bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An unbiased screen identified the Hsp70-BAG3 complex as a regulator of myosin binding protein C3
Authors: Thompson Andrea D. , Wagner Marcus J. , Rodriguez Juliani , Malhotra Alok , Roest Steve Vander , Lilienthal Ulla , Shao Hao , Yob Jaime M. , Prosser Benjamin L. , Helms Adam S. , Gestwicki Jason E. , Ginsburg David , Day Sharlene M.
Published: October 2022

Structured Abstract

Objective

We aim to identify regulators of myosin binding protein C3 (MyBP-C) protein homeostasis.

Background

Variants in myosin binding protein C3 (MYBPC3) account for approximately 50% of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Most pathogenic variants in MYBPC3 are truncating variants that lead to reduced total levels of MyBP-C protein. Elucidation of the pathways that regulate MyBP-C protein homeostasis could uncover new therapeutic strategies that restore normal protein levels.

Method

We developed a high-throughput screen to identify compounds that can increase or decrease steady-state levels of MyBP-C in an induced pluripotent stem cell cardiomyocyte (iPSC-CM) model derived from a patient with HCM. To normalize results, we also monitored effects on myosin heavy chain (MYH) and focused on those molecules that selectively modulated MyBP-C levels.

Results

Screening a library of 2,426 known biologically active compounds, we identified compounds which either decreased (241/2426, 9.9%) or increased (29/2426, 1.2%) MyBP-C/MYH levels. After a rigorous validation process, including a counter screen for cellular toxicity, two compounds (JG98 and parthenolide) were confirmed as decreasing MyBP-C levels and no compounds were confirmed to increase MyBP-C levels. For further studies, we focused on JG98, which is an allosteric modulator of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), inhibiting its interaction with BAG domain co-chaperones. We found that genetic reduction of BAG3 phenocopies treatment with JG98 by reducing MyBP-C protein levels.

Conclusion

An unbiased compound screen identified the Hsp70-BAG3 complex as a regulator of MyBP-C stability. Thus, approaches that stimulate this complex’s function may be beneficial in the treatment of HCM.

Highlights

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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is commonly caused by pathogenic MYBPC3 variants that reduce total wild-type MyBP-C (the protein encoded by MYBPC3).

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It is critical to understand the regulators of MyBP-C protein homeostasis to uncover novel therapeutic strategies.

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We developed and executed a high-throughput chemical screen in iPSC-CMs to identify compounds which alter steady-state levels of MyBP-C protein, revealing two compounds, JG98 and parthenolide, that significantly reduced MyBP-C levels.

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Validation studies suggest that the complex between heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and its co-chaperone BAG3 is a dynamic regulator of MyBP-C stability, suggesting that this axis could be a new therapeutic target for HCM.
Complex hybridization between deeply diverged fish species in a disturbed ecosystem
Authors: Banerjee Shreya M. , Powell Daniel L. , Moran Benjamin M. , Ramírez-Duarte Wilson F. , Langdon Quinn K. , Gunn Theresa R. , Vazquez Gaby , Rochman Chelsea , Schumer Molly
Published: October 2022

Over the past two decades researchers have documented the extent of natural hybridization between closely related species using genomic tools. Many species across the tree of life show evidence of past hybridization with their evolutionary relatives. In some cases, this hybridization is complex – involving gene flow between more than two species. While hybridization is common over evolutionary timescales, some researchers have proposed that it may be even more common in contemporary populations where anthropogenic disturbance has modified myriad aspects of the environments in which organisms live and reproduce. Here, we develop a flexible tool for local ancestry inference in hybrids derived from three source populations and describe a complex, recent hybridization event between distantly related swordtail fish lineages (Xiphophorus) and its potential links to anthropogenic disturbance.

Impact Summary

As sequencing tools have advanced, we have found that barriers between animal species are more porous than once thought. Researchers have found evidence for hybridization between species throughout many branches of the tree of life. In some cases, these hybridization events can involve more than two species. Here, we develop a flexible and user-friendly tool that can be used to identify three-way hybrids and report the discovery of hybrids with ancestry from three swordtail (Xiphophorus) species from an anthropogenically impacted site on the Río Calnali in Hidalgo, Mexico. Researchers have studied hybrids between twoXiphophorusspecies along this river for decades, but this is the first documented case of hybridization involving three species. We explore hypotheses for what drove this hybridization event, including anthropogenic pollutants and reduced water quality.
Crowdfunding small businesses and startups: a systematic review, an appraisal of theoretical insights and future research directions
Authors: Camilleri Mark Anthony , Bresciani Stefano
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This contribution aims to evaluate key theoretical bases that were used in previous research, to investigate the use of crowdfunding platforms by small businesses and startups. It presents the findings from a systematic review to better explain the pros and cons of utilizing these disruptive technologies for crowdsourcing and/or crowd-investing purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers adopt the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodical protocol to search, screen, extract and scrutinize seventy-two (72) articles that were indexed in both Scopus and Web of Science. They examine their research questions, describe their methodologies. Afterwards, they synthesize the findings from previous literature, outline implications and discuss about future research avenues.

Findings

A thorough review of the relevant literature suggests that there are opportunities as well as challenges for project initiators as well as for crowd-investors, if they are considering equity crowdfunding, peer-to-peer (P2P) lending and rewards-based crowdfunding platforms, among others, to raise awareness about their projects and to access finance from crowd-investors.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is required on this timely topic. There are a number of theories relating to technology adoption and/or innovation management, strategic management, accounting and financial reporting, and normative/business ethics, among other research areas, that can be utilized as theoretical bases, to explore this topic.

Practical implications

Crowd-investors are striving in their endeavors to find a trade-off between risks and rewards associated with crowd-financing.

Originality/value

Currently, there are few systematic reviews and conceptual articles focused on the crowdfunding of small businesses and startups. Hence this contribution closes this gap in the academic literature. Moreover, it links the extant theory to practice. It clarifies that the resource-based view theory of the firm, the theory of planned behavior, the diffusion of innovations theory as well as the signaling theory, among other conceptual frameworks, can be used to investigate different facets of crowdsourcing and crowd-investing.
Impact of social affinity on altruism: Experimental evidence from the Ultimatum Game
Authors: Suneja Vivek , Das Debashree
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The objective of the study is to evaluate the impact of social affinity on the strategic choices made by economic agents using the framework of Ultimatum Game. Conventional theory underpinning the Ultimatum Game predicts the complete absence of altruistic behaviour wherein the agents are expected to maximise individual monetary payoffs of the agents. The authors' experimental findings disprove this assumption of purely self-interested behaviour of the agents as proposed by orthodox neo-classical utility maximisation model.

Design/methodology/approach

The final outcome of the Ultimatum Game is mutually dependent on the agent's strategic choices, i.e. the proposer's altruistic concern towards the responder and their expectation of altruistic concern by the responder. In this study, the authors evaluate the participant's strategic choice under three levels of partner selection arrangements – (1) stranger, (2) face-to-face interface with a peer and (3) friend.

Findings

From the experimental results, the authors found that the proposers reflected greater degree of altruism towards proposers' partners and also expected greater degree of altruism to be reciprocated by proposers' partners. The proposers were voluntarily willing to offer fair share to proposers' socially close partners and also increasingly expected that the proposers would be willing to accept unfair offers.

Research limitations/implications

The study stresses that the ignorance of the human capacity for altruism runs the serious risk of legitimising narrow-minded selfishness and failure in recognising the capacity for public spiritedness which can distort the range and choice of optimum policy prescriptions. This requires policy makers to adopt a more holistic and less-pessimistic view of human nature.

Originality/value

The authors study offers a novel experimental framework that provides insights on how increase in social affinity can influence both altruistic behaviour and altruistic expectations of the participants, highlighting the inadequacy of the neo-classical maximisation hypothesis predicated on all agents.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-07-2022-0481.
The dynamic relationship between economic crisis, macroeconomic variables and stock prices in Sri Lanka
Authors: Madurapperuma Wasanthi
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the short- and long-term equilibrium relationship between All share price index (ASPI), macroeconomic variables and the economic crisis in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

Monthly time series data for inflation (CPI), industrial production (IP), an exchange rate (EX), an interest rate (TB), short-term interest rate (CD) and economic crisis were used from 2010 to 2021. The ADF test, the bound testing approach, the CUSUM test and the CUSUMQ test were used in this study.

Findings

The findings show a long-run stable relationship between stock price, macroeconomic variables and political crisis (i.e., CPI, IP, ER, TB, CD and economic crisis). The results of the Johansen cointegration test suggest that there is at least one cointegrating equation, indicating that there is a long-run equilibrium relationship between macroeconomic variables and stock prices in Sri Lanka.

Research limitations/implications

The vector error correction estimates show that the coefficient of the error correction term is significant with a negative sign, indicating that a long-run dynamic relationship exists between macroeconomic variables and stock prices. In the short term, economic crisis has had a big effect on stock prices suggesting that Sri Lanka’s domestic financial markets are linked to the stability of the country.

Originality/value

This research establishes the links between stock returns, macroeconomic variables and economic crisis. So far, research has been unable to establish the empirical nature of such links. The authors believe that this paper fills that gap.
Does benevolent leadership consistently lead to employees' voluntary behaviors?
Authors: Huang Jui-Chieh
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Benevolent leadership is a leadership style in which leaders show consideration for their employees' work and life. Empirical studies have shown inconsistent relationships between benevolent leadership and employees' voluntary behaviors. Therefore, this study examined benevolent leadership's mediating (gratitude) and moderating (trust) mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

Overall, 792 questionnaires were collected from Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) and continuing education students at a public university in Taiwan. The research model was tested using confirmatory factor analysis and the PROCESS module.

Findings

Benevolent leadership influenced three voluntary behaviors of employees directly and indirectly through enhanced gratitude. Emotional trust moderated the relationship between work care and employee gratitude such that the positive relationship was stronger for employees with higher emotional trust levels.

Practical implications

Benevolent leadership is an effective leadership style that cares about employees' work and lives, enhancing their gratitude and engagement in voluntary behaviors.

Originality/value

The mediating effect of gratitude and the moderating effect of trust provide a possible explanation for the inconsistent relationships between benevolent leadership and voluntary behaviors.
Indirect control of decomposition by an invertebrate predator
Authors: Walker Alice E. L. , Robertson Mark P. , Eggleton Paul , Bunney Katherine , Lamb Candice , Fisher Adam M. , Parr Catherine L.
Published: October 2022

Understanding the factors that control decomposition is critical for predicting how the carbon cycle will alter with global change. Until recently, the accepted paradigm was that climate primarily drives decomposition rates, and interactions among decomposers only control variation at finer scales. Although it is now understood that biotic agents can play an important role, we know less about the importance of species interactions with a lack of field experiments at a large scale. Predation is a key ecological interaction that could influence decomposition by directly or indirectly regulating the abundances of decomposer organisms, but a comprehensive understanding of the cascading effects that predation can have on decomposition, particularly at large scales, is missing.

Here we report on an experiment where we suppressed the abundance of ants, which are major predators of termites, at a hectare scale in a natural African savanna and examined how this affected the decomposition of three common substrates (wood, grass and dung).

Our study revealed that ants exert considerable top‐down control on decomposition via their predation of termites: decomposition of wood, grass and dung increased by 98%, 74% and 84% with ant suppression, respectively. Suppression of ants increased termite activity and consequently resulted in increased termite‐mediated decomposition. Remarkably, for all substrates, the suppression of ants nearly doubled decomposition by termites. Additionally, for grass and dung substrates, the dominant agent of decomposition switched from microbes to termites with ant suppression.

Our study highlights the critical importance of considering species interactions in decomposition studies, particularly given declines in predatory species in the Anthropocene.

Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Effective hawkmoth pollination in the primarily bee‐pollinated Salvia daiguii—an example of adaptive generalization
Authors: Xiao Han‐Wen , Liu Qing‐Shan , Huang Yan‐Bo , Ma Yong‐Peng , Claßen‐Bockhoff Regine , Tian Ru‐Nan , Wei Yu‐Kun
Published: October 2022

Many plants exhibit floral traits that are directed to specific pollinator groups. Nevertheless, they can also attract less‐adapted pollinators and gain benefits under certain conditions, resulting in adapted generalization. This may be the case in Salvia daiguii (Lamiaceae), an endangered, bee‐pollinated species native to the Tianmenshan National Forest Park, China. The flower appears phenotypically specialized to bees but is also visited by Macroglossum bombylans. In the present study, we test whether the moth is an effective pollinator of S. daiguii. We quantified and compared the frequency of flower visits by bees and moths and the number of pollen grains deposited on the stigma after a single visit. We also recorded the movements of pistils and stamens of S. daiguii and the behavior of the hawkmoth at the flowers. We found that Apis cerana was the predominant pollinator, depositing an average of 4.74 pollen grains on the stigma after a single visit. However, as the style bends downward during anthesis and reaches the same level as the anthers, Macroglossum individuals hovering around the flowers were also able to effectively transfer pollen to the stigma. On average, 1.38 pollen grains were deposited on the stigma during a single visit. We demonstrate for the first time that the hawkmoth is an effective secondary pollinator in the primarily bee‐pollinated S. daiguii. Style bending allows a nectar thief to become a secondary pollinator. The extent of pollinator generalization is thus increased without affecting the fundamental phenotype adapted to bees as the main pollinators.
Implementing effective investigations for cause of stillbirth
Authors: McClure Elizabeth M. , Goldenberg Robert L.
Published: October 2022

Linked article: This is a mini commentary on Bedwell et al., pp. 59–67 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471‐0528.17319.
Influence of COVID‐19 pandemic on molar pregnancy and postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: An observational study
Authors: Campos Vanessa , Paiva Gabriela , Padron Lilian , Freitas Fernanda , Pedrotti Luana Giongo , Sun Sue Yazaki , Viggiano Maurício , Oliveira Larissa , Rohr Lucia , Madi José Mauro , Arrym Tiago Pedromônico , Oliveira Priscila , dos Santos Esteves Ana Paula Vieira , Junior Joffre Amim , Filho Jorge Rezende , Elias Kevin M. , Horowitz Neil S. , Braga Antônio , Berkowitz Ross S.
Published: October 2022

Objective

To assess whether the incidence and aggressiveness of molar pregnancy (MP) and postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) changed during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Design

Observational study with two separate designs: retrospective multicentre cohort of patients with MP/postmolar GTN and a cross‐sectional analysis, with application of a questionnaire.

Setting

Six Brazilian Reference Centres on gestational trophoblastic disease.

Population

2662 patients with MP/postmolar GTN treated from March–December/2015–2020 were retrospectively evaluated and 528 of these patients answered a questionnaire.

Methods

Longitudinal retrospective multicentre study of patients diagnosed with MP/ postmolar GTN at presentation and a cross‐sectional analysis, with application of a questionnaire, exclusive to patients treated during the period of study, to assess living and health conditions during the COVID‐19 pandemic compared with previous years.

Main outcome measures

The incidence of MP/postmolar GTN.

Results

Compared with the last 5 pre‐pandemic years, MP/postmolar GTN incidence remained stable during 2020 (COVID‐19 pandemic). Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for the patient age, showed that during 2020, presentation with MP was more likely to be >10 weeks of gestation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.90–3.29, P < 0.001), have a pre‐evacuation hCG level ≥100 000 iu/l (aOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.38–2.28, P < 0.001) and time to the initiation of chemotherapy ≥7 months (aOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.01–3.43, P = 0.047) when compared with 2015–2019.

Conclusions

Although the incidence of MP/postmolar GTN remained stable during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Brazil, the pandemic was associated with greater gestational age at MP diagnosis and more protracted delays in initiation of chemotherapy for postmolar GTN.
Expert consensus on novel medicines to prevent preterm birth and manage preterm labour: Target product profiles
Authors: McDougall Annie R. A. , Tuttle Andrew , Goldstein Maya , Ammerdorffer Anne , Aboud Lily , Gülmezoglu Ahmet M. , Vogel Joshua P.
Published: October 2022

Objective

To develop target product profiles (TPPs) for new medicines for preterm birth prevention and preterm labour management that address the real‐world need of women and healthcare providers, informed by views and agreement amongst globally diverse stakeholders.

Design

Mixed methods.

Setting

Global (with a focus on low‐ and middle‐income countries, LMICs).

Sample

Global stakeholders with diverse expertise in preterm labour/birth and drug development.

Methods

Following an initial literature review, diverse stakeholders were invited to participate in an online international survey and in‐depth interviews. The level of stakeholder agreement with TPPs was assessed, and findings from interviews were synthesised to inform the final TPPs.

Main outcomes measures

Level of stakeholder agreement on the minimum and preferred requirements for preterm labour/birth medicines.

Results

We performed 21 interviews. Interview participants demonstrated strong agreement on room temperature stability, no additional drug‐specific clinical monitoring, and affordability in LMICs being the minimal acceptable requirements. Points of discussion were raised around the target population. Survey respondents included clinicians, researchers, funding agency staff, international public organisation staff, programme implementers, policymakers, representatives of consumer advocacy organisations and other relevant stakeholders from maternal health systems. Survey results indicated strong agreement amongst stakeholders, with only one variable in each TPP not reaching consensus (i.e. 25% disagree or strongly disagree).

Conclusions

There is strong consensus within the preterm labour/birth community on the characteristics that new medicines for preterm birth prevention and preterm labour management must achieve. These TPPs provide necessary guidance to evaluate new candidates and their potential for implementation in a range of settings.
The effect of antenatal corticosteroid use on offspring cardiovascular function: A systematic review
Authors: Sacco Adalina , Cornish Emily F. , Marlow Neil , David Anna L. , Giussani Dino A.
Published: October 2022

Background

Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) are recommended in threatened preterm labour to improve short‐term neonatal outcome. Preclinical animal studies suggest detrimental effects of ACS exposure on offspring cardiac development; their effects in humans are unknown.

Objectives

To systematically review the human clinical literature to determine the effects of ACS on offspring cardiovascular function.

Search strategy

A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses) guidelines in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases.

Selection criteria

Offspring who had been exposed to ACS during fetal life, in comparison with those not receiving steroids, those receiving a placebo or population data, were included. Studies not performed in humans or that did not assess cardiovascular function were excluded.

Data collection and analysis

Two authors independently screened the studies, extracted the data and assessed the quality of the studies. Results were combined descriptively and analysed using a standardised Excel form.

Main results

Twenty‐six studies including 1921 patients were included, most of which were cohort studies of mixed quality. The type of ACS exposure, gestational age at exposure, dose and number of administrations varied widely. Offspring cardiovascular outcomes were assessed from 1 day to 36 years postnatally. The most commonly assessed parameter was arterial blood pressure (18 studies), followed by echocardiography (eight studies), heart rate (five studies), electrocardiogram (ECG, three studies) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, one study). There were no clinically significant effects of ACS exposure on offspring blood pressure. However, there were insufficient studies assessing cardiac structure and function using echocardiography or cardiac MRI to be able to determine an effect.

Conclusions

The administration of ACS is not associated with long‐term effects on blood pressure in exposed human offspring. The effects on cardiac structure and other measures of cardiac function were unclear because of the small number, heterogeneity and mixed quality of the studies. Given the preclinical and human evidence of potential harm following ACS exposure, there is a need for further research to assess central cardiac function in human offspring exposed to ACS.
Tomato chlorosis virus, a promiscuous virus with multiple host plants and whitefly vectors
Authors: Fiallo‐Olivé Elvira , Navas‐Castillo Jesús
Published: October 2022

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV, genus Crinivirus, family Closteroviridae) is an emerging plant virus first identified in the mid‐1990s affecting tomato in Florida. Today, the virus is present in at least 39 countries and territories around the world, and this number has not stopped growing. ToCV prevalence in tomato has been reported to frequently reach 100%, with a consequent loss in production. Although ToCV infects mainly tomato, it has been reported to infect a wide range of plants, both cultivated and wild, including many economically important crops, such as pepper and potato. To date, 119 species of host plants belonging to 28 families have been recorded. ToCV is transmitted in nature by whiteflies belonging to two genera, namely members of the Bemisia tabaci complex and Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Trialeurodes abutiloneus. This review summarises what is known about ToCV, an example of an emerging plant pathogen, and is the basis of the Association of Applied Biologists' Description of Plant Viruses for ToCV.
Advancing ASMS with LC‐MS/MS for the discovery of novel PDCL2 ligands from DNA‐encoded chemical library selections
Authors: Ye Qiuji , Belabed Hassane , Wang Yong , Yu Zhifeng , Palaniappan Murugesan , Li Jian‐Yuan , Kalovidouris Stacey A. , MacKenzie Kevin R. , Teng Mingxing , Young Damian W. , Fujihara Yoshitaka , Matzuk Martin M.
Published: October 2022

Background

A safe, effective, and reversible nonhormonal male contraceptive drug is greatly needed for male contraception as well as for circumventing the side effects of female hormonal contraceptives. Phosducin‐like 2 (PDCL2) is a testis‐specific phosphoprotein in mice and humans. We recently found that male PDCL2 knockout mice are sterile due to globozoospermia caused by impaired sperm head formation, indicating that PDCL2 is a potential target for male contraception. Herein, our study for the first time developed a biophysical assay for PDCL2 allowing us to screen a series of small molecules, to study structure‐activity relationships, and to discover two PDCL2 binders with novel chemical structure.

Objective

To identify a PDCL2 ligand for therapeutic male contraception, we performed DNA‐encoded chemical library (DECL) screening and off‐DNA hit validation using a unique affinity selection mass spectrometry (ASMS) biophysical profiling strategy.

Materials and methods

We employed the screening process of DECL, which contains billions of chemically unique DNA‐barcoded compounds generated through individual sequences of reactions and different combinations of functionalized building blocks. The structures of the PDCL2 binders are proposed based on the sequencing analysis of the DNA barcode attached to each individual DECL compound. The proposed structure is synthesized through multistep reactions. To confirm and determine binding affinity between the DECL identified molecules and PDCL2, we developed an ASMS assay that incorporates liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS).

Results

After a screening process of PDCL2 with DECLs containing >440 billion compounds, we identified a series of hits. The selected compounds were synthesized as off‐DNA small molecules, characterized by spectroscopy data, and subjected to our ASMS/LC‐MS/MS binding assay. By this assay, we discovered two novel compounds, which showed good binding affinity for PDCL2 in comparison to other molecules generated in our laboratory and which were further confirmed by a thermal shift assay.

Discussion and conclusion and relevance

With the ASMS/LC‐MS/MS assay developed in this paper, we successfully discovered a PDCL2 ligand that warrants further development as a male contraceptive.
How do political connections affect the formation of zombie firms? Evidence from Chinese manufacturing listed enterprises
Authors: Shao Wei , Chen Ziqi , Liu Huaiyu
Published: October 2022

Zombie firms that rely on government subsidies and bank loans have seriously affected the healthy development of economies. This paper uses data from Chinese listed manufacturing enterprises from 2007 to 2017 to test and analyse the relationship between political connections and zombie enterprises. The study finds: (i) political connections are positively correlated with the ‘zombification’ of enterprises; (ii) credit subsidies play an intermediary role between political connections and ‘zombification’ of enterprises, with the acquisition of large credit subsidies the main path to the ‘zombification’ of politically connected enterprises; and (iii) firms that have political connections may use credit subsidies for inefficient over‐investment. This study has value for other countries in clarifying the causes of zombie firms and preventing politically connected enterprises from becoming zombie firms.
Low mental health literacy and its association with depression, anxiety and poor sleep quality in Chinese elderly
Authors: Ding Kai‐Rong , Wang Shi‐Bin , Xu Wen‐Qi , Lin Li‐Hua , Liao Dan‐Dan , Chen Hong‐Bei , Tan Wen‐Yan , Huang Jia‐Hao , Hou Cai‐Lan , Jia Fu‐Jun
Published: October 2022

Background

Mental health literacy (MHL) is rarely reported in the Chinese elderly. This study explored the pattern of MHL in the Chinese elderly in relation to depression, anxiety and poor sleep quality.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted among older adults in Guangzhou, south China. Participants were investigated face‐to‐face using the Chinese National Mental Health Literacy Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 item (PHQ‐9), the 7‐item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD‐7) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Mental Health Literacy Scale contains three dimensions: mental health knowledge, mental health skills (such as social support, cognitive reappraisal and attentional distraction) and mental health awareness. Multivariate logistic regression was used for examining the association between MHL and mental health.

Results

A total of 506 older adults were recruited. The percentage of depression, anxiety, and poor sleep quality were 16.6%, 7.9% and 40.9%, respectively. MHL dimensions independently associated with depression included cognitive reappraisal (OR = 1.95, p < .001), attentional distraction (OR = 0.61, p = 0.044) and awareness (OR = 0.56, p = 0.027). MHL dimensions independently associated with anxiety symptoms included cognitive reappraisal (OR = 1.90, p = 0.011) and attentional distraction (OR = 0.44, p = 0.016). MHL dimensions independently associated with poor sleep quality included social support (OR = 0.75, p = 0.022), cognitive reappraisal (OR = 1.55, p = 0.003) and attentional distraction (OR = 0.65, p = 0.016).

Conclusion

Given the low MHL and its association with poor mental health in the Chinese elderly, policymakers and health professionals should improve the older adults' MHL, which could be conducive to the prevention and control of their mental health problems.
Corporate social responsibility and market entry
Authors: Buccella Domenico , Wojna Michał
Published: October 2022

Is the decision of firms to pursue social interest and promote social progress philanthropic or motivated by strategic reasons? Using a simple Spence–Dixit entry model game with homogeneous goods, this paper studies the possible anticompetitive effect of the adoption of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the form of “consumer friendliness” (i.e., firms’ attention to the welfare of consumers). It is shown that, when the market becomes contestable, the incumbent can select to adopt CSR to hamper to a greater extent the potential entrant, regardless of its choice to engage in CSR activities. In other words, CSR can become a strategic barrier to entry.
Employment to output elasticities and reforms towards flexicurity: Evidence from OECD countries
Authors: Görg Holger , Hornok Cecília , Montagna Catia , Onwordi George E.
Published: October 2022

Labor market reforms in the direction of “flexicurity” have been widely endorsed as a means to increase an economy's ability to adjust to negative shocks while offering adequate social safety nets. This paper empirically examines how such reforms influence employment's responsiveness to output fluctuations (employment–output elasticity). To address this question, we employ a single equation error correction model with policy interactions on a panel of OECD countries, which also incorporates the period of the Great Recession, and distinguish between passive and active labor market policy types. Flexicurity is represented by three policy measures: unemployment benefit generosity, the flexibility of hiring and firing rules, and spending on active labor market policies. We find that the effects of any single policy change are shaped by the broader existing policy mix within which it takes place. A hypothetical flexicurity reform towards the policy mix of Denmark, a well‐known example of the flexicurity regime, is found to increase or leave unchanged countries' short‐run employment–output elasticities, depending on the initial policy mix. These results are robust to accounting for a large set of additional labor market institutions.
Fixed drug eruptions – the common and novel culprits since 2000
Authors: McClatchy Jessica , Yap Tami , Nirenberg Alexander , Scardamaglia Laura
Published: October 2022

A fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a common cutaneous adverse drug reaction which occurs following administration of an offending drug. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the list of drugs causing FDE, with a focus on emerging drug culprits reported since the start of the century. Across published literature, triggers for FDE are widely varied. The most frequently implicated drugs include analgesics (nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] and paracetamol) and antibiotics. Co‐trimoxazole is perhaps the most well described single agent. Since the start of the century there have been over 200 drugs named in case reports on FDE. Newer, novel agents of note include cyclooxygenase‐2 specific inhibitors, fluconazole, and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors. Other implicated drugs include vaccines, such as various SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines.

Drugs incriminated in FDE vary based on the geographical region studied and prescribing patterns at a given time. Newer drugs continue to enter the market and are playing an increasing role in the field of FDE. Awareness of rarer culprits and emerging novel agents can help identify a trigger, allowing for prompt withdrawal of the causative agent, preventing recurrence.
Migration‐based simulations for Canadian trees show limited tracking of suitable climate under climate change
Authors: Boisvert‐Marsh Laura , Pedlar John H. , de Blois Sylvie , Le Squin Amael , Lawrence Kevin , McKenney Daniel W. , Williams Charlene , Aubin Isabelle
Published: October 2022

Aim

Species distribution models typically project climatically suitable habitat for trees in eastern North America to shift hundreds of kilometres this century. We simulated potential migration, accounting for various traits that affect species' ability to track climatically suitable habitat.

Location

Eastern Canada, covering ~3.7 million km2.

Methods

We simulated migration‐constrained range shifts through 2100 using a hybrid approach combining projections of climatically suitable habitat based on two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP4.5, RCP8.5) for three time periods and two species distribution modelling approaches with process‐based models parameterized using data related to dispersal ability and generation time. We developed a unique “migration kernel” that uses seed dispersal traits and observed migration velocities to obtain kernel shape and dispersal probabilities for each tree species. We then calculated lags between the migration‐constrained range limits obtained through simulations and limits of climatically suitable habitat.

Results

All species demonstrated northward range shifts at the leading edge of their simulated distribution through 2100, but the magnitude and rate of that shift varied by species and time period. Climatically suitable habitat limits were found to be north of simulated distribution limits across both RCPs, with lags increasing through time. On average, simulated distribution that remained within climatically suitable habitat declined more under RCP8.5 than RCP4.5, with large areas of the rear edge of the simulated distribution becoming partially or completely climatically unsuitable for many species.

Main conclusions

Climatically suitable habitat limits projected for 2100 far exceeded migration‐constrained range limits for all 10 tree species, particularly for temperate species. This study underlines the limited extent to which tree species will track climate change via natural migration. Integrating observed migration velocities, seed dispersal and generation time with SDM outputs allows for more realistic evaluations of tree migration ability under climate change and may help orient forest conservation and restoration efforts.
Modelling the spatial extent of post‐fire sedimentation threat to estimate the impacts of fire on waterways and aquatic species
Authors: Ward Michelle , Southwell Darren , Gallagher Rachael V. , Raadik Tarmo A. , Whiterod Nick S. , Lintermans Mark , Sheridan Gary , Nyman Petter , Suárez‐Castro Andrés F. , Marsh Jessica , Woinarski John , Legge Sarah
Published: October 2022

Aim

Fires can severely impact aquatic fauna, especially when attributes of soil, topography, fire severity and post‐fire rainfall interact to cause substantial sedimentation. Such events can cause immediate mortality and longer‐term changes in food resources and habitat structure. Approaches for estimating fire impacts on terrestrial species (e.g. intersecting fire extent with species distributions) are inappropriate for aquatic species as sedimentation can carry well downstream of the fire extent, and occur long after fire. Here, we develop an approach for estimating the spatial extent of fire impacts for aquatic systems, across multiple catchments.

Location

Southern Australian bioregions affected by the fires in 2019–2020 that burned >10 million ha of temperate and subtropical forests.

Methods

We integrated an existing soil erosion model with fire severity mapping and rainfall data to estimate the spatial extent of post‐fire sedimentation threat in waterways and in basins and the potential exposure of aquatic species to this threat. We validated the model against field observations of sedimentation events after the 2019–20 fires.

Results

While fires overlapped with ~27,643 km of waterways, post‐fire sedimentation events potentially occurred across ~40,449 km. In total, 55% (n = 85) of 154 basins in the study region may have experienced substantial post‐fire sedimentation. Ten species—including six Critically Endangered—were threatened by post‐fire sedimentation events across 100% of their range. The model increased the estimates for potential impact, compared to considering fire extent alone, for >80% of aquatic species. Some species had distributions that did not overlap with the fire extent, but that were entirely exposed to post‐fire sedimentation threat.

Conclusions

Compared with estimating the overlap of fire extent with species' ranges, our model improves estimates of fire‐related threats to aquatic fauna by capturing the complexities of fire impacts on hydrological systems. The model provides a method for quickly estimating post‐fire sedimentation threat after future fires in any fire‐prone region, thus potentially improving conservation assessments and informing emergency management interventions.
UCMSCs‐derived exosomal circHIPK3 promotes ulcer wound angiogenesis of diabetes mellitus via miR‐20b‐5p/Nrf2/VEGFA axis
Authors: Liang Zun‐Hong , Lin Shi‐Shuai , Pan Nan‐Fang , Zhong Guo‐Yu , Qiu Zhi‐Yang , Kuang Shao‐Jia , Lin Zhi‐Hu , Zhang Zhi , Pan Yun‐Chuan
Published: October 2022

Aims

Experiments confirmed that circular RNAs contributed to the pathogenesis of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). CircHIPK3 was upregulated in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but its role in DFU remained unknown. Our study aimed to investigate the regulatory functions of exosomal circHIPK3 and its potential mechanisms in DFU.

Methods

Exosomal size and distribution, marker proteins, and circHIPK3 levels were evaluated by transmission electron microscope, ExoView R200, western blot, and qRT‐PCR. Flow cytometry, MTT, Wound healing assays, and tube formation assays were used to assess the roles of exosomal circHIPK3 in high glucose (HG)‐treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The relationships between Nrf2/VEGFA/circHIPK3 and miR‐20b‐5p, and between Nrf2 and VEGFA were determined by luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. We used cell and mice models to investigate the mechanisms of exosomal circHIPK3 under diabetic conditions.

Results

CircHIPK3 was significantly upregulated in exo‐circHIPK3 rather than exo‐vector. Exo‐circHIPK3 remarkably inhibited cell apoptosis but promoted cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation in HG‐treated HUVECs. Luciferase reporter and RIP assays showed that miR‐20b‐5p targeted and inhibited Nrf2 and VEGFA, and circHIPK3 acted as a ceRNA of miR‐20b‐5p to inhibit the binding to its downstream genes Nrf2 and VEGFA. Mechanistically, circHIPK3 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis via downregulating miR‐20b‐5p to upregulate Nrf2 and VEGFA. However, the overexpressed miR‐20b‐5p could abolish the promoting effects of circHIPK3 overexpression on cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation under HG conditions.

Conclusion

UCMSCs‐derived exosomal circHIPK3 protected HG‐treated HUVECs via miR‐20b‐5p/Nrf2/VEGFA axis. The exosomal circHIPK3 might be a therapeutic candidate to treat DFU.
Diabetes and climate change
Authors: Al‐Shihabi Fatima , Moore Anna , Chowdhury Tahseen A.
Published: October 2022

It is widely accepted that climate change is the biggest threat to human health. The pandemic of diabetes is also a major threat to human health, especially in rapidly developing nations. Climate change and diabetes appear to have common global vectors, including increased urbanisation, increased use of transportation, and production and ingestion of ultra‐processed foods. People with diabetes appear to be at higher risk of threats to health from climate change, including effects from extreme heat or extreme cold, and natural disasters. Solutions to climate change offer some benefits for the prevention of diabetes and diabetes‐related complications. Moving towards lower carbon economies is likely to help reduce reliance on intensive agriculture, reduce physical inactivity, reduce air pollution and enhance quality of life. It may enable a reduction in the prevalence of diabetes and reduced morbidity from the condition.
Assessing patient attitudes toward genetic testing for hereditary hematologic malignancy
Authors: Johnson Addison Q. , Bannon Sarah A. , Farach Laura S. , Hyde Samuel M. , Hashmi S. Shahrukh , Wagner Chelsea , DiNardo Courtney D.
Published: October 2022

Since 2003, more than 15 genes have been identified to predispose to hereditary hematologic malignancy (HHM). Although the yield of germline analysis for leukemia appears like that of solid tumors, genetic referrals in adults with leukemia remain underperformed. We assessed leukemia patients' attitudes toward genetic testing and leukemia‐related distress through a survey of 1093 patients diagnosed with acute or chronic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, or aplastic anemia. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze patient attitudes. Distress was measured through the Impact of Event Scale‐Revised (IES‐R). Exactly 19.8% of eligible respondents completed the survey. The majority reported interest in (77%) or choosing to have (78%) genetic testing for HHM. Slightly over half identified worry about cost of genetic testing (58%) or health insurance coverage (61%) as possible barriers. PCA identified relevant themes of interest in genetic testing, impact on leukemia treatment, discrimination and confidentiality, psychosocial and familial impacts, and cost of testing. The majority reported low distress. Leukemia patients report high interest in genetic testing, few barriers, and relatively low distress.
Stability of patch‐turnover relationships under equilibrium and nonequilibrium metapopulation dynamics driven by biogeography
Authors: Beissinger Steven R. , Peterson Sean M. , Hall Laurie A. , Van Schmidt Nathan , Tecklin Jerry , Risk Benjamin B. , Richmond Orien M. , Kovach Tony J. , Kilpatrick A. Marm
Published: October 2022

Two controversial tenets of metapopulation biology are whether patch quality and the surrounding matrix are more important to turnover (colonisation and extinction) than biogeography (patch area and isolation) and whether factors governing turnover during equilibrium also dominate nonequilibrium dynamics. We tested both tenets using 18 years of surveys for two secretive wetland birds, black and Virginia rails, during (1) a period of equilibrium with stable occupancy and (2) after drought and arrival of West Nile Virus (WNV), which resulted in WNV infections in rails, increased extinction and decreased colonisation probabilities modified by WNV, nonequilibrium dynamics for both species and occupancy decline for black rails. Area (primarily) and isolation (secondarily) drove turnover during both stable and unstable metapopulation dynamics, greatly exceeding the effects of patch quality and matrix conditions. Moreover, slopes between turnover and patch characteristics changed little between equilibrium and nonequilibrium, confirming the overriding influences of biogeographic factors on turnover.
Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of superficial siderosis in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension
Authors: Häni Levin , Fung Christian , Jesse Christopher Marvin , Schild Christof , Piechowiak Eike Immo , Dobrocky Tomas , Raabe Andreas , Beck Jürgen
Published: October 2022

Background and purpose

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is an important etiology of infratentorial superficial siderosis (iSS) of the central nervous system. However, the prevalence of iSS amongst patients with SIH is unknown and the imaging findings of iSS might represent a late stage of disease. The aim was to identify cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of iSS in patients with SIH.

Methods

Consecutive patients evaluated for SIH at our institution between May 2017 and January 2019 were included. Lumbar CSF samples were analyzed for the presence of ferritin and bilirubin. Magnetic resonance imaging was assessed for the presence of iSS.

Results

Twenty‐four patients with SIH were included. CSF samples were positive for bilirubin in 2/19 (10.5%). CSF ferritin was elevated in 7/23 (30.4%). Signs of iSS on imaging were present in four patients (16.7%). All patients with imaging signs of iSS demonstrated elevated CSF ferritin. Ferritin level was significantly higher amongst patients demonstrating iSS compared to those without (median 45.0 vs. 11.0 μg/l; p = 0.003). Symptom duration was longer in patients with iSS than in patients without iSS (median 40 months vs. 9 months, p = 0.018).

Conclusion

Cerebrospinal fluid alterations indicative of iSS are prevalent amongst patients with SIH. It is speculated that a preclinical phase without symptoms or imaging signs but during which elevated biomarkers of the disease are apparent from CSF analysis might exist. It is suggested that measurement of CSF ferritin is incorporated in the work‐up of patients with SIH to identify those at risk of developing iSS.