Background
Cognitive impairment (CI) is common among patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), but it is under-recognized and systematic review on its prevalence and impact across different geographical ...locations or patient characteristics is lacking.
Methods
A search of the literature on CI in PD patients published between 1 Jan 1980 and 25
.
April 2019 was conducted. Meta-analysis using a random effects model was performed to determine the pooled estimate of the prevalence of CI. Meta-regression was performed to identify factors contributing to the variance of prevalence rate. A systematic review was also performed to study risk factors of CI and its impact on clinical outcomes.
Results
Eight studies were included and the relevant data from 1736 patients were extracted for analysis. Meta-analysis revealed a pooled prevalence of CI at 28.7% (95% CI 15.9–46%). Meta-regression analyses showed that the prevalence of CI was unrelated to patient’s age, gender, duration of PD, healthcare policy of dialysis modality, the prospective or retrospective nature of studies, or year of publication. Systematic review of 20 studies showed that older age, female sex and lower education were risk factors for CI. Potential reversible factors for CI include electrolytes disturbances, depression and vitamin D deficiency. Also, CI was associated with a higher risk of hospitalization, mostly due to PD-related peritonitis.
Conclusions
CI is common in patients on long-term PD. Screening for CI should be considered in PD patients with increased risk.
Purpose
This study aims to systematically review the work–family enrichment (WFE) studies in hospitality and tourism management and provide insight into the patterns and trends of WFE literature to ...practitioners and future researchers.
Design/methodology/approach
This study design followed the guidelines of preferred reporting items of systematic reviews and meta-analysis. A final sample of 23 studies related to WFE that published from 2000 to 2021 was selected and systematically analyzed.
Findings
This study resulted in a framework that the antecedents and outcomes of WFE at the organizational, job and individual levels. Moderators between antecedents and outcomes were also identified. Theories such as conservation of resources theory, boundary theory, role theory and expansion theory were frequently applied in the investigation of WFE.
Research limitations/implications
This study generated a framework that illustrates the organization characteristics, the job characteristics and individual factors that have examined in hospitality literature on the topic of WFE. This study also pointed out theories that have been used in investigating WFE. However, this systematic review may subject to publication bias and number of reviewed articles remained relatively small.
Practical implications
This study provides suggestions on how hospitality operators could use internal marketing strategies and certain leadership styles (e.g. transformational and servant leaderships) to enhance employees’ WFE.
Originality/value
This study summarized the publication trends and patterns of the WFE studies in hospitality and tourism management in the past two decades, which provides suggestions for future scholars to further explore this research topic.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with L858R or exon 19 deletion mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have good responses to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), gefitinib. ...However, patients with wild-type EGFR and acquired mutation in EGFR T790M are resistant to gefitinib treatment. Here, we showed that curcumin can improve the efficiency of gefitinib in the resistant NSCLC cells both in vitro and in vivo models.
After screening 598 herbal and natural compounds, we found curcumin could inhibit cell proliferation in different gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cell lines; concentration-dependently down-regulate EGFR phosphorylation through promoting EGFR degradation in NSCLC cell lines with wild-type EGFR or T790M EGFR. In addition, the anti-tumor activity of gefitinib was potentiated via curcumin through blocking EGFR activation and inducing apoptosis in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cell lines; also the combined treatment with curcumin and gefitinib exhibited significant inhibition in the CL1-5, A549 and H1975 xenografts tumor growth in SCID mice through reducing EGFR, c-MET, cyclin D1 expression, and inducing apoptosis activation through caspases-8, 9 and PARP. Interestingly, we observed that the combined treatment group represented better survival rate and less intestinal mucosal damage compare to gefitinib-alone therapy. We showed that curcumin attenuated the gefitinib-induced cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis through altering p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in intestinal epithelia cell.
Curcumin potentiates antitumor activity of gefitinib in cell lines and xenograft mice model of NSCLC through inhibition of proliferation, EGFR phosphorylation, and induction EGFR ubiquitination and apoptosis. In addition, curcumin attenuates gefitinib-induced gastrointestinal adverse effects via altering p38 activation. These findings provide a novel treatment strategy that curcumin as an adjuvant to increase the spectrum of the usage of gefitinib and overcome the gefitinib inefficiency in NSCLC patients.
Purpose
Guided by stimulus-organism-response (SOR) theory, this study analyzed the user-generated content (UGC) produced by attendees from six anime conventions in the USA.
...Design/methodology/approach
A total of 739 online reviews and 1,932 photos were collected from the social platforms of six large anime conventions in the USA (Yelp and Facebook), and the study employed thematic analysis and image analysis to analyze the collected UGCs.
Findings
The findings revealed eight main themes (i.e. ambient and space, customers, service and products, sign and symbol, social density, emotional status, motivation, and behavior intention) and 32 subthemes across the three dimensions of SOR theory. Leveraging the power of cutting-edge image analysis, the image labels obtained from the analysis contributed to the creation of network clusters. The result of the image analysis also continued consistently with the thematic analysis result, which reflected SOR theory.
Research limitations/implications
Theoretically, the study applied SOR theory and blended thematic and image analyses to gain a comprehensive understanding of anime convention attendees’ experience and categorized the attendees’ emotional status as positive or negative to reflect their overall evaluation. Practically, this study highlighted some complaints from attendees and provided suggestions for operators. However, the study focused only on large anime conventions in the USA; future studies should compare attendees’ experiences with small and large conventions or anime conventions worldwide.
Originality/value
The study utilized UGCs to understand the key patterns essential to attendees during anime conventions in the USA and applied SOR theory to its investigation.
Vascular calcification (VC) is a major cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal diseases. Biomarkers to predict the progression of VC early are in urgent demand.
We identified circulating, ...cell-free microRNAs as potential biomarkers using in vitro VC models in which both rat and human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells were treated with high levels of phosphate to mimic uremic hyperphosphatemia. Using an Affymetrix microRNA array, we found that miR-125b and miR-382 expression levels declined significantly as biomineralization progressed, but this decline was only observed for miR-125b in the culture medium. A time-dependent decrease in aortic tissue and serum miR-125b levels was also found in both ex vivo and in vivo renal failure models. We examined the levels of circulating, cell-free miR-125b in sera from patients with end-stage renal diseases (n=88) and found an inverse association between the severity of VC and the circulating miR-125b level, irrespective of age or mineral-related hormones (odds ratio, 0.71;
=0.03). Furthermore, serum miR-125b levels on enrollment can predict VC progression years later (for high versus low, odds ratio, 0.14;
<0.01; for the highest versus lowest tertile and middle versus lowest tertile, odds ratio, 0.55 and 0.13;
=0.3 and <0.01, respectively). The uremic VC prediction efficacy using circulating miR-125b levels was also observed in an independent cohort (n=135).
The results suggest that serum miR-125b levels are associated with VC severity and serve as a novel predictive marker for the risk of uremia-associated calcification progression.
Guidelines for monitoring of medications frequently used in the gender-affirming care of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) adolescents are based on studies in adults or other medical conditions. ...In this study, we aimed to investigate commonly screened laboratory measurements in TGD adolescents receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT).
TGD adolescents were recruited from 4 study sites in the United States before beginning GAHT. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, hemoglobin A1c, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, prolactin, and potassium were abstracted from the medical record at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 months after starting GAHT.
Two-hundred and ninety-three participants (68% designated female at birth) with no previous history of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog use were included in the analysis. Hemoglobin and hematocrit decreased in adolescents prescribed estradiol (-1.4 mg/dL and -3.6%, respectively) and increased in adolescents prescribed testosterone (+1.0 mg/dL and +3.9%) by 6 months after GAHT initiation. Thirteen (6.5%) participants prescribed testosterone had hematocrit > 50% during GAHT. There were no differences in hemoglobin A1c, alanine transaminase, or aspartate aminotransferase. There was a small increase in prolactin after 6 months of estradiol therapy in transfeminine adolescents. Hyperkalemia in transfeminine adolescents taking spironolactone was infrequent and transient if present.
Abnormal laboratory results are rare in TGD adolescents prescribed GAHT and, if present, occur within 6 months of GAHT initiation. Future guidelines may not require routine screening of these laboratory parameters beyond 6 months of GAHT in otherwise healthy TGD adolescents.
PurposeThis study sought to understand which food allergen labeling systems (non-directive, semi-directive, and directive) were attended to and preferred by 34 participants with food hypersensitivity ...and their perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) and behavioral intention towards a restaurant that identifies food allergens on menus.Design/methodology/approachThis study used an online survey with open-ended and ranking questions, combined with eye-tracking technology, to explore participants' visual attention and design preferences regarding four menus. This study utilized one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) and heat maps to analyze participants' menu-reading behaviors. A content analysis of survey responses and a ranking analysis of menus were conducted to understand the reasons behind consumers' preferred menu designs.FindingsThe advisory statement was not much attended to. Participants identified food allergen information significantly quicker with the directive labeling system (icons) than the other two systems, implying they were eye-catching. Semi-directive labeling system (red text) has lower visit count and was more preferred than two other systems; each labeling system has its strengths and limitations. Participants viewed restaurants that disclosed food allergen information on menus as socially responsible, and they would revisit those restaurants in the future.Originality/valueThis study was one of the first to explore, through use of eye-tracking technology, which food allergen labeling systems were attended to by consumers with food hypersensitivity. The use of triangulation methods strengthened the credibility of the results. The study provided empirical data to restauranteurs in the US on the values of food allergen identification on restaurant menus, although it is voluntary.
The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) has profiled more than 10,000 samples derived from 33 types of cancer to date, with the goal of improving our understanding of the molecular basis of cancer and ...advancing our ability to diagnose, treat, and prevent cancer. This review focuses on lung cancer as it is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide in both men and women. Particularly, non-small cell lung cancers (including lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma) were evaluated. Our goal was to demonstrate the impact of TCGA on lung cancer research under 4 themes: diagnostic markers, disease progression markers, novel therapeutic targets, and novel tools. Examples are given related to DNA mutation, copy number variation, messenger RNA, and microRNA expression along with methylation profiling.
This qualitative study explored and compared the perceptions, attitudes, and motivations towards restaurant food waste mitigation among front-of-house (FOH) and back-of-house (BOH) restaurant ...managers. Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducted with FOH (n = 6) and BOH (n = 7) managers at restaurants in the southeast of the United States. The findings indicated that the participants were highly aware of restaurant food waste and its contribution to food waste; furthermore, they displayed negative sentiments towards it. Additionally, most participants’ awareness was heightened upon acquiring foodservice management positions. Cost reduction was found to be the primary motivation to reduce food waste among most participants; however, most BOH participants were highly motivated by an appreciation for and involvement with the food itself. Guided by the Upper Echelons Theory, the findings provide insight into the underlying cognitive base and values behind restaurant managers’ perceptions, attitudes, and motivations towards restaurant food waste mitigation. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in detail.
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a promising target for treating cancer, yet how CSC plasticity is maintained in vivo is unclear and is difficult to study in vitro. Here we establish a sustainable ...primary culture of Oct3/4(+)/Nanog(+) lung CSCs fed with CD90(+) cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to further advance our knowledge of preserving stem cells in the tumour microenvironment. Using transcriptomics we identify the paracrine network by which CAFs enrich CSCs through de-differentiation and reacquisition of stem cell-like properties. Specifically, we find that IGF1R signalling activation in cancer cells in the presence of CAFs expressing IGF-II can induce Nanog expression and promote stemness. Moreover, this paracrine signalling predicts overall and relapse-free survival in stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. IGF-II/IGF1R signalling blockade inhibits Nanog expression and attenuates cancer stem cell features. Our data demonstrate that CAFs constitute a supporting niche for cancer stemness, and targeting this paracrine signalling may present a new therapeutic strategy for NSCLC.
PDF
