bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic and Pregnancy Outcomes in a U.S. Population
Authors: Son Moeun , Gallagher Kieran , Lo Justin Y. , Lindgren Eric , Burris Heather H. , Dysart Kevin , Greenspan Jay , Culhane Jennifer F. , Handley Sara C.
Published: August 2021

OBJECTIVE:

To examine whether the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic altered risk of adverse pregnancy-related outcomes and whether there were differences by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection status among pregnant women.

METHODS:

In this retrospective cohort study using Epic's Cosmos research platform, women who delivered during the pandemic (March–December 2020) were compared with those who delivered prepandemic (matched months 2017–2019). Within the pandemic epoch, those who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection were compared with those with negative test results or no SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Comparisons were performed using standardized differences, with a value greater than 0.1 indicating meaningful differences between groups.

RESULTS:

Among 838,489 women (225,225 who delivered during the pandemic), baseline characteristics were similar between epochs. There were no significant differences in adverse pregnancy outcomes between epochs (standardized difference<0.10). In the pandemic epoch, 108,067 (48.0%) women had SARS-CoV-2 testing available; of those, 7,432 (6.9%) had positive test results. Compared with women classified as negative for SARS-CoV-2 infection, those who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection were less likely to be non-Hispanic White or Asian or to reside in the Midwest and more likely to be Hispanic, have public insurance, be obese, and reside in the South or in high social vulnerability ZIP codes. There were no significant differences in the frequency of preterm birth (8.5% vs 7.6%, standardized difference=0.032), stillbirth (0.4% vs 0.4%, standardized difference=−0.002), small for gestational age (6.4% vs 6.5%, standardized difference=−0.002), large for gestational age (7.7% vs 7.7%, standardized difference=−0.001), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (16.3% vs 15.8%, standardized difference=0.014), placental abruption (0.5% vs 0.4%, standardized difference=0.007), cesarean birth (31.2% vs 29.4%, standardized difference=0.039), or postpartum hemorrhage (3.4% vs 3.1%, standardized difference=0.019) between those who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection and those classified as testing negative.

CONCLUSION:

In a geographically diverse U.S. cohort, the frequency of adverse pregnancy-related outcomes did not differ between those delivering before compared with during the pandemic, nor between those classified as positive compared with negative for SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.
Intrarenal pelvic bradykinin-induced sympathoexcitatory reno-renal reflex is attenuated in rats exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia
Authors: AlMarabeh Sara , Lucking Eric F. , O’Halloran Ken D. , Abdulla Mohammed H.
Published: August 2021

Objective:

In this study, we hypothesized that excitatory reno-renal reflex control of sympathetic outflow is enhanced in rats exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) with established hypertension.

Methods:

Under anaesthesia, renal sensory nerve endings in the renal pelvic wall were chemically activated using bradykinin (150, 400 and 700 μmol/l) and capsaicin (1.3 μmol/l), and cardiovascular parameters and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) were measured.

Results:

CIH-exposed rats were hypertensive with elevated basal heart rate and increased basal urine flow compared with sham. The intrarenal pelvic infusion of bradykinin was associated with contralateral increase in the RSNA and heart rate, without concomitant changes in blood pressure. This was associated with a drop in the glomerular filtration rate, which was significant during a 5 min period after termination of the infusion but without significant changes in urine flow and absolute sodium excretion. In response to intrarenal pelvic infusion of 700 μmol/l bradykinin, the increases in RSNA and heart rate were blunted in CIH-exposed rats compared with sham rats. Conversely, the intrarenal pelvic infusion of capsaicin evoked an equivalent sympathoexcitatory effect in CIH-exposed and sham rats. The blockade of bradykinin type 1 receptors (BK1R) suppressed the bradykinin-induced increase in RSNA by ∼33%, with a greater suppression obtained when bradykinin type 2 receptors (BK2R) and BK1R were contemporaneously blocked (∼66%).

Conclusion:

Our findings reveal that the bradykinin-dependent excitatory reno-renal reflex does not contribute to CIH-induced sympathetic hyperactivity and hypertension. Rather, there is evidence that the excitatory reno-renal reflex is suppressed in CIH-exposed rats, which might relate to a downregulation of BK2R.
Georgetown University Certificate in Early Intervention
Authors: Lane Sharice K. , Brady Rachel , Long Toby
Published: August 2021

The Georgetown University Certificate in Early Intervention is a hybrid professional development program that instructs interdisciplinary early interventionists in contemporary evidence-based and family-centered practices. The program is delivered primarily online over 10 months with five in-person sessions including a culminating community-based professional conference to present capstone projects. Participants completed self-assessment surveys at the beginning and end of the program, as well as individual course satisfaction surveys. This article reports the evaluation findings from the first five cohorts of participants. The results indicate that participants perceived an increase in competence and confidence in early intervention principles and practices at the conclusion of the certificate program. This study contributes to the growing literature on the effectiveness of different modalities of professional development activities to build capacity of early interventionists to provide family-centered, evidence-based services.
Dynamics of keratoconus progression after a previous successful accelerated crosslinking treatment during and after pregnancy
Authors: Sarac Ozge , Yesilirmak Nilufer , Caglayan Mehtap , Yaman Derya , Ozdas Demet , Toklu Yasin , Cagil Nurullah
Published: August 2021

Purpose:

To evaluate the effectiveness of previously applied successful accelerated corneal crosslinking (CXL) treatment in keratoconus stabilization during and after pregnancy.

Setting:

Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Turkey.

Design:

Prospective clinical study.

Methods:

Patients with stable keratoconus (after having an accelerated CXL procedure) who became pregnant were included. Uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest astigmatism (MA), keratometry (K)1, K2, Kmax, central corneal thickness (CCT), thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), and anterior (AE) and posterior elevation (PE) were recorded at baseline (before CXL), before pregnancy (the last visit after CXL), during pregnancy (third trimester), and after pregnancy (the last visit after pregnancy).

Results:

24 eyes of 19 patients were included. The mean time between CXL and conception was 12.4 ± 5.1 months. The mean postpartum follow-up period was 27.6 ± 13.3 months. The mean UDVA, CDVA, MA, and PE values did not show any statistically significant differences during and after pregnancy compared with the post-CXL values (P > .05). The mean Kmax flattened significantly after the CXL procedure (P = .011); however, it increased during pregnancy (P = .037, after CXL vs pregnancy) and then decreased back to the prepregnancy level after pregnancy (P = .035, pregnancy vs after pregnancy). The mean K1, K2, AE, CCT, and TCT remained stable during pregnancy and significantly decreased after pregnancy (P < .05).

Conclusions:

Keratoconus seems to progress during pregnancy in corneas that have previously received successful accelerated CXL treatment. However, this progress was mostly temporary, and generally, regression occurred after delivery.
Neural mechanisms of pain relief through paying attention to painful stimuli
Authors: Kim Dongho , Woo Choong-Wan , Kim Seong-Gi
Published: August 2021

A commonly held belief suggests that turning one's attention away from pain reduces it, whereas paying attention to pain increases it. However, some attention-based therapeutic strategies for pain, such as mindfulness-based interventions, suggest that paying attention to painful stimuli can reduce pain, resulting in seemingly contradictory conclusions regarding attention and pain. Here, we investigated the analgesic effects of attention modulation and provide behavioral and neural evidence that paying attention to pain can reduce pain when attention is directed toward the specific features of painful stimuli. The analgesic effects of paying attention to painful stimuli were mediated by the primary somatosensory cortex and goal-directed attention regions in the prefrontal and parietal cortex. These findings suggest that suppressing early somatosensory processing through top–down modulation is the key mechanism of the analgesic effects of paying attention to painful stimuli, providing evidence that pain itself can be used as a component of pain management.
Factors Associated With 30 Day Survival in Adults With Influenza Infection Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Mercado Díaz Mario Andrés , Giraldo Bejarano Estefania , Garzón Ruiz Jenny Paola , Cortes-Muñoz Fabián , Díaz Reyes Rene Ricardo
Published: August 2021

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to influenza in adults is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a supportive alternative for severe and refractory cases. This study aimed to perform a hospital-based case-control study between February 2018 and February 2020 for determining the factors associated with 30 day survival in adults with severe ARDS caused by influenza infection who are provided ECMO support. A total of 17 adults received ECMO support, mostly veno-venous for hypoxemic respiratory failure, with a 30 day survival rate of 65%. The cohort of patients who did not survive at 30 days compared with the cohort of those who did survive had higher body mass index (34 vs. 31), higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (9.5 vs. 7) and lower Respiratory ECMO Survival Prediction score (2 vs. 4). This study shows the importance of evaluating the severity scores of patients before ECMO support initiation, which offers an acceptable survival in patients with severe ARDS, making it a feasible alternative in critical patients who are refractory to conventional management.
Mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease-1 cleaves plasminogen and plasma fibronectin: prefers plasminogen over known fibrinogen substrate
Authors: Choudhary Komal , Patel Pankaj K. , Are Venkata N. , Makde Ravindra D. , Hajela Krishnan
Published: August 2021

Mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease-1 (MASP-1) is known to interact with complement and coagulation pathways. Recently it was reported that MASP-1 interacts with the fibrinolytic system but details remain unclear. The objective of the study is to find MASP-1 substrates that participate in the fibrinolytic system. Commercially available fibrinogen might contain some impurities. Fibrinogen was treated with MASP-1 followed by analysis on SDS–PAGE and the obtained cleaved fragments were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight/time of flight. Functional analysis of identified substrate was confirmed by fluorogenic and turbidimetric assay. Statistical analysis was done by using the Student t test. This study reports that plasminogen and plasma fibronectin are two hitherto unknown substrates of MASP-1. Conversion of plasminogen to plasmin like molecule by MASP-1 was confirmed by cleavage of plasmin specific substrate and digestion of fibrin clot. The role of MASP-1 in clot dissolution was confirmed by turbidity assay. Our study shows that MASP-1 selects plasminogen over fibrinogen to be a preferable substrate. MASP-1 promotes the fibrinolytic activity by the generation of plasmin like molecule from plasminogen and further destabilizes the clot by digestion of plasma fibronectin.
A multicentre real-world data study to assess the bleeding rate and management of patients with haemophilia A and factor VIII inhibitors in Argentina
Authors: Neme Daniela , Ramos Mejía Isabel , Elelhou Ludmila , Do Nascimento Patricia , Arrieta Maria E. , Cocca Andrea , Saenz Victoria , Davoli Mauro
Published: August 2021

The development of inhibitors against factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates is a severe complication of treatment for patients with haemophilia. We investigated annualized bleeding rates (ABRs) in patients in Argentina with haemophilia A with inhibitors and analysed potential differences between treatment strategies. This multicentre, retrospective, real-world data, cohort design study comprised ambulatory paediatric and adult patients with congenital haemophilia A and FVIII inhibitors treated according to standard clinical practice, with 12-months follow-up. Of 69 included patients, 39 (56.5%) received on-demand treatment, 13 (18.8%) received prophylactic treatment, and 17 (24.6%) received immune tolerance induction (ITI) therapy. The mean overall ABR was 7.68 ± 8.18, with similar rates for on-demand (8.59 ± 9.69), prophylaxis (5.54 ± 4.71), and ITI (7.24 ± 6.23) subgroups. In the negative binomial regression model, prophylactic treatment [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21–0.79, P < 0.01] and ITI (IRR 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27–0.81, P < 0.01) therapy were significantly associated with a decrease in the ABR compared with on-demand treatment. Age (IRR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94–0.97, P < 0.01), number of target joints (IRR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.11–1.31, P < 0.001), and history of recurring bleeding (IRR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.19–4.57, P = 0.012) were significantly and independently associated with ABR. The ABR in standard clinical practice was lower than that reported in controlled clinical trials. Patients undergoing prophylaxis and ITI therapy showed reduced ABRs compared with on-demand treatment, after controlling for bleeding predictor variables.
Contact Lens– and Patient-related Factors Associated with Contact Lens Discomfort among Contact Lens Wearers in an African Cohort
Authors: Ilechie Alex Azuka , Danquah Douglas , Ntodie Michael , Andoh Ebenezer , Addo Naa Adjeley , Odoi Daniel , Otabil Felix , Assiamah Frank
Published: August 2021

SIGNIFICANCE

No information is available on contact lens discomfort in any African population. Such information may be helpful in developing the scope and priorities for intervention.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to examine contact lens– and patient-related factors associated with contact lens discomfort among wearers in Ghana.

METHODS

In this multicenter cross-sectional study, contact lens wearers 18 years and older were recruited. The Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire-8 and a standardized scripted interview were administered to 72 contact lens wearers at five clinical sites, and 40 participants' lens storage cases were collected and cultured. A variety of patient- and contact lens–related factors were examined. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression modeling were used to assess risk factors associated with contact lens discomfort.

RESULTS

Seventy-two contact lens wearers aged 18 to 45 years completed the study. The mean age was 27.5 ± 6.4 years, 65.3% of them were females, 86.1% wore soft contact lens, and 13.9% wore rigid gas-permeable lens. Contact lens discomfort was reported by 66.7% of the subjects. Most frequent lens storage cases isolates were Bacillus species (40%) and fungi (31.1%). Significant association was found between disinfecting with tap water (5.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22 to 29.27; P = .03), heavy visual display terminal use (3.39; 95% CI, 1.01 to 11.34; P = .05), high water content (1.16; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.33; P = .03), and contact lens discomfort. Demographic factors, wear modality, and care solutions were not significant (all P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

In considering the use of contact lenses for refractive correction in this population, strategies for preventing contact lens discomfort that should be targeted include use of low-water-content lenses, disinfecting with multipurpose solutions, and reducing the time spent daily on visual display terminal use.
Incivility, Work Withdrawal, and Organizational Commitment Among US Surgeons
Authors: Santosa Katherine B. , Kayward Laura , Matusko Niki , Jagsi Reshma , Audu Christopher O. , Kwakye Gifty , Waljee Jennifer F. , Sandhu Gurjit
Published: August 2021

Objective:

To evaluate the prevalence of incivility among trainees and faculty in cardiothoracic surgery, general surgery, plastic surgery, and vascular surgery in the U.S, and to determine the association of incivility on job and work withdrawal and organizational commitment.

Background:

Workplace incivility has not been described in surgery and can negatively impact the well-being of individuals, teams, and organizations at-large.

Methods:

Using a cross-sectional, web-based survey study of trainees and faculty across 16 academic institutions in the U.S., we evaluated the prevalence of incivility and its association with work withdrawal and organizational commitment.

Results:

There were 486 (18.3%) partial responses, and 367 (13.8%) complete responses from surgeons [including 183 (56.1%) faculty and 143 (43.9%) residents or fellows]. Of all respondents, 92.2% reported experiencing at least 1 form of incivility over the past year. Females reported significantly more incivility than males (2.4 ± 0.91 versus 2.05 ± 0.91, P < 0.001). Asian Americans reported more incivility than individuals of other races and ethnicities (2.43 ± 0.93, P = 0.003). After controlling for sex, position, race, and specialty, incivility was strongly associated with work withdrawal (β = 0.504, 95% CI: 0.341–0.666). There was a significant interaction between incivility and organizational commitment, such that highly committed individuals had an even greater impact of incivility on the outcome of job and work withdrawal (β = 0.178, 95% CI: 0.153–0.203).

Conclusions:

Incivility is widespread in academic surgery and is strongly associated with work withdrawal. Leaders must invest in strategies to eliminate incivility to ensure the well-being of all individuals, teams, and organizations at-large.
Stochastic Consolidation of Lifelong Memory
Authors: Shaham Nimrod , Chandra Jay , Kreiman Gabriel , Sompolinsky Haim
Published: August 2021

Humans have the remarkable ability to continually store new memories, while maintaining old memories for a lifetime. How the brain avoids catastrophic forgetting of memories due to interference between encoded memories is an open problem in computational neuroscience. Here we present a model for continual learning in a recurrent neural network combining Hebbian learning, synaptic decay and a novel memory consolidation mechanism. Memories undergo stochastic rehearsals with rates proportional to the memory’s basin of attraction, causing self-amplified consolidation, giving rise to memory lifetimes that extend much longer than synaptic decay time, and capacity proportional to a power of the number of neurons. Perturbations to the circuit model cause temporally-graded retrograde and anterograde deficits, mimicking observed memory impairments following neurological trauma.
The Histone H1-like protein AlgP facilitates even spacing of polyphosphate granules in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Chawla Ravi , Klupt Steven , Patsalo Vadim , Williamson James R , Racki Lisa R
Published: August 2021

Synthesis of polyphosphate (polyP) is an ancient and universal stress and starvation response in bacteria. In many bacteria, polyP chains come together to form granular superstructures within cells. Some species appear to regulate polyP granule subcellular organization. Despite the critical role of polyP in starvation fitness, the composition of these structures, mechanism(s) underpinning their organization, and functional significance of such organization are poorly understood. We previously determined that granules become transiently evenly spaced on the cell’s long axis during nitrogen starvation in the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here, we developed a granule-enrichment protocol to screen for polyP granule-localizing proteins. We identified AlgP as a protein that associates with polyP granules. We further discovered that AlgP is required for the even spacing of polyP granules. AlgP is a DNA-binding protein with a 154 amino acid C-terminal domain enriched in ‘KPAA’ repeats and variants of this repeat, with an overall sequence composition similar to the C-terminal tail of eukaryotic histone H1. Granule size, number, and spacing are significantly perturbed in the absence of AlgP, or when AlgP is truncated to remove the C-terminus. The ΔalgP and algPΔCTD mutants having fewer, larger granules. We speculate that AlgP may contribute to spacing by tethering polyP granules to the chromosome, thereby inhibiting fusion with neighboring granules. Our discovery that AlgP facilitates granule spacing allows us for the first time to directly uncouple granule biogenesis from even spacing, and will inform future efforts to explore the functional significance of granule organization on fitness during starvation.

IMPORTANCE

The mechanisms underpinning polyP’s pleiotropic effects on bacterial starvation physiology remain elusive. This simple polyanion’s lack of protein binding specificity has impeded validation of bona fide polyP-binding proteins. However, polyP forms granule superstructures with spatial specificity. Our granule enrichment protocol identified a polyP granule-associated protein in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, AlgP. AlgP was originally reported as regulator of alginate, an extracellular polysaccharide important in biofilm formation, including in cystic fibrosis (CF) chronic infections. AlgP’s putative role in alginate biosynthesis has recently been called into question. We establish a distinct, previously unknown function for AlgP in modulating the subcellular organization of polyP, another polymer important for pathogenesis. In CF clinical isolates, the C-terminal repeat domain of AlgP is a hotspot for genetic rearrangements. Our finding that the C-terminus of AlgP is required for granule organization lays the groundwork for exploring the functional significance of these mutations in the evolutionary trajectory of chronic infections.
Data sharing in the age of predictive psychiatry: An adolescent perspective
Authors: Pavarini Gabriela , Yosifova Aleksandra , Wang Keying , Wilcox Benjamin , Tomat Nastja , Lorimer Jessica , Kariyawasam Lasara , George Leya , Alí Sonia , Singh Ilina
Published: August 2021

Background

Advances in genetics and digital phenotyping in psychiatry have given rise to testing services targeting young people, which claim to predict psychiatric outcomes before difficulties emerge. These services raise several ethical challenges surrounding data sharing and information privacy.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate young people’s interest in predictive testing for mental health challenges, and their attitudes towards sharing biological, psychosocial and digital data for such purpose.

Methods

Eighty UK adolescents aged 16-18 participated in the study. Participants took part in a digital role-play where they played the role of clients of a fictional predictive psychiatry company and chose what sources of personal data they wished to provide for a risk assessment. After the role-play, participants reflected upon their choices during a peer-led interview.

Findings

Participants saw multiple benefits in predictive testing services, but were highly selective with regards to type the data they were willing to share. Largely due to privacy concerns, digital data sources such as social media or Google search history were less likely to be shared than psychosocial and biological data, including school grades and one’s DNA. Participants were particularly reluctant to share digital data with schools (but less so with health systems).

Conclusions

Emerging predictive psychiatric services are valued by young people; however, these services must consider privacy vs. utility trade-offs from the perspective of different stakeholders, including adolescents.

Clinical implications

Respecting adolescents’ need for transparency, privacy and choice in the age of digital phenotyping is critical to the responsible implementation of predictive psychiatric services.
Durability of antibody responses elicited by a single dose of Ad26.COV2.S and substantial increase following late boosting
Authors: Sadoff Jerald , Le Gars Mathieu , Cardenas Vicky , Shukarev Georgi , Vaissiere Nathalie , Heerwegh Dirk , Truyers Carla , de Groot Anne Marit , Scheper Gert , Hendriks Jenny , Ruiz-Guiñazú Javier , Struyf Frank , Van Hoof Johan , Douoguih Macaya , Schuitemaker Hanneke
Published: August 2021

Background

We evaluated the durability of SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels elicited by the single dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, Ad26.COV2.S, and the impact on antibody responses of boosting with Ad26.COV2.S after 6 months in clinical trial participants.

Methods

Spike-binding antibody and SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody levels elicited by a single-dose Ad26.COV2.S (5×1010 viral particles [vp]) primary regimen and booster doses (5×1010 vp and 1.25×1010 vp) were assessed by ELISA and wild-type VNA in sera from participants in a Phase 1/2a clinical trial (Cohort 1a, 18–55 years old, N=25; Cohort 2a, 18–55 years old boosted at 6 months, N=17; Cohort 3, ≥65 years old, N=22) and a Phase 2 clinical trial (18–55 and ≥65-year old participants boosted at 6 months, total N=73). Neutralizing antibody levels were determined approximately 8 months after the primary vaccination in participants aged 18–55 years and approximately 9 months in participants aged ≥65 years. Binding antibody levels were evaluated 6 months after primary vaccination and 7- and 28-days after booster doses in both age groups.

Results

A single dose of Ad26.COV2.S elicited neutralizing antibodies that remained largely stable for approximately 8–9 months and binding antibodies that remained stable for at least 6 months irrespective of age group. A 5×1010 vp booster dose at 6 months post prime vaccination in 18–55-year-old adults elicited a steep and robust 9-fold increase at Day 7 post boost compared to Day 29 levels following the initial immunization. A lower booster dose of 1.25×1010 vp at 6 months in adults 18–55 and ≥65 years of age also elicited a rapid and high increase of 6–7.7 fold at Day 28 post boost compared to Day 29 levels following the initial immunization, with similar magnitude of post-boost responses in both age groups.

Conclusions

A single dose of Ad26.COV2.S, which demonstrated protection in a Phase 3 efficacy trial, elicited durable neutralizing and binding antibodies for at least 8 and 6 months, respectively, in adults >18 years of age at levels similar to Day 29 responses. A 5×1010 vp or 1.25×1010 vp booster dose at 6 months elicited rapid and robust increases in spike binding antibody levels. The anamnestic responses after booster immunization imply robust immune memory elicited by single-dose Ad26.COV2.S.
Reduced production of the major allergen Bla g 1 and Bla g 2 in Blattella germanica after antibiotic treatment
Authors: Lee Seogwon , Kim Ju Yeong , Yi Myung-hee , Lee In-Yong , Yong Dongeun , Yong Tai-Soon
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Allergens present in the feces or frass of cockroaches can cause allergic sensitization in humans. The use of fecal and frass extracts for immunotherapy has been previously investigated but has not yet been fully standardized. Here, we treated cockroaches with ampicillin to produce extracts with reduced amounts of total bacteria.

Methods

We performed targeted high-throughput sequencing of 16S rDNA to compare the microbiomes of ampicillin-treated and untreated (control) cockroaches. RNA-seq was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ampicillin-treated cockroaches.

Results

Analysis of the microbiome revealed that alpha diversity was lower in the ampicillin-treated group than in the control group. Beta diversity analysis indicated that ampicillin treatment altered bacterial composition in the microbiome of cockroaches. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that almost all bacteria were removed from ampicillin-treated cockroaches. RNA-seq analysis revealed 1,236 DEGs in ampicillin-treated cockroaches (compared to untreated cockroaches). Unlike bacterial composition, the DEGs varied between the two groups. Among major allergens, the expression of Bla g 2 decreased significantly in ampicillin-treated cockroaches (compared to untreated group).

Conclusions

In this study, the reduced level of allergens observed in cockroaches may be related to lower amounts of total bacteria caused by treatment with antibiotics. It is possible to make a protein extract with few bacteria for use in immunotherapy.
CST does not evict elongating telomerase but prevents initiation by ssDNA binding
Authors: Zaug Arthur J. , Lim Ci Ji , Olson Conner L. , Carilli Maria T. , Goodrich Karen J. , Wuttke Deborah S. , Cech Thomas R.
Published: August 2021

The CST complex (CTC1-STN1-TEN1) has been shown to inhibit telomerase extension of the G-strand of telomeres and facilitate the switch to C-strand synthesis by DNA polymerase alpha-primase (pol α-primase). Recently the structure of human CST was solved by cryo-EM, allowing the design of mutant proteins defective in telomeric ssDNA binding and prompting the reexamination of CST inhibition of telomerase. The previous proposal that human CST inhibits telomerase by sequestration of the DNA primer was tested with a series of DNA-binding mutants of CST and modeled by a competitive binding simulation. The DNA-binding mutants had substantially reduced ability to inhibit telomerase, as predicted from their reduced affinity for telomeric DNA. These results provide strong support for the previous primer sequestration model. We then tested whether addition of CST to an ongoing processive telomerase reaction would terminate DNA extension. Pulse-chase telomerase reactions with addition of either wild-type CST or DNA-binding mutants showed that CST has no detectable ability to terminate ongoing telomerase extension in vitro. The same lack of inhibition was observed with or without pol α-primase bound to CST. These results suggest how the switch from telomerase extension to C-strand synthesis may occur.
Suppression of fibrillation consisting of stable rotors by periodic pacing
Authors: Buran Pavel , Niedermayer Thomas , Bär Markus
Published: August 2021

Recent experimental studies have shown that a sequence of low-energy electrical far-field pulses is able to terminate fibrillation with substantially lower per-pulse energy than a single high-energy electric shock (see S. Luther et al. Nature 475 (7355), 235-239). During this low-energy antifibrillation pacing (LEAP) procedure only tissue near sufficiently large conduction heterogeneities, such as large coronary arteries, is activated. In order to understand the mechanism behind LEAP, We have carried out a statistical study of resetting a medium filled by one or more stable spirals (“rotors”) in a two-dimensional electrophysiological model of cardiac tissue perforated by blood vessels to the resting state (“defibrillation”). We found the highest success probabilities for this defibrillation for underdrive pacing with periods 10 – 20 percent larger than the dominant period of the stable rotors in the unperturbed dynamics. If a sufficiently large number pulses is applied and an optimal pacing period chosen, the energy per pulse required for successful defibrillation is about 75 - 80 percent lower than the energy needed for single-shock defibrillation. Optimal conditions to control and suppress fibrillation based on stable rotors, hence, are similar to the ones in found for the case of an electrophysiological model displaying spatiotemporal chaos (“electrical turbulence”) in an earlier study (see P. Buran et al. Chaos 27, 113110 (2017)). The optimal pacing period is found to increase with increasing strength of the electrical field strength used in the model. The success probability also increases strongly until the fourth or fifth pulse administered, which is strongly correlated to an observed increase of the fraction of re-excitable tissue with each subsequent pulse. Monitoring the fraction of excitable tissue in the model as key quantity of the excitable medium, moreover, enabled us to successfully predict the optimal pacing period for defibrillation.
Guidelines for de novo phasing using multiple small-wedge data collection
Authors: Baba Seiki , Matsuura Hiroaki , Kawamura Takashi , Sakai Naoki , Nakamura Yuki , Kawano Yoshiaki , Mizuno Nobuhiro , Kumasaka Takashi , Yamamoto Masaki , Hirata Kunio
Published: August 2021

Intense micro-focus X-ray beamlines available at synchrotron facilities have achieved high-quality data collection even from the microcrystals of membrane proteins. The automatic data collection system developed at SPring-8, named ZOO, has contributed to many structure determinations of membrane proteins using small-wedge synchrotron crystallography (SWSX) datasets. The `small-wedge' (5–20°) datasets are collected from multiple crystals and then merged to obtain the final structure factors. To our knowledge, no systematic investigation on the dose dependence of data accuracy has so far been reported for SWSX, which is between `serial crystallography' and `rotation crystallography'. Thus, herein, we investigated the optimal dose conditions for experimental phasing with SWSX. Phase determination using anomalous scattering signals was found to be more difficult at higher doses. Furthermore, merging more homogeneous datasets grouped by hierarchical clustering with controlled doses mildly reduced the negative factors in data collection, such as `lack of signal' and `radiation damage'. In turn, as more datasets were merged, more probable phases could be obtained across a wider range of doses. Therefore, our findings show that it is essential to choose a lower dose than 10 MGy for de novo structure determination by SWSX. In particular, data collection using a dose of 5 MGy proved to be optimal in balancing the amount of signal available while reducing the amount of damage as much as possible.
Impacts of consumers’ perceived risks in eco-design packaging on food wastage behaviors
Authors: Zeng Tian
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Packaging links products to consumers by delivering messages to promote healthy food consumption and reduce wastage. However, studies point to a knowledge gap and skepticism among consumers regarding the impact of eco-design packaging on food wastage reduction. To demystify this skepticism and fill the knowledge gap, this study aims to examine consumers’ perceived risks in eco-design packaging and their impact on consumer food wastage.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted to identify consumer-perceived risks in eco-design packaging and explain whether, and why, some dimensions of perceived risk are more influential on consumer food wastage decisions.

Findings

Consumers are prevented by financial, physical, functional, temporal and social factors from adopting eco-design packaging. Through structural equation modeling, we find consumer perceived risks in eco-design packaging influence their food wastage decisions through health consciousness and environmental awareness.

Practical implications

This study provides practical suggestions for packaging manufacturers, the food industry and policymakers.

Originality/value

Drawing on the perceived risk theory, this research highlights that the impacts of consumer-perceived risks differ, depending on the dimensions considered in their food wastage decision.
A phase-oriented evaluation framework for China's PPP projects
Authors: Liu Jinchan , Guo Yubo , Martek Igor , Chen Chuan , Tian Jiawei
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study develops a phase-oriented evaluation mechanism based on the public–private partnership (PPP) project process and provides a preliminary framework for the promotion of the phase-oriented evaluation of PPPs in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a literature review and survey interviews the success criteria for the implementation process of PPPs are documented. Process success criteria findings are used to populate the content of the phase-oriented evaluation. The result is then tested, revised and improved through follow-up expert interviews.

Findings

This paper identifies PPP project process success criteria. Using these criteria, a phase-oriented evaluation framework is developed. Moreover, in consultation with industry experts in the PPP field, eight evaluation aspects were determined: confirmation of project compliance and performance, confirmation of value for money, confirmation of financial affordability, trend analysis of annual performance appraisal, risk review and early warning, rebankability analysis, project externality analysis, benchmarking analysis of similar projects. These eight application aspects are analyzed in the light of the outcomes of the resulting phase-oriented evaluation framework.

Research limitations/implications

The results of the research can only provide researchers and practitioners with generic insights regarding inputs into a phase-oriented evaluation of PPP projects. For any specific PPP project, the focus and priority of the evaluative content will vary.

Practical implications

A phase-oriented evaluation of PPP projects is put forward. This will allow project stakeholders to better track the progress of projects throughout what can be a lengthy implementation stage.

Originality/value

This study can provide governments and stakeholders with a new, theoretical understanding as to factors required of an effective phased evaluation of China's PPP projects. In that regard it will be significant value in PPP project policy and decision-making.
Exploring the antecedents of retail banks’ reputation in low-bankarization markets: brand equity, value co-creation and brand experience
Authors: Martillo Jeremías Luís Daniel , Polo Peña Ana Isabel
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The present study aims to propose and validate a model to measure certain variables that may contribute to increasing the bankarization rate (uptake of retail banking services) among developing-economy populations characterized by poor financial literacy and low income levels.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative empirical study is carried out in the retail banking sector of a country with low-bankarization rates. Using a self-administered questionnaire distributed online, structural equation modeling is applied to analyze the relationships between value co-creation, brand experience, brand equity and reputation.

Findings

The results show that brand equity is an antecedent of reputation that values co-creation, and brand experience positively influences brand equity and that values co-creation that positively influences brand experience.

Social implications

The bankarization rate of a developing country is generally taken as an indicator of the socioeconomic wellbeing of its population. Where there is a low-bankarization rate, this renders it more difficult for financial institutions to build their reputation to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Strategies are, therefore, proposed to improve the reputation of financial institutions in such settings and, thus, contribute to increasing the bankarization rate.

Originality/value

The findings of this study provide an original perspective that offers a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that enable banks operating in low-bankarization markets to enhance their reputation through strategies based on customer–company interaction and branding (with the variables of brand equity, brand experience and value co-creation).
How female entrepreneurs build strong business relationships: the power of gender stereotypes
Authors: Constantinidis Christina
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Adopting a feminist constructionist perspective, this article proposes an analysis of the micro-level processes and dynamics of interpersonal, gendered, business relationships between female entrepreneurs, therefore constituting an extension to network theory in the women's entrepreneurship research field.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative research builds on a single, longitudinal case study of a successful, 15-years long collaboration between two female entrepreneurs. Qualitative data were collected over two years, through formal and informal interviews with the entrepreneurs, observations and complementary documentation. The data analysis is based on a grounded theory and narrative approach.

Findings

The article proposes a thick narrative of the evolution of the dyadic business relationship, and reveals the power of gender role stereotypes in its progressive formation and development.

Research limitations/implications

The article produces situated knowledge about female entrepreneurs and strong interpersonal business ties. The limitations relate to the specificity of the case analysed, representing the viewpoint of privileged, white, Western, educated and wealthy female entrepreneurs. It therefore does not account for the diversity of women's entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

The article enriches and extends social network theory in the women's entrepreneurship field through analysing how gender is done in discursive and social practices at the interpersonal level. The case also constitutes an illustration of social feminism in women's entrepreneurial practice, challenging dominant gender stereotypes.
Regional government R&D investment and innovation performance: the moderating effect of geographical and organizational proximities
Authors: Zhu Dongyun , Xu Bingfen
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to measure the moderating effect of geographical and organizational proximity by focusing on readily available Chinese regional economic data over a five-year period.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used multilevel regression analysis to analyze the relationship.

Findings

Results show that increasing government investment in research and development (R&D) can improve innovation performance during this period, organizational proximity and geographic proximity have a positive moderate effect on the relationship between R&D investment and Innovation performance.

Originality/value

This study enriches the existing theories on government innovation input and output from the perspective of regional differences and provides meaningful guidance for current Chinese regional innovation policies.
Technological innovation management: understanding difficulties in an emerging country to enhance manufacturers performance
Authors: Matos Lucas M. , Rampasso Izabela Simon , Quelhas Osvaldo L.G. , Leal Filho Walter , Anholon Rosley
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to discuss the difficulties faced by two large Brazilian industrial companies in technological innovation management.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially, a literature review is carried out using meta-synthesis technique to consolidate an expanded and detailed framework that complemented and dialoged with the difficulties presented by Oslo Manual. The difficulties presented in this framework were used as an instrument to conduct two case studies.

Findings

There were several findings, especially the adherence to the structured framework and the identification of short-term management and inflexibility of the regulatory environment as relevant difficulties for both companies.

Originality/value

The understanding of these difficulties can contribute to optimizing manufacturers performance in innovation processes. Although only two companies were analyzed, their magnitude and relevance in the sectors they belong to should be highlighted. The information presented here can greatly contribute to expanding the debates about the management of innovation by companies in emerging countries.
Measure human capital because people really matter: development and validation of human capital scale (HuCapS)
Authors: Dahiya Rinki , Raghuvanshi Juhi
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Notwithstanding the findings of several published articles on human capital, there is scarcity of a comprehensive instrument to measure it. In this direction, the objective of present research is to develop a valid and reliable scale to assess human capital.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was divided into two parts. Study 1 focused on literature review of human capital measures, development of items and exploring the factor structure of human capital construct on a sample of 184 employees. Study 2 was based on the survey of 212 employees, and reliability assessment and confirmatory factor analysis was performed to validate the factor structure of human capital construct.

Findings

The findings can be summarized in two ways. Study 1 present that human capital scale is multidimensional consisting of employee capability, leadership and motivation, employee satisfaction and creativity. The findings of study 2 confirms the validity and reliability of three factor structure of human capital construct consisting of 18 items in total.

Practical implications

The study provides a multidimensional psychometric instrument which can help in measuring the human capital of the organization from the perspective of capabilities, satisfaction and creativity and leadership and motivation. Moreover, it can serve as an aid to human resource (HR) and human resource development (HRD) professionals for human capital assessment in the organizations.

Originality/value

This study provides a measure to assess human capital in Indian manufacturing sector organizations that makes a novel contribution to the area.
Climate literacy among undergraduate students who study science in Los Angeles
Authors: Klapp Jamie , Bouvier-Brown Nicole C.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze undergraduate science majors’ perceptions of climate change.

Design/methodology/approach

Three science major student cohorts at Loyola Marymount University – first-year exposure (first-years taking a course related to climate science), first-year control (first-years taking a course unrelated to climate science) and non-first-year exposure (non-first-years interested in climate science taking a related course) – were given a climate literacy survey at the beginning and end of each course. Student perceptions were also compared with national and local data.

Findings

First-year students exposed to the topic showed increased awareness of climate change, trust in climate scientists and acknowledgment of the scientific consensus. Exposure also increased the non-first-year cohort’s awareness that global warming is already affecting the country. All three cohorts showed greater awareness of humanity’s role in causing climate change than the public. However, misconceptions regarding technical concepts persisted throughout.

Research limitations/implications

This was a single-institution study in Los Angeles with a limited sample. Exposure to specific topics varied between cohorts, depending on the learning outcomes of each course.

Originality/value

Undergraduate science majors have a greater understanding of climate change’s anthropogenic nature compared with local and national populations. First-year students have a lower initial understanding of climate change and less trust in climate scientists than non-first-year students interested in the topic. All science majors can improve their understanding of general concepts and strengthen their confidence in scientists by taking a relevant course. Students struggle to learn specific technical concepts, but can improve their short-term comprehension through studying.