bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transitioning to carbon neutrality in Bahrain: a policy brief
Authors: Alsabbagh Maha , Alnaser Waheeb Essa
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Bahrain has set a national target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, with an interim goal of a 30% reduction in CO2e emissions by 2035. The aim of this policy brief is to provide insights on how carbon neutrality in Bahrain can be achieved.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of literature related to climate change mitigation in general, and that related to Bahrain in particular, was carried out.

Findings

Given that the carbon intensity of Bahrain's economy is relatively high, achieving carbon neutrality requires not only technologies for reducing CO2e emissions at the source and enhanced carbon sinks, but it also requires the introduction of a circular economy culture and efforts to foster pro-environmental behavior within the population. The involvement of different stakeholders in the journey toward carbon neutrality is critical, along with the formulation of requisite policies regulating the roles of technology, behavior and research.

Originality/value

Pathways to achieve carbon neutrality in Bahrain were explored, and areas for policy focus were recommended.
The role of personality traits in participation in an Online Cancer Community
Authors: Badreddine Basma , Blount Yvette , Quilter Michael
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate how personality traits influence participative behaviour in an Online Cancer Community (OCC).

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 42 users of one of the largest OCCs in Australia – Cancer Council Online Community in New South Wales (NSW).

Findings

The results showed that extraversion, emotional stability and agreeableness traits influence posting behaviour, whereas the conscientiousness trait influences lurking behaviour. The openness trait did not affect either posters or lurkers’ online behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

The research highlights the pivotal role of personality traits in users’ decisions to post or lurk using a multi-theory perspective that combined the social exchange theory and the Five-Factor Model. Future studies should explore personality traits that can benefit from online participation in an OCC to transition only lurkers who may benefit from posting.

Practical implications

Insights from the study inform OCC practitioners and moderators when designing the OCC platform. Except for the openness trait, lurkers and posters exhibited different attitudes, which indicates that integrating these findings in the OCC design can facilitate adopting strategies to elicit more participation by OCC users.

Originality/value

This is the first study that explored the role of personality traits in users’ decisions to participate in an OCC.
Systematic review of critical infrastructure resilience indicators
Authors: Osei-Kyei Robert , Almeida Laura Melo , Ampratwum Godslove , Tam Vivian
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Critical infrastructures (CIs) are essential components of the built environment. They ensure the interconnectivity and good operability of any major urban environment. CIs are exposed to several disruptions such as natural events, hazards or threats that may disturb their normal functionality. These disruptions may impact societies not only from a socio-economic perspective but also environmentally. Therefore, ensuring the resilience of CIs is crucial to modern cities. This paper aims to explore the main standards and criteria used to assess the resilience of CIs.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-stage systematic review process was adopted to retrieve relevant papers. A total of 44 papers were carefully selected, and the content analysis technique was used to thoroughly analyse the papers.

Findings

Results show that researchers’ interest to investigate the assessment criteria of CIs resilience increased after 2004. Further, a total of 28 resilience criteria of CIs were identified, of which the most reported ones are organisational resilience; performance loss, disruption and recovery process; resilience metrics and index; safety, security and risk analysis; societies/communities’ resilience and/or social-equity responsibility; dynamic networks connectivity; resilience through design and structural integrity; and economic resilience.

Originality/value

The findings of this research will serve as a solid foundation for the development of hypothesis for future empirical studies into the development of assessment criteria index for CI resilience. Further, the outcomes will contribute to the ongoing international discussions and debate on the appropriate ways to develop CI resilience.
Daily spillover from home to work: the role of workplace mindfulness and daily customer mistreatment
Authors: Shi Xiaolin (Crystal) , Wang Xingyu
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This daily diary study aims to examine the influences of daily poor sleep quality on employees’ emotional exhaustion at work via negative affect at home. Additionally, this study examines the moderating effects of day-level customer mistreatment and person-level workplace mindfulness in hotel frontline employees’ daily spillover from the nonwork domain to the work domain.

Design/methodology/approach

An experience sampling method was applied, and the survey data were collected from 98 frontline service employees in the hotel industry in China. This study included a one-time initial survey and a ten-day daily diary study.

Findings

This study reveals that frontline service employees’ poor sleep quality of the previous night influences their emotional exhaustion after work through negative affect at home. On days when employees perceived a low level of customer mistreatment, the daily positive association between negative affect at home and emotional exhaustion after work would be attenuated. Moreover, employees with a higher level of workplace mindfulness are less likely to be influenced by the negative affect at home.

Practical implications

This study suggests that hospitality organizations should extend their focus on caring about employees’ nonwork life quality, such as improving daily sleep quality and providing workplace mindfulness trainings.

Originality/value

This study adds to the current literature on work and nonwork spillover by considering the spillover process from employees’ nonwork domains to work domains by taking a dynamic and multilevel perspective.
International management amid fake news and corruption
Authors: Teichmann Fabian , Boticiu Sonia Ruxandra , Sergi Bruno S.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to illustrate how bribery and fake news in Eastern European countries can affect businesses across Europe. Countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Hungary represent sizeable and potential markets. Thanks to their European Union membership and low labor costs, these markets could offer many investment opportunities to international managers. Consequently, this study focuses on the challenge of corruption encountered by international managers and the necessary precautions before committing financial resources to these countries.

Design/methodology/approach

For this study, 10 informal interviews with presumed providers of illegal services were used to investigate the previously unexplored innovative research question. Informal interviews were conducted with individuals who can be assumed to have experience or knowledge in the field of corruption in multinational corporations.

Findings

The results show the potential impact of corruption on international managers in Eastern Europe.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by examining two forms of corruption: bribing journalists to publish fake news to harm commercial rivals and bribing public officials to manufacture legal proceedings against business competitors. The following will also highlight how a corrupt judicial system can have implications abroad and what problems this may raise for mutual legal assistance.
Problem-solving style as blessing in extraversion personality and corporate entrepreneurship: evidence from automotive industry of Pakistan using Trait Activation Theory
Authors: Alam Muhammad Zubair , Rafiq Muhammad , Nasir Sobia , Abdul Rehman Chaudhary
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Employees’ personalities towards occupational outcomes have significantly gained academic attention. Personality traits (PTs) of employees as the determinant of corporate entrepreneurship (CE) outcomes research domain is emerging. This paper aims to assess extraversion PT activation for CE outcome under the problem-solving conflict handling style (CHS) situational cue.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey was conducted in automotive manufacturing firms in Pakistan for cross-sectional data collection. Structural equation modelling was used to assess the hypothesised theoretical model from 376 employees.

Findings

Results revealed a positive and significant impact of extraversion on CE. Also, employees with high extraversion traits were found to prefer the problem-solving style in managing workplace conflicts. The extraversion trait was also found to be activated under the situational cue of the problem-solving style.

Practical implications

The present study draws implications on person-job fit conceptions at the workplace while hiring, promoting and appointing employees. Personality assessment at the workplace is still in infancy in developing countries. The benefits of employees’ personalities can positively impact organisational performance measures like CE.

Originality/value

The present study has proposed the theoretical model based on Trait Activation Theory (TAT) and contributed theoretically through empirically testing the theoretical model by investigating the employees’ CHS role in activating their PTs towards the CE outcomes. Theoretically, using TAT conceptualisations in entrepreneurship and CE is novel as previous knowledge on PTs activation towards CE outcomes is non-existent. CHS as situational cues will attract social science researchers towards studying its role in various predictor outcome links across multiple work settings.
Teen firearm access during COVID: a repeated cross-sectional analysis of Pennsylvania families
Authors: Wallace Lacey Nicole
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate patterns in adolescent gun access and household gun storage in 2021 and 2022.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from two cross-sectional surveys of Pennsylvania parents with a teenage child at home.

Findings

The results indicated that about 20% of gun owners in each survey stored their guns loaded; a similar percentage stored their guns unlocked. Very few gun owners reported that their children could access their guns without adult supervision. This study found no change in gun storage practices between 2021 and 2022, but higher rates of gun ownership in 2022. The factors associated with gun storage behaviors did change between the two time points. COVID-related uncertainties and transitions in the household were linked to gun ownership and less safe storage practices in 2021, but not in 2022.

Originality/value

This study identified factors associated with teen gun access at distinct points during the pandemic. This study found little evidence of any association between child mental health and household firearm storage.
Rural tourism experience research: a bibliometric visualization review (1996-2021)
Authors: Guan Hongmei , Huang TaoZhen
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to identify the intellectual structures, current hotspots and research directions on rural tourism experience (RTE)–related fields from 1996 to 2021.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected 589 journal articles and reviews from the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus database and analyzed them through VOSviewer and CiteSpace.

Findings

The results indicate a trend of gradual increase in RTE research, covering three main research themes. The most productive countries and institutions with RTE-related publications are mostly members of the European Union. However, the Asia-Pacific region is growing in RTE research and establishing influence. The author collaboration network and influential journals show the importance of the Malaysian authors and top travel journals. The discipline structure, critical articles and high-frequency keywords reflect the research hotspots and trends of RTE.

Originality/value

This study systematically reviews the RTE-related publications over the past 26 years. Accordingly, it can assist scholars gain a more comprehensive understanding of RTE research and acquire future research directions.
Conversion of natural grassland to cropland alters microbial community assembly across northern China
Authors: Chen Yongliang , Yang Xue , Fu Wei , Chen Baodong , Hu Hangwei , Feng Kai , Geisen Stefan
Published: July 2022

To feed the growing human population, natural grasslands are being converted to agricultural use at a massive scale. This conversion may have negative consequences for soil biodiversity, but its impact on the community assembly of differentially microbial groups remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the diversity and community compositions of bacteria, archaea, fungi and protists, using a paired sampling of grassland and cropland soils across the agro‐pastoral ecotone of northern China. Land‐use conversion decreased α diversity of bacteria, fungi and protists, and altered the structures of the entire soil microbial community (archaea, bacteria, fungi and protists). The community assembly of archaea and bacteria was dominated by stochastic processes, and that of protists dominated by deterministic processes in both land‐use types. By contrast, the fungal community was governed more strongly by stochastic processes in grassland soil, than by deterministic processes in cropland soil. Our findings support the ʻsize‐plasticityʼ hypothesis that smaller body‐sized microorganisms (archaea and bacteria) are more structured by stochastic processes, and larger one (protist) is more influenced by deterministic processes. Our study demonstrates that distinct ecological processes govern microbial community assembly, and land‐use change regulates the balance between determinism and stochasticity.
Functional analysis, diversity, and distribution of carbendazim hydrolases MheI and CbmA, responsible for the initial step in carbendazim degradation
Authors: Zhang Mingliang , Bai Xuekun , Li Qian , Zhang Lu , Zhu Qian , Gao Siyuan , Ke Zhijian , Jiang Mingli , Hu Junqiang , Qiu Jiguo , Hong Qing
Published: July 2022

Strains Rhodococcus qingshengii djl‐6 and Rhodococcus jialingiae djl‐6‐2 both harbour the typical carbendazim degradation pathway with the hydrolysis of carbendazim to 2‐aminobenzimidazole (2‐AB) as the initial step. However, the enzymes involved in this process are still unknown. In this study, the previous reported carbendazim hydrolase MheI was found in strain djl‐6, but not in strain djl‐6‐2, then another carbendazim hydrolase CbmA was obtained by a four‐step purification strategy from strain djl‐6‐2. CbmA was classified as a member of the amidase signature superfamily with conserved catalytic site residues Ser157, Ser181, and Lys82, while MheI was classified as a member of the Abhydrolase superfamily with conserved catalytic site residues Ser77 and His224. The catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of MheI (24.0–27.9 μM−1 min−1) was 200 times more than that of CbmA (0.032–0.21 μM−1 min−1). The mheI gene (plasmid encoded) was highly conserved (>99% identity) in the strains from different bacterial genera and its plasmid encoded flanked by mobile genetic elements. The cmbA gene was highly conserved only in strains of the genus Rhodococcus and it was chromosomally encoded. Overall, the function, diversity, and distribution of carbendazim hydrolases MheI and CbmA will provide insights into the microbial degradation of carbendazim.
Functional characterisation of buffalo milk protein co‐precipitate
Authors: Gawande Hemant , Arora Sumit , Sharma Vivek , Meena Ganga S , Singh Ashish K
Published: July 2022

Buffalo milk protein co‐precipitates (BMPC) were prepared using disodium hydrogen phosphate (DSP) and trisodium citrate (TSC) and were evaluated for their techno‐functional properties. Buffalo milk protein co‐precipitates have superior wettability and wider particle size distribution leading to better flowability against conventional high protein powders. Emulsifying properties of BMPC were better than milk protein concentrates (MPC), whereas foaming properties were similar to buffalo MPC60. Buffalo milk protein co‐precipitates prepared with TSC had significantly higher bulk density, dispersibility, solubility, and lower heat stability than BMPC prepared with DSP.
Simulating human gastrointestinal motility in dynamic in vitro models
Authors: Li Yiwen , Kong Fanbin
Published: July 2022

The application of dynamic in vitro gastrointestinal (GI) models has grown in popularity to understand the impact of food structure and composition on human health. Given that GI motility is integral to digestion and absorption, a predictive in vitro model should faithfully replicate the motility patterns and motor functions in vivo. In this review, typical characteristics of gastric and small intestinal motility in humans as well as the biomechanical and hydrodynamic events pertinent to gut motility are summarized. The simulation of GI motility in the presently existing dynamic in vitro models is discussed from an engineering perspective and categorized into hydraulic, piston/probe‐driven, roller‐driven, pneumatic, and other systems. Each system and its representative models are evaluated in terms of their motility patterns, the key hydrodynamic characteristics concerning gut motility, their performance in simulating the key physiological events, and their ability to establish in vitro–in vivo correlations.

Practical Application: The review paper provided useful information in the design of dynamic GI models and the simulation of human gastric and small intestinal motility which are important for understanding food and health.
Current approaches and challenges of sample preparation procedures for the safety assessment of paper and cardboard food contact materials: A comprehensive review
Authors: Kourkopoulos Athanasios , Sijm Dick T.H.M. , Vrolijk Misha F.
Published: July 2022

In the European Union (EU), Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 provides a harmonized legal EU framework and sets out the general principles for safety and inertness for all Food Contact Materials (FCMs) and Food Contact Articles. From a food safety point of view, however, specific EU legislation for paper and cardboard FCMs is lacking, while at Member State level, national legislation differs among countries. More than 11,000 chemicals have been identified in all types of FCMs, most of them without any information on toxicity or migration potential from FCM to food. The present review shows a wide variability of protocols, approaches, and conditions used in scientific studies, which are difficult to compare. In this regard, procedures and conditions laid down in EU legislation for plastics and European Standards (EN protocols) may serve as a good basis for the future sample preparation procedures in the framework of paper and cardboard FCMs safety assessment. Challenges on sample preparation procedures are presented involving the interlinked steps of sample preparation, conditions used and their impact in chemical analysis and in vitro bioassay testing. Currently, there is no general consensus on the criteria for structuring, evaluating, and tuning sample preparation procedures for paper and cardboard FCMs. For this purpose, a set of modified criteria and a decision tree are proposed based on the literature. Along this, mass transfer processes occurring in paper and cardboard FCMs and parameters affecting chemical migration need to be accounted for prior to reaching general consensus on criteria for sample preparation procedures.
The burning maze: The potential value of the human bony labyrinth in estimating sex of calcined remains
Authors: Boucherie Alexandra , Polet Caroline , Salesse Kevin , Lefèvre Philippe , Vercauteren Martine
Published: July 2022

Estimating sex from burnt human remains is a challenging task in bioanthropology, mainly due to their high level of alteration and fragmentation. Protected within the petrous part of the temporal bone, the bony labyrinth may be particularly valuable for assessing the sex of burnt remains. This prospective study aims at testing predictive models, already found reliable on unburnt bony labyrinths, to burnt specimens. Six discriminant functions were applied on six bony labyrinths of donated adult cadavers of known sex, before and after outdoor burning experiments. Comparisons between unburnt and burnt measurements were executed using Mann–Whitney U tests while shape and size differences induced by fire exposure were examined through a geometric morphometrics (GM) analysis. Predicted sex on unburnt bony labyrinths was consistent with known sex in five cases while a systematic misclassification for males was highlighted on burnt specimens. Higher values of shrinkage were found in males for two measurements included in the equations. GM analysis revealed significant differences in centroid size among males after calcination. Visualization of mean consensus of both female and male bony labyrinths evidenced a reduction in cochlear size and variations in the width and length of semicircular canals of burnt specimens. This exploratory study seems to confirm that designing sex estimation standards specifically for burnt bony labyrinth may be advisable. Understanding how the burning process could impact its morphology is highly recommended through further experiments on larger samples and in controlled environments.
Cervical spine immobilisation is only required in drowning patients at high risk of axial loading of the spine
Authors: Thom Ogilvie , Roberts Kym , Leggat Peter A , Devine Susan , Peden Amy E , Franklin Richard
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Wave forced impacts are known to result in cervical spine injuries (CSI) and approximately 20% of drownings in Australia occur at the beach. The most common mechanism of injury in studies examining the frequency of CSI in drowning patients is shallow water diving. The aim of the present study was to determine what proportion of CSIs occurring in bodies of water experienced a concomitant drowning injury in a location where wave forced impacts are likely to be an additional risk factor.

Methods

Electronic medical records at the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service EDs, Queensland Ambulance Service case records and Surf Life Saving Queensland data between 1 January 2015 and 21 April 2021 were manually linked. Outcomes recorded included victim demographics, scene information, hospital course and patient disposition.

Results

Ninety‐one of 574 (15.9%) CSIs occurred in a body of water with risk of drowning. However, only 4 (4.3%) had a simultaneous drowning injury, representing 0.8% (4/483) of drowning presentations. Ten (10.9%) patients reported loss of consciousness, including the four with drowning. The principal mechanism of CSI was a wave forced impact (71/91, 78%). Most injuries occurred at the beach (79/91, 86.8%). Delayed presentation was common (28/91, 31%). A history of axial loading was 100% sensitive when indicating imaging.

Conclusions

The combination of CSI and drowning is uncommon. Cervical spine precautions are only required in drowning patients with signs or a history, or at high risk of, axial loading of the spine. This paper supports the move away from routine cervical spine precautions even in a high‐risk population.
Rheumatoid arthritis and nutritional profile: A study in Brazilian females
Authors: Doubek João Gabriel Cavazzani , Kahlow Bárbara S. , Nisihara Renato , Skare Thelma L.
Published: July 2022

Background

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may have nutritional impairment. In RA, muscle loss is associated with an increase in fat tissue, and the patients may not have body mass index (BMI) alterations.

Aim

To study the nutritional status in a sample of patients with RA in Brazil through mini nutritional assessment (MNA) and electric bioimpedance and its relationship to BMI, functionality, disease activity, and treatment.

Methods

Seventy‐one RA females were included. Chart review was used to obtain epidemiological, clinical, and treatment data. Patients answered the MNA and were submitted to electrical bioimpedance and anthropometric measurements. Disease activity was assessed through simple disease activity index (SDAI), clinical disease activity index (CDAI), and function, through health assessment questionnaire (HAQ).

Results

According to MNA, 23 (32.4%) patients were at risk for malnutrition and 1 (1.4%) was malnourished. MNA were associated with disease activity and function impairment (SDAI P = .02; CDAI P = .02, and HAQ P = .002) but not with used medications. According to BMI, 76% were overweight or obese. An increased percentage of body fat was found in 98.7% and a lower percentage of lean mass in 95.7%. Disease activity and function were not associated with the percentage of body fat of any used medications, with a lower percentage of body fat in those using abatacept (P = .01).

Conclusion

Almost one‐third of patients had nutritional impairment according to MNA which was associated with disease activity and loss of function. Almost the whole sample had an increased percentage of fat mass and a diminished percentage of muscle mass that could not be linked with disease activity, function or used medications.
A Giant Silence – An atypical association of sensorineural hearing loss with Giant Cell Arteritis
Authors: Shi Yu Feng , Malik Sameer
Published: July 2022

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic vasculitic disorder predominantly affecting medium to large sized arteries, prevalent in the 50 plus age group. This case illustrates an atypical presentation of this disease in the form of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Apart from the presence of constitutional and vertiginous symptoms, there were essentially no classical features of GCA. Differentials were broad including infection, malignancy and medication toxicity as well as brain, eye and ear syndromes such as Cogan's syndrome, all of which were eventually excluded. Her diagnosis was ultimately confirmed on positron emission tomography, which highlights the diagnostic importance of this modality. She was managed with corticosteroids then tocilizumab and is making a gradual recovery. Literature review demonstrates that SNHL is more prevalent than previously suggested in GCA, although this does not have widespread recognition. Mechanisms of SNHL in GCA include vascular occlusion, immunological mechanisms including cross reactivity with viral antigens and direct viral infection. SNHL does appear to improve with corticosteroids. This case emphasizes the importance of considering GCA as an important differential in SNHL.
Minimal trauma hip fracture hospitalisations among older Indigenous and non‐Indigenous Australians: A retrospective population‐based cohort study
Authors: Pit Sabrina , Knox Craig , Rolfe Margaret , Wheeler James
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To compare minimal trauma hip fractures (MTHF) between older Indigenous and non‐Indigenous Australians.

Methods

Epidemiological study of retrospective New South Wales hospitalisation data (2005–2016) for MTHF among Indigenous and non‐Indigenous Australians over 40 years of age.

Results

Estimated age‐standardised rates of MTHF were lower among Indigenous Australians than non‐Indigenous Australians (142.2 vs. 161.7 per 100,000) with a direct standardised rate ratio of 0.887 (95%CI 0.78–0.99, p = 0.031). However, for both male and female Indigenous Australians, MTHF occur at a younger age than in non‐Indigenous Australians (age 40–74: 52% vs. 19%, p < 0.001). Proportions of MTHF are higher among women and were almost double among rural Indigenous Australians compared with rural non‐Indigenous Australians (59% vs. 31%, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

New South Wales Hospitalisation data showed that estimated age‐standardised rates of MTHF appear lower among Indigenous Australians than in non‐Indigenous Australians but also occur at a younger age for Indigenous people. MTHF are more common among rural Indigenous Australians and women.
Letter: a promising Helicobacter pylori regimen ‐ vonoprazan‐based therapy
Authors: Hu Yi , Lu Nong‐Hua
Published: July 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Ang et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17070 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17133
Fatal adverse drug reactions in children: A descriptive study in the World Health Organization pharmacovigilance database, 2010–2019
Authors: Montastruc Jean‐Louis
Published: July 2022

Aims

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent a significant public health burden. There are few data on fatal ADRs in children. This population is particularly at risk due to metabolic and physiological immaturity, frequent off‐label drug use and limited paediatric clinical pharmacology studies. The study investigated the main characteristics of drug‐related deaths registered in World Health Organization pharmacovigilance database, during the past decade.

Methods

Fatal outcomes registered between 2010 and 2019 in children (<18 y) and reported by physicians were investigated. Age, sex and suspected drugs were described and disproportionality analyses investigated differences according to sex, age and continents with calculation of reporting odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval.

Results

Among the 1 198 560 reports registered in children, 1585 (0.13%) were fatal. They occurred mainly in boys, aged 28 days–23 months. Reports mostly came from the Americas and Europe and involved, besides anti‐infectious drugs (mainly vaccines), central nervous system (vigabatrin, paracetamol, methylphenidate…) and antineoplastic/immunomodulating (mainly thalidomide) and cardiovascular (mainly bosentan) drugs without major differences between boys and girls. Large differences were found according to continents and age. The risk of reporting was higher in boys, in children aged <23 months, in the Americas and Africa.

Conclusion

Fatal ADRs represented a small part (around 1/1000) of total registered ADRs, occurred more frequently in boys and during the first 2 years of life. Beside anti‐infectious drugs (vaccines), neuropsychiatric drugs were the most frequently involved, with large differences according to continents and classes of age.
“I have travelled along on my own”—Experiences of seeking help for serious non‐COVID health problems during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A qualitative study
Authors: Parretti Helen M. , Belderson Pippa , Eborall Helen , Naughton Felix , Loke Yoon , Steel Nick , Bachmann Max , Hardeman Wendy
Published: July 2022

Objectives

During COVID‐19 the UK general population has been given strong messages to stay at home. Concurrently unprecedented changes occurred in healthcare access with moves to remote/triage systems. Data have shown that the number of people accessing healthcare services decreased and there are significant concerns that the pandemic has negatively affected help‐seeking for serious conditions, with potentially increased morbidity and mortality. An understanding of help‐seeking is urgently needed to inform public campaigns. We aimed to develop an in‐depth, theory‐based understanding of how, when and why people sought help for potentially serious symptoms (e.g., related to major cardiovascular events or cancer diagnoses) during the pandemic, and what influenced their decisions.

Design

Qualitative semi‐structured interviews.

Methods

We interviewed 25 adults recruited through a targeted social media campaign. Interviews were conducted via telephone or online platform. Our topic guide was informed by the Model of Pathways to Treatment and the Capability‐Opportunity‐Motivation‐Behaviour model.

Results

The analysis identified four main themes: Delay in recognition, Holding on to concerns, Weighing it up and Long‐term impacts. Multiple societal and environmental factors influenced participants' help‐seeking and motivation, capability and opportunity to seek help, with long‐term impacts on well‐being and future help‐seeking.

Conclusions

There is a need for clear guidance about pathways to raise concerns about symptoms and gain advice while usual healthcare contacts are paused or stopped. Recommendations for future interventions to support help‐seeking during pandemics include clearer messaging, co‐produced with end‐users, on when, where and how to seek help.
Tumor cell–released LC3‐positive EVs promote lung metastasis of breast cancer through enhancing premetastatic niche formation
Authors: Sun Xiaotong , Wang Xuru , Yan Chunguang , Zheng Shiya , Gao Rong , Huang Fang , Wei Yiting , Wen Zhifa , Chen Yongqiang , Zhou Xiaohe , Liu Xueming , Chen Bohao , Shen Yuqing , Cai Yunlang , Pan Ning , Wang Lixin
Published: July 2022

Most breast cancer–related deaths are caused by metastasis in vital organs including the lungs. Development of supportive metastatic microenvironments, referred to as premetastatic niches (PMNs), in certain distant organs before arrival of metastatic cells, is critical in metastasis. However, the mechanisms of PMN formation are not fully clear. Here, we demonstrated that chemoattractant C–C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) could be stimulated by heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) on the surface of murine 4 T1 breast cancer cell–released LC3+ extracellular vesicles (LC3+ EVs) via the TLR2‐MyD88‐NF‐κB signal cascade in lung fibroblasts, which subsequently promoted lung PMN formation through recruiting monocytes and suppressing T cell function. Consistently, reduction of LC3+ EV release or HSP60 level or neutralization of CCL2 markedly attenuated PMN formation and lung metastasis. Furthermore, the number of circulating LC3+ EVs and HSP60 level on LC3+ EVs in the plasma of breast cancer patients were positively correlated with disease progression and lung metastasis, which might have potential value as biomarkers of lung metastasis in breast cancer patients (AUC = 0.898, 0.694, respectively). These findings illuminate a novel mechanism of PMN formation and might provide therapeutic targets for anti‐metastasis therapy for patients with breast cancer.
Golexanolone, a GABAA receptor modulating steroid antagonist, restores motor coordination and cognitive function in hyperammonemic rats by dual effects on peripheral inflammation and neuroinflammation
Authors: Mincheva Gergana , Gimenez‐Garzo Carla , Izquierdo‐Altarejos Paula , Martinez‐Garcia Mar , Doverskog Magnus , Blackburn Thomas P. , Hällgren Anneli , Bäckström Torbjörn , Llansola Marta , Felipo Vicente
Published: July 2022

Aims

Hyperammonemic rats show peripheral inflammation, increased GABAergic neurotransmission and neuroinflammation in cerebellum and hippocampus which induce motor incoordination and cognitive impairment. Neuroinflammation enhances GABAergic neurotransmission in cerebellum by enhancing the TNFR1‐glutaminase‐GAT3 and TNFR1‐CCL2‐TrkB‐KCC2 pathways. Golexanolone reduces GABAA receptors potentiation by allopregnanolone. This work aimed to assess if treatment of hyperammonemic rats with golexanolone reduces peripheral inflammation and neuroinflammation and restores cognitive and motor function and to analyze underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Rats were treated with golexanolone and effects on peripheral inflammation, neuroinflammation, TNFR1‐glutaminase‐GAT3 and TNFR1‐CCL2‐TrkB‐KCC2 pathways, and cognitive and motor function were analyzed.

Results

Hyperammonemic rats show increased TNFα and reduced IL‐10 in plasma, microglia and astrocytes activation in cerebellum and hippocampus, and impaired motor coordination and spatial and short‐term memories. Treating hyperammonemic rats with golexanolone reversed changes in peripheral inflammation, microglia and astrocytes activation and restored motor coordination and spatial and short‐term memory. This was associated with reversal of the hyperammonemia‐enhanced activation in cerebellum of the TNFR1‐glutaminase‐GAT3 and TNFR1‐CCL2‐TrkB‐KCC2 pathways.

Conclusion

Reducing GABAA receptors activation with golexanolone reduces peripheral inflammation and neuroinflammation and improves cognitive and motor function in hyperammonemic rats. The effects identified would also occur in patients with hepatic encephalopathy and, likely, in other pathologies associated with neuroinflammation.
Depression rates among African American inflammatory bowel disease patients at a large safety net hospital
Authors: Jordan Ariel , Mills Krystal , Sobukonla Timothy , Bredy Sancia , Kelly Alexander , Flood Michael
Published: July 2022

Aim

Major depressive disorder is a prominent psychiatric illness in the United States. It has been found to be higher among patients with inflammatory bowel disease. However, few studies have focused on depression among minority populations with inflammatory bowel disease. Our study determined the prevalence of depression in minority patients with inflammatory bowel disease at our safety‐net hospital, which serves a predominantly African American patient population.

Methods

We conducted a single centre retrospective cohort study at a large, urban outpatient centre. We retrieved the electronic medical records of patients with inflammatory bowel disease who were seen in the gastroenterology clinic from December 2018–December 2019. Data on the severity of depression within the minority population, using the nine‐question Patient Health Questionnaire, was obtained. The effects of age, sex, inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis, and comorbidities were analysed. A p‐value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of IBD patients were included in the study, of which 46.7% were female and 53.3% were male. Mean age was 44 years. With regard to race, 88.4% were African American, 5.3% Asian, 2.1% Hispanic, 1.1% American Indian/Alaskan Native, and 3.2% multiracial. A total of 71.6% had Crohn's disease and 28.4% had ulcerative colitis. Overall prevalence of major depressive disorder was 25.3%; 45.8% had minimal, 8.3% mild, 33.3% moderate, and 12.5% severe depression. A total of 34.7% of patients were never screened for depression, and 13.8% had other psychiatric conditions. There was a difference in depression rates based on psychiatric conditions (p = 0.00), but no difference based on sex (p = 0.37), IBD subtype (p = 0.34), or medical conditions (p = 0.84).

Conclusions

Rates of depression among minority patients, predominantly African American, with inflammatory bowel disease were higher than previously reported for all patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Over 40% experienced moderate to severe depression. There was a low screening rate for depression. This data will be used to improve depression screening, especially among minorities.
Gender Differences in STEM Persistence after Graduation
Authors: Delaney Judith M. , Devereux Paul J.
Published: July 2022

Much attention is focused on finding ways to encourage females to study STEM in school and college, but what actually happens once women complete a STEM degree? We use the UK Quarterly Labour Force Survey to trace out gender differences in STEM persistence over the career. We find a continuous process whereby women are more likely to exit STEM than men. Among STEM undergraduate degree holders, women are more likely to obtain a non‐STEM master's degree. After entering the labour market, there is a gradual outflow of females during the first 15 years post‐graduation, so that females are about 20 percentage points less likely to work in STEM than men. Conditional on leaving STEM, females are more likely to enter the education and health sectors, while males are more likely to enter the business sector, and this can partly explain the gender pay gap for STEM graduates. Overall, our results suggest that policies that aim to increase the proportion of females studying STEM may have less effect than expected due to the lower attachment of females to STEM after graduation. Such policies may need to be augmented with efforts to tackle the greater propensity of females to exit STEM throughout the career.
Effect of a new nonoxide additive, Y3Si2C2, on the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of Si3N4 ceramics
Authors: Huang Minzhong , Huang Yao , Ou Jun , Wu Yangyang , Wang Junye , Wu Shanghua
Published: July 2022

Enhancement of the thermal conductivity of silicon nitride is usually achieved by sacrificing its mechanical properties (bending strength). In this study, β‐Si3N4 ceramics were prepared using self‐synthesized Y3Si2C2 and MgO as sintering additives. It was found that the thermal conductivity of the Si3N4 ceramics was remarkably improved without sacrificing their mechanical properties. The microstructure and properties of the Si3N4 ceramics were analyzed and compared with those of the Y2O3‐MgO additives. The addition of Y3Si2C2 eliminated the inherent SiO2 and introduced nitrogen to increase the N/O ratio of the grain‐boundary phase, inducing Si3N4 grain growth, increasing Si3N4 grain contiguity, and reducing lattice oxygen content in Si3N4. Therefore, by replacing Y2O3 with Y3Si2C2, the thermal conductivity of the Si3N4 ceramics was significantly increased by 31.5% from 85 to 111.8Wm−1K−1, but the bending strength only slightly decreased from 704 ± 63MPa to 669 ± 33MPa.
Treatment with IgM‐enriched intravenous immunoglobulins enhances clearance of stroke‐associated bacterial lung infection
Authors: McCulloch Laura , Harris Alison J. , Malbon Alexandra , Daniels Michael J. D. , Younas Mehwish , Grainger John R. , Allan Stuart M. , Smith Craig J. , McColl Barry W.
Published: July 2022

Post‐stroke infection is a common complication of stroke that is associated with poor outcome. We previously reported that stroke induces an ablation of multiple sub‐populations of B cells and reduces levels of immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody, which coincides with the development of spontaneous bacterial pneumonia. The loss of IgM after stroke could be an important determinant of infection susceptibility and highlights this pathway as a target for intervention. We treated mice with a replacement dose of IgM‐enriched intravenous immunoglobulin (IgM‐IVIg) prior to and 24 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and allowed them to recover for 2‐ or 5‐day post‐surgery. Treatment with IgM‐IVIg enhanced bacterial clearance from the lung after MCAO and improved lung pathology but did not impact brain infarct volume. IgM‐IVIg treatment induced immunomodulatory effects systemically, including rescue of splenic plasma B cell numbers and endogenous mouse IgM and IgA circulating immunoglobulin concentrations that were reduced by MCAO. Treatment attenuated MCAO‐induced elevation of selected pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the lung. IgM‐IVIg treatment did not increase the number of lung mononuclear phagocytes or directly modulate macrophage phagocytic capacity but enhanced phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus bioparticles in vitro. Low‐dose IgM‐IVIg contributes to increased clearance of spontaneous lung bacteria after MCAO likely via increasing availability of antibody in the lung to enhance opsonophagocytic activity. Immunomodulatory effects of IgM‐IVIg treatment may also contribute to reduced levels of damage in the lung after MCAO. IgM‐IVIg shows promise as an antibacterial and immunomodulatory agent to use in the treatment of post‐stroke infection.
COVID‐19 vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization due to SARS‐CoV‐2: A test‐negative design study based on Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) sentinel surveillance in Spain
Authors: Mazagatos Clara , Delgado‐Sanz Concepción , Monge Susana , Pozo Francisco , Oliva Jesús , Sandonis Virginia , Gandarillas Ana , Quiñones‐Rubio Carmen , Ruiz‐Sopeña Cristina , Gallardo‐García Virtudes , Basile Luca , Barranco‐Boada María Isabel , Hidalgo‐Pardo Olga , Vazquez‐Cancela Olalla , García‐Vázquez Miriam , Fernández‐Sierra Amelia , Milagro‐Beamonte Ana , Ordobás María , Martínez‐Ochoa Eva , Fernández‐Arribas Socorro , Lorusso Nicola , Martínez Ana , García‐Fulgueiras Ana , Sastre‐Palou Bartolomé , Losada‐Castillo Isabel , Martínez‐Cuenca Silvia , Rodríguez‐del Águila Mar , Latorre Miriam , Larrauri Amparo ,   The SARI surveillance VE group in Spain
Published: July 2022

Background

With the emergence of SARS‐CoV‐2, influenza surveillance systems in Spain were transformed into a new syndromic sentinel surveillance system. The Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance System (SiVIRA in Spanish) is based on a sentinel network for acute respiratory infection (ARI) surveillance in primary care and a network of sentinel hospitals for severe ARI (SARI) surveillance in hospitals.

Methods

Using a test‐negative design and data from SARI admissions notified to SiVIRA between January 1 and October 3, 2021, we estimated COVID‐19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against hospitalization, by age group, vaccine type, time since vaccination, and SARS‐CoV‐2 variant.

Results

VE was 89% (95% CI: 83–93) against COVID‐19 hospitalization overall in persons aged 20 years and older. VE was higher for mRNA vaccines, and lower for those aged 80 years and older, with a decrease in protection beyond 3 months of completing vaccination, and a further decrease after 5 months. We found no differences between periods with circulation of Alpha or Delta SARS‐CoV‐2 variants, although variant‐specific VE was slightly higher against Alpha.

Conclusions

The SiVIRA sentinel hospital surveillance network in Spain was able to describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics of SARI hospitalizations and provide estimates of COVID‐19 VE in the population under surveillance. Our estimates add to evidence of high effectiveness of mRNA vaccines against severe COVID‐19 and waning of protection with time since vaccination in those aged 80 or older. No substantial differences were observed between SARS‐CoV‐2 variants (Alpha vs. Delta).
Features and clinical significance of tertiary lymphoid structure in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wu Y.H. , Wu F. , Yan G.R. , Zeng Q.Y. , Jia N. , Zheng Z. , Fang S. , Liu Y.Q. , Zhang G.L. , Wang X.L.
Published: July 2022

Background

Tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) plays an important role in antitumour immunity, largely reflecting the prognosis. However, its clinical implication in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) remains unknown.

Objectives

To explore the features of TLS in cSCC and its association with clinicopathological characteristics.

Methods

Two independent RNA‐seq data of cSCC were used to investigate the tumour immune microenvironment, as well as TLS‐related chemokines and cytokines. The density and location of TLSs were assessed in a total of 82 cSCC patients, and the clinicopathologic association was examined.

Results

Bioinformatics analysis showed that a large amount of immune cell infiltration and significant up‐regulation of TLS‐related chemokines were observed in cSCC. Histologically, TLSs appeared as highly organized structures in 72 (87.8%) cases with different levels of density and maturation, among which 14 cases were in low‐density group and 58 cases were in high‐density group. Clinically, the presence of TLS was prominently associated with better degree of histopathological grades and higher level of sun exposure. Furthermore, the presence of intratumoral TLS was associated with lower lymphovascular invasion.

Conclusions

TLS is highly organized in cSCC, and the presence of TLS is a positive prognostic factor for cSCC, which will provide a theoretical basis for the future diagnostic and therapeutic value in cSCC.