bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One-to-one LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® positive psychology coaching for emerging adults: a single-participant case study
Authors: Moore Maurissa , O'Sullivan David
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study explores one-to-one LEGO® Serious Play® in positive psychology coaching (1-1 LSP in PPC) as an intervention to help emerging adults (EAs) in higher education develop a growth mindset.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative single-participant case study of an EA undergraduate student's experience with 1-1 LSP in PPC to help him navigate uncertainty about making a decision that he felt would influence his future career.

Findings

1-1 LSP in PPC enabled the participant to create a metaphoric representation of how a growth mindset operated for him, promoting self-awareness and reflectivity. The LEGO® model that the participant built during his final session acted as a reminder of the resources and processes he developed during coaching, which helped him navigate future challenges.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the emerging literature on the impact of using LSP as a tool in one-to-one coaching in higher education. The participant's experience demonstrates that 1-1 LSP in PPC may be an effective way to support positive EA development. More research is needed to explore its potential.

Practical implications

This study provides a possible roadmap to incorporate 1-1 LSP in PPC into coaching in higher education as a reflective tool to build a growth mindset in EA students.

Originality/value

Because most undergraduates are EAs navigating the transition from adolescence into adulthood, universities would benefit from adopting developmentally informed coaching practices. 1-1 LSP in PPC may be an effective intervention that provides the structured and psychologically safe environment EAs need to develop lasting personal resources.
Complex supply chain structures and multi-scope GHG emissions: the moderation effect of reducing equivocality
Authors: De Stefano M. Cristina , Montes-Sancho Maria J.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Climate change requires the reduction of direct and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a task that seems to clash with increasing supply chain complexity. This study aims to analyse the upstream supply chain complexity dimensions suggesting the importance of understanding the information processing that these may entail. Reducing equivocality can be an issue in some dimensions, requiring the introduction of written guidelines to moderate the effects of supply chain complexity dimensions on GHG emissions at the firm and supply chain level.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-year panel data was built with information obtained from Bloomberg, Trucost and Compustat. Hypotheses were tested using random effect regressions with robust standard errors on a sample of 394 SP500 companies, addressing endogeneity through the control function approach.

Findings

Horizontal complexity reduces GHG emissions at the firm level, whereas vertical and spatial complexity dimensions increase GHG emissions at the firm and supply chain level. Although the introduction of written guidelines neutralises the negative effects of vertical complexity on firm and supply chain GHG emissions, it is not sufficient in the presence of spatial complexity.

Originality/value

This paper offers novel insights by suggesting that managers need to reconcile the potential trade-off effects on GHG emissions that horizontally complex supply chain structures can present. Their priority in vertically and spatially complex supply chain structures should be to reduce equivocality.
Are formal institutions ineffective for firm performance? Evidence from the economic community of West African States
Authors: Haini Hazwan , Baha Roslee , Wei Loon Pang
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study examines the interconnected effects of formal, informal, environmental and skill-based institutional barriers on firm performance. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region has implemented various reforms and policy initiatives to support small businesses yet are unsuccessful as formal institutional framework and governance remains a challenge.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ a sample of 3,515 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the ECOWAS and a two-stage instrumental variable approach to control for endogeneity. Additionally, the authors check for robustness using various measures of firm performance such as profitability, productivity and export intensity.

Findings

The authors confirm that formal institutions are insignificant for firm profitability and productivity, whilst reducing informal, environmental and skill-based institutional barriers are associated with firm performance. However, when barriers to informal, environmental and skill-based institutions are at the lowest, formal institutions are associated with firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation lies in the policy implications. Informal institutions come into play when formal institutions are weak. However, informal practices must be addressed in the form of formal enforcement. This leads to a conundrum.

Practical implications

Policymakers should continue to market-supporting institutions and a conducive business environment to complement the formal institutional framework.

Originality/value

This study provides new empirical evidence on how institutional quality affects firm performance by examining whether other institutional factors, such as the informal, environmental and skill-based institutional barriers, can moderate this effect.
Do CEO duality and expertise affect earnings management behavior? The moderating effect of family ownership
Authors: Oussii Ahmed Atef , Klibi Mohamed Faker
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to analyze whether chief executive officer (CEO) duality and financial expertise are associated with earnings management to exceed thresholds. It also investigates to what extent and in what direction this association evolves when family ownership is introduced as a moderator variable.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on balanced panel data related to companies listed on the Tunis Stock Exchange, this study uses the logistic random-effect model to test research hypotheses during the period spanning from 2016 to 2021.

Findings

The results show that CEOs with financial expertise are less inclined to engage in earnings management to avoid reporting losses and earnings decline. The authors also provide evidence that CEO duality allows top management to be more powerful and, therefore, manage earnings to report positive profits and sustain recent performance. Furthermore, the authors find that family ownership moderates the association between CEO financial expertise, CEO duality and earnings management to exceed thresholds.

Practical implications

The findings suggest to regulators involved in corporate governance and earnings management issues a reflection on CEO duality power, board effectiveness and family control. The study results are also of interest to auditors and board members as they provide a more in-depth understanding of the impact of CEOs' attributes and family control on financial reporting decisions.

Originality/value

This study extends past literature by providing new insights into the effect of CEO attributes and family control on earnings management practices in weak investor protection countries such as Tunisia.
Metaverse changing realm of the business world: a bibliometric snapshot
Authors: Mehta Mita , Pancholi Garima , Saxena Dr Abhineet
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Digital disruption has posed challenges to managers. Metaverse is one of the fastest-growing digital transformations (DTs) impacting business across the globe. There needs to be more literature on the academic prospect relating to metaverse. This article aims to analyze and evaluate the publications to highlight themes, opportunities and contemporary challenges of metaverse in business management to get insights about the challenges posed to managers through such transformation.

Design/methodology/approach

Over 74 articles from 2006 to 2022 were collected using the Scopus database. These were further analyzed to understand how previous research captures metaverse in the domain of business management and the amount to which has been studied in terms of publication productivity, country productivity, affiliation productivity and author productivity, Top-cited documents, keywords analysis, network visualization of keywords and bibliometric coupling. The authors also gathered literature related to metaverse in the field of business management and its uses for managers.

Findings

The authors' findings reveal that metaverse in business management has gained momentum in publications since 2022. Approximately 68% of total publications and 56% of total citations were from 2022. USA is the flagbearer of metaverse around the globe and the University of Georgia is leading in affiliation productivity. Network analysis through Vosviewer shows that keywords metaverse and virtual reality (VR) have the highest co-occurrences and link strength.

Originality/value

This article is relevant to those interested in how the world of virtual workspace is making a paradigm shift in management development. This study aims to review previous literary works through bibliometrics and visualization approaches comprehensively. Metaverse is changing the schema of the business world in terms of various strategies that this article addressed. Such studies have not been previously carried out.
Employee empowerment, equality plans and job satisfaction: an empirical analysis of the demand-control model
Authors: Ibukun Tolulope , Pérotin Virginie
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The paper investigates the effects of individual employees' empowerment on different forms of job satisfaction in British workplaces while controlling for the presence of job demands and whether these effects depend on the presence of an equality plan in the workplace. The demand-control model that the authors test proposes that imbalances between the demands placed on employees and the control they have in their job negatively affect employee well-being and health. Control may also be strengthened, and demands mitigated, by effective equality policies. This study looks at nine forms of job satisfaction and examines the individual effects of job demands, job control, the interaction of control and demands and their joint effects with equality plans.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses matched employee–employer British data from the 2011 Workplace Employment Relations Survey (WERS). The authors conduct principal component analysis (PCA) and logit estimations and estimate a recursive simultaneous bivariate probit model.

Findings

Employee empowerment, or job control, is a key predictor of job satisfaction, and job demands are negatively associated with various aspects of job satisfaction. The presence of equality plans strengthens the positive effects of job control and mitigates the detrimental effects of job demands. Consistent with the demand-control model, employees are more likely to be satisfied in low strain jobs (jobs with low demands and high control) than in high strain jobs (jobs with high demands and low control). Employees in passive jobs (jobs with low demand and low control) on the other hand are less likely to be satisfied with achievement and influence than employees in low strain job.

Originality/value

Much of the empirical literature has focused on collective empowerment practices and none has tested the demand-control model. This paper adds to the literature on employee empowerment practices with a focus on individualised job control and the way its effects interact with equality plans. In the process, the authors provide novel and rigorous empirical evidence on an extended version of the demand-control model.
Long-run performance following corporate green bond issuance
Authors: Makpotche Marcellin , Bouslah Kais , M'Zali Bouchra
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the long-run financial and environmental performance of corporate green bond issuers, worldwide.

Design/methodology/approach

The data includes 259 corporate green bond issuers from 2013 to 2020. The authors adopt the matching approach, using the nearest neighbor method to select the control firms. The event-time approach is used to examine corporate green bond issuers’ long-run stock market performance, and robustness tests are conducted using the calendar-time method. The authors examine green bond issuers’ long-run environmental performance and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions using difference-in-differences estimations.

Findings

In contrast with the earlier long-run event studies, our results reveal that multiple-time issuers, and issuers operating in industries where the natural environment is financially material, perform financially in the long term relative to the control firms. The authors also document that corporate green bond issuers reduce their CO2 emissions, and improve their resource use efficiency and environmental performance, in the long run.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that looks at the long-run effect of corporate green bond issuance on firms’ stock market performance. It has the particularity to document that corporate green bond issuance is beneficial for investors and positively affects the environment. Our findings help us understand that firms do not issue green bonds for greenwashing.
The strategist’s view needs to extend beyond planning to execution
Authors: Galpin Timothy J.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The Oxford Strategy Insights Project was designed to assess the current approaches, aims, and focus of strategists across industries and geographies.

Design/methodology/approach

The project received input from 167 executives and managers across twenty-six industries, spanning over thirty countries, regarding their firm’s strategy process.

Findings

The biggest gap highlighted by the Oxford Strategy Insights Project is effective strategy execution. An overwhelming majority of respondents indicated that their organization’s strategy execution efforts are ineffective and slow, with accelerated implementation being the exception rather than the norm. In line with these findings, few firms appear to be applying the best practice of establishing an implementation management infrastructure including a “Program Manager” tasked to manage and coordinate the firm’s strategy implementation effort. The one positive element related to strategy execution is that most firms seem to have an effective strategic measurement and reporting process.

Practical implications

Organizations that can execute their strategies increase the likelihood of realizing the full potential of their plans. However, the study’s main finding is that effective strategy execution is severely lacking. Strategists need to become more foresighted, with a much greater focus on implementation.

Originality/value

Although the value of effective strategy execution has been well documented for over five-decades in both academic and management practice literature, new research has found that most strategists are still short-sighted, viewing strategy as primarily planning with a limited focus on implementation.
Building threat resilience into ecosystem strategy
Authors: Dencik Jacob , Marshall Anthony , Parham Gerald
Published: May 2023

Purpose

As businesses in a wide range of industries increasingly adopt digital ecosystems, the benefits include opening up new and untapped customer segments and channels, enabling access to new and untapped talent pools and expanding previously unexplored modes of innovation. Ecosystems – defined as digitally enabled networks that enhance value propositions by linking business functions, suppliers, distributors, partners, customers and other stakeholders – are now an engine that drives performance. Multiple studies confirm that value creation and competitive advantage are increasingly tied to organizations’ ability to engage partners and stakeholders. IBM Institute of Business Value’s most recent research has found that revenue growth of ecosystem leaders outpaces others by a five-to-one ratio.

Design/methodology/approach

Yet despite these notable successes there is also a dark side to digital ecosystem engagement. Large ecosystems have become a central to business strategy while little attention has been paid to the potential for cyber threats. Increased openness of business operations can result in greater risk.

Findings

Security must graduate into a central enabler of business transformation. If businesses do not fundamentally rethink their security equation, ecosystems and the trust on which they are built, which often take years and billions of investment dollars to build, can be squandered in minutes by ever-growing security threats.

Practical implications

Large ecosystems have become a central to business strategy while little attention has been paid to the potential for cyber threats.

Originality/value

Mature, risk-mitigated ecosystems are starting to resemble a mature supply chain, where some risks are precluded by design, some partners are favored based on established trust criteria and remaining risks are explicitly managed transactionally as part of the partner relationship.
Understanding research methods, limitations, and applications of drug data collected by the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS‐Drug)
Authors: Pitts Wayne J. , Heller David , Smiley‐McDonald Hope , Weimer BeLinda , Grabenauer Megan , Bollinger Katherine , Ropero‐Miller Jeri , Pressley DeMia
Published: May 2023

The National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) is a drug surveillance program of the US Drug Enforcement Administration that systematically collects data on drugs that are seized by law enforcement and submitted to and analyzed by the Nation's forensic laboratories (NFLIS‐Drug). NFLIS‐Drug data are increasingly used in predictive modeling and drug surveillance to examine drug availability patterns. Given the complexity of the data and data collection, there are some common methodological pitfalls that we highlight with the aim of helping researchers avoid these concerns. The analysis done for this Technical Note is based on a review of the scientific literature that includes 428 unique, refereed article citations in 182 distinct journals published between January 1, 2005, and April 30, 2021. Each article was analyzed according to how NFLIS‐Drug data were mentioned and whether NFLIS‐Drug data were included. A sample of 37 articles was studied in‐depth, and data issues were summarized. Using examples from the literature, this Technical Note highlights eight broad concerns that have important implications for the proper applications, interpretations, and limitations of NFLIS‐Drug data with suggestions for improving research methods and accurate reporting of forensic drug data. NFLIS‐Drug data are timely and provide key information to inform drug use trends across the United States; however, our present analysis shows that NFLIS‐Drug data are misunderstood and represented in the literature. In addition to highlighting these issues, DEA has created several resources to assist NFLIS data users and researchers, which are summarized in the discussion.
Dating hot spot to fraud hot spot: Targeting the social characteristics of romance fraud victims in England and Wales
Authors: Sinclair Richard , Bland Matthew , Savage Bradley
Published: May 2023

Research Summary

We found that romance fraud was rising year‐on‐year across every region in England and Wales, increasing 55% during the 3 years between October 2018 and October 2021. Fifty percent of all the romance fraud victims in the period resided in 17% of the places where romance fraud had occurred. A total of 439 locations (outward postcode areas) were identified as the “power few” in the first year of the data set. Of these 439 locations, 162 of them recurred in both of the following years, becoming chronic “hot spot” locations containing more than one in six of all reported romance fraud victims. The demography of victims in repeat locations differed considerably, but hot spots were more frequently predominantly populated by less affluent populations.

Policy Implications

We conclude that the current national one‐size‐fits‐all fraud prevention approach may not be the most efficient or effective way to reach those victims who most require crime prevention advice. The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, based in the City of London Police, could adopt a tailored approach to providing preventative information to local police forces based on the year‐to‐year patterns in crime and the associated intelligence provided by sociodemographic data sources such as Acorn.
Environmental drivers of long‐term variations in the abundance of the red hocicudo mouse (Oxymycterus rufus) in Pampas agroecosystems
Authors: CALFAYAN Laura Mariel , CAVIA Regino , FRASCHINA Jimena , GUIDOBONO Juan Santiago , GOROSITO Irene Laura , BUSCH María
Published: May 2023

During the 20th century, there has been an ongoing agricultural expansion and global warming, two of the main determinants influencing biodiversity changes in Argentina. The red hocicudo mouse (Oxymycterus rufus) inhabits subtropical grasslands and riparian habitats and has increased its abundance in recent years in central Argentina agroecosystems. This paper describes the long‐term temporal changes in O. rufus abundance in Exaltación de la Cruz department, Buenos Aires province, Argentina, in relation to weather fluctuations and landscape features, as well as analyzes the spatio‐temporal structure of captures of animals. We used generalized liner models, semivariograms, the Mantel test, and autocorrelation functions for the analysis of rodent data obtained from trappings conducted between 1984 and 2014. O. rufus showed an increase in abundance across the years of study, with its distribution depending on landscape features, such as habitat types and the distance to floodplains. Capture rates showed a spatio‐temporal aggregation, suggesting expansion from previously occupied sites. O. rufus was more abundant at lower minimum temperatures in summer, higher precipitation in spring and summer, and lower precipitations in winter. Weather conditions affected O. rufus abundance, but there was local variation that differed from global patterns of climate change.
Etiological factors of chronic pain syndrome in young adults with post‐coronavirus disease 2019 condition
Authors: Damasceno Daniel Freitas Oliveira , Cavalcante Tahissa Frota , Andrade Larissa Katlyn Alves , de Oliveira Francisco Breno Barbosa , de Oliveira Lopes Marcos Venicios , Moreira Rafaella Pessoa , Morais Huana Carolina Candido
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) generates long‐term sequelae, but studies investigating patients with chronic pain syndrome (CPS) are limited. This study aimed to establish the etiological factors of CPS in patients with post‐COVID‐19 conditions.

Methods

This was a case–control retrospective study. The predictor variables were sex, diabetes mellitus, obesity (predisposing factors), unfavorable socioeconomic conditions, impaired rehabilitation (disabling factors), repeated exposure to COVID‐19 (precipitating factor), home isolation, stress overload, fear of dying, admission to intensive care unit, prone positioning, and use of medications (reinforcing factors). The outcome variable was the presence of CPS.

Findings

This study included 120 individuals. Prolonged days of isolation (p = 0.005), fear (p < 0.001), stress overload (p < 0.001), and impaired rehabilitation (p = 0.003) were significantly associated with CPS.

Conclusions

A significant relationship was found between prolonged days of isolation, fear, stress overload, impaired rehabilitation, and CPS.

Implications for nursing practice

The study findings can assist nurses by promoting their knowledge of the causes of CPS and supporting the care planning needs of patients with post‐COVID‐19 conditions, in addition to promoting the use of the NANDA‐International taxonomy.
Still in first gear: Exploration of barriers for implementing driving cessation support
Authors: Liddle Jacki , Gustafsson Louise , Scott Theresa , Byrnes Joshua , Salmon Amanda , Pachana Nancy A.
Published: May 2023

Objective

Driving cessation is a major life transition; lack of support in this process may lead to deleterious outcomes in terms of physical, mental and social well‐being. Despite approaches to driving cessation being developed, their integration into ongoing geriatric clinical practice has been slow.

Methods

Health‐care providers were surveyed about their impressions of the barriers and facilitators to implementing a driving cessation intervention as part of regular clinical services. Methods of funding the intervention were queried. Surveys were sent via professional listserves and a snowballing strategy employed. Twenty‐nine completed surveys were analysed by content analysis.

Results

Participants identified that an understanding of driving cessation and optimal driving cessation supports was required. They identified four key approaches to support the implementation of driving cessation support: the need to consider complexity and emotional support needs in clinical contexts; knowing and showing the outcomes by clearly communicating the benefits and values to different stakeholders; managing systemic barriers included workforce issues, funding models and efforts required for initiating and sustaining an intervention; and not doing it alone, but instead developing processes supports to collaboratively provide access to programs.

Conclusions

The current study reveals a recognition of unmet needs of older persons and families regarding driving cessation as well as signalling service delivery, costing and workforce needs which act as barriers.
Relation of resistin gene variants to resistin plasma levels and altered susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome: A case control study
Authors: Al‐Awadi Aminah M. , Saldhana Fabiola Lisa , Bauyrzhanova Zhansaya , Nemr Rita , Mahmood Naeema A. , Almawi Wassim Y.
Published: May 2023

Background

A role for resistin in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and related features were described for various ethnicities. As its expression is partly inherited, a role for RETN polymorphisms in regulating resistin levels and PCOS risk was shown, but with varied results.

Aim

To investigate the association of rs34124816 (–537A>C), rs1862513 (–420C>G), rs3219175 (–358G>A), rs3745367 (+299G>A), rs3745369 (+1263G>C), and rs1423096 (+4965C>T) RETN SNPs with PCOS.

Methods

Study subjects included 583 women with PCOS, and 713 eumenorrheic women serving as controls. Genotyping was done by real‐time PCR.

Results

Higher minor allele frequency (MAF) of rs34124816, rs3219175, and rs3745369, and lower MAF of rs1862513 and rs1423096 were seen in PCOS cases. Reduced PCOS risk was found with rs3745367 minor‐allele homozygotes and rs1423096 minor‐allele homozygotes, while increased risk was linked with rs3745367 heterozygotes, and with rs3745369 heterozygotes and minor‐allele homozygotes. While it did not reach statistical significance, serum resistin levels were elevated in PCOS cases than in control women and major‐allele homozygotes of rs34124816 and rs1862513, and in rs1423096 minor‐allele‐containing carriers. Carriage of rs34124816 correlated positively with age and LH, whereas rs1862513 positively and rs3745367 negatively correlated with fasting glucose. Six‐locus (rs34124816‐rs1862513‐rs3219175‐rs3745367‐rs3745369‐rs1423096) haplotype analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in AGGGGG and a marked increase in AGGGCG haplotypes between cases and controls, thus assigning PCOS protective and susceptible nature to these haplotypes, respectively.

Conclusions

This study is the first to document the contribution of rs34124816 and rs1423096 RETN variants to the risk of PCOS. The varied association of RETN gene variants with PCOS suggests an ethnic contribution of RETN association with PCOS.
Benefits and challenges of electronic prescribing for general practitioners and pharmacists in regional Australia
Authors: Tan Tiffany , Chan Sonia , Ind Melissa , Pace Georgia , Bailey Jannine , Reed Krista , Dutton Teagan , Osuagwu Uchechukwu Levi , Wong Kam Cheong
Published: May 2023

Objective

To explore the benefits and challenges of electronic prescribing (e‐prescribing) for general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists in regional New South Wales (NSW).

Methods

This qualitative study utilised semistructured interviews conducted virtually or in‐person between July and September 2021.

Setting and Participants

General practitioners and pharmacists practising in Bathurst NSW.

Main Outcomes

Self‐reported perceived and experienced benefits and challenges of e‐prescribing.

Results

Two GPs and four pharmacists participated in the study. Reported benefits of e‐prescribing included improvement in the prescribing and dispensing process, patient adherence, and prescription safety and security. The increased convenience for the patients was appreciated particularly during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Challenges discussed were how the system was perceived to be unsafe and insecure, costs of messaging and updating general practice software, utilisation of new systems and patient awareness. Pharmacists reported the need for education to patients and staff to minimise the impact of inexperience with the novel technology on workflow efficacy.

Conclusion

This study provided first insight and information on the perspectives of GPs and pharmacists 12 months after the implementation of e‐prescribing. Further nationwide studies are required to consolidate these findings; provide comparisons with the system's progress since conception; determine whether metropolitan and rural health care professionals share similar perspectives; and shed light on where additional government support may be required.
Editorial: golimumab dosing intensification effective in ulcerative colitis with no need for therapeutic drug monitoring
Authors: Hanzel Jurij , Drobne David
Published: May 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Fumery et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111//apt.17421 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17514
Editorial: in the era of effective antiviral therapy, long‐term dynamic endoscopic monitoring does not seem to be necessary for all CHB patients with compensated cirrhosis
Authors: Li Lan‐Qing , Chen En‐Qiang
Published: May 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Farina et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17463
Editorial: optimal combination of non‐invasive tests to determine significant fibrosis in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Nogami Asako , Nakajima Atsushi , Yoneda Masato
Published: May 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Younossi et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17472 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17517
Editorial: composite kidney outcomes in studies with patients with cirrhosis and AKI—Are we ready to “MAKE” the switch?
Authors: Ma Ann T. , Solà Elsa
Published: May 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Patidar et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17457
Letter: Albumin—Does formulation matter?
Authors: Yu Catherine , Iqbal Afia , Garg Mayur , Sood Siddharth , Lewis Diana
Published: May 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Leache et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17344 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17546
Letter: Albumin—Does formulation matter? Authors' reply
Authors: Leache Leire , Gutiérrez‐Valencia Marta , Saiz Luis Carlos , Uriz Juan , Bolado Federico , García‐Erce José Antonio , Cantarelli Lorenzo , Erviti Juan
Published: May 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Leache et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17344 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17531
On the paradox of thriving cold‐water coral reefs in the food‐limited deep sea
Authors: Maier Sandra R. , Brooke Sandra , De Clippele Laurence H. , de Froe Evert , van der Kaaden Anna‐Selma , Kutti Tina , Mienis Furu , van Oevelen Dick
Published: May 2023

The deep sea is amongst the most food‐limited habitats on Earth, as only a small fraction (<4%) of the surface primary production is exported below 200 m water depth. Here, cold‐water coral (CWC) reefs form oases of life: their biodiversity compares with tropical coral reefs, their biomass and metabolic activity exceed other deep‐sea ecosystems by far. We critically assess the paradox of thriving CWC reefs in the food‐limited deep sea, by reviewing the literature and open‐access data on CWC habitats. This review shows firstly that CWCs typically occur in areas where the food supply is not constantly low, but undergoes pronounced temporal variation. High currents, downwelling and/or vertically migrating zooplankton temporally boost the export of surface organic matter to the seabed, creating ‘feast’ conditions, interspersed with ‘famine’ periods during the non‐productive season. Secondly, CWCs, particularly the most common reef‐builder Desmophyllum pertusum (formerly known as Lophelia pertusa), are well adapted to these fluctuations in food availability. Laboratory and in situ measurements revealed their dietary flexibility, tissue reserves, and temporal variation in growth and energy allocation. Thirdly, the high structural and functional diversity of CWC reefs increases resource retention: acting as giant filters and sustaining complex food webs with diverse recycling pathways, the reefs optimise resource gains over losses. Anthropogenic pressures, including climate change and ocean acidification, threaten this fragile equilibrium through decreased resource supply, increased energy costs, and dissolution of the calcium‐carbonate reef framework. Based on this review, we suggest additional criteria to judge the health of CWC reefs and their chance to persist in the future.
Clostridium butyricum inhibits epithelial–mesenchymal transition of intestinal carcinogenesis through downregulating METTL3
Authors: Zhang Kexin , Dong Yue , Li Mengfan , Zhang Wanru , Ding Yiyun , Wang Xin , Chen Danfeng , Liu Tianyu , Wang Bangmao , Cao Hailong , Zhong Weilong
Published: May 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is related to gut microbiota dysbiosis, especially butyrate‐producing bacteria reduction. Our previous study suggested that administration of Clostridium butyricum, a butyrate‐producing bacterium, exerts a crucial effect against CRC, however the potential mechanism is not clear. We first found that methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3) showed a positive correlation with proliferation, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), DNA repair, metastasis, and invasion in a database analysis. The expression of METTL3 gradually increased from human normal colon tissue, to adenoma, and carcinoma, and was positively correlated with E‐cadherin and CD34 levels. Overexpression of METTL3 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells and induced vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation. Clostridium butyricum could downregulate METTL3 expression in CRC cells and decrease the expression of vimentin and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 to reduce EMT and VM formation. Clostridium butyricum alleviated the pro‐oncogenic effect of METTL3 overexpressing plasmid in CRC cells. The anti‐EMT effect on METTL3 reduction of C. butyricum could be blunted by knocking down G‐protein coupled receptor 43. Moreover, C. butyricum prevented EMT and VM and inhibited tumor metastasis in nude mice. Accordingly, C. butyricum could inhibit EMT and VM formation of intestinal carcinogenesis through downregulating METTL3. These findings broaden our understanding of probiotics supplement in CRC prevention and treatment.
Asymptomatic idiopathic intracranial hypertension: Prevalence and prognosis
Authors: Thaller Mark , Homer Victoria , Mollan Susan P. , Sinclair Alexandra J.
Published: May 2023

Background

Little is known about the presentation and prognosis of asymptomatic idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Papilloedema can be found incidentally on routine fundus examination, with many of these patients actually having symptoms on direct questioning. The aim was to evaluate visual and headache outcomes in people with IIH who present with or without symptoms.

Methods

Prospective observational cohort study, between 2012 and 2021, 343 people with confirmed IIH diagnosis were enrolled in the IIH:Life database. Outcomes such as vision (LogMAR); Humphrey visual field perimetric mean deviation (PMD) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) and headache were evaluated using LOESS (locally weighted scatterplot smoothing) graphs and regression analysis.

Results

One hundred and twenty‐one people had incidentally found papilloedema, with 36 people with completely asymptomatic presentations. Those with asymptomatic IIH at diagnosis had similar visual prognosis compared to those with symptomatic disease. Sixty‐six percent of the asymptomatic cohort became symptomatic during follow‐up, and of these the predominant symptom was headache (96%). Headache frequency during follow‐up was lower in the asymptomatic cohort.

Conclusions

The prognosis of those with IIH who present with or without symptoms is similar.
Functional characterization of a novel PRRT2 variant found in a Portuguese patient with hemiplegic migraine
Authors: Dias Andreia , Santos Mariana , Carvalho Estefânia , Felício Daniela , Silva Paulo , Alves Ivânia , Pinho Teresa , Sousa Alda , Alves‐Ferreira Miguel , Lemos Carolina
Published: May 2023

Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) is a rare autosomal‐dominant form of migraine with aura. Three disease‐causing genes have been identified for FHM: CACNA1A, ATP1A2 and SCN1A. However, not all families are linked to one of these three genes.PRRT2 variants were also commonly associated with HM symptoms; therefore, PRRT2 is hypothesized as the fourth gene causing FHM. PRRT2 plays an important role in neuronal migration, spinogenesis, and synapse mechanisms during development and calcium‐dependent neurotransmitter release. We performed exome sequencing to unravel the genetic cause of migraine in one family, and a novel PRRT2 variant (c.938C > T;p.Ala313Val) was identified with further functional studies to confirm its pathogenicity. PRRT2‐A313V reduced protein stability, led to protein premature degradation by the proteasome and altered the subcellular localization of PRRT2 from the plasma membrane (PM) to the cytoplasm. We identified and characterized for the first time in a Portuguese patient, a novel heterozygous missense variant in PRRT2 associated with HM symptoms. We suggest that PRRT2 should be included in the diagnosis of HM.
Relevance of kappa free light chains index in patients with aquaporin‐4 or myelin‐oligodendrocyte‐glycoprotein antibodies
Authors: Deschamps Romain , Shor Natalia , Papeix Caroline , Boudot de la Motte Marine , Bensa Caroline , Marignier Romain , Lecler Augustin , Vignal‐Clermont Catherine , Ghillani Pascale , Gazzano Marianne , Maillart Elisabeth , Sterlin Delphine
Published: May 2023

Background

The kappa free light chains index (κ‐index) is increasing in importance as a fast, easy, cost‐effective, and quantitative biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS), which can replace cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)‐restricted oligoclonal bands (OCB) detection. In previous studies, controls often included mixed patients with several inflammatory central nervous system disorders. The aim of the present study was to assess the κ‐index in patients with serum aquaporin‐4 (AQP4)‐IgG or myelin‐oligodendrocyte‐glycoprotein (MOG)‐IgG.

Methods

We analyzed CSF/serum samples of patients with AQP4‐IgG or MOG‐Ig and evaluated distinct κ‐index cut‐offs. We described clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of patients with the highest κ‐index values.

Results

In 11 patients with AQP4‐IgG, median κ‐index was 16.8 (range 0.2; 63) and 6/11 (54.5%) had κ‐index >12. Among 42 patients with MOG‐IgG, 2 had low positive MOG‐IgG titers, were ultimately diagnosed with MS, and had a markedly increased κ‐index (54.1 and 102.5 respectively). For the remaining 40 MOG‐IgG‐positive patients the median κ‐index was 0.3 (range 0.1; 15.5). Some 6/40 (15%) and 1/40 (2.5%) patients had a κ‐index >6 and >12, respectively. None fulfilled MRI dissemination in space and dissemination in time (DIS/DIT) criteria and the final diagnosis was MOG‐IgG‐associated disease (MOGAD) for these 40 patients. Four of the 40 (10%) MOG‐IgG‐positive patients had OCB.

Conclusion

While a marked increase in κ‐index could discriminate MS from MOGAD, a low κ‐index threshold could lead to confusion between MS and MOGAD or AQP4 antibody‐positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.
Seascape genomics reveals limited dispersal and suggests spatially varying selection among European populations of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)
Authors: Baltazar‐Soares Miguel , Britton J. Robert , Pinder Adrian , Harrison Andrew J. , Nunn Andrew D. , Quintella Bernardo R. , Mateus Catarina S. , Bolland Jonathan D. , Dodd Jamie R. , Almeida Pedro R. , Dominguez Almela Victoria , Andreou Demetra
Published: May 2023

Sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus is an anadromous and semelparous fish without homing behaviors. Despite being a freshwater, free‐living organism for a large part of their life cycle, its adulthood is spent as a parasite of marine vertebrates. In their native European range, while it is well‐established that sea lampreys comprise a single nearly‐panmictic population, few studies have further explored the evolutionary history of natural populations. Here, we performed the first genome‐wide characterization of sea lamprey's genetic diversity in their European natural range. The objectives were to investigate the connectivity among river basins and explore evolutionary processes mediating dispersal during the marine phase, with the sequencing of 186 individuals from 8 locations spanning the North Eastern Atlantic coast and the North Sea with double‐digest RAD‐sequencing, obtaining a total of 30,910 bi‐allelic SNPs. Population genetic analyses reinforced the existence of a single metapopulation encompassing freshwater spawning sites within the North Eastern Atlantic and the North Sea, though the prevalence of private alleles at northern latitudes suggested some limits to the species' dispersal. Seascape genomics suggested a scenario where oxygen concentration and river runoffs impose spatially varying selection across their distribution range. Exploring associations with the abundance of potential hosts further suggested that hake and cod could also impose selective pressures, although the nature of such putative biotic interactions was unresolved. Overall, the identification of adaptive seascapes in a panmictic anadromous species could contribute to conservation practices by providing information for restoration activities to mitigate local extinctions on freshwater sites.
Crystal structure of Leptospira LSS_01692 reveals a dimeric structure and induces inflammatory responses through Toll‐like receptor 2‐dependent NF‐κB and MAPK signal transduction pathways
Authors: Hsu Shen‐Hsing , Wu Che‐Ting , Sun Yuh‐Ju , Chang Ming‐Yang , Li Chien , Ko Yi‐Ching , Chou Li‐Fang , Yang Chih‐Wei
Published: May 2023

Leptospirosis is a commonly overlooked zoonotic disease that occurs in tropical and subtropical regions. Recent studies have divided the Leptospira spp. into three groups based on virulence, including pathogenic, intermediate, and saprophytic species. Pathogenic species express a protein family with leucine‐rich repeat (LRR) domains, which are less expressed or absent in nonpathogenic species, highlighting the importance of this protein family in leptospirosis. However, the role of LRR domain proteins in the pathogenesis of leptospirosis is still unknown and requires further investigation. In this study, the 3D structure of LSS_01692 (rLRR38) was obtained using X‐ray crystallography at a resolution of 3.2 Å. The results showed that rLRR38 forms a typical horseshoe structure with 11 α‐helices and 11 β‐sheets and an antiparallel dimeric structure. The interactions of rLRR38 with extracellular matrix and cell surface receptors were evaluated using ELISA and single‐molecule atomic force microscopy. The results showed that rLRR38 interacted with fibronectin, collagen IV, and Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2). Incubating HK2 cells with rLRR38 induced two downstream inflammation responses (IL‐6 and MCP‐1) in the TLR2 signal transduction pathway. The TLR2–TLR1 complex showed the most significant upregulation effects under rLRR38 treatment. Inhibitors also significantly inhibited nuclear factor κB and mitogen‐activated protein kinases signals transduction under rLRR38 stimulation. In conclusion, rLRR38 was determined to be a novel LRR domain protein in 3D structure and demonstrated as a TLR2‐binding protein that induces inflammatory responses. These structural and functional studies provide a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of leptospirosis.
Multi‐scale relationships in thermal limits within and between two cold‐water frog species uncover different trends in physiological vulnerability
Authors: Cicchino Amanda S. , Shah Alisha A. , Forester Brenna R. , Dunham Jason B. , Ghalambor Cameron K. , Funk W. Chris
Published: May 2023

1. Critical thermal limits represent an important component of an organism's capacity to cope with future temperature changes. Understanding the drivers of variation in these traits may uncover patterns in physiological vulnerability to climate change. Local temperature extremes have emerged as a major driver of thermal limits, although their effects can be mediated by the exploitation of fine‐scale spatial variation in temperature through behavioural thermoregulation.

2. Here, we investigated thermal limits along elevation gradients within and between two cold‐water frog species (Ascaphusspp.), one with a coastal distribution (A. truei) and the other with a continental range (A. montanus). We quantified thermal limits for over 700 tadpoles, representing multiple populations from each species. We combined local temporal and fine‐scale spatial temperature data to quantify local thermal landscapes (i.e., thermalscapes), including the opportunity for behavioural thermoregulation.

3. Lower thermal limits for either species could not be reached experimentally without the water freezing, suggesting that cold tolerance is <0.3°C. By contrast, upper thermal limits varied among populations, but this variation only reflected local temperature extremes inA. montanus, perhaps as a consequence of the greater variation in stream temperatures across its range. Lastly, we found minimal fine‐scale spatial variability in temperature, suggesting limited opportunity for behavioural thermoregulation and thus increased vulnerability to warming for all populations.

4. By quantifying local thermalscapes, we uncovered different trends in the relative vulnerability of populations across elevation for each species. InA. truei, physiological vulnerability decreased with elevation, whereas inA. montanus, all populations were equally physiologically vulnerable. These results highlight how similar environments can differentially shape physiological tolerance and patterns of vulnerability of species, and in turn impact their vulnerability to future warming.