bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disrupted chromatin architecture in olfactory sensory neurons: A missing link from COVID-19 infection to anosmia
Authors: Tan Zhen Wah , Toong Ping Jing , Guarnera Enrico , Berezovsky Igor N.
Published: August 2022

Abstract

We tackle here genomic mechanisms of a rapid onset and recovery from anosmia - a useful diagnostic indicator for early-stage COVID-19 infection. On the basis of earlier observed specifics of olfactory receptors (ORs) regulation in the mice chromatin structures, we hypothesized that the disruption of OR function can be caused by chromatin reorganization taking place upon SARS-CoV-2 infection. We reconstructed the chromatin ensembles of ORs obtained from COVID-19 patients and control samples using our original computational framework for the whole-genome chromatin ensemble 3D reconstruction. We have also developed here a new procedure for the analysis of fine structural hierarchy in local, megabase scale, parts of chromosomes containing the OR genes and corresponding epigenetic factors. We observed structural modifications in COVID-19 patients on different levels of chromatin organization, from alteration of the whole genome structure and chromosomal intermingling to reorganization of contacts between the chromatin loops at the level of topologically associating domains. While complementary data on known regulatory elements point to pathology-associated changes within the overall picture of chromatin alterations, further investigation using additional epigenetic factors mapped on 3D reconstructions with improved resolution will be required for better understanding of anosmia caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Isolation and Transfection of Rice Egg Cells and Zygotes for Cellular Localization
Authors: Xu Hengping , Bartley Laura , Libault Marc , Sundaresan Venkatesan , Fu Hong , Russell Scott
Published: August 2022

Due to the difficulty in accessing to gametes and zygotes in flowering plants, which are controlled in single cells deeply embedded in multiple tissues, little is known about how the initiation of plant embryogenesis may reflect or contrast from such systems in other eukaryotes. In this study we has developed an approach of isolation and transfection of rice egg cells and zygotes for cellular localization of rice cell cycle factors (KRP5, KRP4 and FB3), which opened a pathway to monitor protein expression in rice egg cells and zygotes at different developmental stages. The advantageous feature of isolated rice cells may serve as an ideal system for studying the molecular mechanism underlying the rice zygotic division to initiate seed formation.
Gigaxonin is required for intermediate filament transport
Authors: Renganathan Bhuvanasundar , Zewe James P , Cheng Yuan , Kittisopikul Mark , Opal Puneet , Ridge Karen M , Gelfand Vladimir I.
Published: August 2022

Gigaxonin is an adaptor protein for E3 ubiquitin ligase substrates. It is necessary for ubiquitination and degradation of intermediate filament (IF) proteins. Giant axonal neuropathy is a pathological condition caused by mutations in the GAN gene that encodes gigaxonin. This condition is characterized by abnormal accumulation of IFs in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells; however, it is unclear what causes IF aggregation. In this work, we studied the dynamics of IFs using their subunits tagged with a photoconvertible protein mEOS 3.2. We have demonstrated that the loss of gigaxonin dramatically inhibited transport of IFs along microtubules by the microtubule motor kinesin-1. This inhibition was specific for IFs, as other kinesin-1 cargoes, with the exception of mitochondria, were transported normally. Another effect of gigaxonin loss was a more than 20-fold increase in the amount of soluble vimentin oligomers in the cytoplasm of gigaxonin knock-out cells. We speculate that these oligomers saturate a yet unidentified adapter that is required for kinesin-1 binding to IFs, which might inhibit IF transport along microtubules causing their abnormal accumulation.
Self-regulation of the nuclear pore complex enables clogging-free crowded transport
Authors: Zheng Tiantian , Zilman Anton
Published: August 2022

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are the main conduits for macromolecular transport into and out of the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. The central component of the NPC transport mechanism is an assembly of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) that fills the NPC channel. The channel interior is further crowded by large numbers of simultaneously translocating cargo-carrying and free transport proteins. How the NPC can efficiently, rapidly and selectively transport varied cargoes in such crowded conditions remains ill understood. Past experimental results suggest that the NPC is surprisingly resistant to clogging and that transport may even become faster and more efficient as the concentration of transport protein increases. To understand the mechanisms behind these puzzling observations, we construct a computational model of the NPC comprising only a minimal set of commonly-accepted consensus features. This model qualitatively reproduces the previous experimental results and identifies self-regulating mechanisms that relieve crowding. We show that some of the crowding-alleviating mechanisms – such as preventing saturation of the bulk flux – are “robust” and rely on very general properties of crowded dynamics in confined channels, pertaining to a broad class of selective transport nanopores. By contrast, the counter-intuitive ability of the NPC to leverage crowding to achieve more efficient single molecule translocation is “fine-tuned” and relies on the particular spatial architecture of the IDP assembly in the NPC channel.
A living conductive marine biofilm engineered to sense and respond to small molecules
Authors: Bird Lina J. , Leary Dasha , Hervey Judson , Compton Jaimee , Phillips Daniel , Tender Leonard M. , Voigt Christopher A. , Glaven Sarah M.
Published: August 2022

Engineered electroactive bacteria have potential applications ranging from sensing to biosynthesis. In order to advance the use of engineered electroactive bacteria, it is important to demonstrate functional expression of electron transfer modules in chassis adapted to operationally relevant conditions, such as non-freshwater environments. Here, we use the Shewanella oneidensis electron transfer pathway to induce current production in a marine bacterium, Marinobacter atlanticus, during biofilm growth in artificial seawater. Genetically encoded sensors optimized for use in E. coli were used to control protein expression in planktonic and biofilm attached cells. Significant current production required addition of menaquinone, which M. atlanticus does not produce, for electron transfer from the inner membrane to the expressed electron transfer pathway. Current through the S. oneidensis pathway in M. atlanticus was observed when inducing molecules were present during biofilm formation. Electron transfer was also reversible, indicating electron transfer into M. atlanticus could be controlled. These results show that an operationally relevant marine bacterium can be genetically engineered for environmental sensing and response using an electrical signal.
Temporal and spatial staging of lung alveolar regeneration is determined by the grainyhead transcription factor Tfcp2l1
Authors: Cardenas-Diaz Fabian L. , Liberti Derek C. , Leach John P. , Babu Apoorva , Barasch Jonathan , Shen Tian , Diaz-Miranda Maria A. , Zhou Su , Ying Yun , Morley Michael P. , Morrisey Edward E.
Published: August 2022

Alveolar epithelial type 2 (AT2) cells harbor the facultative progenitor capacity in the lung alveolus to drive regeneration after lung injury. Using single cell transcriptomics, software-guided segmentation of tissue damage, and in vivo lineage tracing, we have identified the grainyhead transcription factor Tfcp2l1 as a key regulator of this regenerative process. Tfcp2l1 expression is initiated late in lung development and restricted to the AT2 cell population in the postnatal lung. Loss of Tfcp2l1 in adult AT2 cells decreased self-renewal and enhanced AT2-AT1 differentiation during active tissue regeneration. Conversely, Tfcp2l1 blunts the proliferative response to inflammatory signaling during the early acute phase after injury. This ability of Tfcp2l1 to temporally regulate the balance of AT2 self-renewal and differentiation is spatially restricted to zones undergoing active alveolar regeneration. Single-cell transcriptomics and lineage tracing reveal that Tfcp2l1 regulates cell fate dynamics by balancing the traffic across the AT2-AT1 differentiation axis and restricting the inflammatory program in AT2 cells. Organoid modeling shows that these cell fate dynamics are controlled by Tfcp2l1 regulation of IL-1 receptor expression and activity in AT2 cells. Together, these studies reveal the critical importance of properly staging lung alveolar regeneration and the integral role of Tfcp2l1 plays in balancing epithelial cell self-renewal and differentiation in this process.
Interests, motivations and gastronomic experiences in the world heritage site destination of Granada (Spain): satisfaction analysis
Authors: Valverde-Roda José , Medina Viruel Miguel Jesús , Castaño Prieto Lucía , Solano Sánchez Miguel Ángel
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Gastronomy can be a key destination choice factor. As tourists, people will be able to learn more about the culture of the place through its culinary assets. This paper aims to analyse the interest and the gastronomic motivations of tourists to the city of Granada (Spain), where two important UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) are included.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the aim of this study, fieldwork was carried out on a representative sample of tourists in Granada (Spain). Specifically, a total of 1,612 valid surveys were filled out in culinary establishments and historical sites. In these surveys, the opinion of tourists regarding gastronomy and their motivations when travelling was assessed.

Findings

The results of this research allow to make a segmentation of tourists into three groups according to their position and their interest in gastronomy based on their destination choice, distinguishing among survivors, enjoyers and experiencers’ tourists. Additionally, it is confirmed that gastronomy is shaped as a motivation that influences the level of tourist satisfaction, performing as a differentiating element that can help increase the competitiveness of the destination.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the scarce academic literature on tourism experiences in a city with WHS recognitions. This study confirms the existence of a relationship between gastronomic motivations and the level of satisfaction achieved by tourists who visit the city of Granada, where no similar studies were found. In addition, this work confirms the connection between gastronomy and culture.
Reducing early-stage Cleantech funding gaps: an exploration of the role of Environmental Performance Indicators
Authors: Harrer Theresia , Owen Robyn
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore why, despite the development of a hybrid investing logic, funding problems are so persistent for early-stage Cleantech ventures (“Cleantechs”). An institutional logics lens is adopted to analyze how key actors' perceptions and communications of the Cleantech value proposition shape information asymmetries (IAs).

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods approach draws on 82 Cleantech pitch decks and 31 investment guidance documents, and insights from interviews with 42 key informants and nine Cleantech CEOs and their investors.

Findings

IAs persist, first of all, because key investor and entrepreneurial actors combine different goals in the hybrid Cleantech value proposition. Interestingly, the analysis of Environmental Performance Indicators (EPIs) as a critical communication tool reveals a further mismatch in how actors actually combine logics. The authors ultimately identify three emergent actor roles – traditional laggard, developer and boundary spanner – that present a framework of how the three most influential actor groups develop EPIs and via that a hybrid Cleantech financing logic to overcome IAs.

Originality/value

The paper enhances the entrepreneurial finance literature primarily by showing that in contexts of hybrid investing a more nuanced understanding of institutional logics in terms of ends and means is critical to overcome IAs. While prior works highlight goal incompatibilities, the findings here suggest that the (in-)compatibility of goals as well as EPI choices of the same actors is likely to be the key explanandum for the stickiness of IAs and the funding gap. The novel emerging role framework offers additional theoretical, policy and practical advances for hybrid logic development.
Continuous participation intention in on-demand logistics: interactive effects of order assignment and delivery-related information disclosure strategies
Authors: Zhao Quanwu , Yuan Jiamin , Liu Yuqing , Yang Jiaqin
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Couriers are in an unequal relationship with on-demand logistic platforms with regards to order assignment and delivery-related information acquisition, which leads to high courier turnover rates. Based on social cognitive theory and justice theory, this research investigates the impact of order assignment and delivery-related information disclosure strategy on couriers' perceived justice and continuous participation intention and presents managerial suggestions to on-demand logistic platforms to lower the courier turnover rate.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking Chinese couriers as experimental subjects, this study conducts experiments by constructing an order receiving scene of order assignment strategy (performance-priority vs distance-priority) and delivery-related information disclosure strategy (detailed-information vs brief-information) and analyzes the results of 452 valid respondents.

Findings

The results indicate that the interaction between order assignment and delivery-related information disclosure strategy in on-demand logistics significantly affects couriers’ continuous participation intention, specifically under performance-priority order assignment and detailed-information (vs brief-information) disclosure strategy. Informational justice and distribution justice play mediating roles, and work experience and proactive personality moderate the relationship interactions.

Practical/Social implications

The research helps us to understand the order-receiving justice demand and delivery-related information demand of couriers in on-demand logistics platforms and sheds light on cutting down turnover rates through different strategies designs and justice environment construction.

Originality/value

This research integrates social cognitive theory into on-demand logistics and combines with justice theory to fill platform strategies, couriers’ justice perception and characteristics, as well as behavior into “triadic reciprocal causation.” Meanwhile, it investigates different impacts and interactive relationships of order assignment and delivery-related information disclosure strategy, expands strategies from the impact of operational efficiency to the impact of couriers’ participation and extends the literature of justice perception and individual characteristics in on-demand logistics.
The mediating effect of knowledge management on talent management and firm performance in small and medium enterprise in Uganda
Authors: Bagorogoza Janet Kyogabiirwe , Nakasule Idah
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study examines the mediating effect of an effective knowledge management (KM) in the relationship between talent management (TM) and organizational performance. This study was operationalized among the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from a sample of 260 SMEs business. The data collected was analyzed using correlations and hierarchical regression to test the mediating effect of KM on the relationship between TM and firm performance.

Findings

The findings show that KM mediates the relationship between TM and firm performance. They also suggest that TM contribute to enhancing performance through improvements in KM.

Research limitations

The sample used in the research is not representative of all the SMEs operating in Uganda. This limitation presents the challenge of generalising and we therefore suggest caution when interpreting the results. We note the challenge of a skewed sample. For instance, most of the respondents to our study were confined to tailoring and design and metal and fabrication sectors. The skewed sample is a notable limitation of the research. The study was limited to Uganda only hence it did not capture information relating to other geographical settings, which may limit the effectiveness of the findings therein.

Practical implications

Based on the findings of the study, the managers of the SME can use the study results to develop strategies and interventions that can enable their firms to improve on their performance even in the harsh economic environment through adopting positive practices such as KM.

Originality/value

This paper contributes by filling a gap in HR management and SMEs literature, in which empirical studies on the relationship between TM and firm performance have been limited until now. This may create better research opportunities for cross-disciplinary papers that should be done by human resource, small business management and KM scholars.
Social networking sites adoption among entrepreneurial librarians for globalizing startup business operations
Authors: Gupta Varun , Rubalcaba Luis , Gupta Chetna , Pereira Leandro
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the factors leading to adoption of social networking sites (SNS) by librarians of entrepreneurial libraries to provide support to business community in their market research. Identification of these adoption factors will help to design SNS in the way that led to their seamless diffusion in university libraries, making them capable of providing reliable and useful market knowledge to the business community.

Design/methodology/approach

To meet the research objectives, this study is based on the technology adoption model (TAM). The survey was conducted with 50 librarians of various universities across Europe, Asia, America, Africa and Australia, sampled through non probabilistic sampling techniques-purposive and snowball sampling. The collected data are analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to estimate the formulated structural equation model using SmartPLS 3.2.9 software version.

Findings

The results indicate that university librarians have high perception about usefulness and ease of using SNS for meeting their business objectives. The perceived usefulness (PU) is solely based on the prolonged adoption of SNS technology in personal lives of the librarians. The perceived ease of use (PEU) is triggered by the increasing quality of evolving SNS technology, especially user friendliness. The prolonged use of technology, increasing market entry of brands and improving quality of SNS will overcome librarian resistance to use SNS for market research related support to business community. Evolving technologies are more likely to be adopted seamlessly in entrepreneurial libraries.

Research limitations/implications

This study has implications for librarians, entrepreneurs and technology providers. Librarians should have flexible technology adoption policies in place to keep technology adoption synchronized with changing market conditions. Entrepreneurs should share clear and accurate business needs as well as practicing ethical and lawful business practices. They should also help libraries to gain new skills to make future adoption easier. Technology providers should focus on improving the quality of their technology by increasing their functional utilities, performance and reliability as well as making them more user-friendly.

Originality/value

This study investigates technology adoption of SNS in libraries from the perspective of providing market research related services to entrepreneurs rather than just digitalizing library services for student users.
Financial literacy, education and risk aversion: a survey of French students
Authors: Le Fur Eric , Outreville Jean-François
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Financial literacy is generally seen as an important factor explaining a broader set of investment behaviors. In the context of a weak financial knowledge in France, this article focuses on the particular situation of Generation Z (individuals born after 1995) and more particularly management students likely to be involved in financial decisions in the near future.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a survey conducted in the Fall of 2019, through a questionnaire distributed to 300 students enrolled in a French business school.

Findings

The results indicate that financial knowledge is poor for students who do not follow a specialized course in finance. This research also demonstrates the importance of risk behavior, showing that risk adverse students are also those with the lowest level of financial literacy.

Originality/value

This article contributes to the academic literature by focusing on students in France. It is the first study to examine Gen Z financial literacy and its implications. It raises awareness on the importance of financial education in the education curriculum.
Luxury consumption amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kumar Prashant
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study investigates shifts in luxury consumers' perceptions regarding luxury consumption, subsequent changes in the meaning of luxury and antecedents of luxury observed amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Overall, 145, one-to-one qualitative interviews were conducted online with luxury consumers and the data acquired was analysed using NVivo.

Findings

Phygital connectedness and access-based consumption are the future of luxury for luxury consumers' well-being, social connectedness, living experience and rational and thoughtful luxury consumption. Moreover, distinct luxury symbols (e.g. conciseness towards societal connotation of luxury goods and consumption, empathy, wisdom and maturity) and transformation expectations (for the self, others in society and luxury brands) govern luxury consumption behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

The meaning of luxury amidst the pandemic is explained along a continuum, from luxury transforming consumers' inner selves to influencing other consumers' lives to transforming society.

Practical implications

Luxury professionals should include phygital experience, sustainability, social–cultural sensitivity, empathy, symbolism, mindfulness and thoughtfulness in marketing strategies.

Originality/value

New perspectives have enriched the realm of luxury.
Scientific mapping of digital transformation strategy research studies in the Industry 4.0: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Khoshroo Mina , Talari Mohammad
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Today, the rapid development and expansion of advanced technologies have created many changes in society and industry and motivate businesses to use digital transformation strategy (DTS) to create significant changes in the business environment. Therefore, it is necessary to define a roadmap and a vision that will determine the steps forward in this direction. In line with this, the purpose of this study is a comprehensive review of past and present studies in this field to identify future research guidelines and gaps related to the implementation of this concept.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer software for all documents published in the Scopus database in the field of DTS from 2011 (the emergence of Industry 4.0) to 2021. It should also be noted that the data for this study have been collected and analyzed in September 2021.

Findings

The current study presents the basic bibliometric results for DTS, and it focuses on DTS performance analysis and its science mapping during the past 10 years. This study first shows the publication process, types and languages of published documents, and the most influential authors, institutions, sources and countries in terms of publishing documents and receiving citations in the field of DTS. Then, by using the VOSviewer software, it shows the bibliographic coupling of top authors, institutions, sources and countries. Finally, it reports the co-occurrence of authors’ frequently occurring keywords and the timeline of their publications.

Originality/value

The study presents the results of the first attempt to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of DTS-related documents. Its contribution lies in the fact that it has categorized the most frequently co-occurring keywords into specific clusters so that researchers will know which keywords have co-occurred with each other the most. Also, the most influential keywords in each cluster in terms of having total link strength and the number of its co-occurrence with others were identified. Finally, it became clear that the process of publishing documents over time has been concentrated on topics such as acceptance of digital culture, strategic renewal and digital transformation of business models, as well as presentation of a research agenda on the applications and barriers of DTS in critical situations such as COVID-19, which leads researchers to some awareness and insights for conducting new research.
The efficacy and safety of upadacitinib treatment for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in real‐world practice in Japan
Authors: Hagino Teppei , Saeki Hidehisa , Kanda Naoko
Published: August 2022

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib, janus kinase 1 inhibitor for atopic dermatitis (AD) in real‐world practice. From September 2021 to March 2022, 31 patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD, aged ≥12 years were treated with oral upadacitinib 15 mg/day plus topical corticosteroids. Upadacitinib reduced clinical indexes compared to baseline levels: percent reduction at week 4 and 12 (median) was 73.6% and 85.6% in eczema area and severity index (EASI); 81.3% and 81.3% in AD control tool (ADCT); and 70% and 75% in peak pruritus numerical rating score (PP‐NRS), respectively. The achievement rate of EASI 75 was 51.6% and 67.7% at week 4 and 12, respectively. Upadacitinib reduced serum lactate dehydrogenase and total eosinophil count (TEC) at week 4 and 12, and thymus and activation‐regulated chemokine and immunoglobulin E at week 4, compared to baseline levels. Percent reduction of TEC was correlated with that of EASI at week 4 and 12. Baseline TEC was positively correlated with the percent reduction of EASI at week 4. Percent reduction of EASI in female patients was higher than that in male patients at week 4 and 12. Linear multivariate regression analyses revealed that high percent reduction of EASI at week 4 or 12 was associated with high baseline TEC or female gender, respectively. There were no serious treatment‐emergent adverse events. Adverse events include acne (5%), elevation of creatine phosphokinase (9.7%), herpes zoster (1%), and AD (1%). Upadacitinib plus topical corticosteroids for patients with AD in the real‐world practice was well tolerated and gave therapeutic effects comparable with those in previous clinical trials. The ADCT and PP‐NRS rapidly reduced at week 4 while EASI gradually reduced until week 12. The TEC might act both as a predictive factor of response at week 4 and as a biomarker reflecting therapeutic effects in upadacitinib treatment for AD.
Environmental filtering of macroinvertebrate traits influences ecosystem functioning in a large river floodplain
Authors: Rideout Natalie K. , Compson Zacchaeus G. , Monk Wendy A. , Bruce Meghann R. , Hajibabaei Mehrdad , Porter Teresita M. , Wright Michael T. G. , Baird Donald J.
Published: August 2022

The biodiversity–ecosystem function hypothesis postulates that higher biodiversity is correlated with faster ecosystem process rates and increased ecosystem stability in fluctuating environments. Exhibiting high spatiotemporal habitat diversity, floodplains are highly productive ecosystems, supporting communities that are naturally resilient and highly diverse.

We examined linkages among floodplain wetland habitats, invertebrate communities and their associated traits, and ecosystem function across 60 sites within the floodplain wetlands of the lower Wolastoq | Saint John River, New Brunswick, using structural equation modelling and Threshold Indicator Taxa ANalysis.

We identified key environmental filters structuring invertebrate communities, by linking increased niche differentiation through shoreline change, flood pulse dynamics, and macrophyte bed complexity with increased taxa and functional diversity.

Examination of traits linked to ecosystem functions revealed that more resilient wetlands with balance between primary productivity and decomposition as carbon sources were associated with greater functional evenness and richness, while habitat patches with elevated decomposition rates had lower functional richness, reflecting a simplified, more disturbed habitat.

While our more complex overarching SEM model was ultimately compromised by an overspecified number of pathways, our results nevertheless are indicative of a divergence between wetland and riverine ecosystems in their relationships linking biodiversity and ecosystem function, illustrating how to define ecosystem health in wetland habitats, and demonstrating how critical functions support healthy wetland habitats by providing increased resilience to disturbance.

Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
The outcome of patients with stress urinary incontinence combined with pelvic organ prolapse treated by mid‐urethral linear suspension
Authors: Tang Biao , Wang Jing , Chen Dexin , Wan Hong , Han Xu , Wang Qinjie , Zhao Zhigang , Li Ming
Published: August 2022

Objective

To report the clinical outcomes of 80 patients with stress urinary incontinence combined with pelvic organ prolapse treated by linear suspension of the middle‐ part of the urethra.

Methodology

Retrospective analysis of 80 patients who underwent linear suspension of the middle part of the urethra to treat stress urinary incontinence and repair of pelvic organ prolapse in our hospital from January 2010 to April 2019.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 50.98 ± 9.7 years old, the follow‐up time was 6–109 months. 54/80 (67.5%) were cured, 11/80 (13.8%) were improved, 10/80 (12.5%) were not cured, and 5 /80 (6.3%) were relapsed. Pelvic organ prolapse quantitation (POP‐Q) scale had no effect on treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

Conclusion

Linear suspension of the middle part of urethra can be an alternative method to treat stress urinary incontinence combined with pelvic organ prolapse.
Encapsulation of phenolic and antioxidant compounds from spent coffee grounds using spray‐drying and freeze‐drying and characterization of dried powders
Authors: Araújo Cintia da Silva , Vimercati Wallaf Costa , Macedo Leandro Levate , Saraiva Sérgio Henriques , Teixeira Luciano José Quintão , da Costa Joyce Maria Gomes , Pimenta Carlos José
Published: August 2022

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are a coproduct that causes environmental impacts worldwide. Thus, consciously reusing the SCG is an eminent need. This work aimed to encapsulate phenolic compounds and antioxidants obtained from SCG extracts through spray‐ and freeze‐drying techniques using different isolated and combined wall materials. The dried powders produced were evaluated for moisture content, water activity, bulk density, hygroscopicity, color, content of phenolic compounds and antioxidants, and the results were compared. The results showed that all evaluated treatments resulted in a powdered product with low values of bulk density, moisture and water activity, especially for freeze‐drying. The freeze‐dried product also showed higher hygroscopicity. Regarding the content of phenolic compounds and antioxidants, both drying methods showed high levels of these compounds in the dried product and good encapsulation efficiency, reaching 83.43%. In most cases, spray‐drying and freeze‐drying did not differ statistically (p > 0.05) in relation to bioactive compound content and encapsulation efficiency. In relation to wall materials, albumin showed the worst performance in the retention of bioactive compounds. On the other hand, pure gum arabic combined with maltodextrin led to better preservation of these compounds.

Practical Application

Spent coffee grounds are a coproduct generated in large quantities in the world. The encapsulation of phenolic and antioxidant compounds protects and enables their application in different food matrices. Therefore, the evaluation of different encapsulation methods and wall materials is important to define good process conditions.
Thymol and trans‐cinnamaldehyde induce apoptosis through a metacaspase‐dependent mitochondrial pathway in food‐spoilage yeast Zygosaccharomyces rouxii
Authors: Wang Huxuan , Peng Zhonghua , Wang Cong , Zhu Yanan , Xia Fei , Sun Hongmin
Published: August 2022

This work aimed for the first time to provide detailed insights into thymol and trans‐cinnamaldehyde's mechanisms of action on the food‐spoilage yeast Zygosaccharomyces rouxii and offers evidence in favor of the activation of an apoptosis‐like phenotype. The action mechanisms of thymol and trans‐cinnamaldehyde were investigated by the measurement of a series of typical apoptotic features using flow cytometer or microplate reader. Moreover, quantitative reverse transcription PCR (QRT‐PCR) was performed to investigate the effects of thymol and trans‐cinnamaldehyde on the transcription of key regulators of apoptosis in Z. rouxii. The results indicated that the treatment of Z. rouxii with thymol or trans‐cinnamaldehyde (minimum inhibitory and subinhibitory concentrations) triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, elevated intracellular Ca2+ level, and depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) coupled with hallmarks of apoptosis including mitochondrial cytochrome c (cyt c) release, metacaspase activation, phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, and DNA fragmentation. Moreover, thymol or trans‐cinnamaldehyde treatment upregulated the transcription of proapoptotic regulators including Yca1, Dnm1, Nuc1, Ndi1, and Mmi1 and downregulated the transcription of antiapoptotic regulators of Fis1 and Cdc48, further confirming the apoptosis induced by thymol and trans‐cinnamaldehyde in Z. rouxii. In summary, thymol and trans‐cinnamaldehyde probably induced apoptosis through a metacaspase‐dependent mitochondrial pathway in Z. roxuii. These findings provide theoretical support for the development of safe and efficient agents used in food preservation.

Practical Application

The results will provide a new idea for the systematic analysis of the antifungal mechanisms of thymol and trans‐cinnamaldehyde and also provide a theoretical support for the development and application of natural food preservatives, which is of positive significance for the effective control of the spoilage caused by Z. rouxii in food processing and storage and the protection of consumers’ health.
Esophageal cancer: Outcome and potential benefit of esophagectomy in elderly patients
Authors: Laurent Adeline , Marechal Raphael , Farinella Eleonora , Bouazza Fikri , Charaf Yassine , Gay France , Van Laethem Jean‐Luc , Gonsette Kimberly , El Nakadi Issam
Published: August 2022

Background

This analysis evaluated the morbimortality and the potential benefit of esophagectomy for cancer in elderly patients.

Methods

Patients who underwent esophagectomy for EC were divided into elderly (≥70 years) and nonelderly (<70 years) groups. The groups were compared regarding patient and tumor characteristics, postoperative morbimortality, and disease‐free, overall and cancer‐specific survival.

Results

Sixty‐one patients were classified into elderly, and 187 into nonelderly groups. The elderly were characterized by a higher rate of WHO score (p < 0.0001), higher cardiac (p < 0.004) and renal (p < 0.023) comorbidities.

The rate of neoadjuvant therapy and especially of neoadjuvant CRT was significantly lower in elderly patients (p < 0.018 and p < 0.007). Operative morbidity was also higher in this group (p < 0.024).

The 30‐ and 90‐day mortality was 8.2 and 11.5%, respectively in elderly patients and 0.5 and 3.2% in nonelderly patients (p < 0.004 and p < 0.012). This 90‐day mortality decreased when specific surgery‐related deaths were taken into consideration. OS and DFS were significantly better in the nonelderly group (p < 0.003 and p < 0.005) while no difference was observed for cancer‐specific survival (CSS).

Conclusion

No difference in CSS was observed. Although elderly patients with EC had higher postoperative morbimortality, the age should not be a criterion whether to perform, or not to perform, esophagectomy. This decision must be based on the balance between the patient's general condition and aggressive disease.
Log odds of positive lymph nodes is a robust predictor of survival and benefits from postoperative radiotherapy in stage IIIA‐N2 resected non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Jin Xing , Chen Donglai , Shen Yumei , Shu Jian , Sang Yonghua , Yang Wentao , Duan Shanzhou , Chen Yongbing
Published: August 2022

Background

The significance of postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy (PORT) on the survival of resected IIIA‐N2 non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. Here, we aimed to determine the predictive value of the three nodal classifications which might aid in PORT decision‐making.

Methods

A total of 4797 patients with stage IIIA‐N2 resected NSCLC were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database and were grouped by whether PORT was administered. Survival analysis was used to identify the patient groups who can benefit from PORT. Multivariate analysis was performed to confirm the independent risk factors for lung cancer‐specific survival (LCSS) and overall survival (OS). A validation cohort of 1184 patients from three medical centers in China were also included.

Results

PORT was not associated with better LCSS and OS in the entire cohort after propensity score matching (PSM). However, in the subgroups of positive lymph nodes 4 (PLN4), lymph node ratio 4 (LNR4), and log odds of positive lymph nodes 4 (LODDS4), PORT exhibited its role in improving LCSS (p < 0.05). Although the three nodal classifications were all identified as independent predictors of LCSS and OS, LODDS classification had the best discriminatory ability and prognostic accuracy for stage IIIA‐N2 patients. Similar results were also obtained in the validation cohort.

Conclusions

The LODDS classification not only exhibited the best prognostic performance in predicting LCSS and OS in stage IIIA‐N2 disease, but also could help tailor individualized PORT.
Risk Management in Small‐ and Medium‐Sized Businesses and How Accountants Contribute*
Authors: Moschella Jason , Boulianne Emilio , Magnan Michel
Published: August 2022

We investigate how owners of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) perceive, make sense of, and practice risk management. Drawing on Schatzki's practice theory, we theorize on how and why risk management happens in SMEs. Thus, we fill a gap in the extant literature, which focuses almost exclusively on risk management within large organizations. We interview entrepreneurs and conduct site observations to gain insight into their risk management activities, the drivers that lead to the adoption of said activities, their attitudes toward risk management, and how their accountants may shape and contribute to risk management in SMEs. We find that rather than a specific set of formal processes, entrepreneurs view risk management as a mindset that emphasizes the preservation of key assets, creation of competitive advantages, and development of local talent and expertise. We observe practices that are mainly informal yet planned, deliberate, and fully integrated within the fabric of organizations that align with ideal forms of risk management. We also find that full‐time, in‐house accountants do help entrepreneurs with risk management, while external accountants, whose main activities relate to financial statement preparation and tax filings, do not systematically help entrepreneurs manage risk. We contribute to both the theory and practice of risk management by sharing empirical insights into how SME owners perceive, make sense of, and manage risk.
Causal inference for planning randomised critical care trials: Protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Kaas‐Hansen Benjamin Skov , Granholm Anders , Anthon Carl Thomas , Kjær Maj‐Brit Nørregaard , Sivapalan Praleene , Maagaard Mathias , Schjørring Olav Lilleholt , Fagerberg Steen Kåre , Ellekjær Karen Louise , Mølgaard Jesper , Ekstrøm Claus Thorn , Møller Morten Hylander , Perner Anders
Published: August 2022

Background

Randomised clinical trials in critical care are prone to inconclusiveness owing, in part, to undue optimism about effect sizes and suboptimal accounting for heterogeneous treatment effects. Planned predictive enrichment based on secondary critical care data (often very rich with respect to both data types and temporal granularity) and causal inference methods may help overcome these challenges, but no overview exists about their use to this end.

Methods

We will conduct a scoping review to assess the extent and nature of the use of causal inference from secondary data for planned predictive enrichment of randomised clinical trials in critical care. We will systematically search 10 general and specialty journals for reports published on or after 1 January 2018, of randomised clinical trials enrolling adult critically ill patients. We will collect trial metadata (e.g., recruitment period and phase) and, when available, information pertaining to the focus of the review (predictive enrichment based on causal inference estimates from secondary data): causal inference methods, estimation techniques and software used; types of patient populations; data provenance, types and models; and the availability of the data (public or not). The results will be reported in a descriptive manner.

Discussion

The outlined scoping review aims to assess the use of causal inference methods and secondary data for planned predictive enrichment in randomised critical care trials. This will help guide methodological improvements to increase the utility, and facilitate the use, of causal inference estimates when planning such trials in the future.
Rapamycin/metformin co‐treatment normalizes insulin sensitivity and reduces complications of metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetic mice
Authors: Reifsnyder Peter C. , Flurkey Kevin , Doty Rosalinda , Calcutt Nigel A. , Koza Robert A. , Harrison David E.
Published: August 2022

Rapamycin treatment has positive and negative effects on progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a recombinant inbred polygenic mouse model, male NONcNZO10/LtJ (NcZ10). Here, we show that combination treatment with metformin ameliorates negative effects of rapamycin while maintaining its benefits. From 12 to 30 weeks of age, NcZ10 males were fed a control diet or diets supplemented with rapamycin, metformin, or a combination of both. Rapamycin alone reduced weight gain, adiposity, HOMA‐IR, and inflammation, and prevented hyperinsulinemia and pre‐steatotic hepatic lipidosis, but exacerbated hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and pancreatic islet degranulation. Metformin alone reduced hyperinsulinemia and circulating c‐reactive protein, but exacerbated nephropathy. Combination treatment retained the benefits of both while preventing many of the deleterious effects. Importantly, the combination treatment reversed effects of rapamycin on markers of hepatic insulin resistance and normalized systemic insulin sensitivity in this inherently insulin‐resistant model. In adipose tissue, rapamycin attenuated the expression of genes associated with adipose tissue expansion (Mest, Gpam), inflammation (Itgam, Itgax, Hmox1, Lbp), and cell senescence (Serpine1). In liver, the addition of metformin counteracted rapamycin‐induced alterations of G6pc, Ppara, and Ldlr expressions that promote hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Both rapamycin and metformin treatment reduced hepatic Fasn expression, potentially preventing lipidosis. These results delineate a state of “insulin signaling restriction” that withdraws endocrine support for further adipogenesis, progression of the metabolic syndrome, and the development of its comorbidities. Our results are relevant for the treatment of T2D, the optimization of current rapamycin‐based treatments for posttransplant rejection and various cancers, and for the development of treatments for healthy aging.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation versus conventional rewarming for severe hypothermia in an urban emergency department
Authors: Prekker Matthew E. , Rischall Megan , Carlson Michelle , Driver Brian E. , Touroutoutoudis Melissa , Boland Jessica , Hu Michael , Heather Beth , Simpson Nicholas S.
Published: August 2022

Background

Severe hypothermia (core body temperature < 28°C) is life‐threatening and predisposes to cardiac arrest. The comparative effectiveness of different active internal rewarming methods in an urban U.S. population is unknown. We aim to compare outcomes between hypothermic emergency department (ED) patients rewarmed conventionally using an intravascular rewarming catheter or warm fluid lavage versus those rewarmed using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of adults with severe hypothermia due to outdoor exposure presenting to an urban ED in Minnesota, 2007–2021. The primary outcome was hospital survival. We also calculated the rewarming rate in the 4 h after ED arrival and compared these data between patients rewarmed with ECMO (the extracorporeal rewarming group) versus without ECMO (the conventional rewarming group). We repeated these analyses in the subgroup of patients with cardiac arrest.

Results

We analyzed 44 hypothermic ED patients: 25 patients in the extracorporeal rewarming group (median temperature 24.1°C, 84% with cardiac arrest) and 19 patients in the conventional rewarming group (median temperature 26.3°C, 37% with cardiac arrest; 89% received an intravascular rewarming catheter). The median rewarming rate was greater in the extracorporeal versus conventional group (2.3°C/h vs. 1.5°C/h, absolute difference 0.8°C/h, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3–1.2°C/h) yet hospital survival was similar (68% vs. 74%). Among patients with cardiac arrest, hospital survival was greater in the extracorporeal versus conventional group (71% vs. 29%, absolute difference 42%, 95% CI 4%–82%).

Conclusions

Among ED patients with severe hypothermia and cardiac arrest, survival was significantly higher with ECMO versus conventional rewarming. Among all hypothermic patients, ECMO use was associated with faster rewarming than conventional methods.