bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does cost-inefficiency in Islamic banking matter for earnings uncertainty?
Authors: Boubaker Sabri , Uddin Md Hamid , Kabir Sarkar Humayun , Mollah Sabur
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate a fundamental research question of whether the Islamic banking business model makes corporate earnings more uncertain. This question arises because prior research shows that Islamic banks do well in loan performance but incur more operational costs than conventional banks, indicating the systemic limitation of Islamic banks in business risk management.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a sample of banks to conduct the panel regression analysis with 15 years of data for 532 banks (129 Islamic and 403 conventional) from 23 Muslim countries across the world. The authors estimate earnings uncertainty in two ways: the spread and standard deviation of the country-adjusted return over the sample period and applied the difference-in-difference approach interacting cost to income ratio with the Islamic bank dummy, checking if Islamic bank’s high operational costs contribute to more earning uncertainty.

Findings

Islamic banks’ returns on assets are significantly more uncertain than conventional banks due to higher operational costs. Consistent with earlier evidence, the study also finds that Islamic banks generally have fewer nonperforming loans than conventional banks. The authors conclude that Islamic banks trade-off between reducing credit risk and escalating business risk.

Originality/value

This study documents that the Islamic banking model helps build a safer asset portfolio but gives rise to the uncertainty of corporate earnings. Therefore, the choice between Islamic and conventional banking models involves a trade-off between credit and business risks. It is a new finding that we add to the literature body on Islamic finance.
Compliance and obedience in an Alabama prison faith dorm
Authors: Thornton Thomas
Published: December 2022

This article considers how the Christian obedience of male prisoners inside the ‘faith dorm’ of a maximum‐security prison in the US state of Alabama overlaps with penal compliance. I argue that prisoners’ devotion to faith‐dorm strictures is not straightforward rule‐following but forges social and Christly intimacy. Faith‐dorm obedience foregrounds the theological, and it reveals non‐church institutional domains as theologically dynamic and capable of spiritually infused material work. To explore this, I describe how spiritual governance became a technique of Alabama's prison population management. Then I show how the resulting compliance is transfigured into critical notions of obedience that elicit practices of care and mutual support among prisoners through theological imaginaries of grace and Jesus’ crucifixion. Ultimately, I advance prisoners’ obedience as ‘dark wisdom’, which draws on the paradox of a crucified messiah to derive justice and intimacy from the prison's coerced living conditions.
Opportunities of online analysis1
Authors: Niesser Arthur
Published: December 2022

The question of whether tele‐analysis is an acceptable way of conducting analysis has been discussed since it has become available. Merchant (2016) and others concluded that ‘the essentials of a genuine analytic process are not necessarily precluded’ (p. 1). In this paper, the author goes a step further and examines potential advantages of tele‐analysis. There may be benefits for patients with a history of physical or sexual abuse who value the distance. The potential for a ‘safe place’ for work with erotic transference is also examined. In a further section the author is interested in allowing the analyst the freedom to practise in an authentic way, congruent with their personality. Also explored is the concept of the interactive field including the technological medium, which is subject to synchronistic events. Finally, the author gives examples of a deep connection between patient and analyst which came about despite the physical distance.
Alternative splicing of POUM2 regulates embryonic cuticular formation and tanning in Bombyx mori
Authors: Tong Chunmei , Zhang Kang , Rong Zixia , Mo Wanyu , Peng Yuling , Zheng Sichun , Feng Qi‐Li , Deng Huimin
Published: December 2022

Insect cuticle is an apical extracellular matrix produced by the epidermis, tracheal, hind‐ and foregut epithelia during embryogenesis and renewed during molting and metamorphosis. However, the underlying regulatory mechanism for embryonic cuticle formation remains largely unclear. Here, we investigate the function of the transcription factor POUM2 in the embryonic cuticular formation in Bombyx mori, a model lepidopteran insect. Clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated protein‐9‐mediated knockout of POUM2 resulted in the defect of cuticular deposition, pigmentation, and sclerotization in the embryos. Differentially expressed transcripts analysis of 7‐d‐old embryos identified 174 up‐ or downregulated cuticular protein transcripts, 8 upregulated chitin degradation transcripts, 2 downregulated chitin synthesis transcripts and 48 up‐ or downregulated transcription factor transcripts in the POUM2−/− embryos. The expression levels of the key factors of the tyrosine metabolic pathway, such as tyrosine hydroxylase (Th), Dopa decarboxylase (DDC), and arylalkylamine N‐acetyltransferase (aaNAT), were significantly decreased in the POUM2−/− embryos. POUM2 isoform POUM2‐L specifically bound the POU cis‐regulatory element (CRE) in the Th promoter and increased the transcription of Th, whereas POUM2‐S could not bind the POU CRE, although it also increased the transcription of Th. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein Squid‐1 directly bound the POUM2 pre‐mRNA (messenger RNA) and inhibited the alternative splicing of POUM2‐L to POUM2‐S mRNA. These results suggest that POUM2 participates in the cuticular formation by regulating the chitin and cuticular protein synthesis and metabolism, and the cuticular pigmentation and sclerotization by regulating tyrosine metabolism during embryogenesis. This study provides new insights into novel function of POUM2 in embryogenesis.
Edema localized to the lips as a novel manifestation of myositis
Authors: Sumida Hayakazu , Asano Yoshihide , Shimizu Jun , Sato Shinichi
Published: December 2022

Polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) are idiopathic inflammatory myopathies with presumed autoimmune pathogenesis, characterized by the features of proximal skeletal muscle weakness and evidence of muscle inflammation. Skin manifestations usually prompt earlier recognition and diagnosis of DM than PM, which has no rash. Associated delayed diagnosis and treatment in PM lead to worse outcomes. Therefore, an accumulation of case reports regarding initial symptoms suggestive of PM has been required to obtain an earlier diagnosis and better clinical outcomes in PM patients. We herein report a PM patient with an unusual presentation of edema restricted to the lips, which was clinically suggestive of granulomatous cheilitis but histologically verified as a manifestation of myositis. In this patient, no myositis‐specific antibodies including anti‐nuclear matrix protein 2 antibodies, were detected, and histological analysis on the muscle biopsy specimen revealed CD4‐dominant lymphocyte infiltration but no C5b‐9 deposition nor myxovirus resistance protein A expression. Further analysis with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan of the lips showed increased signal intensity in the muscle layer on short TI inversion recovery images, and these suggest the potential of MRI as a useful tool for exploring the inflammatory site and the possibility of myositis in swollen lips. Thus, our report indicates the importance of suspecting myositis in the case of unusual edema restricted to the lips.
A novel drainage strategy using chest tube plus pleural catheter in uniportal upper lobectomy: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yang Fu , Wang Xing , Xu Honglei , Aramini Beatrice , Zhu Yuming , Jiang Gening , Fan Jiang
Published: December 2022

Background

In this study we explored whether one pleural catheter plus single chest tube drainage could achieve a noninferior drainage effect when compared with the traditional two chest tubes in uniportal video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for an upper pulmonary lobectomy.

Methods

Patients that underwent an upper pulmonary lobectomy from January to November 2020 were enrolled in this single‐center, randomized, open‐label, noninferiority trial. Prior to closure, patients were randomized to an intervention group who received an improved drainage strategy involving one pleural catheter with one chest tube (24 Fr), while traditional double chest tube drainage was applied for the control group.

Results

A total of 390 patients entered the study, although 190 were excluded for changing nonuniportal surgical approaches or opting for nonlobectomy resections. Finally, 200 patients were randomized (100 in the intervention group and 100 in the control group). The baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between the groups. The incidence of pneumothorax in the intervention and control groups was similar on postoperative Day 1 (noninferiority, 10% vs. 13%, p = 0.658). In addition, there were no significant differences in secondary outcomes such as incidence of pneumothorax by Day 30, postoperative chest tube/pleural catheter removal time, amount of drainage on Day 1, total amount of drainage after operation, or postoperative hospitalization. A significantly lower pain score was observed in the intervention group (3.33 ± 0.68 vs. 3.68 ± 0.94, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

The new strategy is noninferior to double chest tube drainage after an upper pulmonary lobectomy offers superior pain control, and is recommended for an upper lobectomy by uniportal VATS.
Comparing translocated beavers used as passive restoration tools to resident beavers in degraded desert rivers
Authors: Doden E. , Budy P. , Conner M. , Young J. K.
Published: December 2022

Wildlife translocation facilitates conservation efforts, including recovering imperiled species, reducing human–wildlife conflict, and restoring degraded ecosystems. Beaver (American,Castor canadensis; Eurasian,C. fiber) translocation may mitigate human–wildlife conflict and facilitate ecosystem restoration. However, few projects measure outcomes of translocations by monitoring beaver postrelease, and translocation to desert streams is relatively rare. We captured, tagged, and monitored 47 American beavers (hereafter, beavers) which we then translocated to two desert rivers in Utah, USA, to assist in passive river restoration. We compared translocated beaver site fidelity, survival, and dam‐building behavior to 24 resident beavers. We observed high apparent survival (i.e., survived and stayed in the study site) for eight weeks postrelease of resident adult beavers (0.88 ± 0.08; standard error) and lower but similar apparent survival rates between resident subadult (0.15 ± 0.15), translocated adult (0.26 ± 0.12), and translocated subadult beavers (0.09 ± 0.08). Neither the pre‐ nor the post‐translocation count of river reaches with beaver dams were predicted well by the Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool, which estimates maximum beaver dam capacity by river reach, suggesting beaver‐related restoration is not maximized in these rivers. Translocated beavers exhibited similar characteristics as resident subadult beavers during dispersal; they were more vulnerable to predation and many emigrated from the study sites. High mortality and low site fidelity should be anticipated when translocating beavers, but even so, translocation may have contributed to additional beaver dams in the restoration sites, which is the common goal of beaver‐assisted river restoration. Multiple releases at targeted restoration sites may eventually result in establishment and meet conservation objectives for desert rivers.
Applications of various stereological tools for estimation of biological tissues
Authors: Warille Aymen A. , Kocaman Adem , Elamin Abdalla A. , Mohamed Hamza , Elhaj Abubaker El , Altunkaynak Berrin Zuhal
Published: December 2022

To provide concise and brief important stereological application methods and techniques for estimating biological tissues. Stereology studies the quantity of biological tissue using little practice and the low price of counting and preparing tissue slices to obtain direct and accurate results. Since their establishment, the stereological techniques underwent much improvement, thus allowing more precise analysis of target structures using various approaches. Using stereological tools, advances in stereological techniques made the target tissues or organs represented by 2D instead of 3D dimensions. Process tools estimate volume, area and length. According to the exciting tissue and aims, the stereological tools perform differently. This review summarizes various stereological tools and techniques, providing brief information about the orientation method, slicer probe method, Delesse's principle, Cavalieri principle, disector, fractionator, nucleator, virtual cycloids and saucer, which are described in detail.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in a patient with oncogene‐addicted metastatic non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following combination chemotherapy‐immunotherapy
Authors: Heynemann Sarah , Vanguru Vinay , Adelstein Stephen , Kao Steven
Published: December 2022

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are utilized in a variety of clinical settings for the management of patients with metastatic non‐small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC). While any organ may be subject to immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) as a consequence of ICI therapy, hematological irAEs are uncommon. We describe a scenario involving a patient with oncogene‐addicted mNSCLC who experienced the rare, life‐threatening complication of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and cytokine release syndrome following the receipt of the IMPower150 regimen (carboplatin/paclitaxel/atezolizumab/bevacizumab) after progression on initial tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. Malignancy‐associated HLH, while previously described, is more typically associated with hematological rather than solid cancers and has only very recently been reported among patients receiving ICIs. While identification of hemophagocytosis on bone marrow examination is pathognomonic, this feature is not essential for confirming a diagnosis of HLH. Prompt recognition of suspicious laboratory and clinical features by medical oncologists and engagement with other relevant disciplines is hence critical to ensure optimal management of the condition.
Incidence and management of choledocholithiasis on routine intraoperative cholangiogram: a 5‐year tertiary centre experience
Authors: Ng Justin , Teng Roy , Izwan Sara , Chan Erick , Kumar Maarisha , Damodaran Prabha Ramesh , Puhalla Harald
Published: December 2022

Background

The incidence of choledocholithiasis on routine intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) during cholecystectomy is approximately 12%. Cholecystectomy without IOC may lead to undiagnosed choledocholithiasis placing patients at risk of complications such as pancreatitis or cholangitis. This study aims to determine the incidence of choledocholithiasis intraoperatively as well as the associated risk factors and the methods of management.

Methods

A retrospective observational analysis of all laparoscopic cholecystectomies with IOC at the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service from 1 January 2016 to 2 December 2021 was carried out. Patient demographics, operative data and cholangiogram findings were collected from electronic medical systems.

Results

A total of 3904 cholecystectomies were carried out over the study period. 3520 (90.1%) had an IOC, and 474 (13.4%) had positive IOC findings. 158 (33.3%) of the cases were managed intraoperatively with hyoscine butylbromide with or without intravenous glucagon followed by biliary tree flushing alone, 183 (38.6%) received transcystic bile duct exploration (TCBDE) with a success rate of 83% and 167 (35.2%) received endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Choledocholithiasis was incidental in 44 (9.28%) patients.

Conclusion

Incidental choledocholithiasis during routine IOC is not uncommon. Management predominantly includes intraoperative TCBDE or postoperatively via an ERCP. This study has not found reliable preoperative factors to predict choledocholithiasis based on preoperative clinical, radiological and biochemical factors. A small proportion of patients received preoperative endoscopic intervention, and the decision‐making process requires further investigation.
Ureteral identification with indocyanine green in laparoscopic colorectal surgery
Authors: Rodríguez‐Zentner Homero , Cukier Moises , Montagne Vianette , Arrue Emmy
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Fluorescence‐guided surgery has emerged as a complement of traditional laparoscopic surgery with the advantage that is adaptable to existent platforms. The purpose of this article is to describe our technique for ureteral identification with indocyanine green (ICG) during laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Materials and Surgical Technique

We report a case series of all patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery and ureteral injection of ICG in a private third level hospital.

Results

We performed 30 laparoscopic colorectal surgeries in which we used this technique to identify the ureters. Mean age was 52.6 ± 15.28 years; 16 (53.3%) were men. The indication for surgery was diverticulitis in 18 patients. Mean urological operative time was 22.4 minutes.

There were no immediate or delayed adverse effects attributable to intra‐ureteral ICG administration.

Discussion

Although ureteric iatrogenic injury is uncommon, when it does happen, it significantly increases the patient's morbidity. We consider this technique has the potential to make laparoscopic surgeries safer mostly in patients with cancer, diverticular disease or endometriosis who have extensive fibrosis, adhesions, and inflammation.
Does authentic self‐esteem buffer the negative effects of bullying victimization on social anxiety and classroom concentration? Evidence from a short‐term longitudinal study with early adolescents
Authors: Boulton Michael J. , Macaulay Peter J. R.
Published: December 2022

Background

Bullying victimization is a risk factor for social anxiety and disrupted classroom concentration among young people. Self‐esteem has been implicated as a protective factor, but extant literature is sparse.

Aims

Aim of present study was to test if a new measure of authentic self‐esteem can buffer the negative effects of bullying victimization on social anxiety and disrupted classroom concentration concurrently and across time.

Sample

A short‐term longitudinal questionnaire design was employed with 836 12‐ and 13‐year‐olds.

Methods

Peer nominations of bullying victimization and self‐reports of authentic self‐esteem were collected during winter term, and self‐reports of social anxiety and disrupted classroom concentration were solicited then and also 5 months later.

Results

Hierarchical multiple regression models indicated that authentic self‐esteem moderated the association between bullying victimization and (i) social anxiety both concurrently and longitudinally and (ii) disrupted classroom concentration longitudinally. The Johnson‐Neyman technique identified where on its scale authentic self‐esteem had its buffering effects, and these were found to be at relatively low or moderate levels.

Conclusions

Even moderate levels of authentic self‐esteem can mitigate the association between being bullied and (i) social anxiety and (ii) disrupted classroom concentration. Efforts to monitor and where necessary enhance the authentic self‐esteem of young people are warranted.
Involuntary evaluation of others' emotional expressions depends on the expresser's group membership. Further evidence for the social message account from the extrinsic affective Simon task
Authors: Gurbuz Emre , Paulus Andrea , Wentura Dirk
Published: December 2022

The social message account (SMA) hypothesizes that the evaluation of emotional facial expressions depends on the ethnicity of the expressers. For example, according to SMA, a happy face of a member of a prejudiced ethnicity is immediately interpreted as potentially malevolent. Evidence for this approach was found initially in evaluative priming (EP) and approach‐avoidance tasks (AA) by showing an emotion × ethnicity interaction on positivity scores (EP) and approach scores (AA), respectively. Recently, attempts to replicate the EP results failed. Due to the inconclusive EP results, it was important to examine the influence of ethnicity on processing of emotional expression with another task testing involuntary evaluations. The extrinsic affective Simon task was used with stimuli varying on emotion (happy vs. fear) and ethnicity (White‐Caucasian vs. Middle‐Eastern men). This task was chosen because in contrast to EP (where faces are presented as task‐irrelevant primes) faces are task‐relevant. Experiment 1 yielded an emotion × ethnicity interaction with regard to positivity scores that fit SMA predictions. The results are also important in challenging a recent theoretical alternative to SMA, namely the processing conflict account. A generalization of the emotion × ethnicity pattern to learned arbitrary in‐ and out‐groups (Experiment 2) failed, suggesting that involuntary processing of (task‐irrelevant) group status depends on perceptual features.
TRPV1 and TRPM8 antagonists reduce cystitis‐induced bladder hypersensitivity via inhibition of different sensitised classes of bladder afferents in guinea pigs
Authors: Ramsay Stewart , Keightley Lauren , Brookes Simon , Zagorodnyuk Vladimir
Published: December 2022

Background and Purpose

Interstitial cystitis (=painful bladder syndrome) is a chronic bladder syndrome characterised by pelvic and bladder pain, urinary frequency and urgency, and nocturia. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are an attractive target in reducing the pain associated with interstitial cystitis. The current study aims to determine the efficacy of combination of TRP vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and TRP melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channel inhibition in reducing the pain associated with experimental cystitis in guinea pigs.

Experimental Approach

A novel animal model of non‐ulcerative interstitial cystitis has been developed using protamine sulfate/zymosan in female guinea pigs. Continuous voiding cystometry was performed in conscious guinea pigs. Ex vivo “close‐to‐target” single unit extracellular recordings were made from fine branches of pelvic nerves entering the guinea pig bladder. Visceromotor responses in vivo were used to determine the effects of TRP channel antagonists on cystitis‐induced bladder hypersensitivity.

Key results

Protamine sulfate/zymosan treatment evoked mild inflammation in the bladder and increased micturition frequency in conscious animals. In cystitis, high threshold muscular afferents were sensitised via up‐regulation of TRPV1 channels, high threshold muscular–mucosal afferents were sensitised via TRPM8 channels, and mucosal afferents by both. Visceromotor responses evoked by noxious bladder distension were significantly enhanced in cystitis and were returned to control levels upon administration of combination of low doses of TRPV1 and TRPM8 antagonists.

Conclusions and Implications

The data demonstrate the therapeutic promises of combination of TRPV1 and TRPM8 antagonists for the treatment of bladder hypersensitivity in cystitis.
Functional crosstalk between angiotensin receptors (types 1 and 2) and relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1): Implications for the therapeutic targeting of fibrosis
Authors: Samuel Chrishan S. , Li Yifang , Wang Yan , Widdop Robert E.
Published: December 2022

Class A, rhodopsin‐like, G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are by far the largest class of GPCRs and are integral membrane proteins used by various cells to convert extracellular signals into intracellular responses. Initially, class A GPCRs were believed to function as monomers, but a growing body of evidence has emerged to suggest that these receptors can function as homodimers and heterodimers and can undergo functional crosstalk to influence the actions of agonists or antagonists acting at each receptor. This review will focus on the angiotensin type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors, as well as the relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1), each of which have their unique characteristics but have been demonstrated to undergo some level of interaction when appropriately co‐expressed, which influences the function of each receptor. In particular, this receptor functional crosstalk will be discussed in the context of fibrosis, the tissue scarring that results from a failed wound‐healing response to injury, and which is a hallmark of chronic disease and related organ dysfunction.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue Therapeutic Targeting of G Protein‐Coupled Receptors: hot topics from the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists 2021 Virtual Annual Scientific Meeting. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v181.14/issuetoc
Opioid‐induced microbial dysbiosis disrupts irinotecan (CPT‐11) metabolism and increases gastrointestinal toxicity in a murine model
Authors: Meng Jingjing , Abu Yaa F. , Zhang Yue , Zhou Yuyin , Xie Yun , Yan Yan , Tao Junyi , Ramakrishnan Sundaram , Chen Chi , Roy Sabita
Published: December 2022

Background and Purpose

Opioids are commonly used for the management of cancer‐associated pain and chemotherapy‐induced diarrhoea. The chemotherapeutic irinotecan (CPT‐11) causes severe gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity due to deconjugation of inactive metabolite SN‐38 glucuronide (SN‐38G) by bacterial β‐glucuronidases to the active 7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxycamptothecin (SN‐38). Opioids are known to cause gut microbial dysbiosis, this study evaluated whether CPT‐11 anti‐tumour efficacy and GI toxicity are exacerbated by opioid co‐administration.

Experimental Approach

Eight‐week‐old C57BL/6 male mice were co‐administration with CPT‐11 ± opioid. 16S rRNA sequencing was used for gut microbiome analysis. LC–MS analyses of plasma and intestinal extracts were performed to investigate the pharmacokinetic profile of CPT‐11. Histological analysis and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction were used to determine the severity of intestinal tissue damage. Human liver microsome In vitro assay was performed to confirm the effects of opioids on CPT‐11 metabolism.

Key Results

Gut microbiome analysis showed that morphine treatment induced enrichment of β‐glucuronidase‐producing bacteria in the intestines of CPT‐11‐treated mice, resulting in SN‐38 accumulation and exacerbation of GI toxicity in the small intestine. Oral administration of both antibiotics and glucuronidase inhibitor protected mice against GI toxicity induced with CPT‐11 and morphine co‐administration, implicating a microbiome‐dependent mechanism. Additionally, morphine and loperamide decreased the plasma concentration of SN‐38 and compromised CPT‐11 anti‐tumour efficacy, this seemed to be microbiome independent.

Conclusion and Implications

Gut microbiota play a significant role in opioid and chemotherapeutic agent drug–drug interactions. Inhibition of gut microbial glucuronidase may also prevent adverse GI effects of CPT‐11 in patients on opioids.
Lactic acidosis induces metabolic and phenotypic reprogramming in cholangiocarcinoma cells via the upregulation of thrombospondin‐1
Authors: Thamrongwaranggoon Ubonrat , Kuribayashi Kanji , Araki Hirotaka , Hino Yuko , Koga Tomoaki , Seubwai Wunchana , Wongkham Sopit , Nakao Mitsuyoshi , Hino Shinjiro
Published: December 2022

The high glycolytic activity of cancer cells leads to lactic acidosis (LA) in the tumor microenvironment. LA is not merely a consequence of metabolic activities but also has functional roles in metabolic reprogramming and cancer progression. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells exhibit a high dependency on glycolysis for survival and growth, but the specific effects of LA on cellular characteristics remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that long‐term LA (LLA) reprograms the metabolic phenotype of CCA cells from glycolytic to oxidative and enhances their migratory activity. In CCA cell culture, short‐term LA (24 h) showed a growth inhibitory effect, while extended LA exposure for more than 2 weeks (LLA) led to enhanced cell motility. Coincidentally, LLA enhanced the respiratory capacity with an increase in mitochondrial mass. Inhibition of mitochondrial function abolished LLA‐induced cell motility, suggesting that metabolic remodeling affects the phenotypic outcomes. RNA‐sequencing analysis revealed that LLA upregulated genes associated with cell migration and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), including thrombospondin‐1 (THBS1), which encodes a pro‐EMT‐secreted protein. Inhibition of THBS1 resulted in the suppression of both LLA‐induced cell motility and respiratory capacity. Moreover, high THBS1 expression was associated with poor survival in patients with CCA. Collectively, our study suggests that the increased expression of THBS1 by LLA promotes phenotypic alterations, leading to CCA progression.
The influence of African swine fever information on consumers’ preference of pork attributes and pork purchase
Authors: Luo Qianfeng , Liu Pengfei , Li Zhi
Published: December 2022

This paper uses a randomized survey instrument to study the impact of African Swine Fever (ASF) information on Chinese consumers’ preference for pork attributes and purchases during the recent peak of the ASF pandemic in 2019. We study consumers’ preference for pork attributes including brand, meat texture and taste, quality safety assurance, and traceability under different information treatments. Results show that the willingness to pay (WTP) for quality safety assurance is the highest, followed by brands and traceability systems, and the WTP is lowest for good taste. We show that providing detailed ASF information substantially changes consumer preference by altering the relative importance of pork attributes and price sensitivity, which enables consumers to focus more on safety‐related attributes while paying less attention to price and taste attributes. Furthermore, we find that a higher belief in the future of ASF occurrence reduces the frequency of purchases marginally but does not significantly influence for amount per purchase and the total purchase amount.
Functional cooperation between IKCa and TRPC1 channels regulates serum‐induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation via mediating Ca2+ influx and ERK1/2 activation
Authors: Jia Xiaoling , Chen Xinlan , Gao Chao , Wang Haikun , Yang Chengxi , Jiang Lin‐Hua , Fan Yubo
Published: December 2022

The increased proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contributes to the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. The intermediate conductance calcium‐activated potassium (IKCa) channel plays a critical role in VSMC proliferation by raising the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), but the underlying mechanism is still not unclear. Here we investigated the cooperation between IKCa and transient receptor potential canonical 1 (TRPC1) channels in mediating extracellular Ca2+ entry, which in turn activates downstream Ca2+ signalling in the regulation of VSMC proliferation using serum‐induced cell proliferation model. Serum‐induced cell proliferation was accompanied with up‐regulation of IKCa expression and an increase in [Ca2+]i. Serum‐induced cell proliferation and increase in [Ca2+]i were suppressed by IKCa inhibition with TRAM‐34 or IKCa knockdown. Serum‐induced cell proliferation was strongly reduced by the removal of extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA or intracellular Ca2+ with BAPTA‐AM and, additionally, by TRPC1 knockdown. Moreover, the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by serum or by IKCa activation with 1‐EBIO was attenuated by TRPC1 knockdown. Finally, serum induced ERK1/2 activation, which was attenuated by treatment with TRAM‐34 or BAPTA‐AM, as well as TRPC1 knockdown. Consistently, serum‐induced cell proliferation was suppressed by ERK1/2 inhibition with PD98059. Taken together, these results suggest that the IKCa and TRPC1 channels cooperate in mediating Ca2+ influx that activates the ERK1/2 pathway to promote cell proliferation, thus providing new mechanistic insights into VSMC proliferation.
Newly developed exit options for European otters from fish fykes
Authors: Reckendorf Anja , Oberlercher Thomas , Alps Britta , Krueger Hans‐Heinrich , Ludes‐Wehrmeister Eva , Fladung Erik , Siebert Ursula
Published: December 2022

Entrapment and subsequent drowning in fish fykes poses an anthropogenic mortality hazard to Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra). Different concepts on how to solve this problem have been debated in the past. To proactively prevent future fatal interactions and increase acceptance among fishers, this study tested two exit mechanisms for otters to safely escape from fyke nets, while still retaining full trap functionality for inland fisheries. Both exit options, a tearable latex lacing around flexible metal wires (100% success rate, n = 6) and a steel hoop‐spring construction (90%, n = 10) were successfully tested in 16 otter escape trials and 30 additional tests for fish (pike, eel, and common bream) retention (100%). The results indicate that the modifications of the fish traps were effective for otter conservation and commercial fisheries. Thus, both options can be recommended as equally good otter protection measures for fyke‐net fisheries of the tested type and similar sizes. However, these data were yielded under controlled conditions and it is possible that field results could differ. Hence, the presented results should be additionally verified under field conditions.
The living donor evaluation as a life‐saving event
Authors: Park Sun‐Cheol , Shapiro Ron , Good Deborah , Lopez Roberto , Shah Nirav , Sood Puneet , Sturdevant Mark , Tan Henkie , Vekasy Maureen , Wijkstrom Martin , Wu Christine , Humar Abhinav
Published: December 2022

Background

As a population, living kidney donors have a longer life expectancy than the general population. This is generally thought to be an artifact of selection, as only healthy individuals are allowed to donate, and the operative mortality and risk of subsequent renal failure are very low. However, there may also be an additional benefit to the process, as the donor evaluation may uncover an early occult cancer or a potentially serious medical problem. While these problems may preclude donation, they may be lifesaving, as they are likely to be diagnosed and treated before the donor develops symptoms.

Patients and Methods

We looked at the incidence of occult cancer and other previously undiagnosed medical problems including renal disease, diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease, and hepatitis C, in individuals volunteering to become a kidney donor at our center who proceeded with the evaluation between January 1, 1996 and May 31, 2011.

Results

Of 4088 potential donors, 19 (.46%) were discovered to have an unsuspected cancer, and 286 (7%) were found to have a previously undiagnosed medical problem.

Conclusions

The living donor evaluation may lead to the early diagnosis of a life‐threatening illness. This should be considered as one of the potential benefits of living donation.
Involvement of hypoxia‐inducible factor activity in inevitable air‐exposure treatment upon differentiation in a three‐dimensional keratinocyte culture
Authors: Teshima Hirofumi , Endo Mayuko , Furuyama Yumea , Takama Hiroyuki , Akiyama Masashi , Tsuji Tokuji , Tatsukawa Hideki , Hitomi Kiyotaka
Published: December 2022

Formation of the human skin epidermis can be reproduced by a three‐dimensional (3D) keratinocyte culture system, in which air‐exposure is inevitable upon initiation of differentiation. In the continuous submerged culture without air‐exposure, even with a differentiation‐compatible medium, several keratinocyte‐specific proteins were not induced resulting in the formation of aberrant epidermal layers. To clarify the mechanism by which air‐exposure promotes keratinocyte differentiation, we performed a comparative analysis on biological properties between submerged and air–liquid interphase culture systems. By transcriptomic analysis, hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐related genes appeared to significantly change in these cultured cells. In submerged culture, the transcriptional activity of HIF on its canonical response element was enhanced, while air‐exposure treatment drastically reduced the transcriptional activity despite the high HIF protein level. Regulating HIF activity through reagents and genetic manipulation revealed that the reduced but retained HIF‐transcriptional activity was essentially involved in differentiation. Furthermore, we showed, for the first time, that artificial supplementation of oxygen in the submerged culture system could restore keratinocyte differentiation as observed in the air‐exposed culture. Thus, we mechanistically evaluated how HIF regulates the air‐exposure‐dependent differentiation of keratinocytes in a 3D culture system.
A major conformational change of N‐terminal helices of Bacillus thuringiensisCry1Ab insecticidal protein is necessary for membrane insertion and toxicity
Authors: Pacheco Sabino , Gómez Isabel , Soberón Mario , Bravo Alejandra
Published: December 2022

Pore forming toxins rely on oligomerization for membrane insertion to kill their targets. Bacillus thuringiensis produces insecticidal Cry‐proteins composed of three domains that form pores that kill the insect larvae. Domain I is involved in oligomerization and membrane insertion, whereas Domains II and III participate in receptor binding and specificity. However, the structural changes involved in membrane insertion of these proteins remain unsolved. The most widely accepted model for membrane insertion, the ‘umbrella model’, proposed that the α‐4/α‐5 hairpin of Domain I swings away and is inserted into the membrane. To determine the topology of Cry1Ab in the membrane, disulfide bonds linking α‐helices of Domain I were introduced to restrict their movement. Disulfide bonds between helices α‐2/α‐3 or α‐3/α‐4 lost oligomerization and toxicity, indicating that movement of these helices is needed for insecticidal activity. By contrast, disulfide bonds linking helices α‐5/α‐6 did not affect toxicity, which contradicts the ‘umbrella model’. Additionally, Föster resonance energy transfer closest approach analyses measuring distances of different points in the toxin to the membrane plane and collisional quenching assays analysing the protection of specific fluorescent‐labeled residues to the soluble potassium iodide quencher in the membrane inserted state were performed. Overall, the data show that Domain I from Cry1Ab may undergo a major conformational change during its membrane insertion, where the N‐terminal region (helices α‐1 to α‐4) participates in oligomerization and toxicity, probably forming an extended helix. These data break a paradigm, showing a new ‘folding white‐cane model’, which better explains the structural changes of Cry toxins during insertion into the membrane.
Family Hubs and the vulnerable care ecologies of child and family welfare in austerity
Authors: Disney Tom , Crossley Steve , King Hannah , Phillips Josie , Robson Ian , Smith Roger
Published: December 2022

This article takes an ecological approach to examine the legacies of austerity for local authority welfare systems in England and the implications for families seeking to use these services. Programmes of Early Intervention or Early Help that promote ‘resilience’ amongst marginalised families and reduce future dependency upon state services have been advocated consistently in the UK, currently intensifying with a period of welfare retrenchment and restructuring. Many programmes and approaches being promoted prioritise a discourse of individual or familial responsibility and seek to deflect attention away from structural and environmental changes that have taken place. We explore local authority family and child support services as relational care practices that have been fundamentally reshaped through austerity, and in doing so we seek to shift the conversation from individual responsibility to systemic and collective vulnerabilities. Drawing on the concept of ‘care ecology’ to conceptualise local authority Early Help services as ‘carescapes’, we focus specifically on the changing context of ‘Family Hubs’, and the fragmented nature of service provision. As with any ecosystem, care ecologies are constituted by interconnected and interdependent actors, processes and systems. Damage to them produces unintended consequences which exacerbate underlying ‘vulnerabilities’. We explore this as a legacy of austerity, noting that this has resulted in forms of socio‐spatial distancing from care provision for families, disrupting protective networks and support systems. We argue that local authority support services would be better focused on systemic and collective vulnerabilities rather than individual responsibilities in order to provide meaningful support to families.
Potential of HMGB‐inhibitory oligodeoxynucleotide ISM ODN to neutrophil recruitment in mouse model of hepatitis
Authors: Inoue Asuka , Chiba Shiho , Eto Shotaro , Taniguchi Tadatsugu , Yanai Hideyuki
Published: December 2022

High‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a nucleotide‐binding chromatin protein that has also been characterized as a prototypical damage‐associate molecular pattern. It triggers inflammatory responses upon release from damaged or dying cells. In fact, HMGB1 has been linked to the induction of many inflammatory diseases through immune cell activation including neutrophil recruitment. In this study, we examined the impact of HMGB1‐binding inhibitory oligodeoxynucleotide (ISM ODN) on the development of hepatitis using a murine model of the disease. Our results indicate that ISM ODN effectively suppresses pathological features of hepatitis, including neutrophil accumulation. This study therefore may offer clinical insight into the treatment of hepatitis and possibly other inflammatory diseases.
Effect of carbon nanotubes additives on mechanical properties of WC–6Co cemented carbide
Authors: Zhang Shunlin , Su Wuli , Sun Lan , Wang Jun
Published: December 2022

In order to increase the toughness of WC–6Co cemented carbide, different contents of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were added to the WC–6Co alloy powder to prepare cemented carbide by low‐pressure sintering. The results showed that some of the CNTs were embedded between the grains of WC–6Co cemented carbide, which would hinder the growth of WC grain boundary, thus leading to grain refinement. In addition, CNTs inhibited the formation of decarbonized phase and guided the deflection and bridge of crack to hinder the crack extension. With the increase of CNTs content, the density increased at first and then decreased, and the transverse fracture strength increased at first and then decreased. When the content was 0.2 wt.%, the alloy had the best performance. The density of the alloy was 99.67%; the transverse fracture strength was up to 2937.5 MPa, which is about 100% higher than that of cemented carbide without CNTs. The fracture toughness was 9.84 MPa m1/2, and the hardness was 1924.8HV30.
Impact of phenolic extracts and potassium hydroxycitrate of Hibiscus sabdariffa on adipogenesis: a cellular study
Authors: Singh Manisha , Thrimawithana Thilini , Shukla Ravi , Brennan Charles Stephen , Adhikari Benu
Published: December 2022

Adipogenesis is a complex physiological process involving the formation of adipocytes and accumulation as adipose tissues. It is one of the contributors for the development of obesity. This study assessed the potential of phenolic extracts and potassium hydroxycitrate, obtained from Hibiscus sabdariffa, to inhibit adipogenesis. The phenolic extracts were obtained using organic solvents (methanol, ethanol and ethyl acetate) and water individually. Human adipose‐derived stem cells (hADSCs) were selected to study the impact of these extracts on adipogenesis. Results showed that phenolic extracts were able to reduce lipid accumulation by about 95% in hADSCs, while potassium hydroxycitrate did not show any reduction. All the phenolic extracts downregulated the gene expression of two key adipogenic markers (PPAR‐γ and aP2). Ethanol extracts exhibited the highest downregulation of PPAR‐γ and aP2 by 3 and 10 times, respectively. There was no improvement in the anti‐adipogenic potential when the phenolic extract was combined with potassium hydroxycitrate confirming that phenolic compounds were responsible for the inhibition of adipogenesis. These results indicate that phenolic extracts from H. sabdariffa have potential to regulate the expression of adipogenic genes and restrict the lipid accumulation in mature adipocytes. Thus, phenolic extracts can be used in formulations intended to manage obesity.
Natural killer cells promote intra‐cellular‐infected trophoblasts survival via APOD‐LRP1 axis
Authors: Fang Xi , Zhou Yonggang , Chen Siao , Xu Xiuxiu , Ke Jieqi , Zhou Ying , Wei Haiming , Fu Binqing
Published: December 2022

Natural killer (NK) cells are known for their potent ability to kill stressed cells, whereas host cells infected with intra‐cellular bacteria may also be benefit from the selective killing function of NK cells and survive. The mechanism of how NK cells protect host cells infected with intra‐cellular bacteria is still unclear. Here, we discovered that decidual NK (dNK) cells cannot only eliminate intra‐cellular bacteria which infected trophoblasts, but can also synthesize more lipids and transport lipids to trophoblasts to avoid their apoptosis. Mechanically, NK cells synthesize more lipids accompanied by increasing expression of apolipoprotein APOD. Lipids in NK cells can be delivered to trophoblast cells through APOD, maintaining adequate lipid droplet content and lipid metabolism homeostasis in trophoblasts. Blocking the APOD receptor LRP1 abolished lipid transport from NK cells to trophoblasts, and the reduction of lipid droplets caused by bacterial infection in trophoblast cells could not be restored, culminating in cell apoptosis. Our study provides new evidence for the immune surveillance and protective effect of NK cells on embryos during early pregnancy.