bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STING activation depends on ACBD3 and other phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate-regulating proteins
Authors: Luteijn Rutger D. , van Terwisga Sypke R. , Ver Eecke Jill E. , Onia Liberty , Zaver Shivam A. , Woodward Joshua J , Raulet David H. , van Kuppeveld Frank J.M.
Published: October 2022

STING induces transcription of pro-inflammatory genes upon activation at the Golgi apparatus. Many of the regulators involved in STING activation are unknown. We found that ACBD3 and other phosphatidylinositol 4-phosohate (PI4P) regulating proteins play a critical role in STING activation. We show that proper STING localization and activation at the Golgi depended on ACBD3 and PI4KB expression. Furthermore, depleting PI4P by inactivating PI4KB or overexpressing Sac1 diminished STING activation. STING signalling was also regulated by the lipid-shuttling protein OSBP, which removes PI4P from the Golgi. OSBP inhibition by the FDA-approved antifungal itraconazole and other OSBP inhibitors greatly enhanced STING activation by increasing the levels of STING-activating phospholipids. Itraconazole-enhanced STING activation resulted in a hundred to thousand-fold increased expression of interferon-beta and other cytokines. In conclusion, the phospholipid PI4P is critical for STING activation and manipulating PI4P levels is a promising therapeutic strategy to alter the STING immune response.
Genetic Dissection of Mutual Interference between Two Consecutively Learned Tasks inDrosophila
Authors: Zhao Jianjian , Zhang Xuchen , Zhao Bohan , Wang Liyuan , Hu Wantong , Zhong Yi , Li Qian
Published: October 2022

Animals can continuously learn different tasks to adapt to changing environments and therefore have strategies to effectively cope with inter-task interference, including both proactive interference (Pro-I) and retroactive interference (Retro-I). Many biological mechanisms are known to contribute to learning, memory, and forgetting for a single task, however, mechanisms involved only when learning sequential different tasks are relatively poorly understood. Here, we dissect the respective molecular mechanisms of Pro-I and Retro-I between two consecutive associative learning tasks inDrosophila. Pro-I is more sensitive to inter-task interval (ITI) than Retro-I. They occur together at short ITI (<20 min), while only Retro-I remains significant at ITI beyond 20 min. Acutely overexpressing Corkscrew (CSW), an evolutionarily conserved protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2, in mushroom body (MB) neurons reduces Pro-I, whereas acute knockdown of CSW exacerbates Pro-I. Such function of CSW is further found to rely on the γ subset of MB neurons and the downstream Raf/MAPK pathway. In contrast, manipulating CSW does not affect Retro-I as well as a single learning task. Interestingly, manipulation of Rac1, a molecule that regulates Retro-I, does not affect Pro-I. Thus, our findings suggest that learning different tasks consecutively triggers distinct molecular mechanisms to tune proactive and retroactive interference.
Privacy concerns and avoidance behaviour towards data-driven online behavioural advertising
Authors: Jain Shradha , Purohit H.C.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

With the developments of the digital era and considerable developments in ICT, advertisers are leveraging data-driven forms of online advertising to target consumers individually. The present study integrates privacy concerns with the constructs from the persuasion knowledge model to investigate consumer avoidance of online behavioural advertising (OBA).

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed an online survey method for data collection using a sample size of 345. Reliability and validity of the measurement scales were ensured, and hypotheses developed were tested through PLS-SEM using SMART PLS.

Findings

The results show that persuasion knowledge is a significant predictor of perceived benefits, perceived risks and privacy concerns. Also, privacy concern was found to significantly mediate persuasion knowledge-avoidance behaviour and perceived risk-avoidance behaviour. On the other hand, the perceived benefit was not found significant in influencing privacy concerns for OBA.

Practical implications

The present study is one of the initial attempts to understand the level of knowledge Indian consumers hold about OBA and how they evaluate and respond to these data-driven forms of advertising. The current study helps advance knowledge of the field and the theories used. Future studies might look at the effect of various demographic and psychographic aspects on consumer avoidance of OBA.

Originality/value

As the country is shifting to digital, it becomes really important to understand the privacy concerns that people perceive in regard with the current advertising practices.
A new approach for histological classification of breast cancer using deep hybrid heterogenous ensemble
Authors: Zerouaoui Hasnae , Idri Ali , El Alaoui Omar
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Hundreds of thousands of deaths each year in the world are caused by breast cancer (BC). An early-stage diagnosis of this disease can positively reduce the morbidity and mortality rate by helping to select the most appropriate treatment options, especially by using histological BC images for the diagnosis.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study proposes and evaluates a novel approach which consists of 24 deep hybrid heterogenous ensembles that combine the strength of seven deep learning techniques (DenseNet 201, Inception V3, VGG16, VGG19, Inception-ResNet-V3, MobileNet V2 and ResNet 50) for feature extraction and four well-known classifiers (multi-layer perceptron, support vector machines, K-nearest neighbors and decision tree) by means of hard and weighted voting combination methods for histological classification of BC medical image. Furthermore, the best deep hybrid heterogenous ensembles were compared to the deep stacked ensembles to determine the best strategy to design the deep ensemble methods. The empirical evaluations used four classification performance criteria (accuracy, sensitivity, precision and F1-score), fivefold cross-validation, Scott–Knott (SK) statistical test and Borda count voting method. All empirical evaluations were assessed using four performance measures, including accuracy, precision, recall and F1-score, and were over the histological BreakHis public dataset with four magnification factors (40×, 100×, 200× and 400×). SK statistical test and Borda count were also used to cluster the designed techniques and rank the techniques belonging to the best SK cluster, respectively.

Findings

Results showed that the deep hybrid heterogenous ensembles outperformed both their singles and the deep stacked ensembles and reached the accuracy values of 96.3, 95.6, 96.3 and 94 per cent across the four magnification factors 40×, 100×, 200× and 400×, respectively.

Originality/value

The proposed deep hybrid heterogenous ensembles can be applied for the BC diagnosis to assist pathologists in reducing the missed diagnoses and proposing adequate treatments for the patients.
Innovation orientation and government service innovation: an empirical investigation on the UAE government agencies
Authors: Alosani Mohammed Saleh , Al-Dhaafri Hassan Saleh , Mousa Nasr Mohammed
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the influence of innovation orientation, information sharing and service innovation in United Arab Emirates (UAE) government institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a convenient sample approach, data was obtained from the UAE government agencies. The various constructions were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling in SmartPLS.

Findings

The results show that innovation orientation has an impact on service innovation. Knowledge sharing also functions as a moderator in the link between innovation orientation and government service innovation.

Originality/value

This paper contributes both theoretically and practically. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is one of the first studies to examine direct correlations between innovation orientation and government service innovation, giving evidence of the moderating function of knowledge sharing in innovation orientation and service innovation.
The environment, social and governance (ESG) activities and profitability under COVID-19: evidence from the global banking sector
Authors: Yuen Mui Kuen , Ngo Thanh , Le Tu D.Q. , Ho Tin H.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study investigated the impacts of the environment, social and governance (ESG) and its components on global bank profitability considering the COVID-19 outbreak.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a system generalized method of moments (GMM) proposed by Arellano and Bover (1995) to investigate the relationship between ESG and bank profitability using an unbalanced sample of 487 banks from 51 countries from 2006 to 2021.

Findings

The findings generally found that ESG activities may reduce bank profitability, thus supporting the trade-off hypothesis that adopting ESG standards could increase bank costs while lowering profitability. In addition, there is a U-shaped relationship between ESG and bank profitability, suggesting that ESG activities can help improve bank performance in the long term. Such an effect is the first time observed in the global banking sector. This study’s results are robust across different models and settings (e.g., developed vs. developing countries, different levels of profitability, and samples with vs without US banks).

Practical implications

This study provides empirical evidence to support many countries' sustainable development policies. It also provides empirical incentives for bank managers to be more ESG-oriented.

Originality/value

This study provides a better understanding of the roles of ESG activity and its components in the global banking system, considering the recent crises.
Antecedents of psychological ownership among family hotel employees
Authors: Azila-Gbettor Edem Maxwell , Blomme Robert Jan , Honyenuga Ben Q. , Kil Ad
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper examines the mediating process of enhancing employees' psychological ownership among family hotel employees.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 1,005 employees from 197 budget-to-three-star family hotels took part in the study by completing an either self-reported or interviewer questionnaire. The respondents were selected using a convenient sampling technique. A partial least square structural equation was used to analyse the data.

Findings

Work engagement and organisational performance were shown to significantly predict psychological ownership, except for counterproductive work behaviour. Both counterproductive work behaviour and organisational performance were found to predict psychological ownership. Finally, the relationship between (1) counterproductive work behaviour and psychological ownership and (2) organisational performance and psychological ownership is mediated by work engagement.

Practical implications

Replication of this model in different countries and other work settings is highly recommended for cross validating the reported findings in this study. The study emphasises the need for family hotel owners to create a conducive work environment devoid of conditions that promote counterproductive work behaviour among employees and encourage them to engage in higher productivity.

Originality/value

This study appears to be one of the first to have investigated a model linking counterproductive work behaviour, performance to psychological ownership through work engagement in the family hotel context.
Pretrial diversion agreements after Andersen’s prosecution: a utilitarian theoretical framework
Authors: Gates Sandra K.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Using the ethical consequentialist theory of utilitarianism, this paper aims to demonstrate the correlation between the prosecution of Arthur Andersen LLP and the United States Department of Justice’s (DOJ) increased use of pretrial diversion agreements, both nonprosecution and deferred prosecution agreements (N/DPA) for criminal corporations.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an analysis of previous literature, the United States Justice Manual, and data from the Corporate Prosecution Registry, this study examines the trend of N/DPAs from 1992 to 2021. Specifically, the data is examined to assess whether a pattern exists before and after the 2002 prosecution of Andersen.

Findings

This study finds an exponential increase of N/DPAs after Andersen’s prosecution. The DOJ’s basis for the increased use of these agreements is rooted in the utilitarian theory that the punishment of criminal corporations should deter and rehabilitate behavior while also maximizing the benefit to society (e.g. shareholders, employees and business community). The justice manual, memorandums and public speeches explicitly promote the use of N/DPAs for corporations to minimize collateral damage and the potential for negative societal impact.

Originality/value

This study applies a utilitarian framework to explain the criminal justice system’s increased use of pretrial diversion agreements for criminal corporations.
Work and religion: an exploratory study of Muslim entrepreneurs in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Tahir Rizwan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to understand how religion impacts the everyday activities of Muslim entrepreneurs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative research is grounded on in-depth interviews with 50 entrepreneurs presently living and working in the UAE. When selecting the interviewees, the authors used purposeful sampling to ensure a diverse sample of interviewees with respect to nationality, age, gender and the nature of their business.

Findings

It was found that religion for these Muslim entrepreneurs is highly individualized, leading to our initial impressions that work and religion have no relationship. Nevertheless, following deeper investigation, it was found that religion does shape the everyday entrepreneurial activities of these entrepreneurs. More precisely, the entrepreneurial activities of these Muslim entrepreneurs are impacted by a desire to re-explain their work in religious terms, leading to conflicts between work and religion.

Originality/value

In todays’ competitive environment in the UAE, the workplace is increasingly consuming a considerable amount of individuals’ time, becoming more fundamental to their identity, and incorporating more life factors. However, the aspects impacting work have not been extensively researched, particularly the impact of religion on entrepreneurial endeavors, which represents a different type of work. The current study endeavors to fill this crucial research gap, and by doing so, we bring empirical attention to the relationship proposed yet largely ignored in prior studies.
Positioning products through names: effect of sound symbolism on perception of products with blended brand names
Authors: Arora Sunny Vijay , Kalro Arti D. , Sharma Dinesh
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Managers prefer semantic imbeds in brand names, but extant literature has primarily studied fictitious names for their sound-symbolic perceptions. This paper aims to explore sound-symbolic perceptions of products with blended brand names (BBNs), formed with at least one semantic and one nonsemantic component. Unlike most extant literature, this study not only estimates the effect of vowels and consonants individually on product perceptions but also of their combinations. The boundary condition for this effect is examined by classifying products by their categorization and attributes by their abstractness.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a within-subject experiment, this paper tested perceptions of products with BBNs having high-/low-frequency sounds. A mixed-design experiment followed with sound frequency, product-level categorization and attributes’ abstractness as predictor variables.

Findings

For BBNs, vowel sounds convey brand meaning better than the combinations of vowel and consonant sounds – and these convey brand meaning better than consonant sounds. Differences in consumers’ perceptions of products with BBNs occur when the degree of attributes’ abstractness matches product-level categorization, such as when concrete attributes match subordinate-level categorization.

Practical implications

Brand managers/strategists can communicate product positioning (attribute-based) through BBNs created specifically for product categories and product types.

Originality/value

This research presents a comparative analysis across vowels, consonants and their combinations on consumers’ perceptions of products with BBNs. Manipulation of names’ length and position of the sound-symbolic imbed in the BBN proffered additional contributions. Another novelty is the interaction effect of product categorization levels and attributes’ abstractness on sound-symbolic perception.
Engaging with matters that matter: a cross-cultural journey into the financialization of climate change effects
Authors: Chua Wai Fong , Fiedler Tanya
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a concept of engaged research that promotes research on matters that matter. Engaged research comes to the fore at the margins of accounting where issues are often ill-structured and less well studied. This study empirically illustrates how the principles of engaged research are embodied in practice at the borders of accounting.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first consider engaged research conceptually, by articulating the philosophical principles upon which such research is grounded. This study argues that engaged research comes to the fore in settings where accounting practices are emergent and uncertainty high. The authors illustrate the “doing” of engaged research by exploring accounting for the financial effects of climate change. The authors conclude by highlighting the integrated form and purpose of engagement and by making suggestions for engaged research of the future.

Findings

Engaged research is characterised by an ontology of becoming, an epistemology of cross-cultural travel and a methodology of co-production. It is enacted through multilingualism, a reflexive dialogue that enables self-others to travel into and experience alternative worlds, as well as through the mediation of knowledge and associated artefacts. Its intent is to promote dialogue and knowledge sharing. This study argues and shows how engaged research is an active entanglement of metatheory, theory, artefacts and the lives of self and others.

Originality/value

This paper reflects on engaged research at the margins of accounting, as well as on how such research is a “becoming”, sociomaterial, co-produced entanglement.
Benefits of individual preparation for team success: planning for virtual team communication, conflict resolution and belonging
Authors: Willox Sara , Morin Jennifer , Avila Sandra
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Team-based projects are being used at work in various industries and in education. This paper aims to share a training strategy that integrates training with casual games to effectively prepare individuals to perform better in team-based settings due to their acquisition of team skills combined with their knowledge of tools including a team charter, communication plan and conflict resolution plan.

Design/methodology/approach

A training module was developed, deployed and tested in a virtual classroom of an upper-level undergraduate business class to emulate real-world team experiences. In the study, 342 of the 631 participants enrolled chose to complete the optional training module, which included pre- and posttests followed by a perception survey. A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the impact of the training upon team skills including communication, conflict resolution and feelings of belonging.

Findings

The pre- and posttest results for trainees indicated a significant increase in team process and development knowledge, which included concepts such as communication, conflict resolution methods, roles, goal-setting and expectation-setting. Survey results indicated a correlation between completing the team training module and improved communication within teams, particularly for teams developing a communication plan in addition to a team charter and conflict resolution strategies.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature on preparing individuals for success in teams through training and education using interactive games, while equipping them with tools to contribute to favorable team dynamics and outcomes. The results are applicable to business, organizations and training settings that incorporate team-based projects in online, hybrid and face-to-face settings.
Wildfire impacts on root‐associated fungi and predicted plant–soil feedbacks in the boreal forest: Research progress and recommendations
Authors: Hewitt Rebecca E. , Day Nicola J. , DeVan M. Rae , Taylor D. Lee
Published: October 2022

Root‐associated fungi play a critical role in plant ecophysiology, growth and subsequent responses to disturbances, so they are thought to be particularly instrumental in shaping vegetation dynamics after fire in the boreal forest. Despite increasing data on the distribution of fungal taxonomic diversity through space and time in boreal ecosystems, there are knowledge gaps with respect to linking these patterns to ecosystem function and process.

Here we explore what is currently known about postfire root‐associated fungi in the boreal forest. We focus on wildfire impacts on mycorrhizal fungi and the relationships between plant–fungal interactions and forest recovery in an effort to explore whether postfire mycorrhizal dynamics underlie plant–soil feedbacks that may influence fire‐facilitated vegetation shifts.

We characterize the mechanisms by which wildfire influences root‐associated fungal community assembly. We identify scenarios of postfire plant–fungal interactions that represent putative positive and negative plant–soil feedbacks that may impact successional trajectories. We highlight the need for empirical field observations and experiments to inform our ability to translate patterns of postfire root‐associated fungal diversity to ecological function and application in models.

We suggest that understanding postfire interactions between root‐associated fungi and plants is critical to predict fire effects on vegetation patterns, ecosystem function, future landscape flammability and feedbacks to climate.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
The Ceremonial Mace in the House of Commons and Great Maces of Cities and Boroughs in the 16th and Early 17th Century*
Authors: Strauss Kathrin
Published: October 2022

The Commons obtained the service of a royal sergeant‐at‐arms in 1414. Alongside him, the sergeant‐at‐arms brought his mace. Originally a blunt weapon and a badge of the sergeants‐at‐arms’ office, the later merely ceremonial mace became associated with the Speaker of the House and part of the Speaker's processions by the mid 16th century. I will argue that the change in parliamentary rituals was an imitation of the usage of great maces of cities and boroughs, in which sergeants had carried great maces in front of their mayors in processions since the 14th century. I will further argue that the House's imitation of this ritual lead to an uplift of the Speaker's position within the House. The enhancement in the Speaker's role in the House's ceremonial proceedings went alongside an enhancement in the Speaker's role in the House's political proceedings. The Speaker evolved from a mere mouthpiece of the Commons into a representative of the House. This example illustrated the interdependency between symbolic and functional elements observable within the house of commons, but also more broadly in the study of parliamentary history.
Effects of drawdown scenario on retrogressive lateral erosion in a reservoir
Authors: Artruc Tessa , Tullos Desiree , Leshchinsky Ben
Published: October 2022

The drawdown of reservoirs behind dams is an important management strategy (e.g., for removal of aging infrastructure, flushing of sediment), and an opportunity to study erosional processes. A numerical model was developed to examine retrogressive bank erosion across reservoir drawdown scenarios and to evaluate factors controlling the rate, volume, and mechanisms of lateral erosion. Modeled processes included dynamic drawdown of groundwater, sequential slope failures via limit equilibrium analysis, and retrogression considering stress interaction between failing blocks. Field measurements were coupled with Staged, Slow, and Rapid drawdown scenarios. Results highlight the importance of including retrogression as an avenue for lateral erosion, as sequential block failures were found to occur in all scenarios except Slow drawdown. This result indicates that bank stability models without some means of characterizing the evolution of slope failure during drawdown are likely underestimating bank failure rates and volumes. In contrast, dynamic groundwater was not found to be a dominant control for any drawdown scenario. Model results also demonstrate that the drawdown increment is a first‐order control on slope instability via the development of drained or undrained conditions. A majority of failures occurred under undrained conditions. To maximize slope stability, using slow drawdown to activate internal friction under drained conditions is essential. The design of the drawdown rate created a tradeoff between the amount of impact created and when the impact is produced. The study also articulated the need for coupling models and field observations for rapidly changing systems.
Genetic and environmental etiology of drinking motives in college students
Authors: Savage Jeanne E. , Peterson Roseann E. , Aliev Fazil ,   Spit for Science Working Group, Dick Danielle M.
Published: October 2022

Background

Drinking motives are robust proximal predictors of alcohol use behaviors and may mediate distinct etiological pathways in the development of alcohol misuse. However, little is known about the genetic and environmental etiology of drinking motives themselves and their potential utility as endophenotypes.

Methods

Here, we leverage a longitudinal study of college students from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds (phenotypic N = 9889, genotypic N = 4855) to investigate the temporal stability and demographic and environmental predictors of four types of drinking motives (enhancement, social, coping, and conformity). Using genome‐wide association study (GWAS) and in silico tools, we characterize their associated genes and genetic variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs).

Results

Drinking motives were stable across four years of college (ICC >0.74). Some robust environmental predictors of alcohol misuse (parental autonomy granting and peer deviance) were broadly associated with multiple types of drinking motives, while others (e.g., trauma exposure) were type specific. Genome‐wide analyses indicated modest SNP‐based heritability (14–22%, n.s.) and several suggestive genomic loci that corroborate findings from previous molecular genetic studies (e.g., PECR and SIRT4 genes), indicating possible differences in the genetic etiology of positive versus negative reinforcement drinking motives that align with an internalizing/externalizing typology of alcohol misuse. Coping motives were significantly genetically correlated with alcohol use disorder diagnoses (rg = 0.71, p = 0.001). However, results from the genetic analyses were largely underpowered to detect significant associations.

Conclusions

Drinking motives show promise as endophenotypes but require further investigation in larger samples to further our understanding of the etiology of alcohol misuse.
The living dead: Demography of Australian sandalwood in Australia's western rangelands
Authors: McLellan Richard C. , Watson David M.
Published: October 2022

One‐third of the world's trees are at risk of extinction, with large, old, long‐lived trees among the most vulnerable. Long‐lived trees in arid and semi‐arid biomes are particularly at risk, including Australian sandalwood (Santalum spicatum, Santalaceae), which is experiencing substantial population decline due to a suite of natural and anthropogenic drivers, with no appreciable recruitment estimated for more than 80 years. To contextualize this range‐wide collapse and quantify regional variation in population dynamics across Australia's western rangelands, we investigated the size‐class profiles of 12 sandalwood populations in a 1,500‐kilometre arc between Shark Bay and the Gibson Desert in central Western Australia including Indigenous Protected Areas, pastoral leases and public and private conservation parks and reserves. Stem diameters, indicative of age using known growth rates, were recorded for 1,355 sandalwood plants, along with a set of another plant structural and ecological parameters. Using size‐class profiles and associated demographic data, we estimated the population age structure and trajectory to determine whether each population was increasing, stable or declining. Our surveys revealed sandalwood populations are declining and are composed almost entirely of very old trees in advanced states of senescence. Of 1,355 plants sampled, 1,198 (88.4%) individuals were large (old) trees. A total of 23 seedlings and 21 saplings were recorded across all sites, almost all of which (22 and 19, respectively) were in one population, and located under the canopies of parent trees where they would not be expected to survive to maturity. Our findings reinforce the urgent need to listSantalum spicatumas a threatened species in Western Australia (where wild plants are still being commercially harvested) and to initiate effective conservation actions to secure the species' continued existence across its natural range.
The evolving disparities in location and socioeconomics of an ageing Australian society
Authors: Kamil Wisam , Kruger Estie , Turlach Berwin , Tennant Marc
Published: October 2022

Objectives

It is well known that there are associations between overall health, age, socioeconomic status and rural residency. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of Australia's aged population by socioeconomic status, as well as remoteness.

Methods

The study employed the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (Statistical Area Level 1 and Remoteness Areas). The database of the geographic boundaries was integrated into the ageing population and socioeconomic data using the Geographic Information System. The socioeconomic data was analysed through the Index of Relative Socioeconomic Disadvantage.

Results

Over a decade, the older population in Australia has increased noticeably. In 2016, there was a high percentage of older people (≥65 years) in Tasmania (Tas), 19%, while the lowest percentage was recorded in the Northern Territory (NT), 7%. Across the country, Tasmania had the highest percentage of older citizens living in the most disadvantaged areas since 2006, with 48% recorded in 2016. There was an association between the remoteness areas and the education and income levels of the ageing cohort. However, this association differed between the states and territories. This socioeconomic gap becomes more evident in the very remote areas of the country.

Conclusions

The ageing population in Australia is increasing rapidly; this was associated with an evolving socioeconomic disparity among this ageing society. Our results demonstrated that socioeconomic inequalities were to be found among the older people based on their distribution over the remoteness areas in Australia. This information should be used to target healthcare and ageing policies that meet the specific needs of older people.
Evaluation of miR‐371a‐3p to predict viable germ cell tumor in patients with pure seminoma receiving retroperitoneal lymph node dissection
Authors: Konneh Bendu , Lafin John T. , Howard Jeffrey , Gerald Thomas , Amini Armon , Savelyeva Anna , Woldu Solomon L. , Lewis Cheryl M. , Jia Liwei , Margulis Vitaly , Coleman Nicholas , Scarpini Cinzia , Frazier A. Lindsay , Murray Matthew J. , Amatruda James F. , Bagrodia Aditya
Published: October 2022

Introduction and objective

Conventional serum tumor markers (STMs) for testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) offer limited performance with particularly poor sensitivity in cases of minimal residual disease and pure seminoma. While growing evidence has indicated miR‐371a‐3p to be a superior biomarker, its utility in detecting pure seminoma at recurrence has not been extensively explored. This study's objective was to explore miR‐371a‐3p's utility in detecting metastatic pure seminoma at retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND).

Methods

RNA was isolated from patient serum samples collected pre‐RPLND. Fifteen patients were assigned to our ‘benign’ (n = 6) or ‘seminoma’ (n = 9) group based on pathological confirmation of viable seminoma. Five of the patients received chemotherapy before RPLND (PC‐RPLND), and 10 were chemotherapy naïve. MiR‐371a‐3p expression was quantified via RT‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The Cq values were statistically evaluated to obtain performance measurements.

Results

Median relative expression of miR‐371a‐3p was higher in the Seminoma group than the Benign, but this difference was not statistically significant (Rq = 3705 and 241, respectively, p = 0.2844). Of the 10 chemotherapy naïve patients, nine had viable seminoma at RPLND, and seven had elevated miR‐371a‐3p expression. Among the five postchemotherapy (PC) patients, zero had viable GCT at RPLND, and two had elevated miR‐371a‐3p expression. The primary RPLND group presented 78% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Specificity in the PC‐RPLND group was 60%. An optimal Rq threshold of 28.62 was determined by Youden's J statistic, yielding 78% sensitivity and 67% specificity. Receiver operating characteristic analysis provided an AUC of 0.704 (95% CI: 0.43–0.98, p = 0.1949). Despite modest performance, miR‐371a‐3p exhibited improved sensitivity and specificity compared with conventional STMs.

Conclusions

MiR‐371a‐3p outperformed STMs in the primary RPLND settings. However, miR‐371a‐3p was not a robust predictor of pathology in the PC setting. These results suggest that pure seminoma at RPLND is a clinical context, wherein the miRNA assay may require further refinement.
3D printed kidney model could be an important educational tool for residents
Authors: Yamazaki Masahiro , Takayama Tatsuya , Fujita Akifumi , Kikuchi Tomohiro , Kamimura Tomoki , Myoga Hiroaki , Mayumi Shozaburo , Yazaki Kai , Katano Saki , Komatsubara Maiko , Kamei Jun , Sugihara Toru , Ando Satoshi , Fujimura Tetsuya
Published: October 2022

Introduction

This study aimed to evaluate whether it is useful for junior physicians to use a three‐dimensional (3D) kidney model when evaluating the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score.

Materials and Methods

An expert and four urology residents retrospectively evaluated the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scores of 64 renal tumors (62 patients) that underwent robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy at our hospital. The expert evaluated 64 R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scores with computed tomography (CT), whereas four residents evaluated 32 cases using CT alone and the other 32 cases using CT and a 3D kidney model. The consistency between the expert and residents was assessed by Cohen's kappa score. Patient‐specific 3D kidney models were created in a gird style using a 3D printer based on CT or magnetic resonance imaging of the patient.

Results

For all four residents, the accuracy of the overall R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score was significantly higher with the 3D model and CT than with CT alone (P < .001). Regarding the individual components of the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score, the accuracy rates of “E,” “N,” “A,” and “L” scores were higher with the 3D model and CT than with the CT alone (P = .020–.089).

Conclusion

Patient‐specific 3D‐printed kidney models could improve the resident's understanding of the renal tumor complexity and could be an important educational tool for residents.
Fostering creative selling through ethics. An emotion‐based approach
Authors: Bande Belén , Castro‐González Sandra , Fernández‐Ferrín Pilar , Vila‐Vázquez Guadalupe
Published: October 2022

Research on salesperson creativity remains as one of the most under‐researched topics in the sales literature despite the evidence that encouraging creativity in the sales domain is a source of competitive advantage. This paper aims to fill this research gap by exploring the influence of perceived ethical climate on salesperson creative performance, paying special attention to the role that emotions play in this process. Data provided by 176 supervisor–salesperson dyads confirm that the trust/responsibility dimension of an ethical climate is positively related to salesperson creative selling by increasing salespeople's organizational pride. Similarly, the perception of unethical selling practices negatively affects salesperson organizational pride, reducing the expression of creative behaviors. Moreover, the negative effect of unethical selling practices on creative performance is stronger (more negative) when salespeople's identification with an organization increases. Managerial implications and future research directions are also addressed.
Criticism and accommodation are associated with treatment concerns in close others to those with anxiety
Authors: Merritt Olivia A. , Rowa Karen , Purdon Christine L.
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Those close to people with mental health difficulties (e.g., family members, romantic partners and close friends) are often involved in their care decisions. Research shows that criticism by close others and accommodation of symptoms are associated with symptom severity and treatment response. Recent research has found that those close to someone with an anxiety disorder report a range of concerns about their loved one starting cognitive‐behaviour therapy (e.g., that treatment will cause the person to change in undesirable ways). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between close others' criticism and symptom accommodation and their treatment concerns, hypothesizing that these relationships would be significant.

Design

Close others to those with notable anxiety (N = 287) completed self‐report measures online. Multiple regression was used to test our hypothesis.

Methods

Respondents who identified as being close to someone with notable anxiety completed measures of their accommodation of anxiety symptoms, feelings of criticism/hostility towards them, concerns about them starting treatment, perceived impairment due to anxiety, and their own and their loved ones' treatment history.

Results

Greater criticism and accommodation significantly predicted greater treatment concerns, with a medium effect size, controlling for degree of impairment due to anxiety and treatment history.

Conclusions

Criticism and accommodation may reflect appraisal of the person with anxiety as weak or fragile, which may evoke concerns about treatment success. Implications for clinicians and anxiety treatment are discussed.
Family‐based care buffers the stress sensitizing effect of early deprivation on executive functioning difficulties in adolescence
Authors: Wade Mark , McLaughlin Katie A. , Buzzell George A. , Fox Nathan A. , Zeanah Charles H. , Nelson Charles A.
Published: October 2022

We examined whether family care following early‐life deprivation buffered the association between stressful life events (SLEs) and executive functioning (EF) in adolescence. In early childhood, 136 institutionally reared children were randomly assigned to foster care or care‐as‐usual; 72 never‐institutionalized children served as a comparison group. At age 16 years, adolescents (n = 143; 54% female; 67.1% Romanian) self‐reported recent SLEs, completed a battery of memory and EF tasks, and completed a go/nogo task in which mediofrontal theta power (MFTP) was measured using electroencephalogram. More independent SLEs predicted lower EF and more dependent SLEs predicted lower MFTP, but only among adolescents with prolonged early deprivation. Findings provide preliminary evidence that family care following early deprivation may facilitate resilience against stress during adolescence on EF.
A case of natalizumab‐associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy followed by immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome with difficulty in the timing of immunotherapy
Authors: Sugimoto Takamichi , Neshige Shuichiro , Aoki Shiro , Ochi Kazuhide , Ishikawa Ruoyi , Nonaka Megumi , Nakamori Masahiro , Nezu Tomohisa , Nakamichi Kazuo , Yamazaki Yu , Maruyama Hirofumi
Published: October 2022

Background

Details regarding the clinical course of natalizumab‐associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (NAT‐PML) have not been reported in Japanese patients. We experienced a Japanese NAT‐PML case and report it for the purpose of clarifying the challenge it posed in medical treatment.

Case Presentation

Herein, we describe a 58‐y‐old multiple sclerosis patient who had NAT‐PML with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). Before NAT‐PML developed, the patient's Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was 5.5. She received natalizumab (300 mg) every 3–7 w, and her EDSS score had not changed for 9.1 y. The John Cunningham virus (JCV) index was 0.43 before NAT‐PML developed. She developed a gait disturbance when NAT‐PML emerged. Natalizumab was administered a total of 108 times. The patient was diagnosed with probable NAT‐PML on the basis of punctate lesions on T2‐weighted imaging and a JCV‐PCR result of 29 copies/ml from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing. Intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) was initiated when the contrast‐enhanced lesion was first detected, but the NAT‐PML lesion was rather enlarged despite the temporary disappearance of the contrast‐enhanced lesion. An obvious increase in the IgG index and a slight increase in the CSF cell count were recognized at the time the immunological response was activated. Three cycles of a 3‐d course of IVMP were administered every 2 w for IRIS, and the patient's worst EDSS score was 9.5.

Conclusion

Treatment sequencing should be executed before the onset of NAT‐PML. Changes in CSF cell count and IgG index may be useful for treatment decision; further research is needed.
Cholesterol granuloma of the maxillary sinus in association with a dental implant—A case report
Authors: Vikram Vignesh , Raja Sunitha , Ramanathan Manikandhan
Published: October 2022

Background

Cholesterol granuloma is typically a benign granulomatous growth seen mostly in the mastoid process and the petrous temporal bone. Although cholesterol granuloma in maxillary sinus was first reported in the scientific literature in 1978, the occurrence is very rare and it is usually clinically and radiographically manifested ambiguously as maxillary sinusitis.

Purpose

The presence of cholesterol granuloma in the maxillary sinus in association with a dental pathology or prosthesis has been scarcely known. In this case report, we present a case of cholesterol granuloma in the maxillary sinus of a middle‐aged male who had previously undergone dental implant placement in relation to that anatomical location.

Materials and Methods

A 64‐year‐old man reported to the Dental OP with a chief complaint of oral malodor, swelling, and tenderness over the right middle third of the face for the past 3 months. A cone beam computed tomography scan showed a well‐defined radio‐opaque lesion along with sclerosis and thinning of bone within the right maxillary antrum in relation to the dental implant placed in the 16 regions. The left maxillary sinus appeared normal. The Caldwell‐Luc procedure was performed and a solitary soft lesion with yellowish‐gray contents was evident within the right maxillary sinus. Histopathological examination revealed cholesterol clefts surrounded by foreign body giant cell reaction and granulation tissue formation, along with the presence of old and recent hemorrhage. A final diagnosis of cholesterol granuloma was made based on the histopathological examination report.

Conclusion

Based on the evidence available in the present case, we hypothesize that the localized trauma and hemorrhage initiated by implant placement in this particular anatomical location could have plausibly resulted in the occurrence of cholesterol granuloma in our patient.
Systematic review on skin adverse effects of important hazardous hair cosmetic ingredients with a focus on hairdressers
Authors: Uter Wolfgang , Strahwald Julia , Hallmann Sarah , Johansen Jeanne D. , Havmose Martin S. , Kezic Sanja , van der Molen Henk F. , Macan Jelena , Babić Željka , Franić Zrinka , Macan Marija , Turk Rajka , Symanzik Cara , Weinert Patricia , John Swen M.
Published: October 2022

Background

The burden of occupational hand eczema in hairdressers is high, and (partly strong) allergens abound in the hair cosmetic products they use.

Objectives

To systematically review published evidence concerning contact allergy to an indicative list of active ingredients of hair cosmetics, namely, p‐phenylenediamine (PPD), toluene‐2,5‐diamine (PTD), persulfates, mostly ammonium persulfate (APS), glyceryl thioglycolate (GMTG), and ammonium thioglycolate (ATG), concerning the prevalence of sensitization, particularly in terms of a comparison (relative risk; RR) between hairdressers and non‐hairdressers.

Methods

Following a PROSPERO‐registered and published protocol, eligible literature published from 2000 to February 2021 was identified, yielding 322 publications, and extracted in standardized publication record forms, also considering risk of bias.

Results

Based on 141 publications, the contact allergy prevalence to PPD was 4.3% (95% CI: 3.8–4.9%) in consecutively patch tested patients. Other ingredients were mostly tested in an aimed fashion, yielding variable, and partly high contact allergy prevalences. Where possible, the RR was calculated, yielding an average increased sensitization risk in hairdressers of between 5.4 (PPD) and 3.4 (ATG). Additional evidence related to immediate‐type hypersensitivity, experimental results, exposures, and information from case reports was qualitatively synthesized.

Conclusions

An excess risk of contact allergy is clearly evident from the pooled published evidence from the last 20 years. This should prompt an improvement in working conditions and product safety.
The association of chronic liver disorders with exacerbation of symptoms and complications related to COVID‐19: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Afraie Maryam , Mohammadzedeh Pardis , Azami Mobin , Khateri Sorour , Zamani Kamran , Moradpour Farhad , Moradi Yousef
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The aim of this review was to combine the results of published cohort studies to determine the exact association between chronic liver disorders, and the severe form of COVID‐19, and its associated complications.

Methods

This meta‐analysis employed a keyword search (COVID‐19 and chronic liver disorders) using PubMed (Medline), Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Embase (Elsevier). All articles related from January 2019 to May 2022 were reviewed. The STATA software was used for analysis.

Results

The risk of death in COVID‐19 patients with chronic liver disorders was higher than in ones without the chronic liver disease (RR: 1.52; CI 95%: 1.46–1.57; I2: 86.14%). Also, the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and hospitalization in COVID‐19 patients with chronic liver disorders was higher than in ones without the chronic liver disease ([RR: 1.65; CI 95%: 1.09–2.50; I2: 0.00%] and [RR: 1.39; CI 95%: 1.23–1.58; I2: 0.20%]). Also, the meta‐analysis showed cough, headache, myalgia, nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue were 1.37 (CI 95%: 1.20–1.55), 1.23 (CI 95%: 1.09–1.38), 1.25 (CI 95%: 1.04–1.50), 1.19 (CI 95%: 1.02–1.40), 1.89 (CI 95%: 1.30–2.75), 1.49 (CI 95%: 1.07–2.09), and 1.14 (CI 95%: 0.98–1.33), respectively, whereas the risk of all these symptoms was higher in COVID‐19 patients with chronic liver diseases than ones without chronic liver disorders.

Conclusion

The mortality and complications due to COVID‐19 were significantly different between patients with the chronic liver disease and the general population.