bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ProteinGym: Large-Scale Benchmarks for Protein Design and Fitness Prediction
Authors: Notin Pascal , Kollasch Aaron W. , Ritter Daniel , van Niekerk Lood , Paul Steffanie , Spinner Hansen , Rollins Nathan , Shaw Ada , Weitzman Ruben , Frazer Jonathan , Dias Mafalda , Franceschi Dinko , Orenbuch Rose , Gal Yarin , Marks Debora S.
Published: December 2023

Predicting the effects of mutations in proteins is critical to many applications, from understanding genetic disease to designing novel proteins that can address our most pressing challenges in climate, agriculture and healthcare. Despite a surge in machine learning-based protein models to tackle these questions, an assessment of their respective benefits is challenging due to the use of distinct, often contrived, experimental datasets, and the variable performance of models across different protein families. Addressing these challenges requires scale. To that end we introduce ProteinGym, a large-scale and holistic set of benchmarks specifically designed for protein fitness prediction and design. It encompasses both a broad collection of over 250 standardized deep mutational scanning assays, spanning millions of mutated sequences, as well as curated clinical datasets providing high-quality expert annotations about mutation effects. We devise a robust evaluation framework that combines metrics for both fitness prediction and design, factors in known limitations of the underlying experimental methods, and covers both zero-shot and supervised settings. We report the performance of a diverse set of over 70 high-performing models from various subfields (eg., alignment-based, inverse folding) into a unified benchmark suite. We open source the corresponding codebase, datasets, MSAs, structures, model predictions and develop a user-friendly website that facilitates data access and analysis.
“My expectation did not meet reality”: challenges of undergraduate students in English-medium instruction in Kazakhstan
Authors: Amanzhol Nazerke , Amanova Aray , Kerimbekova Bayan , Zholmakhanova Akerke , Sarmurzin Yerbol
Published: December 2023

Purpose

As a result of the ongoing globalization and commercialization of higher education, English is increasingly being used as the language of instruction in universities across the globe. Despite the growing popularity of English-medium instruction (EMI) for academic subject instruction in Kazakhstan, there is limited research on regional university undergraduate students' attitudes towards learning EMI. This article explores a case study of a chemistry undergraduate program in Kazakhstan, where EMI is used. This study seeks to identify beliefs related to EMI, student attitudes and the challenges faced when studying science in English.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data were collected using open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with individuals selected using purposive sampling, which were then triangulated using classroom observations. The study employed a thematic analysis methodology to examine the gathered data, which included transcripts from interviews, audio logs from classroom observations and survey responses.

Findings

Following an in-depth look at the main themes, there were a variety of codes that made more sense when arranged in one of the four primary groups. These categories primarily focused on the possible obstacles that may be encountered when adopting EMI in Kazakhstan's higher education institutions. They are as follows: linguistic, managerial, cultural and emotional.

Originality/value

The results of this study will contribute to the development of improved EMI policies and practices that are more comprehensive, equitable and efficient.
Traversing family, growth and succession management challenges at Ruby Art Press
Authors: Dam Leena B.
Published: December 2023

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the case study, students are expected to identify the characteristics that differentiate a family business from other businesses, understand the life cycles of family businesses and evaluate the significance of succession planning and leadership development in a family business.

Case overview/synopsis

In May 2023, when the sultry afternoon had settled down, Bijan Dam, a first-generation entrepreneur and a septuagenarian, was in a pensive mood. Introspecting life events, he ruminated that if he could rewind the tape of life, go back in space and time, would things be different. “I wish life gave me a second chance,” he lamented! Perhaps he could have planned better. Since founding the printing business in 1985, Ruby Art Press had scaled up significantly from letter press to full-fledged computer printing technology unit. The press had made inroads in job orders, government contracts and screen printing. Its client base was large. It also attracted repeat clients from adjoining states. With a successful business history of three and half decades, he had assumed the business would thrive perpetually. Today the business he had built, sustained and raised was practically gone. Why had he not anticipated the future potential of the business? Why had he not dwelled upon the successful business progression? Regardless of impeccable client service and personalized vendor management, what were the missing cues in the business? Deep agony and heavy burden of remorse were mentally excruciating. This had pestering effect on his health condition. Given these challenges, how could Dam ensure business continuity?

Complexity academic level

This case can be used in entrepreneurship, family business management and human management courses. The dilemma can be explained as part of the courses for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Business sustainability during crisis time in the emerging market: the case of Gunung Raja Paksi, Indonesia
Authors: Mousa Saeed
Published: December 2023

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this study, students will be able to define, explain and describe sustainability and its application in the business context; learn and demonstrate their understanding of current practices, processes and operations in companies that are aligned to business sustainability by identifying such in the case study to enable them to provide relevant examples; discuss and describe sustainable operations and practices across different industries; identify sustainable themes in manufacturing sectors and other related industries; and identify sustainable strategies for production and manufacturing processes.

Case overview/synopsis

This case study focused on Gunung Raja Paksi (GRP), a steel manufacturing company in Indonesia, with a portfolio in steel trading, cement plants and carbon markets. The case study covered the COVID-19 crisis period, especially the year 2020, which disrupted the normal operations of businesses and subjected the community to economic challenges. The emergence of GRP’s prominence in sustainable business attributed to the initiatives advanced by Kimin Tanoto, the chief executive officer (CEO) and chairperson of the Indonesia Iron and Steel Association (IISIA). Kimin Tanoto assumed leadership of GRP, a family-owned business, in 2018, despite being the second son. At the time of Kimin’s induction into the board of commissioners, two main challenges – the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the supply chains, and the company culture that resisted sustainable business approaches – acted as detriments to profit-making. Sustainable efforts, however, contributed to noticeable success during and after the COVID-19 crisis.

Complexity academic level

The case is suitable for instructions in undergraduate courses in Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Sustainable Resources, Engineering and Management, Bachelor in Sustainable Environmental Management, Bachelor of Culture and Arts in Smart and Sustainable Design, Bachelor in Sustainable Solutions and Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Sustainable Use of Natural Resources, and other instructions on sustainable practices.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Reverse milk run – the logistics retrenchment strategy
Authors: Sarkar Bishal Dey , Joshi Prasad Vasant , Shah Nisarg
Published: December 2023

Learning outcomes

After completion of the case study, students will be able to understand the concept of clustering and identify clusters for improving capacity utilization, analyse transport routes to optimize logistics resources, analyse the impact of a full truckload on resource optimization, evaluate unused capacity and ascertain the impact of reverse milk run to reduce the same and apply clustering and reverse milk run to optimize the logistics resources.

Case overview/synopsis

The case study is about a freight forwarding company that offered end-to-end logistics solutions for the exporters based in India. Within a short time span, the company became one of the sought-after service providers for its clients. However, when the company planned to expand its business by expanding its client base, the efficiencies reduced and hurt the profitability of the company. It was all excellent with the limited number of clients, but as the number of distantly located clients surged, the operating costs increased. Trucks were running with partial loads, thus reducing efficiency. The rate of increase in cost surpassed the rate of revenue every time. The cost per mile of transportation was on the rise. The surging fuel prices were adding to the heat. In spite of being one of the first choices for clients, the company could not generate good profit margins. If they chose to increase prices, the company would have lost customers to the cheaper unorganized players in the market. It was time to choose between growth and survival. The company could not sustain itself without devising a mechanism to reduce costs. The company would not have sustained itself without devising a mechanism to reduce costs. To sustain in the business, the company had to device a mechanism to reduce costs. Whether to continue operating the conventional way or to transform? Was there a logistics strategy that would have improved transportation efficiency and reduced the costs for the company?

Complexity academic level

The case study is suitable for teaching post-graduate management courses in operations and logistics, supply chain management and supply chain analytics, as well as entrepreneurship-related courses.

Supplementary material

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CCS 9: Operations and logistics.
Exports or public procurement to resist in the post-pandemic world? How e-commerce appeases this food and beverage SMEs ambidextrous dilemma
Authors: Ballerini Jacopo , Giordino Daniele , Smrčka Luboš , Culasso Francesca
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Food and beverage (F&B) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must diversify their markets and obtain predictable sources of revenues to withstand difficult and volatile periods such as the post-pandemic geopolitical scenario, recently burdened by the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. On the other hand, another strand of the literature suggests that public procurement could be considered a great source of income, enabling solid contracts, revenues and cash-flow stability. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the role of public procurement, the adoption of e-commerce platforms and their interactions in affecting the exporting performances of SMEs operating in the F&B sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The study retrieves data from 2,186 Italian F&B manufacturing SMEs relying on Margò by Cribis database. Therefore, it conducts a structured equational model (SEM) to test the developed hypotheses empirically.

Findings

The findings reveal that digital selling platforms positively affect exports, whereas public procurement negatively affects F&B SMEs exports. Nonetheless, findings underline that the interaction between public procurement and the adoption of digital selling platforms dampens public procurement's negative effects on exports.

Originality/value

This study brings an original contribution to the F&B literature by conducting empirical research on an extensive sample of firms from one of the most influential countries in the F&B vertical, Italy, with officially registered data. More importantly, to the best of the authors' knowledge, this study pioneers the investigation of the relationship between public procurement and e-commerce platforms in affecting F&B SMEs' export performances.
Green inclusive leadership and green creativity in the manufacturing industry: do green human capital and employee voice matter?
Authors: Asghar Muhammad , Ullah Irfan , Bangash Ali Hussain
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Organisations encourage green creativity among their employees to mitigate pollution and achieve sustainable growth. Green inclusive leadership practices have a key role in influencing employees’ green attitudes and environmental efficiency. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate how green inclusive leadership influences employees’ green creativity. It also aims to analyse the intermediating mechanism of green human capital and employee voice between the relationship of green inclusive leadership and green creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected through an in-person administered questionnaire-based survey from 312 employees of the manufacturing industry of Pakistan. SPSS PROCESS macro was used for hypothesis testing in the present study.

Findings

The findings depict that the perception of green inclusive leadership positively influences employees’ green creativity. Moreover, the findings demonstrate that green human capital and employee voice play substantial intervening roles among the associations investigated.

Originality/value

This research study is novel because it is one of the scarce research studies to examine green inclusive leadership and employees’ green creativity with the underlying mechanism of green human capital and employee voice in an eastern context.
Heterogeneous effects of national health insurance scheme on healthcare utilisation: evidence from Ghana
Authors: Sekyi Samuel , Nhamo Senia , Mudimu Edinah
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) on healthcare utilisation by exploring its heterogeneous effects based on residential status and wealth.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the Ghana Socioeconomic Panel Survey (GSPS) datasets. An instrumental variable strategy, specifically the two-stage residual inclusion (2SRI), was employed to control endogenous NHIS membership.

Findings

Generally, the results show that NHIS improves healthcare utilisation (i.e. visits to a health facility and formal care). Concerning the heterogeneous effects of health insurance on healthcare utilisation, the results revealed that NHIS members are more likely to seek care, irrespective of their residence status. The results further indicate that the probability of visiting a health facility and utilising formal care increases for the poorest NHIS participants. Based on these, the authors conclude that NHIS provides equitable healthcare access and utilisation for its vulnerable populations, who are beneficiaries.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper is the first to explore the heterogeneous effects of NHIS on healthcare utilisation across residential and income subpopulations. Splitting the dataset by residential status to examine healthcare utilisation inequality is worthwhile. In addition, analysing utilisation in terms of health care type would show whether Ghana's NHIS may be viewed as welfare-enhancing through increased formal health care utilisation.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-05-2023-0330
Healthcare professionals' voice as a road to burnout and work engagement? The role of relational outcomes: An exploratory study of European countries
Authors: Pinho Micaela , Ferreira Pedro , Gomes Sofia
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Healthcare professionals are key in healthcare organisations but are subject to long working hours and may have to make complex life-and-death decisions. As frontline agents dealing with human lives, giving them a voice is paramount. This study explores the impact of employee voice (assessed based on employee perceptions on how much they are consulted and how much influence they have on task-related decisions) on health professionals' work engagement and burnout when mediated by relational outcomes (perceived organisational support, workplace trust, workplace recognition and meaningful work).

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 3,266 health professionals retrieved from the European Working Condition Survey was used. The quantitative analysis was performed using the partial least square structural equation modelling and multiple regression analyses.

Findings

The results indicate that employee voice has a direct positive impact on work engagement, but employee voice's direct effects on burnout still need to be confirmed. Relational outcomes are found to mediate the relationship between employee voice and burnout (decreasing it) and between employee voice and work engagement (increasing it).

Practical implications

Practices of employee voice in the workplace are fundamental to promoting health professionals' well-being. Trust, recognition, support and the feeling of doing meaningful work increase the influence of employee voice, especially in reducing the levels of burnout.

Originality/value

This is the first study that assesses, at a European level, the importance that ‘giving health professionals a voice' has on crucial employee outcomes: work engagement, burnout and relational outcomes.
A review of GASB No. 34
Authors: Njoroge Joyce , Solsma Lori , Hu Kent
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper documents the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 34 literature, primarily in the areas of (1) accountability and improved reporting, (2) government-wide financial statements and accrual accounting and (3) infrastructure asset capitalization and the modified approach. The paper also evaluates the state of the research, recognizes implications for practice and standard setting, identifies knowledge gaps and proposes avenues for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors identified the articles in this narrative review by searching Google Scholar and EBSCO for the years 2000 through 2023, using the keywords GASB 34, government-wide financial statements, government fund statements, infrastructure assets and modified approach.

Findings

This review finds that GASB 34 requirements improved accountability and reporting, but GASB can still make improvements. The addition of the MD&A section requirement improved readability but placed a burden on preparers. Analysis of government-wide statement research indicates that the accrual-based Statement of Net Assets provides value in credit decisions, while the accrual-based Statement of Activities does not. The research on infrastructure accounting requirements shows limited adoption of the modified approach and some comparability issues with choices involving capitalization thresholds, baselines and asset management systems (AMSs). Based on this review, the authors also present suggestions to further this line of research.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first article that reviews over 20 years of GASB 34 related literature. The review and suggestions for future research are timely as GASB is in the process of reexamining some of GASB 34's requirements.
Improving donation service design: expanding choice to increase perceived justice and satisfaction
Authors: North Nea , Pechmann Cornelia (Connie)
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Circumstances such as pandemics can cause individuals to fall into a state of need, so they turn to donation services for assistance. However, donation services can be designed based on supply-side considerations, e.g. efficiency or inventory control, which restrict consumer choice without necessarily considering how consumer vulnerabilities like low financial or interpersonal power might cause them to react to such restrictions. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine service designs that limit the choices consumers are given in terms of either the allowable quantity or assortment variety and examine effects on consumer perceptions of justice and satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Three experiments are reported, including one manipulating the service design of an actual food pantry.

Findings

When consumers have low financial or interpersonal power, meaning their initial state of control is low, and they encounter a donation service that provides limited (vs. expanded) choice that drops control even lower, they perceive the situation as unjust and report lower satisfaction.

Practical implications

Donation service providers should strive to design services that allow for expanded consumer choice and use interpersonal processes that empower beneficiaries so they perceive the service experience as just and satisfying. Collecting feedback from beneficiaries is also recommended.

Originality/value

While researchers have started to look at the service experiences of vulnerable populations, they have focused primarily on financial service designs. The authors look at donation service designs and identify problems with supply-side limits to choice quantity and assortment.
The impact of interspecific competition on the genomic evolution of Phaeobacter inhibens and Pseudoalteromonas tunicata during biofilm growth
Authors: Song Weizhi , Zhang Shan , Majzoub Marwan E. , Egan Suhelen , Kjelleberg Staffan , Thomas Torsten
Published: December 2023

Interspecific interactions in biofilms have been shown to cause the emergence of community‐level properties. To understand the impact of interspecific competition on evolution, we deep‐sequenced the dispersal population of mono‐ and co‐culture biofilms of two antagonistic marine bacteria (Phaeobacter inhibens 2.10 and Pseudoalteromononas tunicata D2). Enhanced phenotypic and genomic diversification was observed in the P. tunicata D2 populations under both mono‐ and co‐culture biofilms in comparison to P. inhibens 2.10. The genetic variation was exclusively due to single nucleotide variants and small deletions, and showed high variability between replicates, indicating their random emergence. Interspecific competition exerted an apparent strong positive selection on a subset of P. inhibens 2.10 genes (e.g., luxR, cobC, argH, and sinR) that could facilitate competition, while the P. tunicata D2 population was genetically constrained under competition conditions. In the absence of interspecific competition, the P. tunicata D2 replicate populations displayed high levels of mutations affecting the same genes involved in cell motility and biofilm formation. Our results show that interspecific biofilm competition has a complex impact on genomic diversification, which likely depends on the nature of the competing strains and their ability to generate genetic variants due to their genomic constraints.
To what extent are early alliance perceptions a function of romantic partners' initial expectations for couple therapy?
Authors: Orlowski Edmund W. , Friedlander Myrna L. , Anderson Shayne R. , Johnson Lee N.
Published: December 2023

In this study, we investigated the association between clients' initial outcome expectations and their subsequent perceptions of the expanded therapeutic alliance. Romantic partners (N = 252) who received at least four sessions of systemic couple therapy from thirty‐one therapists from the Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Research Network (Johnson et al., 2017;www.mft‐prn.net) completed an outcome expectation measure before session 1 and a therapeutic alliance measure before session 4. Results showed a strong association between expectations and alliance (r = 0.51). While fourteen per cent of the variability in session 4 alliance scores was uniquely attributable to therapists, 31.6 per cent of the variability in the expectations/alliance association was uniquely attributable to couples, with only 6.1 per cent uniquely attributable to individual clients. Taken together, these results suggest that, while some therapists are better at developing strong alliances, couple and client factors associated with expectations for therapy set the stage for how the expanded alliance develops.
A Bamboo Curtain: The Grim Australian Consequences of China Conflict
Authors: Tyers Rod , Zhou Yixiao
Published: December 2023

The Australian economy has benefited from several decades of extraordinary Chinese expansion. Slowing growth has diminished these gains and geopolitics between China and western democracies has seen restricted commerce between China and Australia. We use a global economic model to assess the consequences were these tensions to restrict all associated commerce, yielding an Australian real GDP contraction of 6 per cent. A ‘bamboo curtain’, restricting all commerce between western democracies and all other regions, would see massive global losses, with Australia's economic welfare impaired most, while some short‐run relief could stem from small‐country monetary ‘free riding’.
Claiming or abdicating medical authority: Treatment recommendation actions, doctor‐patient relationship, and antibiotic overprescription in Chinese paediatrics
Authors: Wang Nan Christine
Published: December 2023

Antibiotic overprescription in China has long been considered a problem on the supply side, linked to the financial incentives of physicians. Based on the conversation analysis of 187 video‐recorded naturally occurring medical consultations in Chinese paediatric primary care settings, this study finds that the driving force behind the problem of antibiotic overprescription in China has changed. Physicians use a low‐authority communication style to recommend treatment, displaying a low level of medical authority and a willingness to accommodate caregivers’ preferences in antibiotic prescribing decisions. The problem is now attributed to physician–caregiver interaction, doctor–patient relationship and the antibiotic‐saturated prescribing culture. Practice implications involve deepening the understanding of the evolving nature of the antibiotic overprescription problem in China, building trust between physicians and patients/caregivers in order to facilitate the physicians’ role as the gatekeeper of antibiotics and providing training programmes to help physicians develop effective communication skills.
Factors associated with mental illness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis initiating b/ts DMARDs: A population‐based study
Authors: Chen Hsin‐Hua , Wu Peng‐Yen , Lin Ching‐Heng , Wu Chieh‐Liang , Chao Wen‐Cheng
Published: December 2023

Aim

Mental health is an essential issue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but remains unclear among those receiving biological and targeted synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs). We aim to assess the incidence and factors associated with mental illness among patients with RA who underwent b/tsDMARD therapy.

Method

We used Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database for the period 2001–2020 to identify patients with RA receiving b/tsDMARDs. The primary outcome was newly developed mental illness, including anxiety and mood disorders. We performed a Cox regression analysis to determine factors associated with mental illness and presented as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

We enrolled 10 852 patients, with 7854 patients receiving tumor necrosis factors inhibitors (TNFi), 1693 patients receiving non‐TNFi bDMARDs, and 1305 patients treated with tsDMARD. We found that 13.62% of enrolled patients developed mental illness, with an incidence rate of 4054 per 100 000 person‐year. Those receiving tocilizumab (aHR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.51–0.82), abatacept (aHR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.55–0.86), or tsDMARDs (aHR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.47–0.73) had a lower risk of mental illness compared with those receiving TNFi. We also found that old age, low income, diabetes mellitus, use of cyclosporine, and use of steroids were associated with incident mental illness.

Conclusion

This population‐based study investigated the incidence and factors associated with mental illness among patients with RA receiving b/tsDMARDs. Our findings highlight the need for vigilance with respect to the possibility of mental illness in patients with RA.
The impact of targeted nursing intervention on postoperative medication adherence, quality of life, and psychological flexibility of thyroid cancer patients
Authors: Xu Xiaohong , Zhou Li , Qiu Wen , Su Yifang
Published: December 2023

Objective

To explore the effect of targeted nursing intervention on postoperative medication adherence, quality of life, and psychological flexibility of patients with thyroid cancer (TC).

Methods

A total of 330 patients were randomly divided into a Control group and an Intervention group (cases in the Intervention group were given targeted nursing interventions and cases in the Control group were given routine health education), with 165 cases in each group. In the Intervention group, targeted dietary and psychological nursing interventions were conducted on TC patients, and the effects of targeted nursing interventions on the quality of life, medication adherence, and psychological flexibility were compared through the SF‐36 Short Form Health Survey, Morisky Medication Adherence Scale and Psychological Resilience Scale with the Control group. Univariate analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis were performed to analyze the influencing factors of psychological flexibility in patients after nursing intervention.

Results

The Intervention group patients, after nursing intervention, in terms of life quality, scores of social function, physical function, and mental function were all higher than those of the Control group. Note that, 160 patients in the Intervention group (96.97%) had better treatment scores, which was significantly higher than that in the Control group (84.24%). The scores of mental resilience in the Intervention group reached 67.82 ± 13.85, and the two items of resilience, control, and optimism were significantly improved compared with the Control group (p < 0.05). Factors that had greater impacts on the psychological flexibility of TC patients were: age, education, per capita monthly income, and family residence.

Conclusion

Targeted nursing intervention had positive promoting effects on postoperative medication adherence, quality of life, and psychological flexibility of TC patients.
The association of body composition on chemotherapy toxicities in non‐metastatic colorectal cancer patients: a systematic review
Authors: Choi Cheuk Shan , Kin Kamol , Cao Ke , Hutcheon Evelyn , Lee Margaret , Chan Steven T. F. , Arafat Yasser , Baird Paul N. , Yeung Justin M. C.
Published: December 2023

Background

In recent years, certain body composition measures, assessed by computed tomography (CT), have been found to be associated with chemotherapy toxicities. This review aims to explore available data on the relationship between skeletal muscle and adiposity, including visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), intramuscular and intermuscular adipose tissue and their association with chemotherapy toxicity in non‐metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

Methods

A systematic literature search following PRISMA guidelines was conducted in Medline, Embase, Cochrane and Web of Science, for papers published between 2011 and 2023. The search strategy combined keywords and MESH terms relevant to ‘body composition’, ‘chemotherapy toxicities’, and ‘non‐metastatic colorectal cancer’.

Results

Out of 3868 studies identified, six retrospective studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria with 1024 eligible patients. Low skeletal muscle mass was strongly associated with increased incidence of both chemotherapy toxicities and dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT). The association of VAT, intramuscular and intermuscular adiposity was heterogeneous and inconclusive. There was no association between SAT and chemotherapy intolerance. No universal definitions or cut‐offs for sarcopenia and obesity were noted. All studies utilized 2‐dimensional (2D) CT slices for CT body composition assessment with varied selection on the vertebral landmark and inconsistent reporting of tissue‐defining Hounsfield unit (HU) measurements.

Conclusion

Low skeletal muscle is associated with chemotherapy toxicities in non‐metastatic CRC. However, quality evidence on the role of adiposity is limited and heterogeneous. More studies are needed to confirm these associations with an emphasis on a more coherent body composition definition and an approach to its assessment, especially regarding sarcopenia.
The impact of social robots' presence and roles on children's performance in musical instrument practice
Authors: Song Heqiu , Barakova Emilia I. , Ham Jaap , Markopoulos Panos
Published: December 2023

Research on the educational applications of social robots has shown how they can motivate children and help improve academic learning outcomes. Here, we examine how robots can support skill learning and, more specifically, musical instrument practice. Drawing from social facilitation theory and evaluation apprehension theory we expected that the robot's mere presence would impact children's performance and that this effect would be contingent upon the children expecting the robot to evaluate their performance. We report an experiment with children (N = 31) aged nine to twelve who practiced a familiar and new piece alone, in the presence of an evaluative robot, and in the presence of a non‐evaluative robot. We found that children performed better in terms of rhythm, pitch, and general impression in the presence of the non‐evaluative robot. These findings offer important insights for designing robot tutors for music learning.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Social robots have been applied in different educational scenarios (e.g., second language, math, and programming) and were proven to be beneficial for children's motivation.

Musical instrument learning requires practice, perseverance, and social support to become successful.

Social robots can be used as a provider of social support during musical instrument practice.

Children tend to perform better on easy or well‐rehearsed tasks and worse on complex tasks or new ones with the presence of observers, but only when they believe the observer can evaluate them.

What this paper adds

Social robots are beneficial for children's performance in musical instrument learning.

Limited evidence was found to prove that children tend to perform better on old melodies and worse on new melodies in the presence of a social robot. However, the results confirmed that the level of evaluative of the robot matters.

Children tend to have better performance with the robot that did not provide evaluative comments when practicing a new melody (a difficult task) than alone and with the robot that offered evaluative comments.

This study confirmed that social robots can provide support to children in practicing music, helping to improve their performance.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Social facilitation and evaluation apprehension effects need to be taken into consideration during the behaviour design of companion robots in learning scenarios.

Robots, which were intended to motivate children in learning, should be designed to not provide evaluative comments.
Multiple social identities and well‐being: Insights from a person‐centred approach
Authors: Manzi Claudia , Paderi Fabio , Benet‐Martinez Veronica
Published: December 2023

Recent research on social identity and identity integration suggests that individuals who have multiple identities and who also successfully integrate them are better adjusted. We combine predictions from these studies and examine how social identification, together with identity integration, are related to psychological well‐being using a person‐centred approach. A first study (N = 2705) showed that the identity configuration characterized by high levels of identification with organization and gender, as well as the perception that these identities are well integrated, is associated with the highest level of well‐being. Conversely, the identity configuration characterized by low scores on gender and organization identifications and low levels of identity integration was associated with the lowest levels of well‐being. These findings were replicated in a second study (N = 8987) where organization and age‐group identification were analysed. We discuss the implications of these findings for the literatures on multiple social identities, identity integration and organizational climate.
Saline‐assisted fascial exposure (SAFE) technique to improve nerve‐sparing in robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Pedraza Adriana M. , Gupta Raghav , Joshi Himanshu , Parekh Sneha , Schlussel Kacie , Berryhill Roy , Kaufmann Basil , Wagaskar Vinayak , Gorin Michael A. , Menon Mani , Tewari Ashutosh K.
Published: December 2023

Objective

To provide a summary of our initial experience and assess the impact of the Saline‐Assisted Fascial Exposure (SAFE) technique on erectile function (EF), urinary continence, and oncological outcomes after Robot‐Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALP).

Patients and Methods

From January 2021 to July 2022, we included patients with a baseline Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) score of ≥17 and a high probability of extracapsular extension (ECE), ranging from 21% to 73%, as per the Martini et al. nomogram. A propensity score matching was carried out at a ratio of 1:2 between patients who underwent RALP + SAFE (33) and RALP alone (66). The descriptive statistical analysis is presented. The SAFE technique was performed using two approaches, transrectal guided by micro‐ultrasound or transperitoneal. Its principle entails a low‐pressure injection of saline solution in the periprostatic fascia to achieve an atraumatic dissection of the neural hammock. Potency was defined as a SHIM score of ≥17 and continence as no pads per day.

Results

At follow‐up intervals of 6, 13, 26, and 52 weeks, the SHIM score differed significantly between the two groups, favouring the RALP + SAFE (P = 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.01, respectively). These results remained significant when the mean SHIM score was assessed. As shown by the cumulative incidence curve, EF rates were higher in the RALP + SAFE compared to the RALP alone group (log‐rank P < 0.001). The baseline SHIM and use of the SAFE technique were independent predictors of EF recovery.

Conclusions

The use of the SAFE technique led to better SHIM scores at 6, 13, 26, and 52 weeks after RALP in patients at high risk of ECE who underwent a partial NS procedure.
Added value of randomised biopsy to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging‐targeted biopsy of the prostate in a contemporary cohort
Authors: Chaloupka Michael , Pyrgidis Nikolaos , Ebner Benedikt , Volz Yannic , Pfitzinger Paulo L. , Berg Elena , Enzinger Benazir , Atzler Michael , Ivanova Troya , Clevert Dirk‐André , Buchner Alexander , Stief Christian G. , Apfelbeck Maria
Published: December 2023

Objective

To assess the added value of concurrent systematic randomised ultrasonography‐guided biopsy (SBx) to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)‐targeted biopsy and the additional rate of overdiagnosis of clinically insignificant prostate cancer (ciPCa) by SBx in a large contemporary, real‐world cohort.

Patients and Methods

A total of 1552 patients with positive mpMRI and consecutive mpMRI‐targeted biopsy and SBx were enrolled. Added value and the rate of overdiagnosis by SBx was evaluated. Primary outcome: added value of SBx, defined as detection rate of clinically significant PCa (csPCa; International Society of Urological Pathology [ISUP] Grade ≥2) by SBx, while mpMRI‐targeted biopsy was negative or showed ciPCa (ISUP Grade 1). Secondary outcome: rate of overdiagnosis by SBx, defined as detection of ciPCa in patients with negative mpMRI‐targeted biopsy and PSA level of <10 ng/mL.

Results

Detection rate of csPCa by mpMRI‐targeted biopsy and/or SBx was 753/1552 (49%). Added value of SBx was 145/944 (15%). Rate of overdiagnosis by SBx was 146/656 (22%). Added value of SBx did not change when comparing patients with previous prostate biopsy and biopsy naïve patients. In multivariable analysis, a Prostate Imaging‐Reporting and Data System (PI‐RADS) 4 index lesion (odds ratio [OR] 3.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.66–6.78; P = 0.001), a PI‐RADS 5 index lesion (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.39–6.46; P = 0.006) and age (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03–1.08; P < 0.001) were independently associated with added value of SBx.

Conclusions

In our real‐world analysis, we saw a significant impact on added value and added rate of overdiagnosis by SBx. Subgroup analysis showed no significant decrease of added value in any evaluated risk group. Therefore, we do not endorse omitting concurrent SBx to mpMRI‐guided biopsy of the prostate.
Human cytomegalovirus‐related gastrointestinal disease after kidney transplantation: A systematic review
Authors: Zais Ilaria Elena , Sirotti Alessandro , Iesari Samuele , Campioli Edoardo , Costantino Andrea , Delbue Serena , Collini Andrea , Guarneri Andrea , Ambrogi Federico , Cacciola Roberto , Ferraresso Mariano , Favi Evaldo
Published: December 2023

Background

Human‐cytomegalovirus (hCMV) infection involving the gastrointestinal tract represents a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among kidney transplant (KT) recipients (KTRs). Signs and symptoms of the disease are extremely variable. Prompt anti‐viral therapy administration and immunosuppression modification are key factors for optimizing management. However, complex work‐up strategies are generally required to confirm the preliminary diagnosis. Unfortunately, solid evidence and guidelines on this specific topic are not available.

We consequently aimed to summarize current knowledge on post‐KT hCMV‐related gastrointestinal disease (hCMV‐GID).

Methods

We conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023399363) about hCMV‐GID in KTRs.

Results

Our systematic review includes 52 case‐reports and ten case‐series, published between 1985 and 2022, collectively reporting 311 cases. The most frequently reported signs and symptoms of hCMV‐GID were abdominal pain, diarrhea, epigastric pain, vomiting, fever, and GI bleeding. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy were the primary diagnostic techniques. In most cases, the preliminary diagnosis was confirmed by histology. Information on anti‐viral prophylaxis were extremely limited as much as data on induction or maintenance immunosuppression. Treatment included ganciclovir and/or valganciclovir administration. Immunosuppression modification mainly consisted of mycophenolate mofetil or calcineurin inhibitor minimization and withdrawal. In total, 21 deaths were recorded. Renal allograft‐related outcomes were described for 26 patients only. Specifically, reported events were acute kidney injury (n = 17), transplant failure (n = 5), allograft rejection (n = 4), and irreversible allograft dysfunction (n = 3).

Conclusions

The development of local and national registries is strongly recommended to improve our understanding of hCMV‐GID. Future clinical guidelines should consider the implementation of dedicated diagnostic and treatment strategies.
Blood salvage and autotransfusion during orthotopic liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hinojosa‐Gonzalez David E. , Salgado‐Garza Gustavo , Tellez‐Garcia Eduardo , Escarcega‐Bordagaray Jaime A. , Bueno‐Gutierrez Luis Carlos , Madrazo‐Aguirre Katheryne , Muñoz‐Hibert Monica I. , Diaz‐Garza Karla G. , Ramirez‐Mulhern Isabela , Alvarez de la Reguera‐Babb Rodrigo , Flores‐Villalba Eduardo , Rodarte‐Shade Mario , Gonzalez‐Urquijo Mauricio
Published: December 2023

Background:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant cause of oncologic mortality worldwide. Liver transplantation represents a curative option for patients with significant liver dysfunction and absence of metastases. However, this therapeutic option is associated with significant blood loss and frequently requires various transfusions and intraoperative blood salvage for autotransfusion (IBS‐AT) with or without a leukocyte reduction filter. This study aimed to analyze available evidence on long‐term oncologic outcomes of patients undergoing liver transplantation for HCC with and without IBS‐AT.

Methods:

Per PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review of keywords “Blood Salvage,” “Auto‐transfusion,” “Hepatocellular carcinoma,” and “Liver‐transplant” was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS. Studies comparing operative and postoperative outcomes were screened and analyzed for review.

Results:

Twelve studies totaling 1704 participants were included for analysis. Length of stay, recurrence rates, and overall survival were not different between IBS‐AT group and non IBS‐AT group.

Conclusion:

IBS‐AT use is not associated with increased risk of recurrence in liver transplant for HCC even without leukocyte filtration. Both operative and postoperative outcomes are similar between groups. Comparison of analyzed studies suggest that IBS‐AT is safe for use during liver transplant for HCC.
Recurrent papulonodular herpes zoster, with syringitis, folliculitis, and vasculitis as clues to the diagnosis
Authors: Fawzy Marwa Mohamed , El‐Enany Galal , Abdelraouf Salma M. A. , Abdelkader Heba Ahmed
Published: December 2023

Herpes zoster (HZ) may have atypical clinical presentations, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. Nodular HZ is an extremely rare condition. We report the first case of recurrent papulonodular HZ in an adult patient with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) receiving biologic treatment. More interestingly, there was no epidermal involvement on histopathological examination, but the involvement of the adnexa and blood vessels was a clue to the diagnosis in view of the clinical context. We wish to raise awareness of this rare manifestation of HZ for early diagnosis and proper treatment.