bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of biallelic RFC1 expansion with early‐onset Parkinson's disease
Authors: Ylikotila Pauli , Sipilä Jussi , Alapirtti Tiina , Ahmasalo Riitta , Koshimizu Eriko , Miyatake Satoko , Hurme‐Niiranen Anri , Siitonen Ari , Doi Hiroshi , Tanaka Fumiaki , Matsumoto Naomichi , Majamaa Kari , Kytövuori Laura
Published: January 2023

Background and Purpose

The biallelic repeat expansion (AAGGG)exp in the replication factor C subunit 1 gene (RFC1) is a frequent cause of cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) as well as late‐onset ataxia. The clinical spectrum of RFC1 disease has expanded since the first identification of biallelic (AAGGG)exp and includes now various nonclassical phenotypes. Biallelic (AAGGG)exp in RFC1 in patients with clinically confirmed Parkinson's disease (PD) has recently been found.

Methods

A nationwide cohort of 273 Finnish patients with early‐onset PD was examined for the biallelic intronic expansion in RFC1. The expansion (AAGGG)exp was first screened using extra long polymerase chain reactions (Extra Large‐PCRs) and flanking multiplex PCR. The presence of biallelic (AAGGG)exp was then confirmed by repeat‐primed PCR and, finally, the repeat length was determined by long‐read sequencing.

Results

Three patients were found with the biallelic (AAGGG)exp in RFC1 giving a frequency of 1.10% (0.23%–3.18%; 95% confidence interval). The three patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of PD, none of them had ataxia or neuropathy, and only one patient had a mild vestibular dysfunction. The age at onset of PD symptoms was 40–48 years and their disease course had been unremarkable apart from the early onset.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that (AAGGG)exp in RFC1 is a rare cause of early‐onset PD. Other populations should be examined in order to determine whether our findings are specific to the Finnish population.
A glaucoma‐associated OPTN polymorphism, M98K sensitizes retinal cells to endoplasmic reticulum stress and tumour necrosis factor α
Authors: Sayyad Zuberwasim , Kaveti Sreeram , Bhattacharjee Debanjan , Vedagiri Dhiviya , Jain Nishant , Swarup Ghanshyam
Published: January 2023

Optineurin/OPTN polymorphism, M98K is associated with normal tension glaucoma in certain populations, and genetic evidence shows its interaction with tumour necrosis factor–alpha (TNFα) polymorphism in causing glaucoma. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is also associated with glaucoma. We hypothesized that M98K‐OPTN may sensitize retinal ganglion cells to various types of stress. To test this hypothesis, stable clones of a retinal cell line, 661W, expressing either wild‐type (WT)‐OPTN or M98K‐OPTN were generated and examined for their survival under various stress conditions. Compared with WT‐OPTN expressing cells, M98K‐OPTN expressing cells showed significantly lower cell survival and higher activation of caspase‐3 and caspase‐8 upon treatment with tunicamycin (an inducer of ER stress) or TNFα. Levels of ER stress sensors IRE1α, PERK and ATF6 were significantly higher in M98K‐OPTN expressing cells. Tunicamycin treatment resulted in significantly higher induction of ER stress marker CHOP and several other ER stress response genes regulated by IRE1α‐XBP1, PERK‐ATF4 and ATF6 pathways, in M98K‐OPTN expressing cells. Splicing of XBP1 and ATF6 activation was higher in tunicamycin‐treated M98K‐OPTN expressing cells. Increased levels of PERK and IRE1α proteins in M98K‐OPTN expressing cells were dependent on autophagy. Overall, our results show that M98K‐OPTN sensitizes retinal cells to TNFα and ER stress‐induced cell death. We also show that M98K‐OPTN alters ER stress response signalling, which possibly enhances the sensitivity of retinal cells to ER stress. Our results provide support to the hypothesis that M98K‐OPTN may cooperate with other genetic or environmental factors to cause retinal ganglion cell death associated with glaucoma.
Ultrasound‐guided cutaneous nerve chemo‐ablation for severe access site neuropathic pain—A case report
Authors: Agarwal Aakanksha , Murray Timothy , Craig Nikki , Kiaii Mercedeh
Published: January 2023

Neuropathic pain at the cannulation site is challenging, both for the patient and the dialysis team. We present a case of a middle‐aged man on chronic hemodialysis, who developed excruciating pain at the cannulation area without incident, limiting his dialysis sessions. Multidisciplinary collaboration allowed identification of the cutaneous nerve—the inferior lateral cutaneous nerve of the arm, relaying his pain. Subsequent ultrasound‐guided phenol chemoablation resulted in the complete resolution of his pain and allowed continued use of the well‐functioning fistula for dialysis.
Is chewable toothbrush effective in terms of dental plaque reduction in children? A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Oliveira Leandro Machado , Pelissari Thayná Regina , Oliveira Marta Dutra Machado
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To systematically evaluate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on whether a chewable toothbrush (CTB) is more effective than a manual toothbrush (MTB) in terms of full‐mouth dental plaque reduction in non‐orthodontic children.

Materials and Methods

Six databases were searched by two independent reviewers according to pre‐specified eligibility criteria up to October 2022. No restrictions regarding language, date of publication and minimum follow‐up period were imposed. The Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2.0) was used for quality appraisal and GRADE for assessing the certainty of evidence. Random‐effects pairwise meta‐analysis compared the dental plaque change scores of CTB and MTB through mean differences (MDs) and associated confidence intervals (95% CI), and sensitivity analysis determined whether an individual study significantly affected the results.

Results

Seven eligible RCTs were retrieved, including data of 310 children aged 8–14 years. Five RCTs present some concerns and two have high RoB. No significant difference was detected between toothbrushes in terms of Turesky modification of the Quigley‐Hein plaque index reduction (MD = −0.04, 95% CI: −0.26–0.18), with overall very low certainty on evidence. The pooled estimate remains unchanged when any RCT is omitted.

Conclusion

There is very low‐certainty evidence of no significant difference on plaque removal between MTB and CTB in non‐orthodontic children. Due to unexplained high heterogeneity and low methodological quality of RCTs, we cannot determine the extent to which our finding reflects a true effect or bias arising from limitations of primary studies.
Transmission of radiant light energy through the sides of fiber posts
Authors: Alkhallagi Turki S. , Marghalani Thamer Y. , Alhaddad Abdulrahman J. , Qutub Osama A. , Abuzinadah Samar , Bundugji Maha H.
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Resin cements are light polymerized, but the light may not reach all areas of root canals. The purpose of this study was to determine the best predictor of transmitted light radiant exposure (TLRE) from posts' sides.

Materials and Methods

Fiber posts were placed in a custom‐made apparatus and advanced by 1‐mm increments. The LED curing probe tip was activated for 40 s on the coronal end of the post. The TLRE was measured with an LED radiometer detector positioned on the side of the post exposed by an opening in the apparatus. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was performed.

Results

Post system explained an additional 23.62% of the variation in TRLE. Adding actual post diameter explained an additional 62.64% of the variation in TRLE. While adding post length explained an additional 0.67%.

Changing post system from FiberKleer to Postec Plus will decrease the mean value of TRLE by 4.90 units on average. Also, a one‐unit increase of actual post diameter and length will decrease the value of TRLE by 44.96 and 0.44 units respectively. The TLRE ranged from 46 to 290 mJ/cm2, which was between 0.73% and 6.63% of the original emanating light.

Conclusions

The changes in post system, posts' diameter and length can be used to predict the unit changes in TLRE on the side of a translucent fiber post. Emanating radiant exposure from the side of the post was lower than 6.63% of the exposure entering the post.

Clinical Relevance

Fiber post diameter and length and post system can influence light radiant exposure transmitted from posts' sides, transmitting minimal radiant exposure, which can be increased by increasing curing duration.
Crowdfunding performance, market performance, and the moderating roles of product innovativeness and experts' judgment: Evidence from the movie industry
Authors: Roma Paolo , Natalicchio Angelo , Panniello Umberto , Vasi Maria , Messeni Petruzzelli Antonio
Published: January 2023

Reward‐based crowdfunding (CF) has emerged as a method to solicit funds for innovative projects. Yet, little is still known about the ability of reward‐based CF to act as a signal in the eyes of future consumers, and thus boost the future market performance of new products that innovators intend to commercialize using the campaign funds. In addition, scant research has clarified the boundary conditions that can magnify or weaken the efficacy of this CF signal. Given the relevance of reward‐based CF for supporting innovation, understanding when the CF campaign performance works as an effective signal is of great interest, especially in business settings characterized by high product quality uncertainty. By using the movie industry as a setting, we contribute to fill this gap. Specifically, we argue that the positive effect of the reward‐based CF performance is moderated by two important factors influencing consumers' purchase decisions: the degree of product innovativeness and the expert judgment about the product. Elaborating on the effects of product innovativeness, we posit that this product feature should moderate the positive relationship between CF and subsequent market performances in an inverted U‐shaped fashion. Favorable expert recommendations, on the other hand, should weaken the efficacy of the CF performance as a signal. Results from a sample of 1059 new movies (of which 152 released in theaters) confirm these predictions and offer several remarkable implications for innovators.
Amyloid precursor protein 𝛽CTF accumulates in synapses in sporadic and genetic forms of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Ferrer‐Raventós Paula , Puertollano‐Martín David , Querol‐Vilaseca Marta , Sánchez‐Aced Érika , Valle‐Tamayo Natalia , Cervantes‐Gonzalez Alba , Nuñez‐Llaves Raúl , Pegueroles Jordi , Dols‐Icardo Oriol , Iulita Maria Florencia , Aldecoa Iban , Molina‐Porcel Laura , Sánchez‐Valle Raquel , Fortea Juan , Belbin Olivia , Sirisi Sònia , Lleó Alberto
Published: January 2023

Aims

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) 𝛽‐C‐terminal fragment (𝛽CTF) may have a neurotoxic role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). 𝛽CTF accumulates in the brains of patients with sporadic (SAD) and genetic forms of AD. Synapses degenerate early during the pathogenesis of AD. We studied whether the 𝛽CTF accumulates in synapses in SAD, autosomal dominant AD (ADAD) and Down syndrome (DS).

Methods

We used array tomography to determine APP at synapses in human AD tissue. We measured 𝛽CTF, A𝛽40, A𝛽42 and phosphorylated tau181 (p‐tau181) concentrations in brain homogenates and synaptosomes of frontal and temporal cortex of SAD, ADAD, DS and controls.

Results

APP colocalised with pre‐ and post‐synaptic markers in human AD brains. APP 𝛽CTF was enriched in AD synaptosomes.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that 𝛽CTF accumulates in synapses in SAD, ADAD and DS. This finding might suggest a role for 𝛽CTF in synapse degeneration. Therapies aimed at mitigating 𝛽CTF accumulation could be potentially beneficial in AD.
Differences in Parkinson's disease treatment between neurology and other departments in Japan
Authors: Tsuboi Yoshio , Wada‐Isoe Kenji , Kondo Hiroyuki , Kojima Yoshitsugu , Takeshima Tomomi , Iwasaki Kosuke
Published: January 2023

Background

Parkinson's disease is common in elderly people and is treated in the neurology department as well as in other departments. Recently, treatment options for Parkinson's disease have expanded; this complicates selection of the best treatment regimen.

Aim

To investigate the change in Parkinson's disease treatment in Japan and assess the differences in prescriptions between neurology and other departments.

Methods

Patients with Parkinson's disease who were prescribed levodopa and/or non‐ergot dopamine agonist were analyzed in an observational study using a Japanese claims database (April 2008–July 2017). The percentage of patients receiving each antiparkinsonian drug and the proportion of patients prescribed levodopa alone, levodopa plus non‐ergot dopamine agonist, and non‐ergot dopamine agonist alone were calculated by year (2010–2017) and department (neurology or other departments).

Results

We identified 50,408 patients (mean [standard deviation] age: 73.4 [10.3]), including 25,231 (71.3 [10.1]) and 25,177 (75.5 [10.2]) patients who received their initial Parkinson's disease treatment in neurology and other departments, respectively. The popularity of levodopa alone and levodopa plus non‐ergot‐ dopamine agonist varied in the neurology department, while levodopa alone was the most popular treatment choice in all investigated years in other departments.

Conclusions

The number of patients initially treated for Parkinson's disease in neurology department, relative to other departments, did not differ. The treatment changes were observed in the neurology department but not in other departments.
Functional genomics gives new insights into the ectomycorrhizal degradation of chitin
Authors: Maillard François , Kohler Annegret , Morin Emmanuelle , Hossann Christian , Miyauchi Shingo , Ziegler‐Devin Isabelle , Gérant Dominique , Angeli Nicolas , Lipzen Anna , Keymanesh Keykhosrow , Johnson Jenifer , Barry Kerrie , Grigoriev Igor V. , Martin Francis M. , Buée Marc
Published: January 2023

Ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi play a crucial role in the mineral nitrogen (N) nutrition of their host trees. While it has been proposed that several EcM species also mobilize organic N, studies reporting the EcM ability to degrade N‐containing polymers, such as chitin, remain scarce.

Here, we assessed the capacity of a representative collection of 16 EcM species to acquire 15N from 15N‐chitin. In addition, we combined genomics and transcriptomics to identify pathways involved in exogenous chitin degradation between these fungal strains.

Boletus edulis, Imleria badia, Suillus luteus, and Hebeloma cylindrosporum efficiently mobilized N from exogenous chitin. EcM genomes primarily contained genes encoding for the direct hydrolysis of chitin. Further, we found a significant relationship between the capacity of EcM fungi to assimilate organic N from chitin and their genomic and transcriptomic potentials for chitin degradation.

These findings demonstrate that certain EcM fungal species depolymerize chitin using hydrolytic mechanisms and that endochitinases, but not exochitinases, represent the enzymatic bottleneck of chitin degradation. Finally, this study shows that the degradation of exogenous chitin by EcM fungi might be a key functional trait of nutrient cycling in forests dominated by EcM fungi.
Prognostic nomogram for patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma: A SEER‐based study
Authors: Gu Yifan , Qian Cheng , Yu Lu , Fang Hongzhe , Wang Jintao , Wu Peipei , Zhong Liangjun , Liu Kai , He Rui
Published: January 2023

Objectives

In order to predict the patients' prognosis with tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), this study set out to develop a clinically useful and trustworthy prognostic nomogram.

Subjects and Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program was used to compile clinical information on patients with tongue SCC between 2010 and 2015. The likelihood of Cancer‐Specific Survival (CSS) and Overall Survival (OS) for specific patients was predicted using a prognostic nomogram created with the help of the RStudio software. The nomogram's predictive ability was evaluated using the consistency index (C‐index) and decision curve analysis, and the nomogram was calibrated for 1‐, 2‐, 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year CSS and OS.

Results

Patients numbering 6453were enrolled in this study. The primary cohort (3895) and validation cohort (2558) were each randomly assigned. Sex, age, tumor‐node‐metastasis (TNM) stage, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation were significant risk factors for OS, whereas age, TNM stage, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were significant risk factors for CSS. Additionally, C‐index and calibration curves indicated that the prognostic nomogram prediction and the actual observation in both cohorts would be very coherent.

Conclusions

The predictive nomogram created in this study can offer patients with tongue SCC customized treatment and survival risk assessment.
Osteogenic effect of crocin in human periodontal ligament stem cells via Wnt/β‐catenin signaling
Authors: Gu Yingzhi , Bai Yuxing
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Crocin is a major class of medicinal components in saffron. This study aimed to determine whether crocin directly promotes the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) in vitro and in vivo.

Materials and Methods

CCK8 cell proliferation assay, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT–qPCR), Western blot analysis and Alizarin Red staining were performed in PDLSCs using crocin as a stimulant. DKK1 was used to selectively inhibit Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, and Western blotting was performed to investigate the underlying mechanism. The PDLSCs were mixed with calcium phosphate cement and implanted into nude mice subcutaneously to study the effect of crocin on PDLSC osteogenic differentiation in vivo.

Results

The CCK‐8 assay showed that crocin did not promote the proliferation of PDLSCs. Treatment with 400 μM crocin significantly promoted PDLSC mRNA levels of ALP, COL1 and OCN; RUNX2 and BMP2 protein expression; mineralized nodule formation in vitro and in vivo; and ALP activity in tissues in vivo. In addition, crocin significantly promoted the phosphorylation of β‐catenin and cyclin D1. DKK1 inhibits Wnt/β‐catenin activation and partially reverses crocin‐mediated promotion of PDLSC osteogenic differentiation.

Conclusion

Crocin may contribute to the regeneration of periodontal bone tissue.
Salvianolic acid B as a potent nano‐agent for enhanced ALA‐PDT of oral cancer and leukoplakia cells
Authors: Zhang Ying , Ye Sai , Zhou Yongmei , Zhou Zengtong , Yao Yilin , Liu Wei , Wu Lan
Published: January 2023

Background

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) relies on the light activation of a photosensitizers to generate reactive oxygen species such as singlet oxygen, but its effect on cancer therapy is limited dramatically by hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment.

Objectives

To determine the potential of a nano‐photosensitizer loaded salvianolic acid B (SalB) and 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) for enhancing the efficacy of PDT in oral squamous cell carcinoma Cal27 cells and leukoplakia Leuk1 cells.

Results

Singlet oxygen sensor green (SOSG) assay showed that nano‐SalB‐ALA generated higher levels of singlet oxygen, compared to nano‐SalB and nano‐ALA. Cellular uptake assay showed that nano‐SalB‐ALA effectively absorbed by Leuk1 cells. Importantly, cell counting kit‐8 and flow cytometry revealed that PDT with nano‐SalB‐ALA effectively inhibited the viability and induced the apoptosis of Cal27 and Leuk1 cells, respectively. Moreover, the tumor xenograft study revealed that PDT with nano‐SalB‐ALA had a stronger inhibitory effect on tumor growth of nude mice, compared to control groups.

Conclusions

The novel photosensitizer nano‐SalB‐ALA remarkably enhanced the efficacy of PDT by improving singlet oxygen production, inhibiting cell proliferation, promoting cell apoptosis, and suppressing tumor growth. These suggest PDT with nano‐SalB‐ALA could be a clinically significant and potent treatment for oral cancer and leukoplakia.
Interactions between environmental factors drive selection on cyanogenesis in Trifolium repens
Authors: Albano Lucas J. , Johnson Marc T. J.
Published: January 2023

Phenotypic and genetic clines frequently evolve due to varying selection along environmental gradients. However, the specific environmental factors that impose differential selection are often multivariate and difficult to tease apart. We addressed this complexity using a factorial manipulation of watering, soil nutrients and (simulated) herbivory in controlled conditions to better understand the agents of selection driving the evolution of clines in a polymorphic chemical antiherbivore defence, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), of the plant white clover Trifolium repens. We found the presence or absence of the two metabolic components required for HCN production (cyanogenic glucosides and linamarase) to be more prominent determinants of vegetative growth and sexual reproduction in T. repens than HCN itself. We also found that the ability to produce one or both of cyanogenic glucosides or linamarase resulted in a growth advantage under drought and simulated herbivory that outweighs the metabolic cost of their production. These results support the view that the metabolic components underlying HCN play important roles beyond defence by increasing plant tolerance to stress. The growth advantage under drought, however, was diminished in the absence of nutrient addition, consistent with multivariate interactions as drivers of selection. This study provides novel insight into how a cosmopolitan plant has adapted to environmental gradients, and more generally, highlights the importance of considering interactions between multiple environmental factors when studying the evolution of phenotypic and genetic clines.
Species introduction shifts a trait's function from mutualism to antagonism: elaiosomes in a myrmecochory cold spot
Authors: Hierro José L. , Muiño Walter A. , Farji‐Brener Alejandro , Cock Marina C. , Pearson Dean E.
Published: January 2023

Placing traits into novel evolutionary contexts may profoundly alter their functional roles. Here, we investigated whether the elaiosome, a lipid‐rich appendage located on seeds, retained its role as a seed dispersal trait promoting mutualisms with insectivorous ants following human‐mediated introduction of the elaiosome‐bearing Carduus nutans into the Argentinean Caldenal. This system is located within the Neotropical region, an alleged myrmecochory cold spot. Specifically, we first tested the assumption that the elaiosome mediates the interaction between C. nutans and the native ant Pheidole bergi. Then, we explored the hypothesis that, instead of a mutualism, the elaiosome promotes an antagonism between these species because P. bergi predates on both insects and seeds. Finally, we assessed the possibility that the elaiosome is rare in our system, as predicted from its location within the Neotropics. By manipulating the presence/absence of C. nutans' elaiosomes, we demonstrated that P. bergi strongly prefers to collect seeds with versus without C. nutans' elaiosomes, indicating that the elaiosome indeed mediates the interaction between these species. While we detected no direct signs of predation on nor alteration of viability in seeds recovered from P. bergi's refuse dumps, 80% of offered C. nutans seeds remained inside P. bergi colonies, where they are likely consumed by ants, buried too deep for emergence or destroyed by pathogens. Importantly, by quantifying the outcome of the C. nutans–P. bergi interaction, we showed that this relationship is strongly antagonistic. Finally, by sampling taxa most likely to have elaiosomes, we identified eight native species with that trait, preliminary confirming that elaiosome‐bearing species are uncommon in the Caldenal. Taken together, our findings suggest that the elaiosome promotes an antagonism that deters invasion in a cold spot of myrmecochore diversity. The functions of phenotypic traits can thus vary according to the ecological and evolutionary contexts in which they operate.
Assessing the suitability of stress tolerant early‐maturing maize (Zea mays) inbred lines for hybrid development using combining ability effects and DArTseq markers
Authors: Adewale Samuel A. , Badu‐Apraku Baffour , Akinwale Richard O.
Published: January 2023

Identification of hybrids for commercialization is crucial for sustainable maize production in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). One hundred and ninety test crosses, 10 tester × tester crosses + 10 hybrid checks were evaluated across 11 environments, 2017 to 2019. Inheritance of grain yield under Striga infestation, optimal and across environments was influenced by additive genetic action, but there was greater influence of nonadditive gene action under drought stress conditions. Nine, seven and two inbreds had significant and positive general combining ability (GCA) effects for grain yield under Striga‐infested, optimal and drought stress environments, respectively, and would contribute high grain yield to their progenies. Heterotic grouping methods based on specific and GCA, GCA effects of multiple traits and DArTseq markers classified the inbreds into five, three and two heterotic groups, respectively, across research conditions. The DArTseq markers method that classified the inbred lines into two major heterotic groups and was one of the most efficient methods should be adopted for practical purposes in maize breeding programmes in SSA. Hybrids TZEI 7 × TZdEI 352, TZEI 1238 × TZEI 7 and TZEI 1252 × TZEI 7 had outstanding grain yield under contrasting environments and should be tested on‐farm for commercialization in SSA.
Follow up of renal outcomes in children with solitary kidney
Authors: Akyol Onder Esra Nagehan , Yilmaz Omer , Taneli Can , Ertan Pelin
Published: January 2023

Background

Solitary kidney (SK) affects 1/1000 people worldwide, and there are controversies concerning renal outcomes in these patients. This study aimed to investigate clinical findings and renal outcomes in children with SK and to compare the results for congenital (CSK) and acquired SK (ASK) groups.

Methods

The study included patients that presented to our pediatric nephrology department with SK between January 2010 and January 2021. Demographic and clinical data were recorded retrospectively.

Results

Of the 101 patients with SK, 71 had CSK (55 had unilateral renal agenesis and 16 had a multicystic dysplastic kidney) and 30 had ASK (17 had previously undergone unilateral nephrectomy due to a renal tumor and 13 had urological structural anomalies). There were nine patients (9%) with renal injury. The serum uric acid level was significantly higher and the estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly lower in the patients with ASK compared with those with CSK (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). There was a positive correlation between renal injury and the uric acid level (p < 0.001, r = 0.45).

Conclusion

In addition to the management of blood pressure and proteinuria, it is important to control uric acid levels in patients with SK, especially those with ASK, to prevent renal injury. The ASK group has a greater risk of renal injury than the CSK group. There is a need for new markers to predict early stage renal damage in SK.
Inborn errors of bile acid metabolism in Japan
Authors: Mizuochi Tatsuki , Takei Hajime , Nittono Hiroshi , Kimura Akihiko
Published: January 2023

Bile acids are a category of steroids biosynthesized from cholesterol in the liver. Inborn errors of their metabolism are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, resulting in enzyme deficiencies affecting the bile acid biosynthetic pathway. These defects in the pathway cause accumulation of unusual bile acids or bile alcohols. Unusual bile acids are highly cytotoxic, causing injury to the liver. These unusual bile acids damage hepatocytes, resulting in cholestatic liver injury beginning in infancy. Except for cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis and some secondary defects, various inborn errors of bile acid metabolism (IEBAM) have been reported from Japan, affecting eight patients including three with 3β‐hydroxy‐Δ5‐C27‐steroid dehydrogenase/isomerase deficiency, three with Δ4‐3‐oxosteroid 5β‐reductase deficiency, one with oxysterol 7α‐hydroxylase deficiency, and one with bile acid‐CoA: amino acid N‐acyltransferase deficiency. Distinctive laboratory findings in patients with 3β‐hydroxy‐Δ5‐C27‐steroid dehydrogenase/isomerase deficiency, Δ4‐3‐oxosteroid 5β‐reductase deficiency, and oxysterol 7α‐hydroxylase deficiency include normal serum γ‐glutamyltransferase and total bile acids concentrations despite presence of cholestasis (elevated serum direct bilirubin) from infancy. Pediatricians and pediatric surgeons who suspect a case of IEBAM should obtain urinary and serum bile acid analyses using gas or liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry as well as genetic analyses. Available treatments include oral cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, glycocholic acid, and ursodeoxycholic acid; fat‐soluble vitamin supplementation; and liver transplantation. Early diagnosis and treatment can offer a good outcome.
Asymptotic distribution of the eigenvalues of the bending‐torsion vibration model with fully nondissipative boundary feedback
Authors: Shubov Marianna A. , Kindrat Laszlo P.
Published: January 2023

Asymptotic and spectral results on the initial boundary‐value problem for the coupled bending‐torsion vibration model (which is important in such areas of engineering sciences as bridge and tall building designs, aerospace and oil pipes modeling, etc.) are presented. The model is given by a system of two hyperbolic partial differential equations equipped with a three‐parameter family of non‐self‐adjoint (linear feedback type) boundary conditions modeling the actions of self‐straining actuators. The system is rewritten in the form of the first‐order evolution equation in a Hilbert space of a four‐component Cauchy data. It is shown that the dynamics generator is a matrix differential operator with compact resolvent, whose discrete spectrum splits asymptotically into two disjoint subsets called the α‐branch and the β‐branch, respectively. Precise spectral asymptotics for the eigenvalues from each branch as the number of an eigenvalue tends to ∞ have been derived. It is also shown that the leading asymptotical term of the α‐branch eigenvalue depends only on the torsion control parameter, while of the β‐branch eigenvalue depends on two bending control parameters.
‘Values‐based Territorial Food Networks’—Benefits, challenges and controversies
Authors: Nemes Gusztáv , Reckinger Rachel , Lajos Veronika , Zollet Simona
Published: January 2023

The special issue titled ‘Values‐based Territorial Food Networks – Benefits, challenges and controversies’ and this introductory editorial aim to bridge conceptual and disciplinary differences within the literature on alternative agro‐food networks and related concepts. In the editorial we outline a new umbrella term, Values‐based Territorial Food Networks (VTFNs), which synthesises the key commonalities that characterise alternatives to the mainstream food system (see Reckinger 2022 for a more detailed analysis). VTFNs are defined as networks that connect agro‐food and related stakeholders within a defined territory that operate according to a coherent set of ethical values centred on social justice and wellbeing, environmental integrity, participatory governance and economic fairness. We discuss how VTFNs relate to earlier concepts, showing the evolution from ‘alternative’ to ‘values based’, from ‘local’ to ‘territorial’ and from ‘supply chains’ to ‘networks’. The editorial also gives an overview of the empirical case studies in the special issue, which explore 10 place‐based food initiatives (from Austria, France, Greece, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Hungary, Australia, Brazil and Japan) and address benefits, challenges, social learning and controversies associated with VTFNs. The cases are grouped into three thematic areas. ‘Social learning and resilience’ focuses on collaboration through diverse partnerships as a necessary condition for social innovation and for understanding new socio‐technical practices. ‘Agency, negotiations and food governance’ explores the socioeconomic struggles, interrelations and negotiated values associated with VTFNs. ‘Sociocultural environments, social capital and reflexive localism’ discusses the interplay between the economic and sociocultural dimensions related to VTFNs. The transversality of VTFN allows us to think about these dimensions from a systemic perspective, thus advancing debates on the diverse sites and modes of agro‐food sustainability.
Early administration of SARS‐CoV‐2 monoclonal antibody reduces the risk of mortality in hematologic malignancy and hematopoietic cell transplant patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Jabr Ra'ed , Khatri Akshay , Anderson Anthony D. , Garcia Leopoldo Cordova , Viotti Julia Bini , Natori Yoichiro , Raja Mohammed , Camargo Jose F. , Morris Michele I.
Published: January 2023

Background

Data on severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus 2 monoclonal antibody (SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific mAb) use in hematologic malignancy and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HM/HCT) patients are limited. Here, we describe our experience with the use of casirivimab–imdevimab or bamlanivimab for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in HM/HCT patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective chart review at the University of Miami Hospital and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center for HM/HCT patients with COVID‐19 who received casirivimab–imdevimab or bamlanivimab from November 21, 2020, to September 30, 2021. Outcomes measured were mortality, hospital admission, and infusion reaction to SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific mAbs.

Results

We identified 59 HM/HCT patients with mild to moderate COVID‐19 who received casirivimab–imdevimab or bamlanivimab. Median age was 57 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 45–65). Among the 59 patients, 25 (42%) received cellular therapy: 14 (24%) had undergone allogeneic HCT, nine (15%) autologous HCT, and two (3%) received chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell therapy. The median time from COVID‐19 symptom onset to SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific mAb administration was 4 (IQR: 3–6) days. Forty‐six (78%) patients received SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific mAbs as outpatients and 13 (22%) patients received SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific mAbs during hospitalization. Among patients who received SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific mAbs as outpatients, only four (9%) visited the emergency department at days 10, 11, 15, and 35 after SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific mAb administration. None of these four patients required hospital admission. Among the hospitalized patients, five (38%) were admitted to the hospital with neutropenic fever, four (31%) were already hospitalized for transplantation and cellular therapy, three (23%) were admitted for monitoring of COVID‐19 symptoms, and one (8%) was admitted with acute kidney injury. Three hospitalized patients (23%) died at 14, 35, and 59 days after SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific mAb administration; two of these three deaths were attributed to COVID‐19 infection. One patient developed an immediate infusion reaction to bamlanivimab, and no infusion reactions were reported to casirivimab–imdevimab use.

Conclusion

During the alpha and delta variant surges, early administration of bamlanivimab or casirivimab–imdevimab prevented hospitalization and death when given in the outpatient setting. Among patients who received mAbs at or after hospital admission, the risk of COVID‐19 disease progression and death remains significant. Larger studies of the use of mAb therapy to treat COVID‐19 in this population are needed.

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Reviewer Acknowledgements for Business and Management Studies, Vol. 8, No. 2
Authors: Willianms Ellery
Published: January 2023

Business and Management Studies (BMS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether BMS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue. Reviewers for Volume 8, Number 2Abdul-Kahar Adam, University of Education, GhanaChrister Thörnqvist, University of Skövde , SwedenFábio Albergaria de Queiroz, Catholic University of Brasília, BrazilJennilyn Castillo Mina, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, PhilippinesLucie Andreisová, University of Economics in Prague, CzechMarica Ion Dumitrasco, Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Moldova
A Pragmatic Study of Strategies for Crisis Communication in the Announcements Made by Chinese Listed Pharmaceutical Enterprises
Authors: Lan Ziyi , Xu Zhanghong
Published: January 2023

Drug safety issues have grown increasingly common in China and have been much concerned by the public, having exerted a huge impact on the development and survival of related pharmaceutical enterprises. Consequently, the involved corporations have to respond properly to the crisis with a view to not only resume the corporations’ operation but also rebuild the public’s confidence in the pharmaceutical industry. Although scholars have conducted abundant research on corporate apologies, announcements, a quasi-apology or a substitute for apologies, as a common way to respond to crises in China, have not gained due attention from academia. Therefore, the paper intends to analyze components of Chinese pharmaceutical enterprises’ announcements and pragmatic strategies employed herein for better elucidating the formation of announcements and highlighting the role of announcements in managing crises. Based on Boy’s (2011) seven apology components and Xu’s (2021) pragmatic strategy set, qualitative research is carried out. It is found that, unlike conventional apologies, six components are identified in the announcements and corresponding pragmatic strategies conducive to managing crises are explored: (1) revelation: explanation (blunt statement); (2) responsiveness: timeliness (attitudinal meaning devices); (3) responsibility: internal attribution and external attribution (grounders); (4) remorse: guilt (IFID); (5) reform: change (attitudinal meaning devices, hedges and vagueness) and (6) impact on operations: minor impact, huge impact and undetermined impact (blunt statement, hedges and vagueness). The findings would not only shed light on research on corporate crisis communication, but also provide the practitioners with some insights into how to issue the announcements.
Experimental Investigation of a High-Speed Turbine With Rainbow Rotor and Rim Seal Purge Flow
Authors: Cernat Bogdan C. , Pinho Jorge , Okada Mizuki , Lavagnoli Sergio
Published: January 2023

The present paper addresses the experimental and numerical study of the unsteady flow established in a high-pressure turbine stage with rim seal purge. The HPT test section, operated at engine-relevant flow conditions in the high-speed turbine rig of the von Karman Institute, is heavily instrumented for high-resolution, high-bandwidth aerothermal measurements. A rainbow rotor setup allows the simultaneous testing of six different sectors, each hosting a specific tip and platform geometry optimized for enhanced aerodynamic performance. This paper focuses on the flow over the baseline sector, equipped with an axisymmetric hub platform and a squealer tip, with a purge flowrate matching 1.74% and 1% of the stage mass flow. The numerical study relies on Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) computations with test-calibrated boundary conditions. Unsteady pressure and heat transfer measurements are performed at the rotor shroud. The maximum heat transfer is achieved along the front pressure side rim, whereas the squealer cavity generates a region of uniformly low static pressure and heat flux. The experimental adiabatic wall temperature is derived to quantify the thermal contribution to the global heat flux, demonstrating an increase in over-tip gas temperature up to 1.2 T01 above the pressure side rim. A Euler-based model is proposed to evaluate the temperature-driving work-exchange mechanism in the tip gap. The peak in casing heat transfer coefficient (750 W/m2K) is found at the tip leading edge. Time-resolved measurements of outlet total pressure, Mach number, and flow angle confirm the predicted phase and intensity of the tip leakage and upper passage vortex in the near-casing region. At 20% hr, the total pressure minimum is highly underpredicted by the RANS, indicating an inaccurate modeling of the interaction between rim seal purge and main flow. The measured impact of the purge flow variation is more significant than predicted by the RANS computations, with a negative offset of about 0.5% P01 in the lower 50% hr at lower purge flowrate.
The effect of seven pollens on life table parameters of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
Authors: Afshari-nejad Niloofar , Hajiqanbar Hamidreza , Fathipour Yaghoub
Published: January 2023

In some integrated pest management programs, different pollens are used as alternative or supplementary food sources for rearing of the generalist predatory mites. The aim of this study was to determine the performance of the predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on pollen of seven plant species including Panicum miliaceum, Punica granatum, Eruca sativa, Chenopodium album, Chaenomeles cathayensis, Datura stramonium, Caesalpinia gilliesii as a food source. All experiments were conducted at 25±1°C, 65±5% RH and 16:8 h (L:D) photoperiod. Age-stage, two-sex life table method was used for data analysis to take into account the variable developmental rate among individuals as well as stage differentiation. The predatory mite was able to survive to adult and reproduce on all pollen grains tested. The shortest pre-adult period was shown on P. granatum pollen. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) was between 0.162 to -0.097 day -1, which was observed on D. stramonium and P. miliaceum, respectively. The longest total lifespan of females, highest intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase (λ) and net reproductive rate (R0) were recorded on the D. stramonium pollen, while the shortest mean generation time (T) was on the P. granatum pollen. According to the results, in the absence or shortage of the main prey in the environment, the pollen of D. stramonium can be suggested as an alternative or supplementary food for N. cucumeris.
Parasitic mites of the genus Forania (Acari, Erythraeidae) on ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in NE Spain: When taxonomy meets citizen science
Authors: Mayoral Jaime , Miralles-núñez Adrià , Sánchez Javier , Espadaler Xavier
Published: January 2023

Mites are some of the most common guests of social insects, whether this relation is parasitic or not. There are a handful of larval species in Parasitengona worldwide that stablished a parasitic association with ants. The only two species in the genus Forania (Acari, Erythraeidae), F. mentonensis from France and F. sendrai from south Spain, are two of them. There are three captures reported for these two species in 92 years, all of them associated with ants. In this study, mite specimens captured from two locations in the surroundings of Barcelona and belonging to Forania are studied. This is the first report of F. mentonensis since 1930, and it is a new record for the Spanish fauna. Furthermore, a comprehensive search in the on-line citizen science resource Biodiversidad Virtual revealed at least twelve possible new citations of Forania sp. across the East Mediterranean side of Spain. These new data suggest a wider distribution and specific temporal location of these species than previously thought.
Survey and spatial distribution of tarsonemids and associated predators on coconut fruits
Authors: França-beltrão Girleide V. de , Monteiro Vaneska B. , Melo José W.S. , Lima Debora B. , Lofego Antônio C. , Júnior Manoel G.C. Gondim
Published: January 2023

Tarsonemids are mites that can damage coconut fruits, leading to losses in crop yield and quality. In this study, a survey of tarsonemid species and associated predatory mites underneath the perianth of coconut was carried out on palms cultivated along the coast of northeastern Brazil, and their spatial distribution was studied in one of the cultivations, on fruits of different ages, to subsidize monitoring and management of pest species. Samples of fruits of different ages were collected from cultivation sites of 9 states, with sites ranging from a few km to a maximum of 100 km apart from one another. Three coconut palms were selected from each site, collecting 10 fruits with necrotic lesions similar to those caused by Steneotarsonemus species from each palm. The mites were collected, mounted and identified. For the analysis, a re-evaluation was done of the tarsonemids collected in similar surveys for mites in general on coconut fruits, as reported previously in the literature. Subsequently, a field in Igarassu (Pernambuco, Brazil) bearing fruits with symptoms caused by Steneotarsonemus species was selected, and a total of 943 fruits from 2–8-month-old bunches were collected for mite quantification and identification. Consequently, Steneotarsonemus concavuscutum Lofego and Gondim Jr., Steneotarsonemus furcatus De Leon, and four morphospecies of Tarsonemus were found under the perianths of coconut fruits growing along the coast of northeastern Brazil. In Igarassu, the most abundant tarsonemid was S. concavuscutum, representing 98.4% of all quantified mites. Populations of S. concavuscutum were observed in all fruit bunches, regardless of age (ranging from 19 to 167 mites/fruit), with the highest numbers occurring in the 6-month-old bunches. In this same geographic location, Neoseiulus baraki (Athias-Henriot) represented 99.0% of the predaceous phytoseiid mites, with a population ranging from 0.04 to 5.3 mites/fruit that attained the highest population levels on 7-month-old fruit bunches. The N. baraki population densities were positively correlated with the mean S. concavuscutum numbers.
New species of Coleoscirinae (Acari: Cunaxidae) from Brazil
Authors: Borges Wurlitzer Wesley , Silva de Castro Iury , Juarez Ferla Noeli , Da Silva Bizarro Laura , Franklin Elizabeth , Dos Santos Rocha Matheus
Published: January 2023

Two new species of Cunaxidae, namely Scutascirus scutusmedialis Wurlitzer & Ferla n. sp. and Coleoscirus sixsetaegenitalis Wurlitzer & Rocha n. sp. are illustrated and described based on females collected from soil in the village of Alter do Chão, located on the right bank (downstream) of the Tapajós River, 35 km southwest of the City of Santarém, Amazonian region, Pará state, Brazil.
New records of feather mites of the genus Proctophyllodes (Acariformes: Proctophyllodidae) in China
Authors: Sun Li-Hua , He Shu-Xiang , Liu Huai , Wang Zi-Ying
Published: January 2023

A new feather mite species Proctophyllodes gracilitus sp. nov. is described from the mountain bulbul Ixos mcclellandii (Horsfield) (Passeriformes: Pycnonotidae) in China. The new species belongs to the mecistocaulus species-group and differs from the most similar species, P. stenophyllus Gaud & Mouchet, 1957, by having the following characters: in males of P. gracilitus, the terminal lamellae are thinner and longer (45–49×4–5) and the posterior part of the hysteronotal shield has circular lacunae; and in females setae h1 are situated at the level of posterior margin of supranal concavity, setae h2 are longer than terminal appendages, do not have enlargement in base, and setae h3 are about 2/3rds the length of terminal appendages. In addition, Proctophyllodes weigoldi Vitzthum, 1922 has been collected from the willow tit Poecile montanus (Baldenstein) (Passeriformes: Paridae) that is a new host record for this species. This species is redescribed, because it was found that specimens from Po. montanus have some minor morphological differences from specimens of the common blackbird Turdus merula  Linnaeus (Passeriformes: Turdidae) (a type host) and eyebrowed thrush Turdus obscurus Gmelin (Passeriformes: Turdidae).