bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asset Specificity of Nonfinancial Firms
Authors: Kermani Amir , Ma Yueran
Published: July 2022

We develop a new data set to study asset specificity among nonfinancial firms. Our data cover the liquidation values of each category of assets on firms’ balance sheets and provides information across major industries. First, we find that nonfinancial firms have high asset specificity. For example, the liquidation value of fixed assets is 35% of the net book value in the average industry. Second, we analyze the determinants of asset specificity and document that assets’ physical attributes (e.g., mobility, durability, and customization) play a crucial role. Third, we investigate several implications. Consistent with theories of investment irreversibility, high asset specificity is associated with less disinvestment and stronger effects of uncertainty on investment activities. We also find that the increasing prevalence of intangible assets has not significantly reduced firms’ liquidation values.
Duration of Exposure to General Endotracheal Anesthesia During Cesarean Deliveries at Term and Perinatal Complications
Authors: Swanson Kate , Liang Luzhou , Grobman William A. , Higgins Nicole , Roy Archana , Son Moeun
Published: July 2022

(Abstracted from Am J Perinatol 2022;39:232–237)

General endotracheal anesthesia (GETA) is performed in approximately 6% of cesarean deliveries (CDs). It is less frequently performed than neuraxial anesthesia because of the risk of neonatal complications such as the need for intubation or supplemental oxygen and lower 5-minute Apgar scores.
Sex bias in systemic lupus erythematosus: a molecular insight
Authors: Bose Moumita , Jefferies Caroline
Published: July 2022

Acknowledging sex differences in immune response is particularly important when we consider the differences between men and women in the incidence of disease. For example, over 80% of autoimmune disease occurs in women, whereas men have a higher incidence of solid tumors compared to women. In general women have stronger innate and adaptive immune responses than men, explaining their ability to clear viral and bacterial infections faster, but also contributing to their increased susceptibility to autoimmune disease. The autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the archetypical sexually dimorphic disease, with 90% of patients being women. Various mechanisms have been suggested to account for the female prevalence of SLE, including sex hormones, X-linked genes, and epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Here, we will discuss how these mechanisms contribute to pathobiology of SLE and how type I interferons work with them to augment sex specific disease pathogenesis in SLE.
Risk Factors for Developing Concurrent Posttraumatic Stress Injury After Work-Related Musculoskeletal Injury
Authors: Gross Douglas P. , Rachor Geoffrey S. , Krebs Brandon K. , Yamamoto Shelby S. , Dick Bruce D. , Brown Cary A. , Asmundson Gordon J. G. , Straube Sebastian , Els Charl , Jackson Tanya D. , Brémault-Phillips Suzette , Voaklander Don , Stastny Jarett , Berry Theodore
Published: July 2022

Objective

This study aimed to study risk factors for developing concurrent posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI) among workers experiencing work-related musculoskeletal injury (MSI).

Methods

A case-control study was conducted using workers' compensation data on injured workers undergoing rehabilitation programs for concurrent MSI and PTSI (cases) and MSI only (controls). A variety of measures known at the time of the compensable injury were entered into logistic regression models.

Results

Of the 1948 workers included, 215 had concurrent MSI and PTSI. Concurrent MSI and PTSI were predicted by type of accident (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 25.8), experiencing fracture or dislocation fracture or dislocation (adjusted OR, 3.7), being public safety personnel (adjusted OR, 3.1), and lower level of education (adjusted OR, 1.9).

Conclusions

Experiencing a concurrent PTSI diagnosis with MSI after work-related accident and injury appears related to occupation, type of accident, and educational background.
The Association Between Forceful Hand Exertions and Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Neck and Shoulder
Authors: Zimbalist Alexa , Rempel David , Feng Lydia , Harris-Adamson Carisa
Published: July 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to estimate associations between biomechanical exposures and workplace neck and shoulder musculoskeletal disorders (NSMSDs) in a prospective cohort.

Methods

Manufacturing workers (N = 349) were followed for 28 months. Biomechanical exposures were collected on each individual, and physical examinations were performed every 4 months. Prevalent cases at baseline (n = 30) were excluded from the analysis.

Results

There were 18 incident cases of NSMSDs. Greater than 33% time in forceful hand exertion doubled the rate of incident NSMSDs. Greater than 18 degrees of shoulder abduction, during forceful hand exertion, increased the rate by 55%. Confidence intervals were wide.

Conclusions

Effect estimates of the relationship between forceful hand exertions and NSMSDs were consistently elevated whether measured in isolation or while in shoulder abduction. Following a larger cohort with more frequent physical examinations would improve estimates of the model.
Role of Distraction Osteogenesis in the Management of Postankylotic Deformity
Authors: Anehosur Venkatesh , Monis Prashanth L. , Nagaraj Nikhil , Krishnamurthy Keerthana , Shettigar Pavithra , Patil Anand
Published: July 2022

Introduction:

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) has evolved in maxillofacial surgery and gained popularity due to the limitations of orthognathic surgery in gross asymmetry cases.

Purpose:

The primary aim of the paper was to determine if the use of DO for the management of severe deformities of the mandible secondary to temporomandibular joint ankylosis can achieve optimal results, with or without genioplasty, based on cephalometric norms. The secondary aim of this study was to evaluate the complications associated with DO in this group of patients.

Materials and Methods:

Six patients with postankylotic deformity were included. Both internal and external devices were used for an average mandibular corpus lengthening of 15 mm with adjunctive procedure genioplasty.

Results:

All patients had excellent outcome in terms of profile, functional occlusion, and mouth opening without deviation. Two patients had primary genioplasty showed excellent compliance and 2 as secondary at the time of device removal. Complications noted were, difficulty in vector control during distraction, paresthesia, occlusal discrepancy, scarring, and relapse of 2 to 3 mm. Preorthodontics and postorthodontics were done in all patients to settle the occlusion, which was stable after 2-year follow-up.

Conclusions:

Case series shows such gross deformities pose a greater challenge due to undergrowth, gross midline shift, and discrepancy between soft and hard tissue growth pattern and the desired results can be achieved by precise planning. Genioplasty at the time of device placement has definitive positive effect on patient compliance. Though orthognathic surgery has a definitive role in minor deformity, whereas in gross deformities DO with precise planning using 3-dimensional model and vector controlled technique offers excellent outcome.
Analysis of Patients With Bed Bugs in the Emergency Department
Authors: Sheele Johnathan M.
Published: July 2022

The objective was to evaluate the clinical characteristics, triage information, diagnostic evaluation, and disposition for emergency department patients with and without bed bug infestation. A retrospective case–control study of patients with and without bed bugs was performed from February 1, 2011, through February 1, 2017. Cases (n = 332) and controls (n = 4,952) were matched by age, sex, and emergency department location. Patient characteristics and clinical information were compared between groups. On univariable and multivariable analysis, patients with bed bugs had higher heart rate, lower systolic blood pressure, higher pain scores, and more frequent tobacco use in the past year. They were also more likely to screen positive in triage for an unsafe home; require an abuse consultation; be diagnosed in the emergency department or inpatient setting with malnutrition, marasmus, and/or cachexia; have more emergency department and hospital visits; and have longer hospital encounter lengths of stay (all p ≤ 0.02). On univariable analysis, patients with bed bugs were also more likely than uninfested controls to be single, be Black, come to the emergency department from home, arrive to the emergency department by ambulance, and not be discharged back to their homes from the hospital.
Cultivating a Resiliency Model for Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit Staff Through Peer Support
Authors: Cipriano Robert J. , Shaver Brenda , Sinyor Benjamin , Jafri Asma , Ochner Christopher N. , Van Hasselt Vincent
Published: July 2022

Emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU) staff experience significant and ongoing exposure to mental health trauma due to the extremely high number of tragic cases consistently seen. Despite awareness of the magnitude of this problem, there is a scarcity of clinical efforts directed toward reducing and managing secondary traumatic stress and vicarious trauma. In an effort to promote resiliency in these frontline workers, we describe development and implementation of the Adapted Peer Support Resiliency Program (APSRP), a psychoeducational and cognitive reframing behavioral-based program equipped with peer support professionals who are trained in cognitive-behavioral strategies specifically tailored toward the needs of this population. The APSRP is an adaption of concepts and coping skills utilized by the Penn Resilience Program, which has previously demonstrated efficacy in combating a range of psychological problems (e.g., anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, and severe mental illness). The APSRP incorporates a range of cognitive-behavioral strategies inclusive of cognitive reframing skills, role-playing, and behavior rehearsal. This proposed program was facilitated and supervised by a licensed mental health professional and implemented by fellow ED and ICU peer professionals. Components of the APSRP model are discussed. Suggestions for directing future efforts within this needed area are offered.
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Authors: Wilbeck Jennifer , Hoffman Jean W. , Schorn Mavis N.
Published: July 2022

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) represents total cumulative blood loss in excess of 1,000 ml or blood loss accompanied by signs and/or symptoms of hypovolemia within 24 hr following birth (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG], 2017). As a large number of PPHs occur in low-risk women (ACOG, 2019), the emergency nurse practitioner must be prepared to identify and manage this uncommon but life-threatening condition. The etiology, pharmacological management strategies, and other interventions are reviewed in an algorithmic approach. This organized approach not only supports maternal survival during PPH but is also applicable to postprocedural bleeding of obstetric and gynecological etiologies.
Functional integrity of visual coding following advanced photoreceptor degeneration
Authors: Rodgers Jessica , Hughes Steven , Lindner Moritz , Allen Annette E , Ebrahimi Aghileh , Storchi Riccardo , Peirson Stuart N , Lucas Robert J , Hankins Mark W
Published: July 2022

Photoreceptor degeneration sufficient to produce severe visual loss often spares the inner retina. This raises the hope that treatments using optogenetics or electrical stimulation, which generate a replacement light input signal in surviving neurons, may restore vision. The success of these approaches is dependent on the capacity of surviving circuits in the early stages of the visual system to generate and propagate an appropriate visual code in the face of neuroanatomical remodelling. To determine the capacity of surviving circuits in advanced retinal degeneration to present an appropriate visual code, we generated a transgenic mouse expressing the optogenetic actuator ReaChR in ON bipolar cells (second order neurons in the visual projection). After crossing this with the rd1 model of photoreceptor degeneration, we compared ReaChR derived responses with photoreceptor-driven responses in wildtype (WT) mice in retinal ganglion cells and visual thalamus. The ReaChR-driven responses in rd1 animals showed low photosensitivity, but in other respects generated a visual code that was very similar to WT. Furthermore, ReaChR rd1 units in the retina had high response reproducibility and showed sensitivity normalisation to code contrast stably across different background intensities. At the single unit level, ReaChR-derived responses exhibited broadly similar variation in light response polarity, contrast sensitivity and temporal frequency tuning as WT. Units from WT and ReaChR rd1 mice clustered together when subjected to unsupervised community detection based on stimulus-response properties. Our data reveal an impressive ability for surviving circuitry to recreate a rich visual code following advanced retinal degeneration and are promising for regenerative medicine in the central nervous system.
Development of Equine Polyclonal Antibodies as a Broad-Spectrum Therapy Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Authors: Liao Shumin , He Yunjiao , Qu Jing , Shi Yue , Liu Yingzi , Zhao Keli , Chen Junhui , Jing Yue , Shen Clifton Kwang-Fu , Ji Chong , Luo Guxun , Zhao Xusheng , Li Shuo , Fan Yunping , Lv Ziquan , Fang Shisong , He Yaqing , Wu Chunli , Zhang Renli , Zou Xuan , Wang Peng , Li Liang
Published: July 2022

The Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has accumulated over 550 million confirmed cases and more than 6.34 million deaths worldwide. Although vaccinations has largely protected the population through the last two years, the effect of vaccination has been increasingly challenged by the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Although several therapeutics including both monoclonal antibodies and small molecule drugs have been used clinically, high cost, viral escape mutations, and potential side effects have reduced their efficacy. There is an urgent need to develop a low cost treatment with wide-spectrum effect against the novel variants of SARS-CoV-2.

Here we report a product of equine polyclonal antibodies that showed potential broad spectrum neutralization effect against the major variants of SARS-CoV-2. The equine polyclonal antibodies were generated by horse immunization with the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and purified from equine serum. A high binding affinity between the generated equine antibodies and the RBD was observed. Although designed against the RBD of the early wild type strain sequenced in 2020, the equine antibodies also showed a highly efficient neutralization capacity against the major variants of SARS-CoV-2, including the recent BA.2 Omicron variant (IC50 =1.867μg/ml) in viral neutralization assay in Vero E6 cells using live virus cultured. The broad-spectrum neutralization capacity of the equine antibodies was further confirmed using pseudovirus neutralization assay covering the major SARS-CoV-2 variants including wild type, alpha, beta, delta, and omicron, showing effective neutralization against all the tested strains.Ex vivoreconstructed human respiratory organoids representing nasal, bronchial, and lung epitheliums were employed to test the treatment efficacy of the equine antibodies. Antibody treatment protected the human nasal, bronchial, and lung epithelial organoids against infection of the novel SARS-CoV-2 variants challenging public health, the Delta and Omicron BA.2 isolates, by reducing >95% of the viral load. The equine antibodies were further tested for potential side effects in a mouse model by inhalation and no significant pathological feature was observed.

Equine antibodies, as a mature medical product, have been widely applied in the treatment of infectious diseases for more than a century, which limits the potential side effects and are capable of large scale production at a low cost. A cost-effective, wide-spectrum equine antibody therapy effective against the major SARS-CoV-2 variants can contribute as an affordable therapy to cover a large portion of the world population, and thus potentially reduce the transmission and mutation of SARS-CoV-2.
A direct interaction between CPF and Pol II links RNA 3ʹ-end processing to transcription
Authors: Carminati Manuel , Manav M. Cemre , Bellini Dom , Passmore Lori A
Published: July 2022

Transcription termination by RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) is linked to RNA 3ʹ-end processing by the cleavage and polyadenylation factor (CPF). CPF contains endonuclease, poly(A) polymerase and protein phosphatase activities that cleave and polyadenylate the pre-mRNA, and dephosphorylate Pol II to control transcription. Exactly how the RNA 3ʹ-end processing machinery is coupled to transcription remains unclear. Here, we combine in vitro reconstitution, electron cryo-microscopy and X-ray crystallography to show that CPF physically and functionally interacts with Pol II. Surprisingly, CPF-mediated dephosphorylation promotes the formation of a Pol II stalk-to-stalk homodimer. This dimer is compatible with transcription (unlike other Pol II dimers) but not with the binding of transcription elongation factors. We show that the Ref2 subunit of CPF contributes directly to the interaction with Pol II and also regulates the Glc7/PP1 CPF phosphatase. We hypothesize that Pol II dimerization may play a role in gene looping and may provide a mechanistic basis for the allosteric model of transcription termination.
A gene expression control technology for cell-free systems and synthetic cells via targeted gene silencing and transfection
Authors: Sato Wakana , Rasmussen Melanie , Gaut Nathaniel , Devarajan Mahima , Stokes Kaitlin , Deich Christopher , Engelhart Aaron E. , Adamala Katarzyna P.
Published: July 2022

Cell-free transcription-translation (TXTL) is an in vitro protein expression platform. In synthetic biology, TXTL is utilized for a variety of technologies, such as genetic circuit construction, metabolic pathway optimization, and building prototypes of synthetic cells. For all these purposes, the ability to precisely control gene expression is essential. Various strategies to control gene expression in TXTL have been developed; however, further advancements on gene-specific and straightforward regulation methods are still demanded. Here, we designed a novel method to control gene expression in TXTL, called a “silencing oligo.” The silencing oligo is a short oligonucleotide that binds to the target mRNA. We demonstrated that addition of the silencing oligo inhibits eGFP expression in TXTL in a sequence-dependent manner. We investigated one of the silencing oligo’s inhibitory mechanisms and confirmed that silencing is associated with RNase H activity in bacterial TXTL reactions. We also engineered a transfection system that can be used in synthetic cells. We screened two dozen different commercially available transfection reagents to identify the one that works most robustly in our system. Finally, we combined the silencing oligo with the transfection technology, demonstrating that we can control the gene expression by transfecting silencing oligo-containing liposomes into the synthetic cells.
A new Kirkpatrick–Baez-based scanning microscope for the Submicron Resolution X-ray Spectroscopy (SRX) beamline at NSLS-II
Authors: Nazaretski E. , Coburn D. S. , Xu W. , Ma J. , Xu H. , Smith R. , Huang X. , Yang Y. , Huang L. , Idir M. , Kiss A. , Chu Y. S.
Published: July 2022

The development, construction, and first commissioning results of a new scanning microscope installed at the 5-ID Submicron Resolution X-ray Spectroscopy (SRX) beamline at NSLS-II are reported. The developed system utilizes Kirkpatrick–Baez mirrors for X-ray focusing. The instrument is designed to enable spectromicroscopy measurements in 2D and 3D with sub-200 nm spatial resolution. The present paper focuses on the design aspects, optical considerations, and specifics of the sample scanning stage, summarizing some of the initial commissioning results.
Global trends in board diversity research: a bibliometric view
Authors: Khatib Saleh F.A. , Abdullah Dewi Fariha , Elamer Ahmed , Yahaya Ibrahim Suleiman , Owusu Andrews
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to identify the main research development on board diversity and offers a quantitative synopsis of key themes and contributors, knowledge gaps and provides directions for further work.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a bibliometric analysis, the authors assess the patterns in global board diversity research based on co-occurrences of researchers’ keywords and publication outputs of 991 articles from the Scopus database. Also, the co-citation network analysis was performed to assess the intellectual structure of board diversity research.

Findings

According to the keyword analysis, the authors found that researchers focus on the gender diversity of the boardroom while ignoring the cognitive diversity and other aspects of demographic diversity such as educational, ethnic, age, nationality, experience, background and tenure, pointing to the need for further work to consider other diversity attributes and the interaction between them. Additionally, board diversity research related to (but not limited to) payout policy, cash holding, initial public offerings, small–medium enterprises and financial institutions is limited.

Originality/value

This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the development of board diversity research (using a large archival database) and identifies the common construct as well as the potential opportunities for future research directions.
Effect of chitosan on cardio-metabolic risk factors induced by high fat diet in rats
Authors: Ugbaja Regina Ngozi , Onunkwor Beno Okechukwu , Ugwor Emmanuel Ifeanyichukwu , Ogungbemi Kunle , Adewole Anuoluwapo , Olowoyeye Michael Ayobami , Arowojolu David , Adeleke Olamide Yewande , Ugbaja Victory Chukwudalu
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to scrutinize the efficacy of chitosan (CT) on cardio-lipotoxic responses elicited by a high-fat diet (HF).

Design/methodology/approach

Thirty-six male Wistar rats were distributed across six groups (n= 6): normal diet (ND), HF, ND-5%CT, HF-1%CT, HF-3%CT and HF-5%CT, for seven weeks. Blood and cardiac tissues were processed for biochemical, immunohistochemical and histopathological analyses.

Findings

Ingestion of HF induced hyperlipidaemia and lipid accumulation, leading to increased body and heart weight by 70.5% (p< 0.0001) and 124% (p= 0.0021), respectively, compared to ND-groups. Cardiac damage markers (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and malondialdehyde) were higher in the HF-group compared to control rats. Also, atherogenic and coronary risk indices were significantly elevated by 155% (p= 0.0044) and 174% (p= 0.0008), respectively, compared to control rats. Rats fed HF had significantly reduced cardiac antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and elevated expression of NF-κB-p65 and p53 (p< 0.0001) in the cardiac tissues. Histology revealed lipid inclusions in the cardiac tissues of HF-groups. CT (1%–5%) prevented hyperlipidaemia, lipid accumulation, oxidative stress and cardiac damage in HF-fed rats, while greatly improving the histology of the cardiac tissues in HF-fed rats in a dose-dependent manner.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of the effects of CT against cardio-lipotoxicity elicited by HF diet ingestion. The findings suggest that CT may present a safe therapeutic alternative for managing complications arising from cardio-lipotoxicity.
Size premium or size discount? – A dynamic capital mobility based interpretation
Authors: Song Garrison Hongyu
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The size effect that there exist return differences between small market-cap firms and large market-cap counterparts in the stock market has become one of the most controversial capital market anomalies. This paper aims to interpret this effect, including both the size premium and the size discount.

Design/methodology/approach

A dynamic capital mobility model (DCMM) is proposed, and the model’s explanatory ability is validated via simulation.

Findings

This study’s simulation results indicate that the observed size effect can be originated from the combination of the pure size effect and the investors’ herding behavior. Although the size premium, that average returns of small firms are higher than those of large firms, is more prevalent in the stock market, this study’s model implies that the size discount is also possible, which is largely an empirical issue. The pure size effect per se cannot reproduce the size premium. Only if the herding effect dominates the pure size effect would there exist the size premium.

Originality/value

Although the literature provides miscellaneous explanations for the size effect, they are still inconclusive. So far there has been no theory to directly investigate the size effect and to explicitly explore the impact of investors’ trading behavior on the size effect. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper fills in this gap and proposes a DCMM to interpret the size effect for the first time. In addition, while the literature focuses on the size premium only, this study covers not only the size premium but also the size discount.
Sustainable food cold chain logistics: From microenvironmental monitoring to global impact
Authors: Chen Qian , Qian Jianping , Yang Han , Wu Wenbin
Published: July 2022

Food cold chain logistics (FCCL) is a systematic engineering process involving the use of a low‐temperature environment to maintain the quality and safety of perishable food and reduce food loss and waste (FLW). From a mechanism perspective, FCCL must balance resource costs for a required level of food quality and safety with the costs of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In the context of global warming, the sustainability trade‐off between FLW and environmental impact has recently become an important topic in research on efficient, green FCCL. This is mainly reflected in technological innovation, management optimization, and policy responses. With a focus on three levels (micro, meso, macro), this review analyzes current research areas and the gaps and challenges of FCCL in microenvironmental monitoring, life cycle assessment (LCA), and global impact. Future trends pertaining to FCCL in technology, management, and industry and sustainable development are also summarized. Future trends involving sustainable FCCL must be intelligent, systematic, and low carbon. Industry empowerment through next‐generation information technologies (e.g., IoT, AI, big data, blockchain) will promote the multidimensional perception, real‐time information transmission, and sustainable control of microenvironmental monitoring, as well as support LCA management transformation from fragmentation to system integration. From a macro level, due to the serious global loss of perishable food, the FCCL scale demand is growing greatly, causing a huge environmental burden. Global cooperation, low‐carbon consensus, and appropriate policies will become the basis for promoting sustainable FCCL development.
Clinical and histopathological features of onychopapilloma in an Australian setting: A case series of 50 patients
Authors: Yun Jenny S. W. , Howard Anne , Prakash Saurabh , Kern Johannes S.
Published: July 2022

Onychopapilloma is an uncommon tumour of the nailbed and the distal nail matrix. To date, only 19 case reports and case series have been reported in the literature. This article includes literature review on all reported cases and provides the first case series of onychopapilloma in an Australian population, evaluating the clinical features and histopathological diagnosis of patients with onychopapilloma in an Australian subspecialty nail clinic.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis in adult patients: Experience from the West Australian Collaboration
Authors: Frederiks Aaron J. , Kumarasinghe S. Prasad , Wood Fiona , Rowe Sharon , Cunneen Tom , Raby Edward , Bourke Jack , Ricciardo Bernadette
Published: July 2022

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare and life‐threatening mucocutaneous disease triggered by a reaction to a drug. Despite reported mortality of 30%, management differs between healthcare settings. Our hospital was established in February 2015 becoming the new state burns centre in Western Australia (WA). Following this, we collaborated on comprehensive multidisciplinary guidelines for the management of TEN. These guidelines are updated annually to reflect the weight of emerging evidence in managing TEN. Our aim was to review the management and outcomes of TEN patients presenting to our hospital between February 2015 and May 2021 (inclusive). We collected data for 10 patients on year, age, ethnicity, gender, medical history, culprit drug and exposure, SCORTEN, length of stay, maximum percentage of skin detachment, mucosal surface involvement, ophthalmic amniotic membrane transplant, burns unit input/admission, intensive care unit admission, weight, systemic treatment(s), complications and outcome. We excluded 7 out of 17 flagged patients who did not strictly meet the definition of TEN as greater than 30% epidermal detachment, with epidermal detachment defined as bullae, erosions, and/or positive Nikolsky. We found that the mortality rate in WA from TEN is improving compared with two previous WA studies, with a mortality rate in our study of 20% (2 deaths). Though limited by small sample size and retrospective design, our study suggests a shift towards at least one systemic therapy per patient (most commonly cyclosporine), the growing use of etanercept and the ophthalmic use of amniotic membrane transplants. It demonstrates the importance of burns unit input and the utility of comprehensive multidisciplinary guidelines. While the management and outcomes of TEN patients in WA are continuing to improve, we support calls for large registry data to facilitate evidence growth and collaboration for this rare life‐threatening condition.
Fear of cancer recurrence in patients with non‐metastatic melanoma: Spanish validation and disease‐related factors
Authors: Iglesias‐Puzas Álvaro , García‐González Víctor , Conde‐Taboada Alberto , López‐Bran Eduardo
Published: July 2022

Introduction

It is essential for clinicians to understand the phenomenon of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) in order to understand the psychological impact it has on patients with melanoma.

Objectives

To validate an FCR questionnaire in Spanish for patients with non‐metastatic melanoma and to describe the clinical and demographic variables associated with FCR in these patients.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with non‐metastatic melanoma were selected. The questionnaire was translated and adapted to Spanish following international guidelines. The internal consistency, construct validity, and temporal stability of the questionnaire were analysed using Cronbach's alpha, confirmatory factor analysis, and test–retest reliability, respectively. Following this, the correlation between FCR scores and the study variables was evaluated.

Results

A total of 123 patients were included in the study. The translated and adapted questionnaire showed high reliability (overall Cronbach's alpha 0.834), temporal stability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.8), and unidimensionality. The mean FCR score was 16.1 ± 6.7. The highest FCR scores were observed in women and young patients (p < 0.01). Patients with a personal history of cancer, facial melanoma, or skin graft reconstruction also obtained a high FCR score (p < 0.05). No differences were found between FCR and other tumour characteristics, such as the Breslow index or the time since diagnosis.

Conclusions

This validated questionnaire is suitable for evaluating FCR. We also identified factors that tend to increase FCR scores, thus allowing clinicians to identify patients at risk and start preventive measures.
Identifying risk factors for post‐operative bleeding in women undergoing loop electrosurgical excision procedure for cervical dysplasia
Authors: Feddersen Jemima , Carter Jonathan , Pather Selvan , Saidi Samir A.
Published: July 2022

Background

Loop electrosurgical excision is a procedure utilised in the treatment of high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) of the cervix. Post‐operatively women may experience immediate and/or delayed per vaginal bleeding.

Aims

The objective of this prospective pilot study was to assess the feasibility of identifying and quantifying patients' subjective experiences of post‐operative bleeding following a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) for HSIL. In addition, an analysis of demographical, lifestyle and surgical factors was undertaken to assess for any statistically significant correlation with post‐operative bleeding.

Materials and Methods

This study included 110 patients who underwent a LEEP for biopsy‐proven or suspected HSIL between 2017 and 2020. Subjective data were collected from weekly post‐operative surveys and correlated with procedural data. Primary outcome assessed was the subjective rate of bleeding experienced. Baseline demographics were age, body mass index (BMI), specimen size, human papilloma virus variant and histopathology. Other variables of interest collected were exercise intensity, and alcohol intake.

Results

No association of statistical significance was discovered between age, BMI, or day of menstrual cycle. There was a statistically significant association between exercise intensity or specimen size (greater than the median) and increased bleeding, primarily in the first 2 weeks.

Conclusions

Women who undergo intense or prolonged exercise in the post‐operative period may experience heavier bleeding particularly in the first 2 weeks post‐LEEP. Heavy bleeding was also associated with a larger specimen size. There was no correlation between BMI, age or any other demographical factor.
Loop and drain technique for prevention of surgical site infection in upper gastrointestinal surgery
Authors: Gaszynski Rafael , Wong Pearl , Gray Andrew , Diab Jason , Das Amitabha , Apostolou Christos , Merrett Neil
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery is frequently complicated by surgical site infections (SSI) with significant postoperative morbidity and mortality rates contributing to the economic burden on healthcare. Advancements in operative techniques to prevent SSI are gaining traction in clinical practice. This study compares the effectiveness of the ‘loop and drain technique (LDT)’, a combination method utilizing a continuous subcutaneous vessel loop and subcuticular suture for surgical wound closure in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery at a Metropolitan Hospital in Sydney.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients who underwent an upper gastrointestinal procedure was conducted at Bankstown‐Lidcombe hospital between 2017 and 2019. There were 77 patients in the LDT group and 123 patients included in the control group. The primary outcome assessed was the rate of SSI. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS) and drainage of surgical site infections.

Result

Two hundred adult patients were treated for an upper gastrointestinal procedure. The most common operation was a Whipple procedure (35.0%). The rate of SSI was 12.5% with all these patients receiving intravenous antibiotics. The LDT cohort had a significantly lower rate of SSI compared to their counterparts (3.9% vs. 17.9%, P = 0.004).

Conclusion

The LDT method is associated with a decreased incidence of SSI and should be considered as a cost‐effective operative technique to improve patient outcomes after upper gastrointestinal surgery.
Management of chronic myeloid leukaemia patients treated with ponatinib in a real‐life setting: A retrospective analysis from the monitoring registries of the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA)
Authors: Breccia Massimo , Olimpieri Pier Paolo , Celant Simone , Olimpieri Odoardo , Pane Fabrizio , Iurlo Alessandra , Summa Valentina , Corradini Paolo , Russo Pierluigi
Published: July 2022

Real‐world data on daily practice management, treatment modifications and outcome of a large cohort of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients treated with ponatinib was performed through monitoring Registries of the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA). Overall, 666 CML subjects were included in the ponatinib registry from February 2015 to December 2020 and were eligible for analysis: 515 in chronic phase (CP), 50 in accelerated phase (AP) and 101 in blast crisis (BC). Median age at baseline was 58.7 years with a predominance of male subjects (57.1%). The median time from diagnosis to start of ponatinib was 2.35 years: 259 (38.9%) subjects had received two previous lines of treatment, 260 (39.0%) three lines and 147 (22.1%) four or more lines. A molecular response [from major molecular response (MMR) to a score of ≤0.01% on the international reporting scale (IS)] was reported for 59% of patients out of 593 patients analysed. With a median follow‐up of 14.4 months, 136 subjects (20.4%) required at least one dose reduction due to adverse events (AEs), whereas 309 patients (46.4%) required dose reduction in the absence of any evidence of side effects. Treatment discontinuation occurred in 261 patients (39%). This real‐life analysis shows that dose reductions were made primarily as a precaution rather than due to the occurrence of adverse reactions.
Individual adjustments for many and structural change for some: Teacher and school responses to classed out‐of‐school responsibilities
Authors: Grant Annaliese , Grodsky Eric , Velazquez Maria , Miesner Helen Rose , Blair Elizabeth E. , Macgregor Lyn
Published: July 2022

Research on adolescent responsibilities outside of school rarely considers how schools and teachers mitigate the adverse consequences of those responsibilities on academic outcomes. We seek to understand when, and for whom, teachers and administrators accommodate students' out‐of‐school commitments. Analysing 61 interviews with teachers and staff at five high schools that serve predominantly low‐income students and survey responses from teachers across Wisconsin (N = 601), we find that staff identify responsibilities as connected to students' social class. Teacher responses to student responsibilities are largely individual and ad hoc, whilst administrators report accommodating students' paid work through structural changes.
Elevated photic response is followed by a rapid decay and depressed state in ictogenic networks
Authors: Myren‐Svelstad Sverre , Jamali Ahmed , Ophus Sunniva S. , D'gama Percival P. , Ostenrath Anna M. , Mutlu Aytac Kadir , Hoffshagen Helene Homme , Hotz Adriana L. , Neuhauss Stephan C. F. , Jurisch‐Yaksi Nathalie , Yaksi Emre
Published: July 2022

Objective

The switch between nonseizure and seizure states involves profound alterations in network excitability and synchrony. In this study, we aimed to identify and compare features of neural excitability and dynamics across multiple zebrafish seizure and epilepsy models.

Methods

Inspired by video‐electroencephalographic recordings in patients, we developed a framework to study spontaneous and photically evoked neural and locomotor activity in zebrafish larvae, by combining high‐throughput behavioral tracking and whole‐brain in vivo two‐photon calcium imaging.

Results

Our setup allowed us to dissect behavioral and physiological features that are divergent or convergent across multiple models. We observed that spontaneous locomotor and neural activity exhibit great diversity across models. Nonetheless, during photic stimulation, hyperexcitability and rapid response dynamics were well conserved across multiple models, highlighting the reliability of photically evoked activity for high‐throughput assays. Intriguingly, in several models, we observed that the initial elevated photic response is often followed by rapid decay of neural activity and a prominent depressed state. Elevated photic response and following depressed state in seizure‐prone networks are significantly reduced by the antiseizure medication valproic acid. Finally, rapid decay and depression of neural activity following photic stimulation temporally overlap with slow recruitment of astroglial calcium signals that are enhanced in seizure‐prone networks.

Significance

We argue that fast decay of neural activity and depressed states following photic response are likely due to homeostatic mechanisms triggered by excessive neural activity. An improved understanding of the interplay between elevated and depressed excitability states might suggest tailored epilepsy therapies.
Correlation between sensory and instrumental characterization of developed sunscreens containing grape seed extract and a commercial product
Authors: Yarovaya Liudmila , Waranuch Neti , Wisuitiprot Wudtichai , Khunkitti Watcharee
Published: July 2022

Abtract

Objective

In the development of cosmetic products, sensory evaluation is an important step in determining consumer acceptance before it is released on a market but is often time‐consuming and costly. However, correlating sensory characteristics with instrumental parameters using multivariate techniques is a potential way to facilitate the development of cosmetic products.

Methods

Sunscreen formulations varied in the content of grape seed extract (GSE) and ultraviolet (UV) filters, and benchmark products were characterized using sensory descriptive analysis and instrumental analysis. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to the panel's performance data to study how well the panelists performed compared to each other and to find an association between rheological and textural instrumental parameters of cream samples. Further, applying Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression analysis, the association between sensory attributes and instrumental parameters was analyzed. In addition, a preference for the sensory properties of the studied sunscreen products that are important for consumers living in Southeast Asia was assessed by PLS.

Results

In this study, both the sensory and instrumental properties of all tested formulations were described well by PCA. The practicality of PLS was confirmed by an established correlation between sensory attributes from the categories of appearance (glossiness), pick‐up (integrity of shape, firmness, glossiness, stringiness), and after‐feel (glossiness, spreadability, stickiness) with both rheological and textural parameters. Although the instrumental analysis could not completely replace sensory evaluation, a described method applying PLS can be used as an additional cost‐effective and time‐saving method during the development of cosmetic products. Moreover, PLS revealed that sunscreens with a light texture and glossy appearance providing smooth skin after‐feel are likely to be preferred over the thicker formulations having a residual color appearance in Southeast Asia.

Conclusion

Until a universal model is created, the cosmetics developers and companies can apply a described method of determining sensory properties from the instrumental parameters of their own products. Future studies will be worth exploiting the applicability of the PLS regression model on instrumental datasets predicting sensory characteristics of other sunscreen products.
THE DISTRIBUTIONAL EFFECTS OF COVID‐19 AND OPTIMAL MITIGATION POLICIES
Authors: Hur Sewon
Published: July 2022

This article develops a quantitative heterogeneous agent–life cycle–epidemiological model that is used to study the aggregate and distributional consequences of COVID‐19 and mitigation policies. First, a stay‐at‐home subsidy is preferred to a lockdown because it reduces deaths by more and output by less. Second, Pareto‐improving policies can reduce deaths by nearly 45% without any reduction in output relative to no public mitigation. Finally, it is possible to simultaneously improve public health and economic outcomes, suggesting that debates regarding a trade‐off between economic and health objectives may be misguided.
Establishment of a crop evapotranspiration calculation model and its validation
Authors: Tuo Yunfei , Wang Qian , Zhang Lijuan , Shen Fangyuan , Wang Fei , Zheng Yang , Wang Zhaoyi
Published: July 2022

In order to contribute knowledge on the method used to calculate the actual crop evapotranspiration, soil, crop, atmosphere, and water spatial structure were integrated into a complete system. Based on the energy balance equation and aerodynamic equation, the meteorological data was reduced and the crop physiological parameter was increased, then the crop evapotranspiration calculation model under natural conditions was derived. The crop evapotranspiration calculation model was verified by the water balance formula using data generated from corn, potato, and flue‐cured tobacco grown under field conditions for three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019. The results showed that: from 2017 to 2019, the average root mean square error for measured and calculated evapotranspiration of corn, potato, and flue‐cured tobacco at different growth times were 0.5948, 0.4753, and 0.3326, respectively, the mean deviation, mean absolute error, and mean relative error were small, and the coefficient of determination and consistency index were both greater than 0.9100. The measured and calculated crop evapotranspiration of the selected crops increased at first and then decreased gradually as the crops matured, and finally decreased to harvest evapotranspiration, showing a parabolic trend. The crop evapotranspiration calculation model not only reflects the actual evapotranspiration of crops at different growth time but also reflects the change law of actual crop evapotranspiration. The model does not need the correction of soil moisture content, irrigation method, and crop coefficient and can directly calculate the actual crop evapotranspiration. It has the characteristics of consistency between the calculated value and the measured value, strong applicability, simple calculation process, and high accuracy and has the best effect on monitoring soil moisture and crop water shortage sensitivity. The model is significance in that it guides for monitoring soil moisture, determining actual crop evapotranspiration, crop water shortage index, and high yield and efficiency under water‐saving conditions.