bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bradykinin receptor expression and bradykinin-mediated sensitization of human sensory neurons
Authors: Yi Jiwon , Bertels Zachariah , Del Rosario John Smith , Widman Allie J. , Slivicki Richard A. , Payne Maria , Susser Henry M. , Copits Bryan A. , Gereau Robert W.
Published: April 2023

Bradykinin is a peptide implicated in inflammatory pain in both humans and rodents. In rodent sensory neurons, activation of B1 and B2 bradykinin receptors induces neuronal hyperexcitability. Recent evidence suggests that human and rodent dorsal root ganglia (DRG), which contain the cell bodies of sensory neurons, differ in the expression and function of key GPCRs and ion channels; whether BK receptor expression and function are conserved across species has not been studied in depth. In this study, we used human DRG tissue from organ donors to provide a detailed characterization of bradykinin receptor expression and bradykinin-induced changes in the excitability of human sensory neurons. We found that B2 and, to a lesser extent, B1 receptors are expressed by human DRG neurons and satellite glial cells. B2 receptors were enriched in the nociceptor subpopulation. Using patch-clamp electrophysiology, we found that acute bradykinin increases the excitability of human sensory neurons, while prolonged exposure to bradykinin decreases neuronal excitability in a subpopulation of human DRG neurons. Finally, our analyses suggest that donor’s history of chronic pain and age may be predictors of higher B1 receptor expression in human DRG neurons. Together, these results indicate that acute BK-induced hyperexcitability, first identified in rodents, is conserved in humans and provide further evidence supporting BK signaling as a potential therapeutic target for treating pain in humans.
Lysosome transporter purification and reconstitution identifies Ypq1 pH-gated lysine transport and regulation
Authors: Arines Felichi Mae , Wielenga Aleksander , Burata Olive E. , Garcia Francisco Narro , Stockbridge Randy B. , Li Ming
Published: April 2023

Lysosomes achieve their function through numerous transporters that import or export nutrients across their membrane. However, technical challenges in membrane protein overexpression, purification, and reconstitution hinder our understanding of lysosome transporter function. Here, we developed a platform to overexpress and purify the putative lysine transporter Ypq1 using a constitutive overexpression system in protease- and ubiquitination-deficient yeast vacuoles. Using this method, we purified and reconstituted Ypq1 into proteoliposomes and showed lysine transport function, supporting its role as a basic amino acid transporter on the vacuole membrane. We also found that the absence of lysine destabilizes purified Ypq1 and causes it to aggregate, consistent with its propensity to be downregulatedin vivoupon lysine starvation. Our approach may be useful for the biochemical characterization of many transporters and membrane proteins to understand organellar transport and regulation.
CilioGenics: an integrated method and database for predicting novel ciliary genes
Authors: Pir Mustafa S. , Yenisert Ferhan , Karaman Aslı , Begar Efe , Tsiropoulou Sofia , Firat-Karalar Elif Nur , Blacque Oliver E , Oner Sukru S. , Doluca Osman , Cevik Sebiha , Kaplan Oktay I.
Published: April 2023

Discovering the entire list of human ciliary genes would help in the diagnosis of cilia-related human disorders known as ciliopathy, but at present the genetic diagnosis of many ciliopathies (over 30%) is far from complete (Bachmann-Gagescu et al., 2015; Knopp et al., 2015; Paff et al., 2018). In a theory, many independent approaches may uncover the whole list of ciliary genes, but 30% of the genes on the ciliary gene list are still ciliary candidate genes (van Dam et al., 2019; Vasquez et al., 2021). All of these cutting-edge techniques, however, have relied on a different single strategy to discover ciliary candidate genes. Because different methodologies demonstrated distinct capabilities with varying quality, categorizing the ciliary candidate genes in the ciliary gene list without further evidence has been difficult. Here, we present a method for predicting ciliary capacity of each human gene that incorporates diverse methodologies (single-cell RNA sequencing, protein-protein interactions (PPIs), comparative genomics, transcription factor (TF)-network analysis, and text mining). By integrating multiple approaches, we reveal previously undiscovered ciliary genes. Our method, CilioGenics, outperforms other approaches that are dependent on a single method. Our top 500 gene list contains 256 new candidate ciliary genes, with 31 experimentally validated. Our work suggests that combining several techniques can give useful evidence for predicting the ciliary capability of all human genes.
Machine Learning-aided Discovery of Novel Chemotype Antagonists for G Protein-coupled Receptors: The Case of the Adenosine A2AReceptor
Authors: Goßen Jonas , Ribeiro Rui Pedro , Bier Dirk , Neumaier Bernd , Carloni Paolo , Giorgetti Alejandro , Rossetti Giulia
Published: April 2023

Identifying the correct chemotype of ligands targeting receptors (i.e., agonist or antagonist) is a challenge forin silicoscreening campaigns. Here we present an approach that identifies novel chemotype ligands by combining structural data with a random forest agonist/antagonist classifier and a signal-transduction kinetic model. As a test case, we apply this approach to identify novel antagonists of the human adenosine transmembrane receptor type 2A, an attractive target against Parkinson’s disease and cancer. The identified antagonists were tested here in a radioligand binding assay. Among those, we found a promising ligand whose chemotype differs significantly from all so-far reported antagonists, with a binding affinity of 310±23.4 nM. Thus, our protocol emerges as a powerful approach to identify promising ligand candidates with novel chemotypes while preserving antagonistic potential and affinity in the nanomolar range.
Preclinical Screening of Splice-Switching Antisense Oligonucleotides in PDAC Organoids
Authors: Wan Ledong , Kral Alexander J. , Voss Dillon , Krainer Adrian R.
Published: April 2023

Aberrant alternative splicing is emerging as a cancer hallmark and a potential therapeutic target. It is the result of dysregulated splicing factors or genetic alterations in splicing-regulatorycis-elements. Targeting individual altered splicing events associated with cancer-cell dependencies is a potential therapeutic strategy, but several technical limitations need to be addressed. Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) are a promising platform to recapitulate key aspects of disease states and to facilitate drug development for precision medicine. Here, we report an efficient antisense-oligonucleotide (ASO) transfection method to systematically evaluate and screen individual splicing events as therapeutic targets in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) organoids. This optimized delivery method allows fast and efficient screening of ASOs that reverse oncogenic alternative splicing. In combination with advancements in chemical modifications and ASO-delivery strategies, this method has the potential to accelerate the discovery of anti-tumor ASO drugs that target pathological alternative splicing.
Assessing Microbial Diversity in Soil Samples Along the Potomac River: Implications for Environmental Health
Authors: Taraboletti Alexandra , King Alexus , Dixon Yasheka , Orr Oshane , Parnell Chevell , Watson Yasheika , Nash Bruce , Esimai Chimdimnma , Ude George
Published: April 2023

In this study, we investigated the microbial diversity and community composition of soil samples collected from various sites along the Potomac River within an urbanized region. Our findings revealed the presence of both typical marine soil bacteria and bacterial taxa indicative of urbanization and waste runoff. We observed significant variations in microbial community structure and diversity across different sampling sites, highlighting the influence of environmental factors on microbial abundance and diversity. Through taxon set analysis, we identified shared taxa strongly associated with agricultural pollution, organochlorine pesticide contamination, and bromochloromethane pollution. Additionally, the study revealed potential disparities in human impact, water retention, and tidal/current effects among the soil samples. These insights carry significant implications for understanding the consequences of urbanization on soil microbial communities along the Potomac River and can inform strategies for managing and preserving these ecosystems. Further research is warranted to elucidate the effects of soil health and microbial diversity in this region.
Sex-specific age-related changes in glymphatic function assessed by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Han Feng , Liu Xufu , Yang Yifan , Liu Xiao
Published: April 2023

The glymphatic system that clears out brain wastes, such as amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau, through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow may play an important role in aging and dementias. However, a lack of non-invasive tools to assess the glymphatic function in humans hindered the understanding of the glymphatic changes in healthy aging. The global infra-slow (<0.1 Hz) brain activity measured by the global mean resting-state fMRI signal (gBOLD) was recently found to be coupled by large CSF movements. This coupling has been used to measure the glymphatic process and found to correlate with various pathologies of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including Aβ pathology. Using resting-state fMRI data from a large group of 719 healthy aging participants, we examined the sex-specific changes of the gBOLD-CSF coupling, as a measure of glymphatic function, over a wide age range between 36-100 years old. We found that this coupling index remains stable before around age 55 and then starts to decline afterward, particularly in females. Menopause may contribute to the accelerated decline in females.
Oxaliplatin Inhibits RNA Polymerase I via DNA Damage Signaling Targeted to the Nucleolus
Authors: Nechay Misha , Kleiner Ralph E.
Published: April 2023

Platinum (Pt) compounds are an important class of anti-cancer therapeutics, but outstanding questions remain regarding their mode of action. In particular, emerging evidence indicates that oxaliplatin, a Pt drug used to treat colorectal cancer, kills cells by inducing ribosome biogenesis stress rather than through DNA damage generation, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that oxaliplatin-induced ribosomal RNA (rRNA) transcriptional silencing and nucleolar stress occur downstream of DNA damage signaling involving ATM and ATR. We show that NBS1 and TOPBP1, two proteins involved in the nucleolar DNA damage response (n-DDR), are recruited to nucleoli upon oxaliplatin treatment. However, we find that rRNA transcriptional inhibition by oxaliplatin does not depend upon NBS1 or TOPBP1, nor does oxaliplatin induce substantial amounts of nucleolar DNA damage, distinguishing it from previously characterized n-DDR pathways. Taken together, our work indicates that oxaliplatin induces a distinct DDR signaling pathway that functionsin transto inhibit Pol I transcription in the nucleolus, demonstrating how nucleolar stress can be linked to DNA damage signaling and highlighting an important mechanism of Pt drug cytotoxicity.
Screening of Chemical Libraries UsingXenopusEmbryos and Tadpoles for Phenotypic Drug Discovery
Authors: Gull Mazhar , Schmitt Stefan M. , Kälin Roland E. , Brändli André W.
Published: April 2023

Phenotypic drug discovery assesses the effect of small molecules on the phenotype of cells, tissues, or whole organisms without a priori knowledge of the target or pathway. Using vertebrate embryos instead of cell-based assays has the advantage that the screening of small molecules occurs in the context of the complex biology and physiology of the whole organism. Fish and amphibians are the only classes of vertebrates with free-living larvae amenable to high-throughput drug screening in multiwell dishes. For both animal classes, particularly zebrafish andXenopus, husbandry requirements are straightforward, embryos can be obtained in large numbers, and they develop ex utero so their development can be monitored easily with a dissecting microscope. At 350 million years, the evolutionary distance between amphibians and humans is significantly shorter than that between fish and humans, which is estimated at 450 million years. This increases the likelihood that drugs discovered by screening in amphibian embryos will be active in humans. Here, we describe the basic protocol for the medium- to high-throughput screening of chemical libraries using embryos of the African clawed frogXenopus laevis. Bioactive compounds are identified by observing phenotypic changes in whole embryos and tadpoles. In addition to the discovery of compounds with novel bioactivities, the phenotypic screening protocol also allows for the identification of compounds with in vivo toxicity, eliminating early hits that are poor drug candidates. We also highlight important considerations for designing chemical screens, choosing chemical libraries, and performing secondary screens using whole mount in situ hybridization or immunostaining.
Recording from Fly Taste Sensilla
Authors: Dahanukar Anupama , Benton Richard
Published: April 2023

Gustatory systems sense chemicals upon contact and provide a model to investigate how these stimuli are encoded to inform various behavioral decisions including choice of foods, egg-laying sites, and mating partners. Multiple organs in the body house peripheral gustatory sensory neurons, the axons of which project to discrete regions in the subesophageal zone and ventral ganglion, representing both the location and quality of the taste stimulus. Taste neurons are broadly divided into subpopulations associated with either positive or negative behavioral valence, each expressing combinations of taste receptors—in some cases, more than 30 receptors—encoded by one or more chemosensory gene families that together determine their chemical response properties.Drosophilaprovides a powerful model to study gustatory coding because a majority of the taste sensory units (sensilla) are present in external taste organs (labellum and legs) and are accessible for electrophysiological analysis of tastant-evoked responses. Moreover, a large body of work on the basic characteristics of individual taste neurons housed in a sensillum, as well as on functional surveys of entire taste organs, provides a foundation for investigating further questions about taste coding, adaptability, and evolution. This protocol describes how to perform recordings of stimulus-evoked activity fromDrosophilataste sensilla covering the basics of setting up the electrophysiology rig and stimulus-delivery device, sample preparation, and performing and analyzing the recordings.
The decision to present comparative financial statements in a mandatory IFRS adoption setting
Authors: Sánchez Francisco , Giner Begoña , Gill-de-Albornoz Belén
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study analyzes the factors behind the decisions made by the largest listed Chilean companies that mandatorily adopted the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in 2009 to present comparative IFRS financial statements that year. The authors focus on the role of the expected impact of the change in the accounting standards on a company's financial position as a determinant of this decision.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises 105 nonfinancial companies, of which 57 decided to present comparative IFRS financial statements (full adoption) and 48 did not (proforma adoption). Logistic regression is employed to model the decision of interest.

Findings

The decision for full adoption is positively associated with the company's expectation that the change in the accounting standards would improve its financial position, albeit only up to a certain threshold, as evidenced by their inverse U-shaped association.

Originality/value

IFRS adoption in Chile creates a unique scenario that allows us to contribute to the literature on the determinants of voluntary disclosure by focusing on a specific case in which the decision to disclose comparative financial statements is associated with mandatory IFRS adoption. The present study provides evidence that opportunistic behavior influences this decision.
Quality factor based transducer power gain expression
Authors: Şengül Metin
Published: April 2023

Purpose

In the literature, while designing broadband matching networks, transducer power gain (TPG) is used to measure the transferred power. Generally, in TPG expressions, load and back-end impedances of the matching network are used. This study aims to derive a new quality factor-based TPG expression.

Design/methodology/approach

In deriving the new expression, narrowband L type-matching network design approach is used and the new expression in terms of back-end quality factor, load quality factor and output port quality factor is obtained. Then, a broadband-matching network design approach using the derived TPG expression is proposed.

Findings

Two broadband double-matching networks are designed by using the proposed design approach using the derived TPG expression. Performances of the designed-matching networks are compared with the performances of the matching networks designed by means of simplified real frequency technique which is a well-known technique in the literature, and it is shown that they are nearly the same.

Originality/value

In broadband-matching problems, generally an impedance-based TPG expression is used, and it must be satisfied by the designed broadband-matching networks. But, in the literature, there is no quality factor-based TPG expression that can be used in broadband-matching problems. So, this gap in the literature has been filled by this paper.
Green finance: between commitment and illusion
Authors: Chenguel Mohamed Bechir , Mansour Nadia
Published: April 2023

Purpose

After almost 10 years, people wonder if green finance has been able to attain its objectives in terms of controlling climate change. Persistent global warming and climate deregulation manifested by melting glaciers, droughts and floods, are all of these determinants that have called into question the efficiency of green finance.

Design/methodology/approach

Green finance is a way to support climate action through investments. It has proven that this is a viable financial instrument and that it can be used by governments and private companies to plan for the future of our planet.

Findings

Based on an analysis of articles published in top international journals from 2016 to 2022, about the relationship between green technology and financial services in China, this paper aims to present an overview of green finance, its importance for the planet, its objectives and its instruments.

Research limitations/implications

This study’s contribution is to shed light on the aspects that may have limited its effectiveness, such as the absence of incentives, the absence of climate costs and above all the absence of finance green standards.

Originality/value

The results have shown that there is still a significant gap in green finance before inclusive green growth can be achieved. Inclusive green growth. All stakeholders need to increase the level of investment in green finance. The green investment financing gap is the result of inconsistencies in sustainability and policies. Therefore, governments must intervene to impose appropriate policies and regulations to compel the financial sector to engage in sustainable development. All of these factors make the concept of green finance just an illusion.
Developing a prediction model for improving bifurcated garment fit for mass customization
Authors: Galada Aditi , Baytar Fatma
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the present study was to improve the fit of women’s bifurcated garments by developing an equation that can predict the crotch length accurately by using a few basic body measurements. This equation could provide a simple mass-customization approach to the design of bifurcated garments.

Design/methodology/approach

Demographic characteristics and easy-to-record body measurements available in the size USA database were used to predict the crotch length. Different methodologies including best subset regression, lasso regression and principal components regression were experimented with to identify the most important predictor variables and establish a relationship between the significant predictors and crotch length.

Findings

The lasso regression model provided the highest accuracy, required only five body dimensions and dealt with multicollinearity. The preliminary pattern preparation and garment fit tests indicated that by utilizing the proposed equation, patterns of customized garments could be successfully altered to match the crotch length of the customer, thereby, improving the precision and efficiency of the pattern making process.

Originality/value

Crotch length is a crucial measurement as it determines bifurcated garment comfort as well as aesthetic fit. The crotch length is usually estimated arbitrarily based on non-scientific methods while drafting patterns, and this increases the likelihood of dissatisfaction with the fit of the lower-body garments. The present study suggested an algorithm that could predict crotch length with 90.53% accuracy using the body dimensions height, hips, waist height, knee height and arm length.
Effectiveness of online teaching and learning in Indian universities during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Khan Mohsin , Viswanathan Rajeesh
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of online teaching and learning in the higher education sector during the COVID-19 pandemic and thereby design and formulate strategies to overcome the lacunas, if any, to enhance teaching effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted to analyze how far students were able to adapt to online teaching and learning, access teaching platforms and afford it. It was also studied whether they were able to grasp and apply the concepts learned. A total of 600 questionnaires were given, and 372 complete responses were received. Structural equation modeling is employed to test the hypothesis. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to test the model fit and measurement model.

Findings

This study is first of its kind in India which aims to analyze the effectiveness of online teaching and learning environments. This research model is designed to identify the determinants of effective online learning and to overcome the lacunas existing in the prevailing online teaching methods. It can be applied not just during crises like the pandemic but also during normal times to make teaching and learning more economical, innovative and impactful. The present study examined the impact of five major determinants—adaptability, affordability, bandwidth, grasping and interaction—on online learning and its effectiveness during COVID-19. It was observed that all the determinants positively influence online learning effectiveness.

Research limitations/implications

The scope of the study was restricted to three centrally funded Indian Universities. Other institutions were not part of the study.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind done in the current COVID-19 scenario, and the outcome would help overcome the lacunas in the prevailing online teaching scenario across the globe and make it more effective.
Examining user-generated content, service failure recovery and customer–brand relationships: an exploration through commitment-trust theory
Authors: Ozuem Wilson , Willis Michelle , Howell Kerry , Ranfagni Silvia , Rovai Serena
Published: April 2023

Purpose

User-generated content (UGC) and service failure have attracted considerable marketing inquiry over the last two decades. Previous studies primarily focused on the outcome of service failure and the impact of UGC on perceived failure severity. This article departs from previous studies as it examines the moderating role of UGC on the relationship between service failure recovery (SFR) and customer–brand relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on commitment-trust theory and from a phenomenological hermeneutical perspective, this article explores this phenomenon through the interpretation of 60 in-depth interviews with millennials from three European countries: Italy, France and the UK. An analysis of the data was conducted using a qualitative approach to understand the main constructs and relationships derived from the data.

Findings

This study conceptualises four distinct moderating characteristics of UGC in the SFR process: satisfaction with experience and brand, dissatisfaction with experience and brand, satisfaction with brand and dissatisfaction with brand. The insights from the responsiveness, empathetic response, counterfactual thinking and brand salience (RECB) framework contribute to research on UGC and shed light on the relationship between SFR and consumer–brand relationships in the fashion industry.

Originality/value

Overall, this study demonstrates that customer interactions with UGC significantly affect their responses to, and relationships with, a brand. The proposed framework opens up interesting avenues for future research on the moderating role of UGC on the relationship between SFR and customer–brand relationships.
What determines the justifiability for accepting bribes and cheating on taxes?
Authors: Zahoor Aniza , Qaiser Imran , Yasmin Nazia , Asif Ayesha
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Corruption prevails in societies and systems, but it is because of the individuals and officials who practice it. It is individuals’ characteristics, attitudes, views and choices that spur them to act ethically or not. This study aims to investigate whether beliefs, values and behavior vary across countries in perspective of bribery and tax cheating.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used Order Logistic Regression on microlevel data from World Values Survey wave VI (2010–2014) for 58 countries to find factors of tax cheating and accepting bribes.

Findings

This study revealed some interesting findings while comparing upper-income countries and lower- and middle-income countries. Justifiability for accepting bribe is negatively affected by age, patriotism, interest in politics, university education while positively affected by employment and income. Justifiability for cheating on taxes is negatively affected by confidence in justice system, interest in politics and marital status while positively affected by income, patriotism, confidence in political parties and good health. This study finds some valuable insights to the policymakers to device policy to overcome financial corruption and its acceptability in the masses.

Originality/value

This paper fills the literature gap by adding a wide range of variables related to demography, socioeconomic status, trust on political, judicial and government institutes, well-being, patriotism and religiosity. Moreover, this paper compares the behaviors of a wide range of countries that include both developed and developing economies.
Modeling of barrier in the adoption of omnichannel marketing: a case of Indian handloom industry
Authors: Naik M.K.P. , Bhardwaj Prabhas , Mishra Vinaytosh
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the essence of the omnichannel in the handloom industry’s development and to identify, analyse and estimate the barriers obstructing the implementation of the omnichannel in the handloom industry of India.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive literature review and expert opinion are used to identify the barriers obstructing the successful realisation of the omnichannel in the handloom industry of India. Moreover, interpretive structural modeling and the matrix of cross-impact multiplications applied to classification are used to analyse and estimate the impact of these barriers.

Findings

This research suggests the implementation of the omnichannel is subjected to several barriers, specifically lack of government support and policies, uncertainty in business contract partners, poor reverse logistics system, etc.

Originality/value

This research explores the contribution of the handloom industry to the socioeconomic development of the rural and semi-urban Indian population. It also explores the need for government support for the survival and growth of the handloom industry. It also explains how omnichannel can support this industry for its survival and its overall development. Furthermore, factors inhibiting the implementation of the omnichannel in the handloom industry are identified and evaluated based on their over impact.
Understanding generation Z consumers’ revisit intentions to robotic service restaurants
Authors: Gupta Kriti Priya , Pande Smriti
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influencing factors of generation Z (Gen Z) consumers’ revisit intentions to robotic restaurants in the post-pandemic times.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of Gen Z consumers with dining experiences in an Indian restaurant using service robots, the study empirically tests a research framework based on stimulus–organism–response theory.

Findings

The study explains how Gen Z consumer’s perceptions of functional attributes (i.e. perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use), socio-emotional attribute (i.e. perceived safety) and relational attribute (i.e. trust) shape their attitude, which in turn leads to their evaluations of performance outcomes and intention to revisit the robotic restaurants. The findings also indicate that perceived risk reduction of viral infection moderates the impact of performance outcomes on revisit intention.

Originality/value

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the changing preferences of consumers have resulted in an increase in demand for restaurants offering robotic services. To support the long-term viability of service robots in restaurant services, the current study investigates what elements of service robots can determine consumers’ intentions to revisit the robotic restaurants during post-pandemic times.
Inter‐ and intraspecific phytochemical variation correlate with epiphytic flower and leaf bacterial communities
Authors: Gaube Paul , Marchenko Polina , Müller Caroline , Schweiger Rabea , Tenhaken Raimund , Keller Alexander , Junker Robert R.
Published: April 2023

Microbes associated with flowers and leaves affect plant health and fitness and modify the chemical phenotypes of plants with consequences for interactions of plants with their environment. However, the drivers of bacterial communities colonizing above‐ground parts of grassland plants in the field remain largely unknown. We therefore examined the relationships between phytochemistry and the epiphytic bacterial community composition of flowers and leaves of Ranunculus acris and Trifolium pratense. On 252 plant individuals, we characterized primary and specialized metabolites, that is, surface sugars, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and metabolic fingerprints, as well as epiphytic flower and leaf bacterial communities. The genomic potential of bacterial colonizers concerning metabolic capacities was assessed using bacterial reference genomes. Phytochemical composition displayed pronounced variation within and between plant species and organs, which explained part of the variation in bacterial community composition. Correlation network analysis suggests strain‐specific correlations with metabolites. Analysis of bacterial reference genomes revealed taxon‐specific metabolic capabilities that corresponded with genes involved in glycolysis and adaptation to osmotic stress. Our results show relationships between phytochemistry and the flower and leaf bacterial microbiomes suggesting that plants provide chemical niches for distinct bacterial communities. In turn, bacteria may induce alterations in the plants' chemical phenotype. Thus, our study may stimulate further research on the mechanisms of trait‐based community assembly in epiphytic bacteria.
Fabrication of carboxymethyl chitosan/oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose composite film and its assessment for coating preservation of strawberry
Authors: Li Rui , Chen Cheng , Chen Ming , Wu Ruohan , Sun Yun , Zhu Benwei , Yao Zhong
Published: April 2023

In the current study, a novel chitosan‐based composite, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCHS)/oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose (OCMC) was fabricated and characterized. The composite film (CMCHS 1.5%w/v + OCMC 0.8%w/v) was more uniform and had better tensile properties, UV blocking, water vapor permeability, and antifungal properties than pure CMCHS film. Preservation experiments showed that the CMCHS/OCMC film was more efficient for retaining the quality decrease of strawberry during storage. By the end of 7 days’ storage, the hardness, contents of organic acid, soluble solids, and reducing sugar of coated strawberries were increased by 35.1%, 38.5%, 14.1%, and 3.5%, respectively, compared to the control group; and the decay rate of strawberries in CMCHS/OCMC group also dropped to 36%, about 42% decrease than that in control, suggesting the promising application of CMCHS/OCMC composite in coating preservation.
Global prevalence of heated tobacco product use, 2015–22: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Sun Tianze , Anandan Aathavan , Lim Carmen C. W. , East Katherine , Xu Steve S. , Quah Anne C. K. , Rutherford Brienna N. , Johnson Benjamin , Qi Yaqi , Stjepanovic Daniel , Leung Janni , Connor Jason P. , Gartner Coral , Hall Wayne D. , Vu Giang , Chan Gary C. K.
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are electronic devices that heat process tobacco to release an aerosol containing nicotine and other chemicals. Limited data exist on world‐wide HTP use prevalence. This meta‐analytic review estimated the prevalence of HTP use by country, World Health Organization (WHO) region, year, sex/gender and age.

Methods

Five databases (Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, PubMed and PsycINFO) were searched between January 2015 and May 2022. Included studies reported the prevalence of HTP use in nationally representative samples post‐modern HTP device market entry (2015). A random‐effects meta‐analysis was used to estimate overall prevalence for life‐time, current and daily HTP use.

Results

Forty‐five studies (n = 1 096 076) from 42 countries/areas from the European Region (EUR), Western Pacific Region (WPR), Region of the Americas (AMR) and African Region (AFR) met inclusion criteria. Estimated pooled prevalence for life‐time, current and daily HTP use was 4.87% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.16, 5.63], 1.53% (95% CI = 1.22, 1.87) and 0.79% (95% CI = 0.48, 1.18), respectively, across all years (2015–22). Life‐time HTP use prevalence significantly increased by 3.39% for WPR [0.52% (95% CI = 0.25, 0.88) in 2015 to 3.91% (95% CI = 2.30, 5.92) in 2019] and 5.58% for EUR [1.13% (95% CI = 0.59, 1.97) in 2016 to 6.98% (95% CI = 5.69, 8.39) in 2020]. Current HTP use increased by 10.45% for WPR [0.12% (95% CI = 0, 0.37) in 2015 to 10.57% (95% CI = 5.59, 16.88) in 2020] and 1.15% for EUR [0% (95% CI = 0, 0.35) in 2016 to 1.15% (95% CI = 0.87, 1.47) in 2020]. Meta‐regression revealed higher current HTP use in WPR [3.80% (95% CI = 2.88, 4.98)] compared with EUR [1.40% (95% CI = 1.09, 1.74)] and AMR [0.81% (95% CI = 0.46, 1.26)] and for males [3.45% (95% CI = 2.56, 4.47)] compared with females [1.82% (95% CI = 1.39, 2.29)]. Adolescents had higher life‐time HTP use prevalence [5.25% (95% CI = 4.36, 6.21) than adults [2.45% (95% CI = 0.79, 4.97)]. Most studies scored a low risk of sampling bias due to their nationally representative sampling.

Conclusion

The prevalence of HTPs use increased in the EUR and WPR between 2015 and 2020, with nearly 5% of the included populations having ever tried HTP and 1.5% identifying as current users during the study period.
Agreement between self‐reported illicit drug use and biological samples: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bharat Chrianna , Webb Paige , Wilkinson Zachary , McKetin Rebecca , Grebely Jason , Farrell Michael , Holland Adam , Hickman Matthew , Tran Lucy Thi , Clark Brodie , Peacock Amy , Darke Shane , Li Jih‐Heng , Degenhardt Louisa
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims

Studies often rely upon self‐report and biological testing methods for measuring illicit drug use, although evidence for their agreement is limited to specific populations and self‐report instruments. We aimed to examine comprehensively the evidence for agreement between self‐reported and biologically measured illicit drug use among all major illicit drug classes, biological indicators, populations and settings.

Methods

We systematically searched peer‐reviewed databases (Medline, Embase and PsycINFO) and grey literature. Included studies reported 2 × 2 table counts or agreement estimates comparing self‐reported and biologically measured use published up to March 2022. With biological results considered to be the reference standard and use of random‐effect regression models, we evaluated pooled estimates for overall agreement (primary outcome), sensitivity, specificity, false omission rates (proportion reporting no use that test positive) and false discovery rates (proportion reporting use that test negative) by drug class, potential consequences attached to self‐report (i.e. work, legal or treatment impacts) and time‐frame of use. Heterogeneity was assessed by inspecting forest plots.

Results

From 7924 studies, we extracted data from 207 eligible studies. Overall agreement ranged from good to excellent (> 0.79). False omission rates were generally low, while false discovery rates varied by setting. Specificity was generally high but sensitivity varied by drug, sample type and setting. Self‐report in clinical trials and situations of no consequences was generally reliable. For urine, recent (i.e. past 1–4 days) self‐report produced lower sensitivity and false discovery rates than past month. Agreement was higher in studies that informed participants biological testing would occur (diagnostic odds ratio = 2.91, 95% confidence interval = 1.25–6.78). The main source of bias was biological assessments (51% studies).

Conclusions

While there are limitations associated with self‐report and biological testing to measure illicit drug use, overall agreement between the two methods is high, suggesting both provide good measures of illicit drug use. Recommended methods of biological testing are more likely to provide reliable measures of recent use if there are problems with self‐disclosure.
Demography, passive surveillance and potential habitat modelling of an Australian giant trapdoor spider (Idiopidae: Euoplos grandis) from the Queensland Brigalow Belt: half a decade of population monitoring for conservation outcomes
Authors: Rix Michael G. , Wilson Jeremy D. , Laidlaw Melinda J. , Harvey Mark S. , Rix Alan G. , Rix David C.
Published: April 2023

‘Slow science’ approaches to generating authoritative longitudinal datasets for long‐term monitoring are fundamental to conservation biology. Following reports of significant arthropod declines worldwide, and recent climate‐driven disasters such as the devastating ‘Black Summer’ bushfires of 2019–2020, there has been a renewed focus on invertebrate conservation in Australia and further calls for informative baseline datasets with which to understand increasingly rapid biotic change. Trapdoor spiders of the infraorder Mygalomorphae, in particular, have been the subject of decades of research highlighting their sensitivity to environmental change and their special significance to conservation biology. In 2019, the senior author and collaborators introduced within this journal a new long‐term monitoring study system for an Australian mygalomorph spider (Euoplos grandis Wilson & Rix, 2019; family Idiopidae), then in its infancy with just 18 months of quantitative demographic data. In the current study, we extend and build upon that work and provide a synthesis of demographic information accumulated over half a decade, resulting in 166 collective years' worth of times‐series data from 101 individual spiders. We infer an estimated average cumulative growth curve for the species based on census data from 77 spiders, with evidence for a 7+‐year juvenile female growth period and a potential life span for adult females of over 20 years. Passive surveillance using a camera trap deployed at the study site for 8 months resulted in significant advances in our understanding of the biology and behaviour of E. grandis, with a suite of behaviours observed for the first time, including rarely documented interactions with conspecifics, potential predators and prey. We further summarise the results of maximum entropy potential habitat modelling as informed by extensive on‐ground surveys and a refined taxonomy, and provide an updated conservation assessment using the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria. These results reveal that E. grandis is a Vulnerable threatened species endemic to the highly fragmented southern Brigalow Belt bioregion, with population dynamics and life history characteristics that underscore the considerable sensitivity of Australian idiopid trapdoor spiders to a multitude of threatening processes.
R&D contribution in TFP growth of Greek industry: A limited information likelihood approach
Authors: Mamatzakis Emmanuel , Pegkas Panagiotis , Staikouras Christos , Tsamadias Constantinos
Published: April 2023

We provide a novel panel model to decompose total factor productivity (TFP) growth in the Greek industry at the firm level while we tackle the contribution of R&D. We, therefore, opt for parametric methodology that provides statistical inference and would validate the results. Our modeling departs from prior strong assumptions such as error terms across firms being independent. In fact, we provide a novel limited information maximum likelihood (LIML) estimation method that adequately deals with the issue of endogeneity and model misspecification. We demonstrate that our model detects variability in terms of TFP growth components across industries and firms. Our results show that R&D would enhance TFP of Greek firms, albeit the crisis has had a detrimental impact. Financial ratios such as liquidity and solvency ratios also affect TFP as we demonstrate that both would enhance TFP. The solvency ratio is important as it provides an estimate of whether the firm can cope with debt. We also note variability across small versus medium and large firms and report that small firms are more productive and spend more of their revenues on R&D. In terms of policy, our evidence warrants higher R&D spending to enhance TFP growth, though R&D funding is a concern.
Autophagy and cancer: Basic mechanisms and inhibitor development
Authors: Hama Yutaro , Ogasawara Yuta , Noda Nobuo N.
Published: April 2023

Autophagy is a lysosomal degradation system of cytoplasmic components that contributes to cellular homeostasis through the turnover of various biomolecules and organelles, often in a selective manner. Autophagy is closely related to cancer, but its roles in cancer are complicated. It works as either a promoter or suppressor, depending on the stage and type of cancer. In this review, we briefly summarize the basic mechanisms of autophagy and describe the complicated roles of autophagy in cancer. Moreover, we summarize the clinical trials of autophagy inhibitors targeting cancer and the development of more specific autophagy inhibitors for future clinical application.
Healthcare professionals' experiences in identifying and supporting mental health problems in adults living with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A qualitative study
Authors: Benton Madeleine , Baykoca Jeni , Ismail Khalida , Price Hermione
Published: April 2023

Aims

To explore perspectives and experiences of healthcare professionals in the identification and support provision of mental health problems in adults living with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

Using a qualitative research design, 15 healthcare professionals working in the United Kingdom were individually interviewed using a semi‐structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using reflexive inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Four themes were identified relating to barriers: time, knowledge, relationship between services and stigma. Three themes were identified relating to facilitators: education, communication and appropriate tools and services.

Conclusions

This research emphasises the need for educational tools to improve the skills and competency of healthcare professionals in identifying mental health problems in people with type 1 diabetes, highlighting practical and theoretical implications for healthcare improvements and the necessity for additional research to design care pathways that better support this population, in which all healthcare professionals are aware of.
Metabolic constraints on the body size scaling of extreme population densities
Authors: Segura A. M. , Perera G.
Published: April 2023

Pest outbreaks, harmful algal blooms and population collapses are extreme events with critical consequences for ecosystems. Therefore, understanding the ecological mechanisms underlying these extreme events is crucial. We evaluated theoretical predictions on the size scaling and variance of extreme population abundance by combining (i) the generalized extreme value (GEV) theory and (ii) the resource‐limited metabolic restriction hypothesis for population abundance. Using the phytoplankton data from the L4 station in the English Channel, we showed a negative size scaling of the expected value of maximal density, whose confidence interval included the predicted metabolic scaling (α = −1) supporting theoretical predictions. The role of resources and temperature in the distribution of the size–abundance pattern and residuals was well characterized by the GEV distribution. This comprehensive modelling framework will allow to elucidate community structure and fluctuations and provide unbiased return times estimates, thereby improving the prediction accuracy of the timing of the population outbreaks.
Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis and presumed corticosteroid‐induced side effects in a horse
Authors: Lauteri Eleonora , Tortereau Antonin , Peyrecave Xavier , Pin Didier , Desjardins Isabelle
Published: April 2023

Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) associated with herpesvirus‐5 infection (EHV‐5), is a severe, fibrosing interstitial lung disease of horses. Most common reported clinical signs are pyrexia, weight loss, depression, respiratory distress with tachypnoea and cough. Multiple tissue tropism of the EHV‐5 has been suggested. Treatment with valacyclovir and corticosteroids has been reported to be successful in a few cases, but the disease is usually associated with a poor prognosis because of progressive impairment of respiratory function. Corticosteroid administration can carry potential side effects, such as hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis suppression, laminitis and increased susceptibility to infections. This report described a case of an 11‐year‐old gelding diagnosed with EMPF. The horse was treated with valacyclovir and corticosteroids and, after a transient initial improvement, showed a rapid deterioration of clinical signs and multiple complications, including severe bacterial dermatitis, liver damage and pleural effusion of unknown origin. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay of liver biopsy sample was positive for EHV‐5, confirming the virus' multiple tissue tropism. A role of corticosteroids in exacerbating the disease progression and the increasing susceptibility to infections was strongly suspected.