bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The efficacy and safety of auricular point pressing therapy for knee osteoarthritis
Authors: He Jie , Ma Lin , Zhou Feng , Jiang Hongbo , Wang Huajie , Wang Xin , Zhao Yuxin
Published: April 2022

Background:

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the leading causes of disability. The effectiveness of auricular point pressing therapy for treating KOA remains controversial. This protocol describes the method of a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness and safety of auricular point pressing therapy for treating KOA.

Methods:

Four English databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library databases and Web of Science) and 4 Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and Wanfang) will be searched. All randomized controlled trials related to auricular point pressing therapy for KOA will be included. Extracted data will include publication details, basic information, demographic data, intervention details and patient outcomes. The primary outcome will be Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and visual analogue scale. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing risk of bias. Article selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment will be performed by 2 independent reviewers. If the meta-analysis is precluded, we will conduct a descriptive synthesis using a best-evidence synthesis approach. The strength of recommendations and quality of evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development.

Results:

The systematic review will provide evidence to assess the efficacy and safety of auricular point pressing therapy on KOA.

Conclusion:

The systematic review will provide evidence to assess the efficacy and safety of auricular point pressing therapy for KOA patients.

Ethics and dissemination:

For this review, ethical approval is not required. Patients will not be involved. The findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

INPLASY registration number:

INPLASY 202220077.
A comparative study of the efficacy and safety of high-flow nasal cannula and nasal continuous positive airway pressure in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Wang Jiang-Jiang , Zhang Lei , Cai Na
Published: April 2022

Background:

When it comes to preterm newborns, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is the most frequent respiratory condition. Despite the fact that it is well acknowledged that preterm delivery plays a significant role, the causes of lung damage are still not completely understood. In newborns with extremely low birth weight and neonatal RDS, nasal continuous positive airway pressure has been suggested as the first respiratory assistance for spontaneous breathing. In the current research, we aim to carry out a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness and safety of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) in patients with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS).

Methods:

We intend to search the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Wanfang database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Google Scholar, starting from their initial publication until February 2022, to identify randomized controlled trials comparing HFNC to nCPAP in patients with NRDS. The suitable papers will be chosen by 2 writers who will work independently of one another. Using the Cochrane updated technique for risk of bias, each included article will be subjected to an independent data extraction process by the 2 writers who will then independently evaluate the risk of bias. Consequently, a third author will be asked to address any discrepancies that may arise between the writers. It will be necessary to pool the data and do a meta-analysis with the help of the RevMan 5.3 software.

Results:

In this study, the effectiveness and safety of HFNC will be compared with those of nCPAP in patients with NRDS.

Conclusion:

If the results of this research are confirmed, they may serve as a summary of the most recent data for non-invasive respiratory assistance in NRDS.

Ethics and dissemination:

The study will require ethical approval.

Registration number:

DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/BKSQ5
Effectiveness of five interventions used for prevention of gestational diabetes
Authors: Tang Qiongyao , Zhong Ying , Xu Chenyun , Li Wangya , Wang Haiyan , Hou Yu
Published: April 2022

Background:

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with short- and long-term health issues for mother and child; preventing these complications is crucially important. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and network meta-analysis of the relationships among 5 interventions used to prevent GDM.

Materials and methods:

A comprehensive literature search was performed to pool evidence from inception to June 30, 2020. The type of studies was confined to randomized control trials and quasi-randomized control trials published in English investigating the interventions for preventing GDM, including physical activity, dietary intervention, probiotic intervention, mixed intervention, and inositol supplementation. The data were pooled together to report the odds ratio (OR) of GDM with a corresponding 95% credible interval (CrI) and generate a network plot, the surface under the cumulative ranking curve plot, and contribution plot. In addition, loop inconsistency was examined, and a funnel plot combined with Egger test was used to measure heterogeneity.

Results:

The network meta-analysis included 46 randomized control trials involving 16,545 patients. Compared with placebo, physical activity (OR: 0.64, 95% CrI: 0.46–0.88) and probiotic intervention (OR: 0.57, 95% CrI: 0.34–0.96) reduced the incidence of GDM significantly. However, dietary intervention, a combination of physical activity and diet intervention, and inositol supplementation did not significantly alter GDM risk.

Conclusions:

Physical activity and probiotic intervention are more effective than placebo in reducing the risk of developing GDM. Future work should focus on the type, duration, frequency, and timing of physical activity and probiotic intervention.
Acute abdomen caused by torsion of the omentum
Authors: Wang Yue , Huang Ran , Li Chun , Li Weisong
Published: April 2022

Rationale:

Torsion of the omentum and infarction are rare and unusual disorders that often present as acute abdominal pain in the population. The diagnosis of omental torsion is based on clinical and imaging examinations.

Patient concerns:

A 7-year-old girl presented with acute right lower quadrant abdominal pain, with symptoms resembling acute appendicitis.

Diagnosis:

The patient was diagnosed with omental torsion based on imaging and laparoscopy.

Interventions:

Laparoscopic exploration was performed.

Outcomes:

The patient was discharged seven days after satisfactory postoperative recovery.

Lessons:

Omental torsion should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain, particularly in patients with free hemorrhagic fluid in the abdominal cavity and pelvis.
Low dose sacubitril/valsartan is effective and safe in hemodialysis patient with decompensated heart failure and hypotension
Authors: Feng Yunlin , Li Wenhua , Liu Hongjun , Chen Xiuling
Published: April 2022

Rationale:

Severe heart failure in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients is a great treatment challenge. Here we reported a chronic HD patient with the lowest ejection fraction reported so far and hypotension who well tolerated and benefited from angiotensin-receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) treatment.

Patient concerns:

This case was a 67 year old lady with decompensated heart failure and hypotension who was on regular HD. Intensified hemofiltration failed to improve her heart failure symptoms and was also retarded by hypotension.

Diagnosis:

Chronic HD with decompensated heart failure.

Interventions:

In addition to regular HD, low does sacubitril/valsartan was initiated and titrated from 12/13 mg to 24/26 mg twice daily.

Outcomes:

Sacubitril/valsartan treatment was well tolerated and did not affect ultrafiltration during HD treatment. Transthoracic echocardiology at 3 months after initiation of ARNI treatment indicated significant improvement of both systolic and diastolic cardiac function. The patient has improved from New York Heart Association class 4 to class 2.

Lessons:

Low does ARNI treatment could effectively improve cardiac function in HD patients with heart failure and hypotension. It was also safe and well tolerated.
An early diagnostic case of noonan syndrome with leukocytosis and pulmonary stenosis
Authors: Olteanu Carmen Cristina , Hodea Ana-Maria , Bulescu Cristian , Bârsan Andrei , Platon Pavel , Lază Ovidiu , Moldovan HoraŢiu
Published: April 2022

Rationale:

Noonan syndrome is a genetic disorder with variable clinical manifestations that affects different systems. Among the multitude of clinical findings, the main characteristics are unique facial traits, low height, and congenital cardiac abnormalities. Recognizing such a syndrome is of great importance because of its involvement of multiple organs. Therefore, a systematic and thorough evaluation according to the guidelines for the assessment and management of Noonan syndrome is needed.

Patient concerns:

A female infant, 3 months old, presented with a difficult neonatal period (respiratory distress, generalized cyanosis), typical facial dysmorphia, evolutionary height hypotrophy, persistent leukocytosis, factor VII deficit, and severe pulmonary stenosis.

Diagnosis:

Echocardiography showed severe pulmonary valve stenosis, mild pulmonary regurgitation, a 6.5 mm ostium secundum atrial septal defect, and a persistent ductus arteriosus. Laboratory reports revealed leukocytosis with monocytosis, anemia, and thrombocytopenia, but no infectious source was found.

Interventions:

In this context, a pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty was performed, with a significant decrease of the transpulmonary gradient.

Outcome:

The patient was genetically tested, and the reports were positive for Noonan syndrome (mutation in exon 13 of PTPN 11). At 3years of age, she underwent open-heart repair of the atrial septal defect and significant recurrent pulmonary stenosis. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient remained asymptomatic at 6months follow-up.

Conclusions:

The diagnosis was initially suggested by the characteristic unique clinical events associated with cardiac involvement and confirmed later through genetic molecular testing. Prompt treatment of the severe life-threatening pulmonary valve stenosis was important, and the patient underwent additional interventions, after which she remained stable.
Use of Anticoagulants in COVID-19: A Review
Authors: Ngu Sam , Smith John Kolton , Goldin Mark
Published: April 2022

Background:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with elevated rates of major and fatal thrombotic events, postulated to be the result of a hypercoagulable state mediated through inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanisms. Early observational studies showed that disease severity and elevated serum D-dimer levels can predict thrombotic risk in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and reported an alarming phenomenon of breakthrough thrombosis despite standard-of-care prophylaxis, suggesting the need for enhanced thromboprophylactic strategies.

Areas of Uncertainty:

Data on anticoagulant agent selection, dosing, and duration for COVID-19 inpatients are now poised to inform updated professional society guidance. However, there remains limited high-quality data regarding postdischarge and especially ambulatory patients with COVID-19.

Data Sources:

This review includes published, peer-reviewed, observational, and randomized controlled trial data and major professional society guidance informing thrombosis prevention and treatment in patients with COVID-19.

Therapeutic Advances:

There remains great variability in the approach to anticoagulation in COVID-19. This article will review pathogenesis of COVID-related thrombosis and the evidence guiding thromboprophylaxis particularly in inpatients, with attention to the INSPIRATION, ACTION, RAPID, HEP-COVID, and multiplatform trials. Emerging thromboprophylaxis data from the postdischarge setting (particularly the recently published MICHELLE trial), and the outpatient setting, will be examined. Finally, thrombosis treatment considerations will briefly be reviewed.

Conclusions:

Substantial high-quality data support practice changes to COVID-19 thromboprophylaxis. Risk stratification by setting, disease severity, and biomarkers such as D-dimer is critical in considering choice, dose, and duration of anticoagulants.
Paths to Motherhood for Women with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Bray Leigh Ann , Campbell Caitlin Marley , Brown Janet , Ladores Sigrid
Published: April 2022

Purpose:

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is no longer a disease limited to childhood. With medical advancements, many of those with CF live into adulthood and have similar life goals as their non-CF peers. Most women with CF want to become mothers. However, available options and the related decision-making process is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to explore the decision-making framework of women with CF to better understand the factors they consider when deciding on a path to motherhood.

Study Design and Methods:

Qualitative interviews were performed using a grounded theory approach. Inclusion criteria were women with CF who became mothers through biological pregnancy, adoption, or gestational surrogacy. Results: Twenty-five mothers with CF were interviewed. A distinct decision-making process was identified through which women started with a desire for motherhood, assessed several factors, then eventually took the path they felt was right for them and their family.

Clinical Implications:

Our findings provide women with CF a framework that other women with CF have used to assist in making decisions about their reproductive options. Conversations about family planning should occur early and regularly between women with CF and their health care providers. The decision-making process to achieve motherhood for women with a chronic illness, such as CF, includes consideration of unique factors that should be included in clinical conversations.
Pediatric Acute Liver Failure Due to Type 2 Autoimmune Hepatitis Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Report
Authors: Osborn Julie , Szabo Sara , Peters Anna L.
Published: April 2022

Although elevated liver enzymes are common in hospitalized children with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, pediatric acute liver failure is an uncommon manifestation of COVID-19 disease. We describe the case of a 3-year-old previously healthy female who developed acute liver failure secondary to type 2 autoimmune hepatitis preceded by mild infection with SARS-CoV-2. Testing for viral hepatitis was negative, and the patient did not meet diagnostic criteria for multisystem inflammatory disease in children (MIS-C). A liver biopsy showed acute submassive hepatocyte necrosis with brisk CD3+ T lymphocyte infiltration and no evidence of fibrosis or chronic liver disease. Treatment with high-dose methylprednisolone resulted in rapid normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), international normalized ratio (INR), and ammonia levels, and liver transplantation was avoided. This case highlights a possible association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent development of autoimmune liver disease presenting with acute liver failure.
Hypersensitivity Reaction to Ustekinumab in Pediatric and Young Adult Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: A Case Series
Authors: Sunny Julee , Fonseca Ashley G. , Crim Alisa Muñiz , Goyal Alka , Felipez Lina M.
Published: April 2022

Ustekinumab (UST) is a human IgG1K monoclonal antibody that binds to the p40 receptor subunit bound by cytokines IL-12 and IL-23. It is indicated in both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis as a second-line agent. The safety and efficacy of UST in children and young adults has not been thoroughly studied. We report a case series of six pediatric patients and young adults who developed hypersensitivity reactions during intravenous infusion with UST. These reactions ranged from mild allergic reactions to anaphylaxis, with no detectable antibodies if tested. We hypothesize the reaction could be secondary to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, which is present solely in the intravenous preparation. Patients who experience hypersensitivity reactions during their UST infusion may safely receive subcutaneous preparations of UST, as demonstrated by some patients who received it based on physician discretion. Further investigation is required to establish the etiology of infusion reactions.
Post-Concussion Symptom Catastrophizing Scale: Preliminary reliability and validity analysis of cross-sectional data
Authors: Buzzanca Katherine E. , Addeo Russell , Lahey Sarah M. , Houck Zachary , Beneciuk Jason M.
Published: April 2022

Objective

Describe cross-sectional relationships between post-concussion symptom catastrophizing and patient-level factors in a post-concussion cohort.

Design

This cross-sectional study was conducted in an outpatient rehabilitation hospital concussion clinic and consisted of adults undergoing a neuropsychological evaluation. Cronbach’s alpha (α) assessed internal consistency for PCS-CS (Post-Concussion Symptom Catastrophizing Scale) total scores. Pearson r correlation coefficients assessed construct validity among emotional function measures and PCS-CS total scores at initial evaluation. Hierarchical regression models were used to assess criterion validity.

Results

Excellent internal consistency was observed for PCS-CS total scores (α = .953). The PCS-CS was significantly correlated with cause of injury (r = -.223, p < .01), litigation consideration (r = .309, p < .05), and history of psychiatric illness (r = .198, p < .01). The PCS-CS was significantly correlated with emotional functioning [PHQ-9 (r = .600, p < .05); GAD7 (r = .602 p < .05)], symptom rating [SCAT5 (r = .477, p < .05)], and cognitive functioning [RBANS (r = -.238, p < .05)] measures. The final regression model explained 64.7% variance in PCS-CS total scores and included the GAD-7 (b = 1.038, β = 0.466, p = 0.001) as a unique predictor.

Conclusion

Results indicate strong, positive relationships between anxiety and catastrophizing at initial neuropsychological evaluation in a post-concussion sample.
Physical Activity and Physical Activity Participation Barriers Among Adults 50 years and Older During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wingood Mariana , Peters Denise M. , Gell Nancy M. , Brach Jennifer S. , Bean Jonathan F.
Published: April 2022

Objective

We examined changes in PA from pre-COVID-19 to during the COVID-19 pandemic and the factors associated with reduced PA levels among adults 50 years and older.

Design

Participants of a validation study were stratified into being “less active than before” or “equally or more active than before” COVID-19. Multivariable manual backwards analyses were used to identify self-reported barriers associated with the reduction in PA.

Results

Reduced PA levels during COVID-19 were reported among 244/503 participants (43%). After adjusting for demographics and health conditions, factors that increased the odds of reduced PA levels during COVID-19 were lacking access to workout places, feeling too anxious, and difficulty committing to PA. Factors that decreased the odds of reduced PA levels during COVID-19 were self-identifying a heart or lung associated diagnosis that impacts PA and having a 12-month retrospective history of falling.

Conclusions

The PA participation barriers identified to be associated with a reduction in PA can be used as a starting point for a conversation regarding PA participation during COVID-19.
Automated Dual-energy Computed Tomography-based Extracellular Volume Estimation for Myocardial Characterization in Patients With Ischemic and Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Abadia Andres F. , Aquino Gilberto J. , Schoepf U. Joseph , Wels Michael , Schmidt Bernhard , Sahbaee Pooyan , Dargis Danielle M. , Burt Jeremy R. , Varga-Szemes Akos , Emrich Tilman
Published: April 2022

Objectives:

We aimed to validate and test a prototype algorithm for automated dual-energy computed tomography (DECT)-based myocardial extracellular volume (ECV) assessment in patients with various cardiomyopathies.

Methods:

This retrospective study included healthy subjects (n=9; 61±10 y) and patients with cardiomyopathy (n=109, including a validation cohort n=60; 68±9 y; and a test cohort n=49; 69±11 y), who had previously undergone cardiac DECT. Myocardial ECV was calculated using a prototype-based fully automated algorithm and compared with manual assessment. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis was performed to test the algorithm’s ability to distinguish healthy subjects and patients with cardiomyopathy.

Results:

The fully automated method led to a significant reduction of postprocessing time compared with manual assessment (2.2±0.4 min and 9.4±0.7 min, respectively,P<0.001). There was no significant difference in ECV between the automated and manual methods (P=0.088). The automated method showed moderate correlation and agreement with the manual technique (r=0.68, intraclass correlation coefficient=0.66). ECV was significantly higher in patients with cardiomyopathy compared with healthy subjects, regardless of the method used (P<0.001). In the test cohort, the automated method yielded an area under the curve of 0.98 for identifying patients with cardiomyopathies.

Conclusion:

Automated ECV estimation based on DECT showed moderate agreement with the manual method and matched with previously reported ECV values for healthy volunteers and patients with cardiomyopathy. The automatically derived ECV demonstrated an excellent diagnostic performance to discriminate between healthy and diseased myocardium, suggesting that it could be an effective initial screening tool while significantly reducing the time of assessment.
Review of Hematological and Oncological Emergencies
Authors: Barré Stephanie , McElwee Jessica , Calhoun Chara , Weant Kyle A. , Maldonado Andy , Bell Carolyn M.
Published: April 2022

Patients with hematological malignancies, both treated and untreated, or solid tumors undergoing treatment are at risk of life-threatening complications, which may present in the emergency department (ED). Such emergencies are diverse in etiology and often require prompt treatment. Traditional complications, such as febrile neutropenia, have had recent guideline updates, which incorporate new evidence and a new validated risk stratification tool. In addition, newer approaches to treatment, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, are becoming more widely available and have unique associated toxicities. This review discusses the management of the following hematological and oncological emergencies likely to be encountered in the ED: febrile neutropenia, CAR T-cell toxicities, differentiation syndrome, tumor lysis syndrome, hypercalcemia of malignancy, and hyponatremia.
Strategies to Integrate the Practice of Social Emergency Medicine Into Routine Patient Care
Authors: Abiri Autherine , Evans Dian Dowling , Hamilton Jill B.
Published: April 2022

The Research to Practice column focuses on improving the research critique skills of advanced practice providers and to assist with the translation of research into practice. In this issue, we discuss the findings of a 2-phase, mixed-methods feasibility investigation conducted by A. S. Wallace et al. (2020) that developed and evaluated a screening process to identify social needs/risks for emergency department (ED) patients and connect them to community-based resources upon discharge. The results revealed that patients with identified social needs and referred to community resources tended to utilize the ED more than those without needs. This suggests the need for EDs to implement a standardized screening tool for social determinants of health (SDOH) on all ED patients for improved patient outcomes. Findings also highlighted a need for EDs to provide staff training and competence in the areas of patient communication and SDOH.
Friendship archaeology: how Maude Abbott occupied overlapping spaces of excellence
Authors: Adams Annmarie
Published: April 2022

This paper is drawn from a chapter of a forthcoming book on Canadian physician Maude Abbott. The excerpt explores how a prominent woman negotiated relationships during the early twentieth century. Abbott spent most of her career at McGill University in Montreal, as curator of its medical museum and as a researcher in congenital heart disease. Nonetheless her network of correspondents was vast. Engaging an approach the author calls ‘friendship archaeology’, the paper excavates Abbott's relationship with two powerful American physicians, Emanuel Libman and Paul Dudley White. Archival evidence turns up links with Nobel Prize nominees and winners, revealing how Abbott manoeuvred in that network.
The hamstrings to quadriceps functional ratio expressed over the full angle-angular velocity range using a limited number of data points
Authors: Voukelatos Dimitrios , Evangelidis Pavlos E. , Pain Matthew T. G.
Published: April 2022

The hamstring to quadriceps (H : Q) strength ratio is widely used to identify individuals at risk of sustaining hamstring strain injuries. However, its efficacy is not supported by the current evidence. Current methods for the calculation of the H : Q ratio provide only a one- or two-dimensional ratio, often ignoring fundamental muscle mechanical properties. Based on isokinetic torque measurements of the knee flexors and extensors (0–400° s
−1
) in 25 young, physically active males, we derived a model equation that creates a three-dimensional H : Q functional ratio profile. The model robustness was tested against a different number of input torque data (8, 11, 14 and 17 pairs of points) and small perturbation of the knee joint angle data (5°). The model was consistent and behaved well under all conditions apart from the eight pairs of points (
R
2
= 0.84−0.96; RMSE = 0.14−0.25; NRMSE = 0.12−0.27), and the H : Q functional ratio was successfully described even at angles and velocities that cannot be normally assessed with isokinetic dynamometry. Overall, our results suggest that the model can provide a fast and accurate three-dimensional description of the knee joint muscle strength balance using as few as 11 experimental data points and this could be an easy-to-employ screening tool.
Aquivion perfluorosulfonic superacid as an effective catalyst for selective epoxidation of vegetable oils
Authors: Polese Riccardo , Pintus Elisa , Nuvoli Luca , Tiana Monica , Pintus Salvatore , Satta Giuseppe , Beccu Andrea , Gaspa Silvia , Carraro Massimo , De Luca Lidia , Azzena Ugo , Pisano Luisa
Published: April 2022

The acid-promoted epoxidation of vegetable oils was studied using a variety of acidic ion exchange resins as heterogeneous acid catalysts. Quantitative and selective epoxidation of a series of vegetable oils with different composition of saturated, mono-, di- and tri-unsaturated fatty acids was obtained upon identification of the more efficient catalyst and experimental conditions. Furthermore, optimized reaction conditions were successfully applied to the epoxidation of a waste cooking oil, thus extending our procedure to the valorization of a biowaste, an area of increasing importance within a more sustainable society. The use of quantitative
1
HNMR besides making accurate evaluation of the amounts of reagents to be employed and of the selectivity, allowed facile and rapid quantification of mono-, di- and tri-epoxides, thus providing an indirect indication on the fatty acid composition of the vegetable oils, even in the presence of very low quantities of linolenic acid.
Telomere length declines with age, but relates to immune function independent of age in a wild passerine
Authors: Roast Michael J. , Eastwood Justin R. , Aranzamendi Nataly Hidalgo , Fan Marie , Teunissen Niki , Verhulst Simon , Peters Anne
Published: April 2022

Telomere length (TL) shortens with age but telomere dynamics can relate to fitness components independent of age. Immune function often relates to such fitness components and can also interact with telomeres. Studying the link between TL and immune function may therefore help us understand telomere–fitness associations. We assessed the relationships between erythrocyte TL and four immune indices (haptoglobin, natural antibodies (NAbs), complement activity (CA) and heterophil-lymphocyte (HL) ratio;
n
= 477–589), from known-aged individuals of a wild passerine (
Malurus coronatus
). As expected, we find that TL significantly declined with age. To verify whether associations between TL and immune function were independent of parallel age-related changes (e.g. immunosenescence), we statistically controlled for sampling age and used within-subject centring of TL to separate relationships within or between individuals. We found that TL positively predicted CA at the between-individual level (individuals with longer average TL had higher CA), but no other immune indices. By contrast, age predicted the levels of NAbs and HL ratio, allowing inference that respective associations between TL and age with immune indices are independent. Any links existing between TL and fitness are therefore unlikely to be strongly mediated by innate immune function, while TL and immune indices appear independent expressions of individual heterogeneity.
Photoperiod controls wing polyphenism in a water strider independently of insulin receptor signalling
Authors: Gudmunds Erik , Narayanan Shrinath , Lachivier Elise , Duchemin Marion , Khila Abderrahman , Husby Arild
Published: April 2022

Insect wing polyphenism has evolved as an adaptation to changing environments and a growing body of research suggests that the nutrient-sensing insulin receptor signalling pathway is a hot spot for the evolution of polyphenisms, as it provides a direct link between growth and available nutrients in the environment. However, little is known about the potential role of insulin receptor signalling in polyphenisms which are controlled by seasonal variation in photoperiod. Here, we demonstrate that wing length polyphenism in the water striderGerris buenoiis determined by photoperiod and nymphal density, but is not directly affected by nutrient availability. Exposure to a long-day photoperiod is highly inducive of the short-winged morph whereas high nymphal densities moderately promote the development of long wings. Using RNA interference we demonstrate that, unlike in several other species where wing polyphenism is controlled by nutrition, there is no detectable role of insulin receptor signalling in wing morph induction. Our results indicate that the multitude of possible cues that trigger wing polyphenism can be mediated through different genetic pathways and that there are multiple genetic origins to wing polyphenism in insects.
Spectral sensitivity transition in the compound eyes of a twilight-swarming mayfly and its visual ecological implications
Authors: Egri Ádám , Mészáros Ádám , Kriska György
Published: April 2022

Aquatic insect species that leave the water after larval development, such as mayflies, have to deal with extremely different visual environments in their different life stages. Measuring the spectral sensitivity of the compound eyes of the virgin mayfly (
Ephoron virgo
) resulted in differences between the sensitivity of adults and larvae. Larvae were primarily green-, while adults were mostly UV-sensitive. The sensitivity of adults and larvae was the same in the UV, but in the green spectral range, adults were 3.3 times less sensitive than larvae. Transmittance spectrum measurements of larval skins covering the eye showed that the removal of exuvium during emergence cannot explain the spectral sensitivity change of the eyes. Taking numerous sky spectra from the literature, the ratio of UV and green photons in the skylight was shown to be maximal for
θ
≈ −13° solar elevation, which is in the
θ
min
= −14.7° and
θ
max
= −7.1° typical range of swarming that was established from webcam images of real swarmings. We suggest that the spectral sensitivity of both the larval and adult eyes are adapted to the optical environment of the corresponding life stages.
For the road: calibrated maternal investment in light of extracellular symbiont transmission
Authors: Pons Inès , González Porras Miguel Ángel , Breitenbach Noa , Berger Jürgen , Hipp Katharina , Salem Hassan
Published: April 2022

Faithful transmission of beneficial symbionts is critical for the persistence of mutualisms. Many insect groups rely on extracellular routes that require microbial symbionts to survive outside the host during transfer. However, given a prolonged aposymbiotic phase in offspring, how do mothers mitigate the risk of symbiont loss due to unsuccessful transmission? Here, we investigated symbiont regulation and reacquisition during extracellular transfer in the tortoise beetle,
Chelymorpha alternans
(Coleoptera: Cassidinae). Like many cassidines,
C. alternans
relies on egg caplets to vertically propagate its obligate symbiont
Candidatus
Stammera capleta. On average, each caplet is supplied with 12 symbiont-bearing spheres where
Stammera
is embedded. We observe limited deviation (±2.3) in the number of spheres allocated to each caplet, indicating strict maternal control over symbiont supply. Larvae acquire
Stammera
1 day prior to eclosion but are unable to do so after hatching, suggesting that a specific developmental window governs symbiont uptake. Experimentally manipulating the number of spheres available to each egg revealed that a single sphere is sufficient to ensure successful colonization by
Stammera
relative to the 12 typically packaged within a caplet. Collectively, our findings shed light on a tightly regulated symbiont transmission cycle optimized to ensure extracellular transfer.
Sideroxyarcus emersonii gen. nov. sp. nov., a neutrophilic, microaerobic iron- and thiosulfate-oxidizing bacterium isolated from iron-rich wetland sediment
Authors: Kato Shingo , Itoh Takashi , Iino Takao , Ohkuma Moriya
Published: April 2022

A neutrophilic iron-oxidizing bacterium, strain MIZ01T, which was previously isolated from a wetland in Ibaraki, Japan, was taxonomically characterized in detail. Strain MIZ01T was a motile, curved-rod shaped, Gram-stain-negative bacterium. It was able to grow at 10–40 °C (optimally at 30–35 °C) and at pH 5.5–7.0 (optimally at pH 6.0). It grew microaerobically and chemolithoautotrophically using thiosulfate, in addition to ferrous iron, as the sole electron donor. Major cellular fatty acids of strain MIZ01T were C16 : 1
 ω7c/C16 : 1
 ω6c and C16 : 0. The complete genome sequence (2.74 Mbp) was determined, showing that its DNA G+C content was 60.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that strain MIZ01T belonged to the family

Gallionellaceae

, class

Betaproteobacteria

, and was closely related to an isolate tentatively named ‘Sideroxydans lithotrophicus’ ES-1 (98.2 % of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Based on its phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, we conclude that strain MIZ01T represents a new genus and species in the family

Gallionellaceae

for which we propose the name Sideroxyarcus emersonii gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is strain MIZ01T (=JCM 39089T=DSM 111897T).
Emergence of new subgenomic mRNAs in SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Mears Harriet V , Young George R , Sanderson Theo , Harvey Ruth , Crawford Margaret , Snell Daniel M , Fowler Ashley S , Hussain Saira , Nicod Jérôme , Peacock Thomas P , Emmott Edward , Finsterbusch Katja , Luptak Jakub , Wall Emma , Williams Bryan , Gandhi Sonia , Swanton Charles , Bauer David LV
Published: April 2022

Two mutations occurred in SARS-CoV-2 early during the COVID-19 pandemic that have come to define circulating virus lineages1: first a change in the spike protein (D614G) that defines the B.1 lineage and second, a double substitution in the nucleocapsid protein (R203K, G204R) that defines the B.1.1 lineage, which has subsequently given rise to three Variants of Concern: Alpha, Gamma and Omicron. While the latter mutations appear unremarkable at the protein level, there are dramatic implications at the nucleotide level: the GGG→AAC substitution generates a new Transcription Regulatory Sequence (TRS) motif, driving SARS-CoV-2 to express a novel subgenomic mRNA (sgmRNA) encoding a truncated C-terminal portion of nucleocapsid (N.iORF3), which is an inhibitor of type I interferon production. We find that N.iORF3 also emerged independently within the Iota variant, and further show that additional TRS motifs have convergently evolved to express novel sgmRNAs; notably upstream of Spike within the nsp16 coding region of ORF1b, which is expressed during human infection. Our findings demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 is undergoing evolutionary changes at the functional RNA level in addition to the amino acid level, reminiscent of eukaryotic evolution. Greater attention to this aspect in the assessment of emerging strains of SARS-CoV-2 is warranted.
Moderating impact of brand authenticity and control over ads on the effectiveness of Facebook advertising: a two-sample study
Authors: Sarfraz Usama , Bano Sobia
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The aim of the present study is twofold. First is investigating the factors associated with the effectiveness of Facebook advertising and its resultant impact on behavioral and attitudinal loyalty. The second is testing the moderating impact of control over ads and brand authenticity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is conducted by adopting the cross-sectional data collection technique, two samples with 396 and 482 sample sizes were collected at different points in time. Partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique, using Smart PLS 3.0 software, was applied to analyze the data.

Findings

The results show that the moderating effect of behavioral control on the relationship between advertising intrusive and attitude towards Facebook advertising was insignificant for both samples. Brand authenticity was significant in moderating the relationship between an individual's attitude towards Facebook advertising and behavior towards the brand for sample 1 and was insignificant for sample 2. Behaving towards brands resulted in attitudinal and behavioral loyalty intentions of individuals for both samples.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the body of knowledge in four ways besides contextual contribution. First, it investigated the moderating influence of perceived behavioral control on the relationship between advertising intrusiveness and attitude towards Facebook advertising. Second, this study also studied the relationship between attitude towards Facebook advertising and behavior towards the brand, moderated by brand authenticity. Third, this study extended the Facebook advertising Framework to behavioral and attitudinal loyalty. Fourth, this study methodologically contributes by conducting a two-sample study to enhance the generalizability.
Signaling innovativeness in crowdfunding entrepreneurial narratives: the moderating roles of entrepreneurial passion and social endorsement
Authors: Lu Baozhou , Xu Tailai , Wang Ziqi
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the innovativeness-related language of crowdfunding pitches on funding outcomes under different boundary conditions specified by two context-relevant signals, entrepreneurial passion and social endorsement.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops six hypotheses about the focal impacts of innovativeness-related language (i.e. incremental and radical) and the moderating effects of entrepreneurial passion and social endorsement. The hypotheses are tested with a sample of 1,057 real projects collected from a typical platform with a computer-aided content analysis method.

Findings

This study finds that pitches containing more incremental innovativeness language can generate more funds and that those containing more radical innovativeness language can lead to less favorable funding outcomes. While incremental innovativeness language interacts with entrepreneurial passion language to positively affect funding outcomes, radical innovativeness language requires social endorsement to diminish its negative effect on funding outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

This study demonstrates that the content of messages of entrepreneurial narratives does indeed drive funding success in the context of reward-based crowdfunding and confirms the relevance of the consumer perspective of reward-based crowdfunding by using a real dataset.

Originality/value

This work joins a number of entrepreneurial narrative studies investigating the impacts of the innovativeness-related language of pitches (issue-relevant content) and their interactions with informational signals (i.e. entrepreneurial passion and social endorsement) on funding outcomes in the context of reward-based crowdfunding.
Research on constant force grinding control of aero-engine blades based on extended state observer
Authors: Dai Shijie , Zhang Wenhua , Ji Wenbin , Zhao Yufeng , Zheng Hongwei , Mu Jiaheng , Li Pengwei , Deng Riqing
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Considering the influence of environmental noise and modeling error during the process of the robotic automatic grinding aero-engine blade, this study aims to propose a method based on the extended state observer (ESO) to reduce the fluctuation of normal grinding force.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the measurement range of the six-dimensional force sensor is calibrated according to the maximum acceleration of end-effector and grinding force. Second, the gravity and zero drift compensation model is built to compensate for measurement error. Finally, the switching function is designed based on the difference between the expected grinding force and the actual feedback value. When the value of function stays within the switching band, a nonlinear active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) loop is applied. When the function value reaches outside the switching band, an ESO-based sliding mode control (SMC) loop is applied.

Findings

The simulated and experimental results show that the proposed control method has higher robustness compared with proportion-integral-derivative (PID), Fuzzy PID and ADRC.

Research limitations/implications

The processing parameters of this paper are obtained based on the single-factor experiment without considering the correlation between these variables. A new control strategy is proposed, which is not only used to control the grinding force of blades but also promotes the development of industrial control.

Originality/value

ESO is used to observe environmental interference and modeling errors of the system for real-time compensation. The segment control method consisting of ESO-based SMC and ESO-based ADRC is designed to improve the robustness. The common application of the two parts realizes suppression of fluctuation of grinding force.
Procedural justice influencing affective commitment: mediating role of organizational trust and job satisfaction
Authors: Pathardikar Avinash D. , Mishra Praveen Kumar , Sahu Sangeeta
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effect of procedural justice on affective commitment, through the mediating of organizational trust and job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 305 executives working in eight large cement organizations through a standardized questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modelling and mediation analysis were performed to examine the relationship.

Findings

Procedural justice significantly influenced job satisfaction and organizational trust directly. Organizational trust and job satisfaction are partially mediated by organizational justice and affective commitment. Interestingly, procedural justice does not influence affective commitment directly.

Originality/value

Procedural justice and affective commitment are crucial aspects of an organization. Limited research has been conducted linking procedural justice, organizational trust, job satisfaction and affective commitment. This study was conducted in the South Asian country of India, where power-distance prevails
Platform ecosystem development in an institutionalized business market: the case of the asset management industry
Authors: Hendricks Leeya , Matthyssens Paul
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of an institutionalized market context on platform ecosystem development. It studies how platform ecosystems are set up and evolve in the asset management industry and explores the role of the platform leader and selected core network partners in unleashing value innovation notwithstanding institutional barriers. A problematization lens is used to identify deviations between the management practices in this industry setting and the prescriptions and suggested practices in the extant literature on platform ecosystem development.

Design/methodology/approach

The research follows a retrospective longitudinal single-case design focusing on the development of a new platform ecosystem to which several PaaS initiatives are linked. It is based on 13 in-depth interviews over a one-year period triangulated with documentation and member checks. This study identifies the impact of regulations and norms on the early stages of platform ecosystem development.

Findings

In this institutionalized market, intensified interactions between carefully selected strategic market players focusing on platform development, lead to growing value innovation initiatives. The collaboration between core actors evolves “under the radar” with select partners and with lots of controls by incumbents. The value innovation process evolves in a non-disruptive way. Initially, the new value initiatives are rather incremental and focus on optimizing the present business models while slowly adding new peripheral services shared as successful signs of value innovation initiatives. This “submerged” direction enables platform actors to gather critical mass and stimulates co-evolution with key players.

Research limitations/implications

This paper outlines one vertical and looks at various principles involved during early stages of platform development. Because the authors have chosen a deep dive into one institutionalized setting, future studies could investigate a broader scope of institutionalized settings/verticals and a broader scope of management stages and related practices to replicate the study and corroborate the findings. The idea raised from hybrid platform ecosystem development also warrants further study.

Practical implications

Practitioners in institutionalized business-to-business markets find suggestions on how to overcome institutional barriers to platform ecosystem development and this study shows which levers can be used by core actors of ecosystems to strengthen established business models and simultaneously unleash value innovation initiatives.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the understanding of the challenges to be faced when setting up and expanding platform ecosystems in a highly institutionalized setting and identifies “levers” to create a smooth flow and snowball effect for platform ecosystem development. It “fine-tunes” the extant literature on platform ecosystem development to institutionalized markets.