bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grain versus AIN: Common rodent diets differentially affect breeding and metabolic health outcomes in adult C57BL/6j mice
Authors: Schipper Lidewij , Tims Sebastian , Timmer Eva , Lohr Julia , Rakhshandehroo Maryam , Harvey Louise
Published: October 2023

Semi-synthetic and grain-based diets are common rodent diets for biomedical research. Both diet types are considered nutritionally adequate to support breeding, growth, and long life, yet there are fundamental differences between them that may affect metabolic processes. We have characterized the effects of diet type on breeding outcomes, metabolic phenotype, and microbiota profile in adult mice. Healthy 8-week-old female and male C57BL/6J mice were fed a semi-synthetic or a grain-based diet for 12 weeks and changes in body weight and body composition were monitored. Breeding outcomes were determined. Body fat accumulation of female mice was lower on the semi-synthetic diet than on the grain-based diet. Pregnancy rate and newborn pup survival appeared to be lower in mice exposed to semi-synthetic diet compared to grain-based diet. Both female and male mice showed a profound change in fecal microbiota alpha and beta diversity depending on diet type. Our study shows that type of rodent diet may affect breeding outcomes whilst influencing metabolism and health of female laboratory mice. These factors have the potential to influence other experimental outcomes and the results suggest that semi-synthetic and grain-based diets are not interchangeable in research using rodent models. Careful consideration and increased understanding of the consequences of diet choice would lead to improvements in experimental design and reproducibility of study results.
Exercise Training and Cold Exposure Trigger Distinct Molecular Adaptations to Inguinal White Adipose Tissue
Authors: Vamvini Maria , Nigro Pasquale , Caputo Tiziana , Stanford Kristin I. , Hirshman Michael F. , Middelbeek Roeland J.W. , Goodyear Laurie J.
Published: October 2023

Exercise training and cold exposure both improve systemic metabolism, but the mechanisms are not well-established. We tested the hypothesis that adaptations to inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) are critical for these beneficial effects by determining the impact of exercise-trained and cold-exposed iWAT on systemic glucose metabolism and the iWAT proteome and secretome. Transplanting trained iWAT into sedentary mice improved glucose tolerance, while cold-exposed iWAT transplantation showed no such benefit. Compared to training, cold led to more pronounced alterations in the iWAT proteome and secretome, downregulating >2,000 proteins but also boosting iWAT’s thermogenic capacity. In contrast, only training increased extracellular space and vesicle transport proteins, and only training upregulated proteins that correlate with favorable fasting glucose, suggesting fundamental changes in trained iWAT that mediate tissue-to-tissue communication. This study defines the unique exercise training- and cold exposure-induced iWAT proteomes, revealing distinct mechanisms for the beneficial effects of these interventions on metabolic health.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Chromosome size-dependent polar ejection force impairs mammalian mitotic error correction
Authors: Chong Megan K. , Rosas-Salvans Miquel , Tran Vanna , Dumont Sophie
Published: October 2023

Accurate chromosome segregation requires sister kinetochores to biorient, attaching to opposite spindle poles. To this end, the mammalian kinetochore destabilizes incorrect attachments and stabilizes correct ones, but how it discriminates between these is not yet clear. Here, we test the model that kinetochore tension is the stabilizing cue and ask how chromosome size impacts that model. We live image PtK2 cells, with just 14 chromosomes, widely ranging in size, and find that long chromosomes align at the metaphase plate later than short chromosomes. Enriching for errors and imaging error correction live, we show that long chromosomes exhibit a specific delay in correcting attachments. Using chromokinesin overexpression and laser ablation to perturb polar ejection forces, we find that chromosome size and force on arms determine alignment order. Thus, we propose a model where increased force on long chromosomes can falsely stabilize incorrect attachments, delaying their biorientation. As such, long chromosomes may require compensatory mechanisms for correcting errors to avoid chromosomal instability.
Coupling of metabolomics and exome sequencing reveals graded effects of rare damaging heterozygous variants on gene function and resulting traits and diseases
Authors: Scherer Nora , Fässler Daniel , Borisov Oleg , Cheng Yurong , Schlosser Pascal , Wuttke Matthias , Patil Suraj , Meiselbach Heike , Telkämper Fabian , Berger Urs , Grünert Sarah , Sekula Peggy , Schultheiss Ulla T. , Li Yong , Köttgen Michael , Oefner Peter J. , Knauf Felix , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , Thiele Ines , Schmidts Miriam , Hertel Johannes , Köttgen Anna
Published: October 2023

Genetic studies of the metabolome can uncover enzymatic and transport processes shaping human metabolism. Using WES-based rare variant aggregation testing to detect genes associated with levels of 1,294 plasma and 1,396 urine metabolites, we discovered 235 gene-metabolite associations, many previously unreported. Validation through genetic and new computational approaches (in silicogene knockouts in whole-body models of human metabolism) provided orthogonal evidence that population-based studies of rare, damaging variants in the heterozygous state permit inferences usually obtained from inborn errors of metabolism. Allelic series of functional variants in transporters responsible for transcellular sulfate reabsorption (SLC13A1, SLC26A1) exhibited graded effects on plasma sulfate and human height, and pinpointed alleles that strongly increased risk for dozens of musculoskeletal traits and diseases in the population. We present a powerful approach to identify new players in incompletely characterized human metabolic reactions, and to reveal metabolic readouts of disease risk to inform disease prevention and treatment.
Computational discovery of co-expressed antigens as dual targeting candidates for cancer therapy through bulk, single-cell, and spatial transcriptomics
Authors: Chekalin Evgenii , Paithankar Shreya , Shankar Rama , Xing Jing , Xu Wenfeng , Chen Bin
Published: October 2023

Motivation

Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) that bind to two distinct surface antigens on cancer cells are emerging as an appealing therapeutic strategy in cancer immunotherapy. However, considering the vast number of surface proteins, experimental identification of potential antigen pairs that are selectively expressed in cancer cells and not in normal cells is both costly and time-consuming. Recent studies have utilized large bulk RNA-seq databases to propose bispecific targets for various cancers. But, co-expressed pairs derived from bulk RNA-seq do not necessarily indicate true co-expression of both markers in the same cell. Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) can circumvent this issue but the issues in dropouts and low-coverage of transcripts impede the large-scale characterization of co-expressed pairs.

Results

We present a computational pipeline for bsAbs identification which combines the advantages of bulk and scRNA-seq while minimizing the issues associated with using these approaches separately. We select Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) as a case study to demonstrate the utility of the approach. First, using the bulk RNA-seq samples in the OCTAD database, we identified target pairs that most distinctly differentiate tumors cases from healthy controls. Next, we confirmed our findings on the scRNA-seq database comprising 39,361 healthy cells from vital organs and 18,000 malignant cells from HCC. The top pair was GPC3∼MUC13, where both genes are co-expressed on the surface of over 30% of malignant HCCs and have very low expression in other cells. Finally, we leveraged the emerging spatial transcriptomic to validate the co-expressed pairin situ.

Availability and Implementation

A standalone R package for bsAbs identification in bulk data is available via GitHub (https://github.com/Lionir/bsAbsFinder).
What is the relationship between raising the minimum legal sales age of tobacco above 20 and cigarette smoking? A systematic review
Authors: Davies Nathan , Bogdanovica Ilze , McGill Shaun , Murray Rachael L
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To determine whether raising the minimum legal sales age of tobacco (MLSA) to 20 or above is associated with reduced prevalence of smoking compared to an MLSA set at 18 or below through systematic review.

Data sources

Following a pre-registered protocol on PROSPERO (ref: CRD42022347604), six databases of peer-reviewed journals were searched from January 2015 to September 2023. Backwards and forwards reference searching was conducted.

Study selection

Studies that assessed the association between MLSAs of 20 and above with cigarette smoking or cigarette sales for children and young people aged 11-20. Assessments on e-cigarettes were excluded.

Data extraction

Pairs of reviewers independently extracted study data and used ROBINS-I to assess risk of bias.

Data synthesis

Narrative methods were used to synthesise findings. 19 studies were reviewed, from which 26 effect estimates were extracted. All studies evaluated Tobacco 21 laws in the United States. Just under half of estimates found a statistically significant association with reduced current cigarette smoking or sales, just over half found no statistically significant association, and one estimate found an association with increased cigarette smoking. The positive association appeared to be stronger for older age groups, those from a Hispanic/Latinx background and those with lower education. The degree of study bias was variable.

Conclusions

There is evidence that raising the MLSA for tobacco to 21 reduces cigarette sales and current cigarette smoking amongst those aged 11-20 and has potential to reduce health inequalities. Further research beyond the United States would support generalisability to other settings.
The comparison of handpiece anti-surge system and main body in cataract surgery
Authors: Kim Hyo Won , Kim Inkee , Kim Hyun Seung , Kim Eun Chul
Published: October 2023

Background/aims

To compare the efficacy of the Centrion handpiece anti-surge system (Active Sentry®) and main body according to the grade of nucleosclerosis.

Methods

600 eyes of 415 patients who underwent cataract surgery was retrospectively enrolled. Intraoperative parameters included phacoemulsification time (seconds), cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), and balanced salt solution (BSS) use (ml). Clinical measurements were made preoperatively and at one day, one month, two, and three months postoperatively, including the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and the corneal endothelial cell (CEC) count in the handpiece group (N=300) and main body group (N=300). Within the anti-surge group, the number of anti-surge system activated was collected.

Results

Anti-surge (times), phacoemulsification time, CDE, and BSS use significantly increased with increasing nucleosclerosis grades and in zonule weakness, poor mydriasis, and pseudoexfoliation syndrome in handpiece group, respectively (p < 0.05). Phacoemulsification time, CDE, and BSS use of handpiece group were significantly lower than those of main body group (p < 0.05). Phacoemulsification time, CDE, and CEC loss of handpiece group were significantly lower than those of main body group in nucleosclerosis grade 5 and 6 (p < 0.05). BSS uses of handpiece group were significantly lower than those of main body group in all nucleosclerosis grade (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Because of the fast-reacting anti-surge, Intraoperative parameters were saved in handpiece anti-surge system rather than in main body. Therefore, the anti-surge system in the Centrion handpiece helps the surgeon perform safer cataract surgery in higher nucleosclerosis grade, zonule weakness, poor mydriasis, and pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

Synopsis

Anti-surge system in the Centrion handpiece helps the surgeon perform safer cataract surgery in higher nucleosclerosis grade, zonule weakness, poor mydriasis, and pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ON THIS TOPIC

Active Sentry handpiece was reported to be as safe and efficacious as the Ozil handpiece, with the benefit of operating at lower intraocular pressure levels

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

Anti-surge system in the Centrion handpiece helps the surgeon perform safer cataract surgery in higher nucleosclerosis grade, zonule weakness, poor mydriasis, and pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

HOW THIS STUDY MIGHT AFFECT RESEARCH, PRACTICE OR POLICY

With anti-surge system in the Centrion handpiece, phacoemulsification can be performed effectively and safely in patients with complicated cataract.
Perioperative Enteral Fasting Duration Scores In Double Digits: A Seven-Year Long Cross-Sectional Retrospect By A Single Institution Among Its Patients Undergoing Extracapsular Cataract Extraction With Intraocular Lens Implantation
Authors: Gupta Deepak
Published: October 2023

Background

Perioperative fasting period can be very variable which must be quantified at institutional level so that the institutions can re-formulate their local policies while adapting to updated national and international guidelines.

Objective

The purpose of this retrospective study was to ascertain the total duration of perioperative fasting among patients who underwent extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation at the institution during 2016-2022 (a seven-year period).

Methods

A query was run by information technology team in the institutional electronic medical records to extract lists of de-identified patients who underwent extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation at the institution during 2016-2022 wherein total perioperative fasting time was calculated from Last Food Intake to In Phase I Time (for solids) and Last Fluid Intake to In Phase I Time (for liquids).

Results

Data of 6722 patients was analyzed wherein patients had 4-48 hours of nothing by mouth in terms of fluid perioperatively and 10-48 hours nothing by mouth in terms of food perioperatively. Perioperative fasting durations were in double digits across all age and sex based groups whether it was the mean duration with its confidence limits or median duration with its lower and upper quartiles.

Conclusion

Rather than remaining in single digits, perioperative enteral fasting durations were very commonly in double digits at the institution among its patients undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation.
Cohort profile: working age adults accessing secondary mental health services in South London (UK) and benefits – a data linkage of electronic mental health records and benefits data
Authors: Phillips Ava , Leal Ray , Jewell Amelia , Madan Ira , Downs Johnny , Broadbent Matthew , Hotopf Matthew , Dorrington Sarah , Fear Nicola T. , Stevelink Sharon A.M.
Published: October 2023

This study describes a cohort of working age adults from a novel data linkage. The data linkage is comprised of routine electronic mental health records from The South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Foundation Trust and benefits records from The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The data linkage spans 15 years, with SLaM data covering the period 2007-2019 and DWP data covering the period 2005-2020. The linkage was established to investigate the interrelationships between benefit receipt and mental health (including mental health service utilisation) in patients accessing secondary mental health services in South London, UK. Clinical data from SLaM includes information on sociodemographics, diagnoses, assessments, treatments, interventions, and service interaction. Benefits data from DWP provides information on benefit types received, spell dates and entitlement amounts, work capability assessments and work programme access.

This cohort included all working age adults (aged 18-65 years) referred to/receiving treatment from SLaM services between January 2007 and June 2019. We report the sociodemographics and psychiatric diagnoses of n=150,348 working age adults, as well as the types of benefits received. We showed that 78.3% of working age adults received a benefit relating to unemployment or work-related income, sickness or disability, or a housing benefit, and that 68.0% of this group had a recorded primary psychiatric diagnosis. The most commonly received diagnoses were alcohol related disorders and substance related disorders (17.2%), followed by mood (affective) disorders (16.5%). We also observed that nearly 70% of claimants who had received more than one benefit were residing in the two most deprived areas across the South London boroughs covered by SLaM.
Patient’s Satisfaction with Eye Care Services from tertiary Eye hospital in Nepal
Authors: Shah Ranjan , Mishra Sailesh Kumar , Sharma Prakriti
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study was conducted to assess the level of patient satisfaction with the eye care services received from different tertiary eye hospitals, running under Nepal Nepal Netra Jyoti (NNJS) Sangh, of Madhesh Province, Nepal over a 3-month period (October-December) 2017.

Methods

A Cross-sectional based study with client exit interviews were done, using pretested Likert scale tool in sample of 1190 (P=0.5, and 95% CI) consenting patients after receiving the ophthalmic care enrolled in the mentioned tertiary eye hospitals of Madhesh Province. Data on Behavior of the service provider, Services and facilities provided by the hospital was analyzed with the level of patient’s satisfaction. A Pearson’s chi-square test was used to examine the relationship between overall satisfaction and the dependent variables.

Results

Only 3.8 % of patients reported visiting the hospital more than four times. The main reasons for choosing their respective hospital was the ‘quality of services’ delivered through modern equipment at affordable costs (53 %) followed by easy access to hospital (39%). The average waiting time was 58 min, with a range of 5-240 min. Level of education (P<0.05), Socioeconomic status (P<0.05), Waiting time (P<0.05), Hospital operating hours (P<0.05), Cleanliness (P<0.05) and Cost of Service (P<0.05) were significantly associated with the overall satisfaction with the services. Behavior of the service providers did not play a statistically significant role in overall satisfaction.

Conclusion

Patient satisfaction is a highly desirable outcome of clinical care and may even be an element of health status itself. Our data showed that a significant proportion (95%) of patients were satisfied, or highly satisfied overall (across all parametric measures), and that personal experience, beliefs and background may play a confounding factor in satisfaction. As a result, it can be safely concluded that perceived quality and performance in the hospitals are exceptional.
Ghost interactions: revealing missing protein-ligand interactions using AlphaFold predictions
Authors: Escobedo Nahuel , Saldaño Tadeo , Donagh Juan Mac , Sawicki Luciana Rodriguez , Palopoli Nicolas , Alberti Sebastian Fernandez , Fornasari Maria Silvina , Parisi Gustavo
Published: October 2023

Protein–ligand interactions represent an essential step in understanding molecular recognition, an intense field of research for many scientific areas. Structural biology has played a central role in unveiling protein-ligand interactions, but current techniques are still not able to reliably describe the interactions of ligands with highly flexible regions. In this work we explored the capacity of AlphaFold2 (AF2) to estimate the presence of interactions between ligands and residues belonging to disordered regions, which we called “ghost interactions” as they are missing in the crystallographic derived structures. We found that AF2 models are good predictors of regions associated with order-disorder transitions. Additionally, we found that AF2 predicts residues making ghost interactions with ligands, which are mostly buried and show a differential evolutionary conservation. Our findings could fuel current areas of research that consider intrinsically disordered proteins as potentially valuable targets for drug development, given their biological relevance and associated diseases.
Physical activity in adult users of inpatient mental health services: a scoping review
Authors: Tew Garry A. , Peckham Emily , Ker Suzy , Smith Jo , Hodgson Philip , Machaczek Katarzyna K. , Faires Matthew
Published: October 2023

People with severe mental illness engage in considerably less physical activity than those without. They also experience premature mortality of around 10–25 years. A large proportion of these premature deaths are attributed to modifiable behaviours, including physical activity. The inpatient environment provides an opportunity to support people to become more physically active; however, there is limited evidence on which interventions are most successful and what contextual factors affect their delivery. A scoping review was conducted to help understand the extent and type of evidence in this area and identify research gaps. We included studies of physical activity in adult inpatient mental health services published in peer-reviewed journals. Reviews, meta-analyses, and papers focusing on eating disorder populations were excluded. We searched the MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ASSIA and Web of Science databases for relevant studies published in English. We extracted data on study design, participant characteristics, intervention and control conditions, key findings, and research recommendations. We used a descriptive analytical approach and results are presented in tables and figures. Of 27,286 unique records screened, 210 reports from 182 studies were included. Sixty-one studies reported on correlates of physical activity, and 139 studies reported on physical activity interventions. Most intervention studies used a single-group, pre-post design (40%) and included fewer than 100 participants (86%). Ninety percent of interventions delivered physical activity directly to participants, and 50% included group-based sessions. The duration, type, frequency and intensity of sessions varied. Mental health was the most commonly reported outcome (64%), whereas physical activity was rarely an outcome (13%). Overall, there is a modest but growing body of research on physical activity in adult users of inpatient mental health services. More high-quality trials are needed to advance the field, and future research should target neglected intervention types, outcomes, populations and settings.
Derivation and validation of a non-invasive optoacoustic imaging biomarker for patients with intermittent claudication
Authors: Caranovic Milenko , Kempf Julius , Li Yi , Regensburger Adrian P. , Günther Josefine S. , Träger Anna P. , Lang Werner , Meyer Alexander , Wagner Alexandra L. , Woelfle Joachim , Raming Roman , Paulus Lars-Philip , Buehler Adrian , Uter Wolfgang , Uder Michael , Behrendt Christian-Alexander , Neurath Markus F. , Waldner Maximilian J. , Knieling Ferdinand , Rother Ulrich
Published: October 2023

Background

Multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT), a molecular sensitive ultrasound, offers a non-invasive diagnostic approach to image the deep-tissue biomarkers.

Objectives

The authors aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of MSOT to distinguish between healthy volunteers (HV) and patients with intermittent claudication (IC) by assessing hemoglobin-related biomarkers in calf muscle tissue.

Methods

In this monocentric, cross-sectional diagnostic trial using derivation (DC) and validation cohorts (VC) yll subjects underwent standardized PAD diagnostics. This included pulse palpation, ankle brachial index (ABI), duplex sonography, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and assessment of health-related quality of life (VASCUQOL-6). The vascular occlusion profile in IC patients was confirmed by angiography (aggregated TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus classification, aTASC). MSOT imaging of calf muscle was performed before and after standardized heel raise provocation.

Participants

Of 123 screened individuals, 102 completed the study. MSOT-derived oxygenation (msO2) after the exercise differentiated IC and HV with an area under curve the receiver operator characteristics curve (AUROC) in DC by 0.99 (95%CI 0.97;1.00, p<0.001, sensitivity: 100%, specificity: 95.8%) and in the VC by 0.95 (95%CI 0.95;1.00, p<0.001, sensitivity: 96.2%, specificity: 96.0%). mSO2positively correlated with the ABI post-exercise (R=0.83, 95%CI 0.75;0.88, P<0.001), the absolute walking distance in the 6MWT (R=0.77, 95%CI 0.68;0.84, P<0.001), the VASCUQOL-6 (R=0.79, 95%CI 0.70;0.85, P<0.001) and negatively with aTASC classification (R=-0.80, 95%CI -0.86;-0.72, P<0.001).

Conclusions

Post-exercise MSOT-derived saturation in the calf muscle was validated as a new and promising diagnostic biomarker to distinguish between HV and IC patients yielding high sensitivity and specificity. (NCT05373927)
Health journal coverage of climate change and health: a bibliometric study
Authors: Muhia Joy , Rethlefsen Melissa L. , Rossington Ben , Wedmore Florence , Pattnaik Anandita , Smith Richard , Schroter Sara
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To find what proportion of a broad set of health journals have published on climate change and health, how many articles they have published, and when they first published on the subject.

Design

Bibliometric study.

Setting and particbipants

We conducted electronic searches in Ovid MEDLINE ALL for articles about climate change and human health published from 1860 to 31 December 2022 in 330 health journals. There were no limits by language or publication type. Results were independently screened by two raters for article eligibility.

Results

After screening there were 2932 eligible articles published across 253 of the 330 journals between 1947 and 2022; most (2795/2932; 95%) were published in English. A few journals published articles in the early 90s, but there has been a rapid increase since about 2006. We were unable to categorise the types of publication but estimate that fewer than half are research papers. While articles were published in journals in 39 countries, two-thirds (1929/2932; 66%) were published in a journal published in the UK or the US. Almost a quarter (77/330; 23%) of the journals published no eligible articles, and almost three-quarters (241/330; 73%) published five articles or fewer. The publication of joint editorials in over 200 journals in 2021 and 2022 boosted the number of journals publishing something on climate change and health. A third of the (112/330; 34%) journals in our sample published at least one of the joint editorials, and almost a third of those (32/112; 29%) were publishing on climate change and health for the first time.

Conclusions

Health journals are rapidly increasing the amount they publish on climate change and health, but despite climate change being the major threat to global health many journals had until recently published little or nothing. A joint editorial published in multiple journals increased coverage, and for many journals it was the first thing they published on climate change and health.

Strengths and limitations of this study

We looked at coverage of climate change at both the article and journal level from 1860 to 2022; previous bibliometric studies have analysed results only at the article level and in restricted time periods

Two independent raters screened the title and abstract (where available) of every article identified by the MEDLINE search to assess eligibility

Journals not currently indexed in MEDLINE had to be excluded as hand searching was not feasible for such a large sample of journals

It’s important to be cautious in generalising to all health journals from our sample

Our study included analysis of an intervention (publication of the joint editorials in multiple journals) to increase coverage on climate change and health in health journals.
Akt1 players promote PMA U937 cell line differentiation into macrophage-like cells
Authors: Bakheit Halla Falih , Taurin Sebastien , Elamin Elwaleed Mohamed , Bakhiet Moiz
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Monocytes are a leukocytes’ subset that plays an important role in immunity. Protein kinase B (AKT) is involved in monocytes' survival, proliferation and differentiation. Using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) as an inducer for cell line U937 differentiation into macrophage-like cells may be used as a model for cancer cell therapy or other biomedical research studies. The authors investigated the Akt1 signaling pathway's involvement with PMA as a differentiating agent and survival in the U937 cell line.

Design/methodology/approach

PMA was utilized to stimulate the differentiation of the U937 cell line into macrophage-like cells at a concentration of 10 nM. Akt1-phosphorylated Serine 473, Bad-phosphorylated Serine 136 and Caspase9-phosphorylated Serine 196 were tested by flow cytometry for the involvement of the Akt1 signaling pathway during differentiation in addition to the expression of CD14, CD206 and CD83. DNA cell cycle variation analysis was done using PI staining and cell viability and apoptosis detection using Annexin V and PI flow cytometry.

Findings

There was a decrease in phosphorylated Akt1 and Bad activation and an increase in Caspase9 activation, with an increase in surface markers CD14, CD206 and CD83 acquired by PMA-differentiated cells. DNA cell cycle analysis revealed cell accumulation in the G2/M phase and fewer cells in the S phase of PMA-induced U937. Apoptosis induction for Ly294002 or Wortmannin-inhibited cells and part of PMA-induced cells were detected.

Originality/value

These results may be used to create a model for biomedical research studies and advance the understanding of the mechanism involving differentiation of the U937 cell line.
S-curve adjustment approaches for a force majeure event: COVID-19 as an example
Authors: Yang Jyh-Bin , Chen Ying-Fu
Published: October 2023

Purpose

An S-curve is an essential project-management tool. However, it is difficult to adjust S-curve to deal with a force majeure event. The present study develops four valuable adjustment approaches, designed to achieve a compromise between the views of the client and contractor. These can be used to control projects after a force majeure event.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study develops four adjustment approaches, which can be used to achieve a compromise between the views of the client and those of the contractor when controlling projects after a force majeure. To determine the S-curves during a force majeure event, two approaches can be selected: BCWS (budgeted cost of scheduled work)-base approach, or BCWP (budgeted cost of work performed)-base approach. To determine the rest of S-curves after a force majeure event, two approaches can be considered: maintaining the original curve of the remaining BCWS, or allocating the original curve of the remaining BCWS. Based on the validation of three empirical cases, drawn from a professional project-management website, this study confirms the feasibility of four proposed empirical approaches and a selection procedure for S-curve adjustment.

Findings

The S-curve-adjustment approaches presented here can be used to deal with cases that are ahead of, on and behind schedule. Using the proposed approaches and selection procedure, contractors can easily revise S-curves and control projects more effectively. To deal with a force majeure event, such as COVID-19, they are strongly advised to adopt the approaches labeled SA-A1 (to adjust the S-curve based on the extension ratio multiplied by the difference in progress during the force majeure) and SA-B1 (to maintain the original curve of the remaining BCWS) for the A/E and E/F curves, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed approaches can be used in cases of continuous construction during force majeure events. If construction work is totally suspended during such an event, it will be necessary to fine-tune the proposed approaches.

Originality/value

Previous studies have used case-oriented or mathematical-simulation approaches to forecast S-curves. The present study proposes simple approaches that allow the client and contractor to adjust the S-curve easily after a force majeure event. These approaches can be used to adjust work and project-completion targets within an extended duration. Selecting the right S-curve adjustment approach can help to control the remainder of the project, reducing the possibility of delay claims.
When enough is not enough: behavioral and motivational paths to compulsive social media consumption
Authors: Lervik-Olsen Line , Andreassen Tor Wallin , Fennis Bob M.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Compulsive social media use has the potential to reduce well-being. In this study, the authors propose that there are two main paths to compulsive social media consumption. One is behavioral and based on habit; the other is motivational and rooted in the fear of missing out. This study aims to test the antecedents of these two drivers as well as their consequences for the tendency to engage in compulsive social media consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied a quantitative research design and collected data through a survey of 600 respondents from a representative sample. The authors used structural equation modeling to test their conceptual model and hypotheses. Gender and age were included as moderators to investigate the model’s boundary conditions.

Findings

The authors found support for all the suggested relationships in the conceptual model. The findings indicate two main manifestations of compulsive social media use – always being logged in (i.e. the frequency of social media consumption) and excessive use (the intensity of consumption) – that in turn spurred a reinforcer of compulsivity: disconnection anxiety. The findings also indicate two main paths to compulsive social media consumption. One path is behavioral, based on habit, and the other is motivational, based on fear of missing out. Moreover, the authors identified the key antecedents of both paths. Habit formation was observed to be a function of situational cues (technological nudges in the online sphere) and consumer engagement. Fear of missing out was shaped by both injunctive norms (a consumer norm to be online) and descriptive norms (social proof).

Research limitations/implications

Although the antecedents of compulsive social media consumption suggested in this study have a strong and significant effect, the explained variance in the dependent variables being always logged in and excessive social media use indicates that there might be other drivers as well. These should be explored along with moderators other than gender and age to identify the potential boundary conditions of the model.

Practical implications

The main implications of the present work point to the “ease” with which typical or normal social media use may spiral out of control and become compulsive, with adverse implications for consumer health and well-being.

Originality/value

The behavioral and motivational paths to compulsive social media consumption have been less explored and have not yet been studied in conjunction, nor have their antecedents and consequences. Thus, this is a novel approach to understanding how social media use can potentially lead to reduced control and well-being.
Government health expenditure and child health: empirical evidence from West African countries
Authors: Osei Bismark , Kulu Evans , Appiah-Konadu Paul
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of government health expenditure on the health of children (under-five mortality rate and prevalence rate of stunting) among West African countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes heterogeneous panel from the period 1990 to 2018 among 16 West African countries for the analysis. The effect of government health expenditure on under-five mortality rate is measured in per 1,000 live births while that of stunting is measured in percentage. The study employs Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimation technique and Impulse Response Functions (IRFs) for the analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that government health expenditure has negative effect on under-five mortality rate and prevalence rate of stunting in the long-run but not significant in the short-run. In addition, the IRFs result indicates that under-five mortality rate and prevalence rate of stunting both respond negatively to shocks in government health expenditure.

Practical implications

Governments should ensure that inefficiencies in the public health sector are reduced by licensing the health workers of this sector and allowing independent bodies to appoint the heads of health institutions. This will improve the delivering of health services for the health of children.

Originality/value

Previous studies carried out have not examined the short-run and long-run effects of the relationship under study among West African countries.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-03-2022-0212
Connecting IFRS and earnings management: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Vatis Stylianos Efstratios , Nerantzidis Michail , Drogalas George , Chytis Evangelos
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify, recap and evaluate the state-of-the-art linkage between International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and earnings management (EM).

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric analysis of 249 publications from the Web of Science (WoS) database was carried out, employing both the techniques of performance analysis and science mapping and the Bibliometrix R and VOSviewer tools.

Findings

The results of the performance analysis suggest that the publication and citation trends of the interplay of the IFRS and EM fields show an upward trend over time that most of the influential institutions emanate from the US and a significant percentage of articles published in this field emanate from high-quality journals. Science mapping via co-authorship analysis elucidates that more collaborative efforts among authors are needed in the future in this field. Bibliographic coupling analysis bifurcates the studies into six clusters and reveals the major themes and their evolution. Co-word analysis unfolds emerging trends that could be further explored, thus becoming possible future research avenues.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, no other study has attempted a bibliometric analysis of research on the relationship between IFRS and EM. This article fills this research gap and makes its contribution to the scientific community by presenting recent developments in this body of knowledge and suggesting future research avenues.
Alternatives to the efficient market hypothesis: an overview
Authors: Nyakurukwa Kingstone , Seetharam Yudhvir
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The authors’ goal is to provide an overview and historical context for the various alternatives to the efficient market hypothesis (EMH) that have emerged over time. The authors found eight current alternatives that have emerged to address the EMH's flaws. Each of the proposed alternatives improves some of the assumptions made by the EMH, such as investor homogeneity, the immediate incorporation of information into asset values and the inadequacy of rationality to explain asset prices.

Design/methodology/approach

To come up with the list of studies relevant to this review article, the authors used three databases, namely Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The first two were mostly used to get peer-reviewed articles while Google Scholar was used to extract articles that are still work in progress. The following words were used as the search queries; “efficient market hypothesis” and “alternatives to the efficient market hypothesis”.

Findings

The alternatives to the EMH presented in this article demonstrate that market efficiency is a dynamic concept that can be best understood with a multidisciplinary approach. To better comprehend how financial markets work, it is crucial to draw on concepts, theories and ideas from a variety of disciplines, including physics, economics, anthropology, sociology and others.

Originality/value

The authors comprehensively summarise the current state of the behavioural finance literature on alternatives to the EMH.
Effects of career adaptability and career optimism on career intention of tourism and hospitality students
Authors: Wang Danni , Cheung Catherine , Zhai Xianmu
Published: October 2023

Purpose

In recent years, students have found careers in the tourism and hospitality (T&H) industry less attractive. Attracting and retaining young talents has become more challenging for the T&H industry in the post-pandemic era. To help solve the talent shortage problem, it is vital to understand how students perceive careers and what influences their career planning. The career construction theory indicates an integration between personal needs and career-related expectations. It provides a theoretical framework for the present study to understand what motivates students to begin their careers in the T&H industry. This study aims to empirically examine the relationship between students’ career adaptability and optimism and their effect on future career intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted in mainland China to investigate the interrelationships between career adaptability, career optimism and future career intention. A total of 492 valid responses were collected from students studying T&H.

Findings

The findings revealed that career optimism positively influences career adaptability and future career intention, respectively. Conversely, career adaptability is found to have a negative impact on future career intention. Moreover, career optimism has a mediating effect on the relationship between career adaptability and future career intention. The results would benefit educators in career counselling for students and industry practitioners to develop effective career management strategies for young talents in their respective organisations.

Originality/value

The application of career construction theory drawn from vocational psychology is suitable to provide knowledge and insights into the development of T&H career research. This study contributes to fill the knowledge gap concerning career adaptation, career optimism and future career intention.
Two roads diverge in cyberspace: dual but opposing social media pathways affecting teens’ well-being
Authors: Stewart Kristin , Brodowsky Glen , Sciglimpaglia Donald
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Many believe that any social media harms kids because of frequent use. This study aims to examine these assumptions. It proposes and tests a model that considers two alternative pathways – one negative and one positive – through which social media affects teens’ self-reported subjective well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used Preacher and Hayes process modeling to conduct path analysis on data collected on 585 teenagers from across the USA.

Findings

Results showed that along a negative pathway, frequent social media use leads to greater risky social media engagement that ultimately diminishes adolescent’s sense of well-being. Also, and perhaps simultaneously, frequent social media use leads to socially-connected social media use that enhances adolescent’s sense of well-being.

Practical implications

The research recommends ways parents, policymakers and platforms can encourage teens to use social media to connect with friends while guiding them away from pathways exposing them to risky behaviors.

Originality/value

Findings show more social media use is not necessarily harmful, but more of some types is bad, while more of others is good.
Clarifying the complex chemistry of cobalt(II) thiocyanate‐based tests for cocaine using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques
Authors: Burks Raychelle , Öhrström Lars , Amombo Noa Francoise M.
Published: October 2023

Cobalt(II) thiocyanate‐based tests are routinely used to screen cocaine products, with the formation of a blue species interpreted as a positive response. An array of other organic bases has been identified as false positives – including well‐documented cocaine product adulterant lidocaine and its salt. False positives prompt continued test development, though improvements are hindered by unresolved product structures and reaction pathways. Toward greater clarity, cobalt(II) thiocyanate reactions with cocaine hydrochloride, along with lidocaine and its salt, were investigated using multiple analytical techniques. Reactions involving cocaine hydrochloride yielded glassy, amorphous blue material while reactions of lidocaine hydrochloride monohydrate produced larger, needle‐like crystals whose structure was determined via single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction to be an ion pair (Hlidocaine+)2([Co(SCN)4]2−)·H2O. While the blue precipitate isolated from reactions involving cocaine hydrochloride was unsuitable for crystallographic structure determination, comparative ultraviolet–visible, attenuated total reflectance infrared, and Raman spectroscopic analysis – along with elemental analysis – supports that this solid is comprised of a comparable ion pair (Hcocaine+)2[Co(SCN)4]2−. Pink crystals isolated from lidocaine reaction vessels were identified as coordination compounds cis‐[CoL2(SCN)2] and trans‐[CoL2(SCN)2] where L = lidocaine, while pink crystals from both cocaine hydrochloride and lidocaine hydrochloride monohydrate reaction vessels were the coordination polymer trans‐[Co(H2O)2(SCN)2]·H2O. The results presented herein enable reaction optimization to favor a desired product, whether ion pair or coordination species.
Incidence of stillbirth among women with different risk profiles in Stockholm 2001–2020: a repeated cross‐sectional study
Authors: Lundén Minna , Hulthén Varli Ingela , Kopp Kallner Helena , Åmark Hanna
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The incidence of stillbirth in Sweden has started to decline. However, some comparable high‐income countries in Europe have an even lower incidence, indicating a potential for further reduction. The aim of our study was to investigate how the incidence of stillbirth for singleton pregnancies has changed over the past two decades in the Stockholm Region in different groups of women to detect the groups at highest risk.

Material and methods

This was a repeated cross‐sectional study with data from the Stockholm Stillbirth Database and the Pregnancy Register including all cases of stillbirth in Stockholm in singleton pregnancies between 2001 and 2020, in total 1804 stillbirths. The time period was divided into four equal groups and the incidence of stillbirth was compared between the groups.

Results

The overall incidence of stillbirth in the Stockholm Region has decreased from 3.8/1000 births in 2001–2005 to 2.9/1000 births in 2016–2020 (P‐value <0.001). In most of the groups studied, the incidence decreased, but among women originating from sub‐Saharan Africa the incidence significantly rose from 7.9/1000 births in 2001–2005 to 10.1/1000 births in 2016–2020 (P‐value 0.025). In this group, stillbirth occurred prematurely to a higher extent and the women were more likely to be multiparous.

Conclusions

The incidence of stillbirth in the Stockholm Region has declined. However, among women originating from sub‐Saharan Africa the incidence was significantly higher compared with women originating from other regions and it is still rising. More research is needed to understand why this group is at higher risk and how to monitor their pregnancies to decrease this risk.