bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upper-middle-class Muslim characteristics on cash waqf (Islamic endowment) participation for productive purposes: does one-fits-all strategy still works?
Authors: Maulina Rindawati , Dhewanto Wawan , Faturohman Taufik
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To better understand the characteristics of Indonesian Muslims, this study uses cluster analysis to group upper-middle-class Muslims based on psychographic variables related to participation in cash waqf for productive purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used mixed methods to build and analyse the segmentation of upper-middle-class Muslims towards cash waqf and propose scenarios for a cash waqf model based on the findings.

Findings

This study identified six clusters for upper-middle-class Muslims related to the participation in cash waqf for productive purposes. All clusters show heterogeneous values of all factors. Although relatively few Muslims perform cash waqf for productive purposes, the high scores for the economic rational, family and community factors indicate great potential for the development of various cash waqf models for investment purposes. The next challenge will lie in reviewing the “one-fits-all strategy” in the development of program, education and socialisation. Based on the findings, this study proposes three scenarios of cash waqf participation: as wakif only (waqf donor), investor only (capital provider) and hybrid participation (waqf donor and capital provider).

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this study is the location and object of the sample are only Muslims in Indonesia who are categorised as upper-middle class in terms of their monthly income. Based on this study’s findings, other Muslim-majority countries worldwide have the potential to develop a cash waqf model that is integrated with financial instruments and involves the role of Islamic banking and other Islamic commercial institutions in future research development. Researchers can also attempt to include a simulation or experiment method to construct and validate the proposed cash waqf model based on this study’s findings and to explore other factors that have not been addressed.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can contribute as a foundation for the development of a cash waqf model and business-marketing strategy to increase the participation of upper-middle-class Muslims.

Social implications

The findings of this study will support the acceleration of cash waqf collection for investment initiatives, which in turn will have a broader social and economic impact nationally.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study constitutes the first attempt to specifically investigate upper-middle-class Muslim segmentation toward cash waqf participation for productive purposes. This study’s knowledge is helpful for various stakeholders such as academia, the Islamic banking industry, regulators and the Muslim community about customer segmentation to Islamic banking products and services related to cash waqf.
Women empowerment in Africa: can we rely on Islamic finance?
Authors: Mboutchouang Kountchou Armand , Haruna Ali , Tekam Oumbé Honoré , Wirajing Muhamadu Awal Kindzeka
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of Islamic finance on women empowerment in Africa between the periods of 1975 and 2021.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses secondary data for 27 African countries obtained from the World Development Indicators, World Population Review and the Varieties of Democracy databases. Four dimensions of women empowerment, namely, economic, social, political and household, are considered while Islamic finance is proxied by a binary variable with 1 and 0 representing the presence and the absence of Islamic finance, respectively. The two-staged least square estimation technique is used to control for the problem of endogeneity.

Findings

This study revealed that Islamic finance positively affects women empowerment in Africa. Specifically, Islamic finance has positive and significant effects on women political empowerment, women economic empowerment and women social empowerment in Africa but nonsignificant effect on home empowerment. These effects are more pronounced in middle-income than in low-income countries and in countries with higher penetration rate of Islamic finance.

Practical implications

Policymakers should put in place the necessary mechanisms for the promotion of Islamic finance such as the enacting of laws that ensures the creation of full-fledged Islamic banks, encouraging research in Islamic finance and Islamic economics. These policies should equally be backed by the creation of some accompanying measures such as the abolition of social norms that limit women’s ability to take part in decision-making.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study involving an Africa continent-wide analysis of the effects of Islamic finance on women empowerment.
Two-stage taxonomy for measuring success in social marketing practice
Authors: Akbar M. Bilal , Amoncar Nihar , Cateriano-Arévalo Erik , Lawson Alison
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Given the lack of understanding of social marketing success in theory and practice, this study aims to investigate how social marketing experts conceptualize success.

Design/methodology/approach

In this qualitative study, the authors conducted an open-ended online questionnaire with 48 worldwide social marketing experts, most with more than 20 years of experience in the field. The authors analyzed data using topic modeling, a machine-learning method that groups responses/terms into cluster topics based on similarities. Keywords in each topic served to generate themes for discussion.

Findings

While behavior change is mentioned as paramount to conceptualizing success, participants prefer to use more tangible and less complex forms to define/measure success, such as campaign recall uptick. In addition, lack of funding was considered an important factor in measuring success. This study provides a two-stage taxonomy to better understand success in social marketing.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to conceptualize success in social marketing practice.
Mediating role of nurse job enjoyment and participation in medical affairs on quality of patient care in Saudi hospitals
Authors: Alqasmi Ibrahim , Ahmed Selim
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the nurse job enjoyment and their participation in medical affairs to enchance the quality of patient care in Saudi hospitals. In addition, this study also investigates the management team's role in patient care quality through the mediating effects of nurse job enjoyment and participation in medical affairs.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study used a self-administered survey questionnaire to collect data from registered nurses in Saudi hospitals. In this study, 600 survey questionnaires were distributed online (Google Forms) and received 266 valid responses (44.33% response rate). In addition, SmartPLS-4.0 was applied to validate the research constructs and test the hypotheses via partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The study's findings indicate that the job enjoyment of the nurses and participation in medical affairs have positive and significant effects on the quality of patient care. In addition, the research findings also suggest that the management team of the hospitals has a significant indirect influence on the quality of patient care through the medicating effects of nurse job enjoyment and participation in medical affairs.

Practical implications

The findings of this study also offer various practical implications. This study showed the direct impact of the management team on job enjoyment, medical affairs and patient care quality. Therefore, hospital authorities and policymakers may emphasise clear communication, collaboration, respect and trust for the effective management team in providing higher-quality patient care. The present study suggests that hospital policymakers should strive to create a positive work environment, provide adequate resources, foster team spirit, offer incentives and allow flexible scheduling to ensure higher job enjoyment and increase nurse participation in medical affairs.

Originality/value

This study adds to the growing body of knowledge by investigating the effects of the management team, job enjoyment and nurses' participation in medical affairs on patient care quality. This study also enhances the theoretical depth by exploring the mediating impact of job enjoyment in predicting the relationships between the management team and the quality of care provided to patients. The present study provides guidelines for healthcare service providers or practitioners to focus on the nurses' job enjoyment and their engagement in medical activities to continuously improve the quality of patient care in the hospitals.
Does integrated store service quality explain omnichannel shoppers' online brand advocacy behaviors?: role of memorable shopping experiences, store attachment, and relationship strength
Authors: Natarajan Thamaraiselvan , Veera Raghavan Deepak Ramanan
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The online brand advocacy behaviors of omnichannel shoppers, who mainly rely on integrated brick-and-mortar stores (recognized as a vital channel for delivering a seamless shopping experience and meeting the dynamic needs of the shoppers), are still understudied. This study aims to investigate how integrated store service quality (ISSQ) may elicit both positive and negative emotions that contribute to a memorable omnichannel shopping experience and have an impact on shoppers' attachment to the store, leading to their exhibition of online brand advocacy behaviors (brand defense, brand positivity, brand knowledge sharing and virtual positive expression).

Design/methodology/approach

The study is a cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative investigation. The research participants were chosen using a purposive sampling technique. Using a validated self-administered questionnaire, data were gathered from 886 Indian omnichannel shoppers who often purchase at the integrated brick-and-mortar store. The proposed conceptual model was tested using Smart PLS software for partial least squares-structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that positive and negative emotions mediate the relationship between ISSQ and memorable omnichannel shopping experiences, subsequently impacting omnichannel shoppers' attachment to the store and leading to online brand advocacy behaviors. The relationship strength perceived by shoppers significantly positively moderated the relationship between store attachment and different online brand advocacy behaviors (brand defense, brand positivity, brand knowledge sharing and virtual positive expression).

Research limitations/implications

The study relied upon single cross-sectional data from the Indian population, where omnichannel retailing is still nascent.

Originality/value

This study addresses the need to investigate the different emotions that arise while evaluating service quality in omnichannel retail purchase journeys leading to memorable shopping experiences. Emphasizing post-purchase behaviors like different online brand advocacy behaviors (brand defense, brand positivity, brand knowledge sharing and virtual positive expression), this study is the first to show that ISSQ might affect four different OBAs through memorable omnichannel shopping experience and the shopper's sense of attachment to the store. The moderating effect of relationship strength perceived by shoppers with the retailer on a few proposed hypotheses was also tested to give managerial recommendations.
Telehealth interventions in occupational therapy with older adults: Results from a scoping review targeting better health promotion
Authors: Chagnon Mathilde , Levasseur Mélanie , Boissy Patrick
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Telehealth interventions have the potential to enhance access to care and improve efficiency while reducing the burden on patients. Although telehealth interventions are well accepted and adopted in physical therapy, their usage in occupational therapy for older adults is less common, and limited information exists regarding their setting and context.

Objective

To provide an inventory and synthesis of telehealth interventions in occupational therapy for older adults.

Method

For published studies on telehealth‐based occupational therapy interventions in older adults between 2000 and 2022, six databases were reviewed. Data extraction and analysis were guided by the taxonomies developed by Tulu, McColl and Law and informed by the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement.

Findings

Twenty‐three studies on telehealth interventions in occupational therapy for older adults were identified, mostly from North American authors (n = 11; 47.8%) and randomised clinical trials (n = 9; 39.1%). Most participants had a health problem (n = 20; 87.0%), mainly stroke (n = 9; 39.1%). Interventions focussed primarily on symptom management education (n = 12; 52.2%) of community‐dwelling adults with health conditions, using videoconferencing systems or applications (n = 14; 60.7%). Interventions were delivered from the healthcare centre (n = 6; 26.1%) to the person's home (n = 18; 78.3%) synchronously (n = 19; 82.6%). About one third (n = 8; 34.8%) of the studies specified the therapist's location.

Conclusion

Published studies on telehealth interventions in occupational therapy with older adults have mainly focussed on the synchronous training and education of participants using videoconferencing systems or applications. According to these studies, the scope of interventions is limited and could be expanded, for example, through occupational development and environmental modification. To better understand and describe best practices in the use of telehealth in occupational therapy, future studies should provide more details about the interventions performed, the technology used and the environmental settings of the therapist.
‘The Breath of Every Living Thing’: Zoocephali and the Language of Difference on the Medieval Hebrew Page
Authors: Gertsman Elina
Published: October 2023

The most remarkable feature of the Hammelburg Mahzor, a fourteenth-century German High Holiday book, is the inclusion of zoocephalic figures: humans with beastly heads. The purpose of this essay is to explore the semiotics and phenomenology of this specifically Jewish visual idiom, and to suggest that its presence lies at the intersection of language, philosophy, poetry, and history. In the Mahzor, zoocephaly signals distinction that collapses temporalities, tests the limits of alterity, and engages in a sophisticated word–image play that strives to establish visceral connections with the community of the manuscript's users. Hammelburg zoocephali invoke the fragility of the human condition by establishing reverberating relationships between themselves and other inhabitants of the Mahzor's pages: echoes of many, avatars of none. Outwardly monstrous yet emphatically human, these zoocephali prove to be particularly excellent images to think with about the place of Hebrew manuscripts in the long history of medieval visual culture.
Profiling of phenolic compounds, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and hemolytic activity of mango seed kernel using different optimized extraction systems
Authors: Saleem Kinza , Hayat Zafar , Tariq Zara , Riaz Tuba , Azam Muhammad
Published: October 2023

Mango seed kernels (MSKs) have been reported to show antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti‐inflammatory properties. This study explores the influence of different optimized extraction systems on the extraction of MSK. The effects on gallic acid (GA) content, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hemolytic activity of MSK extracts from different extraction systems (65.45% ethanol‐ultrasound assisted extraction [UAE], 62% ethanol‐incubator shaker, 19.4% ethanol‐UAE, and 100% water‐UAE) were assessed. Based on the results, a nonsignificant difference in phenolic (p = 0.222), flavonoids (p = 0.058), antioxidant (p = 0.165), and antimicrobial activity (p = 0.193) against Staphylococcus aureus whereas a significant difference (p < 0.0001) in hemolytic, GA content, and antimicrobial activity against Clostridium perfringens was observed. Among different extraction systems, aqueous extraction showed significantly lower hemolytic (1.09%) and higher GA content (4.72 mg/g) and comparable results in all other experiments; yield (32.40%), TPC (58.79 mg/g), TFC (2.16 mg/g), and antioxidant (73.19%). Hence, it has been concluded that aqueous extraction system could be considered a sustainable extraction system for practical applications.

Practical Application

Aqueous extraction system could be a sustainable option for extraction of mango seed kernel for practical applications as it is readily available, cheap, nonflammable, and nontoxic.
Quinoa germ–enriched pasta: Technological, nutritional, textural, and morphological properties
Authors: Ray Amrita , Srivastava Alok Kumar , Sakhare Suresh D
Published: October 2023

Germ is the most significant component of quinoa having good nutritional value. Quinoa germ (QG), with balanced amino acid profile and unsaturated fatty acid, is a unique ingredient for human nutrition. In present study, pasta supplemented with QG was characterized for physical, nutritional, morphological, and textural properties. Dough rheology showed increased farinograph water absorption and decreased dough stability with the addition of QG. Addition of QG up to 30% significantly improved the pasta protein content from 13.55% to 20.55%. The substitution of QG to pasta showed decrease in whiteness index and increase in optimum cooking time, swelling index, cooked weight, and cooking loss. It is reported that 20% QG supplement pasta was found to be acceptable; beyond, this level the pasta quality was inferior. Firmness value of pasta significantly increased up to 20% supplementation of QG from 157 to 178 g. The micrographs of pasta with the addition of QG observed increased protein matrix around the starch granules. The results inferred that the QG can serve as a potential functional ingredient for the development of nutritionally enhanced pasta for food industry.

Practical Application

Quinoa germ (QG) is concentrated source of nutrient with unique nutrition and alternative source of protein. Pasta is the one the popular and fast‐growing food in world and explored for enhancement of its nutritional composition to target a larger population with specific nutrient demand. Hence, pasta becomes important vehicle for the supplementation. Developed QG‐enriched high‐protein pasta will help industry to produce nutritious products at large scale.
A comprehensive AI‐driven analysis of large‐scale omic datasets reveals novel dual‐purpose targets for the treatment of cancer and aging
Authors: Pun Frank W. , Leung Geoffrey Ho Duen , Leung Hoi Wing , Rice Jared , Schmauck‐Medina Tomas , Lautrup Sofie , Long Xi , Liu Bonnie Hei Man , Wong Chun Wai , Ozerov Ivan V. , Aliper Alex , Ren Feng , Rosenberg Ari J. , Agrawal Nishant , Izumchenko Evgeny , Fang Evandro F. , Zhavoronkov Alex
Published: October 2023

As aging and tumorigenesis are tightly interconnected biological processes, targeting their common underlying driving pathways may induce dual‐purpose anti‐aging and anti‐cancer effects. Our transcriptomic analyses of 16,740 healthy samples demonstrated tissue‐specific age‐associated gene expression, with most tumor suppressor genes downregulated during aging. Furthermore, a large‐scale pan‐cancer analysis of 11 solid tumor types (11,303 cases and 4431 control samples) revealed that many cellular processes, such as protein localization, DNA replication, DNA repair, cell cycle, and RNA metabolism, were upregulated in cancer but downregulated in healthy aging tissues, whereas pathways regulating cellular senescence were upregulated in both aging and cancer. Common cancer targets were identified by the AI‐driven target discovery platform—PandaOmics. Age‐associated cancer targets were selected and further classified into four groups based on their reported roles in lifespan. Among the 51 identified age‐associated cancer targets with anti‐aging experimental evidence, 22 were proposed as dual‐purpose targets for anti‐aging and anti‐cancer treatment with the same therapeutic direction. Among age‐associated cancer targets without known lifespan‐regulating activity, 23 genes were selected based on predicted dual‐purpose properties. Knockdown of histone demethylase KDM1A, one of these unexplored candidates, significantly extended lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans. Given KDM1A's anti‐cancer activities reported in both preclinical and clinical studies, our findings propose KDM1A as a promising dual‐purpose target. This is the first study utilizing an innovative AI‐driven approach to identify dual‐purpose target candidates for anti‐aging and anti‐cancer treatment, supporting the value of AI‐assisted target identification for drug discovery.
Molecular imprinting of cellulose cotton fabric/silica materials with a colorimetric dithizone chelation for smartphone‐based detection of Zn (II) ions in water samples
Authors: Chheang Lita , Sriwiriyarat Tongchai , Thanasupsin Sudtida Pliankarom , Thongkon Nisakorn
Published: October 2023

Molecularly imprinted materials based on imprinting dithizone‐Zn (II) (DTZ‐Zn (II)) complexes onto cotton fabric/silica, and the Color Grab application for the OPPO A54 smartphone, were proposed and applied for the first time to detect Zn (II) ions in water samples. The proposed materials were prepared by using cotton fabrics as cellulosic materials, tetraethoxysilane as silica sources and DTZ‐Zn (II) as template molecules. The initial concentration of DTZ and Zn (II), the volume of tetraethoxysilane and the reaction time were optimised to obtain the maximum adsorption of the DTZ‐Zn (II) complexes in the imprinted materials. The concentration of hydrochloric acid and the extraction time were optimised to obtain the maximum Zn (II) removal. The results found that 10 mL of a solution containing DTZ (0.20 mM) and Zn (II) (0.30 mM), 25 μL of tetraethoxysilane, with 10 minutes reaction time, exhibited the strongest binding of the template complexes. Zn (II) ions were selectively removed from the materials by using 0.1 M hydrochloric acid for 10 minutes. The morphology of the prepared materials was characterised by scanning electron microscopy–energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance–Fourier Transform‐infrared spectroscopy. The smartphone measurement based the cotton fabric/silica materials exhibited linear relationship between saturation (%) and Zn (II) concentrations in the range of 0.1 to 1.0 mg/L, with limit of detection of 0.02 mg/L and limit of quantification of 0.06 mg/L. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine Zn (II) in real‐water samples with the % recovery ranging from 98% to 115% and an acceptable relative standard deviation of less than 6 (n = 3).
Early development and epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex: A prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Lindsay Natasha , Runicles Abigail , Johnson Mark H. , Jones Emily J. H. , Bolton Patrick F. , Charman Tony , Tye Charlotte
Published: October 2023

Aim

To characterize early changes in developmental ability, language, and adaptive behaviour in infants diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), and determine whether clinical features of epilepsy influence this pathway.

Method

Prospective, longitudinal data were collected within the Early Development in Tuberous Sclerosis (EDiTS) Study to track development of infants with TSC (n = 32) and typically developing infants (n = 33) between 3 and 24 months of age. Questionnaire and observational measures were used at up to seven timepoints to assess infants' adaptive behaviour, developmental ability, language, and epilepsy.

Results

A significant group by age interaction effect showed that infants with TSC had lower adaptive functioning at 18 to 24 months old (intercept = 88.12, slope estimate = −0.82, p < 0.001) and lower developmental ability scores from 10 months old (intercept = 83.33, slope estimate = −1.44, p < 0.001) compared to typically developing infants. Early epilepsy severity was a significant predictor of these emerging developmental (R2 = 0.35, p = 0.004, 95% confidence interval [CI] –0.08 to −0.01) and adaptive behaviour delays (R2 = 0.34, p = 0.004, 95% CI –0.05 to −0.01]). Lower vocabulary production (intercept = −1.25, slope = −0.12, p < 0.001) and comprehension scores (intercept = 2.39, slope estimate = −0.05, p < 0.001) in infants with TSC at 24 months old were not associated with epilepsy severity.

Interpretation

Divergence of developmental ability and adaptive functioning skills occur in infants with TSC from 10 and 18 months, respectively. Associations between early epilepsy severity and impaired development supports the importance of early intervention to reduce seizure severity.
Are LED lights driving the massive nuptial flight swarm of the tramp ant Technomyrmex albipes?
Authors: Hsu Po‐Wei , Chiu Ming‐Chung , Hsu Feng‐Chuan , Yang Chin‐Cheng Scotty , Lin Chung‐Chi
Published: October 2023

Whereas most economic and ecological impacts of tramp ant species stem in large part from numerical dominance and exacerbated aggressiveness of workers, those imposed by alate (winged) ants have been rarely described. In the present study, we report an unprecedented massive alate swarming (i.e., mating flight) event in southern Taiwan by a tramp ant species, Technomyrmex albipes (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), that triggers immediate pest management responses, and examine factor(s) that potentially contribute to the remarkably high number of alates. We monitored the seasonal activities of T. albipes workers and phenology of alate swarming, attempting to link the worker foraging dynamics with swarm ontogeny. As it was argued that recent streetlight fixtures converted from high‐pressure sodium to light‐emitting diode (LED) may serve as a major cause of the massive swarming, alates' light color preference was investigated. Sex ratio of trapped alates was also assessed to test whether sex‐specific light preference exists in T. albipes. We showed that foraging intensity of workers increased in the spring, peaked in May, and was followed by the nuptial flight season that began in August and lasted for 4 months. The phenological pattern is consistent with the colony dynamics in many other ant species. Although the two light preference experiments did not yield the same results, T. albipes alates overall preferred lights with shorter wavelengths in the active trapping, partially supporting the argument of white LED streetlights contributing to the massive flight. The sex ratio of trapped alates was overall female‐biased, suggesting female alates are disproportionally produced and/or more sensitive toward lights.
Genomic vulnerability of a freshwater salmonid under climate change
Authors: Tigano Anna , Weir Tyler , Ward Hillary G. M. , Gale Marika Kirstin , Wong Carmen M. , Eliason Erika J. , Miller Kristina M. , Hinch Scott G. , Russello Michael A.
Published: October 2023

Understanding the adaptive potential of populations and species is pivotal for minimizing the loss of biodiversity in this era of rapid climate change. Adaptive potential has been estimated in various ways, including based on levels of standing genetic variation, presence of potentially beneficial alleles, and/or the severity of environmental change. Kokanee salmon, the non‐migratory ecotype of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), is culturally and economically important and has already been impacted by the effects of climate change. To assess its climate vulnerability moving forward, we integrated analyses of standing genetic variation, genotype‐environment associations, and climate modeling based on sequence and structural genomic variation from 224 whole genomes sampled from 22 lakes in British Columbia and Yukon (Canada). We found that variables for extreme temperatures, particularly warmer temperatures, had the most pervasive signature of selection in the genome and were the strongest predictors of levels of standing variation and of putatively adaptive genomic variation, both sequence and structural. Genomic offset estimates, a measure of climate vulnerability, were significantly correlated with higher increases in extreme warm temperatures, further highlighting the risk of summer heat waves that are predicted to increase in frequency in the future. Levels of standing genetic variation, an important metric for population viability and resilience, were not correlated with genomic offset. Nonetheless, our combined approach highlights the importance of integrating different sources of information and genomic data to formulate more comprehensive and accurate predictions on the vulnerability of populations and species to future climate change.
Increased body condition score has a detrimental effect on arterial oxygen tension and increases the risk of hypoxaemia in anaesthetised horses
Authors: Loomes Kate
Published: October 2023

Background

Impaired oxygenation during anaesthesia can be detrimental. Bodyweight and body shape influence arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) but the effect of body condition score (BCS) has not been investigated.

Objectives

To examine the effect of BCS on respiratory indices.

Study design

Retrospective.

Methods

In total, 524 anaesthetic records were reviewed. Records from healthy adult horses under isoflurane anaesthesia in dorsal recumbency, receiving controlled mechanical ventilation, with complete ventilation and arterial blood gas data and BCS assessment by one person (KL) were included in data analysis. Data were analysed using student's t‐test, Mann–Whitney U test, chi‐squared analysis and logistic regression.

Results

In total, 135 records for 85 horses with BCS <6/9 (Group N) and 50 horses with BCS ≥6/9 (Group O) met the inclusion criteria. Overall, there was a strong negative correlation between BCS and PaO2 (Spearman's r = 0.72, p < 0.001). Group O had significantly lower PaO2 (112 [50–546 mmHg]) compared to Group N (380 [65–658 mmHg], p < 0.001) which remained when horses were further categorised by bodyweight >500 kg (118 mmHg vs. 390 mmHg, p < 0.001) and <500 kg (160 mmHg vs. 451 mmHg, p < 0.04). Group O were 34 times more likely to be hypoxaemic (PaO2 < 100 mmHg) compared to Group N (χ2 = 34.39, p = 0.03). Alveolar dead space fraction was greater in Group O (0.27 [0.10–0.41]) versus Group N (0.24 [0.12–0.35]), p < 0.001. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified a significant association between PaO2 and bodyweight (p = 0.01), alveolar dead space fraction (p = 0.005) and BCS (p < 0.001).

Main limitations

Retrospective design.

Conclusions

Body condition score ≥6/9 has a detrimental effect on PaO2, alveolar dead space fraction and is a risk factor for hypoxaemia in healthy anaesthetised horses in dorsal recumbency.
A novel hexameric NADP+‐reducing [FeFe] hydrogenase from Moorella thermoacetica
Authors: Rosenbaum Florian P. , Müller Volker
Published: October 2023

Acetogenic bacteria such as the thermophilic anaerobic model organism Moorella thermoacetica reduce CO2 with H2 as a reductant via the Wood‐Ljungdahl pathway (WLP). The enzymes of the WLP of M. thermoacetica require NADH, NADPH, and reduced ferredoxin as reductants. Whereas an electron‐bifurcating ferredoxin‐ and NAD+‐reducing hydrogenase HydABC had been described, the enzyme that reduces NADP+ remained to be identified. A likely candidate is the HydABCDEF hydrogenase from M. thermoacetica. Genes encoding for the HydABCDEF hydrogenase are expressed during growth on glucose and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), an alternative electron acceptor in M. thermoacetica, whereas expression of the genes hydABC encoding for the electron‐bifurcating hydrogenase is downregulated. Therefore, we have purified the hydrogenase from cells grown on glucose and DMSO to apparent homogeneity. The enzyme had six subunits encoded by hydABCDEF and contained 58 mol of iron and 1 mol of FMN. The enzyme reduced methyl viologen with H2 as reductant and of the physiological acceptors tested, only NADP+ was reduced. Electron bifurcation with pyridine nucleotides and ferredoxin was not observed. H2‐dependent NADP+ reduction was optimal at pH 8 and 60 °C; the specific activity was 8.5 U·mg−1 and the Km for NADP+ was 0.086 mm. Cell suspensions catalyzed H2‐dependent DMSO reduction, which is in line with the hypothesis that the NADP+‐reducing hydrogenase HydABCDEF is involved in electron transfer from H2 to DMSO.
Working from home during COVID‐19: What does this mean for the ideal worker norm?
Authors: Williamson Sue , Taylor Helen , Weeratunga Vindhya
Published: October 2023

The ideal worker norm is associated with specific ways of working. The ideal worker is a man who works long hours, is constantly available, and highly productive. Emerging research suggests that the shock of COVID‐19, which forced millions of employees to work from home, may have been powerful enough to disrupt the ideal worker norm. We therefore ask: how did working from home during the pandemic impact the ideal worker norm? We apply Acker's ideal worker norm to determine whether different groups of women employees who worked from home during the pandemic worked in ways which aligned to the norm. We conduct this analysis through the lens of two modalities of time: being clock time and (feminine) process time. Our examination of how employees experienced time extends existing, yet limited, research focused on time use during the pandemic. We used a mixed‐method design to analyze survey data from almost 5000 Australian employees to show that significant proportions of women, women carers, and disabled women worked in a manner aligned more to the ideal worker norm, compared with pre‐COVID times. We therefore conclude that a multidimensional ideal worker is emerging and one which works to both clock time and process time. This is an important finding as we seek to better understand how employees can work in a hybrid environment and what this means for organizations and employees.
Risk of infection in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa on biologics or other immunomodulators: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lazaridou Ingrid , Vassilopoulos Athanasios , Vassilopoulos Stephanos , Shehadeh Fadi , Kalligeros Markos , Mylonakis Eleftherios , Qureshi Abrar
Published: October 2023

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful skin condition that significantly affects patients’ quality of life. Biologic agents, including anti‐TNF agents and IL‐17 inhibitors, have shown promise as treatment options for HS. However, there is concern about the increased risk of infections associated with these therapies. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis following PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. We searched PubMed and Embase until February 1, 2023. The primary outcome of interest was the incidence of any infectious complications. Secondary outcomes included serious and opportunistic infections in HS patients treated with biologics or other immunomodulators. Twenty‐four studies met our inclusion criteria, comprising 1,696 patients. The pooled incidence rate for any infection was 24.2%, primarily consisting of mild respiratory and skin infections. Subgroup analysis based on the mechanism of action (MOA) showed a pooled incidence of 7.77% for anti‐IL1, 14.24% for anti‐PDE4, and 21.96% for anti‐TNF. Notably, patients receiving anti‐IL17 had the highest incidence rate of infection at 33.6%, but the relative risk compared to placebo was not significantly elevated (0.99, 95% CI: 0.86–1.14). Serious infections were rare, with pooled incidences of 0.39% for anti‐IL17 and 0.03% for anti‐TNF. Opportunistic infections were infrequent, with 10 reported cases, including eight oral candidiasis, one cryptosporidiosis, and one Blastocystis hominis infection. The use of biologic therapies in HS patients does not significantly increase the risk of infectious complications. Additionally, the occurrence of serious or opportunistic infections in HS patients treated with biologics appears to be minimal.
Two Cases of Metastatic Malignant Melanoma of the Lower Limb Treated with Hyperthermic Isolated Limb Perfusion and Concomitant Infusion of Either Carboplatin or β‐Interferon
Authors: Nakayama Juichiro , Takeuchi Minoru , Mayumi Hisanori , Nagae Shonosuke , Matsuda Kazuhisa , Yasui Hisataka , Takahashi Shosuke , Hori Yoshiaki
Published: October 2023

Two cases of metastatic malignant melanoma of the lower limb who were treated successfully with hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion are reported. One patient was infused with cis‐diammine (1.1‐cyclobutanedicarboxylate) platinum (II) (carboplatin, Paraplatin®, Bristol‐Myers Squibb Company, New Jersey, USA), and the other was infused with human natural β‐interferon (Feron®, Toray, Tokyo, Japan), via the external iliac artery. The first case showed a remarkable suppression of the growth of multiple metastatic melanoma nodules associated with numerous melanophage infiltrations, as shown histopathologically after the operation. The patient's serum level of 5‐S‐cysteinyl dopa decreased for the two months following the treatment In the second case, new formation of metastatic melanoma nodules was completely suppressed for up to 12 months following the operation. Analysis of immunological parameters showed that the number of peripheral CD8+ lymphocytes gradually and constantly increased after the operation, while that of CD4+ lymphocytes transiently increased and then returned to the pre‐operative level. Natural killer activity transiently decreased to a slight degree 4 days after the operation and then returned to the pre‐operative level 21 days after the operation. Side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and leg discomfort, were seen in the patient (Case 1) treated with carboplatin, but were completely reversible. These results suggest that hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion with concomitant infusion of carboplatin or β‐interferon is effective in suppressing the growth of metastatic malignant melanomas of the lower limb.
Pustular Psoriasis Induced by Hydroxychloroquine: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Vine John E. , Hymes Sharon R. , Warner Noranna B. , Cohen Philip R.
Published: October 2023

A variety of pharmacologic agents have been known to induce pustular psoriasis. We describe a patient with a positive personal and family history of psoriasis who developed an extensive annular pustular eruption 3 weeks after starting hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) for arthritis. The drug was discontinued, and she received 3 weeks of systemic and topical corticosteroids; in spite of the therapeutic intervention, showers of new lesions appeared daily, and progressed to involve 75% of the body. The development of new lesions stopped, and the older lesions began to clear after one dose of 7.5 mg of methotrexate. Subsequently, methotrexate therapy was stopped because of mild transaminase elevation; the pustular lesions then flared. New lesions stopped appearing after four doses of weekly methotrexate. The patient remains clear of lesions 6 months later.
Trichilemmal Carcinoma Developing in a Burn Scar: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Ko Toshiko , Tada Hideyuki , Hatoko Mitsuo , Muramatsu Tsutomu , Shirai Toshihiko
Published: October 2023

Two cases of trichilemmal carcinoma (TLC) developing in burn scars are reported. In Case 1, a 73‐year‐old man developed a TLC on his left lower leg five years after a burn. In Case 2, a 43‐year‐old man developed a cauliflower‐like mass on his head 42 years after a burn. Histologically, tumor cells showed a lobular proliferation in continuity with the epidermis. Tumor nests were mostly composed of large atypical cells with clear cytoplasms containing PAS‐positive, diastase sensitive materials. Some of the nests showed trichilemmal‐type keratinization. These cases were treated only with surgical excision, and there has been no evidence since of local recurrence or metastasis.
Proteolysis of fusion proteins: stabilization and destabilization of staphylococcal protein A and Escherichia coli beta‐galactosidase
Authors: Yang S. , Veide A. , SO Enfors
Published: October 2023

The product yield of staphylococcal Protein A reached only 1.8% of the cell dry weight, while the corresponding value was 14% for a fusion protein composed of Protein A and Escherichia coli beta‐galactosidase [1], when produced in the same E. coli host strain, with the same promoter and under identical process conditions. Measurement of the stability of Protein A in vivo showed that it was quickly degraded in the cell with a half‐life of 30 min when the protein was expressed alone, but after fusion to beta‐galactosidase, the Protein A part became considerably stabilized. In spite of the fast intracellular proteolysis of Protein A, few degradation products could be identified on Coomassie Brilliant Blue‐stained SDS/PAGE gels after IgG purification, indicating an even faster degradation of the Protein A fragments. Such degradation products, however, accumulated during incubation of the disintegrated cells. Intracellular degradation intermediates could be demonstrated with the more sensitive Western‐blot technique. This technique also revealed that a slow degradation took place not only in the Protein A moiety of the fusion protein, but also in the beta‐galactosidase moiety. A control with native beta‐galactosidase also showed a weak in vivo proteolysis of this molecule, but it was more stable in free form than in the fused form. This means that the proteolytically very sensitive Protein A was stabilized by fusion with beta‐galactosidase, but the originally rather stable beta‐galactosidase became slightly more susceptible to proteolysis after the fusion.
Improved isolation, stability and substrate specificity of cucumisin, a plant serine endopeptidase
Authors: Kaneda M. , Yonezawa H. , Uchikoba T.
Published: October 2023

Cucumisin (EC 3.4.21.25), a serine endopeptidase, was isolated by a simple purification procedure from the prince melon (Cucumis melo ssp. melo, cv. ‘Prince Melon’). The enzyme is stable over a wide pH range (4‐11) and to heat, 80% of its initial activity remaining even at pH 11.1 and at 60 degrees C for 20 min. The enzyme was inactive at 72 degrees C and pH 8.0, but 38% of the activity remained in the presence of 10% (w/v) glycerol. Caseinolysis by cucumisin indicated full activity in 8 M urea at pH 9.1 and 50 degrees C. Cucumisin was inactivated by treatment with trypsin at 37 degrees C for 24 h, but was not affected by alpha‐chymotrypsin. The synthetic substrates benzyloxycarbonyltyrosine nitrophenyl ester (Z‐Tyr‐ONp) and benzoyltyrosine ethyl ester (Bz‐Tyr‐OEt) were cleaved, but Z‐Lys‐ONp and tosylarginine methyl ester (Tos‐Arg‐OMe) were not cleaved by cucumisin. Oxidized insulin B‐chain was hydrolysed by cucumisin at 37 degrees C for 24 h, 21 cleavage sites being detected. Cucumisin could not cleave the C‐termini of all the valine residues in the oxidized insulin B‐chain molecule.
Effect of monoclonal antibodies in preventing carboxypeptidase A aggregation
Authors: Katzav‐Gozansky T. , Hanan E. , Solomon B.
Published: October 2023

With an increase in temperature, carboxypeptidase A shows a decrease in solubility that is accompanied by loss of enzymic activity and conformational changes leading to its aggregation. In the present study we investigated the suppression of enzyme aggregation via its interaction with two monoclonal antibodies raised against the native protein. The protein aggregation process was monitored by ELISA measurements and determination of residual enzymic activity. As previously found, selected monoclonal antibodies which do not inhibit the biological activity of the antigen and bind with a similar affinity constant to their epitopes on the molecule exhibit a chaperone‐like activity in the refolding of their antigen. These antibodies have an inhibitory effect on the aggregation of the enzyme which seems to be related to the location of the antigenic site recognized by each antibody. Identifying the aggregating epitopes' as sequences that are related to the sites where protein aggregation is initiated and preparing monoclonal antibodies against these regions may facilitate the understanding and prevention of protein‐aggregation processes.
The behaviour of Phanerochaete chrysosporium cellobiose dehydrogenase on adsorption to crystallineand amorphous celluloses
Authors: Samejima Masahiro , Ohkubo Takeshi , Igarashi Kiyohiko , Isogai Akira , Kuga Shigenori , Sugiyama Junji , Eriksson Karl‐Erik L.
Published: October 2023

The adsorption of cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) to cellulose has been previously reported. However, the structural type of cellulose on to which CDH is adsorbed has not been investigated. In the present study we have compared the behaviour of CDH when it adsorbs on the highly crystalline cellulose microfibrils from Valonia macrophysa and on the completely amorphous cellulose prepared from a solution of Avicel in the SO2/amine system. The isotherms of CDH adsorption to both Valonia and amorphous celluloses fit well with the Langmuir adsorption theory. However, the maximum adsorption of CDH to the amorphous cellulose was much higher than that to Valonia cellulose. The location of CDH adsorbed on cellulose was revealed with colloidal‐gold‐tagged antibodies by transmission electron microscopy. By using this technique it was demonstrated that CDH adsorption to Valonia cellulose was limited to the amorphous regions attached to the crystalline microfibrils, whereas no CDH was adsorbed to the surface of the highly crystalline microfibrils. Furthermore, continuous monitoring of cellulase activity showed that limited amounts of structures susceptible to enzymic hydrolysis exist even on the surface of Valonia cellulose. From these observations, we conclude that amorphous regions of cellulose seem to the preferred sites of CDH adsorption, whereas CDH is not adsorbed to the surface of highly crystalline microfibrils.
The aim of industrial enzymic amoxycillin production: characterization of a novelcarbamoylase enzyme in the form of a crude, cell‐free extract
Authors: Louwrier Ariel , Knowles Christopher J.
Published: October 2023

Amoxycillin production involves the generation of a racemic mixture of hydroxyphenylhydantoin by means of the Bucherer synthesis. The hydantoin is enzymically cleaved by a D‐( ‐ )‐specific hydantoinase to form D‐( ‐ )‐N‐carbamoylhydroxyphenylglycine. This is subsequently hydrolysed by a carbamoylase enzyme that generates the amino acid derivative, D‐( ‐ )‐hydroxyphenylglycine. The remaining L‐( + )‐hydroxyphenylhydantoin spontaneously racemizes, allowing continual cleavage to continue (by the hydantoinase action) and giving a potential 100% yield of end product from the two‐enzyme‐catalysed process, rather than 50′. A novel carbamoylase from an Agrobacterium species has been studied in a crude (cell‐free extract) form. The temperature stability was shown to be remarkable, with no loss of activity detected after 4 h at 50 ° C. Kinetic values were calculated for the enzyme, with a variety of implications for a future industrial process. The substrate specificity, isoelectric point, pH and temperature activity profiles were elucidated, with the aim of generating a commercially beneficial method of purifying the enzyme. In addition, the concentration‐dependent toxicities of several metal ions were studied; all bivalent ions studied were found to have some detrimental effect on activity.