bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entrepreneurship and internationalisation: to what extent do the perceptions of male and female entrepreneurs differ on success factors
Authors: Damoah Obi Berko Obeng
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to explore gender variations in entrepreneurship and internationalisation from the perspective of the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm; in particular, the paper explores how differences in the personal idiosyncrasies of both males and females in part account for the variations in export internationalisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on extant literature on the critical success factors in entrepreneurship and internationalisation research (e.g. foreign market knowledge, firm-level technology and firm age) as the conceptual framework to explore the issue. The study is based on 21 male and 17 female export entrepreneurs from Ghana and uses a descriptive research design (i.e. frequencies and chi-square test) to analyse the results.

Findings

The results show that the perceptions of male and female exporters differ on key internationalisation success factors based on extant literature. Implicitly, whilst both groups shared a similar degree of basic knowledge on a few export success factors, across most of the other key export success factors, the male counterparts demonstrated a more expanded view compared to the females. The results support the assumption of the RBV theory applied in this study to argue that to account properly for the internationalisation outcomes of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the personality characteristics of the owner entrepreneurs are critical resources which cannot be ignored.

Research limitations/implications

In terms of limitation, the study is exploratory study based on non-probability sampling methods using descriptive frequencies tables and analysis of chi-square test and so readers must bear this limitation in mind in interpreting the results to improve on future studies.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the empirical literature by offering a unique perspective regarding how women and men perceive and interpret export success factors and how that impacts on the internationalisation outcomes of women and men. The paper responds to calls by researchers (e.g. Terjesenet al., 2011; Ratten and Tajeddini, 2018; Kuschel and Labra, 2018; Javadian and Richards, 2020) to populate studies on the topic to deepen the present understanding. By using data from Ghana, West Africa, the study sheds a fresh insight on the topic from an under-studied and under-researched geographical context.
Economic growth, inflation and unemployment in Africa: an autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing approach, 1991–2019
Authors: Gómez Mario , Irewole Oluwasefunmi Eunice
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Unemployment is one of the major challenges facing most countries, including Africa as a continent. Seeking how to reduce unemployment, debt, inflation and increase gross domestic product (GDP), foreign direct investment (FDI) and gross capital formation in the continent has been an agenda of governments, policy makers and economists to. This study examines the relationship between economic growth, inflation, debt, FDI, gross capital formation, labor force, population and unemployment in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

An updated panel dataset of 29 African countries was selected from different regions from 1991 to 2019. These countries were selected based on their unemployment, population growth and inflation rates. The Pesaran cross-sectional dependence and panel unit root test (the Dickey–Fuller cross-sectional supplemented and the Im-Pesaran-Shin cross-sectional) were applied. Further, the panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model (Bounds test) and pooled mean group (PMG) estimator were utilized in this work.

Findings

This shows that economic growth, debt, labor force and population have a positive relationship with unemployment in the long run. Therefore, an increase in these variables generates an increase in the selected African countries' unemployment growth. In contrast, inflation, FDI and gross capital formation have a negative relationship with unemployment in the long run, which implies that an increase in these variables reduces unemployment in the selected African countries.

Research limitations/implications

This study has potential limitations because some data from the countries are not up to date and some years are missing from the data.

Practical implications

This study contributes to understanding unemployment and Okun's law in the African economy. This study shows that an increase in economic growth leads to a rise in unemployment, while an increase in inflation leads to a decrease in unemployment.

Originality/value

This paper provides an insight into the major factors that increase and reduces unemployment for government and policy marker to take the adequate measure.
Metaverse changing realm of human resource learning – a viewpoint
Authors: Mehta Mita
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the potential of metaverse in human resource (HR) learning as a new paradigm postpandemic scenario. This article highlights the use of the metaverse as a training tool for today’s organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper offers the author’s opinion based on experience with the application of Metaverse into HR learning for the transformative learning experience.

Findings

Research and trends in metaverse hold strong potential to be implemented as a transformative learning experience across organizations. The article then presents the metaverse learning application with the TL concept.

Originality/value

This is a viewpoint article and opens threads of the plethora of future directions in the application of the metaverse as a learning and development tool through empirical research work.
Challenges for skills creation in legal education: an analysis of the Mexican context in line with global trends
Authors: Zorrilla Noriega Ana María , Sánchez Arias Marco
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The paper enriches the understanding of the principal challenges faced in future lawyers' education in Mexico considering global trends, particularly from the perspective of skills creation in diverse areas of legal practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework used draws on trends identified within an international collaborative research study in which both authors participated, titled “Developing a Blueprint for Global Legal Education”. This current paper stems from the premise that these recommendations can be further developed and better utilised if explored within a specific context. The methodology designed for this research consisted of two main components: a thorough analysis of the norms that regulate the education system and the professional practice in Mexico, and an extensive literature review that provided insights into the state of global trends in legal education.

Findings

This paper reveals that in Mexico having a well-designed and comprehensive legal framework is the first step to promote the creation of high-quality educational models.

Practical implications

The study analyses the current situation in Mexico within four global trends: (1) regulation of legal education and access to the profession; (2) building professional practice skills; (3) internationalisation of education and (4) incorporation of technology and responsible innovation.

Originality/value

The reflections are intended to promote better training of law students in the skills required to face the various challenges that the legal profession currently involves. This is under an approach that analyses global challenges and identifies the best practices to connect learning processes with in-demand professional skills.
Relationship between market share and rent level: understanding supply structure in the Japanese private rental housing market
Authors: Suzuki Masatomo , Shimizu Chihiro
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between market share and rent levels to understand the supply structure in the Japanese private rental housing market.

Design/methodology/approach

The study calculates the municipal-level market share of a dominant rental housing operator in Japan and ascertained the overall market rent and the dominant operator’s rent premium at the municipal level by using a major web portal’s listing data of rental houses.

Findings

The study shows that, as market share increased, overall market rent tends to decrease, and analyzed by market share, there is no significant difference between the rent of the dominant operator and the overall market rent.

Practical implications

The results of the study suggest that dominant operators may have lowered the rent of their own property to prioritize filling vacancies, which, in turn, causes the overall level of market rent to decline. This is an outcome of rental housing operators’ strategy to maximize long-term rental income under sublease contracts with individual owners, which ensures stable rental income for owners regardless of the occupation status of the apartments.

Originality/value

Previous research on regional monopolies in mortgage sales and brokerage businesses in the USA implies that rental housing operators in a position of great influence over the market can control and keep the market rents at high levels, that is, at large costs for consumers. The findings of the study are novel in showing the inverse relationship in the Japanese private rental market.
Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on food insecurity in Indonesian households
Authors: Amrullah Eka Rastiyanto , Tokuda Hiromi , Rusyiana Aris , Ishida Akira
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected access to adequate and nutritious food, resulting in hunger, malnutrition and increased food insecurity. The purpose of this study was to identify the households in Indonesia that were most likely to experience the pandemic's effects.

Design/methodology/approach

Using raw data from nationwide Indonesian household socioeconomic and expenditure surveys (SUSENAS 2020 and SUSENAS 2021), food insecurity was measured using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). A multinomial logistic regression model was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe food insecurity increased from 20.61% to 21.67% and from 1.28% to 1.37%, respectively, between 2020 (the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic) and 2021 (the period during which the infection rapidly spread nationwide). The estimation results of the multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that urban households, which may have had more difficulties with income generation and access to food due to behavioral constraints, were more likely to be affected by the pandemic. Additionally, economically vulnerable poor households, households with low levels of education or unemployed heads were more likely to be affected by the pandemic.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first study to access the impact of economic downturn and social restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic on household food insecurity in Indonesia, using the nationwide household survey data.
Rearing cost, endowment insurance and fertility desire
Authors: Zhang Qingjie , Cao Xinbang
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This research studies the influence and mechanism of rearing cost and endowment insurance on family fertility desire from the micro perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the construction of overlapping generations (OLG) model and on the basis of this research purpose, the research hypothesis proposed by the theoretical model is tested by using the data of China household tracking survey (CFPS).

Findings

(1) Endowment insurance has an inhibitory effect on family fertility desire. The marginal effects of participating in old-age insurance on total fertility desire and boy fertility desire are – 3.2% and – 3.6% respectively. (2) The cost of rearing has a significant negative impact on family fertility desire. (3) There is regional heterogeneity in the impact of endowment insurance and rearing cost on fertility desire. (4) There is no significant difference in the impact of endowment insurance on fertility desire between urban and rural areas.

Originality/value

This research tries to fill the gap existing in the international literature by analyzing the micro mechanism of the influence degree of upbringing cost on fertility desire by introducing the rearing cost and fertility rate into the OLG, providing a micro basis for relevant quantitative calculation.
Between remediating and participating: visuals of the Ford–Kavanaugh controversy on Instagram
Authors: Irom Bimbisar
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The study seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between remediations and participation in new media. By lending some transparency, the analysis hopes to contribute toward generating a critical optics aware of the potentials and pitfalls of emergent media.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is visual semiotic analysis. The author make no claim for one, true interpretation or critical judgment about the images.

Findings

In demonstrating some shortfalls of Instagram affordances, the analysis shows how social media sites can develop tools that encourage users to engage in civic consciousness and respectful political debate. The study makes clear that new media tools can hamper or aid participatory logics.

Originality/value

To author’s knowledge, no other study that has analyzed remediated images related to the controversial confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. It is also important to place these images in the contexts of “iconicity” in emergent media (a concept increasingly being eroded in new media environment).
A literature review on industry 4.0 implementation and performance: a contingency perspective
Authors: Alsheyadi Anwar Khamis
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to review the literature on the relationship between the implementation and performance of 4.0 industrial revolution (IR) technologies and explores the extent to which the effects of several internal and external contingency factors on these relationships have been considered by the existing empirical studies.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve its purposes, this study follows a systematic review of the literature and explores the published empirical research on implementation and performance links of 4.0 IR technologies and the effects of contingency factors on these links in mainly three main databases.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal that in general several contingency factors tend to have significant effects on the implementation and performance links of 4.0 IR in several contexts. This study also shows that the effects of these contingencies the effects of contingency factors on the implementation and performance links of 4.0 IR technologies are receiving growing attention from researchers and have been studied in different approaches but the moderation approach was the highest.

Research limitations/implications

The review of the literature conducted in this study refers to those studies published mostly by three main databases (i.e. Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Science Direct), and only those papers published in English, and thus does not contain publications out of these restrictions.

Originality/value

This is one of the early literature review studies to explore and discuss the current state of research on the effects of contingency factors on the relationships between the implementation and performance of 4.0 IR technologies in the contexts of logistics and supply chain management.
Financial development, institutions and industrialization in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Lo Serigne Bassirou , Cissokho Lassana
Published: July 2023

Using a panel data covering more than 100 countries worldwide, we have estimated a dynamic panel model to investigate the relationship between financial development and manufacturing industries’ growth. More specifically, we have estimated the effect that institutional quality might have in this relationship in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). The results show that lower quality institutions in SSA are a hindrance to the role financial development plays in the growth of the manufacturing industrial sector, as compared with developed countries. These findings are robust when a quantile regression model is used. Furthermore, the results confirm that the relationship between per capita GDP and industrialization is nonlinear. Finally, in SSA, the abundance of natural resources has an adverse effect on the manufacturing industrial value added, providing more evidence for the Dutch disease hypothesis.
Reproductive ecology of the black rat (Rattus rattus) in Madagascar: the influence of density‐dependent and ‐independent effects
Authors: SCOBIE Kathryn , RAHELINIRINA Soanandrasana , SOARIMALALA Voahangy , ANDRIAMIARIMANANA Fehivola Mandanirina , RAHAINGOSOAMAMITIANA Corinne , RANDRIAMORIA Toky , RAHAJANDRAIBE Soloandry , LAMBIN Xavier , RAJERISON Minoarisoa , TELFER Sandra
Published: July 2023

The black rat (Rattus rattus) poses a severe threat to food security and public health in Madagascar, where it is a major cause of pre‐ and post‐harvest crop losses and an important reservoir for many zoonotic diseases, including plague. Elsewhere, ecologically based rodent management (EBRM) strategies have been developed using ecological information to inform decisions on where and when to target control. EBRM could deliver improved health and well‐being outcomes in Madagascar if adapted to the local ecological context. Using data collected from removal studies, we explored spatio‐temporal patterns in the breeding activity of the black rat (R. rattus) in domestic and agricultural habitats across Madagascar and investigated to what extent these trends are influenced by rainfall and rat density. We identified clear spatio‐temporal variation in the seasonality of R. rattus reproduction. Reproduction was highly seasonal both inside and outside of houses, but seasonal trends varied between these two habitats. Seasonal trends were explained, in part, by variation in rainfall; however, the effect of rainfall on reproductive rates did itself vary by season and habitat type. A decline in breeding intensity with increasing rat density was recorded outside of houses. This has important implications for control, as populations may compensate for removal through increased reproduction. We recommend that sustained control initiated before the main breeding season, combined with improved hygiene and adequate rodent‐proofing in homes and grain stores, could curtail population growth and reduce pre‐ and post‐harvest losses provided that these measures overcome the compensatory response of rodent populations.
Does vitreous haemorrhage and calcification lead to increased risk of enucleation in advanced retinoblastoma?
Authors: He Mengjia , Yang Ludi , Jia Shichong , Yang Jie , Wen Xuyang , Fan Jiayan , Jia Renbing , Fan Xianqun
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To explore whether varying degrees of vitreous haemorrhage (VH) and calcification act as risk factors for enucleation in patients with advanced retinoblastoma (RB).

Methods

Advanced RB was defined by the international classification of RB (Philadelphia version). Basic information for retinoblastoma patients diagnosed as groups D and E in our hospital between January 2017 and June 2022 was reviewed by logistics regression models. Additionally, a correlation analysis was performed, excluding variables with a VIF (variance inflation factor) >10 from the multivariate analysis.

Results

A total of 223 eyes diagnosed with RB were included in assessing VH and calcification; of these, 101 (45.3%) eyes experienced VH, and 182 (76.2%) eyes were found to have calcification within the tumour through computed tomography (CT) or B‐scan ultrasonography. Ninety‐two eyes (41.3%) were enucleated, of which 67 (72.8%) had VH and 68 (73.9%) calcification, both of which were significantly relevant to enucleation (p < 0.001*). Other clinical risk factors, such as corneal edema, anterior chamber haemorrhage, high intraocular pressure during treatment and iris neovascularization, correlated significantly with enucleation (p < 0.001*). Multivariate analysis included IIRC (intraocular international retinoblastoma classification), VH, calcification and high intraocular pressure during treatment as independent risk factors for enucleation.

Conclusions

Despite identifying different potential risk factors for RB, there remains significant controversy concerning which patients require enucleation, and the degree of VH varies. Such eyes need to be evaluated carefully, and management with appropriate adjuvant therapy may improve the outcome of these patients.
Influenza A (H1N1) virus induced long‐term remission in a refractory acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Miladinovic Milica , Klusmann Jan‐Henning
Published: July 2023

You et al. present an extraordinary case of a refractory acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patient who achieved long‐term complete remission after infection with Influenza A. Using mouse models, the researchers examined the underlying immunological mechanisms and discovered a decrease in leukaemia proliferation and improved survival in Influenza‐A virus‐infected mice. These results indicate the potential therapeutic relevance of Influenza A in the treatment of haematological cancers.

Commentary on: You et al. Influenza A (H1N1) virus induced long‐term remission in a refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Br J Haematol 2023;202:745–748.
The immune‐related adverse events paradox in locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer after atezolizumab immunotherapy: analysis of individual patient data from IMvigor210 and IMvigor211 trials
Authors: Robesti Daniele , Nocera Luigi , Belladelli Federico , Schultz Julianne G. , Fallara Giuseppe , Marandino Laura , Raggi Daniele , Montorsi Francesco , Msaouel Pavlos , Necchi Andrea , Martini Alberto
Published: July 2023

Objective

To investigate the association between immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) and oncological outcomes in patients with advanced urothelial cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and whether the administration of systemic corticosteroids diminishes therapeutic impact.

Patients and Methods

The association between irAEs occurrence and clinical progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) was tested by means of multivariable Cox or competing‐risks regression, when appropriate. Patients experiencing irAEs were further stratified based on systemic corticosteroids administration. A sensitivity analysis was conducted by repeating all the analyses with median time to irAE as landmark point.

Results

We relied on individual participant data from two prospective trials for advanced urothelial cancer: IMvigor210 and IMvigor211. A total of 896 patients who received atezolizumab for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer were considered. Overall, irAEs were recorded in 195 patients and the median time to irAEs was 64 days. On multivariable analysis, irAEs were inversely associated with the risk of disease progression (hazard ratio [HR] 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.40–0.61; P < 0.001), overall mortality (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.41–0.64; P < 0.001), and cancer‐specific mortality (subdistributional HR [sHR] 0.55, 95% CI 0.45–0.72; P < 0.001). Moreover, our results did not refute the supposition that the administration of systemic corticosteroids does not impact oncological outcomes (PFS: HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.62–1.34, P = 0.629; OS: HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.51–1.64, P = 0.613; CSS: sHR 0.90, 95% CI 0.60–1.36, P = 0.630). The sensitivity analysis confirmed our findings.

Conclusions

The development of irAEs while receiving atezolizumab treatment was associated with improved oncological outcomes, namely overall and cancer‐specific mortality, and PFS. These findings seem to not be substantially affected by administration of systemic corticosteroids.
Prostate cancer outcomes following whole‐gland and focal high‐intensity focused ultrasound
Authors: Parry Matthew G. , Sujenthiran Arunan , Nossiter Julie , Morris Melanie , Berry Brendan , Nathan Arjun , Aggarwal Ajay , Payne Heather , van der Meulen Jan , Clarke Noel W.
Published: July 2023

Objective

To report the 5‐year failure‐free survival (FFS) following high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

Patients and Methods

This observational cohort study used linked National Cancer Registry data, radiotherapy data, administrative hospital data and mortality records of 1381 men treated with HIFU for clinically localised prostate cancer in England. The primary outcome, FFS, was defined as freedom from local salvage treatment and cancer‐specific mortality. Secondary outcomes were freedom from repeat HIFU, prostate cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). Cox regression was used to determine whether baseline characteristics, including age, treatment year, T stage and International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Grade Group were associated with FFS.

Results

The median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow‐up was 37 (20–62) months. The median (IQR) age was 65 (59–70) years and 81% had an ISUP Grade Group of 1–2. The FFS was 96.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 95.4%–97.4%) at 1 year, 86.0% (95% CI 83.7%–87.9%) at 3 years and 77.5% (95% CI 74.4%–80.3%) at 5 years. The 5‐year FFS for ISUP Grade Groups 1–5 was 82.9%, 76.6%, 72.2%, 52.3% and 30.8%, respectively (P < 0.001). Freedom from repeat HIFU was 79.1% (95% CI 75.7%–82.1%), CSS was 98.8% (95% CI 97.7%–99.4%) and OS was 95.9% (95% CI 94.2%–97.1%) at 5 years.

Conclusion

Four in five men were free from local salvage treatment at 5 years but treatment failure varied significantly according to ISUP Grade Group. Patients should be appropriately informed with respect to salvage radical treatment following HIFU.
What can economic coordination do for creativity and well‐being?
Authors: Sacchetti Silvia
Published: July 2023

The scope of this paper is contributing to unveiling how economic organizing can be more humanistic by delving into ideas of well‐being and advancing them through the concepts of creativity. Accordingly, our contribution reflects on how designing and implementing organizations and processes inspired to creativity can ameliorate the life of participants. We therefore analyse issues of economic coordination through fundamental mechanisms elaborated by organizational economists (market exchange, organized hierarchies) and associate them with diverse consequences in terms of creative capacity. Illustrations are taken from the creative sectors. The creativity dimension (as an outcome) assumes especial relevance in our analysis, not only or primarily because of its potential link with competitiveness and economic prosperity (as in the current economic approach to creativity) but mostly because of the connections with the creation of a public good in the form of well‐being and value for the public.
Gastrointestinal distress as a potential mediator between stress and periodontal inflammation
Authors: Wright Casey D. , Heaton Brenda , Garcia Raul I. , Leonard Maureen M. , Fasano Alessio , McNeil Daniel W.
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Periodontal disease is multifactorial in its aetiology, which encompasses biopsychosocial contributors, including psychological stress. Gastrointestinal distress and dysbiosis have been associated with several chronic inflammatory diseases yet have rarely been investigated with respect to oral inflammation. Given the implications of gastrointestinal distress on extraintestinal inflammation, this study aimed to evaluate the potential role of such distress as a mediator between psychological stress and periodontal disease.

Methods

Utilizing a cross‐sectional, nationwide sample of 828 adults in the USA generated via Amazon Mechanical Turk, we evaluated data collected from a series of validated self‐report psychosocial questionnaires on stress, gut‐specific anxiety around current gastrointestinal distress and periodontal disease, including periodontal disease subscales targeted at physiological and functional factors. Structural equation modelling was used to determine total, direct and indirect effects, while controlling for covariates.

Results

Psychological stress was associated with gastrointestinal distress (ß = .34) and self‐reported periodontal disease (ß = .43). Gastrointestinal distress also was associated with self‐reported periodontal disease (ß = .10). Gastrointestinal distress likewise mediated the relation between psychological stress and periodontal disease (ß = .03, p = .015). Given the multifactorial nature of periodontal disease(s), similar results were demonstrated using the subscales of the periodontal self‐report measure.

Conclusions

Associations exist between psychological stress and overall reports of periodontal disease as well as more specific physiological and functional components. Additionally, this study provided preliminary data supporting the potential mechanistic role that gastrointestinal distress plays in connecting the gut–brain and the gut–gum pathways.
A qualitative study on parental mediation of rural‐to‐urban migrant children's smartphone use in China: Concerns, strategies and challenges
Authors: Huang Dan , Luo Yingting , He Xinru , Hong Lihua , Zhang Birong
Published: July 2023

This study explores parental mediation of smartphone use by rural‐to‐urban migrant children in China. A total of 16 migrant parents participated in semi‐structured interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis is conducted to analyse the transcribed interviews. Findings indicate that migrant parents are highly concerned about the harmful impact of smartphone use on their children. Three parental mediation strategies mentioned in previous studies are confirmed, that is, restriction mediation, monitoring and active mediation, whereas a new mediation strategy, namely, activity substitution, is identified in this study. This study finds that the parents use a combination of different strategies for parental mediation. Furthermore, four themes identify the challenges in parental mediation: Lack of time, skills and helper for parenting and father's absence, inconsistency between parents' restrictive mediation and own overuse practices, the adverse effect of COVID‐19 and the need for professional help. Finally, implications for social work practice are discussed.
Low rates of prescribing alcohol relapse prevention medicines in Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
Authors: Purcell‐Khodr Gemma , Conigrave James H. , Lee K. S. Kylie , Vnuk Julia , Conigrave Katherine M.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Alcohol dependence is a chronic condition impacting millions of individuals worldwide. Safe and effective medicines to reduce relapse can be prescribed by general practitioners but are underutilised in the general Australian population. Prescription rates of these medicines to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) Australians in primary care are unknown. We assess these medicines in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and identify factors associated with prescription.

Methods

Baseline data (spanning 12 months) were used from a cluster randomised trial involving 22 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. We describe the proportion of First Nations patients aged 15+ who were prescribed a relapse prevention medicine: naltrexone, acamprosate or disulfiram. We explore associations between receiving a prescription, a patient AUDIT‐C score and demographics (gender, age, service remoteness) using logistic regression.

Results

During the 12‐month period, 52,678 patients attended the 22 services. Prescriptions were issued for 118 (0.2%) patients (acamprosate n = 62; naltrexone n = 58; disulfiram n = 2; combinations n = 4). Of the total patients, 1.6% were ‘likely dependent’ (AUDIT‐C ≥ 9), of whom only 3.4% received prescriptions for these medicines. In contrast, 60.2% of those who received a prescription had no AUDIT‐C score. In multivariate analysis, receiving a script (OR = 3.29, 95% CI 2.25–4.77) was predicted by AUDIT‐C screening, male gender (OR = 2.24, 95% CI 1.55–3.29), middle age (35–54 years; OR = 14.41, 95% CI 5.99–47.31) and urban service (OR = 2.87, 95% CI 1.61–5.60).

Discussion and Conclusions

Work is needed to increase the prescription of relapse prevention medicines when dependence is detected. Potential barriers to prescription and appropriate ways to overcome these need to be identified.
Device‐assisted endoscopic full‐thickness resection in colorectum: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Nabi Zaheer , Samanta Jayanta , Dhar Jahnvi , Mohan Babu P. , Facciorusso Antonio , Reddy D. Nageshwar
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Endoscopic full‐thickness resection (EFTR) is emerging as an effective modality for mucosal and submucosal lesions in the colorectum. In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, we aimed to analyze the success and safety of device‐assisted EFTR in the colon and rectum.

Methods

A literature search was performed in the Embase, PubMed, and Medline databases for studies evaluating device‐assisted EFTR between inception to October 2022. The primary outcome of the study was clinical success (R0 resection) with EFTR. Secondary outcomes included technical success, procedure duration, and adverse events.

Results

In all, 29 studies with 3467 patients (59% male patients, 3492 lesions) were included in the analysis. The lesions were located in right colon (47.5%), left colon (28.6%), and rectum (24.3%). EFTR was performed for subepithelial lesions in 7.2% patients. The pooled mean size of the lesions was 16.6 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 14.9–18.2, I2 98%). Technical success was achieved in 87.1% (95% CI 85.1–88.9%, I2 39%) procedures. The pooled rate of en bloc resection was 88.1% (95% CI 86–90%, I2 47%) and R0 resection was 81.8% (95% CI 79–84.3%, I2 56%). In subepithelial lesions, the pooled rate of R0 resection was 94.3% (95% CI 89.7–96.9%, I2 0%). The pooled rate of adverse events was 11.9% (95% CI 10.2–13.9%, I2 43%) and major adverse events requiring surgery was 2.5% (95% CI 2.0–3.1%, I2 0%).

Conclusion

Device‐assisted EFTR is a safe and effective treatment modality in cases with adenomatous and subepithelial colorectal lesions. Comparative studies are required with conventional resection techniques, including endoscopic mucosal resection and submucosal dissection.
What are the priority quality indicators for colonoscopy in real‐world clinical practice?
Authors: Tiankanon Kasenee , Aniwan Satimai
Published: July 2023

Colonoscopy is widely used as a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tool. The effectiveness of a screening colonoscopy is associated with a decreased risk of CRC. However, colonoscopy is an operator‐dependent procedure, and endoscopists' quality performance varies widely. This article reviewed the priority metrics and practices that contribute to high‐quality screening colonoscopy in real‐world clinical practice. With growing evidence, quality indicators have been subject to intense research and associated with reducing postcolonoscopy CRC incidence and mortality. Some quality metrics can reflect an endoscopy unit‐based practice (i.e. quality of bowel preparation and withdrawal time). Other quality indicators primarily reflect individuals' skill and knowledge (i.e. cecal intubation rate, adenoma detection rate, and appropriately assigned follow‐up colonoscopy interval). Measurement and improvement of priority quality indicators for colonoscopy should be made at both the endoscopist and unit levels. Substantial evidence supports the impact of high‐quality colonoscopy in reducing the incidence of postcolonoscopy CRC.
A personal life experience as a parent of children with TBC1D24‐related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
Authors: Chen Ya‐Ting
Published: July 2023

This commentary is on the original articles by Palacios‐Ceña et al. and Robertson et al. on pages 195–205 and 206–215 of this issue.

Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese translation of this Commentary is available in the online issue.
一位TBC1D24基因變異相關之發展及癲癇性腦症兒童照護者的個人生活經驗
Authors: 陳雅婷 中文撰稿 , 李秀芬 遲景上 中文潤稿
Published: July 2023

這評註是依據Robertson等作者群及Palacios‐Ceña等作者群們所發表的原著論文。查閱此篇論文，請瀏覧網址 https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.15695
Mean age and body mass index at type 2 diabetes diagnosis: Pooled analysis of 56 health surveys across income groups and world regions
Authors: Carrillo‐Larco Rodrigo M. , Guzman‐Vilca Wilmer Cristobal , Xu Xiaolin , Bernabe‐Ortiz Antonio
Published: July 2023

Background

Screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) targets people aged 35+ years and those with overweight/obesity. With mounting evidence on young‐onset T2DM and T2DM patients with lean phenotypes, it is worth revising the screening criteria to include younger and leaner adults. We quantified the mean age and body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) at T2DM diagnosis in 56 countries.

Methods

Descriptive cross‐sectional analysis of WHO STEPS surveys. We analysed adults (25–69 years) with new T2DM diagnosis (not necessarily T2DM onset) as per fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL measured during the survey. For people with new T2DM diagnosis, we summarized the mean age and the proportion of each five‐year age group; also, we summarized the mean BMI and the proportion of mutually exclusive BMI categories.

Results

There were 8695 new T2DM patients. Overall, the mean age at T2DM diagnosis was 45.1 years in men and 45.0 years in women; and the mean BMI at T2DM diagnosis was 25.2 in men and 26.9 in women. Overall, in men, 10.3% were 25–29 years and 8.5% were 30–34 years old; in women, 8.6% and 12.5% were 25–29 years and 30–34 years old, respectively. 48.5% of men and 37.3% of women were in the normal BMI category.

Conclusions

A non‐negligible proportion of new T2DM patients were younger than 35 years. Many new T2DM patients were in the normal weight range. Guidelines for T2DM screening may consider revising the age and BMI criteria to incorporate young and lean adults.
The association between diabetes and safe driving: A systematic search and review of the literature and cross‐reference with the current guidelines
Authors: Maxwell Hillary , Dubois Sacha , Cottrell‐Martin Elyse , Regalado Sophie M. , Stinchcombe Arne , Migay Marcia , Gibbons Carrie , Weaver Bruce , Bédard Michel
Published: July 2023

Aims

We conducted this review to characterize the quality of evidence about associations between diabetes and safe driving and to evaluate how these findings are reflected within current guidelines available to support clinicians and their patients with diabetes.

Methods

The first stage entailed a systematic search and review of the literature. Evidence surrounding harms associated with diabetes and driving was identified, screened, extracted and appraised for quality utilizing the Newcastle Ottawa Scales (NOS). Next, relevant guidelines regarding driving and diabetes were sourced and summarized. Finally, the identified guidelines were cross‐referenced with the results of the systematic search and review.

Results

The systematic search yielded 12,461 unique citations; 52 met the criteria for appraisal. Fourteen studies were rated as ‘high’, two as ‘medium’ and 36 as ‘low’. Studies with ratings of ‘high’ or ‘medium’ were extracted, revealing a body of inconsistent methods and findings. These results, cross‐referenced with the guidelines, suggest a lack of agreement and a limited evidence base to justify recommendations.

Conclusions

The results presented emphasize the need for a better understanding of the impacts of diabetes on safe driving to inform evidence‐based guidelines.
Can civil society organizations and faith‐based organizations in Fiji, Samoa, and Solomon Islands access climate finance?
Authors: Fidali Kristina , Toamua Ofusina , Aquillah Hemah , Lomaloma Sereima , Mauriasi Placida Riah , Nasiu Steve , Vunisea Aliti , Mangubhai Sangeeta
Published: July 2023

Motivation

Despite global rhetoric to increase climate finance to civil society organizations and faith‐based organizations (CSOs‐FBOs), little is known about how accessible climate funds are for these organizations in the Pacific Islands.

Purpose

We posed three broad questions: (1) what types of climate finance did CSOs and FBOs obtain? (2) what barriers did CSOs and FBOs face to obtain climate finance? and (3) what innovative approaches or solutions did CSOs and FBOs use to obtain climate finance?

Methods and approach

In 2022, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were held in Fiji, led by House of Sarah; in Samoa, led by the Samoa Women's Association of Growers; and in Solomon Islands, led by the Coalition of Youths for Environmental Sustainability. Most CSOs and FBOs had fewer than 10 employees, with many relying on volunteers.

Findings

CSOs and FBOs generally pursued funding aligned to their values, priorities, and needs. None of the organizations had obtained funds from the large multilaterals, such as Green Climate Funds and Adaptation Fund. Their funds were seen as poorly suited to local organizations. The main barriers to obtaining climate finance were: (1) poor dissemination of information on the availability and suitability of funding sources for CSOs and FBOs; (2) overly complex donor processes and requirements; (3) insufficient capacity to write grant proposals and to manage funds; (4) poor recognition by donors of the role of CSOs and FBOs in development; and (5) difficult relationships with national governments and donors marked by differences in power. To overcome some barriers, some CSOs and FBOs partnered with regional or global organizations with the capacity to absorb the administrative burden of writing proposals and managing grants. In other cases, CSOs and FBOs made use of professionals with experience of donors who volunteered their time to craft or edit proposals.

Policy implications

Donors can create or inhibit equitable access to climate funding. If donors are genuinely committed to helping CSOs‐FBOs obtain climate finance, they should reduce the complexity of grant‐making and tailor it to local contexts and priorities. They should also work through regional or national intermediaries to reach grassroots organizations.
The impact of rising EU Allowance prices on core inflation in the Eurozone
Authors: Nishigaki Hideki
Published: July 2023

This article examines the impact of EU Allowance (EUA) prices on core inflation in the Eurozone between 2005 and 2022. The empirical results suggest that a positive shock to the EUA price led to higher long‐run inflation expectations and core inflation. This implies that the rise in EUA prices can be passed on to consumers and enterprises, leading to an increase in production costs and consumer prices. And, while a positive shock to EUA prices may promote investment in renewable energy in the short term, the impact is not statistically significant and does not last long. The results suggest considerable potential for European policymakers to re‐examine policy mechanisms to accelerate renewable energy investment and maintain price stability in the medium term.
Genotype–phenotype relations for episodic ataxia genes: MDSGene systematic review
Authors: Olszewska Diana Angelika , Shetty Aakash , Rajalingam Rajasumi , Rodriguez‐Antiguedad Jon , Hamed Moath , Huang Jana , Breza Marianthi , Rasheed Ashar , Bahr Natascha , Madoev Harutyan , Westenberger Ana , Trinh Joanne , Lohmann Katja , Klein Christine , Marras Connie , Waln Olga
Published: July 2023

Background

Most episodic ataxias (EA) are autosomal dominantly inherited and characterized by recurrent attacks of ataxia and other paroxysmal and non‐paroxysmal features. EA is often caused by pathogenic variants in the CACNA1A, KCNA1, PDHA1, and SLC1A3 genes, listed as paroxysmal movement disorders (PxMD) by the MDS Task Force on the Nomenclature of Genetic Movement Disorders. Little is known about the genotype–phenotype correlation of the different genetic EA forms.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of the literature to identify individuals affected by an episodic movement disorder harboring pathogenic variants in one of the four genes. We applied the standardized MDSGene literature search and data extraction protocol to summarize the clinical and genetic features. All data are available via the MDSGene protocol and platform on the MDSGene website (https://www.mdsgene.org/).

Results

Information on 717 patients (CACNA1A: 491, KCNA1: 125, PDHA1: 90, and SLC1A3: 11) carrying 287 different pathogenic variants from 229 papers was identified and summarized. We show the profound phenotypic variability and overlap leading to the absence of frank genotype–phenotype correlation aside from a few key ‘red flags’.

Conclusion

Given this overlap, a broad approach to genetic testing using a panel or whole exome or genome approach is most practical in most circumstances.
Quantification of muscle involvement in familial amyloid polyneuropathy using MRI
Authors: Durelle Clémence , Delmont Emilien , Michel Constance , Trabelsi Amira , Hostin Marc‐Adrien , Ogier Augustin , Bendahan David , Attarian Shahram
Published: July 2023

Background and purpose

Transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR‐FAP) is a rare genetic disease with autosomal‐dominant inheritance. In this study, we aimed to quantify fatty infiltration (fat fraction [FF]) and magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) in individual muscles of patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic TTR‐FAP using magnetic resonance imaging. Secondarily, we aimed to assess correlations with clinical and electrophysiological variables.

Methods

A total of 39 patients with a confirmed mutation in the TTR gene (25 symptomatic and 14 asymptomatic) and 14 healthy volunteers were included. A total of 16 muscles were manually delineated in the nondominant lower limb from T1‐weighted anatomical images. The corresponding masks were propagated on the MTR and FF maps. Detailed neurological and electrophysiological examinations were conducted in each group.

Results

The MTR was decreased (42.6 AU; p = 0.001) and FF was elevated (14%; p = 0.003) in the lower limbs of the symptomatic group, with preferential posterior and lateral involvement. In the asymptomatic group, elevated FF was quantified in the gastrocnemius lateralis muscle (11%; p = 0.021). FF was significantly correlated with disease duration (r = 0.49, p = 0.015), neuropathy impairment score for the lower limb (r = 0.42, p = 0.041), Overall Neuropathy Limitations Scale score (r = 0.49, p = 0.013), polyneuropathy disability score (r = 0.57, p = 0.03) and the sum of compound muscle action potential (r = 0.52, p = 0.009). MTR was strongly correlated to FF (r = 0.78, p < 0.0001), and a few muscles with an FF within the normal range had a reduced MTR.

Conclusion

These observations suggest that FF and MTR could be interesting biomarkers in TTR‐FAP. In asymptomatic patients, FF in the gastrocnemius lateralis muscle could be a good indicator of the transition from an asymptomatic to a symptomatic form of the disease. MTR could be an early biomarker of muscle alterations.