bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
mTOR-Dependent Autophagy Machinery Is Inhibited in Fibroblasts of Keloid
Authors: Jiang Meng , Bu Wen-Bo , Chen Yu-Jie , Li Li , Xiao Ta , Gu Heng
Published: August 2021

Objectives:

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation has been identified in keloid. This study aimed to identify the role of mTOR-dependent autophagy activity in keloid.

Methods:

We detected the expression of specific proteins representing mTOR activity and baseline autophagy levels in keloid tissues (KTs) and primary keloid fibroblasts (KFs) using immunohistochemical staining and western blotting. Simultaneously, the formation of acid vesicles was assessed by acridine orange staining in KFs. To investigate whether mTOR-dependent pathway mediated the regulation of autophagy machinery in keloid, we first validated whether mTOR inhibitors, rapamycin (100 nmol/L) and KU-0063794 (5 μmol/L), could inhibit mTOR activity in KFs by western blotting. Then we explored the reverse effects on autophagy activity induced by mTOR inhibitors in the presence of lysosomal protease inhibitors by western blotting.

Results:

It demonstrated elevated expression of mTOR, S6, and their activated forms in KTs, and an elevated expression of p-S6 Ser235/236 in KFs, suggesting mTOR was activated in keloid. Less LC3 and Beclin1 were expressed in the cytoplasm of KFs, whereas Ubiquitin was abundantly expressed in KTs compared with extra-lesional tissues. In addition, at the cellular level, an impeded conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II was shown in KFs and the formation of acid vesicles were also decreased in KFs compared with normal fibroblasts (NFs), indicating that autophagy activity is defective in keloid. mTOR inhibitors, Rapamycin (E-64d + pepstatin vs. rapamycin + E-64d + pepstatin: [0.88 ± 0.35] vs. [1.56 ± 0.46], F = 5.56, P = 0.049) and KU-0063794 (E-64d + pepstatin vs. KU-0063794 + E-64d + pepstatin: [0.92 ± 0.22] vs. [1.51 ± 0.25], F = 25.88, P = 0.011) can reverse the inhibition effect on autophagy of KFs while inhibiting mTOR activity.

Conclusion:

Autophagy machinery is inhibited in keloid which is regulated by mTOR-dependent pathway.
Identifying and Ranking the Factors Affecting the Choice of Nursing Discipline Among Nursing Students in Iran: A Fuzzy Hierarchical Analysis
Authors: Hosseini MARZNAKI Zohreh , KHANJANKHANI Khatere , SALISU Waliu Jawula , HAJIHOSSEINI Fatemeh , BARZEGARI Saeed
Published: August 2021

Background

Choosing a career in nursing is frequently a complicated decision that is influenced by multiple factors.

Purpose

This study was designed to identify and rank the main factors that influence individuals to choose to pursue a career in nursing.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to identify the factors that people consider when making a choice to pursue a career in nursing. The face and content validities of these factors were evaluated. A sample of 250 participants was invited to assess the factors using exploratory factor analysis. Finally, the analytical hierarchy process, in combination with fuzzy logic, was used to rank the criteria and related factors.

Results

Twenty factors were identified and extracted from 50 published studies. After confirming the face and content validity of each, these 20 factors were distinguished into four criteria, including (a) external motivation, (b) social dignity, (c) internal motivation, and (d) usefulness of discipline. Each criterion had an eigenvalue greater than 1. External motivation and usefulness of discipline were respectively identified as the most and least important criteria (38.60% vs. 16.11%) in terms of influencing individuals to pursue a nursing career.

Conclusions/Implications for Practice

The results of this study show that exposure to positive recommendations from family and friends, receiving positive information about studying nursing, positive perceptions regarding the general usefulness of nursing knowledge, and migration opportunities to other countries are the primary factors that influence individuals in Iran to pursue a career in nursing.
B cells and food allergy
Authors: Udemgba Chioma , Lin Adora
Published: August 2021

Purpose of review

B cells are known in food allergy pathogenesis for their production of IgE but their roles in the development of tolerance to foods are not well understood. Further understanding of B-cell biology in the context of food allergy is essential for the creation of effective prevention strategies and therapies.

Recent findings

The majority of allergen-specific IgE in humans appears to arise from antigen-experienced B cells that have already undergone class switch recombination to other antibody isotypes, such as IgG1, and can also be produced by cells class switching to IgE locally in the gastrointestinal tract. Allergen-specific IgG4 can have protective effects in individuals and is associated with tolerance. Regulatory B cells, which can produce allergen-specific IgG4, are reduced in food-allergic individuals and may also be an important component of tolerance. Therapeutic approaches that block the generation and action of IgE and that enhance tolerizing immune responses are being evaluated for the treatment of food allergy.

B cells play several roles in the development of food allergy versus tolerance. Their functions may translate into the care of food allergy as biomarkers or therapeutic targets and can be employed in other atopic diseases to better understand their pathogenesis and create new avenues for treatment.
Accuracy of Noncycloplegic Refraction for Detecting Refractive Errors in School-aged African Children
Authors: Ilechie Alex Azuka , Addo Naa Adjeley , Abraham Carl Halladay , Owusu-Ansah Andrew , Annan-Prah Alex
Published: August 2021

SIGNIFICANCE

Cycloplegia is often restricted in screening settings. Previous studies have evaluated noncycloplegic refraction for screening, but their data are not fully applicable to school-aged African children. This article adds to the literature by investigating this in school-aged African children.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of noncycloplegic autorefraction (NCA) and noncycloplegic retinoscopy (NCR) to detect refractive errors in school-aged African children and quantify differences between noncycloplegic and cycloplegic refraction measures.

METHODS

Autorefraction and retinoscopy were performed on 150 children aged 6 to 15 years before and after cyclopentolate cycloplegia. Subjective refraction was performed by the same examiner after cycloplegia. Noncycloplegic and cycloplegic measurements were compared, and the data were assessed with receiver operating characteristic curves and Bland-Altman plots.

RESULTS

With the exception of cylindrical vector J0 (P = .17) and J45 (P = .08) obtained with NCR, all mean measures of NCA and NCR significantly differed from mean cycloplegic subjective refraction measurements by −0.71 ± 0.67 (P ≤ .001; 95% confidence interval, −2.02 to +0.60) and −0.75 ± 0.68 (P ≤ .001; 95% confidence interval, −2.08 to +0.58), respectively. Mean spherical power between the two tests did not differ (NCA −NCR, mean bias of −0.037 ± 0.675 and 95% limits of agreement of −1.36 to 1.286; P = .51). The sensitivities for detecting any refractive error for NCR and NCA were 86.8 and 82.9%, respectively, and the specificities were 82.0% for NCR and 82.4% for NCA. Performance of both tests was excellent for myopia (area under the curve, >0.90; sensitivity, ≥90%) and similar (P = .13), but the specificities for detecting hyperopia were 78.0% for NCR and 80.0% for NCA.

CONCLUSIONS

Noncycloplegic refraction may accurately detect astigmatism and myopia in this population but may elicit higher myopic values and lower hyperopic values than using cycloplegic refraction.
Validation of the International Reading Speed Texts in a Sample of Older (60+) Canadian Adults
Authors: Morrice Elliott , Soldano Vanessa , Addona Cynthia , Murphy Caitlin Elizabeth , Johnson Aaron P.
Published: August 2021

SIGNIFICANCE

On average, older adults (60+) with normal vision read the International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) 37.8 words per minute slower than the standardized values provided by the IReST manufacturer. When assessing reading speed in older adults, clinicians should bear in mind that the IReST norms do not account for these age-related differences.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to validate the IReST in an English-speaking Canadian sample of older adults (60+).

METHODS

Canadian English-speaking older adults (n = 25) read all 10 IReST aloud using the same protocol from the original IReST validation study.

RESULTS

There were significant differences between the older adult sample and the published IReST values for each text (mean difference, −37.84; 95% confidence interval, −41.34 to −34.34).

CONCLUSIONS

Reading speeds of older (60+) Canadian adults fell outside of the standardized values of the English language IReST. Researchers/clinicians who wish to assess older adults' reading speed using the IReST ought to take this discrepancy into account.
Photophobia Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Merezhinskaya Natalya , Mallia Rita K. , Park DoHwan , Millian-Morell Lymarie , Barker Felix M.
Published: August 2021

SIGNIFICANCE

This study reports the prevalence and relative risk of photophobia in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence and relative risk of photophobia in patients with TBI.

DATA SOURCES

Three databases were used for literature search: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS

Publications reporting the prevalence of photophobia after TBI in patients of any age were included. A series of meta-regression analyses based on a generalized linear mixed model was performed to identify potential sources of heterogeneity in the prevalence estimates.

RESULTS

Seventy-five eligible publications were identified. The prevalence of photophobia was 30.46% (95% confidence interval [CI], 20.05 to 40.88%) at 1 week after the injury. Prevalence decreased to 19.34% (95% CI, 10.40 to 28.27%) between 1 week and 1 month after TBI and to 13.51% (95% CI, 5.77 to 21.24%) between 1 and 3 months after the injury. The rapid decrease in the prevalence of photophobia in the first 3 months after a TBI injury was significant (P < .001). Three months post-TBI, the prevalence of photophobia leveled off to a near plateau with nonsignificant variability, increasing between 3 and 6 months (17.68%; 95% CI, 9.05 to 26.32%) and decreasing between 6 and 12 months since TBI (14.85%; 95% CI, 6.80 to 22.90%). Subgroup analysis of 14 publications that contained control data showed that the estimated risk ratio for photophobia was significantly higher in the TBI than in the control group during the entire 12 months after TBI.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS

This study demonstrates that photophobia is a frequent complaint after TBI, which largely resolves for many individuals within 3 months after the injury. For some patients, however, photophobia can last up to 12 months and possibly longer. Developing an objective quantitative methodology for measuring photophobia, validating a dedicated photophobia questionnaire, and having a specific photophobia International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision code would greatly improve data gathering and analysis.
Trends in the Number and Characteristics of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Providers in the United States, 2014–2019
Authors: Zhu Weiming , Huang Ya-Lin A. , Kourtis Athena P. , Hoover Karen W.
Published: August 2021

Background:

The number and characteristics of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) health care providers in the United States have not been reported.

Methods:

We analyzed a national pharmacy database that included >90% of all prescriptions dispensed by retail pharmacies and 60%–86% dispensed by mail-order outlets. We estimated the number of PrEP providers by year, provider type, physician specialty, and geographic location. We also measured the Gini coefficients for the distribution of PrEP patients among providers.

Results:

The number of PrEP providers increased from 9621 in 2014 to 65,822 in 2019. In 2019, 68.1% of PrEP providers were physicians. The proportion of nurse practitioners or physician assistants increased from 18.0% in 2014 to 29.7% in 2019. Among all the US health care providers, those who prescribed PrEP increased from 0.7% in 2014 to 4.3% in 2019. Among all general practice/family medicine physicians, the percentage of who prescribed PrEP increased from 1.8% in 2014 to 13.6% in 2019 and from 14.2% to 34.2% among infectious disease physicians. The ratio of PrEP providers to 100 persons with PrEP indications was lowest in the South with 4.4. The Gini coefficient for the distribution of PrEP patients among providers was 0.75 in 2019, with 50% of the PrEP patients prescribed PrEP by 2.2% of PrEP providers.

Conclusions:

An increasing number of providers prescribed PrEP during 2014–2019. The South had the largest number of new HIV diagnoses and greatest need for HIV prevention but had less PrEP service capacity compared with other regions. Expanded access to PrEP services is needed in the United States.
Population Impact and Efficiency of Improvements to HIV PrEP Under Conditions of High ART Coverage Among San Francisco Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Le Guillou Adrien , Buchbinder Susan , Scott Hyman , Liu Albert , Havlir Diane , Scheer Susan , Jenness Samuel M.
Published: August 2021

Background:

Key components of Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) plan include increasing HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) coverage. One complication to addressing this service delivery challenge is the wide heterogeneity of HIV burden and health care access across the United States. It is unclear how the effectiveness and efficiency of expanded PrEP will depend on different baseline ART coverage.

Methods:

We used a network-based model of HIV transmission for men who have sex with men (MSM) in San Francisco. Model scenarios increased varying levels of PrEP coverage relative under current empirical levels of baseline ART coverage and 2 counterfactual levels. We assessed the effectiveness of PrEP with the cumulative percentage of infections averted (PIA) over the next decade and efficiency with the number of additional person-years needed to treat (NNT) by PrEP required to avert one HIV infection.

Results:

In our projections, only the highest levels of combined PrEP and ART coverage achieved the EHE goals. Increasing PrEP coverage up to 75% showed that PrEP effectiveness was higher at higher baseline ART coverage. Indeed, the PIA was 61% in the lowest baseline ART coverage population and 75% in the highest. The efficiency declined with increasing ART (NNT range from 41 to 113).

Conclusions:

Improving both PrEP and ART coverage would have a synergistic impact on HIV prevention even in a high baseline coverage city such as San Francisco. Efforts should focus on narrowing the implementation gaps to achieve higher levels of PrEP retention and ART sustained viral suppression.
“Evolving Trends in Pancreatic Cystic Tumors: A 3-Decade Single-Center Experience With 1290 Resections”
Authors: Roldán Jorge , Harrison Jon M. , Qadan Motaz , Bolm Louisa , Baba Taisuke , Brugge William R. , Casey Brenna W. , Krishnan Kumar , Mino-Kenudson Mari , Pitman Martha B. , Kambadakone Avinash , Ferrone Cristina R. , Warshaw Andrew L. , Lillemoe Keith D. , Fernández-del Castillo Carlos
Published: August 2021

Objective:

The aim of this study was to describe our institutional experience with resected cystic tumors of the pancreas with emphasis on changes in clinical presentation and accuracy of preoperative diagnosis.

Summary Background Data:

Incidental discovery of pancreatic cystic lesions has increased and has led to a rise in pancreatic resections. It is important to analyze surgical outcomes from these procedures, and the prevalence of malignancy, pre-malignancy and resections for purely benign lesions, some of which may be unintended.

Methods:

Retrospective review of a prospective database spanning 3 decades. Presence of symptoms, incidental discovery, diagnostic studies, type of surgery, postoperative outcomes, and concordance between presumptive diagnosis and final histopathology were recorded.

Results:

A total of 1290 patients were identified, 62% female with mean age of 60 years. Fifty-seven percent of tumors were incidentally discovered. Ninety-day operative mortality was 0.9% and major morbidity 14.4%. There were 23 different diagnosis, but IPMN, MCN, and serous cystadenoma comprised 80% of cases. Concordance between preoperative and final histopathological diagnosis increased by decade from 45%, to 68%, and is presently 80%, rising in parallel with the use of endoscopic ultrasound, cytology, and molecular analysis. The addition of molecular analysis improved accuracy to 91%. Of misdiagnosed cases, half were purely benign and taken to surgery with the presumption of malignancy or premalignancy. The majority of these were serous cystadenomas.

Conclusions:

Indications and diagnostic work-up of cystic tumors of the pancreas have changed over time. Surgical resection can be performed with very low mortality and acceptable morbidity and diagnostic accuracy is presently 80%. About 10% of patients are still undergoing surgery for purely benign lesions that were presumed to be malignant or premalignant. Further refinements in diagnostic tests are required to improve accuracy.
Success of ceftazidime–avibactam and aztreonam in combination for a refractory biliary infection with recurrent bacteraemia due to blaIMP-4 carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter hormaechei subsp. oharae
Authors: McKew Genevieve , Merlino John , Beukers Alicia , van Hal Sebastian , Gottlieb Thomas
Published: August 2021

Background. Infections due to metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing organisms are becoming a significant problem, and antibiotic treatment options are limited. Aztreonam inhibits MBLs, and its use in combination with ceftazidime–avibactam (CAZ–AVI–AZT) to inhibit other beta-lactamases shows promise.

Methods. A 45-year-old woman suffered from recurrent and sustained MBL (blaIMP-4)+

Enterobacter cloacae

complex bacteraemia from an undrainable biliary source, and had failed nine alternative antibiotic regimens over a 5-month period. The 10th episode was successfully treated with CAZ–AVI–AZT, and she has had no further relapses. Three of the isolates underwent whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on the MiSeq platform and were analysed with the Nullarbor pipeline.

Results. A layered Etest method for synergy between CAZ–AVI and aztreonam demonstrated an MIC of 2 mg l−1 for the combination. Isolates were identified by WGS as

Enterobacter hormaechei

subsp.

oharae

. All three of the isolates had blaTEM-4 ESBL, blaOXA-1 and blaACT-25. Two of the carbapenem-resistant isolates contained blaIMP-4.

Conclusion. While aztreonam inhibits MBLs, MBL-positive isolates often express other beta-lactamase enzymes. Avibactam inhibits ESBLs and other beta-lactamases, and its use in this case possibly contributed to therapeutic success due to inhibition of the concomitant blaTEM-4 in the isolates. This case demonstrates that phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing (layered Etests for synergy), backed up by WGS, can produce results that allow tailored antimicrobial therapy in difficult infections. This case adds to the evidence for using CAZ–AVI–AZT in serious MBL infections.
Quantifying bias from dependent left truncation in survival analyses of real world data
Authors: Sondhi Arjun , Humblet Olivier , Swaminathan Akshay
Published: August 2021

In real world data (RWD) studies, observed datasets are often subject to left truncation, which can bias estimates of survival parameters. Standard methods can only suitably account for left truncation when survival and entry time are independent. Therefore, in the dependent left truncation setting, it is important to quantify the magnitude and direction of estimator bias to determine whether an analysis provides valid results. We conduct simulation studies of common RWD analytic settings in order to determine when standard analysis provides reliable estimates, and to identify factors that contribute most to estimator bias. We also outline a procedure for conducting a simulation-based sensitivity analysis for an arbitrary dataset subject to dependent left truncation. Our simulation results show that when comparing a truncated real-world arm to a non-truncated arm, we observe the estimated hazard ratio biased upwards, providing conservative inference. The most important data-generating parameter contributing to bias is the proportion of left truncated patients, given any level of dependence between survival and entry time. For specific datasets and analyses that may differ from our example, we recommend applying our sensitivity analysis approach to determine how results would change given varying proportions of truncation.
Impact of different diagnostic measures on drug class association with dementia progression risk: a longitudinal prospective cohort study
Authors: Kaur Daman , Bucholc Magda , Finn David P. , Todd Stephen , Wong-Lin KongFatt , McClean Paula L.
Published: August 2021

Background

Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDRSOB) scale is known to be highly indicative of cognitive-functional status, but it is unclear whether it is consistent with clinical diagnosis in evaluating drug class associations with risk of progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.

Methods

We employed multivariable logistic regression on longitudinal NACC data, to identify drug classes associated with disease progression risk, using clinical diagnosis and CDRSOB as the outcome.

Results

Anticoagulants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antihypertensives, antidepressants, and Parkinson’s medications were significantly associated with decreased progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/dementia, and antipsychotics, antidiabetics, hypolipidemic drugs, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) medications were significantly associated with increased progression risk. Associations were however dependant on the diagnostic measure used, e.g., levodopa was associated with reduced MCI-to-AD risk using CDRSOB as the outcome (OR:0.28, FDR p<0.002), but not with clinical diagnosis. Additionally, some associations appear to be gender specific; for instance, antiadrenergic agents had lower MCI-to-Dementia risk only for men (OR:0.67, FDR p<0.001) using CDRSOB.

Conclusions

Overall, we demonstrate that choice of diagnostic measure can influence the magnitude and significance of risk or protection attributed to drug classes. A consensus must be reached within the research community with respect to the most accurate diagnostic outcome to identify risk and improve reproducibility.
Helmet noninvasive ventilation for COVID-19 patients “Helmet-COVID”: study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial
Authors: Arabi Yaseen , Tlayjeh Haytham , Aldekhyl Sara , Al-Dorzi Hasan M , Abdukahil Sheryl Ann , Al Harbi Mohammad Khulaif , Haji Husain Al , Mutairi Mohammed Al , Zumai Omar Al , Qasim Eman Al , Wehaibi Wedyan Al , Qahtani Saad Al , Al-Hameed Fahad , Chalabi Jamal , Alshahrani Mohammed , Alharthy Abdulrahman , Mady Ahmed , Eshaq Abdulhadi Bin , Bshabshe Ali Al , Aseri Zohair Al , Duhailib Zainab Al , Kharaba Ayman , Alqahtani Rakan , Ghamdi Adnan Al , Altalag Ali , Alghamdi Khalid , Almaani Mohammed , Algethamy Haifa , Aqeily Ahmad Al , Baseet Faisal Al , Samannoudi Hashem Al , Obaidi Mohammed Al , Ismaiel Yassin , Al-Fares Abdulrahman A
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Noninvasive ventilation delivered by helmet is has been used for respiratory support of patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19 pneumonia. The aim of this study is to compare helmet noninvasive ventilation with usual care versus usual care alone to reduce the mortality.

Methods and analysis

This is a multicenter, pragmatic, parallel, randomized controlled trial that compares helmet noninvasive ventilation with usual care to usual care alone in 1:1 ratio. A total of 320 patients will be enrolled in this study. The primary outcome is 28-day all-cause mortality. The primary outcome will be compared between the two study groups in the intention-to-treat and per-protocol cohorts. An interim analysis will be conducted for both safety and effectiveness.

Ethics and dissemination

Approvals are obtained from the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) of each participating institution. Our findings will be published in peer-review journals and presented at relevant conferences and meetings.

Trial registration number

NCT04477668 registered on July 20, 2020

Article Summary

Strengths and limitations of this study

This trial compares helmet NIV to usual care for respiratory support of patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19 pneumonia.

The trial is a multi-center, pragmatic, parallel randomized controlled trial.

The main limitation is the unblinded design due to the nature of the intervention.
Phenolic profiles and antioxidant activities of Saskatchewan (Canada) bred haskap (Lonicera caerulea)berries
Authors: Zehfus Lily R. , Eskiw Christopher , Low Nicholas H.
Published: August 2021

Phenolic extracts from five Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, bred and grown haskap berry varieties (Aurora, Blizzard, Honey Bee, Indigo Gem, and Tundra) were characterized via liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC-PDA) and mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Tundra had the highest phenolic content (727.0 mg/100 g FW) while Indigo Gem had the highest anthocyanin content (447.8 mg/100 g FW). HPLC-MS/MS identified two previously unreported anthocyanins (Tundra variety): delphinidin-sambubioside and a peonidin-pentoside. Fruit extracts were fractionated to produce an anthocyanin rich (40% ethanol) and flavanol/flavonol rich (100% ethanol) fraction. This process affords the ability to isolate/concentrate specific subclasses for nutraceutical applications. Highin vitroradical scavenging was observed for all haskap phenolic extracts. An extract from the Tundra variety delayed borage oil oxidation more effectively than commercial antioxidants (BHT and Rosamox). These results show the high phenolic content of these haskaps along with their capacity for radical scavenging/delaying lipid oxidation, indicating potential commercial value.
Direct focus sensing and shaping for high-resolution multi-photon imaging in deep tissue
Authors: Qin Zhongya , She Zhentao , Chen Congping , Wu Wanjie , Lau Jackie K.Y. , Ip Nancy Y. , Qu Jianan Y.
Published: August 2021

High-resolution optical imaging of deep tissue in-situ such as the living brain is fundamentally challenging because of the aberration and scattering of light. In this work, we develop an innovative adaptive optics three-photon microscope based on direct focus sensing and shaping that can accurately measure and effectively compensate for both low- and high-order specimen-induced aberrations and recover near-diffraction-limited performance at depth. A conjugate adaptive optics configuration with remote focusing enables in vivo imaging of fine neuronal structures in the mouse cortex through the intact skull up to a depth of 750 µm below pia, making high-resolution microscopy in cortex near non-invasive. Functional calcium imaging with high sensitivity and accuracy, and high-precision laser-mediated microsurgery through the intact skull were demonstrated. Moreover, we also achieved in vivo high-resolution imaging of the deep cortex and subcortical hippocampus up to 1.1 mm below pia within the intact brain.
Structural insights into recognition of chemokine receptors by Staphylococcus aureus leukotoxins
Authors: Lambey Paul , Otun Omolade , Cong Xiaojing , Hoh François , Brunel Luc , Verdié Pascal , Grison Claire , Peysson Fanny , Jeannot Sylvain , Durroux Thierry , Bechara Cherine , Granier Sébastien , Leyrat Cédric
Published: August 2021

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) leukocidin LukED belongs to a family of bicomponent pore forming toxins that play important roles in SA immune evasion and nutrient acquisition. LukED targets specific G protein-coupled chemokine receptors to lyse human erythrocytes and leukocytes. The first recognition step of receptors is critical for specific cell targeting and lysis. The structural and molecular bases for this mechanism are not well understood but could constitute essential information to guide antibiotic development. Here, we characterized the interaction of LukE with chemokine receptors ACKR1, CCR2 and CCR5 using a combination of structural, pharmacological and computational approaches. First, crystal structures of LukE in complex with a small molecule mimicking sulfotyrosine side chain (p-cresyl sulfate) and with peptides containing sulfotyrosines issued from receptor sequences revealed the location of receptor sulfotyrosine binding sites in the toxins. Then, by combining the available experimental information with protein docking, classical and accelerated weight histogram (AWH) molecular dynamics we propose models of the ACKR1-LukE and CCR5-LukE complexes. This work provides novel insights into chemokine receptor recognition by leukotoxins and suggests that the conserved sulfotyrosine binding pocket could be a target of choice for future drug development.
Shading Reduces Water Deficit in Strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) Plants during Vegetative Growth
Authors: Cordoba-Novoa Henry Alexander , Pérez Maria Mercedes , Cruz Brahyam Emmanuel , Flórez Nixon , Magnitskiy Stanislav , Moreno Liz Patricia
Published: August 2021

Strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) is a commercially important crop with high water requirements, for which it is necessary to find strategies that mitigate the influence of water deficit on plant growth. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of shading on the vegetative growth of strawberry cv. Sweet Ann under water deficit. The treatments consisted of the combination of two levels of shading (light intensity reduced on 47% vs. non-shaded plants) and two levels of water availability (water deficit vs. well-watered plants). The water deficit reduced the leaf water potential from −1.52 to −2.21 MPa, and diminished stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic rate (from 9.13 to 2.5 μmol m−2 s−1), photosystem II photochemical efficiency (from 0.79 to 0.67), and biomass accumulation, while increased the electrolyte leakage. The shading allowed the water-deficient plants to maintain water potential (−1.58 MPa) and photosystem II efficiency (0.79) and to increase water use efficiency (from 14.80 to 86.90 μmol CO2/mmol H2O), net photosynthetic rate (from 2.40 to 9.40 μmol m−2 s−1) and biomass of leaves, crowns, and roots compared to non-shaded plants without water limitation. These results suggest that a reduction in incident light intensity attenuates the effects of stomatic and non-stomatic limitations caused by water deficit during vegetative growth of strawberry.
You have got items to show off your pride: the effects of pride on preference for attention-grabbing products
Authors: Ahn Hee-Kyung , Kim Seung-Hwa , Ke Wen Ying
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study examines the impact of incidental pride on consumer preference for attention-grabbing products. This effect is mediated by the desire to gain attention. This study also shows that the effect of incidental pride is qualified by visibility of consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

Using two studies with between-subjects designs, this research examines the difference in preferences for attention-grabbing products between hubristic and authentic pride.

Findings

Individuals who experience hubristic pride (vs authentic pride) show greater preference for attention-grabbing products and have a strong desire to gain attention from others. However, when consumption is perceived as private (vs public), preferences for attention-grabbing products weaken for those who experience hubristic pride.

Research limitations/implications

This research studies the effect of incidental pride on consumer preference. By examining dispositional pride effects, future research may expand these findings, which enrich the literature on emotion. Future research can identify the potential mechanism for the relationship between authentic pride and preference for attention-grabbing products in the context of private consumption.

Practical implications

Marketers and salespersons can guide and recommend products with attention-grabbing features to customers celebrating a friend’s success in recognition of their innate ability. Second, marketers may encourage consumers to buy attention-grabbing products with targeted advertising or emotion-eliciting advertising (i.e., evoke a certain type of pride).

Originality/value

While prior studies focused on basic emotions, this research has investigated self-conscious emotions that are central to consumer behavior. This research contributes to the understanding of self-conscious emotions that affect consumers’ behavioral responses in unrelated situations. Investigating the two facets of pride, the findings show the impact of pride on the preference for attention-grabbing products and reveals that visibility of consumption moderates the effect of pride.
The impact of managing IT on business-IT alignment and firm performance: an empirical study
Authors: Ilmudeen Aboobucker
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Though prior studies have attempted to explore the various effects of managing information technology (IT) investment on firm performance, the mechanism through which management of IT impact on firm performance rests less clear. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of managing IT and business-IT alignment on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the resource-based theory and process theory, this study examines how managing IT impacts business-IT alignment and firm performance. The primary survey of 182 responses from IT and business managers from Sri Lanka was empirically examined.

Findings

The findings reveal that managing IT has a positive and strong impact on business-IT alignment and firm performance. Further, business-IT alignment partially mediates between managing IT investment and firm performance relationships.

Research limitations/implications

Today, businesses have invested a massive amount of money in IT investment, and the return on this investment is always a serious concern for managers and industry practitioners. This study finding proposes meaningful insights on managing IT, business-IT alignment and firm performance.

Originality/value

This study opens up the black box on the above nomological linkage and contributes to the literature by extending the theoretical lenses while suggesting insightful and practical implications.
ICT resources and use: examining differences in pathways to improved small firm performance
Authors: Beynon Malcolm J. , Munday Max , Roche Neil
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The paper shows how small firms perceive the pathways through which access to and adoption of superfast broadband-enabled resources strengthen business performance. Improvements to broadband infrastructure do not automatically lead to adoption of opportunities made available through the broadband resource. Then, interventions can be used to alert small firms to new opportunities. However, the quality of interventions in terms of education and digital audits can be better targeted with information available on how small firms perceive the benefits from broadband access and whether these perceptions are reflected in business performance outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are used from the Digital Maturity Survey from Wales. The study uses principal component analysis and a dual stage cluster approach to show how SMEs believe they are benefitting from broadband access. These belief-based perceptions of broadband inferred business benefits are tested against business performance variables.

Findings

The analysis shows variation in SME perceptions of the benefits of broadband-enabled services. This study reveals a cluster of firms which perceived routes to business value in terms of variables linked to security and risk management, and then more commonly held notions linked to communication, competition enhancement and productivity.

Originality/value

While the research literature points to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources (ICT investment and skills) and use (digital applications), leading to new to business value improvements, this study suggests less work has sought to identify the critical themes identified by business owners in explaining how ICT resources and use tie to observed business performance. The study identifies these critical themes. The analysis suggests that these critical themes in terms of business value benefits as perceived by business owners can be summarised in terms of communication and competition benefits, and security and risk related benefits. The findings have a series of implications for interventions in the space.
Living as immigrant in Germany: an analysis of civil society organizations leaders’ perspectives
Authors: Tekingündüz Sabahattin , Yılmaz Mualla , Altundal Hilal
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Immigration is considered a stressful process that causes many problems such as social isolation, prejudice, unemployment, minority status and intergenerational tensions. This study aims to determine the opinions of the leaders of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Germany about the experiences of individuals who immigrated from Turkey to Germany.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a qualitative method was used. This study was conducted between April and May 2014 with leaders of CSOs who were living in Germany. Informed consent forms were signed by all the participants. Purposeful sampling was used to select the leaders of CSOs to be included in the sample. In-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview format. The data reached saturation for the 30 leaders of CSOs. The data were collected through in-depth interviews and evaluated through thematic analysis.

Findings

Four main themes were identified: “Difficulties experienced”, “Recommendations to cope with/solve the difficulties experienced,” “Medical tourism” and “Use of health services.”

Research limitations/implications

This study has some limitations that should be taken into consideration during the interpretation of the results. A majority of the leaders of CSOs had bachelor’s degrees, and were middle-aged and older, which might affect the variety required in qualitative studies. Thus, it remains unclear whether the results could be generalized to all Turkish immigrants in Germany.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first qualitative study conducted with different Turkish CSO leaders living in Germany. This study outlines perspectives of CSO leaders’ migration-related challenges that Turkish immigrants struggle with to integrate into German societies. As a consequence, Turkish immigrants’ socio-cultural values, beliefs, difficulties they experienced, and legal rights should be taken into consideration in health care and tourism interactions. Possible found experiences could help to provide evidence on how to improve migrants’ situations.
Proposal of a temporality perspective for a successful organizational change project
Authors: Boulagouas Wafa , Chaib Rachid , Djebabra Mebarek
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Improvements to health and safety at work constantly involve organizational changes (OCs). However, the OC initiatives often fail at achieving their intended goals despite efforts to draw knowledge from various disciplines, such as sociology, psychology and information sciences, to guide the change implementation. This paper proposes a temporality approach to manage the resistance during an OC project based on the capitalization of the actors' behaviors (i.e. alignment/resistance) for successful OC implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

Employees in an industrial company (N = 186) undergoing an OC answered a questionnaire survey. The statistical analysis approach was used to measure the influence of the constructs of the proposed temporality capitalization approach on the OC conduct.

Findings

Results indicate that the considered constructs have positive and significant correlations with OC development. It has also been found that the employees' alignment is highly correlated with the opportunities they might gain from the OC.

Practical implications

The proposed temporality capitalization approach shows that providing the employees with clear objectives is not sufficient to support the change, and it is suggested that the change management has to move a step further and seek to target the perspectives of the employees to energize them around the OC and maximize their alignment.

Originality/value

In this paper, change management is approached through the temporality capitalization that confirms the importance of monitoring the change development through the alignment. In other terms, the curve of the adaptation of the change receivers matters and should attract more attention rather than the change implementation speed.
The animosity transfer process: consumer denigration of foreign sponsors and testing potential mitigation strategies
Authors: Angell Rob , Bottomley Paul , Gorton Matthew , Marder Ben , Erz Antonia
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Sponsorships involving foreign brands are ubiquitous, but those involving a company from an animosity-evoking country can adversely affect rather than enhance domestic consumers' attitude towards the brand. This paper explains the mechanisms by which brand denigration occurs, introducing and validating a model of the animosity transfer process as well as considering if various framing and timing strategies attenuate or lead to adverse consumer responses.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 tests the animosity transfer model, utilizing a scenario in which English consumers respond to a German brand sponsoring the England soccer team. Study 2 assesses the generalizability of the model in the context of Indian consumers' responses to sponsorship of their cricket team by a Chinese company, and the extent to which an honest framing of the sponsorship choice through the announcement affects outcomes. Study 3 returns to an England–Germany country dyad, testing whether priming consumers with information about the sponsorship prior to a full announcement, attenuates or intensifies the impact of animosity on the studied outcomes.

Findings

The three studies demonstrate that when consumers learn of a sponsorship, it triggers an evaluation process in which the agonistic emotion (anger) they feel plays a pivotal role. More intense emotional appraisals weaken perceptions of sponsor-sponsee congruence, which together act as consecutive process variables mediating the relationship between animosity and sponsorship outcomes. Framing the sponsorship announcement with an honest justification for the partnership can improve outcomes but not amongst those with the highest animosity. Providing consumers with an advanced warning (preannouncement) of the sponsorship also amplifies consumers' unfavorable evaluations showcasing how difficult animosity is to manage in this context.

Originality/value

The animosity transfer model aids understanding of the mechanisms by which animosity affects brand attitude for foreign (out-group) sponsors. It identifies how animosity generates agonistic emotions and in turn weakens perceived fit between the sponsor and sponsee, leading to adverse consumer responses.
Fijian food shopping behaviour: implications for policy makers and smallholder farmers
Authors: Johns Craig , Umberger Wendy J. , Lyon Pamela , Maligalig Rio
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The study aims to identify different consumer groups to better understand changes in urban Fijian food shopping behaviour and the implications for the local food industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a Latent class (LC) cluster analysis of survey data from 1,000 urban Fijian households to identify unique consumer segments based on household food shopping behaviour.

Findings

Five distinct urban household clusters were identified based on food shopping behaviour. The cluster with the highest income level spent significantly lower amounts on fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV) at the main traditional market, preferring to buy their FFV from modern supermarket outlets. Considering the vast majority of local smallholder farmers rely on traditional market channels to sell their produce, the growth and dominance of Fijian supermarkets are of some concern.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should consider repeating these types of detailed consumer surveys to better understand the implications of changes in shopping behaviour over time, and the role that key stakeholders can play in ensuring smallholder farmers is not excluded from the market.

Social implications

Smallholder-driven agriculture accounts for a significant share of Fiji's gross domestic product (GDP), so understanding how the retail food industry is transforming and how this is affecting smallholder farmers is critical to Fiji's social structure.

Originality/value

Research on food retailing and the role of the consumer is rare in small island developing states (SIDS), such as Fiji. Fiji has a somewhat unique set of circumstances. In the absence of significant foreign investment in food retailing, key factors such as urbanisation and rising urban income mean consumer preferences are important drivers of changes in shopping behaviour. The study provides insights into Fiji's changing food industry with implications for other SIDS, while contributing to the global literature in this field.
Can machine learning, as a RegTech compliance tool, lighten the regulatory burden for charitable organisations in the United Kingdom?
Authors: Singh Charanjit , Zhao Lei , Lin Wangwei , Ye Zhen
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Machine learning is having a major impact on banking, law and other organisations. The speed with which this technology is developing to undertake tasks that are not only complex and technical but also time-consuming and that are subject to constantly changing parameters is astounding. The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which machine learning can be used as a solution to lighten the compliance and regulatory burden on charitable organisations in the UK; so that they can comply with their regulatory duties and develop a coherent and streamlined action plan in relation to technological investment.

Design/methodology/approach

The subject is approached through the analysis of data, literature and domestic and international regulation. The first part of the study summarises the extent of current regulatory obligations faced by charities, these are then, in the second part, set against the potential technological solutions provided by machine learning as of July 2021.

Findings

It is suggested that charities can use machine learning as a smart technological solution to ease the regulatory burden they face in a growing and impactful sector.

Originality/value

The work is original because it is the first to specifically explore how machine learning as a technological advance can assist charities in meeting the regulatory compliance challenge.