bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Port Said historic markets: a tool for urban revitalization
Authors: AlSadaty Aliaa
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates urban potentials of historic covered market buildings. Generally, these structures witnessed the apex of construction during the turn of the 20th century in Europe and beyond. They thrived until the second half of the 20th century when they started to decline and their existence became threatened due to several factors. This research focuses on recent regeneration attempts that consider the qualities of these structures, not only as individual buildings but also as an important tool for the revitalization of their surrounding contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper focuses mainly on the Egyptian network of historic indoor markets with special reference to Port Said markets which are currently in decay and in urgent need for intervention. Through the consultation of the Barcelona Model for Markets, Spain and the survey of Port Said historic markets; the present study suggests a framework through which the network of local markets can regain their positive role and contribute to the revitalization of their surrounding context.

Findings

Findings reveal that historic indoor markets are complex structures that cannot be regenerated in isolation from their usually fast changing contexts. Intervention in this prototype needs to balance between traditional imaginary of these buildings, including the protection of their historic features and the protection of vulnerable local trades; and at the same time, the adaptation of market buildings to contemporary needs to improve their competitiveness on the commercial level.

Originality/value

The present study suggests a two-level framework and approach through which the network of local markets in Egyptian cities can regain their positive role and hence contribute to the revitalization of their surroundings.
Typhoon disaster politics in pre-1945 Asia: three case studies
Authors: van Klinken Gerry
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper focuses on the adaptations societies make to climate-related disasters. How they learnt from them in the past should indicate how they will respond in the more climate-stressed future. National typhoon disaster politics arise when citizens demand disaster protection from their state.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes one episode of typhoon politics in each of three Asian countries before 1945: the Philippines (1928), India (1942) and Japan (1934). These three countries show high variance in state capacity and level of democracy. Discourse data are found in contemporary newspaper accounts.

Findings

In each case, the typhoon disaster politics were shaped by the “distance” (geographical, institutional, class and cultural) between citizen-victims and the state. Where that distance was great (rural Philippines, Bengal-India), the state tended to minimise victimhood. Where it was small (urban Japan), adaptation was serious and rapid.

Social implications

The findings should stimulate public discussion of the way in which past social relations and power dynamics surrounding climate-related disasters might influence the present. As the political character of climate change adaptation grows clearer, so does the need for debate to be well-informed.

Originality/value

Most historical work on climate-related disasters has focused either on the natural phenomena, or on their societal impact. The present paper's focus on adaptation is part of a small but growing scholarly effort to bend the debate towards the evolution of adaptive capacity.
Identifying the role of business accelerators in the developing business ecosystem: the life science sector
Authors: Kulkov Ignat , Hellström Magnus , Wikström Kim
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Business accelerators have recently received increasing attention as important cogs in business ecosystem development. However, their exact role in the ecosystem is not yet well known, especially outside the IT sector. The purpose of this study is, therefore, twofold: to determine the position of life science accelerators in the business ecosystem and the attributes of support for companies and to identify key features of the life science accelerators that contribute to the change in business ecosystems.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors offer an exploratory case study of five life science business accelerators and analyze the main factors affecting the companies and the whole business ecosystem. The authors build upon the scarce literature on business accelerators and consider a new type of accelerator that specializes in life science projects and study its role in the transformation and evolution of the life science industry.

Findings

The authors have defined the role and key parameters of life science accelerators that influence the existing business ecosystems: (1) cooperation with other regions and countries, (2) development of entrepreneurial skills among participants of the business accelerators program and (3) a project on demand-based approach.

Originality/value

The key parameters of the life science accelerators allow to concentrate these efforts on the activities that are most demanded by the market. Business accelerators can increase the created value for other program participants.
Usage of and learning from Wikipedia: a study of university students in Pakistan
Authors: Amina Wazzuha , Warraich Nosheen Fatima , Malik Amara
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the university students’ usage pattern of Wikipedia information and its effect on their learning.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was designed to collect data from the students of master programmes at University of the Punjab, Lahore. Proportionate stratified sampling technique was used to select the sample from the population of “Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences”. In total, 225 masters’ students from eight departments participated voluntarily in the study.

Findings

Findings revealed that the majority of the respondents used Wikipedia information regularly for both academic and leisure purposes. They usually did not edit/add content in Wikipedia entries though they observed incomplete contents in it. Overall, the respondents perceived Wikipedia as an easy and understandable source of information that enhanced their understanding about a topic and enabled them to accomplish tasks more quickly.

Research limitations/implications

The sample of this study was social sciences students from one university. The findings may not be generalizable across other groups of students and universities.

Practical implications

These findings suggest that students have a positive behaviour towards Wikipedia and regarded it as a good source of information. They use Wikipedia information for academic and leisure purposes. So, the academics and librarians need to provide better guidelines for using Wikipedia, rather than prohibiting its use altogether.

Originality/value

This paper provides useful information on the use of Wikipedia among university students from a developing country’s perspective and thus contributes to the tendency of increasing acceptance of Wikipedia in academia. Furthermore, understanding how gender plays a role in differentiating the using behaviour of Wikipedia information could benefit both academics and library practitioners.
Leading digital transformation: three emerging approaches for managing the transition
Authors: Li Feng
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study identifies three emerging approaches for leading successful digital transformation. It challenges the validity and effectiveness of traditional linear processes for digital transformation that first develop a new strategy, business model or organizational design enabled by digital technologies and then execute it according to the plan.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on current research with a group of global digital champions at the forefront of digital transformation, including Amazon, Alibaba, Baidu, Google, JD.com, Uber, VMWare and Slack.

Findings

The research finds that at least three new approaches are emerging in leading organizations, which are (1) innovating by experimenting, (2) radical transformation via successive incremental changes and (3) dynamic sustainable advantages through an evolving portfolio of temporary advantages.

Research limitations/implications

More research is needed to systematically investigate such emerging approaches and develop new theories and new analytical frameworks.

Practical implications

These emerging approaches can be used to guide digital transformation initiatives.

Social implications

They also enable business leaders to tackle grand societal challenges using financially sustainable and scalable operational models, generating profit and impact at the same time.

Originality/value

It challenges traditional linear approaches for leading digital transformation and highlights the need for new and iterative approaches for bridging the strategy–execution gap in the volatile digital economy.
Revised overall labour effectiveness
Authors: Braglia Marcello , Castellano Davide , Frosolini Marco , Gallo Mosè , Marrazzini Leonardo
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The paper proposes a new workforce effectiveness metric that is a sophisticated evolution of a pre-existing overall labour effectiveness (OLE) indicator. The KPI, named revised OLE (ROLE), provides a structured methodology to measure in a holistic way the losses relating to labour, maintaining some formal similitude to the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)

Design/methodology/approach

A new structure of losses is proposed to overcome the drawbacks and the difficulties that usually affect the data collection stage, referring to directly measurable quantities or, when this is not the case, suggesting a viable method to quantify the loss. Besides, this approach facilitates the comprehension of labour-related issues, suggesting potential countermeasures. The novel ROLE indicator has been defined, based on this new structure, to evaluate the labour effectiveness in batch process industries. A real case study is provided, which explains the methodology and illustrates the capability of the corresponding KPI.

Findings

The present work analyses the labour performance indexes available in literature, with the aim of evidencing those aspects that can be properly observed and quantified and, at the same time, categorizing them to identify their possible drawbacks. A new structure of losses is derived, with respect to four different categories, which may help to measure the losses themselves more effectively

Originality/value

The paper investigates some important KPIs dealing with labour performance and individuates some significant drawbacks. Then it suggests a new, inclusive structure of losses and a modified KPI that not only measures effectiveness but also allows to identify viable countermeasures.
Employability skills of real estate graduates in Nigeria: a skill gap analysis
Authors: Ayodele Timothy Oluwafemi , Oladokun Timothy Tunde , Kajimo-Shakantu Kahilu
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The global shift in the traditional skills required of real estate graduates has led to an increased demand for employees who have the required skills and competencies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate employment considerations of real estate firms and analyse employers’ skill expectations and the observed skills possessed by the graduate employees. This study also analysed the self-assessed soft skill levels of the graduate employees, thereby establishing the skill gap.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were sought from real estate employers in the two dominant real estate markets of Nigeria: Lagos and Abuja, and real estate graduate employees who have had a minimum of six months working experience in real estate firms. Data collected were analysed using statistical techniques such as frequency, percentages, mean, correlation, multivariate analysis of variance, paired-samples t-test and independent samples t-test.

Findings

The findings of this study revealed that employers’ soft skills expectations were high with skills such as responsibility, administrative, listening, communication, business negotiation and work ethics. Based on employers' observed skills, there were significant skill gaps with respect to soft skills such as responsibility, business negotiation, logical thinking, marketing and dispute resolution. An analysis of the core skills reveals employers' preference for technical competencies in valuation, agency, property management, marketing, report writing and landlord and tenant laws. However, graduate employees possessed significant skill gaps with regards to technical skills such as valuation, property investment analysis, feasibility and viability appraisal, market research methods and facility management.

Practical implications

An understanding of the skill gaps will provide useful feedback to professional bodies, regulatory boards, institutions of higher learning, faculty members and other stakeholders regarding deficient skill areas, especially for curriculum review, development and training in the real estate sector.

Originality/value

There is a paucity of information about employers' skill preferences and the skill gaps in the real estate sector.
Dynamic maintenance based on functional usage profiles
Authors: Tinga Tiedo , Wubben Flip , Tiddens Wieger , Wortmann Hans , Gaalman Gerard
Published: July 2020

Purpose

For many decades, it has been recognized that maintenance activities should be adapted to the specific usage of a system. For that reason, many advanced policies have been developed, such as condition-based and load-based maintenance policies. However, these policies require advanced monitoring techniques and rather detailed understanding of the failure behavior, which requires the support of an OEM or expert, prohibiting application by an operator in many cases. The present work proposes a maintenance policy that relieves the high (technical) demands set by these existing policies and provides a more accurate specification of the required (dynamic) maintenance interval than traditional usage-based maintenance.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology followed starts with a review and critical assessment of existing maintenance policies, which are classified according to six different aspects. Based on the need for a technically less demanding policy that appears from this comparison, a new policy is developed. The consecutive steps required for this functional usage profiles based maintenance policy are then critically discussed: usage profile definition, monitoring, profile severity quantification and the possible extension to the fleet level. After the description of the proposed policy, it is demonstrated in three case studies on real systems.

Findings

A maintenance policy based on a simple usage registration procedure appears to be feasible, which enables a significantly more efficient maintenance process than the traditional usage-based policies. This is demonstrated by the policy proposed here.

Practical implications

The proposed maintenance policy based on functional usage profiles offers the operators of fleets of systems the opportunity to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their maintenance process, without the need for a high investment in advanced monitoring systems and in experts interpreting the results.

Originality/value

The original contribution of this work is the explicit definition of a new maintenance policy, which combines the benefits of considering the effects of usage or environment severity with a limited investment in monitoring technology.
Entrepreneurial leadership measurement: a multi-dimensional construct
Authors: Bagheri Afsaneh , Harrison Christian
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to refine our understanding of entrepreneurial leadership by developing a multi-dimensional measure for the construct through a comprehensive approach based on the skills and competencies of entrepreneurial leaders as well as their behaviour and roles.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the evidence collected across two cultural and economic contexts namely Iran and Scotland and prior theoretical conceptualisations, this study designed an entrepreneurial leadership scale. Questionnaires were the mode of data collection, and data was triangulated via participants and literature.

Findings

From the study a detailed conceptualisation of entrepreneurial leadership was formed, which in turn provides the basis for an empirical-based construct of this phenomenon and its measurement from a cross-cultural perspective. Specifically, this study identifies the items that best describe each dimension of entrepreneurial leadership. By these findings, this study provides the skills, competencies and specific behaviour of entrepreneurial leaders.

Originality/value

The findings of this study have implications the theory and practice. By highlighting the dimensions of entrepreneurial leadership, this study assists the development of theories on how entrepreneurial leadership influence the process of innovation and opportunity recognition. This study is one of the first to examine the validity and reliability of the measure developed for the construct across two countries having different cultural and economic contexts, namely Iran and Scotland. In practice, the findings of this study serve as a useful reference for practitioners of the skills, behaviours and competencies expected of entrepreneurial leaders.
From self-management to a systemized process: the implementation of lean management in a Chinese hospital’s pharmacy intravenous admixture services center
Authors: Gao Tian , Zhang Xuzhu , Gurd Bruce , Liu Zunyu
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the importance of lean leadership in an implementation in a Chinese hospital, considering a particular focus on the attitudes of nursing professionals while identifying specific cultural or institutional factors in China that might affect the implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use Harrison et al.’s (2016) framework to explore the outcomes of a nine-month action research project whereby the authors observed the process and outcomes of implementing lean in a pharmacy intravenous admixture service of a Chinese hospital.

Findings

The implementation of lean had positive results, which improved the efficiency of the operation, reduced the work start time and the amount of staff, and improved clinical satisfaction. In the process of implementation, nursing professionals showed a positive attitude toward the implementation and showed no obvious resistance under the positive influence of the head nurse. The combination of Chinese cultural characteristics, nursing culture and strong leadership enabled lean success.

Originality/value

The unit moved from self-management to a systemized process of using lean concepts and methods, it is an important change for hospital managers.
Geographic changes in pollinator species composition affect the corolla tube length of self‐heal (Prunella vulgarisL.): Evidence from three elevational gradients
Authors: Egawa Shin , Hirose Koyo , Itino Takao
Published: July 2020

Geographic difference in pollinator fauna and variation in average pollinator size may lead to local adaptations of flower size that enhance pollen transfer efficiency. Here, we show that flower size (corolla tube length) ofPrunella vulgarisvaries both laterally and along elevational gradients, in parallel with local pollinator proboscis length. We measured geographic variation in corolla tube length and leaf length ofP. vulgaris, and in proboscis length of its bumblebee pollinators, in 12 populations on three different mountains. In estimating pollinator proboscis length, we considered both the average proboscis length of each bumblebee species and the species composition of bumblebees visitingP. vulgarisflowers. We then ascertained whether pollinator proboscis length, elevation itself, or resource availability (indicated by leaf length) correlated with corolla tube length. We found that the local pollinator species composition varied along elevation and among mountain areas, and this variation corresponded to geographic variation in the average pollinator proboscis length. Similarly, corolla tube length ofP. vulgarisvaried along elevation and among mountain areas. We found that the corolla tube length variation was not associated with elevation itself or local resource availability but was strongly associated with local pollinator average proboscis length. Although corolla tube length was generally shorter at higher elevation, it was relatively longer in some high‐elevation populations, where bumblebees having long proboscis length (Bombus consobrinusandB. diversus) visited the flowers. Therefore, parallel changes inP. vulgariscorolla tube length and pollinator proboscis length occur across a wide geographic region in central Japan.
Fingerprint Comparison and Adversarialism: The Scientific and Historical Evidence
Authors: Edmond Gary , Cunliffe Emma , Hamer David
Published: July 2020

This article suggests that lawyers and courts are largely oblivious to scientific insights regarding the value and limitations of latent fingerprint evidence. It proceeds through a detailed historical analysis of the way fingerprint evidence has been reported and challenged. It compares legal responses with mainstream scientific research. Our analysis shows that fingerprint evidence is routinely equated with categorical proof of identity notwithstanding scientific warnings that such an approach is ‘indefensible’. We find that legal challenges to latent fingerprint evidence have been uniformly focused on adjectival issues (e.g. compliance with enabling legislation), leaving the validity and accuracy of this subjective comparison technique virtually unexamined since its first reception at the very beginning of the twentieth century. Lack of legal engagement with validity, error and scientific research suggest that adversarial procedures have not worked effectively to secure scientifically reliable expert evidence and that legal personnel struggle with elementary scientific reasoning.
Association between Medicaid expansion, dental coverage policies for adults, and children's receipt of preventive dental services
Authors: Khouja Tumader , Burgette Jacqueline M. , Donohue Julie M. , Roberts Eric T.
Published: July 2020

Objective

To examine whether low‐income children's use of preventive dental services is linked to variation in state Medicaid policies that affect parents' access to dental care in Medicaid.

Data Sources

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2011‐2016), Area Health Resources File, and Medicaid adult dental coverage policies.

Study Design

We conducted a quasi‐experimental analysis using linked parent‐child dyads in low‐income families (≤125 percent of the Federal Poverty Level). We assessed whether expansions of Medicaid to low‐income adults under the Affordable Care Act were associated with increases in the use of preventive dental services among low‐income children when state Medicaid programs did vs did not cover these services for adults.

Principal Findings

Over the study period, 37.8 percent of low‐income children received at least one annual preventive dental visit. We found no change in children's receipt of preventive dental care associated with Medicaid expansions in states that covered (1.26 percentage points; 95% CI: −3.74 to 6.27) vs did not cover preventive dental services for adults (3.03 percentage points; 95% CI: −2.76 to 8.81). (differential change: −1.76 percentage points; 95% CI: −8.09, 4.56). However, our estimates are imprecise, with wide confidential intervals that are unable to rule out sizable effects in either direction.

Conclusion

We did not find an association between Medicaid expansions with concurrent coverage of preventive dental services for adults and children's use of these services. Factors other than parental access to dental benefits through Medicaid may be more salient determinants of preventive dental care use among low‐income children.
Effect of bevacizumab and everolimus combination treatment on peritoneal sclerosis in an experimental rat model
Authors: Acıkgoz Mert Gizem Sultan , Ceri Mevlut , Calli Demirkan Nese , Sahin Barbaros , Mert Mehmet , Dursun Belda
Published: July 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate whether bevacizumab and everolimus combination therapy is superior to bevacizumab treatment alone as a treatment for peritoneal sclerosis. Forty Wistar albino rats were divided into five equal groups. The control group received isotonic saline solution (2 mL/day) intraperitoneal (IP) daily for 3 weeks. The CG group received 2 mL 0.1% chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) and 15% ethanol dissolved in saline IP daily for 3 weeks. Peritoneal tissue samples were taken at the end of 3 weeks. The resting group received CG (weeks 0‐3), plus isotonic saline solution (2 mL/day) IP daily and tap water (2 mL/day) via a feeding tube daily (weeks 3‐6).The bevacizumab group received CG (weeks 1‐3) plus bevacizumab at 2.5 mg/kg/day (2 mL) IP daily and tap water (2 mL/day) via a feeding tube daily (weeks 3‐6). The bevacizumab+everolimus group received CG (weeks 1‐3) plus bevacizumab at 2.5 mg/kg/day (2 mL) IP daily and everolimus at 0.3 mg/kg/day (2 mL) via a feeding tube daily (weeks 3‐6). Peritoneal tissue samples were taken from these three groups at the end of 6 weeks and were examined after staining with hematoxylin‐eosin and Masson's trichrome. Inflammation, vasculopathy, fibrosis, and peritoneal thickness were evaluated under light microscopy. The samples were also stained with anti‐TGF‐β and anti‐MMP‐2. Inflammation and vasculopathy scores were significantly decreased in the VEGF‐i group compared to the CG group. The addition of everolimus to VEGF‐i showed significantly lower inflammation, vasculopathy, fibrosis scores, and an evident decrease in peritoneal thickening (respectively, 2.29 ± 0.76 vs 0.57 ± 0.53, P = .003; 2.71 ± 0.76 vs 1.43 ± 0.53, P = .008; 2.57 ± 0.79 vs 1.57 ± 0.79, P = .04; 247.5 ± 136.1 vs 84.5 ± 48.6, P = .048). MMP‐2 levels were lower in the combination group compared to the resting group (2.63 ± 0.74 vs 1.86 ± 0.38, P = .019). The study results demonstrated that bevacizumab and everolimus combination therapy was more effective than bevacizumab therapy alone.
Correlation of extracellular polymeric substances and microbial community structure in denitrification biofilm exposed to adverse conditions
Authors: Wang Shuo , Zhi Liling , Shan Wei , Lu Hui , Xu Qiao , Li Ji
Published: July 2020

Microbial community may respond to different adverse conditions and result in the variation of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in denitrification biofilm; this study discovered the role of EPS in accordance with the analysis of cyclic diguanylate (c‐di‐GMP) and electron equilibrium (EE) under low organic loading rate, shock organic loading rate and low temperature conditions. Good nitrate removal performance could be achieved under shock organic loading rate and low temperature conditions; however, owing to the low organic loading rate, the carbon source was preferentially utilized for biomass growth. Tightly bound EPS (TB‐EPS) contents progressively increased and facilitated cell adhesion and biofilm formation. The stable TB protein (TB‐PN) content in TB‐EPS built a cross‐linked network to maintain internal biofilm structure and led to the rapid biosynthesis of polysaccharides, which could further enhance microbial adhesion and improve nitrate removal. C‐di‐GMP played an important role in biomass retention and biofilm formation, based on the correlation analysis of c‐di‐GMP and EPS. TB polysaccharide (TB‐PS) contents presented a significant positive correlation with c‐di‐GMP content, microbial adhesion and biofilm stabilization was further enhanced through c‐di‐GMP regulation. In addition, a remarkable negative correlation between electron deletion rate (EDR) and TB‐PN and TB‐PS was discovered, and TB‐PS was required to serve as energy source to enhance denitrification according to EE analysis. Surprisingly, dynamic microbial community was observed due to the drastic community succession under low temperature conditions, and the discrepancy between the dominant species for denitrification was found under shock organic loading rate and low temperature conditions. The notable increase in bacterial strains Simlicispira, Pseudomonas and Chryseobacterium was conducive to biofilm formation and denitrification under shock organic loading rate, while Dechloromonas and Zoogloea dramatically enriched for nitrate removal under low temperature conditions. The high abundance of Dechloromonas improved the secretion of EPS through the downstream signal transduction, and the c‐di‐GMP conserved in Pseudomonas concurrently facilitated to enhance exopolysaccharide production to shock organic loading rate and low temperature conditions.
Clinical features and long‐term outcomes of Chinese patients with scleroderma renal crisis
Authors: Zhou Jiaxin , Hou Yong , Wang Qian , Li Mengtao , Zeng Xiaofeng , Xu Dong
Published: July 2020

Objective

To investigate the clinical features, treatments, and long‐term outcomes of Chinese patients with scleroderma renal crisis (SRC).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and laboratory data of 538 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) at our center from January 2009 to December 2016, including 29 SRC and 509 SSc without SRC patients. The treatments and long‐term outcomes of patients with SRC were also retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The prevalence of SRC was 5.4% in our cohort. Male gender (odds ratio [OR] =4.194 [95% CI 1.494‐11.773]), glucocorticoid exposure (OR = 3.666 [1.484‐9.056]), pericardial effusion (OR = 11.180 [4.515‐27.681]), and myocardial involvement (OR = 7.958 [1.664‐38.064]) were associated with an increased risk of development of SRC. Despite the wide use of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, the permanent dialysis rate of patients with SRC was 48.3%. Sixteen patients died during follow‐up, and the estimated 1‐ and 5‐year survival rates of patients with SRC were 62.1% and 47.3%, respectively. Withdrawal of dialysis (5 patients) and myocardial complications (3 patients) were the main causes of death in patients with SRC. Patients with serum creatinine level >500 µmol/L before treatment (log rank test 5.051, P = 0.025) and/or those who needed dialysis at the onset of SRC (log rank test 12.870, P < 0.001) showed poorer prognosis.

Conclusion

SRC is a rare but severe complication in patients with SSc. Male gender, glucocorticoid exposure, pericardial effusion, and myocardial involvement were risk factors in the development of SRC. Withdrawal of dialysis and myocardial complications were the main causes of death in Chinese patients with SRC.
Effect of genetic variation in Notch regulator DTX1 on SCLC prognosis compared with the effect on NSCLC prongosis
Authors: Yoo Seung Soo , Lee Jang Hyuck , Hong Mi Jeong , Choi Jin Eun , Kang Hyo‐Gyoung , Do Sook Kyung , Kim Ji Hyun , Baek Sun Ah , Choi Sun Ha , Lee Won Kee , Lee Yong Hoon , Seo Hyewon , Lee Jaehee , Lee Shin Yup , Cha Seung Ick , Kim Chang Ho , Park Jae Yong
Published: July 2020

Deltex‐1 (DTX1) is a negative regulator of the Notch signaling pathway. Here, we investigated the clinical effect of DTX1 rs1732786A > G, which is associated with better prognosis in patients with early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in 261 patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). DTX1 rs1732786A > G was associated with a significantly worse chemotherapy response and lower overall survival in the codominant model (odds ratio = 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.66, P = 2 × 10−4; hazard ratio = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.17–1.84, P = 0.001, respectively). An in vitro luciferase assay was performed, and the 1732786G allele demonstrated significantly higher promoter activity than the 1732786A allele (P = 2 × 10−7). In summary, DTX1 rs1732786A > G was associated with poor prognosis in patients with SCLC as opposed to patients with NSCLC.

Key points

Significant findings of the study

DTX1 rs1732786A > G was associated with better prognosis in patients with early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in our previous study.

What this study adds

DTX1 rs1732786A > G was associated with a significantly worse chemotherapy response and lower overall survival in small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
Cognitive function and health‐related quality of life 1 year after acute brain injury: An observational study
Authors: Larsen Laura Krone , Møller Kirsten , Petersen Marian , Egerod Ingrid
Published: July 2020

Background

Cognitive impairment and reduced health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) are well‐established sequelae of critical illness. Studies on survivors of critical illness have found delirium to be a predictor of these conditions, but evidence regarding survivors of acute brain injury is sparse. We aimed to explore if delirium duration was associated with 1‐year cognitive impairment and reduced HRQoL in patients with acute brain injury.

Method

Intensive care unit (ICU) delirium was assessed using the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist. Cognitive status was assessed using the Repeatable Battery for Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and HRQoL using the European Quality of Life 5‐dimension questionnaire (EQ‐5D). We used a multiple linear regression for testing the association of delirium duration with cognitive impairment and quality of life, respectively.

Results

Forty‐seven survivors of acute brain injury participated in follow‐up and 35 completed RBANS. Delirium was present in 39 of 47 (83%) with a median duration of 4 days. Delirium duration did not predict cognitive impairment (95% CI −4.1 to 0.5) or lower HRQoL (95% CI −1.4 to 2.7). Moderate‐to‐severe cognitive impairment was present in 17 of 35 (49%) participants, and they had a mean EQ‐5D health visual analogue scale of 70.9 vs 81.6 for the Danish age‐matched norm.

Conclusions

Our sample did not demonstrate an association between delirium and 1‐year cognitive impairment or reduced HRQoL. Still, a large proportion of the participants were cognitively impaired, and their quality of life was lower compared to norm. Larger studies are necessary to explore these associations further.
Alcohol Use Trajectories Before and After Pregnancy Among Adolescent and Young Adult Mothers
Authors: Tung Irene , Chung Tammy , Krafty Robert T. , Keenan Kate , Hipwell Alison E.
Published: July 2020

Background

Moderate to heavy alcohol use during pregnancy (≥3 drinks/occasion) is linked to a range of adverse offspring outcomes. Prior studies suggest that adolescent and young adult mothers may be particularly vulnerable to these risky drinking behaviors during and after pregnancy. This study used latent class growth analysis (LCGA) to examine changes in risky drinking from prepregnancy to postpregnancy and identified prepregnancy predictors representing cognitive and social factors to inform prevention.

Methods

Participants included 432 adolescent and young adult mothers (aged 13 to 24; 78% Black) assessed annually since childhood in the Pittsburgh Girls Study. Participants prospectively reported frequency of risky drinking (≥3 drinks/occasion) in the year of pregnancy and 2 years before and after pregnancy, as well as social–cognitive risk factors for drinking (alcohol expectancies, drinking motives, caregiver, and peer alcohol use).

Results

Approximately 11% of young mothers in this community‐based sample engaged in risky drinking at least once a month during the year of pregnancy, with greater frequency observed for young adult (vs. adolescent) mothers. LCGA revealed 4 risky drinking trajectories across the perinatal period, including 3 relatively stable trajectories (low, moderate, and high frequency) and 1 distinct trajectory (“postpartum initiators”) characterized by increased risky drinking post‐childbirth. Peer alcohol use during and after pregnancy distinguished higher risk from lower risk trajectories, controlling for age, race, and age of drinking onset. Exposure to caregiver alcohol use and prepregnancy coping motives for drinking also elevated risk, but only for mothers who became pregnant in early adulthood (vs. adolescence).

Conclusions

Adolescent and young adult mothers show heterogeneous risky drinking trajectories from prepregnancy to postpregnancy. Pregnant women in the transitional age of early adulthood who report exposure to caregiver alcohol use, more friends who drink, and coping motives for drinking may have elevated risk for moderate–heavy drinking during the perinatal period and may benefit from targeted intervention.
Factors influencing the residency of bettongs using one‐way gates to exit a fenced reserve
Authors: Moyses Jessie , Hradsky Bronwyn , Tuft Katherine , Moseby Katherine , Golding Nicholas , Wintle Brendan
Published: July 2020

Understanding the conditions under which small native Australian mammals can persist in the presence of introduced predators remains a key challenge to conservation ecologists. Bettong‐specific one‐way gates were used at a predator‐free reserve in South Australia to allow the burrowing bettong (Bettongia lesueur) – a small potoroid, listed as ‘vulnerable’ nationally – to disperse out of the reserve. We conducted a field experiment to explore the conditions affecting residence time of bettongs that left the reserve. We monitored bettong and mammalian predator activity outside the fence using track surveys across 18 sites over two seasons. We examined the effect of supplementary feeding as a strategy for increasing residence time, as well as the influence of predator presence and habitat quality, using linear mixed models. Bettong activity was positively associated with supplementary feeding, midstorey vegetation cover and shelter availability. After gates were closed, bettong activity near gates declined to almost zero the following weeks, likely either due to death from predation or due to movement away from the sites. To a small extent, mammalian predators were more likely to be present at sites with high bettong activity. Further research on conditions to support persistence of burrowing bettongs and other small mammals, including understanding minimum necessary predator control effort, is required before successful establishment of populations outside of fences can occur.
Factors influencing the occurrence of the Southern Long‐nosed Bandicoot (Perameles nasuta Geoffroy) during a population irruption and decline
Authors: MacGregor Christopher I. , Blanchard Wade , Stein John A. , Lindenmayer David B.
Published: July 2020

Modelling the occupancy of species is a key part of the discipline of ecology, with particular efforts often focused on identifying which environmental, vegetation and other factors influence why a given species occurs where it does. Here, based on data gathered between 2003 and 2016, we developed models of the environmental, terrain and vegetation factors associated with site occupancy of the Southern Long‐nosed Bandicoot (Perameles nasuta Geoffroy) at Booderee National Park in the Jervis Bay Territory, south‐eastern Australia. The Long‐nosed Bandicoot is a nocturnal omnivorous marsupial which feeds primarily on subterranean invertebrates and fungi. The species has undergone a major reduction in abundance and site occupancy following a peak irruption in 2006 with the percentage of the sites at which the species was present declining from 74.3% of sites trapped in 2006 to 10.5% of sites trapped in 2016. We found the Long‐nosed Bandicoot was distributed widely across Booderee National Park and occurred in all six broad vegetation types in the reserve (forest, heathland, woodland, shrubland, sedgeland and rainforest). Detection‐occupancy modelling revealed that the persistence and colonisation of sites by the species were negatively associated with the per cent cover of leaf litter, irrespective of broad vegetation type. Occupancy models are an important tool in identifying parts of landscapes most likely to support populations of particular species, such as the Long‐nosed Bandicoot over time, and they may assist management of protected areas to prioritise resources to manage the habitat of those areas.
Oral mucositis among Chinese cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: Effects and management strategies
Authors: Chan Carmen W. H. , Law Bernard M. H. , Wong Martin M. H. , Chan Dorothy N. S. , Ng Marques S. N. , So Winnie K. W. , Wong Cho Lee , Chow Ka Ming
Published: July 2020

Oral mucositis is a painful and distressing complication of chemotherapy‐induced toxicity in cancer patients that can develop early during the treatment regimen. Previous studies have demonstrated that both oxidative stress and inflammation play a role in the development of the ulceration that is a characteristic of oral mucositis. To date, a few studies have investigated the effect of this complication on the well‐being of patients, demonstrating its negative impact on patients’ functional ability and quality of life. This effect may entail chemotherapeutic drug dose reduction among patients, in turn reducing their cancer survival rates. Therefore, interventions to address the detrimental effects of oral mucositis on the well‐being of cancer patients are required. This review provides an overview of the studies that have examined the negative effects of oral mucositis on Chinese cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, as well as the interventions shown to be effective in treating this complication, with a focus on interventions utilizing traditional Chinese medicine. Overall, both traditional Chinese medicine‐based interventions and interventions involving patient education about effective oral care led by trained nurses were found to be useful in reducing the incidence and severity of oral mucositis among Chinese patients undergoing chemotherapy. Future oral mucositis management plans aiming at effective oral care among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy should incorporate these types of interventions as integral components to enhance the well‐being of these patients.
Pseudocystic pilomatricoma: A new variant and review of the literature
Authors: Sung Kun‐Yong , Lee Seungkoo , Jeong Yeonjin , Lee Sang‐Yeul
Published: July 2020

A classic pilomatricoma, which usually presents with an asymptomatic, solitary, firm, subcutaneous nodule in the head, neck, or extremities of the paediatric population, is easily diagnosed based on its characteristic clinical and histopathological features. However, its variants often pose particular diagnostic challenges to clinicians due to their rarity and diverse clinicopathological features. We present a new pseudocystic variant, manifesting as solid lesions floating in a fluid‐filled sac.
Altered plasma cytokine levels in acute and chronic central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Karska‐Basta Izabella , Pociej‐Marciak Weronika , Chrząszcz Michał , Kubicka‐Trząska Agnieszka , Romanowska‐Dixon Bożena , Sanak Marek
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To evaluate plasma levels of selected cytokines and investigate their correlation with choroidal thickness (CT) in patients with acute and chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

Methods

We enrolled 30 patients with acute CSC, 30 patients with chronic CSC and 20 controls. Plasma concentrations of 12 cytokines, interleukins IL‐8, IL‐1β, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐10 and IL‐12 p70, granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, interferon‐γ, tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), were measured using multiplex immunoassays. Differences in cytokine levels between groups were assessed. We also investigated correlations between cytokine levels and CT using swept‐source optical coherence tomography, as well as an association between plasma cytokine profile and systemic hypertension.

Results

We noted differences in IL‐6 (p = 0.005), IL‐10 (p = 0.03), IL‐12 p70 (p = 0.028) and VEGF (p = 0.029) levels between groups. Pro‐inflammatory IL‐12 p70 and multidirectional IL‐10 cytokines were upregulated, while pro‐angiogenic VEGF was downregulated in chronic CSC as compared with controls (p = 0.005, p = 0.025 and p = 0.027, respectively). Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) was upregulated in acute and chronic CSC (p = 0.030 and p = 0.005, respectively). Interleukin‐5 (IL‐5), IL‐6 and IL‐12 levels correlated with mean CT in acute CSC (p = 0.008, p = 0.003 and p = 0.044, respectively), while IL‐8, IL‐6 and TNF‐α plasma levels correlated with hypertension in chronic CSC (p = 0.005, p = 0.033 and p = 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

We provided new evidence for the possible role of plasma cytokines in the pathogenesis of CSC. Our results suggest that IL‐6 may be important in the pathophysiology of acute and chronic CSC. The association between inflammatory response and hypertension in patients with CSC was also confirmed.
Fostamatinib is an effective second‐line therapy in patients with immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Boccia Ralph , Cooper Nichola , Ghanima Waleed , Boxer Michael A , Hill Quentin A. , Sholzberg Michelle , Tarantino Michael D. , Todd Leslie K. , Tong Sandra , Bussel James B. ,   FIT Clinical Trial Investigators
Published: July 2020

Fostamatinib demonstrated efficacy in phase 3 trials of adults with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Post hoc analysis compared patients who received fostamatinib as second‐line therapy (after steroids ± immunoglobulins) versus third‐or‐later‐line therapy (after ≥2 prior lines of therapy including a second‐line agent). Platelet responses ≥50 000/µl were observed in 25/32 (78%) second‐line and 54/113 (48%) third‐or‐later‐line patients. Bleeding events were less frequent in second‐line (28%) versus third‐or‐later‐line (45%) patients. Responses once achieved tended to be durable in both groups. The safety profile was similar in both groups. In this post hoc analysis, fostamatinib was more effective as second‐line than third‐or‐later‐line therapy for ITP.
Holocene alluvial fan evolution, Schmidt‐hammer exposure‐age dating and paraglacial debris floods in theSEJostedalsbreen region, southern Norway
Authors: Matthews John A. , McEwen Lindsey J. , Owen Geraint , Los Sietse
Published: July 2020

The evolution of several sub‐alpine alluvial fansSEof the Jostedalsbreen ice cap was investigated based on their geomorphology and Schmidt‐hammer exposure‐age dating (SHD) applied to 47 boulder deposits on the fan surfaces. A debris‐flood rather than debrisflow or water‐flow origin for the deposits was inferred from their morphology, consisting of low ridges with terminal splays up to 100 m wide without lateral levees. This was supported by fan, catchment, and boulder characteristics.SHDages ranged from 9480±765 to 1955±810 years. The greatest number of boulder deposits, peak debris‐flood activity and maximum fan aggradation occurred between ̃9.0 and 8.0 ka, following regional deglaciation at ̃9.7 ka. The high debris concentrations necessary for debris floods were attributed to paraglacial processes enhanced by unstable till deposits on steep slopes within the catchments. From ̃8.0 ka, fan aggradation became progressively less as the catchment sediment sources tended towards exhaustion, precipitation decreased during the Holocene Thermal Maximum, and tree cover increased. After ̃4.0 ka, some areas of fan surfaces stabilized, while Late‐Holocene climatic deterioration led to renewed fan aggradation in response to the neoglacial growth of glaciers, culminating in the Little Ice Age. These changes are generalized within a conceptual model of alluvial fan evolution in this recently‐deglaciated mountain region and in glacierized catchments. This study highlights the potential importance of debris floods, of which relatively little is known, especially in the context of alluvial fan evolution.