bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of SGLT2 inhibitor Ertugliflozin as a treatment for COVID-19 using computational and experimental paradigm
Authors: Saxena Shalini , Meher Kranti , Rotella Madhuri , Vangala Subhramanyam , Chandran Satish , Malhotra Nikhil , Palakodeti Ratnakar , Voleti Sreedhara R , Saxena Uday
Published: June 2021

Drug repurposing can expedite the process of drug development by identifying known drugs which are effective against SARS-CoV-2. The RBD domain of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein is a promising drug target due to its pivotal role in viral-host attachment. These specific structural domains can be targeted with small molecules or drug to disrupt the viral attachment to the host proteins. In this study, FDA approved Drugbank database were screened using a virtual screening approach and computational chemistry methods. Five drugs were short listed for further profiling based on docking score and binding energies. Further these selected drugs were tested for their in vitro biological activity. There was significant correlation between the prediction from computational studies and the actual RBD-ACE2 binding inhibition by the drugs. Then, we performed a series of studies that mimic some of the biological events seen in COVID-19 patients such as secretion of IL1β, presentation of a more thrombogenic endothelium by production of thrombomodulin and accumulation of inflammatory cells such as monocytes in the lungs. Of all the drugs, most promising drug was Ertugliflozin which is used for type-2 diabetes. This drug possesses several desired properties and may be a good candidate for immediate repurposing for treatment of COVID-19.
Dexamethasone promotes breast cancer stem cells in obese and not lean mice
Authors: Annett Stephanie , Fox Orla Willis , Vareslija Damir , Robson Tracy
Published: June 2021

Obesity is highly prevalent in breast cancer patients and it is associated with increased recurrence and breast cancer specific mortality. Glucocorticoid (GC) use, in addition to obesity is associated with promoting breast cancer metastasis through activation of stemness-related pathways. Therefore, we utilised the synergetic allograft E0771 breast cancer model to investigate if treatment with GCs had differential effects on promoting cancer stem cells in lean and diet-induced obese mice. Indeed, both lean mice treated with dexamethasone and obese mice with no treatment had no effect on the ex vivo colony forming ability, mammosphere formation or ALDH bright subpopulation. However, treatment of obese mice with dexamethasone resulted in a significant increase in ex vivo colony formation, mammosphere formation, ALDH bright subpopulation and expression of pluripotency transcription factors. GC transcriptionally regulated genes were not altered in the dexamethasone treated groups compared to treatment controls. In summary, these results provide initial evidence that obesity presents a higher risk of GC induced cancer stemness via non-genomic GC signalling which is of potential translational significance.
Crystal and solution structures of a novel antimicrobial peptide fromChrysomya megacephala
Authors: Xiao Chengliang , Xiao Zaiyu , Hu Cuifang , Lu Jie , Cui Liwei , Zhang Yang , Dai Yujie , Zhang Qinghua , Wang Sheng , Liu Wei
Published: June 2021

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small amphipathic peptides that exhibit bactericidal activity against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms and are considered to be potential substitutes for antibiotics effective against microbial infection. PSK, an 84-amino-acid AMP recently isolated fromChrysomya megacephalalarvae, probably belongs to the mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor family according to its sequence. No member of this family from an insect has been structurally characterized to date. In this study, the crystal structure of full-length PSK determined by molecular replacement using anab initiomodeled ensemble as a search model and a solution structure obtained from small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements are reported. The crystal structure reveals a distinct fold compared with those of homologous peptides, in that PSK comprises two antiparallel α-helices rather than a single long helix, which is in good agreement with the SAXS-basedab initiomodel. However, the peptide exists as a monomer in solution, even though a stable dimer was observed in the crystal structure. This apparent contradiction may reflect different oligomerization states that may be implicated in its bioactivity. The data presented here have established a solid basis for further mechanistic studies of this novel insect AMP.
Strengthened passivation and mechanism of 316L stainless steel in hot diluted sulfuric acid solution by connecting to Pd electrode
Authors: Zhang Huizhong , Zuo Yu , Ju Pengfei , Zhang Jian , Zhao Xuhui , Tang Yuming , Zhang Xiaofeng
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the variations of composition and properties of the passive film on 316 L stainless steel surface in 80°C, 0.5 mol L-1 H2SO4 + 2 mg L-1 NaF solution, is helpful to understand the mechanisms of corrosion resistancethe of plated Pd on 316 L ss.

Design/methodology/approach

The variations of composition and properties of the passive film on 316 L stainless steel surface in 80°C, 0.5 mol L-1 H2SO4 + 2 mg L-1 NaF solution after connected to Pd electrode were studied with methods of potential monitor, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS) measurement.

Findings

By connecting to a Pd electrode, the potential of the SS sample increased from the active region to the passive region. By connecting to the Pd electrode, the contents of Cr, Cr(OH)3 and Fe3O4 in passive film increased obviously. With increased Pd/SS area ratio, the Cr(OH)3 content in passive film increased but the Fe3O4 content changed little. The results show that after connecting to Pd the corrosion resistance of the passive film on 316 L stainless steel increases obviously, which may be attributed to the more compact passive film because of higher Cr, Cr(OH)3 and Fe3O4 contents and less point defects in the film.

Originality/value

The effects and mechanism of Pd on passivation of SS was studied.
Homo economicus? An investigation of factors influencing perceived comfort of choosing paper-based triple stimulus vouchers
Authors: Tan Wee Kheng , Liang Hao-Jen
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To alleviate the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the economy, Taiwan introduced a stimulus package in the form of triple stimulus vouchers. Despite intense promotion to opt for the vouchers in digital form, Taiwanese public overwhelmingly chose the paper form. This study considers the reasons that influenced their decision comfort in choosing paper rather than digital vouchers based on two categories: rational (promotion depth and ease of use) and behavioral economics factors (analysis paralysis, mental accounting related to ease of tracking expenses, social influence and payment habits).

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least squares (PLS) method was utilized to analyze survey information obtained from 183 individuals who chose paper vouchers.

Findings

Individuals consider rational and behavioral economic factors in their perception of decision comfort while choosing paper over digital vouchers. Decision comfort is driven more by behavioral economics than rational factors such as ease of use. Interestingly, analysis paralysis related to paper vouchers has the greatest impact, but it positively influences decision comfort, indicating that Taiwanese people view paper vouchers as a safe haven in the midst of uncertainties and information overload. Therefore, when designing public policies or promotional campaigns, possible behavior outcomes should be considered from both rational and behavioral economic perspectives.

Originality/value

This study provides insights into the dynamics of how individuals arrive at their decision of opting paper vouchers over digital ones and offers theoretical contributions related to system adoption and behavioral economics.
Emerging safety risks from public facilities: a field study for ablution spaces in mosques
Authors: Kim In-Ju , Bendak Salaheddine
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Muslims require an exclusive ablution space for preparing for daily prayers in mosques. Ablution floors seem to entail design challenges since they are often encountered in lubricated conditions from worshippers’ body cleaning manoeuvers. Accordingly, fall risks on saturated surfaces of ablution floors would be a major issue to Muslim worshippers. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the safety status of mosque ablution floors in terms of slip resistance properties and surface texture.

Design/methodology/approach

Fifteen mosques in Dubai and Sharjah cities of the UAE were randomly chosen to investigate the safety conditions of ablution spaces. In-situ slip-resistance properties and surface finishes of each ablution floor were measured under clean, wet, and soapy conditions at two different volumes of traffic areas: heavy- and non-traffic. Surface finishes of ablution floors were also measured and analysed.

Findings

Outcomes from this study evidently showed that the inspected ablution floors were not currently protected against falls, especially under wet and soapy environments. Surface analyses identified that the present ablution floors have extremely flat surfaces (? 2 µm in the Ra parameter) so they require significant improvements against fall risks.

Originality/value

Regardless of the magnitude of this issue, it is scarce to attain any published study on ablution floors’ fall incidence and avoidance plans in the scientific and technical literature. There are also no officially and publicly available data on fall incidents from ablution places in mosques. Findings from this study would be a great step forward to establish safer ablution floors for Muslim prayers.
The Yin and Yang of smartphones: an interview study of smartphone use and its effects
Authors: Agarwal Naresh Kumar , Lu Wenqing
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study smartphone use and its positive and negative effects and to provide recommendations for balanced use.

Design/methodology/approach

To study phone use, this paper applies the uses and gratification theory and gathered interview data from 24 participants on the participants’ frequency of use, mode of communication, people contacted and the reasons for using their phones. This paper analyzes the pros and cons of using smartphones using the Yin-Yang worldview.

Findings

This paper finds that people use their smartphones for communication, entertainment and other specific functions. Ease of communication and multitasking are the key benefits, and overuse and disconnect from the real world are the detriments in smartphone use.

Research limitations/implications

The findings can enable future researchers and practitioners to view smartphones and their effects more holistically, rather than seeing it only from the negative or the positive lens.

Practical implications

The proposed framework can help the reader to consider their daily use of smartphones and their ways of balancing their presence in the virtual and the real worlds.

Originality/value

This paper proposes the Yin-Yang framework of smartphone use and provides recommendations for effective usage.
Carbon footprint for wheat and maize production modulated by farm size: a study in the North China plain
Authors: Hou Liantao , Yang Yinsheng , Zhang Xiaoyi , Jiang Chunming
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The relationship between farm size and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has not been clearly defined. This paper aims to assess and compare the impact of farm size on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions derived from wheat and maize production in the North China Plain (NCP), one of the most important agricultural regions in China.

Design/methodology/approach

A field survey through face-to-face interviews was conducted to collect the primary data, and life cycle assessment method, a worldwide comparable framework, was then adopted to characterize the farm-size effect on greenhouse gas (GHG) wheat and maize production in NCP.

Findings

It was confirmed that GHG emissions from N fertilizer production and use were the primary contributor to total carbon footprint (CF). As farm size increased, maize yield increased but wheat yield barely changed, while area-scaled and yield-scaled CF declined for both crops. These results were supposed to relate to utilize the inputs more efficiently resulting from increased application of modern agriculture methods on larger operations. It was also found maize not only had higher grain yields, but possessed much smaller CFs. More notably, the reduction of CF with farm size seemed to be more sensitive for maize as compared to wheat. To further mitigate GHG emissions, farm size should better be larger for wheat than for maize.

Originality/value

This study provides useful information guide for Chinese agriculture in increasing crop production, raising farm income and relieving environmental burdens caused by the misuse of agricultural resources.
Turning a mundane ceremony into a meaningful organizational ritual: some suggestions for the redesign of ribbon-cutting ceremonies
Authors: Gurkov Igor
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the phenomenon of ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new overseas subsidiaries and demonstrates the possibility of modifying such ceremonies to place greater emphasis on intra-organizational communications.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a careful study of 200 videos on 73 ribbon-cutting ceremonies in Russia between 2012 and 2018.

Findings

Under the current prevalent design, ribbon-cutting ceremonies mostly entail inter-organizational communication, i.e. communication between foreign investors and representatives of the authorities of the host country. Meanwhile, in addition to the standard ribbon-cutting ceremonies, it is observed that several videos on intra-organizational communication, i.e. pseudoformal meetings between the team from the corporate headquarters and employees of a newly built factory. During such meetings, top corporate executives express the importance of the factory vis-à-vis the future of the whole corporation, state their expectations for the further development of the factory’s production facilities, postulate the desired working atmosphere in the factory and appeal for the commitment and assistance of the employees in safeguarding the future of the investment.

Originality/value

The findings provide a basis for a broader discussion on the role of ribbon-cutting ceremonies as staged large-scale events organized by firms to articulate, highlight, disseminate, rationalize, as well as mobilize internal and external support for their strategy.
The impact of economic policy uncertainty, news framing and information overload on panic buying behavior in the time of COVID-19: a conceptual exploration
Authors: Aljanabi Abdulqadir Rahomee Ahmed
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This conceptual paper aims to provide a further understanding of the impact of economic policy uncertainty (EPU), news framing and information overload on panic buying behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on earlier research and news releases about the COVID-19 outbreak, this paper advances testable propositions based on the protection motivation theory and information processing theory.

Findings

This paper infers that the major shift in consumer decision-making towards panic buying is a result of high EPU. International reports have contributed to deepening this uncertainty, and the consequences of this EPU are expected to affect the economic recovery through 2022. Furthermore, the adoption of particular frames of the pandemic has played a key role in the dissemination of misinformation and fake news during the public health crisis and affected purchasing decisions. The study also infers that the perceived threat among consumers is driven by information overload as a source of mistrust towards economic and health information sources.

Originality/value

This paper addresses two theoretical gaps associated with consumer buying behaviour. First, it highlights the impact of EPU, as a macroeconomic indicator, on consumer buying behaviour. Second, this paper is an attempt to integrate theories from different disciplines to foster an adequate understanding of buying behavior during the COVID-19 outbreak period.
Dynamic inter-linkage between foreign aid and economic growth in Sri Lanka
Authors: Mohamed Aslam Ahamed Lebbe , Samsudeen Sabraz Nawaz
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The objective of this study is to explore the dynamic inter-linkage between foreign aid and economic growth in Sri Lanka over the period of 1960–2018.

Design/methodology/approach

Both exploratory and inferential data analysis tools have been employed to examine the objective of this study. The exploratory data analysis covered the scatter plots, confidence ellipse with kernel fit. The inferential data analysis included the augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) and Phillips–Perron (PP) unit root tests, the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) Bounds co-integration technique and the Granger causality test.

Findings

The test result of exploratory data analysis indicates that there is a positive relationship between foreign aid and economic growth. The ADF and PP unit root tests results indicate that the variables used in this study are stationary at their 1st difference. The co-integration test result confirms the presence of long-run relationship between foreign aid and economic growth in Sri Lanka. The estimated coefficient of foreign aid in the long-run and the short-run shows that foreign aid has a positive relationship with economic growth in Sri Lanka. The estimated coefficient of error correction term indicates that approximately 26.6% of errors are adjusted each year and further shows that the response variable of economic growth moves towards the long-run equilibrium path. The Granger causality test result shows that foreign aid in short-run Granger causes economic growth in Sri Lanka which means that one-way causality from foreign aid to economic growth is confirmed. Further, the estimated coefficient of error correction term confirms that there is the long-run Granger causal relationship between foreign aid and economic growth in Sri Lanka.

Practical implications

The findings of this study have some important policy implications for the design of efficient policy related to foreign aid and economic growth, the knowledge of which will help follow sustainable foreign aid and growth nexus.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature by using the newly introduced ARDL Bounds cointegration technique to investigate the dynamic inter-linkage between foreign aid and economic growth in Sri Lanka.
Individual social entrepreneurial orientation in Brazil: measurement and the predictive role of personal values and attitude toward social change
Authors: Garçon Márcia Maria , Nassif Vânia Maria Jorge , Lima Tiago Jessé Souza de
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a model that aims to explain individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) focused on the context of social entrepreneurship (SE) (Social-IEO) by considering the personal values and attitude toward social change through direct and indirect effects. To achieve this purpose, the authors created and validated a scale to measure Social-IEO.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses scale construction techniques (DeVellis, 2016) and survey method for data collection. As such, this study was conducted by considering a sample of 198 social entrepreneurs. Multivariate data analysis and structural equation modeling are used to validate the theoretical model.

Findings

The Social-IEO scale was validated and shows to adequately encompass and measure the construct. The proposed model has predictive relevance and explains 45% of Social-IEO. Findings suggest that self-transcendence value has no direct effect on Social-IEO. Additionally, conservation and self-promotion values do not have a negative correlation with Social-IEO. Finally, attitude of social change has a strong explanatory power to Social-IEO. The findings offer important theoretical and practical implications for the field of entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial behavior.

Originality/value

The definition of a specific concept of IEO applied to the context of SE contributes to the correct understanding of its dimensions, measurement and management. This eliminates a gap in studies and contributes to expand and strengthen research. It also provides an original empirical approach, as the method used to measure IEO in a reflective way is unusual in previous studies.
The dark side of tax havens in money laundering, capital flight and corruption in developing countries: some evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Otusanya Olatunde Julius , Adeyeye Gbadegesin Babatunde
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the role of secrecy jurisdictions in providing supply-side stimulants for illicit financial flows from developing countries and how the tax havens structures shape the role of actors. Specifically focussing on decades of trade liberalisation and markets, and of increasingly rapid movement of people, capital and information across regions and around the globe, the paper draws on the political economy theory of globalisation to illuminate the connections between capital flight, money laundering and global offshore financial centres (OFCs).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses publicly available evidence to shed light on the role played by tax havens in facilitating money laundering, capital flight and corruption. The issues are illustrated with the aid of case studies.

Findings

The evidence shows that, in pursuit of organisational and personal interest, the tax havens create enabling structures that support illicit activities of the political and economic elites from developing countries. The paper further argues that the supply-side of corruption severely limits the possibilities of preventing corruption in developing countries.

Research limitations/implications

The paper uses publicly available evidence to illuminate the role played by OFCs in facilitating elite corruption and money laundering practices.

Practical implications

It is impossible to quantify the volume of money laundered, but it has been estimated that money laundering may account for as much as 5% of the world economy.

Social implications

The paper, therefore, suggests that unless this supply-side of corruption is tackled there is little prospect for an end to aid dependency and the creation of economically stable and democratic states in developing countries.

Originality/value

The paper examines predatory practices of the international financial industry in tax havens and OFCs in facilitating money laundering, corruption and capital flight and the challenges posed for the economic development of developing countries.
Do Tobin taxes help stop stock price bubbles?
Authors: Ackert Lucy F. , Qi Li , Zou Wenbo
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to report on experimental asset markets designed to examine the impact of a levy on trade, as well as the taxation authority’s ability to raise tax revenue when markets are subject to mispricing. Some have suggested that a transaction tax will discourage irrational speculation and lead to more efficient markets, but others argue that a higher cost of trading will prove to be an impediment to trade with no useful outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors’ goal is to provide insight on the impact of a transaction tax in a very specific asset market. The authors chose this design because the robustness of the bubble and crash pattern points to an environment that is particularly appropriate for the study of the effectiveness of a transaction tax in promoting efficient pricing. Furthermore, in a laboratory, the authors can control for extraneous factors that are problematic in the study of naturally occurring environments.

Findings

The authors examine whether a securities transaction tax promotes efficiency in markets that are prone to mispricing and find little evidence that a tax on trade will reduce speculation.

Research limitations/implications

This study’s experimental environment is, of course, an abstraction of naturally occurring markets and it may be that the model excludes important aspects.

Social implications

The authors find that a tax on financial transactions allows the taxation authority to raise significant revenue with little impact on pricing or trading volume.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first systematic examination of a transaction tax on outcomes in a market that is prone to mispricing.
Can using a servant-leadership model of supervision mitigate against burnout and secondary trauma in the health and social care sector?
Authors: Mahon Daryl
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to set out a model of servant leadership that can be infused within a supervisory setting to mitigate employee burnout and negative stressful experiences in the health and social care sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief targeted review of the literature was undertaken to assess the prevalence of burnout in the health and social care sectors. The supervision literature was also explored. The outcomes associated with servant leadership were also distilled, focusing on employee well-being.

Findings

Research suggests that burnout and related concepts such as secondary trauma and compassion fatigue impact these professions disproportionately. At the same time, servant leadership is suggested to mitigate some of these factors. The author presents a conceptual model of servant leadership supervision consisting of an ideographic model of servant leadership, Servant Leadership Scale-28 (SLS-28), using the most recent meta-analysis defining this construct, and previously validated measures in the extant literature to inform its design. A Servant Leadership Supervision Scale (SLSS) is also presented aligning its use to several of the core characteristics of servant leadership practice.

Research limitations/implications

In doing so, the author proposes that this approach will help reduce burnout of health and social care sector employees. Limitations are considered in light of the conceptual paper and no primary data.

Practical implications

A model of servant leadership supervision that can be infused into health and social care supervision.

Originality/value

This is the first model of servant leadership supervision articulated for the health and social care sector.
Congruity and contradiction: student and institutional perspectives of learning and quality in higher education
Authors: Groen Jovan F.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine graduate student learning experiences and perceptions of quality and the extent to which these learners were living the intended experiences that academic programs are seeking to foster.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a multiple case-study design, a three-stage interview protocol used with six PhD candidates across three faculties as well as 25 institutional, provincial and national documents served as principal sources of data. A within-case analysis was performed for each case and compared via a cross-case analysis.

Findings

The four principal factors that characterized the PhD candidate learning experience emerged as the significance of intentional individualized guidance; the importance of social interactions and community; becoming an independent scholar; and the transformative nature of learning. Gaps were identified between institutional intent and the learner experience. Recommendations are made regarding the adoption of indicators of quality that focus on student learning and notions of transformation.

Originality/value

This investigation attempts to tell distinct and shared stories of the highly contextualized and complex phenomenon of quality in PhD student learning. With limited information regarding how programmatic development is lived by students, this study’s comparison of institutional characterizations and student perceptions of quality sheds light on existing strengths to leverage, and gaps to invest in, at the institutional and program levels.
Reliability and validity of children’s advertising exposure measures
Authors: Opree Suzanna , Buijzen Moniek , van Reijmersdal Eva
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study is to determine which of previously used survey measures can be considered the most appropriate to assess children’s advertising exposure. First, three levels of content specificity for assessing children’s exposure to advertising were distinguished as follows: exposure to the medium, exposure to broad content and exposure to specific (i.e. commercial) content. Second, using longitudinal data from 165 children between 8 and 11 years old, the test-retest reliability and content validity of survey measures from all three levels were examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to societal concerns about the effects of advertising on children’s well-being, research into this topic is expanding. To enhance knowledge accumulation and bring uniformity to the field, a validated standard survey measure of advertising exposure is needed. The aim of this study is to provide such measures for television and internet advertising.

Findings

The findings suggest that all measures provided solid estimates for children’s television and internet advertising exposure. Yet, due to minor differences in reliability and validity, it may be concluded that television advertising exposure can best be measured by asking children how often they watch certain popular (commercial) television networks, either weighting or not weighting for advertising density. Internet advertising exposure can best be measured by asking children how often they use the internet or how often they visit certain popular websites, weighting for advertising density.

Originality/value

The current measures for children’s advertising exposure through traditional media can easily be adapted to fit new media.
Digital Trade Rules in Preferential Trade Agreements: Is There a WTO Impact?
Authors: Elsig Manfred , Klotz Sebastian
Published: June 2021

For a long time, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been seen as the privileged multilateral regime to regulate trade. However, given its slow progress in negotiating new trade rules, countries have increasingly shifted their focus to preferential trade agreements (PTAs) since the early 2000s. Focusing on a timely and increasingly important topic (digital trade), we explore how countries’ interactions in the WTO impact on their approaches in designing rules in PTAs. Using newly collected data on digital trade‐related provisions in almost 350 PTAs signed since 2000, we find that countries’ participation in digital trade‐related initiatives at the WTO spill over to the design of their PTAs. More precisely, we show that countries which actively participate in the discussions of the WTO Work Programme on Electronic Commerce are more likely to negotiate ambitious commitments on digital trade in their PTAs. Furthermore, our analysis indicates that countries which participate in the WTO‐based plurilateral Information Technology Agreement (ITA) are more likely to commit to deeper cooperation in the area of digital trade. More broadly, this article contributes to our understanding of the dynamics of regime complexity and how interaction in the multilateral system spills over to regional and bilateral trade regimes.
Borrowing Patterns in the Global Financial Safety Net: Does Governance Play a Role?
Authors: Mühlich Laurissa , Fritz Barbara
Published: June 2021

The global financial safety net (GFSN) has become a complex regime. Regional financial arrangements (RFAs) have emerged alongside established IMF structures. How relevant are RFAs and the IMF in moments of financial crisis? And more specifically: Do member countries resort to RFAs as complements or as substitutes to IMF lending? To answer these questions, we developed an original data‐set on the GSFN use by the 61 emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) that are members of existing RFAs between 1976 and 2018. We find that not only economic criteria such as lending volume, timeliness and conditionality drive patterns of complementarity and substitution in crisis finance, but that RFA governance structure and regional independence matters. The data show that borrower‐dominated RFAs are used much more frequently than creditor‐dominated RFAs. Moreover, RFAs which lack regional policy autonomy but are dependent on the IMF are not called upon – even if they have far superior volumes of potential lending capacity.
Treatment of steroid‐resistant checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis with pirfenidone: A case report
Authors: Miao Kang , Xu Yan , Xu Wenshuai , Zhang Ying , Xu Yongjian , Tian Xinlun , Zhang Li
Published: June 2021

With the increased use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in lung cancer, which are of great benefit to patients, more and more immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) are being reported. Checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP) is one of the most challenging adverse events, which pose a huge challenge to clinical diagnosis and treatment, and its incidence in the real world is greatly underestimated. Currently, the treatment of CIP mainly depends on the use of glucocorticoids. As for steroid‐resistant CIP, there is no unified standardized treatment strategy. Herein, we report a case of steroid‐resistant CIP induced by pembrolizumab in a patient with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in which their symptoms were successfully controlled with pirfenidone.
Current practices of Western Australian general dentists regarding management of patients on anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy
Authors: Foo M , See L , Lee J , Feng B , Kruger E
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Currently, there are little to no published studies outlining general dentists' knowledge in the management of patients on anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapies in Australia. The aim of this study was to investigate the current practices of Western Australian (WA) general dentists with regards to dental management of patients taking anticoagulants/antiplatelets.

Materials and methods

WA dentists were invited to undertake a survey to investigate their knowledge on the management of patients taking anticoagulant/antiplatelet. The questionnaire provided to WA general dentists consisted of pre‐extraction advice on patients (direct oral anticoagulants [DOACs], antiplatelets, warfarin, dual antiplatelets and antiplatelet/anticoagulant). Results were analysed using descriptive statistics as well as chi‐square tests.

Results

Of the 89 participants, 40.5% had <5 years of general dental experience. Most WA general dentists (64%–71%) responded with ‘no change’ when performing extractions on patients on DOACs, antiplatelet therapy, warfarin, dual antiplatelets and antiplatelets/anticoagulants (P = 0.00). Furthermore, dentists with 6–10 years of experience were more likely to cease antiplatelet for 24 h before extractions (P < 0.05). Dentists who extracted 10–30 teeth per month were likely to stop antiplatelets and DOACs for more than 48 h compared to other groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Most WA dentists would not cease anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy when undergoing dental extractions.
The malleability of collective memories: One year after the Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Caron‐Diotte Mathieu , de la Sablonnière Roxane , Sadykova Nazgul
Published: June 2021

How people view their social groups’ history has important implications at both the collective and the individual levels. It has been established that collective memories, the representations of one’s groups’ history, differ between generations and individuals. Yet, it remains unclear how collective memories change in reaction to dramatic social change. Using temporal collective relative deprivation (TCRD), which reflects how individuals perceive their group’s situation in history, we hypothesize that TCRD trajectories change over time and that highly identified individuals will be less likely to change their trajectory. Kyrgyz nationals (N = 166) responded immediately after the Tulip Revolution and one year later to TCRD measurements. Dual group‐based trajectory analysis indicates that a third of the sample modified their memories about their group’s situation one year after a dramatic social change and that low identification with the group predicted this change. These results support the idea that collective memory is revised at the individual level after dramatic social change.
Urine cell image recognition using a deep‐learning model for an automated slide evaluation system
Authors: Kaneko Masatomo , Tsuji Keisuke , Masuda Keiichi , Ueno Kengo , Henmi Kohei , Nakagawa Shota , Fujita Ryo , Suzuki Kensho , Inoue Yuichi , Teramukai Satoshi , Konishi Eiichi , Takamatsu Tetsuro , Ukimura Osamu
Published: June 2021

Objectives

To develop a classification system for urine cytology with artificial intelligence (AI) using a convolutional neural network algorithm that classifies urine cell images as negative (benign) or positive (atypical or malignant).

Patients and Methods

We collected 195 urine cytology slides from consecutive patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of urothelial cancer (between January 2016 and December 2017). Two certified cytotechnologists independently evaluated and labelled each slide; 4637 cell images with concordant diagnoses were selected, including 3128 benign cells (negative), 398 atypical cells, and 1111 cells that were malignant or suspicious for malignancy (positive). This pathologically confirmed labelled dataset was used to represent the ground truth for AI training/validation/testing. Customized CutMix (CircleCut) and Refined Data Augmentation were used for image processing. The model architecture included EfficientNet B6 and Arcface. We used 80% of the data for training and validation (4:1 ratio) and 20% for testing. Model performance was evaluated with fivefold cross‐validation. A receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the binary classification model. Bayesian posterior probabilities for the AI performance measure (Y) and cytotechnologist performance measure (X) were compared.

Results

The area under the ROC curve was 0.99 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98–0.99), the highest accuracy was 95% (95% CI 94–97), sensitivity was 97% (95% CI 95–99), and specificity was 95% (95% CI 93–97). The accuracy of AI surpassed the highest level of cytotechnologists for the binary classification [Pr(Y > X) = 0.95]. AI achieved >90% accuracy for all cell subtypes. In the subgroup analysis based on the clinicopathological characteristics of patients who provided the test cells, the accuracy of AI ranged between 89% and 97%.

Conclusion

Our novel AI classification system for urine cytology successfully classified all cell subtypes with an accuracy of higher than 90%, and achieved diagnostic accuracy of malignancy superior to the highest level achieved by cytotechnologists.
Integration of NMR studies, computational predictions, and in vitro assays in the search of marine diterpenes with antitumor activity
Authors: Forero Abel M. , Castellanos Leonardo , Sandoval‐Hernández Adrián G. , Magalhães Alvicler , Tinoco Luzineide W. , Lopez‐Vallejo Fabian , Ramos Freddy A.
Published: June 2021

Among the compounds of natural origin, diterpenes have proved useful as drugs for the treatment of cancer. Marine organisms, such as soft corals and algae, are a promising source of diterpenes, being a rich and unexplored source of cytotoxic agents. This study evaluated a library of 32 natural and semisynthetic marine diterpenes, including briarane, cembrane, and dolabellane nuclei, with the aim of determining their cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines (A549, MCF7, and PC3). The three most active compounds were submitted to a flow cytometry analysis in order to determine induction of apoptosis against the A549 cell line. An NMR analysis was conducted to determine and evaluate the interactions between active diterpenes and tubulin. These interactions were characterized by a computational study using molecular docking and MD simulations. With these results, two cembrane and one chlorinated briarane diterpenes were active against the three human cancer cell lines, induced apoptosis in the A549 cell line, and showed interactions with tubulin preferably at the taxane‐binding site. This study is a starting point for the identification and optimization of the marine diterpenes selected for better antitumor activities. It also highlights the power of integrating NMR studies, computational predictions, and in vitro assays in the search for compounds with antitumor activity.
Airway gene expression identifies subtypes of type 2 inflammation in severe asthma
Authors: Frøssing Laurits , Silberbrandt Alexander , Von Bülow Anna , Kjærsgaard Klein Ditte , Ross Christensen Marcus , Backer Vibeke , Baines Katherine J. , Porsbjerg Celeste
Published: June 2021

Background

Type 2 inflammation is characterized by enhanced activity of interleukin (IL)‐4, ‐5 and ‐13, and treatments targeting these pathways are available for treatment of severe asthma. At present, the pattern of pathway activity and the implications overlapping of pathway activity are unknown.

Objective

We hypothesized that clustering of airway mRNA expression would identify distinct molecular subtypes of severe asthma and thereby uncover the prevalence and overlap of pathway activity.

Methods

Sputum mRNA expression of genes related to expression of IL‐5(CLC, CPA3 and DNASE1L3), IL‐13(IL13Ra1, TNFSF14 and SERPINB2), T1/Th17 activity(IL1B, ALPL and CXCR2) and in vitro response to corticosteroids (FKBP512) and mepolizumab (ARAP3) was analysed in patients (n = 109) with severe asthma and healthy controls (n = 22). A cluster analysis of gene expression was performed. The response to a short course of OCS was assessed in a subset of patients (n = 29).

Results

Five molecular clusters were identified. Three had abundant T2 gene expression of which two (n = 39 and n = 9) were characterized by abundant expression of both IL‐13‐ and IL‐5‐related genes. The last (n = 6) had only abundant IL‐5‐related gene expression. These T2‐high molecular clusters could not be distinguished using T2 biomarkers. T2‐ and Th1/Th17‐related mRNA expression were co‐expressed across all clusters. OCS significantly reduced T2 gene expression (CLC, IL13Ra1, SERPINB2 and ARAP3) and significantly increase expression of Th1/Th17‐related genes (ALPL and CXCR2).

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Clustering of airway mRNA expression identified five molecular clusters of severe asthma of which three were considered T2 high. Co‐expression of IL‐5‐ and IL‐13‐related genes at moderate levels was present in almost half of patients, while marked elevated expression of both was rare. In contrast to IL‐5, clusters with isolated IL‐13‐ and Th1/Th17‐related gene expression were not identified.
High genetic diversity of immunity genes in an expanding population of a highly mobile carnivore, the grey wolf Canislupus, in Central Europe
Authors: Kloch Agnieszka , Biedrzycka Aleksandra , Szewczyk Maciej , Nowak Sabina , Niedźwiedzka Natalia , Kłodawska Monika , Hájková Andrea , Hulva Pavel , Jędrzejewska Bogumiła , W. Mysłajek Robert
Published: June 2021

Aim

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of changes in population size and migration on variation in functional immunity genes in the previously bottlenecked population of the grey wolf, Canis lupus.

Location

Eastern/Central Europe: Poland, Czechia, Slovakia.

Methods

We genotyped 7 immunity genes: three MHC‐DLA genes (dog leukocyte antigen) and four Toll‐like receptor (TLR) genes among 130 wolves originating from three populations: two lowland (Baltic and Central European), and highland Carpathian. We contrasted the population structure in immunity genes with a neutral structure based on 13 microsatellites, and we analysed signatures of selection in the immunity loci.

Results

We found high overall genetic variance in immunity genes and no evidence for decreased diversity in the recently established populations. The population structure in immunity loci was weak, with pairwise FST lower than for neutral markers. Although the results of neutrality tests were not significant, we identified codons under selection, both positive and negative.

Main Conclusions

We demonstrated that despite recent population expansion which is expected to result in decreased genetic diversity, the diversity of immunity genes in the newly established wolf population is similar to those in the source population. This suggests that migrations do not cause allele loss in grey wolf. Signatures of selection on codon level, but not in tests using allele frequencies, suggest the contrasting effects of demography and selection.
Endoscopic screening for gastric cancer in Japan: Current status and future perspectives
Authors: Mabe Katsuhiro , Inoue Kazuhiko , Kamada Tomoari , Kato Katsuaki , Kato Mototsugu , Haruma Ken
Published: June 2021

The revised 2014 Japanese Guidelines for Gastric Cancer Screening approved gastric endoscopy for use in population‐based screening. Thus, it is expected that gastric cancer will be detected earlier, and gastric cancer mortality further decreased, with the widespread use of endoscopy and Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. However, due to an increasingly aging population and relatively low gastric cancer screening rates, gastric cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in Japan. While the era of endoscopic gastric cancer screening has begun, it does present challenges, such as limited/varying regional availability of endoscopists. This review describes the history of gastric cancer screening in Japan, achievements in endoscopic gastric cancer screening in Japan and Korea, efforts underway to improve screening by stratifying individuals according to gastric cancer risk, and initiatives by the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society aimed at improving screening, including the implementation of a board certification program for screening endoscopists.