bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In search of the Holy Grail: a 20-year systematic review of the happy-productive worker thesis
Authors: Sender Gisela , Nobre Gustavo Cattelan , Armagan Sungu , Fleck Denise
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The relationship between job satisfaction and performance is a topic that has been intriguing scholars and managers for a long time. With the flourishing of positive psychology, it has been called the happy-productive worker thesis. New concepts led to new results but still divergent. This study aims to understand the past 20 years of research on the topic, also called the holy grail of the organizational sciences, helping to unwrap conclusions so far.

Design/methodology/approach

Bibliometric analysis was performed with R statistical tool’s support, complemented by content analysis, based on studies from three major databases between 1999 and 2019. The empirical studies were analyzed according to the constructs used, shedding light on when the happy-productive worker thesis is more likely to be confirmed.

Findings

Results show a variety of constructs and instruments used to operationalize the constructs. This lack of convergence accounts for a large part of the general inconclusiveness of the topic. Indicated research gaps can be useful to both academics and practitioners.

Research limitations/implications

Only studies declared as related to the happy-productive worker thesis were considered.

Practical implications

Managers can benefit from considering the findings as a basis for decision-making regarding investments in employee happiness at work, focusing on the aspects of happy constructs that lead to productive criteria.

Originality/value

The application of mixed methods, complementing the bibliometric with thorough content analysis, provided a more detailed overview of current knowledge about the topic, helping to disentangle different concepts that were treated as similar. Thus, it is possible to understand in which situations happy workers are really more productive.
Advertising on till receipts in socialist Czechoslovakia: language, argumentation and ideology
Authors: Dufek Ondřej
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a description of the language of advertising in socialist Czechoslovakia (1948-1989) and to offer an understanding of its nature. It focuses on significant linguistic characteristics of the discourse and on the means of argumentation and persuasion.

Design/methodology/approach

Linguistic investigation of the grammar and pragmatics of language used and content analysis studying the lexical level of ads while also considering the broader context in the way of discourse analysis.

Findings

The paper shows that statements are the most frequent utterance type across all the decades and appeals, which one could associate with a direct and strong addressee orientation (and, perhaps, authoritarian system, too), are only present marginally. Concerning what is advertised, the promotion of manufacturer/seller is frequent compared to specific products. A category of product type was relatively important, especially in the 1950s and 1960s. Unlike capitalist advertising, socialist promotion shows also instances of socio-educational and state-political promotion.

Originality/value

As no such study was conducted so far, this paper shows that Czechoslovak socialist advertising constructed an imagination that was very much dependent on consumerism just like advertising in Western capitalist countries, and at the same time, it was reflecting specific socio-political circumstances.
Interactive service quality on the acceptance of self-service ordering systems for the restaurant industry
Authors: Yang Ting , Lai Ivan Ka Wai , Fan Zhao-Bin , Mo Qing-Min
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that explain the acceptance of self-service ordering systems (SOSs) for restaurants and to explore the effects of “self-service system service quality” (SSQ) and “interpersonal service quality” (ISQ) on the acceptance factors extended from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model.

Design/methodology/approach

This study targets customers who have recently used SOSs to order foods in middle-class restaurants. In total, 402 valid survey samples were obtained. Partial least squares (PLS) analysis was used to examine the factors of user acceptance of using SOSs.

Findings

The results of the PLS-SEM analysis indicate that SSQ has a significant effect on accuracy expectancy, speed expectancy and effort expectancy; ISQ has a significant effect on accuracy expectancy, speed expectancy, effort expectancy and facilitating conditions; and accuracy expectancy, speed expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions and budget expectancy significantly influence user acceptance of SOSs. Furthermore, user experiences moderate the effect of speed expectancy and effort expectancy on user acceptance.

Originality/value

This study introduces three technology acceptance factors (accuracy, speed and budget) for researchers to consider in the future. It also extends the knowledge about the human service factor when middle-class restaurants adopt self-service technologies (SSTs). Recommendations are provided for system developers to improve the system quality of SSTs and service staff to rethink their roles in adopting SSTs in the service industry.
A maximal covering facility location model for emergency services within an M (t)/M/m/m queuing system
Authors: Bahrami Iman , Ahari Roya M. , Asadpour Milad
Published: December 2020

Purpose

In emergency services, maximizing population coverage with the lowest cost at the peak of the demand is important. In addition, due to the nature of services in emergency centers, including hospitals, the number of servers and beds is actually considered as the capacity of the system. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to propose a multi-objective maximal covering facility location model for emergency service centers within an M (t)/M/m/m queuing system considering different levels of service and periodic demand rate.

Design/methodology/approach

The process of serving patients is modeled according to queuing theory and mathematical programming. To cope with multi-objectiveness of the proposed model, an augmented ε-constraint method has been used within GAMS software. Since the computational time ascends exponentially as the problem size increases, the GAMS software is not able to solve large-scale problems. Thus, a NSGA-II algorithm has been proposed to solve this category of problems and results have been compared with GAMS through random generated sample problems. In addition, the applicability of the proposed model in real situations has been examined within a case study in Iran.

Findings

Results obtained from the random generated sample problems illustrated while both the GAMS software and NSGA-II almost share the same quality of solution, the CPU execution time of the proposed NSGA-II algorithm is lower than GAMS significantly. Furthermore, the results of solving the model for case study approve that the model is able to determine the location of the required facilities and allocate demand areas to them appropriately.

Originality/value

In the most of previous works on emergency services, maximal coverage with the minimum cost were the main objectives. Hereby, it seems that minimizing the number of waiting patients for receiving services have been neglected. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first time that a maximal covering problem is formulated within an M (t)/M/m/m queuing system. This novel formulation will lead to more satisfaction for injured people by minimizing the average number of injured people who are waiting in the queue for receiving services.
Perception of customer retail experiences in Poland
Authors: Kacprzak Agnieszka , Dziewanowska Katarzyna
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Poland’s political and economic transition of 1989 resulted in a cultural trauma experienced by consumers, which has influenced their perception of the retail experience. However, younger Polish consumers can remember neither communism nor the transition period. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the differences in perception of customer experiences in retail between Poland’s pre- and post-transitional generations.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey is first conducted with a sample of 1,045 Polish consumers measuring their perception of utilitarian and hedonic customer experiences in retail environments. Then, five qualitative focus group interviews with 29 participants provide an in-depth understanding of the survey results.

Findings

The quantitative study suggests that the pre-transitional generation is focused on utilitarian experiences, whereas the post-transitional generation is attracted to hedonic experiences in retail environments. The qualitative study provides an understanding of how the utilitarian and hedonic aspects of customer retail experiences are perceived and how the cultural trauma manifests in consumers’ values.

Originality/value

The study provides a new perspective on the customer experience in retail contexts from a society that has undergone a cultural trauma. The findings focus on generational differences in consumer attitudes toward hedonic and utilitarian experiences in a post-transition society and expand the theory of cultural trauma into the field of customer retail experience.
Direct and Indirect Effects of Forest Harvesting on Sediment Yield in Forested Watersheds of the United States
Authors: McEachran Zachary P. , Karwan Diana L. , Slesak Robert A.
Published: December 2020

Managed forests generally produce high water quality, but degradation is possible via sedimentation if proper management is not implemented during forest harvesting. To mitigate harvesting effects on total watershedsediment yield, it is necessary to understand all processes that contribute to these effects. Forest harvesting best management practices (BMPs) focus almost exclusively on overland sediment sources, whereas in‐and‐near stream sources go unaddressed although they can contribute substantially to sediment yield. Thus, we propose a new framework to classify forest harvesting effects on stream sediment yield according to their direct and indirect processes.Direct effectsare those caused by erosion and sediment delivery to surface water from overland sources (e.g., forest roads).Indirect effectsare those caused by a shift in hydrologic processes due to tree removal that accounts for increases in subsurface and surface flows to the stream such that alterations in water quality are not predicated upon overland sediment delivery to the stream, but rather in‐stream processes. Although the direct/indirect distinction is often implicit in forest hydrology studies, we have formalized it as a conceptual model to help identify primary drivers of sediment yield after forest harvesting in different landscapes. Based on a literature review, we identify drivers of these effects in five regions of the United States, discuss current forest management BMPs, and identify research needs.
18F‐Fluoroestradiol PET in the evaluation of probable oligometastatic breast cancer
Authors: Denton Matthew , Taubman Kim , Sutherland Tom
Published: December 2020

Recent advances with specific PET tracer ligands, for example prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA)‐based PET imaging, have substantially improved the sensitivity and specificity of PET imaging. 18F‐Fluoroestradiol (FES) is a novel PET tracer that has been demonstrated to have high specificity for oestrogen receptor (ER) in breast cancer. This case describes the use of FES‐PET to further characterise a solitary scapular lesion in a patient with locally advanced ER‐positive breast cancer. In demonstrating FES avidity in the lesion, it was determined to represent metastatic disease, thus avoiding further biopsy with its associated morbidity. This case demonstrates the potential diagnostic utility of FES PET‐CT in the management of ER‐positive breast cancer patients with probable oligometastatic disease.
Transnational Multistakeholder Partnerships as Vessels to Finance Development: Navigating the Accountability Waters
Authors: Erdem Türkelli Gamze
Published: December 2020

Partnerships have long been presented as transformative and effective mechanisms to overcome challenges linked to the global governance of development. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and SDG 17 call for intensified involvement and engagement of partnerships in sustainable development, formalizing a role specifically for multi‐stakeholder partnerships (MSPs). In this context, transnational MSPs that enmesh public and private to finance development, continue to flourish as a hybrid model of governance. This paper seeks to critically assess the accountability issues linked to channelling development financing through transnational MSPs using an accountability matrix, based on responsibility, answerability and enforceability, applicable to the system‐level development cooperation/aid frameworks as well as to MSPs. The article then evaluates the accountability challenges and shortcomings arising from MSPs as development financing actors resulting in diffused responsibility, limited answerability and weak enforceability. Finally, the article outlines a research agenda and Policy recommendations to improve the accountability of MSPs when they finance development.
Lifting the numbers game: identifying key input variables and a best‐performing model to detect financial statement fraud
Authors: Gepp Adrian , Kumar Kuldeep , Bhattacharya Sukanto
Published: December 2020

This study enables practitioners and researchers to make an informed choice for a financial statement fraud detection model, rather than defaulting to popular, yet dated, models. Using a specifically devised performance criterion, our newly configured ensemble outperforms 31 others in the most comprehensive comparison to date spanning parametric, non‐parametric, big data and ensemble techniques. We use a large set of input variables and holdout data relative to prior studies. We find empirical support for financial and non‐financial variables covering the three Fraud Triangle factors. New findings include fraud risk being reduced with more debt, likely from increased monitoring by creditors.
Regulation of GluA1 phosphorylation by d‐amphetamine and methylphenidate in the cerebellum
Authors: Cutando Laura , Puighermanal Emma , Castell Laia , Tarot Pauline , Bertaso Federica , Bonnavion Patricia , de Kerchove d'Exaerde Alban , Isingrini Elsa , Galante Micaela , Dallerac Glenn , Pascoli Vincent , Lüscher Christian , Giros Bruno , Valjent Emmanuel
Published: December 2020

Prescription stimulants, such as d‐amphetamine or methylphenidate are used to treat suffering from attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They potently release dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) and cause phosphorylation of the α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor subunit GluA1 in the striatum. Whether other brain regions are also affected remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that d‐amphetamine and methylphenidate increase phosphorylation at Ser845 (pS845‐GluA1) in the membrane fraction of mouse cerebellum homogenate. We identify Bergmann glial cells as the source of pS845‐GluA1 and demonstrate a requirement for intact NE release. Consequently, d‐amphetamine‐induced pS845‐GluA1 was prevented by β1‐adenoreceptor antagonist, whereas the blockade of DA D1 receptor had no effect. Together, these results indicate that NE regulates GluA1 phosphorylation in Bergmann glial cells in response to prescription stimulants.
Plant and soil carbon stocks in grassland patches maintained by extensive grazing in the highlands of central Argentina
Authors: Vaieretti María Victoria , Conti Georgina , Poca María , Kowaljow Esteban , Gorné Lucas , Bertone Gustavo , Cingolani Ana María , Pérez‐Harguindeguy Natalia
Published: December 2020

Grasslands are valued by their capacity to store carbon (C) as well as by their livestock production. However, focussing grassland management on one of these characteristics might negatively affect the other. Here, we describe for the first time the amount of C stored in the plant and soil compartments of extensively grazed highland grasslands of central Argentina. We quantified C stocks of standing plant, litter, and roots biomass, and soil (0–100 cm depth) in three coexisting grassland types associated with different livestock use: lawns and open and closed tussock grasslands (from higher to lower grazing use) and analysed how those stocks vary across grassland types. Our main results showed that these mountain grasslands represent an important regional C reservoir, with total C stocks (plant plus soil) ranging from 110 to 472 Mg C ha−1, with more than 95% of C being stored in soils. Differences in soil C stocks up to 30 cm depth were not associated with grassland types. However, in grazing lawns (higher livestock use), belowground plant C increased, whereas aboveground plant C was reduced. Overall, resulting in a 14% lower C stored in the plant‐soil system up to 30 cm depth than in tussock grasslands. Our study shows that highland grasslands of central Argentina maintain huge soil C reservoirs. However, livestock use could reduce surface C stocks by affecting the plant biomass compartments, which could have a long‐term effect on soil C stocks. These findings have direct implications for mountain grasslands management and conservation in the context of climate change mitigation.
Safety of large preparation with different instruments in the buccal canals of maxillary molars
Authors: de Camargo Ericson Janolio , Duarte Marco Antonio Hungaro , Alcalde Murilo Priori , Só Marcus Vinicius dos Reis , Vasconcelos Bruno Carvalho de , Silva Emmanuel João Nogueira Leal , Plotino Gianluca , Vivan Rodrigo Ricci
Published: December 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of large apical preparations with Reciproc (REC), Hyflex CM (HCM) and Twisted File Adaptive (TFA) systems using micro‐computed tomography (MCT). Ninety mesiobuccal (MB) and distobuccal (DB) root canals of maxillary molars (n = 45) were scanned using MCT before and after the shaping procedures. The root canals (n = 15) were prepared until REC 40.06, HCM 40.04 and TFA 35.04. The root canal transportation (RCT), centring ability (CA), change in volume of the root canal and at different levels (VC), remaining dentine thickness (RDT), removal of dentine wall (RDW) and working time (WT) were evaluated. Data were analysed using the Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn tests, and the one‐way ANOVA and Tukey tests with a level of significance set at 5%. No significant difference among the instruments was found regarding the RCT, CA, RDT, RDW and WT (P > 0.05), in larger apical preparations in curved MB and straight DB canals of maxillary molars.
Mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome: Australian clinical practice statement
Authors: Bhabha Friyana K , McCormack Christopher , Wells Jillian , Campbell Belinda A , Newland Kate , Lade Stephen , Buelens Odette , Joske David , Shortt Jake , Mapp Sally , Radeski Dejan , Hertzberg Mark , Khot Amit , Van Der Weyden Carrie , Khoo Christine , Hawkes Eliza , Prince H Miles
Published: December 2020

Primary cutaneous lymphomas represent a heterogeneous group of T‐ and B‐cell lymphomas with distinct clinical presentations, histopathologic features, treatment approaches and outcomes. The cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas, which include mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome, account for the majority of the cutaneous lymphomas. This Clinical Practice Statement is reflective of the current clinical practice in Australia. An expanded form of the Clinical Practice Statement (and updates), along with helpful patient resources and access to support groups, can be found at the following (http://www.australasianlymphomaalliance.org.au).
Effectiveness of ocriplasmin in real‐world settings: A systematic literature review, meta‐analysis, and comparison with randomized trials
Authors: Khanani Arshad M. , Constantine Ryan N. , Blot Koenraad H. , Lescrauwaet Benedicte , Szurman Peter
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Effectiveness of ocriplasmin for vitreomacular traction (VMT) varies depending on the presence of common ocular conditions and patient selection criteria. We carried out a systematic literature review and meta‐analysis of ocriplasmin studies conducted in real‐world settings (RWS) and compared outcomes with those from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

We included prospective and retrospective studies from RWS documenting effectiveness of ocriplasmin in patients with VMT with or without MH, and RCTs of ocriplasmin versus control. Key end‐points were vitreomacular adhesion resolution (VMAR), nonsurgical MH closure, need for vitrectomy and safety. We conducted meta‐regression on pooled results to evaluate effects of baseline covariates and study design on outcomes.

Results

Thirty RWS (2402 patients) and 5 RCTs (737 patients) were included epiretinal membrane (ERM) and broad VMA were more prevalent in RCTs. Primary VMAR, vitrectomy and MH closure rates were comparable between RWS and RCTs. Rates of nsVMAR were significantly higher in RWS than RCTs (odds ratio 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–2.34). nsVMAR rates were inversely associated with ERM prevalence (odds ratio 0.20; 95% CI: 0.08–0.51). Compared with the recent OASIS trial, RWS reported a higher incidence of new/worsening subretinal fluid cases and less photophobia, photopsia, vitreous floaters, electroretinogram abnormalities and MH progression.

Conclusions

Ocriplasmin was significantly more effective in achieving nsVMAR in RWS than in RCTs. Lower ERM prevalence in RWS was the single significant explanatory variable for this difference. Conclusions on ocriplasmin safety in RWS are limited due to inconsistent reporting.
Congenital stationary night blindness: an update and review of the disease spectrum in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Almutairi Faris , Almeshari Nawaf , Ahmad Khabir , Magliyah Moustafa S. , Schatz Patrik
Published: December 2020

Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) is a group of rare, mainly stationary disorders of the retina, resulting from dysfunction of several specific and essential visual processing mechanisms. The inheritance is often recessive and as such, CSNB may be more common among populations with a high degree of consanguinity. Here, we present a topic update and a review of the clinical and molecular genetic spectrum of CSNB in Saudi Arabia. Since a major review article on CSNB in 2015, which described 17 genes underlying CSNB, an additional four genes have been incriminated in autosomal recessive CSNB: RIMS2, GNB3, GUCY2D and ABCA4. These have been associated with syndromic cone–rod synaptic disease, ON bipolar cell dysfunction with reduced cone sensitivity, CSNB with dysfunction of the phototransduction (Riggs type) and CSNB with cone–rod dystrophy, respectively. In Saudi Arabia, a total of 24 patients with CSNB were identified, using a combination of literature search and retrospective study of previously unpublished cases. Recessive mutations in TRPM1 and CABP4 accounted for the majority of cases (5 and 13 for each gene, respectively). These genes were associated with complete (cCSNB) and incomplete (icCSNB), respectively, and were associated with high myopia in the former and hyperopia in the latter. Four novel mutations were identified. For the first time, we describe the fundus albipunctatus in two patients from Saudi Arabia, caused by recessive mutation in RDH5 and RPE65, where the former in addition featured findings compatible with cone dystrophy. No cases were identified with any dominantly inherited CSNB.
Consecutive contralateral comparison of toric and non‐toric implantable collamer lenses V4c in vault after implantation for myopia and astigmatism
Authors: Zhao Jiao , Zhao Jing , Yang Wen , Li Meiyan , Hao Gengsheng , Chen Zhuoyi , Wang Xiaoying , Yao Peijun , Zhou Xingtao
Published: December 2020

Aims

To compare the vault performance between implantable collamer lens (ICL) V4c and Toric ICL (TICL) V4c after implantation and to investigate the affecting factors.

Methods

Sixty‐eight eyes from 34 patients with myopia or myopia astigmatism who underwent implantation of TICL in one eye (group A) and identically sized ICL (group B) in the contralateral eye were included. Mean follow‐up time were 7.58 ± 1.63 months (range: 6–10 months). Vault was compared between the two groups and correlations between vault and age, preoperative ocular biometric measurements were analysed. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) model of postoperative vault adjusting for within‐patient intereye correlations was performed.

Results

The safety indices were 1.27 and 1.35, and the efficacy indices were 1.20 and 1.24 for groups A and B, respectively. Vault of TICL was significantly higher than that of ICL (554.11 ± 219.36 μm vs 449.70 ± 172.47 μm, P < 0.001). The difference between ICL/TICL size and WTW (size‐WTW) and STS (size‐STS), anterior chamber depth and pupil diameter (PD) were positively correlated with vault. Patient age and clear lens rise measured by Pentacam were negatively correlated with vault. Results of GEE model showed preoperative PD, age, cylindrical power of TICL and size‐WTW were influencing factors for postoperative vault.

Conclusions

Vault after TICL implantation is higher than that with ICL. PD, age, cylindrical power of TICL and size‐WTW could affect postoperative vault.
Genetic relationship between litter size traits at birth and body measurement and production traits in purebred Duroc pigs
Authors: Ogawa Shinichiro , Ohnishi Chika , Ishii Kazuo , Uemoto Yoshinobu , Satoh Masahiro
Published: December 2020

Heritabilities of litter size traits at birth (total number born (TNB), number born alive (NBA), and number still born (NSB)) and their genetic correlations with body measurement (body height, body length, front width (FW), chest width (CW), hind width, chest depth, chest girth, front cannon circumference, and rear cannon circumference) and production traits (ages at the start and end of performance testing (D30 and D105), average daily gain (ADG), backfat thickness, and loin muscle area) in purebred Duroc pigs were estimated. Records of performance testing for 2,835 animals and farrowing records of 1,168 litters from 437 dams were used. Genetic parameters were estimated using single‐trait and two‐trait animal models. Permanent environment effect was considered for litter size traits and common litter environmental effect was considered for body measurement and production traits. The estimated heritability was 0.10 ± 0.06 for TNB, 0.16 ± 0.06 for NBA, and 0.08 ± 0.05 for NSB. Positive genetic correlation of NBA was estimated with D30, D105, and ADG (0.51, 0.11, and 0.39). The estimated genetic correlation of NBA was 0.47 ± 0.17 with FW and 0.55 ± 0.18 with CW, implying that FW and CW could be promising indicator traits for efficiently improving NBA.
Effects of saikosaponin‐d on CYP3A4 in HepaRG cell and protein‐ligand docking study
Authors: Li Hongfang , Tang Yunyan , Wei Weipeng , Yin Chengchen , Tang Fushan
Published: December 2020

Saikosaponin‐d (SSd) is a major bioactive triterpenoid saponin extracted fromBupleurum, which has anti‐inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidative and anti‐hepatic fibrosis effects. Due to the effects ofBupleurum‐related formulations on cytochrome P450 (CYPs) expression still remain unclear, the combination therapies involved formulations containingBupleurummay sometimes lead to unexpected drug‐drug interactions in clinical practice. These interactions can limit the clinical applications of related formulations. In this study, we tried to explore the effects of SSd on CYP3A4 mRNA, protein expression and the enzyme activity in HepaRG cells by real‐time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR), Western blot (WB) and HPLC method, respectively. The interaction between SSd and CYP3A4 was analysed by molecular docking. HepaRG cells were cultured with different concentrations of SSd (0.5, 1, 5 and 10 μmol/L) for 72 hours. It is revealed that SSd can inhibit CYP3A4 mRNA and its protein expression, and also the enzyme activity. Molecular docking study demonstrated that SSd can bind to several key active sites of amino acid residues of CYP3A4 protein with hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Thus, drug‐drug interactions resulted by SSd inhibiting CYP3A4 need attention when formulations containing SSd orBupleurumare co‐administrated with drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Investigating neural circuits of emotion regulation to distinguish euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder
Authors: Rai Sabina , Griffiths Kristi , Breukelaar Isabella A. , Barreiros Ana R. , Chen Wenting , Boyce Philip , Hazell Philip , Foster Sheryl , Malhi Gin S. , Bryant Richard A , Harris Anthony W.F. , Korgaonkar Mayuresh S.
Published: December 2020

Background

Up to 40% of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) are initially diagnosed as having major depressive disorder (MDD), and emotional lability is a key aspect of both sets of mood disorders. However, it remains unknown whether differences in the regulation of emotions through cognitive reappraisal may serve to distinguish BD and MDD. Therefore, we examined this question in euthymic BD and MDD patients.

Methods

Thirty‐eight euthymic BD, 33 euthymic MDD and 37 healthy control (HC) participants, matched for age, gender and depression severity, engaged in an emotion regulation (ER) cognitive reappraisal task during an fMRI scan were examined. Participants either reappraised (Think condition) or passively watched negative (Watch condition) or neutral (Neutral condition) pictures and rated their affect. Activation and connectivity analyses were used to examine group differences in reappraisal (Think vs Watch) and reactivity (Watch vs Neutral) conditions in ER‐specific neural circuits.

Results

Irrespective of group, participants rated most negatively the images during the Watch condition relative to Think and Neutral conditions, and more negatively to Think relative to Neutral. Notably, BD participants exhibited reduced subgenual anterior cingulate activation (sgACC) relative to MDD during reappraisal, but exhibited greater sgACC activation relative to MDD during reactivity, whereas MDD participants elicited greater activation in right amygdala relative to BD during reactivity. We found no group differences in task‐related connectivity.

Conclusions

Euthymic BD and MDD patients engage differential brain regions to process and regulate emotional information. These differences could serve to distinguish the clinical groups and provide novel insights into the underlying pathophysiology of BD.
Derivative deprivation and the wrong of abortion
Authors: Stratton‐Lake Philip
Published: December 2020

In his ‘The Identity Objection to the future‐like‐ours argument’ (Bioethics, 2019, 33: 287–293), Brill argues that Marquis's 'future of value' account of the wrong of abortion is still vulnerable to the identity objection—the claim that the foetus and the later person are not numerically identical, so the later person's valuable experiences are not the foetus's future experiences—even if it is conceded that the future organism, as well as the person, has experiences. This is because the organism has these experiences in a different way from the person. The person has them directly, and the organism has them only derivatively. This implies, he maintains, that the organism cannot be deprived of those experiences in a way that is wrong. Only the person can be deprived in this morally relevant way. But, I argue, if the organism genuinely has those experiences, it is not at all clear why its being deprived of them would be permissible. I argue that the reason why Brill can claim that having those experiences derivatively makes this moral difference is because the sense in which the organism has experiences is not a genuine sense. But that is a problem for this theory of personal identity, not for Marquis's account of the wrong of abortion. I also argue that supposing that one cannot morally harm the human organism has various implausible implications, which cast doubt on the idea that having experiences derivatively means that the organism is not morally harmed by being deprived of them.
Intra‐individual dynamics of lesson‐specific engagement: Lagged and cross‐lagged effects from one lesson to the next
Authors: Vasalampi Kati , Muotka Joona , Malmberg Lars‐Erik , Aunola Kaisa , Lerkkanen Marja‐Kristiina
Published: December 2020

Background

Student engagement denotes active participation in academic work through commitment and involvement in learning tasks (Appleton et al., 2006, Journal of School Psychology, 44, 427). This study looks at questions such as whether engagement experiences in one lesson have an effect on the next lesson. In the present study, process‐oriented analyses were conducted to examine lower secondary school students’ engagement experiences and the stability of those experiences from one lesson to the next.

Aims

(1) To what extent are students’ engagement experiences, in terms of behavioural and cognitive engagement, emotional engagement, and disaffection, stable from one lesson to the next (autoregressive cyclic effects)? (2) What are the cross‐lagged relationships (dynamic effects) between engagement experiences from one lesson to the next?

Sample

The sample consisted of 56 Finnish lower secondary school students. The students provided ratings of their engagement experiences at the end of each lesson for one week (5 days, 975 ratings). Each student rated, on average, 17.4 lessons (SD = 5.67).

Methods

We specified multilevel dynamic structural equation models with random slopes.

Results

The models showed small significant sustainability in behavioural and cognitive engagement, emotional engagement, and disaffection from one lesson to the next, regardless of subject matter and teacher continuity. Higher behavioural and cognitive engagement in a lesson also had a self‐diminishing effect on disaffection.

Conclusions

The present study provides valuable information to teachers by showing that an experience in one lesson can have an effect on subsequent ones.
Prospective validation of microseminoprotein‐β added to the 4Kscore in predicting high‐grade prostate cancer in an international multicentre cohort
Authors: Lonergan Peter E. , Vertosick Emily A. , Assel Melissa , Sjoberg Daniel D. , Haese Alexander , Graefen Markus , Boorjian Stephen A. , Klee George G. , Cooperberg Matthew R. , Pettersson Kim , Routila Erica , Vickers Andrew J. , Lilja Hans
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To prospectively evaluate the performance of a pre‐specified statistical model based on four kallikrein markers in blood (total prostate‐specific antigen [PSA], free PSA, intact PSA, and human kallikrein‐related peptidase 2), commercially available as the 4Kscore, in predicting Gleason Grade Group (GG) ≥2 prostate cancer at biopsy in an international multicentre study at three academic medical centres, and whether microseminoprotein‐β (MSP) adds predictive value.

Patients and Methods

A total of 984 men were prospectively enrolled at three academic centres. The primary outcome was GG ≥2 on prostate biopsy. Three pre‐specified statistical models were used: a base model including PSA, age, digital rectal examination and prior negative biopsy; a model that added free PSA to the base model; and the 4Kscore.

Results

A total of 947 men were included in the final analysis and 273 (29%) had GG ≥2 on prostate biopsy. The base model area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.775 increased to 0.802 with the addition of free PSA, and to 0.824 for the 4Kscore. Adding MSP to the 4Kscore model yielded an increase (0.014–0.019) in discrimination. In decision‐curve analysis of clinical utility, the 4Kscore showed a benefit starting at a 7.5% threshold.

Conclusion

A prospective multicentre evaluation of a pre‐specified model based on four kallikrein markers (4Kscore) with the addition of MSP improves the predictive discrimination for GG ≥2 prostate cancer on biopsy and could be used to inform biopsy decision‐making.
Long‐term oncological outcomes of the Agarwal loop‐ligation technique for management of the distal ureter during laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy
Authors: Hoe Venetia , Yao Henry H. , Crozier Jack , Kanagarajah Abbie , Florescu Grace , Kearsley Jamie , Dundee Philip , O’Connell Helen E. , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Agarwal Dinesh K.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To describe the Agarwal loop‐ligation technique for the management of the distal ureter during laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (LRNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and report on long‐term oncological outcomes.

Patients and Methods

In the Agarwal loop‐ligation technique, the distal ureteric stump is controlled using endoscopic Endoloop® or PolyLoop® ligation to ensure en bloc excision of the bladder cuff and prevent spillage of upper tract urine into the perivesical space. A retrospective review of the medical records of 76 patients who underwent the Agarwal loop‐ligation technique for UTUC at participating centres from July 2004 to December 2017 was performed. Data collected included demographics, perioperative, and long‐term oncological outcomes. Survival was calculated using Kaplan–Meier survival analyses.

Results and Limitations

A total of 76 patients were included. The median age was 71.5 years and median operative time was 4.3 h. The intramural ureter and bladder cuff were completely excised in all patients. Distal surgical margins were clear in all, with only two patients found to have tumour extending to the circumferential surgical margin. There were no cases of perivesical recurrence or port‐site metastasis. The 5‐year bladder, local, and contralateral recurrence‐free survival was 59.6%, 89.0% and 93.5%, respectively. Metastasis‐free survival at 5‐years was 73.5%. The 5‐year overall survival and cancer‐specific survival rates were 70.3% and 84.7%, respectively.

Conclusions

We have described the Agarwal loop‐ligation technique for the management of the distal ureter in LRNU. This technique complies with oncological principles outlined in the European Association of Urology guidelines, which minimises tumour spillage. Long‐term oncological outcomes are satisfactory, with no cases of perivesical recurrence detected in this series.
The clinicopathological characteristics of muscle‐invasive bladder recurrence in upper tract urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Shigeta Keisuke , Matsumoto Kazuhiro , Ogihara Koichiro , Murakami Tetsushi , Anno Tadatsugu , Umeda Kota , Izawa Mizuki , Baba Yuto , Sanjo Tansei , Shojo Kazunori , Tanaka Nobuyuki , Takeda Toshikazu , Kosaka Takeo , Mizuno Ryuichi , Mikami Shuji , Kikuchi Eiji , Oya Mototsugu
Published: December 2020

This study aimed to clarify the clinical characteristics and oncological outcomes of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) who developed muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). We identified 966 pTa‐4N0‐2M0 patients with UTUC who underwent RNU and clarified the risk factors for MIBC progression after initial intravesical recurrence (IVR). We also identified 318 patients with primary pT2‐4N0‐2M0 MIBC to compare the oncological outcomes with those of patients with UTUC who developed or progressed to MIBC. Furthermore, immunohistochemical examination of p53 and FGFR3 expression in tumor specimens was performed to compare UTUC of MIBC origin with primary MIBC. In total, 392 (40.6%) patients developed IVR after RNU and 46 (4.8%) developed MIBC at initial IVR or thereafter. As a result, pT1 stage on the initial IVR specimen, concomitant carcinoma in situ on the initial IVR specimen, and no intravesical adjuvant therapy after IVR were independent factors for MIBC progression. After propensity score matching adjustment, primary UTUC was a favorable indicator for cancer‐specific death compared with primary MIBC. Subgroup molecular analysis revealed high FGFR3 expression in non‐MIBC and MIBC specimens from primary UTUC, whereas low FGFR3 but high p53 expression was observed in specimens from primary MIBC tissue. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that patients with UTUC who develop MIBC recurrence after RNU exhibited the clinical characteristics of subsequent IVR more than those of primary UTUC. Of note, MIBC subsequent to UTUC may have favorable outcomes, probably due to the different molecular biological background compared with primary MIBC.
CD205+ polymorphonuclear myeloid‐derived suppressor cells suppress antitumor immunity by overexpressing GLUT3
Authors: Fu Chenghao , Fu Zhonglin , Jiang Chunying , Xia Chao , Zhang Yiwei , Gu Xingju , Zheng Kexin , Zhou Dayu , Tang Shuang , Lyu Shuxia , Ma Shiliang
Published: December 2020

Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are responsible for antitumor immunodeficiency in tumor‐bearing hosts. Primarily, MDSCs are classified into 2 groups: monocytic (M)‐MDSCs and polymorphonuclear (PMN)‐MDSCs. In most cancers, PMN‐MDSCs (CD11b+Ly6ClowLy6G+ cells) represent the most abundant MDSC subpopulation. However, the functional and phenotypic heterogeneities of PMN‐MDSC remain elusive, which delays clinical therapeutic targeting decisions. In the 4T1 murine tumor model, CD11b+Ly6Glow PMN‐MDSCs were sensitive to surgical and pharmacological interventions. By comprehensively analyzing 64 myeloid cell‐related surface molecule expression profiles, cell density, nuclear morphology, and immunosuppressive activity, the PMN‐MDSC population was further classified as CD11b+Ly6GlowCD205+ and CD11b+Ly6GhighTLR2+ subpopulations. The dichotomy of PMN‐MDSCs based on CD205 and TLR2 is observed in 4T07 murine tumor models (but not in EMT6). Furthermore, CD11b+Ly6GlowCD205+ cells massively accumulated at the spleen and liver of tumor‐bearing mice, and their abundance correlated with in situ tumor burdens (with or without intervention). Moreover, we demonstrated that CD11b+Ly6GlowCD205+ cells were sensitive to glucose deficiency and 2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose (2DG) treatment. Glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) knockdown by siRNA significantly triggered apoptosis and reduced glucose uptake in CD11b+Ly6GlowCD205+ cells, demonstrating the dependence of CD205+ PMN‐MDSCs survival on both glucose uptake and GLUT3 overexpression. As GLUT3 has been recognized as a target for the rescue of host antitumor immunity, our results further directed the PMN‐MDSC subsets into the CD205+GLUT3+ subpopulation as future targeting therapy.
A phylotranscriptomic framework for flesh fly evolution (Diptera, Calyptratae, Sarcophagidae)
Authors: Yan Liping , Buenaventura Eliana , Pape Thomas , Narayanan Kutty Sujatha , Bayless Keith M. , Zhang Dong
Published: December 2020

The Sarcophagidae (flesh flies) comprise a large and widely distributed radiation within the Calyptratae (Diptera). Larval feeding habits are ecologically diverse and include sarcosaprophagy, coprophagy, herbivory, invertebrate and vertebrate predation, and kleptoparasitism. To elucidate the geographic origin and evolution of flesh fly life‐history, we inferred a backbone phylogeny based on transcriptomic data from 26 sarcophagid species covering all three subfamilies plus 15 outgroups. The phylogeny was inferred using maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood methods based on a series of supermatrices, one set with overall information content improved by MARE (2290 loci), one set with 100% gene coverage for all included species (587 loci), and the last set including mitochondrial and nuclear genes (589 loci) and additional taxa. In order to obtain a more detailed hypothesis, we utilized the supertree approach to combine results from the present study with previously published hypotheses. This resulted supertree covers 84 of the one hundred currently recognized sarcophagid genera and formed the basis for the ancestral state reconstructions. The monophyletic Sarcophagidae is well‐supported as sister to {Mystacinobiidae + Oestridae}, and relationships at the subfamily level are inferred as {Sarcophaginae, (Paramacronychiinae + Miltogramminae)}. The Sarcophagidae and each subfamily originated in the Americas, with Sarcophaginae diversifying mainly in the Neotropics, whereas the major radiation of both Miltogramminae and Paramacronychiinae occurred in the Palaearctic. Sarcosaprophagy is reconstructed as the ancestral larval feeding habit of the family Sarcophagidae and each subfamily. The ancestral sarcophagid larva probably utilized dead invertebrates as food, and the food spectrum expanded together with the diversification of breeding strategies. Particularly, kleptoparasitism in Miltogramminae is derived from sarcosaprophagy and may be seen as having derived from the breeding biology of ‘lower’ miltogrammines, the larvae of which feed on buried vertebrate carrion.
A systematic review of randomized controlled trials of dietary interventions for weight loss in adults in the Middle East and north Africa region
Authors: Zaghloul Hadeel , Elshakh Hadya , Elzafarany Abdullah , Chagoury Odette , McGowan Barbara , Taheri Shahrad
Published: December 2020

The prevalence and incidence of obesity, and associated complications, such as type 2 diabetes, in the Middle East and north Africa (MENA) region rank among the highest in the world. Little is known about the effectiveness of dietary weight loss interventions conducted in the MENA region. We conducted a systematic review of randomized clinical trials aiming to assess the effectiveness of dietary interventions for weight loss in the adult population originating from and residing in the MENA region. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, and EMBASE were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) using dietary interventions for weight loss conducted in the MENA region. RCTs examining weight loss as an outcome in adults (≥ 18 years old) were included. The Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing risk of bias was used to ascertain the quality of the eligible RCTs and the Template for Intervention Description and Replication for population health and policy interventions (TIDieR‐PHP) checklist was used to evaluate the reporting of the interventions. Twenty‐nine RCTs including 2792 adults from five countries in the MENA region met the search criteria. Study participants were predominantly middle‐aged females. Duration of follow up was mostly 3 months or less. Weight loss ranged from −0.7 to 16 kg across all intervention groups and the average weight loss was 4.8 kg. There was paucity of description of the weight loss interventions and variations amongst studies did not allow a meta‐analysis of findings. It was not possible to draw firm conclusions on the effectiveness of dietary weight loss interventions in the region. High quality studies using more structured interventions of longer duration with standardized outcome measures are needed in the MENA region to support clinical practice with evidence‐based interventions for obesity.