bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pacsin 2-dependent N-cadherin internalization regulates the migration behaviour of malignant cancer cells
Authors: Wint Haymar , Li Jianzhen , Abe Tadashi , Yamada Hiroshi , Nasu Yasutomo , Watanabe Masami , Takei Kohji , Takeda Tetsuya
Published: August 2022

Cell migration is essential for both physiological and pathological processes such as embryonic morphogenesis, wound repair and metastasis of cancer cells. Collective cell migration is the coordinated movement of multiple cells connected with cadherin-based adherence junctions. Cadherins undergo dynamic intracellular trafficking and their surface level is determined by a balance between endocytosis, recycling and degradation. However, regulatory mechanisms of cadherin turnover in the collective cell migration remain to be elucidated.

In this study, we show that a BAR domain protein pacsin 2 plays an essential role in collective cell migration by regulating the internalization of N-cadherin in human bladder cancer cells T24. Pacsin 2 and its associating GTPase dynamin 2 colocalized with N-cadherin at the cell periphery in T24 cells. Depletion of either pacsin 2 or dynamin 2 induced interdigitating cell-cell contacts enriched with N-cadherin. Imaging analyses of the wound healing assay showed that pacsin 2-depleted T24 cells migrated in a collective and directed manner in contrast with randomly migrating control cells. Furthermore, cell-surface biotinylation assay showed that internalization of N-cadherin is attenuated in pacsin 2-depleted cells. Interestingly, the GST-pulldown assay demonstrated that the SH3 domain of pacsin 2 binds to the cytoplasmic domain of N-cadherin, suggesting that surface levels of N-cadherin are regulated by pacsin 2-mediated endocytosis. These data support new insights into a novel endocytic route of N-cadherin in collective cell migration providing pacsin 2 as a possible therapeutic target for cancer metastasis.
Human immune and gut microbial parameters associated with inter-individual variations in COVID-19 mRNA vaccine-induced immunity
Authors: Hirota Masato , Tamai Miho , Yukawa Sachie , Taira Naoyuki , Matthews Melissa M. , Toma Takeshi , Seto Yu , Yoshida Makiko , Toguchi Sakura , Miyagi Mio , Mori Tomoari , Tomori Hiroaki , Tamai Osamu , Kina Mitsuo , Sakihara Eishin , Yamashiro Chiaki , Miyagi Masatake , Tamaki Kentaro , Wolf Matthias , Collins Mary K. , Kitano Hiroaki , Ishikawa Hiroki
Published: August 2022

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines induce protective adaptive immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in most individuals, but there is wide variation in levels of vaccine-induced antibody and T-cell responses. However, factors associated with this inter-individual variation remain unclear. Here, using a systems biology approach based on multi-omics analyses of human blood and stool samples, we find that baseline expression of AP-1 transcription factors, FOS and ATF3, is inversely correlated with BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine-induced T-cell responses. FOS expression is associated with transcription modules related to baseline immunity, but it is negatively associated with those related to T-cell activation upon BNT162b2 mRNA stimulation. Interestingly, the gut microbial fucose/rhamnose degradation pathway is positively correlated with FOS and ATF3 expression and inversely correlated with BNT162b2-induced T-cell responses. Taken together, these results demonstrate that baseline expression of AP-1 genes, which is associated with the gut microbial fucose/rhamnose degradation pathway, is a key negative correlate of BNT162b2-induced T-cell responses.
Constitutive activation of TORC1 signaling attenuates virulence in the cross-kingdom fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum
Authors: Navarro-Velasco Gesabel Yaneth , Di Pietro Antonio , López-Berges Manuel Sánchez
Published: August 2022

The filamentous fungus Fusarium oxysporum causes vascular wilt disease in a wide range of plant species and opportunistic infections in humans. Previous work suggested that invasive growth in this pathogen is controlled by environmental cues such as pH and nutrient status. Here we investigated the role of Target Of Rapamycin Complex 1 (TORC1), a global regulator of eukaryotic cell growth and development. Inactivation of the negative regulator Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 (Tsc2), but not constitutive activation of the positive regulator Gtr1, in F. oxysporum resulted in inappropriate activation of TORC1 signaling under nutrient limiting conditions. The tsc2Δ mutants showed reduced colony growth on minimal medium with different nitrogen sources and increased sensitivity to cell wall or high temperature stress. Furthermore, these mutants were impaired in invasive hyphal growth across cellophane membranes and exhibited a marked decrease in virulence, both on tomato plants and on the invertebrate animal host Galleria mellonella. Importantly, invasive hyphal growth in tsc2Δ strains was rescued by rapamycin-mediated inhibition of TORC1. Collectively, these results reveal a key role of TORC1 signaling in development and pathogenicity of F. oxysporum and suggest new potential targets for controlling fungal infections.

AUTHOR SUMMARY

Filamentous fungal pathogens cause devastating losses in agriculture and lethal infections in humans. A prerequisite of fungal infection is invasive hyphal growth, a process that is exquisitely controlled by environmental cues including nutrients and host signals. Here we examined the role of TOR complex 1 (TORC1), a conserved pathway that regulates cell growth in response to nutrient status. We show that deregulation of TORC1 signaling impairs pathogenicity in Fusarium oxysporum, a cross-kingdom fungal pathogen that attacks more than 150 different crops as well as immunocompromised humans. Inactivation of Tsc2, a negative regulator of TORC1, led to constitutive TORC1 activation, reduced growth under nutrient-limiting conditions and increased sensitivity to cell wall stress. Importantly, tsc2Δ mutants were impaired in invasive hyphal growth and in virulence on plant and animal hosts. Our results support a conserved role of TORC1 as a negative regulator of pathogenicity-related functions and reveal new leads for antifungal drug discovery.
Protein Geometry, Function and Mutation
Authors: Penner Robert
Published: August 2022

Abstract

This survey for mathematicians summarizes several works by the author on protein geometry and protein function with applications to viral glycoproteins in general and the spike glycoprotein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in particular. Background biology and biophysics are sketched. This body of work culminates in a postulate that protein secondary structure regulates mutation, with backbone hydrogen bonds materializing in critical regions to avoid mutation, and disappearing from other regions to enable it.
Differential axonal trafficking of Neuropeptide Y-, LAMP1- and RAB7-tagged organelles in vivo
Authors: Nassal Joris P. , Murphy Fiona H. , Toonen Ruud F. , Verhage Matthijs
Published: August 2022

Different organelles traveling through neurons exhibit distinct properties in vitro, but this has not been investigated in the intact brain. We established simultaneous dual color 2- photon microscopy to visualize the trafficking of Neuropeptide Y-, LAMP1- and RAB7- tagged organelles in thalamocortical axons imaged in mouse cortex in vivo. This revealed that LAMP1- and RAB7-tagged organelles move significantly faster than NPY tagged organelles in both anterograde and retrograde direction. NPY travelled more selectively in anterograde direction than LAMP1 and RAB7. By using a synapse marker and a calcium sensor we further investigated the transport dynamics of NPY-tagged organelles. We found that these organelles slow down and pause at synapses. In contrast to previous in vitro studies, a significant increase of transport speed was observed after spontaneous activity and elevated calcium levels in vivo as well as electrically stimulated activity in acute brain slices. Together, we show a remarkable diversity in speeds and properties of three axonal organelle marker in vivo that differ from properties previously observed in vitro.
Synthesis, structure and sulfonamide–sulfonimide tautomerism of sulfonamide–1,2,4-triazine derivatives
Authors: Branowska Danuta , Wysocki Waldemar , Wolińska Ewa , Koc Karolina , Stańska Katarzyna , Mirosław Barbara , Karczmarzyk Zbigniew
Published: August 2022

Two new 1,2,4-triazine-containing sulfonamide derivatives, namely, 4-bromo-N-(5,6-diphenyl-2H-1,2,4-triazin-3-ylidene)benzenesulfonamide, C21H15BrN4O4S, 3a, and methyl 2-{[(5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)sulfamoyl]methyl}benzoate, C24H20N4O4S, 3b, which crystallize in the different sulfonimide and sulfonamide tautomeric forms, respectively, were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic, X-ray diffraction and theoretical calculation methods. Both molecules adopt a very similar conformation of the common part of the structure and the differences occur within the substituents on the sulfonamide group. The amino groups characteristic for the existing tautomeric forms are involved in strong intermolecular N—H...N and N—H...O hydrogen bonds in 3a and 3b, respectively. The Hirshfeld surface analysis showed that H...H contacts constitute a high percentage of the intermolecular interactions. Theoretical calculations at the ab initio DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level showed that the two tautomeric forms observed for 3a and 3b can co-exist in chloroform, ethanol and water solutions, with a distinct predominance of the sulfonamide form; the participation of the sulfonimide form increases with increasing solvent polarity.
Optimization analysis of grain self-production and import structure based on carbon footprint
Authors: Zhang Hua , Zhao Fang , Han Kexuan
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reduce the carbon footprint of food by adjusting the international trade and planting structure and to provide possible ideas for the improvement of the world's food green production and green trade.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the literature analysis method to collect carbon footprint data calculated based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) method, and establishing an optimization model and an ARIMA prediction model for empirical analysis, this paper explores the possibility to reduce carbon emissions by adjusting import structure and self-production structure.

Findings

The results show that only through the adjustment of the import structure, carbon emissions can be reduced by 3.29 million tons at the source of imports. When domestic self-production is included, a total of 4.51 million tons of carbon emissions can be reduced, this provides ideas for low-carbon emission reduction in agriculture and animal husbandry.

Originality/value

This article is the first to use the carbon footprint data obtained by other scholars using LCA to optimize and analyze the grain trade structure and planting structure from a low-carbon perspective, and obtain specific emission reductions.
Myths and ceremonies among the corporate governance institutions: introducing the concept of corporate governance culture
Authors: Klepczarek Emilia
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide the conditions for governance effectiveness and explain why the same rules often result in not the same norms.

Design/methodology/approach

The author proposes a “corporate governance culture” concept explaining the differences within corporate governance institutions and making it possible to measure their effectiveness. Based on a literature review that included 186 research studies published in the corporate governance field, the author found that most (160) concern structural numerical variables. Only 26 refer to behavioural and cultural issues, and they support the idea of an interdisciplinary approach to governance problems.

Findings

A significant contribution of this paper is that it proposes an integrative framework that operationalises psychological, sociological and philosophical issues that influence corporate governance mechanisms. The proposed concept can reanimate the debate about the need for tight governance regulations or leaving room for a loose governance regime.

Originality/value

The idea of “corporate governance culture” explains the divergences identified in studies on corporate governance mechanisms, pointing out behavioural and cultural issues as crucial aspects of governance bodies.
A sentiment analysis of Michelin-starred restaurants
Authors: Rita Paulo , Vong Celeste , Pinheiro Flávio , Mimoso João
Published: August 2022

Purpose

With the growing popularity of social media, it has become common practice for consumers to write online reviews to share their opinion and experience as well as consider others' reviews to inform purchase decision-making. This study investigated how online review sentiments towards four key aspects (food, service, ambience and price) change after a restaurant is awarded a Michelin Star to shed light on how the award of a Michelin Star affects online reviews as well as what factors contribute to positive online restaurant reviews.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a sentiment analysis of online restaurant reviews on TripAdvisor. A total of 8,871 English-written reviews from 87 restaurants located in Europe were extracted using a web crawler developed by Beautiful Soup, and data were then processed using Semantria.

Findings

The study findings revealed that overall sentiments decreased after restaurants were awarded a Michelin Star, in which service sentiment was the most affected aspect, followed by food and ambience. Yet, price sentiment showed a prominent increase. This provides valuable insights for Michelin-starred restaurant operators and owners to create a unique and compelling gastronomic experience that triggers positive online reviews.

Practical implications

The results of this study argue that consumers tend to hold higher expectations for this type of upscale restaurants given its recognition and quality assurance, so they are more likely to have negative feelings when their expectations are disconfirmed. Therefore, restaurants should continuously improve their food and service while paying attention to small details such as ambience, through creativity and innovation. Also, high-end restaurants, especially Michelin-starred restaurants, usually have the edge in premium pricing, yet competitive pricing may backfire considering its perceived luxurious values.

Originality/value

This study analyzed changes in customer sentiments when a restaurant is awarded a Michelin Star through text analytics. Through the lens of online restaurant reviews, the study findings contribute to identifying aspects that are most or least affected by the award of a Michelin Star as well as highlight the role of ambience in customer satisfaction which might have been overlooked in previous studies.
Cultural intelligence and innovative work behavior: examining multiple mediation paths in the healthcare sector in India
Authors: Jain Priyanka
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to look at numerous mediating factors that influence innovative work behavior through cultural intelligence (CQ). The author specifically examines affective commitment, interpersonal trust and psychological well-being as three mediating pathways through which CQ predicts innovative work behavior (IWB).

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 355 employees working in the health-care sector of India through convenience sampling.

Findings

Affective commitment, interpersonal trust and psychological well-being mediated the relationship between CQ and innovative work behavior. In addition, CQ positively relates to affective commitment (AC), interpersonal trust and psychological well-being and IWB.

Practical implications

Managers and human resource (HR) professionals can potentially stimulate employee innovation by developing cultural awareness programs for their employees. An organization must seek to provide a sense of attachment, a trustworthy environment and a favorable perception of psychological well-being to its employees. This could stimulate innovation in the health-care sector.

Originality/value

Although understanding the mechanism or processes by which CQ supports IWB is critical, research in this area is limited. This study theorizes and empirically examines affective commitment, interpersonal trust and psychological well-being as novel mechanisms through which CQ promotes innovative behavior in health-care organizations. Furthermore, the author presume that the intervening mediators guide the direction of social exchange.
Factors affecting Chinese people’s intention to adopt the individual dining style
Authors: Huang Jue , Chu Jing , Zhao Xialing
Published: August 2022

Purpose

In light of the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese authorities have called for the adoption of the individual dining style (IDS) as a preventive measure for the pandemic and a new norm for civilized code of conduct. Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the factors influencing the Chinese people’s intention to adopt the IDS.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied the capability, opportunity and motivation model of behavior (COM-B) and identified potential predictors influencing the intention to adopt the IDS through a review of the literature. Data were collected through an online survey, and structural equation modeling was applied to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicated that the most influential predictors were subjective norm, social norm, perceived benefit and past behavior, while the other predictors (including breaking habits, communal dining culture, perceived behavioral control, perceived health risk and social risk) had insignificant effects on the intention to adopt IDS.

Practical implications

First, educational public health messages should communicate the benefits of IDS. Second, persuasive public communication should focus on how people are implementing the target behavior rather than drawing attention to a minority who are disregarding it. Moreover, given the highly significant effects of subjective norm, public health campaigns should emphasize that adoption of the desired behavior expresses care for significant others.

Originality/value

The findings advance understanding of an underexplored topic, namely, how deeply ingrained ways of dining may be transformed in the current context. Applying the COM-B, the authors tested multiple variables to explain the intention to adopt IDS. The results suggest that some social influences (subjective norm and social norm) and reflective cognitive processes (perceived benefit) had the greatest impacts on behavior intentions. Moreover, the results indicate that threat of COVID-19 may not prompt people to change their dining styles. However, the benefits of IDS to prevent the spread of infectious diseases could lead to its wider adoption.
Time for change? Scenario analysis on buyer–seller negotiations
Authors: Haggenmüller Sandra , Oehlschläger Patricia , Herbst Uta , Voeth Markus
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to provide probable future developments in the form of holistic scenarios for business negotiations. In recent years, negotiation research did not put a lot of emphasis on external changes. Consequently, current challenges and trends are scarcely integrated, making it difficult to support negotiation practice perspectively.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies the structured, multi-method approach of scenario analysis. To examine the future space of negotiations, this combines qualitative and quantitative measures to base our analysis on negotiation experts’ assessments, estimations and visions of the negotiation future.

Findings

The results comprise an overview of five negotiation scenarios in the year 2030 and of their individual drivers. The five revealed scenarios are: digital intelligence, business as usual, powerful network – the route to collaboration, powerful network – the route to predominance and system crash.

Originality/value

The scenario analysis is a suitable approach that enables to relate various factors of the negotiation environment to negotiations themselves and allows an examination of future changes in buyer–seller negotiations and the creation of possible future scenarios. The identified scenarios provide an orientation for business decisions in the field of negotiation.
Balanced centricity: a joint institutional logic within open collaborative ecosystems
Authors: Quero María José , Mele Cristina
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the change of institutional logics in actors’ practices within crowdfunding platforms, seen as open collaborative ecosystems.

Design/methodology/approach

The research follows an abductive approach, wherein data collection and analysis, and the search for complementary theories, constitute parallel iterative processes. A main case study was carried out, complemented by an expert panel.

Findings

Balanced centricity (BC) as the main institutional logic in crowdfunding platforms delineates actors’ practices (aims, resources and behaviors) into four issues: the development of an open and collaborative community; the overcoming of resource limitations; the changing roles of actors; and the co-creation of mutual (societal) value.

Research limitations/implications

This study context limits the results. The COVID-19 crisis put all actors in the medical field into an extreme situation in which they had to maximize their potential to achieve a common aim. Once the crisis has passed, further research should address whether BC is maintained as actors’ institutional logic.

Originality/value

This paper offers a unique perspective on BC as an institutional logic that impacts actors in collaborative open ecosystems.
Female entrepreneurship in emerging and developing countries: a systematic review of practical and policy implications and suggestions for new studies
Authors: Corrêa Victor Silva , Lima Rosileine Mendonça de , Brito Fernanda Regina da Silva , Machado Marcio Cardoso , Nassif Vânia Maria Jorge
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Women entrepreneurs face several challenges in creating and running ventures, especially in emerging and developing countries. In this sense, by aiming to generate inputs capable of helping overcome them, this study aims to categorize the policy, managerial and practical implications of articles whose empirical research was in one or more of the 155 emerging and developing countries. Further, although scholars have addressed female entrepreneurship in developed economies, there is scant literature in the context explored here. This article provides suggestions for new studies, helping academics fill gaps in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This article adopts a systematic literature review approach, performing content analysis and bibliometric description for the sample. The study comprises 77 articles selected from the Scopus and Web of Science databases.

Findings

Research concentrates on Asian countries, with lower incidences in Latin America and Africa. The policy implications focus mainly on the executive rather than legislative spheres. The practical implications focus mainly on entrepreneurial development agencies and women entrepreneurs. Among the suggestions for novel studies, those focusing on methodological choices and female enterprises stand out.

Practical implications

This paper maps and categorizes the policy, managerial and practical implications, helping to raise governments’, policymakers’ and practitioners’ awareness of the preferred strategies to overcome the challenges of female entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

This paper emphasizes reflections of mutual interest to researchers, policymakers and practitioners, filling gaps in studies that prioritize an academic audience. Regarding the academic audience, this paper contributes to innovatively categorizing suggestions for future research and building an extensive research agenda capable of guiding research in this area.
Gluten-free cake with unripe banana peel flour substitution: impact on nutritional, functional and sensorial properties
Authors: Türker Burcu , Savlak Nazlı
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to develop nutritious and functional gluten-free cakes for celiac patients by substituting rice flour with unripe banana peel flour (UBPF) (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) and to propound some chemical, textural and sensorial properties of cakes. A secondary purpose was also to contribute to waste management of the banana products industry by reevaluating the peel.

Design/methodology/approach

One-way analysis of variance and Duncan’s multiple comparison test (p< 0.05) were used to determine differences among the mean values. Proximate analysis, color, texture profile analysis, antioxidant activity, mineral composition and sensorial analysis were carried out. Data was analyzed using SAS software. Cake production was carried out in three replications.

Findings

UBPF in this study had high protein (11.2%) and dietary fiber (18.3%) as well as high antioxidant activity. In all, 5%–20% UBPF-substituted cakes had enhanced dietary fiber (2.5%–3.7% dry matter), ash content (1.6%–1.9% DM) in comparison to control cake (1.4% and 1.4%, respectively). 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of enriched gluten-free cakes increased by 102%–534%, whereas ferric-reducing antioxidant power increased by 29.6%–143%. Up to 10% UBPF substitution resulted in texturally and sensorially acceptable, nutritious gluten-free cakes.

Practical implications

The developed product can be used practically for several applications as a healthy alternative. The use of unripe banana peel represents a promising strategy to increase the nutritional value and number of ready-to-eat food in the gluten-free market.

Social implications

This study propounds a nutritious, functional and sensorially acceptable gluten-free cake for celiac people to use practically while socialization. Cakes which are appreciated by panelists in sensory analysis will create product variety in kitchens, markets and social areas, in particular for those people suffering from celiac and gluten intolerance.

Originality/value

This is the first study to consider UBPF as an ingredient in gluten-free cake formulation. The product may positively contribute to the life quality of celiac people by propounding a gluten-free snack food for consumption in their social life. This study is also an example of the contribution of banana by-products toward the implementation of the circular economy.
Floral visitation to alien plants is non‐linearly related to their phylogenetic and floral similarity to native plants
Authors: Razanajatovo Mialy , Rakoto Joseph Felana , Rajaonarivelo Andrianina Princy , van Kleunen Mark
Published: August 2022

Biological invasions are key to understanding ecological processes that determine the formation of novel interactions. Alien species can negatively impact floral visitation to native species, but native species may also facilitate early establishment of closely related alien species by providing a preadapted pollinator community. We tested whether floral visitation to alien species depended on phylogenetic relatedness and floral similarity to native species.

In a field experiment, we simulated the early stages of an invasion by adding potted alien plants into co‐flowering native communities. We paired each alien plant with a host native plant, and recorded floral visitation to them for 3,068 hr (totalling 84,814 visits). We used 34 alien and 20 native species in 151 species combinations. We tested whether the number of floral visits to alien plants, the proportion of visits to alien plant relative to visits to both alien and native plants, and the similarity in flower visitor compositions of alien and native plants depended on phylogenetic and floral trait distances between alien and native species.

Floral visitation to alien species was highest when they had intermediate floral trait distances to native species, and either low or high phylogenetic distances. Alien species received more similar flower‐visitor groups to natives when they had low phylogenetic and either low or high floral trait distances to native species.

Co‐flowering native species may facilitate floral visitation to closely related alien species, and distantly related alien plants seem to avoid competition for flower visitors with native plants. Alien species with similar floral traits to natives compete with them for flower visitors, and alien species with dissimilar floral traits may not share flower visitors with native species. Alien species with intermediate floral trait distances to natives are most likely to receive flower visitors, as they are not too dissimilar and may still share flower visitors with native species, but not too similar to compete for flower visitors with them.

The non‐linear patterns between floral visitation and similarity of the alien and native species suggest that an interplay of facilitation and competition simultaneously drives the formation of novel plant‐pollinator interactions.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Tryptophan‐kynurenine metabolism during acute alcohol withdrawal in patients with alcohol use disorder: The role of immune activation
Authors: Mechtcheriakov Sergei , Gleissenthall Gabriele V. , Geisler Simon , Arnhard Kathrin , Oberacher Herbert , Schurr Timo , Kemmler Georg , Unterberger Christine , Fuchs Dietmar
Published: August 2022

Background

Recent research has suggested that excessive alcohol consumption in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with chronic immune activation, which affects the metabolism of the neurotransmitter precursor amino acid tryptophan (TRP) and contributes to the complex pathophysiology of AUD. Our study investigated possible immune‐associated alterations of TRP to kynurenine (KYN) metabolism in patients with AUD during acute alcohol withdrawal.

Methods

We measured serum concentrations of TRP, KYN, quinolinic (QUIN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), and the immune activation marker neopterin (NEO) at the first, fifth and 10th day of alcohol withdrawal in patients with AUD, who attended a standardized in‐patient treatment program and underwent a detailed clinical assessment.

Results

Data from these individuals were compared to data from a reference control group (RCG). The primary outcome measures were the differences in serum concentrations of metabolites between AUD patients and RCG and correlations between NEO and metabolites of the tryptophan‐kynurenine pathway. r = 0.695, p < 0.001) in the AUD group. Mixed models analysis showed that NEO concentrations were positively associated with QUIN but not with KYNA concentrations. Several behavioral symptoms correlated positively with QUIN concentrations and negatively with the KYNA/QUIN ratio.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that the changes in TRP catabolism in acute alcohol withdrawal resulting in increased KYN production could reflect the involvement of immune‐associated activation of the enzyme indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase, as NEO concentrations correlated with the KYN/TRP ratio. In addition, our data show that this low‐grade immune activation may cause an imbalance in the production of neurotoxic and neuroprotective kynurenine metabolites in AUD.
Thermal male contraception: A study of users’ motivation, experience, and satisfaction
Authors: Joubert Samuel , Tcherdukian Jessica , Mieusset Roger , Perrin Jeanne
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate the motivations, experience, and acceptability of thermal male contraception (TMC) in male partners of couples requesting the use of TMC as the only couple contraceptive.

Materials and methods

To the 72 men of couples seeking male contraception and using TMC between 2011 and 2019, we suggested an anonymous online survey (93 questions) exploring population characteristics, contraceptive histories, motivations for choosing TMC, patient experience at the successive phases of use, relations with partner and environment, and satisfaction with this method.

Results

Sixty‐seven men agreed to participate (93% response rate); 63 responses were complete and were analyzed (94% participation rate). The main motivations for choosing TMC were “not using hormones” (n = 59/63, 94%) and using a method regarded as “natural” (n = 49/63, 78%). Most of the men surveyed (68%) adopted the method in less than 2 weeks. During the contraception use phase (n = 59 men), they described significantly improved sexual satisfaction, compared to that experienced with their previous contraceptive methods, and they reported high confidence (100% rather/totally confident partner) and support (88% rather/totally supporting partner) from their partner. Most men (n = 35/59, 59%) also reported improved self‐esteem. The main negative point was discomfort, reported by 24% of the men. The overall satisfaction score of using this method was 3.78 ± 0.46/4, and 100% of the men reported that they would recommend the method to other men.

Discussion and conclusion

Men using TMC successfully assumed the responsibility for and performed a daily task to provide couple contraception. This positive evaluation, together with the already published contraceptive efficacy and reversibility of TMC, should encourage the development of this method.
Editorial: reducing false alarms with oesophagogastric junction outflow obstruction
Authors: Low Eric E. , Yadlapati Rena
Published: August 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Visaggi et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17101
Letter: to switch or not to switch, that is the question—author's reply
Authors: Bergqvist Viktoria , Holmgren Johanna , Klintman Daniel , Marsal Jan
Published: August 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Bergqvist et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16927 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17112
Vaccination status and intensive care unit triage: Is it fair to give unvaccinated Covid‐19 patients equal priority?
Authors: Shaw David
Published: August 2022

This article provides a systematic analysis of the proposal to use Covid‐19 vaccination status as a criterion for admission of patients with Covid‐19 to intensive care units (ICUs) under conditions of resource scarcity. The general consensus is that it is inappropriate to use vaccination status as a criterion because doing so would be unjust; many health systems, including the UK National Health Service, are based on the principle of equality of access to care. However, the analysis reveals that there are several unique features of Covid vaccination status in the context of a pandemic that make this issue disanalogous to cases (such as lung cancer caused by smoking) discussed previously. First, there is equality in access to care at the point of vaccination; the unvaccinated refuse the offer of preventive care when they decline vaccination, weakening their claim to ongoing care if they become ill (this is qualitatively different from ‘poor lifestyle choices’ such as smoking). Second, the decision of one person to refuse vaccination substantially increases the risk that they will become seriously ill and need ICU care; the person who chooses not to get vaccinated thus potentially increases the pressure on intensive care bed provision, as well as increasing the risk that he or she will infect others who in turn might end up needing ICU care. Third, justice cuts both ways, and giving unvaccinated patients equal priority may itself be unjust when other patients have reduced their risk of ending up on the ICU by getting vaccinated.
The democratic (dis)advantage: The conditional impact of democracy on credit risk and sovereign default
Authors: Hansen Daniel
Published: August 2022

Many have argued that democracies are able to make credible commitments to repay their debts and consequently enjoy higher sovereign credit ratings. In contrast to this expectation, I argue that the advantage of democracies in credit ratings is conditional on the countries' level of financial vulnerability and adjustment needs. Because democracies have more diffuse decision‐making and are more accountable to the public, they encounter greater difficulty than autocracies in passing unpopular economic adjustment measures. Thus, I argue that democracies with high debt levels and low foreign reserve assets experience worse credit outcomes, whereas democracies with low vulnerability experience more positive outcomes. In a sample of up to 96 developing countries, I show that democracies have worse credit ratings and CDS Spreads and are more likely to default than their autocratic counterparts when foreign reserves are low relative to external debt. Notably, I also show that large debt burdens increase credit risk mainly in more democratic countries. I further test the causal pathway of the democratic advantage by constructing democracy scores of “market‐friendly” and “adjustment‐difficulty” democracy, finding that democracy worsens debt outcomes due to adjustment difficulty. These findings help to revise and clarify the causal logic surrounding the democratic advantage hypothesis.
Tampering detection and localization base on sample guidance and individual camera device convolutional neural network features
Authors: You Changhui , Zheng Hong , Guo Zhongyuan , Wang Tianyu , Wu Xiongbin
Published: August 2022

This paper proposes an image tampering detection algorithm based on sample guidance and individual camera device's convolutional neural network (CNN) features (SGICD‐CF) to address the challenges in the authenticity and integrity of images. Due to the development of the digital image processing technology, which makes image editing and processing, image tampering and forgery easy and lot simplified, thus solving the problem of image tamper detection, to maintain information security. The principle of SGICD‐CF assumes that pixels of the pristine image come from a single camera device, but on the contrary, if an image to be tested is spliced by multiple images from different cameras, then the pixels from the multiple camera devices will be detected. SGICD‐CF divides the image to be tested into 64 × 64 pixel image patches, extracts the camera‐related features and some camera model‐related information of image patches by source camera identification network (SCI‐Net) which is proposed by us, and obtains the classification confidence degree of the image patch. Furthermore, it determines whether the image patch contains foreign pixels according to the obtained confidence degree and finally determines whether the image was tampered according to the classification results of all the image patches, thus locating the tampered area. However, the experimental results show that SGICD‐CF can detect and locate the tampered area of an image accurately and our methods have a better performance than other existing methods. Our algorithm can achieve an average correct rate of 0.855 on the synthetic data set based on Dresden, which is higher than other existing detection methods.
Resilience, coping, and posttraumatic growth in fathers of children with intellectual disabilities: Stress as moderator
Authors: Byra Stanisława , Ćwirynkało Katarzyna
Published: August 2022

Objective

We sought to examine the correlation between resilience and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in fathers of children with intellectual disabilities (ID), exploring the mediating effect of coping. We also tested whether this mediation effect is moderated by sense of stress.

Background

Raising a child with ID has been associated with both negative and positive aspects of psychological functioning. Little is known, however, about determinants of positive changes in fathers.

Method

The data for this study come from 106 Polish fathers of children with ID who completed a set of questionnaires measuring PTG, resilience, coping strategies, and sense of stress. The relations between variables using moderated mediation were tested.

Results

PTG correlates positively with resilience. Coping strategies (i.e., seeking emotional support and religion) are mediators of this relationship, and sense of stress is a moderator of this mediation. Higher levels of sense of stress increase the mediating role of these coping strategies, which translates into higher PTG in fathers with higher resilience.

Conclusion

The relationship between resilience and PTG is complex, mediated by coping strategies, and differs in fathers with high and low stress.

Implications

Knowledge on the importance of resilience and coping strategies for experiencing positive changes may be used by professionals working with fathers raising children with ID.
Ultrasound assessment of twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence for the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the first trimester
Authors: Tang Ying , Zeng Yan , Yang Taizhu , Yang Pan , Bao Shan , He Min , Ying Junjie
Published: August 2022

Objective

To investigate twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence for the prediction of TRAP‐related adverse pregnancy outcomes at the gestational age of 11–14 weeks.

Methods

Pregnant women in the first trimester diagnosed with TRAP were recruited at West China Second University Hospital from January 2015 to June 2018. Systematic screening for the pump twin's crown‐rump length (CRL) and acardiac twin's upper pole‐rump length (URL) was conducted using ultrasonic detection. The (CRL – URL)/CRL and URL/CRL ratios were used to assess the pregnancy outcomes for the pump twin. Twenty‐one pregnant women aged 21–39 years with a gestation of 11–14 weeks were recruited.

Results

TRAP was diagnosed on average (± standard deviation (SD)) at pregnancy week 13.1 ± 0.18. The pump twins’ mean (± SD) CRL was 6.65 ± 1.1 cm. The incidence of intrauterine death for the pump twins was 19.0% (n = 4), the miscarriage rate was 14.3% (n = 3), and the live birth rate was 66.7% (n = 14). The (CRL – URL)/CRL ratios between the nonsurvival (intrauterine death and miscarriage) and survival groups significantly differed (0.33 ± 0.08 vs. 0.58 ± 0.08, p < 0.05). Similarly, the URL/CRL ratios between the nonsurvival and survival groups significantly differed (0.67 ± 0.08 vs. 0.42 ± 0.08, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The (CRL – URL)/CRL and URL/CRL ratios were valuable indicators for determining pregnancy outcomes of pump twins with TRAP at an early gestational age.
Chilli thrips rose management using an Amblyseius swirskii or Amblydromalus limonicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) pepper banker plant
Authors: Schoeller Erich N. , McKenzie Cindy L. , Osborne Lance S.
Published: August 2022

Banker plant systems can enhance biological control of arthropod pests in protected agriculture if they facilitate the persistence of beneficial organisms by providing them with persistent habitats or supplemental food such as pollen or nectar. Ornamental pepper banker plants infested with either the predatory phytoseiid mites Amblyseius swirskii (Athias‐Henriot) or Amblydromalus limonicus (Garman and McGregor) were tested under greenhouse conditions in Florida, USA, for management of the chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood on Double Knock Out® roses. After two 6‐week studies, performed from October to December 2019 and 2020, both mite species reduced populations of S. dorsalis on roses to nearly undetectable levels (<1 thrips/leaf) compared with predator‐free controls. There was no difference in the mean number of thrips on leaves between the two mite species treatments. Lower S. dorsalis numbers observed on roses when mites were present led to significantly reduced foliar damage assessed as the degree of tissue scarring from S. dorsalis feeding compared with the control. This study may provide rose growers in Florida an alternative option for managing S. dorsalis populations on roses, a typically unsuitable plant for maintaining mite populations.
Five‐year clinical performance of two fluoride‐releasing giomer resin materials in occlusal restorations
Authors: Ozer Fusun , Patel Rishi , Yip Jacqueline , Yakymiv Oksana , Saleh Najeed , Blatz Markus B.
Published: August 2022

Objective

To evaluate and compare the clinical performance of two nano‐hybrid giomer restorative composite materials after 5 years.

Materials and Methods

Forty‐four pairs of restorations (total n = 88) of a flowable giomer (Beautifil Flow Plus F00; Shofu Inc., Kyoto, Japan) and a conventional nano‐hybrid giomer restorative material (Beautifil II; Shofu Inc.) were placed in Class I cavities after the application of a dentin adhesive (FL‐Bond II; Shofu Inc.) and a flowable liner (Beautifil Flow Plus F03; Shofu Inc). After 5 years, 32 pairs of restorations were assessed using the modified United States Public Health Service criteria. Both tested materials were compared using Fisher's exact test and each tested clinical criterion for each material was analyzed separately with respect to different follow‐up periods using Friedman's test (a = 0.05).

Results

None of the restorations showed complete retention loss, post‐operative sensitivity, secondary caries or color change. There were no significant changes to any of the clinical criteria for each material during the 5‐year evaluation period (p > 0.05) and no significant differences between the two materials in all clinical parameters after 5 years (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Five‐year clinical performance of both two nano‐hybrid giomer restorative materials was comparably acceptable and not significantly different for any of the parameters evaluated.

Clinical Significance

Nano‐hybrid giomer‐based materials are clinically acceptable for the restoration of occlusal cavities as they demonstrate excellent performance after 5 years.
The influence of different proton pump inhibitors and potassium‐competitive acid blockers on indomethacin‐induced small intestinal injury
Authors: Li Kemin , Cheng Xiaoyun , Jin Rui , Han Taotao , Li Jingnan
Published: August 2022

Background and Aim

The influence of gastric acid inhibitors (GAIs) on nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID)‐induced enteropathy is controversial. Herein, the influences of different GAIs on NSAID‐induced intestinal injury and the underlying mechanisms are clarified.

Methods

Indomethacin (IND; 10 mg/kg/day) was administered to mice to induce small intestinal injury. Disease activity was examined macroscopically and histologically. The permeability of small intestine was evaluated by measuring plasma lipopolysaccharide levels. 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to determine the composition of intestinal flora.

Results

Among the four GAIs, ilaprazole (IPZ) significantly attenuated IND‐induced small intestinal injury and maintained the integrity of the mucosal barrier. Omeprazole (OPZ) and vonoprazan (VPZ) ameliorated ulceration without significant differences, while rabeprazole (RPZ) failed to protect against the injury. To explore the potential mechanism, we investigated changes in the gut microbiota mediated by GAIs. After 5‐day administration, GAIs significantly altered the composition of the gut microbiota. The IND group had a significant decrease in alpha diversity compared with the control group, and this decrease was reversed by OPZ and IPZ treatment, respectively. After IPZ treatment, the community membership was more assembled in the control group than the IND group. Further, we found that Lactobacillus was significantly increased in the groups of OPZ, IPZ, and VPZ, while Bacteroides was significantly increased in the RPZ group.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that GAIs have different influences on the mucosal barrier, possibly by altering the composition of intestinal microbiota, and the impacts mediated by various GAIs in the IND‐induced intestinal damage model seem different.