bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Segmenting Chinese wine consumers on the basis of wine knowledge and consumption behavior
Authors: Mackenzie Murray , Weber Karin , Fountain Joanna , Abbasi Reza
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to provide insights into wine consumers in Hong Kong and Mainland China, and the diversity of their behavior, by investigating their motivations, consumption and purchasing behavior and segmenting the sample based on wine knowledge and frequency of consumption to identify three distinct clusters that are then profiled.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected through an online survey of wine consumers of ethnic Chinese origin residing in Mainland China and Hong Kong, using two methods of recruitment (a convenience sample from wine-related databases, a panel survey undertaken by an international market research firm). The final sample comprised 477 respondents, about equally divided among Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong wine consumers. Analysis of the data using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows (SPSS) 29 included a series of descriptive analyses, followed by a two-step cluster analysis using an Euclidean distance method.

Findings

Wine knowledge and frequency of wine consumption were relatively higher within the sample as a whole than previous studies, but three distinct consumer segments are evident. There is evidence of a democratization of wine consumption, and a greater focus on wine consumption for enjoyment in relaxed and informal settings. rather than consumption driven by health and status, occurring primarily in commercial or business settings. The dominance of red wine in this market is also declining, and intrinsic cues – specifically, prior experience of the wine – are becoming important in wine purchase decisions.

Originality/value

This study uses a broad sample of wine consumers to identify trends in wine consumption patterns and motivations, and purchase decision-making behavior, of Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong wine consumers. The identification of three clusters of wine consumers offers both points of comparison with previous segmentation research globally and within China, whilst also identifying scope for further research.
Responding to Islamic finance anomalies in Indonesia: Sharia financial literacy using virtual reality context
Authors: Sari Ratna Candra , Sholihin Mahfud , Cahaya Fitra Roman , Yuniarti Nurhening , Ilyana Sariyatul , Fitriana Erna
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the process by which the level of immersion in virtual reality-based behavioral simulation (VR-BS) impacts on the non-cognitive and cognitive outcomes. The cognitive outcome is measured using the increase in the level of Sharia financial literacy, while the noncognitive outcome is measured using the behavioral intention to use VR-BS.

Design/methodology/approach

The method consists of two parts: First, the development of VR-BS, in the context of sharia financial literacy, using the waterfall model. Second, testing the effectiveness of VR-BS using the theory of interactive media effects framework. The participants were 142 students from three secondary schools (two Islamic religious schools and one public school) in Yogyakarta and Central Java, Indonesia. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used for testing the hypotheses.

Findings

VR-BS creates a perceived coolness and vividness, which in turn has an impact on increasing the participants’ engagement. Also, the use of VR has an impact on natural mapping, which increases a user’s engagement through its perceived ease of use. As predicted, the user’s engagement affects VR’s behavior, mediated by the user’s attitude toward VR media. VR’s interactivity, however, does not impact on the cognitive aspect.

Research limitations/implications

The participants were not randomly selected, as the data were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the majority of the participants had never tried VR before this study. The participants, however, were digital natives.

Practical implications

It is implied from the findings that Islamic financial business actors and the relevant government agencies (e.g. the Indonesian Financial Services Authority [OJK], the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology and the Ministry of Religious Affairs) should collaborate to best prepare the future generation of ummah by using VR-BS in their joint promotion and education programs. The results of the current study reveal that the use of VR-BS may attract people to engage in Islamic financial activities. By engaging in such activities, or at least engaging in real-life simulations/classes/workshops, people may gradually acquire more knowledge about Islamic finance.

Originality/value

As predicted, the user’s engagement has an impact on behavior toward VR-BS, which is mediated by attitude toward VR-BS.
Improving the mechanical properties of laser powder bed fused AlSi10Mg alloys by eliminating the inevitable micro-voids via hot forging
Authors: Wan Jie , Chen Biao , Shen Jianghua , Kondoh Katsuyoshi , Liu Shuiqing , Li Jinshan
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The metallic alloys and their components fabricated via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) suffer from the microvoids formed inevitably due to the extreme solidification rate during fabrication, which are impossible to be removed by heat treatment. This paper aims to remove those microvoids in as-built AlSi10Mg alloys by hot forging and enhance their mechanical properties.

Design/methodology/approach

AlSi10Mg samples were built using prealloyed powder with a set of optimized LPBF parameters, viz. 350 W of laser power, 1,170 mm/s of scan speed, 50 µm of layer thickness and 0.24 mm of hatch spacing. As-built samples were preheated to 430°C followed by immediate pressing with two different thickness reductions of 10% and 35%. The effect of hot forging on the microstructure was analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Tensile tests were performed to reveal the effect of hot forging on the mechanical properties.

Findings

By using hot forging, the large number of microvoids in both as-built and post heat-treated samples were mostly healed. Moreover, the Si particles were finer in forged condition (∼150 nm) compared with those in heat-treated condition (∼300 nm). Tensile tests showed that compared with heat treatment, the hot forging process could noticeably increase tensile strength at no expense of ductility. Consequently, the toughness (integration of tensile stress and strain) of forged alloy increased by ∼86% and ∼24% compared with as-built and heat-treated alloys, respectively.

Originality/value

Hot forging can effectively remove the inevitable microvoids in metals fabricated via LPBF, which is beneficial to the mechanical properties. These findings are inspiring for the evolution of the LPBF technique to eliminate the microvoids and boost the mechanical properties of metals fabricated via LPBF.
Green human resource management and employee ecological behaviour: the mediating role of green commitment
Authors: Noor Faezah Juhari , Yusliza Mohd Yusoff , Chaudhary Richa , Ramayah T. , Fawehinmi Olawole
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of green human resource management (Green HRM) on employee ecological behaviour (EEB) using the mediating role of green commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered using convenience sampling by surveying 308 academicians in five public research universities across Malaysia. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) tested the hypothesised model.

Findings

The results offered support for the hypotheses. Green HRM was related positively to EEB, and Green HRM influenced EEB indirectly via green commitment.

Practical implications

This study has significant implications for policymaking regarding higher education institutions that maintain an eco-friendly environment in Malaysia. The study offers guidelines to decision makers for enhancing EEB and environmental commitment in the workplace.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the current literature on green behaviour and Green HRM by examining these relationships and testing the mediation effect of green commitment from the developing economy of Malaysia. It also offers guidelines for policymakers and HR practitioners to promote environmental friendliness at work and create an environmentally friendly organisational culture.
Experimental and numerical investigation of preloaded recycled concrete beams strengthened with CFRP
Authors: Mater Yasser M. , Elansary Ahmed A. , Abdalla Hany A.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The use of recycled coarse aggregate in concrete structures promotes environmental sustainability; however, performance of these structures might be negatively impacted when it is used as a replacement to traditional aggregate. This paper aims to simulate recycled concrete beams strengthened with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), to advance the modeling and use of recycled concrete structures.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the performance of beams with recycled coarse aggregate concrete (RCAC), finite element models (FEMs) were developed to simulate 12 preloaded RCAC beams, strengthened with two CFRP strengthening schemes. Details of the modeling are provided including the material models, boundary conditions, applied loads, analysis solver, mesh analysis and computational efficiency.

Findings

Using FEM, a parametric study was carried out to assess the influence of CFRP thickness on the strengthening efficiency. The FEM provided results in good agreement with those from the experiments with differences and standard deviation not exceeding 11.1% and 3.1%, respectively. It was found that increasing the CFRP laminate thickness improved the load-carrying capacity of the strengthened beams.

Originality/value

The developed models simulate the preloading and loading up to failure with/without CFRP strengthening for the investigated beams. Moreover, the models were validated against the experimental results of 12 beams in terms of crack pattern as well as load, deflection and strain.
Increased ladybird predation and metabolism do not counterbalance increased field aphid population growth under experimental warming
Authors: Wang Yang , Jaworski Coline C. , Zi Hongyuan , Chen Julian , Desneux Nicolas , Tan Xiaoling
Published: February 2024

Climate change may have diverse and complex impacts on species interactions, destabilizing food webs and ecosystem services. The effects of warming on the top‐down biological control of crop pests have been considerably less studied than bottom‐up effects through crop physiological changes.

We studied the effect of a 2°C warming in the laboratory and in wheat fields on the predation and metabolism of Harmonia axyridis on wheat aphids using molecular gut content analysis. We also measured the effects of warming on the predation rate and functional response of H. axyridis on each aphid species in the laboratory, as well as on DNA degradation rate.

Field densities of Sitobion avenae and Rhopalosiphum padi, the two most abundant wheat aphid species, were increased by 2 and 2.5 times, respectively, under experimental warming, but densities of H. axyridis were not. Field predation rate of H. axyridis on these two aphid was found to be about 25% lower under elevated temperature. This could have been due to faster prey digestion, since degradation of the preferred aphid species, Sitobion avenae, was 1.5 times faster under elevated temperature. However, the functional response of H. axyridis larvae on these two species was 1.5 times higher under warming over the range of prey densities tested (50–250 over 24 h). The total predation rate of H. axyridis larvae on a mixture of S. avenae, R. padi and Schizaphis graminum aphid prey was also increased by 1.4 times, but consumption of R. padi aphids was increased while that of S. graminum was decreased under warming.

Overall, our results show that global warming could strongly increase pest outbreaks and destabilize biological pest control, which would likely result in accrued yield losses.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Economic Aspects of Australian Federation: Trade Restrictiveness and Welfare Effects in the Colonies and the Commonwealth, 1900–3*
Authors: Varian Brian D. , Grayson Luke H.
Published: February 2024

Australian Federation in 1901 entailed the formation of a customs union among its formerly tariff‐autonomous colonies. Although the elimination of tariff barriers to intercolonial/interstate trade would have been welfare‐enhancing, Australia's common external tariff was set considerably higher than the tariffs on external goods imported by the pre‐Federation colonies, implying a welfare reduction. Using a dataset of 3,584 commodity‐ and colony‐disaggregated imports, this paper estimates trade restrictiveness indices and welfare losses for the Australian colonies and Commonwealth. Despite the high external tariff post Federation, the customs union produced a net static welfare gain conservatively estimated to have been 0.17 per cent of GDP.
Oral interview in place of traditional objective structured clinical examinations for assessing placement readiness in nutrition and dietetics education
Authors: Barker Lisa A. , Volders Evelyn , Anderson Amanda , Berlandier Mina , Palermo Claire
Published: February 2024

Aim

Objective structured clinical examinations have long been used in dietetics education. This observational study aims to describe the development, deployment, feasibility and validity of assessment using an oral interview in place of traditional objective structured clinical examinations, and to determine the ability of this assessment to identify students who are either not ready for placement or may require early support and/or remediation.

Methods

Student assessment data were collected over a two‐and‐a‐half‐year period and used to test the predictive ability of an oral interview to determine dietetic placement outcomes and highlight a need for early remediation. Descriptive statistics as well as a between‐group one‐way ANOVA was used to describe results.

Results

A total of 169 students participated in the oral interview and subsequent medical nutrition therapy placement over the study period. Significant differences in oral interview score were seen between students who passed placement and students who passed with remediation or those who failed. Oral interview performance was able to predict placement outcome, yet required less resources than traditional objective structured clinical examinations.

Conclusion

An oral interview may provide the same utility as the objective structured clinical examination in dietetics education.
Development of microencapsulated grape juice powders using black ‘Isabel’ grape peel pectin and application in jelly formulation with enhanced in vitro bioaccessibility of anthocyanins
Authors: Karadag Ayse , Ozkan Kubra , Sagdic Osman
Published: February 2024

In this study, pigmented pectin (grape pectin, GP) was extracted from the peels of black Isabel grapes. This highly methoxylated GP was composed mainly of galacturonic acid, arabinose, and other neutral monosaccharides. Its red color was ascribed to the anthocyanin content, and the main contribution was from malvidin‐3‐O‐glucoside. To improve the yield and color properties of spray‐dried Isabel grape juice powders, maltodextrin (MD) was substituted with this colored GP. When 25% of MD was substituted with GP, the powder yield increased from 46.0% to 60.4%, but it decreased to 21% when the substitution was 40%. GP inclusion increased the encapsulation efficiency of total anthocyanin in powders from 55.70% to 88.66%. When this spray‐dried grape juice powder containing GP was utilized in a jelly recipe (4%–10%), a higher level of inclusion yielded stronger and more brittle jellies. When the jellies containing varying amounts of GP were subjected to in vitro digestion, the formulation with a higher amount of GP yielded a higher recovery of anthocyanins. In addition to being utilized as a carrier agent for spray‐drying applications, this pigmented GP can also be tailored for a variety of applications, such as the development of pH‐sensitive edible films and functional beverage formulations.
CircSEPT9 promotes breast cancer progression by regulating PTBP3 expression via sponging miR‐625‐5p
Authors: Shi Guangtao , Li Hongbo , Chen Ying , Chen Zhi , Lin Xiaoji
Published: February 2024

Background

Breast cancer (BC) is a common malignancy which threatens the health of women. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are critical factors in multiple cancers, including BC. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the molecular mechanisms of circRNA Septin 9 (circSEPT9) in the progression of BC.

Methods

CircSEPT9, microRNA‐625‐5p (miR‐625‐5p) and polypyrimidine tract‐binding protein 3 (PTBP3) levels were determined by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Western blot was performed to detect the protein levels of PTBP3, E‐cadherin and vimentin. Cell counting kit‐8 assay (CCK8) and thymidine analog 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (EDU) was utilized for proliferation examination. Flow cytometry was conducted to measure apoptosis. Transwell assay and wound healing assay to investigate the migration of BC cells. Glucose uptake and lactate production were determined by specific kits. Additionally, dual‐luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were utilized to verify the interaction. A murine xenograft model was established to investigate the function of circSEPT9 in BC in vivo.

Results

Overexpression of circSEPT9 was found in BC tissues and cells. Silencing circSEPT9 impeded BC cell proliferation, migration, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and glycolytic metabolism but facilitated cell apoptosis in vitro. Meanwhile, circSEPT9 knockdown constrained tumor growth in vivo. MiR‐625‐5p was targeted by circSEPT9. The influence of silencing circSEPT9 on BC cell function was regained by miR‐625‐5p inhibitor. Furthermore, miR‐625‐5p regulated BC cell malignant phenotypes via downregulating PTBP3.

Conclusion

circSEPT9 contributed to the malignant progression of BC by up‐regulating PTBP3 via sponging miR‐625‐5p.
NAT10‐mediated mRNA N4‐acetylcytidine modification of MDR1 and BCRP promotes breast cancer progression
Authors: Zhao Cui‐Cui , Sun Xuan , Chen Jing , Geng Bill D.
Published: February 2024

Background

N‐acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) serves as a critical enzyme in mediating the N4‐acetylcytidine (ac4C) that ensures RNA stability and effective translation processes. The role of NAT10 in driving the advancement of breast cancer remains uninvestigated.

Methods

We observed an increase in NAT10 expression, both at mRNA level through the analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and at the protein level of tumor tissues from breast cancer patients. We determined that a heightened expression of NAT10 served as a predictor of an unfavorable clinical outcome. By screening the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) cell bank, this expression pattern of NAT10 was consistency found across almost all the classic breast cancer cell lines.

Results

Functionally, interference of NAT10 expression exerts an inhibitory effect on proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells. By using ac4C RNA immunoprecipitation (ac4c‐RIP) and acRIP‐qPCR assays, we identified a reduction of ac4C enrichment within the ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters, multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), consequent to NAT10 suppression. Expressions of MDR1 and BCRP exhibited a positive correlation with NAT10 expression in tumor tissues, and the inhibition of NAT10 in breast cancer cells resulted in a decrease of MDR1 and BCRP expression. Therefore, the overexpressing of MDR1 and BCRP could partially rescue the adverse consequences of NAT10 depletion. In addition, we found that, remodelin, a NAT10 inhibitor, reinstated the susceptibility of capecitabine‐resistant breast cancer cells to the chemotherapy, both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion

The results of our study demonstrated the essential role of NAT10‐mediated ac4c‐modification in breast cancer progression and provide a novel strategy for overcoming chemoresistance challenges.
Inpatient admissions and mortality of anorexia nervosa patients according to their preceding psychiatric and somatic diagnoses
Authors: Momen Natalie C. , Petersen Jindong Ding , Yilmaz Zeynep , Semark Birgitte D. , Petersen Liselotte Vogdrup
Published: February 2024

Objective

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with increased risk of mortality, but little is known about the risk of inpatient admissions and mortality outcomes in individuals with diagnoses of both AN and other psychiatric and somatic conditions. We aimed to investigate the inpatient admissions and mortality among people with AN and other diagnosed conditions using Danish national registers.

Method

This retrospective cohort study included individuals diagnosed with AN in Denmark, born 1977–2010. We identified other mental and somatic conditions in this population. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate the risk of inpatient admission and mortality, focusing on (i) the number of other diagnosed conditions, and (ii) specific combinations of conditions diagnosed prior to the AN diagnosis. Categories of inpatient admissions considered were due to: (i) AN, (ii) any psychiatric disorder, and (iii) any somatic disorder. Additionally, competing risks survival analysis was used to calculate the cumulative incidence of inpatient admission and all‐cause mortality over the follow‐up period.

Results

The study population included 11,489 individuals. The most common conditions individuals had prior to their AN diagnosis were other eating disorders (34.5%) and anxiety disorders (32.7%). During the follow‐up, 3184 (27.7%), 4604 (40.1%), and 6636 (57.8%) individuals were admitted for AN, any psychiatric disorder, and any somatic disorder, respectively; and in total 106 (0.9%) died. The risk of all outcomes was highest among those who had received a higher number of other diagnoses. For most combinations, the risks of admission and mortality were increased.

Discussion

Our study presents the prevalence of other conditions in patients with AN in Denmark and elucidates their association with higher rates of inpatient admission and mortality. Our findings highlight the need for comprehensive, multidisciplinary care of patients with AN considering the spectrum of other diagnosed conditions to improve health outcomes.
Barriers and enablers of dementia training in healthcare workers in rural and remote Australia: A scoping review to inform future approaches to training
Authors: Thompson Sandra , Shukralla Heidi , Fyfe Katrina , Newman Ellie , Fitzgerald Kathryn
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Dementia is now responsible for the greatest burden of disease of any chronic illness in older Australians. Rural and remote communities bear the impacts of this disproportionately. Additional training and education for healthcare staff to support people living with dementia is needed.

Objective

The objective of this scoping review was to map and synthesise the evidence related to barriers and enablers of accessing dementia training for Australian healthcare workers located in rural and remote areas.

Design

This scoping review systematically searched multiple databases in January 2023 for peer‐reviewed literature on the topic. Reviewers used Covidence to screen titles and abstracts of located sources, and to screen full‐text articles.

Findings

From 187 articles screened, seven peer‐reviewed journal articles were included in the final data analysis; all were from Australia or Canada. The most common barrier described was low staffing, precluding release of staff for dementia training. Enablers to participation in dementia training were availability of online training programs, as well as training providers collaborating with end users to ensure the training met their learning needs.

Discussion

This review provides evidence of barriers and enablers specific to rural and remote healthcare workers accessing dementia training. It also explores other approaches to training that have been trialled successfully in different settings.

Conclusion

Addressing the identified barriers and enablers may assist in developing training approaches appropriate for existing staff, and in meeting training needs for the future workforce.
The safety of sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors and trends in clinical and hemodynamic parameters in patients with left ventricular assist devices
Authors: Fardman Alexander , Kodesh Afek , Siegel Allison Joyce , Segev Amitai , Regev Ehud , Maor Elad , Berkovitch Anat , Kuperstein Rafael , Morgan Avi , Nahum Eyal , Peled Yael , Grupper Avishay
Published: February 2024

Background

The safety and impact of sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2‐I) in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are unknown.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent LVAD Heart Mate 3 (HM3) implantation at a single medical center and received SGLT2‐I therapy following surgery was conducted. LVAD parameters, medical therapy, laboratory tests, echocardiography, and right heart catheterization (RHC) study results were recorded and compared before and after initiation of SGLT2‐I.

Results

SGLT2‐I medications were initiated in 29 (21%) of 138 patients following HM3 implantation (23 (79%) received Empagliflozin and 6 (21%) Dapagliflozin). The mean age at the time of LVAD implantation was 62 ± 6.7 years, 25 (86%) were male, and 23 (79%) had diabetes mellitus. The median time from HM3 implantation to SGLT2‐I initiation was 108 days, IQR (26–477). Following SGLT2‐I therapy, the daily dose of furosemide decreased from 47 to 23.5 mg/day (mean difference = 23.5 mg/d, 95% CI 8.2–38.7, p = 0.004) and significant weight reduction was observed (mean difference 2.5 kg, 95% CI 0.7–4.3, p = 0.008). Moreover, a significant 5.6 mm Hg reduction in systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) was measured during RHC (95% CI 0.23–11, p = 0.042) in a subgroup of 11 (38%) patients. LVAD parameters were similar before and after SGLT2‐I initiation (p > 0.2 for all). No adverse events were recorded during median follow‐up of 354 days, IQR (206–786).

Conclusion

SGLT2‐I treatment is safe in LVAD patients and might contribute to reduction in patients sPAP.
Mitochondrial fumarate promotes ischemia/reperfusion‐induced tubular injury
Authors: Li Zuo‐Lin , Huang Ming‐Min , Yu Meng‐Yao , Nie Di‐Fei , Fu Sha‐Li , Di Jing‐Jing , Lan Ting , Liu Bi‐Cheng , Wu Qiu‐Li
Published: February 2024

Aim

Mitochondrial dysfunction, a characteristic pathological feature of renal Ischemic/reperfusion injury (I/RI), predisposes tubular epithelial cells to maintain an inflammatory microenvironment, however, the exact mechanisms through which mitochondrial dysfunction modulates the induction of tubular injury remains incompletely understood.

Methods

ESI‐QTRAP‐MS/MS approach was used to characterize the targeted metabolic profiling of kidney with I/RI. Tubule injury, mitochondrial dysfunction, and fumarate level were evaluated using qPCR, transmission electron microscopy, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry.

Results

We demonstrated that tubule injury occurred at the phase of reperfusion in murine model of I/RI. Meanwhile, enhanced glycolysis and mitochondrial dysfunction were found to be associated with tubule injury. Further, we found that tubular fumarate, which resulted from fumarate hydratase deficiency and released from dysfunctional mitochondria, promoted tubular injury. Mechanistically, fumarate induced tubular injury by causing disturbance of glutathione (GSH) hemostasis. Suppression of GSH with buthionine sulphoximine administration could deteriorate the fumarate inhibition‐mediated tubule injury recovery. Reactive oxygen species/NF‐κB signaling activation played a vital role in fumarate‐mediated tubule injury.

Conclusion

Our studies demonstrated that the mitochondrial‐derived fumarate promotes tubular epithelial cell injury in renal I/RI. Blockade of fumarate‐mediated ROS/NF‐κB signaling activation may serve as a novel therapeutic approach to ameliorate hypoxic tubule injury.
Four weeks SGLT2 inhibition improves beta cell function and glucose tolerance without affecting muscle free fatty acid or glucose uptake in subjects with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Voigt Jens Hohwü , Lauritsen Katrine M. , Pedersen Steen Bønløkke , Hansen Troels K. , Møller Niels , Jessen Niels , Laurenti Marcello C. , Dalla Man Chiara , Vella Adrian , Gormsen Lars C. , Søndergaard Esben
Published: February 2024

Aims

Sodium glucose co‐transporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibition lowers glucose levels independently of insulin, leading to reduced insulin secretion and increased lipolysis, resulting in elevated circulating free fatty acids (FFAs). While SGLT2 inhibition improves tissue insulin sensitivity, the increase in circulating FFAs could reduce insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle and the liver. We aimed to investigate the effects of SGLT2 inhibition on substrate utilization in skeletal muscle and the liver and to measure beta‐cell function and glucose tolerance.

Methods

Thirteen metformin‐treated individuals with type 2 diabetes were randomized to once‐daily empagliflozin 25 mg or placebo for 4 weeks in a crossover design. Skeletal muscle glucose and FFA uptake together with hepatic tissue FFA uptake were measured using [18F]FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and [11C]palmitate PET/CT. Insulin secretion and action were estimated using the oral minimal model.

Results

Empagliflozin did not affect glucose (0.73 ± 0.30 vs. 1.16 ± 0.64, μmol/g/min p = 0.11) or FFA (0.60 ± 0.30 vs. 0.56 ± 0.3, μmol/g/min p = 0.54) uptake in skeletal muscle. FFA uptake in the liver (21.2 ± 10.1 vs. 19 ± 8.8, μmol/100 ml/min p = 0.32) was unaffected.

Empagliflozin increased total beta‐cell responsivity (20 ± 8 vs. 14 ± 9, 10−9 min−1, p < 0.01) and glucose effectiveness (2.6 × 10−2 ± 0.3 × 10−2 vs. 2.4 × 10−2 ± 0.3 × 10−2, dL/kg/min, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Despite improved beta‐cell function and glucose tolerance, empagliflozin does not appear to affect skeletal muscle FFA or glucose uptake.
Characteristics of α1‐adrenoceptor antagonists‐induced ejaculatory dysfunction on spontaneous seminal emission in rats
Authors: Yoshizumi Masaru , Ise Shin‐nosuke , Yonezawa Akihiko , Watanabe Chizuko , Sakurada Shinobu , Mizoguchi Hirokazu
Published: February 2024

Although α1‐adrenoceptor (α1‐AR) antagonists used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia can cause ejaculation disorders, the aetiology of this adverse event is still controversial. Therefore, we investigated the effects of antagonists with different affinities for α1‐AR subtypes on ejaculatory function and their mechanisms of action in normal rats. In the spontaneous seminal emission (SSE) test, systemically administered prazosin, terazosin, tamsulosin and naftopidil decreased the weight of ejaculated seminal material in a dose‐dependent manner; the potency order was as follows: tamsulosin > terazosin > prazosin > naftopidil. The selective α1D‐AR antagonist BMY7378 had no effect on SSE. Intrathecal tamsulosin and naftopidil did not inhibit SSE. Tamsulosin, the most potent, was ineffective as a single dose and significantly increased seminal vesicle fluid in rats treated for 2 weeks but did not significantly change retrograde ejaculation. These results indicated that the difference in inhibitory potency of the five α1‐AR antagonists against SSE was due to the involvement of α1A‐AR subtypes. Our results further suggested that α1‐AR antagonist‐induced ejaculatory dysfunction at the peripheral level was mainly due to the loss of seminal emission, although some retrograde ejaculation may also be involved.
Investigating the relationship between math literacy and linguistic synchrony in online mathematical discussions through large‐scale data analytics
Authors: Song Yukyeong , Xing Wanli , Li Chenglu , Tian Xiaoyi , Ma Yingbo
Published: February 2024

Previous literature has associated math literacy with linguistic factors such as verbal ability and phonological skills. However, few studies have investigated linguistic synchrony, shown in mathematical discussions. This study modelled math literacy and examined the relationship of math literacy with linguistic synchrony between students and facilitators. We retrieved data from 20,776 online mathematical discussion threads at a secondary school level. First, we assessed students' math literacy based on their discussions and classified them into high‐ and low‐math literacy groups. Then, we conducted Cross‐Recurrence Quantification Analysis (CRQA) to calculate linguistic synchrony within each thread. The result implies that students with high math literacy are more likely to share common words (eg, mathematical terms) with facilitators. At the same time, they would paraphrase the facilitators' words rather than blindly mimic them as the exact sentences or phrases. On the other hand, students with low math literacy tend to use overlapping words with facilitators less frequently and are more likely to repeat the exact same phrases from the facilitators. The findings provide an empirical data analysis and insights into mathematical discussions and linguistic synchrony. In addition, this paper implies the directions to improve online mathematical discussions and foster math literacy.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Mathematical discussions are known to be an effective way to promote math literacy.

Math literacy and linguistic skills have a strong link.

Linguistic synchrony is related to better collaboration and common knowledge building.

What this paper adds

Reveals the relationship between math literacy and linguistic synchrony and deepens the understanding of digital communication in online learning environments.

Provides empirical analysis of natural language data in group discussions using CRQA.

Conceptualizes linguistic synchrony with three sub‐concepts: linguistic concurrence, predictability, and complexity.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Educators and practitioners could utilize the automatic formative assessment of math literacy based on the student's language use in mathematical discussions.

Educational technology researchers and designers could include CRQA indices and recurrence plots in the dashboard design to provide information to support teachers and learners.

Teachers would be able to provide real‐time interventions to promote effective mathematical communication and foster math literacy throughout mathematical discussions.
Lessons from a population‐based bladder cancer registry: exploring why survival is not improving
Authors: Tempo Jake A. , Sii Samuel , Ischia Joseph , Bolton Damien M. , D'Onise Katina , Meng Rosie , Watson David I. , O'Callaghan Michael
Published: February 2024

Objective

To explore the causes of the decrease in bladder cancer survival that has occurred over the past four decades.

Methods

We extracted data from the South Australian Cancer Registry. Data from the period 1 January 1977 to 31 December 2020 were extracted to explore changes in incidence and survival among a total of 8356 patients diagnosed with ≥pT1 disease. Invasive bladder cancer was defined as ≥pT1 in this study.

Results

Invasive bladder cancer age‐standardized incidence decreased from 7.20 cases per 100 000 people in 1977 to 5.85 cases per 100 000 in 2020. The mean age at diagnosis increased from 68 years to 76 years. The crude incidence for patients aged 80 years and over increased by 3.3% per year (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1 to 4.6). Overall survival decreased over the study period (hazard ratio [HR] 1.22 [95% CI 1.09 to 1.35]), however, survival increased after adjusting for age at diagnosis (HR 0.80 [95% CI 0.76 to 0.94]). Despite a decrease in non‐bladder cancer‐specific deaths in older people, there was no change in the bladder cancer‐specific death rate in older people (HR 0.94 [95% CI 0.70 to 1.26]). Male sex was associated with higher survival (HR 0.87 [95% CI 0.83 to 0.92]), whereas socioeconomic advantage was not.

Conclusions

Invasive bladder cancer survival has decreased over the past 40 years, with the age structure of the population being a significant contributing factor.

Patient summary

We looked at why bladder cancer survival is decreasing using a large cancer registry with information from 1977 to 2020. We found that people are now more likely to be diagnosed at an older age. Older people often live for a shorter time with bladder cancer compared to younger people. Bladder cancer survival has decreased because there are more older people with the disease than previously.
Interlocked: The ethics of care and the ethics of justice in children's discourses on the parent–child relationship in Chile
Authors: del Solar Ana Vergara , Sepúlveda Galeas Mauricio , Leyton Legües Daniela , Cortés‐Morales Susana , González Pilar Anastasía
Published: February 2024

The article begins with a discussion of the contribution of childhood studies to our understanding of children's ethics, taking into account feminist inputs to the debate over the ethics of care and the ethics of justice. Then, based on two qualitative studies carried out in Chile with children between 10 and 13 years of age, the article shows the emphasis the children place on reciprocal care between parents and children. This concern for reciprocity is accompanied by notions of justice and rights in how they evaluate the parent–child relationship. The data reveal the complex ways in which the ethics of care and of justice interlock in the children's discourses. The article concludes by tracing the links between these results and the conditions of productive and reproductive work in contemporary Chile as reflected in the children's discourses, and it shows how children have begun to internalise a focus on children's rights in reflecting on their daily lives.
Multi‐criteria systematic conservation planning for terrestrial vertebrates in a biodiversity hotspot in Mexico
Authors: Monroy‐Gamboa Alina Gabriela , Sánchez‐Cordero Víctor , Sarkar Sahotra
Published: February 2024

Anthropogenic loss of biodiversity continues to increase worldwide, and existing conservation area networks (CANs) are inadequate for its adequate representation and persistence. To identify a set of new nominal conservation areas in Oaxaca, a Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot in Mexico, for terrestrial vertebrate species, we used a multi‐criteria systematic conservation planning approach. Besides minimizing the area incorporated into the nominal CAN, we incorporated 25 socioeconomic variables using multi‐attribute value theory. We constructed a portfolio of nominal CAN solutions for four different scenarios all of which satisfied a 10% representation target for the modeled suitable habitat of each vertebrate species: (1) existing protected area‐based (PA) solution; (2) voluntary conservation area‐based (VCA) solution; (3) PA‐VCA solution; and (4) R‐C solution (rarity‐complementary algorithm). The PA‐VCA and PA solutions were the most expensive in terms of area that had to be included in the nominal CANs (13,352 km2 and 12,587 km2, respectively). In all our multi‐criteria analyses, highest costs were associated with maximizing the number of airports, amount of tourism, and length of available highways in a nominal CAN. We have thus established a portfolio of multi‐criteria solutions to the problem of creating an adequate CAN for the representation of terrestrial vertebrate species.
Immunogenicity of avelumab in patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma or advanced urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Hu Ping , Dai Haiqing Isaac , Bourdage James , Zhou Dongli , Trang Ky , Kowalski Karey , Bello Carlo , Hibma Jennifer , Khandelwal Akash , Cowan Kyra , Dong Jennifer , Venkatakrishnan Karthik , Gao Wei
Published: February 2024

Like other monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors may be immunogenic in some patients, potentially affecting pharmacokinetics (PKs) and clinical outcomes. In post hoc analyses, we characterized antidrug antibody (ADA) development with avelumab monotherapy in patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (mMCC) from the JAVELIN Merkel 200 trial (first‐line [1L; N = 116] and second‐line or later [≥2L; N = 88] cohorts) or with advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC) from the JAVELIN Bladder 100 (1L maintenance [N = 350]) and JAVELIN Solid Tumor (≥2L [N = 249]) trials. Treatment‐emergent ADAs developed in a numerically higher proportion of patients with aUC (1L maintenance, 19.1%; ≥2L, 18.1%) versus mMCC (1L, 8.2%; ≥2L, 8.9%); incidences within tumor types were similar by line of therapy. In PK analyses, numerically lower avelumab trough concentration and higher baseline clearance were observed in treatment‐emergent ADA+ versus ADA− subgroups; however, differences were not clinically relevant. Numerical differences in overall survival, progression‐free survival, or objective response rate by ADA status were observed; however, no clinically meaningful trends were identified. Proportions of patients with treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs; any grade or grade 3/4), serious TEAEs, TEAEs leading to treatment discontinuation, or infusion‐related reactions were similar, with overlapping 80% confidence intervals between ADA subgroups. Efficacy and safety observations were similar in subgroups defined by early development of ADA+ status during treatment. In conclusion, no meaningful differences in PKs, efficacy, and safety were observed between subgroups of avelumab‐treated patients with different ADA status. Overall, these data suggest that ADAs are not relevant for treatment decisions with avelumab.
A preliminary study of dynamic neurochemical changes in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during working memory
Authors: Oh Hyerin , Berrington Adam , Auer Dorothee P. , Babourina‐Brooks Ben , Faas Henryk , Jung Je Young
Published: February 2024

Working memory (WM) is one of the fundamental cognitive functions associated with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). However, the neurochemical mechanisms of WM, including the dynamic changes in neurometabolites such as glutamate and GABA in the DLPFC, remain unclear. Here, we investigated WM‐related glutamate and GABA changes, alongside hemodynamic responses in the DLPFC, using a combination of functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). During a WM task, we measured Glx (glutamate + glutamine) and GABA levels using GABA editing MEscher‐GArwood Point REsolved Spectroscopy (MEGA‐PRESS) sequence and blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent (BOLD) signal changes. In the DLPFC, we observed elevated Glx levels and increased BOLD signal changes during a 2‐back task. Specifically, the Glx levels in the DLPFC were significantly higher during the 2‐back task compared with fixation, although this difference was not significant when compared with a 0‐back task. However, Glx levels during the 0‐back task were higher than during fixation. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between Glx levels in the DLPFC during the 2‐back task and the corresponding BOLD signal changes. Notably, higher Glx increases were associated with increased DLPFC activation and lower WM task performance in individuals. No notable changes in DLPFC GABA levels were observed during WM processing. These findings suggest that the modulation of glutamatergic activity in the DLPFC may play a crucial role in both working memory processing and its associated performance outcomes.
Biomarkers of neurodegeneration in isolated and antidepressant‐related rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder
Authors: Biscarini Francesco , Pizza Fabio , Vandi Stefano , Incensi Alex , Antelmi Elena , Donadio Vincenzo , Ferri Raffaele , Liguori Rocco , Plazzi Giuseppe
Published: February 2024

Background and purpose

This study compared the features of isolated rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) and antidepressant‐related REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) with the aim of highlighting markers that might distinguish the two entities.

Methods

The observational cohort study included RBD patients with and without antidepressant use (antiD+ and antiD− patients, respectively), without cognitive impairment and parkinsonism. Clinical features of RBD, subtle motor and non‐motor symptoms of parkinsonism, sleep architecture, REM atonia index, dopamine transporter‐single photon emission computed tomography (DAT‐SPECT) and skin biopsies for the intraneuronal alpha‐synuclein (α‐syn), were evaluated in the baseline work‐up.

Results

Thirty‐nine patients, 10 antiD+ and 29 antiD−, were included. AntiD+ patients (more frequently female) reported more psychiatric symptoms, less violent dream enactment, and less frequent hyposmia. Dermal α‐syn was detected in 93.1% of antiD− versus 30% of antiD+ patients (p = 0.00024). No differences appeared in other motor and non‐motor symptoms, Movement Disorder Society–Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III score, DAT‐SPECT, or polysomnographic features.

Conclusions

Patients with antidepressant‐related RBD have clinical and neuropathological features suggesting a lower risk of evolution than those with iRBD.
Lacosamide and pregnancy: Data from spontaneous and solicited reports
Authors: Perucca Piero , Bourikas Dimitrios , Voinescu P. Emanuela , Vadlamudi Lata , Chellun Daya , Kumke Thomas , Werhahn Konrad J. , Schmitz Bettina
Published: February 2024

Objective

In pregnancy, it is important to balance the risks of uncontrolled epileptic seizures to the mother and fetus against the potential teratogenic effects of antiseizure medications. Data are limited on pregnancy outcomes among patients taking lacosamide (LCM), particularly when taken as monotherapy. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the pregnancy outcomes of LCM‐exposed pregnancies.

Methods

This analysis included all reports in the UCB Pharma pharmacovigilance database of exposure to LCM during pregnancy from spontaneous sources (routine clinical settings) or solicited reports from interventional clinical studies and noninterventional postmarketing studies. Prospective and retrospective reports were analyzed separately.

Results

At the data cutoff (August 31, 2021), there were 202 prospective pregnancy cases with maternal exposure to LCM and known outcomes. Among these cases, 44 (21.8%) patients received LCM monotherapy and 158 (78.2%) received LCM polytherapy. Most patients received LCM during the first trimester (LCM monotherapy: 39 [88.6%]; LCM polytherapy: 143 [90.5%]). From the prospective pregnancy cases with maternal LCM exposure, there were 204 reported outcomes (two twin pregnancies occurred in the polytherapy group). The proportion of live births was 84.1% (37/44) in patients who received LCM as monotherapy, and 76.3% (122/160) for LCM polytherapy. The overall proportion of abortions (for any reason) was 15.9% (7/44) with LCM monotherapy, and 22.5% (36/160) with LCM polytherapy. Congenital malformations were reported in 2.3% (1/44) of known pregnancy outcomes with maternal exposure to LCM monotherapy, and 6.9% (11/160) with polytherapy.

Significance

Our preliminary data do not raise major concerns on the use of LCM during pregnancy. Most pregnancies with LCM exposure resulted in healthy live births, and no new safety issues were identified. These findings should be interpreted with caution, as additional data are needed to fully evaluate the safety profile of LCM in pregnancy.