bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phosphorylation bar-coding of Free Fatty Acid receptor 2 is generated in a tissue-specific manner
Authors: Barki Natasja , Jenkins Laura , Marsango Sara , Dedeo Domonkos , Bolognini Daniele , Dwomoh Louis , Abdelmalik Aisha M. , Nilsen Margaret , Stoffels Manon , Nagel Falko , Schulz Stefan , Tobin Andrew B. , Milligan Graeme
Published: September 2023

Free Fatty Acid receptor 2 (FFA2) is activated by short-chain fatty acids and expressed widely, including in white adipocytes and various immune and enteroendocrine cells. Using both wild type human FFA2 and a Designer Receptor Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADD) variant we explored the activation and phosphorylation profile of the receptor, both in heterologous cell lines and in tissues from transgenic knock-in mouse lines expressing either human FFA2 or the FFA2-DREADD. FFA2 phospho-site specific antisera targeting either pSer296/pSer297or pThr306/pThr310provided sensitive biomarkers of both constitutive and agonist-mediated phosphorylation as well as an effective means to visualise agonist-activated receptorsin situ. In white adipose tissue phosphorylation of residues Ser296/Ser297was enhanced upon agonist activation whilst Thr306/Thr310did not become phosphorylated. By contrast, in immune cells from Peyer’s patches Thr306/Thr310become phosphorylated in a strictly agonist-dependent fashion whilst in enteroendocrine cells of the colon both Ser296/Ser297and Thr306/Thr310were poorly phosphorylated. The concept of phosphorylation bar-coding has centred to date on the potential for different agonists to promote distinct receptor phosphorylation patterns. Here we demonstrate that this occurs for the same agonist-receptor pairing in different patho-physiologically relevant target tissues. This may underpin why a single G protein-coupled receptor can generate different functional outcomes in a tissue-specific manner.

Significance Statement

The concept that agonist-occupancy of a G protein-coupled receptor can result in distinct patterns of phosphorylation of residues on the intracellular elements of the receptor in different tissues is referred to ‘bar-coding’. This has been challenging to demonstrate conclusively in native tissues. We now show this to be the case by using tissues from transgenic knock-in mouse lines expressing either wild type or a DREADD variant of human Free Fatty Acid Receptor 2 and a pair of phospho-site specific antisera. Clear differences in the pattern of phosphorylation of the receptor induced by the same ligand were observed in white adipose tissue and immune cells derived from Peyer’s patches. These outcomes provide direct evidence in tissues, at endogenous expression levels, of a well promoted hypothesis.
Attached to or stuck in? How resource attributes of i-deals influence the variation in continuance or affective commitment
Authors: Liu Yan , Zhou Miaodi , Hu Lingyan , Jaussi Kimberly S.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to identify when and why receiving i-deals will result in an increase in affective commitment rather than continuance commitment. As affective commitment yields long-term benefits for organizations than continuance commitment, this work will help organizations accrue maximum benefits from granting i-deals.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a cognitive model delineating the process between i-deal receipt and the variation in i-dealers’ continuance or affective commitment.

Findings

After receiving i-deals, i-dealers’ perceived valence may change with i-dealers’ evaluations of i-deal resources under the condition of coworkers' negative reactions or organizational investment. The i-deal valence changes trigger i-dealers’ internal or external attributions of coworkers' negative reactions or organizational investment, which leads to the variation in continuance or affective commitment. The changes of affective commitment also affect the variation in continuance commitment.

Originality/value

Integrating expectancy theory and attribution theory, this research addresses inconsistent findings about i-deals’ effect on continuance or affective commitment by revealing the critical factors that lead to the variation in the two types of commitment. The proposed model offers new theoretical rationale for why i-dealers may not reciprocate the goodwill of i-deals to their organizations. This study suggests i-dealers will engage in attributions rather than being passive recipients of their coworkers' negative reactions, which challenges previous view that the effectiveness of i-deals is ultimately determined by coworkers' acceptance. This research also extends the i-deal dynamics literature by depicting how i-deal valence changes arise and influence continuance or affective commitment.
Numerical simulation of true triaxial unilateral unloading effect of fractured rock
Authors: Zhang Chao , Fu Jianxin , Wang Yu
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The interaction between rock mass structural planes and dynamic stress levels is important to determine the stability of rock mass structures in underground geotechnical engineering. In this work, the authors aim to focus on the degradation effects of fracture geometric parameters and unloading stress paths on rock mechanical properties.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-dimensional Particle Flow Code (PFC3D) was used for a systematic numerical simulation of the strength failure and cracking behavior of granite specimens containing prefabricated cracks under conventional triaxial compression and triaxial unilateral unloading. The authors demonstrated the unique mechanical response of prefabricated fractured rock under two conditions. The crack initiation, propagation, and coalescence process of pre-fissured specimens were analyzed in detail.

Findings

The authors show that the prefabricated cracks and unilateral unloading conditions not only deteriorate the mechanical strength but also have significant differences in failure modes. The degrading effect of cracks on model strength increases linearly with the decrease of the dip angle. Under the condition of true triaxial unilateral unloading, the deterioration effect of peak strength of rock is very significant, and unloading plays a role in promoting the instability failure of rock after peak, making the rock earlier instability failure. Associating with the particle vector diagram and crack coalescence process, the authors find that model failure mode under unilateral loading conditions is obviously distinct from that in triaxial loading. The peak strain in the unloading direction increases sharply, resulting in a new shear slip.

Originality/value

This study is expected to improve the understanding of the strength failure and cracking behavior of fractured rock under unilateral unloading.
Fun at work and employees’ communication behavior: a serial mediation mechanism
Authors: Ahmed Ishfaq
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Building on evolutionary emancipation theory, the purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of workplace fun on employees’ scouting behavior through the serial mediation of employees’ psychological empowerment and megaphoning.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey technique is used to elicit the responses of 445 employees from service organizations.

Findings

The statistical results revealed that fun at work influences employees scouting behavior through the serial mediation of psychological empowerment and megaphoning. The direction relationship between fun and scouting was not statistically significant, thus a full mediation mechanism was proved.

Originality/value

The value of employees’ communication behavior has increased in the recent past, and it overweighs the conventional mediums (e.g. TV, radio and newspaper). But the antecedents and mechanisms through which communication behavior can be influenced are an area that has not gained researchers’ attention. This study proposes such a conceptual model and empirically tests it.
The influence of diversity management initiatives on firm-level diversity: evidence from the restaurant and foodservice industry
Authors: Tracey J. Bruce , Le Vinh , Brannon David W. , Crystal-Mansour Sue , Golubovskaya Maria , Robinson Richard N.S.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to extend the findings from a very limited number of studies that have focused on the potential antecedents of firm diversity. Specifically, the authors examined the extent to which a set of firm-level diversity management initiatives, which included diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) policies and oversight structures, senior leader values and utility perceptions about DE&I and DE&I dissemination strategies, may be related to firm-level reported diversity – overall, and that which is specific to gender, ethnicity, race and disability.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this study were gathered from a national sample of 200 US restaurant and foodservice companies during the third quarter of 2021 by an independent data collection firm.

Findings

After controlling for firm size, age, ownership structure and chain affiliation, the results from a series of regression analyses showed that formal diversity management policies and procedures (e.g. policies beyond those legally mandated), structural oversight of diversity management initiatives (e.g. designated diversity leader) and beliefs among senior leaders regarding the utility of diversity management initiatives, were positively related to firm-level diversity. There were also several notable differences in the significance of the findings across the four diversity groups, indicating support for a contingency explanation.

Originality/value

There are two unique contributions to this study. First, by considering a more support-based (vs compliance and control) approach to managing DE&I that is authenticated by senior leadership’s beliefs about the utility of DE&I, the findings advance the understanding of the nature and scope of diversity management initiatives that may influence firm-level diversity – in general, as well as that which may be specific to restaurant and foodservice settings. Additionally, the findings offer industry-specific insights regarding the extent and relevance of DE&I policies and practices that have been adopted by restaurants and foodservice organizations and prescriptive guidance for future inquiry on this topic.
Developing and validating a training package of self-development and determining its effectiveness on job performance and human capital agility in secondary school principals
Authors: Taji Maryam , Siadat Ali , Moghtadaie Leila
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The present study aimed at developing and validating a self-development training package and determining self-development's effectiveness on job variables and human capital agility among secondary school principals in Isfahan.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first phase, the researcher conceived a full version of the self-development training package by studying the theoretical evidence of research and interviewing experts as well as using content analysis. The questionnaire was presented to several experts (n = 8) in that field of study for evaluation after compiling the initial version of the self-development training package, with the aim of determining the face and content validity. In the second phase of the study, the effectiveness of the self-development training package was experimented on secondary school principals using a quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test design and follow-up with a control group.

Findings

The evaluation results were suitable for the training package based on the proposed Lawshe method. The results also indicated that the implementation of a self-development training package in the experimental group had a significant effect on job performance and its dimensions, as well as human capital agility. The effect of the training package on increasing job performance in the post-test stage was 55.3% and was 50.2% in the follow-up stage. Also, the effect of this package on increasing the agility of human capital in the post-test phase was equal to 34.8% and was equal to 28.9% in the follow-up stage.

Originality/value

Question 1: What are the components of a self-development training package? Question 2: What is the credibility of the developed training package from the experts' point of view? Question 3: Does the self-development training package have an effect on job performance and its dimensions? Question 4: Does the self-development training package have an effect on human capital agility?.
Carbon neutral announcements and Chinese stock market reaction: a supply chain network-based perspective
Authors: Liu Weihua , Chen Zhixuan , Choi Tsan-Ming , Lee Paul Tae-Woo , Chan Hing Kai , Gao Yongzheng
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the impact of carbon neutral announcements on “stock market value” of publicly listed companies in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The event study approach is adopted. Market, market-adjusted, Carhart four-factor model and a cross-sectional regression model are employed to examine the impacts of carbon neutral announcements on “stock market value” of Chinese companies based on data from 188 carbon neutral announcements.

Findings

Carbon neutral announcements positively impact Chinese shareholder value. Carbon neutral announcements at the strategic level have a more positive and significant impact on Chinese stock market value. Innovative carbon neutral announcements do not significantly cause Chinese stock market reactions. Companies have more positive and significant stock market reactions when the companies make carbon neutral announcements that reflect high supply chain network resilience and heterogeneity and strong supply chain network relationships.

Practical implications

The findings uncover the business value of carbon neutral activities and provide operations managers in developing countries insights into how to improve enterprises' market value by actively implementing carbon neutral activities.

Originality/value

This paper is the first trial to apply an event study to examine the relationship between carbon neutral announcements and Chinese stock market value from the perspective of announcement level and type and supply chain networks. This paper introduces corporate reputation theory and enriches the application of corporate reputation theory in the field of low-carbon environmental protections and supply chains.
Dental tourism: factors influencing travelers’ revisit intention to the Mexican border
Authors: Ramos Karen , Cuamea Onesimo
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to find out the factors that influence dental travelers’ revisit intention (RI) to Tijuana, Mexico.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the push and pull model, five constructs were included: quality service, price, supporting services, cultural proximity and quality information. The information was obtained by applying an online survey to a sample of 384 dental tourists in Tijuana, Mexico, who were repeat patients of a dental clinic in Tijuana after the COVID-19 pandemic. Exploratory factor analysis, average variance explained and composite reliability were conducted to ensure the validity of each construct. Multiple regression analysis was done to identify predictors of travelers’ RI.

Findings

The results obtained show that cultural proximity, quality service, price and supporting services influenced the travelers’ revisit behavior after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the body of knowledge on travel behavior in dental tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, which has been scarcely studied. Also, RI was analyzed, focusing on repeated travelers to propose a model mainly for borders or frontiers where developed and developing countries co-exist and interact.
Content characteristics of key audit matters reported by auditors in Bangladesh and their implications for audit quality
Authors: Bepari Md Khokan , Nahar Shamsun , Mollik Abu Taher , Azim Mohammad Istiaq
Published: September 2023

Purpose

In this study the authors examine the nature and contents of key audit matters (KAMs), and the consequences of KAMs reporting on audit quality in the context of a developing country, Bangladesh. The authors’ proxies of audit qualities are discretionary accruals, small positive earnings surprise, audit report lag, earnings management via below the line items and audit fees.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use content analysis of the KAMs for the period 2018–2021 to understand the nature and extent of KAMs reported by auditors in Bangladesh. The authors then use multivariate regression analysis to examine the effect of the number and content characteristics of KAMs on audit quality by using multivariate regression analysis.

Findings

Auditors in Bangladesh disclose a higher number of KAMs compared to other countries, disclose short descriptions of KAMs and industry generic KAMs. The authors document significant cross-sectional variations in the number and content characteristics of KAMs reported by auditors in Bangladesh. The authors’ pre-post analysis suggest that audit quality has improved after the adoption of KAMs. Cross-sectional analysis suggests that KAMs number and content characteristics are related to audit quality.

Practical implications

The authors’ findings imply that the KAMs reporting has the potential to play significant monitoring role in reducing the opportunistic behavior of managers. Hence, KAMs reporting can play a significant role in reducing the agency problem. For regulators, shareholders and corporate managers, the authors’ findings imply that if the audit quality is to be increased, the audit effort should be supported by an appropriate amount of audit fee.

Social implications

The content characteristics of KAMs significantly influence managerial reporting behavior and affect the level of audit efforts.

Originality/value

Unlike developed countries (Gutierrez et al., 2018; Lennox et al. 2022), this study supports that KAMs reporting improves audit quality and control opportunistic behavior of managers in developing countries. The authors show that even though the KAMs disclosure quality is poor, it has the potential to improve financial reporting quality.
Age, entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial intentions: the mediating role of individual entrepreneurial orientation
Authors: Aydin Šejma , Knezović Emil , Bičo Azra , Smajić Hamza
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between age and entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial intentions considering the mediating role of individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) dimensions (risk-taking, innovativeness and proactiveness).

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 782 individuals from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s working-age population using a cross-sectional survey design. Hypotheses were tested via structural equation modeling.

Findings

Younger individuals have significantly higher intentions for entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship than older individuals. The mediating role of IEO was partially supported in the case of the relationship between age and entrepreneurial intention as well as age and intrapreneurial intention. While risk-taking and innovativeness partially mediate the relationship, proactiveness does not.

Originality/value

This study takes a comprehensive approach when examining the relationship between age and entrepreneurial/intrapreneurial intentions in a developing economy while considering the indirect effects of IEO dimensions.
Retaining the perinatal care workforce: Lessons learned from experienced physicians who no longer attend deliveries
Authors: Barreto Tyler W. , Taylor Melina K. , Goldstein Jessica Taylor , Eden Aimee R.
Published: September 2023

Objective

To inform policy supporting the retention of family physicians (FPs) in the perinatal care workforce by identifying physician characteristics that are associated with retention.

Data Sources and Study Setting

We surveyed FPs who had been in practice for at least 11 years and reported attending deliveries as part of their practice.

Study Design

We compared the characteristics of FPs who continue to provide perinatal care to those who have ceased and explored their reasons for no longer attending deliveries.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We estimated a probit regression with the dependent variable: whether the physician currently delivers babies. Open‐ended survey responses were analyzed and close‐coded using a conceptual content analysis approach.

Principle Findings

Of the FPs who received a survey, 1505 (37%) responded. Those who continue attending deliveries were more likely to receive a stipend or be paid per hour/shift in addition to their salary versus those paid a salary (percentage point difference = 13), and less likely to work part‐time versus full‐time (percentage point difference = −20). Those who ceased attending deliveries cite lifestyle (n = 208), call structure (n = 113), and delivery volume (n = 89) among the reasons for doing so.

Conclusions

Evidence‐based policies aimed at preventing attrition from the perinatal care workforce, which might include targeting compensation models and work–life balance.
Hip dysplasia hiding in plain sight: A retrospective analysis of radiology reports
Authors: Woodward Rebecca M , Lightfoot Nicholas J , Vesey Renuka M , van Dijck Stephanie A , Munro Jacob T , Boyle Matthew J
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Timely recognition of dysplastic hip morphology is critical to facilitate appropriate management before significant joint damage has developed. It is likely that radiologist under reporting contributes to delays in diagnosis. This study aimed to assess how often adult hip dysplasia goes undetected in radiological reports and to identify clinical and radiological variables that impact the likelihood of detection of dysplasia by radiologists.

Methods

Referral details and radiology reports of patients who underwent periacetabular osteotomy by a single surgeon for symptomatic hip dysplasia between 1 January 2016 and 30 June 2020 were reviewed. Four assessors measured the lateral centre edge angle from the pelvic radiograph performed at time of referral. Film quality and other radiographic parameters were also assessed.

Results

Sixty‐eight patients were included, 84% were female and the median age was 28.1 years. Dysplasia was not documented in the radiology report in 49% of cases. Dysplasia was more likely to be reported with no history of injury, an aspherical femoral head, lower lateral centre edge angle, higher acetabular index, increased femoral head shaft angle, higher femoro‐epiphyseal acetabular roof index, or if there was disruption of Shenton's line, with the first three variables being independent predictors of radiologist detection.

Conclusion

Hip dysplasia should be considered in all adolescents/young adults presenting with hip pain. Causes of radiologist under reporting are likely multifactorial. Clinical information can cause cognitive biases and result in selective looking. A systematic approach to pelvis radiographs should include assessment of acetabular coverage and active search for evidence of femoral head migration.
Spiral drawing deficits in children with prenatal alcohol exposure
Authors: Simmons Roger W. , Thomas Jennifer D. , Taggart Tenille , Ward Quentin J. , Ashrafi Ashkan , Mattson Sarah N. , Riley Edward P.
Published: September 2023

Aims

Empirical investigations reveal that, in comparison to their typically developing peers, children with histories of prenatal alcohol exposure experience deficits in writing but not drawing skills, both of which require fine motor control. This study examines drawing skills in this clinical group by assessing simple free‐form spiral drawings with indices of spectral features and structural organization.

Methods

Children with (n = 15) and without (n = 24) prenatal alcohol exposure used their dominant and nondominant hands to draw a series of spirals using a wireless pen stylus that either provided concurrent visual feedback in the form of a black ink trace or left no visible ink trace of each drawing. Spirals were drawn on a sheet of paper placed on a digitizing table, which facilitated online data acquisition. The data were assessed by power spectral density function analysis and sample entropy analysis.

Results

In comparison to their typically developing peers, children with prenatal alcohol exposure produced spirals with a lower mean frequency and less spectral variability. Spirals in the prenatally exposed group were also lower in complexity and structural organization than in the control group. These results occurred independently of hand dominance or the availability of visual feedback.

Conclusions

The drawing skills of children with prenatal alcohol exposure have inherent signal characteristics that differ significantly from those produced by typically developing peers. Simple tasks requiring fine motor control may be useful in identifying individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Patchy haunts
Authors: Weszkalnys Gisa
Published: September 2023

This is a contribution to the special section “100s for Katie,” which celebrates Kathleen Stewart's work. It reflects on the capacity of dreams to embody the affective stakes of ethnographic fieldwork.
Modalities of Conjunctural Analysis: “Seeing the Present Differently” through Global Lenses
Authors: Hart Gillian
Published: September 2023

The sub‐title of this essay refers to Antonio Gramsci's concept of “prevision”—understood as neither foresight nor prediction, but a method of political work that enables intervention in the present in order to change it. Prevision forms part of conjunctural analysis, which remains powerfully salient and urgent in our own time. Over the past decade attention to conjunctural analysis has surged across a number of disciplines. Yet some distinctly different modalities of conjunctural analysis are at play in this burgeoning work. The first two sections of this essay offer close readings of the conjunctural analyses of Gramsci and Stuart Hall; their respective relationships to the work of Louis Althusser; and the political work that conjunctural analysis was doing for each of them in relation to fascism and Thatcherism. Building on but moving beyond these analyses, the third section focuses on what it might mean to “globalise” conjunctural analysis in relation to the urgent challenges of the current conjuncture, in a way that sheds light on articulations of racist, gendered, sexualised, and other exclusionary and oppressive forms of difference in relation to class and capitalism.
Letter: the combination of histologic remission and Mayo endoscopic score 1 as a suitable therapeutic target in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Maeda Yasuharu , Kudo Shin‐Ei , Takishima Kazumi , Misawa Masashi , Ogata Noriyuki , Ohtsuka Kazuo
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Jangi et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16026 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16316
Letter: increased incidence of tissue anti‐transglutaminase antibody in Israel—is it always related to coeliac disease?
Authors: Beenet Linda , Tonesi Diego
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Lechtman et al and Ben Tov papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16282 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16343
Editorial: methotrexate in patients with Crohn's disease refractory to anti‐TNF therapy—moving backwards yet forward?
Authors: Tandon Parul , Narula Neeraj
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Mesonero et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16315
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: bariatric surgery reduces the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ramai Daryl , Singh Jameel , Lester Janice , Khan Shahab R. , Chandan Saurabh , Tartaglia Nicola , Ambrosi Antonio , Serviddio Gaetano , Facciorusso Antonio
Published: September 2023

Background

Obesity is a risk factor for non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and increases the risk of several cancer types including cancers of the liver. Bariatric surgery can provide durable weight loss, but little is known about the later development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgery.

Aim

To determine whether bariatric surgery reduces the risk of HCC.

Methods

We performed a comprehensive literature search of major databases (from inception to November 2020) to identify studies which assess the incidence and risk of HCC following bariatric surgery. Pooled data were assessed using a random‐effects model expressed in terms of odds ratio (OR), incidence rate ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Nine studies (two abstracts and seven full texts) were included for meta‐analysis which involved 19 514 750 patients (18 423 546 controls and 1 091 204 bariatric patients). Pooled unadjusted odds ratio (OR) was 0.40 (95% CI: 0.28‐0.57) which favoured bariatric surgery, though with high heterogeneity (I2: 79%). Using an adjusted model derived from matched cohorts (five studies) yielded an OR of 0.63 (95% CI: 0.53‐0.75) with moderate heterogeneity (I2: 38%). The pooled rate/1000 person‐years was 0.05 (95% CI: 0.02‐0.07) in bariatric surgery patients and 0.34 (95% CI: 0.20‐0.49) in the control group with an incidence rate ratio of 0.28 (95% CI: 0.18‐0.42).

Conclusion

Bariatric surgery is associated with a decreased risk of HCC.
Editorial: bariatric surgery to reduce the risk of liver cancer
Authors: Pirola Carlos J. , Sookoian Silvia
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Ramai et al and Ramai & Facciorusso papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16335 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16360
Letter: faecal microbiota transplant in Clostridioides difficile infection: learning from the common water hyacinth
Authors: Singh Anchit Raj , Sachan Anurag , Shankar Subramanian
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Rode et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16309
Implementation of a clinical decision support system for the optimization of antidiabetic drug orders by pharmacists
Authors: Robert Laurine , Quindroit Paul , Henry Héloïse , Perez Maxime , Rousselière Chloé , Lemaitre Madleen , Vambergue Anne , Décaudin Bertrand , Beuscart Jean‐Baptiste
Published: September 2023

Aims

The objective of the study was to describe the impact of a clinical decision support system (CDSS) on antidiabetic drug management by clinical pharmacists for hospitalized patients with T2DM.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, single‐centre study in a teaching hospital, where clinical pharmacists analysed prescriptions and issued pharmacist interventions (PIs) through a computerized physician order entry (CPOE) system. A CDSS was integrated into the pharmacists' workflow in July 2019. We analysed PIs during 2 periods of interest: one before the introduction of the CDSS (from November 2018 to April 2019, PIs issued through the CPOE alone) and one afterwards (from November 2020 to April 2021, PIs issued through the CPOE and/or the CDSS). The study covered nondiabetology wards as endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism departments were not computerized at the time of the study.

Results

There were 203 PIs related to antidiabetic drugs in period 1 and 319 in period 2 (a 57.5% increase). Sixty‐four of the 319 PIs were generated by the CDSS. Noncompliance/contraindication was the main problem identified by the CDSS (41 PIs, 68.4%), and 57.8% led to discontinuation of the drug. Most of the PIs issued through the CDSS corresponded to orders that had not been flagged up by clinical pharmacists using the CPOE. Conversely, most alerts about indications that were not being treated were detected by the clinical pharmacists using the CPOE and not by the CDSS.

Conclusion

Use of CDSS by clinical pharmacists improved antidiabetic drug management for hospitalized patients with T2DM. The CDSS might add value to diabetes care in nondiabetology wards by decreasing the frequency of potentially inappropriate prescriptions and adverse drug reactions.
Pre‐polycystic ovary syndrome and polymenorrhoea as new facets of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Evidences from a single centre data set
Authors: Ganie Mohd Ashraf , Rashid Aafia , Baba Mohammad Salem , Zargar Mohd Afzal , Wani Imtiyaz Ahmad , Nisar Sobia , Wani Ishfaq Ahmad , Douhath Syed , Sriwastawa Mukesh , Geer Mohd Ishaq , Asrar Mir Mohd , Kutum Rintu , Hassan Saqib , Khan Shahid , Rafi Wajid , Bhat Dil Afroz , Showkat Wasia , Sahar Tajali , Choh Naseer Ahmad , Khurshid Rabia , Mudassar Syed , Shah Zafar Amin , Shabir Iram , Sofi Sanjeed Ahmad , Gupta Nandita , Hafeez Imran , Sreenivas Vishnubatla
Published: September 2023

Objective

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder with diverse metabolic implications. Diagnosis typically relies on oligo‐amenorrhoea (OA), hyperandrogenism (HA), and polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM). However, the role of polymenorrhoea in PCOS remains understudied. Additionally, limited information exists regarding metabolic disturbances in women with partial PCOS phenotypes that do not meet diagnostic criteria. This extensive database aims to provide substantial evidence on the metabolic implications of polymenorrhoea and partial PCOS phenotypes.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Patients and Measurements

In this single‐centre study, 6463 women with PCOS‐like characteristics and 3142 age‐matched healthy women were included. The study compared clinical (anthropometry, modified Ferriman Gallwey [mFG] score), hormonal (serum testosterone), and metabolic (plasma glucose, serum lipids, insulin) characteristics between women diagnosed with PCOS, those with partial PCOS phenotypes, and the healthy control group

Results

In all, 5174 women met Rotterdam criteria for PCOS diagnosis, while 737 were classified as Pre‐PCOS, including HA (n = 538), OA (n = 121), or PCOM (n = 78). Common clinical features included oligomenorrhoea (75.5%), hirsutism (82.9%), obesity (27.2%), hypertension (1.6%), metabolic syndrome (19.6%), and diabetes mellitus (5.6%). Women diagnosed with PCOS, HA only, and OA only exhibited higher average body mass index, plasma glucose levels (both fasting and 2 h after the oral glucose tolerance test), and lipid fractions in comparison to those with PCOM and the healthy controls. However, indices of insulin resistance were similar among women with PCOS, HA, PCOM, and OA, albeit higher than in the healthy controls. The polymenorrhoea subgroup (5.9%) had lower BMI and serum testosterone, but similar mFG score, plasma glucose, insulin, and lipid levels as the oligomenorrhoea subgroup.

Conclusion

The metabolic disturbances observed in Pre‐PCOS women highlight the need to reassess diagnostic criteria. Including the polymenorrhoea subcategory in PCOS criteria is recommended due to similar metabolic dysfunctions as the oligomenorrhoea group.
A rare case of chordoma cutis
Authors: Jung Dayeon , Ko Seung Min , Seo Jinwon , Park Eun Joo , Kim Kwang Joong , Kim Kwang Ho
Published: September 2023

Chordoma is a rare locally aggressive bone malignancy that originates from the notochord. It typically involves the sacrococcygeal area, spheno‐occipital region of the skull, and spine. Cutaneous involvement of chordoma, termed as chordoma cutis, is uncommon and usually occurs via direct invasion or local recurrence. Distant metastasis to the skin is very rare. We report a case of chordoma cutis on the scalp, which lacked characteristic physaliferous cells but tested positive for brachyury, thus supporting the diagnosis of chordoma cutis. The patient, who presented with a solitary translucent nodule on the scalp, was previously diagnosed with chordoma on the vertebral column and skull 8 months prior. Microscopic examination showed a cord‐like arrangement of plasmacytoid cells within a myxoid stroma. Physaliferous cells were not observed, and cytokeratin AE1/AE3 staining was negative; however, brachyury and epithelial membrane antigen staining was positive, leading to the diagnosis of chordoma cutis. Therefore, clinicians must include chordoma cutis in the differential diagnosis of translucent nodular lesions on the skin of patients formerly diagnosed with chordoma.
Characterization of patients with psoriatic arthritis in dermatologic and rheumatologic care: analysis of two registries
Authors: Augustin Matthias , Lindner Lisa , Kühl Laura , Weiss Anja , Rustenbach Stephan Jeff , Stephan Brigitte , Feuchtenberger Martin , Mrowietz Ulrich , Thaçi Diamant , Staubach Petra , Baraliakos Xenofon , Strangfeld Anja , von Kiedrowski Ralph , Behrens Frank , Regierer Anne Constanze
Published: September 2023

Background and objective

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease affecting the musculoskeletal system, skin and nails. The aim is to characterize sociodemographic and clinical patient profiles documented in dermatologic and rheumatologic care.

Patients and Methods

Data of 704 patients with PsA from the dermatological Psoriasis Registry PsoBest (PB) and 1066 patients from the rheumatological disease registry RABBIT‐SpA (RS) were analyzed. Comparable anamnestic and clinical variables were identified and descriptively analyzed.

Results

The mean age was 51.7 years in PB and 51.9 in RS. Disease duration of psoriasis was longer, mean cutaneous severity was higher in PB. However, more patients in RS vs. PB had tender joints and swollen joints. Mean Dermatology Life Quality Index was higher in PB and mean Health Assessment Questionnaire in RS. Patient reported global disease activity and pain were lower in PB. IL‐23 inhibitors were used more frequently in PB, and TNF inhibitors in RS.

Conclusions

Clinical specialization was associated with different clinical and treatment patterns of PsA. This may indicate a selection by dominant manifestation of psoriatic disease and potentially by effects of health care access. Psoriatic arthritis should be treated in a multidisciplinary approach considering all facets of this complex disease.
The rest‐activity rhythm, genetic susceptibility and risk of type 2 diabetes: A prospective study in UK Biobank
Authors: Wu Huanyu , Liu Xin , Jiang Wenbo , Hu Cong , Wang Xuanyang , Tian Zhen , Gu Wenbo , Sun Changhao , Han Tianshu , Wei Wei
Published: September 2023

Aims

This study aims to examine the association between the rest‐activity rhythm (RAR) and the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Materials and Methods

In total, 97 503 participants without diabetes in the UK Biobank cohort were recruited. Wearable accelerometry was used to monitor circadian behaviour. The parameters of RAR including inter‐daily stability, intra‐daily variability, relative amplitude (RA), most active continuous 10 h period (M10), and least active continuous 5 h period (L5) were calculated to evaluate the robustness and regularity of the RAR. The weighted polygenic risk score for T2D (T2D‐PRS) was calculated. Cox proportion hazards models were used to evaluate the survival relationship and the joint and interaction effects of RAR parameters and T2D‐PRS on the occurrence of T2D.

Results

During 692 257 person‐years follow‐ups, a total of 2434 participants were documented. After adjustment for potential confounders, compared with participants in the highest quartile of RA and M10, the participants in the lowest quartile had a greater risk of T2D (HRRA = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.76‐2.41; HRM10 = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.19‐1.49). Meanwhile, the highest quartile of L5 was related to a higher risk of T2D (HR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.55‐2.24). The joint analysis showed that the high T2D‐PRS with the lowest quartile of RA and M10, or highest quartile of L5 jointly increased the risk of T2D (HRRA = 4.46, 95% CI: 3.36‐6.42; HRM10 = 3.15, 95% CI: 2.29‐4.32; HRL5 = 3.09, 95% CI: 2.40‐3.99). No modification effects of T2D‐PRS on the association between the RAR parameters and risk of T2D were observed (p > .05).

Conclusion

The unbalanced RAR are associated with a greater risk of T2D, which are independent of known risk factors of T2D.
Is bitcoin ESG‐compliant? A sober look
Authors: Proelss Juliane , Schweizer Denis , Sévigny Stéphane
Published: September 2023

Much of the media focus surrounding Bitcoin (BTC) has been on the ‘E’ (environmental) element of the ESG investing approach. Given the amount of electricity consumed by BTC mining, and the resulting large carbon emissions, BTC has faced substantial criticism of its overly negative environmental impact, which is critically reviewed in this article. This one‐sided discussion, however, ignores the ‘S’ (social) and ‘G’ (governance) elements entirely. To remedy that, we explore BTC's positive impact on the ‘S’ (user satisfaction, data protection and privacy, human rights, and criminal activity), and ‘G’ (accounting integrity and transparency, compensation, and principles of good governance) components.
Hesperidin improves physiological outcomes in an arginine vasopressin rat model of pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Reddy Rebecca , Baijnath Sooraj , Singh Sanil , Moodley Roshila , Naicker Thajasvarie , Govender Nalini
Published: September 2023

Background

Hesperidin, a flavanone commonly found in citrus fruits and herbal formulations, has emerged as a potential new therapeutic agent for modulating several diseases. Since pre‐eclampsia is a growing public health threat, it may negatively impact the economy and increase the disease burden of South Africa. Phytocompounds are easily accessible, demonstrate minimal side effects, and may confer novel medicinal options as a treatment and preventive preference.

Objective

To investigate the physiological, biochemical, and hematological outcomes of hesperidin in an arginine vasopressin (AVP)‐induced rodent model of pre‐eclampsia.

Methods

Female Sprague–Dawley rats were surgically implanted with mini‐osmotic pumps to deliver AVP (200 ng/h) subcutaneously. Animals were treated with hesperidin at 200 mg/kg.b.w via oral gavage for 14 days. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured on GD 7, 14, and 18 using a non‐invasive tail‐cuff method and were euthanized on GD 21.

Results

The findings showed that hesperidin administration significantly decreased blood pressure (P < 0.05) and urinary protein levels in pregnant rats (P < 0.001). Placental and individual pup weight also increased significantly in the pregnant hesperidin‐treated groups compared to AVP untreated groups (P < 0.001). Biochemical and hematological markers such as white blood cell count and lymphocyte levels differed significantly (P < 0.05) in AVP groups treated with and without hesperidin.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that hesperidin is an antihypertensive agent with modes of action associated with its diuretic and blood pressure lowering effects and reduction of proteinuria in AVP‐induced pre‐eclamptic rats.
Police corruption and crime: Evidence from Africa
Authors: Gillanders Robert , Ouedraogo Idrissa , Maïga Windkouni Haoua Eugenie , Aja‐Eke Doris
Published: September 2023

Using data from the Afrobarometer surveys, this paper finds that people living in regions in which police corruption is more prevalent are more likely to report that they or someone in their family have been victims of physical assault. People living in more corrupted regions are also more likely to report that they or someone in their family has had something stolen from their home. We find no statistically significant gender differences in the average marginal effects. Controlling for the incidence of corruption in other domains reduces the size of the estimated association but does not render it insignificant in terms of statistical significance or magnitude. Non‐police corruption is also strongly associated with an increased risk of crime. For both types of crime, the evidence points to “transactional” police corruption (having to pay bribes to get help) rather than “predatory” police corruption (having to pay bribes to avoid problems) as driving the relationship. Finally, we show that, controlling for whether the respondent reports being a victim of either type of crime, police corruption predicts an increase in the probability that the respondent reports feeling unsafe while walking in their own neighborhood thus imposing a cost even on those who have not been victims.
Preliminary exploration of a multidimensional sleep health composite in adolescent females with frequent migraine
Authors: Clementi Michelle A. , Kienzler Caitlin , Yonker Marcy , Harmon Michelle , Simon Stacey L.
Published: September 2023

Objective

This observational study aimed to: (i) describe and explore preliminary psychometric properties of a multidimensional sleep health composite score in adolescent females with frequent migraine; and (ii) examine associations between the composite score, headache characteristics, and emotional health.

Background

Sleep health is a multidimensional construct comprised of various dimensions of sleep and circadian functioning, including Regularity, Satisfaction, Alertness, Timing, Efficiency, and Duration (Ru‐SATED framework). The Ru‐SATED sleep health composite score may provide a holistic perspective of sleep among adolescents with frequent migraine in the context of neurobiological and psychosocial impacts on sleep unique to this developmental period.

Methods

In all, 60 female adolescents (aged 12–18 years) with high‐frequency episodic or chronic migraine completed wrist‐worn actigraphy for 10 days and concurrent daily electronic surveys assessing headache, sleep, and emotional health. A sleep health composite score was derived from empirically supported “healthy” versus “unhealthy” ratings on the six Ru‐SATED sleep dimensions.

Results

Half of participants (27/54 [50%]) had a composite score ≥4 (i.e., at least four of the six dimensions rated as poor). Convergent validity of the composite score was acceptable (rs = 0.30–0.56, all p < 0.05). Internal consistency among the dimensions was low (α = 0.45). Multivariate multiple regression models indicated that worse sleep health was associated with greater headache‐related disability (B = 0.71, p = 0.018) and anxiety (B = 0.59, p = 0.010), and trended toward significance for sadness (B = 0.35, p = 0.052). The composite score was not significantly associated with headache frequency or severity.

Conclusions

A multidimensional sleep health composite score may provide an alternative, more comprehensive picture of sleep disturbance among adolescent females with frequent migraine. Larger studies are needed to examine psychometric properties more rigorously and further explore the composite score as a potentially unique predictor of headache outcomes.