bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combinational expression of tumor testis antigens NY-ESO-1, MAGE-A3, and MAGE-A4 predicts response to immunotherapy in mucosal melanoma patients
Authors: Freiberger Sandra N. , Holzmann David , Morand Grégoire B. , Hüllner Martin , Levesque Mitchell P. , Dummer Reinhard , Koelzer Viktor H. , Rupp Niels J.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has revolutionized cancer treatment in recent years, particularly in melanoma. While response to immunotherapy is associated with high tumor mutational burden (TMB), PD-L1 expression, and microsatellite instability in several cancers, tumors lacking these biomarkers can still respond to this treatment. Especially, mucosal melanoma, commonly exhibiting low TMB compared to cutaneous melanoma, may respond to immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate novel biomarkers in mucosal melanoma that predict response to combined ipilimumab and nivolumab.

Methods

We investigated 10 tumor samples from 10 patients (three responders, seven non-responders) before treatment and six tumor samples from five patients after progression using a targeted Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) gene expression panel. The findings were corroborated with an independent method (i.e., immunohistochemical staining) on the same 10 tumor samples before treatment and, to increase the cohort, in addition on three tumor samples before treatment of more recent patients (one responder, two non-responders).

Results

With the targeted gene expression panel, we found the three tumor testis antigens CTAG1B (NY-ESO-1), MAGE-A3, and MAGE-A4 to be predominantly expressed in responding tumors. This marker panel was either not or not completely expressed in non-responders (p < 0.01). Using immunohistochemistry for all three markers, we could confirm the elevated expression in tumors responding to the ipilimumab/nivolumab combination therapy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these three biomarkers await validation in a larger patient cohort and could be easily used in future routine diagnostics to predict the outcome of ipilimumab/nivolumab combination therapy in mucosal melanoma patients.
The effects of myofascial induction therapy in survivors of head and neck cancer: a randomized, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Ortiz-Comino Lucía , Martín-Martín Lydia , Galiano-Castillo Noelia , Castro-Martín Eduardo , Fernández-Gualda Miguel Ángel , Lozano-Lozano Mario , Fernández-Lao Carolina
Published: December 2022

Purpose

We aim to evaluate the effects of myofascial induction therapy (MIT) on the sequelae suffered by the survivors of HNC (sHNC).

Methods

We enrolled 46 sHNC in a randomized controlled trial (RCT), of whom 20 received a MIT protocol and 23 were placed on a waitlist while receiving the recommended treatment for 6 weeks. The MIT protocol included a total of 18 sessions, 3 days a week on alternate days for 6 weeks. Maximal mouth opening, the presence of temporomandibular dysfunction, cervical endurance, active range of motion (AROM), shoulder AROM, handgrip strength, and perceived physical fitness were assessed.

Results

Maximal mouth opening, temporomandibular dysfunction, cervical endurance, and AROM, affected shoulder abduction and unaffected shoulder flexion and external rotation significantly improved (p < .05) after an MIT protocol, but only cervical AROM and affected shoulder abduction changes were clinically meaningful. No statistically significant changes were observed in the other shoulder AROM, handgrip strength, or physical fitness perception (p > .05).

Conclusion

A 6-week MIT protocol improves mouth opening, TMD, cervical function (endurance and AROM), affected shoulder abduction and unaffected shoulder flexion, and external rotation AROM in the sHNC. However, no changes were observed in most of the shoulder AROM, muscular strength, or perceived physical fitness. Future studies should perform longer follow-up designs, increase the sample size, and include multimodal treatments to address these sequelae in the sHNC.
Characterization and genomic analysis of JC01, a novel bacteriophage infecting Cronobacter sakazakii
Authors: Jiang Jie , Lan Guanda , Li Jinghua , Yu Jun , Huang Honglan , Sun Yanbo , Xu Cuiting , Liu Dandan , Gong Yunwei , Zhao Chunyan
Published: December 2022

The lytic bacteriophage JC01 was isolated using a strain of Cronobacter sakazakii previously isolated from powdered infant formula (PIF). The complete genome sequence of phage JC01 was determined. The double-stranded DNA genome of phage JC01 is composed of 61,736 bp with a G + C content of 58.9%, and it contains 76 putative open reading frames (ORFs) without any tRNA genes. The predicted ORFs were classified into functional groups, including DNA manipulation, transcription, phage packaging, phage structure, host lysis, and hypothetical proteins. Based on overall nucleotide sequence comparisons, calculation of phage intergenomic similarities, and phylogenetic analysis, JC01 appears to be a novel bacteriophage infecting C. sakazakii.
Maturation strategy influences expression levels and cofactor occupancy in Fe–S proteins
Authors: Jansing Melissa , Mielenbrink Steffen , Rosenbach Hannah , Metzger Sabine , Span Ingrid
Published: December 2022

Iron–sulfur clusters are ubiquitous cofactors required for fundamental biological processes. Structural and spectroscopic analysis of Fe–S proteins is often limited by low cluster occupancy in recombinantly produced proteins. In this work, we report a systematic comparison of different maturation strategies for three well-established [4Fe–4S] proteins. Aconitase B, HMBPP reductase (IspH), and quinolinate synthase (NadA) were used as model proteins as they have previously been characterized. The protein production strategies include expression of the gene of interest in BL21(DE3) cells, maturation of the apo protein using chemical or semi-enzymatic reconstitution, co-expression with two different plasmids containing the iron–sulfur cluster (isc) or sulfur formation (suf) operon, a cell strain lacking IscR, the transcriptional regulator of the ISC machinery, and an engineered “SufFeScient” derivative of BL21(DE3). Our results show that co-expression of a Fe–S biogenesis pathway influences the protein yield and the cluster content of the proteins. The presence of the Fe–S cluster is contributing to correct folding and structural stability of the proteins. In vivo maturation reduces the formation of Fe–S aggregates, which occur frequently when performing chemical reconstitution. Furthermore, we show that the in vivo strategies can be extended to the radical SAM protein ThnB, which was previously only maturated by chemical reconstitution. Our results shed light on the differences of in vitro and in vivo Fe–S cluster maturation and points out the pitfalls of chemical reconstitution.

Graphical abstract
Mental health in clinically referred children and young people before and during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Sayal Kapil , Partlett Christopher , Bhardwaj Anupam , Dubicka Bernadka , Marshall Tamsin , Gledhill Julia , Ewart Colleen , James Marilyn , Lang Alexandra , Sprange Kirsty , Montgomery Alan
Published: December 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic and mitigation approaches, including lockdowns and school closures, are thought to have negatively impacted children and young people’s (CYP) mental health. However, the impact for clinically referred CYP is less clear. We investigated differences in the mental health of CYP referred to specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) before and since the onset of the pandemic. Using baseline data (self- and parent- completed Mood and Feelings Questionnaire and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) from an ongoing RCT (STADIA; ISRCTN: 15748675) in England involving 5–17-year-olds with emotional difficulties recently referred to CAMHS (non-urgent referrals), with repeated cross-sectional comparisons of CYP (n = 1028) recruited during 5 different time  periods: (1) Before schools were closed (Group 1 (pre-pandemic); n = 308; 27.08.2019–20.03.2020). (2) Early pandemic period until schools fully re-opened, which included the first national lockdown, its easing and the summer holidays (Group 2 (in-pandemic); n = 183; 21.03.2020–31.08.2020). (3) The following school-term—schools fully re-opened and remained open, including during the second national lockdown (Group 3 (in-pandemic); n = 204; 01.09.2020–18.12.2020). (4) Schools closed as part of the third national lockdown (Group 4 (in-pandemic); n = 101; 05.01.2021–07.03.2021). (5) Schools re-opened and remained open, until the school summer holidays (Group 5 (in-pandemic); n = 232; 08.03.2021–16.07.2021). Most CYP scored above cutoff for emotional problems and depression, with three-quarters meeting criteria for a probable disorder (‘caseness’). The groups did not differ on parent-rated mental health measures. However, self-rated emotional problems, depression, functional impairment and caseness appeared to be higher amongst participants recruited in the two periods following school re-openings. In particular, functional impairment and caseness were greater in Group 5 compared with Group 2. Although symptom severity or impairment did not change in the initial pandemic period, self-reported difficulties were greater during the periods after schools re-opened. This suggests possible greater stresses in the adjustment to re-starting school following recurrent lockdowns and school closures.
Clever pest control? The role of cognition in biological pest regulation
Authors: Ghosh Deyatima , John Elizabeth A. , Wilkinson Anna
Published: December 2022

Crop pest management is a global challenge. Increases in agricultural intensity due to anthropogenic demands, alongside the need to reduce the reliance on pesticides to minimize environmental harm, have resulted in an urgent need to improve and expand other methods of pest control. One increasingly utilized method is biological pest control, in which natural pest predators are used to regulating crop pests. Current approaches to biological pest regulation assess the importance of a pest controller by examining its ability to maintain pest populations over an extended period. However, this approach lacks efficiency, specificity, and efficacy because it does not take into account crucial factors which determine how predators find, evaluate and remember food sources—the cognitive processes underlying their behavior. This review will investigate the cognitive factors involved in biological pest control and examine how these factors may be manipulated to impact pest behavior and pest controller performance.
Dynamic history-dependent tax and environmental compliance monitoring of risk-averse firms
Authors: Goldberg Noam , Meilijson Isaac , Perlman Yael
Published: December 2022

Firms may misreport income or fail to comply with environmental regulations. This study contributes to the growing literature that analyzes dynamic history-dependent compliance monitoring, under which penalties or monitoring frequency are selected on the basis of recent compliance history. The current study develops methods for evaluating and comparing explicit solutions under given monitoring costs and income distributions, using a commonplace utility-penalty scenario under which firms never comply fully with regulations if statically monitored (regardless of their income distribution), but find it to their benefit, if dynamically monitored, to comply fully when their income is sufficiently high. In most examples tried, dynamic monitoring is superior even when constrained to monitor all firms at rates below the optimal static rate. The model is applied to actual IRS 2010 tax-report monitoring and compliance data partitioned by income bracket. This allows, in particular, to deduce degrees of risk aversion.
Election cycles and corruption perception in Africa
Authors: Iddrisu Abdul Ganiyu
Published: December 2022

This paper empirically examines whether Africa’s low corruption agenda can be achieved amid election cycles. We employ country-level data from 36 African countries covering the period 1998–2020. Using fixed effects, random effects and dynamic panel data regressions, our results suggest that in election years, increment in government expenditure is associated with higher corruption perception while increment in real GDP growth lowers corruption perception than in non-election years. On regional differences, the effect of election cycles on corruption perception was found to be greater in southern part of Africa than the rest of the sub-regions. These findings may have important implications for policy.
Exchangeable min-id sequences: Characterization, exponent measures and non-decreasing id-processes
Authors: Brück Florian , Mai Jan-Frederik , Scherer Matthias
Published: December 2022

We establish a one-to-one correspondence between (i) exchangeable sequences of random variables whose finite-dimensional distributions are minimum (or maximum) infinitely divisible and (ii) non-negative, non-decreasing, infinitely divisible stochastic processes. The exponent measure of an exchangeable minimum infinitely divisible sequence is shown to be the sum of a very simple “drift measure” and a mixture of product probability measures, which uniquely corresponds to the Lévy measure of a non-negative and non-decreasing infinitely divisible process. The latter is shown to be supported on non-negative and non-decreasing functions. In probabilistic terms, the aforementioned infinitely divisible process is equal to the conditional cumulative hazard process associated with the exchangeable sequence of random variables with minimum (or maximum) infinitely divisible marginals. Our results provide an analytic umbrella which embeds the de Finetti subfamilies of many interesting classes of multivariate distributions, such as exogenous shock models, exponential and geometric laws with lack-of-memory property, min-stable multivariate exponential and extreme-value distributions, as well as reciprocal Archimedean copulas with completely monotone generator and Archimedean copulas with log-completely monotone generator.
Causal modelling of heavy-tailed variables and confounders with application to river flow
Authors: Pasche Olivier C. , Chavez-Demoulin Valérie , Davison Anthony C.
Published: December 2022

Confounding variables are a recurrent challenge for causal discovery and inference. In many situations, complex causal mechanisms only manifest themselves in extreme events, or take simpler forms in the extremes. Stimulated by data on extreme river flows and precipitation, we introduce a new causal discovery methodology for heavy-tailed variables that allows the effect of a known potential confounder to be almost entirely removed when the variables have comparable tails, and also decreases it sufficiently to enable correct causal inference when the confounder has a heavier tail. We also introduce a new parametric estimator for the existing causal tail coefficient and a permutation test. Simulations show that the methods work well and the ideas are applied to the motivating dataset.
A Longitudinal Examination of Young People’s Gambling Behaviours and Participation in Team Sports
Authors: Duggan Brendan , Mohan Gretta
Published: December 2022

This paper develops and expands upon social identity theory as an explanation for gambling among youth engaged in team sport. Analysing longitudinal data for over 4500 20-year-olds from the Growing Up in Ireland study, reveals that online gambling increased from 2.6 to 9.3% between 17 and 20 years in the cohort, with the increase driven by males. A statistically significant positive association is uncovered between playing team sports and regularly gambling, as well as online gambling behaviour, independent of socio-demographic and other risk factors for males but not for females. The findings provide support for a dose–response like effect for males, where a longer period of participation in team sports is associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in gambling behaviour compared to shorter periods. Implications of the findings for policy and practice are discussed.
Evaluation of radon concentration measurements in water using the radon degassing method
Authors: Matsumoto Maho , Yasuoka Yumi , Takakaze Yui , Hosoda Masahiro , Tokonami Shinji , Iwaoka Kazuki , Mukai Takahiro
Published: December 2022

This study was the first to determine the effectiveness of radon concentration measurement in water using the degassing method as a screening method based on the liquid scintillation counter method. The degassing method used two radon monitors (AlphaGUARD and RAD7) and two monitor-attached degassing devices (AquaKIT and RAD H2O). These were effective screening methods based on the WHO guideline value of 100 Bq L−1. The screening values confirmed that a combination of the AlphaGUARD and AquaKIT was preferred. The results are useful for radon measurement for exposure control in drinking water and environmental in-situ field measurement.
Case analysis on the characteristics of the landcreep area: focusing on Seo-myeon in Suncheon, South Korea
Authors: Park Jae-Hyeon , Kim Hyun
Published: December 2022

This study was conducted to prevent landcreep damages by examining various features such as geology, topography, and physical characteristics. The first landcreep occurred in Seo-myeon in Suncheon, South Korea, in 2000. The second occurred in 2020, the damaged surface area of the second event was approximately 21.7 times that of the first, and it was discovered that landcreep in Sunchoen was contributed to forest road construction. The study area was a typical landcreep area caused by weathered rocks, and this area belonged to a type of convex terrain ground form. As a result of analyzing the landslide hazard grade, the landcreep is found to be different from general landslides because it includes most areas of landslide hazard grade 3–5 and out of the grade. Results show that the landcreep has proceeded in the directions of S15°E, S20°E, S25°E, and S30°E, which is consistent with the direction following the flow direction of groundwater determined using the electrical resistivity survey method.
Diode performance of silica nanoparticles extracted from Pleurosira laevis diatom frustules
Authors: Ashery Adel , El-Fatah Hesham M. Abd , Ali Dina M. , El-Din Rawheya A. Salah , El-Sayed Afaf
Published: December 2022

In this work, we measured the I-V characteristics of silica nanoparticles (SNPs) extracted from the Pleurosira laevis diatom and deposited on top of a p-type Si(111) wafer. The electric response of the SNPs-based diode is found to be more sensitive to thermal and optical power than the fresh frustules-based diode by about 3 and 5 times, respectively. Moreover, the chemically processed SNPs exhibit better diode parameters, i.e. for them the ideality factor is closer to 1, the series resistance is 3 times lower, and the shunt resistance is 4 times higher than those of the fresh frustules silica. It is stimulating to use the extracted SNPs in innovative electronic and optoelectronic applications as an abundant, cheap, and easy-to-process material.
Phase sensitivity by fast light propagation using compton scattering and Kerr non-linearity
Authors: Akbar Jehan , Bin Xu , Hou Lianping , Marsh John H. , Liu Xuefeng
Published: December 2022

We theoretically investigated the sub-luminal and super-luminal light propagation by introducing compton scattering and Kerr non-linear effects to a four level atomic system. Slow light propagation is observed at a group index of 3918 in the transparency region. The slow light propagation is tuned to fast light propagation at group index 0.2, using compton scattering angle of $$\varphi =\pi /6$$

φ
=
π
/
6

. The surperluminality is further enhanced with compton scattering angle at the resonance frequency. Under the Kerr nonlinearity, the slow light propagation at a group index of 3918 is enhanced to fast light propagation at group index of $$2\times 10^6$$

2
×

10
6

at the resonance frequency. The group index is reduced to $$6.56281\times 10^{-5}$$

6.56281
×

10

-
5

in the presence of both Kerr non-linearity and compton scattering. In the presence of compton scattering, the Phase shift at $$\pi /2$$

π
/
2

without Kerr nonlinearity is $$7\times 10^{-8}$$

7
×

10

-
8

radian and with Kerr nonlinearity its value is $$1.7\times 10^{-9}$$

1.7
×

10

-
9

radian at resonance frequency. This demonstrate that introducing Kerr effect and compton scattering lead to significant modifications in the phase shift.
Calculation of the steady states in dynamic semiconductor laser models
Authors: Radziunas Mindaugas
Published: December 2022

We discuss numerical challenges in calculating stable and unstable steady states of widely used dynamic semiconductor laser models. Knowledge of these states is valuable when analyzing laser dynamics and different properties of the lasing states. The example simulations and analysis mainly rely on 1(time)+1(space)-dimensional traveling-wave models, where the steady state defining conditions are formulated as a system of nonlinear algebraic equations. The performed steady state calculations reveal limitations of the Lang-Kobayashi model, explain nontrivial bias threshold relations in lasers with several electrical contacts, or predict and explain transient dynamics when simulating such lasers.
Active and passive chlorophyll fluorescence measurements at canopy level on potato crops. Evidence of similitude of diurnal cycles of apparent fluorescence yields
Authors: Loayza Hildo , Moya Ismael , Quiroz Roberto , Ounis A. , Goulas Yves
Published: December 2022

We performed active and passive measurements of diurnal cycles of chlorophyll fluorescence on potato crops at canopy level in outdoors conditions for 26 days. Active measurements of the stationary fluorescence yield (Fs) were performed using Ledflex, a fluorescence micro-LIDAR described in Moya et al. (Photosynth Res 142:1–15, 2019), capable of remote measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence under full sun-light in the wavelength range from 650 to 800 nm. Passive measurements of solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) fluxes were performed with Spectroflex, an instrument based on the method of filling-in in the O2A and O2B absorption bands at 760 nm (F760) and 687 nm (F687), respectively.

Diurnal cycles of Fs showed significant variations throughout the day, directly attributed to changes in photosystem II yield. Contrasting patterns were observed according to illumination conditions. Under cloudy sky, Fs varied in parallel with photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). By contrast, during clear sky days, the diurnal cycle of Fs showed a “M” shape pattern with a minimum around noon.

F687 and F760 showed different patterns, according to illumination conditions. Under low irradiance associated with cloudy conditions, F687 and F760 followed similar diurnal patterns, in parallel with PAR. Under high irradiance associated with clear sky we observed an increase of the F760/F687 ratio, which we attributed to the contributions in the 760 nm emission of photosystem I fluorescence from deeper layers of the leaves, on one end, and by the decrease of 687 nm emission as a result of red fluorescence re-absorption, on the other end.

We defined an approach to derive a proxy of fluorescence yield (FYSIF) from SIF measurements as a linear combination of F687 and F760 normalized by vegetation radiance, where the coefficients of the linear combination were derived from the spectral transmittance of Ledflex. We demonstrated a close relationship between diurnal cycles of FYSIF and Fs, which outperformed other approaches based on normalization by incident light.
“It Gives Me, as her Caregiver, a Sense of Security.” Young People with Intellectual Disability and Their Experiences with Sexuality, Menstruation, Gynecological Treatment and Contraception: A Follow-up Analysis of Parents’ and Caregivers’ Perspectives
Authors: Retznik Laura , Wienholz Sabine , Höltermann Annelen , Conrad Ines , Riedel-Heller Steffi G.
Published: December 2022

Background

Research shows that caregivers support but also impede people with intellectual disabilities from developing intimate relationships. People with intellectual disability experience coital sex later and less often compared to adolescents without disabilities. Caregivers often request hormonal contraception from gynecologists on their behalf. Their main motives are pregnancy avoidance (either as a result of consensual sex or sexual abuse) and menstrual suppression.

Method

The sample included 42 primary caregivers of young people with intellectual disability aged 14 to 25. Interviews were evaluated with qualitative content analysis.

Results

Nine of the main caregivers assumed that sexual intercourse had taken place. Half of the carers evaluated the importance of sexuality for the young people with intellectual disability as high. The main reason for seeing a gynecologist was the prescription of hormonal contraceptives; the outcome of which was arbitrary and dependent on the individual gynecologist. The majority of young women took general hormonal contraceptives as a preventive measure or due to heavy bleeding, regardless of sexual activity. One-fifth took hormone depots as a form of long-term contraception.

Discussion

A trusting relationship with the gynecologist favored the compliance and well-being of the young women. The administration of hormonal contraceptives seems to be controlled by third parties. Caregivers used hormonal contraceptives to simplify the regulation of menstruation and felt relieved by it. Carers view the sexual activities of the young women more critically because they fear a pregnancy and the responsibility for a potential grandchild. The use of hormonal contraceptives made carers clearly more tolerant of sexual activity.
Comprehensive collection of COVID-19 related prosthetic valve failure: a systematic review
Authors: Trieu Theresa K. , Birkeland Kade , Kimchi Asher , Kedan Ilan
Published: December 2022

Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, correlation of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and COVID-19 infection has been well established. Increased inflammatory response in the setting of COVID-19 infection is associated with VTE and hypercoagulability. Venous and arterial thrombotic events in COVID-19 infection have been well documented; however, few cases have been reported involving cardiac valve prostheses. In this review, we present a total of eight cases involving COVID-19-related prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT), as identified in a systematic review. These eight cases describe valve position (mitral versus aortic) and prosthesis type (bioprosthetic versus mechanical), and all cases demonstrate incidents of PVT associated with simultaneous or recent COVID-19 infection. None of these eight cases display obvious non-adherence to anticoagulation; five of the cases occurred greater than three years after the most recent valve replacement. Our review offers insights into PVT in COVID-19 infected patients including an indication for increased monitoring in the peri-infectious period. We explore valve thrombosis as a mechanism for prosthetic valve failure. We describe potential differences in antithrombotic strategies that may offer added antithrombotic protection during COVID-19 infection. With the growing population of valve replacement patients and recurring COVID-19 infection surges, it is imperative to explore relationships between COVID-19 and PVT.
Liver alterations and detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and proteins in COVID-19 autopsies
Authors: Pesti Adrián , Danics Krisztina , Glasz Tibor , Várkonyi Tibor , Barbai Tamás , Reszegi Andrea , Kovalszky Ilona , Vályi-Nagy István , Dobi Deján , Lotz Gábor , Schaff Zsuzsa , Kiss András
Published: December 2022

The most severe alterations in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are seen in the lung. However, other organs also are affected. Here, we report histopathologic findings in the liver and detection of viral proteins and RNA in COVID-19 autopsies performed at the Semmelweis University (Budapest, Hungary). Between March 2020 through March 2022, 150 autopsies on patients who died of COVID-19 were analyzed. Cause-of-death categories were formed based on the association with SARS-CoV-2 as strong, contributive, or weak. Samples for histopathologic study were obtained from all organs, fixed in formalin, and embedded in paraffin (FFPE). Immunohistochemical study (IHC) to detect SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and nucleocapsid protein (NP), CD31, claudin-5, factor VIII, macrosialin (CD68), and cytokeratin 7, with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and in situ hybridization (ISH, RNAscope®) for SARS-CoV-2 RNA were conducted using FFPE samples of livers taken from 20 autopsies performed ≤ 2 days postmortem. All glass slides were scanned; the digital images were evaluated by semiquantitative scoring and scores were analyzed statistically. Steatosis, single-cell and focal/zonal hepatocyte necrosis, portal fibrosis, and chronic inflammation were found in varying percentages. Sinusoidal ectasia, endothelial cell disruption, and fibrin-filled sinusoids were seen in all cases; these were assessed semiquantitatively for severity (SEF scored). SEF scores did not correlate with cause-of-death categories (p = 0.92) or with severity of lung alterations (p = 0.96). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 13/20 cases by PCR and in 9/20 by ISH, with IHC demonstration of spike protein in 4/20 cases and NP in 15/20. Viral RNA and proteins were located in endothelial and Kupffer cells, and in portal macrophages, but not in hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. In conclusion, endothelial damage (SEF scores) was the most common alteration in the liver and was a characteristic, but not specific alteration in COVID-19, suggesting an important role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19-associated liver disease. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and viral proteins in liver non-parenchymal cells suggests that while the most extended primary viral cytotoxic effect occurs in the lung, viral components are present in other organs too, as in the liver. The necrosis/apoptosis and endothelial damage associated with viral infection in COVID-19 suggest that those patients who survive more severe COVID-19 may face prolonged liver repair and accordingly should be followed regularly in the post-COVID period.
Recent advances in electrooxidative radical transformations of alkynes
Authors: Zhang Yan , Cai Zhenzhi , Warratz Svenja , Ma Chanchan , Ackermann Lutz
Published: December 2022

During the past few years, electrochemical oxidative reactions through radical intermediates have emerged as an environmentally-benign, powerful platform for the facile formation of C–E (E = C, N, S, Se, O and Hal) bonds through single-electron-transfer (SET) processes at the electrodes. Functionalized unsaturated molecules and unusual structural motifs can, for instance, be directly constructed under exceedingly mild reaction conditions through initial radical attack onto alkynes. This minireview highlights the recent advances in electrooxidation in radical reactions until June 2022, with a particular focus on radical additions onto alkynes.
Industry-specific specialization in venture capitalists’ internationalization decisions
Authors: Nörthemann Antonia
Published: December 2022

This study considers the impact of venture capitalists’ industry specialization on cross-border investment decisions. The article argues that specialized venture capitalists’ liability of foreignness is lower in specific international markets as assessments of the market and the behaviour of market participants are facilitated through industry-specific learning effects. Specialization leads to lower risk in cross-border investments from a venture capitalist’s point of view. With increasing deal-specificity, the support and value enhancement of a foreign portfolio company are ensured in international markets due to the investor’s specialization. A multilevel investigation of 46,525 worldwide venture capital deals from 2001 to 2019 in 69 countries shows a positive relationship between venture capitalists’ industry specialization and internationality. The results show that the likelihood of a cross-border deal increases with higher levels of industry specialization. Furthermore, this effect is moderated by determinants at the institutional and portfolio company levels, reflecting the degree of information asymmetry between the venture capital firm and the portfolio company.
Understanding the governance of sustainability pathways: hydraulic megaprojects, social–ecological traps, and power in networks of action situations
Authors: Méndez Pablo F. , Clement Floriane , Palau-Salvador Guillermo , Diaz-Delgado Ricardo , Villamayor-Tomas Sergio
Published: December 2022

To enable sustainability pathways, we need to understand how social–ecological systems (SES) respond to different governance configurations, considering their historical, institutional, political, and power conditions. We advance a robust methodological approach for the integrated analysis of those conditions in SES traps. Our advancement consists of a novel combination of the networks of action situations approach with an agency-based polycentric power typology and the concept of discursive power. We test the approach by building on previous research on the Doñana estuary–delta SES (Guadalquivir estuary), which is characterized by a rigidity trap in the context of ecosystem and water governance. Specifically, we focus on a recent hydraulic megaproject involving deep dredging in the Guadalquivir estuary, finally canceled due to its broad negative socioeconomic and environmental repercussions. According to our analysis, certain governance, institutional, and informational mechanisms currently prevent further SES degradation in Doñana. However, key governance actors are caught in a lasting coordination failure prone to mutual defection strategies owing to power dynamics and discursive-institutional inertia. Although seemingly stable due to counteractive mechanisms among actors, this situation is at continuous risk of being unbalanced by powerful actors promoting large SES interventions such as deep dredging. Such interventions bear the systemic risk of strong suppression of SES functions, and a regime shift to a lock-in trap. This overall undesirable situation might be escaped through transformative policy designs that take into account meso-level mechanisms, such as discursive power and its role in non-decision-making, pragmatic inaction, and inefficient investment and infrastructure.
Effectiveness of Kinesio taping and conventional physical therapy in the management of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mohamed Shahul Hameed Pakkir , Alatawi Salem F.
Published: December 2022

Background

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common kind of arthritis that occurs due to degeneration of the joint articular cartilage, producing pain, stiffness, and impaired movement. The objective of the study was to evaluate the short-term effectiveness of Kinesio taping (KT) plus conventional physical therapy (CPT) and CPT alone in subjects with knee OA.

Materials and methods

Forty male subjects were divided into two groups at random using a parallel assignment, double-blinded study design, viz., KT with CPT (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and exercise therapy), and CPT alone for the period of 6 weeks of treatment. At baseline, third, and sixth weeks, the following outcome measures were taken, such as pain intensity (NPRS), knee range of motion (goniometry), Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Time Up and Go (TUG) test.

Statistical analysis

To reveal the patient’s demographic profile concerning the outcome parameters, a descriptive statistic was applied. Furthermore, two-way mixed ANOVA and Tukey HSD post hoc tests were used to analyze within and between-group comparisons in SPSS 20.0.

Results

In both groups, pain and knee flexion were significantly improved during the 6-week period of interventions (p < 0.05). WOMAC and TUG test scores improved only in the KT plus CPT group.

Conclusion

KT combined with CPT was found to be more effective than CPT alone in the third and sixth weeks of the treatment. In knee OA, this combination of treatments was found to reduce pain, enhance range of motion, and improve physical functioning.
Organizational citizenship behavior: understanding interaction effects of psychological ownership and agency systems
Authors: Wilhelm Ben , Simarasl Nastaran , Riar Frederik J. , Kellermanns Franz W.
Published: December 2022

Organizational citizenship behavior is a highly sought-after outcome. We integrate insight from the psychological ownership perspective and agency theory to examine how the juxtaposition of informal psychological mechanisms (i.e., ownership feelings toward an organization) and formal and informal governance mechanisms (i.e., employee share ownership, agency monitoring, and peer monitoring) influences employees' organizational citizenship behaviors. Our empirical results show that psychological ownership has a positive effect on organizational citizenship behavior. Contrary to the common belief that informal and formal mechanisms complement each other, we find that the positive influence of psychological ownership on organizational citizenship behavior is more pronounced when employee share ownership and agency monitoring is low compared to high. Implications for theory and future research are discussed.
Muscarinic Receptors in Developmental Axonal Competition at the Neuromuscular Junction
Authors: Tomàs Josep , Lanuza Maria A. , Santafé Manel M. , Cilleros-Mañé Víctor , Just-Borràs Laia , Balanyà-Segura Marta , Polishchuk Aleksandra , Nadal Laura , Tomàs Marta , Garcia Neus
Published: December 2022

In recent years, we have studied by immunohistochemistry, intracellular recording, and western blotting the role of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs; M1, M2, and M4 subtypes) in the mammalian neuromuscular junction (NMJ) during development and in the adult. Here, we evaluate our published data to emphasize the mAChRs’ relevance in developmental synaptic elimination and their crosstalk with other metabotropic receptors, downstream kinases, and voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). The presence of mAChRs in the presynaptic membrane of motor nerve terminals allows an autocrine mechanism in which the secreted acetylcholine influences the cell itself in feedback. mAChR subtypes are coupled to different downstream pathways, so their feedback can move in a broad range between positive and negative. Moreover, mAChRs allow direct activity-dependent interaction through ACh release between the multiple competing axons during development. Additional regulation from pre- and postsynaptic sites (including neurotrophic retrograde control), the agonistic and antagonistic contributions of adenosine receptors (AR; A1 and A2A), and the tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor (TrkB) cooperate with mAChRs in the axonal competitive interactions which lead to supernumerary synapse elimination that achieves the optimized monoinnervation of musculoskeletal cells. The metabotropic receptor-driven balance between downstream PKA and PKC activities, coupled to developmentally regulated VGCC, explains much of how nerve terminals with different activities finally progress to their withdrawal or strengthening.
An Anterior Cingulate Cortex-to-Midbrain Projection Controls Chronic Itch in Mice
Authors: Zhang Ting-Ting , Guo Su-Shan , Wang Hui-Ying , Jing Qi , Yi Xin , Hu Zi-Han , Yu Xin-Ren , Xu Tian-Le , Liu Ming-Gang , Zhao Xuan
Published: December 2022

Itch is an unpleasant sensation that provokes the desire to scratch. While acute itch serves as a protective system to warn the body of external irritating agents, chronic itch is a debilitating but poorly-treated clinical disease leading to repetitive scratching and skin lesions. However, the neural mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of chronic itch remain mysterious. Here, we identified a cell type-dependent role of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in controlling chronic itch-related excessive scratching behaviors in mice. Moreover, we delineated a neural circuit originating from excitatory neurons of the ACC to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) that was critically involved in chronic itch. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the ACC→VTA circuit also selectively modulated histaminergic acute itch. Finally, the ACC neurons were shown to predominantly innervate the non-dopaminergic neurons of the VTA. Taken together, our findings uncover a cortex–midbrain circuit for chronic itch-evoked scratching behaviors and shed novel insights on therapeutic intervention.
Effect of nutrition awareness on utilization of Orange Fleshed Sweetpotato among vulnerable populations in Kenya
Authors: Mulwa Chalmers K. , Heck Simon , Maru Joyce , Mwema Josephine , Campos Hugo
Published: December 2022

Malnutrition continues to affect many vulnerable populations worldwide, with the majority of these residing in developing and underdeveloped countries. This problem has been exacerbated by the changing climate and more recently by the COVID-19 pandemic. Urgent efforts geared towards enhancing sustainable production and value chains of nutritious foods to ensure access to healthier diets are therefore critical. A recent partnership between the World Food Programme and the International Potato Center to enhance utilization of biofortified crops in fragile environments in Kenya is a step in this direction, aimed at improving the diets of households at risk of hunger and malnutrition. This study sets out to provide early evidence on the potential impacts of the interventions spearheaded in this partnership, together with lessons for further scaling efforts. Using household level data, the study adopts an impact evaluation framework to understand the effect of nutrition awareness through the dissemination of information on Vitamin A deficiency, on the utilization of orange fleshed sweetpotato, a biofortified crop rich in Vitamin A. Results show positive and significant effects of nutrition awareness on utilization of the orange-fleshed sweetpotato. Several factors were also identified as key to determining the exposure to nutrition awareness, including proximity to markets and extension agents, gender, and education levels. For widespread and inclusive adoption and utilization of orange-fleshed sweetpotato, out-scaling efforts need to consider these determinants in designing interventions aimed at raising nutrition awareness, as a key entry point to enhancing utilization of orange-fleshed sweetpotato.
User-Centered Requirements for Augmented Reality as a Cognitive Assistant for Safety-Critical Services
Authors: Bräker Julia , Osterbrink Anna , Semmann Martin , Wiesche Manuel
Published: December 2022

Augmented reality (AR) is widely acknowledged to be beneficial for services with exceptionally high requirements regarding knowledge and simultaneous tasks to be performed and are safety-critical. This study explores the user-centered requirements for an AR cognitive assistant in the operations of a large European maritime logistics hub. Specifically, it deals with the safety-critical service process of soil sounding. Based on fourteen think-aloud sessions during service delivery, two expert interviews, and two expert workshops, five core requirements for AR cognitive assistants in soil sounding are derived, namely (1) real-time overlay, (2) variety in displaying information, (3) multi-dimensional tracking, (4) collaboration, and (5) interaction. The study is the first one on the applicability and feasibility of AR in the maritime industry and identifies requirements that impact further research on AR use in safety-critical environments.
The Effects of Fixture Congestion on Injury in Professional Male Soccer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Page Richard Michael , Field Adam , Langley Ben , Harper Liam David , Julian Ross
Published: December 2022

Background

Professional soccer teams are often required to compete with ≤ 4 days recovery between matches. Since congested schedules reduce recovery time between matches, players are possibly at an increased injury risk. To date, there are no published systematic reviews on the impact of match congestion on injuries during professional male soccer.

Objective

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effects of fixture congestion on injuries during professional soccer.

Methods

Following pre-registration on the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/86m25/) and conforming with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, systematic searches of four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) were conducted by independent researchers from inception until February 2022. Articles were included if they were original articles written in English and contained relevant time-loss injury data (injury that results in unavailability for training and/or match-play) for male professional soccer players regarding periods of fixture congestion (a minimum of two matches with ≤ 4 days recovery).

Results

A total of eight articles were included in the review. Five studies identified that congested fixture schedules expose players to increased match injury incidence, although layoff duration was typically lower during congested periods. Two studies identified that training and overall injury incidence were higher during congested periods, with another study identifying a lower training injury incidence during congested periods.

Conclusion

Injury risk is, overall, increased during fixture-congested periods; however, the layoff duration is typically shorter. The current findings have implications for practitioners regarding the management, periodisation, monitoring, and design of training and competition schedules.
Pathogens in Runoff Water Treated by a Sustainable Urban Drainage System in a Developing Country
Authors: Salamanca Daniela , Husserl Johana , Ramos-Bonilla Juan Pablo , Sánchez Juan Pablo Rodríguez
Published: December 2022

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) are commonly used to control flooding in urban areas. These structures store and treat stormwater runoff. Several studies in high-income countries have reported the presence of pathogens in runoff water, but it is expected that runoff water in developing countries contains higher pathogen concentrations given their lack of resources to properly manage sewage; this could result in higher risks of infection for people interacting with SUDS. In this study, we investigated pathogen concentrations (i.e., Salmonella spp. and E. Coli O157) at the micropool of a SUDS train composed of a grassed swale followed by a dry extended detention basin in Bogotá (Colombia) during a 25-week period. We also estimated the risk of infection with the analyzed pathogens, given the high level of exposure to the detention structure. Additionally, we investigated if any of the physicochemical or meteorological variables were associated with pathogen concentrations at the site. We found that pathogen concentrations greatly exceeded concentrations reported for stormwater runoff in developed countries, namely 1562 CFU/mL, on average, for Salmonella spp. and 9160 CFU/mL, on average, for E. Coli O157. The risk of infection from Salmonella spp. and E. Coli O157 greatly exceeded risks previously reported for recreational waters and SUDS. Pathogen concentrations were associated with precipitation and the concentration of suspended solids in the runoff. Given our findings, it is recommended that SUDS in developing countries should consider potential higher pathogen concentrations in stormwater runoff to reduce exposure.
Experimental (re-)analysis of the house-money effect in a public goods game
Authors: Bailey Nicholas T. , Ramalingam Abhijit , Stoddard Brock V.
Published: December 2022

Experiments in economics usually provide subjects with starting capital to be used in the experiment. This practice could affect decisions as there is no risk of loss. This phenomenon is known as the house-money effect. In a repeated public goods game, we test for house-money effects by paying subjects in advance an amount they could lose in the experiment. We do not find evidence of a house-money effect over time.