bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of changes in mental health services in response to COVID-19 on people with mental health conditions: protocol for a rapid review
Authors: Yu G , Craig D , Fu Y
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions to mental health services, forcing the rapid implementation of alternative ways of delivering services alongside a greater immediate, and continuously growing, demand across those services. The care and level of mental health service provided are felt to be inadequate to respond to the increasing demand for mental health conditions in the time of the pandemic, leading to an urgent need to learn from service change and consequences to inform solutions and plans to support the NHS post-pandemic plan in the UK. This rapid review aims to understand the changes in mental health services during the pandemic and summarise the impact of these changes on the health outcomes of people with mental health conditions.

Methods and analysis

Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycInfowill be searched for eligible studies with key terms indicating mental health AND COVID-19 AND health services. Studies will be included if objective and subjective effects of changes to mental health services in response to COVID-19 are reported on adults with mental health conditions, peer-reviewed and published in the English language. Study selection and data extraction will be undertaken dependently by two reviewers. Evidence will be summarised narratively and in a logic model.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required for this review. A list of interventions/services/models of care delivered to people with mental health conditions will be grouped as “Do”, “Don’t” and “Don’t know” based on the evidence on effectiveness and acceptability. The results will be written for publication in an open-access peer-reviewed journal and disseminated to the public and patients, clinicians, commissioners, funders, and academic conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022306923

Strengths and limitations of this study

This is a rapid review with a systematic search of literature

Evidence on changes to mental health services and associated health outcomes will be examined to make practice recommendations

This review will provide the evidence base to inform solutions and plans to support the mental health service provision for the post-pandemic period

Some limitations to the study design include limited to OECD studies, exclusion of non-English studies, publication bias, quality of data, selection bias, and no quality assessment in the rapid evidence review.
Occupational safety and health aspects of corporate social responsibility reporting in Japan: comparison between 2012 and 2020
Authors: Shimizu Takahiro , Nagata Tomohisa , Fujimoto Ayumi , Inoue Shunsuke , Nagata Masako , Mori Koji
Published: February 2022

Background

We aimed to survey the content of occupational safety and health (OSH) disclosed in corporate social responsibility (CSR)-related reports and integrated reports in 2020 and to compare the changes between 2012 and 2020 according to industry and company size.

Methods

We surveyed the websites of all 2,172 companies listed in the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2020 and examined their CSR-related reports and integrated reports. CSR-related reports contain only non-financial information or are posted on webpages addressing sustainability and CSR. Integrated reports include financial information in addition to non-financial information or are posted in the investor relations section. We calculated the proportion of each report type and the proportion of OSH content in each report by industry sector and company size. To increase the reliability of the survey, five experts independently surveyed the same 40 companies and discussed any differing results. We prepared a survey manual based on these discussions. Twenty-five researchers assessed the presence or absence of each type of report and of OSH.

Results

Among all companies, 441 (20.3%) companies issued CSR-related reports and 590 (28.1%) issued integrated reports. The number (percentage) of companies that issued either CSR-related reports or integrated reports was 880 (40.5%). The percentages of both CSR-related reports and integrated reports increased with increased company size. The number (percentage) of companies reporting OSH in CSR-related reports was 391 (88.7%) and that in integrated reports was 493 (83.6%). The percentage of OSH reporting in CSR-related reports and integrated reports was high in secondary industries and low in tertiary industries.

Conclusions

The companies that issued either a CSR-related report or an integrated report increased by 1.9% in 2020 compared with 2012. The percentage of companies that had described OSH in CSR-related reports and integrated reports were increased in 2020 compared with 2012. Many companies in Japan are emphasizing OSH in their CSR-related and integrated reports.
Linking CFTR modulators to opportunistic bacterial infections in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Cigana Cristina , Giannella Ruggero , Colavolpe Alice , Alcalá-Franco Beatriz , Mancini Giulia , Francesca Colombi , Bigogno Chiara , Bastrup Ulla , Bertoni Giovanni , Bragonzi Alessandra
Published: February 2022

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators improve clinical outcomes with variable efficacy in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). However, changes produced by bacterial persistence and adaptation in addition to antibiotic regimens could influence CFTR modulator efficacy and vice versa and hence clinical outcomes. We first evaluated the effects of ivacaftor (IVA), lumacaftor (LUM), tezacaftor, elexacaftor and elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI), alone or combined with antibiotics, on sequential Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa CF isolates. IVA and ETI showed the most potent direct antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, while P. aeruginosa was not affected. Additive effects or synergies were observed between the CFTR modulators and antibiotics against both S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, independently of the stage of colonization. IVA and LUM were the most effective in potentiating antibiotic activity against S. aureus, while IVA and ETI enhanced mainly polymyxins activity against P. aeruginosa. Next, we evaluated the effect of P. aeruginosa pneumonia on the pharmacokinetics of IVA in mice. The time-concentration curves of IVA and its metabolites in plasma, lung and epithelial lining fluid were influenced by P. aeruginosa infection. The area under the concentration-time curve showed that airway exposure to IVA was greater in infected than non-infected mice. These results suggest that CFTR modulators can have direct antimicrobial properties and/or enhance antibiotic activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, bacterial infection impacts the IVA concentration and airway exposure, potentially affecting its efficacy. Our findings suggest optimizing host- and pathogen-directed drug regimens to improve efficacy for personalized treatment.
The Drosophila melanogaster enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1 is required for oogenesis, embryonic development, and amino acid homeostasis
Authors: Rai Madhulika , Carter Sarah M. , Shefali Shefali A. , Mahmoudzadeh Nader H. , Pepin Robert , Tennessen Jason M.
Published: February 2022

As the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, progresses from one life stage to the next, many of the enzymes that compose intermediary metabolism undergo substantial changes in both expression and activity. These predictable shifts in metabolic flux allow the fly meet stage-specific requirements for energy production and biosynthesis. In this regard, the enzyme Glyerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH1) has been the focus of biochemical genetics studies for several decades, and as a result, is one of the most well characterized Drosophila enzymes. Among the findings of these earlier studies is that GPDH1 acts throughout the fly lifecycle to promote mitochondrial energy production and triglyceride accumulation while also serving a key role in maintaining redox balance. Here we expand upon the known roles of GPDH1 during fly development by examining how depletion of both the maternal and zygotic pools of this enzyme influences development, metabolism, and viability. Our findings not only confirm previous observations that Gpdh1 mutants exhibit defects in larval development, lifespan, and fat storage but also reveal that GPDH1 serves essential roles in oogenesis and embryogenesis. Moreover, metabolomics analysis reveals that a Gpdh1 mutant stock maintained in a homozygous state exhibits larval metabolic defects that significantly differ from those observed in the F1 mutant generation. Overall, our findings highlight unappreciated roles for GPDH1 in early development and uncover previously undescribed metabolic adaptations that could allow flies to survive loss of this key enzyme.
Active site structure of the Shigella flexneri effector OspI
Authors: Nishide Akira , Takagi Kenji , Kim Minsoo , Mizushima Tsunehiro
Published: February 2022

Ubc13 is a critical ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme involved in the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signalling pathway. The Shigella flexneri effector OspI targets the host Ubc13 and modifies this enzyme by deamidation of Gln100 into Glu100. This modification inhibits the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)-catalyzed ubiquitination and diacylglycerol-CBM (CARD–Bcl10– Malt1)-TRAF6-NF-κB signal activation. We have previously reported the wild-type OspI crystal structure, but the catalytic triad does not form the canonical active site. Here, the crystal structure of OspI with a C62S mutation was determined at a resolution of 2.2 Å. This C62S mutant structure provided the active site conformation with the catalytic site of OspI.
Centriole growth is not limited by a finite pool of components, but is limited by the Cdk1/Cyclin-dependent phosphorylation of Ana2/STIL
Authors: Steinacker Thomas L. , Wong Siu-Shing , Novak Zsofia A. , Saurya Saroj , Gartenmann Lisa , van Houtum Eline J.H. , Sayers Judith R. , Lagerholm B. Christoffer , Raff Jordan W.
Published: February 2022

Centrioles duplicate once per cell cycle but it is unclear how daughter centrioles assemble at the right time and place and grow to the right size. Here we show that in early Drosophila embryos the cytoplasmic concentrations of the key centriole assembly proteins Asl, Plk4, Ana2, Sas-6 and Sas-4 are low, but remain constant throughout the assembly process— indicating that none of them are limiting for centriole assembly. The cytoplasmic diffusion rate of Ana2/STIL, however, increased significantly towards the end of S-phase as Cdk/Cyclin activity in the embryo increased. A mutant form of Ana2 that cannot be phosphorylated by Cdk/Cyclins did not exhibit the diffusion rate change, and allowed daughter centrioles to grow for an extended period. Thus, the Cdk/Cyclin-dependent phosphorylation of cytoplasmic Ana2 seems to reduce the efficiency of daughter centriole assembly towards the end of S-phase. This helps to ensure that daughter centrioles stop growing at the correct time, and presumably also helps to explain why centrioles cannot duplicate during mitosis when Cdk/Cyclin activity is high.
Bioassay evaluation, GC-MS Analysis and Acute Toxicity Assessment of Methanolic Extracts of Trichoderma species in an Animal Model
Authors: Mulatu Afrasa , Megersa Negussie , Tolcha Teshome , Alemu Tesfaye , Vetukuri Ramesh R.
Published: February 2022

Fungi of the genus Trichoderma have been marketed for the control of crop pests, weeds, and diseases. However, some Trichoderma species may produce toxic secondary metabolites; the existence of these compounds in bioformulated products, along with their relative risk, should receive due attention to ensure human safety. In this study, we investigated the in vitro antagonistic potential of T. asperellum AU131 and T. longibrachiatum AU158 as a biocontrol agent against F. xylarioides and the associated antagonistic mechanism with bioactive substances. Swiss albino mice were used to evaluate the in vivo toxicity and pathogenicity of T. asperellum AU131 and T. longibrachiatum AU158 methanolic crude extracts and spore suspensions, respectively, in a preliminary safety assessment for use as biofungicides. Metabolite profiling of the crude extracts were performed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The agar diffusion assay of the crude extracts from both T. asperellum AU131 and T. longibrachiatum AU158 were the most effective at a concentration of 200μg/mL, causing 62.5%, and 74.3% inhibition, respectively. A GC-MS analysis of crude extracts from both bioagents identified 23 volatile secondary metabolites classified as alcohols, acids, sesquiterpenes, ketones and aromatic compounds. The oral administration of crude extracts (doses of 600, 1200, 2000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight) and spore suspensions (doses of 1 × 106, 1 × 107, 1 × 108 and 1 × 109 spores/mL) to female Swiss albino mice over 14 days did not show any significant signs of toxicity, mortality or changes to body weight. The highest dose, 5000 mg/kg, can be used to determine the no observed effect level of crude extracts and spore suspensions of T. asperellum AU131 and T. longibrachiatum AU158 when calculating safety margins. It can be concluded that these two Trichoderma species can serve as a biocontrol agents against F. xylarioides and the mechanism for this function was due to the secondary metabolites with effective bioactive substance. Moreover, the tested spore suspensions and crude extracts were not pathogenic or toxic, respectively, when administered to Swiss albino mice at various doses.
Single-cell characterization of neovascularization using hiPSC-derived endothelial cells in a 3D microenvironment
Authors: Rosowski Simon , Brähler Caroline , Marder Maren , Akishiba Misao , Platen Alina , Ussar Siegfried , Theis Fabian , Wiedenmann Sandra , Meier Matthias
Published: February 2022

The formation of vascular structures is fundamental forin vitrotissue engineering. Vascularization can enable the nutrient supply within larger structures and increase transplantation efficiency, which are currently limiting factors in organoid research. We differentiated human induced pluripotent stem cells toward endothelial cells in 3D suspension culture. To investigatein vitroneovascularization and various 3D microenvironmental approaches, we designed a comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic study. Time-resolved single-cell transcriptomics of the endothelial and co-evolving mural cells gave insights into cell type development, stability, and plasticity. Transfer to a 3D hydrogel microenvironment induced neovascularization and facilitated tracing of sprouting, coalescing, and tubulogenic endothelial cells states. During maturation, we monitored two pericyte subtypes evolving of mural cells. Profiling cell-cell interactions between pericytes and endothelial cells confirmedin vivoangiogenic signaling and emphasized new cytokine signals during tubulogenesis. Our data, analyses, and results provide anin vitroroadmap to guide vascularization in future tissue engineering.
A model of persistent post SARS-CoV-2 induced lung disease for target identification and testing of therapeutic strategies
Authors: Dinnon Kenneth H. , Leist Sarah R. , Okuda Kenichi , Dang Hong , Fritch Ethan J. , Gully Kendra L. , De la Cruz Gabriela , Evangelista Mia D. , Asakura Takanori , Gilmore Rodney C. , Hawkins Padraig , Nakano Satoko , West Ande , Schäfer Alexandra , Gralinski Lisa E. , Everman Jamie L. , Sajuthi Satria P. , Zweigart Mark R. , Dong Stephanie , McBride Jennifer , Cooley Michelle R. , Hines Jesse B. , Love Miriya K. , Groshong Steve D. , VanSchoiack Alison , Phelan Stefan J. , Liang Yan , Hether Tyler , Leon Michael , Zumwalt Ross E. , Barton Lisa M. , Duval Eric J. , Mukhopadhyay Sanjay , Stroberg Edana , Borczuk Alain , Thorne Leigh B. , Sakthivel Muthu K. , Lee Yueh Z. , Hagood James S. , Mock Jason R. , Seibold Max A. , O’Neal Wanda K. , Montgomery Stephanie A. , Boucher Richard C. , Baric Ralph S.
Published: February 2022

COVID-19 survivors develop post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), but the mechanistic basis of PASC-associated lung abnormalities suffers from a lack of longitudinal samples. Mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 MA10 produces an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in mice similar to humans. To investigate PASC pathogenesis, studies of MA10-infected mice were extended from acute disease through clinical recovery. At 15-120 days post-virus clearance, histologic evaluation identified subpleural lesions containing collagen, proliferative fibroblasts, and chronic inflammation with tertiary lymphoid structures. Longitudinal spatial transcriptional profiling identified global reparative and fibrotic pathways dysregulated in diseased regions, similar to human COVID-19. Populations of alveolar intermediate cells, coupled with focal upregulation of pro-fibrotic markers, were identified in persistently diseased regions. Early intervention with antiviral EIDD-2801 reduced chronic disease, and early anti-fibrotic agent (nintedanib) intervention modified early disease severity. This murine model provides opportunities to identify pathways associated with persistent SARS-CoV-2 pulmonary disease and test countermeasures to ameliorate PASC.
ATPase activity of B. subtilis RecA affects the dynamic formation of RecA filaments at DNA double strand breaks
Authors: Hernández-Tamayo Rogelio , Steube Niklas , Heimerl Thomas , Hochberg Georg , Graumann Peter L.
Published: February 2022

RecA plays a central role in DNA repair and is a main actor involved in homologous recombination (HR). In vivo, RecA forms filamentous structures termed “threads”, which are essential for HR, but whose nature is still ill defined. We show that RecA from Bacillus subtilis having lower ATP binding activity can still form nucleoprotein filaments in vitro, and still retains most of wild type RecA activity in vivo. Contrarily, loss of ATPase activity strongly reduces formation of nucleoprotein filaments in vitro, and effectivity to repair double strand breaks (DSBs) in vivo. While lowered ATP-binding activity only moderately affected RecA dynamics, loss of ATPase activity lead to a large reduction of the formation of threads, as well as of their dynamic changes observed in a seconds-scale. Single molecule tracking of RecA revealed incorporation of freely diffusing and non-specifically DNA-bound molecules into filaments upon induction of a single DSB. This change of dynamics was highly perturbed in the absence of ATPase activity, revealing that filamentous forms of RecA as well as their dynamics depend on ATPase activity. Our data suggest that RecA/ssDNA filaments change in subcellular localization and length involving ATP-driven homology search.
Polysome-CAGE of TCL1-driven chronic lymphocytic leukemia revealed multiple N-terminally altered epigenetic regulators and a translation stress signature
Authors: Ogran Ariel , Havkin-Solomon Tal , Becker-Herman Shirley , David Keren , Shachar Idit , Dikstein Rivka
Published: February 2022

The transformation of normal to malignant cells is accompanied by substantial changes in gene expression programs through diverse mechanisms. Here we examined the changes in the landscape of transcription start sites (TSSs) and alternative promoter (AP) usage and their impact on the translatome in TCL1-driven chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Our findings revealed a marked elevation of APs in CLL cells from Eµ-Tcl1 transgenic mice, which are particularly enriched with intragenic promoters that generate N-terminally truncated or modified proteins. Intragenic promoter activation is mediated by (i) loss of function of ‘closed chromatin’ epigenetic regulators due to the generation of inactive N-terminally modified isoforms or reduced expression; (ii) upregulation of transcription factors, including c-Myc, targeting the intragenic promoters and associated enhancers. Exogenous expression of Tcl1 in MEFs is sufficient to induce intragenic promoters of epigenetic regulators and promote c- Myc expression. We further found a dramatic translation downregulation of transcripts bearing CNY cap-proximal tri-nucleotides, reminiscent of cells undergoing metabolic stress. These findings uncovered the role of Tcl1 oncogenic function in altering promoter usage and mRNA translation in leukemogenesis.
Mapping Protein-Protein Interactions Using Data-Dependent Acquisition Without Dynamic Exclusion
Authors: Zhang Shen , Larsen Brett , Colwill Karen , Wong Cassandra J. , Youn Ji-Young , Gingras Anne-Claude
Published: February 2022

Systematic analysis of affinity-purified samples by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) requires high coverage, reproducibility, and sensitivity. Data-independent acquisition (DIA) approaches improve the reproducibility of protein-protein interaction detection by alleviating the stochasticity of data-dependent acquisition (DDA). However, the need for library generation and lack of multiplexing capabilities reduces their throughput, and analysis pipelines are still being optimized. In previous work using cell lysates, a fast MS/MS acquisition method with no dynamic exclusion (noDE) provided a comparable number of identifications and more accurate MS/MS intensity-based quantification than an optimized DDA method with dynamic exclusion (DE). Here, we have further optimized the noDE strategy for the analysis of protein-protein interactions and show that it provides better sensitivity and identifies more high confident interactors than the optimized DDA with DE and DIA approaches.

TOC
A gradient border model for cell fate decisions at the neural plate border
Authors: Thiery Alexandre , Buzzi Ailin Leticia , Hamrud Eva , Cheshire Chris , Luscombe Nicholas , Briscoe James , Streit Andrea
Published: February 2022

The vertebrate ‘neural plate border’ is a transient territory located at the edge of the neural plate containing precursors for all ectodermal derivatives: the neural plate; neural crest; placodes; and epidermis. Elegant functional experiments in a range of vertebrate models have provided an in-depth understanding of gene regulatory interactions within the ectoderm. However, these experiments conducted at tissue level raise seemingly contradictory models for fate allocation of individual cells. Here, we carry out single cell RNA sequencing of chick ectoderm from primitive streak to neurulation stage, to explore cell state diversity and heterogeneity. We characterise the dynamics of gene modules containing key factors known to regulate ectodermal cell fates, allowing us to model the order in which these fates are specified. Furthermore, we find that genes previously classified as neural plate border specifiers typically exhibit dynamic expression patterns and are biased towards either placodal or neural crest fates, revealing that the neural plate border should be seen as an anatomical region of the ectoderm and not a discrete transcriptional state. Through co-expression of placodal and neural crest markers, we identify a population of border located unstable progenitors (BLUPs) which gradually reduces in size as fate segregation occurs. Considering our findings, we propose a ‘gradient border’ model for cell fate choice at the neural plate border, with the probability of cell fate allocation closely tied to the spatiotemporal positioning of cells.
AreTomo: An integrated software package for automated marker-free, motion-corrected cryo-electron tomographic alignment and reconstruction
Authors: Zheng Shawn , Wolff Georg , Greenan Garrett , Chen Zhen , Faas Frank G. A. , Bárcena Montserrat , Koster Abraham J. , Cheng Yifan , Agard David
Published: February 2022

AreTomo, an abbreviation for Alignment and Reconstruction for Electron Tomography, is a GPU accelerated software package that fully automates motion-corrected marker-free tomographic alignment and reconstruction in a single package. By correcting in-plane rotation, translation, and importantly, the local motion resulting from beam-induced motion from tilt to tilt, AreTomo can produce tomograms with sufficient accuracy to be directly used for subtomogram averaging. Another major application is the on-the-fly reconstruction of tomograms in parallel with tilt series collection to provide users with real-time feedback of sample quality allowing users to make any necessary adjustments of collection parameters. Here, the multiple alignment algorithms implemented in AreTomo are described and the local motions measured on a typical tilt series are analyzed. The residual local motion after correction for global motion was found in the range of ±80 Å, indicating that the accurate correction of local motion is critical for high-resolution cryo-electron tomography (cryoET).
Highly efficient generation of isogenic pluripotent stem cell models using prime editing
Authors: Li Hanqin , Busquets Oriol , Verma Yogendra , Syed Khaja Mohieddin , Kutnowski Nitzan , Pangilinan Gabriella R. , Gilbert Luke , Bateup Helen , Rio Donald C. , Hockemeyer Dirk , Soldner Frank
Published: February 2022

The recent development of prime editing (PE) genome engineering technologies has the potential to significantly simplify the generation of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-based disease models. PE is a multi-component editing system that uses a Cas9-nickase fused to a reverse transcriptase (nCas9-RT) and an extended PE guide RNA (pegRNA). Once reverse transcribed, the pegRNA extension functions as a repair template to introduce precise designer mutations at the target site. Here, we systematically compared the editing efficiencies of PE to conventional gene editing methods in hPSCs. This analysis revealed that PE is overall more efficient and precise than homology-directed repair (HDR) of site-specific nuclease-induced double-strand breaks (DSBs). Specifically, PE is more effective in generating heterozygous editing events to create autosomal dominant disease-associated mutations. By stably integrating the nCas9-RT into hPSCs we achieved editing efficiencies equal to those reported for cancer cells, suggesting that the expression of the PE components, rather than cell-intrinsic features, limit PE in hPSCs. To improve the efficiency of PE in hPSCs, we optimized the delivery modalities for the PE components. Delivery of the nCas9-RT as mRNA combined with synthetically generated chemically-modified pegRNAs and nicking guide RNAs (ngRNAs) improved editing efficiencies up to 13-fold compared to transfecting the prime editing components as plasmids or ribonucleoprotein particles (RNPs). Finally, we demonstrated that this mRNA-based delivery approach can be used repeatedly to yield editing efficiencies exceeding 60% and to correct or introduce familial mutations causing Parkinson’s disease in hPSCs.
The impact of hyperglycemia upon BeWo trophoblast cell metabolic function: A multi-OMICS and functional metabolic analysis
Authors: Easton Zachary JW , Luo Xian , Li Liang , Regnault Timothy RH
Published: February 2022

Pre-existing and gestationally-developed diabetes mellitus have been linked with impaired metabolic function in placental villous trophoblast cells, that is thought to underlie the development of metabolic diseases early in the lives of the exposed offspring. Previous research using placental cell lines and ex vivo trophoblast preparations have highlighted hyperglycemia as an important independent regulator of placental function. However, it is poorly understood if hyperglycemia directly influences aspects of placental metabolic function, including nutrient storage and mitochondrial respiration, that have been found to be impaired in diabetic placentae. Therefore, the current study examined metabolic and mitochondrial function as well as nutrient storage in both undifferentiated cytotrophoblast and differentiated syncytiotrophoblast BeWo cells cultured under hyperglycemia conditions (25 mM glucose) for 72 hours to further characterize the direct impacts of placental hyperglycemic exposure. Hyperglycemic-exposed BeWo trophoblasts displayed increased triglyceride and glycogen nutrient stores. However, specific functional readouts of metabolic enzyme activity and mitochondrial oxidative respiratory activity were not altered. We speculated that increased glycogen content may reduce free glucose available for oxidation and subsequently protect trophoblast cells from mitochondrial damage during acute high glucose exposures. To further characterize the impacts of independent hyperglycemia, the current study subsequently utilized a multi-omics approach and evaluated the transcriptomic and metabolomic signatures of BeWo cytotrophoblasts. Hyperglycemic exposure was associated with an altered transcriptomic profile (e.g. increased expression of ACSL1 (+1.36 fold-change (FC), HSD11B2 (+1.35 FC), and RPS6KA5 (+1.32 FC)), and metabolome profile (e.g. increased levels lactate (+2.72 FC), malonate (+3.74 FC), and riboflavin (+3.68 FC)) in BeWo cytotrophoblasts that further highlighted trophoblast metabolic function is modulated independently by hyperglycemia. Overall, these results demonstrate that hyperglycemia is an important independent regulator of key areas of placental metabolic function and nutrient storage, and these data continue to expand our knowledge on the mechanisms governing the development of placental dysfunction.
Beamline commissioning for microscopic measurements with ultraviolet and soft X-ray beam at the upgraded beamline BL-13B of the Photon Factory
Authors: Ozawa Kenichi , Aiura Yoshihiro , Wakabayashi Daisuke , Tanaka Hirokazu , Kikuchi Takashi , Toyoshima Akio , Mase Kazuhiko
Published: February 2022

Beamline 13 of the Photon Factory has been in operation since 2010 as a vacuum ultraviolet and soft X-ray undulator beamline for X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES) experiments. The beamline and the end-station at branch B have been recently upgraded, enabling microscopic XPS, XAS, and ARPES measurements to be performed. In 2015, a planar undulator insertion device was replaced with an APPLE-II (advanced planar polarized light emitter II) undulator. This replacement allows use of linear, circular, and elliptical polarized light between 48 and 2000 eV with photon intensities of 109–1013 photons s−1. For microscopic measurements, a toroidal post-mirror was renewed to have more focused beam with profile sizes of 78 µm (horizontal) × 15 µm (vertical) and 84 µm × 11 µm at photon energies of 100 and 400 eV, respectively. A high-precision sample manipulator composed of an XYZ translator, a rotary feedthrough, and a newly developed goniometer, which is essential for microscopic measurements, has been used to control a sample specimen in six degrees of freedom, i.e. translation in the X, Y, and Z directions and rotation in the polar, azimuthal, and tilt directions. To demonstrate the performance of the focused beams, one- and two-dimensional XPS and XAS scan measurements of a copper grid have been performed. It was indicated from analysis of XPS and XAS intensity maps that the actual spatial resolution can be determined by the beam size.
A setup for millisecond time-resolved X-ray solution scattering experiments at the CoSAXS beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory
Authors: Berntsson Oskar , Terry Ann E. , Plivelic Tomás S.
Published: February 2022

The function of biomolecules is tightly linked to their structure, and changes therein. Time-resolved X-ray solution scattering has proven a powerful technique for interrogating structural changes and signal transduction in photoreceptor proteins. However, these only represent a small fraction of the biological macromolecules of interest. More recently, laser-induced temperature jumps have been introduced as a more general means of initiating structural changes in biomolecules. Here we present the development of a setup for millisecond time-resolved X-ray solution scattering experiments at the CoSAXS beamline, primarily using infrared laser light to trigger a temperature increase, and structural changes. We present results that highlight the characteristics of this setup along with data showing structural changes in lysozyme caused by a temperature jump. Further developments and applications of the setup are also discussed.
Accounting for the Nazi Aryanisation of German banks
Authors: Twyford Erin Jade , Funnell Warwick
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study examines how accounting practices used by Deutsche Bank could conceal its role in the destruction of Jewish financial life (bios) as part of the Nazis' Aryanisation policy to eliminate Jews from German business as a prelude to their annihilation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a close-reading method that draws upon a wide range of primary and secondary sources. The study is informed by Giorgio Agamben's theorisations on the state of exception and the duality of the example and exception.

Findings

The successful implementation of the Nazis' corporative economic model necessitated the cooperation of Aryan businesses to instrumentalise the financially exploitative process of Aryanisation. Accounting was part of the Nazi-Deutsch rhetoric used to disguise expropriation of Jewish businesses and other assets and, thereby, facilitate the eradication of the financial bios of Jews who owned German banks. Unknown to the Nazi authorities, Deutsche Bank, while a significant medium for Aryanisation, sought to ameliorate the long-term effects on Jewish owners, thereby recognising that not all those within Nazi Germany were fully committed disciples of Nazism.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study identify how accounting practices were part of a Nazi policy designed to eliminate Jews from the German economy. The use of accounting as a form of “Nazi-Deutsch” functioned to disguise Aryanisations. The importance of these contributions of accounting practices calls for further research into the role of business and accounting in the attempted eradication of people.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to consider the process of Aryanisation in Nazi Germany (1933–1945) as a specific historiographical subject. Presented through the examination of the Aryanisation actions of Deutsche Bank, this study demonstrates the tension between Nazi ideology, the capitalist model and the culpability of accounting practices as a means to reinterpret morality to create the exception that allowed the Nazis to effectively remove all legal protections for Jews.
The effect of perceived fit on thriving at work in a Chinese context
Authors: Liu Yuxin , Li Shujie , Zhang Jianwei , Wang Shuai
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of perceived fit on thriving and reveal the potential moderator and mediator of this effect by drawing on self-determination theory. Moreover, to adapt the research to Chinese contexts, a four-factor conceptualization of perceived fit is suggested.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper includes two studies. Study 1 involved a survey that collected data from 531 employees to investigate the relationship between perceived fit and thriving and the moderating role of personal goal commitment. Study 2 consisted of a scenario-based experiment in which 240 university students were recruited to strengthen the main findings of Study 1 and test the underlying mechanisms of the effect of perceived fit on thriving.

Findings

Study 1 shows that perceived fit positively relates to thriving, and personal goal commitment plays a moderating role in this effect. In addition, it demonstrates the validity of the proposed four-factor conceptualization of perceived fit in Chinese contexts. Study 2 strengthens the proposition of the positive effect of perceived fit on thriving and identifies the mediating roles of self-determination in this effect.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature on thriving and fit by exploring new antecedents of thriving and extending the dimensions of perceived fit.
Robin hood insurance broking: driving growth with differentiation
Authors: Kumar Jitender , Singh Animesh , Gupta Ashish
Published: February 2022

Learning outcomes

Students will have the opportunity to learn about differentiation strategy, business plans, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis. The primary objective is to allow students to evaluate Abhishek Singh’s decisions. After working through the case and assignment questions, students will be able to: understand the competitive landscapes in the Indian insurance broking market. Differentiate between selling and marketing. Understand the importance and application of differentiation strategy in the Indian insurance broking market. Emphasize the importance of value proposition in developing a competitive advantage for insurance broking organization. Critically analyze the internal strength and weaknesses of an insurance broking company.

Case overview/synopsis

RHIBPL, one of India’s largest insurance broking companies, operating for more than 12 years and has had a strong presence in eight major cities of India. RHIBPL had been known for life insurance, non-life insurance like cars, two-wheelers, Mediclaim and health. RHIBPL’s unique selling proposition was the best fit for each product and service after understanding the customer’s need. On October 16, 2020, Abhishek Singh, CDO at RHIBPL, was preparing for an upcoming management meeting on the company’s vision “to be the largest insurance provider in the country and to reach US$ 140 million by 2025,” which was communicated by the Ajay Bansal, founder and chief executive officer of RHIBPL. Singh had to prepare an action plan to achieve the RHIBPL’s vision. He had to develop and implement a differentiation strategy to achieve the RHIBPL’s vision from the available resources. How can he create a competitive advantage for RHIBPL in the highly competitive insurance broking market?

Complexity academic level

The case delineates the challenges facing an insurance broker company to achieve its new corporate vision. This case can be discussed in undergraduate and postgraduate courses (at the introductory level) in the business management discipline to understand the importance and application of differentiation strategy and competitive advantage. This case can also be significant for insurance-related courses for postgraduates and executives working in the insurance industry. The case can be useful for the courses on services marketing, strategic management, strategic marketing management and marketing management.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
Desired and obtained work values across 37 countries: a psychology of working theory perspective
Authors: Baranik Lisa E. , Wright Natalie , Smith Rachel W.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Many contemporary career theories emphasize the role of individual agency and choice, a perspective that may not be relevant for the careers of underprivileged groups around the world. The psychology of working theory notes this disconnect and highlights the role that contextual variables play in the careers of marginalized, disadvantaged groups of employees. The goal of this paper was to identify factors that impact employees' careers by examining the relationship between desired work values and obtained work values.

Design/methodology/approach

The data utilized in this study were from the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) Work Orientations IV survey. Across 37 countries, 27,527 individuals were surveyed and multilevel moderation analyses were employed.

Findings

Using psychology of working theory as a theoretical framework, the authors identify the contextual factors that enable employees to secure their desired work values. Employees living in countries with higher levels of the Human Development Index have an easier time securing their desired intrinsic work values. Gender was not a statistically significant moderator.

Originality/value

The authors’ findings indicate that, for many employees, careers are influenced by larger socioeconomic factors, showing that individuals have a more difficult time shaping their own careers in some contexts.
Salesforce output control and customer-oriented selling behaviours
Authors: Amenuvor Fortune Edem , Basilisco Richard , Boateng Henry , Shin Kwan Soo , Im Dohyun , Owusu-Antwi Kwasi
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study sets out to empirically investigate the effect of salesforce output control on perceived job autonomy, customer-oriented selling behaviours and sales performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are gathered from 704 salespeople and their visiting customers in Ghana. The hypotheses are tested using the structural equations modelling technique (SEM).

Findings

According to the findings of the study, output control has a significant and positive impact on perceived job autonomy. It also discovers that perceived job autonomy improves both customer-directed problem solving and adaptive selling behaviours. Furthermore, the study finds that customer-directed problem solving and adaptive selling behaviours both improve sales performance. Moreover, the study uncovers that perceived job autonomy mediates the relationship between output control and customer-oriented selling behaviours, whereas both customer-oriented selling behaviours mediate the relationship between perceived job autonomy and sales performance.

Practical implications

The current study provides both practical and theoretical insights into salesforce control dynamics, job autonomy, adaptive selling behaviour, customer-directed problem-solving behaviour and sales performance. The findings have important implications for sales organisations because they can assist sales managers in determining the best type of salesforce control systems to deploy and highlight the strategic role job autonomy plays in enhancing sales performance.

Originality/value

The current study shows how output control can influence salespeople's perceived job autonomy, adaptive selling and customer-directed problem-solving behaviours, and how these can improve sales performance.
How do parties react to defections? Electoral strategies after a valence loss
Authors: CERON ANDREA , VOLPI ELISA
Published: February 2022

Switches produce a lack of credibility and damage a party's image, signalling weakness and an inability to select loyal MPs and preserve unity. Accordingly, we consider party out‐switching as a valence loss for the party. By combining information on party manifestos with a novel database on 2053 episodes of party switching, we investigate which electoral strategies parties adopt to reduce the negative consequences of such valence loss. Analyzing 1,131 manifestos related to 135 parties in 14 Western European democracies, from 1945 to 2015, we show that parties try to restore their positive image by investing on valence, in terms of competence, clarity and core issues. An instrumental variable approach corroborates our results. The findings have implications for spatial modelling, valence politics, issue ownership and issue competition.
Cherry‐picking industrial properties in opportunity zones
Authors: Wiley Jonathan A. , Nguyen Hana
Published: February 2022

We examine the impact on industrial property prices following the launch of US opportunity zones—a location‐based tax incentive program intended to attract investment into low‐income communities. Using a national sample of commercial real estate transactions, we document significantly higher transaction premiums, when matched with comparable transactions in eligible tracts that were not included in the program. Consistent with development options that are incentivized by the program, we find that premiums are concentrated at properties with the largest amounts of excess land available, and we observe no evidence of spillover effects to properties that do not possess similar optionality. Among the designated opportunity zones, significant transaction premiums appear in areas that previously demonstrate high employment and population growth. Overall, we do not find evidence to suggest that the aggregate share of commercial real estate transaction volume to opportunity zones has increased following the legislation.
Anti‐obesity effects of Chenpi: an artificial gastrointestinal system study
Authors: Falduto Maria , Smedile Francesco , Zhang Man , Zheng Ting , Zhu Jieyu , Huang Qingrong , Weeks Richard , Ermakov Alexey M. , Chikindas Michael L.
Published: February 2022

The gut microbiota plays a significant role in human health; however, the complex relationship between gut microbial communities and host health is still to be thoroughly studied and understood. Microbes in the distal gut contribute to host health through the biosynthesis of vitamins and essential amino acids and the generation of important metabolic by‐products from dietary components that are left undigested by the small intestine. Aged citrus peel (Chenpi) is used in traditional Chinese medicine to lower cholesterol, promote weight loss and treat various gastrointestinal symptoms. This study investigated how the microbial community changes during treatment with Chenpi using the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME). Two preparations of Chenpi extract were tested: Chenpi suspended in oil only and Chenpi in a viscoelastic emulsion. Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured during treatment to monitor changes in the microbial community of the colon presenting a decrease in production for acetic, propionic and butyric acid (ANOVA (P < 0.001) during the 15 days of treatment. 16S rRNA sequencing of microbial samples showed a clear difference between the two treatments at the different sampling times (ANOSIM P < 0.003; ADOSIM P < 0.002 [R2 = 69%]). Beta diversity analysis by PcoA showed differences between the two Chenpi formulations for treatment day 6. These differences were no longer detectable as soon as the Chenpi treatment was stopped, showing a reversible effect of Chenpi on the human microbiome. 16S rRNA sequencing of microbial samples from the descending colon showed an increase in Firmicutes for the treatment with the viscoelastic emulsion. At the genus level, Roseburia, Blautia, Subdoligranulum and Eubacterium increased in numbers during the viscoelastic emulsion treatment. This study sheds light on the anti‐obesity effect of a polymethoxyflavone (PMFs)‐enriched Chenpi extract and creates a foundation for the identification of ‘obesity‐prevention’ biomarkers in the gut microbiota.
Aging alters the metabolic flux signature of the ER‐unfolded protein response in vivo in mice
Authors: Ward Catherine P. , Peng Lucy , Yuen Samuel , Halstead John , Palacios Hector , Nyangau Edna , Mohammed Hussein , Ziari Naveed , Dandan Mohamad , Frakes Ashley E. , Gildea Holly K. , Dillin Andrew , Hellerstein Marc K.
Published: February 2022

Age is a risk factor for numerous diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, and diabetes. Loss of protein homeostasis is a central hallmark of aging. Activation of the endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response (UPRER) includes changes in protein translation and membrane lipid synthesis. Using stable isotope labeling, a flux “signature” of the UPRER in vivo in mouse liver was developed by inducing ER stress with tunicamycin and measuring rates of both proteome‐wide translation and de novo lipogenesis. Several changes in protein synthesis across ontologies were noted with age, including a more dramatic suppression of translation under ER stress in aged mice as compared with young mice. Binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP) synthesis rates and mRNA levels were increased more in aged than young mice. De novo lipogenesis rates decreased under ER stress conditions in aged mice, including both triglyceride and phospholipid fractions. In young mice, a significant reduction was seen only in the triglyceride fraction. These data indicate that aged mice have an exaggerated metabolic flux response to ER stress, which may indicate that aging renders the UPRER less effective in resolving proteotoxic stress.