bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heart disease in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) patients: a screening approach proposal
Authors: Garcia-Vives Eloi , Rodriguez-Palomares J F , Harty Len , Solans-Laque Roser , Jayne David
Published: January 2021

Objective

To define the pattern of cardiac involvement in eosinophilic granulomatosis and polyangiitis (EGPA) and propose an algorithm for heart disease screening.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of EGPA patients attending a specialized vasculitis clinic (1989–2016). Clinical characteristics and cardiovascular evaluation (CE) results (serum troponin, ECG, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance) were collected and compared according to symptoms and inflammatory cardiac disease (ICD).

Results

A total of 131 EGPA patients were included, of whom 96 (73%) had undergone CE. The median (interquartile range) age was 50 (38–58) years and 36% showed ANCA+. Asthma preceded diagnosis by a median of 97 (36–240) months. Among the 96 patients who underwent CE, 43% were symptomatic, with dyspnea (47%) and chest pain (29%) being the predominant symptoms. In asymptomatic patients, CE reported abnormalities in 45% of cases, with a subsequent earlier diagnosis (4 vs 11 months). Overall, 27 patients had EGPA-related ICD (EGPA-rICD) that was already present at diagnosis in 20 cases, preceded it in 2 cases and developed later in 5 cases. EGPA-rICD patients were younger (46 vs 50 years; P = 0.04), had more frequently abnormal ECG (30.8 vs 2.1%; P < 0.001), negative ANCA (85 vs 69%; NS), higher BVAS score (3 vs 1; P = 0.005), higher eosinophil count (5.60 vs 1.60 × 109/l; P = 0.029) and higher CRP (52 vs 15 mg/l; P = 0.017). Overall, 11% of cases with EGPA-rICD were asymptomatic.

Conclusion

In our study, 45% of asymptomatic patients had an abnormal baseline cardiac evaluation, which allowed an earlier diagnosis of cardiac disease. We recommend prompt cardiac screening in all EGPA patients, instead of a symptoms-guided algorithm.
Eye contact during joint attention with a humanoid robot modulates oscillatory brain activity
Authors: Kompatsiari Kyveli , Bossi Francesco , Wykowska Agnieszka
Published: January 2021

Eye contact established by a human partner has been shown to affect various cognitive processes of the receiver. However, little is known about humans’ responses to eye contact established by a humanoid robot. Here, we aimed at examining humans’ oscillatory brain response to eye contact with a humanoid robot. Eye contact (or lack thereof) was embedded in a gaze-cueing task and preceded the phase of gaze-related attentional orienting. In addition to examining the effect of eye contact on the recipient, we also tested its impact on gaze-cueing effects (GCEs). Results showed that participants rated eye contact as more engaging and responded with higher desynchronization of alpha-band activity in left fronto-central and central electrode clusters when the robot established eye contact with them, compared to no eye contact condition. However, eye contact did not modulate GCEs. The results are interpreted in terms of the functional roles involved in alpha central rhythms (potentially interpretable also as mu rhythm), including joint attention and engagement in social interaction.
The Role of Clt1-Regulated Xylan Metabolism in Melanin and Toxin Formation for the Pathogenicity of Curvularia lunata in Maize
Authors: Gao Jinxin , Chen Jie
Published: January 2021

We previously reported that the BTB (brica-brac, tramtrack, and broad) domain-containing protein Clt1 regulates melanin and toxin synthesis, conidiation, and pathogenicity in Curvularia lunata, but the interacting proteins and regulative mechanism of Clt1 are unclear. In this research, we identified two proteins, which respectively correspond to xylanase (Clxyn24) and acetyl xylan esterase (Claxe43) from C. lunata, that were regulated by Clt1. Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays were conducted to verify the interaction of Clt1 with full-length Clxyn24 and Claxe43. Furthermore, the Y2H assay revealed that Clt1 physically interacted with Clxyn24 and Claxe43 through its BTB domain to degrade xylan, which was used as a carbon source for C. lunata growth. The utilization of xylan provides acetyl-CoA for the synthesis of melanin and toxin as well as energy and other intermediate metabolites for conidiation. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis revealed that PKS18 and its 13 flanking genes found clustered in a region spanning 57.89 kb on scaffold 9 of the C. lunata CX-3 genome were down-regulated in toxin production–deficient mutant T806, and this cluster is possibly responsible for toxin biosynthesis of C. lunata.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Comparative Analysis of the Rhizosphere and Endophytic Microbiomes across Apple Rootstock Genotypes in Replant Orchard Soils
Authors: Van Horn Christopher , Somera Tracey S. , Mazzola Mark
Published: January 2021

Apple replant disease (ARD), caused by a complex of soilborne pathogens, negatively impacts tree health and productivity in new orchard plantings at sites previously planted to apple. Use of new disease-tolerant apple rootstock genotypes may diminish growth-limiting effects of ARD; however, the influence of rootstock genotype on modulating the rhizosphere and endophytic microbiome to enable ARD tolerance is not fully understood. Composition of the rhizosphere and root endophytic microbiomes was characterized across a diversity of apple rootstock genotypes. A series of tolerant (G.210, G.41, G.890, and G.935) and susceptible (M.26 and M.9) rootstock cultivars were consecutively planted into orchard replant soil containing a known pathogen complex. Amplicon sequencing was used to determine simultaneously the presence of a broad taxonomic range of organisms and their relative abundance. Microbial communities exhibited significant differences in composition between the rhizosphere and endophytic environments in terms of species diversity, content, and abundance. Significant differences in composition of the endophytic and rhizosphere microbiomes were observed between rootstock genotypes. Among rootstock endophytic fungal communities, rootstock G.890 samples consistently harbored the highest percentage of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species (>5% of total). Ilyonectria spp., which may function as a pathogen of apple, were detected at high relative abundance in the endosphere of all genotypes, with the highest relative abundance in M.26. These results provide further insight into rhizosphere and endophytic microbial communities of apple rootstocks, which could be exploited or manipulated to improve tree fruit agricultural management practices with respect to plant nutrition and disease control.
A comprehensive and high-quality collection of Escherichia coli genomes and their genes
Authors: Horesh Gal , Blackwell Grace A. , Tonkin-Hill Gerry , Corander Jukka , Heinz Eva , Thomson Nicholas R.
Published: January 2021

Escherichia coli

is a highly diverse organism that includes a range of commensal and pathogenic variants found across a range of niches and worldwide. In addition to causing severe intestinal and extraintestinal disease,

E. coli

is considered a priority pathogen due to high levels of observed drug resistance. The diversity in the

E. coli

population is driven by high genome plasticity and a very large gene pool. All these have made

E. coli

one of the most well-studied organisms, as well as a commonly used laboratory strain. Today, there are thousands of sequenced

E. coli

genomes stored in public databases. While data is widely available, accessing the information in order to perform analyses can still be a challenge. Collecting relevant available data requires accessing different sources, where data may be stored in a range of formats, and often requires further manipulation and processing to apply various analyses and extract useful information. In this study, we collated and intensely curated a collection of over 10 000

E. coli

and

Shigella

genomes to provide a single, uniform, high-quality dataset.

Shigella

were included as they are considered specialized pathovars of

E. coli

. We provide these data in a number of easily accessible formats that can be used as the foundation for future studies addressing the biological differences between

E. coli

lineages and the distribution and flow of genes in the

E. coli

population at a high resolution. The analysis we present emphasizes our lack of understanding of the true diversity of the

E. coli

species, and the biased nature of our current understanding of the genetic diversity of such a key pathogen.
Influence of chemically and biosynthesized silver nanoparticles on in vitro viability and infectivity of Trichinella spiralis muscle larvae
Authors: Abd-ELrahman Salwa Mahmoud , Dyab Ahmed Kamal , Mahmoud Abeer El-sayed , Elossily Nahed Ahmed , Alsharif Fahd M. , Mohamed Shaymaa M. , Abomughaid Mosleh Mohammed
Published: January 2021

Back ground

Trichinellosis is a serious worldwide parasitic zoonosis. The available therapy for the treatment ofTrichinella spiralisis not satisfactory. This work aimed at evaluating of the in vitro effect of silver Therefore, the recovery of effective treatment is required.nanoparticles (AgNPs) on muscle larvae ofTrichinella.

Methodology / principal finding

The present study investigated the larvicidal properties of chemical and myrrh AgNPs on muscle larvae (ML) ofT. spiralis. The used AgNPs were chemically prepared using NaBH4 as reducing agent and biosynthesized using methanolic myrrh extract. Characterization of synthesized AgNPs was monitored via UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. The ML incubated with AgNPs at concentrations ranged from 1μg/ml to 20μg/ml.

Conclusions /Significance

Chemical and biosynthesized AgNPs revealed marked larvicidal effect against ML ofTrichinella. Additionally, thisin vitrostudy showed degenerative changes affecting the cuticle of AgNPs treated ML. The effectiveness of AgNPs on the infectivity ofTrichinellaML was also assessed. The results showed complete inhibition of the infectivity of ML exposed to sublethal doses of chemical and myrrh prepared AgNPs when used to infect animal models. This is the first report where myrrh synthesized AgNPs have been tested for their anthelminthic activity againstTrichinellain anin vitromodel.

Author summary

Trichinellosis is a serious worldwide parasitic zoonosis. The available therapy for the treatment ofTrichinella spiralisis not satisfactory. Therefore, the recovery of effective treatment is required. The present study investigated the larvicidal properties of chemical and myrrh AgNPs on muscle larvae (ML) ofT. spiralis. The ML incubated with AgNPs at concentrations ranged from 1μg/ml to 20μg/ml. Chemical and biosynthesized AgNPs revealed marked larvicidal effect against ML ofTrichinella. Additionally, thisin vitrostudy showed degenerative changes affecting the cuticle of AgNPs treated ML. Also the results showed complete inhibition of the infectivity of ML exposed to sublethal doses of chemical and myrrh prepared AgNPs when used to infect animal models.
From Decellurization to Imaging to 3-D Printing: low-cost plant-derived 3D-printed tissue scaffolds for tissue engineering
Authors: Imran Mariam , Khan Sarah , Khan Faisal F.
Published: January 2021

Nature’s most abundant carbohydrate, cellulose, has incredible structural properties that can be leveraged as scaffolds for tissue engineering. With plants being an inexpensive and easily accessible source, it is more feasible to experiment with these techniques and progress in the field of regenerative tissue engineering. In this study, we set out to optimize a low-cost method to obtain cellulose scaffolds that could potentially mimic a blood vessels after recellularization with endothelial cells. We chose a readily available plant specimen, i.e. cauliflower stalk, which offers anatomical similarity to blood vessels, vascular architecture and interconnected porosity. We went on to capture the cellulose scaffold digitally and created a 3-D model using a computer-aided design (CAD) software which was then used for 3-D printing the scaffold in two different sizes. We believe the decellularize-image-print cycle allows for skipping decellularization processes of new scaffolds every time a scaffold is required and therefore cutting cost and time needed, enables instant dissemination between individual researchers and communities and allows scalable printing at any size and level of detail. We hope this will catalyze even faster innovation in the space of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
A meta-analysis of transcriptomic profiles from Huntington’s disease patients points to a pathophysiological role of CDC42, NFY, DLX1 and PRMT3
Authors: Seefelder Manuel , Kochanek Stefan
Published: January 2021

Description of robust transcriptomic alterations in Huntington’s disease is essential to identify targets for biochemical studies and drug development. We analysed publicly available transcriptome data from the brain and blood of 220 HD patients and 241 healthy controls and identified 737 and 661 genes with robustly altered mRNA levels in the brain and blood of HD patients, respectively. In the brain, a subnetwork of 320 genes strongly correlated with HD and was enriched in transport-related genes. Bioinformatical analysis of this subnetwork highlighted CDC42, PAK1, YWHAH, NFY, DLX1, HMGN3, and PRMT3. Moreover, we found that CREB1 can regulate 78.0 % of genes whose mRNA levels correlated with HD in the blood of patients. Alterations in protein transport, metabolism, transcriptional regulation, and CDC42-mediated functions are likely central features of HD. Further our data substantiate the role of transcriptional regulators that have not been reported in the context of HD (e.g. DLX1, HMGN3 and PRMT3) and strongly suggest dysregulation of NFY and its target genes across tissues. A large proportion of the identified genes such as CDC42 were also altered in Parkinson’s (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The observed dysregulation of CDC42 and YWHAH in samples from HD, AD and PD patients indicates that those genes and their upstream regulators may be interesting therapeutic targets.
Increased male mating success in the presence of prey and rivals in a sexually cannibalistic mantis
Authors: Burke Nathan William , Holwell Gregory I
Published: January 2021

Pre-copulatory sexual cannibalism—or cannibalism without mating—is expected to promote the evolution of male strategies that enhance mating success and reduce the risk of cannibalism, such as preferential mating with feeding females. However, sexual selection on male competitiveness may alter male courtship decisions in the face of cannibalism risk. We investigated the effect of prey availability and rival presence on male mating decisions in the highly cannibalistic Springbok mantis,Miomantis caffra. We found that males approached females more rapidly and mated more often in the presence of prey, suggesting that females distracted with foraging may be less of a threat. The presence of a rival also hastened the onset of copulation and led to higher mating success, with very large effects occurring in the presence of both prey and rivals, indicating that intrasexual competition may intensify attraction to foraging females. Taken together, our results suggest that pre-copulatory cannibalism has selected for male preference for foraging females, and that males adjust their mating strategy to both the risk of competition and the threat of cannibalism.

LAY SUMMARY

Deciding when to approach a mate is critical for male mantises at risk of being cannibalised. A male might do well to pounce when a female is distracted with prey, but what if a nearby male has the same intention? In the Springbok mantis, we show that males mate faster and with greater success when both prey and a rival are present, suggesting that mating decisions depend on the dual threats of cannibalism and competition.
Cortico-autonomic local arousals and heightened somatosensory arousability during NREM sleep of mice in neuropathic pain
Authors: Cardis Romain , Lecci Sandro , Fernandez Laura M.J. , Osorio-Forero Alejandro , Sin Chung Paul Chu , Fulda Stephany , Decosterd Isabelle , Lüthi Anita
Published: January 2021

Chronic pain patients frequently suffer from sleep disturbances. Improvement of sleep quality alleviates pain, but neurophysiological mechanisms underlying sleep disturbances require clarification to advance therapeutic strategies. Chronic pain causes high-frequency electrical activity in pain-processing cortical areas that could disrupt the normal process of low-frequency sleep rhythm generation. We found that the spared-nerve-injury (SNI) mouse model, mimicking human neuropathic pain, had preserved sleep-wake behavior. However, when we probed spontaneous arousability based on infraslow continuity-fragility dynamics of non-rapid-eye-movement sleep (NREMS), we found more numerous local cortical arousals accompanied by heart rate increases in hindlimb primary somatosensory, but not in prelimbic, cortices of SNI mice. Closed-loop mechanovibrational stimulation revealed higher sensory arousability in SNI. Sleep in chronic pain thus looked preserved in conventional measures but showed elevated spontaneous and evoked arousability. Our findings develop a novel moment-to-moment probing of NREMS fragility and propose that chronic pain-induced sleep complaints arise from perturbed arousability.
DeepStrain: A Deep Learning Workflow for the Automated Characterization of Cardiac Mechanics
Authors: Morales Manuel A. , van den Boomen Maaike , Nguyen Christopher , Kalpathy-Cramer Jayashree , Rosen Bruce R. , Stultz Collin M. , Izquierdo-Garcia David , Catana Ciprian
Published: January 2021

Myocardial strain analysis from cinematic magnetic resonance imaging (cine-MRI) data could provide a more thorough characterization of cardiac mechanics than volumetric parameters such as left-ventricular ejection fraction, but sources of variation including segmentation and motion estimation have limited its wide clinical use. We designed and validated a deep learning (DL) workflow to generate both volumetric parameters and strain measures from cine-MRI data, including strain rate (SR) and regional strain polar maps, consisting of segmentation and motion estimation convolutional neural networks developed and trained using healthy and cardiovascular disease (CVD) subjects (n=150). DL-based volumetric parameters were correlated (>0.98) and without significant bias relative to parameters derived from manual segmentations in 50 healthy and CVD subjects. Compared to landmarks manually-tracked on tagging-MRI images from 15 healthy subjects, landmark deformation using DL-based motion estimates from paired cine-MRI data resulted in an end-point-error of 2.9 ± 1.5 mm. Measures of end-systolic global strain from these cine-MRI data showed no significant biases relative to a tagging-MRI reference method. On 4 healthy subjects, intraclass correlation coefficient for intra-scanner repeatability was excellent (>0.95) for strain, moderate to excellent for SR (0.690-0.963), and good to excellent (0.826-0.994) in most polar map segments. Absolute relative change was within ~5% for strain, within ~10% for SR, and <1% in half of polar map segments. In conclusion, we developed and evaluated a DL-based, end-to-end fully-automatic workflow for global and regional myocardial strain analysis to quantitatively characterize cardiac mechanics of healthy and CVD subjects based on ubiquitously acquired cine-MRI data.
A failure of β-amyloid physiological function due to genetic deletion of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors induces an Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology
Authors: Tropea Maria Rosaria , Puma Domenica D. Li , Melone Marcello , Gulisano Walter , Arancio Ottavio , Grassi Claudio , Conti Fiorenzo , Puzzo Daniela
Published: January 2021

The accumulation of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) and the failure of cholinergic transmission are key players in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, in the healthy brain, Aβ contributes to synaptic plasticity and memory acting through α7 subtype nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChRs). Here, we hypothesized that the α7nAChR deletion blocks Aβ physiological function and promotes a compensatory increase in Aβ levels that, in turn, triggers an AD-like pathology.

To validate this hypothesis, we studied the age-dependent phenotype of α7 knock out mice. We found that α7nAChR deletion caused an impairment of hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory at 12 months of age, paralleled by an increase of Amyloid Precursor Protein expression and Aβ levels. This was accompanied by other classical AD features such as a hyperphosphorylation of tau at residues Ser 199, Ser 396, Thr 205, a decrease of GSK-3β at Ser 9, the presence of paired helical filaments and neurofibrillary tangles, neuronal loss and astrocytosis.

Our findings suggest that α7nAChR malfunction might precede Aβ and tau pathology, offering a different perspective to interpret the failure of anti-Aβ therapies against AD and to find novel therapeutical approaches aimed at restoring α7nAChRs-mediated Aβ function at the synapse.
PTEN regulates adipocyte progenitor growth, differentiation and replicative aging
Authors: Kirstein Anna S. , Kehr Stephanie , Nebe Michèle , Hanschkow Martha , Lorenz Judith , Penke Melanie , Breitfeld Jana , Le Duc Diana , Landgraf Kathrin , Körner Antje , Kovacs Peter , Stadler Peter F. , Kiess Wieland , Garten Antje
Published: January 2021

The tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) negatively regulates the insulin signaling pathway. Germline PTEN pathogenic variants cause PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS), associated with lipoma development in children. It remains unclear which mechanisms trigger this aberrant adipose tissue growth. Adipocyte progenitor cells (APCs) lose their capacity to differentiate into adipocytes during continuous culture, while APCs from PHTS patients’ lipomas retain their adipogenic potential over a prolonged period. To investigate the role of PTEN in adipose tissue development we performed functional assays and RNA sequencing of control and PTEN knockdown APCs. Reduction of PTEN levels using siRNA or CRISPR lead to an enhanced proliferation and differentiation of APCs. FOXO1 was downregulated on the mRNA level while inactivation through phosphorylation increased. FOXO1 phosphorylation initiates the expression of the lipogenesis activating transcription factor SREBP1. SREBP1 levels were higher after PTEN knockdown and may account for the enhanced adipogenesis. To validate this we overexpressed constitutively active FOXO1 in PTEN CRISPR cells and found reduced adipogenesis, accompanied by a SREBP1 downregulation. We observed that PTEN levels were upregulated during long term culture of wild type APCs. PTEN CRISPR cells showed less senescence compared to controls and the senescence marker CDKN1A (p21) was downregulated in PTEN knockdown cells. Cellular senescence was the most significantly enriched pathway found in RNA sequencing of PTEN knockdown vs. control cells. These results provide evidence that PTEN is involved in the regulation of APCs proliferation, differentiation and senescence, thereby contributing to aberrant adipose tissue growth in PHTS patients.
Biosynthesis of Steroidal Alkaloids Are Coordinately Regulated and Differ Among Tomatoes in the Red-Fruited Clade
Authors: Dzakovich Michael P. , Francis David M. , Cooperstone Jessica L.
Published: January 2021

1.1

We quantitatively profiled and genotyped two tomato populations representing diversity in the red-fruited clade to address the lack of knowledge regarding the chemical diversity, concentration, and genetic architecture controlling tomato steroidal alkaloids.

We grew 107 genetically diverse fresh market, processing, land-race, and wild tomatoes in multiple environments. Nine steroidal alkaloids were quantified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The diversity panel and a biparental population segregating for high alpha-tomatine, were genotyped to identify and validate quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with steroidal alkaloids.

Land-races and wild material exhibited higher alkaloid concentrations and more chemical diversity. Average total content of steroidal alkaloids, often dominated by lycoperoside F/G/esculeoside A, ranged from 1.9 to 23.3 mg/100 g fresh weight across accessions. Land-race and wild cherry accessions distinctly clustered based on elevated early or late steroidal alkaloid concentrations. Significant correlations were observed among early and late steroidal alkaloids in a species-dependent manner. A QTL controlling multiple, early steroidal alkaloid pathway intermediates on chromosome 3 was identified by genome wide association (GWAS) and validated in a backcross population.

Tomato steroidal alkaloids are diverse in the red-fruited tomato clade and their biosynthesis is regulated in a coordinated manner.
Structure and NMR properties of the dinuclear complex di-μ-azido-κ4
N
1:N
1-bis[(azido-κN)(pyridine-2-carboxamide-κ2
N
1,O)zinc(II)]
Authors: Pastor Ramírez Cándida , Bernès Sylvain , Hernández Anzaldo Samuel , Reyes Ortega Yasmi
Published: January 2021

The new diamagnetic complex, [Zn2(N3)4(C6H6N2O)2] or [Zn2(pca)2(μ1,1-N3)2(N3)2] was synthesized using pyridine-2-carboxamide (pca) and azido ligands, and characterized using various techniques: IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the solid state, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in solution. The molecule is placed on an inversion centre in space group P\overline{1}. The pca ligand chelates the metal centre via the pyridine N atom and the carbonyl O atom. One azido ligand bridges the two symmetry-related Zn2+ cations in the end-on coordination mode, while the other independent azido anion occupies the fifth coordination site, as a terminal ligand. The resulting five-coordinate Zn centres have a coordination geometry intermediate between trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal. The behaviour of the title complex in DMSO solution suggests that it is a suitable NMR probe for similar or isostructural complexes including other transition-metal ions. The diamagnetic nature of the complex is reflected in similar 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts for the free ligand pca as for the Zn complex.
Treating patients with multiple substance use in accordance with their personal treatment goals: a new paradigm for addiction treatment
Authors: Körkel Joachim
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to present the theoretical foundation and practical approach of “open-target addiction treatment” (OTAT). Traditional treatment programmes are usually-oriented towards fixed predefined goals (abstinence, reduced consumption and harm reduction) and often focus on one substance only (e.g. alcohol). However, as a rule, people who use drugs consume several substances and sometimes additionally exhibit behavioural addictions. For many of these addictions, there is more or less motivation for change, but commonly it is not abstinence as a consistent goal. The paradigm of OTAT systematically considers multi-substance use, expects high readiness to change and is aware that commonly clients lack the willingness to abstain permanently.

Design/methodology/approach

The theory and practice of OTAT involve three components, namely, first, to create a systematic inventory of all psychoactive substances consumed and addictive behaviours performed, second, to clarify, which substance-related change goals clients pursue and third, to choose adequate treatment options matching the substance-specific goals of the clients. Furthermore, OTAT includes didactic tools to support working along with these three steps (e.g. a set of cards to gain an overview over the psychoactive substances used and addictive behaviours performed).

Findings

The systematic implementation of OTAT requires fundamentally different concepts about addiction and its treatment, specific competencies of the staff and a corresponding portfolio of interventions within the treatment facilities.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should focus more on patients’ goal preferences and their impact on their willingness to take up treatment and its outcomes.

Practical implications

To implement OTAT treatment, institutions have to undergo a systematic process of team and organizational development.

Social implications

OTAT has the potential to reduce the treatment gap and to serve severely addicted individuals in a more comprehensive way.

Originality/value

The OTAT approach has not been described in the addiction treatment literature so far.
Understanding and supporting the health literacy of young men in prison: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Mehay Anita , Meek Rosie , Ogden Jane
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Prisons offer a public health opportunity to access a group with multiple and complex needs and return them to the community with improved health. However, prisons are not conducive to optimal health and there are few frameworks to guide efforts. This study aims to generate insights into health literacy across a young adult prison population, specifically examining the level of limitations, barriers and characteristics associated with these limitations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study took place in a single prison in England for young adult men aged 18–21 years old. A mixed-methods design was adopted with 104 young men completing a quantitative survey and qualitative semi-structured interviews with 37 young men.

Findings

72% (n = 75) of young men scored as limited in their health literacy. Barriers included structural restrictions, limited access to formal support and social and natural disruptions. No demographic characteristics or smoking intentions/behaviours predicted limited health literacy, but characteristics of the prison were predictive. Physical problems (sleep, nausea, tiredness and headaches), mental health and well-being (anxiety, depression and affect) and somatisation problems were also predictive of limitations.

Practical implications

Prison healthcare services and commissioners should undertake regular health literacy needs assessments to support developments in reducing barriers to healthcare and increasing health improvement efforts. Action also requires greater political will and investment to consider broader action on the wider determinants of (prison) health.

Originality/value

The study provides a framework to understand and guide prison health efforts and highlights attention needed at the level of governments, prison leaders and their health systems.
Managing knowledge workers in healthcare context: role of individual and knowledge characteristics in physicians' knowledge sharing
Authors: Harb Yousra , Zahrawi Ali , Shehabat Issa , Zhang Zuopeng (Justin)
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Sharing knowledge of physicians in hospitals is critical and significant in terms of providing better healthcare services. Despite the significance of knowledge sharing in the healthcare setting, very few studies have empirically investigated knowledge sharing drivers among physicians. Particularly, the process of knowledge sharing through the interplay between individual characteristics, knowledge characteristics, and intention in a healthcare setting has received very little empirical support. In this study, the authors draw upon personality traits and knowledge characteristics theories to develop a theoretical model to empirically examine the effect of individual characteristics and knowledge characteristics on physicians' knowledge sharing behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a sample of 215 physicians from 20 hospitals in Jordan, the authors conducted data analysis using the partial least squares statistical technique.

Findings

The study revealed that the personality traits (Extraversion, Neuroticism, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness) significantly influence physician intention to share knowledge. Knowledge characteristic (Situatedness) was also found to affect the intention to share knowledge.

Originality/value

Very little is known about the effect of individual characteristics and knowledge characteristics on knowledge sharing behavior among physicians. The study contributes to the related literature by empirically investigating how individual characteristics and knowledge characteristics influence physicians' knowledge sharing behavior. The findings add to the understanding of the role of personality traits and knowledge characteristics in physicians' intention to share knowledge and give important insights for practice and theory.
The diffusion of innovation in project-based firms – linking the temporary and permanent levels of organisation
Authors: Crespin-Mazet Florence , Goglio-Primard Karine , Havenvid Malena I. , Linné Åse
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to address the problematic yet under-researched issue of the disconnectedness of the temporary and permanent levels of organisation in project-based firms in terms of learning and innovation diffusion.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a longitudinal case study of a pioneering French construction firm introducing the partnering method in France. Based on an abductive approach, the analytical framework combines insights of the literature on community and networks of practice to investigate the processes and mechanisms of diffusion of innovation in project-based firms.

Findings

The function of semi-permanent organisational levels in connecting the temporary and permanent levels of the firm – the communities of practice (CoPs) and network of practice (NoP) exists besides the formal organization of the firm. As a social learning process, innovation diffusion involves both formal (i.e. vertical) and informal (i.e. horizontal) forms of organising and learning. Intermediary and informal ways of organising enables the embedding of innovation both in terms of content and connections. Foremost, CoPs/NoPs contribute to relational embeddedness. Boundary actors and objects are essential in crossing the different levels of embeddedness to overcome the learning boundaries between temporary projects and the permanent firm.

Research limitations/implications

The investigation is built on a single case study and further empirical research is needed, preferably longitudinal case studies, as this allows greater capture of the diffusion process. The authors suggest further studies using practice-based perspectives to capture the formal and informal ways of organising innovation diffusion.

Practical implications

Managerial interventions should favour the development of the informal dynamics of community and networks to foster both innovation and its diffusion. The managerial challenge lies in creating the right prerequisites for the existence of both the informal community logics of organising and the formal top management decision-making, and to orchestrate their timing in the diffusion process.

Social implications

The study reveals the importance of both formal and informal networks in driving innovation. As such, project-based firms should be aware of these dynamics when striving for change.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literatures on diffusion of innovation, project marketing and construction management. It includes new insights related to the function of intermediary and informal organisational levels of project-based organisations, the dynamics and connection between the temporary and permanent levels of the project-based firm related to communities and networks of practice, and the boundary spanning activities that are involved between the formal and informal levels of the firm.
Economic crisis and child maltreatment in Spain: the consequences of the recession in the child protection system
Authors: Montagud Mayor Xavier
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the consequences of the last great recession on the child protection system (CPS) in Spain, to estimate whether there is any kind of relationship between the conditions of socio-economic crisis and its protective activity.

Design/methodology/approach

Data on child protection legal measures issued by the CPS and socio-economic data from 8 of the 17 regions of the country were cross-checked. Using the chi-square test, it was possible to determine the significance and intensity of the relationship between the different variables in each of the regions of the study.

Findings

During the crisis, the number of recorded cases fell most sharply in those regions with the worst socio-economic indicators. The study shows that there is a significant relationship between the socio-economic conditions of the regions and families and the activity of the CPS in each of them, so that the worsening of the former reduces the protective activity of their protection system.

Practical implications

The results ask about the influence of the socioeconomic situation in the decision-making of the CPS in Spain and the need to deepen in its study.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study on the effects of the economic crisis on CPS activity in Spain.
An analytical study on the relationship between the fungal degradation and multi-component nature of paper manuscripts
Authors: Mansour Maisa Mohamed Ali , Ali Hassan Rushdya Rabee , Moustafa Amer Mahmoud Salwa , Akl Youssif Mohamed
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the most common fungal species that grow on paper manuscripts and cause bio-deterioration. It also detects the impact of additive materials on fungal degrading and builds a wide database. Thus, it helps conservators understand this phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 15 samples were collected from different paper manuscripts suffering from fungi. The achievement of the study objectives depends on using a variety of analyzes, such as a microbiological study, which indicated that three main fungi grew on the paper samples. Then, a digital microscope and an environmental scanning electron microscope were used to detect the effect of fungi on paper fibers. Fourier transform infrared microscopy was used to identify the binding medium and the X-ray diffraction method was used to measure the crystallinity index of cellulose of the paper samples.

Findings

Arabic gum was used as a binder medium with the samples. Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus Fumigatus and Aspergillus Clavatus were the most common fungal species that grew on the Qur’an papers under investigation. They also caused much common damage to the paper samples. The results of the analyzes also showed that the highest crystallinity index of cellulose was in the samples that contained the lowest rate of fungal growth.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the relationship between fungal degradation and the multi-component nature of paper manuscripts. It builds a wide database that correlates the composition and the degradation of the Qur’an papers.
Toward a more complete theory of sustainable supply chain management: the role of media attention
Authors: Hartmann Julia
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To contribute to the development of a more complete theory of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), this study aims to focus on media attention as an under-researched antecedent. Media transmit information about (good or bad) business practices and information recipients often adjust their behavior accordingly. Although media often uncover scandals in supply chains, no systematic understanding explicates how they shape lead firms’ reactions to scandals. This empirical study investigates how media attention to a major supply chain scandal influences buying companies’ SSCM.

Design/methodology/approach

The research setting is the fashion industry, five years after the Rana Plaza building collapse. Matched SSCM data from 73 fashion lead firms and news articles collected from major outlets were analyzed using ordinary least squares regression analyzes.

Findings

This study generates nuanced insights into the role of the media in triggering SSCM. Certain facets of media attention (direct media exposure and negative framing) result in higher levels of SSCM, others have no significant effect (media visibility) and some result in less SSCM (positive framing).

Research limitations/implications

The varying effects of different facets of media attention on SSCM have not been established previously. Both media and supply chain researchers should address these unique effects in their continued assessments.

Social implications

External stakeholders can use these findings to devise more effective ways to influence lead firms and improve social and environmental conditions in supply chains.

Originality/value

This study is the first empirical investigation of the effects of various facets of media attention on SSCM.
Palisaded neutrophilic granulomatous dermatitis, interstitial granulomatous dermatitis and IgA vasculitis associated with incomplete Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: Sugioka Kyoko , Goto Hiroyuki , Sugita Kazunari , Habe Koji , Yamanaka Keiichi , Yamamoto Osamu
Published: January 2021

Palisaded neutrophilic granulomatous dermatitis (PNGD) and interstitial granulomatous dermatitis (IGD) are rare granulomatous disorders. Differential diagnosis of PNGD and IGD is often difficult, but both conditions occasionally exist together. We report here the first potential overlapping case of PNGD, IGD, and Immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis associated with incomplete Sjögren's syndrome. An 81‐year‐old woman who had been followed up for interstitial pneumonia and incomplete Sjögren's syndrome was referred to our clinic. She had multiple erythematous plaques and nodules on her entire body and purpura on her legs. Biopsied specimens showed granuloma formation with neutrophilic infiltration and degenerated collagen fibers in the center. In addition, interstitial granuloma and so‐called “floating sign” in the periphery and leukocytoclastic vasculitis were noted. Elastica‐van Gieson staining revealed phagocytosis of elastic fibers by multinucleated giant cells around the granulomas. Direct immunofluorescence showed IgM, IgA, and C3 deposition in vascular walls. We made a diagnosis of an overlap syndrome of PNGD, IGD, and IgA vasculitis in a background of incomplete Sjögren's syndrome. No such case has been previously reported. The pathogenesis of the present case may be associated with Sjögren's syndrome.
Pre‐hospital antibiotic therapy preceded by blood cultures in a physician‐manned mobile emergency care unit
Authors: Mikkelsen Vibe S. , Gregers Mads Christian Tofte , Justesen Ulrik Stenz , Schierbeck Jens , Mikkelsen Søren
Published: January 2021

Background

Rapid recognition and antibiotic treatment, preferably preceded by blood cultures (BCs), is a mainstay in sepsis therapy. The objective of this investigation was to determine if pre‐hospital BCs were feasible and drawn with an acceptably low level of contamination and to investigate whether pre‐hospital antibiotics were administered on correct indications.

Methods

We performed a register‐based study in a pre‐hospital physician‐manned mobile emergency care unit (MECU) operating in a mixed urban/rural area in Denmark. All patients who received pre‐hospital antibiotics by the MECU from November 2013 to October 2018 were reviewed. Outcome measures were characterisation of microbial findings and subsequent in‐hospital confirmation of the pre‐hospital indication for antibiotics.

Results

One‐hundred‐and‐nineteen patients received antibiotics pre‐hospitally. Six were excluded. One‐hundred‐and‐thirteen patients were included in the study. BCs were drawn in 107 of the 113 patients (94.7% [88.8%‐98.0%]). We found a true pathogen of sepsis in 29 (27.1% [19.0%‐36.6%]) of these 107 patients. Nine (8.4% [3.9%‐15.4%]) patients had contaminated pre‐hospital BCs.

Forty‐nine of all patients (36.3% [27.4%‐45.9%]) had causative pathogens in either their BCs or other samples confirming the pre‐hospital tentative diagnosis. Eighty‐two (72.6% [63.4%‐80.5%]) patients received antibiotic therapy in‐hospitally, while 27 (23.9% [16.4%‐32.8%]) were assigned an in‐hospital diagnosis not associated with infection. Four (3.5% [1.0%‐8.8%]) patients died in hospital before a diagnosis was established.

Conclusions

Pre‐hospital administration of antibiotics preceded by BCs is feasible, although with somewhat high blood culture contamination rates. Antibiotics are administered on reasonable indications.
Low SSRI dosing in clinical practice—a register‐based longitudinal study
Authors: Lisinski Alexander , Hieronymus Fredrik , Eriksson Elias , Wallerstedt Susanna M.
Published: January 2021

Objective

Since several recent meta‐analyses report a dose‐response relationship for the antidepressant effect of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), we investigated how these drugs are dosed in clinical practice.

Methods

Through linkage of nation‐ or region‐wide registers, we describe SSRI doses in 50,365 individuals residing in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden, with an incident diagnosis of depression and initiating SSRI treatment between 2007 and 2016. The primary question was to elucidate to what extent these individuals had been prescribed a daily dose that according to recent meta‐analyses is required to elicit the maximum antidepressant effect, that is >20 mg citalopram, >10 mg escitalopram, >10 mg fluoxetine, >10 mg paroxetine or >50 mg sertraline.

Results

In all, 21,049 (54%) out of 38,868 individuals <65 years of age, and 9,131 (79%) out of 11,497 individuals ≥65 years of age, never received an SSRI dose reported to exert maximum antidepressant effect. These prescribing practices were seen for citalopram, escitalopram and sertraline, but not for fluoxetine and paroxetine, and were frequent in both primary and secondary/tertiary care. Suggesting that doses here defined as maximum efficacy doses, when prescribed, are usually not intolerable, between 59% and 68% of individuals <65 years of age received such a dose also for the subsequent prescription, that is as frequently as in those prescribed a sub‐maximum efficacy dose (52–69%).

Conclusion

Most patients being prescribed an SSRI to treat their depression never receive the dose that according to recent meta‐analyses is most likely to effectively combat their condition. The lack of consensus regarding effective dosing of SSRIs may have contributed to this state of affairs.