bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forensic Pathological Analysis of Death Due to Pulmonary Thromboembolism
Authors: Chen Ziyuan , Wang Pengfei , Zhang Mengzhou , Wen Shuheng , Cheng Hao , Wang Ning , Wu Mingzhe , Wang Ziwei , Li Bingxuan , Guo Xiangshen , Zhang Yujian , Guan Dawei , Wang Linlin , Zhao Rui
Published: January 2023

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a common cause of sudden unexpected death in forensic and clinical practice. Although the prevention of thrombosis has been paid more attention in clinical practice in recent years, the number of deaths due to PTE remains extensive. In the present study, 145 cases of fatal PTE were collected and retrospectively analyzed from 2001 to 2020 at the School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University in Liaoning Province, northeast of China. The demographic characteristics, risk factors of PTE, origins of thrombi, and time interval from the occurrence of main risk factors to PTE were retrospectively analyzed. The 40 to 59 age group accounted for the 51.0% of the total cases. Immobilization, trauma (especially fracture of the pelvis, femur, tibia, or fibula), surgery, cesarean section, and mental disorders were the top 5 high-risk factors. Among the involved cases, 92.9% of the PTE (130/140) occurred within 60 days and peak at 8 to 15 days after the exposure of main risk factors. According to the autopsy findings, 87.6% of the thrombi blocked the bilateral pulmonary arteries at pulmonary hilus, with a maximum diameter of 1.6 cm and a maximum length of 21.9 cm, which were mainly derived from lower limb (65.5%) or pelvic veins (10.3%). Although the embolus limited the pulmonary circulation, there is no difference on the ratio of lung-to-heart weight between PTE and the disease-free accident victims. Overall, our present retrospective study provides important information for the forensic analysis on the cause of death and potential guidance on clinical prevention of PTE.
Pediatric Septic Shock Care Pathways in General Emergency Departments
Authors: Workman Jennifer K. , Keenan Heather T. , Weir Charlene R.
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Many academic pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) have successfully implemented pediatric septic shock care pathways. However, many general emergency departments (GEDs), who see the majority of pediatric ED visits, have not. This study aims to compare the workflow, resources, communication, and decision making across these 2 settings to inform the future implementation of a standardized care pathway for children with septic shock in the GED.

Methods

We used the critical incident technique to conduct semistructured interviews with 24 ED physicians, nurses, and technicians at one PED and 2 GEDs regarding pediatric septic shock care. We performed a thematic analysis using the Framework Method to develop our coding schema through inductive and deductive analyses. We continued an iterative process of revising the schema until we reached consensus agreement and thematic saturation.

Results

We identified the following 6 themes: (1) functioning like a “well-oiled machine” may be key to high performance; (2) experiencing the sequence of care for children with sepsis as invariant and predictable may be essential to high-quality performance; (3) resilience and flexibility are characteristic of high levels of performance; (4) believing that “the buck stops here” may contribute to more accountability; (5) continuous system learning is essential; and (6) computerized clinical decision support may not be optimized to drive decision-making at the point of care. Commentary from GED and PED participants differed across the 6 themes, providing insight into the approach for standardized care pathway implementation in GEDs.

Conclusions

Pediatric septic shock workflow, decision making, and system performance differ between the PED and GEDs. Implementation of a standardized care pathway in GEDs will require a tailored approach. Specific recommendations include (1) improving shared situation awareness; (2) simulation for knowledge, skill, and team-based training; and (3) promoting a culture of continuous learning.
HIV viral load monitoring during monkeypox virus infection among people with HIV
Authors: Raccagni Angelo Roberto , Mileto Davide , Galli Laura , Bruzzesi Elena , Canetti Diana , Rizzo Alberto , Bertoni Costanza , Clemente Tommaso , Alberton Francesca , Castagna Antonella , Nozza Silvia
Published: January 2023

Objectives:

Aims of this study were to assess the characteristics of Mpox among people with HIV (PWH) and describe the change of some immune-virological parameters during Mpox virus infection.

Design:

Case series of PWH diagnosed with Mpox between May and July 2022 at the Infectious Diseases Unit of San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.

Methods:

Real-time PCR was used to detect Mpox virus on oropharyngeal, cutaneous, genital and rectal swabs, plasma, seminal fluids, and urines. The values of the CD4+ lymphocytes and HIV-RNA were assessed both at Mpox diagnosis and after Mpox virological clearance and were compared to those prior to Mpox. The relationship between the symptoms clinical duration of Mpox and the CD4+ cell count at diagnosis was assessed with Spearman's correlation coefficient.

Results:

Overall, 28 PWH on antiretroviral therapy with Mpox were evaluated. HIV-RNA did not substantially change at Mpox infection with respect to previous virological profile (P = 0.721). However, at time of Mpox diagnosis, we observed a detectable HIV-RNA (196 copies/ml) in one individual previously undetectable (HIV-RNA < 20 copies/ml) and an increase to 1.220 copies/ml in a previously viremic subject (HIV-RNA = 263 copies/ml). No significant differences in CD4+ cell count were found before and at time of Mpox diagnosis (P = 0.151) and a higher CD4+ cell count at Mpox diagnosis was marginally related to a lower duration of Mpox symptoms (r = −0.341, P = 0.068).

Conclusions:

Among PWH, we advise monitoring HIV viral load at Mpox diagnosis and during follow-up, as well as providing counseling on the results, due to the important individual and community implications.
A Systematic Review of Electromagnetic Treatments for Body Contouring
Authors: Swanson Eric
Published: January 2023

Background

Energy-based treatments include ultrasound, lasers, cryolipolysis, and radiofrequency. The most recent energy treatment for noninvasive body contouring is electromagnetic treatments—a hot topic in plastic surgery today. A systematic review to assess efficacy and safety has not been published.

Methods

An electronic search was performed using PubMed to identify the literature describing electromagnetic treatments. Measurements from imaging studies were tabulated and compared.

Results

Fourteen clinical studies were evaluated. Two studies included simultaneous radiofrequency treatments. In 11 studies, the Emsculpt device was used; in 2 studies, the Emsculpt-Neo device was used. One study included a sham group of patients. The usual protocol was 4 treatments given over a 2-week period. No complications were reported. Eight studies included abdominal measurement data obtained using magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or ultrasound. Photographic results were typically modest. Photographs showing more dramatic results also showed unexplained reductions in untreated areas.

Measurement variances were high. The mean reduction in fat thickness was 5.5 mm. The mean increment in muscle thickness was 2.2 mm. The mean decrease in muscle separation was 2.9 mm (P = 0.19). Early posttreatment ultrasound images in 1 study showed an echolucent muscle layer, compared with a more echodense layer at the baseline, consistent with tissue swelling after exercise. Almost all studies were authored by medical advisors for the device manufacturer.

Discussion

Measurement data show small reductions in fat thickness, occurring almost immediately after the treatments. Adipocyte removal without tissue swelling would be unique among energy-based treatments. Similarly, muscle hypertrophy is not known to occur acutely after exercise; muscle swelling likely accounts for an early increment in muscle thickness. Any improvement in the diastasis recti is likely fictitious.

Conclusions

Electromagnetic treatments, either administered alone or in combination with radiofrequency, are safe. However, the evidence for efficacy is tenuous. Measured treatment effects are very small (<5 mm). Conflict of interest and publication bias are major factors in studies evaluating energy-based alternatives. The evidence-based physician may not be satisfied that an equivocal treatment benefit justifies the time and expense for patients.
Current Practices and Trends in Midface Rejuvenation
Authors: Shehan Jennifer N. , Ryll Lucia S. , LeClair Jessica , Ezzat Waleed H.
Published: January 2023

Background

Cosmetic approaches to midface aging are complex and vary in their treatment methodology. The nature of cosmetic surgery limits clinical trial data, forcing surgeons to rely on small studies and professional preferences when choosing an approach. Our study aimed to quantitatively assess national trends in midface rejuvenation practices.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study consisting of a survey administered through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons listservs. To evaluate trends, techniques were grouped into 2 categories: minimally invasive (injectable fillers, fat transfer, fat repositioning) or invasive (deep plane facelift, subperiosteal lift, malar/cheek alloplastic implant, bone grafting/bone advancement).

Results

Two hundred thirty-two survey responses were received. Of the total respondents, 46.52% were certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and 48.26% were certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Minimally invasive techniques were far more preferred (66.67%) over invasive (33.33%) techniques, with injectable fillers as the most common technique (34.88%), followed by fat transfer (20.93%). Deep plane facelift was preferred over subperiosteal lift (18.60% vs 7.91%, respectively). Surgeons board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery were more inclined to perform invasive techniques over those board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (P = 0.0427).

Conclusion

This study quantitatively assessed national trends in cosmetic approaches to midface aging. Our data suggest that trends among surgeons across the United States have shifted toward favoring minimally invasive techniques over more invasive approaches.
Anti-interleukin-6 Antibody Clazakizumab in Antibody-mediated Kidney Transplant Rejection: Effect on Donor-derived Cell-free DNA and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 10
Authors: Mayer Katharina A. , Doberer Konstantin , Halloran Philip F. , Budde Klemens , Haindl Susanne , Mühlbacher Jakob , Eskandary Farsad , Viard Thierry , Casas Silvia , Jilma Bernd , Böhmig Georg A.
Published: January 2023

Background.

Targeting interleukin-6 (IL-6) was shown to counteract donor-specific antibody production and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) activity. It is not known whether, or to what extent, IL-6 antagonism modulates biomarkers indicative of tissue damage (donor-derived cell-free DNA [dd-cfDNA]) and parenchymal inflammation (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand [CXCL] 10).

Methods.

We report a secondary endpoint analysis of a phase 2 trial of anti-IL-6 antibody clazakizumab in late AMR (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03444103). Twenty kidney transplant recipients were randomized to treatment with clazakizumab or placebo over 12 wk (part A), followed by an extension in which all recipients received clazakizumab through week 52 (part B). Biomarkers were evaluated at day 0 and after 12 and 52 wk, respectively.

Results.

Fractional dd-cfDNA (dd-cfDNA[%]) did not significantly change under clazakizumab, with no differences between study arms (clazakizumab versus placebo) at week 12 (1.65% [median; interquartile range: 0.91%–2.78%] versus 0.97% [0.56%–2.30%]; P = 0.25) and no significant decrease from weeks 12 to 52 (1.15% [0.70%–2.38%] versus 1.0% [0.61%–1.70%]; P = 0.25). Similarly, urine CXCL10 was not different between groups at week 12 (55.7 [41.0–91.4] versus 60.2 [48.8–208.7.0] pg/mg creatinine; P = 0.44) and did not change over part B (CXCL10 [pg/mg creatinine]: from 58 [46.3–93.1] to 67.4 [41.5–132.0] pg/mL creatinine; P = 0.95). Similar results were obtained for serum CXCL10. There was no association between biomarker levels and resolution of molecular and morphologic AMR activity.

Conclusions.

Our results suggest that IL-6 blockade does not significantly affect levels of dd-cfDNA[%] and CXCL10. Subtle responses to this therapeutic principle may be overlooked by early biomarker surveillance.
Liver Transplantation for Budd-Chiari Syndrome in the MELD Era
Authors: Alqahtani Saleh A. , Schneider Carolin , Sims Omar T. , Gurakar Ahmet , Tamim Hani , Bonder Alan , Saberi Behnam
Published: January 2023

Background.

To evaluate clinical characteristics and factors associated with survival among liver transplantation (LT) recipients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), with or without transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), in the post–Model for End-stage Liver Disease era.

Methods.

We extracted data from the United Network for Organ Sharing database on all adult (≥18 y old) waitlisted candidates and recipients of LT with BCS in the United States between 2002 and 2019. Multivariable Cox regression was used to determine predictors of mortality and hazard ratios (HRs).

Results.

A total of 647 BCS patients were waitlisted between 2002 and 2019. BCS was an indication for LT in 378 (0.2%) of all adult LT recipients during the study period. Of BCS patients who received LT, approximately three-fourths (72.3%) were alive for up to 10 y. We found no significant difference in LT outcomes in BCS patients with or without TIPS. Longer length of hospital stay following LT (HR, 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19-1.47), Black/African American race (HR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.38-3.64), diabetes (HR, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.62-6.21), donor risk index (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.05-1.99), and lower albumin levels at the time of transplantation (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.50-0.88) were negatively associated with survival after LT. Interestingly, neither the Model for End-stage Liver Disease nor prior TIPS showed a significant association with survival after LT.

Conclusions.

These findings demonstrate good comparable survival among TIPS versus no TIPS in LT recipients with BCS. The decision for TIPS versus LT should be individualized on a case-by-case basis.
Opicapone Pharmacokinetics and Effects on Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Activity and Levodopa Pharmacokinetics in Patients With Parkinson Disease Receiving Carbidopa/Levodopa
Authors: LeWitt Peter , Liang Grace S. , Olanow C. Warren , Kieburtz Karl D. , Jimenez Roland , Olson Kurt , Klepitskaya Olga , Loewen Gordon
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Levodopa (LD) administered with dopa decarboxylase inhibitor is predominantly metabolized in the periphery by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) to 3-O-methyldopa (3-OMD). Catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibition can improve treatment outcomes by decreasing variability in circulating LD concentrations. Opicapone is a once-daily COMT inhibitor approved in the US adjunctive to carbidopa (CD)/LD in patients with Parkinson disease experiencing “OFF” episodes. This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of once-daily opicapone 50 mg adjunctive to CD/LD in patients with stable Parkinson disease.

Methods

Once-daily opicapone 50 mg was administered the evenings of days 1 to 14. Participants were randomized to receive CD/LD (25/100 mg) every 3 or 4 hours (Q3H or Q4H). Participants received Q3H or Q4H CD/LD on days 1, 2, and 15 and their usual CD/LD regimen on other days. Serial blood samples were collected to determine plasma opicapone, LD, and 3-OMD concentrations and erythrocyte soluble COMT (S-COMT) activity. The effects of opicapone on S-COMT, LD, and 3-OMD were assessed. Mean (SD) values are presented.

Results

Sixteen participants were enrolled. At steady-state (day 14), opicapone C
max (peak plasma concentration) and AUC0-last (area under the curve-time curve) were 459 ± 252 ng/mL and 2022 ± 783 ng/mL·h, respectively. Maximum COMT inhibition was 83.4 ± 4.9% of baseline on day 14. After opicapone administration, LD total AUC, peak concentration, and trough concentration increased; peak-to-trough fluctuation index decreased. Correspondingly, 3-OMD total AUC, peak concentration, and trough concentration decreased.

Conclusions

Adding once-daily opicapone 50 mg to LD resulted in marked and extended COMT inhibition, which increased systemic exposure to LD. These changes translated into higher trough concentrations and decreased peak-to-trough fluctuations for LD.
Conditions that favour cumulative cultural evolution
Authors: Denton Kaleda K. , Ram Yoav , Feldman Marcus W.
Published: January 2023

The emergence of human societies with complex language and cumulative culture is considered a major evolutionary transition. Why such a high degree of cumulative culture is unique to humans is perplexing given the potential fitness advantages of cultural accumulation. Here, Boyd & Richerson’s (1996 Why culture is common, but cultural evolution is rare.
Proc. Br. Acad.
88
, 77–93) discrete-cultural-trait model is extended to incorporate arbitrarily strong selection; conformist, anti-conformist and unbiased frequency-dependent transmission; random and periodic environmental variation; finite population size; and multiple ‘skill levels.’ From their infinite-population-size model with success bias and a single skill level, Boyd and Richerson concluded that social learning is favoured over individual learning under a wider range of conditions when social learning is initially common than initially rare. We find that this holds only if the number
n
of individuals observed by a social learner is sufficiently small, but with a finite population and/or a combination of success-biased and conformist or unbiased transmission, this result holds with larger
n
. Assuming social learning has reached fixation, the increase in a population’s mean skill level is lower if cumulative culture is initially absent than initially present, if population size is finite, or if cultural transmission has a frequency-dependent component. Hence, multiple barriers to cultural accumulation may explain its rarity.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Human socio-cultural evolution in light of evolutionary transitions’.
The economic superorganism in the complexity of evolution
Authors: Krall Lisi
Published: January 2023

The transition to grain agriculture restructured human societies, creating a new whole, an economic superorganism.
Homo sapiens
became expansionary, structurally interdependent in material life, and a duality between them and Earth was created that had not previously existed. Yet
H. sapiens
are not the only species to make the transition to agriculture. Cross-species comparisons create an opening for a movement toward a focus on the universal and powerful agricultural system as a unique expression of the evolution of species cooperation. This shifts the focus around human social evolution away from culture and toward the formation and power of the economic system that took hold with the cultivation of annual grains. The basic structure and dynamic to economic life that began with grain agriculture has endured for 10 000 years and the duality between humans and Earth established therein is now reaching an apogee with the spectre of climate change and the mass extinction of other species on Earth. In this light, the questions emerge: Is the agricultural revolution an evolutionary transition adequately captured in existing frameworks of human social evolution? Is the human capacity for culture sufficient to override the power and dynamic of the economic superorganism?

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Human socio-cultural evolution in light of evolutionary transitions’.
Cultural specialization as a double-edged sword: division into specialized guilds might promote cultural complexity at the cost of higher susceptibility to cultural loss
Authors: Ben-Oren Yotam , Kolodny Oren , Creanza Nicole
Published: January 2023

The transition to specialization of knowledge within populations could have facilitated the accumulation of cultural complexity in humans. Specialization allows populations to increase their cultural repertoire without requiring that members of that population increase their individual capacity to accumulate knowledge. However, specialization also means that domain-specific knowledge can be concentrated in small subsets of the population, making it more susceptible to loss. Here, we use a model of cultural evolution to demonstrate that specialized populations can be more sensitive to stochastic loss of knowledge than populations without subdivision of knowledge, and that demographic and environmental changes have an amplified effect on populations with knowledge specialization. Finally, we suggest that specialization can be a double-edged sword; specialized populations may have an advantage in accumulating cultural traits but may also be less likely to expand and establish themselves successfully in new demes owing to the increased cultural loss that they experience during the population bottlenecks that often characterize such expansions.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Human socio-cultural evolution in light of evolutionary transitions’.
Molecular Epidemiology and Dynamics of Serotypes of Dengue virus isolated from seasonal outbreaks of Dengue Fever over a four-year period from Western Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: MUSTAFA ZEESHAN , KHAN HARIS MANZOOR , AZAM MOHD , SAMI HIBA , ALI SYED GHAZANFAR , AHMAD ISLAM , RAZA ADIL , KHAN MOHAMMAD AZAM
Published: January 2023

An important public health problem in India is dengue infection, and every year there is an increase in the number of dengue cases. Dengue affects all individuals irrespective of their gender and age, but still, the infection rate was higher among males and younger ones. Despite low severity in general, the dengue virus can cause severe health conditions in some individuals. Genetic characterization of the circulating endemic dengue virus (DENV) serotypes plays a significant role in establishing epidemiological knowledge and subsequent vaccine development. In the present study over a 4-yr period, we tried to figure out the dengue virus transmission dynamics in major regions of western Uttar Pradesh in North India. ELISA tests were used to diagnose dengue, and PCRs were used to determine the circulating serotype. We found that dengue infection peaks after the rainy season and affects all sexes and ages. A total of 1277 individual are found positive for dengue, among them 61.7% are males and 38.3% are females, DEN-1 was found in 23.12%, DEN-2 in 45%, DEN-3 in 29.06%, and DEN-4 in 1.5% of the dengue infected individuals. Dengue infects all individuals irrespective of gender and age. Still, the infection is most common among male individuals and younger ones. All four dengue virus serotypes are circulating in the study area, and dengue virus serotype-2 (DEN-2) is the most prevalent serotype.
A Novel Therapy for ALS: Allogeneic Schwann Cell Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Goldschmidt-Clermont Pascal J. , Khan Aisha , Guest James D. , Jimsheleishvili George , Graham Patricia , Brooks Adriana , Silvera Risset , Goldschmidt Alexander J.P. , Pearse Damien D. , Dietrich W. Dalton , Brown Robert , Levi Allan D.
Published: January 2023

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a terminal condition with accelerated loss of motor neurons (MN), resulting in the progressive paralysis of affected patients. ALS is either sporadic (90%) or genetically transmitted (10%) and affects cortical (pyramidal) and spinal cord (lower) MN, axons, and respective muscle endplates. ALS research has focused on MN survival, and current FDA-approved therapies provide only small patient survival benefits. This study reports the intravenous (IV) delivery of serial infusions of allogenic Schwann cell-derived extracellular vesicles (SCEV). The recipient had transient clinical stabilization during treatment but deteriorated rapidly during a pause in the infusions. There were no SCEV infusion-related adverse events observed. Allogeneic SCEV appeared safe for IV delivery in this case and may have therapeutic potential.
Clinical Testing of Pediatric Mpox Specimens: Unique Features and Challenges in a Low Prevalence Population
Authors: Ma Angela , Bradley Benjamin T.
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

Pediatric mpox cases comprise less than 0.3% of the total cases reported in the United States during the global 2022 outbreak. As a result, relatively little is known about the epidemiology or performance characteristics of clinical testing in this group.

METHODS

We retrospectively extracted and analyzed results for pediatric mpox specimens tested at a national reference laboratory from July to December 2022.

RESULTS

During our study period 13.4% (2,063/15,385) of specimens were from individuals <18 years of age. The positivity rate of pediatric specimens was significantly lower than in adults (1.3% vs 22.3%). The pediatric cohort also consisted of a higher percentage of females (42.7% vs 31.0%) and lower percentage of specimens from genital sources (9.0% vs 19.7%) as compared to adults. In children, specimens were most frequently collected from 1-year-olds (10.1%) and least frequently from 11-year-olds (3.5%). Positivity rates were disproportionately elevated in the less than 1-year and 17-year-old age groups (7.8% and 6.4%, respectively). Ct values of positive cases were not statistically different between pediatric and adult cohorts (25.2 vs 22.2, p>0.05). When all pediatric cases with an initial positive mpox result were examined, 5/26 were classified as inconclusive and 2/26 were determined to be false positives. Based on these results, the positive predictive value of monkeypox virus detection was 90.5% (95% CI: 70.4-97.4%) in children.

CONCLUSION

These results highlight important differences between pediatric and adult mpox populations and reinforce the need for clinical correlation when reporting positive results from a low prevalence population.
Risk of Nephrolithiasis in adults heterozygous forSLC34A3Ser192Leu in an unselected health system cohort
Authors: Nwachukwu Chinedu , Singh Gurmukteshwar , Moore Bryn , Strande Natasha T , Bucaloiu Ion D , Chang Alexander R
Published: January 2023

Homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in solute carrier family 34, member 3 (SLC34A3) cause hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria (HHRH). Patients heterozygous forSLC34A3pathogenic variants may be at increased risk for renal calcification but reports have been mostly limited to family members of patients with autosomal recessive HHRH. To determine the phenotypic spectrum ofSLC34A3Ser192Leu, we examined the most pathogenicSLC34A3variant Ser192Leu (238 out of 174,417 participants) in an unselected, health system-based research cohort in central and northeast Pennsylvania.SLC34A3Ser192Leu heterozygotes had higher risks of nephrolithiasis ICD diagnosis (13% vs. 6%), hypophosphatemia <2.5 mg/dL (31/96 [32%] vs. 6226/39636 [16%]), lower eGFR (−4.43, 95% CI: −7.03, −1.83; p=0.001) and tended to have higher prevalence of kidney/liver cyst ICD codes (5% vs. 3%; p=0.09), compared to controls. Further studies are needed to determine whether personalized approaches (i.e. phosphate supplementation) to patients heterozygous forSLC34A3pathogenic variants can reduce kidney stone burden and risk of kidney function decline.
Waning Immunity Against XBB.1.5 Following Bivalent mRNA Boosters
Authors: Lasrado Ninaad , Collier Ai-ris Y. , Miller Jessica , Hachmann Nicole P. , Liu Jinyan , Sciacca Michaela , Wu Cindy , Anand Trisha , Bondzie Esther A. , Fisher Jana L. , Mazurek Camille R. , Patio Robert C. , Powers Olivia , Rodrigues Stefanie L. , Rowe Marjorie , Surve Nehalee , Ty Darren M. , Korber Bette , Barouch Dan H.
Published: January 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has continued to evolve. XBB is a recombinant between two BA.2 sublineages, XBB.1 includes the G252V mutation, and XBB.1.5 includes the G252V and F486P mutations. XBB.1.5 has rapidly increased in frequency and has become the dominant virus in New England. The bivalent mRNA vaccine boosters have been shown to increase neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers to multiple variants, but the durability of these responses remains to be determined. We assessed humoral and cellular immune responses in 30 participants who received the bivalent mRNA boosters and performed assays at baseline prior to boosting, at week 3 after boosting, and at month 3 after boosting. Our data demonstrate that XBB.1.5 substantially escapes NAb responses but not T cell responses after bivalent mRNA boosting. NAb titers to XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 were similar, suggesting that the F486P mutation confers greater transmissibility but not increased immune escape. By month 3, NAb titers to XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 declined essentially to baseline levels prior to boosting, while NAb titers to other variants declined less strikingly.
Cooperation between physiological defenses and immune resistance produces asymptomatic carriage of a lethal bacterial pathogen
Authors: Chen Grischa Y. , Thorup Natalia R. , Miller Abigail J. , Li Yao-Cheng , Ayres Janelle S.
Published: January 2023

Animals have evolved two defense strategies to survive infections. Antagonistic strategies include mechanisms of immune resistance that operate to sense and kill invading pathogens. Cooperative or physiological defenses mediate host adaptation to the infected state, limiting physiological damage and disease, without killing the pathogen, and have been shown to cause asymptomatic carriage and transmission of lethal pathogens. Here we demonstrate that physiological defenses cooperate with the adaptive immune response to generate long-term asymptomatic carriage of the lethal enteric murine pathogen,Citrobacter rodentium. Asymptomatic carriage of genetically virulentC. rodentiumprovided immune resistance against subsequent infections. Host immune protection was dependent on systemic antibody responses and pathogen virulence behavior, rather than the recognition of specific virulent factor antigens. Finally, we demonstrate that an avirulent strain ofC. rodentiumin the field has background mutations in two genes that are important for LPS structure. Our work reveals novel insight into how asymptomatic infections can arise mechanistically with immune resistance, mediating exclusion of phenotypically virulent enteric pathogen to promote asymptomatic carriage.
Defective ribosome assembly impairs leukemia stem cell function in a murine model of acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Sjövall Daniel , Ghosh Sudip , Hansson Jenny , Guibentif Carolina , Jaako Pekka
Published: January 2023

Despite the advanced understanding of disease mechanisms, the current therapeutic regimen fails to cure most patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In the present study, we address the role of protein synthesis control in AML leukemia stem cell (LSC) function and leukemia propagation. We apply a murine model of mixed-lineage leukemia-rearranged AML to demonstrate that LSCs are characterized by high global protein synthesis rate. Using a genetic model that permits inducible and graded regulation of ribosomal subunit joining, we show that defective ribosome assembly leads to a significant survival advantage by selectively eradicating LSCs but not normal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Finally, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses identify a rare subset of LSCs with immature stem cell signature and high ribosome content that promotes the resistance to defective ribosome assembly. Collectively, our study unveils a critical requirement of high protein synthesis rate for LSC function and highlights ribosome assembly as a therapeutic target in AML.
Bacteriophage therapy for the treatment ofMycobacterium tuberculosisinfections in humanized mice
Authors: Yang Fan , Labani-Motlagh Alireza , Moreira Josimar Dornelas , Ansari Danish , Bohorquez Jose Alejandro , Patel Sahil , Spagnolo Fabrizio , Florence Jon , Vankayalapati Abhinav , Vankayalapati Ramakrishna , Dennehy John J. , Samten Buka , Yi Guohua
Published: January 2023

The continuing emergence of new strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has renewed interest in phage therapy; however, there has been limited progress in applying phage therapy to multi-drug resistantMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) infections. In this study, we tested three bacteriophage strains for theirMtb-killing activities and found that two of them efficiently lysedMtbH37Rv in 7H10 agar plates. However, only phage DS6A efficiently killed H37Rv in liquid culture and inMtb-infected human primary macrophages. In subsequent experiments, we infected humanized mice with aerosolized H37Rv, then treated these mice with DS6A intravenously to test itsin vivoefficacy. We found that DS6A treated mice showed increased body weight and improved pulmonary function relative to control mice. Furthermore, DS6A reducedMtbload in mouse organs with greater efficacy in the spleen. These results demonstrated the feasibility of developing phage therapy as an effective therapeutic againstMtbinfection.
Structural and functional characterization of a thermostable secretory phospholipase A2 from Sciscionella marina and its application in liposome biotransformation
Authors: Kang Bu-Gyeong , Kwon Seung-Yeon , Lee Hyo-Ran , Hwang Yeji , Youn So-Yeon , Oh Chulhong , Park Jin-Byung , Cha Sun-Shin
Published: January 2023

Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2), which hydrolyzes the sn-2 acyl bond of lecithin in a Ca2+-dependent manner, is an important enzyme in the oil and oleochemical industries. However, most sPLA2s are not stable under process conditions. Therefore, a thermostable sPLA2 was investigated in this study. A marine bacterial sPLA2 isolated from Sciscionella marina (Sm-sPLA2) was catalytically active even after 5 h of incubation at high temperatures of up to 50°C, which is outstanding compared with a representative bacterial sPLA2 (i.e. sPLA2 from Streptomyces violaceoruber; Sv-sPLA2). Consistent with this, the melting temperature of Sm-sPLA2 was measured to be 7.7°C higher than that of Sv-sPLA2. Furthermore, Sm-sPLA2 exhibited an improved biotransformation performance compared with Sv-sPLA2 in the hydrolysis of soy lecithin to lysolecithin and free fatty acids at 50°C. Structural and mutagenesis studies revealed that the Trp41-mediated anchoring of a Ca2+-binding loop into the rest of the protein body is directly linked to the thermal stability of Sm-sPLA2. This finding provides a novel structural insight into the thermostability of sPLA2 and could be applied to create mutant proteins with enhanced industrial potential.
Branding Creative Cities of Gastronomy: the role of brand experience and the influence of tourists' self-congruity and self-expansion
Authors: Guo YuLan , Hsu Fu Chieh
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study explores the brand management and marketing of Creative Cities of Gastronomy. A framework based on brand experience was constructed to investigate its relationship with tourists' brand attachment and brand identification. Two factors that enable tourists to have a stronger brand experience from the self-concept perspective – self-congruity and self-expansion – were also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted a quantitative research design and collected data from participants who had visited Creative Cities of Gastronomy. A total of 515 valid questionnaires were collected online and offline. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis and hypothesis testing.

Findings

The results showed that brand experience positively affects brand identification and attachment. The brand experience of tourists who considered themselves to be “foodies” was enhanced in the Creative Cities of Gastronomy through self-congruity. The results also confirmed that the relationship between self-congruity and brand experience is mediated by self-expansion.

Originality/value

Studies on the Creative Cities of Gastronomy are limited. The few that have explored these cities are dominated by qualitative approaches. This study applied empirical data to examine the brand experience in Creative Cities of Gastronomy. The authors successfully verified that brand experience is effective for building positive relationships with brand attachment and identification. The study also confirmed that self-congruity and self-expansion are important antecedents of brand experience in Creative Cities of Gastronomy. This study enriches the literature by providing empirical evidence and insights into the marketing and branding of these cities.
Innovative food and sustainable consumption behaviour: the role of communication focus and consumer-related characteristics in lab-grown meat (LGM) consumption
Authors: Sestino Andrea , Rossi Marco Valerio , Giraldi Luca , Faggioni Francesca
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate consumers' reactions to a new kind of green food product that is the so-called lab-grown meat (LGM). This kind of meat does not derive from animal or vegetal cultures but is produced on the basis of “tissue-engineering” technologies, by injecting muscle tissue from an animal into a cell culture, allowing cells to “grow” outside the animal's body. By considering the similar nutritional characteristics of traditional types of meat, and the potential in terms of sustainability, the authors investigate the effect of the advertising, communication focus promoting LGM-based meat, on consumers' willingness to buy (WTB) and word-of-mouth (WOM), by shedding light on the moderator role of consumers' environmentalism and status consumption orientation tendency in influencing such relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an exploratory research design, the authors conducted a study based on a two-cell experiment that manipulated the advertising communication focus by using a hamburger made of synthetic meat related to a fictitious brand called “Gnam”, to manipulate the advertising communication focus (sustainability vs. taste), then evaluating consumers' WTB, WOM, environmentalism and status consumption orientation.

Findings

Results show that the communication focus (sustainability vs. taste) exerts a positive effect on consumers' WTB and WOM, and how such effect is magnified both by consumers' environmentalism and status consumption orientation, in the attempt to show other a green status and their green consumption tendency.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the promising results, the study does not consider other consumers' individual differences, i.e. as for the role of age, or cultural differences.

Practical implications

Practically, this study suggests marketers and managers how to design effective marketing campaigns to incentivise LGM-based food products purchase, and promote positive WOM, on the basis of certain consumers' individual differences useful to segment their clientele in terms of environmentalism, and status consumption orientation tendency.

Social implications

Socially, this study may contribute to incentivising the use of alternative forms of meat as a food product not deriving from animal or vegetal culture, coherently with recent sustainability worldwide claimed goals.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to investigate consumers' reactions to LGM-based food products, by shedding light on the fundamental role of consumers' individual differences.
Benchmarking bike-sharing systems: an analysis of the sustainable potential of use-oriented solutions
Authors: Inhof Aline Cervi , Cauchick-Miguel Paulo Augusto , Moro Suzana Regina , Zomer Thayla Tavares de Sousa
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Product-service systems (PSS) are regarded as highly sustainable solutions. However, studies identifying and comparing the sustainable potential of product-service offerings by considering the three sustainability dimensions are still scarce. This paper aims to benchmark and analyse the sustainable potential of a use-oriented PSS, showing the influence of the context of implementation on the sustainable potential of the solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

By adopting a competitive benchmarking approach, six bicycle-sharing systems from different countries were selected for analysis. The main sustainability-related aspects in use-oriented PSS (the systems investigated) were identified through a literature review. Multiple secondary sources were used to collect data about the analysed PSS. A qualitative analysis was conducted through triangulation of the sources to identify and compare the systems by considering the selected sustainability aspects.

Findings

The main results show that use-oriented PSS provide a range of economic, social, and environmental benefits, confirming the sustainable potential of such solutions. Several similarities between the systems have been identified, along with some differences, especially regarding their integration with other transport systems and the use of renewable energy, which can affect users' acceptance, operation efficacy, and overall sustainable potential of the solutions.

Practical implications

This study identifies best practices that can be considered by other bike-sharing businesses to improve their sustainability potential.

Originality/value

This study identifies and explores the sustainable potential of bicycle-sharing solutions using a benchmark approach. It augments existing empirical knowledge on sustainable PSS and business models by revealing best practices, including the context that may enhance the sustainability potential of the solutions regarding environmental, economic, and social benefits.
Resistance to blockchain adoption in the foodservice industry: moderating roles of public pressures and climate change awareness
Authors: Jang Ha-Won , Yoo Joanne Jung-Eun , Cho Meehee
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Blockchain technology has created possibilities for environmental supply chain sustainability and climate protection. However, because of its early development stage, users tend to resist the adoption of this new technology. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of resistance on blockchain adoption intentions in the context of the foodservice industry. This study further explores if public pressures and climate change awareness could possibly weaken the negative relationships between blockchain resistance and adoption intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from managers and full-time employees in the foodservice industry, using an online research panel survey. A structural equation model was developed and tested to examine the hypothesized relationships. Additionally, a multi-group analysis was performed to test the moderating roles of public pressures and climate change awareness.

Findings

The findings from this study confirmed that foodservice employees’ characteristics, including traditional barriers, and blockchain technology factors, like perceived risk, are both significant in forming resistance to blockchain. This study also demonstrated the significant roles of internal and external stakeholders in weakening the negative associations between blockchain resistance and adoption intentions.

Research limitations/implications

This study recommends that foodservice companies address how to reduce their employees’ negative perceptions about changes imposed by blockchain adoption. This study also suggests the joint consideration of the pressures from internal and external stakeholders to provide continued insights into developing environmental practices for the foodservice industry.

Originality/value

This study extends the theoretical underpinning of the innovation resistance theory by incorporating the stakeholder theory as a strong foundation for understanding how external pressures and internal awareness may influence foodservice employees’ responses to the implementation of blockchain technology to mitigate climate change.
Inter-state disparities in government health expenditure in India: a study of national rural health mission
Authors: Ud Din Mohammad Azhar , Dar Muzffar Hussain , Haseen Shaukat
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The study aims to compare India's public health expenditure at the international and state levels. The paper also empirically examines the regional disparities in NRHM spending across the 21 selected states of India.

Design/methodology/approach

The tools of absolute β-and σ-convergence are used in the analysis to test the regional convergence. The average annual growth rate across the states is the dependent variable for β-convergence, and time is the second dependent variable but is used for s-convergence. In contrast, the initial value of NRHM expenditure and the coefficient of variation of NRHM expenditure are used as independent variables, respectively. Descriptive statistics are also used for the study. The data are annual and cover the panel from 2007 to 2020.

Findings

The study attests to the hypothesis of β-and σ-convergence for the selected states in the period mentioned. The observed convergence in NRHM expenditure is due to the shift in the government's attention from the non-high focus high focus states to high states through the national rural health mission policy. The coefficient of variation across the states also shows a declining trend and provides the robustness of the σ-convergence.

Originality/value

As far as the literature is concerned, none of the existing studies examines the convergence of a public health expenditure scheme like the National Rural Health Mission across the Indian states by applying the techniques of β-and σ-convergence. The novelty of the study is using the newly updated dataset and validating the convergence hypotheses in the National Rural Health Mission expenditure case.
Looked after children in prison as adults: life adversity and neurodisability
Authors: Kent Hope , Kirby Amanda , Leckie George , Cornish Rosie , Hogarth Lee , Williams W. Huw
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Looked after children (LAC) are criminalised at five times the rate of children in the general population. Children in contact with both child welfare and child justice systems have higher rates of neurodisability and substance use problems, and LAC in general have high rates of school exclusion, homelessness and unemployment. This study aims to understand whether these factors persist in LAC who are in prison as adults.

Design/methodology/approach

Administrative data collected by the Do-IT profiler screening tool in a prison in Wales, UK, were analysed to compare sentenced prisoners who were LAC (n = 631) to sentenced prisoners who were not LAC (n = 2,201). The sample comprised all prisoners who were screened on entry to prison in a two-year period.

Findings

Prisoners who were LAC scored more poorly on a functional screener for neurodisability (effect size = 0.24), and on four self-report measures capturing traits of dyslexia (0.22), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (0.40), autism spectrum disorders (0.34) and developmental co-ordination disorder (0.33). Prisoners who were LAC were more likely to have been to a pupil referral unit (0.24), have substance use problems (0.16), be homeless or marginally housed (0.18) and be unemployed or unable to work due to disability (0.13).

Originality/value

This study uniquely contributes to our understanding of prisoners who were LAC as a target group for intervention and support with re-integration into the community upon release. LAC in prison as adults may require additional interventions to help with employment, housing and substance use. Education programmes in prison should screen for neurodisability, to develop strategies to support engagement.