bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zea mays genotype influences microbial and viral rhizobiome community structure
Authors: Yadav Pooja , Quattrone Amanda , Yang Yuguo , Owens Jacob , Kiat Rebecca , Kuppusamy Thirumurugen , Russo Sabrina E. , Weber Karrie A.
Published: June 2023

Plant genotype is recognized to contribute to variations in microbial community structure in the rhizosphere, soil adherent to roots. However, the extent to which the viral community varies has remained poorly understood and has the potential to contribute to variation in soil microbial communities. Here we cultivated replicates of two different genotypes ofZea mays parviglumisandZ. maysgenotype B73 in a greenhouse and harvested the rhizobiome (rhizoplane and rhizosphere) to identify the abundance of cells and viruses as well as apply 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and genome resolved metagenomics to identify the rhizobiome microbial and viral community. Our results demonstrate that viruses exceeded microbial abundance in the rhizobiome ofparviglumisand B73 with a significant variation in both, the microbial and viral community between the two genotypes. Of the viral contigs identified only 4.5% (n =7) of total viral contigs were shared between the two genotypes, demonstrating that plants even at the level of genotype can significantly alter the surrounding soil viral community. An auxiliary metabolic gene associated with glycoside hydrolase (GH5) degradation was identified in one viral metagenome-assembled genome (vMAG) identified in the B73 rhizobiome infecting Propionibacteriaceae (Actinobacteriota) further demonstrating the viral contribution in metabolic potential for carbohydrate degradation and carbon cycling in the rhizosphere. This variation demonstrates the potential of plant genotype to contribute to microbial and viral heterogeneity in soil systems and harbor genes capable of contributing to carbon cycling in the rhizosphere.
Follow and spread the word: the effects of avatars and message framing in promoting fact checking posts on social media
Authors: Hou Jian-Ren , Kankham Sarawut
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Fact-checking is a process of seeking and displaying facts to confirm or counter uncertain information, which reduces the spread of fake news. However, little is known about how to promote fact-checking posts to online users on social media. Through uncertainty reduction theory and message framing, this first study examines the effect of fact-checking posts on social media with an avatar on online users' trust, attitudes, and behavioral intentions. The authors further investigate the congruency effects between promotional message framing (gain/loss/neutral) and facial expressions of the avatar (happy/angry/neutral) on online users' trust, attitudes, and behavioral intentions in the second study.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted two studies and statistically analyzed 120 samples (study 1) and 519 samples (study 2) from Facebook users.

Findings

Results showed that including the neutral facial expression avatar in fact-checking posts leads to online users' greater trust and more positive attitudes. Furthermore, the congruency effects between loss message framing and the angry facial expression of the avatar can effectively promote online users' trust and attitudes as well as stronger intentions to follow and share.

Originality/value

This study offers theoretical implications for fact-checking studies, and practical implications for online fact-checkers to apply these findings to design effective fact-checking posts and spread the veracity of information on social media.
Analyzing sustainable reverse logistics capability and triple bottom line: the mediating role of sustainability culture
Authors: Can Saglam Yesim
Published: June 2023

Purpose

To overcome the various pressures related to the environmental damage raised by production processes, enhancing sustainable reverse logistics (SRL) capability is a new road for manufacturing companies, as it facilitates them to have more sustainable operations by increasing different performance outputs. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the SRL capability and the triple bottom line (TBL) i.e. economic, social and environmental performance in the context of Turkey's manufacturing industry. The mediating role of sustainability culture has also been examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey data obtained from the Turkish manufacturing industry, the partial least square path modeling technique of structural equation modeling has been applied to test the research hypothesis.

Findings

The results of the study indicate that the SRL capability generates not only outstanding environmental and economic gains but also social benefits. The authors also find that sustainability culture is positively associated with environmental and social performance, yet not economic performance. In addition, the findings indicate sustainability culture mediates the relationship between SRL capability and social performance.

Originality/value

This study expands the frontier of managerial knowledge by highlighting the importance of SRL capability for sustainability and exhibiting evidence of the business value of enhancing SRL capability and sustainability culture.
Managing burnout from engagement-derived acting strategy
Authors: Prentice Catherine , Snell Lan , Sok Phyra
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Performing emotional labour is required of customer-contact employees (CCEs) to regulate their emotions through acting to conform to organisational display rules. Prior research is focused on investigating the detrimental outcomes of CCEs engaging in emotional labour acting to meet these display rules and organisational-related antecedents. This study takes a fresh perspective to propose how acting deriving from job engagement is related to employee burnout. Emotional intelligence is modelled as a moderator in these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study focuses on customer contact employees who are currently employed within the banking industry located in the United States of America. Participants of the study were recruited using panel data through Qualtrics both symmetrical and asymmetrical methods were employed in this study to test the proposed relationships.

Findings

The findings show that, prior to including EI in the analysis, job engagement was negatively related to surface acting but positively related to deep acting. However, when EI was entered in the equation, the relationship between job engagement and deep acting became negative. EI was also negatively related to both surface and deep acting. EI significantly strengthens the emotional labour process of engagement towards emotional labour strategies as well as lessening burnout. The asymmetrical analysis offer more insights to the proposed relationships.

Originality/value

This study employs both symmetrical and asymmetrical methods to examine emotional labour, emotional intelligence and employee burnout. In particular, job engagement proposed as an antecedent to acting strategy is novel. The study offers some novel insights into emotional labour and emotional intelligence research. The findings have practical implications for HR practitioners and management in the service organisations.
A modified exposed endoscopic full‐thickness resection: Traction‐assisted resection while defect closing
Authors: Ru Nan , Li Long Song , Bi Ya Wei , Gao Fei , Zhang Bo , Chai Ning Li , Linghu En Qiang
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Exposed endoscopic full‐thickness resection (Eo‐EFTR) has proven effective and economical for patients with gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs), showing great prospects. However, the poor operative field of view, the risk of tumors falling into the peritoneal cavity, especially the difficulties in defect closure, have limited its widespread application. Herein, we described a modified traction‐assisted Eo‐EFTR technique aimed at simplifying both the dissection and defect closure procedures.

Methods

Nineteen patients who underwent the modified Eo‐EFTR for gastric SMTs in the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital were enrolled in the study. Following a 2/3 circumferential full‐thickness incision, a clip with dental floss was anchored to the resected part of the tumor surface. With the dental floss traction, the gastric defect was reshaped into a V shape, which facilitated the deployment of clips to close the defect. The defect closure and tumor dissection procedures were then performed alternately. Patients’ demographics, tumor characteristics, and therapeutic outcomes were evaluated retrospectively.

Results

All tumors had an R0 resection. The median procedure time was 43 min (range 28–89 min). No severe perioperative adverse events occurred. Two patients experienced transient fever, and three patients complained of mild abdominal pain on the first day after the operation. All patients recovered on the next day with conservative management. No residual lesion or recurrence was reported during the follow‐up period of 30.1 months.

Conclusion

The safety and practicability of the modified technique might allow for wide clinical applications of Eo‐EFTR in gastric SMTs.
Mepimbat tedul proujek: Indigenous knowledge of culturally significant freshwater turtles addresses species knowledge gaps in Northern Australia
Authors: Russell Shaina Rose , Sultana Rukshana , Rangers Ngukurr Yangbala , Ens Emilie J.
Published: June 2023

Indigenous biocultural knowledge offers valuable insights for species conservation; however, like biological diversity, associated cultural knowledge is also often threatened. This paper demonstrates how Indigenous biocultural knowledge of species can contribute to addressing gaps in species occurrence data and conservation knowledge using a case study from the South East Arnhem Land Indigenous Protected Area (SEAL IPA), northern Australia. Using a series of mapping workshops and interviews this collaborative project recorded Indigenous biocultural knowledge of the distribution, ecology, cultural significance and threats to freshwater turtles (freshwoda teduls in the local Indigenous language, Roper River Kriol). Based on past freshwoda tedul hunting experiences, 74 Indigenous knowledge holders identified 753 past freshwoda tedul occurrences, significantly adding to the 12 occurrences previously listed for the SEAL IPA in Australia's online species database, the Atlas of Living Australia. Importantly, these were the first ‘memory’ records of past species sightings by Indigenous people to be recognized and added to Australia's national species database. In addition, a blog summarizing this research was promoted through the Atlas of Living Australia, raising awareness of the Indigenous biocultural knowledge associated with these species. The Mepimbat tedul proujek revealed the cultural significance of freshwoda teduls and reported declines in abundance since the turn of the century, implicating invasive hard‐hooved ungulates (buffalo, pig) and reduced rainfall. The addition of non‐sacred Indigenous knowledge to free online species databases may offer innovative solutions for storage, interaction and sharing of indigenous knowledge, with opportunities for intergenerational and cross‐cultural learning and broader application in conservation management and decision‐making.
Excessive workload and insufficient night‐shift remuneration are key elements of dissatisfaction at work for French neonatologists
Authors: Zana‐Taïeb Elodie , Kermorvant Elsa , Beuchée Alain , Patkaï Juliana , Rozé Jean‐Christophe , Torchin Héloïse ,   on the behalf of the French Society of Neonatology
Published: June 2023

Aim

Neonatologists are exposed to ethical issues and unplanned emergencies that require 24‐h in‐house coverage. These elements may affect quality of life at work, which we surveyed.

Methods

This was a self‐administered, voluntary and anonymous cross‐sectional survey of French neonatologists. An online questionnaire was sent to members of the French Society of Neonatology from June to October 2022.

Results

Of approximately 1500 possible responses, 721 were analysed, with a response rate of 48%. Respondents were mostly women (77%), aged 35–50 years (50%), and hospital practitioners (63%). Reported weekly working time was over 50 h for 80%. Among the 650 neonatologists with on‐call duty, 47% worked ≥5 shifts per month. For 80% of practitioners, on‐call duty was perceived to have a negative impact on personal life; 49% indicated having sleep disorders. The mean satisfaction score at work was 5.7 ± 1.7 on a scale of 0–10. The main reasons for dissatisfaction were excessive working hours and insufficient remuneration for on‐call duty.

Conclusion

This first evaluation of the quality of life at work of French neonatologists showed high workload. The working conditions and specificities of NICU activity may have significant consequences for their mental health.
Multi agent deep reinforcement learning for resource allocation in container‐based clouds environments
Authors: Nagarajan S. , Rani P. Shobha , Vinmathi M. S. , Subba Reddy V. , Saleth Angel Latha Mary , Abdus Subhahan D.
Published: June 2023

Virtualization enables the deployment of several virtual servers on the same physical layer, critical component of the cloud. As cloud services advance, more apps that use repositories are developed, which adds to the overburden. Containers have evolved into the most reliable and lightweight virtualization technology for cloud services thanks to their flexible sorting, mobility, and scalability. In container‐based clouds, containers can potentially cut data centre energy usage more than virtual machines (VMs) do. Containers are less energy intensive than VMs. Resource allocation is the most prevalent method in cloud systems. However, resource allocation in container‐based clouds (RAC) is innovative and complicated due to its two‐level architecture. This includes the pairing of virtual machines and physical computers with containers. In cloud container services, planner components are essential. This lowers expenses while improving the performance and variety of workloads using cloud resources. The cloud infrastructure resource allocation framework is gaining popularity since it is energy‐efficient and focuses on cloud data management to maximize income and minimize costs. In this paper, we proposed a deep learning‐based architecture capable of achieving high data centre energy efficiency and preventing Service Level Agreement (SLA) violations from deploying green cloud resources. This research describes a hybrid optimum and multi‐agent deep reinforcement learning (MADRL) technique for dynamic task scheduling (DTS) in a container cloud environment. The MADRL‐DTS model for the RAC problem considers VM overheads, VM types, and an affinity restriction. Then, to address the RAC issue, we develop a DTS hyper‐heuristic technique. MADRL‐RAC may give allocation rules by recognizing workload trends and VM types from previous workload traces. Compared to modern procedures, the results demonstrate a significant reduction in energy consumption. The evaluation for energy‐efficient resource allocation is tested in several virtualized environments to get a high power usage effectiveness and CPU usage.
Mapping global soil acidification under N deposition
Authors: Chen Chen , Xiao Wenya , Chen Han Y. H.
Published: June 2023

Soil pH is critically important in regulating soil nutrients and thus influencing the biodiversity and ecosystem functions of terrestrial ecosystems. Despite the ongoing threat of nitrogen (N) pollution especially in the fast‐developing regions, it remains unclear how increasing N deposition affects soil pH across global terrestrial ecosystems. By conducting a global meta‐analysis with paired observations of soil pH under N addition and control from 634 studies spanning major types of terrestrial ecosystems, we show that soil acidification increases rapidly with N addition amount and is most severe in neutral‐pH soils. Grassland soil pH decreases most strongly under high N addition while wetlands are the least acidified. By extrapolating these relationships to global mapping, we reveal that atmospheric N deposition leads to a global average soil pH decline of −0.16 in the past 40 years and regions encompassing Eastern United States, Southern Brazil, Europe, and South and East Asia are the hotspots of soil acidification under N deposition. Our results highlight that anthropogenically amplified atmospheric N deposition has profoundly altered global soil pH and chemistry. They suggest that atmospheric N deposition is a major threat to global terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
Tumor steatosis and glutamine synthetase expression in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy
Authors: Kurebayashi Yutaka , Tsujikawa Hanako , Sugimoto Katsutoshi , Yunaiyama Daisuke , Araki Yoichi , Saito Kazuhiro , Takahashi Hiroshi , Kakegawa Tatsuya , Wada Takuya , Tomita Yusuke , Abe Masakazu , Yoshimasu Yu , Takeuchi Hirohito , Hirata Taiki , Sakamaki Kentaro , Kakimi Kazuhiro , Nagao Toshitaka , Itoi Takao , Sakamoto Michiie
Published: June 2023

Aim

The anti‐programmed death‐ligand 1 antibody atezolizumab and vascular endothelial growth factor‐neutralizing antibody bevacizumab in combination (Atezo + Bev) have become the first‐line therapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Distinct types of tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and their associations with specific molecular subclasses and driver gene mutations have been identified in HCC; however, these insights are mainly based on surgically resected early‐stage tumors. The current study aimed to reveal the biology and TIME of advanced HCC and their significance in predicting clinical outcomes of Atezo + Bev therapy.

Methods

Thirty‐three patients with advanced HCC who were scheduled for treatment with Atezo + Bev therapy were included in this study. Pretreatment tumor biopsy, pre‐ and posttreatment diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with nine b values (0–1500 s/mm2), and other clinicopathologic factors were analyzed.

Results

Compared with resectable HCC, advanced HCC was characterized by higher proliferative activity, a higher frequency of Wnt/β‐catenin‐activated HCC, and lower lymphocytic infiltration. Prognostically, two metabolism‐related factors, histopathologically determined tumor steatosis and/or glutamine synthetase (GS) expression, and MRI‐determined tumor steatosis, were the most significant prognostic indicators for progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival after Atezo + Bev therapy. Furthermore, changes in the pre‐ and posttreatment true diffusion coefficients on MRI, which might reflect changes in TIME after treatment, were significantly associated with better PFS.

Conclusions

The biology and TIME of HCC were strikingly different in advanced HCC compared with those of surgically resected HCC. Two metabolism‐related factors, pathologically determined tumor steatosis and/or GS expression, and MRI‐determined tumor steatosis, were found to be the most significant prognostic indicators for Atezo + Bev therapy in advanced HCC.
Reciprocity, Vulnerability, and the Moral Significance of Herd Immunity
Authors: Bernstein Justin , Navin Mark
Published: June 2023

This article proposes a novel defense of vaccine mandates: such policies are justifiable because they protect the capabilities of individuals who cannot cultivate individual immunity against infection. We begin by considering a nearby argument that has recently enjoyed popularity, which claims individuals have an enforceable obligation to get vaccinated because they have benefited from community protection (often referred to as ‘herd immunity’), and thus they ought to do their fair share in sustaining that public good by getting vaccinated. We object, however, that this kind of argument misstates the ethical basis for vaccine mandates because community protection primarily protects unvaccinated people. We contend that the duty to vaccinate is not fundamentally an obligation to make a fair contribution to a public good from which vaccinated people benefit, but a duty to protect the wellbeing of otherwise vulnerable third parties. We flesh out our view by drawing on Martha Nussbaum's capabilities approach.
The molecular and clinical role of Tensin 1/2/3 in cancer
Authors: Mainsiouw Laurensius , Ryan Matthew Edward , Hafizi Sassan , Fleming Jason C.
Published: June 2023

Tensin 1 was originally described as a focal adhesion adaptor protein, playing a role in extracellular matrix and cytoskeletal interactions. Three other Tensin proteins were subsequently discovered, and the family was grouped as Tensin. It is now recognized that these proteins interact with multiple cell signalling cascades that are implicated in tumorigenesis. To understand the role of Tensin 1–3 in neoplasia, current molecular evidence is categorized by the hallmarks of cancer model. Additionally, clinical data involving Tensin 1–3 are reviewed to investigate the correlation between cellular effects and clinical phenotype. Tensin proteins commonly interact with the tumour suppressor, DLC1. The ability of Tensin to promote tumour progression is directly correlated with DLC1 expression. Members of the Tensin family appear to have tumour subtype‐dependent effects on oncogenesis; despite numerous data evidencing a tumour suppressor role for Tensin 2, association of Tensins 1–3 with an oncogenic role notably in colorectal carcinoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is of potential clinical relevance. The complex interplay between these focal adhesion adaptor proteins and signalling pathways are discussed to provide an up to date review of their role in cancer biology.
Trends in healthy days at home for Medicare beneficiaries using the emergency department
Authors: Burke Laura G. , Burke Ryan C. , Duggan Ciara E. , Figueroa Jose F. , Orav E. John , Marcantonio Edward R.
Published: June 2023

Background

Older adults, particularly those with Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD), have high rates of emergency department (ED) visits and are at risk for poor outcomes. How best to measure quality of care for this population has been debated. Healthy Days at Home (HDAH) is a broad outcome measure reflecting mortality and time spent in facility‐based healthcare settings versus home. We examined trends in 30‐day HDAH for Medicare beneficiaries after visiting the ED and compared trends by AD/ADRD status.

Methods

We identified all ED visits among a national 20% sample of Medicare beneficiaries ages 68 and older from 2012 to 2018. For each visit, we calculated 30‐day HDAH by subtracting mortality days and days spent in facility‐based healthcare settings within 30 days of an ED visit. We calculated adjusted rates of HDAH using linear regression, accounting for hospital random effects, visit diagnosis, and patient characteristics. We compared rates of HDAH among beneficiaries with and without AD/ADRD, including accounting for nursing home (NH) residency status.

Results

We found fewer adjusted 30‐day HDAH after ED visits among patients with AD/ADRD compared to those without AD/ADRD (21.6 vs. 23.0). This difference was driven by a greater number of mortality days, SNF days, and, to a lesser degree, hospital observation days, ED visits, and long‐term hospital days. From 2012 to 2018, individuals living with AD/ADRD had fewer HDAH each year but a greater mean annual increase over time (p < 0.001 for the interaction between year and AD/ADRD status). Being a NH resident was associated with fewer adjusted 30‐day HDAH for beneficiaries with and without AD/ADRD.

Conclusions

Beneficiaries with AD/ADRD had fewer HDAH following an ED visit but saw moderately greater increases in HDAH over time compared to those without AD/ADRD. This trend was visit driven by declining mortality and utilization of inpatient and post‐acute care.
Kidney cell culture Macaca fascicularis as a candidate for vaccine development and in vitro model
Authors: Yusni Rahmat , Mariya Silmi , Saepuloh Uus , Mariya Sela S. , Darusman Huda S.
Published: June 2023

Background

Cell culture is the proliferation of a cell population in vitro by isolating from the original tissue or growing from existing ones. One essential source is the monkey kidney cell cultures which have an essential role in biomedical study. This is due to the significant homology between the human and macaque genomes making these useful for cultivating human viruses, especially enteroviruses, and growing vaccines.

Methods

This study developed cell cultures derived from the kidney of Macaca fascicularis (Mf) and validated its gene expression.

Results

The primary cultures were successfully subcultured up to six passages, grew as monolayers, and exhibited epithelial‐like morphology. The cultured cells remained heterogeneous in phenotype and they expressed CD155 and CD46 as viral receptors, cell morphology (CD24, endosialin, and vWF), proliferation, also apoptosis markers (Ki67 and p53).

Conclusions

These results indicated that the cell cultures can be used as in vitro model cells for vaccine development and bioactive compound.
Lack of an association between first‐trimester concentration of mid‐regional pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide and risk of early‐onset preeclampsia <34 weeks' gestation
Authors: Mortensen Signe Milling , Ekelund Charlotte Kvist , Pedersen Berit Woetmann , Tabor Ann , Rode Line
Published: June 2023

Aim

We examined the heart failure biomarker mid‐regional pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide during the first trimester of pregnancy in relation to early‐onset preeclampsia <34 weeks.

Materials and Methods

This case–control study included 34 women with singleton pregnancies with a preeclampsia diagnosis and delivery before 34 weeks of gestation who had attended the routine first‐trimester ultrasound scan at 11–13+6 weeks of gestation between August 2010 and October 2015 at the Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Denmark, and 91 uncomplicated singleton pregnancies matched by time of the routine first‐trimester blood sampling at 8–13+6 weeks.

Descriptive statistical analyses were performed for maternal characteristics and obstetric and medical history for the case versus the control group. Concentrations of mid‐regional pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide, placental growth factor, soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1, and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A between early‐onset preeclampsia cases and the control group were compared using Students t‐test and the Mann–Whitney U test. Biochemical marker concentrations were converted into multiples of the expected median values after adjustment for gestational age.

Results

Mid‐regional pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide levels were not significantly different between early‐onset preeclampsia cases and the control group in the first trimester of pregnancy. As expected, both placental growth factor and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A levels were significantly lower in early‐onset preeclampsia, whereas soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 levels were not statistically significantly different.

Conclusion

The maternal first‐trimester concentration of mid‐regional pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide, a peptide with multiple biological functions including a relation to cardiovascular disease, was not significantly different in women with early‐onset preeclampsia.
Prosthodontic implications of saliva and salivary gland dysfunction
Authors: Khoury Zaid H. , Sultan Ahmed S.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

To provide a detailed overview of the fundamentals of saliva constituents and production. The review outlines the clinical manifestations as a consequence of salivary gland dysfunction and management strategies for patients with salivary gland dysfunction. Prosthodontic implications of saliva and salivary gland dysfunction are presented.

Materials and methods

English‐language literature relating to saliva constituents, physiologic saliva production, clinical manifestations secondary to salivary gland dysfunction, salivary biomarkers, and management strategies were retrieved via electronic search. Relevant articles were summarized for this manuscript with a view toward providing pragmatic information.

Results

Saliva is produced by three pairs of major and minor salivary glands. The major salivary glands, namely, the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, contribute approximately 90% of saliva production. Saliva contains serous and mucinous secretions produced by different types of cells within salivary glands. Parasympathetic and sympathetic fibers innervate the major salivary glands, and upon stimulation, the parasympathetic innervation increases serous secretions, while the sympathetic innervation increases protein secretion. Stimulated saliva is mainly derived from the parotid glands which are composed of serous acini, while unstimulated saliva is mainly derived from the submandibular glands which are composed of mixed seromucous acini. As major salivary glands contribute the most to salivary flow, local or systemic factors influencing those glands can disrupt saliva production resulting in clinically significant oral manifestations.

Conclusion

This review provides a fundamental overview of saliva production. In addition, the review highlights the various clinical manifestations secondary to salivary gland dysfunction, explores salivary biomarkers for screening of systemic diseases, discusses management strategies for patients with salivary gland dysfunction, and outlines the prosthodontic implications of saliva and salivary gland dysfunction.
Efforts by critical access hospitals to increase health equity through greater engagement with social determinants of health
Authors: Lemont Bethany , Puro Neeraj , Franz Berkeley , Cronin Cory E.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Greater health care engagement with social determinants of health (SDOH) is critical to improving health equity. However, no national studies have compared programs to address patient social needs among critical access hospitals (CAHs), which are lifelines for rural communities. CAHs generally have fewer resources and receive governmental support to maintain operations. This study considers the extent to which CAHs engage in community health improvement, particularly upstream SDOH, and whether organizational or community factors predict involvement.

Methods

Using descriptive statistics and Poisson regression, we compared 3 types of programs (screening, in‐house strategies, and external partnerships) to address the patient social needs between CAHs and non‐CAHs, independent of key organizational, county, and state factors.

Findings

CAHs were less likely than non‐CAHs to have programs to screen patients for social needs, address unmet social needs of patients, and enact community partnerships to address SDOH. When we stratified hospitals according to whether they endorsed an equity‐focused approach as an organization, CAHs matched their non‐CAH counterparts on all 3 types of programs.

Conclusions

CAHs lag relative to their urban and non‐CAH counterparts in their ability to address nonmedical needs of their patients and broader communities. While the Flex Program has shown success in offering technical assistance to rural hospitals, this program has mainly focused on traditional hospital services to address patients’ acute health care needs. Our findings suggest that organizational and policy efforts surrounding health equity could bring CAHs in line with other hospitals in terms of their ability to support rural population health.
The ripple effects of clines from coevolutionary hotspots to coldspots
Authors: Thompson John N.
Published: June 2023

Coevolution has the potential to alter not only the ecological interactions of coevolving partners, but also their interactions with yet other species. The effects of coevolution may ripple throughout networks of interacting species, cascading across trophic levels, swamping competitors, or facilitating survival or reproduction of yet other species linked only indirectly to the coevolving partners. These ripple effects of coevolution may differ among communities, amplifying how the coevolutionary process produces geographic mosaics of traits and outcomes in interactions among species. In a From the Cover article in this issue of Molecular Ecology, Hague et al. (2022) provide a clear example, using the well‐studied interactions between Pacific newts (Taricha spp.) and their common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) predators in western North America. Pacific newts harbour tetrodotoxin (TTX), which is highly toxic to vertebrate predators. In coevolutionary hotspots, extreme escalation of toxicity in the newts and resistance to toxicity in the snakes have resulted in snake populations that retain high levels of TTX. In two geographic regions, snakes in these hotspot populations have evolved bright, aposematic colours that may act as warning signals to their own vertebrate predators. The warning signals and toxin‐resistance alleles in the snake populations decrease clinally away from the coevolutionary hotpots, shaped by a geographically variable mix of selection imposed by the snakes' prey and by their own predators.
Simultaneous Nbs1 and p53 inactivation in neural progenitors triggers high‐grade gliomas
Authors: Reuss David E. , Downing Susanna M. , Camacho Cristel V. , Wang Yong‐Dong , Piro Rosario M. , Herold‐Mende Christel , Wang Zhao‐Qi , Hofmann Thomas G. , Sahm Felix , von Deimling Andreas , McKinnon Peter J. , Frappart Pierre‐Olivier
Published: June 2023

Aims

Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by hypomorphic mutations of NBS1. NBS1 is a member of the MRE11‐RAD50‐NBS1 (MRN) complex that binds to DNA double‐strand breaks and activates the DNA damage response (DDR). Nbs1 inactivation in neural progenitor cells leads to microcephaly and premature death. Interestingly, p53 homozygous deletion rescues the NBS1‐deficient phenotype allowing long‐term survival. The objective of this work was to determine whether simultaneous inactivation of Nbs1 and p53 in neural progenitors triggered brain tumorigenesis and if so in which category this tumour could be classified.

Methods

We generated a mouse model with simultaneous genetic inactivation of Nbs1 and p53 in embryonic neural stem cells and analysed the arising tumours with in‐depth molecular analyses including immunohistochemistry, array comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH), whole exome‐sequencing and RNA‐sequencing.

Results

NBS1/P53‐deficient mice develop high‐grade gliomas (HGG) arising in the olfactory bulbs and in the cortex along the rostral migratory stream. In‐depth molecular analyses using immunohistochemistry, aCGH, whole exome‐sequencing and RNA‐sequencing revealed striking similarities to paediatric human HGG with shared features with radiation‐induced gliomas (RIGs).

Conclusions

Our findings show that concomitant inactivation of Nbs1 and p53 in mice promotes HGG with RIG features. This model could be useful for preclinical studies to improve the prognosis of these deadly tumours, but it also highlights the singularity of NBS1 among the other DNA damage response proteins in the aetiology of brain tumours.
Long‐term outcomes after paediatric sepsis (LOTUS)–A protocol for an Australian cohort study
Authors: Minogue Jessicah , Schlapbach Luregn J. , Keogh Samantha , Gibbons Kristen , Long Debbie
Published: June 2023

Background

Globally, sepsis has been identified as one of the leading causes of preventable childhood mortality and morbidity. Previous studies on intensive care patients estimated that approximately 30% of children with sepsis experience some form of disability at discharge. Development of care has seen growing numbers of children treated for sepsis not requiring a PICU admission; however, outcomes in this population are yet to be understood. Further focus is required to understand sepsis survivorship across the wider population to address knowledge gaps and morbidity burden in the broader surviving population.

Aims

To assess the cognitive, physical, emotional and social health of children surviving sepsis 2 years after hospital discharge.

Study Design

A prospective, observational cohort study.

Results

Two hundred and thirty‐two children will be screened, 2 years after their hospital admission, and approached for participation in this study. Children who are <18 years of age at follow‐up, treated for sepsis‐related organ dysfunction or septic shock in Queensland between October 2018 and December 2019, will be included. Children who are deceased at follow‐up, under care of the state, or require English interpreters will be excluded from participation. Data will be collected through an online follow‐up survey comprising validated caregiver‐reported questionnaires covering the four Post Intensive Care Syndrome‐paediatrics (PICS‐p) domains (cognitive, physical, emotional and social health; Manning et al. Pediatr Crit Care Med, 2018, 19, 298–300).

The primary outcome is an adaptive behaviour of the participants assessed using the Vinelands‐3 tool. Secondary outcomes will include neurodevelopment, quality of life, child distress, overall function, executive function, caregiver's distress and caregiver's stress. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal‐Wallis and Fisher's exact test/chi‐squared tests will be used for statistical analyses. No adjustments will be made for multiple comparisons but it is acknowledged that comparisons made in this study are exploratory.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

With more children surviving sepsis, there is a need for a more comprehensive assessment of patient and family outcomes to allow support structures for families leaving the hospital after sepsis. This study is expected to inform clinicians and stakeholders of patient and family well‐being after sepsis survivorship.
Canonical Rab5 GTPases are essential for pollen tube growth through style in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hao Guang‐Jiu , Li Lu‐Shen , Zhao Xin‐Ying , Ying Jun , Zhang Miao‐Miao , Cui Xue‐Chun , Sun Tiantian , Li En , Su Le‐Yan , Shen Jinbo , Zhou Xiang , Zhu Xiaoyue , Li Sha , Zhang Yan
Published: June 2023

Pollen tubes have dynamic tubular vacuoles. Functional loss of AP‐3, a regulator of one vacuolar trafficking route, reduces pollen tube growth. However, the role of canonical Rab5 GTPases that are responsible for two other vacuolar trafficking routes in Arabidopsis pollen tubes is obscure.

By using genomic editing, confocal microscopy, pollen tube growth assays, and transmission electron microscopy, we demonstrate that functional loss of canonical Rab5s in Arabidopsis, RHA1 and ARA7, causes the failure of pollen tubes to grow through style and thus impairs male transmission.

Functional loss of canonical Rab5s compromises vacuolar trafficking of tonoplast proteins, vacuolar biogenesis, and turgor regulation. However, rha1;ara7 pollen tubes are comparable to those of wild‐type in growing through narrow passages by microfluidic assays.

We demonstrate that functional loss of canonical Rab5s compromises endocytic and secretory trafficking at the plasma membrane (PM), whereas the targeting of PM‐associated ATPases is largely unaffected. Despite that, rha1;ara7 pollen tubes contain a reduced cytosolic pH and disrupted actin microfilaments, correlating with the mis‐targeting of vacuolar ATPases (VHA). These results imply a key role of vacuoles in maintaining cytoplasmic proton homeostasis and in pollen tube penetrative growth through style.
Faith and rational deference to authority
Authors: Buchak Lara
Published: June 2023

Many accounts of faith hold that faith is deference to an authority about what to believe or what to do. I show that this kind of faith fits into a more general account of faith, the risky‐commitment account. I further argue that it can be rational to defer to an authority even when the authority's pronouncement goes against one's own reasoning. Indeed, such deference is rational in typical cases in which individuals treat others as authorities.
Migrant flows: Humanitarian operational aspects of people in transit
Authors: Prasad Sameer , Borra Harish , Woldt Jason , Altay Nezih , Tata Jasmine
Published: June 2023

Millions of workers in India who migrated to cities for employment have transited back to seek refuge in their home villages, causing disruptions in both cities and villages. This type of mass flow of migrants in transit represents a humanitarian crisis. Understanding migrant flow patterns and ways to ameliorate the conditions for migrants in transit is critical to managing the humanitarian crisis. In this study, we develop a model that examines the influence of migrant networks, inter‐organizational collaboration, and environmental uncertainty on locational advantage, which, in turn, predicts migrant flow patterns. This study contributes to the humanitarian operations management and migration literatures by uncovering how migrant networks and inter‐organizational collaboration help provide access to humanitarian resources. Additional new findings of this study include uncovering different classes of migrants with their respective flow patterns and the role of collaboration along migration paths. The study also uncovers how travel constraints increase the duration of transit and the importance of point‐to‐point transfers to avoid congregation at transit hubs. Furthermore, findings from this research provide insights on how long‐term humanitarian support to migrants through inter‐organizational collaboration morphs to short‐term aid in the event of a crisis.
Determining depression, abuse, and neglect in elderly individuals
Authors: Özer Nesrin , Tanriverdi Derya
Published: June 2023

Background

This study was conducted to investigate depression, abuse, and neglect in elderly individuals.

Methods

The sample of the research consisted of 315 elderly individuals. Data were collected using a personal information form, an elder abuse assessment form, and the Geriatric Depression Scale.

Results

Emotional abuse, neglect, economic abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse were detected in 51.4%, 35.6%, 21.9%, 3.8%, and 0.03% of the elderly individuals, respectively. It was observed that elderly individuals in the advanced age group (75–95 years) experienced only emotional abuse, while women, single persons, those with low education levels, those without income of their own, and those who could not perform their self‐care experienced both emotional abuse and neglect to a greater extent (P < 0.05). A total of 68.3% of the elderly individuals showed symptoms of depression at a significant level. The elderly individuals who were exposed to physical and emotional abuse and neglect had higher mean depression scores compared to those who were not (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The study showed that the severity of depression and prevalence of emotional abuse, neglect, financial abuse, and physical abuse were high among older adults. Mental health professionals have a very critical role in recognizing, detecting, and managing elder abuse and they should investigate elder abuse by integrating it into routine screening, especially in high‐risk populations. It is recommended that guidelines for the detection and treatment of abuse and neglect be prepared and implemented.
Applying the extended parallel process model to understand households’ responses to tornado and earthquake risks in Oklahoma
Authors: Li Yueqi , Greer Alex , Wu Hao‐Che
Published: June 2023

Oklahoma is a multihazard environment where both natural (e.g., tornadoes) and technological hazards (e.g., induced seismicity) are significant, making Oklahoma a unique setting to better understand how to manage and prepare for multiple hazards. While studies have attempted to understand drivers of hazard adjustments, few have focused on the overall number of adjustments undertaken instead of individual adjustments or adjustments in a multihazard environment. To address these gaps, we employ a survey sample of 866 households in Oklahoma to understand households’ danger control responses (protective hazard adjustments) for tornado and earthquake risks in Oklahoma. We apply the extended parallel processing model (EPPM) to categorize respondents according to their relative level of perceived threat and efficacy of protective actions in predicting the number of hazard adjustments they intend to or have adopted in response to tornadoes and induced earthquakes. In line with the EPPM, we found that households have the highest number of danger control responses when their perceived threat and efficacy are both high. Counter to the EPPM literature, we found low threat coupled with high efficacy moved some individuals toward the adoption of danger control responses in response to both tornadoes and earthquakes. When households have high efficacy, threat appraisals matter in tornado danger control responses but not in earthquake danger control responses. This EPPM categorization opens new research approaches for studies of natural and technological hazards. This study also provides information for local officials and emergency managers making mitigation and preparedness investments and policies.
Museomics reveals evolutionary history of Oreina alpine leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Gauthier Jérémy , Borer Matthias , Toussaint Emmanuel F. A. , Bilat Julia , Kippenberg Horst , Alvarez Nadir
Published: June 2023

The monophyletic status of the genus Oreina as well as its phylogenetic relation to the closely related genera Chrysolina, Crosita and Cyrtonus has been debated for several decades. To assess the status of the genus and understand its evolutionary history, we performed a museomics study on 148 museum specimens belonging to 25 of the 28 described Oreina species as well as 19 other chrysomelid species, mainly from the genus Chrysolina. Using innovative molecular methods relying on hyRAD hybridization capture, we succeeded in recovering 2235 shared nuclear loci. Phylogenomic analyses clearly demonstrated that Oreina species form a clade separated from Chrysolina. These analyses also revealed the position of Chrysolina fastuosa outside of the genus Chrysolina, supporting the following taxonomic status updates: Fasta stat. rev., Fasta fastuosa comb. nov. Within the genus Oreina, we further propose the synonymization of Oreina (Frigidorina) syn. n. and Oreina (Virgulatorina) syn. n. with Oreina (Chrysochloa). Divergence time and ancestral range estimations suggested that Oreina originated approximately 53 Ma in the Alps. Ancestral host plant reconstruction revealed key shifts during Oreina diversification. Overall, our study reinforces the importance of museum collections for molecular analysis and the effectiveness of hybridization capture approaches for conducting phylogenomic studies and finely investigating controversial taxonomic debates.
Midday water use efficiency in sorghum is linked to faster stomatal closure rate, lower stomatal aperture and higher stomatal density
Authors: Al‐Salman Yazen , Ghannoum Oula , Cano Francisco Javier
Published: June 2023

Most studies assume midday gas exchange measurements capture the leaf's daytime performance. However, stomatal conductance (gs) and photosynthesis (An) fluctuate diurnally due to endogenous and environmental rhythms, which can affect intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE). Six Sorghum lines with contrasting stomatal anatomical traits were grown in environmentally controlled conditions, and leaf gas exchange was measured three times a day. Stomatal anatomy and kinetic responses to light transients were also measured. The highest An and gs and the lowest iWUE were observed at midday for most lines. Diurnally averaged iWUE correlated positively with morning and midday iWUE and negatively with the time taken for stomata to close after transition to low light intensity (kclose). There was significant variation among sorghum lines for kclose, and smaller kclose correlated with lower gs and higher stomatal density (SD) across the lines. In turn, gs was negatively correlated with SD and regulated by the operational stomatal aperture regardless of stomatal size. Altogether, our data suggest a common physiology to improve iWUE in sorghum related to the control of water loss without impacting photosynthesis relying on higher SD, lower stomatal aperture and faster stomatal closing in response to low light intensity.