bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-Modal Mass Spectrometry Identifies a Conserved Protective Epitope inS. pyogenesStreptolysin O
Authors: Tang Di , Gueto-Tettay Carlos , Hjortswang Elisabeth , Ströbaek Joel , Ekström Simon , Happonen Lotta , Malmström Lars , Malmström Johan
Published: December 2023

An important element of antibody-guided vaccine design is the use of neutralizing/opsonic monoclonal antibodies to define protective epitopes in their native three-dimensional conformation. Here, we demonstrate a multi-modal mass spectrometry-based strategy for in-depth characterization of antigen-antibody complexes to enable the identification of protective epitopes using the cytolytic exotoxin Streptolysin O (SLO) fromStreptococcus pyogenesas a showcase. We first discovered a monoclonal antibody with an undisclosed sequence capable of neutralizing SLO-mediated cytolysis. The amino acid sequence of both the antibody light and the heavy chain was determined using mass spectrometry-basedde novosequencing, followed by chemical crosslinking mass spectrometry to generate distance constraints between the antibody fragment antigen-binding region and SLO. Subsequent integrative computational modeling revealed a discontinuous epitope located in Domain 3 of SLO that was experimentally validated by hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry and reverse-engineering of the targeted epitope. The results show that the antibody inhibits SLO-mediated cytolysis by binding to a discontinuous epitope in Domain 3, likely preventing oligomerization and subsequent secondary structure changes critical for pore-formation. The epitope is highly conserved across >98% of the characterizedS. pyogenesisolates, making it an attractive target for antibody-based therapy and vaccine design against severe streptococcal infections.
Evolutionary change is remarkably time-independent across scales
Authors: De Lisle Stephen P. , Svensson Erik I.
Published: December 2023

Apparent time-scaling of evolutionary rates presents a potential dilemma. Rates of molecular, phenotypic, and lineage diversification typically scale negatively with time interval, raising questions about the ecological and evolutionary processes driving this pattern. Here we explore the fact that much apparent temporal scaling is an inevitable outcome of plotting a ratio against its denominator. We show that this effect readily explains the qualitative existence of a negative scaling relationship across different types of evolutionary rates. Highly unlikely relationships between timescale and accumulated evolutionary change are required to produce anything other than negative rate-time relationships. Empirical rate-time scaling relationships reflect unscaled magnitudes of evolution that are either unrelated to time and/or vary in their relationship with time. Over 99% of variation in rate-time relationships across five datasets can be explained by time variation alone, and simulations suggest a range of rate-time scaling exponents can be generated by similar evolutionary processes. These results raise challenges in the interpretation of evolutionary rate-time relationships, and highlight segmented regression as one useful approach to understanding temporal variation in evolution. Time-independence of evolutionary change raises new questions about the factors that generate temporal consistency in evolution.
Isolation and electrochemical analysis of a facultative anaerobic electrogenic strainKlebsiellasp. SQ-1
Authors: Zhou Lei , Tang Tuoxian , Deng Dandan , Wang Yayue , Pei Dongli
Published: December 2023

Electricigens decompose organic matter and convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy through extracellular electron transfer. They serve as significant biocatalysts for microbial fuel cells which have practical applications in green energy generation, effluent treatment, and bioremediation. A facultative anaerobic electrogenic strain SQ-1 is isolated from sludge in a biotechnology factory. The strain SQ-1 is a close relative ofKlebsiella variicola. Multilayered biofilms form on the surface of a carbon electrode after the isolated bacteria are inoculated into a microbial fuel cell device. This strain produces high current densities of 625 μA cm-2by using acetate as the carbon source in a three-electrode configuration. The electricity generation performance is also analyzed in a dual-chamber microbial fuel cell. It reaches a maximum power density of 560 mW m-2when the corresponding output voltage is 0.59 V. The facultative strain SQ-1 utilizes hydrous ferric oxide as an electron acceptor to perform extracellular electricigenic respiration in anaerobic conditions. Since facultative strains possess better properties than anaerobic strains,Klebsiellasp. SQ-1 may be a promising exoelectrogenic strain for applications in microbial electrochemistry.
Structural basis of the mechanism and inhibition of a human ceramide synthase
Authors: Pascoa Tomas C. , Pike Ashley C.W. , Tautermann Christofer S. , Chi Gamma , Traub Michael , Quigley Andrew , Chalk Rod , Štefanic Saša , Thamm Sven , Pautsch Alexander , Carpenter Elisabeth P. , Schnapp Gisela , Sauer David B.
Published: December 2023

Ceramides are bioactive sphingolipids that play pivotal roles in regulating cellular metabolism. Ceramides and dihydroceramides are synthesized by a family of six ceramide synthase enzymes (CerS), each with distinct specificity for the acyl-CoA substrate. Importantly, the acyl chain length plays a key role in determining the physiological function of ceramides, as well as their role in metabolic disease. Ceramide with an acyl chain length of 16 carbons (C16 ceramide) has been implicated in obesity, insulin resistance and liver disease, and the C16 ceramide-synthesizing CerS6 is regarded as an attractive drug target for obesity-associated disease. Despite their importance, the molecular mechanism underlying ceramide synthesis by CerS enzymes remains poorly understood. Here, we report cryo-electron microscopy structures of human CerS6, capturing covalent intermediate and product-bound states. These structures, together with biochemical characterization using intact protein and small molecule mass spectrometry, reveal that CerS catalysis proceeds via a ping-pong reaction mechanism involving a covalent acyl-enzyme intermediate. Notably, the product-bound structure was obtained upon reaction with the mycotoxin fumonisin B1, providing new insights into its inhibition of CerS. These results provide a framework for understanding the mechanisms of CerS function, selectivity, and inhibition, and open new directions for future drug discovery targeting the ceramide and sphingolipid pathways.
Diverse viruses infect nitrifying archaea and bacteria communities in soil
Authors: Lee Sungeun , Hazard Christina , Nicol Graeme W.
Published: December 2023

Soil virus communities are diverse and dynamic but contributions to specific processes, such as nitrification, are largely uncharacterised. Chemolithoautotrophic nitrifiers perform this essential component of the nitrogen cycle and are established model groups for linking phylogeny, evolution and ecophysiology due to limited taxonomic and functional diversity. Ammonia-oxidising bacteria (AOB) dominate the first step of ammonia oxidation at high supply rates, with ammonia-oxidising archaea (AOA) and complete ammonia-oxidisingNitrospira(comammox) often active at lower supply rates or when AOB are inactive, and nitrite-oxidising bacteria (NOB) completing canonical nitrification. Here, the diversity and genome content of dsDNA viruses infecting different nitrifier groups were characterised afterin situenrichment via differential host inhibition, a selective approach that alleviates competition for non-inhibited populations to determine relative activity. Microcosms were incubated with urea to stimulate nitrification and amended with 1-octyne or 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (AOB inhibited), acetylene (all ammonia oxidisers inhibited), or no inhibitor (AOB stimulated), and virus-targeted metagenomes characterised using databases of host genomes, reference (pro)viruses and hallmark genes. Increases in the relative abundance of nitrifier host groups were consistent with predicted inhibition profiles and concomitant with increases in the relative abundance of their viruses, represented by 200 viral operational taxonomic units. These included 61 high-quality/complete virus genomes 35-173 kb in length and possessing minimal similarity to validated families. Most AOA viruses were placed within a unique lineage and viromes were enriched in AOA multicopper oxidase genes. These findings demonstrate that focussed incubation studies facilitate characterisation of host-virus interactions associated with specific functional processes.
Bridging the Gap in Cancer Cell Behavior Against Matrix Stiffening: Insights from a Trizonal Model
Authors: Torki Mohammad E. , Liu Fan , Xu Rongguang , Chen Yunfeng , Fredberg Jeffery , Chen Zi
Published: December 2023

The intricate interplay between actomyosin contractility and extracellular matrix (ECM) strain stiffening is pivotal in cancer invasion. Despite the admitted impact of such feedback, current models are inadequate in predicting the largely overlapping ranges of cell shapes and their corresponding motility levels at intermediate ranges of collagen density. To address this gap, we introduce a free energy-based, trizonal model for cell shape transition under ECM stiffening, which delineates two distinct and one overlapping motility zones entitled with their implications for cancer progression: a low-motility zone with minimal invasiveness, a high-motility zone indicative of significantly invasive cells, and a mesoregion which harbors cells at crossroads of both states. This model integrates critical factors influencing the bidirectional interaction between the cell and ECM, thereby offering a deeper grasp of cancer cell behavior. Our findings reveal that the combined effects of ECM strain stiffening and cellular contractility are key drivers of cell population heterogeneity and invasiveness. This model goes beyond existing paradigms by accurately determining the optimal cell elongation at matrix-driven steady-state equilibrium, factoring in collagen density, contractility density, stress polarization, membrane-cortical tension, and integrin dynamics through the lens of total free energy minimization. The model’s predictive capability is further validated against measured cell shapes from histological sections. Altogether, this research not only bridges a crucial knowledge gap, but also provides a robust computational framework for predicting and replicating cell shape transitions observed in human functional tissue assays, thereby enhancing our ability to understand and potentially combat cancer invasion.

Significance

ECM stiffening is crucial in prompting metastatic phenotypes, with the interaction between cell contractility and ECM stiffening heavily influenced by cell motility level and reflected in distinct cell shapes [1–3]. This research introduces a free-energy-based model that, based on sound physics, not only distinguishes among different cell populations by their motility levels, but also truly replicates the recently observed trizonal cell response to ECM stiffness. This predictive model, validated by experiment, bridges a critical gap in our understanding of cellular dynamics in cancer progression, offering profound insight into the physical concepts driving these complex interactions. Thereupon, this work provides a powerful computational tool, potentially leading to new strategies in diagnosing and treating cancer by targeting specific cell behavioral traits and interactions within the tumor microenvironment.
Mitochondrial protein heterogeneity stems from the stochastic nature of co-translational protein targeting in cell senescence
Authors: Khan Abdul Haseeb , Patel Rutvik J. , Viana Matheus P. , Rafelski Susanne M. , Brown Aidan I. , Zid Brian M. , Tsuboi Tatsuhisa
Published: December 2023

A decline in mitochondrial function is a hallmark of aging and neurodegenerative diseases. It has been proposed that changes in mitochondrial morphology, including fragmentation of the tubular mitochondrial network, can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, yet the mechanism of this loss of function is unclear. Most proteins contained within mitochondria are nuclear-encoded and must be properly targeted to the mitochondria. Here, we report that sustained mRNA localization and co-translational protein delivery leads to a heterogeneous protein distribution across fragmented mitochondria. We find that age-induced mitochondrial fragmentation drives a substantial increase in protein expression noise across fragments. Using a translational kinetic and molecular diffusion model, we find that protein expression noise is explained by the nature of stochastic compartmentalization and that co-translational protein delivery is the main contributor to increased heterogeneity. We observed that cells primarily reduce the variability in protein distribution by utilizing mitochondrial fission-fusion processes rather than relying on the mitophagy pathway. Furthermore, we are able to reduce the heterogeneity of the protein distribution by inhibiting co-translational protein targeting. This research lays the framework for a better understanding of the detrimental impact of mitochondrial fragmentation on the physiology of cells in aging and disease.
University–industry linkages and agendas for future studies: a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis
Authors: Amarathunga Buddhini , Khatibi Ali , Talib Zunirah Mohd
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to theoretically and experimentally investigate the literature on university–industry linkages (UILs) through a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis. Seven research questions were addressed in the present study: (1) descriptive characteristics of the literature on UIL, (2) trends of annual scientific publications on UIL, (3) the most relevant and high-impact sources on UIL, (4) the most globally cited articles on UIL, (5) the most relevant countries on UIL, (6) outcomes of Bradford's Law of Scattering and Lotka's Law of scientific productivity and (7) the trending research areas and avenues for future studies on UIL.

Design/methodology/approach

Systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis mapping techniques were applied to the present study to analyze 907 articles extracted from the Scopus database. Analysis tools used were Biblioshiny software and VOSviewer software.

Findings

Findings show that the UIL is a progressively growing discipline with a record of a 5.71% average annual growth rate in scientific production each year from 1970 to 2023. The United States, China and the United Kingdom were the most productive countries in the field of UIL in terms of total scientific production and citations. Academic entrepreneurship, industrial ecology, social network analysis, active learning, engineering education, health economics, public health, university–industry relationships, communication, causal layered analysis and competitiveness are the potential avenues for future researchers in the field of UIL based on the thematic map of keywords analysis.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the debate on UIL by offering a comprehensive literature review. The findings of the current study will benefit graduates, universities, industries and the community at large.
The a priori procedure (APP) for estimating median under skew normal settings with applications in economics and finance
Authors: Hu Liqun , Wang Tonghui , Trafimow David , Choy S.T. Boris , Chen Xiangfei , Wang Cong , Tong Tingting
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The authors’ conclusions are based on mathematical derivations that are supported by computer simulations and three worked examples in applications of economics and finance. Finally, the authors provide a link to a computer program so that researchers can perform the analyses easily.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a parameter estimation goal, the present work is concerned with determining the minimum sample size researchers should collect so their sample medians can be trusted as good estimates of corresponding population medians. The authors derive two solutions, using a normal approximation and an exact method.

Findings

The exact method provides more accurate answers than the normal approximation method. The authors show that the minimum sample size necessary for estimating the median using the exact method is substantially smaller than that using the normal approximation method. Therefore, researchers can use the exact method to enjoy a sample size savings.

Originality/value

In this paper, the a priori procedure is extended for estimating the population median under the skew normal settings. The mathematical derivation and with computer simulations of the exact method by using sample median to estimate the population median is new and a link to a free and user-friendly computer program is provided so researchers can make their own calculations.
Perceiving IT affordances through the lens of multi-identity goals in rural governance information system
Authors: Zhu Ziqi , Liu Yuan , Wei June , Li Xuan
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This research aims to investigate the impact of the collaborative governance mechanism on the implementation of rural governance information systems in developing countries. By integrating institutional logic theory, affordance theory and social identity theory, the authors propose modeling grassroots officials' affordance perception process and exploring the importance of multi-identities’ information technology (IT) goals in affordance perception.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an exploratory case study, the authors identified three affordances of rural governance information systems and investigated the mechanisms influencing the perception of these affordances among grassroots officials. Next, the authors established a research model and collected 490 valid questionnaires from grassroots officials in China and analyzed the data using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The authors' study challenges previous assumptions by integrating institutional logic, affordance and social identity theories. The authors establish a perceived affordance path for rural governance information systems, recognize substitute effects among technological affordances and extend the theory to explain social factors influencing IT perception. The authors' findings suggest providing technical training for grassroots officials to enhance IT capabilities, and governments should prioritize essential functionalities in rural governance information systems to optimize resources. Training on collaborative governance mechanisms can improve IT affordance perception, enhancing digital platform utilization in governance processes.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted mainly in China, and therefore, the findings may not be universal to other developing countries. Researchers are therefore encouraged to test the proposal in locations with different rural cultures.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development of IT perception in rural governance, the development of affordance perception theory and studying the relationship between IT goals and affordance perception.

Originality/value

Overall, this paper addresses the need to understand how grassroots officials perceive IT affordances in rural governance and study the relationship between multi-identities’ goals and affordance perception.
Earnings management in local governments under a soft control regime
Authors: Haugdal Ane , Kjærland Frode , Gårseth-Nesbakk Levi , Oust Are
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study explores whether hard regulatory control decreases the level of earnings management in local governments. The implementation of a new regulatory approach by Norwegian authorities provides the opportunity for an empirical study.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a two-stage strategy to investigate the existence of earnings management, using the Jones (1991) and modified Jones (Dechow et al., 1995) models to construct a random-effects model.

Findings

The authors test the hypothesis that, given decentralisation of control, there will be an increase in opportunistic financial reporting. This study's findings suggest that this is not the case, thereby indicating that a soft control regime does not diminish discipline in municipalities.

Practical implications

This study has practical implications for policymaking in the public sector. Its findings suggest that municipalities do not engage in more earnings management under a soft regulatory regime. Hence, other authorities should consider adopting a soft regulatory approach to controlling local governments and their financial reporting systems.

Originality/value

This study contributes to a growing body of literature regarding earnings management by local governments. The authors investigate a hypothesis previously untested in the literature by comparing the degree of earnings management under different regulatory control regimes.
What's up in WhatsApp research: a comprehensive analysis of 12,947 papers indexed in Dimensions.ai
Authors: Verma Manoj Kumar , Yuvaraj Mayank
Published: December 2023

Purpose

In recent years, instant messaging platforms like WhatsApp have gained substantial popularity in both academic and practical domains. However, despite this growth, there is a lack of a comprehensive overview of the literature in this field. The primary purpose of this study is to bridge this gap by analyzing a substantial dataset of 12,947 articles retrieved from the Dimensions.ai, database spanning from 2011 to March 2023.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the authors' objective, the authors employ bibliometric analysis techniques. The authors delve into various bibliometric networks, including citation networks, co-citation networks, collaboration networks, keywords and bibliographic couplings. These methods allow for the uncovering of the social and conceptual structures within the academic discourse surrounding WhatsApp.

Findings

The authors' analysis reveals several significant findings. Firstly, the authors observe a remarkable and continuous growth in the number of academic studies dedicated to WhatsApp over time. Notably, two prevalent themes emerge: the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the role of WhatsApp in the realm of social media. Furthermore, the authors' study highlights diverse applications of WhatsApp, including its utilization in education and learning, as a communication tool, in medical education, cyberpsychology, security, psychology and behavioral learning.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the field by offering a comprehensive overview of the scholarly research landscape related to WhatsApp. The findings not only illuminate the burgeoning interest in WhatsApp among researchers but also provide insights into the diverse domains where WhatsApp is making an impact. The analysis of bibliometric networks offers a unique perspective on the social and conceptual structures within this field, shedding light on emerging trends and influential research. This study thus serves as a valuable resource for scholars, practitioners and policymakers seeking to navigate the evolving landscape of WhatsApp research. The study will also be useful for researchers interested in conducting bibliometric analysis using Dimensions.ai, a free database.
The enhanced role of canals and route choice due to disruptions in maritime operations
Authors: Zis Thalis P.V.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper focusses on the aftermath of disruptions and the importance of the two largest canals (Suez and Panama), commenting on how during the pandemic the canal fees were lowered. Considering the ongoing efforts to decarbonize shipping, some of the ongoing disruptions will help reach these objectives faster.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a literature review of route choice in shipping, and a presentation of significant disruptions in recent years, the author deploys a simplified fuel consumption model and conduct case study analyses to compare different routes environmentally and economically.

Findings

The results explain why at times of low fuel prices as in 2020, canals provided discounts to entice ship operators to keep transiting these, instead of opting for longer routes. Considering the ongoing repercussions of the pandemic in supply chains, as well as the potential introduction of market-based measures in shipping, the value of transiting canals will be much higher in the coming years.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation in this work is that the author used the publicly available information on canal tolls, for the different ship types examined.

Practical implications

The envisioned model is simple, and it can be readily used for any ship and route (port to port) combination available, if ship data are available to researchers.

Social implications

It is possible that canal tolls will increase, to account for the additional environmental benefits brought to ship operators.

Originality/value

The methodology is simple and transferable, and the author proposes several interesting research questions for follow-up work.
Foreign buyer taxes and housing affordability
Authors: Pavlov Andrey , Somerville Tsur , Wetzel Jake
Published: December 2023

To improve housing affordability jurisdictions in different countries has introduced taxes on nonresident home buyers. We use the foreign buyer tax introduced in British Columbia, Canada, in August 2016 to investigate the extent to which such taxes improve housing affordability through their effect on local house prices. Our work uses direct transaction‐level identification of foreign buyers that resulted from policies prior to the announcement and subsequent introduction of the tax. Using a difference in differences methodology, we compare house price changes pre‐ and posttax between high and low foreign buyer concentration neighborhoods. We find that house prices decline by 6% in neighborhoods with above median concentrations of foreign buyers after the tax relative to prices in neighborhoods with below median concentrations of foreign buyers. The quantitative effects are also striking with overall foreign buyer share falling from 13.2% of single‐family transactions in the 6 weeks prior to the announcement of the tax to 1.7% for the 3 months following the tax. The unique contribution of this article is our use of transaction‐level data to explicitly identify the properties purchased by foreign buyers to create more accurate control and treatment groups than found in other analyses.
Influence of Mental Training of Attentional Control on Autonomic Arousal Within the Framework of the Temporal Preparation of a Force Task
Authors: Ezzedini Souhir , Ben Jebara Sofia , Abidi Malek , de Marco Giovanni
Published: December 2023

While temporal preparation has frequently been examined through the manipulation of foreperiods, the role of force level during temporal preparation remains underexplored. In our study, we propose to manipulate mental training of attentional control in order to shed light on the role of the force level and autonomic nervous system in the temporal preparation of an action. Forty subjects, divided into mental training group (n = 20) and without mental training group (n = 20), participated in this study. The influence of the attentional control and force levels on the autonomic nervous system were measured using the skin conductance response and the heart rate variability; the accuracy of the motor responses was measured using a method derived from machine learning. Behaviorally, only the mental training group reinforced its motor and attentional control. When using short foreperiod durations and high force level, motor and attentional control decreased, consistent with the dominant sympathetic system. This resulted in an increased anticipation rate of responses with a higher reaction time compared to the long foreperiods duration and low force level, in which the reaction time significantly decreased, with enhancement of the expected force level, showing consistency with the dominant parasympathetic system. Interestingly, results revealed a predictive relationship between the sympathovagal balance and motor and attentional control during the long foreperiods and low force level. Finally, results demonstrate that attentional mental training leads to the reinforcement of interactions between the autonomic nervous system and attentional processes which are involved in the temporal preparation of a force task.
Uniportal thoracoscopic bullectomy with improved parietal pleurectomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Authors: Kang Ningning , Zheng Hao , Ge Wei , Hu Jin‐Xiu , Liu Wen , Zhang Ren‐Quan
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Parietal pleurectomy with bullectomy has been established as an effective method for preventing the recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). Our center introduced enhanced technical measures in uniportal thoracoscopic parietal pleurectomy with bullectomy for patients with PSP, aiming to document our initial experience and assess the procedure's effectiveness in preventing the recurrence of PSP.

Methods

We analyzed the clinical data of 86 patients with PSP who underwent the improved uniportal thoracoscopic parietal pleurectomy with bullectomy between July 2019 and August 2022. During the procedure, the parietal pleura above the second intercostal space was stripped but not removed. Instead, it was retained in the thoracic cavity using a piece of pedunculated pleura. Subsequently, the stumps of the lung were covered by the preserved parietal pleura.

Results

The results of the study showed that the mean operative time was 59.87 ± 16.93 min, and the postoperative drainage duration averaged 3.94 ± 2.17 days. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 24.33 ± 48.91 ml, and the mean postoperative drainage volume was 289.00 ± 170.03 ml. Prolonged air leakage for more than 5 days was observed in five patients (5.81%), but no other postoperative complications were recorded. During the follow‐up, one patient (1.16%) experienced a recurrence of pneumothorax.

Conclusions

The perioperative results of bullectomy with the improved pleurectomy technique are deemed satisfactory. The various technical steps attempted at our center are found to be feasible and safe, and they may contribute to reducing the rates of recurrence in PSP.
Decomposing India's Trade Ratio: 1980–2021
Authors: Moharir Advait , Jayadev Arjun , Mason J.W.
Published: December 2023

External trade balance is a critical constraint in the macroeconomic dynamics of a developing economy. Typically, external adjustment is said to occur through changes in the real exchange rate, and implicitly in the terms of trade. This article decomposes India's merchandise trade ratio into three parts, namely, change in terms of trade, relative expenditure growth and relative import intensity over the period 1980‒2021. It finds that terms of trade contribute little to the evolution of India's trade ratio since the 1990s. Instead, falling relative expenditure growth due to India growing faster than its trade partners, and rising relative import intensity due to a reduction in India's reliance on imports relative to its partners explain a large share of the change in the trade ratio post‐1991. Devaluations have not contributed to the improvement in the trade ratio while export growth and reduced domestic intensity have been critical.
Validity and reliability evaluation of the Turkish version of the Clinical Interpersonal Reactivity Index
Authors: Birgili Fatma , Uğurlu Nezihe Bulut , Dincer Nevin Güler , Yazkan Güllü , Alaca Çiğdem , Acar Feyza
Published: December 2023

Aim

This study was conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Clinical Interpersonal Reactivity Index, an instrument to assess nurses' empathy.

Background

A practical empathic approach is valuable for planning nursing interventions suitable for the patient's conditions and needs and increasing patient satisfaction.

Design

This is a methodological study.

Methods

The study was carried out at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Training and Research Hospital, recruiting a total of 358 nurses between January and February 2023. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to determine and validate the factor structure of the Clinical Interpersonal Reactivity Index.

Results

The exploratory factor analysis extracted three factors. According to the confirmatory factor analysis, all goodness of fit measures were within acceptable limits. Cronbach's α values were 0.89 for the total scale with 17 items and between 0.73 and 0.81 for the factors. In test–retest analyses, all intra‐class correlation coefficients were higher than 0.7, and the correlations between the first and second applications of the scale were between 0.61 and 0.73.

Conclusion

The Turkish version of the Clinical Interpersonal Reactivity Index can be applied as a valid and reliable measurement tool to evaluate empathy in Turkish nurses.
The clinical and economic impact of extended battery longevity of a substernal extravascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator
Authors: Knight Bradley P. , Clémenty Nicolas , Amin Anish , Birgersdotter‐Green Ulrika M. , Roukoz Henri , Holbrook Reece , Manlucu Jaimie
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The extravascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (EV ICD) has extended projected battery longevity compared to the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S‐ICD). This study used modeling to characterize the need for generator changes, long‐term complications, and overall costs for both the EV ICD and S‐ICD in healthcare systems of various countries.

Methods

Battery longevity data were modeled using a Markov model from averages reported in device labeling for the S‐ICD and with engineering estimates based on real life usage from EV ICD Pivotal Study patient data to introduce variability. Clinical demographic data were derived from published literature. The primary outcomes were defined as the number of generator replacement surgeries, complications, and total healthcare system costs due to battery depletion over the expected lifetime of patients receiving EV ICD or S‐ICD therapy.

Results

Average modeled battery longevity was determined to be 7.3 years for the S‐ICD versus 11.8 years for the EV ICD. The probability of a complication after a replacement procedure was 1.4%, with an operative mortality rate of 0.02%. The use of EV ICD was associated with 1.4–1.6 fewer replacements on average over an expected patient lifetime as compared to S‐ICD and a 24.3%–26.0% reduction in cost. A one‐way sensitivity analysis of the model for the US healthcare system found that use of an EV ICD resulted in a reduction in replacement surgeries of greater than 1 (1.1–1.6) along with five‐figure cost savings in all scenarios ($18 602–$40 948).

Conclusion

The longer projected battery life of the EV ICD has the potential to meaningfully reduce long‐term morbidity and healthcare resources related to generator changes from the perspective of multiple diverse healthcare systems.
Psychosomatic mechanisms of heart failure symptoms on quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure: A multi‐centre cross‐sectional study
Authors: Wang Yu , Yang Qiaofang , Liu Yancun , Zheng Gaigai , Fan Fanghui , Tian Huan , Zhang Xin
Published: December 2023

Aims

To determine the contributions of different kinds of symptoms to the quality of life and mediating effect of psychological and physical symptoms between heart failure symptoms and quality of life.

Design

A multi‐centre cross‐sectional study.

Methods

2006 chronic heart failure patients from four cities were recruited in China from January 2021 to December 2022. Patients' symptoms and quality of life were self‐reported, and data were analysed using correlation analysis, dominance analysis and mediating effects analysis.

Results

The dominance analysis revealed that the overall mean contributions of heart failure, psychological and physical symptoms were .083, .085 and .111; 29.5%, 30.2% and 39.5% of the known variance. And heart failure symptoms could negatively affect quality of life through psychological and physical symptoms, accounting for 28.39% and 22.95% of the total effect. Heart failure symptoms could also affect quality of life through the chain‐mediated effect of physical and psychological symptoms, accounting for 16.74%.

Conclusions

Physiological symptoms had the strongest effect on quality of life and heart failure symptoms had the weakest. Most of the effect for heart failure symptoms on quality of life in chronic heart failure patients was mediated by psychological and physiological symptoms.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

It is important to design non‐pharmacological intervention plans for the enhancement of physical and psychological symptoms' management skills, to reduce the adverse impact of heart failure symptoms on quality of life.

Reporting Method

Study methods and results reported in adherence to the STROBE checklist.

No Patient or Public Contribution

No patients or members of the public were involved in the study.
Flow‐dependent regulation of rat mesenteric lymphatic vessel contractile response requires activation of endothelial TRPV4 channels
Authors: DuToit Jacques , Brothers Peter , Stephens Matthew , Keane Keith , de Jesus Flavia Neto , Roizes Simon , von der Weid Pierre‐Yves
Published: December 2023

Objectives

The objective of our study is to evaluate the involvement of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) in the alteration of lymphatic pumping in response to flow and determine the signaling pathways involved.

Methods

We used immunofluorescence imaging and western blotting to assess TRPV4 expression in rat mesenteric lymphatic vessels. We examined inhibition of TRPV4 with HC067047, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) with L‐NNA and cyclooxygenases (COXs) with indomethacin on the contractile response of pressurized lymphatic vessels to flow changes induced by a stepwise increase in pressure gradients, and the functionality of endothelial TRPV4 channels by measuring the intracellular Ca2+response of primary lymphatic endothelial cell cultures to the selective agonist GSK1016790A.

Results

TRPV4 protein was expressed in both the endothelial and the smooth muscle layer of rat mesenteric lymphatics with high endothelial expression around the valve sites. When maintained under constant transmural pressure, most lymphatic vessels displayed a decrease in contraction frequency under conditions of flow and this effect was ablated through inhibition of NOS, COX or TRPV4.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate a critical role for TRPV4 in the decrease in contraction frequency induced in lymphatic vessels by increases in flow rate via the production and action of nitric oxide and dilatory prostanoids.
Understanding the pathogenesis of engineered stone‐associated silicosis: The effect of particle chemistry on the lung cell response
Authors: Ramkissoon Chandnee , Song Yong , Yen Seiha , Southam Katherine , Page Simone , Pisaniello Dino , Gaskin Sharyn , Zosky Graeme R.
Published: December 2023

Background and Objective

The resurgence of severe and progressive silicosis among engineered stone benchtop industry workers is a global health crisis. We investigated the link between the physico‐chemical characteristics of engineered stone dust and lung cell responses to understand components that pose the greatest risk.

Methods

Respirable dust from 50 resin‐based engineered stones, 3 natural stones and 2 non‐resin‐based materials was generated and analysed for mineralogy, morphology, metals, resin, particle size and charge. Human alveolar epithelial cells and macrophages were exposed in vitro to dust and assessed for cytotoxicity and inflammation. Principal component analysis and stepwise linear regression were used to explore the relationship between engineered stone components and the cellular response.

Results

Cutting engineered stone generated fine particles of <600 nm. Crystalline silica was the main component with metal elements such as Ti, Cu, Co and Fe also present. There was some evidence to suggest differences in cytotoxicity (p = 0.061) and IL‐6 (p = 0.084) between dust samples. However, IL‐8 (CXCL8) and TNF‐α levels in macrophages were clearly variable (p < 0.05). Quartz explained 11% of the variance (p = 0.019) in macrophage inflammation while Co and Al accounted for 32% of the variance (p < 0.001) in macrophage toxicity, suggesting that crystalline silica only partly explains the cell response. Two of the reduced‐silica, non‐engineered stone products induced considerable inflammation in macrophages.

Conclusion

These data suggest that silica is not the only component of concern in these products, highlighting the caution required as alternative materials are produced in an effort to reduce disease risk.
Left medial liver lobe torsion and postoperative acute gastric rupture in a 2.5‐year‐old male‐castrated Flemish Giant rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Authors: Chapple Alexander R. , Mikoni Nicole A. , Dutton Christopher J. , Brust Kelsey D.
Published: December 2023

A 2.5‐year‐old male‐castrated rabbit presented with acute abdominal pain, lethargy, and anorexia. Digital radiography revealed increased left‐sided hepatomegaly, gastric dilation, and decreased peritoneal serosal detail. Abdominal ultrasonography identified a torsed left liver lobe, gastric dilation, and peritoneal effusion. Surgery confirmed a left medial liver lobe torsion, with subsequent lobectomy and seven days of hospitalization. The patient re‐presented 2 days after discharge and suddenly died while hospitalized, with acute gastric rupture, fulminant peritonitis, and multifocal hepatic infarcts diagnosed on necropsy. We believe this is the first recorded imaging diagnosis of a left medial liver lobe torsion in a rabbit.
The glycoprotein 5 of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus stimulates mitochondrial ROS to facilitate viral replication
Authors: Zhang Shuang , Zeng Lei , Su Bing-Qian , Yang Guo-Yu , Wang Jiang , Ming Sheng-Li , Chu Bei-Bei
Published: December 2023

Viruses have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to manipulate host cell organelles to serve as niches for persistence and proliferation. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of cellular organelles in the replication of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). We found that the morphology of mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) were both altered, and the contact between these two organelles was enhanced during PRRSV infection. By the overexpression of PRRSV-encoded open reading frames, we identified that only glycoprotein 5 (GP5) was essential for ER-mitochondria contact. Further investigation revealed that GP5 interacted with the ER inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R) and the mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC1) to promote the Ca
2+
efflux from ER into mitochondria. Excessive mitochondrial Ca
2+
uptake resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction and substantial mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) production. Elevated mROS activated autophagy through the AMPK/mROR/ULK1 axis to facilitate PRRSV replication. GP5-induced mROS also triggered the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Inhibition of autophagy augmented NLRP3 inflammasome activation and exhibited an anti-PRRSV effect, suggesting autophagy counteracted the NLRP3-mediated innate immune response. Overall, our findings highlighted the importance of cellular organelles in virus-host interactions and provided new insights into the complex interplay between virus replication and innate immune responses.

IMPORTANCE

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) presents a significant economic concern for the global swine industry due to its connection to serious production losses and increased mortality rates. There is currently no specific treatment for PRRSV. Previously, we had uncovered that PRRSV-activated lipophagy to facilitate viral replication. However, the precise mechanism that PRRSV used to trigger autophagy remained unclear. Here, we found that PRRSV GP5 enhanced mitochondrial Ca
2+
uptake from ER by promoting ER-mitochondria contact, resulting in mROS release. Elevated mROS induced autophagy, which alleviated NLRP3 inflammasome activation for optimal viral replication. Our study shed light on a novel mechanism revealing how PRRSV exploits mROS to facilitate viral replication.
Complete sequence of six segments of fig mosaic virus from Iraq
Authors: Zagier Shrooq , Alisawi Osamah Nadhim , Al Fadhal Fadhal
Published: December 2023

Here, we report the complete sequence of six segments of the Iraqi isolate of fig mosaic virus (FMV) named Kufa in fig plants. The sequence lengths of the six segments were determined. The phylogeny showed that four segments were closely related to Iranian isolates.
Sequence analysis of Discoknowium, an A5 mycobacteriophage
Authors: Carline Kate B. R. , Fleeharty Megan S. , Fang Lin , Shijo Mahima , Doherty Mitchell K. , Riddick Zoe A. , Royster Marcus O. , Stukes Amiyah R. , Tchadi Bilalay V. , Thomas Alana N. , Williamson Kurt E. , Saha Margaret S.
Published: December 2023

Discoknowium is a temperate A5 bacteriophage that infects the bacterial host
Mycobacterium smegmatis
. Isolated from a rat fecal sample, Discoknowium’s genome is 50,222 bp in length, contains 84 genes and 1 tRNA, and shares 82%–98% nucleotide identity with other A5 subcluster phages.
Reflection of the Electromagnetic Wave from the Region of Electron Cyclotron Absorption in Thermonuclear Plasma
Authors: Gospodchikov E. D. , Chuvakin P. A. , Shalashov A. G.
Published: December 2023

A new approach to the problem of the passage of the extraordinary wave through the region of the electron–cyclotron resonance in inhomogeneous plasma was considered in the framework of the full set of Maxwell’s equations, taking into account the effects of spatial dispersion and resonance dissipation. For the model one-dimensional geometry, field distributions were calculated in the vicinity of the cyclotron resonance at the second harmonic for the normal incidence of the extraordinary wave and the reflection, transmission, and absorption coefficients were found depending on the parameters of the resonance region. As a result, the fine effect of the reflection of electromagnetic radiation from the cyclotron resonance region in transparent plasma was described and the results were compared with the observations of this effect in the experiments on the microwave heating of the plasma at the L-2M stellarator.
Page curves for accelerating black holes
Authors: Yu Ming-Hui , Ge Xian-Hui , Lu Cheng-Yuan
Published: December 2023

The island paradigm for the fine-grained entropy of Hawking radiation is applied to eternal charged accelerating black holes. In the absence of the island, the entanglement entropy grows linearly and divergent at late times, while once the island outside the event horizon is taken into account, the unitary Page curve is reproduced naturally. The impact of the charge and the acceleration on Page curves is investigated at late times. For the Page time and the scrambling time, they both increase as the acceleration increases, while decreasing as the charge increases. In particular, neutral black holes have the largest Page time and scrambling time. It is worth noting that the Page time and the scrambling time is divergent at the extremal case, which implies that islands may be related to the causal structure of spacetime.