bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Factors for Determining the Severity of Lid Wiper Epitheliopathy in Dry Eye
Authors: Kato Hiroaki , Yokoi Norihiko , Watanabe Akihide , Komuro Aoi , Sonomura Yukiko , Sotozono Chie , Kinoshita Shigeru
Published: October 2021

Purpose:

Lid wiper epitheliopathy (LWE) is an epitheliopathy of the marginal conjunctival portion of the eyelids that wipes the ocular surface during blinking. Although LWE is often observed in patients with dry eye, the factors determining LWE severity in dry eye remain unknown. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between LWE, tear abnormalities, and blinks in dry eye.

Methods:

This study involved 76 eyes of 76 female patients with dry eye (mean age: 57.2 yrs). In all eyes, tear meniscus radius, spread grade (SG) of the tear film lipid layer (ie, SG 1–5, with 1 being the best), fluorescein breakup time (FBUT), fluorescein breakup pattern, corneal and bulbar conjunctival epithelial damage (CED: 15 points maximum; CjED: 6 points maximum, respectively), upper eyelid LWE grade (3 points maximum), and Schirmer 1 test were evaluated. Blink rate, palpebral aperture height, upper eyelid opening/closing-phase amplitude, upper eyelid opening/closing-phase duration, and upper eyelid opening/closing-phase maximum velocity were measured by the use of a custom-made high-speed blink analyzer. Finally, the factors that determine the LWE grade were investigated by multiple regression analysis, in which the parameters were chosen using the stepwise procedure.

Results:

Significant correlations were found between LWE grade and tear meniscus radius, SG, FBUT, CED, CjED, and Schirmer 1 test (P < 0.002). LWE grade was found to be described as −0.001 + (0.283 × SG) − (0.253 × FBUT) + (0.003 × upper eyelid closing-phase maximum velocity) (R2 = 0.57, P < 0.0001). The prevalence and grade of LWE were significantly higher in aqueous deficient dry eye.

Conclusions:

Tear volume, tear film stability, and blink should be considered as factors for determining LWE severity.
Central Toxic Keratopathy in Siblings After Laser-Assisted Keratomileusis: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Yim Cindi K. , Zhu Dagny
Published: October 2021

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to report an isolated case of 2 siblings who developed central toxic keratopathy (CTK) after undergoing laser-assisted keratomileusis (LASIK) on the same day.

Methods:

This was a case report and literature review.

Results:

Two sisters with no significant medical history underwent uncomplicated LASIK on the same day. Postoperative day 1 slitlamp examination findings were unremarkable. One week later, both patients returned for routine examination and were found to have a reduction in visual acuity, hyperopic shift, bilateral central opacification at the interface, and characteristic posterior stromal “mud cracks” or macrostriae most consistent with the entity CTK. The patients reported only mild ocular discomfort with minimal signs of inflammation. None of the other LASIK patients from the same surgery day nor any previous or following days thereafter developed any complications. The siblings were closely followed and treated with a short course of prophylactic topical antibiotics and rapid steroid taper, along with aggressive lubrication and long-term systemic treatment including oral doxycycline, vitamin C, and coenzyme Q10. Three months later, both patients had resolution of CTK with an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better in both eyes.

Conclusions:

CTK is a rare, noninflammatory but potentially sight-threatening entity most commonly associated with excimer laser ablation procedures. Its pathophysiology is poorly understood but likely multifactorial. Its isolated presentation in this case of 2 siblings suggests a possible underlying genetic predisposition, which has not been previously described. With careful monitoring and early supportive treatment, patients can have a complete and rapid resolution.
Best Indicators for Detecting Keratoconus Progression in Children: A Report From the Shahroud Schoolchildren Eye Cohort Study
Authors: Hashemi Hassan , Panahi Parsa , Asgari Soheila , Emamian Mohammad Hassan , Mehravaran Shiva , Fotouhi Akbar
Published: October 2021

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to investigate 3-year changes in keratoconus (KC) indices to determine the indicators of KC progression compared with age-related changes in children aged 6 to 12 years.

Methods:

In this report of the Shahroud Schoolchildren Eye Cohort Study, KC was diagnosed based on vision, refraction, tomography, and slitlamp examination findings. KC progression was defined as changes in refractive astigmatism or zonal maximum keratometry (Zonal Kmax-3 mm). Then, 3-year changes (Δ) in vision, refraction, and tomographic indices were compared between progressive KC and normal eyes. The best set of ∆parameters for distinguishing KC progression from age-related changes were determined using the area under curve (AUC).

Results:

Eighteen KC eyes and 10,422 normal eyes were analyzed. All KC cases showed progression after 3 years. Δindices were statistically different between the 2 groups except corrected distance visual acuity, anterior radius of curvature, irregularity index, and KC percentage index. The best Δindices, in descending order of AUC value, were index of height decentration, Zonal Kmax-3 mm, refractive astigmatism, single point Kmax, and index of vertical asymmetry (all AUC > 0.9), followed by inferior–superior asymmetry, index of surface variance, minimum corneal thickness, index of height asymmetry, KC index, posterior radius of curvature, and Belin/Ambrósio total Deviation (AUC = 0.8–0.9).

Conclusions:

According to our findings, changes in index of height decentration, Zonal Kmax-3 mm, refractive astigmatism, single point Kmax, and index of vertical asymmetry are the best indices for detecting KC progression in children younger than 12 years.
Otoplasty: a modified Chong-Chet technique with positive long-term results
Authors: Jović Darko , Preradović Ljubiša , Guzijan Aleksandar
Published: October 2021

Background:

In the last few decades, many techniques have been developed to correct prominent ear deformities. Modified Chong-Chet otoplasty represents a new and improved classical Chong-Chet procedure for prominent ear surgery. This study evaluates and compares the long-term results of standard Chong-Chet otoplasty with the modified technique.

Methods:

A retrospective study was conducted on patients undergoing otoplasty at the Special Hospital S-tetik Banja Luka between January 17, 2017, and February 5, 2019. The total number of patients undergoing the procedure was 129. The first group (48 patients) underwent otoplasty using the Chong-Chet technique, while the second group (81 patients) underwent a modified Chong-Chet procedure. All patients were randomly selected on the condition that the antihelix was absent.

The data were processed and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 24 using nonparametric tests (χ2 test, Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis test).

Results:

Every second patient was satisfied (19 patients were partially satisfied and five patients were completely satisfied) with the results of the classical Chong-Chet technique. Seven patients were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, while 17 patients were dissatisfied (11 patients were completely dissatisfied and 6 patients were mostly dissatisfied). As for the modified method, on average, nine out of 10 patients (73 or 90.1%) were satisfied, of which 49 patients (60.5%) were completely satisfied and 24 patients (29.6%) were mostly satisfied.

The statistical significance was P < .05.

Research results point to the modified Chong-Chet technique being a significant improvement to the classical method.

Conclusion:

Modified Chong-Chet technique increases the number of positive long-term results and significantly improves the standard method.
Variant rs6749447 (T > G) in the serine threonine kinase gene is associated with cardiovascular complications, the Tampere adult population cardiovascular risk study
Authors: Kunnas Tarja , Määttä Kirsi , Nikkari Seppo T.
Published: October 2021

We have previously shown an association of STK39 (serine threonine kinase) rs6749447 (T > G) with hypertension in the Tampere adult population cardiovascular risk study in 50-year-old subjects. These 1196 subjects were followed up to the age of 65 years to determine whether rs6749447 is also associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), transient ischemic attack (TIA), or early cardiovascular death.

DNA samples were collected by buccal swabs and genotypes were determined by PCR. Hypertension, TIA, and CAD were determined by questionnaire and the National Hospital Discharge Registry. Outcomes for death were collected from the National Statistics Centre. Linkage disequilibrium analysis and gene expression correlations for rs6749447 were done in silico.

After following the subjects up to the age of 60 years the rs6749447 G-allele still associated with hypertension (P = .009). The variation did not associate with CAD (P = .959). The risk for TIA was 5.2-fold among G-allele carriers compared to TT genotype even after adjusting for body mass index (P = .036, 95% CI 1.11-24.59). After follow-up of the subjects to the age of 65 years, adjusting for body mass index, the G-allele was associated with 3.2-fold risk of premature cardiovascular death (P = .049, 95% CI 1.00-10.01).

In conclusion, the STK39 genetic variant rs6749447 was significantly associated with TIA and premature cardiovascular death in a Finnish cohort. The in silico results of linkage disequilibrium and gene expression analyses also showed associations that were distinct from the retention of salt effect on kidneys proposed earlier for this intronic variation.
Application of nanofat grafting to rescue a severe ischaemic hand with thromboangiitis obliterans
Authors: Ng Kwan Lok Benjamin , Hsieh Meng-Chien Willie , Lin Yun-Nan , Chen Rong-Fu , Lin Tsai-Ming , Lin Sin-Daw , Kuo Yur-Ren
Published: October 2021

Rationale:

Currently, there is no consensus regarding the best treatment for patients with thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO). Regenerative medicine, such as bone marrow stem cells or adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) transplantation, have proven efficacy in improving tissue perfusion and wound healing in clinical trials. In this case, we used nanofat grafting to treat severe conditions in a patient with TAO, with promising outcomes.

Patient concerns:

This is a case of a 48-year-old smoker who presented with cyanosis in both hands and the right foot, with gangrenous changes. Investigative angiography showed severe vasospasm in the radial and ulnar arteries of the patient's left hand. Progressive cyanosis of the patient's left hand was noted which may eventually require amputation if left untreated.

Diagnoses:

He was diagnosed with TAO under the Shionoya diagnostic criteria.

Interventions:

Fasciotomy and necrotic tissue debridement were performed, followed by centrifuged nanofat grafting. The nanofat graft was prepared using Pallua method and deployed with a MAFT-GUN (Dermato Plastica Beauty Co., Ltd., Kaohsiung, Taiwan).

Outcomes:

Three months later, computed tomography angiography revealed a radial artery patency. The patient's wrist function was preserved with uneventful wound healing.

Lessons:

The regenerative ability of centrifuged nanofat grafts not only helps wound healing but also helps reverse vasospasm and preserve remnant tissue perfusion.
There’s No Such Thing as an Educational Emergency
Authors: Wissemann Jennifer E.
Published: October 2021

With the emergence of a global coronavirus pandemic, traditional timelines and methods for staff education were met with significant challenges. Nurse educators, in collaboration with subject matter experts and leadership, needed to overcome obstacles and utilized a variety of resources to quickly create training tailored to nurses’ experience and possible new roles during the pandemic, which led the hospital to be prepared for an unprecedented number of inpatient admissions.
Case Series: West African Crystalline Maculopathy
Authors: Morettin Christina E. , Ittner Erica A.
Published: October 2021

SIGNIFICANCE

West African crystalline maculopathy is a rare crystalline maculopathy without a clear etiology. Although the crystals do not appear to be visually significant, there may be a role in the breakdown of the blood-retina barrier within the pathogenesis of this disorder.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this case series is to describe two cases of West African crystalline maculopathy. These crystals do not affect vision, nor visual function. Because there are only 39 other documented cases in the literature, it is imperative to understand the differences and similarities in this rare maculopathy.

CASE SERIES

Case 1 was a 65-year-old Black woman with a history of proliferative diabetic retinopathy after panretinal photocoagulation was seen for routine examination. She recently emigrated from Tema, Ghana. Examination revealed asymmetric macular crystals consistent with West African crystalline maculopathy and quiescent proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Case 2 was a 60-year-old Black woman that presented for routine examination. She recently emigrated from Nigeria. Examination revealed macular crystals consistent with West African crystalline maculopathy with evidence of stage 1 hypertensive retinopathy and extramacular drusen.

CONCLUSIONS

West African crystalline maculopathy is a rare disorder that should be considered in patients who present with asymptomatic foveal crystalline deposits who are immigrants from West African countries.
Association Rule Mining to Examine Predictors for the Outcome of Gait Rehabilitation Programs in Stroke Survivors
Authors: Yen Sheng-Che , Wang Xiaofan , Wang Inga , Corkery Marie B. , Chui Kevin K. , Chou Chun-An
Published: October 2021

This study presents a novel application of association rule data mining to determine the predictors of the response to locomotor training and home exercise for improving gait after stroke. The study was a secondary data analysis on the Locomotor Experience Applied Post Stroke Trial dataset. The association rule analysis was applied to analyze three interventions: (1) early locomotor training, (2) late locomotor training, and (3) home exercise program. The outcome variable was whether participants poststroke had greater than median improvement in the self-selected comfortable gait speed. Three types of predictors were investigated: (1) demographics, (2) behavioral and medical history, and (3) clinical assessments at baseline. Association rules were generated when they meet two criteria determined based on the data: 10% of support and 70% of confidence. The identified rules showed that the predictors of the response were different across the three interventions, which was inconsistent with the previous report based on traditional logistic regression. However, the rules were identified with high confidence but low support, indicating that they were reliable but did not appear often in the Locomotor Experience Applied Post Stroke Trial dataset. Further investigation of these rules with a larger sample size is warranted before applying them to clinical settings.
The Impact of Medicare Coverage on Downstream Financial Outcomes for Adults Who Undergo Surgery
Authors: Neiman Pooja U. , Mouli Vibav H. , Taylor Kathryn K. , Ayanian John Z. , Dimick Justin B. , Scott John W.
Published: October 2021

Objective:

To evaluate the effects of gaining access to Medicare on key financial outcomes for surgical patients.

Summary Background Data:

Surgical care poses a significant financial burden, especially among patients with insufficient financial risk protection. Medicare may mitigate the risk of these adverse circumstances, but the impact of Medicare eligibility on surgical patients remains poorly understood.

Methods:

Regression discontinuity analysis of national, cross-sectional survey and cost data from the 2008 to 2018 National Health Interview Survey and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Patients were between the ages of 57 to 72 with surgery in the past 12 months. The primary outcomes were the presence of medical debt, delay/deferment of care due to cost, total annual out-of-pocket costs, and experiencing catastrophic health expenditures.

Results:

Among 45,982,243 National Health Interview Survey patients, Medicare eligibility was associated with a 6.6 percentage-point decrease (95% confidence interval [CI]: –9.0% to –4.3) in being uninsured (>99% relative reduction), 7.6 percentage-point decrease (24% relative reduction) in having medical debt (95%CI: –14.1% to –1.1%), and 4.9 percentage-point decrease (95%CI: –9.4% to –0.4%) in deferrals/delays in medical care due to cost (28% relative reduction). Among 33,084,967 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey patients, annual out-of-pocket spending decreased by $1199 per patient (95%CI: –$1633 to –$765), a 33% relative reduction, and catastrophic health expenditures decreased by 7.3 percentage points (95%CI: –13.6% to –0.1%), a 55% relative reduction.

Conclusions:

Medicare may reduce the economic burden of healthcare spending and delays in care for older adult surgical patients. These findings have important implications for policy discussions regarding changing insurance eligibility thresholds for the older adult population.
Prevalence of Myofascial Trigger Points in the First Dorsal Interosseous Muscle in Patients With Thumb Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis Compared to Healthy Controls
Authors: Pedersini Paolo , López-Royo María Pilar , Herrero Pablo , Cantero-Tellez Raquel , Valdes Kristin , La Touche Roy , Fernández-Carnero Josué , Villafañe Jorge Hugo
Published: October 2021

Objective:

To investigate the prevalence of first dorsal interosseous myofascial trigger point (MTrP) in patients with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC OA).

Methods:

Fifty subjects participated in the study, 25 with thumb CMC OA and 25 without thumb CMC OA. Participants were examined to identify first dorsal interosseous MTrP through palpation. Visual analog scale and Pressure Pain Threshold were the primary outcomes.

Results:

In patients with thumb CMC OA, the prevalence of MTrPs was higher when compared with the nondominant hand (88% vs 64%) and higher when compared with control group (48% vs 44%).

Conclusions:

Prevalence of MTrP showed to be higher in the dominant hand of patients with thumb CMC OA than in the dominant hand of people without thumb CMC OA.
Active, Targeted, and Measured Device-Based Therapy for Low Back Pain With the David Spine Concept
Authors: Langella Francesco , Boido Edoardo , Basso Stefano , Bassi Camilla , Biber Zeno , Vanni Daniele , Damilano Marco , Berjano Pedro
Published: October 2021

Background:

The David Spine Concept (DSC) device–based physical therapy for low back pain involves the quantitative assessment of lumbar muscle strength and range of motion. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of the DSC device–based therapy for low back pain.

Methods:

In this retrospective observational study, clinical data of 103 patients who underwent DSC device–based physiotherapy were reviewed. Pre- and posttreatment outcome measures for pain and disability were assessed.

Results:

Our results showed statistically significant improvement in terms of disability, pain, and functional status after physiotherapy.

Conclusion:

The DSC device–based therapy effectively relieved pain, improved function, and reduced disability in patients with low back pain.
Impact on Blood Tests of Lower Limb Joint Replacement for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Authors: Sánchez-Romero Eleuterio A. , Battaglino Andrea , Campanella William , Turroni Silvia , Bishop Mark D. , Villafañe Jorge Hugo
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this brief report was to identify the differences in blood investigations between total hip and knee replacement. We evaluated 80 consecutive patients who underwent hip (40) or knee (40) replacement, by examining pre- and postoperative blood samples. Preoperative blood tests were performed within 30 days prior to surgery, while postoperative blood tests were performed within 24 hours after surgery. We did not find any statistically significant difference between pre- and postoperative hematologic variables between groups (P > .05). Total hip and knee replacement impact patients in early postoperative in a similar way from a systemic point of view.
Epidemic Surveillance Models for Containing the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Variants: Taiwan Experience
Authors: Yen Amy Ming-Fang , Chen Tony Hsiu-Hsi , Chang Wei-Jung , Lin Ting-Yu , Jen Grace Hsiao-Hsuan , Hsu Chen-Yang , Wang Sen-Te , Dang Huong , Chen Sam Li-Sheng
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Two kinds of epidemic surveillance models are presented for containing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants so as to avert and stamp out a community-acquired outbreak (CAO) with non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), tests, and vaccination.

Design

The surveillance of domestic cluster infections transmitted from imported cases with one-week time lag assessed by the Poisson model and the surveillance of whether, how and when NPIs and test contained the CAO with the SEIR model.

Settings

Border and Community of Taiwan.

Main Outcome Measurements

The expected number and the upper bound of the 95% credible interval (CrI) of weekly covid-19 cases compared with the observed number for assessing the threshold of a CAO; effective reproductive number (Rt) and the effectiveness of NPIs for containing a CAO.

Results

For the period of January-September 2020 when the wild type and the D614G period were prevailing, an increase in one imported case prior to one week would lead to 9.54% (95% CrI 6.44% to 12.59%) higher risk of domestic cluster infection that provides a one-week prior alert signal for more stringent NPIs and active testing locally. Accordingly, there was an absence of CAO until the Alpha VOC period of February 2021. However, given level one of NPI alert the risk of domestic cluster infections was gradually elevated to 14.14% (95% CrI 5.41% to 25.10%), leading to the Alpha VOC CAOs of six hotspots around mid-May 2021. It took two-and-half months for containing this CAO mainly with level three of NPI alert and rapid test and partially by the rolling out of vaccination. By applying the SEIR model, the Rt decreased from 4.0 at beginning to 0.7 on 31 July 2021 in parallel with the escalating NPIs from 30% to 90%. Containing a small outbreak of Delta VOC during this CAO period was also evaluated and demonstrated. After controlling the CAO, it again returned to imported-domestic transmission for Delta VOC from July until September 2021, giving an estimate of 10.16% (95% CrI: 7.01% to 13.59%) for the risk of several small cluster infections. However, there was an absence of CAO that resulted from the effectiveness of NPIs and tests, and the rapid expansion of vaccination.

Conclusions

Averting and containing CAOs of SARS-CoV-2 variants are demonstrated by two kinds of epidemic surveillance models that have been applied to Taiwan scenario. These two models can be accommodated to monitor the epidemic of forthcoming emerging SARS-CoV-2 VOCs with various circumstances of vaccine coverage, NPIs, and tests in countries worldwide.
A poxvirus decapping enzyme localizes to mitochondria to regulate RNA metabolism and translation, and promote viral replication
Authors: Cao Shuai , Molina Joshua A , Cantu Fernando , Hernandez Candy , Yang Zhilong
Published: October 2021

Decapping enzymes remove the 5’-cap of eukaryotic mRNA, leading to accelerated RNA decay. They are critical in regulating RNA homeostasis and play essential roles in many cellular and life processes. They are encoded in many organisms and viruses, including vaccinia virus, which was used as the vaccine to eradicate smallpox. Vaccinia virus encodes two decapping enzymes, D9 and D10, that are necessary for efficient viral replication and pathogenesis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism regulating vaccinia decapping enzymes’ function is still largely elusive. Here we demonstrated that vaccinia D10 localized almost exclusively to mitochondria that are highly mobile cellular organelles, providing an innovative mechanism to concentrate D10 locally and mobilize it to efficiently decap mRNAs. As mitochondria were barely present in “viral factories,” where viral transcripts are produced, suggesting that mitochondrial localization provides a spatial mechanism to preferentially decap cellular mRNAs over viral mRNAs. We identified three amino acids responsible for D10’s mitochondrial localization. Loss of mitochondrial localization significantly impaired viral replication, reduced D10’s ability to resolve RNA 5’-cap aggregation during infection, diminished D10’s gene expression shutoff and mRNA translation promotion abilities.

Importance

Decapping enzymes comprise many members from various organisms ranging from plants, animals, and viruses. The mechanisms regulating their functions vary and are still largely unknown. Our study provides the first mitochondria-localized decapping enzyme, D10, encoded by vaccinia virus that was used as the vaccine to eradicate smallpox. Loss of mitochondrial localization significantly impaired viral replication and D10’s gene expression shutoff and mRNA translation promotion ability. Mitochondrial localization is a spatial mechanism to concentrate D10 locally and mobilize it to efficiently and preferentially target cellular mRNAs for decapping and promote viral mRNA translation. Our results have broad impacts on understanding the functions and mechanisms of decapping enzymes.
Stagnation point flow of a micropolar fluid filled with hybrid nanoparticles by considering various base fluids and nanoparticle shape factors
Authors: Khan Umair , Zaib Aurang , Pop Ioan , Abu Bakar Sakhinah , Ishak Anuar
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The boundary-layer analysis is required to reveal the fluid flow behavior in several industrial processes and enhance the products’ effectiveness. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the buoyancy or mixed convective stagnation-point flow (SPF) and heat transfer of a micropolar fluid filled with hybrid nanoparticles over a vertical plate. The nanoparticles silver (Ag) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) are scattered into various base fluids to form a new-fangled class of (Ag-TiO2/various base fluid) hybrid nanofluid along with different shape factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The self-similarity transformations are used to reformulate the leading requisite partial differential equations into renovated non-linear dimensionless ordinary differential equations. The numerical dual solutions are gained for the transmuted requisite equations with the help of the bvp4c built-in package in MATLAB software. The results are validated by comparing them with previously available published data for a particular case of the present study.

Findings

The impact of various pertaining parameters such as nanoparticle volume fraction, material parameter, shape factor and mixed convective on temperature, heat transfer, fluid motion, micro-rotation and drag force are visualized and scrutinized through tables and graphs. It is observed that dual or non-uniqueness outcomes are found for the case of buoyancy assisting flow, whereas the solution is unique in the buoyancy opposing flow case. Additionally, the fluid motion and micro-rotation profiles decelerate in the presence of nanoparticle volume fraction, while the temperature augments.

Originality/value

The mixed convective stagnation point flow conveying TiO2/Ag hybrid nanofluid with micropolar fluid with various shape factors is the significant originality of the current investigation where multiple outcomes are obtained for the assisting flow. The various base fluids such as glycerin, water and water–ethylene glycol (50%:50%) are considered in the present problem. The bifurcation values of the considered problem do not exist, probably because of various base fluids. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work is new and original which were not previously reported.
Examining knowledge transfer and networks: an overview of the last twenty years
Authors: Ferrer-Serrano Marta , Fuentelsaz Lucio , Latorre-Martinez Maria Pilar
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Knowledge transfer (KT) has been attracting significant attention from the scientific community. The need to establish collaborative network relationships to achieve effective KT has led to a large volume of studies that attempt to identify how collaborative networks influence KT processes. However, papers, which link KT and networks have not been systematised. This study aims to provide an overview of this academic field and sets an agenda for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses method to conduct a systematic review of the literature published in 2000–2020. The authors sourced the sample from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The authors screened the references under the management and business categories that were published in the first two quartiles of the Journal Citation Report. This search returned 190 impactful papers across the 53 journals that were analysed.

Findings

The authors present the main results in two sections. First, this paper elaborates a conceptual model of the field; second, the authors review KT between firms and other agents, which allows us to identify KT flows within and between companies, universities and public institutions.

Originality/value

This paper provides the first systematic review of collaborative networks and KT. Five areas of action are identified for future research and are specified in several research questions. The authors also provide several practical implications. In a world in which more and more dynamic agents coexist, it is important to be aware of the needs of organisations that create and disseminate specific knowledge.
Learning from supply disruptions caused by SARS-CoV-2: use of additive manufacturing as a resilient response for public procurement
Authors: Meyer Matthias M. , Glas Andreas H. , Eßig Michael
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had severe effects on economies worldwide and, in particular, on public institutions that must keep their operations running while supply chains are interrupted. The purpose of this study is to examine how public institutions act during a pandemic to ensure the security of supply.

Design/methodology/approach

The distinct focus is if, why and how public institutions have adopted additive manufacturing (AM) – a production technology colloquially known as three-dimensional printing in which a product is created by joining raw material layer by layer based on a digital model (computer-aided design [CAD] file) of the product – in reaction to supply disruptions caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. For this purpose, four cases within the context of the pandemic supply disruption are used as the units of analysis.

Findings

The findings are twofold: public institutions reacted, on the one hand, with a behavioral solution approach, trying to solve the supply disruption with new or changed forms of cooperation and collaboration. On the other hand, public institutions used a technical solution approach (TSA) as a supply disruption response and intensified their use of AM.

Research limitations/implications

This research derives an implications model that focuses on the TSA. Considering the ex ante and ex post phases of the disruption, several effects of AM on resilience are identified. The most relevant is the long-term learning effect (i.e. AM data created during this disruption might also help in a new disruption).

Practical implications

Practitioners who act under extreme pressure and uncertainty are informed by cases that have managed to close bottleneck situations with either a behavioral or TSA. Specific strategies are given for how public buyers could use AM within a pandemic situation to mitigate supply bottlenecks, such as increasing their robustness by localizing sourcing and increasing agility by combining traditional and additive supply sources. Additionally, insights are provided into how public organizations can increase their level of preparedness by including disruption paragraphs, establishing CAD databases, in contract clauses and keeping reserve contracts with AM service providers.

Originality/value

This research contrasts behavioral and technical solution concepts for a pandemic in the public sector. Thus, it provides insights into the relative benefits of AM and causes and effect with regard to how AM affects supply robustness and agility.
SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among hospitalised pregnant women and impact of different viral strains on COVID‐19 severity in Italy: a national prospective population‐based cohort study
Authors: Donati S , Corsi E , Maraschini A , Salvatore MA ,   the ItOSS‐COVID‐19 Working Group
Published: October 2021

Objective

The primary aim of this article was to describe SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among pregnant women during the wild‐type and Alpha‐variant periods in Italy. The secondary aim was to compare the impact of the virus variants on the severity of maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Design

National population‐based prospective cohort study.

Setting

A total of 315 Italian maternity hospitals.

Sample

A cohort of 3306 women with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection confirmed within 7 days of hospital admission.

Methods

Cases were prospectively reported by trained clinicians for each participating maternity unit. Data were described by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Main outcome measures

COVID‐19 pneumonia, ventilatory support, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mode of delivery, preterm birth, stillbirth, and maternal and neonatal mortality.

Results

We found that 64.3% of the cohort was asymptomatic, 12.8% developed COVID‐19 pneumonia and 3.3% required ventilatory support and/or ICU admission. Maternal age of 30–34 years (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.09–1.87) and ≥35 years (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.23–2.13), citizenship of countries with high migration pressure (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.36–2.25), previous comorbidities (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.13–1.98) and obesity (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.29–2.27) were all associated with a higher occurrence of pneumonia. The preterm birth rate was 11.1%. In comparison with the pre‐pandemic period, stillbirths and maternal and neonatal deaths remained stable. The need for ventilatory support and/or ICU admission among women with pneumonia increased during the Alpha‐variant period compared with the wild‐type period (OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.99–5.28).

Conclusions

Our results are consistent with a low risk of severe COVID‐19 disease among pregnant women and with rare adverse perinatal outcomes. During the Alpha‐variant period there was a significant increase of severe COVID‐19 illness. Further research is needed to describe the impact of different SARS‐CoV‐2 viral strains on maternal and perinatal outcomes.
Cryptocurrencies and CBDC: The Route Ahead
Authors: Laboure Marion , H.‐P. Müller Markus , Heinz Gerit , Singh Sagar , Köhling Stefan
Published: October 2021

This paper aims to provide an outline of the dynamic landscape of cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies (CBDC) so as to comment about the role and prospect of both in the future. We highlight the main drivers of the ongoing digital currency wave from a socio‐economic as well as historical perspective. From an investment standpoint, we evaluate the merits of placing a cryptocurrency within a diversified portfolio and analyse other factors to be taken into account when it comes to asset allocation considerations. We also explore environmental, social, and governance (ESG) implications of the introduction of such digital currencies. Finally, we comment on the current status of national CBDC projects and what it would mean for the digital currency universe when the official CBDC roll‐outs begin in a few years.
Ultrasonography of the spinal cord and the collection of cerebrospinal fluid from the Atlanto‐occipital space in goat
Authors: Shahid Muhammad , Khan Yasir Razzaq , Naseer Omer , Ali Ahmad , Rabbani Ameer Hamza , Ahmad Abdullah Saghir , Slunsky Pavel
Published: October 2021

Ultrasonography, a non‐invasive and useful technique, is used for the examination of Atlanto‐occipital space structural visualization. The collection of cerebrospinal fluid is more accurate and easier under ultrasound‐guided procedure. In this study, longitudinal and transverse views of the Atlanto‐occipital space were scanned and their different structural dimensions were measured in sixty healthy Beetal goats. In longitudinal plane, gap between skin and arachnoidea ranged from 8.71 to 10.21 mm (mean ± SD, 9.76 ± 0.44 mm). Depth of the subarachnoid gap dorsal and ventral to the spinal cord ranged from 2.14 to 3.23 mm (mean ± SD, 2.81 ± 0.33mm) and from 6.09 to 7.68 (mean ± SD, 7.02 ± 0.45 mm) respectively. Spinal cord diameter varied from 3.76 to 5.26 mm (mean ± SD, 4.57 ± 0.44 mm) and entire dural sac diameter varied from 12.59 to 15.69 mm (mean ± SD, 14.37 ± 0.74 mm). The spinal cord can be seen only in longitudinal plane over a distance of 1.81 to 2.93 mm (mean ± SD, 2.46 ± 0.35 mm). While in the transverse plane, gap between the skin and arachnoidea ranged from 11.01 to 13.11 mm (mean ± SD, 12.39 ± 0.54 mm). Depth of the subarachnoid space dorsal and ventral to spinal cord varied from 5.05 to 6.13 mm (mean ± SD, 5.59 ± 0.34 mm) and 4.12 to 5.25 (mean ± SD, 4.65 ± 0.29 mm) respectively. Spinal cord diameter ranged from 4.45 to 5.90 mm (mean ± SD, 5.24 ± 0.44 mm) and entire dural sac diameter varied from 14.68 to 16.96 mm (mean ± SD, 15.58 ± 0.57 mm). These standard measurements will be the reference values in healthy Beetal goats. Cerebrospinal fluid was colourless with the quantity of 2–4 ml (mean ± SD, 3 ± 0.89 ml). It was neither turbid nor coagulate. The white blood cell count was 10/µl and red blood cells were not present. Furthermore, total protein and glucose were also measured, which ranged from 23.5 to 28 mg/dl (mean ± SD, 25.78 ± 2.32 mg/dl) and 38–50 mg/dl (mean ± SD, 43.33 ± 4.60 mg/dl) respectively. Ziehl–Neelsen Staining and gram staining were negative.
Glucose/insulin metabolism and vitamin D in women with recurrent pregnancy loss
Authors: D'Ippolito Silvia , Capozzi Anna , Scambia Giovanni , Sorge Roberto , Lello Stefano , Simone Nicoletta Di
Published: October 2021

Objective

Glucose/insulin metabolism has been related to recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) through mechanisms not really clarified. Also, vitamin D deficiency seems to be associated to RPL. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the correlation between glucose/insulin metabolism parameters and vitamin D levels in women with history of RPL.

Study design

Observational retrospective study on RPL women. The correlation among vitamin D levels and fasting glucose (FG), fasting insulin (FI), Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) index, area under glucose curve (AUC‐Glyc) and area under insulin curve (AUC‐Ins), was evaluated.

Results

One‐hundred and twenty‐seven RPL women were classified into three subgroups (0‐1‐2) according to the levels of FI. We found a statistically significant linear Pearson correlation between FI and HOMA‐IR (r = .840; P = .001). An, inverse, but non‐significant correlation both between vitamin D and FI (R = ‐.202, ns) and vitamin D levels and AUC‐Ins (R = ‐.288, ns) was observed. The variables vitamin D, HOMA‐IR and AUC‐Ins were statistically significant in the considered subgroups (Vitamin D: ANOVA + Bonferroni test: 0 vs. 1; P = .001; 0 vs. 2; P = .010; 1 vs. 2; P = .657; HOMA‐IR: ANOVA + Bonferroni test: 0 vs. 1; P = .014; 0 vs. 2; P = .001; 1 vs. 2; P = .001; AUC‐Ins: ANOVA + Bonferroni test: 0 vs. 1; P = .010; 0 vs. 2; P = .206; 1 vs. 2; P = .980).

Conclusions

Vitamin D might play additional roles in the pathogenesis of RPL, beyond its well known immunomodulatory role.
Barriers and enablers faced by regional and rural schools in supporting student mental health: A mixed‐methods systematic review
Authors: Perkins Alexandra , Clarke Jessica , Smith Ashlee , Oberklaid Frank , Darling Simone
Published: October 2021

Background

Australian policy reports recommended schools to be leveraged to better support student mental health, with a focus on regional and rural areas where students have poorer mental health outcomes. In designing solutions to address this systemic gap, decision‐makers require an understanding of the barriers and facilitators experienced by regional and rural schools. However, current literature has focused on metropolitan schools and neglected to explore facilitators.

Objective

To review the evidence on barriers and facilitators in delivering student mental health support experienced by regional and rural schools in Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development nations.

Design

A mixed‐methods systematic review of peer‐reviewed and grey literature.

Findings

The search identified 4819 studies. A full‐text review by 2 reviewers resulted in 5 papers, which met the inclusion criteria and were assessed using methodological appraisal. One study used qualitative data, 2 studies used quantitative data, and 2 studies were a mixed‐methods design.

Discussion

While there was a paucity of studies, this review draws together the most up‐to‐date research. The barriers and facilitators were categorised into 3 themes: access to services and resources; mental health literacy of staff and parents; and communication and collaboration between stakeholders.

Conclusion

This review presents a comprehensive synthesis of the literature and highlights opportunities to leverage rural and regional schools to support student mental health, focusing on the quality of communication and collaboration, and increasing access to services and resources, and mental health literacy. Research should explore the unique advantages of rural and regional areas to inform policy, including a focus on strengths.
Too drained to obey! A daily study on how workplace envy fosters employee deviance and the buffering role of ethical leadership
Authors: Mao Jih‐Yu , Quan Jing , Liu Xin , Zheng Xiaoming
Published: October 2021

In this study, we adopt the experience sampling method to investigate the within‐person consequences of workplace envy. Specifically, we investigate the influences of daily workplace envy on employees' daily self‐regulatory resource depletion and subsequent organizational deviance. Drawing on self‐regulatory resource theory, we argue that daily workplace envy diminishes employees' daily self‐regulatory resources, driving them to behave in ways that deviate from organizational norms on the same day. In addition, we propose that ethical leadership prevents daily depleted employees from engaging in daily organizational deviance. The results of a two‐week daily study support the hypotheses. Insights into literature, practice, and future research are discussed.
Ethically (un)bounding camp research: Life histories within and beyond camp boundaries
Authors: Weima Yolanda
Published: October 2021

The changing enforcement and porosity of camp boundaries have implications for research in camps and their environs. Camp research is increasingly blurring their locational and categorical boundaries. However, in contexts where camp boundaries are being actively “hardened,” researchers must be attentive to possible effects of research across boundaries for those who are targeted by encampment. Research has an ethical imperative to challenge exclusionary boundaries and categories, recognising the many ways these constructed boundaries are already crossed and contested. It must also conscientiously negotiate and even defer to boundaries in research when participants may otherwise be at risk because of the underlying violence that maintains camps as discrete spatial technologies of power. In conducting life‐history research with Burundian refugees in Tanzania, I chose to “bound” my research with Burundian refugees to within camp boundaries, to reduce the risk to research participants. I argue that although research in camps may risk reifying camp boundaries, it can nevertheless conscientiously reach beyond and challenge camp boundaries through attentive methods. The stories recounted in this research reach far beyond camp boundaries, and include experiences of Burundian border‐crossers seeking liveable lives in diverse places and situations, not always of their own choosing. Life histories thus weave an imperfect, inchoate “minor cartography” of often‐invisibilised, diverse sites of refugee lives, bound up with the changing power and policing of camp boundaries shaping refugees' trajectories in the broader “campscape” over time.
Why youth are more purposeful than we think
Authors: Hill Patrick L. , Burrow Anthony L.
Published: October 2021

A core attribute of the positive youth development movement has been to nullify negative perceptions of youth’s capacities. Toward this end, measurement and classification systems benefit from efforts to view youth’s capacities as assets contextualized by developmental potentials and opportunities. In this article, we consider this point with respect to whether youth are purposeful. The prevailing sentiment of some researchers holds that few adolescents have a purpose in life, perhaps reifying negative beliefs about their capacity. We assert an alternative view that focuses on sense of purpose, which relies on abundant evidence that adolescents generally perceive themselves to be purposeful, thus offering a more inclusive and positive portrayal of young people. This different perspective also opens the door to new opportunities for studying the development of purpose among marginalized adolescents, as well as how interventions may motivate a sense of purpose among youth.
Meta‐analysis and systematic review: Prevalence, graft failure, mortality, and post‐operative thrombosis in liver transplant recipients with pre‐operative portal vein thrombosis
Authors: Yeo Jun Wei , Law Michelle Shi Ni , Lim Joseph Chun Liang , Ng Cheng Han , Tan Darren Jun Hao , Tay Phoebe Wen Lin , Syn Nicholas , Tham Hui Yu , Huang Daniel Q. , Siddiqui M. Shadab , Iyer Shridhar , Muthiah Mark
Published: October 2021

Aims

This study seeks to evaluate the association between pre‐transplant portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and overall survival, graft failure, waitlist mortality, and post‐operative PVT after liver transplantation.

Methods

A conventional pairwise meta‐analysis between patients with and without pre‐transplant PVT was conducted using hazard ratios or odds ratios where appropriate.

Results

Prevalence of preoperative PVT was 11.6% (CI 9.70–13.7%). Pre‐operative PVT was associated with increased overall mortality (HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.27–1.65) and graft loss (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.34–1.85). In particular, grade 3 (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.00–2.51) and 4 (HR 2.24, 95% CI 1.45–3.45) PVT significantly increased mortality, but not grade 1 or 2 PVT. Patients with PVT receiving living donor (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.24–1.91) and deceased donor (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.21–1.92) liver transplantation had increased mortality, with no significant difference between transplant types (P = .13). Furthermore, pre‐transplant PVT was associated with higher occurrence of post‐transplant PVT (OR 5.06, 95% CI 3.89–6.57). Waitlist mortality was not significantly increased in patients with pre‐transplant PVT.

Conclusion

Graft failure, mortality, and post‐operative PVT are more common in pre‐transplant PVT patients, especially in grade 3 or 4 PVT. Prophylactic anticoagulation can be considered to reduce re‐thrombosis and improve survival.