bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of narrow-band imaging in predicting the histology of anal intraepithelial lesions
Authors: Pecere Silvia , Hassan Cesare , La Milia Daniele , Villani Valeria , Fuccio Lorenzo , Costamagna Guido , Petruzziello Lucio , Gizzi Giuseppe
Published: December 2022

Background and aim

Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) is the precursor of anal squamous carcinoma, frequently underappreciated by most gastroenterologists. Purpose of the study is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of narrow-band imaging (NBI) in predicting the histology of anal lesions, considering a new NBI classification.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with suspected anal squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) and superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SISCCA) who underwent anorectal-sigmoidoscopy. Three expert endoscopists reviewed all the images collected during colonoscopies in white light and NBI in order to generate a practical classification of three main different NBI patterns.

Results

After the modified Delphi process, the final NBI classification, mainly based on intrapapillary capillary loops (IPCL) changes included three different NBI pattern. NBI pattern I: elongation of IPCL toward epithelial surface; NBI pattern 2: thickened and tortuous IPCL; NBI pattern 3: mosaic-like disposition of IPCL. We found that NBI pattern positively correlated to the histologic type of the lesions and tumor grade (Spearman’s rho = 0.9671, P = 0.0000). Among 58 anal lesions included, 41/41 (100%) LSILs have been classified as NBI pattern I, 10/11 (90.91%) HSILs as NBI pattern II, 1/11 HSIL as NBI pattern I, 4/4 SISCCA as NBI pattern III and 2/2 invasive cancer as NBI pattern III. Diagnostic accuracy of NBI pattern II or III in predicting histology differentiating HSIL or SISCCA/IC versus LSIL showed a sensitivity of 100%, (95% CI: 92.3–100%) and a specificity of 94.1% (95% CI: 83.8–98.3%).

Conclusion

The accuracy of this new NBI score system in predicting the histology of anal lesions showed encouraging data in term of sensitivity and specificity in differentiating HSIL or SISCCA/IC versus LSIL, but the clinical usefulness and application of these findings should be evaluated in a prospective larger study.
Incidence and predisposing factors for de novo post-COVID-19 irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Siyal Mehreen , Abbas Zaigham , Ashraf Javeria , Ali Qadeer Muhammad , Altaf Abeer
Published: December 2022

Objective

Postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a known entity. We evaluated the incidence of post-COVID-19 IBS in patients discharged from the hospital and analyzed its correlation with the clinical and laboratory parameters, and treatment during the hospital stay.

Methods

Three hundred three COVID-19 hospitalized patients without prior history of IBS were prospectively followed after their discharge and were evaluated as per Rome-IV criteria for IBS.

Results

One hundred seventy-eight patients were males (58.7%). The age range was 17–95 years (mean ± SD, 55.9 ± 15.8). A total of 194 (64%) had mild COVID-19, 74 (24.4%) had moderate COVID-19, whereas 35 (11.6%) had severe COVID-19 infection. Sixteen (5.3%) patients had concomitant GI symptoms during COVID-19 infection. IBS symptoms were found to be present in 32 (10.6%) patients, out of which 17 (53.13%) had diarrhea-predominant, 10 (31.25%) had constipation-predominant, and five (15.62%) had mixed-type IBS. Post-COVID-19 IBS was more common in the female sex (P < 0.001), concomitant GI symptoms with COVID-19 (P < 0.001), oxygen requirement (P = 0.015), deranged liver function tests at the time of admission (P = 0.002), high procalcitonin (P = 0.013), high C-reactive protein levels (P = 0.035); whereas negative correlation was found with remdesivir treatment (P = 0.047). After performing regression analysis, female sex (P < 0.001), oxygen requirement during hospital stay (P = 0.016), GI symptoms during COVID-19 infection (P < 0.001), and high procalcitonin levels (P = 0.017) were independently associated with post-COVID-19 IBS.

Conclusion

GI symptoms during active COVID-19 infection increase the chances of developing post-COVID-19 IBS. The risk of developing post-COVID-19 IBS increases in female patients, those requiring oxygen and having high procalcitonin levels during COVID-19 infection.
A Review of Aesthetic Gynecologic Procedures for Women
Authors: Wiśniewska-Ś lepaczuk Katarzyna , Pieczykolan Agnieszka , Grzesik-Ga˛sior Joanna , Wdowiak Artur
Published: December 2022

Aesthetic gynecologic surgery is gaining popularity among women and physicians. Aesthetic genital surgery for women encompasses both minimally invasive and open surgical procedures. Cosmetic genital procedures for women described in this article include perineoplasty, vaginoplasty, vaginal rejuvenation, labiaplasty, G-spot enlargement, Bartholin gland surgery, clitoral hoodoplasty, clitroplasty, hymenoplasty, and mons pubis plastic surgery. Based on a review of the literature for each procedure, the article discusses procedural methods and techniques, indications for implementation, potential consequences and side effects of the procedure, nursing implications, patients' motives for undergoing the procedure, and positions of scientific institutions relative to the procedure.
64Cu-DOTATATE Uptake in a Pulmonary Hamartoma
Authors: Song Hong , Guja Kip E. , Yang Eric J. , Guo Haiwei Henry
Published: December 2022

DOTATATE PET/CT is frequently used to evaluate indeterminant pulmonary nodules suspected to be pulmonary carcinoid. We report an unexpected case of pulmonary hamartoma demonstrating 64Cu-DOTATATE uptake in a 43-year-old woman with a slowly enlarging pulmonary nodule. Histopathological staining showed somatostatin receptor 2 expression on vascular endothelial cells and a proportion of cartilage and smooth muscle cells within the hamartoma.
Incidental Detection of a Type B3 Thymoma on 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT Imaging
Authors: Kepenek Ferat , Gündoğan Cihan , Kaplan İhsan , Söğütçü Nilgün , Can Canan
Published: December 2022

18F-FDG PET/CT performed for staging of colon cancer in a 60-year-old woman revealed a thymic neoplasm with increased radiopharmaceutical uptake in the anterior mediastinum. 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT showed low FAPI uptake in the anterior mediastinal mass. The patient was diagnosed with type B3 thymoma by histopathologic evaluation. In this case, thymoma demonstrated lower uptake with FAPI than FDG. Larger studies are required for the differentiation of malignant and benign mediastinal masses with FAPI.
68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT in the Detection of Non–FDG-Avid Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas
Authors: Liu Wei , Gong Weidong , Zhang Jiayu , Ma Jiao , Zhang Chunyin
Published: December 2022

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas is a rare tumor. A 46-year-old woman presented with chest pain for 6 months. Chest CT revealed a large mass of the right mediastinum. Then, she underwent 18F-FDG and 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT scans for staging. However, we accidentally found that a non-FDG focus nodule in the body of the pancreas with elevated FAPI activity. Finally, biopsy of the nodule in the body of the pancreas confirmed the diagnosis of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm.
Higher Complications During the Waiting Period for Interval Cholecystectomy in Patients With Mild Biliary Pancreatitis
Authors: Tozlu Mukaddes , Karaca Busra , Acar Sencan , Toka Bilal , Karacaer Cengiz , Eminler Ahmet Tarik , Köksal Aydin S.
Published: December 2022

Background:

Although current guidelines recommend cholecystectomy during the same admission in patients with mild acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP), it involves a waiting list most of the time. We aimed to assess the risk of complications and determine predictors during the waiting period for cholecystectomy after the first episode of ABP.

Methods:

A prospective observational study was conducted in patients with mild ABP. Follow-ups were done by phone calls or using electronic health records for a maximum of 6 months after discharge or until cholecystectomy.

Results:

A total of 194 patients were included in the study. Although all patients were referred to surgeons, only 81 (41.8%) underwent cholecystectomy within 6 months after discharge. During the observation period, gallstone-related biliary events (GRBEs) developed in 68 (35.1%) patients, which included biliary colic, recurrent ABP, acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, gallbladder perforation, cholangitis, and liver abscess. The overall readmission rate was 25.2%, with 44.8% occurred within 4 weeks after discharge. The odds ratio of any complication was 1.58 (95% CI, 1.42 to 1.76, P=0.028) and 1.59 (95% CI, 1.42 to 1.78, P=0.009) in the patients who did not have surgery within 2 to 7 days and 8 to 15 days, respectively. A 4-fold increased risk of readmission was detected (95% CI, 1.16 to 13.70, P=0.019) if cholecystectomy was not performed within 31 to 90 days. The patients who developed complications had significantly higher C-reactive protein at admission, longer waiting time, and had 3 or more gallstones on imaging.

Conclusions:

Interval cholecystectomy was associated with a high risk of complications during the waiting period in patients with mild ABP.
Quantum annealing and computation: challenges and perspectives
Authors: Chakrabarti Bikas K. , Leschke Hajo , Ray Purusattam , Shirai Tatsuhiko , Tanaka Shu
Published: December 2022

In the introductory article of this theme issue, we provide an overview of quantum annealing and computation with a very brief summary of the individual contributions to this issue made by experts as well as a few young researchers. We hope the readers will get the touch of the excitement as well as the perspectives in this unusually active field and important developments there.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Quantum annealing and computation: challenges and perspectives’.
Infective endocarditis due to Haemophilus sputorum
Authors: Costello Varea H. , Robinson Sara L. , Klusewitz Seth , Surpris Guy , Nahid Md , Backlund Michael G.
Published: December 2022

Introduction.

Haemophilus

species are gram-negative, non-motile, facultative anaerobic coccobacilli in the larger family of

Pasteurellaceae

. Implicated in a variety of human diseases,

Haemophilus

species are also included in the ‘HACEK’ group of organisms, which are fastidious gram-negative bacteria, a well-described but uncommon cause of endocarditis. Among the

Haemophilus

species responsible for endocarditis,

Haemophilus parainfluenzae

is the most frequently isolated. However, novel species of

Haemophilus

have recently been described, and their clinical significance remains uncertain.

Case presentation. A 35-year-old man was admitted to the hospital after presenting with a 3 month history of nightly fevers, night sweats and unintentional weight loss, with a new murmur detected on cardiac auscultation. Blood cultures returned positive for

Haemophilus sputorum

identified by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization – time of flight MS, and confirmed with whole genome sequencing. Echocardiography revealed the presence of an aortic valve vegetation, with aortic and mitral valve leaflet perforations. He was successfully treated with surgical bioprosthetic valve replacements and pathogen-directed antibiotics without complications.

Conclusion. We describe a case of infective endocarditis due to

H. sputorum

, a newly identified

Haemophilus

species, which to the best of our knowledge has yet to be reported, and discuss the available literature regarding this organism.
The hedging role of US and Chinese stock markets against economic and trade policy uncertainty: lessons from recent turbulences
Authors: Ghosh Sutap Kumar , Hossain Md. Naiem , Khatun Hosneara
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study analyses the impact of economic and trade policy uncertainty on US and Chinese stock markets. Also, this study examines the hedge and safe-haven properties of US and China stocks against both US and Chinese economic and trade policy uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the desired goals, the authors employ Dynamic Conditional Correlation through Glosten et al. (1993) model based on the Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (DCC-GJR-GARCH (1, 1)) and Quantile cross-spectral (QS) models. The study uses monthly observations spanning from March 2010 to June 2022.

Findings

This study evidence that the economic and trade policy uncertainty between USA and China is extremely sensitive and has high volatility clustering effects on DJChina88 and DJUS, respectively. Conversely, against the Chinese economic and trade policy uncertainty, the US stock market indexes show both hedging properties across the period and safe-haven during COVID-19 and Russia–Ukraine crises. In contrast, among the Chinese stock markets, only DJShenzhen and DJShanghai stock indices might provide strong hedging and safe-haven properties against the US economic and trade policy uncertainties; however, DJShenzhen (DJChina88) stock shows weak hedge and safe-haven properties (hedging benefits) against Chinese trade policy uncertainty (CTPU) (Chinese economic policy uncertainty [CEPU]).

Practical implications

The findings have significant implications for investors, portfolio managers and regulators in hedging and making proper decisions under uncertain circumstances.

Originality/value

The study extends the literature on stock market performance to cover the economic and trade policy uncertainty by providing novel evidence during the recent COVID-19 and Russia–Ukraine invasion.
Do subsidy increases promote or inhibit innovation? Evidence from Chinese enterprises listed on the SSE STAR Market
Authors: Xiaobao Peng , Wu Jian
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to comprehensively investigate the relationship between government subsidies and innovation performance in Chinese enterprises listed on the SSE STAR Market.

Design/methodology/approach

An unbalanced sample, covering 285 observations in 215 enterprises listed on the SSE STAR Market from 2019 to 2020, was used to explore the relationships between government subsidies, R&D investment, CEO shareholding and innovation performance. Counterfactual analysis is added for robustness testing.

Findings

Empirical evidence confirms that government subsidies have an inverted U-shaped relationship with R&D investment and innovation performance. Meanwhile, R&D investment is a mediating variable between government subsidies and innovation performance. Moreover, CEO shareholding plays a moderating role between government subsidies and R&D investment. The higher the CEO ownership, the steeper the inverted U-shaped relationship.

Practical implications

The government should introduce a dynamic mechanism to reasonably control subsidy amounts and strengthen the supervision of subsidy use. Enterprise managers should be aware of how incentives affect the firm’s innovation and implement a coordinated development of government subsidy policies and internal enterprise governance.

Originality/value

This study adds new empirical evidence for the relationship between government subsidies and enterprise innovation performance. The risk incentive provided by stock options is an important micro mechanism to compensate for the lack of government subsidies. The study identifies ways to promote firm innovation based on the synergistic effect of internal and external mechanisms.
How do peer listed stars affect corporate social responsibility? Evidence from China
Authors: Yang Xue , Zhao Luying , Yang Yanli , Li Chang
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to complement existing studies by investigating the impact of different corporate social responsibility (CSR) information disclosed by peer listed stars (i.e. governance information [GI] and output information [OI]) on focal firms’ responsive CSR (RCSR) and strategic CSR (SCSR) practices. The authors also investigate the influence of different boundary conditions (i.e. founders’ social status [SS] and industry pollution intensity).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the listed stars of 16 industries and their 4,096 private peers in China, the authors use the least squares method and logistic regression models to analyze the data set.

Findings

The results indicate that the GI of peer listed stars can only positively affect firms’ RCSR behavior. The OI of peer listed stars has a positive effect on firms’ SCSR behavior while negatively affecting firms’ RCSR behavior. The SS of focal firms’ founders and their interaction with the industry’s pollution level strengthen the abovementioned positive relationships while weakening the negative ones.

Practical implications

This study provides insights into the role of listed stars in influencing peer firms’ CSR activities, offering important practical implications for both policymakers and managers.

Originality/value

This study extends the recent discussion on peer effects of CSR by elucidating the peer star effect on CSR and confirms that firms may adopt heterogeneous CSR practices to achieve sustainable growth by investigating peer firms’ different responses to their listed stars’ different CSR information. Moreover, by introducing the SS of founders and the pollution intensity of the industry as boundary conditions, this study enriches the research context on CSR activities.
Process tracing: a methodological proposal for a practice approach to family entrepreneurship
Authors: Ruzzene Attilia , Brumana Mara , Minola Tommaso
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Following the lead of neighboring fields such as strategy and organization studies, entrepreneurship is gradually joining in the adoption of a practice perspective. Entrepreneurship as practice (EaP) is thus a nascent domain of investigation where the methodological debate is still unsettled and very fluid. In this paper, the authors contribute to this debate with a focus on family entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop a conceptual paper to discuss what it entails to look at family entrepreneurship through a practice lens and why it is fruitful. Moreover, the authors propose a research strategy novel to the field through which such investigation can be pursued, namely process tracing, and examine its inferential logic.

Findings

Process tracing is a strategy of data analysis underpinned by an ontology of causal mechanisms. The authors argue that it complements other practice methods by inferring social mechanisms from empirical evidence and thereby establishing a connection between praxis, practices and practitioners.

Practical implications

Process tracing helps the articulation of an “integrated model” of practice that relates praxis, practices and practitioners to the outcome they jointly produce. By enabling the assessment of impact, process tracing helps providing prima facie evidentiary grounds for policy action and intervention.

Originality/value

Process tracing affinity with the practice perspective has been so far acknowledged only to a limited extent in the social sciences, and it is, in fact, a novel research strategy for the family entrepreneurship field.
Determinants of millennials’ acceptance towards tawarruq home financing in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia
Authors: Panggi Faizah , Amin Hanudin , Shaikh Imran Mehboob
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influence the millennials’ intention to choose tawarruq home financing in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary data were gathered via the questionnaire survey administered among Islamic banking customers in Sandakan, Sabah. Data obtained were analysed via multiple regression analysis using the software, Statistical Package for Social Sciences.

Findings

This study found that attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, religiosity and knowledge in muamalat had a positive significant relationship towards millennials’ intention to choose tawarruq home financing in Sandakan, Sabah.

Research limitations/implications

This study used the sample size by inviting over 150 participants who filled the questionnaires and the area of coverage for the current study was limited to Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia. Besides, the contributions of this study were confined to those factors examined in the research’s conceptual framework.

Practical implications

The results obtained through this study can help muamalat practitioners in providing the best practice of tawarruq home financing in the locality at best. In addition, this study also helps to guide managers of Islamic banks to plan better offers of the facility among local folks.

Originality/value

This study integrated religiosity and knowledge in muamalat in explaining millennials’ acceptance of tawarruq home financing in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia.
Financial surveillance and the role of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in the Netherlands
Authors: Lagerwaard Pieter
Published: December 2022

Purpose

In 2019, FIU-the Netherlands celebrated its 25th anniversary. This study takes the occasion to reflect on the role of the FIU in financial surveillance and to describe its core practices of collecting, analysing and disseminating financial intelligence.

Design/methodology/approach

Because FIU practices are often secret and its transaction data classified as state secrets, the FIU’s daily operational activities remain obscure. Drawing on interviews, public reports and an online training course, this study encircles secrecy and offers a fine-grained analysis of the FIU's core activities.

Findings

The article finds that the FIU plays a pivotal role in financial surveillance because it can operate at various intersections. An FIU operates at the intersection of finance and security, in between the public and private sector and at the national and international domain. This pivotal role makes the FIU indispensable in the surveillance of payment systems and spending behavior.

Social implications

The article poses that the desirability and effectiveness of financial surveillance has to date not received sufficient consideration, while it affects (the privacy of) anyone with a bank account. The article asks: is it ethically justifiable that transaction information is declared suspect, investigated, and shared nationally and internationally, without the individual or entity concerned officially being notified and legally named a suspect?

Originality/value

This case-study is not only relevant for the study of finance/security, AML/CFT and financial surveillance, but also to policy makers and the broader public who merit an understanding of how their financial behaviour is being surveilled.
Entrepreneurial attitude in female Latin American university students: internal and external influences
Authors: Víquez-Paniagua Ana Gabriela , Leiva Juan Carlos , Mora-Esquivel Ronald
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study is to examine the influence of locus of control, the university environment and the social environment on the entrepreneurial attitude of female Latin American university students.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies a quan–qual design. The quan section analyzes the data of 10,781 female university students from 11 Latin American countries included in the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students Survey 2018. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was applied. The qual section applies in-depth interviews for sequential methodological triangulation analysis.

Findings

The evidence indicates that locus of control, the university environment and the social environment positively impact the entrepreneurial attitude of female Latin American university students. The most influential factor was locus of control.

Originality/value

This empirical study focuses on female university students and their propensity for business venturing and determines the main influences on their entrepreneurial attitudes.
For an accounting translation of the Anthropocene: fuelling the debate on planetary boundaries
Authors: Jabot Richard
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to problematize the need for debate in operationalizing the planetary boundaries framework when accounting for the Anthropocene.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper’s aim is achieved through a literature review focusing on the assumptions around the Anthropocene, planetary boundaries and organizations. The author conducted an integrated review of 91 documents discussing the operationalization of the planetary boundaries framework and the need for debate.

Findings

This paper develops two major findings. First, the author identifies the four main dimensions of the planetary boundaries that need to be debated: social, normative, narrative and control aspects. Second, the author exposes proposals in the literature that have the potential to fuel the debate, but which are themselves a source of debate.

Practical implications

This paper argues that, while being scientifically informed, the planetary boundaries framework leaves decision-makers with critical choices and decisions that need to be openly debated. This paper identifies some relevant proposals for doing so.

Social implications

This paper underlines the need to open forums of debate for scientists and other stakeholders to raise the democratic legitimacy of the planetary boundaries framework.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is one of the very first papers to investigate dimensions of the planetary boundaries that need to be debated to respond to the challenge of its operationalization.
Reading motivation, well‐being and reading achievement in second grade students
Authors: Vaknin‐Nusbaum Vered , Tuckwiller Elizabeth D.
Published: December 2022

Background

Prior research has indicated that high levels of motivation and subjective well‐being can predict engagement in challenging academic situations and achievement. Yet studies in the field have yielded inconsistent results in young elementary school students indicating a need to further examine this topic. This is particularly urgent for young children during the foundational years of early elementary school when they are learning critical academic skills including reading.

Method

We examined the relationships between reading motivation, school‐based well‐being as covitality, and literacy achievement in 268 second graders in the process of reading acquisition in Hebrew. Well‐being and reading motivation were examined by questionnaires designed and/or adapted for young elementary school students and literacy skills by language and reading tests.

Results

Findings showed a positive correlation between reading motivation and full‐scale covitality scores, as well as most of its first order factors (gratitude, optimism, zest and persistence). Furthermore, both reading motivation and covitality were positively correlated to reading skills and language abilities. Significant differences were found between students with low–medium reading motivation and those with high motivation in all covitality subfactors and most literacy measures, in favour of children with high reading motivation.

Conclusions

The worrisome picture, that children with low reading motivation also report low levels of covitality, suggests that proper attention should be paid throughout first grade to both reading motivation and school‐based well‐being, both of which might affect learning. Because children's cognitive readiness is related to their socioemotional well‐being, children with poor language abilities and emergent literacy skills may require special support to prevent their expected reading difficulties and the negative emotions attached to them. Thus, designing reading instruction programmes that implement motivational aspects should be a high priority interest for educators that teach young children.
Invasion of rocky shores by a mytilid mussel reveals an abundant‐centre distribution coupled with moderate increases in densities at its absolute range limits
Authors: Ma Kevin C. K. , Pulfrich Andrea , Froneman P. William , McQuaid Christopher D.
Published: December 2022

Semimytilus patagonicus is an invasive mussel on the coast of southern Africa and has extended its range in recent years. We asked whether its distribution and abundance are consistent with the abundant‐centre hypothesis (ACH). Marginal populations were located by monitoring 33 rocky shore sites in South Africa and southern Namibia in 2021. This revealed no changes to its distributional limits since 2020. At nine of these sites, population demography was measured to allow a comparison of their densities and size structure. Four were central populations on the west coast of South Africa (including the site where the species was first detected in 2009). Four were marginal populations in South Africa: two towards the cold range edge in the north and two towards the warm range edge to the south. The ninth population was in southern Namibia, representing a recent invasion event first detected in 2014. Across the species' South African range, the distribution of its abundance was generally consistent with the ACH, with the greatest abundance at its range centre and a gradual decrease towards the range edges. However, the ultimate marginal population at both its cold and warm range edges showed moderate upticks in abundance compared to the penultimate marginal populations. Additionally, marginal populations in South Africa typically included a greater proportion of large individuals. Recruitment intensity was greater in warm range edge populations than cold range edge populations. The size structure of the population in Namibia resembled those of central populations in South Africa. Moderate increases in densities at the absolute range limits suggest that the species is currently undergoing spread into regions associated with moderately optimal environmental conditions (ultimate range edge sites) after encountering regions associated with suboptimal environmental conditions (penultimate range edge sites).
Research performance, academic promotion, and gender disparities: Analysis of data on agricultural economists in Chinese higher education
Authors: Cao Lijuan , Zhu Jing , Liu Hua
Published: December 2022

This paper provides an overall picture of women's representation and gender parity in the field of Agricultural Economics by constructing and analyzing a database of agricultural economists in China. We find that female scholars “occupy half the sky” in number, but not all the way up to the higher‐ranking academic positions. Women lag behind men in terms of research performance and academic promotion; even more so, gender disparity becomes more prominent when moving up the ranking ladder. A closer examination of agricultural economists of different age cohorts indicates that the gender gap, both in numbers engaged in the profession and academic performance measured by Chinese paper publications and nation‐level projects chaired, is narrowing. However, gaps in the number of high‐quality paper publications and the time span before promotion, alongside the phenomenon of a “leaky pipeline” in academia, are growing significantly over time. The representation of “star scientists” shows similar, yet steeper trends. In the absence of detailed studies, the paper explores possible explanations of the converging gender gap in scale but increasing gender disparity that is termed a “leaky pipeline.” It concludes that the Policy of Enrollment Expansion in Higher Education provides vulnerable young females with more opportunities to access higher education, which increases both the number and proportion of women in the profession.
Development and pilot‐testing of the expanded prostate index composite – Filipino version (EPIC‐F)
Authors: Bacorro Warren , Tordesillas Dino , Dumago Mark , Trogo John Dale , Mendoza Elenita , Alpajaro Sigfred Ian , Arcinas Roderick , Fajilan Wennielyn
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Quality‐of‐life (QOL) is paramount in clinical decision‐making in the management of prostate cancer patients. The expanded prostate index composite (EPIC) is a widely used and well‐validated QOL tool that allows for the evaluation of bowel, urinary, sexual, and hormonal domains. A Filipino translation was previously lacking. We describe the development and pilot testing of the Filipino translation of the EPIC (EPIC‐F).

Methodology

The EPIC‐32 was translated into Filipino using iterative forward and backward procedures with checks for semantic congruency. The translation was then evaluated by an expert panel consisting of a prostate cancer survivor and pertinent health professionals. A focused group discussion (FGD) was conducted to explore sources of difficulty of use to guide improvement.

Results

The linguistically validated translation was evaluated to have cultural relevancy, adequacy, and representativeness by the expert panel, and to have good understandability and answerability by a representative pilot cohort of prostate cancer patients. Seven unsatisfactory items were identified, all pertaining to the sexual domain, and required minimal revision on review during the FGD.

Conclusion

The EPIC‐F is a linguistically and culturally validated version of the EPIC 32, with good understandability and answerability, permitting clinical use. Its psychometric properties need to be determined to define its utility in clinical research.
If we build it, will they come? Modeling of public hospital care requirements for the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research
Authors: Jessop Sophie , Penfold Scott , Gorayski Peter , Le Hien , O'Connor Matthew , Skelton Kelly , Tee Hui Chin
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research (ABCPTR) will be Australia's first proton beam therapy (PBT) facility. A model was developed to predict associated public hospital care requirements for patients during PBT, to facilitate resource planning for pediatric, adolescent and young adult (AYA), and adult public hospitals in South Australia.

Methods

National incidence rates for specific cancer indications were obtained from the Australian Childhood Cancer Registry, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and published data. Australian Bureau of Statistics national population projections were used to estimate new cases in 2025 and beyond. Radiation oncologists and pediatric oncologists from the Central Adelaide Local and Women's and Children's Health Network, along with international colleagues, provided guidance on chemotherapy utilization and inpatient admission estimates.

Results

It was estimated 180 patients (40.4%) within the adult population (≥25 years) and 265 patients (59.6%) within the pediatric/AYA population (<25 years) would be eligible for PBT in 2025. There was no indication adult cancers would require concurrent outpatient/inpatient chemotherapy, in contrast with pediatric and AYA patients (59.5% and 62.8% outpatient and 18.9% and 41.9% inpatient, respectively). It was estimated 53% and 29% of pediatric and AYA patients could require inpatient admission for toxicity related to disease, concurrent chemotherapy or PBT.

Conclusion

Associated public hospital care requirements related to the delivery of a national PBT service were estimated. This has particular implications for planning of the new Women's and Children's hospital, co‐located with the ABCPTR. True data accuracy will be determined on future data generation and analysis.
Are health outcomes in the older colorectal cancer patients treated by curative intent surgery any different to the younger patients?
Authors: Azher Hinna , Beath Alexander , Degabriele Elizabeth , Faragher Ian , Chan Steven T. F. , Yeung Justin M.
Published: December 2022

Background

Colorectal cancer poses a major burden. Its incidence increases with age and older patients with comorbidities have a higher likelihood of major complications. This study investigated the impact of age on health outcomes in colorectal cancer patients treated by surgery.

Methods

A prospective database of all patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery with curative intent between 2012 and 2017 was used to identify patients. A retrospective review of existing medical records investigating health‐related outcomes in colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgery was performed. Primary outcomes measured were overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS). Difference in restricted mean survival times (RMST) up to a pre‐specified time point of 24 months was used to compare four age groups.

Results

Six‐hundred and fifty‐one patients were divided into four age group categories: ≤65‐years (n = 244), 66 to 75‐years (n = 213), 76 to 85‐years (n = 162) and >85‐years (n = 32). Older patients were found to have a higher rate of post‐operative medical complications (including confusion) (P = 0.001) and a longer length of stay (LOS) (P = 0.01).

There was no difference between the 76 to 85‐year age group and >85‐year age group in OS and DFS. However, there was a reduced OS in older patients (>65) compared to their younger cohorts (<65) (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Older patients who undergo curative surgery have reduced OS, increased LOS and higher complication rates. Complex older patients may benefit from geriatric assessment and management in the peri‐operative period.
Is thrombocytopenia and postnatal weight gain associated with treatment‐requiring retinopathy of prematurity? A matched case–control study
Authors: Seliniotaki Aikaterini K. , Lithoxopoulou Maria , Moutzouri Stella , Bouras Emmanouil , Diamanti Elisavet , Ziakas Nikolaos , Lundgren Pia , Hellström Ann , Haidich Anna‐Bettina , Mataftsi Asimina
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to investigate the association of platelet parameters and postnatal weight gain with treatment‐requiring ROP (TR‐ROP).

Methods

In this retrospective matched case–control study, infants with TR‐ROP were individually matched, according to gestational age and birth weight, with one or two untreated infants who developed no or spontaneously regressed ROP. Longitudinal data on platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), daily weight and platelet transfusions were collected. Platelet mass index (PMI) and weight standard deviation score (WSDS) were also calculated. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to adjust for matching.

Results

Fourteen cases, presenting type I ROP, and 25 matched controls were included. The odds of developing TR‐ROP decreased as PLT increased during 31st week of postmenstrual age (PMA) or during 1st and 2nd week of postnatal age (PNA). The odds of developing TR‐ROP were 16.7 times higher in infants receiving at least one platelet transfusion compared with those who were not transfused. The odds of developing TR‐ROP increased by 31.2% as the mean volume of platelet transfusion per infant increased by 1 ml. The odds of developing TR‐ROP decreased as PMI increased during 1st week PNA, and as weight and WSDS increased during 4th–6th week PNA. Analysis of MPV, number of thrombopenic episodes per infant, number of platelet transfusions per infant and days with WSDS < −2 showed no association with TR‐ROP.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first study ascertaining an association of platelet transfusions with type I ROP. Prospective cohort studies are required to confirm our findings.
Teachers' motivational prosody: A pre‐registered experimental test of children's reactions to tone of voice used by teachers
Authors: Paulmann Silke , Weinstein Netta
Published: December 2022

Background

Teachers' behaviours drive motivational climates that shape children's engagement and well‐being in the classroom, but few studies examine how specific teachers' behaviours such as wording, body language, or voice contribute to these outcomes in isolation of one another.

Aims

This pre‐registered experiment sought to examine the often‐forgotten role that teachers' tone of voice plays in children's education. Informed by the theoretical framework of self‐determination theory (SDT; Ryan & Deci, Self‐determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness, 2017), conditions manipulated controlling (pressuring, demanding), autonomy‐supportive (inviting of choice), or motivationally neutral, tones of voice to explore their effects on children's self‐reported psychological needs satisfaction, well‐being, intention to self‐disclose to and intention to cooperate with their teacher.

Sample and Method

Children aged 10–16 years (n = 250) heard pre‐recorded teachers' voices holding sentence content and speakers constant across conditions, but varying tones of voice.

Results

We hypothesized a‐priori and found that when children heard controlling sounding voices, they anticipated lower basic psychological need satisfaction, well‐being, and intention to disclose to teachers, as compared to neutral‐sounding voices. We also anticipated beneficial effects for autonomy‐supportive versus neutral voices, but pre‐registered analyses did not support these expectations. Intention to cooperate with teachers did not differ across conditions. Supporting relational motivation theory (RMT; Deci & Ryan, Human Motivation and Interpersonal Relationships, 2014), exploratory analyses showed that hearing autonomy‐supportive sounding voices increased autonomy and relatedness need satisfactions (but not competence need satisfaction), and through doing so indirectly related to beneficial outcomes (well‐being, intention to cooperate and self‐disclose).

Conclusion

In summary, tones of voice seem to play an important role in shaping teachers' impact on their students.
Evaluation of teachers' knowledge and attitudes regarding the school inclusion of autistic children: Validation of a brief assessment toolkit
Authors: Derguy Cyrielle , Aubé Benoite , Rohmer Odile , Loyal Déborah
Published: December 2022

Background

Teachers' level of knowledge regarding autism and their attitudes towards inclusion are major levers for the successful schooling of autistic students. However, there are currently insufficient validated tools for evaluating these two concepts among teachers that are adapted to the French context and to the constraints of the classroom setting.

Aims

This study was designed to test both the validity of The Autism Knowledge Screening Scale (AKSS) and of the Autism Attitude Scale for Teachers (AAST) among French teachers.

Sample

Our final sample consisted of 307 French teachers (50.5% primary school teachers and 49.5% secondary school teachers).

Methods

First, confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to test the two initial factor structures and an exploratory factor analysis was conducted regarding the AKSS. Second, criterion validity was assessed for each of the two scales.

Results

Concerning knowledge of autism, a two‐factor model (8 items) explaining 53% of the variance was observed. The first factor represented knowledge about aetiology and the second represented knowledge about symptoms. Concerning attitudes towards autism, a one‐factor model (14 items) exhibited good model fit (χ2/df = 1.71, RMSEA = .048, AGFI = .979, SRMR = .068, CFI = .987, NNFI = .984). As expected, participants who were specialized teachers, had training, and a high degree of contact with autism had more knowledge (regarding aetiology but not regarding symptoms) and more positive attitudes.

Conclusions

This study validated two quick‐to‐use tools for making an initial diagnosis of teachers' knowledge and attitudes regarding the school inclusion of autistic children. The use of these tools could help to fine‐tune the content of training programs for teachers and test their efficacy, particularly in France where the inclusion of autistic children is still far from international standards.
The nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 agonist tert‐butylhydroquinone improves bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell function in prolonged isolated thrombocytopenia after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Luo Xue‐Yi , Kong Yuan , Lv Meng , Mo Xiao‐Dong , Wang Yu , Xu Lan‐Ping , Zhang Xiao‐Hui , Huang Xiao‐Jun , Tang Fei‐Fei
Published: December 2022

Prolonged isolated thrombocytopenia (PT) is a life‐threatening comorbidity associated with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). Our previous study indicated that dysfunctional bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM MSCs) played a role in PT pathogenesis and that reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation was related to BM MSC senescence and apoptosis. However, the mechanism of the increase in ROS levels in the BM MSCs of PT patients is unknown. In the current case‐control study, we investigated whether nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (NRF2), which is a central regulator of the cellular anti‐oxidant response that can clear ROS in human BM MSCs, was associated with PT after allo‐HSCT. We evaluated whether an NRF2 agonist (tert‐butylhydroquinone, TBHQ) could enhance BM MSCs from PT patients in vitro. We found that BM MSCs from PT patients exhibited increased ROS levels and reduced NRF2 expression. Multivariate analysis showed that low NRF2 expression was an independent risk factor for primary PT [p = 0.032, Odds ratio (OR) 0.868, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.764–0.988]. In‐vitro treatment with TBHQ improved the quantity and function of BM MSCs from PT patients by downregulating ROS levels and rescued the impaired BM MSC support of megakaryocytopoiesis. In conclusion, these results suggested that NRF2 downregulation in human BM MSCs might be involved in the pathogenesis of PT after allo‐HSCT and that BM MSC impairment could be improved by NRF2 agonist in vitro. Although further validation is needed, our data indicate that NRF2 agonists might be a potential therapeutic approach for PT patients after allo‐HSCT.
Erythrocyte type 1 equilibrative nucleoside transporter expression in sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait
Authors: Koehl Bérengère , Claude Livia , Reminy Karen , Tarer Vanessa , Baccini Véronique , Romana Marc , Colin‐Aronovicz Yves , Damaraju Vijaya L. , Sawyer Michael , Peyrard Thierry , Etienne‐Julan Maryse , Le Van Kim Caroline , Azouzi Slim , Reininger Luc
Published: December 2022

Hypoxia‐mediated red blood cell (RBC) sickling is central to the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease (SCD). The signalling nucleoside adenosine is thought to play a significant role in this process. This study investigated expression of the erythrocyte type 1 equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT1), a key regulator of plasma adenosine, in adult patients with SCD and carriers of sickle cell trait (SCT). Relative quantitative expression analysis of erythrocyte ENT1 was carried out by Western blot and flow cytometry. Patients with SCD with steady state conditions, either with SS or SC genotype, untreated or under hydroxycarbamide (HC) treatment, exhibited a relatively high variability of erythrocyte ENT1, but with levels not significantly different from normal controls. Most strikingly, expression of erythrocyte ENT1 was found to be significantly decreased in patients with SCD undergoing painful vaso‐occlusive episode and, unexpectedly, also in healthy SCT carriers. Promoting hypoxia‐induced adenosine signalling, the reduced expression of erythrocyte ENT1 might contribute to the pathophysiology of SCD and to the susceptibility of SCT individuals to altitude hypoxia or exercise to exhaustion.