bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poly (acetyl, arginyl) glucosamine disrupts Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms and enhances bacterial clearance in a rat lung infection model
Authors: Garcia Bryan A. , McDaniel Melissa S. , Loughran Allister J. , Johns J. Dixon , Narayanaswamy Vidya , Petty Courtney Fernandez , Birket Susan E. , Baker Shenda M. , Barnaby Roxana , Stanton Bruce A. , Foote Jeremy B. , Rowe Steven M. , Swords W. Edward
Published: September 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common opportunistic pathogen that can cause chronic infections in multiple disease states, including respiratory infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF bronchiectasis. Like many opportunists, P. aeruginosa forms multicellular biofilm communities that are widely thought to be an important determinant of bacterial persistence and resistance to antimicrobials and host immune effectors during chronic/recurrent infections. Poly (acetyl, arginyl) glucosamine (PAAG) is a glycopolymer which has antimicrobial activity against a broad range of bacterial species, and also has mucolytic activity which can normalize rheologic properties of cystic fibrosis mucus. In this study, we sought to evaluate the effect of PAAG on P. aeruginosa bacteria within biofilms in vitro, and in the context of experimental pulmonary infection in a rodent infection model. PAAG treatment caused significant bactericidal activity against P. aeruginosa biofilms, and a reduction in the total biomass of preformed P. aeruginosa biofilms on abiotic surfaces, as well as on the surface of immortalized cystic fibrosis human bronchial epithelial cells. Studies of membrane integrity indicated that PAAG causes changes to P. aeruginosa cell morphology and dysregulates membrane polarity. PAAG treatment reduced infection and consequent tissue inflammation in experimental P. aeruginosa rat infections. Based on these findings we conclude that PAAG represents a novel means to combat P. aeruginosa infection, which may warrant further evaluation as a therapeutic.
Human - murine concordance of molecular signatures in nerve-sparing murine partial bladder outlet obstruction (NeMO)
Authors: Sidler Martin , Ahmed Abdalla , Jiang Jia-Xin , Koshkebaghi Dursa , Yadav Priyank , Davani Dariush , Huang Ryan , Weksberg Rosanna , Delgado-Olguin Paul , Aitken KJ , Bägli Darius
Published: September 2021

Recently we demonstrated the utility of a nerve-sparing mid-urethra model of partial outlet obstruction (NeMO) that has high consistency and minimal mortalities, unlike the traditional model proximal to the bladder neck. Our goal was to uncover potential therapeutic targets by investigating the genome wide transcriptional changes and pathways altered in NeMO to compare with published human bladder obstruction data. We performed RNAseq and analysed the differentially upregulated and downregulated genes for associated pathways, transcription factor binding site analysis (TFBS), upstream regulators and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). NeMO increased bladder mass, relative bladder mass and hyperactivity, and decreased voiding efficiency. In NeMO vs. sham, 831 genes were differentially expressed (adjusted p<0.05) and correlated significantly with at least one physiologic parameter. Gene ontology revealed an enrichment for matrix pathways in the upregulated genes, and for cardiac contraction, oxidative phosphorylation and pyruvate metabolism in downregulated genes. TFBS analysis revealed a differential regulation of up vs downregulated genes, with KLF4 strongly associated with the downregulated genes. Downregulated genes of Human bladder obstruction were also associated with the TFBS of KLF4. GSEA of the NeMO gene set confirmed the DAVID results, but also showed a cluster of cytokine activation genes. In human bladder underactive obstruction, cytokines were also highly upregulated. The common cytokine pathway upregulation provided an example of the use of RNAseq for uncovering potential new therapeutic targets. As TNF and the innate immune pathways were strongly implicated in both human and mouse, and TNF is produced by macrophages, we depletion macrophages with clodronate (CL) during NeMO. Although CL did not block hypertrophy, it significantly decreased NeMO-induced hyperactive voiding (p<0.01) and increased voiding efficiency (p<0.05). The expression of several cytokines/chemokines correlated significantly with bladder functional parameters such as residual volumes, and hyperactivity. Conclusions: Gene expression signatures of NeMO were consistent with human bladder obstruction, supporting the use of the nerve-sparing mouse obstruction model for therapeutic exploration.
Adenylate kinase 1 overexpression increases locomotor activity in medaka fish
Authors: Maruyama Michiyo , Furukawa Yuko , Kinoshita Masato , Mukaiyama Atsushi , Akiyama Shuji , Yoshimura Takashi
Published: September 2021

Maintenance of the energy balance is indispensable for cell survival and function. Adenylate kinase (Ak) is a ubiquitous enzyme highly conserved among many organisms. Ak plays an essential role in energy regulation by maintaining adenine nucleotide homeostasis in cells. However, its role at the whole organism level, especially in animal behavior, remains unclear. Here, we established a model using medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) to examine the function of Ak in environmental adaptation. Medaka overexpressing the major Ak isoform Ak1 exhibited increased locomotor activity compared to that of the wild type. Interestingly, this increase was temperature dependent. Our findings suggest that cellular energy balance can modulate locomotor activity.
Dual domain recognition determines SARS-CoV-2 PLpro selectivity for human ISG15 and K48-linked di-ubiquitin
Authors: Wydorski Pawel M. , Osipiuk Jerzy , Lanham Benjamin T. , Tesar Christine , Endres Michael , Engle Elizabeth , Jedrzejczak Robert , Mullapudi Vishruth , Michalska Karolina , Fidelis Krzysztof , Fushman David , Joachimiak Andrzej , Joachimiak Lukasz A.
Published: September 2021

The Papain-like protease (PLpro) is a domain of a multi-functional, non-structural protein 3 of coronaviruses. PLpro cleaves viral polyproteins and posttranslational conjugates with poly-ubiquitin and protective ISG15, composed of two ubiquitin-like (UBL) domains. Across coronaviruses, PLpro showed divergent selectivity for recognition and cleavage of posttranslational conjugates despite sequence conservation. We show that SARS-CoV-2 PLpro binds human ISG15 and K48-linked di-ubiquitin (K48-Ub2) with nanomolar affinity and detect alternate weaker-binding modes. Crystal structures of untethered PLpro complexes with ISG15 and K48-Ub2combined with solution NMR and cross-linking mass spectrometry revealed how the two domains of ISG15 or K48-Ub2are differently utilized in interactions with PLpro. Analysis of protein interface energetics predicted differential binding stabilities of the two UBL/Ub domains that were validated experimentally. We emphasize how substrate recognition can be tuned to cleave specifically ISG15 or K48-Ub2modifications while retaining capacity to cleave mono-Ub conjugates. These results highlight alternative druggable surfaces that would inhibit PLpro function.
E3 ligase TRIM47 positively regulates endothelial activation and pulmonary inflammation through potentiating the K63-linked ubiquitination
Authors: Qian Yisong , Wang Ziwei , Lin Hongru , Lei Tianhua , Zhou Zhou , Huang Weilu , Wu Xuehan , Zuo Li , Wu Jie , Liu Yu , Wang Ling-Fang , Guan Xiao-Hui , Deng Ke-Yu , Fu Mingui , Xin Hong-Bo
Published: September 2021

Endothelial activation plays an essential role in the pathology of sepsis-induced acute lung injury, but the detailed regulatory mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated that TRIM47, an ubiquitin E3 ligase of tripartite protein family, is highly expressed in vascular endothelial cells and is up-regulated during TNFα-induced endothelial activation. Knockdown of TRIM47 in endothelial cells prevents the transcription of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduces monocyte adhesion and the expression of adhesion molecules, and inhibits the secretion of IL-1β and IL-6 into the supernatant. By contrast, overexpression of TRIM47 promotes inflammatory response and monocyte adhesion upon TNFα stimulation. TRIM47 modulates the activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways during endothelial activation. Further experiment confirmed that TRIM47 interacts with TRAF2 and mediates K63-linked ubiquitination. In addition, TRIM47-deficient mice are more resistant to lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury and death, due to attenuated pulmonary inflammation. Taken together, our studies suggest that TRIM47 promotes pulmonary inflammation and injury at least partly through potentiating the K63-linked ubiquitination of TRAF2, which in turn activates NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways to trigger inflammatory response in endothelial cells.
PL1 Peptide Engages Acidic Surfaces on Tumor-Associated Fibronectin and Tenascin Isoforms to Trigger Cellular Uptake
Authors: Lingasamy Prakash , Põšnograjeva Kristina , Kopanchuk Sergei , Tobi Allan , Rinken Ago , General Ignacio J. , Asciutto Eliana K. , Teesalu Tambet
Published: September 2021

Tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) is a high-capacity and genetically stable target for the precision delivery of affinity ligand-guided drugs and imaging agents. Recently, we developed a PL1 peptide (sequence: PPRRGLIKLKTS) for systemic targeting of malignant ECM. Here we map the dynamics of PL1 binding to its receptors Fibronectin Extra Domain B (FN-EDB) and Tenascin C C-isoform (TNC-C) by computational modeling and cell-free binding studies on mutated receptor proteins, and study cellular binding and internalization of PL1 nanoparticles in cultured cells. Molecular dynamics simulation and docking analysis suggested that the engagement of PL1 peptide with both receptors is primarily driven by electrostatic interactions. Substituting acidic amino acid residues with neutral amino acids at predicted PL1 binding sites in FN-EDB (D52N-D49N-D12N) and TNC-C (D39N-D45N) resulted in the loss of binding of PL1 nanoparticles. Remarkably, PL1-functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) were not only deposited on the target ECM but bound the cells and initiated a robust cellular uptake via a pathway resembling macropinocytosis. Our studies establish the mode of engagement of the PL1 peptide with its receptors and suggest applications for intracellular delivery of nanoscale payloads. The outcomes of this work can be used for the development of PL1-derived peptides with improved stability, affinity and specificity for precision targeting of the tumor ECM and malignant cells.

One Sentence Summary

PL1 peptide is recruited to the acidic surfaces on oncofetal fibronectin EDB and tenascin C-C isoform, triggering cellular uptake of PL1-functionalized nanoparticles.
Ownership structure, board characteristics and dividend policy: evidence from Turkey
Authors: Khan Ajab
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of ownership structure and board characteristics on dividend policy in the listed Turkish firms between 2013 and 2019.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the probability of paying dividends, dividend payout ratio and dividend yield measures. The suitable regression procedures (logit, probit and Tobit models) are used to examine the research hypotheses by focusing on a panel data set drawn from the Borsa Istanbul (BIST) 100 index, excluding financial and utility firms.

Findings

The empirical findings indicate that institutional and concentrated ownerships are significant and positively associated with dividend payouts, whereas family ownership does not influence dividend policy. On the other end, board size is positive, while chief executive officer duality is negatively related to dividend policy. Additionally, the female directors and board independence are insignificant in influencing firms to pay high dividends.

Research limitations/implications

Future researchers can validate this paper’s findings by considering the stock dividends as well. Additionally, future researchers may investigate the relationship between these constructs by extending the sample size of firms listed on BIST or in other emerging markets.

Practical implications

This study’s findings may serve policymakers, regulators, investors and academic researchers to get valuable guidance from relevant literature. The Turkish firms may improve dividend policy by implementing the regulatory framework introduced by the Capital Markets Law in 2012 for effective monitoring and protecting the minority shareholders’ rights. The controlling shareholders may alleviate principal-principal conflicts by ensuring the independence of directors and increasing the number of female directors according to the critical mass of at least 30% of board members.

Originality/value

This study contributes to agency theory and signaling theory by considering ownership structure and board attributes among Turkish firms related to dividend payments.
Ubiquitous conformable systems for imperceptible computing
Authors: Fernandez Sara V. , Sadat David , Tasnim Farita , Acosta Daniel , Schwendeman Laura , Shahsavari Shirin , Dagdeviren Canan
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Although conformable devices are commonly designed to couple with the human body for personalized and localized medicine, their applications are expanding rapidly. This paper aims to delineate this expansion and predict greater implications in diverse fields.

Design/methodology/approach

Today’s device technologies continue to face fundamental obstacles preventing their seamless integration with target objects to effectively access, evaluate and alter self-specific physical patterns, while still providing physical comfort and enabling continuous data collection. Due to their extreme mechanical compliance, conformable devices permit the query of signals occurring at interfaces so as to decode and encode biological, chemical and mechanical patterns with high resolution, precision and accuracy. These unique and versatile capabilities allow for a marked change in the approach to tackling scientific questions, with the ability to address societal challenges at large.

Findings

Here, this study highlights the current state of these devices in a wide range of fields, such as interactive teaching, textiles, robotics, buildings and infrastructure, agriculture, climate and space, and further forecasts essential features of these devices in the near future.

Originality/value

This study justifies conformable devices’ growing utility through a novel quantitative analysis methodology that indexes peer-reviewed journal articles based on specific keywords, whereby this study tracks keyword frequency over time across specific fields in conjunction with conformability-like topics. The resulting trends’ trajectories provide the foundation for this study’s future projections. This study concludes with a perspective on the possible challenges concomitant with a ubiquitous presence of these technologies, including manufacturing, wireless communication, storage, compression, privacy and sharing of data, environmental sustainability, avoidance of inequality and bias and collaboration between stakeholders at all levels of impact.
Diagnosis of degradation state of the historic building facade through qualitative and quantitative indicators: case study of the Former School of Agronomy Eliseu Maciel
Authors: Silveira da Costa Vitória , da Silva Torres Ariela
Published: September 2021

Purpose

In Brazil, the city of Pelotas experienced an economic apex between the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century, reflecting in the construction of several buildings. The aim of this article is to evaluate the state of degradation of the facades of the Old School of Agronomy Eliseu Maciel, using qualitative and quantitative indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was divided into visual and photographic survey, damage map and subsequent application of the Degradation Measurement Method (MMD) and the Element Performance Index (Ip). Taking into consideration the evaluation of the building: through historical research and survey of damages. Finally, the building was framed at a level of degradation.

Findings

By calculating the average damage between the methods – damage map, MMD and Ip – a more faithful representation of the damage was obtained, since the values become balanced. The results show the potential of the use of the methods in the analysis of pathological manifestations in facades.

Originality/value

The originality of this article refers to the use of methods for evaluation of historical buildings. The authors believe that the methods described applied jointly provide the results about the state of degradation through nondestructive and low-cost analyses. The methods of surveying damage to Brazilian heritage are a little researched area. This work will hopefully be engaged by academics and professionals to help establish and promote broad government interest and investments.
A mixed-integer linear programming approach for circular economy-led closed-loop supply chains in green reverse logistics network design under uncertainty
Authors: Gharibi Kazhal , Abdollahzadeh Sohrab
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To maximize the network total profit by calculating the difference between costs and revenue (first objective function). To maximize the positive impact on the environment by integrating GSCM factors in RL (second objective function). To calculate the efficiency of disassembly centers by SDEA method, which are selected as suppliers and maximize the total efficiency (third objective function). To evaluate the resources and total efficiency of the proposed model to facilitate the allocation resource process, to increase resource efficiency and to improve the efficiency of disassembly centers by Inverse DEA.

Design/methodology/approach

The design of a closed-loop logistics network for after-sales service for mobile phones and digital cameras has been developed by the mixed-integer linear programming method (MILP). Development of MILP method has been performed by simultaneously considering three main objectives including: total network profit, green supply chain factors (environmental sustainability) and maximizing the efficiency of disassembly centers. The proposed model of study is a six-level, multi-objective, single-period and multi-product that focuses on electrical waste. The efficiency of product return centers is calculated by SDEA method and the most efficient centers are selected.

Findings

The results of using the model in a case mining showed that, due to the use of green factors in network design, environmental pollution and undesirable disposal of some electronic waste were reduced. Also, with the reduction of waste disposal, valuable materials entered the market cycle and the network profit increased.

Originality/value

(1) Design a closed-loop reverse logistics network for after-sales services; (2) Introduce a multi-objective multi-echelon mixed integer linear programming model; (3) Sensitivity analysis use Inverse-DEA method to increase the efficiency of inefficient units; (4) Use the GSC factors and DEA method in reverse logistics network.
Data mining approach investigates Western-style restaurant hospitality management in Taiwan
Authors: Liao Shu-Hsien , Widowati Retno , Lin Ting-Hung
Published: September 2021

Purpose

In terms of service hospitality, recent discussions of value-in-use from the perspective of service-dominant logic have focused on the customer’s determination of value and control of the value creation process. The purpose of this paper is to extend these discussions by exploring the value creation process in the Western-style restaurant in Taiwan, which is developed value-in-eat creation for restaurants. In Taiwan, Western-style restaurants are as popular as Chinese restaurants because of globalization and cultural integration. However, to local restaurateurs and managers, managing a Western-style restaurant in terms of localization and hospitality on value-in-eat creation presents both academic and practical issues. Thus, this paper aims to investigate Western-style restaurant hospitality management alternatives on the value-in-eat creation process in Taiwan using a data mining approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a market survey, a total of 1,187 questionnaires was incorporated into a database. The questionnaire design is divided into 7 parts with 35 items. All questions are designed as nominal and ordinal (not the Likert scale) scales. Data mining approach, including cluster analysis and association rules, cluster analysis is investigated possible customer profiles and association rules is implemented to explore customer preference patterns and rules on the value-in-eat creation process.

Findings

Data mining results show two patterns including Pattern 1: meal patterns and customer preferences for restaurant hospitality management and Pattern 2: customer relationship management (CRM) for restaurant hospitality management that customer profiles and preferences on meal patterns, service patterns and CRM are engaged to suggest effective Western restaurant hospitality management alternatives, such as proper bundles for restaurant types, meals, exotic atmosphere and services of hospitalities in terms of a value-in-eat creation process.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first study to investigate consumers’ behaviors in Western-style restaurants using the measurement of nominal and ordinal scale for questionnaire development and further to implement a data mining approach on selected data samples. In addition, this study illustrates the patterns/rules of Taiwan customer preferences that best explain the knowledge of how to manage Western-style restaurants from the perspective of customer hospitality using data mining.
Money laundering, food activities and mafia: evidences from the Italian provinces
Authors: Oliva Maria
Published: September 2021

Purpose

According to the INTERPOL definition, money laundering is: “any act or attempted act to conceal or disguise the identity of illegally obtained proceeds so that they appear to have originated from legitimate sources”. Along this line, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the link amongst money laundering, mafia and food activities, in the Italian provinces.

Design/methodology/approach

By using annual data over the period 2010 to 2018, the author estimates balanced panel data using the instrumental variables approach. The analysis includes both fixed and random effects, as well as robustness checks.

Findings

The main findings of this paper reveal that, in most Italian provinces, money launderers are deterred by the probability of being identified. In particular, the deterrent action of police and investigative forces seems to be very effective. Moreover, the results of the empirical analysis show that mafia-type organisations and food activities are positively correlated with money laundering.

Originality/value

This paper aims to provide a specific study on the link between apparently legal activities (food and beverage) and money laundering; a link that has so far been analysed mainly on a theoretical level. Moreover, it provides several insights in terms of policy implications.
Visually communicating brand heritage on social media: champagne on Instagram
Authors: Butcher Joshua , Pecot Fabien
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how the abstract marketing concept of brand heritage is operationalized through visual elements on social media.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods approach combines interviews with marketing experts, a focus group with specialized academics, an open coding of Instagram images and the systematic coding of 800 images of eight champagne brands (company-generated content).

Findings

The study identifies 20 brand heritage codes (e.g. groupings of brand heritage visual cues with homogenous meanings). These codes are combined in three different factors (brand symbols, product legacy and consumption rituals) that discriminate between brands.

Research limitations/implications

The paper offers a description of what brand heritage looks like in practice. This visual operationalization of brand heritage is based on a single category, a limitation that further research can address. The results also contribute to research on visual brand identity and provide practical insights for the management of brand heritage at the product brand level.

Originality/value

This paper bridges the gap between the strategic management of brand heritage as a resource and the way it is concretely made available to the consumers.
Brand loyalty through brand tribalism: an anthropological perspective
Authors: Goncalves Filho Cid , Chinelato Flavia Braga , Couto Thiago Mendes Motta
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aims to empirically demonstrate the direct impact of brand tribalism on brand loyalty, revealing how the intrinsic elements of brand tribalism operate within an arena of high self-expressive brands.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey was carried out. A structured questionnaire was applied to active members of motorcycle clubs. It was obtained 336 responses and structural modeling was applied to test a hypothetical model.

Findings

This research shows that community and lineage were significantly related to brand loyalty, with a sense of community demonstrating the most decisive influence. Therefore, the study reveals that loyalty can be built through brand tribalism across strategies that foment collective social identity and friendship sentiments among brand consumers.

Practical implications

To increase brand loyalty, managers should associate their brands with the sense of community of tribe members and create associations within the brand and its consumers through brand communication and experiences, reinforcing brand owners’ lineage’s singularity.

Originality/value

This is the unique study demonstrating how to forge brand loyalty through brand tribalism’s multidimensional perspective, presenting findings on how its intrinsic factors can boost loyalty within self-expressive product brands.
Impact of digital nudging on information security behavior: an experimental study on framing and priming in cybersecurity
Authors: Sharma Kavya , Zhan Xinhui , Nah Fiona Fui-Hoon , Siau Keng , Cheng Maggie X.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Phishing attacks are the most common cyber threats targeted at users. Digital nudging in the form of framing and priming may reduce user susceptibility to phishing. This research focuses on two types of digital nudging, framing and priming, and examines the impact of framing and priming on users' behavior (i.e. action) in a cybersecurity setting. It draws on prospect theory, instance-based learning theory and dual-process theory to generate the research hypotheses.

Design/methodology/approach

A 3 × 2 experimental study was carried out to test the hypotheses. The experiment consisted of three levels for framing (i.e. no framing, negative framing and positive framing) and two levels for priming (i.e. with and without priming).

Findings

The findings suggest that priming users to information security risks reduces their risk-taking behavior, whereas positive and negative framing of information security messages regarding potential consequences of the available choices do not change users' behavior. The results also indicate that risk-averse cybersecurity behavior is associated with greater confidence with the action, greater perceived severity of cybersecurity risks, lower perceived susceptibility to cybersecurity risks resulting from the action and lower trust in the download link.

Originality/value

This research shows that digital nudging in the form of priming is an effective way to reduce users' exposure to cybersecurity risks.
Is knowledge alone enough for socially responsible investing? A moderation of religiosity and serial mediation analysis
Authors: Mehta Pooja , Singh Manjit , Mittal Manju , Singla Himanshu
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aims to test the serial mediation effect of attitude toward socially responsible investing (SRI) and social investing efficacy (SIE) on the relationship of knowledge about SRI with the intention to invest in SRI along with moderating effect of religiosity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a quantitative analysis approach, wherein the data has been collected from 569 north Indian retail investors. Partial least square (PLS)-structural equation modeling has been applied in this study using the latest version of SmartPLS (v. 3.2.8) software to examine the complex model of serial and moderated mediation.

Findings

Attitude toward SRI and SIE significantly and serially mediate the relationship between knowledge about SRI and intention to invest in SRI. Also, the interaction effect of religiosity with knowledge about SRI is significant only for SIE and not for attitude toward SRI.

Research limitations/implications

The study is cross-sectional in nature conducted only on the north Indian investors. Besides knowledge, there can be many other personal or social aspects that might affect SRI intention that have not been taken into the study.

Practical implications

The results suggested that the companies, financial advisors and governmental bodies can improvise upon social and environmental performance reporting so that investment in SRI can be promulgated.

Social implications

The paper concludes that religious-minded people are more open to the idea of investing in SRI. India, being is a religious-minded country, the results of this study suggest that there is good potential for the development of SRI in India.

Originality/value

Empirical evidence regarding the relationship of SRI intention with its determinants is limited in Asian countries. Prior literature mainly provides evidence from developed countries where social and governance systems are comparatively stronger. The study provides evidence for the bright future of SRI in India, where investor’s beliefs are dominated by their religious values.
Environmental role of aromatic carboxylesterases
Authors: Ghodke Venkatesh M. , Punekar Narayan S.
Published: September 2021

The carboxylesterases (EC 3.1.1.x) are widely distributed and form an important yet diverse group of hydrolases catalysing the ester bond cleavage in a variety of substrates. Besides acting on plant cell wall components like cutin, tannin and feruloyl esters, they are often the first line of defence to metabolize drugs, xenobiotics, pesticides, insecticides and plastic. But for the promiscuity of some carboxylesterases and cutinases, very few enzymes act exclusively on aromatic carboxylic acid esters. Infrequent occurrence of aromatic carboxylesterases suggests that aromatic carboxylesters are inherently more difficult to hydrolyse than the regular carboxylesters because of both steric and polar effects. Naturally occurring aromatic carboxylesters were rare before the anthropogenic activity augmented their environmental presence and diversity. An appraisal of the literature shows that the hydrolysis of aromatic carboxylic esters is a uniquely difficult endeavour and hence deserves special attention. Enzymes to hydrolyse such esters are evolving rapidly in nature. Very few such enzymes are known and they often display much lower catalytic efficiencies. Obviously, the esters of aromatic carboxylic acids, including polyethylene terephthalate waste, pose an environmental challenge. In this review, we highlight the uniqueness of aromatic carboxylesters and then underscore the importance of relevant carboxylesterases.
Quorum sensing disruption regulates hydrolytic enzyme and biofilm production in estuarine bacteria
Authors: Urvoy Marion , Lami Raphaël , Dreanno Catherine , Daudé David , Rodrigues Alice M. S. , Gourmelon Michèle , L'Helguen Stéphane , Labry Claire
Published: September 2021

Biofilms of heterotrophic bacteria cover organic matter aggregates and constitute hotspots of mineralization, primarily acting through extracellular hydrolytic enzyme production. Nevertheless, regulation of both biofilm and hydrolytic enzyme synthesis remains poorly investigated, especially in estuarine ecosystems. In this study, various bioassays, mass spectrometry and genomics approaches were combined to test the possible involvement of quorum sensing (QS) in these mechanisms. QS is a bacterial cell–cell communication system that relies notably on the emission of N‐acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs). In our estuarine bacterial collection, we found that 28 strains (9%), mainly Vibrio, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter isolates, produced at least 14 different types of AHLs encoded by various luxI genes. We then inhibited the AHL QS circuits of those 28 strains using a broad‐spectrum lactonase preparation and tested whether biofilm production as well as β‐glucosidase and leucine‐aminopeptidase activities were impacted. Interestingly, we recorded contrasted responses, as biofilm production, dissolved and cell‐bound β‐glucosidase and leucine‐aminopeptidase activities significantly increased in 4%–68% of strains but decreased in 0%–21% of strains. These findings highlight the key role of AHL‐based QS in estuarine bacterial physiology and ultimately on biogeochemical cycles. They also point out the complexity of QS regulations within natural microbial assemblages.
Recovery and care continuity experiences of people in mental health care: A conciliatory approach to the challenge of implementing recovery‐based services
Authors: Weaver Nick
Published: September 2021

This study investigates recovery and care continuity experiences of people with serious mental illness negotiating transforming services in the wake of recovery‐based policy implementation. Data were collected in two phases involving (n = 16) service users who had transited from secondary to primary care and (n = 16) supporting workers. A qualitative methodology employed semi‐structured interviews and thematic discourse analysis generating three themes. First, participants’ expectations were misaligned with transforming services. Second, participants constructed competing versions of recovery in their talk. Third, analysis revealed care discontinuities concentrated at the primary care level. A singular notion of top‐down recovery, a proliferation of bottom‐up, competing recovery versions, and misaligned expectations of transforming services are closely allied with escalating service system complexity and fragmentation. This has detrimental implications for care continuity. Top‐down, policy‐based recovery implementation is viewed as a neoliberalist colonization of the recovery concept, understood in the Habermasian sense of colonization of the lifeworld. The detrimental effects of recovery colonization should not lead to repudiation of the concept altogether. Rather, the original radical idea of recovery should be reclaimed as a central concept within mental health care. This can be achieved by a conciliatory policy approach seeking to balance top‐down and bottom‐up forces of recovery appropriation.
What amounts to a paracrisis? Interactivity as a lens for evaluating social media‐propagated crises
Authors: Smith Staci B. , Smith Brian G.
Published: September 2021

The tendency for crises to erupt on social media raises the question: How can strategic communication professionals determine the likelihood that these social media‐borne warning signs of an impending crisis (often referred to as a paracrisis) will impact the organization? This study evaluated paracrisis through a semantic network analysis of two cases of claims of racism against two brands, Prada and Gucci. Using interactivity as the lens for evaluating social media claims against an organization revealed paracrisis characteristics, including referencing activities, social tagging and calls for action against corporate misconduct.
Air transport, economic growth, and regional inequality across three Chinese macro‐regions
Authors: Wong David Wai‐Ho , Zhao Simon Xiao‐Bin , Lee Harry Fung
Published: September 2021

This research considers the effects of air transport on economic growth and asks how airport development affects regional convergence across three Chinese macro‐regions. A growing body of research has examined national aviation‐growth relationships in developing countries over the last decade. Yet few studies have sought to determine whether air transport boosts regional development, especially in developing and emerging economies. Using a dataset spanning from 2005 to 2017, and drawing on panel data regression and instrumental variable analyses, we provide empirical evidence that air transport drives economic growth in China and its macro‐regions. However, we find no major synergy across air, high‐speed rail, and waterway transport as drivers of economic growth at national and regional levels. Furthermore, air transport has a significant effect in widening China’s per capita income disparity. On that basis, we suggest Chinese local governments should carefully consider equity‐efficiency trade‐offs and provincial and municipal conditions and regional contexts when planning new airports, increasing airport services, or extending aviation connectivity. Others elsewhere may derive insights from these findings.
Evaluation of the agreement, adoption, and adherence to the evidence‐based guidelines for the nutritional management of adult patients with head and neck cancer among Australian dietitians
Authors: Edwards Anna , Baldwin Nathan , Findlay Merran , Brown Teresa , Bauer Judy
Published: September 2021

Aim

Evidence‐based guideline translation to practice can improve outcomes but is often impaired by poor implementation. This project aimed to evaluate the implementation of the Evidence‐based guidelines for the nutritional management of adult patients with head and neck cancer among Australian dietitians providing clinical care to this population.

Methods

A questionnaire was developed, with face and content validity confirmed by an expert panel (n = 13), to gauge participant perceptions of the guidelines against an implementation evaluation framework. Dietitians were identified through Dietitians Australia and by contacting experts in the field. Eligibility was determined by questionnaire completion and prior guideline awareness. Responses were provided using a 5‐point Likert scale. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics; with inferential analysis to determine if demographic information could reveal trends in guideline use and perception.

Results

Of the 43 initial respondents, n = 28 completed the questionnaire, with n = 24/28 (86%) meeting full eligibility criteria for analysis. Median (range) scores for all four domains were high: awareness (4.0 [3.2‐4.8]), agreement (4.4 [4.1‐4.7]), adoption (3.5 [3.1‐3.9]), and adherence (4.3 [4.1‐4.9]). However, perception of guideline awareness and use among multidisciplinary team colleagues was low (mean 3.2/5.0 and 3.1/5.0, respectively). Dietitians with <10 years' experience had significantly higher perceptions of the guidelines' ability to positively influence practice; support evidence‐based practice; and enhance dietitian credibility (P = 0.04) vs dietitians with ≥10 years' experience.

Conclusion

Dietitians demonstrated high rates of guideline implementation and positive perceptions for its use in clinical practice. Future implementation strategies and evaluation should expand to engage the wider multidisciplinary team and more experienced clinicians.
Platelet biomarkers identifying mild cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes patients
Authors: Yu Haitao , Liu Yanchao , He Ting , Zhang Yao , He Jiahua , Li Mengzhu , Jiang Bijun , Gao Yang , Chen Chongyang , Ke Dan , Liu Jianjun , He Benrong , Yang Xifei , Wang Jian‐Zhi
Published: September 2021

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an independent risk factor of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, identifying periphery biomarkers correlated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is of importance for early diagnosis of AD. Here, we performed platelet proteomics in T2DM patients with MCI (T2DM‐MCI) and without MCI (T2DM‐nMCI). Pearson analysis of the omics data with MMSE (mini‐mental state examination), Aβ1‐42/Aβ1‐40 (β‐amyloid), and rGSK‐3β(T/S9) (total to Serine‐9‐phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase‐3β) revealed that mitophagy/autophagy‐, insulin signaling‐, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways‐related proteins were most significantly involved. Among them, only the increase of optineurin, an autophagy‐related protein, was simultaneously correlated with the reduced MMSE score, and the increased Aβ1‐42/Aβ1‐40 and rGSK‐3β(T/S9), and the optineurin alone could discriminate T2DM‐MCI from T2DM‐nMCI. Combination of the elevated platelet optineurin and rGSK‐3β(T/S9) enhanced the MCI‐discriminating efficiency with AUC of 0.927, specificity of 86.7%, sensitivity of 85.3%, and accuracy of 0.859, which is promising for predicting cognitive decline in T2DM patients.
Red turpentine beetle primary attraction increases linearly with (−)‐β‐pinene+ethanol dose regardless of component ratios, and no change in response with addition of high‐release frontalin
Authors: Kelsey Rick G. , Westlind Douglas J.
Published: September 2021

Lure efficacy for primary attraction of red turpentine beetle,Dendroctonus valens(Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) observed previously in US Pacific Northwest ponderosa pine forests is (−)‐β‐pinene+ethanol > (+)‐3‐carene+ethanol > (+)‐α‐pinene+ethanol.

Influence of (−)‐β‐pinene+ethanol release rates was tested with nine lures representing all combinations of three release levels for each compound in a 3 × 3 factorial design field test in Oregon. Beetle catch had a positive, linear relationship with the combined (−)‐β‐pinene+ethanol total release (or dose), resulting from higher release of either one or both compounds. Reversing component ratios, that is, 1 : 2 versus 2 : 1 with similar total doses, produced minimal changes in beetle response.

Females produce frontalin with dual aggregation and sex‐pheromone functions. In another test, high‐release frontalin, defined as >1.0 mg/day release, was tested at 1.4 to 1.5 mg/day in combination with each monoterpene+ethanol lure above and their trap catch compared with (−)‐β‐pinene+ethanol lures. Presence of high‐release frontalin produced minimal changes in beetle responses.
A practical guide on the use of imiquimod cream to treat lentigo maligna
Authors: Guitera Pascale , Waddell Andreanne , Paton Elizabeth , Fogarty Gerald B , Hong Angela , Scolyer Richard A , Stretch Jonathan R , O’Donnell Brett A , Pellacani Giovanni
Published: September 2021

Lentigo maligna (LM) is a common in situ melanoma subtype arising on chronically sun‐damaged skin and mostly affects the head and neck region. Localisation in cosmetically sensitive areas, difficulty to obtain wide resection margins and advanced patient age/comorbidities have encouraged investigation of less invasive therapeutic strategies than surgery in managing complex cases of LM. Radiotherapy and imiquimod have emerged as alternative treatment options in this context. The treatment of LM with imiquimod cream can be challenging due to the nature of the disease including its often large size, variegated appearance, involvement of adnexal structures, poorly defined peripheral edge and frequent localisation close to sensitive structures such as the eyes and lips, and elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. Prolonged and unpredictable inflammatory reaction and side effects and compliance with a patient‐delivered therapy can also be challenging. In the literature to date, studies evaluating the use of imiquimod to treat LM have utilised varying methodologies and provided short follow‐up and these limitations have impaired the development of clear guidelines for dosage and management of side effects. Based on our multidisciplinary experience and review of the literature, we propose practical clinical strategies for the use of imiquimod for treating LM, detailing optimal administration procedures in various clinical scenarios and long‐term management, with the aim of facilitating optimal patient outcomes.
Safety of day‐case paediatric tonsillectomy in England: an analysis of administrative data for the Getting It Right First Time programme
Authors: Gray W. K. , Takhar A. S. , Navaratnam A. V. , Day J. , Swart M. , Snowden C. , Briggs T. W. R. , Marshall A.
Published: September 2021

We used the Hospital Episodes Statistics database to investigate unwarranted variation in the rates Trusts discharged children the same day after scheduled tonsillectomy and associations with adverse postoperative outcomes. We included children aged 2–18 years who underwent tonsillectomy between 1 April 2014 and 31 March 2019. We stratified analyses by category of Trust, non‐specialist or specialist, defined as without or with paediatric critical care facilities, respectively. We adjusted analyses for age, sex, year of surgery and aspects of presentation and procedure type. Of 101,180 children who underwent tonsillectomy at non‐specialist Trusts, 62,926 (62%) were discharged the same day, compared with 24,138/48,755 (50%) at specialist Trusts. The adjusted proportion of children discharged the same day as tonsillectomy ranged from 5% to 100% at non‐specialist Trusts and 9% to 88% at specialist Trusts. Same‐day discharge was not independently associated with an increased rate of 30‐day emergency re‐admission at non‐specialist Trusts but was associated with a modest rate increase at specialist Trusts; adjusted probability 8.0% vs 7.7%, odds ratio (95%CI) 1.14 (1.05–1.24). Rates of adverse postoperative outcomes were similar for Trusts that discharged >70% children the same day as tonsillectomy compared with Trusts that discharged <50% children the same day, for both non‐specialist and specialist Trust categories. We found no consistent evidence that day‐case tonsillectomy is associated with poorer outcomes. All Trusts, but particularly specialist centres, should explore reasons for low day‐case rates and should aim for rates >70%.
Abnormal hyoid conformation in French Bulldogs: case report and computed tomographic anatomical comparison
Authors: de Bruyn BW , Hosgood G
Published: September 2021

Background

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is common in brachycephalic breeds and comprises multiple anatomic characteristics. Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly used in the preoperative assessment of dogs presenting with BOAS. We describe the case of a French Bulldog with a presumed congenital hyoid malformation and anatomic comparison of hyoid morphology between French Bulldogs and mesaticephalic dogs using CT.

Methods

Skull CT studies of French Bulldogs and mesaticephalic dogs presenting to two referral hospitals between 2013 and 2020 were collected. The degree of curvature of the basihyoid bone and the relative ventrodorsal thickness (RVD) were determined using a novel measurement technique. A circle of best fit was applied to the inside arc of the basihyoid bone, and the radius and sector angle within the basihyoid bone were recorded. The RVD was defined by the ventrodorsal thickness divided by the width in the frontal plane.

Results

The basihyoid bone of French Bulldogs had a greater mean ± SD RVD of 0.23 ± 0.04 compared to 0.16 ± 0.03 in mesaticephalic dogs (P < 0.01). The sector angle was also greater in French Bulldogs, measuring 144.08 ± 20.88° compared to 103.94 ± 16.49° in mesaticephalic dogs (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

This case of hyoid malformation in a French Bulldog reports a rarely documented condition that complicated the management of BOAS. Comparative assessment of hyoid conformation revealed more acute curvature and greater RVD in French Bulldogs than in mesaticephalic dogs. This may represent an additional distorted anatomic component of brachycephalic skull morphology.