bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty and information causality in opportunity-as-artefact driving entrepreneurial actions
Authors: Leong David
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Entrepreneurs prioritise and act on purposeful endeavours instigated to actions by the visions of profits and benefits in the perceived opportunities. In the state of maximum entropy, with disorderliness and disequilibrium, entrepreneurs select the preferred pathway, through the profit-sensing mechanism, with the best probability of success to bet on. Therefore, this paper unpacks the forces at work in the mechanism to explain how entrepreneurs respond to opportunity and interpret the signals to coalesce into organised actions.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is primarily a conceptual paper on entrepreneurial action and the mechanism leading to that action. It refers to thermodynamic principles and biological cases to explain the forces at work using mostly analogical comparisons and similarities.

Findings

This paper aims to present an alternative theoretical scaffolding for entrepreneurship researchers to explore non-rational entrepreneurial behaviours and actions in uncertain, unstable and non-equilibrium environments, thereby creating new and competing hypotheses under the backdrop of adaptive evolution and thermodynamics phenomena.

Research limitations/implications

The discussion featuring instinctively and naturally forming responses cannot fully explain the real entrepreneurial action as there is an element of free will and choices that are not discussed. While strategic choice and free-will shape decisions, they are preceded first by the attraction of the gradients and the biased motion in the direction of profit-attractant.

Practical implications

There remain essential links and issues not addressed in this “natural science”, constituting life science and physical science, oriented entrepreneurship research and exploration. Conceptualising opportunity-as-artefact and entrepreneurship as design, significant incidences of entrepreneurial actions can be explained by the presence of gradients stimulating entrepreneurial actions.

Social implications

This viewpoint of information causality in opportunity-as-artefact casts a new look at the venerable question of what causes entrepreneurial actions. Shane and Venkataraman brought into focus this conversation, initiating the conceptual definition of opportunity. To have entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial opportunities must come first. Figuring the signals arising from these opportunities and cueing entrepreneurs to action is the main focus of this study.

Originality/value

Considering the “mechanism” at work and the thermodynamical forces at play, the entrepreneurial design process appears to hold considerable promise for future research development.
Application of Design for Lean Six Sigma to strategic space management
Authors: Trubetskaya Anna , McDermott Olivia , Ryan Anthony
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper outlines how Design for Lean Six Sigma methods aided a medical device manufacturing company in developing a new strategic space management and approval process for its manufacturing site.

Design/methodology/approach

The project demonstrates the application of the Design for Lean Six Sigma and structured Define, Measure, Analyse, Design, and Verify methodology in designing and implementing a process that enables the case study manufacturing site to improve its space utilisation and free up space.

Findings

The project was validated in one manufacturing department, and the Design for Lean Six Sigma methodology resulted in creating 15% new space for that area, with opportunities identified to free up 44.7% of the total manufacturing floor space and realise over €2.2 million cost savings as well as start to manufacture new products launched.

Research limitations/implications

The manuscript highlights for the first time how the Design for Lean Six Sigma methodology can be utilised for space utilisation and can be leveraged by other manufacturers. The current study's limitations are that it is a single-site case study application. Future longitudinal case studies on Design for Lean Six Sigma application in more manufacturing space utilisation projects would be useful. This study has implications for identifying best practices for Design for Lean Six Sigma methodology application in the device industry, thus improving the state of the art for introducing new manufacturing lines.

Originality/value

This is the first published work to utilise Design for Lean Six Sigma methodology for space utilisation in a medical device company. This review will provide medical devices and other manufacturing organisations with recommendations on utilising Design for Lean Six Sigma and design for improved space utilisation to reduce costs.
Acoustic field characteristics of seismic surveys in the shallow water environment of the Bohai Sea
Authors: Zhang Dong , Sun Zhilei , Zhang Xilin , Liu Huaishan , Sun Yunbao , Cao Hong , Geng Wei , Zhai Bin , Dong Gang , Li Ang , Luo Di
Published: March 2023

Air gun arrays are designed to generate strong energy pulses of less than 100 Hz for offshore oil and gas exploration. In shallow seas, due to the directivity of air gun arrays, the complex propagation conditions and the limitations of acquisition methods, it is difficult to accurately evaluate the spatial time and frequency transmission characteristics of airguns. To alleviate the existing lack of knowledge about the transmission characteristics of air gun pulses in the shallow waters of the Bohai Sea, we analysed three‐dimensional ocean bottom cable seismic data collected during a seismic survey in the Bohai Sea, China, in June 2017, which were used to evaluate the reception level, frequency domain characteristics and spatial distribution characteristics within a 5.55 × 5.575 km area. The results showed that in shallow water, multipath propagation causes downfrequency chirplike sounds and an increased sound field. Within 0.3 km, the transmission model follows a cylindrical diffusion, and the sound loss rate decreases as the transmission distance increases until reaching 8 km. Signal capture by the sound channel results in a high transmission loss frequency band, whereas multimode interference weakens the transmission loss. The gun array directivity and the transmission channel are the two main factors affecting the acoustic field. This research provides an improved understanding of the acoustic field of airguns in the Bohai Sea, which can benefit the acoustic modelling of air gun arrays, the design of future seismic exploration projects and the conservation of marine life.
Using the Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform Assessment of cognitive strategy use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Initial exploration of clinical utility
Authors: Smith Rebecca Leanne , Ranka Judy , Nott Melissa
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Culturally safe and meaningful cognitive assessment methods for use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are scarce. Concerns are raised regarding the efficacy of existing methods in cross‐cultural contexts. The Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform (PRPP) Assessment offers a person‐centred alternative whereby cognitive strategy application is examined during performance of culturally relevant everyday tasks. This paper explores its use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia.

Methods

A critical case study design was applied to examine the effectiveness and relevance of the PRPP Assessment with two Aboriginal Australian people in the Northern Territory of Australia. ‘Ivan’ and ‘Jean’ were each receiving occupational therapy through a rehabilitation service over a 6‐month period following acquired brain injuries. Ivan and Jean were assessed performing everyday tasks of interest and importance to them as part of routine care. A partnership approach was adopted throughout the process, and both consented to their stories being told.

Results

The PRPP Assessment was able to measure changes in Ivan's and Jean's cognitive strategy use and its impact on performance of meaningful tasks. Ivan demonstrated a 46% increase in performance mastery and a 29% increase in cognitive strategy use with most improvements identified in his ability to sense information, initiate action, and continue performance. Jean demonstrated a 71% increase in performance mastery and a 32% increase in cognitive strategy use. Her greatest improvements were in the ability to recall schemes, self‐evaluate, and initiate action.

Conclusion

The two critical case stories shared in this study suggest that the PRPP Assessment has emerging evidence of clinical utility when used with Aboriginal people with acquired brain impairment. The information gained revealed strengths in performance; it was effective in measuring change in cognitive strategy use, was able to inform the goal setting process, and guided intervention to support cognitive strategy use during task performance.
Sensory quality of Citrus scion hybrids with Poncirus trifoliata in their pedigrees
Authors: Deterre Sophie C. , Jeffries Kristen A. , McCollum Greg , Stover Ed , Leclair Clotilde , Manthey John A. , Bai Jinhe , Baldwin Elizabeth A. , Raithore Smita , Plotto Anne
Published: March 2023

Hybrids of Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf. with Citrus have shown degrees of tolerance to the deadly citrus greening disease, hence prompting interest as potential commercial varieties. Although P. trifoliata is known to produce fruit that is inedible, fruit from many advanced hybrid trees have not been evaluated for their quality potential. The sensory quality of selected Citrus hybrids with varying degrees of P. trifoliata in their pedigrees is reported herein. Four Citrus × P. trifoliata hybrids developed through the USDA Citrus scion breeding program—1‐76‐100, 1‐77‐105, 5‐18‐24, and 5‐18‐31—had acceptable eating quality and sweet and sour taste, with mandarin, orange, fruity–noncitrus, and floral flavors. On the other hand, hybrids with higher proportion of P. trifoliata in their pedigrees, US 119 and 6‐23‐20, produced a juice characterized by green, cooked, bitter, and Poncirus‐like flavor and aftertaste. Partial least square regressions revealed that the Poncirus‐like off‐flavor is likely due to a combination of higher than typical amounts of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (woody/green odor), monoterpenes (citrus/pine), and terpene esters (floral) and a lack of aldehydes with typical citrus odor (octanal, nonanal, and decanal). Sweetness and sourness were mostly explained by high sugars and acids, respectively. Further, carvones and linalool contributed to sweetness in the samples from early and late seasons, respectively. In addition to highlighting chemical contributors to sensory descriptors in Citrus × P. trifoliata hybrids, this study provides useful information on sensory quality for future citrus breeding efforts.

Practical Application

The relationships between the sensory quality and secondary metabolites of Citrus × P. trifoliata hybrids described in this study help identify disease‐resistant Citrus scion hybrids with acceptable flavor and help mobilize this resistance in future breeding efforts. It also shows potential of such hybrids to be commercialized.
Wastewater reuse and predicted ecological risk posed by contaminant mixtures in Potomac River watershed streams
Authors: Faunce Kaycee E. , Barber Larry B. , Keefe Steffanie H. , Jasmann Jeramy R. , Rapp Jennifer L.
Published: March 2023

A wastewater model was applied to the Potomac River watershed to provide (i) a means to identify streams with a high likelihood of carrying elevated effluent‐derived contaminants and (ii) risk assessments to aquatic life and drinking water. The model linked effluent discharges along stream networks, accumulated wastewater, and predicted contaminant loads of municipal wastewater constituents while accounting for instream dilution and attenuation. Simulations using 2016 data suggested that nearly 30% (8281 km) of streams were wastewater impacted. Low‐ to medium‐order streams had the largest range of accumulated wastewater (ACCWW%) values. ACCWW% exceeded a 1% threshold at >39% of drinking‐water intakes (varied by temporal condition). Risk assessments of municipal wastewater‐contaminant mixtures indicated that 22% (1479 km) of streams impacted by municipal wastewater (5.5% of all reaches modeled) may pose high risk to aquatic organisms under mean‐annual conditions, with fish more susceptible to chronic‐exposure effects relative to other taxa. Risk varied temporally and by stream order, with the greatest risk occurring in the summer in small streams. These findings suggest that wastewater may be an important factor contributing to environmental degradation in the Potomac River watershed.
Antidepressants and quality of life in patients with major depressive disorder – Systematic review and meta‐analysis of double‐blind, placebo‐controlled RCTs
Authors: Wiesinger Teresa , Kremer Stefanie , Bschor Tom , Baethge Christopher
Published: March 2023

Background

Quality of Life (QoL) is an important outcome in mental disorders. We investigated whether antidepressant pharmacotherapy improved QoL vs. placebo among patients with MDD.

Methods

Systematic literature search in CENTRAL, Medline, PubMed Central, and PsycINFO of double‐blind, placebo‐controlled RCTs. Screening, inclusion, extraction, and risk of bias assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers. We calculated summary standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95%‐CIs. We followed Cochrane Collaboration's Handbook of Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses and PRISMA guidelines (protocol registration at OSF).

Results

We selected 46 RCTs out of 1807 titles and abstracts screened, including 16.171 patients, 9131 on antidepressants and 7040 on placebo, a mean age of 50.9 years, with 64.8% women. Antidepressant drug treatment resulted in a SMD in QoL of 0.22 ([95%‐CI: 0.18; 0.26] I2 39%) vs. placebo. SMDs differed by indication: 0.38 ([0.29; 0.46] I2 0%) in maintenance studies, 0.21 ([0.17; 0.25] I2 11%) in acute treatment studies, and 0.11 ([−0.05; 0.26], I2 51%) in studies focussing on patients with a physical condition and major depression. There was no indication of subtstantial small study effects, but 36 RCTs had a high or uncertain risk of bias, particularly maintenance trials. QoL and antidepressive effect sizes were associated (Spearman's rho 0.73, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Antidepressants' effects on QoL are small in primary MDD, and doubtful in secondary major depression and maintenance trials. The strong correlation of QoL and antidepressive effects indicates that the current practice of measuring QoL may not provide sufficient additional insights into the well‐being of patients.
Effects of talking about side effects versus not talking about side effects on the therapeutic alliance: A controlled clinical trial
Authors: Muschalla Beate , Müller Julia , Grocholewski Anja , Linden Michael
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Side effects of psychotherapy are common. Therapists and patients must recognize negative developments to take countermeasure. Therapists can be reluctant to talk about problems of their own treatment. The hypothesis could be that talking about side effects can impair the therapeutic relationship.

Methods

We examined whether a systematic monitoring and discussion of side effects has a negative effect on therapeutic alliance. Intervention group (IG) therapists and patients filled in the UE‐PT scale (unwanted events in the view of patient and therapists scale) and discussed their mutual ratings (IG, n = 20). As unwanted events can be independent of therapy, but also be treatment‐related side effects, the UE‐PT‐scale first asks for UE and then for their relation to the ongoing treatment. In the control group (CG, n = 16) treatment was done without any special side effect monitoring. Both groups filled in the Scale for Therapeutic Alliance (STA‐R).

Results

IG‐therapists reported various unwanted events in 100% and patients in 85% of cases: complexity of problems, burdensome or overdemanding therapy, problems with work, and symptom deterioration. Any side effect was reported in 90% by therapists and in 65% by patients. Most frequent side effects were demoralization and worsening of symptoms.

IG therapists observed an improvement of global therapeutic alliance in STA‐R (M = 3.08 to M = 3.31, p = 0.024, interaction effect in ANOVA with two groups and measurement repetition), and reduced patient fear (M = 1.21 to M = 0.91, p = 0.012). IG patients perceived improvement in bond (M = 3.45 to M = 3.70, p = 0.045). In the CG no comparable changes were seen (alliance M = 2.97 to M = 3.00; patient fear M = 1.20 to M = 1.36; patient‐perceived bond M = 3.41 to M = 3.36).

Conclusion

The initial hypothesis must be rejected. The results suggest that monitoring, and discussion of side effects can even improve the therapeutic alliance. Therapists must not be afraid that this will endanger the therapeutic process. The use of a standardized instrument like the UE‐PT‐scale seems helpful.
High‐‘n’‐dry? A comparison of cannabis and alcohol use in drivers presenting to hospital after a vehicular collision
Authors: Brubacher J. R. , Chan H. , Erdelyi S. , Yuan Y. , Daoust R. , Vaillancourt C. , Rowe B. , Lee J. , Mercier E. , Atkinson P. , Davis P. , Clarke D. , Taylor J. , Macpherson A. , Emond M. , Al‐Hakim D. , Horwood C. , Wishart I. , Magee K. , Rao J. , Eppler J.
Published: March 2023

Design

This was a prospective observational study.

Background and Aims

The characteristics of cannabis‐involved motor vehicle collisions are poorly understood. This study of injured drivers identifies demographic and collision characteristics associated with high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations.

Setting

The study was conducted in 15 Canadian trauma centres between January 2018 and December 2021.

Cases

The cases (n = 6956) comprised injured drivers who required blood testing as part of routine trauma care.

Measurements

We quantified whole blood THC and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and recorded driver sex, age and postal code, time of crash, crash type and injury severity. We defined three driver groups: high THC (THC ≥ 5 ng/ml and BAC = 0), high alcohol (BAC ≥ 0.08% and THC = 0) and THC/BAC‐negative (THC = 0 = BAC). We used logistic regression techniques to identify factors associated with group membership.

Findings

Most injured drivers (70.2%) were THC/BAC‐negative; 1274 (18.3%) had THC > 0, including 186 (2.7%) in the high THC group; 1161 (16.7%) had BAC > 0, including 606 (8.7%) in the high BAC group. Males and drivers aged less than 45 years had higher adjusted odds of being in the high THC group (versus the THC/BAC‐negative group). Importantly, 4.6% of drivers aged less than 19 years had THC ≥ 5 ng/ml, and drivers aged less than 19 years had higher unadjusted odds of being in the high THC group than drivers aged 45–54 years. Males, drivers aged 19–44 years, rural drivers, seriously injured drivers and drivers injured in single‐vehicle, night‐time or weekend collisions had higher adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for being in the high alcohol group (versus THC/BAC‐negative). Drivers aged less than 35 or more than 65 years and drivers involved in multi‐vehicle, daytime or weekday collisions had higher adjusted odds for being in the high THC group (versus the high BAC group).

Conclusions

In Canada, risk factors for cannabis‐related motor vehicle collisions appear to differ from those for alcohol‐related motor vehicle collisions. The collision factors associated with alcohol (single‐vehicle, night‐time, weekend, rural, serious injury) are not associated with cannabis‐related collisions. Demographic factors (young drivers, male drivers) are associated with both alcohol and cannabis‐related collisions, but are more strongly associated with cannabis‐related collisions.
Comparative effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in adults with harmful use of alcohol: a systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Tan Chia Jie , Shufelt Taylor , Behan Emma , Chantara Junpen , Koomsri Chanchanok , Gordon Adam J. , Chaiyakunapruk Nathorn , Dhippayom Teerapon
Published: March 2023

Aims

Psychosocial approaches are the hallmark of treatment for harmful alcohol use. However, the most effective psychosocial intervention has not been identified. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of psychosocial therapy for harmful alcohol use using a network meta‐analysis approach.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses from inception to January 2022. Randomized controlled trials in adults aged > 18 years with harmful alcohol use were included. Psychosocial interventions were classified using the theme, intensity, and provider/platform (TIP) framework. The mean differences (MD) of the alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) score were estimated in the primary analysis using a random‐effects model. Surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) methods were used to rank different interventions. The certainty of evidence was evaluated using the confidence in network meta‐analysis (CINeMA) approach. This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022328972).

Results

A total of 4225 records were retrieved from searches; 19 trials (n = 7149) met the inclusion criteria. The most common TIP combination was brief interventions delivered once via face‐to‐face sessions (six studies) and 11 TIP features were included in the network meta‐analysis. A significant difference in AUDIT score was evident among 16 of 55 treatment comparisons, with the highest effect size observed when motivational interviewing plus cognitive behavioral therapy in multiple sessions via face‐to‐face (MI–CBT/Mult/F2F) was compared with usual care [MD = −4.98; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −7.04, −2.91]. This finding was consistent with SUCRA, which suggested that MI–CBT/Mult/F2F is most likely to be better than other interventions (SUCRA = 91.3). MI–CBT/Mult/F2F remained the highest‐ranking intervention in our sensitivity analyses (SUCRA = 64.9, 80.8). However, the certainty of evidence for most treatment comparisons was low.

Conclusions

Combined psychosocial intervention with a more intensive approach may provide greater effect in reducing harmful alcohol consumption behavior.
Gucci and the waqf: Inalienability in Beirut's postwar reconstruction
Authors: Moumtaz Nada
Published: March 2023

On August 4, 2020, one of the largest nonnuclear explosions in history rocked the city of Beirut, leaving over 200 people dead, 6,500 injured, and 300,000 homeless. As Beirutis debated strategies for rebuilding, another reconstruction project haunted their discussions: the postwar reconstruction of Beirut's city center, overseen by the private company Solidere. For many, Solidere stands for a neoliberal reconstruction project that placed profits over people, expropriating rights‐holders for company shares. While most organizing against Solidere in the 1990s failed, this article turns to a little‐known but more‐successful mobilization involving Solidere's expropriation of parcels and buildings that had been endowed as inalienable Islamic trusts. Many Beiruti Muslims rallied against these expropriations, citing endowment inalienability and resulting in publicized recuperations. Yet, archival and ethnographic research shows that this mobilization led to the recuperation of only some of these endowed properties. Many others were taken to market in order to allow for the perpetuation of the few. This chapter in the reconstruction of Beirut's city center complicates our understanding of capitalism, alienability, and inalienability, illustrating both the constant work needed to create free markets and the continued effectiveness of discourses of inalienability that perpetuate other forms of value and property under capitalism.
Adverse reactions of PDE5 inhibitors: An analysis of the World Health Organization pharmacovigilance database
Authors: Lui Jason L. , Shaw Nathan M. , Abbasi Behzad , Hakam Nizar , Breyer Benjamin N.
Published: March 2023

Background

Despite their efficacy and general safety, rare but devastating adverse drug reactions have been associated with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.

Objectives

To determine the safety profile of oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors with a particular focus on priapism and malignant melanoma.

Materials and methods

In this case–non‐case study, we queried the individual case safety reports for phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors within the World Health Organization global database of individual case safety reports (VigiBase) between 1983 and 2021. We included all individual case safety reports for sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil in men. For comparison, we also extracted the safety data from the Food and Drug Administration trials for these drugs. We assessed the safety profile of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors by disproportionality analysis by measuring reporting odds ratio for their most commonly reported adverse drug reactions, once for all phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor reports and once for reports of oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor use in adult men (≥18 years old) with sexual dysfunction.

Results

A total of 94,713 individual case safety reports for phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors were extracted. A total of 31,827 individual case safety reports were identified relating to adult men taking oral sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, or avanafil for sexual dysfunction. The most common adverse drug reactions included poor drug efficacy (42.5%), headache (10.4% vs. 8.5%–27.6% [Food and Drug Administration]), abnormal vision (8.4% vs. ≤4.6% [Food and Drug Administration]), flushing (5.2% vs. 5.1%–16.5% [Food and Drug Administration]), and dyspepsia (4.2% vs. 3.4%–11.1% [Food and Drug Administration]). Priapism showed significant signals for sildenafil (reporting odds ratio = 13.81, 95% confidence interval: 11.75–16.24), tadalafil (reporting odds ratio = 14.54, 95% confidence interval: 11.56–18.06), and vardenafil (reporting odds ratio = 14.12, 95% confidence interval: 8.36–22.35). Comparing with other medications in VigiBase, sildenafil (reporting odds ratio = 8.73, 95% confidence interval: 7.63–9.99) and tadalafil (reporting odds ratio = 4.25, 95% confidence interval: 3.19–5.55) had significantly higher reporting odds ratios for malignant melanoma.

Conclusion

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors show significant signals correlating with priapism among a large international cohort. Further clinical study is needed to elucidate whether this is from proper or inappropriate use or other confounding conditions, as analysis of pharmacovigilance data does not allow for quantifying the clinical risk. Also, there appears to be a relationship between phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor use and malignant melanoma, which warrants additional study to better understand causation.
Associations of pre‐ and postnatal exposures with optic nerve status in young adults
Authors: Zhu Linna , Munch Inger Christine , Pedersen Casper‐Emil T , Stokholm Jakob , Bønnelykke Klaus , Chawes Bo , Carlsson Christian Jakob , Schoos Ann‐Marie M. , Larsen Michael , Bisgaard Hans , Brustad Nicklas
Published: March 2023

Purpose

We aimed to explore the effect of multiple pre‐ and postnatal exposures on optic nerve status in young adults due to this critical period for development.

Methods

We analysed peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) status and macular thickness at age 18 years in the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood 2000 (COPSAC2000) cohort in relation to several exposures.

Results

Of the 269 participants (median (IQR) age, 17.6 (0.6) years; 124 boys), 60 participants whose mothers had smoked during pregnancy had a thinner RNFL: adjusted mean difference −4.6 μm (95% CI −7.7; −1.5 μm, p = 0.004) compared with participants whose mothers had not smoked during pregnancy. A total of 30 participants who were exposed to tobacco smoke both during foetal life and childhood had thinner RNFL: −9.6 μm (−13.4; −5.8 μm, p < 0.001). Smoking during pregnancy was also associated with a macular thickness deficit: −4.7 μm (−9.0; −0.4 μm, p = 0.03). Higher indoor concentrations of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) was associated with thinner RNFL: −3.6 μm (−5.6; −1.6 μm, p < 0.001) and a macular deficit: −2.7 μm (−5.3; −0.1 μm, p = 0.04) in the crude analyses, but not in the adjusted analyses. No difference was found among participants who smoked at age 18 years compared with non‐smokers on RNFL or macular thickness.

Conclusions

We found that exposure to smoking during early life was associated with a thinner RNFL and macula at age 18 years. The absence of an association between active smoking at 18 years suggests that the vulnerability of the optic nerve is highest during prenatal life and early childhood.
The ethics of ethics conferences: Is Qatar a desirable location for a bioethics conference?
Authors: van der Graaf Rieke , Jongsma Karin , van de Vathorst Suzanne , de Vries Martine , Bolt Ineke
Published: March 2023

The next World Congress of Bioethics will be held in Doha, Qatar. Although this location provides opportunities to interact with a more culturally diverse audience, to advance dialogue between cultures and religions, offer opportunities for mutual learning, there are also huge moral concerns. Qatar is known for violations of human rights ‐ including the treatment of migrant workers and the rights of women ‐ corruption, criminalization of LGBTQI+ persons, and climate impact. Since these concerns are also key (bio)ethical concern we call for a broad debate within the bioethics community whether organizing and attending the World Congress in Qatar is ethically problematic and how ethical concerns should be dealt with.
Connecting the unconnected: Analogies and the development of insight in the absorptive capacity process
Authors: Ng Desmond , Sánchez‐Aragón Leonardo
Published: March 2023

While innovation has been widely attributed to a firm's absorptive capacity (AC), product and marketing studies have found that insight is central to a firm's creativity and innovation. Creativity and innovation studies have found that individuals often relate to external information through an analogical reasoning process and that this process develops insight into a firm's innovation. Although the AC concept has been associated with this insight, it however faces significant difficulties explaining its development. This is because AC has been defined by a social structure where myopic tendencies can preclude its individual members from assimilating new external experiences. As insight often requires an exposure to previously unconnected or unrelated experiences, this myopia can reduce a firm's ability to produce insight in its AC process. By drawing on an individual level analogical reasoning process, this study argues that a firm's coherence and uniqueness offer a social structure that not only leverages this individual level analogical reasoning process but also produces an assimilation that develops insight in the firm's AC process. In using a sample of US biotechnology firms, this study finds empirical support for these arguments to explain the development of insight in ways not possible with AC explanations.
EBV‐positive pyothorax‐associated lymphoma expresses CXCL9 and CXCL10 chemokines that attract cytotoxic lymphocytes via CXCR3
Authors: Higuchi Tomonori , Hashida Yumiko , Matsuo Kazuhiko , Kitahata Kosuke , Ujihara Takako , Murakami Ichiro , Nakayama Takashi , Daibata Masanori
Published: March 2023

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐positive diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma associated with chronic inflammation (DLBCL‐CI) develops in the setting of long‐standing inflammation. This type of lymphoma may have specific expression profiles of chemokines involved in the pathogenesis of DLBCL‐CI. EBV‐positive pyothorax‐associated lymphoma (PAL) is a prototype of DLBCL‐CI and represents a valuable model for the study of this disease category. Using a panel of PAL cell lines, we found that PAL cells expressed and secreted C–X–C motif chemokine ligands 9 and 10 (CXCL9 and CXCL10), the ligands of CXCR3, in contrast to EBV‐negative DLBCL cell lines, which did not. Culture supernatants from PAL cell lines attracted CXCR3‐expressing CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and CD56+ natural killer cells from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. PAL cells injected into mice also attracted CXCR3‐positive cytotoxic lymphocytes that expressed interferon‐γ. The expression of CXCL9 and CXCL10 was detected in PAL tumor biopsy samples from patients, and CXCR3‐positive lymphocytes were abundant in the tissue samples. Collectively, these findings suggest that CXCL9 and CXCL10 are produced by PAL cells and can elicit cytotoxic responses via CXCR3. This chemokine system is also likely to contribute to tissue necrosis, which is a signature histological feature of DLBCL‐CI. Further studies are warranted to determine whether the CXCL9–CXCL10/CXCR3 axis exerts antitumor effects in DLBCL‐CI.
Stat5 inhibits NLRP3‐mediated pyroptosis to enhance chemoresistance of breast cancer cells via promoting miR‐182 transcription
Authors: Wan Peng , He Xiaolan , Han Ying , Wang Liangliang , Yuan Zuguo
Published: March 2023

The treatment of breast cancer (BC) calls for targeted methods to overcome chemoresistance (CR). This study is expected to figure out the mechanism of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) in NOD‐like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3)‐mediated pyroptosis and CR in BC cells. BC cell lines resistant to paclitaxel (PTX) and cis‐diamminedichloro‐platinum (DDP) were prepared. Expressions of Stat5, miR‐182, and NLRP3 were detected. The 50% inhibition concentration (IC50), proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis rate, and levels of pyroptosis‐related factors were appraised and determined. The binding relationships of Stat5 and miR‐182, and miR‐182 and NLRP3 were testified. Stat5 and miR‐182 were highly expressed in drug‐resistant BC cells. Silencing Stat5 reduced proliferation and colony formation of drug‐resistant BC cells, coincided with elevated levels of pyroptosis‐related factors. Stat5 bound to the promoter region of miR‐182 to promote miR‐182 expression. miR‐182 inhibition reversed the role of silencing Stat5 in BC cells. miR‐182 inhibited NLRP3. Overall, Stat5 bound to the promoter region of miR‐182 to promote miR‐182 expression and inhibit NLRP3 transcription, thereby suppressing pyroptosis and enhancing CR of BC cells.
Stakeholders' perspectives on caregiver outcomes for health care transition for adolescents and young adults with special health care needs: A qualitative study
Authors: Fair Cynthia De Vane , Betz Cecily , Naranjo Diana , Porter Jerlym , Bailey Elizabeth Caitlin , Korycinski Hannah , Ferris Maria
Published: March 2023

Background

Previous literature has explored parent/caregiver perspectives and satisfaction with the health care transition (HCT) process for their adolescents and young adults with special health care needs (AYASHCN). Limited research has explored the opinion of health care providers and researchers on parent/caregiver outcomes associated with a successful HCT for AYASHCN.

Methods

A web‐based survey was distributed through the international and interdisciplinary Health Care Transition Research Consortium listserv, which at the time of the survey was composed of 148 providers dedicated to optimizing the HCT of AYAHSCN. Participants responded to the open‐ended question, ‘What parent/caregiver‐related outcome(s) would represent a successful healthcare transition?’ Respondents included 109 providers (52 health care professionals, 38 social service professionals and 19 other). Responses were coded for emergent themes, and research suggestions were identified.

Results

Qualitative analyses identified two major themes: emotion‐ and behaviour‐based outcomes. Emotion‐based subthemes included relinquishing control of child's health management (n = 50, 45.9%) as well as parental satisfaction and confidence in their child's care and HCT (n = 42, 38.5%). Respondents also noted that parents/caregivers should experience an improved sense of well‐being and decreased stress (n = 9, 8.2%) due to a successful HCT. Behaviour‐based outcomes included early preparation and planning for HCT (n = 12, 11.0%) and parental instruction on the knowledge and skills necessary for their adolescent to independently manage their health (n = 10, 9.1%).

Conclusions

Health care providers can assist parents/caregivers in learning strategies for instructing their AYASHCN about condition‐related knowledge and skills as well as provide support for ‘letting go’ of the caregiver role during the HCT to adult‐focused health services and adulthood. Communication between the AYASCH, their parents/caregivers and paediatric‐ and adult‐focused providers needs to be consistent and comprehensive to ensure continuity of care and a successful HCT. We also offered strategies to address the outcomes suggested by the participants of this study.
Undetectable anti‐Mullerian hormone and inhibin B do not preclude the presence of germ cell tumours in 45,X/46,XY or 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis
Authors: Hannema Sabine E. , Wolffenbuttel Katja P. , van Bever Yolande , Brüggenwirth Hennie T. , van den Berg Sjoerd A. A. , Hersmus Remko , Oosterhuis J. Wolter , Looijenga Leendert H. J.
Published: March 2023

Objective

Individuals with 45,X/46,XY or 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis are at increased risk of germ cell malignancies. Therefore, prophylactic bilateral gonadectomy is advised in girls and considered in boys with atypical genitalia for undescended, macroscopically abnormal gonads. However, severely dysgenetic gonads may not contain germ cells rendering gonadectomy unnecessary. Therefore, we investigate if undetectable preoperative serum anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B can predict the absence of germ cells, (pre)malignant or otherwise.

Design, Patients and Measurements

Individuals who had undergone bilateral gonadal biopsy and/or gonadectomy because of suspected gonadal dysgenesis in 1999–2019 were included in this retrospective study if preoperative AMH and/or inhibin B were available. Histological material was reviewed by an experienced pathologist. Haematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical stainings for SOX9, OCT4, TSPY and SCF (KITL) were used.

Results

Thirteen males and 16 females were included, 20 with 46,XY and 9 with 45,X/46,XY DSD. Three females had dysgerminoma alongside gonadoblastoma; two gonadoblastoma, one germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS) and three males had pre‐GCNIS and/or pre‐gonadoblastoma. Gonadoblastoma and/or dysgerminoma were present in 3/11 individuals with undetectable AMH and inhibin B, one of whom also had non‐(pre)malignant germ cells. Of the other 18, in whom AMH and/or inhibin B were detectable, only one had no germ cells.

Conclusions

Undetectable serum AMH and inhibin B cannot reliably predict the absence of germ cells and germ cell tumours in individuals with 45,X/46,XY or 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis. This information should help in counselling about prophylactic gonadectomy, taking into account both the germ cell cancer risk and potential for gonadal function.
Effect of once‐weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg on weight‐ and health‐related quality of life in an East Asian population: Patient‐reported outcomes from the STEP 6 trial
Authors: Kolotkin Ronette L. , Jeppesen Ole Kleist , Baker‐Knight James , Lee Sang Yeoup , Tokita Asako , Kadowaki Takashi
Published: March 2023

We assessed the effect of semaglutide 2.4 and 1.7 mg versus placebo on weight‐related quality of life (WRQOL) and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in the STEP 6 trial. Adults from East Asia (body mass index [BMI] ≥27.0 kg/m2 with ≥2 weight‐related comorbidities, or ≥35.0 kg/m2 with ≥1 weight‐related comorbidity) were randomized 4:1:2:1 to once‐weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg or placebo, or semaglutide 1.7 mg or placebo, plus lifestyle intervention for 68 weeks. WRQOL and HRQOL were assessed from baseline to Week 68 using the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life‐Lite Clinical Trials Version (IWQOL‐Lite‐CT) and the 36‐Item‐Short‐Form‐Survey‐version‐2.0 acute (SF‐36v2), with changes in scores by categories of baseline BMI (</≥30 and ≥35 kg/m2) also assessed. In total, 401 participants (mean body weight 87.5 kg, aged 51 years, BMI 31.9 kg/m2, waist circumference 103.2 cm) were included. From baseline to Week 68, the IWQOL‐Lite‐CT Psychosocial and Total scores were significantly improved with semaglutide 2.4 and 1.7 mg versus placebo. For Physical score, effects were only in favour of semaglutide 2.4 mg versus placebo. In the SF‐36v2, Physical Functioning was significantly improved with semaglutide 2.4 mg versus placebo, but no beneficial effects favouring either semaglutide treatment arms versus placebo were seen in the other SF‐36v2 domains. Benefits favouring semaglutide 2.4 mg versus placebo were also observed in subgroups with higher BMIs for IWQOL‐Lite‐CT and SF‐36v2 Physical Functioning scores. Treatment with semaglutide 2.4 mg improved aspects of WRQOL and HRQOL in people from East Asia with overweight/obesity.
People with opioid use disorders: A taxonomy of treatment entrants to support the development of a profile‐based approach to care
Authors: Archambault Léonie , Bertrand Karine , Jutras‐Aswad Didier , Monson Eva , Touré El Hadj , Perreault Michel
Published: March 2023

Introduction

People with opioid use disorders (OUD) present with high levels of medical and psychosocial vulnerabilities. In recent years, studies have highlighted a shift in demographic and biopsychosocial profiles of people with OUD. In order to support the development of a profile‐based approach to care, this study aims to identify different profiles of people with OUD in a sample of patients admitted to a specialised opioid agonist treatment (OAT) facility.

Methods

Twenty‐three categorical variables (demographic, clinical, indicators of health and social precariousness) were retrieved from a sample of 296 patient charts in a large Montréal‐based OAT facility (2017–2019). Descriptive analyses were followed by a three‐step latent class analysis (LCA) to identify different socio‐clinical profiles and examine their association with demographic variables.

Results

The LCA revealed three socio‐clinical profiles: (i) “polysubstance use with psychiatric, physical and social vulnerabilities” (37% of the sample); (ii) “heroin use with vulnerabilities to anxiety and depression” (33%); (iii) “pharmaceutical‐type opioid use with vulnerabilities to anxiety, depression and chronic pain” (30%). Class 3 individuals were more likely to be aged 45 years and older.

Discussion and Conclusion

While current approaches (such as low‐ and regular‐threshold services) may be suited for many OUD treatment entrants, there may be a need to improve the continuum of care between mental health, chronic pain, and addiction services for those characterised by the use of pharmaceutical‐type opioids, chronic pain and older age. Overall, the results support further exploring profile‐based approaches to care, tailored to subgroups of patients with differing needs or abilities.
Universality and language specificity of brain reading networks: A developmental perspective
Authors: Zhang Jia. , Chen Jie. , Ding Guosheng.
Published: March 2023

The development of reading networks across different languages and cultures provides an important window to address gene‐culture interactions in brain functionality development. Previous meta‐analyses have explored the neural correlates of reading in different languages with diverse orthographic transparencies. However, it remains unknown whether the neural topographic relationship of different languages varies when taking development into account. To address this issue, we conducted meta‐analyses of neuroimaging studies with approaches of activation likelihood estimation and seed‐based effect size mapping and focused on two highly contrasting languages, Chinese and English. The meta‐analyses covered 61 studies of Chinese reading and 64 studies of English reading by native speakers. The brain reading networks of child and adult readers were further separately analyzed and compared to explore the developmental effects. The results revealed that the commonalities and differences in reading networks for Chinese and English were inconsistent between children and adults. In addition, the reading networks converged with development, and the effects of writing systems on brain function organizations were more salient in the initial stages of reading. An interesting finding was that the left inferior parietal lobule demonstrated increased effect sizes in adults compared with children in both Chinese and English reading, indicating a common developmental feature of reading mechanisms across the two languages. These findings provide new insights into the functional evolution and cultural modulation of brain reading networks.

Research Highlights

Meta‐analyses with approaches of activation likelihood estimation and seed‐based effect size mapping were performed to evaluate the developmental characteristics of brain reading networks.

The engagement of universal and language‐specific reading networks was different between children and adults, and the reading networks converged with increased reading experience.

Overall the middle/inferior occipital and inferior/middle frontal gyrus were specific to Chinese and the middle temporal, right inferior frontal gyrus were specific to English.

The left inferior parietal lobule was engaged more in adults than children in Chinese and English reading, demonstrating a common developmental feature of reading mechanisms.
Impact of novel glucose‐lowering therapies on physical function in people with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised placebo‐controlled trials
Authors: Ahmad Ehtasham , Arsenyadis Franciskos , Almaqhawi Abdullah , Barker Mary , Jobanputra Rishi , Sargeant Jack A. , Webb David R. , Yates Thomas , Davies Melanie J.
Published: March 2023

Aims

We investigated evidence from randomised, placebo‐controlled trials of novel glucose‐lowering therapies; sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors (DPP4i) and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RA), on physical function in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

PubMed, Medline, Embase and Cochrane library were searched from 1 April 2005 to 20 January 2022. The primary outcome was change in physical function in groups receiving a novel glucose‐lowering therapy versus placebo at the trial end‐point.

Results

Eleven studies met our criteria including nine for GLP‐1RA and one each for SGLT2i and DPP4i. Eight studies included a self‐reported measure of physical function, seven with GLP‐1RA. Pooled meta‐analysis showed an improvement of 0.12 (0.07, 017) points in favour of novel glucose‐lowering therapies, mainly GLP‐1RA. These findings were consistent when assessed individually for commonly used subjective assessments of physical function; namely the Short‐Form 36 item‐questionnaire (SF‐36; all investigating GLP‐1RA) and the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life‐Lite (IWQOL‐LITE; all, except one, exploring GLP‐1RA) with estimated treatment differences (ETDs) of 0.86 (0.28, 1.45) and 3.72 (2.30, 5.15) respectively in favour of novel GLTs. For objective measures of physical function (VO2max and 6‐minute walk test (6MWT)) no significant between‐group differences between the intervention and the placebo were found.

Conclusions

GLP‐1RAs showed improvements in self‐reported outcomes of physical function. However, there is limited evidence to draw definitive conclusions especially because of lack of studies exploring the impact of SGLT2i and DPP4i on physical function. There is a need for dedicated trials to establish the association between novel agents and physical function.