bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing halal food traceability: a model for rebuilding trust and integrity in Muslim countries
Authors: Dashti Laila A.H.F. , Jackson Tom , West Andrew , Jackson Lisa
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Due to increasing scandals involving non-halal foods, contamination and fraudulent practices within the halal food supply chain, this paper aims to identify pivotal factors closely tied to halal food traceability and subsequently proposes a comprehensive halal food traceability model rooted in these factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach involved conducting a content analysis to meticulously gather data from existing scholarly works. Subsequently, the authors analysed this data using a thematic approach.

Findings

The extensive literature review yielded the identification of eight pivotal factors for the adoption and implementation of effective halal food traceability systems. These factors encompass consensus on halal food standards, government support, meeting consumer demands, ensuring the authenticity of halal food integrity, leveraging technological advancements, adherence to halal standards and certification systems, fostering stakeholder collaboration and promoting research and educational initiatives. Building upon these factors, this study presents a halal food traceability factorial model that can serve as a foundation for constructing a robust and readily-adoptable traceability system within Muslim countries.

Practical implications

The proposed halal food traceability model offers invaluable insights to stakeholders within both private enterprises and governmental bodies. By taking into account the identified factors, these stakeholders can significantly enhance their prospects for the successful adoption and implementation of traceability systems. Additionally, the paper expounds upon practical recommendations for practitioners and highlights avenues for future research aimed at establishing a robust halal traceability system across Muslim countries.

Originality/value

This paper stands as a significant contribution within the limited body of research addressing the development of an effective and readily-adoptable traceability model, thereby bolstering the integrity and safety of halal food. The outcomes of this paper are expected to catalyse improvements in the adoption and implementation of halal food traceability practices across Muslim nations.
Prototypically small: an exploration of consumers’ small business prototypes
Authors: Jenkins Michael Ryan
Published: August 2024

Purpose

As consumers interact with various small businesses, they develop a mental image, called a prototype, to represent what small businesses are as a generalized, conceptual category. However, prior research has said little about what this small business prototype entails. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore consumers’ perceptions of the prototypical small business by identifying common attributes among small businesses that differentiate them from large businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

This study undertakes a thorough review of the relevant consumer research literature for the attributes that consumers use to evaluate small businesses. Then, using a contemporary parallel analysis approach, it conducts an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on a sample of 266 university students who were asked to evaluate how common those attributes are of small businesses. A second comparative EFA for large businesses is also conducted.

Findings

The EFA reveals two dimensions on which consumers evaluate small businesses: a sincere–authentic dimension and a disruptive–innovative dimension. Specifically, consumers view the prototypical small business to be relatively high on sincere–authentic and moderate on disruptive–innovative dimensions.

Originality/value

Through a comprehensive literature review and exploratory analysis, this study provides a novel understanding of consumers’ conceptualizations of small businesses. In studying the mental image consumers associate with the prototypical small business, this research fills a significant gap in the existing literature and provides important insights for practitioners and researchers alike.
IT professionals’ post-pandemic online learning: UTAUT model study
Authors: Deshmukh Sampada C. , Mehta Mita
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to examine employees’ online learning continuation intentions (OLCI), exploring factors such as performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), perceived benefits (PB) and management support (MS) influencing their commitment to online learning engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model was expanded to include PB and MS constructs. This study used a quantitative research approach using purposive sampling techniques. Three hundred and eighty-six responses from Indian information technology (IT) professionals at various levels were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences-Analysis of Moments Structures tool.

Findings

This study found a strong positive influence of PE, EE, PB and MS on OLCI in the context of post-pandemic. Workplace learning rapidly generates outcomes if employees associate it with their career growth. However, the authors found that SI does not significantly affect OLCI.

Originality/value

This research is unique work in the area of workplace learning by evaluating the OLCI of IT professionals using the extended UTAUT model in a new normal. Moreover, this study contributes to online learning literature with a combined study of technology usage, continuance intention and organization learning and development.
A response surface methodology investigation into the optimization of manufacturing time and quality for FFF 3D printed PLA parts
Authors: Temiz Abdurrahim
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of specific printing factors, such as layer height, line width and build orientation, on the overall quality of fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printed structures. The project also intends to use response surface methodology (RSM) to maximize ultimate tensile strength (UTS) while lowering surface roughness and printing time.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used an FFF printer to fabricate samples of polylactic acid (PLA), which were then subjected to assessments of tensile strength and surface roughness. A tensile test was conducted under standardized conditions according to the ASTM D638 standard test method using the AG-50 kN Shimadzu Autograph. The Mitutoyo Surftest SJ-210, which utilizes a needle-tipped inductive method, was used to determine surface roughness. RSM was used for optimization.

Findings

This work provides useful insights into how the printing parameters affect FFF 3D printed structures, which may be used to optimize the printing process and improve PLA-based 3D printed products' qualities. The determined optimal values for building orientation, layer height and line width were 0°, 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm, respectively. The total desirability value of 0.80 implies desirable outcomes, and good agreement between experimental and projected response values supports the suggested models.

Originality/value

Previous RSM studies for 3D printing parameter optimization focused on mechanical properties or surface aspects, however, few examined multiple responses and their interactions. This study emphasizes the relevance of FFF parameters like line width, which are often overlooked but can dramatically impact printing quality. Mechanical properties, surface quality and printing time are integrated to comprehend optimization holistically.
YVU Dairy, Manipur (Northeast India): strategy for business expansion
Authors: Akoijam Sunildro L.S. , Meitei Ch. Ibohal , Kumar Nitesh , Mehdi Mokhalles
Published: August 2024

Research methodology

This case study was based on an in-depth investigation of multiple interactions with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and feedback from customers. Secondary research approaches involved reviewing articles and reports published on various media platforms. One of the authors has direct access to the CEO and staff members to collaborate on data and information for this case study.

Case overview/synopsis

The case study is about a dairy company operating its business in Manipur (Northeast India).YVU Milk Producer Company Limited (YVUMPCL) is focusing on the growth of its brand YVU Dairy in the northeast Indian market and neighbouring country Myanmar. It was founded in 2013 to provide a livelihood for dairy farmers and fill a demand gap for dairy products in Manipur. Despite numerous opportunities, competencies and efforts, the firm has yet to expand its business significantly. It faced several challenges in expanding the business. This case discusses the strategies adopted by YVU to overcome those obstacles and emphasises the strategy for its expansion.

Complexity academic level

This case study is designed for use in courses in the Bachelor of Business Administration and early Master of Business Administration program. It is ideal for topics such as international marketing, marketing, strategy and entrepreneurship.
Rapid enhanced-DEM using Google Earth Engine, machine learning, weighted and spatial interpolation techniques
Authors: Kandil Walaa Metwally , Zarzoura Fawzi H. , Goma Mahmoud Salah , El-Mewafi Shetiwi Mahmoud El-Mewafi
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to present a new rapid enhancement digital elevation model (DEM) framework using Google Earth Engine (GEE), machine learning, weighted interpolation and spatial interpolation techniques with ground control points (GCPs), where high-resolution DEMs are crucial spatial data that find extensive use in many analyses and applications.

Design/methodology/approach

First, rapid-DEM imports Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data and Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery from a user-defined time and area of interest into GEE. Second, SRTM with the feature attributes from Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery is generated and used as input data in support vector machine classification algorithm. Third, the inverse probability weighted interpolation (IPWI) approach uses 12 fixed GCPs as additional input data to assign the probability to each pixel of the image and generate corrected SRTM elevations. Fourth, gridding the enhanced DEM consists of regular points (E, N and H), and the contour interval is 5 m. Finally, densification of enhanced DEM data with GCPs is obtained using global positioning system technique through spatial interpolations such as Kriging, inverse distance weighted, modified Shepard’s method and triangulation with linear interpolation techniques.

Findings

The results were compared to a 1-m vertically accurate reference DEM (RD) obtained by image matching with Worldview-1 stereo satellite images. The results of this study demonstrated that the root mean square error (RMSE) of the original SRTM DEM was 5.95 m. On the other hand, the RMSE of the estimated elevations by the IPWI approach has been improved to 2.01 m, and the generated DEM by Kriging technique was 1.85 m, with a reduction of 68.91%.

Originality/value

A comparison with the RD demonstrates significant SRTM improvements. The suggested method clearly reduces the elevation error of the original SRTM DEM.
Vegetation structure and climate shape mountain arthropod distributions across trophic levels
Authors: Martinez‐Almoyna Camille , Calderòn‐Sanou Irene , Lionnet Clément , Gielly Ludovic , Boyer Frédéric , Dufour Paul , Dunyach Lily , Miquel Christian , Ohlmann Marc , Poulenard Jérôme , Renaud Julien , Saillard Amélie , Si‐Moussi Sara , Stephan Ruth , Varoux Mary ,   The Orchamp Consortium, Münkemüller Tamara , Thuiller Wilfried
Published: August 2024

Arthropods play a vital role in ecosystems; yet, their distributions remain poorly understood, particularly in mountainous regions.

This study delves into the modelling of the distribution of 31 foliar arthropod genera in the French Alps, using a comprehensive approach encompassing multi‐trophic sampling, community DNA metabarcoding and random forest models.

The results underscore the significant importance of vegetation structure, such as herbaceous vegetation density, and forest density and heterogeneity, along with climate, in shaping the distributions of most arthropods. These responses to environmental gradients are consistent across trophic groups, with the exception of nectarivores, whose distributions are more sensitive to landscape structure and water availability.

By leveraging community DNA metabarcoding, this study sheds light on the understudied drivers of arthropod distributions, emphasizing the importance of modelling across diverse trophic groups to anticipate arthropod responses to global change.
Sounds of the underground reflect soil biodiversity dynamics across a grassy woodland restoration chronosequence
Authors: Robinson Jake M. , Taylor Alex , Fickling Nicole , Sun Xin , Breed Martin F.
Published: August 2024

Restoring and monitoring soil biodiversity has never been more important. Ecoacoustics is emerging as a promising tool to detect and monitor soil biodiversity and was recently effective in a temperate forest context. However, there is a need to investigate the efficacy of soil ecoacoustics in other ecosystems and bioregions.

Here, we applied ecoacoustics tools and indices (Acoustic Complexity Index, Bioacoustic Index, Normalised Difference Soundscape Index) to measure soil biodiversity in an Australian grassy woodland restoration chronosequence, spanning three age classes. We collected n = 240 soil acoustic samples from two cleared plots (continuously cleared through active management), two woodland plots undergoing restoration (revegetated 14–15 years ago) and two plots of remnant vegetation over 5 days in Mount Bold, South Australia. We used a below‐ground sampling device and sound attenuation chamber to record soil invertebrate communities, which were also manually counted.

We found that acoustic complexity and diversity were significantly higher in revegetated and remnant plots than in cleared plots, both in‐situ and in sound attenuation chambers. The acoustic complexity and diversity also significantly associated with soil invertebrate abundance and richness.

Synthesis and applications. Our results provide new support that ecoacoustics can help monitor soil biodiversity in different forest restoration contexts, including in UK temperate and Australian grassy woodlands. This technology holds promise in addressing the global need for effective soil biodiversity monitoring methods and protecting our planet's most diverse ecosystems.
The Black Dog of Bungay: Religious Conflict and Supernatural Terror in a Suffolk Parish
Authors: Owen Christian
Published: August 2024

In 1577 the market town of Bungay, on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, was riven by a grotesque and unusual event. During a storm, several members of the congregation were killed or injured, apparently by the appearance of the Devil in the guise of a demonic black hound. Anchored by this legendary appearance of “Black Shuck,” this study centres on a microhistorical investigation of the town of Bungay in the years leading up to the ominous events of 1577, through a previously neglected set of sources — two sets of unusually complete and comprehensive churchwardens' accounts for the two parishes in Bungay, which cover the entire period of the early Elizabethan Reformation. This allows us to appreciate these events in the context of a renewed interest in the 1560s and early 1570s as a time of fractiousness, insecurity, and religious uncertainty. The events of 1577 were perhaps only a dark capstone on a decade or more of severe disputes at the grassroots, engendered by growing confessional divisions and a crystallising sense of traditionalist versus Puritan cultural identities.
Incarceration as welfare: Transgressive female sexuality and the workhouse in West Germany, 1950–1969
Authors: Martin Annalisa
Published: August 2024

Despite the rights and protections enshrined in its new constitution, the West German state confined beggars, alcoholics, convicted prostitutes and vagrants in workhouses on criminal sentences until 1969. Using administrative and inmate files, alongside local press coverage, this article turns to the largest remaining workhouse in West Germany, Brauweiler, between 1950 and 1969 and considers the internment of women arrested under the ‘correctional post‐internment’ measure. It explores the gendered experiences of workhouse inmates, from the reasons for their internment to the reproduction of gendered boundaries during incarceration. Rather than providing an institutional history, it considers the micro‐perspective of inmate experiences.
THE PARTNERSHIP QUESTION AS A SCALE QUESTION: Extending the Theorization of Entrepreneurial Urbanism in China
Authors: Zhang Yong
Published: August 2024

In this article I examine recent theoretical and empirical exchanges around partnership‐based urban governance between North Atlantic and Chinese academics and policymakers. I argue that the latest wave of de jure private–public partnerships in urban China reflects an ongoing process of governance rescaling beyond conventional entrepreneurial urbanism theory. I propose an analytical framework that foregrounds successive experimental partnerships as tensions between institutional continuity and change arising from rescaling. In this study I examine variegated actually existing partnerships in Jiyuan, China, to identify generalizable ideal types of partnership‐driven governance rescaling. I conclude by suggesting to enhance the theorization of entrepreneurial urbanism by specifying a partnership‐scale nexus, and assert that variegated partnerships in China have rewritten the rule but not the law of partnership.
A hybrid RSM‐BPNN‐GA approach for optimizing ultrasound‐assisted deep eutectic solvents extraction conditions for Mesona chinensis benth. and investigation of the extraction mechanism
Authors: Xie Ping , Ye Ya‐Hui , Wang Chen‐Qing , Shen Jin‐Hai , Chen Liang‐Hua , Zhang Ya‐Nan
Published: August 2024

Mesona chinensis Benth (MCB) is the source of the most commonly consumed herbal beverage in Southeast Asia and China and is thus an economically important agricultural plant. Therefore, optimal extraction and production procedures have significant commercial value. Currently, in terms of green chemistry, researchers are investigating the use of greener solvents and innovative extraction techniques to increase extract yields. This study represents the first investigation of the optimal conditions for ultrasound‐assisted deep eutectic solvent (DES) extraction from MCB. The major factors influencing ultrasound‐assisted DESs were optimized using the response surface methodcentral‐genetic algorithm‐back propagation neural networks. This model demonstrated superior predictability and accuracy compared to the RSM model. Various types of DESs were used for the extraction of MCB constituents, with choline chloride‐ethylene glycol resulting in the highest yield. The optimal conditions for maximal extraction were the use of choline chloride‐ethylene glycol (1:4) as the solvent with a 40% water content, an extraction duration of 60 min at 60°C, and maintaining a leaf‐to‐solvent ratio of 20 mL/g. Noticeable enhancements in Van der Waals forces and more robust interactions between DESs and the target chemicals were observed relative to those seen with ethanol (70%, v/v) or water. This investigation not only introduced an environmentally friendly approach for highly efficient extraction from MCB but also identified the mechanisms underlying the improved extraction efficacy. These findings have the potential to contribute to the broader utilization of MCB and provide valuable insights into the extraction mechanisms utilizing deep eutectic solvents.

Practical Application

This work describes an efficient and green ultrasound‐assisted deep eutectic solvent (DES) method for Mesona chinensis Benth (MCB) extraction. Molecular dynamics was used to examine the intermolecular interactions between the solvent and the extracted compounds. It is anticipated that green and environmentally friendly solvents, such as DESs, will be used in further research on foods and their bioactive components. With the development of the herbal tea industry, new products made of MCB are becoming increasingly popular, thus gradually making it a research hotspot.
The hypoglycemic effect of enzymatic modified dietary fiber from bamboo shoot on type 2 diabetes rats
Authors: Yao Xiangjie , Wan Renkou , Li Chunxiao , Li Gongjing , Zhang Bing , Deng Zeyuan , Li Hongyan
Published: August 2024

Bamboo shoot is a healthy food rich in dietary fiber (DF). However, its highly insoluble DF and fibrous texture limit its application in industrially processed foods. To achieve industrial processing of bamboo shoot, cellulase was used to improve the physical characteristics of bamboo shoot DF in this study. After enzymatic hydrolysis, the content of soluble DF (SDF) of bamboo shoot increased by 99.28% (from 5.53% to 11.02%) significantly (p < 0.01). At the same time, the effect of enzymatic‐modified bamboo SDF (EMBSDF) on streptozotocin‐induced type 2 diabetes rats was explored. Results demonstrated that the high dose of EMBSDF (312.8 mg/kg) treated rats showed significant improvements in terms of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity (p < 0.01) compared with the diabetes rats. Meantime, it was observed that the levels of glucagon‐like peptide‐1, adiponectin and interleukin‐4 of high dose of EMBSDF compared with diabetes rats were increased (p < 0.01) by 57.79%, 159.13%, and 6.17%, respectively. The tumor necrosis factor‐α, C‐reactive protein, and leptin levels were decreased (p < 0.01) by 62.89%, 31.53%, and 7.84%, respectively. Furthermore, apparent kidney and pancreas histology improvements were found in high‐dose and mid‐dose EMBSDF‐treated diabetes rats. These results indicated that the modified DF significantly improved diabetes.
The multifactorial phenomenon of enzymatic hydrolysis resistance in unripe banana flour and its starch: A concise review
Authors: Dibakoane Siphosethu R. , Da Silva Laura Suzanne , Meiring Belinda , Anyasi Tonna A. , Mlambo Victor , Wokadala Obiro Cuthbert
Published: August 2024

Unripe banana flour starch possesses a high degree of resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis, a unique and desirable property that could be exploited in the development of functional food products to regulate blood sugar levels and promote digestive health. However, due to a multifactorial phenomenon in the banana flour matrix—from the molecular to the micro level—there is no consensus regarding the complex mechanisms behind the slow enzymatic hydrolysis of unripe banana flour starch. This work therefore explores factors that influence the enzymatic hydrolysis resistance of raw and modified banana flour and its starch including the proportion and distribution of the amorphous and crystalline phases of the starch granules; granule morphology; amylose–amylopectin ratio; as well as the presence of nonstarch components such as proteins, lipids, and phenolic compounds. Our findings revealed that the relative contributions of these factors to banana starch hydrolytic resistance are apparently dependent on the native or processed state of the starch as well as the cultivar type. The interrelatability of these factors in ensuring amylolytic resistance of unripe banana flour starch was further highlighted as another reason for the multifactorial phenomenon. Knowledge of these factors and their contributions to enzymatic hydrolysis resistance individually and interconnectedly will provide insights into enhanced ways of extraction, processing, and utilization of unripe banana flour and its starch.
Upregulation of the Cav1.3 channel in inner hair cells by interleukin 6‐dependent inflammaging contributes to age‐related hearing loss
Authors: Lu Mingshun , Xian Fuyu , Jin Xishuo , Hong Guodong , Fu Xiaolong , Wang Shengnan , Li Xinyu , Yang Haichao , Li Hongchen , Zhang Haiwei , Yang Yuxin , Xiao Jundan , Dong Hui , Liu Yaling , Shen Haitao , Lv Ping
Published: August 2024

Age‐related hearing loss (AHL) is the most common sensory disorder amongst the older population. Inflammaging is a ≈chronic low‐grade inflammation that worsens with age and is an early sign of AHL; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We used electrophysiological and genetic approaches to establish the importance of interleukin 6 (IL‐6)‐dependent inflammation in AHL. Elevated IL‐6 in the cochlea enhanced Cav1.3 calcium channel function in the inner hair cell (IHC) synapse in mice with AHL. IL‐6 upregulated the Cav1.3 channel via the Janus kinase‐mitogen activated kinase pathway, causing neurotransmitter excitotoxicity and synapse impairment; IL‐6 deficiency or the administration of a Cav1.3 channel blocker attenuated this age‐related damage, and rescued hearing loss. Thus, IL‐6‐dependent inflammaging upregulated the Cav1.3 channel in IHCs, contributing to AHL. Our findings could help the comprehensive understanding of inflammaging's effects on AHL, aiding in early intervention to protect against hearing decline.
Phosphatidylethanol is a promising tool for screening alcohol consumption during pregnancy
Authors: Häkkinen Margareeta , Arponen Anne , Jylhä Antti , Sulin Kati , Gunnar Teemu
Published: August 2024

Background

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is one of the leading causes of preventable developmental disabilities. A lack of objective screening methods results in an under‐recognition of the phenomenon. Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a specific ethanol biomarker that reveals alcohol intake up to several weeks after alcohol use. So far, PEth has mostly been a tool for detecting moderate and heavy drinking. With lower PEth cut‐offs, revealing even minor prenatal alcohol consumption is possible. We aimed to find out if a sensitive method for PEth analysis would give additional information about PAE and to assess the cut‐off value for a positive alcohol result in prenatal screening.

Methods

The study was an observational study of 3000 anonymous blood samples collected from the Helsinki University Hospital Diagnostic Center between June and September 2023. The Finnish Red Cross Blood Service received the samples originally for blood group typing and antibody screening as part of the prenatal blood screening program. We developed a sensitive PEth 16:0/18:1 analysis method using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) equipment after liquid–liquid extraction of PEth from whole blood. The lower limit of quantification was 1 ng/mL.

Results

PEth was ≥2 ng/mL in 5.2% of the cases, ≥8 ng/mL in 2.0%, and ≥20 ng/mL in 1.0%. The detection time of PEth can be several weeks, especially with low PEth concentrations and after heavy alcohol consumption. It remained unknown whether the positive PEth tests resulted from drinking deliberately during pregnancy or before pregnancy recognition.

Conclusions

We suggest adding PEth 16:0/18:1 to a routine prenatal blood screening program with a cut‐off of 2 ng/mL—and in positive cases, clinical evaluation and retesting in 2–4 weeks. In clinical settings, information on gestational week and alcohol consumption before pregnancy is relevant and needs to be considered when interpreting low PEth concentrations.
Assessing the dynamics of land use and land cover change in semi‐arid savannah: A focus on woody plant encroachment utilising historical satellite data
Authors: Malapane Cyncinatia , Dube Timothy , Dalu Tatenda
Published: August 2024

The encroachment of woody plants into grassland and the conversion of grasslands to woodlands is a worldwide phenomenon and has been regarded as a major global problem for decades. The rate of woody plant encroachment (WPE) varies across biomes and can be influenced by land use activities and climate conditions. As a result, the current study assessed the spatial distribution of woody plants and land use and land cover (LULC) change within the Letaba River catchment in the Limpopo province of South Africa's subtropical region. Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Operational Land Imager (OLI) satellite data sets were used to map and quantify WPE and other LULC changes in the Letaba River catchment over a 30‐year period (1989–2019). Random forest classifier was used to determine of the rate of change of WPE and LULC within the study area. The results indicated that the Letaba River catchment has undergone a significant change with an increase in woody plant species. The woody plant cover had increased from 36,014 ha in the year 1989 to approximately 561,493 ha by 2019. Meanwhile, grassland has declined by 486,322 ha (33.7%) from 1989 to 2019. The overall classification accuracy (OA) ranged between 91.7% and 95.5%. The study findings will provide critical insights and baseline information about the state of WPE in semi‐arid environments, as well as provide catchment managers with the information they need to take the necessary actions to manage the rapid increase in woody plants. However, fire and herbivory are important factors that influences the WPE, and this might have also played an important role in the findings. The study suggests that WPE is an ongoing process and management strategies are required to mitigate and maintain the intensity of woody plants.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumours: incidence, recurrence and mortality. A decade of patients from a New Zealand tertiary surgical centre
Authors: Kirkpatrick Joshua , Wang Yijiao , Tu'inukuafe Josiah , Chao Philip , Robertson Jason , Koea Jonathan , Srinivasa Sanket
Published: August 2024

Background

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. The New Zealand (NZ) population incidence has not previously been documented nor has the potential effect of ethnicity been reviewed. We furthermore wanted to assess the difference between those undergoing a wedge resection versus a more extensive operation which we hypothesised would correlate with recurrence and mortality.

Methods

All patients (n = 103) with a GIST diagnosed and treated at Te Whatu Ora Waitematā (Auckland, New Zealand) between 2012 and 2021 are presented. Patient demographics, method of GIST detection, management approach, index surgery, histological features, use of adjuvant and neoadjuvant imatinib, follow‐up, recurrence and mortality rates were analysed.

Results

This paper reports the largest NZ GIST cohort to date and estimates an incidence of 17 cases per million per year. Eighty‐four patients underwent surgical resection, 58 received a wedge resection and 17 received a more extensive operation. Five‐year disease‐free survival rates were 100% in the low/very low risk, 90% in the intermediate and 59% in the high risk groups as determined by the modified NIH criteria. Our overall 5‐year GIST‐specific survival rate was 83%; it was 91% in those who underwent a wedge resection and 60% in the extensive operation group. There is evidence that Māori have higher rates of GIST recurrence compared to non‐Māori and are more likely to require an extensive surgical resection.
Analysis of bariatric surgical complications requiring interhospital transfers using a modified Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality framework
Authors: Leang Yit J. , Chen Richard , Shaw Kalai , Watters David , Brown Wendy , Burton Paul
Published: August 2024

Background

Surgical audit is key in upholding the standards of surgical care but may be inadequate in capturing morbidity experienced by patients being transferred across different health systems. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of an objective framework in the evaluation of clinical issues surrounding interhospital transfers (IHTs).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a Victorian state bariatric hospital. Patients transferred with bariatric surgery related complications between 2014 and 2021 were included. Each case was reviewed by two surgeons using an objective framework developed via a modified Delphi‐process. Key issues and preventability surrounding each transfer were evaluated. Inter‐observer agreement was assessed using weighted Cohen's Kappa coefficient.

Results

Seventy‐three patients were included. The most common indication for transfer was proximal staple line leak post sleeve gastrectomy (34/73, 46.6%). Length of stay was 38.3 ± 58.8 days. Cost of care amounted to AUD $110 666.18 per patient. Delay in transfer and complication recognition were present in 20% of cases (Cohen's Kappa 0.51;0.61). Human factors and patient related factors were the most common principal underlying causes (Cohen's Kappa 0.59). A third of the complications (n = 25/73, 34.2%), were potentially preventable (Cohen's Kappa 0.58) and more than half (39/73, 53.4%) did not have documented objective feedback to referring clinicians.

Conclusion

IHTs associated with bariatric surgery complications have significant morbidity and costs. A structured framework in reviewing IHT can consistently identify potentially modifiable factors that improve clinical outcomes, and constructive feedback to the referring clinician should be actively facilitated and documented.
Efficiency of periodontal treatment to improve type 2 diabetes mellitus outcomes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of economic evaluations
Authors: Sáenz‐Ravello Gustavo , Castillo‐Riquelme Marianela , Cuadrado Cristóbal , Gamonal Jorge , Baeza Mauricio
Published: August 2024

Background

To assess the efficiency of periodontal treatment (PT) in improving diabetes‐related outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontitis, providing an updated and comprehensive synthesis from economic evaluations (EE).

Methods

Seven databases and one register were independently searched by two reviewers for articles published up to 8 May 2024. Studies that assessed the efficiency of PT versus no treatment or other dental treatments were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2, ROBINS‐I and ECOBIAS tools for the first stage of EE and the CHEERS checklist and NICE quality appraisal tool for overall EE. Qualitative and quantitative syntheses of the articles were conducted and assessed using the GRADE approach.

Results

Eleven studies were included. PT reduces total healthcare costs, including inpatient and outpatient, diabetes‐related costs and other drug costs (low to moderate certainty). A total incremental net benefit of USD 12 348 (2022 currency, 95% CI 12 195–12 500) was estimated from three high‐quality model‐based cost‐utility analyses (high certainty).

Discussion

The inclusion of PT in the comprehensive treatment of patients with T2DM and periodontitis is cost‐effective. Future research is required to ensure the transferability of these findings and inform decision makers from different countries.

Registration

PROSPERO CRD42023443146.
Pelvic exenteration for locally advanced rectal cancer and associated outcomes in England between 1995 and 2016: Analysis of a national database
Authors: Rokan Zena , Wale Anita , Day Nigel , Kontovounisios Christos , Moran Brendan , Brown Gina
Published: August 2024

Aim

The clinical burden of pelvic exenteration (PE) for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is nationally under‐reported. The widespread use of pelvic MRI since 2005 has increased the accuracy of local staging and awareness of the need for ‘beyond TME (total mesorectal excision)’ surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the volume of patients undergoing PE within England, which factors affected survival outcomes and whether the use of MRI has influenced these outcomes.

Method

The volume of patients undergoing PE and associated survival outcomes across England between 1995 and 2016 was evaluated from Public Health England Hospital Episode Statistics data.

Results

A total of 2996 patients were recorded as undergoing PE. The 5‐year overall survival rate improved after 2005 compared with prior to 2005 (61.7% vs. 37%, p < 0.001), with no significant difference between cancer registries throughout England. After 2005, the volume of patients undergoing PE and undergoing preoperative MRI increased, as did the number of non‐T4 cancers operated on. After 2005, age, preoperative MRI and preoperative radiotherapy were the significant factors influencing 5‐year overall survival on multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

This review of national data confirms that PE outcomes are under‐reported. MRI staging aids with the identification of patients suitable for perioperative treatment, surgery or palliation and facilitates treatment planning. Since 2005, MRI, likely in combination with advances in surgery and perioperative treatment, has improved survival outcomes. It is imperative that detailed information from patients with LARC undergoing PE is captured and reported in order to optimize care and future service provision.
Integrating multiple data sources to develop range and area of habitat maps tailored for local contexts
Authors: Suárez‐Castro Andres Felipe , Acevedo‐Charry Orlando , Romero Jiménez Luis Hernando , Noguera‐Urbano Elkin A. , Ayerbe‐Quiñones Fernando , Ocampo‐Peñuela Natalia
Published: August 2024

Aim

Global species distribution maps tend to be limited to a reduced number of species or are too coarse to inform ecological research and conservation actions at local scales. We developed a workflow to generate species range and area of habitat (AOH) maps tailored to local contexts based on expert information, community science observations and an ecoregion approach. We also developed a workflow to increase transparency in range maps and map the areas of uncertainty at the species and community levels using community science data.

Location

North‐Western South America.

Methods

We combined expert knowledge, community science observations, a new map of ecoregions for Colombia and national maps of land cover to produce species range and AOH maps for 94% of the terrestrial resident birds of Colombia (1633 species). We used community science records to validate the range maps and produce a species‐specific layer of uncertainty by calculating the distance between pixels classified as habitat and species occurrence points.

Results

Compared to previous efforts, the new maps have higher species coverage and produced better validation scores for more than 50% of the species analysed. In addition, the produced maps also show macroecological patterns that follow natural boundaries, significantly improving the arbitrary patterns observed in previous mapping efforts. Uncertainty maps illustrate the spatial resolution and the extent at which these maps can be used with the highest confidence and highlight poorly surveyed areas that require extensive sampling.

Main Conclusions

Combining information from expert sources, field observations and broad macroecological patterns is key to improve AOH maps that are fitted to local applications. Our uncertainty analysis can also guide concerted national efforts to survey specific localities. Our workflow can be used in multiple regions, countries and for other taxa, and we expect that it will improve local estimates of biogeographical and species diversity patterns.
The emotional burden of type 1 diabetes: A cross‐sectional study to understand associations between diabetes distress and glucose metrics in adulthood
Authors: Kelly Caitlin S. , Nguyen Huyen , Chapman Katherine S. , Wolf Wendy A.
Published: August 2024

Aims

Advancements in type 1 diabetes (T1D) management, such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), have helped people achieve narrower glucose ranges, but associations between CGM and diabetes distress are unclear. Although higher HbA1c is associated with higher distress, associations with other glucose metrics are unknown. To better understand this relationship, we characterized diabetes distress in a sample of CGM users and compared differences in glucose metrics (measured via CGM) between those with higher versus lower distress.

Methods

CGM users with T1D from the T1D Exchange Registry completed an online survey including diabetes distress (DDS‐2) and shared CGM data (N = 199). CGM metrics were computed from all available data within 3 months prior to survey completion. Participants were grouped by distress level: lower (DDS‐2 < 3, n = 120) or higher (DDS‐2 ≥ 3, n = 79). Welch's t‐tests were used to compare mean differences in CGM metrics between groups and MANCOVA was used to further probe mean differences.

Results

Approximately 39.7% participants reported higher diabetes distress. Welch's t‐tests revealed participants with higher distress spent significantly more time in higher glucose ranges (above 180 mg/dL and above 250 mg/dL), less time in target glucose ranges (between 70 and 180 mg/dL and between 70 and 140 mg/dL) and had higher glucose management index values compared to those with lower distress (p < 0.01). MANCOVA models showed similar results.

Conclusions

CGM users continue to experience diabetes distress. Moreover, higher distress appears to be associated with hyperglycaemia. These findings provide support for broader screening efforts for diabetes distress.
Impact of JQ1 treatment on seizures, hippocampal gene expression, and gliosis in a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Harnett Aileen , Mathoux Justine , Wilson Marc‐Michel , Heiland Mona , Mamad Omar , Srinivas Sujithra , Sanfeliu Albert , Sanz‐Rodriguez Amaya , How Kelvin Lau E. , Delanty Norman , Cryan Jane , Brett Francesca M. , Farrell Michael A. , O'Brien Donncha F. , Henshall David C. , Brennan Gary P.
Published: August 2024

Epilepsy is a neurological disease characterised by recurrent seizures with complex aetiology. Temporal lobe epilepsy, the most common form in adults, can be acquired following brain insults including trauma, stroke, infection or sustained status epilepticus. The mechanisms that give rise to the formation and maintenance of hyperexcitable networks following acquired insults remain unknown, yet an extensive body of literature points towards persistent gene and epigenomic dysregulation as a potential mediator of this dysfunction. While much is known about the function of specific classes of epigenetic regulators (writers and erasers) in epilepsy, much less is known about the enzymes, which read the epigenome and modulate gene expression accordingly. Here, we explore the potential role for the epigenetic reader bromodomain and extra‐terminal domain (BET) proteins in epilepsy. Using the intra‐amygdala kainic acid model of temporal lobe epilepsy, we initially identified widespread dysregulation of important epigenetic regulators including EZH2 and REST as well as altered BRD4 expression in chronically epileptic mice. BRD4 activity was also notably affected by epilepsy‐provoking insults as seen by elevated binding to and transcriptional regulation of the immediate early gene Fos. Despite influencing early aspects of epileptogenesis, blocking BET protein activity with JQ1 had no overt effects on epilepsy development in mice but did alter glial reactivity and influence gene expression patterns, promoting various neurotransmitter signalling mechanisms and inflammatory pathways in the hippocampus. Together, these results confirm that epigenetic reader activity is affected by epilepsy‐provoking brain insults and that BET activity may exert cell‐specific actions on inflammation in epilepsy.
Factors driving microbial biomass and necromass relationships display ecosystem‐dependent responses
Authors: Min Kaikai , Lynch Laurel , Zheng Tiantian , Chen Fusheng , Liang Chao
Published: August 2024

Microorganisms help govern soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover and accumulation. Whilst it is increasingly clear that microbial necromass is a precursor of SOC formation, the relationship between living microorganisms, necromass turnover and SOC persistence remains elusive. In this study, we used phospholipid fatty acids and amino sugars to quantify living versus dead microbial carbon concentrations and evaluated the utility of each pool as an indicator of SOC persistence across a range of climates (low‐, mid‐ and high‐latitude sites) and ecotypes (old‐growth forests vs. managed croplands). We found that microbial necromass was higher in forest than in cropland soils and was positively correlated with soil moisture, SOC and total nitrogen (TN). However, the flow of microbial biomass into necromass and SOC was decoupled in forest sites, likely because the high soil SOC/TN ratio accelerated necromass turnover and recycling by living microorganisms. In contrast, microbial biomass and necromass pools were tightly coupled in croplands and influenced by multiple environmental and biological factors (e.g., necromass concentrations exhibited greater variability in soils with more bacteria than fungi, and those with more gram‐positive than gram‐negative taxa). Contrasting our expectations, the proportion of microbially‐derived necromass in SOC was decoupled from soil properties and microbial biomass in both ecotypes. Whilst SOC and pH appear to be universal drivers of necromass cycling, feedbacks between living biomass, necromass and SOC are shaped by local factors. Our results contribute to ecological theory by highlighting the environmental and biological factors underpinning SOC formation and turnover that can be used to inform land‐management practices that optimize below‐ground carbon sequestration.
Effect of laser irradiation during in‐office tooth bleaching on surface properties of resin‐based restorative materials
Authors: Karanasiou Christina , Dionysopoulos Dimitrios , Mourouzis Petros , Strakas Dimitrios , Naka Olga , Tolidis Kosmas
Published: August 2024

This study evaluated the changes in surface properties of three resin‐based restorative materials after two laser‐assisted, in‐office tooth bleaching protocols using erbium, chromium: yttrium‐scandium‐gallium‐garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) or diode (980 nm) lasers. A nanohybrid composite (Enamel Plus HRi), a Bis‐GMA‐free composite (Enamel Plus HRi Bio Function), and a resin‐matrix CAD‐CAM ceramic (Shofu Block HC) were tested. Forty specimens for each material were prepared and divided into four groups (n = 10/group). The control specimens did not undergo any bleaching treatment, whereas group 2 received bleaching with 40% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), while groups 3 and 4 underwent the same bleaching procedure with the use of diode (980 nm) or Er,Cr:YSGG lasers, respectively. Surface microhardness and roughness measurements were conducted using a Vickers tester and an optical profilometer. Microhardness was lower in bleached specimens, with the nanohybrid composite exhibiting the largest difference from the no bleaching group. For the Bis‐GMA‐free composite the microhardness difference between no bleaching and laser‐assisted bleaching were smaller than seen for the conventional bleaching technique. Surface roughness was higher in bleached specimens, with nanohybrid composite showing the largest differences from the control specimens. The examined laser‐assisted tooth bleaching protocols were found not to impact surface microhardness and roughness of the tested resin‐based specimens and they are deemed suitable for clinical use.
Prospect of large language models and natural language processing for lung cancer diagnosis: A systematic review
Authors: Garg Arushi , Gupta Smridhi , Vats Soumya , Handa Palak , Goel Nidhi
Published: August 2024

Lung cancer, a leading cause of global mortality, demands a combat for its effective prevention, early diagnosis, and advanced treatment methods. Traditional diagnostic methods face limitations in accuracy and efficiency, necessitating innovative solutions. Large Language Models (LLMs) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) offer promising avenues for overcoming these challenges by providing comprehensive insights into medical data and personalizing treatment plans. This systematic review explores the transformative potential of LLMs and NLP in automating lung cancer diagnosis. It evaluates their applications, particularly in medical imaging and the interpretation of complex medical data, and assesses achievements and associated challenges. Emphasizing the critical role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medical imaging, the review highlights advancements in lung cancer screening and deep learning approaches. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of on‐going advancements in diagnostic methods and encourages further exploration in this field.