bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Book review: Kedilezo Kikhi & D. R. Gautam (Eds.), Comprehending Equity: Contextualising India’s North-East
Authors: Medom Viliebeinuo
Published: February 2023

Kedilezo Kikhi & D. R. Gautam (Eds.), Comprehending Equity: Contextualising India’s North-East (New Delhi: Routledge, 2022), 221 pp., ₹995, ISBN: 978-1-032-23411-3 (Hardcover).
Book review: Maryam Wasif Khan, Who Is a Muslim? Orientalism and Literary Populisms
Authors: Naz Farhat
Published: February 2023

Maryam Wasif Khan, Who Is a Muslim? Orientalism and Literary Populisms (Hyderabad: Orient BlackSwan, 2021), 257 pp., ₹1025. ISBN: 978-9-3544-2046-7 (Hardback).
Carrying the “Nation’s Thousand-Jin Burden”: Yiyun, the Relay Transportation System during the Second Sino-Japanese War, 1937–1945
Authors: Yip Jennifer
Published: February 2023

During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Nationalist government established a system of relay transportation, called yiyun, to move military provisions and consumption goods across Free China. The Nationalists’ dependence on locally sourced porters, pack animals, and boats was a product of their unique challenge: waging protracted war within an agrarian economy. While yiyun had its own bureaucratic apparatus at the national level, its day-to-day operations throughout the provinces fell onto local actors, such as the baojia. Through these local agents of control and extraction, the Nationalist state channeled the exigencies of war into the remotest communities and the individual household. The yiyun system demonstrates the wartime Nationalists’ remarkable capacity for organizing resources in a time of crisis. However, its exploitative tendencies also reveal their willingness to trade civilian livelihoods for better odds of survival. Any recognition of the Nationalists’ success in maintaining China’s sovereignty must also accept its foundation in imposed civilian sacrifice.
COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean with a Special Focus on Perú, México, and Cuba
Authors: Pineo Ronn , Shaver Carrie , Creel Kelcie , Pritchard Chelsea
Published: February 2023

This essay offers a summary of the impact of COVID-19 and efficacy of the responses in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a particular focus on Perú, México, and Cuba. Because so much has already been written on COVID-19, the goal of this article is to move beyond what has already been said, providing a briefing on what has been most unusual and counter-intuitive regarding the pandemic in the region. Focusing on Perú, México, and Cuba allows the spotlighting of several critical issues. Cuba, with a model public health care system and successful bio-tech sector, was largely spared the first wave of the pandemic, only to be severely affected by the Omicron variants. Perú and México have suffered during the pandemic the very worst excess mortality rates in the world. This essay explores these matters, explaining how a lethal confluence of negative forces came together with deadly consequences for the people of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Developmental Desire: The Crucible of Masculinity, from Nehru to Modi
Authors: Tripathy Jyotirmaya
Published: February 2023

The recent boom in critical literature engaging with the development/masculinity nexus in contemporary India requires unpacking and further critique, not to over-emphasize the need for a grounded understanding of that dyad. India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi are brought to conversation over their developmental thought vis-à-vis their masculinities and the way they reflected and guided people’s desire for development. While doing so, the article interrogates the tendency to see political leaders as the protagonists of change while ignoring their simultaneous production within the social discourses of their times. In the process it corrects the assumption that leaders like Nehru and Modi contained within them singular and coherent versions of what they believed development to be and proposes that far from being stable carriers of their developmental thought, they betrayed contradictions within and such spillages defined their developmental character.
The evolution of EUropean border governance through crisis: Frontex and the interplay of protracted and acute crisis narratives
Authors: Perkowski Nina , Stierl Maurice , Burridge Andrew
Published: February 2023

Crisis narratives are widespread in migration and border governance globally, including in EUrope. In response, a body of scholarship that critically scrutinizes crisis narratives and imaginaries has emerged. Building on and further extending this scholarship, this article questions the dichotomy between ‘normality’ and ‘crisis’ in border governance. Focusing on four moments in which crises were declared in relation to migration and EUropean borders and their immediate aftermath, we examine how the European Union border agency Frontex framed these events through an analysis of its press releases, annual reports, and practices. In so doing, we argue that narratives pertaining to border practices beyond moments of ‘crisis’ invoke fears of uncontrolled mass migration of unruly ‘others’ as an ever-present possibility and perpetual threat to EUrope. Within this article, we propose a differentiation between protracted and acute crisis narratives. Focusing on the political work that these two narratives do in relation to EUropean border governance, we demonstrate that the interplay between these crises narratives has contributed to Frontex’s evolution and expansion over the last two decades while further consolidating the externalization and fortification of EUropean borders.
Psychological factors and oral health during initial outbreak of COVID-19 in China: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Sun Qiang , Ren Honglin , Bian Yueran , Xie Yesi , Shi Hui
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To investigate associations between oral health and psychological factors (i.e., depression, anxiety, and resilience) in a group of Chinese individuals who had sought an intervention online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

For this cross-sectional study, online questionnaires were created using online survey software from set items of instruments commonly used to assess depression, anxiety, and resilience combined with an oral health survey. The study was conducted from March 13 to 16, 2020.

Results

568 participants (188 men and 380 women) with a mean ± SD age of 41.7 ± 10.2 years were included in the analyses. In total, 152 (27%) participants were from Beijing, 149 (26%) from Wuhan, 110 (19%) from Shenyang, and 157 (28%) from other Chinese cities. Halitosis and bleeding gums were the most common reasons for individuals to seek an intervention. Compared with other cities, participants from Wuhan showed higher anxiety and depression and worse previous oral health. Resilience mediated the relationship between depression and oral health, but not between anxiety and oral health.

Conclusion

We hope that the data from this study will inform clinical practitioners and demonstrate that mental health awareness and resilience training are important strategies that may mitigate the negative impact of lockdown and isolation on oral health.
Long-term open-label and real-world studies of lasmiditan, ubrogepant, and rimegepant for the acute treatment of migraine attacks
Authors: Begasse de Dhaem Olivia , Takizawa Tsubasa , Dodick David W
Published: February 2023

Background

Long-term data helps assess the consistency of efficacy, tolerability, and safety of acute treatment over repeated use for different attacks. Real-world studies help assess tolerability, safety, and efficacy in patients with possibly refractory chronic migraine, more comorbidities, other diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, and polypharmacy.

Methods

This is a narrative review of the long-term open-label and real-world studies of lasmiditan, ubrogepant, and rimegepant for the acute treatment of migraine. Both manuscripts and abstracts were reviewed.

Results

The efficacy and tolerability of lasmiditan, ubrogepant, and rimegepant are maintained over time. No significant cardiovascular adverse events were thought to be related to any of these medications. The rare instances of palpitations and/or tachycardia occurred within 48 hours of lasmiditan. One participant with a history of supraventricular tachycardia had sinus tachycardia thought to be related to ubrogepant which did not recur despite continued use. One case of thrombocytopenia and two cases of increased aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase were thought to be possibly related, but the alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase levels normalized despite continued use of ubrogepant. A case of first-degree atrioventricular block was considered possibly related to rimegepant. Acute use of rimegepant was associated with a decrease in monthly migraine days over time. The three medications were associated with improvement in function and/or productivity.

Conclusion

Long-term and real-world data of tolerability, safety and efficacy of lasmiditan, ubrogepant, and rimegepant is thus far consistent with prior studies, but more longitudinal data that clarifies long-term safety as well as consistency and predictors of response is needed.
Intra- and interindividual attack frequency variability of chronic cluster headache
Authors: Brandt Roemer B , Mulleners Wim , Wilbrink Leopoldine A , Brandt Paul , van Zwet Erik W , Huygen Frank JPM , Ferrari Michel D , Fronczek Rolf ,   for the ICON study group
Published: February 2023

Background

The lack of knowledge about the intra- and interindividual attack frequency variability in chronic cluster headache complicates power and sample size calculations for baseline periods of trials, and consensus on their most optimal duration.

Methods

We analyzed the 12-week baseline of the ICON trial (occipital nerve stimulation in medically intractable chronic cluster headache) for: (i) weekly vs. instantaneous recording of attack frequency; (ii) intra-individual and seasonal variability of attack frequency; and (iii) the smallest number of weeks to obtain a reliable estimate of baseline attack frequency.

Results

Weekly median (14.4 [8.2–24.0]) and instantaneous (14.2 [8.0–24.5]) attack frequency recordings were similar (p = 0.20; Bland-Altman plot). Median weekly attack frequency was 15.3 (range 4.2–140) and highest during spring (p = 0.001) compared to the other seasons. Relative attack frequency variability decreased with increasing attack frequency (p = 0.010). We tabulated the weekly attack frequency estimation accuracies compared to, and the associated deviations from, the 12-week gold standard for different lengths of the observation period.

Conclusion

Weekly retrospective attack frequency recording is as good as instantaneous recording and more convenient. Attack frequency is highest in spring. Participants with ≥3 daily attacks show less attack frequency variability than those with <3 daily attacks. An optimal balance between 90% accuracy and feasibility is achieved at a baseline period of seven weeks. The ICON trial is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov under number NCT01151631.
Outcome of epidural blood patch for imaging-negative spontaneous intracranial hypotension
Authors: Choi So Youn , Seong Minjung , Kim Eung Yeop , Youn Michelle Sojung , Cho Soohyun , Jang Hyemin , Lee Mi Ji
Published: February 2023

Background

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is diagnosed by an abnormal finding in brain MRI, spinal imaging, or lumbar puncture. However, the sensitivity of each test is low. We investigated whether patients with suspected spontaneous intracranial hypotension and negative imaging findings would respond to epidural blood patch.

Methods

We prospectively recruited patients with new-onset orthostatic headache admitted at the Samsung Medical Center from January 2017 to July 2021. In patients without abnormal imaging findings and no history of prior epidural blood patch, treatment outcome—defined as both 50% response in maximal headache intensity and improvement of orthostatic component—was collected at discharge and three months after epidural blood patch.

Results

We included 21 treatment-naïve patients with orthostatic headache and negative brain and spinal imaging results who received epidural blood patch. After epidural blood patch (mean 1.3 times, range 1–3), 14 (66.7%) and 19 (90.5%) patients achieved both 50% response and improvement of orthostatic component at discharge and three months post-treatment, respectively. Additionally, complete remission was reported in 11 (52.4%) patients at three-month follow-up, while most of the remaining patients had only mild headaches. Among nine (42.9%) patients who underwent lumbar puncture, none had an abnormally low opening pressure (median 13.8 cm H2O, range 9.2–21.5).

Conclusion

Given the high responder rates of epidural blood patch in our study, empirical epidural blood patch should be considered to treat new-onset orthostatic headache, even when brain and spinal imaging are negative. The necessity of lumbar puncture is questionable considering the high response rate of epidural blood patch and low rate of “low pressure.”
Alopecia as an emerging adverse event to CGRP monoclonal antibodies: Cases Series, evaluation of FAERS, and literature review
Authors: Ruiz Miguel , Cocores Alexandra , Tosti Antonella , Goadsby Peter J , Monteith Teshamae S
Published: February 2023

Background

Alopecia is associated with erenumab post-marketing, but no cases have been described.

Methods

We describe two patients that reported temporary hair loss and review the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

Results

The first patient experienced alopecia within three months of starting erenumab, which did not improve with ongoing use or transition to fremanezumab. The second patient reported alopecia within two weeks of starting erenumab, which continued after transition to galcanezumab; months later, there was also recurrent hair loss within one month of starting fremanzeumab. According to FAERS (last accessed 18 August 2022), alopecia was reported most with erenumab (1158), followed by galcanezumab (554), fremanezumab (175), eptinezumab (23), rimegepant (26), ubrogepant (4), and atogepant (3).

Conclusion

Most events were reported in women and non-serious. The potential mechanism of alopecia with drugs targeting calcitonin gene-related peptide or its receptor possibly includes disruptions in the microvascular circulation and other homeostatic mechanisms.
Association between iron deficiency anemia and chronic daily headache: A case-control study
Authors: Singh Rohit Kumar , Kaushik Rajeev Mohan , Goel Deepak , Kaushik Reshma
Published: February 2023

Objective

We aimed to determine the association between iron deficiency anemia and chronic daily headache.

Methods

This case-control study was conducted in a tertiary care center in Dehradun, India. One hundred patients with chronic daily headache were randomly selected for the study with an equal number of controls. Subsets of chronic daily headache were diagnosed as per the 3rd edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. The study participants were assessed for iron deficiency anemia.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 51.1 ± 22.1 years. Male: female ratio was 1:1.08. Chronic migraine was present in 62 (62%), tension-type headache in 23 (23%), and new daily persistent headache in 15 (15%) patients. The majority (96%) of patients had chronic daily headache of mild to moderate severity. Chronic daily headache was of long duration in all patients. Sixty-four (64%) patients had anemia of which 51 (51%) patients had iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia showed a significant association with chronic daily headache (p < 0.001), but not with its type, subtype, and duration. Severe iron deficiency anemia had a significant association with the severity of chronic daily headache (p = 0.021). Serum iron, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, and transferrin saturation also had a significant association with chronic daily headache (p < 0.05 for each), but not with its type, subtype, duration, and severity. Logistic regression analysis showed that iron deficiency anemia, total iron-binding capacity, and transferrin saturation had an independent association with chronic daily headache (p < 0.05 for each).

Conclusions

Iron deficiency anemia had an independent association with chronic daily headache. Severe iron deficiency anemia was related to the severity of chronic daily headache.
Greater occipital nerve blockade for the preventive treatment of chronic migraine: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study
Authors: Chowdhury Debashish , Tomar Apoorva , Deorari Vaibhav , Duggal Ashish , Krishnan Anand , Koul Arun
Published: February 2023

Background

Greater occipital nerve blockade for the prevention of chronic migraine has a limited evidence base. A robust randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is needed.

Methods

This double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial, following a baseline period of four weeks, randomly assigned patients of chronic migraine 1:1 to receive four-weekly bilateral greater occipital nerve blockade with either 2 ml of 2% (40 mg) lidocaine (active group) or 2 ml of 0.9% saline (placebo) injections for 12 weeks. The primary and key secondary efficacy endpoints were a change from the baseline in the mean number of headache and migraine days and the achievement of ≥50% reduction in headache days from baseline across the weeks 9–12 respectively. Safety evaluations included the documentation and reporting of serious and other adverse events.

Results

Twenty-two patients each were randomly allocated to the active and placebo group. Baseline demography and clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups. Mean headache and migraine days at baseline (±SD) were 23.4 ± 4.4 and 15.6 ± 5.7 days in the active group and 22.6 ± 5.0 and 14.6 ± 4.6 days in the placebo group respectively. The active group compared to the placebo had a significantly greater least-squares mean reduction in the number of headache and migraine days (−4.2 days [95% CI: −7.5 to −0.8; p  =  0.018] and −4.7 days [95%CI: −7.7 to −1.7; p = 0.003] respectively). 40.9% of patients in the active group achieved ≥50% reduction in headache days as compared with 9.1% of patients receiving a placebo (p = 0.024). Overall, 64 mild and transient adverse events were reported by 16 patients in the active group and 15 in the placebo. No death or serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

Four-weekly greater occipital nerve blockade with 2% lidocaine for 12 weeks was superior to placebo in decreasing the average number of headache and migraine days in patients with chronic migraine with a good tolerability profile. Clinical trial.gov no. CTRI 2020/07/026709
Place of next generation acute migraine specific treatments among triptans, non-responders and contraindications to triptans and possible combination therapies
Authors: de Boer Irene , Verhagen Iris Elsa , Souza Marcio Nattan Portes , Ashina Messoud
Published: February 2023

Background: For many years triptans have been the cornerstone of acute migraine treatment. Nevertheless, treatment with triptans may not always be initiated due to contraindications (seen in approximately one fifth of patients) or inadequate response (seen in approximately one third of patients). New acute therapies, including 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1F receptor agonists, also known as ditans (lasmiditan) and small molecule antagonists of the calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor, also known as gepants (rimegepant and ubrogepant), may be an effective alternative. Methods: We searched Pubmed for keywords, summarized the literature and provided a comprehensive review on the place of next generation acute migraine specific treatments among triptans. Results and conclusion: Post-hoc analyses reported no differences in efficacy of gepants/ditans between responders and non-responders to triptans, but research is hampered by lack of consensus on the definition of non-responder. Due to (partially) overlapping mechanisms of action, it remains unknown whether combination therapy with lasmiditan, gepants and triptans will have added value over monotherapy. Preclinical studies and post-hoc analyses cautiously indicate that these new drugs are safe for patients with cardiovascular risk factors. However, long-term studies are needed to prove cardiovascular safety. The risk of developing medication overuse headache may differ between triptans, ditans and gepants, but further studies are needed to confirm this difference. Head-to-head randomized controlled trials of acute therapies and combinations of therapies are needed to determine their place in migraine treatment among established therapies.
Additional effects of pain neuroscience education combined with physiotherapy on the headache frequency of adult patients with migraine: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Meise Ruth , Carvalho Gabriela Ferreira , Thiel Christian , Luedtke Kerstin
Published: February 2023

Aim To assess the efficacy of pain neuroscience education combined with physiotherapy for the management of migraine.

Background Physiotherapy can significantly reduce the frequency of migraine, but the evidence is based only on a few studies. Pain neuroscience education might pose a promising treatment, as it addresses migraine as a chronic pain disease.

Methods In this non-blinded randomized controlled trial, migraine patients received physiotherapy + pain neuroscience education or physiotherapy alone, preceded by a three-month waiting period. Primary outcomes were frequency of headache (with and without migraine features), frequency of migraine and associated disability.

Results Eighty-two participants were randomized and analyzed. Both groups showed a decrease of headache frequency (p = 0.02, d = 0.46) at post-treatment (physiotherapy: 0.77 days, 95%CI: −0.75 to 2.29 and physiotherapy + pain neuroscience education: 1.25 days, 95%CI: −0.05 to 2.55) and at follow-up (physiotherapy: 1.93, 95%CI: 0.07 to 3.78 and physiotherapy + pain neuroscience education: 3.48 days, 95%CI: 1.89 to 5.06), with no difference between groups (p = 0.26, d = 0.26). Migraine frequency was reduced significantly in the physiotherapy + pain neuroscience education group, and not in the physiotherapy group, at post-treatment (1.28 days, 95%CI: 0.34 to 2.22, p = 0.004) and follow-up (3.05 days, 95%CI: 1.98 to 5.06, p < 0.0001), with a difference between groups at follow-up (2.06 days, p = 0.003). Migraine-related disability decreased significantly in both groups (physiotherapy: 19.8, physiotherapy + pain neuroscience education: 24.0 points, p < 0.001, d = 1.15) at follow-up, with no difference between groups (p = 0.583). Secondary outcomes demonstrated a significant effect of time with no interaction between time and group. No harm or adverse events were observed during the study.

Conclusion In comparison to physiotherapy alone, pain neuroscience education combined with physiotherapy can further reduce the frequency of migraine, but had no additional effect on general headache frequency or migraine-related disability.

Trial Registration The study was pre-registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00020804).
Neutralizing Concerns and Mapping the Trade Competitiveness and Potential of Indian Export with RCEP Countries
Authors: Jain Monika
Published: February 2023

Much debate has surrounded India’s lack of interest in plurilateral regional trade agreements (RTAs) and its decision to opt out of the regional comprehensive economic partnership (RCEP). Against this backdrop, the article attempt to analyse the competitiveness and potential of Indian export items in the RCEP region. The revealed comparative advantage (RCA) index has been employed to study India’s trade competitiveness among RCEP nations between 2010 and 2019 using the WITS (World Integrated Trade Solutions) 2021 database. The study found that India has a comparative advantage in more than 9 product categories out of 16 studied in the article. The article also revealed India’s competitiveness in intermediate goods with the majority of RCEP countries. The analysis found a trade complementarity between India and the RCEP countries and the possibility of increased economic cooperation. The problem lies in the utilization rate and weak export competitiveness of Indian industries. Before signing a new FTA, it is imperative to improve the export competitiveness of Indian enterprises. Given India’s current trade balance, tariff structure and export competitiveness of Indian commodities, we believe India had little option but to withdraw from the RCEP.
Auditor Exits and Firm Performance: Is There a Link?
Authors: Ghosh Saibal
Published: February 2023

Employing firm-level data for 2011–2020, we explore the impact of auditor exit on firm performance. Using profitability and growth as outcome variables, the findings suggest that auditor exit leads to a dampening of profit, but growth prospects are not adversely affected. However, firms’ stock returns are adversely impacted over the immediate to medium term. This impact differs across ownership, especially when interactive effects are taken on board. Among the reasons, resignations and noncooperation by management are most detrimental to firm behavior.

JEL Codes: G 32; M 42
Systemic Risk Transmission from the United States to Asian Economies During the COVID-19 Period
Authors: Narayan Shivani , Kumar Dilip
Published: February 2023

The study investigates the systemic risk transmission from the US banking sector and the US market to the five most economically impacted Asian nations (Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, India, and Singapore) during the COVID-19 period of 2020. We consider the conditional value-at-risk (CoVaR) approach to estimate the systemic risk of the given economies at 5% quantile (for severe downturn risk) and 20% quantile (for moderate downturn risk). Our findings demonstrate a rise in systemic risk for these Asian countries in 2020, particularly in the first half of the year. The findings also provide evidence of the significant systemic risk transmission from the US banking sector and the US stock market to the majority of the given Asian economies at both quantiles. The study further highlights the significant contribution of the US financial market in increasing the systemic risk of the given Asian economies in 2020. We find similar results for systemic risk transmission from the UK, the European Union, and Japan to the given Asian economies. The findings have implications for market participants, risk managers, and regulators who are concerned with risk diversification and tracking the routes of risk shock transmission.

JEL Codes: G10; G18; G20
Change in the Span of Working Life in India: An analysis by Decomposition
Authors: Saikia Nabanita , Saikia Nabajit
Published: February 2023

Insights on economically active populations form a strong foundation for accurate budgeting, projections and policymaking decisions for a nation. We analysed workforce participation and decomposition of the change in working life years in India. An extension of Arriaga’s method of decomposition, as used by Nusselder and Loonman (2004) on healthy life expectancy, is used on working life years. The study highlights the decrease in the number of person-years lived in the working state for both genders. The positive contribution from decline in mortality is offset by negative contributions from workforce participation. The dynamics of working life years vary vastly by gender and states in India. In India, the increase in longevity has not translated fully into economically active years. The study highlights the contributing factors towards change in working life years in India, which are important for policy-making decisions.
Ref lections on Democracy and Development in Africa: A Hew Trail of Political Reforms
Authors: Braimah Awaisu Imurana , Forson Joseph Ato
Published: February 2023

Liberal democracy is the most affectionate and all-embracing de facto and de jure form of constitutional governance worldwide. Unrepentant authoritarian regimes and other pseudo-democracies across Latin America, Eastern Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa also purports to practice democracy and its imperatives. This is to achieve regime legitimacy and catch the eye of the proponents of democracy around the world. In the unique case of Africa, metropolitan states customarily evaluate the democratic credentials of peripheral states as a sine qua non to accessing international financial assistance. It is envisaged by proponents of democracy that its practice is the sidekick to national development, prosperity and human development. This paper is a reflection that thematically interrogates the efficacy of democracy as a coherent dissilient to Africa’s development. It concludes that, the argument of liberal democracy being pivotal to Africa’s development is dispiritingly distant and a hyperbole.
Stepping Stone or Trap? Contextualising Precarity as a Sector and Age Phenomenon in the Greek Labour Market
Authors: Parsanoglou Dimitris , Stamatopoulou Glykeria , Symeonaki Maria
Published: February 2023

Precarity has been consolidated as a central concept in theoretical and political discussions around labour market(s) and labour relations and conditions. Moreover, it has strongly been linked with specific sociodemographic groups, prominently with youth. Both theory and empirical evidence have suggested that precarity functions as a necessary step towards integration in the labour market, as a kind of indispensable rite of passage to labour adulthood.

Nevertheless, despite its resonance, precarity remains a fuzzy buzzword that needs to be further problematized and evidenced. Focusing on a specific case study, that of Greece, we try to unfold a two-fold approach: to define and measure precarious forms of labour at the level/scale of the labour market as a whole and to detect and disentangle the role of age in specific sectors of economic activity where precarious labour is more prominent than in others.
Traditional Communities, Development, and the Commons: Movements by Collectors of Wild Fruits in Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Neves Paulo S.C. , Liberato Rita S.
Published: February 2023

This article focuses on the experience of Mangaba Collectors in the state of Sergipe in northeastern Brazil to investigate problems faced today by traditional communities living in the commons. The way of life of Mangaba Collectors has been modified because of real estate speculation and the extensive cultivation of crops in their traditional territories of extraction. This community has thus been forced to organize politically and create partnership networks in civil society and the scientific community to address the crisis. However, the opportunity to sell products made from Mangaba in the consumer market created ambiguity within the movement, with some seeking to maintain the logic of the commons and others seeking to expand insertion into the market.
Land, Water, and Gender Questions in South Africa: A Transformative Social Policy Perspective
Authors: Tekwa Newman , Adesina Jimi O.
Published: February 2023

The heated debate around Section 25 of the South African Constitution and the principle of “expropriation of land without compensation” is conspicuously missing the inextricable link between land, water, and gender questions. Within former settler colonies, the “land question” is a “water question” and, by extension, also a “gender question.” The racially inequitable land distribution, codified in the Native Land Act of 1913, mirrored the unequal distribution of rights and access to water as codified in the Water Act of 1956. This was compounded by the gender question, in which lack of access to land for women mutated into lack of access to other productive resources. While secondary data analysis reveals that blacks control only 5.8% of agricultural water uses, Black women control less than 1%. Such intersectionality of race, class, and gender ought to remain a relentless focus of transformative social policy in South Africa.
Impact of Working Capital Management on Firm’s Profitability of Automobile Sector Firms in India
Authors: Garg Mahesh Chand , Meentu
Published: February 2023

The purpose of the article is to look into the impact of working capital management (WCM) on the profitability of Indian automobile companies. The article is based on financial data from automobile sector-listed firms in the BSE Dollex 200 from 2011 to 2020. For panel data analysis, a fixed effect model and a random effect model are used to identify the effects of WCM. Finding of this article revealed that there is a negative and significant impact of cash conversion cycle (CCC), inventory conversion period (ICP) and receivable collection period (RCP) on firm’s profitability in automobile industry in India. And highly recommended that CCC, ICP and RCP should be minimised to maximise the profitability in automobile industry in India.
Non-conscious processing of fear faces: a function of the implicit self-concept of anxiety
Authors: Günther Vivien , Pecher Jonas , Webelhorst Carolin , Bodenschatz Charlott Maria , Mucha Simone , Kersting Anette , Hoffmann Karl-Titus , Egloff Boris , Lobsien Donald , Suslow Thomas
Published: February 2023

Background

Trait anxiety refers to a stable tendency to experience fears and worries across many situations. High trait anxiety is a vulnerability factor for the development of psychopathologies. Self-reported trait anxiety appears to be associated with an automatic processing advantage for threat-related information. Self-report measures assess aspects of the explicit self-concept of anxiety. Indirect measures can tap into the implicit self-concept of anxiety.

Methods

We examined automatic brain responsiveness to non-conscious threat as a function of trait anxiety using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Besides a self-report instrument, we administered the Implicit Association Test (IAT) to assess anxiety. We used a gender-decision paradigm presenting brief (17 ms) and backward-masked facial expressions depicting disgust and fear.

Results

Explicit trait anxiety was not associated with brain responsiveness to non-conscious threat. However, a relation of the implicit self-concept of anxiety with masked fear processing in the thalamus, precentral gyrus, and lateral prefrontal cortex was observed.

Conclusions

We provide evidence that a measure of the implicit self-concept of anxiety is a valuable predictor of automatic neural responses to threat in cortical and subcortical areas. Hence, implicit anxiety measures could be a useful addition to explicit instruments. Our data support the notion that the thalamus may constitute an important neural substrate in biased non-conscious processing in anxiety.
The association among uric acid, microalbumin and estimated glomerular filtration rate in hypertensive patients: a case control study
Authors: Chou Hongda , Wei Maoti , Chen Hongxia , Xu Yuanyuan , Shi Leilie , Duan Jiajia , Li Linlin , Yang Ning , Li Yuming
Published: February 2023

Objective

To estimate the relationship among uric acid (UA), 24-h microalbumin (24 h-MAU) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in hypertensive patients.

Method

The study enrolled adult patients hospitalized in TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital. The study was used to explore the correlation among UA, 24 h-MAU and eGFR. Univariate analysis was used to compare continuous or categorical data groups according to data type. Multivariate analysis was used to explore the correlation among UA, Log 24 h-MAU and eGFR by linear regression, and the relationship among UA, 24 h-MAU ≥ 30 mg/24 h (increased 24 h-MAU) and eGFR < 90 ml·min−1·1.73 m−2 (mildly decreased eGFR) by logistic regression. Mediation effect analysis was used to explore the mediating effect of increased 24 h-MAU between UA and mildly decreased eGFR. Subgroup analysis was used to investigate the correlation among UA, 24 h-MAU and eGFR in different gender.

Result

Seven hundred and thirty-three inpatients were enrolled in the study, including 257 patients with hyperuricemia. The level of UA was 377.8 ± 99.9 μmol/L in all patients enrolled, and it was about 50.1% higher in hyperuricemia group (482.3 ± 58.8 μmol/L vs. 321.4 ± 63.5 μmol/L, P < 0.001). The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 35.1% (95%CI 31.6–38.5%). The univariate regression analysis showed that UA was significant related to Log 24 h-MAU, increased 24 h-MAU, eGFR and mildly decreased eGFR. After adjusted confounding factors, UA was significant related to Log 24 h-MAU (β = 0.163, P < 0.001), eGFR (β = − 0.196, P < 0.001), increased 24 h-MAU (quantitative analysis: OR = 1.045, 95%CI 1.020–1.071, P < 0.001; qualitative analysis: OR = 2.245, 95%CI 1.410–3.572, P = 0.001), but had no significant relationship with mildly decreased eGFR. Mediating effect analysis showed that increased 24 h-MAU partially mediated the relationship between UA and mildly decreased eGFR (relative indirect effect: 25.0% and 20.3% in quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis respectively). In the subgroup analysis, the results were stable and similar to the analysis for entry patients.

Conclusion

The prevalence of hyperuricemia was higher in hypertensive inpatients. UA was strongly associated with Log 24 h-MAU, eGFR and increased 24 h-MAU, while the correlation with mildly decreased eGFR was affected by multiple factors. And increased 24 h-MAU might be the intermediate factor between UA and mildly decreased eGFR.
Admission D-dimer to lymphocyte counts ratio as a novel biomarker for predicting the in-hospital mortality in patients with acute aortic dissection
Authors: Xu Yansong , Liang Silei , Liang Zheng , Huang Cuiqing , Luo Yihuan , Liang Guanbiao , Wang Wei
Published: February 2023

Background

Inflammatory factors are well-established indicators for vascular disease, but the D-dimer to lymphocyte count ratio (DLR) is not measured in routine clinical care. Screening of DLR in individuals may identify individuals at in-hopital mortality of acute aortic dissection (AD).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of clinical data from 2013 to 2020 was conducted to identify which factors were related to in-hospital mortality risk of AD. Baseline clinical features, cardiovascular risk factors, and laboratory parameters were obtained from the hospital database. The end point was in-hospital mortality. Forward conditional logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors for AA in-hospital death. The cutoff value of the DLR should be ideally calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

The in-hospital mortality rate was 15% (48 of 320 patients). Patients with in-hospital mortality had a higher admission mean DLR level than the alive group (1740 vs. 1010, P < .05). The cutoff point of DLR was 907. The in-hospital mortality rate in the high-level DLR group was significantly higher than that in the low-level DLR group (P < .05). Univariate analysis showed that 8 of 38 factors were associated with in-hospital mortality (P < .05), including admission WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, neutrophils/lymphocytes (NLR), prothrombin time (PT), heart rate (HR), D-dimer, and DLR. In multivariate analysis, DLR (odds ratio [OR] 2.127, 95% CI 1.034–4.373, P = 0.040), HR (odds ratio [OR] 1.016, 95% CI 1.002–1.030, P = 0.029) and PT (odds ratio [OR] 1.231, 95% CI 1.018–1.189, P = 0.032) were determined to be independent predictors of in-hospital mortality (P < .05).

Conclusion

Compared with the common clinical parameters PT and HR, serum DLR level on admission is an uncommon but independent parameter that can be used to assess in-hospital mortality in patients with acute AD.
Influence of sex, age and thyroid function indices on dual-energy computed tomography-derived quantitative parameters of thyroid in patients with or without Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Authors: Geng Di , Zhou Yan , Su Guo-Yi , Si Yan , Shen Mei-Ping , Xu Xiao-Quan , Wu Fei-Yun
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To study the influence of sex, age and thyroid function indices on dual-energy computed tomography (DECT)-derived quantitative parameters of thyroid in patients with or without Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT).

Material and methods

A total of 198 consecutive patients who underwent DECT scan of neck due to unilateral thyroid lesions were retrospectively enrolled. Iodine concentration (IC), total iodine content (TIC) and volume of normal thyroid lobe were calculated. Influences of sex, age and thyroid function indices on DECT-derived parameters in overall study population, subgroup patients with, and those without HT were assessed using Mann–Whitney U test, Student’s T-test, and Spearman correlation analyses, respectively, as appropriate.

Results

HT group showed significantly lower IC and TIC, while higher volume than No-HT group (all p < 0.001). The volume was larger in male than that in female in overall study population and No-HT group (p = 0.047 and 0.010, respectively). There was no significant difference in any DECT-derived parameters between low (≤ 35 years) and high (> 35 years) age group in all three groups (all p > 0.05). TPOAb and TgAb correlated positively with IC and TIC, and negatively with volume in overall study population (all p < 0.05). TPOAb and TgAb also correlated positively with IC in HT group (p = 0.002 and 0.007, respectively).

Conclusion

DECT-derived parameters of thyroid differed significantly between patients with and without HT. Sex and thyroid function indices could affect the DECT-derived parameters. Aforementioned physiological factors should be considered when analyzing the DECT-derived parameters of thyroid.
Disentangling concepts of inappropriate polypharmacy in old age: a scoping review
Authors: Lau Sofie Rosenlund , Waldorff Frans , Holm Anne , Frølich Anne , Andersen John Sahl , Sallerup Mette , Christensen Sarah Emilie , Clausen Stine Søndersted , Due Tina Drud , Hølmkjær Pernille
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Polypharmacy is a common concern, especially in the older population. In some countries more that 50% of all individuals over 60 receive five or more drugs, most often due to multimorbidity and increased longevity. However, polypharmacy is associated with multiple adverse events, and more medication may not always be the answer. The terms “appropriate” and “inappropriate” are often used to distinguish between “much” and “too much” medications in relation to polypharmacy in research and practice, but no explicit definition exists to describe what these terms encompass. The aim of this review is to unfold the different understandings of and perspectives on (in)appropriate polypharmacy and suggest a framework for further research and practice.

Method

A scoping review was conducted using the framework of Arksey and O’Malley and Levac et al. Pubmed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane database, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for references in English, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish using the search string “Polypharmacy” AND “Appropriate” OR “Inappropriate”. Data was extracted on author information, aims and objectives, methodology, study population and setting, country of origin, main findings and implications, and all text including the words “appropriate,” “inappropriate,” and “polypharmacy.” Qualitative meaning condensation analysis was used and data charted using descriptive and thematic analysis.

Results

Of 3982 references, a total of 92 references were included in the review. Most references were from 2016-2021, from fields related to medicine or pharmacy, and occurred within primary and secondary healthcare settings. Based on the qualitative analysis, a framework were assembled consisting of Context, three domains (Standardization, Practices and Values & Concerns) and Patient Perspective.

Conclusion

Inappropriate polypharmacy is a concept loaded by its heterogeneity and the usefulness of a single definition is doubtful. Instead, the framework suggested in this article representing different dimensions of inappropriate polypharmacy may serve as an initial strategy for focusing research and practice on polypharmacy in old age.
Antimicrobial stewardship implementation before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the acute care settings: a systematic review
Authors: Elshenawy Rasha Abdelsalam , Umaru Nkiruka , Alharbi Amal Bandar , Aslanpour Zoe
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Antibiotics are widely administered for various indications, leading to increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in acute care hospitals. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) effective strategies should be used to maintain the rational use of antibiotics and decrease the threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

Aim

This systematic literature review aims to investigate the AMS intervention Before-the-pandemic (BP) and During-the-pandemic (DP) from the literature.

Design and setting

Systematic literature review of primary studies on AMS implementation in acute care settings.

Methods

Relevant studies published between 2000 and March 2021 were obtained from Medline (via PubMed), OVID, CINAHL, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Psych Info, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, OpenGrey, and Google Scholar, using a comprehensive list of search terms. Public Health England (PHE) toolkit was agreed upon as a gold standard for the AMS implementation.

Results

There were 8763 articles retrieved from the databases. Out of these, 13 full-text articles met the inclusion criteria for the review. The AMS implementation was identified in the included studies into AMS strategies (Core strategies & Supplemental strategies), and AMS measures BP and DP.

Conclusion

This Systematic literature review summarises AMS implementation strategies and measures all over the previous 20 years of research. There are many lessons learnt from COVID-19 pandemic. The proper selection of the AMS implementation strategies and measures appeared to be effective in maintaining the appropriate use of antibiotics and decreasing the AMR threat, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further studies are required to provide empirical data to evaluate the AMS implementation and identify which of these strategies and measures were effective BP and DP. In order to be prepared for any emergency/crisis or future pandemics.