bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of integrated reporting on financial performance in India: a panel data analysis
Authors: Soriya Sushila , Rastogi Parthvi
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The study aims to determine the trend of Integrated Reporting (IR) practices and investigates its impact on operational performance (return on assets (ROA)) and firm value (Tobin's Q) of National Stock Exchange (NSE) listed companies in India.

Design/methodology/approach

Manual content analysis is used to construct Integrated Reporting Disclosure Quality Index (IRDQI) to assess disclosure practices of 93 integrated annual reports for three years from 2017–2018 to 2019–2020. Further, panel data models are utilized for investigating the relationship between IRDQI and financial performance. The dependent variable consists of ROA and Tobin's Q in regression models, while the independent variable includes IRDQI.

Findings

The empirical analysis results show that IRDQI is positively and significantly associated with operational performance (ROA) while insignificantly related to firm value (Tobin's Q). The study also reveals the upward trend of IR elements and guiding principles from 2017–2018 to 2019–2020.

Research limitations/implications

The primary limitation of this study is the scarcity of data as a handful of companies are preparing IR in India. This paper considers two profitability measures, i.e. ROA and Tobin's Q. Future research should consider both long-term and short-term profitability measures to represent the progress of IR in India.

Practical implications

The escalation of IR disclosures represents that Indian companies are utilizing the opportunities offered by IR to meet stakeholders' expectations. Further, the study investigates the financial performance of Indian companies, which is essential for the growth and survival of the companies. The study's findings would enhance the capacity of firms to raise capital from capital markets by enticing investors.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the limited literature of IR disclosure and financial performance in India by employing content analysis and regression analysis. The organizations could utilize the unique IR index constructed in the Indian context to scrutinize their IR practices.
Impact of migration policies on socio-cultural participation and well-being: evidence from the Migration Act of 2000 in Germany
Authors: Giovanis Eleftherios
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Countries have implemented various migration policies targeting the migrants' economic and political integration and social inclusion. However, little is known about the impact of migration policies on migrants' participation in socio-cultural activities and their link with well-being. The first aim of this study is to explore the effect of the Migration Act of 2000 in Germany on participation in socio-cultural activities of first-generation migrants. The second aim is to examine the impact of socio-cultural activities on subjective well-being (SWB), measured by life satisfaction, and how it is compared between first-generation immigrants and natives.

Design/methodology/approach

The Migration Act of 2000 was extended in 2005 to provide permanent residence permits to high-skilled migrants and deliver cultural orientation and German language courses. The author will implement a Difference-in-Differences (DiD) methodology comparing the relationship between socio-cultural participation and SWB of first-generation immigrants and natives.

Findings

The results show that while first-generation immigrants participate less frequently in the socio-cultural activities explored, they experience an increase in participation after the implementation of the 2000 Migration Act. Furthermore, migrants report lower levels of SWB than natives, but their life satisfaction significantly improves with the increase in socio-cultural participation.

Social implications

The findings of this study have implications for researchers and policymakers, such as income, education and employment promoting migrant integration. Providing employment opportunities and a permanent residence permit, cultural participation, and thus, the integration of migrants can be successfully achieved.

Originality/value

While there is a long debate about the effectiveness of migration integration policies, this is the first study investigating the effect of the Migration Act of 2000 on migrants' socio-cultural participation and well-being.
Political roots leading to opportunity recognition among Latin American social entrepreneurs
Authors: Darden Bryan B.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was twofold. First, the author sought to more fully understand the role of socio-political activity on opportunity recognition among experienced entrepreneurs. Second, the author sought to better understand how socio-political activism, experience, entrepreneurial passion and social entrepreneurial intention are antecedents. Given the importance of entrepreneurship in the developing nations, there must be an understanding of how entrepreneurs recognize opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes how socio-political activism acts as a foundation on which entrepreneurs can recognize opportunity through entrepreneurial passion, experience and intention. The author utilized a survey constructed of a unique combination of existing and well-researched instruments. Entrepreneurs living in Latin America were surveyed through the web-based survey company Prolific(R). Based on an a priori power calculation, the survey was fielded to 305 respondents with a 100% response rate.

Findings

The model suggests that socio-political activism increases experience, entrepreneurial passion and social entrepreneurial intention among entrepreneurs in Latin America. Further, the model indicates that entrepreneurial passion and entrepreneurial experience have partial mediation effects on social entrepreneurial opportunity recognition, while social entrepreneurial intention has full mediation effects on social entrepreneurial opportunity recognition.

Practical implications

The findings of this model suggest that socio-political activism in the developing context provides a model that shows how political activism plays a crucial role in numerous entrepreneurial aspects. Being active politically, gives entrepreneurs greater passion, experience and intention which in turn leads to greater opportunity recognition and mediates the relationship between socio-political activism and opportunity recognition.

Originality/value

The model presented in this research is original and helps shape the paradigm within social entrepreneurship in the developing context. The model also provides additional antecedents of opportunity recognition which may assist with shaping future research in the developing context and how the role of political activism assists the field's understanding of how entrepreneurs recognize opportunities.
Refugees as a key representation of vulnerability: politics and biopolitics
Authors: Soultatou Pelagia
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This article aims at the sociological inquiry seeking to identify meanings ascribed to the term of vulnerability by official spokespersons, to explore a novel public health policy with reference to vulnerable populations and to trace its enactment with particular attention to vulnerable populations in Greece; finally a case of contest among the state and the civil society over refugees' rights will be located against public health politics and biopolitics in the context of the pandemic Covid-19.

Design/methodology/approach

The interpretivist perspective towards analysis of textual data is adopted. Discourse analysis and content analysis are applied to analyze four sets of data.

Findings

The main findings show: (1) ambiguity over the terminology, (2) insufficient policy design and policy enactment towards the protection of vulnerable populations' health, (3) an illuminative case of contest among civil society and the state against infringement of refugees' human rights which may interpreted in terms of a tradition of solidarity.

Originality/value

The Foucauldian notion of biopolitics provides the grounds to understanding how market prevails over life at the expense of those in greater need, and how the state, serving homo economicus, intensifies instead of alleviating health vulnerabilities.
Customer sentiment analysis and prediction of halal restaurants using machine learning approaches
Authors: Hossain Md Shamim , Rahman Mst Farjana , Uddin Md Kutub , Hossain Md Kamal
Published: May 2022

Purpose

There is a strong prerequisite for organizations to analyze customer review behavior to evaluate the competitive business environment. The purpose of this study is to analyze and predict customer reviews of halal restaurants using machine learning (ML) approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected customer review data from the Yelp website. The authors filtered the reviews of only halal restaurants from the original data set. Following cleaning, the filtered review texts were classified as positive, neutral or negative sentiments, and those sentiments were scored using the AFINN and VADER sentiment algorithms. Also, the current study applies four machine learning methods to classify each review toward halal restaurants into its sentiment class.

Findings

The experiment showed that most of the customer reviews toward halal restaurants were positive. The authors also discovered that all of the methods (decision tree, linear support vector machine, logistic regression and random forest classifier) can correctly classify the review text into sentiment class, but logistic regression outperforms the others in terms of accuracy.

Practical implications

The results facilitate halal restaurateurs in identifying customer review behavior.

Social implications

Sentiment and emotions, according to appraisal theory, form the basis for all interactions, facilitating cognitive functions and supporting prospective customers in making sense of experiences. Emotion theory also describes human affective states that determine motives and actions. The study looks at how potential customers might react to a halal restaurant’s consensus on social media based on reviewers’ opinions of halal restaurants because emotions can be conveyed through reviews.

Originality/value

This study applies machine learning approaches to analyze and predict customer sentiment based on the review texts toward halal restaurants.
Individuals' sustainability orientation and entrepreneurial intentions: the mediating role of perceived attributes of the green market
Authors: Shahid Subhan , Reynaud Emmanuelle
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how perceived attributes of the green market mediate the relationship between individuals' sustainability orientation and entrepreneurial intentions and to what extent field of study (business vs non-business) moderates this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors surveyed 314 students in French universities and used structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the moderated mediation mechanism.

Findings

The results reveal that the adverse effects of the field of study on the relationship between sustainability orientation and entrepreneurial intentions through the mediating paths of green design and green supply chain. The authors found that these adverse effects were stronger for business students than for non-business students.

Practical implications

The authors recommend that government and academia collaborate to make crucial management decisions that encourage a sustainable entrepreneurship culture, such as revising the academic curriculum and supporting the inclusion of public–private sector initiatives.

Originality/value

This study contributes to and extends previous findings on the positive nexus between an individual's sustainability orientation and entrepreneurial intentions by theorizing the perceived attributes of the green market as a mediating process for translating sustainability beliefs into entrepreneurial intentions. Additionally, the adverse moderating effect of the field of study adds nuance to previous knowledge on the role of education in determining entrepreneurial intentions.
Integration of distributed generations by coordinating electric vehicle charging station in medium voltage network by Swarm intelligence
Authors: Rout Sagarika , Biswal Gyan Ranjan
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Notable energy losses and voltage deviation issues in low-voltage radial distribution systems are a major concern for power planners and utility companies because of the integration of electric vehicles (EVs). Electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) are the key components in the network where the EVs are equipped to energize their battery. The purpose of this paper is coordinating the EVCS and distributed generation (DG) so as to place them optimally using swarm-based elephant herding optimization techniques by considering energy losses, voltage sensitivity and branch current as key indices. The placement and sizing of the EVCS and DG were found in steps.

Design/methodology/approach

The IEEE 33-bus test feeder and 52-bus Indian practical radial networks were used as the test system for the network characteristic analysis. To enhance the system performance, the radial network is divided into zones for the placement of charging stations and dispersed generation units. Balanced coordination is discussed with three defined situations for the EVCS and DG.

Findings

The proposed analysis shows that DG collaboration with EVCS with suitable size and location in the network improves the performance in terms of stability and losses.

Research limitations/implications

Stability and loss indices are handled with equal weight factor to find the best solution.

Social implications

The proposed method is coordinating EVCS and DG in the existing system; the EV integration in the low-voltage side can be incorporated suitably. So, it has societal impact.

Originality/value

In this study, the proposed method shows improved results in terms EVCS and DG integration in the system with minimum losses and voltage sensitivity. The results have been compared with another population-based particle swarm optimization method (PSO). There is an improvement of 18% in terms of total power losses and 9% better result in minimum node voltage as compared to the PSO technique. Also, there is an enhancement of 33% in the defined voltage stability index which shows the proficiency of the proposed analysis.
Paediatric fever management practices and antipyretic use among doctors and nurses in New Zealand emergency departments
Authors: Tan Eunicia , Beck Sierra , Haskell Libby , MacLean Alastair , Rogan Alice , Than Martin , Venning Bridget , White Christopher , Yates Kim , McKinlay Christopher JD , Dalziel Stuart R
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To assess (i) paediatric fever management practices among New Zealand ED doctors and nurses, including adherence to best practice guidelines; and (ii) the acceptability of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of antipyretics for relief of discomfort in young children.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey of doctors and nurses across 11 New Zealand EDs. The primary outcome of adherence to paediatric fever management best practice guidelines was assessed with clinical vignettes and defined as single antipyretic use for the relief of fever‐related discomfort.

Results

Out of 602 participants (243 doctors, 353 nurses and six unknown; response rate 47.5%), only 64 (10.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.3–13.4%) demonstrated adherence to best practice guidelines. In a febrile settled child with normal fluid intake, the percentage of participants that would use antipyretics doubled with abnormal vital signs (33.7%vs72.9%, difference −39.2%, 95% CI –44.4% to −34.0%). Most participants would use antipyretics for reduced fluid intake (n = 494, 82.1%, 95% CI 78.8–85.0%) in a febrile settled child. Over half (n = 339, 57.1%, 95% CI 53.0–61.1%) would advise giving antipyretics to prevent febrile convulsions. Most (n = 467, 80.0%, 95% CI 76.5–83.1%) participants agreed that a RCT of antipyretics in febrile children <2 years of age with relief of discomfort as a primary outcome is needed.

Conclusions

Just over 10% of New Zealand ED doctors and nurses demonstrated adherence to paediatric fever management best practice guidelines. A RCT of antipyretics in febrile children <2 years of age specifically addressing relief of discomfort as a primary outcome is strongly supported.
Identifying selection signatures and runs of homozygosity for spine curvature in Chinese indigenous pigs
Authors: Jiayuan Mo , Yujie Lu , Kuirong Chen , Siran Zhu , Wenjing Qi , Lingli Feng , Xiaoxiao Liu , Liang Liang , Ganqiu Lan , Jing Liang
Published: May 2022

In China there are approximately 100 pig breeds, which show great diversity in their appearance. However, information on genome selection signatures, such as spine curvature, is scarce. Therefore, we used the fixation index (FST) and cross‐population extended haplotype homozygosity (XPEHH) methods to explore the genome selection signatures of spine curvature in six breeds of Chinese indigenous pig. We identified 396 and 389 single nucleotide polymorphisms using the FST and XPEHH methods, respectively. We detected 19 selection signatures and 28 genes located in the selected regions. Five candidate genes (MAP3K7, CUX1, GRIN2B, ALPL and MACF1) were identified in the selection signatures. Additionally, 719 high‐frequency runs of homozygosity regions, 17 unique runs of homozygosity regions, 78 genes and 27 pathways were identified in the runs of homozygosity analysis. The TGF‐beta signaling pathway and eight genes related to the spine formation, spine defects and intervertebral disk degeneration were identified, comprising ACVR1, FMOD, ITGA4, MAPK8, PDGF, RPL3, SULF1 and UBE2D1. In summary, we identified 13 candidate genes related to spine curvature in Chinese indigenous pigs.
Lithium and the risk of chronic kidney disease: A population‐based case–control study
Authors: Højlund Mikkel , Winkel Jane Sterndorff , Nybo Mads , Hallas Jesper , Henriksen Daniel Pilsgaard , Damkier Per
Published: May 2022

The association between lithium use and chronic kidney disease (CKD) needs further evaluation. We aimed to investigate this association using Danish nationwide healthcare registers and routinely collected plasma creatinine measurements from the Funen Laboratory Cohort. We conducted a case–control study nested within the population of Funen, 2001–2015. Incident cases of CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73m2; n = 21 432) were matched with four CKD‐free controls on age, sex and calendar time (n = 85 532). We estimated odds ratios (OR) for the association between lithium exposure and CKD using conditional logistic regression models, adjusted for known risk factors for CKD. Ever‐use of lithium was associated with an increased risk of CKD (adjusted OR [aOR]: 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.33–1.85). A stronger association was seen with current use of lithium (aOR: 1.92; 95%CI: 1.58–2.33) and long‐term use of lithium (>10 years: aOR: 3.02; 95%CI: 2.00–4.56). Furthermore, we found evidence of a dose–response relationship between cumulative dose of lithium and the risk of CKD. In conclusion, the use of lithium, especially long‐term, is associated with an increased risk of CKD, although the extent to which detection bias and confounding by indication contribute to the association is unclear. Monitoring of kidney function in lithium users remains mandatory to identify individuals in which switching to alternative medications should be considered.
MicroRNA sequencing in patients with coronary artery disease – considerations for use as biomarker for thrombotic risk
Authors: Onuoha Chimnonso P. , Ipe Joseph , Simpson Edward , Liu Yunlong , Skaar Todd C. , Kreutz Rolf P.
Published: May 2022

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs integral in the regulation of gene expression. Analysis of circulating miRNA levels may identify patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) at risk for recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). Subjects with CAD were selected from the GENCATH cardiac catheterization biobank. Subjects with recurrent MI after PCI were compared with those without recurrent MI during follow‐up in the initial (n = 48) and replication cohort (n = 67). Next generation MiRNA sequencing was performed on plasma samples and whole blood samples fixed with PAXGENE tubes upon collection. Overall, 164 miRNAs derived from whole blood were differentially expressed in the replication cohort between subjects with and without recurrent MI events (p < 0.05), with 69 remaining significant after false‐discovery rate (FDR) correction. None of the miRNAs in plasma was significantly different by FDR among subjects with and without MI. Overall, correlation between direction of effects between plasma and whole blood assays was variable, and only two miRNAs were concordant and significant in both. Associations of miRNA with vascular disease, MI, and thrombosis were further explored. MiRNA profiling has potential as the future biomarker for disease prognosis and treatment response marker in secondary treatment of patients with CAD after PCI. Whole blood may be the preferred sample source as compared to plasma.
Effects of the menstrual cycle on cytological false‐negatives in women with persistent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Okodo Mitsuaki , Okayama Kaori , Misawa Yukimi , Tsukakoshi Natsuko , Tanabe Kazumasa , Teruya Koji , Ito Chieko , Ishii Yasuyoshi , Fujii Masahiko , Oda Mizue
Published: May 2022

Objectives

False‐negatives on cytology may be observed during follow‐ups for patients with persistent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN); however, the underlying reasons are unknown, and the relationship between the intra‐individual variability of false‐negatives and the menstrual cycle phase has not been elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether the menstrual cycle influences cytological results to maximise the accuracy of such tests.

Methods

A total of 154 liquid‐based cytological (LBC) samples were obtained during follow‐ups for 26 patients with CIN, and the relationship between cytological results and the menstrual cycle, which was classified into six phases, was analysed.

Results

All LBC smears were satisfactory, and 20 of 154 (13.0%) specimens were negative for intraepithelial lesions or malignancy (NILM). A statistically significant association was observed between the cytological results and the phase of the menstrual cycle, χ2(2) = 19.322, P < 0.01. The association was moderately strong (Cramer's V = 0.354). The value of adjusted residuals showed a statistically significant increase in the NILM percentage as a cytological result during the early secretory phase (P < 0.01) and a statistically significant decrease in NILM during the menstrual and proliferative phases (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The present study revealed that false‐negative cytological results were found to more likely to occur during the early secretory phase. More careful and precise microscopic observation of Pap smears collected at the early secretory phase may contribute to a reduction in the occurrence of false‐negatives and improve cytological sensitivity.
Infantile nystagmus without overt eye abnormality: Early features and neuro‐ophthalmological diagnosis
Authors: Suppiej Agnese , Ceccato Chiara , Lonardi Valentina , Reffo Maria E.
Published: May 2022

Aim

To analyse the neuro‐ophthalmological data of children referred for further work‐up of infantile nystagmus where ophthalmological evaluation had not achieved a diagnosis.

Method

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients presenting with infantile nystagmus at our institution between 2007 and 2019. Inclusion criteria were onset before 6 months of age, availability of complete ophthalmic examination, visual electrophysiological tests, and neurological examination. Children with a previous definite ophthalmological diagnosis at onset and those with uncertain nystagmus onset age were not recruited.

Results

Out of 142 infants (mean age at nystagmus onset 3.6 mo, SD 1.7, range 0–6 mo; 56 females, 86 males), 23% had neurological nystagmus, 7% mixed neurological and sensory nystagmus, 48% sensory defect, and 22% idiopathic infantile nystagmus. The neurological diagnoses were inborn errors of metabolism, white matter genetic disorders, and brain malformations. The prevalent diagnosis in the sensory defect subgroup was retinal dystrophy.

Interpretation

Infantile nystagmus without diagnostic ocular findings may be due to neurological, retinal, and optic nerve disorders or be a benign idiopathic condition. In infants with and without neurological abnormalities, the search for a sensory defect should include visual electrophysiology performed early in the diagnostic pathway.

What this paper adds

Infantile nystagmus without diagnostic ophthalmological signs has an underlying neurological cause in 30% of cases.

Neurological diagnoses include congenital brain malformations, and metabolic and genetic disorders.

Sensory defects are part of systemic neurological disorders in 23% of infants.

Electrophysiology is useful when ophthalmological examination is uninformative.
Mitral regurgitation impact on left atrial myopathy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Zegkos Thomas , Kamperidis Vasileios , Gossios Thomas , Ntelios Dimitris , Parcharidou Despoina , Papanastasiou Christos A. , Panagiotidis Theofilos , Tsianaka Theodora , Rouskas Pavlos , Katranas Sotiris , Karvounis Haralambos , Efthimiadis Georgios
Published: May 2022

Background

: Recent studies have shown that mitral regurgitation (MR) represents a major determinant of left atrial (LA) function in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The role of MR in determining LA myopathy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association of MR with LA myopathy, assessed by LA strain values in HCM patients.

Methods

: In total 250 consecutive patients (mean age 51 ± 16 years, 67.2% male) with an established diagnosis of HCM and with sinus rhythm at index echocardiography evaluation were included. LA reservoir, conduit and booster strain were analyzed, besides LA size, left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function. The predictors of LA strain values were identified with linear regression analysis.

Results

: Significant (more than mild) MR was a significant univariate predictor of all the three LA strain values. In multivariate linear regression analysis, independent predictors of LA reservoir strain were more than mild MR (r = −.23), LV global longitudinal strain (r = −.49), LA volume index (r = −.27) and patient age (r = −.23). Significant MR was also an independent determinant of LA conduit (r = −.17) and booster strain (r = −.12). In patients with LA volume index < 34 ml/m2 more than mild MR was an independent predictor of LA reservoir (r = −.32) and conduit strain (r = −.27), but not LA booster strain.

Conclusion

: Significant MR is associated with LA myopathy independently of the LV diastolic and systolic function and LA size.
Depressed mood and environmental mastery as potential pathways linking family relationship quality and disease self‐management for African Americans with hypertension
Authors: Woods Sarah B. , Hiefner Angela , Roberson Patricia N. E. , Zahra Nida , Arnold Elizabeth Mayfield , Udezi Victoria
Published: May 2022

African Americans are at significantly greater risk of hypertension and worse cardiovascular outcomes than other racialized groups, yet hypertension intervention effects remain limited. Thus, it is necessary to understand the potential mechanisms whereby interventions may be more effectively targeted to improve health. Supported by prior research evidence and guided by the Biobehavioral Family Model, this study examined associations between family relationship quality, psychological wellbeing, and self‐management behaviors for African Americans with hypertension. Data were pooled from three Midlife Development in the U.S. projects, resulting in a sample of 317 African Americans (63.4% female, Mage = 53.32) with self‐reported high blood pressure in the past 12 months. We tested four cross‐sectional multiple mediator models, with depressed mood and environmental mastery mediating associations between family strain and exercise, smoking, problematic alcohol use, and stress‐eating. Environmental mastery mediated the association between greater family strain and decreased odds of achieving recommended exercise levels; greater odds of reporting problematic alcohol use; and greater stress‐eating. Though family strain was associated with depressed mood in each model, this variable did not serve as an indirect pathway to self‐management behaviors. Family strain, and the potential pathway identified via environmental mastery, may be a meaningful predictor of disease self‐management for African Americans with hypertension. Longitudinal studies are needed to examine directionality and to support intervention trials for improving self‐management and hypertension outcomes.
Supporting literacy development in two‐way immersion classrooms (Grades 3–5)
Authors: La Serna Jillian
Published: May 2022

This paper draws from a broader research project and reports on literacy program supports and instructional strategies in two‐way immersion (TWI) classrooms (Grades 3‐5) where the partner language is Spanish. The study examined TWI classrooms in which students from multiple demographics were performing at or above the state average on reading exams and highlights commonalities across classrooms. Semi‐structured interviews, class observations, and documents such as lesson plans were used as primary sources and collected from nine teacher participants. Common literacy practices emerged during data analysis and coding. Using grounded theory for qualitative analysis, two programmatic structures emerged: (1) Spanish and English literacy intervention and (2) coordination of literacy standards across languages. In addition, a focus on fluency and utilization of on‐grade level texts were identified as instructional strategies in classrooms. After describing how these structures and instructional strategies were utilized, this paper discusses implications for further research and practical application for literacy instruction in intermediate, and elementary TWI programs.
Availability and proximity of natural habitat influence cropland biodiversity in forest biomes globally
Authors: Outhwaite Charlotte L. , Ortiz A. Monica D. , Spooner Fiona E. B. , Dalin Carole , Newbold Tim
Published: May 2022

Aim

Agriculture is one of the greatest pressures on biodiversity. Regional studies have shown that the presence of natural habitat and landscape heterogeneity are beneficial for biodiversity in agriculture, but it remains unclear whether their importance varies geographically. Here, we use local biodiversity data to determine which local and landscape variables are most associated with biodiversity patterns and whether their association varies between tropical and non‐tropical regions.

Location

Global terrestrial area in forest biomes.

Major taxa studied

More than 21,000 species of vertebrates, invertebrates, plants and other taxa.

Methods

We used generalized linear mixed‐effects models to analyse the relationships between either community total abundance or species richness (derived from the PREDICTS database) and a number of site‐level (predominant land use and land‐use intensity) and landscape‐level variables (distance to forest, the percentage of natural habitat in the surrounding landscape, landscape homogeneity, the number of land‐cover types in the landscape, and total fertilizer application). We compared the associations of these variables with biodiversity in tropical and non‐tropical regions.

Results

In most cases, changes in biodiversity associated with landscape‐level variables were greater than those associated with local land use and land‐use intensity. Increased natural habitat availability was associated with the most consistent increases in biodiversity. Landscape homogeneity was also important but showed different directions of biodiversity change between regions. Associations with fertilizer application or the number of land‐cover types were generally weaker, although still of greater magnitude than for the local land‐use measures.

Main conclusions

Our results highlight similarities and differences in the association of local‐ and landscape‐scale variables with local biodiversity in tropical and non‐tropical regions. Landscape natural habitat availability had a consistent positive association with biodiversity, highlighting the key role of landscape management in the maintenance of biodiversity in croplands. Landscape‐scale variables were almost always associated with greater changes in biodiversity than the local‐scale measures.
Endothelial specific isoform of type XVIII collagen (COL‐18N): A marker of vascular integrity in haemophilic arthropathy
Authors: Tantawy Azza Abdel Gawad , Elsherif Nayera H. K. , Mostafa Salwa , Safwat Nesma Ahmad , El Seteha Khaled Anwar El Sayed
Published: May 2022

Background

Haemophilic arthropathy (HA) is a major complication in haemophilia. Collagens IV, XV and XVIII are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the vessel wall in the joint. Following joint remodelling and damage, the short isoform of collagen type XVIII (COL‐18N) is degraded, releasing measurable fragments. Our goal was to quantify the specific isoform COL‐18N in haemophilia A patients and to assess its relation to the clinical and radiological data as well as haemophilia joint health score (HJHS), functional independence score for haemophilia (FISH), and haemophilia quality of life (Haemo‐Qol).

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 50 haemophilia A patients recruited from the Paediatric Haematology and Oncology unit, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Quantification of COL‐18N was done by ELISA. Assessment of joint state clinically using FISH and HJH scores and radiologically by X‐rays and ultrasound.

Results

Haemophilia A patients had significantly higher median COL‐18N levels compared to the control group. Inhibitor positive and negative haemophilia A patients as well as those on non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug and those not had comparable COL‐18N levels. Patients with ≥2 target joints had significantly higher COL‐18N level compared to those with one or those without target joints. There were significant positive correlations between COL‐18N level and the total HJHS, Haemo‐Qol, the HEAD‐US score and annual bleeding rate.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated a high level of COL‐18N in haemophilia A patients and argued its benefit as a potential marker for monitoring the development of haemophilic arthropathy and tailoring the optimal treatment to prevent further joint damage.
Efficacy and safety of low‐dose rifabutin‐based 7‐day triple therapy as a third‐ or later‐lineHelicobacter pylorieradication regimen
Authors: Inokuchi Kazumi , Mori Hideki , Matsuzaki Juntaro , Hirata Kenro , Harada Yosuke , Saito Yoshimasa , Suzuki Hidekazu , Kanai Takanori , Masaoka Tatsuhiro
Published: May 2022

Background

Rifabutin‐based regimens are used as rescue therapy for refractoryHelicobacter pyloriinfection; however, the duration for which treatment is required and side effects are concerning. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of 7‐day rifabutin, amoxicillin, and vonoprazan triple therapy as third‐ or later‐line treatment forH. pyloriinfection.

Materials and Methods

Patients who did not respond to second‐line therapy were enrolled. AfterH. pyloriinfection was confirmed with the culture method, the patients received rifabutin‐containing triple therapy (20 mg vonoprazan b.i.d., 500 mg amoxicillin q.i.d., and 150 mg rifabutin q.d.) for 7 days. Twelve weeks after the eradication therapy, successful eradication was confirmed using a13C urea breath test or theH. pyloristool antigen test. The results obtained from our previous study that reported a 10‐day or 14‐day esomeprazole based rifabutin‐containing triple therapy as a third‐ or fourth‐line rescue therapy treated patients were used as historical control. We determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations of amoxicillin and rifabutin. We also evaluated whether the patients were positive for the mutation of therpoBgene.

Results

Intention‐to‐treat and per‐protocol analyses showed that our regimen resulted in a high eradication rate (91.2%, 95% CI: 84%–99% and 92.7%, 95% CI: 86%–100%, respectively). Adverse events occurred in 31.6% of the patients, and two patients discontinued the therapy.

Conclusions

This is the first study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 7‐day low‐dose rifabutin‐based triple therapy with vonoprazan and amoxicillin. Our results suggest that our regimen was effective and safe as a third‐ or later‐lineH. pylorieradication regimen. To clarify what component in this regimen are critical, subsequent studies using a factorial design (comparing vonoprazan‐amoxicillin dual therapy vs. vonoprazan‐rifabutin triple therapy) will be needed.
The market for social harms: A case study of Genevan philanthropy
Authors: Serrano Sophie
Published: May 2022

This article explores a remaining black box in the criminological literature on public problems: the prioritisation of the problem in the public arena. The research uses the case study of Genevan philanthropy to address the prioritisation of harms by moral entrepreneurs. Employing a qualitative methodology, it describes the prioritisation process by using the ‘market for social harms’ metaphor. It argues that philanthropists select their harms according to a risk/benefit assessment, which stems from the business world. This valuation of harms is collective and dependent on the competition and co‐operation between philanthropists. Finally, by detailing this metaphor, the study provides the key to obtaining a more general understanding of the prioritisation process.
Fetal‐placental antigens and the maternal immune system: Reproductive immunology comes of age*
Authors: Petroff Margaret G. , Nguyen Sean L. , Ahn Soo Hyun
Published: May 2022

Reproductive physiology and immunology as scientific disciplines each have rich, largely independent histories. The physicians and philosophers of ancient Greece made remarkable observations and inferences to explain regeneration as well as illness and immunity. The scientific enlightenment of the renaissance and the technological advances of the past century have led to the explosion of knowledge that we are experiencing today. Breakthroughs in transplantation, immunology, and reproduction eventually culminated with Medawar’s discovery of acquired immunological tolerance, which helped to explain the transplantation success and failure. Medawar’s musings also keenly pointed out that the fetus apparently breaks these newly discovered rules, and with this, the field of reproductive immunology was launched. As a result of having stemmed from transplantation immunology, scientist still analogizes the fetus to a successful allograft. Although we now know of the fundamental differences between the two, this analogy remains a useful tool to understand how the fetus thrives despite its immunological disparity with the mother. Here, we review the history of reproductive immunology, and how major and minor histocompatibility antigens, blood group antigens, and tissue‐specific “self” antigens from the fetus and transplanted organs parallel and differ.
What Can Possibly Go Wrong? Three Examples of Recurrent Deficiencies in the Teaching of Architectural Design
Authors: Silberberger Jan
Published: May 2022

Based on an ethnographic study on studio teaching at five leading European architecture schools, the paper at hand identifies three repeatedly occurring deficiencies (as well as one related problem) in the teaching of architectural design. Drawing on empirical data, the paper describes how ‘epistemic positions’ are shifted without reflection, that serious efforts at translating tacit into propositional knowledge are (too) scarce, and how procedures are not rigorously linked to the respective objects of study. In addition to tackling these three deficiencies, the paper calls for developing corresponding ways of critique assessment that reflect the aspired improvements.
Adjuvant use of multispecies probiotic in the treatment of peri‐implant mucositis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Santana Sandro I. , Silva Pedro H. F. , Salvador Sérgio L. , Casarin Renato C. V. , Furlaneto Flávia A. C. , Messora Michel R.
Published: May 2022

Aim

This randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial evaluated the effects of multispecies probiotic containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001™, Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc‐37®, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis HN019™ as an adjunct to mechanical debridement (MD) on changes in bleeding on probing (BOP) in edentulous patients with peri‐implant mucositis (PiM).

Materials and Methods

Patients were randomly assigned to test (probiotic) or control (placebo) groups. All sites with PiM received MD and topical gel application (probiotic or placebo) at baseline and 12 weeks. After initial MD, patients consumed probiotic or placebo capsules twice a day for 12 weeks. Clinical (modified sulcus bleeding index [mSBI]; modified plaque index [mPI]; probing depth [PD]; and BOP) and immunological parameters were collected at baseline and after 12 and 24 weeks. Data were statistically analysed (p < .05).

Results

Thirty‐six patients with PiM were recruited. The test group presented higher prevalence (p < .05) of cases of restored peri‐implant health at 24 weeks than did the control group (72.2% and 33.3%, respectively). No significant difference was observed between test (n = 18) and control (n = 18) groups for mPI and PD. mSBI %—score 0 was higher in the test group than in the control group at 24 weeks (p < .05). When compared with baseline, both groups presented reduced BOP at 12 and 24 weeks (p < .05). BOP was lower in the test group than in the control group at 12 (mean difference = −14.54%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −28.87 to 0.22; p = .0163) and 24 (mean difference = −12.56%; 95% CI = −26.51 to 1.37; p = .0090) weeks. At 24 weeks, only the test group presented lower levels of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α than those at baseline (p < .05).

Conclusions

The multispecies probiotic (administered locally and systemically) containing L. rhamnosus HN001™, L. paracasei Lpc‐37®, and B. lactis HN019™ as an adjunct to repeated MD promotes additional clinical and immunological benefits in the treatment of PiM in edentulous patients (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04187222).
Effectiveness of surgical root coverage on dentin hypersensitivity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Antezack Angéline , Ohanessian Romain , Sadowski Camille , Faure‐Brac Mathias , Brincat Arthur , Etchecopar‐Etchart Damien , Monnet‐Corti Virginie
Published: May 2022

Aim

To assess the effect of surgical root coverage (RC) on dentin hypersensitivity (DH) associated with gingival recession.

Materials and Methods

Two independent reviewers conducted electronic literature searches in MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web Of Science, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, ScienceDirect, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases as well as a manual search to identify eligible clinical studies from January 2000 to March 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing two surgical RC techniques or a surgical RC technique with or without adjuvant were included. Meta‐analyses were performed on data provided by RCTs.

Results

Thirteen RCTs with a total of 701 patients (1086 recessions) were included. The percentage of DH suppression was 70.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] [64.4–76.6]; I2 = 39.2% [3.5–61.8], Q‐test = 0.02) after surgical RC. Recession reduction and percentage of RC were both statistically significantly associated with DH suppression (estimate = 0.66 [0.10–1.23], p = .022, R2 = 14.45% and estimate = 0.04 [0.01–0.08], p = .012, R2 = 29.54%, respectively). Coronally advanced flap (CAF) + connective tissue graft showed results statistically more effective than CAF + xenogeneic collagen matrix in DH suppression (73.3% [65.6–79.8] and 61.4% [51.7–70.3], respectively; p = .048).

Conclusions

Success of surgical RC is associated with DH suppression.
Tooth loss in periodontally treated patients: A registry‐ and observation‐based analysis
Authors: Kocher Thomas , Holtfreter Birte , Priess Heinz‐Werner , Graetz Christian , Jablonowski Lukasz , Grabe Hans J. , Völzke Henry , Raedel Michael , Walter Michael H.
Published: May 2022

Aim

According to retrospective clinical studies, periodontal treatment retains teeth. However, evidence on the effectivity of periodontal treatment stemming from the general population is lacking.

Materials and Methods

We analysed data of periodontally treated patients from routine data of a major German national health insurance (BARMER‐MV; sub‐sample of the Federal State of Mecklenburg‐Vorpommern) and from a clinical cohort (Greifswald Approach to Individualized Medicine, GANI_MED), as well as periodontally untreated and treated participants of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP‐TREND) with either ≥2 or ≥4 teeth with pocket depths ≥4 mm. Yearly tooth loss (YTL) estimates and incidence rates were evaluated.

Results

For moderately to severely affected groups, YTL and incidence rates were higher in BARMER‐MV patients (0.35 and 0.18, respectively) than in untreated SHIP‐TREND controls (0.19 and 0.08, respectively). In line, treated SHIP‐TREND participants exhibited higher YTL rates than untreated SHIP‐TREND controls (0.26 vs. 0.19). For severely affected groups, results with respect to tooth loss were inconclusive regarding the beneficial effects of periodontal treatment conducted either in the university (GANI_MED data) or in the general practice.

Conclusion

Until 2021, periodontal treatment performed in German general dental practices within the national health insurance system was probably not efficient in retaining more teeth in the short‐ to mid‐term. Since reimbursement schemes were changed in 2021 and now cover periodontal treatment to a much larger extent, the future will show whether these new reimbursement codes will improve the quality of periodontal treatment and whether they will lead to more long‐term tooth retainment.