bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biophysical models of dispersal contribute to seascape genetic analyses
Authors: Jahnke Marlene , Jonsson Per R.
Published: January 2022

Dispersal is generally difficult to directly observe. Instead, dispersal is often inferred from genetic markers and biophysical modelling where a correspondence indicates that dispersal routes and barriers explain a significant part of population genetic differentiation. Biophysical models are used for wind-driven dispersal in terrestrial environments and for propagules drifting with ocean currents in the sea. In the ocean, such seascape genetic or seascape genomic studies provide promising tools in applied sciences, as actions within management and conservation rely on an understanding of population structure, genetic diversity and presence of local adaptations, all dependent on dispersal within the metapopulation. Here, we surveyed 87 studies that combine population genetics and biophysical models of dispersal. Our aim was to understand if biophysical dispersal models can generally explain genetic differentiation. Our analysis shows that genetic differentiation and lack of genetic differentiation can often be explained by dispersal, but the realism of the biophysical model, as well as local geomorphology and species biology also play a role. The review supports the use of a combination of both methods, and we discuss our findings in terms of recommendations for future studies and pinpoint areas where further development is necessary, particularly on how to compare both approaches.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Species’ ranges in the face of changing environments (part I)’.
Managing human-mediated range shifts: understanding spatial, temporal and genetic variation in marine non-native species
Authors: Holman Luke E. , Parker-Nance Shirley , de Bruyn Mark , Creer Simon , Carvalho Gary , Rius Marc
Published: January 2022

The use of molecular tools to manage natural resources is increasingly common. However, DNA-based methods are seldom used to understand the spatial and temporal dynamics of species' range shifts. This is important when managing range shifting species such as non-native species (NNS), which can have negative impacts on biotic communities. Here, we investigated the ascidian NNSCiona robusta,Clavelina lepadiformis,Microcosmus squamigerandStyela plicatausing a combined methodological approach. We first conducted non-molecular biodiversity surveys for these NNS along the South African coastline, and compared the results with historical surveys. We detected no consistent change in range size across species, with some displaying range stability and others showing range shifts. We then sequenced a section of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) from tissue samples and found genetic differences along the coastline but no change over recent times. Finally, we found that environmental DNA metabarcoding data showed broad congruence with both the biodiversity survey and the COI datasets, but failed to capture the complete incidence of all NNS. Overall, we demonstrated how a combined methodological approach can effectively detect spatial and temporal variation in genetic composition and range size, which is key for managing both thriving NNS and threatened species.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Species’ ranges in the face of changing environments (part I)’.
Potential for emergence of foodborne and waterborne trematodiases in California
Authors: Metz Daniel C.G. , Turner Andrew V. , Nelson Alexandria P. , Hechinger Ryan F.
Published: January 2022

We document that three human-pathogenic zoonotic trematodes are introduced and widespread throughout southern California in their first intermediate host snail (Melanoides tuberculata). We highlight the need to consider these introductions from a public health perspective in California and elsewhere in the United States the snail has invaded.
Stochastic resonance and bifurcations in a heterogeneous neuronal population explain intrinsic oscillatory patterns in entorhinal cortical stellate cells
Authors: Mittal Divyansh , Narayanan Rishikesh
Published: January 2022

Stellate cells in the medial entorhinal cortex manifest peri-threshold oscillatory patterns in their membrane voltage. Although different theoretical frameworks have been proposed to explain these activity patterns, these frameworks do not jointly account for heterogeneities in intrinsic properties of stellate cells and stochasticity in ion-channel and synaptic physiology. In this study, we first performedin vitropatch-clamp electrophysiological recordings from rat MEC stellate cells and found pronounced cell-to-cell variability in their characteristic physiological properties. We demonstrate that stochasticity introduced into either a simple nonlinear dynamical system (Hopf bifurcation) or into heterogeneous biophysical models yielded activity patterns that were qualitatively similar to peri-threshold oscillations in stellate cells. We developed five quantitative metrics for identification of valid oscillatory traces and confirmed that these metrics reliably captured the variable amplitude and non-rhythmic oscillatory patterns observed in our electrophysiological recordings. We analyzed traces from a stochastic Hopf bifurcation system for further confirmation on the reliability of these quantitative metrics in detecting oscillatory patterns. Apart from providing confirmation, these analyses provided a key insight about the manifestation of stochastic resonance in the stochastic bifurcation system, but not with theta-filtered noise. We then validated peri-threshold activity patterns obtained from a heterogeneous population of stellate cell models, with each model assessed with multiple trials of different levels and forms of noise (ion-channel, synaptic, and additive) at different membrane depolarizations. Strikingly, the validation process confirmed the manifestation of heterogeneous stochastic bifurcations across all models and revealed the detection of the highest number of valid oscillatory traces at an optimal level of each form of noise. The manifestation of stochastic resonance in this heterogeneous model population explained why intrinsic theta oscillations might not be observed underin vivoconditions where noise levels are typically high. Together, we provide several lines of evidence that demonstrate heterogeneous stochastic bifurcations as a unifying framework that fully explains peri-threshold oscillatory patterns in stellate cells and argue for state-dependence in the manifestation of these oscillations.
Lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles utilize B cells and dendritic cells to elicit distinct antigen-specific CD4+and CD8+T cell responses
Authors: Zhang Michael H. , Scotland Brianna L. , Jiao Yun , Slaby Emily M. , Truong Nhu , Stephanie Georgina , Pearson Ryan M. , Szeto Gregory L.
Published: January 2022

Antigen presenting cells (APCs) have been extensively studied for treating cancers and autoimmune diseases. Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent APCs that uptake and present antigens (Ags) to activate immunity or tolerance. Despite their active use in cellular immunotherapies, DCs face several challenges that hinder clinical translation, such as inability to control Ag dosing for tuning immune responses and low abundance in peripheral blood. B cells are a potential alternative to DCs, but their poor non-specific Ag uptake capabilities compromise controllable priming of T cells. We developed phospholipid-conjugated Ags (L-Ags) and lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (L/P-Ag NPs) as Ag delivery platforms to expand the range of accessible APCs for use in priming CD4+and CD8+T cells. These delivery platforms were evaluated using DCs, CD40-activated B cells, and resting B cells as a diverse set of APCs to understand the impact of various Ag delivery mechanisms for generation of Ag-specific T cell responses. L-Ag delivery (termed depoting) of MHC class I and II-restricted Ags successfully loaded all APC types in a tunable manner and primed both Ag-specific CD8+and CD4+T cells, respectively. Incorporating L-Ags and polymer-conjugated Ags (P-Ag) into NPs can direct Ags to different uptake pathways to engineer the dynamics of presentation and shape T cell responses. DCs were capable of processing and presenting Ag delivered from both L- and P-Ag NPs yet B cells could only utilize Ag delivered from L-Ag NPs. Multivariate analysis of cytokines secreted from APC:T cell co-cultures indicated that L-Ag NPs primed different T cell responses than P-Ag NPs. Altogether, we show that L-Ags and P-Ags can be rationally paired within a single NP to leverage distinct delivery mechanisms to access multiple Ag processing pathways in two APC types, offering a modular delivery platform for engineering immunotherapies.
On taming the effect of transcript level intra-condition count variation during differential expression analysis: a story of dogs, foxes and wolves
Authors: Lobo Diana , Godinho Raquel , Archer John Patrick
Published: January 2022

The evolution of RNA-seq technologies has yielded datasets of high scientific value that are often generated as condition associated biological replicates within differential expression studies. As the number of replicates increase, so to does confidence in identifying differentially expressed transcripts. With rapidly expanding RNA-seq data archives there is opportunity to augment replicate numbers when conditions of interest overlap at an inter-study level. Despite correction procedures for estimating transcript abundance, a remaining source of error is transcript level intra-condition count variation; as partially indicated by the disjointed results between differential expression analysis tools. Such variation is amplified at an inter-study level. Here, we present TVscript, a tool that removes reference-based transcripts associated with intra-condition variation above specified thresholds. With this tool we explore the effects of removing transcripts associated with varying degrees of intra-condition variation on differential expression analysis. This is done in relation to inter- and intra-study datasets representing brain samples of dogs, wolves and foxes (wolves vs. dogs and aggressive vs. tame foxes). We demonstrate that 20% of the transcripts identified as being differentially expressed are associated with high levels of intra-condition variation. This is an over-representation relative to the reference set. As transcripts harbouring such variation are removed from the reference prior to differential expression analysis a discordance from 26 to 40% in the lists of differentially expressed transcripts is observed when compared to those obtained using the non-filtered reference. For our data, the removal of transcripts possessing intra-condition variation values within (and above) the 97th and 95th percentiles, for wolves vs. dogs and aggressive vs. tame foxes, maximized the detection of differentially expressed transcripts as a result of alterations within gene-wise dispersion estimates. Through this analysis the support for seven genes with potential for being involved with selection for tameness is provided. TVscript is available at: https://sourceforge.net/projects/tvscript/.
Notes of a protein crystallographer: the advantages of combining new integrated methods of structure solution with traditional data visuals
Authors: Abad-Zapatero Celerino
Published: January 2022

The suggestion is made that combining analysis using the most advanced crystallographic software with the integrated visual tools of the field will result in more knowledgeable and better trained future generations of structural biologists. The use of integrated visuals could also expedite the structure solution of some recalcitrant and complex macromolecular crystal structures that resist automatic workflows.
Consumer behaviour in relation to food waste: a systematic literature review
Authors: dos Santos Joina Ijuniclair Arruda Silva , da Silveira Denis Silva , da Costa Marconi Feitas , Duarte Rafael Batista
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this systematic literature review (SLR) is to analyse which consumer behaviours are more evident in relation to food waste, in addition to seeking to identify which types of food are most wasted in homes and the methods which have been used by studies for such particularities. In this paper, it was possible to identify the universe of consumer characteristics covering the main contributions to the development of this theme with different points of view.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this goal, the authors performed a SLR according to well-established guidelines set. The authors used tools to partially support the process, which relies on a four-member research team.

Findings

The authors report on 49 primary studies that deal the lack of planning, excessive purchases and the non-reuse of food leftovers by the consumer as the characteristics most evidenced as a consequence of food waste. Furthermore, fruits, vegetables and bread are the most wasted food. Regarding the most used research methods, some studies in this SLR use the qualitative method, but mostly food waste is analysed using the quantitative method.

Originality/value

This SLR is different because it seeks to group different aspects of food waste, mapping not only the consumer’s behavioural characteristics but also seeking to identify the most wasted food. The research contributed to finding theoretical gaps on the subject in favour of reducing waste, based on the findings that demonstrate causing food waste.
Noise analysis of electrical circuits on fractal set
Authors: Banchuin Rawid
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to originally present noise analysis of electrical circuits defined on fractal set.

Design/methodology/approach

The fractal integrodifferential equations of resistor-inductor, resistor-capacitor, inductor-capacitor and resistor-inductor-capacitor circuits subjected to zero mean additive white Gaussian noise defined on fractal set have been formulated. The fractal time component has also been considered. The closed form expressions for crucial stochastic parameters of circuit responses have been derived from these equations. Numerical simulations of power spectral densities based on the derived autocorrelation functions have been performed. A comparison with those without fractal time component has been made.

Findings

We have found that the Hausdorff dimension of the middle b Cantor set strongly affects the power spectral densities; thus, the average powers of noise induced circuit responses and the inclusion of fractal time component causes significantly different analysis results besides the physical measurability of electrical quantities.

Originality/value

For the first time, the noise analysis of electrical circuit on fractal set has been performed. This is also the very first time that the fractal time component has been included in the fractal calculus-based circuit analysis.
The role of organisational commitment in knowledge sharing amongst academics: an insight into the critical perspectives for higher education
Authors: Fayda-Kinik F. Sehkar
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study investigates the interrelationships between the components of perceived organisational commitment (affective, continuance and normative commitment) and knowledge sharing (KS) intentions, attitudes and contributions amongst academics. It was hypothesised that organisational commitment has a positive mediating role in KS behaviours.

Design/methodology/approach

To reveal the interrelationships between the components of perceived organisational commitment and KS, a correlational research design through path analysis was employed.

Findings

There were significant correlations between organisational commitment components and KS. Participants with higher perceived affective commitment had higher levels of KS intentions. Similarly, participants with higher perceived normative commitment had higher levels of attitudes towards KS. However, higher levels of perceived continuance commitment were related to lower levels of expected contributions to KS.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to participants working for a state university in Turkey. In Turkish state universities, continuance and normative commitment may be regarded differently due to unique working conditions.

Practical implications

The results revealed that commitment to an organisation facilitates KS in higher education institutions, which suggests that administrators and practitioners should increase organisational commitment to create a working environment with more KS.

Originality/value

Although organisational commitment and KS have been investigated in educational settings previously, this study contributes to the literature by discovering the specific interrelationships between these factors, offering a more complete picture that could be beneficial for practice.
What drives energy consumption in Indonesia’s manufacturing industry? An analysis of firm-level characteristics
Authors: Zaekhan Zaekhan , Nachrowi Nachrowi Djalal , Hartono Djoni , Soetjipto Widyono
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to identify and analyse energy intensity in Indonesia’s manufacturing industry based on industrial sub-sector, island region, technology intensity, firm size, type of ownership and exporter status to determine which of these characteristics have the highest potential to decrease energy intensity.

Design/methodology/approach

Using firm characteristics data from statistics of large and medium industries in Indonesia, this study decomposed energy consumption of Indonesian firms into economic activity, economic structure and energy intensity for the period 2010–2014 through the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI).

Findings

The results showed the decomposed energy intensity based on the six sub-categories. From the sub-categories, several characteristics which induced the most increases in energy intensity are highlighted. Several industrial sub-sectors were classified as highly energy-consuming, including rubber and plastic products, glass and non-metal mineral products, food, electrical machinery and apparatus, chemical, paper, motor vehicles and trailers and tobacco. Results from other sub-categories indicated that firms with high energy intensity were located in the Java--Bali region, had medium technology intensity and were exporters. Meanwhile, firm size and ownership type sub-categories did not show clear differences in energy intensity.

Practical implications

This study provides more focused policy recommendations for related policymakers and stakeholders to emphasise the most energy-inefficient and energy-intensive firm based on the results from each sub-category and hence policy priorities to reduce energy consumption can be well-targeted.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the field through a more thorough energy intensity analysis based on the classification of Indonesian firm characteristics to provide a more detailed insight on the cause of the ever-increasing energy intensity level in the country.
Effects of operating parameters on flow force characteristics in a conical throttle valve
Authors: Li Beibei , Li Ruirui , Liu Xiumei , Zhao Qiao , Ma Jichao , He Jie
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Flow force is one of the crucial factors affecting the performance of conical throttle valves. The purpose of this paper is to determine the relationship between the flow force and operating parameters of the conical throttle valve.

Design/methodology/approach

The flow force of the throttle valve can be obtained by the difference between the axial force and static pressure on the valve spool. In this paper, the internal fluid is divided into two regions and the axial force and static pressure are obtained, respectively. In addition, a two-dimensional axisymmetric simulation model and experimental test are carried out to validate the results of the flow force.

Findings

It can be seen that the theoretical, simulation and experimental results exhibit high agreement with each other and the error between them decreases with the increase in the size of the opening. The curves of pressure distribution reveal that the pressure on the spool first decreases then increases when it reaches the minimum pressure at the orifice. Additionally, the minimum pressure decreases with the increase of opening and pressure difference. The results also indicate that the increase in the size of the opening and inlet pressure has a positive effect on the flow force. However, the increase in outlet pressure has a negative effect on the flow force.

Originality/value

In this paper, the flow force calculation model of conical throttle valve is established and the influence of operating parameters on the flow force of conical throttle valve is studied.
Factors influence intention of management of Shariah-compliant companies to participate in Islamic voluntary charity
Authors: Allah Pitchay Anwar
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The present study aims to focus on the management of public listed companies (PLC) in Malaysia. It aims to explore the factors that influence the behavioural intention of the managers in donating cashwaqf(endowment) as part of their organisations’ corporate philanthropy.

Design/methodology/approach

The theory of planned behaviour was used, and 701 questionnaires were emailed to PLCs’ managers. Four main variables, i.e. economic attitude, political pressure, perceived behavioural control (PBC) and personal moral obligation, were tested and analysed by using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings showed that the first three variables, attitude, subjective norms and PBC of the management, significantly influenced management’s behavioural intention to donate cashwaqf. Nonetheless, the personal moral obligation of the management was found to be insignificant.

Research limitations/implications

One of the main limitations is that it involved only quantitative surveys with managers in Malaysia. In future, the findings of this study can be supported by interviews.

Originality/value

The present study integrates the corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund of Shariah-compliant companies for the development ofwaqfproperty. The combination of CSR funds andwaqfland will solve thewaqfinstitution’s fund deficit issue. This will optimizewaqfland development efficiency and benefit society.
Exploring veteran entrepreneurship in Nigeria
Authors: Ojo Sanya
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to interrogate the nature and characteristics of military entrepreneurship among veterans of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the application of case study methodology, the study gathered data that reveal some distinguishing features of veteran entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

Findings

Veterans’ military background and military training appear to have both facilitating and inhibiting effects on veteran entrepreneurship in Nigeria. The study also reveals that veteran entrepreneurship though it may have some distinguishing features, but does not differ significantly to civilian entrepreneurship. Veterans’ entrepreneurs confront the same challenges as their civilian counterparts.

Originality/value

The result provides valuable knowledge for academics/researchers researching success and failure factors in the veteran entrepreneurship field.
Science mapping approach based review of thermal comfort studies in Indian residential buildings
Authors: Chellappa Vigneshkumar , Srivastava Vasundhara
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Science mapping is an essential application of visualization technology widely used in safety, construction management and environmental science. The purpose of this study was to explore thermal comfort in residential buildings (TCinRB) research in India, identify research trends using a science mapping approach and provide a perspective for recommending future research in TCinRB.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the VOSviewer tool to conduct a systematic analysis of the development trend in TCinRB studies in India based on Scopus Index articles published between 2001 and 2020. The annual numbers of articles, geographical locations of studies, major research organizations and authors, and the sources of journals on TCinRB were presented based on the analysis. Then, using co-authorship analysis, the collaborations among the major research groups were reported. Furthermore, research trends on TCinRB studies were visually explored using keyword co-occurrence analysis. The emerging research topics in the TCinRB research community were discovered by analyzing the authors’ keywords.

Findings

The findings revealed that studies had been discovered to pay more attention to north-east India, vernacular architecture, Hyderabad apartments and temperature performance in the past two decades. Thermal adaptation, composite climate, evaporative cooling and clothing insulation are emerging research areas in the TCinRB domain. The findings summarized mainstream research areas based on Indian climatic zones, addressed current TCinRB research gaps and suggested future research directions.

Originality/value

This review is particularly significant because it could help researchers understand the body of knowledge in TCinRB and opens the way for future research to fill an important research gap.
The effect of perceived authenticity in cultural heritage sites on tourist satisfaction: the moderating role of aesthetic experience
Authors: Genc Volkan , Gulertekin Genc Seray
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the moderating role of aesthetic experience in the effect of authenticity on satisfaction in cultural heritage sites. At the same time, this study guides the perception of authenticity in cultural heritage sites.

Design/methodology/approach

Using structural equation modelling for quantitative data analysis, empirical data were collected from tourists in a cultural heritage site.

Findings

As a result of the findings, it was determined that the objective and constructive authenticity of the tourists did not affect satisfaction, while the existential authenticity affected satisfaction. The moderating role of aesthetic experience between existential authenticity and overall satisfaction has been determined.

Practical implications

The study suggests that aesthetic experience can be used by destination managers in tourists' perceptions of existential authenticity.

Originality/value

This study is the first to use aesthetic experience in tourists' perception of authenticity in cultural heritage sites. The findings show the importance of aesthetic experience in existential authenticity.
A multi-analytic approach to predict social media marketing influence on consumer purchase intention
Authors: Sharma Anshuman , Fadahunsi Akinola , Abbas Haidar , Pathak Vivek Kumar
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Based on the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) framework, this study aims to investigate the effect of social media marketing (SMM) activities on consumers’ purchase intention (PI), as well as to test the mediation effect of consumer-based brand equity (CBBE) and consumer inspiration (INS) between the relationship of SMM and PI. Further, this study has also proposed and validated SMM as a reflective–formative higher-order construct (R-F-HOC) with its five first-order dimensions: customization, entertainment, interaction, trendiness and word of mouth (WoM).

Design/methodology/approach

Using a non-probability purposive sampling method, a structured questionnaire survey using Google forms was used to collect data from a sample of 236 UAE consumers. Subsequently, the data was analyzed with a hybrid method that combined partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) analysis.

Findings

The findings suggest that SMM has a direct effect on CBBE, INS and PI. Both proposed mediation effects are statistically significant, and there is a partial complementary mediation effect of CBBE and INS between SMM and PI. This study validated the operationalization of SMM as R-F-HOC. Further, the results of the ANN analysis validate the results of the PLS-SEM, suggesting that SMM is the strongest predictor of PI followed by CBBE and INS.

Research limitations/implications

In terms of theoretical significance, this study has advanced our understanding of the process by which the influence of SMM is transferred to PI via CBBE and INS. This study has also made a significant contribution by validating SMM as a R-F-HOC. In terms of practical implications, this study suggests that SMM should be best assessed as a R-F-HOC construct with five dimensions: customization, entertainment, interaction, trendiness and WoM. This study has also demonstrated the importance of CBBE and INS in transmitting the effect of SMM on PI to marketers.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the digital advertising literature by filling a knowledge gap about the mediation effect of CBBE and INS between SMM and PI via the SOR framework. SMM’s multidimensionality as a R-F-HOC has also been established.
Participation: Add‐on or core component of public service delivery?
Authors: Osborne Stephen P. , Strokosch Kirsty
Published: January 2022

Drawing on a systematic review of the literature, this paper explores the factors which have enabled and/or constrained the transformative potential of public service user participation within the five most influential recent narratives of public service reform. It argues that these narratives have failed either to offer a holistic conceptualisation of such participation in theory or to achieve its enactment in practice for four main reasons: participation is framed as polemic, with limited evidence of efficacy; public service delivery has been conceptualised as a linear process, with participation at its margins; structural changes have been insufficient in embedding participation; and power asymmetries have been reinforced through successive reforms. To combat these long‐standing challenges, a value‐creation approach is presented, which starts from an assumption of participation as a defining feature of public service delivery and considered how its import can be maximised to create value for individuals and society.
Olive byproducts and their bioactive compounds as a valuable source for food packaging applications
Authors: Khwaldia Khaoula , Attour Nouha , Matthes Julia , Beck Luisa , Schmid Markus
Published: January 2022

Among the most important agro‐industrial activities in the Mediterranean basin, olive oil production has a high impact on the economy of many Mediterranean countries. However, olive oil extraction generates huge quantities of byproducts, including leaves, pomace residues, stones and wastewater, which have severe environmental impacts mainly because of their phytotoxicity and great organic content. Olive oil byproducts are regarded as inexpensive and abundant raw materials rich in bioactive compounds with high and varied health‐related activities. Several phenolic compounds and terpenoids were recovered from olive byproducts using different conventional and advanced extraction methods due to their potential to be used in food, packaging, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Recently, the use of olive byproducts and their functional compounds to enhance the functional properties of packaging systems was investigated as a sustainable strategy for food preservation, fostering the sustainability of the olive‐oil chain, and promoting circular economy. In this framework, the main goals of this review are to summarize the main bioactive compounds in olive byproducts, to review the main advancements in their extraction, purification, and characterization, and finally to discuss their applications in food packaging systems as well as safety‐related aspects.
Sodium metabisulfite in dried plum and its cytotoxic effects on K‐562 and L‐929 normal cell lines
Authors: Ghasemi Ahmad , Salari Amir , Kalantarmahdavi Mahboube , Amiryousefi Mohammad Reza
Published: January 2022

In the present study, the concentration of sodium metabisulfite (SMB) in dried plums and its toxicity effects on the cell lines of K‐562 (human leukemia cell line) and L‐929 (normal fibroblast cell line) were measured. Samples of dried plums were randomly collected from the shops located in Neyshabur and Mashhad (Iran). SMB residue was measured using iodometric titration and high‐performance liquid chromatography. To analyze the cytotoxicity, the cells were treated with various concentrations of SMB, and cell viability was determined by the MTT and LDH methods. The average concentration of SMB in the samples of dried plums was selected to evaluate the apoptosis/necrosis by flow cytometer. The expression analysis of apoptosis marker genes (BAX, Bcl‐2, and P53) was also assessed. Results indicated that the average concentration of SMB residue in 12 samples of dried plum was 516 ± 285.39 mg/kg. When K‐562 cells were treated with 500 mg/L of SMB, apoptosis increased significantly (p < 0.01). The IC50 of SMB for K‐562 and L‐929 cells after a 48‐h exposure was 200.31 and 257.82 mg/L, respectively. SMB‐treated cells showed that cell viability in both cell lines decreased in a dose‐dependent manner after 72 h (p < 0.01). The percentage of apoptotic but not necrotic cells was 69.49% for K‐562 and 77.32% for L‐929 cells, whereas apoptosis of untreated control cells was 0.17%. Our findings also showed an opposite mRNA expression of Bcl‐2 (anti‐apoptotic marker) and Bax2 (pro‐apoptotic marker) when k‐562 cells were treated with SMB. The results indicated that the concentration of sulfite residue in some dried plums poses a cell toxicity risk for normal cells.

Practical Application

The results of current study provide important information concerning the toxicological effects of SMB, and give a warning that it needs to be replaced by natural products for fruit drying processes.
Effects of exogenous AHLs on the spoilage characteristics of Pseudomonas koreensis PS1
Authors: Dai Jinyue , Fang Limin , Wu Yan , Liu Baoyu , Cheng Xin , Yao Mingyin , Huang Lin
Published: January 2022

Some specific spoilage organisms (SSO) respond to the presence of exogenous N‐acyl‐homoserine lactones (AHLs) through the quorum sensing (QS) system to modulate their spoilage characteristics. To explore the effect of exogenous AHLs on the spoilage characteristics of Pseudomonas koreensis PS1 from spoiled chilled pork, four kinds of AHLs were added to the liquid medium to analyze their effect on the cell growth and spoilage characteristics of P. koreensis PS1, and N‐hexanoyl‐l‐homoserine lactone (C6‐HSL) was added to evaluate its effect on spoilage characteristics of P. koreensis PS1 inoculated in fresh chilled pork. The results showed that the addition of low concentrations of C6‐HSL (10 µmol/L) to the liquid medium could remarkably promote the protease activity, lipase activity, and biofilm formation of P. koreensis PS1 (p < 0.05), and more than 30 µmol/L C6‐HSL could significantly increase the cell density (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the addition of 10 µmol/L C6‐HSL into fresh chilled pork could increase the lipase and protease activities of P. koreensis PS1. The enzyme activity accelerated the decomposition of total protein, total fat, and total sugar, and led to an increase in putrescine, tyramine, cadaverine, and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N) content in chilled pork during the storage at 4°C.

Practical Application

The infestation of chilled pork with SSO may be a challenge for the meat industry. In this study, exogenous AHLs were found to have a positive effect on the spoilage of chilled pork. The elimination of the QS phenomenon of bacteria should be considered when looking for ways to prolong the preservation of chilled pork.
Safety assessment of functional oligooctasaccharide riclinoctaose: A pilot study of genotoxicity, acute toxicity, and subchronic toxicity
Authors: Wang Lei , Cheng Rui , Sun Xiaqing , Zhao Yang , Yang Yunxia , Gao Yan , Ding Zhao , Ge Wenhao , Liu Junhao , Wang Shiming , Zhang Jianfa
Published: January 2022

Riclinoctaose was produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of a succinoglycan‐type exopolysaccharide riclin. It can be used as a prebiotic to regulate the composition of gut microbiota. Therefore, a safety evaluation is needed. Here, we reported the safety data generated on riclinoctaose. Standard in vitro genotoxicity tests such as the bacterial reverse mutation assay and in vivo micronucleus assay were performed and no mutagenic or clastogenic potential was found. In the acute toxicity study, ICR mice were administered with riclinoctaose via gavage in 14‐day studies at the level corresponding to 3000 mg/kg BW/day. In the subchronic study, the diets containing 0%, 1.0%, 2.5%, and 5.0% of riclinoctaose (weight/weight) were prepared for ICR mice for 13 weeks. No test item‐related adverse effects were observed in the acute and subchronic studies. No riclinoctaose‐induced differences in the overall health, body weight gain, food and water consumption, hematology, blood chemistry, gross pathology, histopathology, or animal death were observed. A no‐observed‐adverse‐effect level of 8842 mg/kg BW/day for male and 9230 mg/kg BW/day for female mice was identified for riclinoctaose when administered for 13 weeks. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated the safety of riclinoctaose and indicated the possibility that riclinoctaose may be used as a functional food.

Practical Application

Functional oligosaccharide is a low‐calorie sweetener, which is beneficial to human health. Dietary riclinoctaose can improve intestinal health and understanding the safety of riclinoctaose is the first step to evaluate its potential use in functional food. Therefore, genotoxicity, acute toxicity, and subchronic toxicity of riclinoctaose were studied.
Risk factors for clozapine‐induced myocarditis and cardiomyopathy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Vickers Mark , Ramineni Vinay , Malacova Eva , Eriksson Lars , McMahon Kirsten , Moudgil Vikas , Scott James , Siskind Dan
Published: January 2022

Objective

Clozapine is the most effective medication for treatment‐refractory schizophrenia, but it is associated with severe cardiac adverse events including myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. To aid treatment decision‐making for clinicians, patients and their carers, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to identify potential risk factors for clozapine‐induced myocarditis and cardiomyopathy.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane and PsycInfo for studies reporting myocarditis and cardiomyopathy among people on clozapine and potential risk factors. We calculated pooled effect sizes on risk factors using a random‐effects meta‐analytic model. Risk of publication bias was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale.

Results

Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, of which six studies had quantitative data included in the meta‐analysis. The odds of clozapine‐induced myocarditis increased with concurrent sodium valproate use (k = 6, n = 903, pooled OR 3.58, 95% CI 1.81–7.06), but were not significantly greater with the use of quetiapine, lithium or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Our qualitative review identified conflicting results reported for increasing age and higher clozapine dose as risk factors for myocarditis. No other factors, including genetic risk, sex, ethnicity, smoking, alcohol, substance abuse or cardiometabolic disease, were associated with greater odds of myocarditis. No risk factors for cardiomyopathy were identified in the literature.

Conclusion

Concurrent use of sodium valproate increases the odds of clozapine‐induced myocarditis. Thus, clinicians should consider the temporary cessation of sodium valproate during the initial titration phase of clozapine.
Support for people with dementia experiencing severe responsive behaviours: Unpacking the disconnect between policy and practice
Authors: Westera Anita , Fildes David , Bird Sonia , Gordon Rob , Samsa Peter , Grootemaat Pam
Published: January 2022

Objective

The Severe Behaviour Response Team (SBRT) program, which was established in 2015 to support aged care residents with dementia experiencing very severe and extreme responsive behaviours received far fewer referrals than projected during its first year. This article describes the outcomes of a brief survey to identify potential barriers to referrals and identify opportunities to improve the uptake of the service.

Methods

A pragmatic, quasi‐experimental study was conducted involving clinical leads working in a representative sample of care homes that had not used the SBRT. The study was part of the formative evaluation activities of an ongoing program evaluation.

Results

Of the 53 clinical leads that participated in the survey, one‐third had not heard of the SBRT prior to being contacted. The remaining two‐thirds (n = 36) had not used the service due to the availability of existing resources and concerns regarding responsiveness of, and access to, the new service.

Conclusions

Three themes emerged from the study relating to awareness of the service, responsiveness and the interface between local aged care and health services. Referrals increased following interventions to address the first two themes; however, they continue to remain well below the number projected. This indicates a fundamental disconnection between the policy design process and the day‐to‐day experience of residential aged care. The study highlights the importance of aged care clinical leads being engaged in dementia policy and program development processes to support improved targeting of resources.
Linguistic taboo, ideology, and erasure: Reproducing homophobia as norm and lesbianism as stigma in women's football in Turkey
Authors: Nuhrat Yağmur
Published: January 2022

Women's football (soccer) in Turkey is an introverted community of practice with linguistic practices and ideologies that maintain homophobia as norm. The word “lesbian” is taboo and substituted with “shorthaired,” and lesbian identity is erased as “wannabe manliness.” Homosexuality appears “acceptable” (through erasure) only when women self‐present as normatively feminine, and such “propriety” is class related. The linguistic taboo is fractured if interlocutor “footing” shifts vis‐à‐vis researcher expectations. However, the very moments when linguistic taboo is fractured reveal homophobia as the reigning norm. Given the larger political context in Turkey where queer identity and existence are threatened, the workings of linguistic ideology, linguistic taboo, and homophobia in women's football raise the stakes for queer footballers regarding how they may claim sexual identities. This article is based on four months of fieldwork in 2019 and 2020, mostly in Istanbul, with current and former footballers, coaches, media representatives, and club and federation administrators.
“We share the same ancestry”: US Kurdish diasporas and the aspirational and ascriptive practices of race
Authors: Thangaraj Stanley Ilango
Published: January 2022

The conflating of the Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) region with Arabs is a common trope that also governs how we study West Asia and West Asian diasporas in the United States. I ethnographically highlight the lives of Kurds in mainly Nashville, Tennessee, and the northeastern United States while foregrounding their racial aspirations that disrupt essentialized depictions of the SWANA region and challenge the nation‐state's racial ascriptions. The use of the “Indo‐European” language family as racial classification in opposition to Arabs, the quotidian practices of racializing Kurds through the “Muslim‐looking” racial formation, and the everyday forms of solidarity with Arab Americans during this period of the global war on terror provide traction on the ways the ascriptions of race and aspirations to race influence Kurdish identity formation. Through evocations of “Indo‐European‐ness,” Kurdish Americans conceptualize transnational and transhistorical forms of whiteness/Europeanness/Aryan‐ness and racialized difference from Arabs, offer critiques of nation‐states, and accentuate dynamic forms of racial consciousness. Kurds simultaneously engage with ethnological understandings that are naturalized as racial difference at the very moment they must also manage the racial hysteria post‐9/11. With increased xenophobia and Islamophobia, Kurds challenge their racializations by embracing nonwhiteness that opens possibilities for coalition‐building with Arab Americans and various racial “Others.”
Surgical management and long‐term functional outcomes after anastomotic leak in patients undergoing minimally invasive restorative rectal resection and without a diverting ileostomy
Authors: McGiffin Tony , Clark David A. , Edmundson Aleks , Steffens Daniel , Stevenson Andrew , Solomon Michael
Published: January 2022

Background

Anastomotic leak (AL) is the anathema of colorectal surgery, with well‐documented adverse impacts on patient morbidity and mortality. The long‐term consequences of AL on bowel function and quality of life (QoL) is less well‐defined after minimally invasive surgery. By omitting a temporary diverting ileostomy (TDI), it is postulated that the minimally invasive approach will lead to early diagnosis and expedient management of AL.

Methods

This retrospective and cross‐sectional study included patients who underwent minimally invasive restorative rectal surgery with a low pelvic colorectal anastomosis and without a TDI at two tertiary hospitals in Brisbane, Australia between 2004 and 2018. Surgical management of AL is described and long‐term functional outcomes were evaluated through validated questionnaires.

Results

Two hundred and twenty‐four patients met inclusion criteria. AL was associated with lesion proximity to the anal verge (P = 0.011), total mesorectal excision (TME) (P <0.001) and advanced malignant disease (P = 0.019). Twenty‐four patients experienced an AL (11%) diagnosed at a median of 5.5 days post‐operative. Survey responders (n = 99, 62%) included 10 (10%) AL and 89 (90%) non‐AL patients, with a median follow‐up of 4 and 6.4 years. SF‐36 and FISI scores were comparable between groups, however AL patients had worse LARS scores (P = 0.028). Patients undergoing TME, irrespective of AL, had poorer low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) (P <0.001) and FISI scores (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

AL in patients undergoing minimally invasive low pelvic colorectal anastomosis without a TDI does not impact long term QoL. The occurrence of LARS is dependent on the extent of resection, rather than the occurrence of AL.