bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When does service employee’s accent matter? Examining the moderating effect of service type, service criticality and accent service congruence
Authors: Rao Hill Sally , Tombs Alastair G.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to further our understanding of the effects of service employees’ accents on service outcomes and to investigate the boundary conditions of service type, service criticality and accent-service congruence.

Design/methodology/approach

This study reports on three scenario-based experiments with between-subject designs to assess customer reactions to service employees with nonstandard accents.

Findings

The findings revealed that the three service-related extraneous factors investigated in this study influence the direction and strength of accent’s impact. Service employees’ nonstandard accents generally negatively influence customers’ satisfaction with a service provider and purchase intentions. This effect is stronger for credence services than for experience services. While customer satisfaction with the service encounter tends to stay the same regardless of service criticality, they have less purchase intention in high service criticality situations when they deal with service employee with a nonstandard accent. Accent-service congruence enhances both satisfaction and purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

This study makes contributions to the accent in service interaction literature by enabling the authors to have a more complete understanding of how accent effects drive customer satisfaction and purchase intention. Future studies can take customer-related factors such as customer-service employee relationships, customers’ ethnic affiliation and ethnocentrism into consideration when examining the effects of accent in service interactions.

Practical implications

Service managers need to be aware when nonstandard accents’ negative effects will elevate – credence service and service with higher criticality are better provided by service employee with a standard accent. A nonstandard accent that matches the service improves customer satisfaction and purchase intention and could be used to its advantage.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the service literature about service employees’ interaction with customers and is particularly relevant in multicultural societies with increasingly diverse workforces.
Promotion to managerial positions and the relationship to work outcome preferences: perspectives of women and men in Israel
Authors: Sharabi Moshe , Yanay-Ventura Galit
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Women's participation in the workforce and in managerial positions, which has led to greater diversity, reconstructs professional perceptions and preferences. The purpose of this research is to examine “Work Outcome Preferences” among men and women according to organizational status and the impact of other demographic factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The Meaning of Work (MOW) questionnaire was filled by 1,161 men and women employees in organizations: 744 workers, 256 junior managers and 161 middle managers. To examine the hypotheses, authors conducted an analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and a linear regression analysis for women and men.

Findings

The gender differences regarding work outcomes preferences decreases with career promotion. Further, the higher the organizational status, the higher the need for interesting and satisfying work among both men and women. Among women, the higher the organizational status, the higher the need for status and prestige and for serving society and the lower the need for interpersonal contacts and income.

Practical implications

Better understanding of the preferred outcomes among women and men in the three organizational statuses and the impact of promotion and varied demographic variables can help in the planning of material and non-material reward systems and methods suitable to the different sub-groups.

Originality/value

As far as authors know, there is not a single study focusing on the differences between narrow career stages such as workers, junior and middle managers according to gender regarding work values/work outcome preferences.
Antecedents of privacy concerns and online information disclosure: moderating role of government regulation
Authors: Chaudhuri Ranjan , Chatterjee Sheshadri , Vrontis Demetris
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the antecedents of privacy concerns and their impact on consumers' online information disclosure. It also investigated the moderating role of government regulation on the relationship between privacy concerns and online information disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

With the help of literature review and theories, a theoretical model was developed and then validated using the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique to analyze data from 309 respondents.

Findings

The study found that online users' privacy awareness, privacy experience, personality and cultural differences significantly and positively impact their privacy concerns, which in turn positively and significantly influence their online information disclosure. The study also found that government regulation has a significant impact on online information disclosure.

Research limitations/implications

The study is cross-sectional in nature and cannot be generalized, and therefore, a longitudinal study could be conducted. Also, the study identified four antecedents of online users' privacy concerns. More antecedents and more sample data with other boundary conditions could have increased the predictive power of the model.

Practical implications

This study will help practitioners to better understand the privacy concerns of online users, which could help them to develop better products and enhance service quality. Policymakers can develop regulations as per the online users' requirements to increase their confidence in disclosing personal information online and other online activities.

Originality/value

Few studies have dealt with online users' information disclosure and their privacy concerns or the moderating role of government regulations on online information disclosure. The study is unique as its proposed model is the first that accounts for both online users' privacy concerns and government regulation and their online information disclosure.
Going forward: remote working in the post-COVID-19 era
Authors: Adekoya Olatunji David , Adisa Toyin Ajibade , Aiyenitaju Opeoluwa
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The urgent and unexpected transition to remote working during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic calls for an increased focus on the contemporary workplace, especially for the post-COVID-19 era. While most studies undertaken during the pandemic have focused on the consequences of remote working, this study, using the UK as the research context, focuses on the factors that may facilitate the effectiveness of remote working in the post-COVID-19 era from the perspectives of employees and employers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the interpretivist philosophical perspective to understand the study participants' subjective meanings and experiences. It utilises a qualitative approach, specifically data drawn from the semi-structured interviews of 31 participants.

Findings

The study highlights the factors that may facilitate the effectiveness of remote working in the post-COVID-19 era. Flexible working preferences, smart working practices, self-discipline, and leadership roles and expectations emerge as enablers of remote working among the participants. It is evident from the study’s findings that both employers and employees have expectations about remote working conditions.

Originality/value

Due to the changing work environment, where remote working is becoming more acceptable, this study focuses on a salient topic that examines how remote working may be facilitated effectively in the post-COVID-19 era. Thus, it makes predictions concerning the future of remote working post-COVID-19. It also emphasises that employers and employees have developed clear expectations about facilitating remote working and seek to meet these expectations by implementing various strategies.
The impact of strut profile geometry and malapposition on the haemodynamics and drug-transport behaviour of arteries treated with drug-eluting stents
Authors: Vijayaratnam Pujith Rajaguru Senapathy , Reizes John Arthur , Barber Tracie Jacqueline
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Stent malapposition is one of the most significant precursors of stent thrombosis and restenosis. Adverse haemodynamics may play a key role in establishing these diseases, although numerical studies have used idealised drug transport models to show that drug transport from malapposed drug-eluting stent struts can be significant. This paper aims to study whether drug transport from malapposed struts is truly significant. Another aim is to see whether a streamlined strut profile geometry – with a 61% smaller coating but a 32% greater coating-tissue contact area – can mitigate the adverse haemodynamics associated with stent malapposition while enhancing drug uptake.

Design/methodology/approach

Two- and three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations were used in this study. Unlike past simulations of malapposed drug-eluting stent struts, a qualitatively validated drug-transport model which simulates the non-uniform depletion of drug within the drug coating was implemented.

Findings

It was shown that even a 10-µm gap between the strut and tissue dramatically reduces drug uptake after 24 h of simulated drug transport. Furthermore, the streamlined strut profile was shown to minimise the adverse haemodynamics of malapposed and well-apposed stent struts alike and enhance drug uptake.

Originality/value

Unlike prior numerical studies of malapposed stent struts, which did not model the depletion of drug in the drug coating, it was found that stent malapposition yields negligible drug uptake. The proposed semicircular-profiled strut was also shown to be advantageous from a haemodynamic and drug transport perspective.
Advances and hotspots analysis of value stream mapping using bibliometrics
Authors: Liu Chaochao , Zhang Yang
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Value stream mapping (VSM) is a visualization tool to identify and eliminate waste and widely applied in manufacturing, transportation, construction, service and other industries, especially in the Industrial 4.0 technology era. The purpose of this paper is to review and analyze the VSM literature to identify the advances and hotspots of VSM literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking the VSM literature collected from the Web of Science Core Collection database as the research samples, this research used the bibliometric and keyword co-occurrence analysis to analyze the publication trend, research topics and their contents of VSM from concept integration, application sectors and technology expansion.

Findings

With the development of research, the latest research integrates conceptual integration, application departments and technology expansion to develop more complex research designs. It can be integrated with simulation, six sigma, big data, Internet of Things and other technologies to expand the analysis and design ability of VSM, which enhances the adaptability of VSM to various scenarios.

Originality/value

This research contributes to VSM literature by conducting a systematic review based on the citation structure within VSM research and identifies the established and emerging areas of research on VSM.
The inheritance of local wisdom for maintaining peace in multicultural society
Authors: Arsal Thriwaty , Setyowati Dewi Liesnoor , Hardati Puji
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The research aims to investigate the value of local wisdom, analyse local wisdom for the harmony of a multicultural society and discover forms of inheritance of local wisdom for maintaining peace.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research was used in this research. The primary data were obtained through observation, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Secondary data were obtained through reports from agencies, such as Social Services and Central Bureau of Statistics, literature studies and news from the internet. The data validity technique used was source triangulation. The data were analysed with stages of data reduction, data presentation and conclusion.

Findings

The results showed that the local wisdom sedekah bumi, selamatan malam 1 suro, sadranan and kuda lumping contain values related to religion, cooperation, harmony, togetherness, kinship and cohesiveness; the implementation of local wisdom can strengthen social harmony; and the inheritance of local wisdom takes place sustainably from families and communities to the younger generation.

Research limitations/implications

The research was conducted during the peak of COVID-19 cases in Central Java, Indonesia. Therefore, the data could not be obtained maximally.

Practical implications

This research contributes widely not only to the village studied but also to other communities with similar conditions.

Social implications

The inheritance of local wisdom can help maintain peace, unify societies and offer solution to social conflicts by implementing traditions containing humanity and peaceful values.

Originality/value

This research offers a new insight concerning the inheritance of local wisdom that can function as a tool to achieve a peaceful society and prevent social disasters from occurring.
Additional Skills Acquisition Programme (ASAP) project: the case of an employability enhancement initiative in India
Authors: M. Nimmi P. , Mathew Paul V. , Donald William E.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore an employability enhancement initiative, the Additional Skills Acquisition Programme (ASAP) project in the state of Kerala, India, as a case for the inclusive development of employability in college and university students.

Design/methodology/approach

ASAP is applied as a case study to examine the employability enhancement initiative in India.

Findings

Participation in the ASAP project led to increased measures of employability. These increases were most pronounced in women and individuals living below the poverty line. Partnerships between educational institutions and organisations focusing on students’ technical and skill development can help overcome local and national talent shortages.

Originality/value

The theoretical implications come from addressing the lack of representation of skills based employability initiatives among students from India in the vocational behaviour literature. Practical implications come from knowledge sharing of innovative strategies to enhance the employability outcomes of individuals entering the labour market. New ways to overcome the reported mismatch in business education between curriculum content and the development of employability skills in graduates are presented. Benefits for diversity and inclusion are also provided.
An empirical evaluation of future auditors in the U.S.A. and India using the trifurcated dimensions of trait professional skepticism
Authors: Dickey Gabriel , Bell R. Greg , Beldona Sri
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Understanding the factors that impact the audit quality of work performed by affiliated offshore entities has become imperative for US accounting firms. The purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the role that cultural differences have on the trait professional skepticism mindset of future auditors in the USA and India.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the Hurtt (2010) Professional Skepticism Scale (HPSS) to evaluate the role that culture has on the trait professional skepticism mindset of a sample of future auditors in the USA and India.

Findings

The authors identify three distinct dimensions of trait professional skepticism embedded in the HPSS. The research finds no significant differences between USA and Indian auditing students on the evidential “trust but verify” dimension of trait professional skepticism; however, US students score higher on the behavioral “presumptive doubt” and self-reliance dimensions.

Practical implications

Given culture significantly influences trait professional skepticism, firms and regulators should be highly cognizant of the type of work that is being sent offshore. Firms using affiliated offshore entities should also ensure that robust integration practices are used to facilitate the level of professional skepticism necessary to perform a quality audit.

Originality/value

By identifying three separate dimensions in the HPSS, the research takes an important step in understanding the factors that impact the quality of audit procedures performed in a critical affiliated offshore entity for US-based accounting firms.
Online self-disclosure and well-being among Vietnamese adolescents: online social support as a mediator
Authors: Nguyen Hung Thanh , Ho Thi Truc Quynh
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Online self-disclosure and online social support have important effects on well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the indirect effect of online social support through social networking sites (SNSs) in the link between online self-disclosure through SNSs and well-being among Vietnamese adolescents.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a convenience sample of 980 Vietnamese adolescents (332 men, 648 women) and three scales (the Subjective Happiness Scale, the Self-Disclosure Scale and the Two-Way Social Support Scale), this study investigated whether online self-disclosure has a direct and indirect effects on well-being when mediated by online social support.

Findings

Mediation analysis showed that online social support partially mediated the link between online self-disclosure and well-being among Vietnamese adolescents, β = 0.008, standard error = 0.004, confidence interval = [0.001, 0.017].

Originality/value

This study provides an important practical basis for developing interventions to improve the well-being of adolescents who use SNSs. This finding indicated that adolescents’ well-being can be enhanced through online self-disclosure and online social support.
Impact of the pandemic on social media influencer marketing in fashion: a qualitative study
Authors: Le Kent , Aydin Gokhan
Published: May 2022

Purpose

In spite of the rise of social media influencers observed in the 2010s, the direction and future of influencers are ambiguous. This popular yet overused marketing tool has shown certain problems and limitations such as a decrease in perceived authenticity and market saturation. Additionally, the outbreak of COVD-19 has amplified the significance of these factors and made many companies and influencers reconsider their involvement in influencer marketing. Within this context, this paper aims to explore whether influencers were impacted by diminishing perceived authenticity, market saturation or the prolonged pandemic. Also, the authors aim to investigate influencers’ perception of the future of influencer marketing post-pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

To gain insight into trends in influencer marketing from the influencer’s perspective, this paper uses qualitative research in the form of interviews with influencers and industry professionals.

Findings

The findings highlight the importance of perceived authenticity for success in influencer marketing. Most interviewees indicated that they had noticed a boom in social media influencer marketing before the pandemic, yet provided mixed views regarding the market during the pandemic. Several believe that influencers will continue to be relevant in the increasingly digital world (e.g. increasing digital marketing spend and e-commerce), whereas an expectation of new digital platforms and innovations was also observed. In the long term, saturation and decreased effectiveness were predicted by several interviewees.

Originality/value

This under-researched topic is of relevance especially to consumer goods companies, as social media marketing and influencer marketing are currently highly effective and popular tools. To refine marketing strategies designed around influencers, understanding the limitations, in the context of COVID-19, is crucial.
Will legalizing corporate social responsibility get businesses to participate in welfare activities – the case of India
Authors: Narayanan Sajith , Singh Guru Ashish
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role and impact of state regulation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending on company actions and to examine whether making mandatory CSR encourages businesses to engage in social welfare projects. Additionally, the authors also investigate whether these CSR expenditures can enable India to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.

Design/methodology/approach

CSR expenditure data from the government repository of 22,531 eligible companies in India were studied from FY2014–2015 to FY2019–2020. CSR spending is further classified according to development areas of Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013, and mapped with the SDGs to see which ones the corporations have prioritized.

Findings

CSR spending increased from INR 10,066 crore in 2014–2015 to INR 24,689 crore in 2019–2020. Companies have prioritized CSR expenditure on education, followed by health care and rural development. The number of companies spending more than the mandated expenditure increased by around 75% from 2014–2015 to 2019–2020. However, the “comply or explain” approach of the law has led to a major number of companies spending zero on CSR. Companies have generally concentrated on moving CSR funds to designated funds rather than using them for capacity development to instill social responsibility culture.

Originality/value

This study provides evidence of the impact of mandatory CSR expenditure on welfare activities and SDGs. Unlike previous research, the results of this study are based on CSR expenditures rather than voluntary CSR scores.
High‐pressure processing treatment of beef burgers: Effect on Escherichia coli O157 inactivation evaluated by plate count and PMA‐qPCR
Authors: Rey María de los Ángeles , Rodriguez Racca Anabel , Rossi Ribeiro Luma , Dos Santos Cruz Fabiano , Cap Mariana , Mozgovoj Marina Valeria , Cristianini Marcelo , Vaudagna Sergio Ramón
Published: May 2022

Propidium monoazide coupled to real time PCR (PMA‐qPCR) is a novel methodology proposed for the quantification of viable bacteria in food after microbial inactivation treatments. The aim of this work was to assess the effectiveness of different pressure levels on the lethality of a pool of Escherichia coli O157 strains in beef burgers by plate count and PMA‐qPCR using uidA as target gene. Also, the effect on native microbiota counts, E. coli O157 counts, and physiochemical parameters of beef burgers during storage in refrigeration and frozen conditions were assessed. The treatment at 600 MPa for 5 min was the most lethal and was selected for the evaluation of bacteria behavior under storage conditions. Native microbiota and E. coli O157 were not recovered during refrigerated and frozen storage (4°C for 7 days and −18°C for 35 days). Cooking weight loss, pH, chromatic parameters, and texture were affected by HPP.

Practical Application

Practical Application: PMA‐qPCR can be used as an alternative to assess microbial inactivation by different high pressure processing (HPP) conditions (pressure level, holding time and temperature) more rapidly than conventional plate counts. In addition, it has the benefit of being able to quantify viable but nonculturable bacteria from contaminated beef burgers after HPP. Moreover, this novel technique generates less pathogenic residues, which minimizes workers' exposure to human biohazards.
A road map for in vivo evolution experiments with blood‐borne parasitic microbes
Authors: Rodríguez‐Pastor Ruth , Shafran Yarden , Knossow Nadav , Gutiérrez Ricardo , Harrus Shimon , Zaman Luis , Lenski Richard E. , Barrick Jeffrey E. , Hawlena Hadas
Published: May 2022

Laboratory experiments in which blood‐borne parasitic microbes evolve in their animal hosts offer an opportunity to study parasite evolution and adaptation in real time and under natural settings. The main challenge of these experiments is to establish a protocol that is both practical over multiple passages and accurately reflects natural transmission scenarios and mechanisms. We provide a guide to the steps that should be considered when designing such a protocol, and we demonstrate its use via a case study. We highlight the importance of choosing suitable ancestral genotypes, treatments, number of replicates per treatment, types of negative controls, dependent variables, covariates, and the timing of checkpoints for the experimental design. We also recommend specific preliminary experiments to determine effective methods for parasite quantification, transmission, and preservation. Although these methodological considerations are technical, they also often have conceptual implications. To this end, we encourage other researchers to design and conduct in vivo evolution experiments with blood‐borne parasitic microbes, despite the challenges that the work entails.
Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Paleocene Coal from the Padhrar and Darra Adam Khel Coalfields of Pakistan
Authors: UMAIR Muhammad , YANG Ruidong , CHENG Wei , KHATTAK Salman Ahmed
Published: May 2022

Pakistan is rich in coal resources, which amount to around 186 billion tons. The Paleocene Padhrar and Darra Adam Khel coalfields are located in the Central Salt Range Punjab Province and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan, respectively. Padhrar coal has not been studied in detail and the Darra Adam Khel coalfields are newly‐discovered, so no research has been done, due to security considerations. In this study, an attempt has been made to study the geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of the Padhrar and Darra Adam Khel coals, in order to learn about the coal quality, element enrichment mechanism, sedimentary medium conditions and potentially valuable elements for coal utilization. The Padhrar and Darra Adam Khel coals are low to medium ash, low moisture content, high in volatiles and high total sulfur coal. The vitrinite reflectance in Darra Adam Khel coal is higher than in Padhrar coal, indicating either a greater burial depth or the effects of Himalayan tectonism. The vitrinite content is dominant in the Padhrar and Darra Adam Khel coals, followed by inertinite and liptinite, the major minerals including quartz, clay minerals, calcite and pyrite. The trace elements Ni, As, Be Zn, Ge, Mo, Ta, W, Co and Nb, Sn, Hf, Ta, Pb, Th, Cd, In, Be, V, Cr, Zr, Ag, Li, W and Co are concentrated in some of the Padhrar and Darra Adam Khel coal samples, respectively. The Padhrar coal shows positive Ce, Eu and Gd anomalies, with most of the Darra Adam Khel coal showing negative Ce, Eu and positive Gd anomalies with high LREE. The Al2O3/TiO2 values indicate that the sediment source of the Padhrar and Darra Adam Khel coals is mostly related to intermediate igneous rocks. The Sr/Ba, SiO2 + Al2O3, Fe2O3 + CaO + MgO/SiO2 + Al2O3 and high sulfur content in the Padhrar and Darra Adam Khel coals indicate epithermal and marine water influence with a tidal flat, coal‐forming environment and a deltaic coal‐forming environment, respectively.
Galectin‐3 enhances trastuzumab resistance by regulating cancer malignancy and stemness in HER2‐positive breast cancer cells
Authors: Chen Yuqiu , Xu Jiawei , Pan Wang , Xu Xiaofan , Ma Xueping , Chu Ya'nan , Wang Lu , Pang Shuyun , Li Yujiao , Zou Bingjie , Zhou Guohua , Gu Jun
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study was to explore the role of galectin‐3 in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐positive breast cancer cells and the potential mechanism.

Methods

Kaplan–Meier (KM)‐plot and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases were used to study the role of galectin‐3 in the prognosis of HER2‐positive breast cancer. The effects of galectin‐3 on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and colony formation ability in HER2‐positive breast cancer cells were examined. The relationship between galectin‐3 and important components in the HER2 pathways, including HER2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), protein kinase B (AKT), and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), was further studied. Lentivirus and CRISPR/Cas9 were used to construct stable cell lines. Cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8) and apoptosis assays were used to study the relationship between galectin‐3 and trastuzumab. The effect of galectin‐3 on cell stemness was studied by mammosphere formation assay. The effects of galectin‐3 on stemness biomarkers and the Notch1 pathway were examined. Tumorigenic models were used to evaluate the effects of galectin‐3 on tumorigenesis and the therapeutic effect of trastuzumab in vivo.

Results

HER2‐positive breast cancer patients with a high expression level of LGALS3 (the gene encoding galectin‐3) messenger RNA (mRNA) showed a poor prognosis. Galectin‐3 promoted cancer malignancy through phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway activation and upregulated stemness by activating the Notch1 signaling pathway in HER2‐positive breast cancer cells. These two factors contributed to the enhancement of trastuzumab resistance in cells. Knockout of LGALS3 had a synergistic therapeutic effect with trastuzumab both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

Galectin‐3 may represent a prognostic predictor and therapeutic target for HER2‐positive breast cancer.
MiR‐200c‐3p and miR‐485‐5p overexpression elevates cisplatin sensitivity and suppresses the malignant phenotypes of non–small cell lung cancer cells through targeting RRM2
Authors: Liu Ying , Zhang Yong , Li Qiubo , Xu Ruiqi , Huang Nian
Published: May 2022

Background

This study intended to investigate the potential mechanism of microRNA‐200c‐3p (miR‐200c‐3p) and miR‐485‐5p in mediating the cisplatin (DDP) resistance in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was applied to measure the expression of miR‐200c‐3p, miR‐485‐5p, and ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2 (RRM2) messenger RNA (mRNA). 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to analyze the DDP resistance and the proliferation of NSCLC cells. Colony formation assay was used to assess cell proliferation. Transwell assays were used to evaluate cell migration and invasion. The target relationship between RRM2 and miR‐200c‐3p or miR‐485‐5p was verified using dual‐luciferase reporter assay. The protein level of RRM2 was measured using Western blot assay. Animal experiments were conducted to analyze the roles of miR‐200c‐3p and miR‐485‐5p in the DDP resistance of xenograft tumors in vivo.

Results

MiR‐200c‐3p and miR‐485‐5p were both downregulated in DDP‐resistant NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Overexpressing miR‐200c‐3p or miR‐485‐5p suppressed the DDP resistance and malignant behaviors of NSCLC cells. MiR‐200c‐3p played a synergistic role with miR‐485‐5p in regulating the chemo‐resistance and biological behaviors NSCLC cells. RRM2 was confirmed as a target of miR‐200c‐3p and miR‐485‐5p. RRM2 silencing restrained the DDP resistance and progression of NSCLC. RRM2 overexpression partly reversed miR‐200c‐3p or miR‐485‐5p‐induced influences in NSCLC cells. The overexpression of miR‐200c‐3p or miR‐485‐5p aggravated DDP‐mediated suppressive effect on tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusion

MiR‐200c‐3p or miR‐485‐5p enhanced the DDP sensitivity and suppressed the malignant behaviors of NSCLC cells partly through targeting RRM2.
Age–period–cohort analysis of trends in tobacco smoking, cannabis use, and their co‐use in the Australian population
Authors: Leung Janni , Gravely Shannon , Lim Carmen , Hall Wayne , Chan Gary
Published: May 2022

Background and aim

The prevalence of tobacco smoking has declined in most high‐income countries, while cannabis use has been rising. Moreover, cannabis use has been found to have increased among cigarette smokers in recent years in jurisdictions where it has been either decriminalized or legalized. This study measured trends in cannabis, tobacco and the co‐use of cannabis and tobacco in Australia.

Design

Age–period–cohort analysis.

Setting and participants

Participants were n = 143 344 individuals aged 18–80 years who participated in Australia's National Drug Strategy Household Surveys (NDSHS) between 2001 and 2019.

Measurements

Regular (weekly/more frequently): (1) tobacco smoking only, (2) cannabis use only and (3) the co‐use of cannabis and tobacco.

Findings

Prevalence of only smoking tobacco decreased in all age groups (P < 0.001) and birth cohorts between 2001 and 2019, but the co‐use of cannabis and tobacco did not. Younger cohorts were much less likely to co‐use tobacco and cannabis (P = 0.02). Period trends showed that both cannabis use only and the co‐use of cannabis and tobacco have increased since 2013.

Conclusion

There has been a consistent decrease in exclusive tobacco smoking across age, period and birth cohorts between 2001 and 2019 in Australia, although there is a recent increasing period trend in cannabis use with or without tobacco. The non‐decreasing trend of co‐use may reflect the strong tobacco control policies introduced over the period and changing attitudes towards cannabis use in Australia.
Towards optimum smoking cessation interventions during pregnancy: a household model to explore cost‐effectiveness
Authors: Saygın Avşar Tuba , Jackson Louise , Barton Pelham , Jones Matthew , McLeod Hugh
Published: May 2022

Background and Aims

Previous economic evaluations of smoking cessation interventions for pregnant women are limited to single components, which do not in isolation offer sufficient potential impact to address smoking cessation targets. To inform the development of more appropriate complex interventions, we (1) describe the development of the Economics of Smoking in Pregnancy: Household (ESIP.H) model for estimating the life‐time cost‐effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions aimed at pregnant women and (2) use a hypothetical case study to demonstrate how ESIP.H can be used to identify the characteristics of optimum smoking cessation interventions.

Methods

The hypothetical intervention was based on current evidence relating to component elements, including financial incentives, partner smoking, intensive behaviour change support, cigarettes consumption and duration of support to 12 months post‐partum. ESIP.H was developed to assess the life‐time health and cost impacts of multi‐component interventions compared with standard National Health Service (NHS) care in England. ESIP.H considers cigarette consumption, partner smoking and some health conditions (e.g. obesity) that were not included in previous models. The Markov model's parameters were estimated based on published literature, expert judgement and evidence‐based assumptions. The hypothetical intervention was evaluated from an NHS perspective.

Results

The hypothetical intervention was associated with an incremental gain in quitters (mother and partner) at 12 months postpartum of 249 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 195–304] per 1000 pregnant smokers. Over the long‐term, it had an incremental negative cost of £193 (CI = –£779 to 344) and it improved health, with a 0.50 (CI = 0.36–0.69) increase in quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) for mothers, partners and offspring, with a 100% probability of being cost‐effective.

Conclusions

The Economics of Smoking in Pregnancy: Household model for estimating cost‐effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions aimed at pregnant women found that a hypothetical smoking cessation intervention would greatly extend reach, reduce smoking and be cost‐effective.
Indonesian consensus on systemic therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hasan Irsan , Loho Imelda Maria , Setiawan Poernomo Boedi , Djumhana Ali , Purnomo Hery Djagat , Siregar Lianda , Gani Rino Alvani , Sulaiman Andri Sanityoso , Lesmana Cosmas Rinaldi Adithya
Published: May 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly cancer with a rising incidence in the last 20 years. Most patients are diagnosed late when curative treatment is no longer feasible. With the background of chronic liver disease in most patients, the management of HCC becomes more complicated, in which well‐preserved liver function is a prerequisite for locoregional or systemic therapies. In 2008, sorafenib became the first systemic agent proven to provide survival benefit for patients with advanced‐stage HCC. For nearly a decade, no treatment has succeeded in providing better results than sorafenib. However, numerous advances in systemic therapies have emerged in the last 5 years to fulfill the unmet needs of effective therapeutic options. Several agents have been approved for clinical use after positive results in phase III clinical trials, including lenvatinib, regorafenib, cabozantinib, ramucirumab, and lastly immune checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor. With various options available, knowledge on the clinical evidence of each drug, their safety profile, as well as the patient characteristics and preferences become mandatory in clinical decision making. The objective of this consensus is to help clinicians, health‐care workers, and policy makers in providing best clinical care for HCC patients.
Large variation in radiation therapy fractionation for multiple myeloma in Australia
Authors: Ong Wee Loon , MacManus Michael , Milne Roger L. , Foroudi Farshad , Millar Jeremy L.
Published: May 2022

Aim

To evaluate the patterns of use of different radiation therapy (RT) fractionation for multiple myeloma (MM) bone disease.

Methods

This is a population‐based cohort of patients with MM who had RT between 2012 and 2017 as captured in the statewide Victorian Radiotherapy Minimum Data Set in Australia. Data linkage was performed to identify subsets of RT delivered within 3 months of death. RT fractionation was classified into four groups: single‐fraction (SFRT), 2–5, 6–10, and > 10 fractions. Changes in RT fractionation use over time were evaluated with the Cochran–Armitage test for trend. Factors associated with RT fractionation were evaluated using multivariate logistic regressions.

Results

Nine hundred and sixty‐seven courses of RT were delivered in 623 patients. The proportion of SFRT, 2–5, 6–10 and > 10 fractions RT was 18%, 47%, 28%, and 7%, respectively. There was an increase in the use of 2–5 fractions, from 48% in 2012 to 60% in 2017 (p‐trend < .001), with corresponding decrease in the use of 6–10 fractions, from 26% in 2012 to 20% in 2017 (p‐trend = .003). Nine percent (40/430) of RT courses at private institutions were SFRT, compared to 25% (135/537) in public institutions (p < .001). In multivariate analyses, treatment in private institution was the strongest predictor of multifraction RT use. SFRT use was more common closer to the end of life–18%, 14%, and 33% of RT within 2–3, 1–2, < 1 month of death, respectively.

Conclusion

There is increasing use of shorter course RT (2–5 fractions) for MM over time. SFRT use remains low, with large variation in practice.
The role of hypoxia in the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Zhong Bing , Seah Jun Jie , Liu Feng , Ba Luo , Du Jintao , Wang De Yun
Published: May 2022

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal cavity characterized by excessive nasal mucus secretion and nasal congestion. The development of CRS is related to pathological mechanisms induced by hypoxia. Under hypoxic conditions, the stable expression of both Hypoxia inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1) α and HIF‐2α are involved in the immune response and inflammatory pathways of CRS. The imbalance in the composition of nasal microbiota may affect the hypoxic state of CRS and perpetuate existing inflammation. Hypoxia affects the differentiation of nasal epithelial cells such as ciliated cells and goblet cells, induces fibroblast proliferation, and leads to epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tissue remodeling. Hypoxia also affects the proliferation and differentiation of macrophages, eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells in sinonasal mucosa, and thus influences the inflammatory state of CRS by regulating T cells and B cells. Given the multifactorial nature in which HIF is linked to CRS, this study aims to elucidate the effect of hypoxia on the pathogenic mechanisms of CRS.
Outcomes of perineal reconstruction with inferior gluteal artery myocutaneous flaps and primary closure following abdominoperineal resection
Authors: Gultekin Sinem , Gartrell Richard , Lu Lucy , Croxford Matthew , Faragher Ian , Chan Steven T. F. , Yeung Justin M. C.
Published: May 2022

Background

Perineal wound morbidity following abdominoperineal resection (APR) is a significant challenge. Myocutaneous flap‐based techniques have been developed to overcome morbidity associated with perineal reconstruction. We reviewed outcomes for patients undergoing APR in a hospital that performs inferior gluteal artery myocutaneous (IGAM) island transposition flaps and primary closure (PC) for perineal reconstruction.

Methods

A retrospective study of patients who underwent APR for malignancy between January 2012 and March 2020 was performed and outcomes between IGAM reconstruction and PC compared. Primary outcomes were wound infection and dehiscence. Secondary outcomes included return to theatre, operative time, length of stay, flap loss and perineal hernia incidence.

Results

One‐hundred and two patients underwent APR, with 50 (49%) who had PC and 52 (51%) had IGAM flap reconstructions. There were no differences between each group with regards to wound infection (23 vs. 22%, P = 0.55) or wound dehiscence (25 vs. 24%, P = 0.92). Thirteen (25%) IGAM patients required a return to theatre compared to three PC patients (6%) (P = 0.008). IGAM procedures required twice the overall operative time (506 vs. 240 min, P = 0.001) with no differences between groups when comparing the APR component (250 vs. 240 min, P = 0.225). The IGAM group had a longer length of stay (median 13 days vs. 9 days, P = 0.001). Only one IGAM flap was lost and no symptomatic hernias were identified.

Conclusion

Perineal closure technique did not affect the incidence of wound infection or dehiscence. Closure technique should be tailored to underlying patient characteristics and surgical pathology.
Mucocutaneous manifestations of COVID-19-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults: an update
Authors: Sil Abheek , Das Anupam , Datta Debatri
Published: May 2022

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) is an inflammatory condition that affects multiple extrapulmonary organ systems (cardiac, gastrointestinal tract, dermatological and/or neurological), attributed to a postinfectious and atypical complication occurring weeks to months after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The diagnosis is primarily based on findings encompassing persistent fever, elevated inflammatory markers, multiorgan involvement and a temporal relationship with COVID-19 infection. The existing literature on MIS-A, although growing, is limited to case reports and small case series. It is imperative that dermatologists be aware of this entity and aid the critical care team to ensure timely diagnosis and early therapeutic intervention. In this review, we concisely highlight the varied presentations, pathogenesis and treatment options in MIS-A.
A humanized murine model, demonstrating dominant progressive hearing loss caused by a novel KCNQ4 mutation (p.G228D) from a large Chinese family
Authors: Cui Chong , Zhang Luping , Qian Fuping , Chen Yuxin , Huang Bowei , Wang Fang , Wang Daqi , Lv Jun , Wang Xuechun , Yan Zhiqiang , Guo Luo , Li Geng‐Lin , Shu Yilai , Liu Dong , Li Huawei
Published: May 2022

The pathogenic variants in KCNQ4 cause DFNA2 nonsyndromic hearing loss. However, the understanding of genotype–phenotype correlations between KCNQ4 and hearing is limited. Here, we identified a novel KCNQ4 mutation p.G228D from a Chinese family, including heterozygotes characterized by high‐frequency hearing loss that is progressive across all frequencies and homozygotes with more severe hearing loss. We constructed a novel murine model with humanized homologous Kcnq4 mutation. The heterozygotes had mid‐frequency and high‐frequency hearing loss at 4 weeks, and moved toward all frequencies hearing loss at 12 weeks, while the homozygotes had severe‐to‐profound hearing loss at 8 weeks. The degeneration of outer hair cells (OHCs) was observed from basal to apical turn of cochlea. The reduced K+ currents and depolarized resting potentials were revealed in OHCs. Remarkably, we observed the loss of inner hair cells (IHCs) in the region corresponding to the frequency above 32 kHz at 8–12 weeks. The results suggest the degeneration of OHCs and IHCs may contribute to high‐frequency hearing loss in DFNA2 over time. Our findings broaden the variants of KCNQ4 and provide a novel mouse model of progressive hearing loss, which contributes to an understanding of pathogenic mechanism and eventually treatment of DFNA2 progressive hearing loss.
Delaunay Painting: Perceptual Image Colouring from Raster Contours with Gaps
Authors: Parakkat Amal Dev , Memari Pooran , Cani Marie‐Paule
Published: May 2022

We introduce Delaunay Painting, a novel and easy‐to‐use method to flat‐colour contour‐sketches with gaps. Starting from a Delaunay triangulation of the input contours, triangles are iteratively filled with the appropriate colours, thanks to the dynamic update of flow values calculated from colour hints. Aesthetic finish is then achieved, through energy minimisation of contour‐curves and further heuristics enforcing the appropriate sharp corners. To be more efficient, the user can also make use of our colour diffusion framework, which automatically extends colouring to small, internal regions such as those delimited by hatches. The resulting method robustly handles input contours with strong gaps. As an interactive tool, it minimizes user's efforts and enables any colouring strategy, as the result does not depend on the order of interactions. We also provide an automatized version of the colouring strategy for quick segmentation of contours images, that we illustrate with applications to medical imaging and sketch segmentation.