bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum 7-alfa-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one and fibroblast growth factor-19 as biomarkers diagnosing bile acid malabsorption in microscopic colitis and inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Lyutakov Ivan , Lozanov Valentin , Sugareva Paulina , Valkov Hristo , Penchev Plamen
Published: November 2020

Background

Bile acid malabsorption is common in microscopic colitis, irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, and inflammatory bowel disease. We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of 7-alfa-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one and compared it with fibroblast growth factor-19 as biomarkers for bile acid malabsorption.

Methods

We enrolled consecutively 109 chronic diarrhea patients with standard laboratory tests, fecal calprotectin, and endoscopy separated into six groups: n = 30 with active inflammatory bowel disease, n = 21 with inflammatory bowel disease in remission reporting >3 bowel movements per day, n = 21 with inflammatory bowel disease after surgery, n = 23 with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, n = 14 with microscopic colitis and 11 healthy subjects (controls). We defined bile acid malabsorption as >3 bowel movements and lower fibroblast growth factor-19 (<60 pg/ml).

Results

Median levels of 7-alfa-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one in inflammatory bowel disease active were 53.1 ng/ml, inflammatory bowel disease remission were 52.2 ng/ml, inflammatory bowel disease after surgery were 85.7 ng/ml, irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea were 7.5 ng/ml, microscopic colitis were 69.3 ng/ml, and healthy controls were 3.7 ng/ml. We estimate a 7-alfa-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one cutoff of 48.9 ng/ml with 82.6% sensitivity and 84.3% specificity for detecting bile acid malabsorption. Both 7-alfa-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one >48.9 ng/ml and fibroblast growth factor-19 (<60 pg/ml) were found in 52% of the patients, compared with those 8% of patients below this 7-alfa-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one cutoff (P < 0.001). Serum 7-alfa-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one correlated with the number of bowel movements/day (r = −0.709; P < 0.001) and correlated inversely with fibroblast growth factor-19 (r = −0.741; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Serum 7-alfa-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one above 48.9 ng/ml and fibroblast growth factor-19 below 60 pg/ml identify patients with diarrhea likely attributable to bile acid malabsorption with high diagnostic accuracy and they can be used as screening biomarkers for bile acid malabsorption in microscopic colitis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Combining immune checkpoint inhibitor with lenvatinib prolongs survival than lenvatinib alone in sorafenib-experienced hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Lin Po-Ting , Teng Wei , Jeng Wen-Juei , Lin Chun-Yen , Lin Shi-Ming , Sheen I-Shyan
Published: November 2020

Background

Lenvatinib and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) were approved as the promising agents for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, the benefits of combining ICI with lenvatinib in sorafenib-experienced patients remain uncertain. We aimed to investigate whether the combination use of ICI and lenvatinib provides better survival than lenvatinib alone in advanced stage HCC patients.

Methods

From March 2018 to August 2019, a total of 53 unresectable HCC patients receiving lenvatinib were recruited. Treatment response was evaluated by dynamic image including computed tomography or MRI. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and predictors for survival were analyzed.

Results

Among the 53 patients, the median age was 67.2 years old, and 66.4% were male. Twenty-one patients had sorafenib-experienced history. Eighteen patients (34%) died with median follow-up duration of 8.1 months. Patient receiving lenvatinib had median OS of 16.9 [95% confidence interval (CI): 10.1–23.7] months, and PFS of 7.23 (95% CI: 4.8–9.7) months. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade III (adjusted HR: 6.699, P = 0.0039) and the history of sorafenib treatment (adjusted HR: 4.476, P = 0.0457) were the independent predictive factor for OS. In sorafenib-experienced patients, those combined treated with ICI (N = 14) showed significantly better survival than monotherapy with lenvatinib (median: 12.8 vs 4.1 months, log-rank P = 0.008).

Conclusion

The ALBI grade and sorafenib treatment history were predictors for OS in HCC patients receiving lenvatinib. For sorafenib-experienced patients, combining ICI with lenvatinib achieved better OS than lenvatinib alone.
Development and evaluation of a novel noninvasive index for predicting significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection
Authors: Kayadibi Huseyin , Yilmaz Baris , Ozgur Yeniova Abdullah , Koseoglu Huseyin , Simsek Zahide
Published: November 2020

Background and aims

Development of noninvasive liver fibrosis indexes has been research of interest due to the limitations of liver biopsy. Therefore, we aimed to develop and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a novel noninvasive index for predicting significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection based on age and routine clinical laboratory tests.

Methods

A total of 396 treatment naïve liver biopsy performed patients were divided into training (n = 262) and validation cohorts (n = 134). Histological staging was assessed by Ishak fibrosis scoring system.

Results

In training cohort, we developed a novel fibrosis index, GAPI, using γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), age, platelet, and international normalized ratio (INR) results. The diagnostic accuracies of alanine aminotransferase ratio, age platelet index, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index, GGT to platelet ratio index, AST to lymphocyte ratio index, fibrosis index based on the four factors, Fibro Q, Goteborg University Cirrhosis Index, King’s score, Pohl score, Wang I, fibrosis index, fibrosis cirrhosis index, cirrhosis discriminant score, Lok score, Doha score, Mehdi’s model, GqHBsAg, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, RDW to lymphocyte ratio, RDW to platelet ratio, GGT/INR, GGT/albumin, white blood cell/platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume/PDW and platelet/PDW indexes were compared to GAPI index. For the prediction of significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) of GAPI index were 0.776, 0.868, and 0.885 in training cohort, and 0.731, 0.883, and 0.919 in validation cohort, respectively. The AUROCs of the GAPI index were higher than those of the evaluated 27 noninvasive indexes to predict significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis.

Conclusion

In resource limited settings, GAPI is a promising noninvasive liver fibrosis index for predicting significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, and for decreasing the need for liver biopsy in patients with CHB infection using cutoff points of 2.00 and 3.50.
Predictive factors for long-term survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sorafenib
Authors: Reis Daniela , Moura Miguel , Freitas Luís Carlos , Carvalhana Sofia , Nogueira Paulo Jorge , Gaio Raquel , Marinho Rui Tato , Cortez-Pinto Helena
Published: November 2020

Background and aims

Sorafenib, used for advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has an overall survival (OS) of 10 months. However, some patients have better response and long-term survival (LTS). Aims to assess predictive factors for LTS.

Methods

Retrospectively reviewed 77 advanced HCC patients, starting sorafenib treatment between 2007 and 2016, with LTS (OS ≥24 months) as primary endpoint. Univariate and multivariable analysis of clinical variables were performed in order to identify predictive factors for LTS.

Results

Patients: seventy (90.9%) males; median age: 65 years (39–82). All had cirrhosis mostly HCV infection (n = 32, 41.6%). Majority were Child-Pugh class A (n = 50, 64.9%); median MELD-Na: 11 (6–30). Multinodular HCC: 74% (n = 57); portal vein invasion (PVI): 50.6% (n = 39); extrahepatic spread: 18.2% (n = 14). Median time between HCC diagnosis and sorafenib start: 3.3 months (0–37.6). Median OS: 13 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 8.2–17.8]. Twenty-five (32.5%) patients were considered LTS, with amedian OS: 52.3 months (95% CI 17.1–87.4). Multivariable analysis identified Child-Pugh class A [odds ratio (OR) 11.1, 95% CI 1.78–69.54] and absence of PVI (OR 7.88, 95% CI 1.56–39.8) as independent predictors of LTS. Sub-analysis of Child-Pugh class A: absence of PVI (OR 7.13, 95% CI 1.69–30.2) and alpha-fetoprotein <400 ng/ml (OR 5.82, 95% CI 1.18–28.75) independently related to LTS.

Conclusion

Despite global short median OS, sorafenib treatment is associated with longer than 2-year survival in a sub-group, more likely in compensated liver disease and absence of PVI.
Gaining Access to the Superior Ophthalmic Vein for Endovascular Embolization of Indirect Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas
Authors: Daigle Patrick , Brenna Connor Thomas Arthur , da Costa Leodante , Yang Victor , Gill Harmeet Singh
Published: November 2020

Carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are abnormal connections between the carotid arterial system and the cavernous sinus. These acquired vascular malformations may result in severe orbital congestion and sight-threatening complications. The authors present their experience in gaining access to the superior ophthalmic vein to embolize indirect CCFs in three different patients. Surgical exposure and cannulation of the SOV were successful in all 3 cases. One patient developed an orbital compartment syndrome towards the end of the embolization process, after the irrigation cannula was inadvertently dislodged from the SOV. He required a lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis but did not suffer from any related sequelae. Signs and symptoms resolved gradually in all patients and cosmetic results were excellent. In our experience, the SOV offers a reliable access to indirect CCFs, but patients should be monitored closely during the embolization process to prevent ophthalmic complications.
Radiologic Analysis of Malar Arch Movement in Reduction Malarplasty Without Bony Resection
Authors: Kim Jae-Hee , Lee Hoon Young , Jeong Jae-Yong , Kim Taek-Kyun
Published: November 2020

Background:

Reduction malarplasty has been popular among Asians with a wide facial width. In general, malar setback after bony resection is regarded as the standard objective of reduction malarplasty. However, unnecessary bony resection may lead to various postoperative complications. Therefore, we suggest the use of reduction malarplasty without bony resection to achieve a similar narrowing effect of the facial width, based on radiographic analysis of malar arch movement.

Patients and Methods:

This retrospective study analyzed 48 patients with a wide midface who underwent reduction malarplasty between September 2018 and December 2019. We included 40 cases of advancement repositioning malarplasty (AR) without bony resection and 8 cases of setback reduction malarplasty (SR) with bony resection. The three-dimensional position of the malar arch expressed by coordinates (x, y, and z) on three-dimensional computed tomography scans was used to compare the positional change between the surgical methods. The paired t-test, Wilcoxon text, and independent t-test were used in data analysis, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0 software.

Results:

Medial and superior movement of the freed malar arch segment was significantly different between AR and SR (P < 0.05). Although medialization and superiorization were not significantly different between AR and SR, there was a significant difference in anterior-posterior movement between AR and SR (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

The radiologic analysis based on malar arch movement between AR and SR showed similar narrowing effects on medialization and superiorization of the malar arch regardless of bony resection. Therefore, the AR can be effectively applied in case of arch dominant type or malar asymmetry. In addition, further comprehensive study including analysis on movement of facial soft tissue following malar bony movement is expected based on this study in near future.
Reassessment of the Optimal Number of Examined Lymph Nodes in Pancreatoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Malleo Giuseppe , Maggino Laura , Qadan Motaz , Marchegiani Giovanni , Ferrone Cristina R. , Paiella Salvatore , Luchini Claudio , Mino-Kenudson Mari , Capelli Paola , Scarpa Aldo , Lillemoe Keith D. , Bassi Claudio , Castillo Carlos Fernàndez-del , Salvia Roberto
Published: November 2020

Objective:

The aim of this study was to reappraise the optimal number of examined lymph nodes (ELNs) in pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Summary background data:

The well-established threshold of 15 ELNs in PD for PDAC is optimized for detecting 1 positive node (PLN) per the previous 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging manual. In the framework of the 8th edition, where at least 4 PLN are needed for an N2 diagnosis, this threshold may be inadequate for accurate staging.

Methods:

Patients who underwent upfront PD at 2 academic institutions between 2000 and 2016 were analyzed. The optimal ELN threshold was defined as the cut-point associated with a 95% probability of identifying at least 4 PLNs in N2 patients. The results were validated addressing the N-status distribution and stage migration.

Results:

Overall, 1218 patients were included. The median number of ELN was 26 (IQR 17–37). ELN was independently associated with N2-status (OR 1.27, P < 0.001). The estimated optimal threshold of ELN was 28. This cut-point enabled improved detection of N2 patients and stage III disease (58% vs 37%, P = 0.001). The median survival was 28.6 months. There was an improved survival in N0/N1 patients when ELN exceeded 28, suggesting a stage migration effect (47 vs 29 months, adjusted HR 0.649, P < 0.001). In N2 patients, this threshold was not associated with survival on multivariable analysis.

Conclusion:

Examining at least 28 LN in PD for PDAC ensures optimal staging through improved detection of N2/stage III disease. This may have relevant implications for benchmarking processes and quality implementation.
Sir Charles Kuen Kao. 4 November 1933—23 September 2018
Authors: Midwinter John
Published: November 2020

Charles Kao was the pioneer who suggested using glass fibre waveguide as a means of carrying laser-light over long distances for telecommunications traffic. In his seminal paper published in 1966, he spelled out the appropriate design parameters and performance characteristics that would be needed for a successful system to emerge. At the time, the idea was widely ridiculed. Within a few years, however, in a brilliant set of spectrophotometric experiments, Kao demonstrated that pure silicon dioxide materials exist that have the required very low attenuation. In due course, the problems of creating optical fibres of the required dimensions and strength were solved and optical fibres now dominate telecommunications worldwide. Without them, contemporary communications would be unthinkable. Kao was awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics for his ‘groundbreaking achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibres for optical communication’.
Age separation dramatically reduces COVID-19 mortality rate in a computational model of a large population
Authors: Mizrahi Liron , Shekhidem Huda Adwan , Stern Shani
Published: November 2020

COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global lockdown in many countries throughout the world. Faced with a new reality, and until a vaccine or efficient treatment is found, humanity must figure out ways to keep the economy going, on one hand, while keeping the population safe, on the other hand, especially those that are susceptible to this virus. Here, we use a Watts–Strogatz network simulation, with parameters that were drawn from what is already known about the virus, to explore five different scenarios of partial lockdown release in two geographical locations with different age distributions. We find that separating age groups by reducing interactions between them protects the general population and reduces mortality rates. Furthermore, the addition of new connections within the same age group to compensate for the lost connections outside the age group still has a strong beneficial influence and reduces the total death toll by about 62%. While complete isolation from society may be the most protective scenario for the elderly population, it would have an emotional and possibly cognitive impact that might outweigh its benefit. Therefore, we propose creating age-related social recommendations or even restrictions, thereby allowing social connections while still offering strong protection for the older population.
The mechanotransduction protein STOML3 is required for functional plasticity following peripheral nerve regeneration
Authors: Haseleu Julia , Walcher Jan , Lewin Gary R.
Published: November 2020

Nerve regeneration is associated with plasticity of sensory neurons, so that even muscle afferents directed to skin form mechanosensitive receptive fields appropriate for the new target. STOML3 is an essential mechanotransduction component in many cutaneous mechanoreceptors. Here we asked whether STOML3 is required for functional and anatomical plasticity following peripheral nerve regeneration. We used a cross-anastomosis model adapted to the mouse in which the medial gastrocnemius nerve was redirected to innervate hairy skin previously occupied by the sural nerve. We recorded from muscle afferents innervating the skin and found that in wild-type mice their receptive properties were largely identical to normal skin mechanoreceptors. However, in mice lacking STOML3, muscle afferents largely failed to form functional mechanosensitive receptive fields, despite making anatomically appropriate endings in the skin. Our tracing experiments demonstrated that muscle afferents from both wild-type andstoml3mutant mice display remarkable anatomically plasticity, forming new somatotopically appropriate synaptic terminals in the region of the dorsal horn representing the sural nerve territory. The dramatic reduction in stimulus evoked activity from the cross-anastomosed gastrocnemius nerve instoml3mutant mice did not prevent central anatomical plasticity. Our results have identified a molecular factor that is required for functional plasticity following peripheral nerve injury.
Alternative splicing landscapes in Arabidopsis thaliana across tissues and stress conditions highlight major functional differences with animals
Authors: Martín Guiomar , Márquez Yamile , Mantica Federica , Duque Paula , Irimia Manuel
Published: November 2020

Background

Alternative splicing (AS) is a widespread regulatory mechanism in multicellular organisms. Numerous transcriptomic and single-gene studies in plants have investigated AS in response to specific conditions, especially environmental stress, unveiling substantial amounts of intron retention that modulate gene expression. However, a comprehensive study contrasting stress-response and tissue-specific AS patterns and directly comparing them with those of animal models is still missing.

Results

We generated a massive resource for A. thaliana (PastDB; pastdb.crg.eu), comprising AS and gene expression quantifications across tissues, development and environmental conditions, including abiotic and biotic stresses. Harmonized analysis of these datasets revealed that A. thaliana shows high levels of AS (similar to fruitflies) and that, compared to animals, disproportionately uses AS for stress responses. We identified core sets of genes regulated specifically by either AS or transcription upon stresses or among tissues, a regulatory specialization that was tightly mirrored by the genomic features of these genes. Unexpectedly, non-intron retention events, including exon skipping, were overrepresented across regulated AS sets in A. thaliana, being also largely involved in modulating gene expression through NMD and uORF inclusion.

Conclusions

Non-intron retention events have likely been functionally underrated in plants. AS constitutes a distinct regulatory layer controlling gene expression upon internal and external stimuli whose target genes and master regulators are hardwired at the genomic level to specifically undergo post-transcriptional regulation. Given the higher relevance of AS in the response to different stresses when compared to animals, this molecular hardwiring is likely required for a proper environmental response in A. thaliana.
Epidemiological transcriptomic data supports BCG protection in viral diseases including COVID-19
Authors: Sharma Abhay
Published: November 2020

Epidemiological and clinical evidence suggests that Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine induced trained immunity protects against non-specific infections. Multiple clinical trials are currently underway to assess effectiveness of the vaccine in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the durability and mechanism of BCG trained immunity remain unclear. Here, an integrative analysis of available epidemiological transcriptomic data related to BCG vaccination and respiratory tract viral infections, and transcriptomic alterations reported in COVID-19 is presented toward addressing this gap. Results suggest that the vaccine induces very long-lasting transcriptomic changes that, unsurprisingly, mimic viral infections by upregulated antiviral defense response, and, counterintuitively. oppose viral infections by downregulated myeloid cell activation. These durability and mechanistic insights have immediate implications in fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
A polyglutamine domain is required forde novoCIZ1 assembly formation at the inactive X chromosome
Authors: Sofi Sajad , Williamson Louisa , Turvey Gabrielle L. , Scoynes Charlotte , Hirst Claire , Godwin Jonathan , Brockdorff Neil , Ainscough Justin , Coverley Dawn
Published: November 2020

CIP1-interacting zinc finger protein 1 (CIZ1) forms large assemblies at the inactive X chromosome (Xi) in female fibroblasts in anXistlncRNA-dependent manner. Here we address the requirements for assembly formation, and show that CIZ1 interacts directly withXistvia two independent domains in its N- and C-terminus. Interaction withXistrepeat E, assembly at Xi in cells, and the complexity of self-assemblies formedin vitro,are all modulated by alternatively-spliced exons that include two glutamine-rich prion-like domains (PLD1 and PLD2), both conditionally excluded from the N-terminal domain. Exclusion of PLD1 alone is sufficient to abrogatede novoestablishment of new CIZ1 assemblies and Xi territories enriched for H3K27me3 in CIZ1-null fibroblasts. Together the data suggest that PLD1-driven CIZ1 assemblies form at Xi, are nucleated by interaction withXistand amplified by multivalent interaction with RNA, so implicating a polyglutamine tract in the maintenance of epigenetic state.
Local and long-range atomic/magnetic structure of non-stoichiometric spinel iron oxide nanocrystallites
Authors: Andersen Henrik L. , Frandsen Benjamin A. , Gunnlaugsson Haraldur P. , Jørgensen Mads R. V. , Billinge Simon J. L. , Jensen Kirsten M. Ø. , Christensen Mogens
Published: November 2020

Spinel iron oxide nanoparticles of different mean sizes in the range 10–25 nm have been prepared by surfactant-free up-scalable near- and super-critical hydrothermal synthesis pathways and characterized using a wide range of advanced structural characterization methods to provide a highly detailed structural description. The atomic structure is examined by combined Rietveld analysis of synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) data and time-of-flight neutron powder-diffraction (NPD) data. The local atomic ordering is further analysed by pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of both X-ray and neutron total-scattering data. It is observed that a non-stoichiometric structural model based on a tetragonal γ-Fe2O3 phase with vacancy ordering in the structure (space group P43212) yields the best fit to the PXRD and total-scattering data. Detailed peak-profile analysis reveals a shorter coherence length for the superstructure, which may be attributed to the vacancy-ordered domains being smaller than the size of the crystallites and/or the presence of anti-phase boundaries, faulting or other disorder effects. The intermediate stoichiometry between that of γ-Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 is confirmed by refinement of the Fe/O stoichiometry in the scattering data and quantitative analysis of Mössbauer spectra. The structural characterization is complemented by nano/micro-structural analysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), elemental mapping using scanning TEM, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and the measurement of macroscopic magnetic properties using vibrating sample magnetometry. Notably, no evidence is found of a Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3 core-shell nanostructure being present, which had previously been suggested for non-stoichiometric spinel iron oxide nanoparticles. Finally, the study is concluded using the magnetic PDF (mPDF) method to model the neutron total-scattering data and determine the local magnetic ordering and magnetic domain sizes in the iron oxide nanoparticles. The mPDF data analysis reveals ferrimagnetic collinear ordering of the spins in the structure and the magnetic domain sizes to be ∼60–70% of the total nanoparticle sizes. The present study is the first in which mPDF analysis has been applied to magnetic nanoparticles, establishing a successful precedent for future studies of magnetic nanoparticles using this technique.
Direct localization of detergents and bacteriorhodopsin in the lipidic cubic phase by small-angle neutron scattering
Authors: Cleveland IV Thomas , Blick Emily , Krueger Susan , Leung Anna , Darwish Tamim , Butler Paul
Published: November 2020

Lipidic cubic phase (LCP) crystallization methods have been essential in obtaining crystals of certain membrane proteins, particularly G-protein-coupled receptors. LCP crystallization is generally optimized across a large number of potential variables, one of which may be the choice of the solubilizing detergent. A better fundamental understanding of the behavior of detergents in the LCP may guide and simplify the detergent selection process. This work investigates the distribution of protein and detergent in LCP using the membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin (bR), with the LCP prepared from highly deuterated monoolein to allow contrast-matched small-angle neutron scattering. Contrast-matching allows the scattering from the LCP bilayer itself to be suppressed, so that the distribution and behavior of the protein and detergent can be directly studied. The results showed that, for several common detergents, the detergent micelle dissociates and incorporates into the LCP bilayer essentially as free detergent monomers. In addition, the detergent octyl glucoside dissociates from bR, and neither the protein nor detergent forms clusters in the LCP. The lack of detergent assemblies in the LCP implies that, upon incorporation, micelle sizes and protein/detergent interactions become less important than they would be in solution crystallization. Crystallization screening confirmed this idea, with crystals obtained from bR in the presence of most detergents tested. Thus, in LCP crystallization, detergents can be selected primarily on the basis of protein stabilization in solution, with crystallization suitability a lesser consideration.
Seven new metal–organic frameworks assembled from semi-rigid polycarboxylate and auxiliary N-donor ligands: syntheses, structures and properties
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Yang Qinglin , Yun Meng , Si Changdai , An Ning , Jia Meimei , Liu Jiacheng , Dong Xiuyan
Published: November 2020

Seven new metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), namely, [Zn2(L
1)(H2O)3]
n
(1), [Zn2(L
1)(dib)(H2O)2]
n
(2), {[Zn2(L
1)(4,4′-bipy)(H2O)2]·H2O}
n
(3), [Cd2(L
1)(1,10-phen)]
n
(4), [Ni2(HL
1)(4,4′-bipy)(μ3-OH)(μ2-H2O)]
n
(5), {[Co4(L
1)(4,4′-bibp)3]·(4,4′-bibp)3}
n
(6), and [Co2(L
2)(4,4′-bibp)2(H2O)]
n
(7), where H4
L
1 and H4
L
2 are semi-rigid 3-(3,5-dicarboxylphenoxy)phthalic acid and 4-(3,5-dicarboxylphenoxy)phthalic acid, respectively, and 4,4′-bipy is 4,4′-bipyridine, dib is 1,4-bis(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene, 1,10-phen is 1,10-phenanthroline and 4,4′-bipb is 1,4-bis(pyridin-4-yl)benzene, have been prepared under solvothermal conditions with ZnII, CdII, CoII and NiII ions in the presence of auxiliary N-donor ligands. The crystal structures and photoluminescence and magnetic properties of these compounds have been investigated. Compound 1 displays a 3,4,6-connected two-dimensional (2D) topology with a Schläfli symbol of (42.5)2(43.52.7)(45.56.63)2, and the 2D structure was further assembled to form a three-dimensional (3D) framework by intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds. Compound 2 features a novel 3,3,4-connected structure and the point symbol is (4.102)(4.6.84)(62.8). Compound 3 exhibits a 3,4,6-connected 3-nodal net having a 3,4,6 T53 type topology, with the point symbol (4.62)2(42.64)2(42.68.82.103). Compound 4 shows a 2D→3D supramolecular structure formed by π–π stacking interactions. Compound 5 possesses a 3D framework with a tfz-d net topology. Compounds 6 and 7 are constructed from the same auxiliary ligand and metal salt at the same temperature, but with different main ligands and exhibiting different topologies. Compound 6 presents a 3D 4,6-connected topological network with a Schläfli symbol of (3.44.6)(32.44.56.63), while compound 7 has a 3D topological network with a Schläfli symbol of (412.616). Magnetic analyses indicate that compounds 5 and 7 show weak antiferromagnetic interactions.
Charge density analysis of abiraterone acetate
Authors: Korlyukov Alexander A. , Vologzhanina Anna V. , Trzybinski Damian , Malinska Maura , Wozniak Krzysztof
Published: November 2020

A high-resolution single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of abiraterone acetate (1) has been carried out. The charge density distribution in the crystal of this anticancer drug is reconstructed from experimental data. The nature and the contributions of various intermolecular interactions to the total crystal energy are studied by means of the quantum theory `Atoms-in-Molecules', a non-covalent interactions method and energy framework plots. In general, dispersion C—H...H—C and C—H...π interactions play the main role in crystal packing of1. The Voronoi tessellation analysis of1confirmed that contribution of hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions to the molecular surface is close to their contribution to the total crystal energy. Similar analysis of abiraterone complexes with the cytochrome P450 family demonstrated that contribution of the C—H...H—C and C—H...π interactions to the molecular surface of the drug remains unchanged to fit the binding pocket, despite the presence of water and heme molecules, and hydrophilic groups within the pocket.
A “knowledge value chain” framework for contractor organisations to maximise chances of winning tenders
Authors: Dewagoda Kaveesha Gihani , Perera B.A.K.S. , Senaratne Sepani
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Knowledge is a critical asset that places contractor organisations at a competitive advantage when they take part in competitive tendering. However, a dearth of literature exists on the mechanisms that contractor organisations can adopt to utilise knowledge to gain competitive advantage and win tenders through competitive tendering.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted an interpretive stance with a qualitative approach that comprised a literature review, 15 expert interviews and three case studies. The literature review and expert interview findings were used to develop an intermediate framework of knowledge value chain (KVC), while the case study findings were used to develop the final KVC framework with the intermediate framework as the basis.

Findings

The study developed, in three distinctive steps, a KVC framework based on Powell's (2001) KVC for use by the tendering divisions/units of contractor organisations employing quantity surveyors (QSs) to handle tendering work and to increase their chances of winning tenders.

Originality/value

The study developed a KVC framework for the use of contractor organisations to maximise their chances of winning tenders in the field of quantity surveying.
Student work-placements from the company perspective: a case study
Authors: Ferrández-Berrueco Reina , Sánchez-Tarazaga Lucía
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to report the motivations and perceived benefits of companies that collaborate with universities by offering student work-placement positions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study follows a mixed methodology based on (1) a literature review on the topic, (2) a case study survey including companies that collaborate with one Spanish university in student work-placements and (3) meetings with collaborating companies in different countries and universities.

Findings

The most important reasons for collaborating in student work-placements were related to social duty, the opportunity of training students in company needs and as a source of staff recruitment. Conversely, the less rated motivators were improving the company's position within the sector, benefitting from university services and saving time in the selection of personnel.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should include a bigger corpus of the number of universities and companies, as well as the type of collaborations with universities, in order to identify any resulting differences.

Practical implications

The conclusions highlight the need to define/improve the mechanisms that contribute to a win-win context. This is the only way that collaboration can advance towards a genuine partnership that will provide an effective framework for universities and companies to effectively share the same objectives in training future employees.

Originality/value

These results are relevant because of the lack of quantitative and qualitative research on this topic.
Multiple burdens of stigma for prisoners participating in opioid antagonist treatment (OAT) programmes in Indonesian prisons: a qualitative study
Authors: Komalasari Rita , Wilson Sarah , Nasir Sudirman , Haw Sally
Published: November 2020

Purpose

In spite of the effectiveness of opioid antagonist treatment (OAT) in reducing injecting drug use and needle sharing, programmes in prison continue to be largely stigmatised. This affects programme participation and the quality of programmes delivered. This study aims to explore how Indonesian prison staff and prisoners perceived and experienced stigma relating to prison OAT programmes and identify potential strategies to alleviate this stigma.

Design/methodology/approach

Three prisons in Indonesia were selected as part of a qualitative case study. Two of the prisons provided OAT, in the form of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit study participants. In total, 57 semi-structured interviews were conducted with prison governors, health-care staff, prison officers and prisoners. Prisoners included both participants and non-participants in methadone programmes. The data were analysed thematically.

Findings

MMT programme participants were perceived by both prison staff and other prisoners to be engaged in illicit drug use, and as lazy, poor, dirty and unproductive people. They were also presumed to be HIV-positive. These multi-layered, intersectional sources of (inter-personal) stigma amplified the effects on prisoners affecting not only their quality of life and mental health but also their access to prison parole programmes, and therefore the possibility of early release. In addition, organisational factors – notably non-confidential programme delivery and lack of both family and institutional supports for methadone prisoners – exacerbated the stigmatisation of MMT programme participants.

Practical implications

Effective strategies to alleviate stigma surrounding OAT programmes such as MMT programmes are urgently needed to ensure participation in and the quality of programmes in prisons.

Originality/value

Many prisoners reported experiencing stigma relating to their participation in MMT programmes in both the methadone prisons studied. They often emphasised the ways that this stigmatisation was amplified by the ways that MMT programme participation was associated with drug use and HIV infection. However, these intersecting experiences and concerns were not recognised by health-care staff or other prison staff. Effective strategies to alleviate stigma surrounding OAT programmes such as MMT programmes are urgently needed to ensure participation in and the quality of programmes in prisons.
Fatherhood escape as a significant feature of the gender contract of Russian men
Authors: Kashina Marina , Tkach Sergey
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to characterize such a feature of the gender contract of Russian men as fatherhood escape, as well as to determine the social consequences that it has for family relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out in the design of qualitative sociology. The methodology is based on the theoretical construct of a gender contract, adapted to modern Russian society and the concept of social practices. The empirical base consists of six expert interviews with specialists in family psychology and conflictology.

Findings

The fatherhood escape in modern Russia is characterized by the depreciation of emotional labor; marking communications with children and caring for them as exclusively female activities; presentation of their employment in the public sphere as a legitimate reason for avoiding family problems; the active use by men of the technique of ignoring replicas of the interlocutor as a technique in communication with family members. This worsens the quality of intra-family communication, leads to the separation of family members from each other, especially children and leads to an increase in their deviant behavior.

Research limitations/implications

The design of a qualitative study makes it impossible to assess the level of prevalence and severity of the phenomenon, this study is a pilot. Its purpose is to record the very fact of the existence of fatherhood escape in everyday family (social) practices. Subsequent studies should be able to show the relationship between fatherhood escape and domestic violence, as well as the role of this trait of the male gender contract in the reproduction of toxic masculinity.

Originality/value

The phenomenon of fatherhood escape and its social consequences in modern Russia is under-studied. This study contributes to the description of this phenomenon on Russian materials and also reveals some of the social consequences of this feature of the male gender contract, in particular its effect on intra-family communication, increasing the risk of deviant behavior of children and complicating the fulfillment by women of the “working mother” gender contract.
Closer to reality? The application of sequence analysis in crime linkage
Authors: Winter Jan-Martin , Rossi Gina
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Traditional crime linkage studies on serial sexual assaults have relied predominantly on a binary crime linkage approach that has yielded successful results in terms of linkage accuracy. Such an approach is a coarse reflection of reality by focussing mainly on the outcome of an offence, neglecting the forceful differences due to the intricate offender-victim interaction. Only few researchers have examined sexual assaults through the lens of a sequence analysis framework. This paper aims to present the first empirical test of offence sequence-based crime linkage, moving beyond exploratory analyses.

Design/methodology/approach

Offence accounts from 90 serial sexual assault and rape victims from the UK were analysed and sequentially coded. Sequence analysis allowed to compare all offences combinations regarding their underlying sequence of events. The resulting comparison was transformed and plotted in two-dimensional space by multidimensional scaling analysis for a visual inspection of linkage potential. The transformed proximities of all offences were used as predictors in a receiver operating characteristic analysis to actually test their discriminatory accuracy for crime linkage purpose.

Findings

Sequence analysis shows significant discriminatory accuracy for crime linkage purpose. However, the method does perform less well than previous binary crime linkage studies.

Research limitations/implications

Several limitations due to the nature of the data will be discussed.

Practical implications

The practical limitations are as follows: the study is a potential practical value for crime analysts; it is a complimentary methodology for statistical crime linkage packages; it requires automated coding to be useful; and it is very dependent on crime recoding standards.

Originality/value

The exploratory part of this study has been published in a book chapter in 2015. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the succinct test of crime linkage accuracy is the first of its kind.
Marketing in the late Soviet garment industry
Authors: Papushina Iuliia Olegovna
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to study the Soviet state-owned enterprises that were producing ready to wear clothes, engaged in activities that are traditionally associated with “capitalist” marketing and public relations. Particularly, they responded to consumer complaints, monitored customer satisfaction and changed their product features and offer in response to customer feedback. This claim is illustrated using the example of the garment industry in the city Perm.

Design/methodology/approach

The data comes from archival research of a range of sector-wide documents of the Soviet period available in the State Archive of Perm Region and from in-depth interviews with ex-employees of Perm Clothing Design House.

Findings

The paper demonstrates the emergence of a marketing system not only in Eastern European countries and in major Soviet cities but also in a provincial closed city of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. The findings of the research highlight that the level of sales was important for all the participants in the focal marketing system. Late Soviet marketing had the social function of supporting cooperative relationships between citizens and the state by channeling dissatisfaction and anger through surveys and consumer conferences.

Originality/value

Previous studies undertaken at the top level of the Soviet managerial pyramid have not represented a detailed picture of routine marketing activities during Late Socialism.
Does integrated health and care in the community deliver its vision? A workforce perspective
Authors: Wain Linda Marie
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore and capture workforce perceptions, experiences and insights of the phenomena of integrated care (IC) in a community health and care NHS trust in England; including whether there are any associated factors that are enablers, barriers, benefits or challenges; and the level of workforce engagement in the process of integrated health and care.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative design based on an interpretivist research paradigm was used with a purposive sampling technique. Five in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with community nursing, social workers and allied health professionals. Colaizzi's (1978) descriptive phenomenological seven-step method was applied to analyse data, with the emergence of 170 significant statements, 170 formulated meanings and 8 thematic clustering of themes to reveal 4 emergent themes and 1 fundamental structure capturing the essential aspects of the structure of the phenomenon IC.

Findings

This study revealed four interdependent emergent themes: (1) Insight of IC and collaboration: affording the opportunity for collaboration, shared goals, vision, dovetailing knowledge, skills and expertise. Professional aspirations of person-centred and strength-based care to improve outcomes. (2) Awareness of culture and professionalism: embracing inter-professional working whilst appreciating the fear of losing professional identity and values. Working relationships based on trust, respect and understanding of professional roles to improve outcomes. (3) Impact of workforce engagement: participants felt strongly about their differing engagement experience in terms of restructuring and redesigning services. (4) Impact of organisational structure: information technology (IT) highlighted a barrier to IC as differing IT platforms prevent interoperability with one system to one patient. Shared positivity of IC, embracing new ways of working.

Originality/value

This study proposes considerations for future practice, policy and research from a local, national and global platform, highlighting the need for any IC strategy or policy to incorporate the uniqueness of the “voice of the workforce” as a key enabler to integration developments, only then can IC be a fully collaborative approach.
Networks, knowledge, and knowledge workers’ mobility: evidence from the National Basketball Association
Authors: Fallatah Mahmoud Ibrahim
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Building on network theory, this study aims to examine how network resources and network knowledge utilization influence mobility within networks of knowledge workers. Specifically, it examines how the availability of resources in a network and knowledge utilization, in a period impacts the structure of the focal network in the following period.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses data from the National Basketball Association to depict the mobility of knowledge workers in a network. Because of the nature of the dependent variable, the study used a conditional fixed-effects quasi-maximum-likelihood Poisson regression as an analytical methodology.

Findings

The study finds that network resources are partially significant in predicting knowledge workers’ mobility and that knowledge utilization of networks of knowledge workers in one period negatively affects networks’ structure in the following period.

Originality/value

The study advances our understanding of the knowledge workers’ mobility phenomenon by examining network-level factors that influence the mobility of knowledge workers. It addresses the issue from a different theoretical perspective that is rarely used in studies of knowledge workers, which mostly draw from the traditional human resource literature. Additionally, it contributes to the emerging literature of network dynamics by studying factors that affect network changes. The study also responds to the calls that advocate using sports data to examine organizational phenomena.