bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higher Moments for Optimal Balance Weighting in Causal Estimation
Authors: Huang Melody Y. , Vegetabile Brian G. , Burgette Lane F. , Setodji Claude , Griffin Beth Ann
Published: April 2022

We expand upon a simulation study that compared three promising methods for estimating weights for assessing the average treatment effect on the treated for binary treatments: generalized boosted models, covariate-balancing propensity scores, and entropy balance. The original study showed that generalized boosted models can outperform covariate-balancing propensity scores, and entropy balance when there are likely to be nonlinear associations in both the treatment assignment and outcome models and when the other two models are fine-tuned to obtain balance only on first-order moments. We explore the potential benefit of using higher-order moments in the balancing conditions for covariate-balancing propensity scores and entropy balance. Our findings showcase that these two models should, by default, include higher-order moments and focusing only on first moments can result in substantial bias in estimated treatment effect estimates from both models that could be avoided using higher moments.
Syphilis Presenting as Hepatitis in an HIV-Infected Patient
Authors: Ong Aaron Lemuel , Gutierrez-Macabaya Arlene
Published: April 2022

Syphilis presents with protean manifestations. We report the case of a 24-year-old Filipino, working in Zambia for the past 2 months, presenting with a 2-week history of fever and jaundice. Maculopapular rashes were noted on both palms of the hands and both soles of the feet. Workup revealed an abnormal cholestatic pattern of liver function tests, while negative for malaria, viral hepatitis, and bacteremia. He tested positive for both HIV and VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory). A magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed only hepatomegaly and no signs of cholangiopathy or hepatobiliary tree anomalies. After administration of a single dose of penicillin G, resolution of fever and jaundice and normalization of liver enzymes were noted. Syphilitic hepatitis was the primary diagnosis because of the following: demonstration of liver injury, positive serology for syphilis, and exclusion of other causes of liver injury with resolution upon penicillin G administration.
Biventricular Assist Device Support for Intractable Arrhythmias From Histiocytoid Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Magnetta Defne A. , Reichhold Allison , Thrush Philip T. , Monge Michael , Webster Gregory , Joong Anna
Published: April 2022

Histiocytoid cardiomyopathy (HICMP) is a rare mitochondrial cardiomyopathy associated with recurrent life-threatening arrhythmias and variable degrees of systolic dysfunction. Successful heart transplantation for HICMP has been described, but there has been no published experience with biventricular assist device (BiVAD) support for intractable arrhythmias in HICMP. We report a 13 month old girl with left ventricular noncompaction and preserved systolic function who presented in cardiogenic shock secondary to incessant ventricular arrhythmias. After failed attempts at chemical and electrical cardioversion, she underwent BiVAD implantation as bridge to transplantation. Her BiVAD course was complicated by mechanical inflow obstruction during sinus rhythm, necessitating left-sided cannulation revision from an apical to atrial inflow cannula. This maneuver resolved the obstruction and the patient was transitioned to Berlin EXCOR (Berlin Heart Inc, The Woodlands, TX) BiVADs. On Berlin pumps, she had intermittent pauses (no fill/no eject) while in sinus rhythm, felt to be due to competition from intrinsic ejection. Despite these pauses, the patient experienced an uneventful remainder of her BiVAD course (205 days total) with minimal fibrin deposition and no device-related complications. BiVAD can support pediatric patients with hemodynamically significant arrhythmias to transplantation. Atrial cannulation strategy may be preferred in cases of preserved systolic function, ventricular noncompaction, and frequent rhythm changes.
18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET and PET/computed tomography for the evaluation of immunoglobulin G4-related disease: a systematic review
Authors: Francesco Dondi , Domenico Albano , Pietro Bellini , Giulia Volpi , Raffaele Giubbini , Francesco Bertagna
Published: April 2022

Background

In the last years, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) has demonstrated its utility for the evaluation of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease (IgG4RD). The studies are, however, really heterogeneous and different. The aim of this review is, therefore, to analyze the diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET and PET/CT for the assessment of IgG4RD.

Methods

A wide literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane library databases was made to find relevant published articles about the diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET or PET/CT for the evaluation of IgG4RD.

Results

The comprehensive computer literature search revealed 779 articles. On reviewing the titles and abstracts, 756 articles were excluded because the reported data were not within the field of interest. Twenty-three studies were included in the review.

Conclusion

Despite some limitations that affect our review, 18F-FDG PET or PET/CT demonstrated the ability to assess IgG4RD both at initial evaluation and after therapy. In general, no correlation between PET/CT parameters and IgG4 serum levels has been reported. A possible role for 18F-FDG PET/CT to drive differential diagnosis with other disease is starting to emerge.
Hemiarthroplasty in complex proximal humeral fractures: preserving unity of the tuberosities with the cap technique improves clinical outcome
Authors: Putzeys Guy , Uyttebroek Sigurd
Published: April 2022

Objectives:

The outcome of primary hemiarthroplasty for complex proximal humeral fractures is highly dependent on the position and survival of the tuberosities. Preserving the cuff–tuberosity complex as a unit (named cap technique) is thought to improve the reduction and stability of the tuberosities. We present the first report of the cap technique and compare it with the common intertubercular split technique.

Design:

Comparative retrospective study on consecutive patients

Setting:

Urban level 1 trauma center.

Patients/Participants:

Included were all patients treated between May 2010 and August 2019 with the Affinis Fracture (Mathys, Switzerland) hemiarthroplasty for complex shoulder fractures. The cap technique was used from February 2015 onward. Minimum follow-up of 11 months. Dementia was an exclusion criterium.

Outcome Measure:

Clinical evaluation by (normalized) Constant-Murley score, DASH score, and EQ5D-VAS score. Radiological outcomes according to the criteria of Boileau.

Results:

The cap-technique group consisted of 26 patients. One patient had revision surgery; 23 patients could be evaluated at a mean follow-up of 28 months. The control group consisted of 26 patients. Three patients had revision surgery. Ten patients could be scored at a mean follow-up of 101 months. A statistically significant difference in Constant-Murley score (P = .0121) could be observed between case and control group. There were no significant differences between radiological scores and between revision rates.

Conclusion:

The cap technique significantly improves clinical outcome in comparison with the intertubercular split technique. However, there was no significant difference in radiographic appearance of the tuberosities.
Does the accuracy of prehospital pelvic binder placement affect cardiovascular physiological parameters during rescue? A clinical study in patients with pelvic ring injuries
Authors: Tiziani Simon , Janett Anna–Staschia , Alkadhi Hatem , Osterhoff Georg , Sprengel Kai , Pape Hans–Christoph
Published: April 2022

Introduction:

Pelvic binders (PB) have become an established first–line treatment for on scene use in suspected pelvic ring injuries. A sustained incidence of incorrect placements was reported, usually above the trochanteric region. We examined if malplacement is associated with worse clinical parameters related to resuscitation.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review, level 1 center over a 3–year period. Inclusion criteria: adult patients (18–69y/o), high–energy injury, presence of a pelvic binder on admission — patients without binders served as controls. Exclusions: geriatric patients (>70y/o), ground level falls. Malplacement of the binder was assessed and graded (grade 1:<5 cm above trochanter, grade 2:5–10 cm, grade 3 > 10 cm) from the initial computed tomography scan (3D reconstruction).

Results:

Seventy–six patients were included. Males (72%), mean age 47years (range 18–91, SD 19.4). Mean Injury Severity Score was 22.3 points (range 1 –48, SD 10.4) and mean Glasgow Coma Score on arrival was 10.8 points (range 3–15, SD 5.3). Fifty-three percent presented with a pelvic ring injury (74% of them with a type B or C fracture). Mean PB distance from the trochanteric region was 56 mm (range 41–247 mm, SD 54.5). Fifty percent of PBs were moderately displaced, 21% showed severe misplacement (>100 mm). Physiological parameters were unchanged regardless of the accuracy of PB placement.

Conclusion:

Incorrect placement of pelvic binders persists despite widespread implementation of the device. In our series, displacement was always cranially and had no effect on preclinical fluids received or parameters of resuscitation on arrival.

Level of Evidence:

III
Outcome of geriatric proximal humeral fractures: a comparison between reverse shoulder arthroplasty versus open reduction and internal fixation
Authors: Ott Nadine , Müller Carolin , Jacobs Andreas , Paul Christian , Wegmann Kilian , Müller Lars Peter , Kabir Koroush
Published: April 2022

Objectives:

In view of the increased attention to reverse shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) as a treatment for complex proximal humeral fractures in the elderly, the present study analyzes in-hospital complications and the postoperative management of rTSA versus open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF).

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed patients hospitalized from 2016 to 2018 for proximal humeral fractures (ICD-9 codes: S42.21), III- and IV-part, who underwent an ORIF with locking plates, rTSA or nonoperative treatment. In-hospital complications and postoperative management in both groups were included in the analysis.

Results:

We included n 190 patients (ORIF 90, rTSA 71, nonoperative 29), more likely to be female (82.1% vs 17.9%; P 
< .01) with an average age of 82years (min. 72, max. 99; SD 6.4). The ORIF and the rTSA groups showed comparable complication rates (15.6% vs 15%, P 
= .87) but with a significantly shorter hospital stay (8.6 vs 11.5days; P 
= .01) and shorter duration of surgery (72.9 vs 87.2 minutes; P 
= .01) in the ORIF group. Significantly more patients after ORIF achieved an independent life postoperatively (53.3% vs 40.8%; P 
= .013).

Conclusions:

In this retrospective analysis, ORIF is related to a shorter duration of surgery, a shorter hospital stay and a higher likelihood of independence. Despite the popularity of the rTSA, ORIF remains a reliable treatment option for proximal humeral fractures in the elderly.

Level of evidence: III
Glioblastoma Recurrence Versus Radiotherapy Injury
Authors: Dang Haodan , Zhang Jinming , Wang Ruimin , Liu Jiajin , Fu Huaping , Lin Mu , Xu Baixuan
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic potential of decision-tree model of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and 11C-methionine (11C-MET) PET, for the differentiation of radiotherapy (RT) injury from glioblastoma recurrence.

Methods

Eighty-six glioblastoma cases with suspected lesions after RT were retrospectively enrolled. Based on histopathology or follow-up, 48 patients were diagnosed with local glioblastoma recurrence, and 38 patients had RT injury between April 2014 and December 2019. All the patients underwent PET/MRI examinations. Multiple parameters were derived based on the ratio of tumor to normal control (TNR), including SUVmax and SUVmean, mean value of kurtosis and diffusivity (MK, MD) from DKI, and histogram parameters. The diagnostic models were established by decision trees. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used for evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of each independent parameter and all the diagnostic models.

Results

The intercluster correlations of DKI, PET, and texture parameters were relatively weak, whereas the intracluster correlations were strong. Compared with models of DKI alone (sensitivity =1.00, specificity = 0.70, area under the curve [AUC] = 0.85) and PET alone (sensitivity = 0.83, specificity = 0.90, AUC = 0.89), the combined model demonstrated the best diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity = 1.00, specificity = 0.90, AUC = 0.95).

Conclusions

Diffusion kurtosis imaging, 11C-MET PET, and histogram parameters provide complementary information about tissue. The decision-tree model combined with these parameters has the potential to further increase diagnostic accuracy for the discrimination between RT injury and glioblastoma recurrence over the standard Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria. 11C-MET PET/MRI may thus contribute to the management of glioblastoma patients with suspected lesions after RT.
68Ga-DOTATATE Uptake in Well-Differentiated Neuroendocrine Tumor of the External Auditory Canal
Authors: Erol Fenercioğlu Özge , Beyhan Ediz , Şahin Rahime , Baloğlu Mehmet Can , Çermik Tevfik Fikret
Published: April 2022

A 38-year-old woman presented with a 4-month history of left-sided otalgia and otorrhea. Otoscopy revealed a mass in the left external auditory canal causing obliteration. A biopsy was taken, and the diagnosis was consistent with a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. The patient was referred to our department for staging with 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT. Increased radiopharmaceutical uptake was observed in the primary tumor and metastatic lymph nodes.
Vas Deferens and Inguinal Canal Metastasis of Prostate Cancer Revealed by 68Ga-Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET/CT
Authors: Erol Fenercioğlu Özge , Alçin Göksel , Arslan Esra , Çermik Tevfik Fikret , Ergül Nurhan
Published: April 2022

A 71-year-old man with prostate adenocarcinoma underwent 68Ga–prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT for staging. 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT showed the primary lesion along with bladder, rectum, bilateral seminal vesicle invasion, and metastatic pelvic lymph nodes with intense 68Ga-PSMA uptake. Also, PET/CT showed rarely seen bilateral vas deferens invasion and metastasis to the inguinal canal. These rare metastases may be indicative of poor biological behavior and prognosis.
Rechallenge With Additional Doses of 177Lu-DOTATOC After Failure of Maintenance Therapy With Cold Somatostatin Analogs
Authors: Weich Alexander , Werner Rudolf A. , Serfling Sebastian E. , Solnes Lilja B. , Pomper Martin G. , Buck Andreas K. , Higuchi Takahiro , Rowe Steven P.
Published: April 2022

Here, we report a case of a 52-year-old woman with a well-differentiated, metastasized neuroendocrine tumor (NET G1) of the duodenum. Initial imaging with 68Ga-DOTATOC revealed multiple sites of disease with intense uptake. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with 177Lu-DOTATOC induced partial remission. Treatment was then switched to cold somatostatin analog as a maintenance therapy. After 2 years of follow-up, progressive disease with multiple lesions in the skeleton was noted. Given the initial response to PRRT, a rechallenge with another 2 cycles of PRRT were given, and the patient had an excellent response to treatment, in particular in the skeleton.
Dual-Phase 18F-FP-CIT PET in 2 Different Clinical Phenotypes of Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Authors: Lee Keun , Park Dong Gueu , Kim Min Seung , An Young Sil , Yoon Jung Han
Published: April 2022

Early diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) patients is often challenging due to the low sensitivity of the current clinical diagnostic criteria. We describe MRI and dual-phase 18F-FP-CIT PET findings in 2 cases of sporadic CJD presenting different clinical phenotypes (Heidenhain variant and corticobasal syndrome). Our case series suggest that dual-phase FP-CIT-PET findings may improve the diagnosis of CJD by combining the perfusion patterns in early phase with the dopamine transporter density in delayed phase. Familiarity with these dual-phase FP-CIT PET findings is helpful for early correct diagnosis of CJD.
Relationship Between Left Ventricular Strain Assessment by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: Rathi Abhishek , Kanee Lauren , Limoges Maude , Connelly Kim A. , Jimenez Juan Laura , Kirpalani Anish , Angaran Paul , Pinter Arnold , Yan Andrew T. , Deva Djeven P.
Published: April 2022

Although cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, 30 to 50% patients are non-responders. In this retrospective single-centre study, 19 patients underwent cardiac MRI pre-CRT, and global left ventricular (LV) strain and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were measured by a blinded reader. LV reverse remodeling was independently assessed using transthoracic echocardiogram before and after CRT implant. Both LV strain and extent of LGE correlated significantly with measures of reverse LV remodeling (reduction in LV volume and improvement in LV ejection fraction). These findings suggest that CMR derived strain analysis and scar evaluation may be useful preimplant predictors of response to CRT. Larger prospective multi-center studies are needed to confirm these findings and to further evaluate the role of CMR strain imaging in guiding CRT treatment decisions.
Plasma biomarkers for diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and prediction of cognitive decline in individuals with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Kivisäkk Pia , Sweeney Thadryan , Carlyle Becky C. , Trombetta Bianca A. , LaCasse Kathryn , El-Mufti Leena , Tuncali Idil , Chibnik Lori B. , Das Sudeshna , Scherzer Clemens R. , Johnson Keith A. , Dickerson Bradford C. , Gomez-Isla Teresa , Blacker Deborah , Oakley Derek H. , Frosch Matthew P. , Hyman Bradley T. , Aghvanyan Anahit , Bathala Pradeepthi , Campbell Christopher , Sigal George , Stengelin Martin , Arnold Steven E.
Published: April 2022

Background

The last few years have seen major advances in blood biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) with the development of ultrasensitive immunoassays, promising to transform how we diagnose, prognose, and track progression of neurodegenerative dementias.

Methods

We evaluated a panel of four novel ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassays against presumed CNS derived proteins of interest in AD in plasma [phosphorylated-Tau181 (pTau181), total Tau (tTau), neurofilament light (NfL), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)]. 366 plasma samples from the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center’s longitudinal cohort study were examined to differentiate definite AD, other neurodegenerative diseases (OND), and cognitively normal (CN) individuals. A subset of samples were selected to have longitudinal follow up to also determine the utility of this plasma biomarker panel in predicting 4-year risk for cognitive decline in individuals with different levels of cognitive impairment.

Results

pTau181, tTau and GFAP were higher in AD compared to CN and OND, while NfL was elevated in AD and further increased in OND. pTau181 performed the best (AD vs CN: AUC=0.88, 2-fold increase; AD vs OND: AUC=0.78, 1.5-fold increase) but tTau also showed excellent discrimination (AD vs CN: AUC=0.79, 1.5-fold increase; AD vs OND: AUC=0.72, 1.3-fold increase). Participants with MCI who progressed to AD dementia had higher baseline plasma concentrations of pTau181, NfL, and GFAP compared to non-progressors with the best discrimination for pTau181 (AUC=0.82, 1.7-fold increase) and GFAP (AUC=0.81, 1.6-fold increase).

Conclusions

These new ultrasensitive ECL plasma assays for pTau181, tTau, NfL, and GFAP detect CNS disease with high specificity and accuracy. Moreover, the absolute baseline plasma levels of pTau and GFAP reflect clinical disease aggressiveness over the next 4 years, providing diagnostic and prognostic information that may have utility in both clinical and clinical trial populations.

Classification of Evidence

This study provides Class II evidence that plasma levels of pTau181, tTau, NfL, and GFAP are associated with AD and that pTau181 and GFAP are associated with progression from MCI to AD dementia.
Validation of Reduced S-gene Target Performance and Failure for Rapid Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Authors: Clark Cyndi , Schrecker Joshua , Hardison Matthew , Taitel Michael S.
Published: April 2022

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has many variants capable of rapid transmission causing serious illness. Timely surveillance of new variants is essential for an effective public health response. Ensuring availability and access to diagnostic and molecular testing is key to this type of surveillance. This study utilized reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and whole genome sequencing results from COVID-19-positive patient samples obtained through a collaboration between Aegis Sciences Corporation and Walgreens Pharmacy that has conducted more than 8.5 million COVID-19 tests at ∼5,200 locations across the United States and Puerto Rico.

Viral evolution of SARS-CoV-2 can lead to mutations in the S-gene that cause reduced or failed S-gene amplification in diagnostic PCR tests. These anomalies, labeled reduced S-gene target performance (rSGTP) and S-gene target failure (SGTF), are characteristic of Alpha and Omicron (B.1.1.529, BA.1, and BA.1.1) lineages. This observation has been validated by whole genome sequencing and can provide presumptive lineage data following completion of diagnostic PCR testing in 24-48 hours from collection. Active surveillance of trends in PCR and sequencing results is key to the identification of changes in viral transmission and emerging variants. This study shows that rSGTP and SGTF can be utilized for near real-time tracking and surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Rasch Validation of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) in Community-Dwelling Adults and in Adults with Stroke in the US
Authors: Deng Wei , Carpentier Sydney , Blackwood Jena , Van de Winckel Ann
Published: April 2022

Background

With the recent ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic and political divide in the United States (US), there is an urgent need to address the soaring mental well-being problems and to promote positive well-being. The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) measures the positive aspects of mental health. Previous studies confirmed its construct validity, reliability, and unidimensionality with confirmatory factor analysis. Four studies have performed a Rasch analysis on the WEMWBS, but none of them tested adults in the US. The goals of our study are to use Rasch analysis to validate the WEMWBS in the general US population and in adults with stroke.

Methods

We recruited community-dwelling adults and adults with chronic stroke with upper limb hemiplegia or hemiparesis. We used the Rasch Unidimensional Measurement Model (RUMM) 2030 software to evaluate item and person fit, targeting, person separation reliability (PSR), and differential item functioning (DIF) for sample sizes of at least 200 persons in each subgroup.

Results

After deleting two items, the WEMBS analyzed in our 553 community-dwelling adults (average age 51.22±17.18 years; 358 women) showed an excellent PSR=0.91 as well as person and item fit, but the items are too easy for this population (person mean location=2.17±2.00). There was no DIF for sex, mental health, or practicing breathing exercises. In the 37 adults with chronic stroke (average age 58±13; 11 women) the WEMWBS had a good item and person fit, and PSR=0.92, but the items were too easy for this group as well (person mean location=3.13±2.00).

Conclusions

The WEMWBS had good item and person fit but the targeting is off when used in community-dwelling adults and adults with stroke in the US. Adding more difficult items might improve the targeting and capture a broader range of positive mental wellbeing in both populations. Our pilot data in adults with stroke needs to be confirmed in a larger sample size.
Elucidating host cell response pathways and repurposing therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses using gene expression profiles of chemical and genetic perturbations
Authors: Shen Zhewei , Halberg Anna , Fong Jia Yi , Guo Jingyu , Song Gavin , Louie Brent , Luedtke Gregory R. , Visuthikraisee Viwat , Protter Andy , Koh Xiaoying , Baik Taegon , Lum Pek Yee
Published: April 2022

COVID-19 is an ongoing pandemic that has been causing devastation across the globe for over 2 years. Although there are multiple vaccines that can prevent severe symptoms, effective COVID-19 therapeutics are still of importance. Using our proprietary in silico SMarTR™ engine, we screened more than 22,000 unique compounds represented by over half a million gene expression profiles to uncover compounds that can be repurposed for SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses in a timely and cost-efficient manner. We then tested 13 compounds in vitro and found three with potency against SARS-CoV-2 with reasonable cytotoxicity. Bortezomib and homoharringtonine are some of the most promising hits with IC50 of 1.39 μM and 0.16 μM, respectively for SARS-CoV-2. Tanespimycin and homoharringtonine were effective against the common cold coronaviruses. In-depth analysis highlighted proteasome, ribosome, and heat shock pathways as key targets in modulating host responses during viral infection. Further studies of these pathways and compounds have provided novel and impactful insights into SARS-CoV-2 biology and host responses that could be further leveraged for COVID-19 therapeutics development.
System Integrated Digital Empowerment and Rehabilitation to promote patient Activation and well-Being (SIDERA^B): Protocol for a Randomized Crossover Trial on Effectiveness and Implementation
Authors: Rossetto Federica , Borgnis Francesca , Blasi Valeria , Banfi Paolo Innocente , Tavanelli Monica , Realdon Olivia , Mantovani Fabrizia , Foglia Emanuela , Garagiola Elisabetta , Croce Davide , Nalin Marco , Baglio Francesca
Published: April 2022

CONTEXT

the current increasing demand for rehabilitation among people with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) requires the identification of home-based digital solutions alternative to conventional in-clinic interventions.

OBJECTIVE

this protocol proposes to test the effectiveness of an individualized telerehabilitation platform (SIDERA^B), with respect to the traditional face-to-face rehabilitation, in ensuring the continuity of care in patients with NCDs.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS

this randomized, single-blind, controlled two-period crossover trial will involve about 150 outpatients with NCDs (N=40 with Chronic Heart Failure – CHF, N=60 with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – COPD, and N=50 with Parkinson’s Disease – PD) from the rehabilitation units of IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi of Milan. Each participant will experience, consequently, two different types of interventions: rehabilitation with the SIDERA^B system (SIDERA^B – S), which allow for both tele-rehabilitation activities and tele-monitoring of vital parameters, and rehabilitation as usual (Usual Care – U) including a manual of rehabilitative exercises and self-monitoring of vital parameters.

INTERVENTIONS

subjects will be randomly assigned to one of the two specified sequences of interventions: U/S/U (the USU group), and S/U (the SU group). Both groups will be assessed at the baseline (T1), after the first intervention (T2), and after the second intervention (T3), with a follow-up evaluation (T4) scheduled only for the USU group.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

a multifaceted evaluation including quality of life and clinical/functional measures will be conducted at each time-point of assessment. The primary outcome measures will be 1) change in activation of patients measured by the Patient Activation Measure scale, and 2) change in subject’s level of activity and participation measured by the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0.

CONCLUSION

SIDERA^B could represent a promising innovative digital solution able to support the ongoing migration of rehabilitation care from the clinic to the patient’s home, for the optimal long-term management of NCDs.

Trial registration

The SIDERA^B trial was registered in the clinicaltrials.gov database (identifier NCT04041193) on August 1, 2019.
helixCAM: A Platform for Programmable Cellular Assembly in Bacteria and Human Cells
Authors: Chao George , Wannier Timothy M. , Travis Clair , Borders Nathaniel C. , Appleton Evan , Chadha Anjali , Lebar Tina , Church George M.
Published: April 2022

Interactions between cells are indispensable for creating structure and signaling. The ability to direct precise cell-cell interactions would be powerful for engineering tissues, understanding signaling pathways, and directing immune cell targeting. In humans, intercellular interactions are mediated by cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). However, CAMs are natively expressed by many cells and have cross-reactivity, making them unsuitable for programming specific interactions. Here, we showcase “helixCAM,” a platform for engineering novel CAMs by presenting coiled-coil peptides on the cell surface. helixCAMs were able to create specific cell-cell interactions and direct patterned aggregate formation in bacteria and human cells. We built rationally designed helixCAM libraries and discovered novel high-performance helixCAM pairs. High-affinity helixCAMs were then used for multicellular engineering applications, such as spherical layering, adherent cell targeting, and surface patterning. The helixCAMs are an expandable platform for directing complex multicellular assemblies, and we foresee its utility in tissue engineering, immunology, and developmental biology.
Whole-Genome Profiling of Ethyl Methanesulfonate Mutagenesis in Tomato
Authors: Gupta Prateek , Dholaniya Pankaj Singh , Princy Kunnappady , Madhavan Athira Sethu , Sreelakshmi Yellamaraju , Sharma Rameshwar
Published: April 2022

The induced mutations accelerate crop improvement by providing novel disease resistance and yield alleles. However, the alleles with no perceptible phenotype but having an altered function remain hidden in mutagenized plants. The whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of mutagenized individuals uncovers the complete spectrum of mutations in the genome. We sequenced 132 doubly ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-mutagenized lines of tomato and detected ca. 41 million SNPs and 5.5 million short-INDELs. We found a very high average density of mutations 1/3.05 Kb compared to other species. About 97% of the genome had mutations, including the genes, promoters, UTRs, and introns. More than 1/3rd of genes in the mutagenized population had one or more deleterious mutations predicted by SIFT. Nearly 1/4th of deleterious genes mapped on tomato metabolic pathways modulating multiple pathway steps. Contrary to the reported GC>AT transition bias for EMS, we found EMS also produced nearly equal AT>GC transitions. Comparing mutation frequency among synonymous codons revealed that the most preferred codon is least mutagenic towards EMS. The reduction in carotenoids in ζ-carotene isomerase mutant fruits and chloroplasts relocation loss in phototropin1 mutant validated the mutation discovery pipeline. Our study makes a large repertoire of mutations accessible to genetic studies and the breeding of tomato.
Using evolutionary game theory to study construction safety supervisory mechanism in China
Authors: Jiang Xiaoyan , Sun Haoyu , Lu Kun , Lyu Sainan , Skitmore Martin
Published: April 2022

Purpose

In China, external supervision on construction safety mainly comes from the government and supervision engineers (SEs). However, the construction safety supervisory mechanism (CSSM) contains some dilemmas affecting the improvement of safety performance, such as the declining impact of SEs, the increasing rent-seeking behaviors of contractor and excessive government interference. This study aims to depict and analyze the CSSM in China from an evolutionary game view. The objectives are to understand the supervision strategy and evolutionary behaviors of different stakeholders, propose suggestions for improving safety performance and help the key safety supervision stakeholders, especially the government, formulate a suitable safety supervision strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses tripartite dynamic evolutionary game theory to study the CSSM in China and solve the stable equilibrium solution using system dynamics.

Findings

This study has revealed the game relationship of construction safety supervision mechanisms in China and solved the stable equilibrium solution. The results prove that a supervision engineer (SE) plays a crucial role in the CSSM, and “supervision engineer useless” is an unreasonable assertion. For government supervision agency (GSA), excessive inspection and free-market regulation are neither wise strategies. GSA can reduce the inspection frequency when general contractors (GCs) input high safety investments and SEs implement responsible supervision. But keeping proper government supervision to avoid GC's unlawful behaviors and SE's rent-seeking is indispensable. In addition, excessive governmental supervision will weaken SE's role, so the government should transfer some supervision powers to SE.

Originality/value

This study focuses on the dynamic evolution process between GSA, GC and SE. This method is different from most research that neglected the dynamic characteristic of system and game solution stability. The research methods not only contribute to construction safety supervision policy-making in China but also help to improve supervision efficiency in other countries and other fields.
Putting passion to work: passionate labour in the fashion blogosphere
Authors: McFarlane Ashleigh , Hamilton Kathy , Hewer Paul
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore passionate labour in the fashion blogosphere and addresses two research questions: How does passion animate passionate labour? How does the emotion of passions and the discipline of labour fuse within passionate labour?

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a three-year netnographic fieldwork of replikate fashion blogger-preneurs. Data are based on in-depth interviews, blogs, social media posts and informed by the relationships developed across these platforms.

Findings

Throughout the findings, this study unpacks the “little passions” that animate the passionate labour of blogger-preneurs. Passions include: passion for performing the royal lifestyle, the mobilisation of passion within strategic sociality and transformation and self-renewal through blogging. Lastly, the cycle of passion illustrates how passions can be recycled into new passionate projects.

Research limitations/implications

This study offers insight on how passionate labour requires the negotiation and mobilisation of emotion alongside a calculated understanding of market logics.

Practical implications

This study raises implications for aspiring blogger-preneurs, luxury brand managers and organisations beyond the blogging context.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study lies in the cultural understanding of passion as a form of labour where passion has become a way of life. The theorisation of passionate labour contributes to existing research in three ways. First, this study identifies social mimesis as a driver of passionate labour and its links to class distinction. Second, it offers insight on how passionate labour requires the negotiation and mobilisation of emotion alongside a calculated understanding of market logics. Third, it advances critical debate around exploitation and inequality within digital labour by demonstrating how passion is unequally distributed.
Survival strategies adopted by microbusinesses during COVID-19: an exploration of ethnic minority restaurants in northern Finland
Authors: Arslan Ahmad , Kamara Samppa , Zahoor Nadia , Rani Pushpa , Khan Zaheer
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper explores the survival strategies and coping mechanisms of ethnic minority entrepreneurs operating in the hospitality sector in northern Finland during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes qualitative research approach based on six exploratory case studies. The in-depth interviews in two phases were conducted with owners/mangers of ethnic minority entrepreneurial restaurants.

Findings

The findings reveal that all studied case firms undertook quick adjustments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, staff working hours were reduced through mutual consultation, and readjustments to the supply chain were made so that critical ingredients remain available despite the forced lockdown and supply chain bottlenecks. However, the readjustment of the supply chain was not visible in all case firms. Some of the owner-managers who were interviewed decided to keep doing business with the ethnic minority suppliers, despite some transportation problems due to lockdowns, especially in the early phases of COVID-19. Findings also suggest that the support grants announced by the state appeared not to be particularly useful for these restaurants due to restrictive eligibility criteria that many microbusinesses potentially fail to meet. Finally, the sample microbusinesses (restaurants) entrepreneurs recognize the importance of home delivery for their business survival, although they were critical of online food delivery service providers (apps) due to their high charges. Some of the case restaurants gave customers incentives for directly ordering from them, as an alternative strategy.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first studies to specifically highlight the peculiarities of ethnic minority entrepreneurship and survival dynamics in northern Finland, where running the restaurant operations, including ensuring the supply chain management, is more complex than in the case of ethnic minority restaurants in more well-connected European countries and cities with an established history of immigrant businesses. This study is also novel in terms of specifying the strategies adopted by ethnic minority businesses in adjusting to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and surviving through it. At the same time, it has shown limitations and some problems associated with accessing state support announced for the hospitality industry in response to COVID-19. Finally, it offers a new angle by explicitly highlighting the power dynamics between restaurants and food ordering platforms (apps) and the potential alternatives in this specific context.
Digital health care services in post COVID-19 scenario: modeling the enabling factors
Authors: Sindhu Shilpa
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The recent pandemic of COVID-19 has posed challenges for delivering essential and desirable health-care services for the masses. Digital health-care services initiated by several hospitals and health practitioners promise efficient and safe health care in the new normal post-COVID era but need a supportive enabling ecosystem. Therefore, this study aims toward identifying and modeling the key enabling factors for digital health-care services.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of nine factors were identified from the literature review and verified by the domain experts which can enable the wider acceptance of digital health-care services. The identified factors were then modeled with the help of the total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) approach and fuzzy Matrices d’Impacts Croises Multiplication Appliquée à un Classement (MICMAC) and a meaningful contextual relationship were developed for the factors.

Findings

This study reflects that the trust of patients is required for the acceptance of digital health care. Quality of patient care and affordability cum accessibility of online services will define mass engagement. Hospital staff resilience, hospital care service capacity, strategic partnerships and collaborations supported by technology and regulatory structure are the major factors defining the enabling ecosystem.

Originality/value

This study has its uniqueness in the way the TISM approach and fuzzy MICMAC are used for modeling the enabling factors toward growth and acceptance of digital health-care services in the days to come in developing nations. The focus of this study can be considered as relevant for the study interested in investigating the role of cognitive dimensions in influencing actors’ behaviors and decisions.
Understanding the learning gaps between private schools and public schools in Ghana
Authors: Adu Boahen Emmanuel
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the learning gap between private and public school children in primary school, and ascertain the part of the private–public school learning gap that is due to differences in observables and the part that can be attributed to private school effect.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilized a household survey data from Ghana that assessed children on numeracy and literacy in both English and local languages. The primary methodology for this study is non-linear Oaxaca decomposition. The study also utilized Welch's t-statistics to test if there are any differences in the private–public school learning gaps across several sub-groups.

Findings

Findings from this study show a substantial gain for private school attendance on both numeracy and literacy. The results show that a little over 60% of the total learning gap in numeracy and literacy in English is explained by observable characteristics. However, observable characteristics almost explain all the learning gaps in the reading and writing of local languages. Evidence from the study suggests that the private school effect is homogeneous across several sub-groups. The results reveal years of education, expenditure on extra classes, religion and urbanicity as the most important variables explaining the gap that is caused by differences in observables.

Originality/value

Despite the belief that private school children in Ghana have better learning outcomes, there has not been any study to quantify this learning gap in the country and this study fills this gap. While there is literature on the differences in the learning outcomes between public and private schools, those studies have focused on the differences that are attributable to the private school effect. This article does not only present the differences in the learning outcomes but also shows the proportion that is due to observable characteristics and the part that can be attributed to the private school effect.
UPPS impulsivity, entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intentions among university students: ADHD symptoms as a moderator
Authors: Tran Thi Van Hoa , Duong Cong Doanh , Nguyen Thanh Hieu , Tran Thi Song Lam , Vu Trong Nghia
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of our study is to examine the direct and mediating effects of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance and sensation seeking (UPPS) impulsivity traits on entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention as well as to test the moderation impact of ADHD symptoms in the link between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and start-up intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The stratified random sampling was approached to recruit the data from 2,566 university students in Vietnam. Cronbach’s alpha and confirmatory factor analysis were used to test the reliability and validity of scales. Then, Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to test direct effects, while PROCESS macro was approached to test moderation and mediation impacts.

Findings

The study found evidence that ADHD symptoms, sensation seeking, lack of premeditation and lack of perseverance are significantly and directly conducive to the formation of entrepreneurial intention. Yet, ADHD symptoms might weaken the link between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy was also found to partially mediate the link between sensation seeking, lack of premeditation, and lack of perseverance and intention to become an entrepreneur.

Practical implications

The findings provide constructive recommendations for policymakers and educators to nurture and foster university students’ entrepreneurial activities as well as to restrain the negative effects of ADHD symptoms on youths.

Social implications

Understanding the impacts of psychiatric symptoms, such as ADHD and UPPS impulsivity, on entrepreneurial activities provide useful insights to individuals with ADHD symptoms, the community and the society to restrain the detrimental impacts of psychological disorder symptoms and consider entrepreneurship as a career choice.

Originality/value

The study is expected to have a significant contribution to psychological entrepreneurship literature by broadening our horizons of the links between psychiatric symptoms and entrepreneurial intentions. Especially, this study reveals that ADHD symptoms and UPPS impulsive traits are significantly correlated with intention to become entrepreneurs and the link between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention become weaker when the degree of ADHD symptoms is high.
Tax avoidance in family firms: a literature review
Authors: Khelil Imen , Khlif Hichem
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to review the empirical literature dealing with the association between family firms and tax avoidance.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical papers are collected based on electronic searches in several editorial sources (e.g. Elsevier, Emerald, Meridian Allenpress, Springer, Sage, Taylor and Francis and Wiley-Blackwell) in family-related, accounting and finance journals. Key words used to identify relevant studies are “family firms” or “family ownership” combined with “tax avoidance”, “tax aggressiveness”, “tax evasion” and “tax heaven”. This search yields 21 published papers over the period of 2010–2022.

Findings

The summary of empirical studies examining the relationship between family firms and tax avoidance suggests that the majority of them have been conducted in Germany, USA and Taiwan and other European civil law countries. The association between family firms and tax avoidance is negative in USA, Finland and Belgium. By contrast, the relationship between family firms and tax avoidance is positive and significant in other developed (Germany and Italy) and developing economies (Brazil, India, Malaysia and Tunisia). In Taiwan, the impact of family firms on tax avoidance depends on corporate opacity that mitigates the negative impact of family firms on tax avoidance.

Practical implications

With respect to regulators, this review informs fiscal authorities that family firms are associated with high levels of tax aggressiveness in some settings (e.g. Brazil, Germany, Italy and Tunisia). Accordingly, they should be aware about this tax management behavior in family firms to avoid its adverse effect on tax revenues. With respect to auditors, this study alerts them about the necessity to consider fiscal audit risk linked to family firms when planning their audit missions especially in countries characterized by high level of corporate opacity.

Originality/value

This literature review represents a first historical record and an introduction for accounting scholars who aim to investigate the topics linked to tax aggressiveness in the family firms’ context. It also highlights some limits related to this stream of research and offers future research perspectives.