bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Workfare redux? Pandemic unemployment, labour activation and the lessons of post-crisis welfare reform in Ireland
Authors: McGann Michael , Murphy Mary P. , Whelan Nuala
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper addresses the labour market impacts of Covid-19, the necessity of active labour policy reform in response to this pandemic unemployment crisis and what trajectory this reform is likely to take as countries shift attention from emergency income supports to stimulating employment recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on Ireland’s experience, as an illustrative case. This is motivated by the scale of Covid-related unemployment in Ireland, which is partly a function of strict lockdown measures but also the policy choices made in relation to the architecture of income supports. Also, Ireland was one of the countries most impacted by the Great Recession leading it to introduce sweeping reforms of its active labour policy architecture.

Findings

The analysis shows that the Covid unemployment crisis has far exceeded that of the last financial and banking crisis in Ireland. Moreover, Covid has also exposed the fragility of Ireland's recovery from the Great Recession and the fault-lines of poor public services, which intensify precarity in the context of low-paid employment growth precipitated by workfare policies implemented since 2010. While these policies had some short-term success in reducing the numbers on the Live Register, many cohorts were left behind by the reforms and these employment gains have now been almost entirely eroded.

Originality/value

The lessons from Ireland's experience of post-crisis activation reform speak to the challenges countries now face in adapting their welfare systems to facilitate a post-Covid recovery, and the risks of returning to “workfare” as usual.
Investigating design targets for effective performance management system: an application of balance scorecard using QFD
Authors: Agarwal Alpana
Published: September 2020

Purpose

An effective performance management must track level of employee engagement, ensure employee feedback on all aspects and ensure that the people act on that information. Also, it must ensure accessibility of essential conditions to perform. Considering the challenges associated with existing performance management system, present study attempts to discover factual expectations from the employees. The paper also establishes required conditions for fulfilling such expectations.

Design/methodology/approach

Present study attempts to discover factual expectations from the employees using the Balance Scorecard approach (BSC). Furthermore, using Quality Function Deployment (QFD), relation between employers' expectation and requirements necessary to fulfill such expectations has also been determined.

Findings

The suggested model has been developed as House Of Performance Management (HOPM) outlining potential leveraging points for enhancing the performance, based on which immediate actionable measures for effective and efficient performance management can also been advocated. The HOQ suggested in this paper can be source of reference while developing performance management system for an organization. Besides, it can help the Human Resource team to discover strategic opportunities and set targets.

Originality/value

Effective goal setting, pooled with a method to track progress and identify obstacles, contribute to attainment of bottom to top line results. However, designing and implementing such performance management system has been associated with many challenges like lack of top management support, perception of the process as time-consuming, failure to communicate clear and specific goals and expectations, lack of consistency, etc. (Managing employee performance, 2019). Hence most organizations have been increasingly looking for effective ways of assessing employee performance that can promote stakeholders' satisfaction, employee engagement and continuous improvement.
Driving sustainability in SMEs’ performance: the effect of strategic flexibility
Authors: Gorondutse Abdullahi Hassan , Arshad Darwina , Alshuaibi Ahmad Said
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Although the significance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in influencing economic growth is recognized, the performance of SMEs all over the world including Nigeria is unanticipated. Thus, this research aims to investigate the effect of strategic flexibility by moderating the effects of sustainability strategy on the SMEs' performance in Nigeria from a business strategy perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses of the study were tested using personally administered survey questionnaires; the study obtained 486 valid questionnaires, which were evaluated using SmartPLS algorithm and bootstrapping functions.

Findings

The research findings were established using SmartPLS algorithm and bootstrapping functions. According to the results, the research constructs have a satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity. Equally, the overall model has a very high predictive relevance. The study established a strong positive influence of strategic flexibility on the SMEs’ performance. In addition, the study also established the moderating influence of sustainability strategy on the constructs.

Research limitations/implications

The research is explorative and designed to yield results and to be generalizable. Future research is thus encouraged to confirm or contradict the results of this study in a different context.

Practical implications

The research findings may be beneficial to policymakers and academics. It can particularly be useful in understanding strategic flexibility, its influence on the performance of SMEs and whether it can fit between the sustainability and strategic direction of a business enterprise.

Originality/value

This study fulfils an identified need to study strategic flexibility and its influence on the performance of SMEs using a dynamic perspective specifically in the context of emerging economies such as Nigeria.
Responsiveness to i.v. immunoglobulin therapy in patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis: A novel pharmaco‐immunogenetic concept
Authors: Borilova Linhartova Petra , Gachova Daniela , Lipovy Bretislav
Published: September 2020

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) represents a rare drug‐induced autoimmune reaction with delayed‐type hypersensitivity that initiates the process of developing massive keratinocyte apoptosis, dominantly in the dermoepidermal junction. Although the etiopathophysiology has not yet been fully elucidated, the binding of Fas ligand (FasL, CD95L) to the Fas receptor (CD95) was shown to play a key role in the induction of apoptosis in this syndrome. The knowledge of the role of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in inhibition of Fas‐mediated apoptosis contributed to the introduction of i.v. Ig (IVIg) in the therapy of TEN patients. Despite great enthusiasm for this therapy at the end of the 1990s, subsequent studies in various populations and meta‐analyses could not unequivocally confirm the efficacy of the IVIg‐based treatment concept. Today, therefore, we are faced with the dilemmas of how to adjust therapy of TEN patients most effectively, which patients could benefit from IVIg therapy and what dose of the preparation should be administrated. The ground‐breaking question is: do the host genetic profiles influence the responsiveness and side‐effects of IVIg therapy in TEN patients? Based on recent pharmacological, immunological and genetic findings, we suggest that the variability of IVIg therapy outcomes in TEN patients may be related to functional variants in Fas, FasL and Fc‐γ receptor genes. This novel concept could lead to improved quality of care for patients with TEN, facilitating personalized therapy to reduce mortality.
Impact of development aid on infant mortality: Micro‐level evidence from Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Wayoro Didier , Ndikumana Léonce
Published: September 2020

The empirical literature has failed to reach consensus on the impact of aid on development outcomes based on aggregate cross‐country analysis. This study follows the current trend in the literature on the effectiveness of aid to examine the impact of local‐level aid on health outcomes. It combines data on the World Bank's geo‐located aid projects with three rounds of Demographic Health Surveys from Côte d'Ivoire and uses difference‐in‐difference estimation techniques to explore the effects of aid on infant mortality. The results show that proximity to development aid projects is associated with reduced infant mortality. The results hold whether we consider proximity to any aid project or specifically water and sanitation projects. They are also robust to inclusion of mother fixed effects in the model. The evidence suggests that access to prenatal and postnatal healthcare are possible mechanisms through which aid may have negative effects on infant mortality.
Effect of marriage registration on fertility and intrahousehold distribution in Thailand
Authors: Wong Ho Lun
Published: September 2020

Research has shown that changes in the marriage and family laws generally affect the formation, welfare distribution, and dissolution of marriage. However, little is known about the effects of constituting state‐sanctioned marriage as opposed to informal marriage, where these laws do not fully apply. The present paper studied the effects of formal marriage registration on fertility outcomes and intrahousehold distribution among married couples in Thailand. Using data from the 1993 Survey for the Status of Women and Fertility in Thailand (SWAFT), it was found that marriage registration increases the number of children in a family and enhances women's contribution to and control of household finances. These results suggest that formal marriage registration promotes spousal cooperation and increases the welfare of women, supporting recent policy efforts in many developing countries in the development and expansion of vital registration systems.
Effect of gamma irradiation on physico‐mechanical and structural properties of active Farsi gum‐CMC films containingZiziphora clinopodioidesessential oil and lignocellulose nanofibers for meat packaging
Authors: Bahari Rezvan , Shahbazi Yasser , Shavisi Nassim
Published: September 2020

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of gamma irradiation (0, 2.5, and 5 kGy) on physico‐mechanical and structural characteristics of films based on Farsi gum‐carboxymethyl cellulose supplemented withZiziphora clinopodioidesessential oil (ZEO; 0%, 1%, and 2%) and lignocellulose nanofibers (LCNF; 0%, 1%, and 2%), and their application on fresh minced beef meat's shelf‐life during refrigerated temperature (4 ± 1 °C) for 16 days. Gamma irradiation under the60Co source at 2.5 and 5 kGy doses did not have a significant effect on thickness, tensile strength, swelling index, oxygen permeability, and water vapor transmission rate of prepared films (P> 0.05). The best microbiological (total viable count, psychrotrophic bacterial count,Pseudomonasspp.,Brochothrix thermosphacta, lactic acid bacteria, and Enterobacteriaceae) and chemical (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, total volatile base nitrogen content, and peroxide value) properties were recorded for samples packaged with ZEO 2% + LCNF 2%, followed by ZEO 2% + LCNF 1%, ZEO 1% + LCNF 2%, and ZEO 1% + LCNF 1%. These results indicate acceptable extensions of hurdle technology for prolonged refrigeration of minced beef meat.

Practical Application

The application of active packaging films has received considerable interest in extending the shelf‐life of perishable foods during prolonged chilled storage. The effects of active Farsi gum‐carboxymethyl cellulose films supplemented withZiziphora clinopodioidesessential oil 2% + lignocellulose nanofibers 2% resulted in delaying lipid oxidation and microbial spoilage growth of refrigerated minced beef meat and consequently extending the shelf‐life during storage for at least 16 days.
Apolygus lucorum genome provides insights into omnivorousness and mesophyll feeding
Authors: Liu Yang , Liu Hangwei , Wang Hengchao , Huang Tianyu , Liu Bo , Yang Bin , Yin Lijuan , Li Bin , Zhang Yan , Zhang Sai , Jiang Fan , Zhang Xiaxuan , Ren Yuwei , Wang Bing , Wang Sen , Lu Yanhui , Wu Kongming , Fan Wei , Wang Guirong
Published: September 2020

Apolygus lucorum (Miridae) is an omnivorous pest that occurs worldwide and is notorious for the serious damage it causes to various crops and substantial economic losses. Although some studies have examined the biological characteristics of the mirid bug, no reference genome is available in Miridae, limiting in‐depth studies of this pest. Here, we present a chromosome‐scale reference genome of A. lucorum, the first sequenced Miridae species. The assembled genome size was 1.02 Gb with a contig N50 of 785 kb. With Hi‐C scaffolding, 1,016 Mb contig sequences were clustered, ordered and assembled into 17 large scaffolds with scaffold N50 length 68 Mb, each corresponding to a natural chromosome. Numerous transposable elements occur in this genome and contribute to the large genome size. Expansions of genes associated with omnivorousness and mesophyll feeding such as those related to digestion, chemosensory perception, and detoxification were observed in A. lucorum, suggesting that gene expansion contributed to its strong environmental adaptability and severe harm to crops. We clarified that a salivary enzyme polygalacturonase is unique in mirid bugs and has significantly expanded in A. lucorum, which may contribute to leaf damage from this pest. The reference genome of A. lucorum not only facilitates biological studies of Hemiptera as well as an understanding of the damage mechanism of mesophyll feeding, but also provides a basis on which to develop efficient control technologies for mirid bugs.
Successful treatment with nivolumab in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma complicated by pulmonary aspergilloma
Authors: Furuya Naoki , Kojima Koji , Marushima Hideki , Kakinuma Kazutaka , Tsunoda Akihito , Koda Eriko , Tsuruoka Hajime , Nishida Kohei , Inoue Takeo , Saji Hisashi , Mineshita Masamichi
Published: September 2020

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are the key drugs used in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, anti‐PD‐1 therapy might worsen chronic infection by reactivating the immune response to infectious diseases. Here, we describe a case of successful treatment with nivolumab in a patient with NSCLC complicated by pulmonary aspergilloma, which was safely treated by surgical resection before administration of nivolumab. In conclusion, to safely treat patients with locally limited chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), surgical resection should be considered before ICI therapy.
Cognitive change after electroconvulsive therapy in mood disorders measured with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment
Authors: Hebbrecht K. , Giltay E.J. , Birkenhäger T.K. , Sabbe B. , Verwijk E. , Obbels J. , Roelant E. , Schrijvers D. , Van Diermen L.
Published: September 2020

Objective

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a sensitive and clinically practical test but its usefulness in measuring long‐term cognitive effects of ECT is unclear. Using the MoCA, we investigated short‐ and long‐term global cognitive change in ECT‐treated patients with a Major Depressive Episode (MDE).

Method

We included 65 consecutive ECT‐treated patients with MDE, in whom global cognitive functioning was assessed at baseline (T0); during ECT (before the third session; T1); and 1 week (T2), 3 months (T3), and 6 months (T4) after completion of the index course. Changes in MoCA (sub)scores were analyzed using linear mixed models and reliable change indices were computed to investigate individual changes in MoCA total scores.

Results

There was a significant effect of time on MoCA scores (F(4, 230.5) = 4.14, P = 0.003), with an improvement in global cognitive functioning from T3 compared to T1 and T2. At the individual level, 26% (n = 17) of patients showed a significantly worse cognitive functioning at T2 and 12% (n = 8) an improved cognitive functioning compared to T0. For T4, these percentages ameliorated to 8% and 18% respectively.

Conclusion

No persistent global cognitive impairment induced by ECT was found at the group level using the MoCA. At the individual level, however, there was clear heterogeneity in the effects of ECT on cognitive functioning. The MoCA is a suitable tool to monitor short‐ and long‐term global cognitive functioning in ECT‐treated patients with MDE but in younger patients, potential ceiling effects must be taken into account.
Trophoblastic extracellular vesicles and viruses: Friends or foes?
Authors: Ouyang Yingshi , Mouillet Jean‐Francois , Sorkin Alexander , Sadovsky Yoel
Published: September 2020

Cells produce cytoplasmic vesicles to facilitate the processing and transport of RNAs, proteins, and other signaling molecules among intracellular organelles. Moreover, most cells release a range of extracellular vesicles (EVs) that mediate intercellular communication in both physiological and pathological settings. In addition to a better understanding of their biological functions, the diagnostic and therapeutic prospects of EVs, particularly the nano‐sized small EVs (sEVs, exosomes), are currently being rigorously pursued. While EVs and viruses such as retroviruses might have evolved independently, they share a number of similar characteristics, including biogenesis pathways, size distribution, cargo, and cell‐targeting mechanisms. The interplay of EVs with viruses has profound effects on viral replication and infectivity. Our research indicates that sEVs, produced by primary human trophoblasts, can endow other non‐placental cell types with antiviral response. Better insights into the interaction of EVs with viruses may illuminate new ways to attenuate viral infections during pregnancy, and perhaps develop new antiviral therapeutics to protect the feto‐placental unit during critical times of human development.
Retinal microvascular complexity comparing mono‐ and multifractal dimensions in relation to cardiometabolic risk factors in a Middle Eastern population
Authors: Van Craenendonck Toon , Gerrits Nele , Buelens Bart , Petropoulos Ioannis N. , Shuaib Ashfaq , Standaert Arnout , Malik Rayaz A. , De Boever Patrick
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Metrics that capture changes in the retinal microvascular structure are relevant in the context of cardiometabolic disease development. The microvascular topology is typically quantified using monofractals, although it obeys more complex multifractal rules. We study mono‐ and multifractals of the retinal microvasculature in relation to cardiometabolic factors.

Methods

The cross‐sectional retrospective study used data from 3000 Middle Eastern participants in the Qatar Biobank. A total of 2333 fundus images (78%) passed quality control and were used for further analysis. The monofractal (Df) and five multifractal metrics were associated with cardiometabolic factors using multiple linear regression and were studied in clinically relevant subgroups.

Results

Dfand multifractals are lowered in function of age, andDfis lower in males compared to females. In models corrected for age and sex,Dfis significantly associated with BMI, insulin, systolic blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), albumin, LDL and total cholesterol concentrations. Multifractals are negatively associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glucose and the WHO/ISH cardiovascular risk score.Dfwas higher, and multifractal curve asymmetry was lower in diabetic patients (HbA1c > 6.5%) compared to healthy individuals (HbA1c < 5.7%). Insulin resistance (insulin ≥ 23 mcU/mL) was associated with significantly lowerDfvalues.

Conclusion

One or more fractal metrics are in association with sex, age, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and biochemical blood measurements in a Middle Eastern population study. Follow‐up studies aiming at investigating retinal microvascular changes in relation to cardiometabolic risk should analyse both monofractal and multifractal metrics for a more comprehensive microvascular picture.
Evaluating and improving a matched comparison of antidepressants and bone density
Authors: Yu Ruoqi
Published: September 2020

Matching is a common approach to covariate adjustment in estimating causal effects in observational studies. It is important to assess covariate balance of the matched samples. This is usually done informally, in ways that have a number of limitations. First, there are many diagnostics, even if covariates are assessed one at a time, which raises multiplicity issues. In addition, joint distributions of covariates, even bivariate distributions, are often ignored. Further, it is an open question whether diagnostics identify the major problems. To address these issues, a formal assessment of covariate balance is developed in the current paper. Unlike the common informal diagnostics, the proposed method compares both marginal distributions and joint distributions of the matched sample with those of the benchmark, complete randomizations. The method controls the probability of falsely identifying a covariate imbalance among many comparisons, yet it has a high probability of correctly detecting and identifying a major problem. An R package met implementing the proposed method is available on CRAN.
“I heard about the way the animals are treated and slaughtered, and I don't like it”—Attitudes of vegetarians or vegans who have learning disabilities
Authors: Bates Claire
Published: September 2020

Accessible summary

People with learning disabilities who are vegetarian or vegan in this study choose not to eat meat because of their love of animals, the concern for their welfare and a dislike of them being killed to eat.

People with learning disabilities in this study did not think other people with learning disabilities are aware that animals are killed for meat and do not have the information to make an informed choice about eating meat.

Participants in this study have supportive staff and families who help them to cook and eat a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Some people with learning disabilities worry about the healthiness and fat content of meat, and also diseases that animals may have which go into meat.

Background

Adopting a vegetarian diet is becoming increasingly popular within the UK, for reasons such as perceived health benefits and concerns over animal welfare. The study explores attitudes towards vegetarianism/veganism among adults with learning disabilities.

Materials and Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with eight people with learning disabilities who did not eat meat across the UK.

Results

Participants who adopted a meat‐free diet did so predominantly for animal welfare. Participants cared passionately about the welfare of animals but were reluctant to advocate their lifestyle to other people with learning disabilities, where they are in the minority for their dietary choices. Participants felt most people with learning disabilities were not made aware of the reality that animals are killed for food and that they should have accessible information to make an informed choice about whether to eat meat.

Conclusions

Holding the identity as a vegetarian could potentially facilitate integration into mainstream organisations where people hold similar ethical beliefs; however, this is unlikely unless organisations increase their inclusivity such as providing accessible information.
Vaccines for COVID-19
Authors: Tregoning J S , Brown E S , Cheeseman H M , Flight K E , Higham S L , Lemm N-M , Pierce B F , Stirling D C , Wang Z , Pollock K M
Published: September 2020

Since the emergence of COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus at the end of 2019, there has been an explosion of vaccine development. By 24 September 2020, a staggering number of vaccines (more than 200) had started preclinical development, of which 43 had entered clinical trials, including some approaches that have not previously been licensed for human vaccines. Vaccines have been widely considered as part of the exit strategy to enable the return to previous patterns of working, schooling and socializing. Importantly, to effectively control the COVID-19 pandemic, production needs to be scaled-up from a small number of preclinical doses to enough filled vials to immunize the world's population, which requires close engagement with manufacturers and regulators. It will require a global effort to control the virus, necessitating equitable access for all countries to effective vaccines. This review explores the immune responses required to protect against SARS-CoV-2 and the potential for vaccine-induced immunopathology. We describe the profile of the different platforms and the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. The review also addresses the critical steps between promising preclinical leads and manufacturing at scale. The issues faced during this pandemic and the platforms being developed to address it will be invaluable for future outbreak control. Nine months after the outbreak began we are at a point where preclinical and early clinical data are being generated for the vaccines; an overview of this important area will help our understanding of the next phases.
A 5‐year cohort study on early implant placement with guided bone regeneration or alveolar ridge preservation with connective tissue graft
Authors: Wessels Retief , Vervaeke Stijn , Seyssens Lorenz , Eghbali Aryan , Cosyn Jan
Published: September 2020

Purpose

To assess on the one hand the 5‐year outcome of early implant placement with guided bone regeneration (EIP/GBR) and on the other hand of alveolar ridge preservation with late implant placement and connective tissue graft (ARP/CTG).

Materials and methods

Patients who had been treated with a single implant in the anterior maxilla in 2014 were selected for reevaluation in 2019. In the EIP/GBR cohort, implants were installed 4 to 8 weeks following extraction and the buccal contour was overbuilt by means of GBR. In the ARP/CTG cohort, collagen‐enriched deproteinized bovine bone mineral was applied at the time of extraction and implants were installed 5 months later. All ARP/CTG cases received a buccal CTG 3 months after implant installation to reestablish buccal convexity. Primary outcomes were the pink esthetic score (PES) (Belser et al 2009) and the mucosal scarring index (MSI) (Wessels et al 2019). Clinical and radiographical parameters were secondary outcomes.

Results

Eighteen patients (9 females; mean age 52) in the EIP/GBR cohort, and 20 patients (9 females; mean age 38) in the ARP/CTG cohort were evaluated. PES was 6.28 following EIP/GBR. A (nearly) perfect aesthetic outcome defined as PES ≥8 was found in 3/18 cases. Perfect root convexity / soft tissue color and texture seemed most difficult to achieve. PES was 7.80 following ARP/CTG. A (nearly) perfect aesthetic outcome was found in 11/20 cases. MSI was 2.94 following EIP/GBR with 14/18 cases showing scarring. MSI yielded 0.50 following ARP/CTG with 6/20 cases showing scarring. In both cohorts, all implants survived, and none had developed periimplantitis. However, implants in the ARP/CTG cohort demonstrated a 5.4 times higher risk for periimplant mucositis than implants in the EIP/GBR cohort at 5 years follow‐up.

Conclusion

EIP/GBR and ARP/CTG showed acceptable long‐term outcomes. The aesthetic outcome was particularly favorable following ARP/CTG, yet this should be interpreted with caution due to selection bias and because soft tissue grafting was not performed in the EIP/GBR cohort. Randomized controlled trial (RCTs) comparing EIP with ARP are required to assess the need for soft tissue grafting and to evaluate clinical, aesthetic, volumetric, and patient‐reported outcomes. Only on the basis of such studies clinical recommendations can be made.
Development of the impact of weight on daily activities questionnaire: A patient‐reported outcome measure
Authors: Ervin Claire M. , Whalley Diane , von Huth Smith Lisa , Crawford Rebecca , Dine Jennifer , Fehnel Sheri E
Published: September 2020

While patient‐reported outcome measures are available to evaluate health‐related quality of life and functioning in obesity, existing measures do not evaluate the impact of excess weight and weight loss on the ability to perform regularly occurring daily activities. Three iterative sets of qualitative interviews were conducted in two countries (United States, n = 23; United Kingdom, n = 23) with individuals with body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 to inform development of the Impact of Weight on Daily Activities Questionnaire (IWDAQ) for use in clinical trials to evaluate daily activity limitations associated with excess weight. Candidate concepts were selected based on the literature, expert opinion, and previously conducted qualitative research, after which the draft IWDAQ was developed and tested. Interviews included a brief concept elicitation phase, followed by cognitive debriefing during which the IWDAQ was refined based upon participants' feedback. The IWDAQ uses a novel, adaptive questionnaire design, such that clinical trial participants choose the three IWDAQ activities they would most like to improve with weight loss and rate the degree of limitation in each of these activities at baseline. By allowing individuals participating in trials to identify and monitor changes in the activities they most want to see improve with weight loss, the 19‐item IWDAQ has the potential to detect the benefits of weight‐loss treatment that individuals with obesity value most.
Changes in Chinese patch testing practices over 13 years: Updated cross‐sectional survey and possible international implications
Authors: Cao Ting , Gao Yanrui , Li Linfeng , Zou Ying , Maibach Howard I.
Published: September 2020

Background

Patch testing, the standard method for diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis, has been utilized for over 30 years in China. A 2006 survey found that patch testing was widespread among Chinese dermatologists, but the practice and perceptions were unsatisfactory.

Objective

To evaluate the current situation of patch testing practice and perception, we resurveyed Chinese dermatologists.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey of Chinese dermatologists was conducted by electronic questionnaires at the 15th National Congress of Dermatology in November 2019.

Results

There were 2199 valid questionnaires collected. About 75% of dermatologists performed patch testing; the majority (59.2%) utilized the baseline (standard) allergen series made in China; others used TRUE Test or the Chemotechnique Diagnostics series, a greater share compared with 2006. Most (92.8%) performed only one single reading, more than 2006. About two‐thirds offered patient education after patch testing, but only 27% were executed by trained dermatologists. Dermatologists from regional hospitals more likely performed patch testing and had better perception of patch testing. The majority (88.1%) had received patch testing training, which however did not significantly improve dermatologists' perception.

Conclusions

There was an insignificant improvement in practice and perception of dermatologists compared with 2006. Further education and studies should be conducted. Similar surveys in other countries would be of interest.
National variations in perioperative assessment and surgical management of Crohn’s disease: a multicentre study
Authors:   SICCR Current Status of Crohn’s Disease Surgery Collaborative
Published: September 2020

Aim

Crohn's disease (CD) requires a multidisciplinary approach and surgery should be undertaken by dedicated colorectal surgeons with audited outcomes. We present a national, multicentre study, with the aim to collect benchmark data on key performance indicators in CD surgery, to highlight areas where standards of CD surgery excel and to facilitate targeted quality improvement where indicated.

Methods

All patients undergoing ileocaecal or redo ileocolic resection in the participating centres for primary and recurrent CD from June 2018 to May 2019 were included. The main objective was to collect national data on hospital volume and practice variations. Postoperative morbidity was the primary outcome. Laparoscopic surgery and stoma rate were the secondary outcomes.

Results

In all, 715 patients were included: 457 primary CD and 258 recurrent CD with a postoperative morbidity of 21.6% and 34.7%, respectively. Laparoscopy was used in 83.8% of primary CD compared to 31% of recurrent CD. Twenty‐five hospitals participated and the total number of patients per hospital ranged from 2 to 169. Hospitals performing more than 10 primary CD procedures per year showed a higher adoption of laparoscopy and bowel sparing surgery.

Conclusions

There is significant heterogeneity in the number of CD surgeries performed per year nationally in Italy. Our data suggest that high‐volume hospitals perform more complex procedures, with a higher adoption of bowel sparing surgery. The rate of laparoscopy in high‐volume hospitals is higher for primary CD but not for recurrent CD compared with low‐volume hospitals.
DOES REDUCTION IN THE TAX CREDIT RATE RETARD R&D ACTIVITY? EVIDENCE FROM TAIWAN'S R&D TAX CREDIT REFORM IN 2010
Authors: Yang Chih‐Hai , Huang Chia‐Hui , Chang Wei‐Hsuan
Published: September 2020

This study examines the effect of the 2010 tax credit reform, which reduced the tax credit rate, on firms' R&D in Taiwan. The empirical results suggested that the tax credit rate reduction has no overall negative effects on firms' R&D expenditure. By contrast, firms were observed to increase their expenditure on R&D. R&D tax credit recipients increased their R&D expenditure more than those who did not use the R&D tax credit. Moreover, we found a considerable difference in the treatment effects of the policy reform on R&D between R&D‐intensive and less R&D‐intensive firms. (JEL H21, H25, O31, O32, O38)
Adding Types, But Not Tokens, Affects Property Induction
Authors: Xie Belinda , Navarro Danielle J. , Hayes Brett K.
Published: September 2020

The extent to which we generalize a novel property from a sample of familiar instances to novel instances depends on the sample composition. Previous property induction experiments have only used samples consisting of novel types (unique entities). Because real‐world evidence samples often contain redundant tokens (repetitions of the same entity), we studied the effects on property induction of adding types and tokens to an observed sample. In Experiments 1–3, we presented participants with a sample of birds or flowers known to have a novel property and probed whether this property generalized to novel items varying in similarity to the initial sample. Increasing the number of novel types (e.g., new birds with the target property) in a sample produced tightening, promoting property generalization to highly similar stimuli but decreasing generalization to less similar stimuli. On the other hand, increasing the number of tokens (e.g., repeated presentations of the same bird with the target property) had little effect on generalization. Experiment 4 showed that repeated tokens are encoded and can benefit recognition, but appear to be given little weight when inferring property generalization. We modified an existing Bayesian model of induction (Navarro, Dry, & Lee, 2012) to account for both the information added by new types and the discounting of information conveyed by tokens.
Heart transplantation in patients with localized prostate cancer—Are we denying a life‐saving therapy due to an indolent tumor?
Authors: Raikhelkar Jayant , Pham Michael , Lourenco Laura , Narang Nikhil , Chung Ben , Nguyen Ann , Kim Gene , Sayer Gabriel , Uriel Nir
Published: September 2020

Background

Prostate cancer (PC) is the most common non‐cutaneous cancer in men. Approximately 90% of these cancers are localized (LPC) with a cancer‐specific survival rate of 99% at 10 years. Some heart transplant centers (HTCs) regard PC as an absolute contraindication to heart transplantation (HT). This study aims to understand the current status of HT in patients with advanced heart failure (AHF) and concurrent LPC in the United States.

Methods

Adult HTCs in the United States were asked to fill out an email questionnaire addressing their current approach to HT in AHF patients with concurrent LPC.

Results

Fifty of the 90 HTCs that received the questionnaire responded. Only 16% of HTCs had a formal policy regarding HT in patients with LPC, while only 10% had patients with LPC on the HT waitlist at the time of the survey. Overall, 84% of the HTCs had never performed HT in a patient with LPC in the history of their transplant program.

Conclusion

An overwhelming majority of HTCs in the United States do not consider HT an option for AHF patients with concurrent LPC and lack a formal policy regarding the same.
The International Association of Dental Traumatology ToothSOS mobile app: A 2‐year report
Authors: Khehra Anahat , Cohenca Nestor , Cehreli Zafer C. , Levin Liran
Published: September 2020

Background/Aim

The shift in health care and technology calls for innovation through mobile applications as free educational resources for the masses. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) created ToothSOS, an app (software application for mobile devices) to provide dental trauma information for patients and professionals. The app contains information on the emergency management and prevention of dental injuries, as well as treatment guidelines for dental practitioners. The aim of this study was to assess public utilization of the ToothSOS app in the first 2 years since its launch.

Methods

The ToothSOS app was launched by the IADT in the first week of April 2018. Data regarding the number of downloads and usage of the app in the first 2 years (from April 2018 to May 2020) were collected and analyzed.

Results

The total number of ToothSOS downloads over the 2 years was 47 725. The number of downloads peaked in the first month when the app was initially released. Thereafter, the number of downloads decreased to an average of 1423 ± 363 downloads every month. Europe was the territory with the greatest number of downloads followed by the United States and Canada, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Africa, the Middle East, and India.

Conclusions

Within as short a period as 2 years, the ToothSOS app continues to gain public interest. Further attempts and public campaigns should be made in order to increase the visibility of the app. Dental professionals should encourage patients and communities to use the app in order to increase awareness for the prevention and proper emergency management of traumatic dental injuries.
Structural network topology in limbic encephalitis is associated with amygdala enlargement, memory performance and serostatus
Authors: Bauer Tobias , David Bastian , Ernst Leon , Becker Albert J. , Witt Juri‐Alexander , Helmstaedter Christoph , Wagner Jan , Weber Bernd , Elger Christian E. , Surges Rainer , Rüber Theodor
Published: September 2020

Limbic encephalitis (LE) forms a spectrum of autoimmune diseases involving temporal lobe epilepsy and memory impairment. Imaging features of LE are known to depend on the associated antibody and to occur on the brain network level. However, first studies investigating brain networks in LE have either focused on one distinct antibody subgroup or on distinct anatomical regions. In this study, brain graphs of 17 LE patients with autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD‐LE), four LE patients with autoantibodies against leucine‐rich glioma‐inactivated 1, five LE patients with autoantibodies against contactin‐associated protein‐like 2, 26 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy control subjects, and 20 epilepsy control patients with hippocampal sclerosis were constructed based on T1‐weighted structural magnetic resonance imaging scans and diffusion tensor imaging. GAD‐LE showed significantly altered global network topology in terms of integration and segregation as compared to healthy controls and patients with hippocampal sclerosis (P < .01, analysis of variance with Tukey‐Kramer post hoc tests). Linear regression linked global network measures with amygdala volume and verbal memory performance (P < .05). Alterations of local network topology show serotype dependence in hippocampus, amygdala, insula, and various cortical regions. Our findings reveal serotype‐dependent patterns of structural connectivity and prove the relevance of in silico network measures on clinical grounds.
Comparative genomics highlights the importance of drug efflux transporters during evolution of mycoparasitism in Clonostachys subgenus Bionectria (Fungi, Ascomycota, Hypocreales)
Authors: Broberg Martin , Dubey Mukesh , Iqbal Mudassir , Gudmundssson Mikael , Ihrmark Katarina , Schroers Hans‐Josef , Funck Jensen Dan , Brandström Durling Mikael , Karlsson Magnus
Published: September 2020

Various strains of the mycoparasitic fungal species Clonostachys rosea are used commercially as biological control agents for the control of fungal plant diseases in agricultural crop production. Further improvements of the use and efficacy of C. rosea in biocontrol require a mechanistic understanding of the factors that determines the outcome of the interaction between C. rosea and plant pathogenic fungi. Here, we determined the genome sequences of 11 Clonostachys strains, representing five species in Clonostachys subgenus Bionectria, and performed a comparative genomic analysis with the aim to identify gene families evolving under selection for gene gains or losses. Several gene families predicted to encode proteins involved in biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including polyketide synthases, nonribosomal peptide syntethases and cytochrome P450s, evolved under selection for gene gains (p ≤ .05) in the Bionectria subgenus lineage. This was accompanied with gene copy number increases (p ≤ .05) in ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters and major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporters predicted to contribute to drug efflux. Most Clonostachys species were also characterized by high numbers of auxiliary activity (AA) family 9 lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases, AA3 glucose–methanol–choline oxidoreductases and additional carbohydrate‐active enzyme gene families with putative activity (or binding) towards xylan and rhamnose/pectin substrates. Particular features of the C. rosea genome included expansions (p ≤ .05) of the ABC‐B4 multidrug resistance transporters, the ABC‐C5 multidrug resistance‐related transporters and the 2.A.1.3 drug:H + antiporter‐2 MFS drug resistance transporters. The ABC‐G1 pleiotropic drug resistance transporter gene abcG6 in C. rosea was induced (p ≤ .009) by exposure to the antifungal Fusarium mycotoxin zearalenone (1121‐fold) and various fungicides. Deletion of abcG6 resulted in mutants with reduced (p < .001) growth rates on media containing the fungicides boscalid, fenhexamid and iprodione. Our results emphasize the role of biosynthesis of, and protection against, secondary metabolites in Clonostachys subgenus Bionectria.
Long‐term effects of 7‐year warming experiment in the field on leaf hydraulic and economic traits of subtropical tree species
Authors: Wu Ting , Tissue David T. , Li Xu , Liu Shizhong , Chu Guowei , Zhou Guoyi , Li Yuelin , Zheng Mianhai , Meng Ze , Liu Juxiu
Published: September 2020

Rising temperature associated with climate change may have substantial impacts on forest tree functions. We conducted a 7‐year warming experiment in subtropical China by translocating important native forest tree species (Machilas breviflora, Syzygium rehderianum, Schima superba and Itea chinensis) from cooler high‐elevation sites (600 m) to 1–2°C warmer low‐elevation sites (300 and 30 m) to investigate warming effects on leaf hydraulic and economic traits. Here, we report data from the last 3 years (Years 5–7) of the experiment. Warming increased leaf hydraulic conductance of S. superba to meet the higher evaporative demand. M. breviflora (300 m), S. rehderianum, S. superba and I. chinensis (300 and 30 m) exhibited higher area‐based and mass‐based maximum photosynthetic rates (Aa and Am, respectively) related to increasing stomatal conductance (gs) and stomatal density in the wet season, which led to rapid growth; however, we observed decreased growth of M. breviflora at 30 m due to lower stomatal density and decreased Aa in the wet season. Warming increased photosynthetic nitrogen‐use efficiency and photosynthetic phosphorus‐use efficiency, but reduced leaf dry mass per unit area due to lower leaf thickness, suggesting that these tree species allocated more resources into upregulating photosynthesis rather than into structural investment. Our findings highlight that there was trait variation in the capacity of trees to acclimate to warmer temperatures such that I. chinensis may benefit from warming, but S. superba may be negatively influenced by warming in future climates.
What COVID‐19 could mean for the future of “work from home”: The provocations of three women in the academy
Authors: Couch Danielle L. , O'Sullivan Belinda , Malatzky Christina
Published: September 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic saw academic labor rapidly shift into domestic spaces at the same time as households were “locked down.” In this article, we offer an exploration of our own experiences of working from home as women and mothers in the academy. Inspired by feminist approaches to knowledge production and self‐reflection, we each developed a personal reflective narrative guided by three key questions centered on our experiences of working from home pre‐ and during the COVID‐19 pandemic, and what this may mean for the future of our work. We then collectively analyzed how our personal stories reflected different dimensions of the experience of working from home, and our fears and hopes for the future. We present three distilled themes from our collective experiences here with the aim of entering a dialog with others seeking to live feminist lives during this time, and beyond.
Review ‐ Helicobacter pylori and non‐malignant upper gastro‐intestinal diseases
Authors: Schulz Christian , Kupčinskas Juozas
Published: September 2020

This review takes into account recent publications focusing on the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and non‐malignant diseases of the upper gastro‐intestinal tract. The authors have summarized current knowledge on associations between the H pylori infection and non‐malignant upper GI conditions including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett's esophagus, eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE), peptic ulcer disease (PUD), H pylori gastritis, celiac disease and functional dyspepsia. In the field of GERD, current data focusing on different locations of H pylori infection detect significant differences between antrum‐ and corpus predominant gastritis explainable by different changes in acid secretion in different gastric niches. High volume studies from Sweden and Brazil underline the safety of H pylori eradication concerning the risk of Barret's esophagus or adenocarcinoma. The relationship betweenH pylori infection and EOE remains uncertain, but current data supports the concept of expected positive and protective effects of H pylori exposure reducing the risk of EOE. Analyzing biomarkers might be helpful to identify subjects under risk for the development of precancerous lesions after H pylori infection, where microRNAs, IL‐9 and IL‐4, and also Tc17/9 and Th17/9 and microbiota profiles showed promising results to identify subgroups under risk.