bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic Versus Open In situ Decompression of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Alghamdi Abdulaziz M. , Alkulli Osama A. , Faidah Dania E. , Alqazenli Mohamed K. , Fathi Abdulaziz B. , Allarakia Yousof F. , Alghamdi Arwa , Baaqeel Rasha
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) is the second most common compressive neuropathy of the upper extremity. Several surgical approaches are available for a definitive treatment. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively assess and compare the efficacy and safety of endoscopic in situ decompression (EISD) and open in situ decompression for CuTS.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted using online databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane) on the 14th of April 2024. All human RCTs and observational studies in English were included in this review.

Results

Eleven studies, involving 686 patients, met the inclusion criteria. Pairwise meta-analyses showed that EISD had significantly increased surgery time [MD = 9.32 minutes, 95% confidence interval (CI) (3.54, 15.11), P = 0.002], higher risk of postoperative hematoma [RR = 4.44, 95% CI (1.30, 15.20), P = 0.02], higher risk of postoperative surgical-site pain [RR = 1.50, 95% CI (1.09, 2.05), P = 0.01], lower risk of postoperative elbow numbness [RR = 0.06, 95% CI (0.01, 0.48), P = 0.007], and better postoperative grip and pinch strength [MD = 6.29, 95% CI (1.35, 11.24), P = 0.01]. In addition, it trended insignificantly toward lower rates of chronic painful scarring recurrence rates. Other measured variables did not show significant differences between the 2 surgical techniques, including the functional outcomes assessed by Bishop's score, disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand score, and neurophysiologic data, in addition to the postoperative infection rate, subluxation of the ulnar nerve, and reoperation rates.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis demonstrated that both surgical techniques were effective in treating CuTS. Although it was inferior in some of the measured short-term outcomes, EISD showed better results in some of the long-term measured outcomes with questionable clinical significance. The choice of the surgical approach should be tailored for each case to optimize the quality of care and overall outcomes.
A Rare Instance of Rosai-dorfman Disease With Mimicking Meningioma
Authors: Wu Jin-peng , Yu Le , Mu Cui-ping , Li Huan-ting , Lan Xiao-lei , Li Zhao-jian , Feng Yu-gong , Cui Zhen-wen
Published: February 2025

Rosai-dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare benign lymphoproliferative disorder, with central nervous system involvement being even rarer. Its clinical manifestations and imaging features easily mimic other intracranial tumors, leading to diagnostic pitfalls. This paper reports a case of a 65-year-old female initially misdiagnosed with meningioma, who was ultimately confirmed to have intracranial RDD through pathologic examination. The authors highlight the critical role of histopathology and immunohistochemistry in achieving an accurate diagnosis, and the authors review 16 reported cases of intracranial RDD, discussing the diagnostic challenges and therapeutic strategies. Surgical resection remains the primary treatment. Further studies are needed to clarify the pathogenesis of RDD and to develop individualized therapeutic approaches.
Challenging Legacy Burn Resuscitation Paradigms with Fluid Restriction and Early Plasma
Authors: Kahn Steven A , Huff Mallorie L , Taylor Justin , O’Neill Keisha , Hink Ashley B , Mittal Rohit , Bright Andrew , Baliga Prabhakar
Published: February 2025

Background:

Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) as an adjunct in burn resuscitation to decrease endothelial cell permeability by restoring the glycocalyx is not yet standard of care, despite increasing evidence showing tis benefits. We hypothesize that utilizing an adjusted body weight index and starting resuscitation at a low rate of 2cc/kg/%TBSA with early plasma results in less fluid administration and superior clinical outcomes compared to traditional resuscitation methods such as Parkland formula.

Study design:

This was a retrospective comparative study of burn patients (>20%TBSA) resuscitated with 2cc/kg/%TBSA LR using their ABWI, early FFP, plus rescue FFP PRN oliguria. ABWI=ideal weight+0.3 [actual weight–ideal weight]. Patients with >30% TBSA were given 1-2UFFP at admission. Fluids were titrated 10-20%/hr. based on UOP. If oliguric for 2-hours, patients received 1-2U “rescue” FFP. Legacy groups were resuscitated with Parkland Formula (“4cc/kg” Group) or a less restrictive 3cc/kg ABWI Group w/rescue FFP only. Demographics, injury characteristics, fluids administered during resuscitation, UOP, outcomes, and death were recorded. Legacy groups were compared to the “2cc/kg+FFP” ABWI group.

Results:

Patients given 2cc/kg+FFP received significantly less fluid than the 3 and 4cc groups (1.7 vs 3.3 (p<0.05) vs 4.15 cc/kg/%TBSA (p<0.0001). Urine output was significantly reduced from 1.4 to 1 to 0.7 cc/kg/hr (p<0.0001), approaching goal of 0.5cc/kg/hr. Mortality, mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy, and hemodialysis was significantly less in the 2cc/kg+FFP group (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

Patients treated with the restrictive 2cc/kg+FFP formula received less fluid than the 3cc/kg and Parkland formula controls. With reduced fluids, patients had less mechanical ventilation, less dialysis, fewer tracheostomies, and better survival. AKI was minimal despite fluid restriction. Early experience suggests the new protocol is safe and feasible for further study.
Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis and the Epithelial Interface of Host and Environment
Authors: Gelbard Alexander , Shilts Meghan H , Hoke Austin , Strickland Britton , Motz Kevin , Tsai Hsiu-Wen , Boone Helen , Drake Wonder P , Wanjalla Celestine , Smith Paula Marincola , Brown Hunter , Powell Jason , Ramirez-Solano Marisol , Atkinson James B , Simpson John , V Rajagopala Seesandra , Mallal Simon , Sheng Quanhu , Hillel Alexander T , Das Suman R
Published: February 2025

Background:

Idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) is a rare fibrotic disease of the proximal airway affecting adult Caucasian women nearly exclusively. Life-threatening ventilatory obstruction occurs secondary to pernicious subglottic mucosal scar. Disease rarity and wide geographic patient distribution has previously limited substantive mechanistic investigation into iSGS pathogenesis.

Study Design:

Harnessing pathogenic mucosa from an international iSGS patient cohort and single cell RNA sequencing we provide an unbiased characterization of the cell subsets present in the proximal airway scar and detail their molecular phenotypes.

Results:

Airway epithelium in iSGS patients is depleted of basal progenitor cells and the residual epithelial cells acquire a mesenchymal phenotype. Observed displacement of bacteria beneath the lamina propria provides functional support for the molecular evidence of epithelial dysfunction. Matched superficial and deep tissue microbiomes support displacement of the native microbiome into the lamina propria of iSGS patients rather than disrupted bacterial community structure. However, animal models confirm bacteria are necessary for pathologic proximal airway fibrosis and suggest an equally essential role for host adaptive immunity. Human samples from iSGS airway scar demonstrate adaptive immune activation in response to the proximal airway microbiome of both matched iSGS patients and healthy controls. Clinical outcome data from iSGS patients suggests surgical extirpation of airway scar and reconstitution with unaffected tracheal mucosa halts the progressive fibrosis

Conclusion:

Our novel data support an iSGS disease model where epithelial alterations facilitate microbiome displacement, dysregulated immune activation, and localized fibrosis. Overall, these results refine our understanding of iSGS and implicate shared pathogenic mechanisms with distal airway fibrotic diseases.
Hybrid PDE–ODE models for efficient simulation of infection spread in epidemiology
Authors: Maier Kristina , Weiser Martin , Conrad Tim
Published: February 2025

This article introduces a novel hybrid mathematical modelling approach that effectively couples partial differential equations (PDEs) with ordinary differential equations (ODEs), exemplified through the simulation of epidemiological processes. The hybrid model aims to integrate the spatially detailed representation of disease dynamics provided by PDEs with the computational efficiency of ODEs. In the presented epidemiological use-case, this integration allows for the rapid assessment of public health interventions and the potential impact of infectious diseases across large populations. We discuss the theoretical formulation of the hybrid PDE–ODE model, including the governing equations and boundary conditions. The model’s capabilities are demonstrated through detailed simulations of disease spread in synthetic environments and realworld scenarios, specifically focusing on the regions of Lombardy, Italy and Berlin, Germany. Results indicate that the hybrid model achieves a balance between computational speed and accuracy, making it a valuable tool for policymakers in real-time decisionmaking and scenario analysis in epidemiology and potentially in other fields requiring similar modelling approaches.
Targeting pseudoknots with Cas13b inhibits porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus replication
Authors: Han Hee-Jeong , Yu Daseuli , Yu Jeonghye , Kim Jihye , Do Heo Won , Tark Dongseob , Kang Sang-Min
Published: February 2025

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 13 (CRISPR-Cas13), an RNA editing technology, has shown potential in combating RNA viruses by degrading viral RNA within mammalian cells. In this study, we demonstrate the effective inhibition of porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) replication and spread using CRISPR-Cas13. We analysed the sequence similarity of the pseudoknot region between PEDV and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, both belonging to the Coronaviridae family, as well as the similarity of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene region among three different strains of the PED virus. Based on this analysis, we synthesized three CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) targeting the pseudoknot region and the nonpseudoknot region, each for comparison. In cells treated with crRNA #3 targeting the pseudoknot region, RdRp gene expression decreased by 95%, membrane (M) gene expression by 89% and infectious PEDV titre within the cells reduced by over 95%. Additionally, PED viral nucleocapsid (N) and M protein expression levels decreased by 83 and 98%, respectively. The optimal concentration for high antiviral efficacy without cytotoxicity was determined. Treating cells with 1.5 µg of Cas13b mRNA and 0.5 µg of crRNA resulted in no cytotoxicity while achieving over 95% inhibition of PEDV replication. The Cas13b mRNA therapeutics approach was validated as significantly more effective through a comparative study with merafloxacin, a drug targeting the pseudoknot region of the viral genome. Our results indicate that the pseudoknot region plays a crucial role in the degradation of the PEDV genome through the CRISPR-Cas13 system. Therefore, targeting Cas13b to the pseudoknot offers a promising new approach for treating coronavirus infections.
Public Funding for AI in Canada 2011-2022: An equity-focused environmental scan
Authors: Attema G. , Mertz M. , Anawati A. , Austin A. , Bertrand J. , Jewett R. , Cameron E.
Published: February 2025

Background

In this new equity-driven landscape, if there is to be system-wide transformation in research funding allocation, indicators of funding allocations need to be explored. This environmental scan aims to understand how research funding for artificial intelligence (AI) has been allocated and distributed in Canada from 2011-2022. Using geographical representations, we describe and map research funding for Canadian researchers by publicly funded granting agencies and provide analyses for AI research spending since 2011

Methodology

We developed a rapid environmental scan to create a database of all AI funded projects from the following agencies: CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC, CRC, AMS, NFRF and CFI. Using publicly available research funding reporting and agency websites, we identified through title, keyword and project summary screening, AI projects in English and French for the years 2011-2022.

Principal Findings

A total of 4112 projects were identified, with the following information for each project recorded: title, year, institution, city, province, total funding, language, funding agency, funding program and primary investigator. A total of $384,933,265.74 million was allocated for publicly funded AI related projects in Canada from 2011-2022. Average funding per project was $93,612.18. The top three provinces with the most funding for all years are Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. The top three funding agencies by total amount for all years were NSERC at $155,267,817, CIHR at $136,594,644, and CFI at $58,317,627

Conclusion

This information can assist in accountability and understanding of Canada’s publicly funded research allocations, and provide information related to the distribution of such funds, thus informing equity policy strategies.
Multi-omic data integration and analyses for biomarker discovery of spontaneous preterm birth phenotypes
Authors: Gupta Juhi K. , Care Angharad , Goodfellow Laura , Alfirevic Zarko , Alfirevic Ana , Müller-Myhsok Bertram
Published: February 2025

Background

Preterm birth, delivery <37 weeks of gestation, is a global health concern affecting 1.3 million infants annually. A higher morbidity burden is associated with infants born <34 weeks of gestation. A more robust biomarker of spontaneous preterm birth needs to be identified. To our knowledge, this study uniquely integrated three ‘ome-wide’ datasets prospectively collected from the same individuals within a single, defined UK cohort. The study aimed to integrate genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic data collected from the same cohort of women for biomarker discovery.

Methods

Pregnant women with a history of a previous spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) <34 weeks were recruited in Liverpool in a subsequent pregnancy at 16 and/or 20 weeks of gestation. Pregnancy outcomes were followed up and categorised into the different clinical subgroups of SPTB <34 weeks, PPROM <34 weeks and term delivery >37 weeks (controls). Blood samples were profiled for genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics. ANOVA analyses were performed at each gestational timepoint. Network enrichment analyses was performed on significant genes.

Results

After multi-omic data integration, 43 women at week 16 and 40 women at week 20 of gestation had all three genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomic profiling available. Multiple significant transcripts were detected (p<0.05) from the ANOVA analyses, though these were mostly in non-coding regions.

Conclusion

Three different omic data, genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics, were integrated across the same individuals for biomarker analyses. Molecular signatures were detected that could lead to understanding the pathways involved in the different subgroups of preterm birth: SPTB and PPROM.
GASTON-Mix: a unified model of spatial gradients and domains using spatial mixture-of-experts
Authors: Chitra Uthsav , Dan Shu , Krienen Fenna M , Raphael Benjamin J.
Published: February 2025

Motivation: Gene expression varies across a tissue due to both the organization of the tissue intospatial domains, i.e. discrete regions of a tissue with distinct cell type composition, and continuousspatial gradientsof gene expression within different spatial domains. Spatially resolved transcriptomics (SRT) technologies provide high-throughput measurements of gene expression in a tissue slice, enabling the characterization of spatial gradients and domains. However, existing computational methods for quantifying spatial variation in gene expression either model only spatial domains -- and do not account for continuous gradients of expression -- or require restrictive geometric assumptions on the spatial domains and spatial gradients that do not hold for many complex tissues. Results: We introduce GASTON-Mix, a machine learning algorithm to identify both spatial domainsandspatial gradients within each domain from SRT data. GASTON-Mix extends themixture-of-experts (MoE)deep learning framework to aspatialMoE model, combining the clustering component of the MoE model with aneural fieldmodel that learns a separate 1-D coordinate ("isodepth") within each domain. The spatial MoE is capable of representing any geometric arrangement of spatial domains in a tissue, and the isodepth coordinates define continuous gradients of gene expression within each domain. We show using simulations and real data that GASTON-Mix identifies spatial domains and spatial gradients of gene expression more accurately than existing methods. GASTON-Mix reveals spatial gradients in the striatum and lateral septum that regulate complex social behavior, and GASTON-Mix identifies localized spatial gradients of hypoxia and TNF-α signaling in the tumor microenvironment.
Discoloration of the Cephalothorax inPandalus borealisand its Correlation with Internal Cadmium Concentration
Authors: Joseph Nwanneka , Reilly Brandon , Wight Alex , Huang Xin Yu
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the correlation between discoloration of the cephalothorax inPandalus borealis(P. borealis) shrimp and cadmium concentration. The data, obtained through Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), was converted into weight-based cadmium concentrations and analyzed using both parametric and non-parametric statistical tests. Despite assumptions of normal distribution not being met, a two-sample Student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney test were performed to examine the differences in cadmium concentrations between pink and discolored shrimp. Results indicated no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Experimental analysis revealed considerable overlap in cadmium concentration ranges for both groups, with high standard deviations. Factors such as the period of exposure to cadmium and potential influences from other contaminants or microorganisms were also considered. Previous studies have linked discoloration in shrimp to heavy metals and infections, but this study found no correlation between cadmium concentration and discoloration inP. borealis. The conclusion suggests that cadmium may not be a sole factor in shrimp discoloration, and other variables should be explored. Recommendations for future research include examining other trace metals, microbial infections, shrimp age, and extent of exposure to provide a comprehensive understanding of cephalothorax discoloration in shrimp.
The impact of COVID-19 infection on social care use in people over 50 years of age: a matched cohort study
Authors: Butfield Rebecca , Bray Benjamin D , Quint Jennifer , Castanon Alejandra , Adesanya Elizabeth , Chen Simon , Russell Rachel
Published: February 2025

Objectives

To estimate the impact of COVID-19 infection on the requirement for social care services among adults aged ≥50 years in North-West London.

Design

Population based matched cohort study using linked routinely collected electronic social care, primary care and hospital records (the Discover dataset).

Setting

Approximately 4.7 million people with a general practitioner record in North-West London.

Participants

150,654 adults aged ≥50 years with a first diagnosis of COVID-19 between January 2020 and February 2023 and 547,704 propensity score matched comparators without a COVID-19 diagnosis during the same period.

Main outcome measures

Social care use and associated costs overall and by specific type (care home, domiciliary care, respite care, social care assessments) stratified by age group, index year, diagnosis setting, severe COVID-19 risk status, frailty, and care home admission prior to index. Overall survival.

Results

A total of 9,174 (6.09%) individuals with COVID-19 required social care use (of any type) during follow up, 2.54 times (95%CI: 2.48-2.61; P<0.0001) higher than matched comparators (n=13,126, 2.40%). The difference was largest for care home admission; individuals with COVID-19 had 4.10 (95%CI: 3.87-4.36; P<0.0001) times the risk of a care home admission and nearly twice the risk (risk ratio 1.94; 95%CI:1.86-2.02 P<0.0001) of domiciliary care during follow up compared with matched comparators. Individuals with COVID-19 experienced higher mortality, with 9.30% (14,005/547,704) dying during follow up compared with 3.76% (20,608/547,704) deaths among matched comparators.

This increase in social care utilisation was observed for all age groups. Adults with COVID-19 had over four times higher social care costs than matched comparators (£1,276 per person per year (pppy) versus £276 pppy; mean difference +£1000, 95%CI: £947-£1054, p<0.0001), with most of the costs due to care home admissions. Higher social care costs in individuals with COVID-19 compared with matched comparators were strongly age related, rising from a mean difference of £130 pppy (95%CI: £99-£161) in those aged 50-64 to £6108 pppy (95%CI: £5613-£6603) higher costs in those aged ≥ 85.

Conclusions

COVID-19 infection is associated with meaningfully higher social care requirements in the ≥50 years population. Reducing the need for social care use and the associated costs of care should be one of the goals of interventions to reduce the risk and severity of COVID-19 infection.
Estradiol promotes habituation learning via an unidentified target, bypassing the suppressive effects of established Estrogen Receptors
Authors: Hsiao Andrew , Darvaux-Hubert Isabelle , Hicks Dominique , Joux Emilie , De Freitas Sarah , Dracos Emeline , Lize Jeanne , Perrichet Julien , Baas Dominique , Randlett Owen
Published: February 2025

Habituating to the constant stimuli in the environment is a critical learning process conserved across species. We use a larval zebrafish visual response to sudden darkness as a model for studying habituation learning, where zebrafish reduce their responses to repeated stimulations. In this paradigm, treatment with estradiol strongly increases learning rate, resulting in more strongly suppressed responses. We used mutant lines for the Estrogen Receptors (esr1, esr2a, esr2b, gper1) in an attempt to identify the receptor(s) mediating these effects. These experiments failed to identify a necessary receptor (or combination of receptors). Surprisingly, esr1, esr2a, and gper1 mutants showed weak but consistent increases in habituation, indicating these receptors suppress habituation learning. These experiments demonstrate that estradiol is a complex modulator of learning in our model, where the learning-promoting effects are mediated by an unidentified estradiol target, and the classical Estrogen Receptors act in competition to subtly suppress learning.
Physical disturbance induces heart stop in mangrove killifish, Kryptolebias marmoratus embryos
Authors: Herbert Rosalie , Corbett Alexander D , Kudoh Tetsuhiro
Published: February 2025

The mangrove killifish, Krypotlebias marmoratus, is an intriguing vertebrate species, known for its unusual sexual systems. It is one of two known self-fertilizing simultaneous hermaphroditic vertebrates, alongside the related Kryptolebias ocellatus. While individuals can be born as primary males, this is rare in the wild and most are born as hermaphrodites, around 60% then turning into secondary males at 3 to 4 years of age. K. marmoratus is exceptionally tolerant of harsh and variable environmental conditions. This includes emersion as well as widely ranging salinities and temperatures. Embryos can enter diapause, a state of arrested development, when conditions are unfavourable. Intentional heart stopping by animals is an exceptionally rare phenomenon. It may occur in species such as the sea iguana Amblyrhynchus cristatus and Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis, although detailed studies on this behaviour in these species are lacking. Additionally, stopping or significantly reducing the heart rate is known to occur in some animals when in a state of dormancy such as hibernation or diapause. We have found a highly unique ability of K. marmoratus embryos to stop their heartbeat in response to subtle physical disturbances and fully recover. This study investigates this behaviour for the first time. This ability begins in the later stages of embryonic development at 9dpf. Recovery from heart stopping changes throughout development and the behaviour is retained during diapause. These results provide new insight into adaptive responses to environmental stressors and contribute to establishing this species as a model organism.
Limited response of primary nasal epithelial cells toBordetella pertussisinfection and the effector protein BteA
Authors: Zmuda Martin , Pravdova Barbora , Malcova Ivana , Cerny Ondrej , Vondrova Denisa , Kamanova Jana
Published: February 2025

Bordetella pertussisis a Gram-negative coccobacillus that causes whooping cough or pertussis, a respiratory disease that has recently experienced a resurgence. Upon entering the respiratory tract,B. pertussiscolonizes the airway epithelium and attaches to ciliated cells. Here, we used primary human nasal epithelial cells (hNECs) cultured at the air-liquid interface, and investigated their interaction with theB. pertussisB1917, focusing on the role of the type III secretion system effector protein BteA. In this model, which resembles the epithelial cells of nasal epitheliumin vivo,B. pertussisB1917 initially replicated in the overlying mucus and scarcely colonized the cell cilia. The colonization led to a gradual decline in epithelial barrier function, as shown by measurements of trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and staining of the tight junction protein zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1). The decrease in TEER occurred independently of the cytotoxic effector protein BteA. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of hNECs showed only moderate changes following infection, primarily characterized by increased mucus production, including upregulation of mucin MUC5AC. No profound response to BteA was detected. Furthermore, the infection did not induce production of inflammatory cytokines, suggesting thatB. pertussisB1917 evades recognition by hNECs in this model system. These findings suggest that the bacterium may utilize the mucus layer in the airways as a protective niche to minimize epithelial recognition and damage.

Importance

The nasal epithelium is the initial site whereB. pertussiscomes into contact with the host during respiratory infection. This work established human nasal epithelial cells (hNECs) cultured at the air-liquid interface (ALI) as anin vitromodel to investigateB. pertussisinfection. Using this system, we were able to show that in the early stages of colonization the clinical isolateB. pertussisB1917 replicates in the mucus without disrupting epithelial barrier function. Infection results in moderate transcriptomic and proteomic changes and is characterized by increased mucus production and minimal inflammatory signaling.
A scoping study of the whole-cell imaging literature: a foundational corpus, potential for data-mining and research synthesis, and a call for standardization of an emerging field
Authors: Mirvis Mary , Weingard Brooke , Goodman Steven , Marshall Wallace F.
Published: February 2025

The level of cellular organization bridging the mesoscale and whole-cell scale is coming into focus as a new frontier in cell biology. Great progress has been made in unraveling the complex physical and functional interconnectivity of organelles, but how the entire organelle network spatially arranges within the cytoplasm is only beginning to be explored. Drawing on cross-disciplinary research synthesis methods, we systematically curated the whole-cell volumetric imaging literature through 3 rounds of screening involving 3 independent reviewers, resulting in 89 top hits and 38 “borderline” studies. We describe the trajectory and current state of the field (2004-2024). A broad characterization, or “scoping review”, of bibliometrics, study design, and reporting practices shows accelerating technological development and research output. We find high variability in study design and reporting practices, including imaging modality, model organism, cellular contexts, organelles imaged, and analyses. Due to the laborious, low-throughput nature of most volumetric imaging methods, we find trends toward small sample sizes (<30 cells) and small cell types. We find common quantitative analyses across studies, including volumetric ratios of organelles and inter-organelle contact analyses. Our curated dataset now enables future aggregate and comparative analyses to potentially reveal larger patterns and generate more generalized hypotheses. This work establishes a growing dataset of whole-cell imaging literature and data, and motivates a call for standardized whole-cell imaging study design, reporting, and data sharing practices. More broadly, we showcase the potential of new rigorous secondary research methods to strengthen cell biology’s literature review and reproducibility toolkit, create a new avenues for discovery, and promote open research practices that support secondary data-reuse and integration.
Enhancing the efficiency of oncolytic vaccinia virus for ovarian cancer treatment
Authors: Drymiotou Stephanie , Queval Christophe J , Tyson Katherine E , Sheach Lesley A , Postigo Antonio , Rosa Ilaria Dalla , Howell Michael , McNeish Iain A , Way Michael
Published: February 2025

Vaccinia virus, known for its clinical safety has a tropism for primary and metastatic tumours as well as ovarian tissue. Consequently, oncolytic approaches with recombinant vaccinia viruses have emerged as attractive agents against ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, oncolytic vaccinia monotherapies are yet to live up to their potential promise. Given this, there is a need to identify combination agents that improve the effectiveness of vaccinia in ovarian cancer treatment. We screened 9,000 compounds to identify drugs that enhance the ability of a recombinant vaccinia virus lacking VGF and F1 (ΔVF) to induce death of ID8 Trp53-/- murine ovarian cancer cells. We identified a class of tubulin polymerisation inhibitors including vinorelbine. The combination of vinorelbine and vaccinia induces ID8 Trp53-/- cell death via apoptosis. In a syngeneic mouse model of high grade serous ovarian carcinoma, ΔVF virus lacking the viral thymidine kinase (TK), armed with GM-CSF and expressing NeonGreen (ΔVFTK-NG-GM-CSF) is tumour specific. A combination of the ΔVFTK-NG-GM-CSF virus with vinorelbine prolongs mouse survival compared to the treatment of mice with either agent alone. Our study suggests vinorelbine is a promising agent to combine with oncolytic vaccinia virus approaches for the management of ovarian cancer.
All Next-to-Next-to-Extremal One-Loop Correlators of AdS Supergluons and Supergravitons
Authors: Huang Zhongjie , Wang Bo , Yuan Ellis Ye
Published: February 2025

We bootstrap all of the next-to-next-to-extremal one-loop four-point correlators of supergravitons and supergluons in AdS5 using a differential representation, and obtain closed formulas that are valid in both position space and Mellin space simultaneously.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Trajectories of persistence in exporting: a capability approach
Authors: Losada-Otálora Mauricio , Escandón-Barbosa Diana , Salas-Páramo Jairo , Peña-García Nathalie
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is answering two research questions: What are the trajectories of persistence in exporting followed by different groups of firms? What factors relate to each trajectory of persistence in exporting? The authors propose and test a framework that links operational and marketing firms’ capabilities to different trajectories of persistence in exporting.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a dataset of 2,913 firms over 14 years from the annual manufacturing survey in Colombia (AMS), the authors explored the trajectories of persistence in exporting. The authors applied data envelopment analysis to measure operational and marketing capabilities and group-based trajectory modeling to discover and link such trajectories to firms’ capabilities.

Findings

The authors identified four trajectories of persistence in exporting. Also, the authors found that while the interplay between marketing and operational capabilities relates positively to the non-exporting trajectory and negatively to the persistent trajectory, operational capabilities relate positively to the erratic trajectory and negatively to the slow growth trajectory of persistence in exporting. Meanwhile, marketing capabilities do not relate to any trajectory.

Research limitations/implications

Policymakers should help firms develop marketing and operational capabilities to compete globally to motivate them to export and persist in exporting. Policymakers should avoid stimulating firms to reinforce learned and familiar capabilities that cannot leverage desirable trajectories of persistence in exporting.

Originality/value

The authors introduce the trajectories of persistence in exporting, providing a fresh perspective for analyzing exporting behavior over time. The authors have also proposed and tested a unique framework that links operational and marketing firms’ capabilities to these trajectories, thus contributing to the existing body of knowledge on exporting behavior by firms from emerging markets.
Disabled individuals facing and reacting against identity threat during school-to-work transition
Authors: Richard Sarah , Grima François
Published: February 2025

Purpose

In a context in which disabled people are stigmatized, the school-to-work transition threatens the occupational identity to which disabled individuals aspire. This study highlights how students with a disability face and react against identity threat, using identity management strategies and, specifically, identity threat responses when intending to integrate into the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

Students in transition or having recently integrated into the workplace were interviewed to relate their transitioning experience, resulting in a qualitative study based on 31 semi-structured interviews.

Findings

The study reveals that identity threat is experienced during the school-to-work transition process and that disabled individuals do not remain passive but actively fight against it. The participants used four identity management strategies to attempt to counteract such threats. The strategies displayed include identity threat mechanisms such as identity-protection and identity-restructuring responses. The outcomes of these strategies are presented in terms of their positive and backlash effects.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the identity management literature and, more specifically, to the identity threat literature by showing how disabled individuals combine several identity threat responses, which they use as resources to reduce potential harm. New identity threat responses that are particularly crucial in a career management strategy are also highlighted.
Enhancing cognitive metrics in supply chain management through information and knowledge exchange
Authors: Żywiołek Justyna , Mathiyazhagan Kaliyan , Shahzad Umer , Zhao Xin , Saikouk Tarik
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This research primarily aims to investigate the impact of organizational implants on knowledge transmission, process innovation and security integration in intricate supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

The research utilizes a mixed-method approach, employing a stratified sampling strategy to get a representative sample of 1,284 enterprises from various sectors within the logistics industry within the European Union. Data were gathered by computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI) and analysed utilizing structural equation modelling (SEM) to evaluate hypotheses concerning cognitive congruence, process diffusion and security integration.

Findings

The results indicate that while task interdependence clearly improves face-to-face communication, excessive cognitive congruence can hinder process innovation, resulting in what the article terms “cognitive rigidity.” The study suggests that achieving a balance between cognitive congruence and cognitive flexibility is crucial to improving the safety diffusion and integration process.

Originality/value

This study presents an innovative conceptual framework that synthesizes cognitive congruence, cognitive flexibility and cognitive rigidity to examine their combined influence on knowledge transfer and process dissemination throughout supply chains. It presents cognitive stiffness as a boundary condition, contesting the conventional belief that more cognitive congruence is invariably advantageous.
Unveiling risk management dynamics in family businesses through a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Madonna Salvatore , Cestari Greta , Georgiev Mario Georgiev
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to offer an updated picture of the academic state-of-art of the literature about risk management in family businesses. Furthermore, the study aims to outline possible future stream of research, being a helpful resource for future scholars.

Design/methodology/approach

Research using an integrative view, encompassing both bibliometric analysis and manual review has been conducted. The data were collected from Scopus and Web of Science databases.

Findings

The key findings highlight that family businesses, despite their importance to the global economy, often neglect risk management, exposing themselves to significant risk factors. The analysis shows an increase in scientific production on this topic in recent years but emphasizes the need for further research, especially in different cultural contexts and with both quantitative and qualitative methods. The document also suggests that both informal and formal risk management practices should be studied more thoroughly to better understand the interaction between social capital and governance structures in family businesses.

Research limitations/implications

The study’s limitations include reliance on two databases and English-language articles only. Additionally, excluding non-peer-reviewed materials and narrow keyword selection may have impacted the findings.

Originality/value

This study offers an updated view of the literature of the last years highlighting the latest trends. The article offers suggestions for future research to guide investigations into currently under-represented areas.
The use of publicly available online texts in training AI: an ethical analysis of AI’s right to learn
Authors: Rahal Louai
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the ethical permissibility of using publicly available online texts in the training of AI. This practice has facilitated and accelerated the growth of AI technology, but it has also drawn accusations of exploiting authors and violating their intellectual property rights.

Design/methodology/approach

The discussion is based on the Kantian theory of ethics, a theory that is grounded in the duty to preserve and empower the autonomy of the human will.

Findings

Following from the duty to support human autonomy, the article makes two claims: First, AI should be granted the right to learn from public texts because the more AI learns, the better it assists humans in expanding their will. Second, AI’s right to learn should be conditional, not absolute. The article articulates three conditions that should be met prior to granting an AI system the right to learn from public texts: AI that uses public data must be freely available to the public, AI (and its developers) ought to educate the public on the uses and misuses of AI, and AI (and its developers) must remove personal information from the training data.

Originality/value

Under what conditions is it justifiable to use someone’s text without their permission? This very question is currently being examined in courts in the many lawsuits filed against AI companies. An ethical analysis of this question helps bridge the gap between the perspective of AI companies that claim to be using public texts for the public good and the perspectives accusing them of violating authors’ copyrights.
Identifying thematic clusters of ESG in contemporary accounting studies through systematic literature review
Authors: Paolone Francesco , Bitbol-Saba Nathalie
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims at identifying the most relevant thematic clusters of studies at the intersection of accounting and environmental, social and governance (ESG), the potential benefits and impacts that research clusters may have at a systemic level on Sustainable Development Goals and factors that could enhance these benefits and impacts.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on a systematic literature review approach using a descriptive bibliometric method, data analysis visualization and thematic analysis to fully investigate the content of studies in the accounting domain seeking to achieve research aims, providing insights, critiques and future research paths.

Findings

This study delves into the evolving landscape where ESG intersects with accounting. It aims to provide valuable insights into the multifaceted relationship between ESG and accounting. The authors identify three thematic clusters: ESG accounting data and investment decision-making, firm’s CSR and ESG issues and ESG and sustainability and accountability.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that integrates bibliometric and literature review analyses to provide a comprehensive outlook of the benefits and impacts ESG and interdisciplinary accounting research can have on the environment and society.
Structural diversity is an important predictor of forest productivity responses to drought
Authors: Murray Samantha J. , Will Rodney E. , Gholizadeh Hamed , Joshi Omkar , Zhai Lu
Published: February 2025

The response of forest productivity to drought depends on biodiversity and other stand attributes. Biodiversity can regulate productivity through niche complementarity (i.e. greater diversity better utilizes resources to determine ecosystem functioning) and mass‐ratio effects (i.e. dominance drives ecosystem functioning). However, when these forest attributes occur with drought, stress results are mixed. One emerging biodiversity metric is structural diversity, the variation in vegetation size and form. There is a lack of understanding of the interactive effects of structural diversity and drought on forest productivity. Addressing these knowledge gaps can improve the projection of forest dynamics and structural diversity‐based management for drought adaptation.

We compiled multiple datasets including repeated survey data of 13,059 trees in 299 plots across southcentral US forests stressed by the 2010–2015 drought. We used the Random Forest algorithm to examine how structural diversity and other factors influenced three aspects of productivity measured by above‐ground wood biomass: ingrowth, growth, and net change accounting for mortality.

Our results showed that (1) Among the eight stand attributes studied, structural diversity was among the top three variables showing the greatest main and interactive effects of drought on forest productivity, except for the interactive effect on ingrowth; (2) The drought‐related losses in forest growth and biomass net change were exacerbated in forests with greater structural diversity; (3) Compared with the species and functional diversity metrics, functional identities had greater interactive effects with drought on forest productivity (except for the ingrowth).

Synthesis and applications: Productivity losses related to drought increased with greater structural diversity and decreased with functional identities characterized by conservative resource strategies, such as a high leaf carbon–nitrogen ratio. Thus, structural diversity and functional identity could be considered in projecting and managing forest dynamics under climate change. The comparisons between functional identity and the diversity metrics support the important role of the mass‐ratio effect in forest productivity during drought.
The role of residual (veterinary) antibiotics in chemical exposome analysis: Current progress and future perspectives
Authors: Hossain Md Zakir , Feuerstein Max L. , Warth Benedikt
Published: February 2025

Humans are exposed to a complex mixture of environmental and food‐related chemicals throughout their lifetime. Exposome research intends to explore the nongenetic, that is, environmental causes of chronic disease and their interactions comprehensively. Residual antibiotics can enter the human body through therapeutics, foods of animal origin, aquatic products, or drinking water. In the last decade, significant levels of residual antibiotics in human urine have been described, demonstrating frequent exposure throughout populations. To which extent they contribute to human health risks is debated. Human biomonitoring (HBM) aims to determine and quantify concentrations of xenobiotics in human specimens and provides the toolbox to monitor exposure to diverse chemical exposures. Due to their public health implications, priority‐listed xenobiotics are routinely monitored in the European Union and other countries. However, antibiotics, an important class of (food‐derived) xenobiotics, are still not systematically investigated for a better and more holistic understanding in the context of exposomics. This review provides a comprehensive summary of HBM research related to antibiotics, existing liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS)‐based analytical methods, and potential health risks caused by unintended exposure. Incorporating antibiotics into the chemical exposome framework through routine HBM using multiclass analytical methods will provide a better understanding of the toxicological or pharmacological mixture effects and, ultimately, the chemical exposome.
Impact of bifenthrin and clothianidin on blow fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) oviposition patterns under laboratory and field conditions
Authors: Rivera‐Miranda Teomie S. , Hans Krystal R.
Published: February 2025

Blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) can detect decomposing remains and begin colonizing the resource through oviposition soon after. The estimated time between colonization and insect evidence collection is referred to as the time of colonization (TOC). Forensic entomologists use the TOC to help estimate the minimum postmortem interval (mPMI), or the time between death and the discovery of remains. The presence of insecticides can influence blow fly behaviors, including oviposition. This study aimed to investigate how different concentrations of two insecticides, bifenthrin and clothianidin, affected blow fly oviposition both under laboratory and field conditions. In the laboratory experiments, Lucilia sericata (Meigen) and Phormia regina (Meigen) blow flies were exposed to beef liver treated with varying concentrations of bifenthrin or clothianidin. In the field, stillborn pig carcasses were treated with the same concentrations and time to oviposition was assessed and oviposition site preference observed. Insecticides have the potential to deter insect activity. Therefore, we hypothesized that insecticide exposure would result in delayed oviposition, altered site preferences, and increased mortality due to their modes of action. Statistical analyses indicated that the insecticides had no significant effects on the time to oviposition in the laboratory experiments, although species‐ and insecticide‐specific effects were observed. Clothianidin, however, significantly affected mortality rates in both species. During field trials, bifenthrin significantly delayed oviposition, while clothianidin inhibited oviposition at the high concentration. These findings offer valuable insights for improving entomological evidence analysis in criminal investigations where insecticide exposure is suspected.