bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacological Aspects of a Papain-Based Enzyme Solution for Rescuing Clogged Enteral Feeding Tubes
Authors: Lavigne Mark C. , Curd David T. , Kaplan Hilton M.
Published: May 2021

Successful enteral feeding depends on patent enteral feeding tubes to permit trouble-free entry of nutritional formula into the alimentary tract. However, tube clogs can be a challenging complication of enteral feeding. This report addresses questions about using a papain-based enzyme solution to unclog enteral feeding tubes, including any effects that papain may have on patients and if solution use should be contraindicated in patients on ketogenic diets. The gastrointestinal tract is not permissive for significant papain activity and papain absorbed into the blood would likely be neutralized by antiproteases. In vitro examinations do not suggest toxic effects of papain in vivo, and those recognized in the latter setting are due to papain loads that exceed those used to unclog enteral feeding tubes. Allergies to papain occur infrequently and are probably attributable to an immunoglobulin E-mediated reaction to this enzyme. Although the amount of carbohydrate consumed upon single use of the unclogging solution is very low, a provider should decide whether using the papain-based enzyme solution for enteral feeding purposes is appropriate in patients who practice ketogenic diets. The benefits of using the papain-based enzyme solution to unclog enteral feeding tubes appear to outweigh any risks associated with its use.
Patient Positioning Guidelines for Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Procedures
Authors: Meeusen Vera , Kim Nick , Elson Jerome , Ma Regan , Newman Fiona , Bendeich Jess , Holtmann Gerald
Published: May 2021

Patient positioning during gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures has received minimal attention compared with surgical procedures performed in the surgical setting. However, prolonged endoscopic interventions on patients and the increasing requirement for general anesthesia have changed to need for patient positioning guidelines. The objective of this study was to test whether patient positioning guidelines for surgical procedures in surgical suites are suitable for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures without negatively impacting safety and procedure duration. This was an observational feasibility study with volunteers of different body mass index categories. Volunteers were positioned in supine, lateral, and prone positions on an operating table and thereafter on an endoscopy stretcher and asked for comfort levels. Except for arm and head positioning in lateral and prone positions, it was possible to replicate the patient positioning guidelines. Alternative options were explored for the positioning of arms and head to optimize oral access. Besides minor adjustments, we were able to replicate the positioning guidelines and adhere to pressure and nerve injury prevention guidelines. Concept endoscopic patient positioning guidelines were developed. It is recommended to review the “swimmer's” position. Endoscopic patient positioning guidelines should become part of the National Practice Standards and education curriculum of endoscopy nurses.
Quantitative susceptibility mapping captures chronic multiple sclerosis rim lesions with greater myelin damage: Comparison with high-pass filtered phase MRI
Authors: Huang Weiyuan , Sweeney Elizabeth M. , Kaunzner Ulrike W. , Wang Yi , Gauthier Susan A. , Nguyen Thanh D.
Published: May 2021

Background

Chronic active MS lesions with paramagnetic rim can be identified by high-pass filtered (HPF) phase imaging or quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM).

Purpose

The objective was to compare the ability of HPF and QSM to identify MS lesions with greater myelin damage and to distinguish MS patients with increased clinical disability.

Material and Methods

Eighty-six patients were scanned with gradient echo sequence for lesion rim detection and FAST-T2 sequence for myelin water fraction (MWF) mapping. Chronic lesions were classified based on the presence/absence of rim on HPF and QSM images (HPF rim+/QSM rim+, HPF rim+/QSM rim-, HPF rim-/QSM rim+, HPF rim-/QSM rim-). A lesion-level linear mixed-effects model with MWF as outcome was used to compare myelin damage among the lesion groups. A multivariate patient-level linear regression model was fit to establish the association between Expanded Disease Status Scale (EDSS) and the number of rim lesions (zero vs. one or more).

Results

Of 2229 lesions, 96 (8.8%) were HPF rim+/QSM rim+, 211 (9.5%) were HPF rim+/QSM rim-, and the remainder had no rim. Adjusting for other factors, HPF rim+/QSM rim+ lesions had on average significantly lower MWF than both HPF rim+/QSM rim-(p<0.001) and HPF rim-/QSM rim-(p<0.001) lesions, while the MWF difference between HPF rim+/QSM rim- and HPF rim-/QSM rim-lesions was not statistically significant (p=0.309). Having at least one QSM rim+ lesion was associated with an increase in EDSS compared to having no QSM rim+ lesions, holding all other factors constant (p=0.026). The relationship between having one or more HPF rim+ lesions vs. having no HPF rim+ lesions and EDSS was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

QSM identifies chronic MS lesions with paramagnetic rim that on average have greater myelin damage. QSM may be a valuable tool for studying the impact of rim lesions on clinical disability in MS.
Alternative splicing regulates the physiological adaptation of the mouse hind limb postural and phasic muscles to microgravity
Authors: Henrich Mason , Ha Pin , Adams John S. , Soo Chia , Ting Kang , Stodieck Louis , Chun Rene
Published: May 2021

Muscle atrophy and fiber type alterations are well-characterized physiological adaptations to microgravity with both understood to be primarily regulated by differential gene expression (DGE). While microgravity-induced DGE has been extensively investigated, adaptations to microgravity due to alternative splicing (AS) have not been studied in a mammalian model. We sought to comprehensively elucidate the transcriptomic underpinnings of microgravity-induced muscle phenotypes in mice by evaluating both DGE and changes in AS due to extended spaceflight. Tissue sections and total RNA were isolated from the gastrocnemius and quadriceps, postural and phasic muscles of the hind limb, respectively, of 32-week-old female BALB/c mice exposed to microgravity or ground control conditions for nine weeks. Immunohistochemistry disclosed muscle type-specific physiological adaptations to microgravity that included i) a pronounced reduction in muscle fiber cross-sectional area in both muscles and ii) a prominent slow-to-fast fiber type transition in the gastrocnemius. RNA sequencing revealed that DGE and AS varied across postural and phasic muscle types with preferential employment of DGE in the gastrocnemius and AS in the quadriceps. Gene ontology analysis indicated that DGE and AS regulate distinct molecular processes. Various non-differentially expressed transcripts encoding musculoskeletal proteins (Tnnt3, Tnnt1, Neb, Ryr1,andTtn) and muscle-specific RNA binding splicing regulators (Mbnl1 and Rbfox1) were found to have significant changes in AS that altered critical functional domains of their protein products. In striking contrast, microgravity-induced differentially expressed genes were associated with lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function. Our work serves as the first comprehensive investigation of coordinate changes in DGE and AS in large limb muscles across spaceflight. We propose that substantial remodeling of pre-mRNA by AS is a major component of transcriptomic adaptation of skeletal muscle to microgravity. The alternatively spliced genes identified here could be targeted by small molecule splicing regulator therapies to address microgravity-induced changes in muscle during spaceflight.
Maximizing genetic representation in seed collections from populations of self and cross-pollinated banana wild relatives
Authors: Kallow Simon , Panis Bart , Vu Dang Toan , Vu Dang Tuong , Paofa Janet , Mertens Arne , Swennen Rony , Janssens Steven B.
Published: May 2021

Background

Conservation of plant genetic resources, including the wild relatives of crops, plays an important and well recognised role in addressing some of the key challenges faced by humanity and the planet including ending hunger and biodiversity loss. However, the genetic diversity and representativeness ofex situcollections, especially that contained in seed collections, is often unknown. This limits meaningful assessments against conservation targets, impairs targeting of future collecting and limits their use.

We assessed genetic representation of seed collections compared to source populations for three wild relatives of bananas and plantains. Focal species and sampling regions wereMusa acuminatasubsp.banksii(Papua New Guinea),M. balbisiana(Viet Nam) andM. maclayi s.l.(Bougainville, Papua New Guinea). We sequenced 445 samples using suites of 16-20 existing and newly developed taxon-specific polymorphic microsatellite markers. Samples of each species were from five populations in a region; 15 leaf samples and 16 seed samples from one infructescence (‘bunch’) for each population.

Results

Allelic richness of seeds compared to populations was 51%, 81% and 93% (M. acuminata, M. balbisianaandM. maclayirespectively). Seed samples represented all common alleles in populations but omitted some rarer alleles. The number of collections required to achieve the 70% target of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation was species dependent, relating to mating systems.Musa acuminatapopulations had low heterozygosity and diversity, indicating self-fertilization; many bunches were needed (>15) to represent regional alleles to 70%; over 90% of the alleles from a bunch are included in only two seeds.Musa maclayiwas characteristically cross-fertilizing; only three bunches were needed to represent regional alleles; within a bunch, 16 seeds represent alleles.Musa balbisiana,considered cross-fertilized, had low genetic diversity; seeds of four bunches are needed to represent regional alleles; only two seeds represent alleles in a bunch.

Conclusions

We demonstrate empirical measurement of representation of genetic material in seeds collections inex situconservation towards conservation targets. Species mating systems profoundly affected genetic representation in seed collections and therefore should be a primary consideration to maximize genetic representation. Results are applicable to sampling strategies for other wild species.
A quantitative review of abundance-based species distribution models
Authors: Waldock Conor , Stuart-Smith Rick D. , Albouy Camille , Cheung William W. L. , Edgar Graham J. , Mouillot David , Tjiputra Jerry , Pellissier Loïc
Published: May 2021

The contributions of species to ecosystem functions or services depend not only on their presence in a given community, but also on their local abundance. Progress in predictive spatial modelling has largely focused on species occurrence, rather than abundance. As such, limited guidance exists on the most reliable methods to explain and predict spatial variation in abundance. We analysed the performance of 68 abundance-based species distribution models fitted to 800,000 standardised abundance records for more than 800 terrestrial bird and reef fish species. We found high heterogeneity in performance of abundance-based models. While many models performed poorly, a subset of models consistently reconstructed range-wide abundance patterns. The best predictions were obtained using random forests for frequently encountered and abundant species, and for predictions within the same environmental domain as model calibration. Extending predictions of species abundance outside of the environmental conditions used in model training generated poor predictions. Thus, interpolation of abundances between observations can help improve understanding of spatial abundance patterns, but extrapolated predictions of abundance, e.g. under climate change, have a much greater uncertainty. Our synthesis provides a roadmap for modelling abundance patterns, a key property of species’ distributions that underpins theoretical and applied questions in ecology and conservation.
Increased biosynthesis of acetyl-CoA in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by overexpression of a deregulated pantothenate kinase gene
Authors: Olzhausen Judith , Grigat Mathias , Seifert Larissa , Ulbricht Tom , Schüller Hans-Joachim
Published: May 2021

Coenzyme A (CoA) and its derivatives such as acetyl-CoA are essential metabolites for several biosynthetic reactions. In the yeast S. cerevisiae, five enzymes (encoded by essential genes CAB1-CAB5; coenzyme Abiosynthesis) are required to perform CoA biosynthesis from pantothenate, cysteine and ATP. Similar to enzymes from other eukaryotes, yeast pantothenate kinase (PanK, encoded by CAB1) turned out to be inhibited by acetyl-CoA. By genetic selection of intragenic suppressors of a temperature-sensitive cab1 mutant combined with rationale mutagenesis of the presumed acetyl-CoA binding site within PanK, we were able to identify the variant CAB1 W331R, encoding a hyperactive PanK completely insensitive to inhibition by acetyl-CoA. Using a versatile gene integration cassette containing the TPI1 promoter, we constructed strains overexpressing CAB1 W331R in combination with additional genes of CoA biosynthesis (CAB2, CAB3, HAL3, CAB4 and CAB5). In these strains, the level of CoA nucleotides was 15-fold increased, compared to a reference strain without additional CAB genes. Overexpression of wild-type CAB1 instead of CAB1 W331R turned out as substantially less effective (4-fold increase of CoA nucleotides). Supplementation of overproducing strains with additional pantothenate could further elevate the level of CoA (2.3-fold). Minor increases were observed after overexpression of FEN2 (encoding a pantothenate permease) and deletion of PCD1 (CoA-specific phosphatase). We conclude that the strategy described in this work may improve the efficiency of biotechnological applications depending on acetyl-CoA.

Key points

A gene encoding a hyperactive yeast pantothenate kinase (PanK) was constructed.

Overexpression of CoA biosynthetic genes elevated CoA nucleotides 15-fold.

Supplementation with pantothenate further increased the level of CoA nucleotides.
A Neuroscience-Inspired Spiking Neural Network for Auditory Spatial Attention Detection Using Single-Trial EEG
Authors: Faghihi Faramarz , Cai Siqi , A.Moustafa Ahmed
Published: May 2021

Recently, studies have shown that the alpha band (8-13 Hz) EEG signals enable the decoding of auditory spatial attention. However, deep learning methods typically requires a large amount of training data. Inspired by “sparse coding” in cortical neurons, we propose a spiking neural network model for auditory spatial attention detection. The model is composed of three neural layers, two of them are spiking neurons. We formulate a new learning rule that is based on firing rate of pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurons in the first layer and the second layer of spiking neurons. The third layer consists of 10 spiking neurons that the pattern of their firing rate after training is used in test phase of the method. The proposed method extracts the patterns of recorded EEG of leftward and rightward attention, independently, and uses them to train network to detect the auditory spatial attention. In addition, a computational approach is presented to find the best single-trial EEG data as training samples of leftward and rightward attention EEG. In this model, the role of using low connectivity rate of the layers and specific range of learning parameters in sparse coding is studied. Importantly, unlike most prior model, our method requires 10% of EEG data as training data and has shown 90% accuracy in average. This study suggests new insights into the role of sparse coding in both biological networks and brain-inspired machine learning.
The zebrafish meiotic cohesion complex protein Smc1b is required for key events in meiotic prophase I
Authors: Islam Kazi Nazrul , Modi Maitri Mitesh , Siegfried Kellee Renee
Published: May 2021

The eukaryotic structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) proteins are involved in key processes of chromosome structure and dynamics. SMC1β was identified as a component of the meiotic cohesion complex in vertebrates, which aids in keeping sister chromatids together prior to segregation in meiosis II and is involved in association of homologous chromosomes in meiosis I. The role of SMC1β in meiosis has primarily been studied in mice, where mutant male and female mice are infertile due to germ cell arrest at pachytene and metaphase II stages, respectively. Here, we investigate the function of zebrafish Smc1b to understand the role of this protein more broadly in vertebrates. We found that zebrafish smc1b is necessary for fertility and has important roles in meiosis, yet has no other apparent roles in development. Therefore, smc1b functions primarily in meiosis in both fish and mammals. In zebrafish, we showed that smc1b mutant spermatocytes initiated telomere clustering in leptotene, but failed to complete this process and progress into zygotene. Furthermore, mutant spermatocytes displayed a complete failure of homolog pairing and synapsis. Interestingly, meiotic DNA double strand breaks occurred in the absence of Smc1b despite failed pairing and synapsis. Overall, our findings point to an essential role of Smc1b in the leptotene to zygotene transition during zebrafish spermatogenesis. In addition, ovarian follicles failed to form in smc1b mutants, suggesting an essential role in female meiosis as well. Our results indicate that there are some key differences in Smc1b requirement in meiosis among vertebrates: while Smc1b is not required for homologue pairing and synapsis in mice, it is essential for these processes in zebrafish.
Evaluation of podocyte Rac-1 induced kidney disease by modulation of TRPC5
Authors: Polat Onur K. , Isaeva Elena , Zhu Ke , Noben Manuel , Sudhini Yashwanth , Samelko Beata , Kumar Varsha S. , Wei Changli , Altintas Mehmet M. , Dryer Stuart E. , Sever Sanja , Staruschenko Alexander , Reiser Jochen
Published: May 2021

Background

Transient receptor potential channel 5 (TRPC5) is a non-selective cationic ion channel expressed in brain, kidney and other organs where its activation underlies podocyte injury in chronic kidney diseases. Specifically, it has been suggested that a podocyte TRPC5 plasma membrane relocation and channel activation following injury results from activation of Rac-1, propagating podocyte dysfunction and proteinuria. However, previous TRPC5 transgenic mouse studies had questioned a pathogenic role for TRPC5 in podocytes. This investigation was designed to specifically evaluate podocyte Rac-1 activation in the context of functional TRPC5 or a TRPC5 pore mutant to assess effects on proteinuria.

Materials and Methods

We employed single cell patch-clamp studies of cultured podocytes and studied proteinuria in transgenic mouse models to characterize the effects of TRPC5 following podocyte Rac-1 activation.

Results

Inhibition of TRPC5 by small molecules reportedly ameliorated proteinuria in murine models of proteinuric kidney diseases. In order to directly examine TRPC5 function following Rac-1-induced podocyte injury, we analyzed TRPC5 inhibition in podocyte specific Rac-1 (active) transgenic mice. In addition, we generated a double-transgenic mouse constitutively overexpressing either TRPC5 (TRPC5WT) or a TRPC5 dominant-negative pore mutant (TRPC5DN) in concert with podocyte specific and inducible activation of active Rac-1 (Rac-1Dtg). In electrophysiological experiments, active TRPC5 was detected in primary podocytes overexpressing TRPC5 but not in podocytes with endogenous TRPC5 expression, nor with Rac-1 overexpressing podocytes. TRPC5 inhibition did not change proteinuria in mice with active podocyte Rac-1, nor did an increase or loss of TRPC5 activity affected podocyte injury in Rac-1Dtg animals. Administration of TRPC5 inhibitors, ML204 and AC1903, did not alleviate podocyte Rac-1 induced proteinuria.

Conclusion

TRPC5 inhibition did not modify podocyte Rac-1 induced proteinuria in mice.

Significance Statement

TRPC5 is a calcium conducting ion channel involved in a plethora of biological functions in the brain, kidney and other organs. In proteinuric kidney diseases, others proposed a model that links activation of small GTPase Rac-1 in podocytes to activation of TRPC5 channels propagating cellular injury and eventually leading to progressive kidney disease. To test this hypothesis, we have developed a novel transgenic mouse model that employs podocyte Rac-1 activation in the presence or absence of a functional TRPC5 channel. Our data shows that transgenic mice with activated Rac-1 in podocytes did not enhance endogenous TRPC5 expression or its activity. Furthermore, TRPC5 blockade or activation did not modify Rac-1 induced proteinuria in mice.
Aggressive bidding strategies in real estate auctions – a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach
Authors: Dalland Simen , Hammervold Randi , Karlsen Henrik Tangen , Oust Are , Sønstebø Ole Jakob
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to study aggressive bidding strategies in real estate auctions – a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use two data sets to study aggressive bidding strategies. First, the results from a survey with 1,803 participants examining real estate auctions are used to identify bidding strategies and related motivations. Second, the authors apply SEM by using data from 1,078 exclusive auction journals from real estate sales in Norway to study both the direct and indirect price effects of the bidding strategies.

Findings

The authors define four aggressive bidding strategies: high opening bid, high bid increase (jump bids), short acceptance deadline and short response time. The authors find that all four strategies yield a higher sales price. Bidders can actively influence the behaviour of the other participants and cool the potential auction fever, thus reducing the final price premium.

Originality/value

This paper gives households, investors and policymakers a better understanding of how bidding strategies affect real estate auctions and the final price.
Travelers’ motivations to adopt augmented reality (AR) applications in a tourism destination
Authors: Shin Hyejo Hailey , Jeong Miyoung
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to identify travelers’ motivational factors to adopt augmented reality (AR) applications at tourism destinations. Furthermore, this study seeks to investigate the role of personal innovativeness as a moderator in the relationships between motivations and travelers’ behavioral outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Building upon two theories, cognitive evaluation theory and self-presentation theory, this study developed a conceptual framework to identify travelers’ inclination to use AR applications at tourism destinations. A sample size of 473 was collected through an online self-administered survey. Using partial least square (PLS) analysis, the proposed model was examined. To examine the moderating effect of personal innovativeness, a multi-group analysis was conducted with two groups: high-innovative and low-innovative. PLS method is used to test the study’s theoretical model.

Findings

Findings of this study indicate that both hedonic and utilitarian motivations significantly influenced travelers’ attitudes toward AR applications at tourism destinations. Self-presentation motivation appears to have a significantly positive impact on travelers’ attitudes toward AR applications only for the highly innovative group.

Originality/value

This study helps a better understanding of what motivates travelers to adopt AR applications at tourism destinations by integrating preeminent theories and applying them to the tourism context.
Exposure to green space and prevention of anxiety and depression among young people in urban settings: a global scoping review
Authors: Reece Rebecca , Bray Isabelle , Sinnett Danielle , Hayward Robert , Martin Faith
Published: May 2021

Purpose

There is a mental health crisis, particularly among young people. Despite many young people living in urban settings, reviews about the association between exposure to green or natural environments and mental health tend to focus on either children or adults. The aim of this review is to examine the scope of the global literature for this age group, to inform a systematic review on the role of exposure to green space in preventing anxiety and depression amongst young people aged 14–24 years.

Design/methodology/approach

Seven databases were searched for quantitative and qualitative sources published from January 2000 to June 2020. This identified 201 sources and their characteristics are described here. Gaps in the literature are also highlighted.

Findings

The number of relevant studies published per year has increased over time. Most studies are set in North America (28%) or Europe (39%). The most common study designs were observational (34%) or experimental (28%). A wide range of exposures and interventions are described.

Research limitations/implications

This review included literature from predominantly high-income countries and has shown the under-representation of low-middle income countries and lack of ethnic diversity in study populations. It has also highlighted the lack of clinical measures of anxiety and depression as outcomes.

Originality/value

This inter-disciplinary review has contributed to the field by describing the geographic distribution of the literature and the broad range of exposures to green spaces being reported. Unlike previous scoping reviews, this review focused specifically on young people and on measures of anxiety and depression and their pre-cursers.
Sitting through the emptiness
Authors: Smith Alexander H.
Published: May 2021

This article explores clinical encounters with experiences of the ‘empty ego’ which arise from early relational trauma. The ego’s emptiness is held in repetitious complexes and arises out of affectively charged experiences between self and other which remain split‐off from awareness. This kind of consciousness is viewed as dualistic, separating non‐dual subjectivity from its dualistic objects of consciousness. In contrast, what I am calling healing void states of non‐dualistic consciousness, when admitted to awareness, allow the individual to dis‐identify from the traumatizing representations of self and other through an experience of non‐duality. In contrast to an objectified, dualistic emptiness of the ego, healing void states come about in moments of non‐dual, unified consciousness. These states occur in the ego‐Self relationship by linking the ego’s dualistic awareness in chronic subject/object splits to ones of non‐dual pure consciousness. The healing void state is always incipiently present and potentially able to bridge the ego‐Self connection in bogged‐down treatment. The paper explores potential integrations with non‐dual models of consciousness such as Vedantic and Kashmir Shaivism, among other mystical traditions. A combined Vedantic‐Jungian understanding can provide a transcendent bridge that integrates Eastern concepts of non‐duality in treating emptiness.
Beware of Outliers!
Authors: Haughton Jonathan
Published: May 2021

When one of Jonathan Haughton's students set out to understand the recent rise in inflation in Venezuela, they first had to wrangle with some outliers that threatened to create a misleading impression
The Road Less Travelled… How Elizabeth L. Scott and F. N. David Made an Impact
Authors: Golbeck Amanda L.
Published: May 2021

Amanda L. Golbeck shares stories from the lives of two notable statisticians, stories that make both worthy of recognition
Video‐game play and non‐symbolic numerical comparison
Authors: Stäb Joana , Ilg Uwe J.
Published: May 2021

Despite the high prevalence of various genres of video games as a form of leisure, the possible long‐term effects of video games on cognitive function remain unclear. In this study, we addressed the possible correlation between playing video games and numerical cognition. Using a cross‐sectional design, we compared psychophysical parameters of video‐game players (VGP) and non‐players (NVGP) as they estimated the number of briefly displayed items in a two‐alternative forced choice paradigm. We used linear regression models to analyse the psychophysical data obtained from 32 VGPs and 34 NVGPs. We did not find differences in the accuracy of numerosities estimation between VGPs and NVGPs. However, sensory precision expressed as the just‐noticeable difference (JND) was better in VGPs as compared to NVGPs and was positively correlated with time spent gaming each week. We argue that the superiority of VGPs in number processing is most likely not due to specific differences in the neuronal processing within distinct areas underlying numerical cognition but rather related to more general differences in the attentional system, most likely the top–down attentional processes implemented in the dorsal attention network.
Comparison of the EUROIMMUN Dermatology Profile ELISA to the novel BIOCHIP Mosaic 7 for the diagnosis of immunobullous skin disease
Authors: Simpson Kate , Scardamaglia Laura , Kok Yonatan , Vu Mi , Kidd Daniel , Yap Tami , Tran Yang , Kern Johannes S
Published: May 2021

Background

The BIOCHIP is an indirect immunofluorescence diagnostic investigation which identifies multiple autoantibodies with a mosaic panel of target antigen‐specific substrates in a single incubation field. The EUROIMMUN Dermatology Profile ELISA allows simultaneous investigation of the six most important autoantibodies in bullous autoimmune dermatoses. Evaluation of the BIOCHIP Mosaic 7, compared to that of the EUROIMMUN Dermatology Profile ELISA, when used as a diagnostic investigation in pemphigus and pemphigoid, was undertaken in an Australian cohort.

Methods

The serum of 27 patients was analysed including patients with pemphigus vulgaris (n = 10), pemphigus foliaceous (n = 4), bullous pemphigoid (n = 8), mucous membrane pemphigoid (n = 3) and negative controls (n = 2). Results of the BIOCHIP were compared with the EUROIMMUN Dermatology Profile ELISA, as well as with histology, direct immunofluorescence and indirect immunofluorescence.

Results

In pemphigus vulgaris, sensitivity & specificity for the BIOCHIP Mosaic 7 were 100% and 94.1%, comparable to that of the EUROIMMUN Dermatology Profile ELISA with 80% sensitivity and 100% specificity. In bullous pemphigoid, sensitivity of the BIOCHIP was 87.5% and sensitivity of the EUROIMMUN Dermatology ELISA profile was 75%, whilst specificities for both diagnostic methods were 100% in our limited cohort. There was substantial or almost perfect concordance between the BIOCHIP Mosaic 7 and EUROIMMUN Dermatology Profile ELISA for pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid.

Conclusion

The BIOCHIP Mosaic 7 is a rapid, reliable diagnostic investigation in pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid. Results indicate it is comparable to the EUROIMMUN Dermatology Profile ELISA, whilst also providing additional testing with salt split skin, on one field.
Novel application of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging for real‐time detection of thrombus in a membrane oxygenator
Authors: Sakurai Hironobu , Fujiwara Tatsuki , Ohuchi Katsuhiro , Hijikata Wataru , Inoue Yusuke , Seki Haruna , Tahara Tomoki , Yokota Sachie , Ogata Asato , Mizuno Tomohiro , Arai Hirokuni
Published: May 2021

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) plays an important role in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Management of thrombi in ECMO is generally an important issue; especially in ECMO for COVID‐19 patients who are prone to thrombus formation, the thrombus formation in oxygenators is an unresolved issue, and it is very difficult to deal with. To prevent thromboembolic complications, it is necessary to develop a method for early thrombus detection. We developed a novel method for detailed real‐time observation of thrombi formed in oxygenators using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging. The purpose of this study was to verify the efficacy of this novel method through animal experiments. The experiments were performed three times using three pigs equipped with veno‐arterial ECMO comprising a centrifugal pump (CAPIOX SL) and an oxygenator (QUADROX). To create thrombogenic conditions, the pump flow rate was set at 1 L/min without anticoagulation. The diluted ICG (0.025 mg/mL) was intravenously administered at a dose of 10 mL once an hour. A single dose of ICG was 0.25mg. The oxygenator was observed with both an optical detector (PDE‐neo) and the naked eye every hour after measurement initiation for a total of 8 hours. With this dose of ICG, we could observe it by fluorescence imaging for about 15 minutes. Under ICG imaging, the inside of the oxygenator was observed as a white area. A black dot suspected to be the thrombus appeared 6‐8 hours after measurement initiation. The thrombus and the black dot on ICG imaging were finely matched in terms of morphology. Thus, we succeeded in real‐time thrombus detection in an oxygenator using ICG imaging. The combined use of ICG imaging and conventional routine screening tests could compensate for each other's weaknesses and significantly improve the safety of ECMO.
Individual and contextual moderators of the relationship between authoritarianism and religiosity
Authors: Federico Christopher M. , Bai Hui , Aguilera Rafael
Published: May 2021

Social scientists have devoted much attention to explaining individual and contextual variation in religiosity. Among other things, authoritarianism is reliably found to be associated with greater religiosity. Though education and human development are often thought to reduce religiosity, we show in this study that the relationship between authoritarianism and various indices of religiosity is stronger in the presence of greater educational attainment and living in a society with a higher level of human development. Using two large cross‐cultural data sets from the World Values Survey, we find evidence that authoritarianism is more strongly associated with religious involvement and practice among individuals at higher levels of education and individuals living in societies with higher level of human development. Thus, we demonstrate that the connection between authoritarianism and religiosity is contingent on both individual‐level and societal moderators.
Exporting the Chavista Model: The Venezuelan Case for Autocracy Promotion in the Region
Authors: Kneuer Marianne
Published: May 2021

President Hugo Chávez strove to change the socio‐political and economic system of his country, Venezuela. His revolutionary mission implied a strong regional projection and was intended to disseminate his transformative project in the wider region. This article focuses on the outward‐directed efforts of Chávez to shape his regional environment and examines the active and intended promotion of the Chavista model. The analysis shows that Chávez's mission was guided by four objectives: gaining ideological protagonism, facilitating the installation of like‐minded leaders, bolstering their persistence in power, and exporting his ‘alternative’ model of rule.
Bi‐allelic loss of ERGIC1 causes relatively mild arthrogryposis
Authors: Marconi Caterina , Lemmens Laure , Masclaux Frédéric , Mattioli Francesca , Fluss Joël , Extermann Philippe , Mendez Purificacion , Leuchter Russia Ha‐Vinh , Stathaki Elissavet , Laurent Sacha , Hammar Eva , Vannier Anne , Varvagiannis Konstantinos , Guipponi Michel , Sloan‐Bena Frédérique , Blouin Jean‐Louis , Abramowicz Marc , Fokstuen Siv
Published: May 2021

Arthrogryposis describes the presence of multiple joint‐contractures. Clinical severity of this phenotype is variable, and more than 400 causative genes have been proposed. Among these, ERGIC1 is a recently reported candidate encoding a putative transmembrane protein of the ER‐Golgi interface. Two homozygous missense variants have been reported in patients with relatively mild non‐syndromic arthrogryposis. In a consanguineous family with two affected siblings presenting congenital arthrogryposis and some facial dysmorphism we performed prenatal array‐CGH, postnatal targeted exome and genome sequencing. Genome sequencing identified a homozygous 22.6 Kb deletion encompassing the promoter and first exon of ERGIC1. mRNA quantification showed the complete absence of ERGIC1 expression in the two affected siblings and a decrease in heterozygous parents. Our observations validate the pathogenic role of ERGIC1 in congenital arthrogryposis and demonstrate that complete loss of function causes a relatively mild phenotype. These findings will contribute to improve genetic counseling of ERGIC1 mutations.
Doing foster family with young refugees: Negotiations of belonging and being at home
Authors: Mörgen Rebecca , Rieker Peter
Published: May 2021

Unaccompanied minor refugees are regularly placed with foster families, and this residential context is sometimes assessed as especially appropriate to the needs of these young persons. The transition into a foster family is often accompanied by various changes as well as questions concerning feelings of belonging. These questions are the focus of this study, which considers the perspectives of young refugees and their foster parents. The analysis shows that ‘belonging’ and ‘being at home’ are thought of as dimensions of ‘doing family’ that change situationally and are negotiated with others.
Porosity control in silicon nitride‐based support materials toward enhanced gas permeability
Authors: Konegger Thomas , Prochaska Thomas , Brouczek Dominik
Published: May 2021

Porous Si3N4 materials in tubular geometry are prepared by slip casting before partial sintering. A variety of material‐ and process‐specific variables and their respective effects on densification and resulting pore morphology are systematically evaluated, focusing on starting powder type, amount of sintering additives, and sintering parameters including temperature and time. An increased β‐Si3N4 content in the starting powder was found to promote the formation of a network of elongated grains exhibiting increased pore diameters, as opposed to a more finely featured pore network obtained from starting materials consisting of α‐Si3N4. Following an iterative evaluation of processing variables, materials exhibiting a characteristic diametral compression strength (C‐ring test) of 163 MPa and a Darcian permeability of 4.7 ⋅ 10−15 m2 at a total porosity of 41% were obtained, corresponding to an increase of over 40% in strength and of over 600% in permeability in comparison to materials obtained by α‐Si3N4 powders at comparable porosities. These results demonstrate that the composition of Si3N4 powders significantly affects the resulting pore structure, and by combining the respective selection of starting materials with finely tuned sintering parameters, materials with superior performance in terms of mechanical properties as well as permeability characteristics are accessible.
Clinicopathological and molecular characterization of chromophobe hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kang Hyo Jeong , Oh Ji‐Hye , Kim Yeon Wook , Kim Wonkyung , An Jihyun , Sung Chang Ohk , Kim Jihun , Shim Ju Hyun , Hwang Shin , Yu Eunsil , Heaphy Christopher M. , Hong Seung‐Mo
Published: May 2021

Background and Aims

Chromophobe hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a newly included subtype of HCC in the 5th edition of the WHO classification with distinctive histological features (chromophobic cytoplasm with anaplastic nuclei and pseudocyst formation) and is strongly associated with the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) phenotype. However, the clinicopathologic characterization and molecular features of chromophobe HCC are unknown.

Methods

To comprehensively characterize chromophobe HCC, whole exome sequencing, copy number variation, and transcriptomic analyses were performed in 224 surgically resected HCC cases. Additionally, telomere‐specific fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to assess ALT. These genomic profiles and ALT status were compared with clinicopathological features among subtypes of HCC, particularly chromophobe HCC and conventional HCC.

Results

Chromophobe HCC was observed in 10.3% (23/224) cases and, compared to conventional HCC, was more frequent in females (P = .023). The overall and recurrence‐free survival outcomes were similar between patients with chromophobe HCC and conventional HCC. However, chromophobe HCC displayed significantly more upregulated genes involving cell cycle progression and DNA repair. Additionally, ALT was significantly enriched in chromophobe HCC (87%; 20/23) compared to conventional HCC (2.2%, 4/178; P < .001). Somatic mutations in ALT‐associated genes, including ATRX, SMARCAL1, FANCG, FANCM, SP100, TSPYL5, and RAD52 were more frequent in chromophobe HCC (30.4%, 7/23 cases) compared to conventional HCC (11.8%, 21/178 cases; P = .024).

Conclusions

Chromophobe HCC is a unique subtype of HCC with a prevalence of ~10%. Compared to conventional HCC, chromophobe HCC is associated with female predominance and ALT, although overall and recurrence‐free outcomes are similar to conventional HCC.
Ramadan exposure during early pregnancy and risk of stillbirth in Arab women living in Canada
Authors: Bernier Julie , Bilodeau‐Bertrand Marianne , Djeha Améyo , Auger Nathalie
Published: May 2021

Background

Data on fasting during Ramadan and the risk of preterm birth and child mortality are conflicting, but the association with stillbirth is unknown.

Objective

We studied the relationship between Ramadan and the risk of stillbirth for Arab women in Quebec, Canada.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using birth certificates for Arab women in Quebec, Canada, between 1981 and 2017. The exposure was Ramadan in the first and second trimester (1‐27 weeks of gestation), and the outcome was early (<28 weeks) or late (≥28 weeks) stillbirth. We used log‐binomial regression models to estimate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between Ramadan and risk of stillbirth. We adjusted models for maternal characteristics and assessed associations by cause of death.

Results

The study included 78,349 live births and 274 stillbirths. There were 3.5 stillbirths per 1,000 pregnancies for women exposed to Ramadan between weeks 1‐27 of gestation (95% CI 3.0, 4.0), and 3.4 per 1,000 for unexposed women (95% CI 2.8, 4.1). Compared with no exposure, Ramadan between weeks 1‐27 was not associated with the risk of early (RR 1.32, 95% CI 0.76, 2.28) or late stillbirth (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.70, 1.23) in adjusted models. RRs for early stillbirth were 1.40 for Ramadan between weeks 15‐21 (95% CI 0.70, 2.80) and 1.38 for Ramadan between weeks 22‐27 (95% CI 0.67, 2.84). Relative to no exposure, Ramadan between weeks 15‐21 was associated with early stillbirth due to congenital anomaly (RR 3.96; 95% CI 1.35, 11.57) in unadjusted models. There was no association with other causes of stillbirth.

Conclusions

There is no evidence that Ramadan is associated with the risk of early or late stillbirth overall. Further research is needed to confirm an association with stillbirth due to congenital anomalies.
Earnings Management for Second-time IPOs: Evidence from China
Authors: Yang Songling , Liu Mengwei , Li Hemei , Li Juncheng , Zhang Qiuyue
Published: May 2021

In China’s IPO market, firms that fail in their first IPO application make considerable adjustments before making their second IPO application. Examining firms that applied for IPOs during 2004-2018, we find that failed IPO applicant firms “package” themselves to obtain approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) by reducing accrual earnings management and increasing real earnings management. In addition, after a successful second IPO application, these firms relax their vigilance vis-à-vis the CSRC and increase both accrual and real earnings management. This pre-IPO “packaging” behavior deceives investors, leading to higher IPO prices and higher post-IPO returns.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Willianms Ellery
Published: May 2021

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 7, Number 2Andrzej Niemiec, Poznań University of Economics and Business, PolandAshford Chea, Benedict College, USAGabriela O. Chiciudean, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaIulia Cristina Muresan, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaIza Gigauri, St. Andrew the First-Called Georgian University, GeorgiaJason Caudill, King University, USAJennilyn Castillo Mina, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, PhilippinesKherchi Ishak, UHBC University, AlgeriaKonstantinos N. Malagas, University of the Aegean, GreeceMarica Ion Dumitrasco, Academy of Sciences of Moldova, MoldovaMythili Kolluru, College of Banking and Financial Studies, OmanNedra Nouradeen Shili, Jazan University - KSA, TunisiaPaduloh Paduloh, Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya University, IndonesiaSandeep Kumar, Tecnia Institute of Advanced Studies, Affiliated to GGSIP University Delgi, IndiaTetiana Paientko, Kyiv National Economic Univercity, UkraineZoran Mastilo, University of East Sarajevo, Bosnia and HerzegovinaEllery WillianmsEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Business and Management StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://bms.redfame.com
Biological and methodological factors affecting response variability to endurance training and the influence of exercise intensity prescription
Authors: Meyler Samuel , Bottoms Lindsay , Muniz‐Pumares Daniel
Published: May 2021

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

Biological and methodological factors associated with the variable changes in cardiorespiratory fitness in response to endurance training.

What advances does it highlight?

Several biological and methodological factors exist that each contribute, to a given extent, to response variability. Notably, prescribing exercise intensity relative to physiological thresholds reportedly increases cardiorespiratory fitness response rates compared to when prescribed relative to maximum physiological values. As threshold‐based approaches elicit more homogeneous acute physiological responses among individuals, when repeated over time, these uniform responses may manifest as more homogeneous chronic adaptations thereby reducing response variability.

Changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in response to endurance training (ET) exhibit large variations, possibly due to a multitude of biological and methodological factors. It is acknowledged that ∼20% of individuals may not achieve meaningful increases in CRF in response to ET. Genetics, the most potent biological contributor, has been shown to explain ∼50% of response variability, whilst age, sex and baseline CRF appear to explain a smaller proportion. Methodological factors represent the characteristics of the ET itself, including the type, volume and intensity of exercise, as well as the method used to prescribe and control exercise intensity. Notably, methodological factors are modifiable and, upon manipulation, alter response rates to ET, eliciting increases in CRF regardless of an individual's biological predisposition. Particularly, prescribing exercise intensity relative to a physiological threshold (e.g., ventilatory threshold) is shown to increase CRF response rates compared to when intensity is anchored relative to a maximum physiological value (e.g., maximum heart rate). It is, however, uncertain whether the increased response rates are primarily attributable to reduced response variability, greater mean changes in CRF or both. Future research is warranted to elucidate whether more homogeneous chronic adaptations manifest over time among individuals, as a result of exposure to more homogeneous exercise stimuli elicited by threshold‐based practices.