bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engagement and estrangement: a “tale of two cities” for Bristol’s green branding
Authors: Reynolds Laura , Doering Heike , Koenig-Lewis Nicole , Peattie Ken
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Drawing on the service-dominant logic and taking a multi-stakeholder brand value co-creation perspective, this paper aims to investigate whether positioning a place brand around sustainability helps or hinders stakeholders’ ability to co-create value for themselves and the brand.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a case study of Bristol’s city branding following its award of European Green Capital, drawing on 29 in-depth interviews with key informants from multiple stakeholder groups. These interviews are supported by secondary material and field observations.

Findings

The findings evidence a “tale of two cities”. When sustainability is used as a positioning device, tensions are identified across three elements of brand co-creation: brand meanings; extraordinary versus mundane brand performances; and empowerment and disempowerment in branding governance. These tensions create stakeholder experiences of both engagement and estrangement.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is based on one case study and evaluates face-to-face stakeholder interactions. Future research could access further stakeholders, across multiple cities and also examine their digital engagement.

Practical implications

Positioning a brand as sustainable (i.e. green) requires strong commitment to other ethical principles in practice. Brand practitioners and marketers may benefit from advancing stakeholders’ everyday brand performances to reduce disillusionment.

Originality/value

Rallying around virtuous associations, i.e. sustainability, does not in itself facilitate the generation of value for stakeholders and the brand, but instead can illuminate power imbalances and tensions in stakeholder interactions that result in a co-destruction of value.
Measuring energy-based environmental efficiency of buildings using data envelopment analysis models - a hospital application case
Authors: Koç Ali , Ulusam Seçkiner Serap
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate environmental efficiency based on energy change by using energy-related or nonenergy-related variables by reckoning with months and years as decision-making units (DMUs) for a hospital under radial and nonradial models.

Design/methodology/approach

The non-oriented slack-based measures (SBM)-data envelopment analysis (DEA) model considering desirable and undesirable outputs has been embraced in this study, where its obtained results were compared with the results of other DEA models are output-oriented SBM-DEA and Banker, Charnes, & Cooper-DEA. For this purpose, this research has used a data set covering the 2012–2018 period for a reference hospital, which includes energy-related and nonenergy-related variables.

Findings

The results demonstrate that environmental efficiency based on energy reached the highest level in the winter months, whereas the summer months have the lowest efficiency values arising from the increasing electricity consumption due to high cooling needs. According to results of the non-oriented SBM model, the month with the highest efficiency in all periods is January with a 0.936 average efficiency score, the lowest month is August with a 0.406 value.

Originality/value

This paper differs from other studies related to energy and environmental efficiencies in the literature with some aspects. First, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first one that takes into account time periods (months and years) as (DMUs for a single organization. Second, this study investigates environmental nonefficiencies, which are derived from energy uses and factors affecting energy use.
Study the behaviour of transient elastohydrodynamic lubrication contact at motion start-up in the presence of surface roughness
Authors: Abd Alsamieh Mohamed
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to present a numerical solution for the analysis of the influence of surface roughness as presented by a sinusoidal ripple of different amplitude and wavelength on the performance of transient elastohydrodynamic lubrication at motion start-up under different operational parameters of entraining speed and load as well as different acceleration rates.

Design/methodology/approach

A statistical asperity micro-contact model represented by a sinusoidal ripple expressed by two parameters (wavelength and undeformed amplitude) is considered. The ball equation of motion is used to calculate the force on the ball as it starts to move. The time-dependent Reynolds equation is solved together with surface deformation and statistical asperity models using the Newton–Raphson technique with the Gauss–Seidel iteration method.

Findings

The behaviour of the film thickness was found to be strongly influenced by the acceleration rate for different ripple amplitude and wavelength parameters. The effect of increasing the final entraining speed will eventually lead to rapid film thickness build-up and increase the film thickness jump at the moment of motion start-up. The effect of increasing applied load is to reduce the deviation of the minimum film thickness jump at the start-up of motion, making its value approximately equal to the steady-state value over the entire run-time period.

Originality/value

Influence of surface roughness for various wavelength and undeformed amplitude on the performance of transient elastohydrodynamic lubrication at motion start-up is presented at different acceleration rates as well as for different operating parameters of entraining speed and load. Ball equation of motion is used to calculate the force on the ball as it starts to move.
Whole-institution approach to social justice education for preservice teachers
Authors: Moran Kaitlin K. , Sheppard Mary E. , Wang Aubrey
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study used the design process (analysis, development, and evaluation) to understand and refine the process, dimensions, and outcomes of a multi-year, whole-institution approach to social justice education for preservice teachers (PSTs) at one institution. The authors used shared governance to establish a cross-disciplinary faculty-student learning community and provided interdisciplinary social justice learning opportunities to PSTs across multiple years. These were delivered using high-impact practices such as community-engaged learning and ePortfolios.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used formative data to examine and refine this study's program design. The authors assessed engagement within and across the components of the whole-institution approach and the impact on, and change in, social justice learning and orientation for PSTs.

Findings

Findings showed deepened engagement within and across the components of the whole-institution approach, however, committee representation, opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, and coordinated field experiences are areas that can be strengthened. All PSTs demonstrated an understanding of the connections between annual social justice foci and teaching practices, and some documented growth in social justice awareness over time. The authors found more clarity is needed around archiving and keeping social justice event reflections in the ePortfolio each year.

Originality/value

This study adds to the existing literature by using the design process to refine the development of a whole-institution social justice education program for PSTs.
A comparative analysis of the role of gender in the commission of white-collar crimes: a review in Norway, America, Portugal, India and Iran
Authors: Kamaei Maryam , Abolhasani Salameh , Farhood Naghmeh
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to analyze the role of gender in the commission of white collar crimes and investigate it in five countries: Norway, Portugal, America, India and Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive analytical method is used in this article.

Findings

A total of five observations were examined about the rank and percentage of women's participation in white-collar crimes, namely, from Norway (rank 3, 7%), USA (rank 26, 5%), Portugal (29th rank, 13%), India (rank 135, 11%) and Iran (rank 143, 5%). As is visually obvious, there seems to be no relationship between the level of gender equality and the percentage of women involved in white-collar crimes. However, according to Hobbs, in most research, the issue of gender and its effect on the occurrence of white-collar crimes have not been addressed, but by using the limited statistics and limited information available, it can be concluded that a small number of women have committed this crime. According to global crime reports, only 15 out of 200 prosecutions for white-collar crimes involve women.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this article is original and has been submitted only to this journal and has not been submitted to another journal at the same time.
Effect of risk attitude on cryptocurrency adoption for compensation and spending
Authors: Sridharan Uma , Mansour Fady , Ray Lydia , Huning Tobias
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of risk tolerance on the individual choice of adopting Bitcoin in the form of making and receiving payment and receiving compensation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses data collected from an anonymous survey of 225 undergraduate and graduate students to measure their risk attitude using the general risk-taking propensity scale proposed by Zhang et al. (2018) and the risk-taking index, proposed by Nicholson et al. (2018). After controlling for a variety of personal traits, the study uses logistic regression to identify the predicted probabilities and marginal effects on individual choice of adopting Bitcoin.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that individuals with a higher risk-seeking attitude are more likely to choose to receive payment for goods they sell in Bitcoin and more likely to choose to receive a portion of their compensation in cryptocurrency. Individuals in the higher-income groups are more likely to adopt Bitcoin 46% and 65% than their lower 14% and 45% and middle income 4% and 18% counterparts. While there was no statistically significant difference between males and females in adopting Bitcoin, respondents between the age of 26 and 29 were more likely to adopt Bitcoin. The effect on receiving gold was slightly smaller but highly comparable to that of receiving Bitcoin, which highlights a similar perception of risk toward the Bitcoin and gold.

Originality/value

The study uses a new data set collected by surveying 225 individuals and two different risk measurements to identify the relationship between perceived risk and Bitcoin adoption.
Residents and the place branding process: socio-spatial construction of a locked-down city’s brand identity
Authors: Feng Songming , Berndt Adele , Ots Mart
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Building on Kavaratzis and Hatch’s (2013) identity-based place branding model, this paper aims to explore the spatial and social dimensions of the place brand identity formation process and how residents used social media to participate in the process of shaping a city brand during a crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting an interpretive and social constructionist approach, this study analyses a sample of 187 short videos created and posted by Wuhan residents on the social media app Douyin during a COVID-19 lockdown. The authors read the videos as cultural texts and analysed underlying social processes in the construction of place brand identity by residents.

Findings

This study develops an adapted conceptual model of place identity formation unfolding in four sub-processes: expressing, impressing, mirroring and reflecting, and each sub-process subsumes two dimensions: the social and the spatial. In addition, this study empirically describes how residents participated in place branding processes in two ways, namely, their construction of city brand identity via communicative practice and their exertion of changes to a city brand during a crisis. The model reveals how place brands emerge and can be transformed.

Originality/value

This paper amplifies Kavaratzis and Hatch's (2013) identity-based place branding model by testing it in an empirical study and highlighting the social and spatial dimensions. This paper contributes to research about participatory place branding by exploring how residents participated in the place branding process. This study analysed short videos on social media, a new communication format, rather than textual narratives dominating past studies.
The moderation effect of country culture in the reciprocal relationship between strategic orientations and export performance: a country-level study
Authors: Escandon Diana , Salas Jairo , Losada-Otalora Mauricio
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper analyses the moderation effect of country culture in the reciprocal relationship between the strategic orientations (Organizational entrepreneurship, organizational innovation and Organizational learning) and the export performance of the firms in two countries with different cultural characteristics (Sociability and Performance). In the same way, it is intended to evaluate if there is a reciprocal relationship between strategic orientations and export performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to achieve the objectives of the research, a structural equations model is made. One of the benefits of this model is that it allows not only to analyze of the causal relationships of the study variables but also to identify of the behavior presented by the firms in their export performance activities. The database contains 400 SMEs from Colombia and Vietnam, with an export performance developed during 2022.

Findings

It was possible to verify a reciprocal relationship between the strategic orientations of organizational entrepreneurship and organizational innovation. However, the relationship between organizational learning and export performance must be validated. Similarly, it was found that countries with a cultural focus on performance will have better export performance than those with a focus on sociability.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this study is the focus on only two countries with diverse cultural characteristics. Future research will aim to verify these relationships with a more significant number of countries and over a more extended time range.

Practical implications

According to the results, assessing the firms' strategies to prioritize product innovation is necessary. This axis is fundamental because it is the means to create value for products and develop the capacities and resources necessary to compete in the international arena.

Social implications

Among the most critical implications of a country are the social ones. Thus, to the extent that the results in innovation are more evident in the management area, this will help improve the production platform and general conditions at the country level.

Originality/value

The most significant value of this research is in studying the moderation effects of cultural approaches at the country level in the bidirectional relationships studied in this work.
Building e-trust and e-retention in online shopping: the role of website design, reliability and perceived ease of use
Authors: Saoula Oussama , Shamim Amjad , Mohd Suki Norazah , Ahmad Munawar Javed , Abid Muhammad Farrukh , Patwary Ataul Karim , Abbasi Amir Zaib
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of website design, reliability and perceived ease of use as an engagement motivational factors on customer e-trust and e-retention in online shopping.

Design/methodology/approach

By using deductive approach, quantitative methods and purposive sampling technique, this study has collected the data from 295 young online customers to enhance an understanding of website design, reliability and perceived ease of use in an online shopping context.

Findings

The findings revealed interesting insights where reliability is the most significant predictor of customer e-trust in online shopping, followed by perceived ease of use and website design. In addition, a significant mediating effect of e-trust is found between customer e-retention, website design, reliability and perceived ease of use.

Research limitations/implications

Future research is recommended to predict the antecedents of online engagement motivational factors with value co-creation and co-creation experience in online shopping context.

Originality/value

This study offers fresh insights about driving elements and impediments of online customer retention. Customer engagement comprising of website design, reliability and perceived ease of use appear to influence the online customer retention through direct and indirect effect.
Why is sharing not enough for brands in video ads? A study about commercial video ads' value drivers
Authors: Chinelato Flavia Braga , Gonçalves Filho Cid , Randt Daniel Fagundes
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The main goal of viral marketing is to affect brands positively. But most studies concern the causes of an ad going viral, not its impact on brands. In this sense, this study aims to demonstrate and compare video ads' value drivers on brands and sharing, determining which antecedents maximize results on each, enabling the best ad performance for advertisers.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted with 368 respondents who watched viral video ads from five global companies on YouTube. The proposed model was tested using structural equation modeling in SmartPLS4.

Findings

The results of this study demonstrated that product category involvement is essential for viral advertising. Furthermore, the entertainment value is the most relevant antecedent of sharing, but it does not affect brand equity; it is the social value responsible for brand equity.

Practical implications

Marketing managers should create ads that simultaneously generate entertainment and social values, maximizing sharing and branding effects. However, if only one of the two effects (brand/share) is achieved, then the advertiser will fail to obtain maximum performance.

Originality/value

The mainstream of viral marketing research is focused on antecedents of sharing. However, sharing is not enough to provide brand effects and return on investment of advertisement. This study reveals that different consumers’ values drive sharing and brand equity, suggesting that firms should consider a dual value generation strategy regarding the performance of viral video ads. On the other hand, this research conciliates the extant literature about the phenomena with the importance of product category involvement.
Rheotaxis in Mycoplasma gliding
Authors: Nakane Daisuke
Published: July 2023

This review describes the upstream‐directed movement in the small parasitic bacterium Mycoplasma. Many Mycoplasma species exhibit gliding motility, a form of biological motion over surfaces without the aid of general surface appendages such as flagella. The gliding motility is characterized by a constant unidirectional movement without changes in direction or backward motion. Unlike flagellated bacteria, Mycoplasma lacks the general chemotactic signaling system to control their moving direction. Therefore, the physiological role of directionless travel in Mycoplasma gliding remains unclear. Recently, high‐precision measurements under an optical microscope have revealed that three species of Mycoplasma exhibited rheotaxis, that is, the direction of gliding motility is lead upstream by the water flow. This intriguing response appears to be optimized for the flow patterns encountered at host surfaces. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the morphology, behavior, and habitat of Mycoplasma gliding, and discusses the possibility that the rheotaxis is ubiquitous among them.
Decoding the DNA and RNA viromes of a tropical urban lagoon
Authors: Andrianjakarivony Felana Harilanto , Bettarel Yvan , Cecchi Philippe , Bouchard Sonia , Chase Emily , Desnues Christelle
Published: July 2023

Human and livestock sewage is one of the major causes of excess nutrients, leading to the eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems and potentially to the emergence or spread of pathogenic viruses. This study aimed to investigate the composition and diversity of aquatic viromes in a highly anthropized lagoon, to identify the presence of pathogenic taxa and to explore their use as possible viral indicators of faecal contamination. For this, water and sediment samples were collected in the Ebrié Lagoon (Ivory Coast) at seven stations with contrasting levels of eutrophication. The DNA viromes of the planktonic and the benthic compartments were highly divergent, but were not influenced by the level of eutrophication. Conversely, the RNA viromes in the water column were comparable to those found in sediment, but showed significant differences between the stations. We detected the presence of viral DNA and RNA sequences we had assigned as indicators of faecal contamination (smacovirus, pecovirus and pepper mild mottle virus) as well as human pathogens (human cyclovirus, coxsackie B virus and picobirnavirus), which were all enriched in the most eutrophicated sites. These findings suggest that the examination of viromes represents a promising tool for assessing the state of human‐induced contamination of aquatic ecosystems.
Factors contributing to death of major trauma victims with haemorrhage: A retrospective case–control study
Authors: Carne Brennan , Raina Aditya , Bothara Roshit , McCombie Andrew , Fleischer Dominic , Joyce Laura R
Published: July 2023

Objective

To identify factors associated with death secondary to haemorrhage following major trauma.

Methods

A retrospective case–control study was conducted on data from adult major trauma patients attending Christchurch Hospital ED between 1 June 2016 and 1 June 2020. Cases (those who died due to haemorrhage or multiple organ failure [MOF]), were matched to controls (those who survived) in a 1:5 ratio from the Canterbury District Health Board major trauma database. A multivariate analysis was used to identify potential risk factors for death due to haemorrhage.

Results

One thousand, five hundred and forty major trauma patients were admitted to Christchurch Hospital or died in ED during the study period. Of them, 140 (9.1%) died from any cause, most attributed to a central nervous system cause of death; 19 (1.2%) died from haemorrhage or MOF. After controlling for age and injury severity, having a lower temperature on arrival in ED was a significant modifiable risk factor for death. Additionally, intubation prior to hospital, increased base deficit, lower initial haemoglobin and lower Glasgow Coma Scale were risk factors associated with death.

Conclusions

The present study reaffirms previous literature that lower body temperature on presentation to hospital is a significant potentially modifiable variable in predicting death following major trauma. Further studies should investigate whether all pre‐hospital services have key performance indicators (KPIs) for temperature management, and causes for failure to reach these. Our findings should promote development and tracking of such KPIs where they do not already exist.
Sensitivity to thyroid hormone and risk of components of metabolic syndrome in a Chinese euthyroid population
Authors: Lv Fang , Cai Xiaoling , Li Yufeng , Zhang Xiuying , Zhou Xianghai , Han Xueyao , Ji Linong
Published: July 2023

Introduction

To evaluate the association of sensitivity to thyroid hormone with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in a Chinese euthyroid population.

Methods

A total of 3573 participants from Pinggu Metabolic Disease Study were analyzed. Serum‐free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotropin (TSH), total adipose tissue (TAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) area of abdominal, and lumbar skeletal muscle area (SMA) were measured. Central thyroid hormone resistance was calculated by the Thyroid Feedback Quantile‐based Index (TFQI) and Chinese‐referenced Parametric TFQI (PTFQI), Thyrotroph T4 Resistance Index (TT4RI) and TSH Index (TSHI). Peripheral thyroid hormone resistance was assessed by FT3/FT4 ratio.

Results

Higher values of TSHI (odds ratio [OR] = 1.167, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.079–1.262, p < .001), TT4RI (OR = 1.115, 95% CI: 1.031–1.206, p = .006), TFQI (OR = 1.196, 95% CI: 1.106–1.294, p < .001), PTFQI (OR = 1.194, 95% CI: 1.104–1.292, p < .001), and lower values of FT3/FT4 ratio (OR = 0.914, 95% CI: 0.845–0.990, p = .026) were associated with MetS. Increased levels of TFQI and PTFQI were associated with abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension. Increased levels of TSHI and TT4RI were associated with hypertriglyceridemia, abdominal obesity, low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Reduced levels of FT3/FT4 ratio were associated with hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia. The levels of TSHI, TFQI, and PTFQI were negatively related to SMA and positively related to VAT, SAT, and TAT (all p < .05).

Conclusions

Reduced thyroid hormone sensitivity was associated with MetS and its components. Impaired thyroid hormone sensitivity might affect the distribution of adipose tissue and muscle.
An update on understanding the pathophysiology in Kawasaki disease: Possible role of immune complexes in coronary artery lesion revisited
Authors: Philip Saji , Jindal Ankur , Krishna Kumar Raman
Published: July 2023

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute self‐limiting systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology affecting predominantly the coronary arteries. The role of circulating immune complexes (ICs) in the pathogenesis of KD has been studied using the sera of patients with KD. It has been proposed that ICs are triggered by single or multiple unknown causative agents as well as vasculitis. The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections caused similar pathophysiology in producing vasculitis, and the RNA virus may have triggered signs and symptoms similar to KD. For clinicians and researchers alike, detecting the causative agents of KD remains a challenge. According to studies in animal models, type III hypersensitivity reactions caused by serum sickness are a prototype for IC vasculitis. The signs and symptoms of coronary artery dilation in swine are similar to those of KD. These models may be used to evaluate new pharmacological agents for KD. The pathogenesis of KD is complex and remains inadequately understood at present. However, circulating ICs may play a key role in the pathophysiology of KD and coronary artery vasculitis. Various therapeutic agents are being explored in the management of KD and these agents act at various stages of the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In this review, we discuss recent developments in the pathogenesis of KD and provide insights into the innate immune response and mechanisms behind coronary artery damage in KD. We specifically explore the potential role of ICs in the pathogenesis of KD.
The use of a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor—adalimumab—in the management of arthritis in an adolescent with HIV: A case report
Authors: Bakry Reima , Bokhary Nada , Sendi Esraa , Alshehri Malak , Sindi Lama , Alkwai Hend
Published: July 2023

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with a myriad of musculoskeletal manifestations. Inflammatory arthritis has been described in association with HIV in both adults and children. Biologic disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs, particularly tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), have been reported to manage inflammatory arthritis in adults with HIV when conventional therapy fails to control arthritis. In this report, we describe the management of arthritis and enthesitis in a 12‐year‐old adolescent male with HIV using the TNFi adalimumab. At the time of presentation, the patient was on highly active antiretroviral therapy for 1 year. His viral load was <40 copies/mL, and the CD4+ T‐cell count was 1280 cells/mm3. He had a positive antinuclear antibody and HLA‐B27. Rheumatoid factor was negative. After screening for hepatitis B and C and latent tuberculosis, the patient was started on adalimumab. This report describes the successful control of recalcitrant arthritis and enthesitis in a pediatric patient with HIV infection using adalimumab.
Fifty years of peril: A comprehensive comparison of the impact of terrorism and disasters linked to natural hazards (1970–2019)
Authors: Wilson Timothy , Noy Ilan
Published: July 2023

We compare the realised impact of terrorism and disasters linked to natural hazards. Using 50 years of data from two databases covering most of the global population, we find that natural hazard disasters were more than 20 times more impactful than terrorism. The former had a larger realised impact in all regions in both gross and per capita terms. The largest cross‐peril difference was in Asia, where natural hazard disasters took 324 million lifeyears, while terrorism took 10. Similar results were found across countries grouped by income status and development status. Low‐ and lower‐middle‐income countries bore the vast majority of the impact of both terrorism and natural hazard disasters. Given the multitude of prevalent global threats, our findings are relevant in the allocation of scarce public resources to mitigate and adapt. Our results suggest that significantly greater public spending should be applied to natural hazard disasters than terrorism.
Global, regional, and national burden of allergic disorders and their risk factors in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2019: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Shin Youn Ho , Hwang Jimin , Kwon Rosie , Lee Seung Won , Kim Min Seo ,   GBD 2019 Allergic Disorders Collaborators, Shin Jae Il , Yon Dong Keon
Published: July 2023

Background

Asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD) are chronic allergic conditions, along with allergic rhinitis and food allergy and cause high morbidity and mortality both in children and adults. This study aims to evaluate the global, regional, national, and temporal trends of the burden of asthma and AD from 1990 to 2019 and analyze their associations with geographic, demographic, social, and clinical factors.

Methods

Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD), Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019, we assessed the age‐standardized prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) of both asthma and AD from 1990 to 2019, stratified by geographic region, age, sex, and socio‐demographic index (SDI). DALYs were calculated as the sum of years lived with disability and years of life lost to premature mortality. Additionally, the disease burden of asthma attributable to high body mass index, occupational asthmagens, and smoking was described.

Results

In 2019, there were a total of 262 million [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 224–309 million] cases of asthma and 171 million [95% UI: 165–178 million] total cases of AD globally; age‐standardized prevalence rates were 3416 [95% UI: 2899–4066] and 2277 [95% UI: 2192–2369] per 100,000 population for asthma and AD, respectively, a 24.1% [95% UI: −27.2 to −20.8] decrease for asthma and a 4.3% [95% UI: 3.8–4.8] decrease for AD compared to baseline in 1990. Both asthma and AD had similar trends according to age, with age‐specific prevalence rates peaking at age 5–9 years and rising again in adulthood. The prevalence and incidence of asthma and AD were both higher for individuals with higher SDI; however, mortality and DALYs rates of individuals with asthma had a reverse trend, with higher mortality and DALYs rates in those in the lower SDI quintiles. Of the three risk factors, high body mass index contributed to the highest DALYs and deaths due to asthma, accounting for a total of 3.65 million [95% UI: 2.14–5.60 million] asthma DALYs and 75,377 [95% UI: 40,615–122,841] asthma deaths.

Conclusions

Asthma and AD continue to cause significant morbidity worldwide, having increased in total prevalence and incidence cases worldwide, but having decreased in age‐standardized prevalence rates from 1990 to 2019. Although both are more frequent at younger ages and more prevalent in high‐SDI countries, each condition has distinct temporal and regional characteristics. Understanding the temporospatial trends in the disease burden of asthma and AD could guide future policies and interventions to better manage these diseases worldwide and achieve equity in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Increased risk for incisional hernia following cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy
Authors: Ben‐Yaacov Almog , Laks Shachar , Zoabi Ghanem , Kirshenboim Zehavit , Goldenshlger Ariela , Hazzan David , Westrich Gal , Owda Yazan , Segev Lior , Nissan Aviram , Goldenshluger Michael
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The incidence of incisional hernias (IH) after midline laparotomy varies from 11% to 20%. Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS‐HIPEC) is potentially prone to hernias because a Xiphoid to pubis laparotomy incision performed on patients who have undergone previous abdominal surgeries with the addition of chemotherapy and its related adverse effects.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis on a prospectively maintained single institution database from March 2015 to July 2020. The inclusion criteria were patients who underwent CRS‐HIPEC and had at least 6 months postoperative follow‐up with post‐operative cross‐sectional imaging study.

Results

Two hundred and one patients were included in the study. All patients underwent CRS‐HIPEC with resection of previous scar and umbilectomy. Fifty‐four patients were diagnosed with IH (26.9%). The major risk factors for IH in multivariate analysis were higher American society of Anesthesiologists score (ASA) (OR 3.9, P = 0.012), increasing age (OR 1.06, P = 0.004) and increasing BMI (OR 1.1, P = 0.006). Most of the hernia sites were median (n = 43, 79.6%). Eleven (20.4%) patients had lateral hernias due to stoma incisions or drain sites. Most of the median hernias were at the level of the resected umbilicus 58.9% (n = 23). Five (9.3%) of the patients with IH necessitated an urgent surgical repair.

Conclusion

We have demonstrated that more than a quarter of the patients after CRS‐HIPEC suffer from IH and up to 10% of them may require surgical intervention. More research is needed to find the appropriate intraoperative interventions to minimize this sequela.
The social support systems of mothers with problematic substance use in their infant's first year
Authors: Tsantefski Menka , Briggs Lynne , Griffiths Jessica
Published: July 2023

The infants of women with histories of problematic alcohol and other drug use are among the most vulnerable children known to statutory child protection services, which they enter at a younger age, and in which they remain longer. The net results include overwhelmed child protection systems and the birth of subsequent children conceived to ease women's grief at the loss their infants. Without adequate and appropriate support to the mother and her family, the pattern repeats. Obstetric services have an important role to play in the assessment of risk and protective factors in the perinatal period and in determining pathways to service provision. A comprehensive assessment considers the availability and quality of informal support prior to activation of formal systems of support, both statutory, where engagement is mandated, and non‐statutory, where support is offered on a voluntary basis. This paper uses quantitative methods to explore the social networks of women with problematic substance use in the transition to motherhood and the relationship between formal and informal support systems and infant outcomes. Surveys were held with two counsellors from the Women's Alcohol and Drug Service (WADS), a specialist obstetric clinic in Melbourne, Australia, and with 18 child protection workers. In addition, the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (Norbeck, 1984; Norbeck et al., 1983) was administered with 20 participating mothers to measure levels of formal and informal support, as well as the type and quality of support available to mothers over a 12‐month period, and to consider the provision of social support against known outcomes for infants. The findings demonstrate that WADS counsellors made several referrals for most women but that there was little in the way of long‐term follow‐up by non‐statutory service providers, with most women experiencing a dramatic drop in support over the 12‐month period. Women whose main informal support was from a domestically violent partner, and those who had been in out‐of‐home care in their own childhood, were particularly vulnerable to losing the care of their infant. The role of child protection varied markedly across the 12‐month period, particularly in relation to the extent that a relationship between formal and informal systems of support for mothers and their infants could be established. Overall, the study findings demonstrate that mothers experienced diminishing formal and informal support over time and that the quality of social support available to the mother was more important in terms of outcomes for women and their infants than the quantity.
Association between asthma and headache: Findings from the NHANES 2001–2004
Authors: Chin Hok Leong , Cheong Ka Kin
Published: July 2023

Introduction

With the adjustment of sociodemographic factors, our study aimed to explore the association between asthma control and headache using a representative sample in the United States.

Methods

A total of participants aged >20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles 2001–2004 were included. The presence of asthma and headache was determined by questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression was performed.

Results

Participants with asthma had higher odds of suffering headaches (odds ratio = 1.62, 95% confidence interval: 1.30–2.02, p < 0.001). Those who had an asthma attack in the past year had higher odds of experiencing headaches than those who did not (odds ratio = 1.94, 95% confidence interval: 1.11–3.39, p = 0.022). No statistically significant association was found between participants who had emergency care visit for asthma in the past year and those who had not.

Conclusion

Patients with asthma attack in the past year were more likely to have a headache than those who without.
Aspiration cytology of liver abscess uncovering metastatic rectal mucosal melanoma—A case report
Authors: Ng Joanna K. M. , Leung Howard H. W. , Li Joshua J. X.
Published: July 2023

Aspirates of liver abscess are frequently encountered in routine practice and are often of a low index of suspicion. However, necrotic liver metastasis clinically and radiologically mimics liver abscesses, and malignant cells can be obscured in an inflammation‐rich background on cytology. It is important to recognise malignant neoplasms in this scenario, in particular uncommon conditions such as metastatic mucosal melanoma.
Incidence, characteristics and cost of head, neck and dental injuries in non‐professional football (soccer) using 3 years of sports injury insurance data
Authors: Hansen Mille Greve , Ross Andrew George , Meyer Tim , Knold Christian , Meyers Ian , Peek Kerry
Published: July 2023

Aim

This descriptive epidemiological study aimed to quantify the incidence, characteristics and costs of head, neck and dental injuries in non‐professional football players.

Methods

Injury data were coded (using Orchard Sports Injury and Illness Classification System) from a de‐identified insurance database containing three seasons (2018–2020) of data. Cost data included direct and indirect costs presented by type of injury, age group and sex using means ± SD, range of costs ($AU) and total costs ± SE. Chi‐squared tests were used to analyse the data (significance level p < .05) with injury incidence rates (IR) calculated per 1000 match hours and per 1000 injury insurance claims.

Results

A total of 388 injuries affecting 240 players were sustained. Of these, 43% (n = 102) of players also sustained one or more secondary injuries, mainly to the head or neck area. Dental injuries (n = 143, 39%, IR = 0.008) accounted for the highest number of primary and secondary injuries and the highest mean direct cost per injury ($AU1152), while head and facial injuries accounted for the highest proportion of total costs ($AU434,101). Players who sustained one or more secondary injuries had the highest direct and indirect mean cost per injury.

Conclusions

Given the frequency and cost of dental injuries in non‐professional football players, injury prevention initiatives warrant further investigation.
Are we ready for personalizedCAR‐Ttherapy?
Authors: Strzelec Anna , Helbig Grzegorz
Published: July 2023

The future of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR‐T) therapy remains unclear. New studies are constantly being published confirming the efficacy and favorable safety profile of its innovative enhancements. Currently approved CAR‐T drugs are manufactured exclusively for a specific patient from the recipient's own cells. This does not close the door to further modifications with subsequent personalization and better adaptation to the individual needs. Bringing such a drug to market would involve raising the already high costs, so it is necessary to lower the existing ones. On the other hand, so‐called universal CAR‐T are also getting closer to the patient's bed, but its implementation may struggle with multiple challenges, including development of graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) and alloimmunity. However, thatoff‐the‐shelftherapy could prove useful as a quick solution for patients in very poor condition or excluded from current therapy due to manufacturing limitations. The introduction of currently tested solutions may undoubtedly change the current paradigm of treatment.
Serum and cerebrospinal fluid brain damage markers neurofilament light and glial fibrillary acidic protein correlate with tick‐borne encephalitis disease severity—a multicentre study on Lithuanian and Swedish patients
Authors: Veje Malin , Griška Vytautas , Pakalnienė Jolita , Mickienė Auksė , Bremell Daniel , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Lindquist Lars , Studahl Marie
Published: July 2023

Background and purpose

Our aim was to examine the correlation between biomarkers of neuronal and glial cell damage and severity of disease in patients with tick‐borne encephalitis.

Methods

One hundred and fifteen patients with tick‐borne encephalitis diagnosed in Lithuania and Sweden were prospectively included, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples were obtained shortly after hospitalization. Using pre‐defined criteria, cases were classified as mild, moderate or severe tick‐borne encephalitis. Additionally, the presence of spinal nerve paralysis (myelitis) and/or cranial nerve affection were noted. Concentrations of the brain cell biomarkers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), YKL‐40, S100B, neurogranin, neurofilament light (NfL) and tau were analysed in CSF and, in addition, NfL, GFAP and S100B levels were measured in serum. The Jonckheere‐Terpstra test was used for group comparisons of continuous variables and Spearman's partial correlation test was used to adjust for age.

Results

Cerebrospinal fluid and serum concentrations of GFAP and NfL correlated with disease severity, independent of age, and with the presence of nerve paralysis. The markers neurogranin, YKL‐40, tau and S100B in CSF and S100B in serum were detected, but their concentrations did not correlate with disease severity.

Conclusions

Neuronal cell damage and astroglial cell activation with increased NfL and GFAP in CSF and serum were associated with a more severe disease, independent of age. Increased GFAP and NfL concentrations in CSF and NfL in serum were also indicative of spinal and/or cranial nerve damage. NfL and GFAP are promising prognostic biomarkers in tick‐borne encephalitis, and future studies should focus on determining the association between these biomarkers and long‐term sequelae.
Far from the truth: Real‐world treatment patterns among newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer in the era of treatment intensification
Authors: Yang Xinyan , Tan Yu Guang , Gatsinga Rene , Chen Weiren , Huang Hong Hong , Loong Jeffrey Tuan Kit , Chua Melvin Lee Kiang , Rajasekaran Tanujaa , Kanesvaran Ravindran , Tay Kae Jack , Chen Kenneth , Yuen John Shyi Peng
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Real‐world uptake of treatment intensification (TI) with novel hormonal agents (NHA) or chemotherapy as treatment of metastatic prostate cancer remains low outside of trial settings. We aim to report the prescription patterns and treatment outcomes of de novo metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) in a tertiary institution.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study using real‐world data from a prospectively maintained prostate cancer registry. We selected patients newly diagnosed with mHSPC from January 2016 to December 2020. Clinicopathological parameters were recorded to determine their impact on prescription patterns.

Results

In total, 585 patients with metastatic prostate cancer were identified. Prescription of NHA increased from 10.5% (2016) to 50.4% (2020), but that of chemotherapy declined. Factors associated with TI were (1) baseline health status: Charlson Comorbidity Index 0–2, ECOG 0–1, age ≤ 65, (2) disease burden: PSA (>400, CHAARTED high volume disease, p = 0.004), development of systemic complications and (3) physician factor: primary physician being uro‐oncologist and medical oncologist versus general urologist. Patients with TI had a longer mean time to castration‐resistant prostate cancer (45.0 vs. 32.5 months, HR 0.567, 95% CI: 0.441–0.730, p < 0.001) and overall survival (55.3 vs. 46.8 months, HR 0.612, 95% CI, 0.447–0.837, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the trend of treatment prescription of mHSPC and factors contributing to the use of TI. TI improved mean time to CRPC and OS.
First worldwide use of pulsed‐field ablation for ventricular tachycardia ablation via a retrograde approach
Authors: Martin Claire A. , Zaw Myo Thant , Jackson Nicola , Morris Dave , Costanzo Pierluigi
Published: July 2023

Introduction

We present the first worldwide use of pulsed‐field ablation (PFA) for ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation via a retrograde approach.

Methods

The patient had previously failed conventional ablation of an intramural circuit underneath the aortic valve. The same VT circuit was inducible during the procedure. The Farawave PFA catheter and Faradrive sheath were used to deliver PFA applications.

Results

Post ablation mapping demonstrated scar homogenization. There was no evidence of coronary spasm during PFA applications and no other complications occurred. VT was non‐inducible post ablation and the patient has remained free of arrhythmia at follow‐up.

Conclusion

PFA for VT via a retrograde approach is feasible and effective.