bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A bioorthogonal chemistry approach to detect the K1 polysialic acid capsule inEscherichia coli
Authors: Rigolot Vincent , Rossez Yannick , Biot Christophe , Lion Cédric
Published: November 2022

Most Escherichia coli strains associated with neonatal meningitis express the K1 capsule, a sialic acid polysaccharide that is directly related to their pathogenicity. Metabolic oligosaccharide engineering (MOE) has mostly been developed in eukaryotes, but has also been successfully applied to the study of several oligosaccharides or polysaccharides constitutive of the bacterial cell wall. However, bacterial capsules are seldom targeted despite their important role as virulence factors, and the K1 polysialic acid (PSA) antigen that shields bacteria from the immune system still remains untackled. Herein, we report a fluorescence microplate assay that allows the fast and facile detection of K1 capsules with an approach that combines MOE and bioorthogonal chemistry. We exploit the incorporation of synthetic analogues of N-acetylmannosamine or N-acetylneuraminic acid, metabolic precursors of PSA, and copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) as the click chemistry reaction to specifically label the modified K1 antigen with a fluorophore. The method was optimized, validated by capsule purification and fluorescence microscopy, and applied to the detection of whole encapsulated bacteria in a miniaturized assay. We observe that analogues of ManNAc are readily incorporated into the capsule while those of Neu5Ac are less efficiently metabolized, which provides useful information regarding the capsule biosynthetic pathways and the promiscuity of the enzymes involved. Moreover, this microplate assay is transferable to screening approaches and may provide a platform to identify novel capsule-targeted antibiotics that would circumvent resistance issues.
Insights into cargo sorting by SNX32 in neuronal and non-neuronal cells: physiological implications in neurite outgrowth
Authors: Sugatha Jini , Priya Amulya , Raj Prateek , Jaimon Ebsy , Jose Anju , Datta Sunando
Published: November 2022

Sorting nexins (SNX) are a family of proteins containing the Phox homology domain, which shows a preferential endo-membrane association and regulates cargo sorting processes. Even with the vast amount of information unveiled systematically, the underlying mechanism of sorting remains elusive. Here, we established that SNX32, a SNX-BAR (Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs) sub-family member, is associated with SNX4 via its BAR domain. We identified A226, Q259, E256, R366 of SNX32, and Y258, S448 of SNX4 at the interface of these two SNX proteins that are important for maintaining the association. Via its PX domain, SNX32 interacts with the Transferrin receptor (TfR) and Cation Independent Mannose-6-Phosphate Receptor (CIMPR). We showed that the conserved F131 in its PX domain is important in stabilising the above interactions. Silencing of SNX32 led to a defect in intracellular trafficking of TfR and CIMPR, which could be rescued by overexpressing shRNA-resistant snx32. We also showed that both individual domains play an essential role in trafficking. Our results indicate that SNX4, SNX32 and Rab11 may participate in a common pathway regulating transferrin trafficking; however, the existence of an independent pathway for Rab11 and SNX32 could not be completely ruled out. Further, we established that the PX domain of SNX32 could bind to PI(3)P and PI(4)P, suggesting a possible explanation for its sub-cellular localization. Taken together, our study showed that SNX32 mediate the trafficking of specific cargo molecules along distinct pathway via its PX domain-directed binding to phosphoinositides and its BAR domain-mediated association with other SNX family members. Further, using SILAC-based differential proteomics of the wild type and the mutant SNX32, impaired in cargo binding, we identified Basigin (BSG), an immunoglobulin super family member, as a potential interactor of SNX32 in SHSY5Y cells. We then demonstrated that SNX32 binds to BSG through its PX domain and facilitates its trafficking to the cell surface. In Neuro-Glial cell lines, the silencing of SNX32 led to defects in neuronal differentiation. Moreover, abrogation in lactate transport in the SNX32 depleted cells led us to propose that the SNX may contribute to maintaining the neuro-glial coordination via its role in BSG trafficking and the associated Monocarboxylate transporter activity.
Anti-HVEM mAb therapy improves antitumoral immunity bothin vitroandin vivo, in a novel transgenic mouse model expressing human HVEM and BTLA molecules challenged with HVEM expressing tumors
Authors: Demerle C. , Gorvel L. , Mello M. , Pastor S. , Degos C. , Zarubica A. , Angelis F. , Fiore F. , Nunes J.A. , Malissen B. , Greillier L. , Guittard G. , Luche H. , Barlesi F. , Olive D.
Published: November 2022

Background

TNFRF-14/HVEM is the ligand for BTLA and CD160 negative immune co-signaling molecules as well as viral proteins. Its expression is dysregulated with an overexpression in tumors and a connection with tumors of adverse prognosis.

Methods

We developed C57BL/6 mouse models co-expressing human huBTLA and huHVEM as well as antagonistic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that completely prevent the interactions of HVEM with its ligands.

Results

Here, we show that the anti-HVEM18-10 mAb increases primary human αß-T cells activity alone (CIS-activity) or in the presence of HVEM-expressing lung or colorectal cancer cellsin vitro(TRANS-activity). Anti-HVEM18-10 synergizes with anti-PD-L1 mAb to activate T cells in the presence of PDL-1 positive tumors, but is sufficient to trigger T cell activation in the presence of PD-L1 negative cells. In order to better understand HVEM18-10 effectin vivoand especially disentangle its CIS and TRANS effects, we developed a knock-in (KI) mouse model expressing human BTLA (huBTLA+/+) and a KI mouse model expressing both human BTLA and human HVEM (huBTLA+/+/huHVEM+/+(DKI)).In vivopre-clinical experiments performed in both mouse models showed that HVEM18-10 treatment was efficient to decrease human HVEM+ tumor growth. In the DKI model, anti-HVEM 18-10 treatment induces a decrease of exhausted CD8+T cells and regulatory T cells and an increase of Effector memory CD4+T cells within the tumor. Interestingly, mice which completely rejected tumors (± 20%) did not develop tumors upon re-challenge in both settings, therefore showing a marked T cell-memory phenotype effect.

Conclusions

Altogether, our preclinical models validate anti-HVEM18-10 as a promising therapeutic antibody to use in clinics as a monotherapy or in combination with existing immunotherapies (anti-PD1/anti-PDL-1/anti-CTLA-4).
Faecal microbiota transplantation from Alzheimer’s participants induces impairments in neurogenesis and cognitive behaviours in rats
Authors: Grabrucker Stefanie , Marizzoni Moira , Silajdžić Edina , Lopizzo Nicola , Mombelli Elisa , Nicolas Sarah , Dohm-Hansen Sebastian , Scassellati Catia , Moretti Davide Vito , Rosa Melissa , Hoffmann Karina , English Jane A , Lavelle Aonghus , O’Neill Cora , Thuret Sandrine , Cattaneo Annamaria , Nolan Yvonne M
Published: November 2022

The gut microbiome is emerging as an important susceptibility factor in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) possibly due to the increased prevalence of pro-inflammatory genera in gut microbiota of AD participants. Microbiota-mediated changes in cognition and adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), an important process for memory which is altered in AD, position the microbiota-gut-brain axis as a key regulator of AD. However, it is unknown whether gut microbiota alterations are the cause or consequence of AD symptoms. We transplanted faecal microbiota from AD participants and age-matched controls into microbiota-depleted naïve adult rats and found impairments in AHN and associated memory tasks, which correlated with clinical cognitive scores. Discrete changes in the rat caecal and hippocampal metabolome were evident. Serum from AD participants also decreased neurogenesis in vitro and correlated with cognitive scores and pro-inflammatory genera. Our results reveal that the cognitive symptoms in AD may be due to alterations in gut microbiota, and that impaired neurogenesis may be a mechanistic link between altered gut microbiota and cognitive impairment in AD.
Nucleolar Reorganization After Cellular Stress is Orchestrated by SMN Shuttling between Nuclear Compartments
Authors: Musawi Shaqraa , Lise-Marie-Donnio  , Zhao Zehui , Magnani Charlène , Binda Olivier , Huang Jianbo , Rassinoux Phoebe , Jacquier Arnaud , Coudert Laurent , Lomonte Patrick , Martinat Cécile , Schaeffer Laurent , Côté Jocelyn , Mari Pierre-Olivier , Giglia-Mari Giuseppina
Published: November 2022

SMA is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease caused by mutations in the multifunctional protein SMN. Within the nucleus, SMN localizes to Cajal bodies (CBs), which have been shown to be associated with nucleoli, nuclear organelles dedicated to the first steps of ribosome biogenesis. The highly organized structure of the nucleolus can be dynamically altered by genotoxic agents. After genotoxic stress, RNAP1, Fibrillarin (FBL) and nucleolar DNA are exported to the periphery of the nucleolus and once DNA repair is fully completed the organization of the nucleolus is restored. We found that SMN is required for the restoration of the nucleolar structure after genotoxic stress. Unexpectedly, during DNA repair, SMN shuttles from the CBs to the nucleolus. This shuttling is important for nucleolar homeostasis and relies on the presence of Coilin and the activity of PRMT1.
Development of a novel oral treatment that rescues gait ataxia and retinal degeneration in a phenotypic mouse model of familial dysautonomia
Authors: Morini Elisabetta , Chekuri Anil , Logan Emily M. , Bolduc Jessica M. , Kirchner Emily G. , Salani Monica , Krauson Aram J. , Narasimhan Jana , Gabbeta Vijayalakshmi , Grover Shivani , Dakka Amal , Mollin Anna , Jung Stephen P. , Zhao Xin , Zhang Nanjing , Zhang Sophie , Arnold Michael , Woll Matthew G. , Naryshkin Nikolai A. , Weetall Marla , Slaugenhaupt Susan A.
Published: November 2022

Familial Dysautonomia (FD) is a rare neurodegenerative disease caused by a splicing mutation in the Elongator complex protein 1 gene (ELP1). This mutation leads to the skipping of exon 20 and a tissue-specific reduction of ELP1 protein, mainly in the central and peripheral nervous systems. FD is a complex neurological disorder accompanied by severe gait ataxia and retinal degeneration. There is currently no effective treatment to restore ELP1 protein expression in individuals with FD, and the disease is ultimately fatal. After identifying kinetin as a small molecule able to correct theELP1splicing defect, we worked on its optimization to generate novel splicing modulator compounds (SMCs) that can be used in patients. Here, we optimize the potency, efficacy, and bio-distribution of second-generation kinetin derivatives to develop an oral treatment for FD that can efficiently pass the blood-brain barrier and correct theELP1splicing defect in the nervous system. We demonstrate that the novel compound, PTC258, efficiently restores correctELP1splicing in mouse tissues, including brain, and most importantly, prevents the progressive neuronal degeneration that is characteristic of FD. Postnatal oral administration of PTC258 to the phenotypic mouse modelTgFD9;Elp1Δ20/floxincreases full-lengthELP1transcript in a dose-dependent manner and leads to a two-fold increase in functional ELP1 protein in the brain. Remarkably, PTC258 treatment improves survival, gait ataxia, and retinal degeneration in the phenotypic FD mice. Our findings highlight the great therapeutic potential of this novel class of small molecules as an oral treatment for FD.
Development of an insect sample fractionizer for biodiversity research
Authors: Hörren Thomas , Sorg Martin , Hallmann Caspar A. , Stenmans Werner , Ssymank Axel , Theumert Hannes , Jürgens Jan , Fleischer Bernhard , Schwan Heinz
Published: November 2022

We describe a new mechanical tool for dividing mixed insects and other invertebrate samples into subsamples. The device enables the division to equal parts by means of a movable hemispherical bowl and a separating disc. Due to the complete stainless steel manufacturing, the sample divider is sterilizable by using chemicals or heating and thus suitable for DNA-based methods. The production of equally sized subsamples is of particular importance for biodiversity studies today, especially when using metabarcoding combined with insect homogenisation for species determination of mixed insect samples. The device allows sub-samples to be analyzed separately using the same or different methods, or getting archived for museal preservation and future research.
The paradigm shift: heartbeat initiation without “the pacemaker cell”
Authors: Maltsev Victor A. , Stern Michael D.
Published: November 2022

The current dogma about the heartbeat origin is based on “the pacemaker cell”, a specialized cell residing in the sinoatrial node (SAN) that exhibits spontaneous diastolic depolarization triggering rhythmic action potentials (APs). Recent high-resolution imaging, however, demonstrated that Ca signals and APs in the SAN are heterogeneous, with many cells generating APs of different rates and rhythms or even remaining non-firing (dormant cells), i.e. generating only subthreshold signals. Here we numerically tested a hypothesis that a community of dormant cells can generate normal automaticity, i.e. “the pacemaker cell” is not required to initiate rhythmic cardiac impulses. Our model includes (i) non-excitable cells generating oscillatory local Ca releases and (ii) an excitable cell lacking automaticity. While each cell in isolation was not “the pacemaker cell”, the cell system generated rhythmic APs: the subthreshold signals of non-excitable cells were transformed into respective membrane potential oscillations via electrogenic Na/Ca exchange and further transferred and integrated (computed) by the excitable cells to reach its AP threshold, generating rhythmic pacemaking. Conclusions: Cardiac impulse is an emergent property of the SAN cellular network and can be initiated by cells lacking intrinsic automaticity. Cell heterogeneity, weak coupling, subthreshold signals, and their summation are critical properties of the new pacemaker mechanism, i.e cardiac pacemaker can operate via a signaling process basically similar to that of “temporal summation” happening in a neuron with input from multiple presynaptic cells. The new mechanism, however, does not refute the classical pacemaker cell-based mechanism: both mechanisms can co-exist and interact within SAN tissue.
Noise reduction strategies in metagenomic chromosome confirmation capture to link antibiotic resistance genes to microbial hosts
Authors: McCallum Gregory E. , Rossiter Amanda E. , Quraishi Mohammed Nabil , Iqbal Tariq H. , Kuehne Sarah A. , van Schaik Willem
Published: November 2022

The gut microbiota is a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). With current sequencing methods, it is difficult to assign ARGs to their microbial hosts, particularly if these ARGs are located on plasmids. Metagenomic chromosome conformation capture approaches (meta3C and Hi-C), have recently been developed to link bacterial genes to phylogenetic markers, thus potentially allowing the assignment of ARGs to their hosts on a microbiome-wide scale.

Here, we generated a meta3C dataset of a human stool sample and used previously published meta3C and Hi-C datasets to investigate bacterial hosts of ARGs in the human gut microbiome. Sequence reads mapping to repetitive elements were found to cause problematic noise in, and may importantly skew interpretation of, meta3C and Hi-C data. We provide a strategy to improve the signal-to-noise ratio by discarding reads that map to repetitive elements and to the end of contigs. We also show the importance of using spike-in controls to quantify whether the cross-linking step in meta3C and Hi-C protocols has been successful.

After filtering for spurious links, 87 ARGs were linked to their bacterial hosts across all datasets, including 27 ARGs in the meta3C dataset we generated. We show that commensal gut bacteria are an important reservoir for ARGs, with genes encoding for aminoglycoside and tetracycline resistance being widespread in anaerobic commensals of the human gut.
Genome assembly and annotation of the mermithid nematodeMermis nigrescens
Authors: Bhattarai Upendra R. , Poulin Robert , Gemmell Neil J. , Dowle Eddy
Published: November 2022

Genetic studies of nematodes have been dominated byCaenorhabditis elegansas a model species. Lack of genomic resources has been a limiting factor for expansion of genetic research to other groups of nematodes. Here, we report a draft genome assembly of a mermithid nematode,Mermis nigrescens. Mermithidae are insect parasitic nematodes with hosts including a wide range of terrestrial arthropods. We sequenced, assembled, and annotated the whole genome ofM. nigrescensusing nanopore long-reads and 10X chromium link-reads. The assembly is 524 Mb in size consisting of 867 scaffolds. The N50 value is 2.42 Mb, and half of the assembly is in the 30 longest scaffolds. The assembly BUSCO score from the eukaryotic database (eukaryota_odb10) indicates that the genome is 86.7% complete and 5.1% partial. The genome has a high level of heterozygosity (6.6%) with a repeat content of 78.7%. mRNA-seq reads from different sized nematodes (≤2 cm, 3.5-7 cm, and >7 cm body length) representing different developmental stages were also generated and used for the genome annotation. Using ab initio and evidence-based gene model predictions, 12,313 protein-coding genes and 24,186 mRNAs were annotated. These genomic resources will help researchers investigate the various aspects of the biology and host-parasite interactions of mermithid nematodes.
Asymmetric ene-reduction of α,β-unsaturated compounds by F420-dependent oxidoreductases A (FDOR-A) enzymes fromMycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Kang Suk Woo , Antoney James , Lupton David , Speight Robert , Scott Colin , Jackson Colin J.
Published: November 2022

The stereoselective reduction of alkenes conjugated to electron-withdrawing groups by ene-reductases has been extensively applied to the commercial preparation of fine chemicals. Although several different enzyme families are known to possess ene-reductase activity, the Old Yellow Enzyme (OYE) family has been the most thoroughly investigated. Recently, it was shown that a subset of ene-reductases belonging to the flavin/deazaflavin oxidoreductase (FDOR) superfamily exhibit enantioselectivity that is generally complementary to that seen in the OYE family. These enzymes belong to one of several FDOR subgroups that use the unusual deazaflavin cofactor F420. Here, we explore several enzymes of the FDOR-A subgroup, characterizing their substrate range and enantioselectivity, including the complete conversion of both isomers of citral to(R)-citronellel with 99%ee. Protein crystallography combined with computational docking has allowed the observed stereoselectivity to be mechanistically rationalized for two enzymes. These findings add further support for the FDOR and OYE families of ene-reductases being generally stereocomplementary to each other and highlight their potential value in asymmetric ene-reduction.
A multifunctional LysM effector ofBotrytis cinereacontributes to plant infection
Authors: Crumière Mélanie , De Vallée Amélie , Rascle Christine , Nahar Shamsun , van Kan Jan A.L. , Bruel Christophe , Poussereau Nathalie , Choquer Mathias
Published: November 2022

LysM effectors are suppressors of chitin-triggered plant immunity in biotrophic and hemibiotrophic fungi. Their role in necrotrophic fungi is unclear as these last are known to activate plant defenses and induce cell death.

To characterize the role of theBcLysM1gene encoding a putative LysM effector in the necrotrophic fungusBotrytis cinerea, its expression was followed by transcriptional fusion and by RT-qPCRin planta. Two tagged-recombinant proteins were produced, and two independent deletion strains were constructed and characterized.

BcLysM1is induced in the early phase of infection, and more specifically in multicellular appressoria called infection cushions. The BcLysM1 protein binds the chitin in the fungus cell wall and protects hyphae against degradation by external chitinases. It is also able to sequester chitooligosaccharides and to prevent them from inducing ROS production in A. thaliana. Using mycelium as inoculum, deletion strains show a delay in infection initiation and a default in adhesion to bean leaf surfaces.

This study demonstrates for the first time a dual role for a LysM effector in mycelium adhesion on the plant and in host defenses suppression, both of them occurring during the asymptomatic phase of infection by a necrotrophic fungus.
Wear comfort and thermal insulation of ceramic-imbedded fabrics with different yarn structures by thermal manikin experiment
Authors: Kim Hyunah
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study examined the wear comfort and thermal insulation properties of Al2O3/graphite particle-imbedded sheath/core and dispersed fabrics via a thermal manikin experiment.

Design/methodology/approach

Al2O3/graphite sheath/core and dispersed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) yarn (POY 120d/24f) were spun using a pilot melt bi-component conjugated spinning machine, which was texturized as 75d/24f on the belt-type texturing machine. The woven fabric specimens were made using nylon 70d/34f in the warp with three types of weft yarn: Al2O3/graphite sheath/core, dispersed and regular PET yarns. Thermal insulation properties were measured and compared in terms of the heat retention rate (I) by KES-F7 apparatus and the maximum surface temperature by light heat emission equipment, as verified by the emissivity of various fabric specimens by far-infrared ray experiment. In addition, this study examined the thermal insulation (Clo value) characteristics of the clothes made of Al2O3/graphite sheath/core and dispersed fabrics using a thermal manikin apparatus, which were compared with the properties of regular PET clothing.

Findings

The thermal insulation of the dispersed fabric was superior to that of the sheath/core fabric, which was tentatively attributed to the higher emissivity of the dispersed yarn with Al2O3/graphite particles distributed over the whole yarn cross-section than that from the core of the sheath/core yarn. This result for the clothing measured using a thermal manikin was consistent with the higher heat retention rate (I) and the maximum surface temperature of the dispersed fabric than that of the sheath/core fabric. In addition, the thermal insulation of the dispersed and sheath/core fabrics was superior to that of the regular PET fabric, which revealed that the Al2O3/graphite particles imbedded in the dispersed and sheath/core yarns exerted a greater effect on the heat storage and release characteristics compared to that of the TiO2 particles in regular PET yarn. The Clo values of the dispersed and sheath/core fabrics under the light-on condition were much higher than those under the light-off condition, and furthermore, the difference of the Clo value between the sheath/core and regular PET fabrics under light-on condition was approximately 1.7 times greater than that under the light-off condition. These results revealed that the far-infrared rays emitted from the Al2O3/graphite particles imbedded in the sheath/core and dispersed yarns enhance the heat storage and release characteristics from the fabric under the light-on condition, i.e. under the sunlight.

Originality/value

The previously examined thermal wear comfort properties of the various inorganic particle-imbedded fabrics were measured with the fabric state, not clothing, which could not provide objective data related to the actual wearing performance of clothing.
Assessing the possibility of winning a WTO dispute before being involved
Authors: Klishch Nikolai , Larionov Alexander
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This article focuses on whether there is a chance to win a World Trade Organization (WTO) trade dispute at the consultation stage. The study suggests an approach to resolving trade disputes on a bilateral level before involving formal WTO resolution procedures.

Design/methodology/approach

The model describes the determinants of the probability of winning a trade dispute. The econometric model estimates two different groups of factors available during the consultation period – macroeconomic factors and the institutional features of the trade dispute, such as the number of third parties. The data includes WTO trade disputes from 1995 to 2014.

Findings

The suggested model predicts the result of trade disputes with a probability of 76.64%. The research proves that institutional factors such as the number of third parties and the subject of the trade dispute influence the probability of winning.

Practical implications

The results of the study help predict the probability of winning a trade dispute at the consultation stage so that countries can decide whether to pursue a trade dispute.

Originality/value

The research presents several new hypotheses on the results of trade disputes. The authors show that the higher the number of countries involved, the higher the chance of the complainant winning and that if major parties such as the US or the European Union (EU) are involved as third parties, the chance of the complainant winning increases.
Will COVID-19 be the trigger point for developing visitor attraction revenue management?
Authors: Haynes Natalie Claire , Egan David
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to explore how the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will influence the development of revenue management practice in the visitor attractions sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This viewpoint paper builds on the argument that tracking previous patterns of behaviour and trends can be used to predict future actions and developments.

Findings

The paper identifies how historically the development of revenue management practice has been driven by major external trigger points often linked to sudden increases in competitive pressures, such as the deregulation of the airline industry, and expands on this to argue that the pandemic is one such trigger point that has fundamentally changed the approach to revenue management through a refocusing on key principles to manage demand and that this could potentially accelerate its development within the visitor attraction sector.

Originality/value

Pre-COVID, the practice of revenue management in the visitor attraction sector was underdeveloped, and the opportunities to develop revenue management had not been discussed in the academic literature. This paper suggests that the challenges of the pandemic that forced visitor attractions to focus on visitor demand management can now begin to be extended to incorporate the management of revenue and will consequently be of value for academics and practitioners.
Thermoelastic micro-stretch solid immersed in an infinite inviscid fluid and subject to gravity under three-phase-lag model
Authors: Othman Mohamed I.A. , Atwa Sarhan Y. , Eraki Ebtesam E.M. , Ismail Mohamed F.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

In this work, the thermoelastic response in a micro-stretch thermoelastic half-space submerged in an unlimited non-viscous fluid under gravity, the medium is studied using the three-phase-lag model (3PHL) and Green-Naghdi theory (G-N III).

Design/methodology/approach

The normal mode analysis was the analytic technique used to obtain the exact formula of the physical quantities.

Findings

The magnesium crystal element is used as an application to compare the predictions induced by gravity on microstretch thermoelastic immersed in an infinite fluid of the three-phase-lag model with those for Green–Naghdi. Gravity has been noticed to have a major effect on all physical quantities. Comparisons were also made for three values of wave number and three values of the real part frequency.

Originality/value

This work is concerned with the thermoelastic micro-stretch solid immersed in an infinite and inviscid fluid and subjected to a gravitational field. The governing equations are formulated in the context of the 3PHL model and G-N theory. An analytical solution to the problem is obtained by employing normal mode analysis. Comparisons of the physical quantities are shown in figures to study the effects of gravity, wave number and the real part of the frequency.
“Masks do not work”: COVID-19 misperceptions and theory-driven corrective strategies on Facebook
Authors: Borah Porismita , Kim Sojung , Hsu Ying-Chia (Louise)
Published: November 2022

Purpose

One of the most prolific areas of misinformation research is examining corrective strategies in messaging. The main purposes of the current study are to examine the effects of (1) partisan media (2) credibility perceptions and emotional reactions and (3) theory driven corrective messages on people's misperceptions about COVID-19 mask wearing behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a randomized experimental design to test the hypotheses. The data were collected via the survey firm Lucid. The number of participants was 485. The study was conducted using Qualtrics after the research project was exempt by the Institutional Research Board of a large University in the US. The authors conducted an online experiment with four conditions, narrative versus statistics and individual versus collective. The manipulation messages were constructed as screenshots from Facebook.

Findings

The findings of this study show that higher exposure to liberal media was associated with lower misperceptions, whereas higher credibility perceptions of and positive reactions toward the misinformation post and negative emotions toward the correction comment were associated with higher misperceptions. Moreover, the findings showed that participants in the narrative and collective-frame condition had the lowest misperceptions.

Originality/value

The authors tested theory driven misinformation corrective messages to understand the impact of these messages and multiple related variables on misperceptions about COVID-19 mask wearing. This study contributes to the existing misinformation correction literature by investigating the explanatory power of the two well-established media effects theories on misinformation correction messaging and by identifying essential individual characteristics that should be considered when evaluating how misperceptions about the COVID-19 crisis works and gets reduced.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-11-2021-0600
SLICE: An algorithm for incorporating ultrasonography in the assessment of shocked or breathless patients
Authors: Zhang Lorena FY , Duong Minh‐Tu , Bowra Justin
Published: November 2022

SLICE is an algorithm for the integration of point‐of‐care ultrasound in the assessment and resuscitation of the shocked or breathless patient. It aims to determine the patient's fluid status, and identify reversible causes for the patient's clinical picture. SLICE stands for ‘In a patient who is Shocked/Short of breath, scan the Lungs, IVC, Cardiac and Extra regions as indicated’. Its key advantages are that it explicitly guides resuscitative fluid management, can be performed rapidly and by clinicians with a broad range of sonographic experience, and can be used in a broad range of clinical scenarios. Its use has been successfully taught and implemented in routine clinical practice at our local institution.
Social media reconstructions of urban identity during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: An Ning , Yu Qixin , Wang Min
Published: November 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic has profoundly affected people in urban areas. This article reports on a comparative empirical study of the pandemic in Guangzhou and Xi’an in 2021 and analyses how residents responded to social media during the crisis. Using Baidu’s hot search time machine to search for hot topics related to the spread of disease during each outbreak of COVID‐19, we collected 35 and 41 hashtags for Guangzhou’s and Xi’an’s epidemics, respectively. Based on a thematic analysis of those hashtags, we considered how residents reconstructed expressions of urban identity in both cities. We found that China’s unique official accountability system in local anti‐epidemic practices led to stricter forms of top‐down urban governance and that urban residents deployed forms of bottom‐up agency in response. Our work provides a refined agenda for geographers and other social scientists to examine the interconnections among urban resilience, urban social responses to major public crises, and urban culture.
Severe Covid‐19 and acute pulmonary hypertension: 24‐month follow‐up regarding mortality and relationship to initial echocardiographic findings and biomarkers
Authors: Norderfeldt Joakim , Liliequist Andreas , Eksborg Staffan , Frostell Claes , Eriksson Maria J. , Adding Christofer , Agvald Per , Lönnqvist Per‐Arne
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Critically ill Covid‐19 patients are likely to develop the sequence of acute pulmonary hypertension (aPH), right ventricular strain, and eventually right ventricular failure due to currently known pathophysiology (endothelial inflammation plus thrombo‐embolism) that promotes increased pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary artery pressure. Furthermore, an in‐hospital trans‐thoracic echocardiography (TTE) diagnosis of aPH is associated with a substantially increased risk of early mortality. The aim of this retrospective observational follow‐up study was to explore the mortality during the 1–24‐month period following the TTE diagnosis of aPH in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

A previously reported cohort of 67 ICU‐treated Covid‐19 patients underwent an electronic medical chart‐based follow‐up 24 months after the ICU TTE. Apart from the influence of aPH versus non‐aPH on mortality, several TTE parameters were analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier survival plot technique (K‐M). The influence of biomarkers for heart failure (NTproBNP) and myocardial injury (Troponin‐T), taken at the time of the ICU TTE investigation, was analyzed using receiver‐operator characteristics curve (ROC) analysis.

Results

The overall mortality at the 24‐month follow‐up was 61.5% and 12.8% in group aPH and group non‐aPH, respectively. An increased relative mortality risk continued to be present in aPH patients (14.3%) compared to non‐aPH patients (5.6%) during the 1–24‐month period. The easily determined parameter of a tricuspid valve regurgitation, allowing a measurement of a systolic pulmonary artery pressure (regardless of magnitude), was associated with a similar K‐M outcome as the generally accepted diagnostic criteria for aPH (systolic pulmonary artery pressure >35 mmHg). The biomarker values of NTproBNP and Troponin‐T at the time of the TTE did not result in any clinically useful ROC analysis data.

Conclusion

The mortality risk was increased up to 24 months after the initial examination in ICU‐treated Covid‐19 patients with a TTE diagnosis of aPH, compared to non‐aPH patients. Certain individual TTE parameters were able to discriminate 24‐month risk of morality.
Pilot testing fentanyl test strip distribution in an emergency department setting: Experiences, lessons learned, and suggestions from staff
Authors: Reed Megan K. , Salcedo Venise J. , Hsiao TingAnn , Esteves Camacho Tracy , Salvatore Amanda , Siegler Anne , Rising Kristin L.
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Fentanyl test strips (FTSs) are increasingly used to address fentanyl contamination of the illicit drug supply by testing a drug for the presence of fentanyl, allowing people who use drugs (PWUD) to engage in overdose prevention. While emergency departments (EDs) have implemented various harm reduction strategies for PWUD, to date distribution of FTSs in EDs is limited and not evaluated. Thus, we sought to explore ED staff experiences distributing FTSs.

Methods

Twenty‐one staff serving different roles (e.g., physician, nurse, technician, social worker, certified recovery specialist) within two urban EDs in a major metropolitan area were enrolled in a pilot study to distribute FTS to patients who use drugs. Participants were interviewed about their experience at 3 weeks and again at 3 months. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded using a conventional content analysis approach.

Results

All participants endorsed the utility of FTS distribution in the ED. Across 42 interviews, participants discussed evolving strategies to approach patients about FTS, primarily favorable patient reactions to FTSs, improved dynamics between participants and patients, mixed intervention support from other staff, and named challenges of FTS distribution and recommendations to make FTS distribution in the ED widespread. Recommendations included medical records prompts to offer FTS, offering via different types of staff, and offering FTS during triage.

Conclusions

Implementing FTS distribution may improve patient rapport while providing patients with tools to avoid a fentanyl overdose. Participants generally reported positive experiences distributing FTSs within the ED but the barriers they identified limited opportunities to make distribution more integrated into their workflow. EDs considering this intervention should train staff on FTSs and how to identify and train patients and explore mechanisms to routinize distribution in the ED environment.
Rising high‐acuity emergency care services independently billed by advanced practice providers, 2013 to 2019
Authors: Gettel Cameron J. , Schuur Jeremiah D. , Mullen Jay B. , Venkatesh Arjun K.
Published: November 2022

Background

Advanced practice providers (APPs) comprise an increasing proportion of the emergency medicine (EM) workforce, particularly in rural geographies. With little known regarding potential expanding practice patterns, we sought to evaluate trends in independent emergency care services billed by APPs from 2013 to 2019.

Methods

We performed a repeated cross‐sectional analysis of emergency clinicians independently reimbursed for at least 50 evaluation and management (E/M) services (99281–99285, 99291) from Medicare Part B, with high‐acuity services including Codes 99285 and 99291. We describe the outcome proportion of E/M services by acuity level and report at (1) the encounter level and (2) at the clinician level. We stratified analyses by clinician type and geography.

Results

A total of 47,323 EM physicians, 10,555 non‐EM physicians, and 26,599 APPs were included in analyses. APPs billed emergency care services independently for 5.1% (rural 7.3%, urban 4.8%) of all high‐acuity encounters in 2013, increasing to 9.7% (rural 16.4%, urban 8.8%) by 2019. At the clinician level, in 2013, the average rural‐practicing APP independently billed 22.8% of services as high acuity, 72.6% as moderate acuity, and 4.5% as low acuity. By 2019, the average rural‐practicing APP independently billed 36.2% of services as high acuity, representing a +58.8% relative increase from 2013. Relative increases in high‐acuity visits independently billed by APPs were substantially greater when compared to EM physicians across both rural and urban geographies.

Conclusions

In 2019, APPs billed independent services for approximately one in six high‐acuity ED encounters in rural geographies and one in 11 high‐acuity ED encounters in urban geographies, and well over one‐third of the average APPs' encounters were for high‐acuity E/M services. Given differences in training and reimbursement between clinician types, these estimates suggest further work is needed evaluating emergency care staffing decision making.
A cross‐sectional description of the health characteristics of cognitively impaired older adults
Authors: Merrick Eamon , Shannon Kay , Neville Stephen , Bail Kasia , Vorster Anja , Fry Margaret
Published: November 2022

Objectives

The analysis presented here describes the care needs of older adults with and without cognitive impairment. To describe the health characteristics of older adults with and without cognitive impairment who receive home care or Aged Residential Care services in New Zealand.

Methods

A descriptive analysis of the initial interRAI assessment for adults older than 55 years was undertaken. Data were grouped by level of assessed cognitive impairment. The population proportions for each level of the following scales were calculated: Changes in Health, End‐stage Disease, Signs, and Symptoms Scale (CHESS), pain, pressure injury risk, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), depression screening, and body mass index (BMI).

Results

The analysis included 93,680 assessments. The mean age was 83 years (SD = 8.7) a positive association was observed between age and cognitive impairment (p < 0.01). People with cognitive impairment were less likely to have been recently hospitalised or to have attended ED (p < 0.01). Significant associations with effect sizes ≥3 were observed for cognitive impairment and ADL (p < 0.01, γ = 0.63), pain (p < 0.01, γ = −0.32), and risk of pressure injury (p < 0.01, Cramer's V = 0.271).

Conclusions

The results reinforce a need to be alert to the differential care needs of older adults with moderate/severe cognitive impairment. The findings may act as a trigger for practitioners to focus assessment on aspects of care that, due to context, may otherwise be underassessed or untreated.
Australian medical students’ and junior doctors' perceptions of gender discrepancies in obstetrics and gynaecology
Authors: Win Kyaw Monyi , Cheng Hon C. , Obermair Helena , Woods Cindy , Perry Christopher , de Costa Caroline
Published: November 2022

Background

There is currently a gender imbalance 85:15 female/male in the intake into specialist training for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG).

Aims

To determine the views and perceptions of Australian medical students, and junior doctors in the first five years of practice, toward obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) as a career, including whether there are any perceived barriers to the pursuit of such a career.

Materials and Methods

A semi‐structured questionnaire was developed with members of the RANZCOG Gender Equity and Diversity Working Group There were two separate studies: the first involved telephone interviews of medical students across three campuses of a medical school in North Queensland. The second study surveyed junior doctors in Queensland who are members of the Australian Medical Association. Responses were analysed and compared using quantitative and qualitative methods.

Results

Both studies found that experiences with O&G as a medical student influenced the decision to pursue O&G as a career. Exclusion from clinical scenarios and difficulty establishing good relationship with midwives within busy birthing suites were some reasons deterring male students from O&G. In addition, students felt poorly informed about the specialty in their preclinical years, affecting their early decisions in choice of specialty. Post‐rotation, more female than male students reported positive experiences and were considering O&G as a career.

Conclusions

Both groups see medical student experience as critical in attitudes toward the specialty as a possible career. This experience plays a significant role in encouraging female students toward a career in O&G and discouraging male students. More exposure to the specialty in the preclinical years, and attention to improving clinical rotations for all students, is required.
Effects of escitalopram treatment and chronic mild stress induced from peripuberty on spermatic parameters of adult rats
Authors: Fischer Leonardo Wensing , Mendes Talita Biude , Simas Joana Noguères , Nunes Marina , de Oliva Samara Urban , Miraglia Sandra Maria
Published: November 2022

Background

The prevalence of depression in adolescents has significantly increased worldwide. Escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor approved for treatment of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents by the Food and Drugs Administration.

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate the sperm parameters of adult rats exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS), from peripuberty to adulthood, treated or not with escitalopram.

Materials and methods

Sixty‐two male rats were distributed into four groups: S ‐ submitted to CMS; E ‐ Escitalopram (10 mg / kg, via gavage); ES ‐ CMS + ES; SC ‐ Sham control. The induced depression protocol consisted of the exposure of the animals to nine different stressors (one stressor/day), randomly for 8 weeks, from peripuberty (41 days postpartum, dpp) to adulthood (97 dpp). The escitalopram treatment period started at 70 dpp and lasted 4 weeks. The euthanasia was performed for biological material collection at 114 dpp. Morphometric, biometric, sperm parameters, oxidative stress analyses, and corticosterone dosage were carried out.

Results

There was a reduction of the sperm daily production and sperm concentration in the epididymis of rats treated and/or submitted to CMS. These groups (E, S, ES) also showed reduction of the mitochondrial activity; acrosome integrity; sperm chromatin compaction; sperm motility and vitality, besides an increased frequency of morphologically abnormal sperm. The sperm transit time through the epididymis was significantly higher in the escitalopram‐treated rats (E, ES). No differences were observed regarding the sperm DNA fragmentation. The lipid peroxidation was significantly increased at the epididymal (E, S, and ES group) and testicular levels (S group).

Conclusion

The CMS with or without escitalopram treatment altered the oxidative status in sperm and male organs, worsening the qualitative and quantitative sperm parameters, which can probably compromise the male fertility.
Integrating plot‐based and remotely sensed data to map vegetation types in a New Zealand warm‐temperate rainforest
Authors: Wiser Susan K. , McCarthy James K. , Bellingham Peter J. , Jolly Ben , Meiforth Jane J. ,   Warawara Komiti Kaitiaki
Published: November 2022

Questions

(1) What can be learned by extending a national classification into unsampled forest types? (2) Are both remotely sensed and environmental predictors needed to model and map associations? (3) For mapping, are LiDAR‐generated canopy structure parameters or reflectance from spectral imagery more useful? (4) How can we assess uncertainty of a final map?

Location

Warawara Forest, Northland, New Zealand.

Methods

We sampled 205 vegetation plots and assigned them to an existing national classification using the fuzzy classification framework of noise clustering. Plots too distinct to be assigned were used to define new associations. We produced spatial models of each association using boosted regression trees. Predictors included 11 environmental, 11 canopy reflectance, and 17 canopy structure variables. We created a composite map by assigning each map pixel to the association with the highest occurrence probability. We evaluated uncertainty by examining locations where no class was predicted with probability above 0.2 and by creating a confusion map based on entropy.

Results

Forty‐five plots were assigned to six of 79 existing national associations and 147 plots were used to define two new forest associations. Three shrubland types are widespread nationally, whereas two young forest types are northern. Three mature forest types are narrowly distributed nationally, with the new “High‐elevation hardwood forest” largely restricted to Warawara Forest. Three associations were mapped using remotely sensed predictors alone, whereas two also required environmental predictors. Overall, canopy reflectance predictors explained more deviance than canopy structure. Examining locations where no association was predicted well and where multiple associations were predicted equally showed areas mapped as younger forests to have greatest uncertainty.

Conclusions

In answering our questions, we present a vegetation classification and map for Warawara Forest that provides a framework to guide the indigenous people's management responses to threats to valued communities and their species.