bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital service innovation (DSI): a multidisciplinary (re)view of its origins and progress using bibliometric and text mining methods
Authors: Rabetino Rodrigo , Kohtamäki Marko , Huikkola Tuomas
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This paper studies the Digital Service Innovation (DSI) concept by systematically reviewing earlier studies from various scholarly communities. This study aims to recognize how recent advances in DSI literature from different research streams complement and can be incorporated into the growing digital servitization literature to define better and understand DSI.

Design/methodology/approach

After systematically identifying 123 relevant articles, this study employed complementary methods, such as author bibliographic coupling, linguistic text mining/textual analysis and qualitative content analyses.

Findings

This paper first maps the intellectual structure and boundaries of the DSI-related communities and qualitatively assesses their characteristics. These communities are (1) Innovation for digital servitization, (2) Service innovation in the digital age and (3) Adoption of novel e-services enabled by information system development. Next, the composition of the DSI concept is examined and depicted to comprehend the notion's critical dimensions. The findings discuss the range of theories and methods in the existing research, including antecedents, processes and outcomes of DSI.

Originality/value

This study reviews, extends the understanding of origins and critically evaluates DSI-related research. Moreover, the paper redefines and clarifies the structure and boundaries of the DSI-concept. In doing so, it elaborates on the substance of DSI and identifies the essential themes for its understanding and conceptualization. Thus, the study helps the future development of the concept and allows knowledge accumulation by bridging adjacent research communities. It helps researchers and managers navigate the foggy emerging research landscape.
Mediation-moderation model of green absorptive capacity and green entrepreneurship orientation for corporate environmental performance
Authors: Makhloufi Lahcene , Djermani Farouk , Meirun Tang
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Drawing upon the natural resource-based view (NRBV), green absorptive capacity (GAC) is the backbone of firm green dynamic capabilities. It converts the developed knowledge into knowledge application. Understanding how GAC could benefit corporation environmental performance (EP) is still ambiguous and debated. Hence, this study introduced three facilitator factors, namely, managerial environmental concern (MEC), green innovation performance (GIP) and green entrepreneurship orientation (GEO), in which GAC can improve EP. The study tested the moderation effect of GAC and GEO on the MEC-GEO and the MEC-EP relationships and predicted the mediation effect of MEC, GEO and GIP on the GAC-EP relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative study used a self-administered survey and cross-sectional research design; the study collected data from top management employees working in Chinese manufacturing firms.

Findings

The results indicated that GAC positively influences MEC, GEO and GIP, and these last three constructs influence EP. While MEC positively affects GIP, the MEC-GEO relationship was insignificant. The study found that GAC moderates the MEC-GEO relationship, whereas GEO failed to do so between MEC and EP. The results confirm a partial mediation effect between GAC-EP through the three intermediary constructs.

Practical implications

To promote EP, firms GAC should prioritize developing MEC ad GIP. Firms' GEO can exploit eco-friendly opportunities enabled by GAC, a process that bridges the existing knowledge and skills gap between MEC and GEO. GAC is one of the leading green strategic capabilities that help GEO to achieve green business growth and better EP. MEC is the process of facilitating GIP to deliver eco-products and protect the external environment. When MEC failed to address GEO's green business agenda, GEO could not enhance EP.

Originality/value

The study highlights the necessity of GAC to develop firms' green dynamic capabilities to boost EP. The study confirms GAC's vital role in strengthening the manager's environmental awareness and bridging the knowledge gap between GEO and MEC. In addition, GIP can drive entrepreneurial green opportunities and enhance EP when GAC is involved and converts knowledge creation to knowledge applications. Strategically speaking, given the importance of the triple green pillars of the NRBV, GEO would not balance green business growth and EP unless GAC leveled up MEC to match GEO's green business agenda and drive EP.
Fear of terrorist attacks and psychological distress in Sub-Saharan Africa: moderated mediation model
Authors: Hevi Stewart Selase , Agbenorxevi Clemence Dupey , Malcalm Ebenezer , Gborse Nicholas Mawunyah Mawunyah , Hevi Jeffrey Mawutor , Preko Vincent Yaw
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the moderated-mediation roles of perception of police response to crime and digital interclass coalition against crime between fear of terrorist attacks and psychological distress among residents of Tema Metropolis in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

A cluster sampling technique was used in the selection of 577 residents who answered questions on fear of terrorism, perception of police response to crime, digital interclass coalition against crime and psychological distress. The study used regression analysis to assess the hypothesized paths.

Findings

The findings show that digital interclass coalition against crime moderates the partially mediated relationship between perception of police response to crime and residents’ psychological distress.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited in scope by the generalization of its findings, as it was restricted to only residents of Tema Metropolis in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

Originality/value

This research is one of the first in criminal psychology to explore the relevance of police-public engagement in averting large-scale crime in an emerging economy.
Behavioural change and cultural evolution, rather than cultural change: Insights for Australian Public Service Reform
Authors: Buick Fiona
Published: September 2023

Cultural change is often positioned as central to transformation within the Australian Public Service (APS). The ongoing focus on cultural change suggests it has not yet been realised, which is unsurprising, given it is so difficult to change. However, cultural change may also be impeded due to the way it is portrayed within the APS. This article draws on the work of Schein to identify three problems with how organisational culture and cultural change are portrayed in the APS, including the focus on a unified APS culture, the simplistic way in which culture is portrayed, and the general and high‐level claims for how to achieve cultural change. It provides three recommendations for how these problems can be addressed, including focusing on high‐level principles for conduct across the APS (rather than a unified APS culture), focusing on cultural evolution at the department, agency, and subunit levels, and supporting cultural evolution through establishing mechanisms for behavioural change. Adopting this approach could enable the APS to realise desired changes and enable success of the Albanese Government's APS reform agenda.

Points for practitioners

Cultural change is difficult to achieve due to culture being deeply embedded, underpinned by a stable system of values, beliefs, and assumptions.

Change could be realised within the APS through focusing on cultural evolution, rather than cultural change—specifically at the department, agency, and subunit levels where there is some compatibility between existing and desired cultures.

Cultural evolution requires the identification of the specific behaviours required for effective change, followed by a reconfiguration of a range of mechanisms required to embed and reinforce behavioural change.

Leaders play a central role in facilitating behavioural change and cultural evolution, but doing this effectively may require leadership cognitive shifts; therefore, leaders need support and development.
Elevated carbon‐dioxide effects on wheat grain quality differed under contrasting nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser supply
Authors: Chakwizira E. , Dunbar H. J. , Andrews M. , Moot D. J. , Teixeira E.
Published: September 2023

Atmospheric carbon‐dioxide concentration ([CO2]) is increasing rapidly, but its interactions with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertiliser on wheat grain quality are not well understood. We investigated the effects of ambient CO2 (aCO2; ∼410 ppm) and elevated CO2 (eCO2; 760 ppm) on crop harvest index (CHI), nutrient harvest index (NuHI), shoot macro‐nutrient content and grain macro‐nutrient concentration of wheat grown under two contrasting amounts of N (0.5 and 6 mol m−3 NO3− N) and P (10 and 250 mmol P m−3) fertiliser supply (low and optimum, respectively). Our results highlighted interactions between [CO2] and N and P fertiliser supply for the shoot biomass at anthesis and straw biomass at harvest maturity. This was because biomass yield did not respond to CO2 level when fertiliser was deficient. However, shoot and straw yield increased (10.0–‐34.0%) with increasing [CO2] at optimum fertiliser rates. Across experiments, grain yield increased (15.6%) with increasing [CO2], which resulted in grain nutrient concentration decreasing (3.0–‐13.0%) with increasing [CO2]. This was attributed to nutrient 'dilution' due to increased carbohydrate content in the grain. Overall, fertiliser supply impacted crop responses more than CO2 treatments, and the impact was greater under N than P deficiency. This was reflected through conservative values for CHI, thousand grain weight and NuHIs suggesting plants allocated biomass and nutrients at similar rates for vegetative and reproductive organs independent of [CO2].
Manipulating table beet growth using exogeneous gibberellic acid 3 in New York, USA
Authors: Pethybridge Sarah J. , Murphy Sean , Branch Eric , Sharma Pratibha , Kikkert Julie R.
Published: September 2023

Table beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris) root suitability for processing into cans and jars is dictated by quality and shoulder diameter (crown width). For shoulder diameter, roots are sorted into six classes and those in the small (19.1–44.5 mm) and small/medium (44.6–40.8 mm) classes are considered suitable. Smaller (≤19 mm) roots are usually lost in harvesting while larger (≥40.9 mm) roots are typically discarded. Exogenous (foliar‐applied) gibberellic acid 3 (GA3) may alter source‐sink carbohydrate partitioning with potential advantages for processing table beet producers. Small plot replicated trials were conducted in each of 3 years (2020, 2021 and 2022) to evaluate the effect and optimal timing of exogenous GA3 on table beet yield components in New York, USA. GA3 was applied as ProGibb at 30 ppm in all trials and as ProGibb at 30 ppm and FalGro 2X LV at 67 ppm (label rates) in 2022. GA3 as ProGibb resulted in significant increases in foliar health attributes (leaf blade length and width, petiole diameter, normalized difference vegetative index and dry weight of foliage). GA3 as ProGibb significantly reduced average root shoulder diameter and affected the percentage of roots in various size categories. The percentage of tiny roots (<19 mm) was significantly decreased while the percentage of small roots was increased. The percentage of small/medium roots were unaffected. In 2022, the percentage of small roots was significantly increased compared to nontreated plots but was not significantly different between GA3 as either ProGibb or FalGro applied at 42 or 62 Days after Planting (DAP). Exogenous GA3 had no consistent, significant effect on the severity of the foliar disease, Cercospora leaf spot. The significant increase in foliar health attributes from GA3 is beneficial for harvest that relies upon top pulling machinery. Increases in the percentage of small roots and reductions in tiny roots can reduce wasted crop input investments. The optimal number of GA3 applications was seasonally dependent, ranging from a single application at 40 or 62 DAP in 2 years, to two applications in 2021. GA3 applications late (>80 DAP) in the cropping season had no significant effect on foliar health attributes or root yield components. The implications of these results on the New York table beet processing industry are discussed.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in inducible nitric oxide synthase gene are not associated with persistent apical periodontitis
Authors: Meyfarth Sandra Regina Santos , Antunes Lívia Azeredo Alves , da Silva Tavares Jhenyfer , Guimarães Ludmila da Silva , da Silva Erlange Andrade Borges , Baratto‐Filho Flares , Küchler Erika Calvano , Silva‐Sousa Alice Corrêa , Sousa‐Neto Manoel Damião , Antunes Leonardo Santos
Published: September 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between inducible in single nucleotide polymorphisms in nitric oxide synthase (rs2297518 and rs2779249) and persistent apical periodontitis. A total of 291 Brazilian subjects were included: 125 with signs/symptoms of persistent apical periodontitis and 166 with root canal‐treated teeth exhibiting healthy perirradicular tissues. Endodontically treated patients were followed up after 1 year. The two single nucleotide polymorphisms in nitric oxide synthase were analysed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Chi‐square test and odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals were performed to compare genotype distributions between ‘healed’ and ‘persistent apical periodontitis’ groups (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate SNP–SNP interactions. The allele and genotype distributions for the polymorphisms between the persistent apical periodontitis and healed groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In the logistic regression analysis, the polymorphisms were not associated with persistent apical periodontitis and SNP–SNP interactions.
Resisting exclusion: DACAmented Latinx youth workers' facultad and conocimiento in community‐based educational spaces
Authors: Ventura Julissa
Published: September 2023

Youth workers in community‐based educational spaces often take on multiple roles in supporting young people such as mentors, cultural brokers, and educators. Youth workers' knowledge and expertise, however, are still undervalued in education. This article draws on a community‐based ethnography with DACAmented Latinx youth workers to highlight how their personal experiences with immigration and education caused arrebatos, which led to them using their facultad and conocimiento, in their community‐based pedagogical practices.
Rural nutrition and dietetics research—Future directions
Authors: Alston Laura , Heaney Susan , Kent Katherine , Godrich Stephanie , Kocanda Lucy , Herbert Jaimee , Schumacher Tracy , Brown Leanne J.
Published: September 2023

Aim

The aim of this study was to summarise key evidence from recent Australian rural nutrition research and provide recommendations for future nutrition and dietetics research with rural communities.

Context

Clear evidence demonstrates that diet plays a role in the health gap between rural and metropolitan Australia. Despite the opportunity to address the health of rural Australians through better nutrition, alarmingly low investment in nutrition and dietetics research has occurred historically, and over the past decade.

Approach

A review of the evidence was undertaken by rural nutrition and dietetics leaders to provide a commentary piece to inform future rural nutrition research efforts.

Conclusion

Establishing strong, collaborative place‐based nutrition and dietetics research teams are necessary to combat the significant gaps in the scientific knowledge of solutions to improve nutrition in rural Australia. Further, dieticians and nutritionists who live in and understand the rural contexts are yet to be fully harnessed in research, and better engaging with these professionals will have the best chance of successfully addressing the nutrition‐related disease disparity between rural and metropolitan Australia.
The market mindset erodes social mindfulness
Authors: Xiao Huiwen , Xin Ziqiang
Published: September 2023

Previous studies have mainly explored the impacts of social mindfulness on social behaviours (e.g., cooperation), little is known about crucial macro social environment factors that affect social mindfulness, like the market economy. With the development of the market economy, people typically acquire the self‐centred and rational market mindset which may suppress social mindfulness. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the causal relationship between the market mindset and social mindfulness, as well as the psychological mechanism behind the effect. In Study 1, participants whose market mindset was activated by recalling market experiences showed lower social mindfulness than those whose non‐market mindset was activated by recalling other experiences. Studies 2 and 3 explored the mediation of perspective taking and state empathy behind the detrimental effect. It was found that the relationship between the market mindset and social mindfulness was mediated by perspective taking rather than by state empathy. Together, the present three studies expand the existing literature on the relationship between the market mindset and social mindfulness and remind policymakers to pay attention to the adverse effects of the market mindset on social mindfulness.
Genetically proxied intestinal microbiota and risk of erectile dysfunction
Authors: Zhang Fuxun , Xiong Yang , Zhang Yangchang , Wu Kan , Zhang Bo
Published: September 2023

Background

The interaction between intestinal microbiota and erectile dysfunction (ED) is less investigated. This study was performed to explore the association between intestinal microbiota and ED.

Methods

In this two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study, genetic variants of gut microbiota were obtained from MiBioGen consortium containing 18,340 individuals. Six methods including inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR‐Egger, weighted median, maximum likelihood, MR robust adjusted profile score, and MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier were used to investigate the causal links between intestinal microbiota and ED. Furthermore, reverse MR analysis was performed to exclude the causal impact of ED on gut microbiota.

Results

As revealed by the IVW estimator, the risks of ED were raised by genetically proxied Lachnospiraceae (OR: 1.27), Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group (OR: 1.17), Oscillibacter (OR: 1.20), Senegalimassilia (OR: 1.32) (All P < 0.05) and Tyzzerella‐3 (OR: 1.14, P < 0.05). It was observed that Ruminococcaceae UCG013 exerted protective effect against ED (OR: 0.77, P < 0.05). These results were consistent with other estimators in sensitivity analyses. In reverse MR analyses, genetic liability to ED did not alter the abundances of Lachnospiraceae, Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group, Oscillibacter, Senegalimassilia, Tyzzerella‐3, and Ruminococcaceae UCG013 (All P > 0.05). No heterogeneity and pleiotropy were detected by Cochran's Q‐test, MR‐Egger, and global test (All P > 0.05).

Conclusions

This study provided novel evidence that genetically proxied Lachnospiraceae, Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group, Oscillibacter, Senegalimassilia, Tyzzerella‐3, and Ruminococcaceae UCG013 had potentially causal effects on ED. Further studies are needed to clarify the biological mechanisms linking intestinal microbiota to ED.
Increasing averaging beats improves the test accuracy on Holter‐based late potentials in patients with myocardial infarction
Authors: Hashimoto Kenichi , Harada Naomi , Kimata Motohiro , Kawamura Yusuke , Fujita Naoya , Sekizawa Akinori , Ono Yosuke , Obuchi Yasuhiro , Takayama Tadateru , Kasamaki Yuji , Tanaka Yuji
Published: September 2023

Background

The prevalence of Holter‐based late potentials (H‐LPs) in cases of fatal cardiac events has increased. Although the noise level of H‐LP is higher than that of conventional real‐time late potential (LP) recording, a procedure to reduce the noise severity in H‐LP by increasing the averaging beats has not been investigated.

Methods

We enrolled 104 patients with post‐myocardial infarction (MI) and 86 control participants. Among the patients, 30 reported sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), and the remaining 74 had unrecorded VT. H‐LPs were measured twice in all groups to evaluate the efficacy of increasing the averaging beats for H‐LPs. Thereafter, the average of LP was calculated at 250 (default setting), 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 beats.

Results

Across all three groups (MI‐VT group, MI non‐VT group, and control group), the noise levels significantly decreased in consonance with the increase in averaging beats. In the MI‐VT group, the H‐LP positive rate considerably increased with the increase in the averaging beats from 250 to 800 both at night and daytime. In the MI‐VT group, the LP parameters significantly deteriorated, which led to a positive judgment corresponding to the increment of the averaged night and day beats. The H‐LP positive rates were unchanged in the MI non‐VT and control groups, while the LP parameters remained consistent, despite the increased averaging beats in the MI non‐VT and control groups.

Conclusion

Increasing the calculated averaging beats in H‐LPs can improve the sensitivity of predicting fatal cardiac events in patients with MI.
Comparability of input parameters in the German Retina.net ROP registry and the EU‐ROP registry – An exemplary comparison between 2011 and 2021
Authors: Winter K. , Pfeil J. M. , Engmann H. , Aisenbrey S. , Lorenz B. , Hufendiek K. , Breuss H. , Khattab M. , Süsskind D. , Kakkassery V. , Lagrèze W. A. , Barth T. , Liegl R. , Bründer M. C. , Skevas C. , Goldammer I. , Glitz B. , Michalewicz E. , Krohne T. U. , Bartmann I. R. , Stahl A. ,   for the Retina.net ROP and EU‐ROP registry study groups
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The German Retina.net ROP registry and its Europe‐wide successor, the EU‐ROP registry, collect data from patients treated for ROP. This analysis compares input parameters of these two registries to establish a procedure for joint analyses of different registry data using exemplary datasets from the two registries.

Methods

Exemplary datasets from the two databases over a 1‐year period each (German Retina.net ROP Registry, 2011, 22 infants; EU‐ROP Registry, 2021, 44 infants) were compared. The parameters documented in the two databases were aligned and analysed regarding demographic parameters, treatment modalities, complications within first 24 h and retreatments.

Results

The current analysis showed that data can be aligned for joint analyses with some adjustments within the data structure. The registry with more detailed data collection (EU‐ROP) needs to be reduced regarding granularity in order to align the different registries, as the registry with lower granularity determines the level of analyses that can be performed in a comparative approach. In the exemplary datasets, we observed that the overall most common ROP severity in both registries was zone II, 3+ (2011: 70.5%; 2021: 65%), with decreasing numbers of clock hours showing preretinal neovascularisations (2011: 10–12 clock hours in 29% of cases, 2021: 4–6 clock hours in 38%). The most prevalent treatment method was laser coagulation in 2011 (75%) and anti‐VEGF therapy in 2021 (86.1%). Within the anti‐VEGF group, all patients were treated with bevacizumab in 2011 and with ranibizumab in 2021. Retreatment rates were comparable in 2011 and 2021.

Conclusion

Data from two different ROP registries can be aligned and jointly analysed. The analysis reveals a paradigm shift in treatment modalities, from predominantly laser to anti‐VEGF, and within the anti‐VEGF group from bevacizumab to ranibizumab in Germany. In addition, there was a trend towards earlier treatment in 2021.
Clinical and clonal characteristics of monoclonal immunoglobulin M‐associated type I cryoglobulinaemia
Authors: Khwaja Jahanzaib , Vos Josephine M. I. , Pluimers Tessa E. , Japzon Nicole , Patel Aisha , Salter Simon , Kwakernaak Arjan J. , Gupta Rajeev , Rismani Ali , Kyriakou Charalampia , Wechalekar Ashutosh D. , D'Sa Shirley
Published: September 2023

Monoclonal immunoglobulin M‐associated type I cryoglobulinaemia is poorly characterised. We screened 534 patients with monoclonal IgM disorders over a 9‐year period and identified 134 patients with IgM type I cryoglobulins. Of these, 76% had Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM), 5% had other non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and 19% had IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Clinically relevant IgM‐associated disorders (including cold agglutinin disease [CAD], anti‐MAG antibodies, amyloidosis and Schnitzler syndrome) coexisted in 31%, more frequently in MGUS versus WM/NHL (72% vs. 22%/29%, p < 0.001). The majority of those with cryoglobulins and coexistent CAD/syndrome had the molecular characteristics of a CAD clone (wild‐type MYD88 in 80%). A half of all patients had active manifestations at cryoglobulin detection: vasomotor (22%), cutaneous (16%), peripheral neuropathy (22%) and hyperviscosity (9%). 16/134 required treatment for cryoglobulin‐related symptoms alone at a median of 38 days (range: 6–239) from cryoglobulin detection. At a median follow‐up of 3 years (range: 0–10), 3‐year cryoglobulinaemia‐treatment‐free survival was 77% (95% CI: 68%–84%). Age was the only predictor of overall survival. Predictors of cryoglobulinaemia‐related treatment/death were hyperviscosity (HR: 73.01; 95% CI: 15.62–341.36, p < 0.0001) and cutaneous involvement (HR: 2.95; 95% CI: 1.13–7.71, p = 0.028). Type I IgM cryoglobulinaemia is more prevalent than previously described in IgM gammopathy and should be actively sought.
Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Visual Function Classification System for children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Nishibu Hisato , Ikeda Yousuke , Inoue Takahito , Himuro Nobuaki
Published: September 2023

Background

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often experience visual dysfunction that affects motor function and activities of daily living, but no ‘gold standard’ classification of visual function has been established. In recent years, however, a valid and reliable Visual Function Classification System (VFCS) for children with CP has been developed.

Aims

To examine the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the VFCS in individuals with CP.

Methods

The translation of the VFCS was performed according to international standards for the translation of measurements. We conducted questionnaires of professionals (three physicians, eight physical therapists, five occupational therapists, six speech–language–hearing therapists and a certified orthoptist) regarding the content validity of the Japanese version of the VFCS. For reliability and concurrent validity, 148 individuals with CP were classified twice by professionals using the Japanese version of the VFCS, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) and Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS), with several weeks between each evaluation.

Results

The content validity of the Japanese version of the VFCS almost met the criteria set. The percentage of positive and neutral opinions given by the professionals with regard to the four items ranged from 74% to 92%. The intra‐rater reliability was 0.86 (95% CI 0.75–0.96) by Cohen's kappa and 0.93 (95% CI 0.88–0.96) by intraclass correlation coefficient. The inter‐rater reliability was 0.67 (95% CI 0.56–0.78) by Cohen's kappa and 0.79 (95% CI 0.69–0.86) by intraclass correlation coefficient. The Spearman correlation coefficients between the VFCS and the GMFCS, MACS, CFCS and EDACS were 0.783, 0.764, 0.738, 0.738 and 0.830, respectively. The concurrent validity was confirmed by the correlations observed with other classification systems.

Conclusions

The results indicated good reliability and validity for the Japanese version of the VFCS.
Tooth loss is associated with prevalent diabetes and incident diabetes in a longitudinal study of adults in Ireland
Authors: Naseer Amara , Mc Garrigle Christine , McLoughlin Jacinta , O'Connell Brian
Published: September 2023

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between periodontal status, tooth loss and diabetes among community‐dwelling adults aged 50 years and over in Ireland.

Methods

From respondents who attended a health assessment in Wave 3 of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), an opportunistic sample was selected for an oral health examination. The oral health examination criteria were used in previous Irish surveys and WHO recommendations. For diabetes, the self‐reported and objectively measured data on diabetes for the same cohort from Wave 3 to Wave 5 of TILDA was used. Multinomial regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between diabetes and tooth loss and tooth loss and incident diabetes, controlling for other covariates.

Results

Out of the 3111 people who were offered an oral health assessment 2539 were examined. For the purposes of analysis, the adults below 50 years of age (n = 31) and those with an incomplete oral health assessment (n = 4) were omitted from the sample. The final sample consisted of 2504 people, giving a response rate of 80.5%. Among the study sample, 9.9% (n = 249) were edentate; 35.7% (n = 895) had 1–19 teeth and 54.4% (n = 1360) had ≥20 teeth. From the sample of 2504 adults, 2358 had HbA1c results and 8.4% (n = 198) of these had diabetes according to the TILDA criteria. Multinomial regression analysis showed that diabetes was associated with tooth loss. Diabetes at Wave 3 was associated with a higher rate of being edentate (PR 2.12, 95% CI 1.27–3.52) relative to having ≥20 teeth while controlling for the effect of age, gender, education level, area of residence, body mass index (BMI) and smoking. Furthermore, having 1–19 teeth at Wave 3 was associated with incident diabetes over a 4‐year follow‐up (OR 1.94, 1.00–3.75). There was no evidence of an association between diabetes and periodontal status as measured in this sample.

Conclusion

The results suggested that diabetes was associated with tooth loss and that this relationship may be bi‐directional among community‐dwelling adults aged 50 years and over in Ireland, but they do not support a relationship between diabetes and periodontal status in this sample.
The urban poor and everyday states in an Indian metropolis
Authors: Buswala Bhawani
Published: September 2023

This article examines an incident of fire in a squatter settlement in Delhi to understand the interaction between the urban poor and the state. Following the incident, the Delhi government undertook different welfare measures for the affected residents. These included immediate relief in the form of temporary tents for the families, a proposal to build proper houses for them, and compensation checks as direct monetary support. The empirical materials presented in this article show how state interventions tend to suffer from deficiencies of knowledge, trust, and bureaucratic effectiveness. Thus, they do not commensurate with the apparent intentions behind them. Each of these welfare measures engendered an entanglement of the urban poor in the state that affects their relationship to the law, urban space, the local economy, and bureaucratic structures. Analyzing the unfolding of the everyday state on the ground, I suggest that a squatter settlement's dynamic and entangled relationships with the state make it a unique site for analysis of the state from an urban perspective. Critical interpretations of their interactions and the discourses they engender are key ethnographic resources for understanding the dynamics of inequality in contemporary cities.
The animal welfare, environmental impact, pest control functions, and disease effects of free‐ranging cats can be generalized and all are grounds for humanely reducing their numbers
Authors: Calver Michael C. , Cherkassky Linda , Cove Michael V. , Fleming Patricia A. , Lepczyk Christopher A. , Longcore Travis , Marzluff John , Rich Catherine , Sizemore Grant
Published: September 2023

Although the domestic cat Felis catus is implicated in multiple faunal extinctions and threatens many extant species, there is widespread, well‐funded advocacy for desexing unowned cats near human habitation and returning them to site to be fed by volunteers, arguing that this prevents euthanasia, is unlikely to be hazardous to wildlife or a public health risk, and controls non‐native rodents. To the contrary, we present unequivocal evidence that this approach harms cat welfare, does threaten wildlife and public health, and exacerbates rather than controls rodent problems. We argue instead that unowned cats near human habitation can be controlled effectively by intensive adoption and responsible euthanasia when necessary, supported by licensing and containment of adopted/owned cats.
Mode of action, indications and recommendations on extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP)
Authors: Cho Ara , Paulitschke Verena , Knobler Robert
Published: September 2023

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has gained importance in the treatment of several diseases. Initially introduced as a new therapeutic modality for the treatment of patients with cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma, the indications for the use of ECP have expanded to include hematology and transplantation immunology. Extracorporeal photopheresis has found its place in the treatment plan of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma, systemic sclerosis, graft‐versus‐host disease, organ transplantation such as heart and lung, sometimes as first‐line therapy and very often in combination with various systemic immunosuppressive therapies. The procedure basically consists of three steps: leukapheresis, photoactivation and reinfusion. The following article presents possible theories about the mechanism of action, which is not yet fully understood, and discusses the five most common indications for ECP treatment with corresponding therapy recommendations.
Hypodescent or ingroup overexclusion?: Children's and adults’ racial categorization of ambiguous black/white biracial faces
Authors: Albuja Analia F. , Muñoz Mercedes , Kinzler Katherine , Woodward Amanda , Gaither Sarah E.
Published: September 2023

Two processes describe racially ambiguous Black/White Biracial categorization—the one‐drop rule, or hypodescent, whereby racially ambiguous people are categorized as members of their socially subordinated racial group (i.e., Black/White Biracial faces categorized as Black) and the ingroup overexclusion effect, whereby racially ambiguous people are categorized as members of a salient outgroup, regardless of the group's status. Without developmental research with racially diverse samples, it is unclear when these categorization patterns emerge. Study 1 included White, Black, and racially diverse Biracial children (aged 3‐ to 7‐years) and their parents to test how racial group membership and social context influence face categorization biases. To provide the clearest test of hypodescent and ingroup overexclusion, White participants came from majority White neighborhoods and Black participants from majority Black neighborhoods (with Biracial participants from more racially diverse neighborhoods)—two samples with prominent racial ingroups. Study 2 aimed to replicate the parent findings with a separate sample of White, Black, Black/White Biracial, and Asian adults. Results suggest the ingroup overexclusion effect is present across populations early in development and persists into adulthood. Additionally, categorization was meaningfully related to parental context, pinpointing a pathway that potentially contributes to ingroup overexclusion.

Research Highlights

White, Black, and racially diverse Biracial children and adults tended to categorize racially ambiguous Black/White Biracial faces as racial outgroup members, even if the outgroup was White.

This contradicts most work arguing Black/White Biracial racially ambiguous people are more often seen as Black.

Children and parents’ categorizations were related, though children's categorizations were not related to socialization above and beyond parents’ categorizations.

Children showed similar categorization patterns across dichotomous and continuous measures.
Derivation and independent validation of kidneyintelX.dkd: A prognostic test for the assessment of diabetic kidney disease progression
Authors: Nadkarni Girish N. , Stapleton Sharon , Takale Dipti , Edwards Katherine , Moran Kara , Mosoyan Gohar , Hansen Michael K. , Donovan Michael J. , Heerspink Hiddo J. L. , Fleming Fergus , Coca Steven G.
Published: September 2023

Aims

To develop and validate an updated version of KidneyIntelX (kidneyintelX.dkd) to stratify patients for risk of progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) stages 1 to 3, to simplify the test for clinical adoption and support an application to the US Food and Drug Administration regulatory pathway.

Methods

We used plasma biomarkers and clinical data from the Penn Medicine Biobank (PMBB) for training, and independent cohorts (BioMe and CANVAS) for validation. The primary outcome was progressive decline in kidney function (PDKF), defined by a ≥40% sustained decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate or end‐stage kidney disease within 5 years of follow‐up.

Results

In 573 PMBB participants with DKD, 15.4% experienced PDKF over a median of 3.7 years. We trained a random forest model using biomarkers and clinical variables. Among 657 BioMe participants and 1197 CANVAS participants, 11.7% and 7.5%, respectively, experienced PDKF. Based on training cut‐offs, 57%, 35% and 8% of BioMe participants, and 56%, 38% and 6% of CANVAS participants were classified as having low‐, moderate‐ and high‐risk levels, respectively. The cumulative incidence at these risk levels was 5.9%, 21.2% and 66.9% in BioMe and 6.7%, 13.1% and 59.6% in CANVAS. After clinical risk factor adjustment, the adjusted hazard ratios were 7.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.0‐19.6) and 3.7 (95% CI 2.0‐6.8) in BioMe, and 5.4 (95% CI 2.5‐11.9) and 2.3 (95% CI 1.4‐3.9) in CANVAS, for high‐ versus low‐risk and moderate‐ versus low‐risk levels, respectively.

Conclusions

Using two independent cohorts and a clinical trial population, we validated an updated KidneyIntelX test (named kidneyintelX.dkd), which significantly enhanced risk stratification in patients with DKD for PDKF, independently from known risk factors for progression.
A randomized, double‐blind, placebo controlled, phase 3 trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cetagliptin added to ongoing metformin therapy in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes with metformin monotherapy
Authors: Ji Linong , Lu Jinmiao , Gao Leili , Yan Xiaoguang , Li Jifang , Cheng Zhifeng , Zhang Lili , Tian Junhang , Li Ping , Bai Jie , Xie Daosheng , Zhao Jiahong , Ding Juping , Yu Qiang , Wang Tong
Published: September 2023

Aim

This trial was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of cetagliptin added to metformin in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes who had inadequate glycaemic control with metformin monotherapy.

Methods

In total, 446 patients with type 2 diabetes on metformin monotherapy were randomized to receive the addition of once‐daily cetagliptin 100 mg, cetagliptin 50 mg and placebo in a 2:2:1 ratio for 24‐week double‐blind treatment. At week 24, patients initially randomized to cetagliptin 50 mg and placebo were switched to cetagliptin 100 mg for 28 weeks open‐label treatment. The primary endpoint was the change in haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) from baseline, and the efficacy analyses were based on an all‐patients‐treated population using an analysis of co‐variance.

Results

After 24 weeks, both add‐on therapies led to greater glycaemic control. Reductions in HbA1c from baseline were −1.17 ± 0.794%, −1.23 ± 0.896% in cetagliptin 100 mg and 50 mg plus metformin group, respectively. No difference was observed between the cetagliptin 100 mg and 50 mg plus metformin group. Patients with higher baseline HbA1c levels (≥8.5%) experienced greater reductions in HbA1c. A significantly greater proportion of patients achieved an HbA1c <7.0% with cetagliptin 100 mg (49.4%) and cetagliptin 50 mg (51.1%) plus metformin than metformin monotherapy (14.4%). Both combination therapies also improved the homeostasis model assessment β‐function index and decreased systolic blood pressure. There was no increased risk of adverse effects with combination therapy, and both combination therapies were generally well tolerated.

Conclusions

The addition of cetagliptin once daily to metformin was more efficacious and well tolerated than metformin monotherapy in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes who had inadequate glycaemic control with metformin monotherapy.
Human placenta‐derived mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate diabetic kidney disease by modulating the T helper 17 cell/ regulatory T‐cell balance through the programmed death 1 / programmed death‐ligand 1 pathway
Authors: Wang Jiao , Liu Honghong , Yue Guanru , Deng Yuanyuan , Cai Wei , Xu Jixiong
Published: September 2023

Aim

To investigate the therapeutic effects and immunomodulatory mechanisms of human placenta‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (PMSCs) in diabetic kidney disease (DKD).

Methods

Streptozotocin‐induced DKD rats were administered an equivalent volume of saline or PMSCs (1 × 106 in 2 mL phosphate‐buffered saline per rat) for 3 weeks. Eight weeks after treatment, we examined the biochemical parameters in the blood and urine, the ratio of T helper 17 cells (Th17) and regulatory T cells (Treg) in the blood, cytokine levels in the kidney and blood, and renal histopathological changes. In addition, we performed PMSC tracing and renal transcriptomic analyses using RNA‐sequencing. Finally, we determined whether PMSCs modulated the Th17/Treg balance by upregulating programmed death 1 (PD‐1) in vitro.

Results

The PMSCs significantly improved renal function, which was assessed by serum creatinine levels, urea nitrogen, cystatin C levels, urinary albumin‐creatinine ratio, and the kidney index. Further, PMSCs alleviated pathological changes, including tubular vacuolar degeneration, mesangial matrix expansion, and glomerular filtration barrier injury. In the DKD rats in our study, PMSCs were mainly recruited to immune organs, rather than to the kidney or pancreas. PMSCs markedly promoted the Th17/Treg balance and reduced the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]‐17A and IL‐1β) in the kidney and blood of DKD rats. In vitro experiments showed that PMSCs significantly reduced the proportion of Th17 cells and increased the proportion of Treg cells by upregulating PD‐1 in a cell‐cell contact manner and downregulating programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression in PMSCs, which reversed the Th17/Treg balance.

Conclusion

We found that PMSCs improved renal function and pathological damage in DKD rats and modulated Th17/Treg balance through the PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway. These findings provide a novel mechanism and basis for the clinical use of PMSCs in the treatment of DKD.
Albuminuria‐lowering effect of adding semaglutide on top of empagliflozin in individuals with type 2 diabetes: A randomized and placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Sivalingam Suvanjaa , Wasehuus Victor Soendergaard , Rotbain Curovic Viktor , Blond Martin Bæk , Hansen Tine W. , Persson Frederik , Rossing Peter
Published: September 2023

Aim

To investigate whether combined treatment with empagliflozin (a sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitor) and semaglutide (a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist) can reduce urinary albumin‐creatinine ratio (UACR) compared to treatment with empagliflozin alone in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and albuminuria.

Methods

We conducted a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, parallel study including 60 individuals with T2D and albuminuria. All participants initiated open‐label empagliflozin 25 mg once daily, on top of renin‐angiotensin system inhibition, in a run‐in period of 26 weeks. Subsequently, participants were randomized to semaglutide or placebo 1 mg once weekly for 26 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in UACR. Secondary endpoints were change in: (i) measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR); (ii) 24‐hour systolic blood pressure; (iii) glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level; (iv) body weight; and (v) plasma renin and aldosterone levels.

Results

Addition of semaglutide to empagliflozin provided no additional change in UACR from randomization to end‐of‐treatment. The mean (95% confidence interval) difference in UACR was –22 (–44; 10)% (P = 0.15) between treatment groups. Neither GFR, 24‐hour blood pressure, body weight, nor plasma renin activity was changed with semaglutide. HbA1c (–8 [–13; –3] mmol/mol; P = 0.003) and plasma aldosterone (–30 [–50; –3] pmol/L; P = 0.035) were reduced with semaglutide compared to placebo.

Conclusions

Semaglutide added to empagliflozin did not change UACR, measured GFR, 24‐hour systolic blood pressure, body weight or plasma renin levels in individuals with T2D and albuminuria. Semaglutide improved glycaemic control and plasma aldosterone levels compared to placebo.
A method for measuring the angle between left atrial and left ventricular long axes using 3D echocardiography
Authors: Vekama Lasse , Pirinen Jani , Järvinen Vesa , Sinisalo Juha
Published: September 2023

Background

Left ventricle (LV) optimized views are routinely used for left atrial (LA) volume and strain measurements on 2D echocardiography. This might be a source of the error because of the variation of the angle between the left atrial and left ventricle long axes (LA‐LV angle), leading to foreshortening of the LA.

Methods

We investigated two novel parameters: the angle between the left atrial and left ventricle long axes (LA‐LV angle) and its deviation from the 4‐chamber plane. To accurately measure the angles in 3D space, these measurements were performed using 3D echocardiography. We developed a method for the measurement based on marking anatomic points of reference in the 3D echocardiogram and measuring the angles between these points. We used three types of phantoms made of wood and agar‐agar to investigate the repeatability and reproducibility of these measurements and performed measurements on human subjects.

Results

The ultrasound measurements were in excellent agreement with the true angles of the phantoms: LA‐LV angle bias was .5 degrees (95% CI −1.8 to +2.7) in the wooden phantoms and 1.2 degrees (−.7 to +3.1) in the agar‐agar phantoms, while the angle deviation from the 4‐chamber plane was −.9 degrees (−4.3 to +4.1) in the wooden phantoms and .0 degrees (−3.3 to +3.3) in the agar‐agar phantoms. The measurements demonstrated good repeatability and reproducibility (Pearson correlation coefficients ranging from .91 to .99). The measurements from human hearts showed good repeatability (Pearson correlation was .81 for repeated LA‐LV angle measurements and .97 for repeated measurements of the deviation from the 4‐chamber plane).

Conclusion

The measurement of the LA‐LV angle is a feasible tool to investigate one eventual error of 2D echocardiography.