bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory hippocampo-septal projection controls locomotion and exploratory behavior
Authors: Chen Yuh-Tarng , Guo Jun , Xu Wei
Published: September 2021

Although the hippocampus is generally considered a cognitive center for spatial representation, learning and memory, increasing evidence supports its roles in regulation of locomotion. However, the neuronal mechanisms of hippocampal regulation of locomotion and exploratory behavior remain unclear. Here we found that the inhibitory hippocampo-septal projection bi-directionally controls locomotion speed of mice. Pharmacogenetic activation of these septum-projecting interneurons decreased locomotion and exploratory behavior. Similarly, activation of the hippocampus-originated inhibitory terminal in the medial septum reduced locomotion. On the other hand, inhibition of the hippocampus-originated inhibitory terminal increased locomotion. The locomotion-regulative roles were specific to the septal projecting interneurons as activation of hippocampal interneurons projecting to the retrosplenial cortex did not change animal locomotion. Therefore, this study reveals a specific long-range inhibitory output from the hippocampus in the regulation of animal locomotion.
Evolution of antigen-specific follicular helper T cell transcriptional programs across effector function and through to memory
Authors: Robinson Amanda M. , Higgins Brett W. , Shuparski Andrew G. , Miller Karen B. , McHeyzer-Williams Louise J. , McHeyzer-Williams Michael G.
Published: September 2021

Understanding how follicular helper T cells (TFH) regulate the specialization, maturation, and differentiation of adaptive B cell immunity is crucial for developing durable high-affinity immune protection. Using indexed-single cell molecular strategies, we reveal a skewed intra-clonal assortment of higher affinity TCR and the distinct molecular programming of the localized TFH compartment compared to emigrant conventional effector TH(ETH) cells. We find a temporal shift in BCR class switch which permits identification of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory modules of transcriptional programming that subspecialize TFH function before and during the germinal center (GC) reaction. Late collapse of this local primary GC reaction reveals a persistent post-GC TFH population which discloses a putative memory TFH program. These studies define specialized antigen-specific TFH transcriptional programs that progressively direct class-specific evolution of high-affinity B cell immunity and uncover the transcriptional program of a memory TFH population as the regulators of antigen recall.

Graphical Abstract

Distinct inflammatory and anti-inflammatory antigen-specific TFH transcriptional programs regulate class-specific B cell maturation.

Highlights

- Skewed intra-clonal assortment of high affinity TCR into the TFH compartment

- Significant temporal delay in anti-inflammatory IgG1 production

- Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory transcriptional modules subspecialize TFH

- Late GC collapse reveals a persisting post-GC putative memory TFH compartment
Antigen identification and high-throughput interaction mapping by reprogramming viral entry
Authors: Dobson Connor S. , Reich Anna N. , Gaglione Stephanie , Smith Blake E. , Kim Ellen J. , Dong Jiayi , Ronsard Larance , Okonkwo Vintus , Lingwood Daniel , Dougan Michael , Dougan Stephanie K. , Birnbaum Michael E.
Published: September 2021

Deciphering immune recognition is critical for understanding a broad range of diseases and for the development of effective vaccines and immunotherapies. Efforts to do so are limited by a lack of technologies capable of simultaneously capturing the complexity of adaptive immune receptor repertoires and the landscape of potential antigens. To address this, we present RAPTR (Receptor-Antigen Pairing by Targeted Retroviruses). RAPTR combines viral pseudotyping and molecular engineering approaches to enable one-pot library on library interaction screens by displaying antigens on the surface of lentiviruses and encoding their identity in the viral genome. Antigen-specific viral infection of cells allows readout of both antigen and receptor identities via single-cell sequencing. The resulting system is modular, scalable, and compatible with any cell type, making it easily implemented. These techniques provide a suite of new tools for targeted viral entry, molecular engineering, and interaction screens with broad potential applications.
Using AlphaFold to predict the impact of single mutations on protein stability and function
Authors: Pak Marina A. , Markhieva Karina A. , Novikova Mariia S. , Petrov Dmitry S. , Vorobyev Ilya S. , Maksimova Ekaterina S. , Kondrashov Fyodor A. , Ivankov Dmitry N.
Published: September 2021

AlphaFold changed the field of structural biology by achieving three-dimensional (3D) structure prediction from protein sequence at experimental quality. The astounding success even led to claims that the protein folding problem is “solved”. However, protein folding problem is more than just structure prediction from sequence. Presently, it is unknown if the AlphaFold-triggered revolution could help to solve other problems related to protein folding. Here we assay the ability of AlphaFold to predict the impact of single mutations on protein stability (ΔΔG) and function. To study the question we extracted metrics from AlphaFold predictions before and after single mutation in a protein and correlated the predicted change with the experimentally known ΔΔG values. Additionally, we correlated the AlphaFold predictions on the impact of a single mutation on structure with a large scale dataset of single mutations in GFP with the experimentally assayed levels of fluorescence. We found a very weak or no correlation between AlphaFold output metrics and change of protein stability or fluorescence. Our results imply that AlphaFold cannot be immediately applied to other problems or applications in protein folding.
Genome-wide mapping implicates R-loops in lineage-specific processes and formation of DNA break hotspots in neural stem/progenitor cells
Authors: Thongthip Supawat , Carlson Annika , Crossley Madzia P. , Schwer Bjoern
Published: September 2021

Recent work has revealed classes of recurrent DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in neural stem/progenitor cells, including transcription-associated, promoter-proximal breaks and recurrent DSB clusters in late-replicating, long neural genes. However, the mechanistic factors promoting these different classes of DSBs in neural stem/progenitor cells are not understood. Here, we elucidated the genome-wide landscape of DNA:RNA hybrid structures called “R-loops” in primary neural stem/progenitor cells in order to assess their contribution to the different classes of DNA break “hotspots”. We report that R-loops in neural stem/progenitor cells are associated primarily with transcribed regions that replicate early and genes that show GC skew in their promoter region. Surprisingly, the majority of genes with recurrent DSB clusters in long, neural genes does not show substantial R-loop accumulation. We implicate R-loops in promoter-proximal DNA break formation in highly transcribed, early replicating regions and conclude that R-loops are not a driver of recurrent double-strand break cluster formation in most long, neural genes. Together, our study provides an understanding of how R-loops may contribute to DNA break hotspots and affect lineage-specific processes in neural stem/progenitor cells.
small RNA can move long distances through plant vasculature to influence gene expression in shoot apical meristems
Authors: Minow Mark A. A. , Coneva Viktoriya , Lesy Victoria , Misyura Max , Colasanti Joseph
Published: September 2021

In plants, small RNA (sRNA) can regulate gene expression via post transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) or through RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) leading to transcriptional gene silencing (TGS). sRNA is mobile throughout the plant, with movement occurring short distances from cell-to-cell as well as long distances through the vasculature via phloem trafficking. The range of long-distance sRNA mediated signaling from the vasculature to the shoot apical meristem (SAM) is not clear. To investigate this, two independent transgenic approaches were used to examine trafficking of phloem-expressed sRNA to the SAM in Arabidopsis thaliana. First, the phloem companion-cell specific promoter SUC2 was used to drive expression of an inverted repeat complementary to FLOWERING LOCUS D (FD), a flowering time regulator expressed exclusively in the SAM. In a separate experiment, the SUC2 promoter was used to express an artificial microRNA (aMiR) designed to target a synthetic CLAVATA3 (CLV3) target in the SAM stem cells. Both systems provide evidence of a phloem-to-SAM sRNA communication axis connecting distal regions of the plant to the stem cells of the SAM, which ultimately gives rise to all shoot tissues, including gametes. Thus, phloem-to-SAM sRNA movement defines an important link between sRNA expressed in distal regions of the plant and the growing shoot. Importantly, phloem-to-SAM sRNA trafficking may allow somatic sRNA to direct SAM RdDM, fixing transient sRNA expression events into stable epigenetic changes.
Arabidopsis iron superoxide dismutase 1 protects against methyl viologen-induced oxidative stress in a copper-dependent manner
Authors: Melicher Pavol , Dvořák Petr , Krasylenko Yuliya , Shapiguzov Alexey , Kangasjärvi Jaakko , Šamaj Jozef , Takáč Tomáš
Published: September 2021

Iron superoxide dismutase 1 (FSD1) was recently characterized as a plastidial, cytoplasmic, and nuclear superoxide dismutase with osmoprotective and antioxidative functions. However, its role in oxidative stress tolerance is not well understood. Here, we characterized the role of FSD1 in response to methyl viologen (MV)-induced oxidative stress in Arabidopsis thaliana. The findings demonstrated that the antioxidative function of FSD1 depends on the availability of Cu2+ in growth media. Prolonged MV exposure led to a decreased accumulation rate of superoxide, higher levels of hydrogen peroxide production, and higher protein carbonylation in the fsd1 mutants and transgenic plants lacking a plastidial pool of FSD1, compared to the wild type. MV led to a rapid increase in FSD1 activity, followed by a decrease. Chloroplastic localization of FSD1 is necessary for these changes. Proteomic analysis showed that the sensitivity of the fsd1 mutants coincided with decreased abundance of ferredoxin and light PSII harvesting complex proteins, with altered levels of signaling proteins. Collectively, the study provides evidence for the conditional antioxidative function of FSD1 and its possible role in signaling.
The importance of region of origin and geographical labeling for tea consumers: the moderating effect of traditional tea processing method and tea prices
Authors: Wang Tung-Sheng , Liang Austin Rong-Da , Ko Chia-Chun , Lin Jie-Heng
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of geographical labeling (GL) and place of origin on consumers' perceived tea quality and purchase intention, as well as to analyze the moderating effects of traditional tea processing methods and the price of tea.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts two experiments by combining a simulated scenario with a questionnaire; overall, 383 and 678 valid samples were collected, respectively.

Findings

(1) The existence of GL is extremely important and will give consumers the perception of higher tea quality resulting in higher purchase intention. The tea’s production method and geographic location are strongly correlated. Thus, whether the tea is produced with traditional methods has a moderating effect on the place of origin, GL, and consumer response in study 1. (3) Different tea pricing has a moderating effect on the place of origin/GL and consumer response in study 2.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates the relationship between consumers' perception of tea GL, and their response helps to identify the difference between Eastern and Western tea culture, which can be used to help promote and market tea leaves. Multiple clues show a complementary effect between the place of origin and the GL on tea packaging. In addition, perception of the tea craftsmanship from the place of origin (long-term) and the price manipulation (short-term) have a moderating effect, which can be used to improve tea marketing design in academia and in practice.
Inventory decision-making biases: a review and suggestions for future research
Authors: Yamini S. , Gajanand M.S.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of the biases in inventory decisions, under the umbrella of behavioural operations, considering research findings that used experimental methods. Research in this field has gained traction but, to the best of our knowledge, review articles that summarize these research findings are scarce. Hence, there is a need to synthesize the anomalies and biases reported in inventory decision-making literature to gain a more integrated understanding.

Design/methodology/approach

This study reviews themes relevant to inventory and behavioural operations management from the articles published in recognized top-tier journals during the period between 2000 and 2020 with an aim to build a classification framework. Further, using a systematic review procedure, the relevant research studies are divided into sub-sections and appropriate search strategies are adopted to pleat more information on inventory ordering biases.

Findings

This study presents a classification framework by highlighting the factors influencing the biases in inventory decisions and describes the effects of utility preferences on the decision-making behaviour. It highlights the inventory ordering pattern under unconventional settings and also for different supply chain settings. This systematic review helps in identifying the research gap and in giving directions for future researchers.

Originality/value

The study presents a systematic review and detailed analysis of the research in inventory decision making through a behavioural lens. The study shows a clear direction of progress over the years, and implies new directions for looking beyond placing orders and for moving towards a more integrated approach while making supply chain decisions. It will be useful for researchers and practitioners working on newsvendor decisions, supply chain contracts, behavioural economics, behavioural operations management, bounded rationality theory and experimental economics.
Use of social networks in stock investment
Authors: Lei Shan , Ramos Salazar Leslie
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Drawing on the literature regarding the social network and stock investment, this paper aims to focus on the use of the social network on stock ownership decisions at individual levels. This paper also attempts to shed light on potential mediators of the relationship between the social network and stock ownership.

Design/methodology/approach

To determine the relationship between stock ownership and using the social network, logistic regression was used. In order to isolate the effect of using hs on stock ownership, a decomposing method was adopted.

Findings

The findings provide evidence of the positive contribution of the use of social networks in stock ownership. Personal characteristics, such as household net worth, homeownership, education level and risk tolerance, may play a vital role in influencing individuals' decisions regarding stock investment. In addition, this study contributes to our understanding of income's mediating role in stock investment decisions.

Originality/value

First, the authors contribute theoretically by drawing from the assumptions of social networking contagion theory, social influence theory, and social capital theory. Second, we explored potential mediators of the relationship between the social network and stock ownership. Third, this study complements the literature in incorporating the social network in business, financial professionals to be exact.
Pathway toward environmental sustainability: mediating role of corporate social responsibility in green human resource management practices in small and medium enterprises
Authors: Wen Jun , Hussain Hadi , Waheed Junaid , Ali Waheed , Jamil Ihsan
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Recent research validates an increasing knowledge of environmental concerns in manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs). However, only a few studies maintain that green human resource management (HRM) practices and corporate social responsibility (CSR) play an important role, especially in the case of developing economies. Thus, this study aims to examine the direct and indirect relationship between green HRM practices and environmental sustainability (ES) through the mediation of CSR in SMEs in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The cross-sectional design of this study considers the mechanism by which green HRM practices affect ES through CSR in the context of Pakistani SMEs. The authors collected data from 320 manufacturing SMEs and used the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique to examine the relationship between variables.

Findings

The empirical findings of this study suggest green HRM practices have a positive and significant impact on ES. Further, the second hypothesis is not supported. In addition to the direct impact, the indirect effect of green HRM practices on CSR is positive and significant. Finally, the authors determine that green HRM practices affect ES through the partial mediation of CSR.

Originality/value

To date, this study is the first to use CSR as a mediator between green HRM practices and ES in the context of Pakistani SMEs. The study has important implications for HRM and government policy makers, suggesting they should improve strategies in favour of the green economy. Furthermore, developing countries could design similar studies with different future sustainability factors.
The potential of defensive architectural heritage as a resource for proposing cultural itineraries
Authors: Ruiz-Jaramillo Jonathan , García-Pulido Luis José , Montiel-Vega Laura , Muñoz-Gonzalez Carmen M. , Joyanes-Diaz María Dolores
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Heritage landmarks and historical values often coexist with places and regions of remarkable environmental and landscape wealth. This article studies their capacity to generate global understanding of their territory through the creation of cultural routes. The proposed methodology is verified through the study of the defensive features of the ancient Nasrid Kingdom, the last Islamic territory in the Iberian Peninsula from the thirteenth to the fifteenth century, which shaped the Spanish region known as the Kingdom of Granada until the nineteenth century.

Design/methodology/approach

To assist in the proposal of new routes, a precise collection of physical data (topography, landmarks, resources, population centres …), existing public paths and protected natural sites was carried out. Those cultural routes relevant to the area of study were also selected and mapped through GIS. A set of indicators prioritised through an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) have evaluated the proposed itineraries.

Findings

The methodology enables the integral evaluation of parameters such as natural heritage, existing paths networks, defensive architectural heritage (watchtowers), existing cultural routes or proximity to basic services. The methodology's application allows an index to be obtained that quantifies the global implications of these parameters in the design of new itineraries. This leads to the development of a network with its own narrative that provides a historical, environmental and cultural meaning.

Originality/value

Watchtowers in this region have previously been studied as isolated and locally relevant architectural features. This work studies them from an overall perspective, considering each tower as a piece of a complex defensive and territorial system. Cultural routes arise from this joint interpretation as tools to restore and highlight the interrelationship between architectural heritage and territory and people.
Successful principal leadership in challenging American public schools: a brief history of ISSPP research in the United States and its major findings
Authors: Ylimaki Rose M. , Jacobson Stephen , Johnson Lauri , Klar Hans W. , Nino Juan , Orr Margaret Terry , Scribner Samantha
Published: September 2021

Purpose

In this paper, the authors recap the history and evolution of ISSPP research in the USA with research teams that grew from one location in 2002 to seven teams at present. The authors also examine the unique context of public education in America by describing its governance, key policies and funding as well as increasing student diversity due to changing internal student demographics and global population migrations. In particular, the authors describe how decentralization in American public education that has led to long-standing systemic inequities in school resource allocations and subsequently to marked gaps in performance outcomes for children from poor communities, especially for those of color. These existing inequities were the reason the USA research team was the only national ISSPP team from the original network of eight countries that choose to study exclusively leadership in challenging, high needs schools that performed beyond expectations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors describe the common multi-case case study methodology (Merriam, 1988) and interview protocols employed in order to gather multiple perspectives on school success in high-needs communities and the principal's contribution to that success. Leithwood and Riehl's (2005) framework of core leadership practices for successful school leadership was used to analyze our data across all cases.

Findings

The authors present key findings from cases across the USA and synthesize common trends across these findings.

Research limitations/implications

The authors conclude the paper with a discussion of their overarching impressions from almost two decades of study, the importance of national and local context in examining school leadership and, lastly, suggestions for future research.

Originality/value

This article contributes to findings from the longest and largest international network on successful leadership.
The cost of corruption and undue private benefit: two hidden faces of the same mirror
Authors: Monteverde Vicente Humberto
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to formulate the cost of corruption and undue private benefit.

Design/methodology/approach

The design is based on cost formulas of the corruption already formulated, and the design of these formulas allows the calculation for Argentina in 2021 of the cost of the corruption.

Findings

The corruption cost models for bribes and cost overruns for public works are the theoretical basis for obtaining the undue private benefit. Based on the formulas developed to calculate the costs of corruption for Argentina 2021.

Research limitations/implications

There are no limitations in the model.

Practical implications

In addition to the calculation of the cost of corruption, the formula of private profit undue by corruption is developed.

Social implications

The social implications are certainty about the cost of corruption for Argentina in 2021.

Originality/value

The present work is original and its value is given by the formulation and practical demonstration of the cost of corruption for Argentina in 2021 and the undue private benefit.
Intellectual capital, organizational culture and ambidexterity in Colombian firms
Authors: López-Zapata Esteban , Ramírez-Gómez Armando De Jesús
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study analyzes the impact of intellectual capital on organizational ambidexterity by evaluating the mediating effect of the different types of organizational cultures (adhocracy, clan, market and hierarchy) on the said relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

From a sample of 124 directors of Colombian firms, the information is analyzed using Structural Equation Models through the Partial Least Squares method (SEM-PLS).

Findings

The results show that intellectual capital has a positive relationship with organizational ambidexterity and that market culture presents a positive mediating effect in the said relationship, while the mediating effects of adhocracy culture, clan culture and hierarchy culture are not significant.

Practical implications

Directors can favor the development of organizational ambidexterity by investing in the intellectual capital of their firms and by promoting the development of market culture attributes.

Originality/value

This work contributes empirical evidence on the mediating role of organizational culture in the relationship between intellectual capital and ambidexterity, highlighting the importance of market culture over other types of culture for the simultaneous development of exploration and exploitation capabilities, in the context of an emerging Latin American economy such as Colombia.
Feel dragged out: a recovery perspective in the relationship between emotional exhaustion and entrepreneurial exit
Authors: Shahid Subhan , Kundi Yasir Mansoor
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study investigates the relationship between emotional exhaustion and entrepreneurial exit, particularly how this relationship might be invigorated by two critical psychological factors, namely cognitive well-being (CWB) and affective well-being (AWB).

Design/methodology/approach

Binary logistic regression analysis was employed on a longitudinal data set of 997 self-employed individuals taken from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) during years 2012-2013.

Findings

Greater level of emotional exhaustion increases the likelihood of entrepreneurial exit. However, individuals with higher levels of affective or/and cognitive well-being are less likely to engage in the actual entrepreneurial exit behaviors.

Practical implications

Entrepreneurial exit is one of the crucial managerial decisions made by entrepreneurs. The decision to quit is not only triggered by poor firm performance but also by various psychological factors. The authors found subjective well-being as an essential mechanism promoting entrepreneurs’ overall well-being, thus recommending that entrepreneurs psychologically distance themselves from work during off times.

Originality/value

First, the study discovered emotional exhaustion as a crucial psychological precursor of entrepreneurial exit by focusing on actual exit instances rather than intentions and strategies to exit. That contributes to understanding the psychological mechanism involved in resource gain and loss while making exit decisions. Second, affective and cognitive well-being are found to be two crucial enablers that work as a recovery process to deal with emotional exhaustion.
Introducing the BETAs: the emerging decision-makers you need to know
Authors: Mander Jason
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to understand the behaviors and attitudes of emerging decision-makers, who we refer to as the BETAs.

Design/methodology/approach

GWI, LinkedIn B2B Institute and Light Years research.

Findings

The research findings from 17,000 professionals across 10 markets characterizes the BETA population as individuals that have: Blurred work–life boundaries, an Evolving mindset, are Tech natives but are time poor, and have raised levels of Activism.

Originality/value

Original research.
Leaving by staying: Social dispersal in giraffes
Authors: Bond Monica L. , Lee Derek E. , Ozgul Arpat , Farine Damien R. , König Barbara
Published: September 2021

Dispersal is a critical process that shapes the structure of wild animal populations. In species that form multi‐level societies, natal dispersal might be social (associating with a different social community while remaining near the natal area), spatial (moving away from the natal area while continuing to associate with the same community) or both social and spatial (associating with a different community and moving away from the natal area).

For such species, classical spatial measures of dispersal, such as distance moved, might not capture social dispersal.

We examined dispersal outcomes for 67 male and 70 female giraffe calves over 7 years in a large, unfenced, ecologically heterogeneous landscape. We tested predictions about the influence of sex, food availability, low‐ and high‐impact human settlements, and local giraffe population density on social or spatial dispersal, dispersal distance, and age of dispersal.

We found that dispersal is sex‐specific, with females being predominately philopatric. When dispersing, both sexes did so at a mean of 4 years of age. Most (69% of total) young males dispersed, with 84% of male dispersers associating with a different adult female social community than that of their mother, but one in four of these dispersers remained spatially near to their natal area. For adolescent males that dispersed socially but not spatially, overlapping female social communities may represent a potential pool of unrelated mating partners without the risks of travelling to unfamiliar areas. Just 26% of young females dispersed and half of these continued to associate with the adult female social community into which they were born, confirming the importance of maintaining ties among females from calf to adulthood. Furthermore, individuals born farther from high‐impact human settlements were more likely to spatially or socially‐and‐spatially disperse, move greater distances from their natal areas, and disperse at a younger age.

Our study highlights the potential importance of social structure in dispersal decisions, and of tracking social structure when studying dispersal in multi‐level societies, as effective dispersal can be attained without large‐scale spatial displacements.
Mineralogical Characteristics and Short‐wave Infrared Spectra of Chlorite as Indicators of Hydrothermal Centers: A Case Study of the Giant Porphyry Copper‐Molybdenum Deposit at Qulong, Tibet
Authors: TANG Nan , QIN Zhipeng , LI Yubin , DUO Ji , RAN Fengqin , DAI Jingjing
Published: September 2021

The Qulong deposit in Tibet is one of the largest porphyry copper‐molybdenum deposits in China. We used short‐wave infrared (SWIR) spectroscopy to examine the spectral characteristics of the extensively developed chlorite in this deposit. X‐ray diffraction and electron microprobe analyses were used for phase identification and to obtain the chemical composition, ion substitution relationships, and formation environment of the chlorite. SWIR spectral parameters were applied to detect the hydrothermal centers. The results indicate that the wavelength of the absorption feature for Qulong chlorite Fe‐OH (Pos2250) range from 2240 to 2268.4 nm; the chlorite substitution relationships are dominated by Mg‐Fe substitution at the octahedral sites together with AlIV‐Si substitution at the tetrahedral sites; the chlorite formation temperatures range within the medium‐low temperature hydrothermal alteration range from 164 to 281°C, with an average value of 264°C; the wavelength of the chlorite peak position for Fe‐OH (2250 nm) absorption and its chemical composition are positively correlated with AlVI, Fe + AlVI, Fe/(Fe + Mg), Fe, and Fe + AlIV but negatively correlated with Mg and Mg/(Fe + Mg); and the wavelength associated with the chlorite Fe‐OH (2250 nm) absorption feature is positively correlated with the temperature at which the chlorite formed. These correlations indicate that more Fe and AlVI ions and fewer Mg ions at the octahedral sites of chlorite lead to a longer the wavelength of the chlorite Fe‐OH (2250 nm) absorption feature and a higher chlorite formation temperature. The wavelength of the Qulong chlorite Fe‐OH (2250 nm) absorption feature (>2252 nm) can thus serve as an exploration indicator to guide the detection of hydrothermal centers in porphyry copper deposits. The results of the study indicate that the mineralogical and SWIR spectral characteristics of chlorite are significant indicators for locating hydrothermal centers within porphyry deposits.
Scaling down the microbial loop: data‐driven modelling of growth interactions in a diatom–bacterium co‐culture
Authors: Daly Giulia , Perrin Elena , Viti Carlo , Fondi Marco , Adessi Alessandra
Published: September 2021

An intricate set of interactions characterizes marine ecosystems. One of the most important is represented by the microbial loop, which includes the exchange of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from phototrophic organisms to heterotrophic bacteria. Here, it can be used as the major carbon and energy source. This interaction is one of the foundations of the entire ocean food‐web. The carbon fixed by phytoplankton can be redirected to bacteria in two main ways; either (i) bacteria feed on dead phytoplankton cells or (ii) DOM is actively released by phytoplankton (a process resulting in up to 50% of the fixed carbon leaving the cell). Here, we have set up a co‐culture of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum and the chemoheterotrophic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125 and used this system to study the interactions between these two representatives of the microbial loop. We show that the bacterium can thrive on diatom‐derived carbon and that this growth can be sustained by both diatom dead cells and diatom‐released compounds. These observations were formalized in a network of putative interactions between P. tricornutum and P. haloplanktis and implemented in a model that reproduces the observed co‐culture dynamics, revealing an overall accuracy of our hypotheses in explaining the experimental data.
The effect of patient ethnicity on the accuracy of peripheral pulse oximetry in patients with COVID‐19 pneumonitis: a single‐centre, retrospective analysis
Authors: Wiles M. D. , El‐Nayal A. , Elton G. , Malaj M. , Winterbottom J. , Gillies C. , Moppett I. K. , Bauchmuller K.
Published: September 2021

Pulse oximetry is used widely to titrate oxygen therapy and for triage in patients who are critically ill. However, there are concerns regarding the accuracy of pulse oximetry in patients with COVID‐19 pneumonitis and in patients who have a greater degree of skin pigmentation. We aimed to determine the impact of patient ethnicity on the accuracy of peripheral pulse oximetry in patients who were critically ill with COVID‐19 pneumonitis by conducting a retrospective observational study comparing paired measurements of arterial oxygen saturation measured by co‐oximetry on arterial blood gas analysis (SaO2) and the corresponding peripheral oxygenation saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2). Bias was calculated as the mean difference between SaO2 and SpO2 measurements and limits of agreement were calculated as bias ±1.96 SD. Data from 194 patients (135 White ethnic origin, 34 Asian ethnic origin, 19 Black ethnic origin and 6 other ethnic origin) were analysed consisting of 6216 paired SaO2 and SpO2 measurements. Bias (limits of agreement) between SaO2 and SpO2 measurements was 0.05% (−2.21–2.30). Patient ethnicity did not alter this to a clinically significant degree: 0.28% (1.79–2.35), −0.33% (−2.47–2.35) and −0.75% (−3.47–1.97) for patients of White, Asian and Black ethnic origin, respectively. In patients with COVID‐19 pneumonitis, SpO2 measurements showed a level of agreement with SaO2 values that was in line with previous work, and this was not affected by patient ethnicity.
Evaluation of the novel vaginal contraceptive agent PPCM in preclinical studies using sperm hyaluronan binding and acrosome status assays
Authors: North Barbara B. , Weitzel Mary B. , Waller Donald P. , Birch William X. , Feathergill Kenneth A. , Birch Lynn A. , De Jonge Christopher J. , Prins Gail S.
Published: September 2021

Background

Polyphenylene carboxymethylene (PPCM) sodium salt is a promising multipurpose technology for prevention of both sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy. In preclinical studies, PPCM has demonstrated significant (1) antimicrobial activity against several important viral and bacterial pathogens and (2) contraceptive activity associated with premature acrosome loss.

Objective

To further evaluate a vaginal antimicrobial compound as a contraceptive agent in preclinical studies utilizing a repurposed hyaluronan binding assay (HBA).

Materials and methods

Semen samples containing either neat semen or washed spermatozoa were treated with increasing concentrations of PPCM or calcium ionophore A23187 (positive control). Sperm inactivation was measured by two methods: (1) double acrosome staining (AS), and (2) a hyaluronan binding assay (HBA®). Percentage of inactivated sperm was compared between untreated control sperm and those treated with PPCM or A23187.

Results

PPCM had a significant (p < 0.05) and dose‐dependent effect on sperm inactivation in both assays, with HBA detecting a higher proportion of inactivated sperm than AS. PPCM did not affect sperm motility and exhibited equivalent responses in the neat and washed samples.

Discussion

Both HBA and AS confirmed that spermatozoa were rapidly inactivated at PPCM concentrations likely present in the vagina under actual use conditions and in a time‐frame comparable to in vivo migration of spermatozoa out of seminal plasma into cervical mucus.

Conclusion

PPCM vaginal gel may provide contraceptive protection as well as help with STI prevention. HBA may be a sensitive and much needed biomarker for sperm activity in future contraceptive development.
Survival and success of tooth–implant‐supported and solely implant‐supported double‐crown‐retained overdentures: A prospective study over a period of up to 11 years
Authors: Klotz Anna‐Luisa , Fobbe Hannah , Rammelsberg Peter , Lorenzo Bermejo Justo , Kappel Stefanie
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To investigate the long‐term performance, over a period of up to 11 years, of tooth–implant‐supported and solely implant‐supported double‐crown‐retained overdentures (DCRDs) for complete restoration of the jaw.

Materials and methods

Between 2002 and 2015, patients were consecutively enrolled in the study at Heidelberg University Hospital's Department of Prosthodontics. Scheduled and unscheduled visits were both documented on standardized forms. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to evaluate survival and success of the DCRDs. Mixed effects Cox regression was used to identify the potential effects of age, sex, jaw, location of implants, and the number of abutment teeth on the success of the DCRDs.

Results

One hundred and thirty‐nine DCRDs were placed in 126 participants (mean age: 65.6 ± 9.1 years; 76 [60.3%] men). The mean follow‐up period was 4.2 years. Fifty‐three (38%) DCRDs were solely implant‐supported (213 implants) and 86 (62%) were tooth–implant‐supported (239 teeth and 199 implants). Cumulative five‐year survival was 96.2% in the implant‐supported group and 97.7% in the tooth–implant‐supported group. Simultaneous consideration of failures and severe complications revealed cumulative five‐year success of 88.2% for implant‐supported DCRDs and 81.9% for tooth–implant‐supported DCRDs, with no significant difference between the two types of restoration. Cox regression analysis revealed a greater risk of major complications (hazard ratio: 4.87, p = .04) for maxillary DCRDs than for mandibular DCRDs.

Conclusions

Although the study design has limitations, the results show that tooth–implant‐supported and solely implant‐supported DCRDs are both recommendable treatment options. After a mean follow‐up of 4.2 years, survival and success were high. However, minor complications were common and required much aftercare.

Clinical Trial Registration

This study started in 2005 and was approved by the local review board of the University of Heidelberg. In 2005, clinical trial registration was not yet common. For this reason, the study was not registered.
Immunologische Merkmale und Faktoren im Zusammenhang mit dem mukokutanen bullösen Pemphigoid – eine retrospektive Kohortenstudie
Authors: Ständer Sascha , Schmidt Enno , Zillikens Detlef , Ludwig Ralf J. , Kridin Khalaf
Published: September 2021

Hintergrund und Ziele

Die besonderen Charakteristika von Patienten mit bullösem Pemphigoid (BP) mit Schleimhautbeteiligung sind weitgehend unbekannt. Unser Ziel war die Erforschung der klinischen und immunologische Charakteristika von BP‐Patienten mit Schleimhautbeteiligung, um Faktoren zu identifizieren, die mit Schleimhautläsionen assoziiert sind.

Patienten und Methodik

Eine retrospektive Studie, die alle konsekutiven Patienten umfasst, die in den Jahren 2009–2019 in einem tertiären Referenzzentrum mit BP diagnostiziert wurden.

Ergebnisse

Die Studie umfasste 273 Patienten mit BP, von denen 31 (11,4 %) Schleimhautläsionen aufwiesen. Die Mundschleimhaut war die am häufigsten betroffene Schleimhautoberfläche (71,0 %), gefolgt von der Genital‐ (25,8 %) und der Nasenschleimhaut (22,6 %). Im Vergleich zu anderen Patienten mit BP hatten Patienten mit Schleimhautbeteiligung eine ausgeprägtere palmoplantare Beteiligung (67,7 % vs. 37,2 %; p = 0,001); eine niedrigere Seropositivitätsrate (18,2 % vs. 54.2 %; p = 0,027) und niedrigere Konzentrationen (29,3 ± 64,5 vs. 129,5 ± 304,4 U/ml; p = 0,016) von Anti‐BP230‐Autoantikörpern; und verminderte periphere Eosinophilenzahlen (760,0 ± 638,6 vs. 1296,3 ± 1013,7; p < 0,001). Das Fehlen von Anti‐BP230‐Autoantikörpern (OR, 5,32; 95 %‐Konfidenzintervall [KI], 1,07–26,32; p = 0,026) und das Fehlen von einer peripheren Eosinophilie (OR, 4,31; 95 %‐KI, 1,14–16,39; p = 0,021) waren mit dem Vorhandensein einer Schleimhautbeteiligung bei BP assoziiert.

Schlussfolgerungen

Eine Beteiligung der Schleimhäute findet sich in einer nennenswerten Subgruppe von Patienten mit BP und ist assoziiert mit dem Fehlen sowohl von Anti‐BP230‐Antikörpern als auch von peripherer Eosinophilie.
Expanding the clinical spectrum of anti‐IgLON5 disease: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Ni You , Shen Dingding , Zhang Ying , Song Yaying , Gao Yining , Zhou Qinming , He Lu , Yin Dou , Wang Ying , Song Fan , Chen Meiyuan , Lian Yajun , Chen Yuan , Zhao Xing , Zhang Xiang , Chen Xiangjun , Wang Yuting , Zhang Ling , Mo Nanxun , Lv Dong , Liu Jun , Mao Zhifeng , Peng Lisheng , Chen Sheng
Published: September 2021

Background

We conducted this study to describe detailed the clinical characteristics, ancillary test results and treatment response of a group of Chinese patients with anti‐IgLON5 disease.

Methods

We recruited 13 patients with positive IgLON5 antibodies in serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid from nine tertiary referral centers. Patients were enrolled from February 2017 to July 2021. We retrospectively collected information on the presenting and main symptoms, treatment response and follow‐up outcomes.

Results

The median age of onset for symptoms was 60 (range: 33–73) years and six of the 13 patients were females. The predominant clinical presentations included sleep disturbance (eight patients) and cognitive impairment (seven patients), followed by movement disorders (six patients). Parainfectious cause seemed plausible. Notably, we identified the first case of possible Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV)‐related anti‐IgLON5 disease. Coexisting neural autoantibodies were identified in two patients. Furthermore, two patients had other autoimmune diseases. The IgG subclass was determined in four patients, including two with dominant IgG4 subtype and two with dominant IgG1 subtype. Additionally, 10 patients were treated with immunotherapy and four patients exhibited improvement. Overall, six of 10 patients for whom follow‐up results were assessable had favorable clinical outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2).

Conclusions

The clinical spectrum of anti‐IgLON5 disease is variable. Our results highlight a boarder spectrum of anti‐IgLON5 disease.
Editor Profile: Albert Heck
Authors:   The FEBS Journal Editorial Team, Heck Albert
Published: September 2021

In this special interview series, we profile members of The FEBS Journal editorial board to highlight their research and perspectives on the journal and more. Albert Heck is Professor of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Utrecht University, Scientific Director of the Netherlands Proteomics Center, and Head of the Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics group in Utrecht University since September 1998. He has served as Editorial Board Member of The FEBS Journal since 2020.
Provincial income convergence clubs in Indonesia: Identification and conditioning factors
Authors: Gunawan Anang Budi , Mendez Carlos , Otsubo Shigeru
Published: September 2021

The discussion on regional income per capita convergence in Indonesia continues with an emphasis on whether regional per capita incomes tend to converge or diverge over the long run. This study evaluates the regional convergence hypothesis at the provincial level during the recent deindustrialization period 2001–2017 of Indonesia. First, the study examines the existence of convergence clubs in Indonesia using a recently assembled panel dataset. Results reveal four convergence clubs with particularly large income gaps, mostly arising from the top of the income distribution. Second, using an ordered logit model, the study examines the determinants of the convergence clubs. Result reveals that industrialization increases the probability of membership to a high‐income club.
Google is goodish: An information literacy course designed to teach users why Google may not always be the best place to search for evidence
Authors: Lacey Patricia
Published: September 2021

This article describes a course that was developed in response to health sector and local authority workers being reliant on Google and using it for their information needs regardless of whether it was the best place to search. The methodology for developing and structuring the course is explored, including details of the content included. The author concludes by asserting that teaching users about the effective use of Google is an important part of user education. D.I.
An integrative review of oral manifestations in patients with COVID‐19: signs directly related to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection or secondary findings?
Authors: Reis Vanessa Paiva , Bezerra Adriana Raymundo , Maia Adriane Batista Pires , Marques Letícia Côgo , Conde Danielle Castex
Published: September 2021

We conducted an integrative review on oral manifestations in patients with COVID‐19 based on the current available literature evidence. A bibliographic search was carried out on March 11, 2021, among published studies in the years 2019–2021 in the PubMed database and based on the search strategy (“COVID‐19” AND “oral lesions” OR “oral mucositis” OR “oral manifestation”). After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 29 articles were considered suitable for this review. A total of 110 cases of patients with COVID‐19 who had oral manifestations were reported. The presence of ulcerated lesions was the most common finding, having a herpetiform and aphthous clinical pattern observed in most cases. Macules, petechiae, hemorrhagic blisters, pustular enanthem, mucositis, and halitosis were also among the most frequently described oral manifestations. The tongue was the most commonly affected site, followed by the palate and lip. Most of the reported cases were diagnosed only by the clinical aspect of the lesion associated with a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 test or the presence of other COVID‐19 symptoms. Current scientific evidence still could not affirm that most of the oral lesions observed in patients with COVID‐19 are related to the virus's direct or indirect action on the oral mucosa. To confirm this association, prospective and longitudinal studies are further needed, together with a larger number of patients, complemented by histopathological examination of these lesions. Additionally, molecular techniques, such as immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, may be necessary to perform the differential diagnosis with other oral lesions.