bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Roles at crossroads: complexities and conflicts surrounding management accountants' roles based on evidence from the Sri Lankan context
Authors: Sivabalachandran Thenuja , Gooneratne Tharusha
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Drawing insights from finance and non-finance managers in Sri Lanka, this study unveils complexities and conflicts surrounding the roles of management accountants and the nature of role construction stemming from differing expectations of non-finance managers and external influences.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts the qualitative methodology and leans on role theory and new institutional sociology (NIS), as these dual theories complement each other and enable a holistic understanding of management accountants' roles, complexities and conflicts.

Findings

The findings reveal that in fulfilling their roles on par with divisional goals, amid expectations of non-finance managers and external influences, management accountants face various complexities and conflicts. Furthermore, in navigating through their roles, understanding the operational realities of work organizations and business sectors and negotiating with non-finance managers is vital.

Research limitations/implications

This research draws evidence from a selection of finance and non-finance managers. Thus the findings are not expected to be generalized to business firms in Sri Lanka.

Practical implications

This paper offers practitioner insights into how management accountants could construct their roles in different organizational settings, balancing the expectations of non-finance managers and external influences.

Originality/value

Despite its importance, complexities and conflicts surrounding management accountants' roles amid multiple influences have attracted scant research attention. Hence this paper is a noteworthy addition to the literature. Besides, using role theory and NIS in tandem although apt, has not been the focus of prior researchers in delving into this phenomenon.
Choice-based games and resilience building of gender nonconforming individuals: a phenomenological study
Authors: Cantrell Yuri , Zhu Xiaohua Awa
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Narrative-driven, choice-based games, games that allow gamers to make decisions regarding the game characters and storylines, can bring forth emotional changes in their players and offer empathy during scenarios that a player may not experience in real-world situations. Therefore, they can be used as tools to help with gender nonconforming (GNC) individuals’ resilience regarding their gender identities. This study explores GNC peoples’ game-playing experiences with choice-based games, especially how such experiences help them gain resilience and shape their gender identities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study follows the classic phenomenological approach to understanding the experience of GNC gamers’ resilience experience from their own perspectives. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 GNC participants, aged between 18 and 34. Each interview lasted 45–90 minutes. Interviews were transcribed and coded using NVivo R1. The essence of meanings was identified using themes and interpreted through qualitative analysis.

Findings

This paper identified six gender- and resilience-related common themes within GNC people’s gaming experiences, including 1) character creation: exploring gender identity through an avatar; 2) self-exploration and experimentation in games; 3) resonating experiences; 4) positive inclusive features in games; 5) storytelling and involving the player and 6) your actions have meaning.

Practical implications

The themes, patterns and game features identified in this study may provide insight into potential resilience-building activities for GNC people. They may inform digital mental health interventions, information services and game design practices.

Social implications

Equity, inclusion and social justice have become a significant theme in today’s society. This study focuses on a marginalized community, GNC people and their mental health and resilience building. Results of the study will contribute to the understanding of this community and may inspire more intervention methods to help them cope with stress and difficult situations.

Originality/value

Research on gaming’s health benefits for the general population has been abundant, but studies about using games to help the LGBTQ+ community have been largely overlooked until recent years. Research on casual games’ mental benefits for LGBTQ+ people is particularly lacking. This research is one of the first in-depth, comprehensive investigations of GNC individuals’ resilience experiences with a particular type of casual video games, choice-based games. The phenomenological study offers rich description of gaming and gender identity exploration from gamers’ viewpoints.
The concept of integration in an IPD context: a grounded theory review
Authors: Rankohi Sara , Bourgault Mario , Iordanova Ivanka
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Recent construction literature has been focusing more on integrative contracting approaches such as integrated project delivery (IPD). However, conceptual studies on integration in IPD literature are scattered and fragmented, that is, most of the studies only focused on the segmented dimension of integration. A systemic understanding of the concepts of integration in IPD project-based context is still lacking. To fill this gap, this paper analyzes two aspects of integration (dimensions and directions) in IPD literature and explores their extent in construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Grounded theory review and focus group discussion approaches were employed to perform a thorough conceptual review of the literature, frame the research into the theory and increase the fundamental understanding of the concept of integration in IPD literature.

Findings

In this study, IPD integrating techniques were identified and their integration dimensions and directions were discussed. Results show that integration in the project-based environment of IPD is a multidimensional construct. Based on organizational, contractual and operational characteristics of IPD projects, twenty-four integration mechanisms were identified and framed into seven clusters. The integration directions over project life-cycle were demonstrated in three contexts: (1) an on-site construction project, delivered traditionally, (2) an on-site construction project, delivered with IPD and (3) an off-site construction project, delivered with IPD.

Originality/value

This paper gathers the segments of integration into a comprehensive overview, which can help researchers and practitioners explore elements of IPD project success more precisely. A theoretical framework of integration clusters is developed, based on IPD literature. The impact of IPD on on-site versus off-site construction is illustrated from an integration direction perspective. Finally, future areas of studies for researchers and practitioners about the concept of integration in an IPD context are discussed. This paper provides a point of departure for future theoretical and empirical explorations.
A critical review and analysis of decision-support processes and tools for project delivery method selection
Authors: Demetracopoulou Vassiliki , O'Brien William J. , Khwaja Nabeel , Feghaly Jeffrey , El Asmar Mounir
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Over the last three decades, construction projects have increasingly been delivered through alternative delivery methods. As a result, many owners have a range of delivery methods to choose from and aim to use the right one for each of their projects. Researchers have developed several tools and decision-support processes to facilitate this selection procedure. The purpose of this study is to review and discuss differences and common themes across selection tools developed by academic researchers and project owners.

Design/methodology/approach

The study reviews prominent selection processes and tools used for infrastructure projects by conducting an in-depth literature review and using the content analysis method to elicit findings on the methodologies and criteria presented in the literature.

Findings

This study presents three principal findings. First, findings show three common themes emerge within the selection criteria—characteristics, goals and risks. Second, while academic studies most commonly suggest employing multi-attribute analysis, this study reveals that, in practice, selection tools most frequently employ a staged or gated evaluation based on the type of criteria and their importance to the decision. Finally, this review further highlights the importance of institutional context in decision-making.

Originality/value

This work contributes to the body of knowledge by providing guidance to practitioners and opening new directions for researchers around the way selection criteria are categorized in the relevant literature and the institutional context considerations when structuring or evaluating a selection process or tool.
How do firms use virtual brand communities to improve innovation performance? Based on consumer participation and organizational learning perspectives
Authors: Zheng Jian , Liu Renjing , Zhang Ru , Xu Hao
Published: September 2022

Purpose

In the context of virtual brand communities (VBCs), based on self-determination theory and organizational binary learning (OBL) theory, this study investigates the direct and indirect effects of various dimensions of consumer participation (CP) on firm innovation performance (FIP) and the mediating role of OBL. By introducing the perspective of knowledge absorptive capacity (KAC), this study examines the moderating effect of KAC on the relationship between OBL and TIP.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, 751 samples are collected from Chinese firms, and stratified adjusted regression analysis is used to conduct empirical tests.

Findings

Information provision or co-creation directly affects FIP; the latter is more significant than the former, while social interaction does not directly affect FIP. Exploitative or exploratory learning plays a mediating role in the relationship between information provision or co-creation and FIP. In contrast, exploratory learning plays a mediating role in the relationship between social interaction and FIP. KAC has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between exploitative learning or exploratory learning and FIP. When the firm has a low KAC, the improvement of FIP through exploratory learning is slight.

Originality/value

In VBCs, this study tries to divide the dimensions of CP. It also clarifies the mediating effect of OBL on CP and FIP. In addition, it explores the moderating effect of KAC on OBL and FIP. The conclusions of this study provide theoretical support and practical inspiration for firms to use VBCs to improve FIP.
Research on the emission reduction effects of carbon trading mechanism on power industry: plant-level evidence from China
Authors: Han Yonghui , Tan Shuting , Zhu Chaowei , Liu Yang
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Carbon trading mechanism has been adopted to foster the green transformation of the economy on a global scale, but its effectiveness for the power industry remains controversial. Given that energy-related greenhouse gas emissions account for most of all anthropogenic emissions, this paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this trading mechanism at the plant level to support relevant decision-making and mechanism design.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper constructs a novel spatiotemporal data set by matching satellite-based high-resolution (1 × 1 km) CO2 and PM2.5 emission data with accurate geolocation of power plants. It then applies a difference-in-differences model to analyse the impact of carbon trading mechanism on emission reduction for the power industry in China from 2007 to 2016.

Findings

Results suggest that the carbon trading mechanism induces 2.7% of CO2 emission reduction and 6.7% of PM2.5 emission reduction in power plants in pilot areas on average. However, the reduction effect is significant only in coal-fired power plants but not in gas-fired power plants. Besides, the reduction effect is significant for power plants operated with different technologies and is more pronounced for those with outdated production technology, indicating the strong potential for green development of backward power plants. The reduction effect is also more intense for power plants without affiliation relationships than those affiliated with particular manufacturers.

Originality/value

This paper identifies the causal relationship between the carbon trading mechanism and emission reduction in the power industry by providing an innovative methodology for identifying plant-level emissions based on high-resolution satellite data, which has been practically absent in previous studies. It serves as a reference for stakeholders involved in detailed policy formulation and execution, including policymakers, power plant managers and green investors.
LMH-RPL: a load balancing and mobility aware secure hybrid routing protocol for low power lossy network
Authors: Cyriac Robin , Durai M.A. Saleem
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Routing protocol for low-power lossy network (RPL) being the de facto routing protocol used by low power lossy networks needs to provide adequate routing service to mobile nodes (MNs) in the network. As RPL is designed to work under constraint power requirements, its route updating frequency is not sufficient for MNs in the network. The purpose of this study is to ensure that MNs enjoy seamless connection throughout the network with minimal handover delay.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes a load balancing mobility aware secure hybrid – RPL in which static node (SN) identifies route using metrics like expected transmission count, and path delay and parent selection are further refined by working on remaining energy for identifying the primary route and queue availability for secondary route maintenance. MNs identify route with the help of smart timers and by using received signal strength indicator sampling of parent and neighbor nodes. In this work, MNs are also secured against rank attack in RPL.

Findings

This model produces favorable result in terms of packet delivery ratio, delay, energy consumption and number of living nodes in the network when compared with different RPL protocols with mobility support. The proposed model reduces packet retransmission in the network by a large margin by providing load balancing to SNs and seamless connection to MNs.

Originality/value

In this work, a novel algorithm was developed to provide seamless handover for MNs in network. Suitable technique was developed to provide load balancing to SNs in network by maintaining appropriate secondary route.
Drivers of smoked marine fish prices and challenges along the value chain
Authors: Osei Awura-Abena Amoah , Etuah Seth , Aidoo Robert , Fialor Simon Cudjoe , Adams Faizal
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The objectives of this paper are to analyze the drivers of smoked marine fish prices and examine the challenges along the value chain to inform policy.

Design/methodology/approach

The study relies on cross-sectional data from 158 fish smokers, 100 wholesalers, and 120 retailers in Ghana. The challenges faced by the actors along the chain are identified and ranked using Kendall's coefficient of concordance. The three-stage least square estimation approach is employed to control for endogeneity resulting from the simultaneous equations for prices of different fish types and their substitutes.

Findings

The results reveal that marketing experience, the extent of competition, price of substitutes, payment terms, and variable cost items, such as transportation cost and storage charges, are key determinants of smoked fish prices along the value chain. Lack of access to credit is the main constraint to the marketing of smoked marine fish, irrespective of the actor or the fish type.

Originality/value

Many studies have established the linkages between fish consumption, prices, and food security in the literature. However, there is a dearth of information on the responsiveness of fish prices to changes in the market and seller-specific factors to drive policy to stabilize prices along the value chain.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-09-2021-0566
Agricultural credit and productivity of crops in India: field evidence from small and marginal farmers across social groups
Authors: Yadav Inder Sekhar , Rao M. Sanatan
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This work examines the impact of institutional agricultural credit on crop productivity of some major crops such as paddy, cotton, wheat and pulses for small and marginal farmers across various social groups.

Design/methodology/approach

The cross-sectional field data on socio economic variables was collected from three Indian states from about 400 small and marginal farmers across various social groups using multi-stage stratified random and purposive sampling through a structured questionnaire by interviewing. The method of propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to calculate average treatment effect (ATE) and average treatment effect on the treated (ATET) by categorising sample farmers as treatment group and control group where crop productivity was considered as outcome variable and access to institutional credit was considered as treatment variable.

Findings

The PSM estimates reveal that ATE and ATET for all the selected crops are found to be significantly higher for the treated group vis-à-vis non-treated group suggesting that institutional agricultural credit has a statistically and significant positive impact on the crop productivity.

Research limitations/implications

Similar study can be extended for more crops and across regions in India for a universal coverage.

Originality/value

The agricultural credit policy of India has been to increase the access and availability of institutional farm credit. This has led to in general increase in the flow of formal farm credit to agricultural sector. However, the impact of institutional credit and crop productivity especially for small and marginal farmers across social groups is not well recognized in India using field data. Accordingly, this field data study contributes to the existing research by providing fresh evidence from field across social groups for both kharif and rabi crops using recent survey data from small and marginal farmers which has important policy implications.
The role of corporate governance towards insider trading profitability
Authors: Alawi Suha Mahmoud
Published: September 2022

Purpose

An effective corporate governance system helps to smoothly run business operations and manage financial matters. To ensure that management behavior is ethical, and their decisions are in the best interest of shareholders, corporate governance plays a vital role. This study aims to examine the impact of corporate governance on the insider trading profitability of listed banks in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors take data from the financial statements of 70 listed banks and stock exchanges of the respective countries. The period of the data for our study is from 2010 to 2020. The authors use board independence, the board size, institutional ownership and managerial ownership as measures of corporate governance characteristics. While inside trading profitability is measured with abnormal returns. The authors apply the fixed effect panel regression for hypothesis testing and the two-step dynamic panel system-generalized method of moments (GMM) regression technique for checking the robustness of the findings.

Findings

The authors found that corporate governance has a significant impact on insider trading profitability in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. Board independence and institutional ownership are negatively related while board size and managerial ownership are positively associated with insider trading profitability.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first one to explore the role of corporate governance in limiting insider trading on South Asian banks. It recommends that corporations should follow the code of corporate governance for the protection of shareholders' and other investors' profits.
E-learning: substitutability of learner–learner, and learner–facilitator interactions to enhance learner satisfaction in higher education
Authors: Nyathi Musa , Sibanda Emeka
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of learner–learner and learner–facilitator interactions on learner satisfaction and their substitutability.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey research focusing on 130 students was used to collect data. Stratified sampling was preferred for the study, with a Likert type research instrument being administered online.

Findings

Learner–learner and learner–facilitator interactions mediate the effect of e-learning on learner satisfaction. These sets of interactions act as independent mediators, each playing a pivotal role in enhancing learner satisfaction. The interactions are however not substitutable.

Practical implications

The findings of the study will provide insights to academic administrators, to ensure that the two sets of interactions contribute to an effective and conducive e-learning environment and ultimately learner satisfaction. Deliberate efforts should be made to design increased e-learning interactivity into the cyber learning environment for effective learning.

Originality/value

The findings result in a ranking of learner–learner and learner–facilitator interactions for increased learner satisfaction. The interactions cannot be substituted without affecting the level of learner satisfaction. The interactions play a complementarity role, and collectively, enrich the quality of e-learning. A collective deployment is recommended.
Prevalence of skin diseases and prognosis of atopic dermatitis in primary school children in populated areas of Japan from 2010 to 2019: The Asa Study in Hiroshima, Japan
Authors: Tanaka Akio , Niimi Naomasa , Takahashi Masakazu , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Nagata Keiji , Nishiyama Naruhisa , Noda Hideki , Hara Takeshi , Maeda Motoo , Mizuiri Yasuhiro , Morikawa Hirofumi , Yanase Tetsuji , Yano Takahiko , Yamura Munehisa , Okano Shinji
Published: September 2022

Skin diseases are common in children. However, the prevalence of childhood skin diseases in Japan has not been reported extensively. In this study, dermatologists conducted face‐to‐face examinations of primary school children over a 10‐year period to determine the prevalence of each skin disease. Atopic dermatitis (AD, 12.3%) was the most common disease among first graders, followed by eczema other than AD (9.7%), molluscum contagiosum (1.9%), and verruca vulgaris (1.1%). Among sixth graders, acne vulgaris was most common (9.6%), followed by AD (8.9%), eczema other than AD (6.7%), and verruca vulgaris (3.1%). The prevalence of AD remained stable among first graders after 2010, at approximately 10%–15%, but it increased slightly among sixth graders. Of the 87 children who had AD in first grade, 51 (58.6%) were in remission in sixth grade. On the other hand, AD was diagnosed in 30 (4.5%) sixth graders who had been among the 665 children who did not have it in first grade. The more severe the symptoms were in first grade, the more likely a child was to still have AD in sixth grade, and the more severe the later symptoms tended to be. This study investigated recent trends in skin diseases in Japanese primary school children and found that the prevalence of some skin diseases differed between first and sixth graders. It was also found that children with moderate AD in first grade were more likely to be moderate in sixth grade than those with mild AD.
External validation of the Paddington International Virtual Electronic ChromoendoScopy ScOre as a good endoscopic score to define mucosal healing and predict long‐term clinical outcomes in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Ruan Ge Chong , Jin Xin , Zhou Wei Xun , You Yan , Iacucci Marietta , Ghosh Subrata , Gui Xian Yong , Li Ji , Qian Jia Ming
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To define endoscopic and histological remission in ulcerative colitis (UC) accurately, several scoring systems have been established. A novel virtual electronic chromoendoscopy score, the Paddington International Virtual ChromoendoScopy ScOre (PICaSSO), was developed, validated, and reproduced to assess inflammation grade and predict patient prognosis. We externally verified and validated the clinical value of PICaSSO in UC patients.

Methods

This prospective study enrolled 63 UC patients. The Mayo endoscopic score (MES), UC Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS), and PICaSSO were adopted for endoscopic evaluation. All biopsy samples were scored using the Robarts histological index (RHI), Nancy histological index (NHI), and “Extent, Chronicity, Activity, Plus additional findings” (ECAP) score. Patients with an endoscopic MES of 0–1 at baseline were followed up during a median time of 23.5 months.

Results

PICaSSO was strongly correlated with other endoscopic and histological scoring systems. PICaSSO ≤3 had advantages in assessing histological remission (HR), with the highest accuracy of 88.9% for ECAP‐HR. Relapse‐free survival rates were significantly different between patients with MES 0 and MES 1 and patients with PICaSSO ≤3 and >3 (P = 0.010 and 0.018, respectively).

Conclusions

PICaSSO was externally validated with strong correlations with other endoscopic and histological scoring systems in UC, and PICaSSO‐ER might potentially predict a better long‐term clinical outcome in UC patients.
A statistical framework for modelling migration corridors
Authors: Nuñez Tristan A. , Hurley Mark A. , Graves Tabitha A. , Ortega Anna C. , Sawyer Hall , Fattebert Julien , Merkle Jerod A. , Kauffman Matthew J.
Published: September 2022

Management of animal populations requires spatially explicit knowledge of movement corridors, such as those used during seasonal migrations. Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking data allow for mapping of corridors from directly observed movements, but such tracking data are absent for many populations.

We developed a novel statistical corridor modelling approach that predicts movement corridors from cost‐distance models fit directly to migration tracking data. Unlike existing predictive approaches, this does not require the ad hoc transformation of habitat suitability surfaces into resistance surfaces. We tested the ability of the approach to recover parameters used to generate simulated movements. We then used GPS data from three migrating mule deer Odocoileus hemionus herds in Idaho and Wyoming to model corridors as a function of elevation, slope, aspect, percent shrub, date of peak green‐up, snow‐off date and human footprint. We assessed the predictive ability of the fitted models using validation tracks from the same herd as well as from the other herds.

The approach reproduced parameters used to generate the simulated movements, predicted the corridors used by migratory populations, and described the direction, magnitude and confidence levels of the effects of environmental variables on corridors. Within‐herd validation indicated that fitted corridor models are more accurate at predicting migration corridors than null models, and cross‐herd validation indicated that fitted models for some herds accurately predicted the observed migrations of other herds.

In addition to the practical benefit of mapping corridors for management, our statistical corridor modelling framework sets the stage for evaluating fundamental questions about the fitness trade‐offs, navigation, learning, fidelity and movement constraints that influence migratory and other corridor‐generating behaviour. Models of predictive corridors can inform management and planning for the conservation of migrations across taxa, including the potential restoration of corridors. Our corridor modelling approach is also readily applied to non‐migratory animal movements.
Tree species classification from complex laser scanning data in Mediterranean forests using deep learning
Authors: Allen Matthew J. , Grieve Stuart W. D. , Owen Harry J. F. , Lines Emily R.
Published: September 2022

Recent advances in terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) technology have enabled the automatic capture of three‐dimensional vegetation structure at high resolution, but the scalability of using these data for large‐scale forest monitoring is limited by reliance on intensive manual data processing, including the use of stem maps generated in the field to determine tree species. New methods from data science have the capacity to automate this identification process, reducing the hurdles towards automated inventories with TLS. In particular, contemporary developments in point cloud processing methods, alongside large increases in the computing power of consumer‐level graphics processing units, provide new opportunities.

Here, we apply a deep learning‐based approach, based on joint classification from multiple viewpoints for each stem, to automatically classify tree species directly from laser scanning data obtained in structurally complex Mediterranean forests. We also explore the use of data augmentation techniques to maximise performance for a fixed number of manually labelled stems. Our method does not require expensive pre‐processing such as leaf‐wood separation or quantitative reconstructions.

Using modern network architectures and data augmentation techniques, and without extensive pre‐processing, we are able to achieve high overall and per‐species accuracy that is comparable or higher than in existing work while using data from a water‐limited ecosystem complicated by structural convergence and multi‐stem trees.

Our findings demonstrate the power of deep learning to remove a major TLS data processing obstacle—individual species identification—and to minimise the bottleneck created by manual data labelling requirements in the use of TLS for standard forest monitoring.
Effects of central amygdala chemogenetic manipulation and prior chronic alcohol exposure on Pavlovian‐to‐instrumental transfer
Authors: Shields Chloe N. , Gremel Christina M.
Published: September 2022

Background

Recent work suggests that a history of chronic alcohol exposure can enhance the influence of nondrug reward cues on ongoing actions. This is often modeled in Pavlovian‐to‐instrumental transfer (PIT) tasks that examine the interaction between Pavlovian and instrumental learning processes, usually reflected as an increase in action vigor during the presentation of a reward‐associated cue. Though prior chronic alcohol exposure strengthens this type of cue‐guided behavior, the neural mechanisms underlying such enhancements are not known.

Methods

In the present work, we examined the contribution of the central amygdala (CeA), a region strongly implicated in PIT behaviors and functionally altered by chronic alcohol exposure. We utilized Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) to examine the impact of inhibitory and excitatory CeA manipulation on PIT behaviors in alcohol‐naïve mice and mice with a history of chronic intermittent ethano vapor exposure and withdrawal (CIE).

Results

Replicating previous work, we found that a history of CIE strengthened baseline PIT, in the absence of any CeA manipulation. We also found that activation of both inhibitory and excitatory DREADDs expressed in CeA enhanced PIT in alcohol‐naïve mice, though the latter markedly reduced response rates. However, in mice exposed to CIE, activation of excitatory DREADD receptors expressed in CeA appeared to weaken PIT.

Conclusions

These results suggest that alcohol‐induced disruptions in amygdala function may contribute to changes in appetitive behaviors, such as cue‐guided responding, following chronic exposure to alcohol. Better elucidating the neural mechanisms that underlie disrupted cue‐guided behavior following chronic alcohol exposure may help to understand and treat deficits in adaptive behavior associated with chronic alcohol use in humans.
Evaluating the optimal treatment strategy for early and advanced remnant gastric cancer
Authors: Hayashi Masato , Fujita Takeshi , Matsushita Hisayuki
Published: September 2022

Background

This study assessed lymph node metastasis characteristics to investigate the optimal treatment strategy for early and advanced remnant gastric cancer (RGC).

Methods

Cases of completion gastrectomy for RGC were enrolled. The frequency of lymph node metastasis was investigated, and risk factors for metastasis were identified. The clinical significance of completion gastrectomy in early remnant gastric carcinoma cases was also examined. In advanced cases, 3‐year survival was analysed to investigate the prognostic importance of lymph node dissection and splenectomy.

Results

Seventy‐nine patients were included. Lymphatic invasion and pathological tumour depth were identified as risk factors for lymph node metastasis. There was no metastasis in the pT1 cases. In advanced cases, the incidence of lymph node #10 and jejunal lymph node metastasis was 8.3–10.0% and 17.6%, respectively. Prognosis was found to be unrelated with splenectomy.

Conclusions

Lymphatic invasion and pathological T status were identified as risk factors for LN metastasis in RGC. Additional gastrectomy after ESD might not be mandatory for early RGC cases. For advanced RGC cases, splenectomy might not improve patient prognosis, however, lymph node dissection of jejunal and #10 lymph nodes should be considered due to its high incidence of metastasis.
Lipid metabolism and retinal diseases
Authors: Gabrielle Pierre‐Henry
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The retina has enormous lipids demands and must meet those needs. Retinal lipid homeostasis appears to be based on the symbiosis between neurons, Müller glial cells (MGC), and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, which can be impacted in several retinal diseases. The current research challenge is to better understand lipid‐related mechanisms involved in retinal diseases, such as age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma.

Results

In a first axis, in vitro and focus on Müller glial cell, we aimed to characterize whether the 24S‐hydroxycholesterol (24S‐OHC), an overexpressed end‐product of cholesterol elimination pathway in neural tissue and likely produced by suffering retinal ganglion cells in glaucoma, may modulate MGC membrane organization, such as lipid rafts, to trigger cellular signalling pathways related to retinal gliosis. We have found that lipid composition appears to be a key factor of membrane architecture, especially for lipid raft microdomain formation, in MGC. However, 24S‐OHC did not appear to trigger retinal gliosis via the modulation of lipid or protein composition within lipid rafts microdomains. This study provided a better understanding of the complex mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of glaucoma. On a second clinical ax, we focused on the lipid‐related mechanisms involved in the dysfunction of aging RPE and the appearance of drusenoid deposits in AMD. Using the Montrachet population‐based study, we intend to report the frequency of reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) and its ocular and systemic risk factors, particularly related to lipid metabolisms, such as plasma lipoprotein levels, carotenoids levels, and lipid‐lowering drug intake. Our study showed that RPD was less common in subjects taking lipid‐lowering drugs. Lipid‐lowering drugs, such as statins, may reduce the risk of RPD through their effect on the production and function of lipoproteins. This observation highlights the potential role of retinal lipid trafficking via lipoproteins between photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium cells in RPD formation. Those findings have been complemented with preliminary results on the analysis of plasma fatty acid (FA) profile, a surrogate marker of short‐term dietary lipid intake, according to the type of predominant drusenoid deposit, soft drusen or RPD, in age‐related maculopathy.

Conclusion

Further research on lipid metabolism in retinal diseases is warranted to better understand the pathophysiology of retinal diseases and develop new promising diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic tools for our patients.
Posterior stromal ripples increase risk of Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty graft detachment worsening over time
Authors: Coco Giulia , Levis Hannah J. , Borgia Alfredo , Romano Davide , Pagano Luca , Virgili Gianni , Kaye Stephen B. , Romano Vito
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To evaluate anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT) features of Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) grafts associated with graft attachment worsening over time.

Methods

Retrospective case series on patients who received uncomplicated DMEK surgery and for whom subsequent AS‐OCT data were available for analysis. Patients' demographics and surgical details were collected. AS‐OCT was analysed for graft detachment axial extension, presence of posterior stromal ripples, quadrant involvement (location and number), degree of detachment extension, peripheral roll, presence and amount of air in the anterior chamber (AC). Features associated with re‐bubbling and graft detachment worsening over time were identified.

Results

A total of 147 patients with a mean age of 70.8 ± 9.8 years (63% females) were included. AS‐OCT was performed at 2.9 ± 2.4 days after surgery. AS‐OCT factors associated with re‐bubbling were posterior stromal ripples (p = 0.004) and detachment axial extension (p < 0.001). At first follow‐up, of the 147 DMEK, 67 showed complete attachment and 80 partial detachment. In those cases of initially completely attached grafts, posterior stromal ripples were associated with the risk of subsequent graft detachment (p = 0.014) together with recipient age (p = 0.043), phaco‐combined surgery (p = 0.018) and AS‐OCT timing (p = 0.033); while, in the initially partially detached grafts, detachment worsening was associated with posterior stromal ripples (p = 0.025), detachment axial extension (p = 0.003), degrees of detachment involvement (p = 0.029), peripheral roll‐in shape (p = 0.033) and presence of air in the AC (p = 0.032). Relative risk (RR) of graft detachment worsening in patients with moderate/severe posterior stromal ripples was 1.75 (95% CI = 1.09–2.81).

Conclusion

Posterior stromal ripples and detachment axial extension >1/3 of graft surface area were the main risk factors for detachment worsening over time, and patients showing these features should be monitored closely to identify the need for re‐bubbling at an early stage, thus improving surgical outcomes.
Discussion of “A Formal Causal Interpretation of the Case-Crossover Design” by Zach Shahn, Miguel A. Hernan, and James M. Robins
Authors: Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Gail Mitchell H.
Published: September 2022

Shahn, Hernan, and Robins give conditions under which estimates from a case-crossover analysis converge to the desired causal relative risk times a bias factor, and they discuss conditions needed to have small bias. To simplify the problem, we discuss only two exposure times and rely on randomized exposure assignments, thereby avoiding the need for potential outcome notation. We identify many, but not all, of the conditions discussed by Shahn et al. in this simple analysis.
Chromatin epigenetics and nuclear lamina keep the nucleus in shape: Examples from natural and accelerated aging
Authors: Carollo Pietro Salvatore , Barra Viviana
Published: September 2022

As the repository of genetic information, the cell nucleus must protect DNA integrity from mechanical stresses. The nuclear lamina, which resides within the nuclear envelope (NE), is made up of lamins, intermediate filaments bound to DNA. The nuclear lamina provides the nucleus with the ability to deal with inward as well as outward mechanical stimuli. Chromatin, in turn, through its degrees of compaction, shares this role with the nuclear lamina, thus, ensuring the plasticity of the nucleus. Perturbation of chromatin condensation or the nuclear lamina has been linked to a plethora of biological conditions, that range from cancer and genetic diseases (laminopathies) to aging, both natural and accelerated, such as the case of Hutchinson‐Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS). From the experimental results accumulated so far on the topic, a direct link between variations of the epigenetic pattern and nuclear lamina structure would be suggested, however, it has never been clarified thoroughly. This relationship, instead, has a downstream important implication on nucleus shape, genome preservation, force sensing, and, ultimately, aging‐related disease onset. With this review, we aim to collect recent studies on the importance of both nuclear lamina components and chromatin status in nuclear mechanics. We also aim to bring to light evidence of the link between DNA methylation and nuclear lamina in natural and accelerated aging.
Early‐life social stress induces permanent alterations in plasticity and perineuronal nets in the mouse anterior cingulate cortex
Authors: Catale Clarissa , Martini Alessandro , Piscitelli Rosa Maria , Senzasono Benedetta , Iacono Luisa Lo , Mercuri Nicola B. , Guatteo Ezia , Carola Valeria
Published: September 2022

Child maltreatment disrupts trajectories of brain development, but the underlying pathways are unclear. Stressful stimuli in early life interfere with maturation of local inhibitory circuitry and deposition of perineuronal nets (PNNs), specialized extracellular matrix structures involved in the closure of critical periods of development. Alterations in cortical PNN and parvalbumin (PV) following early‐life stress (ELS) have been detected in human and animal studies. Aberrations in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) are the most consistent neuroimaging findings in maltreated people, but the molecular mechanisms linking ELS with ACC dysfunctions are unknown. Here, we employed a mouse model of early social threat to test whether ELS experienced in a sensitive period for ACC maturation could induce long‐term aberrations of PNN and PV development in the ACC, with consequences on plasticity and ACC‐dependent behavior. We found that ELS increased PNN but not PV expression in the ACC of young adult mice. This was associated with reduced frequency of inhibitory postsynaptic currents and long‐term potentiation impairments and expression of intense object phobia. Our findings provide information on the long‐term effects of ELS on ACC functionality and PNN formation and present evidence for a novel neurobiological pathway underlying the impact of early adversity on the brain.
Effect of Stevia rebaudiana aqueous extract and microencapsulation on the survivability of Bifidobacterium bifidum Bb‐12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La‐5 in functional ice cream
Authors: Banuree Sayed Attaul Haq , Noori Negin , Gandomi Hassan , Khanjari Ali , Karabagias Ioannis K. , Faraki Azita , Ghadami Fereshteh , Azizian Asghar , Banuree Sayed Ziaulhaq
Published: September 2022

The effect of Stevia rebaudiana aqueous extract (Stevia) and microencapsulation on the survivability of Bifidobacterium bifidum Bb‐12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La‐5 and assessment of chemical and sensorial characteristics in the symbiotic ice cream were studied for 90 days at −20°C. Free B. bifidum Bb‐12 and L. acidophilus La‐5 survived well, despite the significant differences between day 0 and day 90 of storage (P < 0.05). However, microencapsulation maintained the survival of probiotics by about 0.07 log CFU/g during the storage period. The use of Stevia and microencapsulation compared to other treatments significantly increased the log number of viable cells of B. bifidum Bb‐12 and L. acidophilus La‐5 during the storage time (P < 0.05). Moreover, the sensory and chemical properties of ice cream did not change significantly in all groups. In conclusion, the simultaneous utilisation of Stevia and microencapsulation is recommended for the survival of probiotics in ice cream or other dairy products.
Molecular mechanisms of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitor in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Sekino Yohei , Teishima Jun , Liang Gangning , Hinata Nobuyuki
Published: September 2022

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Loss of von Hippel–Lindau tumor suppressor gene is frequently observed in ccRCC and increases the expression of hypoxia‐inducible factors and their targets, including epidermal growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and platelet‐derived growth factor. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) offer a survival benefit in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors have been introduced in mRCC. Combination therapy with TKIs and immune checkpoint inhibitors significantly improved patient outcomes. Therefore, TKIs still play an essential role in mRCC treatment. However, the clinical utility of TKIs is compromised when primary and acquired resistance are encountered. The mechanism of resistance to TKI is not fully elucidated. Here, we comprehensively reviewed the molecular mechanisms of resistance to TKIs and a potential strategy to overcome this resistance. We outlined the involvement of angiogenesis, non‐angiogenesis, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition, activating bypass pathways, lysosomal sequestration, non‐coding RNAs, epigenetic modifications and tumor microenvironment factors in the resistance to TKIs. Deep insight into the molecular mechanisms of resistance to TKIs will help to better understand the biology of RCC and can ultimately help in the development of more effective therapies.
Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous warts (2022)
Authors: Zhu Peiyao , Qi Rui‐Qun , Yang Yang , Huo Wei , Zhang Yuqing , He Li , Wang Gang , Xu Jinhua , Zhang Furen , Yang Rongya , Tu Ping , Ma Lin , Liu Quanzhong , Li Yuzhen , Gu Heng , Cheng Bo , Chen Xiang , Chen Aijun , Xiao Shengxiang , Jin Hongzhong , Zhang Junling , Li Shanshan , Yao Zhirong , Pan Weihua , Yang Huilan , Shen Zhu , Cheng Hao , Song Ping , Fu Lingyu , Chen Hongxiang , Geng Songmei , Zeng Kang , Wang Jianjian , Tao Juan , Chen Yaolong , Wang Xiuli , Gao Xing‐Hua
Published: September 2022

Aim

Cutaneous warts caused by human papillomavirus are benign proliferative lesions that occur at any ages in human lives. Updated, comprehensive and systematic evidence‐based guidelines to guide clinical practice are urgently needed.

Methods

We collaborated with multidisciplinary experts to formulate this guideline based on evidences of already published literature, focusing on 13 clinical questions elected by a panel of experts. We adopted Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to form classification of recommendations as well as the improved Delphi method to retain respective recommendations with a consensus degree of over 80%.

Results

Our guideline covered aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous warts such as diagnostic gold standard, transmission routes, laboratory tests, treatment principle, clinical cure criterion, definitions, and treatments of common warts, flat warts, plantar warts, condyloma acuminatum, and epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Recommendations about special population such as children and pregnant women are also listed. In total, 49 recommendations have been obtained.

Conclusions

It is a comprehensive and systematic evidence‐based guideline and we hope this guideline could systematically and effectively guide the clinical practice of cutaneous warts and improve the overall levels of medical services.