bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The value of probabilistic forecasting in emergency medical resource planning under uncertainty
Authors: Chen Zhen-Yu
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Most epidemic transmission forecasting methods can only provide deterministic outputs. This study aims to show that probabilistic forecasting, in contrast, is suitable for stochastic demand modeling and emergency medical resource planning under uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

Two probabilistic forecasting methods, i.e. quantile regression convolutional neural network and kernel density estimation, are combined to provide the conditional quantiles and conditional densities of infected populations. The value of probabilistic forecasting in improving decision performances and controlling decision risks is investigated by an empirical study on the emergency medical resource planning for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

The managerial implications obtained from the empirical results include (1) the optimization models using the conditional quantile or the point forecasting result obtain better results than those using the conditional density; (2) for sufficient resources, decision-makers' risk preferences can be incorporated to make tradeoffs between the possible surpluses and shortages of resources in the emergency medical resource planning at different quantile levels; and (3) for scarce resources, the differences in emergency medical resource planning at different quantile levels greatly decrease or disappear because of the existing of forecasting errors and supply quantity constraints.

Originality/value

Very few studies concern probabilistic epidemic transmission forecasting methods, and this is the first attempt to incorporate deep learning methods into a two-phase framework for data-driven emergency medical resource planning under uncertainty. Moreover, the findings from the empirical results are valuable to select a suitable forecasting method and design an efficient emergency medical resource plan.
Are smart manufacturing systems beneficial for all SMEs? Evidence from Korea
Authors: Jang Soojeen , Chung Yanghon , Son Hosung
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Through the resource-based view (RBV) and contingency theory, this study empirically investigates the impacts of smart manufacturing systems' maturity levels on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Moreover, it aims to examine how industry types (i.e. high- and low-tech industries) and human-resource factors (i.e. the proportion of production workers to total workers) as contingency factors influence the effects of smart manufacturing systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducted an empirical investigation of a sample of 163 Korean manufacturing SMEs. This study used an ordinary least squares regression to examine the impacts of the maturity levels of smart manufacturing systems on financial performance. Moreover, the impacts on operational efficiency were analysed using data envelopment analysis based on bootstrap methods and Tobit regression.

Findings

The RBV results indicate that the higher the maturity levels of smart manufacturing systems, the higher the financial performance and operational efficiency. Moreover, based on contingency theory, this study reveals that the effect of the maturity levels of smart manufacturing systems on financial performance and operational efficiency depends on firms' industry types and the proportion of production workers.

Research limitations/implications

This study shows that the introduction of smart manufacturing systems can help SMEs achieve better financial performance and operational efficiency. However, their effectiveness is contingent on firms' industry types and the characteristics of their human resources.

Practical implications

Since the effects of the maturity levels of smart manufacturing systems on SME performance differ depending on their industries and the characteristics of human resources, managers need to consider them when introducing or investing in smart manufacturing systems.

Originality/value

Based on the RBV and contingency theory, this is the first empirical study to examine the moderating effects of industry types and the proportion of production workers on the impacts of the maturity levels of smart manufacturing systems on the financial performance and operational efficiency of SMEs.
Nutrient variability of rice landraces (Oryza sativa L.) from Manipur, Northeast India and its nutrients supply potential in rice-based diets
Authors: Longvah T. , Chauhan Anitha , Mudavath Sreedhar , Varanasi Bhaskar , CN Neeraja
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Rice landraces are essential for supplying beneficial traits for developing improved rice varieties with better nutritional quality. Nevertheless, in a yield-driven environment, grain nutritional quality has been ignored especially that of rice landraces. Given this, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the content and nutritional variability of rice landraces from Manipur.

Design/methodology/approach

Thirty-three most popular rice landraces were collected as dry paddy samples from Manipur and transported to the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, by air. All the paddy samples were processed and analyzed for 35 nutrient parameters using standard methodologies.

Findings

The mean nutrient content of Nagaland brown rice was: protein 7.5 ± 0.8, fat 3.0 ± 0.3, TDF 5.5 ± 0.4 and ash 1.2 ± 0.2 g/100g. The range of water soluble-vitamin content in mg/100g, was 0.1–0.43 for Thiamine and for Niacin 2.1–3.5, while the content in µg/100g was 40–64 for Riboflavin, 0.5–3.9 for Pantothenic acid and 20–118 for Pyridoxine. A relatively large coefficient of variation was observed for iron (25%), manganese (28%), copper (32%), calcium (13%) and phosphorus (11%). Manipur rice landraces have significantly higher total dietary fiber and lower phytate contents than modern varieties. Milling led to steep losses of nutrients, and limiting to 5% milling substantially improves nutrient retention in milled rice.

Research limitations/implications

Future nutrition interventions should use rice with superior nutrient quality to improve nutrient intakes. Manipur rice landraces conserved over generations can broaden the genetic base of breeding stocks especially in the face of climate change.

Originality/value

The paper presents comprehensive nutritional data of 33 rice landraces from the state of Manipur, India. The results indicate large nutrient variability even within these 33 rice landraces with important traits such as high total dietary fiber and low phytate contents. The study highlights the importance of conserving the existing rich genetic material of Manipur rice landraces to develop varieties that combine higher yields with stress tolerance and superior grain nutritional value to improve the food and nutrient security.
Innovative work behaviour: the what, where, who, how and when
Authors: Farrukh Muhammad , Meng Fanchen , Raza Ali , Wu Yihua
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the current trends and set the future research agenda in employee-level innovative work behaviour (IWB) research.

Design/methodology/approach

A portfolio of 910 publications on IWB collected from the Scopus database was systematically analysed using different bibliometric techniques.

Findings

Based on the performance analysis and science mapping of innovative work behaviour research, the study identifies the most prolific sources of IWB publications and lists several future research directions.

Originality/value

This paper could serve as one-stop information that may facilitate transdisciplinary endeavours by assisting scholars and practitioners in identifying peer-recognised publications and scholarly communities.
Travel with the “giants” of the Harlem Renaissance
Authors: Wadlington Cynthia Leigh , Strickland Janet , Ramsay-Jordan Natasha N. , Smith Andrea
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Harlem Renaissance Party by Faith Ringgold follows a young boy and his uncle as they visit the “giants” of the Harlem Renaissance. Lonnie and Uncle Bates travel through Harlem to meet historical figures, such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Langston Hughes, Madam CJ Walker and others. They also visit historical venues where Black artists performed. Such venues included the Cotton Club, the Harlem Opera House and the Schomburg Library.

Design/methodology/approach

As students study the end of the Civil War and the early 1900s, they should learn about the causes of the Great Migration that led Black artists to flee from the south to larger cities in the north. In addition, Jim Crow Laws and other discriminatory practices prevented Black artists from performing their crafts. The Harlem Renaissance has had lasting effects on arts, music, literature and dance. In addition, students should use credible sources to gather information and documents about historical events and people.

Findings

These inquiry-based activities also integrate arts education and history to reach diverse student populations as they gain meaningful experiences interacting with authentic documents.

Originality/value

As students study the end of the Civil War and the early 1900s, they should learn about the causes of the Great Migration that led Black artists to flee the south to larger cities in the north. In addition, Jim Crow Laws and other discriminatory practices prevented Black artists from performing their crafts.
Black and proud: Impact of intergenerational racism upon global majority family systems
Authors: Afuape Kehinde , Bisimwa Nsimere , Campbell Kate , Jemmott Rukiya , Jude Julia , Nijabat Nasif , Olorunoje Moyosore , Simpson Sharon
Published: January 2022

Racism is a pervasive force; its influence is felt in the lives of Global Majority people worldwide, and across generations. As Global Majority systemic psychotherapists in the UK, we take a position to stand against racism in all areas of systemic theory and practice. The ideas in this paper offer an opportunity for all systemic psychotherapists to join us in the decolonisation of theories, practices and knowledge, to step outside White Western structures that have kept Global Majority voices silenced for too long. This article reviews the damage of intergenerational racism upon the lives of Global Majority systemic psychotherapists and the Global Majority families we support. We invite systemic psychotherapy to begin drawing on the rich cacophony of Indigenous knowledge, from Africa and the Caribbean, and from East, West and South Asia to de‐centre ‘White ways of knowing’.
Risk analysis in social housing delivery: A public–private partnerships approach
Authors: Chiang Lee‐Yun , Earl George , Liu Benjamin , Reid Sacha , Roca Eduardo
Published: January 2022

Faced with fiscal pressure and concerns over bureaucratic inefficiency, policymakers at Australia's state government level are evaluating instruments to improve social housing services. A public–private partnerships (PPPs) procurement approach is one such instrument for increasing housing supply to address housing affordability in Australia. To determine the value of pursuing a project through a PPP delivery versus a traditional procurement approach, public administrators need to determine discount rates for comparing different cash flows streams on a consistent basis. Additionally, they must estimate public sector comparator (PSC) to determine public sector's risk exposure in social housing delivery and allocating constrained housing budgets. This research assesses the discount rates and estimates the risk profile of social housing delivery faced by public agencies. Three case studies were utilised to present project estimate probability distributions for gaining insight into risk exposure in social housing delivery and helping housing budget allocation at the state government level. The findings recommend the use of an estimated 30‐year treasury bond rate (3.14%) as the PSC discount rate for social infrastructure. Additionally, the results suggest the use of a PPP discount rate for social housing of 6.01%, given a risk‐free rate of 3.14% and a systematic risk premium of 2.87%.
Age‐at‐death estimation from the auricular surface of the ilium: A test of a sex‐specific component method
Authors: Ost Andrea M.
Published: January 2022

Accurate age‐at‐death estimation is important for both paleodemographic studies and forensic casework. Although the auricular surface of the ilium is a well‐validated skeletal indicator for aging studies, problems persist with identifying features that estimate age accurately in older individuals. This study tests the utility of one method, developed by Igarashi et al. (2005), which claims to estimate age more accurately in older individuals using a presence/absence scoring system for 13 auricular surface traits. Four hundred (400) individuals, aged 16–93 years, from the Hamann‐Todd Collection were examined to test the performance of Igarashi et al.’s method in a North American sample. Pearson's product‐moment correlation tests were performed for both the overall method and individual traits to assess correlation with chronological age. Eleven of the 13 traits showed statically significant correlations with chronological age, and nine were found to have higher correlations than originally reported. The method showed a tendency toward negative bias (i.e., a tendency to under‐age individuals, particularly in the older age range). Models for both males and females and full and reduced models developed by Igarashi et al. were tested; the sex‐pooled full model performed best, and the female full model performed most poorly. Although this method did not have significantly higher accuracy rates in a North American sample than other auricular surface methods, unique traits identified by Igarashi et al. did correlate with chronological age. In future studies, these traits should be investigated using different scoring systems (e.g., character states), as they show utility for aging research.
Review article: DINED (Delivery‐related INjuries in the Emergency Department) part 1: A scoping review of risk factors and injuries affecting food delivery riders
Authors: McKinlay Andrew , Mitchell Gary , Bertenshaw Claire
Published: January 2022

This scoping review describes the current state of research about two‐wheeled delivery riders who have been injured while performing commercial food delivery. The key areas of interest are the patterns of injury, associated risk factors and current gaps in knowledge. Five databases were searched to identify key papers that describe injuries to two‐wheeled food delivery riders. Papers were assessed for quality and eligibility and key information was extracted relating to patterns of injury and risk factors. From an initial 264 records from PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus and SafetyLit, studies were screened by title, abstract and full text to yield 12 key papers for analysis. No papers reporting on Australian data were identified. Men comprise over 85% of workers in the food delivery industry. The average age of injured riders varies by country, but is commonly under 30 years old. Most injuries are lower limb musculoskeletal injuries, although there are no consistent data about frequency, severity or cost to the healthcare system. Twenty‐three key risk factors were categorised according to rider characteristics, working conditions and environmental factors. The most common risk factors were younger age, lack of driving experience, time‐pressured work and inadequate protective gear. There are very few publications describing food delivery rider injuries and risk factors. This is an emerging industry in which the worker population may be younger and more vulnerable. Given the different legal and cultural contexts across different countries, Australian‐specific research is needed.
Nutrient Retention and Release in Eroding Chesapeake Bay Tidal Wetlands
Authors: Cornwell Jeffrey C. , Owens Michael S. , Staver Lorie W.
Published: January 2022

The worldwide loss of coastal wetlands has traditionally been addressed as the loss of ongoing nutrient retention ecosystem services. However, nutrient remineralization from eroded particles may further exacerbate water quality degradation. Using data on nutrient burial and denitrification from northern Chesapeake Bay, along with estimates of the bioavailability of eroded marsh particulates, the changing role of wetlands as an important sink for nutrients is examined. Although the erosion of wetlands results in the reintroduction of nitrogen and phosphorus into open‐water habitats, the potential for exacerbating eutrophication is highly diminished by the low lability of wetland organic matter. The impact of such erosion on the cycling of Fe‐bound phosphorus from marsh soils is highly dependent on both the amount of inorganic P, its solid phase association with Fe, and its potential remobilization from the estuarine sediments into which it is deposited. Although nutrient sequestration in newly constructed wetlands built from dredged materials suggested a rapid development of nutrient sequestration, a better understanding of nutrient ecosystem services provided by marshes created by transgression into uplands is necessary for understanding the long‐term nutrient retention value of coastal wetlands.
Tissue engineering strategies to bioengineer the ageing skin phenotype in vitro
Authors: Costello Lydia , Dicolandrea Teresa , Tasseff Ryan , Isfort Robert , Bascom Charlie , von Zglinicki Thomas , Przyborski Stefan
Published: January 2022

Human skin ageing is a complex and heterogeneous process, which is influenced by genetically determined intrinsic factors and accelerated by cumulative exposure to extrinsic stressors. In the current world ageing demographic, there is a requirement for a bioengineered ageing skin model, to further the understanding of the intricate molecular mechanisms of skin ageing, and provide a distinct and biologically relevant platform for testing actives and formulations. There have been many recent advances in the development of skin models that recapitulate aspects of the ageing phenotype in vitro. This review encompasses the features of skin ageing, the molecular mechanisms that drive the ageing phenotype, and tissue engineering strategies that have been utilised to bioengineer ageing skin in vitro.
Prenatal opioid exposure reprograms the behavioural response to future alcohol reward
Authors: Grecco Gregory G. , Haggerty David L. , Reeves Kaitlin C. , Gao Yong , Maulucci Danielle , Atwood Brady K.
Published: January 2022

As the opioid crisis has continued to grow, so has the number of infants exposed to opioids during the prenatal period. A growing concern is that prenatal exposure to opioids may induce persistent neurological changes that increase the propensity for future addictions. Although alcohol represents the most likely addictive substance that the growing population of prenatal opioid exposed will encounter as they mature, no studies to date have examined the effect of prenatal opioid exposure on future sensitivity to alcohol reward. Using a recently developed mouse model of prenatal methadone exposure (PME), we investigated the rewarding properties of alcohol and alcohol consumption in male and female adolescent PME and prenatal saline exposed (PSE) control animals. Conditioned place preference to alcohol was disrupted in PME offspring in a sex‐dependent manner with PME males exhibiting resistance to the rewarding properties of alcohol. Repeated injections of alcohol revealed enhanced sensitivity to the locomotor‐stimulating effects of alcohol specific to PME females. PME males consumed significantly more alcohol over 4 weeks of alcohol access relative to PSE males and exhibited increased resistance to quinine‐adulterated alcohol. Further, a novel machine learning model was developed to employ measured differences in alcohol consumption and drinking microstructure to reliably predict prenatal exposure. These findings indicate that PME alters the sensitivity to alcohol reward in adolescent mice in a sex‐specific manner and suggests prenatal opioid exposure may induce persistent effects on reward neurocircuitry that can reprogram offspring behavioural response to alcohol later in life.
Analgesia for major laparoscopic abdominal surgery: a randomised feasibility trial using intrathecal morphine
Authors: Pirie K. , Doane M. A. , Riedel B. , Myles P. S.
Published: January 2022

Effective pain control enhances patient recovery after surgery. Laparoscopic techniques for major abdominal surgery are increasingly utilised to reduce surgical trauma. Intrathecal morphine is an attractive analgesic option that is gaining popularity. However, limited evidence guides its use in the setting of laparoscopic surgery. In addition, enhanced recovery after surgery pathways advocate opioid‐sparing techniques. We conducted a feasibility trial to compare intrathecal morphine with non‐neuraxial analgesia in laparoscopic or laparoscopic‐assisted major abdominal surgery to inform the design of a future large clinical trial. This multicentre, double‐blind, randomised controlled trial was conducted at two tertiary hospitals in Australia. Fifty‐one patients were randomly allocated to receive either intrathecal morphine (intervention group) or a sham subcutaneous injection of normal saline in the lumbar area (control group) immediately before the induction of general anaesthesia. Co‐primary outcomes were patient recruitment and successful adherence to treatment allocation as per the study protocol. The primary endpoints of feasibility and protocol adherence were met with a 46% recruitment rate (51 of 110 eligible patients) and 96% protocol adherence. There was only one patient with failed access to the intrathecal space. For secondary endpoints, fewer patients in the intrathecal morphine group required opioids in the post‐anaesthesia care unit, their postoperative pain scores at rest were lower across the four time‐points measured (p = 0.007), but not dynamic pain scores (p = 0.061), and pruritus was more common following intrathecal morphine (p = 0.007). Total oral morphine equivalents until postoperative day 3 were less in the intrathecal morphine group (median (95%CI) difference 82 (−13 to 168) mg), but this reduction was not statistically significant (p = 0.10). These findings support conducting a definitive clinical trial.
Emergent craniotomy in rural and regional settings – recommendations from a tertiary neurosurgery unit: surgical technique and future prospects
Authors: Raman Vignesh , Jiwrajka Manasi , Pollard Cliff , Grieve David A , Alexander Hamish , Redmond Michael
Published: January 2022

Kenneth G Jamieson described the emergent craniotomy for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in the rural and regional setting back in 1965 in his book ‘A First Notebook Of Head Injury’. Since then, there has been successful use of the technique in peripheral hospitals prior to the safe transfer of patients to metropolitan trauma centres. Although the procedure can be daunting in inexperienced hands, our institution supports ongoing education to continue implementation of trauma craniotomies by non‐neurosurgeons if it means another life is potentially saved. Here we describe the surgical technique for an emergent craniotomy and craniectomy. Although the surgical technique has been described elsewhere, we have done so in a simplified 10‐step approach with consideration of available resources in the peripheral hospital setting and the added pearls from the experience of a metropolitan neurosurgical unit. We also discuss future prospects for undertaking neurosurgical operations in peripheral hospitals but with intra‐operative tele‐surgery monitoring and supervision.
Pharmacokinetic changes for newer antiepileptic drugs and seizure control during pregnancy
Authors: Yin Xiaotong , Liu Yan , Guo Yang , Zhao Limei , Li Guofei , Tan Xiaoping
Published: January 2022

Objective

To investigate pharmacokinetic changes in newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and assess seizure frequencies and risk factors of increased seizures during pregnancy in women with epilepsy (WWE).

Methods

A total of 56 pregnancies in 53 WWE who received newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were enrolled. Data on seizure activity and types, daily dose, and AEDs blood levels were derived from routine clinical follow‐up. Changes in AEDs clearance were compared between each trimester and nonpregnant baseline. The ratio of AED levels of each trimester to their targets (nonpregnant baseline) concentrations (RTC) was compared between patients with and without an increased seizure. A binary logistic regression was used to investigate the risk factors contributing to seizure worsening during pregnancy.

Results

Increased clearances of LTG, LEV, and OXC were observed in all trimesters versus nonpregnant baseline. The peak changes in the clearance of LTG (3.42‐fold baseline clearance) (p < 0.001) and LEV (2.78‐fold) (p < 0.001) occurred in the second trimester during pregnancy, followed by oxcarbazepine (2.11‐fold) in the third trimester (p < 0.03). Plasma concentrations of LTG and LEV during pregnancy were significantly decreased compared to baseline levels, except for OXC. However, no significant differences in RTC values were observed between patients with and without seizure worsening. Some risk factors as seizures for the prior nine months could significantly affect seizure frequency during pregnancy.

Conclusion

We found substantial changes in the pharmacokinetics of multiple newer AEDs in WWE, reinforcing the need for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) during pregnancy. We would encourage at least one monitoring every trimester and probably more frequently for women with poorly seizure control before pregnancy, and AEDs dose adjustment should keep up with clearance changes. In addition, a well‐controlled seizure nine months before pregnancy could lower the risks of seizure during pregnancy, highlighting the importance of pre‐pregnancy counseling and seizure management before pregnancy.
How to perform an anastomosis following a low anterior resection by transanal total mesorectal excision surgery: from top to bottom techniques
Authors: Tejedor Patricia , Jimenez Luis Miguel , Simó Vicente , Arredondo Jorge , Zorrilla Jaime , Pastor Carlos
Published: January 2022

Aim

The aim was to describe the range of possibilities and our group's clinical outcomes when performing different types of anastomosis during transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME).

Method

A retrospective analysis was performed based on four taTME series from 2016 to 2021. Inclusion criteria were patients with rectal cancer in whom a sphincter‐saving low anterior resection by taTME was performed. Four different techniques were employed for the anastomosis construction: (A) abdominal view, (B) transanal view, (C) hand‐sewn coloanal anastomosis and (D) pull‐through. Intra‐operative and postoperative data were collected and compared.

Results

A total of 161 patients were included. Tumour height was lower in groups C and D (4 [3–5] vs. 7 [6–8] group A vs. 6 [5–7] group B, P = 0.000), requiring a hand‐sewn anastomosis. A transanal extraction of the specimen was more commonly performed in groups C and D (over 60% vs. 30% in groups A and B, P = 0.000). The rate of temporary stoma was similar between groups A, B and C (ranging from 84% to 98%) but was significantly lower in group D (P = 0.000). The overall rate of complications was similar between groups; however, group D had longer length of stay (15 days vs. 5–6 in groups A, B and C, P = 0.026).

Conclusion

Every type of anastomosis construction after a taTME procedure seems to be safe and feasible and should be chosen based on surgeon's experience, tumour height and the length of the rectal cuff after the rectal transection. Colorectal surgeons should be familiar with these techniques in order to choose the one that benefits each patient the most.
Facilitators and barriers to pediatric clinical trial recruitment and retention in rural and community settings: A scoping review of the literature
Authors: Watson Sara E. , Smith Paul , Snowden Jessica , Vaughn Vida , Cottrell Lesley , Madden Christi A. , Kong Alberta S. , McCulloh Russell , Stack Lim Crystal , Bledsoe Megan , Kowal Karen , McNally Mary , Knight Lisa , Cowan Kelly , Yakes Jimenez Elizabeth
Published: January 2022

Children in rural settings are under‐represented in clinical trials, potentially contributing to rural health disparities. We performed a scoping review describing available literature on barriers and facilitators impacting participation in pediatric clinical trials in rural and community‐based (nonclinical) settings. Articles identified via PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science were independently double‐screened at title/abstract and full‐text levels to identify articles meeting eligibility criteria. Included articles reported on recruitment or retention activities for US‐based pediatric clinical studies conducted in rural or community‐based settings and were published in English through January 2021. Twenty‐seven articles describing 31 studies met inclusion criteria. Most articles reported on at least one study conducted in an urban or suburban or unspecified community setting (n = 23 articles; 85%); fewer (n = 10; 37%) reported on studies that spanned urban and rural settings or were set in rural areas. More studies discussed recruitment facilitators (n = 25 studies; 81%) and barriers (n = 19; 61%) versus retention facilitators (n = 15; 48%) and barriers (n = 8; 26%). Descriptions of recruitment and retention barriers and facilitators were primarily experiential or subjective. Recruitment and retention facilitators were similar across settings and included contacts/reminders, community engagement, and relationship‐building, consideration of participant logistics, and incentives. Inadequate staff and resources were commonly cited recruitment and retention barriers. Few studies have rigorously examined optimal ways to recruit and retain rural participants in pediatric clinical trials. To expand the evidence base, future studies examining recruitment and retention strategies should systematically assess and report rurality and objectively compare relative impact of different strategies.
A qualitative meta‐synthesis of pregnant women's experiences of accessing and receiving treatment for opioid use disorder
Authors: Tsuda‐McCaie Freya , Kotera Yasuhiro
Published: January 2022

Issues

Addressing opioid use disorder (OUD) among pregnant women is of growing importance, and substance use treatment positively impacts outcomes for mother and baby. Understanding substance use treatment experiences is important to improve access, and retention, and no review or synthesis of research addressing the treatment experiences of pregnant women exists.

Approach

Thus, a qualitative meta‐synthesis was conducted, which investigated the psychological motivators and barriers of pregnant women with OUD trying to access treatment and their perceptions of treatment.

Key Findings

A total of 3844 articles were retrieved from the literature search. Nine articles met eligibility criteria, were appraised, then synthesised using a comparative thematic approach. Four themes: (i) Embodied Experiences; (ii) Institutional Pressures; (iii) Social Context; and (iv) Reconstructing Selves; indicate that women with OUD are motivated to engage in treatment to pursue the safety and custody of the unborn baby and to pursue and enact the changes necessary to claim ‘normal’ parenthood status. Pregnant women describe psychological and relational barriers to engaging in treatment, including anxieties about the baby's health, fears of authorities' involvement, stigma and experiencing relationships with treatment providers as constrictive or invalidating.

Implications

Identity theory's concepts of identity verification, closed environments and master status identities illuminate the findings. Implications include recognising the salience of bodily experiences, providing medication‐assisted treatment support groups and promoting validating relationships in treatment using strengths‐based approaches.

Conclusions

Pregnant women face unique psychological challenges in accessing and engaging in substance use treatment for OUD.
Advanced endoscopy for the management of inflammatory digestive diseases: Review of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society core session
Authors: Matsuura Minoru , Matsumoto Takayuki , Naito Yuji , Saitoh Yusuke , Kanai Takanori , Suzuki Yasuo , Tanaka Shinji , Ogata Haruhiko , Hisamatsu Tadakazu
Published: January 2022

A series of workshops entitled “Advanced endoscopy in the management of inflammatory digestive disease” was held at the 97th to 100th biannual meeting of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society. During these core sessions, research findings concerning various endoscopic practices in the field of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were presented, and meaningful discussions were shared on the evolving role and future challenges of endoscopy in IBD. This article reviews these core sessions and discusses current topics on the role of endoscopy, focusing on the diagnosis, disease monitoring, mucosal healing assessments, cancer surveillance, and therapeutic interventions in IBD.
Electrolyte disturbances after bowel preparation for colonoscopy: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Reumkens Ankie , van der Zander Quirine , Winkens Bjorn , Bogie Roel , Bakker Christine Minke , Sanduleanu Silvia , Masclee Ad A. M.
Published: January 2022

Background and study aims

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of population‐based studies to explore pooled prevalence and magnitude of electrolyte changes after bowel preparation for colonoscopy based on the most recent guidelines.

Patients and methods

PubMed and Cochrane were queried for population‐based studies examining changes in electrolyte values after bowel preparation, published by July 1, 2021. We report prevalences of serum hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hyperphosphatemia, and hypocalcemia after bowel preparation and changes in mean electrolyte values after vs. before bowel preparation using sodium phosphate (NaP) and polyethylene glycol (PEG).

Results

Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria; 2386 unique patients were included. Overall, hypokalemia was found in 17.2% (95% CI 6.7, 30.9) in the NaP group vs. 4.8% (95% CI 0.27, 13.02) in the PEG group. The magnitude of potassium decrease after NaP bowel preparation was significantly increased compared to PEG (mean difference −0.38; 95% CI −0.49 to −0.27, P < 0.001). No study reported on major complications.

Conclusions

Hypokalemia was found in 17.2% of patients after bowel preparation with NaP and in 4.8% of patients with PEG, a finding that is clinically relevant with respect to choosing the type of bowel preparation. The magnitude of the potassium decrease after NaP was significantly higher compared to PEG. These data provide the evidence that supports the recommendation of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy against routine use of NaP for bowel preparation.
Giant coronary aneurysm in a 6‐week‐old infant, an unusual finding?
Authors: Palacios Argueta Jorge Roberto , Sanchez‐Manubens Judith , Flavio Zuccarino , Teodoro Marin Silvia , Prada Martinez Freddy H.
Published: January 2022

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a self‐limited vasculitis with significant morbidity and even mortality if not treated early. The diagnosis and timely treatment in children younger than 3 months is challenging as most of them have an incomplete or atypical presentation. Coronary artery abnormalities are frequent in this type of patients. We present a 6‐week‐old female infant with KD who developed a giant coronary aneurysm. An early diagnosis and promptly treatment, as well as the echocardiographic and multimodality follow‐up allowed us to improve our clinical approach and management.
Peripheral blood natural killer cells in sarcoidosis are associated with early cardiac involvement
Authors: Vakrakou Aigli G. , Kolilekas Lykourgos , Lama Niki , Katsanos Spiros , Stratakos Grigorios , Tsougos Ilias , Manali Effrosyni , Grigoriou Eirini , Psarra Katherina , Kilidireas Constantinos , Papiris Spiros , Kelekis Nikolaos L. , Gialafos Elias J.
Published: January 2022

Aim

To evaluate the distribution of circulating immune cell subsets in peripheral blood of patients with sarcoidosis and investigate if there is an association with an underlying cardiac involvement.

Methods and results

Eighty‐five newly diagnosed treatment‐naïve patients with sarcoidosis (50 women) were included in the study. All patients underwent a thorough cardiac investigation, including cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Of all patients, 19 (23.53%) had myocardial involvement, and the NK subpopulation in these patients in peripheral blood was significantly decreased compared to patients without (n = 63, p = 0.001 and p = 0.003 respectively). The absolute number of NKT cells (CD3+CD16/56+) in patients with cardiac involvement was highly correlated with T2 map increased values in MRI (r = −686, p = 0.041) showing that low NKT cell count correlates with the inflammatory process of the heart. No difference in CD19, CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD3−NK cell counts was found between groups. Lung severity was not found to correlate with the number of NK cells.

Conclusion

We found that low NK cell count in peripheral blood of patients with sarcoidosis is associated with cardiac involvement, and the number of NK‐T cells correlates with CMR findings indicative of myocardial inflammation. This finding might have a potential clinical application in detecting clinically silent cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis and may also suggest potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
Indian cotton textiles and British industrialization: Evidence of comparative learning in the British cotton industry in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries
Authors: Raman Alka
Published: January 2022

This article contributes to a topic central to interpretations of British industrialization and the role of Indian cotton textiles in shaping notions of cloth quality and, eventually, innovations. Textual evidence indicates that manufacturers in the early British cotton industry compared the quality of their products to that of Indian cottons. These texts suggest the hypothesis that there was a shift towards finer cotton textiles in Britain, via attempts to make the cotton warp yarn match Indian quality. Using a novel dataset of surviving British and Indian textiles of the period, the article puts this hypothesis to the test, and concludes that between 1746 and 1820 there was an increase in the quality of British cottons, leading to a convergence with the quality of handmade Indian cottons.
Bolzano's externalist semantics of natural kind terms
Authors: Tayebi Sajed
Published: January 2022

Through a detailed explication of Bernard Bolzano's semantics of natural kind terms, I elucidate why and to what extent he should be recognized as a remarkable anticipator of semantic externalism. Bolzano deals with kind terms in a brief sub‐section of the first volume of his Theory of Science. He divides such terms into two sub‐categories, roughly corresponding to organic and inorganic kinds. It is Bolzano's account of inorganic kind terms, such as ‘gold’, that confers on him the status of an anticipator of semantic externalism. He argues that ‘gold’ may be used in a way such that the superficial attributes that language users associate with it merely serve to enable them to recognize its instances. They do not, however, constitute the idea designated by the term nor do they determine its extension. Instead, the term designates an idea representing gold's unknown inner attributes, which are causally responsible for its superficial attributes.
Brivaracetam prevents the development of epileptiform activity when administered early after cortical neurotrauma in rats
Authors: Ling Douglas S. F. , Yang Lie , Goodman Jeffrey H.
Published: January 2022

Objectives

There is no effective therapy to prevent the development of posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE). Recently, we reported that administration of the antiseizure medication (ASM) levetiracetam (LEV) shortly after trauma prevented the development of epileptiform activity in two experimental models of neurotrauma. However, the time window for effective intervention with LEV may be too narrow for most clinical settings. Using the controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury model, the current study tested whether early administration of brivaracetam (BRV), an ASM with 20 times the affinity of LEV for the SV2A synaptic vesicle protein, could improve upon the antiepileptogenic action observed with LEV.

Methods

Rats (postnatal day [P] 24–32) subjected to CCI injury were given a single dose of BRV (21 or 100 mg/kg, i.p.) at one of three post‐injury time points: immediately (0–2 minutes), 30 minutes, or 60 minutes. Control animals received only vehicle (0.9% saline). Posttraumatic electrographic epileptiform activity was assayed ex vivo from coronal neocortical slices collected proximal to the injury (four per rat) 3–4 weeks after injury. In this model, ictal‐like burst discharges occur spontaneously or can be evoked in an “all or none” manner with applied electrical stimulation within the first 2 weeks after injury.

Results

A single dose of BRV administered to rats up to 60 minutes after traumatic brain injury (TBI) significantly reduced the development of posttraumatic epileptiform activity by (1) inhibiting the development of both evoked and spontaneous epileptiform activity, (2) raising the threshold for stimulus‐evoked epileptiform discharges, and (3) reducing the intensity of epileptiform bursts that arise after cortical neurotrauma.

Significance

Clinically there has been little success preventing the development of posttraumatic epilepsy. The results of this study support the hypothesis that early intervention with BRV has the potential to prevent or reduce posttraumatic epileptogenesis, and that there may be a limited time window for successful prophylactic intervention.
The Banking Union and evidence on bail‐ins and bailouts
Authors: Cabral Ricardo
Published: January 2022

This article analyzes the euro area's banking sector regulatory framework, known as the Banking Union. It shows how distressed banks' noncompliance with supervisory, state aid, or central bank lending policies can trigger the application of resolution or liquidation measures. Further, it provides new evidence on large banks distress episodes in the European Union and the United States, suggesting that recapitalization is a more cost‐effective policy instrument than resolution or liquidation. Finally, it argues that the Banking Union lacks an appropriate recapitalization instrument for borderline distressed banks and that a more nuanced and structured stance on regulatory forbearance is probably warranted.
Risk factors for and characteristics of community‐ and hospital‐acquired drug‐induced acute kidney injuries
Authors: Rey Amayelle , Gras‐Champel Valérie , Choukroun Gabriel , Masmoudi Kamel , Liabeuf Sophie
Published: January 2022

Drugs constitute one of the leading causes of acute kidney injuries (AKIs) and can appear in community (CA‐AKI) or hospital (HA‐AKI) population. The objectives of the present study of a cohort of hospitalized patients with AKI were to describe the characteristics of drug‐induced AKIs and the patients' short‐term outcomes and assess risk factors for drug‐induced AKIs overall, CA‐AKIs, and HA‐AKIs. Based on a cohort of 1557 hospitalized patients suffering from AKIs based on PMSI extraction and chart review (IRA‐PMSI), drug‐induced AKIs were identified by applying the Naranjo adverse drug reaction (ADR) probability scale. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with CA‐AKIs and/or HA‐AKIs. When considering the 1557 patients who experienced an AKI, 445 (28.6%) of the injuries were drug‐induced (180 CA‐AKIs (40.4%) and 265 HA‐AKIs (59.6%)). Antibiotics, diuretics, and contrast agents were significantly more likely to be involved in HA‐AKIs, whereas antineoplastic, lipid‐lowering drugs, antidiabetics, and immunosuppressive were significantly more likely to be involved in CA‐AKIs. Female sex (odds ratio [OR] [95%CI] = 1.3 [1.04–1.67]), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR = 1.8 [1.40–2.67]), and a history of ADRs of any type (OR = 1.3 [1.05–1.73]) were significant risk factors for drug‐induced AKIs. CKD was a risk factor for both CA‐AKI and HA‐AKI. In view of the long‐term impact of AKI on the kidneys and the differences between our CA‐AKI and HA‐AKI subgroups, our present results are interesting for optimizing treatments, limiting the occurrence of CA‐ and HA‐AKIs and (ultimately) reducing healthcare costs.
Plant–plant interactions determine taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity in severe ecosystems
Authors: Bashirzadeh Maral , Soliveres Santiago , Farzam Mohammad , Ejtehadi Hamid
Published: January 2022

Aim

Plant–plant interactions are an important factor in structuring plant biodiversity. However, most studies on the impacts of plant–plant interactions on biodiversity focus on species richness and to a lesser extent on other facets of diversity. When other facets of biodiversity are considered, studies often include a limited set of environmental conditions. We aimed to quantify the impacts of nurse plants on taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic facets of plant biodiversity and how these impacts change across environmental gradients.

Location

We report data on 28 alpine and 50 dryland sites, established in 11 countries.

Time period

1998–2019.

Major taxa studied

Vascular plants.

Methods

We analysed plant–plant interactions using co‐occurrence analyses and obtained information on the functional traits and phylogenetic relationships of the beneficiary species. We calculated the change in taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity caused by the presence of nurse plants and environmental conditions.

Results

Nurse plants enhanced taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity in alpine communities and enhanced functional and phylogenetic diversity in dryland communities. However, they had a positive effect on functional and taxonomic diversity only in moderate environments in alpine and dryland communities, respectively. The effects of nurse plants were larger in drylands for functional and phylogenetic diversity and in alpine communities for taxonomic diversity. Interestingly, nurse plants induced nonlinear changes in all facets of biodiversity across environmental gradients, whereas biodiversity tended to increase linearly toward more benign conditions in open interspaces.

Main conclusions

Facilitation is important in alpine environments to maximize taxonomic diversity and has a more consistent positive effect on the functional and phylogenetic diversity of drylands. In general, effects of facilitation on biodiversity peak in moderate environmental conditions, which suggests that nurse plants can protect biodiversity from impacts of climate change mostly in those places currently under low environmental stress and that will be likely to experience moderate stress levels in the future.