bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overruled by nature: A plastic response to an ecological regime shift disconnects a gene and its trait
Authors: Besnier F. , Skaala Ø. , Wennevik V. , Ayllon F. , Utne K.R. , Fjeldheim P.T. , Andersen-Fjeldheim K. , Knutar S. , Glover K.A.
Published: October 2022

In Atlantic salmon, age at maturation is a life history trait ruled by a sex-specific trade-off between reproductive success and survival. Following an ecological regime shift in 2005, many North Atlantic salmon populations currently display smaller size at age and delayed age at maturation. However, whether this change reflects rapid evolution or plastic response is unknown. Some 1500 historical and contemporary salmon from river Etne (Western Norway) genotyped at 50k SNPs revealed three loci significantly associated with age at maturation. These includedvgll3andsix6, which collectively explained 36 to 50% of the age at maturation variation in the 1983-1984 period. Strikingly, the combined influence of these genes was nearly absent in all samples from 2013-2016, despite allelic frequencies atvgll3remaining unchanged. We conclude that the regime shift has led to the sudden bypassing of the influence ofvgll3andsix6on maturation through growth-driven plasticity.
SalienceNet: an unsupervised Image-to-Image translation method for nuclei saliency enhancement in microscopy images
Authors: Emmanuel Bouilhol , Lefevre Edgar , Barry Thierno , Levet Florian , Beghin Anne , Viasnoff Virgile , Galindo Xareni , Galland Rémi , Sibarita Jean-Baptiste , Nikolski Macha
Published: October 2022

Automatic segmentation of nuclei in low-light microscopy images remains a difficult task, especially for high-throughput experiments where need for automation is strong. Low saliency of nuclei with respect to the background, variability of their intensity together with low signal-to-noise ratio in these images constitute a major challenge for mainstream algorithms of nuclei segmentation. In this work we introduce SalienceNet, an unsupervised deep learning-based method that uses the style transfer properties of cycleGAN to transform low saliency images into high saliency images, thus enabling accurate segmentation by downstream analysis methods, and that without need for any parameter tuning. We have acquired a novel dataset of organoid images with soSPIM, a microscopy technique that enables the acquisition of images in low-light conditions. Our experiments show that SalienceNet increased the saliency of these images up to the desired level. Moreover, we evaluated the impact of SalienceNet on segmentation for both Otsu thresholding and StarDist and have shown that enhancing nuclei with SalienceNet improved segmentation results using Otsu thresholding by 30% and using StarDist by 26% in terms of IOU when compared to segmentation of non-enhanced images. Together these results show that SalienceNet can be used as a common preprocessing step to automate nuclei segmentation pipelines for low-light microscopy images.
Structural Maintenance of Chromosome 3 interacts with the Topoisomerase VI complex and contributes to the oxidative stress response inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Velay Florent , Abdallah Dina , Lecampion Cécile , Kbiri Nadia , D’Alessandro Stefano , Field Benjamin , Laloi Christophe
Published: October 2022

In plants adverse environmental conditions can induce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, such as singlet oxygen or hydrogen peroxide, at the level of the photosynthetic apparatus. The coordinated action of nucleus-encoded genes is required for containing the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species. The regulation of such genes follows a molecular signalling process between the chloroplast and the nucleus called retrograde signalling. Previously, we proposed that the Topoisomerase VI (Topo VI) complex participates in the singlet oxygen stress response by regulating the expression of specific subsets of nuclear genes. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unresolved. In this study, we demonstrate that the Topo VI subunit BIN4 interacts with the cohesin subunit AtSMC3. We also show that, similarly to Topo VI mutants, a line suppressing AtSMC3 shows constitutive activation of singlet oxygen response genes and enhanced tolerance to photooxidative stress. Together, these results suggest that Topo VI and AtSMC3 control the expression of singlet oxygen response genes and are possibly involved in the acclimation of plants to photooxidative stress conditions.
Integration and segregation in the brain as a cognitive flexibility during tasks and rest
Authors: Capouskova Katerina , Zamora-López Gorka , Kringelbach Morten L , Deco Gustavo
Published: October 2022

To flexibly respond to a continuously changing environment, the human brain must be able to flexibly switch amongst many demanding cognitive tasks. The flexibility inside the brain is enabled by integrating and segregating information in large-scale functional networks over time. In this study, we used graph theory metrics prior to clustering to identify two brain states, segregated and integrated, in 100 healthy adults selected from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) dataset at rest and during six cognitive tasks. Furthermore, we explored two-dimensional (2D) latent space revealed by a deep autoencoder. In the latent space, the integrated state occupied less space compared with the segregated state. After binning the latent space, we obtained entropy from the probability for each data point of being in the bin. The integrated state showed lower entropy than the segregated state, and the rest modality showed higher entropy in both states compared with tasks. We also found that modularity and global efficiency are good measures for distinguishing between tasks and rest in both states. Overall, the study shows that integration and segregation are present in rest and in task modalities, while integration serves as information compression and segregation as information specialisation. These characteristics ensure the necessary cognitive flexibility to learn new tasks with deep proficiency.
VSV-based vaccine provides species-specific protection against Sudan virus challenge in macaques
Authors: Marzi Andrea , Fletcher Paige , Feldmann Friederike , Saturday Greg , Hanley Patrick W. , Feldmann Heinz
Published: October 2022

The ongoing Sudan virus (SUDV) outbreak in Uganda highlights the need for rapid response capabilities against emerging viruses with high public health impact. While such countermeasures have been established for Ebola virus (EBOV), they unfortunately do not exist for SUDV or any other human-pathogenic filovirus.

Here, we describe the generation and characterization of the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-based vaccine VSV-SUDV and demonstrate the protective efficacy following a single-dose vaccination against lethal SUDV infection in nonhuman primates (NHPs). As we repurposed NHPs from a successful VSV-EBOV vaccine efficacy study, we further demonstrate that VSV-SUDV can be used effectively in individuals previously vaccinated against EBOV. While the NHPs developed cross-reactive humoral responses to SUDV after VSV-EBOV vaccination and EBOV challenge, cross-protection was limited emphasizing the need for the development of specific countermeasures for each human-pathogenic ebolavirus. Additionally, our data provides evidence that while previous VSV-EBOV immunity is boosted after VSV-SUDV vaccination, it has only limited impact on the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of VSV-SUDV vaccination important for frontline outbreak workers.
A new gene encoding a cytosolic glutamine synthetase in pine is linked to developing tissues
Authors: Valderrama-Martín José Miguel , Ortigosa Francisco , Aledo Juan Carlos , Ávila Concepción , Cánovas Francisco M. , Cañas Rafael A.
Published: October 2022

The enzyme glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2) is mainly responsible for the incorporation of inorganic nitrogen into organic molecules in plants. In the present work, a new pineGS1(PpGS1b.2) gene was identified, showing a high sequence identity with theGS1b.1gene previously characterized in conifers. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the presence ofPpGS1b.2is restricted to the generaPinusandPiceaand is not found in other conifers. Gene expression data suggest a putative role ofPpGS1b.2in plant development, similar to otherGS1bgenes from angiosperms, suggesting evolutionary convergence. The characterization of GS1b.1 and GS1b.2 at the structural, physicochemical, and kinetic levels has shown differences even though they have high sequence homology. Alterations in the kinetic characteristics produced by the site-directed mutagenesis approach carried out in this work strongly suggest an implication of amino acids at positions 264 and 267 in the active center of pine GS1b.1 and GS1b.2. Therefore, the amino acid differences between GS1b.1 and GS1b.2 would support the functioning of both enzymes to meet distinct plant needs.
uORF4u: a tool for annotation of conserved upstream open reading frames
Authors: Egorov Artyom A. , Atkinson Gemma C.
Published: October 2022

Upstream open reading frames (uORFs, encoding so-called leader peptides) can regulate translation and transcription of downstream main ORFs (mORFs) in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. However, annotation of novel functional uORFs is challenging due their short size of usually less than 100 codons. While transcription- and translation-level next generation sequencing (NGS) methods can be used for genome-wide uORF identification, this data is not available for the vast majority of species with sequenced genomes. At the same time, the exponentially increasing amount of genome assemblies gives us the opportunity to take advantage of evolutionary conservation in our predictions of ORFs.

Here we present a tool for conserved uORF annotation in 5′ upstream sequences of a user-defined protein of interest or a set of protein homologues. It can also be used to find small ORFs within a set of nucleotide sequences. The output includes publication-quality figures with multiple sequence alignments, sequence logos and locus annotation of the predicted uORFs in graphical vector format.

Availability and Implementation

uORF4u is written in Python3 and runs on Linux and MacOS. The command-line interface covers most practical use cases, while the provided Python API allows usage within a Python program and additional customisation. Source code is available from the GitHub page:https://github.com/art-egorov/uorf4u. Detailed documentation that includes an example-driven guide available at the software home page:https://art-egorov.github.io/uorf4u.
Growth Mechanics: General principles of optimal cellular resource allocation in balanced growth
Authors: Dourado Hugo , Liebermeister Wolfram , Ebenhöh Oliver , Lercher Martin J.
Published: October 2022

The physiology of biological cells evolved under physical and chemical constraints such as mass conservation, nonlinear reaction kinetics, and limits on cell density. For unicellular organisms, the fitness that governs this evolution is mainly determined by the balanced cellular growth rate. We previously introduced Growth Balance Analysis (GBA) as a general framework to model such nonlinear systems, and we presented analytical conditions for optimal balanced growth in the special case that the active reactions are known. Here, we develop Growth Mechanics (GM) as a more general, succinct, and powerful analytical description of the growth optimization of GBA models, which we formulate in terms of a minimal number of dimensionless variables. GM uses Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions in a Lagrangian formalism. It identifies fundamental principles of optimal resource allocation in GBA models of any size and complexity, including the analytical conditions that determine the set of active reactions at optimal growth. We identify from first principles the economic values of biochemical reactions, expressed as marginal changes in cellular growth rate; these economic values can be related to the costs and benefits of proteome allocation into the reactions’ catalysts. Our formulation also generalizes the concepts of Metabolic Control Analysis to models of growing cells. GM unifies and extends previous approaches of cellular modeling and analysis, putting forward a program to analyze cellular growth through the stationarity conditions of a Lagrangian function. GM thereby provides a general theoretical toolbox for the study of fundamental mathematical properties of balanced cellular growth.
The boosting of the total quality management on corporate green growth in emerging markets: the mediating roles of corporate social responsibility and customer loyalty
Authors: Le Thanh Tiep
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The primary purpose of this research is to examine how total quality management (TQM) boosts corporate green growth (CGG) with the involvement of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and customer loyalty (CL) as mediators in the relationship between TQM and CGG for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in an emerging economy.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts a quantitative approach. According to the scope of this study, constructs of TQM, CSR, CL and CGG and the conceptual relationships between them are established using a systematic literature review. This study uses enterprise-level primary data collected from a questionnaire-based survey. The respondents are those holding managerial positions in their enterprises. There were 424 valid responses obtained following the necessary screening steps to ensure the eligibility of the collected data for analysis using AMOS version 20.

Findings

This study reveals that TQM has a positive and significant relationship with CSR, CL and CGG. Amongst these direct connections, TQM has the most substantial influence on CGG, followed by CL and CSR. Furthermore, the findings assert that CSR positively and significantly affects CGG and CL. When comparing the weighting of these effects, the results show that the impact of CSR on CGG is stronger than that on CL. Furthermore, the results confirm that CSR and CL partially mediate the relationship between TQM and CGG, both independently and simultaneously. The article also discusses the theoretical and managerial implications based on the stated findings.

Originality/value

The originality of this study stems from its contribution to enriching the body of the current literature on TQM and its combined influence on corporate performance. In this respect, this study adds to the existing literature by providing additional empirical evidence on the mechanism by which TQM boosts CGG with the involvement of CSR and CL in mediating the stated relationship between TQM and CGG for SMEs in an emerging economy. To the best of the author’s knowledge, such holistic incorporation is rare in the current literature. Furthermore, this study sheds light on the TQM enabling factors that are extended beyond the quality or technical scope as previously assumed. The stated contributions deserve to be originally derived from the attempt of this scientific work that may be of interest to academics, professionals and business practitioners.
Two decades of research on halal hospitality and tourism: a review and research agenda
Authors: Al-Ansi Amr , Olya Hossein , Han Heesup
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to conduct a synopsis and overview of past research that discussed halal hospitality development and the halal travel market.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive systematic review of 108 articles within the hospitality and tourism domain from 2000 to 2021 that were extracted from the Web of Science and Scopus databases was exhaustively assessed.

Findings

The results are visualised to determine the most thematic domains, contexts and concepts previously discussed. It also computed the contribution of journals, authors and affiliations in fostering the mobility of halal tourism studies. The study attempted to chart new directions and insights for future scholars and academics to expand the scope of halal literature in two ways. It articulated the implications and guidance themes emphasised in previous studies and identified new paths to abreast the contemporary issues of the hospitality and tourism industry, including sustainable consumption trends, community development, technology and smart practises, as well as potential threats and challenges such as islamophobia.

Originality/value

In view of the fast growth of halal market studies, the direction and contribution of the previous literature produced limited discussions with certain theoretical concepts. This study advises new pathways in which halal tourism development can respond to contemporary issues in hospitality and tourism.
Spatiotemporal analysis of energy consumption and financial development in African OPEC countries
Authors: Nwafor Florence Uchenna , Kalu Ebere Ume , Arize Augustine C. , Onwumere Josaphat U.J.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate in a country-specific comparative and panel form, the impact of energy use on financial development in Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)-African countries of Algeria, Gabon, Libya and Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

With data sets covering the period 1980 to 2020, this study used a combination of country-specific autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) and panel-ARDL as well geo-maps to show the spatiotemporal nuances of the investigated countries.

Findings

It was discovered across the investigated countries and in the panel framework that energy consumption significantly impacts both bank development and institutional development, which are subsets of financial development. In addition, evidence in favor of adjustment of financial development to the shocks and dynamics of energy consumption was found.

Practical implications

Integrative developmental drive for the two sectors can enhance growth and value-chain interactions for the imperatives of the overall growth and development of the OPEC-African countries.

Originality/value

This study adds to the literature on finance and energy development by the introduction of the spatiotemporal analysis.
Illiquidity and stock returns: the moderating role of investors' holding period in Central and Eastern European markets
Authors: Stereńczak Szymon
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The positive illiquidity–return relationship (so-called liquidity premium) is a well-established pattern in international developed stock markets. The magnitude of liquidity premium should increase with market illiquidity. Existing studies, however, do not confirm this conjecture with regard to frontier markets. This may result from applying different approaches to the investors' holding period. The paper aims to identify the role of the holding period in shaping the illiquidity–return relationship in emerging and frontier stock markets, which are arguably considered illiquid.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors utilise the data on stocks listed on fourteen exchanges in Central and Eastern Europe. The authors regress stock returns on liquidity measures variously transformed to reflect the clientele effect in a liquidity–return relationship.

Findings

The authors show that the investors' holding period moderates the illiquidity–return relationship in CEE markets and also show that the liquidity premium in these markets is statistically and economically relevant.

Practical implications

The findings may be of great interest to investors, companies and regulators. Investors and companies should take liquidity into account when making decisions; regulators should employ liquidity-enhancing actions to decrease companies' cost of capital and expand firms' investment opportunities, which will improve growth perspectives for the entire economy.

Originality/value

These findings enrich the understanding of the role that the investors' holding period plays in the illiquidity–return relationship in CEE markets. To the best knowledge, this is the first study which investigates the effect of holding period on liquidity premium in emerging and frontier markets.
Religious atmosphere and corporate poverty alleviation: empirical evidence from China
Authors: Zheng Dechang , Tao Shuang , Jiang Chengtao , Tang Yinglun
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study explores whether religion plays an important role in corporate poverty alleviation. Religious atmosphere affects managers' attitude towards corporate social responsibility (CSR) and then influences corporate poverty alleviation. This study first examines the impact of religious atmosphere on corporate poverty alleviation and then investigates whether formal institutions, such as law enforcement environments and ownership, influence the relationship between religious atmosphere and corporate poverty alleviation behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

In 2016, the Chinese government initiated a nationwide campaign aiming to eliminate poverty in China by 2020. The authors conduct empirical tests with data on Chinese listed firms from 2016 to 2020. The religious atmosphere is measured by the number of Buddhist monasteries and Taoist temples within a certain radius around Chinese listed firms' registered addresses. The authors adopt the ordinary least squares (OLS) method for regression and take the two-stage least squares (2SLS) method to address the endogeneity issue.

Findings

The results show a positive relationship between religious atmosphere and corporate poverty alleviation donations. Law enforcement attenuates the positive association between the religious atmosphere and corporate poverty alleviation donations. Religion and corporate poverty alleviation donations have a more positive association for non-state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs) than for state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

Research limitations/implications

The authors' findings have important implications. First, this study inspires incorporating the ethical value of traditional culture, such as religion, into CSR. Second, the findings imply that informal institutions have a greater impact on corporate decision-making when formal institutions are weak, suggesting that informal institutions should be emphasized when promoting CSR in countries where formal institutions are relatively weak. The study investigates only religious influence on corporate poverty alleviation based on Buddhism and Taoism, but the authors do not examine the impacts of other religions. Future research may examine the relationships between other religions and corporate poverty alleviation in China.

Originality/value

This study illustrates the positive role played by religion in promoting CSR by relating religious atmosphere to corporate poverty alleviation. It fills the research gap between religion and CSR and also contributes to the literature on determinants of corporate poverty alleviation.
What are the factors that determine differing levels of environmental quality? Evidence from Java and other islands in Indonesia
Authors: Pujiati Amin , Nurbaeti Triani , Damayanti Nadia
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to identify variables that determine the differing levels of environmental quality on Java and other islands in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a quantitative approach, secondary data were sourced from the Central Statistics Agency and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The data were obtained through the collection of documentation from 33 provinces in Indonesia. The analytical approach used was discriminant analysis. The research variables are Trade Openness, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), industry, HDI and population growth.

Findings

The variables that distinguish between the levels of environmental quality in Indonesian provinces on the island of Java and on other islands are Industry, HDI, FDI and population growth. The openness variable is not a differentiating variable for environmental quality. The most powerful variable as a differentiator of environmental quality on Java Island and on other islands is the Industry variable.

Research limitations/implications

This study has not classified the quality of the environment based on the Ministry of Environment and Forestry's categories, namely, the very good, good, quite good, poor, very poor and dangerous. For this reason, further research is needed using multiple discriminant analysis (MDA).

Practical implications

Industry is the variable that most strongly distinguishes between levels of environmental quality on Java and other island, while the industrial sector is the largest contributor to gross regional domestic product (GDRP). Government policy to develop green technology is mandatory so that there is no trade-off between industry and environmental quality.

Originality/value

This study is able to identify the differentiating variables of environmental quality in two different groups, on Java and on the other islands of the Indonesian archipelago.
Association between jail‐based methadone or buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder and overdose mortality after release from New York City jails 2011–17
Authors: Lim Sungwoo , Cherian Teena , Katyal Monica , Goldfeld Keith S. , McDonald Ryan , Wiewel Ellen , Khan Maria , Krawczyk Noa , Braunstein Sarah , Murphy Sean M. , Jalali Ali , Jeng Philip J. , MacDonald Ross , Lee Joshua D.
Published: October 2022

Background and aims

Opioid overdose is a leading cause of death during the immediate time after release from jail or prison. Most jails in the United States do not provide methadone and buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and research in estimating its impact in jail settings is limited. We aimed to test the hypothesis that in‐jail MOUD is associated with lower overdose mortality risk post‐release.

Design, setting and participants

Retrospective, observational cohort study of 15 797 adults with opioid use disorder who were released from New York City jails to the community in 2011–2017. They experienced 31 382 incarcerations and were followed up to 1 year.

Measurements

The primary outcomes were death caused by accidental drug poisoning and all‐cause death. The exposure was receipt of MOUD (17 119 events) versus out‐of‐treatment (14 263 events) during the last 3 days before community re‐entry. Covariates included demographic, clinical, behavioral, housing, health‐care utilization and legal characteristics variables. We performed a multivariable, mixed‐effect Cox regression analysis to test association between in‐jail MOUD and deaths.

Findings

The majority were male (82%) and their average age was 42 years. Receiving MOUD was associated with misdemeanor charges, being female, injection drug use and homelessness. During 1 year post‐release, 111 overdose deaths occurred and crude death rates were 0.49 and 0.83 per 100 person‐years for in‐jail MOUD and out‐of‐treatment groups, respectively. Accounting for confounding and random effects, in‐jail MOUD was associated with lower overdose mortality risk [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.08–0.46] and all‐cause mortality risk (aHR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.11–0.42) for the first month post‐release.

Conclusions

Methadone and buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder during incarceration was associated with an 80% reduction in overdose mortality risk for the first month post‐release.
Concurrent validity of the marijuana purchase task: a meta‐analysis of trait‐level cannabis demand and cannabis involvement
Authors: González‐Roz Alba , Martínez‐Loredo Víctor , Aston Elizabeth R. , Metrik Jane , Murphy James , Balodis Iris , Secades‐Villa Roberto , Belisario Kyla , MacKillop James
Published: October 2022

Background and aims

The Marijuana Purchase Task (MPT) is increasingly used to measure cannabis reinforcing value and has potential use for cannabis etiological and regulatory research. This meta‐analysis sought to evaluate for the first time the MPT's concurrent validity in relation to cannabis involvement.

Methods

Electronic databases and pre‐print repositories were searched for MPT studies that examined the cross‐sectional relationship between frequency and quantity of cannabis use, problems, dependence, and five MPT indicators: intensity (i.e. unrestricted consumption), Omax (i.e. maximum consumption), Pmax (i.e. price at which demand becomes elastic), breakpoint (i.e. first price at which consumption ceases), and elasticity (i.e. sensitivity to rising costs). Random effects meta‐analyses of cross‐sectional effect sizes were conducted, with Q tests for examining differences by cannabis variables, meta‐regression to test quantitative moderators, and publication bias assessment. Moderators included sex, number of MPT prices, variable transformations, and year of publication. Populations included community and clinical samples.

Results

The searches yielded 14 studies (n = 4077, median % females: 44.8%: weighted average age = 29.08 [SD = 6.82]), published between 2015 and 2022. Intensity, Omax, and elasticity showed the most robust concurrent validity (|r's| = 0.147–325, ps < 0.014) with the largest significant effect sizes for quantity (|r| intensity = 0.325) and cannabis dependence (|r| Omax = 0.320, |r| intensity = 0.305, |r| elasticity = 0.303). Higher proportion of males was associated with increased estimates for elasticity‐quantity and Pmax‐problems. Higher number of MPT prices significantly altered magnitude of effects sizes for Pmax and problems, suggesting biased estimations if excessively low prices are considered. Methodological quality was generally good, and minimal evidence of publication bias was observed.

Conclusions

The marijuana purchase task presents adequate concurrent validity to measure cannabis demand, most robustly for intensity, Omax, and elasticity. Moderating effects by sex suggest potentially meaningful sex differences in the reinforcing value of cannabis.
Clinical and biochemical predictors of tumor response after neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer
Authors: Bedrikovetski Sergei , Traeger Luke , Vather Ryash , Moore James W. , Sammour Tarik
Published: October 2022

Background

Patients who have a good clinical and/or pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for rectal cancer have better long‐term outcomes and can potentially be spared morbid surgery. This study aimed to identify pretreatment clinical and biochemical predictors of response to neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer.

Methods

Patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer between 2007 and 2022 were retrospectively included. Those patients who achieved a complete clinical response were offered a nonoperative management strategy and the remaining patients underwent surgical resection. The primary endpoint was tumor regression grade (TRG) based on radiological imaging (mrTRG) or pathology (pTRG). Patient response was classified as good (mrTRG 1–2 or pTRG 0–1) versus poor (mrTRG 3–4 or pTRG 2–3). Logistic regression was performed to determine predictors of TRG.

Results

A total of 984 patients with rectal cancer were identified of which 274 met the inclusion criteria. Of 274 patients, 228 (83%) underwent surgical resection. A good TRG response was observed in 119 (41%) patients, and a complete response was achieved in 53 (17%) patients. On univariable and multivariable logistic regression, clinical T2 stage and body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2 were significant predictors of a good TRG. Clinical T2 stage and a personalised total neoadjuvant therapy regimen were significant predictors of complete response.

Conclusion

Clinical T2 stage and a BMI≥25 kg/m2 were predictors of good response to neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer. Future prospective studies are required to confirm these findings and evaluate their potential use in better targeting of nCRT.
Weight gain is an early indicator of injury in ex vivo normothermic limb perfusion (EVNLP)
Authors: Meyers Abigail , Pandey Sonia , Kopparthy Varun , Sadeghi Payam , Clark Robert Craig , Figueroa Brian , Dasarathy Srinivasan , Brunengraber Henri , Papay Francis , Rampazzo Antonio , Bassiri Gharb Bahar
Published: October 2022

Purpose

There are no established criteria for discontinuing ex vivo normothermic limb perfusion (EVNLP) before irreversible damage occurs. This study evaluates weight gain as an indicator of injury during EVNLP.

Methods

Sixteen Yorkshire pig forelimbs were procured and preserved using EVNLP with a hemoglobin‐based oxygen carrier (HBOC‐201) or static cold storage. EVNLP continued until termination criteria were met: arterial pressure ≥ 115 mm Hg, compartment pressure > 30 mm Hg, or 20% reduction of oxygen saturation. Limb weight, contractility, hemodynamics, perfusate electrolytes, metabolites and gases were recorded. Muscles were biopsied 6‐h, and muscle injury scores (MIS) calculated. Forearm compartment pressures and indocyanine green (ICG) angiography were recorded at endpoint. Outcomes were compared at 2%, 5%, 10%, and 20% limb weight gain.

Results

EVNLP lasted 20 ± 3 h. Weight gain was observed after 13 ± 5 h (2%), 15 ± 6 h (5%), 16 ± 6 h (10%), and 19 ± 4 h (20%). Weight correlated positively with MIS (ρ = 0.92, p < 0.0001), potassium (ρ = −1.00, p < 0.0001), pressure (ρ = 0.78, p < 0.0001), and negatively with contractility (ρ = −0.96, p = 0.011). At 5% weight gain, MIS (p < 0.0001), potassium (p = 0.03), and lactate (p < 0.0001) were significantly higher than baseline. Median muscle contractility was 5 [3–5] at 2% weight gain, 4 [1–5] at 5%, 3 [0–4] and 2 [0–2] at 10% and 20%, respectively. At 20% weight gain, contractility was significantly lower than baseline (p = 0.003). Percent weight gain correlated negatively with endpoint ICG hoof fluorescence (r = −0.712, p = 0.047).

Conclusions

Weight gain correlated with microscopic muscle injury and was the earliest evidence of limb dysfunction. Weight gain may serve as a criterion for discontinuation of EVNLP.
The colour of system avoidance in Canada: Investigating the importance of immigrant generation among African Canadians
Authors: Sibblis Camisha , Delia Deckard Natalie , Salawu Anazodo Kemi
Published: October 2022

The criminalization of Black people in Canada, and their relative distrust of systems of criminal justice, are well‐established realities. Here, we problematize the monolithic construction of Blackness implied in this statement. Interrogating differences in African‐born immigrants’ responses on the General Social Survey, we build on existing theories regarding the 1.5 generation of immigrants in order to demonstrate that those Black immigrants who arrived as children, grew up in Canada, and participated in Canadian education, labour markets, and other institutions of socialization, are the most likely to distrust police, systems of criminal justice and Canadian institutions more generally. We theorize that, contrary to prevailing opinions regarding the ways in which distrust in Black communities stems from wariness of law enforcement in home countries, Canadian system avoidance is led by Black people who are from Canada.
Contact allergy to hydroxyisohexyl 3‐cyclohexene carboxaldehyde in Italy: Prevalence, trend, and concordance with fragrance mix II
Authors: Stingeni Luca , Hansel Katharina , Corazza Monica , Foti Caterina , Schena Donatella , Fabbrocini Gabriella , Patruno Cataldo , Bianchi Leonardo , Tramontana Marta , Guarneri Fabrizio ,   The SIDAPA Study Group
Published: October 2022

Background

Hydroxyisohexyl 3‐cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (HICC), contained in fragrance mix II (FM II), has been recognized as a contact sensitizer since the mid‐1990s. After several attempts to reduce its use during the last two decades, HICC was permanently banned from the European market in August 2021.

Objectives

To assess the prevalence and the time trend of contact allergy to HICC and to investigate the concordance of HICC allergy compared to FM II allergy in an unselected Italian patch test population.

Methods/Patients

Retrospective analysis on demographics and patch test results of HICC‐sensitized and/or FM II‐sensitized patients was performed over a 6‐year period (2016–2021) at 6 patch test Clinics in Italy.

Results

Among 7266 patients (4942 females, 68.0%, mean age 45.4 ± 20.6 years), 1% (70) resulted positive to HICC and 2.1% (153) to FM II. Clinical relevance was documented in 72.9% (51/70) of HICC positive patients. Among the 169 HICC and/or FM II positive patients, 9.5% had a positive reaction to HICC only, 31.9% to both HICC and FM II, and 58.6% to FM II only. The prevalence trend line of HICC positive reactions showed a decrease from 1.15% (2016) to 0.96% (2021).

Conclusions

We documented a decreasing trend of HICC allergy in Italy, in line with the data recently reported in literature. Nevertheless, HICC should be maintained in the baseline series to monitor the benefits of its ban from the European market.
Methods to detect spatial biases in tracking studies caused by differential representativeness of individuals, populations and time
Authors: Morera‐Pujol Virginia , Catry Paulo , Magalhães Maria , Péron Clara , Reyes‐González José Manuel , Granadeiro José Pedro , Militão Teresa , Dias Maria P. , Oro Daniel , Dell'Omo Giacomo , Müller Martina , Paiva Vitor H. , Metzger Benjamin , Neves Verónica , Navarro Joan , Karris Georgios , Xirouchakis Stavros , Cecere Jacopo G. , Zamora‐López Antonio , Forero Manuela G. , Ouni Ridha , Romdhane Mohamed Salah , De Felipe Fernanda , Zajková Zuzana , Cruz‐Flores Marta , Grémillet David , González‐Solís Jacob , Ramos Raül
Published: October 2022

Aim

Over the last decades, the study of movement through tracking data has grown exceeding the expectations of movement ecologists. This has posed new challenges, specifically when using individual tracking data to infer higher‐level distributions (e.g. population and species). Sources of variability such as individual site fidelity (ISF), environmental stochasticity over time, and space‐use variability across species ranges must be considered, and their effects identified and corrected, to produce accurate estimates of spatial distribution using tracking data.

Innovation

We developed R functions to detect the effect of these sources of variability in the distribution of animal groups when inferred from individual tracking data. These procedures can be adapted for their use in most tracking datasets and tracking techniques. We demonstrated our procedures with simulated datasets and showed their applicability on a real‐world dataset containing 1346 year‐round migratory trips from 805 individuals of three closely related seabird species breeding in 34 colonies in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, spanning 10 years. We detected an effect of ISF in one of the colonies, but no effect of the environmental stochasticity on the distribution of birds for any of the species. We also identified among‐colony variability in nonbreeding space use for one species, with significant effects of population size and longitude.

Main conclusions

This work provides a useful, much‐needed tool for researchers using animal tracking data to model species distributions or establish conservation measures. This methodology may be applied in studies using individual tracking data to accurately infer the distribution of a population or species and support the delineation of important areas for conservation based on tracking data. This step, designed to precede any analysis, has become increasingly relevant with the proliferation of studies using large tracking datasets that has accompanied the globalization process in science driving collaborations and tracking data sharing initiatives.
The construction, composition and rationale of immigrants’ network: The support strategies of Ghanaian immigrants in Toronto, Canada
Authors: Kyeremeh Emmanuel , Arku Godwin
Published: October 2022

In this article, we investigate the construction, composition and rationale behind the personal networks of recent immigrants to Canada. Drawing on egocentric‐network analysis and interviews with 172 Ghanaian immigrants in Toronto, we reveal their networking strategies during their integration. First, we identify social locations that help create ties with different groups: workplaces and schools offer access to ties with non‐immigrants and other immigrants alike, while religious and ethnic organizations facilitate ties to co‐nationals (i.e., Ghanaians). Second, most individuals within immigrants’ network are co‐nationals whose relationship began in Canada, followed by sustained transnational ties in the origin and diaspora and few ties with the non‐immigrant. The nature of this network is explained by examining the migration project of immigrants together with the context of reception in Canada, which suggests a desire by immigrants to stay in Canada and make Canada their second home. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Disability in perioperative activities of daily living is associated with worse survival outcomes following hepatic resection in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Mima Kosuke , Hayashi Hiromitsu , Yumoto Shinsei , Matsumoto Takashi , Tsukamoto Masayo , Miyata Tatsunori , Nakagawa Shigeki , Nitta Hidetoshi , Baba Hideo
Published: October 2022

Aim

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a rare disease; however, its incidence and mortality are increasing worldwide. The rapid aging of populations around the world is leading to an increased number of patients with cancer who develop disability in activities of daily living (ADL). This study was conducted to investigate the associations of perioperative ADL with patient survival after hepatic resection for ICC.

Methods

We included 70 consecutive patients who underwent hepatectomy for ICC from 2010 to 2021 in the current study. Preoperative and postoperative ADL were evaluated based on the Barthel index, which yields a score of 0–100 points, with higher scores indicating greater independence. A preoperative or postoperative Barthel index score of <100 was defined as disability in perioperative ADL. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate hazard ratios after adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Among the 70 patients, seven (10%) had a preoperative Barthel index score of <100, and 23 (33%) showed a postoperative Barthel index score of <100. Multivariate analyses revealed that disability in perioperative ADL was associated with shorter recurrence‐free survival (multivariable hazard ratios 2.38, 95% confidence interval 1.22–4.57; p = 0.011) and overall survival (multivariable hazard ratio 2.49, 95% confidence interval 1.09–5.70; p = 0.031).

Conclusions

Disability in perioperative ADL is associated with shorter recurrence‐free and overall survival after hepatic resection for ICC. Upon validation, perioperative measurement of ADL may improve risk assessment, and improvement of perioperative ADL may lead to favorable clinical outcomes in patients with ICC.
Relative dentin and enamel abrasivity of charcoal toothpastes
Authors: Zoller Manuel J. , Hamza Blend , Cucuzza Claudia , Gubler Andrea , Attin Thomas , Wegehaupt Florian J.
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Very little data are known about charcoal toothpastes. The aim of this study was to counteract the missing data by determining the relative dentin abrasivity (RDA) and relative enamel abrasivity (REA) values of charcoal toothpastes.

Methods

Radioactively charged dentin and enamel samples were randomly divided into groups of eight specimens. Each group was brushed with two of total 12 charcoal toothpaste slurries and with a standard abrasive with a known RDA and REA value. The measured radioactivity in counts per minute within the slurries corresponds to the amount of dentin or enamel abraded. RDA and REA values of the charcoal toothpastes were expressed relative to the known value of the standard slurry.

Results

The RDA and REA values of the charcoal toothpastes have a broad range of 24–166 and 0–14, respectively.

Conclusions

The RDA and REA values do not differ significantly from previously tested commercially available toothpastes. However, the lack of fluoride compounds in many of the investigated charcoal toothpastes can have a less beneficial effect for the consumers. It is very important to educate patients accordingly.
Prediction of recovery time of urinary incontinence following robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy
Authors: Kitamura Kosuke , China Toshiyuki , Nagata Masayoshi , Isotani Shuji , Muto Satoru , Sakamoto Yoshiro , Horie Shigeo
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Postoperative urinary incontinence recovery following robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy is an important outcome. We investigated whether factors that affect urinary incontinence can predict the duration of postoperative incontinence recovery.

Methods

A total of 310 patients underwent robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. Continence recovery was defined as either pad‐free or a safety pad only status. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on clinical variables to identify those that were associated with continence recovery. A scoring system to predict recovered continence was constructed using statistically significant variables. The validity of this tool was tested in a new cohort of 273 patients.

Results

Factors associated with recovery of urinary incontinence were membranous urethral length, preservation of bilateral neurovascular bundles, and a preoperative Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score of ≥3 in the apex. Age was related only to incontinence recovery at 1 month. To prepare the score, weighting was performed using the estimated values. Using the developed scoring system, participants in the verification set were divided into three groups. The early recovery group had a median incontinence recovery of 4 (4–12) weeks, the medium recovery group, 12 (4–24) weeks, and the late recovery group, 24 (24–48) weeks, which was a significant difference (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The applied scoring system based on preoperative factors related to incontinence and derived from patient groups was significantly associated with continence recovery time. In patients undergoing robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, our unit‐weighted regression model of clinical variables can predict the duration of continence recovery.
Simplified approach to the medial internal iliac region using a uretero‐hypogastric nerve fascia development procedure for extended pelvic lymph node dissection during robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy for high‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: Shimbo Masaki , Ohyama Takehiro , Endo Fumiyasu , Komatsu Kenji , Kyono Yoko , Sano Masayuki , Narimoto Kazutaka , Hattori Kazunori
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Although several clinical guidelines for prostate cancer (PC) recommend extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) during radical prostatectomy for high‐risk cases, there are several issues to consider, including certain technical aspects. A simplified approach to the medial internal iliac region and paravesical arteries has not been established. The uretero‐hypogastric nerve fascia (UHF) envelopes the ureter, hypogastric nerve, and pelvic autonomic nerves. To preserve the UHF, it is possible to approach the medial side of the internal iliac vessels without injuring any important tissue. We analyzed technical feasibility and lymph node (LN) yields.

Patients and methods

After obtaining institutional review board approval, 265 high‐risk PC patients with ePLND were identified. A da Vinci S or Xi robotic surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) was used. We divided the patients into conventional (non‐UHF) method and modified (UHF) groups. The numbers of LNs removed, procedure‐related complications, and surgical outcomes were analyzed.

Results

The median number of LNs removed was 19.0 in the non‐UHF group and 22.0 in the UHF group (p = 0.004). Significantly more LNs were removed from the internal iliac region in the UHF group (p = 0.042). There was no difference in overall operative, console, or LN dissection time, or the severe complication rate (Clavien‐Dindo grade ≥ III), between the non‐UHF and UHF groups.

Conclusions

Our simplified approach using the UHF development technique is technically feasible, has no major complications, and allows for the removal of significantly more LNs compared with the conventional method.