bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgery versus Balloon angioplasty for treating coarctation of aorta: A meta-analysis
Authors: Dani Avichal , Thakkar Helly , Desai Dev , Dani Jagdeepkaur S. , Dani Sameer I.
Published: April 2023

Background

In the past 50 years, therapeutic options for treating both children and adults with native aortic coarctation have significantly improved. In contrast to surgery, In 1982, balloon angioplasty (BA) was suggested as a potential alternative for the Primary treatment of CoA. Here, Surgery vs Angioplasty is compared to understand the rates of their compilations like aneurysm and recoarctation.

Method

A total of 13 RCTs with a total of 877 patients (Surgery-537, Angioplasty-340) of total patients were identified following PRISMA guidelines till November 2019 and were matched for inclusion and exclusion criteria. The following search strings and MESH terms were used: ‘coarctation of aorta’, ‘surgery’, ‘balloon angioplasty, and ‘aneurysm’. Following this, Surgery and Angioplasty were evaluated for complications and recoarctation. RevMan 5.3 was used for appropriate statistical tests. Fixed and Random Effect Model tests were used and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Result

Angioplasty seems to be a Statistically better alternative with lesser complications (OR=1.993, CI95=1.126 to 3.527, p=0.018). It can be seen that Surgery is statistically far better in preventing the formation of an aneurysm (OR=0.291, CI95=0.141 to 0.602, p=0.001). Surgery as a treatment is statistically better than angioplasty to prevent a recoarctation (OR=0.375, CI95=0.268 to 0.524, p=<0.001).

Conclusion

Surgery is found to be a better treatment option for preventing complications whereas angioplasty is better in preventing the formation of aneurysms and recoarctation.
In vivoStability and Biodistribution of Liposome Coated with SlpB fromLevilactobacillus brevis
Authors: Tan Zheng Lin , Yamamoto Naoyuki
Published: April 2023

SlpB fromLevilactobacillus brevisoffers a solution to stabilise liposome in gastrointestinal tract, and to target intestinal APCs in Peyer’s patches, rendering it a powerful tool for oral delivery of drugs, and to yield the benefits provided by oral delivery. However, the stability of SlpB-coated liposome (SlpB-LP) and its distribution in tissues were not characterized. In this study, we have demonstrated that SlpB-coating could improve the stability of liposome in gastrointestinal tract, and facilitate specific uptake of liposome into Peyer’s patches, but not intestinal, nor intestinal mucosa. Furthermore, we have shown that uptake of SlpB-LP into Peyer’s patches enhanced bioavailability of drugs, which have resulted in 427.65-fold increase in bioavailability and at least 2.41-fold decrease in retention of fluorophore in liver where drug metabolism takes places, to a degree which approximate control group. In conclusion, this study shows that SlpB could increase stability of liposome in gastrointestinal tract, increase specific uptake of liposome into Peyer’s patches, and improve bioavailability.

Abstract Figure
Echoes from the last Green Sahara: whole genome analysis of Fulani, a key population to unveil the genetic evolutionary history of Africa
Authors: D’Atanasio Eugenia , Risi Flavia , Ravasini Francesco , Montinaro Francesco , Hajiesmaeil Mogge , Bonucci Biancamaria , Pistacchia Letizia , Amoako-Sakyi Daniel , Bonito Maria , Onidi Sara , Colombo Giulia , Semino Ornella , Bisol Giovanni Destro , Anagnostou Paolo , Metspalu Mait , Tambets Kristiina , Trombetta Beniamino , Cruciani Fulvio
Published: April 2023

Background

The Sahelian Fulani are the largest nomadic pastoral ethnic group. Their origins are still largely unknown and their Eurasian genetic component is usually explained by recent admixture events with northern African groups. However, it has also been proposed that Fulani may be the descendants of ancient groups settled in the Sahara during its last Green phase (12000-5000 BP), as also suggested by Y chromosome results.

Results

We produced 23 high-coverage (30 ×) whole genomes from Fulani individuals from 8 Sahelian countries, plus 17 samples from other African groups and 3 Europeans as controls, for a total of 43 new whole genome sequences. These data have been compared with 814 published modern whole genomes and analyzed together with relevant published ancient individuals (for a total of > 1800 samples). These analyses showed that the non-sub-Saharan genetic ancestry component of Fulani cannot be only explained by recent admixture events, but it could be shaped at least in part by older events by events more ancient than previously reported, possibly tracing its origin to the last Green Sahara.

Conclusions

According to our results, Fulani may be the descendants of Saharan cattle herders settled in that area during the last Green Sahara. The exact ancestry composition of such ghost Saharan population(s) cannot be completely unveiled from modern genomes only, but the joint analysis with the available African ancient samples suggested a similarity between ancient Saharans and Late Neolithic Moroccans.
Modeling neurodevelopmental disorder-associatedhAGO1mutations inC. elegansArgonauteALG-1
Authors: Duan Ye , Li Li , Panzade Ganesh Prabhakar , Piton Amélie , Zinovyeva Anna , Ambros Victor
Published: April 2023

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are endogenous non-coding RNAs important for post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. miRNAs associate with Argonaute proteins to bind to the 3’ UTR of target genes and confer target repression. Recently, multiplede novocoding variants in the human Argonaute geneAGO1(hAGO1) have been reported to cause a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) with intellectual disability (ID). Most of the altered amino acids are conserved between the miRNA-associated Argonautes inH. sapiensandC. elegans, suggesting thehAGO1mutations could disrupt evolutionarily conserved functions in the miRNA pathway. To investigate how thehAGO1mutations may affect miRNA biogenesis and/or functions, we genetically modeled four of thehAGO1 de novovariants (referred to as NDD mutations) by introducing the identical mutations to theC. elegans hAGO1 homolog, alg-1. This array of mutations caused distinct effects onC. elegansmiRNA functions, miRNA populations, and downstream gene expression, indicative of profound alterations in aspects of miRNA processing and miRISC formation and/or activity. Specifically, we found that thealg-1NDD mutations cause allele-specific disruptions in mature miRNA profiles both in terms of overall abundances and association with mutant ALG-1. We also observed allele-specific profiles of gene expression with altered translational efficiency and/or mRNA abundance. The sets of perturbed genes include human homologs whose dysfunction is known to cause NDD. We anticipate that these cross-clade genetic studies may advance the understanding of fundamental Argonaute functions and provide insights into the conservation of miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms.
The Allen Ancient DNA Resource (AADR): A curated compendium of ancient human genomes
Authors: Mallick Swapan , Micco Adam , Mah Matthew , Ringbauer Harald , Lazaridis Iosif , Olalde Iñigo , Patterson Nick , Reich David
Published: April 2023

More than two hundred papers have reported genome-wide data from ancient humans. While the raw data for the vast majority are fully publicly available testifying to the commitment of the paleogenomics community to open data, formats for both raw data and meta-data differ. There is thus a need for uniform curation and a centralized, version-controlled compendium that researchers can download, analyze, and reference. Since 2019, we have been maintaining the Allen Ancient DNA Resource (AADR), which aims to provide an up-to-date, curated version of the world’s published ancient human DNA data, represented at more than a million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at which almost all ancient individuals have been assayed. The AADR has gone through six public releases since it first was made available and crossed the threshold of >10,000 ancient individuals with genome-wide data at the end of 2022. This note is intended as a citable description of the AADR.
The minus end depolymerase KIF2A drives flux-like treadmilling of γTuRC-uncapped microtubules
Authors: Henkin Gil , Brito Cláudia , Thomas Claire , Surrey Thomas
Published: April 2023

During mitosis, a functional spindle requires high microtubule turnover. Such turnover is highlighted by the multiple functions of spindle poles, where microtubule minus ends are concentrated, and where microtubule nucleation and depolymerization happen side by side. How these seemingly antagonistic processes are coordinated during poleward microtubule flux is not understood. Here we reconstitute this coordinationin vitrocombining different pole localized activities. We find that the spindle pole-localized kinesin-13 KIF2A is a microtubule minus-end depolymerase, in contrast to its paralog MCAK. Due to its asymmetric activity, KIF2A still allows microtubule nucleation by plus-end growth from the γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC), which in turn serves as a protective cap that shields the minus end against KIF2A binding. Efficient γTuRC-uncapping requires the combined action of KIF2A and a microtubule severing enzyme, then leading to treadmilling of the uncapped microtubule driven by KIF2A. Together these results provide insight into the molecular mechanisms by which a minimal protein module coordinates microtubule nucleation and depolymerization at spindle poles consistent with their role in poleward microtubule flux.
WITHDRAWN: Progranulin inhibits phospholipase sPLA2-IIA to control neuroinflammation
Authors: Du Huan , Yang Cha , Nana Alissa L. , Seeley William W. , Smolka Marcus , Hu Fenghua
Published: April 2023

Withdrawal Statement

The authors have withdrawn this manuscript because more work is needed to fully define the role of sPLA2-IIA. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author.
Intestinal transit amplifying cells require METTL3 for growth factor signaling, KRAS expression, and cell survival
Authors: Danan Charles H. , Naughton Kaitlyn E. , Hayer Katharina E. , Vellappan Sangeevan , McMillan Emily A. , Zhou Yusen , Matsuda Rina , Nettleford Shaneice K. , Katada Kay , Parham Louis R. , Ma Xianghui , Chowdhury Afrah , Wilkins Benjamin J. , Shah Premal , Weitzman Matthew D. , Hamilton Kathryn E.
Published: April 2023

Intestinal epithelial transit amplifying cells are essential stem progenitors required for intestinal homeostasis, but their rapid proliferation renders them vulnerable to DNA damage from radiation and chemotherapy. Despite their critical roles in intestinal homeostasis and disease, few studies have described genes that are essential to transit amplifying cell function. We report that the RNA methyltransferase, METTL3, is required for survival of transit amplifying cells in the murine small intestine. Transit amplifying cell death after METTL3 deletion was associated with crypt and villus atrophy, loss of absorptive enterocytes, and uniform wasting and death in METTL3-depleted mice. Ribosome profiling and sequencing of methylated RNAs in enteroids andin vivodemonstrated decreased translation of hundreds of unique methylated transcripts after METTL3 deletion, particularly transcripts involved in growth factor signal transduction such asKras. Further investigation confirmed a novel relationship between METTL3 andKrasmethylation and protein levelsin vivo. Our study identifies METTL3 as an essential factor supporting the homeostasis of small intestinal tissue via direct maintenance of transit amplifying cell survival. We highlight the crucial role of RNA modifications in regulating growth factor signaling in the intestine, with important implications for both homeostatic tissue renewal and epithelial regeneration.
Patterns of host plant use do not explain mushroom body expansion in Heliconiini butterflies
Authors: Young Fletcher J. , Monllor Monica , McMillan W. Owen , Montgomery Stephen H.
Published: April 2023

The selective pressures leading to the elaboration of downstream, integrative processing centres, such as the mammalian neocortex or insect mushroom bodies, are often unclear. InHeliconiusbutterflies, the mushroom bodies are three to four times larger than their Heliconiini, and the largest known in Lepidoptera. Heliconiini lay almost exclusively onPassiflora, which exhibit a remarkable diversity of leaf shape, and it has been suggested that the mushroom body expansion ofHeliconiusmay have been driven by the cognitive demands of recognising and learning the leaf shapes of local host plants. We test this hypothesis using two complementary methods: i) phylogenetic comparative analyses to test whether variation in mushroom body size is associated with the morphological diversity of host plants exploited across the Heliconiini; and ii) shape learning experiments using six Heliconiini species. We found that variation in the range of leaf morphologies used by Heliconiini was not associated with mushroom body volume. Similarly, we find interspecific differences in shape learning ability, butHeliconiusare not overall better shape learners than other Heliconiini. Together these results suggest that the visual recognition and learning of host plants was not a main factor driving the diversity of mushroom body size in this tribe.
Sequence-specific interactions determine viscoelasticity and aging dynamics of protein condensates
Authors: Alshareedah Ibraheem , Borcherds Wade M. , Cohen Samuel R. , Singh Anurag , Posey Ammon E. , Farag Mina , Bremer Anne , Strout Gregory W. , Tomares Dylan T. , Pappu Rohit V. , Mittag Tanja , Banerjee Priya R.
Published: April 2023

Biomolecular condensates are viscoelastic materials. Here, we report results from investigations into molecular-scale determinants of sequence-encoded and age-dependent viscoelasticity of condensates formed by prion-like low-complexity domains (PLCDs). The terminally viscous forms of PLCD condensates are Maxwell fluids. Measured viscoelastic moduli of these condensates are reproducible using a Rouse-Zimm model that accounts for the network-like organization engendered by reversible physical crosslinks among PLCDs in the dense phase. Measurements and computations show that the strengths of aromatic inter-sticker interactions determine the sequence-specific amplitudes of elastic and viscous moduli as well as the timescales over which elastic properties dominate. PLCD condensates also undergo physical aging on sequence-specific timescales. This is driven by mutations to spacer residues that weaken the metastability of terminally viscous phases. The aging of PLCD condensates is accompanied by disorder-to-order transitions, leading to the formation of non-fibrillar, beta-sheet-containing, semi-crystalline, terminally elastic, Kelvin-Voigt solids. Our results suggest that sequence grammars, which refer to the identities of stickers versus spacers in PLCDs, have evolved to afford control over the metastabilities of terminally viscous fluid phases of condensates. This selection can, in some cases, render barriers for conversion from metastable fluids to globally stable solids to be insurmountable on functionally relevant timescales.
Interferon-gamma is Quintessential for NOS2 and COX2 Expression in ER-Breast Tumors that Lead to Poor Outcome
Authors: Cheng Robert YS. , Ridnour Lisa A. , Wink Adelaide L. , Gonzalez Ana L. , Femino Elise L. , Rittscher Helene , Somasundarum Veena , Heinz William F. , Coutinho Leandro , Cristina Rangel M. , Edmondson Elijah F. , Butcher Donna , Kinders Robert J. , Li Xiaoxian , Wong Stephen T.C. , McVicar Daniel W. , Anderson Steven K. , Pore Milind , Hewitt Stephen M. , Billiar Timothy R. , Glynn Sharon , Chang Jenny C. , Lockett Stephen J. , Ambs Stefan , Wink David A.
Published: April 2023

A strong correlation between NOS2 and COX2 tumor expression and poor clinical outcomes in ER-breast cancer has been established. However, mechanisms of tumor induction of these enzymes are unclear. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) revealed correlations between NOS2 and COX2 expression and Th1 cytokines. Herein, single cell RNAseq analysis of TNBC cells shows potent NOS2 and COX2 induction by IFNγ combined with IL1β or TNFα. Given that IFNγ is secreted by cytolytic lymphocytes, which improve clinical outcomes, this role of IFNγpresents a dichotomy. To explore this conundrum, tumor NOS2, COX2, and CD8+T cells were spatially analyzed in aggressive ER-, TNBC, and HER2+ breast tumors. High expression and clustering of NOS2-expressing tumor cells occurred at the tumor/stroma interface in the presence of stroma-restricted CD8+T cells. High expression and clustering of COX2-expressing tumor cells extended into immune desert regions in the tumor core where CD8+T cell penetration was limited or absent. Moreover, high NOS2-expressing tumor cells were proximal to areas with increased satellitosis suggestive of cell clusters with a higher metastatic potential. Furtherin vitroexperiments revealed that IFNγ+IL1β/TNFα increased elongation and migration of treated tumor cells. This spatial analysis of the tumor microenvironment provides important insight of distinct neighborhoods where stroma-restricted CD8+T cells exist proximal to NOS2-expressing tumor niches that could have increased metastatic potential.
Resistance Training Diminishes Mitochondrial Adaptations to Subsequent Endurance Training
Authors: Mesquita Paulo H. C. , Godwin Joshua S. , Ruple Bradley A. , Sexton Casey L. , McIntosh Mason C. , Mueller Breanna J. , Osburn Shelby C. , Mobley C. Brooks , Libardi Cleiton A. , Young Kaelin C. , Gladden L. Bruce , Roberts Michael D. , Kavazis Andreas N.
Published: April 2023

We investigated the effects of performing a period of resistance training (RT) on the performance and molecular adaptations to a subsequent period of endurance training (ET). Twenty-five young adults were divided into RT+ET (n=13), which underwent seven weeks of RT followed by seven weeks of ET, and ET-only (n=12), which performed seven weeks of ET. Body composition, endurance performance, and muscle biopsies were collected before RT (T1, baseline for RT+ET), before ET (T2, post RT for RT+ET and baseline for ET), and after ET (T3). Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine fiber cross-sectional area (fCSA), myonuclear content, myonuclear domain size, satellite cell number, and mitochondrial content. Western blots were used to quantify markers of mitochondrial remodeling. Citrate synthase activity and markers of ribosome content were also investigated. Resistance training improved body composition and strength, increased vastus lateralis thickness, mixed and type II fCSA, myonuclear number, markers of ribosome content, and satellite cell content (p<0.050). In response to ET, both groups similarly decreased body fat percentage and improved endurance performance (e.g., VO2max, and speed at which the onset of blood lactate accumulation occurred during the VO2max test). Levels of mitochondrial complexes I-IV in the ET-only group increased 32-66%, while the RT+ET group increased 1-11%. Additionally, mixed fiber relative mitochondrial content increased 15% in the ET-only group but decreased 13% in the RT+ET group. In conclusion, RT performed prior to ET had no additional benefits to ET adaptations. Moreover, prior RT seemed to impair mitochondrial adaptations to ET.

KEY POINTS SUMMARY

Resistance training is largely underappreciated as a method to improve endurance performance, despite reports showing it may improve mitochondrial function.

Although several concurrent training studies are available, in this study we investigated the effects of performing a period resistance training on the performance and molecular adaptations to subsequent endurance training.

Prior resistance training did not improve endurance performance and impaired most mitochondrial adaptations to subsequent endurance training, but that seemed to be a result of detraining from resistance training.
Identification of LMAN1 and SURF4 dependent secretory cargoes
Authors: Tang Vi T. , Abbineni Prabhodh S. , Veiga Leprevost Felipe da , Basrur Venkatesha , Emmer Brian T. , Nesvizhskii Alexey I. , Ginsburg David
Published: April 2023

Most proteins secreted into the extracellular space are first recruited from the endoplasmic reticulum into coat protein complex II (COPII)-coated vesicles or tubules that facilitate their transport to the Golgi apparatus. Although several secreted proteins have been shown to be actively recruited into COPII vesicles/tubules by the cargo receptors LMAN1 and SURF4, the full cargo repertoire of these receptors is unknown. We now report mass spectrometry analysis of conditioned media and cell lysates from HuH7 cells CRISPR targeted to inactivate theLMAN1orSURF4gene. We found that LMAN1 has limited clients in HuH7 cells whereas SURF4 traffics a broad range of cargoes. Analysis of putative SURF4 cargoes suggests that cargo recognition is governed by complex mechanisms rather than interaction with a universal binding motif.
Controlling morpho-electrophysiological variability of neurons with detailed biophysical models
Authors: Arnaudon Alexis , Reva Maria , Zbili Mickael , Markram Henry , Van Geit Werner , Kanari Lida
Published: April 2023

Variability is a universal feature among biological units such as neuronal cells as they enable a robust encoding of a high volume of information in neuronal circuits and prevent hyper synchronizations such as epileptic seizures. While most computational studies on electrophysiological variability in neuronal circuits were done with simplified neuron models, we instead focus on the variability of detailed biophysical models of neurons. With measures of experimental variability, we leverage a Markov chain Monte Carlo method to generate populations of electrical models able to reproduce the variability from sets of experimental recordings. By matching input resistances of soma and axon initial segments with the one of dendrites, we produce a compatible set of morphologies and electrical models that faithfully represent a given morpho-electrical type. We demonstrate our approach on layer 5 pyramidal cells with continuous adapting firing type and show that morphological variability is insufficient to reproduce electrical variability. Overall, this approach provides a strong statistical basis to create detailed models of neurons with controlled variability.
The microbiota and immune system non-genetically affect offspring phenotypes transgenerationally
Authors: Harris Jordan C. , Trigg Natalie A. , Goshu Bruktawit , Yokoyama Yuichi , Dohnalová Lenka , White Ellen K. , Harman Adele , Thaiss Christoph A. , Grice Elizabeth A. , Conine Colin C. , Kambayashi Taku
Published: April 2023

Summary paragraph

The host-microbiota relationship has evolved to shape mammalian processes, including immunity, metabolism, and development1–3. Host phenotypes change in direct response to microbial exposures by the individual. Here we show that the microbiota induces phenotypic change not only in the individual but also in their succeeding generations of progeny. We found that germ-free mice exhibit a robust sebum secretion defect and transcriptional changes in various organs, persisting across multiple generations despite microbial colonization and breeding with conventional mice. Host-microbe interactions could be involved in this process, since T cell-deficient mice, which display defective sebum secretion4, also transgenerationally transmit their phenotype to progeny. These phenotypes are inherited by progeny conceived duringin vitrofertilization using germ-free sperm and eggs, demonstrating that epigenetic information in the gametes is required for phenotypic transmission. Accordingly, small non-coding RNAs that can regulate embryonic gene expression5were strikingly and similarly altered in gametes of germ-free and T cell-deficient mice. Thus, we have uncovered a novel mechanism whereby the microbiota and immune system induce phenotypic changes in successive generations of offspring. This epigenetic form of inheritance could be advantageous for host adaptation to environmental perturbation, where phenotypic diversity can be introduced more rapidly than by genetic mutation.
CellCover Captures Neural Stem Cell Progression in Mammalian Neocortical Development
Authors: Ji Lanlan , Wang An , Sonthalia Shreyash , Naiman Daniel Q , Younes Laurent , Colantuoni Carlo , Geman Donald
Published: April 2023

Definition of cell classes across the tissues of living organisms is central in the analysis of growing atlases of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data across biomedicine. Marker genes for cell classes are most often defined by differential expression (DE) methods that serially assess individual genes across landscapes of diverse cells. This serial approach has been extremely useful, but is limited because it ignores possible redundancy or complementarity across genes that can only be captured by analyzing multiple genes simultaneously. We aim to identify discriminating panels of genes. To efficiently explore the vast space of possible marker panels, leverage the large number of cells often sequenced, and overcome zero-inflation in scRNA-seq data, we propose viewing gene panel selection as a variation of the "minimal set-covering problem" in combinatorial optimization. We show that this new method, CellCover, captures cell-class-specific signals in the developing mouse neocortex that are distinct from those defined by DE methods. Transfer learning experiments across mouse, primate, and human data demonstrate that CellCover identifies markers of conserved cell classes in neurogenesis, as well as temporal progression in both progenitors and neurons. Exploring markers of human outer radial glia (oRG, or basal RG) across mammals, we show that transcriptomic elements of this key cell type in the expansion of the human cortex appeared in gliogenic precursors of the rodent before the full program emerged in the primate lineage. We have assembled the public datasets we use in this report at NeMO analytics where the expression of individual genes {NeMO Individual Genes} and marker gene panels can be freely explored {NeMO: Telley 3 Sets Covering Panels}, {NeMO: Telley 12 Sets Covering Panels}, and {NeMO: Sorted Brain Cell Covering Panels}. CellCover is available in {CellCover R} and {CellCover Python}.
Joint Effects of Indoor Air Pollution and Maternal Psychosocial Factors During Pregnancy on Trajectories of Early Childhood Psychopathology
Authors: Christensen Grace M. , Marcus Michele , Vanker Aneesa , Eick Stephanie M. , Malcolm-Smith Susan , Suglia Shakira F. , Chang Howard H. , Zar Heather J. , Stein Dan J. , Hüls Anke
Published: April 2023

Background

Prenatal indoor air pollution and maternal psychosocial factors have been associated with adverse psychopathology. We used environmental exposure mixture methodology to investigate joint effects of both exposure classes on child behavior trajectories.

Methods

For 360 children from the South African Drakenstein Child Health Study, we created trajectories of Child Behavior Checklist scores (24, 42, 60 months) using latent class linear mixed effects models. Indoor air pollutants and psychosocial factors were measured during pregnancy (2ndtrimester). After adjusting for confounding, single-exposure effects (per natural log-1 unit increase) were assessed using polytomous logistic regression models; joint effects using self-organizing maps (SOM), and principal component (PC) analysis.

Results

High externalizing trajectory was associated with increased particulate matter (PM10) exposure (OR [95%-CI]: 1.25 [1.01,1.55]) and SOM exposure profile most associated with smoking (2.67 [1.14,6.27]). Medium internalizing trajectory was associated with increased emotional intimate partner violence (2.66 [1.17,5.57]), increasing trajectory with increased benzene (1.24 [1.02,1.51]) and toluene (1.21 [1.02,1.44]) and the PC most correlated with benzene and toluene (1.25 [1.02, 1.54]).

Conclusions

Prenatal exposure to environmental pollutants and psychosocial factors was associated with internalizing and externalizing child behavior trajectories. Understanding joint effects of adverse exposure mixtures will facilitate targeted interventions to prevent childhood psychopathology.
A multilayered post-GWAS analysis pipeline defines functional variants and target genes for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Authors: Fazel-Najafabadi Mehdi , Looger Loren L. , Reddy-Rallabandi Harikrishna , Nath Swapan K.
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease with incompletely understood etiology, has a strong genetic component. Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed multiple SLE susceptibility loci and associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the precise causal variants, target genes, cell types, tissues, and mechanisms of action remain largely unknown.

Methods

Here, we report a comprehensive post-GWAS analysis using extensive bioinformatics, molecular modeling, and integrative functional genomic and epigenomic analyses to optimize fine-mapping. We compile and cross-reference immune cell-specific expression quantitative trait loci (cis- andtrans-eQTLs) with promoter-capture Hi-C, allele-specific chromatin accessibility, and massively parallel reporter assay data to define predisposing variants and target genes. We experimentally validate a predicted locus using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, qPCR, and Western blot.

Results

Anchoring on 452 index SNPs, we selected 9,931 high-linkage disequilibrium (r2>0.8) SNPs and defined 182 independent non-HLA SLE loci. 3,746 SNPs from 143 loci were identified as regulating 564 unique genes. Target genes are enriched in lupus-related tissues and associated with other autoimmune diseases. Of these, 329 SNPs (106 loci) showed significant allele-specific chromatin accessibility and/or enhancer activity, indicating regulatory potential. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we validated rs57668933 as a functional variant regulating multiple targets, including SLE risk geneELF1, in B-cells.

Conclusion

We demonstrate and validate post-GWAS strategies for utilizing multi-dimensional data to prioritize likely causal variants with cognate gene targets underlying SLE pathogenesis. Our results provide a catalog of significantly SLE-associated SNPs and loci, target genes, and likely biochemical mechanisms, to guide experimental characterization.
Differences in the regulation mechanisms of the glutamine synthetase from methanogenic archaea unveiled by structural investigations
Authors: Müller Marie-Caroline , Lemaire Olivier N. , Kurth Julia M. , Welte Cornelia U. , Wagner Tristan
Published: April 2023

Glutamine synthetases catalyze the ATP-dependent ammonium assimilation, the initial step of nitrogen acquisition that must be tightly regulated to fit cellular needs. While their catalytic mechanisms and regulation are well-characterized in bacteria and eukaryotes, only limited knowledge exists about the archaeal representatives. Here, we natively purified the glutamine synthetases type I-α fromMethanothermococcus thermolithotrophicusandMethermicoccus shengliensis, two thermophilic methanogens belonging to different orders. Biochemical investigations combined with X-ray crystallography unveiled the first structures of archaeal glutamine synthetases and highlighted differences in their regulation. The enzyme fromM. thermolithotrophicusis inactive in its resting state and employs 2-oxoglutarate as an on-switch. The 2-oxoglutarate acts as a sensor of cellular nitrogen deficiency, and its reported cellular concentration remarkably overlays with that required for the enzyme activation. Its binding to an allosteric pocket leads to the reconfiguration of the active site and promotes a catalytically competent state. The homolog fromM. shengliensisdoes not harbor the 2-oxoglutarate binding motif and, consequently, is 2-oxoglutarate insensitive. Instead, it is directly feedback-inhibited by glutamine, as shown for bacterial homologs. The glutamine inhibition depends on a key arginine residue from the Asp50’-loop. The arginine is substituted by a glycine inM. thermolithotrophicus, abolishing the inhibitory effect. While the effectors are surprisingly different, the molecular switch controlling the glutamine synthetase activity is fundamentally the same and depends on the correct positioning of the Asp50’-loop and a catalytic arginine. Residue conservation suggests that both regulation mechanisms are widespread and not mutually exclusive across archaea.
[3-Methoxy-5-(methoxycarbonyl)isoxazol-4-yl](4-methoxyphenyl)iodonium 2,2,2-trifluoroacetate
Authors: Abdul Manan Mohd Abdul Fatah , Cordes David B. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , O'Hagan David
Published: April 2023

A new isoxazole-based iodonoium salt, C13H13INO5
+·C2F3O2
−, has been synthesized and structurally characterized. In the crystal, ions are linked by short I...O contacts to form a neutral tetra-ion aggregate. These combine with C—H...F and C—H...O interactions to form double-layered two-dimensional sheets in the (001) plane.
Data-driven human resource and data-driven talent management in internal and recruitment communication strategies: an empirical survey on Italian firms and insights for European context
Authors: Conte Francesca , Siano Alfonso
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Previous research assumes that technologies 4.0, particularly big data, may be highly relevant for organizations to increase human resources (HR) communication strategies, but the research provides little or no evidence on whether and how these tools are applied in employees and labor market relations. This study intends to offer a first insight on the adoption of data-driven HR/talent management approach, contributing to the ongoing debate on the Industry 4.0. This study aims to investigate the use of 4.0 technologies in HR and talent management functions, focusing also on the adoption of big data analytics for internal and recruitment communication.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis of the literature enables to define the research questions and an exploratory web survey was carried out through a structured questionnaire. The analysis unit of the empirical survey includes the communication and marketing managers of 90 organizations in Italy, examined in the Mediobanca Report on the “Main Italian Companies.”

Findings

Findings highlight a lack of the use of 4.0 technologies and big data analytics in employee and labor market relations and reveal some sectoral differences in the adoption of 4.0 technologies. Moreover, the study points out that the development of HR analytics is hampered by short-term perspective, data quality problems and the lack of analytics skills.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the exploratory research design and the circumscribed sample from a single country (Italy), further cross-national evidence is needed. This study provides digital communication managers with useful insights to improve the data-driven HR/talent management approach, which is a strategic asset for ensuring a sustainable competitive advantage and optimizing business performance.

Originality/value

The study offers an overview about the use of big data analytics in internal and recruitment communications. Considering the alignment between Italian and European trends in the use of big data and in the adoption of HR analytics, the study can provide insights also for other European organization.
Personal data and personalisation in media: experts’ perceptions of value, benefits, and risks
Authors: Van Buggenhout Natasja , Van den Broeck Wendy , Van Zeeland Ine , Pierson Jo
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Media users daily exchange personal data for “free” personalised media. Is this a fair trade, or user “exploitation”? Do personalisation benefits outweigh privacy risks?

Design/methodology/approach

This study surveyed experts in three consecutive online rounds (e-Delphi). The authors explored personal data processing value for media, personalisation relevance, benefits and risks for users. The authors scrutinised the value-exchange between media and users and determined whether media communicate transparently, or use “dark patterns” to obtain more personal data.

Findings

Communication to users must be clear, correct and concise (prevent user deception). Experts disagree on “payment” with personal data for “free” personalised media. This study discerned obstacles and solutions to substantially balance the interests of media and users (fair value exchange). Personal data processing must be transparent, profitable to media and users. Media can agree “sector-wide” on personalisation transparency. Fair, secure and transparent information disclosure to media is possible through shared responsibility and effort.

Originality/value

This study’s innovative contribution is threefold: Firstly, focus on professional stakeholders’ opinion in the value network. Secondly, recommendations to clearly communicate personalised media value, benefits and risks to users. This allows media to create codes of conduct that increase user trust. Thirdly, expanding literature explaining how media realise personal data value, deal with stakeholder interests and position themselves in the data processing debate. This research improves understanding of personal data value, processing benefits and potential risks in a regional context and European regulatory framework.
The influence of perceived organizational exploitation on frontline hospitality employees’ workplace deviance: an organizational justice perspective
Authors: Huang Xian , Ye Yijiao , Wang Zhao , Liu Xinyu , Lyu Yijing
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Drawing on organizational justice theory, this study aims to investigate how perceived organizational exploitation induces frontline hospitality employees’ organizational and interpersonal deviance. Specifically, this study explored the mediating effect of distributive and procedural justice, as well as the moderating effect of justice sensitivity.

Design/methodology/approach

The focal research analyzed multiphase survey data from 267 frontline service employees with structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results revealed that perceived organizational exploitation induced frontline hospitality employees’ organizational and interpersonal deviance through their perceptions of distributive and procedural justice. Moreover, employees’ justice sensitivity amplified perceived organizational exploitation’s harmful impact on justice perceptions and its conditional influence on organizational and interpersonal deviance.

Practical implications

Organizations should take actions to reduce the occurrence of exploitation to prevent employees’ workplace deviance behaviors. Moreover, organizations can foster employees’ justice perceptions and take care of employees with strong justice sensitivity to reduce the destructive behaviors triggered by organizational exploitation.

Originality/value

By investigating frontline employees’ workplace deviant behaviors, this research identifies new outcomes of exploitation by hospitality organizations. Moreover, the research contributes by offering a justice-based perspective to understand the effects of perceived organizational exploitation. Furthermore, this research helps identify a new boundary condition of being exploited by organizations.
Insights into managerial responses to repeat customers: the moderating role of social influence and revisit intention
Authors: Ji Xiaoxian , Nicolau Juan Luis , Liu Xianwei
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Repeat customers play an important role in the restaurant sector. Previous studies have confirmed the positive effect of managerial responses on customer relationship management. However, the practice of managerial response strategies toward repeat customers in the restaurant sector remains unclear. This study aims to explore how social influence and the revisit intention of customers affect the responding behavior of restaurant managers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collects information of 251,944 customer reviews and managerial responses from 1,272 restaurants on Yelp (a leading restaurant review website around the world) and builds four econometric models (with restaurant and month fixed effects) to test the hypotheses empirically.

Findings

The empirical results show that restaurant managers are less likely to respond to reviews posted by repeat customers (10% lower than that of new customers). This effect is moderated by customer social influence, which entails that repeat customers with great social influence are more likely to receive managerial responses. Moreover, reviews from repeat customers who have had a longer time since their last consumption are also more likely to receive managerial responses.

Practical implications

The results present implications for restaurant managers in business practice regarding managerial response. Managers should take advantage of platform designs and tools (i.e. customer relationship management programs to keep track of repeat customers) to locate repeat customers and avoid the potential negative effects caused by their selected response strategies.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first attempts to examine empirically how restaurant managers respond to reviews generated by repeat customers in real business practice and reveals what drives such activities from the perspectives of social influence and revisit intention.
Generalized new exponentially weighted moving average control charts (NEWMA) for monitoring process dispersion
Authors: Ajibade Ganiyu Ayodele , Ajadi Jimoh Olawale , Kuboye Olusola John , Alih Ekele
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This work aims to focuse on improving the performance of the new exponentially weighted moving average (NEWMA) scheme for monitoring process dispersion. The authors use the generalized time-varying fast initial response (GFIR) to further enhance the detection ability of variability NEWMA control charts at the process startup. The performance of the proposed chart and other schemes discussed in this article are evaluated; and compared using the average run length (ARL) and standard deviation run length (SDRL) measures. It is observed that the ARL of the proposed scheme is quicker in detecting small and moderate shifts in the process dispersion than its counterparts. The real-life application of the proposed scheme is presented.

Design/methodology/approach

The dynamic parameter of GFIR is used to enhance the detection ability of variability NEWMA control charts. The authors apply GFIR to the control limit of variability NEWMA scheme. This further narrows the control limit, hence enabling it to swiftly detect small and moderate changes in process dispersion.

Findings

The authors present the performance comparisons by examining the ARL properties of the proposed chart and its counterparts. The performance comparison shows that the proposed chart is highly sensitive in detecting small and intermediate process shifts. The real-life application presented also supports the study’s conclusion from the simulation studies. The performance comparison of the proposed chart and its counterparts shows that the proposed scheme is efficient in detecting process abnormalities, especially at the startup.

Originality/value

In terms of the control limits, the proposed chart is the generalized variability NEWMA control chart in which all the previously proposed NEWMA variant schemes can be obtained. Also, the newly proposed control scheme is more efficient in detecting small or moderate persistent shifts in the process dispersion.
Can social inclusion policies promote financial inclusion?
Authors: Ozili Peterson K.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether social inclusion policies promote financial inclusion. Three social inclusion policies were analyzed: gender equality policies, environmental sustainability policies and social protection (SP) policies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the panel fixed effect regression methodology to analyze data from 48 low- and medium-income countries.

Findings

The results show that social inclusion policies do not have a significant effect on financial inclusion. Also, the older population is less likely to own an account at a formal financial institution in low- and medium-income countries that have strong environmental sustainability policies and institutions. The implication of the finding is that the policies and institutions established to promote environmental sustainability can discourage the older population from keeping the population's wealth in formal financial institutions in the country.

Practical implications

Policy makers should consider how social and environmental policies and programs can be designed to promote financial inclusion for older individuals in the individuals' countries.

Originality/value

The financial inclusion literature has not considered the role of social inclusion policies in promoting financial inclusion for individuals, businesses and the excluded groups in a country.
Islamic banking in Bangladesh: a literature review and future research agenda
Authors: Hassan M. Kabir , İslam Muhammed Tarık , Ahmed Zobayer , Sarker Jahidul Islam
Published: April 2023

Purpose

In recent years, Islamic banking (IB) has received a lot of scholarly interest, as seen by the substantial increase in publications on the subject worldwide. The increasing rate of publications on IB indicates that this subject has attracted a substantial amount of scholarly attention. It has also been a prioritized topic for many banking and financial scholars in Bangladesh. This paper aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis to assess the research on IB in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

The method used in this study is a bibliometric analysis of the sample literature collected in January 2022 from the SCOPUS database. The sample size of the study is 120 articles published between 1999 and 2021 which meet the specific selection criteria. To analyze the data, software such as Rstudio (Rshiny), Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer have been used. The analyses were performed in three broad categories: overall performance indicators, citation analysis and cross-dimensional keyword analysis, followed by a brief content analysis that identifies research streams.

Findings

This paper shows a notable increase in the number of publications between 2012 and 2021 with Alam M.K. being the highest contributor to this momentum publishing 12 articles. The findings also highlight the most contributing countries, organizations, publications, articles, sources and subjects. Out of 120 articles, this study has identified 14 research streams that have already been investigated by previous authors. The research streams include the growth of IB in Bangladesh; corporate social responsibility; Islamic human resource management; comparative study; customer satisfaction; development issues; efficiency of Islamic banks; green banking; Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited; IB industry; Islamic finance; Islamic microfinance; Shariah governance; and theoretical aspects of IB in Bangladesh. This study further identified future research agenda with specific research questions.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to journal articles published in English in Scopus-indexed publications. Further research could include various databases, such as the Web of Science, and increase studied units. While this study focused only on bibliometric analysis and research streams, future studies may center on the systematic review of articles published on specific topics.

Originality/value

Although IB is a rising sector in the financial system of Bangladesh, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first bibliometric analysis of IB in Bangladesh. The 14 research streams identified in this study also uniquely provide 10 future research agendas with 39 specific research questions.