bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Causal associations of central and peripheral risk factors with knee osteoarthritis: a longitudinal and Mendelian Randomisation study using UK Biobank data
Authors: Thompson William David , Swain Subhashisa , Zhao Sizheng Steven , Coupland Carol , Kuo Changfu , Doherty Michael , Zhang Weiya
Published: February 2024

Our aim was to investigate relative contributions of central and peripheral mechanisms to knee osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis and their independent causal association with knee OA. We performed longitudinal analysis using data from UK-Biobank participants. Knee OA was defined using International Classification of Diseases manual 10 codes from participants' hospital records. Central mechanisms were proxied using multisite chronic pain (MCP) and peripheral mechanisms using body mass index (BMI). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated, and proportional risk contribution (PRC) was estimated from receiver-operator-characteristic (ROC) analysis. To estimate the causal effects, we performed 2-sample multivariable Mendelian Randomisation (MR) analysis. We selected genetic instruments from the largest Genome Wide Association Study of BMI (N = 806,834) and MCP (N = 387,649) and estimated the instruments genetic associations with knee OA in the largest available dataset (62,497 cases and 333,557 control subjects). The multivariable MR was performed using modified inverse-variance weighting methods. Of the 203,410 participants, 6% developed knee OA. Both MCP (OR 1.23, 95% CI; 1.21-1.24) and BMI (1.10, 95% CI; 1.10-1.11) were associated with knee OA diagnosis. The PRC was 6.9% (95% CI; 6.7%-7.1%) for MCP and 21.9% (95% CI; 21.4%-22.5%) for BMI; the combined PRC was 38.8% (95% CI; 37.9%-39.8%). Body mass index and MCP had independent causal effects on knee OA (OR 1.76 [95% CI, 1.64-1.88] and 1.83 [95% CI, 1.54-2.16] per unit change, respectively). In conclusion, peripheral risk factors (eg, BMI) contribute more to the development of knee OA than central risk factors (eg, MCP). Peripheral and central factors are independently causal on knee OA.
Multiple venous thrombosis caused by F9 gene duplication and treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis, AngioJet-assisted pharmaco-mechanical thromboectomy and manual aspiration thromboectomy
Authors: Xiong Qing Gen , Li Ye , Chen Feng , Bi Meng Meng , Zhou Wei
Published: February 2024

Inferior vena cava thrombosis (IVCT) is rare. Thrombophilia is one of the important risk factors. It is also uncommon for gene mutations inF9gene to cause thrombosis but not hemorrhage. A 35-year-old male patient was admitted to our department with left lower limb swelling without an obvious cause for 1 day. Through contrast-enhanced computed tomography and color Doppler ultrasound, he was found to have lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, IVCT and pulmonary embolism. Through whole-exome sequencing analysis, he was found to carry a 925.7 kb duplication (chrX:137939698-138865419, hg19) encompassingATP11C,SRD5A1P1,MCF2,FGF13andF9genes. This duplication ofF9gene was not detected in his parents. Other thrombophilic genes defects were not found. The factor IX activities of this patient, his father and mother were 194, 70 and 148, respectively. He was treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis, AngioJet-assisted pharmaco-mechanical thromboectomy and manual aspiration thromboectomy. Complete recanalization of left femoral, iliac veins and inferior vena cava was achieved.F9gene duplication is a rare mutation, which can induce multiple venous thrombosis through increasing the activity level of factor IX in plasma. IVCT is a serious type of venous thrombosis. Personalized intervention treatment plans should be developed based on the different clinical characteristics of each case to achieve a higher benefit–risk ratio.
Comparation of 5 ml and 10 ml Negative Pressures with Wet-suction Techniques for EUS-FNA of Solid Lesions
Authors: Zhu Yuchun , Su Yang , Yang Peng , Li Jiaojun , Yu Tai , Wang Yi , Zhou Xi , Zhao Ming , Sun Xiaobin , Shan Jing
Published: February 2024

Background and Objectives:

The negative pressure selectable for the wet-suction technique remains uncertain. The aim was to investigate the quality of sampling and diagnostic accuracy with solid lesions by 5 mL and 10 mL negative pressure with wet-suction techniques.

Methods:

This is a single-center, crossover, randomized controlled trial conducted with a random sampling technique. In all, 160 patients consecutively undergoing EUS-FNA for solid lesions were randomized in a ratio of 1:1 into 2 groups, the 5 mL and 10 mL negative pressure wet-suction group. The main outcome was to compare the sample quality between the 2 groups. The secondary outcome was to compare the histologic and cytologic diagnostic accuracy of solid lesions.

Results:

Pancreatic (n=129) and nonpancreatic (n=27) lesions from 156 lesions were examined. The sample quality concluding cellularity, adequacy, integrity, and blood contamination were comparable between the 2 groups. However, in subgroup analysis, we found 19G FNA provided more integrity of specimen in 5 mL than in 10 mL group (100% vs. 82.9%, P=0.025). In contrast, this benefit was not noteworthy in the 22G FNA subgroup. And there was no statistically significant in histologic (87.82% vs. 87.18%, P=1.000) and cytologic (78.85% vs. 80.77%, P=0.778) accuracy between 5 mL and 10 mL groups.

Conclusion:

When using the wet-suction technique, 5 mL and 10 mL negative pressure offer equivalent sample quality and diagnostic accuracy. However, the 19G FNA can obtain better sample quality with 5 mL negative pressure than 10 mL negative pressure.
How I Do It: Robotic Choledochoscopy
Authors: Acho Robert , Calzon Maysen , Docimo Salvatore
Published: February 2024

Background:

As the use of the robotic platform increases among general surgeons, the amount of robotic cholecystectomies is expected to increase as well. The use of intraoperative cholangiography is valuable in assessing for choledocholithiasis. We describe our technique of performing robotic intraoperative cholangiograms with choledochoscopy. Out technique aids in efficiency since no undocking is required.

Methods:

Preoperatively, the decision to perform a cholangiogram is made based on physical exam, labs, and imaging findings. The procedure begins with obtaining a critical view of safety. The robotic arms are positioned in a manner that allows all 4 robotic arms to remain docked. A ductotomy is made and the cholangiocatheter is introduced. The cholangiogram images are then interpreted and if a stone is seen in the common bile duct we will then perform a transcystic common bile duct exploration using the SpyGlass Discover digital. A complete cholangiogram is then performed. The cystic duct is secured and the gallbladder is removed from the liver bed. The patients are watched overnight and discharged on postoperative day 1.

Conclusions:

A robotic approach to performing a transcystic common bile duct exploration is a safe and reproducible treatment method for choledocholithiasis. Our approach offers an advantage since no undocking is required.
Amycolatopsis mongoliensis sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium with antifungal activity isolated from a coal mining site in Mongolia
Authors: Oyuntsetseg Bilguun , Lee Hyang Burm , Kim Seung Bum
Published: February 2024

A novel filamentous actinobacterium designated strain 4-36T showing broad-spectrum antifungal activity was isolated from a coal mining site in Mongolia, and its taxonomic position was determined using polyphasic approach. Optimum growth occurred at 30 °C, pH 7.5 and in the absence of NaCl. Aerial and substrate mycelia were abundantly formed on agar media. The colour of aerial mycelium was white and diffusible pigments were not formed. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain 4-36T formed a distinct clade within the genus Amycolatopsis. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity showed that the strain was mostly related to Amycolatopsis lexingtonensis DSM 44544T and Amycolatopsis rifamycinica DSM 46095T with 99.3 % sequence similarity. However, the highest digital DNA–DNA hybridization value to closest species was 44.1 %, and the highest average nucleotide identity value was 90.2 %, both of which were well below the species delineation thresholds. Chemotaxonomic properties were typical of the genus Amycolatopsis, as the major fatty acids were C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0, the cell-wall diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid, the quinone was MK-9(H4), and the main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethanolamine and phosphatidylethanolamine. The in silico prediction of chemotaxonomic markers was also carried out by phylogenetic analysis. The genome mining for biosynthetic gene clusters of secondary metabolites in strain 4-36T revealed the presence of 34 gene clusters involved in the production of polyketide synthase, nonribosomal peptide synthetase, ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide, lanthipeptide, terpenes, siderophore and many other unknown clusters. Strain 4-36T showed broad antifungal activity against several filamentous fungi. The phenotypic, biochemical and chemotaxonomic properties indicated that the strain could be clearly distinguished from other species of Amycolatopsis, and thus the name Amycolatopsis mongoliensis sp. nov. is proposed accordingly (type strain, 4-36T=KCTC 39526T=JCM 30565T).
Molecular insights into the determinants of substrate specificity and efflux inhibition of the RND efflux pumps AcrB and AdeB
Authors: Wilhelm Julia , Pos Klaas Martinus
Published: February 2024

Gram-negative bacterial members of the Resistance Nodulation and cell Division (RND) superfamily form tripartite efflux pump systems that span the cell envelope. One of the intriguing features of the multiple drug efflux members of this superfamily is their ability to recognize different classes of antibiotics, dyes, solvents, bile salts, and detergents. This review provides an overview of the molecular mechanisms of multiple drug efflux catalysed by the tripartite RND efflux system AcrAB-TolC from Eschericha coli. The determinants for sequential or simultaneous multiple substrate binding and efflux pump inhibitor binding are discussed. A comparison is made with the determinants for substrate binding of AdeB from Acinetobacter baumannii, which acts within the AdeABC multidrug efflux system. There is an apparent general similarity between the structures of AcrB and AdeB and their substrate specificity. However, the presence of distinct conformational states and different drug efflux capacities as revealed by single-particle cryo-EM and mutational analysis suggest that the drug binding and transport features exhibited by AcrB may not be directly extrapolated to the homolog AdeB efflux pump.
Reliability of transcranial magnetic stimulation-evoked responses on knee extensor muscles during cycling
Authors: Zhang Jenny , McClean Zachary J. , Khaledi Neda , Morgan Sophie-Jayne , Millet Guillaume Y. , Aboodarda Saied Jalal
Published: February 2024

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measures the excitability and inhibition of corticomotor networks. Despite its task-specificity, few studies have used TMS during dynamic movements and the reliability of TMS-derived measures has not been assessed during cycling. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of motor evoked potentials (MEP) and short- and long-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI and LICI) on vastus lateralis and rectus femoris muscle activity during a fatiguing single-leg cycling task. Nine healthy adults (2 females) performed two identical sessions of counterweighted single-leg cycling at 60% peak power output until failure. Five single-pulses and five short- and long-interval paired pulses delivered to the motor cortex, and two maximal femoral nerve stimulations [maximal M-wave (Mmax)], were delivered during two baseline cycling bouts (unfatigued) and every 5 min throughout cycling (fatigued). When comparing both baseline bouts within the same session, MEP·Mmax-1and LICI (both ICC: >0.9) were rated excellent while SICI was rated good (ICC: 0.7-0.9). At baseline between sessions, in the vastus lateralis, Mmax(ICC: >0.9) and MEP·Mmax-1(ICC: 0.7) demonstrated good reliability, LICI was moderate (ICC: 0.5), and SICI was poor (ICC: 0.3). Across the fatiguing task, Mmaxdemonstrated excellent reliability (ICC >0.8), MEP·Mmax-1ranged good to excellent (ICC: 0.7-0.9), LICI was moderate to excellent (ICC: 0.5-0.9), and SICI remained poorly reliable (ICC: 0.3-0.6). Overall, these results corroborate the cruciality of retaining mode-specific testing measurements and suggest that during cycling, Mmax, MEP·Mmax-1, and LICI measures are reliable whereas SICI, although less reliable across days, can be reliable within the same session.
ROS responsive Aux/IAA multimerization modulates auxin responses
Authors: Roy Dipan , Mehra Poonam , Mukkawar Vaishnavi , Clark Lisa , Bellande Kevin , Vermeer Joop EM , Arevallilo Raquel Martin , Vernoux Teva , Sue ob Kawinnat , Jones Andrew , Bechtold Ulrike , Mullineaux Phil , Lilley Kathryn , Brown Adrian , Bennett Malcolm , Sadanandom Ari
Published: February 2024

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) function as key signals in plants to enable adaptation to environmental stresses. Plant roots respond to transient water stress by temporarily ceasing branching using the acclimative response xerobranching1. In this study, we report that a rapid ROS burst regulates Xerobranching by inducing multimerization of auxin repressor protein IAA3/SHY2. Mutations in specific cysteine residues in IAA3/SHY2 disrupt redox-mediated multimerization and interaction with co-repressor TPL, but not with auxin response partner ARF7 and auxin receptor TIR1. ROS-mediated oligomerization of IAA3/SHY2 is required for efficient ARF mediated target gene repression during Xerobranching and lateral root emergence. We demonstrate that AUX/IAA proteins vary in their redox mediated multimerization, revealing a new auxin response regulatory mechanism that directly connects ROS sensing to auxin signalling. Our study reveals how ROS, auxin and water stress intersect to shape acclimative responses in plant roots and maintain their phenotypic plasticity.
Hybrid diffuse optical appraisal of peripheral and cerebral changes in critically ill patients receiving red blood cell transfusion
Authors: Tagliabue Susanna , Rey-Perez Anna , Esposito Lourdes , Jimenez Andrés F. , Angulo Sara Valles , Maruccia Federica , Fischer Jonas B. , Kacprzak Michal , Poca Maria A. , Durduran Turgut
Published: February 2024

Background

Red blood cells transfusions (RBCT) are utilized to restore normal values of hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit percentage in anemic patients. As expected, RBCT often leads to local and global alteration of blood flow (BF) and blood/tissue oxygenation which could have local deleterious consequences. This complicates its use and its dosage and there is no consensus on liberal versus restrictive RBCT in critically ill patients. Blood gas sampling is utilized to bring objectivity to RBCT which is a reliable systemic measure. However, it is also hypothesized that the knowledge about the dynamic response of selected organs could improve RBCT outcomes. We carried out a study using non-invasive hybrid diffuse optics (DO) to assess the RBCT effect on the brain and a peripheral muscle by evaluating microvascular BF, oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and microvascular oxy-, deoxy- and total hemoglobin concentrations ([HbO2], [Hhb], [HbT]) in critically ill patients. We explored the DO’s ability to identify RBCT-induced significant alterations and to provide a quantitative description.

Methods

Critically ill anemic patients undergoing RBCT were recruited and monitored by hybrid DO. Blood gas samples were extracted to obtain arterial total hemoglobin concentration (Hgb) and hematocrit value. Optical signals, such as BF, OEF, metabolic rate of oxygen extraction (MRO2), [HbO2], [Hhb] and [HbT] were simultaneously measured at the cerebral and the peripheral tissues. The changes in these variables were investigated characterizing the distributions of the cerebral and of the peripheral post-RBCT variables.

Results

Fourteen out of fifteen recruited subjects were included. After RBCT, Hgb and hematocrit significantly increased (p<0.001). OEF significantly decreased both at peripheral and cerebral level (p<0.001, p<0.001). A significant increase was found in MRO2(p=0.03, p<0.001), [HbT] (p=0.01, p<0.0001) and [HbO2] (p=0.008, p<0.0001) at both levels. BF significantly decreased only at the peripheral level (p<0.001). No change was encountered in [Hhb] (p>0.05). No statistical difference was found between cerebral and peripheral signals post-RBCT (p>0.05) apart from MRO2(p=0.03, higher at peripheral tissue).

Conclusions

Hybrid DO detected tissue oxygenation improvement after RBCT, enabling a thorough examination. The potential for DO to quantify and alert changes of concern deserves further investigation.
Mild HIV-specific selective forces overlaying natural CD4+ T cell dynamics explain the clonality and decay dynamics of HIV reservoir cells
Authors: Reeves Daniel B. , Rigau Danielle N. , Romero Arianna , Zhang Hao , Simonetti Francesco R. , Varriale Joseph , Hoh Rebecca , Zhang Li , Smith Kellie N. , Montaner Luis J. , Rubin Leah H. , Gange Stephen J. , Roan Nadia R. , Tien Phyllis C. , Margolick Joseph B. , Peluso Michael J. , Deeks Steven G. , Schiffer Joshua T. , Siliciano Janet D. , Siliciano Robert F. , Antar Annukka A. R.
Published: February 2024

The latent reservoir of HIV persists for decades in people living with HIV (PWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART). To determine if persistence arises from the natural dynamics of memory CD4+ T cells harboring HIV, we compared the clonal dynamics of HIV proviruses to that of memory CD4+ T cell receptors (TCRβ) from the same PWH and from HIV-seronegative people. We show that clonal dominance of HIV proviruses and antigen-specific CD4+ T cells are similar but that the field’s understanding of the persistence of the less clonally dominant reservoir is significantly limited by undersampling. We demonstrate that increasing reservoir clonality over time and differential decay of intact and defective proviruses cannot be explained by mCD4+ T cell kinetics alone. Finally, we develop a stochastic model of TCRβ and proviruses that recapitulates experimental observations and suggests that HIV-specific negative selection mediates approximately 6% of intact and 2% of defective proviral clearance. Thus, HIV persistence is mostly, but not entirely, driven by natural mCD4+ T cell kinetics.
SbPIP2Mediated Improvements in Plant Resilience: Physiological and Molecular Insights into Abiotic Stress Response
Authors: Patel Jaykumar , Khatri Kusum , Gupta Nirmala Kumari , Maniar Jalak , Khandwal Deepesh , Choudhary Babita , Phillips Dylan Wyn , Jones Huw Dylan , Mishra Avinash
Published: February 2024

Understanding the mechanisms behind plant resilience to abiotic stresses is essential for enhancing crop yield and sustainability. This study integrates findings from a comprehensive investigation into the function of theSbPIP2gene, which encodes an aquaporin protein, in improving the abiotic stress tolerance of transgenic plants. Our integrated approach revealed that transgenic plants overexpressingSbPIP2significantly reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and exhibit enhanced physiological attributes, including higher seed germination rates, improved growth, early flowering, and better seed setting under stress conditions. Notably, these plants also showed a quicker recovery and completion of their lifecycle post-stress treatment. The transcriptomic analysis provided a deeper understanding of the genetic modifications contributing to stress resilience, highlighting the involvement of genes associated with oxidative stress response, calcium and sugar signaling pathways, stomatal regulation, phytohormone biosynthesis, and flower development. Additionally, the study underscores the central role of abscisic acid (ABA) in mediating stress responses through hormonal regulation, with transgenic plants displaying increased ABA levels due to the upregulation of biosynthesis genes and downregulation of catabolism genes. This hormonal adjustment is critical for stomatal closure, reducing water loss, and enhancing tolerance to abiotic stresses. Our findings elucidate the complex genetic and molecular pathways that underpin abiotic stress tolerance in plants, offering valuable insights for future research aimed at improving crop resilience through genetic engineering, thereby addressing the challenges of climate change and environmental stressors.
Complex carbohydrate utilization by gut bacteria modulates host food preference
Authors: Yu Kristie B. , Son Celine , Chandra Anisha , Paramo Jorge , Novoselov Anna , Özcan Ezgi , Kazmi Sabeen A. , Lum Gregory R. , Lopez-Romero Arlene , Lynch Jonathan B. , Hsiao Elaine Y.
Published: February 2024

The gut microbiota interacts directly with dietary nutrients and has the ability to modify host feeding behavior, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Select gut bacteria digest complex carbohydrates that are non-digestible by the host and liberate metabolites that serve as additional energy sources and pleiotropic signaling molecules. Here we use a gnotobiotic mouse model to examine how differential fructose polysaccharide metabolism by commensal gut bacteria influences host preference for diets containing these carbohydrates.Bacteroides thetaiotaomicronandBacteroides ovatusselectively ferment fructans with different glycosidic linkages:B. thetaiotaomicronferments levan with β2-6 linkages, whereasB. ovatusferments inulin with β2-1 linkages. Since inulin and levan are both fructose polymers, inulin and levan diet have similar perceptual salience to mice. We find that mice colonized withB. thetaiotaomicronprefer the non-fermentable inulin diet, while mice colonized withB. ovatusprefer the non-fermentable levan diet. Knockout of bacterial fructan utilization genes abrogates this preference, whereas swapping the fermentation ability ofB. thetaiotaomicronto inulin confers host preference for the levan diet. Bacterial fructan fermentation and host behavioral preference for the non-fermentable fructan are associated with increased neuronal activation in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, a key brain region for appetite regulation. These results reveal that selective nutrient metabolism by gut bacteria contributes to host associative learning of dietary preference, and further informs fundamental understanding of the biological determinants of food choice.
Greater leaf photosynthesis in the field by increasing mesophyll conductance via modified cell wall porosity and thickness in tobacco
Authors: Salesse-Smith Coralie E. , Lochocki Edward B. , Doran Lynn , Haas Benjamin E. , Stutz Samantha S. , Long Stephen P.
Published: February 2024

Mesophyll conductance (gm) describes the ease with which CO2passes from the sub-stomatal cavities of the leaf to the primary carboxylase of photosynthesis, Rubisco. Increasinggmhas been suggested as a means to engineer increases in photosynthesis by increasing [CO2] at Rubisco, inhibiting oxygenation and accelerating carboxylation. Here tobacco was transgenically up-regulated with Arabidopsis Cotton Golgi-related 3 (CGR3), a gene controlling methylesterification of pectin, as a strategy to increase CO2diffusion across the cell wall and thereby increasegm. Across three independent events in tobacco strongly expressingAtCGR3,mesophyll cell wall thickness was decreased by 7-13%, wall porosity increased by 75%, andgmmeasured by carbon isotope discrimination increased by 28%. Importantly, field-grown plants showed an average 8% increase in leaf photosynthetic CO2uptake. UpregulatingCGR3provides a new strategy for increasinggmin dicotyledonous crops, leading to higher CO2assimilation and a potential means to sustainable crop yield improvement.
Associations between multiple immune-response-related proteins and neonatal infection: a proximity extension assay based proteomic study in cord plasma of twins
Authors: Chen Ruoqing , Tan Weiri , Zheng Yeqi , Wu Feng , Liang Hui , Chen Youmei , Liu Xian , Fang Fang , Zhang Rui , Zhang Quanfu , Chen Xu
Published: February 2024

Background

Given their immature immune system, neonates are highly susceptible to infection, a major cause of neonatal death. However, associations between immune-response-related proteins and risk of neonatal infection have yet been systematically investigated.

Methods

We conducted a nested case-control study of 149 twins (60 cases and 89 controls, including 34 pairs of discordant twins), within the Shenzhen Baoan Birth and Twin (SZBBTwin) cohort. Using proximity extension assay of Olink Proteomics, 92 immune-response-related proteins were measured in samples of cord plasma. All twins were followed for a diagnosis of infection from birth until 27 days of age. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to determine differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), and multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the associations of the levels of proteins with neonatal infection. The receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to evaluate the predictive performance of DEPs. Enrichment analysis was performed to annotate potential functions and pathways of DEPs.

Results

Five DEPs (ITGA11, FCRL6, DDX58, SH2D1A, and EDAR) were identified for neonatal infection. A higher cord plasma level of integrin alpha 11 (ITGA11) was associated with a higher risk of neonatal infection in both the analyses of all twins and discordant twins. The area under the curve achieved 0.835 for the five DEPs. The identified DEPs were mainly involved in immune function and protein binding, and most of them were enriched in the nuclear factor kappa-B pathway.

Conclusion

Multiple immune-response-related proteins in cord plasma, particularly ITGA11, are associated with the risk of neonatal infection.

Key point

In this nested case-control study, 92 immune-response-related proteins were measured in cord plasma by proximity extension assay. A higher level of ITGA11 was associated with a higher risk of neonatal infection, in the analyses of all twins and discordant twins.
Retrospective cohort analysis of surgical management for congenital diaphragmatic eventration in children
Authors: Alzahrani Khalid , Heng Lymeymey , Khen-Dunlop Naziha , Panait Nicoleta , Hervieux Erik , Grynberg Lucie , Abbo Olivier , Hameury Frédéric , Lavrand Frédéric , Maillet Olivier , Haffreingue Aurore , Lehn Anne , Napoli Cocci Stephan De , Habonimana Edouard , Michel Jean-Luc , Montalva Louise , Ballouhey Quentin , Fotso Kamdem Arnaud , Lecompte Jean-François , Liné Antoine , Poupalou Anna , Meignan Pierre , Deslandes Loren , Podevin Guillaume , Schmitt Françoise
Published: February 2024

Aim

To compare the different surgical approaches for treating congenital diaphragmatic eventration (CDE) in children.

Methods

Retrospective data analysis of a multicentric cohort of pediatric patients operated on for CDE between 2010 and 2021, with comparison of the different surgical approaches and their outcomes.

Results

112 patients, aged 12 [5–21] months, were operated on for CDE. Diaphragmatic plication was performed using thoracoscopy or RATS in 69 (62%) cases, postero-lateral thoracotomy (PLT) in 15 (13%), and using an abdominal approach in 28 (25%). Relief of symptoms was obtained in 88% of the cases and improvement in the diaphragmatic level in 90%. We recorded 31 postoperative complications (28%) and eight recurrences (7%). Compared to other approaches, PLT multiplied the duration of intravenous analgesia by three (96 vs 36h, p<0.0001) and the length of hospital stay by two (8 vs 4d, p=0.002). RATS provided more perioperative hepatic injuries and equivalent short-term results than thoracoscopy, but all five patients remained symptomatic and two of them experienced chest wall deformities.

Conclusion

Diaphragmatic plication via a minimally invasive thoracic approach may be the best treatment option for cases of symptomatic CDE. Further is required to confirm that RATS is, at least, not inferior to thoracoscopy.

ClinicalTrialNCT04862494, 2021-04-28;
Evolution of cooperation in deme-structured populations on graphs
Authors: Moawad Alix , Abbara Alia , Bitbol Anne-Florence
Published: February 2024

Understanding how cooperation can evolve in populations despite its cost to individual cooperators is an important challenge. Models of spatially structured populations with one individual per node of a graph have shown that cooperation, modeled via the prisoner's dilemma, can be favored by natural selection. These results depend on microscopic update rules, which determine how birth, death, and migration on the graph are coupled. Recently, we developed coarse-grained models of spatially structured populations on graphs, where each node comprises a well-mixed deme, and where migration is independent from division and death, thus bypassing the need for update rules. Here, we study the evolution of cooperation in these models in the rare-migration regime, within the prisoner's dilemma. We find that cooperation is not favored by natural selection in these coarse-grained models on graphs where overall deme fitness does not directly impact migration from a deme. This is due to a separation of scales, whereby cooperation occurs at a local level within demes, while spatial structure matters between demes.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Ferroically Ordered Magnetic Octupoles in
d
-Wave Altermagnets
Authors: Bhowal Sayantika , Spaldin Nicola A.
Published: February 2024

We show that time-reversal symmetry-broken, centrosymmetric antiferromagnets with nonrelativistic spin splitting of d-wave symmetry—the so-called d-wave —are conveniently described in terms of the ferroic ordering of magnetic octupoles. The magnetic octupoles are the lowest-order ferroically ordered magnetic quantity in this case and so are the natural order parameter for the transition into the magnetically ordered state. They provide a unified description of the broken time-reversal symmetry and the nonrelativistic spin splitting, as well as a platform for manipulating the latter, and account for other phenomena, such as piezomagnetism, characteristic of this class of antiferromagnets. Unusually for antiferromagnets, we show that the magnetic octupoles cause a nonzero magnetic Compton scattering, providing a route for their direct experimental detection. We illustrate these concepts using density-functional and model calculations for the prototypical nonrelativistic spin-split antiferromagnet, rutile-structure manganese difluoride MnF2.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The decay of location advantages and the substitutive role of firm-specific advantages in technology-based manufacturing
Authors: Courtens Fiona Maureen , Haezendonck Elvira , Verbeke Alain
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This research aims to provide a new perspective on the evolving linkages between LAs and FSAs in the context of the technology-based manufacturing industry. Firm-level competitive strengths in an international context build upon the combination of (largely) exogenous location advantages (LAs) and endogenous firm-specific advantages (FSAs). The authors focus especially on the decay of LAs over time, which has been observed in many highly developed countries during the past decades. The authors show how the strengthening of FSAs can substitute for decaying LAs, thereby safeguarding against the demise of entire industrial regions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examine the technology-based manufacturing industry in Belgium, building upon an analysis of survey responses by 66 firms including a subgroup of 26 multinational enterprise (MNE) subsidiaries. The professional association representing this industry in Belgium (Agoria) viewed the firms included in the survey as representative for Belgian technology-based manufacturing in terms of the LAs they presently build upon (or location disadvantages they face) and the internal strengths they command relative to (foreign) rivals. The investigation uncovered the decay of critical LAs in Belgium and in parallel, the rise of ‘compensating’ FSAs of Belgian operations relative to foreign firms, including, especially, MNE sister subsidiaries in other countries. The authors also conducted 23 in-depth interviews with senior level managers (CEOs and senior vice presidents) of technology-based firms, including 10 subsidiaries of foreign-owned MNEs, which validated our analysis of the interplay between LAs and FSAs.

Findings

The findings reveal that since inception, Belgian manufacturing operations experienced an overall decay in their critical LAs by 23% on average. Despite this, several Belgian subsidiaries of foreign MNEs consider themselves as commanding a resource-base superior to that of the next-best-in-class subsidiaries. Furthermore, when assessing the dynamic interplay between LAs and FSAs, there is some evidence that the decay of LAs fueled the quest for – and firm-level journey toward – stronger FSAs.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is the alternative perspective to the conventionally assumed “positive-positive” relationship between LAs and FSAs. Prior management research has not examined the impact of decaying LAs on new FSA-creation in the realm of technology-based manufacturing.
The three levels of organizational change to build future potential organizations
Authors: Krajcsák Zoltán , Bakacsi Gyula
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to answer the question of what characterizes organizations with future-potential, and with the help of a model introduced in this study, the authors propose what interventions can be identified and which improvements need to be made in traditional organizations so that they meet the requirements of future-potentiality.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted to identify management interventions. Citation and co-word analyses were also performed. Content analysis of 311 journal articles from the past five years was performed taking into account relevant keywords, and disciplinary narrowing was also applied. These articles were used to identify knowledge that could be used to suggest micro-, meso- and macro-level changes.

Findings

To develop the future potential of organizations, three organizational levels must be separated. The first is the micro level of relations between leaders and employees, where equity is a key value for future potentiality. It should be emphasized that not all employees’ organizational commitment is equally important for organizations with future potential, and leaders should strengthen their commitment according to individual needs and opportunities. The second is the meso level, where the decisive value is organizational moderation, and this suggests that a careful and restrained development is needed both in satisfying consumer needs and in innovation. The third is the macro level, where the defining value is responsibility and sustainability, which are necessary for achieving a state where the active development of national culture becomes possible.

Originality/value

Contrary to the authors’ expectations, it has been found that there are only a few studies dealing with change management for the purpose of achieving a future potential mode of organizational operation; thus, the results can be considered new and will contribute to the development of a cross-section of change management and future studies.
Reconciliation and settlement in the anti-privatization strike: a case study of power supply sector in Maharashtra, India
Authors: Sen Sujoy , Kadam Sanjeev , Nair Reshma
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to study the motives that led to conflict between two groups – Employees of state-owned power distribution companies and the Government – over permitting parallel licensing to a private company for power distribution services in selected areas of the Maharashtra state in India. The study also seeks to comprehend the reconciliation process and the role of leadership in thwarting the strike that could have impacted common citizens.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is built on a case-based approach to analyze the pre- and poststrike environment along with the impact of the power shortage during the few hours of the strike. A semi-structured interview method wherein government and employee union representatives were interviewed to understand their version of the incident is used. Related literature, reports and news were reviewed to realize the impacts and consequences of similar situations in the past.

Findings

The strike was called off within a few hours with the intervention of state government to resolve the issue, promising the union the government’s intention not to privatize but to invest INR 500bn in the three government companies. The parallel licensing may impact government-owned power distribution companies as well as customers in the future.

Practical implications

It will pave the way for lessons related to such incidence where the Government and the Unions are at loggerheads over issues like privatization or ownership of the company and help the involved and other parties to seek a viable solution. The role of resilient leadership demonstrated by both parties led to a win-win solution within a few hours of the strike.

Originality/value

The paper is a case study on an issue that is very contemporary; the role of leadership and its swiftness in decision-making that led to a solution to a very complex situation is something that was not done earlier in the context of the State vs Union issue.
CSR, brand image and WOM: a multiple mediation analysis
Authors: Fatma Mobin , Khan Imran
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in forming a brand image and word of mouth (WOM) in the hotel industry in India. This study proposed a framework for examining the influence of CSR activities on self-congruence and the brand attitudes and indirect effects on consumer brand image and WOM in the hospitality industry in India.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered questionnaire is used to collect the data from the hotel guests staying in four five-star hotels in the Delhi NCR. The structural equation modelling was used for the empirical data analysis using AMOS 23.0.

Findings

The findings suggest that CSR, directly and indirectly, influences the brand image and WOM. The present study confirms CSR’s indirect effects on brand image and WOM.

Originality/value

The findings from this study will help companies design customer-driven, socially responsible activities. In the context of hotels, a mechanism based on social exchange suggests that CSR activities signal to consumers that the hotel supports society’s well-being; thus, the customers feel obliged to reciprocate the action by having a positive WOM and brand image. Therefore, hotel firms benefit from their socially responsible activities by having a positive attitude, self-congruence and WOM.
Pandemic-driven business model sustainability: a review
Authors: Klimanov Denis , Tretyak Olga
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to review and summarize the findings of research dedicated to studying the process of building sustainable business models (BM) triggered by development of COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Bibliometric analysis is performed to identify the papers most relevant to the topic. The authors review the findings of more than 50 papers from Scopus database published between 2020 and 2022 dedicated to studying BM during COVID-19 pandemic, as well as papers dedicated to sustainability phenomenon and most cited BM research.

Findings

The paper identifies the gap in defining BM sustainability and contributes to better understanding of this phenomenon by demarcating it from traditional environment-based United Nations agenda. It also describes why network-based approach to BM helps to better address sustainability aspects. The paper demonstrates how representation of a networked BM by three levels of analysis (namely, structure of a BM, interaction mechanism between BM actors and results of their interaction) is organically connected to the key milestones of the value creation process (value definition, value creation, value distribution and value capture) and shows how these three levels can be used to analyze and structure the practical changes proposed in COVID-19-oriented BM. Finally, the paper summarizes key findings of the studies dedicated to BM during the pandemic and structures key insights in relation to building sustainable BM.

Research limitations/implications

The results of the paper contribute to developing theory around BM sustainability as well as provide insights for business practitioners on how to adjust BM during the crisis. At the same time, many insights shown in the paper are industry specific, which limits their generalizability, as well as consequences of the pandemic are still not fully clear. Therefore, the authors argue that future research should be primarily focused on developing generalizable measurement frameworks to evaluate the antecedents, process and results of BM adaptation.

Originality/value

The paper strengthens theoretical foundations for the research focused on BM sustainability and helps businesses to better manage the adaptation in the fast-changing environment.
A systematic review with meta-analysis of supply chain agility antecedents and its effect on firm performance
Authors: Beigi Firoozi Allahyar , Bashokouh Mohammad , Seifollahi Naser , Zarei Ghasem
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The rising complexity of business changes has increasingly highlighted the requirements to provide a comprehensive and empirical framework for the supply chain agility (SCA). A review of extant studies shows that the results are complicated and ambiguous. Moreover, this study is a meta-analytical review of previous empirical studies to identify SCA antecedents and effects of SCA on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

According to the protocol, 64 studies were chosen as the sample to survey the relationships between five clusters of SC allopoietic properties (SCAPs) (SC connectivity, symbiotic relationship (SR), cognitive openness (CO), homeostasis and collaboration) and SCA, as well as its effects on firm performance.

Findings

Among antecedents, horizontal collaboration’s effect on SCA is the strongest, and the relationship between SR-SCA and CO-SCA is less than moderate. SCA affects firm performance and its dimensions, with a stronger effect on financial performance (FP). Furthermore, the SCA study in the framework of allopoietic systems is a good starting point for future research.

Practical implications

Managers are advised to constantly review repetitive interactions between the company and its environment and to learn about interactions between SC and the environment. Learning from these interactions and disseminating their explicit knowledge among company members lead to a quick response to the environmental instability.

Originality/value

As the first meta-analysis on SCA antecedents and its effects on firm performance, this study contributes to the SCA literature and provides research directions for the future.
The role of privacy-related factors in consumer perceptions of smart advertising
Authors: Shieh Chih-Hui , Ling I-Ling , Liu Yi-Fen
Published: February 2024

Purpose

As a smart service, location-based advertising (LBA) integrates advanced technologies to deliver personalized messages based on a user’s real-time geographic location and needs. However, research has shown that privacy concerns threaten the diffusion of LBA. This research investigates how privacy-related factors (i.e. LBA type, privacy self-efficacy (PSE) and consumer generation) impact consumers’ value-in-use and their intention to use LBA.

Design/methodology/approach

This study developed and examined an LBA value-in-use framework that integrates the role of LBA type, consumers’ PSE and consumer generation into the technology acceptance model (TAM). Data were collected through two experiments in the field with a total of 374 consumers. The proposed relationships were tested using PROCESS modeling.

Findings

The results reveal that pull (vs push) LBA causes higher value-in-use in terms of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, leading to greater usage intention. Further, the differences in the mediated relationship between pull- and push-LBA are larger among consumers of low PSE (vs high PSE) and Generation Z (vs other generations). The findings suggest that the consumer value-in-use brought about by LBA diminishes when using push-LBA for low PSE and Generation Z consumers.

Originality/value

This research is the first to integrate the privacy-related interactions of LBA type and consumer characteristics into TAM to develop a TAM-based LBA value-in-use framework. This study contributes to the literature on service value-in-use, smart services and LBA by clarifying the boundary conditions that determine the effectiveness of LBA in enhancing consumers’ value-in-use.
Wickedity in onboarding to high-stress social work: an action research study
Authors: Persson Anne Stouby , Revsbæk Line
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to answer report how mentors who onboard newcomers to a high-stress social work organization can learn about their onboarding practice by treating onboarding as a wicked problem that escapes definitive formulation and final solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors follow an action research approach with three iterations of learning about onboarding with mentors in a Danish social work organization struggling with an employee turnover exceeding 30%.

Findings

The authors unfold the authors’ emerging sensitivity to wickedity over the iterations of learning about onboarding with the mentors. As the authors foreground the wickedity of the authors onboarding in the last iteration, three lessons learned could be derived: it warrants the mentors’ continuous inquiry; opens inquiry into the ambivalence of mentoring; and convenes responsibility for inquiry to a community of mentors.

Research limitations/implications

This study of problematic onboarding to high-stress social work shows the value of fore-grounding wickedity instead of hiding it with a positive framing. This wickedity rests on situated grounding and is only transferrable to other organizations with the utmost caution.

Practical implications

High-stress social work organizations without the capacity to systematically sustain best practices for onboarding may, instead, increase attention to the wickedity of onboarding as a motivation for continuous inquiry by a broader community of mentors.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to present an action research study of problem wickedity to motivate mentors’ inquiry into onboarding newcomers to high-stress social work.