bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of money laundering and terrorism financing through stock market: a comprehensive conceptual review paper
Authors: Akram Tooba , Ramakrishnan Suresh A/I , Naveed Muhammad
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive conceptual framework and strong arguments with an intent to examine the stock market variables (predictors) indicating the money laundering (ML) and terrorism financing (FT) proceeds.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a comprehensive review of ML/FT through the stock market across developed, developing and emerging jurisdictions, sheds light on the existing literature and critically evaluates the gap in the relevant studies. Moving forward, this paper develops the conceptual framework and formulates hypotheses to explore the empirical relationship.

Findings

This paper advocates and finds a basis to carry out much-needed empirical research between the ML/FT and stock market keeping in view the growing criminal cases in the developing countries. This paper suggests mining proxies from the publically available stock market data and the results of existing seminal research as variables of the study. These data and results carry information about the ML determinants. After developing hypothetical research providing concepts, this paper also finds that using a suitable methodology, preferable Bayesian logistic and linear regression models, it is possible to find the typologies and factors that can indicate and endorse the use of the stock market for ML/FT. Broadly, it is found that the significance of this study will be two-pronged: empirical development and policy implications.

Research limitations/implications

This paper mainly focuses on the developing region, a newly emerging market and, peculiarly, a grey-listed region by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Practical implications

In light of the existing literature and to the best of the researchers’ knowledge, this study will bring into focus the new age of the action research on the ML regime in the securities markets of the developing countries, hence, the emerging markets. Moreover, this research shall have a sheer significance for the policy measures on FATF recommendations on ML and FT, especially for the countries listed as “grey”.

Social implications

The research based on comprehensive review will help in controlling the social behaviours aiding the proceeds of ML.

Originality/value

This research is extremely novel to the best of the researcher's knowledge.
Exploring the interrelations between additive manufacturing adoption barriers and supply chain vulnerabilities: the case of an original equipment manufacturer
Authors: Naghshineh Bardia , Carvalho Helena
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore how certain adoption barriers of additive manufacturing (AM) technology may lead to supply chain (SC) vulnerabilities, which in turn would deteriorate supply chain resilience (SCR).

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of a leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that uses AM technology to directly produce end-use metal parts for different industries was performed. Primary data were collected using the in-depth interview method, which was complemented by secondary data from internal and publicly available sources. The findings were compared with the existing literature to triangulate the results.

Findings

The findings indicate that certain AM adoption barriers make the SC vulnerable to reliance on specialty sources, supplier capacity, production capacity, utilization of restricted materials, importance of product purity, raw material availability, unpredictability in customer demand, reliability of equipment, unforeseen technology failures, reliance on information flow, industrial espionage, and utilities availability.

Research limitations/implications

The SCR outcomes of the identified SC vulnerabilities and their interrelated AM adoption barriers are proposed in this study.

Practical implications

Drawing on the case study findings and the existing literature, several practices are put forward in a framework that supply chain management (SCM) may use to mitigate the identified SC vulnerabilities caused by the AM adoption barriers.

Originality/value

This is the first study to empirically examine and identify the SC vulnerabilities that are caused by the adoption barriers of AM technology.
Family monitoring and the adverse consequences of political connections: does it vary over family generations?
Authors: Hashmi Muhammad Arsalan , Abdullah  , Brahmana Rayenda Khresna
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of family ownership on firm performance. The authors examine whether family ownership in a firm reduces the adverse consequences of political connections on firm performance. Further, the authors analyze whether monitoring benefits of family ownership vary over family generations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the financial data from 229 active nonfinancial firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange between 2011 and 2019. First, the authors estimated several panel data regression models after incorporating control variables in the full sample. Second, the authors estimated models in the subsample of family firms for investigating whether the results vary among different generations of family firms. Further, for checking the robustness of the authors’ statistical results, the authors have used two proxies of family ownership and revalidated the findings in several subsamples of the data.

Findings

This study finds that family firms financially outperform nonfamily firms. Further, the results suggest that boards with family members tend to enhance monitoring and governance mechanisms which reduce the harmful effects of political connections. Finally, this study finds that the monitoring benefits of family ownership which reduce the adverse effects of political connections on family firm performance diminishes over generations.

Originality/value

First, this study provides evidence of whether the monitoring benefits of family ownership reduce the adverse effects of political connections on firm performance. Second, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no prior study provides evidence whether first-generation family firms are superior in monitoring and ultimately reducing the negative effects of political connections.
Extended epiphenotypes: Integrating epigenotypes into host behavioural manipulation by parasites
Authors: Pavey Chris , Vyas Ajai
Published: September 2022

Biologists have long known that environmental context can create diverse phenotypes from identical genotypes. Thus, cells of the same foetus can grow into various organs depending on the molecular environment. Also, animals of the same genetic heritage can show different behaviours in different environments. Conrad Hal Waddington conceptualized epigenotypes in the 1930s, whereby modifications of genetic material could generate alternative modules of development arising out of nonvariant genetic information. His concept paved the way for a neo‐Darwinian synthesis by creating bidirectionality between the environment and genes.

In a completely independent intellectual universe, Richard Dawkins introduced the idea of extended phenotype in the early 1980s. The hypothesis posits that the appropriate phenotype of genetic information is not limited to the organism but can ‘extend’ beyond the environment. Parasite manipulation of host behaviour presents a dramatic example of such extended phenotypes.

In this perspective, we propose a synthesis between the earlier concept of epigenotypes and the later idea of extended phenotypes, namely a novel concept of extended epiphenotypes.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Sepsis associated acute kidney injury in pediatric intensive care unit
Authors: Ozkaya Pinar Yazici , Taner Sevgin , Ersayoğlu Irem , Turan Benay , Yildirim Arslan Sema , Karapinar Bülent , Kaplan Bulut Ipek
Published: September 2022

Background

We aimed to compare the acute kidney injury (AKI) incidence in pediatric septic shock patients according to the three different classifications.

Methods

We analyzed retrospectively 52 patients with severe sepsis between January 2019 and December 2019.

Results

While 21 patients have been diagnosed with SA‐AKI according to the pRIFLE criteria, 20 children have been diagnosed according to the AKIN criteria, and 21 children have been diagnosed according to the KDIGO criteria. Older age, lower platelet count were determined as independently risk factor for SA‐AKI. Older age and higher PRISM score were associated with mortality. According to Canonical correlation coefficients, pRIFLE is the most successful classification to distinguish AKI state. The canonical correlation coefficients for pRIFLE, KDIGO, and AKIN were 0.817, 0.648, and 0.615, respectively.

Conclusion

Although AKI incidence was similar between the three classifications, pRIFLE was the most successful classification to distinguish AKI state.
Onion (Allium cepa L.) peel: A review on the extraction of bioactive compounds, its antioxidant potential, and its application as a functional food ingredient
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Barbhai Mrunal D , Hasan Muzaffar , Dhumal Sangram , Singh Surinder , Pandiselvam Ravi , Rais Nadeem , Natta Suman , Senapathy Marisennayya , Sinha Neha , Amarowicz Ryszard
Published: September 2022

Functional food development is rapidly increasing as a result of consumer consciousness concerning healthy and nutritious foods. In turn, research exploring novel ingredients for formulating functional foods has been accelerated. Onion peel or skin is a byproduct obtained from onion processing that contains abundant phytochemicals, contributing to its antioxidant potential. The main focus of this review is to highlight different extraction techniques (both conventional and nonconventional) that can be implemented to extract the bioactive compounds from onion peel and assess their antioxidant activity. Furthermore, this review highlights the major areas for the application of onion peel and its extract as prospective functional ingredients, thus aiding in the preparation of designer foods with additional health benefits. The use of onion peel could also assist in redesigning popularly consumed processed foods, such as baked products, noodles or pasta, as packaging material, meat quality improvers, colorants, and juice clarifiers. This review serves as a preliminary document that can assist in exploring different ways of incorporating bioactive onion peels or skin into the functional food industry and concludes that future research can assist in the effective and efficient utilization of this resource.
Single‐layer and double‐layer zein–gum arabic nanoencapsulations: Preparation, structural characterization, thermal properties, and controlled release in the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Huang Xueying , Ge Xiaohan , Wang Yi
Published: September 2022

Encapsulation is one of the most convenient ways to increase the solubility of hydrophobic compounds and enhance the protection of sensitive compounds. The development of natural and edible encapsulation systems is a challenge for the food industry. This study explored two kinds of nanoparticles (NPs) made by zein and gum arabic (GA) and investigated the protective and controlled release effect of the formed NPs on rutin. Single‐layer NPs (ZG) formed with a zein and GA mixture and double‐layer NPs (ZWG) with one inner layer of zein and one outer layer of GA were prepared with a series of mass ratios of zein to GA. The particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential were obtained, and the structure and morphology of the NPs were observed using scanning electron microscopy. As shown by the differential scanning calorimeter and thermogravimetric analysis, the heat resistance of ZG is higher than the heat resistance of ZWG. ZG showed slower release of rutin in the simulated gastric and small intestinal solutions than ZWG. These results will help in understanding the different behaviors of protection and controlled release of layered NPs made by mixtures of biopolymers, which can be directly applied to the design of delivery systems of sensitive bioactive compounds in the food industry.
Detection of Epstein–Barr virus in systemic sclerosis patients: A molecular and serological based study
Authors: Machhua Sanghamitra , Sharma Shefali Khanna , Kumar Yashwant , Singh Surjit , Anand Shashi , Handa Sanjeev , Minz Ranjana Walker
Published: September 2022

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate an association between Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methodology

One hundred and fifty (138 female, 12 male) consecutive adult SSc patients fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/ European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria were included in this cross‐sectional study. Serological analysis by line blot for class immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies against EBV antigen (EBV capsid antigen [VCA] gp125, VCA p19, EBNA‐1, p22, EA‐D) and quantification of EBV DNA in whole blood by real‐time polymerase chain reaction was performed.

Results

Class IgM antibodies against VCA gp125 (22.8% vs 0%, P < .0002), VCA p19 (55.7% vs 4.4%, P < .0001), EBNA1 (35.7% vs 0%, P < .0001), p22 (24.2% vs 0%, P < .0001), EA‐D (14.2% vs 2.2%, P < .04), and class IgG antibodies against p22 (95.7% vs 82.2%, P < .02) and EA‐D (54.2% vs 0%, P < .0001) reactivities were significantly higher in SSc patients than in controls. The past infection was significantly associated with the control group (42.8% vs 91%, P < .0001); and the viral reactivation was significantly associated with the SSc group (55.7% vs 4.4%, P < .0001). Only three (2%) out of 150 SSc patients were positive for EBV DNA, similar to the control group (2%) (P > .9).

Conclusion

The study shows a strong serological association of EBV (reactivation stage) with SSc patients in the absence of viral DNA in the circulation, indicating the EBV reservoir or tropism presence elsewhere.
Feasibility and oncological outcomes of video‐assisted thoracic surgery versus thoracotomy for pathologic N2 disease in non–small cell lung cancer: A comprehensive systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Xiaogang , Huang Kaili , Deng Hanyu , Zheng Qiangqiang , Xiao Tao , Yu Jinming , Zhou Qinghua
Published: September 2022

This meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the feasibility and oncological outcomes between video‐assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and thoracotomy for non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with pathologic N2 (pN2) disease. Data for analysis included short‐term outcomes and long‐term outcomes. We calculated the weighted mean differences (WMDs) for continuous data and the results of overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) were pooled using the hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q‐test and I2‐test. Sensitivity analysis was performed to further examine the stability of pooled HRs and WMDs. In the pooled analyses of 10 eligible studies, results showed that VATS for NSCLC patients with pN2 disease yielded significantly less blood loss (WMD = −61.43; 95% confidence intervals [CI], [−87.69, −35.18]; p < 0.001), less post‐operation hospital stay (WMD, −1.62; 95% CI, [−2.96, −0.28]; p = 0.02), and comparable operation time (WMD,  −8.32; 95% CI, [−23.88, 7.23]; p = 0.29), post‐operation complication rate (risk ratio [RR], 0.95; 95% CI, [0.78, 1.15]; p = 0.59), chest tube duration to thoracotomy (WMD, −0.64; 95% CI, [−1.45, 0.17]; p = 0.12), extent of lymph node dissection (WMD, −1.46; 95% CI, [−3.87, 0.95]; p = 0.23) and 1‐year OS (HR, 1.30; 95% CI, [0.96, 1.76]; p = 0.09) than thoracotomy. However, VATS may improve 3‐year OS (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, [1.12, 1.42]; p = 0.0002) and yield comparable 1‐year DFS (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, [0.89, 1.46]; p = 0.32) and 3‐year DFS (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, [0.88, 1.22]; p = 0.70) for NSCLC patients with pN2 disease than thoracotomy. VATS could yield less surgical trauma and improve post‐operative recovery than thoracotomy. Moreover, VATS may improve the oncological outcomes of those patients.
Clinical application of comprehensive genomic profiling panel to thoracic malignancies: A single‐center retrospective study
Authors: Kunimasa Kei , Sugimoto Naotoshi , Kawamura Takahisa , Yamasaki Tomoyuki , Honma Keiichiro , Nagata Shigenori , Kukita Yoji , Fujisawa Fumie , Inoue Tazuko , Yamaguchi Yuko , Kitasaka Mitsuko , Wakamatsu Toru , Yamai Takuo , Yamamoto Sachiko , Hayashi Takuji , Inoue Takako , Tamiya Motohiro , Imamura Fumio , Nishimura Kazuo , Nishino Kazumi
Published: September 2022

Background

The usefulness of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) panels for thoracic malignancies after completion of the standard treatment is unclear.

Methods

The results of CGP panels for malignant thoracic diseases performed at our hospital between December 2019 and June 2022 were collected. We examined whether CGP panel results led to new treatment, correlated with the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), or revealed secondary findings related to hereditary tumors.

Results

A total of 60 patients were enrolled, of which 52 (86.6%) had lung cancer. In six (10%) patients, the panel results led to treatment with insurance‐listed molecular‐targeted agents; four patients had EGFR mutations not detected by the real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay and two had MET ex.14 skipping mutations. In small‐cell lung cancer, the tumor mutation burden was high in 4/6 (66.7%) patients and pembrolizumab was available. Another MET ex.14 skipping mutation was detected in two cases with EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance. ICI efficacy was ≤1 year in patients with STK‐11, KEAP1, and NEF2L2 mutations. A BRCA2 mutation with a high probability of germline mutation was detected in one patient. A thymic carcinoma with no detectable oncogenic mutation responded to second‐line treatment with Tegafur‐Gimeracil‐Oteracil Potassium (TS‐1) for ≥9 years.

Conclusions

CGP panels are useful in thoracic malignancies, especially lung cancer, because they can detect overlooked driver mutations and genetic alterations. We believe that the significance of conducting a CGP panel prior to treatment may also exist, as it may lead to the prediction of ICI treatment efficacy.
Safety of AS04‐HPV‐16/18 vaccine in Chinese women aged 26 years and older and long‐term protective effect in women vaccinated at age 18–25 years: A 10‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Zhao Fanghui , Jastorff Archana , Hong Ying , Hu Shangying , Chen Wen , Xu Xiaoqian , Zhu Yejiang , Zhu Jiahong , Zhang Xun , Zhang Wenhua , Xu Dacheng , Wang Dali , Tang Rong , Sun Yonghong , Shen Yiping , Pan Qinjing , Yin Jian , Liu Daokuan , Liu Bin , Karkada Naveen , Jiang Chunmei , Cui Jianfeng , Chen Feng , Bi Jun , Bao Yuqing , Zhou Xin , Cartier Cyrille , Hu Yuemei , Borys Dorota
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The pivotal efficacy study assessed efficacy and safety of GSK's AS04‐HPV‐16/18 vaccine in Chinese women aged 18–25 years up to 6 years. The present extension study, performed 4 years later, offered AS04‐HPV‐16/18 vaccination to placebo recipients. Vaccine safety and its long‐term protective effect were assessed at Year 10.

Methods

All 6051 women who received AS04‐HPV‐16/18 or the placebo during the initial study (NCT00779766) were invited to phase III/IV, open‐label, partially controlled extension Year 10 study (NCT03629886). Placebo recipients were offered three‐dose AS04‐HPV‐16/18 vaccination and followed up over 12 months to assess the safety. Cervical samples from all women were examined. Vaccine efficacy (VE) against incident infections and cytological lesions associated with HPV‐16/18 and other oncogenic types was assessed as exploratory objective.

Results

Among 3537 women (out of 6051) enrolled in the extension study, 1791 women (mean age 32.7 years; standard deviation 1.8 years) received AS04‐HPV‐16/18 and reported no serious adverse events, potential immune‐mediated diseases, or adverse pregnancy outcomes related to vaccination. Among 6051 women, VE against incident HPV‐16, ‐18, and ‐16/18 infections up to Year 10 was 82.8% (95% confidence interval: 72.5–89.7), 79.8% (64.5–89.2), and 80.8% (72.4–87.0), respectively. VE against HPV‐16/18 ASC‐US+, CIN1+, and CIN2+ was 92.7% (82.2–97.7), 94.8% (67.4–99.9), and 90.5% (34.6–99.8), respectively.

Conclusion

AS04‐HPV‐16/18 vaccine showed an acceptable safety profile in Chinese women vaccinated at age 26 years or above, and a long‐term protection similar to other efficacy trials worldwide.
Isoniazid level and flu‐like symptoms during rifapentine‐based tuberculosis preventive therapy: A population pharmacokinetic analysis
Authors: Lee Ming‐Chia , Fujita Yuito , Muraki Shota , Huang Hung‐Ling , Lee Chih‐Hsin , Wang Jann‐Yuan , Ieiri Ichiro
Published: September 2022

Aim

A population pharmacokinetic (PPK) study of the correlation of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) with the 3HP regimen (weekly high‐dose rifapentine plus isoniazid for 12 doses) for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) remains lacking. The purpose of this study is to determine the association of rifapentine or isoniazid concentration and ADRs.

Methods

This prospective, multicentre, observational study enrolled LTBI contacts receiving 3HP treatment between January 2017 and August 2020. The concentrations of rifapentine, isoniazid and their metabolites (25‐desacetyl‐rifapentine and acetyl‐isoniazid) in plasma samples collected monthly after 3HP treatment were determined. A PPK model was constructed to predict the maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration–time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC). Their association with ADRs was evaluated by applying three multivariate logistic regression models with adjustment for various covariates.

Results

A total of 415 LTBI cases were ultimately enrolled; 355 (85.5%) completed the 3HP treatment. Among them, 47 (11.3%) experienced systemic drug reactions and 291 (70.0%) experienced one or more flu‐like symptom. The plasma concentration–time profiles of isoniazid, rifapentine and their metabolites were adequately described by the developed models. A higher Cmax of isoniazid was significantly correlated with a higher risk of any ADR (adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval: 3.04 [1.07–8.65]) and any or at least two flu‐like symptoms (all severity grades) (2.76 [1.06–7.17]).

Conclusions

Isoniazid may be responsible for ADRs, especially flu‐like symptoms, during 3HP treatment.
Safety of off‐label dose reduction of non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: van den Dries Carline J. , Pajouheshnia Romin , van den Ham Hendrika A. , Souverein Patrick , Moons Karel G. M. , Hoes Arno W. , Geersing Geert‐Jan , van Doorn Sander
Published: September 2022

Aim

To investigate the effects of off‐label non‐vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC) dose reduction compared with on‐label standard dosing in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients in routine care.

Methods

Population‐based cohort study using data from the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink, comparing adults with non‐valvular AF receiving an off‐label reduced NOAC dose to patients receiving an on‐label standard dose. Outcomes were ischaemic stroke, major/non‐major bleeding and mortality. Inverse probability of treatment weighting and inverse probability of censoring weighting on the propensity score were applied to adjust for confounding and informative censoring.

Results

Off‐label dose reduction occurred in 2466 patients (8.0%), compared with 18 108 (58.5%) on‐label standard‐dose users. Median age was 80 years (interquartile range [IQR] 73.0‐86.0) versus 72 years (IQR 66‐78), respectively. Incidence rates were higher in the off‐label dose reduction group compared to the on‐label standard dose group, for ischaemic stroke (0.94 vs 0.70 per 100 person years), major bleeding (1.48 vs 0.83), non‐major bleeding (6.78 vs 6.16) and mortality (10.12 vs 3.72). Adjusted analyses resulted in a hazard ratio of 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.57‐1.60) for ischaemic stroke, 0.88 (95% CI 0.57‐1.35) for major bleeding, 0.81 (95% CI 0.67‐0.98) for non‐major bleeding and 1.34 (95% CI 1.12‐1.61) for mortality.

Conclusion

In this large population‐based study, the hazards for ischaemic stroke and major bleeding were low, and similar in AF patients receiving an off‐label reduced NOAC dose compared with on‐label standard dose users, while non‐major bleeding risk appeared to be lower and mortality risk higher. Caution towards prescribing an off‐label reduced NOAC dose is therefore required.
How do students' self‐regulation skills affect learning satisfaction and continuous intention within desktop‐based virtual reality? A structural equation modelling approach
Authors: Liu Zheyu , Yu Ping , Liu Jiale , Pi Zhongling , Cui Weijin
Published: September 2022

Virtual reality, as an excellent supportive instructional technology, has gained increasing attention from educators and professionals, where desktop‐based virtual reality (DVR) is broadly adopted due to its affordability and accessibility. However, when evaluating students' learning experiences such as flow experiences in DVR environments, most studies adopt a single construct (the total score of flow experience) rather than multiple constructs (enjoyment, engagement, concentration, presence and time distortion). This study implemented desktop‐based virtual reality for a STEM bridge designing program with a total of 254 undergraduates to investigate the relationship between self‐regulation skills, five dimensions of flow experience, learning satisfaction and continuous intention when engaging in a DVR learning environment. The results revealed that self‐regulated learning exerted a dominant impact on students' learning attitudes in DVR learning, in which students' flow experience had a significant mediating effect. Notably, although DVR exhibited poor time distortion, higher satisfaction and continuous intention were still predicted by the mentality of flow experience (ie, enjoyment, engagement, concentration and presence). The findings of this study contribute to the consideration of learning experiences and attitudes, which has insights for the future design of desktop‐based virtual reality environments and related instructional activities.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Students are different in self‐regulation skills, which influences their satisfaction and continuous intention in learning.

Students' self‐regulation skills are one of the important variables in predicting their flow experience.

A high level of flow experience contributes to a coherent and efficient learning experience within desktop‐based virtual reality (DVR) environments.

What this paper adds

Students' self‐regulation skills positively predicted their flow experience and satisfaction in DVR environments.

The components of flow experience (enjoyment, concentration and presence) partially mediated the relationship between self‐regulation skills and satisfaction.

Students' self‐regulation skills indirectly affect continuous intention by the enjoyment and engagement of flow experiences.

Implications for practice and/or policy

When delivering DVR‐based learning activities educators should be supportive of students with low levels of self‐regulation skills.

Emphasis on promoting flow experiences such as enjoyment, engagement, concentration and presence in designing a DVR‐based classroom could enhance student satisfaction and continuous intention.

Embedding scaffolding or feedback in DVR settings would support self‐regulated learning and subsequently improve student satisfaction and persistence through enhanced flow experience.
Intravenous immunoglobulin in the management of severe early onset red blood cell alloimmunisation
Authors: Vlachodimitropoulou Evangelia , Lo Tsz Kin , Bambao Clarissa , Denomme Greg , Seaward Gareth R. , Windrim Rory , Tessier Francine , Kelly Edmond , Van Mieghem Tim , Ryan Greg
Published: September 2022

Our objective was to assess the effect of maternal intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) administration for severe red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunisation on fetal outcomes. This is a case–control study. Women with a history of severe early onset alloimmunisation resulting in fetal loss in a previous pregnancy and high anti‐D or anti‐K antibody titres received IVIG in a subsequent pregnancy. We assessed gestational age at first transfusion and fetal outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy and compared these with the outcomes in the previous pregnancy. The most responsible antibody was anti‐D in 17 women and anti‐K in two others, whilst seven had more than one antibody. In all, 19 women received IVIG in 22 pregnancies, two of which did not even need an intrauterine transfusion (IUT). For previous early losses despite transfusion, IVIG was associated with a relative increase in fetal haemoglobin between treated and untreated pregnancies of 36.5 g/L (95% confidence interval 19.8–53.2, p = 0.0013) and improved perinatal survival (eight of eight vs. none of six, p = 0.001). For previous losses at <20 weeks, it enabled first transfusion deferral in subsequent pregnancies to at least 19.9 weeks (mean 23.2 weeks). Overall, IVIG decreases the severity of haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn and allows deferral of the first IUT to a safer gestation in severe early‐onset RBC alloimmunisation and rarely may even avoid the need for IUT entirely.
Crickets as indicators of ecological succession in tropical systems, New Caledonia
Authors: Anso Jeremy , Gasc Amandine , Bourguet Edouard , Desutter‐Grandcolas Laure , Jourdan Hervé
Published: September 2022

Crickets (Ensifera, Grylloidea) are not commonly used as ecological indicators in contrary to other Orthoptera (e.g., grasshoppers and katydids). However, they are sensitive to environmental changes and abundant in tropical regions. To evaluate whether crickets are relevant bioindicators of tropical ecosystems, we investigated cricket assemblages along a tropical ecological gradient. We collected crickets during both day and night in southern New Caledonia for three stages of ecological succession: open shrubland, preforest, and forest. Simultaneously, we measured several environmental variables, such as temperature and relative humidity, at each sampling site. Cricket species assemblages showed a clear response to ecological succession. The highest and lowest species richness and abundances of individuals were, respectively, found in forest and shrubland, with species specialized in each ecological stage revealing the conservation value of each of these stages. Similar results were found when considering only the part of cricket communities with the ability to acoustically communicate. This work is part of a larger research program about Neocaledonian crickets and contributes to support the use of acoustic approaches to monitor tropical environments. In conclusion, these findings highlight the potential value of crickets as an environmental indicator in tropical ecosystems. The results also contribute to the discussion of the intrinsic conservational value of shrublands in New Caledonia and similar ecotypes.

Abstract in French is available with online material.
Detection and genetic variation analysis of apple chlorotic leaf spot virus and apple stem grooving virus in wild apple (Malus sieversii) from Xinjiang, China
Authors: Jia Xiao‐Jun , Zhang Zun‐Ping , Fan Xu‐Dong , Ren Fang , Dong Ya‐Feng , Hu Guo‐Jun
Published: September 2022

Here, we produced nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the movement protein (MP) and the coat protein (CP) genes of apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) and apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) from wild apple of Xinjiang, the main progenitor of the domesticated apple. Genetic variation and phylogenetics were assessed using these and previously reported sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of ACLSV nucleotide and amino acid data sets assigned some ACLSV variants to known groups and others to novel clades. In an MP‐based phylogenetic tree, ASGV sequences downloaded from GenBank and those of wild apple isolates were assigned to separate groups. A recombinant sequence was identified in a ACLSV variant (MS‐GL‐1‐c‐3) of wild apple, and both parents of the recombinant had been isolated from the same plant (GL). Two potential recombination events of ASGV (MS‐GL‐2‐g‐3 and MS‐NF‐1‐g‐3) were identified in this study. These findings may constitute a valuable basis for future studies on variability of virus genetics and pathogenicity.
Review of glucocorticoid therapy in horses: Intra‐articular corticosteroids
Authors: Boorman Sophie , McMaster Mattie A. , Groover Erin , Caldwell Fred
Published: September 2022

This is the third article in a review series on the use of glucocorticoids to treat medical and musculoskeletal conditions in horses. This article in the series reviews the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of osteoarthritis and includes an appraisal of the most commonly used corticosteroids in equine practice. The regulatory rules concerning the use of corticosteroids are discussed, along with incidence, diagnosis and treatment of possible complications relating to intra‐articular therapy.
RETRACTED: Natural language processing with deep learning enabled hybrid content retrieval model for digital library management
Authors: Ragab Mahmoud , Almuhammadi Anas , Mansour Romany F. , Kadry Seifedine
Published: September 2022

In recent times, natural language processing (NLP) technique has received significant attention in content retrieval (CR) domain. The emergence of digital libraries, in recent years, enables people from across the globe to access and store books, documents, and literature of multiple kinds. The development of NLP models has considerably improved the performance in terms of digital library management. In this scenario, artificial intelligence‐based expert systems are required to handle massive quantities of data that exist in digital libraries and achieve effective CR performance. In this background, the current study designs NLP with deep learning enabled hybrid content retrieval (NLPDL‐HCR) model for digital library management. The aim of the presented NLPDL‐HCR is to effectually retrieve the images as well as textual data from digital libraries based on a user's query. The proposed NLPDL‐HCR model encompasses two major stages namely, text retrieval and image retrieval (IR). During text retrieval process, the proposed NLPDL‐HCR model includes term frequency inverse document frequency vectorizer with optimal gated recurrent unit (GRU) model. The hyperparameters of the GRU model are optimally adjusted with the help of RMSProp approach. Besides, the IR process involves three sub‐processes namely, densely connected networks‐based feature extraction, butterfly optimization algorithm‐based hyperparameter tuning, and Euclidean distance‐based similarity measurement. The experimental analysis results, accomplished by the proposed NLPDL‐HCR model using benchmark datasets, highlighted its superior performance over recent state‐of‐the‐art approaches.
Inhibition of kidney potassium channels by fluoxetine: In vivo and in vitro studies
Authors: Vieira‐Coelho Maria A. , Martel Fátima
Published: September 2022

In vitro studies have demonstrated that fluoxetine, a commonly used antidepressant drug, can modulate the activity of K+ channels. In the present study, we investigated the in vivo effect of acute and sub‐chronic treatment of rats with fluoxetine on K+ renal transport. Furthermore, OK cells, a kidney epithelial cell line, were used in order to evaluate the in vitro effect of fluoxetine on K+ currents. In the sub‐chronic study, fluoxetine was administrated daily (10 mg/kg, p.o.) for 15 days to male adult Wistar rats. In the acute study, rats were given increasing doses of fluoxetine (1, 3, 10, 30 and 50 mg/kg, p.o.) for 24 h.

Results from the sub‐chronic study show that urinary K+ content (in mmol/L) was markedly reduced in the fluoxetine‐treated animals (fluoxetine: 83 ± 9; control: 131 ± 10; P < 0.001). K+ fractional renal excretion (in %) was also significantly lower in the fluoxetine group (fluoxetine: 6 ± 1; control: 13 ± 2; P < 0.001). No significant changes was observed in creatinine clearance and on renal tubular Na+,K+‐ATPase activity. Results obtained from the acute study demonstrate that, after a 24‐h administration, fluoxetine produced a dose‐dependent decrease in urinary K+, with an ED50 (in mg/kg) of 4.2 (2.8; 5.5) and a maximal effect of 62% reduction. In vitro, fluoxetine produced a concentration‐dependent inhibition of K+ currents in OK cells, with an EC50 of 107 (84.8; 129.5) μM. In conclusion, fluoxetine produces a marked reduction on urinary K+ excretion; this effect constitutes an in vivo evidence for the inhibitory action of fluoxetine on kidney epithelial K+ channels.
Avoiding growing pains in reproductive trait databases: the curse of dimensionality
Authors: Ginther Samuel C. , Cameron Hayley , White Craig R. , Marshall Dustin J.
Published: September 2022

Aim

Reproductive output features prominently in many trait databases, but the metrics describing it vary and are often untethered to temporal and volumetric dimensions (e.g., fecundity per bout). The use of such ambiguous reproductive measures to make broad‐scale comparisons across taxonomic groups will be meaningful only if they show a 1:1 relationship with a reproductive measure that explicitly includes both a volumetric and a temporal component (i.e., reproductive mass per year). We sought to map the prevalence of ambiguous and explicit reproductive measures across taxa and to explore their relationships with one another to determine the cross‐compatibility and utility of reproductive metrics in trait databases.

Location

Global.

Time period

1990–2021.

Major taxa studied

We searched for reproductive measures across all Metazoa and identified 19,785 vertebrate species (Chordata), and 440 invertebrate species (Arthropoda, Cnidaria or Mollusca).

Methods

We included 37 databases, from which we summarized the commonality of reproductive metrics across taxonomic groups. We also quantified scaling relationships between ambiguous reproductive traits (fecundity per bout, fecundity per year and reproductive mass per bout) and an explicit measure (reproductive mass per year) to assess their cross‐compatibility.

Results

Most species were missing at least one temporal or volumetric dimension of reproductive output, such that reproductive mass per year could be reconstructed for only 4,786 vertebrate species. Ambiguous reproductive measures were poor predictors of reproductive mass per year; in no instance did these measures scale at 1:1.

Main conclusions

Ambiguous measures systematically misestimate reproductive mass per year. Until more data are collected, we suggest that researchers should use the clade‐specific scaling relationships provided here to convert ambiguous reproductive measures to reproductive mass per year.
PRAME expression in spindle cell melanoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour, and other cutaneous sarcomatoid neoplasms: a comparative analysis
Authors: Hrycaj Steven M , Szczepanski Julianne M , Zhao Lili , Siddiqui Javed , Thomas Dafydd G , Lucas David R , Patel Rajiv M , Harms Paul W , Bresler Scott C , Chan May P
Published: September 2022

Diagnosis of spindle cell/sarcomatoid melanoma may be challenging due to frequent loss of expression of melanocytic marker(s) and histomorphologic resemblance to various mesenchymal tumours, particularly malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST). Overexpression of PReferentially expressed Antigen in MElanoma (PRAME) supports a diagnosis of melanoma when evaluating challenging melanocytic tumours. PRAME expression in MPNST and other cutaneous sarcomatoid neoplasms, however, has not been well characterised. We aimed to determine the utility of PRAME immunostain in distinguishing spindle cell melanoma from MPNST and other sarcomatoid mimics. PRAME expression was scored by extent (0 to 4+) and intensity (0 to 3) of staining. A strong positive correlation was observed between the extent and intensity scores (r = 0.84). An extent score of 4+, defined by staining in 76–100% of tumour cells, was seen in 56% (23/41) of spindle cell melanomas, 18% (7/38) of MPNSTs, 15% (4/27) of cutaneous sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), 33% (5/15) of poorly differentiated cutaneous angiosarcomas, 12% (4/33) of atypical fibroxanthomas (AFXs), 4% (1/25) of pleomorphic dermal sarcomas (PDSs), and none (0/16) of the high‐grade cutaneous leiomyosarcomas. A significant difference was found between spindle cell melanoma and all other examined sarcomatoid neoplasms except angiosarcoma. While diffuse (and often strong) PRAME expression is more frequently observed in spindle cell melanoma than MPNST, sarcomatoid SCC, AFX, PDS, and high‐grade leiomyosarcoma, its limited sensitivity and specificity caution against its use as a standalone diagnostic marker. PRAME may complement other epigenetic or lineage‐specific markers and should only be used as part of an immunohistochemical panel when evaluating these sarcomatoid neoplasms.
Patient‐related outcomes and Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life in endodontics
Authors: Doğramacı Esma J. , Rossi‐Fedele Giampiero
Published: September 2022

There is increased interest in outcome measures that complement the classic goal of endodontics, being the prevention and healing of apical periodontitis. Possible outcome measures can be subdivided into patient‐centred outcomes (PCOs), encompassing data collected by nonpatients aiming to assess the effectiveness of an intervention and patient‐reported outcomes (PROs), which are reported directly by the patient. PROs can be subsequently classed into PRO measures that ascertain patients' view of their symptoms, their functional status, and their health‐related quality of life, and patient‐reported experience measures that focus on aspects including the humanity of care, patient satisfaction, patient preference and adherence, personal costs, expectation fulfilment, and decision regrets. The present review aims to define various patient‐related outcomes and discuss the literature available regarding PCOs and PROs in endodontics. This includes those proposed to assess the effectiveness of endodontic treatment for pulpitis and apical periodontitis for use in the development of European Society of Endodontology S3‐level clinical practice guidelines that have been included by all working groups, except for the radiographic assessment of apical periodontitis. Based on limited evidence in the field, it can be summarized that after recall periods of various lengths, endodontic treatment is associated with a high likelihood of tooth survival and limited need for further intervention, including extraction and further restorative procedures. Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) is likely to improve following the completion of treatment. Nonetheless, the literature assessing the association between OHRQoL and endodontics is hampered by the use of instruments that have not been previously validated. Amongst the remaining outcome measures discussed in the present review, it is worth highlighting that there is only one study assessing exacerbations in teeth with the presence of endodontic pathosis, which suggests a very low incidence of this adverse effect following endodontic treatment. Patients' expectation fulfilment, adherence, and satisfaction are closely inter‐related and depend also on various nonclinical factors. Further studies assessing PCOs and PROs, in association with healing and prevention of apical periodontitis, are required to better understand endodontic treatment from the perspective of patients.
Maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index and offspring with overweight/obesity at preschool age: The possible role of epigenome‐wideDNAmethylation changes in cord blood
Authors: Chang Ruixia , Zhang Yuanyuan , Sun Jiahong , Xu Ke , Li Chunan , Zhang Jingli , Mei Wenhua , Zhang Hongzhong , Zhang Jianduan
Published: September 2022

Background

Epigenome‐wide association studies have identified some DNA methylation sites associated with body mass index (BMI) or obesity. Studies in the Asian population are lacking.

Objective

To examine the association of cord blood genome‐wide DNA methylation (GWDm) changes with maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI and children's BMI‐z score at preschool age. Additionally, we also explored the genome‐wide differentially methylated regions and differentially methylated probes between preschoolers with overweight/obesity and normal‐weight counterparts.

Methods

This two‐stage study design included (1) a GWDm analysis of 30 mother–child pairs from 633 participants of the Zhuhai birth cohort with data on newborn cord blood, maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI, and children's BMI at 3 years of age; and (2) a targeted validation analysis of the cord blood of ten children with overweight/obesity and ten matched controls to validate the CpG sites.

Results

In the first stage, no significant CpG sites were found to be associated with children's BMI‐z score at preschool age afterFDRcorrection with thep‐values of the CpG sites inFOXN3(cg23501836) andZNF264(cg27437574) being close to 1 × 10−6. In the second stage, a significant difference of CpG sites inAHRR(chr5:355067‐355068) andFOXN3(chr14: 89630264‐89630272 and chr14: 89630387‐89630388) was found between the ten children with overweight/obesity and ten controls (p < 0.05). The CpG sites inFOXN3(chr14:89630264‐89630272 and chr14:89630295‐89630296) andZNF264(chr19: 57703104‐57703107 and chr19: 57703301‐57703307) were associated with children's BMI‐z score; and the CpG sites inFOXN3(chr14: 89630264‐89630272 and chr14: 89630387‐89630388) were associated with maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI.

Conclusions

DNA methylation inFOXN3andAHRRis associated with overweight/obesity in preschool‐aged children, and the methylation inFOXN3andZNF264might be associated with children's BMI‐z score.FOXN3methylation may be associated with maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI, suggesting its potential role in the children's BMI‐z score or overweight/obesity. Our results provide novel insights into the mechanisms of children's obesity.
Clinical trials for renal allograft tolerance induction through combined hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A narrative review
Authors: Hotta Kiyohiko , Hirose Takayuki , Kawai Tatsuo
Published: September 2022

During the last four decades, development of effective immunosuppressants has significantly improved short‐term results of organ transplantation. However, long‐term results have not been satisfactory due to chronic rejection or complications caused by immunosuppressive drugs. Therefore, induction of immunological tolerance of the transplanted organ is considered essential to improve the long‐term results. Despite numerous tolerance strategies that have been successful in murine models, inducing hematopoietic chimerism through donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only method that reproducibly induces kidney allograft tolerance in nonhuman primates or humans. Combining kidney and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to achieve allograft tolerance has now been attempted with different chimerism strategies. This review summarizes the status of current clinical trials on the induction of allograft tolerance. We also summarize recent studies to extend the chimerism approach to deceased donor transplant recipients.