bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the term “non-financial information”: an academics’ view
Authors: Tarquinio Lara , Posadas Stefanía Carolina
Published: April 2020

Purpose

With the European Union (EU) Directive 2014/95/UE, there is a growing interest in the corporate disclosure of “non-financial information” (NFI). However, no generally accepted definition of this term exists. This paper aims to reflect on the meaning and importance of the NFI definition by investigating how this term is defined in the literature and by exploring scholars’ cognitive perceptions of its meaning.

Design/methodology/approach

Two different research methods were used. A systematic literature review of NFI definitions was integrated with a survey to a sample of Italian scholars working on the NFI research topic.

Findings

This study demonstrates that the meaning of NFI is still ambiguous and multifaceted as neither a common understanding nor a single and generally accepted definition of the term exists. As the advent of the EU directive, this term has often referred to information about society and the environment, though most academics define and understand NFI differently, as corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues, intellectual capital information and information that are external to financial statements. These definitions pave the way for conceptualising NFI as a genus and its different understandings (i.e. CSR, ESG information, etc.) as species. Therefore, what constitutes NFI is open to interpretations.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to enriching the literature on the meaning of NFI and providing further insights into explaining the heterogeneity of the NFI definition.

Practical implications

This paper provides researchers, practitioners and regulators with some novel insights into the meaning and understanding of NFI. It provides regulators and standard setters with knowledge for building a commonly accepted definition of NFI. Meanwhile, policymakers, regulators, practitioners and academics can contribute to establishing a definition by following three approaches: regulative, open and adaptive. This can help to avoid the risk of an information gap among stakeholder expectations, regulator requests and NFI reporting in practice.

Originality/value

The literature focussing on the meaning of NFI is still scarce. This study contributes to extending the knowledge of how the term NFI is defined and understood by academics.
Constitutions and religion in Egypt: a comparative study
Authors: Sayed Eman Shady
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the position of religion for the three constitutions of Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, by tracing religious identity-related studies and seeing whether their existence is attributed to the ruling elites’ attitudes, it examines how factors such as new elites and new in ideology affect change of articles of religion.

Findings

The results demonstrate that the most significant factor was the existence of a new elite having a different ideology, which was obvious in the three constitutions: 1971, 2012 and 2014.

Research implications

The manner in which studies of religion are written is the basis for legislation and the source of public policies that affect the discourse of political systems or results in economic and social rights that affect public policies. Therefore, if people are engaged in the process of drafting identity articles, they would participate in the reformation of their traditions and systems and there would be more integration in the society.

Originality/value

Few studies have attempted to work on the sociology of constitutions and religion in the Egyptian context.
Disconnect to detox: a study of smartphone addiction among young adults in India
Authors: Handa Meenakshi , Ahuja Parul
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Although there are many benefits that technological progress offers, there is also a dark side to several innovations. This study aims to examine smartphone usage amongst young Indian adults and identify likely antecedents and consequences of addictive smartphone usage behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data, through an online structured questionnaire, was collected from 240 smartphone users. The survey was conducted among college students between 18-25 years of age. Structural equation modelling was used to test the proposed research framework.

Findings

The results show that almost 25 per cent of respondents had high scores on the smartphone addiction scale. The respondents spend most of their time on applications such as WhatsApp and other social networking sites. The findings indicate fear of missing out to be a predictor of problematic smartphone usage behaviour. Further, the study points to poorer quality of sleep as a consequence of high smartphone usage.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the findings of the study, the importance of digital detoxification has been highlighted. Further, recommendations have been made to discourage excessive smartphone usage and avoid the resulting negative consequences.

Originality/value

With the increasing usage of smartphones, there is a need to study addictive behaviour amongst sections of the population, specially those which tend to be more vulnerable. The study examines the extent of smartphone addictive behaviour amongst young Indian adults and identifies antecedents and consequences of such behaviour.
Past, present and future distributions of bumblebees in South America: Identifying priority species and areas for conservation
Authors: Krechemer Flavia da Silva , Marchioro Cesar Augusto
Published: April 2020

Climate change has been commonly associated with a decline of bumblebee populations around the world. However, most information regarding the impacts of climate change on bumblebees is derived from North America and Europe, and little is known about South American species.

Here we applied ecological niche modelling techniques to estimate the past, present and future distributions of six Bombus species found in South America. These data were used to estimate climatically stable areas (CSAs) for each species and, combined with information on land cover and protected area network, identify species and areas for the conservation of these important pollinators.

The models predicted a reduction in climatically suitable habitats from Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) to the present for most species. Similarly, all species were predicted to lose climatically suitable areas in future climate scenarios, ranging from 9% to 78%, depending on the species and climate change scenario.

The percentage of legally protected CSAs varied between 4.0% and 48.2% among species, mainly due to differences in the protected area network among the biomes in which they occur. A significant portion of the distribution range of most species includes agricultural areas, which likely increases bumblebee exposure to pesticides.

Based on the estimated habitat loss due to climate change, as well as from land cover and protected area, our results indicate that Bombus bellicosus, Bombus brevivillus and Bombus brasiliensis are the most endangered species of those evaluated.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings provide a framework for conservation strategies of six species of South American bumblebees, by prioritizing species and areas for conservation considering their distribution range and the climatically stable areas under different climate change scenarios.
A narrative exploration of how curricula for children with profound and multiple learning difficulties shape and are shaped by the practices of their teachers
Authors: Stewart Catherine , Walker‐Gleaves Caroline
Published: April 2020

This article presents the findings of a study that asked teachers to narrate their interactions with learners from the perspective of the curriculum that the school adopted. Thirteen female teachers, employed at eight special secondary schools for children with profound and multiple learning difficulties in England, participated in the research. They narrated their experiences, which were consequently subject to phenomenological hermeneutic analysis. All the teachers displayed a high degree of individuality and conceptualised their work not straightforwardly as teaching the espoused curriculum, but rather as they themselves being the ‘curriculum‐in‐action’, with their practice lying alongside and only obliquely cognisant of their school's explicit provision. The narratives disclosed ongoing conflict with school leaders being interpreted as a threat to their specific pedagogic practices as well as their professionalism. The research raises questions about the ability of the ‘special curriculum’ to be truly responsive to pupils' needs within this complex pedagogical environment.
What are you hiding? Employee attributions for pay secrecy policies
Authors: Montag‐Smit Tamara A. , Smit Brandon W.
Published: April 2020

This study examines the effect of three dimensions of pay secrecy policies (i.e., distributive nondisclosure, communication restriction, procedural nondisclosure) on employee trust in management. Drawing from HR attributions research, we propose that these pay secrecy policies are positively related to malevolent attributions and negatively related to benevolent attributions. We tested our model with 317 employees and found that attributions generally mediated the relationships between pay secrecy and trust. Employee preferences for sharing pay information moderated some of these relationships; those who are unwilling to share personal pay information did not make negative attributions of secretive distributive pay policies. Overall, these findings demonstrate the value employee attributions of organisational pay policies have for our understanding of employee trust formation.
Longevity Relatives Count score identifies heritable longevity carriers and suggests case improvement in genetic studies
Authors: van den Berg Niels , Rodríguez‐Girondo Mar , Mandemakers Kees , Janssens Angelique A. P. O. , Beekman Marian , Slagboom P. Eline
Published: April 2020

Loci associated with longevity are likely to harbor genes coding for key players of molecular pathways involved in a lifelong decreased mortality and decreased/compressed morbidity. However, identifying such loci is challenging. One of the most plausible reasons is the uncertainty in defining long‐lived cases with the heritable longevity trait among long‐living phenocopies. To avoid phenocopies, family selection scores have been constructed, but these have not yet been adopted as state of the art in longevity research. Here, we aim to identify individuals with the heritable longevity trait by using current insights and a novel family score based on these insights. We use a unique dataset connecting living study participants to their deceased ancestors covering 37,825 persons from 1,326 five‐generational families, living between 1788 and 2019. Our main finding suggests that longevity is transmitted for at least two subsequent generations only when at least 20% of all relatives are long‐lived. This proves the importance of family data to avoid phenocopies in genetic studies.
Personality traits in substance use disorders and obesity when compared to healthy controls
Authors: Ramirez Veronica , Wiers Corinde E. , Wang Gene‐Jack , Volkow Nora D.
Published: April 2020

Background and Aims

Although personality traits are implicated in substance use disorders (SUDs) and obesity, differences and similarities between them have not been assessed. Our main aim was to compare personality traits between people with different SUDs, obese people and healthy controls.

Design

This was a secondary analysis of personality scores obtained from participants in neuroimaging studies from Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institutes of Health.

Setting

United States.

Participants/Cases

Individuals with obesity (OB) n = 41, alcohol use disorder (AUD) n = 39, marijuana use disorder (MUD) n = 24, cocaine use disorder (CUD) n = 100, and healthy controls (HC) n = 117 (237 males and 84 females).

Measurements

The Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire, which characterizes positive emotionality (PEM), negative emotionality (NEM) and constraint (CON) traits. Adjusted covariates included cigarette smoking status, age, gender and body mass index (BMI).

Findings

Multivariate analysis of covariance showed a main group effect (i.e. OB, AUD, MUD, CUD and HC) only on NEM (P < 0.0001, η2 = 0.17) and CON (P = 0.005, η2 = 0.12). Specifically, NEM was higher in AUD (P < 0.0001, d = 10.4), CUD (P < 0.0001, d = 8.2) and MUD (P = 0.001, d = 9.2), but not in OB (P > 0.05, d = 2.8) relative to HC. CUD showed lower CON (P = 0.015, d = 5.4) and PEM (P = 0.018, d = 4.8) than HC; however, these differences were not significant in the other groups. NEM and CON were negatively correlated for groups combined (r = −0.26, P < 0.0001), and separately for OB (r = −0.49, P = 0.001) and CUD (r = −0.22, P = 0.03). Cigarette smoking status did not influence group differences in NEM, PEM or CON.

Conclusions

Compared with healthy controls, people with substance use disorders appear to show higher negative emotionality, and people with cocaine use disorders appear to show lower positive emotionality and constraint traits. Similar findings were not found among people with obesity.
Evaluation of potential trap plant species for the wheat bug Nysius huttoni (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) in forage brassicas
Authors: Tiwari Sundar , Saville David J. , Sharma Sheela , Shields Morgan W. , Wratten Stephen D.
Published: April 2020

The wheat bug Nysius huttoni is a major pest of brassica seedlings. Management of this insect currently relies on seed treatment with neonicotinoids and spraying with chlorpyrifos and pyrethroid insecticides. These practices can generate severe external costs, including human health, the environment and biodiversity. Trap cropping is one alternative option to protect brassica seedlings from N. huttoni.

Trap crop species evaluated in field cage experiments were: alyssum (Lobularia maritima L. Desvauxcv. Benthamii White), wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Morph), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L. cv. Santo) and clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. Nomad). These were compared with kale (Brassica oleracea L. cv. Kestrel). In open‐field experiments, alyssum (L maritima), wheat (T. aestivum) and a mixture of alyssum (L. maritima) and wheat (T. aestivum) were used. All of these were compared to kale (B. oleracea).

Alyssum and wheat were the most favoured potential trap plants for N. huttoni. Results indicated that two treatments: alyssum (used as a single trap crop) or ‘alyssum plus wheat’ (a multiple trap crop), may be useful in brassica fields to protect the seedlings from N. huttoni damage.

Such a trap cropping protocol potentially reduces pesticide use in forage brassicas and can also deliver multiple ecosystem services such as biological control of insect pests.
Excessive Spending in a “Free‐to‐Play” Smartphone Game
Authors: Kleinman Robert A. , Das Smita
Published: April 2020

Background and Objectives

Although gaming disorder is increasingly recognized, there has been limited consideration of the impact of free‐to‐play games with in‐game purchases, also called microtransactions.

Methods

Case report (n = 1).

Results

A patient with posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder in remission, polysubstance use disorders in remission, and opioid use disorder on buprenorphine/naloxone developed gaming disorder (based on International Classification of Diseases, 11th revision) and spent up to 40% of his monthly income on microtransactions within a smartphone game. Treatment consisted of relinquishing access to electronic payment mechanisms, motivational interviewing, and couples therapy.

Discussion and Conclusions

The case highlights how in‐game purchases may cause patients with gaming disorder to experience financial consequences, and the need for further characterization of the clinical ramifications of microtransactions.

Scientific Significance

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the medical literature of a patient with gaming disorder developing excessive in‐game spending from expenditures on microtransactions. (Am J Addict 2020;29:528–530)
The Informational Content of Geographical Indications
Authors: Ay Jean‐Sauveur
Published: April 2020

Geographical indications (GIs) convey information about the place of production as a proxy for the attributes of agricultural products. We define the informational content of the GI proxy as its capacity to describe the tangible characteristics of production sites, instead of random noise or intangible factors from political bargaining about designation (i.e., lobbying effects). We estimate econometrically the informational content of wine‐related GIs for theCôte d'Orregion of Burgundy, France. We show that GIs signal vineyard attributes with high precision, while we find some persistent bias from lobbying effects. We also study alternative classifications, from history and from simulations, which reveal a significant increase in the informational content of GIs over the last hundred years or so, and provide guidelines for better designated GIs in the future.
Introduction of surgeon‐performed ultrasound to a head and neck clinic: indications, diagnostic adequacy and a new clinic model?
Authors: Flatman Samuel , Kwok Matthew Ming Kei , Magarey Matthew J. R.
Published: April 2020

Background

Surgeon‐performed ultrasound (SUS) changes management and surgical decision‐making. It allows for immediate ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (US‐FNA) for the work‐up of neck masses, lymph node metastases and thyroid nodules. We examined the introduction of SUS to an Australian Head and Neck cancer unit, identifying situations where it was used, and evaluated the diagnostic adequacy and accuracy of US‐FNA.

Methods

A prospective database was created for all patients undergoing SUS and US‐FNA, performed by two head and neck surgeons, between September 2018 and June 2019. The data were retrospectively analysed to identify when SUS was performed. Diagnostic adequacy and accuracy of US‐FNA were determined after evaluating formal cytology and histopathology reports.

Results

A total of 183 diagnostic, surveillance and interventional SUS scans were performed for multiple indications. A total of 100 US‐FNAs were performed on a number of different sites. Diagnostic adequacy and accuracy were 92% and 85%, respectively.

Conclusion

After the introduction of SUS to our weekly routine head and neck cancer clinic, we identified multiple situations where it can be used successfully within our clinical landscape. Our diagnostic US‐FNA results compared favourably to current literature, without additional need for clinic attendance by consultant radiologists or pathologists, saving valuable hospital resources. This introduction proposes a promising alternative to current neck lump clinic models.
Salivary uric acid as a predictive test of preeclampsia, pregnancy‐induced hypertension and preterm delivery: A pilot study
Authors: Püschl Ida Catharina , Bonde Lisbeth , Reading Isabel C. , Maguire Paddy , Macklon Nicholas S. , Van Rijn Bas B.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

There remains a need for a non‐invasive, low‐cost and easily accessible way of identifying women at risk of developing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. This study evaluated the predictive value of longitudinal salivary uric acid measurement.

Material and methods

Pregnant women (n = 137) from 20 weeks of gestation were recruited at St Richards Hospital, Chichester, UK, for this prospective cohort study. Weekly samples of salivary uric acid were analyzed until delivery. Information regarding pregnancy and labor were obtained from the patient’s record after delivery. Independent t tests were used to compare mean levels of salivary uric acid in women with hypertensive complications and adverse fetal outcomes with women with normal pregnancies. Main outcome measures were preeclampsia, pregnancy‐induced hypertension, spontaneous preterm delivery and small‐for‐gestational‐age babies.

Results

From 21 weeks of gestation until delivery, levels of salivary uric acid increased significantly in women who subsequently developed preeclampsia and pregnancy‐induced hypertension compared with women with normal pregnancies (preeclampsia—mean at gestational age 21‐24, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] [mean GA21‐24): 108 [63‐185] vs 47 (39‐55) µmol/L; P = .005; pregnancy‐induced hypertension—mean GA21‐24: 118 [54–258] vs 47 [39‐55] µmol/L; P = .004). In women who had spontaneous preterm delivery, salivary uric acid levels increased significantly from 29 to 32 weeks of gestation compared with women with normal pregnancies (mean GA29‐32: 112 (57‐221) vs 59 (50‐71) µmol/L; P = .04). In women who had babies small‐for‐gestational‐age <10th percentile and small‐for‐gestational‐age <3rd percentile, differences in salivary uric acid levels were insignificant.

Conclusions

Elevated levels of salivary uric acid precede the onset of preeclampsia, pregnancy‐induced hypertension and preterm delivery. Salivary uric acid may prove to be an early biomarker of hypertensive complications of pregnancy and spontaneous preterm delivery.
Needling after trabeculectomy ‐ does augmentation by anti‐metabolites provide better outcomes and is Mitomycin C better than 5‐Fluoruracil? A systematic review with network meta‐analyses
Authors: Halili Andrim , Kessel Line , Subhi Yousif , Bach‐Holm Daniella
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Favourable outcome after glaucoma surgery depends on proper control of the inflammatory response. Failing filtration bleb and consequently increased intraocular pressure is an important cause of continuous visual field deterioration after uncomplicated glaucoma surgery. The present systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to compare the effects of employing either Mitomycin C (MMC), 5‐Fluoruracil (5‐FU) or no anti‐metabolite in needling revision of trabeculectomies.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, Cochrane and EMBASE to identify randomized and non‐randomized trials published between year 2000 and March 2019 comparing the efficacy of needling filtering blebs when using no anti‐fibrotic agent, MMC or 5‐FU in patients with glaucoma. Efficacy was defined as intraocular pressure at 12 months or latest follow‐up, rate of complications, rates of success and the number of re‐needling cases. Comparisons were made using network meta‐analyses.

Results

We identified one randomized trial and five retrospective trials. Twelve months after needling revision of trabeculectomy, no significant difference was observed when comparing the effect of the use of MMC with 5‐FU or without any use of anti‐metabolite on intraocular pressure, complication rates, qualified success, complete success or number of re‐needling cases.

Conclusion

We found no significant difference in the efficacy of using either MMC, 5‐FU or no anti‐metabolite in needling revision of trabeculectomies. The number of studies meeting our inclusion criteria was limited. Considering the design of studies, only one was randomized leading to an overall low quality of evidence on the subject matter. Further research is warranted.
Epidemiology and role of Helicobacter pylori virulence factors in gastric cancer carcinogenesis
Authors: Sukri Asif , Hanafiah Alfizah , Mohamad Zin Noraziah , Kosai Nik Ritza
Published: April 2020

Infection with Helicobacter pylori is associated with the development of gastric cancer. Although the prevalence of gastric cancer has declined throughout years due to improvement in early screening strategy, mortality due to gastric cancer has not changed. Incidence and mortality due to gastric cancer are higher in developing countries as compared to developed countries. Diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer are still poor with patients usually diagnosed with cancer at an advanced stage. Eradication of H. pylori is pertinent for the prevention of gastric cancer. However, the rise in antimicrobial resistance among H. pylori isolates has complicated the prevention strategy. H. pylori express multiple virulence factors for survival in the hostile acid gastric environment. The expression of oncogenic protein cytotoxin‐associated gene A (CagA), vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA), and outer inflammatory protein is essential for H. pylori to exert pathogenesis towards the host. Interestingly, <3% of H. pylori‐infected subjects develop gastric cancer, suggesting a unique way of interaction between the host's immune response and H. pylori virulence factors. This article is aimed to review the epidemiology and role of H. pylori in gastric carcinogenesis. A better understanding of the interaction between H. pylori virulence factors and host is required for better gastric cancer prevention.
Evidence of infection with Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in South Australia: using wild rabbits as a sentinel species
Authors: McKenny L , O'Handley R , Kovaliski J , Mutze G , Peacock D , Lanyon S
Published: April 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to utilise wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as a sentinel species to study levels of environmental contamination with N. caninum and T. gondii in South Australia, and to examine associations with rainfall, climate and land use.

Design

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), an apicomplexan parasite, causes the clinical disease toxoplasmosis, which can affect sheep as well as humans and many other animals. Neosporosis, the clinical disease caused by closely related Neospora caninum (N. caninum), causes abortions in cattle, with large economic impacts to cattle industries.

Methods

Aliquots of wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) serum were obtained from twelve sites across South Australia over a period of eighteen years, with a total of 2114 samples. An in‐house Modified Agglutination Test (MAT) was developed, and samples were screened for the specific antibodies against both T.gondii and N. caninum. Results: Overall, 9.9% of samples screened for T. gondii tested positive and 6.1% of samples screened for N. caninum tested positive. There was no difference observed in seroprevalence of T.gondii specific antibodies between samples collected throughout summer, autumn, winter or spring. By contrast, a significantly higher (p=0.030) seroprevalence of N. caninum specific antibodies was observed in spring than any other season. T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies were discovered at sites across a broad area of South Australia, indicating these environments maybe infected with both parasites.

Conclusion

Results provide evidence that suggests N. caninum oocysts may have different survival characteristics, such as varying tolerances to low relative humidity, than T. gondii oocysts.
Prediagnostic use of low‐dose aspirin and risk of incident metastasis and all‐cause mortality among patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Giorli Giovanni , Rouette Julie , Yin Hui , Lapi Francesco , Simonetti Monica , Cricelli Claudio , Pollak Michael , Azoulay Laurent
Published: April 2020

Aims

Previous studies suggest that the use of low‐dose aspirin before a colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis may be associated with a decreased risk of CRC progression. Data supporting this association, however, have been inconsistent. We evaluate whether the use of prediagnostic low‐dose aspirin is associated with a lower risk of metastases and all‐cause mortality in CRC patients.

Methods

Using a large Italian population‐based primary care database, we identified a cohort of 7478 patients newly diagnosed with nonmetastatic CRC between 2000 and 2013. Use of prediagnostic low‐dose aspirin was compared with no use of low‐dose aspirin. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of incident metastasis and of all‐cause mortality associated with prediagnostic low‐dose aspirin use, both overall and by duration of use.

Results

There were 314 incident metastatic events and 2189 deaths during a mean follow‐up time of 4.4 and 4.7 years, respectively. Overall prediagnostic use of low‐dose aspirin was not associated with a decreased risk of incident metastasis (HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.63–1.22) or all‐cause mortality (HR 1.09; 95% CI 0.96–1.22) in CRC patients. Cumulative duration of aspirin use was not associated with a decreased risk of incident metastasis (P‐trend = .22) or all‐cause mortality (P‐trend = .38). These findings remained consistent in sensitivity analyses.

Conclusion

In this real‐world, population‐based study, the prediagnostic use of low‐dose aspirin was not associated with a decreased risk of incident metastasis or all‐cause mortality in CRC patients.
Real‐world evaluation of the impact of statin intensity on adherence and persistence to therapy: A Scottish population‐based study
Authors: Rezende Macedo do Nascimento Renata Cristina , Mueller Tanja , Godman Brian , MacBride Stewart Sean , Hurding Simon , de Assis Acurcio Francisco , Guerra Junior Augusto Afonso , Alvares Teodoro Juliana , Morton Alec , Bennie Marion , Kurdi Amanj
Published: April 2020

Aim

To assess associations between statin intensity and adherence, persistence and discontinuation of statin therapy in Scotland.

Method

Retrospective cohort study, using linked electronic health records covering a period from January 2009 to December 2016. The study cohort included adult patients (≥18 years) newly initiating statins within Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Scotland. Study outcomes comprised adherence, discontinuation and persistence to treatment, stratified by three exposure groups (high, moderate and low intensity). Discontinuation and persistence were calculated using the refill‐gap and anniversary methods, respectively. Proportion of days covered (PDC) was used as a proxy for adherence. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate discontinuation, and associations between adherence/persistence and statin intensity were assessed using logistic regression.

Results

A total of 73 716 patients with a mean age of 61.4 ± 12.6 years were included; the majority (88.3%) received moderate intensity statins. Discontinuation rates differed between intensity levels, with high‐intensity patients less likely to discontinue treatment compared to those on moderate intensity (prior cardiovascular disease [CVD]: HR 0.43 [95% CI 0.34‐0.55]; no prior CVD: 0.80 [0.74‐0.86]). Persistence declined over time, and high‐intensity patients had the highest persistence rates. Overall, 52.6% of patients were adherent to treatment (PDC ≥ 80%), but adherence was considerably higher among high‐intensity patients (63.7%).

Conclusion

High‐intensity statins were associated with better persistence and adherence to treatment, but overall long‐term persistence and adherence remain a challenge, particularly among patients without prior CVD. This needs addressing.
Eugenol and its association with levodopa in 6‐hydroxydopamine‐induced hemiparkinsonian rats: Behavioural and neurochemical alterations
Authors: Moreira Vasconcelos Carlos Franciney , da Cunha Ferreira Nívea Maria , Hardy Lima Pontes Nayanne , de Sousa dos Reis Thomas Dominik , Basto Souza Ricardo , Aragão Catunda Junior Francisco Eduardo , Vasconcelos Aguiar Lissiana Magna , Maranguape Silva da Cunha Rodrigo
Published: April 2020

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system and is mainly characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons and pro‐oxidant mechanisms. Eugenol has been widely studied due to its anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities, making it a promising neuroprotective agent. This study aimed to investigate the effects of eugenol and its combined action with levodopa in the 6‐hydroxydopamine‐induced Parkinson's disease model. Wistar rats were subjected to intrastriatal injection of 6‐hydroxydopamine (21 μg) and then treated with eugenol (0.1, 1, or 10 mg/kg), levodopa (25 mg/kg) or their combination (eugenol 10 mg/kg + levodopa 12.5 mg/kg) orally for 14 days. On the 14th day, the animals were subjected to behavioural tests, and after euthanization and dissection of the brain areas, neurochemical analyses were performed. The results showed that eugenol reduced the oxidative stress and behavioural disturbances induced by 6‐hydroxydopamine. The eugenol and levodopa combination was more effective in some behavioural parameters and body‐weight gain in addition to promoting an increase in reduced glutathione levels compared to levodopa alone. Thus, the neuroprotective activity of eugenol was observed against motor and neurochemical disorders. Additionally, the eugenol and levodopa combination was promising when compared to conventional treatment.
Successful treatment‐free remission in chronic myeloid leukaemia and its association with reduced immune suppressors and increased natural killer cells
Authors: Irani Yazad D. , Hughes Amy , Clarson Jade , Kok Chung H. , Shanmuganathan Naranie , White Deborah L. , Yeung David T. , Ross David M. , Hughes Timothy P. , Yong Agnes S.M.
Published: April 2020

There is currently no biomarker that reliably predicts treatment‐free remission (TFR) in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). We characterised effector and suppressor immune responses at the time of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) cessation in patients from the CML8 and CML10 clinical studies. Natural killer (NK) cells with increased expression of activating NK receptors were higher in patients who achieved TFR. There was no difference in the proportion of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, we found that FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (T reg) and monocytic myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (Mo‐MDSCs) were concomitantly decreased in TFR patients, suggesting that the effector and suppressor arms of the immune system work in concert to mediate TFR. A discovery cohort (CML10) was used to generate a predictive model, using logistic regression. Patients classified into the high‐risk group were more likely to relapse when compared with the low‐risk group (HR 7·4, 95% CI 2·9‐19·1). The model was successfully validated on the independent CML8 cohort (HR 8·3, 95% CI 2·2–31·3). Effective prediction of TFR success may be obtained with an effector‐suppressor score, calculated using absolute NK cell, T reg, and Mo‐MDSC counts, at TKI cessation, reflecting the contribution of both immune suppressors and effectors in the immunobiology underlying successful TFR.
Brexit: The influence of motivation to respond without prejudice, willingness to disagree, and attitudes to immigration
Authors: Bowman Jonathan W. P. , West Keon
Published: April 2020

Britain’s unexpected vote to leave the European Union (Brexit) in June 2016 has proved divisive and damaging both within the United Kingdom and internationally. Across two correlational studies, the current research proposed a model to explain the Brexit vote, with attitudes to immigration and willingness to disagree (WD) as direct predictors of the referendum result, and internal (IMS) and external (EMS) motivation to respond without prejudice as indirect predictors. Study 1 (N = 353) and Study 2 (N = 363) both showed good fit with the model and, respectively, explained 48% and 46% of the referendum result. More positive attitudes to immigration predicted a vote to remain. Higher IMS and lower EMS predicted a vote to remain, fully mediated by attitudes to immigration. In Study 1, lower WD also predicted a vote to remain, both directly and indirectly via attitudes to immigration, although this was not replicated in Study 2. These results are discussed both in relation to the Brexit result, and the implications for motivation to respond without prejudice, WD, and political correctness more generally.
Metabolic reprogramming by N‐acetyl‐seryl‐aspartyl‐lysyl‐proline protects against diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Srivastava Swayam Prakash , Goodwin Julie E. , Kanasaki Keizo , Koya Daisuke
Published: April 2020

Background and Purpose

ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) and AT1 receptor antagonists (ARBs) are first‐line drugs that are believed to reduce the progression of end‐stage renal disease in diabetic patients. Differences in the effects of ACEIs and ARBs are not well studied and the mechanisms responsible are not well understood.

Experimental Approach

Male diabetic CD‐1 mice were treated with ACEI, ARB, N‐acetyl‐seryl‐aspartyl‐lysyl‐proline (AcSDKP), ACEI + AcSDKP, ARB + AcSDKP, glycolysis inhibitors or non‐treatment. Moreover, prolyl oligopeptidase inhibitor (POPi)‐injected male diabetic C57Bl6 mice were treated with ACEI, AcSDKP and ARB or non‐treatment. Western blot and immunofluorescent staining were used to examine key enzymes and regulators of central metabolism.

Key Results

The antifibrotic action of ACEI imidapril is due to an AcSDKP‐mediated antifibrotic mechanism, which reprograms the central metabolism including restoring SIRT3 protein and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and suppression of abnormal glucose metabolism in the diabetic kidney. Moreover, the POPi S17092 significantly blocked the AcSDKP synthesis, accelerated kidney fibrosis and disrupted the central metabolism. ACEI partly restored the kidney fibrosis and elevated the AcSDKP level, whereas the ARB (TA‐606) did not show such effects in the POPi‐injected mice. ACE inhibition and AcSDKP suppressed defective metabolism‐linked mesenchymal transformations and reduced collagen‐I and fibronectin accumulation in the diabetic kidneys.

Conclusion and Implications

The study envisages that AcSDKP is the endogenous antifibrotic mediator that controls the metabolic switch between glucose and fatty acid metabolism and that suppression of AcSDKP leads to disruption of kidney cell metabolism and activates mesenchymal transformations leading to severe fibrosis in the diabetic kidney.
Gwaabaw: Applying Anishinaabe harvesting protocols to energy governance
Authors: Awāsis Sākihitowin
Published: April 2020

Oil and gas extraction has transformed Anishinaabe society in ways that undermine the consensual, holistic, and egalitarian basis of natural law. To many Indigenous people, framing fossil fuels and other energy sources as “natural resources” does not accurately define energy projects or capture related risks. Some Anishinaabe pipeline opponents have suggested that traditional harvesting protocols—culturally embedded moral precepts that govern the gathering of food and medicinal plants—also be applied to activities that produce energy. This paper explores how this could be done, focusing on tar sands extraction and the Line 3 expansion plan. I begin by discussing Anishinaabe harvesting protocols, identifying four overlapping key concepts: rights, responsibility, relationality, and reciprocity. These principles are then mapped onto Anishinaabe understandings of oil, hydro, wind, and solar energy. The resulting analysis challenges extractivist narratives of energy production, opening possibilities to rethink the relationship between people and energy as well as the values that inform energy decisions.
Integrin β8 facilitates tumor growth and drug resistance through a Y‐box binding protein 1‐dependent signaling pathway in bladder cancer
Authors: Liu Shimin , Chen Libo , Zhao Heng , Li Qin , Hu Rong , Wang Hao
Published: April 2020

The transmembrane receptors integrins are the bridges for cell‐cell or cell‐ECM interaction, which is strictly correlated to cancer development in several tumor types. Here, we revealed that integrin β8 serves as a driver to mediate sustained growth of bladder cancer and development of drug resistance. The elevated expression of integrin β8 was observed in highly malignant bladder tumor tissues from patients. The in vitro and in vivo results further indicated that integrin β8 overexpression in Biu87/T24 bladder cancer could mediate and strengthen cell proliferation and resistance to mitomycin C and hydroxycamptothecin. Mechanistically, integrin β8 on the cellular surface might recruit phosphorylated Y‐box binding protein 1, leading to the activation of c‐Myc and nuclear factor‐κB signals. Pharmacological targeting of integrin β8 by Arg‐Gly‐Asp‐Ser efficiently suppressed sustained growth and drug resistance in bladder cancer cells. Our findings identified integrin β8 as a marker of bladder cancer diagnosis and development, and provides an innovative approach for clinical bladder cancer therapy.
Immunization with neural‐derived peptides increases neurogenesis in rats with chronic spinal cord injury
Authors: Rodríguez‐Barrera Roxana , Flores‐Romero Adrián , García Elisa , Fernández‐Presas Ana Maria , Incontri‐Abraham Diego , Navarro‐Torres Lisset , García‐Sánchez Julián , Juárez‐Vignon Whaley Juan José , Madrazo Ignacio , Ibarra Antonio
Published: April 2020

Aims

Immunization with neural‐derived peptides (INDP) has demonstrated to be a promising therapy to achieve a regenerative effect in the chronic phase of the spinal cord injury (SCI). Nevertheless, INDP‐induced neurogenic effects in the chronic stage of SCI have not been explored.

Methods and Results

In this study, we analyzed the effect of INDP on both motor and sensitive function recovery; afterward, we assessed neurogenesis and determined the production of cytokines (IL‐4, IL‐10, and TNF alpha) and neurotrophic factors (BDNF and GAP‐43). During the chronic stage of SCI, rats subjected to INDP showed a significant increase in both motor and sensitive recovery when compared to the control group. Moreover, we found a significant increase in neurogenesis, mainly at the central canal and at both the dorsal and ventral horns of INDP‐treated animals. Finally, INDP induced significant production of antiinflammatory and regeneration‐associated proteins in the chronic stages of SCI.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that INDP has a neurogenic effect that could improve motor and sensitive recovery in the chronic stage of SCI. Moreover, our results also envision the use of INDP as a possible therapeutic strategy for other trauma‐related disorders like traumatic brain injury.
Treacher Collins syndrome: A novel TCOF1 mutation and monopodial stapes
Authors: Kantaputra Piranit Nik , Tripuwabhrut Kanich , Intachai Worrachet , Carlson Bruce M. , Quarto Natalina , Ngamphiw Chumpol , Tongsima Sissades , Sonsuwan Nuntigar
Published: April 2020

Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS: OMIM 154500) is an autosomal dominant craniofacial disorder belonging to the heterogeneous group of mandibulofacial dysostoses.

Objective

To investigate four Treacher Collins syndrome patients of the Sgaw Karen family living in Thailand.

Method

Clinical examination, hearing tests, lateral cephalometric analyses, Computed tomography, whole exome sequencing and Sanger direct sequencing were performed.

Results

All of the patients affected with Treacher Collins syndrome carried a novel TCOF1 mutation (c.4138_4142del; p.Lys1380GlufsTer12), but clinically they did not have the typical facial gestalt of Treacher Collins syndrome, which includes downward‐slanting palpebral fissures, colobomas of the lower eyelids, absence of eyelashes medial to the colobomas, malformed pinnae, hypoplastic zygomatic bones and mandibular hypoplasia. Lateral cephalometric analyses identified short anterior and posterior cranial bases, and hypoplastic maxilla and mandible. Computed tomography showed fusion of malleus and incus, sclerotic mastoid, hypoplastic middle ear space with a soft tissue remnant, dehiscence of facial nerve and monopodial stapes.

Conclusion

Treacher Collins syndrome in Sgaw Karen patients has not been previously documented. This is the first report of monopodial stapes in a TCS patient who had a TCOF1 mutation. The absence of a common facial phenotype and/or the presence of monopodial stapes may be the effects of this novel TCOF1 mutation.
The role of weight perceptions and their impact on health and well‐being: A multiple mediation model
Authors: Dias Neto David , Mourinho Baptista Telmo , Marques Catarina , Sousa Ferreira Ana
Published: April 2020

The present study analyses the role of weight distortion and weight self‐criticism in explaining the relationship between actual weight and perceived health, well‐being, body satisfaction and emotional eating. Eight hundred and six individuals were selected from a national study on nutrition. They were divided into two groups according to self‐reported dieting. A questionnaire measuring the outcome variables was implemented. Weight distortion and self‐criticism were calculated using actual, estimated and desired BMI. A multiple mediation model was estimated using structural equation modelling. A valid model was obtained in which weight self‐criticism is a partial mediator of the relationship between weight and body satisfaction and a full mediator of the relationship between weight and emotional eating for the non‐dieter group. For the dieter group, full mediation of weight self‐criticism is observed in the relationships between weight and health, well‐being and body satisfaction. For weight distortion, no mediation effect is found in either group. The results highlight the importance of weight perceptions in understanding the influence of body weight on several aspects of health and well‐being. The type of weight perception is also relevant. A critical attitude towards weight is more determinant than the distortion in weight appraisal.
Evaluating a potential role for community pharmacists in post‐bariatric patient nutritional support
Authors: Graham Yitka N. H. , Earl‐Sinha Charlotte , Parkin Lindsay , Callejas‐Diaz Lindes , Fox Ann , Tierney Callum , Mahawar Kamal , Hayes Catherine
Published: April 2020

Physiological changes to the body from bariatric surgery necessitate lifelong vitamin and mineral supplementation to prevent potential nutritional deficiencies. Presently, there is no consensus on appropriate long‐term follow‐up in community settings for people who have undergone bariatric surgery. Current UK guidelines recommend annual monitoring of nutritional status, but little else. Semi‐structured interviews were carried out with members of a high volume bariatric surgical unit and community pharmacists working in a variety of settings and locations. Data were collected between June and August 2018 and analysed using a thematic analytic framework. Twenty‐five participants were recruited. Bariatric staff (n = 9) reported negligible interaction with community pharmacists but felt establishing communication and developing a potential pathway to collaborate, would provide additional support and potentially improved levels of patient compliance. Community pharmacists (n = 16) reported poor knowledge of bariatric surgery, indicating they were unable to routinely identify people who had bariatric surgery, but understood issues with absorption of vitamins. There is evident potential to involve community pharmacists in post‐bariatric patient care pathways. Pharmacists possess knowledge of absorption and metabolism of supplements which could be used to actively support people who have had bariatric surgery in their changed physiological status. Education ought to focus on the functional impact of bariatric surgical procedures and interventions and the consequent nutritional recommendations required. Communication between bariatric units and community pharmacies is needed to construct a clear and formalized infrastructure of support, with remuneration for pharmacy specialist expertise agreed to ensure both financial viability and sustainability.