bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Money laundering and terror financing: issues and challenges in Pakistan
Authors: Zia Munir Ahmad , Abbas Rana Zamin , Arshed Noman
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Pakistan is facing the momentous hazard of money laundering and a substantial risk of terror financing, which are seriously threatening its socioeconomic well-being. The purpose of this paper is to gauge the challenges posed by these threats in contrast with the existing potential and expertise of legal entities. It also examines legal and procedural measures enforced as a counter-strategy for terror financing and money laundering and the AMLA 2010 and National Action Plan (NAP) for countering terrorism financing.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses an analytical and comparative method using figures and comparative data on the success of the NAP and AMLA 2010 as national counterterrorism strategies. Terror financing and anti-money laundering regimes are confronted with grave legal and procedural odds, noncooperation and performance issues and conflicts of interest on the part of the enforcers/politicians. This paper highlights the issues that seriously jeopardize strategies to stop money laundering and terror financing, such as geography, informal financial transfers and exchange systems, un-regulated charities and real estate sectors, the modest performance of enforcement agencies and lukewarm political support for the NAP.

Findings

The situation requires the improvement of weak legislation and poor coordination and the adaptation of technological advancements and novel counter-strategies, along with properly trained enforcement personnel.

Originality/value

This paper will prove to be a valuable reference for exploring the shortcomings and insights. This will provide useful information for legal and financial practitioners, academicians, research scholars, policymakers and journalists.
Effects of digitalisation of organisations on internal audit activities and practices
Authors: Betti Nathanaël , Sarens Gerrit , Poncin Ingrid
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how the internal audit function (IAF) modifies its activities and practices in relation to the digitalisation the organisation. This paper specifically examines the use of data analytics and the performance of consulting activities by internal auditors.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a survey conducted with 82 chief audit executives based in the USA and members of the institute of internal auditors.

Findings

Results indicate a positive relation between the organisation’s level of digitalisation and the use of data analytics by internal auditors during their missions. Results also indicate that the organisation’s level of digitalisation has an indirect effect on the proportion of the internal audit planning dedicated to consulting activities. Specifically, the use of data analytics mediates the relationship between the organisation’s level of digitalisation and the proportion of the internal audit planning dedicated to consulting activities.

Research limitations/implications

This research was conducted amongst internal auditors based in the US Future research could investigate the insights of other internal audit stakeholders and investigate different legal contexts.

Practical implications

Results show that digitalisation increases the use of data analytics by internal auditors and the performance of consulting activities. The results, therefore, highlight the importance of these two aspects for the IAF to continue to bring value to organisations.

Originality/value

This research provides more insights on internal audit working practices. The digitalisation of the organisation leads the IAF to use more data analytics and perform more consulting activities.
Disaster management and emerging technologies: a performance-based perspective
Authors: Vermiglio Carlo , Noto Guido , Rodríguez Bolívar Manuel Pedro , Zarone Vincenzo
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse how emerging technologies (ETs) impact on improving performance in disaster management (DM) processes and, concretely, their impact on the performance according to the different phases of the DM cycle (preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation).

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on a systematic review of the literature. Scopus, ProQuest, EBSCO and Web of Science were used as data sources, and an initial sample of 373 scientific articles was collected. After abstracts and full texts were read and refinements to the search were made, a final corpus of 69 publications was analysed using VOSviewer software for text mining and cluster visualisation.

Findings

The results highlight how ETs foster the preparedness and resilience of specific systems when dealing with different phases of the DM cycle. Simulation and disaster risk reduction are the fields of major relevance in the application of ETs to DM.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by adding the lenses of performance measurement, management and accountability in analysing the impact of ETs on DM. It thus represents a starting point for scholars to develop future research on a rapidly and continuously developing topic.
Board gender diversity, financial decisions and free cash flow: empirical evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Guizani Moncef , Abdalkrim Gaafar
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore the role of board gender diversity in enhancing the allocation of free cash flow (FCF). It examines the direct effect of board gender diversity, as well as its indirect effect, through debt and dividend policies, on the level of FCF.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies a three-stage least squares regression analysis for a sample of 367 Malaysian listed firms over the period 2011–2019.

Findings

The results show that female directors significantly deter the opportunistic behavior of managers. The authors find that gender diversity – as measured by the percentage of women on the board and the percentage of female independent directors are likely to reduce excess funds. Moreover, the results reveal a significant indirect effect of board gender diversity, through dividend payouts, on the efficient allocation of FCF. The results are consistent with those in prior studies that document the benefits of board gender diversity.

Practical implications

The research findings are beneficial to policymakers, as it allows them to assess the importance of diversity on boards in the monitoring of the managers, particularly as it pertains to the allocation of excess funds. Furthermore, these findings have implications for regulators as they shed light on the importance to undertake measures and reforms to promote board effectiveness by the introduction of gender diversity.

Originality/value

While prior research has examined the effect of board gender diversity on firm performance, the study is the first to investigate both the direct and indirect effect of board gender diversity on the allocation of FCF.
The difference of Shariah risk potential and Shariah risk in personal financing products based on tawarruq munazzam contracts practised in Malaysia
Authors: Asni Fathullah
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the differences in the practice of tawarruq munazzam contracts based on personal financing products. The researcher will then analyse the said differences based on the potential for risk to occur and risk from a Shariah perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This study’s methodology is qualitative, in which the data are collected through library research and field studies. The library research is conducted by examining books, articles, statutes and related circulars. From the practical aspect, field studies were conducted in an unstructured interview method with officers used in Islamic banks. The snowball method was used to determine the number of Islamic banks to be studied until no new information was obtained on the different practices of tawarruq munazzam contracts based on personal financing products.

Findings

The results show that there are differences in the practice of tawarruq munazzam contracts based on personal financing products practised by the Islamic banks studied. These differences have brought significant influence in determining the level of Shariah risk potentials and Shariah risks, respectively. The results also show that the highest number of the Shariah risk potential and Shariah risk in the Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) studied is 10 i.e. covering the issues of customer engagement, wa’ad (promise), commodity asset, gharar (uncertainty), wakalah (representative), ta’wid and gharamah, the willing but not an able debtor, qalb dayn and two prices in a transaction. Meanwhile, the least amount of the Shariah risk potential and Shariah risk in the IFIs studied is four, i.e. covering the issues of customer engagement, wakalah, the willing but not an able debtor and two prices in a transaction. Findings prove that there are opportunities for IFIs to minimise Shariah risk potential and risk in the personal financing products offered.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to the practice of tawarruq munazzam contracts based on personal financing products practised by IFIs in Malaysia.

Practical implications

The differences in the tawarruq munazzam contract practice show the distinctive elements in both Shariah risk potential and Shariah risk. Therefore, the findings of this study can be a guideline for IFIs to improve the practice of tawarruq munazzam contracts, especially in personal financing products in minimising Shariah risk potential and Shariah risk.

Social implications

The public confidence in Islamic banking is increasing as Islamic banks can minimise the Shariah risk potential and Shariah risk in tawarruq munazzam contracts based on the personal financing products offered.

Originality/value

This study analyses the differences in the practice of tawarruq munazzam contracts based on personal financing products by IFIs in Malaysia, which can impact Shariah risk potential and Shariah risk.
Survey of graduate supply chain courses: content, coverage and gaps
Authors: Lutz Heather , Birou Laura , Walden Joe
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to provide the results of a survey of courses dedicated to the field of supply chain management in higher education. This research is unique because it represents the first large-scale study of graduate supply chain management courses taught at universities globally.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis was performed on each syllabus to identify the actual course content: requirements, pedagogy and content emphasis. This aggregated information was used to compare historical research findings in this area, with the current skills identified as important for career success. This data provides input for a gap analysis between offerings in higher education and those needs identified by practitioners.

Findings

Data gathering efforts yielded a sample of 112 graduate courses representing 61 schools across the world. The aggregate number of topics covered in graduate courses totaled 114. The primary evaluation techniques include exams, projects and homework. Details regarding content and assessment techniques are provided along with a gap analysis between the supply chain management course content and the needs identified by APICS Supply Chain Manager Competency Model (2014).

Originality/value

The goal is to use this data as a means of continuous improvement in the quality and value of the educational experience on a longitudinal basis. The findings are designed to foster information sharing and provide data for benchmarking efforts in the development of supply chain management courses and curricula in academia, as well as training, development and recruitment efforts by professionals in the field of supply chain management.
Learning through time: the role of team reflexivity and virtuality in decision-making teams
Authors: Marques-Quinteiro Pedro , Uitdewilligen Sjir , Costa Patricia , Passos Ana Margarida
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to test if team reflexivity is a countermeasure to the detrimental effect of team virtuality on team performance improvement, in decision-making teams.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 regarded 210 individuals (N = 44 teams) executing five decision-making tasks. Study 2 regarded 60 individuals (N = 20 teams) executing four decision-making tasks. Study 1 was longitudinal, with no experimental manipulation. Study 2 had an experimental longitudinal design comprising two between-team manipulations: medium of communication and team reflexivity; the outcome was team performance improvement.

Findings

Study 1’s results show that team reflexivity positively moderates the effect of virtuality on team performance improvement over time. Study 2’s results shows that a reflexivity manipulation benefits face-to-face teams more so than virtual teams, probably because team reflexivity is more effective when media richness is high.

Originality/value

The implications of reflexivity’s lack of effect in low virtuality (Study 1) and high virtuality (Study 2) teams are discussed. This study contributes to the team learning and virtual teams’ literatures by expanding current knowledge on how team reflexivity can facilitate team learning under face-to-face versus virtual communication conditions.
COVID-19 prediction through X-ray images using various layers in convolutional neural network
Authors: Mishra Jyoti , Tiwari Mahendra , Bajpai Bhavna , Atre Swati , Kaur Amandeep
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the prediction of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) using X-ray image.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposed convolutional neural network (CNN) approach to predict COVID-19.

Findings

Prediction of COVID-19 using CNN.

Originality/value

The work has implemented multiple CNN models to classify chest X-ray of affected patients by using their chest scans. According to three models, the ResNet-50 is advantageous because of its high service reliability.
Population pharmacokinetic and exposure–response analysis of apremilast in Japanese subjects with moderate to severe psoriasis
Authors: Okubo Yukari , Ohtsuki Mamitaro , Komine Mayumi , Imafuku Shinichi , Kassir Nastya , Petric Rosemary , Nemoto Osamu
Published: August 2021

Apremilast is an orally available phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor used for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. The aims of this analysis were to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PPK) model of apremilast based on observed data from phase 1 studies combined with clinical trial data from subjects with moderate to severe psoriasis, and to develop exposure–response (E‐R) models to determine whether Japanese subjects with moderate to severe psoriasis achieve response to apremilast treatment similar to that observed in non‐Japanese, predominantly Caucasian subjects with moderate to severe psoriasis. The PPK model demonstrated that apremilast plasma concentrations and overall apparent clearance rate were comparable between the Japanese and Caucasian subgroups. The E‐R analyses of ≥75% or ≥50% improvement from baseline in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score and achievement of static Physician Global Assessment score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear) at week 16 indicated that apremilast treatment in Japanese subjects approached the maximal effect with response rates comparable to those in predominantly Caucasian subjects. Overall, the analyses confirm that the approved apremilast 30 mg b.i.d. dose is appropriate for Japanese subjects with moderate to severe psoriasis, with an efficacy profile similar to that previously observed in Caucasian subjects.
Electrical resistivity tomography with smooth sparse regularization
Authors: Zhong Shichao , Wang Yibo , Zheng Yikang , Wu Shaojiang , Chang Xu , Zhu Wei
Published: August 2021

Electrical resistivity tomography employs L2 norm regularization in many applications. We developed the boundary‐sharping inversion method based on the finite element methods and irregular grid approach, in which the contact areas of elements are used to weight the model parameters. Similar approaches have previously only been used for structured grids. We also designed an electrical resistivity tomography system in the laboratory to conduct experimental data tests. Focusing on the imaging of small‐scale targets, we further compared the behaviour of various regularization schemes, including L2, L1 and L0 norm stabilizers. Different control parameters were tested and analysed for approximated L1 and L0 norm stabilizers. Three‐dimensional conductivity models were reconstructed from synthetic and experimental data. We found that reconstructed images obtained from smooth sparse regularization, such as L1, and L0 norm regularization are superior to L2 norm regularization for high‐contrast aquifer and block models. The synthetic and experimental data show that electrical resistivity tomography with smooth sparse regularization has the potential to improve the imaging of small‐scale targets with sharp contours.
The Presumption Against Extraterritoriality, Mutual Legal Assistance, and the Future of Law Enforcement Cross‐Border Evidence Collection
Authors: Cochrane Tim
Published: August 2021

R (KBR, Inc) v Director of the Serious Fraud Office is a significant judgment for the field of law enforcement cross‐border evidence collection, both in the United Kingdom and beyond.  The UK Supreme Court ruled that the Director of the Serious Fraud Office's powers to compel disclosure of materials under section 2(3) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 did not extend extraterritorially to foreign companies with no fixed UK place of business and which were not carrying on business in the UK.  This judgment affirms the continued significance of the presumption against extraterritorially and identifies a general UK parliamentary preference that law enforcement obtain overseas material through cooperative processes like mutual legal assistance, rather than unilaterally.  Much however remains unsettled for the future of this field, given developing issues in transnational criminal law, human rights – particularly rights of privacy and data protection – and public international law.
Application of nonthermal processing technologies in extracting and modifying polysaccharides: A critical review
Authors: Li Xiaolan , Zhang Zhi‐Hong , Qi Xianghui , Li Lin , Zhu Jie , Brennan Charles S. , Yan Jing‐Kun
Published: August 2021

Polysaccharides are natural polymer compounds widely distributed in plants, animals, and microorganisms, most of which have a broad spectrum of biological activities to promote human health. They could also be used as texture modifiers in food industry due to their excellent rheological and mechanical properties. Many researchers have shown that nonthermal processing technologies have numerous advantages, such as high extraction efficiency, short extraction time, and environmental friendliness, in the extraction of polysaccharides compared with the traditional extraction methods. Moreover, nonthermal technologies could effectively change the physicochemical properties and structural characteristics of polysaccharides to improve their biological activities or processing properties. Therefore, a comprehensive summary about the extraction and modification of polysaccharides by nonthermal technologies, including ultrasound, high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed electric fields, and cold plasma, was provided in this review. In particular, the underlying mechanisms, processing operations, and current application status of these technologies were discussed. In addition, the applications of combining nonthermal techniques with other technological methods in polysaccharide extraction and modification were briefly introduced.
Traceology, criminalistics, and forensic science
Authors: Ristenbatt Ralph R. , Hietpas Jack , De Forest Peter R. , Margot Pierre A.
Published: August 2021

There is a serious issue within the forensic science community, which even extends outside of the field. The role of the scientist in the investigation of crime has been increasingly confined to the laboratory, which has been accompanied by the conflation of the terms forensic science and criminalistics. This unfortunate situation has been festering for years. To make matters worse, the era of the proactive, problem‐defining, criminalist (generalist) is waning, and possibly over. Present‐day “criminalists” are treated as little more than reactive, protocol‐constrained, laboratory technicians, with few, if any, consequential crime scene roles. In most cases, these “criminalists” merely respond to routine requests from prosecutors and police. The absence of science at the front end of forensic investigations, i.e., the scene, has resulted in biased, ineffective, inefficient, and/or erroneous outcomes with immediate and long‐term societal impacts. To disentangle this imbroglio, we propose the use of another term, traceology, which has seen limited use worldwide except in the field of archaeology. With respect to criminalistics, this term has been previously proposed by Margot (20–21). Traceology is an historical science, dealing with the examination, analysis, and scientific interpretation of event traces (signs or remnants) of earlier activities. In this commentary, we define and redefine familiar, but ambiguous, terms and concepts with the hope of recapturing the essence of criminalistics (32), which we suggest is best termed traceology.
Getting to know you: individual animals, wildlife webcams, and willingness to pay for brown bear preservation
Authors: Richardson Leslie , Lewis Lynne
Published: August 2021

The vast majority of the wildlife valuation literature focuses on entire populations or substantial changes in those populations (e.g., 25% or more). The policy questions that motivated these existing studies differ considerably from the question of values for individual animals. Compensation for poaching incidents or accidental death of individual animals, as well as analyses of regulatory actions affecting a small number of animals, require economic value estimates for individual animals that are almost entirely missing from the economics literature. In the absence of value estimates for individual animals, wildlife managers are forced to rely on proxy measures that have little to no basis in economic valuation. This study presents one of the first applications of contingent valuation focused on the total economic value of an individual animal. In contrast to the existing literature on preservation values, this involves a unique study design to focus the scenario on animals at the individual level. Our valuation study takes place in the novel setting of “virtual tourists” who watch live animal webcams and interact and connect with the good in question. Results suggest that preservation values for individual animals can be quite high. The range of preservation values for one brown bear is estimated at $70–$140 per person based on a parametric spike model and non‐parametric Turnbull and Kristrӧm estimators. The valuation approach illustrated in this article can be useful for collecting compensation for incidents of poaching, destruction of habitat, or evaluating the costs and benefits of regulations.
An Australian tertiary hospital analysis of outpatient dermatology clinical and demographic characteristics
Authors: Edwards Harrison A. , Betz‐Stablein Brigid , Finnane Anna , Shen Xiaohua , Soyer Hans Peter , Hall Lisa
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Literature on dermatology outpatient demographic and clinical data is limited, and the few studies on this topic are mainly conducted overseas, with medical systems and case mix different to Australia. This study presents demographic data relating to dermatology public outpatient referrals to a tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Australia, and determines what additional structured data should be collected to formulate and evaluate initiatives to address service issues such as referral quality, triage process and wait times.

Methods

A four‐year retrospective audit was undertaken, summarising all referrals (n = 7140) and clinical dermatology encounters (n = 53 844) between January 2016 and December 2019 at Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH), the largest hospital in Metro South Health (MSH), serving a population of one million. PAH has one of the two largest public dermatology clinics in Queensland and is the only dermatology service within MSH.

Results

Patient demographic data, wait time by triage category, referral rates over time and encounter durations were collected. Structured diagnostic data (e.g. ICD‐10 coding) of the provisional diagnosis, comorbidities, medications and the final diagnosis are not collected in a structured format and would be a valuable addition.

Conclusions

The clinical burden of public dermatology is increasing. Both collection and analysis of structured data pertaining to the referrals and encounters are important to help formulate, implement and evaluate initiatives that aim to improve health service provision in this area.
Validation of mitral regurgitation reversibility in patients with HeartMate 3 LVAD implantation
Authors: Schreiber Constantin , Dieterlen Maja‐Theresa , Garbade Jens , Borger Michael A. , Sieg Franz , Spampinato Ricardo , Dobrovie Monica , Meyer Anna L.
Published: August 2021

The resolution of functional mitral valve regurgitation (MR) in patients awaiting left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is discussed controversially. The present study analyzed MR and echocardiographic parameters of the third‐generation LVAD HeartMate 3 (HM3) over 3 years. Of 135 LVAD patients (with severe MR, n = 33; with none, mild, or moderate MR, n = 102), data of transthoracic echocardiography were included preoperatively to LVAD implantation, up to 1 month postoperatively, and at 1, 2, and 3 years after LVAD implantation. Demographic data and clinical characteristics were collected. Severe MR was reduced immediately after LVAD implantation in all patients. The echocardiographic parameters left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (P < .001), right ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (P < .001), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (P < .001), and estimated pulmonary artery pressure (P < .001) decreased after HM3 implantation independently from the grade of MR prior to implantation and remained low during the 2 years follow‐up period. Following LVAD implantation, right heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias, ischemic stroke as well as pump thrombosis and bleeding events were comparable between the groups. The incidences of death and cardiac death did not differ between the patient groups. Furthermore, the Kaplan‐Meier analysis showed that survival was comparable between the groups (P = .073). HM3 implantation decreases preoperative severe MR immediately after LVAD implantation. This effect is long‐lasting in most patients and reinforces the LVAD implantation without MR surgery. The complication rates and survival were comparable between patients with and without severe MR.
Prospective external validation of a new non‐invasive test for the diagnosis of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Poynard Thierry , Paradis Valérie , Mullaert Jimmy , Deckmyn Olivier , Gault Nathalie , Marcault Estelle , Manchon Pauline , Si Mohammed Nassima , Parfait Beatrice , Ibberson Mark , Gautier Jean‐Francois , Boitard Christian , Czernichow Sébastien , Larger Etienne , Drane Fabienne , Castille Jean Marie , Peta Valentina , Brzustowski Angélique , Terris Benoit , Vallet‐Pichard Anais , Roulot Dominique , Laouénan Cédric , Bedossa Pierre , Castera Laurent , Pol Stanislas , Valla Dominique ,   the Quid‐Nash consortium
Published: August 2021

Background

One of the unmet needs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the prediction of non‐alcoholic liver disease by non‐invasive blood tests, for each of the three main histological features, fibrosis, non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and steatosis.

Aims

To validate externally the performances of a recent panel, Nash‐FibroTest, for the assessment of the severity of fibrosis stages, NASH grades and steatosis grades.

Methods

We prospectively analysed 272 patients with T2DM. Standard definitions of stages and grades were used, and analyses were centralised and blinded. The performances of the FibroTest, NashTest‐2 and SteatoTest‐2 were assessed using the Obuchowski measure (OM), the main outcome recommended as a summary measure of accuracy includeing all pairwise stages and grades comparisons, which is not provided par the extensively used binary area under the ROC curve.

Results

The diagnostic performance of each component of the panel was significant. OM (SE; significance) of the FibroTest, the NashTest‐2 and the SteatoTest‐2 was 0.862 (0.012; P < 0.001), 0.827 (0.015; P < 0.001) and 0.794 (0.020; P < 0.01), respectively. For ballooning and lobular inflammation, OM was 0.794 (0.021; P < 0.001) and 0.821 (0.017; P < 0.001), respectively. In a post hoc analysis the FibroTest outperformed VCTE by 4.1% (2.5‐6.5; P < 0.001) for reliability, with a non‐significant difference for OM for fibrosis staging, 0.859 (0.012) for FibroTest vs 0.870 (0.009) for VCTE.

Conclusions

From a single blood sample, the panel provides non‐invasive diagnosis of the stages of fibrosis, and the grades of NASH and steatosis in patients with T2DM.

Trial registration number: NCT03634098.
Histopathological growth patterns in patients with advanced nodular lymphocyte‐predominant Hodgkin lymphoma treated within the randomized HD18 study: a report from the German Hodgkin Study Group
Authors: Eichenauer Dennis A. , Bühnen Ina , Kreissl Stefanie , Goergen Helen , Fuchs Michael , von Tresckow Bastian , Rosenwald Andreas , Klapper Wolfram , Hansmann Martin‐Leo , Möller Peter , Bernd Heinz‐Wolfram , Feller Alfred C. , Engert Andreas , Borchmann Peter , Hartmann Sylvia
Published: August 2021

We retrospectively investigated histopathological growth patterns in individuals with advanced nodular lymphocyte‐predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) treated within the randomized HD18 study. In all, 35/60 patients (58%) presented with atypical growth patterns. Patients with atypical growth patterns more often had stage IV disease (P = 0·0354) and splenic involvement (P = 0·0048) than patients with typical growth patterns; a positive positron emission tomography after two cycles of chemotherapy (PET‐2) tended to be more common (P = 0·1078). Five‐year progression‐free survival [hazard ratio (HR) = 0·86; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0·49–1·47] and overall survival (HR = 0·85; 95% CI = 0·49–1·51) did not differ between the groups after study treatment with PET‐2‐guided escalated BEACOPP (bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone). Thus, advanced NLPHL is often associated with atypical growth patterns but their prognostic impact is compensated by PET‐2‐guided escalated BEACOPP.
Pivotal role of phosphodiesterase 10A in the integration of dopamine signals in mice striatal D1 and D2 medium‐sized spiny neurones
Authors: Mota Élia , Bompierre Ségolène , Betolngar Dahdjim , Castro Liliana R. V. , Vincent Pierre
Published: August 2021

Background and Purpose

Dopamine in the striatum plays a crucial role in reward processes and action selection. Dopamine signals are transduced by D1 and D2 dopamine receptors which trigger mirror effects through the cAMP/PKA signalling cascade in D1 and D2 medium‐sized spiny neurons (MSNs). Phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which determine the profile of cAMP signals, are highly expressed in MSNs, but their respective roles in dopamine signal integration remain poorly understood.

Experimental Approach

We used genetically encoded FRET biosensors to monitor at the single cell level the functional contribution of PDE2A, PDE4 and PDE10A in the changes of the cAMP/PKA response to transient and continuous dopamine in mouse striatal brain slices.

Key Results

We found that PDE2A, PDE4 and PDE10A operate on the moderate to high cAMP levels elicited by D1 or A2A receptor stimulation. In contrast, only PDE10A is able to reduce cAMP down to baseline in both type of neurones, leading to the dephosphorylation of PKA substrates.

Conclusion and Implications

In both MSN types, PDE10A inhibition blunts the responsiveness to dopamine, whereas PDE2A or PDE4 inhibition reinforces dopamine action.
Novel candidates in the clinical development pipeline for TB drug development and their synthetic approaches
Authors: Kumar Amit , Karkara Bidhu Bhusan , Panda Gautam
Published: August 2021

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world. Mtb has the ability to become dormant within the host and to develop resistance. Hence, new antitubercular agents are required to overcome problems in the treatment of multi‐drug‐resistant Tb (MDR‐Tb) and extensively drug‐resistant Tb (XDR‐Tb) along with shortening the treatment time. Several efforts are being made to develop very effective new drugs for Tb, within the pharmaceutical industry, the academia and through public–private partnerships. This review will address the antitubercular activities, biological target, mode of action, synthetic approaches and thoughtful concept for the development of several new drugs currently in the clinical trial pipeline (up to October 2019) for tuberculosis. The aim of this review may be very useful in scheming new chemical entities (NCEs) for Mtb.
Parenchymal calcification is associated with the neurological prognosis in patients with congenital rubella syndrome
Authors: Namiki Takahiro , Takano Chika , Aoki Ryoji , Trinh Quang Duy , Morioka Ichiro , Hayakawa Satoshi
Published: August 2021

Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) results from maternal rubella virus infection in early pregnancy. Abnormal neuroimaging findings have been analyzed in a small number of CRS patients in the past; however, their clinical significance has been poorly addressed. Therefore, we have investigated the neuroimaging findings of 31 patients with CRS from previous studies. The most common finding was parenchymal calcification, which was observed in 18 of 31 patients (58.1%). A multivariable logistic regression model showed that it was associated with psychomotor or mental retardation (p = 0.018), suggesting that parenchymal calcification in CRS could be a prognostic factor.
Reducing surgical site infection rates in colorectal surgery – a quality improvement approach to implementing a comprehensive bundle
Authors: Falconer Rachel , Ramsay George , Hudson Jemma , Watson Angus ,   the Highland Colorectal SSI Group
Published: August 2021

Aim

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a preventable cause of morbidity following surgical procedures. Strategies to reduce rates of SSI must address pre‐, peri‐ and postoperative factors and multiple interventions can be combined into ‘bundles’. Adoption of these measures can reduce SSIs, but this is dependent on high levels of compliance. The aim of this work is to assess the change in rates of SSI in elective colorectal surgery after implementing a colorectal SSI bundle.

Method

This is a single‐centre prospective cohort study. All elective colorectal procedures from 2011 until 2018 (inclusive) were included. The primary outcome was inpatient SSI. A multimodal bundle was implemented using quality improvement methodology. The bundle was altered during the timeframe of the study to optimize outcomes. Data were analysed by interrupted time series analysis assessing points at which the bundle was altered.

Results

In the study period, 1075 elective colorectal procedures were performed. Prior to the introduction of the colorectal SSI bundle, the SSI rate was 16.4%. During the implementation period (2013–2015), the overall rate of SSI fell from 15.9% to 9.4%, with the most significant reduction being in superficial SSI, from 8.6% to 4.7%. In the postimplementation period from 2015–2018, there was a further reduction in the overall rate of SSI (5.1%). In 2018, there were 87 consecutive cases without infection.

Conclusion

A successful reduction in the rate of SSI following elective colorectal surgery can be achieved by adopting a comprehensive perioperative bundle. This is complemented by a process of continuous measurement and evaluation. The current bundle has achieved a significant reduction in superficial SSI.
Changes in waitlist and posttransplant outcomes in patients with adult congenital heart disease after the new heart transplant allocation system
Authors: Kainuma Atsushi , Ning Yuming , Kurlansky Paul A. , Wang Amy S. , Axom Kelly , Farr Maryjane , Sayer Gabriel , Uriel Nir , Naka Yoshifumi , Takeda Koji
Published: August 2021

Objective

In 2018, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) introduced new criteria for heart allocation. This study sought to assess the impact of this change on waitlist and posttransplant outcomes in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) recipients.

Methods

Between January 2010 and March 2020, we extracted first heart transplant ACHD patients listed from the UNOS database. We compared waitlist and post‐transplant outcomes before and after the policy change.

Results

A total of 1206 patients were listed, 951 under the old policy and 255 under the new policy. Prior to transplant, recipients under the new policy era were more likely to be treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (P = .018), and have intra‐aortic balloon pumps (P < .001), and less likely to have left ventricular assist devices (P = .027).Compared to patients waitlisted in the pre‐policy change era, those waitlisted in the post policy change era were more likely to receive transplants (P = .001) with no significant difference in waiting list mortality (P = .267) or delisting (P = .915). There was no difference in 1‐year survival post‐transplant between the groups (P = .791).

Conclusion

The new policy altered the heart transplant cohort in the ACHD group, allowing them to receive transplants earlier with no changes in early outcomes after heart transplantation
High prevalence and little awareness in patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases and genital involvement
Authors: Staubach Petra , Plavic‐Radeka Natascha , Peveling‐Oberhag Adriane , Sohn Anna , Zimmer Sebastian , Weyer‐Elberich Veronika , Lang Berenice Mareen
Published: August 2021

Background

Genital involvement in patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases is frequent, yet insufficiently acknowledged.

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence of genital symptoms in psoriasis and chronic urticaria patients, effects on quality of life, physician‐patient relations and disease management.

Patients and Methods

100 patients with psoriasis and 100 with chronic urticaria from our outpatient clinic, as well as 50 healthy controls were included. Data was collected using questionnaires developed by dermatological experts.

Results

Out of 250 subjects, 74 % had already experienced genital symptoms – 70 % of psoriasis patients and 58 % of urticaria patients. Seven out of ten even complained about recurrent genital involvement. 50 % of psoriasis and 41 % of urticaria patients reported an impact on quality of life. 41 % identified genital pruritus as the main symptom, with one out of three expecting a better management for this specific problem. Furthermore, 74 % complained about a lack of awareness among physicians: 79 % of urticaria patients and 58 % of psoriasis patients reported never having been questioned about genital symptoms by their physicians.

Conclusions

The majority of patients with psoriasis and chronic urticaria suffer from genital involvement and an impaired quality of life. Patient and physician reported outcomes should include genital symptoms as an influencing factor for quality of life.
The Irish economy during the century after partition
Authors: Ó Gráda Cormac , O'Rourke Kevin Hjortshøj
Published: August 2021

This article provides a centennial overview of the Irish economy in the one hundred years following partition and independence. A comparative perspective allows us to distinguish between those aspects of Irish policies and performance that were unique to the country, and those which mirrored developments elsewhere. While Irish performance was typical in the long run, the country under‐performed prior to the mid‐1980s and over‐performed for the rest of the twentieth century. Real growth after 2000 was slow. The mainly chronological narrative highlights the roles of convergence forces, trade and industrial policy, and monetary and fiscal policy. While the focus is mostly on the South of the island, we also survey the Northern Irish experience during this period.
Long noncoding RNA NEAT1 promotes tumorigenesis in H. pylori gastric cancer by sponging miR‐30a to regulate COX‐2/BCL9 pathway
Authors: Rao Xiwu , Liu Xuan , Liu Ningning , Zhang Yi , Zhang Zhaozhou , Zhou Lihong , Han Gang , Cen Rong , Shi Nuolin , Zhu Huirong , Gong Hangjun , Huang Chen , Ji Qing , Li Qi
Published: August 2021

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a carcinogenic factor for gastric cancer. Our previous study demonstrated that H. pylori decreased the expression of micro‐RNA (miRNA)‐30a to promote the tumorigenesis of gastric cancer. However, the upstream regulatory molecules of miR‐30a are not well elucidated. In this study, we found the long non‑coding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) may sponge miR‐30a to regulate COX‐2/BCL9 pathway.

Methods

The expression of NEAT1 was detected in gastric cancer tissues and tumor‐adjacent tissues by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis and RT‐qPCR. LncRNA‐miRNA interaction networks were constructed using the RNAhybrid and starBase v.2.0. and then validated using a dual‐luciferase reporter assay. The effects of NEAT1 dysregulation on the proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of H. pylori filtrate‐infected gastric cancer cells were observed by cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8), colony formation, wound healing test, and transwell assays. Western blot and RT‐qPCR were performed to detect protein and RNA expression. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was carried out to analyze the localization and expression of COX‐2 and BCL9.

Results

FISH and RT‐qPCR demonstrated that the expression of NEAT1 was up‐regulated in gastric cancer tissues, especially in H. pylori‐infected gastric cancer tissues, and the expression of NEAT1 was negatively correlated with miR‐30a (miR‐30a‐3p and miR‐30a‐5p). The upregulation of NEAT1 enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasion of H. pylori filtrate‐infected gastric cancer cells, while the downregulation of NEAT1 decreased these abilities, and miR‐30a could reverse the effect of NEAT1 on these abilities. The dual‐luciferase reporter assay identified that NEAT1 directly targeted miR‐30a (miR‐30a‐3p and miR‐30a‐5p). Because miR‐30a (miR‐30a‐3p and miR‐30a‐5p) negatively regulates the expression of downstream COX‐2 and BCL9, NEAT1 was identified to upregulate indirectly the expression of COX‐2 and BCL9. IHC showed that the expression of COX‐2 and BCL9 was increased in H. pylori gastric cancer tissues.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that lncRNA NEAT1 may act as a promoter of tumorigenesis in H. pylori gastric cancer, by sponging miR‐30a (miR‐30a‐3p and miR‐30a‐5p) to regulate the COX‐2/BCL9 pathway.
Patient engagement in care: A scoping review of recently validated tools assessing patients' and healthcare professionals' preferences and experience
Authors: Clavel Nathalie , Paquette Jesseca , Dumez Vincent , Del Grande Claudio , Ghadiri Djahanchah Philip (Sacha) , Pomey Marie‐Pascale , Normandin Louise
Published: August 2021

Background

Patient engagement in care is a priority and a key component of clinical practice. Different approaches to care have been introduced to foster patient engagement. There is a lack of a recent review on tools for assessing the main concepts and dimensions related to patient engagement in care.

Objective

Our scoping review sought to map and summarize recently validated tools for assessing various concepts and dimensions of patient engagement in care.

Search Strategy

A scoping review of recent peer‐reviewed articles describing tools that assess preferences in and experience with patient engagement in care was conducted in four databases (Ovid Medline, Ovid EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL‐EBSCO). We adopted a broad definition based on the main concepts of patient engagement in care: patient‐centredness, empowerment, shared decision‐making and partnership in care.

Main Results

Of 2161 articles found, 16, each describing a different tool, were included and analysed. Shared decision‐making and patient‐centredness are the two main concepts evaluated, often simultaneously in most of the tools. Only four scales measure patient‐centredness, empowerment and shared decision‐making at the same time, but no tool measures the core dimensions of partnership in care. Most of the tools did not include patients in their development or validation or just consulted them during the validation phase.

Discussion and Conclusion

There is no tool coconstructed with patients from development to validation, which can be used to assess the main concepts and dimensions of patient engagement in care at the same time.

Patient and Public Contribution

This manuscript was prepared with a patient expert who is one of the authors. Vincent Dumez, who is a patient expert and codirector of the Center of Excellence on Partnership with Patients and the Public, has contributed to the preparation of the manuscript.
Memory B cells and plasma cells: The differentiative continuum of humoral immunity
Authors: Cancro Michael P. , Tomayko Mary M.
Published: August 2021

Immunological memory is a composite of lasting antibody titers maintained by plasma cells in conjunction with memory T and B cells. Memory B cells are a critical reservoir for plasma cell generation in the secondary response. Identification of memory B cells requires that they be distinguished from naïve, activated, and germinal center precursors and from plasma cells. Memory B cells are heterogeneous in isotype usage, immunoglobulin mutational content, and phenotypic marker expression. Phenotypic subsets of memory B cells are defined by PD‐L2, CD80, and CD73 expression in mice, by CD27 and FCRL4 expression in humans and by T‐bet in both mice and humans. These subsets display marked functional heterogeneity, including the ability to rapidly differentiate into plasma cells versus seed germinal centers in the secondary response. Memory B cells are located in the spleen, blood, other lymphoid organs, and barrier tissues, and recent evidence indicates that some memory B cells may be dedicated tissue‐resident populations. Open questions about memory B cell longevity, renewal and progenitor‐successor relationships with plasma cells are discussed.