bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The dynamic nexus between agricultural productivity and renewable energy consumption in BRICS: the role of financial inclusion and foreign direct investment
Authors: Soni Shnehal , RL Manogna 
Published: March 2024

Purpose
This study aims to examine the impact of renewable energy consumption on agricultural productivity while accounting for the effect of financial inclusion and foreign direct investment in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) countries during 2000–2020.

Design/methodology/approach
The study has used the latest data from World Bank and International Monetary Fund databases. The dependent variable in the study is agricultural productivity. Renewable energy consumption, carbon emissions, financial inclusion and foreign direct investment are independent variables. Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach was used to examine the short-run and long-run impact of renewable energy consumption, carbon emissions, foreign direct investment and financial inclusion on agricultural productivity.

Findings
The findings imply that consumption of renewable energy, carbon emissions and foreign direct investment have a positive impact on agricultural productivity while financial inclusion in terms of access does not seem to have any significant impact on agricultural productivity. Providing farmers, access to financial services can be beneficial, but its usage holds more importance in impacting rural outcomes. The problem lies in the fact that there is still a gap between access and usage of financial services.

Research limitations/implications
Policymakers should encourage the increase in the usage of renewable energy and become less reliant on non-renewable energy sources which will eventually help in tackling the problems associated with climate change as well as enhance agricultural productivity.

Originality/value
Most of the earlier studies were based on tabular analysis without any empirical base to establish the causal relationship between determinants of agricultural productivity and renewable energy consumption. These studies were also limited to a few regions. The study is one of its kind in exploring the severity of various factors that determine agricultural productivity in the context of emerging economies like BRICS while accounting for the effect of financial inclusion and foreign direct investment.
Health risk assessment of the concentration of heavy metals in Pistacia species: a global systematic review
Authors: Asadi Touranlou Fateme , Raeesi Ahmad , Rezaei Mitra 
Published: March 2024

Purpose
This study aims to systematically review the health risk assessment of the concentration of heavy metals in Pistacia species globally.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors systematically searched PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar to identify all articles published between 1 January 2002 and 20 August 2022. A total of 33 studies met the authors’ inclusion criteria, and their data were extracted. Additionally, the potential risk to human health was assessed by calculating the target hazard quotient and hazard index for both child and adult consumers.

Findings
The estimated daily intake for heavy metals in the included studies ranged from 9.72 × 10–9 to 7.35 (mg/day) in the following order: zinc (Zn) > mercury (Hg) > iron (Fe) > lead (Pb) > copper (Cu) > aluminum (Al) > nickel (Ni) > chromium (Cr) > manganese (Mn) > cadmium (Cd) > arsenic (As) > selenium (Se) > cobalt (Co). Among the studies that investigated heavy metals in Pistacia species around the world, the non-carcinogenic risk for all species of Pistacia was determined to be less than 1, except for Pb and Hg in Pistacia lentiscus.

Originality/value
The soil near the industrial area contained excessive amounts of heavy metals, which led to the transfer of heavy metals to plants. Owing to the insufficiency of the number of studies that examined heavy metals in Pistacia species, further monitoring and investigations were recommended.
Analyzing India's coal, natural gas, and biomass energy consumption: Evidence from a Fourier technique to promote sustainable development
Authors: Eweade Babatunde Sunday , Joof Foday , Adebayo Tomiwa Sunday 
Published: March 2024

AbstractInalignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN‐SDGs),which pinpoint vital aspects such as SDG‐7 and SDG‐8, this study delves intothe impact of biomass energy on economic growth in the Indian context. It alsoconsiders the roles of fossil fuels, specifically natural gas and coal. Toaccomplish this, a comprehensive analysis is initiated, making use of annualdata spanning from 1975 to 2022. A unique Fourier ARDL test serves as a centralanalytical tool alongside the Fourier Toda Yamamoto test. The empirical resultsunveil the presence of co‐integration among the variables scrutinized. Moreover,it becomes evident that coal and biomass make positive contributions toeconomic growth, whereas natural gas appears to exert a negative influence oneconomic growth. To validate these findings, a Fourier‐based Toda‐Yamamoto testis applied, demonstrating that natural gas, coal, and biomass possesspredictive capabilities concerning economic growth. These discoveries carrysubstantial implications for comprehending the factors influencing economicgrowth in India.
Physiological role of potassium channels in mammalian germ cell differentiation, maturation, and capacitation
Authors: Delgado‐Bermúdez Ariadna , Yeste Marc , Bonet Sergi , Pinart Elisabeth 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundIon channels are essential for differentiation and maturation of germ cells, and even for fertilization in mammals. Different types of potassium channels have been identified, which are grouped into voltage‐gated channels (Kv), ligand‐gated channels (Kligand), inwardly rectifying channels (Kir), and tandem pore domain channels (K2P).Material‐MethodsThe present review includes recent findings on the role of potassium channels in sperm physiology of mammals.Results‐DiscussionWhile most studies conducted thus far have been focused on the physiological role of voltage‐ (Kv1, Kv3, and Kv7) and calcium‐gated channels (SLO1 and SLO3) during sperm capacitation, especially in humans and rodents, little data about the types of potassium channels present in the plasma membrane of differentiating germ cells exist. In spite of this, recent evidence suggests that the content and regulation mechanisms of these channels vary throughout spermatogenesis. Potassium channels are also essential for the regulation of sperm cell volume during epididymal maturation and for preventing premature membrane hyperpolarization. It is important to highlight that the nature, biochemical properties, localization, and regulation mechanisms of potassium channels are species‐specific. In effect, while SLO3 is the main potassium channel involved in the K+ current during sperm capacitation in rodents, different potassium channels are implicated in the K+ outflow and, thus, plasma membrane hyperpolarization during sperm capacitation in other mammalian species, such as humans and pigs.ConclusionsPotassium conductance is essential for male fertility, not only during sperm capacitation but throughout the spermiogenesis and epididymal maturation.
Maternal gestational hypertension, smoking and pre‐eclampsia are associated with metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease in overweight offspring
Authors: de Ruyter Hanna , Aitokari Linnea , Lahti Siiri , Riekki Hanna , Huhtala Heini , Lakka Timo , Laivuori Hannele , Kurppa Kalle 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntroductionDue to a steep increase in obesity, metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has also become the most common chronic hepatic condition among children and adolescents. Various maternal and pregnancy‐related factors have also been implicated in the development of MAFLD, but human studies remain scarce.Material and methodsComprehensive data of 460 overweight or obese children aged 2–16 years were collected and combined with data on selected maternal and pregnancy‐related factors for a case–control study. MALFD was defined as alanine aminotransferase >2× upper limit of normal. Children with and without MAFLD were compared regarding to the study variables and multivariable regression analysis was utilized.ResultsMedian age of the study children was 11.8 (quartiles 9.1–14.2) years; 44% were girls and 17.8% had MAFLD. Children with MAFLD were older (12.7 vs. 11.6 years, p = 0.002), while the groups did not differ age‐standardized body mass index (BMI‐SDS) or gender. Factors associated with MAFLD in a multivariable model considering also the offspring's present BMI‐SDS, sex, and maternal prepregnancy overweight, were child's older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–1.28), maternal gestational smoking (OR 2.01, 95% CI: 1.16–3.47), gestational hypertension (OR 3.44, 95% CI: 1.08–11.0) and pre‐eclampsia (OR 2.93, 95% CI: 1.15–7.45). There was no significant association between MAFLD and maternal BMI, birth anthropometrics or perinatal complications.ConclusionsMaternal smoking, gestational hypertension and pre‐eclampsia were associated with MAFLD among overweight or obese children. Further prospective studies are needed to verify causal relationships.
A structured programme to promote breastfeeding improved the rates in very preterm infants at discharge
Authors: Perugi Silvia , Ciarcià Martina , Coviello Caterina , Fusco Monica , Lunardi Clara , Remaschi Giulia , Sarcina Davide , Sassudelli Giovanni , Pratesi Simone , Dani Carlo ,   PROBREAST Study Group
Published: March 2024

AbstractAimWe developed the Promotion of Breastfeeding (PROBREAST) programme and evaluated what effect it had on the breastfeeding rate in infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestation or weighing ≤1500 grams.MethodsWe compared the breastfeeding rate in two cohorts of patients who were born before (n = 72; January 2017 to June 2018) and after (n = 80; July 2018 to December 2019) the application of the programme. Moreover, we compared the correlation between type of feeding at discharge and post‐discharge breastfeeding rate, between exclusive breastfeeding, postnatal growth and neurodevelopment.ResultsInfants in the PROBREAST group had an exclusive breastfeeding rate at discharge higher (42 vs. 16%, p < 0.001) than that in the historical control group. Exclusive breastfeeding was negatively correlated with weight z‐score at discharge, but not at 12 and 24 months corrected age, and was positively correlated with cognitive score at 24 months corrected age.ConclusionThe application of a structured programme for the promotion of breastfeeding improved the breastfeeding rate in very preterm infants. We demonstrated that exclusive breastfeeding at discharge improved their neurodevelopment without impairing growth.
The influence of attachment style on support and feedback seeking and depression severity among mothers during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Capute Caroline , Quigley Leanne , Bate Jordan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectivesThe ways that people seek support during times of stress influence their mental health outcomes, including depression. Insecure attachment is a risk factor for depression and may also interfere with adaptive support and feedback‐seeking behaviour during stress. The purpose of the present study was to test theorized associations between insecure attachment, support and feedback seeking, and changes in depression symptoms over 1 year, in a sample of mothers of school‐age children in the context of stress elicited by the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsParticipants (N = 70 mothers) completed self‐report measures of anxious and avoidant attachment and depression severity at baseline in spring 2020 and then completed measures of past‐year engagement in direct and indirect support seeking and excessive reassurance seeking (ERS), preference for negative feedback, and depression severity at a follow‐up assessment in summer 2021.ResultsGreater attachment anxiety at baseline predicted more frequent direct support seeking, indirect support seeking, and ERS during the 1‐year follow‐up period. In turn, greater indirect support seeking predicted greater increases in depression from baseline to follow‐up. Greater attachment avoidance at baseline predicted less direct support seeking during the 1‐year follow‐up period. Greater attachment avoidance at baseline also predicted depression severity at follow‐up, particularly among mothers with moderate to high levels of attachment anxiety, although none of the examined support and feedback‐seeking behaviours mediated this association.ConclusionsThese results provide support for the role of activated attachment systems in determining support and feedback‐seeking behaviour during stress, as well as the role of support and feedback‐seeking behaviour in the maintenance and exacerbation of depression.
Mapping stakeholders to maximise the impact of research on health inequalities for people with learning disabilities: The development of a framework for the Making Positive Moves study
Authors: Beeken Francesca , Katsampa Dafni , Duxbury Moureen , Caird Helen‐Ellis , Head Annabel , Prowse Sam , Wellsted David , Zormati Pashtana , Mengoni Silvana E. , Rhodes Louisa 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundPeople with learning disabilities experience health and social inequalities, and research that could improve health services may not be implemented in real‐life settings. Building stakeholder networks that can share and implement research findings may address this. This paper presents a framework for building a stakeholder network that maximises the likelihood of research recommendations being implemented in practice. This was developed as part of the ‘Making Positive Moves’ (MPM) study, which explores the experiences of people with learning disabilities following discharge from a residential stay within a hospital inpatient setting.MethodsWe reviewed the literature on existing theoretical frameworks to support the development of a model for dissemination of the MPM findings. Stakeholder categories were identified through consultation with the MPM researchers, experts by experience and the steering group and a hub and spoke model to represent all stakeholder categories was created. These categories include person moving; family of the person moving; specialist schools; social care; care providers; regulators; third sector organisations; policy organisations; academic community; and NHS professionals. After establishing the categories, we consulted with people with learning disabilities and other stakeholders and conducted online searches to create a stakeholder database. Through information gathering and direct contact with stakeholders, we assessed levels of interest, power and engagement to determine which stakeholders to prioritise in our dissemination activities. The Stakeholder Wheel was created to present the data captured within the database and engagement profiles in an illustrative way.FindingsWe use two stakeholder sub‐categories, user‐led organisations and care providers, to demonstrate the methodological approach. The examples illustrate how a scoring system helped us to identify high‐priority stakeholders who we then contacted to collaborate within developing our dissemination strategy to maximise the impact of the MPM research findings.ConclusionsWe developed a framework to map stakeholders for the MPM study and enable targeted dissemination to increase the impact of the research. This approach has the potential to reduce health inequalities among people with learning disabilities by increasing the awareness of and ability to implement evidence‐based recommendations in real‐life settings. The stakeholder mapping framework could be applied to research projects associated with learning disabilities to bridge the gap between research and practice and reduce health inequalities.
Does iodine fortification affect the risk of atrial fibrillation in incident hyperthyroidism? A national register‐based cohort
Authors: Møllehave Line T. , Knudsen Nils , Prescott Eva , Pedersen Inge B. , Ravn‐Haren Gitte , Carlé Allan , Linneberg Allan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectiveIodine fortification (IF) induces an initial increase followed by a decrease in the incidence of hyperthyroidism in the general population. Within the population of hyperthyroid patients, the sex‐, age‐ and subtype distribution changes after IF. The risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in hyperthyroid patients may be influenced by these factors. Therefore, we aimed to examine how the association between incident hyperthyroidism and AF was affected by IF increasing the population iodine intake from moderate‐mild iodine deficiency to low adequacy.Design, Patients and MeasurementsIncident hyperthyroid patients were included at the date of first inpatient or outpatient diagnosis, and AF diagnoses within 3 months before to 6 months after the index date were identified in Danish nationwide registers, 1997–2018. The relative risk (RR) of AF each calendar year (reference: 1997; IF introduced: 2000) was analyzed in Poisson regression models adjusted for age, sex, educational level, geographic region, and comorbidities.ResultsOverall, in 62,201 patients with incident hyperthyroidism 7.9% were diagnosed with AF. There was a minor nonsignificantly increased risk of AF during the first years after IF followed by a gradual decrease to RR 0.76 (0.62–0.94) in 2017. There were no statistically significant differences in the development in the risk of AF by sex, age group, or geographic region.ConclusionsResults indicate that IF may reduce the risk of concomitant AF in hyperthyroid patients. If these results are confirmed, IF may not only reduce the population incidence of hyperthyroidism but also reduce the burden of morbidity in the remaining hyperthyroid patients.
A multicentre, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized, parallel comparison, phase 3 trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pioglitazone add‐on therapy in type 2 diabetic patients treated with metformin and dapagliflozin
Authors: Lim Soo , Lee Seung‐Hwan , Min Kyung‐Wan , Lee Chang Beom , Kim Sang Yong , Yoo Hye Jin , Kim Nan Hee , Kim Jae Hyeon , Oh Seungjoon , Won Jong Chul , Kwon Hyuk Sang , Kim Mi Kyung , Park Jung Hwan , Jeong In‐Kyung , Kim Sungrae 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAimTo investigate the efficacy and safety of pioglitazone compared to placebo when added to metformin plus dapagliflozin, a sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Materials and MethodsIn a multicentre study, with a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled design, 249 Korean patients with T2DM suboptimally managed on metformin and dapagliflozin were assigned to receive either pioglitazone (15 mg daily) or placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a 24‐week pioglitazone extension. Primary outcomes included changes in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), with secondary outcomes assessing insulin resistance, adiponectin levels, lipid profiles, liver enzymes, body weight and waist circumference.ResultsPioglitazone administration resulted in a significant reduction in HbA1c levels (from 7.80% ± 0.72% to 7.27% ± 0.82%) compared with placebo (from 7.79% ± 0.76% to 7.69% ± 0.86%, corrected mean difference: −0.42% ± 0.08%; p < 0.01) at 24 weeks. Additional benefits from pioglitazone treatment included enhanced insulin sensitivity, increased adiponectin levels, raised high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and reduced liver enzyme levels, resulting in improvement in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease liver fat score. Despite no serious adverse events in either group, pioglitazone therapy was modestly but significantly associated with weight gain and increased waist circumference.ConclusionsAdjunctive pioglitazone treatment in T2DM inadequately controlled with metformin and dapagliflozin demonstrates considerable glycaemic improvement, metabolic benefits, and a low risk of hypoglycaemia. These advantages must be weighed against the potential for weight gain and increased waist circumference.
A look at duodenal mucosal resurfacing: Rationale for targeting the duodenum in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hoyt Jonah A. , Cozzi Emily , D'Alessio David A. , Thompson Chris C. , Aroda Vanita R. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAffecting 5%–10% of the world population, type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is firmly established as one of the major health burdens of modern society. People with T2DM require long‐term therapies to reduce blood glucose, an approach that can mitigate the vascular complications. However, fewer than half of those living with T2DM reach their glycaemic targets despite the availability of multiple oral and injectable medications. Adherence and access to medications are major barriers contributing to suboptimal diabetes treatment. The gastrointestinal tract has recently emerged as a target for treating T2DM and altering the underlying disease course. Preclinical and clinical analyses have elucidated changes in the mucosal layer of the duodenum potentially caused by dietary excess and obesity, which seem to be prevalent among individuals with metabolic disease. Supporting these findings, gastric bypass, a surgical procedure which removes the duodenum from the intestinal nutrient flow, has remarkable effects that improve, and often cause remission of, diabetes. From this perspective, we explore the rationale for targeting the duodenum with duodenal mucosal resurfacing (DMR). We examine the underlying physiology of the duodenum and its emerging role in T2DM pathogenesis, the rationale for targeting the duodenum by DMR as a potential treatment for T2DM, and current data surrounding DMR. Importantly, DMR has been demonstrated to change mucosal abnormalities common in those with obesity and diabetes. Given the multifactorial aetiology of T2DM, understanding proximate contributors to disease pathogenesis opens the door to rethinking therapeutic approaches to T2DM, from symptom management toward disease modification.