bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do real estate investment companies profit from house price growth? Evidence from Portugal
Authors: Cunha António Manuel , Borges Ana Pinto , Ferreira Miguel
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to study the sensitivity of nonlisted real estate investment companies’ accounting earnings to house prices. This study evaluates whether house price changes determined these companies’ return on equity (ROE) or if other factors influenced the industry’s profitability beyond house price growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected a ten-year sample with the aggregate ROE of Portugal’s real estate investment companies, split by regions, and data on house prices and the per capita gross domestic product as a control variable. The authors ran a national-level time series with the canonical cointegrating regression estimator, which is robust to a small sample size; the authors also performed a regression on regional-level panel data with the common correlated effects mean group estimator, thus allowing slope coefficient heterogeneity and controlling for cross-sectional dependence. The authors also ran ordinary least squares regressions as a means of comparison.

Findings

This study found that an increase in the house price is not translated into an increase in the aggregate ROE. The results are robust with a reduced survivorship-biased sample, meaning that even the best-succeeded real estate investment companies do not have their accounting ROE dependent on house price growth.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size is small and specific to one country. This paper did not study the housing market structure to verify whether it operates under monopolistic competition, which could further explain the attained results.

Practical implications

Policy decision-makers should know that there are no excess profits in the real estate investment companies’ industry because of house price growth that could be subject to windfall taxes.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the connections between house prices and real estate investment companies’ accounting earnings have never been studied.
Low-income housing policy in Iran (1990–2020): lessons and modifications
Authors: Zarghamfard Moslem , Rezaei Mohammadreza , F. Gholipour Hassan
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The housing policies targeting low-income households have not been effective to address the housing needs of target groups in Iran over the past four decades. According to the World Bank’s data on population living in slums (% of urban population) in Iran in 2018 was 25% which is slightly higher than the rate 23% of upper-middle-income countries. This study aims to understand what major revisions are required in the process of housing policymaking to have more effective policies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct one-to-one interviews with 41 housing experts and apply discourse analysis and interpretive–structural modeling to achieve the goals.

Findings

The panel of experts argue that the success of housing policies in Iran depends on the following: all academic disciplines should be included in the process of housing policymaking process; land policymaking should be modified; housing policy is a regional issue, and it should be designed and implemented differently in each province; main modifications are required in the tax and tenancy system; and new policies are required to push vacant houses into the rental market.

Originality/value

This study is a prescriptive study based on a general trend (four decades).
Effect of nano-serpentine and nano-La2O3 on the frictional properties of PTFE composites in seawater environment
Authors: Yan Yanhong , Yang Chengwen , Dong Wenbin , Yan Pengjuan , Wang Peilong , Yan Xiaocui , Jia Zhining
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the tribological properties of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites modified by nano-serpentine and nano-lanthanum oxide in a seawater environment.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, seven PTFE composites were prepared by unified design method and vacuum thermoforming method, and their hardness, water absorption and tribological properties were measured under seawater environment. The modification effects and thermal stability of the materials were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. This paper analyzed the wear mechanism of PTFE composites by scanning electron microscopy and energy spectroscopy.

Findings

The results showed that the hardness of the PTFE composites were all improved, but the water absorption was increased with the increase of additives. The modification of nano-serpentine was successful and the thermal stability of PTFE composites was better. The lowest coefficient and minimum wear rate are 0.0267 and 8.67 × 10−5 · mm3 · (N · m)−1 respectively, which is 34.9% and 76% less than the pure PTFE.

Originality/value

The analysis showed that the wear mechanism of PTFE composites was abrasive wear and a small amount of adhesive wear, and when the additive content was appropriate, it easily formed a transfer film on the surface mating parts.
Market reaction to firms' investments in CSR projects
Authors: Cherkasova Victoria , Fedorova Elena , Stepnov Igor
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of corporate investments in corporate social responsibility (CSR), measured by the environmental, social and government (ESG) rating, on the market valuation of a firm's stocks and to explain the regional differences in the degree of this influence.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study uses linear and non-linear panel regression models for a panel sample of 951 firms listed in Asia, North America and Europe operating in innovative industries.

Findings

The CSR score was found to be significant in terms of stock excess return on the regional level. However, this finding cannot be extrapolated to the global scale. ESG rating is priced by the European and North American markets negatively, while in the Asian market, it is positive. This penalty (negative influence) is greater than the reward for one point increase in ESG rating.

Practical implications

The results of this empirical study could be used by firms' managers to adjust strategies aimed at stock value growth and by investors to select an investment strategy to maximize return.

Originality/value

The impact of investments in CSR on stock excess return over a defined benchmark is assessed. The study reveals regional differences in the impact of CSR investment using a sample of Asian, European and North American firms. The authors apply a more advanced lagged CSR performance (d.ESG) assessment based on the methodology of Zhang and Rajagopalan (2010).
Her Chinese name means beautiful: culture, care and naming practices
Authors: Yang Shuling , Ward Natalia A. , Hayden Emily
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Naming practices reflect culture, language and identity considerations. This study aims to explore Chinese American naming choices, revealing nuanced and complex linguistic, cultural and pragmatic considerations for teachers of literacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors interviewed Chinese parents who are now living with their school-aged children in the USA on the naming choices of their students. By using content analysis, this study found patterns and themes from the interview data.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest Chinese parents named their US school-aged children by taking into consideration of both Mandarin and English linguistic features, traditional and pop culture and the transnational identity of their children.

Originality/value

The findings of this study can help teachers and teacher educators better understand the naming traditions of Chinese American families and connect these traditions to literacy instruction in the classroom. This study proposes practical suggestions suitable for both monolingual and multilingual students to explore all children’s names and help build inclusive, culturally sustaining classrooms.
Corporate governance and executive compensation: do they impact on operating performance and valuation of real estate firms?
Authors: Morri Giacomo , Anconetani Rachele , Pistritto Luciano
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Corporate governance principles are living a positive momentum in light of the megatrends reshaping the world. An effective company based on sound governance principles can prevent issues and corporate scandals as the company ensures greater transparency and accountability. Accordingly, this paper aims to investigate the relationship between shareholder-oriented corporate governance mechanisms, value and performances in the real estate sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper investigates the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms, performance and value in a sample of 111 USA real estate firms. After collecting data from 2014 to 2018, this paper tests the research hypothesis using the linear fixed-effect model.

Findings

The results demonstrate a positive impact of shareholder-oriented corporate governance mechanisms on performance and value. In particular, firms with no chief executive officer (CEO) duality and staggered board mechanisms and recognizing excess variable compensation to the firms' executive have a significantly higher Tobin's Q, return on assets (ROA) and price-to-book performance.

Practical implications

The implications are twofold: on the one hand, this motivates shareholders to establish new corporate control mechanisms to maximize value, attract more capital and improve operating performance. On the other hand, this allows investors to direct the investors' resources toward real estate firms with effective corporate governance mechanisms that may return higher performance and value.

Originality/value

Focusing on the real estate industry, where governance is expected to have a lower impact due to solid regulation, especially in real estate investment trusts (REITs), the research allows the formulation of industry-specific inferences that may be generalized for the general market.
Surviving and thriving through a crisis: a resiliency branding approach to transform airline industry
Authors: Raza Mohsin , Khalid Rimsha , Raza Hassan
Published: March 2023

Purpose

There has been substantial research on branding globally. However, there is a dearth of studies empirically investigating branding strategies during the pandemic to mitigate COVID-19 effects on the airline industry. The paper considers three factors which are brand familiarity, brand communication and brand reputation to develop the brand trust of customers and that ultimately influence their brand preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on self-administrative surveys as 450 questionnaires were spread, received 339 responses and a total of 301 questionnaires were selected for data analysis by structural-based modeling after the deletion of outliers and partially filled questionnaires. The data was collected through purposive sampling from Malaysian airports.

Findings

The findings confirm the relationship of brand communication, brand familiarity and brand reputation to brand trust and brand preference through mediation and directly except direct relationship of brand familiarity to brand preference. The study is limited to the provided dataset of surveys. The present study couldn't interview respondents which can be done by future studies and also effects of COVID-19 can be examined on related industries or through comparative studies among countries.

Originality/value

The present study is the first to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on airline brands and explored the strategies to respond to crises. The study is one of the rare studies that consider branding strategies to the uplift airline industry and mitigate post-pandemic effects from the airline sector.
Comparative study on solid-solid interfacial reaction and bonding property of Sn-Ag-Cu/Ni-P joints by laser and reflow soldering
Authors: Wu Y. , Zhang Z.J. , Chen L.D. , Zhou X.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Laser soldering has attracted attention as an alternative soldering process for microsoldering due to its localized and noncontact heating, a rapid rise and fall in temperature, fluxless and easy automation compared to reflow soldering.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the metallurgical and mechanical properties of the Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu/Ni-P joints after laser and reflow soldering and isothermal aging were compared and analyzed.

Findings

In the as-soldered Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu/Ni-P joints, a small granular and loose (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 intermetallic compound (IMC) structure was formed by laser soldering regardless of the laser energy, and a long and needlelike (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 IMC structure was generated by reflow soldering. During aging at 150°C, the growth rate of the IMC layer was faster by laser soldering than by reflow soldering. The shear strength of as-soldered joints for reflow soldering was similar to that of laser soldering with 7.5 mJ, which sharply decreased from 0 to 100 h for both cases and then was maintained at a similar level with increasing aging time.

Originality/value

Laser soldering with certain energy is effective for reducing the thickness of IMCs, and ensuring the mechanical property of the joints was similar to reflow soldering.
Potentially More Out of Reach: Public Reporting Exacerbates Inequities in Home Health Access
Authors: FASHAW‐WALTERS SHEKINAH A. , RAHMAN MOMOTAZUR , GEE GILBERT , MOR VINCENT , RIVERA‐HERNANDEZ MARICRUZ , FORD CERON , THOMAS KALI S.
Published: March 2023

Policy Points

Public reporting is associated with both mitigating and exacerbating inequities in high‐quality home health agency use for marginalized groups.

Ensuring equitable access to home health requires taking a closer look at potentially inequitable policies to ensure that these policies are not inadvertently exacerbating disparities as home health public reporting potentially does.

Targeted federal, state, and local interventions should focus on raising awareness about the five‐star quality ratings among marginalized populations for whom inequities have been exacerbated.

Context

Literature suggests that public reporting of quality may have the unintended consequence of exacerbating disparities in access to high‐quality, long‐term care for older adults. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the home health five‐star ratings on changes in high‐quality home health agency use by race, ethnicity, income status, and place‐based factors.

Methods

We use data from the Outcome and Assessment Information Set, Medicare Enrollment Files, Care Compare, and American Community Survey to estimate differential access to high‐quality home health agencies between July 2014 and June 2017. To estimate the impact of the home health five‐star rating introduction on the use of high‐quality home health agencies, we use a longitudinal observational pretest–posttest design.

Findings

After the introduction of the home health five‐star ratings in 2016, we found that adjusted rates of high‐quality home health agency use increased for all home health patients, except for Hispanic/Latine and Asian American/Pacific Islander patients. Additionally, we found that the disparity in high‐quality home health agency use between low‐income and higher‐income home health patients was exacerbated after the introduction of the five‐star quality ratings. We also observed that patients within predominantly Hispanic/Latine neighborhoods had a significant decrease in their use of high‐quality home health agencies, whereas patients in predominantly White and integrated neighborhoods had a significant increase in high‐quality home health agency use. Other neighborhoods experience a nonsignificant change in high‐quality home health agency use.

Conclusions

Policymakers should be aware of the potential unintended consequences for implementing home health public reporting, specifically for Hispanic/Latine, Asian American/Pacific Islander, and low‐income home health patients, as well as patients residing in predominantly Hispanic/Latine neighborhoods. Targeted interventions should focus on raising awareness around the five‐star ratings.
Identification of the transcription factor E74A gene from Chilo suppressalis which is essential for vitellogenesis
Authors: He Qingzhen , Sun Yingjuan , Kuang Suijie , Wu Shuang , Ding Wenbing , He Hualiang , Xue Jin , Gao Qiao , Li Youzhi , Qiu Lin
Published: March 2023

The most important physiological processes in insects are those related to reproduction and development. Ecdysone is an essential hormone in insects that controls various physiological processes, including reproduction and development. E74A, a subtype of the essential ecdysone‐induced transcription factor E74, affects the reproductive systems of many insects. Uncertainty exists regarding the molecular mechanism of E74A in non‐model insect reproduction processes. Using bioinformatics analysis, we determined that Chilo suppressalis E74A shared the highest homology with E74 in Ostrinia furnacalis which belongs to the ETS superfamily. By characterizing the spatiotemporal expression profile of CsE74A from different developmental stages and tissues, we found that CsE74A expression levels were highest in female pupae on the 4th day and in the head of female pupa. Knockdown of CsE74A resulted in delayed oocyte maturation and reduced yolk deposition. Additionally, the expression level of vitellogenin (Vg), βFTZ‐F1, and E93, which are associated with vitellogenesis and the ecdysone pathway, were also downregulated in the E74A silencing group. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that CsE74A not only plays a critical role in the reproductive processes of C. suppressalis but may also participate in the transcriptional regulation of genes involved in the ecdysone pathway.
Effect of peripheral cellular senescence on brain aging and cognitive decline
Authors: Budamagunta Vivekananda , Kumar Ashok , Rani Asha , Bean Linda , Manohar‐Sindhu Sahana , Yang Yang , Zhou Daohong , Foster Thomas C.
Published: March 2023

We examine similar and differential effects of two senolytic treatments, ABT‐263 and dasatinib + quercetin (D + Q), in preserving cognition, markers of peripheral senescence, and markers of brain aging thought to underlie cognitive decline. Male F344 rats were treated from 12 to 18 months of age with D + Q, ABT‐263, or vehicle, and were compared to young (6 months). Both senolytic treatments rescued memory, preserved the blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity, and prevented the age‐related decline in hippocampal N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) function associated with impaired cognition. Senolytic treatments decreased senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in the plasma (IL‐1β, IP‐10, and RANTES), with some markers more responsive to D + Q (TNFα) or ABT‐263 (IFNγ, leptin, EGF). ABT‐263 was more effective in decreasing senescence genes in the spleen. Both senolytic treatments decreased the expression of immune response and oxidative stress genes and increased the expression of synaptic genes in the dentate gyrus (DG). However, D + Q influenced twice as many genes as ABT‐263. Relative to D + Q, the ABT‐263 group exhibited increased expression of DG genes linked to cell death and negative regulation of apoptosis and microglial cell activation. Furthermore, D + Q was more effective at decreasing morphological markers of microglial activation. The results indicate that preserved cognition was associated with the removal of peripheral senescent cells, decreasing systemic inflammation that normally drives neuroinflammation, BBB breakdown, and impaired synaptic function. Dissimilarities associated with brain transcription indicate divergence in central mechanisms, possibly due to differential access.
Decision analysis for the planning and assessment of ex situ management: An application to the endangered mahogany glider
Authors: Rout Tracy M. , Jackson Stephen M. , Adam Dalene , Diggins Jacqui , McDonald‐Madden Eve , Mitchell Nicola J. , Walshe Terry V.
Published: March 2023

Ex situ (‘off‐site’) management refers to keeping species in artificial conditions away from their natural habitat and includes captive breeding facilities, botanical gardens and seed banks. There is scope for ex situ programmes to be more commonly used for supplementing or establishing wild populations. However, undertaking ex situ management comes with risks, costs and uncertainties, which must be assessed in the context of available in situ (‘on‐site’) management options. The PACES (Planning and Assessment for Conservation through Ex situ management) tool tailors the principles of structured decision‐making to the specific problem of assessing and comparing ex situ and in situ management options. We applied the PACES tool to the mahogany glider (Petaurus gracilis), a threatened arboreal marsupial endemic to north Queensland, Australia. Through an expert elicitation process, we predicted the likely benefits of an ex situ and two in situ management options, as compared to a baseline ‘do‐nothing’ scenario. The ‘in situ plus’ alternative (where extra resources are dedicated to in situ management) was predicted to result in the largest population increase according to the participants' best estimates. However, this benefit came at a much larger cost than the ex situ alternative, and without the benefit of an ex situ insurance population. The PACES tool assessment allowed the Mahogany Glider Recovery Team to document and plan the financial costs, risks and benefits of potential future management options for the mahogany glider, laying a transparent basis for future assessment and decision‐making.
Diet of the snake Philodryas nattereri (Steindachner, 1870) suggests a high plasticity of foraging in north‐eastern Brazil
Authors: de Sousa Juliana Delfino , Sales Raul Fernandes Dantas , de Medeiros José Vinícius Alexandre , de Carvalho Kokubum Marcelo Nogueira
Published: March 2023

The knowledge about interactions between predators and prey is essential for understanding the natural history of animals, especially snakes, which are cryptic organisms that are difficult to visualize in the wild. This article reports on the predation of lizards, frogs, bats and venomous snakes by the snake Philodryas nattereri, evidencing its generalist feeding habits.
Changes of corneal biomechanics in children using orthokeratology and their roles in predicting axial length progression—A prospective 2‐year study
Authors: Xiang Kaidi , Chen Jun , Zhao Wenchen , Zhu Zhuoting , Ding Li , Bulloch Gabriella , Du Linlin , Xu Xun , Zhu Mengjun , He Xiangui
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To determine how orthokeratology (ortho‐k) affects corneal biomechanical properties in myopia control and whether corneal biomechanical parameters can predict clinical efficacy of ortho‐k.

Methods

A total of 125 children 7–15 years of age using ortho‐k lenses were followed in this clinical practice and data of their right eyes were analysed. Corneal biomechanical parameters and most ocular biometry were measured at baseline, 1 week, and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Axial length (AL) was collected every 6 months after baseline measurements.

Results

During the 2‐year follow up, nine corneal biomechanical parameters, including deformation amplitude maximum (DA), varied between baseline and 1 week (p < 0.05) and stabilized during the rest of wearing period (p > 0.05). The mean AL increased from 25.02 ± 0.84 mm to 25.38 ± 0.81 mm and baseline DA strongly correlated with AL progression (Pearson r = 0.37). In the multiple regression models, baseline age, AL and DA were the independent factors for AL progression (R2: 0.7849, 0.2180 in low and moderate myopes). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves using the three variables for predicting excessive AL progression (>0.35 mm during 2 years) in low and moderate myopes was 0.902 and 0.698.

Conclusions

Corneal biomechanics firstly fluctuated before becoming stable with long‐term ortho‐k use. Corneal biomechanics was associated with AL progression in children wearing ortho‐k lenses. DA combined with age and AL at baseline could predict AL progression in low myopes using ortho‐k.
Discussing depression in patients with visual impairment differs across countries: Validation of a prediction model in healthcare providers
Authors: van Munster Edine P. J. , van Nispen Ruth M. A. , Nollett Claire L. , Holloway Edith E. , Maarsingh Otto R. , Heymans Martijn W. , van der Aa Hilde P. A.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Healthcare providers often experience difficulties in discussing depression with adults with visual impairment (VI), obstructing timely referral. The purpose of this study was to examine predictors of routine discussions of depression with adults with VI from the perspective of different healthcare providers from different countries.

Methods

Cross‐sectional survey data from Welsh (N = 122), Australian (N = 94) and Dutch (N = 100) healthcare providers, that is eye care practitioners (ECPs) and low‐vision care providers (LVCPs), were analysed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed in the Welsh sample to determine predictors for discussing depression. Internal validation was conducted by using a bootstrap method, and the recalibrated model was externally validated in the Australian and Dutch sample.

Results

Work experience in eye care services (OR 0.95; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92 to 0.99) and perceived barriers (OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.92 to 0.98) was found to predict discussing depression with patients. The area under the curve (AUC) of 0.73 reflected good discrimination of the model. The model showed a slightly better fit in the Australian sample (AUC = 0.77), but a poor fit in the Dutch sample.

Conclusion

The final prediction model was not generalizable to Dutch healthcare providers. They perceived less barriers in depression management than Welsh and Australian healthcare providers. This could be explained by differences in ECPs and LVCPs roles and responsibilities, increased attention on mental health and differences in organizing health care. Differences between healthcare providers' responsibilities and support needs should be taken into account while creating a facilitating environment to discuss depression.
Evidence for solanidine as a dietary CYP2D6 biomarker: Significant correlation with risperidone metabolism
Authors: Wollmann Birgit M. , Smith Robert L. , Kringen Marianne Kristiansen , Ingelman‐Sundberg Magnus , Molden Espen , Størset Elisabet
Published: March 2023

Aims

The extensive variability in cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) metabolism is mainly caused by genetic polymorphisms. However, there is large, unexplained variability in CYP2D6 metabolism within CYP2D6 genotype subgroups. Solanidine, a dietary compound found in potatoes, is a promising phenotype biomarker predicting individual CYP2D6 metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between solanidine metabolism and the CYP2D6‐mediated metabolism of risperidone in patients with known CYP2D6 genotypes.

Methods

The study included therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) data from CYP2D6‐genotyped patients treated with risperidone. Risperidone and 9‐hydroxyrisperidone levels were determined during TDM, and reprocessing of the respective TDM full‐scan high‐resolution mass spectrometry files was applied for semi‐quantitative measurements of solanidine and five metabolites (M402, M414, M416, M440 and M444). Spearman's tests determined the correlations between solanidine metabolic ratios (MRs) and the 9‐hydroxyrisperidone‐to‐risperidone ratio.

Results

A total of 229 patients were included. Highly significant, positive correlationswere observed between all solanidine MRs and the 9‐hydroxyrisperidone‐to‐risperidone ratio (ρ > 0.6, P < .0001). The strongest correlation was observed for the M444‐to‐solanidine MR in patients with functional CYP2D6 metabolism, i.e., genotype activity scores of 1 and 1.5 (ρ 0.72–0.77, P < .0001).

Conclusion

The present study shows strong, positive correlations between solanidine metabolism and CYP2D6‐mediated risperidone metabolism. The strong correlation within patients carrying CYP2D6 genotypes encoding functional CYP2D6 metabolism suggests that solanidine metabolism may predict individual CYP2D6 metabolism, and hence potentially improve personalized dosing of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
The role of decision tree and machine learning models for outcome prediction of bupropion exposure: A nationwide analysis of more than 14 000 patients in the United States
Authors: Mehrpour Omid , Saeedi Farhad , Vohra Varun , Abdollahi Jafar , Shirazi Farshad M. , Goss Foster
Published: March 2023

Bupropion is widely used for the treatment of major depressive disorder and for smoking cessation assistance. Unfortunately, there are no practical systems to assist clinicians or poison centres in predicting outcomes based on clinical features. Hence, the purpose of this study was to use a decision tree approach to inform early diagnosis of outcomes secondary to bupropion overdose. This study utilized a dataset from the National Poison Data System, a 6‐year retrospective cohort study on toxic exposures and patient outcomes. A machine learning algorithm (decision tree) was applied to the dataset using the sci‐kit‐learn library in Python. Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) were used as an explainable method. Comparative analysis was performed using random forest (RF), Gradient Boosting classification, eXtreme Gradient Boosting, Light Gradient Boosting (LGM) and voting ensembling. ROC curve and precision–recall curve were used to analyse the performance of each model. LGM and RF demonstrated the highest performance to predict outcome of bupropion exposure. Multiple seizures, conduction disturbance, intentional exposure, and confusion were the most influential factors to predict the outcome of bupropion exposure. Coma and seizure, including single, multiple and status, were the most important factors to predict major outcomes.
Intravesical oncolytic virotherapy and immunotherapy for non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer mouse model
Authors: Smelser Woodson W. , Wang Jian , Ogden Kristen M. , Chang Sam S. , Kirschner Austin N.
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To test if intravesical instillation of both an anti‐programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) inhibitor and an oncolytic reovirus would demonstrate a greater effect than either treatment alone, as non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer that is refractory to intravesical bacillus Calmette–Guérin can be treated by systemic anti‐PD‐1 immunotherapy and we previously demonstrated improved overall survival (OS) with six once‐weekly instillations of intravesical anti‐PD‐1 in a murine model.

Materials and Methods

Using an orthotopic syngeneic C3H murine model of MBT2 urothelial bladder cancer, groups of 10 mice were compared between no treatment, intravesical anti‐PD‐1, intravesical oncolytic reovirus, or intravesical reovirus + anti‐PD‐1. A single intravesical treatment session was given. The primary outcome was OS, and the secondary outcomes included long‐term immunity and tumour–immune profile.

Results

With a median follow‐up of 9 months, all mice that received no treatment died with a median survival of 41 days, while the comparison median OS was not reached for reovirus (hazard ratio [HR] 14.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.9–32.6; P < 0.001), anti‐PD‐1 (HR 28.4, 95% CI 7.0–115.9; P < 0.001), and reovirus + anti‐PD‐1 (HR 28.4, 95% CI 7.0–115.9; P < 0.001). Monotherapy with anti‐PD‐1 or reovirus demonstrated no significant differences in survival (P = 0.067). Mass cytometry showed that reovirus + anti‐PD‐1 treatment enriched monocytes and decreased myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, generating an immuno‐responsive tumour microenvironment. Depletion of CD8+ T cells eliminated the survival advantage provided by the intravesical treatment.

Conclusions

Treatment of murine orthotopic bladder tumours with a single instillation of intravesical reovirus, anti‐PD‐1 antibody, or the combination confers superior survival compared to controls. Tumour–immune microenvironment differences indicated myeloid‐derived suppressor cells and CD8+ T cells mediate the treatment response.
Bilateral longitudinally extensive optic perineuritis post‐COVID‐19 presenting as “idiopathic” intracranial hypertension: A case report
Authors: Aladawi Mohammad , Crespo Daniel , Xu Renfeng , Zabad Rana , Vuppala Amrita‐Amanda
Published: March 2023

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV2) has been associated with several neuro‐ophthalmic manifestations. We report a case of bilateral longitudinally extensive optic perineuritis suspected due to SARSCoV2.

Case Presentation

A 32‐year‐old woman developed headaches, photophobia, pulsatile tinnitus, and blurred vision 8 d after having a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). She was diagnosed with and treated for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) elsewhere. Repeat evaluation at our institution showed a poor visual acuity in both eyes with Frisen grade II papilledema and cotton wool spots on fundoscopic examination. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed bilateral longitudinally extensive optic nerve sheath enhancement. Repeat lumbar puncture revealed an elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure and protein, a finding that is incompatible with the diagnosis of IIH. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, aquaporin‐4 (AQP4)‐IgG antibodies, and other serological tests for optic neuritis were unremarkable. Her visual acuity partially improved after corticosteroids. With the growing association of demyelinating disorders and COVID‐19, unremarkable serological workup, and temporal relation of the patient's symptoms to the infection, we believe that her diagnosis is SARS‐CoV‐2 associated bilateral optic neuritis.

Conclusion

There is a growing association between demyelinating disorders and COVID‐19 and COVID‐19 vaccination, and it is essential to recognize CSF abnormalities that are incompatible with a diagnosis of IIH, such as increased protein in our case, and may lead to an incorrect diagnosis.
A comprehensive view on the quercetin impact on bladder cancer: Focusing on oxidative stress, cellular, and molecular mechanisms
Authors: Golmohammadi Maryam , Elmaghraby Dalia Ahmed , Ramírez‐Coronel Andrés Alexis , Rakhimov Nodir , Mohammed Shahad Saad , Romero‐Parra Rosario Mireya , Jawad Mohammed Abed , Zamanian Mohammad Yasin , Soltani Afsaneh , Taheri Niloofar , Kianifar Farzaneh , Vousooghi Nasim
Published: March 2023

Bladder cancer (BC) is known as a prevalent genitourinary malignancy and has a significant mortality rate worldwide. Despite recent therapeutic approaches, the recurrence rate is high, highlighting the need for a new strategy to reduce the BC cell progression. Quercetin, a flavonoid compound, demonstrated promising anticancer properties and could be used in the management of various malignancies such as BC. This comprehensive review summarized quercetin's cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying anticancer activities. The study's findings indicated that quercetin prevents the proliferation of the human BC cell line, promotes apoptosis of BIU‐87 cells, reduces the expression of p‐P70S6K, and induces apoptosis by p‐AMPK. Moreover, quercetin restricts tumor growth through the AMPK/mTOR cascade and prevents colony formation of human BC cells by triggering DNA damage. Studying this review article will help researchers better understand quercetin's functional role in the prevention and treatment of BC.
Lower cognitive function as a risk factor for anemia among older Japanese women from the longitudinal observation in theSONICstudy
Authors: Noma Tomoko , Kayo Godai , Kabayama Mai , Gondo Yasuyuki , Yasumoto Saori , Masui Yukie , Sugimoto Ken , Akasaka Hiroshi , Takami Yoichi , Takeya Yasushi , Yamamoto Koichi , Ikebe Kazunori , Arai Yasumichi , Ishizaki Tatsuro , Rakugi Hiromi , Kamide Kei
Published: March 2023

Aim

The aging‐related increase in the incidence of anemia potentially affects the mortality risk. Lower cognitive function is common among older adults, and anemia is one of the causes of cognitive decline. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has investigated whether cognitive decline is a risk factor for anemia in older people. Therefore, in this study, we used a 3‐year longitudinal evaluation to examine the association of cognitive function with anemia in community‐dwelling older adults.

Methods

This longitudinal study enrolled participants without anemia (diagnosed based on the World Health Organization's criteria) at baseline. Cognitive function was assessed using the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the association between cognitive function at baseline and the presence of anemia 3 years later.

Results

Participants were in the 69–71 and 79–81 years age groups, and 974 older people (48.6% men) were enrolled, of whom 126 (12.9%) had anemia after 3 years. After adjusting, cognitive function at baseline was associated with anemia in women, but not in men.

Conclusions

Older Japanese women with lower cognitive function have an increased risk for anemia 3 years later. The adoption of a lifestyle that utilizes or improves cognitive function might be important to prevent anemia in older women.Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 334–340.
THE (QUEER) AESTHETICS OF JEAN PAUL'S SIEBENKÄS
Authors: Sathi Anchit
Published: March 2023

This article proposes that the eighteenth‐century novel Siebenkäs contains the formulation of an aesthetic theory that embraces same‐sex desire. The novel's author, Jean Paul Friedrich Richter, still relatively unknown among literary scholars today, uses the myth of Narcissus as an aesthetic blueprint for the novel. In doing so, he appears to comply with the aesthetic conventions espoused by his German Romantic peers, many of whom considered self‐contemplation to be a prerequisite for gaining access to the Absolute, a term that designates an unconditioned totality that was dear to authors, artists and philosophers at the time. However, the article suggests that Jean Paul's true purpose is to employ the myth to subversive ends. In particular, the author builds upon the myth's homoerotic underpinnings – largely (but not entirely) forgotten in the eighteenth century – to articulate a theory of aesthetics that no longer seeks to efface homosexual desire. The aesthetic worldview that emerges from this process is one that foregrounds imitation as a fundamental building‐block of queer aesthetics and that, in contraposition to some of the dominant aesthetic thinking of the age, advocates the legitimacy of an aesthetics that celebrates desire rather than suppressing it.
Demonstration of a Principal Component Analysis Trajectory Method to Assess Bioremediation Progress at a TCE‐Impacted Site
Authors: Freedman Matan , Mumford Kevin G. , Danko Anthony , Hart Dylan , Richardson Stephen D.
Published: March 2023

In‐situ bioremediation (ISB) is a popular remediation technology for the treatment of a range of compounds, including chlorinated solvents such as tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene (TCE). Large amounts of data are collected before, during, and after ISB applications to determine amendment approaches, monitor progress and evaluate success. The interpretation of these large datasets can be limited by the tools and techniques used for data analysis, and there is considerable potential in applying data reduction and multivariate techniques used elsewhere to performance monitoring during ISB. In this study, a principal component analysis (PCA) trajectory method was applied to a TCE‐impacted ISB site dataset, as an alternative to the inspection of time series data. The method connected each monitoring well's scores through PCA space to account for temporal changes in multiple analytes across the site. The method was used to separate monitoring well locations into categories that included On‐track and Unsuccessful based on their similarity to background wells in PCA space. The results agreed with those generated using traditional methods (e.g., time series plots) and were able to efficiently summarize large amounts of data to facilitate interpretation. It is expected that this PCA trajectory method could provide a useful screening tool to quickly identify site‐wide trends for the evaluation of ISB performance.
Physicochemical changes in red wines from the São Francisco Valley (Brazil) after aged in a bottle
Authors: de Lima Pedro Henrique Nascimento , Rodrigues Caroline Falcão , de Arruda José Humberto Barros , Santos Andrelina Maria Pinheiro , de Andrade Lima Luciana Leite
Published: March 2023

The São Francisco Valley is an exponent region in biotechnology and viticulture, located in the Northeast of Brazil, with tropical cultivation of wine grapes, with more than one harvest a year. Furthermore, wine production in the caatinga biome is unique and has shown commercial potential. Studies related to the physicochemical characterization and stability of wines during aging in the bottle are essential to guarantee and maintain quality. The present study aims to evaluate changes in physicochemical and chromatic parameters of tropical red wines from the São Francisco Valley aging in bottle. Classical physicochemical analyses, profiles of groups of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and chromatic parameters were performed on all red wines from the São Francisco Valley Indication of Origin, with and without storage in oak barrels, and aged in bottles for 36 months. The study showed significant reductions in the levels of physicochemical parameters (acidity, total soluble solids, characterization of phenolic composition, antioxidant power) and color for wines that did not age in oak barrels. However, wines stored in oak barrels showed the highest stability. Thus, red wine storage in oak barrels, an oenological practice that increases quality, can be indicated for tropical red wines.
De‐gendering parents: Gender inclusion and standardised language in screen‐level bureaucracy
Authors: Höglund Frida , Flinkfeldt Marie
Published: March 2023

Swedish welfare organisations have a long history of promoting gender equality and inclusivity, involving implementation of more gender‐inclusive language (e.g., non‐gendered terminology). This study analysed the use of non/gendered expressions at the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, as state policy is realised in conjunction with personalised service in textual interaction in screen‐level bureaucracy. We drew on conversation analysis and membership categorisation analysis to analyse 378 email interactions between clients and social insurance officers, focusing on gendered institutional terminology and gendered person references. The findings suggest that social insurance officers avoided a heteronormative language, in line with Swedish official public language policy, but that a gender‐neutral language may come at the cost of formality, standardisation, and de‐personalisation. The study brings new knowledge on the ways in which street‐level bureaucrats manage responsiveness and standardisation in digital text‐based interaction with clients.
Comparing survey data to qualitative themes in patient stories to help researchers better identify pressing community healthcare needs
Authors: Shah Vrusha K. , Hamm Megan , Glynn Nancy W. , Rockette‐Wagner Bonny , McTigue Kathleen
Published: March 2023

Background

Narrative medicine is a powerful approach for strengthening clinicians' therapeutic alliances with patients and helping them understand others' perspectives by giving patients a voice. MyPaTH Story Booth is a cross‐sectional observational study that uses narrative medicine concepts to allow community participants to share their health and healthcare‐related experiences through relatively unstructured interviews (i.e., stories). The archive forms a qualitative research ʻcommonsʼ where researchers can learn about patient and caregiver perspectives and tailor research goals to better address community needs. Brief surveys allow storytellers to classify their stories so that the archive is searchable.

Methods

This study assessed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values of self‐reported surveys for categorizing 83 stories, compared with a ʻgold standardʼ (most commonly accepted method for interpreting narratives) of qualitative coding. Stories were classified as either having or not having each of 38 different classifications based on US National Library of Medicine (NLM) Health Topics (Type of disorder or condition and Part of the body discussed) or developed with stakeholder input (Type of health/healthcare experience).

Results

Survey data assessing ʻPart of the body discussedʼ and ʻType of disorder or conditionʼ typically was highly sensitive (64%–95%) and specific (73%–99%) suggesting high adequacy of surveys in identifying stories. Questions focused on ʻType of health/healthcare experienceʼ showed inconsistent and relatively lower sensitivities (48%–93%) and specificities (30%–79%) suggesting lower adequacy of surveys in identifying stories.

Conclusion

Survey items based on NLM Health Topics allowed people to categorize their health narratives into relevant, searchable topics making the database more accessible.
Seamount coral reefs are egg case nurseries for deep‐sea skates
Authors: Maguire Kylie , O'Neill Helen , Althaus Franziska , White William , Williams Alan
Published: March 2023

Egg case nurseries of the boreal skate (Amblyraja hyperborea) and Richardson's skate (Bathyraja richardsoni) were defined and mapped on a bathyal seascape (c. 500–1900 m depths) south of Tasmania, Australia, using 99 towed‐camera transects (157 linear km; N = 50,858 images). In total, 738 skate egg cases were observed (present in 240 images, absent in 50,618); among 113 egg cases examined to identify parent species, 70% were A. hyperborea, 10% B. richardsoni and 20% unidentified Bathyraja species. “Recently laid” egg cases were differentiated from “aged” ones by classifying their colour and condition. The great majority (98%) of egg cases were observed in c. 1100–1400 m depths on seamounts (15 of 36 surveyed), not seamount bases or adjacent continental slope. Egg cases were associated with reefs formed by accumulated skeletal matrix of the stony coral Solenosmilia variabilis, with >90% egg cases (including most of those recently laid) observed on living S. variabilis that characterises a “coral zone” in c. 950–1350 m depths. Water in the coral zone is warmer (+0.66 to 2.37°C) than at the deep distributional limits of adult A. hyperborea and B. richardsoni (2000 and 3000 m, respectively), potentially providing for accelerated embryonic development. Co‐occurrence with living coral infers an energetically favourable local‐scale hydrodynamic environment for egg cases, particularly on seamount peaks, where increased water flow over egg cases would avert smothering by suspended sediment, and compensate for lower oxygen concentration compared to deeper depths occupied by adult skates. Criteria identifying egg case nurseries are strongly met for A. hyperborea at Seamount Z110 (468 egg cases of varied ages, maximum density of 5.47 m−2) and to a lesser extent on five others (Seamounts K1, Z16, Hill U, Z5 and Hill V). An abundance (density) criterion for defining nurseries needs to be flexible because it is a spatially scale‐dependent measure that differs between surveys according to the tools and design employed. Off Australia, coral reef egg case nursery habitat is restricted to a narrow depth range in temperate latitudes where it is scarce and impacted by historical bottom trawl fishing in many locations. There has been effective conservation of nursery habitat, however, because four of the six nursery sites identified here and extensive coral reef areas are protected within marine parks.