bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does sustainability drive to create store equity? A proposal through image, quality and loyalty
Authors: Sánchez-González Irene , Gil-Saura Irene , Ruiz-Molina Maria-Eugenia
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The present research aims to analyse the retailer's commitment to sustainable development (RCSD) perceived by the consumers and how it contributes to store equity creation through image, perceived quality and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

A primary research was conducted through a structured questionnaire to analyse the relationships between the variables included in the proposed model. The fieldwork was conducted in 2019, obtaining responses from 617 retail consumers from four cities in Ecuador – Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca and Machala – obtained. A structural equation model is estimated with the partial least squares technique.

Findings

There is evidence in favour of the contribution of sustainability to store equity. The positive influence of RCSD on perceived quality and the impact of the latter, together with store image, contribute to loyalty, which emerges as a critical construct in building store equity.

Research limitations/implications

Some limitations of the present study – geographic scope limited to Ecuador, analyses restricted to food retailers and pre-COVID-19 data collection – may open new research opportunities replicating the study in other regions for other retail activities and in the post pandemic context.

Practical implications

The retailer's actions demonstrate a commitment to economic, social and environmental sustainability. As a result of this, the establishment's perceived quality improves, which is of interest to academics and retail management professionals.

Originality/value

The present research provides evidence on the chain of effects that explains the positive contribution of RCSD to store equity creation in grocery retailing.
The impact of FDI on human capital development in SACU countries
Authors: Henok Winfried , Kaulihowa Teresia
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how FDI trickle down to human capital development in SACU member states.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal research design and feasible general least squares was used over the periods 1990 and 2018.

Findings

There is supporting evidence that FDI enhances human capital when primary school enrolment rate is used. However, the reverse holds for the secondary level of education. It can be argued that although FDI exhibits a positive effect on primary education, optimal spillovers to human capital development has not been realized. An indication that certain level of human capital may be required to ensure the optimal benefit of FDI or the types of current FDI does not enhance FDI-led-human capital hypothesis.

Practical implications

The negative effect of FDI toward secondary level of education could be an indication of a weak absorptive capacity. SACU's current dominance of FDI activities toward extractive industries could limit potential benefit of FDI due to capacity constraints. Practical policy implications indicate that SACU member states need to ensure that it attracts FDI toward smart investment that enhances human capital development.

Social implications

There is need to a gear FDI firms toward corporate social responsibilities that will stimulate secondary education.

Originality/value

The novelty of this paper is twofold. First, it focuses on SACU countries where majority of the people are trapped with poverty and inequality issues. Second, SACU member states have used greenfield FDI as a policy instrument to enhance human capital. However, human capital link remains weak. This creates a need to search for smart FDIs that are committed toward community transformation through human capital development.
Infusing strategic planning with psychoanalytic insight: an exploratory case study
Authors: Gerard Nathan , Allcorn Seth
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate the value of combining the strategic planning process with psychoanalytically informed interpretation through an exploratory case study.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present their experiences and findings from a consulting engagement that began as a strategic planning assignment and soon evolved into an opportunity to explore unconscious forces inhibiting organizational change. The authors, trained in both areas, chose to infuse the two into a combined process that ultimately benefited the organization and suggested novel ways to think about the common process of strategic planning going forward.

Findings

The organization's strategic planning process was considerably enhanced, and its outcomes sustained, by illuminating the unconscious forces at work, particularly as they pertain to issues of power and authority in a male organizational culture found to have a profound negative influence upon the quality of the work environment and employee morale. Findings suggest that without a psychoanalytically informed approach, strategic planning would have failed to produce sustainable change.

Research limitations/implications

While the findings reported are from a single case study, the themes explored are likely shared across multiple organizations. There is, therefore, significant potential in combining strategic planning with a psychoanalytic approach to improve organizational effectiveness and employee morale.

Originality/value

Although common in organizations, strategic planning is rarely augmented with psychoanalytic insights. This case study is the first of its kind to show how the two interventions may complement each other.
The vital-immaterial-mediocre multi-criteria decision-making method
Authors: Zakeri Shervin , Ecer Fatih , Konstantas Dimitri , Cheikhrouhou Naoufel
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper proposes a new multi-criteria decision-making method, called the vital-immaterial-mediocre method (VIMM), to determine the weight of multiple conflicting and subjective criteria in a decision-making problem.

Design/methodology/approach

The novel method utilizes pairwise comparisons, vector-based procedures and a scoring approach to determine weights of criteria. The VIMM compares alternatives by the three crucial components, namely the vital, immaterial and mediocre criteria. The vital criterion has the largest effect on the final results, followed by the mediocre criterion and then the immaterial criterion, which is the least impactful on the prioritization of alternatives. VIMM is developed in two forms where the first scenario is designed to solve one-goal decision-making problems, while the second scenario embraces multiple goals.

Findings

To validate the method’s performance and applicability, VIMM is applied to a problem of sustainable supplier selection. Comparisons between VIMM, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and best-worst method (BWM) reveal that VIMM significantly requires fewer comparisons. Moreover, VIMM works well with both fractional and integer numbers in its comparison procedures.

Research limitations/implications

As an implication for research, we have added the development of the VIMM under fuzzy and grey environments as the direction for optimization of the method.

Practical implications

As managerial implications, VIMM not only provides less complex process for the evaluation of the criteria in the managerial decision-making process, but it also generates consistent results, which make VIMM a reliable tool to apply to a large number of potential decision-making problems.

Originality/value

As a novel subjective weighting method, there exist five major values that VIMM brings over AHP and BWM methods: VIMM requires fewer comparisons compared with AHP and BWM; it is not sensitive to the number of criteria; as a goal-oriented method, it exclusively takes the decision-making goals into account; it keeps the validity and reliability of the Decision-Makers’ (DMs’) opinions and works well with integer and fractional numbers.
“Through the looking glass: envisioning new library technologies” the scale of Facebook part 2: global governance and legitimacy
Authors: Fernandez Peter
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Understanding how the intersection of Facebook’s incentives and their potential misalignment with the values of libraries and society is likely to be a driving force in creating the technology of the future.

Design/methodology/approach

This column examines different models Facebook has tried to resolve the legitimacy challenges raised by its massive scale.

Findings

The misinformation example highlighted in the previous column and the XCheck controversy in this part underscore that an organization of Facebook’s size creates problems that may have similar dynamics to smaller social media companies or other large technology companies, but the resolutions to those problems might look very different.

Originality/value

Navigating the challenges of this kind of social media will be one of the primary tests of how libraries deal with technology in the future and set the course for the technology that comes after.
Factors influencing entrepreneurial team (ET) performance in education and childcare franchise: case of Malaysia
Authors: Yi Lim Xtn , Md Isa Filzah , Noor Shaista , Mohd Nor Leilanie
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Over these recent years, increasing studies have found a higher propensity of firms founded by entrepreneurial teams (ETs) for continuous operation and high performance, compared to firms single-handedly created by an entrepreneur. In spite of the emerging significance of ETs, the number of related studies remains inadequately low, particularly within the context of franchise firms. Therefore, this study aims to explore the factors that influence the ETs’ performance in the Malaysian education and childcare franchise system using a qualitative approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative Research Strategy has been adopted and 27 ET leaders participated in this study to get the holistic view of factors influencing the entrepreneurial team (ET) performance in education and childcare franchise in Malaysia.

Findings

The results highlight the factors (team leadership, team training, team diversity, team processes, team confidence and team mental models) influencing the entrepreneurial team (ET) performance in education and childcare franchise in Malaysia.

Originality/value

The present study may help to provide useful information to policy makers, which enable them to formulate the strategies franchise ETs performance in Malaysia. As this study provides insight of factors that have an impact on ET performance. A best practice model for education and childcare franchise ETs’ performance is designed.
Sabaeans on the Somali coast
Authors: Prioletta Alessia , Robin Christian Julien , Schiettecatte Jérémie , Gajda Iwona , Nuʿmān Khaldūn Hazzāʿ
Published: November 2021

In 2019, the illegal excavation of an ancient sanctuary on the Somali coast yielded monumental Sabaic inscriptions from approximately the eighth–seventh centuries BCE. The inscriptions, similar in content and script, have shed light on their authors’ origin (Sabaeans presumably from Maʾrib in Yemen), on the location’s cultic nature, and more broadly on Sabaean endeavours to establish an ambitious trade network in the first half of the first millennium BCE for the supply of aromatic resins from across the Horn of Africa in order to convey them to the Near East and Mesopotamia. These inscriptions also highlight mastery of navigation techniques in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden as early as the period of the Sabaean mukarribs.
A review of the role of ethanol‐induced adipose tissue dysfunction in alcohol‐associated liver disease
Authors: Gopal Thiyagarajan , Ai Weilun , Casey Carol A. , Donohue Terrence M. , Saraswathi Viswanathan
Published: November 2021

Alcohol‐associated liver disease (AALD) encompasses a spectrum of liver diseases that includes simple steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. The adverse effects of alcohol in liver and the mechanisms by which ethanol (EtOH) promotes liver injury are well studied. Although liver is known to be the primary organ affected by EtOH exposure, alcohol's effects on other organs are also known to contribute significantly to the development of liver injury. It is becoming increasingly evident that adipose tissue (AT) is an important site of EtOH action. Both AT storage and secretory functions are altered by EtOH. For example, AT lipolysis, stimulated by EtOH, contributes to chronic alcohol‐induced hepatic steatosis. Adipocytes secrete a wide variety of biologically active molecules known as adipokines. EtOH alters the secretion of these adipokines from AT, which include cytokines and chemokines that exert paracrine effects in liver. In addition, the level of EtOH‐metabolizing enzymes, in particular, CYP2E1, rises in the AT of EtOH‐fed mice, which promotes oxidative stress and/or inflammation in AT. Thus, AT dysfunction characterized by increased AT lipolysis and free fatty acid mobilization and altered secretion of adipokines can contribute to the severity of AALD. Of note, moderate EtOH exposure results in AT browning and activation of brown adipose tissue which, in turn, can promote thermogenesis. In this review article, we discuss the direct effects of EtOH consumption in AT and the mechanisms by which EtOH impacts the functions of AT, which, in turn, increases the severity of AALD in animal models and humans.
Holocene lake‐level evolution of Lake Tiefer See, NE Germany, caused by climate and land cover changes
Authors: Theuerkauf Martin , Blume Theresa , Brauer Achim , Dräger Nadine , Feldens Peter , Kaiser Knut , Kappler Christoph , Kästner Frederike , Lorenz Sebastian , Schmidt Jens‐Peter , Schult Manuela
Published: November 2021

Lake‐level reconstructions are a key tool in hydro‐climate reconstructions, based on the assumption that lake‐level changes primarily reflect climatic changes. Although it is known that land cover changes can affect evapotranspiration and groundwater formation, this factor commonly receives little attention in the interpretation of past lake‐level changes. To address this issue in more detail, we explore the effects of land cover change on Holocene lake‐level fluctuations in Lake Tiefer See in the lowlands of northeastern Germany. We reconstruct lake‐level changes based on the analysis of 28 sediment records from different water depths and from the shore. We compare the results with land cover changes inferred from pollen data. We also apply hydrological modelling to quantify effects of land cover change on evapotranspiration and the lake level. Our reconstruction shows an overall lake‐level amplitude of about 10 m during the Holocene, with the highest fluctuations during the Early and Late Holocene. Only smaller fluctuations during the Middle Holocene can unambiguously be attributed to climatic fluctuations because the land cover was stable during that period. Fluctuations during the Early and Late Holocene are at least partly related to changes in natural and anthropogenic land cover. For several intervals the reconstructed lake‐level changes agree well with variations in modelled groundwater recharge inferred from land cover changes. In general, the observed amplitudes of lake‐level fluctuations are larger than expected from climatic changes alone and thus underline that land cover changes in lake catchments must be considered in climatic interpretations of past lake‐level fluctuations.
Automated machine learning‐based model predicts postoperative delirium using readily extractable perioperative collected electronic data
Authors: Hu Xiao‐Yi , Liu He , Zhao Xue , Sun Xun , Zhou Jian , Gao Xing , Guan Hui‐Lian , Zhou Yang , Zhao Qiu , Han Yuan , Cao Jun‐Li
Published: November 2021

Objective

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common postoperative complication that is relevant to poor outcomes. Therefore, it is critical to find effective methods to identify patients with high risk of POD rapidly. Creating a fully automated score based on an automated machine‐learning algorithm may be a method to predict the incidence of POD quickly.

Materials and methods

This is the secondary analysis of an observational study, including 531 surgical patients who underwent general anesthesia. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used to screen essential features associated with POD. Finally, eight features (age, intraoperative blood loss, anesthesia duration, extubation time, intensive care unit [ICU] admission, mini‐mental state examination score [MMSE], Charlson comorbidity index [CCI], postoperative neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio [NLR]) were used to established models. Four models, logistic regression, random forest, extreme gradient boosted trees, and support vector machines, were built in a training set (70% of participants) and evaluated in the remaining testing sample (30% of participants). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore independent risk factors for POD further.

Results

Model 1 (logistic regression model) was found to outperform other classifier models in testing data (area under the curve [AUC] of 80.44%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 72.24%–88.64%) and achieve the lowest Brier Score as well. These variables including age (OR = 1.054, 95%CI: 1.017~1.093), extubation time (OR = 1.027, 95%CI: 1.012~1.044), ICU admission (OR = 2.238, 95%CI: 1.313~3.793), MMSE (OR = 0.929, 95%CI: 0.876~0.984), CCI (OR = 1.197, 95%CI: 1.038~1.384), and postoperative NLR (OR = 1.029, 95%CI: 1.002~1.057) were independent risk factors for POD in this study.

Conclusions

We have built and validated a high‐performing algorithm to demonstrate the extent to which patient risk changes of POD during the perioperative period, thus leading to a rational therapeutic choice.
Predictors and outcomes of respiratory failure among lung transplant patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Lawrence Adrian , Mahan Luke D. , Mohanka Manish R. , Bollineni Srinivas , Kaza Vaidehi , La Hoz Ricardo M. , Zhang Song , Kershaw Corey D. , Terada Lance S. , Torres Fernando , Banga Amit
Published: November 2021

Background

There is limited data on the predictors and outcomes of new or worsening respiratory failure among lung transplant (LT) patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19).

Methods

We included all the LT patients diagnosed with COVID‐19 during a 1‐year period (March 2020 to February 2021; n = 54; median age: 60, 20–73 years; M:F 37:17). Development of new or worsening respiratory failure (ARF) was the primary outcome variable.

Results

The overall incidence of ARF was 48.1% (n = 26). More than 20% of patients (n = 11) needed intubation and mechanical ventilation. Body mass index > 25 Kg/m2 (adjusted OR: 5.7, .99–32.93; P = .05) and peak D‐dimer levels > .95 mcg/ml (adjusted OR: 24.99, 1.77–353.8; P = .017) were independently associated with ARF while anticoagulation use prior to COVID‐19 was protective (adjusted OR: .024, .001–.55; P = .02). Majority patients survived the acute illness (85.2%). Pre‐infection chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) was an independent predictor of mortality (adjusted HR: 5.03, 1.14–22.25; P = .033).

Conclusions

COVID‐19 is associated with significant morbidity and mortality among LT patients. Patients on chronic anticoagulation seem to enjoy favorable outcomes, while higher BMI and peak D‐dimer levels are associated with development of ARF. Pre‐infection CLAD is associated with an increased risk of death from COVID‐19.
Global transgenic upregulation of KCC2 confers enhanced diazepam efficacy in treating sustained seizures
Authors: Cheung Dennis L. , Cooke Matthew J. , Goulton Chelsea S. , Chaichim Chanchanok , Cheung Louis F. , Khoshaba Ashor , Nabekura Junichi , Moorhouse Andrew J.
Published: November 2021

Reduced anticonvulsant efficacy of benzodiazepines is a problem in the treatment of status epilepticus, with up to 50% of patients failing to respond to their first dose. KCC2 is a neuronal K+‐Cl− co‐transporter that helps set and maintain intracellular Cl− concentrations. KCC2 functional downregulation is a potential contributor to benzodiazepine resistance. We tested this idea using male and female doxycycline‐inducible, conditional transgenic mice to increase the functional expression of KCC2 in pyramidal neurons. We administered mice with two doses of the chemoconvulsant kainic acid (5 mg/kg, i.p.) 60 min apart and quantified the resultant seizures with electroencephalography (EEG) recordings. Overexpression of KCC2 prior to the chemoconvulsant challenge did not affect seizure latency or other measures of seizure severity, but it did increase diazepam's efficacy in stopping EEG seizures. Spike rate, time in seizure, and EEG spectral power following diazepam (5 mg/kg, i.p) were all significantly lower in KCC2 overexpression mice as compared to control mice. Our results indicate that, in the context of benzodiazepine resistance during sustained seizures, addressing impaired Cl− homeostasis alone appreciably improves the efficacy of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic inhibition. We therefore suggest the simultaneous targeting of KCC2 and GABAA receptors as a pathway for improving current anticonvulsant therapeutic strategies.
Zero incidence of factor VIII inhibitors and successful haemostatic response in previously factor VIII‐treated patients with haemophilia A switching to turoctocog alfa in a noninterventional study
Authors: Escuriola Ettingshausen Carmen , Katsarou Olga , Kotnik Barbara Faganel , Borel Derlon Annie , Schwarz Rudolf , Ypma Paula F. , Matytsina Irina , Dey Sohan , Schutgens Roger E. G.
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Turoctocog alfa (NovoEight®) is a B‐domain‐truncated recombinant factor VIII (FVIII) approved for patients with haemophilia A.

Aim

To investigate the long‐term safety and efficacy of turoctocog alfa in routine clinical practice.

Methods

Guardian 5 was a prospective, multinational, non‐interventional, post‐authorisation safety study. Male previously treated patients (> 150 exposure days [EDs]) of any age with severe/moderately severe haemophilia A (FVIII ≤ 2%) and a negative inhibitor test prior to first dosing (independent of FVIII‐inhibitor history) were included to receive prophylaxis or on‐demand treatment. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients developing FVIII inhibitors (≥.6 Bethesda Units [BU]) after baseline visit, measured as per routine practice of each study site during clinic visits. Secondary endpoints included haemostatic effect, annualised bleeding rate (ABR), and adverse reactions assessment. The study concluded when 50 patients reached 100 EDs/patient minimum.

Results

Seventy patients were screened and 68 exposed to turoctocog alfa; 63 (92.6%) were on prophylaxis and five received on‐demand treatment. Six (8.8%) patients reported a history of positive inhibitors. During the study, patients were exposed to turoctocog alfa for a mean (standard deviation) of 131.9 (99.0) days/patient. Fifty‐five of 58 patients who completed the study were tested for FVIII inhibitors; no positive tests were reported. Overall success rate of turoctocog alfa for treatment of bleeds was 87.3%. Among patients receiving prophylaxis, median (range) ABR was 1.97 (.0–25.5) bleeds/year; estimated ABR (negative binomial model) was 3.65 (95% confidence interval: 2.53–5.25).

Conclusion

Turoctocog alfa was safe and efficacious for haemophilia A treatment in routine clinical practice.
Comparative effectiveness of pathological techniques to improve lymph node yield from colorectal cancer specimens: a systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Athanasiou Christos , Hafiz Fehmi , Tsigka Alexia , Hernon James , Stearns Adam
Published: November 2021

A number of randomised controlled trials (RCT) have compared different techniques to improve lymph node yield (LNY) in colorectal cancer specimens, but data on comparative effectiveness are sparse. Our aim was to compare the relative effectiveness and rank all available techniques. A systematic search of Embase, Cochrane, PubMed and Scopus was performed for randomised trials. Pairwise was meta‐analysis performed if more than two homogeneous studies were available for each comparison. Network meta‐analysis was used to rank and compare all available techniques. Fifteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Techniques that were compared included methylene blue (MB), glacial acetic acid, ethanol, distilled water and formaldehyde (GEWF), Carnoy solution (CS), patent blue (PB), formalin, fat clearing (FC) and their combinations. The overall quality of studies was found to be fair. In pairwise meta‐analysis MB had a higher lymph node yield weighted mean difference (WMD) = 13.67 (4.83–22.51), P < 0.01, lower number of specimens with fewer than 12 lymph nodes log odds ratio = –1.88 (–2.8, –0.91), P < 0.01 and higher LNY in patients with prior chemoradiotherapy [WMD = 9.11 (3.15, 15.08), P = 0.02] compared to formalin. Evaluation of the network plot revealed a well‐connected network. In network meta‐analysis MBFC had a higher LNY with [mean difference (MD) 13 and 95% credible interval (CrI) = 2.09–23.91] compared to formalin. MBFC probability of being the best technique for LNY was 91.4%. In network meta‐analysis MB did not have a statistically significant difference when compared to formalin. MBFCS seems to be the most effective technique for LNY. Further studies are required to make safe conclusions for outcomes such positive lymph nodes and upstaging.
Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence expression profile of lymphatic endothelial cell markers in oral cancer
Authors: Chutipongpisit Kullasit , Parachuru V. Praveen , Friedlander Lara T. , Hussaini Haizal M. , Rich Alison M.
Published: November 2021

Lymphangiogenesis makes an important contribution to the tumour microenvironment (TME), but little is known about this in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Archival formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded specimens (28 OSCC, 10 inflamed and 6 normal oral mucosa controls) were processed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) with antibodies against lymphatic markers D2‐40 (podoplanin), LYVE‐1, VEGFR3 and Prox1. After the endothelial cells had been highlighted by the various markers for lymphatic endothelium, the positive stained cells and vessels were identified and counted in a systematic manner to determine microvessel density. Double‐labelling immunofluorescence (DLIF) was used to investigate the specificity of D2‐40 and LYVE‐1 to lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) as opposed to blood ECs. There was higher D2‐40 and Prox1 lymphatic vessel density (P = .001) in the OSCC group when compared with both control groups. Some malignant keratinocytes expressed lymphatic markers, as did a much smaller number of epithelial cells in the control groups. DLIF showed that no vessels co‐expressed D2‐40/CD34 or LYVE/CD34. Some D2/40+ LVs were LYVE−. D2‐40 was the most specific LEC marker in OSCC tissues. These results establish that the OSCC TME contains significantly more lymphatic vessels expressing D2‐40 and Prox1 than the control groups, which may play a role in facilitating lymphatic invasion and metastases.
Circular RNA‐associated ceRNA network involved in HIF‐1 signalling in triple‐negative breast cancer: circ_0047303 as a potential key regulator
Authors: Darbeheshti Farzaneh , Mahdiannasser Mojdeh , Noroozi Zahra , Firoozi Zahra , Mansoori Behnam , Daraei Abdolreza , Bastami Milad , Nariman‐Saleh‐Fam Ziba , Valipour Elahe , Mansoori Yaser
Published: November 2021

The aggressive and highly metastatic nature of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) causes patients to suffer from the poor outcome. HIF‐1 signalling pathway is a prominent pathway that contributes to angiogenesis and metastasis progression in tumours. On the contrary, the undeniable importance of circular RNAs (circRNAs) as multifunctional non‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs) has been identified in breast cancer. These ncRNAs owing to their high stability and specificity have been becoming a hotspot in cancer researches. circRNAs act as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) and compete with mRNAs for shared miRNAs, thus modulate gene expression. Since the most dysregulated biological functions in TNBC are associated with cellular invasion, understanding the molecular pathogenesis of these processes is a crucial step towards the development of new treatment approaches. The purpose of this study is to undermine the circRNA‐associated ceRNA network involved in HIF‐1 signalling in TNBC using an integrative bioinformatics approach. In the next step, the novel circ_0047303‐mediated ceRNA regulatory axes have been extracted and validated across TNBC samples. We show that circ_0047303 has the highest degree in the circRNA‐associated ceRNA network and shows a significant up‐expression in TNBC. Moreover, our results suggest that circ_0047303 could mediate the upregulation of key angiogenesis‐related genes, including HIF‐1, EIF4E2 and VEGFA in TNBC through sponging the tumour‐suppressive miRNAs. The circ_0047303 could be a promising molecular biomarker and/or therapeutic target for TNBC.
Morphological diversity within the Ozark minnow (Notropis nubilus: Leuciscidae)
Authors: Berendzen Peter B. , Holmes Sam R. , Abels Jeremy R. , Black Corinthia R.
Published: November 2021

The Ozark minnow, Notropis nubilus, is a small stream fish that has a disjunct distribution in the Ozark Plateau and upper Mississippi River basin. Three reciprocally monophyletic and deeply divergent lineages have been hypothesized within the species based on molecular data. These lineages are allopatric and isolated from each other. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that these lineages and the disjunct population in the upper Mississippi River basin are morphologically distinct. Meristic and geometric morphometric data were used to identify and quantify morphological diversity within the Ozark minnow. Analyses of the meristic data and a principal component analysis of the morphometric data were unable to find any noticeable differences in morphology among groups. However, canonical variates analyses of the morphometric data and linear models were able to define statistically significant differences in shape. Analyses of all‐individuals were able to identify shape differences between all groups. Males‐only analyses were less conclusive, but there was some indication that males may be diverging more quickly than all‐individuals. The detection of subtle variation in shape implies selection is not a strong factor in morphological divergence and observed differences are most likely due to morphological drift. This indicates that the lineages within the Ozark minnow are likely on the trajectory for speciation. The allopatric nature of these clades makes the Ozark minnow an interesting model for the study of morphological drift and speciation.
Proteomic analysis reveals Renibacterium salmoninarum grown under iron‐limited conditions induces iron uptake mechanisms and overproduction of the 57‐kDa protein
Authors: Avendaño‐Herrera Ruben , Saldivia Pablo , Bethke Jorn , Vargas Cristian , Hernández Mauricio
Published: November 2021

Renibacterium salmoninarum, a slow‐growing facultative intracellular pathogen, is the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease, a chronic, progressive and granulomatous infection that threatens farmed and wild salmonids worldwide. Pathogenic R. salmoninarum colonizes tissues and invades the host through cell surface‐associated and secreted proteins. While correlations between iron acquisition genes and virulence have been demonstrated in vitro, these mechanisms have not undergone proteomic characterization. The present study applied a proteomic approach to elucidate the differences between the virulent Chilean R. salmoninarum H‐2 strain and the type strain ATCC 33209T. Analyses were conducted under normal (control) and iron‐limited conditions (DIP) emulating the host environment. Interestingly, strain H‐2 apparently responded better to the iron‐limited condition—for example, only this strain presented a significantly enriched iron ion homeostasis pathway. Furthermore, key virulence factors related to an iron‐limited environment were more abundant in strain H‐2. Importantly, the lack of iron favoured the expression of the 57‐kDa protein in strain H‐2, the principal virulence factor for R. salmoninarum. Our findings can be employed in the design and development of treatments targeted to iron uptake mechanisms (e.g. siderophore synthesis or haem uptake), which represents a promising therapeutic approach for treating this persistent fastidious bacterium.
Retracted: PN‐HPT® (Polynucleotides Highly Purified Technology) in facial middle third rejuvenation. Exploring the potential
Authors: Cavallini Maurizio , De Luca Carmen , Prussia Giovanni , Raichi Mauro
Published: November 2021

Background

Wasting of soft tissues leads to flattening and deflation of the aging midface skin. Polynucleotides Highly Purified Technology (PN‐HPT®) demonstrated dermal hydration and elasticity as well as fibroblasts vitality and activity.

Aims

To probe the value of PN‐HPT® in middle third rejuvenation in an open‐design, exploratory prospective cohort study in 40 real‐life ambulatorily treated women.

Methods

Three treatment sessions—at baseline (2‐ml prefilled syringe containing 10 mg/ml PN‐HPT®, 10 mg/ml hyaluronic acid, 200 mM mannitol) as intradermic gel, and after 3 weeks (2‐ml prefilled syringe containing 20 mg/ml PN‐HPT® intradermic gel) and 6 weeks (same treatment as baseline). The protocol allowed supplemental treatment with specifically formulated PN‐HPT® (7.5 mg/ml) when needed in periocular and eyelid areas. Assessments: sequential photographs of the facial middle third at baseline, third treatment session and 6–8 weeks after the third treatment session; scoring of overall skin quality and texture, skin quality determinants (wrinkles and skin roughness, skin elasticity, skin brightness), scar appearance, and subjective satisfaction with impromptu 10‐cm Visual Analogue Scales.

Results

Significant improvement of overall skin quality and texture (from 7.0 ± 1.06 at baseline session to 7.8 ± 0.99 at follow‐up), associated with highly significant improvements of wrinkles and skin roughness, elasticity, and brightness (–17.1%, +39.6%, and +51.1%, respectively). The severity scores of post‐acne scars decreased from 7.6 ± 1.32 to 4.2 ± 2.13. Individual satisfaction score at the end of treatment: 0.8 ± 0.28.

Conclusions

PN‐HPT® candidate as a valuable option for facial middle third rejuvenation. Further trials will hopefully confirm these early results.
Efficacy of the topical cyclosporine cream assisted by fractional carbon dioxide laser vs topical clobetasol cream for the treatment of plaque psoriasis: Randomized comparative study
Authors: Helmy A. Yasser , El batreek Mohamed Hashem , Abdel Fadeel Doaa Ahmed , Tawfik Abeer Attia , Samy Nevien Ahmed
Published: November 2021

Background

In mild psoriasis, topical agents remain the mainstay of treatment. However, the available treatments are not satisfactory for a significant proportion of patients in many terms such as efficacy and safety. Because of these deficits, augmentation of therapeutic effect seems desirable.

This study aims

To evaluate the efficacy of topical cyclosporine cream, delivered by fractional CO2 laser vs the efficacy of topical clobetasol cream for the treatment of mild to moderate plaque psoriasis.

Patients and methods

Twenty‐two patients with chronic plaque psoriasis involving <10% BSA were included in this study. They were randomly allocated into 2 groups. In Group A, patients were instructed to apply cyclosporine cream twice daily for 5 consecutive days per week immediately after fractional carbon dioxide laser session. While in Group B, clobetasol cream was applied twice daily for 5 consecutive days per week until complete clearance or for a maximum of 10 weeks.

The efficacy was objectively assisted clinically and by histopathology by using the scores and skin biopsy.

Results

There was a significant improvement of erythema, plaque elevation, and scaling (p < 0.001) with the use of topical cyclosporine cream delivered by the aid of fractional CO2 laser, compared to base line. However, the improvement was more significant with topical clobetasol cream.

Conclusion

Laser‐assisted delivery of topical cyclosporine can provide comparable clinical and pathological improvement to that of clobetasol in the psoriatic plaques. These findings were apparent in patients with less widespread disease. However, topical steroid showed more improvement.
Increasing accuracy in documentation through the application of a structured emergency nursing framework: A multisite quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Munroe Belinda , Curtis Kate , Fry Margaret , Shaban Ramon Z. , Moules Peter , Elphick Tiana‐Lee , Ruperto Kate , Couttie Tracey , Considine Julie
Published: November 2021

Aims and Objectives

To determine if the use of an emergency nursing framework improves the accuracy of clinical documentation.

Background

Accurate clinical documentation is a nursing professional responsibility essential for high‐quality and safe patient care. The use of the emergency nursing framework “HIRAID” (History, Identify Red flags, Assessment, Interventions, Diagnostics, reassessment and communication) improves emergency nursing care by reducing treatment delays and improving escalation of clinical deterioration. The effect of HIRAID on the accuracy of nursing documentation is unknown.

Design

A quasi‐experimental pre‐post study was conducted and the report was guided by the strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) checklist.

Methods

HIRAID was implemented in four regional/rural Australian emergency departments (ED) using a range of behaviour change strategies. The blinded electronic healthcare records of 120 patients with a presenting problem of shortness of breath, abdominal pain or fever were reviewed. Quantity measures of completeness and qualitative measures of completeness and linguistic correctness of documentation adapted from the D‐Catch tool were used to assess accuracy. Differences between pre‐post groups were analysed using Wilcoxon rank‐sum and two‐sample t‐tests for continuous variables. Pearson's Chi‐square and Fisher exact tests were used for the categorical data.

Results

The number of records containing the essential assessment components of emergency care increased significantly from pre‐ to post‐implementation of HIRAID. This overall improvement was demonstrated in both paediatric and adult populations and for all presentation types. Both the quantitative and qualitative measures of documentation on patient history and physical assessment findings improved significantly.

Conclusion

Use of HIRAID improves the accuracy of clinical documentation of the patient history and physical assessment in both adult and paediatric populations.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

The emergency nursing framework “HIRAID” is recommended for use in clinical practice to increase the documentation accuracy performed by emergency nurses.
Durable goods and welfare measurement
Authors: Amendola Nicola , Vecchi Giovanni
Published: November 2021

The paper focuses on durable goods and their role in the measurement of living standards. The contribution of the paper is fourfold. First, we develop a unified framework to discuss the theoretical underpinnings of the methods used by welfare analysts to calculate the value of the services flowing from consumer durable goods—the acquisition approach, the rental equivalent approach, the user cost approach, and the opportunity cost approach. We conclude by endorsing the user cost approach. Second, we propose a new method to implement the user cost approach, dubbed the “economic life” depreciation model, which can be estimated with limited information, combining theoretical and practical advantages. Third, we examine some 200 official poverty assessment reports the world over, released between the early 2000s and the present day, and we document the gulf between theory and practice: overall, we find that the way durable goods are dealt with in welfare analysis is still highly inadequate. Fourth, we sketch a simple analytical framework to assess the distributional impact of different methods to estimate the consumption flow from durables. The main predictions of the model are tested using the 2012 Iraqi Household Income and Economic Survey.
Managing recurrent urinary tract infections in kidney transplant recipients using smartphone assisted urinalysis test
Authors: Chukwu Chukwuma A. , Rao Anirudh , Kalra Phillip A. , Middleton Rachel
Published: November 2021

Background

Urinary tract infection is the most frequent infectious complication in allograft recipients with poor outcomes. The study aimed to assess the effect of self‐testing urine dipsticks at home, with the assistance of smartphone technology, on the occurrence of urinary tract infection (UTI)‐associated complications and frequency and length of hospital admissions.

Method

We performed a retrospective cohort study of kidney transplant recipients with a history of recurrent UTI who used a newly introduced smartphone‐assisted dipsticks urinalysis test for self‐monitoring. Participants self‐administered the home urinalysis test with symptom onset. Antibiotics were prescribed if an infection was suspected, and home urinalysis was positive. The incidence of urinary infections, hospitalisations, and complications was evaluated before and during the home urinalysis period. Remote and face‐to‐face interactions with healthcare personnel were also assessed (cases acted as their controls).

Results

Nineteen participants were included in the study. A total of 89.5% were females. Ninety home urinalysis tests were conducted over a mean period of 7 months. Sixty‐one of these were pre‐antibiotic. A total of 42.2% of all tests and 47.5% of the pre‐antibiotic tests were positive. UTI‐related hospitalisations were lower by 75% during the home urinalysis period; mean 1.26 (0.8–1.6) versus 0.32 (−0.01–0.6). The incidence of infection‐related complications was also 65% lower; mean 1.52 (0.8–2.2) versus 0.52 (−0.2–1.2) during the same period. The number of face‐to‐face interactions was slightly lower; mean 1.9 (1.1–2.2) versus 1.7 (0.6–2.8), with more remote interactions; mean 6.0 (3.7–8.5) versus 10.4 (6.5–14.3), during smartphone urinalysis. Fifty per cent of antibiotic‐treated UTI episodes had antibiotics within 24 h, rising to 82% within 48 h of a test.

Conclusion

Smartphone‐assisted home urinalysis enabled remote management of UTI in a high‐risk population. Outcomes point to a reduction in UTI complications and hospitalisations.
Doctors and climate change: First do no harm
Authors: Skinner Jonathan R
Published: November 2021

Imagine a herd of cows in a fenced, lush green meadow shared with birds, bees and other small animals. Now imagine that everything the cows eat or drink comes in a plastic container. Humanity is on an appalling trajectory. Most of us are now aware that a crisis is upon us. If you are like me, you are struggling to consider what you should do about it. Those who read this journal are for the most part child health professionals; it is our job to look after children. This job must surely include caring for their future. Yet we, like most of the rest of human society, are actively supporting behaviours which will deprive children of their future, and potentially the future of much of the animal kingdom along with them.
Agriculture, the Anthropocene and human health
Authors: Massy Charles
Published: November 2021

Aim

To examine the interconnection between the rise of modern industrial agriculture, the Anthropocene epoch, and impacts on human health.

To examine the impact of the emerging field of regenerative agriculture in addressing the mounting negative planetary and human health challenges.

Methods

Structured interviews in social research for a PhD with over 80 regenerative farmers and industrial farmers in the field; and subsequent interviews with 40 other farmers.

Literature search into the rise of modern human and animal diseases, the Anthropocene, and cognitive and paradigm change.

Results

As Earth slips further into the human‐caused Anthropocene epoch due to The Great Acceleration post‐1950, there is a directly connected exponential rise in modern human diseases. Despite the emergence of Western agriculture and modern industrial society, our bodies are still adapted to the environment of our Palaeolithic past. Industrial agriculture and harmful agricultural practices are stripping essential nutrients from our foods while also lacing them with novel chemicals we are not adapted for. Consequently, the functioning of our gut microbiome has become destabilised. Evidence continues to mount that this is a key reason behind the exponential rise of many modern diseases.

Conclusion

To address what constitute evolutionary mismatch diseases due to cultural Dysevolution, a return to healthy regenerative agriculture, with foods rich in diverse nutrients and free of novel chemicals, provides a clear pathway to begin healing both the planetary systems and humans.
Lighting a candle, or cursing the darkness? Delivering a climate friendly anaesthetic
Authors: Skowno Justin , Weatherall Andrew
Published: November 2021

With up to 7% of national emissions coming from health care in industrial nations, and volatile anaesthetics and nitrous oxide being particularly effective greenhouse gases, anaesthetists can potentially reduce their medical carbon footprint substantially. Operating theatres create 25% of hospital waste, and there are many other avenues for ‘greening’ in the perioperative environment, including recycling and avoiding unnecessary operations. However, it is vital to understand how to produce a real change in practice that continues into the future and is normalised. Health‐care choices we make in 2021 cannot be allowed to lead to a climate catastrophe in 2050.
Innovative plAnt Protein fibre and Physical activity solutions to address poor appEtite and prevenT undernutrITion in oldEr adults – APPETITE
Authors: Volkert Dorothee , Corish Clare A. , Dardevet Dominique , De Vito Giuseppe , Guillet Christelle , Bader‐Mittermaier Stephanie , Robinson Sian , Roche Helen M. , Sayer Avan A. , Visser Marjolein
Published: November 2021

Older adults with poor appetite are at higher risk of undernutrition due to the role of appetite as a key driver of food intake. Dietary protein and fibre are critical nutrients in this population, and enhancing their intake is vital to preventing undernutrition and maintaining organ function and health. In APPETITE, a transdisciplinary consortium of experts from eight institutions in six European countries will collaborate to design potentially effective interventions to enhance protein and fibre consumption of community‐dwelling older adults with poor appetite, thereby addressing undernutrition through a targeted nutrition‐ and physical activity‐based strategy. Older adults with poor appetite will first be evaluated using a mixed‐methods approach to gain insights into their nutritional and behavioural preferences. Working with this target group, innovative, acceptable and affordable food products will be developed that combine several domestic plant proteins and dietary fibres. Mechanistic insights will be gained by examining the impact of selected products and physical activity on digestibility, amino acid bioavailability and whole‐body protein metabolism. In a multi‐country, randomised controlled intervention trial, the impact of two new food products, provided as part of a personalised diet, a physical activity programme, and their combination will be determined. APPETITE will improve our understanding about plant‐based protein and fibre products and their metabolic and clinical effects. It will create new knowledge about how these products can be combined in a whole‐diet approach, together with physical activity and regular social contacts, to overcome undernutrition and to contribute to a better quality of life for older Europeans.