bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond sex and aggression: testosterone rapidly matches behavioural responses to social context and tries to predict the future
Authors: Kelly Aubrey M. , Gonzalez Abreu Jose Antonio , Thompson Richmond R.
Published: June 2022

Although androgens are widely studied in the context of aggression, androgenic influences on prosocial behaviours have been less explored. We examined testosterone's (T) influence on prosocial and aggressive responses in a positively valenced social context (interacting with a pairbond partner) and a negatively valenced context (interacting with an intruder) in socially monogamous Mongolian gerbils. T increased and decreased prosocial responses in the same individuals towards a pairbond partner and an intruder, respectively, both within 30 min, but did not affect aggression. T also had persistent effects on prosocial behaviour; males in which T initially increased prosocial responses towards a partner continued to exhibit elevated prosocial responses towards an intruder male days later until a second T injection rapidly eliminated those responses. Thus, T surges can rapidly match behaviour to current social context, as well as prime animals for positive social interactions in the future. Neuroanatomically, T rapidly increased hypothalamic oxytocin, but not vasopressin, cellular responses during interactions with a partner. Together, our results indicate that T can facilitate and inhibit prosocial behaviours depending on social context, that it can influence prosocial responses across rapid and prolonged time scales, and that it affects oxytocin signalling mechanisms that could mediate its context-dependent behavioural influences.
Biodiversity underpins fisheries resilience to exploitation in the Amazon river basin
Authors: Heilpern Sebastian A. , Sethi Suresh A. , Barthem Ronaldo B. , Batista Vandick da Silva , Doria Carolina R. C. , Duponchelle Fabrice , Vasquez Aurea García , Goulding Michael , Isaac Victoria , Naeem Shahid , Flecker Alexander S.
Published: June 2022

Inland fisheries feed greater than 150 million people globally, yet their status is rarely assessed due to their socio-ecological complexity and pervasive lack of data. Here, we leverage an unprecedented landings time series from the Amazon, Earth's largest river basin, together with theoretical food web models to examine (i) taxonomic and trait-based signatures of exploitation in inland fish landings and (ii) implications of changing biodiversity for fisheries resilience. In both landings time series and theory, we find that multi-species exploitation of diverse inland fisheries results in a hump-shaped landings evenness curve. Along this trajectory, abundant and large species are sequentially replaced with faster growing and smaller species. Further theoretical analysis indicates that harvests can be maintained for a period of time but that continued biodiversity depletion reduces the pool of compensating species and consequently diminishes fisheries resilience. Critically, higher fisheries biodiversity can delay fishery collapse. Although existing landings data provide an incomplete snapshot of long-term dynamics, our results suggest that multi-species exploitation is affecting freshwater biodiversity and eroding fisheries resilience in the Amazon. More broadly, we conclude that trends in landings evenness could characterize multi-species fisheries development and aid in assessing their sustainability.
Isolation of Raoultella ornithinolytica in a HIV positive patient with a lung abscess
Authors: Hinchcliffe Nicola , Benbow Aled , Moshiri Tara , Thompson Jonathan , Venkatesan Pradhib
Published: June 2022

A 38 year old male HIV positive patient with a history of intravenous drug use presented with chest pains, cough, sputum and weight loss and radiology demonstrated the evolution of a right basal lung abscess. A lung biopsy sent for 16S rRNA analysis and sputum cultured about the same time demonstrated

Raoultella ornithinolytica

. No other causative pathogens were clearly identified. He gradually improved with a 4 week course of intravenous cefazolin.

R. ornithinolytica

is a rare, but recognised pathogen.
Moderate-Intensity Exercise Preserves Bone Mineral Density and Improves Femoral Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture in Middle-Aged Mice
Authors: Lee Seungyong , Shin Yun-A , Cho Jinkyung , Park Dong-Ho , Kim Changsun
Published: June 2022

Background: Aging leads to significant bone loss and elevated osteoporosis risk. Exercise slows age-related bone loss; however, the effects of various moderate-intensity exercise training volumes on bone metabolism remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the degree to which different volumes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise training influence bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), femoral trabecular bone microarchitecture, and cortical bone in middle-aged mice.Methods: Twenty middle-aged male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned 8 weeks of either (1) non-exercise (CON); (2) moderate-intensity with high-volume exercise (EX_MHV); or (3) moderate-intensity with low-volume exercise (EX_MLV) (N=6-7, respectively). Femoral BMD and BMC were evaluated using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and trabecular and cortical bone were measured using micro-computed tomography.Results: Femoral BMD in EX_MHV but not EX_MLV was significantly higher (P<0.05) than in CON. The distal femoral fractional trabecular bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV, %) was significantly higher (P<0.05) in both EX_MHV and EX_MLV than in CON mice. Increased BV/TV was induced by significantly increased trabecular thickness (mm) and tended to be higher (P<0.10) in BV (mm3) and lower in trabecular separation (mm) in EX_MHV and EX_MLV than in CON. The femoral mid-diaphysis cortical bone was stronger in EX_MLV than EX_MHV.Conclusions: Long-term moderate-intensity aerobic exercise with low to high volumes can be thought to have a positive effect on hindlimb BMD and attenuate age-associated trabecular bone loss in the femur. Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise may be an effective and applicable exercise regimen to prevent age-related loss of BMD and BV.
Nutrition and Exercise Treatment of Sarcopenia in Hip Fracture Patients: Systematic Review
Authors: Yoo Jun-Il , Ha Yong-Chan , Cha Yonghan
Published: June 2022

Background: This study aimed to investigate nutritional or rehabilitation intervention protocols for hip fracture patients with sarcopenia and to analyze the effect of these protocols through a systematic review of studies that reported clinical results.Methods: Studies were selected based on the following criteria: (1) study design: randomized controlled trials or non-randomized comparative studies; (2) study population: patients with hip fracture; (3) intervention: nutritional or rehabilitation; and (4) reporting the clinical outcomes and definition of sarcopenia.Results: Of the 247 references initially identified from the selected databases, 5 randomized controlled studies and 2 comparative studies were selected for further investigation. The total number of patients was 497. We found 2 specific rehabilitation interventions, one medication intervention using erythropoietin, and 4 nutritional interventions using amino-acid or protein. Among the studies included in this systematic review, 2 studies did not find a clear statistical difference in assessment tools compared to controls after intervention. On the other hand, the rest of the studies positively interpreted the results for intervention. The most frequently used assessment tool for intervention was handgrip strength.Conclusions: Although mainstream methods of intervention for sarcopenia include nutritional, exercise, and drug interventions, the validity of these interventions in elderly hip fractures has not been clearly proven. In addition, as most studies only reported short-term results, there is no consensus on the optimal long-term treatment.
Effect of Denosumab on the Change of Osteoclast Precursors Compared to Zoledronate Treatment in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis
Authors: Kong Sung Hye , Kim Jung Hee , Kim Sang Wan , Jeong Ae Jin , Lee Song-Hee , Ye Sang-Kyu , Shin Chan Soo
Published: June 2022

Background: A rapid increase in bone turnover and bone loss has been observed in response to the discontinuation of denosumab. It led to an acute increase in the fracture risk, similar to that observed in the untreated patients. We aimed to investigate the effect of denosumab on osteoclast (OC) precursor cells compared to that of zoledronate.Methods: The study compared the effects of denosumab (60 mg/24-week) and zoledronate (5 mg/48-week) over 48 weeks in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. From patients’ peripheral mononuclear cells, CD14+/CD11b+/vitronectin receptor (VNR)- and CD14+/CD11b+/VNR+ cells were isolated using fluorescent-activated cell sorting, representing early and late OC precursors, respectively. The primary endpoint was the changes in OC precursors after 48 weeks of treatment.Results: Among the 23 patients, 11 were assigned to the denosumab group and 12 to the zoledronate group (mean age, 69 years). After 48 weeks, the changes in OC precursors were similar between and within the groups. Serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen levels were inversely correlated with OC precursor levels after denosumab treatment (r=-0.72, P<0.001). Lumbar spine, femur neck, and total hip bone mineral density (BMD) increased in both groups. Lumbar spine BMD increased more significantly in the denosumab group than in the zoledronate group.Conclusions: Denosumab and zoledronate treatments induced similar changes in OC precursors. During denosumab treatment, old age and suppressed bone turnover were associated with increased OC precursor cell populations. Further validation studies with prospective designs are required.
Development of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors from 2-19 and Internalizing Symptom Outcomes in a Longitudinal Study of Autism
Authors: Masjedi Nina , Clarke Elaine B. , Lord Catherine
Published: June 2022

Using data from a well-characterized longitudinal cohort, this study examined trajectories of restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs), specifically repetitive sensorimotor (RSM), insistence on sameness (IS), and verbal RRBs, as measured by the Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised (ADI-R) from ages 2 to 19. Additionally, this study investigated relationships between RSM and IS trajectories and parent- and self-report depression and anxiety symptoms in early adulthood. Group-based trajectory modeling and multilevel modeling were used to investigate change in RRB subtypes. RSM and IS behaviors generally decreased from 2 to 19, though some participants experienced increases in these RRB subtypes from ages 2 to 9. 65% of this sample had sufficient verbal ability prior to age 19 to calculate trajectories of verbal RRBs. Of this subset, 49% had few to no verbal RRBs throughout development; in contrast, the remaining 51% experienced increasing verbal RRBs from 2 to 9, followed by a plateau in verbal RRBs from 9-19. Higher ADOS Social Affect (SA) CSS scores in early childhood were linked with more RSM symptoms across development, but not related to the IS and Verbal trajectories. Non-verbal IQ from early childhood was not connected to change in any of the identified RRB trajectories. There were no associations between IS trajectories and internalizing symptom in early adulthood. However, preliminary data suggests that a Moderate-Decreasing pattern of RSM development may be linked to anxiety in early adulthood. These findings illustrate continuity and change in a core ASD symptom domain, RRBs, from early childhood to early adulthood.
Persistence of immunity against omicron BA.1 and BA.2 following homologous and heterologous COVID-19 booster vaccines in healthy adults after a two-doses AZD1222 vaccination
Authors: Assawakosri Suvichada , Kanokudom Sitthichai , Chansaenroj Jira , Suntronwong Nungruthai , Auphimai Chompoonut , Nilyanimit Pornjarim , Vichaiwattana Preeyaporn , Thongmee Thanunrat , Duangchinda Thaneeya , Chantima Warangkana , Pakchotanon Pattarakul , Srimuan Donchida , Thatsanatorn Thaksaporn , Klinfueng Sirapa , Sudhinaraset Natthinee , Wanlapakorn Nasamon , Mongkolsapaya Juthathip , Honsawek Sittisak , Poovorawan Yong
Published: June 2022

Objectives

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant presents numerous mutations potentially able to evade neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) elicited by COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, this study aimed to provide evidence on a heterologous booster strategy to overcome the waning immunity against Omicron variants.

Methods

Participants who completed Oxford/AstraZeneca (hereafter AZD1222) for 5-7 months were enrolled. The reactogenicity and persistence of immunogenicity in both humoral and cellular response after a homologous or heterologous booster with the AZD1222 and mRNA vaccines (BNT162B2, full or half-dose mRNA-1273) administered six months after primary vaccination were determined.

Results

Total 229 individuals enrolled, a waning of immunity was observed 5-7 months after the AZD1222-primed. Total RBD immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, anti-RBD IgG and focus reduction neutralization test against Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 and T cell response peaked 14-28 days after booster vaccination. Both the full and half dose of mRNA-1273 induced the highest response, followed by BNT162b2 and AZD1222. At 90 days, the persistence of immunogenicity was observed among all mRNA-boosted individuals. Adverse events were acceptable and well tolerated for all vaccines.

Conclusions

A heterologous mRNA booster provided a significantly superior boost of binding and NAbs levels against the Omicron variant compared to a homologous booster in individuals with AZD1222-primed vaccinations.
Neutralization of Omicron sublineages and Deltacron SARS-CoV-2 by 3 doses of BNT162b2 vaccine or BA.1 infection
Authors: Kurhade Chaitanya , Zou Jing , Xia Hongjie , Liu Mingru , Yang Qi , Cutler Mark , Cooper David , Muik Alexander , Sahin Ugur , Jansen Kathrin U. , Ren Ping , Xie Xuping , Swanson Kena A. , Shi Pei-Yong
Published: June 2022

Distinct SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages have evolved showing increased fitness and immune evasion than the original Omicron variant BA.1. Here we report the neutralization activity of sera from BNT162b2 vaccinated individuals or unimmunized Omicron BA.1-infected individuals against Omicron sublineages and “Deltacron” variant (XD). BNT162b2 post-dose 3 immune sera neutralized USA-WA1/2020, Omicron BA.1-, BA.2-, BA.2.12.1-, BA.3-, BA.4/5-, and XD-spike SARS-CoV-2s with geometric mean titers (GMTs) of 1335, 393, 298, 315, 216, 103, and 301, respectively; thus, BA.4/5 SARS-CoV-2 spike variant showed the highest propensity to evade vaccine neutralization compared to the original Omicron variants BA.1. BA.1-convalescent sera neutralized USA-WA1/2020, BA.1-, BA.2-, BA.2.12.1-, BA.3-, BA.4/5-, and Deltacron-spike SARS-CoV-2s with GMTs of 15, 430, 110, 109, 102, 25, and 284, respectively. The low neutralization titers of vaccinated sera or convalescent sera from BA. 1 infected individuals against the emerging and rapidly spreading Omicron BA.4/5 variants provide important results for consideration in the selection of an updated vaccine in the current Omicron wave.
Evolution of long-term vaccine induced and hybrid immunity in healthcare workers after different COVID-19 vaccination regimens: a longitudinal observational cohort study
Authors: Moore Shona C. , Kronsteiner Barbara , Longet Stephanie , Adele Sandra , Deeks Alexandra S. , Liu Chang , Dejnirattisai Wanwisa , Reyes Laura Silva , Meardon Naomi , Faustini Sian , Al-Taei Saly , Tipton Tom , Hering Luisa M , Angyal Adrienn , Brown Rebecca , Nicols Alexander R , Dobson Susan L , Supasa Piyada , Tuekprakhon Aekkachai , Cross Andrew , Tyerman Jessica K , Hornsby Hailey , Grouneva Irina , Plowright Megan , Zhang Peijun , Newman Thomas A.H. , Nell Jeremy M. , Abraham Priyanka , Ali Mohammad , Malone Tom , Neale Isabel , Phillips Eloise , Wilson Joseph D. , Murray Sam M. , Zewdie Martha , Shields Adrian , Horner Emily C. , Booth Lucy H. , Stafford Lizzie , Bibi Sagida , Wootton Daniel G. , Mentzer Alexander J. , Conlon Christopher P. , Jeffery Katie , Matthews Philippa C. , Pollard Andrew J. , Brown Anthony , Rowland-Jones Sarah L. , Mongkolsapaya Juthathip , Payne Rebecca P. , Dold Christina , Lambe Teresa , Thaventhiran James E.D. , Screaton Gavin , Barnes Eleanor , Hopkins Susan , Hall Victoria , Duncan Christopher JA , Richter Alex , Carroll Miles , de Silva Thushan I. , Klenerman Paul , Dunachie Susanna , Turtle Lance
Published: June 2022

Both infection and vaccination, alone or in combination, generate antibody and T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2. However, the maintenance of such responses – and hence protection from disease – requires careful characterisation. In a large prospective study of UK healthcare workers (Protective immunity from T cells in Healthcare workers (PITCH), within the larger SARS-CoV-2 immunity & reinfection evaluation (SIREN) study) we previously observed that prior infection impacted strongly on subsequent cellular and humoral immunity induced after long and short dosing intervals of BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) vaccination. Here, we report longer follow up of 684 HCWs in this cohort over 6-9 months following two doses of BNT162b2 or AZD1222 (Oxford/AstraZeneca) vaccination and up to 6 months following a subsequent mRNA booster vaccination. We make three observations: Firstly, the dynamics of humoral and cellular responses differ; binding and neutralising antibodies declined whereas T and memory B cell responses were maintained after the second vaccine dose. Secondly, vaccine boosting restored IgG levels, broadened neutralising activity against variants of concern including omicron BA.1, BA.2 and BA.5, and boosted T cell responses above the 6 month level post dose 2. Thirdly, prior infection maintained its impact driving larger as well as broader T cell responses compared with never-infected people – a feature maintained until 6 months after the third dose. In conclusion, broadly cross-reactive T cell responses are well maintained over time – especially in those with combined vaccine and infection-induced immunity (“hybrid” immunity) – and may contribute to continued protection against severe disease.
Ecology, not host phylogeny, shapes the oral microbiome in closely related species of gorillas
Authors: Moraitou Markella , Forsythe Adrian , Fellows Yates James A. , Brealey Jaelle C. , Warinner Christina , Guschanski Katerina
Published: June 2022

Host-associated microbiomes are essential for a multitude of biological processes. Placed at the contact zone between external and internal environments, the little-studied oral microbiome has important roles in host physiology and health. Here we investigate the contribution of host evolutionary relationships and ecology in shaping the oral microbiome in three closely related gorilla subspecies (mountain, Grauer’s, and western lowland gorillas) using shotgun metagenomics of 46 museum-preserved dental calculus samples. We find that the oral microbiomes of mountain gorillas are functionally and taxonomically distinct from the other two subspecies, despite close evolutionary relationships and geographic proximity with Grauer’s gorillas. Grauer’s gorillas show intermediate bacterial taxonomic and functional, and dietary profiles. Altitudinal differences in gorilla subspecies ranges appear to explain these patterns, proposing a close connection between dental calculus microbiome and the environment, which is further supported by the presence of gorilla subspecies-specific phyllosphere/rhizosphere taxa. Mountain gorillas show high abundance of nitrate-reducing oral taxa, which may contribute to high altitude adaptation by modulating blood pressure. Our results suggest that ecology, rather than evolutionary relationships and geographic proximity, primarily shape the oral microbiome in these closely related species.
Comparing supervised machine learning algorithms for the prediction of partial arterial pressure of oxygen during craniotomy
Authors: Becker-Pennrich Andrea S , Mandl Maximilian M , Rieder Clemens , Hoechter Dominik J , Dietz Konstantin , Geisler Benjamin P , Boulesteix Anne-Laure , Tomasi Roland , Hinske Ludwig C
Published: June 2022

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility of continuous paO2 prediction in an intraoperative setting among neurosurgical patients with modern machine learning methods.

Materials and Methods

Data were extracted from routine clinical care of lung-healthy, neurosurgical patients. We used recursive feature elimination to identify relevant features for the prediction of paO2. Five machine learning algorithms (gradient boosting regressor, k-nearest neighbors regressor, random forest regressor, support vector regression, multi-layer perceptron regressor) and a multivariate linear regression were then tuned and fitted to the selected features. A performance matrix consisting of Spearman’s ρ, mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and root mean squared error (RMSE) was finally computed based on the test set and used to compare and rank each algorithm.

Results

We analyzed 4,180 patients with 12,497 observations. A total of 20 features were selected from analysis of the training dataset comprising 836 patients with 9,992 observations. The best algorithm, random forest, was able to predict paO2 values with ρ=0.90, MAPE=10.4%, and RMSE=30.9mmHg, closely followed by gradient boosting and multi-layer perceptron. Support vector regression, k-nearest neighbors regressor and the linear regression did not achieve the performance metrics.

Discussion

We successfully applied and compared several machine learning algorithms to estimate continuous paO2 values in neurosurgical patients. The random forest regressor performed best over all three categories of the performance matrix.

Conclusion

PaO2 can be predicted by perioperative routine data in neurosurgical patients.
Formation of protein-mediated bilayer tubes is governed by a snapthrough transition
Authors: Mahapatra A. , Rangamani P.
Published: June 2022

Plasma membrane tubes are ubiquitous in cellular membranes and in the membranes of intracellular organelles. They play crucial roles in trafficking, ion transport, and cellular motility. These tubes can be formed due to localized forces acting on the membrane or by the curvature induced by membrane-bound proteins. Here, we present a mathematical framework to model cylindrical tubular protrusions formed by proteins that induce anisotropic spontaneous curvature. Our analysis revealed that the tube radius depends on an effective tension that includes contributions from the bare membrane tension and the protein-induced curvature. We also found that the length of the tube undergoes an abrupt transition from a short, domeshaped membrane to a long cylinder and this transition is characteristic of a snapthrough instability. Finally, we show that the snapthrough instability depends on the different parameters including coat area, bending modulus, and extent of protein-induced curvature. Our findings have implications for tube formation due to BAR-domain proteins in processes such as endocytosis, t-tubule formation in myocytes, and cristae formation in mitochondria.
“Cheater” particles render the VEGAS platform unsuitable for mammalian directed evolution
Authors: Denes Christopher E. , Cole Alexander J. , Tran Minh Thuan Nguyen , Mohd Khalid Mohd Khairul Nizam , Hewitt Alex W. , Hesselson Daniel , Neely G. Gregory
Published: June 2022

Directed evolution uses cycles of gene diversification and selection to generate proteins with novel properties. While traditionally directed evolution is performed in prokaryotic systems, recently a mammalian directed evolution system (viral evolution of genetically actuating sequences, or “VEGAS”) has been described. Here we report that the VEGAS system has major limitations precluding its use for directed evolution. The primary technical issue with the VEGAS system is an immediate contamination with “cheater” particles that bypass directed evolution circuits. By sequencing we find these cheater particles contain Sindbis structural genes instead of the intended directed evolution target transgene. These cheaters outcompete the VEGAS transgenes within 2 rounds of transduction but cannot themselves activate synthetic circuits that drive expression of Sindbis structural genes, preventing directed evolution campaigns. Similar results have been obtained in independent labs. Taken together, the VEGAS system does not work as described and, without significant redesign to suppress cheaters, cannot be used for mammalian directed evolution campaigns.
A hybrid model combining evolutionary probability and machine learning leverages data-driven protein engineering
Authors: Illig Alexander-Maurice , Siedhoff Niklas E. , Schwaneberg Ulrich , Davari Mehdi D.
Published: June 2022

Protein engineering through directed evolution and (semi-)rational approaches has been applied successfully to optimize protein properties for broad applications in molecular biology, biotechnology, and biomedicine. The potential of protein engineering is not yet fully realized due to the limited screening throughput hampering the efficient exploration of the vast protein sequence space. Data-driven strategies have emerged as a powerful tool to leverage protein engineering by providing a model of the sequence-fitness landscape that can exhaustively be explored in silico and capitalize on the high diversity potential offered by nature However, as both the quality and quantity of the inputted data determine the success of such approaches, the applicability of data-driven strategies is often limited due to sparse data. Here, we present a hybrid model that combines direct coupling analysis and machine learning techniques to enable data-driven protein engineering when only few labeled sequences are available. Our method achieves high performance in predicting a protein’s fitness based on its sequence regardless of the number of sequences-fitness pairs in the training dataset. Besides reducing the computational effort compared to state-of-the-art methods, it outperforms them for sparse data situations, i.e., 50 − 250 labeled sequences available for training. In essence, the developed method is auspicious for data-driven protein engineering, especially for protein engineers who have only access to a limited amount of data for sequence-fitness landscape modeling.
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein induces TLR-4-mediated long-term cognitive dysfunction recapitulating post-COVID syndrome
Authors: Fontes-Dantas Fabricia L. , Fernandes Gabriel G. , Gutman Elisa G. , De Lima Emanuelle V. , Antonio Leticia S. , Hammerle Mariana B. , Mota-Araujo Hannah P. , Colodeti Lilian C. , Araújo Suzana M. B. , da Silva Talita N. , Duarte Larissa A. , Salvio Andreza L. , Pires Karina L. , Leon Luciane A. A. , Vasconcelos Claudia Cristina F. , Romão Luciana , Savio Luiz Eduardo B. , Silva Jerson L. , da Costa Robson , Clarke Julia R. , Da Poian Andrea T. , Alves-Leon Soniza V. , Passos Giselle F. , Figueiredo Claudia P.
Published: June 2022

Cognitive dysfunction is often reported in post-COVID patients, but its underlying mechanisms remain unknown. While some evidence indicate that SARS-CoV-2 can reach and directly impact the brain, others suggest viral neuroinvasion as a rare event. Independently of brain viral infection, the ability of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein to cross the BBB and reach memory-related brain regions has already been shown. Here, we demonstrate that brain infusion of S protein in mice induces late cognitive impairment and increases serum levels of neurofilament light chain (NFL), which recapitulates post-COVID features. Neuroinflammation, hippocampal microgliosis and synapse loss are induced by S protein. Increased engulfment of hippocampal presynaptic terminals late after S protein brain infusion were found to temporally correlate with cognitive deficit in mice. Blockage of TLR4 signaling prevented S-associated detrimental effects on synapse and memory loss. In a cohort of 86 patients recovered from mild COVID-19, genotype GG TLR4 -2604G>A (rs10759931) was associated with poor cognitive outcome. Collectively, these findings indicate that S protein directly impacts the brain and suggest that TLR4 is a potential target to prevent post-COVID cognitive dysfunction.

One Sentence Summary

TLR4 mediates long-term cognitive impairment in mice and its genetic variant increases the risk of poor cognitive outcome in post-COVID patients.
Mediating role of pro-environmental behavior in environmentally specific transformational leadership and subjective well-being
Authors: Soni Monika
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Based on self-determination theory, the paper investigates the link between environmentally specific transformational leadership (ETFL) and subjective well-being (SWB) of employees working in an energy intensive industry. The paper also aims to examine pro-environmental behavior (PEB) as a mediator mechanism between ETFL and SWB relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical research design was used for the analysis. In total, 293 respondents working in different energy intensive Indian companies filled the questionnaire for the study. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling SMART-PLS 3 software which is a graphical user interface for variance-based structural equation modeling using the partial least squares path modeling method. Two stages of analysis were conducted: the measurement model and the structural model.

Findings

The results indicate that (1) ETFL has a significant positive impact on PEB. (2) PEB is positively correlated to SWB. (3) ETFL has a significant impact on SWB. (4) The underlying mechanism process of ETFL and SWB relationship is explained by mediation of PEB.

Practical implications

Overall, the study insinuates that PEB act as underlying mechanism in environmental leadership and SWB of employees. The study further suggests that the management should promote green leaders for enhancing the overall SWB of the managements' employees especially in energy intensive sector. Doing so helps the managers to enhance managers' environmental conscious behavior for inducing SWB of employees.

Originality/value

The study contributes to novel findings in existing literature particularly to determine ETFL and PEB as predictors of SWB especially in energy intensive sector. The study also leads the ways for organizations by promoting green conscious leaders, which stimulates PEB among employees that ultimately contributes to SWB of employees. Furthermore, the research methodology can be used in other studies for variation of contextual variables such as size of the industry, developed or underdeveloped country and manufacturing or service industry.
Attitudes and intentions towards the adoption of mobile learning during COVID-19: building an exciting career through vocational education
Authors: Abdelwahed Nadia A. Abdelmegeed , Soomro Bahadur Ali
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Mobile learning has emerged as one of the main methods for training and academic activities in the present era. It is, also, highly relevant in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic whereupon digitization of mobile learning has made it possible for many students to continue with their education. This study investigated attitudes and intentions towards the adoption of mobile learning in vocational education.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a quantitative study based on cross-sectional empirical data. In targeting vocational students throughout Pakistan, the study used a survey questionnaire with a convenience sampling method. From the responses to the questionnaire, 320 samples were used to obtain the study outcomes.

Findings

The structural equation modeling’s (SEM) findings reveal that learning autonomy (LA), mobile device self-efficacy (MDSE), task-technology fit (TTF), perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PUS) and perceived enjoyment (PE) have a positive and significant effect on mobile usage attitudes (MUA) and intentions to adopt mobile learning (ITAML). Moreover, this study’s findings confirm, also, MUA’s predictive power on ITAML.

Practical implications

Further, this study’s findings encourage individuals to use mobile devices to properly promote knowledge in society. In addition, this study’s findings support vocational institutions’ operators’ and policymakers’ development of online education and training strategies to resist the complications arising from the transmission of COVID-19. Moreover, this study’s findings open new doors when conducting similar research studies on students’ perceptions and learning behaviors.

Originality/value

The empirical investigation of attitudes and intentions to adopt mobile learning in the context of COVID-19 helps potential adopters to test the likely behaviors.
Exploring the effects of different achievement goals on contributor participation in crowdsourcing
Authors: Lee Philip Tin Yun , Lui Richard Wing Cheung , Chau Michael , Tsin Bosco Hing Yan
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study examines how contributors with different achievement goals participate under the influence of two common motivators/demotivators on crowdsourcing platforms, namely system design features and task nature.

Design/methodology/approach

A free simulation experiment was conducted among undergraduate students with the use of a crowdsourcing platform for two weeks.

Findings

The results indicate that contributors with a strong performance-approach goal get better scores and participate in more crowdsourcing tasks. Contributors with a strong mastery-avoidance goal participate in fewer heterogeneous tasks.

Research limitations/implications

Contributors with different achievement goals participate in crowdsourcing tasks to different extents under the influence of the two motivators/demotivators. The inclusion of the approach-avoidance dimension in the performance-mastery dichotomy enables demonstrating the influence of motivators/demotivators more specifically. This article highlights differentiation between the quality and the quantity of heterogeneous crowdsourcing tasks.

Practical implications

Management is advised to approach performance-approach people if a leaderboard and a point system are incorporated into their crowdsourcing platforms. Also, management should avoid offering heterogeneous tasks to mastery-avoidance contributors. System developers should take users' motivational goals into consideration when designing the motivators in their systems.

Originality/value

The study sheds light on habitual achievement goals, which are relatively stable in comparison to contributors' motives and states. The relationships between achievement goals and motivators/demotivators are more persistent across time. This study informs system designers' decisions to include appropriate motivators for sustained contributor participation.
Evaluation of the relationship between COVID‐19 anxiety and treatment compliance in hemodialysis patients: A prospective, descriptive study
Authors: Terkes Nurten , Okten Ciğdem
Published: June 2022

Introduction

It is aimed in this study to evaluate the relationship between COVID‐19 anxiety and treatment compliance in hemodialysis patients.

Methods

This study was conducted descriptively with 128 hemodialysis patients treated in the hemodialysis unit of a district state hospital between September and December 2021.

Results

It was observed that there was a significant relationship between the dialysis duration as well as the variable of forgetting to take their medicines while traveling and the coronavirus anxiety scores according to the multiple regression analysis regarding the variables affecting the coronavirus anxiety levels of the participants, and that these two variables were 25% determinant in the mean score of the coronavirus anxiety (R2 = 0.25, p = 0.00).

Conclusion

It was found, as a conclusion, that the majority of the patients were compliant to the treatment and such variables as gender, education, profession, and dialysis duration were related to the coronavirus anxiety.
Rocuronium 0.3 or 0.9 mg/kg comparing onset time, duration of action, and intubating conditions in patients 80 years and older: A randomized study
Authors: Vested Matias , Pape Pernille , Kristensen Camilla M. , Dinesen Felicia , Vang Malene , Christensen Rasmus E. , Lindahl Cecilie B. , Albrechtsen Charlotte , Rasmussen Lars S.
Published: June 2022

Background

Limited data exist about the optimal dose of rocuronium for intubation in elderly patients. We hypothesized that rocuronium 0.9 mg/kg would lead to a shorter onset time than 0.3 mg/kg in patients above 80 years.

Methods

Thirty‐four patients were randomized to either rocuronium 0.3 or 0.9 mg/kg. The primary outcome was onset time defined as time to train‐of‐four (TOF) count of 0. Other outcomes included duration of action (time to TOF ratio >0.9), proportion of excellent intubating conditions using the Fuchs‐Buder scale and tracheal intubating conditions using the Intubating Difficulty Scale (IDS).

Results

Rocuronium 0.9 mg/kg resulted in shorter onset time compared to rocuronium 0.3 mg/kg; 108 s (SD 40) vs. 228 s (SD 140) (difference: 119 s [95% CI: 41–196], p = .005), respectively. However, in 66% of the patients receiving rocuronium 0.3 mg/kg a TOF count of 0 was not obtained. Duration of action was longer after rocuronium 0.9 mg/kg: 118 min (SD 43) vs. 46 min (SD 13) (difference: 72 min [95% CI: 49–95] p < .0001), and a greater proportion of excellent intubating conditions (Fuchs‐Buder) was obtained; 11/16 (69%) vs 4/18 (22%) (p = .006). No difference was found regarding IDS score.

Conclusion

Rocuronium 0.9 mg/kg resulted in a shorter onset time compared to rocuronium 0.3 mg/kg in patients above 80 years of age. In 66% of the patients receiving rocuronium 0.3 mg/kg a TOF count of 0 was not obtained.
Use of prokinetic agents in hospitalised adult patients: Protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Crone Vera , Møller Morten Hylander , Perner Anders , Alhazzani Waleed , Krag Mette
Published: June 2022

Background

Gastrointestinal motility is an important contributor to the effective uptake of water and nutrition. However, it is often impaired in acutely ill hospitalised patients. Amongst other indications, prokinetic agents are used to improve GI motility, but the body of evidence is not well described. Accordingly, we aim to systematically describe and explore the body of evidence on the use of prokinetic agents in hospitalised adults.

Methods

In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews statement, we plan to conduct a scoping review of studies assessing the use of prokinetic agents, for any indication, in hospitalised adults. We plan to assess study design, population, agents, indications and outcomes across included studies. When applicable, we plan to assess the certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Results

We plan to provide descriptive analyses of the included studies accompanied by tabulated results and characterise knowledge gaps.

Conclusion

The outlined scoping review will provide a summary of the body of evidence on the use, indications, effects and side effects of prokinetic agents in hospitalised adults.
Epidural analgesia and postoperative complications in colorectal cancer surgery. An observational registry‐based study
Authors: Hasselager Rune P. , Hallas Jesper , Gögenur Ismail
Published: June 2022

Background

In colorectal cancer, surgical resection is fundamental for curative treatment. Epidural analgesia mitigates the perioperative physiologic stress response caused by surgery, and reduction in perioperative stress may reduce postoperative complications. Nevertheless, epidural analgesia also causes hypotension and lower limb motor weakness that can impair postoperative recovery. Here, we aimed to assess the association between epidural analgesia and postoperative complications after colorectal cancer surgery.

Methods

We identified patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery 2008–2018 in Denmark in the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group Database and obtained anaesthesia data from the Danish Anaesthesia Database. The Danish National Prescription Registry was used to obtain data on prescriptions filled preoperatively reflecting current comorbidities. Databases were linked using the Danish Central Person Registry number and the operation day. Patients were classified according to preoperative insertion of an epidural catheter for analgesia. Confounders were adjusted by propensity score matching. Logistic regression was used to compute effect estimates of epidural analgesia on postoperative complications.

Results

We identified 19 932 individuals undergoing colorectal cancer surgery with available anaesthesia data. Propensity score matching yielded 5691 individuals in each group with balanced preoperative covariates. In the epidural analgesia group 1400 (24.6%) experienced complications compared with 1453 (25.5%) without epidural analgesia. We found no statistically significant association between epidural use and postoperative complications (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.87–1.04).

Conclusion

In total, in this observational study based on Danish registries, we found no association between epidural analgesia and postoperative complications after colorectal cancer surgery.
Termination of seizures in the paediatric age group, best benzodiazepine and route of administration: A network meta‐analysis
Authors: Hasan Syed Umar , Pervez Alina , Bhatty Shaheen , Shamim Shifa , Naeem Aaima , Naseeb Muhammad Wahdan
Published: June 2022

This network meta‐analysis aims to compare various benzodiazepines and their route of administration using the data published exclusively in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two thousand two hundred sixty‐three children presenting with an episode of seizure to ER or to a paramedic where they were administered a benzodiazepine as the first‐line treatment were included. All the outcomes were measured for their mean with 95% CI and rank probability. The primary outcome was the number of successful seizure cessation. Secondary outcomes were the time interval between drug administration and seizure cessation, the time interval between patient arrival and seizure cessation and the number of episodes of seizure recurrence after drug administration. For the number of successful cessations, intramuscular midazolam showed the highest mean and best rank probability with a value of .881 (.065) and 57.9%, respectively. For the time of cessation, both intravenous lorazepam (IVL) and intravenous diazepam showed a mean of 3.30 (1.30) with IVL having the highest rank probability of 32%. For total time for cessation, intranasal midazolam showed the best mean and rank probability with a value of 4.3 (1.1) and 55%, respectively. Buccal midazolam showed the lowest mean with a value of .106 (.084) for rate of recurrence. Although there was no significant difference between the treatments, but based on the rank probability, IVL shows more promising results for patients who already have an established intravenous line, and for patients presenting in the ER without an intravenous line, the first line of treatment should be INM as it shows the highest rank probability in total time with second‐highest successful cessation rate.
Practices of organizing migrants' integration into the European labour market
Authors: Omanović Vedran , Tarim Emre , Holck Lotte
Published: June 2022

Organizational practices of migrants' labour market integration have by and large been overlooked in favour of research on societal‐level/macrolevel factors, policies, rules and regulations and their impacts on migrants' positions and perspectives on the labour market in the host country. Organizations are conceptualized as key sites that can open doors for meaningful employment and career progression or close them by way of producing inequalities. This change of focus, which we advocate, has a potential to not only increase our understanding of how migrants' labour market integration is organized and practiced at the organizational level, but also shed light on migrants' own mobilizations and agency in these processes. Research on organizational practices of workplace integration of migrants is also relevant as economic and political migration is still high on the agenda in many European countries, particularly since the so‐called ‘refugee crisis’ in 2015, when hundreds of thousands of refugees made their way to Europe. Unfortunately, the war in Ukraine in 2022 reminds us of the heightened importance of this issue. In this article, we start by outlining what has motivated this Special Section. Next, we briefly review the relevant literature that directly or indirectly focuses on practices of organizing migrants' labour market integration in European host countries. We then introduce the two contributions to this Special Section, presenting and discussing their main lines of reasoning and how each of them answer our call for papers. We conclude by elaborating what is, from our point of view, still missing and suggest possible avenues for future research.
Corporate blockholders and financial leverage
Authors: Bui Thuy
Published: June 2022

This research investigates the relation between corporate blockholders and firm financial leverage. Corporate blockholders—nonfinancial firms who hold more than five percent equity in another company—might affect firm policies through their business relations, monitoring, or expropriations. I find that corporate block ownership is negatively related to the target firm's leverage. Moreover, the negative association between corporate blocks and leverage becomes stronger when these investors have greater board representation and when the firm has higher agency costs. Overall, my findings suggest that corporate blockholders play an important monitoring role and can substitute for other monitoring mechanisms, including leverage
The bus sightseeing problem
Authors: Hu Qian , Zhang Zhenzhen , Baldacci Roberto , Tarantilis Christos D. , Zachariadis Emmanouil
Published: June 2022

The basic characteristic of vehicle routing problems with profits (VRPP) is that locations to be visited are not predetermined. On the contrary, they are selected in pursuit of maximizing the profit collected from them. Significant research focus has been directed toward profitable routing variants due to the practical importance of their applications and their interesting structure, which jointly optimizes node selection and routing decisions. Profitable routing applications arise in the tourism industry aiming to maximize the profit score of attractions visited within a limited time period. In this paper, a new VRPP is introduced, referred to as the bus sightseeing problem (BSP). The BSP calls for determining bus tours for transporting different groups of tourists with different preferences on touristic attractions. Two interconnected decision levels have to be jointly tackled: assignment of tourists to buses and routing of buses to the various attractions. A mixed‐integer programming formulation for the BSP is provided and solved by a Benders decomposition algorithm. For large‐scale instances, an iterated local search based metaheuristic algorithm is developed with some tailored neighborhood operators. The proposed methods are tested on a large family of test instances, and the obtained computational results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solution approaches.