bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of mosquito proteins that differentially interact with alphavirus nonstructural protein 3, a determinant of vector specificity
Authors: Byers Nathaniel M. , Burns Paul L. , Stuchlik Olga , Reed Matthew S. , Ledermann Jeremy P. , Pohl Jan , Powers Ann M.
Published: January 2023

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and the closely related onyong-nyong virus (ONNV) are arthritogenic arboviruses that have caused significant, often debilitating, disease in millions of people. However, despite their kinship, they are vectored by different mosquito subfamilies that diverged 180 million years ago (anopheline versus culicine subfamilies). Previous work indicated that the nonstructural protein 3 (nsP3) of these alphaviruses was partially responsible for this vector specificity. To better understand the cellular components controlling alphavirus vector specificity, a cell culture model system of the anopheline restriction of CHIKV was developed along with a protein expression strategy. Mosquito proteins that differentially interacted with CHIKV nsP3 or ONNV nsP3 were identified. Six proteins were identified that specifically bound ONNV nsP3, ten that bound CHIKV nsP3 and eight that interacted with both. In addition to identifying novel factors that may play a role in virus/vector processing, these lists included host proteins that have been previously implicated as contributing to alphavirus replication.
Phylogenetic analysis of the MCL1 BH3 binding groove and rBH3 sequence motifs in the p53 and INK4 protein families
Authors: McGriff Anna , Placzek William J.
Published: January 2023

B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) proteins are central, conserved regulators of apoptosis. Bcl-2 family function is regulated by binding interactions between the Bcl-2 homology 3 (BH3) motif in pro-apoptotic family members and the BH3 binding groove found in both the pro-apoptotic effector and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members. A novel motif, the reverse BH3 (rBH3), has been shown to interact with the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 homolog MCL1 (Myeloid cell leukemia 1) and have been identified in the p53 homolog p73, and the CDK4/6 (cyclin dependent kinase 4/6) inhibitor p18INK4c, (p18, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 inhibitor c). To determine the conservation of rBH3 motif, we first assessed conservation of MCL1’s BH3 binding groove, where the motif binds. We then constructed neighbor-joining phylogenetic trees of the INK4 and p53 protein families and analyzed sequence conservation using sequence logos of the rBH3 locus. This showed the rBH3 motif is conserved throughout jawed vertebrates p63 and p73 sequences and in chondrichthyans, amphibians, mammals, and some reptiles in p18. Finally, a potential rBH3 motif was identified in mammalian and osteichthyan p19INK4d (p19, cyclin dependent kinase 4 inhibitor d). These findings demonstrate that the interaction between MCL1 and other cellular proteins mediated by the rBH3 motif may be conserved throughout jawed vertebrates.
Phylogenetic analysis based on whole genome sequence of bovine leukemia virus in cattle under 3 years old with enzootic bovine leukosis
Authors: Maezawa Masaki , Fujii Yuki , Akagami Masataka , Kawakami Junko , Inokuma Hisashi
Published: January 2023

Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) is one of bovine neoplasms caused by bovine leukemia virus (BLV). Although EBL is typically observed in cattle over 3 years old, several cases of EBL onset in cattle under 3 years old have been reported in Japan. The mechanism for EBL onset in young cattle remains unclear. Although genetic variation of BLV is limited, the variations could affect viral properties relating to BLV pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to clarify relationship between early onset of EBL and BLV groups. Moreover, we also aimed to characterize BLV that cause early onset of EBL. Whole genome sequences of BLV in 72 EBL cattle under 3 years old and 50 EBL cattle over 3 years old were identified. Phylogenetic analysis showed that BLV was divided into 4 groups (A, B-1, B-2 and Other). The BLV from EBL cattle under 3 years old were mainly classified as group A and B-1, while those from EBL cattle over 3 years old were mainly included in group B-2. Common sequence of group A and B-1 was compared with those of group B-2. Specific sequences in LTRs,gag-pro-pol, env andtaxgene regions were identified in these groups. Amino acid substitutions of Pro and Tax protein were predicted in those nucleotide sequences. Those genetic variations might contribute to the early onset of EBL.
Time trends in body height according to educational level. A descriptive study from the Tromsø Study 1979–2016
Authors: Arntsen Sondre Haakonson , Borch Kristin Benjaminsen , Wilsgaard Tom , Njølstad Inger , Hansen Anne Helen
Published: January 2023

Objectives

The objective of our study was to describe time trends in body height according to attained educational level in women and men in Norway.

Methods

We used previously collected data from six repeated cross-sectional studies in the population based Tromsø Study 1979–2016. Measured body height in cm and self-reported educational level were the primary outcome measures. We included 31 466 women and men aged 30–49 years, born between 1930 and 1977. Participants were stratified by 10-year birth cohorts and allocated into four groups based on attained levels of education. Descriptive statistics was used to estimate mean body height and calculate height differences between groups with different educational levels.

Results

Mean body height increased by 3.4 cm (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.0, 3.8) in women (162.5–165.9 cm) and men (175.9–179.3 cm) between 1930 and 1977. The height difference between groups with primary education compared to long tertiary education was 5.1 cm (95% CI 3.7, 6.5) in women (161.6–166.7 cm) and 4.3 cm (95% CI 3.3, 5.3) in men (175.0–179.3 cm) born in 1930–39. The height differences between these educational groups were reduced to 3.0 cm (95% CI 1.9, 4.1) in women (163.6–166.6 cm) and 2.0 cm (95% CI 0.9, 3.1) in men (178.3–180.3 cm) born in 1970–77.

Conclusions

Body height increased in women and men. Women and men with long tertiary education had the highest mean body height, which remained stable across all birth cohorts. Women and men in the three other groups had a gradual increase in height by birth cohort, reducing overall height differences between educational groups in our study population.
Correlations between the selection of topics by news media and scientific journals
Authors: Leidecker-Sandmann Melanie , Koppers Lars , Lehmkuhl Markus
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study is to reveal a robust correlation between the amount of attention international journalism devotes to scientific papers and the amount of attention scientific journals devote to the respective topics. Using a Mainstream-Media-Score (MSM) ≥ 100 (which we regard as an indicator for news media attention) from the altmetrics provider Altmetric, we link 983 research articles with 185,166 thematically similar articles from the PubMed database (which we use to operationalize attention from scientific journals). The method we use is to test whether there is a concomitant increase in scientific attention after a research article has received popular media coverage. To do so, we compare the quotient of the number of thematically similar articles published in scientific journals during the period before and after the publication of an MSM ≥ 100 article. Our main result shows that in 59 percent of cases, more thematically similar articles were published in scientific journals after a scientific paper received noteworthy news media coverage than before (p < 0.01). In this context, we neither found significant differences between various types of scientific journal (p = 0.3) nor between scientific papers that were originally published in renowned opinion-leading journals or in less renowned, non-opinion-leading journals (p = 0.1). Our findings indicate a robust correlation between the choice of topics in the mass media and in research. However, our study cannot clarify whether this correlation occurs because researchers and/or scientific journals are oriented towards public relevance (publicity effect) or whether the correlation is due to the parallelism of relevance attributions in quality journalism and research (earmark hypothesis). We infer that topics of social relevance are (more) likely to be picked up by popular media as well as by scientific journals. Altogether, our study contributes new empirical findings to the relationship between topic selection in journalism and in research.
The relationship between postpartum depression and appropriate infant feeding practice in eastern zone of Tigray, Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study
Authors: Weldu Angesom , Belachew Ayele , Yilma Mengistu
Published: January 2023

Background

Understanding the relationship between postpartum depression and infant feeding practice may help to reduce the indirect impact of postpartum depression on infant feeding practice. This will further have a positive impact on reducing infant morbidity and mortality attributed to improper feeding practices. Although studies in the country have assessed the prevalence of infant feeding practices, those assessing the association between postpartum depression and infant feeding practices are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to compare appropriate infant feeding practices and their associated factors among postpartum depressed and non-depressed mothers in Eastern Tigray.

Methods

A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2019 to April 2019. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 171 mothers with postpartum depression and 342 mothers without postpartum depression. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from the Monitoring and Evaluating for Breastfeeding Practices toolkit, then entered into Epi- info and exported into SPSS for further analysis. A binary logistic regression was applied to determine the association between postpartum depression and appropriate infant feeding practice.

Results

The overall prevalence of appropriate infant feeding practice was 37.6% (95% CI: 33.5%-41.9%). The prevalence was higher among mothers without postpartum depression 42.7% (95% CI: 42.9%-53.2%) than among postpartum depressed mothers 27.5% (95% CI: 24.7%-32.5%). The odds of appropriate infant feeding practice among mothers with infant birth orders of three or above was 58% (AOR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.26–0.97) less than those mothers with infant birth orders of three and below. Households with monthly income 1000–1999 ETB (AOR = 2.26; 95% CI: 1.01–5.08), 2000–2999 ETB (AOR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.21–4.73) and 3000–3999 ETB (AOR = 5.13; 95% CI: 1.97–13.4) were more likely to practice appropriate infant feeding.

Conclusion

The overall prevalence of appropriate infant feeding practices in the study area was low. A significantly higher proportion of mothers without postpartum depression practice appropriate infant feeding compared to mothers with postpartum depression. In addition, households with higher monthly incomes and mothers with infant birth orders three or above were significant determinants of appropriate infant feeding practice. Therefore, strengthening the provisions of nutritional education, integrating maternal mental health with routine maternal health care services, providing economic support to mothers with low income, and health education for multiparous women is a critical interventions to improve appropriate infant feeding practice.
Depression, anxiety, and stress among university students in Selangor, Malaysia during COVID-19 pandemics and their associated factors
Authors: Wong Shun Sun , Wong Charng Choon , Ng Kwok Wen , Bostanudin Mohammad F. , Tan Suk Fei
Published: January 2023

Introduction

This study aims to assess the impacts of COVID-19 pandemics among university students in Malaysia, by identifying the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among them and their respective predictors.

Methodology

An online cross-sectional study was conducted via non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, COVID-19 related influences. Mental health status was assessed with depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21).

Results

388 students participated this study (72.4% female; 81.7% Bachelor’s student). The prevalence of moderate to severe depression, anxiety and stress among university students are 53.9%, 66.2% and 44.6%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis found that the odds of depression were lower among students who exercise at least 3 times per week (OR: 0.380, 95% CI: 0.203–0.711). The odd ratio of student who had no personal history of depression to had depression, anxiety and stress during this pandemic was also lower in comparison (OR: 0.489, 95% CI: 0.249–0.962; OR: 0.482, 95% CI: 0.241–0.963; OR: 0.252, 95% CI: 0.111–0.576). Surprisingly, students whose are currently pursuing Master study was associated with lower stress levels (OR: 0.188, 95% CI: 0.053–0.663). However, student who had poorer satisfaction of current learning experience were more likely to experience stress (OR: 1.644, 95% CI: 1.010–2.675).

Limitations

It is impossible to establish causal relationships between variables on mental health outcomes, and there is a risk of information bias.

Conclusion

The prevalence of mental health issues among university students is high. These findings present essential pieces of predictive information when promoting related awareness among them.
SARS-CoV-2 variants-associated outbreaks of COVID-19 in a tertiary institution, North-Central Nigeria: Implications for epidemic control
Authors: Adeyemi Oluwapelumi Olufemi , Ndodo Nnaemeka Darlington , Sulaiman Mariam Kehinde , Ayansola Oyeronke Temidayo , Buhari Oluwabunmi Idera Nimat , Akanbi Olusola Anuoluwapo , Bolarinwa Oladimeji Akeem , Chukwu Chimaobi , Joel Ireoluwa Yinka , Omoare Adesuyi Ayodeji , Wahab Kolawole Wasiu , Obiekea Celestina , Buhari Mikhail Olayinka , Ahumibe Anthony , Kolawole Caroline Folasade , Okoi Catherine , Omotesho Olumuyiwa Babagbemi , Mba Nwando , Adeniyi Oluwafemi , Babatunde Olajumoke , Akintunde Nathaniel , Ayinla Ganiu , Akande Oluwatosin Wuraola , Odunola Rasheed Adekeye , Saka Mohammed Jimoh , Musa Omotosho Ibrahim , Durotoye Idayat Adenike , Ihekweazu Chikwe , Adetifa Ifedayo Morayo , Fadeyi Abayomi
Published: January 2023

The COVID-19 global pandemic is being driven by evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants with consequential implications on virus transmissibility, host immunity, and disease severity. Continuous molecular and genomic surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 variants is therefore necessary for public health interventions toward the management of the pandemic. This study is a retrospective analysis of COVID-19 cases reported in a Nigerian tertiary institution from July to December 2021. In total, 705 suspected COVID-19 cases that comprised 547 students and 158 non-students were investigated by real time PCR (RT-PCR); of which 372 (~52.8%) tested positive for COVID-19. Using a set of selection criteria, 74 (~19.9%) COVID-19 positive samples were selected for next generation sequencing. Data showed that there were two outbreaks of COVID-19 within the university community over the study period, during which more females (56.8%) tested positive than males (47.8%) (p<0.05). Clinical data together with phylogenetic analysis suggested community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through mostly asymptomatic and/or pre-symptomatic individuals. Confirmed COVID-19 cases were mostly mild, however, SARS-CoV-2 delta (77%) and omicron (4.1%) variants were implicated as major drivers of respective waves of infections during the study period. This study highlights the importance of integrated surveillance of communicable disease during outbreaks.
Assessment of oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid and serum of dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown origin
Authors: Prümmer Julia K. , Stein Veronika M. , Marti Eliane , Lutterotti Andreas , Jelcic Ilijas , Schüpbach-Regula Gertraud , Buch Thorsten , Maiolini Arianna
Published: January 2023

Background

Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) is an inflammatory disease of the canine central nervous system (CNS) that shares several features with multiple sclerosis (MS) in humans. In approximately 95% of MS patients, ≥ two immunoglobulin G (IgG) oligoclonal bands (OCBs) are detectable exclusively in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Hypothesis/objectives

To investigate OCBs in CSF and serum in dogs affected by MUO, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), idiopathic epilepsy (IE), intracranial neoplasia (IN), steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA), and diseases outside the CNS. We hypothesize that the highest prevalence of CSF-specific OCBs (≥ two OCBs uniquely in the CSF) would be found in dogs affected by MUO.

Animals

Client-owned dogs (n = 121) presented to the neurology service due to neurological deficits.

Methods

Prospective study. Measurement of IgG concentration in CSF and serum via a canine IgG ELISA kit. OCB detection via isoelectric focusing (IEF) and immunoblot.

Results

Presence of CSF-specific OCBs was significantly higher in dogs with MUO (57%) compared to 22% in IN, 6% in IE, 15% in SRMA, 13% in IVDD, and 0% in the non-CNS group (p < .001). Dogs with MUO were 9.9 times more likely to show CSF-specific OCBs than all other diseases together (95% confidence interval, 3.7–26.4; p < .001).

Conclusions and clinical importance

MUO showed the highest prevalence of CSF-specific OCBs, indicating an inflammatory B cell response. Future studies are needed to evaluate the prevalence in the specific MUO subtypes and a possible similarity with human MS.
Inflated expectations: Rare-variant association analysis using public controls
Authors: Kim Jung , Karyadi Danielle M. , Hartley Stephen W. , Zhu Bin , Wang Mingyi , Wu Dongjing , Song Lei , Armstrong Gregory T. , Bhatia Smita , Robison Leslie L. , Yasui Yutaka , Carter Brian , Sampson Joshua N. , Freedman Neal D. , Goldstein Alisa M. , Mirabello Lisa , Chanock Stephen J. , Morton Lindsay M. , Savage Sharon A. , Stewart Douglas R.
Published: January 2023

The use of publicly available sequencing datasets as controls (hereafter, “public controls”) in studies of rare variant disease associations has great promise but can increase the risk of false-positive discovery. The specific factors that could contribute to inflated distribution of test statistics have not been systematically examined. Here, we leveraged both public controls, gnomAD v2.1 and several datasets sequenced in our laboratory to systematically investigate factors that could contribute to the false-positive discovery, as measured by λΔ95, a measure to quantify the degree of inflation in statistical significance. Analyses of datasets in this investigation found that 1) the significantly inflated distribution of test statistics decreased substantially when the same variant caller and filtering pipelines were employed, 2) differences in library prep kits and sequencers did not affect the false-positive discovery rate and, 3) joint vs. separate variant-calling of cases and controls did not contribute to the inflation of test statistics. Currently available methods do not adequately adjust for the high false-positive discovery. These results, especially if replicated, emphasize the risks of using public controls for rare-variant association tests in which individual-level data and the computational pipeline are not readily accessible, which prevents the use of the same variant-calling and filtering pipelines on both cases and controls. A plausible solution exists with the emergence of cloud-based computing, which can make it possible to bring containerized analytical pipelines to the data (rather than the data to the pipeline) and could avert or minimize these issues. It is suggested that future reports account for this issue and provide this as a limitation in reporting new findings based on studies that cannot practically analyze all data on a single pipeline.
Eye-Gaze direction triggers a more specific attentional orienting compared to arrows
Authors: Chacón-Candia Jeanette A. , Lupiáñez Juan , Casagrande Maria , Marotta Andrea
Published: January 2023

Numerous studies have shown that eye-gaze and arrows automatically shift visuospatial attention. Nonetheless, it remains unclear whether the attentional shifts triggered by these two types of stimuli differ in some important aspects. It has been suggested that an important difference may reside in how people select objects in response to these two types of cues, eye-gaze eliciting a more specific attentional orienting than arrows. To assess this hypothesis, we examined whether the allocation of the attentional orienting triggered by eye-gaze and arrows is modulated by the presence and the distribution of reference objects (i.e., placeholders) on the scene. Following central cues, targets were presented either in an empty visual field or within one of six placeholders on each trial. In Experiment 2, placeholder-objects were grouped following the gestalt’s law of proximity, whereas in Experiment 1, they were not perceptually grouped. Results showed that cueing one of the grouped placeholders spreads attention across the whole group of placeholder-objects when arrow cues were used, while it restricted attention to the specific cued placeholder when eye-gaze cues were used. No differences between the two types of cues were observed when placeholder-objects were not grouped within the cued hemifield, or no placeholders were displayed on the scene. These findings are consistent with the idea that socially relevant gaze cues encourage a more specific attentional orienting than arrow cues and provide new insight into the boundary conditions necessary to observe this dissociation.
Reflections and interview with ClydeRae Jolie-Ashe: Moving and ageing, untamed and joyful
Authors: Adams Marianne
Published: January 2023

This article arises from qualitative, embodied, arts-based research. Research began by interviewing ClydeRae Jolie-Ashe, master trainer in the GYROKINESIS® and GYROTONIC® methods. Additional data were gathered from experiential physical practice and reflections on continuing education trainings in Gyrokinesis and Gyrotonic. Results include a brief description of the Gyrokinesis and Gyrotonic methods, contextual somatic principles and background on ClydeRae Jolie-Ashe. Topics explored within the interview include experiencing kinaesthetic joy in movement, perspectives on ageing, feminine presence and the impact of community in somatic bodywork. From tracking physical experiences and sensory observations, kinaesthetic, emotive awareness(es) and cognitive questions emerged, resulting in multidimensional, poetic transcriptions. In conclusion, the importance of somatic communities, feminine role models and a commitment to embodied practice were examined. Contemplating the sustenance that I have received from teaching and learning somatic bodywork has led me towards an understanding of physical spirituality and the curious, emerging path of somatic sustainability.
Falling through Dance and Life, Emilyn Claid (2021)
Authors: Rothfield Philipa
Published: January 2023

Review of: Falling through Dance and Life, Emilyn Claid (2021)

London: Bloomsbury, 207 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-35007-571-9, p/bk, £26.09
Editorial
Authors: Hayward-Smith Lily , Kim Eugenia S. , Stamp Kathryn , Petts Louisa
Published: January 2023

This editorial introduction to the 14.2 open call issue of Journal of Dance & Somatic Practices (JDSP) provides readers with an update on the journal developments and news, followed by an overview of the articles and reviews that make up this issue.
The embodied city: Reconstructing Beirut in Zeina Abirached’s A Game for Swallows
Authors: Modarres Andrea
Published: January 2023

In her graphic memoir, A Game for Swallows: To Die, to Leave, to Return, Zeina Abirached depicts the city of Beirut during its protracted civil war, relying on her own recollections and those of family and neighbours to reconstruct an urban environment that was radically altered by conflict. This article examines the book’s depiction of Beirut as an embodied space of experience, a city that is full of life not only because of how its inhabitants adjust to the spatial disruptions of the war, but also because it lives in memory. Through both images and text, Abirached’s memoir suggests that while the body of the city reflects the trauma felt by its inhabitants during conflict, it also fosters a sense of identity, illustrating that figuratively reconstructed places can serve to memorialize both individual and collective responses to trauma and its aftermath.
Infrastructure and intervention on the comics page: An interview with Dominic Davies about his book Urban Comics (2019)
Authors: Fraser Benjamin
Published: January 2023

This interview documents a conversation between two scholars of space and comics. Benjamin Fraser asks Dominic Davies about his recently published book, titled Urban Comics. Conversation ranges from the author's experience connecting the medium of comics and graphic novels with various themes from the geographical and social sciences. Readers are introduced to the general arguments of the book, which are supported with specific quotations from selected chapters. A range of aesthetic and political concerns are discussed, as are various comics creators and their projects.
Las ciudades que somos (‘The cities we are’): A review of three Latin American comics by women creators
Authors: Fraser Benjamin
Published: January 2023

This short-form article reviews three texts by women comics artists published with publishing house Sexto Piso. María Luque’s graphic novel, titled Casa transparente (‘Transparent house’) (2017), won the first Premio Novela Gráfica Ciudades Iberoamericanas (Ibero-American Cities Graphic Novel Prize) and captures her travels to Bariloche, Rosario, Buenos Aires, Cusco and Mexico City. The volume Las ciudades que somos (‘The cities we are’) (2018), authored by Chicks on Comics, won the second Premio Novela Gráfica Ciudades Iberoamericanas (Ibero-American Cities Graphic Novel Prize). It contains comics in Spanish by an international collective of seven creators from Argentina, Colombia, Holland, Latvia and Singapore (Bas, Caro Chinaski, Clara Lagos, Delius, Power Paola, Weng Pixin and Zane Zlemeša). The third text discussed is Power Paola’s graphic novel Virus tropical (2018), a Künstlerroman or autobiographical portrait of the artist covering her adolescence and family connections to both Ecuador and Colombia.
Colon Cancer Screening and the End of Life: Is Age Just a Number?
Authors: Reinink Andrew R. , Malhotra Ashish , Shaukat Aasma
Published: January 2023

Age is the strongest risk factor for colorectal cancer. Although there is updated guidance for the age at which to start screening, there is little guidance for individuals or their medical teams on how to decide when to stop. Current recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force and other societies focus primarily on age. For patients older than 85 years, guidelines discourage screening because the harms largely outweigh benefits. Although at a population level, the overall benefit of screening in older individuals decreases, one must individualize the recommendation based on comorbidities, functional status, screening history, and gender—not solely base it on age. Patient and caregiver preferences must also be thoroughly explored. Current models struggle with incorporating other colorectal cancer risk factors such as family history, previous adenomas, and modality of previous screening into recommendations and simulations, but are likely to improve with machine learning and whole electronic health record prediction-based approaches.
The Contribution of Genetic Risk and Lifestyle Factors in the Development of Adult-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Sun Yuhao , Yuan Shuai , Chen Xuejie , Sun Jing , Kalla Rahul , Yu Lili , Wang Lijuan , Zhou Xuan , Kong Xiangxing , Hesketh Therese , Ho Gwo-tzer , Ding Kefeng , Dunlop Malcolm , Larsson Susanna C. , Satsangi Jack , Chen Jie , Wang Xiaoyan , Li Xue , Theodoratou Evropi , Giovannucci Edward L.
Published: January 2023

INTRODUCTION:

The joint associations across genetic risk, modifiable lifestyle factors, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains unclear.

METHODS:

Genetic susceptibility to Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) was estimated by polygenic risk scores and further categorized into high, intermediate, and low genetic risk categories. Weighted healthy lifestyle scores were constructed based on 5 common lifestyle factors and categorized into favorable (4 or 5 healthy lifestyle factors), intermediate (3 healthy lifestyle factors), and unfavorable (0–2 healthy lifestyle factors) groups. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for their associations.

RESULTS:

During the 12-year follow-up, 707 cases with CD and 1576 cases with UC were diagnosed in the UK Biobank cohort. Genetic risk and unhealthy lifestyle categories were monotonically associated with CD and UC risk with no multiplicative interaction between them. The HR of CD and UC were 2.24 (95% CI 1.75–2.86) and 2.15 (95% CI 1.82–2.53) for those with a high genetic risk, respectively. The HR of CD and UC for individuals with an unfavorable lifestyle were 1.94 (95% CI 1.61–2.33) and 1.98 (95% CI 1.73–2.27), respectively. The HR of individuals with a high genetic risk but a favorable lifestyle (2.33, 95% CI 1.58–3.44 for CD, and 2.05, 95% CI 1.58–2.66 for UC) were reduced nearly by half, compared with those with a high genetic risk but an unfavorable lifestyle (4.40, 95% CI 2.91–6.66 for CD and 4.44, 95% CI 3.34–5.91 for UC).

DISCUSSION:

Genetic and lifestyle factors were independently associated with susceptibility to incident CD and UC. Adherence to a favorable lifestyle was associated with a nearly 50% lower risk of CD and UC among participants at a high genetic risk.
Geopolymer Synthesis and Alkaline Activation Technique of Fly Ash and Slag Source Material: A Review
Authors: Erunkulu Ibukun , Malumbela Goitseone , Oladijo Oluseyi Philip
Published: January 2023

The advent of geopolymer and its synthesis from industrial waste rich in silicon and aluminum activated by an alkaline solution has proven a viable alternative to ordinary Portland cement. This review presents background on alkaline activation, geopolymerization technology as well as industrial aluminosilicate-based geopolymeric products produced from a range of low to high calcium fly ash, and metallurgical slags in different combinations. Important synthesis conditions, such as the nature of the source material, the type of alkaline activator, the curing condition, and the mixing procedure were effective determinant factors for desired properties in products. The significance of these parameters on the mechanical performance of products relative to each other is discussed. Advances in synthesis, material processing, and production, such as solid-state mechanism and one-part activation are also presented. Future recommendations on other aluminosilicate sources to be considered are highlighted.
The role of information quality processing in determining purchase intentions through social psychological distance
Authors: Dirgantara I Made Bayu , Akbar Habib Maulana
Published: January 2023

The expansion of e-commerce users in Indonesia parallels the growing internet penetration. However, this does not necessarily positively affect e-commerce service providers, as there are other obstacles, including a healthy environment. Because the quality of the information in e-commerce is maintained, a healthy ecosystem develops. Consequently, this study will delve deeper into the significance of information quality in e-commerce services. Data gathered from 143 respondents and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) reveal that the quality of information has a positive and statistically significant effect on purchase intention via social psychological distance and trust.
Discovering advancement in technology and mass media influence on gen Y male fashion consciousness
Authors: Gunawan Arie Indra , Sosianika Adila , Rafdinal Wahyu , Ananta Dede
Published: January 2023

The growth of fashion development among male consumers in Indonesia is not supported by the increasing study on the male fashion segment. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the Generation Y male buying intention towards fashion products since Gen Y is the most prospective market. This study aims to investigate the factors that influence fashion consciousness among males in Indonesia by using self-identity, social media influence, changes in work practices, advancement in information technology, mass media influence variables, and the impact of fashion consciousness on buying intention. By employing quantitative research, the data collected uses a self-administered online questionnaire. The samples of this research are 227 respondents of Gen Y males with their profile data. This study uses partial squares structural equation modeling analysis with the smart PLS application to test the hypothesis. The findings of this study show that self-identity, social media influence, and mass media influence have a significant impact on fashion consciousness. Also, fashion consciousness has significant results on buying intention.
Task orientation, knowledge sharing, organizational justice, and organizational commitment among bank employees: Evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Kenku Akeem Adekunle , Olabimitan Benjamin Adegboyega , Ishola Ajibola Abdulrahamon
Published: January 2023

The challenges facing banking organizations have manifested in low job commitment among employees. This was attributed to poor task orientation, low knowledge sharing, and a lack of organizational justice in these organizations. However, to the researchers' knowledge, only a few studies outside the Ibadan metropolis have investigated the contribution of the identified variables to the current level of organizational commitment among bank employees in Nigeria. The cross-sectional survey polled responses from 406 employees conveniently sampled from selected bank branches in Ibadan using a standardized questionnaire. The results revealed significant positive associations among task orientation, knowledge sharing, organizational justice, and dimensions of organizational commitment. Task orientation, knowledge sharing, and organizational justice significantly influenced organizational commitment. The study recommends more studies be conducted on investing in employees' knowledge capital, training, and promoting justice as these foster high organizational commitments and spur optimum job performance.
Moderating Effect of Quality Delivery on Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty Relationship of Multiple-Use Hotels
Authors: Olivar Kiven
Published: January 2023

The main objective of this study was to determine the moderating effect of quality delivery on the relationship between customer satisfaction and loyalty of multiple-use hotels in Davao City, Philippines. Adopted survey questionnaires were given to a sample of 300 customers from various multiple use three star hotels in Davao City. This study employed non-experimental design utilizing descriptive correlation technique. The statistical tools used were mean, Pearson r and hierarchical logistic regression modgraph. Results revealed that the level of customer satisfaction and quality delivery are very high whilst the level of loyalty are found to be high. Further finding revealed that customer satisfaction is related to loyalty. Quality delivery also showed a positive significant relationship to positive significant relationship to loyalty.  In determining the moderating effect of quality delivery, results revealed that the quality delivery demonstrated a significant moderating effect on the relationship between customer satisfaction and loyalty of multi-use hotels. The multiple-use hotels who have higher quality delivery to their customers have also higher level of customer satisfaction and loyalty.
The South Korea Halloween Crush in CNN News: A NetMiner Analysis
Authors: Kang Namkil
Published: January 2023

The ultimate goal of this paper is to analyze 40 pieces of CNN news broadcasted from 20th 10 2022 to 17th 12 2022 regarding the South Korea Halloween crush. It must be stressed that one word has the highest frequency (443 tokens) and the highest proportion (0.394) in 40 pieces of CNN news. When it comes to the word cloud of 40 pieces of CNN news, the word person is the biggest in size, which in turn suggests that it is the most significant one. With respect to topics occurred in the CNN news, it is noteworthy that topic 2 was the most occurred one, followed by topic 7, topic 6, and topic 1. It must be emphasized, on the other hand, that the probability for the word Seoul to be the first keyword is the highest (0.136). More importantly, it should be pointed out that the word person was the most occurred one in 40 pieces of CNN news, followed by the word crowd, the word Seoul, the word police, the word Itaewon, and the word crush, in that order. As for the links among the relevant keywords occurred in 40 pieces of CNN news, the keywords accident, call, official, response, report, and government are directly linked to the word emergency. These links seem to show that people in danger requested for rescue.
The Effect of Intellectual Capital on the Financial Performance of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria.
Authors: OFURUM Clifford Obiyo , Oyintonefie Etonye , Fubara Siminalayi , Azuike Ngozi
Published: January 2023

This study evaluates the relationship between intellectual capital and Nigerian deposit money banks' financial performance. Specifically, it aims to establish nexus between two proxies of intellectual capital, structural and human capital, and two facets of financial performance, return on assets and earnings per share. All the deposit money banks registered in the Nigerian stock exchange constitute the study population; however, only eight banks that published the required data between 2012 and 2020 were sampled. The study adopted Pulic's (2004) method of measuring intellectual capital and Hamdan's (2018) and Ozkan et al. (2016) model specifications. The model and collected data were analysed using simple regression analysis. The research revealed a significant relationship between structural capital and return on asset (ROA). It also found a significant association between human capital and earnings per share (EPS). Based on the result, we recommend that Nigerian bank managers and policymakers integrate intellectual capital into their decision-making process and pay more attention to this alternative source of capital to enhance their financial performance. Also, the management of banks should provide a conducive work environment, improve the welfare packages of their staff and ensure an excellent in-house training program.
Substance Abuse and its Implications in 21st Century
Authors: Humza Namra
Published: January 2023

Drug misuse poses a risk to the person as well as to society. Human resource (HR) executives and other professionals play a crucial role in adopting recommendations for policies and procedures related to drug and substance misuse in the workplace since concerns linked to alcohol and substance addiction are on the rise in the workplace. High health insurance claims, diseases, work-related injuries, reduced productivity, bad morale, and absenteeism are organizational losses. These losses do not account for the expense of managing workplace alcohol and drug addiction problems or the unquantifiable misery of the affected families and other workers. Therefore, this research focuses on how drug usage affects Pakistani youth and suggests ways to deal with this widespread problem as soon as possible.
Polish Population Censuses in the 19th and 20th Centuries: Scope and Subject Matter in the Context of International Standards
Authors: Leszczyńska Cecylia
Published: January 2023

his paper analyses the population censuses on the Polish area, particularly, the subject of censuses and their thematic scope. the study refers to the censuses in the 19th and 20th centuries (the study closes with the 1988 census). The paper consists of three parts. The first one presents the origins of censuses and the first censuses conducted in Europe in the 18th century. This part also shows the efforts of international statistical institutions to normalise and standardise national censuses. It allowed for building international standards to make national censuses comparable. The second part shows censuses in the 19th century, and the third part discusses censuses in the 20th century. A fundamental feature of the censuses is a set of questions common to demographic and social issues. This makes it possible to carry out comparative analysis in different regional cross-sectionson a secular basis. It should also be provided that census categories are not always comparable, hence various conversions and estimates are necessary. The universality of the censuses have made them a huge organizational challenge each time. The greatest effort was borne by the statistical institutions responsible, not only for conducting the censuses, but also during the compilation and publication of the data.
Monitoring Disease: Cause-of-Death-Registration in Prussia During the Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries
Authors: Vögele Jörg
Published: January 2023

In Germany, the recording of the causes of death has had a long tradition and goes back a long time in history, but remained unsystematic and nonuniform as it was an autonomous matter of the different German states. This article pursues the question of how the cause-of-death statistics developed in Prussia, the largest territorial state of the later German Reich. It is asked how these statistics, organized by the Prussian Statistical Bureau, have been related to the nationwide health policy since the 1870s. The historical development of official statistics in Prussia reveals that it is neither self-evident which information was collected, nor the criteria according to which this was done. Rather, the data actually recorded are the result of complicated negotiation processes between different actors, not only within the statistical offices, but also between the most diverse interest groups from science, politics and the state.
Unexplained dyspnea linked to mitochondrial myopathy following military deployment to Southwest Asia and Afghanistan
Authors: Onofrei Claudia Daniela , Gottschall Eva Brigitte , Zell‐Baran Lauren , Rose Cecile Stephanie , Kraus Richard , Pang Kathy , Krefft Silpa Dhoma
Published: January 2023

We identified a case of probable mitochondrial myopathy (MM) in a soldier with dyspnea and reduced exercise tolerance through cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) following Southwest Asia (SWA) deployment. Muscle biopsy showed myopathic features. We compared demographic, occupational exposure, and clinical characteristics in symptomatic military deployers with and without probable MM diagnosed by CPET criteria. We evaluated 235 symptomatic military personnel who deployed to SWA and/or Afghanistan between 2010 and 2021. Of these, 168 underwent cycle ergometer maximal CPET with an indwelling arterial line. We defined probable MM based on five CPET criteria: arterial peak exercise lactate >12 mEq/L, anaerobic threshold (AT) ≤50%, maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) <95% predicted, oxygen (O2) pulse percent predicted (pp) at least 10% lower than heart rate pp, and elevated ventilatory equivalent for O2 at end exercise (VE/VO2 ≥ 40). We characterized demographics, smoking status/pack‐years, spirometry, and deployment exposures, and used descriptive statistics to compare findings in those with and without probable MM. We found 9/168 (5.4%) deployers with probable MM. Compared to symptomatic deployers without probable MM, they were younger (p = 0.0025) and had lower mean BMI (p = 0.02). They had a higher mean forced expiratory volume (FEV1)pp (p = 0.02) and mean arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) at maximum exercise (p = 0.0003). We found no significant differences in smoking status, deployment frequency/duration, or inhalational exposures. Our findings suggest that mitochondrial myopathy may be a cause of dyspnea and reduced exercise tolerance in a subset of previously deployed military personnel. CPET with arterial line may assist with MM diagnosis and management.
HAND1 knockdown disrupts trophoblast global gene expression
Authors: Fresch Robert , Courtney Jennifer , Brockway Heather , Wilson Rebecca L. , Jones Helen
Published: January 2023

Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects nearly 1% of births annually, and CHD pregnancies carry increased risk of developing pathologies of abnormal placentation. We previously reported significant developmental impacts of disrupting Hand1, a gene associated with CHD, expression in placenta trophoblast and endothelial cells in multiple mouse models. In this study, we aimed to build upon this knowledge and characterize the mechanistic impacts of disrupting HAND1 on human placenta trophoblast and vascular endothelial cell gene expression. HAND1 gene expression was silenced in BeWo cells, a choriocarcinoma model of human cytotrophoblasts, (n = 3–9 passages) and isolated human placental microvascular endothelial cells (HPMVEC; n = 3 passages), with HAND1 siRNA for 96 h. Cells were harvested, mRNA isolated and RNA sequencing performed using the Illumina NextSeq 550 platform. Normalization and differential gene expression analyses were conducted using general linear modeling in edgeR packages. Statistical significance was determined using a log2 fold change of >1.0 or < −1.0 and unadjusted p‐value ≤0.05. Panther DB was used for overrepresentation analysis, and String DB for protein association network analysis. There was downregulation of 664 genes, and upregulation of 59 genes in BeWo cells with direct HAND1 knockdown. Overrepresentation analysis identified disruption to pathways including cell differentiation, localization, and cell projection organization. In contrast, only seven genes were changed with direct HAND1 knockdown in HPMVECs. Disruption to HAND1 expression significantly alters gene expression profile in trophoblast but not endothelial cells. This data provides further evidence that future studies on genetic perturbations in CHDs should consider the extra‐embryonic tissue in addition to the fetal heart.