bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enterovirus replication and dissemination are differentially controlled by type I and III interferons in the GI tract
Authors: Wells Alexandra I. , Grimes Kalena A. , Coyne Carolyn B.
Published: February 2022

Enteroviruses are amongst the most common viral infectious agents of humans and cause a broad spectrum of mild-to-severe illness. Enteroviruses are primarily transmitted by the fecal-oral route, but the events associated with their intestinal replication in vivo are poorly defined. Here, we developed a neonatal mouse model of enterovirus infection by the enteral route using echovirus 5 and used this model to define the differential roles of type I and III interferons (IFNs) in enterovirus replication in the intestinal epithelium and subsequent dissemination to secondary tissues. We show that human FcRn, the primary receptor for echoviruses, is essential for intestinal infection by the enteral route and that type I IFNs control dissemination to secondary sites, including the liver. In contrast, type III IFNs limit enterovirus infection in the intestinal epithelium and mice lacking this pathway exhibit persistent epithelial replication. Finally, we show that echovirus infection in the small intestine is cell-type specific and occurs exclusively in enterocytes. These studies define the type-specific roles of IFNs in enterovirus infection of the GI tract and the cellular tropism of echovirus intestinal replication.
Modified E2 glycoprotein of hepatitis C virus enhances pro-inflammatory cytokines and protective immune response in mice
Authors: Vijayamahantesh  , Patra Tapas , Meyer Keith , Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh , Reagan Erin , Weissman Drew , Ray Ranjit
Published: February 2022

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is characterized by a high number of chronic cases owing to an impairment of innate and adaptive immune responses. CD81 on the cell surface facilitates HCV entry by interacting with the E2 envelope glycoprotein. On the other hand, CD81/E2 binding on immune related cells may also influence host response outcome to HCV infection. Here, we performed site-specific amino acid substitution in the front layer of E2 sequence to reduce CD81 binding and evaluate HCV candidate vaccine potential. The altered sE2 protein (F442NYT), unlike sE2, displayed a significant reduction in CD81 binding, induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, and repressed anti-inflammatory response in primary monocyte-derived macrophages as antigen presenting cells. Further, sE2F442NYT stimulated CD4+T cell proliferation. Immunization of Balb/c mice with an E1/sE2F442NYT RNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) displayed improved IgG1 to IgG2a isotype switching, an increase in HCV pseudotype virus neutralizing antibodies, and resistance to challenge infection with a surrogate recombinant vaccinia virus expressing HCV E1-E2-NS2(aa134-966), unlike parental E1/sE2 immunization. Further investigation on modified E2 antigen for selection as antigen may provide helpful information for HCV vaccine development.

One Sentence Summary

Reduced HCV E2-CD81 binding and immune response
Explaining the revival strategies of Indian MSMEs to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Singh Sumanjeet , Chamola Pankaj , Kumar Vimal , Verma Pratima , Makkar Neha
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) is the kingpin of Indian economy. It contributes to 48% of India's exports and provides employment to 110 million people. As a result, it is critical to evaluate the obstacles, expose them and find a way to overcome the crisis due to the pandemic. The study aims to analyse the impact of financial and non-financial measures for the revival of MSME and its impact on firm sustainability and future opportunity as perceived by MSME owners/heads during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Design/methodology/approach

This study, based on a cross-sectional survey of 197 export-oriented Indian MSMEs, attempts to investigate covid crisis mitigation strategies/measures in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model was applied to check model fit, and structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed for data analysis.

Findings

The results of this study show the financial and non-financial revival measures such as firm revival, marketing training, customer relationship management (CRM), financial incentive and firm support, extending worker social security and financial access and price control positively impact MSMEs' business sustainability and future opportunity as perceived by the respondents that lent good support to the hypothesis.

Research limitations/implications

The study emphasizes management in association with government and financial institutions to design short-term as well as long-term strategies that may enhance their sustainability in the market. MSMEs are being forced to reassess their business strategy and modify their operating model as a result of the uncertain/unpredictable climate. Many levels of strategy aid in revitalizing the company and providing future possibilities to move forward if the government schemes positively impact the perception of entrepreneurs. Further, the study identifies the immediate measures to tide over the crisis over this sector and then furnishes recommendations for closing the identified gaps in the present understanding.

Originality/value

The impact of COVID-19 on Indian MSMEs and how these MSMEs are dealing with it are highlighted in this paper, which is quite scarce and insufficient to cover the gap. It also provides a comprehensive view of firm sustainability and perceived opportunity among MSMEs.
Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized aggregation operators with priority degrees for multi-criteria decision-making
Authors: Farid Hafiz Muhammad Athar , Riaz Muhammad
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The authors develop some prioritized operators named Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized averaging operator with priority degrees and Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized geometric operator with priority degrees. The properties of the existing method are routinely compared to those of other current approaches, emphasizing the superiority of the presented work over currently used methods. Furthermore, the impact of priority degrees on the aggregate outcome is thoroughly examined. Further, based on these operators, a decision-making approach is presented under the Pythagorean fuzzy set environment. An illustrative example related to the selection of the best alternative is considered to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.

Design/methodology/approach

In real-world situations, Pythagorean fuzzy numbers are exceptionally useful for representing ambiguous data. The authors look at multi-criteria decision-making issues in which the parameters have a prioritization relationship. The idea of a priority degree is introduced. The aggregation operators are formed by awarding non-negative real numbers known as priority degrees among strict priority levels. Consequently, the authors develop some prioritized operators named Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized averaging operator with priority degrees and Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized geometric operator with priority degrees.

Findings

The authors develop some prioritized operators named Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized averaging operator with priority degrees and Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized geometric operator with priority degrees. The properties of the existing method are routinely compared to those of other current approaches, emphasizing the superiority of the presented work over currently used methods. Furthermore, the impact of priority degrees on the aggregate outcome is thoroughly examined. Further, based on these operators, a decision-making approach is presented under the Pythagorean fuzzy set environment. An illustrative example related to the selection of the best alternative is considered to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.

Originality/value

The aggregation operators are formed by awarding non-negative real numbers known as priority degrees among strict priority levels. Consequently, the authors develop some prioritized operators named Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized averaging operator with priority degrees and Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized geometric operator with priority degrees. The properties of the existing method are routinely compared to those of other current approaches, emphasizing the superiority of the presented work over currently used methods. Furthermore, the impact of priority degrees on the aggregate outcome is thoroughly examined.
Competence inference from muscle: how and when trainers' muscle mass impacts service purchase of personal fitness training
Authors: Park Sangchul , Lee Shinhyoung , Lee Hyun-Woo
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine how and when trainers' muscle mass impacts service purchase of personal fitness training, drawing upon signaling theory. Specifically, the authors investigated (1) the mediating role of perceived competence in the relationship between trainers' muscle mass (highly vs moderately muscular) and customers' service registration intention and (2) the moderating role of customer expertise in this mediating mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conceptualized trainers' muscle mass, developed its experimental stimuli and validated them through the two pretests (total n = 387). Using the validated stimuli, the authors conducted the two experiments (total n = 802). In both experiments, the authors recruited participants via MTurk using the convenience sampling method and employed a single-factor between-subject design based on random assignment.

Findings

Findings supported the authors’ proporsed model. Consumers perceived highly (vs moderately) muscular trainers as more competent, which in turn engendered greater service registration intention. This effect emerged for expert consumers but not for novice consumers.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first attempts to empirically test the influence of trainers' muscle mass on consumer acquisition in the context of personal fitness training. It also expands the sport marketing literature to the consumer psychology and behavior fields addressing the characteristics of sport-service providers. The findings also provide fitness organizations with managerial insights into how to effectively leverage trainers' physical appearance as a marketing tool.
Managerial models for disaster and humanitarian operations: enhancing empirical validation through case studies of disaster responses in Haiti
Authors: Moreira Ludmylla da Silva , Mendes D'avila Maria Gomes , Fontainha Tharcisio Cotta , Leiras Adriana
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The research areas of humanitarian supply chain (HSC) and disaster and humanitarian operations (DHO) have evolved through the use of managerial models. Recent studies, however, point to the need for the empirical validation of such managerial models in real-life scenarios. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the validation of recent managerial models based on empirical data of two disasters in Haiti: the earthquake in 2010 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

Design/methodology/approach

This research developed two case studies from the perspective of the Brazilian Navy (BN), a part of the Brazilian Armed Forces that led the United Nations Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in both disasters. The case studies focused on empirically validating managerial models for stakeholder identification, stakeholder satisfaction, response processes, strategies for collaboration and the integration of these models.

Findings

The results revealed that compared to the response to the earthquake in 2010, the response to Hurricane Matthew in 2016 was superior. The collaborative strategies of the BN and other stakeholders used after the earthquake were more reactive, while the strategies after Hurricane Matthew aimed more at planning and anticipating adverse situations.

Originality/value

This research reinforces the investigated managerial models and indicates their suitability as planning tools for practitioners of HSC and DHO, which is essential for the further development of academic contributions related to integrating the models into more robust solutions.
The coherence of the auditor-client relationship quality and auditor tenure with client’s perceptions on added-value in SME audits: a sociological perspective
Authors: van Nieuw Amerongen Niels , Coskun Erdi , van Buuren Joost , Duits Hans B.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is gaining more insight into the impact of the strength of the auditor–client relationship on the client’s perceptions about added-value of the auditor service including the role of auditor tenure.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on both archival data (auditor tenure) and interview data (strength of the auditor–client relationship and client’s perceptions on added-value). The data comprise 497 small- and medium-sized entity (SME) audit engagements in The Netherlands.

Findings

This study finds evidence of a positive relationship between the strength of the auditor–client relationship and client’s perceptions on added-value. The data do not suggest a main effect of auditor tenure on client’s perceptions on added-value. This study finds evidence that auditor tenure, combined with the strength of the auditor–client relationship, has a strong positive influence on the perceived added-value. Therefore, this study argues that a longer tenure turns out to positively influence the auditor’s client-specific knowledge. The findings are relevant to auditing research by extending the scope of application of social exchange theory (SET) to SME settings, and by suggesting that the auditor–client relationship may capture more an audit quality dimension than auditor tenure. Findings are also relevant for audit practitioners in showing the contribution of a strong auditor–client relationship to client satisfaction in terms of perceived added-value. Standard setters may consider the results of this study in proper designing a specific auditing standard for smaller, less complex entities.

Originality/value

This study fits into a development in auditing research where auditing is viewed as a service. Prior studies in this area were mainly build on marketing concepts (e.g. Grönroos 2007). This study uses a sociological lens, particularly building on SET. In particular, this study focuses on the impact of relationship quality on perceived added value. Using this perspective sheds light on the importance of interactions between auditors and their clients. Both the product (audit opinion) and the process of collecting sufficient appropriate audit evidence in interaction with the client are important. This relationship perspective may serve as an explanation to why long auditor tenure can turn out to improve audit quality. Future research may build on this sociological perspective and particularly examine what conditions need to be present to realize benefits of the relationship approach and when a more transactional approach is more suitable.
Remaking capitalism: The movement for sustainable business and the future of the corporation
Authors: Chen Wendy D. , Marquis Christopher
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This article examines the relationship between stakeholders and shareholders and identifies the key lessons from the B Corp movement that serve as practical tools for businesses – not just B Corps – to be more stakeholder focused.

Design/methodology/approach

This article uses an in-depth interview with the author of Better Business: How the B Corp Movement Is Remaking Capitalism.

Findings

This article focuses on the pros and cons of the B Corp movement. One key point of discussion is that because B Corps focus more on stakeholders in general, they are more likely to attract likeminded employees who also support the companies’ missions, which also leads to greater retention rates. There is also growing interest from the investment community in B Corps and stakeholder-driven companies generally. However, a big challenge for B Corps lies in customer awareness. While many consumers may be buying products from B Corps, they do not know about the certification that links them together. A further conclusion is that even if a company does not want to be a B Corp, they can still benefit from the different stakeholder management tools and processes the movement has developed.

Practical implications

The article argues that businesses can – and should – be responsible and accountable to any stakeholder beyond shareholders. While they do not necessarily need to become B Corps, they can use the accountability and governance tools - like the B Impact Assessment (BIA) and benefit corporation governance - as guides to better manage their businesses to be more sustainable and resilient and to contribute to a better society.

Social implications

The B Corp movement has emerged as a powerful voice calling for businesses to balance financial returns with environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. The B Corp model shifts conventional business from a shareholder primacy to a stakeholder focus, through novel corporate governance and accountability mechanisms. This article investigates the key lessons that all businesses can learn from the B Corp movement to make the world a better place to live.

Originality/value

This article takes a pracademic approach using academic research on the B Corp movement to generate actionable lessons for businesses.
WELMSD – word embedding and language model based sarcasm detection
Authors: Kumar Pradeep , Sarin Gaurav
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Sarcasm is a sentiment in which human beings convey messages with the opposite meanings to hurt someone emotionally or condemn something in a witty manner. The difference between the text's literal and its intended meaning makes it tough to identify. Mostly, researchers and practitioners only consider explicit information for text classification; however, considering implicit with explicit information will enhance the classifier's accuracy. Several sarcasm detection studies focus on syntactic, lexical or pragmatic features that are uttered using words, emoticons and exclamation marks. Discrete models, which are utilized by many existing works, require manual features that are costly to uncover.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, word embeddings used for feature extraction are combined with context-aware language models to provide automatic feature engineering capabilities as well superior classification performance as compared to baseline models. Performance of the proposed models has been shown on three benchmark datasets over different evaluation metrics namely misclassification rate, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC).

Findings

Experimental results suggest that FastText word embedding technique with BERT language model gives higher accuracy and helps to identify the sarcastic textual element correctly.

Originality/value

Sarcasm detection is a sub-task of sentiment analysis. To help in appropriate data-driven decision-making, the sentiment of the text that gets reversed due to sarcasm needs to be detected properly. In online social environments, it is critical for businesses and individuals to detect the correct sentiment polarity. This will aid in the right selling and buying of products and/or services, leading to higher sales and better market share for businesses, and meeting the quality requirements of customers.
Exploring the region‐wise diversity and functions of symbiotic bacteria in the gut system of wood‐feeding termite, Coptotermes formosanus, toward the degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose, and organic dyes
Authors: Dar Mudasir A. , Xie Rongrong , Pandit Radhakrishna S. , Danso Blessing , Dong Chenchen , Sun Jianzhong
Published: February 2022

The wood‐feeding termite Coptotermes formosanus represents a unique and impressive system for lignocellulose degradation. The highly efficient digestion of lignocellulose is achieved through symbiosis with gut symbionts like bacteria. Despite extensive research during the last three decades, diversity of bacterial symbionts residing in individual gut regions of the termite and their associated functions is still lacking. To this end, cellulose, xylan, and dye‐decolorization bacteria residing in foregut, midgut, and hindgut regions of C. formosanus were enlisted by using enrichment and culture‐dependent molecular methods. A total of 87 bacterial strains were successfully isolated from different gut regions of C. formosanus which belonged to 27 different species of 10 genera, majorly affiliated with Proteobacteria (80%) and Firmicutes (18.3%). Among the gut regions, 37.9% of the total bacterial isolates were observed in the hindgut that demonstrated predominance of cellulolytic bacteria (47.6%). The majority of the xylanolytic and dye‐decolorization bacteria (50%) were obtained from the foregut and midgut, respectively. Actinobacteria represented by Dietza sp. was observed in the hindgut only. Based on species richness, the highest diversity was observed in midgut and hindgut regions each of which harbored seven unique bacterial species. The members of Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas were common among the gut regions. The lignocellulolytic activities of the selected potential bacteria signpost their assistance to the host for lignocellulose digestion. The overall results indicate that C. formosanus harbors diverse communities of lignocellulolytic bacteria in different regions of the gut system. These observations will significantly advance our understanding of the termite–bacteria symbiosis and their microbial ecology uniquely existed in different gut regions of C. formosanus, which may further shed a light on its potential values at termite‐modeled biotechnology.
Long‐term outcome of patients with palindromic rheumatism treated with methotrexate
Authors: Ghassembaglou Arezoo , Esalatmanesh Kamal , Gadakchi Leyla , Nourmohammadi Farnaz , Khabbazi Alireza
Published: February 2022

Objective

Palindromic rheumatism (PR) is characterized by self‐resolving and short duration attacks of arthritis/periarthritis. The present study was performed to report the results of PR treatment with methotrexate (MTX).

Methods

We reviewed the charts of 152 patients with diagnosis of PR. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of PR according to the criteria of Weismann, age ≥16, active disease and treatment with MTX for at least 6 months. Disease outcome was assessed by reaching remission and prevention of disease evolution to chronic arthritis. Remission was defined as stopping the attacks for 12 weeks and prednisolone dose ≤5 mg/d. MTX treatment failure was defined as failure to achieve remission, the need to add other disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs and disease progression to chronic arthritis.

Results

Fifty‐nine patients were included in the study. Median duration of follow‐up was 43 months. Attacks were controlled in 89.8% of patients. In 80% of the patients remission occurred during 12 months after starting treatment with MTX. Treatment failed in 20.3% of patients. Wrist joint involvement and positive rheumatoid factor (RF) were significantly more common in the MTX treatment‐failed group. In RF positive patients evolution to rheumatoid arthritis was more common than in RF negative patients. No significant differences were observed in remission rate and evolution to rheumatoid arthritis in anticitrullinated C peptide positive and negative patients.

Conclusions

The present study, demonstrated the efficacy of MTX in controlling PR in seropositive and seronegative patients over a median of 43 months of treatment.
Life‐threatening infections during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia on the Malaysia‐Singapore 2003 and 2010 clinical trials: A risk prediction model
Authors: Oh Bernice L. Z. , Fan Lijia , Lee Shawn H. R. , Foo Koon Mian , Chiew Kean Hui , Seeto Zelia Z. L. , Chen Zhi Wei , Neoh Cheryl C. C. , Liew Germaine S. M. , Eng Jing Jia , Lam Joyce C. M. , Quah Thuan Chong , Tan Ah Moy , Chan Yiong Huak , Yeoh Allen E. J.
Published: February 2022

Aim

Life‐threatening infections significantly impact the care of children undergoing therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who are at risk of severe sepsis due to both host and treatment factors. Our aim was to develop a life‐threatening infection risk prediction model that would allow remote rapid triage of patients to reduce time to first dose of antibiotics and sepsis‐related mortality.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 2068 fever episodes during ALL therapy was used for model building and subsequent internal validation.

Results

Three hundred and seventy‐seven patients were treated for ALL in two institutions with comparable critical and supportive care resources. A total of 55 patients accounted for 71 admissions to the critical care unit for sepsis that led to eight septic deaths during a 16‐year study period. A retrospective analysis of risk factors for sepsis enabled us to build a model focused on 13 variables that discriminated admissions requiring critical care well: area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of .82; 95% CI .76–.87, p<.001, and Brier score of .033. Significant univariate predictors included neutropenia, presence of symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever during induction or steroid‐based phases, and the lack of any localizing source of infection at time of presentation.

Conclusion

We have developed a risk prediction model that can reliably identify ALL patients undergoing treatment who are at a higher risk of life‐threatening sepsis. Clinical applicability can potentially be extended to low‐middle income settings, and its utility should be further studied in real‐world settings.
Early high‐dose continuous veno‐venous hemofiltration alleviates the alterations of CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets in septic patients combined with acute kidney injury
Authors: Jin Beibei , Cao Da , Yang Ning , Wang Ling , Li Ruifang , Liu Xiumei , Gong Ping
Published: February 2022

Background

This study aims to determine whether early high‐dose continuous venous–venous hemofiltration (CVVH) alleviates the alterations in CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets in septic patients combined with acute kidney injury.

Methods

Enrolled septic patients combined with acute kidney injury were randomized into CVVH (n = 50) and conventional treatment (non‐CVVH, n = 53) groups. Healthy volunteers (n = 21) were enrolled. CVVH was initiated within 12 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission with doses of 35~60 ml/kg/h and maintained for at least 72 h. Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg were measured by flow cytometry on days 1, 3, and 7 of ICU admission. Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores were calculated.

Results

Th1 percentages and Th1/Th2 ratios were lower, and Th2, Th17, and Treg percentages and Th17/Treg ratios were higher in septic patients compared to healthy volunteers. CVVH significantly increased Th1 percentages and Th1/Th2 ratios, and significantly decreased Th2, Th17, and Treg percentages and Th17/Treg ratios compared to non‐CVVH. Th1 percentages and Th1/Th2 ratios were negatively correlated with SOFA scores, while Th2, Th17, and Treg percentages and Th17/Treg ratios were positively correlated with SOFA scores. Patients with CVVH had significantly lower SOFA scores on day 7 of ICU admission and a shorter ICU stay compared to those with non‐CVVH.

Conclusions

Septic patients combined with acute kidney injury exhibit different alterations of CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets. Early high‐dose CVVH alleviates the alterations, which may be one of the factors associated with improved sepsis severity.
The use of, and outcomes for, inflammatory bowel disease services during the Covid‐19 pandemic: a nationwide observational study
Authors: Deputy Mohammed , Sahnan Kapil , Worley Guy , Patel Komal , Balinskaite Violeta , Bottle Alex , Aylin Paul , Burns Elaine M , Hart Ailsa , Faiz Omar
Published: February 2022

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) services have been particularly affected by the Covid‐19 pandemic. Delays in referral to secondary care and access to investigations and surgery have been exacerbated.

Aims

To investigate the use of and outcomes for emergency IBD care during the Covid‐19 pandemic.

Methods

Nationwide observational study using administrative data for England (2015‐2020) comparing cohorts admitted from 1 January 2015, to 31 January 2020 (pre‐pandemic) and from 1 February 2020, to 31 January 2021 (pandemic). Autoregressive integrated moving average forecast models were run to estimate the counterfactual IBD admissions and procedures for February 2020 to January 2021.

Results

Large decreases in attendances to hospital for emergency treatment were observed for both acute ulcerative colitis (UC, 16.4%) and acute Crohn’s disease (CD, 8.7%). The prevalence of concomitant Covid‐19 during the same episode was low [391/16 494 (2.4%) and 349/15 613 (2.2%), respectively]. No significant difference in 30‐day mortality was observed. A shorter median length of stay by 1 day for acute IBD admissions was observed (P < 0.0001). A higher rate of emergency readmission within 28 days for acute UC was observed (14.1% vs 13.4%, P = 0.012). All IBD procedures and investigations showed decreases in volume from February 2020 to January 2021 compared with counterfactual estimates. The largest absolute deficit was in endoscopy (17 544 fewer procedures, 35.2% reduction).

Conclusion

There is likely a significant burden of untreated IBD in the community. Patients with IBD may experience clinical harm or protracted decreases in quality of life if care is not prioritised.
Impact of P‐glycoprotein and/or CYP3A4‐interacting drugs on effectiveness and safety of non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Grymonprez Maxim , Vanspranghe Kevin , Capiau Andreas , Boussery Koen , Steurbaut Stephane , Lahousse Lies
Published: February 2022

Aims

P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) and CYP3A4‐interacting drugs influence plasma levels of non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs). However, the clinical relevance is questioned. Therefore, the impact of pharmacokinetically‐interacting drugs on the effectiveness and safety of NOACs in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) was investigated.

Methods

A meta‐analysis was performed based on randomized controlled trials and observational studies retrieved from Pubmed and Embase that investigated the impact of concomitantly used P‐gp/CYP3A4‐interacting drugs on the risk–benefit profile of NOACs in AF patients.

Results

Fifteen studies were included, investigating 21 711 and 306 421 NOAC‐treated AF patients with and without P‐gp/CYP3A4 inhibitor use respectively, while only 1 study included P‐gp/CYP3A4 inducers. In NOAC‐treated AF patients, concomitant use of P‐gp/CYP3A4 inhibitors was associated with significantly higher major bleeding (relative risk [RR] 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI; 1.01–1.19]) and all‐cause mortality risks (RR 1.14, 95%CI [1.05–1.23]) compared to not using P‐gp/CYP3A4 inhibitors, while the risks of stroke/systemic embolism (RR 0.88, 95%CI [0.77–1.01]), intracranial bleeding (RR 0.89, 95%CI [0.68–1.15]) and gastrointestinal bleeding (RR 1.09, 95%CI [0.91–1.30]) were not significantly different. Concomitant use of amiodarone with NOACs was associated with lower thromboembolic (RR 0.75, 95%CI [0.61–0.92]), similar major bleeding (RR 0.92, 95%CI [0.80–1.07]) but higher mortality risks (RR 1.21, 95%CI [1.05–1.39]). Coadministration of verapamil or diltiazem was associated with higher major bleeding risks (RR 1.64, 95%CI [1.31–2.06]), but comparable thromboembolic (RR 1.10, 95%CI [0.75–1.61]) and mortality risks (RR 1.01, 95%CI [0.77–1.33]).

Conclusion

Given the higher bleeding and mortality risks in NOAC‐treated AF patients concomitantly using P‐gp/CYP3A4 inhibitors, close monitoring is warranted.
The association between neurodegeneration and local complement activation in the thalamus to progressive multiple sclerosis outcome
Authors: Cooze Benjamin J. , Dickerson Matthew , Loganathan Rukshikah , Watkins Lewis M. , Grounds Ethan , Pearson Ben R. , Bevan Ryan Jack , Morgan B. Paul , Magliozzi Roberta , Reynolds Richard , Neal James W. , Howell Owain W.
Published: February 2022

The extent of grey matter demyelination and neurodegeneration in the progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) brains at post‐mortem associates with more severe disease. Regional tissue atrophy, especially affecting the cortical and deep grey matter, including the thalamus, is prognostic for poor outcomes. Microglial and complement activation are important in the pathogenesis and contribute to damaging processes that underlie tissue atrophy in PMS. We investigated the extent of pathology and innate immune activation in the thalamus in comparison to cortical grey and white matter in blocks from 21 cases of PMS and 10 matched controls. Using a digital pathology workflow, we show that the thalamus is invariably affected by demyelination and had a far higher proportion of active inflammatory lesions than forebrain cortical tissue blocks from the same cases. Lesions were larger and more frequent in the medial nuclei near the ventricular margin, whilst neuronal loss was greatest in the lateral thalamic nuclei. The extent of thalamic neuron loss was not associated with thalamic demyelination but correlated with the burden of white matter pathology in other forebrain areas (Spearman r = 0.79, p < 0.0001). Only thalamic neuronal loss, and not that seen in other forebrain cortical areas, correlated with disease duration (Spearman r = −0.58, p = 0.009) and age of death (Spearman r = −0.47, p = 0.045). Immunoreactivity for the complement pattern recognition molecule C1q, and products of complement activation (C4d, Bb and C3b) were elevated in thalamic lesions with an active inflammatory pathology. Complement regulatory protein, C1 inhibitor, was unchanged in expression. We conclude that active inflammatory demyelination, neuronal loss and local complement synthesis and activation in the thalamus, are important to the pathological and clinical disease outcomes of PMS.
Application of geometric morphometrics for facial congenital anomaly studies
Authors: Katsube Motoki , Yamada Shigehito , Utsunomiya Natsuko , Morimoto Naoki
Published: February 2022

The face is a small complex three‐dimensional (3D) structure composed of various bones and essential organs. Congenital anomalies of those organs represent various deformities; therefore, their quantification has been challenging. Linear measurements, such as lengths or angles between landmarks, called conventional morphometrics, have been used to quantify their phenotypes usually using 2D images, such as photographs or X‐ray images. During analysis, geometric information, which refers to the relative position of each structure, is lost. Geometric morphometrics (GM) uses shape configurations, including anatomical landmarks, which can retain geometric information throughout analysis and can help visualize the results, making it tremendously advantageous compared to conventional methods. Morphometric studies investigate variations within groups, identification of group differences, simulation of the ontogeny, or association with specific organs or genetic disorders, and GM can be applied to these purposes using multivariate statistical methods. The calculation of high‐dimensional data is usually required and has prevented GM from becoming a major morphometric method. However, recent developments in computer technology and software have enabled us to perform it easily with ordinary home computers, and the number of morphometric studies applying GM for facial congenital anomalies has been increasing recently. In this article, we introduce the concept and application of GM and review previous morphometric studies with GM regarding congenital facial anomalies.
Pattern of contact sensitization in patients with and without atopic dermatitis in an Asian dermatology center
Authors: Wee Charlene , Tan Chee Hian , Zhao Xiahong , Yew Yik Weng , Goon Anthony
Published: February 2022

Background

Although the traditional understanding is that contact sensitization is less frequent in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), recent studies have shown similar or higher rates of positive patch‐test results in AD patients.

Objectives

We sought to characterise the pattern of contact sensitization in patients with and without AD and evaluate the association between AD and contact sensitization.

Method

This was a single‐center, 10‐year retrospective review of patients who underwent patch testing between 2007 and 2017.

Results

There were 4903 patients (male‐to‐female ratio = 1:1.4; mean age 40.1 years) included. About half (2499, 51.0%) of all patients developed at least one positive reaction. The top five frequent reactions were to nickel sulfate (45.4%), potassium dichromate (16.0%), p‐phenylenediamine (13.4%), Myroxylon pereirae (11.8%), and fragrance mix I (11.2%). The overall prevalence of contact sensitization was not significantly different between patients with or without AD. Patients with AD were less likely to develop contact allergies to budesonide and thiuram mix, and more likely to develop contact allergies to potassium dichromate.

Conclusions

Contact sensitization was detected in 50% of patients who were patch tested. Nickel sulfate was the most frequently sensitizing allergen. The prevalence of contact allergies in atopic patients is comparable to that in non‐atopic patients.
Double Movements and Disembedded Economies: A Response to Richard Sandbrook
Authors: Goodwin Geoff
Published: February 2022

Richard Sandbrook (this issue) makes an important contribution to Polanyian debates in his typically insightful article on the double movement. However, his reading of the concept has limitations when used to analyse the historical evolution of capitalism and the current conjuncture. The merits and limits of his analysis are outlined in this article through the discussion of three core Polanyian concepts — disembedded economy, decommodification and countermovement. The article concludes by signposting the contribution Polanyian analysis can make to efforts to decolonize knowledge and reimagine the economy in the wake of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Considerations for Future Online Testing and Assessment in Colleges and Universities
Authors: Middleton Kyndra V.
Published: February 2022

The onset of the coronavirus pandemic forced schools and universities across the nation and world to close and move to distance learning rather immediately. Almost two years later, colleges and universities have reopened, and most students have returned to campuses, but distance learning still occurs at a much higher rate than before the beginning of the pandemic. A few preliminary studies have shown that online assessment results are similar to in‐person assessment results. However, as colleges and universities have expanded their online options, new issues have arisen related to best practices, equity, fairness, test security, and test integrity. Paper‐and‐pencil assessments should not merely be moved to online assessments without careful consideration to how this administration change affects all students. With the switch to more online assessments, educators and researchers should thoroughly evaluate how to provide these assessments in the most secure, fair, and valid manner while also maintaining the test or assessment's integrity and interpretation.
Reduced relative fitness in hatchery‐origin Pink Salmon in two streams in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Authors: Shedd Kyle R. , Lescak Emily A. , Habicht Christopher , Knudsen E. Eric , Dann Tyler H. , Hoyt Heather A. , Prince Daniel J. , Templin William D.
Published: February 2022

Previous studies generally report that hatchery‐origin Pacific Salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) have lower relative reproductive success (RRS) than their natural‐origin counterparts. We estimated the RRS of Pink Salmon (O. gorbuscha) in Prince William Sound (PWS), Alaska using incomplete pedigrees. In contrast to other RRS studies, Pink Salmon have a short freshwater life history, freshwater habitats in PWS are largely unaltered by development, and sampling was conducted without the aid of dams or weirs resulting in incomplete sampling of spawning individuals. Pink Salmon released from large‐scale hatchery programs in PWS have interacted with wild populations for more than 15 generations. Hatchery populations were established from PWS populations but have subsequently been managed as separate broodstocks. Gene flow is primarily directional, from hatchery strays to wild populations. We used genetic‐based parentage analysis to estimate the RRS of a single generation of stray hatchery‐origin Pink Salmon in two streams, and across the odd‐ and even‐year lineages. Despite incomplete sampling, we assigned 1745 offspring to at least one parent. Reproductive success (RS), measured as sampled adult offspring that returned to their natal stream, was significantly lower for hatchery‐ vs. natural‐origin parents in both lineages, with RRS ranging from 0.03 to 0.47 for females and 0.05 to 0.86 for males. Generalized linear modeling for the even‐year lineage indicated that RRS was lower for hatchery‐origin fish, ranging from 0.42 to 0.60, after accounting for sample date (run timing), sample location within the stream, and fish length. Our results strongly suggest that hatchery‐origin strays have lower fitness in the wild. The consequences of reduced RRS on wild productivity depend on whether the mechanisms underlying reduced RRS are environmentally driven, and likely ephemeral, or genetically driven, and likely persistent across generations.
Dyadic associations between COVID‐19‐related stress and mental well‐being among parents and children in Hong Kong: An actor–partner interdependence model approach
Authors: Chan Randolph C. H.
Published: February 2022

The spread of COVID‐19 and its subsequent social distancing policies have profoundly impacted the lives of parents and children. Prolonged exposure to parenting‐related responsibilities and heightened levels of family conflict under stay‐at‐home orders coupled with reduced access to support systems and resources have rendered parents and children more prone to stress and mental health difficulties. Drawing on a transactional model of parent–child interactions, the present study applied an actor–partner interdependence model approach to examine the transactional relationship between COVID‐19‐related stress and mental well‐being among parents and children. Data from 109 Chinese parent–child dyads in Hong Kong were included in the study. Parents and their 8‐ to 10‐year‐old children completed a questionnaire on COVID‐19‐related stress, parent–child relationships, and mental well‐being. The results showed that 53.2% and 30.3% of the parents and children, respectively, showed poor mental well‐being, indicating possible emotional problems. Both actor and partner effects of parent COVID‐19‐related stress were found. Parent COVID‐19‐related stress was indirectly related to lower levels of parent and child mental well‐being, through the mediation of parent–child conflict. To facilitate psychological adjustment following the COVID‐19 outbreak, effective family‐based mental health and parenting interventions are needed to promote family cohesion and alleviate stress‐induced psychological symptoms. Even in the time of social distancing, telepsychotherapy and other online non‐psychotherapeutic interventions can serve as a valid alternative for parents and children who experience excessive distress. Implications for psychological services, family‐friendly policies, and social protection measures are also discussed.
Electrospun fibers as drying additive in cement‐bonded alumina castables
Authors: Storti Enrico , Himcinschi Cameliu , Neumann Marc , Hubálková Jana , Aneziris Christos G.
Published: February 2022

A simple system to produce titanium dioxide precursor fibers by electrospinning was developed. The phase composition of the fibers was analyzed before and after heat treatment by means of Raman spectroscopy. The effect of these fibers and commercial polypropylene fibers (PP) on low‐cement high‐alumina castables was evaluated. Thermogravimetry was used to investigate the drying behavior of the different batches. In addition, the permeability of sintered cylinders was compared. Elastic moduli and cold modulus of rupture were measured on sintered and on thermally shocked samples to evaluate the thermal shock resistance. As in our previous work, the results showed that the fiber addition was beneficial for the drying behavior. However, the use of electrospun fibers likely caused water retention in the samples during storage. The batch containing PP fibers showed the highest final permeability, confirmed also by mercury intrusion porosimetry and by scanning electron microscopy. Otherwise, the precursor fibers left no pore channel after sintering and the permeability of this batch was the lowest. Thermal shock had no clear impact on bulk density or open porosity for any of the batches. Due to the presence of calcium oxide from the cement binder, hibonite (CaAlO) was detected by XRD alongside corundum in all samples.
Systemic therapies in vitiligo: a review
Authors: Fatima Sakeena , Abbas Tazeen , Refat Maggi A. , Harris John E. , Lim Henry W. , Hamzavi Iltefat H. , Mohammad Tasneem F.
Published: February 2022

Vitiligo is characterized by the development of depigmented macules and patches. Autoimmunity has been established as a factor in disease pathogenesis, leading to utilization of immunosuppressive agents. Topical immunosuppressants are commonly used; however, this treatment modality is often cumbersome and inefficient, as many patients have active disease with extensive body surface area involvement. Prompt and aggressive treatment of vitiligo is important, as this may prevent progression and improve quality of life. To meet these challenges and improve patient outcomes, interest in systemic therapies has grown. Currently, oral therapies are rarely prescribed, likely due to concerns with systemic side effects and unclear efficacy. This article provides a brief overview on the use of systemic agents in treating vitiligo in order to provide additional therapeutic options to clinicians.
Pregelatinised amaranth flour as an ingredient for low‐fat gluten‐free cakes
Authors: Carmona‐Garcia Roselis , Agama‐Acevedo Edith , Pacheco‐Vargas Glenda , Bello‐Perez Luis A. , Tovar Juscelino , Alvarez‐Ramirez Jose
Published: February 2022

This work explored the use of pregelatinised amaranth flour (PAF) as an oil substitute in the preparation of amaranth cakes. Amaranth flour was extruded to achieve approximately 50% gelatinisation, ground and sieved. The PAF was used to replace the oil in the cake preparation at levels 33, 66% and 100%. FTIR analysis of the cake formulations showed that PAF modified the molecular organisation of starch and proteins. The starch showed more hydrated structures, although less ordered. The proteins exhibited a significant reduction in the β structures and a marked increase of the side chains, probably caused by the interaction with amaranth starch. The in vitro digestibility of starch showed a slight increase with the addition of PAF. The slowly digesting starch fraction showed a visible decrease, reflecting the presence of starch chains more accessible to amylolysis. Instrumental texture revealed an increase (P < 0.05) in cake hardness with the addition of PAF, particularly for medium (66%) and high (100%) oil replacements. Sensory analysis showed that the perceived texture, flavour and colour were negatively affected by the addition of the pregelatinised flour. Overall, the sensory analysis indicated that cakes with low levels of PAF oil replacement may be acceptable to consumers.