bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The prognostic value of tumor-associated macrophages in glioma patients
Authors: Shen Yang , Zheng Dingke , Hu Dong , Ma Baoxin , Cai Chunsheng , Chen Wei , Zeng Jiahao , Luo Junran , Xiao Dan , Zhao Yao , Wu Zhiyan , Jing Guojie , Xie Yituan
Published: September 2023

Glioma is a complex tumor composed of both neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells, including tumor-infiltrating leukocytes (TILs), and each cell type contributes to tumor formation and malignant progression. Among TILs, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are of great importance and play a key role in the immune response to cancer. In this study, 22 types of adaptive and innate TILs were evaluated in gliomas. TAMs, which account for 38.7% of all these cells, are the most abundant immune infiltrates in the tumor microenvironment. In addition, we observed different immune cell patterns in low-grade glioma and glioblastoma. Our research indicated that there was a connection between TILs, and 13 of 22 TILs were significantly associated with patient outcomes. Finally, the prognosis and diagnostic value of TAMs were revealed using Kaplan–Meier analysis. We identified the optimal cutoff point of TAMs at an infiltrating level of 0.47 to predict patient prognosis, with a median overall survival of 448 days in patients with higher TAM infiltration levels and 2660 days in patients with lower TAM infiltration levels. These findings provide a new idea for glioma to regulate tumor-specific immunity, clarify the potential effects of TAMs on disease pathology, and provide a theoretical basis for immune intervention treatment of gliomas.
Efficacy and safety of daratumumab in the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Huang Zeng-Yi , Jin Xiao-Qin , Liang Qi-Lian , Zhang Ding-Yue , Han Han , Wang Zhen-Wei
Published: September 2023

Background:

Daratumumab as a monoclonal antibody has shown promising results in the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). However, the efficacy and safety of daratumumab-based regimens compared to control regimens have not been fully established.

Methods:

The search was conducted using electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases) up to December 2022. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy and safety of daratumumab in the treatment of RRMM. Data were extracted from eligible studies and were presented as hazard ratio or risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results:

A total of 5 randomized controlled trials comprising 2003 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that daratumumab-based regimens significantly improved progression-free survival compared to control regimens (hazard ratio = 0.44, 95% CI 0.32–0.60, P < .00001). Additionally, daratumumab-based regimens significantly improved overall response rate compared to control regimens (RR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.16–1.36, P < .00001). the rate of minimal residual disease was also significantly higher in the daratumumab-based regimens (RR = 6.10, 95% CI 4.09–9.11, P < .00001). However, there was an increased risk of pneumonia, upper respiratory tract infections, and diarrhea in the daratumumab-based regimens.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that daratumumab-based regimens are effective in the treatment of RRMM, improving progression-free survival, minimal residual disease, and overall response rate. However, there is an increased risk of pneumonia, upper respiratory tract infections, and diarrhea. Further studies are needed to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of daratumumab in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
Prognostic impact of serum testosterone in metastatic hormone-naive prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Puche-Sanz Ignacio , Chiu Peter , Morillo Ana C. , Gomez-Gomez Enrique
Published: September 2023

Purpose of review

In daily practice, there is an unmet medical need for biomarkers that facilitate therapeutic decision-making in the metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) scenario. Although recent studies have highlighted the potential of testosterone as a prognostic and predictive marker in prostate cancer, the evidence is controversial. The objective of this review was to summarize and analyze the scientific evidence regarding the prognostic role of basal testosterone levels in patients with mHSPC.

Methods

A systematic review was performed. Three authors selected the articles from Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library electronic databases. Risk of bias was assessed by the Newcastle Ottawa Scale.

Recent findings

Most of the selected articles suggest that low testosterone levels before starting hormonal blockade imply a worse prognosis for patients with mHSPC. However, the quality of the evidence is poor, the studies are heterogeneous, and it is not possible to meta-analyze most of the published results.

Testosterone is an accessible and affordable biomarker. If it were correctly demonstrated that it harbors a prognostic and/or predictive role in the mHSPC setting, it could represent an advance in decision-making in these patients. Well designed prospective studies are needed to correctly answer this question.
The relationship between microbial contaminations of embryo transfer catheters with pregnancy outcome after embryo transfer
Authors: Rezaie Masomeh , Rezaie Mohammad Jafar , Seyedoshohadaie Fariba , Alahvaisi Azra , Azizian Khalil , Nouri Bijan , Babaneghad Gajoti Samira
Published: September 2023

Background:

Different stages of assisted reproductive technologies are susceptible to contamination by various microorganisms.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between microbial contamination of embryo transfer catheters and the pregnancy outcome after embryo transfer.

Methods:

This cohort study was conducted on 60 patients candied for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer cycles from 2021 to 2022. All embryos were transferred using a sterile syringe. The catheter contamination was checked by the microbial culture method, and in the case of microbial culture that were negative, polymerase chain reaction was done to confirm the result. The data analyzed using STATA 17 to determine the impact of catheter contamination on the clinical pregnancy rate.

Results:

The average age of peoples whose microbial culture was positive was lower than that of people whose microbial culture was negative (P<0.05). Also the results showed that people who live in villages have more positive microbial cultures than people who live in cities (P<0.05). Also there is no difference between the number of successful implantations and the pregnancy outcome between people whose microbial culture results were positive or negative.

Conclusion:

The results of the current study showed that the contamination of the embryo transfer catheter with microorganisms under our investigation did not affect the pregnancy outcome.
Caregivers' Perspectives on Ethical Challenges and Patient Safety in Tele-Palliative Care
Authors: Schuessler Nadine , Glarcher Manela
Published: September 2023

Tele-palliative care enables people with a life-limiting illness to consult with palliative care staff without having to leave their homes but requires commitment from all stakeholders, particularly on ethical challenges and patient safety issues. When using telecommunications and virtual technology, ethical challenges and patient safety aspects must be taken into account.

The aim was to describe formal and informal caregivers' opportunities in tele-palliative care and the associated ethical and safety challenges using a Whittemore and Knafl integrative review method. Ethical and patient safety perspectives were extracted from studies reporting on tele-palliative care interventions. Content on ethically considerable information on the intervention was coded, categorized, and summarized into a matrix developed in advance from literature on socio-technical arrangements and eHealth applications.

Nine studies from experimental and nonexperimental research were included. Four studies reported exclusively on the perspective of formal caregivers, 3 studies addressed the perspective of patients and informal caregivers, and 2 studies covered the perspectives of both. Studies of tele-palliative care interventions implicate effects on patient-caregiver relationships but also show that technology is not seen as a replacement of holistic palliative care. However, the authors do not address other relevant ethical issues (eg, sustainability) or consider aspects of patient safety.

There is a need for further research to assess privacy, data security, and patient safety in tele-palliative care from the perspective of caregivers as telehealth becomes increasingly important.
Racial Disparities in Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients With Dermatomyositis of Different Skin Tones
Authors: Weisleder Hillary , Valle Ana , Xie Xianhong , Mahmood Shereen
Published: September 2023

Background

Delays in the diagnosis and treatment of dermatological conditions in minorities are a well-documented health disparity. We aimed to determine if there was a delay in detection and treatment initiation for dermatomyositis (DM) and amyopathic dermatomyositis (ADM) in patients of different skin tones.

Methods

Patients from Montefiore Medical Center who met the criteria for DM and ADM were included in this cohort study. Records were reviewed for date of first documented rash, creatine kinase levels, muscle weakness complaints, and date of first steroid or disease-modifying antirheumatic drug initiation. The median number of days between rash documentation and therapy initiation was compared for patients of different races, including non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and other (Asian and unknown). Data were compared in White versus non-White skin.

Results

Sixty-three DM and 9 ADM patients met the inclusion criteria. There was a shorter time to treatment initiation in White versus non-White patients, with a median number of 8 days compared with 21 days, respectively (p = 0.05). Kaplan-Meier curves showed prolonged time to diagnosis and treatment in all other races when compared with White patients (p = 0.03).

Discussion

It took clinicians longer to diagnose and treat DM and ADM in patients of color. The trends observed emphasize the importance of increasing dermatology education of non-White skin to improve detection and treatment of DM and ADM and minimize health disparities.
New-Generation 0.55 T MRI of the Knee—Initial Clinical Experience and Comparison With 3 T MRI
Authors: Donners Ricardo , Vosshenrich Jan , Gutzeit Andreas , Bach Michael , Schlicht Felix , Obmann Markus M. , Harder Dorothee , Breit Hanns-Christian
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the detection rate of and reader confidence in 0.55 T knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with 3 T knee MRI in patients with acute trauma and knee pain.

Materials and Methods

In this prospective study, 0.55 T and 3 T knee MRI of 25 symptomatic patients (11 women; median age, 38 years) with suspected internal derangement of the knee was obtained in 1 setting. On the 0.55 T system, a commercially available deep learning image reconstruction algorithm was used (Deep Resolve Gain and Deep Resolve Sharp; Siemens Healthineers), which was not available on the 3 T system. Two board-certified radiologists reviewed all images independently and graded image quality parameters, noted MRI findings and their respective reporting confidence level for the presence or absence, as well as graded the bone, cartilage, meniscus, ligament, and tendon lesions. Image quality and reader confidence levels were compared (P < 0.05 = significant), and clinical findings were correlated between 0.55 T and 3 T MRI by calculation of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

Image quality was rated higher at 3 T compared with 0.55 T studies (each P ≤ 0.017). Agreement between 0.55 T and 3 T MRI for the detection and grading of bone marrow edema and fractures, ligament and tendon lesions, high-grade meniscus and cartilage lesions, Baker cysts, and joint effusions was perfect for both readers. Overall identification and grading of cartilage and meniscal lesions showed good agreement between high- and low-field MRI (each ICC > 0.76), with lower agreement for low-grade cartilage (ICC = 0.77) and meniscus lesions (ICC = 0.49). There was no difference in readers' confidence levels for reporting lesions of bone, ligaments, tendons, Baker cysts, and joint effusions between 0.55 T and 3 T (each P > 0.157). Reader reporting confidence was higher for cartilage and meniscal lesions at 3 T (each P < 0.041).

Conclusions

New-generation 0.55 T knee MRI, with deep learning–aided image reconstruction, allows for reliable detection and grading of joint lesions in symptomatic patients, but it showed limited accuracy and reader confidence for low-grade cartilage and meniscal lesions in comparison with 3 T MRI.
Theoretical, Conceptual, and Operational Aspects in Simulation Training With Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice
Authors: de Oliveira Hudson Carmo , Campos Juliana Faria , de Souza Lucimar Casimiro , de Bakker Gabriela Barcellos , Ferreira Luciana Lopes Busquet , da Silva Rodrigo Nogueira , dos Santos Pires Paula Rodrigues , Brandão Marcos Antônio Gomes
Published: September 2023

Summary Statement

An integrative review following Whittemore and Knafl's 5-stage approach (problem identification, literature search, data evaluation, data analysis, and presentation) was conducted to synthesize the evidence on the theoretical, conceptual, and operational aspects of simulation training with rapid cycle deliberate practice (RCDP). After the literature search, 2 reviewers independently read and critically evaluated primary studies using the eligibility criteria. A third more experienced reviewer solved disagreements between the reviewers.

This review included 31 articles. Eight themes were identified and grouped into 2 pre-established categories: theoretical/conceptual and operational aspects. The first category had the following 3 themes: definition of RCDP, concepts related to the principles of RCDP, and theories underpinning RCDP. The second category had the following 5 themes: total training time, number of participants in the training, training system, first scenario without intervention, and progressive difficulty. This review showed that knowledge about RCDP is still under construction. As a new simulation strategy, there are some theoretical, conceptual, and operational differences in the studies applying RCDP interventions as simulation training.
Identification of secondary metabolites containing a diketopiperazine core in extracts from myxobacterial strains with growth inhibition activity against a range of prey species
Authors: Radford Emily Jade , Whitworth David , Allison Gordon
Published: September 2023

Myxobacteria produce a variety of bioactive secondary metabolites, and with a wealth of under-researched species they hold vast potential for undiscovered compounds. With the ever-increasing need for new antibiotics, the development of novel therapeutics is vitally important. Therefore, this study aimed to extract and elucidate antimicrobial metabolites from the following myxobacteria: Myxococcus xanthus CA010 and AB022; Corallococcus exiguus DSM14696T; Myxococcus stipitatus DSM14675T; Corallococcus aberystwythensis AB050AT. Metabolite mixtures were extracted in acetone from XAD-16 resin incubated in liquid cultures and analysed using GC-MS. Bioactivity was identified using a growth inhibition assay against a panel of clinically relevant prey species including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and a fungus. The growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis was most affected by the metabolite mixtures and the mixtures from AB022 and AB050AT were effective against the most prey. GC-MS analysis revealed metabolites with roles in synthesis and degradation of amino acids and fatty acids, but also identified compounds A and B with a diketopiperazine (DKP) core. With previously confirmed bioactivity of compound A, it is suggested that these DKP compounds are contributing to the antimicrobial activity observed.  Furthermore, many compounds could not be identified and so these unknowns present further potential for novel bioactive compounds.
Brain Tuberculoma: A fifty-two-year-old woman case report
Authors: Shankar Gokul S , Nair Sreeja , Jacob Teena , Idikula Mercy John
Published: September 2023

Tuberculoma of the brain is one of the most severe extrapulmonary forms that affect patients less than 40 years of age. They are space-occupying masses of granulomatous tissue that result from haematogenous spread from a distant focus of tuberculous infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Symptoms and radiologic features being nonspecific usually leads to misdiagnosis and mimics a variety of other infectious diseases. Anti- Tubercular drugs are essential for the successful treatment of cerebral tuberculomas. A 52-year-old woman with known co-morbidities and chronic kidney disease presented with complaints of disoriented talk, vomiting, fever, and decreased response since 1 day. The initial radiological imaging showed ring-enhancing lesions and a differential diagnosis of septic emboli, vasculitis, and tuberculosis was considered. A repeat MRI suggested Tuberculoma. CSF studies showed predominant lymphocytes with elevated protein. CBNAAT & AFB smears of CSF were negative. The patient was started on anti-tuberculous drugs and steroids. But did not respond to the treatment and twelve days later, a brain biopsy was taken and sent for cultures. She deteriorated progressively and died 14 days after admission. Twelve days after her demise, the Mycobacterial culture of the brain biopsy specimen grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Repurposing of rituximab biosimilars to treat B cell mediated autoimmune diseases
Authors: Mostkowska Agata , Rousseau Guy , Raynal Noël J-M
Published: September 2023

Rituximab, the first monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of lymphoma, eventually became one of the most popular and versatile drugs ever in terms of clinical application and revenue. Since its patent expiration, and consequently, the loss of exclusivity of the original biologic, its repurposing as an off-label drug has increased dramatically, propelled by the development and commercialization of its many biosimilars. Currently, rituximab is prescribed worldwide to treat a vast range of autoimmune diseases mediated by B cells. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of rituximab repurposing in 116 autoimmune diseases across 17 medical specialties, sourced from over 1,530 publications. Our work highlights the extent of its off-label use and clinical benefits, underlining the success of rituximab repurposing for both common and orphan immune-related diseases. We discuss the scientific mechanism associated with its clinical efficacy and provide additional indications for which rituximab could be investigated. Our study presents rituximab as a flagship example of drug repurposing owing to its central role in targeting CD20+B cells in over 100 autoimmune diseases.
Structural network topology mediated cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Chen Zhichun , Li Guanglu , Zhou Liche , Zhang Lina , Yang Li , Liu Jun
Published: September 2023

Cognitive impairment (CI) is one of the most prominent non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). How brain network abnormalities contribute to CI in PD patients remain largely unclear. The goal of this study is to explore whether aberrations of brain network topology were causally associated with cognitive decline in PD patients. PD patients receiving magnetic resonance imaging from Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) database were specifically selected. According to the scores of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), PD patients were classified into CI+ group (MoCA score ≤ 25) and CI-group (MoCA score > 25) to investigate whether clinical features and brain networks were significantly different between two groups. Mediation analysis was utilized to evaluate whether brain network alterations contributed to CI in PD patients. We revealed CI + group exhibited more severe non-motor symptoms compared to CI-group. In addition, age, excessive daytime sleepiness, and depressive symptoms were found to be significantly associated with CI of PD patients. Moreover, CI+ group exhibited statistically different local topological properties in structural network compared to CI-group. Furthermore, differential local topological metrics in structural network meditated the effects of age, excessive daytime sleepiness, and depression on cognitive decline of PD patients. Taken together, out study suggested that PD patients with CI exhibited notable disturbances of structural network topology, which mediated negative associations between of age, excessive daytime sleepiness, depression and cognitive decline of PD patients.
Hierarchy between forelimb premotor and primary motor cortices and its manifestation in their firing patterns
Authors: Saiki-Ishikawa Akiko , Agrios Mark , Savya Sajishnu , Forrest Adam , Sroussi Hannah , Hsu Sarah , Basrai Diya , Xu Feihong , Miri Andrew
Published: September 2023

Though hierarchy is commonly invoked in descriptions of motor cortical function, its presence and manifestation in firing patterns remain poorly resolved. Here we use optogenetic inactivation to demonstrate that short-latency influence between forelimb premotor and primary motor cortices is asymmetric during reaching in mice, demonstrating a partial hierarchy between the endogenous activity in each region. Multi-region recordings revealed that some activity is captured by similar but delayed patterns where either region’s activity leads, with premotor activity leading more. Yet firing in each region is dominated by patterns shared between regions and is equally predictive of firing in the other region at the single-neuron level. In dual-region network models fit to data, regions differed in their dependence on across-region input, rather than the amount of such input they received. Our results indicate that motor cortical hierarchy, while present, may not be exposed when inferring interactions between populations from firing patterns alone.
Is influenza B/Yamagata extinct and what public health implications could this have? An updated literature review and comprehensive assessment of global surveillance databases
Authors: Caini Saverio , Meijer Adam , Nunes Marta C. , Henaff Laetitia , Zounon Malaika , Boudewijns Bronke , Riccio Marco Del , Paget John
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Early after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a major drop in the number of influenza B/Yamagata detections was observed globally. Given the potential public health implications, particularly with regards to influenza vaccination, we conducted a systematic review of influenza B/Yamagata virus circulation data from multiple complementary sources of information.

Methods

We searched articles published until 20thMarch 2023 in PubMed and EMBASE; examined epidemiological and virological influenza data for 2020-2023 contained in the publicly available WHO-FluNet and GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data) global databases, or collected by the multi-national Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network (GIHSN) study; and looked for influenza data in the webpages of respiratory viruses surveillance systems from countries worldwide.

Results

Highly consistent findings were found across all sources of information, with a progressive decline of influenza B/Yamagata detections from 2020 onwards across all world regions, both in absolute terms (total number of cases), the positivity rate, and as a fraction of influenza B detections. Isolated influenza B/Yamagata cases continue to be sporadically reported, and these are typically vaccine-derived, mistaken data entries or under investigation.

Discussion

While it is still too early to conclude that B/Yamagata is (or will soon become) extinct, the current epidemiological and virological data call for a rapid response in terms of influenza prevention practices, particularly regarding the formulation of influenza vaccines. The current epidemiological situation is unprecedented in recent decades, underlying the importance of continuously and carefully monitoring the circulation of influenza viruses (as well as SARS-CoV-2 and the other respiratory viruses) in the coming years.
Isolation and quantification of bacterial membrane vesicles for quantitative metabolic studies using mammalian cell cultures
Authors: Kretschmer Marcel , Müller Julia , Henke Petra , Otto Viktoria , Rodriguez Alejandro Arce , Müsken Mathias , Jahn Dieter , Borrero-de Acuña José Manuel , Neumann-Schaal Meina , Wegner Andre
Published: September 2023

Bacterial membrane vesicles (BMVs) are produced by most bacteria and participate in various cellular processes, such as intercellular communication, nutrient exchange, and pathogenesis. Notably, these vesicles can contain virulence factors, including toxic proteins, DNA, and RNA. Such factors can contribute to the harmful effects of bacterial pathogens on host cells and tissues. Although the general effects of BMVs on host cellular physiology are well known, the underlying molecular mechanisms are less understood. In this study, we introduce a vesicle quantification method, leveraging the membrane dye FM4-64. We utilize a linear regression model to analyze the fluorescence emitted by stained vesicle membranes to ensure consistent and reproducible vesicle-host interaction studies using cultured cells. This method is particularly valuable for identifying host cellular processes impacted by vesicles and their specific cargo. Moreover, it outcompetes clearly unreliable protein concentration-based methods. We (1) show a linear correlation between the quantity of vesicles and the fluorescence signal emitted from the FM4-64 dye, (2) introduce the “vesicle load” as a new semi-quantitative unit, facilitating more reproducible vesicle-cell culture interaction experiments (3) show that a stable vesicle load yields consistent host responses when studying vesicles fromPseudomonas aeruginosamutants (4) demonstrate that typical vesicle isolation contaminants, such as flagella, do not significantly skew the metabolic response of lung epithelial cells toP. aeruginosavesicles, and (5) identify inositol-1-monophosphatase (SuhB) as a pivotal regulator in the vesicle-mediated pathogenesis ofP. aeruginosa.
Escherichia coliadapts metabolically to 6- and 7-fluoroindole, enabling proteome-wide fluorotryptophan substitution
Authors: Treiber-Kleinke Christin , Berger Allison , Adrian Lorenz , Budisa Nediljko , Koksch Beate
Published: September 2023

Nature has scarcely evolved a biochemistry around fluorine. However, modern science proved fluorinated organic molecules to be suitable building blocks for biopolymers, from peptides and proteins up to entire organisms. Here, we conducted adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) experiments to introduce fluorine into living microorganisms. By cultivatingEscherichia coliwith fluorinated indole analogues, we successfully evolved microbial cells capable of utilizing either 6-fluoroindole or 7-fluoroindole for growth. Our improved ALE protocols enabled us to overcome previous challenges and achieve consistent and complete adaptation of microbial populations to these unnatural molecules. In the ALE experiments, we supplied fluoroindoles to auxotrophicE. colibacteria, exerting strong selective pressure that led to microbial adaptation and growth on monofluorinated indoles. Within the cells, these indoles were converted into corresponding amino acids (6- and 7-fluorotryptophan) and incorporated into the proteome at tryptophan sites. This study is a first step and establishes a strong foundation for further exploration of the mechanisms underlying fluorine-based life and how a formerly stressor (fluorinated indole) becomes a vital nutrient.

Abstract Figure
Organization justice, knowledge sharing and employees' innovative behavior: evidence from the knowledge-intensive industry
Authors: Tran Pham Toan Khanh
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Encouraging employees to display innovative behavior at the workplace is the need of all enterprises in this competitive era of the modern business environment. The study aims to explore the mediating role of knowledge sharing in the relationship between organizational justice and innovative behavior among employees working in the information technology (IT) industry in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model was tested on the data collected from 387 employees working in IT enterprises with AMOS 22 software.

Findings

Confirmatory factor analysis implied a good model fit. The results show that knowledge sharing mediates the effects of organizational justice with three main forms distributive, procedural and interactional justice on innovative behavior.

Practical implications

The findings of this study provide valuable evidence and implications for the executive of IT enterprise in boosting knowledge sharing, and innovative behaviors among the employees, in improving their perception of justice in the workplace. This is particularly important due to the significant role of knowledge sharing in organizational development.

Originality/value

This study pioneered the identification of the underlying mechanism of organization justice – innovative behavior nexus by highlighting knowledge sharing as a mediator. Moreover, this study takes a step beyond by suggesting a more complicated model that explored mediating two dimensions of knowledge sharing.
Financial capability and financial anxiety: comparison before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Xiao Jing Jian , Meng Kexin
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine and compare the associations between financial capability and financial anxiety (FA) before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Specifically, financial capability is measured by three indicators: financial knowledge, financial behavior and financial confidence. This study also examines and compares the association among different income groups before and during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are from 2018 to 2021 National Financial Capability Study (NFCS). Structural equation modeling (SEM) is employed to examine the direct and indirect associations between financial capability factors and FA. Furthermore, this paper also conducts multi-group SEM for three income groups to examine the heterogeneous effects of household income.

Findings

Both before and during the pandemic, financial knowledge is directly positively and financial behavior is directly negatively associated with FA. In addition, both financial knowledge and financial behavior are positively associated with financial confidence, which in turn is negatively associated with FA. However, when taking the indirect effects into consideration, the total effects of financial capability factors on FA are all negative. Furthermore, the pandemic has intensified the negative association between financial behavior and FA rather than financial knowledge or financial confidence. Multi-group SEM shows that the positive direct effects of financial knowledge are only significant in the low-income group, while the negative direct effects of financial behavior are only significant in the low- and middle-income groups before the pandemic. However, direct effects of financial knowledge and financial behavior are significant in all income groups during the pandemic.

Originality/value

First, this study specifies a construct, financial confidence, to proxy perceived financial capability. Second, it examines the mediating role of financial confidence in the association between the other two financial capability factors (financial knowledge and financial behaviors) and FA. Third, it also compares the associations between financial capability factors and FA before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 vaccination: lower intention and coverage among entrepreneurs compared to employees
Authors: Wismans Annelot , van der Zwan Peter , Thurik Roy
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Lockdowns and the forced closure of certain industries during the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted workers, particularly entrepreneurs, who were financially and emotionally involved in their businesses. Two studies have shown that entrepreneurs have a lower willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 than employees. In this study, the authors try to replicate the vaccination gap between the two groups. Second, the authors study whether the difference persists when controlling for demographics, vaccination attitudes and the COVID-19 context, including the financial impact of the pandemic, its effect on the wellbeing of workers, and government attitudes. Third, the authors study whether there are differences in how the context of the pandemic relates to vaccination willingness for entrepreneurs and employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct regression analyses using three large datasets. The authors study vaccination status (February 2022) in a 27-country Eurobarometer sample, vaccination intention (December 2020) in a Dutch sample from the LISS panel and vaccination status (July 2021) in a sample from the Understanding America Study (UAS).

Findings

All datasets confirm that entrepreneurs have lower vaccination intention and coverage than employees. Even when controlling for the variables described in the LISS and UAS datasets, this negative difference remains. The study results also indicate that demographics, especially vaccination attitudes, are much more important than contextual influences in the decision to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Originality/value

The authors are the first to dive further into the vaccination differences between entrepreneurs and employees. They advise further research into the drivers of this gap, specifically relating to the role of personality and social normative influences.
Exploring the indirect effects of innovation policy and innovation culture on business model innovation: a moderated mediation analysis
Authors: Chen Chih-Hung
Published: September 2023

Purpose

While previous studies have investigated the factors influencing the internet adoption, the findings may not be transferable to explain blockchain technology adoption, despite its similarities to the internet. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the mediating effect of innovation culture and the moderating effect of innovation policies on business model innovation (BMI) outcomes in emerging economy firms. It investigates how these factors synergistically facilitate BMI, offering practical guidance for public authorities and managers to develop relevant policies and govern businesses effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected data from 287 valid responses among 948 listed companies on the Taiwan Stock Exchange using a structured questionnaire. This study used structural equation modeling and Process Model 5 to analyze direct and indirect effects, focusing on corporate key capabilities for BMI while exploring the combined impact of innovation culture and policies.

Findings

The study revealed that innovation culture and innovation policies synergistically facilitate BMI, accelerating firms’ progress toward BMI in the emerging economy context. These outcomes offer valuable guidance for public authorities and company managers in formulating relevant policies and managing businesses effectively.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by uniquely exploring the combined influence of innovation culture and policies on BMI in emerging economy firms, shedding light on their compounding effect and offering practical implications for policy-making and business management.
Impact of lean management on work safety and operational excellence within Tunisian companies
Authors: Alguirat Ibtissem , Lehyani Fatma , Zouari Alaeddine
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Lean management tools are becoming increasingly applied in different types of organizations around the world. These tools have shown their significant contribution to improving business performance. In this vein, the purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of lean management on both occupational safety and operational excellence in Tunisian companies.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted among Tunisian companies, and it resulted in the collection of 62 responses that were analyzed using the software SPSS. In addition, a conceptual model linking the practices of the three basic concepts was designed to highlight the hypotheses of the research. Subsequently, factor analysis and structural equation method analysis were conducted to assess the validation of the assumptions.

Findings

The results obtained have shown that lean management has a significant impact on occupational safety. Similarly, occupational safety has a significant impact on operational excellence. However, lean management does not have a significant impact on operational excellence.

Originality/value

This work highlighted the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprise’s managers from emerging economies in the studied concepts’ practices. Likewise, it testified to the impacts of lean management on occupational safety and operational excellence in the Tunisian context.
Anatomy of an eBay fraud
Authors: Bogenschneider Bret N. , Lu Lu
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to describe in detail a recent eBay fraud and to provide a related framework of teaching tools for courses in business law and ethics. The case describes an eBay transaction involving return fraud. This study highlights the problem of fraudulent purchase tactics by an eBay buyer who exploited the eBay feedback mechanism and administrative procedures in attempt to obtain a price reduction or to receive the item for free as a concession.

Design/methodology/approach

The work is a case study providing the details and background information on an original eBay return fraud. The case itself provides the source documentation and some background on the eBay platform and its rules. The Appendix provides a set of teaching instructions and discussion questions with model answers related to the specifics of the case.

Findings

The eBay resolution of the matter is provided in the Epilogue section of the Appendix. All negative feedback by the buyer against the seller in an attempt to get the item for free was removed by eBay, and the buyer further relinquished all selling privileges on eBay.

Originality/value

This study is unique because it provides the original eBay listing and screenshots of eBay correspondence and the eBay resolution of the matter. The specific type of return fraud is also unusual, as it was directed by the eBay buyer against the seller which appears to be an evolving problem for online retail.
Progress in partial least squares structural equation modeling use in logistics and supply chain management in the last decade: a structured literature review
Authors: Wang Siqi , Cheah Jun-Hwa , Wong Chee Yew , Ramayah T.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the usage of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) in journals related to logistics and supply chain management (LSCM).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a structured literature review approach, the authors reviewed 401 articles in the field of LSCM applying PLS-SEM published in 15 major journals between 2014 and 2022. The analysis focused on reasons for using PLS-SEM, measurement model and structural model evaluation criteria, advanced analysis techniques and reporting practices.

Findings

LSCM researchers sometimes did not clarify the reasons for using PLS-SEM, such as sample size, complex models and non-normal distributions. Additionally, most articles exhibit limited use of measurement models and structural model evaluation techniques, leading to inappropriate use of assessment criteria. Furthermore, progress in the practical implementation of advanced analysis techniques is slow, and there is a need for improved transparency in reporting analysis algorithms.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the field of LSCM by providing clear criteria and steps for using PLS-SEM, enriching the understanding and advancement of research methodologies in this field.
Proactive food waste prevention in grocery retail supply chains – An exploratory study
Authors: Winkler Tobias , Ostermeier Manuel , Hübner Alexander
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Regarding the retail internal supply chain (SC), both retailers and research are currently focused on reactive food waste reduction options in stores (e.g. discounting or donations). These options reduce waste after a surplus has emerged but do not prevent an emerging surplus in the first place. This paper aims to reveal how retailers can proactively prevent waste along the SC and why the options identified are impactful but, at the same time, often complex to implement.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors follow an exploratory approach for a nascent topic to obtain insights into measures taken in practice. Interviews with experts from retail build the main data source.

Findings

The authors identify and analyze 21 inbound, warehousing, distribution and store-related options applied in grocery retail. Despite the expected high overall impact on waste, prevention measures in inbound logistics and distribution and warehousing have not been intensively applied to date.

Practical implications

The authors provide a structured approach to mitigate waste within retailers' operations and categorize the types of barriers that need to be addressed.

Originality/value

This research provides a better understanding of prevention options in retail operations, which has not yet been empirically explored. Furthermore, this study conceptualizes prevention and reduction options and reveals implementation patterns.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitation and brand choice uncertainty
Authors: Rodrigues Paula , Borges Ana Pinto , Brochado Ana , Sousa Ana
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine individual behaviours regarding coronavirus disease-2019 vaccine brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, qualitative research identified the reasons for vaccine hesitancy in relation to specific brands using data gathered from 36 semi-structured interviews and processed with Leximancer software. Secondly, a new conceptual model was developed with data from 917 questionnaires and analysed using partial least squares-structural equation modelling. The model integrates health treatment effectiveness, vaccines’ immediate health benefits and individuals’ hope as antecedents of perceived vaccine brand reliability and company reputation and their relationships with choice uncertainty.

Findings

The results reveal that vaccine hesitancy can be linked with individual, group and contextual and vaccine brand influences and that brand reliability and company reputation antecedents have variable but statistically significant effects on choice uncertainty.

Practical implications

This research’s contribution lies in its analyses of vaccine acceptance and uncertainty from a vaccine brand perspective. The results can guide brand management policies implemented by public and private organisations.

Originality/value

This study contributes to academic literature by filling in two gaps. The first was that no prior studies have directly addressed vaccine brands’ impact, whereas the second gap was the need for brand management policies that public (e.g. governments and public health agencies) and private organisations (e.g. pharmaceutical laboratories) can apply.
Platforms, perceptions, and privacy: ethical implications of student conflation of educational technologies
Authors: Greenhalgh Spencer P. , DiGiacomo Daniela K. , Barriage Sarah
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how higher education students think about educational technologies they have previously used – and the implications of this understanding for their awareness of datafication and privacy issues in a postsecondary context.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted two surveys about students’ experience with the ClassDojo platform during their secondary education. In both surveys, the authors included a question asking students to identify which ClassDojo-like platform they used in school. For this study, the authors examined responses to these screening questions, identifying the technologies that responses referred to and sorting technologies into categories.

Findings

Students identified a wide range of technologies when prompted to identify a technology similar to ClassDojo. Many responses suggested students have a broad, monolithic understanding of educational technology. This suggests the prevalence of a utilitarian tool perspective (rather than a platform perspective) that may be entrenched by the time that students reach higher education, hampering efforts to inform and educate them in that context.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are few studies of students’ conflation of educational technologies in the extant literature. Furthermore, the platform perspective emphasized in this manuscript remains relatively rare in many fields associated with educational technology.
Predictive algorithms and racial bias: a qualitative descriptive study on the perceptions of algorithm accuracy in higher education
Authors: von Winckelmann Stacey Lynn
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the perception of algorithm accuracy among data professionals in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

Social justice theory guided the qualitative descriptive study and emphasized four principles: access, participation, equity and human rights. Data collection included eight online open-ended questionnaires and six semi-structured interviews. Participants included higher education professionals who have worked with predictive algorithm (PA) recommendations programmed with student data.

Findings

Participants are aware of systemic and racial bias in their PA inputs and outputs and acknowledge their responsibility to ethically use PA recommendations with students in historically underrepresented groups (HUGs). For some participants, examining these topics through the lens of social justice was a new experience, which caused them to look at PAs in new ways.

Research limitations/implications

Small sample size is a limitation of the study. Implications for practice include increased stakeholder training, creating an ethical data strategy that protects students, incorporating adverse childhood experiences data with algorithm recommendations, and applying a modified critical race theory framework to algorithm outputs.

Originality/value

The study explored the perception of algorithm accuracy among data professionals in higher education. Examining this topic through a social justice lens contributes to limited research in the field. It also presents implications for addressing racial bias when using PAs with students in HUGs.