bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An investigation of university students' attitude, satisfaction and academic achievement in online learning: empirical evidence from a developing nation
Authors: Chetioui Hajar , Lebdaoui Hind , Adelli Oumaima , Bendriouch Fatima Zahra , Chetioui Youssef , Lebdaoui Kawtar
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, most higher education institutes shifted to online learning as the sole alternative to continuing education while mitigating the risks imposed by the pandemic. This has raised several concerns regarding students’ learning experience, satisfaction and academic achievement, particularly in countries where students have restrained technological resources (i.e. developing nations). The current research aims to investigate the key factors influencing students’ attitudes, satisfaction and academic achievement among university students in an emerging market context (i.e. Morocco). The moderating effect of students’ motivation to study online was also scrutinized.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose an integrated conceptual framework that combines the technology acceptance model (TAM) with the outcomes of prior literature related to online learning. Based on data collected from 850 Moroccan university students, the authors empirically tested the conceptual model using a partial least squares (PLS) estimation.

Findings

First, attitude toward online learning and satisfaction positively impact university students’ academic achievement; at the same time, attitude positively impacts students’ satisfaction with online learning. Second, students’ satisfaction and attitude toward online learning were found to be mainly influenced by instructor performance, ease of use of the online learning platform, information quality, interactivity and perceived usefulness (PU). Finally, student motivation acts as a moderator, e.g. students with higher motivation to learn online are more likely to develop a favorable attitude toward online learning and can, therefore, accomplish better academic performance.

Originality/value

The current study makes a considerable contribution to the literature by contributing to the on-going debate about the potentials and challenges of online learning, particularly in an emerging country where education remains a considerable challenge. The study findings can help higher education institutes gauge the quality of online education programs and design efficient strategies to develop high-quality online learning for students. Our findings have implications not only for educational institutions and instructors in developing markets but also for the vendors of online course delivery software.
The compass project intervention programme: the application of moral theory in different youth contexts
Authors: Trivedi-Bateman Neema , Gadd Victoria
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The study aims to introduce The Compass Project (TCP), designed to determine whether strengthening morality and practicing emotion management can reduce youth antisocial attitudes and behaviours and increase prosocial attitudes and behaviours.The programme activities are informed by the existing evidence base and incorporate theoretical explanations of the mechanisms that link psychological moral and emotional traits and behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper will offer a description of the programme design and content, TCP 2022 pilot study and crucially, discuss the utility of delivering programmes like TCP in wider settings (schools, youth offending teams and other youth organisations). TCP is currently being delivered in UK schools as a multi-site, longitudinal, RCT design.

Findings

Participant feedback from TCP 2022 pilot study is used to illustrate the potential impact of TCP for young people in future. The authors identify five challenges faced by researchers conducting youth intervention studies: access, recruitment, continued attendance, nature of participation (enthusiasm, engagement and task-focus) and full participant completion of data measures.

Practical implications

This pioneering study offers a novel methodology to increase law-abiding moral attitudes and behaviours in young people. This paper adopts a forward-thinking and scientific approach to identify practical solutions to key challenges faced when delivering youth interventions and is relevant for youth practitioners and academics worldwide.

Social implications

TCP seeks to achieve improved youth attitudinal outcomes (such as law-aligned morality, empathy for others, measured decision-making and consideration of the consequences of action) and improved youth behavioural outcomes (such as improved quality of relationships with others, increased helping and prosocial behaviours, reduced antisocial behaviour and delinquency and reduced contact with criminal justice system-related organisations).

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, an evidence-based morality strengthening and emotion programme of this kind, closely aligned with a moral theory of rule-breaking, has not been developed before.
Entrepreneurship development in photovoltaic technological innovation system: a case study in Iran
Authors: Zahedi Rad Vahid , Seifi Abbas , Fadai Dawud
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a causal feedback structure that explains the dynamics of entrepreneurship development in Iran’s photovoltaic (PV) technological innovation system (TIS) to design effective policy interventions for fostering PV innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts the system dynamics approach to develop the causal structure model. The methodology follows a systematic method to elicit the causal structure from qualitative data gathered by interviewing several stakeholders with extensive knowledge about different aspects of Iran’s PV TIS.

Findings

Lack of technological knowledge and financial resources within Iranian PV panel-producing firms are the main barriers to entrepreneurship development in Iran’s PV TIS. This study proposes two policy enforcement mechanisms to tackle these problems. The proposed feedback mechanisms contribute to the domestic PV market size and knowledge transfer from public research organizations to the PV industry.

Practical implications

The proposed policy mechanisms aid Iranian policymakers in designing effective policy interventions stimulating innovation in Iran’s PV industry.

Originality/value

The main contributions of this study include conceptualizing the causal structure capturing entrepreneurship dynamics in emerging PV TIS and proposing policy mechanisms fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in PV sectors.
Optimizing chronic healthcare payment scheme: integrating patient effort in service pricing for enhanced self-management performance
Authors: Liang Yixin , Ren Xuejie , Zhao Lindu
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The study aims to address a critical gap in existing healthcare payment schemes and care service pricing by recognizing the influential role of patients' decisions on self-management efforts. These decisions not only impact health outcomes but also shape the demand for care, subsequently influencing care costs. Despite the significance of this interplay, current payment schemes often overlook these dynamics. The research focuses on investigating the implications of a novel behavior-based payment scheme, designed to align incentives and establish a direct connection between patients' decisions and care costs. The primary objective is to comprehensively understand whether and how this innovative payment scheme structure influences key stakeholders, including patients, care providers, insurers and overall social welfare.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, we propose a game-theoretical model to incorporate the performance of self-management with the demand for healthcare service, compare the patient's effort decision for self-management and provider's price decision for healthcare service under a behavior-based scheme with that under two implemented widely payment schemes, that is, co-payment scheme and co-insurance scheme.

Findings

Our findings confirm that the behavior-based scheme incentives patient self-management more than current schemes while reducing their possibility of seeking healthcare service, which indirectly induces the provider to lower the price of the service. The stakeholders' utility under various payment schemes is sensitive to the cost of treatment and the perceived health utility of patients. Especially, patient health awareness is not always benefited provider profit, as it motivates patient self-management while diminishing the demand for care.

Originality/value

We provide a novel framework for characterizing behavior-based payment schemes. Our results confirm the need for modification of the current payment scheme to incentivize patient self-management.
Investigate the relationship between leadership behaviours, organisational commitment, occupational stress and organisational citizenship behaviours in Vietnamese private business school libraries
Authors: Tran Quan Hoang Nguyen
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper examines the associations between leadership behaviours, organizational commitment, occupational stress and organisational citizenship behaviours (OCBs) at the Vietnamese private business school libraries. Another objective of this research is to explore the mediating role of organisational commitment and occupational stress on the connection between leadership behaviours and OCBs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected 294 staffs from various Vietnamese private business school libraries.

Findings

The findings confirm that leadership dimensions significantly influence OCBs, and organisational commitment plays a mediating role in the relationship between relationship-oriented leadership behaviour (ROL) and OCBs.

Practical implications

The current result indicates that two types of leadership behaviour significantly affect employee citizen behaviours. Organisations should also distribute opportunities for workers to stick to citizenship behaviours by implementing organisational commitment interventions.

Originality/value

The obtained findings are a new exploration when no previous empirical literature has investigated the relationships among four constructs.
Understanding communicative relationships between caregivers and foreign retirees: a diffractive vignettes approach
Authors: Phanthaphoommee Narongdej , Siwapathomchai Sunida
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This article seeks to provide a fresh perspective on the methodological approach to studying caregiving in a transnational context by analysing, local caregiver’s lifeworld, informal interpreting/translation and professional communication with foreign retirees.

Design/methodology/approach

This project explores the complex and multifaceted meanings of everyday objects through diffractive vignettes to illuminate the communicative entanglements that arise between caregivers and foreign retirees receiving care in Thailand. To identify intra-actions in caregiving, we collected data through informal interviews, observations and various artefacts before combining them in a group of potential communicative relationships by creating a narrative summary of situations.

Findings

Communicative relationships in the vignettes are multidimensional, with diverse logics underlying choices, rapport formation and communication effectiveness. This premise also illuminates how caregivers perceive and intra-act with their accommodation strategies, considering trust, comfort and comprehension. Our findings were also discussed with the concept of communication accommodation theory.

Originality/value

As an extension of the post-humanist approach to the diffractive reading of vignettes, this study sees its value in studying agent-related informal translation/interpreting and human-to-human relationships.
Long‐term survival with systemic therapy in the last decade: Can melanoma be cured?
Authors: Namikawa Kenjiro , Nakano Eiji , Ogata Dai , Yamazaki Naoya
Published: February 2024

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been shown to prolong survival of patients with several types of cancer, and the finding was first established in melanoma. Previously, systemic therapy for advanced melanoma aimed only at tumor control and palliation of symptoms. However, in recent years, some patients who received systemic therapy have achieved a complete response and survived without continuous treatment for more than several years. This review discusses the long‐term survival rates achieved with currently used systemic therapies and their future perspectives. Long‐term survival is currently most likely to be achieved with the use of the standard‐dose combination of nivolumab plus ipilimumab, however, this regimen is associated with a high frequency of serious or persistent immune‐related adverse events. Several new anti‐PD‐1‐based combination therapies with a better risk–benefit balance are currently under development. Although the acral and mucosal subtypes tend to be less responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors, anti‐PD‐1‐based combination therapy should continue to be investigated for these subtypes owing to its potential for better long‐term survival. With the development of efficacious immunotherapy and targeted therapy, it is important to determine the optimal duration of systemic therapy to avoid unnecessary health and financial burdens as well as to improve efforts to support long‐term cancer survivors. As the goal of systemic therapy shifts from tumor control to long‐term survival, in future clinical trials, long‐term clinical outcomes should be evaluated to assess the benefits of novel agents.
Acetic acid stress response of the acidophilic sulfate reducer Acididesulfobacillus acetoxydans
Authors: Egas Reinier A. , Sahonero‐Canavesi Diana X. , Bale Nicole J. , Koenen Michel , Yildiz Çağlar , Villanueva Laura , Sousa Diana Z. , Sánchez‐Andrea Irene
Published: February 2024

Acid mine drainage (AMD) waters are a severe environmental threat, due to their high metal content and low pH (pH <3). Current technologies treating AMD utilize neutrophilic sulfate‐reducing microorganisms (SRMs), but acidophilic SRM could offer advantages. As AMDs are low in organics these processes require electron donor addition, which is often incompletely oxidized into organic acids (e.g., acetic acid). At low pH, acetic acid is undissociated and toxic to microorganisms. We investigated the stress response of the acetotrophic Acididesulfobacillus acetoxydans to acetic acid. A. acetoxydans was cultivated in bioreactors at pH 5.0 (optimum). For stress experiments, triplicate reactors were spiked until 7.5 mM of acetic acid and compared with (non‐spiked) triplicate reactors for physiological, transcriptomic, and membrane lipid changes. After acetic acid spiking, the optical density initially dropped, followed by an adaptation phase during which growth resumed at a lower growth rate. Transcriptome analysis revealed a downregulation of genes involved in glutamate and aspartate synthesis following spiking. Membrane lipid analysis revealed a decrease in iso and anteiso fatty acid relative abundance; and an increase of acetyl‐CoA as a fatty acid precursor. These adaptations allow A. acetoxydans to detoxify acetic acid, creating milder conditions for other microorganisms in AMD environments.
Taxonomic and metabolic diversity of Actinomycetota isolated from faeces of a 28,000‐year‐old mammoth
Authors: van Bergeijk Doris A. , Augustijn Hannah E. , Elsayed Somayah S. , Willemse Joost , Carrión Victor J. , Du Chao , Urem Mia , Grigoreva Lena V. , Cheprasov Maksim Y. , Grigoriev Semyon , Jansen Hans , Wintermans Bas , Budding Andries E. , Spaink Herman P. , Medema Marnix H. , van Wezel Gilles P.
Published: February 2024

Ancient environmental samples, including permafrost soils and frozen animal remains, represent an archive with microbial communities that have barely been explored. This yet unexplored microbial world is a genetic resource that may provide us with new evolutionary insights into recent genomic changes, as well as novel metabolic pathways and chemistry. Here, we describe Actinomycetota Micromonospora, Oerskovia, Saccharopolyspora, Sanguibacter and Streptomyces species were successfully revived and their genome sequences resolved. Surprisingly, the genomes of these bacteria from an ancient source show a large phylogenetic distance to known strains and harbour many novel biosynthetic gene clusters that may well represent uncharacterised biosynthetic potential. Metabolic profiles of the strains display the production of known molecules like antimycin, conglobatin and macrotetrolides, but the majority of the mass features could not be dereplicated. Our work provides insights into Actinomycetota isolated from an ancient source, yielding unexplored genomic information that is not yet present in current databases.
Adding experimental precision to the realism of field observations: Plant communities structure bacterial communities in a glacier forefield
Authors: He Xie , Hanusch Maximilian , Böll Laura , Lach Alexander , Seifert Tobias , Junker Robert R.
Published: February 2024

Ecological studies are aligned along a realism–precision continuum ranging from field observations to controlled lab experiments that each have their own strengths and limitations. Ecological insight may be most robust when combining approaches. In field observations along a successional gradient, we found correlations between plant species composition and soil bacterial communities, while bacterial Shannon diversity was unrelated to vegetation characteristics. To add a causal understanding of the processes of bacterial community assembly, we designed lab experiments to specifically test the influence of plant composition on bacterial communities. Using soil and seeds from our field site, we added different combinations of surface‐sterilised seeds to homogenised soil samples in microcosms and analysed bacterial communities 4 months later. Our results confirmed the field observations suggesting that experimental plant community composition shaped bacterial community composition, while Shannon diversity was unaffected. These results reflect intimate plant–bacteria interactions that are important drivers of plant health and community assembly. While this study provided insights into the role of plants underlying the assembly of bacterial communities, we did not experimentally manipulate other drivers of community assembly such as abiotic factors. Therefore, we recommend multi‐factorial laboratory experiments to quantify the relative importance of different factors contributing to microbial composition.
Effects of COVID‐19 support measures on bank lending: Lessons from the release of countercyclical capital buffer and loan guarantee schemes in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong Eric , Ho Kelvin , Wong Andrew , Lo Vincent Pok Ho
Published: February 2024

Based on a panel of banks in Hong Kong, we found that banks with a relatively thin capital buffer and liquidity before the pandemic may constrain their post‐pandemic loan growth. We further found strong evidence that the release of countercyclical capital buffer (CCyB) requirements amid the pandemic mitigated the capital constraint to support continued provision of bank credit to the real economy, but mainly to non‐hard hit economic sectors. Nevertheless, the credit flow to hard‐hit economic sectors is found to be well supported by the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme.
Strategic communication in committees with expressive payoffs
Authors: Breitmoser Yves , Valasek Justin
Published: February 2024

This article explores information aggregation and strategic communication in settings where committee members are held accountable, formally or informally, for their individual voting decisions. We show that if decisions are made via majority voting, expressive payoffs introduce a free‐rider problem that prevents the committee from communicating truthfully and taking optimal decisions. In contrast, if decisions are made by unanimity, free‐riding is mitigated because all agents are responsible for the committee's decision. In a controlled laboratory experiment, we find that under unanimity subjects are more truthful and are ultimately more likely to take the optimal decision.
Phenological coding of Crambe abyssinica Hochst. according to the BBCH system
Authors: Sória‐Teixeira Luiz , Narcisa‐Oliveira Jeniffer , do Nascimento Santos Renata , Rodrigues Carla , Costa Reginaldo , Reneta Marques Rubia , Hugo Brito Vitor
Published: February 2024

Crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst.) is an oilseed crop domesticated in the Mediterranean region that is becoming increasingly important worldwide. Crambe is now considered as an alternative to bioenergy crops and oleochemicals, because of its ability to acclimatise under inhospitable conditions. Despite the interest in the agronomic characteristics and applications of this crop, research on crambe is still scarce and has focused only on production, taking into account the phenological stages of this species. Therefore, a single criterion for quantifying the phenology of the species can be a useful tool for both researchers and growers. In the present study, a proposed scale of the phenological growth stages of crambe was applied according to the BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie) coding system. The phenological stages were described using the one‐ and two‐digit decimal coding of the BBCH system and corresponded to stage 0: germination; stage 1: leaf development; stage 2: lateral sprout formation; stage 5: inflorescence emergence; stage 6: flowering; stage 8: fruit ripening and stage 9: senescence. Growth stages 3 and 4 (main stem elongation and development of collectable vegetative parts, respectively) have been omitted. Figures have been included to illustrate the main stages, and plant growth has been represented by a technical botanical illustration. The BBCH system has been effective in providing phenological data on crambe, allowing for better growing management of the crop under varying climatic conditions, as well as contributing to the standardisation of research methods on the species.
Evaluation of Fair Value Relevance and Sensitivity to Valuation Assumptions
Authors: Ma Le , Wells Peter
Published: February 2024

This paper evaluates whether the relevance of investment properties measured using Level 3 inputs is impacted by the assumptions underpinning the determination of fair values. Evidence is provided of investors generally finding investment property fair values determined with Level 3 inputs to be relevant, and the values are not discounted in market price. However, this is not the case when there is evidence of firms using optimistic assumptions in the determination of fair values. Specifically, there is a material price discount of recognized investment property values as well as fair value gains for these observations. Our research setting of real estate investment firms has several advantages as these firms typically have as their major assets investment properties whose fair value and rental income can be observed from financial reports. This allows investors to easily infer and compare the key valuation assumptions as captured by the capitalization rate. The implication for more general circumstances where valuation assumptions cannot be inferred from financial reports is that detailed disclosures of assumptions are necessary for users to assess the reliability of fair values determined with Level 3 inputs.
Europe's ambitious pesticide policy and its impact on agriculture and food systems
Authors: Finger Robert
Published: February 2024

European countries have set ambitious policy goals to reduce the risks of pesticides to the environment and human health. European agriculture could play a leading role in the transition to a low pesticide risk future, with various societal benefits. However, such a transition also involves trade‐offs, costs, and risks for farmers and society. Here, we summarize possible implications for agriculture and food systems in Europe and beyond and discuss avenues for future research.
Implicit attitudes towards dementia after education: Preliminary trial results from Japan
Authors: Matsumoto Hiroshige , Suzuki Haruno , Kugai Haruna , Takaoka Manami , Sakka Mariko , Ito Kenichiro , Yamamoto‐Mitani Noriko , Igarashi Ayumi
Published: February 2024

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and validity of measuring implicit attitudes towards dementia in adults and older adults and evaluate the impact of dementia‐friendly education using virtual reality (VR) on implicit attitudes.

Methods

This study was a secondary analysis of data from a randomised controlled trial. Community members in Tokyo aged 20–90 years participated in dementia‐friendly education with or without VR. At the end of the dementia‐friendly education programs, implicit attitudes towards dementia were measured using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP).

Results

Of the 145 participants, 89 (61%) started the IRAP, and 21 (15%) completed it. Lower age was significantly associated with the start/completion of the IRAP, and the age thresholds at which 50% of participants would not start/complete it were estimated to be 72.3/44.8 years, respectively. Those who had experience interacting with people with dementia other than family members had lower IRAP scores than those who had no such experience. The intervention group participating in the VR program had lower IRAP scores than the control group (p = .09).

Conclusions

Although measuring implicit attitudes using IRAP is deemed not feasible for people in their 70s and older, the differences in interaction experience would be evidence supporting the validity of the measurements of implicit attitudes towards dementia. The results suggest that dementia‐friendly education, using VR, improves implicit attitudes towards dementia.
Causal relationship between gut microbiome and sex hormone‐binding globulin: A bidirectional two‐sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Yan Ziqiao , Zheng Zheng , Xia Tiantian , Ni Zhexin , Dou Yongqi , Liu Xinmin
Published: February 2024

Problem

Currently, there is a variety of evidence linking the gut microbiota to changes in sex hormones. In contrast, the causal relationship between SHBG, a carrier of sex hormones, and the gut microbiota is unclear.

Method of Study

Bidirectional two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to detect the causal effect between SHBG and the gut microbiome. Summary statistics of genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) for the gut microbiome and SHBG were obtained from public datasets. Inverse‐variance weighting (IVW), weighted median, weighted mode, MR‐Egger and simple mode methods were used to operate the MR analysis. F‐statistics and sensitivity analyses performed to evaluate bias and reliability.

Results

When we set gut microbiome as exposure and SHBG as outcome, we identified nine causal relationships. In males, Coprobacter (PIVW = 2.01 × 10−6), Ruminococcus2 (PIVW = 3.40 × 10−5), Barnesiella (PIVW = 2.79 × 10−2), Actinobacteria (PIVW = 3.25 × 10−2) and Eubacterium fissicatena groups (PIVW = 3.64 × 10−2) were associated with lower SHBG levels; Alphaproteobacteria (PIVW = 1.61 × 10−2) is associated with higher SHBG levels. In females, Lachnoclostridium (PIVW = 9.75 × 10−3) and Defluviitaleaceae UCG011 (PIVW = 3.67 × 10−2) were associated with higher SHBG levels; Victivallaceae (PIVW = 2.23 × 10−2) was associated with lower SHBG levels. According to the results of reverse MR analysis, three significant causal effect of SHBG was found on gut microbiota. In males, Dorea (PIVW = 4.17 × 10−2) and Clostridiales (PIVW = 4.36 × 10−2) were associated with higher SHBG levels. In females, Lachnoclostridium (PIVW = 7.44 × 10−4) was associated with higherr SHBG levels. No signifcant heterogeneity of instrumental variables or horizontal pleiotropy was found in bidirectional two‐sample MR analysis.

Conclusions

This study may provide new insights into the causal relationship between the gut microbiome and sex hormone‐binding protein levels, as well as new treatment and prevention strategies for diseases such as abnormal changes in sex hormones.
Socio‐economic disadvantage and utilisation of labour epidural analgesia in Scotland: a population‐based study†
Authors: Halliday L. , Shaw M. , Kyzayeva A. , Lawlor D. A. , Nelson S. M. , Kearns R. J.
Published: February 2024

Socio‐economic deprivation is associated with adverse maternal and childhood outcomes. Epidural analgesia, the gold standard for labour analgesia, may improve maternal well‐being. We assessed the association of socio‐economic status with utilisation of epidural analgesia and whether this differed when epidural analgesia was advisable for maternal safety. This was a population‐based study of NHS data for all women in labour in Scotland between 1 January 2007 and 23 October 2020, excluding elective caesarean sections. Socio‐economic status deciles were defined using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. Medical conditions for which epidural analgesia is advisable for maternal safety (medical indications) and contraindications were defined according to national guidelines. Of 593,230 patients in labour, 131,521 (22.2%) received epidural analgesia. Those from the most deprived areas were 16% less likely to receive epidural analgesia than the most affluent (relative risk 0.84 [95%CI 0.82–0.85]), with the inter‐decile mean change in receiving epidural analgesia estimated at ‐2% ([95%CI ‐2.2% to ‐1.7%]). Among the 21,219 deliveries with a documented medical indication for epidural analgesia, the socio‐economic gradient persisted (relative risk 0.79 [95%CI 0.75–0.84], inter‐decile mean change in receiving epidural analgesia ‐2.5% [95%CI ‐3.1% to ‐2.0%]). Women in the most deprived areas with a medical indication for epidural analgesia were still less likely (absolute risk 0.23 [95%CI 0.22–0.24]) to receive epidural analgesia than women from the most advantaged decile without a medical indication (absolute risk 0.25 [95%CI 0.24–0.25]). Socio‐economic deprivation is associated with lower utilisation of epidural analgesia, even when epidural analgesia is advisable for maternal safety. Ensuring equitable access to an intervention that alleviates pain and potentially reduces adverse outcomes is crucial.
Design, synthesis, and anticancer evaluation of alkynylated pyrrole derivatives
Authors: Wei Hegeng , Cao Yu , Zhao Chungang , Shao Zhanying , Huo Xiaoli , Pan Jinming , Zhuang Rangxiao
Published: February 2024

A series of alkynylated pyrrole derivatives were meticulously designed, drawing inspiration from the structure of 3‐alkynylpyrrole‐2,4‐dicarboxylates, which were synthesized via a cyclization process involving methylene isocyanides and propiolaldehydes under mild conditions. These derivatives were subsequently subjected to evaluation for their anticancer properties against a panel of cell lines, including U251, A549, 769‐P, HepG2, and HCT‐116. According to the detailed analysis of structure–activity relationship, compound 12l emerged as the most promising molecule, with IC50 values of 2.29 ± 0.18 and 3.49 ± 0.30 μM toward U251 and A549 cells, respectively. Subsequent mechanistic investigations revealed that compound 12l exerts its effects by arresting the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase and inducing apoptosis specifically in A549 cells. These innovative alkynylated pyrrole derivatives hold the potential to serve as a valuable template for the discovery of novel anticancer molecules.
Expanding the phenotype of PPP1R21‐related neurodevelopmental disorder
Authors: Almannai Mohammed , Marafi Dana , Zaki Maha S. , Maroofian Reza , Efthymiou Stephanie , Saadi Nebal Waill , Filimban Bilal , Dafsari Hormos Salimi , Rahman Fatima , Maqbool Shazia , Faqeih Eissa , Al Mutairi Fuad , Alsharhan Hind , Abdelaty Omar , Bin‐Hasan Saadoun , Duan Ruizhi , Noureldeen Mahmoud M. , Alqattan Alaa , Houlden Henry , Hunter Jill V. , Posey Jennifer E. , Lupski James R. , El‐Hattab Ayman W.
Published: February 2024

PPP1R21 encodes for a conserved protein that is involved in endosomal maturation. Biallelic pathogenic variants in PPP1R21 have been associated with a syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder from studying 13 affected individuals. In this report, we present 11 additional individuals from nine unrelated families and their clinical, radiological, and molecular findings. We identified eight different variants in PPP1R21, of which six were novel variants. Global developmental delay and hypotonia are neurological features that were observed in all individuals. There is also a similar pattern of dysmorphic features with coarse faces as a gestalt observed in several individuals. Common findings in 75% of individuals with available brain imaging include delays in myelination, wavy outline of the bodies of the lateral ventricles, and slight prominence of the bodies of the lateral ventricles. PPP1R21‐related neurodevelopmental disorder is associated with a consistent phenotype and should be considered in highly consanguineous individuals presenting with developmental delay/intellectual disability along with coarse facial features.
Differential inflammation responses determine the variable phenotypes of epilepsy induced by GABRG2 mutations
Authors: Sui Jiahui , Zhan Longwu , Ji Shengtao , Wu Wenwen , Chen Yuhan , Yun Feng , Liang Wenpeng , Wang Jie , Cao Maohong , Shen Dingding , Zhang Qi
Published: February 2024

Objective

To explore the mechanism involved in variable phenotypes of epilepsy models induced by γ‐aminobutyric acid type A γ2 subunit (GABRG2) mutations.

Methods

The zebrafish carrying wild‐type (WT) GABRG2, mutant GABRG2(P282S), GABRG2(F343L) and GABRG2(I107T) were established by Tol2kit transgenesis system and Gateway method. Behavioral analysis of different transgenic zebrafish was performed with the DanioVision Video‐Track framework and the brain activity was analyzed by field potential recording with MD3000 Bio‐signal Acquisition and Processing System. The transcriptome analysis was applied to detect the underlying mechanisms of variable phenotypes caused by different GABRG2 mutations.

Results

The established Tg(hGABRG2P282S) zebrafish showed hyperactivity and spontaneous seizures, which were more sensitive to chemical and physical epileptic stimulations. Traditional antiepileptic drugs, such as Clonazepam (CBZ) and valproic acid (VPA), could ameliorate the hyperactivity in Tg(hGABRG2P282S) zebrafish. The metabolic pathway was significantly changed in the brain transcriptome of Tg(hGABRG2P282S) zebrafish. In addition, the behavioral activity, production of pro‐inflammatory factors, and activation of the IL‐2 receptor signal pathway varied among the three mutant zebrafish lines.

Conclusion

We successfully established transgenic zebrafish epileptic models expressing human mutant GABRG2(P282S), in which CBZ and VPA showed antiepileptic effects. Differential inflammatory responses, especially the SOCS/JAK/STAT signaling pathway, might be related to the phenotypes of genetic epilepsy induced by GABRG2 mutations. Further study will expand the pathological mechanisms of genetic epilepsies and provide a theoretical basis for searching for effective drug treatment.
Improving the coloration depth and fastness of poly(ethylene‐vinyl acetate) foam dyed with disperse dye by carrier dyeing and film formation
Authors: Yao Dongxia , Lu Shaofeng , Huang Zhenheng , Wang Haizhu
Published: February 2024

In order to solve the problems of poor dyeing properties and the colour fastness to ageing of poly(ethylene‐vinyl acetate) (EVA) foam, good dyeing performance was obtained by disperse dye carrier dyeing method, and the colour fastness to ageing was improved by surface film forming. The effect of dyeing process on dyeing properties was investigated by the single factor variable method. The effect of film formation on colour fastness to ageing was also studied. The results showed that disperse dye carrier dyeing could significantly improve the dyeing depth of EVA foam. Addition of carrier and prolongation of dyeing time could significantly improve the colour strength (K/S) values and dye penetration. However, the increase of the dosage of dyes and the concentration of the carrier could lead to a serious decrease of the colour fastness to ageing of EVA. The colour fastness to ageing of EVA could be obviously improved by film forming on the surface. Waterborne polyurethane film‐forming agent could improve the colour fastness to ageing by 1.5 grades, but the rubbing fastness was poor. When waterborne polyurethane and acrylate film‐forming agent were compounded, the colour fastness to ageing and the colour fastness to rubbing could be improved.
When unlocking rivers results in building more infrastructure: A group mental model shares lessons from weir remediation in the United Kingdom
Authors: Januchowski‐Hartley Stephanie R. , Thomas Merryn , Bristol Rochelle , Mills Morena
Published: February 2024

The last several decades have seen a rise in efforts to remove weirs, but there is little research investigating how projects are carried out, potential areas for improvement, or sharing of lessons to facilitate reconnection of more rivers. The aim of the study presented here was to explore how people involved in weir remediation perceive project processes, factors that facilitate or hinder action implementation, and possible ways processes could be improved to reconnect more rivers. We carried out semi‐structured interviews with people (n = 11) who had been actively involved in weir remediation processes in the Severn River Catchment, United Kingdom, and used their responses to create a group mental model. The group mental model was created to support learning and communication about weir remediation projects between individuals and groups. We found broad agreement from those involved in creating the group mental model about weir remediation project processes and potential areas for improvement. One of the only points of divergence within the group mental model was associated with the impact of different weir remediation actions, particularly weir removal. Based on the group mental model, we set out three calls to action to reconnect more rivers in the UK. First, move beyond opportunistic projects and establish national goals and catchment‐scale plans for weir remediation. Second, reform fish passage legislation and legislate weir ownership. Doing so would support more effective remediation solutions by recognizing the diversity of fish species that reside in UK rivers and help mitigate risks from hazardous weirs through owner accountability. Third, build cross‐sector and public partnerships to encourage removal or improved fish pass designs. We direct the three calls to action to policy makers and anyone already engaged in or envisioning weir remediation projects in the UK. The calls also have potential implications and relevance to people in other countries in Europe and beyond.
A tumour with two‐and‐a‐half faces—Primary lung adenosquamous carcinoma causing secondary squamous cell carcinoma in the colon
Authors: Tran Pierre T. C. , Zhang Ziying , Chang Qing , Jaratli Hayan , Ahsan Beena U.
Published: February 2024

Adenosquamous carcinoma in the lung was the source of colonic squamous cell carcinoma. Next‐generation sequencing confirmed the two tumours were the same, highlighting the importance of clinical suspicion and thorough workup, including genetic testing, in lung cancer cases.
Approaches and challenges to assessing risk of violence in first episode psychosis: A qualitative interview study of clinicians, patients and carers
Authors: Whiting Daniel , Glogowska Margaret , Fazel Seena , Lennox Belinda
Published: February 2024

Aim

Clinical services for early psychosis seek to improve prognosis for a range of adverse outcomes. For some individuals, perpetration of violence is an important potential outcome to reduce. How these clinical services currently assess this risk however is uncertain. This study aimed to address this gap by using qualitative methods to examine in depth current approaches, attitudes and challenges to assessing violence risk in this clinical setting, from the perspectives of multidisciplinary clinicians, patients and carers.

Methods

Participants were recruited from two UK Early Intervention in Psychosis services. Semi‐structured individual interviews were undertaken using a topic guide. In addition, clinical vignettes were presented to clinician participants as a probe to prompt discussion. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, informed by the constant comparative method.

Results

We conducted 30 qualitative interviews, of 18 clinicians and 12 patients and carers. Themes developed from clinician interviews included key difficulties of low confidence, limited training, accessing collateral information and variation in how risk is appraised and communicated. Potential stigma and sensitivity of the topic of violence were perceived as barriers to its discussion. Patient and carer perspectives provided insight into how to address barriers, and highlighted the importance of an open approach, including with families.

Conclusions

We recommend developing contextually appropriate pathways to collaboratively assess violence risk and identify modifiable needs to reduce this risk, and for practical improvements in training and information‐sharing.
Evaluation of sensory modalities involved in finding food and foraging behaviour in light/dark conditions in tadpoles of the invasive species Lithobates catesbeianus
Authors: Coceres Araceli Rita , Pozzi Andrea Gabriela , Oliveras Agustín Nahuel , Jungblut Lucas David
Published: February 2024

The ability of anuran larvae to efficiently locate food is essential for their growth and development, but little is known about the sensory modalities they use to find food. We experimentally assessed the role of visual and chemical cues in finding food in tadpoles of the invasive species Lithobates catesbeianus. In the two‐choice experiment, using rectangular containers that offer visual and/or chemical food cues on opposite ends, tadpoles chose the side where the chemical cues of the food were present consistently. The visual cues alone showed an initial transient attraction of tadpoles, which disappeared after a few minutes, suggesting that tadpoles are potentially capable of seeing contrasting objects, at least, at a close range and in clear waters and daylight conditions. We also evaluated the foraging behaviour and the capability of tadpoles to find food in an open field experiment under two different lighting conditions: natural daylight and darkness. Results showed that tadpoles find food faster in dark conditions, confirming that chemical cues alone are sufficient for tadpoles of this species to find food. Moreover, the time spent feeding and the number of tadpoles simultaneously exploiting the food patch were greater in darkness suggesting that environments with low visibility conditions could favour the establishment of L. catesbeianus. Understanding the sensory modalities used by tadpoles of this invasive species to find food could help to understand the potential abilities to expand and establish in novel environments.
Targeting mevalonate pathway by zoledronate ameliorated pulmonary fibrosis in a rat model: Promising therapy against post‐COVID‐19 pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Mohamed Reham Hussein , Abdel hay Nesma Hussein , Fawzy Nesma Mohamed , Tamim Yomna M. , Doaa Karem M. M. , Yehia Dalia Ahmed Yousef , Abdel Maksoud Omnia M. , Abdelrahim Dina S.
Published: February 2024

Background

Rho kinase (ROCK) pathway plays a critical role in post‐COVID‐19 pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF) and its intervention with angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) will be a potential therapeutic target.

Objectives

The present study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of zoledronate (ZA) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in rats through targeting ACE2, ROCK, and VEGF signaling pathways.

Methods

Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control, vehicle‐treated, PF, PF‐ZA 50, and PF‐ZA 100 groups. ZA was given in two different doses 100 and 50 μg/kg/week intraperitoneally. After anesthesia, mean arterial blood pressure (MBP) was measured. After scarification, lung coefficient was calculated. Lung levels of ACE 2, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), VEGF, glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Expression of ROCK, phosphorylated myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (P‐MYPT1), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP‐1), along with histopathological changes and immune‐histochemical staining for lung α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNFα), and caspase‐3, were evaluated.

Results

ZA significantly prevented the decrease in MBP. ZA significantly increased ACE2, GSH, and SOD and significantly decreased IL‐1β, TGF‐β, and VEGF in lung in comparison to PF group. ZA prevented the histopathological changes induced by CCl4. ZA inhibited lung expression of ROCK, P‐MYPT1, MMP‐1, α‐SMA, TNFα, and caspase‐3 with significant differences favoring the high dose intervention.

Conclusion

ZA in a dose‐dependent manner prevented the pathological effect of CCl4 in the lung by targeting mevalonate pathway. It could be promising therapy against PCPF.
Myosin heavy chain‐perinatal regulates skeletal muscle differentiation, oxidative phenotype and regeneration
Authors: Sharma Akashi , Zehra Aatifa , Mathew Sam J.
Published: February 2024

Myosin heavy chain‐perinatal (MyHC‐perinatal) is one of two development‐specific myosin heavy chains expressed exclusively during skeletal muscle development and regeneration. The specific functions of MyHC‐perinatal are unclear, although mutations are known to lead to contracture syndromes such as Trismus‐pseudocamptodactyly syndrome. Here, we characterize the functions of MyHC‐perinatal during skeletal muscle differentiation and regeneration. Loss of MyHC‐perinatal function leads to enhanced differentiation characterized by increased expression of myogenic regulatory factors and differentiation index as well as reduced reserve cell numbers in vitro. Proteomic analysis revealed that loss of MyHC‐perinatal function results in a switch from oxidative to glycolytic metabolism in myofibers, suggesting a shift from slow type I to fast type IIb fiber type, also supported by reduced mitochondrial numbers. Paracrine signals mediate the effect of loss of MyHC‐perinatal function on myogenic differentiation, possibly mediated by non‐apoptotic caspase‐3 signaling along with enhanced levels of the pro‐survival apoptosis regulator Bcl2 and nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB). Knockdown of MyHC‐perinatal during muscle regeneration in vivo results in increased expression of the differentiation marker myogenin (MyoG) and impaired differentiation, evidenced by smaller myofibers, elevated fibrosis and reduction in the number of satellite cells. Thus, we find that MyHC‐perinatal is a crucial regulator of myogenic differentiation, myofiber oxidative phenotype and regeneration.
Water activity and glass transition effect on the physical properties and bioactive compounds of persimmon peel powder
Authors: Hosseininejad Sepideh , Larrea Virginia , Quiles Amparo , Hernando Isabel , Moraga Gemma
Published: February 2024

Persimmon peel is an agro‐industrial by‐product that could be valorised as a potential powdered functional ingredient. However, powdered products exhibit quality and stability problems associated with the water activity and the glass transition. In this work, hot‐air drying was used to produce a persimmon peel powder, which was conditioned at 20 °C at different relative humidity (11.3%–75.5%). The changes in physical properties (water sorption, glass transition, mechanical properties), structure (light microscopy) and bioactive compounds (soluble tannin content, total carotenoid content) were evaluated. By combining the GAB sorption model and the Gordon and Taylor equation, the critical values of water activity (aw = 0.211) and water content (0.029 g water g−1 product), related to the glass transition, were obtained. These values were critical for the production of a free‐flowing powder rich in bioactive compounds and high antioxidant capacity.