bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Engineering of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) with a codon-optimized insecticidal toxin complex gene tccZ
Authors: Malomane Mosibudi Thabiki , Kondiah Kulsum , Serepa-Dlamini Mahloro Hope
Published: January 2023

A toxin complex consists of a high-molecular-weight group of toxins that exhibits insecticidal activity against insect pests. These toxins are a promising alternative to

Bacillus thuringiensis

(Bt) toxins that have been extensively utilized in insect pest control. Herein, a codon-optimized insecticidal gene (tccZ) (381 bp) identified in

Pantoea ananatis

strain MHSD5 (a bacterial endophyte previously isolated from Pellaea calomelanos) was ligated into the pET SUMO expression vector and expressed in

Escherichia coli

BL21 (DE3). We report the success of cloning the tccZ gene into the pET SUMO vector and ultimately the transformation into

E. coli

BL21 (DE3) competent cells. However, despite conducting a time course of expression as well as isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) dosage optimization to determine optimal conditions for expression, TccZ protein expression could not be detected on Stain-Free and Coomassie-stained SDS-PAGE gels.
Global Transcriptomics of Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis in Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease using PCK rats
Authors: Khare Satyajeet , Jiang Lu , Cabrara Diego Paine , Apte Udayan , Pritchard Michele T.
Published: January 2023

Congenital hepatic fibrosis / Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (CHF/ARPKD) is an inherited neonatal disease induced by mutations in thePKHD1gene and characterized by cysts, and robust pericystic fibrosis in liver and kidney. The PCK rat is an excellent animal model which carries aPkhd1mutation and exhibits similar pathophysiology. We performed RNA-Seq analysis on liver samples from PCK rats over a time course of postnatal day (PND) 15, 20, 30, and 90 using age-matched Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats as controls to characterize molecular mechanisms of CHF/ARPKD pathogenesis. A comprehensive differential gene expression (DEG) analysis identified 1298 DEGs between PCK and SD rats. The genes overexpressed in the PCK rats at PND 30 and 90 were involved cell migration (e.g.Lamc2, Tgfb2, andPlet1), cell adhesion (e.g.Spp1, Adgrg1, andCd44), and wound healing (e.g.Plat, Celsr1, Tpm1). Connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf) and platelet-derived growth factor (Pdgfb), two genes associated with fibrosis, were upregulated in PCK rats at all time-points. Genes associated with MHC class I molecules (e.g.RT1-A2) or involved in ribosome assembly (e.g.Pes1) were significantly downregulated in PCK rats. Upstream regulator analysis showed activation of proteins involved tissue growth (MTPN) and inflammation (STAT family members) and chromatin remodeling (BRG1), and inhibition of proteins involved in hepatic differentiation (HNF4α) and reduction of fibrosis (SMAD7). The increase in mRNAs of four top upregulated genes includingReg3b, Aoc1, Tm4sf20, andCdx2was confirmed at the protein level using immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, these studies indicate that a combination of increased inflammation, cell migration and wound healing, and inhibition of hepatic function, decreased antifibrotic gene expression are the major underlying pathogenic mechanisms in CHF/ARPKD.
Fusion of dysfunction muscle stem cells with myofibers induces sarcopenia in mice
Authors: Wang Xun , Mishra Prashant
Published: January 2023

Sarcopenia, or age-associated muscle atrophy, is a progressive condition which affects ∼10-30% of the human geriatric population (1, 2). A number of contributors to sarcopenia have been proposed, including the progressive loss of muscle stem cells (MuSCs) with age. However, studies in mice have provided evidence that MuSC depletion is not sufficient to induce sarcopenia (3, 4). We recently showed that in response to age-associated mitochondrial damage, MuSCs self-remove by fusing with neighboring myofibers, which depletes the stem cell population of damaged progenitors (5). Here, we show that MuSC-myofiber fusion is sufficient to initiate myofiber atrophy in mice, which limits their motor function and lifespan. Conversely, inhibition of MuSC-myofiber fusion blocks myofiber atrophy with age, with a concomitant increase in the maximum lifespan of animals. These findings suggest a model where the accumulation fusion of damaged MuSCs with adult myofibers is a key driving feature of sarcopenia, and resolves the findings that MuSC depletion on its own does not initiate myofiber atrophy.
Vascularised Cardiac Spheroids-on-a-Chip for Testing the Toxicity of Therapeutics
Authors: Cio Stefania Di , Haddrick Malcolm , Gautrot Julien E.
Published: January 2023

Microfabricated organ-on-a-chip tissue models are rapidly becoming the gold standard for the testing of safety and efficacy of therapeutics. A broad range of designs has emerged, but recreating microvascularised tissue models remains difficult in many cases. This is particularly relevant to mimic the systemic delivery of therapeutics, to capture the complex multi-step processes associated with trans-endothelial migration, uptake by targeted tissues and associated metabolic response. In this report, we describe the formation of microvascularised cardiac tissue spheroids embedded in microfluidic chips. The embedding of spheroids within vascularised multi-compartment microfluidic chips was investigated to identify the importance of the spheroid processing, and co-culture with pericytes on the integration of the spheroid within the microvascular networks formed. The architecture of the resulting models, the expression of cardiac and endothelial markers and the perfusion of the system was then investigated. The ability to retain beating over prolonged periods of time was quantified, over a period of 25 days, demonstrating not only perfusability but also functional performance of the tissue model. Finally, as a proof-of-concept of therapeutic testing, the toxicity of one therapeutic associated with cardiac disfunction was evaluated, identifying differences between direct in vitro testing on suspended spheroids and vascularised models.
Integrated care – panacea or white elephant? A review of integrated care approaches in Australia over the past two decades
Authors: Cheetham Ali , Arunogiri Shalini , Lubman Dan
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Integrated care is widely supported as a means of improving treatment outcomes for people with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Over the past two decades, Australian state and federal governments have identified integrated care as a policy priority and invested in a number of research and capacity building initiatives. This study aims to examine Australian research evaluating the effectiveness of integrated treatment approaches to provide insight into implications for future research and practice in integrated treatment.

Design/methodology/approach

This narrative review examines Australian research evaluating empirical evidence of the effectiveness of integrated treatment approaches within specific populations and evidence from initiatives aimed at integrating care at the service or system level.

Findings

Research conducted within the Australian context provides considerable evidence to support the effectiveness of integrated approaches to treatment, particularly for people with high prevalence co-occurring disorders or symptoms of these (i.e. anxiety and depression). These have been delivered through various modalities (including online and telephone-based services) to improve health outcomes in a range of populations. However, there is less evidence regarding the effectiveness of specific models or systems of integrated care, including for more severe mental disorders. Despite ongoing efforts on behalf of the Australian government, attempts to sustain system-level initiatives have remained hampered by structural barriers.

Originality/value

Effective integrated interventions can be delivered by trained clinicians without requiring integration at an organisational or structural level. While there is still considerable work to be done in terms of building sustainable models at a system level, this evidence provides a potential foundation for the development of integrated care models that can be delivered as part of routine practice.
The interactive impact of tax avoidance and tax risk on the firm value: new evidence in the Tunisian context
Authors: Guedrib Mouna , Marouani Ghazi
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the interactive impact of tax avoidance and tax risk on the firm value.

Design/methodology/approach

This study covers 290 observations on non-financial corporations listed on the Tunisian Stock Exchange for the period ranging from 2008 to 2020, using the multiple linear regression technique.

Findings

The results show that tax avoidance positively affects the firm value while tax risk has a negative influence on the company value. More importantly, tax risk moderates the positive impact of tax avoidance on the firm value. Accordingly, tax avoidance must be considered in conjunction with tax risk when studying the effect on the firm value. The findings of additional analyses indicate that when tax avoidance is associated with a high level of tax risk, it negatively affects the firm value. Thus, investors negatively rate the high-risk tax avoidance.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation of this study is that it focuses only on Tunisian listed companies since their financial statements are publicly available. Although the sample is relatively small due to the problem of data availability, it is satisfactory owing to the twelve-year sampling period (from 2008 to 2020). Research implications- The results obtained are of great interest to researchers as they should be more careful in simply using effective tax rates as a measure of risky or aggressive tax avoidance.

Practical implications

The findings may signal the need for Tunisian firm managers to consider spillovers when adopting risky tax avoidance strategies and to implement a tax risk management policy within the firm. They are also substantial for Tunisian regulators to create requirements for reporting risky tax avoidance practices in the company annual reports to protect the investors’ rights and the society interest in general. The results are also useful for the investors who would like to make good decisions with respect to tax planning strategies. It is not enough to rely on the Effective Tax Rate (ETR) to judge whether or not tax planning is risky. Volatile ETRs, as a proxy of the tax risk, can be useful for them in decision-making.

Social implications

The results also highlight that risky tax avoidance decreases the firm value, and thus confirm the negative repercussions that such behavior can have not only on the firm, but also on the society in general, as the corporate tax contributes to covering the State public expenditure. Hence, it is considered a general concern.

Originality/value

The present study differs from others in the existing literature. In fact, it examines the joint effect of tax avoidance and tax risk on the firm value for Tunisian listed companies which are characterized by the predominance of agency conflicts between major shareholders and minor ones. Therefore, the authors seek to investigate if small shareholders can penalize risky tax avoidance practices by decreasing the firm value.
What determines the presence of women on corporate boards? Empirical evidence from emerging markets
Authors: Ahmadova Gozal , Valenzuela-Ortiz Andrea
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to understand what drives firms towards board gender diversity in emerging markets. The authors examine the effect of regulative, normative and cognitive pressures on board gender diversity and the moderating effect of national governance quality.

Design/methodology/approach

This study tested the hypotheses using unbalanced panel data for the period between 2014 and 2019, which includes 1,384 observations of 380 different firms located in emerging markets.

Findings

The results reveal that board gender diversity is directly conditioned by normative pressures (women’s economic and educational empowerment). This relationship becomes stronger if firms are located in countries with high governance capacity. Interestingly, this study finds that regulative and cognitive pressures do not enhance women’s presence on boards if they are not accompanied by strong national governance.

Originality/value

Although we have learned in recent years about how women’s presence on boards brings positive corporate outcomes, we know little about how country-level antecedents foster or hinder this gender diversity. This paper expands knowledge of the way gender-related institutions affect a firm’s board gender diversity, and these findings have policy implications for firms, policymakers, the government and other institutions.
Comparison of population-based algorithms for parameter identification for induction machine modeling
Authors: Benninger Moritz , Liebschner Marcus , Kreischer Christian
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Monitoring and diagnosis of fault cases for squirrel cage induction motors can be implemented using the multiple coupled circuit model. However, the identification of the associated model parameters for a specific machine is problematic. Up to now, the main options are measurement and test procedures or the use of finite element method analyses. However, these approaches are very costly and not suitable for use in an industrial application. The purpose of this paper is a practical parameter identification based on optimization methods and a comparison of different algorithms for this task.

Design/methodology/approach

Population-based metaheuristics are used to determine the parameters for the multiple coupled circuit model. For this purpose, a search space for the required parameters is defined without an elaborate analytical approach. Subsequently, a genetic algorithm, the differential evolution algorithm and particle swarm optimization are tested and compared. The algorithms use the weighted mean squared error (MSE) between the real measured data of stator currents as well as speed and the simulation results of the model as a fitness function.

Findings

The results of the parameter identification show that the applied methodology generally works and all three optimization algorithms fulfill the task. The differential evolution algorithm performs best, with a weighted MSE of 2.62, the lowest error after 1,000 simulations. In addition, this algorithm achieves the lowest overall error of all algorithms after only 740 simulations. The determined parameters do not completely match the parameters of the real machine, but still result in a very good reproduction of the dynamic behavior of the induction motor with squirrel cage.

Originality/value

The value of the presented method lies in the application of condition-based maintenance of electric drives in the industry, which is performed based on the multiple coupled circuit model. With a parameterized model, various healthy as well as faulty states can be calculated and thus, in the future, monitoring and diagnosis of faults of the respective motor can be performed. Essential for this, however, are the parameters adapted to the respective machine. With the described method, an automated parameter identification can be realized without great effort as a basis for an intelligent and condition-oriented maintenance.
Interrelationships among lean HRM practices and their impact on firm performance: a comparison between the Jordanian and German models
Authors: Ta'Amnha Mohammad , Jreissat Mohannad , Samawi Ghazi , Jraisat Luai , Bwaliez Omar M. , Kumar Anil , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo , Upadhyay Arvind
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Lean management is a contemporary management system that firms adopt to boost their performance. Lean management can be integrated with human resources management to develop a new concept of lean human resources management (LHRM). This entails the implementation of several practices. However, the LHRM–performance paradigm remains underexplored in the literature. Hence, this study aims to examine the interrelationships between LHRM practices and the impacts of those practices on firm performance (FP).

Design/methodology/approach

Using two equal-sized samples (n = 250 each) of manufacturing firms in Jordan and Germany, this study proposes two structural equation models (i.e. a Jordanian and a German models) depicting the interrelationships between LHRM practices and the impacts of those practices on FP. After testing these models, a comparison between them is conducted, producing findings with theoretical and practical implications.

Findings

The main findings of this study indicate that the average implementation of LHRM practices among German manufacturing firms is at a higher level than the average implementation among Jordanian firms. The findings also support the proposed interrelationships between LHRM practices and the impact of those practices on FP for both the Jordanian and German models.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to highlight the proposed relationships, both in general and in the context of comparing developed and developing countries. Its findings have important implications that can enable manufacturing managers to benefit from the implementation of LHRM practices to enhance FP in different contexts. These findings provide valuable insights for human resource managers and decision-makers and open several avenues for future research.
The economics of art: price determinants and returns on investment in Indian paintings
Authors: Gurjar Shailendra , Ananthakumar Usha
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The valuation of artworks is challenging since their value encompasses economic, social and cultural values. This study examines two specific questions about the economics of Indian art market: first, the determinants of the price of paintings by Indian artists and second, the risk and return characteristics of investment in Indian paintings. The authors also analyze the role of local context for both questions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses 8,865 paintings that are auctioned between January, 2000 and June, 2018. A generalized additive model (GAM) is employed to identify the determinants of auction prices and estimate art market price index.

Findings

The results indicate that the price of paintings in the Indian market is impacted by both global and local factors. Consistent with the previous research, this study finds that provenance, literature, living status of an artist, artist reputation, auction house, location and gender determine prices. However, the unique behavior of artwork medium and art movement affiliation in the Indian art market signifies the importance of local context in the valuation of artworks. An analysis of the second aspect of the study, i.e. risk and return characteristics of art investment, suggests that though overall art market returns are not lucrative, there are sub-sections in the market that outperform stocks and other assets. Further, the Indian art market shows a weak or negative correlation with other assets, thus making it a good candidate for a diversified portfolio. One of the important findings of this study is that artworks created by artists associated with the Bombay Progressive Artists' Group (PAG) command a significant price premium over all other artworks. Moreover, the average return on investment in paintings by artists affiliated to the Bombay PAG is not only significantly better than other art movements but also higher than all other art assets.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the growing literature on the economics of art market by providing a comprehensive analysis of the economics of Indian paintings. This research highlights the importance of local factors in price determination and on the risk and return characteristics of art investment. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the most comprehensive study of the economics of Indian painting market and the first study to identify the relationship between Indian art movements and prices of paintings and returns on investment in paintings.
Integrated reporting quality and sustainability performance: does firms' environmental sensitivity matter?
Authors: Appiagyei Kwadjo , Donkor Augustine
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study examines the effect of the environmental sensitivity of firms on the relationship between integrated reporting (IR) quality and sustainability performance. Prior research works focus on the nexus between IR quality and sustainability performance with little attention to factors that moderate this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Ordinary least squares (OLS) and other robust estimations are employed to analyse the data of firms on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

Findings

This study finds a positive association between IR quality and sustainability performance. However, the strength of this relationship is found to be weaker among environmentally sensitive firms, thereby raising concerns that such firms may be reporting less sustainability information with the mandatory implementation of IR on the JSE.

Practical implications

The findings highlight the need for regulatory bodies to consider additional sustainability disclosure requirements for firms in environmentally sensitive industries.

Social implications

The findings should make regulatory bodies aware of the possible actions of environmentally sensitive firms in relation to sustainability information within a mandatory setting of IR.

Originality/value

The study extends the existing literature on IR and sustainability performance by considering the effect of firm environmental sensitivity as a moderating factor.
Religiocentrism in consumption: a literature review
Authors: Kamarruddin Nur Nadia Adjrina , Islek Mahmut Sami
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to conceptually extend the religious aspect of consumption beyond the intrinsic motivation, i.e. religiosity, to a broader consideration of its social and cultural surroundings by highlighting the concept of “religiocentrism”.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is conceptual and qualitative. It explores the concept of religiocentrism in several disciplines, including theology, politics, sociology, marketing and consumption.

Findings

The paper introduces the concept of religiocentrism in understanding religious consumption and marketing among consumers within a religious context. This paper further discusses the origin of the term religiocentrism; religiocentrism as looking beyond the intrinsic motivation, i.e. religiosity, religiocentrism from the social identity theory; past research on religiocentrism in theology, politics, sociology, education, marketing and consumption, as well as suggesting potential future research in religiocentrism within marketing and consumption studies.

Research limitations/implications

The lack of research relating to religiocentrism in marketing makes the depth of the discussion rather limited. This paper, however, does not discuss the term religiocentrism from the theology roots but focuses more on the marketing and consumption aspects of religiocentrism.

Originality/value

Several research papers exist within the different disciplines about religiocentrism. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it can be argued that this paper is one of its kind to highlight the concept of “religiocentrism” in consumption and marketing that considers the social and cultural surroundings.
A history of theories of decision-making and technologies for observation in the service of marketing
Authors: Penrod Joshua M.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Brain and behavioral research is a hallmark of knowledge and understanding within modern society and has taken on greater importance in the commercial context; as this area unfolds, the intersection of the science, technology and marketing is an important and topical area for exploration.

Design/methodology/approach

This work tracks the parallel history of the technologies and science of the brain because it grows in relevance for the study of marketing and consumer behavior. It is an historical review of the usage of technologies to measure brain activity and behavior, parallel to the development of psychological theories created to account for human decision-making from the 1940s until the present.

Findings

This essay presents a new conception of “closure” and “momentum,” as envisioned by social construction of technology and technological momentum theories, arriving at a new concept for inclusion called “convergence” which offers a multifactor explanation for the acceptance, technical implementation and its commercial application.

Originality/value

It is an original adaptation of theories from across several fields that yields insight into the integration of science, technology, society and business.
Zakat administration reformation towards an effective and efficient zakat revenue generation
Authors: Saad Ram Al Jaffri , Ahmi Aidi , Sawandi Norfaiezah , Abdul Aziz Norazita Marina
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to identify the inputs from zakat administrators and experts needed for more efficient and effective zakat revenue generation.

Design/methodology/approach

Face-to-face interviews with zakat executives, administrators and experts are conducted to collect data.

Findings

The findings show three components of input required in the zakat transformation: environment, resources and history. The environmental component comprises five sub-components: companies, banks, zakat recipients, individual zakat payers and the legislative, while the resource sub-components comprise tangible and intangible resources. For history, two components, namely, achievements and challenges, need to be taken into account by the zakat administration.

Research limitations/implications

This study’s main implication is that the components proposed in this study can serve as the basis for developing new strategies for improving zakat collection and distribution management to achieve a more efficient and effective level.

Practical implications

This study will be helpful for policymakers, especially zakat authorities, on how to enhance their administration.

Originality/value

The model developed in this study will help the zakat administration to reform and enhance zakat compliance and zakat revenue generation.
Does pickup service quality explain buy online pickup in-store service user's citizenship behavior? Moderating role of product categories and gender
Authors: Natarajan Thamaraiselvan , Ramanan Deepak V. , Jayapal Jegan
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Building on stimulus organism response theory, the current study examines the influence of pickup service quality of buy online, pickup in-store (BOPIS) service on the BOPIS users' satisfaction, trust and commitment, subsequently leading to customer citizenship behavior (CCB). It examines the proposed relationships against boundary conditions, product categories and gender.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional investigation. It was conducted using data collected from 401 Indian omnichannel shoppers using a validated self-administered questionnaire. The proposed conceptual model was tested using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Partial Least Squares-Multi-group analysis (PLS-MGA).

Findings

The results indicate that pickup service quality in BOPIS positively impacts all the dimensions of relationship quality of the BOPIS users. Satisfaction and commitment directly affect CCB. However, trust impacts CCB indirectly through commitment. The moderating effect of the product category purchased and gender on specified relationships was tested. Results revealed the impact of pickup service quality on BOPIS users' trust and commitment differed across product categories. More impact was seen among users who purchased shopping and specialty goods. The study also found that trust-driven citizenship behavior was seen more among female BOPIS users when compared to males.

Research limitations/implications

The study is carried out on the Indian population, where omnichannel retailing is still nascent.

Originality/value

This study addresses the gap to investigate the value co-creation behavior (CCB) in the omnichannel retail context among BOPIS users. This study is the first to show that in-store pickup service quality in BOPIS might affect customer citizenship behavior through relationship quality dimensions, assessed against boundary conditions such as the product category and BOPIS user gender.
Popular… to a Point: The Enduring Political Challenges of the Public Option
Authors: MCINTYRE ADRIANNA , BLENDON ROBERT J. , BENSON JOHN M. , FINDLING MARY G. , SCHNEIDER ERIC C.
Published: January 2023

Policy Points

A decade after failing to make it into the Affordable Care Act, the public option reemerged as a health reform goal at both the national and state levels, with polls reporting strong, bipartisan support.

A 2020 poll that probed both support for one public option approach (Medicare “buy‐in”) and attitudes toward government suggests that differences in these attitudes could plague reform advocates’ efforts.

Although the COVID‐19 pandemic viscerally highlighted the need for a more coherent health care system—including universal coverage—other recent evolutions in the broader US political context could undermine reform.
Quantifying waste and its costs in hospital foodservices
Authors: Collins Jorja , Porter Judi
Published: January 2023

Aim

To measure the amount of different types of food and food packaging waste produced in hospital foodservice and estimate the cost associated with its disposal to landfill.

Method

A foodservice waste audit was conducted over 14 days in the kitchens of three hospitals (15 wards, 10 wards, 1 ward) operating a cook‐chill or cook‐freeze model with food made offsite. The amount (kg) of plate waste, trayline waste and packaging waste (rubbish and recycling) was weighed using scales and the number of spare trays and the food items on them were counted. Waste haulage fees ($AU0.18/kg) and price per spare tray item were used to calculate costs associated with waste.

Results

On average there was 502.1 kg/day of foodservice waste, consisting of 227.7 kg (45%) plate waste, 99.6 kg (20%) trayline waste and 174.8 kg (35%) packaging waste. The median number of spare trays was 171/day, with 224 items/day on them worth $214.10/day. Only 12% (20.4 kg/day) of packaging waste was recycled and the remaining 88% (154.4 kg/day) was sent to landfill along with food waste at two hospitals. Overall 347.3 kg/day was sent to landfill costing $62.51/day on waste haulage fees, amounting to 126.8 tonnes and $22 816.15 annually.

Conclusion

A substantial amount of waste is generated in hospital foodservices, and sending waste to landfill is usual practice. Australia has a target to halve food waste by 2030 and to achieve this hospital foodservices must invest in systems proven to reduce waste, solutions recommended by policy advisors (e.g., waste auditing) and waste diversion strategies.
Chronic alcohol metabolism results in DNA repair infidelity and cell cycle‐induced senescence in neurons
Authors: Sun Jacquelyne Ka‐Li , Wu Deng , Wong Genper Chi‐Ngai , Lau Tsun‐Ming , Yang Meigui , Hart Ronald P. , Kwan Kin‐Ming , Chan Ho Yin Edwin , Chow Hei‐Man
Published: January 2023

Chronic binge‐like drinking is a risk factor for age‐related dementia, however, the lasting and irreversible effect of alcohol on the brain remains elusive. Transcriptomic changes in brain cortices revealed pro‐ageing hallmarks upon chronic ethanol exposure and these changes predominantly occur in neurons. The changes are attributed to a prioritized ethyl alcohol oxidation in these cells via the NADPH‐dependent cytochrome pathway. This hijacks the folate metabolism of the 1‐carbon network which supports the pathway choice of DNA repair via the non‐cell cycle‐dependent mismatch repair networks. The lost‐in‐function of such results in the de‐inactivation of the less preferred cell cycle‐dependent homologous recombination (HR) repair, forcing these post‐mitotic cells to re‐engage in a cell cycle‐like process. However, mature neurons are post‐mitotic. Therefore, instead of successfully completing a full round of cell cycle which is necessary for the completion of HR‐mediated repair; these cells are arrested at checkpoints. The resulting persistence of repair intermediates induces and promotes the nuclear accumulation of p21 and cyclin B—a trigger for permanent cell cycle exits and irreversible senescence response. Supplementation of bioactive 5‐methyl tetrahydrofolate simultaneously at times with ethyl alcohol exposure supports the fidelity of the 1‐carbon network and hence the activity of the mismatch repair. This prevents aberrant and irreversible cell cycle re‐entry and senescence events of neurons. Together, our findings offer a direct connection between binge‐drinking behaviour and its irreversible impact on the brain, which makes it a potential risk factor for dementia.
Associations of parent–adolescent closeness with P3 amplitude, frontal theta, and binge drinking among offspring with high risk for alcohol use disorder
Authors: Pandey Gayathri , Kuo Sally I‐Chun , Horne‐Osipenko Kristina A. , Pandey Ashwini K. , Kamarajan Chella , de Viteri Stacey Saenz , Kinreich Sivan , Chorlian David B. , Kuang Weipeng , Stephenson Mallory , Kramer John , Anokhin Andrey , Zang Yong , Kuperman Samuel , Hesselbrock Victor , Schuckit Marc , Dick Danielle , Chan Grace , McCutcheon Vivia V. , Edenberg Howard , Bucholz Kathleen K. , Meyers Jacquelyn L. , Porjesz Bernice
Published: January 2023

Background

Parents impact their offspring's brain development, neurocognitive function, risk, and resilience for alcohol use disorder (AUD) via both genetic and socio‐environmental factors. Individuals with AUD and their unaffected children manifest low parietal P3 amplitude and low frontal theta (FT) power, reflecting heritable neurocognitive deficits associated with AUD. Likewise, children who experience poor parenting tend to have atypical brain development and greater rates of alcohol problems. Conversely, positive parenting can be protective and critical for normative development of self‐regulation, neurocognitive functioning and the neurobiological systems subserving them. Yet, the role of positive parenting in resiliency toward AUD is understudied and its association with neurocognitive functioning and behavioral vulnerability to AUD among high‐risk offspring is less known. Using data from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism prospective cohort (N = 1256, mean age [SD] = 19.25 [1.88]), we investigated the associations of closeness with mother and father during adolescence with offspring P3 amplitude, FT power, and binge drinking among high‐risk offspring.

Methods

Self‐reported closeness with mother and father between ages 12 and 17 and binge drinking were assessed using the Semi‐Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism. P3 amplitude and FT power were assessed in response to target stimuli using a Visual Oddball Task.

Results

Multivariate multiple regression analyses showed that closeness with father was associated with larger P3 amplitude (p = 0.002) and higher FT power (p = 0.01). Closeness with mother was associated with less binge drinking (p = 0.003). Among male offspring, closeness with father was associated with larger P3 amplitude, but among female offspring, closeness with mother was associated with less binge drinking. These associations remained statistically significant with father's and mothers' AUD symptoms, socioeconomic status, and offspring impulsivity in the model.

Conclusions

Among high‐risk offspring, closeness with parents during adolescence may promote resilience for developing AUD and related neurocognitive deficits albeit with important sex differences.
“Where We Are Within That”: Chuj Sovereignty and Belonging Across Overlapping Settler Borders
Authors: Allweiss Alexandra
Published: January 2023

This article centers two “zones of sovereignty” that Maya Chuj youth organizers and educators in Guatemala and the United States created from within and across nation‐states and settler colonial projects. It highlights how these spaces supported Chuj young people and educators as they navigated and (re)imagined relationality and belonging across transnational and diaspora spaces in ways that refused and challenged settler colonial and imperialist nation‐state logics and boundaries.
Public Opinion and Presidents’ Unilateral Policy Agendas
Authors: Rogowski Jon C.
Published: January 2023

Unilateral power is an important source of policy change for contemporary presidents. In contrast with scholarship that examines the institutional constraints on presidents’ exercise of unilateral authority, I consider presidents’ unilateral behavior in a framework of political accountability. I argue that presidents have incentives to incorporate the public's policy priorities in their unilateral agendas. I examine this account using panel data on executive orders and public opinion across issue areas from 1954 to 2018. Across a variety of model specifications and estimation strategies, I find evidence that patterns of executive action reflect the public's policy priorities. Presidents issue greater numbers of unilateral directives on issues that gain public salience, particularly on issues that are more familiar to the public and when issuing more policy‐significant directives. These findings suggest that accountability mechanisms structure how presidents exercise unilateral power and have normative implications for considering presidential unilateralism in a separation‐of‐powers system.
Et si on changeait la musique? Déterminants sociaux des préférences pour le hip‐hop, le rap et les musiques urbaines en Grande Bretagne
Authors: Boucher Aurélien , Yan Ren
Published: January 2023

This article examines the social determinants of hip‐hop culture in Britain. Using data from the Great Britain Class Survey and drawing on work done over the last twenty years on the roots and development of hip‐hop culture and rap music in Britain, it shows that preference for hip‐hop music has a dual elective affinity with status‐dominated groups in postcolonial Britain ̶ such as social agents identifying as “Black, Black British, Caribbean and African” and the dominated classes. Through this object of study, it is possible to rethink the heuristic character of the distinction between class and status.
Boris knockout eliminates AOM/DSS‐induced in situ colorectal cancer by suppressing DNA damage repair and inflammation
Authors: Zuo Bo‐Wen , Yao Wan‐Xin , Fang Meng‐Die , Ren Juan , Tu Ling‐Lan , Fan Run‐Jie , Zhang Yan‐Mei
Published: January 2023

The Brother of Regulator of Imprinted Sites (BORIS, gene symbol CTCFL) has previously been shown to promote colorectal cancer cell proliferation, inhibit cancer cell apoptosis, and resist chemotherapy. However, it is unknown whether Boris plays a role in the progression of in situ colorectal cancer. Here Boris knockout (KO) mice were constructed. The function loss of the cloned Boris mutation that was retained in KO mice was verified by testing its activities in colorectal cell lines compared with the Boris wild‐type gene. Boris knockout reduced the incidence and severity of azoxymethane/dextran sulfate‐sodium (AOM/DSS)‐induced colon cancer. The importance of Boris is emphasized in the progression of in situ colorectal cancer. Boris knockout significantly promoted the phosphorylation of γH2AX and the DNA damage in colorectal cancer tissues and suppressed Wnt and MAPK pathways that are responsible for the callback of DNA damage repair. This indicates the strong inhibition of colorectal cancer in Boris KO mice. By considering that the DSS‐promoted inflammation contributes to tumorigenesis, Boris KO mice were also studied in DSS‐induced colitis. Our data showed that Boris knockout alleviated DSS‐induced colitis and that Boris knockdown inhibited the NF‐κB signaling pathway in RAW264.7 cells. Therefore Boris knockout eliminates colorectal cancer generation by inhibiting DNA damage repair in cancer cells and relieving inflammation in macrophages. Our findings demonstrate the importance of Boris in the development of in situ colorectal cancer and provide evidence for the feasibility of colorectal cancer therapy on Boris.
3D printed bionic ear and microtia‐anotia: Medical and forensic implications
Authors: Rani Deepika , Chitara Nandini , Kanchan Tanuj , Krishan Kewal
Published: January 2023

Advances in science and technology result in continuous upgrading of the medical and clinical fields. These upgrades have been beneficial to many patients suffering from congenital and developmental diseases causing compromised functionality as well as the structural integrity of the affected organs. One such congenital anomaly is the microtia‐anotia spectrum, which results in deformities of the external ear, affecting the hearing capability of an individual. The collaboration and integration of electronics in human biology are exemplified by the development of a 3D printed cyborg bionic ear from the patient's own cells, which is implanted to ameliorate microtia and improve the patient's hearing capacity. Since the late nineteenth century, forensic scientists have explored the external ear, establishing the significance of ear biometrics in the identification process. Similarly, ear prints can also play an important role in identifying the felon of a crime. In this regard, we examine the structure and functionality of implanted ears. This communication is an attempt to enlighten investigators on the forensic importance and limitations of the use of bionic ears for identification.
The roles of polymer relaxation phenomena, aqueous dye solubility and the physical properties of water in the mechanism of adsorption of a disperse dye on poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres: Part 4 further aspects related to polymer relaxation phenomena
Authors: Burkinshaw Stephen M. , Liu K.
Published: January 2023

To further investigate the contribution of polymer relaxation times to the mechanism of disperse dye adsorption on poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres, the temperature‐dependent uptake of Teratop Yellow HL‐G 150% on both cotton and polyamide 66 fabrics at temperatures between 30 and 130°C was compared with that on poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabric. Although uptake of the commercial grade dye on polyester fabric is governed by the thermally regulated, broad glass transition of the water‐saturated poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrate, as this was not observed for either cotton or nylon 66 fabrics, the respective cellulose or polyamide 66 polymer glass transition does not present a major thermal impediment to dye uptake over the wide range of dyeing temperatures used. This is because the onset and end‐set temperatures of the glass transition of the water‐plasticised poly(ethylene terephthalate) material reside within the range of dyeing temperatures employed, whereas those of the water‐plasticised cotton and polyamide materials occur below the lowest dyeing temperature examined (30°C). The thermal dependency of disperse dye solubility also likely makes a meaningful contribution to the temperature‐dependent dye uptake observed for each type of fibre.
The ethical dimensions of everyday alcohol and other drug work: An empirical ethics investigation
Authors: Silkoff David , Chenhall Richard , Guillemin Marilys , McDougall Rosalind
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The complex and contentious nature of alcohol and other drug (AOD) clinical work affords the likelihood of significant ethical dimensions. However, little attention has been paid to clinicians' perspectives of ethics in their practice within AOD settings. This potentially neglects an important aspect of AOD clinical work.

Methods

We used an insider empirical ethics methodology, where the first author (DS) concurrently worked as an AOD clinician in the research setting. Participants were 30 experienced AOD clinicians, working within a large specialist AOD service in Victoria, Australia. We used three qualitative data collection methods: moral conversation, involving semi‐structured interviews; moral participation, involving the first author reflecting on his own ethical practices; and participant‐observation, involving observation of clinical meetings. We used Applied Thematic Analysis to analyse the data.

Results

Although participants rarely used explicitly ethical language to describe their work, they described four ethical goals: helping clients to access AOD care and treatment; facilitating change in clients' lives; challenging stigma; and keeping people safe. We argue that these clinical goals should also be conceptualised as ethical goals.

Discussion and Conclusions

Ethics is an integral component of everyday AOD work. Our findings had some overlap with established ethical principles. Participants demonstrated expertise in engaging with ethical dimensions, without using ethical language. Given the limited attention paid to ethics in AOD clinical settings, increasing the focus on ethics in everyday clinical practice is an important contribution to future AOD clinical work. Its absence negates important aspects of care for clients.
Integrated safety and efficacy analysis of dasiglucagon for the treatment of severe hypoglycaemia in individuals with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Heller Simon , Battelino Tadej , Bailey Timothy S. , Pieber Thomas R. , Hövelmann Ulrike , Plum‐Mörschel Leona , Melgaard Anita E. , Aronson Ronnie , DiMeglio Linda A. , Johansen Thue , Danne Thomas
Published: January 2023

Aims

To perform an integrated analysis of the safety and efficacy of dasiglucagon, a glucagon analogue available in a ready‐to‐use aqueous formulation, to treat severe hypoglycaemia (SH) in type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Materials and Methods

An integrated analysis of dasiglucagon safety was conducted on data from two placebo‐controlled trials (placebo‐controlled pool) and two placebo‐controlled and four non‐placebo‐controlled trials (broad pool) in adults with T1D. An integrated analysis of dasiglucagon efficacy was conducted of pooled data and within demographic subgroups from the two placebo‐controlled and two non‐placebo‐controlled trials in adults with T1D.

Results

Dasiglucagon had a similar safety and tolerability profile to that of reconstituted glucagon. In the placebo‐controlled datasets, no serious adverse events (AEs), AEs leading to withdrawal from the trial, or deaths were reported. The most common causally related AEs were nausea (56.5%) and vomiting (24.6%). The broad pool safety analysis showed similar results. Dasiglucagon efficacy in time to plasma glucose recovery from insulin‐induced SH was similar to that of reconstituted glucagon (median 10.0 and 12.0 minutes, respectively) and superior to placebo (median 40.0 minutes; P < 0.0001). The median recovery time was consistent across all placebo‐controlled trial subgroups.

Conclusions

Dasiglucagon was well tolerated and effective as a rapid rescue agent for insulin‐induced SH in people with T1D.