bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is There a Relationship Between Kinesiophobia and Physical Activity Level in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis?
Authors: Aykut Selçuk Melek , Karakoyun Ahmet
Published: May 2020

Objective

To investigate the levels of kinesiophobia, physical activity, depression, disability, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

A tertiary health care center.

Subjects

Ninety-six patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods

Pain intensity was evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale, kinesiophobia by the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia and Brief Fear of Movement Scale, depression by the Beck Depression Inventory, disability by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, physical activity level by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form, and quality of life by the Short Form 12 Health Survey Questionnaire.

Results

Of the patients, 85.7% had high-level kinesiophobia, 70.6% had depression, and 64.4% had low, 27.8% moderate, and 7.8% high physical activity levels. Age, activity-related pain score of the Visual Analog Scale, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia and Brief Fear of Movement Scale scores, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index and Beck Depression Inventory scores were higher in the group with high-level kinesiophobia, whereas the mental, physical, and total scores obtained from the Short Form 12 Health Survey Questionnaire were higher in the group with low-level kinesiophobia (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

As the treatment of pain alone in patients with knee osteoarthritis is not sufficient to reduce fear of movement, we suggest that approaches to increase awareness of fear of movement and physical activity and cognitive behavioral therapy related to fear of movement should be included in the treatment program.
Sleep slow-wave homeostasis and cognitive functioning in children with electrical status epilepticus in sleep
Authors: van den Munckhof Bart , Gefferie Silvano R , van Noort Suus A M , van Teeseling Heleen C , Schijvens Mischa P , Smit William , Teunissen Nico W , Plate Joost D J , Huiskamp Geert Jan M , Leijten Frans S S , Braun Kees P J , Jansen Floor E , Bölsterli Bigna K
Published: May 2020

Study Objectives

Encephalopathy with electrical status epilepticus in sleep (ESES) is characterized by non-rapid eye movement (non-REM)-sleep-induced epileptiform activity and acquired cognitive deficits. The synaptic homeostasis hypothesis describes the process of daytime synaptic potentiation balanced by synaptic downscaling in non-REM-sleep and is considered crucial to retain an efficient cortical network. We aimed to study the overnight decline of slow waves, an indirect marker of synaptic downscaling, in patients with ESES and explore whether altered downscaling relates to neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems.

Methods

Retrospective study of patients with ESES with at least one whole-night electroencephalogram (EEG) and neuropsychological assessment (NPA) within 4 months. Slow waves in the first and last hour of non-REM-sleep were analyzed. Differences in slow-wave slope (SWS) and overnight slope course between the epileptic focus and non-focus electrodes and relations to neurodevelopment and behavior were analyzed.

Results

A total of 29 patients with 44 EEG ~ NPA combinations were included. Mean SWS decreased from 357 to 327 µV/s (−8%, p < 0.001) across the night and the overnight decrease was less pronounced in epileptic focus than in non-focus electrodes (−5.6% vs. −8.7%, p = 0.003). We found no relation between SWS and neurodevelopmental test results in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Patients with behavioral problems showed less SWS decline than patients without and the difference was most striking in the epileptic focus (−0.9% vs. −8.8%, p = 0.006).

Conclusions

Slow-wave homeostasis—a marker of synaptic homeostasis—is disturbed by epileptiform activity in ESES. Behavioral problems, but not neurodevelopmental test results, were related to severity of this disturbance.
Digital Opportunities for Outcomes in Recovery Services (DOORS): A Pragmatic Hands-On Group Approach Toward Increasing Digital Health and Smartphone Competencies, Autonomy, Relatedness, and Alliance for Those With Serious Mental Illness
Authors: HOFFMAN LIZA , WISNIEWSKI HANNAH , HAYS RYAN , HENSON PHILIP , VAIDYAM ADITYA , HENDEL VICTORIA , KESHAVAN MATCHERI , TOROUS JOHN
Published: May 2020

Digital health technologies such as smartphones present the potential for increased access to care and on-demand services. However, many patients with serious mental illnesses (eg, schizophrenia) have not been offered the digital health training necessary to fully utilize these innovative approaches. To bridge this digital divide in knowledge and skills, we created a hands-on and interactive training program grounded in self-determination theory, technology use cases, and the therapeutic alliance. This article introduces the need and theoretical foundation for and the experience of running the resulting Digital Opportunities for Outcomes in Recovery Services (DOORS) group in the setting of 2 programs: a first-episode psychosis program and a clubhouse for individuals with serious mental illness. The experience of running these 2 DOORS groups resulted in 2 publicly available, free training manuals to empower others to run such groups and adapt them for local needs. Future work on DOORS will expand the curriculum to best support digital health needs and increase equity of access to and knowledge and skills related to technology use in serious mental illness.
Drug-Drug Interactions (DDIs) in Psychiatric Practice, Part 9: Interactions Mediated by Drug-metabolizing Cytochrome P450 Enzymes
Authors: PRESKORN SHELDON H.
Published: May 2020

This column is the ninth in a series exploring drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with a special emphasis on psychiatric medications. The first 3 columns in this DDI series discussed why patients being treated with psychiatric medications are at increased risk for taking multiple medications and thus experiencing DDIs, how to recognize such DDIs, strategies for avoiding and/or minimizing adverse outcomes from such DDIs, and pharmacokinetic considerations concerning DDIs in psychiatric practice. The fourth and fifth columns in this series presented a pair of parallel tables, one of which outlined the primary, known mechanism(s) of action of all commonly used psychiatric medications and one of which summarized major types of pharmaco-dynamic DDIs based on mechanism of action. Clinicians can use these 2 tables together to predict pharmacodynamically mediated DDIs. The sixth column discussed key pharmacodynamic interactions involving ethanol, opioids, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. The seventh and eighth columns presented the concept of relative receptor binding and included tables summarizing the relative receptor binding affinity of currently available antipsychotics and antidepressants, respectively. This ninth and final column in this series discusses pharmacokinetic DDIs with a focus on psychiatric medications and contains 3 tables. The first table is an abbreviated version of a table available online showing which drugs are substrates for which cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and which drugs are inhibitors or inducers of specific CYP enzymes. The abbreviated version of the table presented in this column focuses on psychiatric medications. This table and the larger website version can allow prescribers to anticipate which drug combinations may pose the risk of a CYP enzyme–mediated DDI. The second table summarizes which antidepressants inhibit specific CYP enzymes and which antidepressants do not or are unlikely to inhibit specific CYP enzymes. The third table presents psychiatric medications whose clearance is not principally dependent on CYP enzyme–mediated oxidative metabolism as a necessary step in their clearance from the body. The latter 2 tables inform prescribers as to which drugs they may prefer to use to avoid CYP enzyme–mediated DDIs. The overall goal of this series of columns is to present a simple way of conceptualizing neuropsychiatric medications in terms of their pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics to allow prescribers to take these facts into consideration when they need to use ≥2 drugs in combination to optimally treat a patient.
Rhodococcus oryzae sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from rhizosphere soil of rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Li Chenxu , Cao Peng , Jiang Mengqi , Hou Yifan , Du Chuanjiao , Xiang Wensheng , Zhao Junwei , Wang Xiangjing
Published: May 2020

A Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, creamy-white actinobacterium, which has an elementary branching rod-coccus life cycle was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of rice (Oryza sativaL.) collected from Northeast Agricultural University in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, north-east PR China, and its taxonomic status was examined by using a polyphasic approach. Results from the 16S rRNA gene sequence study showed that the isolate, designated strain NEAU-CX67T, belonged to the genusRhodococcusand formed a cluster withRhodococcus maanshanensisDSM 44675T,Rhodococcus kronopolitisNEAU-ML12TandRhodococcus tukisamuensisJCM 11308T(98.3, 98.1 and 97.7% gene sequence similarity, respectively). The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, 10-methyl C18 : 0, C18 : 1 ω9cand C16 : 1 ω7c. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-8(H2). Whole-cell hydrolysates containedmeso-diaminopimelic acid. Arabinose, galactose and ribose were detected as diagnostic sugars from whole-cell hydrolysates. Mycolic acids were detected. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain NEAU-CX67Twas 64.6 mol%. Strain NEAU-CX67Texhibited low average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values withR. maanshanensisDSM 44675T(92.1 and 45.4 %) andR. tukisamuensisJCM 11308T(81.9 and 24.4 %). On the basis of results of phylogenetic, genotypic, physiological and chemotaxonomic analysis, strain NEAU-CX67Tis considered to represent a novel species of the genusRhodococcusfor which the nameRhodococcus oryzaesp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-CX67T(=DSM 107701T=CCTCC AB 2018233T).
Rugamonas aquatica sp. nov. and Rugamonas rivuli sp. nov., isolated from a subtropical stream in PR China
Authors: Lu Huibin , Deng Tongchu , Liu Feifei , Wang Yonghong , Xu Meiying
Published: May 2020

Two Gram-stain-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped, motile strains (FT29WT and FT103WT) were isolated from a subtropical stream in PR China. Comparisons based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains FT29WT and FT103WT showed 98.7 and 98.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to

Rugamonas rubra

CCM 3730T as their closest neighbour, respectively. The calculated pairwise OrthoANIu values between strain

R. rubra

CCM 3730T and strains FT29WT and FT103WT were all 81.4 %. The respiratory quinone of strains FT29WT and FT103WT was determined to be Q-8. The major fatty acids were C16 : 1 ω7c, C16 : 0 and C12 : 0. The polar lipids of strain FT103WT included phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified phospholipid, but strain FT29WT did not contain phosphatidylglycerol. The genome sizes of strains FT29WT and FT103WT were 7.23 and 6.84 Mbp with G+C contents of 63.8 and 63.9 %, respectively. Although the pairwise OrthoANIu value between strains FT29WT and FT103WT was 95.2 % which located in the transition region of species demarcation, the dissimilarities in the aspects of phenotypic, biochemical and genotypic characteristics supported these two strains should belong to the different species within genus

Rugamonas

, for which the names Rugamonas aquatica sp. nov. (type strain FT29WT=GDMCC 1.1643T=KACC 21316T) and Rugamonas rivuli sp. nov. (type strain FT103WT=GDMCC 1.1685T=KACC 21477T) are proposed.
Denitrobaculum tricleocarpae gen. nov., sp. nov., a marine bacterium from coralline algae Tricleocarpa sp
Authors: Wang Guanghua , Tang Dahao , Li Guangyu , Xu Shuailiang , Dang Ge , Su Hongfei , Liao Zhiheng , Chen Biao , Huang Wen , Liang Jiayuan , Yu Kefu
Published: May 2020

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, aerobic, motile, curved rod-shaped bacterium, designed strain R148T was isolated from a coralline algae Tricleocarpa sp. collected from Weizhou island, PR China. The optimal growth of R148T occurred at 25 °C, pH 8–9 in the presence of 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl on the basis of amended marine broth 2216. The genomic DNA G+C content was 59.5 mol%. The only detected respiratory quinone was Q-10. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and three unidentified ninhydrin-positive lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 1ω7c, C19 : 0cyclo 9, 10 DMA and C18 : 0. The results of 16S rRNA gene-based global alignment indicated that the closest neighbour of strain R148T was

Pelagibius litoralis

DSM 21314T (93.1 % similarity), the second is

Limibacillus halophilus

KCTC 42420T (92.2 %). The results of phylogenetic analysis indicated that R148T forms a distinct branch in the robust clade of R148T and

P. litoralis

DSM 21314T, while the taxonomic position of this clade in the family

Rhodospirillaceae

is ambiguous among phylogenetic approaches. The low 16S rRNA gene similarity and distinct polar lipid and cellular fatty acid profile could readily distinguish R148T from closely related type strains. So R148T is suggested to represent a novel species in a novel genus, for which the name Denitrobaculum tricleocarpae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R148T (=MCCC 1K03781T=KCTC 72137T).
Catellatospora sichuanensis sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from soil
Authors: Liu Chaolan , Guo Yidong , Li Li , Wang Xiwei , Lin Jiafu , Wang Xinrong , Li Jianghua , Chu Yiwen
Published: May 2020

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain H14505T, was isolated from a soil sample collected in Hong Yuan, Sichuan, southwest PR China. The temperature, pH and NaCl ranges for growth were determined to be 15–35 °C (optimum, 28 °C), 6.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and 0–2 % (w/v; optimum without NaCl), respectively. The polar lipdis detected for strain H14505T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, glycolipid and four unidentified lipids. The predominant menaquinones of strain H14505T were MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6), and the prevalent fatty acids (>10 %) were C18 : 1 ω9c, C17 : 1 ω8c, summed feature 5 (anteiso-C18 : 0/ C18 : 2 ω6,9c) and C16 : 0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences indicated that strain H14505T showed high similarity to

Catellatospora vulcania

NEAU-JM1T (99.0 %) and

Catellatospora paridis

NEAU-CL2T (99.0 %), and formed a monophyletic clade within the the genus

Catellatospora

in the phylogenetic trees. However, the average nucleotide indentity and DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain H14505T and closely related

Catellatospora

species showed that it belonged to a distinct species. Furthermore, the results of morphological, physiological and biochemical tests allowed further phenotypic differentiation of strain H14505T from its closest relatives. Thus, it is proposed that strain H14505T represents a novel species of the genus

Catellatospora

, for which the name Catellatospora sichuanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Catellatospora sichuanensis is H14505T (=JCM 32394T=CICC 11042T).
Capnocytophaga felis sp. nov. isolated from the feline oral cavity
Authors: Suzuki Michio , Umeda Kaoru , Kimura Masanobu , Imaoka Koichi , Morikawa Shigeru , Maeda Ken
Published: May 2020

Four strains, KC07070T, KC07105, 11 025B-8C and 11 026B-8-C, were isolated from the oral cavity of cats in 2007 or 2011 in Japan. These strains were Gram-stain-negative rods, exhibited gliding motility, grew in air with 5 % CO2 and showed catalase and oxidase activity. The sequences of 16S rRNA genes of the four strains were 100 % identical. Additionally, the sequences of 16S rRNA genes of KC07070T had identity to those of the type strains of

Capnocytophaga canimorsus

(97.7 %),

Capnocytophaga cynodegmi

(97.8 %) and

Capnocytophaga canis

(97.4 %) and 91.2–93.8% identity to those of other species of the genus

Capnocytophaga

. The major cellular fatty acids of KC07070T were iso-C15 : 0 (56.2 %) and summed feature 11 (14.9 %). The G+C content of the DNA from KC07070T was 35.6 mol%, and the genome size was 2.88 Mbp. KC07070T had digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values of 26.2–27.6% and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of 75.4–83.3 % to the type strains of the closest relatives,

C. canimorsus

,

C. cynodegmi

and

C. canis

. These results of phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence, cellular fatty acids compositions and dDDH and ANI values indicate that strain KC07070T represents a novel species, for which we propose the name Capnocytophaga felis sp. nov., with type strain KC07070T (=JCM 32681T=DSM 107251T).
Gongronella eborensis sp. nov., from vineyard soil of Alentejo (Portugal)
Authors: Martins Maria Rosário , Santos Carla , Soares Célia , Santos Cledir , Lima Nelson
Published: May 2020

This study describes a novel fungal species belonging to the genus Gongronella. During a previous work focusing on metalaxyl degradation by Mucorales strains, two isolates from vineyard soil samples collected in the Alentejo region, south Portugal, were identified as a putative novel species based on combined molecular and MALDI-TOF MS data. This new species is described here using a polyphasic approach that combines morphology, internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (ITS) and 28S ribosomal DNA (LSU) sequence data analysis and proteomic profiling by MALDI-TOF MS. Phenotypic and molecular data enabled this novel species to be clearly distinguished from other Gongronella species with results of combined ITS+LSU analysis showing that the Gongronella species is related to Gongronella butleri and Gongronella brasiliensis. Therefore, from the results of morphological and molecular analyses, isolates MUM 10.262 and MUM 10.263 seem to represent a new Gongronella species and the name Gongronella eborensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the ex-type strain MUM 10.262 (=CCMI 1100=CBS 128763).
Human BST-2/tetherin inhibits Junin virus release from host cells and its inhibition is partially counteracted by viral nucleoprotein
Authors: Zadeh Vahid Rajabali , Urata Shuzo , Sakaguchi Miako , Yasuda Jiro
Published: May 2020

Bone marrow stromal cell antigen-2 (BST-2), also known as tetherin, is an interferon-inducible membrane-associated protein. It effectively targets enveloped viruses at the release step of progeny viruses from host cells, thereby restricting the further spread of viral infection. Junin virus (JUNV) is a member of Arenaviridae, which causes Argentine haemorrhagic fever that is associated with a high rate of mortality. In this study, we examined the effect of human BST-2 on the replication and propagation of JUNV. The production of JUNV Z-mediated virus-like particles (VLPs) was significantly inhibited by over-expression of BST-2. Electron microscopy analysis revealed that BST-2 functions by forming a physical link that directly retains VLPs on the cell surface. Infection using JUNV showed that infectious JUNV production was moderately inhibited by endogenous or exogenous BST-2. We also observed that JUNV infection triggers an intense interferon response, causing an upregulation of BST-2, in infected cells. However, the expression of cell surface BST-2 was reduced upon infection. Furthermore, the expression of JUNV nucleoprotein (NP) partially recovered VLP production from BST-2 restriction, suggesting that the NP functions as an antagonist against antiviral effect of BST-2. We further showed that JUNV NP also rescued the production of Ebola virus VP40-mediated VLP from BST-2 restriction as a broad spectrum BST-2 antagonist. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that an arenavirus protein counteracts the antiviral function of BST-2.
Immune alterations during SARS-CoV-2-related acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Bouadma Lila , Wiedemann Aurélie , Patrier Juliette , Surénaud Mathieu , Wicky Paul-Henri , Foucat Emile , Diehl Jean-Luc , Hejblum Boris P. , Sinnah Fabrice , Montmollin Etienne de , Lacabaratz Christine , Thiébaut Rodolphe , Timsit JF , Lévy Yves
Published: May 2020

We report a longitudinal analysis of the immune response associated with a fatal case of COVID-19. This patient exhibited a rapid evolution towards multiorgan failure. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in multiple nasopharyngeal, blood, and pleural samples, despite antiviral and immunomodulator treatment. Clinical evolution in the blood was marked by an increase (2-3 fold) in differentiated effector T cells expressing exhaustion (PD-1) and senescence (CD57) markers, an expansion of antibody-secreting cells, a 15-fold increase in γδ T-cell and proliferating NK-cell populations, and the total disappearance of monocytes, suggesting lung trafficking. In the serum, waves of a proinflammatory cytokine storm, Th1 and Th2 activation, and markers of T-cell exhaustion, apoptosis, cell cytotoxicity, and endothelial activation were observed until the fatal outcome. This case underscores the need for well-designed studies to investigate complementary approaches to control viral replication, the source of the hyperinflammatory status, and immunomodulation to target the pathophysiological response.
Urine Proteome of COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Li Yanchang , Wang Yihao , Liu Huiying , Sun Wei , Ding Baoqing , Zhao Yinghua , Chen Peiru , Zhu Li , Li Zhaodi , Li Naikang , Chang Lei , Wang Hengliang , Bai Changqing , Xu Ping
Published: May 2020

The atypical pneumonia (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 is an ongoing pandemic and a serious threat to global public health. The COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms account for a majority of mortality of this disease. However, early detection and effective prediction of patients with mild to severe symptoms remains challenging. In this study, we performed proteomic profiling of urine samples from 32 healthy control individuals and 6 COVID-19 positive patients (3 mild and 3 severe). We found that urine proteome samples from the mild and severe COVID-19 patients with comorbidities can be clearly differentiated from healthy proteome samples based on the clustering analysis. Multiple pathways have been compromised after the COVID-19 infection, including the dysregulation of immune response, complement activation, platelet degranulation, lipoprotein metabolic process and response to hypoxia. We further validated our finding by directly comparing the same patients’ urine proteome after recovery. This study demonstrates the COVID-19 pathophysiology related molecular alterations could be detected in the urine and the potential application of urinary proteome in auxiliary diagnosis, severity determination and therapy development of COVID-19.
A comprehensive portrait of antimicrobial resistance in the zoonotic pathogenStreptococcus suis
Authors: Hadjirin Nazreen F. , Miller Eric L. , Murray Gemma G. R. , Yen Phung L. K. , Phuc Ho D. , Wileman Thomas M. , Hernandez-Garcia Juan , Williamson Susanna M. , Parkhill Julian , Maskell Duncan J. , Zhou Rui , Fittipaldi Nahuel , Gottschalk Marcelo , Tucker A.W. (Dan) , Hoa Ngo Thi , Welch John J. , Weinert Lucy A.
Published: May 2020

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is among the gravest threats to human health and food security worldwide. Pigs receive more antimicrobials than most other livestock, and are a known source of zoonotic disease. We studied AMR inStreptococcus suis, a commensal found in most pigs, but which can also cause serious disease in both pigs and humans. We obtained replicated measures of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for 16 antibiotics, across a panel of 678 isolates, from the major pig-producing regions of the world. For several drugs, there was no natural separation into “resistant” and “susceptible”, highlighting the need to treat MIC as a quantitative trait. We found differences in MICs between countries, consistent with their patterns of antimicrobial usage. AMR levels were high even for drugs not used to treatS. suis, with many multi-drug resistant isolates. And similar levels of resistance were found in pigs and humans from zoonotic regions. We next used whole genome sequences for each isolate to identify 43 candidate resistance determinants, 22 of which were novel inS. suis. The presence of these determinants explained most of the variation in MIC. But there were also complications, including epistatic interactions, where known resistance alleles had no effect in some genetic backgrounds. Beta-lactam resistance involved many variants of small effect, appearing in a characteristic order. Our results confirm the potential for genomic data to aid in the fight against AMR, but also demonstrate that it cannot be tackled one species or one drug at a time.
Repurposing low–molecular-weight drugs against the main protease of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Authors: Gao Jia , Zhang Liang , Liu Xiaodan , Li Fudong , Ma Rongsheng , Zhu Zhongliang , Zhang Jiahai , Wu Jihui , Shi Yunyu , Pan Yueyin , Ge Yushu , Ruan Ke
Published: May 2020

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected the global healthcare system. Drug repurposing is a feasible method for emergency treatment. As low–molecular-weight drugs have high potential to completely match interactions with essential SARS-CoV-2 targets, we propose a strategy to identify such drugs using the fragment-based approach. Herein, using ligand- and protein-observed fragment screening approaches, we identified niacin and hit1binding to the catalytic pocket of the main protease of the SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro), thereby modestly inhibiting the enzymatic activity of Mpro. Chemical shift perturbations induced by niacin and hit1indicate a partial overlap of their binding sites, i.e., the catalytic pocket of Mpromay accommodate derivatives with large molecular sizes. Therefore, we searched for drugs containing niacin or hit1pharmacophores and identified carmofur, bendamustine, triclabendazole, and emedastine; these drugs are highly capable of inhibiting protease activity. Our study demonstrates that the fragment-based approach is a feasible strategy for identifying low–molecular-weight drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 and other potential targets lacking specific drugs.
Lack ofKcnn4improves mucociliary clearance in muco-obstructive lung disease
Authors: Vega Génesis , Guequén Anita , Philp Amber R. , Gianotti Ambra , Arzola Lilian , Villalón Manuel , Zegarra-Moran Olga , Galietta Luis J.V. , Mall Marcus A. , Flores Carlos A.
Published: May 2020

Airway mucociliary clearance (MCC) is the main mechanism of lung defense keeping the airways free of infection and mucus obstruction. Airways surface liquid (ASL) volume, ciliary beating and mucus are central for proper MCC, and are critically regulated by sodium (Na+) absorption and anion secretion. Impaired MCC is a key feature of muco-obstructive disease. The calcium-activated potassium (K+)channel KCa.3.1, encoded by theKcnn4gene, participates in intestinal ion secretion and previous studies showed that its activation increase Na+absorption in airway epithelia, suggesting that hyperpolarization induced by KCa3.1 was sufficient to drive Na+absorption. However, its role in airway epithelial function is not fully understood. We therefore aimed to elucidate the role of KCa3.1 in MCC in a genetically engineered mouse model. We show that KCa3.1 inhibition reduced Na+absorption in mouse and human airway epithelium. Furthermore, the genetic deletion ofKcnn4enhanced cilia beating frequency (CBF) and MCCex vivoandin vivo.Kcnn4was silenced in theScnn1b-transgenic mouse (Scnn1btg/+), a model of muco-obstructive lung disease triggered by increased epithelial Na+-absorption, leading to improvements in MCC and reduction of Na+-absorption. KCa3.1 deletion did not change the amount of mucus but did reduce mucus adhesion, neutrophil infiltration and emphysema. Our data support that KCa3.1 inhibition attenuated muco-obstructive disease in theScnn1btg/+mice. K+-channel modulation may be a novel therapeutic strategy to treat muco-obstuctive lung diseases.
ALS/FTD-associated protein FUS induces mitochondrial dysfunction by preferentially sequestering respiratory chain complex mRNAs
Authors: Tsai Yueh-Lin , Coady Tristan H. , Lu Lei , Zheng Dinghai , Alland Isabel , Tian Bin , Shneider Neil A. , Manley James L.
Published: May 2020

Dysregulation of the DNA/RNA-binding protein FUS causes certain subtypes of ALS/FTD by largely unknown mechanisms. Recent evidence has shown that FUS toxic gain of function due either to mutations or to increased expression can disrupt critical cellular processes, including mitochondrial functions. Here, we demonstrate that in human cells overexpressing wild-type FUS or expressing mutant derivatives, the protein associates with multiple mRNAs, and these are enriched in mRNAs encoding mitochondrial respiratory chain components. Notably, this sequestration leads to reduced levels of the encoded proteins, which is sufficient to bring about disorganized mitochondrial networks, reduced aerobic respiration and increased reactive oxygen species. We further show that mutant FUS associates with mitochondria and with mRNAs encoded by the mitochondrial genome. Importantly, similar results were also observed in fibroblasts derived from ALS patients with FUS mutations. Finally, we demonstrate that FUS loss of function does not underlie the observed mitochondrial dysfunction, and also provides a mechanism for the preferential sequestration of the respiratory chain complex mRNAs by FUS that does not involve sequence-specific binding. Together, our data reveal that respiratory chain complex mRNA sequestration underlies the mitochondrial defects characteristic of ALS/FTD and contributes to the FUS toxic gain of function linked to this disease spectrum.
What am I tipping you for? Customer response to tipping requests at limited-service restaurants
Authors: Karabas Ismail , Orlowski Marissa , Lefebvre Sarah
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Tipping within the foodservice industry has traditionally been reserved for full-service restaurants. However, there is a growing trend of tip requests at limited-service restaurants, where tipping occurs prior to consuming the product. This research aims to examine the effect of a point-of-sale tip request at limited-service restaurants on return intentions via customer irritation. It also aims to analyze the moderating effects of check amount and perceived deservingness.

Design/methodology/approach

Four online scenario-based experiments were conducted to test the hypotheses. Participants were recruited from MTurk for all experiments (NStudy 1 = 152; NStudy 2 = 296; NStudy 3 = 206; NStudy 4 = 134).

Findings

Studies 1 and 2 suggested a negative impact of presenting a tip request on return intentions, with customer irritation as the underlying mechanism. Study 3 found the indirect effect was significant only when the check amount was low. Study 4 found that perceived deservingness of a tip also moderated this effect; the indirect effect was significant only when customers felt the employee did not deserve a tip. The effect was attenuated when customers felt the employee deserved a tip.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the underexplored area of tipping behavior in the limited-service context. The findings contrast extant research on voluntary tipping at full-service restaurants, thus advancing theory by suggesting the consequences of tip requests are contextual and providing practical insights to limited-service establishments contemplating whether to begin requesting tips.
Do financial instruments or grants have a bigger effect on SMEs’ access to finance? Evidence from Hungary
Authors: Nyikos Györgyi , Béres Attila , Laposa Tamás , Závecz Gergő
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The economic situation in Europe is improving, nevertheless in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are still lacking in finances. In this situation, public funding can play an important role. Besides grants, the use of financial instruments (FIs) has become increasingly popular lately in CEE as well. This paper aims to examine the micro-level effects of the different financial tools to understand which type of finance could be most recommended for policymakers in relation to improving access to finance for SMEs, and thus achieving long-term, sustainable economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The database used is a panel with firm-years as the units of analysis, the variables contain firm-level characteristics, yearly aggregated information on European Union (EU) subsidies and yearly aggregated information on credits received by the firms. The analyses are done using propensity score matching. The ultimate goal is to show whether the EU funds – grants and FIs – have contributed to the development of the Hungarian post-communist economy at micro level or not.

Findings

The result shows that the use of subsidies has a positive impact on employment, sales and in certain settings on productivity. It is very important to notice, that grants seem to be used effectively. However, the results also show that the provision of the FI holds more direct relevance to advanced productivity. The conclusion is that FIs have more positive impact on the Hungarian economy.

Originality/value

At the time of the programming for the EU 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework, the paper presents original research in the field of access to finance showing evidence and evaluating the effect of using grants versus FIs, emphasiing differences between the two development tools. It is providing an invaluable insight to the policymaker for planning policy tools and use of funds in a most effective and efficient way.
Determinants of Muslim travellers Halal food consumption attitude and behavioural intentions
Authors: Hanafiah Mohd Hafiz , Hamdan Nurul Alia Aqilah
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The demand for Muslim friendly tourism industry has been gaining momentum from the increasing number of Muslim travellers globally. This paper aims to examine the role of religiosity in Muslim travellers Halal food consumption attitude and behaviour while travelling to the non-Muslim destination.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 384 respondents participated in this study through an online survey. This study used the partial least square structural equation modelling to assess the survey measurements and hypotheses testing.

Findings

This study asserts that the Muslim travellers’ Halal consumption attitude relies heavily on their level of religiosity, subjective norms and perceived control behaviour. Besides, the results provide evidence that consumption attitude mediates the relationship between religiosity, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and intention in consuming Halal food products while travelling abroad.

Practical implications

This study highlighted the critical aspects of an emerging Muslim market that travel for leisure with the urge to comply with their Islamic teachings and religiosity. It is vital for non-Muslim tourism destination marketers to tailor their marketing strategies and consider promoting Islamic dietary rules when planning their travel packages.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few that focus on Muslim-friendly tourism and the role of religiosity in Muslim traveller’s Halal food consumption behaviour. This study confirms that the theory of planned behaviour model can be used to explain Muslim travellers Halal food consumption attitude while travelling to a non-Muslim destination.
New directions for service research: refreshing the process of theorizing to increase contribution
Authors: Brodie Roderick J. , Peters Linda D.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

For service research to develop as an applied social science there is the need to refresh the process of theorizing so it focuses not only on increasing new academic knowledge but also on knowledge that is managerially relevant. This paper aims to provide guidelines to achieve this.

Design/methodology/approach

A theorizing process that integrates general theoretic perspectives and contextual research to develop midrange theory is developed. The process is based on the philosophical foundations of pragmatism and abductive reasoning, which has the origins in the 1950s when the management sciences were being established.

Findings

A recent research stream that develops midrange theory about customer and actor engagement is used to illustrate the theorizing process.

Practical implications

Practicing managers, customers and other stakeholders in a service system use theory, so there is a need to focus on how theory is used in specific service contexts and how this research leads to academic knowledge that is managerially relevant. Thus, as applied social science, service research needs to explicitly focus on bridging the theory–praxis gap with midrange theory by incorporating a general theoretic perspective and contextual research.

Originality/value

The contribution comes from providing a broader framework to guide the theorizing process that integrates general theoretic perspectives and applied research to develop midrange theory. While general theories operate at the most abstract level of conceptualization, midrange theories are context-specific and applied theory (theories-in-use) is embedded in empirical research.
A proposal for the role of the arts in a new phase of second-order cybernetics
Authors: Scholte Tom
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest a more central role for reflexive artistic practices in a clarified research agenda for second-order cybernetics (SOC). This is offered as a way to assist the field in the further development of its theoretical/methodological “core” and, subsequently, enhance its impact on the world.

Design/methodology/approach

The argument begins by reviewing Karl Müller’s account of the failure of SOC to emerge as a mainstream endeavor. Then, Müller’s account is recontextualized within recent developments in SOC that are traced through the Design Cybernetics movement inspired by Ranulph Glanville. This alternate narrative frames a supposedly moribund period as a phase of continuing refinement of the field’s focus upon its “proper object of study,” namely, the observer’s mentation of/about their mentation. The implications of this renewed focus are then positioned within Larry Richard’s vision of the cybernetician, not as “scientist” per se but rather as a “craftsperson in and with time” capable of productively varying the dynamics of their daily interactions. Having centered widespread capacity building for this “craft” as a proposed research agenda for a new phase of SOC, the paper concludes by pointing to the unique and necessary role to be played by the arts in this endeavor. Personal reflections upon the author’s own artistic and theoretical activities are included throughout.

Findings

The development and application of artistic methods for the enhancement of individual capacity for second-order observation is consistent with the purpose of SOC, namely, “to explain the observer to himself.” Therefore, it is in the field’s interest to more fulsomely embrace non-scientific, arts-based forms of research.

Research limitations/implications

In a truly reflexive/recursive fashion, the very idea that first-person, arts-based narratives are seen, from a mainstream scientific point of view, as an insufficiently rigorous form of research is, itself, a research limitation. This highlights, perhaps ironically, the need for cybernetics to continue to pursue its own independent definitions and standards of research beyond the boundaries of mainstream science rather than limiting its own modes of inquiry in the name of “scientific legitimacy.”

Practical implications

A general uptake of the view presented here would expand the horizon of what might be considered legitimate, rigorous and valuable research in the field.

Social implications

The view presented here implies that many valuable contributions that SOC can make to society take place beyond the constraints of academic publication and within the realm of personal growth and social development.

Originality/value

The very clearly defined and “refocused” vision of SOC in this paper can be of substantial utility in developing a more robust, distinctive and concrete research agenda across this field.
Effects of different concentrations of guar, xanthan and locust bean gums on physicochemical quality and rheological properties of corn flour tarhana
Authors: Anil Munir , Durmus Yusuf , Tarakci Zekai
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Celiac disease patients cannot consume gluten-containing diets; thus, gluten-free products should be offered to meet the nutritional needs of these patients. The purpose of this study was to produce gluten-free tarhana for celiac disease patients using corn flour instead of wheat flour and investigate some physicochemical properties of tarhana. Hydrocolloids were used to compensate for technological deficiencies caused by the absence of gluten.

Design/methodology/approach

Hydrocolloids including guar gum, xanthan gum and locust bean gum were added at concentrations of 0.5% and 1.0% to the corn flour. The substituted corn flour samples were used to produce tarhana powder.

Findings

The pH and acidity measurements were carried out in 0th, 24th and 48th h of fermentation, and for all samples, the pH gradually decreased during fermentation, whereas the acidity increased. According to the color measurements (L, a and b values), it was observed that there was no significant difference (p = 0.588) between the gums in terms of L values in tarhana dough samples. Water retention capacity values of control, guar gum 1%, xanthan gum 1% and locust bean gum 1% were found to be 1.1, 1.1, 0.7 and 1.2 mL/g, respectively. The viscosity measurements were carried out at three different temperatures (30°C, 45°C and 60°C), and the viscosity values were found to decrease significantly (p = 0.000) with the increase in temperature for all the samples studied. The highest viscosity values were obtained by 1.0% xanthan gum (4,333 mPa s) and 0.5% locust bean gum (3,575 mPa s) added tarhana samples for 3 rpm at 30°C. Xanthan gum addition showed the lowest foam capacity values (0.04 mL/mL) among the samples. The samples with guar gum, xanthan gum and locust bean gum are recommended with regard to consistency and foam stability in the production of tarhana.

Originality/value

This study confirms that the use of gums in tarhana, a gluten-free system, is beneficial for the technological aspect. The unfavorable properties that can be seen because of the absence of gluten in corn flour tarhana can be compensated with the use of hydrocolloids, and tarhana can be recommended to celiac disease patients.
Fire safety management of public buildings: a systematic review of hospital buildings in Asia
Authors: Muhamad Salleh Naziah , Agus Salim Nuzaihan Aras , Jaafar Mastura , Sulieman Mohd Zailan , Ebekozien Andrew
Published: May 2020

Purpose

There is increasing recognition amongst healthcare providers on the necessity to improve fire safety management in healthcare facilities. This is possibly not yet satisfactory because of recent fire incidents in Asia. This paper set out to analyse the literature because of the paucity of systematic reviews on fire safety management of public healthcare facilities and proffer preventive measures.

Design/methodology/approach

Thirty related studies were identified with the support of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses via Scopus and Web of Science databases.

Findings

Influencing factors, hindrances to fire safety management and preventive measures for fire-related occurrence in Asian hospital buildings were the three themes that emerged from the reviewed. The factors that influence fire in Asian hospital buildings were categorised into technical, management and legislation factors.

Research limitations/implications

The recommendations of this paper were based on literature that was systematically reviewed but does not compromise the robustness concerning fire safety management in hospital buildings across Asian countries. Much is needed to be known regarding fire safety in healthcare buildings across Asian countries. This paper recommended exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach as part of the implications for further studies. This will allow in-depth face-to-face interviews and increase the generalisability of future findings concerning fire safety management in hospital buildings across Asian countries to a larger population.

Practical implications

As part of the practical implications, this paper recommends fire safety management plan as one of the practical possible measures for addressing technical, management and legislation factors. Also recommended is training and fire safety education of healthcare staff in collaboration with safety firefighters to address major issues that may arise from management factors. The government should upgrade the safety technology equipment in healthcare facilities as part of measures to mitigate issues concerning technical and legislation factors. Also, the identified factors are part of the theoretical contributions to the advancement of knowledge and this brings to the front burners new opening.

Originality/value

This is probably the first systematic review paper on fire safety hospital buildings in Asia.
Self-efficacy and job search success for new graduates
Authors: Petruzziello Gerardo , Mariani Marco Giovanni , Chiesa Rita , Guglielmi Dina
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between general self-efficacy (GSE), job search self-efficacy (JSSE), extraversion and job search success within a sample of new entrants in the labour market. It is hypothesised that JSSE acts as a mediator between GSE and job search success. Evaluation of the hireability – made by expert interviewers – of new entrants involved in a job interview simulation is proposed as a job search success criterion. Moreover, the moderating role of extraversion on the relationship between JSSE and job search success is explored.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected on 177 graduates from an Italian university. Participants were involved in a simulation of an interview conducted by experts of the personnel selection process, who gave an evaluation. Macro PROCESS for SPSS was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

GSE has an indirect effect on job search success via JSSE. Moreover, extraversion has a moderating effect on the JSSE–job search success relationship for more extraverted job seekers.

Practical implications

Job search and counselling practitioners should consider extraversion and personal differences to improve the effectiveness of interventions aimed at fostering new entrants' self-regulatory resources and behaviours during the job search.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing research about the job search process by testing a new and important job search success criterion, showing that GSE could help new graduates in establishing a specific self-efficacy, such as JSSE, and demonstrating that extraversion interacts with JSSE.