bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of “best before” dates on expected and actual food liking
Authors: Sielicka-Różyńska Maria , Samotyja Urszula
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The manner in which consumers understand and interpret date labels influences their attitudes toward food quality at the purchase and consumption stage. The purpose of this study is to (1) evaluate the influence of “best before” dates on expected food liking and (2) assess how sensory perception and expectations toward “best before” dates influence actual food liking.

Design/methodology/approach

A consumer sensory study was conducted among 110 participants in Poland. The participants' attitudes were examined toward food products (rice, sponge cookies, canned fruit salad and leaf tea) labelled with different “best before” dates and toward those same but unlabelled food products. The consumers' expected liking based solely on “best before” dates were also evaluated.

Findings

The analysis showed that date labels may have an opposite contribution to consumer apprehension of foods. It is proved that “best before” dates maintain a consumer’s positive attitude toward fresh products and reduce consumer uncertainty regarding food edibility, which would be experienced in the absence of date labels. Conversely, results of this study confirmed date labels' role in consumers denigrating expired food and showed consumers' unreasonable convictions that the food's sensory attributes were altered. Thus, otherwise safe and edible food was wasted – it was shelf-life information, not sensory quality, that determined the tested food's perceived value.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is that it involves product assessment to explore the interaction between consumers and a food product's sensory attributes in the context of making decisions that are influenced by the “best-before” date.
What are Airbnb hosts advertising? A longitudinal essay in Lisbon
Authors: Cavique Mariana , Correia Antónia , Ribeiro Ricardo , Batista Fernando
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Considering the importance of the content created by the host for Airbnb consumers while making purchasing decisions, this study aims to analyze how the Airbnb hosts promote their properties by revealing the predominant attributes considered by hosts when advertising them.

Design/methodology/approach

The unstructured textual content of online Airbnb accommodations advertisements (property descriptions) is analyzed through a longitudinal text mining approach. This study defines a pipeline based on a topic modeling approach that allows not only to identity the most prevalent text attributes but also its distribution through time.

Findings

This research identifies and characterizes the attributes most advertised over time, on about 30,000 accommodations posted monthly over two years, between 2018 and 2020. Five main topics were identified in the data reflecting only pull motivations. Noteworthy is the slight changes in properties’ descriptions topics along the two years, suggesting that “service” is increasingly being perceived by hosts as an important attribute of Airbnb guest experience.

Originality/value

Through a text analysis, this study provides an insight into peer-to-peer accommodation on the key attributes that hosts consider in the description of their properties to leverage the attractiveness of Airbnb. In the light of existing research, which has predominantly focused on the trustworthiness and attractiveness of the Airbnb advertisement, this research differentiates by analyzing the main attributes in text over time. Given the Airbnb’s changes since its inception, a longitudinal view is relevant to clarify how hosts advertise their properties and how it evolves in the light of these changes.
Panorama of mobile device applications (Apps) for the construction industry
Authors: Yankah Jonas Ekow , Novieto Divine Tuinese , Davies Emmanuel , Adjei Kofi Owusu
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study was conducted to identify, summarise, analyse and categorise mobile device applications (Apps), relevant to the construction industry and to explore their uses and exposure levels.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method involved reviewing literature and searching for Apps. The construction Apps were found by developing key phrases. These key phrases were used to develop search strategies, which were then used to find the construction Apps. The Apps found were categorised based on the similarity of their uses.

Findings

The 136 Apps identified were summarised, analysed, and categorised into 11 groups of distinct construction operations and tasks. The “Design and Drawing Apps”, “Measurement and Estimation Apps”, “Management Apps”, “All Round Apps” and “Construction Site Apps” recorded 29, 28, 26, 21 and 11 numbers of Apps, respectively. The Autodesk Sketchbook, GPS Field Area Measure, MagicPlan, Measure and TSheets were the top five in terms of the number of downloads. These Apps in terms of their exposure levels in the construction industry record 4.76%, 2.38%, 0.52%, 0.48% and 0.42%, respectively.

Originality/value

This paper provides a catalogue of the continuum of construction Apps for a wide variety of construction operations/activities which are available for construction professionals and provide guidance on their uses to assist in selecting appropriate Apps for specified operation/tasks/activities in the construction industry. Construction professionals may benefit from increased productivity, efficiency and ease of working.
Psychological response to changes in temperature and humidity near the skin in the environments between thermo-neutral and hot
Authors: Uemae Mayumi , Uemae Tomohiro , Kamijo Masayoshi
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological response to changes in temperature and humidity near the skin, and the psychological factors of thermal discomfort.

Design/methodology/approach

The experiments involved changing the temperature and humidity from a neutral to a hot-humid environment, and vice versa, every 30 min. The psychological response to temperature (which ranged from 24 to 40°C) and humidity (which ranged from 30 to 80% relative humidity) was investigated.

Findings

The sensory scores shifted according to the direction of the change in temperature and humidity. The environment seemed to be evaluated relatively, whereby the sensory perception was dependent on the prior thermal environment. The psychological response to changes in temperature and humidity near the skin tended to shift from simple situational perceptions, such as feeling hot, to stifling and uncomfortable perceptions, and finally to the perception of dullness. Examining the psychological components revealed that the uncomfortable feeling was affected by “stifling” and “sweaty” perceptions with increasing temperature, by “stifling”, “sweaty”, and “sticky” perceptions with decreasing temperature, by “stifling”, “dull”, “sticky”, and “hot” perceptions with increasing humidity, and by “sweaty”, “dull”, and “humid” perceptions with decreasing humidity.

Originality/value

This study identified the psychological response that accompanies changes in temperature and humidity near the skin, as well as the psychological components of discomfort associated with changes in temperature and humidity. These results provide insights into the microclimate and thermal comfort of clothing.
Dysfunctional customer behavior and commitment to service quality
Authors: Lee Kangcheol , Gong Taeshik
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study examines the mediating effects of burnout on the relationship between dysfunctional customer behavior and commitment to service quality. The study also investigates the moderated mediation effects of caring and instrumental climates.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 622 frontline employees and 81 managers. Data analysis uses multi-level structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings show that employee burnout negatively mediates the relationship between dysfunctional customer behavior and commitment to service quality. Moreover, a caring climate weakens this indirect effect.

Originality/value

This study reveals that dysfunctional customer behavior decreases commitment to service quality through burnout and caring climate decrease weakens this indirect effect.
Corruption, leadership, and the limits of political reform in Japan
Authors: Carlson Matthew M.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges of Japanese political leadership in combating corruption with an emphasis on the 1970s and 1980s when Tanaka Kakuei and Miki Takeo led Japan.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the perceived extent of corruption in Japan, the importance of Japan’s gift-giving culture, and examines the efforts of Miki Takeo and the consequences of his political reforms for Japanese politics. Comparison is made with his predecessor, Tanaka Kakuei, to highlight the differences in combating corruption between both leaders.

Findings

Compared to Tanaka Kakuei, who was highly corrupt, Miki Takeo left a mixed legacy. He managed to revise campaign finance laws but lacked the political will and support from his party. The reforms he implemented failed to reduce money in politics, but they favoured the opposition in the collection of funds.

Originality/value

This paper will be useful to scholars and policy-makers interested in studying the role of leaders in curbing corruption and the challenges of political reform.
The Early Jutish Bracteate Texts From Skonager And Darum
Authors: Mees Bernard
Published: July 2022

Several of the bracteates recovered in the nineteenth century from hoards discovered at Skonager and Darum in Jutland feature runic inscriptions that appear to record West Germanic linguistic developments. Most of the inscriptions from Iron Age Denmark seem to record language that is directly ancestral to Danish, but two of the bracteates from Skonager and Darum feature inscriptions that have long been thought to attest West Germanic names. A third inscription represented in both hoards may also preserve similar evidence for a West Germanic language spoken in Jutland during the migration period. The inscriptions from Skonager and Darum seem best understood as recording an early Jutish dialect that was distinct from the language spoken further east on Zealand and that was related to the Kentish dialect of Old English.
Racism in Trump's America: reflections on culture, sociology, and the 2016 US presidential election
Authors: Bobo Lawrence D.
Published: July 2022

Despite much positive change in the post civil rights era, U.S. notions of racism and white supremacy remain powerful elements of American culture. The adaptability and enduring power of these forces can be seen in the emergence of a new historical epoch best describe as the era of Laissez Faire Racism. Prevalent attitudes among white Americans, certain theoretical arguments and hypotheses in American sociology, as well the election of Donald Trump rest upon the on‐going operation of racism. In particular, I attribute Trump's electoral success to three critical dilemmas of race that defined contours of the 2016 presidential election: (1) worsening economic inequality in the presence of rapidly changing ethno‐racial demography; (2) intensified political partisanship in the presence of well‐institutionalized racially coded campaign strategies and rhetoric; and (3) the failure of the Clinton campaign to simultaneously champion the interests of working and middle class families and galvanize the previously powerful multiracial Obama coalition. I speculate on how to forge more effective multiracial coalitions in the future.
Investing in the knowledge economy: The comparative political economy of public investments in knowledge‐based capital
Authors: SEIDL TIMO
Published: July 2022

Investments in education and retraining, or research and development have become essential in today's knowledge‐intensive economies. While private actors often underprovided such knowledge‐based capital due to various market failures, there is also considerable variation in the extent to which governments invest in knowledge‐based capital due to cross‐sectional and intertemporal trade‐offs. I argue that in trying to account for this variation, corporatist institutions are a neglected but crucial factor. By necessitating and facilitating cooperation and compensation, corporatism creates a more collaborative style of policy making and a sense of common ownership of policy problems that helps overcome the trade‐offs associated with investments in knowledge‐based capital. Using within‐between mixed‐effects models on a novel time‐series‐cross‐sectional dataset, I find strong support for this argument. Corporatist countries invest a lot more in knowledge‐based capital, and corporatism also affects how countries react to deindustrialization. This is an important finding given the key role of long‐term policy making in areas like climate change politics, pandemic preparedness or responding to the digital transformation.
The (electronic) walls between us: How employee monitoring undermines ethical leadership
Authors: Thiel Chase E. , Prince Nicholas , Sahatjian Zhanna
Published: July 2022

Ethical leaders are coveted for their notable ability to inspire positive employee behaviours, an influence portrayed in the ethical leadership literature as robust to most organizational conditions. Yet, we argue that a primary mechanism by which ethical leaders influence their employees (i.e., trust) is disrupted by a company practice that has become nearly as ubiquitous as emphasising ethicality in hiring—employee electronic monitoring. Specifically, drawing from social exchange theory, we propose that electronic monitoring undermines an ethical leader's ability to offer social benefits and thereby erodes trust. We tested our moderated‐mediation model with multi‐wave data from an organisationally diverse field sample of supervisors and their employees. The results provide support for our predictions. Considering the accelerated pace at which electronic monitoring technologies are being adopted, this research makes timely contributions.
Securities class actions and conditional conservatism: Evidence from two legal events
Authors: Chen Xiaomeng , Lu Meiting , Shan Yaowen , Zhang Yizhou
Published: July 2022

We use two US court rulings as exogenous shocks to firms' litigation environment and examine the changes in conservative financial reporting following these court decisions. The Silicon Graphics ruling in 1999 imposed a heightened pleading standard and discouraged the filing of shareholder lawsuits against firms with headquarters in the Ninth Circuit. The Tellabs ruling in 2007, however, effectively reversed the Silicon Graphics ruling and made it easier to file securities litigation against Ninth Circuit firms. We predict and find that the reduced litigation risk following the Silicon Graphics ruling discourages conservative reporting for Ninth Circuit firms. By contrast, the elevated threat of shareholder lawsuits following the Tellabs ruling encourages conservative reporting for Ninth Circuit firms relative to non‐Ninth Circuit firms. The disciplining effect of the threat of shareholder lawsuits on conservatism is stronger for firms facing higher ex ante litigation risk. The litigation‐risk‐induced increase (decrease) in reporting conservatism leads to higher (lower) firm valuations.
Endodontic treatment of an immature maxillary lateral incisor with type II dens invaginatus in an orthodontic patient: A case report
Authors: Yeap Chee Wei
Published: July 2022

This paper presents a case report of an immature maxillary lateral incisor with type II dens invaginatus, with a periapical lesion. The tooth was treated with MTA apical barrier followed by root filling with thermoplasticised GP and restoration with resin composite. Three‐year radiographic follow‐up showed healing of the apical lesion and normal clinical parameters.
A systematic review of frailty education programs for health care professionals
Authors: Warren Nicola , Gordon Emily , Pearson Ella , Siskind Dan , Hilmer Sarah N. , Etherton‐Beer Christopher , Hanjani Leila Shafiee , Young Adrienne M. , Reid Natasha , Hubbard Ruth E.
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To identify and examine the reported effectiveness of education programs for health professionals on frailty.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted of articles published up to June 2021, examining the evaluation of frailty training or education programs targeting health professionals/students. The participant demographics, program content and structure, effectiveness assessment methodology and outcomes, as well as participant feedback, were recorded with narrative synthesis of results.

Results

There were nine programs that have evaluated training of health professionals in frailty. These programs varied with respect to intensity, duration, and delivery modality, and targeted a range of health professionals and students. The programs were well‐received and found to be effective in increasing frailty knowledge and self‐perceived competence in frailty assessment. Common features of successful programs included having multidisciplinary participants, delivering a clinically tailored program and using flexible teaching modalities. Of note, many programs assessed self‐perceived efficacy rather than objective changes in patient outcomes.

Conclusions

Despite increasing attention on frailty in clinical practice, this systematic review found that there continues to be limited reporting of frailty training programs.
Taking control of violence against doctors
Authors: Yang Qian , Liu Shi S. , Sullivan Daniel , Galinsky Adam D.
Published: July 2022

Violence against healthcare professionals is a serious but understudied global problem and one that lacks evidence‐based solutions. The current research offers a novel explanation and intervention for addressing this issue: We propose that low feelings of control among patients and their family members play an important role in shaping doctor‐patient relationships. To regain a sense of control, we suggest that patients attribute responsibility to doctors for their suffering, which may in turn lead to aggressive behavioural intentions against one's doctors. We conducted three studies to understand whether individuals with low perceived control blame doctors more, and whether threats to their sense of control cause participants to attribute more responsibility to doctors. Study 1 found that feelings of lack of control were an important predictor of attributing responsibility for negative illness‐related incidents to doctors in a manner consistent with blame. Study 2 specified that the chaotic and unpredictable nature of illness, and not just its negative valence, is what drives attributions of increased responsibility to doctors. Study 3, which utilized a field setting in hospitals, found that an experimental intervention to increase feelings of control decreased frustration against (Study 3a/3b) and intention to harm doctors (Study 3b). These findings suggest that increasing feelings of control among patients can improve patient‐doctor relationships. We also discuss the role of control and scapegoating during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Left subclavian artery as an alternative site for left ventricular assist device outflow graft in challenging situations
Authors: Maiani Massimo , Lechiancole Andrea , Piani Daniela , Silvestri Alice , Vendramin Igor , Sponga Sandro , Benedetti Giovanni , Ortis Helena , Frigatti Paolo , Livi Ugolino
Published: July 2022

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has emerged as an effective surgical therapy for end‐stage heart failure. In an attempt to reduce invasiveness and avoid difficult sternal re‐entries, alternative surgical approaches have been adopted. In particular, when the thoracic aorta is severely diseased or difficult to expose, subclavian arteries could serve as site for outflow graft anastomosis. However, major concerns regarding the utilization of subclavian arteries are the small caliber of these vessels that could lead to inadequate LVAD flow, arm complications related to excessive blood flow, and possible outflow graft compression. In the present case series, we describe an innovative technique for LVAD implantation, in which the left subclavian artery was employed as an outflow graft anastomosis site, and the left ventricular apex was approached through a mini‐thoracotomy. Technical issues were considered to prevent possible complications: the adequacy of left subclavian artery diameter, the banding of the artery distal to the anastomosis site to limit left arm overflow, and the outflow graft covering with a reinforced vascular graft to avoid any external compression. During follow‐up, the technique reported was found to be effective in ensuring good LVAD function and flow, and no complications related to the procedure were reported.
Vaginal microbiome following orally administered probiotic
Authors: Hertz Frederik Boetius , Holm Jacob Bak , Pallejá Albert , Björnsdóttir María Kristín , Mikkelsen Lasse Sommer , Brandsborg Erik , Frimodt‐Møller Niels
Published: July 2022

Here, we present a longitudinal shotgun sequencing metagenomics study of 16 healthy, Danish women in the reproductive age. The aim of the study was to investigate whether lactobacilli, orally consumed, had any impact on the vaginal microbiome and its functional potential. The 16 women aged 19–45 years were recruited from Copenhagen, Denmark. One baseline vaginal sample (Day 0) and two study samples (Days 25–30 and Days 55–60, respectively), were sampled. The vaginal samples were analyzed by shotgun metagenomics. We detected 26 species in the vaginal microbiota of the 16 women, of which six belonged to the Lactobacillus genus. We observed three vaginal microbiome clusters mainly dominated by Gardnerella vaginalis, Lactobacillus iners, or Lactobacillus crispatus. The oral probiotic had no detectable effect on either the composition or the functional potential of the vaginal microbiota. Most of the study subjects (11 out of 16 women) exhibited only minor changes in the vaginal microbiome during the treatment with probiotics. Any compositional changes could not be associated to the probiotic treatment. Future studies may benefit from an increased number of participants, and administration of the probiotics during conditions with bacterial imbalance (e.g., during/after antibiotic treatment) or the use of different Lactobacillus spp. known to colonize the vagina.
Closing a gap: an investigator global assessment for use in hidradenitis suppurativa clinical trials
Authors: Apfelbacher Christian
Published: July 2022

Linked Article: Garg et al. Br J Dermatol 2022; 187:203–210.
Chronic myeloid leukaemia patients at diagnosis and resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy display exhausted T‐cell phenotype
Authors: Harrington Patrick , Dillon Richard , Radia Deepti , McLornan Donal , Woodley Claire , Asirvatham Susan , Raj Kavita , Curto‐Garcia Natalia , Saunders Jamie , Kordasti Shahram , Harrison Claire , de Lavallade Hugues
Published: July 2022

The search for novel targets in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is ongoing, to improve treatment efficacy in refractory disease and increase eligibility for tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) discontinuation. Increased frequency of Tregs and effector Tregs was evident at diagnosis, together with increased expression of T‐cell exhaustion markers, including in regulatory T cells at diagnosis and in patients with refractory disease. Plasma analysis revealed significantly increased levels of cytokines including tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐a and interleukin (IL)‐6 at diagnosis, in keeping with a pro‐inflammatory state prior to treatment. We hence demonstrate T‐cell exhaustion and a pro‐inflammatory state at diagnosis in CML, likely secondary to leukaemia‐associated antigenic overload associated with increased disease burden.
Attenuation of Piwil2 induced by hypoxic postconditioning prevents cerebral ischemic injury by inhibiting CREB2 promoter methylation
Authors: Zhan Lixuan , Chen Meiyan , Pang Taoyan , Li Xinyu , Long Long , Liang Donghai , Peng Linhui , Sun Weiwen , Xu En
Published: July 2022

Epigenetic modification contributes to the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia. Piwil2 belongs to the PIWI proteins subfamily and has a key role in the regulation of gene transcription through epigenetics. However, the roles of Piwil2 in cerebral ischemia have not been investigated. In this study, we aim to elucidate the roles and the underlying molecular mechanisms of Piwil2 in ischemic tolerance induced by hypoxic postconditioning (HPC) against transient global cerebral ischemia (tGCI). We found that the expression of Piwil2 in CA1 was downregulated by HPC after tGCI. Silencing Piwil2 with antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS‐ODN) in CA1 after tGCI decreased the expression of apoptosis‐related proteins and exerted neuroprotective effects. Opposite results were observed after overexpression of Piwil2 induced by administration of Piwil2‐carried lentivirus. Furthermore, we revealed differentially expressed Piwil2‐interacting piRNAs in CA1 between HPC and tGCI groups by RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Moreover, downregulating Piwil2 induced by HPC or AS‐ODN after tGCI caused a marked reduction of DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A), which in turn abolished the tGCI‐induced increase in the DNA methylation of cyclic AMP response element‐binding 2 (CREB2), thus increasing mRNA and protein of CREB2. Finally, downregulating Piwil2 restored dendritic complexity and length, prevented the loss of dentritic spines, thereby improving cognitive function after tGCI. These data firstly reveal that Piwil2 plays an important part in HPC‐mediated neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia through epigenetic regulation of CREB2.
The role of managerial ownership in dividend tunneling: Evidence from China
Authors: Bian Huan , Kuo Jing‐Ming , Pan Hui , Zhang Zhuang
Published: July 2022

Research Question/Issue

We examine the role of corporate executives in dividend tunneling activity by controlling shareholders and whether the correlation between executive ownership and dividend tunneling is influenced by internal and external governance mechanisms.

Research Findings/Insights

We find increased executive ownership may lead to a higher level of dividend tunneling. This is further strengthened by our finding that the positive effect of executive ownership on dividend tunneling is more pronounced for firms with weaker minority shareholder protection. In addition, our results show that higher degrees of state ownership may further intensify this positive association. Finally, we find that analyst coverage has a moderating effect and constrains the collusion between controlling shareholders and executives in dividend tunneling activity.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

Our study contributes to the literature on the role of managerial ownership in controlling shareholders' dividend tunneling activity. We fill a gap in the literature on the corporate agency problem by providing evidence that dividends have been employed by controlling shareholders as a means of tunneling and that executives with higher ownership are more likely to collude with controlling shareholders in dividend tunneling activities.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

This study contributes to the debates around the promotion of the cash dividend policy in China, as our findings show that cash dividends are used as a tunneling vehicle. Providing important evidence to regulators, our findings support the argument that external monitoring by financial analysts can effectively constrain dividend tunneling by dominant shareholders, especially in the context of emerging stock markets with high ownership concentration, weak minority shareholder protection, and an underdeveloped legal system.
Paediatric epilepsy and cognition
Authors: Auvin Stéphane
Published: July 2022

Cognitive comorbidities are more frequent in children with epilepsy than in the general population. The cognitive function of children with epilepsy should be appropriately screened, and when there is an impairment, it must be diagnosed and managed. Several factors contribute to the occurrence of this comorbidity. The underlying aetiology and epilepsy syndrome are the major risk factors. Other factors also play a role, such as seizure recurrence, antiseizure medication, and interictal abnormalities. Recent evidence also suggested that cognitive involvement is an ongoing process that interacts with the normal maturation of cognitive function in children with epilepsy. Furthermore, some patients experience rapid cognitive deterioration related to epileptic activity, resulting in epileptic encephalopathy. Further research is needed to better understand how to prevent or modify factors that affect cognitive function in children with epilepsy.

What this paper adds

Cognitive comorbidities are more frequent in children with epilepsy than in the general population.

The risk factors for cognitive impairment are the underlying aetiology/syndrome, seizure recurrence, antiseizure medication, and interictal abnormalities.

Advanced genetic and neuroimaging studies are useful tools to better understand cognitive impairment in children with epilepsy.
Re‐examining the widespread policy of stopping sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors during acute illness: A perspective based on the updated evidence
Authors: Khunti Kamlesh , Aroda Vanita R. , Bhatt Deepak L. , Bozkurt Biykem , Buse John B. , Heerspink Hiddo L. , Inzucchi Silvio E. , Lam Carolyn S. P. , Marx Nikolaus , McMurray John J. V. , Solomon Scott D. , Kosiborod Mikhail N.
Published: July 2022

Sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are now seen as an integral part of therapy in type 2 diabetes to control not only blood glucose but to improve cardiovascular and kidney outcomes. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an uncommon but serious complication of type 2 diabetes, which has a high case fatality rate. The absolute risk of DKA in large, prospective randomized clinical trials in people with type 2 diabetes using SGLT2 inhibitors has been low, although the relative risk is higher in those assigned to SGLT2 inhibitors compared with placebo. In those without diabetes but prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors for heart failure or chronic kidney disease, the risk of DKA is similar to placebo. Over the course of the COVID‐19 pandemic, cases of DKA have also been reported in cases of COVID‐19 hospitalizations. Consensus guidelines have recommended that SGLT2 inhibitors should be avoided in cases of serious illness and suggest they are not recommended for routine in‐hospital use. However, recent data suggest potential beneficial effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in the setting of acute illness with COVID‐19 with no increase in adverse events and low rates of DKA, which were non‐severe. Given the low rates of DKA in cardiovascular outcome trials and in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes, the potential for SGLT2 inhibitors not being re‐initiated following discharge and their cardiovascular and kidney benefits, we believe the practice of routine ‘sick day’ guidance should be re‐examined based on current evidence with a call for further research in this area. Furthermore, high‐quality trials of initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors in people admitted to hospital with cardiovascular disease or kidney disease, and trials of continuation of SGLT2 inhibitors in people, with careful monitoring of DKA should be conducted. These should be further supplemented with large observational studies.
Predicting incident heart failure among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: TheDM‐CURErisk score
Authors: Lin Yilu , Shao Hui , Shi Lizheng , Anderson Amanda H. , Fonseca Vivian
Published: July 2022

Aim

Early identification and prediction of incident heart failure (HF) is important because of severe morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to predict onset of HF among patients with diabetes.

Methods

A time‐varying Cox model was derived from ACCORD clinical trial to predict the risk of incident HF, defined by hospitalization for HF (HHF). External validation was performed on patient‐level data from the Harmony Outcome trial and Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study. The model was transformed into an integer‐based scoring algorithm for 10‐year risk evaluation. A stepwise algorithm identified and selected predictors from demographic characteristics, physical examination, laboratory results, medical history, medication and health care utilization, to develop a risk prediction model. The main outcome was incident HF, defined by HHF. The C statistic and Brier score were used to assess model performance.

Results

In total, 9649 patients with diabetes free of HF were used, with median follow‐up of 4 years and 299 incident hospitalization of HF events. The model identified several predictors for the 10‐year HF incidence risk score ‘DM‐CURE’: socio‐Demographic [education, age at type 2 diabetes (T2DM) diagnosis], Metabolic (glycated haemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, high‐density lipoproteins), diabetes‐related Complications (myocardial infarction, revascularization, cardiovascular medications, neuropathy, hypertension duration, albuminuria, urine albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio, End Stage Kidney Disease), and health care Utilization (all‐cause hospitalization, emergency room visits) for Risk Evaluation. Among them, the strongest impact factors for future HF were age at T2DM diagnosis, health care utilization and cardiovascular disease‐related variables. The model showed good discrimination (C statistic: 0.838, 95% CI: 0.821‐0.855) and calibration (Brier score: 0.006, 95% CI: 0.006‐0.007) in the ACCORD data and good performance in the validation data (Harmony: C statistic: 0.881, 95% CI: 0.863‐0.899; CRIC: C statistic: 0.813, 95% CI: 0.794‐0.833). The 10‐year risk of incident HF increased in a graded fashion, from ≤1% in quintile 1 (score ≤14), 1%‐5% in quintile 2 (score 15‐23), 5%‐10% in quintile 3 (score 24‐27), 10%‐20% in quintile 4 (score 28‐33) and ≥20% in quintile 5 (score >33).

Conclusions

The DM‐CURE model and score were useful for population risk stratification of incident HHF among patients with T2DM and can be easily applied in clinical practice.
COVID‐19 and plasma cells: Is there long‐lived protection?*
Authors: Nguyen Doan C. , Lamothe Pedro A. , Woodruff Matthew C. , Saini Ankur S. , Faliti Caterina E. , Sanz Ignacio , Lee Frances Eun‐Hyung
Published: July 2022

Infection with SARS‐CoV‐2, the etiology of the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic, has resulted in over 450 million cases with more than 6 million deaths worldwide, causing global disruptions since early 2020. Memory B cells and durable antibody protection from long‐lived plasma cells (LLPC) are the mainstay of most effective vaccines. However, ending the pandemic has been hampered by the lack of long‐lived immunity after infection or vaccination. Although immunizations offer protection from severe disease and hospitalization, breakthrough infections still occur, most likely due to new mutant viruses and the overall decline of neutralizing antibodies after 6 months. Here, we review the current knowledge of B cells, from extrafollicular to memory populations, with a focus on distinct plasma cell subsets, such as early‐minted blood antibody‐secreting cells and the bone marrow LLPC, and how these humoral compartments contribute to protection after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and immunization.
Surgical site wound infection, and other postoperative problems after coronary artery bypass grafting in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Gao Jinglin , Wang Huijuan , Liu Xiuhua , Song Xinghui , Zhong Xiaoning
Published: July 2022

We performed a meta‐analysis to evaluate the effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on surgical site wound infection, and other postoperative problems after coronary artery bypass grafting. A systematic literature search up to April 2022 was performed and 37 444 subjects with coronary artery bypass grafting at the baseline of the studies; 4320 of them were with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 33 124 were without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Odds ratio (OR), and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on surgical site wound infection, and other postoperative problems after coronary artery bypass grafting using the dichotomous, and contentious methods with a random or fixed‐effect model. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subjects had a significantly higher surgical site wound infection (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.01‐1.60,P = 0.04), respiratory failure (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.55‐2.18,P < 0.001), mortality (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.37‐1.89,P < 0.001), pneumonia (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.97‐2.68,P < 0.001), pleural effusion (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.12‐2.83,P = 0.02), stroke (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.17‐3.36,P = 0.01), and length of intensive care unit stay (MD, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.19‐1.26,P = 0.008) after coronary artery bypass grafting compared with subjects without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subjects did not show any significant difference in length of hospital stay (MD, 0.83; 95% CI, −0.01 to 1.67,P = 0.05), and pneumothorax (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 0.98‐2.59,P = 0.06) after coronary artery bypass grafting compared with subjects without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subjects had a significantly higher surgical site wound infection, respiratory failure, mortality, pneumonia, pleural effusion, stroke, and length of intensive care unit stay, and no significant difference in length of hospital stay, and pneumothorax after coronary artery bypass grafting compared with subjects without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The analysis of outcomes should be with caution because of the low sample size of 1 out of 11 studies in the meta‐analysis and a low number of studies in certain comparisons.
Assessment of humoral immune response to two mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) in healthcare workers fully vaccinated with and without a history of previous infection
Authors: Serrano Laura , Algarate Sonia , Herrero-Cortina Beatriz , Bueno Jessica , González-Barriga María T. , Ducons María , Montero-Marco Jesica , Acha Beatriz , Taboada Ana , Sanz-Burillo Pilar , Yuste Cristina , Benito Rafael ,   RIPOVAC Study Group
Published: July 2022

Aims

Presence of anti-S1 region of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was analysed, at two and eight months, in 477 immunocompetent healthcare workers in Zaragoza, Spain, vaccinated with mRNA-1273 (Moderna) or BNT162b2 (Pfizer).

Methods and results

Antibody analysis was performed with Alinity i System (Abbott). At 2 months, 100% of vaccinated had anti-S1 IgG (mean = 13,285 AU ml−1). This value was significantly higher with Moderna (18,192 AU ml−1) than with Pfizer (10,441 AU ml−1). The mean value of anti-S1 IgG after vaccination was significantly higher in patients with than without previous infection (18,539 vs. 7919 AU ml−1); in both groups was significantly higher with Moderna than with Pfizer (21,881 vs. 15,733 AU ml−1 and 11,949 vs. 6387 AU ml−1), respectively. At 8 months, 100% of patients were IgG positive, with higher levels with Moderna than with Pfizer. Nevertheless, in ensemble of cases, a mean decrease of antibody levels of 11,025 AU ml−1 was observed.

Conclusion

At 2 and 8 months after vaccination, IgG response persists with both vaccines but with important decrease which suggests the need for revaccination.

Significance and impact of study

The study contributes to know the immune status after vaccination with two of more used anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. This knowledge is important for establishing the best vaccination strategy
Anti-microbial efficacy, mechanisms and druggability evaluation of the natural flavonoids
Authors: Lin Hongyan , Hu Jiabao , Mei Feng , Zhang Yahan , Ma Yudi , Chen Qingqing , Wang Changyi , Fu Jiangyan , Yang Minkai , Wen Zhongling , Wang Xiaoming , Qi Jinliang , Han Hongwei , Yang Rongwu , Yang Yonghua
Published: July 2022

Aims

This study was conducted to evaluate 35 natural flavonoids for their in vitro susceptibility against E. coli (ATCC 25922), Ps. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), B. subtilis (ATCC 530) and Staph. aureus (ATCC 6538) in search of a potential broad-spectrum antibiotic.

Methods and Results

Glabridin, a natural isoflavonoid isolated from Glycyrrhiza glabra L., was identified to be highly active with a MIC of 8–16 μg ml−1 against Staph. aureus, B. subtilis and E. coli. By the results of the docking simulation, we located the potential targets of glabridin as DNA gyrase and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). The subsequent DNA gyrase inhibition assays (glabridin: IC50 = 0.8516 μmol L−1, ciprofloxacin: IC50 = 0.04697 μmol L−1), DHFR inhibition assays (glabridin: inhibition ratio = 29%, methotrexate: inhibition ratio = 45% under 100 μmol L−1 treatment) and TUNEL confirmed that glabridin acted as DNA gyrase inhibitor and DHFR mild inhibitor, exerting bactericidal activity by blocking bacterial nucleic acid synthesis. CCK-8 and in silico calculations were also conducted to verify the low cytotoxicity and acceptable druggability of glabridin.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that glabridin represents the prototypical member of an exciting structural class of natural antimicrobial agents.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This study reports a novel mechanism of bactericidal activity of glabridin against Staph. aureus.
Induction of beige‐like adipocyte markers and functions in 3T3‐L1 cells by Clk1 and PKCβII inhibitory molecules
Authors: Patel Achintya , Dobbins Tradd , Kong Xiaoyuan , Patel Rehka , Carter Gay , Harding Linette , Sparks Robert P. , Patel Niketa A. , Cooper Denise R.
Published: July 2022

Excessive dietary intake of fat results in its storage in white adipose tissue (WAT). Energy expenditure through lipid oxidation occurs in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Certain WAT depots can undergo a change termed beiging where markers that BAT express are induced. Little is known about signalling pathways inducing beiging. Here, inhibition of a signalling pathway regulating alternative pre‐mRNA splicing is involved in adipocyte beiging. Clk1/2/4 kinases regulate splicing by phosphorylating factors that process pre‐mRNA. Clk1 inhibition by TG003 results in beige‐like adipocytes highly expressing PGC1α and UCP1. SiRNA for Clk1, 2 and 4, demonstrated that Clk1 depletion increased UCP1 and PGC1α expression, whereas Clk2/4 siRNA did not. TG003‐treated adipocytes contained fewer lipid droplets, are smaller, and contain more mitochondria, resulting in proton leak increases. Additionally, inhibition of PKCβII activity, a splice variant regulated by Clk1, increased beiging. PGC1α is a substrate for both Clk1 and PKCβII kinases, and we surmised that inhibition of PGC1α phosphorylation resulted in beiging of adipocytes. We show that TG003 binds Clk1 more than Clk2/4 through direct binding, and PGC1α binds to Clk1 at a site close to TG003. Furthermore, we show that TG003 is highly specific for Clk1 across hundreds of kinases in our activity screen. Hence, Clk1 inhibition becomes a target for induction of beige adipocytes.
Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease
Authors: Hariz Marwan , Blomstedt Patric
Published: July 2022

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative illness with both motor and nonmotor symptoms. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established safe neurosurgical symptomatic therapy for eligible patients with advanced disease in whom medical treatment fails to provide adequate symptom control and good quality of life, or in whom dopaminergic medications induce severe side effects such as dyskinesias. DBS can be tailored to the patient's symptoms and targeted to various nodes along the basal ganglia–thalamus circuitry, which mediates the various symptoms of the illness; DBS in the thalamus is most efficient for tremors, and DBS in the pallidum most efficient for rigidity and dyskinesias, whereas DBS in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) can treat both tremors, akinesia, rigidity and dyskinesias, and allows for decrease in doses of medications even in patients with advanced stages of the disease, which makes it the preferred target for DBS. However, DBS in the STN assumes that the patient is not too old, with no cognitive decline or relevant depression, and does not exhibit severe and medically resistant axial symptoms such as balance and gait disturbances, and falls. Dysarthria is the most common side effect of DBS, regardless of the brain target. DBS has a long‐lasting effect on appendicular symptoms, but with progression of disease, nondopaminergic axial features become less responsive to DBS. DBS for PD is highly specialised; to enable adequate selection and follow‐up of patients, DBS requires dedicated multidisciplinary teams of movement disorder neurologists, functional neurosurgeons, specialised DBS nurses and neuropsychologists.
Evaluation of public health nurse‐led health counseling programs for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in Amagasaki City, Japan
Authors: Noguchi Midori
Published: July 2022

Objective

We evaluated whether Amagasaki health counseling programs led by public health nurses (PHNs) are contribute to improving cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and CVD mortality among adult residents.

Design and sample

This cross‐sectional study used a before‐and‐after comparative design. We evaluated data from health checkups and mortality before and after Amagasaki health promotion programs.

Measurements

Population levels of CVD risk factors body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, Triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), uric acid, γ‐glut amyl trans peptidase (γ‐GTP), serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were compared between 2008 and 2012 when the intervention with the Amagasaki health counseling program started from 2008. In addition, standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were compared between 2003–2007 and 2008–2012.

Results

Mean value of most CVD risk factors improved and the SMR for AMI declined, which could be attributable in part to the effort of intensive health education and counseling.
Mutational landscape of primary breast angiosarcoma with repeated resection and recurrence over a 15‐year period: A case report
Authors: Teruyama Fumiya , Kuno Akihiro , Murata Yoshihiko , Nakagawa Tomoki , Shiba‐Ishii Aya , Yuguchi Shu , Noguchi Masayuki
Published: July 2022

Angiosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor derived from vascular endothelial cells and has a poor prognosis. We have experienced a case of multiple breast angiosarcoma for which multiple resections had been performed during the course of its progression over a period of more than 15 years, allowing comprehensive genetic mutation analysis. Somatic mutations in several cancer‐related genes were detected, but no previously reported driver gene mutations of angiosarcoma were evident. Several germline mutations associated with malignancy, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms in Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 4 (FGFR4) (p.Gly388Arg, rs351855), Kinase Insert Domain Receptor (KDR) (Gln472His, rs1870377) and tumor protein p53 (TP53) (p.Pro72Arg, rs1042522) were detected. Common signatures and genetic mutations were scarce in the tumor samples subjected to genetic mutational analysis. These findings suggested that this case was very probably a multiprimary angiosarcoma.
The novel HLA‐DRB1*12:69 allele was identified in a Gujarati individual from North Gujarat, India
Authors: Sharma Anila , Pandya Ketan , Mishra Vineet V.
Published: July 2022

One nucleotide substitution (C > T) in codon 183b HLA‐DRB1*12:02:01:01, results in the novel allele, HLA‐DRB1*12:69.
Identification of the novel HLA‐DPA1 allele, HLA‐DPA1*01:03:34 in a Kuwaiti family
Authors: Ameen Reem , Geo Jeethu Anu , Thomas Jibu
Published: July 2022

One nucleotide substitution in codon 85 of HLA‐DPA1*01:03:01:04 results in a novel allele HLA‐DPA1*01:03:34.