bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current and future drug combination strategies based on programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Cheng Ying , Li Hui , Zhang Liang , Liu Jing-Jing , Yang Chang-Liang , Zhang Shuang
Published: June 2021

In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have made breakthroughs in the field of lung cancer and have become a focal point for research. Programmed death-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor monotherapy was the first to break the treatment pattern for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, owing to the limited benefit of ICI monotherapy at the population level and its hyper-progressive phenomenon, it may not meet clinical needs. To expand the beneficial range of immunotherapy and improve its efficacy, several research strategies have adopted the use of combination immunotherapy. At present, multiple strategies, such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy, anti-angiogenic therapy, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 inhibitors, and radiotherapy, as well as combined treatment with new target drugs, have been evaluated for clinical practice. To further understand the current status and future development direction of immunotherapy, herein, we review the recent progress of ICI combination therapies for NSCLC.
Stem cell therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Chen Yun-Tian , Miao Kang , Zhou Linfu , Xiong Wei-Ning
Published: June 2021

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by persistent and not fully reversible airflow restrictions, is currently one of the most widespread chronic lung diseases in the world. The most common symptoms of COPD are cough, expectoration, and exertional dyspnea. Although various strategies have been developed during the last few decades, current medical treatment for COPD only focuses on the relief of symptoms, and the reversal of lung function deterioration and improvement in patient's quality of life are very limited. Consequently, development of novel effective therapeutic strategies for COPD is urgently needed. Stem cells were known to differentiate into a variety of cell types and used to regenerate lung parenchyma and airway structures. Stem cell therapy is a promising therapeutic strategy that has the potential to restore the lung function and improve the quality of life in patients with COPD. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the clinical research on the treatment of COPD with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and aims to update the understanding of the role of MSCs in COPD treatment, which may be helpful for developing effective therapeutic strategies in clinical settings.
Sarcoid Heart Disease: Review of Current Knowledge
Authors: Jin Chengyue , Gandrabur Liliya , Kim Woo Young , Pan Stephen , Ash Julia Y.
Published: June 2021

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease with the potential of multiple organ system involvement and its etiology remains unknown. Cardiac involvement is associated with worse clinical outcome, and has been reported to be 20–30% in white and as high as 58% in Japanese populations with sarcoidosis. Clinical manifestations of cardiac sarcoidosis highly depend on the extent and location of granulomatous inflammation. The most frequent presentations include heart block, tachyarrhythmia, or heart failure. Endomyocardial biopsy is the most specific diagnostic test, but has poor sensitivity due to often patchy involvement. The diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis remains challenging due to nonspecific imaging findings. Both 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging can be used to evaluate cardiac sarcoidosis, but evaluate different stages of the disease process. FDG-PET detects metabolically active inflammatory cells while cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with late gadolinium enhancement reveals areas of myocardial necrosis and fibrosis. Aggressive therapy of symptomatic cardiac sarcoidosis is often sought due to the high risk of sudden death and/or progression to heart failure. Prednisone 20–40 mg a day is the recommended initial treatment. In refractory or severe cases, higher doses of prednisone, 1–1.5 mg/kg/d (or its equivalent) and addition of a steroid-sparing agent have been utilized. Methotrexate is added most commonly. Long-term improvement has been reported with the use of a combination of weekly methotrexate and prednisone versus prednisone alone. After initiation of treatment, a cardiac FDG-PET scan may be performed 2–3 months later to assess treatment response.
Identification of Hard Ticks in the United States: A Practical Guide for Clinicians and Pathologists
Authors: Laga Alvaro C. , Mather Thomas N. , Duhaime Roland J. , Granter Scott R.
Published: June 2021

According to guidelines published by the Infectious Disease Society of America, Lyme disease prophylaxis is possible if a tick can be identified as Ixodes scapularis (nymphal or adult) within 72 hours of tick removal. However, a recent survey of medical practitioners indicates generally poor proficiency in tick identification. In this study, we provide a simple, practical guide to aid medical practitioners in identifying the most commonly encountered human biting ticks of North America.
Freeze-Dried Versus Cryopreserved Amniotic Membranes in Corneal Ulcers Treated by Overlay Transplantation: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Memmi Benjamin , Leveziel Loïc , Knoeri Juliette , Leclère Amélie , Ribes Olivier , Despiaux Marie-Claire , Bouheraoua Nacim , Nordmann Jean-Philippe , Baudouin Christophe , Borderie Vincent
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to assess cryopreserved amniotic membrane (C-AM) versus chorion-free freeze-dried amniotic membrane (FD-AM) overlay transplantation for corneal ulcers in a French tertiary ophthalmology hospital.

Methods:

Between March and July 2020, when C-AMs were not available because of the COVID-19 pandemic, 28 corneal ulcers underwent FD-AM overlay transplantation and were retrospectively compared with 22 corneal ulcers treated with C-AM during the same period in 2018. All patients had at least 3 months of follow-up, and those who underwent combined surgeries were excluded. Ulcers were assessed at baseline and then at 72 hours, 1 month, and 3 months. Population demographics, follow-up time, ulcer etiologies, epithelial defect size, ulcer depth, and complications were also recorded.

Results:

Baseline characteristics and clinical features of both groups were comparable. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of overlay AM transplantations (P = 0.52) or early detachments (P = 0.57). At 3 months, the corneal healing rate was almost the same in both groups (89% and 91% for FD-AM and C-AM, respectively; P = 0.87). Complications were equally uncommon (11% and 9%, respectively; P = 0.92). In logistic regression, the type of the membrane did not influence corneal healing at 1 month (P = 0.42) or 3 months (P = 0.99), regardless of the depth of the ulcer. However, whatever the type of AM used, the deeper the ulcer was, the less likely it was to heal at 3 months (P = 0.02).

Conclusions:

This is the first study that provides positive insight into the effectiveness of FD-AM compared with C-AM when used as overlay transplantation for treating corneal ulcers.
Intraobserver Repeatability of Tomographic, Pachymetric, and Anatomical Measurements in Healthy Eyes Using a New Swept-Source Optical Coherence Topographer
Authors: Escolano Serrano Jaime , Tarazona Jaimes Claudia Patricia , Monera Lucas Carlos Enrique , Romero Valero Daniel , Moya Martínez Alejandro , Martínez Toldos José Juan
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intraobserver repeatability of several corneal parameters in healthy eyes using a new swept-source optical coherence topographer.

Methods:

Fifty right eyes of 50 subjects were enrolled in this study. A single examiner performed 3 consecutive measurements using the Anterion swept-source optical coherence tomography. The following corneal parameters were evaluated: average keratometry (K), steep K, flat K, astigmatism, best fit sphere, and maximum keratometry on the anterior and posterior surfaces at 3 mm, average K, steep K, flat K, and astigmatism in the total corneal power map at 3 mm, central corneal thickness and thinnest point thickness in the pachymetric map, and corneal diameter. To assess the repeatability of the measurements, we calculated the following indexes: intrasubject SD (Sw), coefficient of variation, coefficient of repeatability, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results:

High repeatability was reported for all the evaluated corneal parameters, with Sw values lower than 0.027, coefficient of variation values lower than 0.066%, and coefficient of repeatability values lower than 0.187. ICC values showed a high correlation between measurements in all cases, being the lowest value for the astigmatism of the anterior surface (ICC = 0.92); for the rest, ICC values were larger than 0.98. Finally, we have not found statistically significant differences between repeated measurements (P > 0.05).

Conclusions:

The anterior segment measurements provided by the Anterion swept-source optical coherence tomography device show high intraobserver repeatability in healthy eyes.
Factors predicting the risk of biochemical incomplete response in well-differentiated thyroid cancer after total thyroidectomy
Authors: Ora Manish , Nazar Aftab Hasan , Mishra Prabhakar , Barai Sukanta , Arya Amitabh , Pradhan Prasanta Kumar , Gambhir Sanjay
Published: June 2021

Background

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is the most common endocrine carcinoma with an overall good prognosis. However, persistent or recurrent disease (P/R disease) and incomplete biochemical response (BIR) are causes of morbidity. Histopathology and TNM stage may not predict P/R disease and BIR in all patients. Various clinical parameters, histopathological features and preablative-stimulated thyroglobulin (presTg) have been proposed to predicts P/R disease. However, there is uncertainty for presTg cutoff and diagnostic accuracy. The study’s objective was to predict the BIR before radioiodine ablation from available clinical, histopathological and biochemical parameters.

Methods

A retrospective, single-center study, including DTC patients, was done. Demography and factors predicting BIR evaluated.

Result

In comparison to the patients in remission, patients with BIR were older (P = 0.042), had higher presTg (P < 0.001), and lymph nodes (LN) metastases [central or lateral compartment (P < 0.001)]. Visualization of LN on whole-body scan (P = 0.014), higher TNM stage (P = 0.001) and distance metastasis (P < 0.001) were also associated with BIR. On multivariate analysis, high presTg (P < 0.001) and LN metastases (LNscan and histopathologically proven LN involvement, P < 0.001) were associated with BIR. A presTg level ≥12.30 ng/ml has high sensitivity (90.6%) and specificity (80.6%) to predict the BIR (odds ratio 39.90).

Conclusions

The presTg and LN involvement are robust markers that predict BIR. A raised presTg level with LN metastases and nonvisualization of the LN on the whole-body scan is a worrying feature for the future BIR. We propose the inclusion of high presTg as a high-risk factor in DTC.
Scapulothoracic Articulation Disorders on 99mTc-MDP Bone Scintigraphy
Authors: Crowley Connor , Rieter William J.
Published: June 2021

Disorders of the scapulothoracic articulation can cause significant pain, as well as an audible “snapping” or crepitus in advanced cases. Although radiography, CT, and MRI are used in the diagnosis of these conditions, little is known about their manifestations on nuclear imaging. We present a case of symmetric uptake at the inferior scapulothoracic articulations mimicking metastatic disease on a staging bone scan. Recognition of this pattern of activity is not only important to accurately exclude malignancy, but also to aid referring providers in addressing potential causes of patient morbidity.
Age and sex influence social interactions, but not associations, within a killer whale pod
Authors: Weiss Michael N. , Franks Daniel W. , Giles Deborah A. , Youngstrom Sadie , Wasser Samuel K. , Balcomb Kenneth C. , Ellifrit David K. , Domenici Paolo , Cant Michael A. , Ellis Samuel , Nielsen Mia L. K. , Grimes Charli , Croft Darren P.
Published: June 2021

Social structure is a fundamental aspect of animal populations. In order to understand the function and evolution of animal societies, it is important to quantify how individual attributes, such as age and sex, shape social relationships. Detecting these influences in wild populations under natural conditions can be challenging, especially when social interactions are difficult to observe and broad-scale measures of association are used as a proxy. In this study, we use unoccupied aerial systems to observe association, synchronous surfacing, and physical contact within a pod of southern resident killer whales (
Orcinus orca
)
.
We show that interactions do not occur randomly between associated individuals, and that interaction types are not interchangeable. While age and sex did not detectably influence association network structure, both interaction networks showed significant social homophily by age and sex, and centrality within the contact network was higher among females and young individuals. These results suggest killer whales exhibit interesting parallels in social bond formation and social life histories with primates and other terrestrial social mammals, and demonstrate how important patterns can be missed when using associations as a proxy for interactions in animal social network studies.
Relict from the Jurassic: new family of brittle-stars from a New Caledonian seamount
Authors: O'Hara Timothy D. , Thuy Ben , Hugall Andrew F.
Published: June 2021

The deep-seafloor in the tropical Indo-Pacific harbours a rich and diverse benthic fauna with numerous palaeoendemics. Here, we describe a new species, genus and family of brittle-star (Ophiuroidea) from a single eight-armed specimen collected from a depth between 360 and 560 m on Banc Durand, a seamount east of New Caledonia. Leveraging a robust, fossil-calibrated (265 kbp DNA) phylogeny for the Ophiuroidea, we estimate the new lineage diverged from other ophiacanthid families in the Late Triassic or Jurassic (median = 187–178 Myr, 95% CI = 215–143 Myr), a period of elevated diversification for this group. We further report very similar microfossil remains from Early Jurassic (180 Myr) sediments of Normandy, France. The discovery of a new ancient lineage in the relatively well-known Ophiuroidea indicates the importance of ongoing taxonomic research in the deep-sea, an environment increasingly threatened by human activities.
Ecological and evolutionary significance of primates' most consumed plant families
Authors: Lim Jun Ying , Wasserman Michael D. , Veen Jorin , Després-Einspenner Marie-Lynne , Kissling W. Daniel
Published: June 2021

Angiosperms have been essential components of primate diets for millions of years, but the relative importance of different angiosperm families remains unclear. Here, we assess the contribution and ecological and evolutionary significance of plant families to diets of wild primates by compiling an unprecedented dataset of almost 9000 dietary records from 141 primary sources covering 112 primate species. Of the 205 angiosperm plant families recorded in primate diets, only 10 were consumed by more than half of primate species. Plants of the Moraceae and Fabaceae families were the most widely and frequently consumed, and they likely represent keystone resources for primates. Over 75% of species fed on these two families, and together they made up a median of approximately 13% of primate diets. By analysing the relative proportion of different plant parts consumed, we found that Moraceae was mainly eaten as fruit and Fabaceae as non-fruit parts, with the consumption of these two families not showing a significant phylogenetic signal across primate species. Moraceae consumption was associated with small home range sizes, even though more frugivorous primates tended to have larger home ranges compared to more folivorous species, possibly due to the year-round availability of moraceous fruits and the asynchrony in their phenology. Our results suggest that primates may be intricately and subtly shaped by the plant families that they have consumed over millions of years, and highlight the importance of detailed dietary studies to better understand primate ecology and evolution.
Metrics to relate COVID-19 wastewater data to clinical testing dynamics
Authors: Xiao Amy , Wu Fuqing , Bushman Mary , Zhang Jianbo , Imakaev Maxim , Chai Peter R , Duvallet Claire , Endo Noriko , Erickson Timothy B , Armas Federica , Arnold Brian , Chen Hongjie , Chandra Franciscus , Ghaeli Newsha , Gu Xiaoqiong , Hanage William P , Lee Wei Lin , Matus Mariana , McElroy Kyle A , Moniz Katya , Rhode Steven F , Thompson Janelle , Alm Eric J
Published: June 2021

Wastewater surveillance has emerged as a useful tool in the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While wastewater surveillance has been applied at various scales to monitor population-level COVID-19 dynamics, there is a need for quantitative metrics to interpret wastewater data in the context of public health trends. We collected 24-hour composite wastewater samples from March 2020 through May 2021 from a Massachusetts wastewater treatment plant and measured SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations using RT-qPCR. We show that the relationship between wastewater viral titers and COVID-19 clinical cases and deaths varies over time. We demonstrate the utility of three new metrics to monitor changes in COVID-19 epidemiology: (1) the ratio between wastewater viral titers and clinical cases (WC ratio), (2) the time lag between wastewater and clinical reporting, and (3) a transfer function between the wastewater and clinical case curves. We find that the WC ratio increases after key events, providing insight into the balance between disease spread and public health response. We also find that wastewater data preceded clinically reported cases in the first wave of the pandemic but did not serve as a leading indicator in the second wave, likely due to increased testing capacity. These three metrics could complement a framework for integrating wastewater surveillance into the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific T cell responses are impaired during late pregnancy with elevated biomarkers of tuberculosis risk postpartum
Authors: Saha Aparajita , Escuduero Jaclyn , Layouni Troy , Richardson Barbra , Hou Sharon , Mugo Nelly , Mujugira Andrew , Celum Connie , Baeten Jared M. , Lingappa Jairam , John-Stewart Grace C. , LaCourse Sylvia M. , Shah Javeed A.
Published: June 2021

Rationale

Pregnancy is a risk factor for progression from latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) to symptomatic tuberculosis (TB). However, how dynamic immunologic changes in pregnancy influence immune responses toM. tuberculosis(Mtb) is unknown.

Objectives

We performed a detailed characterization of Mtb-specific T cell responses of women at high risk for Mtb infection, leveraging a biorepository of longitudinally samples collected before, during, and after pregnancy in high HIV/TB burden settings.

Methods

We used specimens collected from women who became pregnant while enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention. We measured Mtb-specific cytokines, CCR7 and CD45RA memory markers, and overall CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation from 49 women using COMPASS, a Bayesian statistical method for evaluating overall antigen-specific T cell responses measured by flow cytometry.

Measurements and Main Results

22 LTBI+ women, defined by flow cytometry, demonstrated significantly diminished Mtb-specific CD4+ cytokine responses in the third trimester (COMPASS score (PFS) 0.07) compared before (PFS 0.15), during (PFS 0.13 and 0.16), and after pregnancy (PFS 0.14; p = 0.0084, Kruskal-Wallis test). Paradoxically, Mtb-specific CD8+ cytokine responses and nonspecifically activated CD38+HLA-DR+CD4+ T cells increased during late pregnancy. Nonspecific T cell activation, a previously validated biomarker for progression from LTBI to TB disease, was increased in LTBI+ women postpartum, compared with LTBI-women.

Conclusions

Pregnancy-related functional T cell changes were most pronounced during late pregnancy. Mtb-specific T cell changes during pregnancy and postpartum, increases in immune activation may contribute to increased risk for TB progression in the postpartum period.
Intersections between pneumonia, lowered oxygen saturation percentage and immune activation mediate depression, anxiety and chronic fatigue syndrome-like symptoms due to COVID-19: a nomothetic network approach
Authors: Al-Jassas Hawraa Kadhem , Al-Hakeim Hussein Kadhem , Maes Michael
Published: June 2021

Background

COVID-19 is associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms including increased depressive, anxiety and chronic fatigue-syndrome (CFS)-like physiosomatic (previously known as psychosomatic) symptoms.

Aims

To delineate the associations between affective and CFS-like symptoms in COVID-19 and chest CT-scan anomalies (CCTAs), oxygen saturation (SpO2), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), albumin, calcium, magnesium, soluble angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE2) and soluble advanced glycation products (sRAGEs).

Method

The above biomarkers were assessed in 60 COVID-19 patients and 30 heathy controls who had measurements of the Hamilton Depression (HDRS) and Anxiety (HAM-A) and the Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue (FF) Rating Scales.

Results

Partial Least Squares-SEM analysis showed that reliable latent vectors could be extracted from a) key depressive and anxiety and physiosomatic symptoms (the physio-affective or PA-core), b) IL-6, IL-10, CRP, albumin, calcium, and sRAGEs (the immune response core); and c) different CCTAs (including ground glass opacities, consolidation, and crazy paving) and lowered SpO2% (lung lesions). PLS showed that 70.0% of the variance in the PA-core was explained by the regression on the immune response and lung lesions latent vectors. Moreover, one common “infection-immune-inflammatory (III) core” underpins pneumonia-associated CCTAs, lowered SpO2 and immune activation, and this III core explains 70% of the variance in the PA core, and a relevant part of the variance in melancholia, insomnia, and neurocognitive symptoms.

Discussion

Acute SARS-CoV-2 infection is accompanied by lung lesions and lowered SpO2 which both may cause activated immune-inflammatory pathways, which mediate the effects of the former on the PA-core and other neuropsychiatric symptoms due to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Relative deprivation in income, tobacco chewing and bidi smoking among Indian adults: Findings from a cross-sectional national study
Authors: Sharma Anupam Joya , Subramanyam Malavika Ambale
Published: June 2021

The robust relationship of income with health outcomes is widely documented and there is a rich body of work examining the direct impact of income on health. However, researchers have also extensively studied the relationship of an individual’s relative socioeconomic position with their wellbeing, frequently explained by the relative deprivation (RD) hypothesis. Despite the high socioeconomic inequality, research on RD in the Indian context is scarce. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to assess the relationship of RD in income with the risk of tobacco chewing and bidi smoking in a sample of Indian adults. We drew data from the second round of the nationally representative India Human Development Survey for our analysis. Using data on annual household equivalized income from 26,529 adults, we created the Yitzhaki index to operationalize RD in income. We then fitted survey adjusted logistic regression models accounting for age, gender, absolute household equivalized income, education, place of residence, caste, and religion. Odds ratios from fully adjusted models for the third tertile (greatest relative deprivation) versus the first tertile (lowest relative deprivation) ranged between 1.32 (95% CI=1.15, 1.50) and 1.63 (95% CI=1.40, 1.89) for tobacco chewing and varied between 0.99 (95% CI=0.86, 1.14) and 1.32 (95% CI=1.15, 1.51) for bidi smoking, depending on the reference group used to compute the RD measure. Our findings suggested that with higher RD, the risk of consumption of smokeless tobacco and bidi smoking was higher. These results point to the health hazard of relative deprivation in a society that has enjoyed rapid economic growth coupled with rising income inequality in the last few decades. Our findings call for a comprehensive assessment of the socioeconomic inequality in income and health observed in India and the implementation of efficient programs to narrow the gap.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available in IHDS 2 at https://ihds.umd.edu/data/ihds-2.
Noninvasive genetic sampling of two flying fox species provides a high rate of genotyping success and a low error rate during amplification
Authors: Ibouroi Mohamed Thani , Cheha Ali , Besnard Aurelien
Published: June 2021

Noninvasive genetic sampling techniques are useful tools for providing genetic data that are crucially needed for determining suitable conservation actions. Yet these methods may be highly unreliable in certain situations for instance, when working with faecal samples of frugivorous species in tropical areas. In this study, we tested the applicability of noninvasive genetic sampling on two Comoro Islands flying fox species: Pteropus livingstonii and P.seychellensis comorensis in order to optimize the sampling and laboratory process. Both mitochondrial (mtDNA) and microsatellite markers were tested using two common faeces conservation protocols (ethanol and silica gel), and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) success and genotyping error rates were assessed. The average proportion of mtDNA PCRs positive results was 55% for P.livingstonii and 38% for P.s.comorensis, and higher amplification success was obtained for samples preserved in ethanol as compared to silica gel. The average genotyping success rate was high (74% for P.livingstonii and 95% for P.s.comorensis) and the genotyping error rate was low for both species. Despite our results confirm the effectiveness of using noninvasive genetic sampling methods to study flying fox species, the protocol we used can be optimized to provide higher efficiency. Some recommendations related to field sampling protocols and laboratory methods are proposed in order to optimize amplification rate and minimize genotyping errors.
Does an artistic representation of brand logos increase their effect on customers?
Authors: Krämer Julia , Rott Timo , Tenberge Jan-Gerd , Schiffler Patrick , Johnen Andreas , Landmeyer Nils C. , Olivier Ferencz , Wiendl Heinz , Meuth Sven G.
Published: June 2021

Background

In numerous fMRI studies, brands strongly confound the customer’s economic decisions on a neural level by modulating cortical activity in reward-related areas.

Objective

To test the hypothesis that the effect of logos can be increased by artistic logo representations, we presented logos in original and artistically changed versions during fMRI.

Methods

Following a pre-study survey on the familiarity of original brand logos, 15 logos rated as “familiar” and 10 logos rated as “unfamiliar” were selected for fMRI experiment. During fMRI, 15 healthy subjects were presented with original and artistically changed logos out of the familiar/unfamiliar categories. A whole-brain and ROI analysis for reward-related areas were performed. Moreover, logo-induced valence and arousal were measured with the self-assessment manikin.

Results

Whole-brain analysis revealed activation in bilateral visual cortex for artistically changed logos (familiar/unfamiliar) compared to original logos. No significant effect could be detected for the ROI analysis. On average, the logos caused neutral emotions. However, when analyzing valence and arousal for familiar/unfamiliar and original/artistically changed logos separately, familiar original logos evoked stronger positive emotions than familiar artistically changed logos. Artistically changed logos (familiar/unfamiliar) excited participants significantly more than original logos.

Conclusion

Artistically changed logos elicit activation in the bilateral visual cortex but not in reward-related areas.
Novel intracellular phospholipase B fromPseudomonas aeruginosawith activity towards endogenous phospholipids affects biofilm assembly
Authors: Weiler Andrea J. , Spitz Olivia , Gudzuhn Mirja , Schott-Verdugo Stephan N. , Kamel Michael , Thiele Björn , Streit Wolfgang R. , Kedrov Alexej , Schmitt Lutz , Gohlke Holger , Kovacic Filip
Published: June 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosais a severe threat to immunocompromised patients due to its numerous virulence factors and multiresistance against antibiotics. This bacterium produces and secretes various toxins with hydrolytic activities including phospholipases A, C and D. However, the function of intracellular phospholipases for bacterial virulence has still not been established. Here we demonstrate that the hypothetical genepa2927ofP. aeruginosaencodes a novel phospholipase B named PaPlaB. PaPlaB isolated from detergent-solubilized membranes ofE. colirapidly degraded various GPLs including endogenous GPLs isolated fromP. aeruginosacells. Cellular localization studies suggest that PaPlaB is peripherally bound to the inner and outer membrane ofE. coli, yet the active form was predominantly associated with the cytoplasmic membrane.In vitroactivity of purified and detergent-stabilized PaPlaB increases at lower protein concentrations. The size distribution profile of PaPlaB oligomers revealed that decreasing protein concentration triggers oligomer dissociation. These results indicate that homooligomerisation regulates PaPlaB activity by a yet unknown mechanism, which might be required for preventing bacteria from self-disrupting the membrane. We demonstrated that PaPlaB is an important determinant of the biofilm lifestyle ofP. aeruginosa, as shown by biofilm quantification assay and confocal laser scanning microscopic analysis of biofilm architecture. This novel intracellular phospholipase B with a putative virulence role contributes to our understanding of membrane GPL degrading enzymes and may provide a target for new therapeutics againstP. aeruginosabiofilms.
Raman Needle Arthroscopy for In Vivo Molecular Assessment of Cartilage
Authors: Kroupa Kimberly , Wu Man I , Zhang Juncheng , Jensen Magnus , Wong Wei , Engiles Julie B. , Grinstaff Mark W. , Snyder Brian D. , Bergholt Mads S. , Albro Michael B.
Published: June 2021

The development of treatments for osteoarthritis (OA) is burdened by the lack of standardized biomarkers of cartilage health that can be applied in clinical trials. We present a novel arthroscopic Raman probe that can “optically biopsy” cartilage and quantify key ECM biomarkers for determining cartilage composition, structure, and material properties in health and disease. Technological and analytical innovations to optimize Raman analysis include: 1) multivariate decomposition of cartilage Raman spectra into ECM-constituent-specific biomarkers (glycosaminoglycan [GAG], collagen [COL], water [H2O] scores), and 2) multiplexed polarized Raman spectroscopy to quantify superficial zone collagen anisotropy via a PLS-DA-derived Raman collagen alignment factor (RCAF). Raman measurements were performed on a series of ex vivo cartilage models: 1) chemically GAG-depleted bovine cartilage explants (n=40), 2) mechanically abraded bovine cartilage explants (n=30), 3) aging human cartilage explants (n=14), and 4) anatomical-site-varied ovine osteochondral explants (n=6). Derived Raman GAG score biomarkers predicted 95%, 66%, and 96% of the variation in GAG content of GAG-depleted bovine explants, human explants, and ovine explants, respectively (p<0.001). RCAF values were significantly different for explants with abrasion-induced superficial zone collagen loss (p<0.001). The multivariate linear regression of Raman-derived ECM biomarkers (GAG and H2O scores) predicted 94% of the variation in elastic modulus of ovine explants (p<0.001). Finally, we demonstrated the first in vivo Raman arthroscopy assessment of an ovine femoral condyle through intraarticular entry into the synovial capsule. This work advances Raman arthroscopy towards a transformative low cost, minimally invasive diagnostic platform for objective monitoring of treatment outcomes from emerging OA therapies.
Single-cell transcriptome analysis of embryonic and adult endothelial cells allows to rank the hemogenic potential of post-natal endothelium
Authors: Adamov Artem , Serina Secanechia Yasmin Natalia , Lancrin Christophe
Published: June 2021

Hematopoietic stem cells are crucial for the continuous production of blood cells during life. The transplantation of these cells is one of the most common treatments to cure patient suffering of blood diseases. However, the lack of suitable donors is a major limitation. One option to get hematopoietic stem cells matching perfectly a patient is cellular reprogramming. Hematopoietic stem cells emerge from endothelial cells in blood vessels during embryogenesis through the endothelial to hematopoietic transition. Here, we used single-cell transcriptomics analysis to compare embryonic and post-natal endothelial cells to investigate the potential of adult vasculature to be reprogrammed in hematopoietic stem cells. Although transcriptional similarities have been found between embryonic and adult endothelial cells, we found some key differences in term of transcription factors expression. There is a deficit of expression of Runx1, Tal1, Lyl1 and Cbfb in adult endothelial cells compared to their embryonic counterparts. Using a combination of gene expression profiling and gene regulatory network analysis, we found that endothelial cells from the pancreas, brain, kidney and liver appear to be the most suitable targets for cellular reprogramming into hematopoietic stem cells. Overall, our work provides an important resource for the rational design of a reprogramming strategy for the generation of hematopoietic stem cells.
Airspace design for integrating RPAS into terminal airspace
Authors: Arranz Moneo Monica , Pérez-Castán Javier Alberto , Gomez Comendador Victor Fernando , Rodríguez-Sanz Álvaro , Arnaldo Valdes Rosa María
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) integration in non-segregated terminal airspace. This work aims to identify the potential airspace volumes where a free operation of RPAS can be developed by analysing the airspace design of the terminal airspace.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology considers five crucial elements of the airspace design: obstacles, prohibited, restricted and dangerous zones, aerodrome zones, departing and arriving procedures and visual corridors. Free operation of RPAS is performed in those airspace volumes that no interaction with instrumental flight rules (IFR) flights is expected. Free RPAS airspace volumes are separated through current IFR separation minima.

Findings

The results show there is a significant amount of available airspace that RPAS can operate without interaction with conventional aircraft. The more significant risks are allocated by the limitations imposed by departing and arriving procedures in the terminal airspace.

Research limitations/implications

The methodology is applied to medium-dense terminal airspace. This work assumes RPAS can perform visual or instrumental flights.

Originality/value

RPAS is a capital issue for the majority of aviation actors. This work underlay the further development of a methodology regarding airspace design for RPAS in a terminal control area.
Legitimacy, autonomy and trust: a recipe for organizations to operate in the public interest
Authors: Wilson Christopher , Knighton Devin
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of publics' legitimacy evaluations on Arthur W. Page's conceptualization of “reasonable freedom of action” by breaking it into two parts: (1) perceived organizational autonomy and (2) trust in the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted an online experiment using a 2 (legitimacy: low, high) × 2 (legitimacy type: institutional, actional) between-subjects design. Measured variables included perceived organizational autonomy and trust.

Findings

Organizations acting in their own self-interest while ignoring community norms and expectations were perceived to be exercising higher levels of organizational autonomy and have lower levels of trust. The interaction between legitimacy type and level had an effect on perceived organizational autonomy and trust.

Research limitations/implications

Public's view their relationships with organizations from a perspective that prioritizes responsibility and conformity to community norms and expectations. Also, organizations have more to lose by acting in their own self-interest to resolve institutional legitimacy concerns and more to gain by handling them in a way that includes the public interest than when they are managing an actional legitimacy situation.

Practical implications

Societal norms, values and beliefs, which may have accommodated, or even supported, an organization's approach to doing business in the past, can change over time, calling into question an organization's legitimacy and its ability to operate in the public interest. As a result, organizational leaders need the Chief Communication Officer to help them understand current societal norms, values and beliefs.

Originality/value

This study addresses a core assumption of the organization–public relationship paradigm that has not yet been studied empirically. It also expands the understanding of organizational autonomy from a public perspective and examines the effect of legitimacy on organizational autonomy and trust.
The relation of servant leadership with followers' organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB): mediating role of generalized self-efficacy (GSE) and organization–based self-esteem (OBSE)
Authors: Bantha Tapas , Sahni Sanjeev P.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to understand the relationship between servant leadership (SL) and followers’ organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) along with the mediational role of generalized self-efficacy (GSE) and organization-based self-esteem (OBSE) on the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of literature on leadership has been carried out to formulate a conceptual model that has focussed on the relationship between SL and followers’ OCB. The paper has also drawn the role of GSE and OBSE with relation to SL and followers’ OCB.

Findings

The literature has highlighted the importance of SL in promoting followers’ OCB, GSE and OBSE, and the positive relation of GSE and OBSE with followers’ OCB is also demonstrated.

Research limitations/implications

This is a conceptual work that has drawn from secondary material. A further empirical examination can help validate the ideas that have been proposed here.

Practical implications

This paper has highlighted the role of SL in organizations. It has also provided ample scope for practitioners to rethink about their current leadership style/approach and to plan their approach in such a way that can facilitate followers’ OCB, GSE and OBSE, which may result in organizational productivity and sustainability.

Originality/value

This paper has tried to connect two mediators, i.e. GSE and OBSE with SL in the Indian context that has been studied differently concerning different contexts, and that may add a new dimension to the discourse on SL.
Adapt to not just survive but thrive: resilience strategies of five-star hotels at difficult times
Authors: Shi Fangfang , Shi Da , Weaver David , Samaniego Chavez Carla Estefania
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This research aims to explore the strategies and tactics taken by five-star hotels to create and sustain competitiveness at difficult times, the role of innovation among the initiatives taken and the factors that influence managers’ decision in selection of coping measures.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted in two stages. The first stage focused on textual analysis of online news reports on luxury hotels’ coping strategies taken between 2013 and 2018. At the second stage, expert interviews were carried out with 25 managers of five-star hotels to obtain richer information of hotels’ responsive measures. The qualitative data were analyzed by thematic analysis.

Findings

The results revealed that five-star hotels in China made adjustment in physical resource management, human resource management, marketing mix, operation process and external relations to maintain competitiveness during difficult times. A model of hotel resilience was developed based on the findings. Innovation was imbedded in the responsive measures throughout these areas. Managers’ selection of coping measures was affected by the hotel’s organizational culture, location, brand image and competitors.

Practical implications

The model of hotel resilience serves as a useful reference to plan and select strategies and tactics to respond to similar external challenges. Hotel managers are recommended to embrace a variety of innovations directed at both internal management and customer service during challenging times.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first empirical research that systematically examines the measures taken by hotels during critical times to maintain competitiveness, linking these to contemporary post-Fordist operational trends.
Volunteer experiences at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games
Authors: Kappelides Pam , Barry Shane , Kim Eunjung , Fredline Liz , Cuskelly Graham
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This article assesses how the human management practices of recruitment, selection, orientation, training and recognition enacted by the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games impacted volunteers' experiences and their likelihood of volunteering in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data from 30 volunteers, involved in various stages (including selected and not selected) of the selection process for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, was collected through focus group interviews.

Findings

The findings offer important insights for mega sport event managers and their organisations around utilising a traditional human resource management approach for their volunteer workforce.

Originality/value

The findings of the study point to a number of important opportunities for mega event organisers: ensuring there is a personal and consistent approach for all volunteers (even volunteers who are not successful in the application), flexibility in the way volunteers are provided training and support (online, self-paced and tailored to specific roles) and ensuring that organising committees have a strong strategy and direction for host cities to engage in a volunteer legacy.
Emergence of social media as new normal during COVID-19 pandemic: a study on innovative complaint handling procedures in the context of banking industry
Authors: Agnihotri Durgesh , Kulshreshtha Kushagra , Tripathi Vikas
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Banking industry has no option but to remain observant and redraft the contagion playbook as per the situation evolves owing to COVID-19. Therefore, this study aims to develop a model to examine empirically how effectively complaints are handled to control customer retaliation and negative e-word of mouth (eWOM) in such a pandemic situation, where banking institutions are using social media as a key platform.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among 309 participants who had encountered service failure and experienced complaint handling on Facebook. This study draws upon prevailing literature to test a series of hypotheses through structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings show that effective complaint handling has a negative influence on customer retaliation in the social media environment. As a result, customer retaliation was found to have a positive association with negative eWOM. Therefore, this study has revealed that effective complaint handling will lead to decrease in customer retaliation and negative eWOM.

Practical implications

This study carries an understanding of effective complaint handling efforts by leading banks in the social media environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study recommends that customized and effective efforts by the banks can influence customer retaliation and negative e-WOM.

Originality/value

The study is conducted during COVID-19 pandemic considering the impact of COVID-19 on banking sector, which is a new phenomenon. This study has highlighted how banks have modified their working methodology during pandemic situation by using Facebook as a prominent platform to redress customers’ issues and complaints.
How to build a quality management climate in a small to medium enterprise: an action research project
Authors: Bishop Desmond , Reeves Kingsley
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share the successful lean implementation experience of a small to medium enterprise (SME) and the resultant performance improvement including the development of a quality management climate.

Design/methodology/approach

An action research (AR) approach was used with two successive rounds of interventions.

Findings

The results from this project show that the organization was indeed able to build a quality climate as measured by the total defect count. Results include a measurable reduction in non-conformances.

Research limitations/implications

The study took place in a single organization and, as such, it is difficult to generalize the results of the research. However, the benefit of studying one organization is the depth at which the organization may be studied. The major takeaway is that any organization of any size or any industry can increase the quality climate of the organization by intensely focusing on a minimal number of high-impact factors.

Originality/value

The research fills a gap identified in the literature regarding the critical success factors for lean implementation in SMEs and practitioner/academic collaboration in research activities. Moreover, there are very few research studies in the lean literature that provide the practical insights that may be garnered from an AR approach. Thus, both the context and methodological approach contribute to the literature.