bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of genomic regions implicated in susceptibility toSchistosoma mansoniinfection in a murine genetic model (backcross)
Authors: Hernández-Goenaga Juan , López-Abán Julio , Blanco-Gómez Adrián , Vicente Belén , Burguillo Francisco-Javier , Pérez-Losada Jesús , Muro Antonio
Published: June 2022

High levels of infection and severe liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis appear only in a few cases of infected people with high susceptibility. Tissue damage is caused by the inflammatory response to eggs trapped in the liver. The genetic background influences susceptibility to schistosome infection. To assess the genetic basis of susceptibility to schistosomiasis and identify the chromosomic regions involved, we used a backcross strategy to generate a mouse cohort with high variation in schistosomiasis susceptibility. Thus, we crossed the resistant C57BL/6 mouse strain with the susceptible CBA one; and later; the F1 females (C57 x CBA) were backcrossed with CBA males generating the F1BX cohort. The spectrum of phenotypes in the F1BX mice showed gradation from mild to severe disease, lacking a fully resistant group. We differentiated four levels of infection intensity using cluster and principal component analyses and K-means based on parasitological, pathological and immunological trait measurements. Mice were massively genotyped with 961 informative SNPs. We identify 19 new quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with phenotype indicators of parasite burden, liver lesion, white blood cell populations, and antibody responses evaluated in the backcross cohort. Two QTLs on chromosomes 15 and 18 were simultaneously linked to the number of granulomas, grade of liver lesion and IgM levels. The human syntenic regions are located in chromosomes 8 and 18. None of the significant QTL identified coincided with previously reported mice association or were syntenic with human chromosomes.

Author summary

High number of cases of infection and high levels of infection and liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis appear only in a few cases of people with high susceptibility, because the genetic background influences this susceptibility. To assess this, we used a backcross strategy crossing a resistant strain of mouse C57BL/6 with another susceptible CBA, and later F1 females were backcrossed with males susceptible, generating the F1BX cohort, which showed gradation from mild to severe disease. We differentiated four levels of infection according to cluster, principal component analysis and K-means, and based on parasitological, pathological and immunological measurements. Mice were massively genotyped and 19 quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified, associated with phenotype indicators evaluated in backcross cohort. Two QTLs on chromosomes 15 and 18 were simultaneously linked to the number of granulomas, grade of liver lesion and IgM levels. None of the significant QTL identified coincided with previously reported mice association or were syntenic with human chromosomes.
Exact solutions of (1+2)-dimensional non-linear time-space fractional PDEs
Authors: Kumar Manoj
Published: June 2022

Purpose

In this paper, the author presents a hybrid method along with its error analysis to solve (1+2)-dimensional non-linear time-space fractional partial differential equations (FPDEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method is a combination of Sumudu transform and a semi-analytc technique Daftardar-Gejji and Jafari method (DGJM).

Findings

The author solves various non-trivial examples using the proposed method. Moreover, the author obtained the solutions either in exact form or in a series that converges to a closed-form solution. The proposed method is a very good tool to solve this type of equations.

Originality/value

The present work is original. To the best of the author's knowledge, this work is not done by anyone in the literature.
Opportunities and challenges for service-learning experiences in informal urban settlements
Authors: Garcia Cervantes Natalia , Hinojosa Hinojosa Karen
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this article is the discussion of a service-learning experience in architecture pedagogy, based on two core courses at a private university in Mexico. The aim is to identify learning opportunities, challenges and implications arising from engaging with inhabitants of an informal urban settlement with limited digital resources in La Campana-Altamira in Monterrey, Mexico.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology selected is a case study approach, chosen for its effectiveness in architectural pedagogy to create knowledge through exposure to a particular phenomenon, as well as highlight positive teaching practices to facilitate replicability. Case-study methodology was also beneficial in this case because its openness and flexibility allowed for research of a variety of phenomena simultaneously, in this case, both the effects in the informal settlement community and in the academic one.

Findings

Findings revealed that opportunities outweigh challenges, and meaningful service and learning are possible in an online context, even when the service aspects take longer than the course length if there are long-term relationships between communities and institutions.

Originality/value

The value of the article lies in the need for flexible and sensitive approaches that put communities in the center, a critical path to identifying and understanding their needs and improving their contexts. This holds especially true given the rapid pace of worldwide urbanization and the ubiquity of informal urban settlements. Implementing service-learning approaches in informal settings using online tools, while sanitary restrictions are in place shows that meaningful experiences can be achieved, even when courses are short and resources are limited.
Improving smallholder farmer's soil nutrient management: the effect of science and technology backyards in the North China plain
Authors: Li Fan , Li Dangui , Voors Maarten , Feng Shuyi , Zhang Weifeng , Heerink Nico
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Soil nutrient management and fertilizer use by farmers are important for sustainable grain production. The authors examined the effect of an experimental agricultural extension program, the science and technology backyard, in promoting sustainable soil nutrient management in the North China Plain (NCP). The science and technology backyard integrates farmer field schools, field demonstrations, and case-to-case counselling to promote sustainable farming practices among rural smallholders.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a large-scale household survey of more than 2,000 rural smallholders. The authors used a multivariate regression analysis as the benchmark to assess the effect of the science-and-technology backyard on smallholder soil nutrient management. Furthermore, the authors used coarse exact matching (CEM) methods to control for potential bias due to self-selection and the (endogenous) switching regression approach as the main empirical analysis.

Findings

The results show that the science-and-technology backyard program increased smallholders' wheat yield by approximately 0.23 standard deviation; however, no significant increase in maize yield was observed. Regarding soil nutrient use efficiency, the authors found a significant improvement in smallholders' phosphorus and potassium use efficiencies for both wheat and maize production, and a significant improvement in nitrogen use efficiency for wheat production, but no significant improvement of nitrogen use efficiency for maize production.

Originality/value

This study evaluated a novel participatory agricultural extension model to improve soil nutrient management practices among smallholders. The integration of agronomists' scientific knowledge and smallholders' local contextual experiences could be an effective way to improve farmers' soil nutrient management. This study provides the first quantitative estimates based on rigorous impact assessment methods of this novel extension approach in rural China.
Exploring the influence of tourist ethnocentrism and risk perception on the hospitality and tourism industry
Authors: Bremser Kerstin , Abraham Villy
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Risk perception and ethnocentrism are recognized as significant psychological factors influencing tourism behaviors. However, the impact of tourist ethnocentrism (TE) on tourism and hospitality-related behaviors has mainly been overlooked in previous research. Hence, the objective of the present study is to propose a comprehensive TE model by exploring the influence of TE and risk perception on the domestic hospitality and tourism industry in Israel.

Design/methodology/approach

A convenience sample of 204 Israeli respondents 18 years of age or older took part in the study. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to assess hypothesized relationships in the proposed model.

Findings

The data confirmed five out of the eight hypotheses tested. The study findings suggest that TE is unrelated to willingness to pay (WTP) a price premium for local travel or dine in local restaurants. Similarly, the authors found no association between risk perception and willingness to dine in local restaurants.

Originality/value

The current investigation contributes to the literature by proposing a model conceptualizing the influence of both TE and risk perception on hospitality (i.e. dine in a local restaurant) and tourism (i.e. domestic travel). The present research findings contribute to the tourism ethnocentrism literature and shed new light on social identity theory (SIT) by pointing to the importance of considering value for money in future conceptualizations and suggest monetary considerations may overshadow other in-group considerations as conceptualized in SIT.
Social franchise chains operating in African countries: are their social goals aligned with the 2030 United Nations sustainable development goals?
Authors: Perrigot Rozenn , Elom Gbetchi Komlanvi
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Social franchise chains have social goals rather than – or in addition to – commercial or profit-making goals. But are these social goals, disclosed by social franchisors, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, if so, which ones?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examine the disclosure of SDG-related information on websites of 69 social franchise chains operating in Africa.

Findings

The authors' main findings show that social goals disclosed by social franchisors are aligned with certain SDGs that are general in nature and not just sector-dependent, except in the case of education.

Practical implications

The authors' paper contributes to the practice by providing examples of the types and varieties of social goals social franchisors can pursue. Moreover, entrepreneurs might be encouraged to launch their franchise concept as franchisors who contribute to SDGs at an international, national or regional level or to join franchise chains as franchisees who contribute to SDGs at the local level.

Social implications

The authors' findings show the potential for social franchise chains in developing countries to target and contribute to achieving SDGs.

Originality/value

The authors' paper adds to the limited literature on SDGs and, more specifically, on the role of the private sector, in particular social franchisors, in targeting and achieving SDGs.
Hindrances to smart tourism development
Authors: Sun Sunny , Ye Huiyue , Law Rob , Hsu Alex Yang-Chan
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Most previous studies have discussed the factors that drive the development of smart tourism or its benefits. Nevertheless, hindrances to smart tourism development have been largely ignored by previous studies. Hence, to bridge the aforementioned research gap, the present study identified the hindrances to smart tourism development in Hong Kong, which has been affected by the recent pandemic, based on the adjusted destination competitiveness conceptual models.

Design/methodology/approach

The purpose of this study is to investigate the hindrances to smart tourism development. A qualitative interview method using a semi-structured questionnaire with open-ended questions was adopted in the present study.

Findings

Findings of the present study indicated that the hindrances in developing smart tourism in Hong Kong are from four primary perspectives, namely, economic, sociocultural, technological and planning and management.

Research limitations/implications

Seeking cooperation from popular tourist destinations can address the economic issues of market size and return on investment in technological infrastructure. Experiences, as the core product of travel, should be highlighted in smart tourism development and enterprises should be given support for the transformation.

Originality/value

Theoretically, based on the adjusted conceptual models for destination competitiveness, the present study identifies the macro factors that hinder the development of smart tourism in Hong Kong from different primary perspectives. Practically, factors such as policy support, which includes public funding or low-interest loans, are essential to supporting preliminary finances to attract entrepreneurs and young talents to participate in the development.
Marketing's take on socio-economic performance
Authors: von der Osten Flávio Luiz , Toaldo Ana Maria
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose that a stakeholder orientation (SO) can explain social and economic performances. It happens because the more the organisation acquires and disseminates stakeholder intelligence, the more it will be aware of the needs of different stakeholder groups, bending the decision making towards less powerful stakeholders and creating social performance. At the same time, more stakeholder intelligence is a strategic resource to be exploited favouring the economic performance. Moreover, it is proposed this effect is mediated by social motivations.

Design/methodology/approach

In all, 251 Brazilian agricultural cooperatives were sampled and a survey primary data collection method was applied. To test our hypothesis, the partial least squares structural equation modelling method is used.

Findings

It is found that SO positively influences social and economic performances. Social motivation mediates the relationship between SO and social performance.

Originality/value

Social performance has gained importance because strategies harmful to society are not acceptable anymore and because of the link with economic performance. However, the strategic marketing literature is still scant on how marketing can drive economic and social performance at the same time.
Suicide clusters in law enforcement: a descriptive analysis
Authors: Violanti John M.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study examined the national prevalence of cluster suicides among law enforcement personnel at the county level, the influence on future suicides and risk factors associated with clusters.

Design/methodology/approach

Law enforcement suicide data were obtained from The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) and categorized into: (1) cluster and (2) non-cluster suicides. Chi-square was used to compare differences between the two groups. Logistic regression was used to predict the probability of suicide risk factors in the groups.

Findings

2,465 law enforcement suicides were listed in NVDRS between 2003–2018. 80 (9.4%) US counties had clusters, with 640 officers (25.7%) of officers as part of those clusters. Odds ratios for risk factors associated with the suicide cluster group were: mental health crisis (OR = 2.6,p = 0.026), age (OR = 1.01,p = 0.003), married (OR = 1.729,p=<0.001), military service (OR = 2.59,p=<0.001) and job problems (OR = 1.70,p = 0.05).

Research limitations/implications

This study suggests that cluster suicides occur in law enforcement. The study is primarily descriptive and limited by the different numbers of contributing states in the NVDRS database through the years.

Practical implications

This study suggests that clusters occur in law enforcement and that they can impact future suicides. It is important for law enforcement organizations to recognize the potential for suicide clusters.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to empirically examine suicide clusters in law enforcement.
Role of information and communication technology in mitigating risks in Indian agricultural supply chains
Authors: Shukla Suwarna , Kapoor Rohit , Gupta Narain , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo , Kumar Vikas
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Theorising from a resource-based view perspective, the intersection of supply chain management and the use of information technology (IT) has been investigated in this study. This paper aims to investigate supply chain performance (SCP) as an essential outcome of the use of IT and explores the effect of supply chain collaboration (SCC) on SCP. In addition, volume uncertainty (VU) has been explored and tested to establish whether various associated uncertainties can be mitigated when the use of IT is involved.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 121 senior executives from agri-tech firms was collected by travelling and meeting the executives in person in various states of India. Structural equation modelling was used to test the hypothesized relationship of VU to SCP via the use of IT and SCC.

Findings

The results show that VU significantly impacts SCC via the use of IT and SCP via SCC. The use of IT positively and significantly impacts SCP via SCC.

Practical implications

Witnessing the potential benefits of the emerging use of IT in the uncertainty reduction as reported in this study, agri-tech firms operating in emerging rural and agricultural economies can enhance SCC to improve SCP.

Social implications

This study unfolds how risks in agricultural supply chains (ASCs) sourced because the VU can be mitigated through the use of IT and SCC to influence SCP in rural agricultural and developing economies.

Originality/value

VU at agri-tech firms and farmers is a ground reality that has led to an inability to plan and prepare, resulting in wastages and disruptions in ASCs and farmers’ struggles.
Applicability of cross‐property differential effective medium model to the joint elastic–electrical properties of reservoir sandstones
Authors: Han Tongcheng , Yan Han , Fu Li‐Yun , Li Fulai
Published: June 2022

Joint seismic and controlled‐source electromagnetic surveys can reduce uncertainty and improve hydrocarbon quantification. However, the successful interpretation of joint seismic and controlled‐source electromagnetic survey data requires a valid rock physics model to link the elastic and electrical rock properties. A cross‐property differential effective medium is recently proposed with pores embedded in the mineral matrix. We have presented a technique to test the applicability of the cross‐property differential effective medium model to the joint elastic‐electrical properties of reservoir sandstones. The method is based on the common employment of measured sample porosity and inverted equivalent pore aspect ratio from cementation exponent for the modelling. Application of the modelling approach to a laboratory joint elastic‐electrical dataset shows that there is a systematic discrepancy in the modelled and measured joint elastic–electrical properties. It is also found that an equivalent pore aspect ratio is existing to reasonably predict the trend of the joint elastic–electrical data; however, the porosity used in the modelling is far from their measured values. Conversely, if the measured sample porosity is employed, the mentioned equivalent pore aspect ratio fails to fit either of the measured elastic and electrical rock properties. The results indicate the incapability of the cross‐property differential effective medium model for the joint elastic–electrical modelling of reservoir rocks and suggest the requirement of a new model to link the elastic and electrical properties.
Insulin peptides and their receptors regulate ovarian development and oviposition behavior in Diaphorina citri
Authors: Wang Ziye , Tan Delong , Wang Feifeng , Guo Shuhao , Liu Jinhua , Cuthbertson Andrew G. S. , Qiu Baoli , Sang Wen
Published: June 2022

Diaphorina citri is an important vector of Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) disease. After feeding on young host plant shoots, the population of D. citri can increase significantly. Females also only lay eggs on young shoots. However, there are few studies on the mechanism of this phenomenon. Exogenous nutrient signals can affect the insulin signaling system of D. citri after feeding on young shoots. In this study, the expression of upstream factors DcILP1, DcILP2, and DcIR in the insulin signaling system of D. citri was upregulated after feeding on young shoots. After being silenced by RNA interference technology, the results showed that the number of oviposited eggs of D. citri was significantly decreased and the ovarian development was inhibited with severe vacuolation. In addition, detection using quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction showed that the upstream regulatory gene DcRheb of the target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway and the downstream reproduction‐related DcVg gene were also significantly downregulated. These results suggest that feeding upon young shoots may upregulate the expression levels of upstream factors DcILP1, DcILP2, and DcIR in the insulin signaling system. The signal will be through upregulating the expression of DcRheb, an upstream gene of the TOR signaling pathway. This in turn influences yolk metabolism, which eventually causes the ovaries of female D. citri to mature and therefore initiate oviposition behavior.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of normal human placentae
Authors: Lo Glen , Jacques Angela , Dickinson Jan E.
Published: June 2022

Introduction

The MRI appearances of the human placenta in the absence of maternal or fetal pathology have not been extensively studied, with only a few studies reporting findings in the uncomplicated pregnancy. The purpose of this study is to review the placental MRI appearances in low‐risk pregnancies in a prospective study.

Methods

A prospective observational study of placental MRI in low‐risk pregnancies was initially planned, however recruitment was terminated early due to the COVID19 pandemic. The protocol was subsequently modified to compare the placental appearances in the enrolled cohort with pregnancies having had MRI for non‐placental pathologies. The data from the two groups were then pooled to assess the range of normal placental appearances.

Results

Eighty‐three pregnancies were prospectively assessed with MRI at a median gestation of 29 weeks (range 14–39) from a mixed group of prospective cases (n = 28) and retrospectively recruited obstetric MRI (n = 55). Placental thickness in the third trimester ranged from 18 to 35 mm. T2 heterogeneity was seen in 75% (25/33) at second trimester and by the third trimester 50% (25/50) were moderately or markedly heterogenous. T2 dark bands (>6 mm) were seen in 9% (3/33) and 20% (10/50) of second and third trimester pregnancies, respectively. Undetectable myometrium or loss of the subplacental myometrial plane was present in 15% (5/33) of second and 38% (19/50) of third trimester placentae.

Conclusion

This qualitative study of normal placental MRI appearances expands the current knowledge base by confirming they vary, evolve with gestation, and can overlap with signs of placenta accreta spectrum.
Meta‐analysis confirmed genetic susceptibility conferred by multiple risk variants from CTLA4 and SERPINA1 in granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Authors: Banerjee Pratibha , Kumar Uma , Khetarpal Preeti , Senapati Sabyasachi
Published: June 2022

Background

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare systemic autoimmune disease. Smaller sample size and complex nature of the disease pathogenesis has made it challenging to perform well‐powered genetic investigations. We performed a systematic review based meta‐analysis in GPA to investigate the genetic susceptibility conferred by non‐human leukocyte antigen (non‐HLA) candidate genes.

Methods

A systematic review was performed using web‐based literature search and eligible studies were included following inclusion‐exclusion criteria. Studies were evaluated for their quality of evidence and study outcome was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale and Grades of Research, Assessment, Development and Evaluation tools. Reviewer's agreement was accessed through Cohen's κ value. Meta‐analyses were performed using RevMan 5 tool. Meta‐odds ratio (meta‐OR) and Z test P value were evaluated to estimate the genetic susceptibility for each of the variants.

Results

Eighteen studies were found eligible and 7 genetic variants from only 4 genes, namely CTLA4, PRTN3, SERPINA1 and PTPN22 could be studied for meta‐analysis. rs231775‐G (49‐G) (Meta‐OR = 1.42 [1.14‐1.76]; P = .001) of CTLA4 and rs7151526‐A (Meta‐OR = 2.70 [1.51‐4.85]; P = .0008) of SERPINA1 were confirmed to be predisposing alleles, and rs5742909‐C (318‐C) (Meta‐OR = 0.65 [0.44‐0.97]; P =.03) of CTLA4 was found to be protective for GPA. In concordance with the genetic association of rs7151526‐A, serological marker for the same variant “Z” allele of SERPINA1 was found to be predisposing (Meta‐OR = 12.60 [5.01‐31.68]; P < .00001) for GPA.

Conclusion

Genetic variants confirmed in this study play critical roles in T‐cell mediated immune function and could be significantly implicated in GPA. Molecular pathology studies are warranted to confirm their role. These markers could be used for efficient patient classification and disease management.
Lifelong cytomegalovirus and early‐LIFE irradiation synergistically potentiate age‐related defects in response to vaccination and infection
Authors: Pugh Jason L. , Coplen Christopher P. , Sukhina Alona S. , Uhrlaub Jennifer L. , Padilla‐Torres Jose , Hayashi Tomonori , Nikolich‐Žugich Janko
Published: June 2022

While whole‐body irradiation (WBI) can induce some hallmarks of immune aging, (re)activation of persistent microbial infection also occurs following WBI and may contribute to immune effects of WBI over the lifespan. To test this hypothesis in a model relevant to human immune aging, we examined separate and joint effects of lifelong latent murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and of early‐life WBI over the course of the lifespan. In late life, we then measured the response to a West Nile virus (WNV) live attenuated vaccine, and lethal WNV challenge subsequent to vaccination. We recently published that a single dose of non‐lethal WBI in youth, on its own, was not sufficient to accelerate aging of the murine immune system, despite widespread DNA damage and repopulation stress in hematopoietic cells. However, 4Gy sub‐lethal WBI caused manifest reactivation of MCMV. Following vaccination and challenge with WNV in the old age, MCMV‐infected animals experiencing 4Gy, but not lower, dose of sub‐lethal WBI in youth had reduced survival. By contrast, old irradiated mice lacking MCMV and MCMV‐infected, but not irradiated, mice were both protected to the same high level as the old non‐irradiated, uninfected controls. Analysis of the quality and quantity of anti‐WNV immunity showed that higher mortality in MCMV‐positive WBI mice correlated with increased levels of MCMV‐specific immune activation during WNV challenge. Moreover, we demonstrate that infection, including that by WNV, led to MCMV reactivation. Our data suggest that MCMV reactivation may be an important determinant of increased late‐life mortality following early‐life irradiation and late‐life acute infection.
Rejuvenation of neutrophils and their extracellular vesicles is associated with enhanced aged fracture healing
Authors: Zhang Xin , Baht Gurpreet Singh , Huang Rong , Chen Yu‐Hsiu , Molitoris Kristin Happ , Miller Sara E. , Kraus Virginia Byers
Published: June 2022

Tissue repair is negatively affected by advanced age. Recent evidence indicates that hematopoietic cell‐derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are modulators of regenerative capacity. Here, we report that plasma EVs carrying specific surface markers indicate the degree of age‐associated immunosenescence; moreover, this immunosenescence phenotype was accentuated by fracture injury. The number of CD11b+Ly6CintermediateLy6Ghigh neutrophils significantly decreased with age in association with defective tissue regeneration. In response to fracture injury, the frequencies of neutrophils and associated plasma EVs were significantly higher in fracture calluses than in peripheral blood. Exposure of aged mice to youthful circulation through heterochronic parabiosis increased the number of neutrophils and their correlated Ly6G+ plasma EVs, which were associated with improved fracture healing in aged mice of heterochronic parabiosis pairs. Our findings create a foundation for utilizing specific immune cells and EV subsets as potential biomarkers and therapeutic strategies to promote resilience to stressors during aging.
Prices, taxes and alcohol use: a systematic umbrella review
Authors: Guindon G. Emmanuel , Zhao Kevin , Fatima Tooba , Garasia Sophiya , Quinn Nicholas , Baskerville N. Bruce , Paraje Guillermo
Published: June 2022

Aim

To measure the impact of taxes and prices on alcohol use with particular attention to the different context of rising alcohol consumption in low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Methods

Systematic review: we searched MEDLINE, Embase, EconLit and LILACS, grey literature, hand‐searched five specialty journals and examined references of relevant studies. We considered all reviews that included studies that quantitatively examined the relationship between alcohol prices or taxes and alcohol use. At least two reviewers independently screened the articles and extracted the characteristics, methods and main results and assessed the quality of each included study. We identified 30 reviews.

Results

There was overwhelming evidence that higher alcohol prices and taxes were associated with lower total alcohol consumption and that price responsiveness varied by beverage type. Total own‐price elasticities of alcohol demand were consistently negative and substantial enough to be policy meaningful; total own‐price elasticities for beer, wine and spirits were found to be approximately −0.3, −0.6 and −0.65. Reviews generally concluded that higher taxes and prices were associated with lower heavy episodic drinking and heavy drinking, although the magnitude of these associations was generally unclear. Reviews provided no evidence that alcohol price responsiveness differed by socioeconomic status, mixed and contradictory evidence with respect to age and sex and limited evidence that price responsiveness in low‐ and middle‐income countries was approximately the same as in high‐income countries.

Conclusions

Taxes are effective in reducing alcohol use. Moreover, increasing the price of alcohol by increasing taxes can also be expected to increase tax revenue, because the demand for alcohol is most certainly inelastic.
Analysis of alopecia areata surveys suggests a threshold for improved patient-reported outcomes
Authors: Renert-Yuval Yael , Correa da Rosa Joel , Garcet Sandra , Pavel Ana B. , Bares Jennifer , Chima Margot , Hawkes Jason E. , Gilleaudeau Patricia , Sullivan-Whalen Mary , Singer Giselle K. , Krueger James G. , Guttman-Yassky Emma
Published: June 2022

Background

Although alopecia areata (AA) greatly impacts patients’ quality of life (QoL), there is no adequate validation of AA-targeted QoL surveys in clinical trials, hindering sufficient representation of patient-reported outcomes.

Objectives

Better understanding of patient-reported outcomes may guide treatment goals and future clinical trials.

Methods

In a recent randomized controlled trial testing dupilumab in AA, patients were administered the Alopecia Areata Quality of Life Index (AA-QLI) and the Alopecia Areata Symptom Impact Scale (AASIS) surveys, specifically evaluating QoL in patients with AA. An in-depth analysis was performed to assess the utility of these questionnaires in this patient population, both at baseline and after treatment, and to determine a threshold for improved patient-reported outcomes.

Results

While AASIS correlated with baseline Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) scores and with therapeutic response, AA-QLI showed no correlation with AA severity before or after treatment. Itch strongly correlated with serum IgE levels across both surveys. Using various approaches to estimate a discriminative threshold for decreased impact of AA on QoL (by AASIS) following treatment, a SALT score of 20 points or less post-treatment was associated with improved patient-reported outcomes, including both AA-related symptoms and items within the daily activities/feelings domain such as ‘feeling sad’ and ‘feeling anxious or worry’.

Conclusions

AASIS is better than AA-QLI to assess patient-reported outcomes. SALT ≤ 20 following treatment should be considered as a threshold for meaningful therapeutic outcome and as a clinical endpoint in future clinical trials for AA.

What is already known about this topic?  Alopecia areata greatly compromises quality of life, and affected patients have increased prevalences of depression, anxiety and social phobia.Despite the significant negative impact of the disease on patients’ wellbeing, validation of targeted questionnaires in alopecia areata is lacking, and a therapeutic response threshold for improved patient-reported outcomes is unknown.

What does this study add?  This study investigated the utility of two different alopecia areata-targeted questionnaires – Alopecia Areata Quality of Life Index and Alopecia Areata Symptom Impact Scale (AASIS) – in a clinical trial setting.AASIS was found to correlate strongly with alopecia areata severity and clinical response.

What are the clinical implications of this work?  Patients with ≤ 20% scalp hair loss after treatment reported improvement in multiple quality-of-life items, suggesting this as a meaningful therapeutic outcome that may guide clinicians and improve the development of future clinical trials.
Applying educational theory to medical education research
Authors: Melvin Anna , Patel Rakesh S.
Published: June 2022

Applying educational theory to medical education research is no different to the way theory drives research and practice in other domains. However, the practical application of theory to research in medical education can often be challenging for many different reasons. This article seeks to help researchers by exploring some important questions about educational theory, including what theory is, why it is important, and how it can be used in medical education research.
Long term oncological outcomes for laparoscopic versus open surgery for rectal cancer – A population‐based nationwide noninferiority study
Authors: Dehlaghi Jadid Kaveh , Cao Yang , Petersson Josefin , Angenete Eva , Matthiessen Peter
Published: June 2022

Aim

The aim of this work was to compare the 5‐year overall survival in a national cohort of patients undergoing curative abdominal resection for rectal cancer by laparoscopic (LAP) or open (OPEN) surgery.

Method

All patients diagnosed with clinical Stage I–III rectal cancer and who underwent LAP or OPEN abdominal curative surgery in Sweden between 2010 and 2016 were retrieved from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry. A noninferiority study design was employed with a statistical power of 90%, a one‐side type I error of 2.5% and a noninferiority margin of 2%. The analyses were performed as intention‐to‐treat and the relationship between surgical technique and overall mortality within 5 years was analysed. Multilevel regression models with the patients matched by propensity scores adjusted for patient‐ and tumour‐related variables were used.

Results

A total of 8410 Stage I–III cancer patients were included. This group underwent 2094 LAP (24.9%) and 6316 OPEN (75.1%) procedures and were followed until 31 December 2020. Multivariable Cox regression demonstrated that 5‐year overall survival was higher in the LAP group [hazard ratio (HR) 0.877; 95% CI 0.775–0.993]. [Correction added on 21 November 2022, after first online publication: In the preceding sentence, the CI value for LAP group has been corrected from “0.877” to “0.775” in this version.] The outcome was similar when multiple imputation and propensity score matching were employed. When cT4 patients were excluded there was no difference (HR 0.885; 95% CI 0.790–1.033). At 5‐years’ follow‐up local recurrence was not different, at 2.9% for the LAP group and 3.6% for the OPEN group (p = 0.075), while metastatic disease was more frequent in the OPEN group (19.6% compared with 15.6% for LAP; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the LAP technique was not inferior to OPEN surgery with regard to overall 5‐year survival. These results support the use of laparoscopic surgery.
Pursuing best practices for minimizing wild bee captures to support biological research
Authors: Montero‐Castaño Ana , Koch Jonathan Berenguer Uhuad , Lindsay Thuy‐Tien Thai , Love Byron , Mola John M. , Newman Kiera , Sharkey Janean K.
Published: June 2022

Bees are important pollinators of wild and domesticated flowering plant species. Over the last 30 years, an increasing number of scientific articles have been published on the ecology and conservation of wild bees. To achieve research goals, many studies have pursued the lethal take of wild bees. Although the impact of lethal take for scientific pursuits is likely negligible compared to the negative impacts of human‐mediated phenomena such as climate change, urbanization, and agricultural intensification, it is important to evaluate the history of lethal take on scientific endeavors. In our study, we evaluated a random sample of 30 years of scientific publications on wild bees. Across 1426 surveyed publications, 536 reported the lethal take of wild bees. We found that 61% of these studies lethally captured wild bees primarily for species identification. Furthermore, we determined passive sampling of wild bees resulted in substantially more lethal collections than active methods per study. However, combined approaches of passive and active collection resulted in the greatest lethal take of wild bees per study. Finally, we determined that 64% of the studies did not provide deposition information for their samples, hindering additional research that could be done with them. The increasing availability of video and photographic devices and artificial intelligence approaches to identification, the development of low and noninvasive molecular methods, and the ease of sharing information, allow for a timely discussion on alternative routes and potentially new best practices in bee research. We focus our discussion on alternative methods for minimizing lethal captures for identification purposes and through passive methods, and for maximizing the utility of the data collected. Finally, we provide a framework for continued engagement among researchers and managers to develop strategies that can contribute to reducing our impact on wild bee communities and making the most of collected specimens.
Delivering paediatric precision medicine: Genomic and environmental considerations along the causal pathway of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Woolfenden Sue , Farrar Michelle A. , Eapen Valsamma , Masi Anne , Wakefield Claire E. , Badawi Nadia , Novak Iona , Nassar Natasha , Lingam Raghu , Dale Russell C.
Published: June 2022

Precision medicine refers to treatments that are targeted to an individual's unique characteristics. Precision medicine for neurodevelopmental disorders (such as cerebral palsy, attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, Tourette syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder) in children has predominantly focused on advances in genomic sequencing technologies to increase our ability to identify single gene mutations, diagnose a multitude of rare neurodevelopmental disorders, and gain insights into pathogenesis. Although targeting specific gene variants with high penetrance will help some children with rare disease, this approach will not help most children with neurodevelopmental disorders. A ‘pathway’ driven approach targeting the cumulative influence of psychosocial, epigenetic, or cellular factors is likely to be more effective. To optimize the therapeutic potential of precision medicine, we present a biopsychosocial integrated framework to examine the ‘gene–environment neuroscience interaction’. Such an approach would be supported through harnessing the power of big data, transdiagnostic assessment, impact and implementation evaluation, and a bench‐to‐bedside scientific discovery agenda with ongoing clinician and patient engagement.

What this paper adds

Precision medicine has predominantly focused on genetic risk factors.

The impact of environmental risk factors, particularly inflammatory, metabolic, and psychosocial risks, is understudied.

A holistic biopsychosocial model of neurodevelopmental disorder causal pathways is presented.

The model will provide precision medicine across the full spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Do subsidies on seed and fertilizer lead to child labour? Evidence from Malawi
Authors: Frempong Raymond Boadi
Published: June 2022

Motivation

Sub‐Saharan African governments have subsidized farm inputs—fertilizer and seed especially—to increase food production by small‐scale farmers to improve food security. A potential drawback of such schemes is that they may encourage farmers to put their children to work in the fields, harming their education.

Purpose

Did the Malawi Farm Input Subsidy Programme that began in 2005/2006 increase child labour on the holdings of beneficiary smallholders?

Methods and approach

The article analyses data from the Malawi Integrated Household Panel Survey to examine the effect of seed and fertilizer subsidies on child labour. The study employs a correlated‐random‐effects‐control function regression, using district coupon allocation as an instrumental variable for coupons received by households.

Findings

There was statistically significant evidence that the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP) increased child labour. The effect, however, was relatively small. At the sample mean, it was estimated that the programme led to a 12 percentage point increase in the likelihood that children would work on the farm and that the children would work an additional 72 minutes a week on the fields. The FISP, however, did not affect the enrolment of children in school.

Effects varied socially: children in male‐headed, uneducated, and smallholder households were the most affected.

Policy implications

Although the observed effects are not large, they are unwelcome. Two policy corrections could eliminate them. One, the award of subsidy coupons could be made conditional on children's school performance. Two, given that the effects barely applied in households where parents had been to school, agricultural training should stress the importance of children attending school and not working in the fields.
Making space for freshwater biodiversity in low‐income fishing economies
Authors: Brummett Randall E.
Published: June 2022

Globally, freshwater biodiversity and the food system that it underpins are under enormous threat. Historically damaged by overfishing, environmental deterioration (e.g., pollution, damming, water extraction and watershed modification) is now destroying canonical ecosystem structure. Under pressure to secure the food supply and create jobs, local politicians are reluctant to enforce rules that would reduce fishing pressure and threaten the already vulnerable economies of many fishing communities. Aquaculture can directly address food supply but has in the past been troubled with its own negative environmental footprint. New technology is available to solve these problems. Modern aquaculture, as a commercial alternative to capture fishing can take advantage of existing infrastructure to grow more food, but more importantly, create new and better jobs in places where few alternatives exist, making economic and local political space for policies that operate for both food production and the protection of aquatic biodiversity. This opinion seeks to revise the current vision of aquaculture as a competitor and threat to inland fisheries, arguing rather that the way to approach the biodiversity crisis in freshwater is to create economic alternatives to fishing and environmental abuse so that poor people can afford to care about nature.
Effets de la pandémie sur la sécurité et la santé des gens de mer, ces travailleurs clés du secteur maritime
Authors: SHAN Desai
Published: June 2022

Si la pandémie a bouleversé le monde du travail, elle n'a pas entièrement paralysé le commerce international, ce moteur essentiel de l'activité économique, ni le transport maritime, dont dépend l'acheminement de plus de 90 pour cent des marchandises mondiales. Cependant, en raison des restrictions destinées à freiner la propagation du virus, les gens de mer ont souvent été empêchés de quitter leur navire et de rentrer chez eux. L'autrice analyse la crise de la sécurité et de la santé au travail qui en a résulté pour ces travailleurs clés du secteur maritime, en s'appuyant sur des entretiens avec 29 d'entre eux.
Harnessing rhizobacteria to fulfil inter-linked nutrient dependency on soil and alleviate stresses in plants
Authors: Neemisha  , Kumar Arun , Sharma Poonam , Kaur Avneet , Sharma Sandeep , Jain Rahul
Published: June 2022

Plant rhizo-microbiome comprises complex microbial communities that colonize at the interphase of plant roots and soil. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in the rhizosphere provide important ecosystem services ranging from the release of essential nutrients for enhancing soil quality and improving plant health to imparting protection to plants against rising biotic and abiotic stresses. Hence, PGPR serve as restoring agents to rejuvenate soil health and mediate plant fitness in the facet of changing climate. Though it is evident that nutrient availability in soil is managed through inter-linked mechanisms, how PGPR expedite these processes remain less recognized. Promising results of PGPR inoculation on plant growth are continually reported in controlled environmental conditions, however, their field application often fails due to competition with native microbiota and low colonization efficiency in roots. The development of highly efficient and smart bacterial synthetic communities by integrating bacterial ecological and genetic features provides better opportunities for successful inoculant formulations. This review provides an overview of the interplay between nutrient availability and disease suppression governed by rhizobacteria in soil followed by the role of synthetic bacterial communities in developing efficient microbial inoculants. Moreover, an outlook on the beneficial activities of rhizobacteria in modifying soil characteristics to sustainably boost agroecosystem functioning is also provided.