF cutoff for VT/VF prediction to be 45%, the use of which further improved risk stratification (p < .001), with Fine‐Gray adjusted 5‐year rates 6.2% versus 25.1%.

Conclusion

Following ICD generator change, patients with primary‐prevention ICDs and recovered LVEF have significantly lower risk of subsequent ventricular arrhythmias compared to those with persistent LVEF depression. Risk stratification at LVEF 45% offers significant additional negative predictive value over a 35% cutoff, without a significant loss in sensitivity. These data may be useful during shared decision‐making at the time of ICD generator battery depletion.
Efficacy of adjunctive measures in the non‐surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis: A systematic review
Authors: Liñares Antonio , Sanz‐Sánchez Ignacio , Dopico José , Molina Ana , Blanco Juan , Montero Eduardo
Published: May 2023

Aim

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy of patient‐performed or administered adjunctive measures to non‐surgical peri‐implantitis therapy in terms of probing depth (PD) and/or bleeding on probing (BoP) reductions.

Materials and Methods

Randomized and controlled clinical trials with at least 6 months of follow‐up were searched in three databases. Secondary outcomes included implant loss, disease resolution, recurrence of peri‐implantitis, need of re‐treatment, changes in marginal bone levels, patient‐reported outcomes and adverse effects.

Results

Of 567 titles, 10 publications, reporting 9 investigations, were included. Three types of adjunctive measures were found (local/systemic antimicrobials and probiotics). Four studies evaluated the effects of local antimicrobials (i.e., minocycline microspheres, chlorhexidine chips or a metronidazole + amoxicillin gel), three studies evaluated systemic antimicrobials (either amoxicillin + metronidazole or metronidazole alone) and two studies evaluated probiotics (Lactobacillus reuteri strains). The addition of local antimicrobials led to modest improvements in PD reduction. Systemic antimicrobials showed significantly greater reductions in PD and BoP, especially at initially deep sites (PD > 6 mm). Due to the large heterogeneity among included studies, no meta‐analyses were performed.

Conclusions

Different adjunctive measures in the non‐surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis have different impact in terms of PD and BoP reductions. Improved PD reductions result after the use of systemic antimicrobials, and to a lesser extent, after the use of local antimicrobials.
Weaving Evidence into Action for Veterans with Dementia (WEAVE): Evaluation of implementation into long‐term care practice
Authors: Meyer Claudia , Golenko Xanthe , Cyarto Elizabeth V. , O'Keefe Fleur , Bonney Gwen , Min Mina , Alrababah Safa , Robinson Elizabeth , Lowthian Judy
Published: May 2023

Rationale

Veterans living with dementia in long‐term care have complex needs, with variable manifestation of symptoms of dementia that interact with their lived experience. Best practice dementia care prioritises nonpharmacological interventions; of which few have strong evidence. Implementation of evidence is complex, with evaluation of outcomes and processes necessary.

Aims and Objectives

This paper details the evaluation of implementation, at veteran and organisational level, of the Weaving Evidence into Action for Veterans with Dementia (WEAVE) programme.

Methods

A Type 2 hybrid effectiveness‐implementation design was used, underpinned by the Implementation Framework for Aged Care (IFAC). Programme intervention incorporated music therapy, exercise, reminiscence therapy and/or sensory modulation, offered over a 24‐week period. Evaluation components included: (1) programme effectiveness for veterans with dementia for responsive behaviour, physical wellbeing, cognitive status, emotional state, medications and falls (at baseline, 8‐week, 16‐week and 24‐week); and (2) implementation outcomes of reach and adoption, feasibility and acceptability, fidelity (via interviews) and a preliminary cost analysis.

Results

Thirty‐eight veterans participated in the 24‐week programme, with high levels of engagement in interventions of their choice. Statistically significant improvements were seen across all veteran‐level outcome measures, for functional capacity and reduced neuro‐psychiatric and depressive symptoms. Ten staff members were interviewed, highlighting co‐designed core elements were feasible and acceptable, and the momentum generated by resident and staff enthusiasm. Cost analysis included costs of programme set‐up and running the 24‐week intervention.

Conclusion

Key components of programme success were the therapeutic leaders, adherence to core elements of programme design, and veterans' choice in meaningful activity. Cost analysis supports deliberations for upscale across further care homes.
Open‐label, single‐arm, single‐center clinical study on the effectiveness and safety of a moisturizer containing tocotrienol‐rich composition in children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
Authors: How Kang Nien , Chang Hon Weng , Lai Oi Ming
Published: May 2023

Background

Little is known about antioxidant efficacy of topical vitamin E on atopic dermatitis (AD) due to lack of controlled clinical studies.

Aim

The study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of a topical moisturizer containing tocotrienol‐rich composition over 12 weeks on patients aged between 1 month and 12 years with mild to moderate AD.

Methods

We conducted a 12 weeks, prospective, open‐label clinical study on the effect of tocotrienol as an adjunct to conventional treatment. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee for Research Involving Human Subject. JKEUPM‐2019‐274 (NMMR‐19‐1588‐49234).

Results

Thirty AD patients with a mean age of 2.77 ± 3.05 were enrolled in the study. At week‐12, significant reduction of investigator global assessment (63.4%), Patient‐Oriented Scoring Atopic Dermatitis Index (PO‐SCORAD) (65%), and SCORAD (52.3%) was noted (p < 0.05). There was also a significant decreased in pruritus intensity (46%, p < 0.05). Similarly at week‐12, Infant's Dermatitis Quality of Life Index and Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index were found to improve significantly compared to baseline (p < 0.05). Instrumental assessment revealed improvement in TEWL and erythema index, 49.7% and 17.4%, respectively. No adverse reaction was observed. 95% of patients were satisfied with the moisturizer and 90% perceived it to be better than the one in the market. There was a 55.07% reduction in the use of hydrocortisone 1% cream toward the end of the study (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The results suggested that tocotrienol‐rich moisturizer is safe and effective in the management of AD in young children.