bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transplantation of glutamatergic neuronal precursor cells in the paraventricular thalamus and claustrum facilitates awakening with recovery of consciousness
Authors: Zhao Tong , Wei Naili , Li Tianwen , Chen Kezhu , Cui Wenqiang , Wang Zhifu , Wang Fan , Lin Yuanxiang , Zhu Jianhong
Published: March 2023

Background

Stem cells offer a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), but the optimal transplantation sites and cells are not clear. Although the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) and claustrum (CLA) are associated with consciousness and are candidate transplantation targets, few studies have been designed to investigate this possibility.

Methods

Controlled cortical injury (CCI) was performed to establish a mouse model of DOC. CCI‐DOC paradigm was established to investigate the role of excitatory neurons of PVT and CLA in disorders of consciousness. The role of excitatory neuron transplantation in promoting arousal and recovery of consciousness was determined by optogenetics, chemogenetics, electrophysiology, Western blot, RT‐PCR, double immunofluorescence labeling, and neurobehavioral experiments.

Results

After CCI‐DOC, neuronal apoptosis was found to be concentrated in the PVT and CLA. Prolonged awaking latency and cognitive decline were also seen after destruction of the PVT and CLA, suggesting that the PVT and CLA may be key nuclei in DOC. Awaking latency and cognitive performance could be altered by inhibiting or activating excitatory neurons, implying that excitatory neurons may play an important role in DOC. Furthermore, we found that the PVT and CLA function differently, with the PVT mainly involved in arousal maintenance while the CLA plays a role mainly in the generation of conscious content. Finally, we found that by transplanting excitatory neuron precursor cells in the PVT and CLA, respectively, we could facilitate awakening with recovery of consciousness, which was mainly manifested by shortened awaking latency, reduced duration of loss of consciousness (LOC), enhanced cognitive ability, enhanced memory, and improved limb sensation.

Conclusion

In this study, we found that the deterioration in the level and content of consciousness after TBI was associated with a large reduction in glutamatergic neurons within the PVT and CLA. Transplantation of glutamatergic neuronal precursor cells could play a beneficial role in promoting arousal and recovery of consciousness. Thus, these findings have the potential to provide a favorable basis for promoting awakening and recovery in patients with DOC.
Financial, policy, and ethical barriers to the expansion of living donor liver transplant: Meeting report from a living donor liver transplant consensus conference
Authors: Pillai Anjana , Verna Elizabeth C. , Parikh Neehar D. , Cooper Matthew , Thiessen Carrie , Heimbach Julie , Gordon Elisa J. , Sapisochin Gonzalo , Selzner Nazia , Mathur Amit , Perito Emily R. , Jesse Michelle , Liapakis AnnMarie , Kumar Vineeta ,   AST LDLT Consensus Conference Working Group
Published: March 2023

Introduction

In October 2021, the American Society of Transplantation (AST) hosted a virtual consensus conference aimed at identifying and addressing barriers to the broader, safe expansion of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) throughout the United States (US).

Methods

A multidisciplinary group of LDLT experts convened to address issues related to financial implications on the donor, transplant center crisis management, regulatory and oversight policies, and ethical considerations by assessing the relative significance of issues in preventing LDLT growth, with proposed strategies to overcome barriers.

Results

Living liver donors endure multiple obstacles including financial instability, loss of job security, and potential morbidity. These concerns, along with other center, state, and federal specific policies can be perceived as significant barriers to expanding LDLT. Donor safety is of paramount importance to the transplant community; however, regulatory and oversight policies aimed at ensuring donor safety can be viewed as ambiguous and complicated leading to time‐consuming evaluations that may deter donor motivation and program expansion.

Conclusion

Transplant programs need to establish appropriate crisis management plans to mitigate potential negative donor outcomes and ensure program viability and stability. Finally, ethical aspects, including informed consent for high‐risk recipients and use of non‐directed donors, can be perceived as additional barriers to expanding LDLT.
Cardiac patterns for differentiation of neurogenic stunned myocardium in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage versus acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Chang Jason J. , Fazlalizadeh Hooman , Dowlati Ehsan , Triano Matthew , Withington Charles , Felbaum Daniel R. , Mai Jeffrey C. , Armonda Rocco A. , Kumar Preetham , Kenigsberg Benjamin , Medvedofsky Diego
Published: March 2023

Aims

Neurogenic stunned myocardium (NSM) has heterogeneous presentations for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We sought to better define NSM and differences between AIS and SAH by evaluating individual left ventricular (LV) functional patterns by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE).

Methods

We evaluated consecutive patients with SAH and AIS. Via STE, LV longitudinal strain (LS) values of basal, mid, and apical segments were averaged and compared. Different multivariable logistic regression models were created by defining stroke subtype (SAH or AIS) and functional outcome as dependent variables.

Results

One hundred thirty‐four patients with SAH and AIS were identified. Univariable analyses using the chi‐squared test and independent samples t‐test identified demographic variables and global and regional LS segments with significant differences. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, when comparing AIS to SAH, AIS was associated with older age (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02–1.13, p = 0.01), poor clinical condition on admission (OR 7.74, 95% CI 2.33–25.71, p < 0.001), decreased likelihood of elevated admission serum troponin (OR .09, 95% CI .02–.35, p < 0.001), and worse LS basal segments (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02–1.37, p = 0.03).

Conclusion

In patients with neurogenic stunned myocardium, significantly impaired LV contraction by LS basal segments was found in patients with AIS but not with SAH. Individual LV segments in our combined SAH and AIS population were also not associated with clinical outcomes. Our findings suggest that strain echocardiography may identify subtle forms of NSM and help differentiate the NSM pathophysiology in SAH and AIS.
Distinct dorsal and ventral streams for binocular rivalry dominance and suppression revealed by magnetoencephalography
Authors: Bock Elizabeth A. , Fesi Jeremy D. , Da Silva Castenheira Jason , Baillet Sylvain , Mendola Janine D.
Published: March 2023

Binocular rivalry is an example of bistable visual perception extensively examined in neuroimaging. Magnetoencephalography can track brain responses to phasic visual stimulations of predetermined frequency and phase to advance our understanding of perceptual dominance and suppression in binocular rivalry. We used left and right eye stimuli that flickered at two tagging frequencies to track their respective oscillatory cortical evoked responses. We computed time‐resolved measures of coherence to track brain responses phase locked with stimulus frequencies and with respect to the participants' indications of alternations of visual rivalry they experienced. We compared the brain maps obtained to those from a non‐rivalrous control replay condition that used physically changing stimuli to mimic rivalry. We found stronger coherence within a posterior cortical network of visual areas during rivalry dominance compared with rivalry suppression and replay control. This network extended beyond the primary visual cortex to several retinotopic visual areas. Moreover, network coherence with dominant percepts in primary visual cortex peaked at least 50 ms prior to the suppressed percept nadir, consistent with the escape theory of alternations. Individual alternation rates were correlated with the rate of change in dominant evoked peaks, but not for the slope of response to suppressed percepts. Effective connectivity measures revealed that dominant (respectively, suppressed) percepts were expressed in dorsal (respectively ventral) streams. We thus demonstrate that binocular rivalry dominance and suppression engage distinct mechanisms and brain networks. These findings advance neural models of rivalry and may relate to more general aspects of selection and suppression in natural vision.
The lived experience of stress for parents in the context of COVID‐19–related disruption
Authors: Painter Felicity L. , Booth Anna T. , Letcher Primrose , Olsson Craig A. , McIntosh Jennifer E.
Published: March 2023

Objective

This mixed methods study sought to explore the lived experience of stress for parents of young dependent children during COVID‐19 lockdowns in Australia.

Background

Public health restrictions implemented during the COVID‐19 pandemic disproportionately burdened parents as they balanced novel and competing role demands. Despite growing research on impacts to parent mental health, much less is known about parenting at the experiential level during this period.

Method

Data were derived from free‐text survey responses collected during 2020 in an Australian population cohort study and analyzed in a mixed methods approach focusing on descriptive phenomenology. Twenty‐eight parent accounts of either ‘extreme’ or ‘minimal’ stress experiences were subject to phenomenological analysis of the individual, interpersonal, and contextual factors associated with each stress category.

Results

Three themes defined ‘extreme’ stress experiences: inadequacy of resources to cope, perceived lack of control, and compounding stressors. Two themes characterized ‘minimal’ stress experiences: feeling well resourced to cope and the absence of significant disruption to everyday life.

Conclusion

Findings highlight three targets in particular: compounding stressors, family relationships, and gendered differences in parental stress.

Implications

Intervention efforts should focus on better resourcing parents experiencing accumulating stressors through provision of individual and relational support and by addressing the higher burden experienced by mothers compared with fathers across pandemic related lockdowns.
Creatinine index: a retrospective cohort study in an urban Australian dialysis context
Authors: Chandler Shaun , MacLaughlin Helen , Wolley Martin
Published: March 2023

Aim

This study aimed to described the relationship between the CI and mortality in an Australian context.

Introduction

Maintenance haemodialysis is a catabolic state associated with a significant decrease in lean body mass (LBM) and protein energy wasting. LBM can be derived or estimated from creatinine kinetic modelling, specifically the creatinine index (CI). This has been demonstrated in cohort studies to predict mortality.

Methods

One hundred seventy‐nine patients undergoing haemodialysis in 2015 were included in this cohort. They were followed for 5 years with pertinent clinical data collected to calculate the CI as of December 2015. For analysis, patients were split into a high and low CI group based on the median (18.32 mg/kg/day). The primary outcome of interest was all‐cause mortality, and secondary outcomes included myocardial infarction, stroke and transplantation.

Results

During follow‐up, 69 (76.7%) patients in the low CI group and 28 (31.5%) patients in the high CI group died (P < 0.001). The relative risk (RR) of mortality within the low compared with the high CI group was 2.43 (95% confidence interval, 1.75–3.38). Fully adjusted Cox proportional hazards modelling demonstrated a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.498 (95% CI, 0.292–0.848) for survival in the high CI group. Lower CI was associated with increased risk of stroke (RR, 5.43 [95% CI, 1.24–23.84]), whereas transplant was more likely in the high CI group (RR, 6.4 [95% confidence interval, 1.96–20.88]).

Conclusions

In a single‐centre Australian haemodialysis cohort, the CI was strongly associated with mortality and stroke risk. The CI is an accurate and simple method to identify patients with low LBM at risk for significant morbidity and mortality.
Descriptions of two new species of the botiid genus Leptobotia Bleeker, 1870 (Teleostei: Cypriniformes) from South China
Authors: Guo Dong‐Ming , Cao Liang , Zhang E.
Published: March 2023

Two new species of Leptobotia are here described as L. rotundilobus from the Xin'an‐Jiang of the upper Qiantang‐Jiang basin in both Anhui and Zhejiang Provinces and the Cao'e‐Jiang in Zhejiang Province, and L. paucipinna from the Qing‐Jiang of the middle Chang‐Jiang basin in Hubei Province, South China. Both have a plain brown body as found in L. bellacauda Bohlen & Šlechtová, 2016, L. microphthalma Fu & Ye, 1983, L. posterodorsalis Chen & Lan, 1992 and L. tientainensis (Wu, 1930). The two new species are distinct from these species in vertebral counts, further from L. posterodorsalis in vent placement and further from the other three species in pectoral‐fin length. Both differ in caudal‐fin coloration and shape, and dorsal‐fin location and coloration, and also in internal morphology. Their validity is confirmed by their own monophyly recovered in a phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cyt b and COI genes.
KIT A502_Y503 duplication mutation serves as a potential and universal target for neoantigen peptide in Chinese GIST patients
Authors: Liu Fangcen , Wang Qin , Li Yishan , Li Lin , Shi Jiaochun , Fan Xiangshan , Pan Qiuyue , Li Rutian
Published: March 2023

Background and Aim

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor with high prevalence of KIT and PDGFRA mutations. Few effective treatments can be exploited in imatinib or sunitinib resistant cases. While in immunotherapy, application of the highly individualized cancer neoantigen vaccines is hampered due to high economic and time cost. In this study we identified the most frequent mutation in Chinese GIST patients and predicted candidate neopeptide by next generation sequencing (NGS).

Methods

Tumor tissues and matched blood samples of 116 Chinese GIST patients were collected. Genomic profile was detected through NGS, and 450 cancer genes were deeply sequenced. KIT mutations were identified, and long peptides containing the mutation were queried in NetMHCpan 4.0 tools to predict MHC class I binding of mutant peptides.

Results

The most frequent mutated genes in detected GIST patients were KIT (81.9%, 95/116), CDKN2A (18.97%, 22/116), and CDKN2B (15.52%, 18/116) in this cohort. The most common mutation of KIT was A502_Y503 duplication (15.93%, 18/113) in exon 9. Among the 116 cases, 103 were HLA I genotyped, and 101 were HLA II genotyped. In total, 16 samples with the mutation of KIT p.A502_Y503dup were identified to produce neoantigens with qualified HLA affinity.

Conclusions

KIT hotspot mutation (p.A502_Y503dup) has the highest incidence, which may further eliminate the need for whole genome sequencing and patient‐specific neoantigen prediction and synthesis. Therefore, for those carrying such mutation, accounting for around 16% of Chinese GIST patients and are usually less sensitive to imatinib, effective immunotherapies are in prospect.
Who Owns What? A Factor Model for Direct Stockholding
Authors: BALASUBRAMANIAM VIMAL , CAMPBELL JOHN Y. , RAMADORAI TARUN , RANISH BENJAMIN
Published: March 2023

We build a cross‐sectional factor model for investors' direct stockholdings and estimate it using data from almost 10 million retail accounts in the Indian stock market. Our model identifies strong investor clienteles for stock characteristics, most notably firm age and share price, and for particular clusters of stock characteristics. These clienteles are intuitively associated with investor attributes such as account age, size, and diversification. Coheld stocks tend to have higher return covariance, inconsistent with simple models of diversification but suggestive that clientele demands influence stock returns.
Trends in dental insurance claims in the United States in the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic: A 3‐year perspective (2019–2022)
Authors: Maupome Gerardo , Scully Allison C. , Yepes Juan F. , Eckert George J. , Downey Timothy
Published: March 2023

Objectives

We showed in a previous analysis the patterns of disruption for private dental insurance claims in the United States caused by the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic in 2020. The present report examines trends during 2020 and 2021, that is, contrasting perspectives during 2019 with the acute phase of the pandemic in 2020, and 2021.

Methods

Private dental insurance paid claims from a data warehouse were obtained, encompassing a 5% random sample of records between January 2019 and December 2021 for child and adult insureds who filed a claim in 2019, 2020, and 2021. We classified claims into one of four categories based on the likelihood of being associated with urgent/emergency care.

Results

The precipitous reduction in dental care claims in March–June 2020 recovered to almost pre‐pandemic levels by the fall of 2020. However, a downward decline in private dental insurance claims started in the late fall of 2020 and continued through 2021. Differential impacts in dental care categories—in terms of urgency of care—were evident 2021, closely resembling previous trends in 2020.

Conclusions

Dental care claims from the first year of the 2020 SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic were contrasted with perspectives in 2021. A downward trend in demand/availability changes in dental care insurance claims set in for 2021, perhaps linked to perceptions of the overall economic situation. Such downward trend has continued overall, even after considering seasonal changes and the acceleration of the pandemic during the Delta, Omicron, and other variants.
Differential gene expression and mitonuclear incompatibilities in fast‐ and slow‐developing interpopulation Tigriopus californicus hybrids
Authors: Healy Timothy M. , Burton Ronald S.
Published: March 2023

Mitochondrial functions are intimately reliant on proteins and RNAs encoded in both the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, leading to inter‐genomic coevolution within taxa. Hybridization can break apart coevolved mitonuclear genotypes, resulting in decreased mitochondrial performance and reduced fitness. This hybrid breakdown is an important component of outbreeding depression and early‐stage reproductive isolation. However, the mechanisms contributing to mitonuclear interactions remain poorly resolved. Here, we scored variation in developmental rate (a proxy for fitness) among reciprocal F2 interpopulation hybrids of the intertidal copepod Tigriopus californicus and used RNA sequencing to assess differences in gene expression between fast‐ and slow‐developing hybrids. In total, differences in expression associated with developmental rate were detected for 2925 genes, whereas only 135 genes were differentially expressed as a result of differences in mitochondrial genotype. Upregulated expression in fast developers was enriched for genes involved in chitin‐based cuticle development, oxidation–reduction processes, hydrogen peroxide catabolic processes and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I. In contrast, upregulation in slow developers was enriched for DNA replication, cell division, DNA damage and DNA repair. Eighty‐four nuclear‐encoded mitochondrial genes were differentially expressed between fast‐ and slow‐developing copepods, including 12 subunits of the electron transport system (ETS) which all had higher expression in fast developers than in slow developers. Nine of these genes were subunits of ETS complex I. Our results emphasize the major roles that mitonuclear interactions within the ETS, particularly in complex I, play in hybrid breakdown, and resolve strong candidate genes for involvement in mitonuclear interactions.
The power of stories: Supporting professional identity transitions through longitudinal coaching
Authors: Farrell Laura , Ajjawi Rola
Published: March 2023

Farrell details the importance of coaches developing a shared conceptualization of identity and willingingness to cede control of discussion to allow for the emergence of creative and open conversations with coachees.
PIN‐FORMED is required for shoot phototropism/gravitropism and facilitates meristem formation in Marchantia polymorpha
Authors: Fisher Tom J. , Flores‐Sandoval Eduardo , Alvarez John P. , Bowman John L.
Published: March 2023

PIN‐FORMED auxin efflux transporters, a subclass of which is plasma membrane‐localised, mediate a variety of land‐plant developmental processes via their polar localisation and subsequent directional auxin transport. We provide the first characterisation of PIN proteins in liverworts using Marchantia polymorpha as a model system. Marchantia polymorpha possesses a single PIN‐FORMED gene, whose protein product is predicted to be plasma membrane‐localised, MpPIN1.

To characterise MpPIN1, we created loss‐of‐function alleles and produced complementation lines in both M. polymorpha and Arabidopsis. In M. polymorpha, gene expression and protein localisation were tracked using an MpPIN1 transgene encoding a translationally fused fluorescent protein.

Overexpression of MpPIN1 can partially complement loss of an orthologous gene, PIN‐FORMED1, in Arabidopsis. In M. polymorpha, MpPIN1 influences development in numerous ways throughout its life cycle. Most notably, MpPIN1 is required to establish gemmaling dorsiventral polarity and for orthotropic growth of gametangiophore stalks, where MpPIN1 is basally polarised.

PIN activity is largely conserved within land plants, with PIN‐mediated auxin flow providing a flexible mechanism to organise growth. Specifically, PIN is fundamentally linked to orthotropism and to the establishment of de novo meristems, the latter potentially involving the formation of both auxin biosynthesis maxima and auxin‐signalling minima.
An investigation of barriers and enablers to community eye care for children in England: A qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Wilson Salma , Ctori Irene , Shah Rakhee , Conway Miriam L. , Willis Sophie J. , Suttle Catherine
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Research suggests that there are challenges in the accessibility of eye care for children in England. This study explores the barriers and enablers to eye examinations for children under 5 years of age from the perspective of community optometrists in England.

Methods

Optometrists working in community settings were invited to participate in virtual focus group discussions using an online platform based on a topic guide. The discussions were audio‐recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. Themes were derived from the focus group data based on the study aim and research question.

Results

Thirty optometrists participated in the focus group discussions. The overarching themes identified as barriers to eye examinations for young children in a community setting were as follows: ‘Time and Money’, ‘Knowledge, Skills and Confidence’, ‘Awareness and Communication’, ‘Range of Attitudes’ and ‘Clinical Setting’. The key themes for enabling eye examinations for young children were as follows: ‘Improving behaviour’, ‘Enhancing training and education’, ‘Enhancing eye care services’, ‘Raising awareness’, ‘Changes in professional bodies’ and ‘Balancing commercial pressures and health care’.

Conclusion

Time, money, training and equipment are perceived by optometrists as key factors in providing an eye examination for a young child. This study identified a need for improved training and robust governance related to eye examinations for young children. There is a need for change within eye care service delivery such that all children, regardless of age and ability, are examined regularly, and by conducting these examinations, optometrists remain confident.
Utility of paced breathing tablet guidance apparatus with real‐time feedback on autonomic function for individuals with mild cognitive impairment: a pilot study
Authors: Tanaka Mieko , Kakuma Tatsuyuki , Asada Takashi
Published: March 2023

Background

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) individuals also show significant parasympathetic deficits, while autonomic nervous system (ANS) flexibility can strengthen cognitive and brain function. Paced (or slow) breathing has significant effects on the ANS and is associated with relaxation and well‐being. However, paced breathing requires considerable time and practice, a significant barrier to its widespread adoption. Feedback systems appear promising to make practice more time‐efficient. A tablet guidance system providing real‐time feedback on autonomic function was developed for MCI individuals and tested for efficacy.

Methods

In this single‐blind study, 14 outpatients with MCI practised with the device for 5 min twice a day for 2 weeks. The active group received feedback (FB+), whereas the placebo group (FB–) did not. Coefficient of variation of R‐R intervals as the outcome indicator was measured immediately after the first intervention (T1), the end of the 2‐week intervention (T2), and 2 weeks later (T3).

Results

The mean outcome of the FB– group remained unchanged during the study period, whereas the outcome value of the FB+ group increased and retained the intervention effect for an additional 2 weeks.

Conclusions

Results indicate this FB system‐integrated apparatus may be useful for MCI patients for effectively learning paced breathing.
Soil organic carbon and its stability after vegetation restoration in Zoige grassland, eastern Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau
Authors: Ye Chenyu , Li Lin , Zhao Runying , Luo Xinrui , Wang Xiaodong , Wang Jipeng , Chen Guo , Lei Ningfei , Pei Xiangjun , Tang Xiaolu
Published: March 2023

Soil organic carbon (SOC) shapes carbon cycling and climate. Grassland degradation has greatly reduced the SOC of these biomes. However, vegetation restoration is effective at improving the SOC of degraded grasslands, the sustainability of the outcomes of which is unclear. Therefore, we studied the effects of vegetation restoration on SOC and its stability in perspective of three restoration practices (i.e. Hippophae rhamnoides Linn., Elymus nutans Griseb., Avena nuda, and their combinations) in Zoige, a climatically sensitive area located at the eastern Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau. Topsoil samples (0–10 cm) were collected within each restoration practice to analyze SOC and its fraction contents, soil aggregates, and aggregate‐associated SOC content. Results showed that SOC in the control (CK) was 2.77 g kg−1, and vegetation restoration increased the SOC contents by 10.12, 73.00, and 15.81%, respectively. Vegetation restoration significantly increased the easily oxidizable carbon (EOC) and decreased recalcitrant organic carbon (ROC), highlighting different responses of SOC fractions to vegetation restoration. Soil macroaggregate was 8.74% in CK, which was significantly lower than that after vegetation restoration (57.08–81.01%). Vegetation restoration had no impact on non‐aggregated silt + clay fraction‐associated SOC and significantly increased macroaggregate‐associated SOC content, which was the major contributor of total SOC. These findings suggest that vegetation restoration may affect SOC stability by increasing SOC and EOC, decreasing ROC, and changing the compositions of aggregates and aggregate‐associated SOC. However, our study was conducted 3 years after vegetation restoration, which maybe too short of a period to accurately determine SOC stability.
Are the good spared? Corporate social responsibility as insurance against cyber security incidents
Authors: Bamiatzi Vassiliki , Dowling Michael , Gogolin Fabian , Kearney Fearghal , Vigne Samuel
Published: March 2023

Despite the increasing consensus that socially responsible behavior can act as insurance against externally induced shocks, supporting evidence remains somewhat inconsistent. Our study provides a clear demonstration of the insurance‐like properties of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in preserving corporate financial performance (CFP), in the event of a data (cyber) breach. Exploring a sample of 230 breached firms, we find that data breaches lead to significantly negative CFP outcomes for low CSR firms, with the dynamic being particularly pronounced in consumer‐sensitive industries. Further, we show that firms increase their CSR activities in the aftermath of a breach to recover lost goodwill and regain stakeholder trust. Overall, our results support the use of CSR as a strategic risk‐mitigation tool that can curtail the consequences of data breaches, particularly for firms operating in consumer‐centric environments.
When and how norm violators gain influence: Dominance, prestige, and the social dynamics of (counter)normative behavior
Authors: van Kleef Gerben A.
Published: March 2023

The capacity to influence other people is key to success across domains of life, from personal to professional relationships, from the school yard to the retirement home, and from marketing to politics. Traditional approaches hold that people can gain influence in social collectives by behaving in line with prevailing norms. However, mounting evidence indicates that defying norms can enhance one's power, status, and influence. Here, I take stock of this literature and propose a new perspective that can explain seemingly inconsistent links between norm violation and influence. After discussing various social mechanisms that keep norm violators in check (negative emotions, gossip, social exclusion, formal punishment), I review evidence that violating norms can enhance the capacity for influence. I then integrate insights from the dominance/prestige framework of social rank with research on social responses to norm violations to develop a new model that illuminates when and how norm violators gain influence. I discuss implications for understanding the dynamic negotiation of leadership and influence and the maintenance versus decline of normative systems.
The dynamic behavior of skin in response to vibrating touch stimuli affects tactile perception
Authors: Sakaguchi Saito , Saito Kaoru , Arakawa Naomi , Konyo Masashi
Published: March 2023

Background

The tactile perceptions arising on the skin mediate representations of the body and perceptions of the external physical world. Thus, these tactile sensations greatly impact our lives. Although tactile perception is caused by skin deformation, few studies have investigated the contribution of skin physical properties to tactile perception because the skin deformation in response to mechanical stimuli is difficult to measure in real time. In this study, we investigated how the skin deforms in response to externally applied mechanical stimuli and the effect of skin deformation on tactile perception.

Materials and methods

Tactile perception was assessed using psychophysical methods. A suction device was used to measure skin deformation in response to mechanical stimuli while assessing tactile perception. The relationship between skin deformation and tactile perception was investigated.

Results

Individuals show different skin deformation behavior in response to stimuli of the same intensity, and the amount of skin deformation affects the perceived pressure induced by suction stimulation. Furthermore, when the amount of skin deformation is small, tactile perception becomes more difficult, and the ease of tactile perception varies.

Conclusion

We argue that dynamic skin behavior is an important factor in tactile perception. Focusing on skin physical characteristics from a constructivist perspective of complex tactile perception may lead to improved tactile communication perception through the control of skin physical properties and realistic tactile presentation in remote environments.
A quantitative evaluation of the effect of foreign body obstruction and enterectomy technique on canine small intestinal microvascular health
Authors: Mullen Kaitlyn M. , Regier Penny J. , Fox‐Alvarez W. Alexander , Portela Diego , Londoño Leonel , Colee James
Published: March 2023

Objective

To investigate sidestream dark field (SDF) videomicroscopy as an objective measure of intestinal viability and determine the effects of enterectomy techniques on intestinal microvasculature in dogs with foreign body obstructions.

Study design

Prospective, randomized, clinical trial.

Animals

A total of 24 dogs with an intestinal foreign body obstruction and 30 systemically healthy dogs.

Methods

An SDF videomicroscope imaged the microvasculature at the site of the foreign body. Subjectively viable intestine received an enterotomy whereas nonviable intestine received an enterectomy using a handsewn (4‐0 polydioxanone, simple continuous) or a functional end‐to‐end stapled technique (GIA 60 blue, TA 60 green) was used on an alternating basis. The microvasculature adjacent to the enterectomy was interrogated. Quantitative measures of microvascular health were calculated for each site and compared with healthy dogs.

Results

Microvascular density (mean ± SD) at the site of obstruction (140.84 ± 77.40) was lower than healthy controls (251.72 ± 97.10,p < .01). There was no difference in microvascular parameters (density or perfused boundary region, PBR) between obstructed dogs with subjectively viable and nonviable intestine (p > .14). The density (p = .66) and PBR of microvessels (p = .76) adjacent to the sutured enterectomy or TA green staple line did not differ.

Conclusion

Sidestream dark field videomicroscopy can identify obstructed intestine and quantitate the severity of microvascular compromise. Handsewn and stapled enterectomies equally preserve perfusion.

Clinical significance

Stapled enterectomies do not lead to greater vascular compromise than handsewn enterectomies.
What Do We Mean When We Write About Ethics, Equity, and Justice in Engineering Design?
Authors: Das Madhurima , Roeder Gillian , Ostrowski Anastasia K. , Yang Maria C. , Verma Aditi
Published: March 2023

Engineering design often requires engaging with users, clients, and stakeholders of products and systems. It is therefore important for designers to reflect on the societal and environmental implications of their design work so that they can design equitably, ethically, and justly. We conduct a review of three leading scholarly engineering design publications to investigate how, when, and why these terms—“ethics,” “equity,” and “justice,” and variations—appear in the engineering design literature and what scholars mean when they use them. We find that these terms are minimally present within the field's scholarship and posit that design researchers may be using other terms to refer to their work that is aligned with principles of ethics, equity, and justice. We find that the prevalence of these terms has increased over time and that the terms come up throughout various stages of the design process. There appear to be a variety of motivations for including these terms, notably, sustainability and education of the next generation of designers. Finally, we propose an expanded design justice framework that is specific to engineering design. We encourage designers in our field to adopt this framework to assist them in thinking through how their engineering design work can be used to advance justice.
Learning to Swim: What Influences Success?
Authors:   Royal Life Saving Society-Australia, Franklin Richard , Peden Amy ,   Royal Life Saving Society-Australia, Hodges Sean ,   Royal Life Saving Society-Australian Capital Territory, Lloyd Nicole ,   Royal Life Saving Society-Australian Capital Territory, Larsen Penny ,   Royal Life Saving Society-Australia, O'Connor Cherry ,   Royal Life Saving Society-Australian Capital Territory, Scarr Justin ,   Royal Life Saving Society-Australia
Published: March 2023

Swimming and water safety skills are important life skills, particularly in Australia, where aquatic activities are regularly enjoyed. Little research has been undertaken exploring children’s swimming and water safety skills, what level they can achieve, and what factors impact their ability to learn these skills. This study explores children aged 5-12 years who participated in the Australian Capital Territory Primary Schools Swim and Survive Program, 2009-2011. Children who were more likely to achieve higher levels were older, were female, attended private school, swam at least once a fortnight, had a swimming pool at home, or visited a public swimming pool. Those who were less likely were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, had a negative experience, and swam less than once a fortnight.
The kinetics of signaling through the common FcRγ chain determine cytokine profiles in dendritic cells
Authors: Watanabe Miyuki , Motooka Daisuke , Yamasaki Sho
Published: March 2023

The common Fc receptor γ (FcRγ) chain is a signaling subunit common to several immune receptors, but cellular responses induced by FcRγ-coupled receptors are diverse. We investigated the mechanisms by which FcRγ generates divergent signals when coupled to Dectin-2 and Mincle, structurally similar C-type lectin receptors that induce the release of different cytokines from dendritic cells. Chronological tracing of transcriptomic and epigenetic changes upon stimulation revealed that Dectin-2 induced early and strong signaling, whereas Mincle-mediated signaling was delayed, which reflects their expression patterns. Generation of early and strong FcRγ-Syk signaling by engineered chimeric receptors was sufficient to recapitulate a Dectin-2–like gene expression profile. Early Syk signaling selectively stimulated the activity of the calcium ion–activated transcription factor NFAT, which rapidly altered the chromatin status and transcription of the
Il2
gene. In contrast, proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF, were induced regardless of FcRγ signaling kinetics. These results suggest that the strength and timing of FcRγ-Syk signaling can alter the quality of cellular responses through kinetics-sensing signaling machineries.
Exchange of Microbiomes in Plant-Insect Herbivore Interactions
Authors: Pirttilä A. M. , Brusila V. , Koskimäki J. J. , Wäli P. R. , Ruotsalainen A. L. , Mutanen M. , Markkola A. M.
Published: March 2023

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial symbiotic communities span through kingdoms. The vast microbial gene pool extends the host genome and supports adaptations to changing environmental conditions.
Combined reconstruction of medial collateral ligament and posterior cruciate ligament using one femoral tunnel: a technical note and case report applicable to limited-resource settings
Authors: Campos Túlio , Perucci Marcelo , Gomes Paulo , Giordano Vincenzo
Published: March 2023

Knee dislocations are severe injuries difficult to treat. Specially in low-resources scenarios, reconstruction of multiple ligaments can be challenging. We describe a technical note that can be reconstruct multi ligaments using ipsilateral hamstrings autograft. A posteromedial knee incision is made to visualise the medial corner of the knee and to reconstruct medial collateral ligament (MCL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) with semitendinosus and gracilis tendon graft, using one femoral tunnel from the anatomic femoral insertion of the MCL to the anatomic femoral insertion of the PCL. After 1-year follow-up, the patient returned to his previous function with a Lysholm score of 86. This technique can reconstruct more than one ligament anatomically with limited graft resource.
Molnupiravir and risk of hospital admission or death in adults with covid-19: emulation of a randomized target trial using electronic health records
Authors: Xie Yan , Bowe Benjamin , Al-Aly Ziyad
Published: March 2023

Objective

To emulate a randomized target trial to estimate the association between the antiviral drug molnupiravir and hospital admission or death in adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community during the omicron predominant era who were at high risk of progression to severe covid-19.

Design

Emulation of a randomized target trial using electronic health records.

Setting

US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Participants

85 998 adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection between 5 January and 30 September 2022 and at least one risk factor for progression to severe covid-19: 7818 participants were eligible for and treated with molnupiravir and 78 180 received no treatment.

Main outcomes measure

The primary outcome was a composite of hospital admission or death at 30 days. The clone method with inverse probability of censoring weighting was used to adjust for informative censoring and balance baseline characteristics between the groups. The cumulative incidence function was used to estimate the relative risk and the absolute risk reduction at 30 days.

Results

Molnupiravir was associated with a reduction in hospital admissions or death at 30 days (relative risk 0.72 (95% confidence interval 0.64 to 0.79)) compared with no treatment; the event rates for hospital admission or death at 30 days were 2.7% (95% confidence interval 2.5% to 3.0%) for molnupiravir and 3.8% (3.7% to 3.9%) for no treatment; the absolute risk reduction was 1.1% (95% confidence interval 0.8% to 1.4%). Molnupiravir appeared to be effective in those who had not been vaccinated against covid-19 (relative risk 0.83 (0.70 to 0.97) and absolute risk reduction 0.9% (0.2% to 1.9%)), had received one or two vaccine doses (0.69 (0.56 to 0.83) and 1.3% (0.7% to 1.9%)), and had received a booster dose (0.71 (0.58 to 0.83) and 1.0% (0.5% to 1.4%)); in those infected during the era when the omicron subvariant BA.1 or BA.2 was predominant (0.72 (0.62 to 0.83) and 1.2% (0.7% to 1.6%)) and when BA.5 was predominant (0.75 (0.66 to 0.86) and 0.9% (0.5% to 1.3%)); and in those with no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection (0.72 (0.64 to 0.81) and 1.1% (0.8% to 1.4%)) and with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection (0.75 (0.58 to 0.97) and 1.1% (0.1% to 1.8%)).

Conclusions

The findings of this emulation of a randomized target trial suggest that molnupiravir might have reduced hospital admission or death at 30 days in adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community during the recent omicron predominant era who were at high risk of progression to severe covid-19 and eligible for treatment with molnupiravir.
Factors underpinning an improved menopausal experience in the workplace for doctors: a UK-based qualitative study
Authors: Adelekan-Kamara Yasmin , Asunramu Mohammed-Hareef , Bhullar Karmanpreet , Duah-Asante Kwaku Agyei , Leedham-Green Kathleen , Madaan Anika , Poku Daryl , Yousefi Samineh
Published: March 2023

Objectives

A recent British Medical Association survey revealed that very few National Health Service (NHS) doctors felt comfortable discussing symptoms with their managers, and many feel unable to make changes to their working lives to accommodate their menopause. An improved menopausal experience (IME) in the workplace has been associated with increased job satisfaction, increased economic participation and reduced absenteeism. Currently, existing literature fails to explore menopausal doctors’ experiences and none factors in non-menopausal colleagues’ perspectives. This qualitative study aims to determine the factors underpinning an IME for UK doctors.

Design

Qualitative study using semistructured interviews and thematic analysis.

Participants

Menopausal doctors (n=21) and non-menopausal (n=20) doctors including men.

Setting

General practices and hospitals in the UK.

Results

Four overarching themes underpinning an IME were identified: menopausal knowledge and awareness, openness to discussion, organisational culture, and supported personal autonomy. The levels of knowledge held by menopausal participants themselves, their colleagues and their superiors were identified as crucial in determining menopausal experiences. Likewise, the ability to openly discuss menopause was also identified as an important factor. The NHS culture, gender dynamics and an adopted superhero mentality—where doctors feel compelled to prioritise work over personal well-being—further impacted under the umbrella of Organisational culture. Personal autonomy at work was considered important in improving menopausal experiences at work for doctors. The superhero mentality, lack of organisational support and a lack of open discussion were identified as novel themes not found in current literature, particularly in the healthcare context.

Conclusions

This study highlights that doctors’ factors underpinning an IME in the workplace are comparable to other sectors. The potential benefits of an IME for doctors in the NHS are considerable. NHS leaders can address these challenges by using pre-existing training materials and resources for their employees if menopausal doctors are to feel supported and retained.
Effect of and the association between vitamin D and outcomes of assisted reproductive techniques among infertile men and women: protocol for an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analysis
Authors: Morshed-Behbahani Bahar , Doryanizadeh Leila , Shahali Shadab , Shahabi Saeed , Montazeri Ali
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Vitamin D is associated with many functions of the human reproductive system. Accordingly, it seems that on infertile couples undergoing assisted reproduction technology (ART), treatment outcomes may be affected by the vitamin D. This overview aims to show the effect of vitamin D on infertility treatments outcomes in recent studies by concluding systematic reviews and meta-analyses to achieve a comprehensive result.

Methods and analysis

This overview protocol is being reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement and was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. We will include all peer-reviewed systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials published from inception until December 2022. PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Embase will be searched from the time of publication of the first articles onwards with a comprehensive search strategy. Endnote V.X7 software (Thomson Reuters, New York, New York, USA) will be used to store and manage records. The results will align with guidelines in the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Interventions and the PRISMA statement.

Ethics and dissemination

This overview will be evaluating the effect of vitamin D status and vitamin D supplementing on results of ART in women and men who are undergoing treatment for infertility. The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency worldwide and its effects on an important issue such as human fertility might be a very influential factor that leads scientists to strongly recommend its use. However, the more critical concern is that there is no definitive agreement in studies on the relationship between vitamin D and an increased chance of better fertility in men and women undergoing infertility treatment.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021252752.