bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Job insecurity as a mediator between fearing COVID-19 and turnover intention: empirical evidence during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kakar Abdul Samad , Misron Aervina , Rauza  , Meyer Natanya , Durrani Dilawar Khan
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The fear of COVID-19 has been identified as a significant predictor of adverse work-related outcomes. Grounded on conservation of resource theory, this study examines the impact of fear of COVID-19 on faculty members' job turnover intention (TI) and job insecurity, as well as the relationship between job insecurity and TI. Additionally, the authors investigate job insecurity as a potential mediating variable between the fear of COVID-19 and TI.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from faculty members (n = 226) working in Pakistan's public sector universities and analysed through PLS-SEM using SmartPLS software.

Findings

The results indicated that fear of COVID-19 was positively and significantly associated with both TI and job insecurity. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that job insecurity has a positive correlation with TI. In addition, the study's findings endorsed the mediating role of job insecurity between fear of COVID-19 and TI.

Practical implications

The study highlights the importance of addressing the fear of COVID-19 and job insecurity among faculty members, as they are significant predictors of TI. The findings suggest employers should prioritise providing a safe work environment and reducing uncertainty to retain their workforce during the pandemic.

Originality/value

This study adds to the literature as it conceptualises the indirect mechanism that links fear of COVID-19 to TI and job insecurity and provides practical implications that may reduce faculty members' TI.
The relationship between consumer personality traits and celebrity personality traits
Authors: Hussain Shahzeb , Khaneja Suyash , Pacholi Kinnari , Yousef Waleed , Kourtoubelides Michael
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between the personality dimensions of consumers and celebrities; the effect of celebrity personality on attitude towards the celebrity; and the effect of attitude towards the celebrity on purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from 400 respondents in the North of England to explore the connections between five consumer personality dimensions (agreeableness, extroversion, openness, conscientiousness and neuroticism) and nine celebrity personality dimensions (neuroticism, extroversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness, sincerity, excitement, stylishness and positivity) and were analysed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings suggested that some dimensions of consumer personality, i.e. conscientiousness, extroversion and openness, were significantly related to all the celebrity personality dimensions. Moreover, all the celebrity personality dimensions had a significant effect on consumers’ attitude towards the celebrity; however, only neuroticism, extroversion, openness, sincerity and positivity significantly affected purchase intention. Finally, attitude towards the celebrity had a significant effect on purchase intention.

Originality/value

The study introduces a celebrity personality scale and explores a topic that has not previously been researched.
Herding behavior before and after COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from the Vietnam stock market
Authors: Nguyen Yen Vy Bao , Vo An Hoang Kim
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The priority of this study is to contribute to the literature by examining herding behavior at different periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, this study aims to investigate the herding behavior conditioned on market liquidity and information demand.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates herding behavior in Vietnam's stock exchanges (Ha Noi Stock Exchange and Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange) on a sample of daily stock closing prices of 425 firms from 2018 to the first half of 2022.

Findings

The research confirms the existence of herding behavior not only for the whole but also during and post-COVID periods. These results are robust in both bull and bear markets, further confirming the influence of COVID-19 on herding in Vietnamese background. Moreover, when the authors condition exogenous factors for each period, the herding tendency is more evident at the medium market liquidity level than at high and low levels. Besides, the pandemic causes herding behavior of investors with low and medium information demand.

Research limitations/implications

These findings imply some recommendations that facilitate investors, policymakers and researchers in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the herding literature by examining herd behavior during the post-COVID period, suggesting the long-term impact of the health crisis. Furthermore, the research provides new evidence of herding behavior conditioned on market liquidity and information demand during different COVID sub-periods.
The influence of multitasking on creative work involvement: a conservation of resources perspective
Authors: Yang Jianfeng , Xie Peng , Ming Xiaodong
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Based on conservation of resources theory, this study explored the relationship between multitasking and creative work involvement through the mediation of emotional exhaustion, taking regulatory focus as a first-stage moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a three-wave and two-source survey among a sample of 418 employees and 116 leaders, this study conducted multilevel analyses to examine the conceptual model.

Findings

The results showed that multitasking was negatively associated with creative work involvement and that emotional exhaustion mediated the relationship between multitasking and creative work involvement. Furthermore, promotion focus and prevention focus moderated the relationship between multitasking and emotional exhaustion and the indirect relationship between multitasking and creative work involvement via emotional exhaustion.

Practical implications

Organizations can promote creative work involvement through interventions that reduce employees' multitasking or emotional exhaustion. In addition, supervisors should be aware of the different responses to multitasking exhibited by employees with different regulatory focuses and could potentially assign multiple tasks to employees with either a high promotion focus or a low prevention focus.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on multitasking and creative work involvement by exploring whether and how multitasking is related to creative work involvement.
Nanohaloarchaea as beneficiaries of xylan degradation by haloarchaea
Authors: La Cono Violetta , Messina Enzo , Reva Oleg , Smedile Francesco , La Spada Gina , Crisafi Francesca , Marturano Laura , Miguez Noa , Ferrer Manuel , Selivanova Elena A. , Golyshina Olga V. , Golyshin Peter N. , Rohde Manfred , Krupovic Mart , Merkel Alexander Y. , Sorokin Dimitry Y. , Hallsworth John E. , Yakimov Michail M.
Published: June 2023

Climate change, desertification, salinisation of soils and the changing hydrology of the Earth are creating or modifying microbial habitats at all scales including the oceans, saline groundwaters and brine lakes. In environments that are saline or hypersaline, the biodegradation of recalcitrant plant and animal polysaccharides can be inhibited by salt‐induced microbial stress and/or by limitation of the metabolic capabilities of halophilic microbes. We recently demonstrated that the chitinolytic haloarchaeon Halomicrobium can serve as the host for an ectosymbiont, nanohaloarchaeon ‘Candidatus Nanohalobium constans’. Here, we consider whether nanohaloarchaea can benefit from the haloarchaea‐mediated degradation of xylan, a major hemicellulose component of wood. Using samples of natural evaporitic brines and anthropogenic solar salterns, we describe genome‐inferred trophic relations in two extremely halophilic xylan‐degrading three‐member consortia. We succeeded in genome assembly and closure for all members of both xylan‐degrading cultures and elucidated the respective food chains within these consortia. We provide evidence that ectosymbiontic nanohaloarchaea is an active ecophysiological component of extremely halophilic xylan‐degrading communities (although by proxy) in hypersaline environments. In each consortium, nanohaloarchaea occur as ectosymbionts of Haloferax, which in turn act as scavenger of oligosaccharides produced by xylan‐hydrolysing Halorhabdus. We further obtained and characterised the nanohaloarchaea–host associations using microscopy, multi‐omics and cultivation approaches. The current study also doubled culturable nanohaloarchaeal symbionts and demonstrated that these enigmatic nano‐sized archaea can be readily isolated in binary co‐cultures using an appropriate enrichment strategy. We discuss the implications of xylan degradation by halophiles in biotechnology and for the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.
The impact of fixation type for intertrochanteric femoral fracture on patient survival
Authors: Ramsay Niamh , Close Jacqueline C. T. , Harris Ian A. , Harvey Lara A.
Published: June 2023

Background

Intramedullary (IM) nail fixation for intertrochanteric fractures is potentially associated with improved postoperative function but may have an increased mortality risk compared to sliding hip screw (SHS) fixation. This study investigated postoperative mortality risk between surgical fixation type for intertrochanteric fracture in patients aged 50 years and older using linked data from the Australian Hip Fracture Registry and National Death Index.

Methods

Descriptive analysis and Kaplan–Meier survival curves performed unadjusted analysis of mortality and fixation type (short IM nail, long IM nail and SHS). Multilevel logistic regression (AMLR) and Cox modelling (CM) performed adjusted analysis of fixation type and mortality following surgery. Instrumental variable analysis (IVA) was conducted to minimize the effect of unknown confounders.

Results

The 30‐day mortality was 7.1% for short IM, 7.8% for long IM and 7.8% for SHS fixation (P = 0.2). The AMLR demonstrated significant increase in 30‐day mortality risk for long IM nail compared to short IM nail (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0–1.4, P < 0.05) but no significant difference for SHS fixation (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.3, P = 0.5). No significant difference between groups and postoperative mortality was demonstrated by the CM at 30‐days nor 1‐year nor by the IVA at 30‐days.

Conclusion

Despite a significant increase in 30‐day mortality risk for long IM nail compared to short IM nail fixation in the adjusted analysis, this was not demonstrated in the CM nor IVA indicating the role of confounders influencing the regression findings. There was no significant association in 1‐year mortality between long IM nail and SHS compared to short IM nail fixation.
Contact allergy to corticosteroids: Is the European baseline series sufficient?
Authors: Svendsen Sebastian Vigand , Bindslev‐Jensen Carsten , Mortz Charlotte G.
Published: June 2023

Background

Patients are consecutively screened for contact allergy to corticosteroids with budesonide and tixocortol‐21‐pivalate in the European baseline series. Centres using TRUE Test also include hydrocortisone‐17‐butyrate. A supplementary corticosteroid patch test series is used in case of suspicion of corticosteroid contact allergy or when a marker of corticosteroid contact allergy is positive.

Objective

The aims were to evaluate (1) the efficacy of corticosteroids in the TRUE Test and (2) co‐sensitization patterns.

Methods

This retrospective study analysed patients patch tested with TRUE Test corticosteroids plus supplementary corticosteroid series in the period 2006–2020 at the Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital.

Results

Of 1852 patients tested, 119 were sensitised to TRUE Test corticosteroids and supplementary testing found additional reactions to other corticosteroids in 19 of 119 patients. TRUE Test corticosteroids gave more positive and stronger reactions compared to allergens in petrolatum/ethanol. Fourteen percent of sensitised patients were co‐sensitised to multiple corticosteroid groups. Baeck group 3 corticosteroids accounted for 9 of 16 patients not identified by TRUE Test.

Conclusions

Budesonide, hydrocortisone‐17‐butyrate, and tixocortol‐21‐pivalate in combination are sensitive corticosteroid markers. In case of clinical suspicion of corticosteroid contact allergy, patch testing with supplementary corticosteroids is highly recommended.
“State of happiness”? Petroreligion and petromelancholia in Norway
Authors: Grau Marion
Published: June 2023

This article discusses the intersection between the symbol systems of petroculture and religion in development of the Norwegian oil age. The public TV series State of Happiness (2018‐now) dramatizes Norway's adventure with oil and gas, beginning in 1969. Drawing parallels to Darren Dochuk's work on the mutual construction of petroculture and American religion in Anointed with Oil, this essay argues that State of Happiness retells the story of Norway's adventure with oil framed by some in terms of salvation, as a blessing and as the arrival of a better, messianic age. The characters in the series negotiate their religious commitments with the enchantments of the emerging petroculture in the Stavanger region, engaging the themes of Advent, Christmas, Baptism, and Trinity.
Resting state electroencephalography power correlates with individual differences in implicit sequence learning
Authors: Lum Jarrad A. G. , Byrne Linda K. , Barhoun Pamela , Hyde Christian , Hill Aron T. , Enticott Peter G. , Clark Gillian M.
Published: June 2023

Neuroimaging resting state paradigms have revealed synchronised oscillatory activity is present even in the absence of completing a task or mental operation. One function of this neural activity is likely to optimise the brain's sensitivity to forthcoming information that, in turn, likely promotes subsequent learning and memory outcomes. The current study investigated whether this extends to implicit forms of learning. A total of 85 healthy adults participated in the study. Resting state electroencephalography was first acquired from participants before they completed a serial reaction time task. On this task, participants implicitly learnt a visuospatial‐motor sequence. Permutation testing revealed a negative correlation between implicit sequence learning and resting state power in the upper theta band (6–7 Hz). That is, lower levels of resting state power in this frequency range were associated with superior levels of implicit sequence learning. This association was observed at midline‐frontal, right‐frontal and left‐posterior electrodes. Oscillatory activity in the upper theta band supports a range of top‐down processes including attention, inhibitory control and working memory, perhaps just for visuospatial information. Our results may be indicating that disengaging theta‐supported top‐down attentional processes improves implicit learning of visuospatial‐motor information that is embedded in sensory input. This may occur because the brain's sensitivity to this type of information is optimally achieved when learning is driven by bottom‐up processes. Moreover, the results of this study further demonstrate that resting state synchronised brain activity influences subsequent learning and memory.
Plant productivity response to inter‐ and intra‐symbiont diversity: Mechanisms, manifestations and meta‐analyses
Authors: Magnoli Susan M. , Bever James D.
Published: June 2023

Symbiont diversity can have large effects on plant growth but the mechanisms generating this relationship remain opaque. We identify three potential mechanisms underlying symbiont diversity–plant productivity relationships: provisioning with complementary resources, differential impact of symbionts of varying quality and interference between symbionts. We connect these mechanisms to descriptive representations of plant responses to symbiont diversity, develop analytical tests differentiating these patterns and test them using meta‐analysis. We find generally positive symbiont diversity–plant productivity relationships, with relationship strength varying with symbiont type. Inoculation with symbionts from different guilds (e.g. mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia) yields strongly positive relationships, consistent with complementary benefits from functionally distinct symbionts. In contrast, inoculation with symbionts from the same guild yields weak relationships, with co‐inoculation not consistently generating greater growth than the best individual symbiont, consistent with sampling effects. The statistical approaches we outline, along with our conceptual framework, can be used to further explore plant productivity and community responses to symbiont diversity, and we identify critical needs for additional research to explore context dependency in these relationships.
Differential proteomic expression profiles in vulvar lichen planus as compared to normal vulvar tissue, vulvar lichen sclerosus, or oral lichen planus: An exploratory study
Authors: Xie Fangyi , Dasari Surendra , Deschaine Maria , Gleue Casey A. , Sartori‐Valinotti Julio C. , Torgerson Rochelle R. , Davis Mark D. P. , Charlesworth M. Cristine , Meves Alexander , Lehman Julia S.
Published: June 2023

Vulvar lichen planus (VLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease which adversely affects patients' quality of life. The pathogenesis of VLP is unknown although Th1 immune response has been implicated. We aimed to discover specific tissue‐based protein biomarkers in VLP compared to normal vulvar tissue (NVT), vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) and oral lichen planus (OLP). We used laser capture microdissection‐liquid chromatography‐ tandem mass spectrometry to assess protein expression in fixed lesional mucosal specimens from patients with VLP (n = 5). We then compared proteomic profiles against those of NVT (n = 4), VLS (n = 5), OLP (n = 6) and normal oral mucosa (n = 5), previously published by our group. IL16, PTPRC, PTPRCAP, TAP1 and ITGB2 and were significantly overexpressed in VLP compared to NVT. Ingenuity pathway analysis identified antigen presentation and integrin signalling pathways. Proteins overexpressed in both VLP versus NVT and OLP versus NOM included IL16, PTPRC, PTPRCAP, TAP1, HLA‐DPB1, HLA‐B and HLA‐DRA. This proteomic analysis revealed several overexpressed proteins in VLP that relate to Th1 autoimmunity, including IL16. Overlapping pathways, including those involving IFNγ and Th1 signalling, were observed between VLP, VLS, and OLP.
Effects of using a stress ball on anxiety and depression in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A prospective, balanced, single‐blind, crossover study
Authors: Ozen Nurten , Berse Soner , Tosun Betul
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Use of a stress ball is a known t non‐pharmacological method to distract attention and to relieve stress and anxiety. The goal of our study was to evaluate the effect of stress ball use on anxiety and depression in hemodialysis patients.

Methods

The study utilized a single‐blind, balanced crossover design. There were two sequential 4‐week intervention periods separated by a 4‐day washout period. During one intervention period stress ball use at home was encouraged while the other 4‐week “intervention” period served as a control. The order in which the two evaluation periods were applied was randomized for a given patient. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale before and after each 4‐week intervention period.

Findings

A total of 65 patients participated in this study. There were statistically significant reductions in both anxiety (p < 0.001) and depression (p < 0.001) during the stress ball intervention periods vs. no change during the control interventions. A delayed follow‐up evaluation showed that the anxiety level of patients remained reduced after 1 month of no longer using a stress ball.

Discussion

The use of a stress ball at home for 4 weeks significantly decreased anxiety and depression levels in our group of hemodialysis patients.
Discrepancy in responses to the surprise question between hemodialysis nurses and physicians, with focus on patient clinical characteristics: A comparative study
Authors: Wallin Jeanette M. , Jacobson Stefan H. , Axelsson Lena , Lindberg Jenny , Persson Carina I. , Stenberg Jenny , Wennman‐Larsen Agneta
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The surprise question (SQ) “Would I be surprised if this patient died within the next xx months” can be used by different professions to foresee the need of serious illness conversations in patients approaching end of life. However, little is known about the different perspectives of nurses and physicians in responses to the SQ and factors influencing their appraisals. The aim was to explore nurses' and physicians' responses to the SQ regarding patients on hemodialysis, and to investigate how these answers were associated with patient clinical characteristics.

Methods

This comparative cross‐sectional study included 361 patients for whom 112 nurses and 15 physicians responded to the SQ regarding 6 and 12 months. Patient characteristics, performance status, and comorbidities were obtained. Cohen's kappa was used to analyze the interrater agreement between nurses and physicians in their responses to the SQ and multivariable logistic regression was applied to reveal the independent association to patient clinical characteristics.

Findings

Proportions of nurses and physicians responding to the SQ with “no, not surprised” was similar regarding 6 and 12 months. However, there was a substantial difference concerning which specific patient the nurses and physicians responded “no, not surprised”, within 6 (κ = 0.366, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.288–0.474) and 12 months (κ = 0.379, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.281–0.477). There were also differences in the patient clinical characteristics associated with nurses' and physicians' responses to the SQ.

Discussion

Nurses and physicians have different perspectives in their appraisal when responding to the SQ for patients on hemodialysis. This may reinforce the need for communication and discussion between nurses and physicians to identify the need of serious illness conversations in patients approaching the end of life, in order to adapt hemodialysis care to patient preferences and needs.
ELECTORAL MALDISTRICTING
Authors: Gomberg Andrei , Pancs Romans , Sharma Tridib
Published: June 2023

We introduce a framework to theoretically and empirically examine electoral maldistricting—the intentional drawing of electoral districts to advance partisan objectives, compromising voter welfare. We identify the legislatures that maximize voter welfare and those that maximize partisan goals, and incorporate them into a maldistricting index. This index measures the intent to maldistrict by comparing distances from the actual legislature to the nearest partisan and welfare‐maximizing legislatures. Using 2008 presidential election data and 2010 census‐based district maps, we find a Republican‐leaning bias in district maps. Our index tracks court rulings in intuitive ways.
Evidence for cross transmission of pathogens between wild hooded cranes and domestic geese
Authors: Xiang Xingjia , Wu Yuannuo , Zhang Feng , Kuang Yanyun , Li Chunlin , Sun Ruibo , Hui Cang
Published: June 2023

Driven by habitat loss from anthropogenic activities, wintering migratory birds forage together with poultry in paddy fields, and thus impose risks of cross transmitting pathogens. To date, there is little evidence for such risks of pathogen transmission between wild birds and poultry. Using the high‐throughput sequencing, we report on detected potential pathogens of both wild hooded cranes Grus monacha and sympatric domestic geese Anser anser domesticus during the wintering period, and infer the possibility of cross‐species pathogen transmission. The results revealed that the number of shared amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of potential pathogens between the gut microbiota of the two species was low during the early wintering stage (17.2%; 5 ASVs shared) but increased to 56.3% (18 ASVs shared) during the late wintering stage. That is, potential pathogens in the gut microbial communities of the two species became more similar through co‐foraging in paddy fields, supporting cross transmission of pathogens between hooded cranes and domestic geese during the wintering period. Importantly, transmission appeared to be largely from wild hooded cranes to domestic geese, although some potential pathogens may have become specialized to the domestic goose in the late wintering stage. Humans are also face the risks of contracting these potential pathogens from migratory birds through their frequent contacts with domestic poultry. It is, therefore, necessary to closely monitor this pathway of pathogen transmission from wild birds to domestic animals and even to humans.
RNA sequencing suggests that non‐coding RNAs play a role in the development of acquired haemophilia
Authors: Tigu Adrian Bogdan , Hotea Ionut , Drula Rares , Zimta Alina‐Andreea , Dirzu Noemi , Santa Maria , Constantinescu Catalin , Dima Delia , Bergthorsson Jon Thor , Greiff Victor , Gulei Diana , Coriu Daniel , Serban Margit , Mahlangu Johnny , Tomuleasa Ciprian
Published: June 2023

Acquired haemophilia (AH) is a rare disorder characterized by bleeding in patients with no personal or family history of coagulation/clotting‐related diseases. This disease occurs when the immune system, by mistake, generates autoantibodies that target FVIII, causing bleeding. Small RNAs from plasma collected from AH patients (n = 2), mild classical haemophilia (n = 3), severe classical haemophilia (n = 3) and healthy donors (n = 2), for sequencing by Illumina, NextSeq500. Based on bioinformatic analysis, AH patients were compared to all experimental groups and a significant number of altered transcripts were identified with one transcript being modified compared to all groups at fold change level. The Venn diagram shows that haemoglobin subunit alpha 1 was highlighted to be the common upregulated transcript in AH compared to classical haemophilia and healthy patients. Non‐coding RNAs might play a role in AH pathogenesis; however, due to the rarity of HA, the current study needs to be translated on a larger number of AH samples and classical haemophilia samples to generate more solid data that can confirm our findings.
Immunoinformatics aided design of a peptide‐based kit for detecting Escherichia coliO157:H7 from food sources
Authors: Oladipo Elijah Kolawole , Oluwasegun Jerry Ayobami , Oladunni Tolu David , Owoeye Victoria Oluwakemi , Obisanya Olukayode Ifeanyi , Olasinde Oluwatosin Tumininu , Onyeaka Helen
Published: June 2023

Food and water‐borne enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) serotype O157:H7 is a zoonotic bacterium that causes gastroenteritis and other human diseases. It has also been linked to chronic foodborne diseases with high mortality rates worldwide, particularly in children. Hence, this study was carried out to designed a peptide base kit for quick detection of E. coli in food. A peptide‐based rapid detection kit was designed using an immunoinformatic technique and some antigenic target genes (stx1A, stx2B, escC, fliC, and eae). The antigenic gene sequences retrieved were screened for antigenicity, transmembrane topology, B‐cells and helper T‐cells. Selected epitopes were joined with appropriate linkers to form a chimeric protein which consists of five B‐cell epitopes, five interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) inducer epitopes and five interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) inducer epitopes. The improved and optimized chimeric protein sequence was cloned in‐silico in a suitable expression host, E. coli‐strain K12. The designed peptide refined and validated tertiary structure was molecularly docked with the tertiary structures of each antigenic target gene. The physicochemical properties of the chimeric protein showed that the construct has an amino acid length of 295 amino acids, a molecular weight of 29.876 kiloDalton (kDa), an aliphatic index of 75.05 and an instability index of 14.82 which confers stability. The construct was hydrophilic with a GRAVY value of −0.261 and had a considerable half‐life of 4.4 h (mammalian reticulocytes, in vitro), >20 h (yeast, in vivo) and >10 h (E. coli, in vivo). Conclusively, the final construct has successfully met the design requirements for the development of a lateral flow kit, which has the potential to provide fast and efficient detection of E. coli O157:H7. However, it is the additional validation through the vitro and in vivo techniques needed to confirm that this designed peptide based test kit.
Case report: Novel leg vein treatment CLaCS guided by augmented reality 11 years follow‐up
Authors: Miyake Kasuo , Grill Marcelo Halfen , Feitoza Heidi Shiho Nagatani
Published: June 2023

Telangiectasias is most prevalent on the lower limbs and has been estimated to manifest in 40%–90% of the population. Treatments for telangiectasias include sclerotherapy, laser therapy, intense pulsed light treatment, microphlebectomy, and thermocoagulation. Cryo‐Laser & Cryo‐Sclerotherapy (CLaCS) effectively combines thermal and injection sclerotherapy. In this treatment, unwanted veins are targeted by a transdermal laser and immediately receive injection sclerotherapy. During the whole procedure, an air‐cooling device (Cryo) blows onto the surrounding skin and tissue to prevent skin burn. Here, we present a case report of a challenging telangiectasias treated with ClaCS.
Stealth Acquisitions and Product Market Competition
Authors: KEPLER JOHN D. , NAIKER VIC , STEWART CHRISTOPHER R.
Published: June 2023

We examine whether and how firms structure their merger and acquisition deals to avoid antitrust scrutiny. There are approximately 40% more mergers and acquisitions (M&As) than expected just below deal value thresholds that trigger antitrust review. These “stealth acquisitions” tend to involve financial and governance contract terms that afford greater scope for negotiating and assigning lower deal values. We also show that the equity values, gross margins, and product prices of acquiring firms and their competitors increase following such acquisitions. Our results suggest that acquirers manipulate M&As to avoid antitrust scrutiny, thereby benefiting their own shareholders but potentially harming other corporate stakeholders.
SIK2: A critical glucolipid metabolic reprogramming regulator and potential target in ovarian cancer
Authors: Hu Dan , Du JunHong , Xing YiJuan , Cheng YueMei , He RuiFen , Liang XiaoLei , Li HongLi , Yang YongXiu
Published: June 2023

Aim

To explore the role of salt‐inducible kinase 2 (SIK2) on glucose and lipid metabolism in ovarian cancer (OC), so as to increase the understanding of potential inhibitors targeting SIK2 and lay a foundation for future precision medicine in OC patients.

Methods

We reviewed and summarized the regulation effect of SIK2 on glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, lipid synthesis, and fatty acids β‐oxidation (FAO) in OC, as well as the potential molecular mechanism and the prospects of potential inhibitors targeting SIK2 in future cancer treatments.

Results

Many pieces of evidence show that SIK2 is closed associated with glucose and lipid metabolism of OC. On the one hand, SIK2 enhances the Warburg effect by promoting glycolysis and inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation and gluconeogenesis, on the other hand, SIK2 regulates intracellular lipid metabolism through promoting lipid synthesis and FAO, all of which ultimately induces growth, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance of OC. On this basis, SIK2 targeting may become a new solution for the treatment of a variety of cancer types including OC. The efficacy of some small molecule kinase inhibitors has also been demonstrated in tumor clinical trials.

Conclusion

SIK2 displays significant effects in OC progression and treatment through regulating cellular metabolism including glucose and lipid metabolism. Therefore, future research needs to further explore the molecular mechanisms of SIK2 in other types of energy metabolism in OC, based on this to develop more unique and effective inhibitors.
The Concept of Function in Social Positioning Theory
Authors: Pratten Stephen
Published: June 2023

The term function currently features prominently in outlines of social positioning theory but a sustained account of the view of function informing social positioning theory has yet to be supplied. In the absence of a fuller articulation of the theory's underlying view of function confusion and misinterpretation are likely to be encouraged especially among those committed to one or other of the numerous alternative accounts of function available. In this paper key features of the concept of function as it now appears in social positioning theory are identified and the similarities and differences between it and selected other views of function explored.
Deep diving by offshore bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.)
Authors: Fahlman Andreas , Tyson Moore Reny B. , Stone Rae , Sweeney Jay , Trainor Robyn Faulkner , Barleycorn Aaron A. , McHugh Katherine , Allen Jason B. , Wells Randall S.
Published: June 2023

We used satellite‐linked tags to evaluate dive behavior in offshore bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) near the island of Bermuda. The data provide evidence that bottlenose dolphins commonly perform both long (>272 s) and deep (>199 m) dives, with the deepest and longest dives being to 1,000 m and 826 s (13.8 min), respectively. The data show a relationship between dive duration and dive depth for dives longer than about 272 s. There was a diurnal pattern to dive behavior, with most dives deeper than 50 m being performed at night; deep diving began at sunset and varied throughout the night. We used the cumulative frequency of dive duration to estimate a behavioral aerobic dive limit (bADL) of around 560–666 s (9.3–11.1 min) in adult dolphins in this population. Dives exceeding the bADL spent significantly longer time in the upper‐most 50 m following a dive as compared with dives less than the bADL. We conclude that the offshore ecotype off Bermuda, unlike the shallow‐diving near‐shore bottlenose dolphin, is a deep‐diving ecotype, and may provide a useful animal model to study extreme diving behavior and adaptations.
microRNA‐based predictor for diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Magen Iddo , Yacovzada Nancy‐Sarah , Warren Jason D. , Heller Carolin , Swift Imogen , Bobeva Yoana , Malaspina Andrea , Rohrer Jonathan D. , Fratta Pietro , Hornstein Eran
Published: June 2023

Aims

This study aimed to explore the non‐linear relationships between cell‐free microRNAs (miRNAs) and their contribution to prediction of Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), an early onset dementia that is clinically heterogeneous, and too often suffers from delayed diagnosis.

Methods

We initially studied a training cohort of 219 subjects (135 FTD and 84 non‐neurodegenerative controls) and then validated the results in a cohort of 74 subjects (33 FTD and 41 controls).

Results

On the basis of cell‐free plasma miRNA profiling by next generation sequencing and machine learning approaches, we develop a non‐linear prediction model that accurately distinguishes FTD from non‐neurodegenerative controls in ~90% of cases.

Conclusions

The fascinating potential of diagnostic miRNA biomarkers might enable early‐stage detection and a cost‐effective screening approach for clinical trials that can facilitate drug development.
A centronuclear myopathy‐causing mutation in dynamin‐2 disrupts neuronal morphology and excitatory synaptic transmission in a murine model of the disease
Authors: Arriagada‐Diaz Jorge , Flores‐Muñoz Carolina , Gómez‐Soto Bárbara , Labraña‐Allende Marjorie , Mattar‐Araos Michelle , Prado‐Vega Lorena , Hinostroza Fernando , Gajardo Ivana , Guerra‐Fernández María José , Bevilacqua Jorge A. , Cárdenas Ana M. , Bitoun Marc , Ardiles Alvaro O. , Gonzalez‐Jamett Arlek M.
Published: June 2023

Aims

Dynamin‐2 is a large GTPase, a member of the dynamin superfamily that regulates membrane remodelling and cytoskeleton dynamics. Mutations in the dynamin‐2 gene (DNM2) cause autosomal dominant centronuclear myopathy (CNM), a congenital neuromuscular disorder characterised by progressive weakness and atrophy of the skeletal muscles. Cognitive defects have been reported in some DNM2‐linked CNM patients suggesting that these mutations can also affect the central nervous system (CNS). Here we studied how a dynamin‐2 CNM‐causing mutation influences the CNS function.

Methods

Heterozygous mice harbouring the p.R465W mutation in the dynamin–2 gene (HTZ), the most common causing autosomal dominant CNM, were used as disease model. We evaluated dendritic arborisation and spine density in hippocampal cultured neurons, analysed excitatory synaptic transmission by electrophysiological field recordings in hippocampal slices, and evaluated cognitive function by performing behavioural tests.

Results

HTZ hippocampal neurons exhibited reduced dendritic arborisation and lower spine density than WT neurons, which was reversed by transfecting an interference RNA against the dynamin‐2 mutant allele. Additionally, HTZ mice showed defective hippocampal excitatory synaptic transmission and reduced recognition memory compared to the WT condition.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the dynamin‐2 p.R465W mutation perturbs the synaptic and cognitive function in a CNM mouse model and support the idea that this GTPase plays a key role in regulating neuronal morphology and excitatory synaptic transmission in the hippocampus.
Treatment with the copper compound CuATSM has no significant effect on motor neuronal pathology in patients with ALS
Authors: Yang Yue , Rowe Dominic , McCann Heather , Shepherd Claire E. , Kril Jillian J. , Kiernan Matthew C. , Halliday Glenda M. , Tan Rachel H.
Published: June 2023

Aims

Although the orally available brain‐penetrant copper compound CuATSM has demonstrated promising effects in SOD1‐linked mouse models, the impact of CuATSM on disease pathology in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains unknown.

Methods

The present study set out to address this deficit by performing the first pilot comparative analysis of ALS pathology in patients that had been administered CuATSM and riluzole [N = 6 cases composed of ALS‐TDP (n = 5) and ALS‐SOD1 (n = 1)] versus riluzole only [N = 6 cases composed of ALS‐TDP (n = 4) and ALS‐SOD1 (n = 2)].

Results

Our results revealed no significant difference in neuron density or TDP‐43 burden in the motor cortex and spinal cord of patients that had received CuATSM compared with patients that had not. In patients that had received CuATSM, p62‐immunoreactive astrocytes were observed in the motor cortex and reduced Iba1 density was found in the spinal cord. However, no significant difference in measures of astrocytic activity and SOD1 immunoreactivity was found with CuATSM treatment.

Discussion

These findings, in this first postmortem investigation of patients with ALS in CuATSM trials, demonstrate that in contrast to that seen in preclinical models of disease, CuATSM does not significantly alleviate neuronal pathology or astrogliosis in patients with ALS.
A phloem‐localized Arabidopsis metacaspase (AtMC3) improves drought tolerance
Authors: Pitsili Eugenia , Rodriguez‐Trevino Ricardo , Ruiz‐Solani Nerea , Demir Fatih , Kastanaki Elizabeth , Dambire Charlene , de Pedro‐Jové Roger , Vercammen Dominique , Salguero‐Linares Jose , Hall Hardy , Mantz Melissa , Schuler Martin , Tuominen Hannele , Van Breusegem Frank , Valls Marc , Munné‐Bosch Sergi , Holdsworth Michael J. , Huesgen Pitter F. , Rodriguez‐Villalon Antia , Coll Nuria S.
Published: June 2023

Increasing drought phenomena pose a serious threat to agricultural productivity. Although plants have multiple ways to respond to the complexity of drought stress, the underlying mechanisms of stress sensing and signaling remain unclear. The role of the vasculature, in particular the phloem, in facilitating inter‐organ communication is critical and poorly understood.

Combining genetic, proteomic and physiological approaches, we investigated the role of AtMC3, a phloem‐specific member of the metacaspase family, in osmotic stress responses in Arabidopsis thaliana. Analyses of the proteome in plants with altered AtMC3 levels revealed differential abundance of proteins related to osmotic stress pointing into a role of the protein in water‐stress‐related responses.

Overexpression of AtMC3 conferred drought tolerance by enhancing the differentiation of specific vascular tissues and maintaining higher levels of vascular‐mediated transportation, while plants lacking the protein showed an impaired response to drought and inability to respond effectively to the hormone abscisic acid.

Overall, our data highlight the importance of AtMC3 and vascular plasticity in fine‐tuning early drought responses at the whole plant level without affecting growth or yield.
Synthesis and characterization of novel BODIPYs and their antioxidant, antimicrobial, photodynamic antimicrobial, antibiofilm and DNA interaction activities
Authors: Can Karanlık Ceren , Karanlık Gürkan , Özdemir Sadin , Tollu Gülşah , Erdoğmuş Ali
Published: June 2023

In the current study, we synthesized and characterized new BODIPY derivatives (1–4) having pyridine or thienyl‐pyridine substituents at meso‐ position and 4‐dibenzothienyl or benzo[b]thien‐2‐yl moieties at 2‐,6‐ positions. We investigated fluorescence properties and the ability to form singlet oxygen. In addition, various biological activities of BODIPYs such as DPPH scavenging, DNA binding/cleavage ability, cell viability inhibition, antimicrobial activity, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and biofilm inhibition properties were performed. BODIPY derivatives BDPY‐3 (3) and BDPY‐4 (4) have high fluorescence quantum yields as 0.50 and 0.61 and 1O2 quantum yields were calculated as 0.83 for BDPY‐1 (1), 0.12 for BDPY‐2 (2), 0.11 for BDPY‐3 and 0.23 for BDPY‐4. BODIPY derivatives BDPY‐2, BDPY‐3 and BDPY‐4 displayed 92.54 ± 5.41%, 94.20 ± 5.50%, and 95.03 ± 5.54% antioxidant ability, respectively. BODIPY compounds showed excellent DNA chemical nuclease activity. BDPY‐2, BDPY‐3 and BDPY‐4 also exhibited 100% APDT activity against E. coli at all tested concentrations. In addition to these, they demonstrated a highly effective biofilm inhibition activity against Staphyloccous aureus and Pseudomans aeruginosa. BDPY‐4 showed the most effective antioxidant and DNA cleavage activity, while BDPY‐3 exhibited the most effective antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity.
The novel HLA‐B*15:664 allele, identified by next‐generation sequencing in a Chinese individual
Authors: Wu Qiong , Zou Hong‐Yan , Quan Zhan‐Rou
Published: June 2023

B*15:664 differs from B*15:02:01:01 by one nucleotide change at nucleotide 755 in exon 4 from C to G.
Infusing theology in changemaking curricula: Engaging justice natives with Christian social thought
Authors: Bowman Jonathan M.
Published: June 2023

As “justice natives,” today's undergraduate students are motivated to engage directly with the world around them in ways unseen throughout most previous generations. Interestingly, secular humanistic perspectives on changemaking are in keeping with a wide variety of biblical teachings and principles of Christian social thought. At the same time, educators and practitioners can better engage these students to lessen a disconnect that often seems to emerge between social justice causes and the modern church. This paper applies a praxis‐based approach, Kingian Theology, the Beatitudes from the gospels, elements of liberation theology, Wesley's thoughts about community engagement, and principles of both Catholic and broader Christian social thought to the modern idea of changemaking, positioning Christianity and the gospels as a liberating force for equality rather than as a colonizing or even racist‐associated oppressive ideology.
Refined unramified cohomology of schemes
Authors: Schreieder Stefan
Published: June 2023

We introduce the notion of refined unramified cohomology of algebraic schemes and prove comparison theorems that identify some of these groups with cycle groups. This generalizes to cycles of arbitrary codimension previous results of Bloch–Ogus, Colliot-Thélène–Voisin, Kahn, Voisin, and Ma. We combine our approach with the Bloch–Kato conjecture, proven by Voevodsky, to show that on a smooth complex projective variety, any homologically trivial torsion cycle with trivial Abel–Jacobi invariant has coniveau $1$. This establishes a torsion version of a conjecture of Jannsen originally formulated $\otimes \mathbb {Q}$. We further show that the group of homologically trivial torsion cycles modulo algebraic equivalence has a finite filtration (by coniveau) such that the graded quotients are determined by higher Abel–Jacobi invariants that we construct. This may be seen as a variant for torsion cycles modulo algebraic equivalence of a conjecture of Green. We also prove $\ell$-adic analogues of these results over any field $k$ which contains all $\ell$-power roots of unity.
territorialidad de las culturas amerindígenas ante el paradigma extractivista. Sibundoy y Wirikuta en el siglo XXI.
Authors: Velázquez Mendoza Juan Tonatiuh , Lozano de Poo Juan Manuel , López Mares Lourdes Marcela
Published: June 2023

El ejercicio de la territorialidad de las culturas amerindígenas se ha visto comprometido desde su dimensión material y existencial por la irrupción de proyectos extractivistas. Los modelos de protección que operan en Sibundoy, Colombia y Tehuacán, México, sirven de base para implementar un modelo de resguardo biocultural en Wirikuta, San Luis Potosí, territorio amenazado por la industria minera. La información recabada en los tres sitios mediante mapeo participativo y entrevistas semiestructuradas, sugiere que un modelo basado en los tres elementos sagrados para la cultura Wixarika: el maíz, el peyote y el venado puede promover la preservación medioambiental y cultural de Wirikuta.
Stroboscopic Eyewear Applied During Warm-Up Does Not Provide Additional Benefits to the Sport-Specific Reaction Speed in Highly Trained Table Tennis Athletes
Authors: Strainchamps Paul , Ostermann Martin , Mierau Andreas , Hülsdünker Thorben
Published: June 2023

Purpose: While long-term training with stroboscopic eyewear suggests performance-enhancing effects on visuomotor abilities, it remains unclear whether a short-term application, for example, during a warm-up, results in immediate performance gains. This study evaluated potential performance-enhancing effects of stroboscopic eyewear applied during warm-up on reaction speed that may provide athletes an edge in visuomotor-demanding sports. Methods: Twenty-eight international-level table tennis athletes participated in this study. Participants performed their individual 10-minute table-tennis-specific warm-up under normal visual conditions and with stroboscopic eyewear. Prior to and after the warm-up, visuomotor reaction time was assessed in a sport-specific reaction test where athletes had to return 30 table tennis balls played by a ball machine at high speed to their backhand side. Reaction time was determined as the interval between ball output and movement onset as triggered by a mechanical switch. Furthermore, the time between ball–table contact and ball–racket contact (hit time) was analyzed as an indicator of how early the athletes intercepted the ball. Results: Reaction time significantly improved following the warm-up (P < .001, ). However, there was no additional benefit of the stroboscopic eyewear (P = .338, ). No changes after the warm-up were observed for hit time (P = .246, ). Conclusions: The results indicate that warm-up facilitated visuomotor reaction speed; however, stroboscopic eyewear did not provide additional positive effects when compared to a warm-up under normal visual conditions. While shutter glasses may be useful for training over longer periods, short-term positive effects were not supported in this study.