bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soybean and cotton spermosphere soil microbiome shows dominance of soil-borne copiotrophs
Authors: Olofintila Oluwakemisola E. , Noel Zachary A.
Published: January 2023

The spermosphere is the transient, immediate zone of soil around imbibing and germinating seeds. It represents a habitat where there is contact between seed-associated microbes and soil microbes, but is studied less compared to other plant habitats. Previous studies on spermosphere microbiology were primarily culture-based or did not sample the spermosphere soil as initially defined in space and time. Thus, the objectives of this study were to develop an efficient strategy to collect spermosphere soils around imbibing soybean and cotton in non-sterile soil and investigate changes in microbial communities. The method employed sufficiently collected spermosphere soil as initially defined in space by constraining the soil sampled with a cork borer and confining the soil to a 12-well microtiter plate. Spermosphere prokaryote composition changed over time and depended on the crop within six hours after seeds were sown. By 12 to 18 hours, crops had unique microbial communities in spermosphere soils. Prokaryote evenness dropped following seed imbibition with the proliferation of copiotrophic soil bacteria. Due to their long history of plant growth promotion, prokaryote OTUs inBacillus, Paenibacillus, Burkholderia, Massilia, Azospirillum, andPseudomonaswere notable genera enriched. Fungi and prokaryotes were hub taxa in cotton and soybean spermosphere networks. Additionally, the enriched taxa were not hubs in networks, suggesting other taxa besides those enriched may be important for spermosphere communities. Overall, this study advances knowledge in the assembly of the plant microbiome early in a plant’s life, which may have plant health implications in more mature plant growth stages.
ProT-VAE: Protein Transformer Variational AutoEncoder for Functional Protein Design
Authors: Sevgen Emre , Moller Joshua , Lange Adrian , Parker John , Quigley Sean , Mayer Jeff , Srivastava Poonam , Gayatri Sitaram , Hosfield David , Korshunova Maria , Livne Micha , Gill Michelle , Ranganathan Rama , Costa Anthony B. , Ferguson Andrew L.
Published: January 2023

The data-driven design of protein sequences with desired function is challenged by the absence of good theoretical models for the sequence-function mapping and the vast size of protein sequence space. Deep generative models have demonstrated success in learning the sequence to function relationship over natural training data and sampling from this distribution to design synthetic sequences with engineered functionality. We introduce a deep generative model termed the Protein Transformer Variational AutoEncoder (ProT-VAE) that furnishes an accurate, generative, fast, and transferable model of the sequence-function relationship for data-driven protein engineering by blending the merits of variational autoencoders to learn interpretable, low-dimensional latent embeddings and fully generative decoding for conditional sequence design with the expressive, alignment-free featurization offered by transformers. The model sandwiches a lightweight, task-specific variational autoencoder between generic, pre-trained transformer encoder and decoder stacks to admit alignment-free training in an unsupervised or semi-supervised fashion, and interpretable low-dimensional latent spaces that facilitate understanding, optimization, and generative design of functional synthetic sequences. We implement the model using NVIDIA’s BioNeMo framework and validate its performance in retrospective functional prediction and prospective design of novel protein sequences subjected to experimental synthesis and testing. The ProT-VAE latent space exposes ancestral and functional relationships that enable conditional generation of novel sequences with high functionality and substantial sequence diversity. We anticipate that the model can offer an extensible and generic platform for machine learning-guided directed evolution campaigns for the data-driven design of novel synthetic proteins with “super-natural” function.
A harmonized public resource of deeply sequenced diverse human genomes
Authors: Koenig Zan , Yohannes Mary T. , Nkambule Lethukuthula L. , Zhao Xuefang , Goodrich Julia K. , Kim Heesu Ally , Wilson Michael W. , Tiao Grace , Hao Stephanie P. , Sahakian Nareh , Chao Katherine R. , Walker Mark A. , Lyu Yunfei ,   gnomAD Project Consortium, Rehm Heidi L. , Neale Benjamin M. , Talkowski Michael E. , Daly Mark J. , Brand Harrison , Karczewski Konrad J. , Atkinson Elizabeth G. , Martin Alicia R.
Published: January 2023

Underrepresented populations are often excluded from genomic studies due in part to a lack of resources supporting their analyses. The 1000 Genomes Project (1kGP) and Human Genome Diversity Project (HGDP), which have recently been sequenced to high coverage, are valuable genomic resources because of the global diversity they capture and their open data sharing policies. Here, we harmonized a high quality set of 4,094 whole genomes from HGDP and 1kGP with data from the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) and identified over 153 million high-quality SNVs, indels, and SVs. We performed a detailed ancestry analysis of this cohort, characterizing population structure and patterns of admixture across populations, analyzing site frequency spectra, and measuring variant counts at global and subcontinental levels. We also demonstrate substantial added value from this dataset compared to the prior versions of the component resources, typically combined via liftover and variant intersection; for example, we catalog millions of new genetic variants, mostly rare, compared to previous releases. In addition to unrestricted individual-level public release, we provide detailed tutorials for conducting many of the most common quality control steps and analyses with these data in a scalable cloud-computing environment and publicly release this new phased joint callset for use as a haplotype resource in phasing and imputation pipelines. This jointly called reference panel will serve as a key resource to support research of diverse ancestry populations.
A Model-Based Hierarchical Bayesian Approach to Sholl Analysis
Authors: Vonkaenel Erik , Feidler Alexis , Lowery Rebecca , Andersh Katherine , Love Tanzy , Majewska Ania , Mccall Matthew N
Published: January 2023

Summary

Due to the link between microglial morphology and function, morphological changes in microglia are frequently used to identify pathological immune responses in the central nervous system. In the absence of pathology, microglia are responsible for maintaining homeostasis, and their morphology can be indicative of how the healthy brain behaves in the presence of external stimuli and genetic differences. Despite recent interest in high throughput methods for morphological analysis, Sholl analysis is still the gold standard for quantifying microglia morphology via imaging data. Often, the raw data are naturally hierarchical, minimally including many cells per image and many images per animal. However, existing methods for performing downstream inference on Sholl data rely on truncating this hierarchy so rudimentary statistical testing procedures can be used. To fill this longstanding gap, we introduce a fully parametric model-based approach for analyzing Sholl data. We generalize our model to a hierarchical Bayesian framework so that inference can be performed without aggressive reduction of otherwise very rich data. We apply our model to three real data examples and perform simulation studies comparing the proposed method with a popular alternative.
Metabolic responses to food and temperature in deep-sea isopods,Bathynomus doederleini
Authors: Tanaka Shogo , Ono Yurika , Tanimae Shin-ichiro , Moriyama Toru , Fujimoto Shingo , Yagi Mitsuharu
Published: January 2023

Metabolic rate, the energy required per unit of time for an organism to sustain life, is influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Despite the similarities among living organisms across the various domains of life, it has been observed that those adapted to deep-sea environments exhibit notable distinctions from those in shallower waters, even when accounting for size and temperature. However, as deep-sea organisms are infrequently kept in captivity for prolonged periods, investigations into their potential metabolic responses to food and temperature have yet to be conducted. In this study, we demonstrate the impact of food (specific dynamic action:SDA) and temperature (Q10) on the metabolic rate of the deep-sea isopodBathynomus doederleini. Positive correlations were found betweenSDAparameters (peak, time to peak, duration, and factorial scope) and meal size in deep-sea organisms. The postprandial metabolic rate, at a meal size of 45.4%, increased by approximately 6.5-fold, and the duration was 20 days. Within the temperature range of their natural habitat, the overallQ10was 2.36, indicating that a 10 °C increase would lead to a 2.4-fold increase in resting metabolic rate. The mean metabolic rate of this species, corrected for the equivalent temperature, was significantly 63% lower than the metabolic scaling rule for aquatic invertebrates. This low metabolic rate suggests that deep-sea isopods can survive for a year on a mere few grams of whale blubber at a water temperature of 10.5 °C. This information is crucial for understanding the metabolic strategies and consequences of adaptation to a deep-sea environment.
Evaluating the mouse neural precursor line, SN4741, as a suitable proxy for midbrain dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Boyd Rachel J. , McClymont Sarah A. , Barrientos Nelson B. , Hook Paul W. , Law William D. , Rose Rebecca J. , Waite Eric L. , Avramopoulos Dimitrios , McCallion Andrew S.
Published: January 2023

To overcome the ethical and technical limitations ofin vivohuman disease models, the broader scientific community frequently employs model organism-derived cell lines to investigate of disease mechanisms, pathways, and therapeutic strategies. Despite the widespread use of certainin vitromodels, many still lack contemporary genomic analysis supporting their use as a proxy for the affected human cells and tissues. Consequently, it is imperative to determine how accurately and effectively any proposed biological surrogate may reflect the biological processes it is assumed to model. One such cellular surrogate of human disease is the established mouse neural precursor cell line, SN4741, which has been used to elucidate mechanisms of neurotoxicity in Parkinson disease for over 25 years. Here, we are using a combination of classic and contemporary genomic techniques – karyotyping, RT-qPCR, single cell RNA-seq, bulk RNA-seq, and ATAC-seq – to characterize the transcriptional landscape, chromatin landscape, and genomic architecture of this cell line, and evaluate its suitability as a proxy for midbrain dopaminergic neurons in the study of Parkinson disease. We find that SN4741 cells possess an unstable triploidy and consistently exhibits low expression of dopaminergic neuron markers across assays, even when the cell line is shifted to the non-permissive temperature that drives differentiation. The transcriptional signatures of SN4741 cells suggest that they are maintained in an undifferentiated state at the permissive temperature and differentiate into immature neurons at the non-permissive temperature; however, they may not be dopaminergic neuron precursors, as previously suggested. Additionally, the chromatin landscapes of SN4741 cells, in both the differentiated and undifferentiated states, are not concordant with the open chromatin profiles ofex vivo, mouse E15.5 forebrain- or midbrain-derived dopaminergic neurons. Overall, our data suggest that SN4741 cells may reflect early aspects of neuronal differentiation but are likely not a suitable a proxy for dopaminergic neurons as previously thought. The implications of this study extend broadly, illuminating the need for robust biological and genomic rationale underpinning the use ofin vitromodels of molecular processes.
Exploring barriers to collaborative innovation in supply chains – a study of a supplier and two of its industrial customers
Authors: Anderson Helén , Müllern Tomas , Danilovic Mike
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose is to identify and explore barriers to overcome for developing collaborative innovation between a global service supplier and two of its industrial customers in Sweden.

Design/methodology/approach

The research had an action-based research approach in which the researchers were interacting and collaborating with the practitioners in the companies. The empirical part includes primary data from multiple interviews, and two workshops with dialogues with participants from the involved companies. The use of complementary data collection methods gave rich input to understanding the context for collaborative innovation, and to uncovering barriers, to develop solutions for collaborative innovation. The empirical barriers were analysed using theoretically derived barriers from a literature review. The analysis generated four broad themes of barriers which were discussed and led to conclusions and theoretical and practical implications on: the customer's safety culture, the business model, the parties' understanding of innovation and the management of collaborative innovation in supply chains.

Findings

The thematic analysis generated four broad themes: the customer's safety culture, the business model, the parties' understanding of innovation and the management of collaborative innovation. These themes where analysed using theoretically derived barriers from a literature review. The industrial context, the understanding of innovation and its management created barriers.

Originality/value

The unique access to the service supplier and its two independent industrial customers adds a rich contextual framing to the process of identifying and exploring the barriers to collaborative innovation. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of an industrial business context, the business logic in terms of business models and for the understanding and management of collaborative innovation.
Using a unified model of TPB, NAM and SOBC to understand students’ energy-saving behaviors: moderation role of group-level factors and media publicity
Authors: Duong Cong Doanh
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to integrate the theory of planned behavior (TPB), norm activation model (NAM) and stimulus–organism–behavior–consequences theory (SOBC) with the moderators to investigate the main determinants of energy-saving behaviors as well as how group-level factors and media publicity significantly facilitate the energy-saving intention-behavior linkage among dormitory students in higher education institutions (HEIs).

Design/methodology/approach

A valid sample of 325 dormitory students resided in universities of Vietnam and a three-step analysis approach via SPSS 28.0 and AMOS 25.0 were used to test the hypothesized model.

Findings

This study yields that external stimuluses (subjective norms and perceived behavioral control) positively and strongly stimulate energy–energy attitude, while internal stimuluses (ascription of responsibility, awareness of consequences) arouse personal norms. Both internal and external stimuluses were found to have serially mediation effects on energy-saving behaviors via attitude toward energy saving, personal norms and energy-saving intention. Remarkably, group interaction and media publicity exert prominent positive moderation effects on the energy-saving intention–behavior relationship.

Practical implications

The findings of this research can be valuable for HEIs and policymakers to inspire university students’ energy conservation behavior for sustainable development goals.

Originality/value

This study contributed to the proenvironmental literature by adopting the SOBC paradigm that strengthens the integration of TPB and NAM models to explore the main determinants of dormitory students’ energy-saving behaviors, explain the underlying mediation mechanisms of organisms and behavioral responses and illustrate the moderation role of group-level factors and media publicity.
The configuration of the largest Brazilian banks' board of directors: trajectories and capitals of Latin America's financial elite
Authors: Vila Marcio Luis , Candido Silvio Eduardo Alvarez , Ferratti Gustavo Mendonca , Sacomano Neto Mário
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the configuration of the board of directors of the five largest banks operating in Brazil, which are members of a financial elite that directly influences the socioeconomic life in Latin America.

Design/methodology/approach

This assessment is inspired by Bourdieu's sociological approach and in the discussion on his work in organization studies and economic sociology. It addresses the organization as a field and investigates its associated field of power. The authors conducted qualitative research and relationally analyzed data related to the trajectory and the social properties of the councilors using the statistical technique called multiple correspondence analysis (MCA).

Findings

The results show that forms of social and cultural capital are particularly influential in the production of distinctions among banks' board members. Moreover, councils' priorities and configurations are diverse: some idealized and based on knowledge, others pragmatic and based on customs, others still anchored in a double logic of market satisfaction and family wealth preservation.

Practical implications

Understanding the objective power relations among these top agents may be crucial for effectively regulating certain aspects of their activities. Furthermore, understanding how different forms of capital affect the relative position of the board members may help us reduce representative bias in what seems today an inner circle.

Originality/value

This study is relevant because it makes an in-depth analysis of the composition of one of the most influential financial elites in Latin America, combining sociological theory and advanced statistical techniques for qualitative grouping (MCA).
Curbing unethical consumer behaviour: the role of religiosity, consumer ethical beliefs and anticipated guilt
Authors: Hassan Syed Masroor , Rahman Zillur
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the role of personal and affective factors in curbing unethical consumer behaviour (UCB). Specifically, this study scrutinizes how religiosity, consumer ethical beliefs (CEBs) and anticipated guilt influence UCB.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey-based approach, the author distributed offline and online questionnaires among students enrolled in a public university in Roorkee, India and analysed the data using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results provide evidence that intrinsically religious individuals develop strong ethical beliefs, which can help them to refrain from unethical behaviour and adopt ethical conduct. Also, individuals prone to experiencing anticipated guilt show less inclination to commit unethical behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

This research presents significant theoretical and practical implications to facilitate academic understanding and managerial decision-making in the context of consumer ethics.

Originality/value

This research is one of the few empirical studies in the Indian context that simultaneously examines the antecedents and consequences of CEB.
Modelling the adoption of agro-advisory mobile applications: a theoretical extension and analysis using result demonstrability, trust, self-efficacy and mobile usage proficiency
Authors: Soodan Vishal , Jamwal Mohit , Rana Nripendra P. , Sharma Deeksha , Chakraborty Supernova
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the determinants of intention towards the use of agro-advisory mobile applications by extending the technology acceptance model (TAM) with addition of the following constructs: result demonstrability (RD), trust, self-efficacy (SE) and mobile usage proficiency (MUP).

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a survey on farmers (n = 446), which was analysed through structural equation modelling using Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS).

Findings

The results show that RD and farmer's trust on agro-advisory mobile apps (AAMA) positively impact their perceptions of usefulness. Also, farmer's SE and MUP positively affect their perceptions of ease of using AAMA. Further, interestingly, farmer's attitude towards the AAMA fully mediates the relationship between perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use on intention to use them.

Research limitations/implications

Understanding the antecedents of agro-advisory mobile application offers a unique contribution to policymakers, private firms, and non-government organizations by proving key insights on the acceptance of agriculture based mobile technologies in context of developing nations.

Originality/value

To the best of author's knowledge, this is one of the first research enquiries on the adoption of agro-advisory mobile applications. The new theoretical framework adds to the original TAM and offers novel insights that are helpful in augmenting the current understanding on AAMA and their acceptance by the beneficiaries.
How does the price structure of two-sided markets affect transaction volume and market share: evidence from the Korean credit card market
Authors: Jo Yoonseo , Lee Kaun Y.
Published: January 2023

This study aims to empirically examine the impact of the price structure of two-sided markets on transaction volume and market share (MS) in the context of the Korean credit card industry. The Korean credit card market differs from those in the United States (U.S.) or Europe in terms of transaction structure (i.e. a three-party system in Korea vs a four-party system in the U.S. or Europe) and government policy. In addition to the merchant discount rate and the cardholder annual membership fee rate, the authors included and analyzed exogenous variables to eliminate any endogeneity. Based on the analysis results, the authors found that credit card usage performance (i.e. transaction volume) increases with an increase in the relative price ratio (merchant discount rate ÷ cardholder membership fee rate) paid by merchants and cardholders, provided that the total price (merchant discount rate + cardholder membership fee rate) paid by merchants and cardholders remains constant. Therefore, this study is the first to confirm that the Korean credit card market operated as the theoretical mechanism of a two-sided market during the analysis period. This effect can only be observed in specific cases such as the launch of the so-called “Chief Executive Officer(CEO)-designed card.” When a new CEO takes office in a credit card company and launches a “CEO-designed card,” there is a significant increase in not only card usage performance but MS as well owing to the price structure changes caused by expanding the benefits that customers derive from card use.
Suicide attempts as turning points
Authors: Lester David
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine why an attempt at suicide does not always indicate the beginning of a life with poor mental health.

Design/methodology/approach

Case studies, supplemented by follow-up studies of attempted suicides.

Findings

One of the strongest predictors of a healthy life after the suicide attempt was found to be improvement in the appropriateness of behavior toward others and improved adult functioning.

Originality/value

The results suggest that behavioral coaching, in addition to traditional psychiatric treatment, could help attempted suicides move on with their lives productively.
Simulation studies on combined effect of variable geometry, rotation and temperature gradient on critical speed of gas turbine disc
Authors: Kumar Ranjan , Chaterjee Saikat , Ranjan Vinayak , Ghoshal Sanjoy K.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The present findings report a significant influence of disc profile and thickness on the order of excitation leading to critical speed condition. Certain transverse modes of vibration of the disc have been obtained to be more susceptible to get excited while recording the lowest critical speeds.

Design/methodology/approach

Numerical simulation using finite-element method has been adopted due to the complicated geometry, complex loadings and intricate analytical formulation. A comprehensive analysis of exclusive as well as combination of thermal and centrifugal loads has been taken up to determine the intensity and characteristics of the individual/combined effects.

Findings

The typical gas turbine disc profile has been analyzed to predict the critical speed under the factual working condition of an aero-engine. FEM analysis of uniform and variable thickness discs have been carried out under stationary, rotating and rotating-thermal considerations while emphasizing the effect of disc profile and thickness. Centrifugal stresses developed due to rotational effect result in unceasing stiffening of the discs with higher stiffening for a greater number of nodal diameters. On the other hand, a role reversal of thermal effect from stiffening to softening is figured out with increasing numbers of nodal diameters. However, the discs are subjected to an overall stiffening effect on account of the combined centrifugal and thermal loading, with the effect decreasing with an increase in disc thickness. Under the combined loading, the order of excitation leading to critical speed condition is dependent on disc profile and thickness. Moreover, the vibrational modes (0,1) and (0,2) are identified as more prominent adverse modes corresponding to lowest critical speeds.

Practical implications

The present findings are expected to serve as guidelines during the design phase of gas turbine discs of aeroengine applications.

Originality/value

The present work deliberates on the simulation and analysis of gas turbine disc specific to aeroengine application. The real-life disc geometry has been analyzed with due consideration of major factual operating conditions to identify the critical speed. The identification of various critical speed using numerical analysis can help to reduce the number of experimental tests required for certification.
Bioactive compounds, health benefits and valorization of Pyrus pyrifolia (sand pear): a review
Authors: Chandel Rajat , Kumar Vikas , Kaur Ramandeep , Kumar Satish , Kumar Ankit , Kumar Dharminder , Kapoor Swati
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Pyrus Pyrifolia (Sand Pear) is one of the most underused pear variety despite its nutraceutical potential. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the Pyrus Pyrifolia in term of origin, distribution and classification, nutritional and bioactive potential, therapeutic potential and valorization along with future prospectus.

Design/methodology/approach

A wide variety of publications (88) were identified through electronic databases (Science direct, PubMed, SciELO, Google scholar, Link springer and Research gate) under the umbrella of different keywords such as bioactive compounds, health benefits, nutrition, sand pear, Pyrus and Pyrus pyrifolia.

Findings

Pyrus Pyrifolia (Sand Pear) is abundant in nutritional and bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, vitamins and minerals. It exhibits therapeutic potential as being an antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agent. However, P. pyrifolia is not much explored by food researchers and industrialists, hence remaining underused. A few attempts have been made toward the use of P. pyrifolia for jam, jelly, candy and wine preparation. However, more research is required for the commercial processing of P. pyrifolia and to enhance its availability outside its growing area.

Originality/value

In this paper, nutritional and bioactive compounds of P. pyrifolia are discussed that provide knowledge to the researchers for its use as a functional ingredient.
Integrated geophysical methods for boulder delineation to improve mining
Authors: Gomo Sikelela , Rapetsoa Moyagabo K. , Manzi Musa S. D. , Onyebueke Emmanuel , Dildar Jureya , Sihoyiya Mpofana , Mutshafa Ndamulelo , Harrison Wesley , Bourdeau Julie E. , Brovko Oleg , James Ian , Cooper Gordon R. J. , Scheiber Stephanie , Durrheim Raymond J.
Published: January 2023

Near‐surface boulders can pose serious challenges to opencast mining. They often introduce complexities, delays in drilling, blasting and excavation programmes, which subsequently decrease mining efficiency, increase mining risks and costs. The location of subsurface boulders and the identification of other geological features that may impact mining activities (e.g. fractures, the presence of iron‐rich ultramafic pegmatites and the variation in weathering across a mining region) are necessary to reduce the challenges posed by these geological features, therefore optimizing mining efficiency. In this study, magnetics, electrical resistivity tomography, seismic refraction tomography, ground penetrating radar and borehole data are integrated for boulder delineation and mapping of other geological features that may impact mining using an unmined section at Tharisa Mine, Bushveld Complex (South Africa), as a test site. The results obtained from the different geophysical techniques are found to complement each other and successfully delineate boulders, fractures, iron‐rich ultramafic pegmatites and the variation in weathering and layering across the area. The incorporation of geophysical results can thus improve mining efficiency, while reducing mining risks and costs.
The predictive markers of severity and mortality in hospitalized hemodialysis patients with COVID‐19 during Omicron epidemic
Authors: Banshodani Masataka , Kawanishi Hideki , Hirai Takayuki , Kawai Yusuke , Hashimoto Shinji , Shintaku Sadanori , Moriishi Misaki , Marubayashi Seiji , Tsuchiya Shinichiro
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Predictive markers and prognosis remain unclear in hospitalized hemodialysis (HD) patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) during the Omicron epidemic.

Methods

We evaluated characteristics, laboratory parameters, and outcomes in hospitalized HD patients with COVID‐19 (n = 102) at two centers between January and April 2022.

Results

The 30‐day mortality rate was higher in moderate–critical group (n = 43) than mild group (n = 59) (16.3% vs. 1.7%; p = 0.007), and higher in patients with lower CC chemokine ligand 17 (CCL17) levels (<95.0 pg/mL) compared with normal CCL17 levels (19.0% versus 4.9%; p = 0.03). In multivariate analyses, a low CCL17 level (p = 0.003) was associated with moderate–critical conditions, and moderate–critical conditions (p = 0.04) were associated with 30‐day mortality, whereas CCL17 was not associated with 30‐day mortality.

Conclusions

COVID‐19 remains a fatal complication, and CCL17 was a predictive marker of severity in hospitalized HD patients during the Omicron epidemic.
The impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on anxiety levels among patients who have to go to the hospital due to chronic illnesses: A prospective study
Authors: Ozkan Kurtgoz Pervin , Sackan Fatih , Oner Irem , Bilgin Ozlem , Ozdemir Deniz , Karakose Suleyman , Eryılmaz Mehmet Ali , Guney Ibrahim , Kızılarslanoglu Muhammet Cemal
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Cancer and hemodialysis (HD) patients are at high risk for COVID‐19. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of pandemic on anxiety in these patients.

Methods

One hundred and six oncology and 97 HD patients participated in the study. Anxiety levels were assessed by using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). At the end of 8‐month follow‐up, these questionnaires were re‐administered.

Results

During this period, 38 patients (38/203; 18.7%) had COVID‐19 infection. Twenty‐three patients (23/203; 11.3%) died due to COVID‐19 and/or other causes. One hundred and thirteen of the remaining patients were participated in the second questionnaire. Having COVID‐19 was not the independent factor for changes in STAI, and BAI scores in any regression models.

Conclusion

Having COVID‐19 does not affect the increased anxiety levels in HD and oncology patients. The effect of the pandemic may have remained in the background, as these patients have more concerns about their own diseases.
Marker‐trait association analysis for gall midge (Orseolia oryzae) resistance in a diverse rice population
Authors: Sahu Nandini , Gadratagi Basana Gowda , Rath Ladu Kishore , Chandrappa Anilkumar , Sah Rameswar Prasad , Mandal Lopamudra , Govindharaj Guru Pirasanna Pandi , Patil Naveenkumar B. , Adak Totan , Mahendiran Annamalai , Rath Prakash Chandra
Published: January 2023

Damage caused by insect herbivores, notably Asian rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzae is more prevalent in the rice‐growing belts of India's southern and north‐eastern states. As a prelude to resistant cultivar development, the identification of genomic regions for resistance in the source population is crucial. In the present investigation, 202 rice genotypes were phenotyped and assayed with genomic markers reported for gall midge resistance. Positive skewness and platykurtic distribution of response scores suggested the inheritance of gall midge resistance in the study population. The marker gm3del3 contributed the most genetic variation, followed by RM28574 and marker RM22709 explained minimal variation. A marker‐trait association analysis with a single marker‐trait linear regression approach was performed to discover gall midge resistant genomic region/genes. The marker RM17480 on chromosome 4 reported to be linked with gm3 gene was found significantly associated with the gall midge resistance genomic region with allelic effects in a negative direction favouring resistance reaction. The allelic effects of significantly associated markers were correlated significantly with the phenotypic variation of gall midge damage scores. Genes identified in the vicinity of this marker contribute to stress response reactions in rice plants. The 200 bp allele of the marker was associated with susceptibility, while the 250 bp allele was associated with resistance expression. This allelic association with trait variation suggests the importance of associated marker for utilisation in marker‐assisted selection programmes to incorporate resistance alleles into elite rice genotypes.
Patient outcomes associated with cancer diagnosis through the emergency department: A systematic review
Authors: Kang Sally , McLeod Shelley L. , Walsh Chris , Grewal Keerat
Published: January 2023

Objective

Many patients are initially diagnosed with a new suspected cancer through the emergency department (ED). The objective of this systematic review was to compare stage of cancer and survival of patients diagnosed with cancer through the ED to patients diagnosed elsewhere.

Methods

Electronic searches of Medline and EMBASE were conducted and reference lists were hand‐searched. Studies comparing adult patients diagnosed with any type of cancer through the ED (ED diagnosis) to patients diagnosed elsewhere (non‐ED diagnosis) were included. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, assessed quality of the studies, and extracted data. The risk of bias of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale. Data pertaining to patient outcomes were summarized and pooled using random‐effects models and reported as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), where applicable.

Results

Fourteen studies were included. There was an increased risk of more advanced/later stage cancer (Stage III/IV or late‐stage vs. earlier stage) among patients with an ED diagnosis of cancer compared to a non‐ED diagnosis of cancer (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.39–1.58). Survival was lower for patients with an ED diagnosis of cancer compared to those diagnosed elsewhere (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.49–0.75).

Conclusions

Patients with an ED diagnosis of cancer had more advanced/late stage of cancer at diagnosis and worse survival compared to patients diagnosed elsewhere. Future research examining patients diagnosed with cancer through the ED is required.
Financial openness and profitability premium: Causal evidence from the Shanghai‐Hong Kong Stock Connect
Authors: Jiang Fuwei , Jin Fujing , Zhang Kejia
Published: January 2023

This study explores the impact of capital market openness on the profitability premium by using the Shanghai‐Hong Kong Stock Connect (SHKSC) programme as an exogenous shock. The empirical results show that (1) we can basically rule out the mispricing mechanism driving the significant profitability premium in China; (2) following SHKSC, the expected stock returns increase more across less profitable firms, and the less profitable firms have more increases in illiquidity, capital structure and information disclosure quality; and (3) the results are still robust after using propensity score matching analysis, deleting the highly volatile periods and conducting a firm‐level test with the triple‐differencing design.
Time and sequence of the replacement of the deciduous by the permanent dentition in dogs and its applicability for age estimation
Authors: Broeck Martine Van den , Bels Lobke De , Duchateau Luc , Cornillie Pieter
Published: January 2023

This study investigated the influence of several covariates on the time and sequence of permanent dentition emergence following exfoliation of the deciduous teeth in puppies. The aim was to determine whether the emergence of permanent dentition can be used to assess whether a puppy that is traded across borders in the EU has reached the legally required minimum age of 15 weeks. The events were evaluated in a longitudinal study, with some cross‐sectional observations, of 440 puppies belonging to 82 breeds. No significant differences were found between the left and right sides of a puppy's dentition nor between male and female puppies. Breed size and skull type had a significant impact: both the appearance and the completion of tooth eruption occurred considerably later in small or toy breeds and brachycephalic skull type breeds. The sequence of emergence differed little between maxillary or mandibular quadrants or between breeds. The first emerging elements were the maxillary first premolars or first incisors or the mandibular first incisors. The emergence of a permanent tooth usually occurred within 3 days before or after exfoliation of its precursor, except for the canines, which demonstrated a wider tooth replacement interval. This study presents standards for age assessment based on the emergence of permanent dentition for breeds of different sizes, using median ages or cumulative emergence percentages. However, the legal age determination of puppies with an assumed age of 15 weeks cannot be performed based on permanent dentition emergence, as this occurred at a later age in a large proportion of dogs (at least 95%) in our studied population. The probability of being at least 15 weeks old when at least one maxillary tooth has emerged was at least 72.25%, depending on breed size.
Morphology and morphometry of the human obturator nerve in males and females
Authors: Yount Mason , Peruri Alekhya , Morgan Alexandra , Zahed Malek , Fritz Virginia , Simmons Zachary , Millard Jonathan , Redden David T. , Reina Miguel Angel , Roballo Kelly C. S.
Published: January 2023

Peripheral nerve injury and the nerves’ subsequent repair and regeneration continues to be marked clinically by poor functional recovery. The analysis of nerve morphology is an aspect which may provide an impact on successful clinical outcomes through better prediction of donor and recipient matching. In this study, we evaluated the morphological aspects of the human obturator nerve for a better understanding of its potential in nerve transplantation. Morphological characteristics of donor obturator nerves were analysed, including nerve diameter and length, fascicle count and the ratio of neural to non‐neural tissue present within the cross‐sectional area of the nerve's epineurium, with respect to laterality and sex. Statistical significance (p < 0.10) was determined for male obturator nerves having an average diameter of 2.67 mm compared to female obturator nerves at 1.91 mm, as well as left obturator nerves having an average of 11.21 fascicles compared to the right having an average of 10.17 fascicles. Strong positive correlations were determined between cross‐sectional nerve area and limb size index, as well as between percentage of non‐neural tissue and area of non‐neural tissue, among males. Separately, strong correlation between percentage of non‐neural tissue and area of non‐neural tissue among right obturator nerves in males and females was determined . These findings indicate that there are associations and predictions that can be made about nerve morphology and that these when combined with other patient characteristics may enhance patient functional recovery following a peripheral nerve's repair.
Patient‐reported outcomes post prophylactic risk‐reducing mastectomy: improved breast and psychosocial satisfaction yet poorer physical well‐being
Authors: Mansour Kristy , Calder Patricia , Trotter Dean , Mah Eldon , Tasevski Robert , Chin‐Lenn Laura , Yue Brian , Mann Bruce , Skandarajah Anita
Published: January 2023

Background

Few studies have investigated patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) for patients with high breast cancer risk undergoing elective risk reduction mastectomy and reconstruction. These patients incur operative risk in the absence of active cancer, which renders their treatment experience unique. This study aimed to identify longer‐term quality of life (QoL) issues that persist in this patient cohort.

Methods

A cross‐sectional cohort study assessed PROs in 48 women with high breast cancer risk who attended the Royal Melbourne Hospital Risk Management Clinic, at least 12 months post‐mastectomy and reconstruction, with surgery between 2011 and 2020, using the BREAST‐Q© Likert surveys. The BREAST‐Q© internationally validated QoL instrument scales survey data from 0 (worst) to 100 (best) in 14 domains addressing satisfaction and psychosocial issues.

Results

There was higher overall breast and psychosocial satisfaction, with scores of 11 and four, respectively, yet lower chest, abdomen and sexual well‐being scores with 14, three and four, respectively, in contrast to normative BREAST‐Q© data from >1000 women without prior breast cancer or breast operations. High average scores >90 were found for patient satisfaction with surgical, medical and office staff. Twenty‐one patients had an average score of 63 for satisfaction with breast implants, while 27 patients post‐DIEP had average scores >72 for abdominal well‐being, appearance and overall outcomes. Higher mean QoL outcomes were found with DIEP flap in all domains, compared with breast implant reconstruction.

Conclusion

QoL assessment with PROs 12 months post‐risk reduction mastectomy and reconstruction demonstrated higher psychosocial well‐being, yet highlights physical implications, with patients experiencing reduced chest, abdomen and sexual well‐being, compared with normative BREAST‐Q© control data. Higher mean QoL outcomes were found with DIEP flap compared with breast implant reconstruction. PROs studies can identify unmet needs and facilitate change in service provision.
The effect of strabismus surgery on the learning abilities of school‐aged children
Authors: Feuillade Vincent , Bourcier Tristan , Gaucher David , Speeg Claude , Sauer Arnaud
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To evaluate whether strabismus surgery improves the learning performance – calculation, reading and drawing – of school‐aged children.

Methods

In a case–control study, patients between the ages of 7 and 10 years with horizontal strabismus, recommended for surgical correction, were prospectively included. Reading, calculating and drawing abilities were evaluated before and 3 months after corrective strabismus surgery using standardized tests. Cases were compared to control patients: patients with a surgical indication postponed due to the COVID lockdown.

Results

Forty‐two operated patients and 42 controls between the ages of 7 and 10 years with horizontal strabismus were included. The average reading speed was 65.8 words per minute pre‐operatively compared to 80.6 words per minute post‐operatively (p = 0.0038). The average drawing score was 71.1 pre‐operatively compared to 84.3 post‐operatively (p = 0.012). The average calculation score was 3.2 pre‐operatively compared to 3.4 post‐operatively (p = 0.363). Improvement given by strabismus surgery was confirmed avoiding the learning effect by comparison with the control group. The improvements observed were more significant in the youngest patients and esotropia.

Conclusions

This study highlights that strabismus surgery significantly improved the children's reading fluency and drawing task execution. These encouraging data should be taken into account when considering the indications for strabismus surgery.
Relative bioavailability of delamanid 50 mg tablets dispersed in water in healthy adult volunteers
Authors: Zou Yuanxi , de Jager Veronique , Hesseling Anneke C. , Diacon Andreas H. , Wiesner Lubbe , Mostert Joni , Svensson Elin M. , Garcia‐Prats Anthony
Published: January 2023

Aim

Delamanid is a novel drug for the treatment of drug‐resistant tuberculosis, manufactured as 50‐mg solid and 25‐mg dispersible tablets. We evaluated the effects of dispersing the 50‐mg tablet, focusing on the relative bioavailability.

Methods

Delamanid, 50‐mg tablets administered dispersed vs swallowed whole, was investigated in a phase I, four‐period, crossover study. Two of three dose strengths of delamanid (25, 50 or 100 mg) were given to healthy adult participants, in both whole and dispersed forms, with a 7‐day washout period. Blood samples were collected over 168 h after each dose. Delamanid and its metabolite DM‐6705 were analysed with a validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry assay. The pharmacokinetics of both analytes were analysed using nonlinear mixed‐effect modelling. Palatability and acceptability were determined using a standardized questionnaire.

Results

Twenty‐four participants completed the study. The bioavailability of dispersed tablets was estimated to be 107% of whole tablets, with a 90% confidence interval of 99.7‐114%, fulfilling bioequivalence criteria. The two formulations were not significantly different regarding either bioavailability or its variability. Bioavailability increased at lower doses, by 34% (26‐42%) at 50 mg and by 74% (64‐86%) at 25 mg, relative to 100 mg. The majority of participants (93%) found the dispersed formulation acceptable in palatability across all delamanid doses.

Conclusions

Dispersed 50‐mg delamanid tablets have similar bioavailability to tablets swallowed whole in adult volunteers. This can be an option for children and other patients who cannot swallow whole tablets, improving access to treatment.