bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A non-toxic equinatoxin-II reveals the dynamics of sphingomyelin in the cytosolic leaflet of the plasma membrane
Authors: Mori Toshiki , Niki Takahiro , Uchida Yasunori , Mukai Kojiro , Kuchitsu Yoshihiko , Kishimoto Takuma , Makino Asami , Kobayashi Toshihide , Arai Hiroyuki , Yokota Yasunari , Taguchi Tomohiko , Suzuki Kenichi G.N.
Published: November 2023

Super-resolution microscopic observation of a novel non-toxic sphingomyelin probe revealed the formation of dynamic small domains including sphingomyelin and cholesterol in the cytosolic leaflet of living cell plasma membranes.

Sphingomyelin (SM) is a major sphingolipid in mammalian cells. SM is enriched in the extracellular leaflet of the plasma membrane (PM). Besides this localization, recent electron microscopic and biochemical studies suggest the presence of SM in the cytosolic leaflet of the PM. In the present study, we generated a non-toxic SM-binding variant (NT-EqtII) based on equinatoxin-II (EqtII) from the sea anemoneActinia equina, and examined the dynamics of SM in the cytosolic leaflet of living cell PMs. NT-EqtII with two point mutations (Leu26Ala and Pro81Ala) had essentially the same specificity and affinity to SM as wild-type EqtII. NT-EqtII expressed in the cytosol was recruited to the PM in various cell lines. Super-resolution microscopic observation revealed that NT-EqtII formed tiny domains that were significantly colocalized with cholesterol and N-terminal Lyn. Meanwhile, all the examined lipid probes including NT-EqtII underwent apparent fast simple Brownian diffusion, exhibiting that SM and other lipids in the cytosolic leaflet rapidly moved in and out of domains. Thus, the novel SM-binding probe demonstrated the presence of the raft-like domain in the cytosolic leaflet of living cell PMs.
The impact of CEO attributes on sustainability performance: evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Saha Rubel , Kabir Md. Nurul , Chowdhury Abdul Hannan
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to empirically examine the influence of CEO characteristics on the sustainability performance of listed banks in Bangladesh through the lens of upper echelons theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors estimated sustainability performance score based on a hand collected data set from the annual report and sustainability reports of the Bangladeshi listed banks. Following Clarkson et al. (2008), the sustainability index developed by Ong et al. (2016) and the G4 sustainability reporting standards of the global reporting initiative (GRI), a unique scoring index was developed to gather and assess sustainability data from listed banks. A panel regression analysis model is used to investigate the impact of CEO attributes on sustainability performance.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal that higher academic qualifications, greater industry experience and a longer tenure of the CEO have a significant and positive impact on the sustainable performance of the Bangladeshi listed banks. Furthermore, this study reveals that Bangladeshi listed banks are considerably behind in implementing the sustainability recommendations of Bangladesh Bank.

Originality/value

This study provides new evidence of how CEOs’ attributes can affect the sustainability reporting of Bangladeshi listed banks. Furthermore, this study measures the real contribution towards sustainability performance compared with the general claims about sustainability made by listed banks in Bangladesh.
Perception bias, social embedding and consumer willingness to pay for chilled pork packaging: empirical analysis based on multiple experiments
Authors: Zhou Jiehong , Han Fei , Han Xiaoyu , Yan Zhen
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The paper proposes a research method to verify the perception bias of consumers on the freshness preservation effects of vacuum packaging (VP) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) chilled pork packages, the influence of “sensory experience” on correcting consumers' perception bias of packaging performance and willingness-to-pay (WTP) enhancement channels.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from 458 and 188 participants who completed the contingent valuation method (CVM) and auction experiment, respectively, the study aimed to uncover consumers' packing quality perception bias and WTP, and investigated the societal factors that contribute to variations in WTP.

Findings

The CVM experiment revealed that although consumers' high perception bias rate toward MAP to maintain freshness, as compared to lab test results, came along with low WTP premium to cost rate with sensory experience in the auction experiment, the proportion of consumers with quality perception bias decreased from 49.85% to 34.46%, while the WTP premium to cost rate for MAP increased largely by 36.7%. Perceptive embedding has a positive effect on chilled pork packaging WTP, while normative embedding decreases WTP.

Originality/value

The findings emphasize the need of public policies to promote positive consumption attitudes, while whittling the negative consumption norms, to increase the WTP for packaged child pork and promote the chilled pork market formation.
Pacific methodologies in critical disaster studies
Authors: Sang Yum Maria Koreti , Baars Roger C.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Research in critical disaster studies stresses the urgency to explore alternative ontological framings (Gaillard and Raju, 2022) that encourages researchers and practitioners, especially Indigenous communities, to nurture spaces where Indigenous voices are well represented. It is imperative that research in the Pacific should be guided by Pacific research methodologies to maximize positive outcomes (Ponton, 2018) and break free from limited Eurocentric ideologies that are often ill-suited in Pacific contexts. Hazards in the South Pacific region have become more frequent and volatile. This has created a growing interest in the study of disasters in the region. However, current disaster studies in the Pacific are often problematic as they often fail to challenge the implicit coloniality of the discipline.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper will expand on these arguments, suggesting ways to overcome the limits of common Eurocentric research frameworks in disaster studies and to illustrate the significance and relevance of Pacific methodologies.

Findings

It is pertinent that critical disaster studies encapsulate Pacific worldviews and knowledge as valued and valid to reconstruct Pacific research. Decolonizing disaster research will ultimately liberate the discipline from limitations of its colonial past and allow for truly engaging and critical research practices.

Originality/value

This paper will illustrate and articulate how Talanoa, a pan-Pacific concept, could offer a more culturally appropriate research methodology to disasters, seen through a Samoan lens. Talanoa is an informal conversation that is widely shared among Pacific communities based on pure, authentic and real conversations which are crucial elements in building relationships with Pacific communities (Vaioleti, 2006).
The ebb and flow of trade credit: implications for financing financially dependent firm growth
Authors: Karakoç Bahadır
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study investigates the significance of trade credit (TC) as an alternative source of funding in financing the growth of financially dependent firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Panel data analysis using the difference generalized method of moments (GMM) and fixed-effects ordinary least squares (FE-OLS) is conducted on annual data from publicly listed firms across a number of developing economies. The data cover the period from 2003 to 2019.

Findings

The findings indicate that financially dependent firms rely on TC to manage their growth, especially when they have exhausted their debt capacity. This dependence on TC displays a cyclical pattern. As firms enhance their financial position, they tend to scale back their dependence. Nevertheless, firms with significant growth opportunities continue utilizing TC for at least two years after their initial identification as financially dependent.

Practical implications

The author's conclusion highlights that TC can be a valuable and accessible source of funding, especially in developing economies where the real sector may require alternative financing channels. Hence, TC has the potential to play a very significant role in financing corporate growth in these economies.

Originality/value

The current study adds to the existing body of literature by revealing that access to alternative sources of finance is also critical for firms that are dependent on external sources and for firms that have exhausted their financial debt capacity.
Inter-firm relations and resource-based performance: a contingent relational view of small-scale farmers in Zambia
Authors: Adetoyinbo Ayobami , Mithöfer Dagmar
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Effective and flexible organizational models have become an avenue for driving smallholder competitiveness in the agricultural sector. However, little is understood about the processes by which resource-constrained actors deploy their organizational networks to generate and retain value in rapidly changing agrifood environments. This study examines the moderating effects of business contingencies on the interplay between organizational relationships and the resource-based performance of small-scale farmers in a developing country.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose a novel conceptual framework grounded in the relational view, netchain and contingency theories. Cross-sectional data obtained from 330 maize farmers in rural Zambia were analyzed using variance-based structural equation modeling, which involves mediation-moderation analysis.

Findings

The results show that all relational networks – vertical, horizontal and lateral – positively mediate the effects farm resources and social capital have on farmers' performance. However, these effects change depending on the predominant agency situations. Specifically, asymmetric power from customers and reputable competitors weakens the positive effect of closer horizontal relationships on business performance, while the positive effect of tighter informal vertical relationships on farmers' performance weakens under conditions of high affective trust. Moreover, the gender-based multigroup analyses highlight variations in the contingent relational view of men- and women-headed households.

Research limitations/implications

The study relies on cross-sectional data from one agribusiness sector in Zambia, thus generalizations should be cautious.

Originality/value

The uniqueness of this study lies in the proposed theoretical framework and new empirical insights, which extend the scope of the relational view to small-scale farming households in developing countries.
How does heritage contribute to inclusive growth?
Authors: Dorpalen Brenda Denise , Gallou Eirini
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The first objective of this article is to analyse the reasons to pursue inclusive growth, that is economic growth accompanied by a reduction of social inequalities in different dimensions. The second objective of the article is to develop a systematised framework to understand the different channels and enablers by which heritage can contribute to inclusive growth through a review of specialised literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of this article is based on an exhaustive review of existing literature around models of economic development and their ability to decrease social inequalities. It critically reviews theoretical and empirical studies on existing economic approaches and links them with the heritage policy field.

Findings

The article finds that countries should pursue inclusive development since it is a fundamental condition for social cohesion, trust and society's overall well-being and because it enables economic growth to be sustainable through time. It also identifies four channels through which heritage can contribute to inclusive development: in its public good dimension, in its capacity to equalise opportunities, in its ability to reduce social, educational and health disparities and in its capacity to decrease spatial income inequalities through regeneration processes.

Research limitations/implications

The framework, that is developed to categorise the different channels and enablers through which heritage could contribute to inclusive growth, is not empirically tested. Further research could approach this by estimating a difference in difference model. However, data limitations could limit this objective in the short-term.

Originality/value

Its originality relies in the development of a conceptual framework that is aimed at shaping heritage policies that target, at the same time, the reduction of inequalities and economic growth.
Quality and selling format choices in a supply chain considering remanufacturing competition
Authors: Zhang Wen , Dai Mingzhuo
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the interplay between the selection of selling formats of remanufactured products for a third-party remanufacturer (TPR) and the quality decision of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

Design/methodology/approach

This study considers a remanufacturing supply chain, where the OEM sells new products through a platform retailer, but the products remanufactured by the TPR can be sold via a direct or indirect channel. The authors model a Stackelberg game and explore the optimal quality decision of the OEM and selling format choice of the TPR.

Findings

The OEM's optimal decision depends mainly on consumers' discounted utility coefficient and cost-scale factor of remanufactured products. A higher consumers' valuation of the remanufactured product will not result in a higher retail price, but may lead to an increase in new product's sales. Given the cost-scale factor, the TPR prefers to sell directly no matter what the value of consumers' discounted utility coefficient is. An all-win situation is achieved with selling directly when consumers' discounted utility coefficient is sufficiently large.

Practical implications

These results provide some support to the operational strategies of the OEM and TPR.

Originality/value

This study firstly endogenizes the quality decision and combines the selling format selection of the TPR and the quality decision of the OEM to explore the interplay between these two important decisions.
Entropic behavior in bidirectional flow of CeO2-ZnO/water hybrid nanofluid with prescribed surface temperature/heat flux aspects
Authors: Faisal Muhammad , Ahmad Iftikhar , Rashid Abdur
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The present study aims to encompass the bidirectional magnetized flowing of a hybrid-nanofluid over an unsteady stretching device with the inclusion of thermal radiation and entropy generation. Brick-shaped nanoparticles (zinc-oxide and ceria) are suspended in water, serving as the base-fluid to observe the performance of the hybrid mixture. The Maxwell thermal conductivity relation is employed to link the thermophysical attributes of the hybrid mixture with the host liquid. Additionally, a heat source/sink term is incorporated in the energy balance to enhance the impact of the investigation. Both prescribed-surface-temperature (PST) and prescribed-heat-flux (PHF) conditions are applied to inspect the thermal performance of the hybrid nanofluid.

Design/methodology/approach

The transport equations in Cartesian configuration are transformed into ordinary differential equations (ODEs), and an efficient method, namely the Keller-Box method (KBM), is utilized to solve the transformed system. Postprocessing is conducted to visually represent the velocity profile, thermal distribution, skin-friction coefficients, Bejan number, Nusselt number and entropy generation function against the variations of the involved parameters.

Findings

It is observed that more entropy is generated due to the increases in temperature difference and radiation parameters. The Bejan number initially declines but then improves with higher estimations of unsteadiness and Hartmann number. Overall, the thermal performance of the system is developed for the PST scenario than the PHF scenario for different estimations of the involved constraints.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, no investigation has been reported yet that explains the bidirectional flow of a CeO2-ZnO/water hybrid nanofluid with the combined effects of prescribed thermal aspects (PST and PHF) and entropy generation.
Centering justice/decentering whiteness: the case for abolition in information literacy pedagogical praxis
Authors: Moreno Teresa Helena
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make visible the field's propensity to center whiteness even in engaging inclusive practices in information literacy classrooms. This paper offers abolitionist pedagogy as a means to understand and address these concerns.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses interdisciplinary research methods in the fields of education, library science, feminist studies, Black studies and abolition studies to examine and provide an analysis of current information literacy practices by using abolitionist pedagogy to articulate how it is possible to expand information literacy instruction practices.

Findings

Current information literacy practices and methods that seek to create inclusive learning environments for racialized and minoritized learners rely on a set of institutionalized practices such as critical information literacy and culturally sustaining pedagogies. An examination of these practices through an abolitionist pedagogical lens reveals how the field has engaged in reductive and uncritical engagement with these methods despite employing them to create inclusive spaces. Using abolitionist pedagogy as a lens, this critical essay examines the field's foundations in whiteness and illustrates pathways for transformative educational justice.

Originality/value

There has been much work on inclusive teaching practices that discusses challenging information literacy structures' reliance on dominant culture.? To date, there has been little to no scholarship on how information literacy practices could engage in abolitionist pedagogical praxis.
Anti‐immunoglobulin E provides an additional therapy to conventional steroids for Kimura's disease
Authors: Ao Suiting , Huang Gege , Tang Xuhua , Zhu Zhe , Han Jiande , Wang Fang , Zhai Wanying
Published: November 2023

Kimura's disease (KD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by painless subcutaneous head and neck swelling, eosinophilia, and elevated serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels. There are various therapies, including surgery, radiation, systemic steroids, and immune suppressants, but their efficacy remains moderate due to the high recurrence rate. Biologics, like monoclonal antibodies, have shown tremendous effectiveness for chronic inflammatory diseases. Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody against IgE and has not been approved for KD so far. We describe two refractory KD cases that responded to a small dose of steroids plus omalizumab. Additionally, we reviewed another 13 KD cases that were treated with biologics, including omalizumab, rituximab, dupilumab, and mepolizumab. The results indicate that biologics provide an alternative treatment strategy for KD.
Agomelatine alleviates steroid‐induced osteoporosis by targeting SIRT1/RANKL/FOXO1/OPG signalling in rats
Authors: El‐Mahroky Samaa M. , Nageeb Mahitab M. , Hemead Dalia A. , Abd Allah Enas G.
Published: November 2023

One of the major contributors to secondary osteoporosis is long‐term glucocorticoid usage. Clinically used antidepressant agomelatine also has anti‐inflammatory properties. Our research aimed to inspect the probable defensive effect of agomelatine against steroid‐promoted osteoporosis. There were four groups of rats; group I had saline as a negative control; rats of group II had dexamethasone (0.6 mg/kg, s.c.), twice weekly for 12 weeks; rats of group III had agomelatine (40 mg/kg/day, orally), as a positive control, daily for 12 weeks; and rats of group IV had dexamethasone + agomelatine in the same previous doses combined for 12 weeks. Finally, biochemical as well as histopathological changes were evaluated and dexamethasone treatment caused osteoporosis, as evidenced by discontinuous thin cancellous bone trabeculae, minor fissures and fractures, irregular eroded endosteal surface with elevated alkaline phosphate, tartarate resistant acid phosphate (TRACP) and osteocalcin levels. Osteoprotegerin (OPG), calcium, and phosphorus levels decreased with disturbed receptor activator of nuclear factor κ B ligand (RANKL), forkhead box O1 (FOXO1), and silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) protein expression. However, treatment with agomelatine restored the normal levels of biochemical parameters to a great extent, supported by SIRT activation with an improvement in histopathological changes. Here, we concluded that agomelatine ameliorates steroid‐induced osteoporosis through a SIRT1/RANKL/FOXO1/OPG‐dependent pathway.
Drinking water under fire: Water utilities' vulnerability to wildfires in the Pacific Northwest
Authors: Robichaud Patrick J. L. , Padowski Julie C.
Published: November 2023

Increased wildfire activity in the western United States can lead to detrimental cascading effects to water quality. After fires, burned areas may experience significant runoff‐induced erosion and sediment transport into rivers and reservoirs, which could rapidly overwhelm existing drinking water treatment plants. This paper couples an assessment of wildfire risk with an evaluation of water utility preparedness to understand where key fire‐related drinking water vulnerabilities exist. Wildfire risk assessments were constructed and expanded from a commonly used methodology co‐developed between researchers and water managers (Edel et al., 2002), to understand drinking water impacts on water quality after wildfires. A water utility preparedness index was created for this study using publicly available information to contextualize how well utilities may be able to respond to water quality degradation after fires. Results indicate that 22% of utilities studied (10% of the population served) were underprepared for fire and 11% of watersheds used were at greater risk of wildfire (9% of the population served). However, nearly three‐quarters of utilities (76% of the population served) showed a moderate risk of fire and some need for improved fire preparedness. Information developed here could provide a useful framework from which utility managers can better assess their likely wildfire risk and preparation plans.
A randomized trial of the effects of COMT inhibition on subjective response to alcohol: Moderation by baseline COMT activity and mediation of alcohol self‐administration
Authors: Schacht Joseph P. , Kubicki Matthew , Anton Raymond F.
Published: November 2023

Background

Poor inhibitory control and enhanced subjective response to alcohol are interrelated risk factors for alcohol use disorder (AUD) that share underlying neural substrates, including dopamine signaling in the right prefrontal cortex, a potential target for pharmacological intervention. Cortical dopamine inactivation is primarily regulated by catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme with large variation in activity as a function of the COMT rs4680 (val158met) single nucleotide polymorphism. In a previous randomized, placebo‐controlled trial of the COMT inhibitor tolcapone (200 mg TID) in non‐treatment‐seeking participants with AUD, we found that tolcapone, relative to placebo, reduced alcohol self‐administration only among rs4680 val‐allele homozygotes, whose COMT activity is higher than in met‐allele carriers.

Methods

We conducted secondary analyses of the effects of tolcapone and baseline COMT activity, as indexed by both rs4680 genotype and an enzymatic activity assay, on the subjective response to alcohol in a bar‐laboratory paradigm among 60 participants in the previous trial.

Results

Tolcapone did not affect alcohol‐induced stimulation or sedation more than placebo. However, baseline COMT activity moderated the effects of the drug on both outcomes, such that tolcapone‐treated participants with higher baseline COMT activity had less stimulation (p = 0.008) and sedation (p = 0.053) than participants with lower baseline COMT activity and those treated with placebo. Additionally, alcohol‐induced stimulation significantly mediated the interacting effects of baseline COMT activity and tolcapone on bar‐laboratory self‐administration.

Conclusions

Tolcapone may reduce subjective response to alcohol more effectively among individuals with preexisting high COMT activity an effect that could account for the drug's reduction of alcohol consumption among these individuals.
The endodontic‐periodontal juncture: Where two worlds meet. An overview of endo‐perio lesions
Authors: Evans M
Published: November 2023

Endodontic and periodontal infections can be difficult to differentiate from one another and often share common clinical features making diagnosis challenging. The aim of this review is to discuss endodontic and periodontal infections in situations where they occur concurrently, or where one influences the other. The available literature investigating endodontic and periodontal infections was examined for contemporary knowledge regarding endodontic‐periodontal interactions. Strategies to facilitate diagnosis and treatment planning are discussed. When endodontic and periodontal infections occur together, or signs and symptoms are similar, diagnosis can be challenging. Determining the primary source of infection is imperative to ensure appropriate treatment planning. The pulp and periodontal tissues are intimately related, with many possible pathways for infection from one to the other. Diagnosis of the primary source of the infection can be difficult and sometimes an inter‐disciplinary approach to treatment is required. © 2023 Australian Dental Association.
Prevalence, contemporary trends and associated factors of potentially inappropriate prescription of edoxaban in real‐world clinical practice: A subanalysis of the SUNSHINE registry
Authors: Zhao Shujuan , Dai Hengfen , Chen Jiaxin , Ni Ming , Peng Wenxing , Li Xiaoyu , Li Fen , Chen Boya , Cai Haixia , Liu Yinping , Gu Zhichun , Du Song , Ma Peizhi
Published: November 2023

Aim

As the direct oral anticoagulant most recently approved in China, data pertaining to clinical edoxaban use are still scarce. This study investigated the prevalence of and contemporary trends in edoxaban prescription among Chinese patients as well as factors associated with its inappropriate use in a multicentre registry of patients treated in real‐world clinical practice.

Methods

This real‐world, prospective, multicentre and non‐interventional study included 1005 inpatients treated with edoxaban. According to National Medical Products Administration and European Heart Rhythm Association guidelines, edoxaban therapy was determined to be appropriate or inappropriate in each case.

Results

The median patient age was 70.0 years (interquartile range 61.0‐78.0 years) and 46.3% were women. Overall, 456 (45.4%) patients received inappropriate edoxaban therapy, and common issues included an inappropriately low dosage (183, 18.2%) or wrong drug selection (109, 10.8%), high dosage (73, 7.3%), unreasonable off‐label use (49, 4.9%), contraindicated medication combinations (27, 2.7%) and incorrect administration timing (16, 1.6%). Several factors, such as age ≥75 years (odds ratio [OR] = 1.921, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.355‐2.723, P < 0.001), weight >60 kg (OR = 2.657, 95%CI 1.970‐3.583, P < 0.001), severe renal insufficiency (OR = 1.988, 95% CI 1.043‐3.790, P = 0.037), current anaemia (OR = 1.556, 95% CI 1.151‐2.102, P = 0.004) and history of bleeding (OR = 2.931, 95% CI 1.605‐5.351, P < 0.001) were associated with an increased risk of inappropriate edoxaban therapy, whereas factors associated with cardiovascular specialties, such as admission to a cardiovascular department (OR = 0.637, 95% CI 0.464‐0.873, P = 0.005), dronedarone use (OR = 0.065, 95% CI 0.026‐0.165, P < 0.001) and amiodarone use (OR = 0.365, 95% CI 0.209‐0.637, P < 0.001) decreased this risk.

Conclusion

In this real‐world study, 45.4% of patients received an inappropriate treatment with edoxaban. Multiple clinical characteristics can help identify patients who should receive edoxaban. Further development and implantation of educational activities and management strategies are needed to ensure the correct use of edoxaban.
Clinical decision‐making in benzodiazepine deprescribing by healthcare providers vs. AI‐assisted approach
Authors: Bužančić Iva , Belec Dora , Držaić Margita , Kummer Ingrid , Brkić Jovana , Fialová Daniela , Ortner Hadžiabdić Maja
Published: November 2023

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical decision‐making for benzodiazepine deprescribing between a healthcare provider (HCP) and an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot GPT4 (ChatGPT‐4).

Methods

We analysed real‐world data from a Croatian cohort of community‐dwelling benzodiazepine patients (n = 154) within the EuroAgeism H2020 ESR 7 project. HCPs evaluated the data using pre‐established deprescribing criteria to assess benzodiazepine discontinuation potential. The research team devised and tested AI prompts to ensure consistency with HCP judgements. An independent researcher employed ChatGPT‐4 with predetermined prompts to simulate clinical decisions for each patient case. Data derived from human‐HCP and ChatGPT‐4 decisions were compared for agreement rates and Cohen's kappa.

Results

Both HPC and ChatGPT identified patients for benzodiazepine deprescribing (96.1% and 89.6%, respectively), showing an agreement rate of 95% (κ = .200, P = .012). Agreement on four deprescribing criteria ranged from 74.7% to 91.3% (lack of indication κ = .352, P < .001; prolonged use κ = .088, P = .280; safety concerns κ = .123, P = .006; incorrect dosage κ = .264, P = .001). Important limitations of GPT‐4 responses were identified, including 22.1% ambiguous outputs, generic answers and inaccuracies, posing inappropriate decision‐making risks.

Conclusions

While AI‐HCP agreement is substantial, sole AI reliance poses a risk for unsuitable clinical decision‐making. This study's findings reveal both strengths and areas for enhancement of ChatGPT‐4 in the deprescribing recommendations within a real‐world sample. Our study underscores the need for additional research on chatbot functionality in patient therapy decision‐making, further fostering the advancement of AI for optimal performance.
Anti‐HTLV‐1 immunity combined with proviral load as predictive biomarkers for adult T‐cell leukemia‐lymphoma
Authors: Yamada Asami , Yasunaga Jun‐ichirou , Liang Lihan , Zhang Wenyi , Sunagawa Junya , Nakaoka Shinji , Iwami Shingo , Kogure Yasunori , Ito Yuta , Kataoka Keisuke , Nakagawa Masanori , Iwanaga Masako , Utsunomiya Atae , Koh Ki‐Ryang , Watanabe Toshiki , Nosaka Kisato , Matsuoka Masao
Published: November 2023

Human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) establishes chronic infection in humans and induces a T‐cell malignancy called adult T‐cell leukemia‐lymphoma (ATL) and several inflammatory diseases such as HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Persistent HTLV‐1 infection is established under the pressure of host immunity, and therefore the immune response against HTLV‐1 is thought to reflect the status of the disease it causes. Indeed, it is known that cellular immunity against viral antigens is suppressed in ATL patients compared to HAM/TSP patients. In this study, we show that profiling the humoral immunity to several HTLV‐1 antigens, such as Gag, Env, and Tax, and measuring proviral load are useful tools for classifying disease status and predicting disease development. Using targeted sequencing, we found that several carriers whom this profiling method predicted to be at high risk for developing ATL indeed harbored driver mutations of ATL. The clonality of HTLV‐1‐infected cells in those carriers was still polyclonal; it is consistent with an early stage of leukemogenesis. Furthermore, this study revealed significance of anti‐Gag proteins to predict high risk group in HTLV‐1 carriers. Consistent with this finding, anti‐Gag cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were increased in patients who received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and achieved remission state, indicating the significance of anti‐Gag CTLs for disease control. Our findings suggest that our strategy that combines anti‐HTLV‐1 antibodies and proviral load may be useful for prediction of the development of HTLV‐1‐associated diseases.
Serial comprehensive genomic profiling by next‐generation sequencing for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Olsen Steven , Nakamura Yoshiaki
Published: November 2023

In a real‐world database of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in the United States, comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) using plasma‐based next‐generation sequencing identified potentially actionable profiles for approximately one‐third of the patients with both the first test and again with a second test after disease progression, with around 60% of all patients tested receiving therapy consistent with the CGP results at each line of treatment. This suggests a role for CGP prior to more than one line of mCRC treatment.
Determinants of child survival practice among caregivers in internally displaced persons' camps in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Nigeria
Authors: Ajike Saratu Omagbemi , Oloyede Busola Loveall
Published: November 2023

Background

Child survival remains a major public health challenge in the sub‐Saharan region of Africa, especially Nigeria. The Boko Haram crisis, which has aggravated this, has led to the displacement of many people in the north‐eastern region, including children under five. This study investigated the determinants of child survival practice among caregivers in internally displaced persons' (IDP) camps in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Nigeria.

Methodology

A cross‐sectional design was used to collect data on determinants of child survival practice from 312 caregivers in five purposively selected IDP camps in AMAC using the snowball sampling technique. Data were analysed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistics at 5% level of significance.

Results

The mean age of respondents was 29.6 ± 6.72 years. There was a significant (p < 0.05) relationship between the predisposing, reinforcing, enabling and environmental factors studied and child survival practice. Findings also indicated that all factors were significant (p < 0.05) predictors of child survival practice with the reinforcing factor being the major predictor (ß = 0.38; t = 6.08).

Conclusion

Attention needs to be paid to all factors, particularly the reinforcing factor of social support in order to promote optimal child survival practice among caregivers in AMAC IDP camps. Collaboration with social work professionals would be an added benefit to enhance social support.
Workplace oral health promotion activities among community‐aged care workers: A qualitative exploration
Authors: Bakri N. N. , Ferguson C. A. , Majeed S. , Thomson W. M. , Oda K. , Bartlett S. , Broadbent J. M. , Smith M. B.
Published: November 2023

Background

The workplace is an ideal—and priority—setting for health promotion activities. Developing and implementing workplace health promotion interventions, including oral health promotion activities, can help create health‐supporting workplace environments.

Objective

To pilot workplace oral health promotion activities among staff working in the aged care sector, report their impact and explore participants' views on the factors that contribute to participation and effectiveness.

Methods

This study comprised three phases: (i) the development and face validation of the resources, (ii) a 3‐h educational session and (iii) five interview sessions with participants 4–6 weeks following the education session. The recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.

Results

Eleven community‐aged care workforce were invited to five feedback sessions. Ten participants were female and ranged in age from 18 to 64. All participants gave favourable comments about the content and delivery of the training session and accompanying resources. The participants felt that the benefits of WOHP include improved staff knowledge, awareness and oral care routine, the ability to share (and put into practice) the gained knowledge and information with their dependants, a lower risk of having poor oral health that adversely affects their well‐being and work tasks, and potentially beneficial impacts on the organization's staff roster. Their attendance in the WOHP was facilitated by being paid to attend and scheduling the sessions during work time. Future WOHP suggestions include the possibility of a one‐stop dental check‐up at the workplace or staff dental care discounts from local dental practitioners and combining oral health with other health promotion activities.

Conclusions

Planning and implementing WOHP was deemed acceptable and feasible in this study context and successfully achieved short‐term impacts among community‐aged care workers. Appropriate times and locations, organizational arrangements and a variety of delivery options contributed to successful programme planning and implementation.
Involvement of microglial P2X7 receptor in pain modulation
Authors: Zhang Jing , Gao Lei , Zhang Yaoyuan , Wang Haozhen , Sun Shukai , Wu Li‐an
Published: November 2023

Background

Pain is a rapid response mechanism that compels organisms to retreat from the harmful stimuli and triggers a repair response. Nonetheless, when pain persists for extended periods, it can lead to adverse changes into in the individual’s brain, negatively impacting their emotional state and overall quality of life. Microglia, the resident immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS), play a pivotal role in regulating a variety of pain‐related disorders. Specifically, recent studies have shed light on the central role that microglial purinergic ligand‐gated ion channel 7 receptor (P2X7R) plays in regulating pain. In this respect, the P2X7R on microglial membranes represents a potential therapeutic target.

Aims

To expound on the intricate link between microglial P2X7R and pain, offering insights into potential avenues for future research.

Methods

We reviewed 140 literature and summarized the important role of microglial P2X7R in regulating pain, including the structure and function of P2X7R, the relationship between P2X7R and microglial polarization, P2X7R‐related signaling pathways, and the effects of P2X7R antagonists on pain regulation.

Results

P2X7R activation is related to M1 polarization of microglia, while suppressing P2X7R can transfer microglia from M1 into M2 phenotype. And targeting the P2X7R‐mediated signaling pathways helps to explore new therapy for pain alleviation. P2X7R antagonists also hold potential for translational and clinical applications in pain management.

Conclusions

Microglial P2X7R holds promise as a potential novel pharmacological target for clinical treatments due to its distinctive structure, function, and the development of antagonists.
Keratinization in atypical glandular cell clusters as a cytological clue to endometrioid carcinoma on cervical cytology
Authors: Ng Joanna K. M. , Li Joshua J. X.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Specific diagnosis of endometrial carcinomas on cervical cytology is difficult with few useful cytomorphological clues reported. This study reviews a cohort of cervical cytology to investigate the presence of keratinization in atypical glandular cells (AGC), an undescribed cytomorphological clue for identifying endometrial endometrioid carcinomas on cervical cytology.

Methods

Cervical cytology slides from patients with a histologic diagnosis of endometrial endometrioid carcinoma were reviewed for the presence of keratinization associated with AGCs. Corresponding histology slides were reviewed for tumour grading and degree of squamous differentiation.

Results

In total, 42 cases of cervical cytology specimens from 41 patients were retrieved, including 7 (16.7%) with keratinization associated with AGCs seen and 35 (83.3%) without. Comparison of histologic grading did not demonstrate an association with the presence of keratinization on cytology (p = 0.565). Corresponding histology slides were available for 37 cases. Cytologic and histologic keratinization were associated statistically (p = 0.002). Frank keratinization was seen on histologic slides of five cases, with four also showing cytologic keratinization. Area of squamous differentiation, including squamous morule formation, did not correlate with keratinization on cytologic preparation (p = 0.185).

Conclusion

Histologic and cytologic keratinization are observed in endometrioid endometrial carcinomas. Such is reflected in cervical cytology by the presence of orangeophilic, rigid and acellular fragments within or associated with AGC clusters. Keratinization, when identified with AGCs, should be regarded as a cytologic clue suggestive of an endometroid carcinoma of endometrial origin.
Designing Systems in a Fine‐Grained and Inclusive Way, by Integrating Service Design within Futures Studies and Foresight
Authors: Peruccon Andy , Simeone Luca
Published: November 2023

This paper evaluates the human‐centric, systemic and near future‐driven components of Service Design to understand how they can work within a Future Studies and Foresight (FSF) framework. Expanding on empirical evidence gathered from a case study with renters and shareowners in Danish cooperative housing associations (Andelsboligforeningen), the paper looks at how the application of Service Design – within Future Studies and Foresight (FSF, hereafter) – can facilitate a fine‐grained and inclusive rebuilding of our socio‐technical systems in a way that allows end‐users to understand and engage with them more productively. The paper provides a theoretical reflection on the gestalt emerging from bridging Service Design and FSF and how this can inspire and establish strategic viewpoints on how to co‐design complex systems embedded in different socio‐technical dimensions.
Start‐up Accelerators as Service Design and Business Model
Authors: Møller Jørn Kjølseth
Published: November 2023

Startup accelerators offer a range of services to entrepreneurs that enable them to accelerate growth and development in just a few months. Typically, small‐, and medium‐sized, growth‐oriented companies are supported early in their development through offers of education and training, mentoring, consulting, and venture capital. The startup accelerator “Growth Train” of Business Lolland‐Falster – a regional development organization in Denmark, has been the subject of a closer investigation as a service journey and business model. Four distinct factors make accelerators unique: time‐limited, cohort‐based (a standard course for a selected group), mentor‐driven, and typically ends with a ‘demo day’. The analysis of Growth Train is based on Service Design Thinking and theories on Business Models. It contributes to the theoretical understanding of startup accelerators as a service journey for the participating startups where Service‐Design Thinking plays a crucial role in the design of the accelerator. It also explains how the accelerators create value for the selected group of startups. Startup accelerators also represent a Business Model (value proposition) for the managers of the accelerators and the stakeholders in the local business ecosystem. It also offers economic growth and employment for outlying areas like Lolland‐Falster in Denmark.
Biological control of weeds – Context dependency matters
Authors: Lommen Suzanne T. E. , Beukeboom Leo W.
Published: November 2023

Invasive alien plants (weeds) are a growing, worldwide problem. Importation (‘classical’) biological control, using exotic insects, may be a key component in controlling invasive plants. Two‐thirds of plant species targeted worldwide by biocontrol programs experience some level of control, but the success rates are geographically variable and still hard to predict. Better understanding of the interactions of the species involved, and the effects of changing climate, may help to further improve both the efficacy and the predictability of this method. This requires pre‐release studies, as well as post‐release studies that quantify the impact at the population level to validate methodologies and assumptions of pre‐release studies. The 12 original papers of this special issue include pre‐ and post‐release studies on 13 insect species from five orders. The studies cover a wide range of methodologies and altogether they highlight that both target and non‐target impact are highly context dependent. This dedicated issue includes directions for methodological improvements to better assess ecological host ranges of agents and to avoid rejection of safe agents.
Effectiveness of a manual test at the beginning of dental school
Authors: Zitzmann Nicola U. , Dalla‐Vecchia Ramona L. , Beiner Bettina , Steinberg Carin , Benkeser Svenja M. , Amato Julia
Published: November 2023

Introduction

This study analysed whether the SAZAMED (Self‐assessment for dentistry studies) manual test conducted as an exercise or examination in the first year of dental studies, and the official aptitude test for medical studies (EMS), can predict future performance of dental students.

Materials and Methods

Students enrolled in the dental curriculum at the University of Basel between 2009/10 and 2019/20 were categorized: Group A conducted the SAZAMED in the third bachelor year (BA) and second master year (MA), group B practiced in the first and third BA and second MA and group C had to pass the test in the first BA with repetition in the third BA and second MA. SAZAMED comprised (i) wire bending, (ii) modelling sphere and cube, (iii) drawing mirror‐inverted and (iv) indirect drawing over a mirror. Comparative variables were the EMS per cent rank and test scores in practical‐clinical examinations in the third BA and the second MA.

Results

Data were available from 329 students over the 10‐year period. Repeaters and dropouts had poorer performance in the first BA SAZAMED than students who did not (p < 0.001). Among the four SAZAMED exercises, mirror‐inverted drawing was the strongest predictor of future student performance. The official aptitude test EMS correlated with the third BA certificate (p = 0.012), but failed to predict repeaters and dropouts.

Conclusion

Since academic success was associated with significantly better scores on the first BA SAZAMED, it is considered a predictor and recommended in addition to the official EMS to identify students in need of intervention programmes or who should choose a different field of study.