bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metastable disordered phase in flash-frozen Prussian Blue analogues
Authors: Kholina Yevheniia , Dössegger Janine , Weber Mads C. , Simonov Arkadiy
Published: April 2022

A new metastable phase in flash-frozen disordered Prussian blue analogues is reported. The phase is characterised by the appearance of diffuse scattering clouds and the reduction of the local structure symmetry: from cubic to a tetragonal or lower space group. The phase transition is characterised by the translational modulation of the structure and is likely caused by the freezing of the water confined in the pores of the structure.
Monoclonal antibody 7H2.2 binds the C-terminus of the cancer-oocyte antigen SAS1B through the hydrophilic face of a conserved amphipathic helix corresponding to one of only two regions predicted to be ordered
Authors: Legg Max S. G. , Gagnon Susannah M. L. , Powell Cameron J. , Boulanger Martin J. , Li Andra J. J. , Evans Stephen V.
Published: April 2022

The structure of the antigen-binding fragment (Fab) of mouse monoclonal antibody 7H2.2 in complex with a 15-residue fragment from the metalloproteinase sperm acrosomal SLLP1 binding protein (SAS1B), which is a molecular and cellular candidate for both cancer therapy and female contraception, has been determined at 2.75 Å resolution by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Although the crystallization conditions contained the final 148 C-terminal residues of SAS1B, the Fab was observed to crystallize in complex with a 15-residue fragment corresponding to one of only two elements of secondary structure that are predicted to be ordered within the C-terminal region of SAS1B. The antigen forms an amphipathic α-helix that binds the 7H2.2 combining site via hydrophilic residues in an epitope that spans the length of the antigen α-helix, with only two CH–π interactions observed along the edge of the interface between the antibody and antigen. Interestingly, the paratope contains two residues mutated away from the germline (YL32F and YH58R), as well as a ProH96-ThrH97-AspH98-AspH99 insertion within heavy chain CDR3. The intact 7H2.2 antibody exhibits high affinity for the SAS1B antigen, with 1:1 binding and nanomolar affinity for both the SAS1B C-terminal construct used for crystallization (3.38 ± 0.59 nM) and a 15-amino-acid synthetic peptide construct corresponding to the helical antigen observed within the crystal structure (1.60 ± 0.31 nM). The SAS1B–antibody structure provides the first structural insight into any portion of the subdomain architecture of the C-terminal region of the novel cancer-oocyte tumor surface neoantigen SAS1B and provides a basis for the targeted use of SAS1B.
Validation analysis of EMDB entries
Authors: Wang Zhe , Patwardhan Ardan , Kleywegt Gerard J.
Published: April 2022

The Electron Microscopy Data Bank (EMDB) is the central archive of the electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) community for storing and disseminating volume maps and tomograms. With input from the community, EMDB has developed new resources for the validation of cryo-EM structures, focusing on the quality of the volume data alone and that of the fit of any models, themselves archived in the Protein Data Bank (PDB), to the volume data. Based on recommendations from community experts, the validation resources are developed in a three-tiered system. Tier 1 covers an extensive and evolving set of validation metrics, including tried and tested metrics as well as more experimental ones, which are calculated for all EMDB entries and presented in the Validation Analysis (VA) web resource. This system is particularly useful for cryo-EM experts, both to validate individual structures and to assess the utility of new validation metrics. Tier 2 comprises a subset of the validation metrics covered by the VA resource that have been subjected to extensive testing and are considered to be useful for specialists as well as nonspecialists. These metrics are presented on the entry-specific web pages for the entire archive on the EMDB website. As more experience is gained with the metrics included in the VA resource, it is expected that consensus will emerge in the community regarding a subset that is suitable for inclusion in the tier 2 system. Tier 3, finally, consists of the validation reports and servers that are produced by the Worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB) Consortium. Successful metrics from tier 2 will be proposed for inclusion in the wwPDB validation pipeline and reports. The details of the new resource are described, with an emphasis on the tier 1 system. The output of all three tiers is publicly available, either through the EMDB website (tiers 1 and 2) or through the wwPDB ftp sites (tier 3), although the content of all three will evolve over time (fastest for tier 1 and slowest for tier 3). It is our hope that these validation resources will help the cryo-EM community to obtain a better understanding of the quality and of the best ways to assess the quality of cryo-EM structures in EMDB and PDB.
The influence of price and availability on university millennials’ organic food product purchase intention
Authors: Carrión Bósquez Nelson Geovany , Arias-Bolzmann Leopoldo Gabriel , Martínez Quiroz Ana Katherine
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to provide one of the first research works that, using the constructs of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), analysed the levels of purchase intention of organic products.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was quantitative with a correlational scope and a cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of 566 university millennials from Ecuador. The results were processed through the exploratory factor analysis (EFA), the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the structural equation modelling (SEM).

Findings

The subjective attitudes and norms influence intentions to buy organic products. However, price mediated by perceived behavioural control reduces purchase intentions, while product availability does not.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first research works, based on the constructs of the TPB which was carried out to know if the attitudes and subjective norms of Ecuadorian university millennials, are related to their purchase intentions for organic products.
Blockchain technology in construction organizations: risk assessment using trapezoidal fuzzy ordinal priority approach
Authors: Sadeghi Mahsa , Mahmoudi Amin , Deng Xiaopeng
Published: April 2022

Purpose

In the digital transformation era, the construction industry is not immune to unintended consequences and disruptions of distributed ledger technologies like blockchain. At the micro-level, construction organizations need an in-depth understanding of blockchain risks to take proactive strategies for being on the safe side. This study seeks to answer “What are the risks associated with blockchain technology from the firm-level perspective? And how can this disruptive technology overshadow the business objectives and impact organizational criteria?”

Design/methodology/approach

The current research proposes a novel model for risk assessment based on the trapezoidal fuzzy ordinal priority approach (OPA-F) in the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) context. The proposed model handles uncertainties of experts' judgment around three primary parameters: the importance of organizational criteria, the impact of blockchain risks on criteria and the probability of risk occurrence.

Findings

The case study shows that organizational “communication and information” is exposed to the most blockchain risk. On the contrary, blockchain has less to do with an organization's “corporate social responsibility.” Furthermore, effective blockchain risk management can bring about cost efficiency, quality and improved customer experience for this case study. In the end, the authors develop a conceptual blockchain risk management framework based on findings.

Research limitations/implications

This study will broaden researchers' horizons regarding “blockchain in construction context” and “blockchain risk management.”

Practical implications

Furthermore, executives looking for blockchain-based solutions can benefit from research findings and lessons learned from this case study before decision-making. Lastly, the risk assessment model based on trapezoidal OPA-F can be used both for research purposes and industrial decision problems.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is for the first time that the OPA-F is employed in a risk assessment model. Also, the original OPA-F is extended to trapezoidal OPA-F using trapezoidal fuzzy numbers, and it is the first attempt to evaluate blockchain risks facing construction organizations and develop a blockchain risk management framework accordingly.
An analysis of the linkages among fiscal vulnerability, financial stress and macroeconomic policies: an econometric study
Authors: Chandia Khurram Ejaz , Iqbal Muhammad Badar , Bahadur Waseem
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the imbalances in the public finance structure of Pakistan’s economy and highlight the need for comprehensive reforms. Specifically, it aims to contribute to the empirical literature by analyzing the relationship between fiscal vulnerability, financial stress and macroeconomic policies in Pakistan’s economy between 1971 and 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops an index of fiscal vulnerability, an index of financial stress and an index of macroeconomic policies. The fiscal vulnerability index is based on the patterns of fiscal indicators resulting from past trends of the selected variables in Pakistan’s economy. The financial stress in Pakistan is caused from the financial disorders that are acknowledged in the composite index, which is based on variables with the potential to indicate periods of stress stemming from the foreign exchange market, the securities market and the monetary policy components. The macroeconomic policies index is developed to analyze the mechanism through which fiscal vulnerability and financial stress have influenced macroeconomic policies in Pakistan. The causal association between fiscal vulnerability, financial stress and macroeconomic policies is analyzed using the auto-regressive distributive lags approach.

Findings

There exists a long-run relationship between the three indices, and a bi-directional causality between fiscal vulnerability and macroeconomic policies.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the development of a fiscal monitoring mechanism, which has the basic purpose of analyzing the refinancing risk of public liabilities. Moreover, it focuses on fiscal vulnerability from a macroeconomic perspective. The study tries to develop a framework to assess fiscal vulnerability in light of “The Risk Octagon” theory, which focuses on three risk components: fiscal variables, macroeconomic-disruption-associated shocks and non-fiscal country-specific variables. The initial contribution of this work to the literature is to develop a framework (a fiscal vulnerability index, financial stress index and macroeconomic policies index) for effective and result-oriented macro-fiscal surveillance. Moreover, empirical literature emphasized and advised developing countries to develop their own capacity mechanisms to assess their fiscal vulnerability in light of the IMF guidelines regarding vulnerability assessments. This study thus attempts to fulfill the said gap identified in literature.
Development a novel hydro-vibration technology for the formation of hats from fabrics
Authors: Kushevskiy Nikolay , Merezhko Nina , Osyka Viktor , Pavlenko Volodimir , Didyk Alla , Dombrovska Olena , Kalinsky Eugen , Kryvoruchko Myroslav , Chepok Roman , Shkvorets Olena
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the work is development a novel of hydro-vibration technology for the formation of hats from fabrics, which will expand the functionalities of application of various fabrics.

Design/methodology/approach

The work is based on a novel technology of forming hats from different fabrics with the use of liquid-active working environment (LAWE). This hydro-vibration technology is characterized by high efficiency, productivity, manufacturability and potential opportunities when compared to existing technologies. This allows expanding its range of applications and increase functionality.

Findings

In the article, hydro-vibration technology is developed for the formation of hats from fabrics. As a result of the experiment, regression dependences of the shape stability coefficient on the formation factors having a close correlation were obtained. The performed optimization allowed determining the optimal values of technological parameters of the vibroforming process from fabrics: LAWE pressure 0.26 MPa, vibration frequency LAWE 4.3 Hz, forming time 74 s.

Practical implications

The use of developed hydro-vibration technology has great practical significance in the textile industry. This technology increases labor productivity and reduces the cost of production of hats due to its high efficiency. Increased efficiency is provided by the use of special equipment, methods and optimal parameters of the hats formation. With sufficient refinement, the developed technology can be applied to other technological processes.

Originality/value

Originality of the work is using liquid-actin working environment at vibroforming of heads of headdresses from fabrics. It is determined that the use of LAWE is effective in the formation of hats. To ensure maximum plasticization of textile fibers in the fabric of the part and increase the force field, it is developed a novel hydro-vibration technology of forming the heads of hats from fabrics.
Innovative design and delivery of the business capstone course
Authors: Fleming Robert S. , Kowalsky Michelle
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This article discusses the experiences of a university's business school in enhancing the preparation of undergraduates through the innovative design and delivery of Business Policy, the capstone course taken by all business students.

Design/methodology/approach

The case discusses the proactive approaches taken to explicitly align efforts between thinking and doing, for both faculty course designers and student participants alike.

Findings

Ten strategic areas of innovation and improvement are identified and discussed as areas for individual course alignment as well as the impetus for college and university business program development and delivery.

Practical implications

These innovations can be replicated by other institutions to enhance graduates' career preparation, pursue greater consistency with their organization's mission, develop external stakeholder engagement, and enhance internal collaboration with colleagues within the business school and across the university.

Originality/value

The unique value of this innovative and multifaceted approach was recognized by AACSB International, the elite accrediting agency for business schools, in several articles and at a conference on undergraduate program innovation.
How to successfully compete in modern export fruit markets? Lessons from a leading export producer in Argentina
Authors: Stubrin Lilia Inés , Marin Anabel , Yeyati Preiss Lara , Palacín Roitbarg Rocío
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to expand the understanding of the type of strategies that can be successful for firms located in the South to get integrated and compete in modern export fruit markets.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the research purpose of the paper the authors carry out an in-depth case study. They analyze the export strategy of Patagonian Fruits Trade, an Argentinean leading exporter of apple, pear and kiwi.

Findings

Results revealed that Patagonian Fruits Trade developed a strategy focused on supplying decommoditization to compete in modern fruit export markets. A key aspect of the firms' business model relies on its capability to meet the demand of high-income markets by providing conventional, organic and biodynamic club varieties. However, the sustainability of the strategy heavily relies on the firm's capability to fund club varieties' licenses and on the firm's ability to negotiate with clients and suppliers.

Research limitations/implications

Adopting a case study method limits the generalization of results. However, it provides new insights into the type of export strategies that can be successful in modern fruit markets as well as its main limitations.

Originality/value

Results of the study, based on original empirical evidence, shed light on key factors for the integration of Southern fruit producers into modern fruit markets.
Work–life balance and performance relations during COVID 19 outbreak: a case study among university academic staff
Authors: Demir Ahmet , Budur Taylan
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of work–life balance (WLB) on the employee motivation (EM), job satisfaction (JS) and emloyee performance (EP) of academic staff at universities.

Design/methodology/approach

In this regard, the authors collected 490 valid data from academic staff of major public and private universities in Kurdistan Region of Iraq. WLB was evaluated under three dimensions as work interference with personal life (WIPL), personal life interference with work (PLIW) and work personal life enhancement (WPLE).

Findings

The results of the analyses showed that WIPL and PLIW negatively and significantly affected EM but did not have any significant impact on JS. WPLE affected both JS and EM significantly and positively. Lastly, JS did not have significant impact on EP while EM did.

Research limitations/implications

As the research was conducted in Kurdistan Region of Iraq, it cannot be generalized to other countries and cultures.

Practical implications

Besides, the study suggests theoretical and practical implication as it was a special study proposed during COVID 19 lock downs.

Originality/value

There are very limited or no research works which attempt to study the pros and cons of WLB during such a catastrophic time, the study is useful for the university administrators and researchers in this field.
Employee influencer management: evidence from state-owned enterprises in Indonesia
Authors: Arief N. Nurlaela , Gregory Anne , Pangestu Aria Bayu , Ramdlany Dany Muhammad Athory , Sanjaya I Made Ariya
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how Indonesian state-owned enterprises (SOEs) select and “manage” employee influencers in order to engage more effectively with younger generations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were obtained by analyzing Instagram content with samples for analysis being taken from company-related posts from June 2018 to June 2020. Qualitative data collection was by two focus group discussions (FGD). The FGDs comprised in total, 22 employee influencers representing the 11 sectors of SOEs in Indonesia.

Findings

The article examines how employee influencers engage with others; how they are chosen by their organizations; how they are managed and the support they need from their employers. It was discovered that a careful triangulation is required between employees as influencers, their followers and SOE communication hubs. A key factor is maintaining the authentic relationship between employee influencers and their followers. A conceptual model of employee influencer management for Indonesia is proposed.

Research limitations/implications

The research provides useful insights for communication management, marketing, and human resources in developing and supporting the role of employee influencers.

Practical implications

The research provides useful insights for communication management, marketing and human resources in developing and supporting the role of employee influencers. The suggested model is of practical utility for SOEs for managing employee influencers in Indonesia and provides valuable indicators for other countries.

Originality/value

The study of SOEs’ employee influencers has not been explored previously in the literature. This, combined with the Indonesian perspective, brings new insights to the field. Social media use is especially high in Indonesia, so it acts as a good exemplar for the field. It also builds on the growing literature about the importance of employees as influencer, especially in the social media space. The model also make a theoretical contribution.
Prototyping an IoT-based system for monitoring building indoor environment
Authors: Zhou Na , Chang-Richards Alice , Wang Kevin I-Kai , Dirks Kim Natasha
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to develop an architectural prototype of a Cyber-Physical System (CPS), as well as lay a technological foundation for future smart housing with improved health and well-being outcomes for its occupants.

Design/methodology/approach

This study deploys smart sensors to monitor the key environmental parameters of a house. Using Internet of Things technology, a prototype of a CPS has been developed for capturing the environmental conditions over time. A case study involving a property in New Zealand was undertaken to validate the prototype.

Findings

The study proposes a monitoring platform, enabled by the CPS and smart sensing devices, that collects, shares, stores, analyses and visualises indoor environment data. The reliability and accuracy of the monitoring system were enhanced by comparing the activity of house occupants with sensor data.

Research limitations/implications

Due to limited time, the prototype was tested in one house for a period of one month. Air quality was not considered in this study. However, the work suggests that such an approach provides an effective solution for government organisations and housing agencies to collect information for the purpose of assessing building thermal performance.

Originality/value

This research proposes a new lens consisting of a home environment monitoring application with health and well-being implications. It could also be used to inform the future design of healthy homes and buildings, both in New Zealand and internationally.
Assessing annual thermal comfort extent in central courtyards: Baghdad as a case study
Authors: Al-Hafith Omar , BK Satish , de Wilde Pieter
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Traditional central courtyards have been advocated for being thermally efficient for hot-climate regions. However, exploring previous literature shows that it is not clear to what extent courtyards are truly thermally comfortable. This study determines the level of thermal comfort in residential courtyards in hot-climate regions, taking Baghdad as a case study.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a novel Courtyard Thermal Usability Index (CTUI) to quantify the ability of courtyards to provide thermal comfort to occupants. CTUI is the fraction of useable thermally comfortable hours in courtyards of the total occupation hours during a specific period. To operationalise CTUI, the research employs the Envi-met 4.2 simulation tool to determine the annual thermal conditions of 360 courtyards. An adaptive thermal comfort model developed by Al-Hafith in 2020 for Iraq is used to judge simulated thermal conditions and determine CTUI.

Findings

CTUI enables determining the level of thermal comfort courtyards offer to occupants by showing the ratio of the thermally comfortable period versus the occupation period. Results show that, in Iraq, annually, courtyards offer up to 38% comfortable hours out of the total potential occupation hours. The rest of the time the courtyard will not be comfortable, mostly due to overheating. When designing courtyards, the most effective geometric property impacting courtyards' thermal conditions is width/height. The most important microclimatic factor impacting occupants' thermal sensation is mean radiant temperature (MRT). This study can be used to inform designing thermally efficient courtyards for hot-climate regions.

Originality/value

This study presents the first assessment of the thermal efficiency of courtyards in hot-climate regions depending on an assessment of their ability to provide thermal comfort to occupants. The study presents a novel index that can be used to quantify the ability of courtyards to provide a thermally comfortable environment to occupants.
Beyond the psychology of self and individual's pro-environmental behaviours: exploring how technology innovations can help organisations achieve and promote sustainability
Authors: Oke Adekunle
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study proposes a new agenda for research and practice on pro-environmental behaviours in organisational settings by exploring the intersection between technology innovations and pro-environmental initiatives. The goal is to demonstrate the utility of digital technology in promoting and achieving sustainability by addressing the complexity and inconsistency in pro-environmental behaviours.

Design/methodology/approach

Using relevant literature on pro-environmental behaviours, this study explores the possibility of embedding technology innovations in pro-environmental initiatives to promote and enhance sustainability in organisational settings.

Findings

This study argues that the recent technological advancement and open innovation provide new insights into understanding and implementing pro-environmental initiatives in organisational settings. While pro-environmental behaviours studies have advanced over the past decades, this study shows that many pro-environmental activities do not require employees to change behaviour. According to this study, psychology and technology innovations offer various opportunities for businesses to effectively and pragmatically embed sustainability into their operations without necessarily changing employees' behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

This conceptual study offers opportunities to empirically explore the collaborative nexus between “psychology-based pro-environmental behaviour research and technology innovation”. Despite the plethora of studies on pro-environmental behaviours, results are mixed and inconclusive, raising questions about the dominant practice used for promoting pro-environmental initiatives and behaviours at the corporate level. This study, therefore, provides a new pathway for businesses to address their environmental aspects, demonstrating a pragmatic approach to resolving the complexity of pro-environmental behaviours.

Originality/value

This study allows social investigators, policymakers, and technology developers to re-assess, revive and further investigate how they can collaborate to address practical environmental and social issues.
Dynamic assessment of multilingual children's word learning
Authors: MacLeod Andrea A. N. , Glaspey Amy M.
Published: April 2022

Background

Teachers and clinicians may struggle to provide early identification to support multilingual children's language development. Dynamic assessments are a promising approach to identify and support children's language development.

Aims

We developed and studied a novel word learning task that is dynamic and language neutral. It makes use of multilingual children's abilities to apply language transfer, fast mapping and socially embedded language to the learning of new words.

Methods & Procedures

A total of 26 children attending kindergarten in French participated in this study. Within this group, 13 different home languages were spoken. Children took part in a dynamic assessment task of their word learning that consisted of a test–teach–retest task. Children's scores on this task were compared with their language abilities reported by their parents, amount of language exposure and scores on standardized tests of vocabulary. All tasks were delivered in French.

Outcomes & Results

Children had higher accuracy for known words as compared with new words in the task, which may suggest transfer of knowledge from their first language. They also showed increased accuracy in identifying and naming the new words across the three trials, suggesting fast mapping of these new vocabulary items. Finally, the scores on the dynamic task correlated to children's vocabulary scores on the standardized tests, but not parent report of language development, or the amount of exposure to the language of school.

Conclusions & Implications

This novel dynamic assessment task taps into the process of vocabulary learning, but is less influenced by prior language knowledge. Together, these findings provide insight into early word learning by young multilingual children and proposes a conceptual model for identifying strategies to support second language acquisition.

What this paper adds

What is already known on the subject

Many barriers exist with regards to assessing the language abilities of multilingual children when a clinician aims to assess their language abilities in both languages. An alternative approach is to measure children's language processing abilities.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge

A novel dynamic and multilingual task was developed and implemented in this study. This task builds on children's word learning abilities that include cross‐language transfer, fast‐mapping, and socially imbedded learning. This multilingual task was found to tap into vocabulary learning but was not influenced by prior language knowledge.

What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?

Applying a task that focuses on language processing abilities is a promising strategy to capture language abilities in multilingual children. In addition, the dynamic nature of this tasks allows a clinician to identify scaffolding strategies that best support children's word learning.
Trust, Governance, and the Covid‐19 Pandemic: an Explainer using Longitudinal Data from the United Kingdom
Authors: Weinberg James
Published: April 2022

Crises like the Covid‐19 pandemic place an added premium on the social contract underpinning principal‐agent relations in representative democracies, which relies, at a fundamental level, on conditional trust judgements by those without power in those with decision‐making authority to act in their better interests. Existing studies of political trust during the pandemic suggest that it has been both a symptom of government activity as well as a cause of its success or failure. Presenting original longitudinal data collected from UK citizens at the start of the pandemic and again twenty months later, the article teases apart these dynamics and their implications. It shows, for example, that the public became less trusting and more distrusting of politicians during this unique moment, and that these trends are strongly linked to performance evaluations of the UK government as well as public compliance with mandatory and non‐mandatory policies such as vaccination and mask wearing.
Prehospital canthotomy: A sight‐saving procedure in case series
Authors: Latona Akmez , Saad Nivene , Hogden Michael , Hamilton Alistair TM
Published: April 2022

Objective

Orbital compartment syndrome (OCS) is a time critical condition, with ischaemic complications occurring after 90–120 min. In the prehospital setting, the diagnosis and management of OCS is challenging due to complex environmental considerations, competing clinical priorities, and limited equipment. This study aims to provide learning points on performing lateral canthotomy and cantholysis (LCC) in the prehospital setting.

Methods

We performed a retrospective audit of LCC in our service from January 2016 to December 2020 by retrieving demographic and clinical details from LifeFlight Retrieval Medicine electronic database using ‘OCS’ and ‘LCC’ as keywords.

Results

Three cases out of 7413 trauma missions were identified over the 5‐year period. LCC was performed at the primary scene in two cases, while one patient underwent LCC at a rural hospital near the scene of injury. Clinical findings, aeromedical considerations, and radiological findings at the receiving facility, along with visual outcomes at time of discharge are discussed.

Conclusion

Prehospital LCC is rare. The Australian aeromedical context often involves lengthy transfers of trauma patients. Clinical diagnosis and management of OCS are highly challenging in the prehospital setting. It is important that prehospital physicians have access to appropriate equipment to perform LCC. They should be provided with suitable training and supported by a standard operating procedure.
Continued opioid use following an emergency department presentation for low back pain
Authors: Coombs Danielle M , Maher Chris G , Collett Melinda , Mathieson Stephanie , Abdel Shaheed Christina , Lin Chung‐Wei Christine , Machado Gustavo C
Published: April 2022

Objective

To investigate the proportion of patients with low back pain who receive an opioid analgesic prescription on hospital discharge, the proportion using opioid analgesics 4 weeks after discharge, and to identify predictors of continued opioid analgesic use at 4 weeks after an ED presentation in opioid‐naïve patients.

Methods

An observational cohort study nested within a randomised controlled trial in four EDs in New South Wales, Australia. Participants were adults who presented to the ED with non‐specific low back pain or low back pain with lower limb neurological signs and symptoms. Electronic medical records supplemented the patient‐reported pain and use of opioid analgesics at 4‐week follow up.

Results

Of the 104 patients included, 33 (31.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 22.9–41.6) received an opioid analgesic prescription at hospital discharge and 38 (36.5%, 95% CI 27.3–46.6) reported taking an opioid analgesic for pain 4 weeks after the ED presentation. Among opioid‐naïve patients (n = 85), older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% CI 1.00–1.08, P = 0.031) was the only predictor for continued opioid analgesic use at 4 weeks post‐ED presentation.

Conclusion

About one‐third of patients who present to the ED with low back pain receive an opioid analgesic prescription on discharge and are taking an opioid analgesic 4 weeks later. These findings justify future research to identify strategies to reduce the risk of long‐term opioid use in patients who present to the ED with low back pain.
Use of steatotic donor livers for transplantation: Do they affect outcome?
Authors: Ghazaly Mohamed , Tiwari Navneet , Sethi Pulkit , Surendrakumar Veena , Duckworth Adam
Published: April 2022

Background

The exact effect of donor steatosis on post‐transplant outcome is not well established. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of different grades of deceased donor liver steatosis on recipient outcome and to validate performance of the MEAF score in conjunction with graft steatosis.

Methods

Adult recipients of 228 livers were studied. Livers were divided into three groups according to grade of steatosis; S0, no steatosis (n = 152); S1, minimal to mild steatosis <33% (n = 62); S2, moderate to severe steatosis 33%–66% (n = 14). Donor, recipient data and outcomes of transplantation were evaluated.

Results

Moderate to severe steatosis (S2) was associated with older donors and higher donor BMI. Postoperative laboratory values were significantly higher in S2. Incidence of EAD did not differ significantly with no PNFs. MEAF score correlated well with EAD. S0 had a significant shorter ICU stay. Mortality did not differ significantly. Median MEAF score was higher for S2 than S0 and S1 (5.80 versus 4.73 and 4.49).

Conclusion

Steatosis was associated with older, more obese donors, but did not adversely affect the postoperative outcomes. Steatotic graft recipients had more renal impairment and longer ICU stay. MEAF score might be an accurate method for assessing the early graft function in conjunction with steatosis.
Extra‐hepatic Glissonean approach allows safe segmental liver resection in patients with cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ibraheem Tameem M. F. , Fadel Bashir A. , Abbas Mostafa S. , Ibrahim Ahmed M. F. , Mahdy Magdy M. , Makhlouf Nahed A. , Medhat Mohammed A. , Taha Ahmed M. I.
Published: April 2022

Aim

This study aims to report our experience with the extra‐hepatic Glissonean approach (EHGA) in liver resection in patients with cirrhosis.

Patients and Methods

From a prospectively maintained database in Al‐Rajhi Liver Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt, all patients with cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had open liver resections of two or more segments from January 2014 to December 2016 were identified. As many as 49 patients received resection via the classical pedicle dissection technique (PDT) and 38 by EHGA.

Results

There was no difference in age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, aetiology of liver disease, alpha‐fetoprotein, tumour number, size, Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh or Model for End‐stage Liver Disease scores between groups. Patients in the EHGA group had shorter operative time (214 ± 54 vs. 249 ± 44 minutes in PDT; P = .001), lesser blood loss (647 ± 140 ml vs. 741 ± 192 ml, respectively; P = .010), wider safety margin (14 ± 3.5 mm vs. 11.5 ± 5.8 mm, respectively; P = .029), lesser decompensation (18.4% vs. 40.8%, respectively; P = .026) and shorter hospital stay (8, range 3‐26 vs. 9, range 4‐36 days, respectively; P = .015). There was no 30‐day mortalities in the EHGA group compared with two in the PDT group. There were no differences between groups in 1‐ and 3‐year overall and recurrence‐free survival rates.

Conclusions

EHGA is a rapid, safe and oncologically sound approach for segmental anatomical liver resections of HCC in patients with cirrhosis.
Benign lymphoid hyperplasia of tongue base compromising the airway
Authors: Chow Tam‐Lin , Kwan Wilson Wai‐Yin
Published: April 2022

Background

Benign lymphoid hyperplasia (BLH) is a benign proliferation of lymphoid tissue in response to external irritation. Although it had been described in the literature, occurrence within oral cavity is rare.

Methods

We reported a severe case of tongue base BLH compromising the breathing and swallowing of the affected patient. Clinically it mimicked a neoplastic lesion.

Results

The patient was successfully treated by tracheostomy, debulking excision and a course of postoperative steroid. The diagnosis was confirmed on histopathology examination. There is no disease recurrence after a follow‐up of 11 months.

Conclusions

BLH of tongue base can masquerade as malignancy and rarely compromise the upper airway. Prompt reduction surgery plus postoperative steroid can affirm the diagnosis and cure the disease.
Proteomes of primary skin fibroblasts from healthy individuals reveal altered cell responses across the life span
Authors: Tsitsipatis Dimitrios , Martindale Jennifer L. , Ubaida‐Mohien Ceereena , Lyashkov Alexey , Yanai Hagai , Kashyap Amogh , Shin Chang Hoon , Herman Allison B. , Ji Eunbyul , Yang Jen‐Hao , Munk Rachel , Dunn Christopher , Lukyanenko Yevgeniya , Yang Xiaoling , Chia Chee W. , Karikkineth Ajoy C. , Zukley Linda , D’Agostino Jarod , Kaileh Mary , Cui Chang‐Yi , Beerman Isabel , Ferrucci Luigi , Gorospe Myriam
Published: April 2022

Changes in the proteome of different human tissues with advancing age are poorly characterized. Here, we studied the proteins present in primary skin fibroblasts collected from 82 healthy individuals across a wide age spectrum (22–89 years old) who participated in the GESTALT (Genetic and Epigenetic Signatures of Translational Aging Laboratory Testing) study of the National Institute on Aging, NIH. Proteins were extracted from lysed fibroblasts and subjected to liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis, and the expression levels of 9341 proteins were analyzed using linear regression models. We identified key pathways associated with skin fibroblast aging, including autophagy, scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ribosome biogenesis, DNA replication, and DNA repair. Changes in these prominent pathways were corroborated using molecular and cell culture approaches. Our study establishes a framework of the global proteome governing skin fibroblast aging and points to possible biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Changing the routine: a move to patient initiated follow up to improve surgical outpatient clinic
Authors: Balhorn Joshua , Su'a Bruce , Jin James , Peng Sze‐Lin , Weston Maree , Israel Lincoln , Connolly Andrew , Hill Andrew G. , Taneja Ashish
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Patient initiated follow up (PIFU) allows patients to initiate a hospital follow up appointment on an ‘as required’ basis in contrast to the traditional physician‐initiated model. We present a clinical pathway for patients referred with rectal bleeding at a large tertiary public hospital in South Auckland, New Zealand and demonstrate the utility of PIFU and its impact on reducing follow up appointments.

Method

The purpose of the pathway was to allow standardized care by the clinicians and allow for PIFU. Two separate protocols were developed ‐ ‘Painful PR bleeding’ and ‘Painless PR bleeding’. A new clinic (NC) was started following these protocols, and this was compared to historical controls (HC). The primary outcome was the rate of follow up appointments.

Results

There were 133 patients in the NC and 135 in the HC, with significantly less follow ups in the NC (6% versus 45%, p < 0.0001). A small percentage of patients in the NC group were directly discharged (10%) whilst 70% of patients were discharged with a PIFU card. Thirty phone calls were made using PIFU, with 10 patients returning to clinic and 20 requiring advice and reassurance only. At 5 year follow up, there was a single colorectal malignancy found in both groups.

Conclusion

Initiating a protocol that includes patient initiated follow up vastly reduces the need for routine return to clinic for the majority of patients, without sacrificing patient care. A protocolised approach to clinic for other areas in general surgery should be considered.
Review on the possible pathophysiological mechanisms underlying visual display terminal‐associated dry eye disease
Authors: Fjærvoll Ketil , Fjærvoll Haakon , Magno Morten , Nøland Sara Tellefsen , Dartt Darlene A. , Vehof Jelle , Utheim Tor P.
Published: April 2022

Background

Visual display terminal (VDT) use is a key risk factor for dry eye disease (DED). Visual display terminal (VDT) use reduces the blink rate and increases the number of incomplete blinks. However, the exact mechanisms causing DED development from VDT use have yet to be clearly described.

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to conduct a review on pathophysiological mechanisms promoting VDT‐associated DED.

Methods

A PubMed search of the literature investigating the relationship between dry eye and VDT was performed, and relevance to pathophysiology of DED was evaluated.

Findings

Fifty‐five articles met the inclusion criteria. Several pathophysiological mechanisms were examined, and multiple hypotheses were extracted from the articles. Visual display terminal (VDT) use causes DED mainly through impaired blinking patterns. Changes in parasympathetic signalling and increased exposure to blue light, which could disrupt ocular homeostasis, were proposed in some studies but lack sufficient scientific support. Together, these changes may lead to a reduced function of the tear film, lacrimal gland, goblet cells and meibomian glands, all contributing to DED development.

Conclusion

Visual display terminal (VDT) use appears to induce DED through both direct and indirect routes. Decreased blink rates and increased incomplete blinks increase the exposed ocular evaporative area and inhibit lipid distribution from meibomian glands. Although not adequately investigated, changes in parasympathetic signalling may impair lacrimal gland and goblet cell function, promoting tear film instability. More studies are needed to better target and improve the treatment and prevention of VDT‐associated DED.
Letter: the clinical course of Crohn’s disease—the Sicilian experience. Authors’ reply
Authors: Burisch Johan , Langholz Ebbe , Munkholm Pia
Published: April 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Zhao et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16723 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16873
Editorial: screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in NAFLD cirrhosis—towards abbreviated MRI alternative in patients with obesity? Authors' reply
Authors: Huang Daniel Q. , Loomba Rohit
Published: April 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Huang et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16844 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16887
How the home features in young adults’ representations of loneliness: The impact of COVID‐19
Authors: Sawyer Isabel , Fardghassemi Sam , Joffe Helene
Published: April 2022

Loneliness is a rapidly growing problem globally and has attracted a great deal of attention in light of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Young adults, and in particular, those residing in deprived areas are currently the loneliest group in the United Kingdom. Utilizing a novel‐free association technique, young adults’ experiences of loneliness were explored both prior to (n = 48) and during (n = 35) the COVID‐19 pandemic. Drawing on social representations theory, a thematic analysis revealed that many young adults associated the experience of loneliness with their homes. Therefore, this comparative study aims to investigate how the home features in young adults’ representations of loneliness, prior to and during the COVID‐19 pandemic using a systematic qualitative methodology. Three salient themes emerged from the data in both periods: ‘The Lonely Home,’ ‘The Socially Connected Home’ and ‘The Safe, Peaceful, Authentic Home’. ‘The Lonely Home’ and ‘The Socially Connected Home’ emerged as a dialogical antimony. Representations of home were similar across the two periods; however, there were some notable differences. In particular, the themes ‘The Socially Connected Home’ and ‘The Safe, Peaceful, Authentic Home’ were less frequently mentioned by the during‐COVID‐19 sample where the ‘The Lonely Home’ was more frequently mentioned by the during‐COVID‐19 sample. Overall, discussion of the home was more negatively valenced in the during‐COVID‐19 sample compared to the pre‐COVID‐19 sample. This comparative, exploratory study alerts us to the nature of the role that home plays in exacerbating or ameliorating loneliness both prior to and during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Metabolomics analysis of human plasma reveals decreased production of trimethylamine N‐oxide retards the progression of chronic kidney disease
Authors: Hu Da‐Yong , Wu Ming‐Yu , Chen Guang‐Qi , Deng Bing‐Qing , Yu Hai‐Bo , Huang Jian , Luo Ying , Li Meng‐Yuan , Zhao Da‐Ke , Liu Jun‐Yan
Published: April 2022

Background and Purpose

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem and one of the leading causes of all‐cause mortality. However, the pathogenic mechanisms and intervention methods for CKD progression are not fully understood.

Experimental Approach

Plasma from patients with uraemia and from healthy controls (n = 30 per group) was analysed with LC‐MS/MS‐based non‐targeted metabolomics to identify potential markers of uraemia. These potential markers were validated in the same cohort and a second cohort (n = 195) by quantitative analysis of the markers, using LC‐MS/MS. The most promising marker was identified by correlation analysis and further validated using HK‐2 cells and mouse models.

Key Results

Trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO) was identified as a promising marker among the 18 potential markers found in the first cohort, and it was optimally correlated with renal function of CKD patients in the second cohort. Treatment of HK‐2 cells with TMAO decreased cell viability and up‐regulated expression of α‐smooth muscle actin. In mice, a TMAO‐containing diet decreased kidney mass and increased protein expression of α‐smooth muscle actin. Also, control of TMAO production by inhibiting its biosynthetic pathway with 3,3‐dimethyl‐1‐butanol or disrupting gut microbiota function with an antibiotic cocktail, attenuated renal injury in a murine model of CKD.

Conclusion and Implications

Our data show that decreased TMAO production could be a new strategy to attenuate the progression of renal injury in CKD.